KR20210150935A - Aerosol generating device and operation method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerosol generating device can provide a uniform amount of an aerosol to a user at each puff by controlling the temperature of an aerosol-generating material even during a period when the user does not puff, thereby enhancing the user's feeling of smoking. The aerosol generating device comprises: a vibrator producing an aerosol from a liquid aerosol-generating material by vibrating; a battery supplying voltage to the vibrator; a converter converting the voltage supplied from the battery into the supply voltage supplied to the vibrator according to a converter control signal; a puff sensor detecting the start and end timing of the puff of a user; and a control unit controlling a temperature of the aerosol-generating material by generating a converter control signal and a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal according to the start and end timing of the puff detected by the puff sensor.

Description

Aerosol generating device and method of operation thereof

It relates to an aerosol generating device and a method of operation thereof.

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods that overcome the disadvantages of conventional cigarettes. For example, there is a growing need for a method in which an aerosol is generated as an aerosol generating material is heated rather than a method in which an aerosol is generated by burning a cigarette. Accordingly, research on a heating type aerosol generating device or an ultrasonic vibration type aerosol generating device is being actively conducted.

An aerosol-generating device using a vibrator vibrates an aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol. In this case, when the aerosol-generating material is in a viscous liquid form, it is necessary to lower the viscosity by raising the temperature of the aerosol-generating material to a predetermined temperature in order to generate an aerosol.

On the other hand, if the temperature of the aerosol generating material is adjusted to a predetermined temperature capable of generating an aerosol after each puff is started, there is a problem in that the generation of the aerosol is delayed and the amount of atomization is decreased.

Various embodiments provide an aerosol generating device and method of operation thereof. The technical problems to be achieved by the present disclosure are not limited to the technical problems as described above, and other technical problems may be inferred from the following embodiments.

According to one aspect, the aerosol generating device includes a vibrator for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material by vibrating, a battery for supplying a voltage to the vibrator, a converter for converting a voltage provided from the battery into a supply voltage supplied to the vibrator according to a converter control signal; The temperature of the aerosol generating material by generating a converter control signal and a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal according to the puff sensor that detects the start timing and end timing of the user's puff and the start timing and end timing of the puff detected by the puff sensor Includes a control unit for controlling the.

According to another aspect, detecting the start timing of the user's puff by using the puff sensor, when the start timing is detected, the first converter control signal so that the temperature of the aerosol generating material is adjusted to the first temperature for generating the aerosol and generating a PWM control signal of a first period, providing a first supply voltage to the vibrator at a first frequency based on the first converter control signal and the PWM control signal of the first period, detecting the end timing of the puff and adjusting the temperature of the aerosol-generating material to a second temperature lower than the first temperature from the detected end timing when the end timing of the puff is detected until the start timing of the next puff is detected.

According to the above, since the user can provide a uniform amount of aerosol for each puff by controlling the temperature of the aerosol generating material even in the period when the user does not puff, the user's feeling of smoking can be improved.

Effects of the embodiments are not limited to the above-described effects, and effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from the present specification and accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram illustrating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.
2 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.
3 is a graph illustrating a trend of a vibration speed of a vibrator according to a frequency of a voltage supplied to the vibrator according to an exemplary embodiment.
4 is a graph showing the trend of the temperature of an aerosol generating material according to an embodiment.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling the temperature of an aerosol-generating material during a puff period and a non-puff period in an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment.
6 is a diagram for explaining a user's puff pattern according to an embodiment.
7 is a graph showing a decrease in temperature when the aerosol generating material is not preheated during the non-puff period.
8 is a diagram for explaining a PWM control signal in a puff period and a non-puff period according to an embodiment.
9 is a diagram for explaining a comparison of the temperature change of an aerosol generating material between a case preheated during a non-puff period and a case not preheated during a non-puff period, according to an embodiment.
10 is a flowchart of a method for controlling the temperature of an aerosol-generating material according to detection of puff timing in an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment.

Terms used in the embodiments are selected as currently widely used general terms as possible while considering functions in the present invention, but may vary depending on intentions or precedents of those of ordinary skill in the art, emergence of new technologies, and the like. In addition, in a specific case, there is a term arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning will be described in detail in the description of the corresponding invention. Therefore, the term used in the present invention should be defined based on the meaning of the term and the overall content of the present invention, rather than the name of a simple term.

In the entire specification, when a part "includes" a certain element, this means that other elements may be further included, rather than excluding other elements, unless otherwise stated. In addition, terms such as "...unit" and "...module" described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which is implemented as hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software. can be

In addition, throughout the specification, a puff refers to an operation in which a user bites and inhales around the inlet of the aerosol generating device.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those of ordinary skill in the art can easily implement them. However, the present invention may be embodied in several different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

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

1 is a diagram illustrating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

The aerosol generating device 10000 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a cartridge 2000 holding an aerosol generating material, and a body 1000 supporting the cartridge 2000 .

The cartridge 2000 may be coupled to the body 1000 in a state in which the aerosol generating material is accommodated therein. For example, a portion of the cartridge 2000 may be inserted into the main body 1000 , or a portion of the main body 1000 may be inserted into the cartridge 2000 , such that the cartridge 2000 may be mounted on the main body 1000 . At this time, the body 1000 and the cartridge 2000 may maintain a coupled state by a snap-fit method, a screw coupling method, a magnetic coupling method, an interference fit method, etc., but the body 1000 and the cartridge (2000) is not limited by the above.

The cartridge 2000 may include a mouthpiece 2100 . The mouthpiece 2100 may be formed in the opposite direction to the portion coupled to the body 1000 and is a portion inserted into the user's oral cavity. The mouthpiece 2100 may include a discharge hole 2110 for discharging the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material inside the cartridge 2000 to the outside.

The cartridge 2000 may hold an aerosol-generating material having any one state, such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, or a gel state, for example. The aerosol generating material may comprise a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid comprising a tobacco-containing material comprising a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may be a liquid comprising a non-tobacco material.

The liquid composition may include, for example, any one component of water, a solvent, ethanol, a plant extract, a fragrance, a flavoring agent, and a vitamin mixture, or a mixture of these components. The fragrance may include, but is not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit flavoring ingredients, and the like. Flavoring agents may include ingredients capable of providing a user with a variety of flavors or flavors. The vitamin mixture may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but is not limited thereto. Liquid compositions may also include aerosol formers such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

For example, the liquid composition may include a solution of glycerin and propylene glycol in any weight ratio to which a nicotine salt has been added. The liquid composition may include two or more nicotine salts. Nicotine salts can be formed by adding to nicotine a suitable acid, including organic or inorganic acids. Nicotine is either naturally occurring nicotine or synthetic nicotine, and may have any suitable weight concentration relative to the total solution weight of the liquid composition.

The acid for the formation of the nicotine salt may be appropriately selected in consideration of the blood nicotine absorption rate, the operating temperature of the aerosol generating device 10000, flavor or flavor, solubility, and the like. For example, acids for the formation of nicotine salts include benzoic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, lauric acid, sorbic acid, levulinic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid , citric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharic acid, malonic acid or malic acid alone or the above It may be a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group, but is not limited thereto.

