Aerosol generating device and control method thereof

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses an aerosol generating device and a control method thereof, and the aerosol generating device comprises a chamber which is used for removably receiving an aerosol generating product; a heating element for heating the aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol; the ultrasonic sensor is arranged adjacent to the cavity and is used for transmitting ultrasonic waves into the cavity and receiving the reflected ultrasonic waves so as to generate an electric signal; the power supply is used for supplying power to the heating element and the ultrasonic sensor; and the controller is configured to receive the electric signal from the ultrasonic sensor, judge whether the waveform of the electric signal meets a preset condition or not, and control the power supply to output power to the heating element if the waveform of the electric signal meets the preset condition. By means of the method, the function of automatically starting heating when the aerosol generating product is inserted is achieved, the detection precision is high, the design is simple, and many mechanical parts are not needed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the technical field of aerosol, and in particular, to an aerosol generating device and a control method thereof.

Background Art

[0002] Traditional tobacco products (such as cigarettes, cigars, etc.) burn tobacco during use to generate tobacco smoke. There are already products in the prior art that release compounds without burning by heating to replace these traditional tobacco products. Examples of such products are aerosol generating devices, which usually include a heating element and an aerosol generating article used in conjunction with the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating article can be solid tobacco or non-tobacco filler, such as a cigarette stick. When the aerosol generating article is received in the aerosol generating device, the heating element can heat the aerosol generating article, causing at least a part of the active substances in the aerosol generating article to volatilize by heating and generate aerosol.

[0003] Such devices are usually designed with a self-start heating function, that is, the aerosol generating device is provided with a sensing element. When the aerosol generating article is inserted into the aerosol generating device, the sensing element will be triggered to generate a sensing signal, and the aerosol generating device can control the heating element to start heating according to this sensing signal.

[0004] Existing sensing elements usually adopt optical sensors such as infrared and color. Such sensors often require a window for infrared or optical signal input and reception. The flue gas and residual tobacco oil generated during the heating process of the aerosol generating article will contaminate the window, resulting in a reduction in the detection accuracy of the sensor. Existing sensing elements also usually adopt pressure or distance sensors. The principle of using such sensors is simple, but there are many mechanical components. After inserting and removing the aerosol generating article multiple times, it is easy to cause damage to the aerosol generating device.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide an aerosol generating device and a control method thereof to solve the technical problems such as low detection accuracy and complex design when automatically starting heating by detecting the insertion of the aerosol generating article.

[0006] An aerosol generating device includes:

[0007] A chamber for removably receiving an aerosol generating article;

[0008] A heating element for heating the aerosol generating article to generate aerosol;

[0009] An ultrasonic sensor disposed adjacent to the chamber for transmitting ultrasonic waves into the chamber and receiving the ultrasonic waves reflected back, thereby generating an electrical signal;

[0010] A power supply for supplying power to the heating element and the ultrasonic sensor;

[0011] A controller configured to receive the electrical signal from the ultrasonic sensor and determine whether the waveform of the electrical signal meets a preset condition. If it meets the condition, the controller controls the power supply to output power to the heating element.

[0012] In one embodiment, the controller is further configured to:

[0013] Compare multiple peaks of the waveform of the electrical signal with a preset value, record at least one peak greater than the preset value, and determine whether the recorded peaks meet a preset condition.

[0014] In one embodiment, the controller is further configured to:

[0015] Compare one of the recorded peaks with a corresponding threshold range;

[0016] If the peak is within the range of the threshold range, the preset condition is met.

[0017] In one embodiment, the preset condition includes a first preset duration, and the controller is further configured to:

[0018] Obtain the interval duration between any adjacent first peak and second peak among the recorded peaks;

[0019] Compare the interval duration with the preset duration;

[0020] If the interval duration is within the range of the preset duration, the preset condition is met.

[0021] In one embodiment, the controller is further configured to:

[0022] Compare the recorded multiple peaks with corresponding threshold ranges respectively;

[0023] If the multiple peaks are all within the ranges of the corresponding threshold ranges, the preset condition is met.

