Control Circuit and Control Method for Child Lock of an Electronic Atomizer

Abstract

The present invention provides a control circuit and a control method for a child lock of an electronic atomizer, which controls the working state of the electronic atomizer through the detection of the working state by a sensor and logical calculation to prevent misoperation. It includes: a detection module that detects the working state and outputs a working state signal. A child lock module starts timing after receiving the working state signal of work stop. When the timing reaches time T1 (T1 is greater than 1 minute), it outputs a trigger signal, and the heating wire is de-energized and the electronic atomization liquid stops heating. An unlocking module detects the number of times of nozzle plugging and unplugging within time T2. When the number reaches N (N is approximately equal to 2), it outputs an unlocking signal, connects the heating wire, and the electronic atomization liquid is heated at a certain power. The present invention also includes a control method for controlling the above circuit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of circuit control, and specifically, to a control circuit and a control method for a child lock of an electronic atomizer. Background Art

[0002] With the popularization of electronic atomizers, electronic atomizers can be seen everywhere in social life and ordinary families. This is also likely to cause minors to imitate. Minors lack necessary restraint, do not have the correct usage method, and do not comply with the provisions of relevant laws. If a large amount or even an excessive amount of electronic atomizers are inhaled, it may cause certain damage to the physical health of minors and also bring adverse effects to society and families. To avoid such adverse effects, it is necessary to prevent minors from using electronic atomizers.

[0003] Currently, electronic atomizers with child lock functions on the market are all designed with an MCU, which has a high cost, a relatively large volume, and a high power consumption.

[0004] Therefore, how to integrate the child lock function in the control circuit to reduce costs, reduce the volume and power consumption is a technical problem to be solved currently. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a control circuit for a child lock of an electronic atomizer, which can detect and perform logical calculations on the state of the electronic atomizer through a sensor to control the working state of the electronic atomizer, and integrate the child lock function in the control circuit to reduce costs, reduce the volume and power consumption. The control circuit includes:

[0006] A detection module that detects the working state and outputs a working state signal indicating the work stop;

[0007] A child lock module that starts timing after receiving the working state signal indicating the work stop. When the timing reaches T1 time, it shields the detection module, and even if there is an action, it does not heat the heating wire;

[0008] An unlocking module that detects the number of times of nozzle plugging and unplugging. When the number reaches N within T2 time, it outputs an unlocking signal to allow the detection module to work. Only when the detection module detects the working state will it heat the heating wire. N can be 2 or 3.

[0009] Preferably, the detection module of the control circuit at least includes a mic sensor, chip U1, and chip U2. The detection module for the control circuit to judge includes:

[0010] The sound wave of inhalation generates an induced current in the mic sensor and is connected to the sensor input end of chip U2 through chip U1. The induced current is input through the sensor of chip U2. When inhalation stops, the sensor input outputs an inhalation state signal indicating the inhalation stop;

[0011] The inhalation state signal of inhalation stop is a falling edge signal generated by the conversion of the high level signal generated by the induced current during inhalation to the low level signal during non-inhalation;

[0012] Preferably, the child lock module of the control circuit at least includes a timer, a trigger, a main control logic circuit, an AND gate circuit, a power tube drive circuit and a power tube, and the child lock module determined by the control circuit includes:

[0013] The timer starts timing when it receives the working status signal of the work stop. When time T1 is reached, the timer sends a trigger signal to the trigger. The trigger locks its output level signal as a low level. The level signal and the output signal of the main control logic circuit pass through the AND gate circuit, the power tube drive circuit and the power tube, so that the heating wire is not energized and the electronic atomization liquid stops heating. The time T1 is greater than 1 minute.

