KR20230109367A - An alarm method according to the moisture content of a cigarette - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for providing an alarm according to a moisture content of a cigarette. According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for providing an alarm according to a moisture content of a cigarette by a cigarette-type electronic cigarette device, in which the device comprises: a housing; an input unit accommodated in the housing and having a hollow tubular shape into which the cigarette is inserted; a heating unit accommodated in the input unit to heat the cigarette when the cigarette is inserted; and a pin-shaped sensor unit at least partially located in the hollow space of the input unit and inserted into the cigarette when the cigarette is inserted to measure capacitance of the cigarette, the method comprising the steps of: measuring the capacitance inside the cigarette through the sensor unit when the cigarette is inserted into the device; comparing the measured capacitance value with a predetermined reference value, in which the reference value is determined as a capacitance value of a new cigarette in a normal state; and providing an alarm to a user when the measured capacitance value is out of a normal range based on the reference value. According to the present invention, reuse of cigarettes can be prevented.

Description

An alarm method according to the moisture content of a cigarette {An alarm method according to the moisture content of a cigarette}

The present invention relates to a method for providing an alarm according to the moisture content of a cigarette in a cigarette-type electronic cigarette device, and more particularly, to a method of measuring a capacitance value of a cigarette using a sensor unit and providing different alarms according to the moisture content. .

Recent inhalation of fine particles in the air, i.e. aerosols, commonly referred to as smoking, can be achieved. In the past, cigarettes in the form of cigarettes were almost the only means of inhaling these preferred substances, but recently, electronic cigarettes have also been established as another means. Electronic cigarettes vaporize the inhaled material into vapor by applying heat or ultrasonic waves to the cartridge containing the inhaled material in liquid form to generate fine particles, which is completely different from conventional cigarette-type cigarettes in which smoke is generated by combustion. , it has the advantage of being able to prevent the generation of various harmful substances that can be generated by combustion, in particular.

In addition, according to the demand of consumers who prefer cigarette-type conventional cigarettes, an electronic cigarette having a filter part and a cigarette part shape of a conventional cigarette has also been proposed. It has a configuration in which the user inhales through a filter unit having a configuration equivalent to that of a conventional cigarette while vaporizing with a heater. In such an electronic cigarette, unlike a conventional cigarette having a configuration of a cigarette part filled with dry tobacco leaves, the inhalation material is impregnated or filled with paper buried on the surface. When the electronic cigarette is inserted into the holder and the heater inside the holder is heated to vaporize the inhaled material inside the cigarette part, the user can inhale the vaporized inhaled material through the filter part. As with conventional electronic cigarettes, it has the advantage that combustion does not occur, and vaporized inhalation substances can be inhaled through the filter unit with the same mechanism as when smoking a regular cigarette, so the user can feel the same feeling as smoking a regular cigarette. there will be

However, since conventional cigarette-type electronic cigarette devices can be used by heating once the cigarette is inserted, when the moisture content of the cigarette used is high, there is a risk of burns to the esophagus when the user inhales, and the user consumes the used cigarette Even if reused, there was a problem that the cigarette-type electronic cigarette device did not recognize it. Accordingly, there is an increasing demand for a method for notifying a user when the above problem occurs.

Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-2323786

The present invention measures the moisture content of the cigarette when the cigarette is inserted through the sensor unit of the cigarette-type electronic cigarette device, provides an alarm when there is a difference from the reference value, and controls the heating unit to prevent user's esophageal burns and reuse of the cigarette. has a purpose in

A method for providing an alarm according to the moisture content of a cigarette of the present invention is a method for a cigarette-type electronic cigarette device to provide an alarm according to the moisture content of a cigarette, wherein the device includes: a housing; A hollow tubular input portion accommodated in the housing and into which the cigarette is inserted; a heating unit accommodated inside the input unit and heating the cigarette when the cigarette is inserted; and a pin-shaped sensor unit, at least a part of which is located in the hollow of the input unit and is inserted into the cigarette when the cigarette is inserted to measure capacitance, and when the cigarette is inserted into the device, static electricity inside the cigarette through the sensor unit measuring capacity; comparing, by the device, the measured capacitance value with a predetermined reference value, wherein the reference value is determined as the capacitance value of a new cigarette in a steady state; and providing an alarm to a user when the measured capacitance value is out of a normal range based on the reference value.

