Patent Description:
Recently, there is a growing demand for alternative methods for resolving problems of a regular combustion-type cigarette. For example, there is an increasing demand for a method of generating aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material in cigarettes, rather than by burning cigarettes. In this regard, researches on heating-type cigarettes and heating-type aerosol generating apparatuses are being actively carried out.

An aerosol generating device is a portable electronic device, and, since it is structurally impossible that all exposed surfaces thereof are waterproofed, a liquid may be easily introduced therein. When an aerosol generating device is operated with liquid introduced therein, a circuit board included in the aerosol generating device may likely be damaged, and thus it is necessary for a controller to quickly detect flooding and notify the flooding to a user. <CIT> relates to an electronic cigarette and a method for adjusting the power thereof. The electronic cigarette comprises an atomizer and a battery device. The battery device comprises a housing, and a controller and a power output module inside the housing. The atomizer is detachably connected to the battery device. The housing is provided with an indication module. The controller is electrically connected to the indication module and the power output module, separately. The controller controls the indication module to alternately output different indication signals, determines, when it is detected that the atomizer is connected to the battery device, target output power corresponding to a current indication signal of the indication module according to pre-stored correspondences between the indication signals and output power, and controls, when a suction signal is detected, the power output module for output at the target output power.

One or more exemplary embodiments provide an aerosol generating device with improved flooding detecting function that enables quick detection of introduction of liquid when the liquid is introduced therein.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, an aerosol generating device includes an component accommodating space having an opening on an outer surface of the aerosol generating device such that a removable component is accommodated in the component accommodating space through the opening; a controller configured to periodically generate a test signal; a detection signal generator configured to generate a flooding detection signal based on the test signal when a liquid is introduced through the opening; and a detection signal transmitter configured to receive a generated flooding detection signal and transmit the received flooding detection signal to the controller, wherein the controller determines whether the aerosol generating device is flooded based on the flooding detection signal.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, a method of detecting flooding of aerosol generating device, the method includes generating, by a controller, a test signal periodically; generating, by the detection signal generator, a flooding detection signal based on the test signal when a liquid is introduced through an opening of a component accommodating space that is formed on an outer surface of the aerosol generating device such that a removable component is accommodated in the component accommodating space through the opening; transmitting, by a detection signal transmitter, the flooding detection signal to the controller; and determining, by the controller, whether the aerosol generating device is flooded based on the flooding detection signal.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, there is provided a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a computer program for implementing the method.

Also, to resolve the above technical goal, an aerosol generating device according to another exemplary embodiment may be provided to a user.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, when a liquid flows into the aerosol generating device, the flooding of the aerosol generating device may be detected through a switch circuit which is shorted by the liquid, without a separate liquid sensor. As a result, a size of the aerosol generating device may be reduced because it is not necessary to allocate a space for the liquid sensor in the aerosol generating device.

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, an aerosol generating device having a flooding detecting function, the aerosol generating device includes a component accommodating space having an opening on an outer surface of the aerosol generating device and allowing a removable component to be accommodated therein through the opening; a controller configured to periodically generate a test signal; a detection signal generator configured to generate a flooding detection signal based on the test signal when a liquid is introduced through the opening; and a detection signal transmitter configured to receive a generated flooding detection signal and transmit the received flooding detection signal to the controller, wherein the controller determines whether the aerosol generating device is flooded based on the flooding detection signal.

The removable component may be a USB charging terminal or a cigarette that contains an aerosol generating substance.

The detection signal transmitter may transmit the flooding detection signal to the controller after receiving the flooding detection signal from the detection signal generator.

The detection signal generator may generate the flooding detection signal based on the test signal being received within a predetermined time after the liquid is introduced.

The detection signal generator may be located within a first predetermined distance from the opening.

The detection signal generator may be electrically connected to the detection signal transmitter by the liquid introduced through the opening such that the detection signal transmitter receives the flooding detection signal from the detection signal generator.

The controller may determine whether the aerosol generating device is flooded based on a result of comparing the flooding detection signal with a pre-stored reference flooding signal.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, a method of detecting flooding of aerosol generating device, the method includes generating, by a controller, a test signal periodically; generating, by the detection signal generator, a flooding detection signal based on the test signal when a liquid is introduced through an opening of a component accommodating space that is formed on an outer surface of the aerosol generating device and allows a removable component to be accommodated in the component accommodating through the opening; transmitting, by a detection signal transmitter, the flooding detection signal to the controller; and determining, by the controller, whether the aerosol generating device is flooded based on the flooding detection signal.

The transmitting of the flooding detection signal may include receiving the flooding detection signal from the detection signal generator.

The generating of the flooding detection signal may include generating the flooding detection signal based on the test signal being received within a predetermined time after the liquid is introduced.

The transmitting of the flood detection signal may include receiving, by the detection signal transmitter, the flooding detection signal from the detection signal generator after the detection signal generator is electrically connected to the detection signal transmitter by the liquid introduced through the opening.

The determining may include determining whether the aerosol generating device is flooded based on a result of comparing the flooding detection signal with a pre-stored reference flooding signal.

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. In this regard, the present exemplary embodiments may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments are merely described below, by referring to the figures, to explain aspects of the present description.

General terms that are now widely used are selected in the description of exemplary embodiments, as far as possible, taking into account functions in the present disclosure, but the terms used herein may be changed according to the intention of one of skill in the art, precedents, the advent of new technology, or the like. There are terms discretionally selected by an applicant on particular occasions. These terms will be explained in detail in relevant description. Therefore, terms used herein are not just names but should be defined based on the meaning of the terms and the whole content of the present disclosure.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings so as to be easily implemented by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein.

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

<FIG> illustrate components of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, which are related to the present exemplary embodiment. Therefore, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art related to the present exemplary embodiment that other components may be further included in the aerosol generating device <NUM>, in addition to the components illustrated in <FIG>.

Also, <FIG> illustrate that the aerosol generating device <NUM> includes the heater <NUM>. However, as necessary, the heater <NUM> may be omitted.

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

According to necessity, even when the cigarette <NUM> is not inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may heat the heater <NUM>.

A processor can be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or can be implemented as a combination of a microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored.

The vaporizer <NUM> may generate aerosol by heating a liquid composition and the generated aerosol may pass through the cigarette <NUM> to be delivered to a user. In other words, the aerosol generated via the vaporizer <NUM> may move along an air flow passage of the aerosol generating device <NUM> and the air flow passage may be configured such that the aerosol generated via the vaporizer <NUM> passes through the cigarette <NUM> to be delivered to the user.

The aerosol generating device <NUM> may include other components in addition to the battery <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, the heater <NUM>, and the vaporizer <NUM>. For example, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting haptic information. Also, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include at least one sensor (e.g., a puff detecting sensor, a temperature detecting sensor, a cigarette insertion detecting sensor, etc.). Also, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be formed as a structure where, even when the cigarette <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged.

The cigarette <NUM> may be similar to 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, opening and closing of the air passage and/ or a size of the air passage may be adjusted by the user. Accordingly, the amount and smoothness of smoke 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>.

Hereinafter, an example of the cigarette <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams showing examples of cigarettes.

Referring to <FIG>, the cigarette <NUM> may include a tobacco rod <NUM> and a filter rod <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG> may include the tobacco rod, and the second portion may include the filter rod <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates that the filter rod <NUM> includes a single segment. However, the filter rod <NUM> is not limited thereto. In other words, the filter rod <NUM> may include a plurality of segments. For example, the filter rod <NUM> may include a first segment configured to cool an aerosol and a second segment configured to filter a certain component included in the aerosol. Also, as necessary, the filter rod <NUM> may further include at least one segment configured to perform other functions.

The cigarette <NUM> may be packaged using at least one wrapper <NUM>. The wrapper <NUM> may have at least one hole through which external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged. For example, the cigarette <NUM> may be packaged using one wrapper <NUM>. As another example, the cigarette <NUM> may be double-packaged using at least two wrappers <NUM>. For example, the tobacco rod <NUM> may be packaged using a first wrapper <NUM>, and the filter rod <NUM> may be packaged using wrappers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In addition, the cigarette <NUM> may be repackaged by a single wrapper <NUM>. When each of the tobacco rod <NUM> and the filter rod <NUM> includes a plurality of segments, each segment may be packaged using wrappers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

Also, the tobacco rod <NUM> may be formed as a pipe tobacco, which includes tiny bits cut from a tobacco sheet. The tobacco rod <NUM> may be surrounded by a heat conductive material. For example, the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod <NUM> may uniformly distribute heat transmitted to the tobacco rod <NUM>, and thus, the heat conductivity of the tobacco rod may be increased. As a result, the taste of the tobacco may be improved.

Referring to <FIG>, the cigarette <NUM> may include a front-end plug <NUM>. The front-end plug <NUM> may be located on a side of the tobacco rod <NUM>, the side not facing the filter rod <NUM>. The front-end plug <NUM> may prevent the tobacco rod <NUM> from being detached and may prevent the liquefied aerosol from flowing from the tobacco rod <NUM> into an aerosol generating device during smoking.

The filter rod <NUM> may include a first segment <NUM> and a second segment <NUM>. Here, the first segment <NUM> may correspond to the first segment of the filter rod <NUM> of <FIG>, and the second segment <NUM> may correspond to the third segment of the filter rod <NUM> of <FIG>.

The diameter and the total length of the cigarette <NUM> may correspond to the diameter and the total length of the cigarette <NUM> of <FIG>.

The cigarette <NUM> may be wrapped by at least one wrapper <NUM>. At least one hole through which outside air flows in or inside gas flows out may be formed in the wrapper <NUM>. For example, the front-end plug <NUM> may be wrapped by a first wrapper <NUM>, the tobacco rod <NUM> may be wrapped by a second wrapper <NUM>, the first segment <NUM> may be wrapped by a third wrapper <NUM>, and the second segment <NUM> may be wrapped by a fourth wrapper <NUM>. Also, the entire cigarette <NUM> may be re-wrapped by a fifth wrapper <NUM>.

Also, at least one perforation <NUM> may be formed in the fifth wrapper <NUM>. For example, the perforation <NUM> may be formed in a region surrounding the tobacco rod <NUM>, but is not limited thereto. The perforation <NUM> may serve to transfer heat generated by the heater <NUM> shown in <FIG> into the tobacco rod <NUM>.

Also, the second segment <NUM> may include at least one capsule <NUM>. Here, the capsule <NUM> may serve to generate a flavor or serve to generate an aerosol. For example, the capsule <NUM> may have a structure that a liquid containing perfume is wrapped in a film. The capsule <NUM> may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

<FIG> is a schematic block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one or more exemplary embodiments;.

Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to one or more exemplary embodiments includes a battery <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, a heater <NUM>, a pulse width modulation (PWM) processor <NUM>, a display <NUM>, a motor <NUM>, a storage device <NUM>, a detection signal generator 18a, a detection signal transmitter 18b, and a switch <NUM>. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, general functions of the component included in the aerosol generating device <NUM> will be described first, and the operation of the controller <NUM> according to one or more exemplary embodiments will be described in detail.

The battery <NUM> supplies power to the heater <NUM>, and the magnitude of the power supplied to the heater <NUM> may be adjusted by a control signal generated by the controller <NUM>. According to some exemplary embodiments, a regulator for maintaining a constant voltage of the battery <NUM> may be provided between the battery <NUM> and the control unit <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> generates and transmits control signals, thereby controlling the battery <NUM>, the heater <NUM>, the PWM processor <NUM>, the display <NUM>, the motor <NUM>, the storage device <NUM>, the detection signal generator 18a, and the detection signal transmitter 18b. Although not shown in <FIG>, according to some exemplary embodiments, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may further include an input receiver for receiving button inputs or touch inputs of a user and a communicator for performing a communication with an external communication device like a user terminal. Also, although not shown in <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may further include a module for performing proportional integral derivative (PID) control for the heater <NUM>.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the controller <NUM> generates test signals and transmits the test signals to the detection signal generator 18a, periodically. When a liquid flows into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may receive a flooding detection signal corresponding to a test signal transmitted to the detection signal generator 18a from the detection signal transmitter 18b. On the other hand, when no liquid flows into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may only transmit a test signal to the detection signal generator 18a and may not receive a flooding detection signal corresponding to the transmitted test signal. The process that the controller <NUM> receives or does not receive a flooding detection signal corresponding to a test signal will be described below in detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

The heater <NUM> generates heat due to specific resistance when a current is applied thereto, and aerosol may be generated when an aerosol generating substance is heated by the heated heater <NUM>.

The PWM processor <NUM> enables the controller <NUM> to control power supplied to the heater <NUM> by transmitting a PWM signal to the heater <NUM>. According to exemplary embodiments, the PWM processor <NUM> may be embedded in the controller <NUM>, and a PWM signal output from the PWM processor <NUM> may be a digital PWM signal.

The display <NUM> visually outputs various alarm messages generated by the aerosol generating device <NUM>, such that a user who uses the aerosol generating device <NUM> may check the alarm messages. A user may check a low battery power message or a susceptor overheat warning message displayed on the display <NUM>, and stop the operation of the aerosol generating device <NUM> or take an appropriate measure before the aerosol generating device <NUM> is damaged.

The motor <NUM> is driven by the controller <NUM> and output various tactile messages to the user. For example, the motor <NUM> may allow a user to tactilely recognize that the aerosol generating device <NUM> is ready to be used.

The storage device <NUM> stores various information for the controller <NUM> to appropriately control power supplied to the heater <NUM> to provide a consistent flavor to a user of the aerosol generating device <NUM>. The storage device <NUM> may not only be configured as a non-volatile memory like a flash memory, but also be configured as a volatile memory that temporarily stores data only when power is supplied thereto to secure a faster data input/output (I/O) speed.

When a liquid flows into at least one component accommodating space, which is provided on an outer surface of the aerosol generating device <NUM> to accommodate a removable component, through an opening as the removable component is accommodated into or removed from the component accommodating space, the detection signal generator 18a generates a flooding detection signal based on a test signal generated by the controller <NUM>. In detail, the opening is closed when a removable component is accommodated in (i.e., attached to) the aerosol generating device <NUM> via the component accommodating space, and the opening remains open when the removable component is removed (i.e., detached) from the component accommodating space.

The component accommodating space is provided in the aerosol generating device <NUM>. The component accommodating space for accommodating a removable component (e.g., a cigarette) in the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the volume of the component accommodating space may be proportional to the volume of the removable component. The component accommodating space may include an opening for connection with the controller <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> through an internal circuit. A liquid may flow into the aerosol generating device <NUM> through the opening of the component accommodating space, which will be described below in detail with reference to <FIG>.

In some exemplary embodiments, a cap (not shown) may be additionally provided to cover the opening while the removable component is not attached to the aerosol generating device <NUM>. Although the cap covers the opening, it may not completely seal the opening. Therefore, there is a possibility that a liquid may still flow in the opening even when the opening is covered by the cap.

In an exemplary embodiment, the removable component may be a USB charging terminal or a cigarette <NUM> that is heated by a heater and generate aerosol. In the case of the USB charging terminal, the component accommodating space may be a space where the USB port is located. When the removable component is the cigarette <NUM>, the component accommodating space may be a cigarette insertion hole.

The detection signal transmitter 18b receives a flooding detection signal from the detection signal generator 18a and transmits the flooding detection signal to the controller <NUM>. For example, when a liquid flows into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the detection signal generator 18a may receive a test signal from the controller <NUM> and generate a flooding detection signal based on the received test signal. The detection signal transmitter 18b may transmit the generated flooding detection signal to the controller <NUM>, such that the controller <NUM> may determine whether the aerosol generating device <NUM> is flooded based on the flooding detection signal.

