An electronic atomizer control system and method

Abstract

An electronic atomizer control system and method, including a sensor U1 and a controller U2; the sensor U1 and the controller U2 are connected in sequence; the controller U2 consists of modules such as a sensor input end, charge management, drive, main control logic, a first timer, a second timer, LED drive, and a heating and detection power tube, etc.; the present invention uses the difference in the resistance change rate of the heating wire of the electronic atomizer with and without e-liquid to check whether it is dry burning; starting from the smoking action, the voltage on the heating wire is compared with the internal reference voltage within a set time period. If the voltage exceeds the reference voltage, it is determined to be dry burning, and the power tube is immediately turned off to stop heating the heating wire until the end of this smoking action, realizing dry burning protection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of electronic atomizers, and particularly relates to an electronic atomizer control system and method. Background Art

[0002] Currently, electronic atomizer products on the market do not have a dry-burning protection function, that is, they do not have the ability to judge whether the e-liquid is used up, and when the e-liquid is used up, they cannot be protected and continue to heat, causing the electronic atomizer to overheat. In severe cases, it will cause damage to the electronic atomizer and even scald the user; for reservoir-type electronic atomizers, due to continued heating after the e-liquid is used up, high temperatures cause some residues to carbonize and produce a burnt smell, affecting the taste of subsequent e-liquid addition; currently, high-end electronic atomizer products on the market generally adopt an MCU and discrete device solution to achieve e-liquid detection and dry-burning protection by adding a temperature sensor. When the temperature of the heating wire exceeds the normal e-liquid atomization temperature due to the e-liquid being used up or having a small amount of e-liquid remaining, the sensor detects it and sends it to the MCU, and the MCU controls the current of the heating wire to be turned off, playing a dry-burning protection function. Based on the above dry-burning protection scheme, the manufacturing cost of the product is relatively high, and there is an urgent need for a low-cost dry-burning detection and protection solution in the market. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an electronic atomizer control system and method to solve the above problems.

[0004] To achieve the above purpose, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0005] An electronic atomizer control system, characterized in that it includes a sensor U1 and a controller U2; the sensor U1 and the controller U2 are connected in sequence;

[0006] The controller U2 includes a sensor input terminal, a main control logic, a first timer, a second timer, a comparator, a driver, a main power transistor M0, a sampling transistor M1, and a sampling resistor R2; the sensor input terminal is connected to the sensor U1, and the sensor input terminal, the first timer, the second timer, and the driver are all connected to the main control logic; the output terminal of the comparator cmp1 is connected to the first timer and the second timer, and the two input terminals of the comparator cmp1 are respectively connected to the heating resistor R1 and the sampling resistor R2. The comparator is used to compare the voltages on the sampling resistor R2 and the heating resistor R1; the output terminal of the driver is respectively connected to the main power transistor M0 and the sampling transistor M1. The sampling transistor M1 is connected to one end of the resistor R2, the main power transistor M0 is connected to one end of the heating resistor R1, and the other ends of the sampling resistor R2 and the heating resistor R1 are grounded.

[0007] Further, the sensor U1 is a negative pressure airflow sensor for detecting the negative pressure generated by air flow.

[0008] Further, one end of the sensor U1 is connected to the sensor access end of the main control logic, and the other end is grounded.

[0009] Further, the heating resistor R1 heats the e-liquid and atomizes the e-liquid; the first timer and the second timer respectively control the on-time and off-time of the main power transistor M0.

[0010] Further, the controller U2 further includes a charging management unit. The input end of the charging management unit is connected to the USB external power supply; the output end of the charging management module is connected to the VDD external battery, and the VDD external battery is connected to the smoking state detection module.

[0011] Further, the controller U2 further includes an LED module. The LED module includes an LED driver and an LED indicator. One end of the LED driver is connected to the main control logic, and the other end is connected to the LED indicator.

