阅读说明：本技术 气溶胶生成装置及其操作方法 (Aerosol generating device and method of operating the same ) 是由 郑炯真 于 2020-12-09 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种气溶胶生成装置,气溶胶生成装置构造成基于电感的变化量来确定气溶胶生成物质相对于气溶胶生成装置的插入以及分离,并且基于确定结果而将加热器控制成对气溶胶生成物质进行加热。(An aerosol-generating device configured to determine insertion and separation of an aerosol-generating substance relative to the aerosol-generating device based on a change in inductance and to control a heater to heat the aerosol-generating substance based on a result of the determination.)

1. A method of operating an aerosol-generating device, the method comprising:

detecting whether an aerosol-generating substance is inserted into the cavity based on a variation amount of the inductance;

heating the aerosol generating substance based on the aerosol generating substance being inserted into the cavity;

detecting whether the aerosol generating substance is separated from the cavity based on an amount of change in the inductance as the aerosol generating substance is heated; and

based on the determination that the aerosol-generating substance is separated from the cavity, stopping heating of the aerosol-generating substance according to the amount of change in the inductance during a preset separation time.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second light sources are selected from the group consisting of,

wherein detecting whether the aerosol-generating substance is inserted into the cavity comprises:

an activation substance detector configured to detect the presence of the aerosol-generating substance;

periodically collecting an inductance output value of the substance detector after the substance detector is activated;

calculating the variable quantity of the inductor based on the inductor output value; 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.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first and second light sources are selected from the group consisting of,

wherein detecting whether the aerosol-generating substance is inserted into the cavity further comprises:

outputting a trigger signal for heating the aerosol generating substance based on the determination that the aerosol generating substance is inserted into the cavity.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second light sources are selected from the group consisting of,

wherein heating the aerosol generating substance comprises:

preheating a heater for heating the aerosol generating substance during a preset preheating time; and

heating the heater during a preset smoking time after the preset warm-up time.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first and second light sources are selected from the group consisting of,

wherein preheating the heater comprises:

initiating preheating of the heater based on a trigger signal generated by insertion of the aerosol generating substance; and

the temperature of the heater is raised to a vaporization temperature for aerosol generation.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second light sources are selected from the group consisting of,

wherein detecting whether the aerosol-generating substance is separated from the cavity comprises:

correcting an inductive output value of a substance detector, wherein the substance detector is configured to detect the presence of the aerosol generating substance;

calculating a variation of the inductance based on the corrected inductance output value; and

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.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first and second light sources are selected from the group consisting of,

wherein correcting the inductance output value comprises:

reducing the inductive output value of the substance detector in response to an increase in temperature of a heater configured to heat the aerosol generating substance.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second light sources are selected from the group consisting of,

wherein stopping heating of the aerosol generating substance comprises:

periodically collecting an inductance output value of the substance detector during the preset separation time;

calculating the variable quantity of the inductor based on the inductor output value; and

based on the amount of change in the inductance being less than a preset upper threshold, stopping heating of the aerosol generating substance.

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

a cavity configured to receive an aerosol-generating substance;

a heater configured to heat the aerosol generating substance in the cavity;

a substance detector configured to measure an inductance that varies as a function of insertion and separation of the aerosol-generating substance;

a battery configured to supply power to the heater and the substance detector; and

a controller configured to determine insertion and separation of the aerosol generating substance based on the amount of change in the inductance, and to control the heater to heat the aerosol generating substance based on a result of the determination.

10. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 9,

wherein the controller is further configured to:

activating the substance detector when power is not supplied to the heater,

periodically collecting an inductance output value of the substance detector, calculating a variation amount of the inductance based on the inductance output value, 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 device according to claim 9,

wherein the controller is further configured to: outputting a trigger signal for heating the aerosol generating substance based on the determination that the aerosol generating substance is inserted into the cavity.

12. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 11,

wherein the preheating of the heater is initiated by the trigger signal, and wherein the controller is further configured to increase the temperature of the heater to a vaporization temperature that causes aerosol generation by preheating the heater during a preset preheating time.

13. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 9,

wherein the controller is further configured to:

correcting the inductance output value of the substance detector while the heater is being heated,

calculating a variation of the inductance from the corrected inductance output value, an

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.

14. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 13,

wherein the controller is further configured to correct the inductance output value by decreasing the inductance output value of the substance detector in response to a temperature increase of the heater.

15. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 9,

wherein the controller is further configured to:

periodically collecting an inductive output value of the substance detector during a preset separation time based on a determination that the aerosol-generating substance is separated from the cavity,

calculating the variation of the inductance according to the inductance output value, and

based on the amount of change in the inductance being less than a preset upper threshold, stopping heating of the aerosol generating substance.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to aerosol-generating devices and methods of operating the same, and more particularly, to aerosol-generating devices capable of automatically heating a heater by identifying an aerosol-generating substance and methods of operating the same.

Background

Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods to solve the problems of the conventional cigarettes. For example, there is an increasing demand for methods of generating aerosols by heating an aerosol generating substance in a cigarette or liquid store rather than by burning a cigarette.

However, in conventional aerosol-generating devices, additional input operations are required by the user to heat the heater after the cigarette is inserted, thereby causing inconvenience to the user and creating a delay before the first puff.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

One or more embodiments include an aerosol generating device capable of recognizing the insertion of a cigarette and automatically heating a heater, and methods of operating the same.

One or more embodiments include an aerosol-generating device capable of identifying the separation of a cigarette from the aerosol-generating device and automatically stopping heating of a heater, and methods of operating the same.

The technical problems of the present disclosure are not limited to the above description, and other technical problems may be solved according to the embodiments described below.

Technical scheme for solving problems

According to one or more embodiments, there is provided a method of operating an aerosol-generating device, the method comprising: detecting whether an aerosol-generating substance is inserted into the cavity based on a variation amount of the inductance; heating the aerosol-generating substance based on the aerosol-generating substance being inserted into the cavity; detecting whether the aerosol-generating substance is separated from the cavity based on an amount of change in inductance as the aerosol-generating substance is heated; and stopping heating the aerosol generating substance based on an amount of change in inductance during a preset separation time when the aerosol generating substance is separated from the cavity.

The invention has the advantages of

Aerosol-generating devices and methods of operating the same according to one or more embodiments may improve user convenience by: the heater is automatically heated after the cigarette is identified without additional user input.

In addition, the aerosol-generating device and method of operation thereof may reduce the delay before the first puff by the user by automatically heating the heater after the cigarette is identified.

Furthermore, the aerosol-generating device and the method of operating the same automatically stop heating of the heater by recognizing the separation of the cigarette, thereby preventing overheating of the aerosol-generating device and reducing power consumption.

Advantages and effects according to the above-described embodiments are not limited thereto, and may include other advantages and effects that may be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure.

Drawings

Figures 1 and 2 are diagrams illustrating an example of inserting a cigarette into an aerosol-generating device.

Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the cigarette shown in figures 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram of an aerosol-generating device according to one or more embodiments.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart for describing a method for operating a heater based on whether an aerosol generating substance is inserted and separated according to one or more embodiments.

