Disclosed is an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device includes a body, a cartridge separably coupled to the body, the cartridge including a heater configured to heat an aerosol-generating substance, a power supply configured to supply power to the heater, and a controller configured to control the power supply to supply a preset power to the heater, determine the temperature of the heater while the preset power is supplied to the heater, and determine a target temperature for controlling the power supplied to the heater based on the temperature reached by the heater.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a), this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0073143, filed on Jun. 4, 2024, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating device.

2. Description of the Related Art

An aerosol-generating device is a device that extracts certain components from a medium or a substance by forming an aerosol. The medium may contain a multicomponent substance. The substance contained in the medium may be a multicomponent flavoring substance. For example, the substance contained in the medium may include a nicotine component, an herbal component, and/or a coffee component. Recently, various studies on an aerosol-generating device have been conducted.

In an aerosol-generating device in which a cartridge is replaceable, there may be a deviation between cartridges due to differences in the heater resistance value of each cartridge. In a conventional aerosol-generating device, there is a problem that the power supplied to a heater of the cartridge is controlled without considering the deviation of the cartridge, whereby the temperature of the heater cannot be accurately controlled to a desired temperature.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

It is an object of the present disclosure to solve the above and other problems.

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an aerosol-generating device that supplies set power to a heater of a cartridge and determines a target temperature of the heater based on the temperature that the heater reaches.

It is still another object of the present disclosure to provide an aerosol-generating device that determines the target temperature of the heater based on a first puff or a cartridge that is coupled after separation.

It is still another object of the present disclosure to provide an aerosol-generating device that determines the temperature of the heater that is saturated for a set time as the target temperature.

It is still another object of the present disclosure to provide an aerosol-generating device that disables the use of the cartridge if the temperature of the saturated heater exceeds a reference temperature range.

It is still another object of the present disclosure to provide an aerosol-generating device that determines the reference temperature range of the heater based on the initial temperature of the heater.

It is still another object of the present disclosure to provide an aerosol-generating device that controls the power supplied to the heater using a PID method based on the predetermined target temperature.

It is still another object of the present disclosure to provide an aerosol-generating device that determines the target temperature of the heater if a change in the initial temperature of the heater is less than a reference temperature deviation.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure for accomplishing the above objects, an aerosol-generating device includes a body, a cartridge separably coupled to the body, the cartridge including a heater configured to heat an aerosol-generating substance, a power supply configured to supply power to the heater, and a controller configured to control the power supply to supply a preset power to the heater, determine the temperature of the heater while the preset power is supplied to the heater, and determine a target temperature for controlling the power supplied to the heater based on the temperature reached by the heater.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals Even if they are depicted in different drawings, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

In the following description, with respect to constituent elements used in the following description, the suffixes “module” and “unit” are used only in consideration of facilitation of description, and do not have mutually distinguished meanings or functions.

In addition, in the following description of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when the same may make the subject matter of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification rather unclear. In addition, the accompanying drawings are provided only for a better understanding of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification and are not intended to limit the technical ideas disclosed in the present specification. Therefore, it should be understood that the accompanying drawings include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions within the scope and sprit of the present disclosure.

It will be understood that when a component is referred to as being “connected to” or “coupled to” another component, it may be directly connected to or coupled to another component, or intervening components may be present. On the other hand, when a component is referred to as being “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another component, there are no intervening components present.

As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Throughout this specification, the directions of an aerosol-generating device 1 may be defined based on an orthogonal coordinate system. In the orthogonal coordinate system, an x-axis direction may be defined as a leftward-rightward direction of the aerosol-generating device 1. A y-axis direction may be defined as a forward-backward direction of the aerosol-generating device 1. A z-axis direction may be defined as an upward-downward direction of the aerosol-generating device 1.

Throughout this specification, “upstream” and “downstream” may be determined based on the direction of an airflow formed such that a generated aerosol is drawn into a user's mouth or lungs when the user inhales. For example, in FIGS. 1 to 3, since the generated aerosol flows from a part of a stick S inserted into the aerosol-generating device to a part of the stick S not inserted into the aerosol-generating device, the part of the stick S inserted into the aerosol-generating device is located upstream of the part of the stick S not inserted into the aerosol-generating device. “Upstream” and “downstream” may be determined relative to components.

FIGS. 1 to 5 are views showing aerosol-generating devices according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol-generating device 1 according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of a power supply 11, a controller 12, a sensor 13, or a cartridge 19. At least one of the power supply 11, the controller 12, or the sensor 13 may be disposed in a body 10 of the aerosol-generating device. The body 10 may define a space to allow the cartridge 19 to be inserted thereinto.

The cartridge 19 may contain therein an aerosol-generating substance in a liquid state, a solid state, a gas state, or a gel state. The aerosol-generating substance may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component or may be a liquid including a non-tobacco material.

The cartridge 19 may be detachably coupled to the body 10. The cartridge 19 may define an insertion space 43 having an open top to allow a stick S, which is an aerosol-generating article, to be inserted thereinto. The insertion space 43 may be formed so as to be depressed to a predetermined depth toward the interior of the cartridge 19 so that the stick S is inserted at least partway thereinto. The depth of the insertion space 43 may correspond to the length of the portion of the stick S that contains an aerosol-generating substance and/or medium. The lower end of the stick S may be inserted into the cartridge 19, and the upper end of the stick S may protrude to the outside of the cartridge 19. A user may inhale air in a state of holding the upper end of the stick S, which is exposed to the outside, in the mouth.

The cartridge 19 may be mounted in the body 10 in such a manner that at least a portion of the cartridge 19 is inserted into a space defined in one side of the body 10. The gasflow channel CN may be defined by a portion of the cartridge and/or a portion of the body 10, and the gasflow channel CN may communicate with the insertion space 43.

The body 10 may be formed in a structure that allows outside air to be introduced into the body 10 in a state in which the cartridge 19 is inserted thereinto. In this case, the outside air introduced into the body 10 may pass through the cartridge 19 to enter the user's mouth.

The cartridge 19 may include a chamber CO containing an aerosol-generating substance and/or a heater 24 configured to heat the aerosol-generating substance in the chamber CO. The heater 24 may be referred as a cartridge heater 24. At least a portion of a liquid delivery element impregnated with (containing) the aerosol-generating substance may be disposed in the chamber CO. Here, the liquid delivery element may include a wick, such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic. The electrically conductive track of the heater 24 may be formed in a coil-shaped structure that is wound around the liquid delivery element or a structure that is in contact with one side of the liquid delivery element. The heater 24 may be a resistive heater. The heater 24 may include an electrically conductive track and may be heated as current flows through the electrically conductive track. The heater 24 may be electrically connected to the power supply 11. The heater 24 may directly generate heat using current received from the power supply 11.

The cartridge 19 may generate an aerosol. As the liquid delivery element is heated by the heater 24, an aerosol may be generated. While the aerosol generated by the heater 24 passes through the stick S, the aerosol may be mixed with a tobacco material, and the aerosol mixed with the tobacco material may be drawn into the user's mouth through one end of the stick S.

The heater 24 may be disposed adjacent to bottom of the insertion space 43. Since the heater 24 is disposed adjacent to one end of the stick S accommodated in the insertion space 43, the heat transfer efficiency of the aerosol may be increased.

The aerosol-generating device 1 may include a cap. The cap may be detachably coupled to the body 10 so as to cover at least a portion of the cartridge 19 coupled to the body 10. The stick S may be inserted into the body 10 through the cap.

The power supply 11 may supply power so that components of the aerosol-generating device 1 operate. The power supply 11 may be referred to as a battery. The power supply 11 may supply power to at least one of the controller 12, the sensor 13, or the heater 24. The power supply 11 may supply power to the induction coil.

