KR102272405B1 - Aerosol generating device, operating method therefor, and computer readable recording medium with program for the method - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment includes a storage unit for storing an aerosol-generating material, a wick receiving the aerosol-generating material from the storage unit, and a heating element for heating the aerosol-generating material of the wick and a first connection for transmitting power to the heating element A cartridge including a terminal, an accommodating portion that is an empty space into which the cartridge can be inserted, and a main body including a second connection terminal disposed in the receiving portion and rotatably coupled to the first connection terminal, a second connection terminal, and the first A battery for storing electric power to be supplied to the heating element through a connection terminal, a rotary sensor capable of detecting rotation of the cartridge relative to the body, and a plurality of heating modes to control power supplied from the battery to the heating element, the rotary sensor It may include a control unit that changes the heating mode when detecting rotation of the cartridge relative to the body.

Description

Aerosol generating device, its operating method, and a recording medium recording a computer program for performing the operating method {AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE, OPERATING METHOD THEREFOR, AND COMPUTER READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM WITH PROGRAM FOR THE METHOD}

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating device and an operating method thereof, and more particularly, to an aerosol-generating device including a cartridge storing an aerosol-generating material and a body into which the cartridge is inserted, and an operating method thereof.

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for an alternative method that overcomes the disadvantages of conventional cigarettes. For example, there is a growing need for a method in which an aerosol is generated as an aerosol generating material is heated rather than a method in which an aerosol is generated by burning a cigarette. In particular, by vaporizing a liquid aerosol-generating material, research into a device and a method for providing an aerosol so that a user can experience a feeling of smoking is active.

The cartridge for storing the liquid aerosol can be inserted and detached from the device, and the conventional aerosol generating device requires the cartridge and the body to be directed in the same direction for the coupling of the cartridge and the body, so the coupling process is cumbersome. In addition, since an operation such as pressing a button is required for operation of the aerosol generating device, the operation method is not convenient.

US Patent Application Publication No. US2017/0196263 (2017.07.13.)

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an aerosol generating device that changes the heating mode according to the rotation of the cartridge with respect to the main body.

Another technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an aerosol generating device in which the annular electrode terminals respectively disposed on the cartridge and the main body are rotatably coupled when the cartridge and the main body are combined.

The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the above, and other technical problems can be inferred from the following examples.

As a technical means for achieving the above-described technical problem, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage unit for storing an aerosol-generating material, a wick receiving the aerosol-generating material from the storage unit, and heating for heating the aerosol-generating material of the wick A cartridge including a first connection terminal for transmitting electric power to an element and a heating element, an accommodating portion which is an empty space into which the cartridge can be inserted, and a second connection terminal disposed in the accommodating portion and rotatably coupled with respect to the first connection terminal A main body comprising: a battery for storing electric power to be supplied to a heating element through a first connecting terminal and a second connecting terminal; a rotary sensor capable of detecting rotation of the cartridge relative to the main body; and heating from the battery according to a plurality of heating modes An aerosol-generating device may be provided that includes a control for controlling the power supplied to the element and changing the heating mode when the rotary sensor detects rotation of the cartridge relative to the body.

Further, when the cartridge rotates in a first predetermined direction with respect to the main body, the control unit operates a first heating mode for supplying first power to the heating element, and when the cartridge rotates in a second predetermined direction with respect to the main body, heating A second heating mode may be operable to supply the element with a second power greater than the first power.

Further, when the cartridge rotates by a first predetermined angle with respect to the main body, the control unit operates a first heating mode for supplying first power to the heating element, and the cartridge rotates by a second angle greater than the first angle with respect to the main body Then, it is possible to operate a second heating mode that supplies a second power greater than the first power to the heating element.

In addition, the first connection terminal may be annular, and the second connection terminal may be rotatable in a state coupled to the first connection terminal.

In addition, the rotary sensor may include a magnetic material disposed in the cartridge and a Hall sensor disposed in the body.

In addition, the rotary sensor may include a switch disposed on the main body, and as the cartridge rotates in a predetermined direction, it may sense that the protrusion disposed on the cartridge presses the switch.

