Aerosol-generating device battery monitoring

By monitoring temperature and charge changes during battery charging in an aerosol generation device, and detecting temperature rise events at the end of charging, the system addresses user experience and safety issues caused by battery degradation, enabling effective monitoring and response to battery health status.

CN120813271APending Publication Date: 2025-10-17JAPAN TOBACCO INT CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202480018727.4
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-04-11
Filing Date
2024-04-10
Publication Date
2025-10-17

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Batteries in aerosol-generating devices degrade over time, affecting user experience and potentially causing safety issues. Existing technologies make it difficult to effectively monitor and address battery degradation.

Method used

By introducing a battery temperature sensor and controller into the aerosol generating device, the temperature change during battery charging is monitored, the end-of-charge temperature rise (ECTR) event is detected, and the battery health status is determined in conjunction with the battery charge sensor. If necessary, appropriate actions are taken, such as providing warnings or disabling the device.

Benefits of technology

Effectively identify battery degradation, reduce the possibility of false alarms and missed alarms, improve safety, ensure that the device operates normally when the battery is in a healthy state, remind users to replace the battery, and reduce safety risks.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

An aerosol-generating device is provided that includes a battery module, a battery temperature sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to monitor (301) a temperature of the battery during charging of the battery to detect an indication of an end-of-charge temperature rise, and determine (302) whether the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise is detected in the monitored battery temperature. The controller controls (303) the aerosol-generating device to perform an action when an indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise is detected, and maintains (304) the aerosol-generating device in an operable state and does not control the aerosol-generating device to perform the action when an indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise is not detected.
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Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly to battery monitoring in an aerosol generating device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Aerosol generating devices, such as electronic cigarettes and other aerosol inhalers or vaporization devices, are becoming increasingly popular consumer products.

[0003] Heating devices for vaporization or aerosolization are known in the art. Such devices typically include a heating chamber and a heater. In operation, an operator inserts a product to be aerosolized or vaporized into the heating chamber. The product is then heated by an electronic heater to vaporize the components of the product for inhalation by the operator. In some examples, the product is a tobacco product similar to a traditional cigarette. Such devices are sometimes referred to as "heat-not-burn" devices, as the product is heated to an aerosolization point without combustion.

[0004] Aerosol generating devices are typically powered by a power system including a battery, in particular a rechargeable battery. However, a problem arises in that such batteries degrade over time, which can impact the user experience and can cause safety issues. SUMMARY

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to solve the foregoing problems and others.

[0006] In a first aspect, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising a battery module, a battery temperature sensor, and a controller configured to: monitor, using the battery temperature sensor, a temperature of the battery during charging of the battery to detect an indication of an end-of-charge temperature rise in the monitored battery temperature; determine whether the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise is detected in the monitored battery temperature; when the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise is detected, control the aerosol generating device to perform an action; and when the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise is not detected, maintain the aerosol generating device in an operable state and do not control the aerosol generating device to perform the action.

[0007] In an alternative first aspect of the application, there is provided an aerosol generation device comprising a battery module, a battery temperature sensor, a battery charge level sensor, and a controller configured to: monitor a charge level of the battery during charging of the battery using the battery charge level sensor; monitor a temperature of the battery during charging of the battery using the battery temperature sensor to detect an indication of an end-of-charge temperature rise in the monitored battery temperature; determine whether the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise is detected in the monitored battery temperature only when it is determined that the monitored charge level of the battery has exceeded a predetermined charge level threshold; control the aerosol generation device to perform an action when the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise is detected; and maintain the aerosol generation device in an operable state and do not control the aerosol generation device to perform the action when the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise is not detected.

[0008] In this way, detection of an end-of-charge temperature rise (ECTR) event can be used to determine that a battery in an aerosol generation device has degraded and can need replacing. Detection of an ECTR event is beneficial to identify a degradation mechanism with relatively slow kinetics, such as lithium deposition that can cause micro-short circuits, which can eventually lead to a sudden drop in performance of the battery, as well as safety issues. Thus, an improvement in battery monitoring is provided. Preferably, the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise comprises a temperature increase of the battery above a threshold temperature rate of change.

[0009] In this way, by comparing the rate of change of the monitored battery temperature to a predetermined threshold rate of change, an ECTR event can be detected.

[0010] Preferably, the controller is configured to monitor the temperature of the battery during charging of the battery using the battery temperature sensor by measuring the temperature of the battery at predetermined time intervals during charging; and detect the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise in the temperature of the battery measured at the predetermined time intervals when the temperature of the battery increases above the threshold temperature rate of change.

