Method for determining at least one parameter for vaporization in an inhaler and inhaler

Abstract

A method for determining at least one parameter for evaporation in an inhaler (10), the inhaler comprising an evaporator (23) based on resistance heating and an electronic control unit (15), characterized in that the electronic control unit (15) is configured to perform the following initialization step, in particular after replacing an evaporator cartridge (17) in the inhaler (10): outputting an inhalation request to a user of the inhaler (10); when the user inhales in accordance with the inhalation request: operating the evaporator (23) at a relatively low evaporation power P and recording a time measurement sequence of an electrical characteristic parameter of the evaporator (23); determining a transition point ÜP between a low evaporation range and a high evaporation range in the recorded time measurement sequence; and determining and storing at least one parameter related to the initialization step.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for determining at least one parameter for vaporization in an inhaler comprising a vaporizer based on resistive heating and an electronic control device. Background Art

[0002] The temperature at the evaporator is typically determined using the temperature-dependent resistance of the evaporator. The temperature of the evaporator can be set in a targeted manner via the relationship between the temperature and the resistance of the evaporator. The temperature should not exceed the temperature determined by the liquid to be evaporated, since otherwise pollutants can be produced, in particular by drying up of the evaporator.

[0003] The current loop of the evaporator or heater can be described in simplified form as a series circuit of resistors. The elements of this series circuit include the resistance of the evaporator (evaporator resistance), the internal resistance of the battery and undesired parasitic resistances. The parasitic resistance is produced, for example, by the following resistors: the resistance belonging to the electrical control device, the current measuring resistor, the resistance of the lead wire (in particular by connecting wires, copper conductor tracks and / or soldering points) and the resistance of the plug connection if necessary. The parasitic resistance is neither constant over time nor reproducible, because, for example, the plug connection has an influence on the parasitic resistance due to aging, contamination and / or deformation, which influence can only be measured with considerable effort.

[0004] Temperature measurement errors due to parasitic resistances can lead to overheating of the liquid to be evaporated, which can lead to bubbling boiling or the formation of pollutants. Due to the various errors caused by the measurement and parasitic currents, the evaporator can only be regulated inadequately with the known methods.

[0005] Temperature measurement via resistance changes of the heating element or vaporizer is very inaccurate if the vaporizer cartridge is connected to the base part of the inhaler via a detachable connector or if the heating element or vaporizer has a low resistance in the ohm range and / or a low temperature coefficient. This is due in particular to resistance changes of the connector, which are caused by changing contact pressure, contamination, corrosion under certain conditions.

[0006] As already described in German patent application DE 10 2019 113 645.8, it is advantageous for regulating the evaporator in normal consumption operation to measure the resistance or, in other words, to measure the current at which evaporation begins (transition point) when the voltage is known. This can advantageously be done online during normal evaporation and thus in real time. It is difficult to identify the evaporation point (transition point) based on the time variation of the resistance or current, especially when the identification should be done in real time in the inhaler. Summary of the invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to specify a method by means of which parameters useful for evaporation can be reliably determined in an inhaler with limited data processing resources.

[0008] The invention achieves this object by means of the features of the independent claims.

[0009] According to the present invention, the electronic control device is particularly configured to perform the following initialization steps after replacing the vaporizer cartridge in the inhaler: output an inhalation request to a user of the inhaler; when the user inhales in accordance with the inhalation request: operate the vaporizer at a relatively low vaporization power and record a time measurement sequence of electrical characteristic parameters of the vaporizer; determine the transition point between the low vaporization range and the high vaporization range in the recorded time measurement sequence; determine and save at least one parameter related to the initialization step.

[0010] It can be shown that the transition point can be detected much better with lower heating powers than with higher heating powers, which is desirable in standard operation because it allows a fast response and produces a large amount of vapor. The basic idea is therefore to first perform an initialization step on the smoke cartridge. To this end, the user is asked to take a puff, especially after the vaporizer cartridge has been inserted into the inhaler. This puff is performed with relatively low heating powers (set, for example, by pulse width modulation).

[0011] Compared to high-power standard puffing, the evaporation point or transition point can be determined significantly more easily under such controlled conditions. In addition, the transition point calculation can be allowed to last longer than it would be in normal operation or consumption operation. In other words, the runtime of the initialization step is less critical than in normal consumption operation. Advantageously, the calculation of the (initialization) parameters can last longer than a normal consumption puffing by the user, in particular, for example, longer than 1 second.

