Patent Description:
Recently, the demand for alternatives to traditional cigarettes has increased. For example, there is growing demand for an aerosol generating device that generates aerosols by heating an aerosol generating material in cigarettes or liquid storages rather than by combusting cigarettes.

Since such aerosol generating devices consume a lot of power during heating of a heater, a technology capable of maximizing energy efficiency is demanded.

<CIT> relates to an electrical heating assembly of an aerosol-generating device for resistively heating an aerosol-forming substrate. The heating assembly comprises a control circuit configured to provide an AC driving current. The heating assembly further comprises an electrically resistive heating element for heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The heating element is operatively coupled with the control circuit and configured to heat up due to Joule heating when passing an AC driving element provided by the control circuit current through the heating element.

One or more embodiments provide an aerosol generating device capable of maximizing energy efficiency by using the heat of a heater.

The technical problems of the present disclosure of the invention are not limited to the above-described description, and other technical problems may be derived from the embodiments to be described hereinafter.

The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims.

An aerosol generating device according to one or more embodiments may maximize energy efficiency by charging a battery by using heat generated when a heater is heated.

Also, since a cooling member included in a thermoelectric element shields or dissipates heat generated inside the aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device may protect a user from heat burn when the user uses the aerosol generating device.

The effects of one or more embodiments are not limited by the contents exemplified above, and more various effects are included in the present specification.

According to one or more embodiments, an aerosol generating device may include a heater configured to heat an aerosol generating substance; a battery configured to supply power to the heater; a thermoelectric element arranged adjacent to the heater and configured to absorb heat from the heater and convert the absorbed heat into electric power; and a controller configured to charge the battery by using the converted power based on a heating time of the heater.

Also, the controller may start supplying the converted power to the battery when a pre-set pre-heating time has elapsed.

Also, the controller may start supplying the converted power to the battery when a pre-set time is left before heating of the heater ends.

Also, the aerosol generating device may further include a timer configured to count the heating time of the heater.

According to one or more embodiments, an aerosol generating device may include a heater configured to heat an aerosol generating substance; a battery configured to supply power to the heater; a thermoelectric element arranged adjacent to the heater and configured to absorb heat from the heater and convert the absorbed heat into electric power; and a controller configured to charge the battery by using the converted power based on a heating temperature of the heater.

Also, the controller may start supplying the converted power to the battery when the temperature of the heater reaches a pre-set pre-heating temperature.

Also, the controller may start supplying the converted power to the battery when the absolute value of a temperature change of the heater per unit time is less than a pre-set threshold value.

Also, the controller may start supplying the converted power to the battery when the temperature of the heater reaches a second temperature lower than a first temperature after the temperature of the heater has reached the first temperature.

Also, the aerosol generating device may further include a temperature detector configured to detect the temperature of the heater.

With respect to the terms in the various embodiments of the present disclosure, the 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 may be changed according to intention, a judicial precedent, appearance of a new technology, and the like. In addition, in certain cases, there is also a term arbitrarily selected by the applicant, in which case the meaning will be described in detail in the description of one or more embodiments. Therefore, the terms used in one or more embodiments should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the general contents of one or more embodiments, rather than simply the names of the terms.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of one or more embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system of the present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms and are not limited to the embodiments described herein.

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

<FIG> is a diagram showing examples in which a cigarette is inserted into an aerosol generating device.

Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include a battery <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, and a heater <NUM>. Also, the cigarette <NUM> may be inserted into an inner space of the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

In other words, according to the design of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the battery <NUM>, the controller <NUM> and the heater <NUM> may be differently arranged.

When the cigarette <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may operate the heater <NUM> to generate an aerosol. The aerosol generated by the heater <NUM> is delivered to a user by passing through the cigarette <NUM>.

As necessary, even when the cigarette <NUM> is not inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may heat the heater <NUM>.

For example, the battery <NUM> may supply power to heat the heater <NUM> and may supply power for operating the controller <NUM>.

In detail, the controller <NUM> may control not only operations of the battery <NUM>, and the heater <NUM> but also operations of other components included in the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

Although not illustrated in FIGS, the aerosol generating device <NUM> and an additional cradle may form together a system.

