Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
[DESCRIPTION]
[Invention Title]
AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING POWER SUPPLY
[Technical Field]
One or more embodiments relate to an aerosol generating device and a
method of operating the same, and more particularly, to an aerosol generating
device for controlling power supply to a heater based on a temperature of the
heater and a state of a cigarette.
[Background Art]
Recently, the demand for alternative methods for overcoming the
shortcomings of general cigarettes has increased. For example, there is an
increasing demand for a system for generating aerosols by heating a cigarette
or an aerosol generating material by using an aerosol generating device,
rather than by burning cigarettes.
When an aerosol generating article is inserted into an accommodation
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space, the aerosol generating device may heat an aerosol generating article
according to a preset temperature profile. The temperature profile may refer
to temperature change data of a heater or an aerosol generating article
during smoking. Aerosols generated according to the heating of the aerosol
generating article may differ according to components of an aerosol
generating material included in the aerosol generating article. For example,
according to the amount of moisture contained in the aerosol generating
material, the temperature, amount, etc. of the generated aerosols may vary.
[Disclosure]
[Technical Problem]
When an aerosol generating article contains a certain amount of
moisture, aerosols of an appropriate temperature and amount may be generated
as the aerosol generating article is preheated. However, when the amount of
moisture in the aerosol generating article is greater than an appropriate
range when preheated, the temperature increase speed of a heater decreases
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due to the moisture such that an excessive amount of vapor may be generated,
and aerosols with high temperature may be generated.
In particular, when a plurality of aerosol generating articles are
included in one package and the amount of moisture in any one of the aerosol
generating articles is greater than an appropriate range, it may be assumed
that all of the aerosol generating articles included in the package are
exposed to a highly humid environment.
According to one or more embodiments, provided is an aerosol generating
device, in which heating profiles are differently set by assuming, based on a
state of an aerosol generating article used in previous smoking, the amount
of moisture in an aerosol generating article used during continued smoking.
The technical problems of the disclosure are not limited to the
aforementioned description and technical problems that are not stated may be
clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art from the embodiments
described hereinafter and the attached drawings.
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[Technical Solution]
An aerosol generating device includes a housing including an
accommodation space for accommodating at least a portion of an aerosol
generating article, a heater configured to heat the aerosol generating
article inserted into the accommodation space, a temperature sensor
configured to measure a temperature of the heater, a battery configured to
supply power to the heater, and a processor electrically connected to the
heater and the battery, wherein the processor is configured to obtain at
least one of data associated with an initial temperature of the heater, which
is measured through the temperature sensor, and data associated with a final
heating profile of the heater, and control power supply from the battery to
the heater, based on the obtained data.
An operating method of an aerosol generating device includes obtaining
at least one of data associated with an initial temperature of the heater
configured to heat an aerosol generating article inserted into an
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accommodation space and data associated with a final heating profile of the
heater, the initial temperature being measured through a temperature sensor,
and controlling power supply from a battery to the heater, based on the
obtained data.
[Advantageous Effects]
According to one or more embodiments, by setting heating temperature
profiles based on continued smoking determined based on an initial
temperature of a heater and the state of a cigarette used during previous
smoking, the user's risk of burns caused by an excessively humid cigarette
may be minimized.
Also, according to one or more embodiments, by setting heating profiles
assuming that the cigarette is in an over-humidified state when preset
conditions are satisfied, the efficiency may be improved by omitting the
detection operation when there is a relatively low need to detect the state
of the cigarette.
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Effects of the embodiments are not limited to those stated above, and
effects that are not described herein may be clearly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art from the present specification and the attached
drawings.
[Description of Drawings]
FIG. 1 illustrates an aerosol generating system according to an
embodiment.
FIG. 2 illustrates an aerosol generating article according to an
embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an aerosol generating device in
which the power supply to a heater is controlled, according to an embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a detailed flowchart illustrating the aerosol generating
device of FIG. 3 in which the power supply to a heater is controlled.
FIG. 5 illustrates a temperature profile including a preheating profile
regarding an aerosol generating article in a normal state, according to an
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embodiment.
FIG. 6 illustrates a temperature profile including a preheating profile
regarding an aerosol generating article in an over-humidified state,
according to an embodiment.
FIG. 7A illustrates that an aerosol generating article is continuously
inserted after an excessively humid aerosol generating article is inserted
into an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment.
FIG. 7B illustrates an example of data stored in a memory of the
aerosol generating device of FIG. 7A.
FIG. 8A illustrates a state in which an aerosol generating article is
inserted after a certain period of time has passed after an excessively humid
aerosol generating article is inserted into an aerosol generating device,
according to an embodiment.
FIG. 8B illustrates an example of data stored in a memory of the
aerosol generating device of FIG. 8A.
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FIG. 9A illustrates that an aerosol generating article is continuously
inserted after an aerosol generating article in a normal state is inserted
into an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment.
FIG. 9B illustrates an example of data stored in a memory of the
aerosol generating device of FIG. 9A.
FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a first temperature profile and a
second temperature profile, according to an embodiment.
FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a final heating profile and a second
temperature profile of a heater, according to an embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to
another embodiment.
[Best Mode]
Regarding the terms in the various embodiments, the general terms which
are currently and widely used are selected in consideration of functions of
structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure.
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However, meanings of the terms can be changed according to intention, a
judicial precedence, the appearance of a new technology, and the like. In
addition, in certain cases, terms which can be arbitrarily selected by the
applicant in particular cases. In such a case, the meaning of the terms will
be described in detail at the corresponding portion in the description of the
present disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in the various embodiments of
the present disclosure should be defined based on the meanings of the terms
and the descriptions provided herein.
In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word
"comprise" and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" will be
understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of
any other elements. In addition, the terms "-er", "-or", and "module"
described in the specification mean units for processing at least one
function and operation and can be implemented by hardware components or
software components and combinations thereof.
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As used herein, hen an expression such as at least any one precedes
arranged elements, it modifies all elements rather than each arranged
element. For example, the expression at least any one of a, b, and c" should
be construed to include a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and
c.
In an embodiment, an aerosol generating device may be a device that
generates aerosols by electrically heating a cigarette accommodated in an
interior space thereof.
The aerosol generating device may include a heater. In an embodiment,
the heater may be an electro-resistive heater. For example, the heater may
include an electrically conductive track, and the heater may be heated when
currents flow through the electrically conductive track.
The heater may include a tube-shaped heating element, a plate-shaped
heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating
element, and may heat the inside or outside of a cigarette according to the
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shape of a heating element.
A cigarette may include a tobacco rod and a filter rod. The tobacco rod
may be formed of sheets, strands, and tiny bits cut from a tobacco sheet.
Also, the tobacco rod may be surrounded by a heat conductive material. For
example, the heat conductive material may be, but is not limited to, a metal
foil such as aluminum foil.
The filter rod may include a cellulose acetate filter. The filter rod
may include at least one segment. For example, the filter rod may include a
first segment configured to cool aerosols, and a second segment configured to
filter a certain component in aerosols.
In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device
that generates aerosols by using a cartridge containing an aerosol generating
material.
The aerosol generating device may include a cartridge that contains an
aerosol generating material, and a main body that supports the cartridge. The
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cartridge may be detachably coupled to the main body, but is not limited
thereto. The cartridge may be integrally formed or assembled with the main
body, and may also be fixed to the main body so as not to be detached from
the main body by a user. The cartridge may be mounted on the main body while
accommodating an aerosol generating material therein. However, the present
disclosure is not limited thereto. An aerosol generating material may also be
injected into the cartridge while the cartridge is coupled to the main body.
