Patent Publication Number: US-2023148676-A1

Title: Aerosol generating apparatus and method of controlling the same

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating apparatus and a method of controlling the aerosol generating apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Recently, the demand for an alternative to traditional combustive cigarettes has increased. For example, there is growing demand for an aerosol generating apparatus that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material in cigarettes without combustion. Accordingly, research into a heating-type cigarette or a heating-type aerosol generating apparatus is being actively conducted. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     There is a need for an aerosol generating apparatus to detect the remaining amount of aerosol generating material more accurately. 
     Solution to Problem 
     An aerosol generating apparatus according to an aspect includes a cartridge for accommodating an aerosol generating material, a processor, and an electronic circuit connected to the cartridge and the processor, wherein the processor detects a remaining amount of the aerosol generating material by using a fixed resistor included in the electronic circuit. 
     A method of controlling an aerosol generating apparatus according to another aspect includes transmitting a pulse width modulation control signal to an electronic circuit connected to a cartridge, acquiring a voltage across a fixed resistor included in the electronic circuit, and detecting a remaining amount of an aerosol generating material accommodated in the cartridge based on the acquired voltage. 
     A computer-readable recording medium according to another aspect includes a recording medium in which a method of performing the above-described method by using a computer is recorded. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     An aerosol generating apparatus detects a remaining amount of an aerosol generating material by using an internal fixed resistor of which resistance does not change by temperature. Accordingly, even when a temperature of a heater included in the aerosol generating device varies due to an external factor that does not involve consumption of the aerosol generating material, an aerosol generating apparatus may accurately detect a remaining amount of an aerosol generating material. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is an exploded perspective view schematically showing an example of a coupling relationship between a cartridge and an aerosol generating apparatus according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of an exemplary operating state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of another exemplary operating state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  are views showing an example of a cartridge according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  5    is a block diagram showing an example of hardware of an aerosol generating apparatus according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  6    is a block diagram showing an example of an aerosol generating apparatus according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  7    is a diagram showing an example of an electronic circuit according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  8    is a diagram showing another example of the electronic circuit according to the embodiment. 
         FIG.  9    is a flowchart showing an example of a method of controlling an aerosol generating apparatus, according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     An aerosol generating apparatus according to an aspect may include a cartridge for accommodating an aerosol generating material, a processor, and an electronic circuit connected to the cartridge and the processor, wherein the processor may detect a remaining amount of the aerosol generating material by using a fixed resistor included in the electronic circuit. 
     In addition, the processor may detect the remaining amount based on a voltage value across the fixed resistor. 
     In addition, a resistance value of the fixed resistor may be independent of a temperature of a heater included in the cartridge. 
     In addition, the electronic circuit may include a first terminal for transmitting a first signal for controlling power supplied to a heater and a second terminal for transmitting a second signal for controlling power supplied to the fixed resistor. 
     In addition, the first signal may a first pulse width modulation (PWM) signal. 
     In addition, the second signal may be a PWM signal. 
     In addition, a resistance value of the fixed resistor may be less than or equal to 5 Ω. 
     In addition, the processor may generate a notification signal when the aerosol generating material is depleted in the cartridge. 
     In addition, the cartridge may include a heater for vaporizing the aerosol generating material, and a liquid delivery element for delivering the aerosol generating material to the heater, wherein the heater may be wound around an outer circumferential surface of the liquid delivery element. 
     A method of controlling an aerosol generating apparatus according to another aspect may include transmitting a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal to an electronic circuit connected to a cartridge that accommodates an aerosol generating material, acquiring a voltage value across a fixed resistor included in the electronic circuit, and detecting a remaining amount of an aerosol generating material accommodated in the cartridge based on the acquired voltage value. 
     In addition, a resistance value of the fixed resistor may be independent of a temperature of a heater included in the aerosol generating apparatus. 
     In addition, the method may further include generating a notification signal when the aerosol generating material is depleted in the cartridge. 
     A computer-readable recording medium according to another aspect may record a program for performing the method of controlling the aerosol generating apparatus according to another aspect by using a computer. 
     Mode for the Invention 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the skilled in the art in which the present disclosure belongs may easily implement the present disclosure. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. 
     With respect to the terms used to describe the various embodiments, general terms which are currently and widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various 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. In addition, in certain cases, a term which is not commonly used can be selected. In such a case, the meaning of the term will be described in detail at the corresponding portion in the description of the present disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in the various embodiments of the present disclosure should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the descriptions provided herein. 
     In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. 
     As used herein, expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list. For example, the expression, “at least one of a, b, and c,” should be understood as including only a, only b, only c. both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, or all of a, b, and c. 
     It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “over,” “above,” “on,” “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly over, above, on, connected or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly over,” “directly above,” “directly on,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
     Hereinafter, the present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown such that one of ordinary skill in the art may easily work the present disclosure. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. 
     In addition, terms including ordinal numbers such as “first” or “second” used in the present specification may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component. 
