Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1
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Description
Title of Invention: AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE
Technical Field
[11 The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating
device.
Background Art
[2] An aerosol-generating device is a device that extracts
certain components from a
medium or a substance by forming an aerosol. The medium may contain a multi-
component substance. The substance contained in the medium may be a multi-
component flavoring substance. For example, the substance contained in the
medium
may include a nicotine component, an herbal component, and/or a coffee
component.
Recently, various research on aerosol-generating devices has been conducted.
Disclosure of Invention
Technical Problem
[31 It is an object of the present disclosure to solve the above
and other problems.
[4] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an
aerosol-generating device
capable of setting various operation modes in order to provide various use
experiences
to a user.
[51 It is still another object of the present disclosure to
provide an aerosol-generating
device capable of independently heating a stick and a liquid according to
operation
modes, thereby appropriately adjusting the taste or flavor of an aerosol and
the at-
omization amount.
Solution to Problem
[6] An aerosol-generating device according to an aspect of the
present disclosure for ac-
complishing the above and other objects may include a cartridge having a
chamber
formed therein to store liquid, a first heater configured to heat the liquid,
a housing
having an insertion space defined therein, a second heater configured to heat
a stick
inserted into the insertion space, a memory configured to store a plurality of
liquid
temperature profiles corresponding to the first heater and a plurality of
stick tem-
perature profiles corresponding to the second heater, and a controller
configured to set
any one of a plurality of modes to an operation mode of the aerosol-generating
device.
The controller may determine a target temperature for the first heater based
on a liquid
temperature profile corresponding to the set operation mode among the
plurality of
liquid temperature profiles, and may determine a target temperature for the
second
heater based on a stick temperature profile corresponding to the set operation
mode
among the plurality of stick temperature profiles. The plurality of modes may
include
two or more modes among a first mode corresponding to the liquid, a second
mode
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corresponding to both the stick and the liquid, and a third mode corresponding
to the
stick.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[71 According to at least one of embodiments of the present
disclosure, it may be
possible to set various operation modes in order to provide various use
experiences to a
user.
[81 According to at least one of embodiments of the present
disclosure, it may be
possible to appropriately adjust the taste or flavor of an aerosol and the
atomization
amount by independently heating a stick and a liquid according to operation
modes.
191 Additional applications of the present disclosure will
become apparent from the
following detailed description. However, because various changes and
modifications
will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art within the spirit and
scope of the
present disclosure, it should be understood that the detailed description and
specific
embodiments, such as preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, are
merely
given by way of example.
Brief Description of Drawings
[10] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the
present disclosure
will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken
in con-
junction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[11] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol-generating device according to
an em-
bodiment of the present disclosure;
1121 FIGS. 2 and 3 are views for explaining an aerosol-generating
device according to
embodiments of the present disclosure;
[13] FIGS. 4 and 5 are views for explaining a stick according to
embodiments of the
present disclosure;
[14] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation method of the aerosol-
generating device
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[151 FIGS. 7 to 13 are diagrams for explaining the operation of
an aerosol-generating
device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention
[16] Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in the present specification
will be described
in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar
elements
are denoted by the same reference numerals even though they are depicted in
different
drawings, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.
[17] In the following description, with respect to constituent elements
used in the
following description, the suffixes "module" and "unit" are used only in
consideration
of facilitation of description. The "module" and "unit" are do not have
mutually dis-
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tinguished meanings or functions.
[18] In addition, in the following description of the embodiments disclosed
in the present
specification, a detailed description of known functions and configurations in-
corporated herein will be omitted when the same may make the subject matter of
the
embodiments disclosed in the present specification rather unclear. In
addition, the ac-
companying drawings are provided only for a better understanding of the
embodiments
disclosed in the present specification and are not intended to limit the
technical ideas
disclosed in the present specification. Therefore, it should be understood
that the ac-
companying drawings include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions
within
the scope and sprit of the present disclosure.
[19] It will be understood that the terms "first", "second", etc., may be
used herein to
describe various components. However, these components should not be limited
by
these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from
another
component.
[20] It will be understood that when a component is referred to as being
"connected to" or
"coupled to" another component, it may be directly connected to or coupled to
another
component. However, it will be understood that intervening components may be
present. On the other hand, when a component is referred to as being "directly
connected to" or "directly coupled to" another component, there are no
intervening
components present.
[21] As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural
forms as well,
unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
[22] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol-generating device according to
an em-
bodiment of the present disclosure.
[23] Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol-generating device 10 may include a
communication
interface 11, an input/output interface 12, an aerosol-generating module 13, a
memory
14, a sensor module 15, a battery 16, and/or a controller 17.
[24] In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 10 may be composed
only of a
main body. In this case, components included in the aerosol-generating device
10 may
be located in the main body. In another embodiment, the aerosol-generating
device 10
may be composed of a cartridge, which contains an aerosol-generating
substance, and a
main body. In this case, the components included in the aerosol-generating
device 10
may be located in at least one of the main body or the cartridge.
[25] The communication interface 11 may include at least one communication
module for
communication with an external device and/or a network. For example, the commu-
nication interface 11 may include a communication module for wired
communication,
such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB). For example, the communication interface
11
may include a communication module for wireless communication, such as
Wireless
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Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), ZigBee, or nearfield
com-
munication (NFC).
[26] The input/output interface 12 may include an input device (not shown)
for receiving
a command from a user and/or an output device (not shown) for outputting
information
to the user. For example, the input device may include a touch panel, a
physical button,
a microphone, or the like. For example, the output device may include a
display device
for outputting visual information, such as a display or a light-emitting diode
(LED), an
audio device for outputting auditory information, such as a speaker or a
buzzer, a
motor for outputting tactile information such as haptic effect, or the like.
[27] The input/output interface 12 may transmit data corresponding to a
command input
by the user through the input device to another component (or other
components) of
the aerosol-generating device 100. The input/output interface 12 may output in-
formation corresponding to data received from another component (or other
components) of the aerosol-generating device 10 through the output device.
[28] The aerosol-generating module 13 may generate an aerosol from an
aerosol-
generating substance. Here, the aerosol-generating substance may be a
substance in a
liquid state, a solid state, or a gel state, which is capable of generating an
aerosol, or a
combination of two or more aerosol-generating substances.
1291 According to an embodiment, the liquid aerosol-generating
substance may be a liquid
including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor
component.
According to another embodiment, the liquid aerosol-generating substance may
be a
liquid including a non-tobacco material. For example, the liquid aerosol-
generating
substance may include water, solvents, nicotine, plant extracts, flavorings,
flavoring
agents, vitamin mixtures, etc.
[30] The solid aerosol-generating substance may include a solid material
based on a
tobacco raw material such as a reconstituted tobacco sheet, shredded tobacco,
or
granulated tobacco. In addition, the solid aerosol-generating substance may
include a
solid material having a taste control agent and a flavoring material. For
example, the
taste control agent may include calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, calcium
oxide.
etc. For example, the flavoring material may include a natural material such
as herbal
granules, or may include a material such as silica, zeolite, or dextrin, which
includes an
aroma ingredient.
[31] In addition, the aerosol-generating substance may further include an
aerosol-forming
agent such as glycerin or propylene glycol.