In another example, when no liquid flows into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, even when the detection signal generator 18a receives a test signal from the controller <NUM> and generates a flooding detection signal, the flooding detection signal is not transmitted to the transmitter 18b. In detail, when no liquid flows into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, a circuit between the detection signal generator 18a and the detection signal transmitter 18b operates as an open circuit, and thus, even when a flooding detection signal is generated by the generator 18a, the flooding detection signal is not transmitted to the detection signal transmitter 18b. Detailed descriptions thereof will be given below with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

The switch <NUM> may be located between the controller <NUM> and the detection signal generator 18a and is opened or closed to control transmission of a test signal generated by the controller <NUM> to the detection signal generator 18a. In <FIG>, the switch <NUM> is not opened or closed by a particular element. Rather, when a liquid flows into the opening of the component accommodating space of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the switch <NUM> interconnects the controller <NUM> and the detection signal generator 18a when a short circuit occurs due to the liquid. To this end, the switch <NUM> is located within a pre-set distance from the opening of the component accommodating space.

On the other hand, when no liquid flows into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the switch <NUM> operates as an open circuit. In this case, the detection signal generator 18a is unable to generate a flooding detection signal based on a test signal. Otherwise, a flooding detection signal may be generated, the detection signal generator 18a is unable to transmit the flooding detection signal to the detection signal transmitter 18b. In <FIG>, the switch <NUM> is located between the controller <NUM> and the detection signal generator 18a. However, according to other exemplary embodiments, the switch <NUM> may be located between the detection signal generator 18a and the detection signal transmitter 18b, or may be embedded in the detection signal generator 18a.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, when a liquid flows into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the flooding of the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be detected through a switch circuit which is shorted by the liquid, without a separate liquid sensor. As a result, a size of the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be reduced because it is not necessary to allocate a space for the liquid sensor in the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

Also, according to one or more exemplary embodiments, flooding of the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be detected without using a relatively expensive liquid sensor, and thus the manufacturing cost of the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be significantly reduced.

<FIG> is a schematic view of an aerosol generating device according to one or more exemplary embodiments.

In detail, the aerosol generating device <NUM> of <FIG> includes not only the controller <NUM>, the detection signal generator 18a, and the detection signal transmitter 18b, which are shown in <FIG>, but also a cigarette insertion hole <NUM> an USB terminal <NUM>, which correspond to a component accommodating space described above. <FIG> shows that there are two detection signal generators 18a and two detection signal transmitter 18b. However, the numbers of the detection signal generators 18a and the detection signal transmitters 18b may increase in proportion to the increased number of the component accommodating spaces. Also, although not shown in <FIG>, the detection signal generator 18a or the detection signal transmitter 18b may include the switch <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>.

Hereinafter, a process that the controller <NUM> receives a flooding detection signal will be described with reference to in <FIG>. For convenience of explanation, <FIG> will also be referred to.

First, the controller <NUM> periodically generates a test signal and transmits the test signal to the detection signal generator 18a. The detection signal generator 18a is located within a first pre-set distance from an opening of the cigarette insertion hole <NUM>, which is one of component accommodating spaces.

Referring to <FIG>, a first distance d between the detection signal generator 18a and the opening of the cigarette insertion hole <NUM> is shown. The first distance is pre-set to be sufficiently small such that a liquid <NUM> flowing in through the opening do not flood circuits other than the detection signal generator 18a. At this time, the detection signal generator 18a may include the switch <NUM> which may temporarily operate as a short circuit by the liquid <NUM>. Also, a direction in which the first distance is measured may be one of a horizontal, a vertical, and a diagonal direction between the detection signal generator 18a and the opening, and the direction in which the first distance is measured in <FIG> may be an example.

As the switch <NUM> temporarily configures a short circuit due to the liquid <NUM>, the detection signal transmitter 18b forms an electrically closed circuit with the detection signal generator 18a, and thus a flooding detection signal generated from a test signal by the detection signal generator 18a may be received. The detection signal transmitter 18b may transmit the received flooding detection signal to the controller <NUM> as-is or after performing first processing (e.g., filtering) on the flooding detection signal. The controller <NUM> may receive the flooding detection signal and determine that the liquid <NUM> is introduced through the opening of the cigarette insertion hole <NUM>.

