阅读说明：本技术 气溶胶生成装置和气溶胶生成系统 (Aerosol-generating device and aerosol-generating system ) 是由 金龙焕 尹圣煜 李承原 韩大男 于 2020-12-15 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种气溶胶生成装置和气溶胶生成系统,该气溶胶生成装置和气溶胶生成系统在电力被阻止向加热器供给时,基于电感的变化量来确定气溶胶生成物质与气溶胶生成装置是否分离。(An aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating system that determine whether an aerosol-generating substance is separated from the aerosol-generating device based on a change amount of inductance when power is prevented from being supplied to a heater.)

1. An aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating device comprising:

a body comprising a cavity configured to receive an aerosol generating substance;

a heater configured to heat the aerosol generating substance inserted into the cavity;

a substance detector configured to: detecting a change in inductance in response to insertion and separation of the aerosol generating substance into and from the cavity; and

a controller configured to: determining that the aerosol generating substance is separated from the cavity based on an amount of change in the inductance when power is prevented from being supplied to the heater.

2. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to:

activating the substance detector when power is prevented from being supplied to the heater,

calculating a variation amount of the inductance based on an inductance output value output by the substance detector, an

Determining that the aerosol generating substance is inserted into the cavity based on the amount of change in the inductance being equal to or greater than a preset upper threshold.

3. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to: initiating the supply of power to the heater based on a determination that the aerosol generating substance is inserted into the cavity.

4. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to:

periodically preventing the supply of power to the heater based on the aerosol-generating substance being inserted into the cavity,

periodically calculating a variation amount of the inductance based on an inductance output value output by the substance detector when power is periodically prevented from being supplied to the heater, an

Determining that the aerosol generating substance is separated from the cavity based on the periodically calculated amount of change in the inductance.

5. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 4, wherein the controller is further configured to:

supplying power to the heater based on a power supply time of a periodic control signal; and

preventing power from being supplied to the heater based on a power prevention time of the periodic control signal;

wherein the power blocking time is shorter than the power supplying time during one period of the periodic control signal.

6. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 5, wherein the controller is further configured to: calculating an amount of change in the inductance based on the inductance output value output by the substance detector during the power blocking time.

7. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 6, wherein the controller is further configured to: determining that the aerosol generating substance is separated from the cavity based on the amount of change in the inductance being less than or equal to a preset lower threshold.

8. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to: preventing supply of power to the heater based on a determination that the aerosol generating substance is separated from the cavity.

9. An aerosol-generating system, the aerosol-generating system comprising:

an aerosol generating substance; and

an aerosol-generating device comprising:

a base surrounding a cavity of the aerosol-generating device in which the aerosol-generating substance is configured to be received;

an induction coil configured to generate a variable magnetic field to heat the susceptor;

a substance detector configured to: detecting a change in inductance in response to insertion and separation of the aerosol generating substance into and from the cavity; and

a controller configured to: determining that the aerosol generating substance is separated from the cavity based on an amount of change in the inductance when power is prevented from being supplied to the induction coil.

10. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to:

activating the substance detector when power is prevented from being supplied to the induction coil,

calculating a variation amount of the inductance based on an inductance output value output by the substance detector, and,

determining that the aerosol generating substance is inserted into the cavity based on the amount of change in the inductance being equal to or greater than a preset upper threshold.

11. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to: based on determining that the aerosol-generating substance is inserted into the cavity, initiating power supply to the induction coil.

12. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to:

periodically preventing the supply of power to the induction coil based on the aerosol-generating substance being inserted into the cavity,

periodically calculating a variation amount of the inductance based on an inductance output value output by the substance detector when power is periodically prevented from being supplied to the induction coil, an

Determining that the aerosol generating substance is separated from the cavity based on the periodically calculated amount of change in the inductance.

13. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 12, wherein the controller is further configured to:

supplying power to the induction coil based on a power supply time of a periodic control signal; and

blocking power supply to the induction coil based on a power blocking time of the periodic control signal,

wherein the power blocking time is shorter than the power supplying time during one period of the periodic control signal.

14. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 13, wherein the controller is further configured to: calculating an amount of change in the inductance based on the inductance output value output by the substance detector during the power blocking time.

15. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 14, wherein the controller is further configured to: determining that the aerosol generating substance is separated from the cavity based on the amount of change in the inductance being less than or equal to a preset lower threshold.

Technical Field

One or more embodiments relate to aerosol-generating devices and aerosol-generating systems, and more particularly to aerosol-generating devices and aerosol-generating systems that are capable of more accurately determining the separation of aerosol-generating substances.

Background

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods of solving the problems of conventional cigarettes. For example, there is an increasing demand for methods of generating aerosols not by burning cigarettes but by heating the aerosol generating material in the cigarettes.