[0024] In one embodiment, the peaks include any adjacent first peak and second peak, the preset condition includes a first threshold range corresponding to the first peak, a second threshold range corresponding to the second peak, and a preset duration, and the controller is further configured to:

[0025] Obtain the interval duration between the first peak and the second peak;

[0026] Compare the interval duration with a preset duration, and at the same time, plot and compare the first peak value with a first threshold interval and the second peak value with a second threshold interval;

[0027] If the interval duration is within the preset duration range, and the first peak value is within the first threshold interval range, and the second peak value is within the second threshold interval range, then the preset condition is satisfied.

[0028] In one embodiment, the ultrasonic sensor includes a first ultrasonic sensor and a second ultrasonic sensor. The first ultrasonic sensor is disposed near the bottom of the chamber, and the second ultrasonic sensor is disposed away from the bottom of the chamber. The controller is further configured to:

[0029] Obtain a first electrical signal of the first ultrasonic sensor and a second electrical signal of the second ultrasonic sensor;

[0030] Determine whether the waveforms of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal both satisfy a preset condition;

[0031] If satisfied, control the power supply to output power to the heating element.

[0032] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device includes a shielding member for shielding or exposing an opening of the chamber. The shielding member is movable between a first position and a second position. When the shielding member moves to the first position, the shielding member shields the opening of the chamber; when the shielding member moves to the second position, the shielding member exposes the opening of the chamber. The controller is configured to control the power supply to supply power to the ultrasonic sensor to turn it on based on the shielding member being in the second position, and / or control the power supply to disconnect the power supplied to the ultrasonic sensor based on the shielding member being in the first position.

[0033] An embodiment of the present application further provides an aerosol generating device, including:

[0034] A chamber for removably receiving an aerosol generating article;

[0035] A heating element for heating the aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol;

[0036] An ultrasonic sensor disposed adjacent to the cavity for emitting ultrasonic waves into the chamber and receiving the emitted ultrasonic waves, thereby generating an electrical signal;

[0037] A power supply for supplying power to the heating element and the ultrasonic sensor;

[0038] A controller, configured to receive the electrical signal from the ultrasonic sensor and determine whether the reflection duration of the ultrasonic wave meets a third preset duration; if so, control the power supply to output power to the heating element.

[0039] In one embodiment, the ultrasonic sensor is arranged outside the chamber.

[0040] An embodiment of the present application also provides a control method for an aerosol generating device, including:

[0041] A chamber, configured to removably receive an aerosol generating article;

[0042] A heating element, configured to heat the aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol;

[0043] An ultrasonic sensor, arranged adjacent to the cavity, configured to emit ultrasonic waves into the chamber and receive the ultrasonic waves reflected back, thereby generating an electrical signal;

[0044] A power supply, configured to supply power to the heating element and the ultrasonic sensor;

[0045] The method includes:

[0046] Obtain the electrical signal;

[0047] Determine whether the waveform of the electrical signal meets a preset condition;

[0048] If so, control the power supply to output power to the heating element.

[0049] For the aerosol generating device provided in the above embodiments, by arranging an ultrasonic sensor in the aerosol generating device, the ultrasonic sensor emits ultrasonic waves and receives the ultrasonic waves reflected back to generate an electrical signal. This electrical signal is transmitted to the controller, and the controller then determines whether the waveform of the electrical signal meets a preset condition. If it meets, the controller determines that the ultrasonic wave reflected back is blocked by the aerosol generating article inserted into the aerosol generating device and reflected back, and then controls the power supply to provide power to the heating element to start heating. In this way, the function of automatically starting heating when the aerosol generating article is inserted is realized. Since it is determined whether the aerosol generating article is inserted through a specific waveform, the detection accuracy is high and the design is relatively simple, without the need for many mechanical components.

Description of the Drawings

[0050] One or more embodiments are exemplarily illustrated by corresponding drawings. These exemplary illustrations do not limit the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings represent similar elements, unless otherwise stated, and the drawings in the figures do not constitute a proportional limitation.

