WO2020009457A1

WO2020009457A1 - Apparatus and method for generating aerosol

Info

Publication number: WO2020009457A1
Application number: PCT/KR2019/008097
Authority: WO
Inventors: 정순환; 고동균; 양지훈; 박인수; 정은미
Original assignee: 주식회사 케이티앤지
Priority date: 2018-07-05
Filing date: 2019-07-03
Publication date: 2020-01-09
Also published as: KR102376515B1; KR20200005082A

Abstract

Provided is an aerosol generating apparatus, comprising: a heater for heating a cigarette accommodated in the aerosol generating apparatus; an air pressure sensor for measuring an air pressure inside the aerosol generating apparatus; and a control unit for calculating an air pressure altitude inside the aerosol generating apparatus on the basis of the measured air pressure, detecting a user's puff of the cigarette by comparing the calculated air pressure altitude with a threshold, and adjusting power supplied to the heater on the basis of the detected puff, wherein the threshold is determined according to the puff characteristic of the user.

Description

Aerosol Generating Apparatus and Method

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device and method.

In recent years there is a growing demand for alternative ways to overcome the shortcomings of common cigarettes. For example, there is an increasing demand for producing aerosols by heating the aerosol generating material in the cigarette rather than burning the cigarette to produce the aerosol. Accordingly, studies on heated cigarette or heated aerosol generating devices have been actively conducted.

In addition, a research on a method of controlling a temperature of a heater for heating a cigarette by detecting a user's puff with respect to a cigarette accommodated in an aerosol generating device has been conducted. Conventionally, a device that detects a puff through a sensor that measures the sound pressure generated by the air flow generated by the user's puff, and controls the temperature of the heater in a predetermined manner based on the detected puff is used Has been.

However, the conventional method of detecting puff through sound pressure is less accurate in that it may malfunction due to wind or noise around the device, and there is a problem that puff detection is delayed due to the process of distinguishing sound pressure and noise caused by puff. there was.

In addition, the method of controlling the temperature of the heater based on the conventional sensed puff is determined by the uniform criteria without considering that the intensity and duration of the puff may vary from user to user, and accordingly In terms of controlling the temperature of the heaters, aerosols could be produced in excess or excess.

In order to solve the above problems, an improved way of detecting a user's puffs for a cigarette may be required.

Various embodiments are directed to providing an aerosol generating device and method. The technical problem to be solved by the present disclosure is not limited to the technical problems as described above, and further technical problems can be inferred from the following embodiments.

As a means for solving the above technical problem, an aerosol generating device, a heater for heating a cigarette accommodated in the aerosol generating device; An air pressure sensor measuring an air pressure inside the aerosol generating device; And calculating a pressure altitude inside the aerosol-generating device based on the measured air pressure, and comparing the calculated air pressure altitude with a threshold to sense a user's puff for the cigarette, A control unit for adjusting the power supplied to the heater based on the threshold value may be determined according to the puff characteristics of the user.

The method for controlling the temperature of a heater for heating a cigarette accommodated in an aerosol-generating device includes measuring air pressure inside the aerosol-generating device; Calculating an air pressure altitude inside the aerosol-generating device based on the measured air pressure; Detecting a user's puff for the cigarette by comparing the calculated barometric altitude with a threshold; And adjusting the power supplied to the heater based on the sensed puff, wherein the threshold may be determined according to a puff characteristic of the user.

The air pressure sensor and the control unit included in the aerosol generating device according to the present disclosure may calculate the air pressure altitude and detect a user's puff for a cigarette. Since the controller may not be affected by wind or noise around the device while detecting the puff by comparing the calculated barometric altitude value with a preset threshold value, the puff is detected as compared to the conventional method of measuring the sound pressure to detect the puff. The responsiveness and reliability of can be improved.

In addition, the control unit may adjust the threshold value used for comparison with the air pressure altitude in the process of detecting the puff, puff characteristics that may be different for each user may be considered in puff detection, and the accuracy of puff detection may be increased. have. Meanwhile, the controller analyzes the puff characteristics of the user and automatically adjusts the threshold value according to the analysis result without the user's manipulation, thereby increasing the user's convenience.

1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of an aerosol generating device.

2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a holder.

3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cradle.

4A and 4B show examples of cradles.

5 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a holder is inserted into a cradle.

6 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the holder is tilted in a state where the holder is inserted into the cradle.

7 is a diagram illustrating another example of an aerosol generating device.

8A and 8B are views illustrating an example of an air pressure sensor included in an aerosol generating device.

9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a graph for explaining a process of detecting a puff by a controller included in an aerosol generating device.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a graph for explaining a process in which a controller included in an aerosol generating device detects a puff and adjusts power supplied to a heater based on the detected puff.

It is a figure explaining the method of controlling the temperature of the heater which heats the cigarette accommodated in an aerosol generating apparatus.

In the apparatus, the controller may analyze the puff characteristic including at least one of the intensity and duration of the puff and adjust the threshold based on the analyzed puff characteristic.

