KR20240108193A - Case for aerosol generating device and aerosol generating system including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The case for the aerosol generating device is detachably coupled to one area of the aerosol generating device, is disposed inside the main body and the main body arranged to surround one area of the aerosol generating device, and receives power from an external device or receives power from an external device. When combining a wireless charging coil for transmitting and an aerosol generating device with a case for the aerosol generating device, it is disposed in an area of the main body in contact with an area of the aerosol generating device, and electrically connects the aerosol generating device and the wireless charging coil. It may include an electrical connection member.

Description

Case for aerosol generating device and aerosol generating system including the same {Case for aerosol generating device and aerosol generating system including the same}

Embodiments relate to a case for an aerosol generating device that enables wireless charging of a battery of the aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system including the same.

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods to overcome the disadvantages of regular cigarettes. For example, there is an increasing demand for a system that generates an aerosol by heating a cigarette or an aerosol-generating material using an aerosol generating device, rather than generating an aerosol by burning a cigarette. Accordingly, research on heated aerosol generating devices is actively underway.

Since the aerosol generating device uses power supplied from a battery to heat a cigarette or an aerosol generating material, charging the battery is essential for repeated use of the aerosol generating device.

Previously, it was common to charge the battery using a wired charging method that charged the battery of the aerosol generating device by connecting the aerosol generating device and an external power source through a connector. However, recently, to improve user convenience, the battery of the aerosol generating device has been recharged. Research into wireless charging is gradually increasing.

Wireless charging can be largely implemented using magnetic induction or magnetic resonance. In order to implement wireless charging in an aerosol generating device, components for wireless charging, such as coils and wireless charging circuits, are added. is required.

However, due to the nature of the aerosol generating device, a heater to heat the cigarette or aerosol generating product must be placed inside the aerosol generating device, and as a result, the components for wireless charging may malfunction or be damaged due to the heat generated from the heater. This can make it difficult to add components for wireless charging to an aerosol generating device.

In addition, in order to prevent malfunction or damage due to heat generated from the heater and to add components for wireless charging, the size of the aerosol generating device must increase, which inevitably reduces the user's portability. There is a need for a new method to implement wireless charging.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a case for an aerosol generating device that is detachably coupled to the aerosol generating device to enable wireless charging of the battery of the aerosol generating device, thereby wirelessly charging the aerosol generating device without increasing the size of the aerosol generating device. We want to implement .

The problems to be solved through the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and the problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the present specification and the attached drawings. It could be.

The case for the aerosol generating device according to one embodiment is detachably coupled to one area of the aerosol generating device, has a main body disposed to surround one area of the aerosol generating device, is disposed inside the main body, and receives power from an external device. When the wireless charging coil for receiving or transmitting power to an external device is combined with the aerosol generating device and the case for the aerosol generating device, it is disposed on an area of the main body in contact with an area of the aerosol generating device, wherein the aerosol generating device and the wireless It may include an electrical connection member that electrically connects the charging coil.

An aerosol generating system according to another embodiment includes an aerosol generating device disposed within the housing, a heater for heating the aerosol generating material, a battery for supplying power to the heater, and a processor; and a case for the aerosol generating device, which is detachably coupled to the aerosol generating device to protect at least one area of the aerosol generating device, wherein the case for the aerosol generating device is detachably coupled to the first region of the housing, A combination of a main body disposed to surround the first area of the housing, a wireless charging coil disposed inside the main body for receiving power from an external charging device or transmitting power to an external device, and an aerosol generating device and a case for the aerosol generating device. When placed in the second area of the main body facing the first area of the housing, it may include an electrical connection member that electrically connects the aerosol generating device and the wireless charging coil.

A case for an aerosol generating device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may enable wireless charging of a battery of the aerosol generating device while protecting the aerosol generating device.

Additionally, the case for the aerosol generating device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure can improve user convenience by implementing wireless charging of the battery without increasing the size of the aerosol generating device.

The effects of the embodiments are not limited to the effects described above, and effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from this specification and the attached drawings.

1 is a perspective view showing an aerosol generating system and an external charging device according to an embodiment.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the aerosol generating device and the case separated according to one embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the aerosol generating device and case shown in FIG. 2 when viewed from another direction.
Figure 4 is a block diagram briefly showing components of an aerosol generation system according to one embodiment.
Figure 5 is a block diagram briefly showing components of an aerosol generating system according to another embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation for charging the battery of an aerosol generating device using a wireless charging method of the aerosol generating system according to an embodiment.
Figure 7 is a flowchart for explaining an operation for charging the battery of an aerosol generating device using a wireless charging method of an aerosol generating system according to another embodiment.
Figure 8 is a perspective view showing an aerosol generating system and an external electronic device according to an embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation for charging power of an external electronic device using a wireless charging method of an aerosol generating system according to an embodiment.
Figure 10 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

The terms used in the embodiments are general terms that are currently widely used as much as possible while considering the function in the present invention, but this may vary depending on the intention or precedent of a person working in the art, the emergence of new technology, etc. In addition, in certain cases, there are terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning will be described in detail in the description of the relevant invention. Therefore, the terms 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 simply the name of the term.

When it is said that a part "includes" a certain element throughout the specification, this means that, unless specifically stated to the contrary, it does not exclude other elements but may further include other elements. Additionally, terms such as “-unit” and “-module” used in the specification refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented as hardware or software, or as a combination of hardware and software.

As used herein, when an expression such as “at least any one” precedes arranged elements, it modifies all of the arranged elements rather than each arranged element. For example, the expression “at least one of a, b, and c” should be interpreted to include a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c. do.

In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol by electrically heating a cigarette accommodated in an internal space.

The aerosol generating device may include a heater. In one embodiment, the heater may be an electrically resistive heater. For example, a heater may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater may be heated when a current flows through the electrically conductive track.

The heater may include a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element, and can heat the inside or outside of the cigarette depending on the shape of the heating element.

The cigarette may include a tobacco rod and a filter rod. Tobacco rods can be made from sheets, strands, or tobacco sheets can be made from cut fillers. Additionally, the tobacco rod may be surrounded by a heat-conducting material. For example, the heat-conducting material may be a metal foil such as aluminum foil, but is not limited thereto.

The filter rod may be a cellulose acetate filter. A filter rod may consist of at least one segment. For example, a filter rod may include a first segment that cools the aerosol and a second segment that filters certain components contained within the aerosol.