     The term “aerosol generating article” may refer to any article that is designed for smoking by a person puffing on the aerosol generating article. The aerosol generating article may include an aerosol generating material that generates aerosols when heated even without combustion. For example, one or more aerosol generating articles may be loaded in an aerosol generating device and generate aerosols when heated by the aerosol generating device. The shape, size, material, and structure of the aerosol generating article may differ according to embodiments. Examples of the aerosol generating article may include, but are not limited to, a cigarette-shaped substrate and a cartridge. Hereinafter, the term “cigarette” (i.e., when used alone without a modifier such as “general,” “traditional,” or “combustive”) may refer to an aerosol generating article which has a shape similar to a traditional combustive cigarette. 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 
       FIG.  1    is an exploded perspective view schematically showing an example of a coupling relationship between a cartridge and an aerosol generating apparatus according to an embodiment. 
     An aerosol generating device 1 according to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  1    includes the cartridge 20 containing the aerosol generating material and a main body 10 supporting the cartridge 20. 
     The cartridge 20 may be coupled to the main body 10 in a state in which the aerosol generating material, is accommodated therein. A portion of the cartridge 20 is inserted into an accommodation space 19 of the main body 10 so that the cartridge 20 may be mounted on the main body 10. 
     The cartridge 20 may contain an aerosol generating material in any one of, for example, a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, or a gel state. The aerosol generating material 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 a liquid including a non-tobacco material. 
     For example, the liquid composition may include one component of water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts, spices, flavorings, and vitamin mixtures, or a mixture of these components. 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. In addition, the liquid composition may include an aerosol forming agent such as glycerin and propylene glycol. 
     For example, the liquid composition may include any weight ratio of glycerin and propylene glycol solution to which nicotine salts are added. The liquid composition may include two or more types of nicotine salts. Nicotine salts may be formed by adding suitable acids, including organic or inorganic acids, to nicotine. Nicotine may be a naturally generated nicotine or synthetic nicotine and may have any suitable weight concentration relative to the total solution weight of the liquid composition. 
     Acid for the formation of the nicotine salts may be appropriately selected in consideration of the rate of nicotine absorption in the blood, the operating temperature of the aerosol generating device 1, the flavor or savor, the solubility, or the like. For example, the acid for the formation of nicotine salts may be a single acid selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, lauric acid, sorbic acid, levulinic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, citric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharic acid, malonic acid or malic acid, or a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group, but is not limited thereto. 
     The cartridge 20 is operated by an electrical signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body 10 to perform a function of generating aerosol by converting the phase of the aerosol generating material inside the cartridge 20 to a gaseous phase. The aerosol may refer to a gas in which vaporized particles generated from an aerosol generating material are mixed with air. 
     For example, the cartridge 20 may convert the phase of the aerosol generating material by receiving the electrical signal from the main body 10 and heating the aerosol generating material, or by using an ultrasonic vibration method, or by using an induction heating method. As another example, when the cartridge 20 includes its own power source, the cartridge 20 may generate the aerosol by being operated by an electric control signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body 10 to the cartridge 20. 
     The cartridge 20 may include a liquid storage 21 accommodating the aerosol generating material therein, and an atomizer performing a function of converting the aerosol generating material of the liquid storage 21 to the aerosol. 
     When the liquid storage 21 “accommodates the aerosol generating material” therein, it means that the liquid storage 21 functions as a container simply holding an aerosol generating material and that the liquid storage 21 includes therein an element containing an aerosol generating material, such as a sponge, cotton, fabric, or porous ceramic structure. 
     The atomizer may include, for example, a liquid delivery element (e.g., wick) for absorbing the aerosol generating material and maintaining the same in an optimal state for conversion to aerosol, and a heater heating the liquid delivery element to generate aerosol. 
     The liquid delivery element may include at least one of, for example, a cotton fiber, a ceramic fiber, a glass fiber, and porous ceramic. 
     The heater may include a metallic material such as copper, nickel, tungsten, or the like to heat the aerosol generating material, delivered to the liquid delivery element by generating heat using electrical resistance. The heater may be implemented by, for example, a metal wire, a metal plate, a ceramic heating element, or the like. Also, the heater may be implemented by a conductive filament using a material such as a nichrome wire, and may be wound around or arranged adjacent to the liquid delivery element. 
     In addition, the atomizer may be implemented by a heating element in the form of a mesh or plate, which absorbs the aerosol generating material, maintains the same in an optimal state for conversion to aerosol, and generates an aerosol by heating the aerosol generating material. In this case, a separate liquid delivery element may not be required. 
     At least a portion of the liquid storage 21 of the cartridge 20 may include a transparent portion so that the aerosol generating material accommodated in the cartridge 20 may be visually identified from the outside. The liquid storage 21, includes a protruding window 21a protruding from the liquid storage 21, so that the liquid storage 21 may be inserted into a groove 11 of the main body 10 when coupled to the main body 10. A mouthpiece 22 and/or the liquid storage 21 may be entirely formed of transparent plastic or glass. Alternatively, only the protruding window 21a may be formed of a transparent material. 
