Electrical systems for aerosol-generating devices

Abstract

An aerosol generating device including an electrical system (20) is disclosed. The electrical system (20) includes a battery (22) and a control circuit system (24). The control circuit system (24) is configured to monitor the state of the battery (22) during a discharge operation of the battery (22), and is configured to set a flag indicating that the battery (22) is not in an operating state if a fault in the battery (22) is detected. The control circuit system (24) is also configured to check the flag when the electrical system (20) is connected to an external power source, and enable charging of the battery (22) based on the flag. The battery (22) and the control circuit system (24) are connectable to the external power source via a first electrical path (36) and a second electrical path (38), respectively, so that power can be independently supplied to the battery (22) and the control circuit system (24). The electrical system (20) is configured to supply power from the external power source to the control circuit system (24) via a second electrical path (38) when the electrical system (20) is connected to the external power source so that the flag can be checked without charging the battery (22).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical system, in particular, an electrical system for use in an aerosol generating device.

[0002] Aerosol-generating devices, such as e-cigarettes, typically include an electrical system with a battery that powers a heating element. In such systems, a known problem is that the battery can enter a deep discharge state. For example, when a lithium-ion battery cell enters a deep discharge state, internal degradation known as copper electrode dissolution can occur within the cell, and short circuits can occur between the cell electrodes. When such a battery is charged, the cell is susceptible to overheating and thermal runaway, which can pose a potential safety hazard.

[0003] There are many other battery states that present potential safety risks, and battery operations that display such states should generally be avoided.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to improve the safety of electrical systems including batteries within aerosol-generating devices.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising an electrical system, the electrical system comprising: a battery; and a control circuit system, wherein the control circuit system is configured to monitor the status of the battery during a discharge operation of the battery, and is configured to set a flag if a fault in the battery is detected, the flag indicating that the battery is not in an operating state, wherein the control circuit system is configured to check the flag when the electrical system is connected to an external power source, wherein the control circuit system is configured to enable charging of the battery based on the flag, wherein the battery and the control circuit system are connectable to the external power source via a first electrical path and a second electrical path, respectively, so that power can be independently supplied to the battery and the control circuit system, and wherein the electrical system is configured to supply power from the external power source to the control circuit system via the second electrical path when the electrical system is connected to the external power source, so that the flag can be checked without charging the battery.

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

[0007] Existing strategies for responding to battery failures include monitoring the battery's charging profile to detect deep discharge or other dangerous battery states. However, this strategy will only detect the failure after charging of the cell has begun. Therefore, power may have already been supplied to a battery with an internal short circuit or other failure. In the present invention, the control circuit system monitors the battery during a discharge operation, for example when power is supplied to the heating element during vaping operation of the aerosol generating device, and if a failure is detected, a flag is set within the control circuit system. When the electrical system is subsequently connected to an external power source to charge the aerosol generating device, the control circuit system checks the flag and only enables charging of the battery if the flag is present. As a result, if there is a failure in the battery, charging of the battery is prevented from starting, thereby ensuring that the battery in a dangerous state does not receive any electrical energy.

[0008] Furthermore, the configuration of the electrical system enables the control circuitry to be powered to check the flag without also supplying power to a potentially defective battery. In contrast, in known electrical systems, and in particular electrical systems for aerosol-generating devices, powering the control circuitry also initiates the charging process, and the flag may not be checked without also supplying power to a potentially dangerous battery.

[0009] Checking for faults in a battery can include measuring the voltage of the battery over time. When the voltage drops below a threshold voltage, it can be determined that a fault has occurred. In one example, for lithium-ion batteries, 3.0V can be a typical voltage at which a battery is considered discharged, 2.8V can be a typical threshold below which a battery is considered faulty, and 2.5V can be a typical voltage at which internal cell damage may be irreversible. However, skilled artisans will understand that the threshold voltage will vary depending on the type of battery and the specific cell chemistry.

[0010] Alternatively or additionally, detecting a fault in a battery may include monitoring the battery's temperature. If the battery's temperature exceeds a threshold temperature, the battery may be determined to be faulty. A skilled artisan will appreciate that the threshold temperature will vary depending on the type of battery and the cell chemistry.

[0011] Preferably, the electrical system further includes a battery charger circuit system, wherein the control circuit system is configured to send a signal to the battery charger circuit system based on the flag, the signal indicating that charging is enabled, and wherein the battery charger circuit system is configured to charge the battery upon receiving the signal indicating that charging is enabled from the control circuit system. In this manner, the use of the battery charger circuit system ensures that power is efficiently and reliably supplied to the battery, while the signal reception requirement ensures that power is not supplied to a damaged or degraded battery.

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

[0013] Preferably, the control circuit system is configured to modify the flag when it is detected that the battery has been replaced. In this way, a new battery that is not in a potentially dangerous operating state will not be prevented from charging.

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

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

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

[0017] Preferably, the electrical system further comprises a heating element, and the control circuit system is configured to cut off the power supply from the battery to the heating element when a fault is detected in the battery. In this way, continued operation of a damaged or otherwise degraded battery is avoided.

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

[0019] Preferably, the electrical system further comprises a fuse, wherein the control circuitry is configured to activate the fuse when the fault detected in the battery is deemed unrecoverable, and wherein activating the fuse irreversibly inhibits charging of the battery.

[0020] Preferably, the control circuitry is further configured to activate the fuse when a threshold amount of time has elapsed since the flag was set and the fault in the battery is detected to still exist.

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

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

[0023] Preferably, the method further comprises clearing the flag upon detecting that the battery has been replaced.

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

[0025] Preferably, the method further comprises: providing a heating element in the electrical system; cutting off the power supply to the heating element when a fault is detected in the battery; and / or cutting 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 comprises activating a fuse in the electrical system using the control circuitry when the fault detected in the battery is deemed unrecoverable, wherein activating the fuse irreversibly inhibits charging of the battery.

[0027] Preferably, the method further comprises activating the fuse using the control circuitry in response to detecting that a threshold amount of time has elapsed since the flag was set and detecting that the fault in the battery persists.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising executable instructions is provided, which, when executed on a computer or processor in an aerosol generating device comprising an electrical system, causes the computer or processor to perform the following steps, comprising: monitoring the status of the battery using a control circuit system during a discharge operation of the battery in the electrical system; in response to detecting a fault in the battery, setting a flag indicating that the battery is not in an operating state, wherein the battery and the control circuit system are connectable to an external power source via a first electrical path and a second electrical path, respectively, so that power can be independently supplied to the control circuit system and the battery; in response to detecting that the electrical system has been connected to the external power source, supplying power from the external power source via the second electrical path to check the flag without charging the battery; and enabling charging of the battery based on the flag.

[0029] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a prior art electrical system for an aerosol generating device;

[0031] Figure 2 is a block diagram of an electrical system for an aerosol generating device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 3A yes Figure 2 A block diagram of the electrical system depicted in , showing a first electrical path for supplying power from an external power source to the battery and a second electrical path for supplying power from the external power source to the control circuit system;

[0033] Figure 3B yes Figure 2 a block diagram of the electrical system depicted in , illustrating a third electrical path for supplying power from the battery to the control circuitry during a discharge operation of the battery;

[0034] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating steps of a method for operating an electrical system for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 5 is a flow chart showing further steps of a method of operating an electrical system; and

[0036] Figure 6 This is a block diagram of an electrical system for an aerosol generating device in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 1 A prior art electrical system 2 for an aerosol generating device is shown. The electrical system 2 comprises a battery 4, control circuitry 6, battery charging circuitry 8, a power connector 10, a heating element 12 and a switch 14.

[0038] In use, when electrical system 2 is connected to an external power source via power connector 10, battery charging circuitry 8 delivers power to wake up control circuitry 6. However, because battery 4 and control circuitry 6 are connected in parallel and powered directly by battery charging circuitry 8, battery 4 also receives power and begins charging. Therefore, any function utilizing control circuitry 6 also causes battery 4 to receive power.

[0039] Figure 2 An electrical system 20 for an aerosol-generating device in an embodiment of the invention is shown. The electrical system comprises a battery 22, control circuitry 24, battery charging circuitry 26, a USB connector 28, a voltage regulator 30, a heating element 32 and a switch 34.

[0040] The USB connector 28 can be connected to an external power source. The skilled person will understand that the USB connector 28 can be replaced by another suitable form of power connector (such as any AC power plug for connecting to the main alternating current (AC) power supply in a building, or any DC power plug for supplying direct current (DC) power).

[0041] like Figure 3AAs shown, power can be supplied from USB connector 28 to battery 22 along a first electrical path 36. First electrical path 36 extends from USB connector 28 via battery charging circuitry 26 to battery 22. Power can also be supplied from USB connector 28 to control circuitry 24 along a second electrical path 38. The second electrical path extends from USB connector 28 via voltage regulator 30 to control circuitry 24. First electrical path 36 and second electrical path 38 are configured as separate, distinct electrical paths. Thus, when USB connector 28 is connected to an external power source, power can be supplied along second electrical path 38 to power control circuitry 24 without also powering battery 22. As used herein, the term "electrical path" refers to a component suitable for transmitting electrical energy by electronic conduction, such as a wire, cable, or power cord.

[0042] like Figure 3B As shown, a third electrical path 39 connects battery 22 to control circuitry 24 via voltage regulator 30. 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.

[0043] In use, the voltage regulator 30 receives power either from an external power source (via the USB connector 28) or from the battery 22. The voltage regulator 30 can then supply power to the control circuitry 24 to wake up and power the control circuitry 24. The voltage regulator 30 is configured to power the control circuitry 24 with power from the USB connector 28 (i.e., along the second electrical path 38) when the electrical system 20 is connected to an external power source, and is configured to power the control circuitry 24 with power from the battery 22 (i.e., along the third electrical path 39) otherwise.

[0044] The voltage regulator 30 has the ability to generate and maintain a constant current or voltage output. It will be understood that in alternative examples, the voltage regulator 30 may instead include a switch or other mechanism that allows the supply of current to be controlled and / or regulated and directed along different electrical paths.

[0045] In this example, the control circuit system 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), as well as memory and programmable input / output peripherals. In other examples, the control circuit system 24 may include a separate microprocessor, memory, and input / output devices.

[0046] The control circuit system 24 is configured to monitor the state of the battery 22 during a discharge operation of the battery 22 and 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 power electrical loads or electrical components within the electrical system 20. Monitoring the state of the battery 22 may include monitoring one or more properties or characteristics of the battery 22 (such as temperature, voltage, or current) to detect faults or anomalies within the battery 22.

[0047] For example, a fault may be caused by the battery 22 entering a deep discharge state, resulting in internal degradation of the battery (e.g., a short circuit). 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 specific cell chemistry. However, as an example, for lithium-ion batteries, 3.0V may be a typical voltage at which the battery is considered discharged, 2.8V may be a typical threshold below which the battery is considered faulty, and 2.5V may be a typical voltage at which internal cell damage to the battery may be unrecoverable. This internal damage is often referred to as copper (foil) dissolution.

[0048] A fault condition can also be determined by monitoring the temperature of battery 22. Temperature sensor 27 can be used to measure the battery's temperature. If the battery is operating abnormally, the temperature may be high. Therefore, if the temperature exceeds a threshold temperature, it can be determined that battery 22 is faulty. Again, the threshold temperature will vary depending on the battery type and cell chemistry.

[0049] Another example of detecting a fault may include detecting battery capacity loss. Capacity loss (or capacity fade) is a phenomenon observed during the use of rechargeable batteries, in which the amount of charge a battery can provide at its rated voltage decreases with use. For example, when battery capacity fade exceeds approximately 60% to 70%, the battery may be considered too old / damaged and, therefore, considered to be faulty.

[0050] In this case, the electrical system 20 is located within the aerosol-generating device, and the discharge operation refers to the aerosol-generating operation (or puffing operation), wherein the battery 22 supplies power to the heating element 32. However, the skilled person will appreciate that the electrical system 20 may be used in alternative devices, and the heating element 32 may be replaced by other electrical components.

[0051] The control circuit system 24 is configured to set a flag in the data storage portion 25 of the control circuit system 23 when a fault is detected in the operating state of the battery 22. The data storage portion 25 may include volatile or non-volatile memory, or may include a long-term storage device. The flag provides an indication that a fault has been detected and that the battery 22 is not in an operating state.

[0052] In this example, the flag is in the form of a status register set in the EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) of the MCU 24, and the flag records the condition of the calculations performed by the MCU 24. Typically, the flag is limited to 1 bit of data in the EEPROM; however, the number of bits can be increased to indicate the specific type of fault that has been detected.

[0053] The control circuitry 24 may also be configured to open the switch 34 when a fault is detected in the battery 22 , thereby cutting off the power supply to the heating element 32 and improving the safety of the aerosol-generating device.

[0054] In one example, the electrical system 20 may further include a data line connecting the control circuitry 24 to the electrical system 20 , the data line being configured to provide voltage information to the control circuitry 24 .

[0055] To charge the battery 22, the electrical system 20 of the aerosol-generating device may be connected to an external power source via a USB connector 28. The voltage regulator 30 receives power from the USB connector 28 and generates a CC (constant current) output that is used to wake up the control circuitry 24 by supplying power along a second electrical path 38. When the battery 22 is connected to the USB connector 28 via a first electrical path 36 that is separate from the second electrical path 38, the control circuitry 24 may be powered without also charging the battery 22.

[0056] In response to being powered by voltage regulator 30 when connected to an external power source, control circuit system 22 is configured to check a flag. If the flag is present, control circuit system 24 will not enable charging of battery 22. If the flag is cleared or not present, control circuit system 24 will enable charging of battery 22.

[0057] Enabling charging of the battery 22 includes sending a signal to the battery charging circuitry 26, wherein the signal indicates that charging of the battery 22 is enabled. The battery charging circuitry 26 is configured to charge the battery 22 only when the charge enable signal is received from the control circuitry 24. Charging the battery 22 includes supplying power to the battery 22 along a first electrical path 36. If no signal is received, the battery charging circuitry 26 will not charge the battery 22. Thus, this configuration ensures that if the battery 22 has a detected fault, the charging process will not begin, thereby improving the safety of the aerosol-generating device. This method of operation is achieved by separate electrical paths 36, 38 for the battery 22 and the control circuitry 24, respectively, which allows the control circuitry 24 to be powered to check the flag without also charging the battery 22.

[0058] In this example, the battery charging circuitry 26 is a battery charger IC (integrated circuit).

[0059] For other general purposes, when the electrical system 20 is connected to an external power source via the USB connector 28, the control circuit system 24 can be configured to cut off the power supply from the battery 22 to the heating element 32. This can be accomplished by opening the switch 34. In addition, if the control circuit system 24 detects that the battery 22 has been replaced, the control circuit system 24 can be configured to clear a flag.

[0060] Figure 4 and Figure 5 A method of operating the electrical system 20 of an aerosol generating device in an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.

[0061] Reference Figure 4 When the aerosol generating device enters the puffing mode of operation or the aerosol generating mode of operation, the method starts at step 40. During the puffing mode of operation, the battery 22 is used as a power source to supply electrical energy to the heating element 32. The battery also supplies power along the third electrical path 39 to power the control circuit system 24.

[0062] At step 42, the control circuit system 24 monitors the status of the battery 22. For example, the control circuit system 24 may monitor the voltage of the battery 22 over time to detect a deep discharge state. If no fault is detected, the monitoring and pumping operations continue.

[0063] If a fault is detected, the switch 34 opens and stops powering the heating element 32 from the battery 22, causing the aerosol generating device to terminate its puffing operation. Additionally, at step 46, the control circuitry 24 sets a flag in the control circuitry 24 indicating that the battery 22 is not in an operational state.

[0064] Reference Figure 5 The method continues at step 48 when the aerosol-generating device is connected to an external power source via the USB connector 28 in order to charge the battery 22 within the aerosol-generating device.

[0065] When connected to an external power source, voltage regulator 30 generates a CC output at step 50 and supplies the output to control circuitry 24 along second electrical path 38. Because first electrical path 36 and second electrical path 38 comprise separate conduction paths, control circuitry 24 can be awakened and powered without supplying power to battery 22.

[0066] At step 52 , when the control circuitry 24 wakes up, the control circuitry 24 checks a flag.

[0067] If the flag is cleared or not present, the method continues at step 54 and charging of the battery 22 is enabled. At step 56, the control circuitry 24 sends a signal to the battery charging circuitry 26 indicating that charging of the battery 22 is enabled. At step 58, when the battery charging circuitry 26 receives the signal indicating that charging is enabled, the battery charging circuitry 26 charges the battery 22 by supplying power along the first electrical path 36.

[0068] Alternatively, if the flag is not cleared at step 52 , the method continues at step 60 and charging of the battery is not enabled.

[0069] Figure 6 FIG. 7 shows an electrical system 70 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The electrical system 70 includes Figures 2 to 5 and is configured to be substantially the same as Figure 4 and Figure 5 However, for ease of reference, Figure 6 Several of the previously described connections and features are omitted in FIG. Nevertheless, the skilled person will appreciate that the omitted features (eg, heating element 32) may be used in conjunction with the additional features of this embodiment.

[0070] The electrical system 70 differs from the previous embodiment in that the electrical system 70 further includes a fuse 72 for disabling charging of the battery 22. The presence of the fuse 72 is in addition to the previously described flag for disabling charging of the battery 22 that may be set in the control circuit system 24. That is, when a fault is detected in the battery 22, the electrical system 70 utilizes hardware and software means to disabling charging of the battery 22.

[0071] In particular, the previously described flag mechanism provides a first level of protection for preventing charging of battery 22 when a fault is detected in battery 22, where the fault is caused by a battery condition that is considered to be (potentially) recoverable. Fuse 72 provides a second level of protection for preventing charging of battery 22 when a fault is detected in battery 22, where the fault is caused by a battery condition that is considered to be unrecoverable.

[0072] An exemplary type of damage to the battery 22 that may be considered unrecoverable includes an internal short circuit. For example, as previously discussed, a short circuit may be caused by the battery 22 entering a deep discharge state, resulting in 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 threshold voltage. Another indication of permanent, unrecoverable damage is detecting a voltage drop during the charging process. Such a voltage drop indicates that the battery 22 has an internal short circuit.

[0073] On the other hand, an example of damage to the battery 22 that can be considered recoverable is capacity loss due to lithium plating. Lithium plating occurs under severe or suboptimal charging conditions. This capacity loss can be recovered by preventing the battery 22 from operating for a period of time (e.g., several days) or by performing one or more charge cycles and monitoring capacity changes over time. However, in some cases, such as if internal damage is too severe, capacity loss due to lithium plating may be unrecoverable.

[0074] In this embodiment of the present invention, if an unrecoverable fault condition of the battery 22 is detected (e.g., a voltage drop is detected during charging, or it is detected that the battery 22 has entered a deep discharge state), the fuse 72 is activated by the control circuit system 24 so that charging of the battery 22 is permanently prohibited.

[0075] Otherwise, if a fault condition is detected for the battery 22 that is not considered unrecoverable (e.g., a capacity loss is detected for the battery 22, where the capacity loss is greater than a threshold amount), the electrical system 70 operates according to the previously described embodiments. That is, a flag is set indicating that the battery 22 is not in an operational state, thereby preventing charging of the battery 22 while the flag is present.

[0076] However, after a period of time has elapsed, if it is detected that the fault condition persists, the damage to the battery 22 may be deemed unrecoverable. In this case, the fuse 72 is activated by the control circuit system 24, so that charging of the battery 22 is permanently disabled. For example, if the capacity of the battery 22 remains below a threshold capacity (e.g., below 50% to 40% of the nominal capacity) after a threshold amount of time has elapsed, the fuse 72 may be activated. The control circuit system 24 may include a timer configured to monitor the elapsed time, or alternatively or additionally, the control circuit system 24 may estimate the elapsed time by monitoring changes in the voltage of the battery 22.

[0077] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the fuse 72 is a physical component configured to open if the current exceeds a predetermined level. For example, the fuse 72 may be formed from a piece of wire that is configured to melt above a predetermined current level. In particular, the fuse 72 may include a copper track having a narrower center portion, such as Figure 6 shown.

[0078] exist Figure 6 In the specific implementation of the electrical circuit 70 shown, the electrical system 70 includes an I / O line 74, a transistor 76 (eg, an NPN transistor), an enable line 78, a resistor 80, and a positive supply voltage V cc I / O line 74 extends from control circuitry 24 to transistor 74. A first positive supply voltage V ccConnected to I / O line 74 via first resistor 80. Transistor 76 is connected to fuse 72 and second positive supply voltage V cc The fuse 72 is connected to the charging circuit system 26 via the enable line 78. The third positive supply voltage V CC Connected to the enable line 78 via a second resistor 80 .

[0079] When a fault that is considered unrecoverable is detected in battery 22, or a threshold amount of time has elapsed since the flag was set, control circuitry 24 is configured to send a signal along I / O line 74 to turn transistor 76 “on,” causing maximum current to flow through fuse 72. In this manner, fuse 72 is blown (i.e., activated), and a control signal is provided to charging circuitry 26 (e.g., set high) via an enable line 78 connected to transistor 76, which is a portion of fuse 72, that permanently disables charging of battery 22.

[0080] Of course, the skilled person will understand that Figure 6 The specific configuration of the electrical system 70 including the fuse 72 shown in FIG. 7 is an exemplary configuration, and various modifications may be made to the electrical system 70 that fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device comprising an electrical system, the electrical system comprising: Battery; as well as control circuitry, wherein the control circuitry is configured to monitor a state of the battery during a discharge operation of the battery and is configured to set a flag indicating that the battery is not in an operational state if a fault in the battery is detected, wherein the control circuit system is configured to check the flag when the electrical system is connected to an external power source, wherein the control circuit system is configured to enable charging of the battery based on the flag, wherein the battery and the control circuit system are connectable to the external power source via a first electrical path and a second electrical path, respectively, so that power can be independently supplied to the battery and the control circuit system, and The electrical system is configured to supply power from the external power source to the control circuit system via the second electrical path when the electrical system is connected to the external power source, so that the flag can be checked without charging the battery.

2. An aerosol generating device according to claim 1, further comprising a battery charger circuit system, wherein The control circuitry is configured to send a signal to the battery charger circuitry based on the flag, the signal indicating that charging is enabled, and The battery charger circuit system is configured to charge the battery when receiving the signal indicating that charging is enabled from the control circuit system.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein: Charging the battery includes supplying power to the battery along the first electrical path.

4. An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein The control circuitry is configured to modify the flag upon detecting that the battery has been replaced.

5. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The electrical system is configured to supply power to the control circuitry from the battery when the electrical system is not connected to the external power source.

6. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The electrical system further includes a heating element, and wherein the control circuitry is configured to cut off the supply of power from the battery to the heating element when a fault is detected in the battery.

7. The aerosol generating device according to claim 6, wherein: The control circuitry is configured to cut off the supply of power from the battery to the heating element when the electrical system is connected to the external power source.

8. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The electrical system further includes a fuse, wherein the control circuitry is configured to activate the fuse when the fault detected in the battery is deemed unrecoverable, and wherein activating the fuse irreversibly inhibits charging of the battery.

9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 8, wherein: The control circuitry is further configured to activate the fuse when a threshold amount of time has elapsed since the flag was set and it is detected that the fault in the battery persists.

10. A method of operating an aerosol-generating device comprising an electrical system, the method comprising: monitoring a condition of a battery in the electrical system using control circuitry during a discharge operation of the battery; In response to detecting a fault in the battery, setting a flag indicating that the battery is not in an operational state, wherein the battery and the control circuit system are connectable to an external power source via a first electrical path and a second electrical path, respectively, so that power can be independently supplied to the control circuit system and the battery; In response to detecting that the electrical system has been connected to the external power source, supplying power from the external power source via the second electrical path to the control circuitry to check the flag without charging the battery; and Charging of the battery is enabled based on the flag.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: sending a signal from the control circuitry to the battery charger circuitry indicating that charging is enabled; as well as In response to receiving the signal indicating that charging is enabled, the battery is charged.

12. The method of claim 10 or claim 11, further comprising clearing the flag upon detecting that the battery has been replaced.

13. The method of claim 10 or 11, further comprising: When the electrical system is not connected to the external power source, power is supplied to the control circuit system from the battery.

14. The method of claim 10 or 11, further comprising: When a fault in the battery is deemed unrecoverable, a fuse in the electrical system is activated using the control circuitry, wherein activating the fuse irreversibly inhibits charging of the battery.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising executable instructions that, when executed on a computer or processor in an aerosol-generating device comprising an electrical system, cause the computer or processor to take the following steps, the steps comprising: monitoring a condition of a battery in the electrical system using control circuitry during a discharge operation of the battery; In response to detecting a fault in the battery, setting a flag indicating that the battery is not in an operational state, wherein the battery and the control circuit system are connectable to an external power source via a first electrical path and a second electrical path, respectively, so that power can be independently supplied to the control circuit system and the battery; In response to detecting that the electrical system has been connected to the external power source, supplying power from the external power source via the second electrical path to the control circuitry to check the flag without charging the battery; and Charging of the battery is enabled based on the flag.

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