KR102252453B1 - Method for maintaining stability of an aerosol generating apparatus by using hardware reset and apparatus thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention is a method of maintaining the stability of an aerosol generating device through a hardware reset. When a charging signal input through a charging terminal is detected, an interrupt signal is generated when a first time elapses from the detected time point. Interrupt generation step of generating; A signal transmission step of transmitting the generated interrupt signal to a control unit; And a reset signal transmitting step of transmitting a reset signal to a preset circuit block within a second time from the time when the control unit receives the generated interrupt signal. Start.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [Method for maintaining stability of an aerosol generating apparatus by using hardware reset and apparatus thereof]

The present invention relates to a method for maintaining the stability of an aerosol generating device through a hardware reset and an invention related to the aerosol generating device, and more specifically, a decrease in performance when a periodic reset is performed among circuit blocks included in the aerosol generating device. The present invention relates to a method for securing stability of an aerosol generating device by resetting the circuit blocks at a certain point in time and an apparatus for implementing the method.

In recent years, there is an increasing demand for alternative methods to overcome the shortcomings of general cigarettes. For example, as an aerosol-generating material is heated, not a method of generating an aerosol by burning a cigarette, there is an increasing demand for a method of generating an aerosol.

Accordingly, there is a need for a technology for precisely correcting the measured temperature of the heater to the actual temperature at which the aerosol is heated.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-112829 (published on 22 June 2017)

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an aerosol generating device that maintains stability by selectively resetting a circuit block requiring reset when a charging signal is sensed.

The method according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above technical problem is a method of maintaining the stability of an aerosol generating device through a hardware reset. When a charging signal input through a charging terminal is detected, from the sensed time point An interrupt generation step of generating an interrupt signal when the first time elapses; A signal transmission step of transmitting the generated interrupt signal to a control unit; And a reset signal transmitting step of transmitting a reset signal to a preset circuit block within a second time from the time when the control unit receives the generated interrupt signal.

A device according to another embodiment of the present invention for solving the above technical problem is a device for maintaining the stability of an aerosol generating device, comprising: a charging terminal for charging a battery of the aerosol generating device through an external input; An interrupt generator configured to generate an interrupt signal when a first time elapses from the sensed time point when detecting a charge signal input through the charging terminal; And a control unit for transmitting a reset signal to a preset circuit block within a second time from the time when the generated interrupt signal is received.

An embodiment of the present invention may provide a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing the method.

In addition, another embodiment of the present invention may provide an aerosol generating device including the device.

According to the present invention, it is possible to minimize the frequency of abnormal operation of circuit blocks included in the aerosol generating device, so that the user can stably use the aerosol generating device.

The aerosol generating apparatus 5 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a cartridge 20 holding an aerosol-generating material and a body 10 supporting the cartridge 20.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary operating state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
3 is a perspective view illustrating another exemplary operating state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an aerosol generating apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.
5 is a block diagram showing an example of a device for maintaining the stability of an aerosol generating device according to the present invention.
6 is a diagram schematically showing a circuit diagram of an example of an interrupt generation circuit included in the interrupt generation unit.
7 and 8 are diagrams schematically showing waveforms of an analog pulse signal input to the interrupt generator and an interrupt signal output from the interrupt generator.
9 is a diagram showing a flowchart of an example of a method of improving the stability of an aerosol generating device through a hardware reset according to the present invention.

As for terms used in the embodiments, general terms that are currently widely used as possible are selected while taking functions of the present invention into consideration, but this may vary according to the intention or precedent of a technician working in the field, the emergence of new technologies, and the like. In addition, in certain cases, there are terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning of the terms will be described in detail in the description of the corresponding invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention should be defined based on the meaning of the term and the overall contents of the present invention, not a simple name of the term.

When a part of the specification is said to "include" a certain component, it means that other components may be further included rather than excluding other components unless specifically stated to the contrary. In addition, terms such as "... unit" and "... module" described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented as hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those of ordinary skill in the art may easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a coupling relationship between a replaceable cartridge holding an aerosol-generating material and an aerosol-generating device having the same according to an embodiment.

The aerosol generating apparatus 5 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a cartridge 20 holding an aerosol-generating material and a body 10 supporting the cartridge 20.

The cartridge 20 may be coupled to the body 10 in a state in which the aerosol-generating material is accommodated therein. A portion of the cartridge 20 is inserted into the receiving space 19 of the main body 10 so that the cartridge 20 may be mounted on the main body 10.

