KR102283057B1 - Method for preventing anomaly of aerosol generating device and system thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention is a method for preventing abnormal operation of an aerosol generating device, a current receiving step of receiving a current supplied to a heater of the aerosol generating device in a pulse width modulation method, identifying the frequency of the received current, A frequency characteristic finding step of determining whether the frequency characteristic of the identified frequency matches a preset reference frequency characteristic, and the frequency characteristic of the identified frequency matches the reference frequency characteristic, and the magnitude of the received current is a preset size If smaller than, discloses a method for preventing abnormal operation of an aerosol generating device comprising a current blocking step of cutting off the current supply to the heater.

Description

A method for preventing abnormal operation of an aerosol generating device and a system therefor {Method for preventing anomaly of aerosol generating device and system thereof}

The present invention relates to a method and system for preventing abnormal operation of an aerosol generating device, and more particularly, to a method for preventing overheating caused by excessive power supply to a heater of an aerosol generating device, and a system for preventing the same it's about

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for an alternative method that overcomes the disadvantages of conventional cigarettes. For example, there is an increasing demand for a method of generating an aerosol as the aerosol-generating material in a cigarette is heated rather than a method of burning a cigarette to produce an aerosol. Accordingly, research into a heated cigarette or a heated aerosol generating device is being actively conducted.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0026318 (published on March 12, 2018)

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is that when an abnormality occurs in which the temperature control of the heater is not smoothly performed due to a problem of the main controller in a situation in which power is supplied to the heater of the aerosol generating device, it is possible to protect the aerosol generating device An object of the present invention is to provide a method and a system for implementing the method.

A method according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above technical problem is a method for preventing abnormal operation of an aerosol generating device, comprising: a current receiving step of receiving a current supplied to a heater of the aerosol generating device in a pulse width modulation manner; a frequency characteristic finding step of determining the frequency of the received current and determining whether the frequency characteristic of the identified frequency matches a preset reference frequency characteristic; and when the frequency characteristic of the identified frequency matches the reference frequency characteristic and the magnitude of the received current is smaller than a preset magnitude, a current blocking step of cutting off the current supply to the heater.

An apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention for solving the above technical problem, as an abnormal operation prevention system of the aerosol generating device, a current receiving unit for receiving the current supplied to the heater of the aerosol generating device in a pulse width modulation method; a frequency characteristic determiner for determining a frequency of the received current and determining whether a frequency characteristic of the identified frequency matches a preset reference frequency characteristic; and a current blocking unit that blocks the supply of current to the heater when the frequency characteristic of the identified frequency matches the reference frequency characteristic and the magnitude of the received current is smaller than a preset magnitude.

According to the present invention, even if the temperature control of the heater is not properly performed because the main controller included in the aerosol generating device fails, the aerosol generating device can be protected by cutting off the power supply to the heater without the intervention of the main controller.

In addition, according to the present invention, by first analyzing the frequency characteristic and secondarily blocking the current supply to the heater when the magnitude of the received current is smaller than the preset magnitude, the magnitude of the current received by the heater is increased. Since it is smaller than the limit value, it is possible to detect a malfunction of the device even in a situation where the malfunction is not detected by the prior art.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of an aerosol generating device.
2 is a view showing an example of a holder.
3 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a cradle.
4A and 4B are views showing examples of cradles.
5 is a view illustrating an example in which the holder is inserted into the cradle.
6 is a view illustrating an example in which the holder is tilted while being inserted into the cradle.
7 is a view showing a block diagram of an example of an aerosol generating device according to the present invention.
8 is a diagram of an example of a circuit for blocking current supply to a heater through control of a first switch and a second switch.
9 is a view showing a flowchart of an example of a method for preventing abnormal operation of an aerosol generating device according to the present invention.

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

In the entire specification, when a part “includes” a certain component, it means that other components may be further included, rather than excluding other components, unless otherwise stated. In addition, the “… wealth", "… The term “module” means a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented as hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

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

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

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of an aerosol generating device.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an aerosol generating device 1 (hereinafter, referred to as a 'holder') includes a battery 110 , a control unit 120 , and a heater 130 . In addition, the holder 1 includes an internal space formed by the case 140 . A cigarette may be inserted into the inner space of the holder 1 .