The cartridge may contain an aerosol generating material in any one of
various states, such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, a gel
state, or the like. The aerosol generating material may include a liquid
composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a
tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a
liquid including a non-tobacco material.
The cartridge may be operated by an electrical signal or a wireless
signal transmitted from the main body to perform a function of generating
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aerosols by converting the phase of an aerosol generating material inside the
cartridge into a gaseous phase. The aerosols may refer to a gas in which
vaporized particles generated from an aerosol generating material are mixed
with air.
In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may generate
aerosols by heating a liquid composition, and generated aerosols may be
delivered to a user through a cigarette. That is, the aerosols generated from
the liquid composition may move along an airflow passage of the aerosol
generating device, and the airflow passage may be configured to allow
aerosols to be delivered to a user by passing through a cigarette.
In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device
that generates aerosols from an aerosol generating material by using an
ultrasonic vibration method. At this time, the ultrasonic vibration method
may mean a method of generating aerosols by converting an aerosol generating
material into aerosols with ultrasonic vibration generated by a vibrator.
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The aerosol generating device may include a vibrator, and generate a
short-period vibration through the vibrator to convert an aerosol generating
material into aerosols. The vibration generated by the vibrator may be
ultrasonic vibration, and the frequency band of the ultrasonic vibration may
be in a frequency band of about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz, but is not limited
thereto.
The aerosol generating device may further include a wick that absorbs
an aerosol generating material. For example, the wick may be arranged to
surround at least one area of the vibrator, or may be arranged to contact at
least one area of the vibrator.
As a voltage (for example, an alternating voltage) is applied to the
vibrator, heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations may be generated from the
vibrator, and the heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations generated from the
vibrator may be transmitted to the aerosol generating material absorbed in
the wick. The aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick may be
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converted into a gaseous phase by heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations
transmitted from the vibrator, and as a result, aerosols may be generated.
For example, the viscosity of the aerosol generating material absorbed
in the wick may be lowered by the heat generated by the vibrator, and as the
aerosol generating material having a lowered viscosity is granulated by the
ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator, aerosols may be generated,
but is not limited thereto.
In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device is a device that
generates aerosols by heating an aerosol generating article accommodated in
the aerosol generating device in an induction heating method.
The aerosol generating device may include a susceptor and a coil. In an
embodiment, the coil may apply a magnetic field to the susceptor. As power is
supplied to the coil from the aerosol generating device, a magnetic field may
be formed inside the coil. In an embodiment, the suspector may be a magnetic
body that generates heat by an external magnetic field. As the suspector is
CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
positioned inside the coil and a magnetic field is applied to the suspector,
the suspector generates heat to heat an aerosol generating article. In
addition, optionally, the suspector may be positioned within the aerosol
generating article.
In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may further
include a cradle.
The aerosol generating device may configure a system together with a
separate cradle. For example, the cradle may charge a battery of the aerosol
generating device. Alternatively, the heater may be heated when the cradle
and the aerosol generating device are coupled to each other.
Hereinafter, the present disclosure will now be described more fully
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments
of the present disclosure are shown such that one of ordinary skill in the
art may easily work the present disclosure. The present disclosure may be
implemented in a form that can be implemented in the aerosol generating
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devices of the various embodiments described above or may be implemented in
various different forms, and is not limited to the embodiments described
herein.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in
detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 illustrates an aerosol generating system according to an
embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 1, the aerosol generating system may include an
aerosol generating device 10 and an aerosol generating article 200. The
aerosol generating device 10 may include a housing 100 including an
accommodation space into which at least a portion of the aerosol generating
article 200 is inserted and may generate aerosols by heating the aerosol
generating article 200 inserted into the accommodation space. The aerosol
generating article 200 may be of a cigarette-type and include an aerosol
generating material. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 1 illustrates that
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the aerosol generating device 10 is used together with the aerosol generating
article 200 of a cigarette-type, but one or more embodiments are not limited
thereto. Although the aerosol generating device 10 is not of a cigarette-
type, the aerosol generating device 10 may be used together with the aerosol
generating article of any other suitable type.
In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 10 may include a
battery 110, a processor 120, a heater 130, and a temperature sensor 140.
However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 10 is not
limited to that illustrated in FIG. 1. According to the design of the aerosol
generating device 10, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the
art that some of the hardware components illustrated in FIG. 1 may be omitted
or new components may be added.
In an embodiment, the battery 110 may supply power used to operate the
aerosol generating device 10. For example, when the heater 130 is an
induction heater, the battery 110 may supply power to make an induction coil
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of the heater 130 generate a variable magnetic field. As another example,
when the heater 130 is a resistive heater, the battery 110 may supply power
to make currents flow through an electrically conductive track of the heater
130.
In an embodiment, the processor 120 may be hardware for controlling
general operations of the aerosol generating device 10. For example, the
processor 120 may control not only operations of the battery 110, the heater
130, and the temperature sensor 140, but also operations of other components
included in the aerosol generating device 10. Also, the processor 120 may
check the state of each of the components of the aerosol generating device 10
to determine whether or not the aerosol generating device 10 is able to
operate.
In an embodiment, the processor 120 may store, in a separate memory
(not shown), data associated with general operations of the processor 120.
For example, the processor 120 may store, in the separate memory, points in
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time when the power supply from the battery 110 starts and ends, a value of
power supplied from the battery 110, and data associated with a power supply
operation (that is, including a heating operation) such as a heating profile
of the heater 130.
In an embodiment, the heater 130 may heat the aerosol generating
article 200 inserted into the accommodation space of the aerosol generating
device 10. For example, when the heater 130 is an induction heater, the
heater 130 may include an induction coil and a susceptor. In this case, when
a variable magnetic field is generated by the induction coil, the susceptor
may be heated as the generated variable magnetic field is applied to the
susceptor. When the susceptor is of a tube type or a cylinder type, the
susceptor may be arranged to surround the aerosol generating article 200 and
heat the same. When the susceptor is of a needle type or a rod type, the
susceptor may be arranged to be inserted into the aerosol generating article
200 and heat the same. However, the heating method of the heater 130 is not
CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
limited thereto, and the heater 130 may operate according to a resistive
heating method.
In an embodiment, the temperature sensor 140 may measure the
temperature of the heater 130. For example, the temperature sensor 140 may be
arranged to be in the vicinity of the heater 130 or in contact with the
heater 130 and thus may measure the temperature of the heater 130. The
temperature sensor 140 may be a Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD) sensor,
a Negative Temperature Coefficient of Resistance (NTC) sensor, or a Positive
Temperature Coefficient of Resistance (PTC) sensor, but types of the
temperature sensor 140 are not limited thereto.
In an embodiment, the processor 120 may measure an initial temperature
of the heater 130 through the temperature sensor 140 as an input regarding
the aerosol generating device 10 (e.g., an input of a signal regarding the
insertion of the aerosol generating article 200) is received. In this case,
the expression the initial temperature of the heater" may refer to a
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temperature measured at a point in time when a signal regarding the insertion
of the aerosol generating article 200 is input to the aerosol generating
device 10 or at a point in time when a signal switching a power state of the
aerosol generating device 10 from an off state to an on state is input.