Figure 6 is a flow chart for describing a method of detecting insertion of an aerosol generating substance and corresponding operation of a heater and output unit when an aerosol generating substance is inserted.

Fig. 7 is a graph further describing fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart of a method of heating a heater according to a warm-up period and a smoking period.

Fig. 9 is a graph showing a change in inductance output value with an increase in heater temperature.

Figure 10 is a flow chart for describing a method of detecting separation of an aerosol generating substance and corresponding operation of a heater and output unit when the aerosol generating substance is separated.

Fig. 11 is a graph further describing fig. 10.

Figure 12 is a flow diagram of a method of ceasing heating of a heater when aerosol generating material is separated.

Detailed Description

Best mode for carrying out the invention

According to one or more embodiments, there is provided a method of operating an aerosol-generating device, the method comprising: detecting whether an aerosol-generating substance is inserted into the cavity based on a variation amount of the inductance; heating the aerosol-generating substance based on the aerosol-generating substance being inserted into the cavity; detecting whether the aerosol-generating substance is separated from the cavity based on an amount of change in inductance when the aerosol-generating substance is heated; and based on the determination of separation of the aerosol-generating substance from the cavity, stopping heating of the aerosol-generating substance according to the amount of change in inductance during a preset separation time.

Furthermore, detecting whether an aerosol-generating substance is inserted into the cavity may comprise: an activation substance detector configured to detect the presence of an aerosol-generating substance; periodically collecting an inductance output value of the substance detector after the substance detector is activated; calculating the variable quantity of the inductance based on the inductance output value; 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 predetermined upper threshold.

Furthermore, detecting whether an aerosol-generating substance is inserted into the cavity may further comprise: based on the determination that the aerosol-generating substance is inserted into the cavity, a trigger signal for heating the aerosol-generating substance is output.

Furthermore, detecting whether an aerosol-generating substance is inserted into the cavity may also comprise visually or audibly outputting the insertion status of the aerosol-generating substance.

Furthermore, heating the aerosol-generating substance may comprise: preheating a heater for heating the aerosol-generating substance during a preset preheating time; and heating the heater during a preset smoking time after the preset warm-up time.

Further, preheating the heater may include: initiating preheating of the heater based on a trigger signal generated by insertion of the aerosol generating substance; and raising the temperature of the heater to a vaporization temperature that causes aerosol generation.

Further, in the heating of the heater, the temperature of the heater may be maintained equal to or higher than the vaporization temperature during the smoking time.

Furthermore, detecting whether the aerosol-generating substance is separated from the cavity may comprise: correcting an inductive output value of a substance detector configured to detect the presence of an aerosol generating substance; calculating the variable quantity of the inductance according to the corrected inductance output value; and 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.

Further, the correction of the inductance output value comprises decreasing the inductance output value of the substance detector in response to an increase in temperature of a heater configured to heat the aerosol generating substance.

Furthermore, detecting whether the aerosol-generating substance is separated from the cavity may also comprise outputting the separation status of the aerosol-generating substance visually or audibly.

Furthermore, stopping heating of the aerosol-generating substance may comprise: periodically collecting an inductance output value of the substance detector during a preset separation time; calculating the variable quantity of the inductance based on the inductance output value; and stopping heating the aerosol generating substance based on the amount of change in inductance being less than a preset upper threshold.

According to one or more embodiments, an aerosol-generating device comprises: a cavity configured to receive an aerosol-generating substance; and a heater configured to heat the aerosol generating substance in the chamber; a substance detector configured to measure an inductance that varies as a function of insertion and separation of aerosol-generating substance; a battery configured to supply power to the heater and the substance detector; and a controller configured to determine insertion and separation of the aerosol-generating substance based on the amount of change in inductance, and to control the heater to heat the aerosol-generating substance based on the determination.

Further, the controller may be further configured to: activating the substance detector when no power is supplied to the heater, periodically collecting an inductance output value of the substance detector, calculating a change in inductance based on the inductance output value, and determining that the aerosol generating substance is inserted into the chamber based on the inductance change being equal to or greater than a preset upper threshold.

Furthermore, the controller may be further configured to output a trigger signal for heating the aerosol generating substance based on the determination that the aerosol generating substance is inserted into the cavity.

Further, the preheating of the heater may be initiated by a trigger signal, and the controller may be further configured to raise the temperature of the heater to a vaporization temperature at which the aerosol is generated by preheating the heater during a preset preheating time.

Further, the controller may maintain the temperature of the heater at or above the vaporization temperature during a preset smoking time after the warm-up time.

Further, the controller may be further configured to: the method includes correcting an inductance output value of the substance detector while the heater is heated, calculating a variation of the inductance based on the corrected inductance output value, and determining that the aerosol generating substance is separated from the chamber based on the variation of the inductance being less than or equal to a preset lower threshold.

Further, the controller may be further configured to correct the inductance output value by causing the inductance output value of the substance detector to decrease in response to an increase in the temperature of the heater.

Further, the controller may be further configured to: the method comprises periodically collecting an inductance output value of the substance detector during a preset separation time based on a determination that the aerosol generating substance is separated from the chamber, calculating a change in inductance based on the inductance output value, and stopping heating of the aerosol generating substance based on the change in inductance being less than a preset upper threshold.

In addition, the aerosol-generating device may further comprise an output unit configured to visually or audibly output the insertion state and the separation state of the aerosol-generating substance.

Aspects of the invention

As used herein, expressions such as "at least one of …" when preceded by a list of elements modify the entire list of elements without modifying each element in the list. For example, the expression "at least one of a, b and c" is understood to mean: including 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 or layer is referred to as being "on," "over," "on," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it can be directly on, over, on, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly over," "directly on," "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

In terms of terms describing various embodiments of the present disclosure, general terms, which 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. Further, in some cases, terms that are not commonly used may be selected. In this case, the meanings of the terms will be described in detail at corresponding parts in the description of the present disclosure. Thus, terms used in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the description provided herein.

Furthermore, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the terms "comprising" and variations "including" and "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 of functions and works, and may be implemented by hardware components or software components, and a combination thereof.

In the present disclosure, "inhalation" may refer to the user inhaling certain aerosols, and inhalation may refer to the user's breathing action through the user's mouth, nasal cavity, or lungs.

In the present disclosure, the preheating period refers to a period for raising the respective temperatures of the first and second heaters, and the smoking period may refer to a period for maintaining the temperature of the first heater and a period during which the user inhales the aerosol. Hereinafter, the preheating period and the smoking period may have the same meaning as the preheating period and the smoking period, respectively.

The present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are shown and described, so that one of ordinary skill in the art may understand and practice one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

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

Figures 1 and 2 are diagrams illustrating an example of a cigarette being inserted into an aerosol-generating device.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the aerosol-generating device 1 may comprise a battery 11, a controller 12, a heater 13 and a vaporiser 14. Furthermore, a cigarette 2 may be inserted into the inner space of the aerosol-generating device 1.

