KR20230090997A - Method for controlling overheating and generating asrosol using ultrasonic vibrator and electronic device for performing the method - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic device according to an example includes a battery that supplies power for the electronic device to operate, a battery temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the battery, a charging circuit that charges the battery using power supplied from the outside, and a temperature of the charging circuit. A charging circuit temperature sensor for measuring, a driving circuit that is electrically connected to the vibrator of the cartridge unit when the electronic device is physically connected to the cartridge unit, and drives the vibrator based on power supplied from the battery, and controls the operation of the driving circuit. A control unit may be included.

Description

A method for generating an aerosol by using an ultrasonic vibrator while controlling heating and an electronic device performing the method

The following embodiments relate to an aerosol generating device, and specifically, to a method for controlling an operation of an electronic device generating an aerosol using an ultrasonic vibrator.

In recent years, the demand for electronic cigarettes has been gradually increasing. In addition, as the demand for electronic cigarettes increases, functions related to electronic cigarettes are continuously being developed. In particular, functions related to types and characteristics of electronic cigarettes are continuously being developed.

The above background art is possessed or acquired by the inventor in the process of deriving the disclosure of the present application, and cannot necessarily be said to be known art disclosed to the general public prior to the present application.

An embodiment may provide an electronic device that measures the temperature of the battery and the temperature of the charging circuit and controls charging of the battery according to at least one of the temperature of the battery and the temperature of the charging circuit.

An embodiment measures the temperature of the first switch and the temperature of the second switch of the driving circuit, and based on at least one of the temperature of the first switch and the temperature of the second switch, the second power supply of the driving circuit, the second switch 3 It is possible to provide an electronic device that controls the operation of the power source and the number of driving of the first switch and the second switch.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device includes a battery that supplies power for the electronic device to operate, a battery temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the battery, a charging circuit that charges the battery using power supplied from the outside, A charging circuit temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the charging circuit, and when the electronic device is physically connected to the cartridge unit, electrically connected to the cartridge unit vibrator and driving the vibrator based on power supplied from the battery circuit, and a controller for controlling an operation of the driving circuit, wherein the charging circuit includes at least one of a temperature of the battery measured by the battery temperature sensor and a temperature of the charging circuit measured by the charging circuit temperature sensor. Based on the power used to charge the battery can be adjusted.

According to an embodiment, the charging circuit of the electronic device may stop charging the battery when at least one of a temperature of the battery and a temperature of the charging circuit exceeds a first predetermined threshold value. there is.

According to an embodiment, in the charging circuit of the electronic device, at least one of a temperature of the battery and a temperature of the charging circuit is equal to or less than a preset first threshold value and a second threshold value that is less than the first threshold value. When the value exceeds the value, the magnitude of the current of the power used to charge the battery may be reduced.

According to an embodiment, the driving circuit of the electronic device includes an electrical contact that can be connected to a first end of the vibrator and a ground that can be connected to a second end of the vibrator to supply power to the vibrator of the cartridge unit, the electrical An inductor connected to a contact point, wherein a first end of the inductor is connected to the electrical contact point, a first switch having a source end connected to a second end of the inductor, and a first switch measuring a temperature of the first switch. A temperature sensor, a second switch having a drain terminal connected to the second terminal of the inductor, wherein a source terminal of the second switch is connected to ground, a second temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the second switch, the A first power supply providing a voltage to the drain terminal of the first switch, a second power supply providing a voltage to the gate terminal of the first switch, and a third power supply providing a voltage to the gate terminal of the second switch. can

According to an embodiment, the control unit of the electronic device, when at least one of the temperature measured by the first temperature sensor and the temperature measured by the second temperature sensor exceeds a preset third threshold value, Operations of the second power source and the third power source may be stopped.

According to an embodiment, the control unit of the electronic device may determine that at least one of a temperature measured by the first temperature sensor and a temperature measured by the second temperature sensor is less than or equal to a third threshold value and greater than or equal to a third threshold value. When the fourth small threshold is exceeded, the number of driving of the first switch and the second switch may be reduced.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device includes a battery that supplies power for the electronic device to operate, a battery temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the battery, a charging circuit that charges the battery using power supplied from the outside, A charging circuit temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the charging circuit, and when the electronic device is physically connected to the cartridge unit, electrically connected to the cartridge unit vibrator and driving the vibrator based on power supplied from the battery circuit, and a control unit controlling an operation of the driving circuit, wherein the control unit determines at least one of a temperature of the battery measured by the battery temperature sensor and a temperature of the charging circuit measured by the charging circuit temperature sensor. Based on the method, a charging operation of the battery may be determined, and the charging circuit may be controlled to perform the determined charging operation.

According to an embodiment, the control unit of the electronic device may instruct the charging circuit to stop charging the battery when at least one of the temperature of the battery and the temperature of the charging circuit exceeds a predetermined first threshold value. can request

According to an embodiment, the control unit of the electronic device may determine that at least one of the temperature of the battery and the temperature of the charging circuit is equal to or less than a preset first threshold value and a second threshold value that is less than the first threshold value. If it exceeds , the charging circuit may be requested to reduce the magnitude of the current of the annoying power used for charging the battery.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device may include a drive circuit electrically connected to a vibrator of the cartridge unit and driving the vibrator based on power supplied from a battery when the electronic device is physically connected to the cartridge unit; and A control unit for controlling an operation of a driving circuit, wherein the driving circuit includes an electrical contact that can be connected to a first end of the vibrator and a ground that can be connected to a second end of the vibrator to supply power to the vibrator of the cartridge unit. , an inductor connected to the electrical contact - a first end of the inductor connected to the electrical contact -, a first switch having a source end connected to the second end of the inductor, measuring the temperature of the first switch a first temperature sensor, a second switch having a drain terminal connected to the second terminal of the inductor, wherein a source terminal of the second switch is connected to ground, and a second temperature measuring the temperature of the second switch. A sensor, a first power supply providing a voltage to a drain terminal of the first switch, a second power supply providing a voltage to a gate terminal of the first switch, and a third power supply providing a voltage to a gate terminal of the second switch can include

According to an embodiment, the control unit of the electronic device, when at least one of the temperature measured by the first temperature sensor and the temperature measured by the second temperature sensor exceeds a preset third threshold value, Operations of the second power source and the third power source may be stopped.

According to an embodiment, the control unit of the electronic device may determine that at least one of a temperature measured by the first temperature sensor and a temperature measured by the second temperature sensor is less than or equal to a third threshold value and greater than or equal to a third threshold value. When the fourth small threshold is exceeded, the number of driving of the first switch and the second switch may be reduced.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device may be provided that measures a temperature of a battery and a temperature of a charging circuit and controls charging of the battery according to at least one of the temperature of the battery and the temperature of the charging circuit.

According to an embodiment, a temperature of a first switch of a driving circuit and a temperature of a second switch are measured, and a second power supply of the driving circuit is based on at least one of the temperature of the first switch and the temperature of the second switch; An electronic device for controlling the operation of the third power supply and the number of driving of the first switch and the second switch may be provided.

1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an example.
2 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an example;
3 is a perspective view in which the cartridge and the body of the aerosol generating device are separated according to an example.
4 is a perspective view illustrating a combination of a cartridge and a body of an aerosol generating device according to an example.
5 illustrates a charging circuit operating according to measured temperatures of a battery and a charging circuit according to an example.
6 illustrates a charging circuit controlled by a processor according to measured temperatures of a battery and a charging circuit according to an example.
7 illustrates a driving circuit operating according to the measured temperature of a switch according to an example.
8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a charging circuit according to an example.
9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a driving circuit according to an example.

