Method for controlling aerosol-generating device and aerosol-generating device

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses a control method of an aerosol generating device and the aerosol generating device.The control method comprises the steps that in a cold start state, first power is controlled to be provided for a heating element, so that the temperature of the heating element reaches and is maintained at a first preset temperature; monitoring the temperature drop of the heating element, confirming that the aerosol generating product is accommodated in the cavity based on the temperature drop degree, and controlling to provide second power to enable the temperature of the heating element to reach a second preset temperature; in the hot start state, the heating element is controlled to stop working, the natural cooling speed of the heating element is monitored, it is recognized that the aerosol-generating product is contained in the cavity again based on the natural cooling speed, and when it is determined that the aerosol-generating product is contained in the cavity, the heating element stops working. And controlling the provided power to enable the temperature of the heating element to reach a second preset temperature. Through the mode, the insertion detection function of the aerosol generating product can be realized without adding an additional sensor, and the manufacturing cost of the aerosol generating device is reduced.

Description

Technical field

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

[0002] Traditional tobacco products (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, etc.) burn tobacco to produce tobacco smoke during use. Products that release compounds through heating rather than combustion are available in the prior art as an alternative to these traditional tobacco products. Examples of such products include aerosol-generating devices, which typically include a heating element and an aerosol-generating product used in conjunction with the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating product can be a solid tobacco or non-tobacco filler, such as a cigarette. When the aerosol-generating product is housed in the aerosol-generating device, the heating element heats the aerosol-generating product, causing at least a portion of the active substance in the aerosol-generating product to volatilize and generate an aerosol.

[0003] Such devices are usually designed with an automatic start-up heating function, that is, the aerosol generating device is provided with a sensing element. When the aerosol generating product is inserted into the aerosol generating device, the sensing element will be triggered to generate a sensing signal. The aerosol generating device can then control the heating element to start heating according to the sensing signal.

[0004] Existing sensing elements usually use optical sensors such as infrared and color sensors, or usually use pressure or distance sensors. The practical principle of using such sensors is simple, but there are many mechanical parts. On the one hand, this will lead to a higher cost of the aerosol generating device. On the other hand, such sensors are easily triggered by mistake, causing the heating element to be activated when no aerosol generating product is inserted, causing the aerosol generating device to be in a no-load heating state. [Summary of the invention]

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a method for controlling an aerosol generating device to solve the technical problems that the existing solution of using a sensor to detect the insertion of an aerosol generating article is expensive and prone to false activation, causing the aerosol generating device to generate no-load heating.

[0006] A method for controlling an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device comprising a heating element, a chamber, and a battery cell for providing power to the heating element, the chamber being configured to accommodate an aerosol generating article, the heating element being configured to heat the aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol, the aerosol generating device having a hot start state and a cold start state, the starting temperature of the heating element in the hot start state being greater than the starting temperature in the cold start state, the control method comprising:

[0007] In the cold start state, controlling the battery cell to provide a first power to the heating element so that the temperature of the heating element reaches and is maintained at a first preset temperature;

[0008] monitoring a temperature drop of the heating element, identifying that the aerosol-generating article is received in the chamber based on the degree of the temperature drop of the heating element, and when it is determined that the aerosol-generating article is received in the chamber, controlling the battery cell to provide a second power to the heating element so that the temperature of the heating element reaches a second preset temperature, the second preset temperature being greater than the first preset temperature;

[0009] In the hot start state, the heating element is controlled to stop working and the natural cooling rate of the heating element is monitored, and based on the natural cooling rate, it is identified that the aerosol generating article is again accommodated in the chamber, and when it is determined that the aerosol generating article is accommodated in the chamber, the battery cell is controlled to provide power to the heating element so that the temperature of the heating element reaches the second preset temperature.

[0010] In one embodiment, in the cold start state, when the temperature of the heating element deviates from the first preset temperature to reach a temperature difference threshold, it is determined that the aerosol generating article is accommodated in the chamber;

[0011] And / or, in the hot start state, it is determined that the aerosol-generating article is accommodated in the chamber when a natural cooling rate of the heating element reaches a rate threshold.

[0012] In one embodiment, the battery cell is controlled to stop outputting power to the heating element in the hot start state until the temperature of the heating element naturally cools to the first preset temperature, and the battery cell is controlled to output power again to maintain its temperature at the first preset temperature.

[0013] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0014] In the cold start state, a temperature increase rate of the heating element rising back to the first preset temperature is monitored, and removal of the aerosol generating device from the chamber is identified based on the temperature increase rate.

[0015] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0016] The same energy is supplied to the heating element within the same interval duration to maintain the temperature of the heating element at a first preset temperature.