     The main body 10 includes a connection terminal 10t arranged inside the accommodation space 19. When the liquid storage 21 of the cartridge 20 is inserted into the accommodation space 19 of the main body 10, the main body 10 may provide power to the cartridge 20 or supply a signal related to an operation of the cartridge 20 to the cartridge 20. through the connection terminal 10t. 
     The mouthpiece 22 is coupled to one end of the liquid storage 21 of the cartridge 20. The mouthpiece 22 is a portion of the aerosol generating device 1, which is to be inserted into a user’s mouth. The mouthpiece 22 includes a discharge hole 22a for discharging aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material inside the liquid storage 21 to the outside. 
     The slider 7 is coupled to the main body 10 in such a way that the slider 7 may move along die main body 10. The slider 7 covers or exposes at least a portion of the mouthpiece 22 of the cartridge 20 coupled to the main body 10 by moving with respect to the main body 10. The slider 7 includes an elongated hole 7a exposing at least a portion of the protruding window 21a of the cartridge 20 to the outside. 
     As shown  FIG.  1   , the slider 7 may have a shape of a hollow container with both ends opened, but the structure of the slider 7 is not limited thereto. For example, the slider 7 may have a bent plate structure having a clip-shaped cross-section, which is movable with respect to the main body 10 while being coupled to an edge of the main body 10. In another example, the slider 7 may have a curved semi-cylindrical shape with a curved arc-shaped cross section. 
     The slider 7 may include a magnetic body for maintaining the position of the slider 7 with respect to the main body 10 and the cartridge 20. The magnetic body may include a permanent magnet or a material such as iron, nickel, cobalt, or an alloy thereof. 
     The magnetic body may include two first magnetic bodies 8a facing each other, and two second magnetic bodies 8b facing each other. The first magnetic bodies 8a may be spaced apart from the second magnetic bodies 8b in a longitudinal direction of the main body 10 (i.e., the direction in which the main body 10 extends), which is a moving direction of the slider 7. 
     The main body 10 includes a fixed magnetic body 9 arranged on a path along which the first magnetic bodies 8a and the second magnetic bodies 8b of the slider 7 move as the slider 7 moves with respect to the main body 10. Two fixed magnetic bodies 9 of the main body 10 may be mounted to face each other with the accommodation space 19 therebetween. 
     Depending on the position of the slider 7, an end of the mouthpiece 22 is covered or exposed by a magnetic force acting between the fixed magnetic body 9 and the first magnetic body 8a or between the fixed magnetic body 9 and the second magnetic body 8b. 
     The main body 10 includes a position change detecting sensor 3 arranged on the path along which the first magnetic body 8a and the second magnetic body 8b of the slider 7 move as the slider 7 moves with respect to the main body 10. The position change detecting sensor 3 may include, for example, a Hall integrated circuit (IC) that uses the Hall effect to detect a change in a magnetic field, and may generate a signal based on the detected change. 
     In the aerosol generating device 1 according to the above-described embodiments, the main body 10, the cartridge 20, and the slider 7 have approximately rectangular cross-sectional shapes when cut perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, but the shape of the aerosol generating device 1 is not limited. The aerosol generating device 1 may have, for example, a cross-sectional shape of a circle, an ellipse, a square, or a polygon of various shapes. In addition, the aerosol generating device 1 may not extend linearly in the longitudinal direction, and may have a curved or a bent portion to be easily held by the user. 
       FIG.  2    is a perspective view of an exemplary operating state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
     In  FIG.  2   , the slider 7 is moved to a position where the end of the mouthpiece 22 of the cartridge coupled to the main body 10 is covered. In this state, the mouthpiece 22 may be safely protected from external impurities and kept clean. 
     The user may check the remaining amount of aerosol generating material contained in the cartridge by visually checking the protruding window 21a of the cartridge through the elongated hole 7a of the slider 7. The user may move the slider 7 in the longitudinal direction of the main body 10 to use the aerosol generating device 1. 
       FIG.  3    is a perspective view of another exemplary operating state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
     In  FIG.  3   , the operating state is shown in which the slider 7 is moved to a position where the end of the mouthpiece 22 of the cartridge coupled to the main body 10 is exposed to the outside. In this state, the user may insert the mouthpiece 22 into his or her mouth and inhale aerosol discharged through the discharge hole 22a of the mouthpiece 22. 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the protruding window 21a of the cartridge is still exposed to the outside through the elongated hole 7a of the slider 7 when the slider 7 is moved to the position where the end of the mouthpiece 22 is exposed to the outside. Thus, the user may visually check the remaining amount of aerosol generating material contained in the cartridge, regardless of the position of the slider 7. 
       FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  are diagrams showing an example of a cartridge according to an embodiment. 
       FIG.  4 A  is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a cartridge according to an embodiment, and  FIG.  4 B  is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge shown in  FIG.  4 A . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B , the cartridge 20 may include the liquid storage 21 and an atomizer as described above. 