In the apparatus, the control unit determines the puff amount of the user based on the analyzed puff characteristics, decreases the threshold value when the puff amount increases, and increases the threshold value when the puff amount decreases. You can.

In the apparatus, the threshold includes a first threshold and a second threshold, and the controller determines that the puff is started when the barometric pressure altitude becomes less than the first threshold, and is greater than the second threshold. It may be determined that the puff is terminated when it becomes large.

In the apparatus, when the control unit determines that the puff starts, the control unit increases the power supplied to the heater in proportion to an integral value of the portion where the barometric pressure decreases, and determines that the puff ends. In this case, the power supplied to the heater may be reduced in proportion to an integral value of the portion where the barometric pressure is increased.

In the apparatus, the controller may adjust the power supplied to the heater by adjusting at least one of a frequency and a duty cycle of the current pulse supplied to the heater.

In the apparatus, the air pressure sensor includes a diaphragm and a vacuum portion that deforms as air flow is formed in the aerosol generating device, and measures the air pressure based on the degree of deformation of the diaphragm, The controller may calculate the barometric pressure altitude based on the measured barometric pressure and the average atmospheric pressure.

The terminology used in the embodiments is a general term that has been widely used as much as possible in consideration of the functions of the present invention, but may vary according to the intention or precedent of a person skilled in the art, the emergence of new technology, and the like. In addition, in certain cases, there is also a term arbitrarily selected by the applicant, in which case the meaning will be described in detail in the description of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the contents throughout the present invention, rather than the names of the simple terms.

When a part of the specification is said to "include" any component, this means that it may further include other components, except to exclude other components unless otherwise stated. In addition, the “…” described in the specification. Wealth ”,“… Module ”means a unit for processing at least one function or operation, which may be implemented in hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings will be described embodiments of the present invention;

Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol generating device 1 (hereinafter referred to as a “holder”) includes a battery 110, a controller 120, and a heater 130. In addition, the holder 1 includes an inner space formed by the case 140. A cigarette may be inserted into the inner space of the holder 1.

The holder 1 shown in FIG. 1 shows only the components related to this embodiment. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the general purpose components other than the components shown in FIG. 1 may be further included in the holder 1.

When the cigarette is inserted into the holder 1, the holder 1 heats the heater 130. The aerosol generating material in the cigarette is raised in temperature by the heated heater 130, thereby producing an aerosol. The resulting aerosol is delivered to the user through the filter of the cigarette. However, even when the cigarette is not inserted into the holder 1, for example, in order to clean the heater 130, the holder 1 may heat the heater 130.

The case 140 may be moved between the first position and the second position. For example, when the case 140 is in the first position, the user can insert a cigarette into the holder 1 to inhale the aerosol. On the other hand, when the case 140 is in the second position, the user can remove (separate) the cigarette from the holder 1. As the user pushes or pulls the case 140, the case 140 may be moved between the first position and the second position. In addition, the case 140 may be completely separated from the holder 1 by a user's manipulation.

In addition, the diameter of the hole formed by the end 141 of the case 140 may be made smaller than the diameter of the space formed by the case 140 and the heater 130, in this case is inserted into the holder (1) Can serve as a guide to cigarettes.

The battery 110 supplies the power used to operate the holder 1. For example, the battery 110 may supply power so that the heater 130 may be heated, and may supply power necessary for the control unit 120 to operate. In addition, the battery 110 may supply power required to operate a display, a sensor, a motor, etc. installed in the holder 1.

The battery 110 may be a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO 4) battery, but is not limited to the example described above. For example, the battery 110 may correspond to a lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO 2) battery, a lithium titanate battery, or the like.

Whether the battery 110 is fully charged or completely discharged may be determined by how much the power stored in the battery 110 is compared with the total capacity of the battery 110. For example, when the power stored in the battery 110 is 95% or more of the total capacity, it may be determined that the battery 110 is fully charged. In addition, when the power stored in the battery 110 is 10% or less of the total capacity, it may be determined that the battery 110 is completely discharged. However, the criterion for determining whether the battery 110 is fully charged or completely discharged is not limited to the above-described example.

The heater 130 is heated by the power supplied from the battery 110. When the cigarette is inserted into the holder 1, the heater 130 is located inside the cigarette. Thus, the heated heater 130 may raise the temperature of the aerosol generating material in the cigarette.

The heater 130 may be manufactured in a shape that can be easily inserted into the interior of the cigarette. For example, the heater 130 may have a blade shape or a shape in which a cylinder and a cone are combined, but is not limited thereto. In addition, only a part of the heater 130 may be heated. For example, only the first portion of the heater 130 may be heated, and the second portion may not be heated. Here, the first part may be a part where the tobacco rod is located when the cigarette is inserted into the holder 1. In addition, the heater 130 may be heated to a different temperature for each part. For example, the above-mentioned first portion and the above-mentioned second portion may be heated to different temperatures from each other.