[0051] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of an aerosol generating device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of an aerosol generating device provided by another embodiment of the present application;

[0053] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the aerosol generating device provided by an embodiment of the present application when the dust cover is moved to the first position;

[0054] Figure 4 is Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the dust cover of the aerosol generating device in when it is moved to the second position;

[0055] Figure 5 is Figure 1 Waveform diagram of the electrical signal output by the ultrasonic sensor in the aerosol generating device in ;

[0056] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the structure of an aerosol generating device provided by another embodiment of the present application;

[0057] Figure 7 Flow schematic diagram of the method for controlling an aerosol generating device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the hardware structure of the controller of the aerosol generating device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed implementation manners

[0059] To facilitate the understanding of the present application, the present application will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that when an element is described as "fixed to" / "fixedly connected to" another element, it can be directly on the other element, or there can be one or more intermediate elements therebetween. When an element is described as "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element, or there can be one or more intermediate elements therebetween. The terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inner", "outer" and similar expressions used in this specification are only for the purpose of illustration.

[0060] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the technical field to which the present application belongs. The terms used in the specification of the present application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not used to limit the present application. The term "and / or" used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0061] In addition, the technical features involved in different embodiments of the present application described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0062] In the embodiments of the present application, the term "installation" includes fixing or restricting a certain component or device to a specific position or place by means of welding, screwing, clamping, bonding, etc. The component or device can remain stationary at the specific position or place or can move within a limited range. After the component or device is fixed or restricted to the specific position or place, it can be disassembled or cannot be disassembled, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0063] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes 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 one or more of such features. In the description of the present application, the meaning of "a plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0064] An embodiment of the present application provides an aerosol generating device 100, as Figure 1 shown. The aerosol generating device 100 includes a battery cell 10, a main board 20 and a heating element 30. A controller of the aerosol generating device 100 is provided on the main board 20. The battery cell 10 and the heating element 30 are respectively electrically connected to the controller, so that the controller can control the battery cell 10 to supply electric energy to the heating element 30. A longitudinally extending chamber 40 is further provided in the aerosol generating device 100. The chamber 40 is used to accommodate an aerosol generating article 200 used in conjunction with the aerosol generating device 100. The heating element 30 is attached to the outer wall of the chamber 40, so as to heat the aerosol generating article 200 in the chamber 40. When a part of the active substance filled in the aerosol generating article 200 is heated and volatilized, an aerosol can be generated, and the user can inhale the aerosol by sucking on the aerosol generating article 200. The battery cell 10 serves as a power supply for the aerosol generating device 10, and it can be a rechargeable battery cell or a non-rechargeable battery cell.

[0065] The aerosol generating article 200 preferably uses a tobacco-containing material that releases volatile compounds from the article when heated; or it can also be a non-tobacco material that is suitable for electrically heated smoking after heating. The aerosol generating article 200 preferably uses a solid matrix, which can include one or more of powder, granule, fragment, thin strip, strip or flake of vanilla leaf, tobacco leaf, homogenized tobacco, expanded tobacco, etc.; or the solid matrix can contain additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavor compounds to be released when the matrix is heated.

[0066] In some embodiments, the heating element 30 may be a mesh resistive heating element wrapped around the outer wall of the chamber 40. The mesh resistive heating element 40 is electrically connected to the main board 20. After the heating element 30 is powered on, it generates heat, and transfers the heat to the aerosol-generating article 200 in the chamber 40 through the chamber wall of the chamber 40. The cavity of the chamber 40 is made of a high thermal conductivity material to efficiently conduct the heat generated by the heating element 30 to the aerosol-generating article 200. The high thermal conductivity material may be a metal or ceramic material, and the ceramic material may be any one of oxides, nitrides, carbides, borides, etc.

[0067] In another embodiment as Figure 2 shown, the aerosol generating device 100 may also heat the aerosol-generating article 200 by electromagnetic induction heating. The heating element 30 at least partially extends into the chamber 40, and the end thereof extending into the chamber 40 is formed in a pin shape or a sheet shape, so that the heating element 30 can be smoothly inserted into the aerosol-generating article 200 for heating. A coil 50 is wound around the outer wall of the chamber 40. The controller controls the battery cell 10 to pass an alternating current into the coil 50. The coil 50 generates a changing magnetic field under the action of the alternating current. The changing magnetic field penetrates the heating element 30, thereby inducing eddy currents in the heating element 30. The heating element 30 generates heat under the action of the eddy current effect and the hysteresis effect, and thus can heat the aerosol-generating substrate 200.