The controller 12 may control overall operation of the aerosol-generating device 1. The controller may be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The controller 12 may control operation of at least one of the power supply 11, the sensor 13, or the cartridge 19. The controller 12 may control operation of a display, a motor, etc. mounted in the aerosol-generating device 1. The controller 12 may check the state of each of the components of the aerosol-generating device 1 and may determine whether the aerosol-generating device 1 is in an operable state.

The controller 12 may analyze a result of detection by the sensor 13 and may control subsequent processes. For example, the controller 12 may control, based on a result of detection by the sensor 13, power supplied to the heater 24 so that operation of the heater 24 commences or ends. For example, the controller 12 may control, based on a result of detection by the sensor 13, the amount of power supplied to the heater 24 and a power supply time so that the heater 24 is heated to a predetermined temperature or is maintained at an appropriate temperature.

The sensor 13 may include at least one of a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, an insertion detection sensor, a color sensor, a cartridge detection sensor, a cap detection sensor, or proximity sensor. For example, the sensor 13 may detect at least one of the temperature of the heater 24, the temperature of the power supply 11, or the internal/external temperature of the body 10. For example, the sensor 13 may detect a user puff. For example, the sensor 13 may detect whether the stick S is inserted into the insertion space. For example, the sensor 13 may detect whether the cartridge is mounted. For example, the sensor 13 may detect whether the cap is mounted.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an aerosol-generating device 1 according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of a power supply 11, a controller 12, a sensor 13, a heater 18 or a cartridge 19. At least one of the power supply 11, the controller 12, the sensor 13, or the heater 18 may be disposed in a body 10 of the aerosol-generating device. The body 10 may define an insertion space 43 having an open top to allow a stick S, to be inserted thereinto. The insertion space 43 may be formed so as to be depressed to a predetermined depth toward the interior of the body 10 so that the stick S is inserted at least partway thereinto. The lower end of the stick S may be inserted into the body 10, and the upper end of the stick S may protrude to the outside of the body 10.

The heater 18 may heat a stick S. The heater 18 may be disposed around a space into which the stick S is inserted and may be elongated upward. For example, the heater 18 may be formed in a shape of a tube including a cavity formed therein. The heater 18 may be disposed around an insertion space 43. The heater 18 may be disposed so as to surround at least a portion of the insertion space 43. The heater 18 may heat the insertion space 43 or the stick S inserted into the insertion space 43. The heater 18 may include an electro-resistive heater and/or an induction heater.

For example, the heater 18 may be a resistive heater. For example, the heater 18 may include an electrically conductive track and may be heated as current flows through the electrically conductive track. The heater 18 may be electrically connected to the power supply 11. The heater 18 may directly generate heat using current received from the power supply 11.

For example, the aerosol-generating device may include an induction coil surrounding the heater 18. The induction coil may cause the heater 18 to generate heat. The heater 18 as a susceptor may generate heat using a magnetic field generated by alternating current flowing through the induction coil. The magnetic field may pass through the heater 18 to generate an eddy current in the heater 18. The current may cause the heater 18 to generate heat.

Meanwhile, a susceptor may be included in the stick S, and the susceptor in the stick S may generate heat using a magnetic field generated by alternating current flowing through the induction coil.

The cartridge 19 may be integrally formed with the body 10 or may be detachably coupled to the body 10.

For example, referring to FIG. 2, the cartridge 19 may be integrally formed with the body 10 and may communicate with the insertion space 43 through a gasflow channel CN.

For example, referring to FIG. 3, a space may be defined in one side of the body 10, and the cartridge 19 may be mounted in the body 10 in such a manner that at least a portion of the cartridge 19 is inserted into the space defined in one side of the body 10. The gasflow channel CN may be defined by a portion of the cartridge 19 and/or a portion of the body 10, and the cartridge 19 may communicate with the insertion space 43 through the gasflow channel CN.

The cartridge 19 may generate an aerosol. As the liquid delivery element 25 is heated by the cartridge heater 24, an aerosol may be generated. An aerosol may be generated by heating the stick S using the heater 18. While the aerosol generated by the cartridge heater 24 and the heater 18 passes through the stick S, the aerosol may be mixed with a tobacco material, and the aerosol mixed with the tobacco material may be drawn into the user's mouth through one end of the stick S.

The controller 12 may analyze a result of detection by the sensor 13 and may control subsequent processes. For example, the controller 12 may control, based on a result of detection by the sensor 13, power supplied to the cartridge heater 18 and 24 so that operation of the cartridge heater 18 and 24 commences or ends. For example, the controller 12 may control, based on a result of detection by the sensor 13, the amount of power supplied to the heater 18 and 24 and a power supply time so that the heater 18 and 24 is heated to a predetermined temperature or is maintained at an appropriate temperature.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the aerosol-generating device 1 may include the body 10 and the cartridge 19. The aerosol-generating device 10 may include at least one of the power supply 11, the controller 12, or the sensor 13. At least one of the power supply 11, the controller 12, or the sensor 13 may be placed inside the body 10. The body 10 may be equipped with the cartridge 19, which is an aerosol-generating article. The user may inhale the aerosol by putting a mouthpiece provided at one end of the cartridge 19 in the mouth.

The cartridge 19 may be detachably coupled to the body 10. The cartridge 19 may be mounted in the body 10 by being inserted into the body 10.

The body 10 may be formed in a structure that allows outside air to be introduced into the body 10 in a state in which the cartridge 19 is inserted thereinto. In this instance, the outside air introduced into the body 10 may pass through the cartridge 19 to enter the user's mouth through the gas flow channel CN.

The cartridge 19 may include a chamber CO containing an aerosol-generating substance and/or a heater 24 configured to heat the aerosol-generating substance in the chamber CO. A liquid delivery element 25 impregnated with (containing) the aerosol-generating substance may be disposed in the chamber CO. An electrically conductive track of the heater 24 may be formed in a coil-shaped structure that is wound around the liquid delivery element 25 or a structure that is in contact with one side of the liquid delivery element 25. The heater 24 may be referred to as a cartridge heater.

The gasflow channel CN may be provided in the cartridge 19. The gasflow channel CN may allow the chamber in which the heater 24 of the cartridge 19 is disposed and the outside of the cartridge to communicate with each other. One end of the gasflow channel CN may be open to the chamber in which the heater 24 is disposed, and the other end of the airflow channel may communicate with the mouthpiece (not shown). For example, referring to FIG. 4, the gasflow channel CN may extend from one side of the chamber CO of the cartridge 19 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 19. For example, referring to FIG. 5, the gasflow channel CN may extend through the chamber CO of the cartridge 19 and may extend in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 19.

The controller 12 may analyze the results detected by the sensor 13 and may control subsequent processes to be performed. For example, the controller 12 may control the power supplied to the cartridge heater 24 such that operation of the heater 24 is initiated or terminated based on the results detected by the sensor 13. For example, the controller 12 may control the amount of power supplied to the cartridge heater 24 and the power supply time such that the cartridge heater 24 can be heated to a predetermined temperature or can be maintained at a suitable temperature based on the results detected by the sensor 13.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing that an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure determines the target temperature of a heater, FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram for measuring the resistance of the heater of the aerosol-generating device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIGS. 8 to 10 are graphs showing changes in temperature of the heater as set power is applied in the aerosol-generating device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

In an aerosol-generating device in which a cartridge is replaceable, a deviation by cartridge may exist because a heater resistance value or the like is different for each cartridge. The aerosol-generating device 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may determine the target temperature of the heater 24 when the cartridge 19 is replaced in order to accurately reflect the deviation of the cartridge 19 in the temperature control or power control of the heater 24.