The heater 130 may be an electric resistance heater. For example, the heater 130 may be fabricated such that an electrically conductive track is disposed on a substrate formed of an electrically insulating material. Here, the substrate may be made of a ceramic material, and the electrically conductive track may be made of tungsten, but is not limited thereto.

Holder 1 may be provided with a separate temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor may not be provided in the holder 1, and the heater 130 may serve as the temperature sensor. Alternatively, the heater 130 of the holder 1 may serve as a temperature sensor, and at the same time, a separate temperature sensor may be further included in the holder 1. In order for the heater 130 to function as a temperature sensor, the heater 130 may include at least one electrically conductive track for heat generation and temperature sensing. In addition, the heater 130 may separately include a second electrically conductive track for temperature sensing in addition to the first electrically conductive track for heat generation.

For example, if the voltage across the electrically conductive track and the current flowing through the electrically conductive track are measured, the resistance R can be determined. At this time, the temperature T of the electrically conductive track may be determined by Equation 1 below.

In Equation 1, R denotes a current resistance value of the electrically conductive track, R0 denotes a resistance value at a temperature T0 (eg, 0 ° C.), and α denotes a resistance temperature coefficient of the electrically conductive track. . The conductive material (eg metal) has a unique resistance temperature coefficient, so α may be predetermined according to the conductive material constituting the electrically conductive track. Therefore, when the resistance R of the electrically conductive track is determined, the temperature T of the electrically conductive track can be calculated by Equation 1 above.

The electrically conductive track comprises an electrically resistive material. As one example, the electrically conductive track can be made of a metallic material. As another example, the electrically conductive track can be made of an electrically conductive ceramic material, carbon, a metal alloy or a composite of ceramic material and metal.

In addition, the holder 1 may include both an electrically conductive track and a temperature sensing sensor which serve as a temperature sensing sensor.

The controller 120 controls the overall operation of the holder 1. Specifically, the controller 120 controls the operation of not only the battery 110 and the heater 130, but also other components included in the holder 1. In addition, the controller 120 may determine whether the holder 1 is in an operable state by checking a state of each of the components of the holder 1.

The controller 120 includes at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program that may be executed on the microprocessor. In addition, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present embodiment may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

For example, the controller 120 may control the operation of the heater 130. The controller 120 may control the amount of power supplied to the heater 130 and the time at which power is supplied so that the heater 130 may be heated to a predetermined temperature or maintain an appropriate temperature. In addition, the controller 120 may check the state of the battery 110 (for example, the remaining amount of the battery 110) and generate a notification signal if necessary.

In addition, the controller 120 may check the presence or absence of the puff and the strength of the puff, and count the number of puffs. In addition, the controller 120 may continuously check the time that the holder 1 is operating. In addition, the controller 120 determines whether the cradle 2 to be described later is coupled with the holder 1, and controls the operation of the holder 1 according to the coupling or detachment of the cradle 2 and the holder 1. Can be.

Meanwhile, the holder 1 may further include general components in addition to the battery 110, the controller 120, and the heater 130.

For example, the holder 1 may include a display capable of outputting visual information or a motor for outputting tactile information. As an example, when a display is included in the holder 1, the controller 120 may display information about the state of the holder 1 (for example, whether the holder may be used), a heater (eg, a user) through the display. Information on the battery 110 (eg, preheating start, preheating progress, preheating completion, etc.), information related to the battery 110 (eg, remaining capacity of the battery 110, availability, etc.), holder 1 Information related to the resetting of the holder (for example, reset timing, reset progress, reset completion, etc.), information related to cleaning of the holder 1 (for example, cleaning timing, cleaning necessity, cleaning progress, cleaning completion, etc.), Information related to the charging of the holder 1 (e.g., charging required, charging progress, charging completed, etc.), information related to the puff (e.g., puff count, puff completion notice, etc.) or safety related information (e.g. For example, the use time elapsed) can be delivered. As another example, when a motor is included in the holder 1, the controller 120 may generate the vibration signal using the motor, thereby transferring the above-described information to the user.

In addition, the holder 1 may comprise a terminal coupled with at least one input device (eg a button) and / or the cradle 2 through which the user can control the function of the holder 1. For example, the user can execute various functions using the input device of the holder 1. Multiple functions of the holder 1 by adjusting the number of times the user presses the input device (for example, once, twice, etc.) or the time for holding the input device (for example, 0.1 seconds, 0.2 seconds, etc.) You can execute any of these functions. As the user operates the input device, the holder 1 has a function of preheating the heater 130, a function of adjusting the temperature of the heater 130, a function of cleaning a space where a cigarette is inserted, and a holder 1 of the holder 1. A function of checking whether it is in an operable state, a function of displaying a residual amount (available power) of the battery 110, a reset function of the holder 1, and the like may be performed. However, the function of the holder 1 is not limited to the examples described above.