In an embodiment, based on the initial temperature of the heater 130
which is measured by the temperature sensor 140, the processor 120 may
determine whether an input to the aerosol generating device 10 is relevant to
an input regarding continued smoking or initial smoking. In this case, the
term "continued smoking" refers to a smoking action performed as a new
cigarette is inserted immediately after the completion of a previous smoking
action with another cigarette, and the term "initial smoking" refers to a
smoking action performed as a cigarette is inserted when no previous smoking
action exists (i.e., when there has been no smoking action for a certain time
period).
In an embodiment, when the initial temperature of the heater 130
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satisfies a certain condition, the processor 120 may obtain data associated
with a final heating profile of the heater 130 from the memory. In this case,
the term "final heating profile" may indicate a temperature profile applied
to the heater 130 during previous smoking, based on a point in time when
smoking starts. For example, the processor 120 may obtain the data associated
with the final heating profile of the heater 130 when the initial temperature
of the heater 130, which is measured by the temperature sensor 140, is equal
to or higher than a preset temperature.
FIG. 2 illustrates an aerosol generating article according to an
embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 2, the aerosol generating article 200 may be divided
into a first portion 201, a second portion 202, a third portion 203, and a
fourth portion 204, and the first portion 201, the second portion 202, the
third portion 203, and the fourth portion 204 may include an aerosol
generating element, a tobacco element, a cooling element, and a filter
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element, respectively. In detail, the first portion 201 may include an
aerosol generating material, the second portion 202 may include a tobacco
material and a moisturizer, the third portion 203 may include a medium for
cooling airflow passing through the first portion 201 and the second portion
202, and the fourth portion 204 may include a filter material.
The first portion 201, the second portion 202, the third portion 203,
and the fourth portion 204 may be sequentially aligned in the lengthwise
direction of the aerosol generating article 200. In this case, the lengthwise
direction of the aerosol generating article 200 may be a direction in which
the length of the aerosol generating article 200 extends. For example, the
lengthwise direction of the aerosol generating article 200 may be a direction
from the first portion 201 towards the fourth portion 204. Accordingly, an
aerosol generated from at least one of the first portion 201 and the second
portion 202 may form airflow by sequentially passing through the first
portion 201, the second portion 202, the third portion 203, and the fourth
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portion 204, and accordingly, a user may inhale the aerosol from the fourth
portion 204.
In an embodiment, the first portion 201 may include a crimped sheet,
and the aerosol generating element may be included in the first portion 201
while impregnated in the crimped sheet. Also, while absorbed into the crimped
sheet, other additives, such as flavors, a wetting agent, and/or organic
acid, and a flavored liquid may be included in the first portion 201. The
crimped sheet may be a sheet including a polymer material. For example, the
polymer material may include at least one of paper, cellulose acetate,
lyocell, and polylactic acid. For example, the crimped sheet may be a paper
sheet that, even when heated to a high temperature, does not produce a heat-
induced odor. However, one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.
In an embodiment, the first portion 201 may extend from an end portion
of the aerosol generating article 200 to a point of about 7 mm to about 20
mm, and the second portion 202 may extend from the end of the first portion
CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
201 to the point of about 7 mm to about 20 mm. However, one or more
embodiments are not limited to the numerical ranges stated above, and the
length to which each of the first portion 201 and the second portion 202
extends may be appropriately adjusted within a range that may be easily
modified by one of ordinary skill in the art.
In an embodiment, the second portion 202 may include a tobacco element.
The tobacco element may be a tobacco material of a certain type. For example,
the tobacco element may be in the form of tobacco bits, tobacco particles, a
tobacco sheet, tobacco beads, tobacco granules, a tobacco powder, or tobacco
extract. Also, the tobacco material may include, for example, one or more of
tobacco leaves, tobacco leaf veins, expanded tobacco, cut tobacco bits, sheet
tobacco bits, and reconstituted tobacco.
In an embodiment, the third portion 203 may include a medium for
cooling the airflow passing through the first portion 201 and the second
portion 202. The third portion 203 may be formed of a polymer material or a
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biodegradable polymer material and have a cooling function. For example, the
third portion 203 may be formed of polylactic acid (PLA) fibers, but one or
more embodiments are not limited thereto. Alternatively, the third portion
203 may include a cellulose acetate filter including therein a plurality of
holes. However, the third portion 203 is not limited thereto, and any
material having an aerosol cooling function may be used. For example, the
third portion 203 may be a tube filter or a paper tube including a hollow.
In an embodiment, the fourth portion 204 may include a filter material.
For example, the fourth portion 204 may include a cellulose acetate filter.
Shapes of the fourth portion 204 are not limited. For example, the fourth
portion 204 may include a cylinder-type rod or a tube-type rod having a
hollow inside. Also, the fourth portion 204 may include a recess-type rod.
When the fourth portion 204 includes a plurality of segments, at least one of
the plurality of segments may have a different shape.
In an embodiment, the fourth portion 204 may be formed to generate
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flavors. For example, a flavored liquid may be injected onto the fourth
portion 204, or an additional fiber coated with the flavored liquid may be
inserted into the fourth portion 204.
In an embodiment, the aerosol generating article 200 may include a
wrapper 250 surrounding at least some of the first portion 201 to the fourth
portion 204. Also, the aerosol generating article 200 may include the wrapper
250 surrounding all of the first portion 201 to the fourth portion 204. The
wrapper 250 may be located on the outermost portion of the aerosol generating
article 200, and the wrapper 250 may be a single wrapper, but may be a
combination of wrappers.
In an embodiment, the wrapper 250 may include a heat conductive
material. For example, the heat conductive material may be metal foil, such
as silver (Ag) foil paper, aluminum (Al) foil paper, or copper (Cu) foil
paper, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto. The heat
conductive material included in the wrapper 250 may uniformly distribute heat
28
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transmitted to the first portion 201 and the second portion 202, and thus,
the heat conductivity may be increased, and taste of the tobacco may be
improved. Also, the heat conductive material included in the wrapper 250 may
function as a susceptor.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an aerosol generating device in
which the power supply to a heater is controlled, according to an embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 3, in operation 301, a processor (e.g., the processor
120 of FIG. 1) of an aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating
device 10 of FIG. 1) may obtain data associated with an initial temperature
of a heater (e.g., the heater 130 of FIG. 1) and a final heating profile of
the heater 130. For example, the processor 120 may obtain the initial
temperature of the heater 130 that is measured by a temperature sensor (e.g.,
the temperature sensor 140 of FIG. 1), and when the obtained initial
temperature of the heater 130 satisfies a certain condition, the processor
120 may obtain the final heating profile of the heater 130 from a memory (not
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shown).
In an embodiment, the processor 120 may detect the initial temperature
of the heater 130 through the temperature sensor 140. For example, when a
signal regarding the insertion of the aerosol generating article 200 is input
to the aerosol generating device 10, or when a signal for turning on the
aerosol generating device 10 is input, the processor 120 may detect the
temperature of the heater 130 through the temperature sensor 140.
The processor 120 may detect the initial temperature of the heater 130
through the temperature sensor 140 and thus may determine whether the input
to the aerosol generating device 10 is associated with the continued smoking
or the initial smoking. That is, when a user performs the first smoking with
one cigarette by using the aerosol generating device 10 and then immediately
performs the second smoking with another cigarette, the aerosol generating
device 10 may determine that an input to the aerosol generating device 10
during the second smoking (e.g., a cigarette insertion signal, a power state
CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
switching signal, etc.) is the input regarding the continued smoking. When
the input to the aerosol generating device 10 is the input regarding the
continued smoking, the heater 130 of the aerosol generating device 10 is
already heated, and thus, the heater 130 may be controlled according to a
preheating profile that is different from a preheating profile used during
the initial smoking.