Figures 1 and 2 show certain components of an aerosol-generating device 1. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to which the present embodiment relates that other components may be included in the aerosol-generating device 1 in addition to those shown in figures 1 and 2.

Fig. 1 shows a battery 11, controller 12, heater 13 and vaporizer 14 arranged in series. In addition, fig. 2 shows that the vaporizer 14 and the heater 13 are arranged in parallel. However, the internal structure of the aerosol-generating device 1 is not limited to the structure shown in fig. 1 and 2. In other words, the battery 11, the controller 12, the heater 13 and the vaporizer 14 may be arranged differently depending on the design of the aerosol-generating device 1.

When the cigarette 2 is inserted into the cavity 15 of the aerosol-generating device 1, the aerosol-generating device 1 may operate the heater 13 and/or the vaporizer 14 to generate an aerosol. The aerosol generated by the heater 13 and/or the vaporiser 14 is delivered to the user by passing through the cigarette 2.

The battery 11 may supply power for operating the aerosol-generating device 1. For example, the battery 11 may supply power to heat the heater 13 or the vaporizer 14, and may supply power for operating the controller 12. Furthermore, the battery 11 may supply power for operating a display, sensors, motors, etc. comprised in the aerosol-generating device 1.

The controller 12 may control the overall operation of the aerosol-generating device 1. In detail, the controller 12 may control not only the operation of the battery 11, the heater 13 and the vaporizer 14, but also the operation of other components included in the aerosol-generating device 1. In addition, the controller 12 may check the status of each of the components of the aerosol-generating device 1 to determine whether the aerosol-generating device 1 is in an operable state.

The controller 12 may include at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable by the microprocessor is stored. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that one or more processors may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

The heater 13 may be heated by power supplied from the battery 11. For example, the heater 13 may be located outside the cigarette 2 when the cigarette 2 is inserted into the aerosol-generating device 1. Thus, the heated heater may raise the temperature of the aerosol generating material in the cigarette 2.

The heater 13 may comprise a resistance heater. For example, the heater 13 may include a conductive trace, and the heater 13 may be heated when current flows through the conductive trace. However, the heater 13 is not limited to the above example, and may include any heater that can be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be set in advance in the aerosol-generating device 1, or may be set to a temperature desired by the user.

As another example, the heater 13 may include an induction heater. In detail, the heater 13 may comprise a conductive coil for heating the cigarette in an induction heating method, and the cigarette may comprise a base, which may be heated by the induction heater.

For example, the heater 13 may include a tube type heating element, a plate type heating element, a needle type heating element, or a rod type heating element, and the heater may heat the inside or outside of the cigarette 2 according to the shape of the heating element.

Furthermore, the aerosol-generating device 1 may comprise a plurality of heaters 13. Here, the plurality of heaters 13 may be inserted into the cigarette 2 or may be disposed outside the cigarette 2. Also, some of the plurality of heaters 13 may be inserted into the cigarette 2, and others may be disposed outside the cigarette 2. In addition, the shape of the heater 13 is not limited to the shape shown in fig. 1 to 3, and may include various shapes.

The vaporizer 14 may generate an aerosol by heating the liquid composition, and the generated aerosol may be delivered to the user through the cigarette 2. In other words, the aerosol generated via the vaporizer 14 may move along the air flow channel of the aerosol-generating device 1, and the air flow channel may be configured such that the aerosol generated via the vaporizer 14 passes through the cigarette 2 and is delivered to the user.

For example, the vaporizer 14 may include a liquid storage portion, a liquid delivery element, and a heating element, but is not limited thereto. For example, the liquid reservoir, the liquid transfer element and the heating element may be included in the aerosol-generating device 1 as separate modules.

The liquid storage part can store liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid comprising a tobacco-containing material containing a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid comprising a non-tobacco material. The liquid storage may be formed to be attached to the vaporizer 14 or detached from the vaporizer 14, or the liquid storage may be formed integrally with the vaporizer 14.

For example, the liquid composition may include water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts, flavors, fragrances, or vitamin mixtures. Flavors may include, but are not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint, and various fruit flavor components. The scents may include ingredients that provide a variety of scents or tastes to the user. The vitamin mixture may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin a, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the liquid composition may include aerosol-forming materials such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

The liquid transfer element may transfer the liquid composition of the liquid reservoir to the heating element. For example, the liquid transport element may be a core (wick) such as, but not limited to, cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic.

The heating element is an element for heating the liquid composition delivered by the liquid delivery element. For example, the heating element may be a metal heating wire, a metal hot plate, a ceramic heater, or the like, but is not limited thereto. Additionally, the heating element may include a conductive wire, such as a nickel chromium wire, and the heating element may be positioned to wrap around the liquid transport element. The heating element may be heated by supplying an electric current, and may transfer heat to the liquid composition in contact with the heating element, thereby heating the liquid composition. As a result, an aerosol can be generated.

For example, the vaporizer 14 may be referred to as a cartomizer or an atomizer (atomizer), but is not limited thereto.

The aerosol-generating device 1 may comprise other components in addition to the battery 11, the controller 12, the heater 13 and the vaporizer 14. For example, the aerosol-generating device 1 may comprise a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting tactile information. Furthermore, the aerosol-generating device 1 may comprise at least one sensor (e.g. a puff detection sensor, a temperature detection sensor, a cigarette insertion detection sensor, etc.). Furthermore, the aerosol-generating device 1 may be formed as follows: in this configuration, external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged even when the cigarette 2 is inserted into the aerosol-generating device 1.

Although not illustrated in fig. 1 and 2, the aerosol-generating device 1 may form a system with an additional carrier. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery 11 of the aerosol-generating device 1. Alternatively, the heater 13 may be heated when the carriage and the aerosol-generating device 1 are coupled to each other.

The cigarette 2 may be a conventional combustion type cigarette. For example, the cigarette 2 may be divided into a first portion comprising the aerosol-generating substance and a second portion comprising a filter or the like. Alternatively, the second portion of the cigarette 2 may also comprise an aerosol generating substance. For example, an aerosol-generating substance made in the form of particles or capsules may be inserted into the second portion.

The entire first portion may be inserted into the aerosol-generating device 1 and the second portion may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a part of the first portion may be inserted into the aerosol-generating device 1, or a part of the second portion and the entire first portion may be inserted into the aerosol-generating device 1. The user may draw the aerosol while holding the second portion through the user's mouth. In this case, the aerosol is generated by the external air passing through the first portion, and the generated aerosol passes through the second portion and is delivered into the mouth of the user.

For example, external air may flow into at least one air channel formed in the aerosol-generating device 1. For example, the user may adjust the opening and closing of an air passage and/or the size of an air passage formed in the aerosol-generating device 1. Thus, the user can adjust the amount of smoke and the smoking effect. As another example, outside air may flow into the cigarette 2 through at least one hole formed in the surface of the cigarette 2. Hereinafter, an example of the cigarette 2 will be described with reference to fig. 3.

Figure 3 shows an example of the cigarette shown in figures 1 and 2.

The cigarette 3 of figure 3 may correspond to the cigarette 2 of figures 1 and 2.

