KR20230055917A - Aerosol generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device is disclosed. The aerosol-generating device of the present invention comprises: a cartridge in which a chamber for storing a liquid is formed; a main body coupled to the cartridge; a heater heating the liquid; an insertion space formed in one between the main body and the cartridge to extend long so that the stick may be inserted therethrough; a proximity sensor disposed toward the insertion space; a sensing member disposed in the chamber to move between the insertion space and the proximity sensor in the direction in which the insertion space extends; and a control unit determining whether power is supplied to the heater, wherein the specific gravity of the sensing member may be less than that of the liquid. Whether the aerosol-generating material is exhausted can be accurately determined.

Description

Aerosol generating device {AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE}

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device.

Aerosol generating devices are for extracting certain components from a medium or substance through an aerosol. The medium may contain materials of various components. Substances included in the medium may be flavor substances of various components. For example, the substance included in the medium may include a nicotine component, an herbal component, and/or a coffee component. Recently, many studies on these aerosol generating devices have been conducted.

The present disclosure aims to solve the foregoing and other problems.

Another object may be to provide an aerosol generating device capable of accurately determining whether an aerosol generating material is exhausted.

Another object may be to provide an aerosol generating device capable of properly determining whether or not an aerosol generating material is exhausted according to various conditions.

Another object may be to provide an aerosol generating device capable of adjusting power supplied to a heater based on whether an aerosol generating material is exhausted.

An aerosol generating device according to an aspect of the present disclosure for achieving the above object includes a cartridge having a chamber for storing a liquid; a main body coupled to the cartridge; a heater for heating the liquid; an insertion space formed in either one of the main body and the cartridge and extending to insert a stick therein; a proximity sensor disposed toward the insertion space; a sensing member disposed in the chamber and moving between the insertion space and the proximity sensor along a direction in which the insertion space extends; and a controller configured to determine whether or not to supply power to the heater based on a signal of the proximity sensor, wherein a specific gravity of the sensing member may be smaller than a specific gravity of the liquid.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the aerosol generating material is exhausted.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the aerosol generating material is exhausted according to various conditions.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, power supplied to the heater may be adjusted based on whether the aerosol generating material is exhausted.

Additional scope of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description that follows. However, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific embodiments such as the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are given by way of example only.

Figure 1 is. It is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
2 to 4 are. These drawings are referenced in the description of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.
5 to 7 are. These drawings are referenced in the description of the stick according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.
8 to 13 are views referenced in a description of the configuration of an aerosol generating device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
14 is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
15 is a diagram referenced for description of an operation of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed herein will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Regardless of the reference numerals, the same or similar components are given the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The suffixes "module" and "unit" for components used in the following description may be given or used interchangeably in consideration of ease of writing the specification. "Module" and "unit" do not have meanings or roles distinct from each other by themselves.

In addition, in describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiment disclosed in this specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings are only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited by the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the accompanying drawings include all modifications, equivalents or substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Terms including ordinal numbers, such as first and second, may be used to describe various elements. However, the components are not limited by the terms. These terms are only used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

When an element is referred to as being “connected” or “connected” to another element, it may be directly connected or connected to the other element. However, it should be understood that other components may exist in the middle. On the other hand, when an element is referred to as “directly connected” or “directly connected” to another element, it should be understood that no other element exists in the middle.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Figure 1 is. It is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 10 includes a communication interface 11, an input/output interface 12, an aerosol generating module 13, a memory 14, a sensor module 15, a battery 16, and/or Alternatively, the controller 17 may be included.

In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 10 may be composed of only the main body. In this case, components included in the aerosol generating device 10 may be located in the main body. In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device 10 may be composed of a main body and a cartridge holding an aerosol generating material. In this case, components included in the aerosol generating device 10 may be located on at least one of the main body and the cartridge.

The communication interface 11 may include at least one communication module for communication with an external device and/or network. For example, the communication interface 11 may include a communication module for wired communication such as universal serial bus (USB). For example, the communication interface 11 may include a communication module for wireless communication such as WiFi (wireless fidelity), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Zigbee, and NFC (near field communication). can

The input/output interface 12 may include an input device for receiving a command from a user and/or an output device for outputting information to the user. For example, the input device may include a touch panel, physical buttons, and a microphone. For example, the output device outputs tactile information such as a display device, a display device that outputs visual information such as a light emitting diode (LED), an audio device that outputs auditory information such as a speaker and a buzzer, and a haptic effect. It may include a motor that does.

The input/output interface 12 may transfer data corresponding to a command input from a user through an input device to other component(s) of the aerosol generating device 10 . The input/output interface 12 may output information corresponding to data received from the other component(s) of the aerosol generating device 10 through an output device.

The aerosol generating module 13 may generate an aerosol from an aerosol generating material. Here, the aerosol-generating material may refer to any one material or a combination of two or more materials in various states such as a liquid state, a solid state, and a gel state capable of generating an aerosol.

The liquid aerosol-generating material may be, according to one embodiment, a liquid comprising a tobacco-containing material comprising a volatile tobacco flavor component. The liquid aerosol generating material may be a liquid comprising a non-tobacco material according to another embodiment. For example, liquid aerosol-generating substances may include water, solvents, nicotine, plant extracts, fragrances, flavoring agents, vitamin mixtures, and the like.

Solid-state aerosol-generating materials may include solid materials based on tobacco raw materials, such as leafy leaf sheets, cut fillers, and granules. In addition, the solid-state aerosol-generating material may include a solid material including a taste control agent, a flavoring material, and the like. For example, the taste control agent may include calcium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, calcium oxide and the like. For example, the fragrance material may include natural materials such as herbal granules, or silica, zeolite, and dextrin including fragrance components.

In addition, the aerosol generating material may further include an aerosol former such as glycerin or propylene glycol.

The aerosol generating module 13 may include at least one heater.

The aerosol generating module 13 may include an electrical resistive heater. For example, an electrical resistive heater may include at least one electrically conductive track. An electrical resistive heater can be heated by a current flowing through an electrically conductive track. At this time, the aerosol generating material may be heated by the heated electrical resistive heater.

The electrically conductive track may include an electrically resistive material. As an example, the electrically conductive track may be formed of a metallic material. As another example, the electrically conductive tracks may be formed of a ceramic material, carbon, a metal alloy, or a combination of a ceramic material and a metal.

The electrical resistive heater may include electrically conductive tracks formed in various shapes. For example, the electrically conductive track may be formed in any one of a tubular shape, a plate shape, a needle shape, a rod shape, and a coil shape.

The aerosol generating module 13 may include a heater using an induction heating method. For example, an induction heating type heater may include an electrically conductive coil. The induction heating type heater may generate an alternating magnetic field whose direction is periodically changed by adjusting the current flowing through the electrically conductive coil. In this case, when an alternating magnetic field is applied to the magnetic body, energy loss due to eddy current loss and hysteresis loss may occur in the magnetic body. Also, as the energy lost is released as thermal energy, the aerosol generating material adjacent to the magnetic body may be heated. Here, an object generating heat by a magnetic field may be referred to as a susceptor.

Meanwhile, the aerosol generating module 13 may generate an aerosol from an aerosol generating material by generating ultrasonic vibrations.

The aerosol generating module 13 may be referred to as a cartomizer, an atomizer, a vaporizer, and the like.

The memory 14 may store programs for processing and controlling each signal in the control unit 17 . The memory 14 may store data processed by the controller 17 and data to be processed.

For example, the memory 14 may store application programs designed for the purpose of performing various tasks processable by the control unit 17 . The memory 14 may selectively provide some of the stored application programs upon request of the control unit 17 .

