Heating method of aerosol supply system and aerosol supply system

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses a heating method of an aerosol supply system and the aerosol supply system. The heating method comprises the steps that a sensor of a system obtains sensing data used for representing the heating intention of a user; a controller of the system receives the sensing data, determines a heating intention of a user according to the sensing data, and determines a target heating curve from a pre-stored heating curve library according to the heating intention; and the controller controls a heater of the system to heat the product in the system according to the target heating curve. The heating intention of the user can be determined according to the data automatically obtained by the sensor, and the corresponding heating curve is selected for heating according to the heating intention. Compared with the prior art, the method is not limited by the inherent heating mode of the system, can meet the diversified and personalized heating requirements of the user in the smoking session process, and improves the user experience. And the additional operation of the user is further reduced through a mode of acquiring data by a sensor, so that the system is more automatic, efficient and convenient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of aerosol supply, and in particular to a heating method for an aerosol supply system and an aerosol supply system. Background Art

[0002] An aerosol supply system refers to a system that accommodates aerosol - generating materials inside and generates aerosol by heating the aerosol - generating materials (such as tobacco) to a certain temperature instead of burning them for users to inhale.

[0003] Currently, the general aerosol supply system generally includes a housing, a heater disposed inside the housing, a power source, and a controller. The controller has a fixed heating curve built - in, and the heating curve is a temperature curve. During a puff session, the controller controls the power supplied by the power source to the heater according to this heating curve, so that the heater provides a heating temperature according to this fixed heating curve. A common heating curve is as Figure 1 shown, which is a heating curve that rises from room temperature (such as 25°C) to a preset temperature (such as 300°C) and then remains at a constant temperature at the preset temperature.

[0004] However, this heating curve may not be the heating curve expected by some users, or users may expect different heating curves at different times during a puff session. For example, some users expect to heat at a higher temperature to obtain a higher concentration of inhalation; some users expect different heating modes when puffing and not puffing to achieve a balance between energy conservation and efficient puffing. For all these various demands, the current aerosol supply system cannot be satisfied, reducing the user's inhalation experience. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a new technical solution to solve one or more of the technical problems existing in the above - mentioned aerosol supply system. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present invention discloses a heating method for an aerosol supply system and an aerosol supply system, so as to solve the problem that the existing technology is limited by the fixed heating curve of the system and cannot provide multiple heating modes for users.

[0006] In a first aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a heating method for an aerosol supply system is disclosed. The method includes:

[0007] A sensor of the system obtains sensing data for characterizing a user's heating intention;

[0008] A controller of the system receives the sensing data, determines the user's heating intention according to the sensing data, and determines a target heating curve from a pre - stored heating curve library according to the heating intention;

[0009] The controller controls the heater of the system to heat the product in the system according to the target heating curve.

[0010] Based on the above embodiments, the user's heating intention can be determined according to the data automatically obtained by the sensor, and the corresponding heating curve can be determined based on the heating intention for heating. Compared with the prior art, it is not necessary to be limited by the inherent heating mode of the system, which can meet the diverse and personalized needs of users and improve the user experience. Moreover, by obtaining data through the sensor, the additional operations of the user can be further reduced, making the system more automated and convenient.

[0011] In an embodiment of the heating method of the above aerosol supply system,

[0012] The pre-stored heating curve library includes a heating curve for puffing and / or a heating curve for non-puffing;

[0013] The heating intention includes a non-puffing intention and / or a puffing intention;

[0014] When the controller determines a non-puffing intention according to the sensing data, it determines the non-puffing heating curve in the heating curve library as the target heating curve according to the non-puffing intention;

[0015] When the controller determines a puffing intention according to the sensing data, it determines the puffing heating curve in the heating curve library as the target heating curve according to the puffing intention.

[0016] In an embodiment of the heating method of the above aerosol supply system,

[0017] The puffing heating curve is a positive heating curve, and the non-puffing heating curve is a preheating curve.

[0018] The positive heating curve corresponds to the atomization process of the product, and the preheating curve corresponds to the preheating process of the product.

[0019] Furthermore, by determining the preheating curve when the user's intention is non-puffing, the system can maintain the preheating temperature when the user's intention is non-puffing, achieving energy conservation while quickly heating up to the positive heating curve corresponding to the atomization process when the user's intention is puffing. The balance between energy conservation and efficient puffing is achieved.

[0020] In an embodiment of the heating method of the above aerosol supply system, the positive heating curve and the preheating curve are temperature curves related to time, where the start and end times of the positive heating curve are T1hea and T2hea respectively, and the start and end times of the preheating curve are T1pre and T2pre respectively.

[0021] In an embodiment of the heating method of the above aerosol supply system, during a single puff session, when the controller determines that the preheating curve is the target heating curve according to the heating intention, the controller controls the heater of the system to start heating from the T1pre time of the preheating curve.

[0022] In an embodiment of the heating method of the above aerosol supply system, during a single puff session, when the controller determines that the positive heating curve is the target heating curve according to the heating intention, the controller controls the heater of the system to start heating from the T1hea time of the positive heating curve.

[0023] In an embodiment of the heating method of the above aerosol supply system, a single puff session includes an operation segment starting from when the article is heated to a preset temperature until the end of the session, and the start and end times of the operation segment are T1opr and T2opr respectively;

[0024] During a single puff session, T1hea, T1pre, and T1opr correspond to the same clock, and T2hea, T2pre, and T2opr correspond to the same clock.

[0025] In an embodiment of the heating method of the above aerosol supply system, during a single puff session, when the controller determines that the preheating curve is the target heating curve at time Tn according to the heating intention, the controller controls the heater of the system to start heating from the Tnpre time of the preheating curve;

[0026] where Tn and Tnpre correspond to the same clock, and T1opr ≤ Tn ≤ T2opr.

[0027] In an embodiment of the heating method of the above aerosol supply system, during a single puff session, when the controller determines that the positive heating curve is the target heating curve at time Tn according to the heating intention, the controller controls the heater of the system to start heating from the Tnhea time of the positive heating curve;

[0028] where Tn and Tnhea correspond to the same clock, and T1opr ≤ Tn ≤ T2opr.

[0029] During a single puff session process, there are different temperature requirements at different times. In a preferred embodiment, the heating curve is a temperature curve corresponding to the time axis of the session process, such as a curve that gradually increases as the session process time progresses. By setting the heating curve to be related to time and enabling the controller to switch the temperature corresponding to the time according to the heating curve for heating control, the heating temperature is closer to the requirements of the puff session process, improving the user experience.

[0030] In one embodiment of the heating method of the aerosol supply system described above, a puff session further includes a ramp-up section in which the article is heated from room temperature to a preset temperature;

[0031] The heating curve library further includes a ramp-up curve corresponding to the ramp-up section, and the start and end times of the ramp-up curve are T0 and T1, respectively.

[0032] In one embodiment of the heating method of the aerosol supply system described above, T1 and T1 hea, T1 pre, T1 opr correspond to the same clock.

[0033] In one embodiment of the heating method of the aerosol supply system described above, the heating curve library further includes a temperature increase curve and a temperature decrease curve;

[0034] The temperature increase curve is used for the transition from the preheating curve to the normal heating curve when the target heating curve transitions from the preheating curve to the normal heating curve;

[0035] The temperature decrease curve is used for the transition from the normal heating curve to the preheating curve when the target heating curve transitions from the normal heating curve to the preheating curve.

