Aerosol Generating Device

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2024-0078991 and 10-2024-0078992, respectively filed on Jun. 18, 2024 and Jun. 18, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

The disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly, to an aerosol generating device capable of accurately determining a temperature of a replaceable heating unit.

Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods of overcoming the disadvantages of general cigarettes. For example, there is an increasing demand for a system that generates aerosol by heating an aerosol generating substrate by using an aerosol generating device, rather than a method of generating aerosol by burning a cigarette.

In such an aerosol generating device, a heating unit may be disposed to directly contact an aerosol generating material, such as by being inserted into the aerosol generating material. Also, when the heating unit is disposed to directly contact the aerosol generating material, part of the aerosol generating material may be deposited on the heating unit as the period of use becomes longer. Because such deposits are factors that degrade the taste of smoke, the heating unit may be replaceably disposed in the aerosol generating device.

However, each of replaceable heating units may have a different optimal control criterion due to a manufacturing tolerance and the like. However, conventional technologies have a problem in that they do not calibrate the optimal control criterion for each of the replaceable heating units. Also, the conventional technologies have a problem in that even though the optimal control criterion is calibrated, such a calibration operation is manually performed by a user's input. Also, the conventional technologies have a problem in that when the calibration operation is set to be performed automatically, power consumption increases because the replacement of the heating unit should be detected periodically.

Provided is an aerosol generating device capable of accurately determining a temperature of a replaceable heating unit.

The technical problems of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described description, and other technical problems may be derived from the embodiments to be described hereinafter.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

According to an embodiment, an aerosol generating device includes a power supply unit configured to output direct current (DC) power, a power conversion unit configured to convert the DC power into alternating current (AC) power, an induction coil configured to receive the AC power and generate an alternating magnetic field, a first susceptor that is replaceably inserted into an insertion space and is configured to generate heat due to the alternating magnetic field generated by the induction coil, and a controller configured to determine a temperature of the first susceptor based on DC current output by the power supply unit, wherein the controller is further configured to, when the first susceptor is extracted from the insertion space and then a second susceptor different from the first susceptor is inserted into the insertion space, control the power supply unit according to a preset power profile to obtain calibration reference current corresponding to a calibration reference temperature of the second susceptor, and determine a temperature of the second susceptor based on the calibration reference temperature and the calibration reference current.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing symbols, identical or similar components will be given the same reference numerals and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The suffixes ‘module’ and ‘unit’ may be used for elements in order to facilitate the disclosure. Significant meanings or roles may not be given to the suffixes themselves and it is understood that the ‘module’ and ‘unit’ may be used together or interchangeably.

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

While such terms as “first,” “second,” etc., may be used to describe various elements, such elements must not be limited to the above terms. The above terms may be used only to distinguish one element from another.

It is to be understood that when an element is described as being “on” or “in contact with” another element, it is to be understood that other elements may directly contact or be directly connected to the other element or intervening element may be present therebetween. On the other hand, when an element is described as being “directly on” or “directly in contact with” another element, it may be understood that there is no other element therebetween.

An expression used in the singular encompasses the expression of the plural, unless it has a clearly different meaning in the context.

Throughout the specification, a direction of an aerosol generating devicemay be defined based on an orthogonal coordinate system. In the orthogonal coordinate system, an x-axis direction may be defined as a left-right direction of the aerosol generating device. A y-axis direction may be defined as a front-back direction of the aerosol generating device. A z-axis direction may be defined as an up-down direction of the aerosol generating device.

is a view illustrating an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment.is a view illustrating an aerosol generating device, according to another embodiment.

Referring to, the aerosol generating deviceaccording to embodiments may include at least one of a power supply unit, a controller, a detection unit, and a heating unit. At least one of the power supply unit, the controller, the detection unit, and the heating unitmay be disposed inside a bodyof the aerosol generating device. The bodymay provide a space that is open upward so that an aerosol generating substrate S, which is an aerosol generating article, is inserted. The space that is open upward may be referred to as an insertion space or a cavity. The insertion space may be recessed by a certain depth toward the inside of the bodyso that at least a part of the aerosol generating substrate S is inserted. A depth of the insertion space may correspond to a length of an area where an aerosol generating material and/or medium is included in the aerosol generating substrate S. A lower end of the aerosol generating substrate S may be inserted into the body, and an upper end of the aerosol generating substrate S may protrude outward from the body. A user may inhale air while holding the upper end of the aerosol generating substrate S that is exposed to the outside in his mouth. According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating devicemay further include a vaporizer (not shown), and aerosol generated by the vaporizer may pass through the aerosol generating substrate S and may be delivered to the user. To this end, the vaporizer may include a liquid storage, a liquid delivery means, and an additional heating element.

The heating unitmay heat the aerosol generating substrate S. The heating unitmay extend long upward in the space where the aerosol generating substrate S is inserted. For example, the heating unitmay include a tube-type heating element, a plate-type heating element, a needle-type heating element, or a rod-type heating element. The heating unitmay be inserted into a lower portion of the aerosol generating substrate S. According to an embodiment, a heater may include a cylindrical heating element, unlike in, and the cylindrical heating element may accommodate the aerosol generating substrate S therein and may heat at least a part of an outer surface of the aerosol generating substrate S.