[32] The aerosol-generating module 13 may include at least one heater (not
shown).
[33] The aerosol-generating module 13 may include an electro-resistive
heater. For
example, the electro-resistive heater may include at least one electrically
conductive
track. The electro-resistive heater may be heated as current flows through the
elec-
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trically conductive track. At this time, the aerosol-generating substance may
be heated
by the heated electro-resistive heater.
[34] The electrically conductive track may include an electro-resistive
material. In one
example, the electrically conductive track may be formed of a metal material.
In
another example, the electrically conductive track may be formed of a ceramic
material, carbon, a metal alloy, or a composite of a ceramic material and
metal.
[35] The electro-resistive heater may include an electrically conductive
track that is
formed in any of various shapes. For example, the electrically conductive
track may be
formed in any one of a tubular shape, a plate shape, a needle shape, a rod
shape, and a
coil shape.
[36] The aerosol-generating module 13 may include a heater that uses an
induction-
heating method. For example, the induction heater may include an electrically
conductive coil. The induction heater may generate an alternating magnetic
field,
which periodically changes in direction, by adjusting the current flowing
through the
electrically conductive coil. At this time, when the alternating magnetic
field is applied
to a magnetic body, energy loss may occur in the magnetic body due to eddy
current
loss and hysteresis loss. In addition, the lost energy may be released as
thermal energy.
Accordingly, the aerosol-generating substance located adjacent to the magnetic
body
may be heated. Here, an object that generates heat due to the magnetic field
may be
referred to as a susceptor.
[37] Meanwhile, the aerosol-generating module 13 may generate ultrasonic
vibrations to
thereby generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating substance.
[38] The aerosol-generating device 10 may be referred to as a cartomizer,
an atomizer, or
a vaporizer.
[39] The memory 14 may store programs for processing and controlling each
signal in the
controller 17. The memory 14 may store processed data and data to be
processed.
[40] For example, the memory 14 may store applications designed for the
purpose of
performing various tasks that can be processed by the controller 17. The
memory 14
may selectively provide some of the stored applications in response to the
request from
the controller 17.
[41] For example, the memory 14 may store data on the operation time of the
aerosol-
generating device 100, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of
puffs, the
number of uses of battery 16, at least one temperature profile, the user's
inhalation
pattern, and data about charging/discharging. Here, "puff" means inhalation by
the
user. "inhalation" means the user's act of taking air or other substances into
the user's
oral cavity, nasal cavity, or lungs through the user's mouth or nose.
[42] The memory 14 may include at least one of volatile memory (e.g.
dynamic random
access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), or synchronous
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dynamic random access memory (SDRAM)), nonvolatile memory (e.g. flash memory),
a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid-state drive (SSD).
[43] The sensor module 15 may include at least one sensor.
[44] For example,the sensor module 15 may include a sensor for sensing a
puff
(hereinafter referred to as a "puff sensor"). In this case, the puff sensor
may be im-
plemented as a proximity sensor such as an IR sensor, a pressure sensor, a
gyro sensor,
an acceleration sensor, a magnetic field sensor, or the like.
[45] For example, the sensor module 15 may include a sensor for sensing a
puff
(hereinafter referred to as a "puff sensor"). In this case, the puff sensor
may be im-
plemented by a pressure sensor, a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, a
magnetic field
sensor, or the like.
1-461 For example, the sensor module 15 may include a sensor for
sensing the temperature
of the heater included in the aerosol-generating module 13 and the temperature
of the
aerosol-generating substance (hereinafter referred to as a "temperature
sensor"). In this
case, the heater included in the aerosol-generating module 13 may also serve
as the
temperature sensor. For example, the electro-resistive material of the heater
may be a
material having a predetermined temperature coefficient of resistance. The
sensor
module 15 may measure the resistance of the heater, which varies according to
the
temperature, to thereby sense the temperature of the heater.
[47] For example, in the case in which the main body of the aerosol-
generating device 10
is formed to allow a stick to be inserted thereinto, the sensor module 15 may
include a
sensor for sensing insertion of the stick (hereinafter referred to as a "stick
detection
sensor").
[48] For example, in the case in which the aerosol-generating device 10
includes a
cartridge, the sensor module 15 may include a sensor for sensing mounting/de-
mounting of the cartridge and the position of the cartridge (hereinafter
referred to as a
"cartridge detection sensor").
[49] In this case, the stick detection sensor and/or the cartridge
detection sensor may be
implemented as an inductance-based sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistance
sensor, or
a Hall sensor (or Hall IC) using a Hall effect.
[50] For example, the sensor module 15 may include a voltage sensor for
sensing a
voltage applied to a component (e.g. the battery 16) provided in the aerosol-
generating
device 10 and/or a current sensor for sensing a current.
[511 The battery 16 may supply electric power used for the
operation of the aerosol-
generating device 10 under the control of the controller 17. The battery 16
may supply
electric power to other components provided in the aerosol-generating device
100. For
example, the battery 16 may supply electric power to the communication module
included in the communication interface 11, the output device included in the
input/
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output interface 12, and the heater included in the aerosol-generating module
13.
[52] The battery 16 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery.
For example,
the battery 16 may be a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery or a lithium polymer (Li-
polymer)
battery. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example,
when the
battery 16 is rechargeable, the charging rate (C-rate) of the battery 16 may
be 10C, and
the discharging rate (C-rate) thereof may be 10C to 20C. However, the present
disclosure is not limited thereto. Also, for stable use, the battery 16 may be
manu-
factured such that 80% or more of the total capacity may be ensured even when
charging/discharging is performed 2000 times.
[53] The aerosol-generating device 10 may further include a protection
circuit module
(PCM) (not shown), which is a circuit for protecting the battery 16. The
protection
circuit module (PCM) may be disposed adjacent to the upper surface of the
battery 16.
For example, in order to prevent overcharging and overdischarging of the
battery 16,
the protection circuit module (PCM) may cut off the electrical path to the
battery 16
when a short circuit occurs in a circuit connected to the battery 16, when an
overvoltage is applied to the battery 16, or when an overcurrent flows through
the
battery 16.
[54] The aerosol-generating device 10 may further include a charging
terminal to which
electric power supplied from the outside is input. For example, the charging
terminal
may be formed at one side of the main body of the aerosol-generating device
100. The
aerosol-generating device 10 may charge the battery 16 using electric power
supplied
through the charging terminal. In this case, the charging terminal may be
configured as
a wired terminal for USB communication, a pogo pin, or the like.
[55] The aerosol-generating device 10 may further include a power terminal
(not shown)
to which electric power supplied from the outside is input. For example, a
power line
may be connected to the power terminal, which is disposed at one side of the
main
body of the aerosol-generating device 100. The aerosol-generating device 10
may use
the electric power supplied through the power line connected to the power
terminal to
charge the battery 16. In this case, the power terminal may be a wired
terminal for
USB communication.
[56] The aerosol-generating device 10 may wirelessly receive electric power
supplied
from the outside through the communication interface 11. For example, the
aerosol-
generating device 10 may wirelessly receive electric power using an antenna
included
in the communication module for wireless communication. The aerosol-generating
device 10 may charge the battery 16 using the wirelessly supplied electric
power.