Cartridge 2000 may include a liquid reservoir 2200 containing therein an aerosol generating material. The liquid storage unit 2200 'accommodates the aerosol-generating material' therein means that the liquid storage unit 2200 performs a function of simply containing the aerosol-generating material, such as the use of a container, and the liquid storage unit ( 2200) means to include an element impregnating (containing) an aerosol generating material, such as a sponge, cotton, cloth, or a porous ceramic structure, for example.

The aerosol generating device 10000 may include an atomizer that converts the phase of the aerosol generating material inside the cartridge 2000 to generate an aerosol.

For example, the atomizer of the aerosol generating device 10000 may convert the phase of the aerosol generating material by using an ultrasonic vibration method of atomizing the aerosol generating material with ultrasonic vibration. The atomizer includes a vibrator 1300 that generates ultrasonic vibrations, a liquid delivery means 2400 that absorbs an aerosol-generating material and maintains it in an optimal state for conversion into an aerosol, and transmits ultrasonic vibrations to the aerosol-generating material of the liquid delivery means It may include a vibration receiving unit 2300 for generating an aerosol.

The vibrator 1300 may generate vibration of a short period. The vibration generated by the vibrator 1300 may be ultrasonic vibration, and the frequency of the ultrasonic vibration may be, for example, 100 kHz to 3.5 MHz. By the short-period vibration generated from the vibrator 1300 , the aerosol-generating material may be vaporized and/or atomized into an aerosol.

The vibrator 1300 may include, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic, and the piezoelectric ceramic generates electricity (voltage) by a physical force (pressure), and conversely, when electricity is applied, as a vibration (mechanical force). It is a functional material that can be converted to each other. Accordingly, vibration (physical force) is generated by the electricity applied to the vibrator 1300 , and such small physical vibrations can split the aerosol-generating material into small particles and atomize the aerosol-generating material.

The vibrator 1300 may be in electrical contact with a circuit by a pogo pin or a C-clip. Accordingly, the vibrator 1300 may be vibrated by receiving a current from a pogo pin or a C-clip. However, the types of elements connected to supply current to the vibrator 1300 are not limited by the above description.

The vibration receiving unit 2300 may receive the vibration generated from the vibrator 1300 and perform a function of converting the aerosol generating material transmitted from the liquid storage unit 2200 into an aerosol.

The liquid transfer unit 2400 may transfer the liquid composition of the liquid storage unit 2200 to the vibration receiving unit 2300 . For example, the liquid delivery means 2400 may be a wick including at least one of cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, and porous ceramic, but is not limited thereto.

The atomizer also has a mesh shape that performs both the function of absorbing the aerosol-generating material and maintaining it in an optimal state for conversion into an aerosol without using a separate liquid delivery means, and the function of generating an aerosol by transmitting vibration to the aerosol-generating material (mesh shape) or plate shape (plate shape) may be implemented as a vibration receiving part.

In addition, in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the vibrator 1300 of the atomizer is disposed on the main body 1000, the vibration receiving unit 2300 and the liquid delivery means 2400 are disposed in the cartridge 2000, but this It is not limited. For example, the cartridge 2000 may include a vibrator 1300 , a vibration receiving unit 2300 , and a liquid delivery means 2400 , and when a portion of the cartridge 2000 is inserted into the main body 1000 , the main body 1000 . ) may provide power to the cartridge 2000 through a terminal (not shown), or may supply a signal related to the operation of the cartridge 2000 to the cartridge 2000, through which the operation of the vibrator 1300 may be controlled have.

The liquid storage unit 2200 of the cartridge 2000 may include a transparent material at least in part so that the aerosol-generating material accommodated in the cartridge 2000 can be visually confirmed from the outside. The mouthpiece 2100 and the liquid storage unit 2200 may be entirely made of transparent plastic or glass, and only a portion of the liquid storage unit 2200 may be made of a transparent material.

The cartridge 2000 of the aerosol generating device 10000 may include an aerosol discharge passage 2500 and an airflow passage 2600 .

The aerosol discharge passage 2500 may be formed in the liquid storage unit 2200 to be in fluid communication with the discharge hole 2110 of the mouthpiece 2100 . Therefore, the aerosol generated from the atomizer may move along the aerosol discharge passage 2500, and may be delivered to the user through the discharge hole 2110 of the mouthpiece 2100.

The airflow passage 2600 is a passage through which external air can be introduced into the aerosol generating device 10000 . External air introduced through the airflow passage 2600 may be introduced into the aerosol discharge passage 2500 or may be introduced into a space in which an aerosol is generated. This may mix with vaporized particles generated from the aerosol generating material to produce an aerosol.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the airflow passage 2600 may be formed to surround the outside of the aerosol discharge passage 2500 . Therefore, the form of the aerosol discharge passage 2500 and the air flow passage 2600 is a double tube type in which the aerosol discharge passage 2500 is disposed on the inside and the air flow passage 2600 is disposed on the outside of the aerosol discharge passage 2500. Through this, external air may be introduced in the direction opposite to the direction in which the aerosol moves in the aerosol discharge passage 2500 .

On the other hand, the configuration of the airflow passage 2600 is not limited by the above-described bar. For example, the airflow passage may be a space formed between the main body 1000 and the cartridge 2000 when the main body 1000 and the cartridge 2000 are coupled and in fluid communication with the atomizer.

In the aerosol generating device 10000 according to the above-described embodiment, the cross-sectional shape in the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the main body 1000 and the cartridge 2000 is approximately circular, oval, square, rectangular, or polygonal cross-section of various shapes. may be in the shape of However, the cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generating device 10000 is not limited by the above-described bar. For example, the aerosol generating device 10000 is not necessarily limited to a structure extending in a straight line when extending in the longitudinal direction, for example, it is curved in a streamline shape or bent at a predetermined angle in a specific area to make it easier for a user to hold it by hand. It may extend long, and the cross-sectional shape at this time may change along the longitudinal direction.

2 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

2, the aerosol generating device 10000 includes a battery 11000, a vibrator 12000, a converter 13000, a transistor 14000, a puff sensor 15000, a control unit 16000, a user interface 17000, and A memory 18000 may be included. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 10000 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 2 . According to the design of the aerosol generating device 10000, some of the hardware components shown in FIG. 2 may be omitted or a new configuration may be further added to those of ordinary skill in the art related to this embodiment It can be understood .

In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 10000 may consist of only the body, and in this case, the hardware components included in the aerosol generating device 10000 are located in the body. In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device 10000 may be composed of a main body and a cartridge, and hardware components included in the aerosol generating device 10000 may be divided into the main body and the cartridge. Alternatively, at least some of the hardware components included in the aerosol generating device 10000 may be located in each of the main body and the cartridge.

Hereinafter, the operation of each component will be described without limiting the space in which each component included in the aerosol generating device 10000 is located.

