RU2773334C1 - Cigarette and cigarette aerosol generator - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: smoking appliances.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to smoking appliances. The cigarette contains a tobacco rod, a front plug located at the front end of the tobacco rod, a filter rod located at the rear end of the tobacco rod, and an electromagnetic inductor located in the front plug. A device for generating an aerosol for a cigarette is also disclosed.

EFFECT: ensuring user safety and improving the taste of smoking.

11 cl, 6 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

One or more embodiments of this invention relate to a cigarette and a device for generating an aerosol for this cigarette.

PRIOR ART

Recently, there has been an increased need for alternative ways to overcome the disadvantages of conventional cigarettes. For example, there is a growing need for a method for generating an aerosol by heating material in cigarettes to generate an aerosol instead of burning the cigarettes. In this regard, research has been actively carried out on heating-type cigarettes and heating-type aerosol generating devices.

The use of an aerosol generating device carries a safety risk. For example, a user may suffer skin burns if they accidentally turn on the heater while the cigarette is not inserted into the aerosol generating device due to inexperience, negligence, or the like. Therefore, in order to ensure the safety of the user, it is necessary to develop a method in which the cigarette is heated only when it is inserted into the aerosol generating device.

DISCLOSURE OF EMBODIMENTS

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

The present invention provides a cigarette and an aerosol generating device into which a cigarette is inserted, in which the aerosol generating device recognizes the inserted cigarette by an electromagnetic induction method.

The problem solved by the present invention is not limited to the above problem. A person skilled in the art will appreciate the possibility of other problems not disclosed in the description and accompanying drawings of the present application.

THE SOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM

According to one aspect of the present invention, the cigarette includes: a front plug located at the front end of the tobacco rod; a filter rod located at the rear end of the tobacco rod; and an electromagnetic inductor located in the front plug.

The electromagnetic inductor may be a thin film surrounding at least a portion of the front plug.

In addition, the cigarette contains a wrapper surrounding the front plug, and the electromagnetic inductor can be a thin film, one of the surfaces of which overlaps the inner surface of the wrapper and faces it.

The cigarette includes a first wrapper surrounding the front plug and a fifth wrapper surrounding the first wrapper, and the electromagnetic inductor may be a thin film located between the first and fifth wrappers.

The electromagnetic inductor may comprise at least one of an electrically conductive metal, a magnetic ink, and a magnetic tape.

The electromagnetic inductor may also contain at least one of aluminum (Al) and graphite.

The length of the electromagnetic inductor may be 6 mm or more and less than 9 mm in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette.

The electromagnetic inductor may be a thin film of 6 µm or more and less than 7 µm.

When placed in the aerosol generating device, the tobacco rod may be surrounded by a heater capable of heating the tobacco rod, and the front plug may be positioned adjacent to a detector containing a coil capable of detecting an electromagnetic inductor.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generating device comprises: a housing; a heater configured to heat a cigarette comprising a tobacco rod, a filter rod, a front plug located at the front end of the tobacco rod, and an electromagnetic inductor located in the front plug; a detector containing a coil and configured to detect a change in the characteristics of the current flowing through the coil and generated by electromagnetic induction caused by the electromagnetic inductor when the cigarette is placed in the case; and a controller configured to control the heater and determine the insertion state of the cigarette based on a change in characteristics of the current sensed by the detector.

In addition, the aerosol generating device may vaporize the liquid aerosol generating composition and may also include a vaporizer for delivering the aerosol into the cigarette through the front plug.

Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those listed. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the characteristics disclosed herein and the accompanying drawings of the present invention.

BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

In an exemplary embodiment, user safety may be ensured by actuating the heater while the cigarette is inserted into the aerosol generating device.

In an exemplary embodiment, by detecting the type of cigarette inserted and heating the specific cigarette, the safety of the user can be ensured and the taste of smoking can be improved.

Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those listed. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the characteristics disclosed herein and the accompanying drawings of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cigarette in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cigarette in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 and 4 are block diagrams illustrating exemplary embodiments of an aerosol generating device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an aerosol generating device into which a cigarette is inserted.

