Aerosol-generating device

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device is disclosed. The aerosol-generating device includes a body providing an insertion space extending lengthwise, and a sensor disposed adjacent to the insertion space to detect an object inserted into the insertion space, the sensor includes sensing electrodes and an insulator supporting the sensing electrodes, and a thickness of the insulator is 40 to 60 μm.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An aerosol-generating device comprising:
 a body providing an insertion space extending lengthwise; and   a sensor disposed adjacent to the insertion space to detect an object inserted into the insertion space,   wherein the sensor comprises:   sensing electrodes; and   an insulator supporting the sensing electrodes,   wherein a thickness of the insulator is 40 to 60 μm.   
     
     
         2 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the insulator is 45 to 55 μm. 
     
     
         3 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the sensing electrodes comprise:   a first electrode extending in a longitudinal direction of the insertion space; and   a second electrode extending in a longitudinal direction of the insertion space and spaced apart from the first electrode in a radial direction of the insertion direction,   wherein the insulator is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.   
     
     
         4 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 3 , further comprising a controller configured to detect the object inserted into the insertion space based on a difference between a first output corresponding to a current flowing through the first electrode and a second output corresponding to a current flowing through the second electrode. 
     
     
         5 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 4 , wherein the controller is configured to:
 compare the difference with a first threshold; and   determine that a stick is inserted into the insertion space based on the difference being greater than or equal to the first threshold.   
     
     
         6 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 the stick comprises a first stick containing less than a designated percentage of moisture or a second stick containing the designated percentage or more of moisture; and   the controller is configured to:   compare the difference with a second threshold greater than the first threshold; and   determine that the second stick is inserted into the insertion space based on the difference being greater than or equal to the second threshold.   
     
     
         7 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 6 , wherein the second threshold corresponds to a range of 86 to 92% of an average of differences between the first output and the second output when the second stick is inserted into the insertion space. 
     
     
         8 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 6 , wherein the second threshold corresponds to a range of 110 to 116% of an average of differences between the first output and the second output when the first stick is inserted into the insertion space. 
     
     
         9 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 6 , wherein the second threshold is set to be greater by 7% or more than a maximum value of difference between the first output and the second output when the first stick is inserted into the insertion space. 
     
     
         10 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is disposed at a position corresponding to an aerosol base portion of the stick inserted into the insertion space, the aerosol base portion comprising a moisturizer. 
     
     
         11 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a heater surrounding at least a part of the insertion space and configured to heat the insertion space; and   a heat-insulating member surrounding at least a part of the insertion space and the heater,   wherein the sensor is disposed inner side of the heat-insulating member in a radial direction of the insertion space.   
     
     
         12 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the sensing electrodes comprise copper; and   the insulator comprises polyimide.