Such aerosol-generating devices may detect the presence or absence of a cigarette by an inductive sensor and heat a heater based on the presence or absence of a cigarette.

However, when the cigarette is heated by the induction heating of the background art, the variable magnetic field generated by the induction coil serves as a noise component of the induction sensor, and thus the presence of the cigarette cannot be accurately detected.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

One or more embodiments provide an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating system capable of accurately detecting the presence or absence of an aerosol-generating substance by controlling power supplied to a heater.

The technical problems solved by the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above description, and other technical problems may be understood from the embodiments to be described hereinafter.

Solution to the technical problem

According to one or more embodiments, an aerosol-generating device may comprise: a cavity configured to receive an aerosol-generating substance; a heater configured to heat an aerosol generating substance inserted into the cavity; a substance detector configured to detect a change in inductance due to insertion and separation of an aerosol-generating substance; and a controller configured to: when power is prevented from being supplied to the heater, separation of the aerosol-generating substance is determined based on the amount of change in inductance.

According to one or more embodiments, an aerosol-generating system may comprise: an aerosol generating substance; and an aerosol-generating device comprising: a base arranged to surround a cavity containing an aerosol-generating substance; and an induction coil configured to generate a variable magnetic field to heat the susceptor, wherein the aerosol-generating device may further comprise: a substance detector configured to detect a change in inductance due to insertion and separation of an aerosol-generating substance; and a controller configured to: when power is prevented from being supplied to the induction coil, separation of the aerosol-generating substance is determined based on the amount of change in inductance.

The invention has the advantages of

The aerosol-generating device and the aerosol-generating system according to one or more embodiments periodically block the supply of power to the heater, and periodically detect a change in inductance when the power is blocked, thereby completely removing a noise component of the induction sensor caused by the variable magnetic field generated by the heater.

Furthermore, since the aerosol-generating device and the aerosol-generating system calculate the amount of change in inductance after removing the noise component of the inductive sensor, the separation of the cigarette can be determined more accurately.

Further, the aerosol-generating device and the aerosol-generating system set the power supply time to be longer than the power blocking time, thereby preventing the temperature of the heater from rapidly decreasing.

Furthermore, the aerosol-generating device and the aerosol-generating system prevent sudden changes in the temperature of the heater, thereby accurately determining the separation of the cigarettes without deteriorating the smoking flavor of the user.

Furthermore, when the cigarette is separated, the aerosol-generating device and the aerosol-generating system prevent the supply of power to the heater, thereby preventing the aerosol-generating device from overheating and significantly reducing power consumption.

Effects of the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described effects, and effects not mentioned will be clearly understood from the present document and the accompanying drawings by those of ordinary skill in the art.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an aerosol-generating system according to one or more embodiments.

Figure 2 is an internal block diagram of an aerosol-generating device according to one or more embodiments.

Figure 3 is a flow diagram of a method of operation of an aerosol-generating device according to one or more embodiments.

Figure 4 is a flow chart describing a method of detecting insertion of an aerosol generating substance and a method of controlling a heater when an aerosol generating substance is inserted, according to one or more embodiments.

Figure 5 is a flow chart describing a method of detecting separation of an aerosol generating substance and a method of controlling a heater when an aerosol generating substance is separated, according to one or more embodiments.

Fig. 6 is a diagram for describing a power blocking time and a power supply time according to one or more embodiments.

Fig. 7 is a diagram for describing a method of calculating a variation amount of inductance according to one or more embodiments.

Detailed Description

Best mode for carrying out the invention

According to one or more embodiments, an aerosol-generating device is provided. An aerosol-generating device comprising: a body comprising a cavity configured to receive an aerosol-generating substance; a heater configured to heat an aerosol generating substance inserted into the cavity; a substance detector configured to: detecting a change in inductance in response to insertion and separation of the aerosol-generating substance into and from the cavity; a controller configured to: determining that the aerosol generating substance is separated from the cavity based on the amount of change in inductance when power is prevented from being supplied to the heater.

According to an embodiment, the controller is further configured to: the method comprises activating the substance detector when power is prevented from being supplied to the heater, calculating a change in inductance based on an inductance output value output by the substance detector, and determining that the aerosol generating substance is inserted into the cavity based on the change in inductance being equal to or greater than a preset upper threshold.

According to an embodiment, the controller is further configured to: based on the determination that the aerosol-generating substance is inserted into the cavity, power supply to the heater is commenced.

According to an embodiment, the controller is further configured to: periodically preventing the supply of power to the heater based on the aerosol-generating substance being inserted into the cavity; periodically calculating a variation amount of the inductance based on an inductance output value output by the substance detector while power is periodically prevented from being supplied to the heater; and determining that the aerosol generating substance is separated from the cavity based on the periodically calculated amount of inductance change.