For example, the holder 1 may clean the space where the cigarette is inserted by controlling the heater 130 as follows. For example, the holder 1 can clean the space where the cigarette is inserted by heating the heater 130 to a sufficiently high temperature. Here, a sufficiently high temperature means a temperature suitable for cleaning the space where the cigarette is inserted. For example, the holder 1 may heat the heater 130 to the highest of a temperature range in which an aerosol can be generated in the inserted cigarette and a temperature range in which the heater 130 is preheated, but is not limited thereto. .

In addition, the holder 1 may maintain the temperature of the heater 130 at a sufficiently high temperature for a predetermined time period. Here, the predetermined time period means a time period sufficient to clean the space where the cigarette is inserted. For example, the holder 1 may maintain the temperature of the heated heater 130 for an appropriate time of 10 seconds to 10 minutes, but is not limited thereto. Preferably, the holder 1 may maintain the temperature of the heated heater 130 for a suitable time period selected within the range of 20 seconds to 1 minute. Also, preferably, the holder 1 may maintain the temperature of the heated heater 130 for a suitable time period selected within the range of 20 seconds to 1 minute 30 seconds.

As the holder 1 heats the heater 130 to a sufficiently high temperature and also maintains the temperature of the heated heater 130 for a predetermined time period, the surface of the heater 130 and / or the space into which the cigarette is inserted The effect of cleaning may be generated by volatilizing the substance deposited on the substrate.

In addition, the holder 1 may comprise a puff sensor, a temperature sensor and / or a cigarette insertion sensor. For example, the puff sensor may be implemented by a general pressure sensor. Alternatively, the holder 1 may detect a puff by a change in resistance of an electrically conductive track included in the heater 130 without a separate puff detection sensor. The electrically conductive track here comprises an electrically conductive track for heat generation and / or an electrically conductive track for temperature sensing. Alternatively, the holder 1 may further include a puff detecting sensor separately from detecting the puff using an electrically conductive track included in the heater 130.

The cigarette insertion sensor may be implemented by a general capacitive sensor or a resistance sensor. In addition, the holder 1 may be manufactured in a structure in which external air may be introduced / exhausted even when a cigarette is inserted.

2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a holder.

As shown in FIG. 2, the holder 1 may be manufactured in a cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto. The case 140 of the holder 1 may be moved or separated by a user's operation, and a cigarette may be inserted into the end 141 of the case 140. In addition, the holder 1 may include a button 150 that allows a user to control the holder 1. In addition, if necessary, the holder 1 may further include a display on which an image is output.

3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cradle.

Referring to FIG. 3, the cradle 2 includes a battery 210 and a controller 220. The cradle 2 also includes an interior space 230 into which the holder 1 can be inserted. Depending on the design of the cradle 2, the cradle 2 may or may not include a separate lid. As an example, the holder 1 may be inserted into and fixed to the cradle 2 even if the cradle 2 does not include a separate lid. As another example, the holder 1 may be fixed to the cradle 2 as the lid of the cradle 2 is closed after the holder 1 is inserted into the cradle 2.

The cradle 2 shown in FIG. 3 shows only the components related to this embodiment. Accordingly, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the general purpose components other than the components shown in FIG. 3 may be further included in the cradle 2.

The battery 210 supplies the power used to operate the cradle 2. In addition, the battery 210 may supply power for charging the battery 110 of the holder 1. For example, when the holder 1 is inserted into the cradle 2 so that the terminal of the holder 1 and the terminal of the cradle 2 are coupled, the battery 210 of the cradle 2 is the battery of the holder 1. Power may be supplied to 110.

In addition, when the holder 1 and the cradle 2 are coupled, the battery 210 may supply power used to operate the holder 1. For example, when the terminal of the holder 1 and the terminal of the cradle 2 are coupled, regardless of whether the battery 110 of the holder 1 is discharged, the holder 1 is a battery of the cradle 2 ( The operation may be performed by using the power supplied by the 210.

For example, the battery 210 may be a lithium ion battery, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the capacity of the battery 210 may be larger than that of the battery 110.

The controller 220 generally controls the operation of the cradle 2. The controller 220 may control the operation of all the components of the cradle 2. In addition, the controller 220 may determine whether the holder 1 and the cradle 2 are coupled, and control the operation of the cradle 2 according to the coupling or detachment of the cradle 2 and the holder 1.

For example, when the holder 1 and the cradle 2 are coupled, the controller 220 supplies power of the battery 210 to the holder 1 to charge the battery 110 or to heat the heater 130. You can. Therefore, even when the remaining amount of the battery 110 is small, the user can continuously smoke by combining the holder 1 and the cradle 2.