[0014] Preferably, the unlocking module of the control circuit at least includes a nozzle plug-in detection, a trigger, a main control logic circuit, an AND gate circuit, a power tube drive circuit and a power tube, and the unlocking module determined by the control circuit includes:

[0015] Nozzle plugging and unplugging detection, by detecting the number of times the heating wire contacts and disconnects in the control circuit within a period of time T2, that is, the number of times the nozzle is plugged and unplugged. If the nozzle is plugged and unplugged N times within T2, an unlocking signal is output to the trigger, and the level signal output by the trigger is restored to a high level. The level signal and the output signal of the main control logic circuit pass through the AND gate circuit, the power tube drive circuit and the power tube, so that the heating wire heats normally and the electronic atomization liquid is heated at a certain power, and N is an integer greater than 2.

[0016] Correspondingly, the present invention further provides a method for controlling a child lock of an electronic atomizer, which is applied to a child lock control circuit of the electronic atomizer of the present application, and the method comprises:

[0017] The first step is to continuously detect the working status;

[0018] The second step is to start timing when the work stops;

[0019] Step 3: After the smoking stops for T1 time, the protection lock is performed in sequence and the unlocking signal is detected;

[0020] Step 4: After detecting the unlock signal, release the protection lock and return to the first step.

[0021] The unlocking signal is plugging and unplugging the cigarette holder N times within T2, where N is an integer greater than 2. T1 is greater than 1 minute.

[0022] After the above process, the circuit of the present application can start timing from the end of the smoking action. If no smoking action is detected again within a relatively long time, protection locking is performed, and unlocking is awaited by repeatedly plugging and unplugging the mouthpiece.

[0023] Therefore, under the above concept, the present application can achieve basic operation control through a simple sensor control circuit and logic circuit. In the case where the MCU can be replaced, a child lock function is integrated on the heating chip of the electronic atomizer, reducing power consumption and cost, and having a simple structure and improved reliability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0025] Figure 1 Shows the circuit schematic diagram of the child lock of the electronic atomizer of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 Shows the detailed circuit schematic diagram of the child lock of the electronic atomizer of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 Shows the circuit schematic diagram of the mouthpiece plugging and unplugging detection of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 Shows the circuit schematic diagram of the existing pulse generator;

[0029] Figure 5 Shows the circuit schematic diagram of the existing counter;

[0030] Figure 6 Shows the control method flow chart of the child lock of the electronic atomizer of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0031] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, rather than all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0032] The technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0033] In the prior art, although many electronic atomizers are provided with a child lock switch, most of them are designed with an MCU. Therefore, the cost is relatively high, the volume is relatively large, and the power consumption is relatively high. In order to reduce costs, reduce the volume and power consumption, and have a simple structure and improve reliability, this patent integrates the child lock function on the heating chip of the electronic atomizer.

[0034] Specifically, the electronic atomizer can be an electronic cigarette.

[0035] Specifically, as Figure 1 shown in the embodiment, chips U1 and U2 are located in the mouthpiece part of the electronic atomizer. Chip U1 is connected to the mic sensor. The inhalation sound wave generates an induced current in the mic sensor, and is connected to the sensor input of chip U2 through chip U1. The OUT end of chip U2 is connected to the heating wire R1. The heating wire R1 is at one end of the e-liquid, controlling the e-liquid to heat up. Chip U2 controls the LED to blink. The power supply is connected to the VDD ends of chips U1 and U2 and is grounded through capacitor C2. Plugging and unplugging the mouthpiece makes R1 and U2 present two states of contact and disconnection.

[0036] Specifically, the mic sensor can be a MEMS microphone and is integrated in chip U1.

[0037] The MEMS microphone includes a flexible and suspended thin film that can move freely above a fixed backplane. This structure forms a variable capacitor, and a fixed charge is applied between the thin film and the backplane. The incoming sound pressure wave passes through the holes in the backplane, causing the thin film to move, and the amount of movement is proportional to the amplitude of the compression and rarefaction waves. The movement of the thin film changes the distance between the thin film and the backplane, thereby changing the capacitance. With a constant charge, this capacitance change is converted into an electrical signal.

[0038] As Figure 2 shown in the specific embodiment, the above control circuit further includes: a detection module, a child lock module, and an unlocking module, specifically:

[0039] The detection module, as Figure 2 shown, detects the working state and outputs a working state signal of work stop, specifically:

[0040] Through the conversion process of sound pressure to electrical signal in the above MEMS microphone, when inhaling, the MEMS microphone generates an induced current, and when not inhaling, the MEMS microphone does not generate an induced current.

