EP4360485A1

EP4360485A1 - Aerosol forming apparatus and vaping detection method therefor, and computer storage medium

Info

Publication number: EP4360485A1
Application number: EP22827303.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Shumin ZHAO
Original assignee: Shenzhen Merit Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shenzhen Maishi Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-06-25
Filing date: 2022-05-26
Publication date: 2024-05-01
Also published as: KR20240021862A; CN113519918A; WO2022267806A1

Abstract

The present invention discloses an aerosol forming device and a inhalation detection method thereof, and a computer storage medium. The inhalation detection method includes: acquiring a current temperature measurement value of a heating element of an aerosol forming device, and determining a current duty ratio of a PWM signal according to the current temperature measurement value and a preset target temperature to adjust a current heating power of the heating element; acquiring a duty ratio of the PWM signal, and determining whether a inhalation action is currently occurring according to the duty ratio of the PWM signal; and counting a total number of inhalation times, and controlling the aerosol forming device to be power-off state when the total number of inhalation times reaches a threshold value.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of aerosol forming devices, and more particularly to an aerosol forming device and a inhalation detection method thereof, and a computer storage medium.

BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART

Heat-not-burning (HNB) device is a kind of combination equipment of a heating device for heating an aerosol generation substrate material (which is a product of processed tobacco product). The external heating device applies a high temperature to heat up the aerosol generation material to such a temperature (200-350°C) as to generate aerosol, but not becoming burning. On the condition that the tobacco does not become burning, the aerosol generation substrate material releases the scent of flue curing tobacco. When the tobacco is in a burning state, temperature will rise to the range of 350-600°C, and once the temperature reaches the range, as a result of burning, various harmful substances, such as carbon monoxide, alkaloids, such as nicotine, amines, nitriles, alcohols, phenols, alkanes, aldehydes, and nitrogen oxides. However, when the tobacco is in a heat-not-burning state, the temperature is around 300 degrees Celsius and no flaming is generated, so that the harmful substances are greatly reduced. HNB adopts low temperature curing for heating, in order to take the place of direct burning of the traditional cigarettes, and is now prevailing among the ever increasing population of vapers.
During an atomization process of an aerosol forming device (such as a user's inhalation process for one cigarette), since different users may have different inhalation frequencies, the total numbers of inhalation times (times of inhalation) in the complete atomization process are different for different users. The known techniques do not detect and record of each time of inhalation and the total number of inhalation times, and when the volatile compounds contained in the aerosol forming substrate material (such as cigarette) are completely released, the users cannot immediately get aware of it, and this affects the users' experiences of use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Technical Problem

The technical problem that the present invention is made to resolve is that the prior art cannot detect each time a inhalation action is taken and cannot record a total number of inhalation times.

RESOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM

Technical solution

The technical solution that the present invention adopts to resolve the technical problems is to develop a inhalation detection method of an aerosol forming device, which is characterized by performing the following steps in an atomization process:

acquiring a current temperature measurement value of a heating element of an aerosol forming device, and determining a current duty ratio of a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal according to the current temperature measurement value and a preset target temperature, to adjust a current heating power of the heating element;
acquiring a duty ratio of the PWM signal, and determining whether a inhalation action is currently occurring according to the duty ratio of the PWM signal; and
counting a total number of inhalation times, and controlling the aerosol forming device to be power-off state when the total number of inhalation times reaches a threshold value.

Preferably, "determining whether a inhalation action is currently occurring according to the duty ratio of the PWM signal" comprises:

filtering the duty ratio of the PWM signal, and taking derivation of the filtered duty ratio to acquire a fluctuation rate of the duty ratio;
determining that the inhalation action occurs if the fluctuation rate is greater than a first preset value; and
determining that the inhalation action does not occur if the fluctuation rate is not greater than the first preset value.

Preferably, "counting a total number of inhalation times" comprises:

initializing the total number of inhalation times upon receiving a heating activation signal; and
updating the total number of inhalation times when it is determined that a inhalation action occurs during the atomization process.

