Patent ID: 12250974

BEST MODE

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an aerosol generating apparatus includes a heater configured to generate an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material; and a controller configured to control electric power supplied to the heater such that a frequency of an electric power signal, which is lower than or equal to a preset frequency, to be changed over time within a preset range.

In the device, the electric power signal may be a pulse width modulation signal.

In the device, the preset frequency may be 20 KHz.

In the device, the certain range may be −10% to +10% on the basis of the frequency of the electric power signal.

In the device, the certain range may be −5% to +5% on the basis of the frequency of the electric power signal.

In the device, the controller may control the frequency of the electric power signal to reach a lowest frequency and a highest frequency periodically according to a fixed cycle.

In the device, the controller may control a unit of time for changing the frequency of the electric power signal to be increased or decreased according to a preset pattern.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of controlling electric power supplied to a heater of an aerosol generating apparatus with a signal having a frequency less than or equal to a preset frequency, the method comprising: determining whether or not a frequency of an electric power signal supplied to the heater is lower than or equal to a preset frequency; and controlling the frequency of the electric power signal to be changed over time within a preset range based on the frequency of the electric power signal being lower than or equal to the preset frequency.

In the method, the electric power signal may be a pulse width modulation signal.

In the method, the preset frequency may be 20 KHz.

In the method, the certain range may be −10% to +10% on the basis of the frequency of the electric power signal.

In the method, the certain range may be −5% to +5% on the basis of the frequency of the electric power signal.

In the method, the frequency of the electric power signal may be controlled to reach a lowest frequency and a highest frequency periodically according to a fixed cycle, in the frequency change control.

In the method, a unit of time for changing the frequency of the electric power signal may be controlled to be increased or decreased according to a preset pattern, in the frequency change control.

One embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a computer-readable recording medium having stored thereon a program for executing the method.

MODE OF DISCLOSURE

As the present disclosure allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the written description. The attached drawings for illustrating the present disclosure are referred to in order to gain a sufficient understanding, the merits thereof, and the objectives accomplished by the implementation. However, the present disclosure may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein.

Example embodiments will be explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those elements that are the same or are in correspondence are rendered the same reference numeral regardless of the figure number, and redundant explanations are omitted.

While such terms as “first,” “second,” etc., may be used to describe various elements, such elements must not be limited to the above terms. The above terms are used only to distinguish one element from another.

An expression used in the singular encompasses the expression of the plural, unless it has a clearly different meaning in the context.

In the present specification, it is to be understood that the terms such as “including,” “having,” and “comprising” are intended to indicate the existence of the features or elements disclosed in the specification, and are not intended to preclude the possibility that one or more other features or elements may exist or may be added.

When a certain embodiment may be implemented differently, a specific process order may be performed differently from the described order. For example, two consecutively described processes may be performed substantially at the same time or performed in an order opposite to the described order.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS.1through3are diagrams showing examples in which a cigarette is inserted into an aerosol generating apparatus.

Referring toFIG.1, an aerosol generator1includes a battery11, a controller12, and a heater13. Referring toFIG.2andFIG.3, the aerosol generator1further includes a vaporizer14. Also, a cigarette2may be inserted into an inner space of the aerosol generator1.

The elements related to the embodiment are illustrated in the aerosol generator1ofFIGS.1to3. Therefore, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that other universal elements than the elements shown inFIGS.1to3may be further included in the aerosol generator1.

Also,FIGS.2and3show that the aerosol generator1includes the heater13, but if necessary, the heater13may be omitted.

InFIG.1, the battery11, the controller12, and the heater13are arranged in a row. Also,FIG.2shows that the battery11, the controller12, the vaporizer14, and the heater13are arranged in a row. Also,FIG.3shows that the vaporizer14and the heater13are arranged in parallel with each other. However, an internal structure of the aerosol generator1is not limited to the examples shown inFIGS.1to3. That is, according to a design of the aerosol generator1, arrangement of the battery11, the controller12, the heater13, and the vaporizer14may be changed.