For example, the memory 14 may include the operating time of the aerosol generating device 10, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, the number of times the battery 16 is charged, the number of times the battery 16 is discharged, at least one temperature profile, Data on the user's suction pattern, data on charging/discharging, and the like may be stored. Here, the puff may mean user's inhalation. Inhalation may refer to a situation in which the user draws into the user's oral cavity, nasal cavity, or lungs through the mouth or nose.

The memory 14 includes volatile memory (eg, DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.), non-volatile memory (eg, flash memory, hard disk drive (HDD)), solid state drive (Solid-state drive), and the like. state drive; SSD), etc.).

The sensor module 15 may include at least one sensor.

For example, the sensor module 15 may include a sensor for detecting a puff (hereinafter referred to as a puff sensor). In this case, the puff sensor may be implemented by a proximity sensor such as an IR sensor, a pressure sensor, a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, a magnetic field sensor, and the like.

For example, the sensor module 15 may include a sensor (hereinafter referred to as a temperature sensor) for sensing the temperature of a heater included in the aerosol generating module 13 and the temperature of an aerosol generating material. At this time, a heater included in the aerosol generating module 13 may serve as a temperature sensor. For example. The electrical resistive material of the heater may be a material having a temperature coefficient of resistance. The sensor module 15 may sense the temperature of the heater by measuring the resistance of the heater, which varies according to the temperature.

For example, when a stick can be inserted into the main body of the aerosol generating device 10, the sensor module 15 may include a sensor (hereinafter referred to as a stick detection sensor) for detecting the insertion of the stick.

For example, when the aerosol generating device 10 includes a cartridge, the sensor module 15 may include a sensor (hereinafter referred to as a cartridge detection sensor) that detects the attachment/detachment, position, etc. of the cartridge to the main body. there is.

At this time, the stick detection sensor and/or the cartridge detection sensor may be implemented by an inductance-based sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistance sensor, a hall sensor using a hall effect (hall IC), and the like.

For example, the sensor module 15 may include a voltage sensor for detecting voltage applied to a component (eg, battery 16) provided in the aerosol generating device 10 and/or a current sensor for detecting current. can

The battery 16 may supply power used for the operation of the aerosol generating device 10 under the control of the controller 17 . The battery 16 may supply power to other components included in the aerosol generating device 10 . For example, the battery 16 may supply power to a communication module included in the communication interface 11, an output device included in the input/output interface 12, a heater included in the aerosol generating module 13, and the like.

The battery 16 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 16 may be a lithium ion battery or a lithium polymer (Li-Polymer) battery, but is not limited thereto. For example, when the battery 16 can be charged, the charge rate (C-rate) of the battery 16 may be 10C and the discharge rate (C-rate) may be 10C to 20C, but is not limited thereto. In addition, for stable use, the battery 16 may be manufactured so that 80% or more of the total capacity may be secured even when charging/discharging is performed 2000 times.

The aerosol generating device 10 may further include a battery protection module (PCM), which is a circuit for protecting the battery 16. The battery protection module (PCM) may be disposed adjacent to the upper surface of the battery 16 . For example, the battery protection module (PCM), in order to prevent overcharging and overdischarging of the battery 16, when a short circuit occurs in a circuit connected to the battery 16, when an overvoltage is applied to the battery 16 , in the case where an overcurrent flows through the battery 16, the electric path to the battery 16 can be cut off.

The aerosol generating device 10 may further include a charging terminal into which power supplied from the outside is input. For example, a charging terminal may be formed on one side of the main body of the aerosol generating device 10. The aerosol generating device 10 may charge the battery 16 using power supplied through a charging terminal. At this time, the charging terminal may include a wired terminal for USB communication, a pogo pin, and the like.

The aerosol generating device 10 may wirelessly receive power supplied from the outside through the communication interface 11 . For example, the aerosol generating device 10 may receive power wirelessly using an antenna included in a communication module for wireless communication. The aerosol generating device 10 may charge the battery 16 using power supplied wirelessly.

The controller 17 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 10 . The control unit 17 may be connected to each component provided in the aerosol generating device 10. The control unit 17 may transmit and/or receive signals between each component and control the overall operation of each component.

The controller 17 may include at least one processor. The controller 17 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 10 by using a processor. Here, the processor may be a general processor such as a central processing unit (CPU). Of course, the processor may be a dedicated device such as an ASIC or other hardware-based processor.

The controller 17 may perform any one of a plurality of functions of the aerosol generating device 10 . For example, the control unit 17 may perform a plurality of functions of the aerosol generating device 10 ( Example: preheating function, heating function, charging function, cleaning function, etc.) may be performed.

The controller 17 may control the operation of each component provided in the aerosol generating device 10 based on data stored in the memory 14 . For example, the control unit 17 controls the supply of a predetermined power from the battery 16 to the aerosol generating module 13 for a predetermined period of time based on data on the temperature profile, the user's inhalation pattern, etc. stored in the memory 14. You can control it.

The controller 17 may determine whether a puff is present through a puff sensor included in the sensor module 15 . For example, the controller 17 may check a temperature change, a flow change, a pressure change, a voltage change, and the like in the aerosol generating device 10 based on the sensing value of the puff sensor. The control unit 17 may determine whether or not a puff is present according to a result confirmed based on the sensing value of the puff sensor.

The control unit 17 may control the operation of each component provided in the aerosol generating device 10 according to whether or not puffs are puffed and/or the number of puffs. For example, the controller 17 may control the temperature of the heater to be changed or maintained based on the temperature profile stored in the memory 14 .

The control unit 17 may control power supply to the heater to be cut off according to a predetermined condition. For example, when the stick is removed, when the cartridge is separated, when the number of puffs reaches a preset maximum number of puffs, when no puffs are detected for a preset time or more, the remaining capacity of the battery 16 reaches a predetermined value. In the case of less than or equal to, the control unit 17 may control power supply to the heater to be cut off.

The control unit 17 may calculate the remaining capacity of power stored in the battery 16 (hereinafter, remaining power amount). For example, the controller 17 may calculate the amount of remaining power of the battery 16 based on a sensing value of a voltage sensor and/or a current sensor included in the sensor module 15 .

The controller 17 controls power to be supplied to the heater using at least one of a pulse width modulation (PWM) method and a proportional-integral-differential (PID) method. can

For example, the control unit 17 may control a current pulse having a predetermined frequency and duty ratio to be supplied to the heater using a PWM method. At this time, the controller 17 may control power supplied to the heater by adjusting the frequency and duty ratio of the current pulse.

For example, the control unit 17 can determine a target temperature serving as a control target based on the temperature profile. At this time, the control unit 17 uses a PID method, which is a feedback control method through a difference value between the temperature of the heater and the target temperature, a value obtained by integrating the difference value over time, and a value obtained by differentiating the difference value over time. By using it, it is possible to control the power supplied to the heater.

On the other hand, although the PWM method and the PID method have been described as examples of control methods for supplying power to the heater, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a proportional-integral (PI) method, a proportional-derivative (Proportional-Integral) method, Differential, PD) method, etc. may be used in various control methods.

Meanwhile, the controller 17 may control power to be supplied to the heater according to preset conditions. For example, when a cleaning function for cleaning a space into which a stick is inserted is selected according to a command input from a user through the input/output interface 12, the controller 17 may control a predetermined power to be supplied to the heater.

2 to 6 are views referenced for description of an aerosol generating device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, the aerosol generating device 10 may include a main body 100 and/or a cartridge 200.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the aerosol generating device 10 according to an embodiment may include a main body 100 configured to allow the stick 20 to be inserted into a space formed by the housing 101 .