[0012] Further, the voltage on the heating resistor R1 satisfies:

[0013]

[0014] The voltage on the sampling resistor R2 satisfies:

[0015]

[0016] Where: Rdson_m0 is the on-resistance of the main power transistor M0, and Rdson_m1 is the on-resistance of the sampling transistor M1.

[0017] Further, the size of the sampling transistor M1 is 1 / K1 of the size of the main power transistor M0; the sampling resistor R2 is K2 times the heating resistor R1, where K1 and K2 can be equal or not equal.

[0018] Further, an electronic atomizer control method includes the following steps:

[0019] After the sensor U1 inputs a valid signal, the main control logic controls the drive module to turn on the main power transistor M0 and the sampling transistor M1, and at the same time starts the first timer to time. Within the time t1, the comparator cmp1 compares the voltages on R1 and R2;

[0020] Input the comparison result of the comparator cmp1 into the main control logic;

[0021] When within the time t1, if the voltage on R1 is greater than the voltage on R2, the main control logic determines it as a dry burning situation, turns off the main power transistor M0 and locks it until the valid signal of the sensor U1 ends;

[0022] After time t1, if the voltage across R1 is greater than the voltage across R2, the main control logic determines normal heating, turns off the main power transistor M0 without locking, and simultaneously starts the second timer. After timing for time t2, the main power transistor M0 is restarted for heating. This process is repeated until the valid signal of sensor U1 ends, achieving constant temperature control of the heater.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following technical effects:

[0024] The present invention uses the difference in the resistance change rate of the heating wire of the electronic atomizer with and without e-liquid to detect dry burning. Starting from the smoking action, the voltage across the heating wire is compared with the internal reference voltage while timing. If the voltage across the heating wire exceeds the reference voltage within the set time, it is determined as dry burning, and the power transistor is immediately turned off to stop heating the heating wire until the end of this smoking process. If the voltage across the heating wire exceeds the reference voltage after exceeding the set time, it is determined as normal heating, the power transistor is turned off to stop heating, and the power transistor is restarted for heating after a fixed time. This process is repeated until the end of this smoking process. This application can be adapted to both refillable and disposable electronic atomizers, integrating dry burning protection and temperature control functions on the heating chip, avoiding continuous heating after the e-liquid is used up or excessive heating temperature after the e-liquid decreases, which may cause the e-liquid to decompose and produce a burnt smell, affecting the taste and smoking experience, and effectively reducing the manufacturing cost.

[0025] The present invention sets a second timer to restart heating after a set period of time after turning off the main power transistor for heating. In this way, the temperature of the heating wire will be maintained at a temperature point related to the threshold voltage. The working temperature of the heating wire can be controlled by adjusting the threshold voltage to achieve constant temperature control. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 is the system schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 is the structural diagram of the electronic atomizer system of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0028] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0029] Please refer to Figures 1 to 2 , an electronic atomizer control system, including sensor U1 and controller U2; sensor U1 and controller U2 are connected in sequence;

[0030] The controller U2 includes a sensor input terminal, a main control logic, a first timer, a second timer, a comparator, a driver, a main power transistor M0, a sampling transistor M1, and a sampling resistor R2; the sensor input terminal is connected to the sensor U1, and the sensor input terminal, the first timer, the second timer, and the driver are all connected to the main control logic; the output terminal of the comparator is connected to the first timer and the second timer, and the two input terminals of the comparator are respectively connected to the heating resistor R1 and the sampling resistor R2, and the comparator is used to compare the voltages on the sampling resistor R2 and the heating resistor R1; the output terminal of the driver is respectively connected to the main power transistor M0 and the sampling transistor M1, the sampling transistor M1 is connected to one end of the resistor R2, the main power transistor M0 is connected to one end of the heating resistor R1, and the other ends of the sampling resistor R2 and the heating resistor R1 are grounded.

[0031] Specifically:

[0032] 1. Charging management: The USB external power supply and the VDD external battery are connected, and the USB terminal charges the VDD external battery; it is divided into three charging modes: trickle, constant current, and constant voltage.

