JP7703783B2 - Aerosol Generator - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device.

The aerosol generating device is for extracting a predetermined component from a medium or substance via an aerosol. The medium may contain a substance of various components. The substance contained in the medium may be a flavoring substance of various components. For example, the substance contained in the medium may contain a nicotine component, an herbal component, and/or a coffee component. In recent years, much research has been conducted into such aerosol generating devices.

This disclosure aims to solve the above-mentioned problems and other problems.

Another object of the present disclosure is to reduce the manufacturing costs of the cartridge that contains the liquid by isolating the heater.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to inform the user if the heater needs replacing.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to improve the reliability of the connection detection sensor that detects the connection between the cartridge and the main body.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to prevent the heater from overheating the wick.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure for achieving the above-mentioned object, an aerosol generating device is provided that includes a main body having a power source, a wick disposed in the main body, a heater connected to the power source for heating the wick, a container removably connected to the main body and having a storage space for storing an aerosol generating substance, a medium having a first end connected to the storage space of the container and a second end in contact with the wick for transmitting the aerosol generating substance to the wick, a first sensor disposed in the main body and connected to the power source for detecting the connection between the main body and the container, and at least one processor for determining whether to replace the heater based on the number of times the first sensor detects the connection between the container and the main body.

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, by separating the heater, the manufacturing costs of the cartridge that contains the liquid can be reduced.

At least one embodiment of the present disclosure can provide the user with information about whether to replace the heater.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the reliability of the bond detection sensor can be improved.

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation of the heater can be controlled to prevent the wick from overheating.

Further scope of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description. However, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, such as preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, are given by way of example only.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of simplicity of description with reference to the drawings, identical or similar components are given the same reference numbers and redundant description thereof will be omitted.

The suffixes "module" and "section" used in the following description for components are intended only for ease of explanation of the specification and do not have any special meaning or role.

In this disclosure, those aspects well known to those skilled in the art are omitted for the sake of brevity. It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are provided to facilitate an understanding of various technical features, and that the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the present disclosure should be construed as including all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives in addition to those specifically disclosed in the accompanying drawings.

Terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but it should be understood that the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

When referring to an element as being "connected" to another element, it will be understood that there may be other elements in between. On the other hand, when referring to an element as being "directly connected" to another element, it will be understood that there are no other elements in between.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. With reference to Figure 1, the aerosol generating device 1 can include a casing 30, a cap 20, a mouthpiece 10, a cartridge 40, and a main body 50.

The casing 30 together with the cap 20 may form the outer shape of the aerosol generating device 1. The casing 30 may include an upper part 31 and a lower part 32. The cartridge 40 and the main body 50 may be disposed inside the casing 30. The inner surface of the upper part 31 may be coupled to the outer surface of the cartridge 40. The inner surface of the lower part 32 may be coupled to the outer surface of the main body 50. The upper part 31 and the lower part 32 may be coupled to the cartridge 40 and the main body 50, respectively, to form a continuous surface. A user may hold the aerosol generating device 1 by grasping the outer surface of the casing 30.

The cap 20 may be connected to the upper part 31. The mouthpiece 10 may be rotatably connected to the cap 20. The cap 20 may include a receiving portion 21 that receives the mouthpiece 10. The receiving portion 21 may be formed by being recessed into the inside of the aerosol generating device 1. The mouthpiece 10 may rotate to be received inside the receiving portion 21. The hollow mouthpiece 10 may include a flow path (not shown) inside through which air flows. A user may inhale the aerosol generated in the cartridge 40 through the mouthpiece 10.

Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram of an aerosol generating device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 2, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a sensing unit 60, an output unit 70, a user input unit 80, a control unit 90, a memory 91, and a battery 100.

The sensing unit 60 may include a binding detection sensor 61, a liquid volume sensor 62, a flow detection sensor 63, and a resistance detection sensor 64. The binding detection sensor 61 may detect the binding between the cartridge 40 and the main body 50. The liquid volume sensor 62 may detect the volume of the aerosol generating material contained in the cartridge 40. The flow detection sensor 63 may detect the air flow inside the aerosol generating device 1. The resistance detection sensor 64 may detect the resistance value of the heater 57. The control unit 90 may control the operation of the binding detection sensor 61, the liquid volume sensor 62, the flow detection sensor 63, and the resistance detection sensor 64.