The cigarette <NUM> may be similar as a general combustive cigarette. For example, the cigarette <NUM> may be divided into a first portion including an aerosol generating material and a second portion including a filter, etc. Alternatively, the second portion of the cigarette <NUM> may also include an aerosol generating material. For example, an aerosol generating material made in the form of granules or capsules may be inserted into the second portion.

Alternatively, only a portion of the first portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>. Otherwise, the entire first portion and a portion of the second portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

For example, the external air may flow into at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generating device <NUM>. For example, the opening and closing and/or a size of the air passage formed in the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be adjusted by the user. Accordingly, the amount of smoke and a smoking impression may be adjusted by the user. As another example, the external air may flow into the cigarette <NUM> through at least one hole formed in a surface of the cigarette <NUM>.

<FIG> is an internal block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one or more embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, an aerosol generating device <NUM> may include a heater <NUM> for heating an aerosol generating substance, a battery <NUM> for supplying power to the heater <NUM>, a thermoelectric element <NUM> for converting heat generated by the heater <NUM> to electric power, a charger <NUM> for charging the battery <NUM> by using converted power, a temperature detector <NUM> for detecting the temperature of the heater <NUM>, a timer <NUM> for measuring a heating time of the heater <NUM>, a charge level detector <NUM> for detecting a charge level of the battery <NUM>, and a controller <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may further include additional components other than the components shown in <FIG>. For example, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may further include a display capable of outputting visual information, a motor for outputting tactile information, and a memory for storing information for the operation of the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

The heater <NUM> may heat the aerosol generating substance. When power is applied to the heater <NUM>, heat is generated by a specific resistance. When the aerosol generating substance is heated by the heater <NUM>, an aerosol may be generated. The heater <NUM> may be a component corresponding to the heater <NUM> of <FIG>. Also, the aerosol generating substance may be the cigarette <NUM> of <FIG>.

The battery <NUM> may supply power to the heater <NUM>. The magnitude of power supplied to the heater <NUM> may be controlled by the controller <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may control power supplied to the heater <NUM> by outputting a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal. To this end, the controller <NUM> may include a pulse width modulator. The controller <NUM> may adjust power supplied to the heater <NUM> by adjusting the duty ratio of an output PWM signal. For example, the controller <NUM> may increase power supplied to the heater <NUM> by increasing the duty ratio of a PWM signal. In another example, the controller <NUM> may reduce power supplied to the heater <NUM> by reducing the duty ratio of a PWM signal.

The battery <NUM> may be a rechargeable secondary cell. For example, the battery <NUM> may be, but is not limited to, a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, an oxide lithium cobalt (LiCoO2) battery, and a lithium titanate battery.

The thermoelectric element <NUM> may be arranged adjacent to the heater <NUM>, absorb heat generated by the heater <NUM>, and convert absorbed heat into electric power. The thermoelectric element <NUM> may include a first electrode (<NUM> of <FIG>) and a second electrode <NUM>, and may generate an electromotive force (or electromotance) based on a temperature difference between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>. A method of generating power by the thermoelectric element <NUM> will be described below in more detail with reference to <FIG>.

The charger <NUM> may charge the battery <NUM> based on power generated by the thermoelectric element <NUM>. The charger <NUM> may be designed to perform high-speed charging of the battery <NUM>.

The charger <NUM> may include a regulator circuit (<NUM> of <FIG>) for stable charging of the battery <NUM>. Also, the charger <NUM> may include a capacitor element (C1 of <FIG>) that stores power generated by the thermoelectric element <NUM>. Also, the charger <NUM> may include a converter <NUM> that converts power generated by the thermoelectric element <NUM>. According to embodiments, the charger <NUM> may further include a reverse voltage protection circuit for preventing a reverse voltage.

The charger <NUM> may store power generated by the thermoelectric element <NUM> and then supply power to the battery <NUM> under the control of the controller <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may charge the battery <NUM> by using power generated by the thermoelectric element <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may charge the battery <NUM> based on a heating time of the heater <NUM>, a heating temperature of the heater <NUM>, and a charge level of the battery <NUM>. To this end, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include the timer <NUM> for measuring the heating time of the heater <NUM>, the temperature detector <NUM> for detecting the heating temperature of the heater <NUM>, and the charge level detector <NUM> for detecting the charge level of the battery <NUM>.

