KR20230137059A - Aerosol generating device with selective heating method of multiple heating elements - Google Patents

Abstract

Many embodiments relate to an aerosol generating device that selectively heats multiple heating units. More specifically, an aerosol generating device capable of heating in various ways by forming multiple active heating units in one heater body and individually controlling them. It's about.
An embodiment is a portable aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol-forming substrate when inserted, comprising a heater for heating the inserted aerosol-forming substrate and at least a control unit for controlling the heater, and the heater actively generates heat. It is characterized in that it includes a plurality of heating parts, which are the areas where heat is generated, and the heat generation of each heating part can be individually controlled by a control unit.

Description

Aerosol generating device for selectively heating multiple heating elements {AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE WITH SELECTIVE HEATING METHOD OF MULTIPLE HEATING ELEMENTS}

Many embodiments relate to an aerosol generating device that selectively heats multiple heating units. More specifically, an aerosol generating device capable of heating in various ways by forming multiple active heating units in one heater body and individually controlling them. It's about.

Aerosols are small liquid or solid particles that exist in suspension in the atmosphere and usually have a size of 0.001 to 1.0 ㎛. In particular, there are cases where people inhale aerosols derived from various types of cigarette-type aerosol-forming substrates. For example, in response to the demands of consumers who prefer cigarette-type regular cigarettes, electronic cigarettes that have the filter part of a regular cigarette and the shape of a cigarette part are also being proposed. This electronic cigarette uses the inhaled substances contained in the cigarette part as electronic cigarettes. When vaporized with a heater, the user inhales it through a filter unit that has the same configuration as a regular cigarette. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of an aerosol generating device according to the prior art. Referring to FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 100 is provided with a cavity 20 into which the cigarette-type aerosol-forming substrate 10 is inserted, and the cigarette-type aerosol-forming substrate 10 inserted into the aerosol generating device 100 is provided. In order to generate aerosol by heating, for example, a pipe-shaped heater 30 is provided on the outer periphery of the cavity 20. In addition, the aerosol generating device 100 includes a battery 40 for supplying power to the heater 30, and a control unit 50 configured to control the power supplied from the battery 40 to the heater 30. . In the above-described prior art, power is supplied from the battery 40 to the heater 30 under the control of the control unit 50, and the cigarette-type aerosol forming substrate 10 is heated by the heat generated from the heater 30 to form cigarette-type aerosol. An aerosol is generated from the aerosol-generating substrate within the forming substrate 10.

The heater 30 is a key element directly related to the user experience in the aerosol generating device. In particular, it must be able to continuously maintain a uniform temperature and evenly transfer heat to the aerosol-forming substrate 10 inserted therein. Additionally, providing a uniform taste from the initial operation of the aerosol generating device 100 to the completion of the final operation is an important factor in user experience. Therefore, as a prior art for improving the structure of the heater 30, Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-2323782 discloses a heater structure including a heat-resistant metal pipe, a heating pattern, and a sensor pattern. However, there is room for improvement in terms of improving user experience through uniform heat generation and uniform taste.

The purpose of the embodiments is to provide an aerosol generating device with a selective heating method that can improve the user experience by increasing the preheating speed and heating efficiency by selectively controlling a plurality of heating parts divided by region in the aerosol generating device. do.

The aerosol generating device of one embodiment to solve the problems of the prior art is a portable aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol-forming substrate when inserted, and includes a heater for heating the inserted aerosol-forming substrate and at least It includes a control unit for controlling the heater, and the heater includes a plurality of heating units, which are areas that actively generate heat, and the heat generation of each heating unit can be individually controlled by the control unit.

In addition, according to the embodiment, the aerosol generating device is characterized in that the heater is in the form of a long extending hollow pipe and surrounds and heats the outer circumference of the aerosol-forming substrate accommodated inside the heater.

In addition, according to the embodiment, the aerosol generating device is characterized in that the heating portion of the heater is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the heater.

In addition, according to the embodiment, the aerosol generating device is characterized in that the control unit controls each heating unit to sequentially generate heat in a single direction from the heating unit at the starting position to the heating unit at the ending position in response to the use cycle of the aerosol generating device.

In addition, according to the embodiment, the aerosol generating device further includes a puff sensor that detects the user's puffing behavior, and the control unit determines the use cycle of the aerosol generating device based on the user's puffing behavior detected by the puff sensor. do.

In addition, according to the embodiment, the aerosol generating device is characterized in that the control unit determines the use cycle of the aerosol generating device based on the elapsed time after the start of heating.