[0036] In one embodiment of the heating method of the aerosol supply system described above, the temperature range of the preheating curve is 50°C - 230°C. At this temperature, the aerosol-forming material does not produce aerosol, but can be quickly switched to the temperature at which aerosol is produced, achieving a balance between energy conservation and quick aerosol production.

[0037] In one embodiment of the heating method of the aerosol supply system described above, the temperature range of the normal heating curve is 240°C - 300°C. At this temperature, the aerosol-forming material is heated and atomized for the user to puff.

[0038] In one embodiment of the heating method of the aerosol supply system described above, the normal heating curve includes a high-temperature normal heating curve and a low-temperature normal heating curve; the puffing intentions include a high-concentration puffing intention and a low-concentration puffing intention;

[0039] When the controller determines a high-concentration puffing intention based on the sensing data, it determines the high-temperature normal heating curve as the target heating curve from the pre-stored heating curve library;

[0040] When the controller determines a low-concentration puffing intention based on the sensing data, it determines the low-temperature normal heating curve as the target heating curve from the pre-stored heating curve library;

[0041] The atomization concentration of the product corresponding to the high-temperature positive heating curve is higher than the atomization concentration of the product corresponding to the low-temperature positive heating curve.

[0042] In one embodiment of the heating method of the aerosol supply system, the controller determines the heating intention according to the sensor data and a heating curve corresponding to the current operating state of the system.

[0043] In one embodiment of the above-mentioned heating method of the aerosol supply system, the pre-stored heating curve library includes a first heating curve and a second heating curve different from the first heating curve;

[0044] The controller determines a first heating intention when the sensing data satisfies a first characteristic and a heating curve corresponding to a current operating state is the first heating curve, and determines the second heating curve as a target heating curve according to the first heating intention;

[0045] The controller is configured to determine a second heating intention when the sensing data satisfies a first characteristic and a heating curve corresponding to a current operating state is the second heating curve, and determine the first heating curve as a target heating curve according to the second heating intention.

[0046] In the above embodiment, different heating intentions can be determined based on the same data characteristics and the currently used heating curve to achieve the selection and switching of different heating curves.

[0047] In one embodiment of the heating method of the aerosol supply system, the controller receives the sensor data before the puffing session is started, starts the puffing session according to the sensor data, and determines the target heating curve from the preset heating curve. In this embodiment, the puffing session can also be started according to the sensor data and the target heating curve can be determined at the same time, which is faster and more efficient.

[0048] In one embodiment of the above-mentioned heating method of the aerosol supply system, the sensor data includes at least one of the following:

[0049] the distance of the user from the system;

[0050] The user's puffing status;

[0051] The user's gesture.

[0052] In one embodiment of the above-mentioned heating method for an aerosol supply system, the preset stored heating curve library is located in the system or in an external device.

[0053] A second aspect of an embodiment of the present invention discloses an aerosol supply system, the system comprising:

[0054] A housing, the housing including a chamber; the chamber for accommodating an article, the article including aerosol - generating material;

[0055] A sensor configured to acquire characteristics of sensing data;

[0056] A controller configured to receive and determine a user's heating intention based on the sensing data and determine a target heating curve from a preset stored heating - curve library according to the heating intention, and control a heater to heat the aerosol - generating material according to the target heating curve;

[0057] The heater configured to heat the aerosol - generating material according to the control of the controller according to the target heating curve.

[0058] In an embodiment of the above - mentioned aerosol supply system, the controller is configured to execute the heating method of the aerosol supply system described in the first aspect above.

[0059] In an embodiment of the above - mentioned aerosol supply system, the sensor includes at least one of the following:

[0060] A distance sensor;

[0061] An infrared sensor;

[0062] A radar sensor;

[0063] An air - flow sensor;

[0064] A temperature sensor;

[0065] A motion sensor;

[0066] An image sensor.

[0067] In an embodiment of the above - mentioned aerosol supply system, the sensor is arranged on or partially arranged on the housing, in the housing, on the article or in the article.

[0068] In an embodiment of the above - mentioned aerosol supply system, the sensor is arranged on the side surface and / or the top surface of the housing.

[0069] In an embodiment of the above - mentioned aerosol supply system, the sensor is arranged on the top surface of the housing and covered by an upper cover on the top surface of the housing.

[0070] In an embodiment of the above - mentioned aerosol supply system, the upper cover is configured with an optically transparent material or an infrared - penetrable material.

[0071] In an embodiment of the above - mentioned aerosol supply system, the heater is configured to heat the aerosol - generating material in a non - combustible heating manner.

[0072] Based on the embodiments of the present invention, during a suction session, the user's heating intention can be determined according to the data automatically obtained by the sensor, and the corresponding heating curve can be determined based on the heating intention for heating. Compared with the prior art, it is not necessary to be limited by the inherent heating mode of the system, which can meet the diverse and personalized needs of users during the suction session process and improve the user experience. Moreover, by obtaining data through the sensor, the additional operations of the user can be further reduced, making the system more automated and convenient.

[0073] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be given in part in the following description, become apparent in part from the following description, or be understood through the practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0074] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the disclosure of the present invention will become more understandable. It is easily understood by those skilled in the art that these drawings are only for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention. In addition, similar numbers in the figures are used to represent similar components, where:

[0075] Figure 1 is a heating curve diagram of an aerosol supply system in the prior art;

[0076] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of an aerosol supply system provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0077] Figure 3 is a three-dimensional structural diagram of an aerosol supply system provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0078] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a heating method for an aerosol supply system provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0079] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a heating method for an aerosol supply system provided by another embodiment of the present invention;

[0080] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a heating curve without a clock correspondence relationship with a suction session provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0081] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a heating curve with a clock correspondence relationship with a suction session provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0082] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of an overall heating curve in a suction session provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0083] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a heating curve corresponding to a partial operation segment in a suction session provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0084] Figure 10 It is a schematic diagram of a heating curve corresponding to a partial operation segment in a suction session provided by another embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] Explanation of reference numerals:

[0086] 100: housing; 101: mouthpiece; 102: article insertion port; 103 air inlet; 104 upper cover; 200: chamber; 300: heater; 400: power supply; 500: controller; 600: sensor; 700: article. Detailed implementation manners

[0087] Some implementation manners of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art should understand that these implementation manners are only used to explain the technical principle of the present invention and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention.

[0088] As used herein, the term "supply system" is intended to cover a system that delivers at least one substance to a user during use, and includes:

[0089] Combustible aerosol supply systems, such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, and tobacco for pipes or for self-rolling or self-making cigarettes (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes, or other smokable materials);

[0090] Non-combustible aerosol supply systems that release compounds from aerosol-generating materials without burning the aerosol-generating materials, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems, to generate aerosols using a combination of aerosol-generating materials; and

[0091] Non-aerosol supply systems that deliver at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally, or otherwise without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to lozenges, chewing gums, patches, articles including inhalable powders, and oral products (such as oral tobacco including snuff or moist snuff), wherein the at least one substance may or may not include nicotine.

[0092] According to the present disclosure, a "combustible" aerosol supply system is an aerosol supply system in which the constituent aerosol-generating materials of the aerosol supply system (or its components) burn or ignite during use to facilitate the delivery of at least one substance to the user.

[0093] In some implementation manners, the supply system is a combustible aerosol supply system, such as a system selected from the group consisting of cigarettes, cigarillos, and cigars.

[0094] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a component for a combustible aerosol supply system, such as a filter tip, a filter rod, a filter segment, a tobacco rod, an overflow, an aerosol modifier release component (such as a capsule, a wire or a bead), or a paper (such as a forming paper, a tipping paper or a cigarette paper).