[0068] Suitable materials for the heating element 30 may be any one of graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, stainless steel, niobium, aluminum, nickel, iron, copper, nickel-containing compounds, titanium, and metal material composites. In some embodiments, to better induce eddy currents to improve the heating efficiency, the material of the heating element 30 is preferably a ferromagnetic material or composed of a ferromagnetic material. Ferromagnetic materials such as ferrite iron, ferromagnetic alloys (such as ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel), ferromagnetic particles, and ferrites.

[0069] Please continue to refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the aerosol generating device 100 further includes a shielding member for shielding or exposing the chamber 40. The shielding member may be Figure 3 and Figure 4 the dust cover 70 in. The dust cover 70 can move between a first position and a second position. When the user does not use the aerosol generating device 100, the dust cover 70 can be pushed along a first direction to the first position to shield the chamber 40, as Figure 3As shown, at this time, dust in the air cannot enter the chamber 40, which can avoid the chamber 40 being exposed for a long time, resulting in excessive dust accumulation in the chamber 40, affecting the efficiency of the heating element 30 and the service life of the aerosol generating device 100. When the user needs to use the aerosol generating device 100, the dust-proof cover 70 can be pushed in the second direction to the second position to expose the chamber 40, as Figure 4 shown. At this time, the user can insert the aerosol generating article 200 into the aerosol generating device 100 for suction.

[0070] The first direction and the second direction can be the directions of linear reciprocating motion in this embodiment; or, in some embodiments, the first direction and the second direction are the rotational directions along counterclockwise or clockwise, and they can rotate along the counterclockwise or clockwise direction axially or radially.

[0071] Please continue to refer to Figures 1 - 4 , an induction element (not shown in the figure) and an ultrasonic sensor 60 are further provided in the aerosol generating device 100. The ultrasonic sensor 60 is disposed on the outer wall of the chamber 40. Both the induction element and the ultrasonic sensor are electrically connected to the controller. The induction element is used to sense whether the dust-proof cover 70 has moved to the second position. When the dust-proof cover 70 moves to the second position, the dust-proof cover 70 triggers the induction element to generate an induction signal. Thus, the induction element can send the induction signal to the controller, and the controller can control the ultrasonic sensor 60 to start working to emit ultrasonic waves according to the induction signal.

[0072] Since the dust-proof cover 70 has moved to the second position, it indicates that the user needs to use the aerosol generating device 100. At this time, the user can insert the aerosol generating article 200 into the chamber 40. During the insertion of the aerosol generating article 200, the aerosol generating article 200 will block the ultrasonic waves emitted by the ultrasonic sensor 60 and reflect the ultrasonic waves back to the ultrasonic sensor 60. The ultrasonic sensor 60 then generates an electrical signal according to the reflected ultrasonic waves and sends the electrical signal to the controller. Since the waveform of this electrical signal is different from the electrical signal generated by the ultrasonic sensor 60 when the aerosol generating article 200 is not inserted, the controller can judge that the aerosol generating article 200 has been inserted into the chamber 40 according to this electrical signal, so as to control the heating element 30 to start heating.

[0073] In some exemplary embodiments, the controller may be a general - purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application - specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field - programmable gate array (FPGA), a single - chip microcomputer, an ARM (Acorn RISC Machine), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination of these components. Additionally, the controller may also be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The controller may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in combination with a DSP and / or any other such configuration. The controller may also be the variable - frequency board or the main control board of a washing machine.

[0074] In some embodiments, the sensing element may be a pressure sensor. When the dust - proof cover 70 moves to the second position, the dust - proof cover 70 applies pressure to the pressure sensor, thereby triggering the pressure sensor to generate a sensing signal. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the sensing element is a touch - sensitive switch, and when the dust - proof cover 70 moves to the second position, it triggers the touch - sensitive switch to generate a sensing signal.