[0011] In this way, the battery temperature can be monitored at intervals, and the change in battery temperature between the intervals can be used to detect an ECTR event.

[0012] Preferably, the aerosol generation device further comprises a battery charge level monitoring sub-circuit, and the controller is configured to determine the charge level of the battery using the battery charge level monitoring sub-circuit; and the controller is further configured to: when the charge level of the battery exceeds a predetermined charge level threshold, monitor the temperature of the battery during charging of the battery to detect an indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise in the monitored battery temperature; and when the charge level of the battery does not exceed the predetermined charge level threshold, not perform the step of monitoring the temperature of the battery during charging of the battery to detect an indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise in the monitored battery temperature.

[0013] In this way, the battery temperature is monitored to detect an ECTR event only at the time in the charging cycle at which an ECTR event is expected to occur. This reduces the likelihood of false positive ECTR events being detected due to temperature changes occurring at times other than the end of the charging cycle in the charging cycle.

[0014] Preferably, the controller is configured to determine whether the temperature of the battery is within a predetermined temperature range, and the controller is further configured to: when the temperature of the battery is within the predetermined temperature range, monitor the temperature of the battery during charging of the battery to detect an indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise during charging of the battery; and when the temperature of the battery is not within the predetermined temperature range, not perform the step of monitoring the temperature of the battery during charging of the battery to detect an indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise during charging of the battery.

[0015] If the battery temperature is not within a predetermined temperature range (e.g. if the temperature is too high or too low), it can not be possible to accurately determine whether an ECTR event has occurred, resulting in false negatives and false positives in determining ECTR events. Therefore, in the previously described manner, the likelihood of false negatives and false positives in determining ECTR events is reduced.

[0016] Preferably, in response to a new battery being connected to the aerosol generation device, the controller is configured to repeatedly monitor the temperature of the battery while charging in a cyclic manner to detect an indication of an end-of-charge temperature rise in the monitored battery temperature, and determine whether the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise has been detected, wherein each cycle corresponds to a separate and consecutive battery charging cycle; and when the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise has not been detected in n cycles, maintain the aerosol generation device in the operable state, wherein n has a predetermined value which is an integer greater than 1 ; and when the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise is detected in the n cycles, control the aerosol generation device to perform the action.

[0017] Battery health can degrade when the battery is left in a low state of charge for a long period of time before being charged (e.g. for a long storage period). In the foregoing manner, it is possible to check whether a battery has degraded by detecting an ECTR event in the first n charging cycles of a newly connected battery. This improves reliability as it is determined whether such a new battery has already degraded.

[0018] Preferably, for each cycle in which no indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise is detected, the controller increments a cycle count by 1 and the controller is configured to stop monitoring the temperature of the battery for indications of the end-of-charge temperature rise when the cycle count reaches n and to maintain the aerosol generation device in the operable state.

[0019] In this manner, when a newly inserted battery is determined to be in good health (i.e. no ECTR event has occurred in the first n charging cycles), the controller can stop monitoring for ECTR events, thereby saving processing resources.

[0020] Preferably, n = 5.

[0021] Preferably, the controller is configured to detect that the battery is being charged before monitoring the temperature of the battery during charging of the battery using the battery temperature sensor to detect indications of the end-of-charge temperature rise in the monitored battery temperature.

[0022] In this manner, the likelihood of detecting a false positive ECTR event due to a temperature change occurring during use or storage of the aerosol generation device rather than during charging of the battery is reduced. Also, by monitoring for ECTR events only when they are expected to occur (i.e. during charging), processing resources are saved.

[0023] Preferably, the action comprises providing an output by an indicator of the aerosol generation device indicating that the battery has degraded.

[0024] In this manner, the operator is made aware of the internal state of the system. Such an indicator can be beneficial in alerting the user to the existence of a battery issue that should be checked, or the battery should be replaced, whilst still allowing the user to continue charging the battery and / or to continue the aerosolisation process. This is useful when the battery issue is not critical (at least in the short term). For example, if a new (or relatively new) battery experiences an ECTR event, its operation can not be critical to the operation of the aerosol generation device, such that the aerosolisation process is not prevented from occurring, but the user is made aware that such a non-critical issue can still have a negative impact on the operation of the device or the quality of the aerosolisation process.