In an exemplary embodiment, instead of the detection signal generator 18a, the detection signal transmitter 18b may include the switch <NUM>. In this case, the detection signal transmitter 18b may be located within a second pre-set distance from an opening of a component accommodating space such that the detection signal transmitter 18b may quickly detect the liquid <NUM> introduced through the opening. For example, the detection signal transmitter 18b may be located within a second pre-set distance from the opening of the cigarette insertion hole <NUM>. Here, the second distance is defined as a distance between the opening of the component accommodating space and the detection signal transmitter 18b. According to exemplary embodiments, the second distance may be the same as the above-described first distance. As described above, the switch <NUM> that forms a short circuit due to the liquid <NUM> may be included in either the detection signal generator 18a or the detection signal transmitter 18b. Accordingly, depending on which of them includes the switch <NUM>, the first distance or the second distance may be pre-set as a value for detecting flooding in the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

After a flooding detection signal sent by the detection signal transmitter 18b is received, the controller <NUM> may determine whether the aerosol generating device <NUM> is flooded based on the received flooding detection signal.

Although the above description is given for a case where the component accommodating space is the cigarette insertion hole <NUM>, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that a flooding detection signal may be transmitted to the controller <NUM> in the same regard when the component accommodating space is the USB terminal <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram showing a circuit when the switch is opened, according to an exemplary embodiment.

In detail, <FIG> shows the detection signal generator 18a, the detection signal transmitter 18b, the switch <NUM>, and a ground <NUM>, which are components of the aerosol generating device <NUM>. In <FIG>, it is assumed that no liquid is introduced through an opening of the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

First, the controller <NUM> may periodically generate a test signal and transmit the test signal to the detection signal generator 18a. The detection signal generator 18a is capable of generating a flooding detection signal based on the received test signal. However, when no liquid flows into an opening provided in a component accommodating space of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the switch <NUM> operates as an open circuit (i.e., the switch <NUM> is opened), and thus the detection signal generator 18a is unable to form a closed circuit. Therefore, a test signal transmitted by the controller <NUM> is not transmitted to the detection signal generator 18a.

Meanwhile, since the detection signal transmitter 18b is connected to the controller <NUM> regardless of opening orclosing of the switch <NUM>, a current output from the detection signal transmitter 18b flows toward the ground <NUM> through a resistor.

<FIG> is a diagram showing a circuit when the switch is closed, according to an exemplary embodiment.

In detail, <FIG> shows the detection signal generator 18a, the detection signal transmitter 18b, the switch <NUM>, and a ground <NUM>, which are components of the aerosol generating device <NUM>. In <FIG>, it is assumed that a liquid is introduced through an opening of the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

First, the controller <NUM> may periodically generate a test signal and transmit the test signal to the detection signal generator 18a. The detection signal generator 18a is capable of generating a flooding detection signal based on the received test signal. When a liquid flows into an opening provided in a component accommodating space of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the switch <NUM> operates as a short circuit, and thus the detection signal generator 18a may form a closed circuit. Therefore, a test signal transmitted by the controller <NUM> may be transmitted to the detection signal generator 18a, and the detection signal generator 18a may generate a flooding detection signal based on the test signal.

According to exemplary embodiments, the test signal and the flooding detection signal may include the same information, and the detection signal generator 18a may not include a separate signal generator and function as an element that the test signal simply passes through. A resistance value of a resistor element between the switch <NUM> and the ground <NUM> may be sufficiently large, such that the flooding detection signal (e.g., a current) generated by the detection signal generator 18a may be transmitted to the detection signal transmitter 18b.

When a short circuit formed by an introduced liquid is disengaged, the circuit of <FIG> may be returned to a circuit shown in <FIG>. As described above, according to exemplary embodiments, the switch <NUM> and the ground <NUM> connected to the resistor may be embedded in the detection signal generator 18a or the detection signal transmitter 18b. A circuit in which a ground connected to a resistor and a switch is located between elements to pull down a floating value is referred to as a pull-down circuit. The detection signal generator 18a or the detection signal transmitter 18b may be configured as a pull-down circuit.

In an exemplary embodiment, the detection signal generator 18a may generate a flooding detection signal based on a test signal received within a predetermined time after a liquid is introduced through the opening of the aerosol generating device <NUM>. In this case, although the switch <NUM> is temporarily turned ON by the introduced liquid, a flooding detection signal may not be generated if a test signal is not received by the detection signal generator 18a within a predetermined time. To implement this exemplary embodiment, a period of transmission of test signals by the controller <NUM> may be appropriately determined based on experimental and empirical data.