According to an embodiment, the controller is further configured to: supplying power to the heater based on a power supply time of the periodic control signal; and blocking the supply of power to the heater based on a power blocking time of the periodic control signal, wherein the power blocking time is shorter than the power supply time during one period of the periodic control signal.

According to an embodiment, the controller is further configured to: the amount of change in inductance is calculated based on an inductance output value output by the substance detector during the power blocking time.

According to an embodiment, the controller is further configured to: determining that the aerosol generating substance is separated from the cavity based on the amount of change in inductance being less than or equal to a preset lower threshold.

According to an embodiment, the controller is further configured to: based on the determination that the aerosol-generating substance is separated from the cavity, the supply of power to the heater is prevented.

According to one or more embodiments, an aerosol-generating system is provided. An aerosol-generating system comprising: an aerosol generating substance; and an aerosol-generating device. An aerosol-generating device comprising: a base surrounding a cavity of the aerosol-generating device in which an aerosol-generating substance is configured to be received; an induction coil configured to generate a variable magnetic field to heat the susceptor; a substance detector configured to: detecting a change in inductance in response to insertion and separation of the aerosol-generating substance into and from the cavity; and a controller configured to: determining that the aerosol generating substance is separated from the cavity based on an amount of change in inductance when power is prevented from being supplied to the induction coil.

According to an embodiment, the controller is further configured to: activating the substance detector when power is prevented from being supplied to the induction coil; calculating a variation amount of the inductance based on an inductance output value output by the substance detector; and determining that an aerosol generating substance is inserted into the cavity based on the amount of change in inductance being equal to or greater than a preset upper threshold.

According to an embodiment, the controller is further configured to: based on the determination that the aerosol-generating substance is inserted into the cavity, power supply to the induction coil is started.

According to an embodiment, the controller is further configured to: the method may include periodically preventing power from being supplied to the induction coil based on the aerosol generating substance being inserted into the cavity, periodically calculating a change amount of inductance based on an inductance output value output by the substance detector while power is periodically prevented from being supplied to the induction coil, and determining that the aerosol generating substance is separated from the cavity based on the periodically calculated change amount of inductance.

According to an embodiment, the controller is further configured to: supplying power to the induction coil based on a power supply time of the periodic control signal; and blocking power from being supplied to the induction coil based on a power blocking time of the periodic control signal, wherein the power blocking time is shorter than the power supply time during one period of the periodic control signal.

According to an embodiment, the controller is further configured to: the amount of change in inductance is calculated based on an inductance output value output by the substance detector during the power blocking time.

According to an embodiment, the controller is further configured to: determining that the aerosol generating substance is separated from the cavity based on the amount of change in the inductance being less than or equal to a preset lower threshold.

Aspects of the invention

In terms of terms used to describe various embodiments, general terms that are currently widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, the meanings of these terms may be changed according to intentions, judicial cases, the emergence of new technologies, and the like. In addition, in some cases, there is also a term arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning of the term will be described in detail in the description of one or more embodiments. Accordingly, terms used to describe one or more embodiments should be defined based on the meaning of the terms and the description of one or more embodiments, not simply based on the names of the terms.

As used herein, expressions such as "at least one of … …" modify the entire list of elements when preceded by the list of elements and do not modify individual elements in the list. For example, the expression "at least one of a, b and c" should be understood to include only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, or all of a, b and c.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "above," "over," "above," "below," "under," "connected to" or "coupled to" another element, it can be directly above, over, above, below, beneath, connected to or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly above," "directly below," "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element, there are no intervening elements present.

In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms "-device", "-section" and "module" described in the specification refer to a unit for processing at least one function and/or work, and may be implemented by hardware components or software components, and a combination thereof.

Throughout this application, "suction" refers to inhalation by a user, and inhalation may refer to the situation where air and/or aerosol is drawn through the user's mouth or nose to the user's mouth, nasal cavity, or lungs.

Throughout the specification, the preheating stage refers to a stage for increasing the temperature of the first and second heaters, and the smoking stage may refer to a stage for maintaining the temperature of the first heater and a stage during which a user performs inhalation. Hereinafter, the preheating stage and the smoking stage may have the same meaning as the preheating time and the smoking time, respectively.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can readily practice the disclosure. Embodiments of the present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein.

Hereinafter, each of one or more embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an aerosol-generating system according to one or more embodiments.

Referring to fig. 1, an aerosol-generating system 1 may comprise an aerosol-generating device 10 and a cigarette 20. The aerosol-generating device 10 may include a cavity 160 into which the cigarette 20 is inserted, and the aerosol may be generated by heating the cigarette 20 inserted into the cavity 160. The cigarette 20 may be a cigarette and may include an aerosol generating substance.