     The atomizer includes a heater  50  that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material, a lower cap  30  that forms a chamber  49  in which an aerosol may be generated, and a liquid delivery element  40  that is arranged in the chamber  49  of the lower cap  30 . The liquid delivery element  40  may absorb an aerosol generating material contained in the storage space  23 . The liquid delivery element  40  may maintain a state in which the aerosol generating material is absorbed, and when the liquid delivery element  40  is heated by the heater  50 , the aerosol generating material held in the liquid delivery element  40  is vaporized, resulting in generation of an aerosol. 
     Structures of the heater  50 , the lower cap  30 , and the liquid delivery element  40  shown in  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  are examples and may be modified in various forms. For example, the heater  50  may be arranged adjacent to the liquid delivery element  40  without being wound around the liquid delivery element  40 . Also, a structure of the liquid delivery element  40  may be deformed into a mesh shape or a plate shape, and the heater  50  and the liquid delivery element  40  may be integrated into one component. For example, the heater  50  and the liquid delivery element  40  may be formed as a metal heater of a mesh shape). 
     The mouthpiece  22  is coupled to one end (i.e., top end) of the liquid storage  21 , and the lower cap  30  is coupled to the other end of the liquid storage  21 . The lower cap  30  may support the liquid delivery element  40  and the heater  50  and seal the other end of the liquid storage  21 . The lower cap  30  may include the support jaws  30   p  for supporting both ends of the liquid delivery element  40 . 
     The lower cap  30  may be inserted into the other end (i.e., bottom end) of the liquid storage  21 . A sealing ring  39  formed of an elastic material such as rubber or silicone may be arranged between the lower cap  30  and the liquid storage  21  to improve sealing performance. 
     In addition, the lower cap  30  includes an air path  31  for delivering air to a chamber  49 . External air may pass through the air path  31  of the lower cap  30  to be supplied to the liquid delivery element  40 . 
     A delivery pipe  60  may be arranged inside the liquid storage  21  and may provide a passage for deliver an aerosol generated in a chamber  49  to the discharge hole  22   a . For example, one end of the delivery pipe  60  is connected to the chamber  49 , and the other end of the delivery pipe  60  is connected to the discharge hole  22   a  of the mouthpiece 22. Referring to  FIG.  4 B , a path through which an aerosol generated in the chamber  49  is moved is indicated by arrows. The aerosol may be delivered to the discharge hole 22a through the delivery pipe  60 . 
     Meanwhile, according to the embodiment shown in  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B , the delivery pipe  60  is arranged on a central axis line of the liquid storage  21  in a longitudinal direction in which the liquid storage  21  extends. However, a position of the delivery pipe  60  is not limited thereto, and for example, the delivery pipe  60  may be arranged to be closer to an edge of the liquid storage  21 . 
     A pressurizer  70  is arranged between the delivery pipe  60  and the liquid delivery element  40 . The pressurizer  70  is arranged between one end of the delivery pipe  60  facing the chamber  49  and the liquid delivery element  40  to perform a function of pressurizing the liquid delivery element  40  in a direction toward the lower cap  30 . 
     The pressurizer  70  includes a material with elasticity such as rubber or silicone, and the pressurizer  70  is arranged in a compressed state between the delivery pipe  60  and the liquid delivery element  40 , such that the pressurizer  70  may firmly pressurize the liquid delivery element  40 . Due to the pressure of the pressurizer  70 , the liquid delivery unit  40  may be stably fixed to the chamber  49  of the lower cap  30  during smoking. 
     The pressurizer  70  includes a connection pipe  71  that surrounds one end (i.e., bottom end) of the delivery pipe  60  and connects the one end of the delivery pipe  60  to the chamber  49 . The delivery pipe  60  includes a flange protruding from the outside of the delivery pipe  60  such that the flange is caught by the connection pipe  71  of the pressurizer  70 . 
     The liquid storage  21  includes a support pipe  21   w  that surrounds the other end (i.e., top end) of the delivery pipe  60 , thereby connecting the top end of the delivery pipe  60  to the discharge hole 22a. As shown in  FIG.  4 B , the delivery pipe  60  may include another flange to be caught by the support pipe  21   w . As such, the delivery pipe  60  may be firmly supported between the chamber  49  and the discharge hole  22   a  by flanges formed at both ends of the delivery pipe  60 . 
     The pressurizer  70  includes a contact portion  72  extending from the connection pipe  71  toward the liquid delivery element  40  and directly contacts the liquid delivery element  40 . An aerosol generating material accommodated in the liquid storage  21  may be delivered to the liquid delivery element  40  through the material delivery hole  73  which provides fluid communication between the storage space  23  and the chamber  49 . The liquid delivery element  40  may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a surface of the contact portion  72  in contact with the liquid delivery element  40  may have a curved shape to correspond to a shape of an outer surface of the liquid delivery element  40 . 
     Terminals  21   t  for providing electrical connection with a main body may be installed at a lower end of the liquid storage  21  of the cartridge  20  and may be exposed to the outside. For example, the terminals  21   t  may be installed at a lower end of the lower cap  30  and may be exposed to the outside of the lower cap  30  for electrical connection to the main body. The terminals  21   t  perform a function of delivering electricity supplied from the main body to the heater  50 . The terminals  21   t  include coupling pipes  21   p  that protrude toward the chamber  49  by penetrating terminal paths  36  of the lower cap  30 . The coupling pipes  21   p  are firmly coupled to ends of the heater  50 . 