When the cigarette2is inserted into the aerosol generator1, the aerosol generator1operates the heater13and/or the vaporizer14to generate aerosol from the cigarette2and/or the vaporizer14. The aerosol generated by the heater13and/or the vaporizer14may be transferred to a user via the cigarette2.

If necessary, even when the cigarette2is not inserted in the aerosol generator1, the aerosol generator1may heat the heater13.

The battery11supplies the electric power used to operate the aerosol generator1. For example, the battery11may supply power for heating the heater13or the vaporizer14and supply power for operating the controller12. In addition, the battery11may supply power for operating a display, a sensor, a motor, and the like installed in the aerosol generator1.

The controller12controls the overall operation of the aerosol generator1. In detail, the controller12may control operations of other elements included in the aerosol generator1, as well as the battery11, the heater13, and the vaporizer14. Also, the controller12may check the status of each component in the aerosol generator1to determine whether the aerosol generator1is in an operable state.

The controller12includes at least one processor. A processor can be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or can be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

The heater13may be heated by the electric power supplied from the battery11. For example, when the cigarette is inserted in the aerosol generator1, the heater13may be located outside the cigarette. Therefore, the heated heater13may raise the temperature of an aerosol generating material in the cigarette.

The heater13may be an electro-resistive heater. For example, the heater13includes an electrically conductive track, and the heater13may be heated as a current flows through the electrically conductive track. However, the heater13is not limited to the above example, and any type of heater may be used provided that the heater is heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be set in advance on the aerosol generator1, or may be set by a user.

In addition, in another example, the heater13may include an induction heating type heater. In detail, the heater13may include an electrically conductive coil for heating the cigarette in an induction heating method, and the cigarette may include a susceptor that may be heated by the induction heating type heater.

For example, the heater13may include a tubular type heating element, a plate type heating element, a needle type heating element, or a rod type heating element, and may heat the inside or outside of the cigarette2according to the shape of the heating element.

Also, there may be a plurality of heaters13in the aerosol generator1. Here, the plurality of heaters13may be arranged to be inserted into the cigarette2or on the outside of the cigarette2. Also, some of the plurality of heaters13may be arranged to be inserted into the cigarette2and the other may be arranged on the outside of the cigarette2. In addition, the shape of the heater13is not limited to the example shown inFIGS.1to3, but may be manufactured in various shapes.

The vaporizer14may generate aerosol by heating a liquid composition and the generated aerosol may be delivered to the user after passing through the cigarette2. In other words, the aerosol generated by the vaporizer14may move along an air flow passage of the aerosol generator1, and the air flow passage may be configured for the aerosol generated by the vaporizer14to be delivered to the user through the cigarette.

For example, the vaporizer14may include a liquid storage unit, a liquid delivering unit, and a heating element, but is not limited thereto. For example, the liquid storage unit, the liquid delivering unit, and the heating element may be included in the aerosol generator1as independent modules.

The liquid storage may store a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco containing material including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid including a non-tobacco material. The liquid storage unit may be attached to/detached from the vaporizer14or may be integrally manufactured with the vaporizer14.

For example, the liquid composition may include water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts, flavorings, flavoring agents, or vitamin mixtures. The flavoring may include, but is not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit flavoring ingredients, etc. The flavoring agent may include components that may provide the user with various flavors or tastes. Vitamin mixtures may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but are not limited thereto. Also, the liquid composition may include an aerosol former such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

The liquid delivery element may deliver the liquid composition of the liquid storage to the heating element. For example, the liquid delivery element may be a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic, but is not limited thereto.

The heating element is an element for heating the liquid composition delivered by the liquid delivering unit. For example, the heating element may be a metal heating wire, a metal hot plate, a ceramic heater, or the like, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heating element may include a conductive filament such as nichrome wire and may be positioned as being wound around the liquid delivery element. The heating element may be heated by a current supply and may transfer heat to the liquid composition in contact with the heating element, thereby heating the liquid composition. As a result, aerosol may be generated.