The battery 11000 supplies power used to operate the aerosol generating device 10000 . That is, the battery 11000 may supply power so that the vibrator 12000 may atomize the aerosol generating material. In addition, the battery 11000 includes other hardware components provided in the aerosol generating device 10000, that is, the converter 13000, the transistor 14000, the puff sensor 15000, the control unit 16000, the user interface 17000 and Power required for the operation of the memory 18000 may be supplied. The battery 11000 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery.

For example, battery 11000 may be a nickel-based battery (eg, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel-cadmium battery), or a lithium-based battery (eg, a lithium-cobalt battery, a lithium-phosphate battery, lithium titanate battery, lithium-ion battery or lithium-polymer battery). However, the type of the battery 11000 that can be used in the aerosol generating device 10000 is not limited by the above description. If necessary, the battery 11000 may include an alkaline battery or a manganese battery.

The vibrator 12000 receives power from the battery 11000 under the control of the controller 16000 . The vibrator 12000 may receive power from the battery 11000 to atomize the aerosol generating material stored in the aerosol generating device 10000 . The vibrator 12000 may receive a supply voltage by converting the voltage of the battery 11000 into the converter 13000 .

The vibrator 12000 may be located in the body of the aerosol generating device 10000 . Alternatively, when the aerosol generating device 10000 is composed of a main body and a cartridge, the vibrator 12000 may be located in the cartridge or divided into the main body and the cartridge. When the vibrator 12000 is located in the cartridge, the vibrator 12000 may receive power from the battery 11000 located in at least one of the main body and the cartridge. In addition, when the vibrator 12000 is divided into the main body and the cartridge, the parts that require power supply in the vibrator 12000 may receive power from the battery 11000 located in at least one of the main body and the cartridge.

The vibrator 12000 generates an aerosol from the aerosol generating material inside the cartridge. Aerosol means a suspension in which liquid and/or solid fine particles are dispersed in a gas. Therefore, the aerosol generated from the vibrator 12000 may mean a state in which vaporized particles generated from the aerosol generating material and air are mixed. For example, the vibrator 12000 may convert a phase of the aerosol generating material into a gas phase through vaporization and/or sublimation. In addition, the vibrator 12000 may generate an aerosol by emitting fine particles of an aerosol generating material in a liquid and/or solid phase.

The vibrator 12000 may generate an aerosol from an aerosol generating material by using an ultrasonic vibration method. The ultrasonic vibration method may refer to a method of generating an aerosol by atomizing an aerosol generating material with ultrasonic vibration generated by a vibrator. The vibrator 12000 may generate an aerosol from an aerosol generating material by vibrating.

The vibrator 12000 may control the temperature of the aerosol generating material by vibrating. The vibrator 12000 vibrates when a predetermined voltage is supplied at a predetermined frequency, and vibration energy is transferred to the aerosol-generating material, thereby controlling the temperature of the aerosol-generating material.

The aerosol generating material may be heated to a predetermined temperature for generating an aerosol by vibrating the vibrator 12000 . For example, when the aerosol-generating material is in a viscous liquid form, the temperature of the aerosol-generating material may be raised to a predetermined temperature to lower the viscosity of the aerosol-generating material in order to generate an aerosol. By lowering the viscosity of the aerosol-generating material, the atomization time due to vibration may be shortened, which may further increase atomization.

The temperature for the generation of the aerosol may be 140 ~ 160 ℃. The temperature for generation of the aerosol may be referred to as the target heating temperature or the first temperature. The temperature for preheating may be 50 to 60 °C. The temperature for preheating may be a temperature lower than the target heating temperature. The temperature for preheating may be referred to as a target preheating temperature or a second temperature. However, the numerical values described above are only examples for convenience of explanation, and these numerical values may be adjusted by various factors such as the characteristics of the aerosol generating material, the characteristics of the vibrator 12000 and the operating environment of the aerosol generating device 10000. have. The temperature of the aerosol generating material will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. 2 .

The converter 13000 may output a DC/DC conversion (DC/DC conversion) of a voltage provided from the battery 11000 into a supply voltage supplied to the vibrator 12000 . The converter 13000 may adjust the supply voltage supplied to the vibrator 12000 according to the converter control signal generated by the controller 16000 . The supply voltage output through the converter 13000 may be supplied to the vibrator 12000 through the transistor 14000 .

As the voltage supplied to the vibrator 12000 further increases, the temperature of the aerosol generating material may further increase. As the voltage supplied to the vibrator 12000 further increases, the amplitude of the vibration of the vibrator 12000 may further increase.

When the temperature of the aerosol generating material is adjusted to the target heating temperature, the controller 16000 may generate a converter control signal and provide it to the converter 13000 . The converter 13000 may convert the voltage of the battery 11000 to provide a predetermined voltage to the vibrator 12000 . In this case, the voltage supplied to the vibrator 12000 may be referred to as a first supply voltage. For example, when the voltage of the battery 11000 is 3.6 ~ 4.2V, the converter 13000 may provide a voltage of 20 ~ 40V to the vibrator 12000 by the converter control signal provided from the controller 16000 .

When the temperature of the aerosol generating material is adjusted to the target preheating temperature, the controller 16000 may generate a converter control signal and provide it to the converter 13000 . In this case, the voltage supplied to the vibrator 12000 may be referred to as a second supply voltage. For example, when the voltage of the battery 11000 is 3.6 ~ 4.2V, the converter 13000 may provide a voltage of 5 ~ 10V to the vibrator 12000 by the converter control signal provided from the controller 16000 .

That is, the converter 13000 is controlled by the converter control signal of the controller 16000, so that the temperature of the aerosol generating material can be adjusted to any one of a target heating temperature and a target preheating temperature.

The transistor 14000 may receive a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal from the control unit 16000 and perform a function of providing a supply voltage to the vibrator 12000 by repeating an ON-OFF operation. The transistor 14000 may receive a supply voltage from the converter and perform a function of providing the supply voltage to the vibrator 12000 . The transistor 14000 may receive the PWM control signal and the supply voltage of a predetermined period, and may provide the supply voltage to the vibrator 12000 at a frequency corresponding to the period of the PWM control signal.

The transistor 14000 may perform an ON-OFF operation according to the cycle of the PWM control signal to control the supply voltage converted by the converter 13000 to be applied to the vibrator 12000 in the cycle of the PWM control signal. .

The transistor 14000 may include, but is not limited to, a field effect transistor (FET), a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET), and a power MOSFET.

The transistor 14000 may be omitted from the aerosol generating device 10000 , and when the transistor 14000 is omitted, a signal output from the controller 16000 or the converter 13000 is directly transmitted to the vibrator.

The aerosol generating device 10000 may include at least one sensor. A result sensed by at least one sensor is transmitted to the control unit 16000, and according to the sensing result, the control unit 16000 controls the operation of the vibrator 12000, limits smoking, determines whether or not a cartridge (or cigarette) is inserted, notification The aerosol generating device 10000 may be controlled to perform various functions such as display.

