Electrical system for aerosol generating device

Abstract

An aerosol generating device comprising an electric system (20) is disclosed. The electric system (20) includes a battery (22) and a control circuit (24). The control circuit (24) is configured to monitor the state of the battery (22) during the discharge operation of the battery (22) and to set a flag indicating that the battery (22) is not in an operating state when a defect is detected in the battery (22). Additionally, the control circuit (24) is configured to check the flag when the electric system (20) is connected to an external power source and to allow charging of the battery (22) based on the flag. The battery (22) and the control circuit (24) may each be connected to an external power source through a first electric path (36) and a second electric path (38) so that power can be supplied independently to the battery (22) and the control circuit (24). The electric system (20) is configured to supply power to the control circuit (24) through the second electric path (38) from the external power source when the electric system (20) is connected to an external power source so that the flag can be checked without charging the battery (22).

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric system. More specifically, the electric system is used within an aerosol generating device. Background Technology

[0002] Aerosol generating devices, such as electronic cigarettes, often include an electrical system containing a battery to power a heating element. A known problem with these systems is that the battery can enter a deep discharge state. For example, if a lithium-ion battery cell enters a deep discharge state, internal degradation known as copper electrode melting occurs within the battery cell, and a short circuit may develop between the cell electrodes. Recharging such a battery can cause the cell to overheat and lead to thermal runaway, potentially posing a safety risk.

[0003] There are many other battery conditions that entail potential safety risks, and battery behaviors that indicate these conditions should generally be avoided.

[0004] The objective of the present invention is to improve the safety of an electric system including a battery within an aerosol generating device.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generating device comprising an electric system is provided, wherein the electric system comprises a battery; and a control circuit, the control circuit is configured to monitor the state of the battery during a discharge operation of the battery and to set a flag when a defect in the battery is detected, the flag indicates that the battery is not in an operating state, the control circuit is configured to check the flag when the electric system is connected to an external power source, and the control circuit is configured to allow charging of the battery based on the flag, the battery and the control circuit can be respectively connected to an external power source through a first electric path and a second electric path so that power can be supplied independently to the battery and the control circuit, and the electric system is configured to supply power from the external power source through the second electric path to the control circuit when the electric system is connected to an external power source so that the flag can be checked without charging the battery.

[0006] In this way, damaged or degraded batteries can be prevented from being charged, thereby improving the safety of the electrical system.

[0007] Conventional strategies for responding to battery defects include monitoring the battery charge curve to detect over-discharge or other dangerous battery conditions. However, these strategies detect defects only after cell charging has started. Consequently, power may already be supplied to a battery with an internal short circuit or other defects. In the present invention, the control circuit monitors the battery during a discharge operation, for example, when powering a heating element during a vaping operation of an aerosol generating device, and sets a flag within the control circuit if a defect is detected. When the electrical system is subsequently connected to an external power source with the intention of charging the aerosol generating device, the control circuit checks the flag and allows charging of the battery only if the flag is present. As a result, charging of the battery is prevented if the battery is defective, ensuring that power is not supplied to a battery in a dangerous state.

[0008] Furthermore, the configuration of the electrical system is designed so that the control circuit can receive power to check the flag without supplying power to a potentially defective battery. In contrast, in known electrical systems, particularly in the case of aerosol generating devices, the charging process also begins when the control circuit receives power, making it impossible to check the flag without supplying power to a potentially dangerous battery.

[0009] Detecting a defect in a battery may involve measuring the battery's voltage over time. If the voltage drops below a threshold voltage, it can be determined that a defect has occurred. For example, in the case of a lithium-ion battery, 3.0V may be a typical voltage at which the battery is considered discharged, 2.8V may be a typical threshold at which the battery is considered defective, and 2.5V may be a typical voltage at which there is irrecoverable internal cell damage. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the threshold voltage varies depending on the type of battery and the chemistry of the specific cell.