[57] The controller 17 may control the overall operation of the aerosol-
generating device
100. The controller 17 may be connected to each of the components provided in
the
aerosol-generating device 100. The controller 17 may transmit and/or receive a
signal
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to and/or from each of the components, thereby controlling the overall
operation of
each of the components.
[58] The controller 17 may include at least one processor. The controller
17 may control
the overall operation of the aerosol-generating device 10 using the processor
included
therein. Here, the processor may be a general processor such as a central
processing
unit (CPU). Of course, the processor may be a dedicated device such as an
application-
specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or may be any of other hardware-based
processors.
[59] The controller 17 may perform any one of a plurality of functions of
the aerosol-
generating device 100. For example, the controller 17 may perform any one of a
plurality of functions of the aerosol-generating device 10 (e.g. a preheating
function, a
heating function, a charging function, and a cleaning function) according to
the state of
each of the components provided in the aerosol-generating device 10 and the
user's
command received through the input/output interface 12.
[60] The controller 17 may control the operation of each of the components
provided in
the aerosol-generating device 10 based on data stored in the memory 14. For
example,
the controller 17 may control the supply of a predetermined amount of electric
power
from the battery 16 to the aerosol-generating module 13 for a predetermined
time
based on the data on the temperature profile, the user's inhalation pattern,
which is
stored in the memory 14.
[61] The controller 17 may determine the occurrence or non-occurrence of a
puff using
the puff sensor included in the sensor module 15. For example, the controller
17 may
check a temperature change, a flow change, a pressure change, and a voltage
change in
the aerosol-generating device 10 based on the values sensed by the puff
sensor. The
controller 17 may determine the occurrence or non-occurrence of a puff based
on the
value sensed by the puff sensor.
[62] The controller 17 may control the operation of each of the components
provided in
the aerosol-generating device 10 according to the occurrence or non-occurrence
of a
puff and/or the number of puffs. For example, the controller 17 may perform
control
such that the temperature of the heater is changed or maintained based on the
tem-
perature profile stored in the memory 14.
[63] The controller 17 may perform control such that the supply of electric
power to the
heater is interrupted according to a predetermined condition. For example, the
controller 17 may perform control such that the supply of electric power to
the heater
is interrupted when the stick is removed, when the cartridge is demounted,
when the
number of puffs reaches the predetermined maximum number of puffs, when a puff
is
not sensed during a predetermined period of time or longer, or when the
remaining
capacity of the battery 16 is less than a predetermined value.
[64] The controller 17 may calculate the remaining capacity with respect to
the full charge
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capacity of the battery 16. For example, the controller 17 may calculate the
remaining
capacity of the battery 16 based on the values sensed by the voltage sensor
and/or the
current sensor included in the sensor module 15.
[65] The controller 17 may perform control such that electric power is
supplied to the
heater using at least one of a pulse width modulation (PWM) method or a
proportional-
integral-differential (PM) method.
[66] For example, the controller 17 may perform control such that a current
pulse having
a predetermined frequency and a predetermined duty ratio is supplied to the
heater
using the PWM method. In this case, the controller 17 may control the amount
of
electric power supplied to the heater by adjusting the frequency and the duty
ratio of
the current pulse.
[67] For example, the controller 17 may determine a target temperature to
be controlled
based on the temperature profile. In this case, the controller 17 may control
the amount
of electric power supplied to the heater using the PID method, which is a
feedback
control method using a difference value between the temperature of the heater
and the
target temperature, a value obtained by integrating the difference value with
respect to
time, and a value obtained by differentiating the difference value with
respect to time.
[68] Although the PWM method and the PID method are described as examples
of
methods of controlling the supply of electric power to the heater, the present
disclosure
is not limited thereto, and may employ any of various control methods, such as
a pro-
portional-integral (PI) method or a proportional-differential (PD) method.
[69] Meanwhile, the controller 17 may perform control such that electric
power is
supplied to the heater according to a predetermined condition. For example,
when a
cleaning function for cleaning the space into which the stick is inserted is
selected in
response to a command input by the user through the input/output interface 12,
the
controller 17 may perform control such that a predetermined amount of electric
power
is supplied to the heater.
[70] FIGS. 2 and 3 are views for explaining an aerosol-generating device
according to
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[71] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the
aerosol-generating
device 10 may include a main body 100 and/or a cartridge 200.
[72] Referring to FIG. 2, the aerosol-generating device 10 according to an
embodiment
may include a main body 100 and a cartridge 200. The main body 100 may support
the
cartridge 200, and the cartridge 200 may contain an aerosol-generating
substance.
[73] According to one embodiment, the cartridge 200 may be configured so as
to be de-
tachably mounted to the main body 100. According to another embodiment, the
cartridge 200 may be integrally configured with the main body 100. For
example, the
cartridge 200 may be mounted to the main body 100 in a manner such that at
least a
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portion of the cartridge 200 is inserted into the insertion space formed by a
housing
101 of the main body 100.
[74] The main body 100 may be formed to have a structure in which external
air can be
introduced into the main body 100 in the state in which the cartridge 200 is
inserted
thereinto. Here, the external air introduced into the main body 100 may flow
into the
user's mouth via the cartridge 200.
[75] The controller 17 may determine whether the cartridge 200 is in a
mounted state or a
detached state using a cartridge detection sensor included in the sensor
module 15. For
example, the cartridge detection sensor may transmit a pulse current through a
first
terminal connected with the cartridge 200. In this case, the controller 17 may
determine whether the cartridge 200 is in a connected state, based on whether
the pulse
current is received through a second terminal.
[76] The cartridge 200 may include an insertion space 230 configured to
allow the stick
20 to be inserted. For example, the cartridge 200 may include the insertion
space
formed by an inner wall extending in a circumferential direction along a
direction in
which the stick 20 is inserted. In this case, the insertion space may be
formed by
opening the inner side of the inner wall up and down. The stick 20 may be
inserted into
the insertion space formed by the inner wall.
[77] The insertion space into which the stick 20 is inserted may be formed
in a shape cor-
responding to the shape of a portion of the stick 20 inserted into the
insertion space.
For example, when the stick 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape, the insertion
space
may be formed in a cylindrical shape.
[78] When the stick 20 is inserted into the insertion space, the outer
surface of the stick 20
may be surrounded by the inner wall and contact the inner wall. A portion of
the stick
20 may be inserted into the insertion space 230 in the cartridge 200, and the
remaining
portion thereof may be exposed to the outside.
[791 The stick 20 may be similar to a general combustive
cigarette. For example, the stick
20 may be divided into a first portion including an aerosol generating
material and a
second portion including a filter and the like. Alternatively, an aerosol
generating
material may be included in the second portion of the stick 20. For example, a
flavoring substance made in the form of granules or capsules may be inserted
into the
second portion.
[80] The entire first portion is inserted into the insertion
space of the aerosol-generating
device 10, and the second portion may be exposed to the outside.
Alternatively, only a
portion of the first portion may be inserted into the insertion space of the
aerosol-
generating device 10, or a portion of the first portion and the second portion
may be
inserted. The user may inhale the aerosol while biting the second portion with
the
mouth.