[0095] According to the present disclosure, a "non-combustible" aerosol supply system is an aerosol supply system in which the constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol supply system (or its components) does not burn or ignite and delivers at least one substance to the user.

[0096] In some embodiments, the supply system is a non-combustible aerosol supply system, such as, for example, a powered non-combustible aerosol supply system.

[0097] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or an electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS), but it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not necessary.

[0098] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0099] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system is a hybrid system that uses a combination of aerosol-generating materials to generate an aerosol, where one or more of the aerosol-generating materials can be heated. Each aerosol-generating material can be, for example, in the form of a solid, a liquid or a gel, and can contain or can not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system includes a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material can include, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

[0100] Generally, the non-combustible aerosol supply system can include a non-combustible aerosol supply device and a consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol supply device.

[0101] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a consumable that includes an aerosol-generating material and is configured to be used with a non-combustible aerosol supply device. These consumables are sometimes referred to in the present disclosure as articles.

[0102] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system, such as its non-combustible aerosol supply device, can include a power source and a controller. The power source can be, for example, a power supply or a heat source. In some embodiments, the heat source includes a carbon matrix that can be energized to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or a heat transfer material in proximity to the heat source.

[0103] In some embodiments, a non-aerosol supply system may include an area for receiving a consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0104] In some embodiments, a consumable for use with a non-aerosol supply device may include an aerosol-forming material, an aerosol-forming material storage area, an aerosol-forming material delivery component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0105] In some embodiments, the supply system is a non-aerosol supply system that delivers at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally, or otherwise without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to lozenges, chewing gums, patches, articles including inhalable powders, and oral products (such as oral tobacco including snuff or moist snuff), wherein the at least one substance may or may not include nicotine.

[0106] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered may be an aerosol-forming material or a material not intended to be aerosolized. Optionally, either material may include one or more active components, one or more flavorants, one or more aerosol-forming agent materials, and / or one or more other functional materials.

[0107] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered includes an active substance. As used herein, an active substance may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active substance may be selected, for example, from nutraceuticals, nootropics, psychoactive substances. The active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active substance may include, for example, nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theobromine, vitamins (such as B6 or B12 or C), melatonin, or a component, derivative, or combination thereof. The active substance may include one or more components, derivatives, or extracts of tobacco or other plants.

[0108] In some embodiments, the active substance includes nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance includes caffeine, melatonin, or vitamin B12.

[0109] As described herein, the active substance may include or be derived from one or more plants or a component, derivative, or extract thereof. As used herein, the term "plant" includes any material derived from a plant, including but not limited to extracts, leaves, bark, fibers, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, hulls, husks, etc. Alternatively, the material may include an active compound naturally present in a plant, which is obtained synthetically. The material may be in the form of a liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, fines, pellets, fragments, strips, sheets, etc.

[0110] Examples of plants are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp plants, cocoa, fennel, lemongrass, mint, spearmint, red leaf tea tree, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo, hazelnut, hibiscus, laurel, licorice, matcha, mate, orange peel, papaya, rose, sage, tea (such as green tea or black tea), thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, anise (fennel), basil, bay leaf, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, red pepper, rosemary, saffron, lavender, lemon peel, peppermint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, holly, perilla plants, turmeric, turmeric powder, sandalwood, coriander leaves, bergamot, neroli, myrtle, blackcurrant, valerian, Spanish sweet pepper, mace, damar gum, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, parsley, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, kanna, chlorophyll, baobab or any combination thereof. The mint can be selected from the following mint varieties: wild mint, Mentha c.v., Egyptian mint, peppermint, basil mint c.v., peppermint c.v., spearmint, Mentha cordifolia, Mentha longifolia, pineapple mint, Mentha pulegium, spearmint c.v., and apple mint.

[0111] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more plants or their components, derivatives or extracts, and the plant is tobacco. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more plants or their components, derivatives or extracts, and the plant is selected from eucalyptus, star anise, and cocoa.

[0112] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more plants or their components, derivatives or extracts, and the plant is selected from red leaf tea tree and fennel.

[0113] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered includes flavorants. As used herein, the terms "flavorant" and "spice" refer to materials that, where permitted by local regulations, can be used to create a taste, aroma, or other somatic sensation desired by an adult consumer in a product. It can include naturally occurring flavorant materials, plants, plant extracts, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, licorice, hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, anise (fennel), cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berries, cranberries, peach, apple, orange, mango, citrus, lemon, lime, tropical fruits, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, pitaya, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, mint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, quassia bark, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, sorghum, betel leaf, coriander, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cinnamon, coriander, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, mustard, green pepper, ginger, coriander, coffee, peppermint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, adzuki bean, flax, ginkgo leaf, hazelnut, hibiscus, bay, yerba mate, orange peel, rose, tea (e.g., green tea or black tea), thyme, juniper, elderberry, basil, bay leaf, cumin, oregano, chili pepper, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, costmary, turmeric, coriander, myrtle, blackcurrant, valerian, pimento, mace, damiana, marjoram, olive, balm mint, lemon basil, scallions, parsley, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavor enhancers, bitter receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulants, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, plants, or breath fresheners. It can be a mimic, synthetic, or natural ingredient or a mixture thereof. It can be in any suitable form, e.g., a liquid such as an oil, a solid such as a powder, or a gas.

[0114] In some embodiments, the flavorant includes menthol, spearmint, and / or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavorant includes flavorant components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits, and / or cranberries. In some embodiments, the flavorant includes eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavorant includes flavorant components extracted from tobacco.

[0116] In some embodiments, in addition to or instead of aromatic or gustatory nerves, flavorants can include sensates that are intended to achieve somatosensation typically induced and perceived by chemical stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), and these can include reagents that provide heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effects. Suitable heat-effect reagents can be, but are not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether, and suitable coolants can be, but are not limited to, cineole, WS-3.

[0117] An aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating an aerosol when heated, irradiated, or electrified in any other way, for example. The aerosol-generating material can be, for example, in solid, liquid, or gel form, and it can contain or can be free of active substances and / or flavorings. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material can include an "amorphous solid", which can alternatively be referred to as a "monolithic solid" (i.e., non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid can be a dry gel. An amorphous solid is a solid material that can retain some fluid (such as a liquid) within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material can include, for example, from about 50 wt%, 60 wt%, or 70 wt% amorphous solid to about 90 wt%, 95 wt%, or 100 wt% amorphous solid.

[0118] The aerosol-generating material can include one or more active substances and / or flavorants, one or more aerosol-forming agent materials, and optionally one or more other functional materials.

[0119] The aerosol-forming agent material can include one or more components capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming agent material can include one or more of glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, erythritol, meso-erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, glycerol diacetate mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

[0120] The one or more other functional materials can include one or more of pH regulators, colorants, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and / or antioxidants.

[0121] The material can be present on or in a carrier to form a substrate. The carrier can be or include, for example, paper, card, cardboard, hardboard, recombinant material, plastic material, ceramic material, composite material, glass, metal, or metal alloy. In some embodiments, the carrier includes a receptor. In some embodiments, the receptor is embedded within the material. In some alternative embodiments, the receptor is on one side or either side of the material.

[0122] A consumable is an article that comprises or consists of an aerosol - forming material, at least part of which is intended to be consumed by a user during use. The consumable can include one or more other components, such as an aerosol - forming material storage area, an aerosol - forming material delivery component, an aerosol - forming area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier. The consumable can also include an aerosol generator, such as a heater, which releases heat during use to cause the aerosol - forming material to form an aerosol. The heater can, for example, comprise a combustible material, a material that can be heated by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.