Preferably, after "acquiring a current temperature measurement value of a heating element of an aerosol forming device", the following is further included:

compensation the current temperature measurement value to processe according to a cold/hot device state of the heating element;
and, "determining a current duty ratio of a PWM signal according to the current temperature measurement value and a preset target temperature" comprises:
determining the current duty ratio of the PWM signal according to the compensated current temperature measurement value and the preset target temperature.

Preferably, the preset target temperature is related to time, and
the preset target temperature increases with time from an initial temperature to a first preset temperature in a first stage, drops from the first preset temperature to a second preset temperature in a second stage, and keeps stably at the second preset temperature in a third stage, wherein the second preset temperature is lower than the first preset temperature.
Preferably, the first stage has a time period that is shorter than 20 seconds; the second stage has a time period that is greater than 20 seconds; and the third stage has a time period of ranges from 200 seconds to 600 seconds.
Preferably, the following is further included:
acquiring a current environmental temperature measurement value, and compensation the second preset temperature to processe according to the current environmental temperature measurement value.
The present invention also develops an aerosol forming device, which comprises a control module, a heating element, an electronic switch connected between a power source and the heating element, and a detection module that detects a temperature of the heating element, and the control module comprises:

a temperature control unit, which functions for acquiring a current temperature measurement value of the heating element and determining a current duty ratio of a PWM signal according to the current temperature measurement value and a preset target temperature, and outputting the PWM signal toward the electronic switch in order to adjust a current heating power of the heating element;
a inhalation detection unit, which functions for acquiring a duty ratio of the PWM signal, and determining whether a inhalation action is currently occurring according to the duty ratio of the PWM signal; and
a shutdown control unit, which functions for counting a total number of inhalation times, and controlling the aerosol forming device to be power-off state when the total number of inhalation times reaches a threshold value.

Preferably, the inhalation detection unit comprises:

a filter subunit, which functions for filtering the duty ratio of the PWM signal;
a derivation subunit, which functions for taking derivation of the filtered duty ratio to acquire a fluctuation rate of the duty ratio; and
a determination subunit, which functions for determining that a inhalation action occurs if the fluctuation rate is greater than a first preset value; and determining that the inhalation action does not occur if the fluctuation rate is not greater than the first preset value.

Preferably, the shutdown control unit comprises:

a statistics compilation subunit, which functions for initializing the total number of inhalation times upon receiving a heating activation signal, and updating the total number of inhalation times when it is determined that a inhalation action occurs during the atomization process; and
a control subunit, which functions for controlling the aerosol forming device to be power-off state when the total number of inhalation times reaches the threshold value.
The present invention further develops an aerosol forming device, which comprises:
a heater, which comprises at least one heating element that is arranged to heat an aerosol forming substrate material to form aerosol;
a power source, which functions for supplying electrical power to the heating element; and
a control circuit, which comprises a storage device and a processor, wherein the storage device stores a computer program, and the processor executes the computer program to carry out the above inhalation detection method of the aerosol forming device.

The present invention further develops an aerosol forming device, which comprises a storage device and a processor, wherein the storage device stores at least one program instruction, and the processor loads and executes the at least one program instruction to carry out the above inhalation detection method.
The present invention further develops a computer storage medium, wherein the computer storage medium stores a computer program instruction; and the computer program instruction is executable by the processor to carry out the above inhalation detection method of the aerosol forming device.
The present invention further develops a control circuit, which is applicable to an aerosol forming device, and is characterized in that the control circuit is arranged to execute the above inhalation detection method of the aerosol forming device.