The stick 20 may be similar to a conventional combustible cigarette. For example, the stick 20 may be divided into a first part containing an aerosol generating material and a second part including a filter. Alternatively, the aerosol generating material may also be included in the second part of the stick 20 . An aerosol generating material, eg in the form of granules or capsules, may be inserted into the second part.

The entire first part may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, and the second part may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a part of the first part may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, or parts of the first part and the second part may be inserted. The user may inhale the aerosol while opening the second portion. At this time, the aerosol is generated by passing the external air through the first portion, and the generated aerosol may pass through the second portion and be delivered to the user's mouth.

The main body 100 may be formed in a structure in which external air may be introduced into the main body 100 in a state in which the stick 20 is inserted. At this time, the outside air introduced into the main body 100 may flow into the user's mouth through the stick 20 .

The heater may be disposed at a position within the body 100 corresponding to a position of the stick 20 when the stick 20 is inserted into the body 100 . In this drawing, the heater is shown as being an electrically conductive heater 110 including a needle-shaped electrically conductive track, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The heater may heat the inside and/or outside of the stick 20 using power supplied from the battery 16 . At this time, aerosol may be generated from the heated stick 20 . At this time, the user may inhale the tobacco-flavored aerosol by inhaling one end of the stick 20 through the mouth.

Meanwhile, the controller 17 may control power to be supplied to the heater according to a preset condition even when the stick 20 is not inserted. For example, when a cleaning function for cleaning a space into which the stick 20 is inserted is selected according to a command input from a user through the input/output interface 12, the control unit 17 may control a predetermined power to be supplied to the heater. there is.

The controller 17 may monitor the number of puffs based on a value sensed by the puff sensor from the time point when the stick 20 is inserted.

The controller 17 may initialize the current number of puffs stored in the memory 14 when the inserted stick 20 is removed.

Referring to FIG. 3 , an aerosol generating device 10 according to an embodiment may include a main body 100 supporting a cartridge 200 and a cartridge 200 holding an aerosol generating material.

The cartridge 200 may be configured to be detachable from the main body 100 according to one embodiment. The cartridge 200 may be integrally formed with the main body 100 according to another embodiment. For example, at least a portion of the cartridge 200 may be inserted into an inner space formed by the housing 101 of the main body 100, and the cartridge 200 may be mounted on the main body 100.

The main body 100 may be formed in a structure in which external air may be introduced into the main body 100 in a state in which the cartridge 200 is inserted. At this time, outside air introduced into the main body 100 may flow into the user's mouth through the cartridge 200 .

The controller 17 may determine whether the cartridge 200 is mounted/detached through a cartridge detection sensor included in the sensor module 15 . For example, the cartridge detection sensor may transmit a pulse current through one terminal connected to the cartridge 200 . In this case, the cartridge detecting sensor may detect whether or not the cartridge 200 is connected based on whether a pulse current is received through the other terminal.

The cartridge 200 may include a heater 210 for heating the aerosol generating material and/or a reservoir 220 for holding the aerosol generating material. For example, a liquid delivery means that impregnates (contains) an aerosol generating material may be disposed inside the reservoir 220 . The electrically conductive track of the heater 210 may be formed into a structure that winds the liquid delivery means. At this time, as the liquid delivery unit is heated by the heater 210, aerosol may be generated. Here, the liquid delivery means may include a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic.

The cartridge 200 may include an insertion space 230 configured to allow the stick 20 to be inserted. For example, the cartridge 200 may include an insertion space formed by an inner wall (not shown) extending in a circumferential direction along a direction in which the stick 20 is inserted. At this time, the insertion space may be formed by opening the inner side of the inner wall vertically. The stick 20 may be inserted into the insertion space 230 formed by the inner wall.

The insertion space into which the stick 20 is inserted may be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of a portion of the stick 20 inserted into the insertion space. For example, when the stick 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape, the insertion space may be formed in a cylindrical shape.

When the stick 20 is inserted into the insertion space, the outer circumferential surface of the stick 20 is surrounded by an inner wall and may be in contact with the inner wall.

A portion of the stick 20 is inserted into the insertion space 230 of the cartridge 200, and the remaining portion may be exposed to the outside.

The user may inhale the aerosol while holding one end of the stick 20 in the mouth. The aerosol generated by the heater 210 may pass through the stick 20 and be delivered to the user's mouth. At this time, while the aerosol passes through the stick 20, the substance contained in the stick 20 may be added to the aerosol, and the aerosol with the substance added may be inhaled into the user's mouth through one end of the stick 20 there is.

Referring to FIG. 4 , an aerosol generating device 10 according to an embodiment may include a main body 100 supporting a cartridge 200 and a cartridge 200 holding an aerosol generating material. The main body 100 may be configured such that the stick 20 can be inserted into the insertion space 130 .

The aerosol generating device 10 may include a first heater for heating the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge 200 . For example, when a user inhales one end of the stick 20 through the mouth, aerosol generated by the first heater may pass through the stick 20 . At this time, while the aerosol passes through the stick 20, a flavor may be added to the aerosol. The flavored aerosol may be inhaled into the user's mouth through one end of the stick 20 .

Meanwhile, according to another embodiment, the aerosol generating device 10 includes a first heater for heating the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge 200 and a second heater for heating the stick 20 inserted into the main body 100. may include each. For example, the aerosol generating device 10 may generate an aerosol by heating the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge 200 and the stick 20 through the first heater and the second heater, respectively.

5 to 7 are. These drawings are referenced in the description of the stick according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. Detailed descriptions of overlapping contents in FIGS. 5 to 7 will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 5 , a cigarette 20 according to an embodiment may include a tobacco rod 21 and a filter rod 22 . The first part described above with reference to FIG. 2 may include a tobacco rod 21 . The second part described above with reference to FIG. 2 may include the filter rod 22 .

Although filter rod 22 is shown as a single segment in FIG. 5, it is not limited thereto. In other words, the filter rod 22 may be composed of a plurality of segments. For example, filter rod 22 may include a first segment that cools the aerosol and a second segment that filters certain components contained in the aerosol. Also, if necessary, the filter rod 22 may further include at least one segment performing other functions.

The diameter of the stick 20 is within the range of 5mm to 9mm, and the length may be about 48mm, but is not limited thereto. For example, the length of the tobacco rod 21 is about 12 mm, the length of the first segment of the filter rod 22 is about 10 mm, the length of the second segment of the filter rod 22 is about 14 mm, the length of the filter rod 22 The length of the third segment of may be about 12 mm, but is not limited thereto.

The stick 20 may be wrapped by at least one wrapper 24 . At least one hole through which external air is introduced or internal gas is discharged may be formed in the wrapper 24 . As an example, the stick 20 may be wrapped by one wrapper 24 . As another example, the stick 20 may be overlappingly wrapped by two or more wrappers 24 . For example, the tobacco rod 21 may be wrapped by the first wrapper 241 . For example, the filter rod 22 may be wrapped by wrappers 242 , 243 , and 244 . The tobacco rod 21 and the filter rod 22 wrapped by individual wrappers may be combined. The entire stick 20 may be re-wrapped by the third wrapper 245 . When each of the filter rods 22 is composed of a plurality of segments, each segment may be wrapped by individual wrappers 242, 243, and 244. The entire stick 20 in which segments wrapped by individual wrappers are combined may be re-wrapped by another wrapper.

The first wrapper 241 and the second wrapper 242 may be made of general filter paper. For example, the first wrapper 241 and the second wrapper 242 may be porous wrappers or non-porous wrappers. In addition, the first wrapper 241 and the second wrapper 242 may be made of oil-resistant paper and/or aluminum laminate packaging material.

