Aerosol generating device including magnetic sensor and method of operating the same

A device for generating an aerosol includes: a body portion including a controller, a heater, and a magnetic sensor, and a sliding member including a magnet and configured to move between a first position and a second position along the body portion, wherein the magnetic sensor detects movement of the magnet, and wherein the controller activates the device when the magnetic sensor detects that the sliding member is moved from the first position to the second position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/KR2020/001933 filed Feb. 12, 2020, claiming priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0016832 filed Feb. 13, 2019.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a device for generating aerosol by heating a heater and a method of operating the device.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, the demand for alternative methods to overcome the shortcomings of general cigarettes has increased. For example, there is an increasing demand for a method of generating aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material in cigarettes, rather than by burning cigarettes. Accordingly, studies on a heating-type cigarette and a heating-type aerosol generating device have been actively conducted.

The aerosol generating device may include a heater for heating an aerosol generating material of a cigarette or liquid storage, and an inhalation sensor. The heater may start heating when the inhalation sensor senses a user's inhalation. However, since the heater starts heating when the user starts inhalation, a sufficient atomization amount may not be provided to the user.

Also, the aerosol generating device is required to have an intuitive operation scheme so that any user can easily operate the aerosol generating device.

Accordingly, there is a need for an aerosol generating device capable of providing a sufficient atomization amount to a user and having an intuitive operation scheme.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

Provided is an aerosol generating device capable of providing a sufficient atomization amount to a user. In addition, provided is an aerosol generating device that a user may operate intuitively.

The technical goal is not limited to the above, and other technical goals may be inferred from the following examples.

Solution to Problem

According to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, a device for generating aerosol includes: a body portion including a controller, a heater, and a magnetic sensor; and a sliding member including a magnet and configured to move between a first position and a second position along the body portion, wherein the magnetic sensor detects movement of the magnet, and wherein the controller activates the device when the magnetic sensor detects that the sliding member is moved from the first position to the second position.

The controller may deactivate the device when the magnetic sensor detects that the sliding member moved from the second position to the first position.

The controller may start preheating of the heater when the sliding member completes moving from the first position to the second position.

The magnet may be arranged adjacent to the magnetic sensor when the sliding member is located at the second position.

The body portion may further include a first magnetic coupling member spaced apart from the magnetic sensor, and when the sliding member is located at the first position, the magnet may be arranged adjacent to the first magnetic coupling member such that the first magnetic coupling member and the magnet are magnetically coupled.

The sliding member may further include a second magnetic coupling member spaced apart from the magnet, and when the sliding member is located at the second position, the second magnetic coupling member may be arranged adjacent to the first magnetic coupling member such that the first magnetic coupling member and the second magnetic coupling member are magnetically coupled.

The first magnetic coupling member may be spaced apart from the magnetic sensor in a longitudinal direction of the device.

The second magnetic coupling member may be spaced apart from the magnet in a longitudinal direction of the device.

At least one of the first magnetic coupling member and the second magnetic coupling member may have magnetism.

The magnetic sensor may include at least one of a hall effect sensor, a rotating coil, a magnetoresistor, and a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID).

The first position may be closer to an upper end of the body portion than the second position.

The sliding member may surround at least a portion of a side of the body portion.

The sliding member may move in a longitudinal direction of the body portion.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a method of controlling an aerosol generating device includes: detecting movement of a magnet included in the sliding member; activating the aerosol generating device when the detected movement indicates that the sliding member moved from a first position to a second position; and deactivating the aerosol generating device when the detected movement indicates that the sliding member is moved from the second position to the first position.

The activating the aerosol generating device may include preheating a heater included in the body portion.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

According to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, a device for generating aerosol includes: a body portion including a controller, a heater, and a magnetic sensor; and a sliding member including a magnet and configured to move between a first position and a second position along the body portion, wherein the magnetic sensor detects movement of the magnet, and wherein the controller activates the device when the magnetic sensor detects that the sliding member is moved from the first position to the second position.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

With respect to the terms used to describe the various exemplary embodiments, general terms which are currently and widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. However, meanings of the terms can be changed according to intention, a judicial precedence, the appearance of new technology, and the like. Also, some terms may be arbitrarily selected by the applicant. In this case, the meaning of the selected terms will be described in the detailed description. Thus, the terms used herein have to be defined based on the meaning of the terms together with the description throughout the specification.