The heating unitmay include an electro-resistive heater and/or an induction heater. In this respect, the heating unitmay be referred to as a heater.

For example, referring to, the heating unitmay be a resistive heater. To this end, the heating unitmay include an electrically conductive track, and the heating unitmay be heated as current flows through the electrically conductive track. The heating unitmay be electrically connected to the power supply unit. The heating unitmay directly generate heat by receiving current from the power supply unit.

For example, the heating unitmay be a multi-heater. The heating unitmay include a first heaterA and a second heaterB. The first and second heatersA andB may be arranged side by side along a longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device. The first and second heatersA andB may be heated sequentially or simultaneously.

For example, referring to, the aerosol generating devicemay include an induction coilsurrounding a susceptor. The induction coilmay cause the susceptorto generate heat. In an example where the heating unitof the aerosol generating device is an induction heater, the induction coiland the susceptormay be referred to as the heating unit. In an embodiment, only the susceptormay be referred to as the heating unit. Also, the induction coiland the susceptormay be referred to as a heater in that the induction coiland the susceptorcontribute to heating.

The susceptormay heat generate due to a magnetic field generated by alternating current (AC) current flowing through the induction coil. The magnetic field may pass through the susceptorand may generate eddy current in the susceptor. The current may generate heat in the susceptor. The susceptormay be a tube-type heating element, a plate-type heating element, a needle-type heating element, or a rod-type heating element, but according to an embodiment, the susceptormay have a cylindrical shape, and may accommodate the aerosol generating substrate S therein and may heat at least a part of an outer surface of the aerosol generating substrate S. Also, according to an embodiment, the susceptormay be included in the aerosol generating substrate S, rather than the aerosol generating device.

The power supply unitmay supply power so that components of the aerosol generating deviceoperate. The power supply unitmay supply power to at least one of the controller, the detection unit, and the heating unit.

The controllermay control an overall operation of the aerosol generating device. The controllermay be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The controllermay control an operation of at least one of the power supply unit, the detection unit, and the heating unit. The controllermay control an operation of the induction coil. The controllermay control operations of a display, a motor, etc. provided in the aerosol generating device. The controllermay check a state of each of the components of the aerosol generating deviceto determine whether the aerosol generating deviceis operable.

The controllermay analyze a result detected by the detection unitand may control processes to be performed later. For example, the controllermay control power supplied to the heating unitso that an operation of the heating unitstarts or ends, based on the result detected by the detection unit. For example, the controllermay control the amount of power supplied to the heating unitor a time for which power is supplied so that the heating unitis heated to a certain temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature, based on the result detected by the detection unit.

The detection unitmay include at least one of a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, an insertion detection sensor, and an acceleration sensor. For example, the detection unitmay sense at least one of a temperature of the heating unit, a temperature of the power supply unit, and a temperature inside and/or outside the body. For example, the detection unitmay sense the user's puff. For example, the detection unitmay sense whether the aerosol generating substrate S is inserted into the insertion space. For example, the detection unitmay sense a movement of the aerosol generating device.

is a front perspective view illustrating an aerosol generating device, according to embodiments.

Referring to, an upper casemay be detachably coupled to the body. The upper casemay be coupled to an upper side of the body. The upper casemay cover an upper periphery of the body. The upper casemay include an insertion hole. The aerosol generating substrate S may be inserted into the insertion hole. The insertion holemay be a component corresponding to the insertion space or the cavity described with reference to. The upper casemay include a coverthat opens and closes the insertion hole. The covermay laterally slide to open and close the insertion hole.

The upper casemay include an upper case wing. The upper case wingmay extend downward from both sides of an upper case body. The upper case wingmay be referred to as an upper case grip.

The bodymay include a body wing. The body wingmay extend upward from an upper edge of the body. One pair of body wingsmay face each other with an upper portion of the bodytherebetween. The body wingmay be formed at a position misaligned with the upper case wing.

When the upper caseis coupled to the body, the upper casemay form an upper exterior of the aerosol generating device. When the upper caseis coupled to the body, the body wingmay cover a side portion of the upper caseexposed between the upper case wings. When the upper caseis coupled to the body, the upper case wingmay cover an outer wall of the body.

is an exploded cross-sectional view for describing a coupling relationship of a replaceable susceptor, according to the disclosure.

Referring to, the bodyof the aerosol generating devicemay have a shape that vertically extends long. The bodymay provide a first insertion spacetherein. The first insertion spacemay be open upward. The first insertion spacemay have a cylindrical shape that vertically extends long. The first insertion spacemay be defined by a body pipeformed inside the body. The body pipemay include a lateral wallsurrounding a circumference of the first insertion spaceand a lower wallcovering the bottom of the first insertion space. The lower wallmay be formed at the bottom of the body pipe. The lateral wallof the body pipemay be referred to as an inner lateral wallof the body.