BENEFICIAL EFFICACY OF THE INVENTION

Beneficial Efficacy

The technical solution of the present invention is implemented such that when a PWM based operation is applied to control a temperature of a heating element of an aerosol forming device, a user's inhalation action can be identified by detecting a duty ratio of a PWM signal and a total number of inhalation times is counted during an atomization process to enable automatic shut-down when the total number of inhalation times reaches a threshold value. As such, power consumption can be reduced, and the user's experience is enhanced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Description of the drawings

A detailed description of the present invention will be provided below with reference to the attached drawings and embodiments, and in the drawings:

FIG 1 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a inhalation detection method of an aerosol forming device according to the present invention;
FIG 2 is a diagram showing a curve of a PWM signal varying with time according to the present invention;
FIG 3 is a diagram showing curves of original duty ratio and filtered duty ratio of a PWM signal varying with time according to the present invention;
FIG 4 is a diagram showing a curve of a fluctuation rate of PWM duty ratio varying with time according to the present invention;
FIG 5 is a diagram showing a curve of a preset target temperature varying with time according to the present invention; and
FIG 6 is a logic structure diagram of an embodiment of an aerosol forming device according to the present invention.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention

A clear and complete description of the technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present invention will be provided below with reference to the drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. However, the embodiments so described refer to only some embodiments, but not all embodiments, of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, those having ordinary skills in the field may contemplate, without making creative endeavor, other embodiments, which are considered within the scope of protection that the present invention seeks for.
FIG 1 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a inhalation detection method of an aerosol forming device according to the present invention, wherein in an atomization process, the inhalation detection method of the embodiment implements the following steps:

Step S10, acquiring a current temperature measurement value of a heating element of an aerosol forming device, and determining a current duty ratio of a PWM signal according to the current temperature measurement value and a preset target temperature, to adjust a current heating power of the heating element,
wherein in the step, implementation of adjusting the heating power of the heating element according to the preset target temperature and the acquired current temperature measurement value of the heating element is realized through calculation of a proper duty ratio of the PWM signal, such as applying proportional-integral-derivative (PID) algorithm to calculate a corresponding duty ratio, to adjust a ratio between conducting time and cutting-off time of an electronic switch for supplying proper electrical energy to the heating element to have a temperature thereof stabilized at the target temperature;
Step S20, acquiring a duty ratio of the PWM signal, and determining whether a inhalation action is currently occurring according to the duty ratio of the PWM signal,
wherein in the step, when no inhalation action is occurring, the temperature of the heating element is relatively stable, and fluctuation of the duty ratio of the PWM signal is relatively small; when the inhalation action occurs, the temperature of the heating element changes abruptly, and drops down temporarily due to heat is instantly removed from the heating element, and the operation of controlling the power of the heating element implemented in Step S10 attempts to increase the duty ratio of the PWM signal to increase the supply of electrical energy in order to make up for the loss of heat of the heating element so that during inhalation jittering of the duty ratio of the PWM signal occurs, and therefore, additionally referring to FIG 2, if it is detected that a sudden change of the duty ratio of the PWM signal occurs in a time period from t₁₁ to t₁₂, then it is determined that the user is conducting a inhalation action P; and
Step S30, counting a total number of inhalation times, and controlling the aerosol forming device to be power-off state when the total number of inhalation times reaches a threshold value,
wherein in the step, inhalation actions occur in the atomization process are counted, and when it is determined that the total number of inhalation times reaches the threshold value (such as inhalation for 13 puffs), this indicates volatile compounds contained in an aerosol forming substrate material (such as cigarette) have been completely released, and at the moment, the aerosol forming device can be controlled to shut down to thereby save energy consumption, and it is additionally noted here that different users may correspond to different threshold values, and the threshold value can be set up by the user or can be acquired through self-learning.

Further, in an optional embodiment, in Step S20, "determining whether a inhalation action is currently occurring according to the duty ratio of the PWM signal" comprises:

In the embodiment, additionally referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, during the atomization process, D1 represents an original duty ratio of the PWM signal; D2 represents the filtered duty ratio of the PWM signal; D3 represents a duty ratio obtained through derivation applied on the filtered duty ratio; P represents occurrence of the inhalation action, and S1 represents the total number of inhalation times. Thus, it is possible to determine whether inhalation actions occur during the atomization process by detecting the fluctuation rate of the duty ratio of the PWM signal and to count the inhalation times.
Further, in an optional embodiment, in Step S30, "counting a total number of inhalation times" comprises:

In the embodiment, to initialize of the total number of inhalation times, the total number of inhalation times is initialized as "0", and the total number of inhalation times is incremented by "1" each time inhalation is detected during the atomization process.
Further, in an optional embodiment, after "acquiring a current temperature measurement value of a heating element of an aerosol forming device", the following is further included:

In the embodiment, it is first noted that when the temperature measurement value of the heating element is determined according to a resistance measurement value of the heating element, on the condition that a field distribution of the temperature of the heating element exists, with an increase of heating time, the basic element heat conductivity of the heating element is increased, and on the condition of the same resistance, there will be a certain dropping process for temperature, and such a process is related to the basic element heat conductivity of the heating element. In other words, when the heating element itself is in the hot device state, the condition of volatilization will be different from that of the cold device state. To ensure consistency of compound volatility and comfortable cigarette gas temperature, a compensation algorithm is provided internally. The algorithm is for the situation of temperature dropping caused by heat conductivity, and the related parameters are time t and target temperature T_target, namely, the actual temperature measurement value T = F(R_Heater) + f(t,T_target), where R_Heater is the resistance measurement value of the heating element. This ensures essential consistency between the entire inhalation stage and the cold device state.
Further, in an optional embodiment, the preset target temperature is related to time, and in a first stage, the preset target temperature increases with time from an initial temperature to a first preset temperature; in a second stage, it is drops from the first preset temperature to a second preset temperature; and in a third stage, it is stably kept at the second preset temperature, wherein the second preset temperature is lower than the first preset temperature.
In the embodiment, jointly referring to a target temperature shown in FIG 5, in the first stage (0-11), the target temperature rises from the initial temperature to the first preset temperature T1; in the second stage (t1-t2), the target temperature drops from the first preset temperature T1 to the second preset temperature T2; and in the third stage (t2-t3), the target temperature is stably kept at the second preset temperature T2. Through setting the target temperature of the second stage (to be smaller than the first preset temperature of the first stage), it is possible to ensure the cartridge persistently generates aerosol at an optimum temperature, and through stably keeping the second preset temperature in the third stage, the heat conduction rate from the heating element to the cartridge is enhanced, so that transfer of aerosol in a characteristics-consistent way can be provided without variation with time.
Further, since the target temperature curve is an ideal curve, meaning it is a curve of a process of static heating that the heating element applies to an atomizable substrate material, and in an actual inhalation process by a user, each time of inhalation the aerosol, the gas flow will bring away a portion of the heat from the heating element, and in other words, in an actual scenario, at a time point when the user makes inhalation, the temperature value is smaller than the temperature value of the target temperature curve at the corresponding time point, and inhalation at a lowered temperature does not vaporize to form aerosol components corresponding to those atomized at a preset temperature, and the taste is affected. At the moment, with an attempt to make the actual temperature of the heating element and the target temperature consistent, the duty ratio of the PWM signal generated thereby will change abruptly, and the sudden increase of the duty ratio of the PWM signal may, on the one hand, makes the actual temperature of the heating element consistent with the target temperature in order to atomize the aerosol components corresponding to the present temperature to ensure that the mouth feeling of the user is not affect, and on the other hand, reflect that the user is currently making a inhalation action.
Further, in an optional embodiment, the first stage has a time period that is shorter than 20 seconds; the second stage has a time period that is greater than 20 seconds; and the third stage has a time period of ranges from 200 seconds to 600 seconds.
In an optional embodiment, the inhalation detection method of an aerosol forming device according to the present invention further comprises:
acquiring a current environmental temperature measurement value, and compensation the second preset temperature to processe according to the current environmental temperature measurement value.