In another embodiment, an aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol using a cartridge containing an aerosol generating material.

An aerosol generating device may include a cartridge holding an aerosol generating material and a body supporting the cartridge. The cartridge may be detachably coupled to the main body, but is not limited thereto. The cartridge may be formed or assembled integrally with the main body, and may be fixed so as not to be detached by the user. The cartridge may be mounted on the main body while containing the aerosol-generating material therein. However, it is not limited to this, and an aerosol-generating material may be injected into the cartridge while the cartridge is coupled to the main body.

The cartridge may contain an aerosol-generating material in any one of various states, such as liquid state, solid state, gas state, and gel state. Aerosol-generating materials may include liquid compositions. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing tobacco-containing substances, including volatile tobacco flavor components, or may be a liquid containing non-tobacco substances.

The cartridge is operated by an electric signal or wireless signal transmitted from the main body, thereby converting the phase of the aerosol-generating material inside the cartridge into a gas phase to generate an aerosol. Aerosol may refer to a gas in a mixed state of vaporized particles generated from an aerosol-generating material and air.

In another embodiment, an aerosol generating device may heat a liquid composition to generate an aerosol, and the generated aerosol may pass through a cigarette and be delivered to a user. That is, the aerosol generated from the liquid composition can move along the airflow passage of the aerosol generating device, and the airflow passage can be configured to allow the aerosol to pass through the cigarette and be delivered to the user.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol from an aerosol generating material using an ultrasonic vibration method. At this time, the ultrasonic vibration method may refer to a method of generating an aerosol by atomizing the aerosol-generating material with ultrasonic vibration generated by a vibrator.

The aerosol generating device may include a vibrator, and may generate short-period vibration through the vibrator to atomize the aerosol-generating material. The vibration generated from the vibrator may be ultrasonic vibration, and the frequency band of the ultrasonic vibration may be from about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz, but is not limited thereto.

The aerosol generating device may further include a wick that absorbs the aerosol generating material. For example, the wick may be arranged to surround at least one area of the vibrator or may be arranged to contact at least one area of the vibrator.

As a voltage (e.g., alternating voltage) is applied to the vibrator, heat and/or ultrasonic vibration may be generated from the vibrator, and the heat and/or ultrasonic vibration generated from the vibrator may be transmitted to the aerosol-generating material absorbed by the wick. . The aerosol-generating material absorbed into the wick may be converted into a gas phase by heat and/or ultrasonic vibration transmitted from the vibrator, and as a result, an aerosol may be generated.

For example, the viscosity of the aerosol-generating material absorbed into the wick may be lowered by the heat generated from the vibrator, and the aerosol-generating material with the lowered viscosity due to ultrasonic vibration generated from the vibrator may be converted into fine particles, thereby generating an aerosol. , but is not limited to this.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating article contained in the aerosol generating device by induction heating.

The aerosol generating device may include a susceptor and a coil. In one embodiment, the coil may apply a magnetic field to the susceptor. As power is supplied to the coil from the aerosol generating device, a magnetic field may be formed inside the coil. In one embodiment, the susceptor may be a magnetic material that generates heat by an external magnetic field. As the susceptor is located inside the coil and a magnetic field is applied, the aerosol-generating article may be heated by generating heat. Additionally, optionally, the susceptor may be located within the aerosol-generating article.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may further include a cradle.

The aerosol generating device can form a system with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle can charge the battery of an aerosol generating device. Alternatively, the heater may be heated while the cradle and the aerosol generating device are combined.

Below, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement them. The present disclosure may be implemented in a form that can be implemented in the aerosol generating devices of the various embodiments described above, or may be implemented in a variety of different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

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

1 is a perspective view showing an aerosol generating system and an external charging device according to an embodiment.

Referring to Figure 1, the aerosol generating system 1000 according to one embodiment includes an aerosol generating device 100 and a case 200 (or 'case for aerosol generating device') detachably coupled to the aerosol generating device 100. ) may include.

The aerosol generating device 100 may receive an aerosol-generating article (not shown) and generate an aerosol by heating the received aerosol-generating article. The aerosol generated by the aerosol generating device 100 can be supplied to the user through the user's inhalation motion (or puff motion), and the user can smoke through this process.

According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 100 includes a housing 110 that forms the overall appearance of the aerosol generating device 100 and a receiving space disposed in at least one area of the housing 110 to accommodate an aerosol generating article. It may include (110i).

Components of the aerosol generating device 100 may be disposed in the inner space of the housing 110, and the components of the aerosol generating device 100 disposed in the inner space of the housing 110 may be accommodated in the receiving space 110i. An aerosol-generating article can be heated to generate an aerosol.

For example, a heater for heating at least one area of the aerosol-generating article accommodated in the receiving space 110i, a battery for supplying power to the heater, and a processor may be disposed in the inner space of the housing 110, but the housing Components of the aerosol generating device 100 that can be disposed in the internal space of 110 are not limited to this.

As the aerosol-generating article is heated by the heater, an aerosol may be generated in the internal space of the housing 110, and the generated aerosol may be stored in the aerosol-generating article or the aerosol-generating article and the accommodating space (110i) accommodated in the receiving space (110i). It can be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 100 through the empty space between. At this time, the user can inhale the aerosol discharged from the aerosol generating device 100 by contacting the mouth with the aerosol generating article.

The case 200 is detachably coupled to one area of the aerosol generating device 100 and can protect one area of the aerosol generating device 100. For example, the case 200 is arranged to surround one area (e.g., the rear area) of the aerosol generating device 100 when combined with the aerosol generating device 100, thereby exposing one area of the aerosol generating device 100 to the outside. It can protect against impact or inflow of foreign substances, but is not limited to the embodiment shown in the position where the case 200 is coupled.

According to one embodiment, the case 200 may include at least one component for charging the battery of the aerosol generating device 100 using a wireless charging method. In the present disclosure, 'wireless charging' may refer to a charging method that can charge a power source (e.g., a battery) wirelessly without transmitting current by wire through a connector (e.g., a cable), and the corresponding expression may be used with the same meaning hereinafter.

For example, the case 200 may include a wireless charging coil for receiving power and a wireless charging circuit for converting the received power into power for charging the battery of the aerosol generating device 100. It is not limited to this. In another embodiment, the case 200 includes only a wireless charging coil, and the wireless charging circuit may be disposed inside the housing 110 of the aerosol generating device 100.