The third wrapper 243 may be made of hard paper. For example, the basis weight of the third wrapper 243 may be within a range of 88 g/m 2 to 96 g/m 2 . For example, the basis weight of the third wrapper 243 may be within a range of 90 g/m 2 to 94 g/m 2 . In addition, the thickness of the third wrapper 243 may be included in the range of 120um to 130um. For example, the thickness of the third wrapper 243 may be 125um.

The fourth wrapper 244 may be made of oil-resistant hard paper. For example, the basis weight of the fourth wrapper 244 may be within a range of 88 g/m 2 to 96 g/m 2 . For example, the basis weight of the fourth wrapper 244 may be within a range of 90 g/m 2 to 94 g/m 2 . In addition, the thickness of the fourth wrapper 244 may be included in the range of 120um to 130um. For example, the thickness of the fourth wrapper 244 may be 125um.

The fifth wrapper 245 may be made of sterile paper (MFW). Here, the sterilized paper (MFW) may refer to paper specially manufactured to improve tensile strength, water resistance, smoothness, and the like compared to general paper. For example, the basis weight of the fifth wrapper 245 may be within a range of 57 g/m 2 to 63 g/m 2 . For example, the basis weight of the fifth wrapper 245 may be 60 g/m 2 . Also, the thickness of the fifth wrapper 245 may be within a range of 64um to 70um. For example, the thickness of the fifth wrapper 245 may be 67um.

A predetermined material may be internally added to the fifth wrapper 245 . Here, an example of the predetermined material may be silicon, but is not limited thereto. For example, silicon may have properties such as heat resistance with little change with temperature, oxidation resistance without being oxidized, resistance to various chemicals, water repellency, or electrical insulation. However, even if it is not silicon, any material having the above characteristics may be coated or coated on the fifth wrapper 245 without limitation.

The fifth wrapper 245 may prevent the stick 20 from burning. For example, when the tobacco rod 21 is heated by the heater 110, there is a possibility that the stick 20 is burned. Specifically, when the temperature rises above the ignition point of any one of the materials included in the tobacco rod 21, the stick 20 may be burned. Even in this case, since the fifth wrapper 245 includes an incombustible material, burning of the stick 20 can be prevented.

In addition, the fifth wrapper 245 may prevent the main body 100 from being contaminated by substances produced in the stick 20 . Liquid substances may be created in the stick 20 by the user's puff. For example, liquid substances (eg, moisture, etc.) may be generated by cooling the aerosol generated in the stick 20 by external air. As the fifth wrapper 245 wraps the stick 20 , liquid substances generated in the stick 20 may be prevented from leaking out of the stick 20 .

The tobacco rod 21 may contain an aerosol generating material. For example, the aerosol generating material may include, but is not limited to, at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol and oleyl alcohol. In addition, the tobacco rod 21 may contain other additive substances such as flavoring agents, humectants and/or organic acids. In addition, a flavoring liquid such as menthol or a moisturizer can be added to the tobacco rod 21 by spraying it to the tobacco rod 21 .

The tobacco rod 21 can be manufactured in various ways. For example, the tobacco rod 21 may be made of a sheet. For example, the tobacco rod 21 may be made of a strand. For example, the tobacco rod 21 may be made of a cut filler in which a tobacco sheet is chopped. For example, the tobacco rod 21 may be surrounded by a heat conducting material. For example, the thermal conduction material may be a metal foil such as aluminum foil, but is not limited thereto. For example, the heat conduction material surrounding the tobacco rod 21 can improve the thermal conductivity applied to the tobacco rod by evenly distributing the heat transmitted to the tobacco rod 21 . This can improve the taste of tobacco. A heat conduction material surrounding the tobacco rod 21 may function as a susceptor to be heated by an induction heating type heater. At this time, although not shown in the drawing, the tobacco rod 21 may further include an additional susceptor in addition to the heat conducting material surrounding the outside.

The filter rod 22 may be a cellulose acetate filter. On the other hand, the shape of the filter rod 22 is not limited. For example, the filter rod 22 may be a cylindrical rod. For example, the filter rod 22 may be a tubular rod having a hollow inside. For example, the filter rod 22 may be a recess type rod. When the filter rod 22 is composed of a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may be manufactured in a different shape.

The first segment of filter rod 22 may be a cellulose acetate filter. For example, the first segment may be a tube-shaped structure including a hollow therein. When the heater 110 is inserted by the first segment, the internal material of the tobacco rod 21 may be prevented from being pushed back, and a cooling effect of the aerosol may be generated. The diameter of the hollow included in the first segment may be appropriately employed within a range of 2 mm to 4.5 mm, but is not limited thereto.

The length of the first segment may be appropriately employed within a range of 4 mm to 30 mm, but is not limited thereto. For example, the length of the first segment may be 10 mm, but is not limited thereto.

The second segment of the filter rod 22 cools the aerosol produced by the heater 110 heating the tobacco rod 21 . Thus, the user can inhale the aerosol cooled to an appropriate temperature.

The length or diameter of the second segment may be variously determined according to the shape of the stick 20 . For example, the length of the second segment may be appropriately employed within a range of 7 mm to 20 mm. Preferably, the length of the second segment may be about 14 mm, but is not limited thereto.

The second segment may be fabricated by weaving polymer fibers. In this case, flavoring liquid may be applied to fibers made of polymer. Alternatively, the second segment may be manufactured by weaving a separate fiber coated with flavoring liquid and a fiber made of a polymer together. Alternatively, the second segment may be formed by a crimped polymer sheet.

For example, the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), cellulose acetate (CA) and aluminum foil. material can be made.

As the second segment is formed by woven polymer fibers or crimped polymer sheets, the second segment may include one or more longitudinally extending channels. Here, the channel may refer to a passage through which gas (eg, air or aerosol) passes. .

For example, the second segment of a crimped polymer sheet may be formed from a material having a thickness between about 5 μm and about 300 μm, such as between about 10 μm and about 250 μm. Also, the total surface area of the second segment may be between about 300 mm 2 /mm and about 1000 mm 2 /mm. Additionally, the aerosol-cooling element may be formed from a material having a specific surface area between about 10 mm 2 /mg and about 100 mm 2 /mg.

Meanwhile, the second segment may include a thread containing a volatile flavor component. Here, the volatile flavor component may be menthol, but is not limited thereto. For example, the thread may be loaded with sufficient menthol to provide at least 1.5 mg of menthol to the second segment.

The third segment of filter rod 22 may be a cellulose acetate filter. The length of the third segment may be appropriately employed within a range of 4 mm to 20 mm. For example, the length of the third segment may be about 12 mm, but is not limited thereto.

The filter rod 22 may be manufactured to generate flavor. As an example, flavoring liquid may be sprayed onto the filter rod 22 . As an example, a separate fiber coated with flavoring liquid may be inserted into the filter rod 22 .

In addition, at least one capsule 23 may be included in the filter rod 22 . Here, the capsule 23 may perform a function of generating flavor. The capsule 23 may also function to generate an aerosol. For example, the capsule 23 may have a structure in which a liquid containing a fragrance is wrapped with a film. The capsule 23 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the stick 30 according to one embodiment may further include a shear plug 33 . The front end plug 33 is located on one side opposite to the filter rod 32 in the tobacco rod 31 . The shear plug 33 can prevent the tobacco rod 31 from escaping to the outside. The shear plug 33 can prevent the aerosol liquefied from the tobacco rod 31 from flowing into the aerosol generating device 10 during smoking.

The filter rod 32 may include a first segment 321 and a second segment 322 . The first segment 321 may correspond to the first segment of the filter rod 22 of FIG. 5 . The second segment 322 may correspond to the third segment of the filter rod 22 of FIG. 5 .