In detail, the controller <NUM> may charge the battery <NUM> by using converted power based on the heating time of the heater <NUM>.

For example, the controller <NUM> may supply the converted power to the battery <NUM> from a time point at which a pre-set pre-heating time has elapsed. The pre-heating time may be appropriately set in consideration of a temperature at which an aerosol is generated.

In another example, the controller <NUM> may supply converted power to the battery <NUM> from a pre-set charge timing before the heating of the heater <NUM> is completed. The charge timing may be set such that utilization of residual heat generated by the heater <NUM> may maximized while not affecting aerosol generation.

The controller <NUM> may charge the battery <NUM> by using converted power based on the heating temperature of the heater <NUM>.

For example, when the temperature of the heater <NUM> reaches a pre-set pre-heating temperature, the controller <NUM> may supply converted power to the battery <NUM>. The pre-heating temperature may be, but is not limited to, <NUM> degrees.

In another example, when the absolute value of a temperature change of the heater <NUM> per unit time is less than a pre-set threshold value, the controller <NUM> may supply converted power to the battery <NUM>. The threshold value may be appropriately set in consideration of stable heating of the heater <NUM>.

In another example, when the temperature of the heater <NUM> reaches a first temperature and then drops to a second temperature lower than the first temperature, the controller <NUM> may supply converted power to the battery <NUM>. The first temperature may be the pre-heating temperature, and the second temperature may be the temperature of the heater <NUM> when heating of the heater <NUM> ends. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

The controller <NUM> may supply power to the battery <NUM> when the charge level of the battery <NUM> is less than or equal to a pre-set reference level. For example, the reference level may be, but is not limited to, <NUM>% of the total capacity of the battery <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram for describing the thermoelectric element of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the thermoelectric element <NUM> may include the first electrode <NUM> arranged adjacent to the heater <NUM>, the second electrode <NUM> arranged apart from the first electrode <NUM>, and thermo-electric materials 330a and 330b (hereinafter denoted by <NUM> when distinction is not necessary) arranged between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>.

According to embodiments, the thermoelectric element <NUM> may further include a cooler <NUM> that is connected to the second electrode <NUM> and cools heat generated by the second electrode <NUM>.

According to embodiments, the thermoelectric element <NUM> may further include a heat absorber <NUM> that is connected to the first electrode <NUM> such that the heat absorber <NUM> absorbs heat generated by the heater <NUM> and transfers the heat to the first electrode <NUM>.

The first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> may include a conductive metal. The first electrode <NUM> may be arranged adjacent to the heater <NUM>. The second electrode <NUM> may be arranged apart from the first electrode <NUM>. The second electrode <NUM> is arranged opposite the heater <NUM> and may be adjacent to a casing of the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

A thermo-electric material <NUM> may be arranged between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>. One end of the thermo-electric material <NUM> may be connected to the first electrode <NUM>, and the other end of the thermo -electric material <NUM> may be connected to the second electrode <NUM>.

The thermo-electric material <NUM> may include an n-type semiconductor 330a and a P-type semiconductor 330b. For example, the n-type semiconductor 330a may be a semiconductor doped with phosphorus (P), arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), bismuth (Bi), etc. Also, the P-type semiconductor 330b may be a semiconductor doped with boron (B), aluminum (Al), indium (In), gallium (Ga), etc..

The polarity of the first electrode <NUM> may be determined according to the type of the thermo-electric material <NUM>.

For example, in the case of the n-type semiconductor 330a, electrons may be excited in a region where the first electrode <NUM> and the n-type semiconductor 330a contact each other. Also, the excited electrons are transferred to the second electrode <NUM> through a conduction band, and an electric field may be generated according to the movement of the excited electrons. The electric field causes a slope of the Fermi level in the n-type semiconductor 330a, and thus the polarity of the region where the first electrode <NUM> and the n-type semiconductor 330a contact each other may become positive.