Specific structural or functional descriptions of the embodiments are disclosed for illustrative purposes only, and may be changed and implemented in various forms. Therefore, the form actually implemented is not limited only to the specific embodiments disclosed, and the scope of the present specification includes changes, equivalents, or substitutes included in the technical idea described in the embodiments.

Although terms such as first or second may be used to describe various components, such terms should only be construed for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, a first element may be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element may be termed a first element.

It should be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, it may be directly connected or connected to the other element, but other elements may exist in the middle.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as "comprise" or "have" are intended to designate that the described feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof exists, but one or more other features or numbers, It should be understood that the presence or addition of steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof is not precluded.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related art, and unless explicitly defined in this specification, it should not be interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal meaning. don't

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same components regardless of reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions thereof will be omitted.

1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 100 of FIG. 1 includes a control unit 110, a sensing unit 120, an output unit 130, a battery 140, an atomizing unit 150, a user input unit 160, A memory 170 and a communication unit 180 may be included. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 100 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1 . That is, those skilled in the art can understand that some of the components shown in FIG. 1 may be omitted or new components may be further added according to the design of the aerosol generating device 100. there is.

The sensing unit 120 may detect a state of the aerosol generating device 100 or a state around the aerosol generating device 100 and transmit the detected information to the controller 110 . Based on the detected information, the controller 110 controls various functions such as controlling the operation of the atomizing unit 150, restricting smoking, determining whether an aerosol-generating article (eg, an aerosol-generating article, cartridge, etc.) is inserted, displaying a notification, and the like, based on the detected information. may control the aerosol-generating device 100 so that the

The sensing unit 120 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 122, an insertion detection sensor 124, and a puff sensor 126, but is not limited thereto.

The temperature sensor 122 may detect the temperature of the atomizing unit 150 (or aerosol generating material). The aerosol generating device 100 may include a separate temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the atomizing unit 150, or the atomizing unit 150 itself may serve as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 122 may be disposed around the battery 140 to monitor the temperature of the battery 140 .

Insertion detection sensor 124 may detect insertion and/or removal of an aerosol-generating article. For example, the insertion detection sensor 124 can include at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, a light sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and an infrared sensor, wherein the aerosol-generating article is inserted and/or The signal change as it is removed can be detected.

The puff sensor 126 may detect a user's puff based on various physical changes in the airflow path or airflow channel. For example, the puff sensor 126 may detect a user's puff based on any one of temperature change, flow change, voltage change, and pressure change.

In addition to the sensors 122 to 126 described above, the sensing unit 120 includes a temperature/humidity sensor, an air pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (eg, GPS), It may further include at least one of a proximity sensor and an RGB sensor (illuminance sensor). Since a person skilled in the art can intuitively infer the function of each sensor from its name, a detailed description thereof may be omitted.

The output unit 130 may output and provide information about the state of the aerosol generating device 100 to the user. The output unit 130 may include at least one of a display unit 132, a haptic unit 134, and a sound output unit 136, but is not limited thereto. When the display unit 132 and the touch pad form a layer structure to form a touch screen, the display unit 132 may be used as an input device as well as an output device.

The display unit 132 may visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 100 to the user. For example, the information on the aerosol generating device 100 may include the charging/discharging state of the battery 140 of the aerosol generating device 100, the state of the atomizer 150, the insertion/removal state of an aerosol generating article, or the aerosol generation This may refer to various information such as a state in which use of the device 100 is restricted (eg, detection of an abnormal item), and the display unit 132 may output the information to the outside. The display unit 132 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) or an organic light emitting display panel (OLED). Also, the display unit 132 may be in the form of an LED light emitting device.

The haptic unit 134 may convert an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or electrical stimulus to tactilely provide information about the aerosol generating device 100 to the user. For example, the haptic unit 134 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

The sound output unit 136 may provide information about the aerosol generating device 100 to the user audibly. For example, the sound output unit 136 may convert an electrical signal into a sound signal and output it to the outside.

The battery 140 may supply power used for the operation of the aerosol generating device 100 . The battery 140 may supply power so that the atomizer 150 may operate. In addition, the battery 140 includes other components provided in the aerosol generating device 100 (eg, the sensing unit 120, the output unit 130, the user input unit 160, the memory 170, and the communication unit 180) can supply the power required for operation. The battery 140 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 140 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

The atomization unit 150 may atomize the aerosol-generating material by receiving power from the battery 140 . Although not shown in FIG. 1 , the aerosol generating device 100 may further include a power conversion circuit (eg, a DC/DC converter) that converts power of the battery 140 and supplies it to the atomizer 150 . In addition, when the aerosol generating device 100 generates aerosol using an ultrasonic vibration method, the aerosol generating device 100 may further include a DC/AC converter that converts DC power of the battery 140 into AC power.

The control unit 110, the sensing unit 120, the output unit 130, the user input unit 160, the memory 170, and the communication unit 180 may receive power from the battery 140 to perform functions. Although not shown in FIG. 1 , a power conversion circuit that converts power of the battery 140 and supplies it to respective components, for example, a low dropout (LDO) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit may be further included.

In one embodiment, the atomizing unit 150 may include a vibrator that generates ultrasonic vibrations by an applied signal (eg, electric power). For example, the material of the vibrator may include piezoelectric ceramic, but is not limited thereto. The vibrator may include a piezoelectric body. The piezoelectric material according to an embodiment is a conversion element capable of converting electrical energy into mechanical energy, and may generate ultrasonic vibration under the control of the controller 110 . In one embodiment, when AC power is applied to the polarized piezoelectric body, the piezoelectric body may repeat expansion and contraction. Due to repeated expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric material, the vibrator may vibrate at a characteristic frequency. As a signal is applied to the vibrator, a short high-frequency vibration may be generated, and the generated vibration may break the aerosol-generating material into small particles and atomize it into an aerosol.

The user input unit 160 may receive information input from the user or output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 160 may include a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (contact capacitance method, pressure resistive film method, infrared sensing method, surface ultrasonic conduction method, integral type tension measurement method, piezo effect method, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like, but are not limited thereto. In addition, although not shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 100 further includes a connection interface such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and is connected to other external devices through the connection interface such as a USB interface. Thus, information may be transmitted/received or the battery 140 may be charged.

The memory 170 is hardware that stores various data processed in the aerosol generating device 100, and may store data processed by the controller 110 and data to be processed. The memory 170 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (eg SD or XD memory, etc.), RAM (RAM, random access memory) SRAM (static random access memory), ROM (ROM, read-only memory), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), PROM (programmable read-only memory), magnetic memory, magnetic disk , an optical disk, and at least one type of storage medium. The memory 170 may store the operating time of the aerosol generating device 100, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and data on the user's smoking pattern.

The communication unit 180 may include at least one component for communication with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 180 may include a short range communication unit 182 and a wireless communication unit 184 .

The short-range wireless communication unit 182 includes a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication unit, a Near Field Communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, and an infrared (IrDA) communication unit. , Infrared Data Association (WFD) communication unit, WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, Ant+ communication unit, etc. may be included, but is not limited thereto.

The wireless communication unit 184 may include, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (eg, LAN or WAN) communication unit, and the like. The wireless communication unit 184 may identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 100 within the communication network using subscriber information (eg, International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)).

The controller 110 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 100. In one embodiment, the controller 110 may include 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 programs executable by the microprocessor are stored. In addition, those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which this embodiment belongs can understand that it may be implemented in other types of hardware.