In addition, according to the embodiment, the aerosol generating device is characterized in that the control unit controls the heating temperatures of at least two of the plurality of heating units to be different from each other.

In addition, according to the embodiment, the aerosol generating device is characterized in that the heating portion is formed in a fine heating pattern.

Additionally, according to the embodiment, the aerosol generating device is characterized in that each heating unit includes an independent power supply terminal.

In addition, according to the embodiment, the aerosol generating device is characterized in that the starting position is a heating unit located at the bottom among a plurality of heating units, and the ending position is a heating unit located at the top.

In addition, according to the embodiment, the aerosol generating device is characterized in that the starting position is the heating unit located at the bottom and the ending position is the heating unit located at the top.

The aerosol generating device provided by the present invention does not heat the entire inserted aerosol-forming substrate, but rather heats only a portion, so it is efficient and generates aerosol smoothly.

In addition, the aerosol generating device provided by the present invention controls each region in chronological order and heats the aerosol-forming substrate, so that the aerosol-forming substrate can be heated to a uniform temperature throughout the operating time, thereby providing a uniform taste.

In addition, the aerosol generating device provided by the present invention can heat the aerosol-forming substrate to suit the user's aerosol inhalation cycle and speed by sequentially generating heat in each heating unit according to the usage cycle.

1 is an internal configuration diagram illustrating an example of an aerosol generating device according to the prior art;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view conceptually shown to explain the internal configuration of the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a transparent perspective view conceptually shown to explain the internal configuration of the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the functional components of the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a partial enlarged view showing in detail the heater 200 portion of the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is an expanded view of the heater 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a control method of an aerosol generating device that can be performed by the control unit 300 of an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of a control method of an aerosol generating device that can be performed by the control unit 300 of an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Figures 2 and 3 are conceptual diagrams showing the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is shown in the form of a cross-sectional view and Figure 3 is shown in the form of a perspective view. did. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing components for functional expression. The aerosol generating device 1 of this embodiment is a portable aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol by heating the cigarette-type aerosol-forming substrate 10 when inserted, and includes a case 110 and a case 110 for accommodating other components. ), a cigarette receiving portion 120 for inserting at least a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate 10 into the interior of the cigarette, a heater 200 for heating the inserted aerosol-forming substrate 10, and at least a heater 200 for controlling the heater 200. Includes a control unit 300. In addition, other known elements for operating the aerosol generating device 1 may also be included. For example, display means such as a power button or LED, and a battery 400 for supplying power to the heater 200 and other components may also be included, but detailed information about known components that can be expected by those skilled in the art is sufficient. Cities and descriptions are omitted. As an example of a cigarette-type aerosol-forming substrate 10 that can be inserted into the aerosol-generating device 1 of the embodiment, contacting the user's lips with an aerosol carrying portion T containing an aerosol-generating substrate for conversion into an aerosol. It may include a filter unit (F) for.

The case 110 is of a size that a person can carry and is made of a rigid material to accommodate and protect other components therein. The cigarette receiving portion 120 is in the form of an internal cavity formed in the case 110 and can accommodate and secure at least a portion of the cigarette-shaped aerosol-forming substrate 10.

In this embodiment, the heater 200 is in the form of a hollow pipe that extends vertically, and is formed adjacent to the cigarette receiving portion 120, so that when the aerosol-forming substrate 10 is received in the cigarette receiving portion 120, the heater 200 is formed around the outer circumference of the aerosol-forming substrate 10. An aerosol can be generated by heating. As shown in FIG. 4, the heater 200 may include a plurality of heating units, which are areas capable of active heat generation. In this embodiment, the heater 200 includes a total of seven heating units (first to seventh heating units), which is of course just an example and the total number may change depending on design requirements.

The control unit 300, for example, is a microprocessor and can control the heating temperature of the heater 200 by controlling the power supplied to the heater 200. For example, the control unit 300 can control the heating temperature of the heater 200 using PWM control that adjusts the duty ratio of the output signal. In particular, in this embodiment, the control unit 300 has the feature of being able to individually control multiple heating units of the heater 200.

Depending on the embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a puff sensor 500 on one side thereof. The puff sensor 500 is a sensor capable of detecting the user's puff behavior and is preferably a pressure sensor installed near the cigarette receiving portion 120. The pressure inside the cigarette receiver 120 temporarily decreases due to the user's puffing action, and the puff sensor 500 can detect the user's puffing action by detecting this pressure change.