In another example, in the case of the P-type semiconductor 330b, holes may be excited in a region where the first electrode <NUM> and the P-type semiconductor 330b contact each other. Also, the excited holes are transferred to the second electrode <NUM> through a conduction band, and an electric field may be generated according to the movement of the excited holes. The electric field causes a slope of the Fermi level in the thermo-electric material <NUM>, and thus the polarity of the region where the first electrode <NUM> and the p-type semiconductor 330b contact each other may become negative.

The electromotive force between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> generated by the Fermi level difference in the thermo-electric material <NUM> may be used to charge the battery <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the electromotive force generated by the thermoelectric element <NUM> may increase in proportion to the temperature difference between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>. Therefore, the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to one or more embodiments may further include the heat absorber <NUM> connected to the first electrode <NUM> and the cooler <NUM> connected to the second electrode <NUM> to increase the temperature difference between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>.

The heat absorber <NUM> may absorb heat generated by the heater <NUM> and transfer the heat to the first electrode <NUM>. One side of the heat absorber <NUM> may be adjacent to the heater <NUM>, and the other side of the heat absorber <NUM> may be in contact with the first electrode <NUM>.

The cooler <NUM> may cool heat generated by the second electrode <NUM>. One side of the cooler <NUM> may be in contact with the second electrode <NUM>. A plurality of protrusions may be formed at the other side of the cooler <NUM> to increase the contact area with the cooling air.

To maximize the temperature difference between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>, a thickness d1 of the heat absorber <NUM> may be smaller than a thickness d2 of the cooler <NUM>.

The heat absorber <NUM> and the cooler <NUM> may include a thermally conductive material. For example, the cooler <NUM> may include any one of aluminum, carbon steel, and stainless steel, or an alloy selected from the group of the above-stated metals, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.

<FIG> is a circuit diagram of the charger of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the charger <NUM> may include a regulator circuit <NUM> for stabilizing power generated by the thermoelectric element <NUM>, a capacitor element C1 for storing power generated by the thermoelectric element <NUM>, a switching element Sw for controlling supply of power stored in the capacitor element C1, and a converter <NUM> for changing a voltage supplied to the battery <NUM>.

The regulator circuit <NUM> may be connected to an output end of the thermoelectric element <NUM>. The regulator circuit <NUM> may stabilize a current output by the thermoelectric element <NUM>. To this end, the regulator circuit <NUM> may include a constant current circuit.

The capacitor element C1 may be connected to the regulator circuit <NUM>. The capacitor element C1 may store power corresponding to a current output by the regulator circuit <NUM>. The capacitance of the capacitor element C1 may be set based on the thermoelectric efficiency of the thermoelectric element <NUM>.

The switching element Sw may be connected in series to the capacitor element C1 and may be turned on and off under the control of the controller <NUM>.

In detail, the controller <NUM> may output at least one control signal from among a first control signal S1, a second control signal S2, and a third control signal S3.

The first control signal S1 may be a control signal based on a heating time of the heater <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may output the first control signal S1 when a pre-set pre-heating time has elapsed. In another example, the controller <NUM> may output the first control signal S1 at a pre-set charge timing before the heating of the heater <NUM> ends.

The second control signal S2 may be a control signal based on a heating temperature of the heater <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may output the second control signal S2 when the temperature of the heater <NUM> reaches a pre-set pre-heating temperature. In another example, when the absolute value of a temperature change of the heater <NUM> per unit time is less than a pre-set threshold value, the controller <NUM> may output the second control signal S2. In another example, when the temperature of the heater <NUM> reaches a first temperature and then drops to a second temperature lower than a first temperature, the controller <NUM> may output the second control signal S2.

The third control signal S3 may be a control signal based on a charge level of the battery <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may output the third control signal S3 when the charge level of the battery <NUM> is less than or equal to a pre-set reference level.

The switching element Sw may be turned on when at least one of the first control signal S1, the second control signal S2, and the third control signal S3 is received. When the switching element Sw is turned on, power stored in the capacitor element C1 may be provided to the battery <NUM>.