The controller 220 includes at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program that may be executed on the microprocessor. In addition, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present embodiment may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

Meanwhile, the cradle 2 may further include general components in addition to the battery 210 and the controller 220. For example, the cradle 2 may include a display capable of outputting visual information. For example, if the cradle 2 includes a display, the controller 220 generates a signal to be displayed on the display, thereby providing the user with a battery 210 (eg, remaining capacity of the battery 210, available for use). Information related to whether the cradle 2 is reset (e.g., reset timing, reset progress, reset completion, etc.), cleaning of the holder 1 (e.g., cleaning timing, cleaning needs, cleaning) Information related to progress, cleaning completion, etc., and information related to charging of the cradle 2 (for example, charging needs, charging progress, charging completion, etc.) may be transmitted.

In addition, the cradle 2 may include at least one input device (e.g., a button) that allows a user to control the function of the cradle 2, a terminal coupled with the holder 1, and / or a charge of the battery 210. It may include an interface for (eg, USB port, etc.).

For example, the user can execute various functions using the input device of the cradle 2. By adjusting the number of times the user presses the input device or the time the user presses the input device, it is possible to execute a desired function among the plurality of functions of the cradle 2. As the user operates the input device, the cradle 2 has the function of preheating the heater 130 of the holder 1, the function of adjusting the temperature of the heater 130 of the holder 1, within the holder 1. A function of cleaning the space where the cigarette is inserted, a function of checking whether the cradle 2 is in an operable state, a function of displaying the remaining amount (power available) of the battery 210 of the cradle 2, and a reset of the cradle 2 Functions and the like can be performed. However, the function of the cradle 2 is not limited to the examples described above.

4A and 4B show examples of cradles.

4A shows an example of a cradle 2 without a lid. For example, there may be a space 230 in which the holder 1 may be inserted at one side of the cradle 2. Even if the cradle 2 does not include a separate securing means such as a lid, the holder 1 can be inserted into and secured to the cradle 2. In addition, the cradle 2 may include a button 240 that allows a user to control the cradle 2. In addition, if necessary, the cradle 2 may further include a display on which an image is output.

4b shows an example of a cradle 2 with a lid. For example, the holder 1 may be inserted into the interior space 230 of the cradle 2, and the holder 1 may be fixed to the cradle 2 as the lid 250 is closed.

Referring to FIG. 5, an example in which the holder 1 is inserted into the cradle 2 is illustrated. Since the space 230 in which the holder 1 is to be inserted is present at one side of the cradle 2, the inserted holder 1 may not be exposed to the outside by the other sides of the cradle 2. Thus, the cradle 2 may not include another configuration (eg a lid) for not exposing the holder 1 to the outside.

The cradle 2 may include at least one

fastening member

271, 272 to increase the fastening strength with the holder 1. In addition, the holder 1 may also include at least one binding member 181. Here, the binding

members

181, 271, and 272 may be magnets, but are not limited thereto. In FIG. 5, for convenience of description, although the holder 1 includes one fastening member 181 and the cradle 2 includes two

fastening members

271 and 272, the fastening member The number of (181, 271, 272) is not limited to this.

The holder 1 may include a binding member 181 in a first position, and the cradle 2 may include binding

members

271 and 272 in a second position and a third position, respectively. In this case, the first position and the third position may be positions facing each other when the holder 1 is inserted into the cradle 2.

As the

fastening members

181, 271, 272 are included in the holder 1 and the cradle 2, even if the holder 1 is inserted into one side of the cradle 2, the holder 1 and the cradle 2 are secured. The binding can be stronger. In other words, as the holder 1 and the cradle 2 further include the

fastening members

181, 271, and 272 in addition to the terminals, the holder 1 and the cradle 2 may be more strongly bound. Thus, even if the cradle 2 does not have a separate configuration (eg a lid), the inserted holder 1 may not be easily separated from the cradle 2.

In addition, when it is determined that the holder 1 is completely inserted into the cradle 2 by the terminals and / or the binding

members

181, 271, and 272, the controller 220 uses the power of the battery 210 to control the holder. The battery 110 of (1) can be charged.

Referring to FIG. 6, the holder 1 is tilted inside the cradle 2. Here, tilt means that the holder 1 is inclined at an angle with the holder 1 inserted in the cradle 2.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the holder 1 is fully inserted into the cradle 2, the user cannot smoke. In other words, when the holder 1 is fully inserted into the cradle 2, no cigarette can be inserted into the holder 1. Thus, the user cannot smoke while the holder 1 is fully inserted into the cradle 2.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the holder 1 is tilted, the end 141 of the holder 1 is exposed to the outside. Accordingly, the user may insert a cigarette into the end 141 and inhale (smoke) the generated aerosol. The tilt angle [theta] can be secured at a sufficient angle so that when the cigarette is inserted into the distal end 141 of the holder 1, the cigarette is not bent or damaged. For example, the holder 1 may be tilted at a minimum angle greater than or greater than the entire cigarette insertion hole included in the distal end 141 is exposed to the outside. For example, the range of the tilt angle θ may be greater than 0 ° and less than 180 °, and preferably, greater than or equal to 5 ° and less than or equal to 90 °. More preferably, the tilt angle θ is in a range of 5 ° to 20 °, 5 ° to 30 °, 5 ° to 40 °, 5 ° to 50 °, or 5 ° to 60 °. Can be. More preferably, the tilt angle θ can be 10 degrees.