[0017] In one embodiment, in the cold start state, before providing the first power to the heating element so that the temperature of the heating element reaches a first preset temperature, the method further includes:

[0018] Get the external ambient temperature;

[0019] The first preset temperature is adjusted according to the external ambient temperature.

[0020] In one embodiment, the first preset temperature has a temperature value of 50°C to 80°C.

[0021] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device further comprises a sensing element for switching the aerosol generating device from a dormant state to an awake state, and the method further comprises:

[0022] Based on the generation of the sensing signal of the sensing element, the battery cell is controlled to provide a first power to the heating element.

[0023] In one embodiment, the sensing element comprises a touch sensing element, the outer surface of the aerosol generating device has a touch sensing area, and the touch sensing element is configured to generate the sensing signal when the touch sensing area is touched.

[0024] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0025] Obtaining a single touch duration of the touch sensing area;

[0026] Comparing the single touch duration with a preset duration;

[0027] If the single touch duration is longer than the preset duration, the sensing element generates the sensing signal.

[0028] An embodiment of the present application further provides an aerosol generating device, comprising a controller, the controller comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program, and the processor implementing the control method of the aerosol generating device described in the above embodiment when executing the computer program.

[0029] The control method for an aerosol-generating device provided in the above embodiments monitors the extent of the temperature drop of the heating element during a cold start state and, based on this temperature drop, determines whether an aerosol-generating product is contained within the aerosol-generating device. If the aerosol-generating product is contained within the aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating device is controlled to automatically initiate heating. Furthermore, during a hot start state, the control method monitors the natural cooling rate of the heating element to determine whether the aerosol-generating product is contained within the aerosol-generating device. If the aerosol-generating product is contained within the aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating device is controlled to automatically initiate heating. This method eliminates the need for an additional sensor to detect whether an aerosol-generating product is inserted into the aerosol-generating device, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the aerosol-generating device and preventing unloaded heating of the aerosol-generating device due to erroneous sensor activation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030] One or more embodiments are exemplarily illustrated by corresponding drawings, which do not constitute limitations on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings are represented as similar elements, and unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings do not constitute proportional limitations.

[0031] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of an aerosol generating device provided in one embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of an aerosol generating device provided in another embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 3 This is a flow chart of a method for controlling an aerosol generating device provided in one embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a heating curve of an aerosol generating device provided in one embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a heating curve of an aerosol generating device provided in another embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a heating curve of an aerosol generating device provided in another embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Figure 7 A schematic flow chart of a method for controlling an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Figure 8 A schematic flow chart of a method for controlling an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 9 A schematic flow chart of a method for controlling an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the controller hardware structure of an aerosol generating device provided in one embodiment of the present application. [Specific implementation method]

[0041] In order to facilitate the understanding of the present application, the present application is 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 being "fixed to" / "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element, or one or more intermediate elements can exist therebetween. When an element is described as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element, or one or more intermediate elements can exist therebetween. The terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inside", "outside" and similar expressions used in this specification are for illustrative purposes only.

[0042] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the same meanings as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs. The terms used in this specification are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit this application. The term "and / or" as used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the relevant listed items.

[0043] 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.

[0044] In the embodiments of the present application, the "installation" includes fixing or restricting a component or device to a specific position or place by welding, screwing, clamping, bonding, etc. The component or device can remain stationary at a specific position or place or can move within a limited range. After the component or device is fixed or restricted to a specific position or place, it may or may not be disassembled, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0045] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or implicitly specify the number of the technical features indicated. Thus, a feature specified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. Throughout the description of this application, "plurality" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0046] An embodiment of the present application provides an aerosol generating device 100, such as Figure 1As shown, the aerosol generating device 100 includes a battery cell 10, a mainboard 20, and a heating element 30. The mainboard 20 is provided with a controller for the aerosol generating device 100. The battery cell 10 and the heating element 30 are electrically connected to the controller, so that the controller can control the battery cell 10 to provide electrical energy to the heating element 30. The aerosol generating device 100 also includes a longitudinally extending chamber 40 for accommodating an aerosol-generating product 200 for use with the aerosol generating device 100. The heating element 30 is attached to the outer wall of the chamber 40, thereby heating the aerosol-generating product 200 in the chamber 40. The active substance filled in the aerosol-generating product 200 evaporates upon heating to generate an aerosol, which the user inhales by inhaling the aerosol-generating product 200.

[0047] The aerosol-generating article 200 preferably comprises a tobacco-containing material that releases volatile compounds from the article upon heating; alternatively, it may comprise a non-tobacco material that is suitable for electrically heated smoking after heating. The aerosol-generating article 200 preferably comprises a solid substrate that may comprise one or more of powder, granules, shredded strips, ribbons, or flakes of one or more of herb leaves, tobacco leaves, homogenized tobacco, and expanded tobacco; alternatively, the solid substrate may contain additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavor compounds that are released upon heating of the substrate.