[0012] Advantageously, the heating power P set during the initialization step is the average heating power used during normal consumption operation. Or at most 80% of the maximum heating power Pmax; further advantageously, at most 60%.

[0013] Preferably, one or more of the following parameters are determined and stored: the R0 value of the electrical characteristic parameter at the beginning of the time measurement sequence at the ambient temperature T0; the ambient temperature T0; the duration tü from the starting point of the time measurement sequence until the transition point ÜP is reached; the Rü value of the electrical characteristic parameter at the transition point ÜP. Advantageously, in a variant of the initialization step, the following are stored: the starting resistance R0 measured at the ambient temperature T0 (the starting resistance is the resistance of the evaporator plus the detachable connector); the ambient temperature T0 itself; the duration tü until the transition point is reached and the resistance value Rü at the transition point.

[0014] The initialization step can advantageously be performed by a single puff of the consumer. However, multiple puffs can also be analyzed to increase accuracy. In general, the initialization step and / or the checking step can be performed by a single puff of the user or by multiple puffs of the user.

[0015] In an advantageous specific embodiment, the control device calculates a variable which indicates the quality of the ascertainment of the transition point and, if the quality is unacceptable, causes a new execution of the initialization step.

[0016] Preferably, after the initialization step has ended, the heating of the evaporator is regulated on the basis of at least one stored parameter. Thus, the evaporator is operated in subsequent consumption phases based on the heater model stored at this time, ie the regulation thresholds are adapted to the measured data.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the initialization step is carried out gradually at different heating powers of the evaporator in order to be able to build up a more accurate heater model.

[0018] Preferably, after a puff by the consumer, at least one ascertained and stored parameter is determined in a checking step and compared with a desired value. This occurs in particular after an initialization phase in the consumption phase has ended. If the re-determined parameter differs from the desired value, a predefined measure is taken, such as re-performing the initialization step or outputting a message to the user.

[0019] Therefore, advantageously, after a puff (Zug / Puff) in the consumption phase, all or some of the stored parameters (starting resistance at ambient temperature, ambient temperature itself, duration until reaching the transition point, and resistance value at the transition point) are determined and compared with an internal model or the setpoint value derived therefrom. In the case of deviation from the expected setpoint value, corresponding measures can be taken, such as reinitialization, for example, notifying the user in the form of "cartridge is empty", "check the contact force and dirt of the connector", "unexpected fault, request technical support" or the like. Such a check step can be performed every time at a certain time interval or when a certain event (interruption of use within a preset time period, change of the external temperature by a preset amount, replacement of the cartridge, opening of the inhaler, etc.) occurs.

[0020] Therefore, in an advantageous embodiment, the initialization step and / or the checking step is event-controlled, i.e. is performed after confirming the occurrence of at least one preset event, such as replacement of the evaporator cartridge; opening of the inhaler; interruption of use of the inhaler within a preset time period; change of the ambient temperature T0 by a preset amount.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, an evaluation is asked in the initialization step, in particular, at least one subjective feeling of the inhalation experience of the consumer during the initialization step is asked, for example, by means of an input device at the inhaler or by a mobile communication device in communication connection with the inhaler. The asked consumer evaluation can advantageously include one or more types of vaporization (e.g. too high, too low, suitable), taste (e.g. too choking, too soft, suitable), etc. Preferably, the asked evaluation can be taken into account when determining at least one parameter according to the present invention.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, the initialization step and / or the checking step is time-controlled, that is, is performed at a certain time or on a certain day of the week or periodically.

[0023] If the vaporizer cartridge has a readable identification, after replacing the vaporizer cartridge and re-inserting the vaporizer cartridge into the inhaler, the stored model associated with the identification can be advantageously accessed. If such an identification does not exist or is not stored, initialization is advantageously performed each time the cartridge is replaced. In other words, when a vaporizer cartridge with the respective identification is inserted and the identification is read by the electronic control unit, the electronic control unit can retrieve at least one parameter stored and associated with this identification and use it for vaporization control.

[0024] Preferably, the transition point ÜP is determined in a time measurement sequence according to a recursive method, preferably a linear recursive method. In particular, it has been shown that the heating resistance changes linearly over time at a lower heating power until the transition point is reached. Therefore, a simple method for determining the transition point is to fit a straight line starting at t0 to the measurement points. The transition point is reached if the difference between the measured characteristic parameter or the measured resistance and the straight line exceeds or falls below a preset threshold value.