Referring to fig. 3, the cigarette 3 may include a tobacco rod 31 and a filter rod 32. The first portion 31 described above with reference to fig. 1 and 2 may comprise a tobacco rod and the second portion may comprise a filter rod 22.

According to an embodiment, the cigarette 3 may comprise a front end plug 33. The front end plug 33 may be located on the side of the tobacco rod 21 not facing the filter rod 32. The front end plug 33 may prevent the tobacco rod 31 from separating outwards during smoking and prevent liquefied aerosol from flowing from the tobacco rod 31 into the aerosol-generating device 1.

The tobacco rod 31 may comprise an aerosol generating substance. For example, the aerosol-generating substance may include at least one of glycerol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the tobacco rod 31 may include other additives, such as flavorants, humectants, and/or organic acids. In addition, the tobacco rod 31 may include a flavoring liquid, such as menthol or a humectant, injected into the tobacco rod 31.

The tobacco rod 31 may be manufactured in various forms. For example, the tobacco rod 21 may be formed as a sheet or a filament (strand). Further, the tobacco rod 31 may be formed as cut tobacco formed from fine scraps cut from tobacco sheets. Further, the tobacco rod 31 may be surrounded by a heat conducting material. For example, the thermally conductive material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foil, such as aluminum foil. For example, the thermally conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 31 may evenly distribute the heat transferred to the tobacco rod 31, and thus, the thermal conductivity of the tobacco rod may be increased and the taste of the tobacco may be improved. Furthermore, the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 31 may serve as a base to be heated by the induction heater. Here, although not shown in the drawings, the tobacco rod 31 may include an additional base in addition to the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 31.

The filter rod 32 may include a first segment and a second segment. The filter rod 32 may comprise a cellulose acetate filter. Further, the shape of the filter rod 22 is not limited. For example, the filter rod 22 may comprise a cylindrical rod or a tubular rod having a hollow interior. Further, the filter rod 22 may comprise a recessed rod. When the filter rod 22 comprises a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may have a different shape.

Further, the filter rod 32 may include at least one capsule 34. Here, the capsule 34 may generate a flavoring or an aerosol. For example, the capsule 34 may be formed such that a liquid containing the scented material is wrapped through the membrane. For example, the capsule 34 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

The length of the front end plug 33 may be about 7mm, the length of the tobacco rod 31 may be about 15mm, the length of the first segment 321 may be about 12mm, and the length of the second segment 322 may be about 14mm, although the length of each of the components described above is not limited thereto.

Cigarettes 3 may be wrapped by at least one wrapper 35. The package 35 may have at least one hole through which external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged. For example, the front end plug 33 may be packaged by a first wrapper 351, and the tobacco rod 31 may be packaged by a second wrapper 352, and the first segment 321 may be packaged by a third wrapper 321, and the second segment 322 may be packaged by a fourth wrapper 354. Furthermore, the entire cigarette 3 can be wrapped by a fifth wrapper 355.

Also, the fifth package 355 may have at least one hole 36. For example, the aperture 36 may be formed in an area surrounding the tobacco rod 31, but is not limited thereto. The holes 36 may be used to transfer heat generated by the heater 13 as in fig. 1 and 2 to the interior of the tobacco rod 31.

On the other hand, the cigarette 3 may further include an electromagnetic inductor. The electromagnetic inductor may cause the inductance of the substance detector 451 in fig. 4 described below to change. The electromagnetic inductor 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 may include a metallic material, magnetic ink, magnetic tape, or the like. For example, the electromagnetic inductor may be an aluminum foil. Also, the electromagnetic inductor may include a material that changes the inductance of the substance detector 451, but is not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, at least one of first package 351-fifth package 355 may include an electromagnetic inductor material.

In another embodiment, the electromagnetic inductor may surround at least one of the first pack 351 to the fifth pack 355 along a circumferential portion of the cigarette 3, with one side of the electromagnetic inductor facing an inner surface of the at least one pack.

The position at which the electromagnetic sensor is located within the cigarette 3 can vary.

In an embodiment, the electromagnetic inductor may be provided in a region corresponding to the front end plug 33. Here, as the cigarette 3 is inserted into the aerosol-generating device 1 along the direction in which the front end plug 33 faces the aerosol-generating device 1, the electromagnetic inductor may be inserted into the aerosol-generating device 1 once insertion of the cigarette 3 begins. Thus, the substance detector 451 can detect at an earlier location by detecting the proximity of the electromagnetic inductor: the insertion of the cigarette 3 is started.

Further, when the cigarette 3 is separated from the aerosol-generating device, the front end plug 33 is separated from the aerosol-generating device 1 at the end, and therefore, the substance detector 451 can detect that the cigarette 3 is completely separated by detecting the separation of the electromagnetic inductor.

In another embodiment, the electromagnetic inductor may be located within the tobacco rod 31 or around the tobacco rod 31 while overlapping the fifth wrapper 355.

In another embodiment, the electromagnetic inductor may be located within the filter rod 32 or around the filter rod 32 while overlapping the fifth package 355.

In another embodiment, electromagnetic inductors may be disposed between the segments. Alternatively, the electromagnetic inductor may be provided at the bottom or top of the cigarette 3.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram of an aerosol-generating device according to one or more embodiments.

Referring to fig. 4, an aerosol-generating device 1 according to one or more embodiments may comprise a controller 410, a battery 420, a first heater 430, a second heater 440, a detector 450, an output unit 460, an input unit 470 and a memory 480.

Furthermore, the detector 450 may comprise a substance detector 451 to detect aerosol generating substances, a puff detector 453 to detect a puff by the user, and a temperature detector to detect the temperature of the heaters 430 and 440.

The controller 410 may control the battery 420, the first heater 430, the second heater 440, the detector 450, the output unit 460, the input unit 470 and the memory 480 included in the aerosol-generating device 1 together.

The battery 420 supplies power to the first and second heaters 430 and 440, and the amount of power supplied to each of the first and second heaters 430 and 440 may be adjusted by the controller 410.

The first heater 430 may generate the first aerosol by heating the first aerosol-generating substance. When an electric current is applied to the first heater 430, heat is generated by a certain resistance, and when the first aerosol-generating substance comes into contact with the heated first heater 430 (or is combined with the heated first heater 430), an aerosol is generated.

The first heater 430 may be a component corresponding to the heater 13 of fig. 1 and 2. The first aerosol-generating substance may be a solid substance comprising nicotine.

The second heater 440 may generate a second aerosol by heating a second aerosol generating substance. The second heater 440 may be a component corresponding to a heating element provided in the vaporizer 14 of fig. 1 and 2. Further, the second aerosol-generating substance may be a liquid composition stored in the liquid storage portion of fig. 1 and 2. The second aerosol-generating substance may be a liquid substance comprising an aerosol-former.

The second heater 440 may generate a second aerosol by heating the second aerosol generating substance, and the generated second aerosol may pass through the first aerosol generating substance and be delivered to the user together with the first aerosol.