In one embodiment of the present invention, providing the alarm may include providing a first alarm to the user when the measured capacitance value exceeds a normal range.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the first alarm may include information that excessive moisture is contained in the cigarette and the heating temperature is lowered to prevent burns.

In one embodiment of the present invention, providing the first alarm may be when the measured capacitance value is 1.05 to 1.1 times the reference value.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus may further include a step of controlling the heating unit to lower the heating temperature.

In one embodiment of the present invention, providing the alarm may include providing a second alarm to the user when the measured capacitance value is less than a normal range.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the second alarm may include information indicating that the cigarette cannot be used because it is a reusable cigarette.

In one embodiment of the present invention, providing the second alarm may be a case where the measured capacitance value is 0.95 to 0.99 times the reference value.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus may further include controlling the heating unit not to heat the cigarette.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the sensor unit may include having two electrodes.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the sensor unit may be characterized in that it protrudes from the inner end of the input unit in the longitudinal direction of the input unit.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the device may further include a liquid part accommodated inside the housing, equipped with a liquid cartridge, and capable of injecting the liquid into the cigarette.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the device further comprises an input unit capable of inputting information related to the cigarette, and the device receives information related to the cigarette through the input unit; resetting, by the device, the reference value according to the input information; and resetting, by the device, the normal range according to the reset reference value.

In the method for providing an alarm according to the moisture content of the cigarette according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the moisture content of the cigarette is greater than a reference value, an alarm is provided and the heating temperature is lowered to prevent burns of the user's esophagus.

The method for providing an alarm according to the moisture content of the cigarette according to an embodiment of the present invention has the advantage of providing an alarm when the moisture content of the cigarette is less than the reference value and controlling the heating unit not to heat, thereby preventing reuse of the cigarette. .

1 is a schematic block diagram of a cigarette-type electronic cigarette device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view of an input unit, a heating unit, and a sensor unit of a cigarette-type electronic cigarette device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a flow chart of a method for providing an alarm when the moisture content of a cigarette is higher than a reference value according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a flowchart of a method for providing an alarm when the moisture content of a cigarette is lower than a reference value according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a table showing capacitance values measured for each state of a cigarette according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the same or similar elements are given the same reference numerals regardless of reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted. 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.

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

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

In this application, each step described can be performed regardless of the listed order, except for the case where it must be performed in the listed order due to a special causal relationship.

In this application, terms such as "comprise" or "have" are intended to designate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but one or more other features It should be understood that the presence or addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof is not precluded.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cigarette-type electronic cigarette device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Cigarette type electronic cigarette device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 110, an input unit 120, a heating unit 130, a sensor unit 140, a battery 150 and a control unit 160. can include In some cases, an input unit (not shown) may be further included. In addition, the hybrid cigarette type electronic cigarette device 100 may further include a liquid part (not shown).

The input unit 120 is accommodated inside the housing 110 and has a hollow tubular shape into which a cigarette is inserted, and may include a heating unit 130 therein.

The heating unit 130 is inserted into the inside of the cigarette in the form of a pin from the inside of the inlet unit 120 to heat it, or is arranged to wrap around the cigarette when the cigarette is inserted inside and outside the inlet unit 120, and by electromagnetic induction The cigarette can be heated by being heated through the induced eddy current. Specifically, the heating unit 130 includes a coil, and when power is applied to the coil, eddy currents are generated due to electromagnetic induction by an alternating current flowing along the coil, so that the heating unit 130 may be heated by loss of eddy currents. Since the heating unit 130 is arranged to surround the circumference of the cigarette and heats it, the contents of the cigarette can be uniformly heated compared to conventional pin-type heating units. By using such a heating unit 130, there is an effect of improving the smoke feeling and hitting feeling during smoking compared to the conventional method.

The sensor unit 140 may protrude from the inner end of the input unit 120 in the longitudinal direction of the input unit so that the capacitance can be measured by being inserted into the cigarette when the cigarette is inserted, and has a pin shape with two electrodes. can be Specifically, the sensor unit 140 may be a capacitance sensor capable of measuring capacitance. In addition, the sensor unit 140 may be inserted into the cigarette when it is positioned so as to face the direction opposite to the direction in which the cigarette is inserted, as in the conventional method using a pin-shaped heating unit.