FIGS.1to3are diagrams illustrating examples of an aerosol generating device.

Referring toFIG.1, an aerosol generating device100includes a battery110, a controller120, a heater130, and a liquid storage140.

FIG.1illustrates that the battery110, the controller120, and the liquid storage140are arranged in series. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device100is not limited to the structures illustrated inFIG.1. In other words, according to another embodiment, the battery110, the controller120, the heater130, and the liquid storage140may be differently arranged.

The battery110may supply power to be used for the aerosol generating device100to operate. For example, the battery110may supply power to heat the heater130, and may supply power for operating the controller120. Also, the battery110may supply power for operations of a display, a sensor, a motor, etc. mounted in the aerosol generating device100.

The controller120may generally control operations of the aerosol generating device100. In detail, the controller120may control not only operations of the components shown inFIG.1(i.e., the battery110, the heater130, and the liquid storage140), but also operations of other components of the aerosol generating device100which are not shown inFIG.1. Also, the controller120may check a state of each component of the aerosol generating device100to determine whether or not the aerosol generating device100is in an operable state.

The controller120may include at least one processor. A processor can be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or can be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the processor can be implemented in other forms of hardware.

The liquid storage140may store a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material and/or a non-tobacco material. The liquid storage140may be formed to be detachable from the heater130. Alternatively, the liquid storage140may be formed integrally with the heater130.

For example, the liquid composition may include water, nicotine, nicotine salt, a solvent, ethanol, plant extract, spices, flavorings, or a vitamin mixture. The spices may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit-flavored ingredients, but are not limited thereto. The flavorings may include ingredients capable of providing various flavors or tastes to a user. Vitamin mixtures may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but are not limited thereto. Also, the liquid composition may include an aerosol forming substance, such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

The aerosol generating device100may include a liquid delivery element that delivers the liquid composition of the liquid storage140to the heater130. For example, the liquid delivery element may be a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic, but is not limited thereto.

The heater130is an element for heating the liquid composition delivered by the liquid delivery element. For example, the heater130may be a metal heating wire, a metal hot plate, a ceramic heater, or the like, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heater130may include a conductive filament such as nichrome wire and may be wound around the liquid delivery element. The heater130may be heated by an electric current and may transfer heat to the liquid composition in contact with the heater130, thereby heating the liquid composition. As a result, aerosol may be generated.

For example, the heater130, the liquid delivery element (not shown), and the liquid storage140may be collectively referred to as a cartomizer or an atomizer, but the name is not limited thereto.

Referring toFIG.2, an aerosol generating device200includes a battery210, a controller220, and a heater230. A cigarette may be inserted into an inner space of the aerosol generating device200.

The battery210supplies electric power used for the aerosol generating device200to operate. The controller220may generally control operations of the aerosol generating device200.

The heater230may be heated by the power supplied from the battery210. For example, when the cigarette is inserted into the aerosol generating device200, the heater230may be located outside the cigarette such that the heated heater230may increase a temperature of an aerosol generating material in the cigarette.

As necessary, the aerosol generating device200may heat the heater230even when the cigarette is not inserted into the aerosol generating device200.

The heater230may be implemented using an electro-resistive heater. For example, the heater230may include an electrically conductive track so that the heater230may be heated when currents flow through the electrically conductive track. However, the heater230is not limited thereto and may be implemented any type of heater that is capable of being heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be pre-set in the aerosol generating device200or may be set manually by a user.

As another example, the heater230may be implemented using an induction heater. In detail, the heater230may include an electrically conductive coil for heating a cigarette by an induction heating method, and the cigarette may include a susceptor which may be heated by the induction heater.

For example, the heater230may include a tube-type heating element, a plate-type heating element, a needle-type heating element, or a rod-type heating element. The heater230may heat the inside or the outside of the cigarette, according to the shape of the heating element.

Also, the aerosol generating device200may include a plurality of heaters230. Here, the plurality of heaters230may be inserted into the cigarette or may be arranged outside the cigarette. Also, one or more of the plurality of heaters230may be inserted into the cigarette and the others may be arranged outside the cigarette.

Referring toFIG.3, an aerosol generating device300includes a battery310, a controller320, a vaporizer330, and the first heater340. A cigarette may be inserted into an inner space of the aerosol generating device300.

When the cigarette is inserted into the aerosol generating device300, the aerosol generating device300may operate the first heater340and/or the vaporizer330to generate aerosol. The aerosol generated by the first heater340and/or the vaporizer330is delivered to a user after passing through the cigarette.