For example, the vaporizer14may be referred to as a cartomizer or an atomizer, but is not limited thereto.

In addition, the aerosol generator1may further include universal elements, in addition to the battery11, the controller12, the heater13, and the vaporizer14. For example, the aerosol generator1may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting tactile information. In addition, the aerosol generator1may include at least one sensor (a puff sensor, a temperature sensor, a cigarette insertion sensor, etc.) Also, the aerosol generator1may be manufactured to have a structure, in which external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged even in a state where the cigarette2is inserted.

Although not shown inFIGS.1to3, the aerosol generator1may configure a system with an additional cradle. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery11of the aerosol generator1. Alternatively, the heater13may be heated in a state in which the cradle and the aerosol generator1are coupled to each other.

The cigarette2may be similar to a traditional combustive cigarette. For example, the cigarette2may include a first portion containing an aerosol generating material and a second portion including a filter and the like. The second portion of the cigarette2may also include the 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 generator1or the entire first portion and a portion of the second portion may be inserted into the aerosol generator1. The user may puff aerosol while holding the second portion by the mouth of the user. The user may puff aerosol while holding the second portion by the mouth of the user. At this time, the aerosol is generated by as the outside air passes through the first portion, and the generated aerosol passes through the second portion and is delivered to a user's mouth.

For example, the outside air may be introduced through at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generator1. For example, the opening and closing of the air passage formed in the aerosol generator1and/or the size of the air passage may be adjusted by a user. Accordingly, the amount and quality of the aerosol may be adjusted by the user. In another example, the outside air may be introduced into the cigarette2through at least one hole formed in a surface of the cigarette2.

Hereinafter, an example of the cigarette2will be described with reference toFIGS.4and5.

FIGS.4and5illustrate an example of a cigarette.

Referring toFIG.4, the cigarette2includes a tobacco rod21and a filter rod22. The first portion described above with reference toFIGS.1to3include the tobacco rod21and the second portion includes the filter rod22.

InFIG.4, the filter rod22is shown as a single segment, but is not limited thereto. In other words, the filter rod22may include a plurality of segments. For example, the filter rod22may include a first segment for cooling down the aerosol and a second segment for filtering a predetermined component included in the aerosol. Also, if necessary, the filter rod22may further include at least one segment performing another function.

The cigarette2may be packaged by at least one wrapper24. The wrapper24may include at least one hole through which the outside air is introduced or inside air is discharged. For example, the cigarette2may be packaged by one wrapper24. In another example, the cigarette2may be packaged by two or more wrappers24. For example, the tobacco rod21may be packaged via a first wrapper241, and the filter rod22may be packaged by wrappers242to244. And the entire cigarette2may be packaged by another wrapper245. When the filter rod22includes a plurality of segments, each segment may be packaged by separate wrappers242,243, and244.

The tobacco rod21includes an aerosol generating material. For example, the aerosol generating material may include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but it is not limited thereto. In addition, the tobacco rod21may include other additive materials like a flavoring agent, a wetting agent, and/or an organic acid. Also, a flavoring liquid such as menthol, humectant, etc. may be added to the tobacco rod21by being sprayed to the tobacco rod21.

The tobacco rod21may be manufactured variously. For example, the tobacco rod21may be fabricated as a sheet or strands. Also, the tobacco rod21may be fabricated by tobacco leaves that are obtained by fine-cutting a tobacco sheet. Also, the tobacco rod21may be surrounded by a heat conducting material. For example, the heat-conducting material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil. For example, the heat conducting material surrounding the tobacco rod21may improve a thermal conductivity applied to the tobacco rod by evenly dispersing the heat transferred to the tobacco rod21, and thereby improving tobacco taste. Also, the heat conducting material surrounding the tobacco rod21may function as a susceptor that is heated by an inducting heating type heater. Although not shown in the drawings, the tobacco rod21may further include a susceptor, in addition to the heat conducting material surrounding the outside thereof.

