Control method and aerosol generating device

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention relates to the technical field of electronic atomization, and discloses a control method and an aerosol generating device.The control method comprises the steps that in the first time stage of the smoking period, a power source is controlled to supply energy to a heater, so that the temperature of the heater is at the first temperature or below the first temperature. In a second time phase during the suction, the power source is controlled to intermittently supply energy to the heater a plurality of times such that a maximum temperature reached after the energy supply is greater than the first temperature. By means of the method, the temperature of the heater fluctuates in a wave shape in the second time stage, and the highest temperature is larger than the first temperature. On one hand, stable aerosol can be generated in the smoking period, and it is beneficial for keeping the aerosol to have a good taste. On the other hand, energy supply is intermittently carried out, the intermittent suction habit of a user is met, and aerosol waste caused by the fact that aerosol is continuously baked at high temperature to form a substrate is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of electronic atomization technology, and in particular to a control method and an aerosol generating device. Background Art

[0002] The aerosol generating device uses a heater to heat and bake the aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol for use by the user. The user usually expects the aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol with consistent characteristics during use. Usually, the aerosol generating device adjusts the temperature of the heater by changing the power output of the power supply, and controls the temperature according to a preset temperature curve.

[0003] In a common way, the temperature curve during the puff is basically a straight line, that is, the target temperature of the heater is controlled to remain basically unchanged during the puff. However, during the puff process, as the aerosol-forming matrix is ​​exhausted and the heat diffusion weakens, the amount of aerosol generated is easily unstable, the amount of smoke decays, and the taste is affected. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of this, some embodiments of the present application provide a control method for an aerosol generating device, which can generate a stable aerosol during inhalation, which is beneficial to maintaining the aerosol with a good taste.

[0005] In a first aspect, some embodiments of the present application provide a control method, which is applied to an aerosol generating device, wherein the aerosol generating device includes a heater for heating an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol, and a power source for providing energy to the heater; the aerosol is provided to a user for use during inhalation; the control method includes:

[0006] During a first time period during the puffing, controlling the power source to supply energy to the heater so that the temperature of the heater is at or below the first temperature;

[0007] During a second time period during the inhalation, the power source is controlled to intermittently supply energy to the heater a plurality of times, so that the highest temperature reached after each energy supply is greater than the first temperature.

[0008] In some embodiments, the difference between at least one of the highest temperatures in the second time period and the first temperature is greater than or equal to 5°C.

[0009] In some embodiments, the maximum temperatures in the second time period gradually increase, wherein the difference between the largest maximum temperature and the first temperature is greater than or equal to 5°C.

[0010] In some embodiments, the core temperature in the second time period is greater than the first temperature, and the core temperature in the second time period is a median of the highest temperature reached after each energy supply and the lowest temperature reached before the energy supply.

[0011] In some embodiments, the difference between at least one of the core temperatures and the first temperature is greater than or equal to 5°C.

[0012] In some embodiments, the second time period includes a plurality of second time periods; in the second time period, controlling the power source to supply energy to the heater once includes:

[0013] Controlling the power source to output energy supply for a third time to reach the highest temperature of the heater in the second time period;

[0014] The power source is controlled to stop outputting energy supply for a fourth time period to achieve the lowest temperature of the heater in the second time period.

[0015] In some embodiments, after controlling the power source to stop outputting energy supply for a fourth time period to reach the lowest temperature of the heater in the second time period, the control method further includes:

[0016] Determine that the fourth time meets the preset first time threshold, and start the energy supply for the next second time period; or,

[0017] Determine that the lowest temperature in the current second time period meets the preset first low temperature threshold, and start energy supply for the next second time period; or

[0018] Determine that the core temperature in the current second time period meets the preset first core temperature threshold, and start energy supply for the next second time period, wherein the core temperature in the second time period is the median of the highest temperature in the second time period and the lowest temperature in the second time period.

[0019] In some embodiments, as the working time increases, the maximum temperatures of multiple second time periods remain consistent; or

[0020] As the working time increases, the maximum temperatures of the second time periods gradually increase.

[0021] In some embodiments, the difference between the highest temperature and the lowest temperature in the second time period is greater than 20° C.; or

[0022] The difference between the highest temperature and the lowest temperature in the second time period is greater than 10°C.

[0023] In some embodiments, the control method further includes:

[0024] determining a duration or number of puffs of a first time period during the puffing period;

[0025] If the duration or number of puffs meets the preset conditions, the second time stage is entered.

[0026] In some embodiments, the first time period includes a plurality of first time periods; in the first time period, controlling the power source to supply energy to the heater once includes:

[0027] Controlling the power source to output energy supply and continue for a first time to reach a maximum temperature of the heater in a first time period;

[0028] The power source is controlled to stop outputting energy supply and the supply continues for a second time to reach the lowest temperature of the heater in the first time period.

[0029] In some embodiments, after controlling the power source to stop outputting energy supply for a second time period to reach the lowest temperature of the heater in the first time period, the control method further includes:

[0030] Determine that the second time meets a preset second time threshold, and start energy supply for the next first time period; or,

[0031] Determine that the lowest temperature in the current first time period meets a preset second low temperature threshold, and start energy supply for the next first time period; or

[0032] Determine that the core temperature in the current first time period meets the preset second core temperature threshold, and start energy supply for the next first time period, wherein the core temperature of the first time period is the median of the highest temperature in the first time period and the lowest temperature in the first time period.

[0033] In some embodiments, the difference between the highest temperature and the lowest temperature in the first time period is within 10°C.

[0034] In some embodiments, the core temperature of the first time period is equal to or less than the core temperature of the second time period;

[0035] The central temperature of the first time period is the median of the high temperature and the lowest temperature in the first time period; the central temperature of the second time period is the median of the high temperature and the lowest temperature in the second time period.

[0036] In some embodiments, the lowest temperature of the first time period is greater than or equal to the lowest temperature of the second time period.

[0037] In some embodiments, during a first time period during the puffing, controlling the power source to supply energy to the heater so that the temperature of the heater is at or below the first temperature comprises:

[0038] During a first time period during the puffing, the real-time temperature of the heater is detected, and the power and / or the duty cycle of the power source to the heater are adjusted according to the real-time temperature to maintain the temperature of the heater at at least one target temperature, which is less than or equal to the first temperature.

[0039] In a second aspect, some embodiments of the present application provide an aerosol generating device, comprising:

[0040] A heater, for heating the aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol;

[0041] a power source for providing energy to the heater;

[0042] a controller configured to control the power source to supply energy to the heater during a first time period during the puffing so that the temperature of the heater is at or below a first temperature;

[0043] During the second time period of the puffing, the power source is intermittently controlled to supply energy to the heater multiple times, so that the highest temperature reached after each energy supply is greater than the first temperature.

[0044] In some embodiments, the heater is made of a metal having a thermal conductivity greater than 10 W / (m·K).

[0045] In some embodiments, the heater is made of stainless steel, Permalloy or stainless iron; in the second time period, the temperature difference between the highest temperature reached after each energy supply and the lowest temperature reached before the energy supply is above 10°C.

[0046] In some embodiments, the heater is made of aluminum alloy; in the second time period, the temperature difference between the highest temperature reached after each energy supply and the lowest temperature reached before the energy supply is above 20°C.

[0047] The control method provided in the embodiment of the present application is applied to an aerosol generating device, which includes a heater for heating an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol, and a power source for providing energy to the heater, and the aerosol is provided to the user for use during the puffing period. The control method includes: in a first time period during the puffing period, controlling the power source to supply energy to the heater so that the temperature of the heater is at or below the first temperature. In a second time period during the puffing period, controlling the power source to intermittently supply energy to the heater multiple times so that the highest temperature reached after the energy supply is greater than the first temperature.

