WO2025170184A1 - Aerosol generating method and aerosol generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerosol generating device according to an embodiment generates an aerosol by supplying first power to a heater during a first period using a first temperature profile when a first puff of a user is sensed, generates an aerosol by supplying second power lower than the first power to the heater during a second period following the first period using the first temperature profile, and generates an aerosol by supplying third power to the heater using an additional temperature profile when an additional puff of the user is sensed at a time after the second period.

Description

Aerosol generation method and aerosol generation device

The disclosure below relates to a technology for generating an aerosol, and more particularly, to a technology for generating an aerosol based on a user's inhalation pattern.

Demand for e-cigarettes has been steadily increasing in recent years. Furthermore, as demand for e-cigarettes grows, features related to e-cigarettes are continuously being developed. Specifically, features specific to the type and characteristics of e-cigarettes are being continuously developed.

Electronic cigarettes that generate aerosol using a liquid aerosol-generating agent can provide an appropriate amount of aerosol to the user by controlling the temperature of the heater to provide a satisfactory smoking experience. While the user smokes, the aerosol is generated based on the heater temperature. The generated aerosol is then positioned within the chamber and can be transported into the user's mouth through inhalation. When the user stops smoking, any aerosol not delivered to the user can be liquefied within the chamber.

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

One embodiment may provide an aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol.

One embodiment may provide a method for generating an aerosol using a temperature profile determined based on user inhalation pattern information.

However, technical challenges are not limited to the technical challenges described above, and other technical challenges may exist.

In one embodiment, an aerosol generating device comprises a cartridge, the cartridge including a chamber storing an aerosol generating substance in a liquid state and a heater for generating an aerosol by heating the aerosol generating substance, and a body, the body including a processor and a battery, wherein the processor is configured to generate an aerosol by supplying a first power to the heater for a first period of time using a first temperature profile when a first puff of the user is sensed, to generate the aerosol by supplying a second power lower than the first power to the heater for a second period of time following the first period using the first temperature profile, and to generate the aerosol by supplying a third power to the heater using an additional temperature profile when an additional puff of the user is sensed at a time following the second period.

In one embodiment, the method for generating an aerosol may include: generating an aerosol by supplying a first power to a heater of the aerosol generating device for a first period of time using a first temperature profile when a first puff of the user is sensed; generating an aerosol by supplying a second power lower than the first power to the heater for a second period of time following the first period using the first temperature profile; and generating an aerosol by supplying a third power to the heater using an additional temperature profile when an additional puff of the user is sensed at a time following the second period.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a method of generating an aerosol using a temperature profile determined based on user inhalation pattern information may be provided.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a method of generating an aerosol can be provided that can reduce aerosol liquefying within a chamber after smoking has ceased.

FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 4 is a flow chart of a method for generating an aerosol according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a temperature graph of a heater controlled according to a first temperature profile according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a temperature graph of a heater controlled according to a first temperature profile and an additional temperature profile according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method for changing a temperature profile set based on user suction pattern information from a first temperature profile to a second temperature profile according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for generating an aerosol using an additional temperature profile when user inhalation pattern information is not generated according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a temperature graph of a heater controlled according to an additional temperature profile according to one embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing numbers, identical or similar components are given the same reference numbers and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The suffixes "module" and "part" used for components in the following description are given or used interchangeably only for the convenience of writing specifications, and do not have distinct meanings or roles in themselves.

In addition, when describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the attached drawings are only intended to facilitate easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited by the attached drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present disclosure.

Terms that include ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components intervening. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components intervening.

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

FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an aerosol generating device (1) may include a body (10) and a cartridge (19). The aerosol generating device (1) may include at least one of a power source (11), a control unit (12), and a sensor (13). At least one of the power source (11), the control unit (12), and the sensor (13) may be disposed inside the body (10). A cartridge (19), which is an aerosol generating article, may be mounted on the body (10). A user may inhale the aerosol by placing a mouthpiece provided at one end of the cartridge (19) in his/her mouth.

The cartridge (19) may contain an aerosol generating material in any one of a liquid, solid, gaseous, or gel state, within an internal chamber (C0). The aerosol generating material may comprise a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid comprising a tobacco-containing material including volatile tobacco flavoring components, or may be a liquid comprising a non-tobacco material.

The cartridge (19) can be detachably coupled to the body (10). The cartridge (19) can be mounted on the body (10) by being inserted into the body (10).

The body (10) can be formed in a structure in which outside air can be introduced into the interior of the body (10) while the cartridge (19) is inserted. At this time, the outside air introduced into the body (10) can pass through the cartridge (19) and flow into the user's oral cavity through the airflow channel (CN).

The cartridge (19) may include a chamber (C0) containing an aerosol generating material and/or a heater (24) for heating the aerosol generating material in the chamber (C0). A liquid delivery means (25) impregnated with (contained by) the aerosol generating material may be disposed inside the chamber (C0). Here, the liquid delivery means (25) may include a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, porous ceramic, etc. The electrically conductive track of the heater (24) may be formed in a coil-shaped structure that winds the liquid delivery means (25) or a structure that contacts one side of the liquid delivery means (25). The heater (24) may be referred to as a cartridge heater.

The cartridge (19) can generate an aerosol. As the liquid delivery means (25) is heated by the cartridge heater (24), an aerosol can be generated. The generated aerosol can be inhaled into the user's oral cavity through the airflow channel (CN).

An airflow channel (CN) may be provided in the cartridge (19). The airflow channel (CN) may communicate a chamber in which a heater (24) of the cartridge (19) is arranged with the outside of the cartridge. One end of the airflow channel (CN) may be opened to the chamber in which the heater (24) is arranged, and the other end may be communicated with the mouthpiece (35). For example, referring to FIG. 1, the airflow channel (CN) may extend in a longitudinal direction of the cartridge (19) from one side of the chamber (C0) of the cartridge (19). For example, referring to FIG. 2, the airflow channel (CN) may extend in a longitudinal direction of the cartridge (19) by penetrating the chamber (C0) of the cartridge (19).

The power source (11) can supply power to operate components of the aerosol generating device. The power source (11) can be referred to as a battery. The power source (11) can supply power to at least one of the control unit (12), the sensor (13), and the cartridge heater (24).

The control unit (12) can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device. The control unit can be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The control unit (12) can control the operation of at least one of the power supply (11), the sensor (13), and the cartridge (19). The control unit (12) can control the operation of a display, a motor, etc. installed in the aerosol generating device. The control unit (12) can check the status of each component of the aerosol generating device to determine whether the aerosol generating device is in an operable state.

The control unit (12) can analyze the results detected by the sensor (13) and control the processes to be performed thereafter. For example, the control unit (12) can control the power supplied to the cartridge heater (24) so that the operation of the cartridge heater (24) is started or ended based on the results detected by the sensor (13). For example, the control unit (12) can control the amount of power supplied to the cartridge heater (24) and the time for which the power is supplied so that the cartridge heater (24) can be heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature based on the results detected by the sensor (13).