[0075] Moreover, in some embodiments, the sensing element may also be a push - button switch. It does not need to be driven by the dust - proof cover 70 to generate a sensing signal. The user can trigger the generation of a sensing signal by pressing the button before inserting the aerosol - generating article 200, so that the controller controls the ultrasonic sensor 60 to start working according to this sensing signal. Or, in some embodiments, a screen may be provided in the aerosol - generating device 100, and a sensing signal is triggered by clicking on the screen.

[0076] Moreover, in some embodiments, the ultrasonic sensor 60 may be Figure 1 or Figure 2 used in a single - use manner as shown, which can send ultrasonic signals or receive ultrasonic signals. Or, in some embodiments, the ultrasonic sensors 60 are used in pairs and are arranged oppositely. One of them may be arranged on one side of the outer wall of the chamber 40 for sending ultrasonic signals, and the other is arranged on the other side of the outer wall of the chamber 40 for receiving ultrasonic signals.

[0077] The ultrasonic sensor 60 is generally provided with a piezoelectric crystal and a transducer. The piezoelectric crystal vibrates when energized to generate ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic waves propagate in the air at a certain speed. When the ultrasonic waves are blocked by an object, the ultrasonic waves are reflected back to the ultrasonic sensor 60, and the transducer then converts the reflected ultrasonic signal into an electrical signal of a certain waveform for output.

[0078] Moreover, when ultrasound is blocked by different objects, the reflected ultrasound signals are also different, so the waveforms of the electrical signals converted by the transducer are also different. For example, when no aerosol generating article 200 is inserted, the piezoelectric crystal is energized to vibrate and generate ultrasound, which propagates in the chamber 40 and then reflects back when hitting the inner wall of the chamber 40. At this time, the ultrasonic sensor 60 will generate an electrical signal of one waveform. When the aerosol generating article 200 is inserted, the ultrasound will be reflected back by the aerosol generating article 200 and will no longer be reflected back by the inner wall of the chamber 40. At this time, the ultrasonic sensor 60 will generate an electrical signal of another waveform, and the waveforms of these two electrical signals are completely different.

[0079] Therefore, a preset condition can be set in the controller in advance. This preset condition is set according to the waveform situation of the electrical signal formed by the ultrasound being blocked and reflected back by the aerosol generating article 200. After the controller receives the electrical signal sent by the ultrasonic sensor 60, it can judge the waveform of the electrical signal sent by the ultrasonic sensor 60 to determine whether the waveform of this electrical signal meets the preset condition. If it meets the preset condition, it can be determined that the aerosol generating article 200 is inserted, and the controller can control the heating element 30 to start working, so that the heating element 30 heats the aerosol generating article 200; if the waveform of this electrical signal does not meet the preset condition, it is determined that it is not the aerosol generating article 200 that is inserted, but other objects are inserted into the aerosol generating device 100, and the controller controls the heating element 30 not to start heating.

[0080] In some embodiments, to facilitate judging whether the waveform of the electrical signal meets the preset condition, a preset value can be set in the controller. Then the controller compares the peak value corresponding to each wave peak in the electrical signal waveform. If the peak value of a certain wave peak is greater than the preset value, the peak value of this wave peak is recorded, and the peak values of those wave peaks less than the preset value are not recorded. Thus, the controller only needs to compare the recorded peak value situation with the preset condition, reducing the data processing of the controller and thus improving the processing speed of the controller.

[0081] For example, Figure 5 the electrical signal waveform shown in [Figure] has 1 - 13 wave peaks, Figure 5 the horizontal line in [Figure] is the preset value, and the peak values of a total of 8 wave peaks, namely the 3rd - 6th, 8th - 9th, 11th, and 13th wave peaks, are above the horizontal line. That is to say, the peak values of these 8 wave peaks are greater than the preset value, and the controller records the peak values corresponding to these 8 wave peaks, while the peak values of the 1st, 2nd, 7th, 10th, and 12th wave peaks are not recorded.