The aerosol-generating device 10 may include a battery 110, a controller 120, a base 130, an induction coil 140, and a substance detector 150. However, the internal structure of the aerosol-generating device 10 is not limited to the components shown in fig. 1. Depending on the embodiment of the aerosol-generating device 10, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that some of the hardware components shown in fig. 1 may be omitted or new components may be added.

The battery 110 supplies power for operating the aerosol-generating device 10. For example, the battery 110 may supply power such that the induction coil 140 may generate a variable magnetic field. In addition, the battery 110 may supply power to operate other hardware components included in the aerosol-generating device 10, namely various sensors (not shown), a user interface (not shown), a memory (not shown), and the controller 120. The battery 110 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 110 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

The controller 120 is a hardware component configured to control the general operation of the aerosol-generating device 10. For example, the controller 120 controls not only the operation of the battery 110, the base 130, the induction coil 140, and the substance detector 150, but also the operation of other components included in the aerosol-generating device 10. The controller 120 may also check the status of each of the components of the aerosol-generating device 10 and determine whether the aerosol-generating device 10 is in an operable state.

The controller 120 may include at least one processor. A processor may be implemented as an array of logic gates, or as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and memory storing programs that are executable in the microprocessor. Further, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a processor may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

The base 130 may comprise a material that is heated when a variable magnetic field is applied to the base. For example, the base 130 may include metal or carbon. The base 130 may include at least one of ferrite, a ferromagnetic alloy, stainless steel, and aluminum (Al). In addition, the susceptor 130 may further include graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, niobium, a nickel alloy, a metal film, a ceramic such as zirconia, a transition metal such as nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co), and a metalloid such as boron (B) and phosphorus (P). However, one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, the base 130 may have a tubular shape or a cylindrical shape, and may be disposed to surround the cavity 160 into which the cigarette 20 is inserted. The base 130 may be arranged to surround the cigarette 20 when the cigarette 20 is inserted into the cavity 160 of the aerosol-generating device 10. Thus, the temperature of the aerosol generating substance in the cigarette 20 may be raised by heat transferred from the base 130 outside the cigarette 20.

When power is supplied from the battery 110, the induction coil 140 may generate a variable magnetic field. The variable magnetic field generated by the induction coil 140 may be applied to the susceptor 130, and thus the susceptor 130 may be heated. The power supplied to the induction coil 140 may be adjusted under the control of the controller 120, and the temperature at which the susceptor 130 is heated may be appropriately maintained.

The substance detector 150 may detect whether a cigarette 20 is inserted into the cavity 160. The substance detector 150 can detect a change in inductance due to insertion and separation of the cigarette 20. To this end, the cigarette 20 may include an electromagnetic inductor 210. The electromagnetic inductor 210 may change the inductance of the substance detector 150. The electromagnetic inductor 210 may include a conductor capable of inducing eddy currents and a magnetic material capable of inducing a change in magnetic flux. For example, the electromagnetic inductor 210 may include a metallic material, magnetic ink, magnetic tape, or the like. Further, the electromagnetic inductor 210 may be a metal such as aluminum. However, one or more embodiments are not limited thereto, and the electromagnetic inductor 210 may include a material that changes the inductance of the substance detector 451 without limitation.

The substance detector 150 may include a detection coil (not shown), and may convert a frequency, which is changed due to the insertion and separation of the cigarette 20, into an inductance output value and output the inductance output value.

The controller 120 calculates the amount of change in inductance based on the inductance output value output by the substance detector 150, and may determine whether the cigarette 20 is inserted or separated based on the change in inductance.

When insertion of the cigarette 20 is detected, the controller 120 may automatically perform the heating operation without additional external input. For example, when the controller 120 detects that the cigarette 20 is inserted by using the substance detector 150, the controller 120 may control the battery 110 to supply power to the induction coil 140. When the variable magnetic field is generated by the induction coil 140, the susceptor 130 may be heated. Accordingly, the cigarette 20 disposed inside the base 130 may be heated, and thus an aerosol may be generated.

The cigarette 20 may be a cigarette similar to a conventional combustion cigarette. For example, the cigarette 20 may comprise a first portion comprising an aerosol generating substance and a second portion comprising a filter or the like. Alternatively, the aerosol generating substance may also be included in the second portion of the cigarette 20. For example, an aerosol-generating substance made in the form of particles or capsules may be inserted into the second part.