The sensor (13) may include at least one of a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, a cartridge detection sensor, and a movement detection sensor. For example, the sensor (13) may sense at least one of the temperature of the cartridge heater (24), the temperature of the power source (11), and the temperature inside and outside the body (10). For example, the sensor (13) may sense the user's puff. For example, the sensor (13) may sense whether the cartridge is mounted. For example, the sensor (13) may sense the movement of the aerosol generating device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device (1100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

An aerosol generating device (1100) (e.g., the aerosol generating device (1) of FIG. 1) may include a power source (1110) (e.g., the power source (11) of FIG. 1), a control unit (1120) (e.g., the control unit (12) of FIG. 1), a sensor (1130) (e.g., the sensor (13) of FIG. 1), an output unit (1140), an input unit (1150), a communication unit (1160), a memory (1170), and at least one heater (1180, 1124) (e.g., the heater (24) of FIG. 1). However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device (1100) is not limited to that illustrated in FIG. 3. That is, a person having ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment will understand that, depending on the design of the aerosol generating device (1100), some of the components illustrated in FIG. 3 may be omitted or new components may be added.

The sensor (1130) can detect the status of the aerosol generating device (1100) or the status around the aerosol generating device (1100) and transmit the detected information to the control unit (1120). Based on the detected information, the control unit (1120) can control the aerosol generating device (1100) to perform various functions, such as controlling the operation of the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180), restricting smoking, determining whether a stick (S) and/or cartridge (19) is inserted, and displaying a notification.

The sensor (1130) may include at least one of a temperature sensor (1131), a puff sensor (1132), an insertion detection sensor (1133), a reuse detection sensor (1134), a cartridge detection sensor (1135), a cap detection sensor (1136), and a motion detection sensor (1137).

The temperature sensor (1131) can detect the temperature at which the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180) is heated. The aerosol generating device (1100) may include a separate temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180), or the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180) itself may serve as the temperature sensor.

The temperature sensor (1131) can output a signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180). For example, the temperature sensor (1131) can include a resistance element whose resistance value changes in response to a change in the temperature of the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180). It can be implemented by a thermistor, which is an element that utilizes the property of changing resistance depending on temperature. At this time, the temperature sensor (1131) can output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the resistance element as a signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180). For example, the temperature sensor (1131) can be configured as a sensor that detects the resistance value of the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180). At this time, the temperature sensor (1131) can output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180) as a signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180).

A temperature sensor (1131) may be placed around the power source (1110) to monitor the temperature of the power source (1110). The temperature sensor (1131) may be placed adjacent to the power source (1110). For example, the temperature sensor (1131) may be attached to one side of a battery, which is the power source (1110). For example, the temperature sensor (1131) may be mounted on one side of a printed circuit board.

A temperature sensor (1131) is placed inside the body (10) and can detect the internal temperature of the body (10).

The puff sensor (1132) can detect a user's puff based on various physical changes in the airflow path. The puff sensor (1132) can output a signal corresponding to the puff. For example, the puff sensor (1132) can be a pressure sensor. The puff sensor (1132) can output a signal corresponding to the internal pressure of the aerosol generating device. Here, the internal pressure of the aerosol generating device (1100) can correspond to the pressure of the airflow path through which the gas flows. The puff sensor (1132) can be arranged in correspondence to the airflow path through which the gas flows in the aerosol generating device (1100).

The insertion detection sensor (1133) can detect insertion and/or removal of the stick (S). The insertion detection sensor (1133) can detect a signal change according to the insertion and/or removal of the stick (S). The insertion detection sensor (1133) can be installed around the insertion space. The insertion detection sensor (1133) can detect the insertion and/or removal of the stick (S) according to a change in the permittivity inside the insertion space. For example, the insertion detection sensor (1133) can be an inductive sensor and/or a capacitance sensor.

An inductive sensor may include at least one coil. The coil of the inductive sensor may be positioned adjacent to an insertion space. For example, when a magnetic field changes around a current-flowing coil, the characteristics of the current flowing in the coil may change according to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction. Here, the characteristics of the current flowing in the coil may include the frequency of the alternating current, the current value, the voltage value, the inductance value, the impedance value, etc.

An inductive sensor can output a signal corresponding to the characteristics of the current flowing through the coil. For example, an inductive sensor can output a signal corresponding to the inductance value of the coil.

A capacitance sensor may include a conductor. The conductor of the capacitance sensor may be positioned adjacent to the insertion space. The capacitance sensor may output a signal corresponding to the electromagnetic properties of the surroundings, for example, the electrostatic capacitance around the conductor. For example, when a stick (S) including a wrapper made of a metallic material is inserted into the insertion space, the electromagnetic properties around the conductor may be changed by the wrapper of the stick (S).

A reuse detection sensor (1134) can detect whether the stick (S) has been reused. The reuse detection sensor (1134) may be a color sensor. The color sensor can detect the color of the stick (S). The color sensor can detect the color of a portion of a wrapper that wraps the outside of the stick (S). The color sensor can detect a value for an optical characteristic corresponding to the color of an object based on light reflected from the object. For example, the optical characteristic may be a wavelength of light. The color sensor may be implemented as a single component with the proximity sensor, or may be implemented as a separate component distinct from the proximity sensor.

At least some of the wrappers constituting the stick (S) may change color due to the aerosol. The reuse detection sensor (1134) may be positioned corresponding to a position where at least some of the wrappers that change color due to the aerosol are disposed when the stick (S) is inserted into the insertion space. For example, before the stick (S) is used by a user, the color of at least some of the wrappers may be a first color. At this time, as at least some of the wrappers are wetted by the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating device (1100) while passing through the stick (S), the color of at least some of the wrappers may change to a second color. Meanwhile, the color of at least some of the wrappers may be maintained at the second color after changing from the first color to the second color.

The cartridge detection sensor (1135) can detect the mounting and/or removal of the cartridge (19). The cartridge detection sensor (1135) can be implemented by an inductance-based sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistance sensor, a Hall sensor (hall IC) using the Hall effect, etc.

The cap detection sensor (1136) can detect the attachment and/or removal of the cap. When the cap is separated from the body (10), the cartridge (19) and a portion of the body (10) covered by the cap may be exposed to the outside. The cap detection sensor (1136) can be implemented by a contact sensor, a hall sensor (hall IC), an optical sensor, or the like.

A motion detection sensor (1137) can detect the movement of the aerosol generating device. The motion detection sensor (1137) can be implemented with at least one of an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor.

In addition to the aforementioned sensors (1131 to 1137), the sensor (1130) may further include at least one of a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, a position sensor (GPS), and a proximity sensor. Since the functions of each sensor can be intuitively inferred by a person skilled in the art from its name, a detailed description thereof may be omitted.

The output unit (1140) can output information about the status of the aerosol generating device (1100) and provide it to the user. The output unit (1140) may include at least one of a display (1141), a haptic unit (1142), and an audio output unit (1143), but is not limited thereto. When the display (1141) and the touch pad form a layered structure to form a touch screen, the output unit (1140) can be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

The display (1141) can visually provide information about the aerosol generating device (1100) to the user. For example, the information about the aerosol generating device (1100) can mean various information such as the charging/discharging status of the power supply (1110) of the aerosol generating device (1100), the preheating status of the heater (1180), the insertion/removal status of the stick (S) and/or cartridge (19), the mounting/removal status of the cap, or the status in which the use of the aerosol generating device (1100) is restricted (e.g., detection of an abnormal item), and the display (1141) can output the above information to the outside. For example, the display (1141) can be in the form of an LED light-emitting element. For example, the display (1141) can be a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light-emitting display panel (OLED), etc.