As necessary, the aerosol generating device300may heat the first heater340even when the cigarette is not inserted into the aerosol generating device300.

The battery310may supply power to be used for the aerosol generating device300to operate. The controller320may generally control operations of the aerosol generating device300.

The vaporizer330may generate aerosol by heating a liquid composition and the generated aerosol may pass through the cigarette to be delivered to a user. In other words, the aerosol generated by the vaporizer330may move along an air flow passage of the aerosol generating device300. The air flow passage may be configured such that the aerosol generated by the vaporizer330passes through the cigarette to be delivered to the user.

For example, the vaporizer330may include a liquid storage, a liquid delivery element, and a second heater, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the liquid storage, the liquid delivery element, and the second heater may be included in the aerosol generating device300as independent modules.

The liquid storage may store a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component and/or a non-tobacco material. The liquid storage may be formed to be detachable from the vaporizer330. Alternatively, the liquid storage may be formed integrally with the vaporizer330.

The liquid delivery element may deliver the liquid composition of the liquid storage to the second heater. The second heater is an element for heating the liquid composition delivered from the liquid storage by the liquid delivery element.

For example, the vaporizer330may be referred to as a cartomizer or an atomizer, but the name is not limited thereto.

The first heater340may be the same as or similar to the heater230ofFIG.2. The second heater included in the vaporizer330may be the same as or similar to the heater130ofFIG.1.

The aerosol generating devices100,200, and300ofFIGS.1through3may further include general-purpose components. For example, the aerosol generating devices100,200, and300may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting haptic information. Also, the aerosol generating devices100,200, and300may include at least one sensor (e.g., a puff detecting sensor, a temperature detecting sensor, a cigarette insertion detecting sensor, etc.).

Although not illustrated inFIGS.1through3, an additional cradle may be used with the aerosol generating devices100,200, and300, as a system. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the batteries110,210, and310of the aerosol generating devices100,200, and300. Alternatively, the heaters130,230, and340may be heated when the cradle and the aerosol generating devices100,200, and300are coupled to each other.

The cigarette inserted into the aerosol generating devices200and300may be similar to a general combustive cigarette. For example, the cigarette may comprise an aerosol generating material and a filter.

Hereinafter, components for activating and deactivating the aerosol generating device100ofFIG.1and a method of operating the aerosol generating device100will be described. The components and the operation method described below may also be applied to the aerosol generating devices200and300ofFIGS.2and3.

FIG.4Aillustrates an example of an aerosol generating device in which a sliding member160is located at a first position.FIG.4Billustrates an example of an aerosol generating device in which a sliding member is located at a second position.

Referring toFIGS.4A and4B, the aerosol generating device100may include a body portion150and a sliding member160.

The body portion150may include the battery110, the controller120, the heater130, and the liquid storage140shown inFIG.1. In addition, the body portion150may include an opening151through which aerosol flows out to be provided to a user.

Although not shown inFIGS.4A and4B, the body portion150may further include a light-emitting diode (LED) or a display for notifying the user of an operating state of the aerosol generating device100, a button for the user to operate the aerosol generating device100, and the like.

The body portion150may have a size and shape to make it easy for the user to carry the aerosol generating device100. The body portion150is not limited to the shape shown inFIGS.4A and4B, and may have, for example, a curved surface that is easy for the user to grab.

The sliding member160may be mounted to the body portion150in a way that it can slide along the body portion150. For example, the body part150may include a guide rail for guiding the movement of the sliding member160. Alternatively, the guide rail may be included in the sliding member160.

The sliding member160may move along the body portion150. In an exemplary embodiment, the sliding member160may move along the body portion150in the longitudinal direction of the body portion150. The moving direction of the sliding member160is not limited to the longitudinal direction of the body portion150. In another exemplary embodiment, the sliding member160may move in other directions such as a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the body portion150and/or an oblique direction.

The sliding member160may move from the first position to the second position and vice versa along the body portion150.FIG.4Aillustrates a state in which the sliding member160is located at the first position, andFIG.4Billustrates a state in which the sliding member160is located at the second position.

The first position may be closer to the upper end (i.e., an end where the opening151is formed) of the body portion150than the second position.