FIG. 6 is a graph of the characteristics of the current recognized by the aerosol generating device depending on the insertion state of the cigarette.

THE BEST OPTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, the cigarette contains: a tobacco rod; a front plug adjacent to the front end of the tobacco rod; a filter rod adjacent to the rear end of the tobacco rod; and an electromagnetic inductor located in the front plug.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generating device comprises: a housing; a heater for heating a cigarette comprising a tobacco rod, a filter rod, a front plug adjacent to the front end of the tobacco rod, and an electromagnetic inductor located in the front plug; a detector comprising a coil and recognizing changes in the characteristics of the current flowing through the coil and generated by electromagnetic induction caused by the electromagnetic inductor when the cigarette is placed in the case; and a controller capable of controlling the operation of the heater and determining the insertion state of the cigarette based on the change in characteristics of the current sensed by the detector.

DISCLOSURE FEATURES

With respect to the terms in the various embodiments, the general terms currently widely used are selected based on the functions of the building blocks in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, the meanings of terms may change according to intent, court precedent, new technology, etc. In addition, in some cases a term may be chosen that is not commonly used. In such a case, the meaning of the term will be detailed in the relevant part of this disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in the various embodiments of the present invention should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the descriptions provided herein.

In addition, unless expressly stated to the contrary, the word "comprise" and its forms such as "comprises" or "comprising" will be understood to mean the inclusion of said elements within something, but not the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms "block", "part" and "module" disclosed in the description mean blocks for processing at least one function and / or operation, and they can be implemented by hardware components or software components, as well as combinations thereof.

In the following, the present invention will be explained more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present invention are depicted in such a way that it is easy for a person skilled in the art to understand the present invention. However, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

In the disclosure, the aerosol generating device may be an aerosol generating device by using an aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol that the user can inhale directly into the lungs through the mouth. For example, the aerosol generating device may include a holder.

For the purposes of the disclosure, "puff" refers to inhalation by the user, and "inhalation" refers to the situation in which an aerosol is drawn into the mouth, nasal cavity, or lungs of the user through the user's mouth or nose.

In the following, the present invention will be explained more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present invention are depicted in such a way that it is easy for a person skilled in the art to understand the present invention. However, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

Below in the text will be disclosed in detail some embodiments of the proposed invention with reference to the attached Figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cigarette in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a cigarette 300 may include a tobacco rod 31, a filter rod 32, a front plug 33, and an electromagnetic inductor 380.

The tobacco rod 31 contains a tobacco substance and an aerosol generating material. The tobacco substance may include tobacco.

The filter rod 32 may cool the aerosol or filter out a certain substance in the aerosol.

The front plug 33 may be located on one side of the tobacco rod 31 opposite the filter rod 32. The front plug 33 can prevent the tobacco rod 31 from falling out of the cigarette 300 and the liquefied aerosol from entering the aerosol generating device 100 shown in FIG. 1-3 from tobacco rod 31 while smoking.

Cigarette 300 may be wrapped in at least one wrapper 35.

The cigarette 300 may include an electromagnetic inductor 380. The electromagnetic inductor 380 may be recognized by the detector 160 of the aerosol generating device 100 based on electromagnetic induction.

The electromagnetic inductor 380 may include a conductor capable of inducing an eddy current, a magnetic body capable of generating a change in magnetic flux, and the like. For example, the electromagnetic inductor 380 may include an electrically conductive metallic material, magnetic ink, magnetic tape, and the like. The electromagnetic inductor 380 may comprise aluminum (Al) foil or graphite. In addition, the electromagnetic inductor 380 may contain, in particular, any substances that can be detected by a change in the magnetic flux in the detector coil 160.

The electromagnetic inductor 380 may be located at various positions within the cigarette 300.