When the aerosol generating device 100 and the case 200 are combined, the wireless charging coil and/or wireless charging circuit of the case 200 may be electrically connected to the processor of the aerosol generating device 100, and the processor may be connected to the wireless charging circuit. Power may be wirelessly received from the external charging device 10 through a coil and/or wireless charging circuit, and the battery of the aerosol generating device 100 may be charged through the received power.

For example, when a magnetic field is generated in the coil 11 of the external charging device 10 adjacent to the aerosol generating system 1000, the wireless charging coil disposed inside the case 200 generates electromagnetic induction. Power can be received wirelessly, and the processor of the aerosol generating device 100 can charge the battery of the aerosol generating device 100 through the power received from the wireless charging coil.

In another example, the wireless charging coil disposed inside the case 200 may receive power with substantially the same resonance frequency from the external charging device 10, and the processor of the aerosol generating device 100 may receive power from the wireless charging coil. The battery of the aerosol generating device 100 can be charged through the received power.

When components for wirelessly charging the battery of the aerosol generating device 100 (e.g., wireless charging coil and/or wireless charging circuit) are disposed inside the aerosol generating device 100, the battery is charged by the heat generated from the heater. A situation may occur in which components for wireless charging are damaged or malfunction.

In addition, in order to prevent the components for wirelessly charging the battery from being damaged or malfunctioning due to the heat generated from the heater, when the components for wirelessly charging the battery are placed away from the heater, an aerosol generating device is installed to secure mounting space. As the overall size of 100 increases, the portability of the aerosol generating device 100 may be reduced.

The aerosol generating system 1000 according to one embodiment is configured to dispose or mount components for wirelessly charging the battery of the aerosol generating device 100 inside the case 200 coupled to the aerosol generating device 100, thereby reducing heat. Wireless charging of a battery can be implemented while preventing malfunction or damage to components for wirelessly charging a battery or an increase in the size of the aerosol generating device 100.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, we will look at the structure in which the wireless charging coil of the aerosol generating device 100 and the case 200 are electrically connected in order to wirelessly charge the battery of the aerosol generating device 100. .

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the aerosol generating device and the case shown in FIG. 2 separated from each other, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the aerosol generating device and the case shown in FIG. 2 viewed from different directions.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the aerosol generating system 1000 according to one embodiment includes an aerosol generating device 100 (e.g., the aerosol generating device 100 of FIG. 1) and a case 200 (e.g., FIG. 1 may include case 200). The components of the aerosol generating system 1000 may be the same or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating system 1000 shown in FIG. 1, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted below.

The case 200 may be detachably coupled to one area of the aerosol generating device 100 and may protect one area of the aerosol generating device 100 when combined with the aerosol generating device 100 . For example, the case 200 may be detachably coupled to the first area (or 'rear area') of the housing 110 and arranged to surround the first area of the housing 110, resulting in the housing ( The first area of 110) can be protected from external shock or inflow of foreign substances.

According to one embodiment, the case 200 may include a main body 201, a coil 210 (or 'wireless charging coil'), and an electrical connection member 220. However, the components of the case 200 are not limited to this, and depending on the embodiment, one component may be omitted or another component (eg, wireless charging circuit) may be added.

The main body 201 may form the overall appearance of the case 200 and may be arranged to surround one area of the housing 110 when the aerosol generating device 100 and the case 200 are combined. For example, when the aerosol generating device 100 and the case 200 are combined, the first region of the housing 110 is coupled to the main body 201 in an interference fit manner, so that the main body 201 is attached to the housing 110. ), but the method of coupling the aerosol generating device 100 and the case 200 is not limited to this.

The coil 210 is disposed inside the main body 201 and is electrically connected to the aerosol generating device 100 to supply power received from the outside to the battery of the aerosol generating device 100 or to the aerosol generating device 100. It can perform the role of transmitting power to the outside based on the power supplied from the battery.

In one example, the coil 210 receives power from an external charging device (e.g., the external charging device 10 of FIG. 1) or generates a magnetic field through power supplied from the battery of the aerosol generating device 100 to externally charge the device. Power can be transmitted to the device. The processor of the aerosol generating device 100 can convert the power received through the coil 210 into a designated form of power and then wirelessly charge the battery of the aerosol generating device 100 through the converted power. A detailed explanation will be provided later.

In another example, the coil 210 may operate as an antenna for transmitting and receiving signals, transmitting signals to or receiving signals from an external device. The signal received through the coil 210 may be transmitted to the processor of the aerosol generating device 100, and the processor controls the charging operation of the battery of the aerosol generating device 100 based on the signal received from the coil 210. can do. However, a detailed description of the operation of charging the battery of the processor will be provided later.

The electrical connection member 220 may be disposed in one area of the main body 201 to electrically connect the coil 210 and the processor of the aerosol generating device 100. At this time, in the present disclosure, the expression 'electrically connected' may mean a state in which an electrical circuit is formed between the components so that signals or power can be transmitted between the components, and the expression is the same hereinafter. It can be used with meaning.

For example, when the aerosol generating device 100 and the case 200 are combined, the electrical connection member 220 electrically connected to the coil 210 is a conductive pad of the aerosol generating device 100 electrically connected to the processor ( It may be arranged to contact the processor 120 , and the processor and the coil 210 may be electrically connected by contact between the conductive pad 120 and the electrical connection member 220.

According to one embodiment, the electrical connection member 220 is disposed in the second area of the main body 201 facing the first area of the housing 110 when the aerosol generating device 100 and the case 200 are combined. , may contact the conductive pad 120 disposed in the first area of the housing 110. For example, at least a portion of the electrical connection member 220 may protrude from the second area of the main body 2010 toward the first area of the housing 110, and the electrical connection member 220 may have the above-described shape. may contact the conductive pad 120 when the aerosol generating device 100 and the case 200 are combined.

The electrical connection member 220 may be disposed in an area of the main body 201 corresponding to the conductive pad 120 when the aerosol generating device 100 and the case 200 are combined, and thus may be used as a separate additional component. Even without the conductive pad 120 and the electrical connection member 220, the conductive pad 120 and the electrical connection member 220 may contact each other.

The electrical connection member 220 may include, for example, a C-clip that can contact the conductive pad 120, but the type of the electrical connection member 220 is not limited thereto. In another example, the electrical connection member 220 may include at least one of a conductive member, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), and a pogo-pin that protrudes toward the conductive pad 120.