[0025] Preferably, the action comprises deactivating the aerosol generation device.

[0026] In this way, safety can be improved when the battery is experiencing a serious problem. For example, if an ECTR event is accompanied by a large temperature rise, the battery can be experiencing a serious problem, creating a safety risk. Disabling the aerosol generation device in response to such a problem can help mitigate this risk.

[0027] Preferably, the action comprises providing, by an indicator of the aerosol generation device, an output indicating degradation of the battery when the rate of temperature change of the detected end-of-charge temperature rise is greater than a first predetermined rate of temperature change but not greater than a second predetermined rate of temperature change, wherein the second predetermined rate of temperature change is greater than the first predetermined rate of temperature change; and disabling the aerosol generation device when the rate of temperature change of the detected end-of-charge temperature rise is greater than the second predetermined rate of temperature change.

[0028] In this way, a balance can be provided between alerting an operator to non-critical battery degradation (i.e. when the rate of temperature change of the detected end-of-charge temperature rise is greater than a first predetermined rate of temperature change) and disabling the device for safety when the rate of temperature change of the detected end-of-charge temperature rise is greater than a second predetermined rate of temperature change.

[0029] Preferably, disabling the aerosol generation device comprises preventing the device from performing one or more aerosolisation processes and / or preventing the battery from charging.

[0030] Preferably, the aerosol generation device is configured to aerosolise an aerosol generating consumable in an aerosolisation process. Preferably, the aerosol generating consumable comprises aerosol generating material. Preferably, the aerosol generation device is configured to heat the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol without combusting the aerosol generating material. Preferably, the aerosol generating material comprises tobacco.

[0031] The controller can be configured to determine a temperature drop of the battery after detecting the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise in the monitored battery temperature. The controller can control the aerosol generation device to perform an action when the temperature of the battery drops after detecting the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise. It has been found that ECTR events are typically associated with a temperature rise followed by a temperature drop. Detecting this characteristic battery temperature profile with the battery having a higher than a predetermined battery state of charge threshold can confirm an ECTR event associated with battery degradation. In some cases, the temperature drop can be determined by monitoring a first derivative of the temperature of the battery, and the temperature drop can be associated with the first derivative being less than zero or less than a predetermined negative threshold.

[0032] In a second aspect, there is provided a method of monitoring a battery of an aerosol generation device, the method comprising: monitoring, using a battery temperature sensor of the aerosol generation device, a temperature of a battery of the aerosol generation device during charging of the battery to detect an indication of an end-of-charge temperature rise in the monitored battery temperature; determining whether the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise is detected in the monitored battery temperature; when the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise is detected, controlling the aerosol generation device to perform an action; and when the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise is not detected, maintaining the aerosol generation device in an operable state and not controlling the aerosol generation device to perform the action.

[0033] In an alternative second aspect, there is provided a method of monitoring a battery of an aerosol generation device, the method comprising: monitoring, using a battery temperature sensor of the aerosol generation device, a temperature of a battery of the aerosol generation device during charging of the battery to detect an indication of an end-of-charge temperature rise in the monitored battery temperature; monitoring, using a battery charge level sensor, a charge level of the battery during the charging of the battery; determining whether the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise is detected in the monitored battery temperature only when it is determined that the monitored charge level of the battery has exceeded a predetermined charge level threshold; when the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise is detected, controlling the aerosol generation device to perform an action; and when the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise is not detected, maintaining the aerosol generation device in an operable state and not controlling the aerosol generation device to perform the action.

[0034] In a third aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an aerosol generation device, cause the processors to: monitor, using a battery temperature sensor of the aerosol generation device, a temperature of a battery of the aerosol generation device during charging of the battery to detect an indication of an end-of-charge temperature rise in the monitored battery temperature; determine whether the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise is detected in the monitored battery temperature; when the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise is detected, control the aerosol generation device to perform an action; and when the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise is not detected, maintain the aerosol generation device in an operable state and not control the aerosol generation device to perform the action.

[0035] In an alternative third aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer- readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an aerosol generation device, cause the processors to: monitor, using a battery temperature sensor of the aerosol generation device, a temperature of a battery of the aerosol generation device during charging of the battery to detect an indication of an end-of-charge temperature rise in the monitored battery temperature; monitor, using a battery charge level sensor, a charge level of the battery during charging of the battery; determine whether the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise is detected in the monitored battery temperature only when it is determined that the monitored charge level of the battery has exceeded a predetermined charge level threshold; control the aerosol generation device to perform an action when the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise is detected; and maintain the aerosol generation device in an operable state and do not control the aerosol generation device to perform the action when the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise is not detected.