[0123] A susceptor is a material that can be heated by penetration with a varying magnetic field (such as an alternating magnetic field). The susceptor can be a conductive material such that penetration by the varying magnetic field causes inductive heating of the material. The heating material can be a magnetic material such that penetration by the varying magnetic field causes hysteresis heating of the material. The susceptor can be both conductive and magnetic such that the susceptor can be heated by both heating mechanisms. In this document, a device configured to generate a varying magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic - field generator.

[0124] An aerosol modifier is a substance that is typically located downstream of the aerosol - forming area and is configured to modify the generated aerosol, for example, by changing the taste, flavor, acidity, or another property of the aerosol. The aerosol modifier can be provided in an aerosol - modifier release component that is operable to selectively release the aerosol modifier. For example, the aerosol modifier can be an additive or an adsorbent. For example, the aerosol modifier can include one or more of a flavoring, a coloring agent, water, and a carbon adsorbent. For example, the aerosol modifier can be a solid, a liquid, or a gel. The aerosol modifier can be in the form of a powder, a wire, or a granule. The aerosol modifier can be free of filter material.

[0125] An aerosol generator is a device configured to cause an aerosol to be formed from an aerosol - forming material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater that is configured to subject the aerosol - forming material to thermal energy in order to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol - forming material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to cause an aerosol to be formed from the aerosol - forming material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator can be configured to subject the aerosol - forming material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.

[0126] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol supply system (which may also be referred to as a vapor supply system), such as an atomizer or an electronic cigarette. In the following description, the term "electronic cigarette" or "e-cigarette" may sometimes be used, but it will be understood that this term may be used interchangeably with aerosol supply system / device and electronic aerosol supply system / device. Additionally, as is common in the art, the terms "aerosol" and "vapor" and related terms such as "evaporation", "atomization", and "aerosolization" are generally used interchangeably.

[0127] An aerosol supply system (e-cigarette) typically (although not always) includes modular components, which include a reusable device portion and a replaceable (disposable / consumable) cartridge component. Generally, the replaceable cartridge component will include aerosol-generating material and an evaporator (which may be collectively referred to as an "atomizer"), and the reusable device portion will include a power source (e.g., a rechargeable power source) and control circuitry. It will be understood that these different portions may include additional elements depending on their function. For example, the reusable device portion will typically include a user interface for receiving user input and displaying operating state characteristics, and the replaceable cartridge device portion includes a temperature sensor for assisting in controlling the temperature in some cases. The cartridge is electrically and mechanically coupled to the control unit for use, for example, using a thread, a bayonet, or a magnetic coupling with appropriately arranged electrical contacts. When the aerosol-generating material in the cartridge is depleted, or the user wishes to switch to a different cartridge with a different aerosol-generating material, the cartridge can be removed from the reusable component, and a replacement cartridge can be attached in its place. Systems and devices that conform to this type of two-piece modular configuration are generally referred to as two-piece systems / devices.

[0128] Electronic cigarettes generally have a substantially elongated shape. To provide a specific example, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be considered to include such a substantially elongated two-piece system that employs a disposable cartridge. However, it will be understood that the basic principles described herein can equally apply to different configurations, such as a one-piece system or a modular system that includes more than two components, a refillable device and a single-use disposable, as well as other overall shapes, such as those based on the so-called pod-mode high-performance devices that typically have a cartridge-like shape. More generally, it will be understood that certain embodiments of the present disclosure are based on an aerosol supply system that is operationally configured to provide functions in accordance with the principles described herein, and the construction aspects of the system configured to provide the functions of certain embodiments of the present disclosure are not of primary importance.

[0129] As described in the background art, the heating curve of the current aerosol supply system is fixed, and it is difficult for users to adjust the heating mode of the system according to their expectations during a puffing session. Therefore, the embodiments of the present invention creatively propose to set a sensor in the system to obtain sensing data, and determine the user's heating intention based on the sensing data, so as to determine the corresponding heating curve from a pre-stored heating curve library according to the heating intention for heating. Through this solution, the personalized and diversified heating needs of users are met, the user experience is improved, and the implementation method is more automatic and efficient.

[0130] The aerosol supply system of the present invention and its heating method will be introduced in detail below by way of specific embodiments.

[0131] Embodiment 1

[0132] Embodiment 1 of the present invention discloses an aerosol supply system. Figure 2 Among them, the internal composition of the aerosol supply system 10 is shown in a simplified manner, where each component is not drawn to scale, and components irrelevant to understanding the embodiments of the present invention are omitted. Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structure diagram of the aerosol supply system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0133] Refer to Figure 2 、 3 , the aerosol generating system 10 includes a housing 100. The housing 100 is provided with a mouthpiece 101, and a product insertion port 102 is opened on the mouthpiece 101. An air inlet 103 is also opened on the housing 100. The air inlet 103 can be provided at one end away from the mouthpiece 101, or can be provided at other positions of the housing 100.

[0134] A receiving space and an airway are formed inside the housing 100. A chamber 200 for receiving a product 700, a heater 300, a power source (battery assembly) 400, and a controller 500 are provided in the receiving space. The power source 400 is configured to supply power to the heater 300 under the control of the controller 500, and the heat generated by the energized heater 300 atomizes the aerosol generating material.

[0135] The air inlet 103 and the inside of the heater 300 are connected to form an airway inside the housing 100. When the user puffs, external air enters from the air inlet 103, passes through the inside of the heater 300, and then flows out from the product 700 to the user.

[0136] The mouthpiece 101 can be integrally formed with the housing 100 or removably separated from the housing 100. The separable mouthpiece 101 helps to clean the mouthpiece 101. In addition, setting the separable mouthpiece 101 can help to enter the inside of the housing 100 to facilitate replacing the aerosol generating material inside the housing 100.

[0137] The power supply 400 is configured to supply power to the heater 300, specifically, it can be a battery assembly. In other examples, the battery can be replaced by a portable power source (e.g., a capacitive power storage such as a supercapacitor or ultracapacitor), a mechanical power source (a mechanical power spring or generator), or an alternative chemical energy source (e.g., a fuel cell).

[0138] The article contains an aerosol - generating material, which can be solid, powder or liquid, such as e - liquid, solid cigarettes, etc.

[0139] In the embodiments of the present invention, to meet the personalized and diversified heating needs of users. As Figure 2 shown, a sensor 600 is further provided on the aerosol supply system 10 to obtain sensing data for characterizing the user's heating intention through the sensor 600. A controller 500 is configured to receive and determine the user's heating intention based on the sensing data, and determine a target heating curve from a preset stored heating curve library according to the heating intention, and control the heater 300 to heat. The heater 300 is configured to heat the aerosol - generating material according to the control of the controller in accordance with the target heating curve.

[0140] In the embodiments of the present invention, the sensing data for characterizing the user's heating intention is obtained through the sensor 600, which can realize the automatic and efficient determination of the user's heating intention.

[0141] Wherein the sensor 600 can be any suitable sensor. As an example but not a limitation, the sensor 600 can be one or more of a distance sensor, an infrared sensor, a radar sensor, an air - flow sensor, a temperature sensor, a motion sensor. Each of them is used to obtain corresponding types of sensing data, such as the distance data between the user and the aerosol supply system, the gesture data of the user, the puffing data of the user, etc. In one embodiment, the sensor 600 is a plurality of types of sensors for obtaining different types of sensing data. Correspondingly, the controller 500 is used to comprehensively judge the user's heating intention according to multiple types of sensing data.