The haptic unit (1142) can provide tactile information about the aerosol generating device (1100) to the user by converting an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or an electrical stimulus. For example, the haptic unit (1142) can generate a vibration corresponding to the completion of the initial preheating when the initial power is supplied to the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180) for a set period of time. The haptic unit (1142) can include a vibration motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

The acoustic output unit (1143) can provide information about the aerosol generating device (1100) to the user audibly. For example, the acoustic output unit (1143) can convert an electrical signal into an acoustic signal and output it to the outside.

The power source (1110) can supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device (1100). The power source (1110) can supply power so that the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180) can be heated. In addition, the power source (1110) can supply power required for the operation of other components provided in the aerosol generating device (1100), such as a sensor (1130), an output unit (1140), an input unit (1150), a communication unit (1160), and a memory (1170). The power source (1110) can be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the power source (1110) can be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

Although not shown in FIG. 3, the aerosol generating device (1100) may further include a power protection circuit. The power protection circuit may be electrically connected to the power source (1110) and include a switching element.

The power protection circuit can block the power supply (1110) according to certain conditions. For example, the power protection circuit can block the power supply (1110) when the voltage level of the power supply (1110) is higher than a first voltage corresponding to overcharge. For example, the power protection circuit can block the power supply (1110) when the voltage level of the power supply (1110) is lower than a second voltage corresponding to overdischarge.

The heater (1180) can receive power from the power source (1110) to heat the medium or aerosol generating material within the stick (S). Although not illustrated in FIG. 3, the aerosol generating device (1100) may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a DC/DC converter) that converts the power of the power source (1110) and supplies it to the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180). In addition, when the aerosol generating device (1100) generates the aerosol by induction heating, the aerosol generating device (1100) may further include a DC/AC converter that converts the direct current power of the power source (1110) into alternating current power.

The control unit (1120), sensor (1130), output unit (1140), input unit (1150), communication unit (1160), and memory (1170) may receive power from the power source (1110) to perform functions. Although not illustrated in FIG. 3, the control unit may further include a power conversion circuit, such as an LDO (low dropout) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit, that converts the power of the power source (1110) and supplies it to each component. In addition, although not illustrated in FIG. 3, a noise filter may be provided between the power source (1110) and the heater (1180). The noise filter may be a low pass filter. The low pass filter may include at least one inductor and a capacitor. The cutoff frequency of the low pass filter may correspond to the frequency of the high-frequency switching current applied from the power source (1110) to the heater (1180). By using a low-pass filter, high-frequency noise components can be prevented from being applied to a sensor (1130), such as an insertion detection sensor (1133).

In one embodiment, the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180) may be formed of any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, suitable electrically resistive materials may be metals or metal alloys including, but not limited to, titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, and the like. Furthermore, the heater (1180) may be implemented as, but not limited to, a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate having electrically conductive tracks arranged thereon, a ceramic heating element, and the like.

In another embodiment, the heater (1180) may be an induction heater. For example, the heater (1180) may include a susceptor that heats the aerosol generating material by generating heat through a magnetic field applied by a coil.

The input unit (1150) can receive information input from a user or output information to the user. For example, the input unit (1150) can be a touch panel. The touch panel can include at least one touch sensor that detects touch. For example, the touch sensor can include, but is not limited to, a capacitive touch sensor, a resistive touch sensor, a surface acoustic wave touch sensor, an infrared touch sensor, etc.

The display (1141) and the touch panel may be implemented as a single panel. For example, the touch panel may be inserted into the display (1141) (on-cell type or in-cell type). For example, the touch panel may be added-on to the display (1141) panel.

Meanwhile, the input unit (1150) may include, but is not limited to, buttons, key pads, dome switches, jog wheels, jog switches, etc.

The memory (1170) is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generating device (1100), and can store data processed and data to be processed in the control unit (1120). The memory (1170) 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 (1170) may store data on the operation time of the aerosol generating device (1100), the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, at least one power profile, and a user's smoking pattern. A power profile may be a profile of the power supplied to a heater. For example, a power profile may represent the trajectory of power supplied to a heater over time without determining the current temperature of the heater.

The communication unit (1160) may include at least one component for communicating with another electronic device. For example, the communication unit (1160) may include at least one of a short-range communication unit and a wireless communication unit.

The short-range wireless communication unit may include, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication unit, a near field communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an infrared (IrDA, infrared Data Association) communication unit, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, an UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, etc.

The wireless communication unit may include, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., a LAN or WAN) communication unit, etc.

Although not shown in FIG. 3, the aerosol generating device (1100) further includes a connection interface, such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, and can transmit and receive information or charge a power source (1110) by connecting to another external device through a connection interface, such as a USB interface.

The control unit (1120) can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device (1100). In one embodiment, the control unit (1120) can include at least one processor. The processor can be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or can be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program executable by the microprocessor. Furthermore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present embodiment can be implemented as other types of hardware.

The control unit (1120) can control the temperature of the heater (1180) by controlling the supply of power from the power source (1110) to the heater (1180). The control unit (1120) can control the temperature of the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180) based on the temperature of the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180) sensed by the temperature sensor (1131). The control unit (1120) can adjust the power supplied to the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180) based on the temperature of the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180). For example, the control unit (1120) can determine a target temperature for the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180) based on a temperature profile stored in the memory (1170). For example, the control unit (1120) can adjust the power supplied to the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180) based on the power profile stored in the memory (1170). Hereinafter, the aerosol generating device (1100) is described in a manner in which it is controlled based on a temperature profile, but the description can be equally or similarly applied to a manner in which the aerosol generating device (1100) is controlled based on a power profile.

The aerosol generating device (1100) may include a power supply circuit (not shown) electrically connected to the power supply (1110) between the power supply (1110) and the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180). The power supply circuit may be electrically connected to the cartridge heater (1124), the heater (1180), or the induction coil (not shown). The power supply circuit may include at least one switching element. The switching element may be implemented by a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), a field effect transistor (FET), or the like. The control unit (1120) may control the power supply circuit.

The control unit (1120) can control power supply by controlling the switching of the switching elements of the power supply circuit. The power supply circuit may be an inverter that converts direct current power output from the power source (1110) into alternating current power. For example, the inverter may be configured as a full-bridge circuit or a half-bridge circuit including a plurality of switching elements.

The control unit (1120) can turn on the switching element so that power is supplied from the power source (1110) to the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180). The control unit (1120) can turn off the switching element so that power is cut off to the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180). The control unit (1120) can control the current supplied from the power source (1110) by controlling the frequency and/or duty ratio of the current pulse input to the switching element.

The control unit (1120) can control the voltage output from the power source (1110) by controlling the switching of the switching element of the power supply circuit. The power conversion circuit can convert the voltage output from the power source (1110). For example, the power conversion circuit can include a buck converter that steps down the voltage output from the power source (1110). For example, the power conversion circuit can be implemented using a buck-boost converter, a zener diode, etc.