For example, the electromagnetic inductor 380 may be located in a region corresponding to the front plug 33. In this case, since the cigarette 300 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 100 in the direction in which the front plug 33 faces the aerosol generating device 100, the electromagnetic inductor 380 may be introduced into the aerosol generating device 100 immediately after the introduction of the cigarette 300 into the aerosol generating device 100 has begun. The detector 160 can timely recognize the insertion of the cigarette 300 by detecting the proximity of the electromagnetic inductor 380.

Since the front plug 33 separates from the aerosol generating device 100 no later than the separation of the cigarette 300 from the aerosol generating device 100, the detector 160 can detect the complete separation of the cigarette 300 by recognizing the separation of the electromagnetic inductor 380.

For example, the electromagnetic inductor 380 may include a metal foil. Electromagnetic inductor 380 may wholly or partially wrap the contents of cigarette 300 around the circumference of cigarette 300. Electromagnetic inductor 380 may be surrounded by wrapper 35 such that one surface of the metal foil overlaps and faces the inner surface of wrapper 35.

The length of the electromagnetic inductor 380 in the axial direction of the cigarette 300 may be 6 to 9 mm. More specifically, the length of the electromagnetic inductor 380 in the axial direction of the cigarette 300 may be 7 mm.

For example, electromagnetic inductor 380 may be aluminum foil 6 to 7 microns thick. More precisely, the thickness of the electromagnetic inductor 380 may be 6.3 microns.

The diameter of the cigarette 300 may be between 5 and 9 mm and the length of the cigarette 300 may be about 48 mm. However, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those listed. For example, the front plug 33 may be about 7 mm long, the tobacco rod 31 about 15 mm long, the first segment 321 about 12 mm long, and the second segment 322 about 14 mm long. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those listed.

For example, the aerosol generating material may, among other things, contain at least one of the following components: glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. In addition, the tobacco rod 31 may contain other additives, such as flavorings, wetting agents and/or organic acids. In addition, the tobacco rod 31 may contain a flavored liquid, such as menthol or a humectant, injected into the tobacco rod 31.

The tobacco rod 31 can be made in various shapes. For example, tobacco rod 31 may be formed into a sheet or strand. In addition, the tobacco rod 31 may be formed into a tobacco pipe made up of tiny pieces cut from a tobacco leaf. In addition, the tobacco rod 31 may be surrounded by a thermally conductive material. For example, the heat transfer material may be a cellulose acetate filter. The filter rod 220 may be of any shape. For example, the filter rod 32 may be in the form of a cylinder or a hollow tube. In addition, the filter rod 32 may include a recessed rod. If the filter rod 32 contains several segments, at least one of the segments may have a different shape.

The filter rod 220 may be of any shape.

For example, the filter rod 220 may be in the form of a cylinder or a hollow tube.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cigarette in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The above descriptions with reference to FIG. 1 may refer to the cigarette 300 described with reference to FIG. 2. Therefore, for FIG. 2, only those descriptions will be given that complement the descriptions of the cigarette 300 of FIG. one.

The filter rod 32 may include one or more segments. For example, the filter rod 32 may include a first segment 321 configured to cool the aerosol and a second segment 322 configured to filter a specific component contained in the aerosol.

The first segment 321 of the filter rod 32 can cool the aerosol generated by the heater 130 heating the tobacco rod 31. Thus, the user can inhale the aerosol cooled to a suitable temperature.

The length or diameter of the first segment 321 may depend on the shape of the cigarette 300. For example, the length of the first segment 321 may be in particular 7 to 20 mm. Preferably, the length of the first section 321 is 12 mm or 14 mm. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those listed.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first segment 321 of the filter rod 32 may comprise a cellulose acetate filter. In addition, the first segment 321 can be made by inserting into its interior (eg cavity) a structure, such as a film, tube or other element of the same or different material.

For example, the first segment 321 may be in the form of a tube with a cavity inside. When the heater 130 is inserted through the first segment 321, substances contained in the tobacco rod 31 can be prevented from being pushed back, which can cause the aerosol to cool. The cavity diameter of the first segment 321 may in particular be between 2 and 4.5 mm. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those listed.