According to another embodiment, a storage unit for storing an aerosol-generating material, an atomization unit for heating and vaporizing an aerosol-generating material, and a cartridge including a first connection terminal, an empty space into which the cartridge can be inserted, and a receiving unit Cartridge of an aerosol generating device comprising a main body including a second connection terminal disposed on and a control unit for controlling power supplied from the battery to the atomization unit through the second connection terminal and the first connection terminal according to a plurality of heating modes An aerosol-generating device comprising the steps of rotatably coupling a first connection terminal and a second connection terminal to the body as the body is coupled to the body, detecting rotation of the cartridge with respect to the body through a rotary sensor, and changing a heating mode A method of operation may be provided.

In addition, the operating method of the aerosol generating device includes the steps of operating a first heating mode for supplying first power to the atomization unit when the cartridge rotates in a first predetermined direction with respect to the main body, and the cartridge moves in a predetermined second direction with respect to the main body It may further include the step of operating a second heating mode for supplying a second power greater than the first power to the atomization unit when rotated.

According to another embodiment, a cartridge comprising an atomizing unit for heating and vaporizing an aerosol-generating material, a main body into which the cartridge can be inserted, and a control unit for controlling power supplied from the battery to the atomizing unit according to a plurality of heating modes When the aerosol-generating device including the rotary sensor detects rotation with respect to the main body of the cartridge, a computer-readable recording medium recording a computer program for performing an operating method of the aerosol-generating device for changing the heating mode may be provided.

According to the present invention, by changing the heating mode according to the rotation of the cartridge with respect to the body, intuitive and simple operation is possible for the aerosol generating device to which the cartridge is rotatably coupled.

In addition, according to the present invention, the annular electrode terminals respectively disposed on the cartridge and the body are rotatably coupled, so that the cartridge and the body can be coupled regardless of whether the directions in which the cartridge and the body are directed coincide.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and the effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs from the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.
2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a coupling relationship between a cartridge and a main body of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.
3 is a cross-sectional view according to an embodiment of the cross-section S according to FIG.
4 is a cross-sectional view according to another embodiment of the cross-section S according to FIG.
5 is a flowchart of a method of operating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Terms used in the embodiments are selected as currently widely used general terms as possible while considering functions in the present invention, but may vary depending on the intention or precedent of a person skilled in the art, the emergence of new technology, and the like. In addition, in specific cases, there are also terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning will be described in detail in the description of the corresponding invention. Therefore, the term used in the present invention should be defined based on the meaning of the term and the overall content of the present invention, rather than the name of a simple term.

When a part "includes" a certain element throughout the specification, this means that other elements may be further included, rather than excluding other elements, unless otherwise stated. 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, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those of ordinary skill in the art can easily carry out the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

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

1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an aerosol generating apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1 , the aerosol generating device 1000 may include a battery 110 , a heater 230 , a sensor 130 , a user interface 170 , a memory 150 , and a control unit 160 . However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1000 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 4 . According to the design of the aerosol generating device 1000, some of the hardware components shown in FIG. 4 may be omitted or a new configuration may be further added to those of ordinary skill in the art related to this embodiment It can be understood .

In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1000 may consist of only the body 100 , and in this case, the hardware components included in the aerosol generating device 1000 are located in the body 100 . In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1000 may be composed of the main body 100 and the cartridge 200 , and the hardware components included in the aerosol generating device 1000 are divided into the main body 100 and the cartridge 200 . can do. Alternatively, at least some of the hardware components included in the aerosol generating device 1000 may be located in each of the main body 100 and the cartridge 200 .

Hereinafter, the operation of each component will be described without limiting the space in which each component included in the aerosol generating device 1000 is located.

The battery 110 supplies power used to operate the aerosol generating device 1000 . That is, the battery 110 may supply power to the heater 230 to be heated. In addition, the battery 110 may supply power required for the operation of other hardware components included in the aerosol generating device 1000 , that is, the sensor 130 , the user interface 170 , the memory 150 , and the control unit 160 . can The battery 110 may be a rechargeable battery 110 or a disposable battery 110 . For example, the battery 110 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery 110, but is not limited thereto.