The output unit 70 can output information about the status of the aerosol generating device 1 and provide it to the user. For example, the output unit 70 can provide the user with information about whether the heater 57 can be replaced, whether the battery 100 can be charged, and the remaining amount of aerosol generating material contained in the container 42.

The output unit 70 may include at least one of a display unit 71, a haptic unit 72, and an audio output unit 73, but is not limited to this. When the display unit 71 and the touchpad are configured as a layered structure to form a touch screen, the display unit 71 can be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

The display unit 71 can visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 1 to a user. For example, the information about the aerosol generating device 1 can include various information such as the charging/discharging status of the battery 100 of the aerosol generating device 1, the preheating status of the heater 44, the insertion/removal status of the aerosol product, or a status in which the use of the aerosol generating device 1 is restricted (e.g., abnormal item detection), and the display unit 71 can output the information to the outside. The display unit 71 can be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light emitting display panel (OLED), etc. Also, the display unit 71 can be in the form of an LED light emitting element.

The haptic unit 72 can convert an electrical signal into a mechanical or electrical stimulus and provide tactile information about the aerosol generating device 1 to the user. For example, the haptic unit 72 can include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

The acoustic output unit 73 can provide audible information about the aerosol generating device 1 to a user. For example, the acoustic output unit 73 can convert an electrical signal into an acoustic signal and output it to the outside.

The user input unit 80 can receive information input by the user or output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 80 can be, but is not limited to, a keypad, a dome switch, a touchpad (contact type capacitance type, pressure type resistive film type, infrared sensing type, surface ultrasonic conduction type, integral type tension measurement type, piezoelectric effect type, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc. In addition, although not shown in FIG. 6, the aerosol generating device 1 further includes a connection interface such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, and can connect to other external devices via a connection interface such as a USB interface to transmit and receive information or charge the battery 100.

The control unit 90 may control the operation of the bond detection sensor 61, the liquid volume sensor 62, and the flow detection sensor 63. The control unit 90 may store information in the memory 91. The control unit 90 may control the heater 57. The control unit 90 may control the sensing unit 60, the output unit 70, the user input unit 80, and the heater 57. The control unit 90 may include at least one processor.

Meanwhile, the control unit 90 can interrupt the operation of the heater 57 when the cartridge 40 is separated from the main body 50. When the cartridge 40 is separated, the amount of liquid provided to the wick 56 decreases, which can cause the wick 56 to overheat. By interrupting the operation of the heater 57, the control unit 90 can prevent the wick 56 from overheating.

The control unit 90 can store information in the memory 91 or read information from the memory 91. The memory 91 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generating device 1, and can store data processed by the control unit 90 and data to be processed. The memory 91 may include at least one type of storage medium among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory, etc.), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. The memory 91 can store the operating time of the aerosol generating device 1, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and data on the user's smoking pattern. The memory 91 can store a reference pressure value, a reference resistance value, and a reference number of bindings.

The battery 100 can supply power to the aerosol generating device 1. The battery 100 can supply electricity to the control unit 90. The battery 100 can be connected to an external power source via the terminal 101 (see FIG. 4). The battery 100 can be considered a power source. The battery 100 can be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 100 can be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto. The battery 100 can be considered a power source.

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the aerosol generating device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the aerosol generating device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. With reference to Figures 3 and 4, the cartridge 40 may include a medium 41 and a container 42. The main body 50 may include a base 51, a column 52, a window 53, a protrusion 54, a through hole 55, a wick 56, a heater 57, a mounting space 58, and a first flow space 59.

The cartridge 40 can contain the aerosol generating substance l. The cartridge 40 can be removably connected to the main body 50. The cartridge 40 can have an elongated shape. The cartridge 40 can be covered by the casing 30. Meanwhile, the cartridge 40 can be detached from the main body 50 together with the mouthpiece 10. The user can replace the cartridge 40 and the mouthpiece 10 as a whole.