[0033] 2. Sensor input terminal: After the sensor U1 detects the smoking state, it outputs a valid signal to the Sense terminal of U2. After the sensor input terminal of the controller U2 receives the Sense signal, it gives the smoking state signal to the main control logic.

[0034] 3. Main control logic: The main control logic receives the signal from the sensor input terminal and controls the LED driver and the MOS driver.

[0035] a. After receiving the signal from the sensor input terminal, the main control logic controls the LED driver. The LED lights up according to the smoking state and has different states, and controls the blinking frequency of the LED.

[0036] b. After receiving the signal from the sensor input terminal, the main control logic turns on the power transistor M0 and the sampling transistor M1, and controls the conduction duty cycle of M0 according to the OUT voltage to achieve a constant output power.

[0037] 4. Timer: The first timer starts timing after receiving the signal from the sensor input terminal; the second timer starts timing after the main control logic turns off the main power transistor M0 in the normal heating mode.

[0038] 5. LED driver: Controls the lighting and extinguishing of the LED according to the main control logic signal.

[0039] 6. Driver: Controls the conduction and cutoff of the power transistor M0 and the sampling transistor M1 according to the main control logic signal, heats the heating wire R1 and controls it.

[0040] In this application:

[0041] M0 is the main power transistor, serving as the switch for the heating wire R1; M1 is the sampling transistor, of the same type as M0, but with a size that is 1 / K1 of M0; that is, the sampling transistor M1 and the resistor R2 are used, and the aspect ratio of M0 is designed to be K1 times that of M1; at the same time, the resistance value of R2 is K2 times that when the heating wire is dry-burning, and K1 and K2 can be the same or different;

[0042] R2 is the sampling resistor. Inside the chip, R2 is designed to be a near-zero temperature drift resistor, and R2 is designed to be approximately K2 times that of R1 when dry-burning;

[0043] After the valid signal at the input end of the sensor, start the first timer to time. At time t1, input the comparison result of the comparator cmp1 into the main control logic;

[0044] cmp1 compares the voltages on R1 and R2;

[0045] When within the time t1, if the voltage on R1 is greater than the voltage on R2, the main control logic determines it as a dry-burning situation, turns off the main power transistor M0 and locks it until the valid signal of the sensor U1 ends.

[0046] When the power transistor M0 is conducting, the voltage on R1 is

[0047]

[0048] Since the resistance value of the heating wire increases as the temperature rises, this voltage also rises as the heating wire heats up, but it rises slowly in the presence of e-liquid and rises very quickly in the absence of e-liquid; similarly, the voltage on R2 is:

[0049]

[0050] The resistance of R2 is designed as a point resistor with near-zero temperature drift, so Vr2 can be approximately independent of temperature;

[0051] Embodiment:

[0052] After the input signal of the smoking state detection module, start the first timer to time. Within the time t1, the comparator cmp1 compares the voltages on R1 and R2;

[0053] Input the comparison result of the comparator cmp1 into the main control logic;

[0054] When within the time t1, if the voltage on R1 is greater than the voltage on R2, the main control logic determines it as a dry-burning situation, turns off the main power transistor M0 and locks it until the valid signal of the sensor U1 ends;

[0055] After time t1, if the voltage across R1 is greater than the voltage across R2, the main control logic determines normal heating, turns off the main power transistor M0 without locking, and simultaneously starts the second timer. After timing for t2, the main power transistor M0 is restarted for heating. This process is repeated until the valid signal of sensor U1 ends, achieving constant temperature control of the heater.

[0056] This application utilizes the characteristic that the resistance of the heating wire of the electronic atomizer increases with the increase in temperature to detect the temperature and achieve temperature control of the heating wire. When heating is started, the temperature of the heating wire rises rapidly and the resistance of the heating wire also increases with the increase in temperature. The increase in the resistance of the heating wire will inevitably lead to an increase in the voltage across the heating wire. By comparing the voltage across the heating wire with the internal threshold voltage, when the voltage across the heating wire exceeds the threshold voltage, the comparator flips, triggering the controller to turn off the heating, and simultaneously starting the timer. After a set period of time, the heating is restarted. In this way, the temperature of the heating wire will be maintained at a temperature point related to the threshold voltage. The operating temperature of the heating wire can be controlled by adjusting the threshold voltage to achieve temperature control.