The converter <NUM> may change a voltage supplied to the battery <NUM>. The converter <NUM> may boost or decrease a voltage stored in the capacitor element C1. For example, the converter <NUM> may boost or decrease the voltage stored in the capacitor element C1 to <NUM>. 5V, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto. The converter <NUM> may supply a changed voltage to the battery <NUM>.

The battery <NUM> may be charged by using a voltage output by the converter <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram for describing a method of supplying power based on a heating time of a heater.

Referring to <FIG>, a graph <NUM> shows temperature changes of the heater <NUM> according to the heating time of the heater <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the controller <NUM> rapidly supplies power to the heater <NUM> during a pre-set pre-heating time t1 and, after the pre-heating time t1, supplies power to maintain the temperature of the heater <NUM> at a temperature suitable for generating an aerosol during a pre-set smoking time t2. For example, the pre-heating time t1 may be <NUM> seconds, and the smoking time t2 may be <NUM> minutes. However, one or more embodiments are not limited thereto. The pre -heating time t1 and the smoking time t2 may be set in consideration of the vaporization temperature of an aerosol generating substance, the power of the battery <NUM>, and the performance of the heater <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may supply converted power to the heater <NUM> based on the heating time of the heater <NUM>.

For example, the controller <NUM> may supply the converted power to the battery <NUM> from a timing p1 at which the pre-set pre-heating time t1 has elapsed. This is because the thermoelectric element <NUM> requires the temperature of the heater <NUM> to be equal to or above a temperature sufficient to excite electrons and holes. Also, given that a lot of power is required within a short period of time during the pre-heating time t1, the output power of the battery <NUM> may be prevented from becoming unstable due to power provided by the thermoelectric element <NUM> by supplying the converted power to the battery <NUM> from a timing p1.

In another example, the controller <NUM> may supply converted power to the battery <NUM> from a pre-set charge timing p2 before the heating of the heater <NUM> is completed. The charge timing p2 may be a pre-set time ta ahead of a heating end timing p3 and may be set to be adjacent to the heating end timing p3. The pre-set time ta may be, but is not limited to, <NUM> seconds. The reason for this is to prevent a temperature profile of the heater <NUM> from being changed by charging of the battery <NUM> during the smoking time t2 as much as possible and to maximize energy efficiency by charging the battery <NUM> by using residual heat generated when the heating of the heater <NUM> ends, since the temperature of the heater <NUM> needs to be precisely maintained during the smoking time t2 so as to provide a constant flavor to a user.

<FIG> is a diagram for describing a method of supplying power based on a heating temperature of a heater.

Referring to <FIG>, a temperature profile <NUM> of the heater <NUM> is shown. As shown in <FIG>, by controlling power supplied to the heater <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may rapidly increase the temperature of the heater <NUM> to a pre-set pre-heating temperature tm1. Then, the controller <NUM> may reduce the temperature of the heater <NUM> to a smoking temperature tm2, which is an appropriate temperature for generating an aerosol. Also, when the temperature of the heater <NUM> reaches the smoking temperature tm2, the controller <NUM> may maintain the smoking temperature tm2 until the heating ends. For example, the pre-heating temperature tm1 may be <NUM> degrees, and the smoking temperature tm2 may be <NUM> degrees. However, one or more embodiments are not limited thereto. The pre-heating temperature tm1 and the smoking temperature tm2 may be set in consideration of the vaporization temperature of an aerosol generating substance, the power of the battery <NUM>, and the performance of the heater <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may supply converted power to the heater <NUM> based on the heating temperature of the heater <NUM>.

For example, when the temperature of the heater <NUM> reaches the pre-set pre-heating temperature tm1, the controller <NUM> may supply converted power to the battery <NUM>. When the charge timing of the battery <NUM> is controlled based on the pre-heating temperature tm1 rather than the pre-heating time t1, insufficient pre-heating of the heater <NUM> due to instability of an output voltage that occurs when the battery <NUM> is charged may be prevented.