The aerosol generating device 10000 may include a puff sensor 15000 . The puff sensor 15000 may detect the user's puff based on at least one of a change in flow rate of an externally introduced airflow, a change in pressure, and detection of a sound. The puff sensor 15000 may detect a start timing and an end timing of the user's puff, and the controller 16000 may determine a puff period and a non-puff period according to the detected start timing and end timing of the puff. puff period) can be determined.

The control unit 16000 determines a predetermined value (eg, a pressure value, a temperature value, a voltage value, or a capacitance value) detected from the puff sensor 15000 according to a sensing method currently employed in the puff sensor 15000 . It may be determined that the time point exceeding the 1 threshold corresponds to the start timing of the puff, and the point at which the value detected by the puff sensor 15000 becomes lower than the second predetermined threshold value corresponds to the end timing of the puff. can be detected. Here, the first threshold value and the second threshold value for detecting the start and end timings of the puff are the same or different arbitrary values (eg, pressure value, temperature value, voltage value, or capacitance value).

Meanwhile, the at least one sensor may include a user input sensor. The user input sensor may be a sensor capable of receiving a user's input, such as a switch, a physical button, or a touch sensor. For example, the touch sensor may be a capacitive sensor capable of detecting a user's input by detecting a change in capacitance and generating a change in capacitance when the user touches a predetermined area formed of a metal material. have. The controller 16000 may determine whether a user input has occurred by comparing values before and after the change in capacitance received from the capacitive sensor. When the value before and after the change of capacitance exceeds a preset threshold, the controller 16000 may determine that the user's input has occurred.

Also, the at least one sensor may include a motion sensor. Information about the motion of the aerosol generating device 10000, such as the inclination, movement speed, and acceleration of the aerosol generating device 10000, may be acquired through the motion sensor. For example, the motion sensor may include a state in which the aerosol generating device 10000 is moving, a stationary state of the aerosol generating device 10000, a state in which the aerosol generating device 10000 is tilted at an angle within a predetermined range for puff, and the respective puff actions. In between, information regarding a state in which the aerosol generating device 10000 is tilted at an angle different from that during the puff operation may be measured. The motion sensor may measure motion information of the aerosol generating device 10000 using various methods known in the art. For example, the motion sensor may include an acceleration sensor capable of measuring acceleration in three directions, an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis, and a gyro sensor capable of measuring angular velocity in three directions.

Also, the at least one sensor may include a proximity sensor. The proximity sensor means a sensor that detects the presence or distance of an approaching object or an object existing in the vicinity without mechanical contact using the force of an electromagnetic field or infrared rays, etc., through which the user approaches the aerosol generating device 10000 It can be detected whether

Also, the at least one sensor may include an image sensor. The image sensor may include, for example, a camera for acquiring an image of the object. The image sensor may recognize an object based on an image acquired by the camera. The controller 16000 may analyze the image acquired through the image sensor to determine whether the user is in a situation for using the aerosol generating device 10000 . For example, when the user approaches the aerosol generating device 10000 near the lips to use the aerosol generating device 10000, the image sensor may acquire an image of the lips. The controller 16000 may analyze the acquired image and, when it is determined that the lips are lips, determine that the user is in a situation to use the aerosol generating device 10000 . Through this, the aerosol generating device 10000 may operate the vibrator 12000 in advance or preheat the heater.

In addition, the at least one sensor may include a consumable detachment sensor capable of detecting installation or removal of a consumable (eg, cartridge, cigarette, etc.) that can be used in the aerosol generating device 10000 . For example, the consumables detachment sensor may detect whether the consumables are in contact with the aerosol generating device 10000 or determine whether the consumables are detached by the image sensor. In addition, the consumable detachment sensor may be an inductance sensor that detects a change in the inductance value of the coil that may interact with the marker of the consumable, or a capacitance sensor that detects a change in the capacitance value of the capacitor that may interact with the marker of the consumable.

Also, the at least one sensor may include a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may detect a temperature at which the vibrator 12000 (or an aerosol generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating device 10000 may include a separate temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heater, or the heater itself may serve as a temperature sensor instead of a separate temperature sensor. Alternatively, a separate temperature sensor may be further included in the aerosol generating device 10000 while the heater functions as a temperature sensor. In addition, the temperature sensor may sense the temperature of internal components such as a printed circuit board (PCB) and a battery of the aerosol generating device 10000 as well as the heater.

In addition, the at least one sensor may include various sensors that measure information on the surrounding environment of the aerosol generating device 10000 . For example, the at least one sensor may include a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the surrounding environment, a humidity sensor that measures the humidity of the surrounding environment, and an atmospheric pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the surrounding environment.

The sensor that may be provided in the aerosol generating device 10000 is not limited to the above-described type, and may further include various sensors. For example, the aerosol generating device 10000 includes a fingerprint sensor capable of acquiring fingerprint information from a user's finger for user authentication and security, an iris recognition sensor that analyzes the iris pattern of the pupil, and intravenous It may include a vein recognition sensor that detects the amount of infrared absorption of reduced hemoglobin, a facial recognition sensor that recognizes feature points such as eyes, nose, mouth, and facial contour in a 2D or 3D method, and a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) sensor, etc. .

In the aerosol generating device 10000, only some of the examples of the various sensors exemplified above may be selected and implemented. In other words, the aerosol generating device 10000 may combine and utilize information sensed by at least one of the above-described sensors.

The controller 16000 controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 10000 . The controller 16000 may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microcontroller and a memory in which a program executable in the microcontroller is stored. In addition, it can be understood by those skilled in the art that the present embodiment may be implemented in other types of hardware.

The controller 16000 may generate a converter control signal. By generating the converter control signal, the magnitude of the voltage supplied from the battery 11000 to the vibrator 12000 may be selected. The converter control signal for supplying the first supply voltage to the vibrator 12000 may be referred to as a first converter control signal. The converter control signal for supplying a second supply voltage lower than the first supply voltage to the vibrator 12000 may be referred to as a second converter control signal.

The controller 16000 may generate a PWM control signal. By generating PWM control signals of different periods (T), the frequency of the voltage supplied to the vibrator 12000 can be adjusted. The period T of the PWM control signal may be the sum of an ON time and an OFF time. The frequency f corresponding to the period T of the PWM control signal is calculated according to Equation 1 below.

That is, the frequency of the voltage supplied to the vibrator may be determined according to the cycle of the PWM control signal supplied from the controller 16000 . The vibrator 12000 may generate an aerosol by vibrating at a predetermined vibration speed according to a supplied frequency. The frequency supplied to the vibrator 12000 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 3 .

The aerosol generating device 10000 may further include a pulse width modulator processing unit. The PWM control signal may be generated by a pulse width modulator processing unit. When the control signal of the control unit 16000 is input, the pulse width modulator processing unit may generate a PWM control signal of various cycles according to the control signal.

The controller 16000 analyzes a result sensed by at least one sensor and controls subsequent processes to be performed.