The cartridge 20 may hold an aerosol-generating material having any one state, such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gas state, or a gel state, for example. The aerosol generating material may comprise a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may be a liquid including a non-tobacco material.

The liquid composition may include, for example, water, solvent, ethanol, plant extract, flavor, flavor, and any one component of a vitamin mixture, or a mixture of these components. The fragrance may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit flavoring ingredients, but is not limited thereto. Flavoring agents may include ingredients that can provide a variety of flavors or flavors to the user. The vitamin mixture may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the liquid composition may include an aerosol former such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

For example, the liquid composition may include a glycerin and propylene glycol solution in any weight ratio to which a nicotine salt is added. The liquid composition may contain two or more types of nicotine salts. Nicotine salts can be formed by adding to nicotine a suitable acid, including organic or inorganic acids. Nicotine is naturally occurring nicotine or synthetic nicotine, and can have any suitable concentration of weight relative to the total solution weight of the liquid composition.

The acid for the formation of the nicotine salt may be appropriately selected in consideration of the rate of absorption of nicotine in the blood, the operating temperature of the aerosol generating device 5, flavor or flavor, solubility, and the like. For example, acids for the formation of nicotine salts are benzoic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, lauric acid, sorbic acid, levulinic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid. , Citric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharic acid, malonic acid, or a single acid selected from the group consisting of malic acid It may be a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group, but is not limited thereto.

The cartridge 20 converts a phase of an aerosol-generating material inside the cartridge 20 into a gaseous phase by operating by an electric signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body 10 to generate an aerosol. Performs a function. The aerosol may mean a gas in a state in which vaporized particles generated from an aerosol-generating material and air are mixed.

For example, the cartridge 20 may receive an electric signal from the main body 10 to heat the aerosol-generating material, use an ultrasonic vibration method, or an induction heating method to convert the phase of the aerosol-generating material. As another example, when the cartridge 20 includes its own power source, the cartridge 20 is operated by an electrical control signal or a radio signal transmitted from the main body 10 to the cartridge 20 to generate an aerosol. I can.

The cartridge 20 may include a liquid storage unit 21 accommodating an aerosol-generating material therein, and an atomizer performing a function of converting the aerosol-generating material of the liquid storage unit 21 into an aerosol. .

The liquid storage unit 21'accommodating an aerosol-generating material' therein means that the liquid storage unit 21 simply performs a function of containing an aerosol-generating material, such as the use of a container, and the liquid storage unit ( 21) means including an element that impregnates (contains) an aerosol-generating material such as sponge, cotton or cloth, or a porous ceramic structure.

The atomizer may include, for example, a liquid delivery means (wick) that absorbs an aerosol-generating material and maintains it in an optimal state for conversion into an aerosol, and a heater that generates an aerosol by heating the liquid delivery means.

The liquid delivery means may comprise, for example, at least one of cotton fibers, ceramic fibers, glass fibers and porous ceramics.

The heater may include a metal material such as copper, nickel, or tungsten in order to heat the aerosol-generating material transferred to the liquid transfer means by generating heat by electric resistance. The heater may be implemented as, for example, a metal wire, a metal plate, or a ceramic heating element, and may be implemented as a conductive filament using a material such as nichrome wire, or wound around a liquid transfer means or adjacent to a liquid transfer means. Can be arranged in a way.

The atomizer also absorbs an aerosol-generating material without using a separate liquid delivery means and maintains it in an optimal state for conversion into an aerosol, and a mesh shape that performs both the function of heating the aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol. shape) or plate shape.

The liquid storage unit 21 of the cartridge 20 may at least partially include a transparent material so that the aerosol-generating material accommodated in the cartridge 20 can be visually confirmed from the outside. The liquid storage unit 21 includes a protruding window 21a protruding from the liquid storage unit 21 so that it can be inserted into the groove 11 of the main body 10 when it is coupled to the main body 10. The entire mouthpiece 22 and the liquid storage unit 21 may be made of a material such as transparent plastic or glass, and only the protrusion window 21a corresponding to a portion of the liquid storage unit 21 may be made of a transparent material. have.

The main body 10 includes a connection terminal 10t disposed inside the accommodation space 19. When the liquid storage unit 21 of the cartridge 20 is inserted into the accommodation space 19 of the main body 10, the main body 10 provides power to the cartridge 20 through the connection terminal 10t, or the cartridge 20 A signal related to the operation of) can be supplied to the cartridge 20.