[0142] In the present invention, each type of sensor 600 can be one or more. In one embodiment, each type of sensor 600 is multiple, used to obtain the same type of sensing data. Correspondingly, the controller 500 is used to comprehensively judge the user's heating intention according to the sensing data of multiple sensors.

[0143] The sensor 600 can be set at any suitable position of the system. As an example but not a limitation, the sensor 600 can be arranged on or partially arranged on the housing 100, in the housing 100, on the article 700 or in the article 700.

[0144] The sensor 600 can be arranged at any suitable position of the housing 100. In one example, the sensor 600 is arranged on the side surface of the housing 100. For example, when an image sensor is set to detect the user's gesture, the sensor needs to occupy a relatively large area, so it can be preferably arranged on the side surface of the housing 100. In another example, as Figure 2 , 3 shown, the sensor 600 is arranged on the top surface of the housing 100.

[0145] As Figure 3 shown, considering the waterproof and dustproof requirements of the sensor, in a preferred embodiment, the aerosol supply system 10 further includes an upper cover 104 to cover the sensor 600 arranged on the top surface.

[0146] Regarding the upper cover 104, it can be set as a slidable upper cover to move between the position of opening the product insertion port 102 and the position of closing the product insertion port 102. To ensure the waterproof and dustproof effect, the upper cover 104 can be set to cover the sensor 600 whether at the position of opening the product insertion port 102 or at the position of closing the product insertion port 102.

[0147] The functions of some sensors 600 are less affected by the covering of the upper cover 104, and at this time, the upper cover 104 can always cover the sensor 600. The functions of some sensors 600 are more affected by the covering of the upper cover 104. Such as image sensors, infrared sensors, etc. To avoid affecting the monitoring effect of the sensor 600, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upper cover 104 is set as a slidable upper cover to move between the position of covering the sensor 600 and the position of exposing the sensor 600. In an alternative embodiment, the upper cover 104 always covers the sensor 600 to ensure waterproof and dustproof, but the upper cover 104 is set to be transparent (as Figure 3 shown) or made of infrared-penetrable material so that the sensor 600 can work normally without being affected by the upper cover 104.

[0148] The above embodiments and the attached Figure 2 , 3 are all structural examples of heat-not-burn products in the aerosol supply system. It can be understood that the aerosol supply system of the present invention may further include an e-cigarette system of the e-liquid atomization type, etc. The present invention does not make specific limitations on this.

[0149] Embodiment 2

[0150] Based on the structure of the aerosol supply system in the above Embodiment 1, Embodiment 2 of the present invention discloses a heating method of the aerosol supply system. As Figure 4 shown, the method specifically includes the following steps:

[0151] S41. The sensor of the system obtains sensing data for characterizing the user's heating intention.

[0152] The sensor in the second embodiment of the present invention may refer to the relevant description of the first embodiment, which will not be elaborated here.

[0153] The user's heating intention represents a heating mode desired by the user. For example, the user expects to start heating, the user expects not to heat or to maintain preheating, the user expects heating at a higher temperature, etc. This intention can be expressed and obtained in various possible ways. For example, it can be expressed through the user's gestures, the user's suction state, the distance between the user and the system, the ambient temperature, etc.; correspondingly, such data can be obtained through an image sensor, an air flow sensor, a distance sensor, a temperature sensor, etc.

[0154] As shown above, the sensing data can be of one or more types. Generally speaking, multiple types of data will improve the accuracy of the controller's judgment. For example, a distance sensor and a temperature sensor are set to obtain the distance between the user and the system and the temperature data of the system. When the distance becomes smaller and the temperature rises, it means that the user brings the aerosol supply system closer to himself, which can characterize the user's suction at this time, that is, the user's intention to start heating. Compared with relying only on temperature, it can reduce the judgment error of the controller caused by the temperature rise due to other reasons.

[0155] As shown above, the sensing data can be the same type of data obtained by multiple similar sensors at different measuring points. For example, multiple distance sensors are set to obtain multiple distance data. By multiple distance data, the data with large errors can be excluded, and more accurate data after averaging multiple data can be obtained.

[0156] S42. The controller of the system receives the sensing data, determines the user's heating intention according to the sensing data, and determines the target heating curve from the pre-stored heating curve library according to the heating intention.

[0157] To meet the user's needs for personalized and diversified heating curves, a heating curve library is pre-stored in the embodiments of the present invention. There are at least two different heating curves configured in the heating curve library, and these heating curves correspond to different heating intentions of the user.

[0158] In one of the embodiments, the heating curve library and the heating curves therein are pre-stored in the aerosol supply system; in an alternative embodiment, the heating curve library and the stored heating curves are stored in an external device, and are obtained by the aerosol supply system communicating with the external device.

[0159] In the present invention, the heating curves inside the heating curve library can be pre-configured during manufacturing, or can be selected or changed by the user after purchase. Therefore, in one embodiment, the user is allowed to select a heating curve from multiple pre-configured options or customize a heating curve by inputting parameters.

[0160] In an embodiment of the present invention, on the premise of configuring the above heating curve library, the controller can match a corresponding target heating curve from the above heating curve library according to the user's heating intention, so as to provide the heating experience expected by the user.

[0161] The controller is configured to determine the user's heating intention based on the sensing data obtained through the sensor.

[0162] In one embodiment, the sensing data is used to characterize whether the user is sucking or about to suck, so as to further determine the user's heating intention by whether the user is sucking or about to suck. For example, when the sensing data is the distance data between the user and the aerosol supply system, when the distance is small, that is, the user is close to the aerosol supply system, it means that the user is about to suck. At this time, the controller determines that the user has the heating intention of expecting to heat to the atomizable temperature. When the user is far from the aerosol supply system, it means that the user has finished sucking. At this time, the controller determines that the user has the heating intention of expecting to reduce the temperature.

[0163] In another embodiment, the sensing data is directly used to characterize the user's heating intention. Such sensing data can be, for example, the user's gesture. When the user's gesture is a clenched fist, the controller determines that the user has the heating intention of expecting to heat to the atomizable temperature. When the user's gesture is an open palm, the controller determines that the user has the heating intention of expecting to reduce the temperature.

[0164] In the present invention, the controller can directly and uniquely determine the heating intention according to the sensing data. In an alternative embodiment, the controller determines the target heating curve according to the sensing data and the heating curve corresponding to the current operating state of the system. It is assumed that the pre-stored heating curve library includes a first heating curve and a second heating curve different from the first heating curve. At this time, when the sensing data satisfies the first characteristic and the heating curve corresponding to the current operating state is the first heating curve, the controller determines the first heating intention and determines the second heating curve as the target heating curve according to the first heating intention; when the sensing data satisfies the first characteristic and the heating curve corresponding to the current operating state is the second heating curve, the controller determines the second heating intention and determines the first heating curve as the target heating curve according to the second heating intention.

[0165] The above sensing data satisfying the same first characteristic can be that the sensing data is exactly the same, such as the sensing data are all clenched fists; or the sensing data is within the same numerical range. For example, when the sensing data is the distance between the user and the system, the first characteristic means that the distance is between 0-10 cm. At this time, both 2 cm and 10 cm satisfy the first characteristic.