The sensor unit 140 may be inserted into the cigarette to measure the capacitance to measure the moisture content and provide the measured value to the control unit 160 .

The battery 150 may supply power required for the cigarette type electronic cigarette device 100 . The battery 150 may be connected to the outside through a charging unit (not shown) to be charged.

The controller 160 may control the heating unit 130, the sensor unit 140, an alarm unit (not shown), and a power supply unit (not shown). Specifically, the control unit 160 may measure the capacitance through the sensor unit 140 when the cigarette is inserted, and receive the measured capacitance value from the sensor unit 140 to determine whether to provide an alarm to the user. there is. When it is determined that the measured capacitance value is larger or smaller than the reference value and is out of the normal range, an alarm may be provided to the user through an alarm unit (not shown).

For example, after the control unit 160 provides an alarm to the user through an alarm unit (not shown) when the measured capacitance exceeds a normal range, the heating temperature of the heating unit 130 may be lowered.

As another example, the control unit 160 may control the heating unit 130 not to operate after providing an alarm to the user through an alarm unit (not shown) when the measured capacitance value is less than the normal range. In this case, the power of the cigarette-type electronic cigarette device 100 may be turned off by controlling a power supply unit (not shown).

The input unit (not shown) may be provided as a display or button capable of inputting information related to cigarettes. Specifically, the cigarette used in the cigarette-type electronic cigarette device 100 may have different materials or contents of the filter used or the size of the cigarette depending on the manufacturer or use (cigarette type, hybrid type, etc.). Depending on this difference, the capacitance value serving as the reference value may vary. Therefore, it is possible to allow the device to receive information related to the cigarette through an input unit (not shown), reset the reference value for the capacitance value of a new cigarette in a normal state, and reset the normal range, which is a condition for providing an alarm. . In one embodiment, when a new cigarette is purchased, a serial number written on a package or a specific number assigned to an existing product may be assigned to the user to input information related to the cigarette.

The liquid part (not shown) may be provided when the cigarette type electronic cigarette device 100 is a hybrid type. In this case, the liquid part (not shown) is accommodated inside the housing 110 and the liquid cartridge is mounted so that the liquid inside the liquid cartridge can be injected into the hybrid cigarette.

2 is a cross-sectional view of an input unit, a heating unit, and a sensor unit when a cigarette is inserted into a cigarette-type electronic cigarette device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When the cigarette 200 is inserted into the hollow tubular inlet 120, the pin-shaped sensor unit 140 equipped with two electrodes is inserted into the cigarette to measure the capacitance inside the cigarette. can measure

Capacitance (capacitance) is inversely proportional to the distance between the poles, proportional to the area of the poles, and proportional to the permittivity between the poles. Since the distance between the electrodes of the sensor unit 140 and the area of the electrodes are fixed and are mere constants, the permittivity and capacitance between the electrodes are proportional to each other. Therefore, the degree of increase or decrease of the moisture content inside the cigarette 200 can be known by measuring the capacitance.

In one embodiment, when the measured capacitance exceeds the normal range, it can be determined that the moisture content inside the cigarette 200 is high, and in this case, by lowering the heating temperature of the heating unit 130, the user's esophageal burn risk can be avoided.

When the capacitance measured in another embodiment is less than the normal range, it can be determined that the moisture content inside the cigarette 200 is low, and in this case, the heating unit 130 is prevented from operating, thereby preventing reuse of the cigarette. there is.

3 is a flow chart of a method for providing an alarm when the moisture content of a cigarette exceeds a normal range according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A method for providing an alarm when the moisture content of the cigarette exceeds the normal range according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the step of measuring the capacitance inside the cigarette through a sensor unit when the cigarette is inserted into the device (S310), the device Comparing the measured capacitance value with a predetermined reference value (S320), providing a first alarm to the user when the capacitance value measured by the device exceeds the normal range (S330), and determining the heating temperature of the heating unit by the device It may be performed including controlling to lower (S340).