A mouthpiece 22 is coupled to one end of the liquid storage part 21 of the cartridge 20. The mouthpiece 22 is a part of the aerosol generating device 5 that is inserted into the mouth of the user. The mouthpiece 22 includes a discharge hole 22a for discharging the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating material inside the liquid storage unit 21 to the outside.

A slider 7 is coupled to the main body 10 so as to be movable with respect to the main body 10. The slider 7 has a function of covering at least a part of the mouthpiece 22 of the cartridge 20 coupled to the body 10 or exposing at least a part of the mouthpiece 22 to the outside by moving relative to the body 10 Perform. The slider 7 includes a long hole 7a for exposing at least a portion of the protruding window 21a of the cartridge 20 to the outside.

The slider 7 is hollow inside and has a cylindrical shape with both ends open. The structure of the slider 7 is not limited to a cylindrical shape as shown in the drawing, and it is bent having a clip-shaped cross-sectional shape that is movable with respect to the main body 10 while maintaining the state coupled to the edge of the main body 10 It may have a structure such as a curved plate structure or a curved semi-cylindrical shape having a cross-sectional shape of a curved arc shape.

The slider 7 includes a body 10 and a magnetic body for maintaining the position of the slider 7 relative to the cartridge 20. The magnetic material may include a material such as a permanent magnet, iron, nickel, cobalt, or alloys thereof.

The magnetic body includes two first magnetic bodies 8a facing each other with an inner space of the slider 7 therebetween, and two second magnetic bodies 8b facing each other with an inner space of the slider 7 interposed therebetween. do. The first magnetic body 8a and the second magnetic body 8b are disposed to be spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the main body 10 which is the moving direction of the slider 7, that is, the direction in which the main body 10 extends.

The body 10 is a fixed magnetic body 9 disposed on a path in which the first magnetic body 8a and the second magnetic body 8b of the slider 7 move while the slider 7 moves with respect to the body 10 Includes. Two fixed magnetic bodies 9 of the main body 10 may also be installed so as to face each other with the accommodation space 19 interposed therebetween.

Depending on the position of the slider 7, the slider 7 is formed by the magnetic force acting between the fixed magnetic body 9 and the first magnetic body 8a or between the fixed magnetic body 9 and the second magnetic body 8b. ) Can be stably maintained in a position to cover or expose the end of.

The body 10 is a position change detection sensor disposed on the moving path of the first magnetic body 8a and the second magnetic body 8b of the slider 7 while the slider 7 moves with respect to the body 10. Includes 3). The position change detection sensor 3 may include, for example, a Hall IC using a Hall effect that generates a signal by detecting a change in a magnetic field.

In the aerosol generating apparatus 5 according to the above-described embodiment, the main body 10, the cartridge 20, and the slider 7 have a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape in a direction transverse to the length direction, but the embodiment is such an aerosol generating apparatus. It is not limited by the shape of (5). The aerosol generating device 5 may have, for example, a circular, oval, square, or polygonal cross-sectional shape. In addition, when the aerosol generating device 5 extends in the longitudinal direction, it is not necessarily limited to a structure that extends linearly, for example, it is curved in a streamlined shape or bent at a predetermined angle in a specific area so that the user can easily grasp it with a long extension. can do.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary operating state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 2, the slider 7 is shown in an operating state in which the slider 7 is moved to a position covering the end of the mouthpiece 22 of the cartridge coupled to the main body 10. In a state in which the slider 7 is moved to a position covering the end of the mouthpiece 22, the mouthpiece 22 is safely protected from external foreign matter and can be maintained in a clean state.

The user can visually check the protruding window 21a of the cartridge through the long hole 7a of the slider 7 to check the remaining amount of the aerosol-generating material held by the cartridge. The user can move the slider 7 in the longitudinal direction of the body 10 in order to use the aerosol generating device 5.

3 is a perspective view illustrating another exemplary operating state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 3, the slider 7 is shown in an operating state in which the slider 7 is moved to a position exposing the end of the mouthpiece 22 of the cartridge coupled with the main body 10 to the outside. In a state in which the slider 7 is moved to a position exposing the end of the mouthpiece 22 to the outside, the user inserts the mouthpiece 22 into his or her mouth and passes through the discharge hole 22a of the mouthpiece 22. Exhaled aerosols can be inhaled.