When the aerosol generating device 100 and the case 200 are combined, the conductive pad 120 and the electrical connection member 220 come into contact, so that the processor of the aerosol generating device 100 and the coil 210 of the case 200 This can be electrically connected, and the aerosol generating system 1000 can charge the battery of the aerosol generating device 100 in a wireless charging manner through power received from an external device through the above-described electrical connection relationship.

Figure 4 is a block diagram briefly showing components of an aerosol generation system according to one embodiment. The aerosol generating system 1000 shown in FIG. 4 may be an embodiment of the aerosol generating system 1000 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and the components of the aerosol generating system 1000 are the components shown in FIG. 4. It is not limited to fields.

Referring to FIG. 4, an aerosol generating system 1000 according to an embodiment may include an aerosol generating device 100 and a case 200. The components of the aerosol generating system 1000 may be the same or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating system 1000 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted below.

According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 100 includes a processor 130, a wireless communication circuit 140, a wireless charging circuit 150, and a battery 160, and the case 200 includes the aerosol generating device 100. ) may include a coil 210 (or 'wireless charging coil') that is electrically or operatively connected to the components of.

That is, in the aerosol generating system 1000 according to one embodiment, the coil 210 for wireless communication or wireless charging is disposed in a case 200 that is physically separated from the aerosol generating device 100, so that the aerosol generating device 100 ), or wireless communication and wireless charging can be implemented while preventing the coil 210 from being damaged by a heater (not shown) of the aerosol generating device 100.

The processor 130 may be electrically connected to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 100 and the coil 210 of the case 200 to control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 100. For example, the processor 130 may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable on the microprocessor is stored, but is not limited to this.

According to one embodiment, the processor 130 is electrically connected to the wireless communication circuit 140 and the coil 210 when the aerosol generating device 100 and the case 200 are combined, and the wireless communication circuit 140 and Wireless communication with an external device can be performed through the coil 210. For example, the processor 130 may generate a signal to an external device through the wireless communication circuit 140 and then transmit the signal generated through the coil 210 to the external device. As another example, the processor 130 receives a signal transmitted from an external device to the coil 210 through the wireless communication circuit 140, and operates the battery 160 of the aerosol generating device 100 based on the received signal. Charging operation can be controlled.

According to another embodiment, the processor 130 is electrically connected to the wireless charging circuit 150 and the coil 210 when the aerosol generating device 100 and the case 200 are combined to provide the wireless charging circuit 150. By controlling the control, power can be received from an external device (e.g., external charging device 10 of FIG. 1) through the coil 210, and the battery 160 can be charged through the received power. For example, the processor 130 controls the wireless charging circuit 150 so that the coil 210 receives power from an external device, and converts the power received through the coil 210 into a designated form of power, The battery 160 can be charged using the converted power.

According to another embodiment, the processor 130 may control the operation of the heater (not shown) by controlling the power supplied from the battery 160 to the heater (not shown). For example, the processor 130 may control the temperature of the heater by controlling the power supplied from the battery 160 to the heater, or control the on/off operation of the heater, but is not limited thereto.

The wireless communication circuit 140 may be a circuit for implementing wireless communication between the aerosol generating device 100 and an external device, and the processor 130 may perform wireless communication with an external device through the wireless communication circuit 140. there is.

According to one embodiment, the wireless communication circuit 140 may include a component (e.g., RF module) for wireless communication between the aerosol generating device 100 and an external device, and the processor 130 may include the wireless communication circuit 140. ) can be controlled to generate a signal to be transmitted to an external device or to receive a signal from an external device.

When the aerosol generating device 100 and the case 200 are combined, the coil 210 of the case 200 may operate as an antenna for transmitting and/or receiving signals between the aerosol generating system 1000 and an external device. You can. For example, the processor 130 controls the wireless communication circuit 140 to transmit a signal to an external device through the coil 210, or controls the wireless communication circuit 140 to transmit a signal from the external device to the coil 210. signal can be received.

The wireless charging circuit 150 receives power from an external device through the coil 210 when the aerosol generating device 100 and the case 200 are combined, or provides power to the external device using the power of the battery 160. It can perform the role of transmitting.

According to one embodiment, the processor 130 may receive power from an external device through the coil 210 through the wireless charging circuit 150. For example, the processor 130 may receive power from an external device through the coil 210 by adjusting the impedance value of the wireless charging circuit 150 to correspond to the resonance frequency of the magnetic field generated from the external device. At this time, the processor 130 may control the switch operation of the wireless charging circuit 150 to adjust the impedance value of the wireless charging circuit 150 to correspond to the resonance frequency of the magnetic field generated from an external device, but is not limited to this. no.

According to another embodiment, the processor 130 may convert power received from an external device into a designated form of power and then charge the battery 160 of the aerosol generating device 100 through the converted power. For example, the processor 130 may rectify power received from an external device through the wireless charging circuit 150 and convert it to have a voltage value suitable for charging the battery 160. The conversion operation is not limited to this.

According to another embodiment, the processor 130 controls the power supplied from the battery 160 to the coil 210 of the case 200 through the wireless charging circuit 150 to generate a magnetic field in the coil 210. By doing so, power can be transmitted to an external device. At this time, the external device may receive power transmitted from the coil 210 through magnetic induction or resonance induction, and then wirelessly charge the power of the external device through the received power.

The battery 160 may serve to supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device 100. In one example, battery 160 may supply power required for operation of a heater (not shown) of aerosol generating device 100 to heat an aerosol generating article. In another example, battery 160 may supply power required for operation of other components of aerosol generating device 100 (e.g., processor 130, wireless communication circuit 140, wireless charging circuit 150). there is.

According to one embodiment, the battery 160 may be a rechargeable battery (e.g., a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery), and the processor 130 wirelessly receives power from an external device through the wireless charging circuit 150. And, the battery 160 can be charged using the received power. For example, when the aerosol generating device 100 and the case 200 are combined, the processor 130 controls the wireless charging circuit 150 to receive power from an external device through the coil 210, and then receives power from the external device. The battery 160 can be charged using power, and a detailed description of the operation of the processor 130 to charge the battery 160 will be described later.

Figure 5 is a block diagram briefly showing components of an aerosol generating system according to another embodiment. The aerosol generating system 1000 shown in FIG. 5 may be another embodiment of the aerosol generating system 1000 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and the components of the aerosol generating system 1000 are the components shown in FIG. 5. It is not limited to fields.