Therefore, the aerosol generating device 10 according to an embodiment
may distinguish the continued smoking and the initial smoking from each other
based on the initial temperature of the heater 130 and thus may control,
according to different temperature profiles, a heating operation regarding
the cigarette inserted into the aerosol generating device 10.
In an embodiment, when the initial temperature of the heater 130
satisfies a certain condition, the processor 120 may obtain the final heating
profile of the heater 130 from the memory (not shown). For example, when the
initial temperature of the heater 130, which is detected through the
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temperature sensor 140, is equal to or higher than a preset temperature, the
processor 120 may obtain the final heating profile of the heater 130 from the
memory.
When the initial temperature of the heater 130 is equal to or higher
than the preset temperature, the processor 120 may determine that the input
to the aerosol generating device 10 in the smoking action is the input
regarding the continued smoking. In this case, with regard to the smoking
action corresponding to the continued smoking, the processor 120 may control
the heater 130 according to different preheating profiles, based on the state
of the cigarette in the previous smoking action.
For example, during the smoking action corresponding to the continued
smoking, when the cigarette used during the previous smoking action is the
cigarette in a normal state, the processor 120 may control the heater 130
according to a general preheating profile for the cigarette to be used in the
continuous smoking action.
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For example, during the smoking action corresponding to the continued
smoking, when the cigarette used during the previous operation is the
cigarette in an over-humidified state, the processor 120 may control the
heater 130 according to an over-humidified preheating profile for the
cigarette to be used in the continuous smoking action. That is, when the
corresponding smoking action corresponds to the continued smoking and the
cigarette used during the previous smoking action is excessively humid, the
aerosol generating device 10 may assume that a cigarette to be used in the
corresponding smoking action may be excessively humid and may apply an over-
humidified preheating profile. In this case, the expressions "excessively
humid" and "over-humidified" may be interchangeably used and may refer to a
state in which the aerosol generating article 200 includes moisture of about
wt% or greater compared to the total weight of the article, but one or
more embodiments are not limited thereto. The state may variously change
15 according to the design of the manufacturer.
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According to an embodiment, the processor 120 of the aerosol generating
device 10 may control the power supply to the heater 130, based on the data
obtained in operation 303. For example, the processor 120 may control the
power supply to the heater 130 according to a normal preheating profile,
based on the data associated with the initial temperature of the heater 130
(e.g., the initial temperature < preset temperature" data). As another
example, the processor 120 may control the power supply to the heater 130
according to the over-humidified preheating profile, based on the data
associated with the initial temperature of the heater 130 (e.g., the initial
temperature preset temperature" data) and the data associated with the
final heating profile of the heater 130 (e.g., the "over-humidified
preheating profile" data). As another example, the processor 120 may control
the power supply to the heater 130 according to the normal preheating
profile, based on the data associated with the initial temperature of the
heater 130 (e.g., the initial temperature preset temperature" data) and
34
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the data associated with the final heating profile of the heater 130 (e.g.,
the "normal preheating profile" data).
FIG. 4 is a detailed flowchart illustrating the aerosol generating
device of FIG. 3 in which the power supply to a heater is controlled.
Referring to FIG. 4, in operation 401, a processor (e.g., the processor
120 of FIG. 1) of an aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating
device 10 of FIG. 1) may obtain data associated with an initial temperature
of a heater (e.g., the heater 130 of FIG. 1). For example, when a signal
regarding the insertion of the aerosol generating article 200 is input to the
aerosol generating device 10 (e.g., when insertion of the aerosol generating
article 200 is detected), or when a signal for turning on the aerosol
generating device 10 is input to the aerosol generating device 10, the
processor 120 may detect the temperature of the heater 130 through a
temperature sensor (e.g., the temperature sensor 140 of FIG. 1) and obtain
the data associated with the initial temperature.
CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
According to an embodiment, in operation 403, the processor 120 may
determine whether the initial temperature of the heater 130 is equal to or
higher than the preset temperature. In this case, for example, the term
"preset temperature" may refer to the temperature of the heater 130 (e.g., an
average temperature, a minimum temperature, etc.) which is measured when a
certain period of time (e.g., two minutes) has passed after the heater 130
stopped heating.
According to an embodiment, when the initial temperature of the heater
130 detected through the temperature sensor 140 is equal to or higher than
the preset temperature, the processor 120 may obtain the data associated with
the final heating profile of the heater 130 from the memory, in operation
405. In this case, the term "final heating profile" may indicate a
temperature profile applied to the heater 130 during previous smoking based
on a point in time when smoking starts. For example, when the preset
temperature is about 50 C and the initial temperature of the heater 130
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CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
detected by the temperature sensor 140 is about 150 C, the processor 120 may
obtain, from the memory, data indicating that the temperature profile applied
to the heater 130 in the previous smoking is "a heating profile used to heat
an over-humidified cigarette" or data indicating that the temperature profile
applied to the heater 130 in the previous smoking is "a heating profile used
to heat a normal cigarette."
According to an embodiment, when the initial temperature of the heater
130 detected by the temperature sensor 140 is less than the preset
temperature, the processor 120 may control the power supply to the heater 130
to correspond to a first temperature profile, in operation 411. In this case,
the "first temperature profile" may refer to a temperature profile used to
heat a normal cigarette.
According to an embodiment, in operation 407, the processor 120 may
determine whether time corresponding to a temperature increase section of the
final heating profile of the heater 130 is equal or longer than preset time.
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The final heating profile of the heater 130 may include a preheating profile,
and the preheating profile may include "a temperature increase section" in
which the temperature of the heater 130 increases to a target preheating
temperature, "a temperature maintaining section" in which the temperature of
the heater 130 is maintained, and "a temperature decrease section" in which
the temperature of the heater 130 decreases to a preheating termination
temperature. In this case, the processor 120 may determine whether the time
corresponding to the "temperature increase section" of the preheating profile
of the final heating profile of the heater 130 is equal to or longer than
preset time, thus determining a state of the cigarette in the previous
smoking action. For example, when the time corresponding to the "temperature
increase section" of the final heating profile of the heater 130 is equal to
or longer than the preset time, the processor 120 may determine that the
cigarette in the previous smoking action, to which the final heating profile
is applied, is in the "over-humidified state." As another example, when the
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CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
time corresponding to the "temperature increase section" is less than the
preset time, the processor 120 may determine that the cigarette in the
previous smoking action, to which the final heating profile is applied, is in
the "normal state."
According to an embodiment, when the time corresponding to the
temperature increase section of the final heating profile of the heater 130
is equal to or longer than the preset time, the processor 120 may control the
power supply to the heater 130 to correspond to the second temperature
profile, in operation 409. In this case, the "second temperature profile" may
refer to a temperature profile used to heat the cigarette in the over-
humidified state.
According to an embodiment, when the time corresponding to the
temperature increase section of the final heating profile of the heater 130
is less than the preset time, the processor 120 may control the power supply
to the heater 130 to correspond to the first temperature profile, in
39
CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
operation 411.
FIG. 5 illustrates a temperature profile including a preheating profile
regarding an aerosol generating article in a normal state, according to an
embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 5, as a signal input operation 500 of inputting a
signal to an aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device
of FIG. 1) is detected, a processor (e.g., the processor 120 of FIG. 1)
may initiate a first preheating profile 505 regarding a heater (e.g., the
heater 130 of FIG. 1). In this case, the signal input operation 500 may be an
10 operation associated with an aerosol generating article in a normal
state.