The entire first portion may be inserted into the aerosol-generating device 10 and the second portion may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a portion of the first portion may be inserted into the aerosol-generating device 10, or the entire first portion and a portion of the second portion may be inserted into the aerosol-generating device 10. The user may draw the aerosol while holding the second portion through the user's mouth. At the same time, the aerosol is generated by the outside air passing through the first portion, and the generated aerosol passes through the second portion and is delivered to the mouth of the user.

For example, external air may be introduced through at least one air channel formed in the aerosol-generating device 10. For example, the user may adjust the opening and closing of the air passage and/or the size of the air passage formed in the aerosol-generating device 10. Thus, the amount of smoking and the feeling of smoking can be adjusted by the user. In another example, outside air may be introduced into the cigarette 20 through at least one hole formed in the surface of the cigarette 20.

Meanwhile, the aerosol-generating device 10 may include other components in addition to the battery 110, the controller 120, the base 130, the induction coil 140, and the substance detector 150. For example, in addition to the substance detector 150, the aerosol-generating device 10 may include a sensor (e.g., a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, etc.) and a user interface. Further, the aerosol-generating device 10 may be manufactured to have a structure that can flow in outside air or can flow out gas in the aerosol-generating device 10 even in a state where the cigarette 20 is inserted.

The user interface may provide information to the user regarding the status of the aerosol-generating device 10. The user interface may include various interface devices such as a display or lights for outputting visual information, a motor for outputting tactile information, a speaker for outputting audible information, an input/output (I/O) interface device (e.g., a button or touch screen) for receiving information input from or outputting information to a user. In addition, the user interface may include various interface units such as terminals for performing data communication or receiving charging power and a communication interface module for performing wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi direct, bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), etc.) with an external device.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 10 may be implemented by selecting only some of the various examples of user interfaces described above. Additionally, the aerosol-generating device 10 may be implemented by combining at least some of the various examples of user interfaces described above. For example, the aerosol-generating device 10 may include a touch screen display capable of receiving user input while outputting visual information through the front surface. The touch screen display may include a fingerprint sensor, and user authentication may be performed by the fingerprint sensor.

Although not shown in fig. 1, the aerosol-generating device 10 and the additional carrier may together form a system. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery 110 of the aerosol-generating device 10. Alternatively, the induction coil 140 may be heated when the carriage and the aerosol-generating device 10 are coupled to each other.

Figure 2 is an internal block diagram of an aerosol-generating device according to one or more embodiments.

Referring to fig. 2, the aerosol-generating device 10 may include a battery 110, a controller 120, a base 130, an induction coil 140, a substance detector 150, and a memory 170. Figure 2 shows some components of the aerosol-generating device 10. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art in connection with embodiments of the present disclosure that other elements may be included in the aerosol-generating device 10 in addition to the components shown in fig. 2. Hereinafter, the same description as that already given above with reference to fig. 1 will be omitted.

The substance detector 150 may detect the presence or absence of an aerosol generating substance in the chamber 160. The substance detector 150 may detect changes in inductance due to insertion and separation of the aerosol generating substance 20. The aerosol generating material 20 may be a cigarette as shown in figure 1.

The substance detector 150 may comprise an inductive sensor for detecting changes in inductance due to insertion and separation of the aerosol generating substance 20. In this case, the aerosol-generating substance 20 may comprise an electromagnetic inductor 210 that may be detected by an inductive sensor. For example, at least one of the plurality of packages comprised in the aerosol-generating substance 20 may be an aluminium foil.

The substance detector 150 may communicate an interrupt signal ir to the controller 120 indicative of a change in inductance due to insertion and separation of the aerosol generating substance 20.

The controller 120 may detect whether the aerosol-generating substance 20 is inserted or separated based on the interrupt signal ir output from the substance detector 150. Furthermore, the controller 120 may identify the type of metal contained in the aerosol-generating substance 20 based on the inductance output value output by the substance detector 150 and determine the authenticity of the aerosol-generating substance 20 and/or the type of aerosol-generating substance 20 based on the type of metal.

When power to the heater 310 is blocked while in the standby mode, the controller 120 may determine whether the aerosol generating substance 20 is inserted into the cavity 160 based on a change in inductance output by the substance detector 150.

When the amount of change in inductance is equal to or greater than a preset upper threshold, the controller 120 may determine that an aerosol generating substance 20 is inserted into the cavity 160.

When it is determined that the aerosol-generating substance 20 is inserted into the cavity 160, the controller 120 may begin to power the heater 310. In this case, the heater 310 may be a component including the susceptor 130 and the induction coil 140.

The controller 120 may control power supplied to the heater 310 through Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). To this end, the controller 120 may include a PWM module.

After the supply of power to the heater 310 is started, the controller 120 may periodically prevent the supply of power to the heater 310. The reason for this is to remove noise components generated by the substance detector 150 by the induction coil 140.