[0048] In this embodiment, different energy supply modes are used to control the heater for heating in different time stages. In the first time stage, the temperature of the heater is at or below the first temperature. In the second time stage, the heater is intermittently supplied with energy multiple times, that is, the second time stage is divided into multiple time periods, and energy is provided in different time periods. In this way, the temperature of the heater fluctuates in a wave-like manner in the second time stage, and its highest temperature is greater than the first temperature. On the one hand, the temperature in the second time stage is increased relative to the temperature in the first time stage, so that the amount of smoke is increased to compensate for the problem of smoke attenuation in the later stage of puffing; a stable aerosol can be generated during the puffing period, which is beneficial to maintaining the aerosol with a good taste. On the other hand, intermittent energy supply is in line with the user's habit of interval puffing, and will not cause aerosol waste due to continuous high-temperature baking of the aerosol to form a matrix. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] One or more embodiments are exemplarily described by pictures in the corresponding drawings, and these exemplified descriptions do not constitute limitations on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings represent similar elements, and unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings do not constitute proportional limitations.

[0050] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an aerosol-forming article in some embodiments of the present application;

[0051] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an aerosol generating device in some embodiments of the present application;

[0052] Figure 3 This is a flow chart of the control method in some embodiments of the present application;

[0053] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a temperature curve of a heater in some embodiments of the present application;

[0054] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a temperature curve of a heater in some embodiments of the present application;

[0055] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the temperature curve of the heater in some embodiments of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] The present application is described in detail below in conjunction with specific embodiments. The following embodiments will help those skilled in the art to further understand the present application, but do not limit the present application in any form. It should be noted that, for those of ordinary skill in the art, several variations and improvements can also be made without departing from the concept of the present application. These all belong to the protection scope of the present application.

[0057] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present application more clearly understood, the present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0058] It should be noted that, if there is no conflict, the various features in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other, all within the scope of protection of the present application. In addition, although the functional module division is performed in the device schematic diagram and the logical order is shown in the flow chart, in some cases, the steps shown or described can be performed in a sequence different from the module division in the device or the flow chart. In addition, the words "first", "second", "third", etc. used herein do not limit the data and execution order, but only distinguish the same items or similar items with basically the same functions and effects.

[0059] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs. The terms used in this specification and in the specification of this application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application. The term "and / or" used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0060] In addition, the technical features involved in each embodiment of the present application described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0061] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of an aerosol generating product provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0062] like Figure 1 As shown, the aerosol-generating article 20 comprises a filter segment 21 and a substrate segment 22 .

[0063] The substrate segment 22 comprises an aerosol-forming substrate. An aerosol-forming substrate is a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol, and the volatile compounds can be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0064] Aerosol formation substrate can be a solid aerosol formation substrate.Alternatively, aerosol formation substrate can include solid and liquid components.Aerosol formation substrate can include tobacco-containing material, which is included in the volatile tobacco flavor compounds released from the aerosol formation substrate when heated.Alternatively, aerosol formation substrate can include non-tobacco material.Aerosol formation substrate can further include aerosol formation thing.The example of suitable aerosol formation thing is glycerine and propylene glycol.

[0065] The aerosol generated by heating the substrate segment 22 is delivered to the user through the filter segment 21, which may be a cellulose acetate filter. The filter segment 21 may be sprayed with a flavoring liquid to provide a flavor, or a separate fiber coated with a flavoring liquid may be inserted into the filter segment 21 to improve the persistence of the flavor delivered to the user. The filter segment 21 may also have a capsule in a spherical or cylindrical shape, which may contain a content of a flavoring substance.

[0066] The aerosol generating article 20 may further include a cooling section 23 disposed between the substrate section 22 and the filter section 21 for cooling the aerosol generated by the heating of the substrate section 22 so that the user can inhale the aerosol cooled to an appropriate temperature.

[0067] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of an aerosol generating device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0068] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the aerosol generating device 10 includes a battery cell 101, a controller 102, and a heater 103. In addition, the aerosol generating device 10 has an inner space defined by a housing, and the aerosol generating article 20 can be inserted into the inner space of the aerosol generating device 10.

[0069] The battery cell 101, i.e., the power source, is used to provide power for operating the aerosol generating device 10. For example, the battery cell 101 can provide power to heat the heater 103, and can provide power required to operate the controller 102. In addition, the battery cell 101 can provide power required to operate the display device, sensor, motor, etc. provided in the aerosol generating device 10.

[0070] The battery cell 101 may be, but is not limited to, a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery. For example, the battery cell 101 may also be a lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) battery or a lithium titanate battery. The battery cell 101 may also be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery.

[0071] When the aerosol generating article 20 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, the aerosol generating device 10 can heat the heater 103 through the power provided by the battery 101. The heater 103 increases the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate in the aerosol generating article 20 to generate an aerosol. The generated aerosol is transferred to the user through the filter segment 21 of the aerosol generating article 20 for inhalation.

[0072] The heater 103 and the aerosol-forming substrate can adopt a variety of heating coordination forms. For example, a heater adopting a central heating method is in the form of a needle, a sheet, a pin, etc., which is inserted into the interior of the aerosol-forming substrate, so that the periphery of the heater is in contact with or close to contact with the aerosol-forming substrate (as close as possible), thereby achieving heat transfer. A heater adopting a peripheral heating method is usually hollow cylindrical, and the aerosol-forming substrate is arranged inside the hollow cylindrical heater, so that the inner wall of the heater is in contact with or close to contact with the periphery of the aerosol-forming substrate (as close as possible), thereby achieving heat transfer.

[0073] The heater 103 can adopt a variety of heating platforms, for example, a resistance heat conduction heating platform, an electromagnetic induction heat conduction heating platform.

[0074] The controller 102 can control the operation of the main components of the aerosol generating device 10. In detail, the controller 102 can control the operation of the battery cell 101 and the heater 103, and can also control the operation of other components of the aerosol generating device 10.

[0075] The controller 102 is further configured to execute a control method of the aerosol generating device 10 .

[0076] The controller 102 includes at least one processor. The controller may include a logic gate array, or may include a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program executable in the microprocessor.

[0077] For example, the controller 102 controls the operation of the heater 103. The controller 102 may control the amount of power supplied to the heater 103, the time for which power is continuously supplied to the heater 103, and stop supplying power to the heater 103. In addition, the controller 102 may also monitor the state of the battery cell 101 (e.g., the remaining power of the battery cell 101), and / or may monitor the operating state of the heater 103 (e.g., the resistance change of the heater 103), and may generate a notification signal to prompt the user when necessary.

[0078] In addition to the battery cell 101, the controller 102 and the heater 103, the aerosol generating device 10 may also include other common components. For example, the aerosol generating device 10 may include a display device for outputting visual information, and the display device may be a visual display component such as a display screen, a touch screen, or a lighting assembly. The controller 102 may send information about the state of the aerosol generating device 10 (e.g., whether the aerosol generating device 10 can be used), information about the heater 103 (e.g., preheating starts, preheating is being performed, or preheating is completed), information about the battery cell 101 (e.g., the remaining power of the battery cell 101, whether the battery cell 101 can be used), information related to resetting the aerosol generating device 10 (e.g., reset time, resetting is being performed, or resetting is completed), information related to cleaning of the aerosol generating device 10 (e.g., cleaning time, cleaning is required, cleaning is being performed, or cleaning is completed), information related to charging of the aerosol generating device 10 (e.g., charging is required, charging is being performed, or charging is completed), information related to puffing (e.g., the number of puffs, puffing end notification), or information related to safety (e.g., usage time) to the user. For example, the aerosol generating device 10 may also include a vibration motor for outputting tactile feedback information, and the controller 102 may generate a vibration feedback signal by using the vibration motor, and may send the above information to the user. For example, the aerosol generating device 10 also includes an airflow sensor for detecting whether the user is inhaling and / or the intensity of the inhalation. For example, the aerosol generating device 10 may include at least one input device to control the function of the aerosol generating device 10. Specifically, the input device may include a button, a touch screen, etc.; the user may perform various functions by using the input device. For example, the desired function among the multiple functions of the aerosol generating device 10 may be performed by adjusting the number of times the user presses the input device (for example, once or twice), or the time the user continues to press the input device (for example, 0.1s or 0.2s); the user may also perform the function of heating the heater 103, the function of adjusting the temperature of the heater 103, the function of cleaning the space where the aerosol generating article is inserted, the function of checking whether the aerosol generating device 10 can be operated, the function of displaying the remaining power (usable power) of the battery cell 101, and the function of resetting the aerosol generating device 10 through the input device. However, the functions of the aerosol generating device 10 are not limited thereto.