[0048] In some embodiments, the heating element 30 may be a mesh-shaped resistive heating element coated on the outer wall of the chamber 40. The mesh-shaped resistive heating element 40 is electrically connected to the mainboard 20. When energized, the heating element 30 generates heat, which is transferred to the aerosol-generating article 200 in the chamber 40 through the walls of the chamber 40. The chamber 40 is made of a highly thermally conductive material to efficiently transfer the heat generated by the heating element 30 to the aerosol-generating article 200. The highly thermally conductive material may be a metal or a ceramic material, and the ceramic material may be any of oxides, nitrides, carbides, borides, and the like.

[0049] In such Figure 2 In another embodiment shown, the aerosol-generating device 100 uses electromagnetic induction heating to heat the aerosol-generating article 200. The heating element 30 extends at least partially into the chamber 40, and the end thereof extending into the chamber 40 is configured in a pin-like or sheet-like shape, facilitating insertion of the heating element 30 into the aerosol-generating article 200 for heating. A coil 50 is wound around the outer wall of the chamber 40. A controller controls the battery cell 10 to pass an alternating current through the coil 50. The alternating current causes the coil 50 to generate a varying magnetic field, which penetrates the heating element 30 and induces eddy currents there. The eddy currents and hysteresis effects generate heat in the heating element 30, thereby heating the aerosol-generating substrate 200.

[0050] Suitable materials for the heating element 30 may include graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, stainless steel, niobium, aluminum, nickel, iron, copper, nickel-containing compounds, titanium, and metal composites. In some embodiments, to better induce eddy currents and improve heating efficiency, the heating element 30 is preferably made of or composed of a ferromagnetic material, such as ferritic iron, a ferromagnetic alloy (e.g., ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel), ferromagnetic particles, and ferrite.

[0051] In some embodiments, the controller can 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 device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination of these components. In addition, the controller can also be any traditional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The controller can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a DSP, and / or any other such configuration. The controller can also be a frequency converter board or main control board of a washing machine.

[0052] Based on the above-mentioned aerosol generating device 100, an embodiment of the present application provides a control method of the aerosol generating device 100, so as to realize that after the aerosol generating article 200 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 100, the aerosol generating device 100 automatically starts heating, such as Figure 3 As shown, the method includes:

[0053] S20, in the cold start state, controlling the battery cell 10 to provide power to the heating element 30 so that the temperature of the heating element 30 reaches and is maintained at a first preset temperature;

[0054] A cold start refers to a situation where, after the aerosol generating device 100 has last heated, the temperature of the heating element 30 has dropped to a temperature substantially equal to the ambient temperature. The current start-up of the aerosol generating device 100 is considered a cold start. This means that the temperature of the heating element 30 is substantially equal to the ambient temperature when the aerosol generating device 100 is started. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the duration between two consecutive heating cycles of the aerosol generating device 100 can be used to determine whether a cold start has occurred. If the duration is greater than a preset duration, this indicates that the heating element 30 has taken a long time to cool down, and the temperature of the heating element 30 is relatively low. Therefore, the next start of the aerosol generating device 100 can be considered a cold start.

[0055] When the aerosol generating device 100 is started in a cold start state, the controller provides a first power to the heating element 30, causing the temperature of the heating element 30 to rise rapidly to a first preset temperature, thereby creating a temperature difference between the heating element 30 and the external ambient temperature. To reduce power consumption of the aerosol generating device 100, the first preset temperature is set in a range of 50°C to 80°C, preferably 60°C. The first preset temperature does not need to be set too high; it is sufficient to create a suitable temperature difference between the first preset temperature and the external ambient temperature. This ensures that when the aerosol generating article 200 is housed in the aerosol generating device 100, a temperature difference exists between the heating element 30 and the aerosol generating article 200, thereby allowing heat from the heating element 30 to be transferred to the aerosol generating article 200.

[0056] Specifically, the aerosol generating device 100 may be provided with a temperature sensing element electrically connected to the controller. The temperature sensing element is used to detect the temperature of the heating element 30 and transmit the detected temperature to the controller. Therefore, the controller can obtain the temperature of the heating element 30 through the temperature sensing element. Alternatively, in some embodiments, if the heating element 30 is a resistive heating element, the controller can also obtain the temperature of the resistor based on the TCR (temperature coefficient of resistance) characteristic of the resistor. In other words, there is no need to use a temperature sensing element to obtain the temperature of the heating element 30. The heating element 30 can obtain the current resistance value of the heating element 30 and then calculate the current temperature value based on the TCR.