The controller 16000 may control the voltage supplied to the vibrator 12000 to start or end the operation of the vibrator 12000 based on a result sensed by at least one sensor. In addition, the control unit 16000, based on the result sensed by at least one sensor, the amount of voltage supplied to the vibrator 12000 and the time the voltage is supplied so that the vibrator 12000 can generate an appropriate amount of aerosol can be controlled. For example, the controller 16000 may control the current supplied to the vibrator 12000 so that the vibrator 12000 vibrates at a predetermined vibration speed. For example, the voltage supplied to the vibrator 12000 may be controlled based on a result sensed by the puff sensor 15000 .

Specifically, the controller 16000 may control the temperature of the aerosol generating material by generating a converter control signal and a PWM control signal according to the start timing and the end timing of the puff detected by the puff sensor 15000 .

When the start timing of the current puff is detected, the controller 16000 controls the temperature of the aerosol generating material to the target heating temperature for generating the aerosol until the end timing of the current puff is detected. A first converter control signal for providing a first supply voltage to the vibrator at a first frequency and a PWM control signal of a first period may be generated.

Next, when the end timing of the current puff is detected, the controller 16000 controls from the detected end timing until the start timing of the next puff is detected. The temperature of the aerosol generating material may be adjusted to a target preheat temperature that is lower than the target heating temperature. A method of adjusting the target preheating temperature will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 .

That is, by controlling the temperature of the aerosol-generating material even during the non-puff period, the controller 16000 can prevent the temperature of the aerosol-generating material from being lowered and maximize the reaction time when the puff is started.

As the controller 16000 maintains the aerosol-generating material at the target preheating temperature even during the non-puff period, the time until the aerosol-generating material is heated to the target heating temperature can be shortened even when puffing is started again. Due to this, a sufficient amount of aerosol can be provided in each puff period, and thus a desirable smoking feeling can be provided to the user. Conventionally, since the temperature of the aerosol-generating material is not controlled during the non-puff period, it takes a relatively longer time to raise the temperature of the aerosol-generating material to the target heating temperature when the next puff is initiated, resulting in sufficient aerosol within the puff period. quantity was not provided.

Therefore, the control unit 16000 according to this embodiment targets the aerosol-generating material even during the non-puff period so that the difference between the aerosol amount generated while the current puff is performed and the aerosol amount to be generated while the next puff is performed falls within a predetermined range. Adjust the preheating temperature.

When the end timing of the current puff is detected, the controller 16000 may adjust the temperature of the aerosol generating material to the target preheating temperature after a predetermined time for the temperature of the aerosol generating material to decrease has elapsed. If the gap between the puff and the puff is short, the aerosol-generating material may not cool excessively and there may be no need to control the temperature of the aerosol-generating material during the non-puff period. Accordingly, the control unit 16000 may efficiently use electric power by controlling the temperature of the aerosol generating material to the target preheating temperature after a predetermined time for the temperature of the aerosol generating material to sufficiently decrease has elapsed.

In an embodiment, the controller 16000 may start the operation of the vibrator 12000 after receiving a user input to the aerosol generating device 10000 . Also, the controller 16000 may start the operation of the vibrator 12000 after detecting the user's puff using the puff sensor 15000 . Also, after counting the number of puffs using the puff sensor 15000 , the controller 16000 may stop supplying voltage to the vibrator 12000 when the number of puffs reaches a preset number.

The controller 16000 may control the user interface 17000 based on a result sensed by at least one sensor. For example, after counting the number of puffs using the puff sensor 15000, when the number of puffs reaches a preset number, the controller 16000 provides the aerosol generating device to the user using at least one of a lamp, a motor, and a speaker. (10000) can foretell that it will end soon.

The user interface 17000 may provide information about the state of the aerosol generating device 10000 to the user. The user interface 17000 includes a display or lamp for outputting visual information, a motor for outputting tactile information, a speaker for outputting sound information, and input/output (I/O) for receiving information input from a user or outputting information to the user. ) Interfacing means (eg, button or touch screen) and terminals for data communication or receiving charging power, wireless communication with external devices (eg, WI-FI, WI-FI Direct, Bluetooth, NFC) (Near-Field Communication, etc.) may include various interfacing means such as a communication interfacing module for performing.

The controller 16000 may receive a user input from the user interface 17000 . The control unit 16000 starts the operation of the vibrator 12000 based on the user input, and until the start timing of the first puff is detected, The temperature of the aerosol generating material may be adjusted to the target preheat temperature. By preheating the aerosol generating material to the target preheating temperature before the start of the first puff, it is possible to heat the aerosol generating material to the target heating temperature when the first puff is started in a relatively short time.

However, in the aerosol generating device 10000, only some of the various examples of the user interface 17000 exemplified above may be selected and implemented.

The memory 18000 is hardware for storing various data processed in the aerosol generating device 10000 , and the memory 18000 may store data processed by the controller 16000 and data to be processed. The memory 18000 includes various types of random access memory (RAM) such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and the like. It can be implemented in types.

The memory 18000 may store the operating time of the aerosol generating device 10000 , the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and data on the user's smoking pattern.

Meanwhile, although not shown in FIG. 2 , the aerosol generating device 10000 may constitute an aerosol generating system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery 11000 of the aerosol generating device 10000 . For example, the aerosol generating device 10000 may receive power from the battery of the cradle and charge the battery 11000 of the aerosol generating device 10000 while being accommodated in the receiving space inside the cradle.

3 is a graph showing the trend of the vibration speed of the vibrator 12000 according to the frequency of the voltage supplied to the vibrator 12000 in FIG. 2 according to an embodiment. It is assumed that the magnitude of the voltage supplied to the vibrator 12000 is constant.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the vibrator 12000 has a certain relationship between the frequency of the supplied voltage and the vibration speed according to characteristics such as thickness, width, and material of the vibrator 12000 . When the voltage of the first frequency 301 is supplied to the vibrator 12000 , the vibrator 12000 vibrates at a first vibration speed 311 . The controller 16000 may supply a voltage of the first frequency 301 for generating the aerosol to the vibrator 12000 and control it to vibrate at the first vibration speed 311 . For example, the frequency for generating the aerosol may be 1.7Mhz ~ 3Mhz.

The vibrator 12000 may vibrate at the maximum vibration speed of the vibrator 12000 by supplying a voltage of the first frequency 301 . The first frequency 301 may be a resonance frequency of the vibrator 12000 . The controller 16000 may supply the resonant frequency of the vibrator 12000 or a voltage having a frequency in a range close to the resonance frequency to the vibrator 12000 . By supplying a voltage of the resonant frequency to the vibrator, the vibration speed can be maximized, and the temperature of the aerosol generating material can be increased.

On the other hand, when the voltage of the second frequency 302 , which is a frequency lower than the first frequency 301 , is supplied to the vibrator 12000 , the vibrator 12000 has a second vibration speed that is lower than the first vibration speed 311 . (312) vibrate. When the voltage of the third frequency 303, which is a frequency higher than the first frequency 301, is supplied to the vibrator 12000, the vibrator 12000 has a third vibration speed 312 that is lower than the first vibration speed 311. ) to vibrate. When vibrating at the second vibration speed 312 or at the third vibration speed 312, the aerosol cannot be sufficiently generated because it is smaller than the vibration speed for generating the aerosol. However, the controller 16000 may adjust the temperature of the vibrator 12000 to the target preheating temperature by supplying a voltage of the second frequency 302 or the third frequency 303 to the vibrator 12000 .