The controller 110 may control the operation of the atomizer 150 by controlling the supply of power from the battery 140 to the atomizer 150 . For example, the controller 110 may control power supply by controlling switching of a switching element of the driving circuit 138 located between the battery 140 and the atomizer 150 .

The control unit 110 may analyze a result detected by the sensing unit 120 and control processes to be performed thereafter. For example, the control unit 110 may control power supplied to the atomizing unit 150 so that the operation of the atomizing unit 150 starts or ends based on a result detected by the sensing unit 120 . For another example, the control unit 110 supplies the atomizing unit 150 to the atomizing unit 150 so that the atomizing unit 150 vibrates at a predetermined frequency or maintains an appropriate vibration frequency based on the result detected by the sensing unit 120. You can control the amount of power and the time the power is supplied.

The controller 110 may control the output unit 130 based on a result detected by the sensing unit 120 . For example, when the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor 126 reaches a preset number of times, the controller 110 activates at least one of the display unit 132, the haptic unit 134, and the sound output unit 136. Through this, it is possible to notify the user that the aerosol generating device 100 will soon end.

In one embodiment, the control unit 110 controls the driving circuit 138 according to the state of the aerosol-generating article detected by the sensing unit 120 to set the power supply time and/or power supply amount to the atomizing unit 150. You can control it. For example, the control unit 110 may control the vibration frequency of the vibrator of the atomizing unit 150 according to the type or remaining amount of the aerosol-generating product.

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

2 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an example.

Referring to FIG. 2 , an aerosol generating device 200 (eg, the aerosol generating device 100 of FIG. 1 ) includes a cartridge 220 containing an aerosol generating material and a body portion 210 connected to the cartridge 220. can include

The cartridge 220 of the aerosol generating device 200 may be coupled to the body portion 210 while accommodating the aerosol generating material therein. For example, as at least a portion of the cartridge 220 is inserted into the body portion 210, the cartridge 200 and the body portion 210 may be physically coupled. As another example, by inserting at least a portion of the body portion 210 into the cartridge 220, the cartridge 220 and the body portion 210 may be coupled.

The cartridge 220 and the body portion 210 may be coupled by at least one of a snap-fit method, a screw coupling method, a magnetic coupling method, or an interference fit method, but the cartridge 220 and the body The coupling method of the unit 210 is not limited to the above example.

According to one embodiment, the cartridge 220 may include a housing 222, a mouthpiece 224, a storage unit 230, a delivery unit 230, a vibrator 250, and an electrical terminal 260.

The housing 222 of the aerosol generating device 200 may form the overall appearance of the cartridge 220 together with the mouthpiece 224, and components for the operation of the cartridge 220 are inside the housing 222. can be placed. For example, the housing 222 may be formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, but the shape of the housing 222 is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Depending on the embodiment, the housing 222 may be formed in the shape of a polygonal column (eg, a triangular column or a pentagonal column) or a cylindrical column.

The mouthpiece 224 of the aerosol generating device 200 is disposed in one area of the housing 222 and may include an outlet 224e for discharging aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material to the outside. For example, the mouthpiece 224 may be disposed in another area opposite to one area of the cartridge 220 coupled to the body portion 210, and the user may contact the mouthpiece 224 with the oral cavity. By inhaling, the aerosol can be supplied from the cartridge 220 .

A pressure difference between the outside of the cartridge 220 and the inside of the cartridge 220 may occur due to a user's inhalation or puff operation, and the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the cartridge 220 may cause a pressure difference between the inside of the cartridge 220 and the inside of the cartridge 220. The aerosol generated in may be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 220 through the outlet 224e. That is, the user may receive the aerosol discharged to the outside of the cartridge 220 through the outlet 224e by inhaling and contacting the oral cavity to the mouthpiece 224 .

The storage unit 230 of the aerosol generating device 200 is located in the inner space of the housing 222 and may contain an aerosol generating material. In the present disclosure, the expression 'the storage unit accommodates the aerosol generating material' means that the storage unit 230 simply performs a function of containing the aerosol generating material, such as the use of a container, and the inside of the storage unit 230 For example, it may mean including an element that impregnates (contains) an aerosol-generating material such as a sponge, cotton, cloth, or porous ceramic structure. In addition, the above expression may be used in the same meaning below.

The storage unit 230 may contain an aerosol generating material having any one state such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gas state, or a gel state.

In one embodiment, the aerosol generating material may include a liquid composition. The liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing material including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may be a liquid containing a non-tobacco material.

The liquid composition may include, for example, any one of water, solvent, ethanol, plant extract, fragrance, flavoring agent, and vitamin mixture, or a mixture of these ingredients. Fragrance may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit flavor components, etc., but is not limited thereto.

Flavoring agents can include ingredients that can provide a variety of flavors or flavors to the user. The vitamin mixture may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but is not limited thereto. Liquid compositions may also contain aerosol formers such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

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

The acid for forming the nicotine salt may be appropriately selected in consideration of the absorption rate of nicotine in the blood, the operating temperature of the aerosol generating device 200, flavor or taste, 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 , citric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharic acid, malonic acid, or a single acid selected from the group consisting of malic acid or the above It may be a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group, but is not limited thereto.

The delivery portion 240 of the aerosol-generating device 200 may absorb the aerosol-generating material. For example, the aerosol generating material stored or accommodated in the storage unit 230 may be transferred from the storage unit 230 to the vibrator 250 through the delivery unit 240, and the vibrator 250 may be transferred to the delivery unit 240. An aerosol may be generated by atomizing the aerosol generating material of the aerosol generating material or the aerosol generating material delivered from the delivery unit 240 . At this time, the delivery unit 240 may include at least one of cotton fibers, ceramic fibers, glass fibers, and porous ceramics, but the delivery unit 240 is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

According to one embodiment, the delivery unit 240 may be disposed adjacent to the storage unit 230 to receive the liquid aerosol generating material from the storage unit 230 . For example, the aerosol generating material stored in the storage unit 230 may be discharged to the outside of the storage unit 230 through a liquid supply port formed in one area of the storage unit 230 toward the delivery unit 240, , The delivery unit 240 may absorb the aerosol generating material from the storage unit 230 by absorbing at least a portion of the aerosol generating material discharged from the storage unit 230 .

According to an embodiment, the cartridge 210 is disposed to cover at least a portion of the vibrator 250 where aerosol is generated, and is an absorber (not shown) that transfers the aerosol generating material absorbed by the delivery unit 240 to the vibrator 250. city) may be further included. The absorber may be made of a material capable of absorbing aerosol-generating substances. For example, the absorber may include at least one of SPL 30(H), SPL 50(H)V, NP 100(V8), SPL 60(FC), and melamine. As the absorber is further included in the cartridge 220, the aerosol generating material can be absorbed not only in the delivery unit 240 but also in the absorber, so that the absorption amount of the aerosol generating material can be improved.

The vibrator 250 of the aerosol generating device 200 is located inside the housing 222 and can generate an aerosol by converting a phase of the aerosol generating material stored inside the cartridge 220. For example, the vibrator 250 may generate an aerosol by heating or vibrating an aerosol generating material.

In addition, as the absorber is disposed to cover at least a portion of the vibrator 250, the absorber prevents 'splash' in which particles that are not sufficiently atomized during the aerosol generation process are directly discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 200. It can function as a physical barrier. Here, 'action' may mean that particles of the aerosol generating material having a relatively large size because they are not sufficiently atomized are discharged to the outside of the cartridge 220 . As the absorber is further included in the cartridge 220, the possibility of occurrence of an action is reduced, and the user's satisfaction with smoking can be improved.