Only the components related to this embodiment are shown in the holder 1 shown in FIG. 1 . Therefore, it can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment that other general-purpose components other than those shown in FIG. 1 may be further included in the holder 1 .

When the cigarette is inserted into the holder 1 , the holder 1 heats the heater 130 . The temperature of the aerosol generating material in the cigarette is increased by the heated heater 130, thereby generating an aerosol. The generated aerosol is delivered to the user through the filter of the cigarette. However, even when the cigarette is not inserted into the holder 1 , for example, for cleaning the heater 130 , the holder 1 may heat the heater 130 .

The case 140 may be moved between the first position and the second position. For example, when the case 140 is in the first position, the user can insert the cigarette into the holder 1 to inhale the aerosol. Meanwhile, when the case 140 is in the second position, the user can remove (separate) the cigarette from the holder 1 . As the user pushes or pulls the case 140 , the case 140 may be moved between the first position and the second position. In addition, the case 140 may be completely separated from the holder 1 by a user's manipulation.

In addition, the diameter of the hole formed by the end 141 of the case 140 may be made smaller than the diameter of the space formed by the case 140 and the heater 130 , in this case being inserted into the holder 1 . It can serve as a guide for cigarettes.

The battery 110 supplies power used to operate the holder 1 . For example, the battery 110 may supply power to the heater 130 to be heated, and may supply power required for the controller 120 to operate. In addition, the battery 110 may supply power required to operate a display, a sensor, a motor, etc. installed in the holder 1 .

The battery 110 may be a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, but is not limited to the above-described example. For example, the battery 110 may be a lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) battery, a lithium titanate battery, or the like.

Whether the battery 110 is fully charged or fully discharged may be determined by the level of the power stored in the battery 110 compared to the total capacity of the battery 110 . For example, when the power stored in the battery 110 is 95% or more of the total capacity, it may be determined that the battery 110 is fully charged. Also, when the power stored in the battery 110 is 10% or less of the total capacity, it may be determined that the battery 110 is completely discharged. However, the criterion for determining whether the battery 110 is fully charged and fully discharged is not limited to the above-described example.

The heater 130 is heated by the power supplied from the battery 110 . When the cigarette is inserted into the holder 1, the heater 130 is located inside the cigarette. Thus, the heated heater 130 may raise the temperature of the aerosol generating material in the cigarette.

The heater 130 may be manufactured in a shape that can be easily inserted into the cigarette. For example, the heater 130 may have a blade shape or a shape in which a cylinder and a cone are combined, but is not limited thereto. Also, only a part of the heater 130 may be heated. For example, only the first portion of the heater 130 may be heated and the second portion may not be heated. Here, the first portion may be a portion in which the tobacco rod is located when the cigarette is inserted into the holder (1). In addition, the heater 130 may be heated to a different temperature for each part. For example, the above-described first portion and the above-described second portion may be heated to different temperatures.

The heater 130 may be an electrically resistive heater. For example, the heater 130 may be manufactured such that an electrically conductive track is disposed on a substrate formed of an electrically insulating material. Here, the substrate may be made of a ceramic material, and the electrically conductive track may be made of tungsten, but is not limited thereto.

A separate temperature sensor may be provided in the holder 1 . Alternatively, the holder 1 may not be provided with a temperature sensor, and the heater 130 may serve as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, a separate temperature sensor may be further provided in the holder 1 while the heater 130 of the holder 1 functions as a temperature sensor. In order for the heater 130 to serve as a temperature sensing sensor, the heater 130 may include at least one electrically conductive track for heat generation and temperature sensing. In addition, the heater 130 may include a second electrically conductive track for temperature sensing in addition to the first electrically conductive track for heat generation.

For example, if the voltage across the electrically conductive track and the current flowing through the electrically conductive track are measured, the resistance R can be determined. At this time, the temperature (T) of the electrically conductive track may be determined by Equation 1 below.