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[811
The cartridge 200 may include a first heater 210 for heating an aerosol-
generating
substance, a second heater 215 for heating the stick 20, and/or a storage unit
220
containing the aerosol-generating substance. For example, a liquid delivery
element
impregnated with (containing) the aerosol-generating substance may be disposed
in the
storage unit 220. The storage unit 220 storing liquid may be referred to as a
chamber
220.
[82] The electrically conductive track of the first heater 210 may be
formed in a structure
that is wound around the liquid delivery element. In this case, when the
liquid delivery
element is heated by the first heater 210, an aerosol may be generated. Here,
the liquid
delivery element may include a wick made of, for example, cotton fiber,
ceramic fiber,
glass fiber, or porous ceramic.
[83] The second heater 215 may be disposed in the cartridge 200 at a
position corre-
sponding to a position at which the stick 20 is located after being inserted
into the
insertion space 230. The second heater 215 may be implemented as an
electrically
conductive heater and/or an induction heating type heater.
[84] The second heater 215 may heat the inside and/or the outside of the
stick 20 using the
power supplied from the battery 16. In this case, an aerosol may be generated
in the
heated stick 20.
[85] The user may inhale the aerosol while biting one end of the stick 20
with the mouth.
The aerosol generated by the heater 210 may pass through the stick 20 and be
delivered to the user's mouth. At this time, while the aerosol passes through
the stick
20, the material contained in the stick 20 may be added to the aerosol.
[86] Referring to FIG. 3, the aerosol-generating device 10 according to an
embodiment
may include a main body 100 supporting the cartridge 200 and a cartridge 200
containing an aerosol-generating substance. The main body 100 may be formed so
as
to allow the stick 20 to be inserted into an insertion space 130 therein. The
stick 20
may be inserted into the insertion space 130 defined by the inner wall of the
housing
101 of the main body 100.
[87] The aerosol-generating device 10 may include a first heater 210 for
heating the
aerosol-generating substance stored in the cartridge 200. For example, when
the user
holds one end of the stick 20 in the mouth to inhale the aerosol, the aerosol
generated
by the first heater 210 may pass through the stick 20. At this time, while the
aerosol
passes through the stick 20, a flavor may be added to the aerosol. The aerosol
containing the flavor may be drawn into the user's oral cavity through one end
of the
stick 20.
[88] The aerosol-generating device 10 may include a first heater 210 for
heating the
aerosol-generating substance stored in the cartridge 200 and a second heater
115 for
heating the stick 20 inserted into the main body 100. For example, the aerosol-
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generating device 10 may generate an aerosol by heating the aerosol-generating
substance stored in the cartridge 200 and the stick 20 using the first heater
210 and the
second heater 115, respectively.
[89] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described on the basis of
an embodiment
in which the stick 20 is inserted into the insertion space 130 defined in the
housing 101
of the main body 100.
[90] FIGS. 4 and 5 are views for explaining a stick according to
embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[91] Referring to FIG. 4, the stick 20 may include a tobacco rod 21 and a
filter rod 22.
The first portion described above with reference to FIG. 2 may include the
tobacco rod.
The second portion described above with reference to FIG. 2 may include the
filter rod
22.
[92] FIG. 5 illustrates that the filter rod 22 includes a single segment.
However, the filter
rod 22 is not limited thereto. In other words, the filter rod 22 may include a
plurality of
segments. For example, the filter rod 22 may include a first segment
configured to cool
an aerosol and a second segment configured to filter a certain component
included in
the aerosol. Also, as necessary, the filter rod 22 may further include at
least one
segment configured to perform other functions.
1931 A diameter of the stick 20 may be within a range of 5 mm to
9 mm, and a length of
the stick 20 may be about 48 mm, but embodiments are not limited thereto. For
example, a length of the tobacco rod 21 may be about 12 mm, a length of a
first
segment of the filter rod 22 may be about 10 mm, a length of a second segment
of the
filter rod 22 may be about 14 mm, and a length of a third segment of the
filter rod 22
may be about 12 mm, but embodiments are not limited thereto.
[94] The stick 20 may be wrapped using at least one wrapper 24. The wrapper
24 may
have at least one hole through which external air may be introduced or
internal air may
be discharged. For example, the stick 20 may be wrapped using one wrapper 24.
As
another example, the stick 20 may be double-wrapped using at least two
wrappers 24.
For example, the tobacco rod 21 may be wrapped using a first wrapper 241. For
example, the filter rod 22 may be wrapped using wrappers 242, 243, 244. The
tobacco
rod 21 and the filter rod 22 wrapped by wrappers may be combined. The stick 20
may
be re-wrapped by a single wrapper 245. When each of the tobacco rod 21 and the
filter
rod 22 includes a plurality of segments, each segment may be wrapped using
wrappers
242, 243, 244. The entirety of stick 20 composed of a plurality of segments
wrapped
by wrappers may be re-wrapped by another wrapper
[95] The first wrapper 241 and the second wrapper 242 may be formed of
general filter
wrapping paper. For example, the first wrapper 241 and the second wrapper 242
may
be porous wrapping paper or non-porous wrapping paper. Also, the first wrapper
241
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and the second wrapper 242 may be made of an oil-resistant paper sheet and an
aluminum laminate packaging material.
[96] The third wrapper 243 may be made of a hard wrapping paper. For
example, a basis
weight of the third wrapper 243 may be within a range of 88 g/m2 to 96 g/m2.
For
example, the basis weight of the third wrapper 243 may be within a range of 90
g/m2
to 94 g/m2. Also, a total thickness of the third wrapper 243 may be within a
range of
1200 urn to 1300 Kn. For example, the total thickness of the third wrapper 243
may be
125 Itm.
[97] The fourth wrapper 244 may be made of an oil-resistant hard wrapping
paper. For
example, a basis weight of the fourth wrapper 244 may be within a range of
about 88
g/m2 to about 96 g/m2. For example, the basis weight of the fourth wrapper 244
may
be within a range of 90 g/m2 to 94 g/m2. Also, a total thickness of the fourth
wrapper
244 may be within a range of 1200 p.m to 1300 itm. For example, the total
thickness of
the fourth wrapper 244 may be 125 p.m.
[98] The fifth wrapper 245 may be made of a sterilized paper (MFW). Here.
the MFVV
refers to a paper specially manufactured to have enhanced tensile strength,
water re-
sistance, smoothness, and the like, compared to ordinary paper. For example, a
basis
weight of the fifth wrapper 245 may be within a range of 57 g/m2 to 63 g/m2.
For
example, a basis weight of the fifth wrapper 245 may be about 60 g/m2. Also,
the total
thickness of the fifth wrapper 245 may be within a range of 64 tm to 70 11m.
For
example, the total thickness of the fifth wrapper 245 may be 67 [an.
[99] A predetermined material may be included in the fifth wrapper 245.
Here, an
example of the predetermined material may be, but is not limited to, silicon.
For
example, silicon exhibits characteristics like heat resistance with little
change due to
the temperature, oxidation resistance, resistances to various chemicals, water
re-
pellency, electrical insulation, etc. However, any material other than silicon
may be
applied to (or coated on) the fifth wrapper 245 without limitation as long as
the
material has the above-mentioned characteristics.