[0010] Alternatively or additionally, detecting battery defects may involve monitoring the battery temperature. If the battery temperature exceeds a critical temperature, the battery can be determined to be defective. Those skilled in the art will understand that the critical temperature varies depending on the type of battery and the chemistry of the cells.

[0011] Preferably, the electrical system further includes a battery charger circuit, and the control circuit is configured to send a signal to the battery charger circuit based on a flag, the signal indicating that charging is permitted, and the battery charger circuit is configured to charge the battery when the signal indicating that charging is permitted is received from the control circuit. In this way, using the battery charger circuit allows for efficient and reliable power supply to the battery while ensuring that power is not supplied to a damaged or degraded battery according to the signal reception requirements.

[0012] Preferably, charging the battery involves supplying power to the battery along a first electrical path.

[0013] Preferably, the control circuit is configured to modify a flag when it detects that the battery has been replaced. In this way, the new battery, which is not in a potentially dangerous operating state, is not prevented from being charged.

[0014] Preferably, the electrical system further includes a voltage regulator for supplying power to the control circuit. The voltage regulator has the ability to generate and maintain a constant current or voltage output.

[0015] For example, the electrical system can be connected to an external power source via a USB connection. In particular, the voltage regulator and battery charger circuits can be connected to an external power source via a USB connection.

[0016] Preferably, the electrical system is configured to supply power from the battery to the control circuit when the electrical system is not connected to an external power source.

[0017] Preferably, the electrical system additionally includes a heating element, and the control circuit is configured to switch off the power supply from the battery to the heating element when a fault is detected in the battery. In this way, continuous operation of a damaged or deteriorated battery can be avoided.

[0018] Preferably, the control circuit is configured to switch off the power supply from the battery to the heating element when the electrical system is connected to an external power source.

[0019] Preferably, the electrical system additionally includes a fuse, and the control circuit is configured to activate the fuse when a fault detected in the battery is considered unrecoverable, and when the fuse is activated, battery charging is irreversibly disabled.

[0020] Preferably, the control circuit is further configured to activate the fuse when a critical time period has elapsed since the flag was set and a battery defect is detected to still exist.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for operating an aerosol generating device including an electric system is provided, comprising: a step of monitoring the battery status of the electric system using a control circuit during a discharge operation of the battery; a step of setting a flag indicating that the battery is not in an operating state in response to detecting a defect in the battery, wherein the battery and the control circuit can each be connected to an external power source via a first electric path and a second electric path so that power can be supplied independently to the control circuit and the battery; a step of supplying power from the external power source through the second electric path to check the flag without charging the battery in response to detecting that the electric system is connected to an external power source; and a step of allowing the battery to be charged based on the flag.

[0022] Preferably, the method further comprises the step of sending a signal indicating that charging is permitted from a control circuit to a battery charger circuit; and the step of charging the battery in response to receiving the signal indicating that charging is permitted.

[0023] Preferably, the method further includes a step of clearing a flag when detecting that the battery has been replaced.

[0024] Preferably, the method further includes the step of supplying power from a battery to a control circuit when the electrical system is not connected to an external power source.

[0025] Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of: providing a heating element to an electrical system; switching off the power supply to the heating element when a fault is detected in the battery; and / or switching off the power supply from the battery to the heating element when the electrical system is connected to an external power source.

[0026] Preferably, the method further includes the step of activating a fuse of the electrical system using a control circuit when a defect detected in the battery is considered unrecoverable, and when the fuse is activated, charging of the battery is irreversibly disabled.