[0079] Figure 3 is a flow chart of a control method of an aerosol generating device provided in some embodiments of the present application. Figure 3 As shown, the controller 102 is configured to execute a control method of the aerosol generating device 10, the method S100 comprising:

[0080] S10: During a first time period during the inhalation, the power source is controlled to supply energy to the heater so that the temperature of the heater is at or below the first temperature.

[0081] It is understood that during the puffing period, the aerosol can be generated by the aerosol generating device at a satisfactory rate and inhaled by the user. In some embodiments, after the aerosol generating device completes the preheating or heat preservation operation, it enters the puffing period in which the aerosol can be inhaled. Among them, the preheating and heat preservation operations are conventional operations in the art and are not described in detail here.

[0082] Here, the puffing period is divided into a first time stage and a second time stage described below. The first time stage may be an early stage of the puffing period, that is, a stage formed after a period of time from the start of the puffing period.

[0083] In the first time stage, the power source is controlled to supply energy to the heater, and the temperature of the heater is at or below the first temperature. The first temperature may be the highest temperature of the heater in the first time stage. It is understood that the first temperature is greater than or equal to the baking temperature at which aerosol can be generated. In some embodiments, the first temperature is determined based on the baking temperature. Exemplarily, the first temperature is obtained by increasing the baking temperature by 3-5°C.

[0084] In the first time period, the aerosol-generating product has just started to be baked, and the aerosol-forming substrate is sufficient. The temperature of the heater can generate sufficient aerosol with good taste at or below the first temperature.

[0085] In the first time period, the energy supply mode of the power source can be continuous or intermittent, and the temperature change of the heater presents different change forms based on the different energy supply modes. In short, the temperature of the heater can be at or below the first temperature.

[0086] In some embodiments, the aforementioned step S10 specifically includes:

[0087] S11: In a first time period during the puffing, detecting the real-time temperature of the heater, and adjusting the power and / or the duty cycle of the power source to the heater according to the real-time temperature so that the temperature of the heater is maintained at at least one target temperature, which is less than or equal to the first temperature.

[0088] Here, the real-time temperature of the heater can be acquired by a temperature sensor or a corresponding temperature detection circuit and sent to the controller. The target temperature is the temperature that the heater needs to reach. Based on the principle that heat is conducted from the heater to the aerosol generating product, the target temperature can be greater than the aforementioned baking temperature for generating aerosol. Since the temperature of the heater in the first time stage is less than or equal to the first temperature, the target temperature is less than or equal to the first temperature. In the first time stage, there can be multiple target temperatures to achieve staged temperature control.

[0089] In some embodiments, the controller adjusts the power of the power source to the heater according to the real-time temperature so that the temperature of the heater is maintained at at least one target temperature. Exemplarily, a PID control algorithm is used to adjust the power output of the power source through proportional, integral and differential terms. When the temperature of the heater is higher than the target temperature, the PID control algorithm controls the power output of the power source to decrease so that the temperature of the heater falls back to the target temperature; when the temperature of the heater is lower than the target temperature, the PID control algorithm controls the power output of the power source to increase so that the temperature of the heater rises to the target temperature.

[0090] In some embodiments, the controller adjusts the duty cycle of the power output of the power source according to the real-time temperature so that the temperature of the heater is maintained at at least one target temperature. The duty cycle of the power refers to the proportion of time occupied by the actual power in a cycle. In this embodiment, the actual power output by the power source remains unchanged, the higher the duty cycle, the greater the power of the power source to the heater, and the lower the duty cycle, the smaller the power of the power source to the heater.

[0091] Exemplarily, a PWM control algorithm is used to control the average power output of the power source by changing the duty cycle of the signal so that the temperature of the heater is maintained at at least one target temperature. When the temperature of the heater is higher than the target temperature, the PWM control algorithm reduces the duty cycle of the power output of the power source so that the temperature of the heater falls back to the target temperature; when the temperature of the heater is lower than the target temperature, the PWM control algorithm increases the duty cycle of the power output of the power source so that the temperature of the heater rises to the target temperature.

[0092] If there are multiple target temperatures, the temperatures are distributed in a stepped manner during the first time period. For each target temperature, their maintenance methods may be the same or different. For example, they may all be maintained using a PID algorithm or a PWM control algorithm, or some target temperatures may be maintained using a PID control algorithm and other target temperatures may be maintained using a PWM control algorithm.

[0093] In some embodiments, the first time phase includes a plurality of first time periods. Here, the first time phase is subdivided into a plurality of first time periods. Optionally, the first time periods have the same duration and the corresponding energy supply is the same.

[0094] The set energy corresponding to each first time period is determined based on the energy demand characteristics during the baking process of the aerosol-forming substrate. In some embodiments, the set energy can be an experimental value obtained based on a large number of test experiments of the applicant in combination with the material of the specific aerosol-forming substrate after the installation design of the aerosol generating device is completed, or it can be an empirical value. It is understandable that the set energy can be adjusted based on the thermal insulation performance of the heating module, and can also be adjusted based on the heat transfer rate between the aerosol-forming substrate and the heater, etc.

[0095] In the following, one of the first time periods is taken as an example to exemplify the energy supply method corresponding to the first time period.

[0096] In the first time period, controlling the power source to supply energy to the heater once includes:

[0097] S12: Controlling the power source to output energy supply and continue for a first time to reach the highest temperature of the heater in the first time period;

[0098] S13: Control the power source to stop outputting energy supply and continue for a second time to reach the lowest temperature of the heater in the first time period.

[0099] It can be understood that the first time period is divided into two parts: the first time and the second time. During the first time, the power source is controlled to output energy supply so that the temperature of the heater quickly rises to the highest temperature. The first time is also called the heating time. During the second time, the power source is controlled to stop outputting energy so that the temperature of the heater drops to the lowest temperature. The second time is also called the natural cooling time. Due to the heat preservation performance of the aerosol generating device, even in the absence of energy supply, the temperature will gradually decrease in the second time and will not drop too quickly. Thus, during the entire first time period, the average temperature meets the baking temperature of the aerosol forming substrate, and the aerosol generated after the aerosol forming substrate is baked can quickly reach an inhalable state and maintain an inhalable state.

[0100] For example, after entering the current first time period, the timing starts, and the power source is controlled to output the energy supply of the current first time period. When the timing reaches the first time, the power source is controlled to stop outputting the energy supply of the current first time period. At this time, the temperature of the heater rises to the highest temperature; then, the timing is restarted. When the timing reaches the second time, the current first time period ends and enters the next time period. At this time, the temperature of the heater drops to the lowest temperature.