In one embodiment, the absorber may be positioned between one side of the vibrator 250 where the aerosol is generated and the delivery unit 240 to deliver the aerosol supplied to the delivery unit 240 to the vibrator 250. For example, one region of the absorber may contact one region of the transmission unit 240 in the -z direction, and another region of the absorber may contact one region of the vibrator 250 in the +z direction. . That is, the absorber may be positioned on the top surface (eg, in the +z direction) of the vibrator 250 to supply the aerosol generating material absorbed in the delivery unit 240 to the vibrator 250 .

According to an embodiment, the vibrator 250 of the aerosol generating device 200 may change the phase of the aerosol generating material by using an ultrasonic vibration method that atomizes the aerosol generating material with ultrasonic vibration. For example, the vibrator 250 may generate vibration of a short period, and the vibration generated from the vibrator 250 may be ultrasonic vibration. The frequency of the ultrasonic vibration may be within a range of about 100 kHz to about 10 MHz (preferably, a range of about 100 kHz to 3.5 MHz), but is not limited thereto. As the vibrator generates ultrasonic vibration in the above-described frequency band, the vibrator may vibrate along the longitudinal direction (eg, the z-axis direction) of the cartridge 220 or the housing 222 . However, the embodiments are not limited by the direction in which the vibrator vibrates, and the direction in which the vibrator vibrates can be changed in various directions (eg, any one of the x-axis direction, the y-axis direction, and the z-axis direction, or a combination of these directions). can The aerosol-generating material supplied from the storage unit 230 to the vibrator 250 by the short-cycle vibration generated by the vibrator 250 may be vaporized and/or made into particles to be atomized into an aerosol.

For example, the vibrator 250 may include a piezoelectric ceramic, and the piezoelectric ceramic generates electric power (voltage) by physical force (pressure) and conversely generates vibration (mechanical force) when electric power is applied. By doing so, it can be a functional material that can convert between electric power and mechanical power. That is, as power is applied to the vibrator 250, vibration (physical force) of a short period may be generated, and the generated vibration may break the aerosol-generating material into small particles and atomize it into an aerosol.

The vibrator 250 may be electrically connected to other components of the aerosol generating device 200 through an electrical terminal 260 . The electrical terminal 500 may be located on one side of the cartridge 220 . For example, the electrical terminal 260 may be located on a coupling surface of the cartridge 220 where the cartridge 220 is coupled to the body portion 210 of the aerosol generating device 20 . The electrical terminal 260 may be located on one side of the housing 222 opposite the mouthpiece 224 .

According to one embodiment, the vibrator 250 is connected to the driving circuit 212 of the body 210, the control unit 214, and the battery ( 216) may be electrically connected to at least one of them.

For example, the vibrator 250 is electrically connected to the electrical terminal 260 located inside the cartridge 220 through a first conductor, and the electrical terminal 260 is connected to the body portion 210 through a second conductor. It may be electrically connected to the driving circuit 212 of. That is, the vibrator 250 may be electrically connected to components of the body part 210 through the electrical terminal 260 .

The vibrator 250 may generate ultrasonic vibration by receiving power from the battery 216 of the body 210 through the electrical terminal 260 . In addition, the vibrator 250 may be electrically connected to the controller 214 of the body 210 through the electrical terminal 260, and the controller 214 controls the operation of the vibrator 250 through the driving circuit 212. You can control it.

For example, the electrical terminal 260 may include at least one of a pogo pin, a wire, a cable, a printed circuit board (PCB), a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), and a C-clip. It may include, but the electrical terminal 260 is not limited to the above examples.

In one embodiment, the vibrator 250 absorbs the aerosol-generating material without using a separate transmission unit 240 and maintains it in an optimal state for converting it into an aerosol, and transfers vibration to the aerosol-generating material to produce an aerosol. It may also be implemented as a mesh-shaped or plate-shaped vibration receiving unit that performs all of the generating functions.

The aerosol generated by the vibrator 250 may be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 220 through the air flow passage 223 and supplied to the user.

According to one embodiment, the air flow passage 223 is located inside the cartridge 220 and may be connected to the vibrator 250 and the outlet 224e of the mouthpiece 224 . Accordingly, the aerosol generated by the vibrator 250 may flow along the airflow passage 223 and may be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 220 or the aerosol generating device 200 through the outlet 224e. The user may receive an aerosol by contacting the oral cavity to the mouthpiece 224 and inhaling the aerosol discharged from the outlet 224e.

Although not shown in the drawings, the airflow passage 223 may include at least one inlet through which air outside the cartridge 220 is introduced into the cartridge 220 . The inlet may be located on at least a portion of the housing 222 of the cartridge 220 . For example, the inlet may be located on a coupling surface (eg, a bottom surface) of the cartridge 220 where the cartridge 220 and the body 210 are coupled.

Since at least one gap may be formed in a portion where the cartridge 220 and the body part 210 are coupled, outside air is introduced into the gap between the cartridge 220 and the body part 210, through the inlet of the cartridge. (220).

The airflow passage 223 may be connected from an inlet to a space where aerosol is generated by the vibrator 250 and may be connected to an outlet 224e in the corresponding space.

Accordingly, the air introduced through the inlet is transferred to the vibrator 250, and the delivered air moves along with the aerosol generated in the vibrator 250 to the outlet 224e, thereby circulating the air flow inside the cartridge 220. It can be done.

According to one example, at least a portion of the airflow passage 223 may be disposed such that an outer circumferential surface of the housing 222 is surrounded by the storage unit 230 . According to another example, at least a portion of the airflow passage 223 may be disposed between an inner wall of the housing 222 and an outer wall of the storage unit 230 . The arrangement structure of the airflow passage 223 is not limited to the above example, and the airflow passage 223 may be arranged in various structures to circulate airflow between the inlet, the vibrator 250, and the outlet 224e. .

According to one embodiment, the body portion 210 includes a driving circuit 212, a controller 214, and a battery 216 therein, and one end of the body portion 210 is connected to one end of the cartridge 220. can be combined For example, the body portion 210 may be coupled to the lower surface or coupling surface of the cartridge 220 .

The driving circuit 212 may supply power to the vibrator 250 when the vibrator 250 of the cartridge 220 is electrically connected to the driving circuit 212 through the electrical terminal 260 . For example, the amount of power supplied to the vibrator 250 may be determined by the control unit 214 . The frequency of vibration of the vibrator 250 may be controlled according to the level of power. The driving circuit 212 according to an embodiment may be in the form of a class E power amplifier circuit, a half bridge circuit, or a full bridge circuit, and is not limited to the described embodiment.

The controller 214 controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 200. For example, the controller 214 may control the amount of aerosol generated in the vibrator 250 by controlling power supplied from the battery 216 to the vibrator 250 . For example, the control unit 214 may control power supplied to the vibrator 250 so that the vibrator 250 vibrates at a predetermined frequency.

The control unit 214 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 storing programs that may be executed by the microprocessor. In addition, those skilled in the art can understand that the control unit 214 may be implemented with other types of hardware.

The control unit 214 analyzes a result sensed by at least one sensor included in the aerosol generating device 200 and controls subsequent processes to be performed. For example, the controller 214 may control power supplied to the vibrator 250 so that the operation of the vibrator 250 starts or ends based on a result sensed by at least one sensor. In addition, the control unit 214 determines the amount of power supplied to the vibrator 250 and the time during which the power is supplied so that the vibrator 250 can generate an appropriate amount of aerosol, based on a result sensed by at least one sensor. You can control it.