[0041] Chip U1 is connected to the sensor input of chip U2, connecting the sensor input of chip U2.

[0042] The sensor input outputs a working state signal of work stop when the work stops.

[0043] The working status signal indicating the cessation of work is a falling-edge signal generated by converting the high-level signal generated by the induced current during operation to the low-level signal during non-operation.

[0044] The child lock module, as Figure 2 shown, after receiving the working status signal indicating the cessation of work, starts timing. When the timing reaches time T1, it shields the detection module, and even if there is a smoking action, it does not heat the heating wire. Specifically:

[0045] When the work stops, the sensor inputs the working status signal indicating the cessation of work to the timer, and the timer starts timing. When it reaches time T1, the timer sends a trigger signal to the flip-flop DFF1 of chip U2.

[0046] When the flip-flop DFF1 receives the trigger signal from the timer, it locks the output level signal Q_ to a low level.

[0047] Specifically, the flip-flop DFF1 can be a reset / set flip-flop, which has two stable states, 1 and 0 respectively. If there is no trigger signal acting on it, the flip-flop will maintain its original state unchanged. When receiving the trigger signal, the output state of the flip-flop changes.

[0048] The main control logic circuit outputs signal 2 and the level signal Q_ output by the flip-flop DFF1 to the AND gate circuit and1. When the level signal Q_ is at a low level, the AND gate circuit and1 does not output current to the power transistor drive circuit, causing the power transistor M0 not to conduct, the heating wire R1 not to be energized, and the electronic atomization liquid to stop heating.

[0049] Through the above process, the circuit of the present application starts timing from the end of the working action. If no action is detected again within time T1, it is locked, and no matter how many actions there are later, the heating wire will not be heated until the unlock signal comes to unlock it.

[0050] The unlock module, as Figure 2 shown, detects the number of times of nozzle plugging and unplugging. When the number reaches N within time T2, it outputs an unlock signal, allowing the detection module to work. Only when the detection module detects the working status will it heat the heating wire. Specifically:

[0051] The main control logic circuit generates output signal 3 to the nozzle plugging and unplugging detection and the OUT terminal of chip U2. Connect a resistor R3 from the VDD terminal of chip U2 to the OUT terminal of chip U2. The resistance value of resistor R3 is much larger than the resistance value of the heating wire R1. Therefore, when the heating wire R1 is connected, the OUT terminal can be regarded as a low level, and when the heating wire R1 is not connected, the OUT terminal is regarded as a high level.

[0052] When the OUT terminal is regarded as low level, the above output signal 3 can be regarded as grounded and cannot be sent to the nozzle plugging detection. When the OUT terminal is regarded as high level, the above output signal 3 is sent to the nozzle plugging detection.

[0053] The nozzle plugging detection detects the number of falling edge signals generated by the output signal 3 within a period of time T2. If it reaches N times, an unlock signal is output to the clr terminal of DFF1, where N is an integer greater than 2.

[0054] Therefore, plugging and unplugging the nozzle N times within the T2 time, that is, R1 and U2 contact and disconnect N times, can generate an unlock signal.

[0055] When the clr terminal of the flip-flop DFF1 receives the unlock signal from the nozzle plugging detection, the level signal Q_ returns to high level.

[0056] Specifically, the flip-flop DFF1 can be a reset / set flip-flop with two stable states, 1 and 0 respectively. If there is no trigger signal, the flip-flop will maintain its original state. When receiving a trigger signal, the output state of the flip-flop changes.

[0057] The main control logic circuit outputs signal 2 and the level signal Q_ output by the flip-flop DFF1 to the AND gate circuit and1. When the above output signal 2 and the above level signal Q_ are both high level, the AND gate circuit and1 outputs current to the power transistor drive circuit, and the power transistor drive circuit turns on the power transistor M0, and the heating wire R1 is energized to heat.