[0025] The method for determining the transition point can also be obtained in an artificial intelligence manner. In this method, a large data set of exemplary evaporation curves is generated in advance. After recording, preprocessing can be performed. This preprocessing usually includes filtering, conversion to other forms of expression (such as frequency domain) and / or simpler mathematical operations such as integral or differential operations. The results in the new and generally reduced feature domain are then automatically or manually classified into pre-determined categories in sections. These categories can be, for example, heating stages, evaporation stages and cooling stages. For example, artificial neural networks or other tree structures can be used as classification methods. The establishment of such a classifier can also be achieved with the help of machine learning. The generated data, for example, provides the possibility of using supervised learning. The completed classifier can be directly programmed into the electronic control device after the learning phase / establishment phase. The transition point can not only be directly identified by the category, but also can be obtained in near real time by identifying that the detected category is replaced by another category. Such a system is well known for its relatively high robustness, which is for environmentally determined oscillations, which can be generated, for example, by the dispersion of resistances (due to deviations in the production process or due to transition resistances). The accuracy of the system can be continuously improved by further analysis and recording of further measurement curves. Unsupervised learning and thus autonomous learning are also conceivable. The data required for this can be recorded directly by the inhaler and collected and used at a central location.

[0026] Furthermore, the object can also be achieved by an inhaler comprising an evaporator based on resistance heating and an electronic control unit which is set up or programmed to carry out the method described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings according to preferred embodiments.

[0028] Figure 1 A schematic view showing an electronic inhaler;

[0029] Figure 2 A schematic circuit is shown for current heating of a heating element;

[0030] Figure 3 shows a resistance-time diagram with four measurement sequences for different heating powers;

[0031] Figures 4A-4D Shown are respectively from Figure 3 a resistance-time diagram of a measurement sequence of

[0032] Figure 5 A 1 / tü diagram is shown for four different heating powers as a function of the heating power. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The electronic inhaler 10, here an electronic cigarette product, comprises a housing 11 in which an air channel 30 is arranged between at least one air inlet opening 31 and an air outlet opening 24 at a mouthpiece end 32 of the cigarette product 10. Here, the mouthpiece end 32 of the cigarette product 10 refers to the end at which a consumer draws for the purpose of inhalation and thereby applies a low pressure to the cigarette product 10 and generates an air flow 34 in the air channel 30.

[0034] The inhaler 10 is advantageously composed of a base part 16 and a replaceable evaporator cartridge 17, which comprises an evaporation device 20 and a liquid reservoir 18. The air inhaled through the inlet opening 31 is directed in the air channel 30 as an air flow 34 toward, through or along the evaporation device 20. The evaporation device 20 is connected or can be connected to the liquid reservoir 18, in which at least one liquid 33 is stored. The evaporation device 20 evaporates the liquid 33 supplied to it by the liquid reservoir 18, and adds the evaporated liquid as an aerosol / vapor to the air flow 34 at the outlet side 26. The advantageous volume of the liquid reservoir 18 is in the range between 0.1 ml and 5 ml, preferably between 0.5 ml and 3 ml, and further preferably between 0.7 ml and 2 ml or 1.5 ml.

[0035] Furthermore, the electronic cigarette 10 comprises an electrical energy storage device 14 and an electronic control device 15. The energy storage device 14 is usually arranged in a base component 16 and can be an electrochemical disposable battery or a rechargeable electrochemical battery, such as a lithium-ion battery. Figure 1 In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the energy storage device 14 is arranged in the part of the inhaler 10 facing away from the mouthpiece end 32. The evaporator cylinder 17 is advantageously arranged between the energy storage device 14 and the mouthpiece end 32. The electronic control device 15 is arranged in the base part 16 (e.g. Figure 1 ) and / or in the evaporator cartridge 17 comprises at least one digital data processing device (in particular a microprocessor and / or a microcontroller).

[0036] A sensor, such as a pressure sensor or a pressure switch or a flow switch, is advantageously arranged in the housing 11, wherein the control device 15 can determine based on the sensor signal output by the sensor that the consumer draws a puff at the mouthpiece end 32 of the inhaler 10 in order to inhale. In this case, the control device 15 actuates the vaporization device 20 in order to add the liquid 33 from the liquid reservoir 18 as an aerosol / vapor into the air flow 34.