In another example, when the absolute value of a temperature change of the heater <NUM> per unit time is less than a pre-set threshold value, the controller <NUM> may supply converted power to the battery <NUM>. A significant temperature change per unit time indicates a significant change of the output voltage supplied from the battery <NUM> to the heater <NUM>. Therefore, when the battery <NUM> is charged while the temperature change of the heater <NUM> per unit time is being significant, the output voltage may become more unstable. For example, a threshold value may be identical to absolute value Δ|a| of the temperature change of the heater <NUM> per unit time in a pre-heating period.

In another example, when the temperature of the heater <NUM> reaches a first temperature and then drops to a second temperature lower than the first temperature, the controller <NUM> may supply converted power to the battery <NUM>. The first temperature may be the pre-heating temperature tm1, and the second temperature may be the smoking temperature tm2. By setting the first temperature as the pre-heating temperature, not only is sufficient pre-heating of the heater <NUM> ensured, but also the charging of the battery <NUM> is performed in a period in which the fluctuation of the output voltage is small. Therefore, the heater <NUM> may be controlled more stably.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method of supplying power based on a heating time of a heater.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation S710, the thermoelectric element <NUM> may absorb heat from the heater <NUM> and convert the absorbed heat into electric power.

The thermoelectric element <NUM> may include the first electrode <NUM> provided adjacent to the heater <NUM>, the second electrode <NUM> provided apart from the first electrode <NUM>, and the thermo-electric material <NUM> provided between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>. Also, when the heater <NUM> is heated, the thermoelectric element <NUM> may generate power by using a Fermi level difference between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> caused by an electric field generated as excited electrons move from the first electrode <NUM> to the second electrode <NUM> and excited holes move from the first electrode <NUM> to the second electrode <NUM>.

In operation S720, the controller <NUM> may determine whether the heating time of the heater <NUM> has exceeded the pre-set pre-heating time. The controller <NUM> may determine whether the heating time of the heater <NUM> has exceeded the pre-set pre-heating time based on heating time information regarding the heater <NUM> provided by the timer <NUM>. For example, the pre-heating time may be, but is not limited to, <NUM> seconds. The pre-heating time may be set in consideration of the vaporization temperature of an aerosol generating substance, the power of the battery <NUM>, and the performance of the heater <NUM>.

In operation S730, when the heating time of the heater <NUM> has exceeded the pre-heating time, the controller <NUM> may supply converted power to the battery <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may turn on the switching element SW and supply power stored in the capacitor element C1 to the battery <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method of supplying power based on a heating end timing of a heater.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation S810, the thermoelectric element <NUM> may absorb heat from the heater <NUM> and convert the absorbed heat into electric power. Operation S810 of <FIG> may correspond to operation S710 of <FIG>.

In operation S820, the controller <NUM> may determine whether the heating time of the heater reached a pre-set charge timing before the heating of the heater <NUM> ends. In other words, it is determined whether a pre-set amount of time is left before heating of the heater <NUM> ends. The controller <NUM> may determine whether the heating time of the heater <NUM> has reached the pre-set charge timing based on heating time information regarding the heater <NUM> provided by the timer <NUM>. The charge timing may be set adjacent to a heating end timing. For example, the charge timing may be <NUM> seconds before the heating end timing, but is not limited thereto.

In operation S830, the controller <NUM> may supply converted power to the battery <NUM> when the heating time of the heater <NUM> reaches the pre-set charge timing before the heating ends. The controller <NUM> may turn on the switching element SW and supply power stored in the capacitor element C1 to the battery <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart for a method of supplying power based on a heating temperature of a heater.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation S910, the thermoelectric element <NUM> may absorb heat from the heater <NUM> and convert the absorbed heat into electric power. Operation S910 of <FIG> may correspond to operation S710 of <FIG> and operation S810 of <FIG>.

In operation S920, the controller <NUM> may determine whether the heating temperature of the heater <NUM> has reached a pre-set pre-heating temperature. The controller <NUM> may determine whether the heating temperature of the heater <NUM> has reached the pre-set pre-heating temperature based on temperature information regarding the heater <NUM> provided by the temperature detector <NUM>. For example, the pre-heating temperature may be, but is not limited to, <NUM> degrees. The pre-heating temperature may be set in consideration of the vaporization temperature of an aerosol generating substance, the power of the battery <NUM>, and the performance of the heater <NUM>.