When the supply of power to the heater 310 is started, the controller 120 may determine whether the aerosol generating substance 20 is separated based on the amount of change in inductance output during a preset power blocking time. The controller 120 may determine that the aerosol generating substance 20 is separated from the chamber 160 when the amount of change in the inductance output during the preset power blocking time is less than or equal to a preset lower threshold.

When it is determined that the aerosol-generating substance 20 is separated from the cavity 160, the controller 120 may prevent the supply of power to the heater 310.

The memory 170 may be a hardware component configured to store various pieces of data processed in the aerosol-generating device 10, and the memory 170 may store data processed or to be processed by the controller 120. The memory 170 may include various types of memory, such as random access memory (e.g., Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), etc.), Read Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), etc.

The memory 170 may store upper and lower thresholds for the amount of change in inductance for use in determining whether the aerosol generating substance 20 is present. The memory 170 may store an operating time of the aerosol-generating device 10, a maximum number of puffs, a current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, data regarding a user's smoking pattern, and the like.

Fig. 3 is a flow diagram of a method of operating an aerosol-generating device according to one or more embodiments.

Referring to fig. 3, a method of operation of the aerosol-generating device 10 includes operations of the aerosol-generating device 10 shown in fig. 1 and 2 processed in time series. It will therefore be appreciated that the description given above with respect to the aerosol-generating device 10 of figures 1 and 2 may also be applied to the method described with respect to figure 3, even if the following description is omitted.

In an operational step S310, the controller 120 may determine whether the aerosol generating substance 20 is inserted into the cavity 160 based on the amount of change in inductance when power is prevented from being supplied to the heater 310.

The controller 120 may determine that the aerosol generating substance 20 is inserted into the cavity 160 when the amount of change in inductance is equal to or greater than a preset upper threshold when power to the heater 310 is blocked.

When it is determined that the aerosol generating substance 20 is not inserted into the cavity 160, the controller 120 may wait until the aerosol generating substance 20 is inserted into the cavity 160.

The operation step S310 may be performed in a standby mode. The standby mode is: any mode in which power supplied to components other than those used to detect insertion of the aerosol generating substance 20 (e.g. a substance detector etc.) is blocked prior to insertion of the aerosol generating substance 20 into the cavity 160, and the standby mode of one or more embodiments is not limited by the name of that standby mode. For example, the standby mode may be a power saving mode, a sleep mode, or the like.

In a working step S320, the controller 120 may start the supply of power to the heater 310 when it is determined that the aerosol generating substance 20 is inserted into the cavity 160.

When it is determined that the aerosol-generating substance 20 is inserted into the cavity 160, the controller 120 may automatically supply power to the induction coil 140 without additional external input. The controller 120 may control power supplied to the induction coil 140 through PWM. A method of detecting whether an aerosol-generating substance 20 is inserted and a method of controlling the heater 310 when an aerosol-generating substance 20 is inserted will be described in more detail below with reference to figure 4.

Meanwhile, since the substance detector 150 includes the detection coil, when power is supplied to the induction coil 140, the variable magnetic field generated by the induction coil 140 may affect the detection coil. In other words, when power is supplied to the induction coil 140, the variable magnetic field generated by the induction coil 140 will also cause the detection coil to generate an induced current, and thus may change the inductance output value of the substance detector 150. Since the induced current induced by the induction coil 140 acts as a noise component of the substance detector 150, when the amount of change in inductance is calculated without removing the noise component, the separation of the aerosol-generating substance 20 may not be accurately determined.

To remove the noise component of the substance detector 150 caused by the induction coil 140, the aerosol-generating device 10 of embodiments of the present disclosure may periodically block the supply of power to the heater 310 and determine the separation of the aerosol-generating substance 20 based on the inductance output value output by the substance detector 150 during a preset power blocking time.

In detail, after the controller 120 starts the supply of power to the heater 310 in the operation S330, the supply of power to the heater 310 may be periodically blocked.

For example, the controller 120 may prevent the supply of power to the heater 310 for 100ms every 1900ms, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.

In an operational step S340, the controller 120 may determine whether the aerosol generating substance 20 is separated from the cavity 160 based on the amount of change in inductance when power is prevented from being supplied to the heater 310.

The controller 120 may determine whether the aerosol generating substance 20 is separated based on the amount of change in the inductance output during the preset power blocking time. For example, when the controller 120 prevents the supply of power to the induction coil 140 within 100ms every 1900ms, it may be determined whether the aerosol-generating substance 20 is separated based on the amount of change in inductance within 100 ms.

The controller 120 may determine that the aerosol generating substance 20 is separated from the chamber 160 when the amount of change in the inductance output during the preset power blocking time is less than or equal to a preset lower threshold.