[0082] It should be noted that the preset value can also be set for the peak value of the wave trough, that is, the controller compares the peak values corresponding to each wave trough in the electrical signal. If the peak value of a certain wave trough is greater than the preset value, the peak value of this wave trough is recorded, while the peak values of those wave troughs less than the preset value are not recorded.

[0083] In some embodiments, the preset condition includes a threshold range, and this threshold range corresponds to one of the recorded peak values. For example, the threshold range is 1.1V - 1.2V, which corresponds to the first peak value recorded first; the threshold range is 1.2V - 1.3V, which corresponds to the second peak value after the first peak value is recorded; the threshold range is 1.3V - 1.4V, which corresponds to the third peak value after the second peak value is recorded, and so on. When the set threshold range is 1.1V - 1.2V, the controller compares the first peak value recorded first with this threshold range. If the first peak value is within this threshold range, it indicates that the waveform of the electrical signal meets the preset condition, and then controls to provide power to the heating element 30 to start heating. It is easy to understand that the threshold range can also be 1.2V - 1.3V or 1.3V - 1.4V, so that the controller will compare the second peak value or the third peak value with this threshold range.

[0084] In some embodiments, the preset condition includes a preset duration. The controller obtains the interval duration between any two adjacent first peak value and second peak value recorded, and then determines whether this interval duration is within the range of this preset duration. If it is within this range, it is determined that the electrical signal meets the preset condition, and the controller controls the heating element 30 to start heating.

[0085] Moreover, in some embodiments, to improve the accuracy of judgment, the preset condition includes multiple threshold ranges. The controller compares the sums corresponding to the multiple peak values recorded with these multiple threshold ranges. If the multiple peak values respectively correspond to within the ranges of these multiple threshold ranges, it is determined that the electrical signal meets the preset condition, and the controller controls the heating element 30 to start heating.

[0086] For example, as Figure 5 shown, among the peak values recorded by the controller, the peak voltages of the 3rd to the 6th are 1.3V, 1.15V, 1.2V, and 1.5V respectively, and the threshold ranges corresponding to these 4 peak voltages stored in the controller are 1.2 - 1.35V, 1.1 - 1.2V, 1.15 - 1.25V, and 1.4 - 1.55V respectively. Then the controller respectively compares the sums corresponding to these 4 peak voltages recorded with these 4 threshold ranges, and determines that these 4 peak voltages all correspond to within the ranges of these 4 threshold ranges, then the controller determines that the electrical signal meets the preset condition.

[0087] Further, in some embodiments, to improve the accuracy of judgment, after the controller obtains the interval duration between any adjacent first peak value and second peak value, the preset conditions further include a first threshold interval corresponding to the first peak value and a second threshold interval corresponding to the second peak value. The controller then compares the first peak value with the first threshold interval and the second peak value with the second threshold interval respectively, and also compares the interval duration between the first peak value and the second peak value with a preset duration. If both the first peak value and the second peak value are within the ranges of the first threshold interval and the second threshold interval, and the interval duration between the first peak value and the second peak value is within the preset duration range, it is determined that the preset conditions are met, and the controller controls the heating element 20 to start heating.

[0088] In some embodiments, as Figure 6 shown, the aerosol generating device 100 includes a first ultrasonic sensor 60a and a second ultrasonic sensor 60b. The first ultrasonic sensor 60a is disposed near the bottom of the chamber 40, and the second ultrasonic sensor 60b is disposed away from the bottom of the chamber 40.

[0089] When the aerosol generating article 200 is inserted into the chamber 40, first, the ultrasonic wave generated by the second ultrasonic sensor 60b located above is blocked, and the aerosol generating article 200 reflects the ultrasonic wave generated by the second ultrasonic sensor 60b back, causing the second ultrasonic sensor 60b to generate a second electrical signal; when the aerosol generating article 200 continues to be inserted towards the bottom of the chamber 40, the ultrasonic wave generated by the first ultrasonic sensor 60a near the bottom of the chamber 40 starts to be blocked, and the aerosol generating article 200 reflects the ultrasonic wave generated by the first ultrasonic sensor 60a back, causing the first ultrasonic sensor 60a to generate a first electrical signal. At this time, the controller will obtain the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal simultaneously.