The heater 230 is a heating element 230 that generates heat by receiving power from the battery 110 under the control of the controller 160 . The heater 230 may receive power from the battery 110 to heat the cigarette inserted into the aerosol generating device 1000 or to heat the cartridge 200 mounted in the aerosol generating device 1000 .

The heater 230 may be located in the body 100 of the aerosol generating device 1000 . Alternatively, when the aerosol generating device 1000 is composed of the main body 100 and the cartridge 200 , the heater 230 may be located in the cartridge 200 . When the heater 230 is positioned in the cartridge 200 , the heater 230 may receive power from the battery 110 positioned in at least one of the main body 100 and the cartridge 200 .

Heater 230 may be formed of any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, suitable electrically resistive materials include 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 metal alloy including, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heater 230 may be implemented as a metal hot wire, a metal hot plate on which an electrically conductive track is disposed, a ceramic heating element, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

In one embodiment, the heater 230 may be a configuration included in the cartridge 200 . The cartridge 200 may include a heater 230 , liquid delivery means ( wicks 220 , 220 ) and a storage unit 210 . The aerosol-generating material accommodated in the storage unit 210 may move to the liquid delivery means, and the heater 230 may generate an aerosol by heating the aerosol-generating material absorbed in the liquid delivery means. For example, the heater 230 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.

The aerosol generating device 1000 may include at least one sensor 130 . The result sensed by the at least one sensor 130 is transmitted to the control unit 160, and according to the sensing result, the control unit 160 controls the operation of the heater, restricts smoking, determines whether the cartridge 200 is inserted or not, and displays a notification. The aerosol generating device 1000 may be controlled to perform various functions, such as.

For example, the at least one sensor may include rotary sensors 180 and 280 capable of detecting rotation of the cartridge 200 with respect to the body 100 . The rotary sensors 180 and 280 may include an optical rotary encoder, a magnetic rotary encoder, and the like. For example, the optical rotary encoder may include a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and may detect the rotation of the cartridge 200 by detecting a pulse signal recognized by the light receiving element according to the rotation of the cartridge 200 . For example, the magnetic rotary encoder may include a magnetic body 280 disposed in the cartridge 200 and a Hall sensor 180 disposed in the body 100 , and the magnetic body 280 according to the rotation of the cartridge 200 . ) may be detected through the Hall sensor 180 .

In addition, the rotary sensors 180 and 280 may include a switch 180 disposed on a path in which the rotating cartridge 200 moves. The switch 180 may be pressed by the protrusion 280 of the cartridge 200 according to the rotation of the cartridge 200 , and accordingly, the control unit 160 may detect the rotation of the cartridge 200 .

For example, the at least one sensor 130 may include a puff detection sensor. The puff detection sensor may detect the user's puff based on any one of a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and a pressure change.

In addition, the at least one sensor 130 may include a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may detect a temperature at which the heater 230 (or an aerosol generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating device 1000 may include a separate temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heater 230, or instead of including a separate temperature sensor, the heater 230 itself may serve as a temperature sensor. . Alternatively, a separate temperature sensor may be further included in the aerosol generating device 1000 while the heater 230 functions as a temperature sensor.

In addition, the at least one sensor 130 may include a position change detection sensor. The user interface 170 may provide information about the state of the aerosol generating device 1000 to the user. The user interface 170 includes a display or lamp for outputting visual information, a motor for outputting tactile information, a speaker for outputting sound information, and input/output (I/O) for receiving information input from a user or outputting information to the user. ) Interfacing means (eg, button or touch screen) and terminals for data communication or receiving charging power, wireless communication with external devices (eg, WI-FI, WI-FI Direct, Bluetooth, NFC) (Near-Field Communication, etc.) may include various interfacing means, such as a communication interfacing module for performing.

However, in the aerosol generating device 1000, only some of the various examples of the user interface 170 exemplified above may be selected and implemented.