The diameter and total length of the stick 30 may correspond to the diameter and total length of the stick 20 of FIG. 5 . For example, the length of the shear plug 33 is about 7 mm, the length of the tobacco rod 31 is about 15 mm, the length of the first segment 321 is about 12 mm, and the length of the second segment 322 is about 14 mm. may, but is not limited thereto.

The stick 30 may be wrapped by at least one wrapper 35 . At least one hole through which external air is introduced or internal gas is discharged may be formed in the wrapper 35 . For example, the shear plug 33 is wrapped by the first wrapper 351, the tobacco rod 31 is wrapped by the second wrapper 352, and the first segment by the third wrapper 353 ( 321) may be wrapped, and the second segment 322 may be wrapped by the fourth wrapper 354. Also, the entire stick 30 may be re-wrapped by the fifth wrapper 355 .

In addition, at least one perforation 36 may be formed in the fifth wrapper 355 . For example, the perforation 36 may be formed in an area surrounding the tobacco rod 31, but is not limited thereto. For example, the perforations 36 may serve to transfer heat generated by the heater 210 shown in FIG. 3 to the inside of the tobacco rod 31.

In addition, at least one capsule 34 may be included in the second segment 322 . Here, the capsule 34 may also perform a function of generating flavor. The capsule 34 may also perform the function of generating an aerosol. For example, the capsule 34 may have a structure in which a liquid containing a fragrance is wrapped with a film. The capsule 34 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

The first wrapper 351 may be a metal foil such as aluminum foil coupled to a general filter wrapper. For example, the total thickness of the first wrapper 351 may be within a range of 45um to 55um. For example, the total thickness of the first wrapper 351 may be 50.3um. In addition, the thickness of the metal foil of the first wrapper 351 may be included in the range of 6um to 7um. For example, the thickness of the metal foil of the first wrapper 351 may be 6.3um. In addition, the basis weight of the first wrapper 351 may be included in the range of 50 g/m 2 to 55 g/m 2 . For example, the basis weight of the first wrapper 351 may be 53 g/m2.

The second wrapper 352 and the third wrapper 353 may be made of general filter wrappers. For example, the second wrapper 352 and the third wrapper 353 may be porous wrappers or non-porous wrappers.

For example, the porosity of the second wrapper 352 may be 35000 CU, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the thickness of the second wrapper 352 may be included in the range of 70um ~ 80um. For example, the thickness of the second wrapper 352 may be 78um. In addition, the basis weight of the second wrapper 352 may be within the range of 20 g/m 2 to 25 g/m 2 . For example, the basis weight of the second wrapper 352 may be 23.5 g/m2.

For example, the porosity of the third wrapper 353 may be 24000 CU, but is not limited thereto. Also, the thickness of the third wrapper 353 may be within a range of 60um to 70um. For example, the thickness of the third wrapper 353 may be 68um. In addition, the basis weight of the third wrapper 353 may be within the range of 20 g/m 2 to 25 g/m 2 . For example, the basis weight of the 3 wrappers 353 may be 21 g/m2.

The fourth wrapper 354 may be made of PLA laminate. Here, the PLA laminate may refer to three layers of paper including a paper layer, a PLA layer, and a paper layer. For example, the thickness of the fourth wrapper 354 may be included in the range of 100um to 120um. For example, the thickness of the fourth wrapper 354 may be 110um. In addition, the basis weight of the fourth wrapper 354 may be included in the range of 80 g/m 2 to 100 g/m 2 . For example, the basis weight of the fourth wrapper 354 may be 88 g/m2.

The fifth wrapper 355 may be made of sterile paper (MFW). Here, the sterilized paper (MFW) may refer to specially manufactured paper to enhance tensile strength, water resistance, smoothness, and the like compared to general paper. For example, the basis weight of the fifth wrapper 355 may be within a range of 57 g/m 2 to 63 g/m 2 . For example, the basis weight of the fifth wrapper 355 may be 60 g/m2. In addition, the thickness of the fifth wrapper 355 may be included in the range of 64um to 70um. For example, the thickness of the fifth wrapper 355 may be 67um.

A predetermined material may be internally added to the fifth wrapper 355 . Here, an example of the predetermined material may be silicon, but is not limited thereto. For example, silicon has properties such as heat resistance with little change with temperature, oxidation resistance that does not oxidize, resistance to various chemicals, water repellency, or electrical insulation. However, even if it is not silicon, any material having the above characteristics may be applied (or coated) to the fifth wrapper 355 without limitation.

The shear plug 33 may be made of cellulose acetate. As an example, the shear plug 33 may be fabricated by adding a plasticizer (eg, triacetin) to cellulose acetate tow. The mono denier of the filaments constituting the cellulose acetate tow may be included in the range of 1.0 to 10.0. For example, the monodenier of the filament constituting the cellulose acetate tow may be included in the range of 4.0 to 6.0. For example, the mono denier of the filament of the shear plug 33 may be 5.0. In addition, the cross section of the filaments constituting the front end plug 33 may be Y-shaped. The total denier of the shear plug 33 may be included in the range of 20000 to 30000. For example, the total denier of the front end plug 33 may be included in the range of 25000 to 30000. For example, the total denier of the shear plug 33 may be 28000.

Also, if necessary, the front end plug 33 may include at least one channel. The shape of the cross section of the channel of the shear plug 330 can be manufactured in various ways.

The tobacco rod 31 may correspond to the tobacco rod 21 described above with reference to FIG. 5 . Therefore, a detailed description of the tobacco rod 31 will be omitted below.

The first segment 321 may be made of cellulose acetate. For example, the first segment may be a tube-shaped structure including a hollow therein. The first segment 321 may be manufactured by adding a plasticizer (eg, triacetin) to cellulose acetate tow. For example, the mono denier and total denier of the first segment 321 may be the same as the mono denier and total denier of the shear plug 33 .

The second segment 322 may be made of cellulose acetate. The mono denier of the filaments constituting the second segment 322 may be included in the range of 1.0 to 10.0. For example, the mono denier of the filament of the second segment 322 may be included in the range of 8.0 to 10.0. For example, the mono denier of the filament of the second segment 322 may be 9.0. In addition, the cross section of the filament of the second segment 322 may be Y-shaped. The total denier of the second segment 322 may be included in the range of 20000 to 30000. For example, the total denier of the second segment 322 may be 25000.

Referring to FIG. 7 , the stick 40 may include a medium part 410 . The stick 40 may include a cooling unit 420 . The stick 40 may include a filter unit 430 . The cooling unit 420 may be disposed between the medium unit 410 and the filter unit 430 . Stick 40 may include wrapper 440 . The wrapper 440 may cover the medium unit 410 . The wrapper 440 may cover the cooling unit 420 . The wrapper 440 may cover the filter unit 430 . The stick 40 may have a cylindrical shape.

The medium unit 410 may include a medium 411 . The medium unit 410 may include a first medium cover 413 . The medium unit 410 may include a second medium cover 415 . The medium 411 may be disposed between the first medium cover 413 and the second medium cover 415 . The first medium cover 413 may be disposed on one end of the stick 40 . The medium part 410 may have a length of 24 mm.

The medium 411 may include materials of various components. Substances included in the medium may be flavor substances of various components. Medium 411 may be composed of a plurality of granules. Each of the plurality of granules may have a size of 0.4 mm to 1.12 mm. The medium 411 may be filled with about 70% of granules therein. The medium 411 may have a length L2 of 10 mm. The first medium cover 413 may be made of an acetate material. The second medium cover 415 may be made of an acetate material. The first medium cover 413 may be made of a paper material. The second media cover 415 may be made of a paper material. At least one of the first medium cover 413 and the second medium cover 415 is made of a paper material and is gathered into a corrugated shape, and a plurality of gaps for air to flow may be formed therebetween. The gap may be smaller than the size of each granule of the medium 411 . The length L1 of the first medium cover 413 may be shorter than the length L2 of the medium 411 . The length L3 of the second medium cover 413 may be shorter than the length L2 of the medium 411 . The length L1 of the first medium cover 413 may be 7 mm. The length L2 of the second medium cover 413 may be 7 mm.