Even when the slider 7 is moved to a position exposing the end of the mouthpiece 22 to the outside, the protruding window 21a of the cartridge is exposed to the outside through the long hole 7a of the slider 7, so that the user can It is possible to visually check the remaining amount of the aerosol-generating material held.

4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an aerosol generating apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, the aerosol generating apparatus 10000 may include a battery 11000, a heater 12000, a sensor 13000, a user interface 14000, a memory 15000, and a control unit 16000. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 10000 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 4. Depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 10000, it may be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment that some of the hardware configurations shown in FIG. 4 may be omitted or a new configuration may be added. .

In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 10000 may be composed of only a main body, and in this case, hardware components included in the aerosol generating apparatus 10000 are located in the main body. In another embodiment, the aerosol generating apparatus 10000 may be composed of a main body and a cartridge, and hardware components included in the aerosol generating apparatus 10000 may be divided and positioned in the main body and the cartridge. Alternatively, at least some of the hardware components included in the aerosol generating apparatus 10000 may be located in each of the main body and the cartridge.

Hereinafter, a space in which each component included in the aerosol generating apparatus 10000 is located is not limited, and an operation of each component will be described.

The battery 11000 supplies power used to operate the aerosol generating device 10000. That is, the battery 11000 may supply power so that the heater 12000 can be heated. In addition, the battery 11000 may supply power required for the operation of other hardware components included in the aerosol generating device 10000, that is, the sensor 13000, the user interface 14000, the memory 15000, and the control unit 16000. I can. The battery 11000 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 11000 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

The heater 12000 receives power from the battery 11000 under the control of the controller 16000. The heater 12000 may receive power from the battery 11000 to heat the cigarette inserted in the aerosol generating device 10000 or heat a cartridge mounted in the aerosol generating device 10000.

The heater 12000 may be located in the body of the aerosol generating device 10000. Alternatively, when the aerosol generating apparatus 10000 is composed of a body and a cartridge, the heater 12000 may be located in the cartridge. When the heater 12000 is located in the cartridge, the heater 12000 may receive power from the battery 11000 located in at least one of the main body and the cartridge.

Heater 12000 can be formed of any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, suitable electrically resistive materials are titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, etc. It may be a metal or a metal alloy including, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heater 12000 may be implemented as a metal wire, a metal plate on which an electrically conductive track is disposed, a ceramic heating element, etc., but is not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, the heater 12000 may be a component included in a cartridge. The cartridge may include a heater 12000, a liquid delivery means, and a liquid storage. The aerosol-generating material accommodated in the liquid storage unit moves to the liquid delivery means, and the heater 12000 may generate an aerosol by heating the aerosol-generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery means. For example, the heater 12000 may include a material such as nickel chromium and may be wound around the liquid delivery means or disposed adjacent to the liquid delivery means.

In another embodiment, the heater 12000 may heat a cigarette inserted in the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device 10000. As the cigarette is accommodated in the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device 10000, the heater 12000 may be located inside and/or outside the cigarette. Accordingly, the heater 12000 may generate an aerosol by heating the aerosol-generating material in the cigarette.

Meanwhile, the heater 12000 may be an induction heating type heater. The heater 12000 may include an electrically conductive coil for heating the cigarette or cartridge by an induction heating method, and the cigarette or cartridge may include a susceptor that can be heated by an induction heating type heater.

The aerosol generating device 10000 may include at least one sensor 13000. The result sensed by at least one sensor 13000 is transmitted to the controller 16000, and according to the sensing result, the controller 16000 controls the operation of the heater, restricts smoking, determines whether or not a cigarette (or cartridge) is inserted, and a notification The aerosol generating device 10000 may be controlled to perform various functions such as display.

For example, at least one sensor 13000 may include a puff detection sensor. The puff detection sensor may detect a user's puff based on any one of a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and a pressure change.

In addition, at least one sensor 13000 may include a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may detect a temperature at which the heater 12000 (or an aerosol-generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating device 10000 may include a separate temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the heater 12000, or the heater 12000 itself may serve as a temperature sensor instead of including a separate temperature sensor. . Alternatively, while the heater 12000 serves as a temperature sensor, a separate temperature sensor may be further included in the aerosol generating device 10000.

In addition, at least one sensor 13000 may include a position change detection sensor. The position change detection sensor may detect a position change of a slider coupled to be movable with respect to the main body.