For example, the signal input operation 500 may be an operation associated
with the insertion of the aerosol generating article in the normal state or
an operation associated with the switching of the power state of the aerosol
generating device 10 after the aerosol generating article in the normal state
is inserted.
CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
In an embodiment, the processor 120 may perform a preheating operation
on the aerosol generating article, based on the first preheating profile 505
during first preheating time 520. In this case, the first preheating profile
505 may include a first temperature increase section 510, a first temperature
maintaining section 512, and a first temperature decrease section 514.
In an embodiment, the first temperature increase section 510 may refer
to a section in which the temperature of the heater 130 increases to a target
preheating temperature 530. After the signal input operation 500 is detected,
the processor 120 may supply power to the heater 130 such that the
temperature of the heater 130 increases to the target preheating temperature
530 in the first temperature increase section 510. In the present
specification, the target preheating temperature 530 may refer to a
temperature that is set to substantially increase the temperature of the
heater 130 before the aerosol generating article is heated.
In an embodiment, the first temperature maintaining section 512 may
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CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
refer to a section in which the temperature of the heater 130 is maintained
at the target preheating temperature 530. After the temperature of the heater
130 reaches the target preheating temperature 530, the power may be supplied
to the heater 130 to maintain the temperature of the heater 130 at the target
preheating temperature 530, in the first temperature maintaining section 512.
In an embodiment, the first temperature decrease section 514 may refer
to a section in which the temperature of the heater 130 decreases from the
target preheating temperature 530 to a preheating termination temperature
535. After the temperature of the heater 130 is maintained at the target
preheating temperature 530 for the preset maintaining time, the processor 120
may supply the power to the heater 130 to make the temperature of the heater
130 decrease to the preheating termination temperature 535, in the first
temperature decrease section 514.
FIG. 6 illustrates a temperature profile including a preheating profile
regarding an aerosol generating article in an over-humidified state,
42
CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
according to an embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 6, as a signal input operation 600 of inputting a
signal to an aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device
of FIG. 1) is detected, a processor (e.g., the processor 120 of FIG. 1)
5 may initiate a second preheating profile 605 regarding a heater (e.g.,
the
heater 130 of FIG. 1). In this case, the signal input operation 600 may be an
operation associated with an aerosol generating article in an over-humidified
state. For example, the signal input operation 600 may be an operation
associated with the insertion of the aerosol generating article in the over-
10 humidified state or an operation associated with the switching of the
power
state of the aerosol generating device 10 after the aerosol generating
article in the over-humidified state is inserted.
In an embodiment, the processor 120 may preheat the aerosol generating
article according to the second preheating profile 605. In this case, the
second preheating profile 605 may include a second temperature increase
43
CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
section 610, a second temperature maintaining section, and a second
temperature decrease section.
In an embodiment, the second temperature increase section 610 may refer
to a section in which the temperature of the heater 130 increases to the
target preheating temperature 530. After the signal input operation 600 is
detected, the processor 120 may supply power to the heater 130 such that the
temperature of the heater 130 increases to the target preheating temperature
530 in the second temperature increase section 610.
When the aerosol generating article in the over-humidified state is
inserted, the time taken for the temperature of the heater 130 to reach the
target preheating temperature 530 may be longer than the time taken when the
aerosol generating article in the normal state is inserted. That is, the
aerosol generating article in the over-humidified state contains a large
amount of moisture compared to the normal aerosol generating article, and the
temperature increase speed of the heater 130 may be relatively slow due to
44
CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
the moisture.
In an embodiment, when the time taken for the temperature of the heater
130 to reach the target preheating temperature 530 is longer than the preset
time 630, the processor 120 may determine that the aerosol generating article
inserted into the aerosol generating device 10 is in the "over-humidified
state." For example, when the temperature profile applied by the memory to
the heater 130 during the previous smoking includes the second preheating
profile 605, the time taken for the temperature of the heater 130 to reach
the target preheating temperature 530 corresponds to the second temperature
increase section 610 and the time is longer than the preset time 630. Thus,
the processor 120 may determine the aerosol generating article inserted into
the aerosol generating device 10 is in the "over-humidified state."
FIG. 7A illustrates that an aerosol generating article is continuously
inserted after an aerosol generating article in an over-humidified state is
inserted into an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment.
CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
Referring to FIG. 7A, the aerosol generating device 10 may include a
housing including the accommodation space into which at least a portion of an
aerosol generating article 700a is inserted. In this case, the aerosol
generating article 700a may be a cigarette used during previous smoking based
on a point in time when continued smoking is initiated, and the aerosol
generating article 700a may be in the over-humidified state.
In an embodiment, as an aerosol generating article 700b is inserted
within preset time after the previous smoking ends, the aerosol generating
device 10 may detect that a new smoking action is continued smoking. In this
case, the aerosol generating article 700b may be a cigarette that is to be
used for the continued smoking. Alternatively, when a new smoking action is
initiated within the preset time after the previous smoking action is
terminated, the aerosol generating device 10 may not perform an operation of
determining whether the aerosol generating article 700b is in the normal
state or the over-humidified state.
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CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
FIG. 7B shows an example of data stored in a memory of the aerosol
generating device of FIG. 7A. FIG. 7B shows a database format regarding an
execution log of the processor (e.g., the processor 120 of FIG. 1) of the
aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device 10 of FIG. 1),
but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.
Referring to FIG. 7B, an execution log 750 of the processor 120 may
include the number of times 705, a date and time 710, an ID 715 of a
component, operation description 720 of a component, and a parameter 725.
However, one or more embodiments are not limited thereto, and the execution
log 750 may include various fields within a range that is obvious to one of
ordinary skill in the art.
In an embodiment, log data 1 may be data indicating that the insertion
of a cigarette (e.g., the aerosol generating article 200 of FIG. 1) into the
aerosol generating device 10 is sensed. In this case, an ID 1 may be a sensor
(e.g., a proximity sensor, etc.) for sensing the insertion of a cigarette
47
CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
into the aerosol generating device 10. For example, the processor 120 may
detect the insertion of the cigarette through a sensor at '2022. 12. 11. 12.
11. 09:00:00' and may store the log data 1 in the memory.
In an embodiment, log data 2 may be data indicating that an initial
temperature of a heater (e.g., the heater 130 of FIG. 1) is detected. In this
case, an ID 2 may be a temperature sensor (e.g., the temperature sensor 140
of FIG. 1) for measuring the temperature of the heater 130 in the aerosol
generating device 10. Also, the processor 120 may detect the initial
temperature of the heater 130 through the temperature sensor 140 at '2022.
12. 11. 09:00:05' and may store the log data 2 in the memory. For example,
when the detected initial temperature of the heater 130 is 150 C, the
processor 120 may store, in the memory, 'TEMP_INITIAL 150 C' as a parameter
regarding the initial temperature of the heater 130. Then, the processor 120
may determine that the initial temperature of the heater 130 is equal to or
higher than a preset temperature (e.g., 50 C).
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CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
In an embodiment, log data 3 may be data used to load the final heating
profile of the heater 130, and log data 4 may be data used to load time
corresponding to the temperature increase section of the preheating profile
of the final heating profile. In this case, an ID 3 may be a memory storing
data in the aerosol generating device 10. Also, the processor 120 may load
the final heating profile of the heater 130 from the memory at '2022. 12. 11.