In another exemplary embodiment, the first segment 321 may be made by weaving a polymer fiber. In this case, a flavored liquid can be applied to the polymer fiber. Alternatively, the first segment 321 may be made by weaving a separate fiber, which is coated with a flavored liquid, with a polymer fiber. Alternatively, the first segment 321 may be made from a corrugated polymer sheet. This allows you to increase the surface area that comes into contact with the aerosol. As a result, the cooling effect of the aerosol by the cooling structure can be further improved.

For example, the polymer may be made from a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactide (PLA), cellulose acetate (CA), aluminum foil.

Since the first segment 321 is formed by a woven polymer fiber or a corrugated polymer sheet, the first segment 321 may include one or more channels extending in the longitudinal direction. In this case, a channel is understood to mean a passage through which a gas (for example, air or aerosol) flows.

The first segment 321 may contain a thread containing a volatile aromatic ingredient. The volatile aromatic ingredient may contain menthol. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those listed.

The second segment 322 of the filter rod 32 may comprise a cellulose acetate filter. The length of the second segment 322 may be from 4 to 20 mm. For example, the length of the second segment 322 may be, in particular, about 14 mm or 12 mm. However, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those listed.

The second segment 322 may be made from cellulose acetate.

The second segment 322 can be made by spraying a scented liquid onto the second segment 322 to generate a fragrance. Alternatively, a separate fiber can be inserted into the second segment 322 to which the flavored liquid has been applied. The aerosol produced from the tobacco rod 31 is cooled as it passes through the first segment 321, and the cooled aerosol is delivered to the user through the second segment 322. Therefore, when flavoring is added to the second segment 322, the flavor delivered to the user may be perceived for a long time.

The wrapper 35 is further disclosed in detail.

The wrapper 35 may comprise multiple wrappers, respectively, surrounding the segments.

For example, the front plug 33 may be wrapped in a first wrap 351, the tobacco rod 31 in a second wrap 352, the first segment 321 in a third wrap 353, and the second segment 322 in a fourth wrap 354. Finally, the cigarette assembly 300 may be wrapped in the fifth wrapper 355.

The first wrap 351 may comprise a metal foil, such as aluminum foil, in combination with a conventional end cap wrapping paper.

The second wrapper 352 and the third wrapper 353 may be made of end cap wrapping paper. For example, the second wrap 352 and the third wrap 353 may comprise a porous wrap or a non-porous wrap.

Shell 35 may have at least one perforation 36. External air may enter cigarette 300 through perforations 36 provided in shell 35.

The number of perforation holes 36 can vary from 3 to 10, while the perforation holes 36 can be located at an equal distance from each other or at different distances from each other according to the scheme.

The electromagnetic inductor 380 may be surrounded by the first wrap 351 such that one surface of the metal foil facing the inner surface of the first wrap 351 is overlapped. the fifth wrap 355. The wrap 35 can prevent damage to the electromagnetic inductor 380 by foreign materials.

The electromagnetic inductor 380 may have one end in contact with the first wrap 351 surrounding the front plug 33 and the other end in contact with the second wrap 352 surrounding the tobacco rod 31. Alternatively, the other end of the electromagnetic inductor 380 may be in contact with the third wrap 353 surrounding filter rod 32.

FIG. 3 and 4 are block diagrams illustrating exemplary embodiments of an aerosol generating device.

As shown in FIG. 3, the aerosol generating device 100 may include a housing 110, a heater 130, a detector 160, a battery 150, and a controller 140. The cigarette 300 may include an electromagnetic inductor 380. The cigarette 300 may be inserted into the interior of the aerosol generating device 100.

FIG. 3 and 4 show the components of the aerosol generating device 100 that are related to the present embodiment. Thus, one skilled in the art will appreciate that other general purpose components may be included in the aerosol generating device 100 in addition to those shown in FIG. 3 and 4.

FIG. 3 shows that battery 150, controller 140, and heater 130 are arranged in series. In addition, in FIG. 3 shows that accumulator 150, controller 140, evaporator 170, and heater 130 are arranged in series. In addition, in FIG. 4 shows that evaporator 170 and heater 130 are arranged in parallel. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 100 is not limited to those shown in FIG. 3 and 4. In other words, according to the structure of the aerosol generating device 100, the location of the accumulator 150, the controller 140, the heater 130, and the evaporator 170 can be changed.