In the embodiment, when the outside environmental temperature varies, to keep the experience of the product inhalation stage, it needs to implement compensation processing on the target temperature (the second preset temperature). For example, the wintertime environmental temperature (such as the environmental temperature being lower than 15 degrees Celsius) is relatively low, and the second preset temperature is set higher, in order to maintain the temperature of being vaped into the oral cavity; the summertime temperature is relatively high(such as the environmental temperature being higher than 25 degrees Celsius), the second preset temperature is set lower in order to maintain the temperature of being vaped into the oral cavity.
FIG 6 is a logic structure diagram of an embodiment of an aerosol forming device according to the present invention. The aerosol forming device according to the embodiment comprises a control module 10, a heating element H1, an electronic switch K1 connected between a power source 30 and the heating element H1, and a detection module 20 that detects a temperature of the heating element H1. The control module 10 comprises a temperature control unit 11, a inhalation detection unit 12, and a shutdown control unit (not shown), and the temperature control unit 11 functions for acquiring a current temperature measurement value of the heating element H1 and determining a current duty ratio of a PWM signal according to the current temperature measurement value and a preset target temperature, and outputting the PWM signal toward the electronic switch K1 in order to adjust a current heating power of the heating element H1; the suction detection unit 12 functions for acquiring a duty ratio of the PWM signal, and determining whether a inhalation action is currently occurring according to the duty ratio of the PWM signal; the shutdown control unit functions for counting a total number of inhalation times, and controlling the aerosol forming device to be power-off state when the total number of inhalation times reaches a threshold value.
Further, in an optional embodiment, the inhalation detection unit 12 comprises: a filter subunit, a derivation subunit, and a determination subunit, wherein the filter subunit functions for filtering the duty ratio of the PWM signal; the derivation subunit functions for taking derivation of the filtered duty ratio to acquire a fluctuation rate of the duty ratio; the determination subunit functions for determining that a inhalation action occurs if the fluctuation rate is greater than a first preset value; and determining that the inhalation action does not occur if the fluctuation rate is not greater than the first preset value.
Further, in an optional embodiment, the shutdown control unit comprises a statistics compilation subunit and a control subunit, wherein the statistics compilation subunit functions for initializing the total number of inhalation times upon receiving a heating activation signal; and updating the total number of inhalation times when it is determined that a inhalation action occurs during the atomization process; the control subunit functions for controlling the aerosol forming device to be power-off state when the total number of inhalation times reaches the threshold value.
The present invention also develops an aerosol forming device, and the aerosol forming device comprises a storage device and a processor. The storage device stores at least one program instruction, and the processor loads and executes the at least one program instruction to carry out the above-mentioned inhalation detection method.
The present invention also develops an aerosol forming device, and the aerosol forming device comprises: a heater, a power source, and a control circuit, wherein the heater comprises at least one heating element that is arranged to heat an aerosol forming substrate material to form aerosol; the power source functions for supplying electrical power to the heating element; the control circuit comprises a storage device and a processor, and the storage device stores a computer program, and the processor executes the computer program to carry out the above-mentioned inhalation detection method of the aerosol forming device.
The present invention also develops a computer storage medium, and the computer storage medium stores a computer program instruction. The computer program instruction is executable by a processor to carry out the above-mentioned inhalation detection method of an aerosol forming device.
The description provided above illustrate only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. For a skilled artisan in the field, the present invention can be modified and varied in various ways. Thus, all modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements, which are made within the spirit and scope of the present invention, should be construed to be falling within the scope of the claims of the present invention .