[0037] The liquid 33 to be metered and stored in the liquid reservoir 18 is, for example, a mixture comprising one or more of the following components: 1,2-propylene glycol, glycerol, water, at least one flavor (aroma), and at least one effective substance (eg nicotine).

[0038] The evaporation device 20 comprises at least one evaporator 23 having at least one resistance heating element 21 (see Figure 2 ); and advantageously comprises a wick element 12 for conveying the liquid 33 from the liquid container 18 to the vaporizer 23. When the vaporizer cartridge 17 is installed in the inhaler 10, the resistive heating element 21 is electrically connected to a heating current source 22 which can be controlled by the electronic control device 15 via an electrical conductor 25. The heating current source 22 draws electrical energy from the energy storage device 14. Due to the ohmic resistance, the current passing through the electrically conductive heating element 21 causes it to heat up and thus causes the evaporation of the liquid in contact with the heating element 21. The vapor / aerosol generated in this way escapes from the vaporizer 23 to the discharge side 26 and mixes with the air flow 34 (see Figure 1 ).

[0039] The evaporation temperature is preferably in the range between 100°C and 400°C, further preferably between 150°C and 350°C, further preferably between 190°C and 290°C.

[0040] The vaporizer cartridge 17 and / or the base part 16 advantageously comprises a digital data memory 35 for storing information or parameters relating to the vaporizer cartridge 17. The data memory 35 can be part of the electronic control device 15 or can be connected to the electronic control device 15. Advantageously stored in the data memory 35 are: information about the composition of the liquid stored in the liquid reservoir 18; information about the process profile, in particular the power control / temperature control; data about condition monitoring or system checks (e.g., leak checks); data relating to copy protection and anti-counterfeiting; an ID for unambiguously identifying the vaporizer cartridge 17; a serial number; a production date and / or an expiration date; and / or a puff count (the number of inhalation puffs performed by a consumer) or a usage time.

[0041] Advantageously, the evaporation device 20 can have a measuring circuit 19 for determining the temperature of the heating element 21 by means of a resistance measurement of the heating element 21 .

[0042] exist Figures 3 to 5 The diagram in illustrates the initialization steps according to the present invention.

[0043] If one or more pre-set initialization conditions are met and confirmed by the control device 15, the initialization step is automatically started by the control device 15. Such initialization conditions are especially cartridge replacement, i.e., the initialization step is advantageously started after the vaporizer cylinder 17 is loaded into the inhaler 10. The control device 15 is provided for detecting such cartridge replacement. This can be realized, for example, by a detection circuit, which continuously monitors whether the vaporizer cylinder 17 exists in the corresponding receiving portion of the inhaler 10, and is marked by means of a digital value (Flag: flag). The change of the digital value (Flag: flag) can be used, for example, as an interrupt for software in the control device 15, so that it is advantageous at any time, such as even in standby, it is also possible to monitor whether the vaporizer cylinder 17 is loaded into the inhaler 10. By this, cartridge replacement can be advantageously detected in all operating states of the inhaler 10.

[0044] Additionally or alternatively, the initialization step can be initiated upon detection of other events (for example, upon switching on the inhaler 10 ) and / or in a time-controlled manner.

[0045] If the control device 15 confirms the initialization condition (for example, the vaporizer cartridge 17 is installed in the inhaler), the initialization step is started and for this purpose, the inhalation request is output to the consumer or user. This can be achieved by visual, auditory and / or tactile prompting means of the inhaler 10. Additionally or alternatively, the inhalation request can be output to the user via an external electronic device (the external electronic device is connected to the inhaler 10 in a wireless manner or by means of a cable).

[0046] If the control device 15 detects by means of the already described sensor (pressure sensor, pressure switch or flow switch) that the user complies with the inhalation request and draws a puff at the mouthpiece end of the inhaler 10, the heating resistor 21 of the vaporizer 23 is operated by the (inhalation) puff of the consumer with a heating power P which is much lower than the maximum power Pmax in normal operation or consumption operation. The heating power P is set in the heating current source 22, for example, by pulse width modulation of the control device 15.

