Aerosol generating device

Abstract

An aerosol generating device includes an insertion space accommodating an aerosol generating substrate, a heater configured to heat the aerosol generating substrate inserted into the insertion space, an airflow passage connected to the insertion space and through which air flows, a sensor unit arranged in the airflow passage and configured to generate current by being pressed according to a change in pressure inside the airflow passage, and a controller configured to control the heater, based on an operation of the sensor unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An aerosol generating device comprising:
 an insertion space accommodating an aerosol generating substrate;   a heater configured to heat the aerosol generating substrate inserted into the insertion space;   an airflow passage connected to the insertion space and through which air flows;   a sensor unit arranged in the airflow passage and configured to generate current by being pressed according to a change in pressure inside the airflow passage; and   a controller configured to control the heater, based on an operation of the sensor unit.   
     
     
         2 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to control the heater with different temperature profiles, based on a size of the change in pressure inside the airflow passage. 
     
     
         3 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , further comprising a pressing member arranged in the airflow passage and configured to press the sensor unit by moving according to the change in pressure inside the airflow passage. 
     
     
         4 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 3 , wherein the pressing member is arranged rotatably at a front end of the sensor unit. 
     
     
         5 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 3 , wherein the pressing member presses the sensor unit with different pressing forces, based on a size of the change in pressure inside the airflow passage. 
     
     
         6 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 3 , further comprising an anti-rotation member arranged in the airflow passage at a front end of the pressing member and configured to prevent the pressing member from rotating in a direction opposite to the sensor unit. 
     
     
         7 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , wherein the airflow passage comprises: a first portion where the sensor unit is arranged; and a second portion connected to the first portion and having a greater size than the first portion. 
     
     
         8 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , wherein the airflow passage comprises: a first airflow passage into which external air is introduced and moves; and a second airflow passage that is branched from the first airflow passage, is connected to the insertion space, and has a smaller size than the first airflow passage, and
 the sensor unit is arranged in the second airflow passage.   
     
     
         9 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , wherein the airflow passage comprises: a first airflow passage into which external air is introduced and moves; and a second airflow passage that is branched from the first airflow passage, joins the first airflow passage again, and has a smaller size than the first airflow passage, and
 the sensor unit is arranged in the second airflow passage.   
     
     
         10 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor unit is arranged at a first distance from an inlet hole of the airflow passage and arranged at a second distance greater than the first distance from the heater. 
     
     
         11 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , further comprising an insulating member arranged between the sensor unit and the heater and configured to prevent heat generated by the heater from reaching the sensor unit. 
     
     
         12 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , further comprising a power amplification circuit configured to amplify power generated when the sensor unit is pressed and polarized. 
     
     
         13 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , further comprising a power conversion circuit configured to convert power generated when the sensor unit is pressed and polarized,
 wherein the controller is further configured to control the power converted by the power conversion circuit to be supplied to a power supply.   
     
     
         14 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an aerosol generating device body including the insertion space; and   a cover arranged in the aerosol generating device body to be movable between a first position for opening the insertion space and a second position for closing the insertion space,   wherein the sensor unit comprises: a first sensor arranged in the airflow passage; and a second sensor configured to generate power by being pressed when the cover moves between the first position and the second position.   
     
     
         15 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 14 , further comprising a pressure transfer member arranged between the cover and the second sensor and configured to press the second sensor when the cover moves,
 wherein one of the cover or the pressure transfer member comprises a protruding member protruding towards the other one of the cover or the pressure transfer member, and   the other one of the cover or the pressure transfer member comprises an insertion groove into which the protruding member is inserted.