Referring to FIG. 5 , an aerosol generating system 1000 according to another embodiment may include an aerosol generating device 100 and a case 200. The aerosol generating system 1000 according to another embodiment may be a system in which only the arrangement position of the wireless charging circuit 230 is changed from the aerosol generating system 1000 of FIG. 4, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted below.

According to another embodiment, the aerosol generating device 100 includes a processor 130, a wireless communication circuit 140, and a battery 160, and the case 200 is electrically connected to the components of the aerosol generating device 100. Alternatively, it may include a coil 210 (or 'wireless charging coil') and a wireless charging circuit 230 (eg, the wireless charging circuit 150 of FIG. 4) that are operatively connected.

The wireless charging circuit 230 may be electrically or operationally connected to the coil 210 inside the case 200, and may be transmitted from an external device (e.g., the external charging device 10 of FIG. 1) to the coil 210. It can perform the role of converting the electrical power into a designated form of power. For example, as a magnetic field is generated from an external device, the coil 210 can receive power through electromagnetic induction, and the wireless charging circuit 230 rectifies the power received from the coil 210 and voltage The size can be converted.

The wireless charging circuit 230 may be electrically connected to the processor 130 of the aerosol generating device 100 when the aerosol generating device 100 and the case 200 are combined. For example, when the aerosol generating device 100 and the case 200 are combined, a conductive pad (e.g., the conductive pad 120 of FIG. 3) electrically connected to the processor 130 and the wireless charging circuit 230 are electrically connected to the processor 130. The processor 130 and the wireless charging circuit 230 may be electrically connected by contacting an electrical connection member (e.g., the electrical connection member 220 of FIG. 3) connected to .

The processor 130 may receive power converted from the wireless charging circuit 230 through the above-described electrical connection relationship, and charge the battery 160 using the received power using a wireless charging method.

That is, in the aerosol generating system 1000 according to another embodiment, not only the coil 210 but also the wireless charging circuit 230 is disposed inside the case 200 separated from the aerosol generating device 100, thereby generating heat from the heater. Wireless charging of the battery 160 can be implemented while preventing malfunction of the wireless charging circuit 230 due to heat.

Additionally, in the aerosol generating system 1000 according to another embodiment, space for mounting the wireless charging circuit 230 may not be secured inside the aerosol generating device 100, so the aerosol generating device 100 can be miniaturized. .

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 , an operation for wirelessly charging the battery 160 of the processor 130 will be described in detail.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation for charging the battery of an aerosol generating device using a wireless charging method of the aerosol generating system according to an embodiment. In the following description of the operation for charging the battery of the aerosol generating device, the components of the aerosol generating system 1000 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 will be referred to.

Referring to FIG. 6, in operation 601, the processor 130 of the aerosol generating system 1000 according to one embodiment charges an external charging device (e.g., the external charging device of FIG. 1) through the coil 210 of the case 200. The wireless charging circuit 150 (or the wireless charging circuit 230 of FIG. 5) can be controlled to receive power from (10)).

For example, the processor 130 can receive power from an external charging device through the coil 210 by adjusting the impedance value of the wireless charging circuit 150 in response to the resonant frequency of power transmitted from the external charging device. there is.

In operation 602, the processor 130 of the aerosol generation system 1000 according to one embodiment may convert the power received from the coil 210 through the wireless charging circuit 150 into a designated form of power. In the present disclosure, 'designated form of power' may mean a voltage having a voltage suitable for charging the battery 160.

For example, the processor 130 rectifies the alternating current power received from the coil 210 into direct current power through a rectifier of the wireless charging circuit 150 and converts it into direct current power through a DC-DC converter. The voltage size of the rectified power can be adjusted.

In operation 603, the processor 130 of the aerosol generating system 1000 according to an embodiment may charge the battery 160 of the aerosol generating device 100 through the power converted through operation 602. For example, the processor 130 may be electrically or operationally connected to the wireless charging circuit 150 and the battery 160 to supply power converted by the wireless charging circuit 150 to the battery 160.

The aerosol generating system 1000 according to one embodiment is capable of charging the battery 160 of the aerosol generating device 100 without placing components for wireless charging inside the aerosol generating device 100 through operations 601 to 603 described above. ) can be charged using wireless charging.

Figure 7 is a flowchart for explaining an operation for charging the battery of an aerosol generating device using a wireless charging method of an aerosol generating system according to another embodiment. In the following description of the operation for charging the battery of the aerosol generating device, the components of the aerosol generating system 1000 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 will be referred to.

Referring to FIG. 7, in operation 701, the processor 130 of the aerosol generating system 1000 according to another embodiment charges an external charging device (e.g., the external charging device of FIG. 1) through the coil 210 of the case 200. A signal can be received from (10)).

According to one embodiment, the processor 130 may be electrically connected to the coil 210 through contact between the conductive pad 120 and the electrical connection member 220 when the aerosol generating device 100 and the case 200 are combined. And the processor 130 can receive a signal received from the external charging device to the coil 210 through the wireless communication circuit 140.

In operation 702, the processor 130 of the aerosol generating system 1000 according to another embodiment determines whether wireless charging of the battery 160 is possible based on the signal received from the external charging device through operation 701. You can.

In one embodiment, the processor 130 estimates the distance between the case 200 of the aerosol generating system 1000 and the external charging device based on the signal received in operation 701, and determines the distance between the case 200 and the external charging device. If the distance between the devices is less than the specified distance, it can be determined that wireless charging is possible. For example, the processor 130 may estimate the distance between the case 200 and an external charging device using a Time of Flight (ToF) method, but the distance is not limited thereto.

If the distance between the case 200 with the coil 210 disposed inside and the external charging device increases, the efficiency of transmitting or receiving power may decrease and wireless charging of the battery 160 may become difficult, so the processor 130 ) may determine that wireless charging is possible when the distance between the case 200 and the external charging device is less than or equal to a specified distance.

Additionally, the processor 130 determines whether a component adjacent to the case 200 of the aerosol generating system 1000 is an external charging device or another object (e.g., a foreign substance) based on the signal received in operation 701, and If a configuration adjacent to 200 is identified as an external charging device, it may be determined that wireless charging of the battery 160 is possible.