The control unit 16000 supplies a voltage of a predetermined frequency to the vibrator 12000 by generating a PWM control signal to adjust the aerosol generating material to the target preheating temperature, and the vibrator 12000 has a second frequency 302 or a third frequency ( By supplying the voltage of 303), it may vibrate at a second vibration speed 312 or a third vibration speed 313 lower than the first vibration speed 311 . The period of the PWM control signal corresponding to the second frequency 302 may be the reciprocal of the second frequency 302 , and the period of the PWM control signal corresponding to the third frequency 303 may be the reciprocal of the third frequency 303 . have..

4 is a graph showing the trend of the temperature of an aerosol generating material according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 4 , the temperature of the aerosol generating material may be different depending on the combination of the magnitude and frequency of the voltage supplied to the vibrator ( 12000 in FIG. 2 ).

The aerosol generating device 10000 using the vibrator 12000 vibrates the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol. In this case, when the aerosol-generating material is in a viscous liquid form, it is necessary to lower the viscosity by raising the temperature of the aerosol-generating material to a temperature for generating an aerosol.

The temperature for the generation of the aerosol may be 140 ~ 160 ℃. The temperature for generation of the aerosol may be referred to as the target heating temperature or the first temperature. The temperature for preheating may be 50 to 60 °C. The temperature for preheating may be a temperature lower than the target heating temperature. The temperature for preheating may be referred to as a target preheating temperature or a second temperature. However, the above-described numerical values are merely examples for convenience of explanation, and these numerical values may be adjusted by various factors such as the characteristics of the aerosol-generating material, the characteristics of the vibrator 12000 and the operating environment of the aerosol-generating device 10000. .

The first graph 401 shows a case in which the first supply voltage is provided to the vibrator 12000 at a first frequency ( 301 in FIG. 3 ). When the first supply voltage is supplied at the first frequency 301 , the vibrator 12000 may vibrate at a vibration rate sufficient to generate an aerosol and at the same time heat the aerosol generating material to a first temperature. The first temperature may be a target heating temperature. That is, in order to heat the aerosol generating material to a target heating temperature for generating the aerosol, the first supply voltage may have to be supplied at the first frequency 301 .

The controller 16000 may generate a second converter control signal and supply a second supply voltage lower than the first supply voltage to the vibrator 12000 to adjust the temperature of the aerosol generating material to the second temperature.

The control unit 16000 may generate a PWM control signal of a second period for providing a voltage to the vibrator 12000 at a second frequency to adjust the temperature of the aerosol generating material to the second temperature. The vibrator 12000 may vibrate at a second vibration rate lower than the first vibration rate by providing a voltage of the second frequency.

The second graph 403 illustrates a case in which the first supply voltage is supplied to the vibrator 12000 at the second frequency (302 in FIG. 3 ) or the second supply voltage is supplied at the first frequency 301 . If one of the first supply voltage and the first frequency 301 is not satisfied, the vibrator 12000 cannot vibrate at a vibration speed sufficient to generate an aerosol, but adjusts the temperature of the aerosol generating material to the second temperature. can The second temperature may be a target preheating temperature.

The third graph 405 illustrates a case in which the second supply voltage is supplied to the vibrator 12000 at the second frequency 302 . When all conditions of the first supply voltage and the first frequency 301 are not satisfied, the vibrator 12000 cannot vibrate at a vibration speed sufficient to generate an aerosol, and the aerosol generating material up to a third temperature lower than the second temperature can be heated.

Meanwhile, in FIG. 4 , the description that the voltage of the second frequency 302 lower than the first frequency 301 is supplied may be replaced by the supply of the voltage of the third frequency 303 .

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling the temperature of an aerosol generating material during a puff period and a non-puff period in the aerosol generating device 10000 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the method of controlling the temperature of an aerosol generating material consists of steps processed in time series in the aerosol generating device 10000 described above. Therefore, even if omitted below, the contents described with respect to the aerosol generating device 10000 of the drawings described above may also be applied to the method of FIG. 5 .

In step 501 , the aerosol generating device 10000 starts an operation to generate an aerosol. The aerosol generating device 10000 may start the operation of the vibrator 12000 based on a user input.

In step 502, the controller 16000 adjusts the temperature of the aerosol generating material to the target preheating temperature. Until the start timing of the first puff is detected, By adjusting the temperature of the aerosol generating material to the target preheating temperature, it is possible to heat up to the target heating temperature from the start of the first puff in a relatively short time. As described above, the target preheating temperature is a temperature for preheating the aerosol generating material, and may be, for example, 50 to 60°C, but is not limited thereto.

In step 503 , the controller 16000 determines whether the puff start timing is detected by the puff sensor 15000 . The control unit 16000, the value detected according to the sensing method currently employed in the puff sensor 15000 (eg, a pressure value, a temperature value, a voltage value, or a capacitance value) exceeds a predetermined first threshold value It may be determined that the time to do the puff corresponds to the start timing of the puff. If the controller 16000 determines that the puff start timing is detected by the puff sensor 15000, step 504 is entered. However, if it is determined that the puff start timing has not yet been detected, the controller 16000 repeats steps 502 and 503 until the puff start timing is detected by the puff sensor 15000 .

In step 504, when the start timing of the puff is detected, the control unit 16000 controls the voltage supply to the vibrator 12000 to generate an aerosol. Specifically, the control unit 16000 controls the first converter control signal and the first to provide a first supply voltage to the vibrator 12000 at a first frequency so that the temperature of the aerosol generating material is adjusted to the first temperature for generating the aerosol. A PWM control signal of one cycle can be generated.

As described above, the first temperature (target heating temperature) is an appropriate temperature for generating an aerosol, for example, may be 140 ~ 160 ℃, but is not limited thereto. The user may inhale the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material through the mouthpiece (2100 in FIG. 1) provided on the cartridge (2000 in FIG. 1).

In step 505 , the controller 16000 determines whether the end timing of the current puff is detected by the puff sensor 15000 . The puff sensor 15000 may detect that a point in time at which the currently detected value becomes smaller than a predetermined second threshold value corresponds to the end timing of the puff. If the controller 16000 determines that the end timing of the current puff is detected by the puff sensor 15000, step 506 is entered. However, if it is determined that the end timing of the current puff has not yet been detected, the controller 16000 repeats step 504 to continuously generate an aerosol during the current puff period.

On the other hand, as described above, the first threshold value and the second threshold value for detecting each of the start and end timings of the puff are the same or different arbitrary values (eg, pressure value, temperature value, voltage value, or capacitance value).

In step 506 , the controller 16000 determines whether the cumulative number of puffs has reached the maximum number of puffs. For example, one smoking may be set to consist of 14 consecutive puffs, and the maximum number of puffs in this case corresponds to 14 puffs. However, the maximum number of puffs may be variously changed. In this case, if the user starts the operation of the aerosol generating device 10000 and cumulatively performs 14 puffs, the operation of the aerosol generating device 10000 may end and one smoking may be ended.