When the cigarette 300 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 100, the aerosol generating device 100 may operate the heater 130 and/or the vaporizer 170 to generate an aerosol from the cigarette 300 and/or the vaporizer 170. The aerosol produced in the heater 130 and/or vaporizer 170 is delivered to the user via cigarette 300.

If necessary, even if the cigarette 300 is not inserted into the aerosol generating device 100, the aerosol generating device 100 can heat the heater 130.

The housing 110 is included in the outer part of the device 100 for generating aerosol and contains various components, protecting them.

The heater 130 is heated by the electrical energy supplied by the battery 150, which allows the aerosol generating material to be heated and evaporated. In this case, the heater 130 is not limited to the example disclosed above and may be any heater capable of heating to the desired temperature. In this case, the desired temperature may be set in the aerosol generating device 100 or set by the user.

When the cigarette 300 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 100, the heater 130 may be positioned inside or outside the cigarette 300 to heat the aerosol generating material.

Heater 130 may include an electrical resistance heater. For example, heater 130 may be a conductive path, and heater 130 may be heated when an electrical current flows through the conductive path.

In another example, heater 130 may be an induction heater. In particular, the heater 130 may be an electrically conductive coil 260 for inductively heating a cigarette, and the cigarette 300 may include a current collector that can be heated by the induction heater.

The heater 130 may take various forms. For example, heater 130 may be a tubular, plate, needle, or rod heating element. Heater 130 may heat cigarette 300 internally or externally, depending on the shape of the heating element.

Although in FIG. 3 and 4 show one heater 130, the embodiments are not limited to this embodiment. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may contain multiple heaters 130. If the cigarette 300 contains aerosol generating material, then the heater 130 may be inserted into the cigarette 300 or worn over the cigarette 300. Alternatively, some of the heaters 130 may be located inside 300 cigarettes, and others on the outside of 300 cigarettes.

The detector 160 can recognize the state of insertion of the cigarette 300 into the aerosol generating device 100. The detector 160 may include an inductor. When the cigarette 300 is inserted into or removed from the housing 110, electromagnetic induction may occur between the coil and the electromagnetic inductor 380. In this case, the detector 160 can detect a change in the characteristics of the current flowing through the coil and generated by electromagnetic induction.

Single detector 160 is shown in FIG. 3 and 4. However, in one embodiment, two or more detectors 160 may be provided.

The detectors 160 can recognize the mounting state of the cigarette 300 from various positions. Multiple detectors 160 may be located separately from each other vertically.

Eddy current may be induced by detector 160 and flow within electromagnetic inductor 380. Detector 160 may sense an eddy current induced in detector coil 160 by electromagnetic inductor 380.

The detector 160 can recognize the change in various characteristics of the current using electromagnetic induction. For example, the current characteristics may include the amount of current flowing through the coil, the amount of frequency in the case of alternating current, the amount of voltage, the amount of inductance of the coil, which is changed by the current in accordance with mutual induction, the quality factor of the coil, the equivalent resistance, the amount of impedance, and other parameters. To this end, detector 160, including detector 160, may further comprise a frequency meter, a rectifier, an amplifier, an oscillatory circuit that generates electrical vibrations, and other components.

The detector 160 can detect the change in characteristics of the current flowing through the coil under the influence of electromagnetic induction in various ways. In one embodiment, an alternating current may be applied to the coil capable of inducing an eddy current within the electromagnetic inductor 380. The eddy current flowing through the electromagnetic inductor 380 may cause the current flowing through the coil to change further by mutual induction with the coil. Detector 160, including detector 160, can detect such a change in the current flowing through the coil.