[0166] In one example, the controller determines multiple preliminary heating curves based on the first characteristics of the sensing data, and further determines the target heating curve from the multiple preliminary heating curves according to the heating curve corresponding to the current operating state of the system. For example, if the system has a high-temperature heating curve and a low-temperature heating curve, both can heat the product to the atomizable temperature. The heating intention of the user to heat to the atomizable temperature is determined according to the distance between the user and the system. At this time, the high-temperature heating curve and the low-temperature heating curve are determined as the preliminary heating curves. Furthermore, the high-temperature heating curve is determined as the target heating curve according to the low-temperature heating curve corresponding to the current operating state of the system. Compared with the method of determining the target heating curve only relying on the sensing data, this embodiment can determine a larger number of target heating curves based on the same number of sensing data characteristics.

[0167] The above-mentioned first heating curve and second heating curve can be the heating curve for puffing and the heating curve for non-puffing respectively, corresponding to the puffing intention and non-puffing intention of the user. That is, when the user's puffing intention is determined according to the sensing data, the heating curve for puffing is used as the target heating curve, and when the user's non-puffing intention is determined according to the sensing data, the heating curve for non-puffing is used as the target heating curve. As an example rather than a limitation, the heating curve for puffing is the positive heating curve mentioned below, and the heating curve for non-puffing is the preheating curve mentioned below. The positive heating curve can be set to include a high-temperature positive heating curve that can generate a high-concentration aerosol and a low-temperature positive heating curve that can generate a low-concentration aerosol, corresponding to the user's high-concentration puffing intention and low-concentration puffing intention respectively. The high temperature and low temperature here are in comparison with each other.

[0168] S43. The controller controls the heater of the system to heat the product in the system according to the target heating curve.

[0169] Specifically, the controller controls the power supply power of the heater to the heater so that the temperature of the heater follows the target heating curve, thereby realizing the heating of the product in the system.

[0170] Based on the above embodiments, the heating can be carried out according to the user's heating intention and the corresponding heating curve determined based on the heating intention. Compared with the prior art, there is no need to be limited by the inherent heating curve of the system, which meets the diversified and personalized heating needs of users and improves the user experience. Moreover, the method of obtaining data through the sensor to determine the user's heating intention can further reduce the additional operations of the user, making the system more automatic, efficient and convenient.

[0171] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the heating curves in the heating curve library may include a positive heating curve and a preheating curve. The positive heating curve corresponds to the atomization process of the aerosol-generating material. Under the positive heating curve, the aerosol-generating material is heated to generate an aerosol. The preheating curve corresponds to the preheating process of the aerosol-generating material. Under the preheating curve, the aerosol-generating material is heated but not sufficiently to generate an aerosol or the generated aerosol concentration is low, below a preset concentration and insufficient to meet the user's basic puffing. In one embodiment, the temperature range of the positive heating curve is 240°C - 300°C, and / or the temperature range of the preheating curve is 50°C - 230°C.

[0172] Corresponding to the positive heating curve and the preheating curve, the user's heating intention includes a puffing intention and a non-puffing intention. As Figure 5 shown, a heating method for an aerosol supply system based on the settings of the positive heating curve and the preheating curve is provided, specifically including:

[0173] S51. The sensor of the system obtains sensing data for characterizing the user's heating intention.

[0174] S52. The controller of the system receives the sensing data, and the controller determines the user's heating intention according to the sensing data.

[0175] S531. When the controller determines that the heating intention is a non-puffing intention, the preheating curve is determined as the target heating curve from the heating curve library according to the non-puffing intention.

[0176] S532. When the controller determines that the heating intention is a puffing intention, the positive heating curve is determined as the target heating curve from the heating curve library according to the puffing intention.

[0177] As mentioned above, the controller can determine the user's heating intention according to distance, temperature, user puffing status, etc. Considering that the user will approach the aerosol supply system when intending to puff and will move away from the aerosol supply system when not puffing, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensor is set as a distance sensor, and the sensing data is the distance between the user and the system obtained by the distance sensor. The controller is configured to determine the heating intention according to the magnitude relationship between the distance between the user and the system and a preset distance threshold. Preferably, when the distance between the user and the system is less than the preset distance threshold, the puffing intention is determined; when the distance between the user and the system is greater than the preset distance threshold, the non-puffing intention is determined. The preset distance threshold can be any suitable value. As an example but not a limitation, the preset distance threshold is 40 cm or 20 cm or 10 cm.

[0178] Considering that when the user is close to the aerosol supply system during the intended puffing, it will cause an increase in the ambient temperature sensed by the sensor, and when the user is away from the aerosol supply system during non-puffing, it will cause a decrease in the ambient temperature sensed by the sensor. Therefore, in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensor is a temperature sensor, and the sensed data is the ambient temperature obtained by the sensor. The controller is configured to determine the heating intention according to the relationship between the ambient temperature and a preset temperature threshold. Preferably, when the ambient temperature is greater than a preset temperature threshold, the puffing intention is determined; when the ambient temperature is less than another preset temperature threshold, the non-puffing intention is determined. The preset temperature threshold can be any suitable value.

[0179] S54. The controller controls the heater of the system to heat the article in the system according to the target heating curve.

[0180] Based on Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, when the user has the puffing intention, the positive heating curve is determined as the target heating curve so that the user can puff. When the user has the non-puffing intention, the preheating curve is determined as the target heating curve, which saves energy compared to the positive heating curve and maintains the preheating temperature at the same time. It can quickly rise to the temperature of the positive heating curve when the user intends to puff, achieving a balance between energy saving and efficient puffing.

[0181] Taking the positive heating curve and the preheating curve as examples, the following details how the controller controls the heater to heat according to the target heating curve in a puffing session.

[0182] Generally, a puffing session includes a ramp-up section where the article is heated from room temperature to a preset temperature and an operating section from the elevated preset temperature to the end of the session. Considering that the ramp-up section is only a preparatory stage of puffing and only appears once in a puffing session, unlike positive heating and preheating which may appear and switch multiple times in a puffing session. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a dedicated ramp-up curve is set in the heating curve library. The ramp-up curve corresponds to the ramp-up section clock, and the start and end times are T0 and T1 respectively, for completing the ramp-up section after the start of the puffing session. After entering the operating section, the controller then controls the switching between the preheating curve and the positive heating curve. The temperature at the end time of the ramp-up curve can be set to be the same as the start temperature of the preheating curve.

[0183] The positive heating curve and the preheating curve are temperature curves related to time. When the controller heats the air heater according to the positive heating curve and the preheating curve, it can adopt a heating method independent of the clock of the puffing session or a heating method associated with the clock of the puffing session.

[0184] As Figure 6 shown, where the start and end times of the positive heating curve are T1hea and T2hea respectively, and the start and end times of the preheating curve are T1pre and T2pre respectively.

[0185] In an embodiment of a heating method that is independent of the clock of a puffing session, in a puffing session, each time the controller switches the target heating curve according to the heating intention, the controller controls the system's heater to start heating from the start time of the target heating curve. Specifically, in a puffing session, if the controller determines that the preheating curve is the target heating curve according to the heating intention, the controller controls the system's heater to start heating from the T1 pre time of the preheating curve; if the controller determines that the positive heating curve is the target heating curve according to the heating intention, the controller controls the system's heater to start heating from the T1 hea time of the positive heating curve.

[0186] A smoking session lasts about 3-5 minutes (the empirical time of smoking a traditional cigarette), and the operation segment occupies most of the time. Considering the extreme case, the same heating curve is always running in an entire smoking session or an entire operation segment. In a preferred embodiment, the duration of each heating curve is not less than the time of a smoking session or the time of the entire operation segment. In an alternative embodiment, the duration of each heating curve is less than the time of a smoking session or the time of the entire operation segment. At this time, if the target heating curve runs to the end time, it can be cycled again from the start time of the target heating curve until switching to another heating curve.

