Patent Description:
Recently, the demand for alternative methods to overcome the disadvantages of traditional aerosol generating articles has increased. For example, there is growing demand for an aerosol generating device which generates aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material in aerosol generating articles, rather than by combusting aerosol generating articles.

In particular, when the user smokes and the remaining amount of an aerosol generating material stored in a cartridge is insufficient, the user's smoking satisfaction may decrease. Thus, technology for checking whether the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material is insufficient, in advance is required. <CIT> B <NUM> relates to vaporization devices having portions to enable signal transmission therethrough. A vaporization device includes a body having a first end, a second end, and forming an internal cavity. At least a portion of the internal cavity forming a cartridge receptacle. The vaporization device includes a battery disposed within the internal cavity and a processor operatively coupled to the battery and disposed within the body. The processor is arranged to respond to a signal to switch the vaporization device between a first operational mode and a second operational mode. The vaporization device also includes a portion of the body arranged to permit transmission of the signal through the portion of the body from a location external to the body, thereby permitting the processor to switch the vaporization device between the first and second operational modes in response to the receipt of the signal.

One or more embodiments relate to an apparatus for measuring the resistance change amount of a resistance element included in a cartridge and measuring the remaining amount of an aerosol generating material based on the measured resistance change amount of the resistance element. The technical problems to be solved are not limited to the above-described technical problems, and other technical problems may be understood from and solved by the embodiments to be described hereinafter.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol generating device includes a cartridge in which an aerosol generating material is stored, and a main body in which the cartridge is accommodated, wherein the cartridge includes a housing configured to form an accommodation space of the aerosol generating material and at least one resistance element configured to pass through the housing in a thickness direction of the housing, and the main body includes at least one contact element electrically connected to the at least one resistance element when the cartridge is accommodated in the main body.

An aerosol generating device estimates the remaining amount of aerosol generating material based on the resistance change amount of a resistance element, so that problems caused by insufficient remaining amount of aerosol generating material may be prevented in advance. However, effects of embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described effects, and effects that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

According to one or more embodiments, an aerosol generating device includes: a cartridge configured to store an aerosol generating material; and a main body configured to accommodate the cartridge, wherein the cartridge comprises: a housing that includes an accommodation space that is configured to accommodate the aerosol generating material; and at least one resistance element that passes through the housing in a thickness direction of the housing, and the main body comprises at least one contact element that is configured to be electrically connected to the at least one resistance element in a case where the cartridge is accommodated in the main body.

According to an embodiment, one side surface of the at least one resistance element is configured to be in contact with the aerosol generating material, and another side surface of the at least one resistance element, opposite to the one side surface, is in contact with the main body.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device further includes a processor configured to estimate a remaining amount of the aerosol generating material based on a resistance change amount of the at least one resistance element due to a current applied to the at least one resistance element through the at least one contact element.

According to an embodiment, the processor is configured to: based on determining that the resistance change amount is less than a first threshold value, determine that the aerosol generating material is in contact with the at least one resistance element, based on determining that the resistance change amount is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, determine that the aerosol generating material is not in contact with the at least one resistance element, and estimate the remaining amount depending on whether the aerosol generating material is determined to be in contact with the at least one resistance element.

According to an embodiment, the processor is configured to: estimate that an amount of the aerosol generating material contacting the at least one resistance element increases based on detecting that the resistance change amount decreases, and estimate that the amount of the aerosol generating material contacting the at least one resistance element decreases based on detecting that the resistance change amount increases.

According to an embodiment, the at least one resistance element is a plurality of resistance elements, and the processor is configured to measure an individual resistance change amount of each of the plurality of resistance elements and estimate the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material based on a difference between the individual resistance change amount of a first resistance element from among the plurality of resistance elements and the individual resistance change amount of a second resistance element from among the plurality of resistance elements.

According to an embodiment, the processor is configured to determine that a level of the aerosol generating material in the cartridge is between the first resistance element and the second resistance element, based on the difference between the individual resistance change amount of the first resistance element and the individual resistance change amount of the second resistance element being greater than or equal to a second threshold value.

According to an embodiment, the processor is configured to estimate the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material based on the resistance change amount corresponding to a temperature change of the at least one resistance element due to the applied current.

According to an embodiment, the processor is configured to apply the current to the at least one resistance element such that a temperature of the at least one resistance element changes to a temperature less than an evaporation point of the aerosol generating material.

According to an embodiment, the processor is configured to apply the current to the at least one resistance element by pulse width modulation (PWM) control, convert a signal corresponding to the resistance change amount into a digital signal through an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and measure the resistance change amount based on the digital signal.

According to one or more embodiments, a method of operating an aerosol generating device is provided. The method includes: applying a current to at least one resistance element of the aerosol generating device, the at least one resistance element passing through a housing of the aerosol generating device in a thickness direction of the housing, the housing including an accommodation space for accommodating an aerosol generating material; measuring a resistance change amount corresponding to a temperature change of the at least one resistance element due to the applied current; and estimating a remaining amount of the aerosol generating material stored in the accommodation space based on the resistance change amount.

According to an embodiment, the estimating of the remaining amount includes: determining whether the aerosol generating material is in contact with the at least one resistance element based on whether the resistance change amount is less than a first threshold value or greater than or equal to the first threshold value; and estimating the remaining amount depending on whether the aerosol generating material is determined to be in contact with the at least one resistance element.

According to one or more embodiments, a cartridge used for an aerosol generating device is provided. The cartridge includes: a liquid storage comprising a housing that includes an accommodation space, the housing configured to store an aerosol generating material in the accommodation space; a liquid delivery element configured to receive the aerosol generating material from the liquid storage; a heater configured to heat the aerosol generating material delivered to the liquid delivery element; and at least one resistance element that passes through the housing in a thickness direction of the housing, wherein one side surface of the at least one resistance element is configured to be in contact with the aerosol generating material, and another side surface of the at least one resistance element, opposite to the one side surface, is configured to be in contact with a main body of the aerosol generating device, such that the at least one resistance element is electrically connected to at least one contact element of the main body.

According to an embodiment, the at least one resistance element is a plurality of resistance elements.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of resistance elements comprises a first resistance element and a second resistance element, the second resistance element located at a different height position in the housing than the first resistance element.

Hereinafter, non-limiting example embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, such that one of ordinary skill in the art may easily work the present disclosure. Embodiments of the disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

Therefore, the terms used to describe the various embodiments of the present disclosure should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the descriptions provided herein.

As used herein, terms including an ordinal number such as "first" or "second" 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 other components.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "over," "above," "on," "below," "under," "beneath," "connected to" or "coupled to" another element, it can be directly over, above, on, below, under, beneath, connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly over," "directly above," "directly on," "directly below," "directly under," "directly beneath," "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element, there are no intervening elements present.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a coupling relationship between a replaceable cartridge containing an aerosol generating material and an aerosol generating device including the same, according to an embodiment.

An aerosol generating device <NUM> according to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> includes a cartridge <NUM>, containing the aerosol generating material, and a main body <NUM> supporting the cartridge <NUM>.

The cartridge <NUM> may be coupled to the main body <NUM> when the aerosol generating material is accommodated therein. A portion of the cartridge <NUM> is inserted into an accommodation space <NUM> of the main body <NUM> so that the cartridge <NUM> may be mounted on the main body <NUM>.

The cartridge <NUM> may contain an aerosol generating material in any one of, for example, a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, and a gel state. The aerosol generating material may include a liquid composition.

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. 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 a 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 considering the rate of nicotine absorption in the blood, the operating temperature of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, 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 <NUM> is operated by an electrical signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body <NUM> to perform a function of generating aerosol by converting the phase of the aerosol generating material inside the cartridge <NUM> 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 <NUM> may convert the phase of the aerosol generating material by receiving an electrical signal from the main body <NUM> 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 <NUM> includes its own power source, the cartridge <NUM> may generate aerosol by being operated by an electric control signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body <NUM> to the cartridge <NUM>.

The cartridge <NUM> may include a liquid storage <NUM> accommodating the aerosol generating material therein, and an atomizer performing a function of converting the aerosol generating material of the liquid storage <NUM> to aerosol.

When the liquid storage <NUM> "accommodates the aerosol generating material" therein, it means that the liquid storage <NUM> functions as a container simply holding an aerosol generating material and that the liquid storage <NUM> includes therein an element impregnated with (or 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 (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, and may be implemented by a conductive filament, wound on the liquid delivery element, or arranged adjacent to the liquid delivery element, by using a material such as a nichrome wire.

In addition, the atomizer may be implemented by a heating element in the form of a mesh or plate, which performs both the functions of absorbing the aerosol generating material and maintaining the same in an optimal state for conversion to aerosol without using a separate liquid delivery element, and the function of generating aerosol by heating the aerosol generating material.

At least a portion of the liquid storage <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM> may include a transparent material so that the aerosol generating material accommodated in the cartridge <NUM> may be visually identified from the outside. The liquid storage <NUM> includes a protruding window 21a protruding from the liquid storage <NUM>, so that the liquid storage <NUM> may be inserted into a groove <NUM> of the main body <NUM> when coupled to the main body <NUM>. A mouthpiece <NUM> and the liquid storage <NUM> may be entirely formed of transparent plastic or glass, or only the protruding window 21a corresponding to a portion of the liquid storage <NUM> may be formed of a transparent material.

The main body <NUM> includes a connection terminal 10t arranged inside the accommodation space <NUM>. When the liquid storage <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM> is inserted into the accommodation space <NUM> of the main body <NUM>, the main body <NUM> may provide power to the cartridge <NUM> through the connection terminal 10t or supply a signal related to an operation of the cartridge <NUM> to the cartridge <NUM> through the connection terminal 10t.

The mouthpiece <NUM> is coupled to one end of the liquid storage <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM>. The mouthpiece <NUM> is a portion of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, which is to be inserted into a user's mouth. The mouthpiece <NUM> includes a discharge hole 22a for discharging aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material inside the liquid storage <NUM> to the outside.

A slider <NUM> is coupled to the main body <NUM> to move with respect to the main body <NUM>. The slider <NUM> covers at least a portion of the mouthpiece <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM> coupled to the main body <NUM> or exposes at least a portion of the mouthpiece <NUM> to the outside by moving with respect to the main body <NUM>. The slider <NUM> includes an elongated hole 7a exposing at least a portion of the protruding window 21a of the cartridge <NUM> to the outside.

The slider <NUM> has a container shape with a hollow space therein and both ends open. The structure of the slider <NUM> is not limited to the container shape as shown in the drawing, and the slider <NUM> may have a bent plate structure having a clip-shaped cross-section, which is movable with respect to the main body <NUM> while being coupled to an edge of the main body <NUM>, or a structure having a curved semi-cylindrical shape and a curved arc-shaped cross-section.

The slider <NUM> includes a magnetic body for maintaining the position of the slider <NUM> with respect to the main body <NUM> and the cartridge <NUM>. The magnetic body may include a permanent magnet or a material such as iron, nickel, cobalt, or an alloy thereof.

The magnetic body includes two first magnetic bodies 8a facing each other with an inner space of the slider <NUM> therebetween, and two second magnetic bodies 8b facing each other with the inner space of the slider <NUM> therebetween. The first magnetic bodies 8a and the second magnetic bodies 8b are arranged to be spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction of the main body <NUM>, which is a moving direction of the slider <NUM>, that is, the direction in which the main body <NUM> extends.

The main body <NUM> includes at least one fixed magnetic body <NUM> arranged on a path along which the first magnetic bodies 8a and the second magnetic bodies 8b of the slider <NUM> move while the slider <NUM> moves with respect to the main body <NUM>. For example, two fixed magnetic bodies <NUM> of the main body <NUM> may be mounted to face each other with the accommodation space <NUM> therebetween.

Depending on the position of the slider <NUM>, the slider <NUM> may be stably maintained in a position where an end of the mouthpiece <NUM> is covered or exposed by a magnetic force acting between at least one of the fixed magnetic bodies <NUM> and at least one of the first magnetic bodies 8a or between at least one of the fixed magnetic bodies <NUM> and at least one of the second magnetic bodies 8b.

The main body <NUM> includes a position change detecting sensor <NUM> arranged on the path along which one of the first magnetic bodies 8a and one of the second magnetic bodies 8b of the slider <NUM> move while the slider <NUM> moves with respect to the main body <NUM>. The position change detecting sensor <NUM> may include, for example, a Hall IC using the Hall effect that detects a change in a magnetic field and generates a signal.

In the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to the above-described embodiments, the main body <NUM>, the cartridge <NUM>, and the slider <NUM> have approximately rectangular cross-sectional shapes in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, but in the embodiments, the shape of the aerosol generating device <NUM> is not limited. The aerosol generating device <NUM> may have, for example, a cross-sectional shape of a circle, an ellipse, a square, or various polygonal shapes. In addition, the aerosol generating device <NUM> is not necessarily limited to a structure that extends linearly when extending in the longitudinal direction, and may extend a long way while being curved in a streamlined shape or bent at a preset angle in a specific area to be easily held by the user.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an example operating state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>.

In <FIG>, the operating state is shown in which the slider <NUM> is moved to a position where the end of the mouthpiece <NUM> of the cartridge coupled to the main body <NUM> is covered. In a state where the slider <NUM> is moved to the position where the end of the mouthpiece <NUM> is covered, the mouthpiece <NUM> 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 <NUM>. The user may move the slider <NUM> in the longitudinal direction of the main body <NUM> to use the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of another example operating state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>.

In <FIG>, the operating state is shown in which the slider <NUM> is moved to a position where the end of the mouthpiece <NUM> of the cartridge coupled to the main body <NUM> is exposed to the outside. In a state where the slider <NUM> is moved to the position where the end of the mouthpiece <NUM> is exposed to the outside, the user may insert the mouthpiece <NUM> into his or her mouth and absorb aerosol discharged through the discharge hole 22a of the mouthpiece <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating components of the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. The aerosol generating device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> may correspond to the aerosol generating device <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include a battery <NUM>, a heater <NUM>, a sensor <NUM>, a user interface <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, and a processor <NUM>. According to the design of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that some of the hardware components shown in <FIG> may be omitted or new components may be added.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may consist of only a main body, in which case hardware components included in the aerosol generating device <NUM> are located in the main body. In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may comprise or consist of a main body and a cartridge, in which case hardware components included in the aerosol generating device <NUM> are located separately in the main body and the cartridge. Alternatively, at least some of hardware components included in the aerosol generating device <NUM> 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 a particular location in the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

The battery <NUM> supplies power to be used for the aerosol generating device <NUM> to operate. In other words, the battery <NUM> may supply power such that the heater <NUM> may be heated. In addition, the battery <NUM> may supply power required for operation of other hardware components included in the aerosol generating device <NUM>, that is, the sensor <NUM>, the user interface <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, and the processor <NUM>. The battery <NUM> may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery <NUM> may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

The heater <NUM> receives power from the battery <NUM> under the control of the processor <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may receive power from the battery <NUM> and heat a cigarette inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, or heat the cartridge mounted on the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

The heater <NUM> may be located in the main body of the aerosol generating device <NUM>. Alternatively, when the aerosol generating device <NUM> comprises or consists of the main body and the cartridge, the heater <NUM> may be located in the cartridge. When the heater <NUM> is located in the cartridge, the heater <NUM> may receive power from the battery <NUM> located in at least one of the main body and the cartridge.

The heater <NUM> 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 <NUM> 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 <NUM> may be a component included in the cartridge. The cartridge may include the heater <NUM>, the liquid delivery element, and the liquid storage. The aerosol generating material accommodated in the liquid storage may be moved to the liquid delivery element, and the heater <NUM> may heat the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery element, thereby generating aerosol. For example, the heater <NUM> 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 <NUM> may heat the cigarette inserted into the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device <NUM>. As the cigarette is accommodated in the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the heater <NUM> may be located inside and/or outside the cigarette. Accordingly, the heater <NUM> may generate aerosol by heating the aerosol generating material in the cigarette.

Meanwhile, the heater <NUM> may include an induction heater. The heater <NUM> 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 <NUM> may include at least one sensor <NUM>. A result sensed by the at least one sensor <NUM> is transmitted to the processor <NUM>, and the processor <NUM> may control the aerosol generating device <NUM> to perform various functions such as controlling the operation of the heater, restricting smoking, determining whether a cigarette (or a cartridge) is inserted, and displaying a notification. For example, the at least one sensor <NUM> 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. For example, the processor <NUM> may control the generation of aerosol based on the result sensed by the puff detecting sensor.

In addition, the at least one sensor <NUM> may include a temperature detecting sensor. The temperature detecting sensor may detect the temperature at which the heater <NUM> (or an aerosol generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating device <NUM> may include a separate temperature detecting sensor for sensing a temperature of the heater <NUM>, or the heater <NUM> 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 <NUM> while the heater <NUM> serves as a temperature detecting sensor.

In addition, the at least one sensor <NUM> 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 <NUM> may provide the user with information about the state of the aerosol generating device <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> 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.

According to embodiments, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be implemented by selecting only some of the above-described examples of the various described interfacing devices.

The memory <NUM>, as a hardware component configured to store various pieces of data processed in the aerosol generating device <NUM>, may store data processed or to be processed by the processor <NUM>. The memory <NUM> 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 <NUM> may store an operation time of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, data on a user's smoking pattern, etc..

The processor <NUM> may generally control operations of the aerosol generating device <NUM>. The processor <NUM> 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. The memory may store computer code that, when executed by the processor <NUM>, is configured to cause the processor <NUM> to perform its functions as described in the present disclosure.

The processor <NUM> analyzes a result of the sensing by at least one sensor <NUM>, and controls the processes that are to be performed subsequently.

The processor <NUM> may control power supplied to the heater <NUM> so that the operation of the heater <NUM> is started or terminated, based on the result of the sensing by the at least one sensor <NUM>. In addition, based on the result of the sensing by the at least one sensor <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may control the amount of power supplied to the heater <NUM> and the time at which the power is supplied, so that the heater <NUM> is heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature.

In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may set a mode of the heater <NUM> to a pre-heating mode to start the operation of the heater <NUM> after receiving a user input to the aerosol generating device <NUM>. In addition, the processor <NUM> may switch the mode of the heater <NUM> 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 <NUM> may stop supplying power to the heater <NUM> when the number of puffs reaches a preset number after counting the number of puffs by using the puff detecting sensor.

The processor <NUM> may control the user interface <NUM> based on the result of the sensing by the at least one sensor <NUM>. 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 <NUM> may notify the user by using at least one of a light emitter, a motor, or a speaker that operation of the aerosol generating device <NUM> will soon be terminated.

Although not illustrated in <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may form an aerosol generating system together with an additional cradle. For example, while the aerosol generating device <NUM> is accommodated in an accommodation space of the cradle, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may receive power from a battery of the cradle such that the battery <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be charged.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of the aerosol generating device.

Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include a main body <NUM> and a cartridge <NUM>. The main body <NUM> may include at least one contact element <NUM> and a processor <NUM>. The cartridge <NUM> may include at least one resistance element <NUM> and a housing <NUM>. The main body <NUM>, the cartridge <NUM>, and the processor <NUM> of <FIG> may correspond to the main body <NUM>, the cartridge <NUM>, and the processor <NUM> of <FIG>, respectively.

In the aerosol generating device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, some components related to the present embodiment are shown. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that general-purpose components other than the components shown in <FIG> may be further included in the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

The cartridge <NUM> may store an aerosol generating material and may be stored in the main body <NUM>. The cartridge <NUM> may include the housing <NUM> that forms an accommodation space of the aerosol generating material. The housing <NUM> may form the exterior of the cartridge <NUM>. The aerosol generating material may be accommodated in the accommodation space formed in the housing <NUM>.

The cartridge <NUM> may include at least one resistance element <NUM> used to estimate a remaining amount of the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge <NUM>. The resistance element <NUM> may pass through the housing <NUM> in the thickness direction of the housing <NUM>. For example, one side surface of the resistance element <NUM> may be in contact with the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge <NUM>, and another side surface opposite to the one side surface may be in contact with the main body <NUM> for accommodating the cartridge <NUM>.

The resistance element <NUM> may be electrically connected to the main body <NUM> by being in contact with the main body <NUM>, and a current may be applied to the resistance element <NUM> from the main body <NUM>. The temperature of the resistance element <NUM> may change by an applied current, and the resistance of the resistance element <NUM> may be changed as the temperature of the resistance element <NUM> changes. The resistance element <NUM> may include a material having a large amount of resistance change relative to temperature change. The amount of resistance change relative to the temperature change of the material may be indicated by the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR). The resistance element <NUM> may include, for example, a material having a large TCR (e.g., iron, nickel, copper, aluminum, tungsten, tin, etc.). However, the material for forming the resistance element <NUM> is not limited to the above-described materials. Depending on the constituent material of the resistance element <NUM>, a resistance change amount relative to the current applied to the resistance element <NUM> may be different.

When the cartridge <NUM> is inserted into the main body <NUM>, the main body <NUM> may include at least one contact element <NUM> electrically connected to the resistance element <NUM>. The contact element <NUM> that is a component for transmitting the current applied from the main body <NUM> to the resistance element <NUM> may include a conductor material. However, because a change in the temperature of the contact element <NUM> may affect the resistance element <NUM>, a material for forming the contact element <NUM> may include a material having a small temperature change relative to the applied current.

In addition, the contact element <NUM> may be a component for transmitting a signal corresponding to the resistance change amount of the contact element <NUM>. The arrangement of the resistance element <NUM> and the contact element <NUM> will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>.

The processor <NUM> may apply a current to the resistance element <NUM> through the contact element <NUM> so as to estimate the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material. The processor <NUM> may estimate the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge <NUM> based on the resistance change amount of the resistance element <NUM> due to the current applied to the resistance element <NUM>. For example, the resistance of the resistance element <NUM> to which a current is applied under control of the processor <NUM> may be changed as the temperature changes. The processor <NUM> may estimate the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge <NUM> based on the resistance change amount due to a change in the temperature of the resistance element <NUM>. A specific method of estimating the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material based on the resistance change amount of the resistance element <NUM> will be described below with reference to <FIG>.

The processor <NUM> may control a change in the temperature of the resistance element <NUM> to be in a temperature range in which an aerosol is not generated from the aerosol generating material in contact with the resistance element <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may independently control the resistance element <NUM> to estimate the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material and the heater <NUM> to generate an aerosol. For example, the processor <NUM> may apply a current, having an intensity less than the current applied to the heater <NUM>, to the resistance element <NUM>, thereby controlling the resistance element <NUM> so that the temperature of the resistance element <NUM> changes to a temperature less than an evaporation point of the aerosol generating material. The processor <NUM> may apply a current, having an intensity greater than the current applied to the resistance element <NUM>, to the heater <NUM>, thereby controlling the heater <NUM> so that the heater <NUM> heats to a temperature higher than the evaporation point of the aerosol generating material.

The aerosol generating device <NUM> may further include a feedback line connected to the contact element <NUM> so as to measure the resistance change amount of the resistance element <NUM>. A signal corresponding to the resistance change amount of the resistance element <NUM> may be transmitted to the processor <NUM> through the feedback line. For example, the signal may be transmitted to the processor <NUM> from the resistance element <NUM> through the feedback line so that the processor <NUM> may measure the magnitude of a current flowing through the resistance element <NUM> or the magnitude of a voltage applied to the resistance element <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may measure the resistance change amount of the resistance element <NUM> through conversion or calculation of a signal corresponding to the change in resistance of the resistance element <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may perform pulse width modulation (PWM) control so as to measure the resistance change amount of the resistance element <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may apply a current caused by PWM control to the resistance element <NUM>. A signal corresponding to the resistance change amount of the resistance element <NUM>, to which the current caused by PWM control is applied, may be transmitted to the processor <NUM> through the feedback line. A signal corresponding to the resistance change amount of the resistance element <NUM> is an analog signal, and conversion into a digital signal may be required to analyze the analog signal. Thus, the processor <NUM> may convert the transmitted analog signal into a digital signal through an analog-digital converter (ADC) and may measure the resistance change amount of the resistance element <NUM> based on the digital signal.

In another embodiment, the processor <NUM> may apply a constant current to the resistance element <NUM> and may measure a voltage between a line for transmitting the constant current to the resistance element <NUM> and the feedback line. Because the processor <NUM> may determine the magnitude of the current and the magnitude of the voltage of the resistance element <NUM> due to the applied constant current, the processor <NUM> may measure the resistance change amount of the resistance element <NUM> through a calculation based on Ohm's law.

In another embodiment, the processor <NUM> may apply a constant voltage to the resistance element <NUM>, and a current flowing through the resistance element <NUM> may be transmitted to the processor <NUM> through the feedback line so that the processor <NUM> may measure the magnitude of the current. Because the processor <NUM> may determine the magnitude of the voltage and the magnitude of the current flowing through the resistance element <NUM> due to the applied constant voltage, the resistance change amount of the resistance element <NUM> may be measured through a calculation based on Ohm's law.

<FIG> illustrates an example of the arrangement of a resistance element and a contact element.

The resistance element <NUM> may be arranged to pass through the housing <NUM> in the thickness direction of the housing <NUM>. In detail, the resistance element <NUM> may be arranged to pass through an outer side surface and an inner side surface of the housing <NUM>. The resistance element <NUM> may pass through the housing <NUM> in the thickness direction of the housing <NUM> so that one side surface of the resistance element <NUM> may be in contact with the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge <NUM>. In addition, another side surface of the resistance element <NUM>, opposite to one side surface in contact with the aerosol generating material, may be in contact with the main body <NUM> in which the cartridge <NUM> is accommodated.

The contact element <NUM> may be located at a side of an accommodation space of the main body <NUM> and may be in contact with the resistance element <NUM> included in the cartridge <NUM> accommodated in the main body <NUM>. The contact element <NUM> may be arranged at a position of the accommodation space of the main body <NUM> corresponding to the position of the resistance element <NUM> at the cartridge <NUM> so as to be in contact with the resistance element <NUM>. The number of contact elements <NUM> in the main body <NUM> may correspond to the number of resistance elements <NUM>. Contact elements <NUM> may be respectively in contact with resistance elements <NUM> and may be electrically connected thereto, and one contact element <NUM> may be in contact with a plurality of resistance elements <NUM> and may be electrically connected thereto.

The arrangement of the resistance element <NUM> and the contact element <NUM> shown in <FIG> is just an example and is not limited thereto. The numbers of resistance elements <NUM> and contact elements <NUM> and positions of the resistance element <NUM> and the contact element <NUM> may be variously set.

<FIG> illustrate an example of a cartridge including one resistance element.

<FIG> illustrate the cartridge <NUM> in which different amounts of aerosol generating materials are stored, respectively. <FIG> illustrates a case where an aerosol generating material is not in contact with the resistance element <NUM>, <FIG> illustrates a case where an aerosol generating material is in contact with the resistance element <NUM>, and <FIG> illustrates a case where a larger amount of aerosol generating material than in <FIG> is in contact with the resistance element <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) may determine whether the aerosol generating material is in contact with the resistance element <NUM>. Thus, the processor <NUM> may measure the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material. The processor <NUM> may compare a first threshold value with the resistance change amount, thereby determining whether the aerosol generating material is in contact with the resistance element <NUM>. The first threshold value corresponds to a threshold value of the resistance change amount for determining whether the aerosol generating material is in contact with the resistance element <NUM>, and a second threshold value to be described below with reference to <FIG> corresponds to a threshold value for determining the level of the aerosol generating material.

The first threshold value may be set to a value between a resistance change amount measured when the aerosol generating material is in contact with the resistance element <NUM> and a resistance change amount measured when the aerosol generating material is not in contact with the resistance element <NUM>. The first threshold value may be set considering, for example, a specific resistance of the resistance element <NUM>, a resistance temperature coefficient of the resistance element <NUM>, a material of the resistance element <NUM>, the magnitude of the current applied to the resistance element <NUM>, and the capacity of the cartridge <NUM>.

When the resistance change amount of the resistance element <NUM> is less than the first threshold value, the processor <NUM> may determine that the aerosol generating material is in contact with the resistance element <NUM>. In addition, when the resistance change amount of the resistance element <NUM> is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, the processor <NUM> may determine that the aerosol generating material is not in contact with the resistance element <NUM>.

Because the resistance element <NUM> is arranged to be in contact with the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge <NUM>, even when a current having the same magnitude is applied to the resistance element <NUM>, the resistance element <NUM> may have different amounts of temperature change depending on whether the aerosol generating material is in contact with the resistance element <NUM>. When the aerosol generating material is not in contact with the resistance element <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, when a current is applied to the resistance element <NUM>, only the resistance element <NUM> may heat. On the other hand, when the aerosol generating material is in contact with the resistance element <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, when a current is applied to the resistance element <NUM> such that the resistance element <NUM> heat, the aerosol generating material may be affected such that the aerosol generating material is also heated. With reference to the case where the aerosol generating material is in contact with the resistance element <NUM>, the mass of an object to be heated is larger, and the heat capacity increases as the mass of the object to be heated increases. Thus, when a constant current is applied to the resistance element <NUM>, the temperature change of the resistance element <NUM> is small in the case where the aerosol generating material is in contact with the resistance element <NUM> compared to when the aerosol generating material is not in contact with the resistance element <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, when a current is applied to the resistance element <NUM>, only the resistance element <NUM> is heated. Thus, the temperature change of the resistance element <NUM> and the resistance change amount thereof are larger than in the case of <FIG>. With reference to <FIG>, the resistance change amount of the resistance element <NUM> will be measured to be greater than or equal to the first threshold value. Thus, the processor <NUM> may determine that the aerosol generating material is not in contact with the resistance element <NUM>. In this case, the processor <NUM> may determine that the level of the aerosol generating material is less than the height of the resistance element <NUM> arranged in the cartridge <NUM>. When it is determined that the level of the aerosol generating material is less than the height of the resistance element <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may determine that the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material is insufficient and may output a signal indicating the lack of the remaining amount.

With reference to <FIG>, when a current is applied to the resistance element <NUM>, not only the resistance element <NUM> but also the aerosol generating material is heated, such that the temperature change of the resistance element <NUM> and a resistance change amount thereof is smaller than in the case of <FIG>. With reference to <FIG>, the resistance change amount of the resistance element <NUM> will be measured to be less than the first threshold value. Thus, the processor <NUM> may determine that the aerosol generating material is in contact with the resistance element <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may determine that the level of the aerosol generating material is greater than or equal to the height of the resistance element <NUM> arranged in the cartridge <NUM>.

In another embodiment, the processor <NUM> may estimate that the amount of the aerosol generating material in contact with the resistance element <NUM> increases as the resistance change amount of the resistance element <NUM> decreases. In addition, the processor <NUM> may estimate that the amount of the aerosol generating material in contact with the resistance element <NUM> decreases as the resistance change amount of the resistance element <NUM> increases. The processor <NUM> may estimate the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material according to the amount of the aerosol generating material in contact with the resistance element <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, although the aerosol generating material is in contact with the resistance element <NUM> in both cases, the amounts of the contacting aerosol generating material are different. Because the heat capacity increases as the mass of the object to be heated increases, the temperature change of the resistance element <NUM> is smaller and the resistance change amount due to the temperature change is also smaller as the amount of the aerosol generating material in contact with the resistance element <NUM> increases when a constant current is applied to the resistance element <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, because the amount of the aerosol generating material in contact with the resistance element <NUM> is greater than in the case of <FIG>, the resistance change amount of the resistance element <NUM> due to a constantly applied current is smaller. The processor <NUM> may estimate that the amount of the aerosol generating material in contact with the resistance element <NUM> increases as the resistance change amount decreases, thereby estimating the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material. Contrary to this, the processor <NUM> may estimate that the amount of the aerosol generating material in contact with the resistance element <NUM> decreases as the resistance change amount increases. When the value is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, the processor <NUM> may estimate that the aerosol generating material is not in contact with the resistance element <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a cartridge including a plurality of resistance elements.

<FIG> illustrate the cartridge <NUM> in which different amounts of aerosol generating materials are stored, respectively. <FIG> illustrates a case where an aerosol generating material is not in contact with any of the resistance elements 520a, 520b, 520c, and 520d, <FIG> illustrates a case where an aerosol generating material is in contact with only two resistance elements 520b and 520d, and <FIG> illustrates a case where the aerosol generating material is in contact with all resistance elements 520a, 520b, 520c, and 520d.

In the example illustrated in <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may estimate the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material by using two methods. First, as described above with reference to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may compare the resistance change amount of the resistance element <NUM> with the first threshold value, thereby determining whether the aerosol generating material is in contact with the resistance element <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the resistance change amounts of all of the resistance elements 520a, 520b, 520c, and 520d is measured to be greater than or equal to the first threshold value. Thus, the processor <NUM> may determine that an aerosol generating material is not in contact with any of the resistance elements 520a, 520b, 520c, and 520d. In this case, the processor <NUM> may determine that the level of the aerosol generating material is less than the height of the resistance elements 520a and 520d at the lower end.

With reference to <FIG>, the resistance change amount of resistance elements 520b and 520d at the lower end is measured to be less than the first threshold value, and the resistance change amount of the resistance elements 520a and 520c at the upper end is measured to be greater than or equal to the first threshold value. Thus, the processor <NUM> may determine that an aerosol generating material is in contact with only the resistance elements 520b and 520d at the lower end and may determine that the level of the aerosol generating material is between the heights of the resistance elements 520b and 520d at the lower end and the resistance elements 520a and 520c at the upper end.

With reference to <FIG>, the resistance change amount of all of the resistance elements 520a, 520b, 520c, and 520d is measured to be less than the first threshold value. Thus, the processor <NUM> may determine that the aerosol generating material is in contact with all of the resistance elements 520a, 520b, 520c, and 520d. In this case, the processor <NUM> may determine that the level of the aerosol generating material is greater than or equal to a height of the resistance elements 520a and 520c at the upper end.

As a second method of measuring the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material, the processor <NUM> may individually measure the resistance change amount of each of the resistance elements (e.g., resistance elements 520a, 520b, 520c, and 520d) and may estimate the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material based on a difference between the individually-measured resistance change amounts. A signal may be individually applied to the processor <NUM> from each resistance element, so that the processor <NUM> may individually measure the resistance change amount. The processor <NUM> may individually measure the resistance change amount, thereby more precisely estimating the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material.

Referring to <FIG>, because the resistance change amount of the resistance element 520b, with which the aerosol generating material is in contact, is small, and the resistance change amount of the resistance element 520a, with which the aerosol generating material is not in contact, is large, a difference in the resistance change amount between the resistance element 520b with which the aerosol generating material is in contact and the resistance element 520b with which the aerosol generating material is not in contact is measured to be greater than when two resistance elements 520a and 520b are both in contact with the aerosol generating material or are both not in contact with the aerosol generating material. Thus, the processor <NUM> may determine whether only one of two resistance elements 520a and 520b is in contact with the aerosol generating material or both resistance elements 520a and 520b are in contact with or not in contact with the aerosol generating material, based on the difference in the resistance change amount.

The processor <NUM> may compare a second threshold value with the difference in the resistance change amount between any two resistance elements (e.g., resistance elements 520a and 520b), thereby determining the level of the aerosol generating material in the cartridge <NUM>. The second threshold value corresponds to a threshold value in the resistance change amount for determining whether the level of the aerosol generating material is between any two resistance elements. The second threshold value may be set to be less than the difference in the resistance change amount between any two resistance elements measured when the level of the aerosol generating material is between the two resistance elements. The second threshold value may be set considering, for example, a specific resistance of the resistance element, a resistance temperature coefficient of the resistance element, a material of the resistance element, the magnitude of the current applied to the resistance element, and the capacity of the cartridge <NUM>.

When the difference in the resistance change amount between any two resistance elements (e.g., resistance elements 520a and 520b) is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, the processor <NUM> may determine that the level of the aerosol generating material is between the two resistance elements. With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, because the difference in the resistance change amount between the resistance elements 520a, 520b, 520c, and 520d is measured to be less than the second threshold value, the processor <NUM> may determine that the level of the aerosol generating material is lower or higher than the resistance elements 520a, 520b, 520c, and 520d.

On the other hand, with reference to <FIG>, the difference in the resistance change amount between the resistance elements 520a and 520c at the upper end and the resistance elements 520b and 520d at the lower end is measured to be greater than or equal to the second threshold value. Thus, the processor <NUM> may determine that the level of the aerosol generating material is between the resistance elements 520a and 520c at the upper end and the resistance elements 520b and 520d at the lower end.

<FIG> illustrate an example in which a cartridge having a plurality of resistance elements is inclined.

<FIG> illustrate the cartridge <NUM> in which different amounts of aerosol generating materials are stored, respectively.

<FIG> illustrates a case where only the resistance element 520d at the right lower-end is in contact with the aerosol generating material, and <FIG> illustrates a case where only the resistance element 520a at the left upper-end is not in contact with the aerosol generating material.

As shown in <FIG>, when the resistance elements 520c and 520d at the right side and the resistance elements 520a and 520b at the left side are arranged symmetrical to each other, when the resistance change amounts of both the resistance elements 520a and 520c or the resistance elements 520b and 520d that face each other are different from each other, the processor <NUM> may determine that the cartridge <NUM> is inclined, and may determine the level of the aerosol generating material in a state in which the cartridge <NUM> is inclined. The processor <NUM> may measure the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material based on the level of the aerosol generating material.

As described above with reference to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may compare the first threshold value with the resistance change amount of the resistance element <NUM>, thereby determining whether the aerosol generating material is in contact with the resistance element <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, only the resistance change amount of the resistance element 520d at the right lower-end is measured to be less than the first threshold value, and the processor <NUM> may determine that only the resistance element 520d at the right lower-end is in contact with the aerosol generating material. Thus, the processor <NUM> may determine that the cartridge <NUM> is inclined to the right, and the processor may determine that the level of the aerosol generating material is between the resistance element 520d at the right lower-end and the resistance element 520c at the right upper-end and is at a lower position than the resistance elements 520a and 520b at the left side.

With reference to <FIG>, only the resistance change amount of the resistance element 520a at the left upper-end is measured to be greater than or equal to the first threshold value, and the processor <NUM> may determine that the aerosol generating material is not in contact with the resistance element 520a at the left upper-end. Thus, the processor <NUM> may determine that the cartridge <NUM> is inclined to the right and may determine that the level of the aerosol generating material is between the resistance element 520a at the left upper-end and the resistance element 520b at the left upper-end and is at a higher position than the resistance elements 520c and 520d at the right side.

As described above with respect to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may compare the second threshold value with the difference in the resistance change amounts between the resistance elements 520a, 520b, 520c, and 520d, thereby determining the level of the aerosol generating material in the cartridge <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, a difference in the resistance change amount between the resistance element 520d at the right lower-end and the other resistance elements 520a, 520b, and 520c is measured to be greater than or equal to the second threshold value, and a difference in the resistance change amount between the other resistance elements 520a, 520b, and 520c is measured to be less than the second threshold value. Thus, the processor <NUM> may determine that the cartridge <NUM> is inclined to the right and the level of the aerosol generating material is between the resistance element 520d at the right lower-end and the other resistance elements 520a, 520b, and 520c.

With reference to <FIG>, a difference in the resistance change amount between the resistance element 520a at the left upper-end and the other resistance elements 520b, 520c, and 520d is measured to be greater than or equal to the second threshold value, and a difference in the resistance change amount between the other resistance elements 520b, 520c, and 520d is measured to be less than the second threshold value. Thus, the processor <NUM> may determine that the cartridge <NUM> is inclined to the right and the level of the aerosol generating material is between the lresistance element 520a at the left upper-end and the other resistance elements 520b, 520c, and 520d.

<FIG> illustrates another example of a cartridge having a plurality of resistance elements.

