KR20200004692A - Method for preventing anomaly of aerosol generating device and system thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for preventing an abnormal operation of an aerosol generator is disclosed. The method of the present invention comprises: a current receiving step for receiving a current that is supplied to a heater of the aerosol generator in a pulse width modulation method; a frequency characteristic checking step for checking a frequency of the received current and checking whether a frequency characteristic of the checked frequency corresponds to a predetermined frequency characteristic reference; and a current blocking step for blocking current supply to the heater, when the frequency characteristic of the checked frequency corresponds to the predetermined frequency characteristic reference, and a size of the received current is smaller than a predetermined size.

Description

Method for preventing anomaly of aerosol generating device and system

The present invention relates to a method and a system for preventing abnormal operation of the aerosol-generating device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and a system for preventing an overheating phenomenon caused by excessive power supply to a heater of the aerosol-generating device. It is about.

In recent years there is a growing demand for alternative ways to overcome the shortcomings of common cigarettes. For example, there is an increasing demand for how aerosols are produced as the aerosol generating material in the cigarette is heated, rather than burning the cigarette to produce aerosols. Accordingly, studies on heated cigarette or heated aerosol generating devices are actively progressing.

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

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention, when the power is supplied to the heater of the aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device can protect the aerosol generating device, if the abnormality does not occur smoothly the temperature control of the heater due to the problem of the main controller A method and a system for implementing the method are provided.

Method according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the technical problem, a method for preventing abnormal operation of the aerosol generating device, the current receiving step of receiving a current supplied in the pulse width modulation method to the heater of the aerosol generating device; A frequency characteristic grasping step of grasping the frequency of the received current and determining whether the frequency characteristic of the identified frequency matches a predetermined reference frequency characteristic; And a current blocking step of interrupting 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 predetermined magnitude.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for preventing an abnormal operation of an aerosol generating device, comprising: a current receiving unit receiving a current supplied in a pulse width modulation method to a heater of the aerosol generating device; A frequency characteristic grasp unit which grasps the frequency of the received current and determines whether or not the frequency characteristic of the identified frequency matches a predetermined reference frequency characteristic; And a current blocking unit for interrupting current supply to the heater when the identified frequency characteristic matches the reference frequency characteristic and the received current is smaller than a predetermined size.

According to the present invention, even when the main controller included in the aerosol generating device is broken and the temperature control of the heater is not properly performed, 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 characteristics, and when the magnitude of the second received current is smaller than the predetermined size by cutting off the current supply to the heater, the magnitude of the current received in the heater is Since it is smaller than the limit value, the malfunction of the device can be detected even in a situation where malfunctions are not detected by the conventional technology.

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

The terminology used in the embodiments is a general term that has been widely used as much as possible in consideration of the functions of the present invention, but may vary according to the intention or precedent of a person skilled in the art, the emergence of new technology, and the like. In addition, in certain cases, there is also a term arbitrarily selected by the applicant, in which case the meaning will be described in detail in the description of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the contents throughout the present invention, rather than the names of the simple terms.

When a part of the specification is said to "include" any component, this means that it may further include other components, except to exclude other components unless otherwise stated. In addition, as described in the specification Wealth ”,“… Module ”means a unit for processing at least one function or operation, which may be implemented in hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings will be described embodiments of the present invention;

1 is a configuration diagram showing 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 controller 120, and a heater 130. In addition, the holder 1 includes an inner space formed by the case 140. A cigarette may be inserted into the inner space of the holder 1.

The holder 1 shown in FIG. 1 shows only the components related to the present embodiment. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the general purpose components other than the components 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 aerosol generating material in the cigarette is raised in temperature by the heated heater 130, thereby producing an aerosol. The resulting 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, in order to clean 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 a cigarette into the holder 1 to inhale the aerosol. On the other hand, 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 is inserted into the holder (1) Can serve as a guide to cigarettes.

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

The battery 110 may be a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO 4) battery, but is not limited to the example described above. For example, the battery 110 may correspond to a lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO 2) battery, a lithium titanate battery, or the like.

Whether the battery 110 is fully charged or completely discharged may be determined by how much the power stored in the battery 110 is compared with 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. In addition, 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 or completely 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 interior of 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. In addition, 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 part may be a part where 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-mentioned first portion and the above-mentioned second portion may be heated to different temperatures from each other.

The heater 130 may be an electric resistance heater. For example, the heater 130 may be fabricated 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.