[0057] S30, monitoring a temperature drop of the heating element, identifying that the aerosol-generating article is accommodated in the chamber based on a degree of the temperature drop of the heating element, and when it is determined that the aerosol-generating article is accommodated in the chamber, controlling the battery cell to provide a second power to the heating element so that the temperature of the heating element reaches a second preset temperature, where the second preset temperature is greater than the first preset temperature;

[0058] Specifically, when the heating element 30 reaches the first preset temperature, the controller reduces the power output to the heating element 30, so that the heating element 30 is substantially maintained at the first preset temperature at the reduced power. However, when the aerosol-generating article 200 is inserted into the aerosol-generating device 100, due to the temperature difference between the aerosol-generating article 200 and the heating element 30, the heat of the heating element 30 is transferred to the aerosol-generating article 200, causing the temperature of the heating element 30 to drop suddenly. The controller detects the extent of the temperature drop of the heating element 30 and, based on this temperature drop, determines whether the aerosol-generating article 200 is properly accommodated in the aerosol-generating device 100.

[0059] The aerosol-generating device 100 may be pre-set with a temperature difference threshold. When the temperature of the heating element 30 deviates from a first preset temperature and reaches the temperature difference threshold, the controller can confirm that the aerosol-generating article 200 has been accommodated in the aerosol-generating device 100. For example, the first preset temperature is 60°C, and the set temperature difference threshold is 30°C. When the controller obtains the current temperature of the heating element 30 as 28°C, the actual temperature difference threshold is 32°C, which is greater than the preset temperature difference threshold of 30°C. The controller then confirms that the aerosol-generating article 200 has been accommodated in the aerosol-generating device 100.

[0060] Alternatively, in some embodiments, a speed threshold may be pre-set in the controller, and the controller obtains the speed at which the temperature on the heating element 30 drops. If the speed at which the temperature on the heating element 30 drops reaches the speed threshold, the controller may confirm that the aerosol generating product 200 has been accommodated in the aerosol generating device 100.

[0061] Specifically, the controller may calculate the temperature drop rate of the heating element 30 based on the temperature drop of the heating element 30 per unit time. For example, the controller may calculate the degree of temperature drop of the heating element 30 within a certain second. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the controller may calculate the temperature drop rate of the heating element 30 based on the time required to drop a unit temperature. For example, the controller may calculate the time required for the temperature of the heating element 30 to drop by 10°C.

[0062] After the controller confirms that the aerosol-generating article 200 has been received in the aerosol-generating device 100 in the manner described above, it controls the output of a second power to the heating element 30, where the second power is greater than the first power, so that the temperature of the heating element 30 rapidly rises to a second preset temperature to preheat the aerosol-generating article 200. The second preset temperature is higher than the first preset temperature. After preheating is complete, the user can use the aerosol-generating article 200 for inhalation. The aerosol-generating device 100 may also be provided with a feedback element for providing feedback to the user to inform the user that preheating is complete. For example, the feedback element may be a buzzer or a vibration motor. When the temperature of the heating element 30 detected by the controller reaches the second preset temperature, the controller controls the buzzer to emit a buzzer or the vibration motor to vibrate. The user can then determine that preheating is complete based on the buzzing sound or vibration.

[0063] Now combined Figure 4The heating process of the heating element 30 is described. During the period from 0 to t1, under the action of the first power, the temperature of the heating element 30 rises to the first preset temperature T1; during the period from t1 to t2, the controller basically maintains the temperature of the heating element 30 at the first preset temperature; during the period from t2 to t3, the temperature of the heating element 30 suddenly begins to drop, and the slope of the descending curve is also large. The large slope of the descending curve indicates that the temperature of the heating element 30 drops relatively quickly. At this time, the controller confirms that the aerosol generating product 200 has been accommodated in the aerosol generating device 100; during the period from t3 to t4, under the action of the second power, the temperature of the heating element 30 quickly rises to the second preset temperature T2 to complete preheating, and then the controller basically maintains the temperature of the heating element 30 at the second preset temperature to facilitate the user to inhale.

[0064] S40, in the hot start state, controlling the heating element to stop working and monitoring the natural cooling rate of the heating element, identifying that the aerosol generating product is again accommodated in the chamber based on the natural cooling rate, and when it is determined that the aerosol generating product is accommodated in the chamber, controlling the battery cell to provide power to the heating element so that the temperature of the heating element reaches the second preset temperature.

[0065] The hot start state refers to the state in which the heating element 30 heats the aerosol generating article 200 and the temperature of the heating element 30 drops to the first preset temperature due to natural cooling. The aerosol generating device 100 is restarted during this period. The startup mode during this period is called a hot start.