[0058] Specifically, the power transistor M0 can be a P-channel silicon MOS field effect transistor, with its drain connected to the VDD terminal of the chip U2, its source connected to the heating wire R1 through the OUT terminal of the chip U2, and its gate connected to the power transistor drive circuit. The current output by the AND gate circuit and1 can control the on and off of the power transistor M0 through the drive circuit.

[0059] Through the above process, the circuit of this application is unlocked when the nozzle is inserted for the Nth time, enabling the heating wire to heat normally and the e-liquid to be heated at a certain power.

[0060] The control circuit of the above nozzle plugging detection and timer, as Figure 3 shown, is specifically:

[0061] When the nozzle is plugged and unplugged once, the above output signal 3 generates a falling edge signal once and is sent to the pulse generator 1 of the nozzle plugging detection. The pulse generator 1 generates a pulse signal once for the counter 1 in the nozzle plugging detection to count. At the same time, the timer t2 in the nozzle plugging detection generates a pulse clear signal with a period of T2 time to the clear terminal of the counter 1, so that the counter 1 is cleared every T2 time.

[0062] The timer t2 generates a periodic signal of T2 time through the oscillator in the timer t2 and the counter 3 therein. The periodic signal of T2 time generates a pulse clear signal through the pulse generator 2, and the clear terminal of the counter 3 is grounded through an inverter so that it is always connected to a high-level signal, causing the counter 3 to always count and be cleared once every T2 time.

[0063] Therefore, the circuit of this application can detect the number of times the pluggable nozzle is inserted and removed within a period of time T2.

[0064] The timer generates a periodic signal of T1 time through the oscillator and the counter 2. The clear terminal of the timer is connected to the sensor input through the inverter inv6, so that when there is no sensor input and the smoking stop smoking state signal, the timer starts timing. When the T1 time is reached, a trigger signal is sent to the flip-flop DFF1.

[0065] Therefore, the circuit of this application can detect whether the operation stops for T1 time.

[0066] The control circuit of the pulse generator 1 in the above nozzle plugging and unplugging detection is as Figure 4 shown, specifically:

[0067] The A terminal of the pulse generator 1 is connected to the OUT terminal of the cigarette nozzle plugging and unplugging detection. The Y terminal of the pulse generation signal is connected to the counter 1.

[0068] The resistor r4 and the capacitor c3 are used to form an RC delay circuit.

[0069] The signal at the A terminal outputs a pulse signal at the Y terminal through a plurality of inverters, the above RC delay circuit and a NAND gate circuit.

[0070] The control circuit of the above counter is as Figure 5 shown, specifically:

[0071] By connecting a plurality of counters in series, a counter with a higher number system can be obtained, thereby expanding the counting range. The output terminal of the counter is connected to the AND gate circuit, and the output terminal of the AND gate circuit is connected to the Y terminal of the counter circuit, where the plurality is an integer of 1 and greater than 1.

[0072] The circuit of this application further includes a charging management module, a sensor input, a main control logic circuit, and an LED driver, which can be integrated in the chip U2, as Figure 2 shown, specifically:

[0073] The charging management module is as Figure 2As shown, the USB terminal of chip U2 is externally connected to a power supply, and the VDD terminal of chip U2 is externally connected to a battery. The battery externally connected to the VDD terminal is charged by the USB terminal through a charging management module, which is divided into three charging modes: trickle, constant current, and constant voltage. The VDD terminals of chip U1 and chip U2 are connected together and grounded through capacitor C2.

[0074] Sensor input, such as Figure 2 As shown, after chip U1 detects the working state, it outputs signal 1 to the sensor input of U2. After the sensor input receives output signal 1, it gives the working state signal of stopping work to the main control logic module and the timer.

[0075] Main control logic circuit, such as Figure 2 As shown, the main control logic circuit receives the working state signal input by the sensor and controls the flashing of the LED and the heating power of the heating wire R1. Specifically:

[0076] After receiving the working state signal input by the sensor, the main control logic circuit module controls the LED drive. The LED drive lights the LED at different flashing frequencies of the LED according to the working state signal passing through the main control logic circuit.