The memory 150 is hardware for storing various data processed in the aerosol generating device 1000 , and the memory 150 may store data processed by the controller 160 and data to be processed. The memory 150 includes a variety of random access memory (RAM) such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and the like. It can be implemented in types.

The memory 150 may store the operating time of the aerosol generating device 1000 , the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and data on the user's smoking pattern.

The controller 160 is hardware that controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1000 . The controller 160 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 skilled in the art that the present embodiment may be implemented in other types of hardware.

The controller 160 may operate a plurality of operation modes. The controller 160 may adjust the power supplied from the battery 110 to the heating element 230 according to the heating mode or the preheating mode being operated. For example, the control unit 160 preheats the heater to a temperature lower than the temperature of the heating mode and the heating mode before heating the aerosol-generating material to a high temperature capable of heating and vaporizing the aerosol-generating material, and the user input As this is received, it is possible to immediately operate a preheating mode for heating the aerosol generating material and the like. The heating mode and the preheating mode may include a plurality of modes according to various factors such as the type of the aerosol-generating material, the remaining amount of the aerosol-generating material, and the number of puffs.

The controller 160 analyzes a result sensed by the at least one sensor 130 and controls subsequent processes to be performed.

The controller 160 may control the power supplied to the heater 230 to start or end the operation of the heater 230 based on a result sensed by the at least one sensor 130 . In addition, based on the result sensed by the at least one sensor 130 , the control unit 160 may be configured to heat the heater 230 to a predetermined temperature or to maintain an appropriate temperature, the amount of power supplied to the heater 230 . And it is possible to control the time when power is supplied.

In one embodiment, when the rotary sensors 180 and 280 detect the rotation of the cartridge 200 with respect to the body 100, the controller 160 may change the heating mode. The control unit 160 may change the heating mode to a predetermined mode according to the direction (directions a, b) and angle of rotation of the cartridge 200 with respect to the main body 100 detected through the rotary sensors 180 and 280 . .

In an embodiment, the controller 160 may set the mode of the heater 230 to the preheating mode to start the operation of the heater 230 after receiving the user input for the aerosol generating device 1000 . In addition, after detecting the user's puff by using the puff detection sensor, the controller 160 may change the mode of the heater 230 from the preheating mode to the operation mode. Also, after counting the number of puffs using the puff detection sensor, the controller 160 may stop supplying power to the heater 230 when the number of puffs reaches a preset number.

The controller 160 may control the user interface 170 based on a result sensed by the at least one sensor 130 . For example, when the number of puffs reaches a preset number after counting the number of puffs using the puff detection sensor, the controller 160 provides the aerosol generating device 1000 to the user using at least one of a lamp, a motor, and a speaker. ) may be announced soon.

Meanwhile, although not shown in FIG. 4 , the aerosol generating apparatus 1000 may constitute an aerosol generating system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery 110 of the aerosol generating device 1000 . For example, the aerosol generating device 1000 may receive power from the battery 110 of the cradle in a state accommodated in the receiving unit 120 inside the cradle to charge the battery 110 of the aerosol generating device 1000 . have.

2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a coupling relationship between the cartridge 200 and the main body 100 of the aerosol generating device 1000 according to an embodiment. The aerosol generating device 1000 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 includes a cartridge 200 holding an aerosol generating material, and a body 100 supporting the cartridge 200 .

The cartridge 200 converts the phase of the aerosol-generating material inside the cartridge 200 into a gas phase by operating by an electrical signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body 100 to generate an aerosol. perform the function The aerosol may refer to a gas in a state in which vaporized particles generated from an aerosol-generating material and air are mixed.

For example, the cartridge 200 may receive an electrical signal from the body 100 to heat the aerosol-generating material, use an ultrasonic vibration method, or convert the phase of the aerosol-generating material by using an induction heating method. As another example, when the cartridge 200 includes its own power source, the cartridge 200 is operated by an electrical control signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body 100 to the cartridge 200 to generate an aerosol. can

The cartridge 200 may include a storage unit 210 for accommodating the aerosol-generating material therein, and an atomizer that performs a function of converting the aerosol-generating material of the storage unit 210 into an aerosol.