[0066] In the hot start state, the controller stops supplying power to the heating element 30. Since the temperature of the heating element 30 is still relatively high after heating, the temperature of the heating element 30 gradually decreases due to natural cooling, and the natural cooling rate gradually decreases. If an aerosol-generating article 200 is inserted into the aerosol-generating device 100 during the natural cooling process, the heat from the heating element 30 is transferred to the aerosol-generating article 200, thereby accelerating the natural cooling rate of the heating element 30. The controller can then use the natural cooling rate of the heating element 30 to identify whether the aerosol-generating article 200 has been reinserted into the aerosol-generating device 100. Therefore, the controller can pre-set a speed threshold. If the natural cooling rate reaches this threshold, the controller confirms that the aerosol-generating article 200 is accommodated in the aerosol-generating device 100.

[0067] Specifically, when the heating element 30 starts to cool naturally, the controller can obtain the temperature drop of the heating element 30 within the same period of time to calculate the natural cooling rate. For example, within the first 10ms after the heating element 30 starts to cool naturally, the temperature of the heating element 30 drops by 5°C, within the second 10ms, the temperature drops by 4°C, and within the third 10ms, the temperature drops by 3°C. The first natural cooling rate gradually decreases within the 30ms, and the controller determines that the aerosol generating article 200 has not been inserted into the aerosol generating device 100 within the 30ms.

[0068] During the fourth 10 ms, the temperature of the heating element 30 drops by 10°C. At this time, the controller can determine that the aerosol generating product 200 has been inserted into the aerosol generating device 100, indicating that the aerosol generating product 200 has been inserted. The heat of the heating element 30 is transferred to the aerosol generating product 200, causing the natural cooling speed of the heating element 30 to suddenly increase, thereby reaching the above-mentioned speed threshold.

[0069] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the controller calculates the natural cooling rate by obtaining the time required for the temperature of the heating element 30 to drop by 1°C. For example, after the heating element 30 begins to naturally cool, the time required for the heating element 30 to drop by the first 1°C is 6 ms, the time required for the second 1°C to drop by 7 ms, and the time required for the third 1°C to drop by 8 ms. Therefore, the natural cooling rate gradually decreases within these 30 ms. The controller then determines that the aerosol-generating article 200 has not been inserted into the aerosol-generating device 100 within these 30 ms.

[0070] When the time required for the temperature of the heating element 30 to drop by 1° C. obtained by the controller is 1 ms, it indicates that the natural cooling rate has increased, and the controller confirms that the aerosol generating article 200 has been inserted into the aerosol generating device 100 .

[0071] In the hot start state, since the heating element 30 has just finished heating and the temperature on the heating element 20 is still relatively high, the controller does not need to provide power to the heating element 30. It only needs to let the heating element 30 cool naturally. The controller obtains the natural cooling rate of the heating element 30 and determines whether the aerosol generating article 200 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 100 based on the natural cooling rate. This method can reduce the overall power consumption of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0072] Now combined Figure 5 In the hot start state, the natural cooling rate is used to confirm whether the aerosol generating product 200 is housed in the aerosol generating device 100 again. Figure 5As shown, during the period from 0 to t1, the temperature of the heating element 30 is maintained at the second preset temperature T2 for the user to take a puff. At time t1, the heating element 30 finishes heating the aerosol generating article 300, and the controller stops outputting power to the heating element 30. The temperature of the heating element 30 begins to drop under the effect of natural cooling. If no aerosol generating article 200 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 100 again during the natural cooling period, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown by the middle curve S1, the temperature of the heating element 30 gradually decreases to the first preset temperature T1, that is, Figure 5 The temperature corresponding to the moment t4 is lowered more and more slowly. When the temperature of the heating element 30 drops to the first preset temperature T1, the controller again supplies power to the heating element 30 to maintain its temperature at the first preset temperature T1.

[0073] When an aerosol generating article 200 is inserted, as Figure 5 As shown by the middle curve S2, that is Figure 5 The temperature drop curve during the period t1 to t2 is steeper during the natural cooling process, and the slope of the curve is greater than the slope of the curve when the aerosol generating article 200 is not inserted. That is to say, after the aerosol generating article 200 is inserted, the temperature drop rate of the heating element 30 will become faster because the heat of the heating element 30 will be partially transferred to the aerosol generating article 200. Based on this, the controller confirms that the aerosol generating article 200 has been re-accommodated in the aerosol generating device 100, and provides power to the heating element 30 to raise its temperature to the second preset temperature T2 to preheat the aerosol generating article 200.

