KR20240044756A - Aerosol generating device displaying physical state - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device displaying a physical state as an embodiment includes an insertion space into which an aerosol-forming article or an aerosol-forming base cartridge is inserted, a case formed with an airflow path communicating the insertion space and an external space, and an aerosol-forming article mounted on the case and inserted into the case. A heating unit that generates an aerosol by heating the first heating space that is part of the inserted space or the second heating space supplied with the aerosol-forming substrate in the aerosol-forming substrate cartridge, and a processor that is mounted on the airflow path to detect pressure and calculate the pressure value. a pressure sensor that applies pressure to the first or second heating space or the temperature of the heating unit and applies the temperature detection value to the processor, a display unit that receives notification information from the processor and visually displays it, and a temperature profile. Accordingly, it controls the heating operation of the heating unit to perform an aerosol generating function, and includes a processor that applies notification information corresponding to the physical state related to the applied pressure value or temperature detection value to the display unit.

Description

AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE DISPLAYING PHYSICAL STATE}

The embodiment relates to an aerosol-generating device, and particularly to an aerosol-generating device that displays a physical state related to the operation of the aerosol-generating device so that a user can easily recognize the physical state.

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-generating products. For example, in response to the needs 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.

The aerosol generating device according to the prior art is provided with a cavity into which a cigarette-type aerosol-generating article is inserted. For example, a pipe-shaped heater is installed on the outer periphery of the cavity to generate aerosol by heating the cigarette-type aerosol-generating article inserted into the aerosol generating device. is provided. Additionally, the aerosol generating device includes a battery for supplying power to the heater, and a control unit configured to control power supplied from the battery to the heater. In the above-described prior art, power is supplied to the heater from the battery under the control of the control unit, and the cigarette-type aerosol-generating article is heated by the heat generated from the heater, thereby generating aerosol from the aerosol-generating substrate in the cigarette-type aerosol-generating article.

The purpose of the embodiment is to provide an aerosol generating device that displays a physical state related to the operation of the aerosol generating device so that the user can easily recognize the physical state.

An aerosol-generating device displaying a physical state as an embodiment includes an insertion space into which an aerosol-forming article or an aerosol-forming base cartridge is inserted, a case formed with an airflow path communicating the insertion space and an external space, and an aerosol-forming article mounted on the case and inserted into the case. A heating unit that generates an aerosol by heating the first heating space that is part of the inserted space or the second heating space supplied with the aerosol-forming substrate in the aerosol-forming substrate cartridge, and a processor that is mounted on the airflow path to detect pressure and calculate the pressure value. a pressure sensor that applies a pressure sensor to the processor, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the first or second heating space or the heating unit, and applies the temperature detection value to the processor; It receives notification information from the processor and visually displays it, performs an aerosol generation function by controlling the heating operation of the heating unit according to the temperature profile, and provides notification information corresponding to the physical state related to the applied pressure value or temperature detection value. It includes a processor that applies to the display unit.

In addition, the processor preferably stores notification information including different colors or brightness corresponding to the temperature detection value, reads the notification information according to the applied temperature detection value, and displays it on the display unit.

Additionally, it is desirable for the notification information to have an area corresponding to each high and low temperature.

Additionally, the processor preferably stores notification information including different colors corresponding to the size or change in pressure value, reads the notification information, and displays it on the display.

In addition, the processor stores notification information including different colors or brightness corresponding to the size of the suction amount, calculates the user's suction amount based on the applied temperature detection value and pressure value, and provides notification information corresponding to the calculated suction amount. It is desirable to display it on the display.

The embodiment has the effect of displaying the physical state related to the operation of the aerosol generating device so that the user can intuitively recognize it using notification information including color or brightness. In addition, the embodiment has the effect of providing a feeling of use and convenience similar to the beginning of the year by allowing the change in temperature or puffing pressure of the aerosol-forming article to be confirmed in a visual manner.

1 is a control configuration diagram of an aerosol generating device displaying a physical state of an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an example of display figures according to physical state (temperature) displayed on the display unit of FIG. 1.
Figure 3 is an example of a display figure according to the physical state (magnitude of pressure) displayed on the display unit of Figure 1.
FIG. 4 is an example of a display figure according to the physical state (emission amount or intake amount) displayed on the display unit of FIG. 1.