Holder 1 may be provided with a separate temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor may not be provided in the holder 1, and the heater 130 may serve as the temperature sensor. Alternatively, the heater 130 of the holder 1 may serve as a temperature sensor, and at the same time, a separate temperature sensor may be further included in the holder 1. In order for the heater 130 to function as a temperature sensor, the heater 130 may include at least one electrically conductive track for heat generation and temperature sensing. In addition, the heater 130 may separately 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 a current resistance value of the electrically conductive track, R ₀ denotes a resistance value at a temperature T ₀ (eg, 0 ° C.), and α denotes a resistance temperature coefficient of the electrically conductive track. it means. The conductive material (eg metal) has a unique resistance temperature coefficient, so 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 comprises an electrically resistive material. As one example, the electrically conductive track can be made of a metallic material. As another example, the electrically conductive track can be made of an electrically conductive ceramic material, carbon, a metal alloy or a composite of ceramic material and metal.

In addition, the holder 1 may include both an electrically conductive track and a temperature sensing sensor which serve as a temperature sensing sensor.

The controller 120 controls the overall operation of the holder 1. Specifically, the controller 120 controls the operation of not only the battery 110 and the heater 130, but also other components included in the holder 1. In addition, the controller 120 may determine whether the holder 1 is in an operable state by checking a 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 multiple logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program that may be executed on the microprocessor. In addition, it can be understood by those skilled in the art that the present embodiment may be implemented in other forms 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 at which power is supplied so that the heater 130 may be heated to a predetermined temperature or maintain an appropriate temperature. In addition, the controller 120 may check the state of the battery 110 (for example, the remaining amount of the battery 110) and generate a notification signal if necessary.

In addition, the controller 120 may check the presence or absence of the puff and the strength of the puff, and count the number of puffs. In addition, the controller 120 may continuously check the time that the holder 1 is operating. In addition, the controller 120 determines whether the cradle 2 to be described later is coupled with the holder 1, and controls the operation of the holder 1 according to the coupling or detachment of the cradle 2 and the holder 1. Can be.

Meanwhile, the holder 1 may further include general 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 a display is included in the holder 1, the controller 120 may display information about the state of the holder 1 (for example, whether the holder may be used), a heater (eg, a user) through the display. Information on the battery 110 (eg, preheating start, preheating progress, preheating completion, etc.), information related to the battery 110 (eg, remaining capacity of the battery 110, availability, etc.), holder 1 Information related to the resetting of the holder (for example, reset timing, reset progress, reset completion, etc.), information related to cleaning of the holder 1 (for example, cleaning timing, cleaning necessity, cleaning progress, cleaning completion, etc.), Information related to the charging of the holder 1 (e.g., charging required, charging progressed, charging completed, etc.), information related to the puff (e.g., puff count, puff end notice, etc.) or safety related information (e.g. For example, the use time elapsed) can be delivered. As another example, when a motor is included in the holder 1, the controller 120 may generate the vibration signal using the motor, thereby transferring the above-described information to the user.

In addition, the holder 1 may comprise a terminal coupled with at least one input device (eg a button) and / or the cradle 2 through which the user can control the function of the holder 1. For example, the user can 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 (for example, once, twice, etc.) or the time for holding the input device (for example, 0.1 seconds, 0.2 seconds, etc.) You can execute any of these functions. 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 a space where a cigarette is inserted, and a holder 1 of the holder 1. A function of checking whether it is in an operable state, a function of displaying a residual amount (available power) of the battery 110, a reset function of the holder 1, and the like may be performed. However, the function of the holder 1 is not limited to the examples described above.

For example, the holder 1 may clean the space where the cigarette is inserted by controlling the heater 130 as follows. For example, the holder 1 can clean the space where 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 the space where the cigarette is inserted. For example, the holder 1 may heat the heater 130 to the highest of 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 time period. Here, the predetermined time period means a time period sufficient to clean the space where the cigarette is inserted. For example, the holder 1 may maintain the temperature of the heated heater 130 for an appropriate time of 10 seconds to 10 minutes, but is not limited thereto. Preferably, the holder 1 may maintain the temperature of the heated heater 130 for a suitable time period selected within the range of 20 seconds to 1 minute. Also, preferably, the holder 1 may maintain the temperature of the heated heater 130 for a suitable time period selected within the range of 20 seconds to 1 minute 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 time period, the surface of the heater 130 and / or the space into which the cigarette is inserted The effect of cleaning may be generated by volatilization of the material deposited on the substrate.

In addition, the holder 1 may comprise a puff sensor, a temperature sensor and / or a cigarette insertion sensor. For example, the puff sensor may be implemented by a general pressure sensor. Alternatively, the holder 1 may detect a puff by a change in resistance of an electrically conductive track included in the heater 130 without a separate puff detection sensor. The electrically conductive track here comprises 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 detecting sensor separately from detecting the puff using an electrically conductive track included in the heater 130.