Referring to FIG. 6, the controller 12 may determine the target temperature for controlling the heater 24. The controller 12 may control the power supply 11 to provide preset power Ps to the heater 24. The controller 12 may determine the temperature of the heater 24 while the preset power Ps is supplied to the heater 24. Based on the temperature reached by the heater 24, the controller 12 may determine the target temperature for controlling the power supplied to the heater 24.

Before supplying the preset power Ps to the heater 24, the controller 12 may detect the occurrence of puffs (S610). The controller 12 may receive a signal from a puff sensor 132 (see FIG. 15). The controller 12 may repeatedly detect the occurrence of puffs based on signals output from the puff sensor 132. The controller 12 may determine whether a first puff and a second puff have consecutively occurred.

Upon determining that the first puff has occurred, the controller 12 may determine an elapsed time between the first puff and the second puff that occurred immediately before the first puff. The controller 12 may determine whether the elapsed time between the first puff and the second puff is greater than or equal to a predetermined reference time difference (S620).

When the cartridge 19 is replaced from the body 10, a predetermined time difference may occur between the last puff before the replacement of the cartridge 19 and the first puff after the replacement of the cartridge 19. A memory 17 (see FIG. 15) may store reference time difference information by which the first puff occurring after replacement of the cartridge 19 can be determined. The controller 12 may determine an elapsed time between consecutive puffs and compare the determined elapsed time with the reference time difference stored in the memory 17. Based on the result of comparison between the elapsed time and the reference time difference, the controller 12 may or may not supply the preset power Ps to the heater 24.

The controller 12 may control the power supply 11 to supply the preset power Ps to the heater 24 if the elapsed time is greater than or equal to the reference time difference after the first puff occurs (“Yes” in S620). The controller 12 may control the power supply 11 to supply the preset power Ps to the heater 24 for a set first time. The controller 12 may repeatedly determine the temperature of the heater 24 for the first time (S630).

Although not shown in the figures, before supplying the preset power Ps to the heater 24, the controller 12 may determine whether the cartridge 19 has been coupled. The controller 12 may receive a signal from a cartridge detection sensor 135 (see FIG. 15). Based on the signal output from the cartridge detection sensor 135, the controller 12 may determine whether the cartridge 19 is separated from or coupled to the body 10.

Generally, once the cartridge 19 is coupled to the body 10 by the user, the cartridge 19 may not be separated from the body 10 until the cartridge is replaced. The controller 12 may or may not supply the preset power Ps to the heater 24 based on whether the cartridge 19 is coupled to the body 10.

The controller 12 may control the power supply 11 to supply the preset power Ps to the heater 24 if the cartridge 19 is coupled to the body 10. The controller 12 may determine the temperature of the heater 24 in the state in which the preset power Ps is supplied to the heater 24.

Meanwhile, although not shown in the figures, before supplying the preset power Ps to the heater 24, the controller 12 may perform processes S610 and S620 of detecting the occurrence of the first puff and determining whether the elapsed time is greater than or equal to the reference time difference and a process of determining whether the cartridge 19 has been coupled. Accordingly, it is possible to more accurately determine that the cartridge 19 is replaced from the body 10.

Referring to FIG. 7 together with FIG. 6, the controller 12 may determine a resistance value of the heater 24 and determine the temperature of the heater 24 based on the determined resistance value.

A resistance measurement sensor 131 may be constituted by a sensor configured to detect the resistance value Rh of the heater 24. The resistance measurement sensor 131 may be referred to as a temperature sensor. The resistance measurement sensor 131 may output a signal corresponding to the resistance value Rh of the heater 24.

The resistance measurement sensor 131 may be electrically connected to the heater 24. A heater drive circuit 200 may supply power to the heater 24 using power stored in the power supply 11. The heater drive circuit may be referred to as a circuit board. The power supplied to the heater 24 via the heater drive circuit 200 may be adjusted under the control of the controller 12.

The controller 12 may determine the temperature of the heater 24 based on the resistance value Rh of the heater 24, and may control the power supplied to the heater 24 based on the determined temperature of the heater 24.

The circuit board 200 may transmit electrical signals to control the operation of various components. A circuit pattern for transmitting electrical signals may be formed on the circuit board 200. The circuit board 200 may be electrically connected to the power supply 11 and the controller 12. The controller 12 may be mounted on the circuit board 200.

The same level of current may flow in the heater 24 and the resistance measurement sensor 131. The resistance value Rs of a shunt resistor provided in the resistance measurement sensor 131 may be a value that does not vary with temperature.

The controller 12 may determine the voltage Vc applied to the heater 24 and the resistance measurement sensor 131 based on the power supplied to the heater 24 from the power supply 11 via the heater drive circuit 200, the current flowing in the heater 24 and the resistance measurement sensor 131, and the like. The controller 12 may calculate the voltage Vd applied to the shunt resistor based on the current flowing in the shunt resistor of the resistance measurement sensor 131 and the resistance value Rs of the shunt resistor. The controller 12 may calculate the difference (Vc−Vd) between the voltage Vc applied to the heater 24 and the resistance measurement sensor 131 and the voltage Vd applied to the shunt resistor as the voltage applied to the heater 24. Based on the voltage applied to the heater 24 and the current flowing in the heater 24, the controller 12 may calculate the resistance value Rh of the heater 24.

A resistor of the heater 24 may be made of a material having a specific temperature coefficient of resistance. The resistance value Rh of the heater 24 may vary with the temperature of the resistor. The controller 12 may calculate the temperature of the heater 24 corresponding to the temperature coefficient of resistance of the heater 24, the resistance value Rh of the heater 24, and the resistance value of the heater 24 at the reference temperature based on a calculation formula for calculating the temperature of the heater 24. Here, the calculation formula for calculating the temperature of the heater 24 may correspond to Mathematical Expression 1 below.

In Mathematical Expression 1 above, TCR may be the temperature coefficient of resistance of the heater 24, T1 may be the temperature of the heater 24, R1 may be the resistance value of the heater 24, T0 may be the reference temperature, and R0 may be the resistance value of the heater 24 at the reference temperature. Here, T0 may be 25° C., and R0 may be the resistance value of the heater 24 at 25° C.

The heater 24 of each aerosol-generating device 1 may have a different resistance value at the reference temperature. In consideration of this, the memory 17 (see FIG. 15) of the aerosol-generating device 1 may store data on the resistance value of the heater 24. Based on the data stored in the memory 17, the controller 12 may determine the resistance value R0 of the heater 24 at the reference temperature T0 used in the calculation formula for calculating the temperature of the heater 24.

While the resistance measurement sensor 131 connected to the heater 24 in series is shown by way of example in the figures, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the resistance measurement sensor 131 may be implemented as a voltage sensor configured to sense the voltage applied to the heater 24.

Referring to FIG. 8 together with FIG. 6, the controller 12 may determine the temperature that the heater 24 rises to or reaches as the target temperature in the state in which the preset power Ps is supplied to the heater 24 for a first time.

The preset power Ps and the first time may be preset and stored in the memory 17. The preset power Ps may be 5 to 9 watts. Preferably, the preset power Ps is about 7 W. The first time may be 1 to 2 seconds. Preferably, the first time is about 1.5 seconds.

Cartridges 19 separably coupled to the body 10 may have different characteristics. For example, the cartridges 19 may have different resistance values of the heater 24. Even if the heaters 24 included in the cartridges 19 are produced according to the same specifications and/or are made of the same material, the resistance values of the heaters 24 may be different due to various causes, including the production process. For example, the resistance value of the heater 24 may vary slightly due to dimensional errors in the shape of the heater 24, such as length and thickness, which may occur during manufacturing. For example, the resistance value of the heater 24 may also vary due to proportional errors in components constituting the alloy of the heater 24 that may occur during manufacturing. However, these are merely examples, and factors affecting the resistance value of the heater 24 are not limited thereto.