The control unit (1120) can control the on/off operation of the switching element included in the power conversion circuit to adjust the level of the voltage output from the power conversion circuit. When the on state of the switching element continues, the level of the voltage output from the power conversion circuit may correspond to the level of the voltage output from the power source (1110). The duty ratio for the on/off operation of the switching element may correspond to the ratio of the voltage output from the power conversion circuit to the voltage output from the power source (1110). As the duty ratio for the on/off operation of the switching element decreases, the level of the voltage output from the power conversion circuit may decrease. The heater (1180) can be heated based on the voltage output from the power conversion circuit.

The control unit (1120) can control power to be supplied to the heater (1180) using at least one of a pulse width modulation (PWM) method and a proportional-integral-differential (PID) method.

For example, the control unit (1120) can control a current pulse having a predetermined frequency and duty ratio to be supplied to the heater (1180) using the PWM method. The control unit (1120) can control the power supplied to the heater (1180) by adjusting the frequency and duty ratio of the current pulse.

For example, the control unit (1120) can control the power supplied to the heater (1180) based on the power profile.

For example, the control unit (1120) can determine a target temperature that is the target of control based on a temperature profile. The control unit (1120) can control the power supplied to the heater (1180) using a PID method, which is a feedback control method using a difference value between the temperature of the heater (1180) and the target temperature, a value obtained by integrating the difference value over time, and a value obtained by differentiating the difference value over time.

The control unit (1120) can prevent the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180) from overheating. For example, the control unit (1120) can control the operation of the power conversion circuit to stop the supply of power to the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180) based on the temperature of the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180) exceeding a preset limit temperature. For example, the control unit (1120) can reduce the amount of power supplied to the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180) by a predetermined ratio based on the temperature of the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180) exceeding a preset limit temperature. For example, the control unit (1120) may determine that the aerosol generating material contained in the cartridge (19) is exhausted based on the temperature of the cartridge heater (1124) exceeding a limit temperature, and may cut off the power supply to the cartridge heater (1124).

The control unit (1120) can control the charging and discharging of the power source (1110). The control unit (1120) can check the temperature of the power source (1110) based on the output signal of the temperature sensor (1131).

When a power line is connected to the battery terminal of the aerosol generating device (1100), the control unit (1120) can check whether the temperature of the power source (1110) is higher than or equal to the first limit temperature, which is a criterion for blocking charging of the power source (1110). If the temperature of the power source (1110) is lower than the first limit temperature, the control unit (1120) can control the power source (1110) to be charged based on a preset charging current. If the temperature of the power source (1110) is higher than or equal to the first limit temperature, the control unit (1120) can block charging of the power source (1110).

When the power of the aerosol generating device (1100) is turned on, the control unit (1120) can check whether the temperature of the power source (1110) is higher than or equal to the second limit temperature, which is a standard for blocking discharge of the power source (1110). If the temperature of the power source (1110) is lower than the second limit temperature, the control unit (1120) can control to use the power stored in the power source (1110). If the temperature of the power source (1110) is higher than or equal to the second limit temperature, the control unit (1120) can stop using the power stored in the power source (1110).

The control unit (1120) can calculate the remaining capacity of the power stored in the power source (1110). For example, the control unit (1120) can calculate the remaining capacity of the power source (1110) based on the voltage and/or current sensing values of the power source (1110).

The control unit (1120) can determine whether a stick (S) is inserted into the insertion space through the insertion detection sensor (1133). The control unit (1120) can determine that the stick (S) is inserted based on the output signal of the insertion detection sensor (1133). If it is determined that the stick (S) is inserted into the insertion space, the control unit (1120) can control to supply power to the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180). For example, the control unit (1120) can supply power to the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180) based on a temperature profile stored in the memory (1170). For example, the control unit (1120) can supply power to the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180) based on a power profile stored in the memory (1170).

The control unit (1120) can determine whether the stick (S) is removed from the insertion space. For example, the control unit (1120) can determine whether the stick (S) is removed from the insertion space through the insertion detection sensor (1133). For example, the control unit (1120) can determine that the stick (S) is removed from the insertion space when the temperature of the heater (1180) is higher than a limited temperature or when the temperature change slope of the heater (1180) is higher than a set slope. When it is determined that the stick (S) is removed from the insertion space, the control unit (1120) can cut off the power supply to the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180).

The control unit (1120) can control the power supply time and/or power supply amount to the heater (1180) according to the state of the stick (S) detected by the sensor (1130). The control unit (1120) can check the level range that includes the level of the signal of the capacitance sensor based on a lookup table. The control unit (1120) can determine the moisture content of the stick (S) according to the checked level range.

When the stick (S) is in an over-humidified state, the control unit (1120) can control the power supply time to the heater (1180) to increase the preheating time of the stick (S) compared to the normal state.

The control unit (1120) can determine whether the stick (S) inserted into the insertion space has been reused through the reuse detection sensor (1134). For example, the control unit (1120) can compare the sensing value of the signal of the reuse detection sensor with a first reference range that includes a first color, and if the sensing value is included in the first reference range, it can determine that the stick (S) has not been used. For example, the control unit (1120) can compare the sensing value of the signal of the reuse detection sensor with a second reference range that includes a second color, and if the sensing value is included in the second reference range, it can determine that the stick (S) has been used. If it is determined that the stick (S) has been used, the control unit (1120) can cut off the supply of power to the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180).

The control unit (1120) can determine whether the cartridge (19) is coupled and/or removed through the cartridge detection sensor (1135). For example, the control unit (1120) can determine whether the cartridge (19) is coupled and/or removed based on the sensing value of the signal of the cartridge detection sensor.

The control unit (1120) can determine whether the aerosol generating material of the cartridge (19) is exhausted. For example, the control unit (1120) can preheat the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180) by applying power, and determine whether the temperature of the cartridge heater (1124) exceeds a limited temperature during the preheating period. If the temperature of the cartridge heater (1124) exceeds the limited temperature, the control unit (1120) can determine that the aerosol generating material of the cartridge (19) is exhausted. If the control unit (1120) determines that the aerosol generating material of the cartridge (19) is exhausted, the control unit (1120) can cut off the supply of power to the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180).

The control unit (1120) can determine whether the cartridge (19) is usable. For example, the control unit (1120) can determine that the cartridge (19) is unusable if the current number of puffs is greater than or equal to the maximum number of puffs set for the cartridge (19) based on data stored in the memory (1170). For example, the control unit (1120) can determine that the cartridge (19) is unusable if the total time that the heater (1124) has been heated is greater than or equal to the preset maximum time or the total amount of power supplied to the heater (1124) is greater than or equal to the preset maximum amount of power.

The control unit (1120) can make a judgment regarding the user's inhalation through the puff sensor (1132). For example, the control unit (1120) can determine whether a puff has been generated based on the sensing value of the signal of the puff sensor. For example, the control unit (1120) can determine the intensity of the puff based on the sensing value of the signal of the puff sensor (1132). If the number of puffs reaches a preset maximum number of puffs or if no puffs are detected for a preset time or longer, the control unit (1120) can cut off the power supply to the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180).

The control unit (1120) can determine whether the cap is attached and/or removed through the cap detection sensor (1136). For example, the control unit (1120) can determine whether the cap is attached and/or removed based on the sensing value of the signal of the cap detection sensor.