<FIG> is a diagram showing a schematic comparison between a test signal transmitted by a controller and a flooding detection signal received by the controller.

The upper graph of <FIG> shows a waveform of a test signal transmitted by the controller <NUM>. According to the upper graph of <FIG>, a test signal transmitted by the controller <NUM> is formed as a high signal having a specific value (e.g., <NUM> V) for duration P. The test signal may be generated and transmitted to the detection signal generator 18a periodically every T seconds.

The lower graph of <FIG> shows a waveform of a flooding detection signal received by the controller <NUM>, which is normalized for comparison with a test signal. According to the lower graph of <FIG>, the flooding detection signal is not output when the first test signal is output, but the flooding detection signal is output when the second test signal is output in the second period. It may be seen from <FIG> that no liquid is introduced in the aerosol generating device <NUM> and the switch <NUM> is opened (i.e., turned off) before the first test signal is output, and a liquid is introduced in the aerosol generating device <NUM> and the switch <NUM> is closed (i.e., turned on) before the second test signal is output.

When a period in which both the test signal and the flooding detection signal are output, the controller <NUM> may determine that the aerosol generating device <NUM> is flooded. In another example, in a process for periodically transmitting a test signal, when no flooding detection signal is received or the waveform of a received flooding detection signal is not similar to the waveform of the test signal, the controller <NUM> may determine that the aerosol generating device <NUM> is operating normally without being flooded.

In an exemplary embodiment, the controller <NUM> may determine whether the aerosol generating device <NUM> is flooded based on a result of comparing a flooding detection signal with a pre-stored reference flooding signal, instead of comparing a test signal with the flooding detection signal. In this case, a process for normalizing a flooding detection signal according to the waveform of a test signal may be omitted, and the flooding detection signal may be immediately compared with a reference flooding signal to determine whether the aerosol generating device <NUM> is flooded. Information regarding the reference flood signal may be stored in the controller <NUM> or the storage device <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method of detecting flooding of an aerosol generating device according to an exemplary embodiments.

Since the method of <FIG> may be implemented by the aerosol generating device <NUM> of <FIG>, descriptions below will be given with reference to <FIG>, and descriptions identical to those given above with reference <FIG> will be omitted.

First, the controller <NUM> periodically generates and transmits a test signal (operation S1010).

When a liquid is introduced through an opening of a component accommodating space (operation S1030), the switch <NUM> is turned ON by a short circuit formed by the introduced liquid (operation S1050).

When the controller <NUM> generates a new test signal and transmits the new test signal to the detection signal generator 18a within a predetermined time after the switch <NUM> is turned ON, the detection signal generator 18a generates a flooding detection signal based on the new test signal and transmits the flooding detection signal to the detection signal transmitter 18b (operation S1070). In operation S1070, the detection signal generator 18a and the detection signal transmitter 18b, which were electrically disconnected by the switch <NUM> turned OFF, are electrically connected to each other as the switch <NUM> is turned ON in operation S1050. As a result, the detection signal generator 18a and the detection signal transmitter 18b may exchange signals with each other.

The controller <NUM> may receive a flooding detection signal from the detection signal transmitter 18b and determine whether a liquid is introduced through the opening of the aerosol generating device <NUM> (i.e., whether the aerosol generating device <NUM> is flooded) based on the received flooding detection signal (operation S1090). According to exemplary embodiments, in order to determine whether a liquid is introduced through the opening of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may compare a flooding detection signal with a test signal or a pre-stored reference flooding signal, as described above with reference to <FIG>. On determining that there is flooding, the controller <NUM> may output a notification of flooding through an output interface, such as a display, a motor, a speaker, etc..

In one or more exemplary embodiments, when a liquid flows into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the flooding of the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be detected through a switch which is short-circuited by the liquid without a separate liquid sensor. As a result, a size of the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be reduced because it is not necessary to allocate an independent space for the liquid sensor in the aerosol generating device <NUM>. Also, according to one or more exemplary embodiments, flooding of the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be detected without using a liquid sensor, and thus the manufacturing cost of the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be reduced significantly.