[100] The fifth wrapper 245 may prevent the stick 20 from being burned. For
example,
when the tobacco rod 21 is heated by the heater 110, there is a possibility
that the stick
20 is burned. In detail, when the temperature is raised to a temperature above
the
ignition point of any one of materials included in the tobacco rod 21, the
stick 20 may
be burned. Even in this case, since the fifth wrapper 245 include a non-
combustible
material, the burning of the stick 20 may be prevented.
[101] Furthermore, the fifth wrapper 245 may prevent the aerosol generating
device 100
from being contaminated by substances formed by the stick 20. Through puffs of
a
user, liquid substances may be formed in the stick 20. For example, as the
aerosol
formed by the stick 20 is cooled by the outside air, liquid materials (e.g.,
moisture,
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etc.) may be formed. As the fifth wrapper 245 wraps the stick 20, the liquid
materials
formed in the stick 20 may be prevented from being leaked out of the stick 20.
[102] The tobacco rod 21 may include 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. Also, the tobacco
rod 21 may
include other additives, such as flavors, a wetting agent, and/or organic
acid. Also, the
tobacco rod 21 may include a flavored liquid, such as menthol or a
moisturizer, which
is injected to the tobacco rod 21.
[103] The tobacco rod 21 may be manufactured in various forms. For example,
the tobacco
rod 21 may be formed as a sheet or a strand. Also, the tobacco rod 21 may be
formed
as a pipe tobacco, which is formed of tiny bits cut from a tobacco sheet.
Also, the
tobacco rod 21 may he surrounded by a heat conductive 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 conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 21
may
uniformly distribute heat transmitted to the tobacco rod 21, and thus, the
heat con-
ductivity applied to the tobacco rod may be increased and taste of the tobacco
may be
improved. Also, the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 21
may
function as a susceptor heated by the induction heater. Here, although not
illustrated in
the drawings, the tobacco rod 21 may further include an additional susceptor,
in
addition to the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 21.
[104] The filter rod 22 may include a cellulose acetate filter. Shapes of
the filter rod 22 are
not limited. For example, the filter rod 22 may include a cylinder-type rod or
a tube-
type rod having a hollow inside. Also, the filter rod 22 may include a recess-
type rod.
When the filter rod 22 includes a plurality of segments, at least one of the
plurality of
segments may have a different shape.
[1051 The first segment of the filter rod 22 may be a cellulous
acetate filter. For example,
the first segment may be a tube-type structure having a hollow inside. The
first
segment may prevent an internal material of the tobacco rod 21 from being
pushed
back when the heater 110 is inserted into the tobacco rod 21 and may also
provide a
cooling effect to aerosol. A diameter of the hollow included in the first
segment may
be an appropriate diameter within a range of 2 mm to 4.5 mm but is not limited
thereto.
[106] The length of the first segment may be an appropriate length within a
range of 4 mm
to 30 mm but is not limited thereto. For example, the length of the first
segment may
be 10 mm but is not limited thereto.
[107] The second segment of the filter rod 22 cools the aerosol which is
generated when
the heater 110 heats the tobacco rod 21. Therefore, the user may puff the
aerosol which
is cooled at an appropriate temperature.
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[108] The length or diameter of the second segment may be variously
determined
according to the shape of the stick 20. For example, the length of the second
segment
may be an appropriate length within a range of 7 mm to 20 mm. Preferably, the
length
of the second segment may be about 14 mm but is not limited thereto.
[109] The second segment may be manufactured by weaving a polymer fiber. In
this case,
a flavoring liquid may also be applied to the fiber formed of the polymer.
Alter-
natively, the second segment may be manufactured by weaving together an
additional
fiber coated with a flavoring liquid and a fiber formed of a polymer.
Alternatively, the
second segment may be formed by a crimped polymer sheet.
[110] For example, a polymer may be formed of a material selected from the
group
consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC),
polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), cellulous acetate
(CA), and
aluminum coil.
[111] As the second segment is formed by the woven polymer fiber or the
crimped polymer
sheet, the second segment may include a single channel or a plurality of
channels
extending in a longitudinal direction. Here, a channel refers to a passage
through which
a gas (e.g., air or aerosol) passes.
[112] For example, the second segment formed of the crimped polymer sheet
may be
formed from a material having a thickness between about 5 jinn and about 300
jtm, for
example, between about 10 jtm and about 250 jtm. Also, a total surface area of
the
second segment may be between about 300 mm2/mm and about 1000 mm2/mm. In
addition, an aerosol cooling element may be formed from a material having a
specific
surface area between about 10 mm2/mg and about 100 mm2/mg.
[113] The second segment may include a thread including a volatile flavor
component.
Here, the volatile flavor component may be menthol but is not limited thereto.
For
example, the thread may be filled with a sufficient amount of menthol to
provide the
second segment with menthol of 1.5 mg or more.
[114] The third segment of the filter rod 22 may be a cellulous acetate
filter. The length of
the third segment may be an appropriate length within a range of 4 mm to 20
mm. For
example, the length of the third segment may be about 12 mm but is not limited
thereto.
[115] The filter rod 22 may be manufactured to generate flavors. For
example, a flavoring
liquid may be injected onto the filter rod 22. For example, an additional
fiber coated
with a flavoring liquid may be inserted into the filter rod 22.
[116] Also, the filter rod 22 may include at least one capsule 23. Here,
the capsule 23 may
generate a flavor. The capsule 23 may generate an aerosol. For example, the
capsule 23
may have a configuration in which a liquid including a flavoring material is
wrapped
with a film. The capsule 23 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape but is
not limited
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thereto.
[117] Referring to FIG. 5, a stick 30 may further include a front-end plug
33. The front-end
plug 33 may be located on a side of a tobacco rod 31, the side not facing a
filter rod 32.
The front-end plug 33 may prevent the tobacco rod 31 from being detached and
prevent liquefied aerosol from flowing into the aerosol generating device 10
from the
tobacco rod 31, during smoking.
[118] The filter rod 32 may include a first segment 321 and a second
segment 322. The
first segment 321 may correspond to the first segment of the filter rod 22 of
FIG. 4.
The segment 322 may correspond to the third segment of the filter rod 22 of
FIG. 4.
[119] A diameter and a total length of the stick 30 may correspond to the
diameter and a
total length of the stick 20 of FIG. 4. For example, a length of the front-end
plug 33
may be about 7 mm, a length of the tobacco rod 31 may be about 15 mm, a length
of
the first segment 321 may be about 12 mm, and a length of the second segment
322
may be about 14 mm, but embodiments are not limited thereto.
[120] The stick 30 may be wrapped using at least one wrapper 35. The
wrapper 35 may
have at least one hole through which external air may be introduced or
internal air may
be discharged. For example, the front-end plug 33 may be wrapped using a first
wrapper 351, the tobacco rod 31 may be wrapped using a second wrapper 352, the
first
segment 321 may be wrapped using a third wrapper 353, and the second segment
322
may be wrapped using a fourth wrapper 354. Also, the entire stick 30 may be re-
wrapped using a fifth wrapper 355.