The cigarette insertion sensor may be implemented by a general capacitive sensor or a resistance sensor. In addition, the holder 1 may be manufactured in a structure in which external air may be introduced / exhausted even when a cigarette is inserted.

2 is a diagram illustrating 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 end 141 of the case 140. In addition, the holder 1 may include a button 150 that allows a user to control the holder 1. In addition, if necessary, the holder 1 may further include a display on which an image is output.

3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cradle.

Referring to FIG. 3, the cradle 2 includes a battery 210 and a controller 220. The cradle 2 also includes an interior 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, the holder 1 may be inserted into and fixed to the cradle 2 even if the cradle 2 does not include a separate lid. 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.

The cradle 2 shown in FIG. 3 shows only the components related to the present embodiment. Accordingly, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the general purpose components other than the components illustrated in FIG. 3 may be further included in the cradle 2.

The battery 210 supplies the power used to operate the cradle 2. In addition, the battery 210 may supply power for charging the battery 110 of the holder 1. For example, when the holder 1 is inserted into the cradle 2 so that 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 a battery of the cradle 2 ( The operation may be performed by using the power supplied by the 210.

For example, the battery 210 may be a lithium ion battery, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the capacity of the battery 210 may be larger than that of the battery 110.

The controller 220 generally controls the operation of the cradle 2. The controller 220 may control the operation of all the 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 detachment of the cradle 2 and the holder 1.

For example, when the holder 1 and the cradle 2 are coupled, the controller 220 supplies power of the battery 210 to the holder 1 to charge the battery 110 or to heat the heater 130. You can. Therefore, 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 multiple logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program that may be executed on the microprocessor. In addition, it can be understood by those skilled in the art that the present embodiment may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

Meanwhile, the cradle 2 may further include general 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, if the cradle 2 includes a display, the controller 220 generates a signal to be displayed on the display, thereby providing the user with a battery 210 (eg, remaining capacity of the battery 210, available for use). Information related to whether the cradle 2 is reset (e.g., reset timing, reset progress, reset completion, etc.), cleaning of the holder 1 (e.g., cleaning timing, cleaning needs, cleaning) Information related to progress, cleaning completion, etc., and information related to charging of the cradle 2 (for example, charging needs, charging progress, charging completion, etc.) may be transmitted.

In addition, the cradle 2 may include at least one input device (e.g., a button) that allows a user to control the function of the cradle 2, a terminal coupled with the holder 1, and / or a charge of the battery 210. It may include an interface for (eg, USB port, etc.).

For example, the user can 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 user presses the input device, it is possible to execute a desired function among the plurality of functions of the cradle 2. As the user operates the input device, the cradle 2 has the function of preheating the heater 130 of the holder 1, the function of adjusting the temperature of the heater 130 of the holder 1, within the holder 1. A function of cleaning the space where the cigarette is inserted, a function of checking whether the cradle 2 is in an operable state, a function of displaying the remaining amount (power available) of the battery 210 of the cradle 2, and a reset of the cradle 2 Functions and the like can be performed. However, the function of the cradle 2 is not limited to the examples described above.

4A and 4B show examples of cradles.

4A shows an example of a cradle 2 without a lid. For example, there may be a space 230 in which the holder 1 may be inserted at one side of the cradle 2. Even if the cradle 2 does not include a separate securing means such as a lid, the holder 1 can be inserted into and secured to the cradle 2. In addition, the cradle 2 may include a button 240 that allows a user to control the cradle 2. In addition, if necessary, the cradle 2 may further include a display on which an image is output.

4b shows an example of a cradle 2 with a lid. For example, the holder 1 may be inserted into the interior 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 diagram illustrating an example in which a holder is inserted into a cradle.

Referring to FIG. 5, an example in which the holder 1 is inserted into the cradle 2 is illustrated. Since the space 230 in which the holder 1 is to be inserted is present at 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. Thus, the cradle 2 may not include another configuration (eg a lid) for not exposing the holder 1 to the outside.

The cradle 2 may include at least one fastening member 271, 272 to increase the fastening strength with the holder 1. In addition, the holder 1 may also include at least one binding member 181. Here, the binding members 181, 271, and 272 may be magnets, but are not limited thereto. In FIG. 5, for convenience of description, although the holder 1 includes one fastening member 181 and the cradle 2 includes two fastening members 271 and 272, the fastening member The number of (181, 271, 272) is not limited to this.