[0027] Preferably, the method further includes the step of activating a fuse using a control circuit in response to the detection that a critical time period has elapsed since the flag was set and that a battery defect still exists.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, a non-transient computer-readable memory medium comprising an executable instruction is provided, wherein the instruction is executed in a computer or processor of an aerosol generating device comprising an electric system, the computer or processor performs the steps of: monitoring the battery status of the electric system using a control circuit during a discharge operation of the battery; setting a flag indicating that the battery is not in an operating state in response to detecting a defect in the battery, wherein the battery and the control circuit can each be connected to an external power source via a first electric path and a second electric path so that power can be supplied independently to the control circuit and the battery; supplying power from the external power source via the second electric path to check the flag without charging the battery in response to detecting that the electric system is connected to the external power source; and allowing the charging of the battery based on the flag. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0029] Now, embodiments of the present invention will be described as examples with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional electrical system for an aerosol generating device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electric system for an aerosol generating device in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3a is a block diagram of the electrical system shown in FIG. 2, illustrating a first electrical path for supplying power from an external power source to a battery, and a second electrical path for supplying power from an external power source to a control circuit. FIG. 3b is a block diagram of the electrical system shown in FIG. 2, illustrating a third electrical path for supplying power from the battery to the control circuit during the discharge operation of the battery. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the steps of a method for operating an electric system for an aerosol generating device in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing additional method steps for operating an electrical system. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an electric system for an aerosol generating device in one embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional electric system (2) for an aerosol generating device. The electric system (2) includes a battery (4), a control circuit (6), a battery charging circuit (8), a power connection (10), a heating element (12), and a switch (14).

[0031] When in use, when the electric system (2) is connected to an external power source through the power connection unit (10), the battery charging circuit unit (8) transmits power to wake up the control circuit unit (6). However, since the battery (4) and the control circuit unit (6) are connected in parallel and receive power directly from the battery charging circuit unit (8), the battery (4) also receives power and starts charging. Therefore, by utilizing any function of the control circuit unit (6), the battery (4) also receives power.

[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates an electric system (20) for an aerosol generating device in one embodiment of the present invention. The electric system includes a battery (22), a control circuit (24), a battery charging circuit (26), a USB connection (28), a voltage regulator (30), a heating element (32), and a switch (34).

[0033] The USB connector (28) can be connected to an external power source. Those skilled in the art will understand that the USB connector (28) can be replaced with any other suitable form of power connector, such as any AC power plug for connecting to the building's primary AC power source or any DC power plug for supplying DC power.

[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 3a, electricity can be supplied from the USB connector (28) to the battery (22) along the first electrical path (36). The first electrical path (36) extends from the USB connector (28) to the battery (22) through the battery charging circuit (26). Electricity can also be supplied from the USB connector (28) to the control circuit (24) along the second electrical path (38). The second electrical path extends from the USB connector (28) to the control circuit (24) through the voltage regulator (30). The first electrical path (36) and the second electrical path (38) are configured as separate electrical paths. Thus, when the USB connector (28) is connected to an external power source, electricity can be supplied along the second electrical path (38) to supply power to the control circuit (24) without supplying power to the battery (22). As used herein, the term "electrical path" refers to a component suitable for transmitting power by the conduction of electrons, such as a wire, cable, or power line.

[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 3b, the third electrical path (39) connects the battery (22) to the control circuit (24) through the voltage regulator (30). The battery (22) may be a lithium-ion battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a lead-acid battery, or any other type of rechargeable battery.

[0036] When in use, the voltage regulator (30) receives power from an external power source (via the USB connector (28)) or from the battery (22). Then, the voltage regulator (30) can supply power to the control circuit (24) to wake up the control circuit (24) and supply power to the control circuit. The voltage regulator (30) is configured to supply power from the USB connector (28) to the control circuit (24) when the electrical system (20) is connected to an external power source (i.e., when power is supplied along the second electrical path (38), and otherwise, to supply power from the battery (22) to the control circuit (24) when power is not supplied along the third electrical path (39).

[0037] The voltage regulator (30) has the ability to generate and maintain a constant current or voltage output. In an alternative example, it is understood that the voltage regulator (30) may instead include a switch or other mechanism capable of controlling and / or adjusting the supply of current and sending it along different electrical paths.

[0038] In this example, the control circuit (24) is a microcontroller unit (MCU) and is used to control the operation of the electrical system (20). The MCU includes one or more CPUs (processor cores) along with memory and programmable input / output peripherals. In another example, the control circuit (24) may include a separate microprocessor, memory, and input / output devices.