The filter rod22may be a cellulose acetate filter. In addition, the filter rod22is not limited to a particular shape. For example, the filter rod22may be a cylinder type rod or a tube type rod including a cavity therein. Also, the filter rod22may be a recess type rod. When the filter rod22includes a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may have a different shape from the others.

Also, the filter rod22may include at least one capsule23. Here, the capsule23may generate flavor or may generate aerosol. For example, the capsule23may have a structure, in which a liquid containing a flavoring material is wrapped with a film. The capsule23may have a circular or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

Referring toFIG.5, the cigarette3additionally includes a front-end plug33. The front-end plug33may be located on a side of the tobacco rod31which does not face the filter rod32. The front-end plug33may prevent the tobacco rod31from escaping to the outside and may prevent a liquefied aerosol from flowing from the tobacco rod31into an aerosol generating device (1ofFIGS.1to3) during smoking.

The filter rod32may include a first segment321and a second segment322. Here, the first segment321may correspond to the first segment of the filter rod22ofFIG.4, and the second segment322may correspond to the third segment of the filter rod22ofFIG.4.

The diameter and the total length of the cigarette3may correspond to the diameter and the total length of the cigarette2ofFIG.4. For example, the length of the front end plug33is about 7 mm, the length of the cigarette rod31is about 15 mm, the length of the first segment321is about 12 mm, and the length of the second segment322is about 14 mm. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

The cigarette3may be wrapped by at least one wrapper35. At least one hole through which outside air flows in or inside gas flows out may be formed in the wrapper35. For example, the front-end plug33may be wrapped by a first wrapper241351, the tobacco rod31may be wrapped by a second wrapper352, the first segment321may be wrapped by a third wrapper353, and the second segment322may be wrapped by a fourth wrapper354. Also, the entire cigarette3may be re-wrapped by a fifth wrapper355.

Also, at least one perforation36may be formed in the fifth wrapper355. For example, the perforation36may be formed in a region surrounding the tobacco rod31, but is not limited thereto. The perforation36may serve to transfer heat generated by the heater13shown inFIGS.2and3into the tobacco rod31.

Also, the second segment322may include at least one capsule34. Here, the capsule34may serve to generate a flavor or serve to generate an aerosol. For example, the capsule34may have a structure in which a liquid containing perfume is wrapped in a film. The capsule34may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

FIG.6is a block diagram schematically showing an example of an aerosol generating apparatus according to the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.6, an aerosol generating apparatus according to the present disclosure may include a controller110, a battery120, a heater130, a pulse width modulation processor140, a display150, a motor160, and a storage device170. Hereinafter, the controller110, the battery120, the heater130, and a vaporizer ofFIG.6have the same structure as the controller12, the battery11, the heater13, and the vaporizer14described with reference toFIGS.2and3, respectively.

The controller110controls overall operations of the battery120, the heater130, the pulse width modulation processor140, the display150, the motor160, and the storage device170included in the aerosol generating apparatus. Although not shown inFIG.6, according to an embodiment, the controller110may further include an input reception unit (not shown) that receives a button input or a touch input of a user, and a communication unit (not shown) capable of communicating with an external communication device such as a user terminal. Although not shown inFIG.6, the controller110may further include a module for performing a proportional integral differential control (PID) for the heater130.

The battery120may supply electric power to the heater130, and a level of the electric power supplied to the heater130may be adjusted by the controller110.

The heater130generates heat by specific resistance thereof when a current is applied thereto, and when an aerosol generating material comes into contact with (couples to) the heated heater, an aerosol may be generated.

The pulse width modulation processor140causes the controller110to control the electric power supplied to the heater130by using a method of transmitting a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal to the heater130. According to an embodiment, the pulse width modulation processor140may be included in the controller110.

The display150visually outputs various alarm messages generated by the aerosol generating apparatus to a user of the aerosol generating apparatus. A user may check a battery power shortage message or a heater overheat warning message output to the display150and take appropriate measures before an operation of the aerosol generating apparatus is stopped or the aerosol generating apparatus is damaged.