The user interface 14000 may provide information on the state of the aerosol generating device 10000 to a user. The user interface 14000 includes a display or lamp that outputs visual information, a motor that outputs tactile information, a speaker that outputs sound information, and input/output (I/O) that receives information input from a user or outputs information to a user. ) Terminals for data communication with interfacing means (e.g., buttons or touch screens) or receiving charging power, wireless communication with external devices (e.g., WI-FI, WI-FI Direct, Bluetooth, NFC) (Near-Field Communication), etc.) may include various interfacing means such as a communication interfacing module.

However, in the aerosol generating apparatus 10000, only some of the examples of the various user interfaces 14000 exemplified above may be selected and implemented.

The memory 15000 is hardware that stores various types of data processed in the aerosol generating apparatus 10000, and the memory 15000 may store data processed by the controller 16000 and data to be processed. The memory 15000 includes a variety of random access memory (RAM) such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), and electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). It can be implemented in types.

The memory 15000 may store an operation time of the aerosol generating apparatus 10000, a maximum number of puffs, a current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and data on a user's smoking pattern.

The controller 16000 is hardware that controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 10000. The control unit 16000 includes at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. In addition, it can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present embodiment belongs that it may be implemented with other types of hardware.

The controller 16000 analyzes the result sensed by at least one sensor 13000 and controls processes to be performed subsequently.

The controller 16000 may control power supplied to the heater 12000 to start or end the operation of the heater 12000 based on a result sensed by the at least one sensor 13000. In addition, the control unit 16000 is based on the result sensed by at least one sensor 13000, the amount of power supplied to the heater 12000 so that the heater 12000 is heated to a predetermined temperature or maintains an appropriate temperature. And it is possible to control the time the power is supplied.

In an embodiment, the controller 16000 may set the mode of the heater 12000 to a preheating mode in order to start the operation of the heater 12000 after receiving a user input for the aerosol generating device 10000. In addition, the controller 16000 may change the mode of the heater 12000 from the preheating mode to the operation mode after detecting the user's puff using the puff detection sensor. In addition, the controller 16000 may count the number of puffs using a puff detection sensor, and then stop supplying power to the heater 12000 when the number of puffs reaches a preset number.

The controller 16000 may control the user interface 14000 based on a result sensed by at least one sensor 13000. For example, after counting the number of puffs using a puff detection sensor, when the number of puffs reaches a preset number, the control unit 16000 uses at least one of a lamp, a motor, and a speaker to provide an aerosol generating device 10000 to the user. ) Will be ended soon.

Meanwhile, although not shown in FIG. 4, the aerosol generating apparatus 10000 may constitute an aerosol generating system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery 11000 of the aerosol generating device 10000. For example, the aerosol generating apparatus 10000 may charge the battery 11000 of the aerosol generating apparatus 10000 by receiving power from the battery of the cradle while being accommodated in the accommodation space inside the cradle.

5 is a block diagram showing an example of a device for maintaining the stability of an aerosol generating device according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the apparatus for maintaining the stability of the aerosol generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit 16000, an interrupt generation unit 500, and a charging terminal 599. In FIG. 5, the controller 16000 has the same configuration as the controller 16000 described in FIG. 4, and the controller 16000 performs a function of transmitting control signals to various circuit blocks included in the aerosol generating device. Hereinafter, not only the control unit 16000, but also various configurations described with reference to FIG. 4 will be described.

The device for maintaining the stability of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 5 is implemented in a form including a control unit 16000, an interrupt generating unit 500, and a charging terminal 599, and may be included in the aerosol generating device. For convenience, components other than the essential components, such as the control unit 16000, the interrupt generation unit 500, and the charging terminal 599, are omitted from FIG. 5.

First, the charging terminal 599 refers to a terminal provided to charge the battery 11000 of the aerosol generating device through an external input. In the present invention, the charging terminal 599 is connected to a micro USB 5 pin. It is not limited to a specific type of terminal, such as a terminal, a Lightning 8-pin terminal, or a C-type terminal. In addition, the charging terminal 599 is connected to a charger IC not shown in FIG. 5 to perform a function of normally charging the battery.