Since the aerosol-generating device 10 of the embodiment of the present disclosure calculates the amount of change in inductance of the substance detector 150 when power is prevented from being supplied to the induction coil 140, noise components generated by the substance detector 150 by the induction coil 140 can be completely removed, and thus whether the aerosol-generating substance 20 is separated or not can be accurately determined.

In an operational step S350, the controller 120 may prevent power from being supplied to the heater 310 when it is determined that the aerosol generating substance 20 is separated from the chamber 160.

When it is determined that the aerosol-generating substance 20 is separated from the cavity 160, the controller 120 may automatically prevent the supply of power to the induction coil 140 without additional external input. A method of detecting whether the aerosol-generating substance 20 is separated and a method of controlling the heater 310 when the aerosol-generating substance 20 is separated will be described in more detail below with reference to fig. 5.

Figure 4 is a flow chart for describing a method of detecting insertion of an aerosol-generating substance and a method of controlling a heater when an aerosol-generating substance is inserted.

Referring to fig. 4, in operation S410, the controller 120 may enable the substance detector 150 when power is prevented from being supplied to the heater 310.

In the standby mode, the controller 120 may prevent power from being supplied to the heater 310 and may supply power to the substance detector 150. After the substance detector 150 is enabled, the controller 120 may periodically collect the inductive output value of the substance detector 150. The stage for collecting the inductance output value may be appropriately set based on the power consumption, the amount of change in the inductance, and the like. For example, the controller 120 may collect the inductance output values of the substance detector 451 at intervals of 100ms, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.

In operation S420, the controller 120 may calculate the amount of change in inductance based on the inductance output value output by the substance detector 150.

In detail, since the aerosol generating substance 20 comprises the electromagnetic inductor 210, the inductance of the detection coils comprised in the substance detector 150 may be increased when the aerosol generating substance 20 is inserted into the cavity 160.

The substance detector 150 may output the inductance output value as the interrupt signal ir to the controller 410. The controller 120 may calculate the increase in inductance based on the interrupt signal ir.

In operation S430, the controller 120 may compare the variation of the inductance with an upper threshold.

The upper threshold may be set in consideration of the self-inductance of the substance detector 150 and the mutual inductance between the detection coils of the substance detector 150 and the aerosol-generating substance 20. For example, the upper threshold may be +0.32mH, but is not limited to +0.32 mH.

In a working step S440, the controller 120 may determine that the aerosol generating substance 20 is inserted into the cavity 160 when the amount of change in inductance is equal to or greater than a preset upper threshold.

Alternatively, the controller 120 may determine that the aerosol generating substance 20 is not inserted into the cavity 160 and is continuously maintained in the standby mode when the amount of change in inductance is less than a preset upper threshold. In other words, the controller 120 may periodically collect the inductance output value of the substance detector 150 when power is supplied to the substance detector 150, and calculate the amount of change in inductance based on the collected inductance output value.

In a working step S450, the controller 120 may start the supply of power to the heater 310 when it is determined that the aerosol generating substance 20 is inserted into the cavity 160.

In one embodiment, the controller 120 may output a trigger signal to the induction coil 140 for heating the aerosol generating substance 20 when it is determined that the aerosol generating substance 20 is inserted into the cavity 160. The trigger signal may be a signal modulated by a PWM method. In other words, the heater 310 may heat automatically when the aerosol generating substance 20 is inserted into the cavity 160 without additional external input. The aerosol-generating device 10 according to one or more embodiments identifies the aerosol-generating substance 20 and automatically heats the heater 310, thereby increasing user convenience.

Figure 5 is a flow chart for describing a method of detecting separation of an aerosol-generating substance and a method of controlling a heater when an aerosol-generating substance is separated. Fig. 6 is a diagram for describing a power blocking time and a power supply time, which may be applied to the method described with respect to fig. 5, according to an embodiment. Fig. 7 is a diagram for describing a method of calculating a variation amount of inductance according to an embodiment, which may be applied to the method described with respect to fig. 5.

Referring to figure 5, in a working step S510, the controller 120 may periodically prevent the supply of power to the heater 310 when the aerosol generating substance 20 is inserted into the cavity 160.

The controller 120 may supply power to the heater 310 and prevent power from being supplied to the heater 310 based on the periodic control signal.

Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating a periodic control signal.

In fig. 6, during one period Tc of the periodic control signal, when the control signal is turned on, power is supplied to the heater 310, and when the control signal is turned off, power is prevented from being supplied to the heater 310. In other words, the controller 120 may supply power to the heater 310 and prevent power from being supplied to the heater 310 based on the periodic control signal. For example, the controller 120 may prevent the supply of power to the heater 310 for 100ms every 1900 ms. When the power supplied to the heater 310 is blocked, the noise component due to the induction coil 140 can be completely removed from the inductance output value of the substance detector 150.