The motor160may be driven by the controller110so that a user may recognize that the aerosol generating apparatus is ready for use through a tactile sense.

The storage device170stores various types of information for the controller110to properly control the electric power supplied to the heater130to provide various savors to a user by using the aerosol generating apparatus. For example, the storage device170pre-stores a temperature profile that is referred to by the controller110to appropriately adjust a temperature of the heater130over time, and may transmit the information to the controller110when requested by the controller110. The storage device170may include not only a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory but also a volatile memory that temporarily stores data only during operation in order to secure a faster data input/output (I/O) speed.

The controller110, the pulse width modulation processor140, the display150, the storage device170, and the vaporizer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure correspond to at least one processor or may include at least one processor. Accordingly, the controller110, the pulse width modulation processor140, the display150, the storage device170, and the vaporizer may be driven in a form being included in another hardware device such as a microprocessor or a general-purpose computer system.

The aerosol generating apparatus according to the present disclosure includes the heater130for heating an aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol, and the controller110that controls electric power supplied to the heater130. When a frequency of the electric power signal supplied to the heater130is less than or equal to a preset frequency, the controller110controls the frequency of the electric power signal to be changed over time within a certain range.

A specific method of controlling the electric power supplied to the heater130by the controller110according to the present disclosure will be described later with reference toFIGS.7to10below.

FIG.7is a graph showing an example of a frequency of an electric power signal supplied to a heater of an aerosol generating apparatus according to the present disclosure.

InFIG.7, a horizontal axis represents time, and a vertical axis represents a frequency percentage (hereinafter, referred to as an “addition frequency rate”) by which the controller110adjusts a reference frequency of the electric power signal. A unit of time on the horizontal axis inFIG.7is a second, but may be a millisecond or a microsecond according to an embodiment. The absolute value of the addition frequency rate inFIG.7depends on the reference frequency. The addition frequency rate is shown as a percentage value inFIG.7.

According to the present disclosure, the controller110determines whether the frequency of the electric power signal supplied to the heater130is less than or equal to a preset frequency. If the determined frequency is less than or equal to the preset frequency, the controller100controls the frequency of the electric power signal supplied to the heater130to be changed over time within a certain range. Here, the certain range may be −5% to +5% as represented in the vertical axis ofFIG.7, but may be −10% to +10%, or −5% to +10% according to the embodiment.

In addition, in order for the controller110to control the frequency of the electric power signal to be changed over time in the certain range, it is required that the frequency of the electric power signal is less than or equal to a preset frequency. For example, the preset frequency may be 20 KHz.

Referring toFIG.7, it may be seen that the controller110controls an addition frequency rate of the electric power signal to be changed for each unit of time. For example, according toFIG.7, when a reference frequency of the electric power signal is determined to be 10 KHz which is less than or equal to the preset frequency, the controller110may determine 9.5 KHz calculated by adding −5% to the reference frequency of the electric power signal as the frequency of the electric power signal for supplying electric power to the heater130. As another example, according toFIG.7, the controller110may determine 10.5 KHz calculated by adding +5% to the reference frequency of the electric power signal as the frequency of the electric power signal of the heater130at a point in time when 19 seconds elapses after confirming that the reference frequency of the electric power signal is 10 KHz which is less than or equal to a preset frequency.

As shown inFIG.7, a range of the addition frequency rate of the electric power signal controlled by the controller110is limited to a certain range. In addition, the controller110changes the addition frequency rate for each unit of time. According toFIG.7, it may be seen that the frequency of the electric power signal transmitted to the heater130periodically reaches the lowest frequency or the highest frequency every 19 seconds. InFIG.7, the controller110resets the addition frequency rate of the electric power signal every 19 seconds. According to the embodiment, a cycle in which the addition frequency rate is initialized may be a value other than 19 seconds.

FIG.8is a graph showing another example of the frequency of the electric power signal supplied to the heater of the aerosol generating apparatus according to the present disclosure.