The holder 1 may include a binding member 181 in a first position, and the cradle 2 may include binding members 271 and 272 in a second position and a third position, 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 fastening members 181, 271, 272 are included in the holder 1 and the cradle 2, even if the holder 1 is inserted into one side of the cradle 2, the holder 1 and the cradle 2 are secured. The binding can be stronger. In other words, as the holder 1 and the cradle 2 further include the fastening members 181, 271, and 272 in addition to the terminals, the holder 1 and the cradle 2 may be more strongly bound. Thus, even if the cradle 2 does not have a separate configuration (eg a lid), 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 uses the power of the battery 210 to control the holder. The battery 110 of (1) can be charged.

6 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the holder is tilted in a state where the holder is inserted into the cradle.

Referring to FIG. 6, the holder 1 is tilted inside the cradle 2. Here, tilt means that the holder 1 is inclined at an angle with the holder 1 inserted in 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, no cigarette can be inserted into the holder 1. Thus, the user cannot smoke while the holder 1 is fully inserted into the cradle 2.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the holder 1 is tilted, the end 141 of the holder 1 is exposed to the outside. Accordingly, the user may insert a cigarette into the end 141 and inhale (smoke) the generated aerosol. The tilt angle [theta] can be secured at a sufficient angle so that when the cigarette is inserted into the distal end 141 of the holder 1, the cigarette is not bent or damaged. For example, the holder 1 may be tilted at a minimum angle greater than or greater than 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 180 °, and preferably, greater than or equal to 5 ° and less than or equal to 90 °. More preferably, the tilt angle θ is in a range of 5 ° to 20 °, 5 ° to 30 °, 5 ° to 40 °, 5 ° to 50 °, or 5 ° to 60 °. Can be. More preferably, the tilt angle θ can be 10 degrees.

In addition, 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. Thus, even when the remaining amount of battery 110 in holder 1 is low or absent, holder 1 may generate aerosol using battery 210 of cradle 2.

6 shows an example in which the holder 1 comprises one fastening member 182 and the cradle 2 includes two fastening members 273, 274. For example, the positions of each of the binding members 182, 273, and 274 are as described above with reference to FIG. 5. If the binding members 182, 273, and 274 are magnets, the magnet strength of the binding member 274 may be greater than the magnet strength of the binding member 273. Therefore, even when the holder 1 is tilted, by the binding member 182 and the binding member 274, the holder 1 may not be completely separated from the cradle 2.

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 heat the heater of the holder 1. The 130 may be heated or the battery 110 may be charged.

7 is 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 detecting unit 730, and a current blocking unit 750. In addition, although omitted in FIG. 7, it is apparent that the aerosol generating device 1 according to the present invention may include another configuration of the aerosol generating device 1 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. According to an embodiment, the current receiver 710, the frequency characteristic detector 730, and the current cut-off unit 750 may be included in one system module and included in the aerosol generating device 1.

The current receiver 710 receives a 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 method, at least one switch is disposed between the battery and the heater, and the switch is turned on and off over time to flexibly control the output from the battery. The current to be supplied can be supplied to the heater in a pulse width modulation manner.

The frequency characteristic detecting unit 730 grasps the frequency of the current received by the current receiver 710, and determines whether the frequency characteristic of the identified frequency matches the predetermined reference frequency characteristic. The frequency characteristic detecting unit 730 is to determine whether the frequency characteristics of the identified frequency conforms to the predetermined reference frequency characteristics, the DC power is continuously input to the heater when a problem occurs in the element of the heater control switch This is because it is fatal to the whole device including the. The frequency characteristic detecting unit 730 grasps the frequency of the current, and if the DC power is input to the heater or the AC power is input at a frequency outside the normal frequency range even if the AC power is input, it is transferred to the current blocking unit 750. It performs the function. The reference frequency characteristic is information stored in advance in the frequency characteristic detecting unit 730 in order to perform the above function, and means information about a frequency range that adversely affects the circuit.

The current blocking unit 750 supplies a current to the heater when the frequency characteristic determined by the frequency characteristic detecting unit 730 matches the reference frequency characteristic, and the magnitude of the current received by the current receiving unit 710 is smaller than a predetermined size. To block. In this case, the predetermined size 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 battery overdischarge caused by poor temperature control inside the aerosol generator, a method of limiting the amount of current supplied to the heater in the battery protection circuit is used. However, in spite of a problem in the frequency characteristics of the current, when the current is still smaller than the limit current value, the main controller of the aerosol generating device has a limitation in that it cannot detect a malfunction of the device.

According to the present invention, by first analyzing the frequency characteristics, and when the magnitude of the second received current is smaller than the predetermined magnitude, by cutting off the current supply to the heater, the magnitude of the current is smaller than the limit value, Technology can detect malfunctions in circuits even when malfunctions are not detected.