Step S310 is a step of measuring capacitance inside the cigarette through the sensor unit when the device inserts the cigarette. Specifically, when a cigarette is inserted into the insertion unit 120 of the cigarette-type electronic cigarette device, the pin-shaped sensor unit 140 is inserted into the cigarette and the capacitance inside the cigarette can be measured.

Step S320 is a step of comparing the capacitance value measured by the device with a predetermined reference value. By comparing the capacitance value measured in the previous step (S310) with a predetermined reference value, it may be determined whether or not the capacitance value is out of a predetermined difference. Specifically, the predetermined reference value may be determined from the capacitance value of a new cigarette in a normal state that has not been used before. Data related to the predetermined reference value will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5 .

Step S330 is a step of providing a first alarm to the user when the capacitance value measured by the device exceeds the normal range. Specifically, when the capacitance value is measured to be 0.1 pF or more than the reference value, an alarm may be provided to the user. The first alarm may provide information that excessive moisture is contained in the cigarette through an alarm unit provided in the cigarette-type electronic cigarette device and the heating temperature is lowered to prevent burns through vibration or a display method.

As an example, when the capacitance value measured by the sensor unit is 1.05 to 1.1 times the reference value, the moisture content of the cigarette is measured to be about 80%. In this case, when heated to a normal heating temperature (approximately 200 to 250 degrees) and the user inhales, there is a high possibility of esophageal burns, so it can be determined that an alarm is provided to the user.

Step S340 is a step of controlling the device to lower the heating temperature of the heating unit. If the capacitance value is higher than the reference value and heated at a normal heating temperature, and the user inhales, there is a high possibility of esophageal burns, so the heating temperature can be lowered.

4 is a flow chart of a method for providing an alarm when the moisture content of a cigarette is less than a normal range according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A method for providing an alarm when the moisture content of the cigarette according to an embodiment of the present invention is less than the normal range is the step of measuring the capacitance inside the cigarette through the sensor unit when the cigarette is inserted into the device (S310), the device measured Comparing the capacitance value with a predetermined reference value (S320), providing a second alarm to the user when the capacitance value measured by the device is lower than the reference value (S430), and controlling the heating unit not to heat the cigarette It may be performed including the step (S440) of doing.

Steps S310 and S320 are as described in FIG. 3 .

Step S430 is a step of providing a second alarm to the user when the capacitance value measured by the device is less than the normal range. Specifically, when the capacitance value is measured to be 0.05 pF or less than the reference value, an alarm may be provided to the user. The second alarm may provide information indicating that the cigarette cannot be used because it is a reusable cigarette through an alarm unit provided in the cigarette-type electronic cigarette device through vibration or a display method, and may be provided in a method different from that of the first alarm.

In one embodiment, when the capacitance value measured by the sensor unit is 0.95 to 0.99 times the reference value, it is determined that the cigarette has already been used. In this case, if it is heated again and the user inhales, there is a high possibility of inhaling more harmful substances than in the case of a new cigarette and the flavor is reduced, so it can be determined that an alarm is provided to the user.

Step S440 is a step in which the device controls the heating unit not to heat the cigarette. When it is determined that the cigarette has already been used because the capacitance value is less than the normal range, the re-use of the cigarette may be prevented by preventing the heating unit from operating.

5 is a table showing capacitance values measured for each state of a cigarette according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Comparing the capacitance measurement result (initial value) in the state without a cigarette through the sensor unit with the capacitance measurement result of the new cigarette, it can be seen that the new cigarette has a higher moisture content than the air.

Comparing the capacitance measurement result of the reusable cigarette with the capacitance measurement result of the new cigarette, it can be seen that the reusable cigarette has a lower moisture content than the new cigarette. Specifically, in the case of a reusable cigarette, it can be seen that the measured capacitance value is smaller than that of a new cigarette by about 80 fF to 100 fF.

Comparing the capacitance measurement result of the 80% moisture-containing cigarette with the capacitance measurement result of the new cigarette, it can be seen that the 80% moisture-containing cigarette has a higher moisture content than the new cigarette. Specifically, in the case of a cigarette containing 80% water, it can be seen that the measured capacitance value is greater than that of a new cigarette by about 130 fF.