For the sake of convenient description,FIG.8will be described with reference toFIG.7.

According to the optional embodiment shown inFIG.8, the controller110determines whether the frequency of the electric power signal supplied to the heater130is less than or equal to a preset frequency, and when the determined frequency is less than or equal to the preset frequency, the controller110controls the frequency of the electric power signal to reach the lowest frequency and the highest frequency every fixed cycle. Here, a certain range may be −5% to +5% as represented in the vertical axis ofFIG.8, but may be −10% to +10%, or −5% to +10% according to the embodiment.

When comparingFIG.8withFIG.7, it may be seen that a cycle of the graph of the addition frequency rate is 38 seconds instead of 19 seconds as inFIG.7. More specifically, when the addition frequency rate reaches a maximum value of 5% after 19 seconds elapse, the controller110controls the addition frequency rate to be sequentially reduced to −5% over time without initializing the addition frequency rate.

As an example, when the reference frequency of the electric power signal of the heater is determined to be 10 KHz and the addition frequency rate at a point in time when 15 seconds or 23 seconds elapse is +3% after the electric power signal is transmitted to the heater130, the controller110may determine both the frequency at a point in time when 15 seconds elapse and the frequency at a point in time when 23 seconds elapse after the electric power signal is transmitted to the heater130as 10.3 KHz. InFIG.8, the controller110may reset the addition frequency rate every 38 seconds. According to the embodiment, the cycle for initializing the addition frequency rate may be a value other than 38 seconds.

The embodiment according toFIG.8is similar to the embodiment according toFIG.7in that the controller110controls the frequency of the electric power signal to reach the lowest frequency and the highest frequency periodically, but is different from the embodiment according toFIG.7in that the cycle of the graph of the addition frequency rate is two times the cycle of the graph according to the embodiment shown inFIG.7because the addition frequency rate is not initialized after the frequency of the electric power signal of the heater130is increased to the highest frequency.

FIG.9is a graph showing another example of the frequency of the electric power signal supplied to the heater of the aerosol generating apparatus according to the present disclosure.

For the sake of convenient description,FIG.9will be described with reference toFIG.7.

InFIG.9, the controller110controls the unit of time for changing the addition frequency rate to vary. When comparingFIG.9withFIG.7, it may be seen that the controller110changes the addition frequency rate for each unit of time inFIG.7, wherein the controller110controls the unit of time for changing the addition frequency rate to be increased or decreased according to a preset pattern inFIG.9.

For example, inFIG.9, the addition frequency rate is changed to −5%, −4%, −4%, −3%, −3%, −3% over time, and the unit of time for changing the addition frequency rate is changed in the order of 1 second, 2 seconds, and 3 seconds. Here, the order or 1 second, 2 seconds, and 3 seconds constitutes a time pattern.

Subsequently, the addition frequency rate may be changed in the order of −2%, −1%, −1%, 0%, 0%, 0%, and the controller110may calculate the frequency of the electric power signal of the heater130with reference to the addition frequency rate according toFIG.9. InFIG.9, after reaching 5% which is a limit value of a certain range previously set, the addition frequency rate is initialized to −5% as shown inFIG.7.

FIG.10is a graph showing another example different from the above-described example and showing a frequency of an electric power signal supplied to a heater of an aerosol generating apparatus according to the present disclosure.

For the sake of convenient description,FIG.10will be described with reference toFIG.8.

InFIG.10, the controller110controls a unit of time for changing the addition frequency rate to vary. When comparingFIG.10withFIG.8, it may be seen that the controller110controls the addition frequency rate for each unit of time inFIG.8, whereas the controller110controls the unit of time for changing the addition frequency rate to be increased or decreased according to a preset pattern inFIG.10.