When the interrupt generator 500 detects the charging signal input through the charging terminal 599, it generates an interrupt signal when the first time elapses from the time when the charging signal is detected. Here, the first time means a time interval between the time when the charging signal is sensed and the time when the interrupt signal is generated. A schematic description of the first time will be described later with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

As an optional embodiment, the first time may be a time determined by an operation of an interrupt generation circuit including a MOSFET. Here, the interrupt generation circuit refers to a circuit included in the interrupt generation unit 500 to generate an interrupt signal based on a difference in voltage value, and in the interrupt generation circuit, the MOSFET performs a kind of switch function. The interrupt generation circuit receiving the charging signal generates an interrupt signal through a certain time delay according to the unique operation characteristic of the circuit, and the time delay generated here may be the first time.

As another alternative embodiment, the first time may be a time determined by a voltage value output when the MOSFET is shorted in the interrupt generation circuit including the MOSFET. In this optional embodiment, the MOSFET may be an n-type MOSFET (n-MOSFET), and a voltage value output by shorting the MOSFET in the circuit will be described later with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

As another optional embodiment, the interrupt generator 500 may determine the first time based on the signal generated by the RC differential circuit, and at this time, based on the maximum value of the signal generated by the RC differential circuit. You can also decide when to generate the interrupt signal. In this optional embodiment, the RC differential circuit may be understood as another example of the above-described interrupt generation circuit, and the RC differential circuit included in the interrupt generation unit 500 will be described later in FIG. 6.

The control unit 16000 receives the interrupt signal generated by the interrupt generation unit 500, transmits a reset signal to a preset circuit block within a second time from the time point of reception, and receives the reset signal. Control to be reset.

Here, the second time is a time interval distinguished from the above-described first time, and after the control unit 16000 receives the interrupt signal from the interrupt generation unit 500, the time required for generating the reset signal and the generated It is defined as a concept that includes all the time required to determine whether to send the reset signal limited to which circuit block. In addition, the circuit block is a target to be reset by receiving a reset signal from the control unit 16000, and refers to a circuit group or element that receives power from a battery and performs its own function inside the aerosol generating device.

As an example, the controller 16000 may transmit a reset signal to at least one of a pressure sensor, a Hall IC, and a charger IC. The pressure sensor, Hall IC, and charger IC are all circuit blocks with built-in counters, and if they are periodically reset, the possibility of an error occurring in the corresponding circuit block while the aerosol generator is operating is significantly reduced. Has. As a more specific example, the charger IC should receive a current of 0.45mA from the battery, but if an error occurs because the charger IC is not properly reset, overcurrent flows inside the aerosol generator, causing damage to the aerosol generator. May be. In addition, if the pressure sensor or the Hall IC is not properly reset by the method according to the present invention, a malfunction may occur in detecting the preheating or puff of the heater.

As another example, the control unit 16000 transmits a test signal to each circuit block before transmitting a reset signal to at least two or more preset circuit blocks, and then receives a response signal from the circuit block receiving the test signal. Upon reception, the reset signal may be transmitted to two or more circuit blocks at different times in consideration of the average response time. In the present invention, the reason why the control unit 16000 transmits the test signal to the circuit block, receives the response signal, and transmits the reset signal to two or more circuit blocks at different times, taking into account the average response time, In the case of a plurality of circuit blocks, the timing of reset by the reset signal may vary, so this is to coincide. This embodiment may be implemented not by the control unit 16000 but by a separately provided synchronization module.

As another alternative embodiment from the above description, the charger IC related to the charging terminal 599 may be implemented in a form included in the control unit 16000.

6 is a diagram schematically showing a circuit diagram of an example of an interrupt generation circuit included in an interrupt generation unit.

Referring to FIG. 6, the interrupt generation circuit included in the interrupt generation unit 500 is an RC differential circuit including a MOSFET, and includes two resistance elements 503 and 504, two capacitors 502 and 506, and a MOSFET 507. It can be seen that it is a circuit containing ). In FIG. 6, the MOSFET 507 may be an n-type MOSFET.

The circuit according to FIG. 6 operates as an RC filter and converts an analog pulse signal input through the charging terminal 599 into a signal capable of clearly grasping a reset point. The analog pulse signal input through the charging terminal has a problem in that it is not possible to properly specify at what point the circuit blocks should be reset according to the waveform characteristic of the signal. In the present invention, the analog pulse signal as described above is processed through the RC differential circuit according to FIG. 6, so that the control unit 16000 can grasp at what time to transmit the reset signal to the circuit blocks.

7 and 8 are diagrams schematically showing waveforms of an analog pulse signal input to the interrupt generator and an interrupt signal output from the interrupt generator.