09:00:10 and may load, from the memory, time corresponding to the
temperature increase section of the preheating profile of the final heating
profile at '2022. 12. 11. 090012.! For example, when the time corresponding
to the temperature increase section of the preheating profile of the final
heating profile of the heater 130 is 30 seconds, the processor 120 may store,
in the memory, 'TIME_TRisE = 30 sec' as a parameter regarding the time
corresponding to the temperature increase section of the heater 130. Then,
the processor 120 may determine that the time corresponding to the
temperature increase section of the heater 130 is equal to or longer than the
49
CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
preset time (e.g., 25 seconds).
In an embodiment, log data 5 may be data indicating that a heating
profile to be applied to the heater 130 is set. In this case, an ID 4 may be
the heater 130 for heating the cigarette 200. Also, the processor 120 may set
the heating profile to be applied to the heater 130 at '2022, 12. 11.
09:00:20 and may store the log data 5 in the memory. For example, because
the initial temperature TEMP_INITIAL of the heater 130 is equal to or higher
than a preset temperature TEMP_DET, and because the time TIME_TRIsE
corresponding to the temperature increase section of the final heating
profile of the heater 130 is equal to or longer than the preset time
TIME_TDET, the processor 120 may set the heating profile, which is to be
applied to the heater 130, as a second temperature profile PROFILE=2.
FIG. 8A illustrates a state in which an aerosol generating article is
inserted after a certain period of time has passed after an over-humidified
aerosol generating article is inserted into an aerosol generating device,
CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
according to an embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 8A, the aerosol generating device 10 may include a
housing including an accommodation space into which at least a portion of an
aerosol generating article 800a is inserted. In this case, the aerosol
generating article 800a may be a cigarette used during previous smoking,
based on a point in time when smoking is initiated, and may be in the over-
humidified state.
In an embodiment, as an aerosol generating article 800b is inserted
after preset time has passed after the previous smoking action is terminated,
the aerosol generating device 10 may detect that a new smoking action is
initial smoking. In this case, the aerosol generating article 800b may be a
cigarette to be used for the new smoking action. When a new smoking action is
initiated after the preset time has passed after the previous smoking action
is terminated, the aerosol generating device 10 may determine whether the
aerosol generating article 800b is in the normal state or the over-humidified
51
CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
state. Alternatively, the aerosol generating device 10 may assume that the
aerosol generating article 800b is in the normal state, thereby controlling
power supply to correspond to a temperature profile for heating a cigarette
in the normal state.
FIG. 8B illustrates an example of data stored in a memory of the
aerosol generating device of FIG. 8A. FIG. 8B shows a database format
regarding an execution log of the processor (e.g., the processor 120 of FIG.
1) of the aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device 10
of FIG. 1), but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.
Referring to FIG. 8B, an execution log 850 of the processor 120 may
include the number of times 805, a date and time 810, an ID 815 of a
component, operation description 820 of a component, and a parameter 825.
However, one or more embodiments are not limited thereto, and the execution
log 850 may include various fields within a range that is obvious to one of
ordinary skill in the art.
52
CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
In an embodiment, log data 1 may be data indicating that the insertion
of a cigarette (e.g., the aerosol generating article 200 of FIG. 1) into the
aerosol generating device 10 is sensed. In this case, the ID 1 may be a
sensor (e.g., a proximity sensor, etc.) for detecting the insertion of the
cigarette into the aerosol generating device 10. For example, the processor
120 may detect the insertion of the cigarette through a sensor at '2022. 12.
11. 09:00:00 and may store the log data 1 in the memory.
In an embodiment, log data 2 may be data indicating that an initial
temperature of a heater (e.g., the heater 130 of FIG. 1) is detected. In this
case, an ID 2 may be a temperature sensor (e.g., the temperature sensor 140
of FIG. 1) for measuring the temperature of the heater 130 in the aerosol
generating device 10. Also, the processor 120 may detect the initial
temperature of the heater 130 through the temperature sensor 140 at '2022.
12. 11. 09:00:05' and may store the log data 2 in the memory. For example,
when the detected initial temperature of the heater 130 is 25 C, the
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CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
processor 120 may store, in the memory, 'TEMP_INITIAL = 25 C as a parameter
regarding the initial temperature of the heater 130. Then, the processor 120
may determine that the initial temperature of the heater 130 is lower than a
preset temperature (e.g., 50 C).
In an embodiment, log data 3 may be data indicating that a heating
profile to be applied to the heater 130 is set. In this case, an ID 4 may be
the heater 130 for heating the cigarette 200. Also, the processor 120 may set
the heating profile to be applied to the heater 130 at '2022. 12. 11.
09:00:10' and may store the log data 3 in the memory. For example, because
the initial temperature TEMP_INITIAL of the heater 130 is lower than the
preset temperature TEMP_DET, the processor 120 may set the heating profile,
which is to be applied to the heater 130, as a first temperature profile
PROFILE=1.
FIG. 9A illustrates that an aerosol generating article is continuously
inserted after an aerosol generating article in a normal state is inserted
54
CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
into an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 9A, the aerosol generating device 10 may include a
housing including the accommodation space into which at least a portion of an
aerosol generating article 900a is inserted. In this case, the aerosol
generating article 900a may be a cigarette used during previous smoking,
based on a point in time when smoking is initiated, and may be in the normal
state.
In an embodiment, as an aerosol generating article 900b is inserted
within preset time after a previous smoking action ends, the aerosol
generating device 10 may detect that a new smoking action is continued
smoking. In this case, the aerosol generating article 900b may be a cigarette
that is to be used as for the continued smoking. However, when a new smoking
action is initiated within the preset time after the previous smoking action
is terminated, the aerosol generating device 10 may not perform an operation
of determining whether the aerosol generating article 900b is in the normal
CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
state or the over-humidified state.
FIG. 9B illustrates an example of data stored in a memory of the
aerosol generating device of FIG. 9A. FIG. 9B shows a database format
regarding an execution log of the processor (e.g., the processor 120 of FIG.
1) of the aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device 10
of FIG. 1), but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.
Referring to FIG. 9B, an execution log 950 of the processor 120 may
include the number of times 905, a date and time 910, an ID 915 of a
component, operation description 920 of a component, and a parameter 925.
However, one or more embodiments are not limited thereto, and the execution
log 950 may include various fields within a range that is obvious to one of
ordinary skill in the art.
In an embodiment, log data 1 may be data indicating that the insertion
of a cigarette (e.g., the aerosol generating article 200 of FIG. 1) into the
aerosol generating device 10 is sensed. In this case, the ID 1 may be a
56
CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
sensor (e.g., a proximity sensor, etc.) for detecting the insertion of the
cigarette into the aerosol generating device 10. For example, the processor
120 may detect the insertion of the cigarette through a sensor at '2022. 12.
11. 09:00:00 and may store the log data 1 in the memory.
In an embodiment, log data 2 may be data indicating that an initial
temperature of a heater (e.g., the heater 130 of FIG. 1) is detected. In this
case, an ID 2 may be a temperature sensor (e.g., the temperature sensor 140
of FIG. 1) for measuring the temperature of the heater 130 in the aerosol
generating device 10. Also, the processor 120 may detect the initial
temperature of the heater 130 through the temperature sensor 140 at '2022.
12. 11. 09:00:05' and may store the log data 2 in the memory. For example,
when the detected initial temperature of the heater 130 is 150 C, the
processor 120 may store, in the memory, 'TEMP_INITIAL = 150 C' as a parameter
regarding the initial temperature of the heater 130. Then, the processor 120
may determine that the initial temperature of the heater 130 is equal to or
57
CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
higher than a preset temperature (e.g., 50 C).
