Aerosol-generating device

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device is disclosed. The aerosol-generating device of the disclosure includes a cartridge having an elongated insertion space, a body coupled to the cartridge, a heater configured to heat an aerosol-generating substance, a battery configured to supply power to the heater, a stick detection sensor configured to output a signal corresponding to a stick inserted into the elongated insertion space, and a controller. Upon determining that the stick has been inserted into the elongated insertion space using the stick detection sensor, the controller checks remaining power of the battery. When the remaining power is less than a reference amount of power corresponding to the stick, the controller performs control such that supply of power to the heater is interrupted. When the remaining power is greater than or equal to the reference amount of power, the controller performs control such that power is supplied to the heater.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An aerosol-generating device comprising:
 a cartridge shaped to define an elongated insertion space;   a body coupled to the cartridge;   a heater configured to heat an aerosol-generating substance;
 a battery configured to supply power to the heater to enable the heater to heat the aerosol-generating substance; 
 a stick detection sensor configured to output a signal corresponding to a stick inserted into the elongated insertion space; and 
 a controller configured to: 
 determine that the stick has been inserted into the elongated insertion space, based on the signal from the stick detection sensor; 
 identify remaining power of the battery after the determination that the stick has been inserted into the elongated insertion space; 
 interrupt the supply of power to the heater based on the remaining power being less than a reference amount of power; and 
 control the supply of power to the heater based on the remaining power being greater than or equal to the reference amount of power. 
   
     
     
         2 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the reference amount of power is an amount of power consumed when a user takes a defined number of puffs using one stick. 
     
     
         3 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a puff sensor configured to output a signal corresponding to a puff of a user,   wherein the controller is further configured to:   control the supply of power to the heater based on a defined temperature profile of the heater and the signal received from the puff sensor; and   update the reference amount of power based on an extent of reduction of the remaining power.   
     
     
         4 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 3 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 maintain the reference amount of power that is currently set, based on a current number of puffs corresponding to the puff detected by the puff sensor being less than a predetermined number of puffs, and based on the stick being removed from the insertion space or the puff not being detected during a defined time period or longer.   
     
     
         5 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 3 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 interrupt the supply of power to the heater further based on the remaining power being less than a defined minimum amount of power and a current number of puffs corresponding to a puff detected by the puff sensor being less than a predetermined number of puffs; and   update the reference amount of power based on a difference between the predetermined number of puffs and the current number of puffs.   
     
     
         6 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 3 , wherein the controller is further configured to update the reference amount of power based on a first amount of power corresponding to an extent of reduction of the remaining power, and at least one second amount of power previously set as the reference amount of power. 
     
     
         7 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 3 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 calculate an amount of power consumed for each puff; and   update the reference amount of power based on a value obtained by multiplying a representative value of the amount of power consumed for each puff by a number of puffs corresponding to one stick.   
     
     
         8 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 7 , wherein the representative value is a maximum value of the amount of power consumed for each puff. 
     
     
         9 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an output interface configured to output a message,
 wherein the controller is further configured to cause the output interface to output a message indicating a request for charging of the battery, based on the remaining power being less than the reference amount of power. 
   
     
     
         10 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge comprises:
 a first container shaped to define a chamber, wherein the chamber is structured to store a liquid;   a second container coupled to the first container;   a wick located in the second container,   wherein the heater is further configured to heat the wick,   wherein the first container comprises an inner wall defining an elongated insertion space and an outer wall surrounding the inner wall,   wherein the chamber is formed between the inner wall and the outer wall.   
     
     
         11 . An aerosol-generating device comprising:
 a cartridge shaped to define an elongated insertion space;   a heater configured to heat an aerosol-generating substance;
 a battery configured to supply power to the heater to enable the heater to heat the aerosol-generating substance; 
 a stick detection sensor; and 
 a controller configured to: 
 determine that the stick has been inserted into the elongated insertion space, based on an indication of the stick detection sensor, identify remaining power of the battery; 
 cause the supply of power from the battery to the heater to be interrupted based on the remaining power being less than a reference amount of power; and 
 control the supply of power from the battery to the heater based on the remaining power being greater than or equal to the reference amount of power.