The control unit (1120) can control the output unit (1140) based on the result detected by the sensor (1130). For example, when the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor (1132) reaches a preset number, the control unit (1120) can notify the user that the aerosol generating device (1100) will soon be terminated through at least one of the display (1141), the haptic unit (1142), and the audio output unit (1143). For example, the control unit (1120) can notify the user through the output unit (1140) based on a determination that the stick (S) is not present in the insertion space. For example, the control unit (1120) can notify the user through the output unit (1140) based on a determination that the cartridge (19) and/or the cap is not mounted. For example, the control unit (1120) can transmit information about the temperature of the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180) to the user through the output unit (1140).

The control unit (1120) may store and update a history of events that have occurred in the memory (1170) based on the occurrence of a predetermined event. The events may include operations such as detection of insertion of a stick (S), initiation of heating of the stick (S), detection of puff, termination of puff, detection of overheating of the cartridge heater (1124) and/or heater (1180), detection of overvoltage application to the cartridge heater (1124) and/or heater (1180), termination of heating of the stick (S), power on/off of the aerosol generating device (1100), initiation of charging of the power source (1110), detection of overcharging of the power source (1110), termination of charging of the power source (1110), etc., performed in the aerosol generating device (1100). The history of events may include the date and time when the event occurred, log data corresponding to the event, etc. For example, if a given event is detection of insertion of a stick (S), log data corresponding to the event may include data on the sensing value of the insertion detection sensor (1133), etc. For example, if a given event is detection of overheating of a cartridge heater (1124) and/or a heater (1180), log data corresponding to the event may include data on the temperature of the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180), the voltage applied to the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180), the current flowing through the cartridge heater (1124) and/or the heater (1180), etc.

The control unit (1120) may control to form a communication link with an external device, such as a user's mobile terminal. Upon receiving data regarding authentication from the external device through the communication link, the control unit (1120) may release restrictions on the use of at least one function of the aerosol generating device (1100). Here, the data regarding authentication may include data indicating completion of user authentication for a user corresponding to the external device. The user may perform user authentication through the external device. The external device may determine whether user data is valid based on the user's birthday, a unique number representing the user, etc., and may receive data regarding the user's authorization to use the aerosol generating device (1100) from an external server. The external device may transmit data indicating completion of user authentication to the aerosol generating device (1100) based on the data regarding the authorization. When the user authentication is completed, the control unit (1120) may release restrictions on the use of at least one function of the aerosol generating device (1100). For example, the control unit (1120) may release the restriction on the use of the heating function that supplies power to the heater (1180) when user authentication is completed.

The control unit (1120) can transmit data on the status of the aerosol generating device (1100) to an external device via a communication link formed with the external device. Based on the received status data, the external device can output the remaining capacity, operation mode, etc. of the power supply (1110) of the aerosol generating device (1100) via a display of the external device.

An external device may transmit a location search request to the aerosol generating device (1100) based on an input that initiates location search of the aerosol generating device (1100). When receiving a location search request from the external device, the control unit (1120) may control at least one of the output devices to perform an operation corresponding to the location search based on the received location search request. For example, in response to the location search request, the haptic unit (1142) may generate vibration. For example, in response to the location search request, the display (1141) may output an object corresponding to the location search and the end of the search.

The control unit (1120) can control to perform a firmware update when receiving firmware data from an external device. The external device can check the current version of the firmware of the aerosol generating device (1100) and determine whether a new version of the firmware exists. When an input requesting firmware download is received, the external device can receive a new version of the firmware data and transmit the new version of the firmware data to the aerosol generating device (1100). Upon receiving a new version of the firmware data, the control unit (1120) can control to perform a firmware update of the aerosol generating device (1100).

The control unit (1120) can transmit data on the sensing value of at least one sensor (1130) to an external server (not shown) through the communication unit (1160), and receive and store a learning model generated by learning the sensing value through machine learning such as deep learning from the server. The control unit (1120) can perform an operation of determining a user's inhalation pattern, an operation of generating a temperature profile, an operation of generating a power profile, etc. using the learning model received from the server. The control unit (1120) can store, in the memory (1170), data on the sensing value of at least one sensor (1130) and data for learning an artificial neural network (ANN). For example, the memory (1170) can store a database for each component provided in the aerosol generating device (1100) for learning an artificial neural network (ANN), and weights and biases forming an artificial neural network (ANN) structure. The control unit (1120) can learn data on the sensing values of at least one sensor (1130), the user's suction pattern, temperature profile, power profile, etc. stored in the memory (1170), and generate at least one learning model used for determining the user's suction pattern, generating a temperature profile, generating a power profile, etc.

Figure 4 is a flow chart of a method for generating an aerosol according to one embodiment.

The following operations 1210 to 1260 may be performed by an aerosol generating device (e.g., an aerosol generating device (1) of FIG. 1 or an aerosol generating device (1100) of FIG. 3). The aerosol generating device may include a cartridge (e.g., a cartridge (19) of FIGS. 1 and 2) and a body (e.g., a body (10) of FIGS. 1 and 2). The cartridge may include a chamber (e.g., a chamber (C0) of FIGS. 1 and 2) for storing an aerosol generating substance in a liquid state and a heater (e.g., a heater (24) of FIGS. 1 and 2 or a heater (1180, 1124) of FIG. 3) for generating an aerosol by heating the aerosol generating substance. The body may include a processor (e.g., control unit (12) of FIGS. 1 and 2 or control unit (1120) of FIG. 3) and a battery (battery (11) of FIGS. 1 and 2 or power supply (1110) of FIG. 3).

In operation 1210, the processor of the aerosol generating device can sense the first puff of the user. For example, the sensor of the aerosol generating device (e.g., sensor (13) of FIGS. 1 and 2 or puff sensor (1132) of FIG. 3) can sense the first puff of the user based on various physical changes in the airflow path. The first puff can be the first puff or start puff of a new cigarette smoked by the user after the user has finished a previous cigarette smoke. For example, the first puff can be the first puff after the aerosol generating device is powered on. For example, the first puff can be the first puff after the operation mode of the aerosol generating device is switched from a standby mode to a smoking mode.

In operation 1220, the processor of the aerosol generating device may generate an aerosol by supplying a first power to the heater for a first period of time using a first temperature profile when a first puff of the user is sensed. For example, the first power may be power to maintain the temperature of the heater at a target temperature according to the first temperature profile.

According to one embodiment, when a user inhalation pattern is generated for a user of an aerosol generating device, a first temperature profile set in the aerosol generating device may be a temperature profile determined or generated based on the user inhalation pattern. For example, a plurality of temperature profiles may be stored in a memory of the aerosol generating device. Each of the plurality of temperature profiles may have at least one of a maximum temperature of a different heater or an inhalation time. The processor may determine a first temperature profile corresponding to the user inhalation pattern among the plurality of temperature profiles, and set the determined first temperature profile to the user. For example, the processor may generate the first temperature profile by adjusting at least one of a maximum temperature of a heater or an inhalation time of a basic temperature profile to correspond to the user inhalation pattern, and set the generated first temperature profile to the user.

The processor of the aerosol generating device can control the power supplied to the heater during a first period of the first temperature profile using the first temperature profile. For example, the processor of the aerosol generating device can obtain the current temperature of the heater and control the power supplied to the heater based on the current temperature so that the temperature of the heater reaches a target temperature. For example, the processor can control the temperature of the heater during the first period according to the first temperature profile using Proportional Integral Derivation (PID) control.

In another embodiment, at operation 1220, the processor of the aerosol generating device may generate the aerosol by supplying a first power to the heater for a first period of time using a first power profile when a first puff of the user is sensed.

In operation 1230, the processor of the aerosol generating device may generate an aerosol by supplying a second power, lower than the first power, to the heater during a second period following the first period using the first temperature profile. For example, the second power may be power for controlling the temperature of the heater to a target temperature according to the first temperature profile. For example, the second period may be a period for reducing the temperature of the heater. The time at which the second period ends may correspond to a time predicted to be the time at which the user ends smoking based on the user's puffing pattern.

The second period may be a period during which the user continues to smoke, but the heater temperature decreases. The user may inhale the aerosol generated in the first period during the second period, and as the aerosol generated in the second period decreases, the aerosol liquefied within the chamber may decrease.

In one embodiment, a user may perform multiple puffs for smoking during a first period and a second period. The aerosol generating device may sense the user's multiple puffs during the first period and the second period.

In another embodiment, at operation 1230, the processor of the aerosol generating device can generate the aerosol by supplying a second power, which is lower than the first power, to the heater during a second period following the first period using the first power profile.

At operation 1240, the processor of the aerosol generating device may determine whether an additional puff from the user is sensed at a subsequent time point in the second time period.

In one embodiment, the user may continue smoking in a pattern different from the user's puffing pattern. For example, the user may continue smoking after the predicted time at which the user would stop smoking (e.g., the end time of the second period).

At step 1250, the processor of the aerosol generating device may generate an aerosol by controlling the heater using a set temperature profile if an additional puff from the user is sensed at a time subsequent to the second time. For example, the set temperature profile may be an additional temperature profile.

For example, the additional temperature profile may be generated based on the user's puffing pattern, but unlike the first temperature profile, it may not predict when the user will quit smoking.

For example, the additional temperature profile may be a base temperature profile.

In another embodiment, at step 1250, the processor of the aerosol generating device may generate the aerosol by controlling the heater using a set power profile when an additional puff from the user is sensed at a time subsequent to the second time. For example, the set power profile may be an additional power profile. For example, the additional power profile may be a base power profile.

FIG. 5 illustrates a temperature graph of a heater controlled according to a first temperature profile according to one embodiment.

According to one embodiment, a first temperature profile (1310) generated based on a user inhalation pattern may be composed of a temperature profile for a first period (1312) and a temperature profile for a second period (1314).

The first period (1312) may be the time between the time the first puff (e.g., the first puff) is sensed and the first time (1313). The first period (1312) may be a period during which the temperature of the heater gradually increases or is maintained.

The second period (1313) may be the time between the first time (1313) and the second time (1315). The second time (1315) may correspond to the time predicted as the user's end of smoking based on the user's puffing pattern. The second period (1314) may be a period during which the heater temperature gradually decreases.

An aerosol generating device (e.g., an aerosol generating device (1) of FIG. 1 or an aerosol generating device (1100) of FIG. 11) can determine a second time point (1315) at which the user ends smoking based on a user inhalation pattern. The aerosol generating device can determine the user's aerosol inhalation amount based on the user's inhalation pattern. The aerosol generating device can determine the first time point (1313) based on the aerosol inhalation amount and the second time point (1315).

The first time point (1313) may vary depending on the second power utilized in the second period (1314). For example, the first time point (1313) may be determined such that the first period (1312) becomes shorter as the trajectory of the second power utilized in the second period gradually decreases. For example, when the value of the second power utilized in the second period is 0, the first time point (1313) may be determined such that the first period (1312) becomes longer than in the above case.

FIG. 6 illustrates a temperature graph of a heater controlled according to a first temperature profile and an additional temperature profile according to one embodiment.

According to one embodiment, the overall temperature graph (1410) of the heater may be composed of a temperature graph according to a first temperature profile and a temperature graph according to an additional temperature profile. The first temperature profile generated based on the user's suction pattern may be composed of a temperature profile for a first period (1412) and a temperature profile for a second period (1414), and the additional profile may be composed of a temperature profile for a third period (1416).

The first period (1412) may be the time between the time the first puff (e.g., the first puff) is sensed and the first time (1413). The first period (1412) may be a time period during which the temperature of the heater gradually increases or is maintained. The second period (1413) may be the time period between the first time (1413) and the second time (1415). The second time (1415) may correspond to a time predicted to be the time when the user ends smoking based on the user's puffing pattern. The second period (1414) may be a time period during which the temperature of the heater gradually decreases.

According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device (1) of FIG. 1 or the aerosol generating device (1100) of FIG. 11) may control the temperature of the heater based on an additional temperature profile when an additional puff of the user is sensed at a time (e.g., a third time period (1416)) after a time (e.g., a second time period (1415)) that is predicted to be the time when the user ends smoking based on the user's inhalation pattern.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method for changing a temperature profile set based on user suction pattern information from a first temperature profile to a second temperature profile according to one embodiment.

According to one embodiment, operations 1510 to 1550 below may be performed after operation 1210 described above with reference to FIG. 4 is performed. For example, operation 1510 may be performed when a user's puff (e.g., a first puff and an additional puff) is sensed. Operation 1510 may be performed independently and in parallel while operations 1220 to 1250 are performed. Operations 1510 to 1550 may be performed by an aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device (1) of FIG. 1 or the aerosol generating device (1100) of FIG. 11). The aerosol generating device may include a cartridge (e.g., the cartridge (19) of FIGS. 1 and 2) and a body (e.g., the body (10) of FIGS. 1 and 2). The cartridge may include a chamber (e.g., chamber (C0) of FIGS. 1 and 2) for storing an aerosol-generating substance in a liquid state and a heater (e.g., heater (24) of FIGS. 1 and 2 or heaters (1180, 1124) of FIG. 11) for generating an aerosol by heating the aerosol-generating substance. The body may include a processor (e.g., control unit (12) of FIGS. 1 and 2) and a battery (battery (11) of FIGS. 1 and 2).

In operation 1510, the processor of the aerosol generating device may obtain first inhalation pattern information regarding a pattern in which the user inhales the aerosol. For example, the processor of the aerosol generating device may generate an inhalation pattern for a plurality of puffs of the user that occur while operations 1210 to 1250 are performed. For example, the inhalation pattern may include a total smoking time for one cigarette. For example, the inhalation pattern may include an inhalation time (or average inhalation time) for one puff. For example, the inhalation pattern may include a waiting time (or average waiting time) between consecutive puffs. For example, the inhalation pattern may include an inhalation pressure (or average inhalation pressure) for one puff. The first inhalation pattern information may include information regarding the obtained inhalation pattern.

In one embodiment, the processor of the aerosol generating device can obtain first inhalation pattern information based on a pattern in which the user inhales the aerosol during a preset number of puffs or a preset number of smokes.

In operation 1520, the processor of the aerosol generating device may update user inhalation pattern information based on the first inhalation pattern information. For example, the user inhalation pattern information may be accumulated inhalation pattern information for cigarettes smoked by the user using the aerosol generating device.

According to one embodiment, when a user performs 100 cigarette smokes through an aerosol generating device, inhalation pattern information obtained for the 100 cigarette smokes can be acquired, and an average value of the inhalation pattern information can be generated as user inhalation pattern information.

In one embodiment, if a user smokes 100 times using an aerosol generating device, the average value of the inhalation pattern information obtained for a preset number of times (e.g., the most recent 20 times) out of the 100 times may be generated as user inhalation pattern information. For example, the processor of the aerosol generating device may assign a higher weight to a more recent smoke, and generate user inhalation pattern information based on the set weight.

In one embodiment, the processor of the aerosol generating device can initialize user inhalation pattern information based on the user's initialization input. The initialized user inhalation pattern information can correspond to the default user inhalation pattern information.

At operation 1530, the processor of the aerosol generating device may determine whether the user inhalation pattern information corresponds to a first temperature profile determined for the user.

According to one embodiment, each temperature profile may have an appropriate inhalation pattern set corresponding to the temperature profile. For example, a first temperature profile may have a first range of total smoking time, a first range of inhalation time, a first range of waiting time, and a first range of inhalation pressure set corresponding to the first temperature profile. When the user's inhalation pattern corresponds to the first range of total smoking time, the first range of inhalation time, the first range of waiting time, and the first range of inhalation pressure, providing the user with an aerosol using the first temperature profile may increase the user's satisfaction with the smoking experience. For example, when the user's total smoking time is relatively short, the aerosol generating device may increase the amount of aerosol generated per unit time by heating the heater at a high output. For example, when the user's total smoking time is relatively long, the aerosol generating device may decrease the amount of aerosol generated per unit time by heating the heater at a low output.

In one embodiment, as the user's inhalation pattern information is updated, the user's inhalation pattern may no longer correspond to the first inhalation pattern set in the first temperature profile. In this case, the processor of the aerosol generating device may determine that the user's inhalation pattern information does not correspond to the first temperature profile set for the user.

In operation 1540, the processor of the aerosol generating device may determine a second temperature profile corresponding to the user's inhalation pattern information. For example, among the plurality of temperature profiles, the temperature profile having an inhalation pattern with the highest similarity to the user's inhalation pattern indicated by the user's inhalation pattern information may be determined as the second temperature profile.

For example, if the first inhalation time is shorter than the previous inhalation time of the previous inhalation pattern information, the first period according to the second temperature profile may be shorter than the first period according to the first temperature profile.

For example, if the first inhalation time is longer than the previous inhalation time of the previous inhalation pattern information, the first period according to the second temperature profile may be longer than the first period according to the first temperature profile.

According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating device may include a memory (e.g., memory (1170) of FIG. 3) that stores a plurality of temperature profiles, including a first temperature profile and a second temperature profile.

According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating device may generate an aerosol by controlling the heater using a second temperature profile when a puff (e.g., a second puff) from a new puff is sensed after the user has finished smoking according to the operations 1210 to 1250 described above with reference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for generating an aerosol using an additional temperature profile when user inhalation pattern information is not generated according to one embodiment.

According to one embodiment, operation 1610 may be performed after operation 1210 described above with reference to FIG. 4 is performed. Operation 1610 may be performed by an aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device (1) of FIG. 1 or the aerosol generating device (1100) of FIG. 11). The aerosol generating device may include a cartridge (e.g., the cartridge (19) of FIGS. 1 and 2) and a body (e.g., the body (10) of FIGS. 1 and 2). The cartridge may include a chamber (e.g., the chamber (C0) of FIGS. 1 and 2) for storing an aerosol generating substance in a liquid state and a heater (e.g., the heater (24) of FIGS. 1 and 2 or the heaters (1180, 1124) of FIG. 3) for generating an aerosol by heating the aerosol generating substance. The body may include a processor (e.g., control unit (12) of FIGS. 1 and 2 or control unit (1120) of FIG. 3) and a battery (battery (11) of FIGS. 1 and 2 or power supply (1110) of FIG. 3).

In operation 1610, the processor of the aerosol generating device may generate an aerosol by supplying a third power to the heater using an additional temperature profile when user inhalation pattern information is not generated for the user and a first puff of the user is sensed. For example, the additional temperature profile may be a basic temperature profile.

FIG. 9 illustrates a temperature graph of a heater controlled according to an additional temperature profile according to one embodiment.

According to one embodiment, an aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device (1) of FIG. 1 or the aerosol generating device (1100) of FIG. 3) may generate an aerosol using an additional temperature profile (1710) when an additional puff from a user is sensed. For example, the additional temperature profile (1710) may be a temperature profile that maintains the current temperature of the heater at a target temperature until an explicit or indirect termination command is received from the user. For example, the aerosol generating device may generate a termination command when a predetermined period of time is maintained without sensing a puff from the user. For example, the aerosol generating device may turn off the power based on the termination command. For example, the aerosol generating device may switch the operation mode to a standby mode based on the termination command.

In one embodiment, an aerosol generating device comprises a cartridge, the cartridge including a chamber storing an aerosol generating substance in a liquid state and a heater for generating an aerosol by heating the aerosol generating substance, and a body, the body including a processor and a battery, wherein the processor is configured to generate the aerosol by supplying a first power to the heater for a first period of time using a first temperature profile when a first puff of a user is sensed, to supply a second power lower than the first power to the heater for a second period of time following the first period using the first temperature profile, and to generate the aerosol by supplying a third power to the heater using an additional temperature profile when an additional puff of the user is sensed at a time following the second period.

In one embodiment, the processor may obtain first inhalation pattern information about a pattern in which a user inhales an aerosol, update the user inhalation pattern information based on the first inhalation pattern information, determine whether the user inhalation pattern information corresponds to a first temperature profile, determine a second temperature profile corresponding to the user inhalation pattern information when the user inhalation pattern information does not correspond to the first temperature profile, and control the heater using the second temperature profile when a second puff of the user is sensed, thereby generating an aerosol.

In one embodiment, the first inhalation pattern information includes a first aerosol inhalation time for a first puff or an additional puff of the user, and if the first aerosol inhalation time is shorter than a previous aerosol inhalation time of the previous inhalation pattern information, the first period according to the second temperature profile may be shorter than the first period according to the first temperature profile.

In one embodiment, the first inhalation pattern information includes a first aerosol inhalation time for a first puff or an additional puff of the user, and if the first aerosol inhalation time is longer than a previous aerosol inhalation time of the previous inhalation pattern information, the first period according to the second temperature profile may be longer than the first period according to the first temperature profile.

In one embodiment, the processor may obtain first inhalation pattern information based on a pattern in which a user inhales an aerosol during a preset number of puffs or a preset number of smokes.

In one embodiment, the processor may determine a first temperature profile based on user inhalation pattern information about the user.

In one embodiment, the processor may generate an aerosol by supplying a third power to the heater using an additional temperature profile when user inhalation pattern information for the user is not generated and a first puff of the user is sensed.

In one embodiment, an aerosol generating method performed by an aerosol generating device may include: generating an aerosol by supplying a first power to a heater of the aerosol generating device for a first period of time using a first temperature profile when a first puff of a user is sensed; generating an aerosol by supplying a second power lower than the first power to the heater for a second period of time following the first period using the first temperature profile; and generating an aerosol by supplying a third power to the heater using an additional temperature profile when an additional puff of the user is sensed at a time following the second period.

According to one embodiment, an aerosol generating method may further include an operation of obtaining first inhalation pattern information about a pattern in which a user inhales an aerosol, an operation of updating the user inhalation pattern information based on the first inhalation pattern information, an operation of determining whether the user inhalation pattern information corresponds to a first temperature profile, an operation of determining a second temperature profile corresponding to the user inhalation pattern information when the user inhalation pattern information does not correspond to the first temperature profile, and an operation of generating the aerosol by controlling a heater using the second temperature profile when a second puff of the user is sensed.

In one embodiment, the first inhalation pattern information includes a first aerosol inhalation time for a first puff or an additional puff of the user, and if the first aerosol inhalation time is shorter than a previous aerosol inhalation time of the previous inhalation pattern information, the first period according to the second temperature profile may be shorter than the first period according to the first temperature profile.

In one embodiment, the first inhalation pattern information includes a first aerosol inhalation time for a first puff or an additional puff of the user, and if the first aerosol inhalation time is longer than a previous aerosol inhalation time of the previous inhalation pattern information, the first period according to the second temperature profile may be longer than the first period according to the first temperature profile.

In one embodiment, the method for generating an aerosol may further include determining a first temperature profile based on user inhalation pattern information about the user.

In one embodiment, the method for generating an aerosol may further include generating an aerosol by supplying a third power to a heater using an additional temperature profile when user inhalation pattern information for the user is not generated and a first puff of the user is sensed.

The method according to the embodiment may be implemented in the form of program commands that can be executed through various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program commands, data files, data structures, etc., alone or in combination. The program commands recorded on the medium may be those specially designed and configured for the embodiment or may be those known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, magneto-optical media such as floptical disks, and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program commands, such as ROMs, RAMs, and flash memories. Examples of the program commands include not only machine language codes generated by a compiler, but also high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc. The hardware devices described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the embodiment, and vice versa.

Software may include a computer program, code, instructions, or a combination of one or more of these, which may configure a processing device to perform a desired operation or may, independently or collectively, command the processing device. The software and/or data may be permanently or temporarily embodied in any type of machine, component, physical device, virtual equipment, computer storage medium or device, or transmitted signal wave, for interpretation by the processing device or for providing instructions or data to the processing device. The software may also be distributed over networked computer systems and stored or executed in a distributed manner. The software and data may be stored on one or more computer-readable recording media.

Although the embodiments described above have been described with limited drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various technical modifications and variations can be applied based on the above. For example, appropriate results can still be achieved even if the described techniques are performed in a different order than described, and/or components of the described systems, structures, devices, circuits, etc. are combined or combined in a different manner than described, or are replaced or substituted with other components or equivalents.

Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents to the claims also fall within the scope of the claims described below.

Claims (14)

The aerosol generating device is, A cartridge, wherein the cartridge comprises a chamber for storing an aerosol-generating substance in a liquid state and a heater for generating an aerosol by heating the aerosol-generating substance; and Body - The body includes the processor and battery - Including, The above processor, When the first puff of the user is sensed, an aerosol is generated by supplying a first power to the heater for a first period of time using a first temperature profile, By using the first temperature profile, an aerosol is generated by supplying a second power lower than the first power to the heater during a second period following the first period, If an additional puff of the user is sensed in the next time period of the second period, an aerosol is generated by supplying a third power to the heater using an additional temperature profile. Aerosol generating device. In the first paragraph, The above processor, Obtain first inhalation pattern information about the pattern in which the user inhales the aerosol, Update the user suction pattern information based on the first suction pattern information, Determine whether the above user suction pattern information corresponds to the first temperature profile, If the user suction pattern information does not correspond to the first temperature profile, a second temperature profile corresponding to the user suction pattern information is determined, When the second puff of the user is sensed, the heater is controlled using the second temperature profile to generate an aerosol. Aerosol generating device. In the second paragraph, The first inhalation pattern information includes the first aerosol inhalation time for the first puff or the additional puff of the user, If the first aerosol inhalation time is shorter than the previous aerosol inhalation time of the previous inhalation pattern information, the first period according to the second temperature profile is shorter than the first period according to the first temperature profile. Aerosol generating device. In the second paragraph, The first inhalation pattern information includes the first aerosol inhalation time for the first puff or the additional puff of the user, If the first aerosol inhalation time is longer than the previous aerosol inhalation time of the previous inhalation pattern information, the first period according to the second temperature profile is longer than the first period according to the first temperature profile. Aerosol generating device. In the second paragraph, The above processor, Obtaining first inhalation pattern information based on a pattern in which the user inhales the aerosol during a preset number of puffs or a preset number of smoking cycles; Aerosol generating device. In the first paragraph, The above processor, Determining the first temperature profile based on user suction pattern information for the user; Aerosol generating device. In paragraph 6, The above processor, When the user inhalation pattern information for the user is not generated and the first puff of the user is sensed, the aerosol is generated by supplying the third power to the heater using the additional temperature profile. Aerosol generating device. An aerosol generating method performed by an aerosol generating device, An action of generating an aerosol by supplying a first power to a heater of the aerosol generating device for a first period of time using a first temperature profile when a first puff of the user is sensed; An operation of generating an aerosol by supplying a second power lower than the first power to the heater during a second period following the first period using the first temperature profile; and An operation of generating an aerosol by supplying a third power to the heater using an additional temperature profile when an additional puff of the user is sensed in the next time period of the second period. including, Method of generating aerosol. In paragraph 8, An operation of obtaining first inhalation pattern information about a pattern in which the user inhales an aerosol; An operation of updating user suction pattern information based on the first suction pattern information; An operation of determining whether the user suction pattern information corresponds to the first temperature profile; If the user suction pattern information does not correspond to the first temperature profile, an operation of determining a second temperature profile corresponding to the user suction pattern information; and An operation of generating an aerosol by controlling the heater using the second temperature profile when the second puff of the user is sensed. including more, Method of generating aerosol. In paragraph 9, The first inhalation pattern information includes the first aerosol inhalation time for the first puff or the additional puff of the user, If the first aerosol inhalation time is shorter than the previous aerosol inhalation time of the previous inhalation pattern information, the first period according to the second temperature profile is shorter than the first period according to the first temperature profile. Method of generating aerosol. In paragraph 9, The first inhalation pattern information includes the first aerosol inhalation time for the first puff or the additional puff of the user, If the first aerosol inhalation time is longer than the previous aerosol inhalation time of the previous inhalation pattern information, the first period according to the second temperature profile is longer than the first period according to the first temperature profile. Method of generating aerosol. In paragraph 8, An operation of determining the first temperature profile based on user suction pattern information for the user. including more, Method of generating aerosol. In paragraph 12, An operation of generating an aerosol by supplying the third power to the heater using the additional temperature profile when the user inhalation pattern information for the user is not generated and the first puff of the user is sensed. including more, Method of generating aerosol. A computer program stored on a computer-readable recording medium to execute the method of claim 8 in combination with hardware.