In an embodiment, log data 3 may be data used to load the final heating
profile of the heater 130, and log data 4 may be data used to load time
corresponding to the temperature increase section of the preheating profile
of the final heating profile. In this case, the ID 3 may be a memory storing
data in the aerosol generating device 10. Also, the processor 120 may load
the final heating profile of the heater 130 from the memory at '2022. 12. 11.
09:00:10' and may load, from the memory, time corresponding to the
temperature increase section of the preheating profile of the final heating
profile at '2022. 12. 11. 090012. For example, when the time corresponding
to the temperature increase section of the preheating profile of the final
heating profile of the heater 130 is 30 seconds, the processor 120 may store,
in the memory, 'TIME_TrasE = 20 sec' as a parameter regarding the time
corresponding to the temperature increase section of the heater 130. Then,
the processor 120 may determine that the time corresponding to the
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CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
temperature increase section of the heater 130 is less than the preset time
(e.g., 25 seconds).
In an embodiment, log data 5 may be data indicating that a heating
profile to be applied to the heater 130 is set. In this case, an ID 4 may be
the heater 130 for heating the cigarette 200. Also, the processor 120 may set
the heating profile, which is to be applied to the heater 130, at '2022. 12.
11. 09:00:20 and may store the log data 5 in the memory. For example,
because the initial temperature TEMP_INITIAL of the heater 130 is equal to or
higher than the preset temperature TEMP_DET, and because time TIME_TRBE
corresponding to the temperature increase section of the final heating
profile of the heater 130 is less than the preset time TIME_TDET, the
processor 120 may set the heating profile, which is to be applied to the
heater 130, as the first temperature profile PROFILE=1.
FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a first temperature profile and a
second temperature profile, according to an embodiment. However, in the
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CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
detailed description of FIG. 10, descriptions that correspond to, are the
same as, or similar to those provided above may be omitted.
Referring to FIG. 10, the graph (a) may represent a first temperature
profile regarding a heater (e.g., the heater 130 of FIG. 1), and the graph
(b) may represent a second temperature profile regarding the heater 130. In
this case, the "first temperature profile" may be the temperature profile for
heating a cigarette in the normal state, and the "second temperature profile"
may be the temperature profile for heating a cigarette in the over-humidified
state. In more detail, the "second temperature profile" may refer to a
temperature profile for heating a cigarette that is assumed to be excessively
humid in a continuous smoking action.
The graph (a) shows a first preheating profile including a first
temperature increase section 810, a first temperature maintaining section
812, and a first temperature decrease section 814 in the first temperature
profile. The graph (b) shows a second preheating profile including a second
CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
temperature increase section 820, a second temperature maintaining section
822, and a second temperature decrease section 824 in the second temperature
profile.
In an embodiment, the first preheating profile may be different from
the second preheating profile. For example, the total time (i.e., the total
preheating time 826) corresponding to the second preheating profile may be
longer than the total time (i.e., the total preheating time 816)
corresponding to the first preheating profile.
In an embodiment, the second preheating profile may include delay time
830, unlike the first preheating profile. For example, the second preheating
profile may be a temperature profile applied during the continuous smoking
action, and during the continuous smoking action, the heater is already
heated in the previous smoking action, the processor (e.g., the processor 120
of FIG. 1) may maintain the initial temperature of the heater 130 for first
time (that is, the delay time 830) and then control the power supply to make
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the temperature of the heater 130 increase to a target preheating temperature
800.
In an embodiment, the processor 120 may obtain the delay time 830
included in the second preheating profile, through anti-windup controlling.
For example, the processor 120 may obtain the delay time 830 included in the
second preheating profile through the anti-windup controlling, such as
clamping or back-calculation.
FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a final heating profile and a second
temperature profile, according to an embodiment. However, in the detailed
description of FIG. 11, descriptions that correspond to, are the same as, or
similar to those provided above may be omitted.
Referring to FIG. 11, when a first smoking action is performed on one
over-humidified cigarette by using the aerosol generating device (e.g., the
aerosol generating device 10 of FIG. 1), and when a second smoking action is
performed on another cigarette immediately after the first smoking action,
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CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
the graph (a) may represent a temperature profile regarding the heater (e.g.,
the heater 130 of FIG. 1) during the first smoking action, and the graph (b)
may represent a temperature profile regarding the heater 130 during the
second smoking action. In this case, the expression "temperature profile
during the first smoking action" may refer to the final heating profile of
the heater 130, and the "temperature profile during the second smoking
action" may refer to the temperature profile (that is, the second temperature
profile) for heating a cigarette that is assumed to be over-humidified and is
used during the continuous smoking action.
The graph (a) shows a preheating profile including a temperature
increase section 910, a temperature maintaining section 912, and a
temperature decrease section 914, in the final heating profile of the heater
130. The graph (b) shows a second preheating profile including the second
temperature increase section 820, the second temperature maintaining section
822, and the second temperature decrease section 824 in the second
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temperature profile.
In an embodiment, the final heating profile of the heater 130 may be
different from the second temperature profile. For example, time 824
corresponding to the temperature decrease section of the preheating profile
of the second temperature profile may be less than time 914 corresponding to
the temperature decrease section of the preheating profile of the final
heating profile of the heater 130.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device 1200
according to another embodiment.
The aerosol generating device 1200 may include a controller 1210, a
sensing unit 1220, an output unit 1230, a battery 1240, a heater 1250, a user
input unit 1260, a memory 1270, and a communication unit 1280. However, the
internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1200 is not limited to
those illustrated in FIG. 12. That is, according to the design of the aerosol
generating device 1200, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the
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CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
art that some of the components shown in FIG. 12 may be omitted or new
components may be added.
The sensing unit 1220 may sense a state of the aerosol generating
device 1200 and a state around the aerosol generating device 1200, and
transmit sensed information to the controller 1210. Based on the sensed
information, the controller 1210 may control the aerosol generating device
1200 to perform various functions, such as controlling an operation of the
heater 1250, limiting smoking, determining whether an aerosol generating
article (e.g., a cigarette, a cartridge, or the like) is inserted, displaying
a notification, or the like.
The sensing unit 1220 may include at least one of a temperature sensor
1222, an insertion detection sensor, and a puff sensor 1226, but is not
limited thereto.
The temperature sensor 1222 may sense a temperature at which the heater
1250 (or an aerosol generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating
CA 03220088 2023- 11- 22
device 1200 may include a separate temperature sensor for sensing the
temperature of the heater 1250, or the heater 1250 may serve as a temperature
sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 1222 may also be arranged
around the battery 1240 to monitor the temperature of the battery 1240.
The insertion detection sensor 1224 may sense insertion and/or removal
of an aerosol generating article. For example, the insertion detection sensor
1224 may include at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical
sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and an
infrared sensor, and may sense a signal change according to the insertion
and/or removal of an aerosol generating article.
The puff sensor 1226 may sense a user's puff on the basis of various
physical changes in an airflow passage or an airflow channel. For example,
the puff sensor 1226 may sense a user's puff on the basis of any one of a
temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and a pressure change.
The sensing unit 1220 may include, in addition to the temperature
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sensor 1222, the insertion detection sensor 1224, and the puff sensor 1226
described above, at least one of a temperature/humidity sensor, a barometric
pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope
sensor, a location sensor (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS)), a
proximity sensor, and a red-green-blue (RGB) sensor (illuminance sensor).