[0187] In a puffing session, the same heating curve may be selected multiple times. Taking a puffing session lasting 5 minutes as an example, at the 1st minute and the 3rd minute of the puffing session, the positive heating curve is determined as the target heating curve. If each selection starts from the starting moment of the heating curve in the above manner, it means that the same temperature is used at different moments of the puffing session. However, the aerosol supply system has the following characteristics: as time goes by, the aerosol generating material gradually decreases. To achieve the same concentration of aerosol, a higher temperature needs to be provided. That is, in order to maintain the stability of the aerosol concentration and bring the same taste experience to the user throughout the entire puffing session, the heating temperature of the heater needs to be continuously increased over time. If each selection of a heating curve starts from the starting moment, it means that different temperatures cannot be provided at different moments of the puffing session.

[0188] To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, the heating method is linked to the clock of the smoking session, such as Figure 7As shown, the start and end times of the positive heating curve are T1hea and T2hea, respectively, and the start and end times of the preheating curve are T1pre and T2pre, respectively. The start and end times of the puff session operation segment are T1opr and T2opr, respectively. In one puff session, T1hea, T1pre and T1opr correspond to the same clock, and T2hea, T2pre and T2opr correspond to the same clock. In one puff session, each time the controller switches the target heating curve according to the heating intention, it controls the heater of the system to start heating from the current time corresponding to the target heating curve and the puff session. Specifically, in a puff session, when the controller determines that the pre-heating curve is the target heating curve at time Tn according to the heating intention, the controller controls the heater of the system to start heating from Tnpre time of the pre-heating curve; wherein Tn and Tnpre correspond to the same clock, T1 opr≤Tn≤T2opr; when the controller determines that the positive heating curve is the target heating curve at time Tn according to the heating intention, the controller controls the heater of the system to start heating from Tnhea time of the positive heating curve; wherein Tn and Tnhea correspond to the same clock, T1 opr≤Tn≤T2opr.

[0189] like Figure 7 As shown, in a preferred embodiment, the positive heating curve and the preheating curve are temperature change curves, and preferably curves with gradually increasing temperature. The temperature can be changed in a step-wise manner or smoothly. When the controller determines the target heating curve at time Tn, and controls the heater to start heating from the Tnpre / Tnhea time of the heating curve. In this way, different temperatures can be used for heating or preheating at different times of the puffing session to improve the user experience.

[0190] In the embodiment of the heating method associated with the clock of the puffing session of the present invention, the positive heating curve and the preheating curve are temperature change curves, which can bring the above-mentioned beneficial effects. However, this does not mean that the present invention must adopt this method. In the embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned positive heating curve and the preheating curve can be set as a constant temperature curve or a temperature change curve according to the needs.

[0191] It can be understood that in the embodiment of the heating method of the present invention associated with the clock of the puffing session, as shown in 7, T1 and T1hea, T1pre, T1opr of the ramping curve correspond to the same clock. The ramping curve and the positive heating curve and the preheating curve can be set separately. In an alternative embodiment, the positive heating curve and the ramping curve are set as one curve, and the preheating curve and the ramping curve are set as one curve.

[0192] There is a temperature difference between the positive heating curve and the preheating curve, and when the curves are switched, the temperature transition of the two needs to be completed. In an embodiment of the present invention, the heating curve library also includes a heating section curve and a cooling section curve; wherein the heating section curve is used for the transition from the preheating curve to the positive heating curve when the target heating curve changes from the preheating curve to the positive heating curve; the cooling section curve is used for the transition from the positive heating curve to the preheating curve when the target heating curve changes from the positive heating curve to the preheating curve. The heating section curve / cooling section curve can be set independently of the positive heating curve / preheating curve, and can also be combined with the positive heating curve / preheating curve to be set as one curve. If the heating section curve and the positive heating curve are set as one curve in time sequence, when the preheating curve is switched to the positive heating curve, the curve after the heating section and the positive heating curve are combined will be directly selected for heating.

[0193] It is understandable that when the controller switches from the preheating curve to the positive heating curve according to the user's heating intention, the temperature rise curve can be determined at the same time. Similarly, when the controller switches from the positive heating curve to the preheating curve according to the user's heating intention, the temperature drop curve can be determined at the same time.

[0194] Figure 8 For Figure 6 An example of heating based on the positive heating curve and preheating curve in the puffing session. The climbing section of the puffing session is from T0 to T1, and the time from T0 to T1 is very short. The running section lasts from T1 opr to T2opr, and T1 is the same as T1 opr. The sensor is a distance sensor, and the sensing data is the distance between the user and the system, and the preset distance threshold is 10cm. As soon as the system is turned on, the controller will control the heater to complete the climbing section based on the climbing curve from T0 to T1 of the puffing session. After that, the controller receives the distance between the user and the system from the sensor at T1 and T3, which is 12cm and 14cm respectively, determines the user's non-puffing intention, and determines the preheating curve as the target heating curve. At T2 and T4, the distance between the user and the system received from the sensor is 5cm and 3cm respectively, determines the user's puffing intention, and determines the positive heating curve as the target heating curve. The positive heating curve and the preheating curve are transitioned through the heating section curve and the cooling section curve. Figure 8 The temperature curve corresponding to the entire smoking session process is shown in .

[0195] The above description is made by taking the positive heating curve and the preheating curve as examples. It is understandable that other heating curves may be set in the heating curve library in the embodiment of the present invention, and the above method is also applicable to other heating curves.

[0196] It should be noted that, in one example, the temperature corresponding to the non-drawing heating curve can be lower than the temperature corresponding to the drawing heating curve. For example, the temperature range of the drawing heating curve is set to 240°C - 300°C, and the temperature range of the non-drawing heating curve is set to 150°C - 230°C. In another example, the temperature corresponding to the non-drawing heating curve is higher than the temperature corresponding to the drawing heating curve. For example, the temperature range of the drawing heating curve is set to 150°C - 230°C, and the temperature range of the non-drawing heating curve is set to 240°C - 300°C to achieve heat preservation in a high-temperature state. Figure 9 , 10 shows the heating curve corresponding to a partial operation segment process of a drawing session when heating is performed based on the drawing heating curve and the non-drawing heating curve. The system is provided with sensors. The sensors of the system obtain sensing data when the distance between the system and the user is less than 10 cm at time T2' and time T4'. The controller determines the user's drawing intention based on this and determines the drawing heating curve as the target heating curve. The sensors of the system obtain sensing data when the distance between the system and the user is greater than 10 cm at time T1' and time T3'. The controller determines the user's non-drawing intention based on this and determines the non-drawing heating curve as the target heating curve. The two heating curves are transitioned through a heating-up section curve and a cooling-down section curve. Figure 9 and Figure 10 The difference is that Figure 9 in, the drawing heating curve corresponds to a higher temperature, specifically 280°C, and the non-drawing heating curve corresponds to a lower temperature, specifically 230°C. And Figure 10 in, the drawing heating curve corresponds to a lower temperature, specifically 230°C, and the non-drawing heating curve corresponds to a higher temperature, specifically 280°C.

[0197] In the above embodiments, the target heating curve is determined after the drawing session starts. In another embodiment of the present invention, before the drawing session is opened, the controller receives the sensing data, opens the drawing session according to the sensing data, and determines the target heating curve from the heating curve library. For example, it is set that the sensor works all the time, and the sensor obtains the sensing data, that is, the distance between the user and the system. This distance is less than the preset distance threshold. The controller opens the drawing session according to the sensing data and determines the ramp-up curve and the positive heating curve as the target heating curves from the heating curve library, and controls the heater to heat according to the target heating curves.