In another exemplary embodiment, the detector 160 may include a transmitter coil through which an alternating current flows and induces an eddy current within the electromagnetic inductor 380, and a detector coil sensing the eddy current flowing through the electromagnetic inductor 380. In this case, the transmitter coil and the detector coil may be placed vertically to minimize interference between the transmitter coil and the detector coil. The detector 160 may recognize the mutual induction between the coil and the electromagnetic inductor 380 in various ways. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those listed.

The detection by the detector 160 of a change in current characteristics due to electromagnetic induction may involve not only direct current measurement with an ammeter, but also indirect current detection. For example, one of skill in the art would appreciate that detector 160 can sense a change in current by measuring the induced electromotive force induced in the coil in the form of a voltage.

As shown in FIG. 4, the aerosol generating device may further comprise an evaporator.

The vaporizer 170 may generate an aerosol by heating the liquid mixture, after which the resulting aerosol may be delivered to the user through the cigarette 300. In other words, the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 170 may move along the air passage of the aerosol generating device 100, which may be configured to deliver the aerosol. generated by the vaporizer 170 to the user through the cigarette 300. The vaporizer 170 can generate an aerosol by heating the liquid composition and divert the aerosol towards the cigarette 300 so that the aerosol passes through the cigarette 300 inserted into the cigarette compartment.

For example, the evaporator 170 may include, among other things, a liquid storage element, a liquid supply element, and a heating element. For example, the liquid accumulator, the liquid supply element, and the heating element may be included in the aerosol generating apparatus 100 as independent modules.

The liquid store can store the liquid mixture. For example, the liquid mixture may be a liquid containing a tobacco material that includes a volatile component of tobacco flavor, or a liquid containing another component (without tobacco). The liquid accumulator may be detachable from the vaporizer 170 or integral with the vaporizer 170.

For example, the liquid formulation may contain water, solvents, ethanol, herbal extracts, spices, flavors, or vitamin blends. The spices may contain, but are not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit flavored ingredients. Flavors may include ingredients capable of imparting various aromas or flavors to the user. Vitamin mixtures may be, among other things, a mixture of at least vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C or vitamin E. In addition, the liquid composition may also contain an aerosol generating agent, such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

The liquid supply element is capable of moving the liquid mixture from the liquid reservoir to the heating element. For example, the liquid supply element may be, among other things, a wick, among other things, cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber or porous ceramic.

The heating element is an element for heating the liquid mixture supplied by the liquid supply element. For example, the heating element may be, but is not limited to, a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate, a ceramic heater, or the like. In addition, the heating element may include a conductive thread, in particular nichrome wire, and may be wound around the liquid supply element. The heating element may be heated by the application of current and may transfer heat to the liquid mixture in contact with the heating element to heat the liquid mixture. As a result, an aerosol may be formed.

For example, vaporizer 170 may include a cartomizer or atomizer.

The battery 150 can supply power to operate the aerosol generating device 100. For example, battery 150 can provide power to heat heater 130 or operate controller 120. Battery 150 can provide power to operate detector 160. In addition, battery 150 can provide power to operate a display, sensor, or motor installed in device 100. to generate aerosol.

In an exemplary embodiment, battery 150 may be electrically coupled to an adapter, and DC supplied by battery 150 may be converted to AC and output to the adapter.

The controller 140 controls all operations of the aerosol generating device 100. More precisely, the controller 140 controls not only the operation of the battery 150, the heater 130, and the detector 160, but also the operation of other components included in the device 100 for generating aerosol.

The controller 140 may control the operation of the detector 160. The controller 140 may control the frequency of the alternating current supplied to the detector 160, the amount of current, and the like.

The controller 140 can determine the proximity of the electromagnetic inductor 380 to the coil based on the change in the current flowing through the coil detected by the detector 160. In other words, the controller 140 can determine whether the cover 120 containing the electromagnetic inductor 380 is connected to or separated from the housing 110.

Controller 140 may be at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic elements, or may be implemented as a combination of a general purpose microprocessor and a memory that stores a program executable on the microprocessor. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the processor may be implemented using other types of hardware.