Figure 5 is a partial enlarged view showing in detail the heater 200 portion of the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 6 is an expanded view of the heater 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment, the heater 200 includes a plurality of heating parts 210a to 210g, which are areas that actively generate heat. The heating units 210a to 210g can be formed, for example, by forming a heating wire or a micro heating pattern on an insulator, and actively generate heat under the control of the control unit 300. In particular, in the embodiment, the control unit 300 may individually control the plurality of heating units 210a to 210g. Here, individual control may mean, for example, controlling the heating temperatures of at least two of the plurality of heating units 210a to 210g to be different from each other.

As shown in FIG. 6, the individual control can be achieved by individually configuring the wiring of the micro heating pattern of the plurality of heating parts 210a to 210g on the insulating film and forming independent power supply terminals for each. Such individual control by the control unit 300 enables individual heat generation in each part of the heater 200. In order to smoothly generate aerosol from the inserted aerosol-forming substrate 10, the heating portions 210a to 210g of the heater 200 are preferably distributed so as to heat the entire aerosol carrying portion T of the aerosol-forming substrate 10. It is desirable to do so. Preferably, the plurality of heating parts (210a ~ 210g) are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the heater 200, and are preferably distributed over the entire length of the aerosol carrying part (T) of the inserted aerosol forming substrate 10.

After the user inserts the aerosol-forming substrate 10 and operates the aerosol-generating device 1, the control unit 300 operates the first to seventh heating units (indicated in that order by reference numerals 210a to 210g). They can individually generate heat and form aerosols. Preferably, the control unit 300 sequentially alternates each heating unit from the heating unit at the starting position to the heating unit at the ending position in a single direction, for example, from the lowest heating unit to the uppermost heating unit, or in the opposite direction. It is desirable to control the heat generation. For example, after inserting the aerosol-forming substrate 10, when the aerosol generating device 1 is operated, the control unit 300 generates heat in the first heating unit 210a to control the frontmost portion of the aerosol carrying unit T. generates aerosol. After generating heat for a predetermined period of time, the control unit 300 stops the heat generation (active heat generation) of the first heating unit 210a and operates the second heating unit 210b to generate aerosol at the next site. By repeating this control, heat is generated up to the final heat-generating part, the seventh heating part (210g), and the operation of the device is terminated. As a result, sequential heat generation from the heating unit in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5 can be realized. Of course, sequential heat generation in the opposite direction (from the seventh heating unit to the first heating unit) can also be performed. Through the sequential and alternating heating of the plurality of heating units 210a to 210g, heat is concentrated and applied to a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate 1000, thereby increasing the efficiency of the heater, shortening the heating time, and ultimately producing aerosol. The entire area of the aerosol carrying portion (T) of the forming substrate 10 can be heated evenly.

In particular, in one embodiment, the control unit 300 operates the heater ( 200) can be controlled so that each part (heating part) of the unit generates heat. For example, as a usage cycle, the heating parts of the heater 200 may be sequentially generated based on the user's puffing behavior as the basis for the decision. For example, when the control unit 300 detects the user's puff behavior based on the puff sensor 500, it can control the next heating part of the heater 200 to generate heat. Alternatively, the elapsed time from when the aerosol-forming substrate 10 is inserted and the heating of any heating part of the heater 200 begins is regarded as a usage cycle, and the heating parts can be sequentially generated. This control is such that after the user inserts the aerosol-forming substrate 10, the heater 200 controls each area of the aerosol carrying unit (T) in proportion to the number of puffs or time required until the aerosol inhalation process is completed. Allow heating to take place alternately.

Figure 7 is a flowchart showing a control method of the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention performed by the control unit 300 described above. In this embodiment, the control method of the aerosol generating device 1 includes, for example, the step of starting heat generation by operating the heating unit at the starting position of the heater 200 (for example, the first heating unit at the lowest stage) (s110 ) is included. At this stage, the user can inhale the aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming base 10 due to the heat generated by the first heating unit. The next step includes detecting the user's puff (inhalation action) and determining whether the number of detected puffs has reached a predetermined threshold (s120). Next, when the number of puffs detected here reaches a predetermined threshold, a step (s130) of stopping the operation of the heating unit and operating the next heating unit is included. In step s120, for example, the user's puff can be detected through the puff sensor 500, and the control unit 300 determines whether the cumulative number of puffs since the start of heat generation of the current heating unit has reached a predetermined threshold and responds accordingly. The heating parts are controlled to generate heat alternately sequentially. In the control method of this embodiment, the heating part (heating part) of the heater 200 is sequentially moved in response to the user's puffing action, thereby providing a user experience similar to the actual act of smoking a cigarette.

Next, the control unit 300 determines whether the heating cycle has completed up to the heating unit at the end position (for example, the seventh heating unit at the top) (s140), and when it is detected that the heating unit at the ending position has completed the heat generation, It includes a step (s150) of stopping the operation of the aerosol generating device (1) including all heating parts. In this series of controls, it is preferable that the control unit 300 controls each heating unit to alternately generate heat in a single direction from the heating unit at the start position to the heating unit at the end position. As a result, most of the aerosol-forming substrate contained in the aerosol carrying portion (T) of the aerosol-forming substrate 10 can be converted into aerosol.

Figure 8 is a flowchart showing a control method of the aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention performed by the control unit 300 described above. This embodiment is different from the embodiment of FIG. 7 in that the step (s120) of detecting the user's puff is replaced with a step (s220) of determining the elapsed usage time. Rather than determining the usage cycle of the aerosol generating device 1 based on the user's puff action through the puff sensor 500, the usage cycle is determined based on the time elapsed after starting to heat the aerosol-forming substrate 10 as in step s220. This operates the next heating unit (s230). That is, the control unit 300 continuously determines whether a predetermined time interval (threshold) has elapsed, and when it is determined that the predetermined time interval (threshold) has elapsed, it stops operating the current heating unit and operates the next heating unit alternately. Additionally, this is repeated to control the plurality of heating units 210a to 210g to sequentially generate heat throughout the entire use cycle of the aerosol generating device 1. This control sequentially moves the heating portion (heating portion) of the heater 200 in proportion to the elapsed time after the start of heating of the aerosol-forming substrate 10, and uniformly distributes the aerosol carrying portion (T) for each corresponding portion. Allow it to heat up.

As described above, a plurality of heating units arranged in the vertical direction of the heater 200 are controlled to sequentially alternately generate heat and heat the aerosol-forming substrate 10, so that constant aerosol generation is expected throughout the use cycle of the aerosol generating device. You can. By generating heat in a smaller area of the heater rather than heating the entire heater 200, the efficiency of the heater can be increased and the heating time can be shortened, while the entire area of the aerosol carrying portion (T) of the aerosol forming substrate 10 can be heated evenly. .

The present invention is not limited to the specific preferred embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made by anyone skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the invention as claimed in the claims. Of course, such changes are within the scope of the claims.

1: Aerosol generating device 10: Aerosol forming substrate
110: Case 120: Cigarette receiving portion
200: Heater 210a ~ 210g: Heating part
300: Control unit 400: Battery
500: Puff sensor

Claims (11)

In the portable aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol by heating the aerosol-forming substrate when inserted,
a heater for heating the inserted aerosol-forming substrate; and
It includes at least a control unit for controlling the heater,
The heater includes a plurality of heating parts, which are areas that actively generate heat, and the heat generation of each heating part can be individually controlled by a control unit. According to paragraph 1,
The heater is an aerosol generating device in the form of a long, hollow pipe that surrounds and heats the outer circumference of the aerosol-forming substrate accommodated inside the heater. According to paragraph 2,
An aerosol generating device, characterized in that the heating portion of the heater is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the heater. According to paragraph 3,
An aerosol generating device, wherein the control unit controls each heating unit to sequentially generate heat in a single direction from the heating unit at the starting position to the heating unit at the ending position in response to the usage cycle of the aerosol generating device. According to paragraph 4,
It further includes a puff sensor that detects the user's puff behavior,
An aerosol generating device, wherein the control unit determines the use cycle of the aerosol generating device based on the user's puff behavior detected by the puff sensor. According to paragraph 4,
An aerosol generating device, wherein the control unit determines the use cycle of the aerosol generating device based on the elapsed time after the start of heating. According to paragraph 1,
An aerosol generating device, wherein the control unit controls the heating temperatures of at least two of the plurality of heating units to be different from each other. According to paragraph 1,
An aerosol generating device characterized in that the heating part is formed in a fine heating pattern. According to paragraph 1,
An aerosol generating device, wherein each heating unit includes an independent power supply terminal. According to paragraph 4,
An aerosol generating device characterized in that the starting position is a heating unit located at the bottom among a plurality of heating units, and the ending position is a heating unit located at the top. According to paragraph 4,
An aerosol generating device characterized in that the starting position is a heating unit located at the bottom among a plurality of heating units, and the ending position is a heating unit located at the top.