[0077] After receiving the working state signal input by the sensor, the main control logic circuit outputs signal 2 and the level signal Q_ output by the flip-flop DFF1 to the AND gate circuit and1. When both the above output signal 2 and the above level signal Q_ are high-level, the AND gate circuit and1 outputs current to the power transistor drive circuit, and the power transistor drive circuit makes the power transistor M0 conduct, and the heating wire R1 is energized to heat.

[0078] When the level signal Q_ is high-level, the power transistor drive circuit controls the conduction and cut-off of the power transistor M0 according to the high and low levels of the main control logic output signal 2. When the power transistor M0 conducts, the heating wire R1 is energized to heat.

[0079] The power transistor M0 is a P-channel silicon MOS field-effect transistor, whose drain is connected to the VDD terminal of chip U2, its source is connected to the heating wire R1 through the OUT terminal of chip U2, and its gate is connected to the power transistor drive circuit. The current output by the AND gate circuit and1 can control the conduction and cut-off of the power transistor M0 through the drive circuit.

[0080] The main control logic output signal 2 controls the heating power of the heating wire R1 by controlling the conduction duty cycle of the power transistor M0.

[0081] Define that the ratio of the conduction time of the power transistor M0 to the total time within a pulse cycle is the conduction duty cycle of the power transistor M0.

[0082] Therefore, through the above process, the charging of the circuit of the present application, the control of the lighting of the LED and the constant output power of the heat generation can be achieved.

[0083] The embodiment of the present application also proposes a child lock control method for an electronic atomizer, which is used in the child lock control circuit of the electronic atomizer of the present application. Figure 6 As shown, specifically:

[0084] The first step is to continuously detect the working status, such as Figure 6 As shown, specifically:

[0085] Detect whether there is working sound wave generating induced current.

[0086] The second step is to start timing when the work stops, such as Figure 6 As shown, specifically:

[0087] Detect whether the work is in a stopped state. When it is in a stopped state, start timing. When the work stop state is released, the timing time is reset to zero.

[0088] The third step is to lock the protection and start detecting the unlocking signal after the work stops for T1 time. Figure 6 As shown, specifically:

[0089] It is detected whether the timing time reaches T1 time. After reaching T1 time, the protection lock is entered. The protection lock does not supply power to the heating wire for heating, and the unlocking signal detection begins.

[0090] The T1 time is greater than 1 minute.

[0091] Step 4: After detecting the unlock signal, release the protection lock and return to the first step. Figure 6 As shown, specifically:

[0092] After the unlocking signal is detected, the protection lock is released and the system returns to the first step of detecting the working state. The protection lock is released so that the heating wire can be powered and heated normally.

[0093] The unlocking signal is plugging and unplugging the cigarette holder N times within time T2, where N is an integer greater than 2.

[0094] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit it. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A control circuit for a child lock of an electronic atomizer, which controls the working state of the electronic atomizer by detecting and calculating the working state through a sensor. The control circuit includes: A detection module that detects the working state and outputs a working state signal indicating the working stop. A child lock module that starts timing after receiving the working state signal indicating the working stop. When the timing reaches time T1, the detection module is blocked, and even if there is an action, the heating wire is not heated. The child lock module includes: a timer, a trigger, a main control logic circuit, an AND gate circuit, a power tube drive circuit, and a power tube. The timer starts timing when it receives the working state signal indicating the working stop. When the time reaches T1, the timer sends a trigger signal to the trigger, and the trigger locks the output level signal to a low level. The level signal and the output signal of the main control logic circuit pass through the AND gate circuit, the power tube drive circuit, and the power tube, so that the heating wire is not powered on and the e-liquid stops heating. Time T1 is a time period greater than 1 minute. An unlocking module that detects the number of times the mouthpiece is inserted and removed. When the number reaches N within time T2, an unlocking signal is output, allowing the detection module to work. The heating wire is heated only when the detection module detects the working state.