Because a function of each of sensors may be intuitively inferred by one of
ordinary skill in the art from the name of the sensor, a detailed description
thereof may be omitted.
The output unit 1230 may output information on a state of the aerosol
generating device 1200 and provide the information to a user. The output unit
1230 may include at least one of a display unit 1232, a haptic unit 1234, and
a sound output unit 1236, but is not limited thereto. When the display unit
1232 and a touch pad form a layered structure to form a touch screen, the
display unit 1232 may also be used as an input device in addition to an
output device.
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The display unit 1232 may visually provide information about the
aerosol generating device 1200 to the user. For example, information about
the aerosol generating device 1200 may mean various pieces of information,
such as a charging/discharging state of the battery 1240 of the aerosol
generating device 1200, a preheating state of the heater 1250, an
insertion/removal state of an aerosol generating article, or a state in which
the use of the aerosol generating device 1200 is restricted (e.g., sensing of
an abnormal object), or the like, and the display unit 1232 may output the
information to the outside. The display unit 1232 may be, for example, a
liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED)
display panel, or the like. In addition, the display unit 1232 may be in the
form of a light-emitting diode (LED) light-emitting device.
The haptic unit 1234 may tactilely provide information about the
aerosol generating device 1200 to the user by converting an electrical signal
into a mechanical stimulus or an electrical stimulus. For example, the haptic
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unit 1234 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical
stimulation device.
The sound output unit 1236 may audibly provide information about the
aerosol generating device 1200 to the user. For example, the sound output
unit 1236 may convert an electrical signal into a sound signal and output the
same to the outside.
The battery 1240 may supply power used to operate the aerosol
generating device 1200. The battery 1240 may supply power such that the
heater 1250 may be heated. In addition, the battery 1240 may supply power
required for operations of other components (e.g., the sensing unit 1220, the
output unit 1230, the user input unit 1260, the memory 1270, and the
communication unit 1280) in the aerosol generating device 1200. The battery
1240 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the
battery 1240 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited
thereto.
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The heater 1250 may receive power from the battery 1240 to heat an
aerosol generating material. Although not illustrated in FIG. 12, the aerosol
generating device 1200 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g.,
a direct current (DC)/DC converter) that converts power of the battery 1240
and supplies the same to the heater 1250. In addition, when the aerosol
generating device 1200 generates aerosols in an induction heating method, the
aerosol generating device 1200 may further include a DC/alternating current
(AC) that converts DC power of the battery 1240 into AC power.
The controller 1210, the sensing unit 1220, the output unit 1230, the
user input unit 1260, the memory 1270, and the communication unit 1280 may
each receive power from the battery 1240 to perform a function. Although not
illustrated in FIG. 12, the aerosol generating device 1200 may further
include a power conversion circuit that converts power of the battery 1240 to
supply the power to respective components, for example, a low dropout (LDO)
circuit, or a voltage regulator circuit.
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In an embodiment, the heater 1250 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,
nichrome, or the like, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heater
1250 may be implemented by a metal wire, a metal plate on which an
electrically conductive track is arranged, a ceramic heating element, or the
like, but is not limited thereto.
In another embodiment, the heater 1250 may be a heater of an induction
heating type. For example, the heater 1250 may include a suspector that heats
an aerosol generating material by generating heat through a magnetic field
applied by a coil.
The user input unit 1260 may receive information input from the user or
may output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 1260 may
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include a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (a contact capacitive method, a
pressure resistance film method, an infrared sensing method, a surface
ultrasonic conduction method, an integral tension measurement method, a piezo
effect method, or the like), a jog wheel, a jog switch, or the like, but is
not limited thereto. In addition, although not illustrated in FIG. 12, the
aerosol generating device 1200 may further include a connection interface,
such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and may connect to other
external devices through the connection interface, such as the USB interface,
to transmit and receive information, or to charge the battery 1240.
The memory 1270 is a hardware component that stores various types of
data processed in the aerosol generating device 1200, and may store data
processed and data to be processed by the controller 1210. The memory 1270
may include at least one type of storage medium from among a flash memory
type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type memory, a card-type
memory (for example, secure digital (SD) or extreme digital (XD) memory,
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etc.), random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-
only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory
(EEPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic
disk, and an optical disk. The memory 1270 may store an operation time of the
aerosol generating device 1200, the maximum number of puffs, the current
number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, data on a user's smoking
pattern, etc.
The communication unit 1280 may include at least one component for
communication with another electronic device. For example, the communication
unit 1280 may include a short-range wireless communication unit 1282 and a
wireless communication unit 1284.
The short-range wireless communication unit 1282 may include a
Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication
unit, a near field communication unit, a wireless LAN (WLAN)
communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an infrared data association
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(IrDA) communication unit, a Wi-Fi Direct (WE'D) communication unit, an ultra-
wideband (UWB) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, or the like,
but is not limited thereto.
The wireless communication unit 1284 may include a cellular network
communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g.,
local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN)) communication unit, or
the like, but is not limited thereto. The wireless communication unit 1284
may also identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 1200 within
a communication network by using subscriber information (e.g., International
Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)).
The controller 1210 may control general operations of the aerosol
generating device 1200. In an embodiment, the controller 1210 may include at
least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of a
plurality of logic gates or may be implemented as a combination of a general-
purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable by the
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microprocessor is stored. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in
the art that the processor may be implemented in other forms of hardware.
The controller 1210 may control the temperature of the heater 1250 by
controlling supply of power of the battery 1240 to the heater 1250. For
example, the controller 1210 may control power supply by controlling
switching of a switching element between the battery 1240 and the heater
1250. In another example, a direct heating circuit may also control power
supply to the heater 1250 according to a control command of the controller
1210.
The controller 1210 may analyze a result sensed by the sensing unit
1220 and control subsequent processes to be performed. For example, the
controller 1210 may control power supplied to the heater 1250 to start or end
an operation of the heater 1250 on the basis of a result sensed by the
sensing unit 1220. As another example, the controller 1210 may control, based
on a result sensed by the sensing unit 1220, an amount of power supplied to
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the heater 1250 and the time the power is supplied, such that the heater 1250
may be heated to a certain temperature or maintained at an appropriate
temperature.
The controller 1210 may control the output unit 1230 on the basis of a
result sensed by the sensing unit 1220. For example, when the number of puffs
counted through the puff sensor 1226 reaches a preset number, the controller
1210 may notify the user that the aerosol generating device 1200 will soon be
terminated through at least one of the display unit 1232, the haptic unit
1234, and the sound output unit 1236.
One embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a computer-
readable recording medium including instructions executable by a computer,
such as a program module executable by the computer. The computer-readable
recording medium may be any available medium that may be accessed by a
computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, and removable and
non-removable media. In addition, the computer-readable recording medium may
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include both a computer storage medium and a communication medium. The
computer storage medium includes all of volatile and nonvolatile media, and
removable and non-removable media implemented by any method or technology for
storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data
structures, program modules, or other data. The communication medium
typically includes computer-readable instructions, data structures, other
data in modulated data signals such as program modules, or other transmission
mechanisms, and includes any information transfer media.
The descriptions of the above-described embodiments are merely
examples, and it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that
various changes and equivalents thereof may be made. Therefore, the scope of
the disclosure should be defined by the appended claims, and all differences
within the scope equivalent to those described in the claims will be
construed as being included in the scope of protection defined by the claims.
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