The controller 410 may control power supplied to the first and second heaters 430 and 440. The controller 410 may adjust power supplied to the first and second heaters 430 and 440 by controlling the battery 420.

The controller 410 may control power supplied to the first and second heaters 430 and 440 through Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). To this end, the controller 410 may include a PWM module.

The controller 410 may determine whether the first aerosol-generating substance is inserted and removed, and control power supplied to the first heater 430 and the second heater 440 based on the determination result, thereby heating the first heater 430 and the second heater 440.

Specifically, the inductance of the substance detector 451 may change when the first aerosol-generating substance is inserted and separated. For example, the substance detector 451 may include at least one inductance-to-digital converter (LDC). When a plurality of LDCs are present, the plurality of LDCs can detect insertion and separation states of the first aerosol-generating substance at different positions.

When the first aerosol-generating substance is a cigarette 2 of figures 1 and 2, a substance detector 451 may be provided in the chamber 15 to detect the presence of the cigarette 2. The substance detector 451 may also be referred to herein as a cigarette detector.

The controller 410 may determine whether the first aerosol-generating substance is inserted or separated based on the amount of change in the inductance of the substance detector 451. The controller 410 may determine that: when the amount of change in the inductance of the substance detector 451 is equal to or greater than a preset upper threshold value, the first aerosol-generating substance is inserted into the chamber 15. The controller 410 may determine that: when the substance detector 451 is less than or equal to a preset lower threshold value, the first aerosol-generating substance is separated from the cavity 15.

When it is determined that the first aerosol generating substance is inserted into the cavity 15, the controller 410 may output a trigger signal for heating the first aerosol generating substance. The trigger signal may be a PWM type signal. The controller 410 may start supplying power to the first heater 430 through the trigger signal. In other words, the controller 410 may start preheating the first heater 430 when it is determined that the first aerosol generating substance is inserted into the cavity 15.

Further, after the preheating of the first heater 430 is started, the controller 410 may start preheating the second heater 440 at a first time point before the preheating of the first heater 430 is completed. For example, when the preheating period of the first heater 430 is 30 seconds, the controller 410 may start preheating the second heater 440 from 27 seconds, that is, start preheating the second heater 440 3 seconds before finishing preheating the first heater 430.

The controller 410 may calculate the preheating start time of the second heater 440 based on the preheating time of the first heater 430. The controller 410 may start preheating the second heater 440 at a predetermined time point before the preheating of the first heater 430 is completed. When the controller 410 enters the preheating period, the reason why the controller 410 controls so that the second heater 440 is not heated simultaneously with the first heater 430 is that the first heater 430 heats the solid matter like a cigarette while the second heater 440 heats the liquid composition absorbed by the wick, which can more easily reach the target preheating temperature.

The controller 410 may control power supplied to the first heater 430 during a preset preheating time such that the temperature of the first heater 430 is increased to a vaporization temperature at which the first aerosol is generated at a point of time when preheating of the first heater 430 is completed.

Further, the controller 410 may control the power supplied to the second heater 440 for a first period of time after the preheating of the second heater 440 is started at a first time point such that the temperature of the second heater 440 exceeds the vaporization temperature at which the second aerosol is generated at a second time point that is a time point after the first period of time from the first time point.

Further, the controller 410 may control the power supplied to the second heater 440 during a second period of time starting from a second point of time such that the temperature of the second heater 440 at the point of time at which the warm-up of the second heater 440 is completed becomes the following temperature: the temperature is below or near the vaporization temperature used to generate the second aerosol.

The reason for preheating the temperature of the second heater 440 below or near the vaporization temperature for generating the second aerosol is: to prevent the second aerosol generating substance from generating a second aerosol without user's puff and to heat the second aerosol generating substance rapidly in response to the user's puff, wherein the second aerosol generating substance is mounted to increase the amount of smoke.

Further, even when the user's suction is detected, the controller 410 may not provide additional power to the second heater 440 during the second period from the second point in time. The reason for this is to prevent carbonization of the coil due to overheating of the second heater 440.

The controller 410 may control the temperature of the first heater 430 and the temperature of the second heater 440 based on a temperature profile stored in the memory 480 during a preset smoking time after the preheating time.

When the first and second heaters 430 and 440 are heated, the controller 410 may correct the inductance output value of the substance detector 451 according to the increase in the temperature of the first and/or second heaters 430 and 440. The controller 410 may cause the inductance output value of the substance detector 451 to decrease in response to an increase in the temperature of any one of the first heater 430 and the second heater 440.

The controller 410 may determine whether the first aerosol-generating substance is separated based on the corrected inductance output value.

When it is determined that the first aerosol-generating substance is separated from the chamber 15 while the first and second heaters 430 and 440 are heated, the controller 410 may not immediately stop heating the first and second heaters 430 and 440 and continuously calculate the amount of change in inductance of the substance detector 451. The reason for the continuous calculation is to detect a situation where the first aerosol-generating substance is separated from the cavity 15 against the intention of the user.

The controller 410 may determine whether the first aerosol-generating material is reinserted based on the amount of change in inductance of the material detector during a preset separation time. The controller 410 may continuously heat the first heater 430 and the second heater 440 when the first aerosol-generating substance is reinserted within a preset separation time. The controller 410 may stop heating the first heater 430 and the second heater 440 when the first aerosol-generating substance is not reinserted within a preset separation time. Thus, the aerosol-generating device 1 according to one or more embodiments may reduce unnecessary power consumption and prevent overheating of the aerosol-generating device 1.

The puff detector 453 may detect a user's puff. To this end, the suction detector 453 may include at least one pressure sensor.

The puff detector 453 may transmit a puff detection signal to the controller 410 when the pressure inside the aerosol-generating device 1 is less than or equal to the reference pressure. The controller 410 may heat the second heater 440 in response to receiving the puff detection signal.

The temperature detector 455 may be provided in each of the first heater 430 and the second heater 440, and detect the temperature of the first heater 430 and the temperature of the second heater 440. To this end, temperature detector 455 may include a temperature sensor. For example, the temperature detector 455 may detect a change in thermal resistance of the first and second heaters 430 and 440.

The temperature detector 455 may transmit a temperature detection signal to the controller 410. The controller 410 may calculate the temperature of the first heater 430 and the temperature of the second heater 440 based on the temperature detection signal. The controller 410 may calculate a heating time point, a heating time period, and power supplied to the first heater 430 and the second heater 440 based on the temperature of the first heater 430 and the temperature of the second heater 440.

The output unit 460 may output visual information and/or tactile information related to the aerosol-generating device 1.

The input unit 470 may receive user input. For example, the input unit 470 may be provided in the form of a push button.

The input unit 470 may receive an ON/OFF command for the aerosol-generating device 1. When receiving an operation command for the aerosol-generating device 1, the input unit 470 may transmit a control signal corresponding to the operation command to the controller 410.

The memory 480 may store information for the operation of the aerosol-generating device 1. For example, the memory 480 may store a temperature profile for the controller 410 to appropriately control the supply of power to the first heater 430 and the second heater 440 to provide various flavors to a user of the aerosol-generating device. The temperature profile may include the following information: such as a preheating time point, a preheating period, and a preheating temperature of the first and second heaters 430 and 440.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart for describing a method of operating a heater according to whether an aerosol generating substance is inserted and separated according to one or more embodiments.