That the storage unit 210 'accommodates the aerosol-generating material' therein means that the storage unit 210 performs a function of simply containing the aerosol-generating material, such as the use of a container, and the storage unit 210 It is meant to include an element impregnated therein with (containing) an aerosol-generating material such as, for example, a sponge or cotton or cloth or a porous ceramic structure.

The atomizer is, for example, a liquid delivery means (wick; wick; wick) that absorbs the aerosol-generating material, receives the aerosol-generating material from the reservoir 210, and maintains the aerosol-generating material in an optimal state for conversion into an aerosol. 220)), and a heater that heats the liquid delivery means to generate an aerosol.

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

The heater is a heating element 230 that heats the aerosol generating material delivered to the liquid delivery means by generating heat by means of electrical resistance. The heater may include a metal material such as copper, nickel, or tungsten. The heater may be implemented as, for example, a metal wire, a metal hot plate, a ceramic heating element, etc., and is implemented as a conductive filament using a material such as a nichrome wire, or wound around the liquid delivery means or adjacent to the liquid delivery means. can be arranged.

The atomizer also has a mesh shape that performs both the function of absorbing the aerosol-generating material and maintaining it in an optimal state for conversion to an aerosol without using a separate liquid delivery means, and the function of generating an aerosol by heating the aerosol-generating material. shape) or a plate-shaped heating element.

The cartridge 200 may be coupled to the body 100 in a state in which the aerosol generating material is accommodated therein. Part or all of the cartridge 200 is inserted into the receiving portion 120 of the main body 100, the cartridge 200 can be mounted to the main body (100).

At this time, the cartridge 200 may be inserted or detached from the receiving portion 120 along the longitudinal direction. When the cartridge 200 is inserted and mounted in the body 100 , the first connection terminal 240 and the second connection terminal 140 are electrically connected, and the cartridge 200 receives power from the body 100 . can The first connection terminal 240 is connected to both ends of the heater, and the heater may be heated by the transmitted power. The connection terminal may be, for example, an electrode that is a conductive member.

The first connection terminal 240 may be provided on one surface of the cartridge 200 or may protrude from the cartridge 200 in one direction. The second connection terminal 140 may be provided on the inner surface of the accommodating part 120 . The second connection terminal 140 may be rotatably coupled to the first connection terminal 240 in a first direction (direction a) and a second direction (direction b). The coupling relationship between the first connection terminal 240 and the second connection terminal 140 will be described later in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 .

The cartridge 200 may hold an aerosol-generating material having any one state, such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous 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 comprising a tobacco-containing material comprising a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may be a liquid comprising a non-tobacco material.

The liquid composition may include, for example, any one component of water, a solvent, ethanol, a plant extract, a fragrance, a flavoring agent, and a vitamin mixture, or a mixture of these components. The fragrance may include, but is not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit flavoring ingredients, and the like. Flavoring agents may include ingredients that can provide a user with a variety of flavors or flavors. 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. Liquid compositions may also include aerosol formers such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

For example, the liquid composition may include a solution of glycerin and propylene glycol in any weight ratio to which a nicotine salt has been added. The liquid composition may include two or more nicotine salts. Nicotine salts can be formed by adding a suitable acid, including organic or inorganic acids, to nicotine. Nicotine is either naturally occurring nicotine or synthetic nicotine, and may have any suitable weight concentration 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 blood nicotine absorption rate, the operating temperature of the aerosol generating device 1000 , flavor or flavor, solubility, and the like. For example, acids for the formation of nicotine salts include 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 , a single acid or group selected from the group consisting of 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 malic acid It may be a mixture of two or more acids selected from, but is not limited thereto.

The main body 100 adjusts the power supplied to the cartridge 200 from the battery 110 and the battery 110 for storing the power supplied to the cartridge 200, and controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1000. A control unit 160 may be included.