A heater holdermay be detachably inserted into the first insertion space. A pipe′ may include a lateral wallvertically extending long, and a lower wallformed at a lower end of the lateral wall. The pipe′ may be referred to as a heater holder pipe′. The lower wallof the pipe′ may be referred to as a bottomor a mount. The lower wallof the pipe′ may form the bottomof the heater holder. The susceptormay be coupled to or fixed to the heater holder. The susceptormay be replaced together with the heater holder.

When the heater holderis coupled to an extractor, a second insertion space may be provided. In an embodiment, when the heater holderis coupled to the extractor, the lateral wallof the heater holderand a lateral wallof the extractormay define the second insertion space that is open upward. Each of the lateral wallof the heater holderand the lateral wallof the extractormay cover at least one side of the second insertion space. The lateral wallof the heater holderand the lateral wallof the extractormay form a side circumference of the second insertion space together.

The lateral wallof the extractormay vertically extend long. The lateral wallof the heater holderand the lateral wallof the extractormay be spaced apart from the center of the second insertion space by the same distance based on a radial direction. The lateral wallof the heater holderand the lateral wallof the extractormay be located on the same circumferential extension line of the second insertion space. Each of the lateral wallof the heater holderand the lateral wallof the extractormay extend to be curved in a circumferential direction along the circumference of the second insertion space.

A plurality of lateral wallsof the heater holdermay be arranged along a circumference of the lower wallof the heater holder. A first slitthat vertically extends long may be formed between the plurality of lateral wallsof the heater holder. A plurality of lateral wallsof the heater holderand a plurality of first slitsmay be alternately arranged in the circumferential direction along the circumference of the second insertion space.

A plurality of lateral wallsof the extractormay be arranged along a circumference of a lower wallof the extractor. A second slitthat vertically extends long may be formed between the plurality of lateral wallsof the extractor. A plurality of lateral wallsof the extractorand a plurality of second slitsmay be alternately arranged in the circumferential direction along the circumference of the second insertion space.

The extractormay be inserted into the heater holder. When the extractoris inserted into the heater holder, the lateral wallof the heater holdermay be disposed in the second slit, and the lateral wallof the extractormay be disposed in the first slit.

Accordingly, the lateral wallof the heater holderand the lateral wallof the extractormay form the second insertion space. As a thickness of a wall between the induction coiland the susceptoris reduced, the heating efficiency of the susceptormay be improved.

A lower end of the aerosol generating substrate S may be inserted into the second insertion space, and an upper end of the aerosol generating substrate S may protrude outward from the aerosol generating device. The susceptormay heat the first insertion spaceand the second insertion space.

A lower end of the susceptormay be fixed to the mount. The susceptormay extend long toward an opening of the second insertion space. The susceptormay be formed in a cylindrical shape, and an upper end of the susceptormay be pointed upward. In another example, the susceptormay have a shape that extends in a circumferential direction, and may be coupled to the lateral wallof the heater holder. However, this is only an example, and a shape of the susceptoris not limited to that described or illustrated as long as the susceptoris coupled to the heater holderand is capable of heating the aerosol generating substrate S inserted into the second insertion space.

The heater holdermay be formed by using insert injection molding into the susceptor. The heater holdermay have high heat resistance and excellent rigidity. For example, the heater holdermay be formed of polyether ether ketone (PEEK). However, a material of the heater holderis not limited thereto.

A through-holemay be formed as the lower wallof the extractoris open. The through-holemay be vertically open. When the extractoris inserted into the heater holder, the susceptormay pass through the through-holeand may protrude to the second insertion space. When the aerosol generating substrate S is inserted into the second insertion space, the susceptormay be inserted into a lower portion of the aerosol generating substrate S.

The induction coilmay surround the first insertion space. The induction coilmay be wound around a circumference of the lateral wallof the body pipe. The induction coilmay surround the susceptor. The induction coilmay cause the susceptorto generate heat. According to an embodiment, a substrate detection unitmay be disposed between the induction coiland the lateral wallof the body pipe. The substrate detection unitmay include a capacitance sensor. The capacitance sensor may be manufactured as a thin film and may cover at least a part of the lateral wallof the body pipe. The substrate detection unitmay be used to determine whether there exists the aerosol generating substrate S inserted into the second insertion space.

A user may easily separate the aerosol generating substrate S from the susceptorby separating the extractorand the heater holderfrom each other. The aerosol generating substrate S inserted into the extractormay be more easily separated from the extractorby being separated from the susceptor. The aerosol generating substrate S may be separated even in a state where the extractorand the heater holderare not separated from each other.

Also, a foreign material generated from the aerosol generating substrate S may not remain around the susceptorand in the heater holder, but may be extracted through the extractor. Accordingly, cleaning of the aerosol generating devicearound the susceptormay be facilitated, and convenience of management may be improved. Also, factors that reduce the performance of the susceptormay be reduced, the durability of the susceptormay be improved, and a replacement cycle of the susceptormay be increased. Also, factors that alter the taste of the aerosol generating substrate S may be reduced.

The heater holdermay be disposed between the bodyand the extractor. The lateral wallof the body pipemay surround the lateral wallof the heater holder. The lower wallof the body pipemay face the lower wallof the heater holder. The lateral wallof the heater holdermay surround the lateral wallof the extractor. The lower wallof the heater holdermay face the lower wallof the extractor.