Referring to fig. 5, in operation S510, the controller 410 may determine whether the first aerosol-generating substance is inserted into the chamber 15 based on the amount of change in the inductance of the substance detector 451.

The controller 410 may determine whether the first aerosol-generating substance is inserted into the cavity 15 based on the inductance output value output by the substance detector 451. The controller 410 may determine that the first aerosol-generating substance is inserted into the chamber 15 based on whether the amount of change in inductance of the substance detector 451 is equal to or greater than a preset upper threshold value.

In operation S520, the controller 410 may control one or more heaters to heat the first aerosol-generating substance as it is inserted into the chamber 15.

The controller 410 may automatically heat the first heater 430 when the first aerosol-generating substance is inserted into the chamber 15. In other words, the controller 410 may heat the first heater 430 without user input when the first aerosol-generating substance is inserted into the cavity 15.

In operation S530, the controller 410 may detect whether the first aerosol generating substance is separated from the chamber 15 based on an amount of change in inductance of the substance detector 451 when the first aerosol generating substance is heated.

The inductance output value of the substance detector 451 may be increased according to the temperature increase of the first heater 430 and/or the second heater 440. Therefore, in order to accurately detect the separation of the first aerosol-generating substance, it is necessary to correct the inductance output value of the substance detector 451.

The controller 410 may cause the inductance output value of the substance detector 451 to decrease in response to a temperature increase of any one of the first heater 430 and the second heater 440.

The controller 410 may determine whether the first aerosol-generating substance is separated based on the corrected inductance output value. The controller 410 may determine that the first aerosol-generating substance is separated from the chamber 15 based on the amount of change in the corrected inductance of the substance detector 451 being less than or equal to a preset lower threshold.

In operation S540, when the first aerosol-generating substance is separated from the chamber 15, the controller 410 may stop heating of the first aerosol-generating substance based on the amount of change in inductance of the substance detector 451 during a preset separation time.

The controller 410 may determine whether the first aerosol-generating substance is reinserted based on the amount of change in inductance of the substance detector during the preset separation time. For example, the preset separation time may be set to 5 seconds, but the preset separation time is not limited thereto.

When the inductance variation amount of the substance detector 451 during the preset separation time is less than the preset upper threshold, the controller 410 may block the power supply to the first and second heaters 430 and 440. In other words, when the controller 410 fails to detect reinsertion of the first aerosol-generating substance during a preset separation time after the first aerosol-generating substance is separated, the controller 410 may stop heating of the first and second heaters 430 and 440 without user input.

When the amount of change in inductance of the substance detector 451 during a preset separation time is equal to or greater than a preset upper threshold, the controller 410 may determine that the first aerosol-generating substance is inserted, and continue to supply power to the first and second heaters 430 and 440.

Figure 6 is a flow chart for illustrating a method of detecting insertion of an aerosol generating substance when inserted and corresponding operation of a heater and output unit, and figure 7 is a graph further describing figure 6.

Referring to fig. 6, in operation S610, the controller 410 may activate a substance detector 451, the substance detector 451 being configured to detect the presence of a first aerosol-generating substance.

In the standby mode, the controller 410 may prevent power from being supplied to the first and second heaters 430 and 440 and power from being supplied to the substance detector 451. The standby mode may refer to a mode in which only a minimum amount of power is consumed to detect the insertion of the first aerosol-generating substance. The standby mode refers to a mode in which power supplied to the remaining components except for a component (e.g., a substance detector, etc.) that detects the insertion of the first aerosol-generating substance is blocked before the first aerosol-generating substance is inserted, and the standby mode according to one or more embodiments is not limited thereto. For example, the standby mode may be similar to modes such as a power saving mode, a sleep mode, and the like.

In operation S620, the controller 410 may periodically collect the inductance output value of the substance detector 451 after the substance detector 451 is activated.

The period of time for collecting the inductance output value may be appropriately set based on power consumption, the amount of change in inductance, and the like. For example, the controller 410 may collect inductance output values of the substance detector 451 at intervals of 0.5ms, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.

According to one embodiment, the controller 410 may collect the inductance output value of the substance detector 451 in real time.

In operation S630, the controller 410 may calculate the variation of the inductance based on the inductance output value.

In particular, since the first aerosol-generating substance comprises an electromagnetic inductor, the inductance of the coil comprised in the substance detector 451 may increase when the first aerosol-generating substance is inserted into the cavity 15.

Fig. 7 is a graph showing the amount of change in inductance over time. In fig. 7, the x-axis represents time, the y-axis represents the inductance output value of the substance detector 451, and the first graph 710 represents the change in inductance due to the insertion of the first aerosol-generating substance.

As shown in fig. 7, it can be seen that the inductance output value increases when the first aerosol-generating substance is inserted into the cavity 15. The substance detector 451 may output the inductance value as a detection signal to the controller 410. The controller 410 may calculate the inductance increase al 1.

Referring back to fig. 6, in operation S640, the controller 410 may compare the amount of change in inductance with an upper threshold.

The upper threshold may be set in consideration of the self-inductance of the substance detector 451 and the mutual inductance between the substance detector 451 and the first aerosol-generating substance. For example, the upper threshold may be +0.32mH, but is not limited thereto.

In operation S650, the controller 410 may determine that the first aerosol-generating substance is inserted into the cavity 15 when the amount of change in the inductance is equal to or greater than the upper threshold.

For example, in fig. 7, since the inductance increase Δ L1 is equal to or greater than the upper threshold th1, the controller 410 may determine that the first aerosol-generating substance is inserted into the cavity 15.

In another example, when the inductance increase Δ L1 is less than the upper threshold (th1), the controller 410 may determine that the first aerosol-generating substance is not inserted into the cavity 15 and maintain the standby mode. In other words, the controller 410 may block power supplied to the first and second heaters 430 and 440, but continue to supply power to the substance detector 451. In this case, the controller 410 may periodically collect the inductance output value of the substance detector 451 while supplying power to the substance detector 451.

In operation S660, when it is determined that the first aerosol generating substance is inserted into the cavity 15, the controller 410 may output a trigger signal for heating the first aerosol generating substance.

In an embodiment, the trigger signal may be a signal modulated by a PWM method. The controller 410 may output the trigger signal to the battery 420, and the battery 420 may supply power to the first heater 430 based on the trigger signal. In other words, the preheating of the first heater 430 may be initiated by the trigger signal. Since the first heater 430 is automatically preheated in response to the insertion of the first aerosol-generating substance even without user input, user convenience is improved.

Further, the preheating of the second heater 440 may not be simultaneously heated when the first aerosol-generating substance is inserted and detected. The reason for this is that the first heater 430 heats the solid matter, but the second heater 440 heats the liquid composition absorbed by the wick, and the liquid composition can more easily reach the target preheating temperature.