The controller 16000 determines whether the cumulative number of puffs has reached the maximum number of puffs, and when it is determined that the cumulative number of puffs has reached the maximum number of puffs while the end timing of the current puff is detected, aerosol generating device 10000 operation can be terminated.

However, if it is determined that the cumulative number of puffs does not reach the maximum number in a state where the end timing of the current puff is detected, the controller 16000 performs step 502 to adjust the temperature of the aerosol generating material to the second temperature. The controller 16000 repeats steps 502 and 503 until the start timing of the next puff is detected.

Meanwhile, in step 506, the controller 16000 has been described as determining the end of the power of the aerosol generating device 10000 based on the cumulative number of puffs, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto. According to another embodiment, the controller 16000 may determine the end of power of the PWM-controlled aerosol generating device 10000 based on the accumulated use time. For example, the controller 16000 may turn off the power of the aerosol generating device 10000 when the accumulated use time of 4 minutes has elapsed after the power of the aerosol generating device 10000 is turned on.

6 is a diagram for explaining a user's puff pattern according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the user may perform puffs less than or equal to a preset maximum number of puffs (eg, 14 times) after starting smoking. Alternatively, puffs may be performed within a preset maximum use time (eg, 4 minutes).

In the puff pattern 600 illustrated by way of example, the width of the block corresponding to each puff indicates the relative length of the puff period, and the interval between the two blocks corresponding to the two puffs is the relative length of the non-puff period. indicates

According to the puff pattern 600 , puff periods of the nth puff, ..., and n+4th puff may be different, and non-puff periods between the respective puffs may also be different. Here, if the temperature of the aerosol-generating material is not adjusted to the second temperature during the non-puff period, the degree of decrease in the temperature of the aerosol-generating material may vary according to the length of the non-puff period.

If the non-puff period lasts too long, continuously adjusting the temperature of the aerosol generating material to the second temperature may be inefficient in terms of power management of the battery 11000 . Accordingly, when a predetermined time elapses in a state where the end timing of the current puff is detected, the controller 16000 may end the operation of the aerosol generating device 10000 .

7 is a graph showing a decrease in temperature when the aerosol-generating material is not preheated during the non-puff period. Referring to the graph 700 of FIG. 7 , when the temperature control of the aerosol-generating material by the controller 16000 is finished during the non-puff period before the start of the next puff after one puff is finished, the temperature of the aerosol-generating material is It gradually decreases over time. Therefore, when the next puff is started after the non-puff period, it may take time to raise the temperature of the aerosol-generating material reduced during the non-puff period to the target heating temperature.

Referring back to FIG. 6 , when the non-puff period (eg, the period between the nth puff and the n+1th puff) is relatively long, the temperature of the aerosol-generating material increases because the power supply is stopped for a longer period of time. It may decrease more, which may result in more time required to raise the temperature of the aerosol generating material to the target heating temperature when the next puff (eg, the n+1th puff) is started. In this case, if the puff period of the next puff (n+1th puff) is relatively short, a sufficient amount of aerosol may not be generated during the puff period of this puff (n+1th puff). Accordingly, a uniform feeling of smoking may not be provided to the user at each puff.

However, as described in step 502 of FIG. 5 , the control unit 16000 of the aerosol generating device 10000 according to the present embodiment detects the end timing of the current puff (eg, the nth puff). The temperature of the aerosol generating material is adjusted to the target preheating temperature from the specified end timing until the start timing of the next puff (eg, the n+1th puff) is detected. Thereby, the temperature of the aerosol-generating material can be maintained at the target preheating temperature, and the temperature of the aerosol-generating material can be adjusted to the target heating temperature more quickly when the next puff (e.g., the n+1th puff) starts, The amount of aerosol to be generated may not be significantly reduced.

In FIGS. 8 and 9 below, in order to explain how the temperature of the aerosol generating material is controlled by frequency, it is assumed that the voltage supplied to the vibrator 12000 is the first supply voltage described above in FIG. 3 .

8 is a diagram for explaining a PWM control signal in a puff period and a non-puff period according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 8 , when the start timing of the current puff (eg, the nth puff) is detected, the controller 16000 controls the temperature of the aerosol generating material until the end timing of the current puff is detected. The first frequency is supplied to the vibrator 12000 by generating a PWM control signal of the first period to adjust the temperature to one. Also, when the end timing of the current puff is detected, from the detected end timing until the start timing of the next puff (eg, the n+1th puff) is detected The second frequency is supplied to the vibrator 12000 by generating a PWM control signal of the second period to adjust the temperature of the aerosol generating material to a second temperature lower than the first temperature.

As shown in FIG. 8 , the first cycle was set to 0.5 μs, the second cycle was set to 1 μs, and the duty ratio of each PWM control signal was set to 60%. Accordingly, when the nth puff starts, a frequency of 2Mhz is supplied to the vibrator 12000, and when the nth puff ends, a frequency of 1Mhz is supplied to the vibrator 12000. (Calculated by Equation 1) However, the first period, the second period, and the duty ratio may be changed to various numerical values without being limited to the above-described set values. Here, the duty cycle is the ratio of the time in the ON state with respect to one cycle. For example, if the period T is 10 ms, the ON state is 6 ms and the OFF state is 4 ms, the duty ratio is 60%.

Since it is preferable that the vibrator 12000 generates little aerosol during the non-puff period, the temperature of the aerosol-generating material during the non-puff period is lower than the target heating temperature for aerosol generation, and the liquid aerosol-generating material is not aerosolized by vibration. It may be desirable to maintain the target preheat temperature. The control unit 16000 may generate a PWM control signal of the second period during the non-puff period to control the vibration speed of the vibrator 12000 and the temperature of the aerosol generating material in order to prevent the temperature from being reduced below the target preheating temperature.

9 is a view for explaining and comparing the temperature change of an aerosol generating material between a case preheated during a non-puff period and a case that is not preheated during a non-puff period, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the user's puff pattern 900 is shown from when one smoking session is started to when it is finished. In addition, the PWM control signal period change 910 and the temperature change 920 of the aerosol generating material corresponding to the timing of each of the puff periods and the non-puff periods in the puff pattern 900 are shown.

The control unit 16000 sets the cycle (first cycle) of the PWM control signal to 0.5 μs to adjust the temperature of the aerosol generating material to the target heating temperature for each puff period included in the puff pattern 900, and the vibrator 12000) A voltage of a frequency (2Mhz) corresponding to 0.5us is supplied to the The vibrator 12000 vibrates at a vibration rate corresponding to the supply frequency, and the temperature of the aerosol generating material rises to the target heating temperature, thereby generating an aerosol.

When the end timing of the puff is detected by the puff sensor 15000, the control unit 16000 lowers the vibration speed of the vibrator 12000, unlike in the puff period, so that the temperature of the aerosol generating material is adjusted to the target preheating temperature. do. In this case, for example, the duty ratio of the PWM control signal during the non-puff period may be about 60% and the period (the second period) may be 1 μs, but is not limited thereto.