[0039] The control circuit (24) is configured to monitor the state of the battery (22) during the discharge operation of the battery (22) and to control one or more aspects of the electrical system based on the state of the battery (22). The term 'discharge operation' of the battery refers to a situation in which the battery (22) is used as a power source to supply power to an electrical load or electrical component within the electrical system (20). Monitoring the state of the battery (22) may include monitoring one or more attributes or characteristics of the battery (22), such as temperature, voltage, or current, to detect defects or abnormalities within the battery (22).

[0040] For example, a defect may result from the battery (22) entering an over-discharge state, for example, a short circuit, leading to internal degradation of the battery. This can be detected by measuring the voltage of the battery (22) over time and determining when the voltage drops below a threshold voltage. The threshold voltage will vary depending on the type of battery and the chemistry of the specific cell. However, as an example, for a lithium-ion battery, 3.0V may be a typical voltage at which the battery is considered discharged, 2.8V may be a typical threshold at which the battery is considered defective at a voltage below that, and 2.5V may be a typical voltage at which there is irrecoverable internal cell damage in the battery. Such internal damage is often referred to as copper (foil) melting.

[0041] The defective state can also be determined by monitoring the temperature of the battery (22). A temperature sensor (27) can be used to measure the temperature of the battery. If the battery is operating abnormally, the temperature may be high. Therefore, if the temperature is detected to exceed a critical temperature, the battery (22) can be determined to be defective. Again, the critical temperature will vary depending on the type of battery and the chemical composition of the cell.

[0042] Additional examples of detecting defects may include detecting battery capacity loss. Capacity loss (or capacity fading) is a phenomenon observed during the use of a rechargeable battery in which the amount of charge a battery can deliver at rated voltage decreases with use. For example, if battery capacity fading exceeds about 60% to 70%, the battery may be considered defective as it is deemed too aged / damaged.

[0043] In this case, the electric system (20) is located within an aerosol generating device, and the discharge operation refers to an aerosol generating operation (or vaping operation) in which the battery (22) provides power to the heating element (32). However, those skilled in the art will understand that the electric system (20) may be used within an alternative device, and the heating element (32) may be replaced with other electric components.

[0044] The control circuit (24) is configured to set a flag in the data storage portion (25) of the control circuit (23) when a defect is detected in the operating state of the battery (22). The data storage portion (25) may include volatile or non-volatile memory or a long-term storage medium. The flag provides an indication that a defect has been detected and that the battery (22) is not in an operating state.

[0045] In this example, the flag is a form of status register set in the EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory) of the MCU (24) and records the state of calculations performed by the MCU (24). Typically, the flag is set to 1 bit of data in the EEPROM; however, the number of bits can be increased to indicate a specific type of detected defect.

[0046] The control circuit (24) may also be configured to open the switch (34) when a defect is detected in the battery (22) to cut off the supply of electricity to the heating element (32) and improve the safety of the aerosol generating device.

[0047] In one example, the electric system (20) may additionally include a data line connecting the control circuit (24) to the electric system (20) configured to provide voltage information to the control circuit (24).

[0048] To charge the battery (22), the electrical system (20) of the aerosol generating device can be connected to an external power source via a USB connector (28). A voltage regulator (30) receives power from the USB connector (28) and generates a CC (constant current) output used to wake up the control circuit (24) by supplying power along a second electrical path (38). Since the battery (22) is connected to the USB connector (28) via a first electrical path (36) separated from the second electrical path (38), the control circuit (24) can receive power without charging the battery (22).

[0049] In response to receiving power from the voltage regulator (30) when connected to an external power source, the control circuit (22) is configured to check a flag. If the flag is present, the control circuit (24) will not allow charging of the battery (22). If the flag is cleared or does not exist, the control circuit (24) will allow charging of the battery (22).