The medium 41 may be disposed on the outer surface of the cartridge 40. The medium 41 may absorb the aerosol generating substance l contained in the container 42. The medium 41 may hold a liquid l. For example, the medium 41 may be formed of a felt material or a sponge such as polyester foam. The aerosol generating substance l may be a liquid or gel-type substance at room temperature. The aerosol generating substance l may be a liquid-type or gel-type substance.

The medium 41 may include holes 411 through which the liquid l passes. The holes 411 of the medium 41 may be a concept including minute gaps formed between the materials of the medium 41. For example, the diameter of the holes 411 may be 1 mm to 2 mm or 0.01 mm to 0.02 mm.

The medium 41 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the core 56. The medium 41 may be disposed on the side wall 422 of the container 42. When the cartridge 40 is attached to the body 50, the medium 41 may come into contact with the core 56 attached to the body 50.

The medium 41 can transmit the aerosol generating substance contained inside the container 42 to the wick 56. The medium 41 can mediate the movement of the aerosol generating substance between the inside of the container 42 and the wick 56. The aerosol generating substance l contained inside the container 42 can diffuse to the wick 56 via the medium 41.

The container 42 may include a window 421, a side wall 422, a bottom surface 423, and a groove 425. The container 42 may include a storage space 424 formed therein. The storage space 424 may store the liquid l.

The window 421 may be made of a translucent or transparent material. The window 421 may be disposed on a side wall 422 of the container 42. The window 421 may face the window 53 of the main body 50. Alternatively, the window 421 may be formed integrally with the side wall 422. The window 421 may be a region of the side wall 422.

The volume of liquid l inside the container 42 can be visually confirmed through the window 421. The liquid volume sensor 62 can sense the volume of liquid l contained in the container 42 through the windows 421, 53. The control unit 90 can provide information about the volume of liquid l sensed by the liquid volume sensor 62 to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 through the output unit 70. The liquid volume sensor 62 can be a capacitance sensor.

The sidewall 422 of the container 42 may be formed in a cylindrical shape. The sidewall 422 may provide an accommodating space 424. The sidewall 422 may be elongated. When the cartridge 40 is attached to the body 50, one end of the elongated sidewall 422 may be located inside the base 51, and the other end may be located outside the base 51. The sidewall 422 may be made of a translucent or transparent material.

A groove 425 may be formed on the outer surface of the container 42. The body 50 may include a protrusion 512 that is engaged with the groove 425 of the container 42. The groove 425 of the container 42 and the protrusion 512 of the body 50 may be formed in a plurality of pieces. Meanwhile, unlike this embodiment, the cartridge 40 may have a protrusion, and the body 50 may have a recess that receives the protrusion.

The bottom surface 423 of the container 42 may face a part of the base 51. When the cartridge 40 is attached to the main body 50, the bottom surface 423 may come into contact with the binding detection sensor 61 installed on the base 51. When the groove 425 of the container 42 and the protrusion 512 of the main body 50 are fastened, the bottom surface 423 may be disposed adjacent to the base 51. The bottom surface 423 may press against the binding detection sensor 61.

The main body 50 may include an installation space 58 in which the control unit 90 and the battery 100 are disposed. The main body 50 may have a shape that extends elongated in the longitudinal direction of the side wall 422. The main body 50 may be covered by a casing 30. A protrusion 54 may be disposed on the outer surface of the main body 50. The casing 30 may be fastened to the protrusion 54 of the main body 50.

The base 51 may be disposed at an outer end of the body 50. The base 51 may be recessed into the body 50. The base 51 may provide a space in which the cartridge 40 is mounted. The base 51 may include a protrusion 512. The protrusion 512 may protrude from the base 51 toward the cartridge 40. A column 52 may be provided on one side of the base 51. One end of the side wall 422 may be inserted into the base 51.

The base 51 may include a side wall 511 and an opposing surface 513. The side wall 511 of the base 51 may face the side wall 422 of the container 42 attached to the main body 50. The side wall 511 of the base 51 may be connected to the column 52. The opposing surface 513 may face the bottom surface 423 of the container 42. A connection detection sensor 61 may be disposed on the opposing surface 513.

The column 52 may extend longitudinally along the side wall 422. The column 52 may have a hollow shape. The column 52 may support the side wall 422 of the container 42. A liquid volume sensor 62 may be provided inside the column 52. The liquid volume sensor 62 may face the window 53. The column 52 may include a flow space 522 and a hole 521.