Aerosol generating device 100 may further comprise general purpose components in addition to battery 150, heater 130, detector 160, and controller 140. For example, aerosol generating device 100 may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting tactile information. , charging terminal for charging the battery 150 and other similar components. The motor may, for example, vibrate to indicate that the heating of the heater 130 has been completed. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 includes an LED, and by means of the LED may indicate the operating status of the heater 130.

The aerosol generating device 100 and an additional holder (not shown in the figure) may form a single system. For example, the holder can be used to charge the battery 150 of the aerosol generating device 100. Alternatively, the heater 130 may be heated when the holder and the aerosol generating device 100 are connected to each other.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an aerosol generating device into which a cigarette is inserted.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the cigarette 300 is inserted into the housing, the tobacco rod 31 may be located adjacent to the heater 130 and the front plug 300 adjacent to the detector 160. The tobacco rod 31 may be surrounded and heated by the heater 130, and the front plug 33 may be placed close to the detector 160. .

When the cigarette 300 is inserted into the housing 110, the distance between the electromagnetic inductor 380 and the detector 160 may decrease. Detector 160 can detect a change in characteristics of the current flowing through the coil and generated by an approaching electromagnetic inductor 380. Controller 140 can determine that cigarette 300 is inserted in housing 110 based on the detected change in current characteristics.

On the contrary, when the cigarette 300 is separated from the body 110, the distance between the electromagnetic inductor 380 and the detector 160 may increase, and the detector 160 may detect a change in the characteristics of the current flowing through the coil accordingly. Controller 140 may determine that cigarette 300 has been separated from housing 110 based on the detected change in current characteristics.

The aerosol generating device 100 can identify the type of cigarette 300 inserted into the housing 110. Depending on the length, position, shape, and other parameters of the electromagnetic inductor 380, the current characteristic detected by the detector 160 via the electromagnetic inductor 380 may differ. Based on the current characteristic value received from the detector 160, the controller 140 can identify the type of cigarette 300 by the length, position, shape, and other parameters of the electromagnetic inductor 380.

FIG. 6 is a graph of the characteristics of the current recognized by the aerosol generating device based on the insertion state of the cigarette.

As shown in FIG. 6, as an example of the various values of the current characteristics that can be detected by the device for generating aerosol 100, the frequency and inductance of the coil are given. The following descriptions are not limited to the frequency and inductance values, and may apply to other current characteristic parameters as long as the change in the current characteristic parameter is compared with a reference value.

Current characteristic parameters can indicate physical quantities that can be converted to each other as a result of the calculation. For example, the value of frequency can be determined by formula 1 to obtain the value of the inductance of the coil by calculation. Therefore, the measurement of one current characteristic parameter also includes the measurement of another current characteristic parameter, which can be inferred from the measured current characteristic parameter.

[Formula 1]

The inductance L of the coil can be calculated using formula 1. Fsen is the frequency of the current flowing through the coil, and C is the capacitance of the coil. The capacitance C of the coil can take into account the capacitance of the coil itself and the parasitic capacitance.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the controller 140 may set a minimum frequency reference (f1, min) and a maximum frequency reference (f1, max). When the frequency value of the signal measured by the detector 160 is greater than or equal to the minimum frequency reference value (f1, min) and less than the maximum frequency reference value (f1, max), the controller 140 may determine that the cigarette 300 is in the installation state, or that a cigarette is inserted. 300 of a certain type.

For example, when the detector 160 detects the signal A0, since the frequency value f0 is less than the minimum frequency reference value (f1, min), the controller 140 may determine that the cigarette 300 is not inserted.

The minimum frequency reference (f1, min) and the maximum frequency reference (f1, max) can be set in consideration of the base signal generated by the current supplied to the coil by the controller 140, which is affected by the metal material of the housing 110 and the like. Since the base signal can continuously affect the detector 160 regardless of the insertion state of the cigarette 300, the controller 140 can identify the insertion state of the cigarette 300 and the types of inserted cigarette 300 considering the effect of the base signal.

The minimum frequency reference (f1, min) may be set to a value greater than or equal to the frequency of the base signal and less than the frequency of the signal detected when the cigarette 300 was inserted.