Meanwhile, in one period Tc of the periodic control signal, the power blocking time T_DisconnectCan be set shorter than the power supply time T_{Is connected to}. For example, the power supply time T_{Is connected to}Can be set to the power blocking time T_Disconnect19 times or more than the power blocking time T_Disconnect19 times greater. Accordingly, the aerosol-generating device 10 according to one or more embodiments may prevent a rapid temperature drop of the heater 310, thereby preventing deterioration of the taste of smoking.

Referring again to fig. 5, in operation S520, the controller 120 may periodically calculate the amount of change in inductance based on the inductance output value output by the substance detector 150 when power is prevented from being supplied to the heater 310.

Controller 120 may be based on the power blocking time T by substance detector 150_DisconnectThe inductance output value outputted in the period is used for calculating the variation of the inductance. For example, the power supply time T when in one period Tc of the periodic control signal_{Is connected to}Is 1900ms and the power blocking time T_DisconnectWhich is 100ms, the controller 120 may calculate the amount of change in inductance over 100 ms.

The controller 120 may be based on the power blocking time T by the substance detector 150 at each cycle Tc_DisconnectThe inductance output value outputted in the period is used for calculating the variation of the inductance.

Figure 7 is a state graph 720 showing an indication of the insertion state and the separation state of the aerosol-generating substance 20 and the power blocking time T at each stage_DisconnectA graph 710 of the amount of change in inductance during which is calculated by the controller 120.

In figure 7, the state of insertion of the aerosol-generating substance 20 is shown as a high state and the state of separation of the aerosol-generating substance 20 is shown as a low state.

As described above, the controller 120 may periodically block the supply of power to the heater 310 when the aerosol-generating substance 20 is inserted into the cavity 160, and calculate the power blocking time T_DisconnectThe amount of change in inductance during the period. Thus, as shown in FIG. 7, mayTo periodically derive the amount of change in inductance.

The controller 120 may determine whether the aerosol generating substance 20 is separated based on the periodically calculated amount of change in inductance.

At the same time, since the aerosol-generating substance 20 comprises the electromagnetic inductor 210, the inductance of the detection coils comprised in the substance detector 150 may be reduced when the aerosol-generating substance 20 is separated from the cavity 160.

The substance detector 150 may output the inductance output value as the interrupt signal ir to the controller 410. The controller 120 may calculate the reduction of the inductance based on the interrupt signal ir.

Referring again to operation S530 of fig. 5, the controller 120 may compare the variation of the inductance with the lower threshold.

The lower threshold may be set in consideration of the self-inductance of the substance detector 150 and the mutual inductance between the detection coils of the substance detector 150 and the aerosol-generating substance 20. For example, the lower threshold may be-0.32 mH, but is not limited to-0.32 mH.

Meanwhile, the absolute value of the lower threshold may be the same as the absolute value of the upper threshold of fig. 4. When the absolute value of the lower threshold (e.g. the value th2) is set equal to the absolute value of the upper threshold (e.g. the value th1), the insertion and separation of the aerosol-generating substance 20 can be determined more accurately.

In an operation S540, the controller 120 may determine that the aerosol generating substance 20 is separated from the cavity 160 when the variation of the inductance is less than or equal to a preset lower threshold.

Alternatively, when the amount of change in inductance is greater than a preset lower threshold, the controller 410 may determine that the aerosol generating substance 20 is not separated from the cavity 160 and may periodically calculate the amount of change in inductance.

In an operational step S550, the controller 120 may prevent power from being supplied to the heater 310 when it is determined that the aerosol generating substance 20 is separated from the chamber 160.

In other words, when the aerosol generating substance 20 is separated from the cavity 160, heating of the heater 310 may be automatically stopped without additional external input. The aerosol-generating device 10 according to one or more embodiments identifies that the aerosol-generating substance 20 is separated and automatically stops heating of the heater 310, thereby preventing overheating of the aerosol-generating device 10 and significantly reducing power consumption.

The embodiments of the present disclosure may be written as computer programs and may be implemented in general-use digital computers that execute the programs using a computer readable recording medium. In addition, the structure of data used in the above-described method may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium in various ways. Examples of the computer readable recording medium include magnetic storage media (e.g., ROM, RAM, USB drives, floppy disks, hard disks, etc.), optical recording media (e.g., CD-ROMs, or DVDs), and so forth.

It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art having regard to the embodiments of the present disclosure that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the features described above. The disclosed methods should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope of equivalents of the disclosure should be construed as being included in the present disclosure.