In Equation 1, R denotes the current resistance value of the electrically conductive track, R ₀ denotes the resistance value at temperature T ₀ (eg, 0° C.), and α denotes the resistance temperature coefficient of the electrically conductive track. it means. A conductive material (eg, a metal) has an inherent resistance temperature coefficient, and α may be predetermined according to the conductive material constituting the electrically conductive track. Therefore, when the resistance (R) of the electrically conductive track is determined, the temperature (T) of the electrically conductive track can be calculated by Equation 1 above.

The electrically conductive track includes an electrically resistive material. As an example, the electrically conductive track may be made of a metallic material. As another example, the electrically conductive track may be made of an electrically conductive ceramic material, carbon, a metal alloy, or a composite of a ceramic material and a metal.

Further, the holder 1 may include both an electrically conductive track serving as a temperature sensing sensor and a temperature sensing sensor.

The controller 120 controls the overall operation of the holder 1 . Specifically, the controller 120 controls the operation of the battery 110 and the heater 130 as well as other components included in the holder 1 . Also, the controller 120 may determine whether the holder 1 is in an operable state by checking the state of each of the components of the holder 1 .

The controller 120 includes at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. In addition, it can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment pertains that it may be implemented in other types of hardware.

For example, the controller 120 may control the operation of the heater 130 . The controller 120 may control the amount of power supplied to the heater 130 and the time the power is supplied so that the heater 130 can be heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature. In addition, the controller 120 may check the state of the battery 110 (eg, the remaining amount of the battery 110 ) and, if necessary, generate a notification signal.

In addition, the controller 120 may check the presence or absence of the user's puff and the strength of the puff, and may count the number of puffs. In addition, the control unit 120 may continuously check the time during which the holder 1 is operating. In addition, the control unit 120 checks whether the cradle 2 to be described later is coupled to the holder 1, and controls the operation of the holder 1 according to the coupling or separation of the cradle 2 and the holder 1 . can

Meanwhile, the holder 1 may further include general-purpose components in addition to the battery 110 , the controller 120 , and the heater 130 .

For example, the holder 1 may include a display capable of outputting visual information or a motor for outputting tactile information. As an example, when the holder 1 includes a display, the control unit 120 provides the user with information about the state of the holder 1 (eg, whether the holder can be used, etc.), a heater ( 130) information (eg, starting preheating, preheating progress, preheating completion, etc.), information related to the battery 110 (eg, remaining capacity of the battery 110 , availability, etc.), holder 1 ) reset-related information (eg, reset timing, reset progress, reset completion, etc.), information related to cleaning of the holder 1 (eg, cleaning timing, cleaning required, cleaning progress, cleaning completed, etc.), Information related to charging of the holder 1 (eg, charging required, charging progress, charging completed, etc.), puff-related information (eg, number of puffs, notice of end of puff, etc.) or safety-related information (eg, For example, the elapsed time of use, etc.) can be transmitted. As another example, when a motor is included in the holder 1 , the controller 120 may transmit the above-described information to the user by generating a vibration signal using the motor.

In addition, the holder 1 may include at least one input device (eg, a button) through which a user can control a function of the holder 1 and/or a terminal coupled to the cradle 2 . For example, the user may execute various functions using the input device of the holder 1 . Multiple functions of the holder 1 by adjusting the number of times the user presses the input device (eg, 1 time, 2 times, etc.) or the time (eg, 0.1 sec, 0.2 sec, etc.) the input device is pressed You can run any of the functions you want. As the user operates the input device, the holder 1 has a function of preheating the heater 130 , a function of adjusting the temperature of the heater 130 , a function of cleaning the space in which the cigarette is inserted, and the holder 1 A function of checking whether the operation is possible, a function of displaying the remaining amount (available power) of the battery 110 , a function of resetting the holder 1 , etc. may be performed. However, the function of the holder 1 is not limited to the above-described examples.