       FIG.  5    is a block diagram illustrating hardware components of the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , the aerosol generating device  1  may include a battery  410 , a heater  420 , a sensor  430 , a user interface  440 , a memory  450 , and a processor  460 . However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device  1  is not limited to the structures illustrated in  FIG.  5   . According to the design of the aerosol generating device 1, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that some of the hardware components shown in  FIG.  5    may be omitted or new components may be added. 
     In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1 may consist of only a main body without a cartridge, in which case hardware components included in the aerosol generating device 1 are located in the main body. In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a main body and a cartridge, in which case hardware components included in the aerosol generating device 1are located separately in the main body and the cartridge. Alternatively, at least some of hardware components included in the aerosol generating device 1 may be located respectively in the main body and the cartridge. 
     Hereinafter, an operation of each of the components will be described without being limited to the location in the aerosol generating device 1. 
     The battery  410  supplies power to be used for the aerosol generating device 1 to operate In other words, the battery  410  may supply power such that the heater  420  may be heated. In addition, the battery  410  may supply power required for operation of other hardware components included in the aerosol generating device 1, such as the sensor  430 , the user interface  440 , the memory  450 , and the controller  460 . The battery  410  may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery  410  may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto. 
     The heater  420  receives power from the battery  410  under the control of the controller  460 . The heater  420  may receive power from the battery  410  and heat a cigarette inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, or heat the cartridge mounted on the aerosol generating device 1. 
     The heater  420  may be located in the main body of the aerosol generating device  1 . Alternatively, when the aerosol generating device  1  consists of the main body and the cartridge, the heater  420  may be located in the cartridge. When the heater  420  is located in the cartridge, the heater  420  may receive power from the battery  410  located in at least one of the main body and the cartridge. 
     The heater  420  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, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heater  420  may be implemented by a metal wire, a metal plate on which an electrically conductive track is arranged, or a ceramic heating element, but is not limited thereto. 
     In an embodiment, the heater  420  may be a component included in the cartridge. The cartridge may include the heater  420 , the liquid delivery element, and the liquid storage. The aerosol generating material accommodated in the liquid storage may be absorbed by the liquid delivery element, and the heater  420  may heat the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery element, thereby generating aerosol. For example, the heater  420  may include a material such as nickel chromium and may be wound around or arranged adjacent to the liquid delivery element. 
     In another embodiment, the heater  420  may heat the cigarette inserted into the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device  1 . As the cigarette is accommodated in the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device  1 , the heater  420  may be located inside and/or outside the cigarette. Accordingly, the heater  420  may generate aerosol by heating the aerosol generating material in the cigarette. 
     Meanwhile, the heater  420  may include an induction heater. The heater  420  may include an electrically conductive coil for heating an aerosol generating article in an induction heating method, and the aerosol generating article or the cartridge may include a susceptor which may be heated by the induction heater. 
     The aerosol generating device  1  may include at least one sensor  430 . A result sensed by the at least one sensor  430  is transmitted to the controller  460 , and the controller  460  may control the aerosol generating device  1  to perform various functions such as controlling the operation of the theater, restricting smoking, determining whether a cigarette (or a cartridge) is inserted, and displaying a notification. 
     For example, the at least one sensor  430  may include a puff detecting sensor. The puff detecting sensor may detect a user’s puff based on any one of a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and a pressure change. 
     In addition, the at least one sensor  430  may include a temperature detecting sensor. The temperature detecting sensor may detect the temperature at which the heater  420  (or an aerosol generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating device  1  may include a separate temperature detecting sensor for sensing a temperature of the heater  420 . or the heater  420  itself may serve as a temperature detecting sensor instead of including a separate temperature detecting sensor. Alternatively, a separate temperature detecting sensor may be further included in the aerosol generating device  1  while the heater  420  serves as a temperature detecting sensor. 
     In addition, the at least one sensor  430  may include a position change detecting sensor. The position change detecting sensor may detect a change in a position of the slider coupled to the main body to move with respect to the main body. 
     The user interface  440  may provide the user with information about the state of the aerosol generating device  1 . The user interface  440  may include various interfacing devices, such as a display or a light emitter for outputting visual information, a motor for outputting haptic information, a speaker for outputting sound information, input/ output (I/O) interfacing devices (e.g., a button or a touch screen) for receiving information input from the user or outputting information to the user, terminals for performing data communication or receiving charging power, and communication interfacing modules for performing wireless communication (e.g.. Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi direct, Bluetooth, near-field communication (NFC), etc.) with external devices. 
     The aerosol generating device  1  may be implemented by selecting only some of the above-described examples of various user interface  440 . 
     The memory  450 , as a hardware component configured to store various pieces of data processed in the aerosol generating device  1 , may store data processed or to be processed by the controller  460 . The memory  450  may include various types of memories, such as random access memory (RAM) (e.g., dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and static random access memory (SRAM). etc.), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), etc. 