The capacitance value of a new cigarette is determined as a reference value from the difference in capacitance value according to the state described in FIG. .

In addition, the material or contents of the filter used in the cigarette used in the cigarette-type electronic cigarette device or the size of the cigarette may be different depending on the manufacturer or use (cigarette type, hybrid type, etc.), and the capacitance value that is the standard value It can vary. Capacitance values for each state may be measured in advance for all cigarettes that can be used in the cigarette-type electronic cigarette device so that errors do not occur accordingly. In addition, an input unit is provided so that the device receives information related to the cigarette through the input unit (not shown), resets the standard value for the capacitance value of a new cigarette in a normal state, and resets the normal range, which is a condition for providing an alarm. can make it possible

The technical features disclosed in each embodiment of the present invention are not limited to the corresponding embodiment, and unless incompatible with each other, the technical features disclosed in each embodiment may be merged and applied to other embodiments.

Therefore, in each embodiment, each technical feature is mainly described, but each technical feature may be merged and applied to each other unless incompatible with each other.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and accompanying drawings, and various modifications and variations will be possible from the viewpoint of those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be defined by not only the claims of this specification but also those equivalent to these claims.

100: cigarette type electronic cigarette device
110: housing 120: input unit
130: heating unit 140: sensor unit
150: battery 160: control unit
200: cigarette

Claims (13)

A method in which a cigarette-type electronic cigarette device provides an alarm according to the moisture content of a cigarette,
The device,
housing;
a hollow tubular input portion accommodated in the housing and into which the cigarette is inserted;
a heating unit accommodated inside the inlet and heating the cigarette when the cigarette is inserted; and
At least a portion of which is located in the hollow of the input unit and includes a pin-shaped sensor unit inserted into the cigarette when the cigarette is inserted to measure capacitance,
measuring, by the device, capacitance inside the cigarette through the sensor unit when the cigarette is inserted;
comparing, by the device, the measured capacitance value with a predetermined reference value, wherein the reference value is determined as the capacitance value of a new cigarette in a steady state; and
and providing an alarm to a user when the measured capacitance value is out of a normal range based on the reference value. According to claim 1,
The step of providing the alarm is,
Providing a first alarm to a user when the measured capacitance value exceeds a normal range by the device. According to claim 2,
The first alarm,
A method of providing an alarm according to the moisture content of a cigarette including information that the cigarette contains excessive moisture and lowers the heating temperature to prevent burns. According to claim 2,
Providing the first alarm,
A method of providing an alarm according to the moisture content of a cigarette when the measured capacitance value is 1.05 to 1.1 times the reference value. According to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The method of providing an alarm according to the moisture content of the cigarette further comprising the step of controlling the device to lower the heating temperature of the heating unit. According to claim 1,
The step of providing the alarm is,
and providing a second alarm to a user when the measured capacitance value is less than a normal range by the device. According to claim 6,
The second alarm,
A method of providing an alarm according to the moisture content of a cigarette including information that it cannot be used because it is a reusable cigarette. According to claim 6,
Providing the second alarm,
A method of providing an alarm according to the moisture content of a cigarette when the measured capacitance value is 0.95 to 0.99 times the reference value. According to any one of claims 6 to 8,
The method of providing an alarm according to the moisture content of the cigarette further comprising the step of controlling the apparatus so that the heating unit does not heat the cigarette. According to claim 1,
The sensor unit,
A method of providing an alarm according to the moisture content of a cigarette comprising providing two electrodes. According to claim 1,
The sensor unit,
An alarm providing method according to the moisture content of the cigarette, characterized in that the protruding from the inner end of the input unit in the longitudinal direction of the input unit. According to claim 1,
The device,
A method for providing an alarm according to the moisture content of the cigarette, further comprising a liquid part accommodated inside the housing, equipped with a liquid cartridge, and capable of injecting liquid into the cigarette. According to claim 1,
The device,
Further comprising an input unit capable of inputting information related to the cigarette,
receiving, by the device, information related to the cigarette through the input unit;
resetting, by the device, the reference value according to the input information; and
The method of providing an alarm according to the moisture content of the cigarette further comprising the step of the device resetting the normal range according to the reset reference value.