For example, the holder 1 can clean the space in which the cigarette is inserted by controlling the heater 130 as follows. For example, the holder 1 may clean the space in which the cigarette is inserted by heating the heater 130 to a sufficiently high temperature. Here, a sufficiently high temperature means a temperature suitable for cleaning a space into which a cigarette is inserted. For example, the holder 1 may heat the heater 130 to the highest temperature among a temperature range in which an aerosol can be generated in the inserted cigarette and a temperature range in which the heater 130 is preheated, but is not limited thereto. .

In addition, the holder 1 may maintain the temperature of the heater 130 at a sufficiently high temperature for a predetermined period of time. Here, the predetermined time period means a time period sufficient for the space in which the cigarette is inserted to be cleaned. For example, the holder 1 may maintain the temperature of the heated heater 130 for an appropriate time among a time period of 10 seconds to 10 minutes, but is not limited thereto. Preferably, the holder 1 is capable of maintaining the temperature of the heated heater 130 for an appropriate time period selected within the range of 20 seconds to 1 minute. Also, preferably, the holder 1 can maintain the temperature of the heated heater 130 for an appropriate time period selected within the range of 20 seconds to 1 minute and 30 seconds.

As the holder 1 heats the heater 130 to a sufficiently high temperature and also maintains the temperature of the heated heater 130 for a predetermined period of time, the surface of the heater 130 and/or the space into which the cigarette is inserted. By volatilizing the material deposited on the surface, the cleaning effect may be generated.

In addition, the holder 1 may include a puff detection sensor, a temperature detection sensor and/or a cigarette insertion detection sensor. For example, the puff detection sensor may be implemented by a general pressure sensor. Alternatively, the holder 1 may detect the puff by a change in resistance of the electrically conductive track included in the heater 130 without a separate puff detection sensor. Here, the electrically conductive track includes an electrically conductive track for heat generation and/or an electrically conductive track for temperature sensing. Alternatively, the holder 1 may further include a puff detection sensor separately from sensing the puff using an electrically conductive track included in the heater 130 .

The cigarette insertion detection sensor may be implemented by a general capacitive sensor or a resistance sensor. In addition, the holder 1 may be manufactured in a structure that allows external air to flow in/out even in a state in which the cigarette is inserted.

2 is a view showing an example of a holder.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the holder 1 may be manufactured in a cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto. The case 140 of the holder 1 may be moved or separated by a user's operation, and a cigarette may be inserted into the distal end 141 of the case 140 . In addition, the holder 1 may include a button 150 through which the user can control the holder 1 . In addition, if necessary, the holder 1 may further include a display on which a screen (image) is output.

3 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a cradle.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the cradle 2 includes a battery 210 and a controller 220 . In addition, the cradle 2 includes an inner space 230 into which the holder 1 can be inserted. Depending on the design of the cradle 2, the cradle 2 may or may not include a separate lid. As an example, even if a separate lid is not included in the cradle 2 , the holder 1 may be inserted and fixed in the cradle 2 . As another example, the holder 1 may be fixed to the cradle 2 as the lid of the cradle 2 is closed after the holder 1 is inserted into the cradle 2 .

Only the components related to this embodiment are shown in the cradle 2 shown in FIG. 3 . Therefore, it can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment that other general-purpose components other than those shown in FIG. 3 may be further included in the cradle 2 .

The battery 210 supplies power used to operate the cradle 2 . Also, the battery 210 may supply power to charge the battery 110 of the holder 1 . For example, when the holder 1 is inserted into the cradle 2 and the terminal of the holder 1 and the terminal of the cradle 2 are coupled, the battery 210 of the cradle 2 is the battery of the holder 1 . Power may be supplied to 110 .

In addition, when the holder 1 and the cradle 2 are coupled, the battery 210 may supply power used to operate the holder 1 . For example, when the terminal of the holder 1 and the terminal of the cradle 2 are coupled, regardless of whether the battery 110 of the holder 1 is discharged, the holder 1 is the battery ( 210) may operate using the power supplied.

For example, the battery 210 may be a lithium ion battery, but is not limited thereto. Also, the capacity of the battery 210 may be greater than the capacity of the battery 110 .