In operation S930, when the temperature of the heater <NUM> reaches the pre-set pre-heating temperature, the controller <NUM> may supply converted power to the battery <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may turn on the switching element SW and supply power stored in the capacitor element C1 to the battery <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method of supplying power based on a temperature change of a heater per unit time.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation S1010, the thermoelectric element <NUM> may absorb heat from the heater <NUM> and convert the absorbed heat into electric power. Operation S1010 of <FIG> may correspond to operation S710 of <FIG>, operation S810 of <FIG>, and operation S910 of <FIG>.

In operation S1020, the controller <NUM> may determine whether the absolute value of the temperature change of the heater <NUM> per unit time is less than a pre-set threshold value. The controller <NUM> may calculate the temperature change of the heater <NUM> per unit time based on temperature information regarding the heater <NUM> provided by the temperature detector <NUM>. The threshold value may be identical to the absolute value of the temperature change of the heater <NUM> per unit time in a pre-heating period. For example, the temperature change of the heater <NUM> per unit time may be <NUM>/s, but is not limited thereto.

In operation S1030, when the absolute value of a temperature change of the heater <NUM> per unit time is less than the pre-set threshold value, the controller <NUM> may supply converted power to the battery <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may turn on the switching element SW and supply power stored in the capacitor element C1 to the battery <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart for a method of supplying power based on a reached temperature of a heater.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation S1110, the thermoelectric element <NUM> may absorb heat from the heater <NUM> and convert the absorbed heat into electric power. Operation S1110 of <FIG> may correspond to operation S710 of <FIG>, operation S810 of <FIG>, operation S910 of <FIG>, and operation S1010 of <FIG>.

In operation S1120, the controller <NUM> may determine whether the temperature of the heater <NUM> has reached a first temperature. The first temperature may be a pre-heating temperature. For example, the first temperature may be, but is not limited to, <NUM> degrees.

In operation S1130, when the temperature of the heater has reached the first temperature, the controller <NUM> may consecutively determine whether the temperature of the heater <NUM> has reached a second temperature lower than the first temperature. The second temperature may be a heat-absorbing temperature. For example, the second temperature may be, but is not limited to, <NUM> degrees.

In operation S1120 and operation S1130, the controller <NUM> may determine whether the temperature of the heater <NUM> has reached the first temperature and the second temperature based on temperature information regarding the heater <NUM> provided by the temperature detector <NUM>.

In operation S1140, when the temperature of the heater <NUM> has reached the second temperature, the controller <NUM> may supply converted power to the battery <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may turn on the switching element SW and supply power stored in the capacitor element C1 to the battery <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method of supplying power based on a charge level of a battery.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation S1210, the thermoelectric element <NUM> may absorb heat from the heater <NUM> and convert the absorbed heat into electric power. Operation S1210 of <FIG> may correspond to operation S710 of <FIG>, operation S810 of <FIG>, operation S910 of <FIG>, operation S1010 of <FIG>, and operation S1110 of <FIG>.

In operation S1220, the controller <NUM> may determine whether the charge level of the battery <NUM> is lower than or equal to a pre-set reference level. The reference level may be, but is not limited to, <NUM>% of the total capacity of the battery <NUM>.

In operation S1230, the controller <NUM> may supply converted power to the battery <NUM> when the charge level of the battery <NUM> is lower than or equal to the pre-set reference level. The controller <NUM> may turn on the switching element SW and supply power stored in the capacitor element C1 to the battery <NUM>.

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

Claim 1:
An aerosol generating device (<NUM>) comprising:
a heater (<NUM>) configured to heat an aerosol generating substance;
a battery (<NUM>) configured to supply power to the heater (<NUM>); and
a thermoelectric element (<NUM>) arranged adjacent to the heater (<NUM>), and configured to absorb heat from the heater (<NUM>) and convert the absorbed heat into electric power;
characterized in that the aerosol generating device further comprises a controller (<NUM>) configured to charge the battery (<NUM>) by using the converted power based on a heating time of the heater (<NUM>).