Referring to <FIG>, unlike the embodiments shown in <FIG>, six resistance elements <NUM> are arranged on each of the front and rear surfaces of the cartridge <NUM>. According to embodiments, the position of the resistance elements <NUM> and the number of resistance elements <NUM> may be variously set and may be arranged on the bottom surface of the cartridge <NUM>, for example. The arrangement of the resistance element is not limited to the examples of <FIG>, and various modifications and other equivalent embodiments may be made.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of operating the aerosol generating device shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, an example of the method of operating the aerosol generating device <NUM> includes operations to be performed in a time series by the aerosol generating device <NUM> shown in <FIG>. It is to be understood that descriptions of the aerosol generating device <NUM> provided above with reference to <FIG> may also applied to the method of operating the aerosol generating device <NUM> of <FIG>.

In operation <NUM>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may apply a current to at least one resistance element <NUM> that passes through the housing <NUM> in the thickness direction of the housing <NUM> that forms an accommodation space of the aerosol generating material.

One side surface of the resistance element <NUM> may be in contact with the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge <NUM>, and the other side surface of the resistance element <NUM> may be in contact with the main body <NUM> in which the cartridge <NUM> is accommodated.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may apply a current to the resistance element <NUM> so that the temperature of the resistance element <NUM> changes to a temperature less than an evaporation point of the aerosol generating material.

In operation <NUM>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may measure the resistance change amount corresponding to the temperature change of at least one resistance element <NUM> due to the applied current.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may individually measure the resistance change amount generated from each of at least one resistance element <NUM>.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may apply a current caused by PWM control to the resistance element <NUM>, may convert a signal corresponding to the resistance change amount into a digital signal through an ADC and may measure the resistance change amount based on the digital signal.

In operation <NUM>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may estimate the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material stored in the accommodation space based on the resistance change amount.

In an embodiment, when the resistance change amount is less than the first threshold value, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may determine that the aerosol generating material is in contact with the resistance element <NUM>, and when the resistance change amount is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may determine that the aerosol generating material is not in contact with the resistance element <NUM> and may estimate the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material depending on whether the aerosol generating material is in contact with the resistance element <NUM>.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may estimate that the amount of the aerosol generating material contacting the resistance element <NUM> increases as the resistance change amount decreases and may estimate that the amount of the aerosol generating material contacting the resistance element <NUM> decreases as the resistance change amount increases.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may estimate the remaining amount based on a difference between individually-measured resistance change amounts. For example, when the difference in the resistance change amount between any two resistance elements <NUM> is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may determine that the level of the aerosol generating material in the cartridge <NUM> is between the two resistance elements <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a cartridge.

Referring to <FIG>, a cartridge <NUM> may include a liquid storage <NUM>, a liquid delivery element <NUM>, a heater <NUM>, and a resistance element <NUM>. The liquid storage <NUM>, the liquid delivery element <NUM>, the heater <NUM>, and the resistance element <NUM> of <FIG> may correspond to the cartridge <NUM>, the liquid storage <NUM>, a liquid delivery element, the heater <NUM>, and the resistance element <NUM> of the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>.

Some components related to the present embodiment are shown in the cartridge <NUM> shown in <FIG>. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that general-purpose components other than the components shown in <FIG> may be further included in the cartridge <NUM>.

The liquid storage <NUM> may include a housing <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) that forms the accommodation space of the aerosol generating material. The aerosol generating material may be stored in the accommodation space formed in the housing <NUM>. The liquid delivery element <NUM> may receive the aerosol generating material from the liquid storage <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may heat the aerosol generating material delivered to the liquid delivery element <NUM> at a temperature higher than the evaporation point of the aerosol generating material, thereby generating an aerosol.

The resistance element <NUM> may pass through the housing <NUM> in the thickness direction of the housing <NUM>. For example, one side surface of the resistance element <NUM> may be in contact with the aerosol generating material stored in the liquid storage <NUM>, and another side surface of the resistance element <NUM>, opposite to the one side surface, may be in contact with the main body <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) in which the cartridge <NUM> is accommodated. The temperature of the resistance element <NUM> may change to a temperature less than the evaporation point of the aerosol generating material due to the current applied from the main body <NUM>.

The remaining amount of the aerosol generating material stored in the liquid storage <NUM> may be estimated based on the resistance change amount of the resistance element <NUM> due to the current applied to the resistance element <NUM> from the main body <NUM>. In an embodiment, when the resistance change amount of the resistance element <NUM> is less than the first threshold value, it may be determined that the aerosol generating material is in contact with the resistance element <NUM>, and when the resistance change amount of the resistance element <NUM> is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, it may be determined that the aerosol generating material is not in contact with the resistance element <NUM>. The remaining amount of the aerosol generating material may be estimated depending on whether the aerosol generating material is in contact with the resistance element <NUM>. The first threshold value with respect to the resistance change amount may be set considering a specific resistance of the resistance element <NUM>, a resistance temperature coefficient of the resistance element <NUM>, a material of the resistance element <NUM>, the magnitude of the current applied to the resistance element <NUM>, and the capacity of the cartridge <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An aerosol generating device (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a cartridge (<NUM>) configured to store an aerosol generating material; and
a main body (<NUM>) configured to accommodate the cartridge (<NUM>),
wherein the cartridge (<NUM>) comprises:
a housing (<NUM>) that includes an accommodation space that is configured to accommodate the aerosol generating material; and
at least one resistance element (<NUM>; 520a-d) that passes through the housing (<NUM>) in a thickness direction of the housing (<NUM>), and
the main body (<NUM>) comprises at least one contact element (<NUM>) that is configured to be electrically connected to the at least one resistance element (<NUM>; 520a-d) in a case where the cartridge (<NUM>) is accommodated in the main body (<NUM>),
wherein the aerosol generating device (<NUM>, <NUM>) further comprises a processor (<NUM>) configured to estimate a remaining amount of the aerosol generating material based on a resistance change amount of the at least one resistance element (<NUM>; 520a-d) due to a current applied to the at least one resistance element (<NUM>; 520a-d) through the at least one contact element (<NUM>).