Accordingly, each granule of the medium 411 may not be separated from the medium part 410 and the stick 40 .

The cooling unit 420 may have a cylindrical shape. The cooling unit 420 may have a hollow shape. The cooling unit 420 may be disposed between the medium unit 410 and the filter unit 430 . The cooling unit 420 may be disposed between the second medium unit 415 and the filter unit 430 . The cooling unit 420 may be formed in a tubular shape surrounding an internal cooling path 424 . The cooling unit 420 may be thicker than the wrapper 440 . The cooling unit 420 may be made of a thicker paper material than the wrapper 440 . The length L4 of the cooling unit 420 may be the same as or similar to the length L2 of the medium 411 . The length L4 of the cooling part 420 and the cooling path 424 may be 10 mm. When the stick 40 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, at least a portion of the cooling unit 420 may be exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating device 10.

Accordingly, the cooling unit 420 supports the medium unit 410 and the filter unit 430, and the rigidity of the stick 40 can be secured. In addition, the cooling unit 420 may support the wrapper 440 between the medium unit 410 and the filter unit 430 and secure an area to which the wrapper 440 may be adhered. In addition, the heated air and aerosol may be cooled while passing through the cooling path 424 inside the cooling unit 420 .

The filter unit 430 may be composed of a filter made of an acetate material. The filter unit 430 may be disposed at the other end of the stick 40. When the stick 40 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, the filter unit 430 may be exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating device 10. A user may inhale air while holding the filter unit 430 in his/her mouth. The length L5 of the filter unit 430 may be 14 mm.

The wrapper 440 may surround or surround the medium unit 410 , the cooling unit 420 and the filter unit 430 . The wrapper 440 may configure the outer shape of the stick 40 . The wrapper 440 may be made of a paper material. The adhesive portion 441 may be formed on one edge of the wrapper 440 . The wrapper 440 surrounds the medium unit 410, the cooling unit 420, and the filter unit 430, and the adhesive unit 441 formed on one edge and the other edge may be adhered to each other. The wrapper 440 covering the medium unit 410, the cooling unit 420, and the filter unit 430 may not cover one end and the other end of the stick 40.

Accordingly, the wrapper 440 may fix the medium unit 410, the cooling unit 420, and the filter unit 430, and prevent separation from the stick 40.

The first thin film 443 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the first medium cover 413 . The first thin film 443 may be disposed between the wrapper 440 and the first medium cover 413 or disposed outside the wrapper 440 . The first thin film 443 may surround the first medium cover 413 . The first thin film 443 may be made of a metal material. The first thin film 443 may be made of an aluminum material. The first thin film 443 may adhere to or be coated on the wrapper 440 .

The second thin film 445 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the second medium cover 415 . The second thin film 445 may be disposed between the wrapper 440 and the second medium cover 415 or disposed outside the wrapper 440 . The second thin film 445 may be made of a metal material. The second thin film 445 may be made of aluminum. The second thin film 445 may adhere to or be coated on the wrapper 440 .

8 to 13 are views referenced in a description of the configuration of an aerosol generating device according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Detailed descriptions of overlapping contents in the description of the configuration of the aerosol generating device will be omitted.

Hereinafter, the direction of the aerosol generating device 10 may be defined based on the Cartesian coordinate system. In the Cartesian coordinate system, the x-axis direction may be defined as the left-right direction of the aerosol generating device 10. At this time, with the origin as the reference point, a direction toward +x may mean a right direction, and a direction toward -x may mean a left direction. The y-axis direction may be defined as a vertical direction of the aerosol generating device 10. In this case, a direction toward +y based on the origin may mean an upward direction, and a direction toward -y may mean a downward direction. The z-axis direction may be defined as the forward and backward directions of the aerosol generating device 10. A direction toward +z based on the origin may mean a forward direction, and a direction toward -z may mean a rearward direction.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 , the cartridge 200 may include a storage unit 220 storing liquid 225 therein. The storage unit 220 for storing the liquid 225 may be referred to as a chamber 220 . The cartridge 200 may include an outer wall 201 and an inner wall 202 . The chamber 220 may be configured between the outer wall 201 and the inner wall 202 . The heater 210 may heat the liquid 225 stored in the chamber 220 . For example, a liquid delivery means such as a wick may be connected to the chamber 220 . At this time, the heater 210 may heat the liquid delivery means supplied with the liquid 225 .

The cartridge 200 may have an insertion space 230 . One end of the insertion space 230 may be opened to form an opening. The insertion space 230 may be exposed to the outside through the opening. The opening may be defined as one end of the insertion space 230 . The insertion space 230 may be formed to extend long in the vertical direction. The insertion space 230 may be configured as a space surrounded by an inner wall 230 extending long in the vertical direction. The stick 20 may be inserted into the insertion space 230 .

The cartridge 200 may be placed in contact with the main body 100 . The cartridge 200 may be coupled to the main body 100 . One side wall of the outer wall 102 of the cartridge 200 may be in contact with the main body 100 . The insertion space 230 may be formed adjacent to one side wall in contact with the main body 100 of the outer wall 102 of the cartridge 200 .

The main body 100 may include a proximity sensor 151 . The proximity sensor 151 may be disposed to face the insertion space 230 . The proximity sensor 151 may be disposed adjacent to the lower end of the insertion space 230 .

The proximity sensor 151 may be an optical proximity sensor. Hereinafter, it will be described as an example that the proximity sensor 151 is an optical proximity sensor. The proximity sensor 151 may irradiate light toward the insertion space 230 . The proximity sensor 151 may include a light emitting unit for irradiating light toward the insertion space 230 and a light receiving unit for outputting a signal corresponding to the incident light.

The light emitting unit may emit infrared rays having a wavelength of 780 nm to 1 mm. The light emitting unit may include a light emitting diode (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a laser diode (LD), or the like as a light source. The light emitting unit may include a first light collecting unit that collects light generated by the light source toward the insertion space 230 . Here, the first light collecting unit may be composed of an imaging lens, a diffractive optical element (DOE), and the like.

The light receiving unit may include a photo diode that responds to light. The light receiving unit may include a second light concentrating unit that collects light emitted from the light source and reflected (hereinafter referred to as reflected light). For example, the reflected light condensed by the second concentrator may be transmitted to the photodiode. In this case, the second concentrating unit may include a lens that receives reflected light incident from a predetermined direction.

The proximity sensor 151 may further include an optical filter that restricts transmission of light in a specific wavelength range. For example, when a light source emits infrared rays having a wavelength of 780 nm to 1 mm, the optical filter may be configured as an infrared band pass filter that restricts passage of infrared rays.

Light output from the proximity sensor 151 may pass through at least a portion of the outer wall 201 and the inner wall 202 of the cartridge 200 . At least a portion of the outer wall 201 and the inner wall 202 of the cartridge 200 may be formed of a transparent material. One side wall of the outer wall 201 of the cartridge 200 in contact with the main body 100 may transmit light. The inner wall 202 of the cartridge 200 may transmit light.

The body 100 may include a capacitance sensor 153 . The capacitance sensor 153 may be disposed adjacent to the insertion space 230 . The capacitance sensor 153 may include a conductor. The conductor may be formed to extend long along the vertical direction in which the insertion space 230 of the cartridge 200 extends.