[121] In addition, the fifth wrapper 355 may have at least one perforation
36 formed
therein. For example, the perforation 36 may be formed in an area of the fifth
wrapper
355 surrounding the tobacco rod 31 but is not limited thereto. For example,
the per-
foration 36 may transfer heat formed by the heater 210 illustrated in FIG. 3
into the
tobacco rod 31.
[1221 Also, the second segment 322 may include at least one
capsule 34. Here, the capsule
34 may generate a flavor. The capsule 34 may generate an aerosol. For example,
the
capsule 34 may have a configuration in which a liquid including a flavoring
material is
wrapped with a film. The capsule 34 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape
but is
not limited thereto.
[123] The first wrapper 351 may be formed by combining general
filter wrapping paper
with a metal foil such as an aluminum coil. For example, a total thickness of
the first
wrapper 351 may be within a range of 45 [cm to 55 [cm. For example, the total
thickness of the first wrapper 351 may be 50.3
Also, a thickness of the metal coil
of the first wrapper 351 may be within a range 6 to 7 For example,
the
thickness of the metal coil of the first wrapper 351 may be 6.311m. In
addition, a basis
weight of the first wrapper 351 may be within a range of 50 g/m2 to 55 g/m2.
For
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example, the basis weight of the first wrapper 351 may be 53 g/m2.
[124] The second wrapper 352 and the third wrapper 353 may be formed of
general filter
wrapping paper. For example, the second wrapper 352 and the third wrapper 353
may
be porous wrapping paper or non-porous wrapping paper.
[125] For example, porosity of the second wrapper 352 may be 35000 CU but
is not limited
thereto. Also, a thickness of the second wrapper 352 may be within a range of
70 um to
80 um. For example, the thickness of the second wrapper 352 may be 78 um. A
basis
weight of the second wrapper 352 may be within a range of 20 g/m2 to 25 g/m2.
For
example, the basis weight of the second wrapper 352 may be 23.5 g/m2.
[126] For example, porosity of the third wrapper 353 may be 24000 CU but is
not limited
thereto. Also, a thickness of the third wrapper 353 may be in a range of about
60 [cm to
about 70 um. For example, the thickness of the third wrapper 353 may be 68 um.
A
basis weight of the third wrapper 353 may be in a range of about 20 g/m2 to
about 25
g/m2. For example, the basis weight of the third wrapper 353 may be 21 g/m2.
[127] The fourth wrapper 354 may be formed of PLA laminated paper. Here,
the PLA
laminated paper refers to three-layer paper including a paper layer, a PLA
layer, and a
paper layer. For example, a thickness of the fourth wrapper 353 may be in a
range of
100 um to 1200 um. For example, the thickness of the fourth wrapper 353 may be
110
um. Also, a basis weight of the fourth wrapper 354 may be in a range of 80
g/m2 to
100 g/m2. For example, the basis weight of the fourth wrapper 354 may be 88
g/m2.
[128] The fifth wrapper 355 may be formed of sterilized paper (MFW). Here,
the sterilized
paper (MFW) refers to paper which is particularly manufactured to improve
tensile
strength, water resistance, smoothness, and the like more than ordinary paper.
For
example, a basis weight of the fifth wrapper 355 may be in a range of 57 g/m2
to 63 g/
m2. For example, the basis weight of the fifth wrapper 355 may be 60 g/m2.
Also, a
thickness of the fifth wrapper 355 may be in a range of 64 um to 70 um. For
example,
the thickness of the fifth wrapper 355 may be 67 um.
[129] The fifth wrapper 355 may include a preset material added thereto. An
example of
the material may include silicon, but it is not limited thereto. Silicon has
characteristics
such as heat resistance robust to temperature conditions, oxidation
resistance, re-
sistance to various chemicals, water repellency to water, and electrical
insulation, etc.
Besides silicon, any other materials having characteristics as described above
may be
applied to (or coated on) the fifth wrapper 355 without limitation.
[130] The front-end plug 33 may be formed of cellulous acetate. For
example, the front-
end plug 33 may be formed by adding a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin) to
cellulous acetate
tow. Mono-denier of filaments constituting the cellulous acetate tow may be in
a range
of 1.0 to 10Ø For example, the mono-denier of filaments constituting the
cellulous
acetate tow may be within a range of 4.0 to 6Ø For example, the mono-denier
of the
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filaments of the front-end plug 33 may be 5Ø Also, a cross-section of the
filaments
constituting the front-end plug 33 may be a Y shape. Total denier of the front-
end plug
33 may be in a range of 20000 to 30000. For example, the total denier of the
front-end
plug 33 may be within a range of 25000 to 30000. For example, the total denier
of the
front-end plug 33 may be 28000.
[131] Also, as needed, the front-end plug 33 may include at least one
channel. A cross-
sectional shape of the channel may be manufactured in various shapes.
[132] The tobacco rod 31 may correspond to the tobacco rod 21 described
above with
reference to FIG. 4. Therefore, hereinafter, the detailed description of the
tobacco rod
31 will be omitted.
[133] The first segment 321 may be formed of celltilous acetate. For
example, the first
segment 321 may be a tube-type structure having a hollow inside. The first
segment
321 may be manufactured by adding a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin) to cellulous
acetate
tow. For example, mono-denier and total denier of the first segment 321 may be
the
same as the mono-denier and total denier of the front-end plug 33.
[134] The second segment 322 may be formed of cellulous acetate. Mono
denier of
filaments constituting the second segment 322 may be in a range of 1.0 to
10Ø For
example, the mono denier of the filaments of the second segment 322 may be
within a
range of about 8.0 to about 10Ø For example, the mono denier of the
filaments of the
second segment 322 may be 9Ø Also, a cross-section of the filaments of the
second
segment 322 may be a Y shape. Total denier of the second segment 322 may be in
a
range of 20000 to 30000. For example, the total denier of the second segment
322 may
be 25000.
[135] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation method of an aerosol-
generating device
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[136] Referring to FIG. 6, the aerosol-generating device 10 may execute a
function of
setting an operation mode in operation S610. For example, the aerosol-
generating
device 10 may execute a function of setting an operation mode in response to
user
input received through an input device included in the input/output interface
11. In this
case, while the function of setting an operation mode is executed, the supply
of power
to the first heater 210 and the second heater 115 may be interrupted.
[137] The aerosol-generating device 10 may determine whether user input for
selecting any
one of a plurality of modes as an operation mode is received in operation
S620. Here,
the plurality of modes may correspond to at least one of the liquid stored in
the storage
unit 220 or the stick 20. For example, the plurality of modes may include two
or more
modes among a first mode corresponding to the liquid, a second mode
corresponding
to both the stick 20 and the liquid, and a third mode corresponding to the
stick 20.
[138] Referring to FIG. 7, the aerosol-generating device 10 may output a
user interface
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screen (hereinafter referred to as a setting screen) for setting an operation
mode
through the display 710. In this case, the setting screen output through the
display 710
may include at least one indicator indicating a plurality of modes. For
example, the
aerosol-generating device 10 may output a setting screen including an
indicator in-
dicating a mode currently set to an operation mode through the display 710 in
response
to the execution of the function of setting an operation mode.