In addition, even when the holder 1 is tilted, the terminal of the holder 1 and the terminal of the cradle 2 are coupled to each other. Accordingly, the heater 130 of the holder 1 may be heated by the power supplied by the battery 210 of the cradle 2. Thus, even when the remaining amount of battery 110 in holder 1 is low or absent, holder 1 may generate aerosol using battery 210 of cradle 2.

6 shows an example in which the holder 1 comprises one fastening member 182 and the cradle 2 includes two

fastening members

273, 274. For example, the positions of each of the binding

members

182, 273, and 274 are as described above with reference to FIG. 5. If the binding

members

182, 273, and 274 are magnets, the magnet strength of the binding member 274 may be greater than the magnet strength of the binding member 273. Therefore, even when the holder 1 is tilted, by the binding member 182 and the binding member 274, the holder 1 may not be completely separated from the cradle 2.

In addition, when it is determined that the holder 1 is tilted by the terminals and / or the binding

members

182, 273, and 274, the controller 220 uses the power of the battery 210 to heat the heater of the holder 1. The 130 may be heated or the battery 110 may be charged.

7 is a diagram illustrating another example of an aerosol generating device.

Referring to FIG. 7, the holder 1 may further include an air pressure sensor 160 in addition to the battery 110, the controller 120, and the heater 130. Although the air pressure sensor 160 is illustrated as being positioned between the control unit 120 and the heater 130, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the air pressure sensor 160 may be located at any place capable of measuring the air pressure inside the holder 1.

In the holder 1 shown in Fig. 7, only the components related to this embodiment are shown. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the general purpose components other than the components shown in FIG. 7 may be further included in the holder 1.

The barometric pressure sensor 160 may measure the barometric pressure inside the holder 1. When a user's puff is performed on the cigarette contained in the holder 1, air flow may occur in the holder 1, and the inside of the holder 1 may be reduced from the initial air pressure before the puff is performed by the air flow. Barometric pressure can be measured. Hereinafter, the barometric pressure sensor 160 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B.

8A and 8B illustrate an example of an air pressure sensor included in an aerosol generating device.

8A and 8B, the barometric pressure sensor 160 may include a diaphragm 161 and a vacuum unit 162. However, in addition to the components illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, other general-purpose components may be further included in the barometric pressure sensor 160.

The diaphragm 161 may be deformed as air flow is formed in the holder 1. 8A illustrates an example of the air pressure sensor 160 when no puff is performed. Referring to FIG. 8A, since the air pressure received from the outside is greater than the pressure that the diaphragm 161 receives from the vacuum unit 162, the diaphragm 161 may be deformed toward the vacuum unit 162. 8B illustrates an example of the air pressure sensor 160 when the puff is performed. Referring to FIG. 8B, as the air flow is formed inside the holder 1, the air pressure received by the diaphragm 161 may be reduced, and the degree of deformation of the diaphragm 161 toward the vacuum part 162 may be reduced. . Accordingly, the barometric pressure sensor 160 may measure the barometric pressure inside the holder 1 based on the degree of deformation of the diaphragm 161 toward the vacuum part 162.

Referring to FIG. 7 again, the controller 120 may calculate an air pressure altitude inside the holder 1 based on the air pressure measured by the air pressure sensor 160. For example, the controller 120 may calculate an air pressure altitude inside the holder 1 based on the air pressure inside the holder 1 and the average atmospheric pressure measured by the air pressure sensor 160. In detail, the controller 120 may calculate an air pressure altitude inside the holder 1 according to Equation 2 below. In Equation 2 below, p may mean an air pressure measured by the barometric pressure sensor 160, and p ₀ may mean an average atmospheric pressure at sea level.

The barometric pressure sensor 160 and the controller 120 included in the aerosol generating device 1 according to the present disclosure may calculate the barometric pressure altitude and detect a user's puff for a cigarette. Since the controller 120 may not be affected by wind or noise around the device in the process of detecting the puff by comparing the calculated air pressure altitude value with a preset threshold, the conventional sound pressure is measured to detect the puff. In comparison, the responsiveness and reliability of puff sensing can be improved.

In addition, since the barometric pressure sensor 160 and the controller 120 included in the aerosol-generating device 1 according to the present disclosure can measure an absolute value of the barometric altitude, the controller 120 determines whether a puff is performed. Unlike conventional sound pressure sensors that can only be sensed on and off, the degree to which the puff is performed can be measured from the absolute value measured. Therefore, more accurate detection of puffs can be performed as compared to the case of only detecting whether puffs are performed, and optimization of puff detection according to adjustment of a threshold can be implemented.