In another embodiment, the processor 130 estimates the resonant frequency of the magnetic field generated in the external charging device based on the signal received in operation 701, and applies the estimated resonant frequency to the wireless charging circuit 150 and the coil 210. It is possible to determine whether wireless charging is possible by comparing the resonance frequencies of the electrical circuit formed by the device. For example, a signal received from an external charging device may include information about the resonant frequency of the magnetic field generated by the external charging device, and the processor 130 determines the current state based on the received signal to determine the wireless state of the battery 160. It is possible to determine whether charging is possible.

If the resonant frequency of the magnetic field generated by the external charging device is different from the resonant frequency of the electrical circuit formed by the wireless charging circuit 150 and the coil 210, the power transmission and/or reception efficiency is reduced and the battery 160 Since wireless charging may become difficult, the processor 130 determines that the difference between the resonant frequency of the magnetic field generated by the external charging device and the resonant frequency of the electrical circuit formed by the wireless charging circuit 150 and the coil 210 is within a specified value. In this case, it can be determined that wireless charging is possible.

In operation 703, the processor 130 of the aerosol generating system 1000 according to another embodiment determines whether the aerosol generating system 1000 is currently in a state in which wireless charging of the battery 160 is possible as a result of performing operation 702. You can.

If it is determined in operation 703 that wireless charging of the battery 160 is possible, the processor 130 of the aerosol generating system 1000 according to another embodiment receives power from an external charging device through the coil 210 in operation 704. The wireless charging circuit 150 (or the wireless charging circuit 230 of FIG. 5) can be controlled to receive. Operation 704 may be substantially the same or similar to operation 601 of FIG. 6, and redundant description will be omitted below.

Conversely, if it is determined in operation 703 that wireless charging of the battery 160 is not possible, the aerosol generating system 1000 according to another embodiment repeatedly performs operations 701 to 702 to wirelessly charge the battery 160. You can periodically check whether this is possible.

In operation 705, the processor 130 of the aerosol generation system 1000 according to another embodiment may convert the power received from the coil 210 through the wireless charging circuit 150 into a designated form of power. Operation 705 may be substantially the same or similar to operation 602 of FIG. 6, and redundant description will be omitted below.

In operation 706, the processor 130 of the aerosol generating system 1000 according to another embodiment may charge the battery 160 of the aerosol generating device 100 through the power converted through operation 705. Operation 706 may be substantially the same or similar to operation 603 of FIG. 6, and redundant description will be omitted below.

The aerosol generating system 1000 according to another embodiment can perform wireless charging of the battery 160 only in a state where wireless charging is possible through operations 701 to 706 described above, and as a result, in a situation where wireless charging is not possible, the processor ( 130) and/or wireless charging circuit 150 can prevent unnecessary power from being consumed.

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing an aerosol generating system and an external electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to Figure 8, the aerosol generating system 1000 according to one embodiment includes an aerosol generating device 100 and a case 200 (or 'case for aerosol generating device') detachably coupled to the aerosol generating device 100. ) may include. The components of the aerosol generating system 1000 may be substantially the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating system 1000 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted below. .

The aerosol generating system 1000 charges the battery of the aerosol generating device 100 (e.g., the battery 160 of FIGS. 4 and 5) through power received from an external charging device (e.g., the external charging device 10 of FIG. 1). ) can be wirelessly charged, and the power of the external power device 20 can also be wirelessly charged through the battery of the aerosol generating device 100. For example, the aerosol generating system 1000 may operate as a charging device for transmitting power to an external power supply 20 adjacent to the case 200. Although FIG. 8 shows only an embodiment in which the aerosol generating system 1000 transmits power to a mobile phone, the type of external power device 20 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating system 1000 supplies power to the coil of the case 200 (e.g., the coil 210 of FIGS. 2 to 5) from the battery of the aerosol generating device 100 to generate a magnetic field in the coil. By generating , power can be transmitted or transmitted to an external electronic device 20 close to the aerosol generating system 1000.

The external electronic device 20 may receive power transmitted from the coil of the aerosol generating system 1000 through the coil 21 disposed or mounted therein, and power the external electronic device 20 through the received power. can be charged using wireless charging. For example, the external electronic device 20 may receive power from the aerosol generating system 1000 through electromagnetic induction, but is not limited to this.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 9, we will look in detail at the operation of charging the external electronic device 20 of the aerosol generating system 1000 using a wireless charging method.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation for charging power of an external electronic device using a wireless charging method of an aerosol generating system according to an embodiment. Hereinafter, in describing the operation for charging the power of the external electronic device of FIG. 9, the components shown in FIGS. 4 to 5 and 8 will be referred to.

Referring to FIG. 9, in operation 901, the aerosol generating system 1000 according to one embodiment may determine whether the external electronic device 20 is close to the case 200 in which the coil 210 is disposed. there is.

According to one embodiment, the processor 130 of the aerosol generating system 1000 receives a signal from the external electronic device 20 through the wireless communication circuit 140 and the coil 210, and based on the received signal, the processor 130 It may be determined whether the electronic device 20 is close to the case 200. For example, the processor 130 estimates the distance between the external electronic device 20 and the case 200 based on a signal received from the external electronic device 20 in a ToF method, and the estimated distance is a specified distance. If it is within the range, it can be determined that the external electronic device 20 is close to the case 200. However, the method of determining whether the external electronic device 20 of the processor 130 is close to the case 200 is not limited to this.

If it is determined that the external electronic device 20 is close to the case 200 in operation 901, in operation 902, the processor 130 of the aerosol generating system 1000 according to an embodiment is connected to the battery of the aerosol generating device 100. Power can be supplied to the coil 210 of the case 200 through 160. For example, when the external electronic device 20 and the case 200 are close to each other and wireless charging of the external electronic device 20 is possible, the processor 130 generates a magnetic field for power transmission in the coil 210. Power can be supplied from the battery 160 to the coil 210 so that it can be done.

Conversely, if it is determined in operation 901 that the external electronic device 20 is not close to the case 200, since wireless charging of the external electronic device 20 is difficult, the aerosol generating system 1000 according to an embodiment You can repeat operation 901 and wait for wireless charging of the external electronic device 20.

In operation 903, the aerosol generating system 1000 according to one embodiment may transmit power to the external electronic device 20 through a magnetic field generated by the coil 210, and the external electronic device 20 may transmit power to the coil 210. ) can be used to charge a power source (e.g. battery) using wireless charging. For example, as a magnetic field is generated in the coil 210, the external electronic device 20 may receive power through electromagnetic induction through the coil 21, and convert the received power into a form of power for charging. It can be converted into electric power, and the power of the external electronic device 20 can be charged through the converted electric power.