The main body 100 may include an accommodating part 120 that is an empty space into which the cartridge 200 is inserted. The receiving part 120 may be a space recessed into the interior of the main body 100 from one surface of the main body 100 . The second connection terminal 140 may be disposed on the inner surface of the accommodating part 120 .

The rotary sensors 180 and 280 may be disposed on at least one of the cartridge 200 and the body 100 . In Figure 2, a plurality of rotary sensors (180, 280) are shown as being disposed along the circumferential direction of the cartridge 200 and the circumferential direction of the main body 100, this is an implementation related to the arrangement of the rotary sensors (180, 280) This is only an example, and the arrangement of the rotary sensors 180 and 280 is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, the rotary sensors 180 and 280 may be magnetic encoders, and in this case, the hall sensor 180, which is the first element of the rotary sensors 180 and 280, is the receiving part 120 of the body 100 . May be arranged along the circumferential direction of the inner surface of the receiving portion 120 at a position spaced apart from the second connection terminal on the inner surface of the magnetic material 280, the second element of the rotary sensor (180, 280) is a cartridge ( It may be disposed along the circumference of the cartridge 200 in the vicinity of the first connection terminal 240 of the 200).

According to an embodiment, the rotary sensors 180 and 280 may include a switch 180 , in which case the switch 180 may be disposed on the inner surface of the receiving part 120 of the main body 100 and receiving A protrusion 280 capable of pressing the switch 180 during rotation may be formed on a portion of the cartridge 200 inserted into the portion 120 .

The mouthpiece 270 is a portion inserted into the user's oral cavity of the aerosol generating device 1000 . The mouthpiece 270 includes a discharge hole for discharging the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material inside the storage unit 210 to the outside. The mouthpiece 270 may be disposed on the cartridge 200 or the body 100 .

3 is a cross-sectional view according to an embodiment of the cross-section S according to FIG. Referring to FIG. 3 , in a cross-sectional view transverse to the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device 1000 as the cartridge 200 and the main body 100 are combined, the first connection terminal 240 and the second connection terminal 140 are electrically can be connected to

The first connection terminal 240 and the second connection terminal 140 may have an annular shape including an empty space therein or a filled circular shape. The first connection terminal 240 and the second connection terminal 140 may be electrically connected regardless of the direction in which they are coupled. In addition, the first connection terminal 240 and the second connection terminal 140 may be rotatable in a state coupled to each other.

For example, the first connection terminal 240 may include a first outer electrode disposed outside the cartridge 200 and a first center electrode disposed at the center of the cartridge 200 . The first outer electrode and the first center electrode may transmit and receive electrical signals having different polarities.

The second connection terminal 140 may include a second outer electrode disposed outside the body 100 and a second center electrode disposed at the center of the body 100 . The second outer electrode and the second center electrode may transmit and receive electrical signals having different polarities.

According to the coupling of the cartridge 200 and the main body 100 , the first outer electrode and the second outer electrode may be combined, and the first center electrode and the second center electrode may be combined.

4 is a cross-sectional view according to another embodiment of the cross-section S according to FIG. Referring to FIG. 4 , in a cross-sectional view transverse to the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device 1000 as the cartridge 200 and the main body 100 are combined, the first connection terminal 240 and the second connection terminal 140 are electrically can be connected to

Referring to FIG. 4 , the first connection terminal 240 is provided as two terminals in a cross section transverse to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 200 , and the second connection terminal 140 is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the body 100 . The cross section is provided with 4 terminals. Any one of the first connection terminal 240 and the second connection terminal 140 protrudes along the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 200 and the main body 100 , and the first connection terminal 240 and the second connection terminal 140 . ) of the other one may be recessed along the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 200 and the main body (100).

A plurality of coupling positions at which the first connection terminal 240 and the second connection terminal 140 are coupled may be provided. For example, in the first coupling position, the terminal 244a and the terminal 244b of the first connection terminal 240 may be coupled to the terminal 144a and the terminal 144d of the second connection terminal 140 . . Also, in the second coupling position, the terminal 244a and the terminal 244b of the first connection terminal 240 may be coupled to the terminal 144b and the terminal 144c of the second connection terminal 140 .