[0050] Allowing the charging of the battery (22) involves sending a signal to the battery charging circuit (26), wherein the signal indicates that the charging of the battery (22) is allowed. The battery charging circuit (26) is configured to charge the battery (22) only when a charging allowance signal is received from the control circuit (24). Charging the battery (22) involves supplying power to the battery (22) along the first electrical path (36). The battery charging circuit (26) does not charge the battery (22) if no signal is received. Thus, this configuration can improve the safety of the aerosol generating device by ensuring that the charging process is not initiated if a defect is detected in the battery (22). This method of operation is achieved by separate electrical paths (36, 38) for the battery (22) and the control circuit (24), respectively, so that the control circuit (24) can be supplied with power to check the flag without charging the battery (22).

[0051] In this example, the battery charging circuit (26) is a battery charger IC (integrated circuit).

[0052] For other general purposes, the control circuit (24) may be configured to switch off the power supply from the battery (22) to the heating element (32) when the electric system (20) is connected to an external power source via the USB connector (28). This can be achieved by opening the switch (34). Furthermore, the control circuit (24) may be configured to clear a flag when the control circuit (24) detects that the battery (22) has been replaced.

[0053] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a method of operating an electric system (20) of an aerosol generating device in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 4, the method begins at step (40) when the aerosol generating device enters a vaping or aerosol generating operation mode. During the vaping operation mode, the battery (22) is used as a power source to power the heating element (32). The battery also supplies electricity along a third electrical path (39) to power the control circuit (24).

[0055] In step (42), the control circuit (24) monitors the state of the battery (22). For example, the control circuit (24) may monitor the voltage of the battery (22) over time to detect an over-discharge state. If no defect is detected, monitoring and vaping operations continue.

[0056] When a defect is detected, the switch (34) is opened and the power supply from the battery (22) to the heating element (32) is interrupted, thereby terminating the vaping operation of the aerosol generating device. Additionally, in step (46), the control circuit (24) sets a flag in the control circuit (24) indicating that the battery (22) is not in an operating state.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 5, the method continues in step (48) when the aerosol generating device is connected to an external power source by a USB connector (28) with the intention of charging the battery (22) within the aerosol generating device.

[0058] When connected to an external power source, in step (50), a CC output is generated by the voltage regulator (30) and supplied to the control circuit (24) along the second electrical path (38). Since the first electrical path (36) and the second electrical path (38) include separate conduction paths, the control circuit (24) can be awakened and supplied with power without supplying power to the battery (22).

[0059] In step (52), when the control circuit unit (24) wakes up, the control circuit unit (24) checks the flag.

[0060] If the flag is cleared or does not exist, the method continues in step (54) and charging of the battery (22) is allowed. In step (56), the control circuit (24) sends a signal to the battery charging circuit (26) indicating that charging of the battery (22) is allowed. In step (58), when the battery charging circuit (26) receives the signal indicating that charging is allowed, the battery charging circuit (26) proceeds with charging of the battery (22) by supplying power along the first electrical path (36).

[0061] Alternatively, if the flag is not cleared in step (52), the method continues in step (60) and charging of the battery is not allowed (60).

[0062] FIG. 6 illustrates an electric system (70) according to another embodiment of the present invention. The electric system (70) includes features corresponding to those described with reference to FIGS. 2 through 5 and is configured to operate substantially according to the method of FIGS. 4 and 5 under specific conditions described below. However, for convenience of reference, some of the previously described connections and features have been omitted in FIG. 6. Nevertheless, those skilled in the art will understand that omitted features, such as a heating element (32), may be used together with additional features of this embodiment.

[0063] The electric system (70) differs from the previous embodiment in that it additionally includes a fuse (72) for disabling the charging of the battery (22). The fuse (72) exists in addition to the previously described flag that can be set in the control circuit (24) to disable the charging of the battery (22). That is, the electric system (70) utilizes both hardware and software means to disable the charging of the battery (22) when a defect is detected in the battery (22).