For example, liquid transport variation may exist between the cartridges 19. Even if the wicks 25 (e.g., the liquid delivery elements 25) included in the cartridges 19 are produced according to the same specifications and/or are made of the same material, the wicks 25 may have different volumes or different distributions and sizes of pores formed therein. Accordingly, the amount of liquid aerosol-generating substance transported to the heater 24 through the wick 25 may vary slightly.

For example, air introduction variation may exist between the cartridges 19 are produced according to the same specifications and/or are made of the same material, inlets or gaps through which outside air can enter the cartridges 19 may have different sizes. Accordingly, the degree to which outside air is introduced into the wick 25 and/or the heater 24 in the cartridge 19 may vary slightly.

As such, variation between the cartridges 19 may cause the temperature at which the heater 24 is heated to rise to vary, even when the preset power Ps is applied. For example, for the first time tb-ta, the temperature of the heater 24 may rise from an initial temperature T0 to a first temperature T11 (801). On the other hand, for the first time tb-ta, the temperature of the heater 24 may rise to a second temperature T12 that is lower than the first temperature T11 (802), or may rise to a third temperature T13 that is higher than the first temperature T11 (803).

The controller 12 may set the temperature to which the heater 24 rises or the temperature that the heater 24 reaches for the first time tb-ta as the target temperature. For example, if the heater 24 of the cartridge 19 rises to the first temperature T11 (801 in FIG. 8), the controller 12 may determine the first temperature T11 as the target temperature for controlling the power supplied to the heater 24. For example, if the heater 24 of the cartridge 19 rises to the second temperature T12 (802), the controller 12 may determine the second temperature T12 as the target temperature for controlling the power supplied to the heater 24. For example, if the heater 24 of the cartridge 19 rises to the third temperature T13 (803), the controller 12 may determine the third temperature T13 as the target temperature for controlling the power supplied to the heater 24.

Accordingly, the target temperature for heating the heater may be accurately set for each cartridge.

Referring to FIG. 9 together with FIG. 6, the controller 12 may determine the temperature at which the temperature of the heater 24 is saturated as the target temperature (S660). The controller 12 may determine (S640) whether the temperature of the heater 24 increases and is saturated for the first time (tb-ta). If the temperature of the heater 24 increases for the first time tb-ta and is saturated at the first temperature T11 (901 in FIG. 9), the controller 12 may determine the saturated first temperature T11 as the target temperature. If the temperature of the heater 24 is not saturated for the first time tb-ta (902), the controller 12 may not determine a fourth temperature T14 as the target temperature, even if the temperature of the heater 24 reaches the fourth temperature T14.

In setting the target temperature of the heater 24, if the temperature of the heater 24 is not saturated, the temperature may be a temperature that does not accurately reflect the deviation of the cartridge 19. Therefore, the aerosol-generating device 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may accurately reflect the deviation of the cartridge 19 in the target temperature by determining the temperature of the heater 24 that is saturated for a set time as the target temperature.

Referring to FIG. 10 together with FIG. 6, the controller 12 may compare the temperature reached by the heater 24 to a reference temperature range Ts1 to Ts2 (S650). If the temperature reached by the heater 24 is within the reference temperature range Ts1 to Ts2 (1001 in FIG. 10), the controller 12 may determine the temperature reached by the heater 24 as the target temperature. If the temperature reached by the heater 24 is lower (1002) or higher (1003) than the reference temperature range Ts1 to Ts2, the controller 12 may not determine the temperature reached by the heater 24 as the target temperature. If the temperature reached by the heater 24 deviates from the reference temperature range Ts1 to Ts2, the controller 12 may shut off the supply of power to the heater 24, and may output information regarding unavailability of the cartridge 19 through an output unit 14.

Even though deviation exists between the cartridges 19, if the preset power is applied for the set first time, the temperature reached by the heater 24 may be distributed within a certain range. The reference temperature ranges Ts1 to Ts2 may be preset by the manufacturer of the cartridge 19 and stored in the memory 17.

Accordingly, if the temperature of the heater that is saturated deviates from the reference temperature range, the cartridge may be disabled, thereby preventing the use of an impermissible cartridge and preventing the operation of the aerosol-generating device from becoming unstable.

The reference temperature range Ts1 to Ts2 may vary depending on the initial temperature of the heater 24. Here, the initial temperature of the heater 24 may be defined as the temperature of the heater 24 in the state in which the heater 24 is not heated. The initial temperature of the heater 24 may be the temperature before the preset power Ps is applied to the heater 24. The initial temperature of the heater 24 may be affected by the temperature of the surrounding environment in which the cartridge 19 is located. For example, in a hot environment, the initial temperature of the heater 24 may be a temperature above room temperature (e.g., 25° C.). For example, in a cold environment, the initial temperature of the heater 24 may be a temperature below room temperature.

The controller 12 may determine the initial temperature of the heater 24. The initial temperature of the heater 24 may be determined before the preset power Ps is applied to the heater 24. The initial temperature of the heater 24 may be determined based on the resistance value of the heater 24. The controller 12 may determine the reference temperature range Ts1 to Ts2 based on the initial temperature of the heater 24. In the memory 17, a plurality of initial temperatures of the heater 24 and reference temperature ranges Ts1 to Ts2 corresponding thereto may be stored in a matched state. Based on the matching information stored in the memory 17, the controller 12 may determine the reference temperature range Ts1 to Ts2 corresponding to the initial temperature of the heater 24.

Accordingly, the reference temperature range of the heater may be determined based on the initial temperature of the heater, whereby it is possible to prevent incorrect determination as to whether the cartridge can be used due to the surrounding environment of the aerosol-generating device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing that the aerosol-generating device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure determines the target temperature of the heater, and FIGS. 12 and 13 are graphs showing changes in the initial temperature of the heater in the aerosol-generating device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13 together with FIG. 11, before supplying the preset power Ps to the heater 24, the controller 12 may determine the amount of change in the initial temperature of the heater 24. Based on the amount of change in the initial temperature of the heater 24, the controller 12 may set a new target temperature of the heater 24, or may set a previous target temperature as the target temperature for the heater 24.

Before the preset power Ps is supplied to the heater 24, the controller 12 may determine the amount of change T0b−T0a in the initial temperature of the heater 24 for a set second time ta−tc (S1110). The controller 12 may repeatedly determine the initial temperature of the heater 24 for the second time ta−tc, and may determine the amount of change T0b−T0a in the initial temperature from the determined initial temperature values of the heater 24.

The controller 12 may compare the amount of change T0b−T0a in the initial temperature to a reference temperature deviation (S1120). If the amount of change T0b−T0a in the initial temperature is less than the reference temperature deviation (1201 in FIG. 12), the controller 12 may supply the preset power Ps to the heater 24. The controller 12 may control the power supply 11 to supply the preset power Ps to the heater 24 for the set first time. The controller 12 may repeatedly determine the temperature of the heater 24 for the first time (S1130). The series of processes S1140 to S1160 in which the controller 12 determines the temperature of the heater 24, determines whether the temperature of the heater 24 is saturated and/or within the reference temperature range, and determines the temperature of the heater 24 as the target temperature may be the same as the series of processes S630 to S660 previously shown in FIG. 6.

If the amount of change T0b−T0a of the initial temperature is greater than or equal to the reference temperature deviation (1301 in FIG. 13), the controller 12 may determine a previous target temperature stored in the memory 17 as the target temperature for controlling the power supplied to the heater 24 (S1170).

When the cartridge 19 is coupled to the body 10, there may be the case where the initial temperature of the heater 24 does not remain constant but decreases continuously. In this case, the cartridge 19 may be a previously used cartridge that has been disassembled and reassembled, rather than a newly replaced cartridge. In the case of the previously used cartridge, a new target temperature does not need to be set. In the case of the previously used cartridge, the controller 12 may control the temperature of the heater 24 or the power supplied to the heater based on the target temperature stored in the memory 17.