     The memory  450  may store an operation time of the aerosol generating device  1 , the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, data on a user’s smoking pattern, etc. The memory may store computer code that is configured to, when executed by the processor  406 , cause the processor  460  to perform its functions as described in the present disclosure. 
     The processor  460  may control overall operations of the aerosol generating device  1 . The processor  460  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  460  can be implemented in other forms of hardware. 
     The processor  460  analyzes a result of the sensing by at least one sensor  430 , and controls the processes that are to be performed subsequently. 
     The processor  460  may control power supplied to the heater  420  so that the operation of the heater  420  is started or terminated, based on the result of the sensing by the at least one sensor  430 . In addition, based on the result of the sensing by the at least one sensor  430 . the processor  460  may control the amount of power supplied to the heater  420  and the time at which the power is supplied, so that the heater  420  is heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature. 
     In an embodiment, the processor  460  may set a mode of the heater  420  to a pre-heating mode to start the operation of the heater  420  after receiving a user input to the aerosol generating device  1 . In addition, the processor  460  may switch the mode of the heater  420  from the pre-heating mode to an operation mode after detecting a user’s puff by using the puff detecting sensor. In addition, the processor  460  may stop supplying power to the heater  420  when the number of puffs reaches a preset number after counting the number of puffs by using the puff detecting sensor. 
     The processor  460  may control the user interface  440  based on the result of the sensing by the at least one sensor  430 . For example, when the number of puffs reaches the preset number after counting the number of puffs by using the puff detecting sensor, the processor  460  may notify the user by using at least one of a light emitter, a motor, or a speaker that the aerosol generating device  1  will soon be terminated. 
     Although not illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the aerosol generating device  1  may form an aerosol generating system together with an additional cradle. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery  410  of the aerosol generating device  1 . For example, while the aerosol generating device  1  is accommodated in an accommodation space of the cradle, the aerosol generating device  1  may receive power from a battery of the cradle such that the battery  410  of the aerosol generating device I may be charged. 
     As described above with reference to  FIG.  2   , a user may check the remaining amount of an aerosol generating material through the protruding window  21   a  of the cartridge. However, due to the degree of inclination of the aerosol generating apparatus  1 , a dark surrounding environment, and so on, a user may not accurately determine the remaining amount. 
     The aerosol generating apparatus  1  according to an embodiment determines the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material by using an electronic element of an internal circuit. For example, the aerosol generating apparatus  1  may detect the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material by using a fixed resistor included in the internal circuit. Here, the fixed resistor indicates a resistor having a resistance value that does not vary, especially by a temperature of the heater  420 . 
     The electronic cigarette of the related art employs a technique for detecting the remaining amount of an aerosol generating material depending on a temperature of a heater. Specifically, the electronic cigarette of the related art uses a technique for detecting the remaining amount of an aerosol generating material based on a change in resistance according to a temperature of a heater. However, a remaining amount of the aerosol generating material that is detected according to the temperature of the heater may be different from an actual remaining amount, because the temperature of the heater may be affected by various factors. 
     The aerosol generating apparatus  1  according to an embodiment detects a remaining amount of an aerosol generating material by using a fixed resistor that is not affected by a temperature of a heater. Accordingly, the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material in the electronic cigarette may be detected accurately. 
     In addition, when an aerosol generating material in the cartridge  20  is depleted, the aerosol generating apparatus  1  may output a notification signal. Accordingly, a user may be notified of a timing for replacing the cartridge  20  or replenishing the aerosol generating material in the cartridge  20 . 
     Hereinafter, an example in which the aerosol generating apparatus 1 detects a remaining amount of an aerosol generating material will be described with reference to  FIGS.  6  to  9   . 
       FIG.  6    is a block diagram showing an example of an aerosol generating apparatus according to an embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , the aerosol generating apparatus 1 includes the cartridge 20, a processor  460  and an electronic circuit  470 . In addition, the cartridge  20  includes the liquid storage  21  and the heater  420 . 
     In  FIG.  6   , only some components of the aerosol generating apparatus 1 are shown for the sake of convenient description. Therefore, it can be easily understood by those skilled in the art that other components described above with reference to  FIGS.  1  to  5    may also be included in the aerosol generating apparatus 1 of  FIG.  6   . 
     The cartridge 20 and the processor  460  of  FIG.  6    are described above with reference to  FIGS.  1  to  5   . Accordingly, hereinafter, descriptions of the cartridge 20 and the processor  460  that are the same as those given above with reference to  FIGS.  1  to  5    are omitted. 
     The electronic circuit  470  is connected to the cartridge  20  and the processor  460 . For example, the electronic circuit  470  may be an integrated circuit (IC) that enables the heater  420  to perform heating. The electronic circuit  470  supplies power from the battery  410  to the heater  420  according to a command transmitted from the processor  460 . In other words, the electronic circuit  470  may include a plurality of electronic elements to supply power corresponding to a command of the processor  460  to the heater  420 . For example, the command of the processor  460  may be a pulse width modulation control signal, but it is not limited thereto. 