The battery 216 supplies power used to operate the aerosol generating device 200 . For example, the battery 216 may supply power to the vibrator 250 when the body 210 is electrically coupled to the cartridge 220 .

The battery 216 may supply power necessary for the operation of other hardware elements (eg, a sensor, user interface, memory, and controller 214) provided in the aerosol generating device 200. Battery 216 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery.

For example, battery 216 may be a nickel-based battery (eg, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel-cadmium battery), or a lithium-based battery (eg, a lithium-cobalt battery, a lithium-phosphate battery, a lithium titanate battery, lithium-ion battery or lithium-polymer battery).

In one embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the cartridge 220 and/or body 210 of the aerosol generating device 200 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction is circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, or polygons of various shapes. It may have a cross-sectional shape of However, the shape of the cross section of the cartridge 220 and/or the body portion 210 is limited to the above-described shape, or the aerosol generating device 200 must be formed in a structure that extends in a straight line when extending in the longitudinal direction. no.

In one embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generating device 200 may be curved in a streamlined shape to make it easier for a user to hold by hand, or may be bent at a predetermined angle in a specific area and extended long. It can change along the length direction.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device in which the cartridge and the body are separated, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the aerosol generating device in which the cartridge and the body are coupled.

The aerosol generating device 300 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 may be a modified example of the aerosol generating device 200 shown in FIG. 2 (or the aerosol generating device 100 of FIG. 1), Each of the cartridge 220-1 and the body portion 210-1 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 may be a modified example of the cartridge 220 and the body portion 210 shown in FIG. 2, In the following, redundant contents are omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , the cartridge 220-1 may be detachably coupled to the body 210-1. For example, at least a portion of the cartridge 220-1 may be coupled to the body 210-1 by being inserted into the body 210-1.

The cartridge 220-1 may include a mouthpiece 10m that is movable between an open position and a closed position. For example, the mouthpiece 10m can be opened and closed by rotating between an open position and a closed position.

The body portion 10b of the cartridge 220-1 may be coupled to the mouthpiece 10m through a rotation shaft. In one example, the mouthpiece 10m may be positioned in an open position. The open state of the mouthpiece 10m may mean a state in which the mouthpiece 10m is stretched in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 220-1 so that the user can easily contact the mouth. Here, the longitudinal direction may mean a direction in which the cartridge 220-1 extends the longest among several directions. In another example, the mouthpiece 10m may be positioned in a closed position. When the mouthpiece 10m is closed, the mouthpiece 10m is folded in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 220-1 so that the mouthpiece 10m can be accommodated in the body portion 210-1 of the aerosol generating device 300. can mean status.

The cartridge 220-1 may include a body portion 10b including various components necessary for generating aerosol and discharging the generated aerosol. For example, the body portion 10b may include at least a portion of the storage portion, the vibrator, and the airflow passage.

The body portion 210-1 includes a coupling portion 20a to which the cartridge 220-1 is coupled. For example, the body portion 210-1 may include an accommodation groove 20a-1 in which at least a portion of the cartridge 220-1 can be accommodated. The body portion 10b of the cartridge 220-1 may be inserted into the receiving groove 20a-1. For example, the body portion 10b of the cartridge 220-1 may have a substantially rectangular prism shape, and corners of the rectangular prism may be chamfered or chamfered. However, the shape of the body portion 10b of the cartridge 220-1 is not limited to the above example and may be a cylindrical or polygonal column shape.

As described above with reference to FIG. 2 , the cartridge 220-1 is coupled to the body 210-1 by at least one of a snap-fit method, a screw coupling method, a magnetic coupling method, and an interference fit method. can For example, the cartridge 220-1 includes a first magnetic material and the body portion 210-1 includes a second magnetic material so that the cartridge 220-1 and the body portion 210-1 are magnetically coupled. It can be. However, the strength of the first magnetic material and the second magnetic material may be designed considering the ease of attaching and detaching the cartridge 220-1 and the body 210-1 and/or operational stability of the aerosol generating device 300.

The body portion 210-1 may include a button 20b. The button 20b may be located on one surface of the body part 210-1. For example, the button 20b may be located on one side of the body portion 210-1 corresponding to one end 20c-1 of the cover 20c. When using the aerosol generating device 300, the user may manipulate the operation of the aerosol generating device 300 using the button 20b.

The body part 210-1 may further include a storage part 20s capable of accommodating the mouthpiece 10m of the cartridge 220-1 when the mouthpiece 10m is moved to the closed position. The accommodating part 20s may be located on one surface of the body part 210-1 and have a shape or size corresponding to that of the mouthpiece 10m.

As shown in FIG. 4, the mouthpiece 10m moved to the closed position is the part protruding outward of the aerosol generating device 1 in the closed position, that is, from the outer surface of the body part 210-1 toward the outside. Portability can be improved by minimizing the protruding part.

In one embodiment, the body portion 210-1 may further include a cover 20c coupled to a portion of the body portion 210-1. The cover 20c may be coupled to at least one surface of the body portion 210-1. For example, the cover 20c may be coupled to one side of the body part 210-1 where the coupling part 20a is located. In addition, the cover 20c may be coupled to one side of the body 210-1 where the housing 20s is located.

The cover 20c may include openings 20c-o. The cover 20c may have openings 20c-o having a size corresponding to that of the mouthpiece 10m. For example, the openings 20c-o may have a predetermined length and width. Here, the width of the opening 20c-o may be smaller than or equal to the body of the cartridge 220-1 and larger than or equal to the mouthpiece 10m. The length of the openings 20c-o may be equal to or longer than the mouthpiece 10m.

The cover 20c extends from one end 20c-1 to the other end 20c-2 and may be disposed on the seating portion 20c' of the body 210-1. For example, the seating portion 20c' may have a size and shape corresponding to that of the cover 20c. The seating part 20c' may be a part that extends in both directions around the inlet side of the coupling part 20a and the receiving part 20s and is dug to a predetermined depth so that the cover 20c can be coupled thereto. there is.

When the cartridge 220-1 is coupled to the body portion 210-1, the cover 20c is attached to the body portion 210-1 after the cartridge 220-1 is coupled to the body portion 210-1. can be coupled to The cover 20c may be coupled to one side of the body portion 210-1 in at least one of a snap-fit method, an interference fit method, and a magnetic coupling method, but is not limited thereto.

Since the cover 20c includes an opening 20c-o through which the mouthpiece 10m can pass, the mouthpiece 10m opens and closes while the cartridge 220-1 is coupled to the body 210-1. It is possible to protect the cartridge 220-1 without interfering with it, and to maintain the coupling between the cartridge 220-1 and the body 210-1.

4 shows an aerosol generating device 300 in which both the cartridge 220-1 and the cover 20c are coupled to the body 210-1 and the mouthpiece 10m is positioned in the closed position. As shown, the body part 210-1 includes a receiving part 20s having a size and shape corresponding to that of the mouthpiece 10m, and a seating part 20c' having a size and shape corresponding to that of the cover 20c. In addition, the cover 20c includes openings 20c-o having a size and shape corresponding to that of the mouthpiece 10m, so that the overall finish of the aerosol generating device 300 is solid and elegant.