According to one embodiment, when the cartridge 200 is rotated with respect to the main body 100 , the coupling position of the first connection terminal 240 and the second connection terminal 140 may be changed. At this time, the cartridge 200 and the main body 100 may be coupled to each other in a bayonet lock type to enable rotation of the cartridge 200 with respect to the main body 100 . For example, cartridge 200 alternately performs longitudinal movement relative to body 100 and movement in a plane transverse to the longitudinal direction, whereby cartridge 200 unlocks and locks in the engaged position. You can change the bonding position while performing.

5 is a flowchart of an operating method of the aerosol generating apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 5 , as the cartridge 200 is inserted into the main body 100 , the first connection terminal 240 and the second connection terminal 140 may be rotatably coupled ( S1100 ). For example, the first connection terminal 240 and the second connection terminal 140 may be coupled according to the method described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 4 , and may rotate in the coupled state.

The rotation of the cartridge 200 with respect to the main body 100 can be detected through the rotary sensors 180 and 280 (S1200). The rotary sensors 180 and 280 may generate an electrical signal by detecting the rotation of the cartridge 200 with respect to the main body 100 . The rotary sensors 180 and 280 may transmit electrical signals to the controller 160 . The control unit 160 is based on the electrical signal received from the rotary sensors 180 and 280, for example, the generation of rotation of the cartridge 200 with respect to the body 100, the rotation direction, the rotation angle, the rotation speed and the number of rotations. It is possible to determine various pieces of information related to the rotation. According to an embodiment, the rotary sensors 180 and 280 may themselves include the controller 160 , and the rotary sensors 180 and 280 may determine various pieces of information related to rotation.

The control unit 160 may change the heating mode (S1300). According to one embodiment, when the cartridge 200 rotates in a predetermined first direction (direction a) with respect to the main body 100, the control unit 160 operates the first heating mode for supplying the first power to the atomization unit. can do. In addition, when the cartridge 200 rotates in a predetermined second direction (direction b) with respect to the main body 100, the control unit 160 performs a second heating mode in which a second power greater than the first power is supplied to the atomization unit. can operate. For example, after the cartridge 200 is inserted into the main body 100, if the cartridge 200 is rotated in the first direction (direction a), the control unit 160 controls the heating element 230 according to the preheating mode to the first It can be heated to a temperature, and then when the cartridge 200 rotates in the second direction (direction b), the control unit 160 heats the heating element 230 to a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature according to the heating mode. can

According to another embodiment, when the cartridge 200 rotates by a predetermined first angle with respect to the body 100, the control unit 160 operates the first heating mode for supplying the first power to the heating element 230, and , when the cartridge 200 rotates with respect to the body 100 by a second angle greater than the first angle, the control unit 160 provides a second heating element 230 with a second electric power greater than the first electric power. mode can be operated. For example, after the cartridge 200 is inserted into the main body 100, when the cartridge 200 rotates by a first angle, the control unit 160 heats the heating element 230 to a first temperature according to the preheating mode. Thereafter, when the cartridge 200 is rotated by the second angle, the controller 160 may heat the heating element 230 to a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature according to the heating mode.

The description of the above-described embodiments is merely exemplary, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Accordingly, the true scope of protection of the invention should be defined by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope of equivalents to those described in the claims should be construed as being included in the protection scope defined by the claims.

1000 aerosol generating device
100 body
110 battery
120 receptacle
140 second connection terminal
160 control
180 rotary sensor
200 cartridges
210 storage
220 wick
230 heating element
240 first connection terminal
270 Mouthpiece
280 rotary sensor

Claims (9)