[0101] In some embodiments, during the second time (i.e., natural cooling time) in the first time period, the power source is controlled to output a smaller amount of energy, which is much smaller than the energy supplied during the first time period. On the one hand, it does not affect the temperature of the heater dropping to the lowest temperature during the second time period. On the other hand, maintaining the energy supply can facilitate subsequent switching to the energy supply for the next time period.

[0102] It can be understood that in the embodiment of the present application, the highest temperature is the maximum temperature within a time period, and the lowest temperature is the lowest temperature within a time period.

[0103] In some embodiments, the difference between the highest temperature and the lowest temperature in the first time period is within 10°C. When the heater is at the lowest temperature, the aerosol-forming substrate is also at a relatively low temperature (close to the lowest temperature). In the next time period, when the heater is quickly heated to the highest temperature, the aerosol-forming substrate is still at a relatively low temperature due to the hysteresis of heat transfer. Thus, the temperature difference between the surface of the heater and the surface of the aerosol-forming substrate is increased, breaking the thermal balance. Based on the heat conduction characteristics (temperature is transferred from a high-temperature object to a low-temperature object, the greater the temperature difference, the more heat is transferred), under the action of the temperature difference, the heat provided by the heater can be absorbed by the aerosol-forming substrate in a larger proportion, thereby achieving the effect of improving energy utilization and reducing energy consumption.

[0104] It can be understood that the temperature difference in the first time period is relatively small, and can be applied to the early stage of inhalation when aerosol is sufficient (ie, the first time period), so that sufficient aerosol can be baked and stimulated with a relatively small energy supply.

[0105] In some embodiments, after the aforementioned step S12, the control method S100 further includes:

[0106] (1) Determine that the second time meets a preset second time threshold, and start energy supply for the next first time period.

[0107] The second time threshold is a time threshold that characterizes the natural cooling time of the first time stage. The second time threshold is preset, and those skilled in the art can set the second time threshold according to actual conditions.

[0108] After ending the energy supply of the current first time period, the controller enters the second time of the current first time period and starts timing. When the accumulated second time reaches the second time threshold, the current first time period ends and enters the next first time period.

[0109] At this time, the controller can directly supply and jump energy for multiple first time periods according to the set energy and the second time threshold (natural cooling time) of each first time period. In this way, no matter starting or stopping the energy supply in the current first time period, there is no need to pay attention to the real-time temperature of the heater. It only needs to be strictly executed according to the settings of parameters such as the set energy and the second time threshold (natural cooling time) of each first time period. The influence of the inaccurate heater temperature can be eliminated, and the control is truly based on the heat required to be absorbed by the aerosol-forming matrix to generate aerosol.

[0110] In some embodiments, after the aforementioned step S12, the control method S100 further includes:

[0111] (2) Determine whether the lowest temperature in the current first time period meets a preset second low temperature threshold, and start energy supply for the next first time period.

[0112] The second low temperature threshold is the lower limit of the minimum temperature that the heater needs to provide in the first time period. In some embodiments, those skilled in the art can set the second low temperature threshold according to the baking temperature and / or the heat preservation performance of the heating module.

[0113] In this embodiment, after ending the energy supply of the current first time period, the controller enters the natural cooling time of the current first time period, and synchronously detects the real-time temperature of the heater during the natural cooling time. When the real-time temperature meets the preset second low temperature threshold (that is, the real-time temperature is lower than or equal to the second low temperature threshold), the current first time period ends, and enters and starts the energy supply of the next first time period.

[0114] During this period, if it is detected that the real-time temperature of the heater is lower than the second low temperature threshold, it means that the heat loss is too much, which will affect whether the heater can reach or maintain the target temperature. It is necessary to control the power source to provide heating energy to the heater to ensure the temperature of the heater. At this time, it is equivalent to ending the current first time period and entering the next first time period.

[0115] In this way, it is only necessary to refer to the real-time temperature of the heater when to start a first time period to provide energy to the heater, and the energy supply within a first time period, such as when to stop the energy supply within a first time period, is still strictly executed according to the set energy of each first time period. It can also eliminate the influence of the difference in the real-time temperature of the heater on the temperature control, and control it based on the heat that the aerosol-forming substrate needs to absorb to generate aerosol.

[0116] In some embodiments, after the aforementioned step S12, the control method S100 further includes:

[0117] (3) Determine whether the core temperature in the current first time period meets a preset second core temperature threshold, and start energy supply for the next first time period.

[0118] The center temperature of the first time period is the median of the highest temperature in the first time period and the lowest temperature in the first time period. The center temperature is the average temperature actually heated by the heater, which can more accurately reflect the temperature of the heater. The second center temperature threshold is the lower limit of the center temperature that the heater needs to provide in the first time period. In some embodiments, those skilled in the art can set the second center temperature threshold according to the baking temperature and / or the heat preservation performance of the heating module.

[0119] In this embodiment, when the energy supply in the current first time period is being performed, the real-time temperature of the heater is synchronously detected to obtain the highest temperature in the current first time period. After the energy supply in the current first time period is terminated, the natural cooling time of the current first time period is entered, and the real-time temperature of the heater is synchronously detected during the natural cooling time to obtain the lowest temperature in the current first time period. The average of the highest temperature and the lowest temperature in the current first time period is calculated to determine the core temperature in the current first time period.

[0120] It is understandable that during the natural cooling time, the real-time temperature of the heater gradually decreases, and the real-time temperature is the lowest temperature, and the detected lowest temperature is continuously updated. When the core temperature determined by the latest lowest temperature (real-time temperature) is monitored to be lower than or equal to the second core temperature threshold, the current first time period ends, and the energy supply of the next first time period is entered and started.

[0121] During this period, if the center temperature detected and calculated is lower than the second center temperature threshold, it means that the average temperature of the heater is too low, which will affect whether the heater can reach or maintain the target temperature. It is necessary to control the power source to provide heating energy to the heater to ensure the temperature of the heater. At this time, it is equivalent to ending the current first time period and entering the next first time period.

[0122] This method is similar to the above-mentioned method of monitoring the minimum temperature. It only needs to refer to the real-time temperature of the heater when starting a first time period to provide energy to the heater, and the energy supply within a first time period, such as when to stop the energy supply within a first time period, is still strictly executed according to the set energy of each first time period. It can also eliminate the influence of the difference in the real-time temperature of the heater on the temperature control, and control it based on the heat that the aerosol-forming matrix needs to absorb to generate aerosol.

[0123] Based on the first time stage being a stage during the puffing period, that is, a stage formed after a period of time starting from the puffing period. The end time of the first time stage can be determined based on the consumption of the aerosol-forming substrate. For example, when the consumption of the aerosol-forming substrate reaches 70%, the first time stage ends.

[0124] In order to make the cut-off time of the first time stage accurate, supplying energy in time stages can improve the smoke emission characteristics (as the aerosol forming matrix is ​​exhausted and the heat diffusion becomes weaker, the smoke volume decays). In some embodiments, the control method S100 further includes:

[0125] S20: Determine the duration of the first time period or the number of puffs during the puffing;

[0126] S30: If the duration or the number of puffs meets the preset conditions, the second time stage is entered.

[0127] It is understandable that after the aerosol generating device is started, the preheating and heat preservation work is completed first, and then the first time stage of the inhalation period is entered. The aerosol generating device can determine whether the preheating and heat preservation work is completed based on the accumulated time or temperature after the start-up, that is, determine the time to enter the first time stage. After entering the first time stage, the timing is started to obtain the duration of the first time stage.

[0128] The preset condition may be reaching a time threshold. Those skilled in the art may determine the time threshold based on the puff life of the aerosol generating article. For example, if the puff life is 6 minutes, the time threshold may be 4 minutes.