The controller 410 may calculate the preheating start time of the second heater 440 based on the preheating time of the first heater 430 after the preheating of the first heater 430 is started. For example, when the preheating time of the first heater 430 is 30 seconds, the controller 410 may preheat the second heater 440 from 27 seconds, i.e., preheat the second heater 440 3 seconds before the preheating of the first heater 430 is completed. A method of preheating the first and second heaters 430 and 440 will be described in more detail with reference to fig. 8.

In the operation S670, the output unit 460 may visually or audibly output the insertion state of the aerosol-generating substance.

To this end, the output unit 460 may further include a display and a speaker. The output unit 460 may display a screen image of the detection of the first aerosol-generating substance through a display and a speaker, and may display whether to enter the preheating mode.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart of a method of heating a heater according to a warm-up period and a smoking period.

Referring to fig. 8, in operation S810, the controller 410 may preheat the first heater 430 during a preset preheating time.

In particular, when it is determined that a first aerosol generating substance is inserted into the cavity, the controller 410 may output a trigger signal to the battery 420 for heating the first aerosol generating substance. The battery 420 may supply power to the first heater 430 based on the trigger signal. In other words, the preheating of the first heater 430 may be initiated by the trigger signal.

The controller 410 may heat the first heater 430 during a preset warm-up time. For example, the preheating time may be 30 seconds, but is not limited thereto.

The controller 410 may preheat the first heater 430 during a preset preheating time to raise the temperature of the first heater 430 to a vaporization temperature at which the first aerosol is generated. Thus, aerosol-generating devices according to one or more embodiments may provide a rich flavour to a user at the beginning of a smoking session.

The controller 410 may calculate the preheating start time of the second heater 440 based on the preheating time of the first heater 430.

After the preheating of the first heater 430 is started, the controller 410 may start preheating the second heater 440 at a first time point before the preheating of the first heater 430 is completed. For example, when the preheating time of the first heater 430 is 30 seconds, the controller 410 may start preheating the second heater 440 from 27 seconds, i.e., start preheating the second heater 440 3 seconds before the preheating of the first heater 430 is completed.

The reason why the controller 410 does not control the second heater 440 to heat the second heater simultaneously when the controller 410 enters the warm-up period is that the first heater 430 heats solid matter such as cigarettes, but the second heater 440 heats liquid composition absorbed by the wick, which can more easily reach the target warm-up temperature.

The controller 410 may control the power supplied to the second heater 440 during a first period of time after the preheating of the second heater 440 is started at a first point of time such that the temperature of the second heater 440 exceeds the vaporization temperature at which a second aerosol is generated at a second point of time after the first period of time from the first point of time.

Further, the controller 410 may control the power supplied to the second heater 440 during a second period from a second point in time such that the temperature of the second heater 440 at the point in time at which the preheating of the second heater 440 is completed becomes a temperature lower than and close to the vaporization temperature for generating the second aerosol.

The reason for preheating the temperature of the second heater 440 below and near the vaporization temperature for generating the second aerosol is: to prevent the second aerosol generating substance from generating a second aerosol without user's puff and to heat the second aerosol generating substance rapidly in response to the user's puff, wherein the second aerosol generating substance is mounted to increase the amount of smoke.

Further, even when the user's suction is detected, the controller 410 may not supply additional power to the second heater 440 during a second period from a second point in time. The reason for this is to prevent carbonization of the coil due to overheating of the second heater 440.

In the operation S820, the controller 410 may heat the first heater 430 during a preset smoking time after the preheating time. For example, the smoking time may be 4 minutes, but is not limited to 4 minutes.

During smoking, the controller 410 may maintain the temperature of the first heater 430 above the temperature at which the first aerosol is generated, and may heat the second heater 440 in response to a user puff.

Specifically, the controller 410 may control the temperature of the first heater 430 to maintain the first preheat temperature during smoking. For example, the controller 410 may control the temperature of the first heater 430 through a proportional-integral-difference (PID) control method, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.

When the puff detector 453 detects a puff by the user while the temperature of the second heater 440 is maintained at a temperature at which the second aerosol is not generated, the controller 410 may increase the temperature of the second heater 440.

Further, when the controller 410 has raised the temperature of the second heater 440, the control unit 410 may not heat the second heater 440 again even when the puff detector 453 detects continuous puffs of the user during a predetermined rest. For example, the preset rest period may be 1 second. The reason for this is to prevent carbonization of the coil due to overheating of the second heater 440.

As described above, in one or more embodiments, by separately providing a preheating period before a smoking period, the viscosity of the liquid immediately before the smoking period may be reduced to a viscosity at which vaporization may easily occur. Thus, the amount of smoke at the beginning of the smoking period can be significantly increased by increasing the rate of delivery of the liquid composition to the core. Also, user satisfaction may be improved due to the increase in the amount of smoke at the beginning of the smoking session.

In addition, when the temperature of the first heater 430 and the temperature of the second heater 440 increase, the inductance output value of the substance detector 451 may increase. Therefore, if the presence of the first aerosol-generating substance is determined based on the same criterion without correcting the inductance output value, an error may occur.

Fig. 9 is a graph showing the change in inductance output value with an increase in heater temperature.

As shown in fig. 9, as the temperature of the first heater 430 and/or the second heater 440 increases, the inductance output value of the substance detector 451 may increase.

Specifically, fig. 9 shows an example in which the inductance output value is changed according to a change in the temperature of the first heater 430. In fig. 9, the x-axis represents the temperature of the first heater 430, and the y-axis represents the inductance output value of the substance detector 451. Also, the second graph 910 shows that the actual inductance output value is changed according to the temperature increase of the first heater 430, and the third graph 920 shows the ideal inductance output value according to the temperature increase of the first heater 430.

In fig. 9, although the inductance output value needs to be constant regardless of the temperature increase of the first heater 430 as shown in the third graph 920, it can be seen that the actual inductance output value increases as the temperature of the first heater 430 increases, as shown in the second graph 910. Therefore, in order to accurately detect the separation of the first aerosol-generating substance, the second graph 910 needs to be corrected as shown in the third graph 920.

Further, fig. 9 shows only: the second graph 910 linearly varies according to the temperature of the first heater 430. However, according to an embodiment, the second graph 910 may vary in a non-linear manner according to a temperature variation of the first heater 430.

Fig. 10 is a flow chart for explaining a method of detecting separation of an aerosol-generating substance and a method of operating a heater and an output unit when the aerosol-generating substance is separated, and fig. 11 is a graph further describing fig. 10.

Referring to fig. 10, in operation S1010, the controller 410 may periodically collect an inductance output value using the substance detector 451.

The period of time 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 410 may collect inductance output values of the substance detector 451 at intervals of 0.5ms, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.

In operation S1020, the controller 410 may correct the inductance output value of the substance detector 451.

The controller 410 may decrease the value of the inductance output of the substance detector 451 in response to an increase in the temperature of the first heater 430.