For example, inFIG.10, the addition frequency rate is changed to −5%, −4%, −4%, −3%, −3%, −3%, and the unit of time in which the addition frequency rate is changed is in the order of 1 second, 2 seconds, and 3 seconds. Here, the order of 1 second, 2 seconds, and 3 seconds, in which the addition frequency rate is changed, constitutes a time pattern. Subsequently, the addition frequency rate is changed in the order of −2%, −1%, −1%, 0%, 0%, 0%, and the controller110may calculate the frequency of the electric power signal of the hearer130with reference to the addition frequency rate according toFIG.10. InFIG.10, after reaching 5% which is a limit value of a certain range previously set, the addition frequency rate is sequentially decreased to −5% according to a preset time pattern.

According to the embodiments shown inFIGS.7to10, when it is determined that the frequency of the electric power signal for supplying electric power to the heater130is less than or equal to a preset frequency, the controller110of the aerosol generating apparatus according to the present disclosure may increase or decrease a frequency of electric power within a certain range over time, thereby, preventing resonance noise of the aerosol generating apparatus which may be generated due to a low frequency signal. In addition, when a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal is used as an electric power signal, electric power loss due to rising and falling of a square wave may be minimized and tendency to be affected by an external noise signal may be greatly reduced.

FIG.11is a flowchart showing an example of a method of controlling electric power supplied to a heater of an aerosol generating apparatus according to the present disclosure.

FIG.11may be implemented by the aerosol generating apparatus according toFIG.6and will be described with reference toFIG.6, and descriptions overlapping the description made with reference toFIGS.6to10will be omitted below.

First, the controller110checks a frequency of a PWM signal that supplies electric power to the heater130(S1110).

When the frequency of the PWM signal for supplying electric power to the heater130is 20 KHz or less (S1120), the controller110controls the frequency of the PWM signal to be changed according to a certain rule within a preset range (S1130).

In step S1130, the frequency of the PWM signal may be changed according to an addition frequency rate. As described above with reference toFIGS.7to10, the addition frequency rate for each point in time may be determined through a method of changing the addition frequency rate uniformly in each unit of time or a method of changing a pattern of a unit of time for changing the addition frequency.

The embodiments according to the present disclosure described above may be implemented in the form of a computer program that may be executed by various configuration elements in a computer, and the computer program may be recorded on a computer-readable medium. At this time, the medium may include a magnetic medium such as hard disk, floppy disk, or magnetic tape, an optical recording medium such as CD-ROM or DVD, a magneto-optical medium such as floptical disk, and a hardware device, which is particularly configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, or flash memory.

Meanwhile, the computer program may be designed in particular and configured for the present disclosure or may be known and available to those skilled in a computer software field. Examples of a computer program may include not only machine language codes generated by a compiler, but also high-level language codes executable by a computer by using an interpreter or the like.

The specific implementations described in the present disclosure are example embodiments and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. For the sake of brief specification, descriptions on electronic configurations, control systems, and software of the related art, and other functional aspects of the systems may be omitted. In addition, the connections or connection elements of the lines between the configuration elements shown in the drawings are illustrative examples of functional connections and/or physical or circuit connections, which may be replaced or may be represented as additional various functional connections, physical connections, or circuit connections in actual devices. In addition, unless there is specific description such as “essential” and “importantly”, it may not be a necessary configuration element for application of the present disclosure.

In the specification (particularly in the claims) of the present disclosure, use of the term “above” and similar indication term may be in both singular and plural. In addition, in a case of describing a range in the present disclosure, the range includes an invention to which individual values belonging to the range are applied (if there is no contrary description) and is the same as each individual value constituting the range is described in the detailed description of the disclosure. Finally, unless there is an explicit or contradictory description of the steps constituting the method according to the disclosure, the steps may be performed in a suitable order. The present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the description order of the above steps. Use of all examples or exemplary terms (for example, etc.) in the present disclosure is merely for describing the present disclosure in detail, and the scope of the present disclosure is limited due to the examples or exemplary terms, unless defined by the claims. In addition, those skilled in the art may recognize that various modifications, combinations, and changes may be configured according to design conditions and factors within the scope of the appended claims or equivalents thereof.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

One embodiment of the present disclosure may be used to manufacture next-generation electronic cigarettes with improved performance than the related art.