In the example disclosed above, the frequency value of the signal detected when the cigarette 300 is inserted is higher than the frequency value of the base signal. However, in another exemplary embodiment, depending on the shape and arrangement of the detector 160 and electromagnetic inductor 380, the frequency value of the signal measured when the cigarette 300 is inserted may be less than the frequency value of the base signal.

As shown in FIG. 6B, controller 140 may set a minimum inductance reference (L1, min) and a maximum inductance reference (L1, max).

The inductance value can be derived from the frequency value by calculation. The value of the inductance may change depending on the proximity of the electromagnetic inductor 380 and may tend to change in the opposite direction with respect to the change in the frequency value. For example, as the electromagnetic inductor 380 approaches, the inductance value may decrease while the frequency value may increase.

When the coil inductance value L1, which varies according to the signal B1 measured by the detector 160, is greater than or equal to the minimum inductance reference value (L1, min) and less than the maximum inductance reference value (L1, max), the controller 140 may determine that the cigarette 300 is in the installation state, or that a certain type of cigarette 300 is inserted.

In addition, when the detector 160 detects the B0 signal, since the inductance value L0 changing in accordance with the B0 signal is greater than or equal to the maximum inductance reference value (L1, max), the controller 140 may determine that the cigarette 300 is not inserted.

The minimum inductance reference value (L1, min) and the maximum inductance reference value (L1, max) can be set based on the base signal generated by the current supplied to the coil by the controller 140, which is affected by the metal material of the housing 110 and the like.

Unlike the example disclosed above, depending on the shape and arrangement of detector 160 and electromagnetic inductor 380, the amount of inductance may increase as electromagnetic inductor 380 approaches.

The descriptions of the exemplary embodiments disclosed above are provided by way of example only, and the possibility of making various changes and use of equivalents will be obvious to a person skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the invention shall be defined by the appended claims, and all differences in scope equivalent to those disclosed in the claims will be interpreted as being included within the scope of the claims.

Claims (21)

1. Cigarette containing: tobacco rod; a front plug located at the front end of the tobacco rod; a filter rod located at the rear end of the tobacco rod; and electromagnetic inductor located in the front plug. 2. The cigarette of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic inductor is a thin film surrounding at least a portion of the front plug. 3. The cigarette according to claim 1, further comprising a wrapper surrounding the front plug, in which the electromagnetic inductor is a thin film, one of the surfaces of which overlaps the inner surface of the wrapper and faces it. 4. The cigarette according to claim 1, further comprising a first wrapper surrounding the front plug and a fifth wrapper surrounding the first wrapper, in which the electromagnetic inductor is a thin film placed between the first wrap and the fifth wrap. 5. The cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic inductor comprises at least one of an electrically conductive metal, magnetic ink, and magnetic tape. 6. The cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic inductor comprises at least one of aluminum (Al) and graphite. 7. The cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the length of the electromagnetic inductor is 6 mm or more and less than 9 mm in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette. 8. The cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic inductor is a thin film with a thickness of 6 µm or more and less than 7 µm. 9. The cigarette according to claim 1, wherein when the cigarette is placed in the aerosol generating device, the tobacco rod is surrounded by a heater capable of heating the tobacco rod, and the front plug is located next to a detector containing a coil capable of recognizing an electromagnetic inductor. 10. An aerosol generating device, comprising: frame; a heater configured to heat a cigarette comprising a tobacco rod, a filter rod, a front plug located at the front end of the tobacco rod, and an electromagnetic inductor located in the front plug; a detector comprising a coil and configured to detect a change in the characteristics of the current flowing through the coil and generated by electromagnetic induction caused by the electromagnetic inductor when the cigarette is inserted into the body; and a controller configured to control the heater and determine the insertion state of the cigarette based on a change in characteristics of the current detected by the detector. 11. The aerosol generating device of claim 10, further comprising a vaporizer configured to vaporize the liquid aerosol generating composition and deliver the aerosol to the inside of the cigarette through the front plug.

Images