[0047] In accordance with Figures 3 to 5 In the embodiment of the invention, P / Pmax=30%, 40%, 50% and 60% were observed for four measurements, wherein each measurement corresponds to at least one (inhalation) puff by the consumer. The initialization step can be carried out on the basis of one or more puffs at a certain heating power (for example at P / Pmax=40%) or can include a plurality of measurements, each of which relates to one or more puffs at different heating powers, whereby the accuracy of the initialization step can be increased if necessary. The lower heating power P set in the initialization phase typically results in a steam quantity that is too low for enjoyment or effectiveness or in a content of active substance in the steam that is too low. Temporally, the initialization phase precedes the start of the actual consumption phase.

[0048] exist Figure 3 In the diagram, the (temperature-dependent) resistance R of the heating resistor 21 is shown in Ohm versus time (ms). The start time t=0 ms corresponds to the start of the heating phase, which starts with a lower heating power P. The resistance curve R(t) is shown within the first second (1000 ms) of the initial puff at a relative power P / Pmax (or pulse width ratio) of 30%, 40%, 50% and 60%. The superimposed periodic signal is here caused by pulse width modulation. The sliding average over each n measuring points (e.g. n=31) is shown as a thick line.

[0049] For better clarity, four average curves are shown separately in Figures 4A to 4D (in Figure 3 thick line in the figure).

[0050] As from Figure 3 , 4A As can be seen in Figure 4D, the temperature-dependent resistance, starting from t=0 ms, initially increases approximately linearly with a relatively large slope, which is caused by the faster heating of the heating element 21. In the subsequent time range from 200 ms to 300 ms, the resistance increases further, but with a much smaller slope, which is caused by the significantly slower heating of the heating element 21, because significant evaporation begins from a certain point (transition point) and the evaporation energy is not available for heating the heating element 21.

[0051] The transition point ÜP (or evaporation point) between the region of low evaporation and the region of high evaporation (see Figures 4A-4D ) is a parameter useful for regulating evaporation during normal consumption operation of the inhaler 10. The control device 25 is therefore advantageously configured to determine the transition point ÜP by calculation from the resistance-time measurement sequence.

[0052] In one embodiment, the transition point ÜP is determined as the intersection point of two straight lines (e.g. Figures 4A-4D ). In the range from t0=0 ms, for example, to t1=100 ms or 200 ms, the first straight line is adapted or adjusted to the measurement sequence in such a way that its deviation from the measurement curve or the smoothed measurement curve is minimized (low evaporation region), for example, to the first 50 measurement points at intervals of 2 ms. In the range from t2>t1, for example, to t3=600 ms, the second straight line is adapted or adjusted to the measurement sequence in such a way that its deviation from the measurement curve or the smoothed measurement curve is still minimized (high evaporation region). In all cases (i.e., independently of the respective heating power P), a transition resistance of Rü=0.99Ω (y value of the transition point in the resistance-time diagram) is obtained. In contrast, the heating duration or transition time tü (y value of the transition point in the resistance-time diagram) varies depending on the heating power, since a higher heating power means faster heating and an earlier arrival at the transition point (e.g., P / Pmax=30%, tü=311 ms; P / Pmax=60%, tü=153 ms).

[0053] Other methods for determining the transition point from a measurement sequence are possible. For example, it may be sufficient to adapt or adjust only a straight line in the range from t0 = 0 ms, for example, to t1 = 100 ms or 200 ms to the measurement sequence in such a way that its deviation from the measurement curve or the smoothed measurement curve is minimized (low evaporation region). The transition point ÜP is reached when the difference ΔR between the straight line and the corresponding resistance measurement value (or measurement curve or measurement sequence) exceeds a preset threshold value Rt (see Figure 4A ).

[0054] Other methods for determining the transition point ÜP are known from DE 10 2019 113 645.8, the disclosure of which is included in the present application. The transition point ÜP can also be determined using an algorithm obtained in the manner of artificial intelligence (as already explained above).

[0055] exist Figure 5 The diagram shown in Figures 4A-4D The inverse of the heating duration 1 / tü obtained in is shown relative to the heating power P (here relative to Pmax). The inverse of the heating duration 1 / tü lies on a straight line extending through the origin, since the applied heating energy is the same in all cases (independent of the heating power P) until the transition point ÜP is reached.

[0056] The evaporator 23 or the heating element 21 can be described by the following parameters: Rü, here for example 0.99Ω; R0(T0), wherein T0 is the ambient temperature at the start time t0=0 ms; here for example R0(T0)=0.88Ω (see Figure 3 ); and the slope of the curve in the diagram of 1 / tü versus P (see Figure 5 ). This parameter set consisting of Rü, R0(T0), and the 1 / tü slope can be referred to as the model of the heater or the model of the evaporator 23, simply called the heater model.