[139] According to one embodiment, the indicator included in the setting
screen may
correspond to the amount of the substance of the tobacco rod 21, which is
contained in
the aerosol inhaled by the user as the tobacco rod 21 is heated by the second
heater
115.
[140] The aerosol-generating device 10 may set an operation mode in
response to user
input received through a button 720. For example, the aerosol-generating
device 10
may change the indicator included in the setting screen output through the
display 710
upon receiving first input of pressing the button 720 once for less than a
predetermined
time period. For example, the aerosol-generating device 10 may set a mode
corre-
sponding to the indicator included in the setting screen output through the
display 710
to an operation mode upon receiving second input of pressing the button 720
for the
predetermined time period or longer.
[1411 Referring to reference numerals 701 to 703, the aerosol-
generating device 10 may
change the indicator included in the setting screen output through the display
710 in
order of modes in response to the first input received through the button 720.
The
aerosol-generating device 10 may select an operation mode in response to the
second
input received through the button 720.
[142] The aerosol-generating device 10 may determine a temperature profile
corresponding
to the selected operation mode upon receiving user input for selecting an
operation
mode in operation S630. For example, the memory 14 may store a plurality of
tem-
perature profiles corresponding to the first heater 210 (hereinafter referred
to as liquid
temperature profiles) and a plurality of temperature profiles corresponding to
the
second heater 115 (hereinafter referred to as stick temperature profiles).
[143] The aerosol-generating device 10 may determine a target temperature
for the first
heater 210 (hereinafter referred to as a liquid target temperature) based on a
liquid tem-
perature profile corresponding to the operation mode among the plurality of
liquid tem-
perature profiles. In addition, the aerosol-generating device 10 may determine
a target
temperature for the second heater 115 (hereinafter referred to as a stick
target tem-
perature) based on a stick temperature profile corresponding to the operation
mode
among the plurality of stick temperature profiles.
[144] According to an embodiment, in a heating period, a first liquid
target temperature de-
termined based on a first liquid temperature profile corresponding to the
first mode
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may be higher than a second liquid target temperature determined based on a
second
liquid temperature profile corresponding to the second mode.
[145] In this case, as the liquid target temperature for the first heater
210 increases, the
aerosol-generating device 10 may increase the amount of power that is supplied
to the
first heater 210 in the heating period. For example, when the liquid target
temperature
for the first heater 210 is relatively high, the aerosol-generating device 10
may supply
a relatively large amount of power to the first heater 210. For example, when
the liquid
target temperature for the first heater 210 is relatively high, the aerosol-
generating
device 10 may supply power to the first heater 210 for a relatively long time
period.
[146] Referring to FIGs. 8 and 9, the aerosol-generating device 10 may
supply prede-
termined preheating power to the first heater 210 in a period before a time
point tl,
which is a preheating period prior to the heating period. Here, the preheating
power
may be power that is supplied to the first heater 210 in order to maintain the
tem-
perature of the first heater 210 at a predetermined level in preparation for
generation of
an aerosol.
[147] In the state in which the first mode is set to the operation mode,
the aerosol-
generating device 10 may set the liquid target temperature for the first
heater 210 in the
heating period to 220 C. In this case, the aerosol-generating device 10 may
supply
power P1 to the first heater 210 based on the liquid target temperature set to
220 C.
Meanwhile, in the state in which the second mode is set to the operation mode,
the
aerosol-generating device 10 may set the liquid target temperature for the
first heater
210 in the heating period to 200 C. In this case, the aerosol-generating
device 10 may
supply power P1', which is less than the power Pl, to the first heater 210
based on the
liquid target temperature set to 200 C.
[148] In addition, in the state in which the first mode is set to the
operation mode, the tem-
perature of the first heater 210 may reach 220 C, which is the liquid target
tem-
perature, at a time point t2 due to the supply of power Pl. Meanwhile, in the
state in
which the second mode is set to the operation mode, the temperature of the
first heater
210 may reach 200 C, which is the liquid target temperature, at a time point
t2' prior
to the time point t2 due to the supply of power P1'.
[149] When the amount of power supplied to the first heater 210 in the
heating period
increases according to the magnitude of power supplied to the first heater 210
and/or
the time period for which power is supplied to the first heater 210, the
amount of
aerosol generated by the first heater 210 may increase. That is, the amount of
aerosol
generated by the liquid in the first mode corresponding to the liquid may be
greater
than that in the second mode corresponding to both the stick 20 and the
liquid.
[150] Meanwhile, in the heating period, a third liquid target temperature
determined based
on a third liquid temperature profile corresponding to the third mode may be
lower
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than the second liquid target temperature determined based on the second
liquid tem-
perature profile corresponding to the second mode. For example, the third
liquid target
temperature may correspond to the lowest required temperature of the first
heater 210
for generating an aerosol. That is, the amount of aerosol generated by the
liquid in the
third mode corresponding to the stick 20 may be less than that in the first
mode corre-
sponding to the liquid and that in the second mode corresponding to both the
stick 20
and the liquid.
[151] Referring to FIG. 10, in the state in which the third mode is set to
the operation
mode, the aerosol-generating device 10 may determine the liquid target
temperature for
the first heater 210 in the preheating period and the heating period to be the
prede-
termined temperature. That is, in the state in which the third mode is set to
the
operation mode, the aerosol-generating device 10 may maintain the temperature
of the
first heater 210 at the predetermined temperature. In this case, the
temperature of the
first heater 210 may be maintained at the lowest required temperature (e.g.
180 C) for
generating an aerosol. Accordingly, in the third mode corresponding to the
stick 20, it
is possible to increase the amount of the substance of the tobacco rod 21 in
the aerosol
compared to in the other modes while maintaining the amount of aerosol
generated by
the first heater 210 and provided to the user at the minimum required level or
greater.
In addition, sidestream smoke may be generated through the first heater 210
even when
the user does not inhale an aerosol, and thus it is possible to more vividly
provide an
experience of use of the stick 20 to the user.
[152] According to an embodiment, in the heating period, a first stick
target temperature
determined based on a first stick temperature profile corresponding to the
first mode
may be lower than a second stick target temperature determined based on a
second
stick temperature profile corresponding to the second mode. In addition, in
the heating
period, the second stick target temperature determined based on the second
stick tem-
perature profile corresponding to the second mode may be lower than a third
stick
target temperature determined based on a third stick temperature profile
corresponding
to the third mode.
[153] That is, in the first mode corresponding to the liquid, the stick 20
may be heated to a
low temperature compared to in the second mode or the third mode. Accordingly,
in
the first mode, the aerosol inhaled by the user may be entirely composed of
the aerosol
generated by the liquid. Meanwhile, in the third mode corresponding to the
stick 20,
the stick 20 may be heated to a high temperature compared to in the first mode
or the
second mode. Accordingly, in the third mode, the amount of the substance of
the
tobacco rod 21 in the aerosol inhaled by the user may be increased compared to
in the
other modes.
[154] Meanwhile, in the preheating period prior to the heating period, a
stick target tem-
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perature determined based on the first stick temperature profile corresponding
to the
first mode may be higher than a stick target temperature determined based on
the
second stick temperature profile corresponding to the second mode or the third
stick
temperature profile corresponding to the third mode. Accordingly, in the first
mode, a
minimum required amount or more of substance of the tobacco rod 21 may be
contained in the aerosol initially inhaled by the user.