Hereinafter, embodiments are described in detail through the drawings. However, this is not intended to be limiting to specific embodiments, and the described embodiments should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, and/or alternatives of the embodiments. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numbers may be used for similar components.

In this document, expressions such as “have,” “may have,” “includes,” or “may include” refer to the existence of the corresponding feature (e.g., a numerical value, function, operation, or component such as a part). , and does not rule out the existence of additional features.

In this document, expressions such as “A or B,” “at least one of A or/and B,” or “one or more of A or/and B” may include all possible combinations of the items listed together. . For example, “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, or “at least one of A or B” (1) includes at least one A, (2) includes at least one B, or (3) it may refer to all cases including both at least one A and at least one B.

As used herein, expressions such as "first", "second", "first", or "second" may describe various elements in any order and/or importance, and may refer to one element as another. It is only used to distinguish from components and does not limit the components. For example, a first user device and a second user device may represent different user devices regardless of order or importance. For example, a first component may be renamed a second component without departing from the scope of rights described in this document, and similarly, the second component may also be renamed to the first component.

A component (e.g., a first component) is “(operatively or communicatively) coupled with/to” another component (e.g., a second component). When referred to as being “connected to,” it should be understood that any component may be directly connected to the other component or may be connected through another component (e.g., a third component). On the other hand, when a component (e.g., a first component) is said to be “directly connected” or “directly connected” to another component (e.g., a second component), It may be understood that no other component (e.g., a third component) exists between other components.

The expression “configured to” used in this document may mean, for example, “suitable for,” “having the capacity to,” or “having the capacity to.” It can be used interchangeably with ", "designed to," "adapted to," "made to," or "capable of." The term “configured (or set) to” may not necessarily mean “specifically designed to” in hardware. Instead, in some contexts, the expression “a device configured to” may mean that the device is “capable of” working with other devices or components. For example, the phrase "processor configured (or set) to perform A, B, and C" refers to a processor dedicated to performing the operations (e.g., an embedded processor), or executing one or more software programs stored on a memory device. By doing so, it may mean a general-purpose processor (eg, CPU or application processor) capable of performing the corresponding operations.

Terms used in this document are merely used to describe specific embodiments and may not be intended to limit the scope of other embodiments. Singular expressions may include plural expressions, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, may have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the technical field described in this document. Among the terms used in this document, terms defined in general dictionaries may be interpreted to have the same or similar meaning as the meaning they have in the context of related technology, and unless clearly defined in this document, they may be interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal sense. It is not interpreted. In some cases, even terms defined in this document cannot be interpreted to exclude embodiments of this document.

In an embodiment, the aerosol-forming article includes a series of layered filter portions, a cooling portion, and an aerosol-forming substrate (e.g., cutting paste, flavoring, nicotine, VG (vegetable glycerin), PG (propylene glycol), clove, etc. It includes an aerosol-forming base layer containing (a mixed material containing at least one or more substances). Additionally, the aerosol-forming article includes a filter portion, a cooling portion, and a wrapping portion surrounding the outer surface of the aerosol-forming base layer. Aerosol-forming articles include conventional electronic cigarettes, filters, and the like.

In an embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate cartridge stores or accommodates the above-described aerosol-forming substrate in a liquid or gel state in an internal receiving space. The aerosol-forming substrate cartridge is composed of a plurality of accommodating spaces that are independent from each other, and different aerosol-forming substrates may be accommodated in each of the plurality of accommodating spaces.

The aerosol generating device according to the embodiment has a case that is open at the top to form an insertion space into which an aerosol-forming article or an aerosol-forming base cartridge is inserted or separated.

The aerosol generating device is mounted on a case and includes a heating unit (e.g., film heater, graphene heater, ceramic heater, etc.) that heats the portion of the insertion space (heating space) to heat the aerosol-forming article to generate an aerosol. It is provided with a first heating device that generates heat. The first heating device includes not only a resistance-type heating unit but also a heating unit that is a susceptor and an induction heating coil, and a heating space is formed in a hollow within the susceptor.