[0064] In particular, the previously described flag mechanism provides a first protection level to prevent charging of the battery (22) when a defect caused by a battery state considered (potentially) recoverable is detected in the battery (22). The fuse (72) provides a second protection level to prevent charging of the battery (22) when a defect caused by a battery state considered unrecoverable is detected in the battery (22).

[0065] Examples of damage to the battery (22) that may be considered irrecoverable include internal short circuits. For example, as previously discussed, a short circuit may result from the battery (22) entering an over-discharge state leading to internal degradation of the battery (22). This can be detected by measuring the voltage of the battery (22) over time and determining when the voltage drops below a critical voltage. Another indication of permanent and irrecoverable damage is detecting a voltage drop during the charging process. Such a voltage drop indicates that there is an internal short circuit in the battery (22).

[0066] Meanwhile, an example of battery (22) damage that may be considered recoverable is a loss of capacity due to lithium plating. Lithium plating occurs under vigorous or suboptimal charging conditions. This loss of capacity can be recovered by preventing the operation of the battery (22) for a set period of time, e.g., several days, or by performing one or more charging cycles and monitoring the change in capacity over time. However, in some situations, the loss of capacity due to lithium plating may not be recoverable, for example, if the internal damage is too severe.

[0067] In this embodiment of the present invention, when an unrecoverable defect state of the battery (22) is detected, for example, when a voltage drop is detected during charging or when the battery (22) is detected to have entered an over-discharge state, the fuse (72) is activated by the control circuit (24) so ​​that the charging of the battery (22) is permanently disabled.

[0068] Otherwise, if a defective state of the battery (22) that is not considered unrecoverable is detected, for example, if a capacity loss of the battery (22) is detected such that the capacity loss exceeds a threshold, the electrical system (70) operates according to the previously described embodiment. That is, a flag is set indicating that the battery (22) is not in an operating state, and charging of the battery (22) is prevented while the flag is present.

[0069] However, if it is detected that a defective state still exists after a predetermined time period has elapsed, the damage to the battery (22) may be considered irrecoverable. In this case, the fuse (72) is activated by the control circuit (24) to permanently disable charging of the battery (22). For example, the fuse (72) may be activated if, after a critical time period has elapsed, the capacity of the battery (22) remains below the critical capacity, for example, 50% to 40% of the nominal capacity. The control circuit (24) may include a timer configured to monitor the elapsed time, or alternatively or additionally, the control circuit (24) may estimate the elapsed time by monitoring the voltage change of the battery (22).

[0070] As understood by those skilled in the art, a fuse (72) is a physical component configured to be destroyed when the current exceeds a predetermined level. For example, the fuse (72) may consist of a wire strip configured to melt when the current exceeds a predetermined level. In particular, the fuse (72) may include a copper track with a narrower central portion, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0071] In a specific embodiment of the electric circuit (70) illustrated in FIG. 6, the electric system (70) comprises an I / O line (74), a transistor (76) (e.g., an NPN transistor), an enable line (78), a resistor (80), and a positive supply voltage (V cc Includes ). The I / O line (74) extends from the control circuit (24) to the transistor (74). A first positive supply voltage (V cc ) is connected to the I / O line (74) through the first resistor (80). The transistor (76) is connected to the fuse (72) and the second positive supply voltage (V cc It is connected to ). The fuse (72) is connected to the charging circuit (26) through the enable line (78). The third positive supply voltage (V CC ) is connected to the enable line (78) through the second resistor (80).

[0072] When a defect considered unrecoverable is detected in the battery (22), or when a critical time period has elapsed after a flag is set, the control circuit (24) is configured to send a signal along the I / O line (74) to turn on the transistor to “ON” so that the maximum current flows through the fuse (72). In this way, the fuse (72) is blown (i.e. activated), and the enable line (78) connected to the transistor (76) through part of the fuse (72) provides a control signal to the charging circuit (26) (e.g., set to high), and the charging circuit permanently disables the charging of the battery (22).

[0073] Of course, those skilled in the art will understand that the specific configuration of the electrical system (70) including the fuse (72) shown in FIG. 6 is an exemplary configuration, and that various variations falling under the claims may be made to the electrical system (70).