[0090] The controller is configured to obtain the above-mentioned first electrical signal and second electrical signal, and determine whether the waveforms of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal both meet the preset conditions. If both meet the preset conditions, the controller can determine that the article inserted into the aerosol generating device 100 is the aerosol generating article 200, and the aerosol generating article 200 has been inserted to the bottom of the chamber 40, and the controller controls the heating element 30 to start heating.

[0091] By the above method, it can be avoided that the controller controls the heating element 30 to start heating when the aerosol generating article 200 has not been inserted to the bottom of the chamber 40, so that the aerosol generating article 200 cannot be heated well, affecting the taste of the aerosol.

[0092] In some embodiments, the controller can also be configured to determine whether the article inserted into the aerosol generating device 100 is the aerosol generating article 200 according to the duration of ultrasonic wave reflection.

[0093] Specifically, the reflection duration refers to the duration from when the ultrasonic sensor 60 emits ultrasonic waves until the ultrasonic waves are blocked and reflected back and received. When the ultrasonic sensor 60 is blocked by different objects, its reflection duration is different. Therefore, a third preset duration can be preset in the controller. When the ultrasonic sensor 60 starts to send ultrasonic waves, the controller controls the timing unit to start timing. When the controller starts to receive the electrical signal generated by the ultrasonic sensor 60, the controller controls the timing unit to stop timing. Thus, the controller can obtain the reflection duration.

[0094] The controller further compares the reflection duration with the third preset duration. If the reflection duration is within the range of the third preset duration, the controller determines the aerosol generating article 200 inserted into the aerosol generating device 100, and thus controls the heating element 30 to start heating. If the reflection duration is not within the range of the third preset duration, it indicates that the article inserted into the aerosol generating device 100 is not the aerosol generating article 200, and then the controller controls the heating element 30 not to start heating.

[0095] The third preset duration can be set by a technician according to the specific aerosol generating article 200 and the aerosol generating device 100. Different aerosol generating articles 200 or different aerosol generating devices 100 have different third preset durations.

[0096] Moreover, in some embodiments, the ultrasonic sensor 60 is disposed outside the chamber 40 to avoid the influence of the solid residue remaining after heating the aerosol generating article 200 or the high-temperature aerosol in the chamber 40 on the ultrasonic sensor 40, and to extend the service life of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0097] An embodiment of the present application further provides a control method for an aerosol generating device 100, as Figure 7 shown, the control method includes:

[0098] S10, obtaining an electrical signal sent by the ultrasonic sensor;

[0099] S20, determining whether the waveform of the electrical signal meets a preset condition;

[0100] S30, if it meets, controlling the power supply to output power to the heating element.

[0101] The above method is executed by the controller. For specific details, reference can be made to the content described in the above embodiments, and details will not be elaborated here.

[0102] Furthermore, as Figure 8 shown, the controller includes: at least one processor; and a memory communicatively connected to the at least one processor, Figure 8Take a processor as an example. The memory stores instructions executable by at least one processor, and the instructions are executed by at least one processor so that the at least one processor can execute the control method of the above embodiment. The processor and the memory can be connected by a bus or other means. Figure 8 Take the connection through a bus as an example.

[0103] The processor can be implemented by using at least one of the following: application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP), digital signal processing device (DSPD), programmable logic device (PLD), field programmable gate array (FPGA), processor, controller, microcontroller, microprocessor, and other electronic units that perform these functions.

[0104] The memory includes high-speed random access memory and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, flash memory device, or other non-volatile solid-state storage devices. In some embodiments, the memory optionally includes a memory remotely disposed relative to the processor, and these remote memories can be connected to the aerosol generating appliance through a network. Examples of the above network include but are not limited to the Internet, intranet, local area network, mobile communication network, and combinations thereof.

[0105] The memory is used to store non-volatile software programs, non-volatile computer executable programs, and modules, such as program instructions / units corresponding to the control method / device described herein. The processor executes various functional applications and data processing of the aerosol generating appliance by running the non-volatile software programs, instructions, and units stored in the memory, that is, implements the control method described in the above embodiment.