Alternatively, the aerosol generating device receives or transfers the aerosol-forming substrate from the aerosol-forming substrate cartridge to the heating space, and includes a heating unit (e.g., ceramic heater, etc.) that is mounted in the heating space and performs heating. A second heating device may be provided to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. The second heating device may be provided with a plurality of heating units that independently heat the aerosol-forming substrate in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces provided in the aerosol-forming substrate cartridge.

The case has an airflow path that communicates the bottom or side of the insertion space and the heating space with the external space. An aerosol-forming article or an aerosol-forming substrate cartridge is inserted into or removed from the heating space and the insertion space.

1 is a control configuration diagram of an aerosol generating device displaying a physical state of an embodiment.

The control device of the aerosol generating device 1 includes an input unit 220 that obtains input from the user (e.g., power on/off, etc.) and applies it to the processor 290, and information from the processor 290 (e.g. For example, a display unit 225 that receives and displays information (related to physical state, etc.), a speaker 227 that receives an acoustic signal from the processor 290 and emits sound, and a rechargeable battery are provided to provide power. A power supply unit 230 that supplies power to the supply unit 240 and the processor 290, etc., and a power supply unit (e.g. For example, a FET, etc.) 240, a heating unit 250 that receives power from the power supply unit 240, generates heat energy by resistance heating or induction heating, and transmits or diffuses it to the heating space, and the case. A pressure sensor 260 that is mounted on the airflow path or heating space to detect pressure and apply the pressure value to the processor 290, and a processor that detects the temperature of the airflow path, heating space, or heating unit 250 and provides a temperature detection value. A temperature sensor 262 applied to 290, a communication unit 266 that performs wired or wireless communication with an electronic communication device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, etc.), and an aerosol by controlling the above-mentioned components. The aerosol generating function is performed by performing a heating operation on the aerosol-forming substrate of the forming article or the aerosol-forming substrate cartridge, and the physical state of the aerosol-generating device 1 is applied to the display unit 225 to visually and/or audibly. It is configured to include a display processor 290, etc. However, the input unit 220, display unit 225, speaker 227, power unit 230, power supply unit 240, heating unit 250, etc. are known to those skilled in the art to which this embodiment belongs. Since it corresponds to a technology that is clearly recognized by others, its detailed description is omitted. The control device of the aerosol generating device 1 is mounted on the case.

In detail, the pressure sensor 260 is mounted in the airflow path or heating space to detect pressure or changes in pressure due to the user's suction or heating of the heating unit 250, and applies the pressure value to the processor 290.

In addition, the temperature sensor 262 may directly detect the temperature of the heating unit 250 or the heating space, for example, like a thermostat, or may be a device that estimates the temperature by measuring the current applied to the heating unit 250. It may be possible.

The processor 290 controls the power supply unit 240 to perform a heating operation and a heating stop operation of the heating unit 250 to perform an aerosol generating function.

The processor 290 stores a temperature profile for controlling the temperature of the heating space or the heating unit 250. The temperature profile includes the total heating time per puff or puff, the target temperature according to the heating time, or the target temperature according to the number of puffs (inhalation). The processor 290 controls the heating operation of the heating unit 250 by controlling the power supply unit 240 according to the temperature profile. In this control process, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 262 is compared with the target temperature, and the The heating operation of the heating unit 270 is controlled according to the comparison result. The process by which the processor 290 controls the heating operation of the heating unit 250 using this temperature profile and the sensed temperature corresponds to a technique widely known to those skilled in the art to which this embodiment belongs, and therefore its description is omitted. .

Additionally, the processor 290 may be comprised of electronic and/or electrical circuits that calculate or estimate the emission or inhalation amount of aerosol during or independently of performance of the aerosol generating function.

When the user inhales, a change in pressure within the airflow path occurs, and the processor 290 can estimate acceleration from the change in pressure. The processor 290 considers the estimated acceleration or speed within the airflow path, temperature, density, component ratio of the aerosol-forming substrate, and the cross-sectional area of the airflow path, which is a mechanical characteristic of the airflow path, and determines the volumetric amount for the real-time flow rate to the human body. Estimate the amount of inhaled aerosol. In addition, the processor 290 simultaneously estimates the amount of atomization of the active ingredient (or each active ingredient) through the temperature detection value measured through the temperature sensor 262 and the ingredient ratio of the active ingredients of the aerosol-forming substrate. That is, the processor 290 can estimate the intake amount of the active ingredient per unit time or the intake amount per puff using the pressure value from the pressure sensor 260 and the temperature detection value from the temperature sensor 262.