When the cartridge 220-1 is separated from the body portion 210-1, the cover 20c is first separated from the body portion 210-1, and then the cartridge 220-1 is removed from the body portion 210-1. 1) can be separated from As such, the cover 20c and the cartridge 220-1 may be sequentially separated from the body 210-1 or sequentially coupled to the body 210-1.

5 illustrates a charging circuit operating according to measured temperatures of a battery and a charging circuit according to an example.

According to an embodiment, an aerosol generating device (eg, the aerosol generating device 100 of FIG. 1 , the aerosol generating device 200 of FIG. 2 , or the aerosol generating device 300 of FIG. 3 ) is as shown in FIG. 5 . It may include a charging circuit 510 associated with the battery 140 , a battery temperature sensor 520 , and a charging circuit temperature sensor 530 .

According to an embodiment, the charging circuit 510 may charge the battery 140 using power supplied from the outside. For example, the charging circuit 510 may monitor the state of the battery 140 and charge the battery 140 when the state of the battery 140 is normal. The charging circuit 510 may control the amount of power (eg, the amount of current or the amount of voltage) supplied to charge the battery 140 based on the state of charge and the physical state of the battery 140 .

The battery temperature sensor 520 may be disposed around the battery 140 to measure the temperature of the battery 140 . The charging temperature sensor 530 may be disposed around the charging circuit 510 to measure the temperature of the charging circuit 510 .

According to an embodiment, the charging circuit 510 determines at least one of the temperature of the battery 140 measured by the battery temperature sensor 520 and the temperature of the charging circuit 510 measured by the charging circuit temperature sensor 530. Based on this, power used for charging the battery 140 may be adjusted. For example, the charging circuit 510 receives the temperature of the battery 140 measured by the battery temperature sensor 520 from the battery temperature sensor 520, and receives the temperature of the battery 140 from the charging circuit temperature sensor 530. ) may receive the measured temperature of the charging circuit 510 . In the charging circuit 510, at least one of the temperature of the battery 140 and the temperature of the charging circuit 510 exceeds a first threshold set in advance for the temperature of the battery 140 and the temperature of the charging circuit 510, respectively. You can check (or decide) whether or not to do it. For example, the first threshold preset for the temperature of the battery 140 and the first threshold preset for the temperature of the charging circuit 510 may be the same value or may be different values.

When at least one of the temperature of the battery 140 and the temperature of the charging circuit 510 exceeds the first threshold value for the corresponding temperature, the charging circuit 510 stops charging the battery 140 so that the battery 140 ) can prevent accidents caused by overcharging or overheating.

According to an embodiment, when both the temperature of the battery 140 and the temperature of the charging circuit 510 are equal to or less than a preset first threshold, the charging circuit 510 determines the temperature of the battery 140 and the charging circuit. It is possible to check whether at least one of the temperatures of 510 exceeds a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value set in advance. For example, the second threshold preset for the temperature of the battery 140 and the second threshold preset for the temperature of the charging circuit 510 may be the same value or may be different values.

When at least one of the temperature of the battery 140 and the temperature of the charging circuit 510 exceeds the second threshold for the corresponding temperature, the charging circuit 510 converts the current of power used to charge the battery 140 By reducing the size of , it is possible to maintain charge while reducing heat generation of the battery 140 .

The charging circuit 510 measures the temperature of the battery 140 and the temperature of the charging circuit 510, and at least one of the temperature of the battery 140 or the temperature of the charging circuit 510 indicates a possibility of an accident due to heat generation. Accidents caused by overcharging or overheating may be prevented by stopping charging of the battery when a high temperature (eg, a first threshold value) is exceeded.

The charging circuit 510 measures the temperature of the battery 140 and the temperature of the charging circuit 510, and at least one of the temperature of the battery 140 and the temperature of the charging circuit 150 indicates a possibility of an accident due to heat generation. When the temperature is lower than the high temperature (eg, the first threshold value) but exceeds the normal range temperature (eg, the second threshold value), by reducing the size of the current of the power used to charge the battery 140, the battery ( 140) while reducing heat generation, charging can be maintained.

6 illustrates a charging circuit controlled by a processor according to measured temperatures of a battery and a charging circuit according to an example.

According to an embodiment, the control unit 110 of the aerosol generating device (eg, the aerosol generating device 100 of FIG. 1 , the aerosol generating device 200 of FIG. 2 , or the aerosol generating device 300 of FIG. 3 ) is shown in FIG. 6 , the temperature of the battery 140 measured by the battery temperature sensor 520 may be received, and the temperature of the charging circuit 510 measured by the charging circuit temperature sensor 530 may be received.

According to an embodiment, the controller 110 may be configured based on at least one of the temperature of the battery 140 measured by the battery temperature sensor 520 and the temperature of the charging circuit 510 measured by the charging circuit temperature sensor 530. Thus, power used for charging the battery 140 may be adjusted. For example, the controller 110 receives the temperature of the battery 140 measured by the battery temperature sensor 520 from the battery temperature sensor 520, and receives the temperature of the battery 140 from the charging circuit temperature sensor 530. The measured temperature of the charging circuit 510 may be received. The controller 110 determines whether at least one of the temperature of the battery 140 and the temperature of the charging circuit 510 exceeds a first threshold set in advance for the temperature of the battery 140 and the temperature of the charging circuit 510, respectively. You can check (or decide) whether or not. For example, the first threshold preset for the temperature of the battery 140 and the first threshold preset for the temperature of the charging circuit 510 may be the same value or may be different values.

When at least one of the temperature of the battery 140 and the temperature of the charging circuit 510 exceeds the first threshold value for the corresponding temperature, the controller 110 stops charging the battery 140 so that the battery 140 Accidents caused by overcharging or overheating can be prevented.

According to an embodiment, when both the temperature of the battery 140 and the temperature of the charging circuit 510 are equal to or less than a preset first threshold value, the controller 110 determines the temperature of the battery 140 and the charging circuit ( 510), it is possible to check whether at least one of the temperatures exceeds a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value set in advance. For example, the second threshold preset for the temperature of the battery 140 and the second threshold preset for the temperature of the charging circuit 510 may be the same value or may be different values.

When at least one of the temperature of the battery 140 and the temperature of the charging circuit 510 exceeds the second threshold for the corresponding temperature, the controller 110 instructs the charging circuit 510 to charge the battery 140. You can request to reduce the size of the current of the power you use. The charging circuit 510 reduces the amount of current used to charge the battery 140 according to the request of the controller 110, thereby reducing heat generation of the battery and maintaining charging.

7 illustrates a driving circuit operating according to the measured temperature of a switch according to an example.

According to an embodiment, the driving circuit 700 (eg, the aerosol generating device 100 of FIG. 1 , the aerosol generating device 200 of FIG. 2 , or the aerosol generating device 300 of FIG. 3 ) : The driving circuit 138 of FIG. 1 or the driving circuit 212 of FIG. 2 includes a first power supply 701, a second power supply 703, a third power supply 705, an inductor 720, and a first switch ( 730), a first temperature sensor 735, a second switch 740, and a second temperature sensor 745. The driving circuit 700 is a vibrator 710 (eg, the atomizer 150 of FIG. 1 or the vibrator of FIG. 2) of the cartridge unit (eg, the cartridge 220 of FIG. 2 or the cartridge 220-1 of FIG. 3). 250) may include an electrical contact 711 that can be connected to the first end of the vibrator 710 and an electrical contact 713 that can be connected to the second end of the vibrator 710 to supply power to the vibrator 710. Electrical contact 713 may be connected to ground. For example, the first and second ends of the vibrator 710 may be the electrical terminals 260 described above with reference to FIG. 2 .