The hole 521 may be connected to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1. The hole 521 may be disposed at one end of the column 52. The column 52 may have a flow space 522 formed inside. The aerosol generated by the heater 57 may flow (b, c) through the flow space 522 and the hole 521 in sequence. The flow detection sensor 63 may be installed at a position adjacent to the hole 521.

The flow detection sensor 63 may be a pressure sensor that measures the surrounding air pressure. If a change in airflow occurs around the flow detection sensor 63, the flow detection sensor 63 may detect air flowing around it.

The window 53 may face the side wall 422 of the container 42 attached to the body 50. The window 53 may be interposed between the container 42 and the liquid volume sensor 62. The window 53 may be made of a translucent or transparent material. Light may pass through the window 53.

The through hole 55 may be formed on the outer surface of the main body 50. The through hole 55 may be connected to the flow space 59 of the main body 50. The through hole 55 may be connected to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1. Air outside the aerosol generating device 1 may flow into the flow space 59 through the through hole 55.

The user can inhale the generated aerosol through the mouthpiece 10. Air outside the aerosol generating device 1 can be inhaled by the user by passing through the through hole 55, the flow space 59, 522, the hole 521, and the mouthpiece 10 in that order.

The wick 56 may be disposed in the main body 50. When the cartridge 40 is attached to the main body 50, the wick 56 may face the medium 41. The wick 56 may be in contact with the medium 41. A portion of the wick 56 may be exposed to the outside of the main body 50. The wick 56 may absorb liquid l. For example, the wick 56 may be made of a ceramic material. A heater 57 may be disposed around the wick 56.

On the other hand, ceramic materials are porous materials and can absorb and retain liquid l. The ceramic wick 56 has the advantage that it can be used repeatedly and has a longer replacement cycle than conventional cotton wicks or silica wicks. In the embodiment of the present disclosure in which the wick 56 is attached to the main body 50, the ceramic wick 56 can be used to eliminate the inconvenience of frequent replacement.

The heater 57 may be formed of a wire through which electricity flows. The heater 57 may be wound around the core 56 several times. The heater 57 may heat the liquid absorbed in the core 56. The heater 57 may extend into the mounting space 58 and be connected to the battery 100 and the control unit 90. The heater 57 may receive electricity from the battery 100.

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the cross-sectional view of Figure 4. Referring to Figure 5, the side wall 422 may include a first extension portion 422a, a second extension portion 422b, and a connecting portion 422c. The side wall 511 of the base 51 may include a contact portion 511a.

The connecting portion 422c of the side wall 422 may connect the first extension portion 422a and the second extension portion 422b. The first extension portion 422a and the second extension portion 422b may extend in the longitudinal direction of the side wall 422. When the cartridge 40 is attached to the main body 50, the first extension portion 422a may be located inside the base 51. When the cartridge 40 is attached to the main body 50, the second extension portion 422b may be located outside the base 51. The connecting portion 422c may extend in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the side wall 422. For example, the connecting portion 422c may extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the side wall 422.

The contact portion 511a may be disposed at a position facing the core 56. The contact portion 511a may be in contact with the first extension portion 422a. The thickness of the contact portion 511a may increase in the direction from one end of the side wall 511 toward the opposing surface 513. The thickness W1 of the contact portion 511a at a position adjacent to one end of the side wall 511 may be smaller than the thickness W2 of the contact portion 511a at a position adjacent to the opposing surface 513. When the cartridge 40 is attached to the main body 50, the contact portion 511a allows the container 42 to be in close contact with the core 56.

6 is a diagram showing a medium 41 and a wick 56 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 6, the medium 41 may include a plurality of holes 411. The liquid l that passes through the holes 411 of the medium 41 may be absorbed by the wick 56. The medium 41 and the wick 56 may have shapes corresponding to each other. The medium 41 and the wick 56 may face each other. The medium 41 and the wick 56 may have different sizes. The size of the wick 56 may be larger than the size of the medium 41. A portion of the wick 56 may protrude inside the column 52. A heater 57 may be wound several times around the protruding portion of the wick 56.