In this embodiment, the physical state related to the operation of the aerosol generating device is the temperature (temperature detection value) of the heating unit 250 or the heating space, the pressure value from the pressure sensor 260, and the discharge or intake amount of the aerosol described above. Includes at least one of the following.

FIG. 2 is an example of display figures according to physical state (temperature) displayed on the display unit of FIG. 1.

The processor 290 controls the power supply unit 240 to perform the heating operation and stopping of the heating unit 250, and detects the temperature detection value from the temperature sensor 262 as shown in (a) or (b) of FIG. 2. Visual display is performed so that the user can intuitively recognize the temperature.

As shown in (a) of FIG. 2, the processor 290 applies notification information (color figures) with areas corresponding to high and low temperatures to the display unit 225 and displays them. A smaller color shape area indicates a relatively lower temperature, and a larger color shape area indicates a relatively higher temperature.

As shown in (b) of FIG. 2, the processor 290 stores notification information (or color shapes) containing different colors corresponding to high and low temperatures, reads the notification information, and applies it to the display unit 225. so that it is displayed. For example, a color shape that gives the feeling of low temperature, such as blue, represents a relatively low temperature, and a color figure that gives the feeling of a high temperature, such as red, represents a relatively high temperature. In this embodiment, the processor 290 stores notification information including blue-sky blue-white-orange-red, etc.

In another embodiment, the processor 290 may indicate high and low temperatures using the brightness of the display unit 225 (for example, the brightness of an LED).

Figure 3 is an example of a display shape according to the physical state (size of pressure) displayed in the display unit of Figure 1, and Figure 4 is an example of a display shape according to the physical state (discharge amount or suction amount) displayed in the display unit of Figure 1. am.

The processor 290 controls the power supply unit 240 to perform a heating operation and stop heating of the heating unit 250, while measuring the magnitude of the pressure related to the pressure value from the pressure sensor 260 as shown in FIG. 3 and/or FIG. 4. And/or perform a visual display so that the user can intuitively recognize the discharge amount (or intake amount).

Figure 3 (a) is a graph of the change in pressure due to the inhalation operation. When the user performs the inhalation operation while the processor 290 is performing the aerosol generating function, the air moves through the airflow path and the heating space. The processor 290 confirms the change in pressure due to this suction operation as a pressure value from the pressure sensor 260. This confirmed pressure or change in pressure indicates the suction strength caused by the user's suction action.

The standard pressure (P1) is maintained, and when the user starts the suction movement, the pressure is lowered to below pressure (P2) -> pressure (P3) -> pressure (P4) -> pressure (P5), and then the user's When the suction power weakens or the suction action ends, it returns to pressure (P5) -> pressure (P4) -> pressure (P3) -> pressure (P2) -> standard pressure (P1). The section where this change in pressure occurs corresponds to the puffing section (suction section).

The processor 290 stores notification information including different colors or brightness corresponding to the pressure range or pressure size (high and low) indicating the user's suction strength, and reads the notification information and displays it on the display unit 225. Approved and displayed. Notification information includes white, orange, ice blue, blue, red, etc. The processor 290 displays white notification information when the pressure is in the first pressure range (P1 to P2), orange notification information when the pressure is in the second pressure range (P2 to P3), and displays notification information in orange when the pressure is in the third pressure range. If the pressure is in the 4th pressure range (P3~P4), the notification information is in ice blue, if the pressure is in the 4th pressure range (P4~P5), the notification information is in blue, and if the pressure is in the 5th pressure range (less than P5), the notification information is in red. Notification information is displayed on the display unit 225, respectively.

In (b) of FIG. 3, the processor 9 displays notification information on the display unit 225 according to the change in pressure or the intensity of suction during the user's suction section.