A cartridge comprising: a storage unit for storing an aerosol-generating material; a wick receiving the aerosol-generating material from the storage unit; a heating element for heating the aerosol-generating material of the wick; and a first connection terminal for transmitting power to the heating element;
a body including an accommodating part which is an empty space into which the cartridge can be inserted and a second connection terminal disposed in the accommodating part and rotatably coupled to the first connection terminal;
a battery for storing power to be supplied to the heating element through the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal;
a rotary sensor capable of detecting rotation of the cartridge with respect to the body; and
a control unit for controlling power supplied from the battery to the heating element according to a plurality of heating modes, and changing an operation mode for operating the heating element when the rotary sensor detects rotation of the cartridge with respect to the body; and,
The rotary sensor is disposed along the circumferential direction of the first element in the vicinity of the first connection terminal along the circumferential direction of the accommodating portion at a position spaced apart from the second connection terminal in the accommodating portion of the main body. a second element that becomes
the operating mode includes a heating mode that is executed when the cartridge is rotated to a first position with respect to the body to heat the heating element to a high temperature capable of heating and vaporizing the aerosol-generating material; a preheating mode that is executed when rotated to the two position to preheat the heating element to a temperature lower than the temperature of the heating mode such that the aerosol generating material does not vaporize. delete delete According to claim 1,
The first connection terminal is annular,
The second connection terminal is annular so as to be rotatable in a state coupled to the first connection terminal, the aerosol generating device. According to claim 1,
Any one of the first element and the second element of the rotary sensor is a magnetic material, and the other is a Hall sensor for detecting the magnetic material, an aerosol generating device. According to claim 1,
One of the first element and the second element of the rotary sensor is a switch, and the other is a protrusion that presses the switch as the cartridge rotates in a predetermined direction. A storage unit for storing an aerosol-generating material, a cartridge including an atomizing unit for vaporizing the aerosol-generating material, and a first connection terminal, an empty space into which the cartridge can be inserted, an accommodating unit, and a second connection disposed in the receiving unit The cartridge of the aerosol generating device comprising a main body including a terminal and a control unit for controlling the power supplied from the battery to the atomization unit through the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal according to a plurality of operation modes rotatably coupling the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal as they are coupled to the body;
A first element disposed along the circumferential direction of the cartridge in the vicinity of the first connection terminal and a second element disposed along the circumferential direction of the receiving portion at a position spaced apart from the second connection terminal in the receiving portion of the main body Sensing the rotation of the cartridge with respect to the main body through a rotary sensor comprising a; and
Including; changing the operation mode;
The step of changing the operating mode is a heating mode step that is executed when the cartridge is rotated to the first position with respect to the body to heat the atomizing unit to a high temperature at which the aerosol-generating material can be heated and vaporized; and a preheating mode step of preheating the atomization unit to a temperature lower than the temperature of the heating mode, which is executed when rotated to the second position with respect to the body so that the aerosol generating material is not vaporized. 8. The method of claim 7,
operating a first heating mode for supplying a first power to the atomization unit when the cartridge rotates in a first predetermined direction with respect to the main body; and
When the cartridge rotates in a predetermined second direction with respect to the main body, further comprising operating a second heating mode for supplying a second power greater than the first power to the atomizing unit, the method of operating an aerosol generating device . A cartridge including an atomizing unit for heating and vaporizing an aerosol-generating material and a first connection terminal for transmitting power to the atomizing unit, and an empty space in which the cartridge can be inserted, and an empty space in which the cartridge can be inserted; The aerosol generating device comprising a main body including a second connection terminal rotatably coupled to the connection terminal and a control unit for controlling the power supplied to the atomization unit from the battery according to a plurality of heating modes is the first connection terminal A rotary sensor comprising a first element disposed along the circumferential direction of the cartridge in the vicinity of and a second element disposed along the circumferential direction of the receiving section at a position spaced apart from the second connection terminal in the receiving section of the main body Changes the operation mode when detecting rotation of the cartridge with respect to the body through
the operating mode is a heating mode executed when the cartridge is rotated to a first position with respect to the body to heat the atomizing unit to a high temperature at which the aerosol-generating material can be heated and vaporized, and wherein the cartridge is rotated to a second position with respect to the body. A computer readable computer program recording a computer program for performing an operating method of an aerosol generating device including a preheating mode in which the atomization unit preheats to a temperature lower than the temperature of the heating mode so that the aerosol generating material is not vaporized by being rotated to the position recording medium.

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