Accordingly, if the change in the initial temperature of the heater is less than the reference temperature deviation, a new target temperature of the heater may be determined, whereby it is possible to prevent unnecessary setting of the target temperature of the heater and to prevent the target temperature of the heater from being determined inaccurately.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a PID-based heater power control loop in the aerosol-generating device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 14, the controller 12 may control the power supplied to the heater 24 using a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) method based on the determined target temperature. The controller 12 may include a PID controller. The PID controller 12 may compare the heater temperature, which is a measured variable, to the target temperature, which is a set point. The PID controller 12 may calculate the difference between the heater temperature and the target temperature as an error. A heater temperature measurement circuit 131 and 200 may output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the heater 24 while power is supplied to the heater 24. For example, the heater temperature measurement circuit 131 and 200 may include a resistance measurement sensor 131 and a heater drive circuit 200. The PID controller 12 may determine the temperature of the heater 24 based on the signal output from the heater temperature measurement circuit 131 and 200.

The PID controller 12 may control the power supplied to the heater 24 such that the temperature of the heater 24 follows the target temperature. The PID controller 12 may determine the power supplied to the heater 24 based on the difference between the heater temperature and the target temperature. Specifically, the PID controller 12 may control the power supplied to the heater 24 in a feedback control manner based on the difference value between the temperature of the heater 24 and the target temperature, the vale obtained by integrating the difference over time, and the vale obtained by differentiating the difference over time. PID control coefficients may include a proportional control gain value, an integral control gain value, and a differential control gain value. The PID control coefficients may be preset experimentally to optimally control the temperature of the heater 24. The controller 12 may control the temperature of the heater 24 such that the temperature of the heater 24 reaches the target temperature based on the set PID control coefficients.

When the power supplied to the heater 24 is controlled using the PID method, it is difficult to accurately control the temperature of the heater 24 due to the deviation of the cartridge 19. According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the preset power may be supplied to the heater of the cartridge, and the target temperature of the heater may be determined based on the temperature reached by the heater, whereby it is possible to accurately set the target temperature for heating the heater for each cartridge and to accurately control the temperature of the heater.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of the aerosol-generating device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

The aerosol-generating device 1 may include a power supply 11, a controller 12, a sensor 13, an output unit 14, an input unit 15, a communication unit 16, a memory 17, and one or more heaters 18 and 24. However, the internal structure of the aerosol-generating device 1 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 15. That is, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that some of the components shown in FIG. 15 may be omitted or new components may be added depending on the design of the aerosol-generating device 1.

The sensor 13 may detect the state of the aerosol-generating device 1 or the state of the surrounding of the aerosol-generating device 1 and may transmit information about the detected state to the controller 12. Based on the information about the detected state, the controller 12 may control the aerosol-generating device 1 to perform various functions, such as control of operation of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18, smoking restriction, determination as to whether the stick S and/or the cartridge 19 is inserted, and notification display.

The sensor 13 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 131, a puff sensor 132, an insertion detection sensor 133, a reuse detection sensor 134, a cartridge detection sensor 135, a cap detection sensor 136, and a movement detection sensor 137.

The temperature sensor 131 may detect temperature to which the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 is heated. The aerosol-generating device 1 may include a separate temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18, or the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 itself may serve as a temperature sensor.

The temperature sensor 131 may output a signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. For example, the temperature sensor 131 may include a resistive element that changes in resistance value according to a change in temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. The temperature sensor may be implemented as a thermistor, which is an element characterized in that the resistance thereof changes with temperature. In this case, the temperature sensor 131 may output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the resistive element as a signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. For example, the temperature sensor 131 may be configured as a sensor configured to detect the resistance value of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. In this case, the temperature sensor 131 may output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 as a signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18.

The temperature sensor 131 may be disposed around the power supply 11 to monitor the temperature of the power supply 11. The temperature sensor 131 may be disposed adjacent to the power supply 11. For example, the temperature sensor 131 may be attached to one surface of the battery, which is the power supply 11. For example, the temperature sensor 131 may be mounted on one surface of a printed circuit board.

The temperature sensor 131 may be disposed in the body 10 to detect the internal temperature of the body 10.

The puff sensor 132 may detect a user puff based on various physical changes in a airflow path. The puff sensor 132 may output a signal corresponding to a puff. For example, the puff sensor 132 may be a pressure sensor. The puff sensor 132 may output a signal corresponding to the internal pressure of the aerosol-generating device. Here, the internal pressure of the aerosol-generating device 1 may correspond to the pressure of the airflow path through which gas flows. The puff sensor 132 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the airflow path through which gas flows in the aerosol-generating device 1.

The insertion detection sensor 133 may detect insertion and/or removal of the stick S. The insertion detection sensor 133 may detect a signal change caused by insertion and/or removal of the stick S. The insertion detection sensor 133 may be mounted around the insertion space. The insertion detection sensor 133 may detect insertion and/or removal of the stick S according to a change in dielectric constant in the insertion space. For example, the insertion detection sensor 133 may be an inductive sensor and/or a capacitance sensor.

The inductive sensor may include at least one coil. The coil of the inductive sensor may be disposed adjacent to the insertion space. For example, if a magnetic field changes around a coil through which current flows, the characteristics of the current flowing through the coil may change according to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction. Here, the characteristics of the current flowing through the coil may include a frequency of alternating current, a current value, a voltage value, an inductance value, an impedance value, and the like.

The inductive sensor may output a signal corresponding to the characteristics of the current flowing through the coil. For example, the inductive sensor may output a signal corresponding to the inductance value of the coil.

The capacitance sensor may include a conductive body. The conductive body of the capacitance sensor may be disposed adjacent to the insertion space. The capacitance sensor may output a signal corresponding to the electromagnetic characteristics of the surroundings, for example, the capacitance around the conductive body. For example, if the stick S including a metallic wrapper is inserted into the insertion space, the electromagnetic characteristics around the conductive body may change due to the wrapper of the stick S.

The reuse detection sensor 134 may detect whether the stick S is being reused. The reuse detection sensor 134 may be a color sensor. The color sensor may detect the color of the stick S. The color sensor may detect the color of a portion of the wrapper surrounding the outer side of the stick S. The color sensor may detect, based on light reflected from an object, a value for the optical characteristic corresponding to the color of the object. For example, the optical characteristic may be the wavelength of light. The color sensor may be implemented as a component integrated with a proximity sensor or may be implemented as a component provided separately from a proximity sensor.

At least a part of the wrapper constituting the stick S may change in color due to an aerosol. The reuse detection sensor 134 may be disposed at a position corresponding to a position at which At least a part of the wrapper, which changes in color due to an aerosol, is disposed when the stick S is inserted into the insertion space. For example, before the stick S is used by the user, the color of At least a part of the wrapper may be a first color. In this case, while the aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating device 1 passes through the stick S, At least a part of the wrapper may become wet due to the aerosol, and accordingly, the color of At least a part of the wrapper may change to a second color. After changing from the first color to the second color, the color of At least a part of the wrapper may be maintained in the second color.

The cartridge detection sensor 135 may detect mounting and/or removal of the cartridge 19. The cartridge detection sensor 135 may be implemented as an inductance-based sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistance sensor, a Hall sensor (or Hall IC) using the Hall effect, etc.

The cap detection sensor 136 may detect mounting and/or removal of the cap. When the cap is separated from the body 10, the cartridge 19 and the portion of the body 10 that have been covered by the cap may be exposed to the outside. The cap detection sensor 136 may be implemented as a contact sensor, a Hall sensor (or Hall IC), an optical sensor, etc.