FIG. 4(a) is a graph of pressure change due to an inhalation operation, similar to FIG. 3(a). When the user performs an inhalation operation while the processor 290 is performing the aerosol generating function, the airflow pass and Air moves through the heating space, and the processor 290 confirms the change in pressure due to this suction operation as a pressure value from the pressure sensor 260. As described above, the processor 290 calculates the amount of suction or discharge due to the user's suction action based on the temperature detection value and pressure value.

The processor 290 stores notification information including different colors or brightness corresponding to the size of the suction amount, calculates the suction amount as described above from the start of puffing to the end of puffing, and responds to the size of the calculated suction amount. The notification information is read and the notification information is applied to the display unit 225 to be displayed. Notification information includes white, orange, ice blue, blue, red, etc. As shown in (b) of FIG. 4, as the calculated intake amount increases, the processor 290 displays notification information in white -> orange -> ice blue -> blue -> red.

In this embodiment, the display unit 225 is formed at the bottom of the case so that the notification information can be clearly seen even when the user inhales while holding the top and middle part of the case.

The processor 290 communicates with the electronic communication device through the communication unit 266, and the electronic communication device receives user selection information including colors (user-selected colors) to be included in the notification information obtained through the provided input unit. Generated and transmitted to the aerosol generating device (1). The processor 290 may receive user selection information through the communication unit 266 and include the received user selection information in notification information. That is, the user can change the color included in the notification information.

At least a portion of the device (e.g., processor or functions thereof) or method (e.g., operations) according to various embodiments is stored in a computer-readable storage media, for example, in the form of a program module. Can be implemented as stored instructions. When the instruction is executed by a processor, the one or more processors may perform the function corresponding to the instruction. A computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, memory.

Computer-readable recording media include hard disks, floppy disks, magnetic media (e.g. magnetic tape), optical media (e.g. CD-ROM, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), magnetic media) It may include magnetic media (e.g., a floptical disk), hardware devices (e.g., ROM, RAM, or flash memory, etc.), etc. Additionally, program instructions may include strings such as those generated by the compiler. It may include not only machine language code but also high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc. The above-described hardware device may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of various embodiments, The same goes for the station.

The processor or functions provided by the processor according to various embodiments may include at least one of the above-described components, some of them may be omitted, or other additional components may be included. Operations performed by modules, program modules, or other components according to various embodiments may be executed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or in a heuristic manner. Additionally, some operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, or other operations may be added.

As explained above, it 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 claims. Of course, such changes are within the scope of the claims.

220: input unit 225: display unit

Claims (5)

a case having an insertion space into which an aerosol-forming article or an aerosol-forming base cartridge is inserted, and an airflow path communicating the insertion space and an external space;
a heating unit mounted on the case and generating an aerosol by heating the first heating space, which is part of the insertion space into which the aerosol-forming article is inserted, or the second heating space into which the aerosol-forming substrate is supplied in the aerosol-forming substrate cartridge;
a pressure sensor mounted on the airflow path to detect pressure and apply the pressure value to the processor;
a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the first or second heating space or heating unit and applies the temperature detection value to the processor;
a display unit that receives notification information from the processor and visually displays it;
A physical state comprising a processor that performs an aerosol generating function by controlling the heating operation of the heating unit according to the temperature profile and applies notification information corresponding to the physical state related to the applied pressure value or temperature detection value to the display unit. Aerosol-generating device displaying . According to claim 1,
The processor stores notification information including different colors or brightness corresponding to the temperature detection value, reads the notification information according to the applied temperature detection value, and displays it on the display. An aerosol generating device that displays the physical state. . According to claim 1,
An aerosol generating device that displays a physical state, wherein the notification information has an area corresponding to each high and low temperature. According to claim 1,
An aerosol generating device that displays a physical state, wherein the processor stores notification information including different colors corresponding to the size or change in pressure value, reads the notification information, and displays it on the display. According to claim 1,
The processor stores notification information including different colors or brightness corresponding to the size of the suction amount, calculates the user's suction amount based on the applied temperature detection value and pressure value, and sends notification information corresponding to the calculated suction amount to the display unit. An aerosol-generating device that displays a physical state, characterized in that it is displayed in .