[0129] In some embodiments, when it is monitored that the duration of the first time stage reaches the time threshold, the preset condition is met and the controller power source enters the second time stage, that is, the power source is controlled to provide energy according to the energy supply method of the second time stage.

[0130] In some embodiments, the end of the first time period and the start of the second time period may also be determined based on the number of puffs. The number of puffs refers to the number of times the user inhales the aerosol. It is understandable that the number of puffs increases once the user inhales the aerosol.

[0131] In some embodiments, the number of puffs may be acquired by an airflow sensor. When a user inhales an aerosol, air enters the aerosol generating device, and the aerosol is inhaled out of the aerosol generating device, so that there is an airflow change in the aerosol generating device. Therefore, the number of puffs may be indirectly determined based on the airflow change detected by the airflow sensor.

[0132] The preset condition may be reaching a puff count threshold. Those skilled in the art may determine the puff count threshold based on the puff life of the aerosol generating article. For example, if the puff life is 20 puffs, the puff count threshold may be 15 puffs.

[0133] Exemplarily, if the number of puffs reaches a preset puff threshold and satisfies a preset condition, the controller power source enters the second time stage, that is, the power source is controlled to provide energy according to the energy supply method of the second time stage.

[0134] In this embodiment, by monitoring whether the duration of the first time stage or the number of puffs meets the preset conditions, the cut-off time of the first time stage can be accurately determined, so that supplying energy in time stages can improve the smoke emission characteristics (as the aerosol-forming matrix is ​​exhausted and heat diffusion weakens, the smoke volume decays).

[0135] S40: During the second time period of the inhalation, the power source is controlled to intermittently supply energy to the heater multiple times, so that the highest temperature reached after each energy supply is greater than the first temperature.

[0136] After the first time stage ends, the second time stage begins, and the second time stage may be the later stage of the puffing period. The power supply mode corresponding to the second time stage is different from the energy supply mode of the first time stage. It is understandable that the parameters such as the energy supply frequency, the intermittent time, and the amount of energy supplied each time corresponding to the second time stage are pre-stored in the memory inside the aerosol generating device for the controller to retrieve.

[0137] Among them, the power source intermittently supplies energy to the heater multiple times. It can be understood that the power source outputs power intermittently, the frequency of the output power is low (it can be no output, or low-frequency output), and each power output lasts for a period of time. For example, the frequency of the output power is below 10Hz. Exemplarily, the frequency of the output power is 5Hz, that is, energy is provided 5 times within 1 second, each power output can last for 5s, and then the power output is stopped for 7s before the next power output. It can be understood that this low-frequency output is different from the high-frequency drive pulse in the electromagnetic induction heater assembly. Generally, the frequency of the high-frequency drive pulse is about 100Hz-10KHz.

[0138] It is understandable that, since the power source intermittently supplies energy to the heater multiple times, the temperature of the heater rises when energy is supplied, and decreases due to heat diffusion when no energy is supplied, that is, it changes in a wave-like manner, for example, fluctuates between the highest temperature and the lowest temperature. The highest temperature that can be reached after each energy supply is greater than the first temperature.

[0139] As can be seen from the above, in the first time stage, the temperature of the heater is at or below the first temperature. In the second time stage, each maximum temperature is greater than the first temperature, indicating that the heating temperature in the second time stage is higher than the heating temperature in the first time stage. It can be understood that in the later period of the puffing period, the aerosol-forming matrix is ​​about to be exhausted, the heat diffusion weakens, and the smoke volume decays. At this time, the increase in the heating temperature can improve the problem of weakened heat diffusion, thereby increasing the smoke volume to compensate for the problem of smoke volume decay in the later period of the puffing; a stable aerosol can be generated during the puffing period, which is beneficial to maintaining the aerosol with a good taste.

[0140] In this embodiment, different energy supply modes are used to control the heater for heating in different time stages. In the first time stage, the temperature of the heater is at or below the first temperature. In the second time stage, the heater is intermittently supplied with energy multiple times, that is, the second time stage is divided into multiple time periods, and energy is provided in different time periods. In this way, the temperature of the heater fluctuates in a wave-like manner in the second time stage, and its highest temperature is greater than the first temperature. On the one hand, the temperature in the second time stage is increased as a whole relative to the temperature in the first time stage, so that the amount of smoke is increased to compensate for the problem of smoke attenuation in the later stage of puffing; a stable aerosol can be generated during the puffing period, which is beneficial to maintaining the aerosol with a good taste. On the other hand, intermittent energy supply is in line with the user's puffing habits (interval puffing), and will not cause aerosol waste due to continuous high-temperature baking of the aerosol to form a matrix.

[0141] In some embodiments, the second time phase includes a plurality of second time periods. Here, the second time phase is subdivided into a plurality of second time periods. The energy supply corresponding to the second time period is different from the energy supply corresponding to the first time period described above.

[0142] In this embodiment, the second time period is a time period different from the first time period. Specifically, the third time (energy supply time in the second time period) is greater than the first time (energy supply time in the first time period), and the fourth time (natural cooling time in the second time period) is greater than the second time (natural cooling time in the first time period).

[0143] It is understandable that the supply energy corresponding to each second time period is pre-stored in the memory inside the aerosol generating device for the controller to retrieve. In each second time period, the controller controls the power source to supply energy to the heater strictly in accordance with the set energy corresponding to the pre-set second time period.

[0144] The set energy corresponding to each second time period is determined based on the energy demand characteristics during the baking process of the aerosol-forming substrate. In some embodiments, the set energy can be an experimental value obtained based on a large number of test experiments of the applicant in combination with the material of the specific aerosol-forming substrate after the installation design of the aerosol generating device is completed, or it can be an empirical value. It is understandable that the set energy can be adjusted based on the heat preservation performance of the heating module, the consumption or remaining amount of the aerosol-forming substrate, and can also be adjusted based on the heat transfer rate between the aerosol-forming substrate and the heater, etc.

[0145] In the following, one of the second time periods is taken as an example to exemplify the energy supply method corresponding to the second time period.

[0146] In the second time period, controlling the power source to supply energy to the heater once includes:

[0147] S41: Control the power source to output energy supply and continue for a third time to reach the highest temperature of the heater in the second time period.

[0148] S42: Control the power source to stop outputting energy supply and continue for a fourth time to reach the lowest temperature of the heater in the second time period.

[0149] It can be understood that the second time period is divided into two parts: the third time and the fourth time. During the third time, the power source is controlled to output energy supply so that the temperature of the heater quickly rises to the highest temperature. The third time is also called the heating time. During the fourth time, the power source is controlled to stop outputting energy so that the temperature of the heater drops to the lowest temperature. The fourth time is also called the self-heating cooling time. Due to the heat preservation performance of the aerosol generating device, even in the absence of energy supply, the temperature will gradually decrease during the fourth time, and will not drop too quickly. Thus, during the entire second time period, the average temperature meets the baking temperature of the aerosol forming substrate, and the aerosol generated after the aerosol forming substrate is baked can quickly reach an inhalable state and maintain an inhalable state.

[0150] For example, after entering the current second time period, the timing starts, and the power source is controlled to output the energy supply of the current second time period. When the timing reaches the third time, the power source is controlled to stop outputting the energy supply of the current second time period. At this time, the temperature of the heater rises to the highest temperature; then, the timing is restarted. When the timing reaches the fourth time, the current second time period ends and enters the next time period. At this time, the temperature of the heater drops to the lowest temperature.

[0151] In some embodiments, during the fourth time period (i.e., the natural cooling time) in the second time period, the power source is controlled to output a smaller amount of energy, which is much smaller than the energy supplied during the third time period. On the one hand, it does not affect the temperature of the heater dropping to the lowest temperature during the fourth time period. On the other hand, maintaining the energy supply can facilitate subsequent switching to the energy supply for the next time period.