Claims

Claim 1 An aerosol generating device comprising an electric system, wherein the electric system comprises a battery; and a control circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to monitor the state of the battery during a discharge operation of the battery and to set a flag when a defect in the battery is detected, the flag indicating that the battery is not in an operating state, wherein the control circuit is configured to check the flag when the electric system is connected to an external power source, and wherein the control circuit is configured to allow charging of the battery based on the flag, wherein the battery and the control circuit can be respectively connected to the external power source through a first electric path and a second electric path so that power can be supplied independently to the battery and the control circuit, and wherein the electric system is configured to supply power from the external power source to the control circuit through the second electric path when the electric system is connected to the external power source so that the flag can be checked without charging the battery. Claim 2 An aerosol generating device according to claim 1, further comprising a battery charger circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to send a signal to the battery charger circuit based on the flag, the signal indicating that charging is permitted, and the battery charger circuit is configured to charge the battery when the signal indicating that charging is permitted is received from the control circuit. Claim 3 An aerosol generating device according to paragraph 2, wherein charging the battery includes supplying power to the battery along the first electric path. Claim 4 An aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control circuit is configured to modify the flag when it detects that the battery has been replaced. Claim 5 An aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electric system is configured to supply power from the battery to the control circuit when the electric system is not connected to the external power source. Claim 6 An aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electric system further comprises a heating element, and the control circuit is configured to switch off the power supply from the battery to the heating element when a defect is detected in the battery. Claim 7 In claim 6, the aerosol generating device is configured such that the control circuit is configured to switch off the power supply from the battery to the heating element when the electrical system is connected to the external power source. Claim 8 An aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electrical system further comprises a fuse, and the control circuit is configured to activate the fuse when a defect detected in the battery is deemed unrecoverable, and when the fuse is activated, the charging of the battery is irreversibly disabled. Claim 9 An aerosol generating device according to claim 8, wherein the control circuit is further configured to activate the fuse when a critical time period has elapsed after the flag is set and a defect in the battery is detected to still exist. Claim 10 A method for operating an aerosol generating device including an electrical system, comprising: a step of monitoring the battery status of the electrical system using a control circuit during a discharge operation of the battery; a step of setting a flag indicating that the battery is not in an operating state in response to detecting a defect in the battery; wherein the battery and the control circuit can each be connected to an external power source via a first electrical path and a second electrical path so that power can be supplied independently to the control circuit and the battery; a step of supplying power from the external power source to the control circuit via the second electrical path to check the flag without charging the battery in response to detecting that the electrical system is connected to the external power source; and a step of allowing the charging of the battery based on the flag. Claim 11 A method according to claim 10, further comprising: a step of sending a signal indicating that charging is permitted from the control circuit to the battery charger circuit; and a step of charging the battery in response to receiving the signal indicating that charging is permitted. Claim 12 A method according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising the step of clearing the flag when it is detected that the battery has been replaced. Claim 13 A method according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising the step of supplying power from the battery to the control circuit when the electrical system is not connected to the external power source. Claim 14 A method according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising the step of activating a fuse of the electrical system using the control circuit when the defect of the battery is considered unrecoverable, wherein when the fuse is activated, the charging of the battery is irreversibly disabled. Claim 15 A non-transient computer-readable memory medium comprising executable instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed in a computer or processor of an aerosol generating device comprising an electrical system, cause the computer or processor to perform the steps of: monitoring the battery status of the electrical system using a control circuit during a discharge operation of the battery; setting a flag indicating that the battery is not in an operating state in response to detecting a defect in the battery; the battery and the control circuit may each be connected to an external power source via a first electrical path and a second electrical path so that power can be supplied independently to the control circuit and the battery; supplying power from the external power source to the control circuit via the second electrical path to check the flag without charging the battery in response to detecting that the electrical system is connected to the external power source; and allowing the charging of the battery based on the flag.

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