Claims

A inhalation detection method of an aerosol forming device, characterized by comprising the following steps:
acquiring a current temperature measurement value of a heating element of an aerosol forming device, and determining a current duty ratio of a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal according to the current temperature measurement value and a preset target temperature, to adjust a current heating power of the heating element;

acquiring a duty ratio of the PWM signal, and determining whether a halation action is currently occurring according to the duty ratio of the PWM signal; and

counting a total number of inhalation times, and controlling the aerosol forming device to be power-off state when the total number of inhalation times reaches a threshold value.
The inhalation detection method of the aerosol forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that "determining whether a inhalation action is currently occurring according to the duty ratio of the PWM signal" comprises:
filtering the duty ratio of the PWM signal, and taking derivation of the filtered duty ratio to acquire a fluctuation rate of the duty ratio;

determining that the inhalation action occurs if the fluctuation rate is greater than a first preset value; and

determining that the inhalation action does not occur if the fluctuation rate is not greater than the first preset value.
The inhalation detection method of the aerosol forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that " counting a total number of inhalation times" comprises:
initializing the total number of inhalation times upon receiving a heating activation signal; and

updating the total number of inhalation times when it is determined that a inhalation action occurs.
The inhalation detection method of the aerosol forming device according to claim 1, characterized by further comprising, after "acquiring a current temperature measurement value of a heating element of an aerosol forming device":
compensating the current temperature measurement value to processe according to a cold/hot device state of the heating element;

and, "determining a current duty ratio of a PWM signal according to the current temperature measurement value and a preset target temperature" comprising:
determining the current duty ratio of the PWM signal according to the compensated current temperature measurement value and the preset target temperature.
The inhalation detection method of the aerosol forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that the preset target temperature is related to time, and
the preset target temperature increases with time from an initial temperature to a first preset temperature in a first stage, drops from the first preset temperature to a second preset temperature in a second stage, and keeps stably at the second preset temperature in a third stage, wherein the second preset temperature is lower than the first preset temperature.
The inhalation detection method of the aerosol forming device according to claim 5, characterized in that the first stage has a time period that is shorter than 20 seconds; the second stage has a time period that is greater than 20 seconds; and the third stage has a time period of ranges from 200 seconds to 600 seconds.
The inhalation detection method of the aerosol forming device according to claim 5, characterized by further comprising:
acquiring a current environmental temperature measurement value, and compensating the second preset temperature to process according to the current environmental temperature measurement value.
An aerosol forming device, comprising a control module, a heating element, an electronic switch connected between a power source and the heating element, and a detection module that detects a temperature of the heating element, characterized in that the control module comprises:
a temperature control unit configured for acquiring a current temperature measurement value of the heating element and determining a current duty ratio of a PWM signal according to the current temperature measurement value and a preset target temperature, and outputting the PWM signal to the electronic switch in order to adjust a current heating power of the heating element;

a inhalation detection unit configured for acquiring a duty ratio of the PWM signal, and determining whether a inhalation action is currently occurring according to the duty ratio of the PWM signal; and

a shutdown control unit configured for counting a total number of inhalation times, and controlling the aerosol forming device to be power-off state when the total number of inhalation times reaches a threshold value.
The aerosol forming device according to claim 8, characterized in that the inhalation detection unit comprises:
a filter subunit configured for filtering the duty ratio of the PWM signal;

a derivation subunit configured for taking derivation of the filtered duty ratio to acquire a fluctuation rate of the duty ratio; and

a determination subunit configured for determining that a inhalation action occurs if the fluctuation rate is greater than a first preset value; and determining that the inhalation action does not occur if the fluctuation rate is not greater than the first preset value.
The aerosol forming device according to claim 8, characterized in that the shutdown control unit comprises:
a statistics compilation subunit configured for initializing the total number of inhalation times upon receiving a heating activation signal, and updating the total number of inhalation times when it is determined that a inhalation action occurs during the atomization process; and

a control subunit configured for controlling the aerosol forming device to be power-off state when the total number of inhalation times reaches the threshold value.
An aerosol forming device, characterized by comprising:
a heater comprising at least one heating element that is configured to heat an aerosol forming substrate material to form aerosol;

a power source configured for supplying electrical power to the heating element; and

a control circuit comprising a storage device and a processor, wherein the storage device stores a computer program, and the processor is configured to execute the computer program to carry out the inhalation detection method of the aerosol forming device according to any one of claims 1-7.
An aerosol forming device, characterized by comprising a storage device and a processor, wherein the storage device stores at least one program instruction, and the processor is configured to load and execute the at least one program instruction to carry out the inhalation detection method according to any one of claims 1-7.
A computer storage medium, characterized in that the computer storage medium stores a computer program instruction which is executable by the processor to carry out the inhalation detection method of the aerosol forming device according to any one of claims 1-7.