[0074] Thus, through the above method, there is no need to add additional sensors to the aerosol generating device 100 to realize whether the aerosol generating product 200 is accommodated in the aerosol generating device 100. It is only necessary to monitor the temperature drop of the heating element 30 in the cold start state and detect the natural cooling rate of the heating element 30 in the hot start state. The temperature drop and the natural cooling rate can be used to determine whether the aerosol generating product 200 is accommodated in the aerosol generating device 100, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the aerosol generating device 100. Moreover, since there is no need to use a sensor, it can also avoid the aerosol generating device 100 from generating no-load heating due to the incorrect activation of the sensor.

[0075] In some embodiments, to prevent the user from inserting and then removing the aerosol-generating article 200, thereby causing the aerosol-generating device 100 to generate idle heating, the control method of the aerosol-generating device 100 further includes:

[0076] In the cold start state, a temperature increase rate of the heating element rising back to the first preset temperature is monitored, and removal of the aerosol generating device from the chamber is identified based on the temperature increase rate.

[0077] When the controller basically maintains the temperature of the heating element 30 at the first preset temperature, specifically when the temperature of the heating element 30 reaches the first preset temperature, the controller stops supplying power to the heating element 30, and the heating element 30 begins to cool naturally, thereby causing the temperature of the heating element 30 to gradually decrease. When the temperature drops to a preset value or the pause time reaches a preset time, the controller provides a smaller power to the heating element 30, and the temperature of the heating element 30 rises to the first preset temperature again under the action of the smaller power. Then the controller stops supplying power to the heating element 30 again, causing the heating element 30 to start cooling naturally. Such cyclic control can maintain the temperature of the heating element 30 at the first preset temperature.

[0078] However, when the user inserts and then removes the aerosol generating product 200, the temperature of the heating element 30 cannot be transmitted to the aerosol generating product 200, and the temperature of the heating element 30 will quickly rise to the first preset temperature again. The heating rate will be significantly higher than the heating rate when the aerosol generating product 200 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 100. Therefore, the controller can monitor the heating rate. If the heating rate becomes significantly higher, it means that the aerosol generating product 200 has been removed from the aerosol generating device 100 by the user, and the controller controls not to provide the second power to the heating element 30.

[0079] Now combined Figure 6 To further explain, Figure 6 The curve between t1 and t2 represents the natural cooling of the heating element 30 from the first preset temperature T1. When the temperature reaches t2, the corresponding temperature of the heating element 30 is the preset temperature Tp. The controller supplies a low power to the heating element 30 to raise the temperature back to the first preset temperature T1. When no aerosol-generating article 200 is inserted during this process, the curve of the heating element 30 returning to the first preset temperature is shown in Figure S1. This curve is relatively steep and has a large slope, indicating a rapid rate of increase. The time required for the temperature of the heating element 30 to rise from Tp to T1 is the duration between t2 and t3.

[0080] When an aerosol generating article 200 is inserted during this process, the curve of the heating element 30 rising to the first preset temperature again is shown in Figure S2. Since the heat of the heating element 30 will be partially transferred to the aerosol generating article 200, the rising speed of the heating element 30 will be slower, so the curve S2 is relatively flat and the slope of the curve is also small. The time required for the temperature of the heating element 30 to rise from Tp to T1 is the time between t2 and t4. Obviously, the time between t2 and t4 is greater than the time between t2 and t3.

[0081] Further in some embodiments, in order to compare the heating speed to confirm whether the aerosol-generating article 200 is unplugged by the user, the controller is configured to provide the same energy to the heating element 30 within the same interval time.

[0082] For example, when the temperature of the heating element 30 reaches the first preset temperature, the controller stops supplying energy to the heating element 30 for 1 second, allowing the heating element 30 to cool naturally within this 1 second. When the cooling time reaches 1 second, the controller controls the supply of 5 joules of energy to the heating element 30 to raise the temperature of the heating element 30 back to the first preset temperature. The controller then stops supplying energy to the heating element 30 for another 1 second, allowing the heating element 30 to cool naturally again within this 1 second. When the cooling time reaches 1 second, the controller resumes supplying 5 joules of energy to the heating element 30 to restore the temperature of the heating element 30 to the first preset temperature, and so on.

[0083] In some embodiments, in order to reduce the power consumption of the aerosol generating device 100, the first preset temperature can also change with the change of the external ambient temperature. For example, in summer, due to the high external ambient temperature, the temperature of the aerosol generating product 200 is also high. In order to have a suitable temperature difference between the heating element 30 and the aerosol generating product 200, the first preset temperature can be within the above-mentioned range of 50°C to 80°C.

[0084] In winter, due to the low external ambient temperature, the temperature of the aerosol generating product 200 will also be relatively low. The heating element 30 is located inside the aerosol generating device 100, so the temperature on the heating element 30 is usually higher than the external ambient temperature. At this time, the temperature of the aerosol generating product 200 may be -10°C, while the temperature on the heating element 30 may be 5°C. Therefore, at this time, the first preset temperature only needs to be set at 30 degrees.