The controller 220 controls the overall operation of the cradle 2 . The controller 220 may control the operation of all components of the cradle 2 . In addition, the controller 220 may determine whether the holder 1 and the cradle 2 are coupled, and control the operation of the cradle 2 according to the coupling or separation of the cradle 2 and the holder 1 .

For example, when the holder 1 and the cradle 2 are coupled, the controller 220 supplies the power of the battery 210 to the holder 1 to charge the battery 110 or heat the heater 130 . can do it Accordingly, even when the remaining amount of the battery 110 is small, the user can continuously smoke by combining the holder 1 and the cradle 2 .

The controller 220 includes at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. In addition, it can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment pertains that it may be implemented in other types of hardware.

Meanwhile, the cradle 2 may further include general-purpose components in addition to the battery 210 and the controller 220 . For example, the cradle 2 may include a display capable of outputting visual information. For example, when a display is included in the cradle 2 , the controller 220 generates a signal to be displayed on the display, thereby providing the user with the battery 210 (eg, the remaining capacity of the battery 210 , available for use). information related to the reset of the cradle 2 (eg, reset timing, reset progress, reset completion, etc.), cleaning of the holder 1 (eg, cleaning timing, cleaning required, cleaning) Information related to progress, cleaning completion, etc.), information related to charging of the cradle 2 (eg, charging required, charging progress, charging completion, etc.) may be transmitted.

In addition, the cradle 2 includes at least one input device (eg, a button) through which the user can control the functions of the cradle 2 , a terminal coupled with the holder 1 , and/or charging of the battery 210 . It may include an interface (eg, a USB port, etc.) for

For example, the user may execute various functions using the input device of the cradle 2 . By adjusting the number of times the user presses the input device or the time the input device is pressed, a desired function among a plurality of functions of the cradle 2 may be executed. As the user operates the input device, the cradle 2 has a function of preheating the heater 130 of the holder 1 , a function of adjusting the temperature of the heater 130 of the holder 1 , A function of cleaning the space in which the cigarette is inserted, a function of checking whether the cradle 2 is in an operable state, a function of displaying the remaining amount (available power) of the battery 210 of the cradle 2, resetting of the cradle 2 Functions and the like may be performed. However, the function of the cradle 2 is not limited to the above-described examples.

4A and 4B are views showing examples of cradles.

4A shows an example of the cradle 2 without a lid. For example, a space 230 into which the holder 1 can be inserted may exist on one side of the cradle 2 . Even if the cradle 2 does not include a separate fixing means such as a lid, the holder 1 can be inserted and fixed in the cradle 2 . In addition, the cradle 2 may include a button 240 through which the user can control the cradle 2 . In addition, if necessary, the cradle 2 may further include a display on which a screen (image) is output.

4B shows an example of the cradle 2 with a lid. For example, the holder 1 may be inserted into the inner space 230 of the cradle 2 , and the holder 1 may be fixed to the cradle 2 as the lid 250 is closed.

5 is a view illustrating an example in which the holder is inserted into the cradle.

Referring to FIG. 5 , an example in which the holder 1 is inserted into the cradle 2 is shown. Since the space 230 into which the holder 1 is to be inserted exists on one side of the cradle 2 , the inserted holder 1 may not be exposed to the outside by the other sides of the cradle 2 . Accordingly, the cradle 2 may not include other components (eg, a lid) for not exposing the holder 1 to the outside.

At least one binding member 271 and 272 may be included in the cradle 2 to increase binding strength with the holder 1 . Also, at least one binding member 181 may be included in the holder 1 . Here, the binding members 181 , 271 , and 272 may be magnets, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In FIG. 5 , for convenience of explanation, the holder 1 includes one binding member 181 and the cradle 2 includes two binding members 271 and 272 , but the binding member The number of (181, 271, 272) is not limited thereto.

The holder 1 may include the fastening members 181 at the first position, and the cradle 2 may include the fastening members 271 and 272 at the second and third positions, respectively. In this case, the first position and the third position may be positions facing each other when the holder 1 is inserted into the cradle 2 .