The sliding member160may surround a portion of the body portion150. That is, the sliding member160may cover a portion of the body portion150from all directions. Alternatively, the sliding member160may partially cover a portion of the body portion150. That is, a portion of the body portion150may not covered by the sliding member160, regardless of the position of the sliding member160.

FIGS.5A and5Billustrate the body portion150according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG.5Aillustrates the body portion150shown inFIG.4A, when viewed in an A direction.FIG.5Billustrates the body portion150shown inFIG.4A, when viewed in a B direction.

Referring toFIGS.5A and5B, the body portion150may include a magnetic sensor (or magnetometer)153mounted on a circuit board152, and a first magnetic coupling member154.

The magnetic sensor153may detect the magnetization of a magnetic material and/or a change in the direction, intensity, etc. of a magnetic field. For example, the magnetic sensor153may include a hall effect sensor, a rotating coil, a magnetoresistor, or a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), but is not limited thereto. Preferably, the magnetic sensor153may include a hall effect sensor.

The magnetic sensor153may be arranged at a position suitable for detecting the movement of a magnet included in a sliding member, which will be described later. For example, the magnetic sensor153may be arranged close to one side of the body portion150to be adjacent to the magnet included in a sliding member.

Although one magnetic sensor153is illustrated inFIGS.5A and5B, the body portion150may include a plurality of magnetic sensors.

The first magnetic coupling members154and154′ may be capable of magnetic coupling. The first magnetic coupling member154may include an object having magnetism or a member that magnetically couples with an object having magnetism. For example, each of the first magnetic coupling members154and154′ may include a magnet or a magnetic body such as iron, nickel, cobalt, or an alloy thereof.

The first magnetic coupling members154and154′ may be spaced apart from the magnetic sensor153. For example, the first magnetic members154and154′ may be spaced apart from the magnetic sensor153in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device100. The first magnetic members154and154′ may be arranged closer to the opening151ofFIG.4than the magnetic sensor153. Alternatively, the magnetic sensor153may be arranged closer to the opening151ofFIG.4than the first magnetic members154and154′.

InFIGS.5A and5B, the first magnetic coupling members154and154′ have rectangular cross-sections. However, the first magnetic members154and154′ may have a different cross-section shape. For example, a cross of the first magnetic members154and154′ may be, but is not limited to, circular, elliptical, polygonal, or the like.

InFIGS.5A and5B, two first magnetic coupling members154and154′ are shown. However, the number of the first magnetic members are not limited thereto. For example, the body portion150may include only one first magnetic member. Alternatively, the body portion150may include three or more first magnetic members.

FIGS.6A and6Billustrate the sliding member160according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG.6Aillustrates the sliding member160shown inFIG.4A, when viewed in the A direction.FIG.6Billustrates the sliding member160shown inFIG.4A, when viewed in the B direction.

Referring toFIGS.6A and6B, the sliding member160may include magnets161and161′ and second magnetic coupling members162and162′.

The magnets161and161′ are objects that generate a magnetic field. Examples of the magnets161and161′ may include, but are not limited to, neodymium magnets, rubber magnets, or electromagnets, etc. For example, the magnets161and161′ may include samarium, scandium, neodymium, yttrium, or the like.

InFIGS.6A and6B, the magnets161and161′ have rectangular cross-sections. However, the magnets161and161′ may have cross-sections of different shapes. For example, the cross section of the magnets161and161′ may be, but is not limited to, circular, elliptical, polygonal, or the like.

InFIGS.6A and6B, two magnets161and161′ are shown. However, the number of the magnets included in the sliding member160is not limited thereto. For example, the sliding member160may include only one magnet. Alternatively, the sliding member160may include three or more magnets.

The second magnetic coupling members162and162′ are capable of magnetic coupling. The second magnetic coupling members162and162′ may include an object having magnetism or a member that magnetically couples with an object having magnetism. For example, each of the second magnetic coupling members162and162′ may include a magnet or a magnetic body such as iron, nickel, cobalt, or an alloy thereof.

InFIGS.6A and6B, two second magnetic coupling members162and162′ are shown. However, the number of the second magnetic members is not limited thereto. For example, the sliding member160may include only one second magnetic member162. Alternatively, the sliding member160may include three or more second magnetic members.

The second magnetic coupling members162and162′ may be spaced apart from the magnets161and161′. For example, the second magnetic coupling members162and162′ may be spaced apart from the magnets161and161′ in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device100.

