Aerosol generating device

Abstract

An aerosol generating device obtains, when a flange temperature detected by a flange temperature sensor is included in a predetermined reference temperature range, at least one direct current (DC) value from a current detection sensor by sweeping a switching frequency of a power conversion unit within a reference frequency range, and generates, based on the DC value, temperature data for estimating a temperature of a susceptor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An aerosol generating device comprising:
 a power supply configured to output direct current (DC) power;   a power conversion unit configured to convert the DC power into an alternating current (AC) power;   an induction coil configured to receive the AC power and generate an alternating magnetic field;   a susceptor configured to generate heat by the alternating magnetic field generated by the induction coil and to be inserted into an aerosol generating substrate accommodated in an insertion space so as to heat the aerosol generating substrate;   a flange temperature sensor arranged adjacent to a support body supporting the susceptor outside the insertion space;   a current detection sensor configured to sense a DC output by the power supply; and   a controller configured to, when a flange temperature detected by the flange temperature sensor is within a predetermined reference temperature range, obtain at least one DC value from the current detection sensor by sweeping a switching frequency of the power conversion unit within a reference frequency range, and generate, based on the DC value, temperature data for estimating a temperature of the susceptor.   
     
     
         2 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to convert the DC value, based on a reference DC value detected by the current detection sensor at a first temperature included in the reference temperature range. 
     
     
         3 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 2 , wherein the first temperature is selected from a range of about 20° C. to about 35° C. 
     
     
         4 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 when the temperature data is generated, obtain a first DC detected by the current detection sensor at a first frequency included in the reference frequency range;   obtain a second DC detected by the current detection sensor at a second frequency included in the reference frequency range and different from the first frequency; and   generate the temperature data such that the temperature of the susceptor linearly increases or decreases in a section between the first DC and the second DC.   
     
     
         5 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 4 , wherein the controller is further configured to set the switching frequency of the power conversion unit as the second frequency in a heating mode in which the aerosol generating substrate is heated. 
     
     
         6 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 5 , wherein the controller is further configured to generate the temperature data such that the first DC is same as a first sensing current detected by the current detection sensor, when the temperature of the susceptor reaches a predetermined target temperature in the heating mode. 
     
     
         7 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 5 , wherein the controller is further configured to generate the temperature data such that the second DC is same as a second sensing current detected by the current detection sensor, when the temperature of the susceptor reaches a predetermined room temperature in the heating mode. 
     
     
         8 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to generate the temperature data regardless of a user input in a stand-by mode and a heating mode. 
     
     
         9 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , further comprising a memory storing current temperature data with respect to a current heating cycle or previous temperature data with respect to a previous heating cycle. 
     
     
         10 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured to control the memory to delete the previous temperature data stored in the memory and store the current temperature data, when the flange temperature detected by the flange temperature sensor in the previous heating cycle is greater than or equal to a predetermined calibrated temperature. 
     
     
         11 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a body accommodating the power supply, the power conversion unit, the induction coil, the susceptor, the flange temperature sensor, the current detection sensor, and the controller;   an upper case detachably coupled to the body; and   an upper case detection sensor accommodated in the body and configured to detect whether or not the upper case is detached,   wherein the controller is further configured to generate the temperature data while the upper case is being coupled to the body.   
     
     
         12 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , wherein the susceptor is coupled to be detachable from the insertion space, together with the support body.