Hereinafter, descriptions of FIGS. 7 and 8 will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

First, FIG. 7 shows an example of a waveform of an analog pulse signal input to the interrupt generator 500. Since the analog signal input through the charging terminal 599 has a pulse shape as shown in FIG. 7, _{it is inappropriate to transmit t T,} which is a time point for reset, to the control unit 16000 with a specific time point as the reset time point. .

On the other hand, when the signal according to FIG. 7 is input to the charging signal input terminal 501 in FIG. 6, it is converted into a waveform as shown in FIG. 8 while passing through an RC differential circuit. _{More specifically, while the input voltage V BUS} is applied to the charging signal input terminal 501 of FIG. 6, the MOSFET 507 operates as a short circuit. _{When the MOSFET operates as a short circuit, the value of the voltage V rist} 505, which has been held at a fixed voltage value by the capacitor 506 and the MOSFET 507, becomes 0 volts. The interrupt generation circuit that was monitoring the value of the voltage V _rist 505 generates an interrupt signal so that the magnitude of the interrupt signal has a maximum value at the moment the value of _{V rist 505 becomes 0V.} , Time t _T 'may be understood as a point corresponding to the point at which the value of the voltage V _{rist 505 becomes 0 volts.}

7 and 8 are compared and described, a signal corresponding to _{time t T} in FIG. 7 is processed by an RC differential circuit to a signal corresponding to _{time t T 'in FIG. 8, and the control unit 16000 is shown in FIG.} Upon receiving the corresponding interrupt signal, it is determined that the reset is to be performed at a time corresponding to the _{time t T', and a reset signal is generated and transmitted to a preset circuit block.}

According to the present invention, through the above process, circuit blocks that have received the reset signal are reset, so that the frequency of malfunction during the operation of the aerosol generating device can be minimized. In addition, as the time point at which the reset is cleared is a time point t _T ', when there are a plurality of circuit blocks, synchronization may be additionally performed so that the time point at which each circuit block is reset may be fixed to one time point.

9 is a diagram showing a flowchart of an example of a method of improving the stability of an aerosol generating device through a hardware reset according to the present invention.

Since the method according to FIG. 9 can be implemented by the device according to FIG. 5, the contents already described in FIGS. 5 to 8 will be omitted, and will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.

First, the interrupt generator 500 detects a charging signal input through the charging terminal 599 (S910).

The interrupt generator 500 determines whether the first time when the charging signal is detected has elapsed (S930), generates an interrupt signal when the first time has elapsed from the time when the charging signal is detected, and transmits it to the control unit 16000. Do (S950).

The control unit 16000 receives the interrupt signal and transmits a reset signal to a preset circuit block within a second time period, thereby controlling the circuit blocks requiring reset to be reset (S970).

According to the present invention, when the charging terminal provided in the aerosol generating device is connected to a charging cable such as a micro USB, among the elements constituting the aerosol generating device, preset circuit blocks are controlled by remarkably reducing the probability of malfunction when periodically reset. By allowing it to be reset by, it is possible to keep the stability of the aerosol generating device.

In particular, in the present invention, as a prerequisite for the control unit to generate reset signals for circuit blocks, the control unit requests to receive an interrupt signal from the interrupt generator, and the interrupt signal is a charging signal input as an analog pulse signal. Is generated in a way that passes through an RC differential circuit including a MOSFET, so that it is possible to accurately specify a reset point that cannot be specified simply in an analog pulse signal.

In addition, in the present invention, the concept of a first time for generating a charging signal as an interrupt signal and a second time for the control unit receiving the interrupt to transmit the reset signal to preset circuit blocks is defined, and reset Even if the number of circuit blocks to be reset by receiving a signal increases, the reset can be accurately implemented at a specific time.

The description of the above-described embodiments is merely exemplary, and those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true scope of protection of the invention should be determined by the appended claims, and all differences in the scope equivalent to the content described in the claims should be construed as being included in the scope of protection defined by the claims.

One embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a recording medium including instructions executable by a computer, such as a program module executed by a computer. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer, and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. Further, the computer-readable medium may include both computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Communication media typically includes computer readable instructions, data structures, other data in a modulated data signal such as program modules, or other transmission mechanisms, and includes any information delivery media.