[155] Referring to FIG. 11, when the first mode is set to the operation
mode, the aerosol-
generating device 10 may determine the stick target temperature to be a
relatively high
temperature, e.g. 270 C, in a period before a time point to, which is the
preheating
period prior to the heating period. Meanwhile, referring to FIGs. 12 and 13,
when the
second mode or the third mode is set to the operation mode, the aerosol-
generating
device 10 may determine the stick target temperature to be a relatively low
tem-
perature, e.g. 250 C, in the period before the time point to, which is the
preheating
period.
[156] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 11, when the first mode is set to the
operation mode,
the aerosol-generating device 10 may maintain the temperature of the second
heater
115 in the heating period at a stick target temperature determined based on
the first
stick temperature profile. In this case, the temperature of the second heater
115 may be
maintained at a minimum required temperature (e.g. 100 C) for heating the
stick 20.
Accordingly, in the first mode corresponding to the liquid, the amount of the
substance
of the tobacco rod 21 in the aerosol inhaled by the user may be reduced
compared to in
the other modes.
[157] Referring to FIGs. 12 and 13, in the state in which the second mode
is set to the
operation mode, the aerosol-generating device 10 may maintain the temperature
of the
second heater 115 at 150 C, which is the second stick target temperature
determined
based on the second stick temperature profile in the heating period.
Meanwhile, in the
state in which the third mode is set to the operation mode, the aerosol-
generating
device 10 may increase the temperature of the second heater 115 to a
temperature
higher than 150 C according to the third stick target temperature determined
based on
the third stick temperature profile in the heating period.
[158] According to an embodiment, when the third mode is set to the
operation mode, the
aerosol-generating device 10 may change the temperature of the second heater
115
over time in the heating period. For example, the aerosol-generating device 10
may
change the third stick target temperature such that the temperature of the
second heater
115 is lowered in stages over time. In this case, the third stick target
temperature de-
termined in the state in which the third mode is set to the operation mode may
be
higher than 150 C, which is the second stick target temperature determined in
the state
in which the second mode is set to the operation mode. Accordingly, in the
third mode
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corresponding to the stick 20, the amount of the substance of the tobacco rod
21 in the
aerosol inhaled by the user may be increased compared to in the other modes.
[159] The aerosol-generating device 10 may terminate execution of the
function of setting
an operation mode in operation S640. For example, the aerosol-generating
device 10
may terminate output of the setting screen through the display 710 in response
to ter-
mination of execution of the function of setting an operation mode.
[160] According to an embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 10 may
update data on
the operation mode stored in the memory 14 in response to change in the
operation
mode. The aerosol-generating device 10 may check the data on the operation
mode
stored in the memory 14 in response to transition from power-off to power-on.
The
aerosol-generating device 10 may set the operation mode based on the data on
the
operation mode stored in the memory 14.
[161] As described above, according to at least one of the embodiments of
the present
disclosure, it may be possible to set various operation modes in order to
provide
various use experiences to the user.
[162] In addition, according to at least one of the embodiments of the
present disclosure, it
may be possible to appropriately adjust the taste or flavor of an aerosol and
the at-
omization amount by independently heating the stick 20 and the liquid
according to
operation modes.
[163] Referring to FIGs. 1 to 13, an aerosol-generating device 10 in
accordance with one
aspect of the present disclosure may include a cartridge having a chamber
formed
therein to store liquid, a first heater configured to heat the liquid, a
housing having an
insertion space defined therein, a second heater configured to heat a stick
inserted into
the insertion space, a memory configured to store a plurality of liquid
temperature
profiles corresponding to the first heater and a plurality of stick
temperature profiles
corresponding to the second heater, and a controller configured to set any one
of a
plurality of modes to an operation mode of the aerosol-generating device. The
controller may determine a target temperature for the first heater based on a
liquid tem-
perature profile corresponding to the set operation mode among the plurality
of liquid
temperature profiles, and may determine a target temperature for the second
heater
based on a stick temperature profile corresponding to the set operation mode
among
the plurality of stick temperature profiles. The plurality of modes may
include two or
more modes among a first mode corresponding to the liquid, a second mode corre-
sponding to both the stick and the liquid, and a third mode corresponding to
the stick.
[164] In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present
disclosure, a first target
temperature determined in a heating period based on a first liquid temperature
profile
corresponding to the first mode may be higher than a second target temperature
de-
termined in the heating period based on a second liquid temperature profile
corre-
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sponding to the second mode, and the second target temperature in the heating
period
may be higher than a third target temperature determined in the heating period
based
on a third liquid temperature profile corresponding to the third mode.
[165] In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present
disclosure, each of the
third target temperature and a fourth target temperature determined in a
preheating
period prior to the heating period based on the third liquid temperature
profile may be
maintained constant at a predetermined temperature.
[166] In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present
disclosure, the prede-
termined temperature may correspond to a lowest required temperature of the
first
heater for generation of an aerosol using the liquid.
[167] In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present
disclosure, in the
heating period, the controller may supply first power to the first heater
based on the
first target temperature, and may supply second power, which is less than the
first
power, to the first heater based on the second target temperature.
[168] In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present
disclosure, in the
heating period, the controller may supply power to the first heater for a
first time
period based on the first target temperature, and may supply power to the
first heater
for a second time period, which is shorter than the first time period, based
on the
second target temperature.
[169] In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present
disclosure, a first target
temperature determined in a heating period based on a first stick temperature
profile
corresponding to the first mode may be lower than a second target temperature
de-
termined in the heating period based on a second stick temperature profile
corre-
sponding to the second mode, and the second target temperature may be lower
than a
third target temperature determined in the heating period based on a third
stick tem-
perature profile corresponding to the third mode.
[170] In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present
disclosure, the first
target temperature may be maintained constant at a lowest required temperature
set for
the second heater 115 in the heating period.
[171] In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present
disclosure, a fourth
target temperature determined in a preheating period prior to a heating period
based on
a first stick temperature profile corresponding to the first mode may be
higher than a
target temperature determined in the preheating period based on any one of a
second
stick temperature profile and a third stick temperature profile.
[172] In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present
disclosure, the aerosol-
generating device may further include an input/output interface configured to
receive
user input and a memory configured to store data on the operation mode. The
controller may update data on the operation mode based on change in the
operation
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mode in response to the user input, and may set the operation mode based on
the data
on the operation mode when the aerosol-generating device is powered on.
[173] Certain embodiments or other embodiments of the disclosure described
above are not
mutually exclusive or distinct from each other. Any or all elements of the
embodiments
of the disclosure described above may be combined with another or combined
with
each other in configuration or function.
[174] For example, a configuration "A" described in one embodiment of the
disclosure and
the drawings and a configuration "B" described in another embodiment of the
disclosure and the drawings may be combined with each other. Namely, although
the
combination between the configurations is not directly described, the
combination is
possible except in the case where it is described that the combination is
impossible
11751 Although embodiments have been described with reference to a
number of il-
lustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other
modi-
fications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will
fall
within the scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly,
various
variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or
arrangements
of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the
drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications
in the
component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to
those
skilled in the art.
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