The capacitance sensor 153 may output a signal corresponding to surrounding electromagnetic properties, for example, capacitance around a conductor. The level of the signal of the capacitance sensor 153 may correspond to the state of the insertion space 230 . For example, when the stick 20 is inserted into the insertion space 230, the level of the signal of the capacitance sensor 153 may be changed by a predetermined standard or more.

The main body 100 may include a motion sensor 155 that outputs a signal corresponding to the motion of the aerosol generating device 10 . The motion sensor 155 may be implemented by at least one of a gyro sensor and an acceleration sensor. The motion sensor 155 may be referred to as a motion sensor or the like.

The cartridge 200 may include a sensing member 240 . The sensing member 240 may be disposed in the chamber 220 . The sensing member 240 may be made of a material that floats on the liquid 225 . The specific gravity of the sensing member 240 may be smaller than that of the liquid 225 .

The sensing member 240 may be disposed to surround the insertion space 230 . The inner circumferential surface of the sensing member 240 may come into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the inner wall 202 of the cartridge 200 . The sensing member 240 may move along the vertical direction in which the insertion space 230 extends. The sensing member 240 may move in response to the level of the liquid 225 . The sensing member 240 may move between the insertion space 230 and the proximity sensor 151 .

Referring to FIG. 10 , when the stick 20 is inserted into the insertion space 230, light output from the proximity sensor 151 may be reflected by the stick 20. At this time, the time elapsed from the time when light is output from the proximity sensor 151 to the time when the proximity sensor 151 senses the light (hereinafter referred to as detection time) is when the stick 20 is not inserted into the insertion space 230. It may be shorter when the stick is inserted than when it is not.

Meanwhile, the aerosol generating device 10 may calculate a distance corresponding to a signal of the proximity sensor 151 based on the sensing time of the proximity sensor 151 . For example, the shorter the sensing time of the proximity sensor 151 is, the shorter the distance corresponding to the signal of the proximity sensor 151 may be.

On the other hand, referring to FIG. 11, when the sensing member 240 is located on the lower side of the insertion space 230 corresponding to the proximity sensor 151, the light output from the proximity sensor 151 is applied to the sensing member 240. can be reflected by In this case, the sensing time of the proximity sensor 151 may be shorter when the light is reflected by the sensing member 240 than when the light is reflected by the stick 20 .

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13 , the cartridge 200 may include a guide wall 203 . The guide wall 203 may be formed to elongate in the vertical direction. The guide wall 203 may be disposed adjacent to the inner wall 202 of the cartridge 200 . The guide wall 203 may be disposed between the insertion space 230 and the proximity sensor 151 .

The cartridge 200 may have a guide space 245 . The guide space 245 may be formed in the chamber 220 to extend long in the vertical direction. The guide space 245 may be configured as a space surrounded by a guide wall 203 extending long in the vertical direction.

The proximity sensor 151 may be disposed to face the insertion space 230 and the guide space 245 . The guide wall 203 may transmit light. The guide wall 203 may be formed of a transparent material.

The sensing member 240 may be disposed in the guide space 245 . Some of the liquid 225 stored in the chamber 220 may flow into the guide space 245 . The sensing member 240 may move in response to the level of the liquid 225 stored in the guide space 245 . The guide wall 203 may include at least one hole through which the liquid 225 flows.

Meanwhile, according to one embodiment, the sensing member 240 may be disposed to surround the guide space 245 . An inner circumferential surface of the sensing member 240 may come into contact with an outer circumferential surface of the guide wall 203 of the cartridge 200 .

14 is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 14 , in operation S1410, the aerosol generating device 10 may determine, through the motion sensor 155, whether the inclination corresponding to the degree of inclination of the aerosol generating device 10 is less than a predetermined inclination. there is.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 10 may calculate an inclination corresponding to the degree of inclination of the aerosol generating device 10 based on the vertical direction. For example, when the opening of the insertion space 230 faces upward, the inclination of the aerosol generating device 10 may be calculated as 0 degrees. For example, when the opening of the insertion space 230 faces the left direction, the inclination of the aerosol generating device 10 may be calculated as 90 degrees.

Referring to FIG. 15 , the liquid 225 stored in the chamber 220 may flow according to the degree of inclination of the aerosol generating device 10 . At this time, even though the liquid 225 is stored in the chamber 220 at a certain level or higher, when the aerosol generating device 10 is tilted at a predetermined inclination or higher, the sensing member 240 is inserted corresponding to the proximity sensor 151. It may be located on the lower side of the space 230.

The aerosol generating device 10 may monitor the signal of the proximity sensor 151 based on the fact that the calculated slope is less than the predetermined slope in operation S1420. For example, the aerosol generating device 10 may activate the function of the proximity sensor 151 when the inclination of the aerosol generating device 10 is less than a predetermined inclination of 30 degrees.

The aerosol generating device 10 may determine whether the sensing member 240 is detected through the proximity sensor 151 in operation S1430. For example, the aerosol generating device 10 determines that the sensing member 240 is detected based on the fact that the distance corresponding to the signal of the proximity sensor 151 corresponds to a second time shorter than the preset first distance. can judge At this time, the aerosol generating device 10 may determine that the liquid 225 stored in the chamber 220 is exhausted based on the detection of the sensing member 240 .

The aerosol generating device 10 may determine whether the stick 20 is inserted into the insertion space 230 in operation S1440. For example, the aerosol generating device 10 determines that the stick 20 is inserted into the insertion space 230 based on the fact that the distance corresponding to the signal of the proximity sensor 151 corresponds to the preset first distance. can judge For example, the aerosol generating device 10, based on the fact that the distance corresponding to the signal of the proximity sensor 151 corresponds to a third distance longer than the preset first distance, the stick 20 in the insertion space 230 ) can be determined as not inserted.

The aerosol generating device 10 may supply power to the heater 210 when it is determined that the stick 20 is inserted into the insertion space 230 in operation S1450. For example, the aerosol generating device 10 may supply power to the heater 210 based on the temperature profile stored in the memory 15 .

The aerosol generating device 10 may cut off power supply to the heater 210 in operation S1460. For example, the aerosol generating device 10 may cut off supply of power to the heater 210 based on the fact that the slope calculated through the motion sensor 155 is greater than or equal to a predetermined slope. For example, the aerosol generating device 10 may cut off power supply to the heater 210 based on the detection of the sensing member 240 . For example, the aerosol generating device 10 may cut off power supply to the heater 210 based on the fact that the stick 20 is not inserted into the insertion space 230 .

According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 10 may include a plurality of proximity sensors 151 . The plurality of proximity sensors 151 may be disposed toward the insertion space 230, respectively. The plurality of proximity sensors 151 may be disposed along the vertical direction in which the insertion space 230 extends. The aerosol generating device 10 may determine the level of the liquid 225 based on a result of detecting the sensing member 240 through at least one of the plurality of proximity sensors 151 . Among the plurality of proximity sensors 151, the aerosol generating device 10 may be sequentially activated, starting with the proximity sensors disposed adjacent to the upper end of the insertion space 230. For example, the aerosol generating device 10, when the sensing member 240 is detected through the first proximity sensor among the plurality of proximity sensors 151, the second proximity sensor disposed below the first proximity sensor signals can be monitored. For example, in the aerosol generating device 10, when the sensing member 240 is detected through the proximity sensor disposed closest to the lower end of the insertion space 230 among the plurality of proximity sensors 151, the liquid 225 ) can be judged to be exhausted.