2. The control circuit for a child lock of an electronic atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the detection module includes: A sound sensor and a sensor input circuit; A sound sensor that converts the sound wave during inhalation into an induced current, and the induced current is input to the sensor input circuit. When inhalation stops, a working state signal indicating the inhalation stop is output. The working state signal indicating the inhalation stop is a falling edge signal generated by converting the high level signal generated by the induced current during inhalation to the low level signal during non-inhalation.

3. The control circuit for a child lock of an electronic atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the unlocking module includes: Mouthpiece insertion and removal detection, a trigger, a main control logic circuit, an AND gate circuit, a power tube drive circuit, and a power tube; Mouthpiece insertion and removal detection detects the number of times the heating wire contacts and disconnects in the control circuit within a period of time T2, that is, the number of times the mouthpiece is inserted and removed. When the mouthpiece is inserted and removed N times within time T2, an unlocking signal is output to the trigger, and the level signal output by the trigger returns to a high level. The level signal and the output signal of the main control logic circuit pass through the AND gate circuit, the power tube drive circuit, and the power tube, so that the heating wire generates heat normally and the e-liquid is heated at a certain power. N is an integer greater than 2.

4. The control circuit for a child lock of an electronic atomizer according to any one of claims 1 or 3, wherein the level signal and the output signal of the main control logic circuit jointly control the heating of the heating wire and the e-liquid, including: The output signal of the main control logic circuit and the level signal are jointly connected to the AND gate circuit; When the level signal is at a low level, the AND gate circuit does not output current to the power tube drive circuit, the power tube drive circuit makes the power tube non-conductive, the heating wire is not powered on for heating, and the e-liquid stops heating. When the level signal is at a high level, the main control logic outputs a signal, and controls the heating power of the heating wire by controlling the conduction duty cycle of the power tube, so that the electronic atomization liquid is heated at a certain power.

5. The control circuit of the child lock for the electronic atomizer according to claim 3, wherein the nozzle plug-in detection comprises: Pulse generators, counters and timers for plug-in and plug-out detection; When the connector is plugged in, the OUT terminal of the chip integrating the connector plugging and unplugging detection is regarded as a low level, and when the connector is not plugged in, the OUT terminal of the chip is regarded as a high level; Each time the cigarette holder is plugged in or out, the pulse generator generates a pulse signal to the counter for counting. At the same time, the timer in the cigarette holder plugging and unplugging detection generates a pulse reset signal with a period of T2 to the counter, so that the counter is reset once every T2 time.

6. A method for controlling a child lock of an electronic atomizer, the method being applied to a control circuit of a child lock of an electronic atomizer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, the control circuit controlling the working state of the electronic atomizer by detecting and calculating the working state through a sensor, the method comprising: The first step is to continuously detect the working status; The second step is to start timing when the work stops; Step 3: After the work stops for T1 time, the protection lock is performed in sequence and the unlocking signal is detected; Step 4: After detecting the unlock signal, release the protection lock and return to the first step; Correspondingly, the timing starts when the work stops. After the work stops for T1 time, the protection lock is performed in sequence, including: After receiving the working status signal of stopping work through the child lock module, the timing is started. When the timing reaches T1 time, the detection module is shielded, and the heating wire is not heated even if there is action; Among them, the child lock module includes: a timer, a trigger, a main control logic circuit, an AND gate circuit, a power tube drive circuit and a power tube; the timer starts timing when receiving the working status signal of the work stop, and when time T1 is reached, the timer sends a trigger signal to the trigger, and the trigger locks its output level signal to a low level. The level signal and the output signal of the main control logic circuit pass through the AND gate circuit, the power tube drive circuit and the power tube, so that the heating wire is not energized and the smoke oil stops heating. Time T1 is a time period greater than 1 minute.

7. The method for controlling the child lock of an electronic atomizer as claimed in claim 6, wherein the triggering condition of the unlocking signal is: Plug and unplug the connector N times within time T2, where N is an integer greater than 2.

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