The movement detection sensor 137 may detect movement of the aerosol-generating device. The movement detection sensor 137 may be implemented as at least one of an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor.

In addition to the sensors 131 to 137 described above, the sensor 13 may further include at least one of a humidity sensor, an air pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, a position sensor (GPS), or a proximity sensor. The functions of the sensors could be intuitively deduced by those skilled in the art from the names thereof, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The output unit 14 may output information about the state of the aerosol-generating device 1 and may provide the information to the user. The output unit 14 may include at least one of a display 141, a haptic unit 142, or a sound output unit 143. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. If the display 141 and a touchpad form a touchscreen together in a layered structure, the display 141 may be used as not only an output device but also an input device.

The display 141 may visually provide information about the aerosol-generating device 1 to the user. For example, the information about the aerosol-generating device 1 may include various pieces of information, such as a charging/discharging state of the power supply 11 of the aerosol-generating device 1, a preheating state of the heater 18, an insertion/removal state of the stick S and/or the cartridge 19, a mounting/removal state of the cap, and a use restriction state of the aerosol-generating device 1 (e.g., detection of an abnormal article), and the display 141 may output the information to the outside. For example, the display 141 may be in the form of a light-emitting diode (LED) device. For example, the display 141 may be a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light-emitting display panel (OLED), or the like.

The haptic unit 142 may convert an electrical signal into mechanical stimulation or electrical stimulation to haptically provide the information about the aerosol-generating device 1 to the user. For example, if initial power is supplied to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 for a predetermined amount of time, the haptic unit 142 may generate vibration corresponding to completion of initial preheating. The haptic unit 142 may include a vibration motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

The sound output unit 143 may audibly provide information about the aerosol-generating device 1 to the user. For example, the sound output unit 143 may convert an electrical signal into an acoustic signal and may output the acoustic signal to the outside.

The power supply 11 may supply power used for operation of the aerosol-generating device 1. The power supply 11 may supply power so that the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 is heated. In addition, the power supply 11 may supply power necessary for operation of the other components provided in the aerosol-generating device 1, such as the sensor 13, the output unit 14, the input unit 15, the communication unit 16, and the memory 17. The power supply 11 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the power supply 11 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

Although not shown in FIG. 15, the aerosol-generating device 1 may further include a power supply protection circuit. The power supply protection circuit may be electrically connected to the power supply 11 and may include a switching element.

The power supply protection circuit may block an electric path to the power supply 11 according to a predetermined condition. For example, the power supply protection circuit may block the electric path to the power supply 11 when the voltage level of the power supply 11 is equal to or higher than a first voltage corresponding to overcharge. For example, the power supply protection circuit may block the electric path to the power supply 11 when the voltage level of the power supply 11 is lower than a second voltage corresponding to overdischarge.

The heater 18 may receive power from the power supply 11 to heat the medium or the aerosol-generating substance in the stick S. Although not shown in FIG. 15, the aerosol-generating device 1 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., DC-to-DC converter) configured to convert the power of the power supply 11 and supply the converted power to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. In addition, if the aerosol-generating device 1 generates an aerosol in an induction heating way, the aerosol-generating device 1 may further include a DC-to-AC converter configured to convert direct current power of the power supply 11 into alternating current power.

The controller 12, the sensor 13, the output unit 14, the input unit 15, the communication unit 16, and the memory 17 may perform functions using power received from the power supply 11. Although not shown in FIG. 15, the aerosol-generating device may further include a power conversion circuit configured to convert the power of the power supply 11 and supply the converted power to the respective components, for example, a low dropout (LDO) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit. In addition, although not shown in FIG. 15, a noise filter may be provided between the power supply 11 and the heater 18. The noise filter may be a low-pass filter. The low-pass filter may include at least one inductor and a capacitor. The cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter may correspond to the frequency of a high-frequency switching current applied from the power supply 11 to the heater 18. The low-pass filter may prevent high-frequency noise components from being applied to the sensor 13, for example, the insertion detection sensor 133.

In an embodiment, the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 may be formed of any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, the suitable electrically resistive material may be a metal or a metal alloy including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, or nichrome. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. In addition, the heater 18 may be implemented as a metal wire, a metal plate on which an electrically conductive track is disposed, or a ceramic heating element. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

In another embodiment, the heater 18 may be an induction heater. For example, the heater 18 may include a susceptor configured to generate heat through a magnetic field applied by a coil, thereby heating the aerosol-generating substance.

The input unit 15 may receive information input from the user or may output information to the user. For example, the input unit 15 may be a touch panel. The touch panel may include at least one touch sensor configured to detect touch. For example, the touch sensor may include a capacitive touch sensor, a resistive touch sensor, a surface acoustic wave touch sensor, an infrared touch sensor, etc. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The display 141 and the touch panel may be implemented as an integrated panel. For example, the touch panel may be inserted into the display 141 (on-cell type touch panel or in-cell type touch panel). For example, the touch panel may be added onto the display 141 (add-on type touch panel).

Meanwhile, the input unit 15 may include a button, a keypad, a dome switch, a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The memory 17 may be hardware storing various pieces of data processed in the aerosol-generating device 1. The memory 17 may store data processed and to be processed by the controller 12. The memory 17 may include at least one type of storage medium among a flash memory type memory, a hard disk type memory, a multimedia card micro type memory, a card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disc. The memory 17 may store data on an operation time of the aerosol-generating device 1, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and the user's smoking pattern.

The communication unit 16 may include at least one component for communication with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 16 may include at least one of a short-range communication unit or a wireless communication unit.

The short-range communication unit may include a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication unit, a near-field communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication unit, a Wi-Fi direct (WFD) communication unit, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, etc. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The wireless communication unit may include a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN) communication unit, etc. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

Although not shown in FIG. 15, the aerosol-generating device 1 may further include a connection interface such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and may be connected to other external devices through the connection interface such as a USB interface to transmit and receive information or charge the power supply 11.

The controller 12 may control overall operation of the aerosol-generating device 1. In an embodiment, 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 general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. Also, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the processor can be implemented in other forms of hardware.

The controller 12 may control the supply of power from the power supply 11 to the heater 18 to control the temperature of the heater 18. The controller 12 may control the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 detected by the temperature sensor 131. The controller 12 may control the power supplied to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. For example, the controller 12 may determine a target temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 based on the temperature profile stored in the memory 17.

The aerosol-generating device 1 may include a power supply circuit (not shown) electrically connected to the power supply 11 between the power supply 11 and the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. The power supply circuit may be electrically connected to the cartridge heater 24, the heater 18, or the induction coil 181. The power supply circuit may include at least one switching element. The switching element may be implemented as a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), a field effect transistor (FET), or the like. The controller 12 may control the power supply circuit.

The controller 12 may control switching of the switching element of the power supply circuit to control the supply of power. The power supply circuit may be an inverter configured to convert direct current power output from the power supply 11 into alternating current power. For example, the inverter may be composed of a full-bridge circuit or a half-bridge circuit including a plurality of switching elements.

The controller 12 may turn on the switching element so that power is supplied from the power supply 11 to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. The controller 12 may turn off the switching element so that the supply of power to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 is interrupted. The controller 12 may control the frequency and/or the duty ratio of the current pulse input to the switching element to control the current supplied from the power supply 11.

The controller 12 may control switching of the switching element of the power supply circuit to control the voltage output from the power supply 11. The power conversion circuit may convert the voltage output from the power supply 11. For example, the power conversion circuit may include a buck-converter configured to step down the voltage output from the power supply 11. For example, the power conversion circuit may be implemented as a buck-boost converter, a Zener diode, or the like.