[0152] It can be understood that, here, the maximum temperature is the highest temperature in a second time period, and the minimum temperature is the lowest temperature in a second time period.

[0153] In some embodiments, the difference between the highest temperature and the lowest temperature in the second time period is greater than 20° C.; or, the difference between the highest temperature and the lowest temperature in the second time period is greater than 10° C.

[0154] When the heater is at the lowest temperature, the aerosol-forming substrate is also at a relatively low temperature (close to the lowest temperature). In the next time period, when the heater is quickly heated to the highest temperature, the aerosol-forming substrate is still at a relatively low temperature due to the hysteresis of heat transfer. This increases the temperature difference between the surface of the heater and the surface of the aerosol-forming substrate, breaking the thermal balance. Based on the heat conduction characteristics (temperature is transferred from a high-temperature object to a low-temperature object, the greater the temperature difference, the more heat is transferred), under a large temperature difference (for example, above 10°C or above 20°C), the heat provided by the heater can be absorbed by the aerosol-forming substrate in a large proportion, thereby achieving the effect of improving energy utilization and reducing energy consumption.

[0155] It can be understood that the temperature difference in the second time period is relatively large, which can be applied to the late stage of puffing (i.e., the second time stage) when the aerosol is about to be consumed, so as to compensate for the problem of smoke attenuation in the late stage of puffing; a stable aerosol can be generated during puffing, which is beneficial to maintaining the aerosol with a good taste.

[0156] In some embodiments, after the aforementioned step S42, the control method S100 further includes:

[0157] (1) Determine that the fourth time meets a preset first time threshold, and start energy supply for the next second time period.

[0158] The first time threshold is a time threshold that characterizes the natural cooling time of the second time stage. The first time threshold is preset, and those skilled in the art can set the first time threshold according to actual conditions.

[0159] After ending the energy supply of the current second time period, the controller enters the fourth time of the current second time period and starts timing. When the accumulated fourth time reaches the first time threshold, the current second time period ends and enters the next second time period.

[0160] At this time, the controller can directly supply and jump energy for multiple second time periods according to the set energy and the first time threshold (natural cooling time) of each second time period. In this way, no matter when starting or stopping the energy supply in the current second time period, there is no need to pay attention to the real-time temperature of the heater. It only needs to be strictly executed according to the settings of parameters such as the set energy and the first time threshold (natural cooling time) of each second time period. The adverse interference of the heater temperature can be eliminated, and the control is truly based on the heat required to be absorbed by the aerosol-forming matrix to generate aerosol.

[0161] In some embodiments, after the aforementioned step S42, the control method S100 further includes:

[0162] (2) Determine whether the lowest temperature in the current second time period meets a preset first low temperature threshold, and start energy supply for the next second time period.

[0163] The first low temperature threshold is the lower limit of the minimum temperature that the heater needs to provide in the second time period. In some embodiments, those skilled in the art can set the first low temperature threshold according to the baking temperature and / or the heat preservation performance of the heating module.

[0164] In this embodiment, after ending the energy supply of the current second time period, the controller enters the natural cooling time of the current second time period, and synchronously detects the real-time temperature of the heater during the natural cooling time. When the real-time temperature meets the preset first low temperature threshold (that is, the real-time temperature is lower than or equal to the first low temperature threshold), the current second time period ends, and enters and starts the energy supply of the next second time period.

[0165] During this period, if it is detected that the real-time temperature of the heater is lower than the first low temperature threshold, it means that the heat loss is too much, which will affect whether the heater can reach the baking temperature. It is necessary to control the power source to provide heating energy to the heater to ensure the temperature of the heater. At this time, it is equivalent to ending the current second time period and entering the next second time period.

[0166] In this way, only the real-time temperature of the heater needs to be referred to when to start a second time period to provide energy to the heater, and the energy supply in a second time period, such as when to stop the energy supply in a second time period, is still strictly executed according to the set energy of each second time period. It can also eliminate the influence of the difference in the real-time temperature of the heater on the temperature control, and control it based on the heat that the aerosol-forming matrix needs to absorb to generate aerosol.

[0167] In some embodiments, after the aforementioned step S42, the control method S100 further includes:

[0168] (3) Determine whether the core temperature in the current second time period meets a preset first core temperature threshold, and start energy supply for the next second time period.

[0169] The center temperature of the second time period is the median of the highest temperature in the second time period and the lowest temperature in the second time period. The center temperature is the average temperature actually heated by the heater, which can more accurately reflect the temperature of the heater. The first center temperature threshold is the lower limit of the center temperature that the heater needs to provide in the second time period. In some embodiments, those skilled in the art can set the second center temperature threshold according to the baking temperature and / or the heat preservation performance of the heating module.

[0170] In this embodiment, when the energy supply of the current second time period is being performed, the real-time temperature of the heater is synchronously detected to obtain the highest temperature in the current second time period. After the energy supply of the current second time period is terminated, the natural cooling time of the current second time period is entered, and the real-time temperature of the heater is synchronously detected during the natural cooling time to obtain the lowest temperature in the current second time period. The average of the highest temperature and the lowest temperature in the current second time period is calculated to determine the core temperature in the current second time period.

[0171] It is understandable that during the natural cooling time, the real-time temperature of the heater gradually decreases, and the real-time temperature is the lowest temperature, and the detected lowest temperature is continuously updated. When the core temperature determined by the latest lowest temperature (real-time temperature) is monitored to be lower than or equal to the first core temperature threshold, the current second time period ends, and the energy supply of the next second time period is entered and started.

[0172] During this period, if the center temperature detected and calculated is lower than the first center temperature threshold, it means that the average temperature of the heater is too low, which will affect whether the heater can reach or maintain the target temperature. It is necessary to control the power source to provide heating energy to the heater to ensure the temperature of the heater. This is equivalent to ending the current second time period and entering the next second time period.

[0173] This method is similar to the above-mentioned method of monitoring the minimum temperature. It only needs to refer to the real-time temperature of the heater when starting a second time period to provide energy to the heater, and the energy supply in a second time period, such as when to stop the energy supply in a second time period, is still strictly executed according to the set energy of each second time period. It can also eliminate the influence of the difference in the real-time temperature of the heater on the temperature control, and control it based on the heat that the aerosol-forming matrix needs to absorb to generate aerosol.

[0174] See also Figure 4The first time stage at the early stage of the puffing includes multiple first time periods, during which the temperature fluctuates between the highest temperature and the lowest temperature, and the temperature curve presents a small wave-shaped curve; the second time stage at the late stage of the puffing includes multiple second time periods, during which the temperature fluctuates between the highest temperature and the lowest temperature, and the temperature curve presents a large wave-shaped curve. In this embodiment, based on the control strategy of the constant center temperature of the temperature wave curve, the energy supply of each time period is set so that the small wave curve and the large wave curve fluctuate up and down with the same center temperature as the center. That is, the center temperature in the first time period is equal to the center temperature in the second time period. The lowest temperature in the first time period is greater than the lowest temperature in the second time period.

[0175] like Figure 4 As shown, after the aerosol generating device starts heating, it first performs preheating and heat preservation, and then enters the inhalation stage. In the early stage of inhalation (first time stage), including multiple first time periods, the controller controls the power source to output power according to the energy supply mode corresponding to each first time period, and the temperature of the heater fluctuates in small waves within ±5°C. In this first time stage, the temperature of the heater is at or below the first temperature, wherein the first temperature may be the highest temperature of the heater in the first time stage.

[0176] It is understandable that in the early stage of puffing, the aerosol formation matrix is ​​sufficient, and a relatively small amount of energy is supplied each time, and the temperature fluctuates in small waves, which can bake and stimulate sufficient aerosol. Compared with continuous energy output in the early stage of puffing, it can improve energy utilization and achieve the effect of reducing energy consumption.

[0177] In the late stage of puffing (second time stage), including multiple second time periods, the controller controls the power source to output power according to the energy supply mode corresponding to each second time period, so that the difference between the highest temperature and the lowest temperature in the second time period is above 10° C. or 20° C. Exemplarily, the temperature of the heater fluctuates within ±25° C.

[0178] In the later stage of puffing, the energy supply method corresponding to the second time period is used to control the output power of the power source. The energy supply corresponding to the second time period is relatively large, and there is a maximum temperature greater than the first temperature relative to the early stage of puffing, so that the amount of smoke is increased. In some embodiments, the difference between at least one of the maximum temperatures in the second time period and the first temperature is greater than or equal to 5°C. In other words, the maximum temperature of at least one second time period is at least 5°C higher than the first temperature. Exemplarily, as the working time increases, the maximum temperatures of multiple second time periods remain consistent, and each maximum temperature is 5°C higher than the first temperature.

[0179] The heating temperature in the second time stage is higher than that in the first time stage. It is understandable that in the later stage of the puffing period, the aerosol-forming matrix is ​​about to be exhausted, the heat diffusion weakens, and the smoke volume decays. At this time, the increase in heating temperature can improve the problem of weakened heat diffusion, thereby increasing the smoke volume to compensate for the problem of smoke volume decay in the later stage of puffing; stable aerosol can be generated during the puffing period, which is beneficial to maintaining the aerosol with a good taste. In addition, intermittently increasing the temperature is in line with the user's puffing habits (interval puffing), and will not cause aerosol waste due to continuous high-temperature baking of the aerosol-forming matrix.

[0180] See also Figure 5 In the first time stage, the temperature curve is a small wave curve, and the small wave curve fluctuates upward with the lowest temperature as the starting point; in the second time stage, the temperature curve includes two large wave curves with different amplitudes. The first time stage and the second time stage have the same lowest temperature, that is, the lowest temperature of the first time period is equal to the lowest temperature of the second time period. In this embodiment, based on the control strategy of the constant lower limit of the temperature wave curve, the energy supply of each time period is set so that the wave curve fluctuates upward with the lowest temperature as the starting point.

[0181] In some embodiments, as the working time increases, the maximum temperature of the plurality of second time periods gradually increases. Figure 6 As shown, the maximum temperature in substage 2# in the second time stage is greater than the maximum temperature in substage 1# in the second time stage. It is understandable that in other embodiments, the second time stage can also be divided into multiple substages, each substage includes multiple second times, and the maximum temperature of each second time in the substage is the same. As the working time increases, the maximum temperature of each substage gradually increases. That is, in this embodiment, as the aerosol forming matrix is ​​gradually consumed, the maximum temperature is gradually increased in the second time stage, so that the maximum temperature is adapted to the remaining amount of the aerosol forming matrix, thereby effectively ensuring the stability of the aerosol in the later stage of suction to alleviate the problem of smoke attenuation.

[0182] In some embodiments, the difference between the maximum maximum temperature in the second time stage and the first temperature is greater than or equal to 5° C. Exemplarily, the maximum temperature of each sub-stage in the second time stage increases gradually, and the difference between the maximum temperature of each sub-stage and the first temperature also increases gradually, for example, the difference may be 1° C., 2° C., 3° ​​C., 4° C., and gradually increases to 5° C. That is, the maximum temperature in the second time stage gradually increases relative to the first temperature, which can effectively ensure the stability of the aerosol in the later stage of the puffing, so as to alleviate the problem of smoke attenuation.

[0183] In some embodiments, Figure 5 or Figure 6As shown, the central temperature of the first time period is less than the central temperature of the second time period, and the central temperature of the second time period is greater than the first temperature. It can be understood that the central temperature of the first time period is the median of the high temperature in the first time period and the lowest temperature in the first time period; the central temperature of the second time period is the median of the high temperature in the second time period and the lowest temperature in the second time period.

[0184] In the case where the second time stage includes multiple sub-stages, there are multiple center temperatures, and these multiple center temperatures are all greater than the first temperature. In some embodiments, the difference between at least one of the center temperatures in the second time stage and the first temperature is greater than or equal to 5°C. Exemplarily, the center temperature of each sub-stage in the second time stage gradually increases, and the difference between the center temperature of each sub-stage and the first temperature also gradually increases. For example, the difference can be 1°C, 2°C, 3°C, 4°C, and gradually increases to 5°C. That is, the center temperature in the second time stage gradually increases relative to the first temperature, which can effectively ensure the stability of the aerosol in the later stage of the puffing, so as to alleviate the problem of smoke attenuation.

[0185] Those skilled in the art may adopt a control strategy of constant center temperature or a control strategy of constant minimum temperature as required, and set the energy supply for each time period, thereby realizing flexible setting of the temperature curve so that the temperature curve presents different forms based on the needs. For example, in the case of adopting a control strategy of constant center temperature, the center temperature in the first time period is equal to the center temperature in the second time period. The lowest temperature in the first time period is greater than the lowest temperature in the second time period, and as the working time increases, the highest temperature or center temperature of multiple second time periods gradually increases, and the difference between at least one of the highest temperatures or at least one of the center temperatures in the second time period and the first temperature is greater than or equal to 5°C. For another example, in the case of adopting a control strategy of constant minimum temperature, the lowest temperature in the first time period is the same as the lowest temperature in the second time period, the center temperature in the first time period is less than the center temperature in the second time period, and the center temperature in the second time period is greater than the first temperature (for example, at least one center temperature is 5°C higher than the first temperature), and as the working time increases, the highest temperature or center temperature of multiple second time periods gradually increases.

[0186] In summary, in some embodiments of the present application, different energy supply methods are used to control the heater for heating in different time stages. In the first time stage, the temperature of the heater is at or below the first temperature. In the second time stage, the heater is intermittently supplied with energy multiple times, that is, the second time stage is divided into multiple time periods, and energy is provided in a time-sharing manner. In this way, the temperature of the heater fluctuates in a wave-like manner in the second time stage, and its highest temperature is greater than the first temperature. On the one hand, the temperature in the second time stage is increased relative to the temperature in the first time stage, so that the amount of smoke is increased to compensate for the problem of smoke attenuation in the later stage of puffing; a stable aerosol can be generated during the puffing period, which is beneficial to maintaining the aerosol with a good taste. On the other hand, intermittent energy supply is in line with the user's puffing habits (interval puffing), and will not cause aerosol waste due to continuous high-temperature baking of the aerosol to form a matrix.

[0187] Some embodiments of the present application also provide an aerosol generating device, which includes a heater, a power source and a controller. The heater and the power source are respectively connected to the controller in communication.

[0188] The heater is used to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to generate the aerosol. For example, in terms of appearance, the heater can be a needle-shaped or tubular heater; in terms of heating principle, the heater can be a resistive heater or an electromagnetic induction heater. The power source is a battery cell, which is used to provide energy for the heater.

[0189] The controller is configured to control the power source to supply energy to the heater during a first time period during puffing so that the temperature of the heater is at or below a first temperature; and to intermittently control the power source to supply energy to the heater multiple times during a second time period during puffing so that the highest temperature reached after each energy supply is greater than the first temperature.

[0190] In this embodiment, different energy supply modes are used to control the heater for heating in different time stages. In the first time stage, the temperature of the heater is at or below the first temperature. In the second time stage, the heater is intermittently supplied with energy multiple times, that is, the second time stage is divided into multiple time periods, and energy is provided in different time periods. In this way, the temperature of the heater fluctuates in a wave-like manner in the second time stage, and its highest temperature is greater than the first temperature. On the one hand, the temperature in the second time stage is increased relative to the temperature in the first time stage, so that the amount of smoke is increased to compensate for the problem of smoke attenuation in the later stage of puffing; a stable aerosol can be generated during the puffing period, which is beneficial to maintaining the aerosol with a good taste. On the other hand, intermittent energy supply is in line with the user's puffing habits (interval puffing), and will not cause aerosol waste due to continuous high-temperature baking of the aerosol to form a matrix.

[0191] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to execute any one of the control methods in the above method embodiments, so that the aerosol generating device has the functions that can be achieved by any one of the control methods in the above method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0192] In some embodiments, the heater is made of a metal having a thermal conductivity greater than 10W / (m·K). It is understandable that the greater the thermal conductivity, the higher the heat transfer effect, and the heat of the heater can be quickly transferred to the aerosol-forming substrate. Thus, during the heating time (for example, the first time or the third time above), the temperature of the heater can rise rapidly, forming a large temperature difference with the aerosol-forming substrate. It can be seen that the temperature difference amplitude is positively correlated with thermal conductivity. For example, the difference between the highest temperature and the lowest temperature in the second time period is above 10°C or 20°C. For another example, the temperature difference amplitude can reach 50°C in the second time period.

[0193] Exemplarily, the heater is made of stainless steel, Permalloy or stainless iron. In the second time period, the temperature difference between the highest temperature reached after each energy supply and the lowest temperature reached before the energy supply is above 10°C.

[0194] For example, the heater is made of aluminum alloy. In the second time period, the temperature difference between the highest temperature reached after each energy supply and the lowest temperature reached before the energy supply is more than 20°C.

[0195] In this embodiment, the heater is made of a metal having a thermal conductivity greater than 10 W / (m·K), and the thermal conductivity is positively correlated with the heating rate. Thus, the heater can heat up quickly in a short time, which is conducive to realizing the energy supply in time periods in the present application, and avoids excessive temperature drop that affects suction.

[0196] It should be noted that the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative, wherein the units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components displayed as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place, or may be distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the modules may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0197] 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 them. Under the concept of the present application, the technical features in the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, the steps can be implemented in any order, and there are many other changes in different aspects of the present application as described above, which are not provided in detail for the sake of simplicity. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, a person of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments can still be modified, or some of the technical features can be replaced by equivalents. These modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A control method, applied to an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device comprising a heater for heating an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol, and a power source for providing energy to the heater; The aerosol is provided to the user for use during inhalation; characterized in that The method comprises: During a first time period of the puffing, controlling the power source to supply energy to the heater so that the temperature of the heater is at or below a first temperature; During a second time period of the puffing period, the power source is controlled to intermittently supply energy to the heater a plurality of times, so that the highest temperature reached after each energy supply is greater than the first temperature.

2. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The difference between at least one of the highest temperatures in the second time period and the first temperature is greater than or equal to 5°C.

3. The control method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The maximum temperatures in the second time period gradually increase, wherein the difference between the maximum maximum temperature and the first temperature is greater than or equal to 5°C.

4. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The core temperature in the second time period is greater than the first temperature, and the core temperature in the second time period is a median of a maximum temperature reached after each energy supply and a minimum temperature reached before the energy supply.

5. The control method according to claim 4, characterized in that: The difference between at least one of the core temperatures in the second time period and the first temperature is greater than or equal to 5°C.

6. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second time stage includes a plurality of second time periods; in the second time period, controlling the power source to supply energy to the heater once includes: Controlling the power source to output energy supply for a third time to reach the maximum temperature of the heater in the second time period; The power source is controlled to stop outputting energy supply for a fourth time period to achieve the lowest temperature of the heater in the second time period.

7. The control method according to claim 6, characterized in that: After controlling the power source to stop outputting energy supply for a fourth time period to reach the lowest temperature of the heater in the second time period, the control method further includes: Determine that the fourth time meets the preset first time threshold, and start the energy supply of the next second time period; or, Determine that the lowest temperature in the current second time period meets the preset first low temperature threshold, and start energy supply for the next second time period; or Determine that the core temperature in the current second time period meets the preset first core temperature threshold, and start energy supply for the next second time period, wherein the core temperature in the second time period is the median of the highest temperature in the second time period and the lowest temperature in the second time period.

8. The control method according to claim 7, characterized in that: As the working time increases, the maximum temperatures of the plurality of second time periods remain consistent; or As the working time increases, the maximum temperatures of the plurality of second time periods gradually increase.

9. The control method according to claim 6, characterized in that: The difference between the highest temperature and the lowest temperature in the second time period is greater than 20°C; or The difference between the highest temperature and the lowest temperature in the second time period is greater than 10°C.

10. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: determining a duration or number of puffs of a first time period during the puffing period; If the duration or the number of puffs meets a preset condition, the second time stage is entered.

11. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first time stage includes a plurality of first time periods; in the first time period, controlling the power source to supply energy to the heater once includes: Controlling the power source to output energy supply for a first time to reach a maximum temperature of the heater within the first time period; The power source is controlled to stop outputting energy supply for a second time period to achieve the lowest temperature of the heater in the first time period.

12. The control method according to claim 11, characterized in that: After controlling the power source to stop outputting energy supply and continuing for a second time to reach the lowest temperature of the heater in the first time period, the control method further includes: Determining that the second time meets a preset second time threshold, and starting energy supply for the next first time period; or, Determine that the lowest temperature in the current first time period meets a preset second low temperature threshold, and start energy supply for the next first time period; or Determine that the core temperature in the current first time period meets a preset second core temperature threshold, and start energy supply for the next first time period, wherein the core temperature in the first time period is the median of the highest temperature in the first time period and the lowest temperature in the first time period.

13. The control method according to claim 11, characterized in that: The difference between the highest temperature and the lowest temperature in the first time period is within 10°C.

14. The control method according to claim 11, characterized in that: The central temperature of the first time period is equal to or lower than the central temperature of the second time period; Among them, the central temperature of the first time period is the median of the high temperature in the first time period and the lowest temperature in the first time period; the central temperature of the second time period is the median of the high temperature in the second time period and the lowest temperature in the second time period.

15. The control method according to claim 11, characterized in that: The lowest temperature in the first time period is greater than or equal to the lowest temperature in the second time period.

16. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The controlling the power source to supply energy to the heater during the first time period of the puffing so that the temperature of the heater is at or below the first temperature comprises: During a first time period during the puffing, a real-time temperature of the heater is detected, and the power and / or the duty cycle of the power source supplied to the heater is adjusted according to the real-time temperature so that the temperature of the heater is maintained at at least one target temperature, wherein the target temperature is less than or equal to the first temperature.

17. An aerosol generating device, characterized in that: include: A heater for heating the aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol; a power source for providing energy to the heater; a controller configured to control the power source to supply energy to the heater during a first time period during the puffing so that the temperature of the heater is at or below a first temperature; During a second time period of the puffing period, the power source is intermittently controlled to supply energy to the heater multiple times, so that the highest temperature reached after each energy supply is greater than the first temperature.

18. The device according to claim 17, characterized in that The heater is made of metal with a thermal conductivity greater than 10 W / (m·K).

19. The device according to claim 18, characterized in that The heater is made of stainless steel, Permalloy or stainless iron; in the second time period, the temperature difference between the highest temperature reached after each energy supply and the lowest temperature reached before the energy supply is above 10°C.

20. The device according to claim 18, characterized in that The heater is made of aluminum alloy; in the second time period, the temperature difference between the highest temperature reached after each energy supply and the lowest temperature reached before the energy supply is above 20°C.

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