Inductor 720 may be connected to electrical contact 711 . In this case, a first end of the inductor 720 may be connected to the electrical contact 711 .

The first switch 730 may have a source terminal connected to the second terminal of the inductor 720 .

The first temperature sensor 735 may be disposed around the first switch 730 to measure the temperature of the first switch 730 .

The second switch 740 may have a drain terminal connected to the second terminal of the inductor 720 . Also, a source terminal of the second switch 740 may be connected to ground.

The second temperature sensor 745 may be disposed around the second switch 740 to measure the temperature of the second switch 740 .

The first power source 701 may provide a voltage to the drain terminal of the first switch 730 , and the second power source 703 may provide a voltage to the gate terminal of the first switch 730 . Also, the third power supply 705 may provide a voltage to the gate terminal of the second switch 740 .

In this case, when the second power source 703 and the third power source 705 operate alternately, the direction of the current flowing through the vibrator 710 may also be alternately changed. That is, the second power source 703 and the third power source 705 operate alternately, so that AC current can be applied to the vibrator 710 .

According to an embodiment, the driving circuit 700 may include the temperature of the first switch 730 measured by the first temperature sensor 735 and the temperature of the second switch 740 measured by the second temperature sensor 745. The operations of the second power source 703 and the third power source 705 and the driving frequency of the first switch 730 and the second switch 740 may be controlled based on at least one of the above.

According to an embodiment, the driving circuit 700 may include the temperature of the first switch 730 measured by the first temperature sensor 735 and the temperature of the second switch 740 measured by the second temperature sensor 745. It may be determined whether at least one of the temperature values of the first switch 730 and the temperature of the second switch 740 exceeds a preset third threshold. For example, the third threshold preset for the temperature of the first switch 730 and the third threshold preset for the temperature of the second switch 740 may be the same value or may be different values.

When at least one of the temperature of the first switch 730 and the temperature of the second switch 740 exceeds the third threshold, the driving circuit 700 operates the second power supply 703 and the third power supply 705 Accidents caused by excessive heat of the driving circuit 700 can be prevented by stopping the operation of the driving circuit 700 .

According to an embodiment, when both the temperature of the first switch 730 and the temperature of the second switch 740 are equal to or less than a preset third threshold value, the driving circuit 700 of the first switch 730 It may be determined whether at least one of the temperature and the temperature of the second switch 740 exceeds a fourth threshold value that is smaller than a preset third threshold value. For example, the fourth threshold preset for the temperature of the first switch 730 and the fourth threshold preset for the temperature of the second switch 740 may be the same value or may be different values.

When at least one of the temperature of the first switch 730 and the temperature of the second switch 740 exceeds the fourth threshold value, the driving circuit 700 operates the first switch 730 and the second switch 740 By reducing the number of times of driving, it is possible to maintain generation of aerosol while reducing heat generation.

The driving circuit 700 measures the temperature of the first switch 730 and the temperature of the second switch 740, and at least one of the temperature of the first switch 730 and the temperature of the second switch 740 is determined. Accidents due to overheating of the driving circuit 700 can be prevented by stopping the operation of the second power supply and the third power supply when the temperature (eg, the third threshold value) at which an accident due to heat generation is likely to occur is exceeded. there is.

The driving circuit 700 measures the temperature of the first switch 730 and the temperature of the second switch 740, and at least one of the temperature of the first switch 730 and the temperature of the second switch 740 is determined. If it is lower than the temperature at which an accident due to heat generation is likely to occur (eg, the third threshold value) but exceeds the normal range temperature (eg, the fourth threshold value), the first switch 730 and the second switch 740 ), it is possible to maintain generation of aerosol while reducing heat generation.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a charging circuit according to an example.

Steps 810 to 850 below may be performed by an aerosol generating device (eg, aerosol generating device 100 of FIG. 1 , aerosol generating device 200 of FIG. 2 , or aerosol generating device 300 of FIG. 3 ). can

In step 810, the battery temperature sensor 520 of the aerosol generating device may measure the temperature of the battery 140, and the charging circuit temperature sensor 530 may measure the temperature of the charging circuit 510. The battery temperature sensor 520 and the charging circuit temperature sensor 530 may transmit the measured temperature of the battery 140 and the temperature of the charging circuit 510 to the charging circuit 510 or the controller 110, respectively.

In step 820, the charging circuit 510, or the controller 110, of the aerosol generating device determines that at least one of the temperature of the battery 140 and the temperature of the charging circuit 510 is the temperature of the battery 140, and charging. It is possible to check whether the temperature of the circuit 510 exceeds a first threshold set in advance for each temperature. When at least one of the temperature of the battery 140 and the temperature of the charging circuit 510 exceeds the first threshold value, the charging circuit 510 or the controller 110 may perform step 830 . When both the temperature of the battery 140 and the temperature of the charging circuit 510 are equal to or less than a preset first threshold value, the charging circuit 510 or the controller 110 may perform step 840.

In step 830, the charging circuit 510 of the aerosol generating device or the controller 110 may stop charging the battery 140. Since charging of the battery 140 is stopped, an accident due to overcharging or heat generation may be prevented.

In step 840, the charging circuit 510 of the aerosol generating device or the controller 110 determines that at least one of the temperature of the battery 140 and the temperature of the charging circuit 510 is greater than a first threshold value set in advance for each. It is possible to check whether or not the second small threshold is exceeded. When at least one of the temperature of the battery 140 and the temperature of the charging circuit 510 exceeds the second threshold value, the charging circuit 510 or the controller 110 may perform step 850 . When both the temperature of the battery 140 and the temperature of the charging circuit 510 are equal to or less than the second threshold, the charging circuit 510 or the controller 110 may end an operation to prevent an accident.

In step 850, the charging circuit 510 or the control unit 110 of the aerosol generating device may reduce the magnitude of the current used to charge the battery 140. As the amount of power used to charge the battery 140 is reduced, heat generation of the battery may be reduced.

9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a driving circuit according to an example.

Steps 910 to 950 below may be performed by an aerosol generating device (eg, aerosol generating device 100 of FIG. 1 , aerosol generating device 200 of FIG. 2 , or aerosol generating device 300 of FIG. 3 ). can

In step 910, the first temperature sensor 735 of the aerosol generating device may measure the temperature of the first switch 730, and the second temperature sensor 745 may measure the temperature of the second switch 740. there is.

In step 920, the controller of the aerosol generating device (eg, the controller 110 of FIG. 1 or the controller 214 of FIG. 2 ) measures the temperature of the first switch 730 measured by the first temperature sensor 735, And at least one of the temperature of the second switch 740 measured by the second temperature sensor 745 is a third threshold set in advance for each of the temperature of the first switch 730 and the temperature of the second switch 740. You can check if it exceeds. When at least one of the temperature of the first switch 730 and the temperature of the second switch 740 exceeds the third threshold value, the controller may perform step 930 . In addition, when both the temperature of the first switch 730 and the temperature of the second switch 740 are equal to or less than a preset third threshold value, the controller may perform step 940 .

In step 930, the controller of the aerosol generating device may stop the operation of the second power source 703 and the third power source 705. Accidents due to excessive heat of the driving circuit 700 can be prevented by stopping the operation of the second power source 703 and the third power source 705 .

In step 940, at least one of the temperature of the first switch 730 and the temperature of the second switch 740 exceeds a fourth threshold value that is less than a preset third threshold value, respectively, by the control unit of the aerosol generating device. You can check if it does or not. When at least one of the temperature of the first switch 730 and the temperature of the second switch 740 exceeds the fourth threshold, the controller may perform step 950 . In addition, when both the temperature of the first switch 730 and the temperature of the second switch 740 are equal to or less than the fourth threshold value, the control unit may end the operation for preventing accidents.

In step 950, the control unit of the aerosol generating device may decrease the number of driving of the first switch 730 and the second switch 740. As the driving frequency of the first switch 730 and the second switch 740 is reduced, heat generated by the first switch 730 and the second switch 740 may be reduced.

The embodiments described above may be implemented as hardware components, software components, and/or a combination of hardware components and software components. For example, the devices, methods and components described in the embodiments may include, for example, a processor, a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate (FPGA). array), programmable logic units (PLUs), microprocessors, or any other device capable of executing and responding to instructions. The processing device may execute an operating system (OS) and software applications running on the operating system. A processing device may also access, store, manipulate, process, and generate data in response to execution of software. For convenience of understanding, there are cases in which one processing device is used, but those skilled in the art will understand that the processing device includes a plurality of processing elements and/or a plurality of types of processing elements. It can be seen that it can include. For example, a processing device may include a plurality of processors or a processor and a controller. Other processing configurations are also possible, such as parallel processors.

Software may include a computer program, code, instructions, or a combination of one or more of the foregoing, which configures a processing device to operate as desired or processes independently or collectively. The device can be commanded. Software and/or data may be any tangible machine, component, physical device, virtual equipment, computer storage medium or device, intended to be interpreted by or provide instructions or data to a processing device. , or may be permanently or temporarily embodied in a transmitted signal wave. Software may be distributed on networked computer systems and stored or executed in a distributed manner. Software and data may be stored on computer readable media.

The method according to the embodiment may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed through various computer means and recorded on a computer readable medium. A computer readable medium may store program instructions, data files, data structures, etc. alone or in combination, and program instructions recorded on the medium may be specially designed and configured for the embodiment or may be known and usable to those skilled in the art of computer software. there is. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, and magnetic media such as floptical disks. - includes hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program instructions, such as magneto-optical media, and ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, as well as machine language codes such as those produced by a compiler.

The hardware device described above may be configured to operate as one or a plurality of software modules to perform the operations of the embodiments, and vice versa.

As described above, although the embodiments have been described with limited drawings, those skilled in the art can apply various technical modifications and variations based on this. For example, the described techniques may be performed in an order different from the method described, and/or components of the described system, structure, device, circuit, etc. may be combined or combined in a different form than the method described, or other components may be used. Or even if it is replaced or substituted by equivalents, appropriate results can be achieved.

Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents of the claims are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (12)

electronic devices,
a battery supplying power for the electronic device to operate;
a battery temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the battery;
a charging circuit for charging the battery using power supplied from the outside;
a charging circuit temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the charging circuit;
a driving circuit electrically connected to the vibrator of the cartridge unit when the electronic device is physically connected to the cartridge unit and driving the vibrator based on power supplied from the battery; and
A controller for controlling the operation of the driving circuit
including,
The charging circuit,
An electronic device that adjusts power used for charging the battery based on at least one of a temperature of the battery measured by the battery temperature sensor and a temperature of the charging circuit measured by the charging circuit temperature sensor.
According to claim 1
The charging circuit,
An electronic device that stops charging of the battery when at least one of the temperature of the battery and the temperature of the charging circuit exceeds a first threshold value set in advance.
According to claim 1
The charging circuit,
When at least one of the temperature of the battery and the temperature of the charging circuit is less than or equal to a preset first threshold and exceeds a second threshold that is smaller than the first threshold, the An electronic device that reduces the magnitude of the electric current.
According to claim 1,
The drive circuit,
an electrical contact connectable to a first end of the vibrator and a ground connectable to a second end of the vibrator to supply power to the vibrator of the cartridge unit;
an inductor connected to the electrical contact, wherein a first end of the inductor is connected to the electrical contact;
a first switch having a source terminal connected to the second terminal of the inductor;
a first temperature sensor measuring a temperature of the first switch;
a second switch having a drain terminal connected to the second terminal of the inductor, wherein a source terminal of the second switch is connected to ground;
a second temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the second switch;
a first power source supplying a voltage to a drain terminal of the first switch;
a second power source providing a voltage to a gate terminal of the first switch; and
A third power supply providing a voltage to the gate terminal of the second switch
An electronic device comprising a.
According to claim 4,
The control unit,
When at least one of the temperature measured by the first temperature sensor and the temperature measured by the second temperature sensor exceeds a preset third threshold value, operation of the second power supply and the third power supply is stopped. electronic devices that do.
According to claim 4
The control unit,
When at least one of the temperature measured by the first temperature sensor and the temperature measured by the second temperature sensor is less than or equal to a third threshold and exceeds a fourth threshold that is smaller than the third threshold, the first An electronic device that reduces the number of driving of the switch and the second switch.
electronic devices,
a battery supplying power for the electronic device to operate;
a battery temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the battery;
a charging circuit for charging the battery using power supplied from the outside;
a charging circuit temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the charging circuit;
a driving circuit electrically connected to the vibrator of the cartridge unit when the electronic device is physically connected to the cartridge unit and driving the vibrator based on power supplied from the battery; and
A controller for controlling the operation of the driving circuit
including,
The control unit,
The charging circuit determines a charging operation of the battery based on at least one of the temperature of the battery measured by the battery temperature sensor and the temperature of the charging circuit measured by the charging circuit temperature sensor, and performs the determined charging operation. electronic device that controls the
According to claim 7
The control unit,
The electronic device that requests the charging circuit to stop charging the battery when at least one of the temperature of the battery and the temperature of the charging circuit exceeds a first threshold value set in advance.
According to claim 7
The control unit,
When at least one of the temperature of the battery and the temperature of the charging circuit is less than or equal to a first threshold value set in advance and exceeds a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value, the charging circuit charges the battery. An electronic device that requests to reduce the magnitude of the current of the annoying power used by it.
electronic devices,
a drive circuit electrically connected to the vibrator of the cartridge unit when the electronic device is physically connected to the cartridge unit and driving the vibrator based on power supplied from a battery; and
A controller for controlling the operation of the driving circuit
including,
The drive circuit,
an electrical contact that can be connected to a first end of the vibrator and a ground that can be connected to a second end of the vibrator to supply power to the vibrator of the cartridge unit;
an inductor connected to the electrical contact, wherein a first end of the inductor is connected to the electrical contact;
a first switch having a source terminal connected to the second terminal of the inductor;
a first temperature sensor measuring a temperature of the first switch;
a second switch having a drain terminal connected to the second terminal of the inductor, wherein a source terminal of the second switch is connected to ground;
a second temperature sensor measuring a temperature of the second switch;
a first power source providing a voltage to a drain terminal of the first switch;
a second power source providing a voltage to a gate terminal of the first switch; and
A third power supply providing a voltage to the gate terminal of the second switch
An electronic device comprising a.
According to claim 10,
The control unit,
When at least one of the temperature measured by the first temperature sensor and the temperature measured by the second temperature sensor exceeds a preset third threshold value, operation of the second power supply and the third power supply is stopped. electronic devices that do.
According to claim 10
The control unit,
When at least one of the temperature measured by the first temperature sensor and the temperature measured by the second temperature sensor is less than or equal to a third threshold and exceeds a fourth threshold that is smaller than the third threshold, the first An electronic device that reduces the number of driving of the switch and the second switch.

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