The controller 12 may control on/off operation of the switching element included in the power conversion circuit to control the level of the voltage output from the power conversion circuit. If the switching element is maintained in an on state, the level of the voltage output from the power conversion circuit may correspond to the level of the voltage output from the power supply 11. The duty ratio for the on/off operation of the switching element may correspond to a ratio of the voltage output from the power conversion circuit to the voltage output from the power supply 11. As the duty ratio for the on/off operation of the switching element decreases, the level of the voltage output from the power conversion circuit may decrease. The heater 18 may be heated based on the voltage output from the power conversion circuit.

The controller 12 may control the supply of power to the heater 18 using at least one of a pulse width modulation (PWM) method or a proportional-integral-differential (PID) method.

For example, the controller 12 may perform control using the PWM method such that a current pulse having a predetermined frequency and a predetermined duty ratio is supplied to the heater 18. The controller 12 may control the frequency and the duty ratio of the current pulse to control the power supplied to the heater 18.

For example, the controller 12 may determine, based on the temperature profile, a target temperature to be controlled. The controller 12 may control the power supplied to the heater 18 using the PID method, which is a feedback control method using a difference value between the temperature of the heater 18 and the target temperature, a value obtained by integrating the difference value with respect to time, and a value obtained by differentiating the difference value with respect to time.

The controller 12 may prevent the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 from overheating. For example, the controller 12 may control operation of the power conversion circuit such that the supply of power to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 is interrupted when the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 exceeds a predetermined limit temperature. For example, the controller 12 may reduce the amount of power supplied to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 by a predetermined ratio when the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 exceeds a predetermined limit temperature. For example, when the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 exceeds a limit temperature, the controller 12 may determine that the aerosol-generating substance contained in the cartridge 19 has been exhausted and may interrupt the supply of power to the cartridge heater 24.

The controller 12 may control charging/discharging of the power supply 11. The controller 12 may check the temperature of the power supply 11 based on an output signal from the temperature sensor 131.

If a power line is connected to a battery terminal of the aerosol-generating device 1, the controller 12 may determine whether the temperature of the power supply 11 is equal to or higher than a first limit temperature, which is a reference temperature at which charging of the power supply 11 is interrupted. When the temperature of the power supply 11 is lower than the first limit temperature, the controller 12 may perform control such that the power supply 11 is charged based on a predetermined charging current. When the temperature of the power supply 11 is equal to or higher than the first limit temperature, the controller 12 may interrupt charging of the power supply 11.

When the aerosol-generating device 1 is in an on state, the controller 12 may determine whether the temperature of the power supply 11 is equal to or higher than a second limit temperature, which is a reference temperature at which discharging of the power supply 11 is interrupted. When the temperature of the power supply 11 is lower than the second limit temperature, the controller 12 may perform control such that the power stored in the power supply 11 is used. When the temperature of the power supply 11 is equal to or higher than the second limit temperature, the controller 12 may interrupt use of the power stored in the power supply 11.

The controller 12 may calculate the remaining amount of power stored in the power supply 11. For example, the controller 12 may calculate the remaining capacity of the power supply 11 based on a voltage and/or current detection value of the power supply 11.

The controller 12 may determine whether the stick S is inserted into the insertion space using the insertion detection sensor 133. The controller 12 may determine that the stick S has been inserted based on an output signal from the insertion detection sensor 133. Upon determining that the stick S has been inserted into the insertion space, the controller 12 may perform control such that power is supplied to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. For example, the controller 12 may supply power to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 based on the temperature profile stored in the memory 17.

The controller 12 may determine whether the stick S is removed from the insertion space. For example, the controller 12 may determine whether the stick S is removed from the insertion space using the insertion detection sensor 133. For example, the controller 12 may determine that the stick S has been removed from the insertion space when the temperature of the heater 18 is equal to or higher than a limit temperature or when the temperature change slope of the heater 18 is equal to or greater than a predetermined slope. Upon determining that the stick S has been removed from the insertion space, the controller 12 may interrupt the supply of power to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18.

The controller 12 may control a power supply time and/or the amount of power supplied to the heater 18 depending on the state of the stick S detected by the sensor 13. The controller 12 may check, based on a look-up table, a level range within which the level of a signal from the capacitance sensor is included. The controller 12 may determine the amount of moisture in the stick S based on the checked level range.

When the stick S is in a highly humid state, the controller 12 may control a time during which power is supplied to the heater 18 to increase a preheating time of the stick S compared to when the stick S is in a normal state.

The controller 12 may determine whether the stick S inserted into the insertion space is a reused stick using the reuse detection sensor 134. For example, the controller 12 may compare a sensing value of a signal from the reuse detection sensor with a first reference range within which the first color is included, and may determine that the stick S is not a reused stick when the sensing value is within the first reference range. For example, the controller 12 may compare a sensing value of a signal from the reuse detection sensor with a second reference range within which the second color is included, and may determine that the stick S is a reused stick when the sensing value is within the second reference range. Upon determining that the stick S is a reused stick, the controller 12 may interrupt the supply of power to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18.

The controller 12 may determine whether the cartridge 19 is coupled and/or removed using the cartridge detection sensor 135. For example, the controller 12 may determine whether the cartridge 19 is coupled and/or removed based on a sensing value of a signal from the cartridge detection sensor.

The controller 12 may determine whether the aerosol-generating substance in the cartridge 19 is exhausted. For example, the controller 12 may apply power to preheat the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18, and may determine whether the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 exceeds a limit temperature in a preheating section. When the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 exceeds the limit temperature, the controller 12 may determine that the aerosol-generating substance in the cartridge 19 has been exhausted. Upon determining that the aerosol-generating substance in the cartridge 19 has been exhausted, the controller 12 may interrupt the supply of power to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18.

The controller 12 may determine whether use of the cartridge 19 is possible. For example, upon determining, based on the data stored in the memory 17, that the current number of puffs is equal to or greater than the maximum number of puffs set for the cartridge 19, the controller 12 may determine that use of the cartridge 19 is impossible. For example, when a total time during which the cartridge heater 24 is heated is equal to or longer than a predetermined maximum time or when the total amount of power supplied to the cartridge heater 24 is equal to or greater than a predetermined maximum amount of power, the controller 12 may determine that use of the cartridge 19 is impossible.

The controller 12 may make a determination as to a user puff using the puff sensor 132. For example, the controller 12 may determine, based on a sensing value of a signal from the puff sensor, whether a puff occurs. For example, the controller 12 may determine the intensity of a puff based on a sensing value of a signal from the puff sensor 132. When the number of puffs reaches a predetermined maximum number of puffs or when no puff is detected for a predetermined time or longer, the controller 12 may interrupt the supply of power to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18.

The controller 12 may determine whether the cap is coupled and/or removed using the cap detection sensor 136. For example, the controller 12 may determine, based on a sensing value of a signal from the cap detection sensor, whether the cap is coupled and/or removed.

The controller 12 may control the output unit 14 based on a result of detection by the sensor 13. For example, when the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor 132 reaches a predetermined number, the controller 12 may notify the user that operation of the aerosol-generating device 1 will end soon through at least one of the display 141, the haptic unit 142, or the sound output unit 143. For example, upon determining that the stick S is not present in the insertion space, the controller 12 may notify the user of the determination result through the output unit 14. For example, upon determining that the cartridge 19 and/or the cap has not been mounted, the controller 12 may notify the user of the determination result through the output unit 14. For example, the controller 12 may transmit information about the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 to the user through the output unit 14.

Upon determining that a predetermined event has occurred, the controller 12 may store a history of the corresponding event in the memory 17 and may update the history. The event may include events performed in the aerosol-generating device 1, such as detection of insertion of the stick S, commencement of heating of the stick S, detection of puff, termination of puff, detection of overheating of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18, detection of application of overvoltage to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18, termination of heating of the stick S, on/off operation of the aerosol-generating device 1, commencement of charging of the power supply 11, detection of overcharging of the power supply 11, and termination of charging of the power supply 11. The history of the event may include the occurrence date and time of the event and log data corresponding to the event. For example, when the predetermined event is detection of insertion of the stick S, the log data corresponding to the event may include data on a value detected by the insertion detection sensor 133. For example, when the predetermined event is detection of overheating of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18, the log data corresponding to the event may include data on the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18, the voltage applied to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18, and the current flowing through the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18.