Figure 7 shows a portion of an aerosol generating device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 shows a pressure value measured by a bond detection sensor 61 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, when the cartridge 40 is attached to the main body 50, the bottom surface 423 of the container 42 can press the connection detection sensor 61. When the cartridge 40 is separated from the main body 50, the connection detection sensor 61 can restore its original shape. The connection detection sensor 61 is pressed by the bottom surface 423 of the container 42 and can measure a pressure value according to the degree of pressing. The connection detection sensor 61 can transmit information about the measured pressure value to the control unit 90.

When the cartridge 40 is attached to the main body 50 (t1), the binding detection sensor 61 is pressed by the bottom surface 423 of the container 42, so the pressure value measured by the binding detection sensor 61 may increase. When the cartridge 40 is separated from the main body 50 (t2), the degree to which the bottom surface 423 of the container 42 presses the binding detection sensor 61 decreases, so the pressure value sensed by the binding detection sensor 61 may decrease.

Figure 9 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling the aerosol generating device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 9, the method for controlling the aerosol generating device 1 may include a step (S1) of turning on the power.

The method for controlling the aerosol generating device 1 may include a step (S2) of detecting the connection between the cartridge 40 and the main body 50. The connection detection sensor 61 may detect the connection between the cartridge 40 and the main body 50. The connection detection step (S2) may include a step (S21) of detecting through the connection detection sensor 61 and a step (S22) of detecting based on the resistance value of the heater 57. This will be described in detail later.

The method for controlling the aerosol generating device 1 may include a step (S3) of determining whether the heater is operated. After the connection between the cartridge 40 and the main body 50 is detected, it may be detected whether the heater 57 is operated. For example, the control unit 90 may detect whether electricity is supplied to the heater 57. As a result, after the cartridge 40 is attached to the main body 50, it may be determined whether the aerosol generating device 1 is operated by generating and inhaling an aerosol.

If the heater 57 does not operate after the cartridge 40 is attached to the main body 50, the control unit 90 may not add the previous connection between the cartridge 40 and the main body 50 to the total number of connections. If the heater 57 operates after the cartridge 40 is attached to the main body 50, the control unit 90 may add the previous connection between the cartridge 40 and the main body 50 to the total number of connections.

The method for controlling the aerosol generating device 1 may include a step (S4) of calculating the total number of bindings. The total number of bindings may mean the total number of times the cartridges 40 are bound to the aerosol generating device 1. The control unit 90 may accumulate and calculate the total number of bindings.

For example, if the number of times the cartridge 40 and the main body 50 are combined, detected by the combination detection sensor 61, is five, the control unit 90 can calculate the total number of combinations as five. If the number of times the cartridge 40 and the main body 50 are combined, detected by the combination detection sensor 61, is five, the control unit 90 can calculate the total number of combinations as ten.

The control method of the aerosol generating device 1 may include a step (S5) of comparing the calculated total number of bonds with a predetermined reference total number of bonds. The control unit 90 may compare the accumulated and calculated total number of bonds with a predetermined reference total number of bonds stored in the memory 91. The control unit 90 may determine whether the accumulated and calculated total number of bonds is equal to or greater than the predetermined reference total number of bonds stored in the memory 91.

For example, if the calculated total number of connections is 10 and the predetermined reference total number of connections is 9, the control unit 90 can determine by comparing the magnitudes that the calculated total number of connections is equal to or greater than the predetermined reference total number of connections.

For example, if the calculated total number of bonds is 8 and the predetermined reference total number of bonds is 9, the control unit 90 can determine by comparing the magnitudes that the calculated total number of bonds is less than the predetermined reference total number of bonds.

The control unit 90 can determine that replacement of the heater 57 is necessary if the calculated total number of bonds is equal to or greater than the predetermined reference total number of bonds. The control unit 90 can determine that replacement of the heater 57 is not necessary if the calculated total number of bonds is less than the predetermined reference total number of bonds.

The control method of the aerosol generating device 1 may include a step (S6) of notifying that the heater 57 needs to be replaced. When the control unit 90 determines that the heater 57 needs to be replaced, the control unit 90 may notify the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 that the heater 57 needs to be replaced via the output unit 70.