[0085] Based on this, Figure 7 As shown, the control method of the aerosol generating device 100 in the above embodiment further includes:

[0086] S11 a, obtaining the external ambient temperature;

[0087] S12a: Determine the first preset temperature according to the external ambient temperature.

[0088] Specifically, the aerosol generating device 100 may be provided with a temperature sensor for detecting the external ambient temperature. The temperature sensor is electrically connected to the controller so as to send the detected external ambient temperature to the controller. Therefore, before controlling the first power to be provided to the heating element 30, the controller first obtains the external ambient temperature and adjusts the first preset temperature according to the external ambient temperature to reduce the power consumption of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0089] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device 100 may further be provided with a sensing element (not shown), which is used to switch the aerosol generating device 100 from a dormant state to an awake state. Figure 8 As shown, the control method of the aerosol generating device 100 in the above embodiment further includes:

[0090] S10b: Based on the generation of the sensing signal of the sensing element, control the battery cell to provide a first power to the heating element.

[0091] The system sleep state means that the controller's timer, serial port, etc. all stop working, only the external interrupt continues to work, and the registers set by the program inside the controller chip maintain their original values. When the controller is awakened by an external interrupt, the program will start running from the original stop point. The system consumes very little power in the sleep state.

[0092] The sensing element can be triggered by the user to generate a sensing signal, which is received by the controller, thereby switching the controller from a dormant state to an awake state, and then controlling the execution of the contents described in the above embodiment.

[0093] That is, before receiving a sensing signal from the sensing element, the aerosol generating device 100 is in a dormant state. During this state, the aerosol generating device 100 consumes very little power. When a user needs to use the aerosol generating device 100, the user operates the aerosol generating device 100, thereby triggering the sensing element to generate a sensing signal. The sensing signal triggers the controller to switch from the dormant state to the awakened state. After waking up, the controller begins executing the functions described in the above embodiments. By providing a sensing element, the aerosol generating device 100 can be placed in a dormant state when not in use, effectively reducing the power consumption of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0094] In some embodiments, the sensing element includes a touch sensing element. The outer surface of the aerosol generating device 100 has a touch sensing area (not shown). The touch sensing element is configured to generate a sensing signal when the touch sensing area is touched.

[0095] For example, the touch sensing element can be a resistive touch chip or a capacitive touch chip, and the shell of the aerosol generating device 100 can be made of a material with conductive properties. In this case, the entire shell of the aerosol generating device 100 is a touch sensing area. When the user needs to use the aerosol generating device 100, the user grasps the aerosol generating device 100 to change the electrical signal of the conductive shell. The touch sensing element detects the change in the electrical signal and then generates an induction signal to send to the controller.

[0096] Specifically, when the touch sensing element is a resistive touch chip, when the user grasps the aerosol generating device 100, the user will apply a squeezing force to the conductive shell, and the squeezing force will cause the resistance of the conductive shell to change. The resistive touch chip can detect the resistance change and generate a sensing signal.

[0097] When the touch sensing element is a capacitive touch chip, when the user grasps the aerosol generating device 100, the capacitance of the conductive shell will change under the action of the human body's charge, and the capacitive touch chip will detect the capacitance change and generate a sensing signal.

[0098] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the shell of the aerosol generating device 100 does not have conductive properties, such as a plastic shell, and a separate touch sensing area can be set on the outer surface of the aerosol generating device 100. When the user grasps the aerosol generating device 100, the user can touch the touch sensing area.

[0099] Based on the above touch sensing element, in some embodiments, such as Figure 9 As shown, the control method of the aerosol generating device 100 further includes:

[0100] S11b, obtaining a single touch duration of the touch sensing area;

[0101] S12b, comparing the single touch duration with a preset duration;

[0102] S13b: If the single touch duration is longer than the preset duration, control the heating element to provide a first power.

[0103] When the controller obtains the sensing signal sent by the touch sensing element, the controller simultaneously controls the timing unit to record the touch duration of the touch here, that is, the maintenance duration of this sensing signal. The controller is pre-set with a preset duration. The controller then compares the current touch duration with the preset duration. If the touch duration is greater than the preset duration, the controller controls the first power to be provided to the heating element 30 to start the insertion detection program of the aerosol generating product 200.

[0104] The preset duration can be 1 second, 2 seconds, or longer, preferably 1 second. If the user's single touch duration is shorter than 1 second, the controller determines that the user does not truly need to use the aerosol generating device 100 for inhalation, but rather that the user may be playing with the aerosol generating device 100. Therefore, the controller controls the aerosol generating article 200 insertion detection process to not start. Therefore, the method of this embodiment can determine whether the user truly needs to use the aerosol generating device 100.