[0198] In the description of this specification, the descriptions referring to terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "examples", "specific examples", or "some examples" etc. mean that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0199] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "a plurality of" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically and clearly defined.

[0200] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, terms such as "mounted", "connected", "coupled", "fixed", etc. shall be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly limited. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0201] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it can be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A heating method for an aerosol supply system, characterized in that, The method includes: A sensor of the system obtains sensing data for characterizing a user's heating intention; A controller of the system receives the sensing data, determines the user's heating intention based on the sensing data, and determines a target heating curve from a pre-stored heating curve library according to the heating intention; The controller controls a heater of the system to heat an article in the system according to the target heating curve.

2. The heating method of the aerosol supply system according to claim 1, wherein The pre-stored heating curve library includes a heating curve for puffing and / or a heating curve for non-puffing; The heating intention includes a non-puffing intention and / or a puffing intention; When the controller determines a non-puffing intention according to the sensing data, the controller determines the non-puffing heating curve in the heating curve library as the target heating curve according to the non-puffing intention; When the controller determines a puffing intention according to the sensing data, the controller determines the puffing heating curve in the heating curve library as the target heating curve according to the puffing intention.

3. The heating method of the aerosol supply system according to claim 2, wherein The puffing heating curve is a positive heating curve, and the non-puffing heating curve is a preheating curve. The positive heating curve corresponds to the atomization process of the article, and the preheating curve corresponds to the preheating process of the article.

4. The heating method of the aerosol supply system according to claim 3, wherein The positive heating curve and the preheating curve are temperature curves related to time, wherein the start and end times of the positive heating curve are T1hea and T2hea respectively, and the start and end times of the preheating curve are T1pre and T2pre respectively.

5. The heating method of the aerosol supply system according to claim 4, wherein In a puffing session, when the controller determines the preheating curve as the target heating curve according to the heating intention, the controller controls the heater of the system to start heating from the time T1pre of the preheating curve.

6. The heating method of the aerosol supply system according to claim 4, wherein In a puffing session, when the controller determines the positive heating curve as the target heating curve according to the heating intention, the controller controls the heater of the system to start heating from the time T1hea of the positive heating curve.

7. The heating method of the aerosol supply system according to claim 4, characterized in that, A puffing session includes an operation segment from when the article is heated to a preset temperature until the end of the session, and the start and end times of the operation segment are T1opr and T2opr respectively; In a puffing session, T1hea, T1pre and T1opr correspond to the same clock, and T2hea, T2pre and T2opr correspond to the same clock.

8. The heating method of the aerosol supply system according to claim 7, characterized in that, In a puffing session, when the controller determines the preheating curve as the target heating curve at time Tn according to the heating intention, the controller controls the heater of the system to start heating from the time Tnpre of the preheating curve; Wherein, Tn corresponds to the same clock as Tnpre, and T1opr ≤ Tn ≤ T2opr.

9. The heating method of the aerosol supply system according to claim 7, characterized in that, During a puffing session, when the controller determines that the positive heating curve is the target heating curve according to the heating intention at time Tn, the controller controls the heater of the system to start heating from time Tnhea of the positive heating curve; Wherein, Tn corresponds to the same clock as Tnhea, and T1opr ≤ Tn ≤ T2opr.

10. The heating method of the aerosol supply system according to claim 7, characterized in that, A puffing session further includes a ramp-up section in which the article is heated from room temperature to a preset temperature; The heating curve library further includes a ramp-up curve corresponding to the ramp-up section, and the start time and end time of the ramp-up curve are T0 and T1 respectively.

11. The heating method of the aerosol supply system according to claim 10, wherein T1, T1hea, T1pre, and T1opr correspond to the same clock.

12. The heating method of the aerosol supply system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The heating curve library further includes a temperature increase section curve and a temperature decrease section curve; The temperature increase section curve is used for the transition from the preheating curve to the positive heating curve when the target heating curve changes from the preheating curve to the positive heating curve; The temperature decrease section curve is used for the transition from the positive heating curve to the preheating curve when the target heating curve changes from the positive heating curve to the preheating curve.

13. The heating method of the aerosol supply system according to claim 3, wherein the temperature range of the preheating curve is 50°C - 230°C; and / or the temperature range of the positive heating curve is 240°C - 300°C.

14. The heating method of the aerosol supply system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The positive heating curve includes a high-temperature positive heating curve and a low-temperature positive heating curve; the puffing intention includes a high-concentration puffing intention and a low-concentration puffing intention; When the controller determines a high-concentration puffing intention according to the sensing data, the controller determines the high-temperature positive heating curve as the target heating curve from the pre-stored heating curve library; When the controller determines a low-concentration puffing intention according to the sensing data, the controller determines the low-temperature positive heating curve as the target heating curve from the pre-stored heating curve library; The aerosolization concentration of the article corresponding to the high-temperature positive heating curve is higher than the aerosolization concentration of the article corresponding to the low-temperature positive heating curve.

15. The heating method of the aerosol supply system according to claim 1, wherein the controller determines the heating intention according to the sensing data and the heating curve corresponding to the current operating state of the system.

16. The heating method of the aerosol supply system according to claim 15, wherein the pre-stored heating curve library includes a first heating curve and a second heating curve different from the first heating curve; When the sensing data satisfies a first characteristic and the heating curve corresponding to the current operating state is the first heating curve, the controller determines a first heating intention and determines the second heating curve as the target heating curve according to the first heating intention; The controller is configured to determine a second heating intention when the sensing data satisfies the first characteristic and the heating curve corresponding to the current operating state is the second heating curve, and determine the first heating curve as the target heating curve according to the second heating intention.

17. The heating method of the aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1-16, characterized in that, Before the suction session is started, the controller receives the sensing data, starts the suction session according to the sensing data, and determines the target heating curve from the heating curve library.

18. The heating method of the aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1-16, characterized in that, The sensing data includes at least one of the following: The distance between the user and the system; The suction state of the user; The gesture of the user.

19. The heating method of the aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1-16, characterized in that, The preset stored heating curve library is located in the system or an external device.

20. An aerosol supply system, characterized in that, The system includes: A housing, the housing includes a chamber; the chamber is used to accommodate an article, and the article includes aerosol generating material; A sensor, configured to acquire the characteristics of the sensing data; A controller, configured to receive and determine the user's heating intention according to the sensing data, determine the target heating curve from the preset stored heating curve library according to the heating intention, and control the heater to heat the aerosol generating material according to the target heating curve; The heater, configured to heat the aerosol generating material according to the control of the controller according to the target heating curve.

21. The aerosol supply system according to claim 20, wherein, The controller, configured to execute the heating method of the aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1-19.

22. The aerosol supply system according to claim 21, wherein The sensor includes at least one of the following: A distance sensor; An infrared sensor; A radar sensor; An air flow sensor; A temperature sensor; A motion sensor; An image sensor.

23. The aerosol supply system according to claim 21, wherein, The sensor is arranged on or partially arranged on the housing, in the housing, on the article or in the article.

24. The aerosol supply system according to claim 23, wherein, The sensor is arranged on the side and / or the top surface of the housing.

25. The aerosol supply system according to claim 24, wherein The sensor is arranged on the top surface of the housing and is covered by the upper cover of the top surface of the housing.

26. The aerosol supply system according to claim 25, wherein The upper cover is configured with an optically transparent material or an infrared penetrable material.

27. The aerosol supply system according to claim 21, wherein, The heater, configured to heat the aerosol generating material in a non-combustion heating manner.

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