For example, when it is determined that the heater 57 needs to be replaced, the control unit 90 can visually notify the user that the heater 57 needs to be replaced via the display unit 71. When it is determined that the heater 57 needs to be replaced, the control unit 90 can tactilely notify the user that the heater 57 needs to be replaced via the haptic unit 72. When it is determined that the heater 57 needs to be replaced, the control unit 90 can audibly notify the user that the heater 57 needs to be replaced via the audio output unit 73.

Referring to FIG. 10, the coupling detection step (S2) may include a step (S21) of detecting coupling through the coupling detection sensor 61. The step (S21) of detecting coupling through the coupling detection sensor 61 may include a step (S211) of detecting a pressure change value through the coupling detection sensor 61, a step (S212) of comparing the detected pressure change value with a predetermined reference pressure change value, and a step (S213) of determining that the cartridge 40 and the main body 50 are coupled.

Referring to FIG. 11, the binding detection step (S2) may include a step (S22) of detecting binding based on the resistance value of the heater 57.

The step of detecting the coupling based on the resistance value of the heater 57 (S22) may include a step of detecting a resistance change value of the coupling heater 57 (S221), a step of comparing the detected resistance change value with a predetermined reference resistance change value (S222), and a step of determining that the cartridge 40 and the main body 50 are coupled (S223).

When the cartridge 40 is attached to the main body 50, the liquid l contained inside the container 42 can be absorbed into the wick 56 via the medium 41. The heater 57 is wrapped around the wick 56 and is in contact with the wick 56, so the resistance value of the heater 57 can change depending on the liquid that has soaked into the wick 56. The control unit 90 can detect the connection between the cartridge 40 and the main body 50 based on the resistance value of the heater 57 detected by the resistance detection sensor 64.

For example, the control unit 90 can sense the resistance value of the heater 57 by sensing the current value applied to the heater 57 for the same voltage. The control unit 90 can detect whether the cartridge 40 and the main body 50 are coupled by comparing the resistance change value of the heater 57 with the resistance change value stored in the memory 91.

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device 1' according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the aerosol generating device 1' according to this embodiment, a stick 10' can be inserted inside the column 52'.

The aerosol generating device 1' shown in FIG. 12 has the same configuration as the aerosol generating device 1 shown in FIG. 4, except for the mouthpiece 10 and the column 52'. Therefore, a description of overlapping points will be omitted.

The user can inhale the generated aerosol through the stick 10'. A stopper 200, which is a means for fixing the position of the stick 10' inserted inside the column 52', may be formed inside the column 52'. The stick 10' inserted inside the column 52' may be supported by the stopper 200. A plurality of stoppers 200 may be arranged inside the column 52.

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 12, an aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a main body 50 having a power source 100, a wick 56 disposed in the main body 50, a heater 57 disposed in the main body 50 and connected to the power source 100 to heat the wick 56, a container 42 detachably connected to the main body 50 and having a storage space 424 for storing an aerosol generating material l, a medium 41 having a first end 412 connected to the storage space 424 and a second end 413 in contact with the wick 56 to transmit the aerosol generating material l to the wick 56, a sensor 61 disposed in the main body 50 and connected to the power source 100 to detect the connection between the main body 50 and the container 42, and a control unit 90 for determining whether to replace the heater 57 based on the total number of connections between the container 42 and the main body 50 detected by the sensor 61.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit 90 can calculate the total number of connections between the main body 50 and the container 42 sensed by the first sensor 61, calculate the total number of connections, and compare the total number of connections with a predetermined reference total number of connections to determine whether to replace the heater 57.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol generating device 1 further includes an output unit 70 that provides information to the outside regarding whether to replace the heater 57, and the control unit 90 can provide information regarding whether to replace the heater 57 via the output unit 70 when the total number of combinations exceeds the predetermined number of combinations.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, if the heater 57 does not operate after the first sensor 61 detects the connection between the container 42 and the main body 50, the control unit 90 may not include the number of connections detected by the first sensor 61 in the total number of connections.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the main body 50 includes a base 51 on which the container 42 is mounted, and the first sensor 61 is disposed on the base 51 and can contact the container 42 mounted on the main body 50.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the first sensor 61 is a pressure sensor that contacts the container 42 to measure a pressure value, and the control unit can detect the connection between the main body 50 and the container 42 by comparing a pressure change value sensed by the first sensor with a predetermined reference pressure value.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the main body 50 may include a protrusion 512 protruding from the base 51, and the container 42 may include a groove 425 on its outer surface into which the protrusion 512 is inserted.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the first sensor 61 can protrude toward the container 42 and contact the outer surface of the container 42.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the medium 41 may be provided on one side of the container 42 and disposed between the receiving space 424 and the wick 56.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the container 42 includes a sidewall 422 extending elongately to define the storage space 424, and the medium 41 may be disposed on the sidewall 422.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the body 50 may include a flow space 522 formed inside the body 50, extending outside the side wall 422 in the longitudinal direction of the side wall 422, and communicating the periphery of the core 56 with the outside.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the core 56 may be partially exposed outside the body 50.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the heater 57 further includes a second sensor 64 for measuring a resistance value of the heater 57, the heater 57 including a wire in contact with the wick 56, and the control unit 90 can detect the connection between the main body 50 and the container 42 by comparing the resistance change value of the heater 57 detected by the second sensor 64 with a predetermined reference resistance value.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit 90 can interrupt operation of the heater 57 when the container 42 is separated from the main body 50.