According to the preheating in the non-puff period, the temperature of the aerosol generating material may be slightly decreased, but may be maintained at the target preheating temperature. If there is no preheating during the non-puff period as in the temperature change 930 of the aerosol-generating material, since the temperature of the aerosol-generating material may continuously decrease during the non-puff period, the temperature change 920 of the aerosol-generating material ) is different from

For example, in the case of the temperature change 1102 of the aerosol generating material, if the puff starts at t0, it takes a time of t0 to t1 to the first temperature. On the other hand, in the case of the temperature change 930 of the aerosol-generating material, since there was no preheating, when the puff starts at t0, it takes a time t0 to t2 longer than t0 to t1 to the first temperature. By preheating the aerosol generating material during the non-puff period, the target heating temperature can be adjusted to the target heating temperature more quickly when the next puff is started, so that the amount of aerosol to be generated in each puff is uniform, providing a more satisfying feeling of smoking to the user. .

According to this embodiment, the temperature of the aerosol-generating material during the non-puff period can be maintained at the second temperature, even if the puff period is long or short, as in the overall control cycle during a single cigarette shown in FIG. 9 , A uniform amount of aerosol can be secured for each puff.

10 is a flowchart of a method for controlling the temperature of an aerosol generating material according to the detection of puff timing in the aerosol generating device 10000 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10 , the method for controlling the temperature of an aerosol generating material consists of steps processed in time series in the aerosol generating device 10000 described above. Accordingly, even if omitted below, the contents described in the drawings may be applied to the method of FIG. 10 .

In step 1010 , the controller 16000 may detect the start timing of the user's puff by using the puff sensor.

In step 1020, when the start timing is detected, the control unit 16000 may generate the first converter control signal and the PWM control signal of the first cycle so that the temperature of the aerosol generating material is adjusted to the first temperature for generating the aerosol. have.

In step 1030 , the controller 16000 may supply a first supply voltage to the vibrator 12000 at a first frequency based on the first converter control signal and the PWM control signal of the first cycle.

In operation 1040, the controller 16000 may detect the end timing of the puff.

In step 1050, when the end timing of the puff is detected, the temperature of the aerosol generating material may be adjusted to a second temperature lower than the first temperature from the detected end timing until the start timing of the next puff is detected.

Meanwhile, the above-described embodiments can be written as a program that can be executed on a computer, and can be implemented in a general-purpose digital computer that operates the program using a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium. In addition, the structure of data used in the above-described embodiments may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium through various means. The computer-readable recording medium includes a storage medium such as a magnetic storage medium (eg, a ROM, a floppy disk, a hard disk, etc.) and an optically readable medium (eg, a CD-ROM, a DVD, etc.).

Those of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment will understand that the embodiment may be implemented in a modified form without departing from the essential characteristics of the above description. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments are to be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the rights is indicated in the claims rather than the above description, and all differences within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the present embodiment.

Claims (14)

a vibrator for generating an aerosol from the liquid aerosol generating material by vibrating;
a battery supplying a voltage to the vibrator;
a converter that converts the voltage supplied from the battery into a supply voltage supplied to the vibrator according to a converter control signal;
a puff sensor for detecting the start timing and end timing of the user's puff; and
Comprising a control unit for regulating the temperature of the aerosol-generating material by generating the converter control signal and a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal according to the detected start timing and the end timing of the puff by the puff sensor, the aerosol generating device. The method of claim 1,
the control unit
When the start timing of the current puff is detected, the first supply voltage to the vibrator is set to the first frequency so that the temperature of the aerosol generating material is adjusted to the first temperature for generating the aerosol until the end timing of the current puff is detected A first converter control signal for providing and a PWM control signal of a first period are generated, and when the end timing of the current puff is detected, from the detected end timing until the start timing of the next puff is detected adjusting the temperature of the aerosol-generating material to a second temperature lower than the first temperature. 3. The method of claim 2,
the vibrator
By supplying the voltage of the first frequency, the aerosol generating device vibrates at a first vibration speed that is the maximum vibration speed of the vibrator. 3. The method of claim 2,
the control unit
generating a second converter control signal to supply a second supply voltage lower than the first supply voltage to the vibrator to adjust the temperature of the aerosol generating material to the second temperature. 4. The method of claim 3,
the control unit
generating a PWM control signal of a second period for providing a voltage to the vibrator at a second frequency to adjust the temperature of the aerosol generating material to the second temperature;
the vibrator
By supplying the voltage of the second frequency, the aerosol generating device vibrates at a second vibration rate lower than the first vibration rate. The method of claim 1,
further comprising a transistor;
the transistor is
An aerosol generating device that controls the supply voltage to be applied to the vibrator at the cycle by performing an ON-OFF operation according to the cycle of the PWM control signal. 3. The method of claim 2,
the control unit
It is determined whether the cumulative number of puffs has reached the maximum number of puffs, and when it is determined that the cumulative number of puffs has reached the maximum number of puffs in a state where the end timing of the current puff is detected, the operation of the aerosol generating device is terminated. , an aerosol-generating device. 3. The method of claim 2,
the control unit
An aerosol generating device that terminates the operation of the aerosol generating device when a predetermined time elapses in a state in which the end timing of the current puff is detected. The method of claim 1,
further comprising a user interface for receiving user input;
the control unit
Start the operation of the vibrator based on the user input, and until the start timing of the first puff is detected Adjusting the temperature of the vibrator to the second temperature, an aerosol generating device. detecting a start timing of a user's puff using a puff sensor;
generating a first converter control signal and a PWM control signal of a first period so that the temperature of the aerosol generating material is adjusted to a first temperature for generating an aerosol when the start timing is detected;
providing a first supply voltage to the vibrator at a first frequency based on the first converter control signal and the PWM control signal of the first period;
detecting an end timing of the puff; and
when the end timing of the puff is detected, adjusting the temperature of the aerosol-generating material to a second temperature lower than the first temperature from the detected end timing until the start timing of the next puff is detected . 10. The method of claim 9,
The vibrator,
By supplying the voltage of the first frequency, the vibrator vibrates at a first vibration speed that is the maximum vibration speed of the vibrator. 10. The method of claim 9,
Adjusting the temperature of the aerosol-generating material to a second temperature lower than the first temperature comprises:
regulating the temperature of the aerosol generating material to the second temperature by generating a second converter control signal to supply a second supply voltage lower than the first supply voltage to the vibrator. 11. The method of claim 10,
The vibrator,
By supplying the voltage of the first frequency, the vibrator vibrates at a first vibration speed that is the maximum vibration speed of the vibrator,
Adjusting the temperature of the aerosol-generating material to a second temperature lower than the first temperature comprises:
A PWM control signal of a second period for providing a voltage to the vibrator at a second frequency is generated, and the voltage of the second frequency is supplied to the vibrator to vibrate at a second vibration rate lower than the first vibration rate. adjusting the temperature of the aerosol generating material to the second temperature. A computer-readable non-transitory recording medium recording a program for executing the method of claim 10 in a computer.

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