3: Position change detection sensor
5: aerosol generating device
7: slider
7a: long hole
8a: first magnetic body
8b: second magnetic body
9: fixed magnetic body
10: main body
10t: connection terminal
11: home
19: accommodation space
20: cartridge
21a: protruding window
21: liquid reservoir
22: mouthpiece
22a: discharge hole
500: interrupt generator
599: charging terminal
10000: aerosol generating device
11000: battery
12000: heater
13000: sensor
14000: user interface
15000: memory
16000: control unit

Claims (20)

As a method of maintaining the stability of an aerosol generating device through a hardware reset,
An interrupt generation step of generating an interrupt signal when a first time elapses from the sensed time point when a charge signal input through the charge terminal is sensed;
A signal transmission step of transmitting the generated interrupt signal to a control unit; And
And a reset signal transmitting step of transmitting a reset signal to a preset circuit block within a second time from when the control unit receives the generated interrupt signal. The method of claim 1,
The first time,
A method of improving the stability of an aerosol generator through a hardware reset, characterized in that it is a time determined by an operation of an interrupt generator circuit including a MOSFET. The method of claim 1,
The first time,
A method of improving the stability of an aerosol generator through a hardware reset, characterized in that it is a time determined by a voltage value output when a MOSFET is short-circuited in an interrupt generation circuit including a MOSFET. The method of claim 1,
The first time,
A method of improving the stability of an aerosol generating device through a hardware reset, characterized in that it is a time determined by an operation of an interrupt generating circuit including an n-MOSFET. The method of claim 1,
The reset signal transmission step,
A method of improving the stability of an aerosol generator through a hardware reset, characterized in that a reset signal is transmitted to at least one of a pressure sensor, a Hall IC, and a charger IC. The method of claim 1,
The preset circuit block is at least two or more,
The reset signal transmission step,
The control unit transmits a test signal to the preset circuit block and transmits the reset signal at different times for each circuit block based on the received response signal. How to improve. The method of claim 1,
The interrupt generation step,
A method for improving the stability of an aerosol generating device through a hardware reset, characterized in that determining the first time based on a signal generated by an RC differential circuit. The method of claim 7,
The interrupt generation step,
A method of improving the stability of an aerosol generating device through a hardware reset, characterized in that the timing of generating the interrupt signal is determined based on the maximum value of the signal generated by the RC differential circuit. The method of claim 1,
The interrupt generation step,
A method of improving the stability of an aerosol generating device through a hardware reset, characterized in that generating the interrupt signal based on an analog pulse signal input through the charging terminal. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9. As a device that maintains the stability of an aerosol generating device,
A charging terminal for charging the battery of the aerosol generating device through an external input;
An interrupt generator configured to generate an interrupt signal when a first time elapses from the sensed time point when detecting a charge signal input through the charging terminal; And
And a control unit for transmitting a reset signal to a preset circuit block within a second time from the time when the generated interrupt signal is received. The method of claim 11,
The first time,
A device for maintaining stability of an aerosol generating device, characterized in that it is a time determined by an operation of an interrupt generating circuit including a MOSFET. The method of claim 11,
The first time,
A device for maintaining stability of an aerosol generating device, characterized in that it is a time determined by a voltage value output when a MOSFET is shorted in an interrupt generating circuit including a MOSFET. The method of claim 11,
The first time,
An apparatus for maintaining stability of an aerosol generating device, characterized in that it is a time determined by an operation of an interrupt generating circuit including an n-MOSFET. The method of claim 11,
The control unit,
A device for maintaining stability of an aerosol generating device, characterized in that it transmits a reset signal to at least one of a pressure sensor, a Hall IC, and a charger IC. The method of claim 11,
The preset circuit block is at least two or more,
The control unit,
An apparatus for maintaining stability of an aerosol generating apparatus, comprising transmitting a test signal to the preset circuit block and transmitting the reset signal at different times for each circuit block based on the received response signal. The method of claim 11,
The interrupt generation unit,
An apparatus for maintaining stability of an aerosol generating device, characterized in that determining the first time based on a signal generated by an RC differential circuit. The method of claim 17,
The interrupt generation unit,
An apparatus for maintaining stability of an aerosol generating device, characterized in that the timing of generating the interrupt signal is determined based on the maximum value of the signal generated by the RC differential circuit. The method of claim 11,
The interrupt generation unit,
An apparatus for maintaining stability of an aerosol generating device, characterized in that generating the interrupt signal based on an analog pulse signal input through the charging terminal. An aerosol generating device comprising a device according to any one of claims 11 to 19.

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