[0057] In principle, measurements at a determined heating power are sufficient to determine the transition point ÜP or all the parameters of the heater model. However, performing multiple measurements at the same heating power and / or different heating powers can improve the reliability and accuracy of the measurements.

[0058] The heater model (Rü, R0(T0), 1 / tü slope) or its individual parameters are parameters useful for evaporation regulation during the consumption phase (the consumption phase follows the initialization). Exemplarily, such regulation can be achieved as described in DE 102019 113 645.8, the disclosure of which regarding the current regulation of the evaporator 23 is incorporated herein. In the simplest case, the current value lv of the reference application can be determined by the transition resistance Rü: lv = Rü / U, where U is the known heating voltage. Then, the regulation of the heating current lh can be carried out in the range of l1 < lv < l2. Other evaporation regulations can be achieved based on one or more of the parameters of the heater model and / or based on one or more of the derived parameters (such as tü, t0, the temperature Tü at the transition point, etc.).

[0059] Therefore, according to the foregoing, the control device 15 monitors one or more parameters during subsequent puffs in the consumption phase and takes appropriate measures when their values deviate significantly from the corresponding stored rated values.

Claims

1. A method for determining at least one parameter for evaporation in an inhaler (10), comprising an evaporator (23) based on resistance heating and an electronic control device (15), characterized in that: The electronic control device (15) is configured to perform the following initialization steps: - outputting an inhalation request to a user of the inhaler (10); - In the case where the user inhales in accordance with the inhalation instructions: - operating the evaporator (23) at a heating power P which is lower than the average heating power or the maximum heating power used in normal consumption operation, and - recording a time measurement sequence of electrical characteristic parameters of the evaporator (23); - determining the transition point between the area of ​​low evaporation and the area of ​​high evaporation in the recorded time measurement sequence - determining and storing at least one parameter related to the initialization step.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The heating power P set during the initialization step is the average heating power used in normal consumption operation. Or at most 80% of the maximum heating power Pmax.

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Obtain and save one or more of the following parameters: - the value of the electrical characteristic parameter R0 at the beginning of the time measurement sequence at an ambient temperature T0; - the ambient temperature T0; - from the start point of the time measurement sequence until reaching the transition point Duration of tü; - at the transition point The value of the electrical characteristic parameter Rü at .

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The electronic control device (15) calculates a value representing the transition point The quality of the obtained data is determined, and if the quality is unqualified, the initialization step is prompted to be re-executed.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: After the initialization step has been completed, the heating of the evaporator (23) is regulated on the basis of at least one stored parameter.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The initialization steps are carried out successively at different heating powers of the evaporator (23).

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: After a puff by the consumer, at least one ascertained and stored parameter is determined in a checking step and compared with a desired value.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that If the re-determined parameters differ from the setpoint values, predefined measures are taken.

9. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The initialization step and / or the checking step are performed after at least one predefined event has been confirmed.

10. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: In the initialization step, the customer's evaluation is queried and advantageously taken into account when determining at least one parameter.

11. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The initialization step and / or the checking step - in a timed or periodic manner, and / or - by a single puff by the user or by multiple puffs by the user to execute.

12. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: When an evaporator cartridge (17) with an individual identification is installed and the identification is read by the electronic control unit (15), at least one stored parameter associated with the identification is retrieved by the electronic control unit (15).

13. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: According to the regression method, the transition point is found in the time measurement series 14. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The transition point It is obtained with the help of an algorithm obtained through artificial intelligence methods.

15. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The electronic control unit (15) is designed to carry out the initialization step after replacing an evaporator cartridge (17) in the inhaler (10).

16. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that If the newly determined parameters differ from the desired values, the initialization step is performed again or a message is output to the user.

17. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that Executed after at least one of the predefined events is confirmed: - Replacement of the evaporator cartridge (17); - switching on the inhaler (10); - interruption of use of the inhaler (10) within a pre-set period of time; - The ambient temperature T0 changes by a predetermined amount.

18. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that According to the linear regression method, the transition point is found in the time measurement series 19. An inhaler (10) comprising an evaporator (23) based on resistance heating and an electronic control device (15), characterized in that The electronic control unit (15) is configured to carry out a method according to any of the preceding claims.

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