According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 10, when the sensing member 240 is detected in a state in which power is supplied to the heater 210, supplies power to the heater 210 based on a predetermined condition. can block In this case, the predetermined condition may correspond to a time elapsed from the time point at which the sensing member 240 is detected. For example, when the slope of the aerosol generating device 10 is the first slope, the aerosol generating device 10 may cut off supply of power to the heater 210 when the first time elapses. For example, when the slope of the aerosol generating device 10 is a second slope smaller than the first slope, the aerosol generating device 10, when a second time period shorter than the first time elapses, the electric power for the heater 210 supply can be cut off.

According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 10 may output a message related to the exhaustion of the liquid 225 through the output device of the input/output interface 12 . For example, based on the detection of the sensing member 240, the aerosol generating device 10 may output vibration requesting replacement of the cartridge 200 according to the exhaustion of the liquid 225 through a motor.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 10 may monitor the signal of the capacitance sensor 153 based on the fact that the slope calculated through the motion sensor 155 is less than a predetermined slope. At this time, the aerosol generating device 10 may monitor the signal of the proximity sensor 151 based on the determination that the stick 20 is inserted into the insertion space 230 through the capacitance sensor 153. .

According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 10 receives a signal from the motion sensor 155 based on the determination that the stick 20 is inserted into the insertion space 230 through the capacitance sensor 153. can be monitored. At this time, the aerosol generating device 10 may monitor the signal of the proximity sensor 151 based on the fact that the slope calculated through the motion sensor 155 is less than a predetermined slope.

As described above, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the aerosol generating material is exhausted.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the aerosol generating material is exhausted according to various conditions.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, power supplied to the heater 210 may be adjusted based on whether the aerosol generating material is exhausted.

1 to 15, an aerosol generating device 10 according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a cartridge having a chamber for storing a liquid; a main body coupled to the cartridge; a heater for heating the liquid; an insertion space formed in either one of the main body and the cartridge and extending to insert a stick therein; a proximity sensor disposed toward the insertion space; a sensing member disposed in the chamber and moving between the insertion space and the proximity sensor along a direction in which the insertion space extends; and a controller configured to determine whether or not to supply power to the heater based on a signal of the proximity sensor, wherein a specific gravity of the sensing member may be smaller than a specific gravity of the liquid.

Also, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, the proximity sensor may be disposed adjacent to a lower end of the insertion space.

Further, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit determines that the stick is inserted into the insertion space based on a distance corresponding to a signal of the proximity sensor corresponding to a first distance, Based on the fact that the distance corresponding to the signal of the proximity sensor corresponds to the second distance shorter than the first distance, it is determined that the liquid is exhausted, and the distance corresponding to the signal of the proximity sensor is less than the first distance. Based on the corresponding long third distance, it may be determined that the stick is not inserted into the insertion space.

Further, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, an input/output interface for outputting a message is further included, and the control unit is based on a distance corresponding to a signal of the proximity sensor being shorter than a distance corresponding to insertion of the stick. Thus, a message regarding the exhaustion of the liquid may be output through the input/output interface.

Further, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, the cartridge includes an inner wall defining the insertion space and an outer wall surrounding the inner wall, and the chamber is configured between the inner wall and the outer wall, The sensing member may be disposed to surround the insertion space.

In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, a guide space further extending and formed in the chamber along a direction in which the insertion space is extended, the sensing member is disposed in the guide space, The cartridge includes an inner wall defining the insertion space, a guide wall defining the guide space, and an outer wall surrounding the inner wall and the guide wall, and the chamber is configured between the inner wall and the outer wall, , The proximity sensor may be disposed toward the insertion space and the guide space.

Also, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, the guide wall may include at least one hole through which the liquid flows.

In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, a motion sensor for outputting a signal corresponding to a movement of the aerosol generating device may be further included, and the control unit may determine the degree of inclination of the aerosol generating device through the motion sensor. A slope corresponding to is calculated, and the signal of the proximity sensor may be monitored based on the fact that the calculated slope is less than the predetermined slope.

Also, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, the controller may cut off supply of power to the heater based on the calculated slope being greater than or equal to a predetermined slope.

Further, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, a capacitance sensor disposed adjacent to the insertion space may be further included, and the controller may, based on a signal from the capacitance sensor, insert the stick into the insertion space. It is possible to determine whether or not the stick is inserted, and to monitor the signal of the proximity sensor based on the fact that the stick is inserted into the insertion space.

Certain or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct from each other. Certain or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above may be combined or used in combination with each component or function.

For example, configuration A described in a specific embodiment and/or drawing may be combined with configuration B described in another embodiment and/or drawing. That is, even if the combination between the components is not directly explained, it means that the combination is possible except for the case where the combination is impossible.

The above detailed description should not be construed as limiting in all respects and should be considered illustrative. The scope of the present invention should be determined by reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the equivalent scope of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims (10)

a cartridge having a chamber for storing liquid;
a body coupled to the cartridge;
a heater for heating the liquid;
an insertion space formed in either one of the main body and the cartridge and extending to insert a stick therein;
a proximity sensor disposed toward the insertion space;
a sensing member disposed in the chamber and moving between the insertion space and the proximity sensor along a direction in which the insertion space extends; and
A control unit configured to determine whether or not to supply power to the heater based on a signal of the proximity sensor;
The aerosol generating device, characterized in that the specific gravity of the sensing member is smaller than the specific gravity of the liquid. According to claim 1,
The aerosol generating device, characterized in that the proximity sensor is disposed adjacent to the lower end of the insertion space. According to claim 1,
The control unit,
Based on the fact that the distance corresponding to the signal of the proximity sensor corresponds to the first distance, it is determined that the stick is inserted into the insertion space;
Based on the fact that the distance corresponding to the signal of the proximity sensor corresponds to a second distance shorter than the first distance, it is determined that the liquid is exhausted;
and determining that the stick is not inserted into the insertion space based on a distance corresponding to a signal of the proximity sensor corresponding to a third distance longer than the first distance. According to claim 1,
Further comprising an input/output interface for outputting a message,
The control unit,
Based on the fact that the distance corresponding to the signal of the proximity sensor is shorter than the distance corresponding to the insertion of the stick, the aerosol generating device outputs a message about the exhaustion of the liquid through the input/output interface. According to claim 1,
The cartridge includes an inner wall defining the insertion space and an outer wall surrounding the inner wall,
The chamber is configured between the inner wall and the outer wall,
The aerosol generating device, characterized in that the sensing member is disposed to surround the insertion space. According to claim 1,
Further comprising a guide space extending and formed in the chamber along the direction in which the insertion space extends,
The sensing member is disposed in the guide space,
The cartridge includes an inner wall defining the insertion space, a guide wall defining the guide space, and an outer wall surrounding the inner wall and the guide wall,
The chamber is configured between the inner wall and the outer wall,
The aerosol generating device, characterized in that the proximity sensor is disposed toward the insertion space and the guide space. According to claim 5,
The aerosol generating device, characterized in that the guide wall includes at least one hole through which the liquid flows. According to claim 1,
Further comprising a motion sensor outputting a signal corresponding to the motion of the aerosol generating device,
The control unit,
Calculate an inclination corresponding to an inclination degree of the aerosol generating device through the motion sensor;
The aerosol generating device, characterized in that for monitoring the signal of the proximity sensor based on that the calculated slope is less than the predetermined slope. According to claim 8,
The control unit,
The aerosol generating device characterized in that the supply of power to the heater is cut off based on the calculated slope being greater than or equal to a predetermined slope. According to claim 1,
Further comprising a capacitance sensor disposed adjacent to the insertion space,
The control unit,
Based on the signal of the capacitance sensor, it is determined whether the stick is inserted into the insertion space;
Based on the insertion of the stick into the insertion space, the aerosol generating device characterized in that for monitoring the signal of the proximity sensor.

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