Referring to FIG. 7 again, the controller 120 may detect the user's puff for the cigarette accommodated in the holder 1 by comparing the calculated air pressure altitude within the holder 1 with a threshold value. For example, the controller 120 may determine that the puff is performed when the calculated air pressure altitude is smaller than the preset and stored threshold. Hereinafter, the process of detecting the puff by the controller 120 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 9.

Referring to FIG. 9, an example of a graph of air pressure altitude inside the holder 1 that changes with time is shown. The controller 120 may determine that the puff starts when the air pressure altitude inside the holder 1 becomes smaller than the threshold value, and may determine that the puff ends when the air pressure altitude inside the holder 1 becomes larger than the threshold value. have. In addition, even if the air pressure altitude inside the holder 1 decreases, if it does not decrease below the threshold, the controller 120 may determine that the puff is not performed.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, the first threshold used in determining that the puff is started and the second threshold used in determining that the puff is finished have been illustrated as having the same value, but are not limited thereto. The first threshold and the second threshold may have different values. For example, the controller 120 determines that the puff starts when the air pressure altitude inside the holder 1 becomes smaller than the first threshold value, and when the puff ends when the air pressure becomes larger than the second threshold value different from the first threshold value. It can be judged that.

The threshold may be a preset value, but the threshold may be adjusted by the controller 120. The adjustment of the threshold by the controller 120 may be based on the puff characteristics of the user. The puff characteristics of the user may include at least one of the strength and duration of the puff.

The controller 120 may analyze the puff characteristics of the user and adjust the threshold value based on the analyzed puff characteristics. For example, the controller 120 may measure a difference between the minimum value of the air pressure altitude reduced by the puff and the threshold value, and increase the threshold value when the measured difference value is smaller than the previously stored average value. As another example, the controller 120 may measure the duration of the puff from a time point at which the puff starts and a time point at which the puff starts, and may increase the threshold value when the measured time duration is smaller than a previously stored average value.

As another example, the controller 120 may determine the user's puff amount from the user's puff characteristics. The amount of puffs may be determined based on at least one of the strength of the puff and the duration of the puff. For example, it may be determined to be proportional to the degree of reduction from the initial barometric altitude before the puff is performed and to the multiplication value of the duration of the puff, or may be determined by an integration operation on the section where the barometric altitude decreases. The controller 120 may decrease the threshold when the determined amount of puff increases, and increase the threshold when the determined amount of puff decreases. Meanwhile, when the first threshold value and the second threshold value are different from each other, the controller 120 may independently adjust each of the first threshold value and the second threshold value.

Since the controller 120 included in the aerosol-generating device 1 according to the present disclosure may adjust the threshold value, the accuracy of puff detection may be increased according to puff characteristics that may be different for each user. On the other hand, since the control unit 120 may analyze the user's puff characteristics and automatically adjust the threshold value according to the analysis result, user convenience may be increased.

In addition, although the threshold has been described as being adjusted by the controller 120 without user intervention, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the threshold may be adjusted to meet the user's puff characteristics through an input device such as a button provided in the holder 1. May be adjusted directly.

Referring to FIG. 7 again, the controller 120 may adjust the power supplied from the battery 110 to the heater 130 based on the detected puff. The heater 130 may include an electrically resistive material, and the controller 120 may control the battery 110 to supply a plurality of current pulses to the heater 130. Hereinafter, the process of adjusting the power supplied from the battery 110 to the heater 130 based on the detected puff by the controller 120 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 10.

Referring to FIG. 10, an example of a graph of barometric altitude changes with time is shown, and an example of a graph showing current pulses supplied to the heater 130, adjusted as the start and end of the puff is determined. An example of a graph showing the temperature of the heater that is shown and maintained as the current pulse supplied to the heater 130 is adjusted is shown.

As described above, the control unit 120 may determine that the puff is started when the air pressure altitude is smaller than the first threshold, and that the puff is terminated when the air pressure is higher than the second threshold, and the control unit 120 starts the puff. When it is determined that the power supply to the heater 130 is increased, and when it is determined that the puff is finished, the power supplied to the heater 130 may be reduced.

As the controller 120 detects the puff and adjusts the power supplied to the heater 130 based on the detected puff, despite the occurrence of air flow through the heater 130, the temperature of the heater 130 is relatively high. It can be kept constant, so that aerosol can be generated more uniformly.

The controller 120 may control the battery 110 to supply power to the heater 130 by supplying a current pulse to the heater 130. The controller 120 may adjust the power supplied to the heater 130 by adjusting at least one of a frequency and a duty cycle of the current pulse supplied to the heater 130. For example, when it is determined that the puff is started, the controller 120 may increase the power supplied to the heater 130 by increasing the frequency or duty cycle of the current pulse supplied to the heater 130.

The controller 120 may determine the amount of power supplied to the heater 130. The higher the strength of the puff, the longer the duration of the puff, the greater the temperature of the heater 130 to be compensated for, so that the amount of power supplied to the heater 130 is a puff characteristic, or a change in barometric altitude that determines the puff characteristic. Can be determined from an aspect.