That is, the controller 410 may derive the first relational expression between the temperature of the first heater 430 and the inductance output value based on the inductance output value collected in the operation S1010. For example, the controller 410 may estimate the first relational expression between the temperature of the first heater 430 and the inductance output value by using the least square method. The first relational expression between the temperature of the first heater 430 and the inductance output value may correspond to the second graph 910 of fig. 9. In fig. 9, the controller 410 may derive the second graph 910 based on three collected samples p1, p2, and p 3.

The memory 480 may store a desired inductance output value according to the temperature increase of the first heater 430. The memory 480 may store a second relational expression between the temperature of the first heater 430 and the ideal inductance output value. The second relational expression between the temperature of the first heater 430 and the ideal inductance output value may correspond to the third graph 920 of fig. 9.

The controller 410 may calculate a correction value for the corresponding temperature based on the first relational expression and the second relational expression, and subtract the correction value from the actually measured inductance output value. Accordingly, the second graph 910 of fig. 9 may be corrected to be identical to the third graph 920.

In operation S1030, the controller 410 may calculate a variation of the inductance based on the corrected inductance output value.

In particular, since the first aerosol-generating substance comprises an electromagnetic inductor, the inductance of the coil comprised in the substance detector 451 may be reduced when the first aerosol-generating substance is separated from the cavity 15.

Fig. 11 is a graph showing the amount of change in inductance over time. In fig. 11, the x-axis represents time, the y-axis represents the value of the inductance output of the substance detector 451, and the fourth graph 1120 represents the change in inductance due to the separation of the first aerosol-generating substance from the aerosol-generating device.

As shown in fig. 11, it can be seen that the inductance output value decreases when the first aerosol-generating substance is separated from the cavity 15. The substance detector 451 may output an inductance output value as a detection signal to the controller 410. The controller 410 may calculate the inductance reduction al 2.

Referring back to fig. 10, in operation S1040, the controller 410 may compare the variation of the inductance with a lower threshold.

The lower limit value may be set in consideration of the self-inductance of the substance detector 451 and the mutual inductance between the substance detector 451 and the first aerosol-generating substance. For example, the lower threshold may be-0.32 mH, but is not limited thereto.

In operation S1050, when the amount of change in the inductance of the substance detector 451 is less than or equal to the lower threshold, the controller 410 may determine that the first aerosol-generating substance is separated from the chamber 15.

For example, in fig. 11, the controller 410 may determine that the first aerosol-generating substance is separated from the cavity 15 because the inductance reduction Δ L2 is less than or equal to the lower threshold th 2.

In another example, when the inductance reduction Δ L2 is greater than the lower threshold, the controller 410 may determine that the first aerosol-generating substance is still inserted into the cavity 15, heat the first heater 430 and the second heater 430, and calculate the change in inductance based on the corrected inductance output value.

The absolute value of the lower threshold th2 of fig. 11 may be the same as the absolute value of the upper threshold th1 of fig. 7. When the absolute value of the lower threshold th2 is set equal to the absolute value of the upper threshold th1, then the insertion and separation of the first aerosol-generating substance can be determined more accurately.

In operation S1060, when it is determined that the first aerosol generating substance is separated from the cavity 15, the controller 410 may determine whether to stop heating the first aerosol generating substance based on the amount of change in inductance.

A method of determining whether to stop heating of the first and second heaters 430 and 440 will be described in more detail with reference to fig. 12.

In the operation S1070, the output unit 460 may visually or audibly output the separated state of the aerosol-generating substance.

To this end, the output unit 460 may further include a display and a speaker. The output unit 460 may display a separated screen image of the first aerosol-generating substance through a display and a speaker, and may display whether to enter a standby mode.

Figure 12 is a flow diagram of a method of ceasing heating of a heater when aerosol generating material is separated.

Referring to fig. 12, in operation S1210, the controller 410 may periodically collect the inductance output value of the substance detector 451 during a preset separation time. For example, the preset separation time may be 5 seconds, but is not limited thereto.

In operation S1220, the controller 410 may calculate a variation of the inductance based on the inductance output value.

As shown in fig. 10 and 11, the controller 410 may use the corrected inductance output value to more accurately determine the separation of the first aerosol-generating substance. In other words, the controller 410 may calculate the amount of change in inductance based on the corrected inductance output value.

In operation S1230, the controller 410 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 451 and the mutual inductance between the substance detector 451 and the first aerosol-generating substance. For example, the upper threshold may be +0.32mH, but is not limited thereto.

In operation S1240, when the variation of the inductance is smaller than the upper threshold, the controller 410 may stop heating the first aerosol-generating substance. The upper threshold of fig. 12 may be the same as the upper threshold of fig. 6 and 7.

In operation S1250, the controller 410 may alternatively determine that the first aerosol-generating substance is reinserted when the amount of change in the inductance is equal to or greater than the upper threshold.

In operation S1260, the controller 410 may keep heating the first aerosol-generating substance when it is determined that the first aerosol-generating substance is reinserted.

As described above, the aerosol-generating device 1 according to one or more embodiments does not stop heating the heater immediately even when it is first determined that the aerosol-generating substance is separated, but stops heating the heater after it is second determined that the aerosol-generating substance is separated. In other words, when the aerosol-generating substance is inadvertently separated due to a user error (e.g. dropping the aerosol-generating device 1, the aerosol-generating substance adhering to the user's lips, etc.), the aerosol-generating device 1 according to one or more embodiments does not stop heating the heater, but rather stops heating the heater based on detecting reinsertion of the aerosol-generating substance.

Thus, the aerosol-generating device 1 according to one or more embodiments may not only prevent the heating of the heater from being stopped against the user's intention, but may also provide a rich flavor to the user by constantly maintaining the temperature of the heater during the smoking period.

According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the components, elements, modules or units (collectively referred to as "components" in this paragraph), such as the controller 410 in fig. 4, represented by blocks in the figures, may be implemented as a various number of hardware, software and/or firmware structures performing the various functions described above. For example, at least one of these components may use direct circuit structures, such as memories, processors, logic circuits, look-up tables, or the like, which may be controlled by one or more microprocessors or other control devices to perform the corresponding functions. Also, at least one of these components may be implemented by a module, program, or portion of code that contains one or more executable instructions for performing the specified logical functions, and which is executed by one or more microprocessors or other control devices. Further, at least one of these components may include or be implemented by a processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) that performs the respective function, a microprocessor, or the like. Two or more of these components may be combined into a single component that performs all of the operations or functions of the two or more components combined. Also, at least a portion of the functions of at least one of these components may be performed by another of these components. Further, although a bus is not shown in the above block diagram, communication between the components may be performed through the bus. The functional aspects of the above exemplary embodiments may be implemented as algorithms executed on one or more processors. Further, the components represented by the blocks or process steps may be electronically configured, signal processed and/or controlled, data processed, etc., using any number of interrelated techniques.

Embodiments of the inventive concept may be written as computer programs and may be implemented on computers that execute the programs using non-transitory computer-readable recording media. 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 that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the various embodiments of the inventive concept described above. The disclosed methods should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation of one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Further, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims, and any modifications, alternatives, improvements, and any equivalents should be construed as falling within the scope of the present disclosure.