The controller 12 may perform control for formation of a communication link with an external device such as a user's mobile terminal. Upon receiving data on authentication from an external device via the communication link, the controller 12 may release restriction on use of at least one function of the aerosol-generating device 1. Here, the data on authentication may include data indicating completion of user authentication for the user corresponding to the external device. The user may perform user authentication through the external device. The external device may determine, based on the user's birthday or an identification number indicating the user, whether the user data is valid, and may receive data on the authority for use of the aerosol-generating device 1 from an external server. The external device may transmit data indicating completion of user authentication to the aerosol-generating device 1 based on the data on the use authority. When the user authentication is completed, the controller 12 may release restriction on use of at least one function of the aerosol-generating device 1. For example, when the user authentication is completed, the controller 12 may release restriction on use of a heating function for supplying power to the heater 18.

The controller 12 may transmit data on the state of the aerosol-generating device 1 to the external device through the communication link established with the external device. Based on the received state data, the external device may output the remaining capacity of the power supply 11 or the operation mode of the aerosol-generating device 1 through a display of the external device.

The external device may transmit a location search request to the aerosol-generating device 1 based on an input for commencement of search for the location of the aerosol-generating device 1. Upon receiving the location search request from the external device, the controller 12 may perform control, based on the received location search request, such that at least one of the output devices performs operation corresponding to location search. For example, the haptic unit 142 may generate vibration in response to the location search request. For example, the display 141 may output objects corresponding to location search and termination of search in response to the location search request.

Upon receiving firmware data from the external device, the controller 12 may perform control such that the firmware is updated. The external device may check the current version of the firmware of the aerosol-generating device 1 and may determine whether there is a new version of firmware. Upon receiving an input requesting firmware download, the external device may receive new version of firmware data and may transmit the new version of firmware data to the aerosol-generating device 1. Upon receiving the new version of firmware data, the controller 12 may perform control such that the firmware of the aerosol-generating device 1 is updated.

The controller 12 may transmit data on a value detected by the at least one sensor 13 to an external server (not shown) through the communication unit 16, and may receive, from the server, and store a learning model generated by learning the detected value through machine learning such as deep learning. The controller 12 may perform operation of determining the user's puff pattern and operation of generating the temperature profile using the learning model received from the server. The controller 12 may store data on the value detected by the at least one sensor 13 and data for training an artificial neural network (ANN) in the memory 17. For example, the memory 17 may store a database for each of the components provided in the aerosol-generating device 1 and weights and biases constituting the structure of the artificial neural network (ANN) in order to train the artificial neural network (ANN). The controller 12 may learn data on the value detected by the at least one sensor 13, the user's puff pattern, and the temperature profile, which are stored in the memory 17, and may generate at least one learning model used to determine the user's puff pattern and to generate the temperature profile.

As described above, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the preset power may be supplied to the heater of the cartridge, and the target temperature of the heater may be determined based on the temperature reached by the heater, whereby it is possible to accurately set the target temperature for heating the heater for each cartridge.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the target temperature of the heater may be determined based on the occurrence of a first puff and coupling of the cartridge after separation, whereby it is possible to accurately determine that a new cartridge is mounted to the body and to set the target temperature for heating the newly mounted cartridge.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the temperature of the heater that is saturated for the set time may be determined as the target temperature, whereby it is possible to accurately reflect the deviation of the cartridge in the target temperature.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, if the temperature of the heater that is saturated deviates from the reference temperature range, the cartridge may be disabled, whereby it is possible to prevent the use of an impermissible cartridge and to prevent the operation of the aerosol-generating device from becoming unstable.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the reference temperature range of the heater may be determined based on the initial temperature of the heater, whereby it is possible to prevent incorrect determination as to whether the cartridge can be used due to the surrounding environment of the aerosol-generating device.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the power supplied to the heater may be controlled using the PID method based on the determined target temperature, whereby it is possible to accurately control the temperature of the heater.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, if the change in the initial temperature of the heater is less than the reference temperature deviation, the target temperature of the heater may be determined, whereby it is possible to prevent the target temperature of the heater from being determined inaccurately.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 15, an aerosol-generating device 1 according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a body 10, a cartridge 19 separably coupled to the body 10, the cartridge including a heater 24 configured to heat an aerosol-generating substance, a power supply 11 configured to supply power to the heater 24, and a controller 12, wherein the controller 12 is configured to control the power supply 11 to supply a preset power Ps to the heater 24, determine the temperature of the heater 24 while the preset power Ps is supplied to the heater 24, and determine a target temperature for controlling the power supplied to the heater 24 based on the temperature reached by the heater 24.

In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating device may further include a puff sensor 132, wherein the controller 12 may be configured to determine whether a first puff has occurred based on a signal output from the puff sensor 132, determine an elapsed time between the first puff and a second puff that occurred immediately before the first puff, and control the power supply 11 to supply the preset power Ps to the heater 24 based on the elapsed time being greater than or equal to a reference time difference after occurrence of the first puff.

In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating device may further include a cartridge detection sensor 135 configured to detect whether the cartridge 19 is coupled, wherein the controller 12 may be configured to determine whether the cartridge 19 is separated from or coupled to the body 10 based on a signal output from the cartridge detection sensor 135, and control the power supply 11 to supply the preset power Ps to the heater 24 based on the cartridge 19 being coupled to the body 10.

In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the controller 12 may be configured to control the power supply 11 to supply the preset power Ps to the heater 24 for a first time, and determine the temperature reached by the heater 24 for the first time as the target temperature.

In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the controller 12 may be configured to determine the temperature of the heater 24 saturated for the first time as the target temperature.

In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the preset power may be 5 to 9 W, and the first time may be 1 to 2 seconds.

In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating device may further include an output unit 14, wherein the controller 12 may be configured to compare the temperature reached by the heater 24 for the first time with a reference temperature range, and cut off the supply of power to the heater 24 and output information regarding unavailability of the cartridge 19 through the output unit 14 based on the reached temperature deviating from the reference temperature range.

In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the controller 12 may be configured to determine an initial temperature of the heater 24, and determine the reference temperature range based on the initial temperature of the heater 24.

In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the controller 12 may control the power supplied to the heater 24 using a PID method based on the determined target temperature.

In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the controller 12 may be configured to control the power supplied to the heater 24 such that the temperature of the heater 24 follows the determined target temperature.

In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating device may further include a sensor 131 configured to measure at least one of voltage and current of the heater 24, wherein the controller 12 may be configured to determine the resistance value of the heater 24 based on a signal output from the sensor 131, and determine the temperature of the heater 24 based on the determined resistance value.

In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the controller 12 may be configured to determine an amount of change in the initial temperature of the heater 24 for a set second time before the preset power Ps is supplied to the heater 24, and control the power supply 11 to supply the preset power Ps to the heater 24 based on the amount of change in the initial temperature being less than a reference temperature deviation.

In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating device may further include a memory 17 configured to store the target temperature, wherein the controller 12 may be configured to determine a previous target temperature stored in the memory 17 as the target temperature for controlling the power supplied to the heater 24 based on the amount of change in the initial temperature being greater than or equal to the reference temperature deviation.

The above detailed description should not be construed as restrictive in all respects but should be considered as illustrative. The scope of the present disclosure should be determined by reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the equivalent scope of the present disclosure are embraced within the scope of the present disclosure.