As the fixing members 181 , 271 , and 272 are included in the holder 1 and the cradle 2 , even when the holder 1 is inserted into one side of the cradle 2 , the holder 1 and the cradle 2 are It can be more strongly bound. In other words, since the holding members 181 , 271 , and 272 are further included in the holder 1 and the cradle 2 in addition to the terminals, the holder 1 and the cradle 2 may be more strongly coupled. Accordingly, even if there is no separate component (eg, a lid) in the cradle 2 , the inserted holder 1 may not be easily separated from the cradle 2 .

In addition, when it is determined that the holder 1 is completely inserted into the cradle 2 by the terminals and/or the binding members 181 , 271 , and 272 , the controller 220 controls the holder using the power of the battery 210 . The battery 110 of (1) can be charged.

6 is a view illustrating an example in which the holder is tilted while being inserted into the cradle.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the holder 1 is tilted inside the cradle 2 . Here, the tilt means that the holder 1 is tilted at a certain angle while being inserted into the cradle 2 .

As shown in FIG. 5 , when the holder 1 is fully inserted into the cradle 2 , the user cannot smoke. In other words, when the holder 1 is fully inserted into the cradle 2 , the cigarette cannot be inserted into the holder 1 . Accordingly, the user cannot smoke while the holder 1 is fully inserted into the cradle 2 .

6, when the holder 1 is tilted, the end 141 of the holder 1 is exposed to the outside. Accordingly, the user may insert the cigarette into the distal end 141 and inhale (smoking) the generated aerosol. When the cigarette is inserted into the distal end 141 of the holder 1, the tilt angle θ can be secured so that the cigarette is not bent or damaged. For example, the holder 1 may be tilted at an angle greater than or equal to a minimum angle at which the entire cigarette insertion hole included in the distal end 141 is exposed to the outside. For example, the range of the tilt angle θ may be greater than 0° and less than or equal to 180°, and preferably may be greater than or equal to 5° and less than or equal to 90°. More preferably, the range of the tilt angle θ is 5° or more and 20° or less, 5° or more and 30° or less, 5° or more and 40° or less, 5° or more and 50° or less, or 5° or more and 60° or less. can More preferably, the tilt angle θ may be 10°.

Further, even when the holder 1 is tilted, the terminal of the holder 1 and the terminal of the cradle 2 are coupled to each other. Accordingly, the heater 130 of the holder 1 may be heated by the power supplied by the battery 210 of the cradle 2 . Accordingly, even when the remaining amount of the battery 110 of the holder 1 is small or no, the holder 1 may generate an aerosol using the battery 210 of the cradle 2 .

6 shows an example in which the holder 1 includes one fastening member 182 and the cradle 2 includes two fastening members 273 and 274 . For example, a position of each of the binding members 182 , 273 , 274 is the same as described above with reference to FIG. 5 . If it is assumed that the binding members 182 , 273 , and 274 are magnets, the magnetic strength of the binding member 274 may be greater than that of the binding member 273 . Accordingly, even if the holder 1 is tilted, the holder 1 may not be completely separated from the cradle 2 by the binding member 182 and the binding member 274 .

In addition, when it is determined that the holder 1 is tilted by the terminals and/or the binding members 182 , 273 , and 274 , the controller 220 uses the power of the battery 210 to control the heater of the holder 1 . The 130 may be heated or the battery 110 may be charged.

7 is a view showing a block diagram of an example of an aerosol generating device according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7 , it can be seen that the aerosol generating device 1 according to the present invention includes a current receiving unit 710 , a frequency characteristic determining unit 730 , and a current blocking unit 750 . In addition, although omitted in FIG. 7, the aerosol generating device 1 according to the present invention may include other configurations of the aerosol generating device 1 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 . According to an embodiment, the current receiving unit 710 , the frequency characteristic determining unit 730 , and the current blocking unit 750 may be included in one system module and included in the aerosol generating device 1 .