     In addition, the electronic circuit  470  may include a fixed resistor. Here, the fixed resistor is used to detect a remaining amount of an aerosol generating material accommodated in the cartridge 20, and a resistance value thereof is not changed by temperature. For example, the resistance value of the fixed resistor may be less than or equal to 5 Ω, but it is not limited thereto. 
     The processor  460  detects the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material by using the fixed resistor included in the electronic circuit  470 . For example, the processor  460  may detect the remaining amount based on a voltage across the fixed resistor. In this case, the fixed resistor does not change the resistance value according to a temperature of the heater  420 . Accordingly, even when the temperature of the heater  420  varies due to an external factor that does not cause consumption of the aerosol generating material, the processor  460  may accurately detect the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material. 
     Hereinafter, implementation examples of the electronic circuit  470  will be described with reference to  FIGS.  7  and  8   . 
       FIG.  7    is a diagram showing an example of an electronic circuit according to an embodiment. 
       FIG.  7    shows some of components included in the electronic circuit  470 . As described above with reference to  FIG.  6   , the electronic circuit  470  supplies power to the heater  420  according to a command of the processor  460 . Accordingly, the electronic circuit  470  may consist of a plurality of electronic elements to execute a command of the processor  460 . 
     In particular, the electronic circuit  470  includes a fixed resistor R 0 . For example, the fixed resistor R 0  are connected to terminals T 0  and T 1 , and the processor  460  may acquire a voltage across the fixed resistor R 0  through the terminals T 0  and T 1  The connection relationship between the fixed resistor R 0  and the terminals T 0  and T 1  shown in  FIG.  6    is an example. That is, the fixed resistor R 0  may be directly connected to the terminals T 0  and T 1 , or another electronic element may be arranged between the fixed resistor R 0  and the terminals T 0  and T 1 . 
     The processor  460  detects a remaining amount of an aerosol generating material based on the voltage across the fixed resistor R 0 . For example, the processor  460  may determine the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material corresponding to the voltage across the fixed resistor R 0  based on a lookup table stored in a memory  450 . 
     A resistance value of the fixed resistor R 0  is not affected by a temperature of the heater  420 . In other words, the fixed resistor R 0  may be included in the electronic circuit  470  only for the purpose of detecting the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material. For example, the resistance value of the fixed resistor R 0  may be less than or equal to 5 Ω. Preferably, the resistance value of the fixed resistor R 0  may be in a range of 4.5 Ω to 5 Ω, but it is not limited thereto. 
     The electronic circuit  470  includes a terminal T 3  related to power supplied to the fixed resistor R 0 , and a terminal T 4  related to power supplied to the heater  420 . In other words, the processor  460  transmits a command (hereinafter “first command”) for acquiring a voltage across the fixed resistor R 0  through the terminal T 3 . In addition, the processor  460  transmits through the terminal T 4  a command (hereinafter “second command”) for the heater  420  to perform heating. For example, commands transmitted to the terminals T 3  and T 4  by the processor  460  may include pulse width modulation control signals. 
     The processor  460  transmits the second command through the terminal T 4  to the electronic circuit  470  to control the aerosol generating apparatus to generate an aerosol. Then, the electronic circuit  470  supplies power to the heater  420  according to a command transmitted through the terminal T 4 . As a result, the heater  420  performs heating and the aerosol generating material is vaporized. According to the related art, the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material is estimated based on a resistance value that changes as the heater  420  performs heating. In this case, the estimated amount of the aerosol generating material may not be accurate because irrelevant factors that causes heating of the heater  420  but are not related to consumption of the aerosol generating material may also be reflected in estimating the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material. 
     The electronic circuit  470  includes the fixed resistor R 0 , and the processor  460  transmits a first command for acquiring a voltage across the fixed resistor R 0  through the terminal T 3 . That is, the voltage across the fixed resistor R 0  entirely depends only on the command transmitted through the terminal T 3 . Accordingly, the processor  460  may accurately detect the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material. 
     Meanwhile, the processor  460  may generate differently a first command transmitted through the terminal T 3  and a second command transmitted through the terminal T 4 . Specifically, the first command and the second command may be transmitted at different times, and the amount of power applied to the fixed resistor R 0  according to the first command and the amount of power applied to the heater  420  according to the second command may be different from each other. 
     For example, the processor  460  may intermittently transmit the second command to the electronic circuit  470 . In addition, the processor  460  may transmit the first command to the electronic circuit  470  during time periods in which the second command is not transmitted to the electronic circuit  470 . Also, the signal power of the first command may be less than the signal power of the second command. Accordingly, the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material may be detected based on the first command using a small amount of power of the battery  410  without affecting heating of the heater  420 . 
       FIG.  8    is a diagram showing another example of the electronic circuit according to the embodiment. 
       FIG.  8    shows a specific example of the electronic circuit  470  shown in  FIG.  7   . However, the circuit diagram shown in  FIG.  8    is only an example of the electronic circuit  470 , and other electronic elements may be further included therein, or some of the electronic elements shown in  FIG.  8    may be omitted. 