The specific embodiments or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct. The configuration or function of any or all elements of the embodiments of the present disclosure described above may be combined with other elements or combined with each other.

For example, configuration A described in one embodiment of this disclosure and the drawings and configuration B described in another embodiment of this disclosure and the drawings can be combined with each other. In other words, even if a combination between configurations is not directly described, the combination is possible, except in cases where it is described that the combination is not possible.

Although the embodiments have been described above according to a number of exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that many other variations and embodiments are possible for those skilled in the art that fall within the scope of the principles of the present disclosure. More specifically, various modifications and variations are possible in the components and/or arrangements of the subject combinations within the scope of the present disclosure, the drawings, and the appended claims. In addition to the modifications and variations of the components and/or arrangements, other applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims (14)

A main body having a power source;
A core disposed in the body;
a heater coupled to the power source for heating the wick;
a container removably connected to the body and having a storage space for storing an aerosol generating material;
a medium having a first end coupled to the receiving space of the container and a second end in contact with the wick for transferring the aerosol generating material to the wick;
a first sensor disposed on the body and coupled to the power source, the first sensor detecting a coupling between the container and the body;
at least one processor that determines whether to rotate the heater based on a total number of times that the first sensor detects coupling between the container and the body;
An aerosol generating device comprising: The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor further compares the total number of times the first sensor detects the binding with a predetermined reference number to determine whether to replace the heater. further comprising an output unit for outputting information on whether to replace the heater;
When the total number exceeds the reference number, the at least one processor further outputs, via the output unit, information on whether to change the heater.
The aerosol generating device according to claim 2 . The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one processor detects the connection between the container and the main body using the first sensor and does not include the number of times the heater is not activated in the total number of times. the body includes a base to which the container can be attached;
the first sensor is disposed on the base and contacts the container when the container is attached to the base;
The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 . the first sensor is a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure value;
The at least one processor further compares the change in pressure sensed by the first sensor with a reference pressure value to determine whether the container is coupled to the body.
The aerosol generating device according to claim 5 . The body further includes a protrusion extending from the base.
The aerosol generating device according to claim 6 , wherein the container has a groove disposed on an outer surface of the container into which the protrusion can be inserted. The aerosol generating device according to claim 7, wherein the first sensor protrudes toward the container and contacts the outer surface of the container. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the medium is provided on one side of the container and is disposed between the storage space and the wick. The container includes a side wall extending in a longitudinal direction to define the storage space,
The medium is disposed on the side wall.
The aerosol generating device according to claim 9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 10, wherein the body has a flow space formed therein and extending in the longitudinal direction outside the sidewall to provide a passage between the space around the wick and the exterior of the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the wick is partially exposed to the outside of the body. Further comprising a second sensor for measuring a resistance value of the heater;
the heater includes a wire in contact with the wick;
The at least one processor further compares the change in resistance of the heater sensed by the second sensor with a reference resistance to determine whether the container is coupled to the body.
The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 . The aerosol generating device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor interrupts operation of the heater when the container is separated from the body.