That is, in one embodiment, the aerosol generating system 1000 not only wirelessly receives power from an external power supply through operations 901 to 903 described above, but also receives power from the battery 160 of the aerosol generating device 100. The power of the external electronic device 20 may be wirelessly charged by transmitting power to the external electronic device 20 .

Figure 10 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. The aerosol generating device 1001 shown in FIG. 10 may be an example of the aerosol generating device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 and 8.

The aerosol generating device 1001 includes a control unit 1010, a sensing unit 1020, an output unit 1030, a battery 1040, a heater 1050, a user input unit 1060, a memory 1070, and a communication unit 1080. It can be included. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1001 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 10. That is, those skilled in the art can understand that, depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 1001, some of the configurations shown in FIG. 10 may be omitted or new configurations may be added. there is.

The sensing unit 1020 may detect the state of the aerosol generating device 1001 or the state surrounding the aerosol generating device 1001 and transmit the sensed information to the control unit 1010. Based on the sensed information, the control unit 1010 performs various functions such as controlling the operation of the heater 1050, restricting smoking, determining whether to insert an aerosol-generating article (e.g., cigarette, cartridge, etc.), displaying a notification, etc. The aerosol generating device 1001 can be controlled.

The sensing unit 1020 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 1022, an insertion detection sensor 1024, and a puff sensor 1026, but is not limited thereto.

The temperature sensor 1022 may detect the temperature at which the heater 1050 (or an aerosol-generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating device 1001 may include a separate temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heater 1050, or the heater 1050 itself may serve as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 1022 may be disposed around the battery 1040 to monitor the temperature of the battery 1040.

Insertion detection sensor 1024 may detect insertion and/or removal of an aerosol-generating article. For example, the insertion detection sensor 1024 may include at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and an infrared sensor, where the aerosol-generating article is inserted and/or Signal changes can be detected as it is removed.

The puff sensor 1026 may detect the user's puff based on various physical changes in the airflow passage or airflow channel. For example, the puff sensor 1026 may detect the user's puff based on any one of temperature change, flow change, voltage change, and pressure change.

In addition to the sensors 1022 to 1026 described above, the sensing unit 1020 includes a temperature/humidity sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (e.g., GPS), It may further include at least one of a proximity sensor and an RGB sensor (illuminance sensor). Since the function of each sensor can be intuitively deduced by a person skilled in the art from its name, detailed descriptions may be omitted.

The output unit 1030 may output information about the status of the aerosol generating device 1001 and provide it to the user. The output unit 1030 may include at least one of a display unit 1032, a haptic unit 1034, and an audio output unit 1036, but is not limited thereto. When the display unit 1032 and the touch pad form a layer structure to form a touch screen, the display unit 1032 can be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

The display unit 1032 can visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 1001 to the user. For example, information about the aerosol generating device 1001 may include the charging/discharging state of the battery 1040 of the aerosol generating device 1001, the preheating state of the heater 1050, the insertion/removal state of the aerosol generating article, or the aerosol generating state. It may refer to various information such as a state in which the use of the device 1001 is restricted (e.g., abnormal item detection), and the display unit 1032 may output the information to the outside. The display unit 1032 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) or an organic light emitting display panel (OLED). Additionally, the display unit 1032 may be in the form of an LED light-emitting device.

The haptic unit 1034 can convert electrical signals into mechanical stimulation or electrical stimulation to provide tactile information about the aerosol generating device 1001 to the user. For example, the haptic unit 1034 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

The sound output unit 1036 can provide information about the aerosol generating device 1001 audibly to the user. For example, the audio output unit 1036 may convert an electrical signal into an acoustic signal and output it to the outside.

The battery 1040 may supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device 1001. The battery 1040 may supply power so that the heater 1050 can be heated. In addition, the battery 1040 may be connected to other components provided in the aerosol generating device 1001 (e.g., sensing unit 1020, output unit 1030, user input unit 1060, memory 1070, and communication unit 1080). It can supply the power required for operation. The battery 1040 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 1040 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

The heater 1050 may receive power from the battery 1040 to heat the aerosol-generating material. Although not shown in FIG. 10, the aerosol generating device 1001 may further include a power conversion circuit (eg, DC/DC converter) that converts the power of the battery 1040 and supplies it to the heater 1050. Additionally, when the aerosol generating device 1001 generates an aerosol by induction heating, the aerosol generating device 1001 may further include a DC/AC converter that converts direct current power of the battery 1040 into alternating current power.

The control unit 1010, sensing unit 1020, output unit 1030, user input unit 1060, memory 1070, and communication unit 1080 may perform their functions by receiving power from the battery 1040. Although not shown in FIG. 10, it may further include a power conversion circuit that converts the power of the battery 1040 and supplies it to each component, for example, a low dropout (LDO) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit.

In one embodiment, heater 1050 may be formed from any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, suitable electrically resistive materials include titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, etc. It may be a metal or metal alloy containing, but is not limited thereto. Additionally, the heater 1050 may be implemented as a metal hot wire, a metal hot plate with electrically conductive tracks, a ceramic heating element, etc., but is not limited thereto.

In another embodiment, the heater 1050 may be an induction heating type heater. For example, the heater 1050 may include a susceptor that heats the aerosol-generating material by generating heat through a magnetic field applied by the coil.

The user input unit 1060 may receive information input from the user or output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 1060 includes a key pad, a dome switch, and a touch pad (contact capacitive type, pressure resistance type, infrared detection type, surface ultrasonic conduction type, and integral type). Tension measurement method, piezo effect method, etc.), jog wheel, jog switch, etc., but are not limited thereto. In addition, although not shown in FIG. 10, the aerosol generating device 1001 further includes a connection interface such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, and is connected to other external devices through a connection interface such as a USB interface. In this way, information can be transmitted and received or the battery 1040 can be charged.

The memory 1070 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generating device 1001, and can store data processed and data to be processed in the control unit 1010. The memory 1070 is a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory, etc.), and RAM. (RAM, random access memory) SRAM (static random access memory), ROM (read-only memory), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), PROM (programmable read-only memory), magnetic memory, magnetic disk , and may include at least one type of storage medium among optical disks. The memory 1070 may store the operation time of the aerosol generating device 1001, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and data on the user's smoking pattern.