The current receiving unit 710 receives the current supplied to the heater of the aerosol generating device in a pulse width modulation method. As an example of the current supplied by the pulse width modulation (Pulse Width Modulation) method, by arranging at least one switch between the battery and the heater, and flexibly controlling the on/off of the switch according to the passage of time, output from the battery The resulting current may be supplied to the heater in a pulse width modulation manner.

The frequency characteristic determiner 730 determines the frequency of the current received by the current receiver 710 and determines whether the frequency characteristic of the detected frequency matches a preset reference frequency characteristic. The frequency characteristic determiner 730 determines whether the frequency characteristic of the identified frequency meets the preset reference frequency characteristic, when a problem occurs in the element of the heater control switch, DC power is continuously input to the heater and the heater This is because it is fatal to the entire device, including The frequency characteristic determiner 730 grasps the frequency of the current, and if DC power is being input to the heater or AC power is input, if it is input with a frequency out of the normal frequency range, it is transmitted to the current cutoff unit 750 . perform the function The reference frequency characteristic is information previously stored in the frequency characteristic determining unit 730 in order to perform the above function, and refers to information on a frequency range that adversely affects a circuit.

The current blocking unit 750 supplies current to the heater when the frequency characteristic determined by the frequency characteristic determining unit 730 matches the reference frequency characteristic, and the magnitude of the current received by the current receiving unit 710 is smaller than a preset size. to block At this time, the preset magnitude to be compared with the magnitude of the received current is information previously stored in the current receiver 710 .

In general, in order to prevent damage to the aerosol generator and over-discharge of the battery, which occurs when the temperature inside the aerosol generator is not properly controlled, the battery protection circuit uses a method of limiting the amount of current supplied to the heater. However, in spite of the occurrence of a problem in the frequency characteristic of the current, when the magnitude of the current is still smaller than the limiting current value, the main controller of the aerosol generating device has a limit in that it cannot detect the malfunction of the device.

According to the present invention, by first analyzing the frequency characteristic and secondarily blocking the current supply to the heater when the magnitude of the received current is smaller than the preset magnitude, the magnitude of the current is smaller than the limit value, so that the conventional The technology makes it possible to detect a malfunction of a circuit even when the malfunction is not detected.

As an optional embodiment, the current supplied to the heater in a pulse width modulation method is a current controlled by the opening and closing of the first switch located between the main controller (control unit) that controls the current supplied to the heater from the battery and the battery, The current blocking unit 750 may open a second switch located between the heater and the first switch to block the current supply to the heater.

8 is a diagram of an example of a circuit for blocking current supply to a heater through control of a first switch and a second switch.

Since the circuit shown in FIG. 8 is included in the current receiving unit 710, the frequency characteristic determining unit 730, and the current blocking unit 750 described in FIG. 7, hereinafter, it will be described with reference to FIG. 7, and FIG. A description that overlaps with the description will be omitted.

The battery 810 provides power to the heater 850 by supplying current to the heater 850 .

The MCU 820 is a microcontroller unit and performs a function of appropriately controlling the power supplied to the heater 850 .

The frequency-to-voltage converter 830 senses the frequency of the current output from the battery, converts the frequency of the sensed current into a voltage and outputs the function, and the output voltage is directly applied to the opening/closing operation of the second switch 870 . to affect

The Schmitt trigger 840 limits the magnitude range of the voltage output from the frequency voltage converter 830 to a certain range, so that the second switch 870 can be opened and closed accurately. The Schmitt trigger 840 may be omitted according to an embodiment.

The heater 850 receives current in a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) method according to the operating characteristics of the battery 810, MCU 820, first switch 860, and second switch 870 and heats the aerosol generating substrate. to generate an aerosol.

The first switch 860 receives the control of the MCU 820 so that the current is supplied to the heater 850 in a pulp width control method while repeating the opening/closing operation. When the first switch 860 fails or the MCU 820 for controlling the first switch 860 fails, DC power or AC power causing overheating of the heater 850 may be input to the heater 850 . there is.