[0057] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit them. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that: modifications or equivalent replacements can still be made to the specific embodiments of the present invention. Any modification or equivalent replacement that does not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention shall be covered by the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic atomizer control system, characterized in that, It includes a sensor U1 and a controller U2; the sensor U1 and the controller U2 are connected in sequence; The controller U2 includes a sensor input terminal, a main control logic, a first timer, a second timer, a comparator cmp1, a driver, a main power transistor M0, a sampling transistor M1, and a sampling resistor R2; the sensor input terminal is connected to the sensor U1; the sensor input terminal, the first timer, the second timer, and the driver are all connected to the main control logic; the output terminal of the comparator cmp1 is connected to the first timer and the second timer, and the two input terminals of the comparator cmp1 are respectively connected to a heating resistor R1 and the sampling resistor R2, and the comparator is used to compare the voltages on the sampling resistor R2 and the heating resistor R1; the output terminal of the driver is respectively connected to the main power transistor M0 and the sampling transistor M1, one end of the sampling transistor M1 is connected to one end of the resistor R2, one end of the main power transistor M0 is connected to one end of the heating resistor R1, and the other ends of the sampling resistor R2 and the heating resistor R1 are grounded; The heating resistor R1 heats the e-liquid and atomizes the e-liquid; the first timer and the second timer respectively control the on-time and off-time of the main power transistor M0.

2. The electronic atomizer control system according to claim 1, wherein The sensor U1 is a negative pressure air flow sensor for detecting the negative pressure generated by air flow.

3. An electronic atomizer control system according to claim 2, characterized in that, One end of the sensor U1 is connected to the sensor access terminal of the main control logic, and the other end is grounded.

4. An electronic atomizer control system according to claim 1, wherein, The controller U2 further includes a charging management, the input terminal of the charging management is connected to a USB external power supply; the output terminal of the charging management is connected to a VDD external battery, and the VDD external battery is connected to the sensor U1.

5. An electronic atomizer control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controller U2 further includes an LED module, and the LED module includes an LED driver and an LED indicator light, one end of the LED driver is connected to the main control logic, and the other end is connected to the LED indicator light.

6. The electronic atomizer control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The voltage on the heating resistor R1 satisfies: The voltage of the sampling resistor R2 satisfies: Wherein: Rdson_m0 is the on-resistance of the switching transistor M0, and Rdson_m1 is the on-resistance of the sampling transistor M1.

7. An electronic atomizer control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The size of the sampling transistor M1 is one K1-th of the size of the main power transistor M0; the sampling resistor R2 is K2 times that of the heating resistor R1, where K1 and K2 are equal or not equal.

8. An electronic atomizer control method, characterized in that, Based on the electronic atomizer control system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, it includes the following steps: After the sensor U1 inputs a valid signal, the main control logic controls the driver module to turn on the main power transistor M0 and the sampling transistor M1, and at the same time starts the first timer to time. Within the time t1, the comparator cmp1 compares the voltages on R1 and R2; Input the comparison result of the comparator cmp1 into the main control logic; When within the time t1, if the voltage on R1 is greater than the voltage on R2, the main control logic determines it as a dry burning situation, turns off the main power transistor M0 and locks it until the valid signal of the sensor U1 ends; When after the time t1, if the voltage on R1 is greater than the voltage on R2, the main control logic determines it as normal heating, turns off the main power transistor M0 but does not lock it, and at the same time starts the second timer. After timing for the time t2, the main power transistor M0 is turned on again for heating, and this process is repeated until the valid signal of the sensor U1 ends, realizing the constant temperature control of the heater temperature.

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