       FIG.  8    further includes a terminal T 6  as well as the tenninals T 0 , T 1 , T 3 , and T 4  described above with reference to  FIG.  7   . For example, the terminal T 6  may be related to power supplied to the heater  420 . That is, an electrical parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heater  420  may be acquired through the terminal T 6 . In the related art, a remaining amount of an aerosol generating material is generally estimated by using a resistance value (or a voltage value) detected through the terminal T 6 . However, the processor  460  according to an embodiment may detect the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material based on a voltage across the fixed resistor R  0  which may be detected through the terminals T 0  and T 1 . Accordingly, the processor  460  may accurately detect the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material, regardless of the degree of heating by the heater  420  and a factor that affects the temperature of the heater  420 . 
       FIG.  9    is a flowchart showing an example of a method of controlling an aerosol generating apparatus, according to an embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG.  9   , the method of controlling the aerosol generating apparatus includes steps processed by the processor  460  described above with reference to  FIGS.  1  to  8   . Accordingly, it can be seen that, even though descriptions are omitted below, the descriptions of the processor  460  may also apply to the method of controlling the aerosol generating apparatus of  FIG.  9   . 
     In step  910 , the processor  460  transmits a pulse width modulation control signal to the electronic circuit  470  connected to the cartridge 20. 
     Here, the pulse width modulation control signal may be a command for supplying power to the fixed resistor R 0  included in the electronic circuit  470 . Meanwhile, the pulse width modulation control signal transmitted in step  910  and a control signal for supplying power to the heater  420  may differ from each other in not only a time when the control signals are transmitted, but also in the amount of power of the control signals. 
     In step  920 , the processor  460  acquires a voltage across the fixed resistor R 0  included in the electronic circuit  470 . 
     For example, the processor  460  acquires the voltage across the fixed resistor R 0  that is generated according to the power transmitted in step  910 . In this case, a resistance value of the fixed resistor R 0  is not affected by a temperature of the heater  420 . 
     In step  930 , the processor  460  detects a remaining amount of an aerosol generating material accommodated in the cartridge  20  based on the voltage acquired in step  920 . 
     For example, the processor  460  may determine the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material corresponding to the voltage across the fixed resistor R 0  based on the lookup table stored in the memory  450 . 
     Meanwhile, although not shown in  FIG.  9   , the processor  460  may generate a notification signal when the aerosol generating material in the cartridge  20  is depleted. In addition, the processor  460  may output the notification signal through a user interface  440 . 
     A character or a specific color indicating that the aerosol generating material is depleted may be output to the user interface  440 . Also, the user interface  440  may also blink according to a predetermined pattern. Also, the user interface  440  may also output a sound or a vibration indicating that the aerosol generating material is depleted. 
     As described above, the aerosol generating apparatus  1  detects a remaining amount of an aerosol generating material by using an internal fixed resistor. Accordingly, even when a temperature of the heater  420  varies due to external factors that do not affect the consumption of the aerosol generating material, the aerosol generating apparatus  1  may accurately detect the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material. 
     Meanwhile, the above-described method may also be implemented in the form of a recording medium including commands executable by a computer such as a program module executed by a computer. A computer-readable recording medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, and removable and non-removable media. In addition, the computer-readable recording medium may include both a computer storage medium and a communication medium. The computer storage medium includes all of volatile and nonvolatile, and removable and non-removable media implemented by any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. The communication medium typically includes computer-readable instructions, data structures, other data in modulated data signals such as program modules, or other transmission mechanisms, and includes any information transfer media. 
     At least one of the components, elements, modules or units (collectively “components” in this paragraph) represented by a block in the drawings may be embodied as various numbers of hardware, software and/or firmware structures that execute respective functions described above, according to an exemplary embodiment. For example, at least one of these components may use a direct circuit structure, such as a memory, a processor, a logic circuit, a look-up table, etc. that may execute the respective functions through controls of one or more microprocessors or other control apparatuses. Also, at least one of these components may be specifically embodied by a module, a program, or a part of code, which contains one or more executable instructions for performing specified logic functions, and executed by one or more microprocessors or other control apparatuses. Further, at least one of these components may include or may be implemented by a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) that performs the respective functions, a microprocessor, or the like. Two or more of these components may be combined into one single component which performs all operations or functions of the combined two or more components. Also, at least part of functions of at least one of these components may be performed by another of these components. Further, although a bus is not illustrated in the above block diagrams, communication between the components may be performed through the bus. Functional aspects of the above exemplary embodiments may be implemented in algorithms that execute on one or more processors. Furthermore, the components represented by a block or processing steps may employ any number of related art techniques for electronics configuration, signal processing and/or control, data processing and the like. 
     Those skilled in the art related to the present embodiments may understand that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the characteristics described above. Therefore, the disclosed methods should be considered from an explanatory point of view rather than a limiting point of view, and the scope of the rights is shown in the claims rather than the above description, and should be interpreted as including all differences within the scope equivalent thereto.