Aerosol generating device

Abstract

An aerosol generating device is provided. The aerosol generating device according to the present disclosure comprises: a main body having a power source; a wick disposed at the main body; a heater connected to the power source and configured to heat the wick; a container detachably coupled to the main body and having a storage space in which an aerosol generating material is contained; a medium having a first end connected to the storage space of the container and a second end in contact with the wick, so as to transfer the aerosol generating material to the wick; a first sensor disposed at the main body and connected to the power source and configured to sense a coupling of the container to the main body; and at least one processor configured to determine whether to replace the heater based on a total number of times that the first sensor senses the coupling of the container to the main body.

1 . An aerosol generating device comprising:
 a main body having a power source;   a wick disposed at the main body;   a heater connected to the power source and configured to heat the wick;   a container detachably coupled to the main body and having a storage space in which an aerosol generating material is contained;   a medium having a first end connected to the storage space of the container and a second end in contact with the wick, so as to transfer the aerosol generating material to the wick;   a first sensor disposed at the main body and connected to the power source and configured to sense a coupling of the container to the main body; and   at least one processor configured to determine whether to replace the heater based on a total number of times that the first sensor senses the coupling of the container to the main body.   
     
     
         2 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine whether to replace the heater by comparing the total number of times that the first sensor senses the coupling with a reference number. 
     
     
         3 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 2 , further comprising an output unit configured to output information on whether to replace the heater,
 wherein in response to the total number of times exceeding the reference number, the at least one processor is further configured to output the information on whether to replace the heater through the output unit.   
     
     
         4 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one processor is configured not to comprise, in the total number of times, a number of times in which the coupling of the container to the main body is sensed by the first sensor and the heater is not activated thereafter. 
     
     
         5 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , wherein the main body comprises a base on which the container is mountable,
 wherein the first sensor is disposed at the base and contacts with the container when the container is mounted on the base.   
     
     
         6 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 5 , wherein the first sensor is a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure value,
 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine whether the container is coupled to the main body by comparing a change of the pressure value measured by the first sensor with a reference pressure value.   
     
     
         7 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the main body further comprises a protrusion protruding from the base; and   the container has a groove disposed on an outer surface of the container and into which the protrusion is insertable.   
     
     
         8 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 7 , wherein the first sensor protrudes toward the container to contact with the outer surface of the container. 
     
     
         9 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , wherein the medium is provided at a side of the container and is disposed between the storage space and the wick. 
     
     
         10 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 9 , wherein the container comprises a lateral wall elongated along a longitudinal direction and defining the storage space, and
 wherein the medium is disposed on the lateral wall.   
     
     
         11 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 10 , wherein the main body has a flow space formed in the main body, extending outside the lateral wall along the longitudinal direction, and providing a path between a space around the wick and an outside of the aerosol generating device. 
     
     
         12 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , wherein the wick is partially exposed outside of the main body. 
     
     
         13 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , further comprising a second sensor configured to measure a resistance value of the heater,
 wherein the heater comprises a wire in contact with the wick,   wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine whether the container is coupled to the main body by comparing a variation of the resistance value of the heater measured by the second sensor with a reference resistance value.   
     
     
         14 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , wherein, when the container is separated from the main body, the at least one processor is configured to stop operation of the heater.