One or more exemplary embodiments described above may be implemented in the form of a computer program that may be executed on a computer through various components, and such a computer program may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium. At this time, the computer-readable recording medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., a hard disk, a floppy disk, and a magnetic tape), an optical recording medium (e.g., a CD-ROM and a DVD), a magneto-optical medium (e.g., a floptical disk), and a hardware device specifically configured to store and execute program instructions (e.g., a ROM, a RAM, and a flash memory).

Meanwhile, the computer program recorded on the medium may be specially designed and configured for example exemplary embodiments or may be published and available to one of ordinary skill in computer software. Examples of computer programs include machine language code such as code generated by a compiler, as well as high-level language code that may be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like.

Specific implementations described in one or more exemplary embodiments do not limit the scope of the inventive concept. For brevity of description, descriptions of conventional electronic components, control systems, software, and other functional aspects of the systems may be omitted. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectors shown in the various figures presented are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical or logical couplings between the various elements, and it should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections or circuit connections may be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item or component is essential to the practice of one or more exemplary embodiments unless the element is specifically described as "essential" or "critical".

The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents in the context of describing one or more exemplary embodiments (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural. Furthermore, recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. Also, the steps of all methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. One or more exemplary embodiments are not limited to the described order of the steps. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the present disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of one or more exemplary embodiments unless otherwise claimed.

At least one of the components, elements, modules or units (collectively "components" in this paragraph) represented by a block in the drawings, such as the controller <NUM>, the detection signal generator 18a, the detection signal transmitter 18b in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, may be embodied as various numbers of hardware, software and/or firmware structures that execute respective functions described above, according to an exemplary embodiment. For example, at least one of these components may use a direct circuit structure, such as a memory, a processor, a logic circuit, a look-up table, etc. that may execute the respective functions through controls of one or more microprocessors or other control apparatuses. Also, at least one of these components may be specifically embodied by a module, a program, or a part of code, which contains one or more executable instructions for performing specified logic functions, and executed by one or more microprocessors or other control apparatuses. Further, at least one of these components may include or may be implemented by a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) that performs the respective functions, a microprocessor, or the like. Two or more of these components may be combined into one single component which performs all operations or functions of the combined two or more components. Also, at least part of functions of at least one of these components may be performed by another of these components. Further, although a bus is not illustrated in the above block diagrams, communication between the components may be performed through the bus. Functional aspects of the above exemplary embodiments may be implemented in algorithms that execute on one or more processors. Furthermore, the components represented by a block or processing steps may employ any number of related art techniques for electronics configuration, signal processing and/or control, data processing and the like.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, when a liquid is introduced through a space in which a removable component of an aerosol generating device is attached or detached, a user may quickly detect the introduction of the liquid and take an action, thereby minimizing damage to an aerosol generating device due to flooding.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, when a liquid flows into an aerosol generating device, the flooding of the aerosol generating device may be detected through a switch circuit which is shorted by the liquid without a separate liquid sensor. As a result, it is not necessary to allocate an independent space in a substrate of the aerosol generating device for the liquid sensor, and thus the aerosol generating device may be easily miniaturized.

Also, according to one or more exemplary embodiments, flooding of an aerosol generating device may be detected without using a relatively expensive liquid sensor, and thus significant reduction of the manufacturing cost of the aerosol generating device may be expected.

Claim 1:
An aerosol generating device (<NUM>) comprising:
at least one component accommodating space having an opening on an outer surface of the aerosol generating device (<NUM>) and allowing a removable component to be accommodated therein through the opening;
a controller (<NUM>) configured to periodically generate a test signal;
a detection signal generator (18a) configured to generate a flooding detection signal based on the test signal when a liquid (<NUM>) is introduced through the opening; and
a detection signal transmitter (18b) configured to receive a generated flooding detection signal and transmit the received flooding detection signal to the controller (<NUM>),
wherein the controller (<NUM>) is further configured to determine whether the aerosol generating device (<NUM>) is flooded based on the flooding detection signal.