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

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

The circuit illustrated in FIG. 8 is included in the current receiver 710, the frequency characteristic detecting unit 730, and the current blocking unit 750 described with reference to FIG. 7, which will be described below with reference to FIG. 7. The description overlapping with the description in will be omitted.

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

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

The frequency voltage converter 830 detects the frequency of the current output from the battery, converts the frequency of the detected current into a voltage, and outputs the voltage. The output voltage is directly connected to the opening and closing operation of the second switch 870. Affects.

The Schmitt trigger 840 limits the size range of the voltage output from the frequency voltage converter 830 to a predetermined range, so that the second switch 870 can be opened and closed correctly. The schmitt trigger 840 may be omitted in some embodiments.

The heater 850 is supplied with a current in a pulse width modulation (PWM) method and heats the aerosol generating substrate according to the operating characteristics of the battery 810, the MCU 820, the first switch 860, and the second switch 870. To produce an aerosol.

The first switch 860 is controlled by the MCU 820 to allow the current to be supplied to the heater 850 in a pulp width control method while repeating the opening and closing operation. When the first switch 860 is broken or the MCU 820 controlling the first switch 860 is broken, DC power or AC power that causes overheating of the heater 850 may be input to the heater 850. have.

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 is to supply power to the heater 850 in a closed state, causing the heater 850 to overheat. When the power starts to be input, it is opened by the output of the frequency voltage converter 830 to cut off the power supplied to the heater 850. This switching characteristic is due to the functional characteristics of the frequency voltage converter 830 and the Schmitt trigger 840, there is an advantage that the main controller for controlling the opening and closing operation of the second switch 870 is not required separately.

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

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

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

The frequency characteristic grasping unit 730 grasps the frequency of the reception current, and determines whether the frequency characteristic satisfies the reference frequency characteristic (S930).

The frequency characteristic detecting unit 730 primarily determines whether the frequency of the reception current corresponds to the reference frequency characteristic (S950).

When the frequency of the reception current corresponds to the reference frequency characteristic, the frequency characteristic detecting unit 730 determines whether the magnitude of the reception current is smaller than the reference size (S970).

If the magnitude of the received current is smaller than the reference size in step S970, the current blocking unit 750 blocks the supply of current to the heater (S990).

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be embodied in a modified form without departing from the essential characteristics of the above-described substrate. Therefore, the disclosed methods should be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The scope of the present invention is shown in the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the present invention.

Claims (6)

As a method of preventing abnormal operation of the 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;
A frequency characteristic grasping step of grasping the frequency of the received current and determining whether the frequency characteristic of the identified frequency matches a predetermined reference frequency characteristic; And
Abnormality of the aerosol generating device comprising a current blocking step of interrupting supply of current to the heater when the frequency characteristic of the identified frequency matches the reference frequency characteristic and the received current is smaller than a predetermined size. How to prevent behavior. The method of claim 1,
The current supplied by the pulse width modulation method,
It is a current controlled by the opening and closing of the first switch located between the control unit and the battery for controlling the current supplied from the battery to the heater,
The current blocking step,
And preventing a current supply to the heater by opening a second switch located between the heater and the first switch. The method of claim 1,
The frequency characteristic identification step,
The frequency of the received current is determined through a frequency to voltage converter,
The current blocking step,
The method of preventing abnormal operation of the aerosol generating device, characterized in that for interrupting the current supply to the heater based on the frequency voltage converter and the Schmitt trigger circuit. As an abnormal operation prevention system of the aerosol generating device,
A current receiver configured to receive a current supplied to a heater of the aerosol generating device by a pulse width modulation method;
A frequency characteristic detection unit for grasping the frequency of the received current and determining whether the frequency characteristic of the identified frequency matches a predetermined reference frequency characteristic; And
Abnormal operation of the aerosol-generating device including a current cut-off unit which cuts off 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 predetermined size. Prevention system. The method of claim 4, wherein
The current supplied by the pulse width modulation method,
It is a current controlled by the opening and closing of the first switch located between the control unit and the battery for controlling the current supplied from the battery to the heater,
The current blocking unit,
System for preventing abnormal operation of the aerosol generating device, characterized in that for opening the second switch located between the heater and the first switch to cut off the current supply to the heater. The method of claim 4, wherein
The frequency characteristic detection unit,
The frequency of the received current is determined through a frequency to voltage converter,
The current blocking unit,
The abnormal operation prevention system of the aerosol-generating device, characterized in that to cut off the current supply to the heater based on the frequency voltage converter and the Schmitt trigger circuit.

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