The distance between the magnet161and the second magnetic coupling member162may be equal to or similar to the distance between the magnetic sensor153and the first magnetic coupling member154inFIG.5A. This is to ensure that, when the sliding member160is located at the second position, the magnet161is adjacent to the magnetic sensor153and the second magnetic coupling member162is adjacent to the first magnetic coupling member154.

FIG.7illustrates an example of an aerosol generating device in which a sliding member is located at a second position.

When the sliding member160is located at the second position, the magnet161may be arranged adjacent to the magnetic sensor153. In this case, the magnetic sensor153may detect the movement of the magnet161based on the magnetic field of the magnet161. For example, the magnetic sensor153may detect the movement of the magnet161based on a voltage generated by the magnetic field of the magnet161.

Meanwhile, the second magnetic coupling members162and162′ may be arranged adjacent to the first magnetic coupling members154and154′. In this case, the second magnetic coupling members162and162′ and the first magnetic coupling members154and154′ may be magnetically coupled. To this end, at least one of the first magnetic coupling members154and154′ and/or at least one of the second magnetic coupling members162and162′ may have magnetic properties. For example, the first magnetic coupling members154and154′ may include magnets, and the second magnetic coupling members162and162′ may include iron plates. In another example, the first magnetic coupling members154and154′ may include iron plates, and the second magnetic coupling members162and162′ may include magnets. As another example, both the first magnetic coupling members154and154′ and the second magnetic coupling members162and162′ may include magnets. In another example, the first magnetic coupling member154may include an iron plate, the second magnetic coupling member162may include a magnet, the first magnetic coupling member154′ may include a magnet, and the second magnetic coupling member162′ may include an iron plate.

As the second magnetic coupling members162and162′ and the first magnetic coupling members154and154′ are magnetically coupled, the sliding member160may be fixed in the second position.

FIG.8illustrates an example of an aerosol generating device in which a sliding member is located at a first position.

When the sliding member160is located at the first position, the magnets161and161′ may be arranged adjacent to the first magnetic coupling members154and154′. In this case, the magnets161and161′ may be magnetically coupled to the first magnetic coupling members154and154′.

As the magnets161and161′ and the first magnetic coupling members154and154′ are magnetically coupled, the sliding member160may be fixed in the first position.

FIG.9is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of activating and deactivating an aerosol generating device.

In Operation S1, the magnetic sensor153may detect the movement of the magnet161of the sliding member160. The magnetic sensor153may detect the movement of the magnet161from the first position to the second position and may output a first signal. In addition, the magnetic sensor153may detect the movement of the magnet161from the second position to the first position and may output a second signal.

In Operation S2, a controller (e.g., the controller120ofFIG.1) may determine whether the sliding member160has moved based on the output signal of the magnetic sensor153. When receiving the first signal from the magnetic sensor153, the controller may determine that the sliding member160has moved from the first position to the second position. In addition, when receiving the second signal from the magnetic sensor153, the controller may determine that the sliding member160has moved from the second position to the first position.

In Operation S3, when it is determined that the sliding member160has completed the movement from the first position to the second position as the controller receives the first signal from the magnetic sensor153, the controller may activate the aerosol generating device. In addition, the controller may control a heater (e.g., the heater130ofFIG.1) included in the aerosol generating device to start heating, so that the heater is preheated prior to the user's inhalation. That is, in the case of the aerosol generating device200ofFIG.2, the preheating of the heater230may be started. In the case of the aerosol generating device300ofFIG.3, the preheating of the first heater340and/or the second heater included in the vaporizer330may be started.

In Operation S4, when it is determined that the sliding member160has completed the movement from the second position to the first position as the controller receives the second signal from the magnetic sensor153, the controller may deactivate the aerosol generating device. As the aerosol generating device is deactivated, the heating of the heater may be terminated.

As such, the user may easily activate or deactivate the aerosol generating device through a simple operation of sliding the sliding member. In addition, when the user slides the sliding member, the heater starts preheating and heating of the aerosol generating material before the user starts inhaling, thereby providing a sufficient atomization amount to the user.

In addition, since the aerosol generating device is activated or deactivated by an intuitive manipulation of moving the sliding member, the user may easily operate the aerosol generating device.

The effect of the inventive concept is not limited by the contents exemplified above, and more various effects are included in the present specification.

It should be understood that exemplary embodiments described herein should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each exemplary embodiment should typically be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other exemplary embodiments. While one or more exemplary embodiments have been described with reference to the figures, 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 spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims.