AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device is disclosed. The aerosol-generating device of the present disclosure includes a cartridge configured to accommodate an aerosol-generating substance, a housing including an inner wall forming therein an insertion space into which the cartridge is inserted, and at least one type detection sensor configured to output a signal indicating the type of the cartridge. The cartridge includes at least one feature portion formed in one of a plurality of outer surfaces thereof that is in contact with the inner wall. The feature portion has a shape corresponding to the type. The type detection sensor is disposed adjacent to the insertion space so as to be contact with the feature portion.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating device.

BACKGROUND ART

An aerosol-generating device is a device that extracts certain components from a medium or a substance by forming an aerosol. The medium may contain a multicomponent substance. The substance contained in the medium may be a multicomponent flavoring substance. For example, the substance contained in the medium may include a nicotine component, an herbal component, and/or a coffee component. Recently, various research on aerosol-generating devices has been conducted. Recently, various research on aerosol-generating devices has been conducted.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

It is an object of the present disclosure to solve the above and other problems.

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an aerosol-generating device capable of accurately determining the type of a cartridge that is detachably mounted thereto and of operating according to the type of the cartridge.

Solution to Problem

An aerosol-generating device according to an aspect of the present disclosure for accomplishing the above and other objects may include a cartridge configured to accommodate an aerosol-generating substance, a housing including an inner wall forming therein an insertion space into which the cartridge is inserted, and at least one type detection sensor configured to output a signal indicating the type of the cartridge. The cartridge may include at least one feature portion formed in one of a plurality of outer surfaces thereof that is in contact with the inner wall. The feature portion may have a shape corresponding to the type. The type detection sensor may be disposed adjacent to the insertion space so as to come into contact with the feature portion when the cartridge is inserted.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to at least one of embodiments of the present disclosure, the type of a cartridge is determined based on physical contact between a feature portion, which is formed in the outer surface of the cartridge coupled to a main body, and a sensor for detecting the type of the cartridge, and thus it is possible to accurately determine the type of the cartridge irrespective of external environmental factors.

According to at least one of embodiments of the present disclosure, a mode may be changed and set variously depending on the type of the cartridge, and thus a user is capable of using various types of cartridges with a single main body.

According to at least one of embodiments of the present disclosure, the mode of an aerosol-generating device may be automatically changed and set depending on the type of the cartridge, and thus user convenience may be improved.

Additional applications of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description. However, because various changes and modifications will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific embodiments, such as preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, are merely given by way of example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features, and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2 to 4 are views for explaining an aerosol-generating device according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation method of the aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 6 to 15 are views for explaining an aerosol-generating device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals even though they are depicted in different drawings, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

In the following description, with respect to constituent elements used in the following description, the suffixes “module” and “unit” are used only in consideration of facilitation of description. The “module” and “unit” are do not have mutually distinguished meanings or functions.

In addition, in the following description of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when the same may make the subject matter of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification rather unclear. In addition, the accompanying drawings are provided only for a better understanding of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification and are not intended to limit the technical ideas disclosed in the present specification. Therefore, it should be understood that the accompanying drawings include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions within the scope and sprit of the present disclosure.

It will be understood that the terms “first”, “second”, etc., may be used herein to describe various components. However, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component.

It will be understood that when a component is referred to as being “connected to” or “coupled to” another component, it may be directly connected to or coupled to another component. However, it will be understood that intervening components may be present. On the other hand, when a component is referred to as being “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another component, there are no intervening components present.

As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol-generating device 100 may include a communication interface 110, an input/output interface 120, an aerosol-generating module 130, a memory 140, a sensor module 150, a battery 160, and/or a controller 170.

In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 100 may be composed only of a main body. In this case, components included in the aerosol-generating device 100 may be located in the main body. In another embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 100 may be composed of a cartridge, which contains an aerosol-generating substance, and a main body. In this case, the components included in the aerosol-generating device 100 may be located in at least one of the main body or the cartridge.

The communication interface 110 may include at least one communication module for communication with an external device and/or a network. For example, the communication interface 110 may include a communication module for wired communication, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB). For example, the communication interface 110 may include a communication module for wireless communication, such as Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), ZigBee, or nearfield communication (NFC).

The input/output interface 120 may include an input device (not shown) for receiving a command from a user and/or an output device (not shown) for outputting information to the user. For example, the input device may include a touch panel, a physical button, a microphone, or the like. For example, the output device may include a display device for outputting visual information, such as a display or a light-emitting diode (LED), an audio device for outputting auditory information, such as a speaker or a buzzer, a motor for outputting tactile information such as haptic effect, or the like.

The input/output interface 120 may transmit data corresponding to a command input by the user through the input device to another component (or other components) of the aerosol-generating device 100. The input/output interface 120 may output information corresponding to data received from another component (or other components) of the aerosol-generating device 100 through the output device.

The aerosol-generating module 130 may generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating substance. Here, the aerosol-generating substance may be a substance in a liquid state, a solid state, or a gel state, which is capable of generating an aerosol, or a combination of two or more aerosol-generating substances.

According to an embodiment, the liquid aerosol-generating substance may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component. According to another embodiment, the liquid aerosol-generating substance may be a liquid including a non-tobacco material. For example, the liquid aerosol-generating substance may include water, solvents, nicotine, plant extracts, flavorings, flavoring agents, vitamin mixtures, etc.

The solid aerosol-generating substance may include a solid material based on a tobacco raw material such as a reconstituted tobacco sheet, shredded tobacco, or granulated tobacco. In addition, the solid aerosol-generating substance may include a solid material having a taste control agent and a flavoring material. For example, the taste control agent may include calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, calcium oxide, etc. For example, the flavoring material may include a natural material such as herbal granules, or may include a material such as silica, zeolite, or dextrin, which includes an aroma ingredient.

In addition, the aerosol-generating substance may further include an aerosol -forming agent such as glycerin or propylene glycol.

The aerosol-generating module 130 may include at least one heater (not shown).

The aerosol-generating module 130 may include an electro-resistive heater. For example, the electro-resistive heater may include at least one electrically conductive track. The electro-resistive heater may be heated as current flows through the electrically conductive track. At this time, the aerosol-generating substance may be heated by the heated electro-resistive heater.

The electrically conductive track may include an electro-resistive material. In one example, the electrically conductive track may be formed of a metal material. In another example, the electrically conductive track may be formed of a ceramic material, carbon, a metal alloy, or a composite of a ceramic material and metal.

The electro-resistive heater may include an electrically conductive track that is formed in any of various shapes. For example, the electrically conductive track may be formed in any one of a tubular shape, a plate shape, a needle shape, a rod shape, and a coil shape.

The aerosol-generating module 130 may include a heater that uses an induction -heating method. For example, the induction heater may include an electrically conductive coil. The induction heater may generate an alternating magnetic field, which periodically changes in direction, by adjusting the current flowing through the electrically conductive coil. At this time, when the alternating magnetic field is applied to a magnetic body, energy loss may occur in the magnetic body due to eddy current loss and hysteresis loss. In addition, the lost energy may be released as thermal energy. Accordingly, the aerosol-generating substance located adjacent to the magnetic body may be heated. Here, an object that generates heat due to the magnetic field may be referred to as a susceptor.

Meanwhile, the aerosol-generating module 130 may generate ultrasonic vibrations to thereby generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating substance.

The aerosol-generating device 100 may be referred to as a cartomizer, an atomizer, or a vaporizer.

The memory 140 may store programs for processing and controlling each signal in the controller 170, and may store processed data and data to be processed.

For example, the memory 140 may store applications designed for the purpose of performing various tasks that can be processed by the controller 170. The memory 140 may selectively provide some of the stored applications in response to the request from the controller 170.

For example, the memory 140 may store data on the operation time of the aerosol-generating device 100, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, the number of uses of battery 160, at least one temperature profile, the user’s inhalation pattern, and data about charging/discharging. Here, “puff” means inhalation by the user. “inhalation” means the user’s act of taking air or other substances into the user’s oral cavity, nasal cavity, or lungs through the user’s mouth or nose.

The memory 140 may include at least one of volatile memory (e.g. dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), or synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM)), nonvolatile memory (e.g. flash memory), a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid-state drive (SSD).

The sensor module 150 may include at least one sensor.

For example, the sensor module 150 may include a sensor for sensing a puff (hereinafter referred to as a “puff sensor”). In this case, the puff sensor may be implemented as a proximity sensor, a pressure sensor, a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, a magnetic field sensor, or the like.

For example, the sensor module 150 may include a sensor for sensing the temperature of the heater included in the aerosol-generating module 130 and the temperature of the aerosol-generating substance (hereinafter referred to as a “temperature sensor”). In this case, the heater included in the aerosol-generating module 130 may also serve as the temperature sensor. For example, the electro-resistive material of the heater may be a material having a predetermined temperature coefficient of resistance. The sensor module 150 may measure the resistance of the heater, which varies according to the temperature, to thereby sense the temperature of the heater.

For example, in the case in which the main body of the aerosol-generating device 100 is formed to allow a stick to be inserted thereinto, the sensor module 150 may include a sensor for sensing insertion of the stick (hereinafter referred to as a “stick detection sensor”).

For example, in the case in which the aerosol-generating device 100 includes a cartridge, the sensor module 150 may include a sensor for sensing mounting/demounting of the cartridge and the position of the cartridge (hereinafter referred to as a “cartridge detection sensor”).

In this case, the stick detection sensor and/or the cartridge detection sensor may be implemented as an inductance-based sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistance sensor, or a Hall sensor (or Hall IC) using a Hall effect.

For example, in the case in which the aerosol-generating device 100 includes a cartridge, the sensor module 150 may include a sensor for detecting the type of the cartridge (hereinafter referred to as a “type detection sensor”). In this case, the type detection sensor may be implemented as a push-button-type switch, a force sensor, which detects the magnitude of force applied in a predetermined direction, or the like.

For example, the sensor module 150 may include a voltage sensor for sensing a voltage applied to a component (e.g. the battery 160) provided in the aerosol-generating device 100 and/or a current sensor for sensing a current.

The battery 160 may supply electric power used for the operation of the aerosol-generating device 100 under the control of the controller 170. The battery 160 may supply electric power to other components provided in the aerosol-generating device 100. For example, the battery 160 may supply electric power to the communication module included in the communication interface 110, the output device included in the input/output interface 120, and the heater included in the aerosol-generating module 130.

The battery 160 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 160 may be a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery, a lithium polymer (Li -polymer) battery or a lithium-ion phosphate battery. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the battery 160 may be a lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) battery, a lithium titanate battery, and the like.

The aerosol-generating device 100 may further include a battery protection circuit module (PCM) (not shown), which is a circuit for protecting the battery 160. The battery protection circuit module (PCM) may be disposed adjacent to the upper surface of the battery 160. For example, in order to prevent overcharging and overdischarging of the battery 160, the battery protection circuit module (PCM) may cut off the electrical path to the battery 160 when a short circuit occurs in a circuit connected to the battery 160, when an overvoltage is applied to the battery 160, or when an overcurrent flows through the battery 160.

The aerosol-generating device 100 may further include a charging terminal to which electric power supplied from the outside is input. For example, the charging terminal may be formed at one side of the main body of the aerosol-generating device 100. The aerosol-generating device 100 may charge the battery 160 using electric power supplied through the charging terminal. In this case, the charging terminal may be configured as a wired terminal for USB communication, a pogo pin, or the like.

The aerosol-generating device 100 may further include a power terminal (not shown) to which electric power supplied from the outside is input. For example, a power line may be connected to the power terminal, which is disposed at one side of the main body of the aerosol-generating device 100. The aerosol-generating device 100 may use the electric power supplied through the power line connected to the power terminal to charge the battery 160. In this case, the power terminal may be a wired terminal for USB communication.

The aerosol-generating device 100 may wirelessly receive electric power supplied from the outside through the communication interface 110. For example, the aerosol-generating device 100 may wirelessly receive electric power using an antenna included in the communication module for wireless communication. The aerosol-generating device 100 may charge the battery 160 using the wirelessly supplied electric power.

The controller 170 may control the overall operation of the aerosol-generating device 100. The controller 170 may be connected to each of the components provided in the aerosol-generating device 100. The controller 170 may transmit and/or receive a signal to and/or from each of the components, thereby controlling the overall operation of each of the components.

The controller 170 may include at least one processor. The controller 170 may control the overall operation of the aerosol-generating device 100 using the processor included therein. Here, the processor may be a general processor such as a central processing unit (CPU). Of course, the processor may be a dedicated device such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or may be any of other hardware-based processors.

The controller 170 may perform any one of a plurality of functions of the aerosol-generating device 100. For example, the controller 170 may perform any one of a plurality of functions of the aerosol-generating device 100 (e.g. a preheating function, a heating function, a charging function, and a cleaning function) according to the state of each of the components provided in the aerosol-generating device 100 and the user’s command received through the input/output interface 120.

The controller 170 may control the operation of each of the components provided in the aerosol-generating device 100 based on data stored in the memory 140. For example, the controller 170 may control the supply of a predetermined amount of electric power from the battery 160 to the aerosol-generating module 130 for a predetermined time based on the data on the temperature profile, and the user’s inhalation pattern, which is stored in the memory 140.

The controller 170 may determine the occurrence or non-occurrence of a puff using the puff sensor included in the sensor module 150. For example, the controller 170 may check a temperature change, a flow change, a pressure change, and a voltage change in the aerosol-generating device 100 based on the values sensed by the puff sensor. The controller 170 may determine the occurrence or non-occurrence of a puff based on the value sensed by the puff sensor.

The controller 170 may control the operation of each of the components provided in the aerosol-generating device 100 according to the occurrence or non-occurrence of a puff and/or the number of puffs. For example, the controller 170 may perform control such that the temperature of the heater is changed or maintained based on the temperature profile stored in the memory 140.

The controller 170 may perform control such that the supply of electric power to the heater is interrupted according to a predetermined condition. For example, the controller 170 may perform control such that the supply of electric power to the heater is interrupted when the stick is removed, when the cartridge is demounted, when the number of puffs reaches the predetermined maximum number of puffs, when a puff is not sensed during a predetermined period of time or longer, or when the remaining capacity of the battery 160 is less than a predetermined value.

The controller 170 may calculate the remaining capacity with respect to the full charge capacity of the battery 160. For example, the controller 170 may calculate the remaining capacity of the battery 160 based on the values sensed by the voltage sensor and/or the current sensor included in the sensor module 150.

The controller 170 may perform control such that electric power is supplied to the heater using at least one of a pulse width modulation (PWM) method or a proportional -integral-differential (PID) method.

For example, the controller 170 may perform control such that a current pulse having a predetermined frequency and a predetermined duty ratio is supplied to the heater using the PWM method. In this case, the controller 170 may control the amount of electric power supplied to the heater by adjusting the frequency and the duty ratio of the current pulse.

For example, the controller 170 may determine a target temperature to be controlled based on the temperature profile. In this case, the controller 170 may control the amount of electric power supplied to the heater using the PID method, which is a feedback control method using a difference value between the temperature of the heater and the target temperature, a value obtained by integrating the difference value with respect to time, and a value obtained by differentiating the difference value with respect to time.

Although the PWM method and the PID method are described as examples of methods of controlling the supply of electric power to the heater, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and may employ any of various control methods, such as a proportional -integral (PI) method or a proportional-differential (PD) method.

Meanwhile, the controller 170 may perform control such that electric power is supplied to the heater according to a predetermined condition. For example, when a cleaning function for cleaning the space into which the stick 201 is inserted is selected in response to a command input by the user through the input/output interface 120, the controller 170 may perform control such that a predetermined amount of electric power is supplied to the heater.

Referring to FIG. 2, the aerosol-generating device 100 according to an embodiment may include a main body 210 and a cartridge 220. The main body 210 may support the cartridge 220, and the cartridge 220 may contain an aerosol-generating substance.

According to one embodiment, the cartridge 220 may be configured so as to be detachably mounted to the main body 210. For example, the cartridge 220 may be mounted to the main body 210 in a manner such that at least a portion of the cartridge 220 is inserted into the inner space formed by a housing 315 of the main body 210.

The main body 210 may be formed to have a structure in which external air can be introduced into the main body 210 in the state in which the cartridge 220 is inserted thereinto. Here, the external air introduced into the main body 210 may flow into the user’s mouth via the cartridge 220.

The controller 170 may determine whether the cartridge 220 is in a mounted state or a detached state using a cartridge detection sensor included in the sensor module 150. For example, the cartridge detection sensor may transmit a pulse current through a first terminal in which the main body 210 and the cartridge 220 are in contact. In this case, the controller 170 may determine whether the cartridge 220 is in a connected state, based on whether the pulse current is received through a second terminal. In this case, the first terminal and the second terminal may be implemented by a pogo pin or the like.

The cartridge 220 may include a reservoir 221 configured to contain the aerosol-generating substance and/or a heater 223 configured to heat the aerosol-generating substance in the reservoir 221. For example, a liquid delivery element impregnated with (containing) the aerosol-generating substance may be disposed inside the reservoir 221. The electrically conductive track of the heater 223 may be formed in a structure that is wound around the liquid delivery element. In this case, when the liquid delivery element is heated by the heater 223, an aerosol may be generated. Here, the liquid delivery element may include a wick made of, for example, cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic.

The cartridge 220 may include a mouthpiece 225. Here, the mouthpiece 225 may be a portion to be inserted into a user’s oral cavity. The mouthpiece 225 may have a discharge hole through which the aerosol is discharged to the outside during a puff.

Referring to FIG. 3, the aerosol-generating device 100 according to an embodiment may include a cartridge 220 configured to allow the stick 300 to be inserted into an inner space 230. For example, the cartridge 220 may include the inner space formed by an inner wall extending in a circumferential direction along a direction in which the stick 300 is inserted. In this case, the inner space may be formed by opening the inner side of the inner wall up and down. The stick 330 may be inserted into the inner space formed by the inner wall.

The inner space into which the stick 300 is inserted may be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of a portion of the stick 300 inserted into the inner space. For example, when the stick 300 is formed in a cylindrical shape, the inner space may be formed in a cylindrical shape.

When the stick 300 is inserted into the inner space, the outer surface of the stick 300 may be surrounded by the inner wall and contact the inner wall.

The stick 300 may be similar to a general combustion type cigarette. For example, the stick 300 may be divided into a first portion including an aerosol generating material and a second portion including a filter and the like. Alternatively, an aerosol generating material may be included in the second portion of the stick 300. For example, a flavoring substance made in the form of granules or capsules may be inserted into the second portion.

The entire first portion is inserted into the inner space 230 of the cartridge 220, and the second portion may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a portion of the first portion may be inserted into the inner space 230 of the cartridge 220, or a portion of the first portion and the second portion may be inserted.

The user may inhale the aerosol while biting the second portion with the mouth. The aerosol generated by the heater 223 may pass through the first portion and the second portion of the stick 300 and be delivered to the user’s mouth. At this time, while the aerosol passes through the stick 300, the material contained in the stick 300 may be added to the aerosol. The material-infused aerosol may be inhaled into the user’s oral cavity through one end of the stick 300.

Referring to FIG. 4, the aerosol-generating device 100 according to an embodiment may include a main body 210 supporting the cartridge 220 and a cartridge 220 containing an aerosol-generating substance. The main body 210 may be formed so as to allow a stick 300 to be inserted into an inner space 400 therein.

The aerosol-generating device 100 may include a first heater for heating the aerosol-generating substance stored in the cartridge 220. For example, when the user holds one end of the stick 300 in the mouth to inhale the aerosol, the aerosol generated by the first heater may pass through the stick 300. At this time, while the aerosol passes through the stick 300, a tobacco material may be added to the aerosol. The aerosol containing the tobacco material may be drawn into the user’s oral cavity through one end of the stick 300.

Alternatively, according to another embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 100 may include a first heater for heating the aerosol-generating substance stored in the cartridge 220 and a second heater for heating the stick 300 inserted into the main body 210. For example, the aerosol-generating device 100 may generate an aerosol by heating the aerosol-generating substance stored in the cartridge 220 and the stick 300 using the first heater and the second heater, respectively.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an operation method of the aerosol-generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 6 to 15 are views for explaining aerosol-generating devices according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5, the aerosol-generating device 100 may detect mounting of the cartridge 220 to the body 210 using the cartridge detection sensor included in the sensor module 150 in operation S510. For example, the aerosol-generating device 100 may transmit predetermined current through the first terminal of the main body 210, which is in contact with the cartridge 220, to monitor whether the cartridge 220 is mounted. At this time, when receiving current corresponding to the predetermined current through the second terminal of the main body 210, which is in contact with the cartridge 220, the aerosol-generating device 100 may determine that the cartridge 220 has been mounted.

Each of the first terminal and the second terminal may include a power supply terminal, through which power is transmitted from the main body 210 to the cartridge. For example, power supplied from the battery 160 included in the body 210 may be transmitted to the cartridge 220 through the first terminal and the second terminal, and the heater 223 included in the cartridge 220 may be heated by the power transmitted through the first terminal and the second terminal.

The aerosol-generating device 100 may determine the type of the cartridge 220 mounted to the main body 210 using the type detection sensor included in the sensor module 150 in operation S520. For example, the aerosol-generating device 100 may determine the type of the cartridge 220 mounted to the main body 210 from among a plurality of preset types based on the value sensed by the type detection sensor.

Here, the type of the cartridge 220 may be preset variously depending on the type, content, or state of the substance contained in the reservoir 221 of the cartridge 220, whether the stick 300 can be inserted thereinto, or the type of the stick 300 that can be inserted thereinto.

The aerosol-generating device 100 may determine a mode corresponding to the type of the cartridge 220 in operation S530. For example, the aerosol-generating device 100 may determine a mode corresponding to the type of the cartridge 220 from among a plurality of preset modes.

The aerosol-generating device 100 may output information about the type of the cartridge 220 mounted to the main body 210 through the output device included in the input/output interface 120. For example, the aerosol-generating device 100 may output an image corresponding to the type of the cartridge 220 mounted to the main body 210 through the display.

The aerosol-generating device 100 may perform an operation corresponding to the determined mode in operation S540.

The aerosol-generating device 100 may generate an aerosol by controlling components thereof according to the determined mode. For example, the aerosol-generating device 100 may determine a temperature profile corresponding to the mode from among a plurality of temperature profiles stored in the memory 140, and may adjust the temperature of the heater 223 based on the temperature profile corresponding to the mode.

In the case in which a plurality of heaters is provided, the aerosol-generating device 100 may supply power to the plurality of heaters according to the determined mode. For example, in the case in which the aerosol-generating device 100 includes a first heater for heating an aerosol-generating substance stored in the cartridge 220 and a second heater for heating the stick 300, the aerosol-generating device 100 may supply power only to the first heater when the determined mode is a first mode, and may supply power both to the first heater and to the second heater when the determined mode is a second mode.

The determination as to the type of the cartridge 220 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 to 15. Hereinafter, the directions of the aerosol-generating device 100 may be defined based on the orthogonal coordinate system shown in FIGS. 6 to 15. In the orthogonal coordinate system, the x-axis direction may be defined as the horizontal direction of the aerosol-generating device 100. Here, based on the origin, the +x-axis direction may be the rightward direction, and the -x-axis direction may be the leftward direction. The y-axis direction may be defined as the vertical direction of the aerosol-generating device 100. Here, based on the origin, the +y-axis direction may be the upward direction, and the -y-axis direction may be the downward direction.

Referring to FIG. 6, the main body 210 may include a housing 215 having an inner wall forming therein an insertion space 600 into which the cartridge 220 is inserted.

The inner wall may be composed of a plurality of inner surfaces that are in contact with the cartridge 220 inserted into the insertion space 600. For example, the inner wall may be composed of a bottom surface 601 supporting the lower end of the cartridge 220 and an inner wall surface 603 supporting the side surface of the cartridge 220.

A type detection sensor 610 may be disposed adjacent to the insertion space 600.

The type detection sensor 610 may be disposed in one region of the bottom surface 601. For example, the type detection sensor 610 may be disposed so as to protrude to a predetermined height h1 from one region of the bottom surface 601 toward the insertion space 600.

The type detection sensor 610 may include a contact portion 611, which contacts the cartridge 220 inserted into the insertion space 600, a signal generator 613 for generating signals, and/or an elastic member 615 for elastically supporting the contact portion 611 in the vertical direction.

The type detection sensor 610 may be implemented as a force sensor, which outputs a signal corresponding to the magnitude of force applied in a predetermined direction. For example, at least a portion of the contact portion 611 may be moved into an inner space 605, in which the type detection sensor 610 is disposed, by the force applied thereto in the downward direction, and the signal generator 613 may generate a signal corresponding to the magnitude of the force by which the contact portion 611 is moved. At this time, the signal generated by the signal generator 613 may be output as a signal indicating the type of the cartridge 220.

Although the force sensor will be described below as an example of the type detection sensor 610, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The type detection sensor 610 may be implemented as a push-button-type switch.

In the case in which the direction in which the cartridge 220 is mounted or demounted is the vertical direction, the inner wall surface 603 may be formed so as to extend in the vertical direction so that the upper portion of the insertion space 600 is open. When the cartridge 220 is inserted through the open upper portion of the insertion space 600, the cartridge 220 may be surrounded by the bottom surface 601 and the inner wall surface 603. The cartridge 220 may come into close contact with the inner wall surface 603.

The cross-sectional shape of the insertion space 600, which is surrounded by the inner wall surface 603, in the horizontal direction may correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the cartridge 220 in the horizontal direction. For example, when the cross-sectional shape of the cartridge 220 in the horizontal direction is a rectangular shape, the cross-sectional shape of the insertion space 600 in the horizontal direction may also be a rectangular shape.

Referring to FIG. 7, the cartridge 220 may include a plurality of outer surfaces. For example, the cartridge 220 may include a lower surface 711, which comes into contact with the bottom surface 601 of the inner wall of the housing 215, a side surface 713, which comes into contact with the inner wall surface 603 of the inner wall, and/or an upper surface 714, which covers the upper end of the space surrounded by the side surface 713.

A feature portion 720 having a shape corresponding to the type of the cartridge 220 may be formed in any one of the plurality of outer surfaces included in the cartridge 220.

In the case in which the cartridge 220 is inserted into the insertion space 600 in the downward direction, the feature portion 720 may be formed in the lower surface 711, which is the outer surface that is oriented in the downward direction.

The feature portion 720 may be formed such that one region 712 of the lower surface 711 is recessed in the cartridge 220. The depth to which the region 712 of the lower surface 711 is recessed in the cartridge 220 may correspond to the type of the cartridge 220.

Referring to reference numerals 701, 702, and 703, the depth to which the region 712 of the lower surface 711 is recessed in the cartridge 220 may be “h1” when the type of the cartridge 220 is a first type 220a, may be “h2” when the type of the cartridge 220 is a second type 220b, and may be “h3” when the type of the cartridge 220 is a third type 220c.

The cross-sectional shape of the feature portion 720 in the horizontal direction may correspond to the cross-sectional shape of a portion of the type detection sensor 610, which comes into contact with the cartridge 220, in the horizontal direction. For example, when a contact space 725 formed by recessing the region 712 of the lower surface 711 in the inward direction has a cylindrical shape, the cross-sectional shape of a portion of the type detection sensor 610, which comes into contact with the cartridge 220, in the horizontal direction may be a circular shape.

Referring to FIG. 8, when the cartridge 220 is inserted into the insertion space 600, the bottom surface 601 of the inner wall and the lower surface 711 of the cartridge 220 may come into contact with each other, and the type detection sensor 610 may come into contact with the feature portion 720 formed in the lower surface 711 of the cartridge 220.

When the cartridge 220 is inserted into the insertion space 600, the contact portion 611 of the type detection sensor 610 may be inserted into the contact space 725 in the feature portion 720. At this time, the upper end of the contact portion 611 may come into contact with the region 712 of the lower surface 711.

The magnitude of force applied to the contact portion 611 in the downward direction may correspond to the depth to which the region 712 of the lower surface 711 is recessed in the cartridge 220, that is, the height of the contact space 725.

Referring to reference numeral 801, in the case in which the height of the contact portion 611 is “hl”, when the first type of cartridge 220a is mounted to the main body 210, the magnitude of force applied to the contact portion 611 in the downward direction may be zero because the height of the contact space 725 is “h1”.

Referring to reference numerals 802 and 803, when the second type of cartridge 220b or the third type of cartridge 220c is mounted to the main body 210, the magnitude of force applied to the contact portion 611 in the downward direction may be greater than zero because the height of the contact space 725 is lower than “hl”.

When the third type of cartridge 220c is mounted to the main body 210, the distance that the contact portion 611 moves in the downward direction may be longer, and the magnitude of force applied to the contact portion 611 in the downward direction may be greater than when the second type of cartridge 220b is mounted to the main body 210. That is, as the difference between the height of the contact portion 611 and the height of the contact space 725 increases, a larger magnitude of force may be applied to the contact portion 611 in the downward direction.

As described above, in the case in which the height of the contact space 725 varies depending on the type of the cartridge 220, the magnitude of force applied to the type detection sensor 610 in the downward direction may vary. Also, since the signal output from the type detection sensor 610 varies depending on the magnitude of the force sensed by the type detection sensor 610, the controller 170 of the aerosol-generating device 100 may determine the type of the cartridge 220 mounted to the main body 210 based on the signal output from the type detection sensor 610.

Meanwhile, the cartridge 220 may have at least one guide slit 730 formed in at least one of the plurality of outer surfaces thereof in the direction in which the cartridge 220 is mounted or demounted.

In addition, the housing 215 may include at least one inner peripheral protrusion 620 formed on at least one of the plurality of inner surfaces forming the inner wall in the direction in which the cartridge 220 is mounted or demounted.

In this case, when the cartridge 220 is inserted into the insertion space 600, the inner peripheral protrusion 620 of the housing 215 may be inserted into the guide slit 730 in the cartridge 220. Accordingly, a user is capable of confirming whether the cartridge 220 is mounted normally (inserted in the correct direction).

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the main body 210 may include a plurality of type detection sensors 610a and 610b, which are disposed adjacent to the insertion space 600.

The plurality of type detection sensors 610a and 610b may be disposed in one region of the bottom surface 601 so as to be spaced apart from each other. For example, each of the plurality of type detection sensors 610a and 610b may be disposed so as to protrude to a predetermined height h1 from one region of the bottom surface 601 toward the insertion space 600. In this case, the height to which the type detection sensor 610a protrudes and the height to which the type detection sensor 610b protrudes may be different from each other.

The type detection sensor 610a may include a contact portion 611a, which contacts the cartridge 220, a signal generator 613a for generating signals, and/or an elastic member 615a for elastically supporting the contact portion 611a in the vertical direction. The type detection sensor 610b may include a contact portion 611b, which contacts the cartridge 220, a signal generator 613b for generating signals, and/or an elastic member 615b for elastically supporting the contact portion 611b in the vertical direction.

When the type of the cartridge 220 is the first type 220a, denoted by reference numeral 1001, one feature portion 720 may be formed in the lower surface 711 of the cartridge 220. When the type of the cartridge 220 is the fourth type 220d, denoted by reference numeral 1002, a plurality of feature portions 720a and 720b may be formed in the lower surface 711 of the cartridge 220.

When the type of the cartridge 220 is the fourth type 220d, a plurality of regions 712a and 712b of the lower surface 711 may be recessed to a predetermined depth h1 in the cartridge 220 to form the plurality of feature portions 720a and 720b, respectively.

When the first type of cartridge 220a is mounted to the main body 210 including the plurality of type detection sensors 610a and 610b, force may be applied to the first contact portion 611a of the first type detection sensor 610a in the downward direction by the lower surface 711 of the cartridge 220. However, since the second contact portion 611b of the second type detection sensor 610b is inserted into the contact space 725 in the feature portion 720, which has a height corresponding to the height of the second contact portion 611b, the magnitude of force applied to the second contact portion 611b may be zero.

When the fourth type of cartridge 220d is mounted to the main body 210 including the plurality of type detection sensors 610a and 610b, the first contact portion 611a and the second contact portion 611b may be respectively inserted into the first contact space 725a and the second contact space 725b, and thus the magnitude of force applied to the first contact portion 611a and the magnitude of force applied to the second contact portion 611b may be zero.

As described above, when the aerosol-generating device 100 includes the plurality of type detection sensors 610a and 610b, the controller 170 of the aerosol-generating device 100 may determine the type of the cartridge 220 mounted to the main body 210 based on the signals output from the plurality of type detection sensors 610a and 610b.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, in the case in which the cartridge 220 is inserted in the vertical direction, the type detection sensor 610 may be disposed in a space formed by recessing one region of the bottom surface 601 of the housing 215 to a predetermined depth in the inward direction of the housing 215.

In addition, the cartridge 220 may include a feature portion 720, which is formed such that one region 712 of the lower surface 711 protrudes to a predetermined height in the direction in which the cartridge 220 is inserted. The height to which the region 712 of the lower surface 711 protrudes may correspond to the type of the cartridge 220.

Referring to reference numerals 1201 and 1202, the height to which the region 712 of the lower surface 711 protrudes in the direction in which the cartridge 220 is inserted may be “h4” when the type of the cartridge 220 is a fifth type 220e, and may be “h5” when the type of the cartridge 220 is a sixth type 220f.

Referring to FIG. 13, when the cartridge 220 is inserted into the insertion space 600, the upper end of the contact portion 611 of the type detection sensor 610 may come into contact with the region 712 of the lower surface 711.

The magnitude of force applied to the contact portion 611 in the downward direction may correspond to the height to which the region 712 of the lower surface 711 protrudes in the direction in which the cartridge 220 is inserted.

When the cartridge 220 is inserted into the insertion space 600, the contact portion 611 of the type detection sensor 610 may move in the downward direction a distance corresponding to the height to which the region 712 of the lower surface 711 of the cartridge 220 protrudes.

When the fifth type of cartridge 220e is mounted to the main body 210, the distance that the contact portion 611 moves in the downward direction may be shorter, and the magnitude of force applied to the contact portion 611 in the downward direction may be smaller than when the sixth type of cartridge 220f is mounted to the main body 210. That is, as the height to which the region 712 of the lower surface 711 of the cartridge 220 protrudes increases, a larger magnitude of force may be applied to the contact portion 611 in the downward direction.

Referring to FIG. 14, in the case in which the cartridge 220 is mounted or demounted in the horizontal direction, a portion of the inner wall surface 603 of the housing 215 may be cut, so one side surface of an insertion space 1410 may be open to the outside. In this case, when the cartridge 220 is inserted into the insertion space 1410 through the open side surface thereof, the cartridge 220 may be surrounded by the bottom surface 601 and the remaining portion of the inner wall surface 603 other than the cut portion.

The type detection sensor 610 may be disposed in one region of the inner wall surface 603. For example, the type detection sensor 610 may be disposed so as to protrude to a predetermined height w1 from the region of the inner wall surface 603 toward the insertion space 600.

When the cartridge 220 is inserted into the insertion space 1410, at least a portion of the contact portion 611 may be moved into an inner space 605, in which the type detection sensor 610 is disposed, by the force applied thereto in the rightward direction, and the signal generator 613 may generate a signal corresponding to the magnitude of the force by which the contact portion 611 is moved in the rightward direction. At this time, the signal generated by the signal generator 613 may be output as a signal indicating the type of the cartridge 220.

Referring to FIG. 15, in the case in which the cartridge 220 is inserted into the insertion space 1410 in the rightward direction, a feature portion 720 may be formed in one region of the side surface 713 that is oriented in the rightward direction.

The feature portion 720 may be formed such that one region 715 of the side surface 713 is recessed in the cartridge 220. The depth to which the region 715 of the side surface 713 is recessed in the cartridge 220 may correspond to the type of the cartridge 220.

Referring to reference numerals 1501 and 1502, the depth to which the region 715 of the side surface 713 is recessed in the cartridge 220 may be “wl” when the type of the cartridge 220 is the fifth type 220e, and may be “w2” when the type of the cartridge 220 is the sixth type 220f.

The cross-sectional shape of the feature portion 720 in the vertical direction may correspond to the cross-sectional shape of a portion of the type detection sensor 610, which comes into contact with the cartridge 220, in the vertical direction. For example, when a contact space 725 formed by recessing the region 715 of the side surface 713 in the inward direction has a cylindrical shape, the cross-sectional shape of a portion of the type detection sensor 610, which comes into contact with the cartridge 220, in the vertical direction may be a circular shape.

As described above, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the type of the cartridge 220 is determined based on physical contact between the feature portion 720, which is formed in the outer surface of the cartridge 220 coupled to the main body 210, and the sensor 610 for detecting the type of the cartridge 220, and thus it is possible to accurately determine the type of the cartridge 220 irrespective of environmental factors, unlike an electrical method using capacitance or an optical method using light.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a mode may be changed and set variously depending on the type of the cartridge 220, and thus a user is capable of using various types of cartridges with a single main body 210.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the mode of the aerosol-generating device 100 may be automatically changed and set depending on the type of the cartridge 220, and thus user convenience may be improved.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 15, an aerosol-generating device 100 in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure may include a cartridge 220 configured to accommodate an aerosol-generating substance, a housing 215 including an inner wall forming therein an insertion space into which the cartridge 220 is inserted, and at least one type detection sensor 610 configured to output a signal indicating the type of the cartridge 220. The cartridge 220 may include at least one feature portion 720 formed in one of a plurality of outer surfaces thereof that is in contact with the inner wall. The feature portion 720 may have a shape corresponding to the type. The type detection sensor 610 may be disposed adjacent to the insertion space so as to come into contact with the feature portion 720 when the cartridge 220 is inserted.

In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the feature portion 720 may be formed in an outer surface oriented in the direction in which the cartridge 220 is inserted, among the plurality of outer surfaces.

In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the feature portion 720 may be formed such that at least a region of one of the plurality of outer surfaces is recessed inwards to a depth corresponding to the type, and the type detection sensor 610 may be disposed so as to protrude from a region of an inner surface corresponding to the outer surface in which the feature portion 720 is formed, among a plurality of inner surfaces forming the inner wall, to a predetermined height toward the insertion space.

In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the cross-sectional shape of the feature portion 720 in a predetermined direction may correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the type detection sensor 610 in the predetermined direction, and at least a portion of the type detection sensor 610 may be inserted into the recessed portion of the feature portion 720 and may come into contact with the feature portion 720.

In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the feature portion 720 may be formed such that at least a region of one of the plurality of outer surfaces protrudes to a height corresponding to the type, and the type detection sensor 610 may be disposed in a space recessed inwards to a predetermined depth in a region of an inner surface corresponding to the outer surface in which the feature portion 720 is formed, among a plurality of inner surfaces forming the inner wall.

In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the type detection sensor 610 may be a force sensor configured to output a signal corresponding to the magnitude of force applied in a predetermined direction.

In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the type detection sensor 610 may include a contact portion 611 configured to come into contact with the feature portion 720, an elastic member 615 configured to elastically support the contact portion 611 in the predetermined direction, and a signal generator 613 configured to generate a signal indicating the type of the cartridge 220 in response to the magnitude of force by which the contact portion 611 is moved in the predetermined direction.

In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating device may further include a heater 223 configured to heat the aerosol-generating substance and a controller 170. The controller 170 may determine the type of the cartridge 220 based on a signal received from the type detection sensor 610, and may control the heater 223 according to a mode determined from among a plurality of modes.

In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating device may further include a memory 140 configured to store therein a plurality of temperature profiles. The controller 170 may determine a temperature profile corresponding to the determined mode from among the plurality of temperature profiles, and may control the temperature of the heater 223 based on the determined temperature profile.

In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating device may further include a cartridge detection sensor configured to sense mounting of the cartridge 220. When mounting of the cartridge 220 is sensed by the cartridge detection sensor, the controller 170 may determine the type of the cartridge 220.

In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the cartridge 220 may include at least one guide slit formed in at least one of the plurality of outer surfaces in the direction in which the cartridge 220 is inserted. The housing 215 may include at least one inner peripheral protrusion formed on at least one of a plurality of inner surfaces forming the inner wall in the direction in which the cartridge 220 is inserted. The inner peripheral protrusion may be inserted into the guide slit when the cartridge 220 is inserted.

Certain embodiments or other embodiments of the disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct from each other. Any or all elements of the embodiments of the disclosure described above may be combined with another or combined with each other in configuration or function.

For example, a configuration “A” described in one embodiment of the disclosure and the drawings and a configuration “B” described in another embodiment of the disclosure and the drawings may be combined with each other. Namely, although the combination between the configurations is not directly described, the combination is possible except in the case where it is described that the combination is impossible.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating device comprising:

a cartridge configured to accommodate an aerosol-generating substance;

a housing including an inner wall defining an insertion space configured to accommodate insertion of the cartridge therein; and

at least one type detection sensor,

wherein the cartridge includes at least one feature portion configured to contact the at least one type detection sensor when the cartridge is inserted into the insertion space, wherein a shape of the at least one feature portion corresponds to a type of the cartridge, and

wherein the at least one type detection sensor is disposed adjacent to the insertion space so as to contact the at least one feature portion when the cartridge is inserted and configured to output a signal indicating the type of the cartridge based on the shape of the at least one feature portion.

2. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one feature portion is formed at an outer surface of the cartridge to face a direction in which the cartridge is inserted into the insertion space.

3. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one feature portion comprises at least one recessed region of an outer surface of the cartridge, wherein a depth of the at least one recessed portion corresponds to the type of the cartridge, and

wherein the at least one type detection sensor comprises at least one protruding portion of the inner wall protruding into the insertion space to a predetermined height at a position corresponding to the at least one feature portion.

4. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 3, wherein a shape of the at least one recessed region of the at least one feature portion corresponds to a shape of the at least one protruding portion of the at least one type detection sensor such that the at least one type detection sensor is insertable into the at least one feature portion.

5. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one feature portion comprises at least one protruding portion of an outer surface of the cartridge, wherein a height of the at least one protruding portion corresponds to the type of the cartridge, and

wherein the at least one type detection sensor is disposed in at least one recessed region of the inner wall at a position corresponding to the at least one feature portion.

6. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one type detection sensor comprises a force sensor and the outputted signal is based on a magnitude of force applied to the at least one type detection sensor by the at least one feature portion in a predetermined direction.

7. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 6, wherein each of the at least one type detection sensor comprises:

a contact portion configured to come into contact with the at least one feature portion;

an elastic member configured to elastically support the contact portion; and

a signal generator configured to generate the signal indicating the type of the cartridge based on the magnitude of force by which the contact portion is moved in the predetermined direction.

8. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a heater configured to heat the aerosol-generating substance; and

a controller configured to determine a mode corresponding to the type of the cartridge based on the signal output by the at least one type detection sensor, and control the heater according to the determined mode from among a plurality of modes.

9. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 8, further comprising:

a memory configured to store a plurality of temperature profiles,

wherein the controller is configured to:

determine a temperature profile corresponding to the determined mode from among the plurality of temperature profiles, and

control a temperature of the heater based on the determined temperature profile.

10. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a cartridge detection sensor configured to sense insertion of the cartridge; and

a controller configured to determine the type of the cartridge in response to sensing the insertion of the cartridge by the cartridge detection sensor.

11. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge includes at least one guide slit formed at least one outer surface of the cartridge along a direction in which the cartridge is inserted,

wherein the housing includes at least one inner peripheral protrusion formed at the inner wall and configured to be inserted along the at least one guide slit when the cartridge is inserted.