The second switch 870 is opened and closed according to a value output from the frequency voltage converter 830 . According to the coupling characteristics of the frequency voltage converter 830 and the Schmitt trigger 840, the normal second switch 870 causes power to be supplied to the heater 850 in a closed state, which causes overheating of the heater 850. When power starts to be input, it is opened by the output of the frequency voltage converter 830 and the power supplied to the heater 850 is cut off. This switching characteristic is due to the functional characteristics of the frequency voltage converter 830 and the Schmitt trigger 840, and there is an advantage that a separate main controller for controlling the opening and closing operation of the second switch 870 is not required.

9 is a view showing a flowchart of an example of a method for preventing abnormal operation of an aerosol generating device according to the present invention.

Since FIG. 9 may be implemented by the apparatus (system) according to FIG. 7 , the description will be given below with reference to FIG. 7 , and a description duplicated with that described in FIG. 7 will be omitted.

The current receiver 710 receives the current supplied to the heater (S910).

The frequency characteristic determiner 730 determines the frequency of the reception current and determines whether the frequency characteristic is met (S930).

The frequency characteristic determining unit 730 primarily determines whether the frequency of the reception current meets the reference frequency characteristic (S950).

When the frequency of the reception current matches the reference frequency characteristic, the frequency characteristic determiner 730 determines whether the magnitude of the reception current is smaller than the reference magnitude (S970).

The current blocking unit 750 cuts off the supply of current to the heater when the magnitude of the received current is smaller than the reference magnitude in step S970 (S990).

A person of ordinary skill in the art related to this embodiment will understand that it can be implemented in a modified form within a range that does not deviate from the essential characteristics of the above description. Therefore, the disclosed methods are to be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the present invention is indicated in the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the present invention.

Claims (6)

As a method for preventing abnormal operation of an aerosol generating device,
A current receiving step of receiving a current supplied to the heater of the aerosol generating device in a pulse width modulation method;
a frequency characteristic finding step of determining the frequency of the received current and determining whether the frequency characteristic of the identified frequency matches a preset reference frequency characteristic; and
When the frequency characteristic of the identified frequency matches the reference frequency characteristic and the magnitude of the received current is smaller than a preset magnitude, the abnormality of the aerosol generating device comprising a current blocking step of cutting off the current supply to the heater How to prevent motion. According to claim 1,
The current supplied by the pulse width modulation method is,
A current controlled by opening and closing of a first switch located between a control unit for controlling the current supplied to the heater from the battery and the battery,
The current cut-off step is
A method for preventing abnormal operation of an aerosol generating device, characterized in that by opening a second switch located between the heater and the first switch to cut off the current supply to the heater. According to claim 1,
The frequency characteristic identification step is,
Identify the frequency of the received current through a frequency to voltage converter (Frequency to Voltage Converter),
The current cut-off step is
Abnormal operation prevention method of the aerosol generating device, characterized in that cut off the current supply to the heater based on the frequency voltage converter and Schmitt trigger circuit. As a system for preventing abnormal operation of an aerosol generating device,
a current receiving unit for receiving a current supplied to the heater of the aerosol generating device in a pulse width modulation method;
a frequency characteristic determiner for determining a frequency of the received current and determining whether a frequency characteristic of the identified frequency matches a preset reference frequency characteristic; and
Abnormal operation of the aerosol generating device including a current cut-off unit for blocking the current supply to the heater when the frequency characteristic of the identified frequency matches the reference frequency characteristic and the magnitude of the received current is smaller than a preset magnitude prevention system. 5. The method of claim 4,
The current supplied by the pulse width modulation method is,
A current controlled by opening and closing of a first switch located between a control unit for controlling the current supplied to the heater from the battery and the battery,
The current cut-off unit,
Abnormal operation prevention system of an aerosol generating device, characterized in that by opening a second switch located between the heater and the first switch to cut off the current supply to the heater. 5. The method of claim 4,
The frequency characteristic finding unit,
Identify the frequency of the received current through a frequency to voltage converter (Frequency to Voltage Converter),
The current cut-off unit,
Abnormal operation prevention system of the aerosol generating device, characterized in that cut off the current supply to the heater based on the frequency voltage converter and Schmitt trigger circuit.

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