[0105] Further, such as Figure 10 As shown, the controller includes: at least one processor; and a memory connected in communication with the at least one processor. Figure 10 A processor is used as an example. The memory stores instructions that can be executed by at least one processor, and the instructions are executed by at least one processor so that at least one processor can execute the control method of the above embodiment. The processor and the memory can be connected via a bus or other means. Figure 10 The bus connection is taken as an example.

[0106] The processor may be implemented by using at least one of the following: an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a digital signal processing device (DSPD), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a processor, a controller, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, or other electronic units that perform these functions.

[0107] The memory includes high-speed random access memory and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one magnetic disk storage device, flash memory device, or other non-volatile solid-state memory device. In some embodiments, the memory may optionally include a memory located remotely from the processor, and such remote memory may be connected to the aerosol-generating device via a network. Examples of such networks include, but are not limited to, the Internet, an intranet, a local area network, a mobile communication network, and combinations thereof.

[0108] The memory is used to store non-volatile software programs, non-volatile computer-executable programs, and modules, such as the program instructions / units corresponding to the control methods / devices described herein. The processor executes the non-volatile software programs, instructions, and units stored in the memory to execute various functional applications and data processing of the aerosol generating device, thereby implementing the control methods described in the above embodiments.

[0109] 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. Based on the concept of the present application, the technical features in the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, the steps can be implemented in any order, and there are many other variations in different aspects of the present application as described above. For the sake of simplicity, they are not provided in detail. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. These modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device comprising a heating element, a chamber, and a battery cell for providing power to the heating element, the chamber being configured to accommodate an aerosol generating article, the heating element being configured to heat the aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol, the aerosol generating device having a hot start state and a cold start state, the starting temperature of the heating element in the hot start state being greater than the starting temperature in the cold start state, wherein: The control method includes: In the cold start state, controlling the battery cell to provide a first power to the heating element so that the temperature of the heating element reaches and is maintained at a first preset temperature; monitoring a temperature drop of the heating element, identifying that the aerosol-generating article is received in the chamber based on the degree of the temperature drop of the heating element, and when it is determined that the aerosol-generating article is received in the chamber, controlling the battery cell to provide a second power to the heating element so that the temperature of the heating element reaches a second preset temperature, the second preset temperature being greater than the first preset temperature; In the hot start state, the heating element is controlled to stop working and the natural cooling rate of the heating element is monitored. Based on the natural cooling rate, it is identified that the aerosol generating article is again accommodated in the chamber. When it is determined that the aerosol generating article is accommodated in the chamber, the battery cell is controlled to provide power to the heating element so that the temperature of the heating element reaches the second preset temperature.

2. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method further comprises: In the cold start state, when the temperature of the heating element deviates from the first preset temperature to reach a temperature difference threshold, determining that the aerosol-generating article is accommodated in the chamber; And / or, in the hot start state, it is determined that the aerosol-generating article is accommodated in the chamber when a natural cooling rate of the heating element reaches a rate threshold.

3. The control method according to claim 1, wherein: In the hot start state, the battery cell is controlled to stop outputting power to the heating element until the temperature of the heating element naturally cools to the first preset temperature, and the battery cell is controlled to output power again to maintain its temperature at the first preset temperature.

4. The control method according to claim 1, wherein: The method further comprises: In the cold start state, a temperature increase rate of the heating element rising back to the first preset temperature is monitored, and removal of the aerosol generating device from the chamber is identified based on the temperature increase rate.

5. The control method according to claim 4, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The same energy is supplied to the heating element within the same interval time to maintain the temperature of the heating element at the first preset temperature.

6. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the cold start state, before providing the first power to the heating element so that the temperature of the heating element reaches a first preset temperature, the method further includes: Get the external ambient temperature; The first preset temperature is adjusted according to the external ambient temperature.

7. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first preset temperature has a temperature value of 50°C to 80°C.

8. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The aerosol generating device further includes a sensing element for switching the aerosol generating device from a dormant state to an awake state, and the method further includes: Based on the generation of the sensing signal of the sensing element, the battery cell is controlled to provide a first power to the heating element.

9. The control method according to claim 8, characterized in that: The sensing element comprises a touch sensing element. The outer surface of the aerosol generating device has a touch sensing area. The touch sensing element is configured to generate the sensing signal when the touch sensing area is touched.

10. The control method according to claim 9, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Obtaining a single touch duration of the touch sensing area; Comparing the single touch duration with a preset duration; If the single touch duration is longer than the preset duration, the sensing element generates the sensing signal.

11. An aerosol generating device, comprising a controller, characterized in that: The controller includes a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and when the processor executes the computer program, the control method of the aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is implemented.

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