[0106] 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 idea of the present application, the technical features in the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, and the steps can be implemented in any order, and there are many other variations in different aspects of the present application as described above. For the sake of brevity, they are not provided in detail; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that: they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements for some of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, characterized in that, Comprising: A chamber for removably receiving an aerosol-generating article; A heating element for heating the aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol; An ultrasonic sensor disposed adjacent to the cavity for transmitting ultrasonic waves into the cavity and receiving the reflected ultrasonic waves, thereby generating an electrical signal; A power supply for supplying power to the heating element and the ultrasonic sensor; A controller configured to receive the electrical signal from the ultrasonic sensor and determine whether the waveform of the electrical signal meets a preset condition, and if so, control the power supply to output power to the heating element.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controller is further configured to: Compare multiple peaks of the waveform of the electrical signal with a preset value, record at least one peak greater than the preset value, and determine whether the recorded peaks meet a preset condition.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The controller is further configured to: Compare one of the recorded peaks with a corresponding threshold range; If the peak is within the range of the threshold range, the preset condition is met.

4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The preset condition includes a first preset duration, and the controller is further configured to: Obtain the interval duration between any adjacent first peak and second peak recorded; Compare the interval duration with the preset duration; If the interval duration is within the range of the preset duration, the preset condition is met.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The controller is further configured to: Compare the multiple recorded peaks with corresponding threshold ranges respectively; If the multiple peaks are all within the range of the threshold ranges, the preset condition is met.

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein, The peak includes any adjacent first peak and second peak, the preset condition includes a first threshold range corresponding to the first peak, a second threshold range corresponding to the second peak, and a preset duration, and the controller is further configured to: Obtain the interval duration between the first peak and the second peak; Compare the interval duration with the preset duration, and at the same time compare the first peak with the first threshold range and the second peak with the second threshold range; If the interval duration is within the range of the preset duration, and the first peak is within the range of the first threshold range, and the second peak is within the range of the second threshold range, the preset condition is met.

7. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ultrasonic sensor includes a first ultrasonic sensor and a second ultrasonic sensor, the first ultrasonic sensor is disposed near the bottom of the cavity, the second ultrasonic sensor is disposed away from the bottom of the cavity, and the controller is further configured to: Obtain a first electrical signal of the first ultrasonic sensor and a second electrical signal of the second ultrasonic sensor; Determine whether the waveforms of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal both meet a preset condition; If so, control the power supply to output power to the heating element.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein, The aerosol-generating device includes a shielding member for shielding or exposing an opening of the cavity, the shielding member being movable between a first position and a second position, and when the shielding member moves to the first position, the shielding member shields the opening of the cavity; When the shielding member moves to the second position, the shielding member exposes the opening of the chamber, and the controller is configured to control the power supply to supply power to the ultrasonic sensor to turn it on based on the shielding member being in the second position, and / or control the power supply to cut off the power supplied to the ultrasonic sensor based on the shielding member being in the first position.

9. An aerosol generating device, characterized in that, Comprising: A chamber for removably receiving an aerosol-generating article; A heating element for heating the aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol; An ultrasonic sensor disposed adjacent to the cavity for emitting ultrasonic waves into the chamber and receiving the reflected ultrasonic waves, thereby generating an electrical signal; A power supply for supplying power to the heating element and the ultrasonic sensor; A controller configured to receive the electrical signal from the ultrasonic sensor and determine whether the reflection duration of the ultrasonic wave satisfies a third preset duration; if so, control the power supply to output power to the heating element.

10. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The ultrasonic sensor is disposed outside the chamber.

11. A control method for an aerosol generating device, characterized in that, Comprising: A chamber for removably receiving an aerosol-generating article; A heating element for heating the aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol; An ultrasonic sensor disposed adjacent to the cavity for emitting ultrasonic waves into the chamber and receiving the emitted ultrasonic waves, thereby generating an electrical signal; A power supply for supplying power to the heating element and the ultrasonic sensor; The method comprises: Obtaining the electrical signal; Judging whether the waveform of the electrical signal meets a preset condition; If so, controlling the power supply to output power to the heating element.

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