Specifically, in FIG. 10, the barometric altitude may be divided into a decreasing portion and an increasing portion, and when the control unit 120 determines that the puff starts due to a decrease in the atmospheric pressure altitude, an integrated value of the portion at which the atmospheric pressure altitude decreases. Increasing the power supplied to the heater 130 in proportion to, and when the puff is determined to be terminated by increasing the atmospheric pressure altitude, the power supplied to the heater in proportion to the integral value of the increase in the atmospheric pressure altitude can be reduced. have.

It is a figure explaining the method of controlling the temperature of the heater which heats the cigarette accommodated in an aerosol generating apparatus. Referring to FIG. 11, the method of controlling the temperature of the heater 130 for heating a cigarette accommodated in the holder 1 includes steps that are processed in time series in the holder 1 shown in FIGS. 7 to 10. do. Therefore, although omitted below, the contents described above with respect to the holder 1 of FIGS. 7 to 10 control the temperature of the heater 130 for heating a cigarette accommodated in the holder 1 of FIG. 11. It can be seen that the method also applies.

In operation 1110, the holder 1 may measure the air pressure inside the holder 1 through the air pressure sensor 160. When a user's puff is performed on the cigarette contained in the holder 1, air flow may occur in the holder 1, and the holder 1 may be before the puff is performed by air flow through the air pressure sensor 160. It is possible to measure the air pressure inside the holder 1 which is reduced from the initial air pressure of.

In operation 1120, the holder 1 may calculate an air pressure altitude inside the holder 1 based on the air pressure measured by the controller 120. Specifically, the holder 1 may calculate the air pressure altitude inside the holder 1 according to Equation 2 above.

In operation 1130, the holder 1 may detect the user's puff for the cigarette by comparing the air pressure altitude calculated by the controller 120 with a threshold value. On the other hand, the threshold may be determined according to the puff characteristics of the user.

In operation 1140, the holder 1 may adjust the power supplied to the heater 130 based on the puff detected through the controller 120. For example, the holder 1 may adjust the power supplied to the heater 130 by adjusting at least one of a frequency and a duty cycle of the current pulse supplied to the heater 130.

On the other hand, the method of controlling the temperature of the heater 130 for heating a cigarette accommodated in the holder 1 may be recorded on a computer readable recording medium having one or more programs containing instructions for executing the method. have. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks and magnetic tape, optical media such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Magneto-optical media, and hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include machine language code, such as produced by a compiler, as well as high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present embodiment may be embodied in a modified form without departing from the essential characteristics of the above description. Therefore, the disclosed methods should be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The scope of the present invention is shown in the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the present invention.

(Explanation of the sign)

1: holder

110: battery

120: control unit

130: heater

160: barometric pressure

Claims

In the aerosol generating device,

A heater for heating a cigarette accommodated in the aerosol generating device;

An air pressure sensor measuring an air pressure inside the aerosol generating device; And

Calculate a pressure altitude inside the aerosol-generating device based on the measured air pressure, and detect a user's puff for the cigarette by comparing the calculated air pressure altitude with a threshold; A control unit for adjusting the power supplied to the heater based on the puff,

Wherein the threshold is determined in accordance with a puff characteristic of the user.
The method of claim 1,

The control unit,

Analyze the puff characteristic comprising at least one of the intensity and duration of the puff and adjust the threshold based on the analyzed puff characteristic.
The method of claim 2,

The control unit,

Determine the puff amount of the user based on the analyzed puff characteristics, decrease the threshold if the puff amount increases, and increase the threshold if the puff amount decreases.
The method of claim 1,

The threshold comprises a first threshold and a second threshold,

The control unit,

And determine that the puff begins when the barometric altitude becomes less than the first threshold and that the puff ends when it exceeds the second threshold.
The method of claim 4, wherein

The control unit,

In the case where it is determined that the puff starts, the power supplied to the heater is increased in proportion to an integral value of the portion at which the atmospheric pressure decreases, and when the puff is determined to be terminated, Reducing the power supplied to the heater in proportion to the integral of the portion.
The method of claim 1,

The control unit,

And adjust the power supplied to the heater by adjusting at least one of a frequency and a duty cycle of a current pulse supplied to the heater.
The method of claim 1,

The barometric pressure sensor,

A diaphragm and a vacuum part deformed as an air flow is formed in the aerosol generating device, and measure the air pressure based on the degree of deformation of the diaphragm,

The control unit,

Calculate the barometric altitude based on the measured barometric pressure and the average atmospheric pressure.
In the method of controlling the temperature of a heater for heating a cigarette accommodated in an aerosol generating device,

Measuring air pressure inside the aerosol-generating device;

Calculating an air pressure altitude inside the aerosol-generating device based on the measured air pressure;

Detecting a user's puff for the cigarette by comparing the calculated barometric altitude with a threshold; And

Adjusting the power supplied to the heater based on the sensed puffs,

Wherein the threshold is determined in accordance with a puff characteristic of the user.