The communication unit 1080 may include at least one component for communication with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 1080 may include a short-range communication unit 1082 and a wireless communication unit 1084.

The short-range wireless communication unit 1082 includes a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication unit, a Near Field Communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, and an infrared (IrDA) communication unit. , infrared Data Association) communication unit, WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, Ant+ communication unit, etc., but is not limited thereto.

The wireless communication unit 1084 may include, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (eg, LAN or WAN) communication unit, etc. The wireless communication unit 1084 may use subscriber information (e.g., International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)) to identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 1001 within the communication network.

The control unit 1010 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1001. In one embodiment, the control unit 1010 may include at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program that can be executed on the microprocessor. Additionally, those skilled in the art can understand that the present embodiment may be implemented with other types of hardware.

The control unit 1010 can control the temperature of the heater 1050 by controlling the supply of power from the battery 1040 to the heater 1050. For example, the control unit 1010 may control power supply by controlling the switching of the switching element between the battery 1040 and the heater 1050. In another example, the heating direct circuit may control power supply to the heater 1050 according to a control command from the control unit 1010.

The control unit 1010 can analyze the results sensed by the sensing unit 1020 and control subsequent processes. For example, the control unit 1010 may control the power supplied to the heater 1050 to start or end the operation of the heater 1050 based on the result detected by the sensing unit 1020. For another example, based on the results detected by the sensing unit 1020, the control unit 1010 adjusts the power supplied to the heater 1050 so that the heater 1050 can be heated to a predetermined temperature or maintain an appropriate temperature. You can control the amount and time at which power is supplied.

The control unit 1010 may control the output unit 1030 based on the results detected by the sensing unit 1020. For example, when the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor 1026 reaches a preset number, the control unit 1010 operates at least one of the display unit 1032, the haptic unit 1034, and the sound output unit 1036. Through this, the user can be notified that the aerosol generating device 1001 will soon be terminated.

In one embodiment, the control unit 1010 may control the power supply time and/or power supply amount to the heater 1050 according to the state of the aerosol-generating article detected by the sensing unit 1020.

One embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a recording medium containing instructions executable by a computer, such as program modules executed by a computer. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media. Additionally, computer-readable media may include both computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Communication media typically includes computer readable instructions, data structures, other data such as program modules, modulated data signals, or other transmission mechanisms, and includes any information delivery medium.

The description of the above-described embodiments is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true scope of protection of the invention should be determined by the appended claims, and all differences within the equivalent scope of what is stated in the claims should be interpreted as being included in the scope of protection determined by the claims.

Claims (15)

In the case for an aerosol generating device,
A body detachably coupled to the first area of the aerosol generating device and arranged to surround the first area of the aerosol generating device;
a wireless charging coil disposed inside the main body and configured to receive power from an external device or transmit power to an external device; and
When the aerosol generating device and the case for the aerosol generating device are combined, it is disposed in a second area of the main body facing the first area of the aerosol generating device, and electrically connects the aerosol generating device and the wireless charging coil. A case for an aerosol generating device, comprising: an electrical connection member. According to paragraph 1,
The case for an aerosol generating device, wherein the electrical connection member protrudes from the second region of the main body in a direction toward the first region of the aerosol generating device. According to paragraph 1,
The electrical connection member includes a C-clip,
The electrical connection member is in contact with a conductive pad disposed in the first area of the aerosol generating device when the aerosol generating device and the case for the aerosol generating device are coupled. According to paragraph 1,
A case for an aerosol generating device that is disposed inside the main body and further includes a wireless charging circuit electrically connected to the wireless charging coil. According to paragraph 4,
A case for an aerosol generating device, wherein the wireless charging circuit is electrically connected to the aerosol generating device through the electrical connection member. In the aerosol generating system,
An aerosol generating device disposed inside the housing and including a heater for heating an aerosol generating material, a battery for supplying power to the heater, and a processor; and
A case for the aerosol generating device is detachably coupled to the aerosol generating device and protects at least one area of the aerosol generating device.
The case for the aerosol generating device,
a main body detachably coupled to the first area of the housing and arranged to surround the first area of the housing;
a wireless charging coil disposed inside the main body and configured to receive power from an external charging device or transmit power to an external device; and
When the aerosol generating device and the case for the aerosol generating device are combined, the aerosol generating device is disposed in a second region of the main body facing the first region of the housing, and is electrically connected to the aerosol generating device and the wireless charging coil. An aerosol generating system comprising: According to clause 6,
The aerosol generating device further includes a conductive pad disposed in the first region of the housing,
The electrical connection member is in contact with the conductive pad when the aerosol generating device and the case for the aerosol generating device are combined to electrically connect the processor and the wireless charging coil. In clause 7,
The electrical connection member is disposed in a region of the main body corresponding to the conductive pad when the aerosol generating device and the case for the aerosol generating device are coupled. According to clause 6,
The aerosol generating device further includes a wireless charging circuit electrically connected to the processor,
The wireless charging circuit is electrically connected to the wireless charging coil through the electrical connection member. According to clause 9,
The processor,
Controlling the wireless charging circuit to receive power from an external charging device through the wireless charging coil,
Converting power received from an external charging device through the wireless charging circuit into a designated form of power,
An aerosol generating system that charges the battery via converted power. According to clause 6,
The case for the aerosol generating device is disposed inside the main body and further includes a wireless charging circuit electrically connected to the wireless charging coil,
The wireless charging circuit is electrically connected to the processor through the electrical connection member. According to clause 11,
The processor,
Controlling the wireless charging circuit to receive power from an external charging device through the wireless charging coil,
Converting power received from an external charging device through the wireless charging circuit into a designated form of power,
An aerosol generating system that charges the battery via converted power. According to clause 12,
The processor,
Determine whether wireless charging is possible based on a signal received from an external charging device through the wireless charging coil,
An aerosol generating system that controls the wireless charging circuit to receive power from an external charging device through the wireless charging coil when wireless charging is enabled. According to clause 13,
The processor,
Determine the frequency of the external charging device based on the signal received from the external charging device,
An aerosol generating system that determines wireless charging is possible if the frequency of the external charging device falls within a specified frequency range. According to clause 6,
The processor,
Determine whether an external device is close to the case for the aerosol generating device based on a signal received from the external device through the coil,
An aerosol generating system that supplies power to the wireless charging coil via the battery for transmitting power to the external device when the external device is close to the case for the aerosol generating device.

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