[0036] Preferably, the preferred features of the first aspect and its alternatives can also be included in the second and third aspects and their alternatives as appropriate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0037] Embodiments of the present application will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0038] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generation device;

[0039] Figures 2A-2C shows a plot of characteristics of a healthy new battery not showing an ECTR;

[0040] Figures 2D-2F shows a plot of characteristics of a battery showing an ECTR;

[0041] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a process to determine battery degradation by detecting an ECTR event; and

[0042] Figure 4 is a process based on Figure 3 a process performed in a loop to detect an ECTR event in a newly connected battery. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of components of an aerosol generation device 100 or a vapour generation device, also known as an electronic cigarette. For the purposes of the present specification, it will be understood that the terms “vapour” and “aerosol” are interchangeable.

[0044] The aerosol generation device 100 has a main body portion 112 containing a controller 102, and a power system including a battery 104. Although described herein as a single battery, the battery 104 can be one or more batteries or battery packs.

[0045] The controller 102 is arranged to control operation of the aerosol generation device 100. This can include disabling and enabling operation of the device, and controlling power flow from the battery 104 based on the operational mode of the aerosol generation device. The controller 102 can be at least one microcontroller unit including a memory having instructions stored thereon for operating the aerosol generation device 100, including instructions for disabling and enabling operation of the device, instructions for performing operational modes of the device, instructions for controlling power flow from the battery, and the like, and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions.

[0046] In examples, the heater 108 is contained in the main body portion 112. In such examples, as shown in Figure 1 The cavity 110 enters through an opening 110A in the main body portion 112. The cavity 110 is arranged to receive an associated aerosol generating consumable 114. The aerosol generating consumable can contain aerosol generating material, such as a tobacco rod containing tobacco. The tobacco rod can be similar to a conventional cigarette. The cross-section of the cavity 110 is approximately equal to the cross-section of the aerosol generating consumable 114, and its depth is such that when the associated aerosol generating consumable 114 is inserted into the cavity 110, a first end portion 114A of the aerosol generating consumable 114 reaches a bottom portion 110B of the cavity 110 (that is, an end portion 110B of the cavity 110 distal from the cavity opening 110A), and a second end portion 114B of the aerosol generating consumable 114 distal from the first end portion 114A extends outwardly from the cavity 110. In this way, when the aerosol generating consumable 114 is inserted into the aerosol generation device 100, a consumer can inhale over the aerosol generating consumable. In Figure 1 In examples, the heater 108 is arranged in the cavity 110 such that the aerosol generating consumable 114 engages with the heater 108 when inserted into the cavity 110. In Figure 1In the example of Figure 1, the heater 108 is arranged as a tube in the cavity, such that when the first end portion 114A of the aerosol-generating consumable is inserted into the cavity, the heater 108 substantially or completely surrounds the portion of the aerosol-generating consumable 114 within the cavity 110. The heater 108 can be a wire, such as a coiled heating wire, or a ceramic heater, or any other suitable type of heater. The heater 108 can comprise a plurality of heating elements arranged sequentially along the axial length of the cavity, which can be activated independently in turn (i.e. energised) in sequence.

[0047] In alternative embodiments (not shown), the heater can be arranged as an elongate piercing member (such as in the form of a needle, rod or blade) within the cavity; in such embodiments, the heater can be arranged to penetrate the aerosol-generating consumable and engage with the aerosol-generating material when the aerosol-generating consumable is inserted into the cavity.

[0048] In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the heater can be in the form of an induction heater. In such an embodiment, a heating element (i.e. a susceptor) can be provided in the consumable, and when the consumable is inserted into the cavity, the heating element inductively couples with an induction element (i.e. an induction coil) in the cavity. The induction heater then heats the heating element by induction.

[0049] From the foregoing, it will be understood that the heater 108 can be a heater component such as a heating element or an induction coil. Hereinafter, such a heater component is referred to as a heater, but it will be understood that this term can refer to any of the above heater components as well as more generally to a heater.

[0050] The heater 108 is arranged to heat the aerosol-generating consumable 114 to a predetermined temperature to generate an aerosol in an aerosolisation process. The aerosolisation process can be considered to be the process by which the device operates to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating consumable 114. In the example of the aerosol-generating consumable 114 being a tobacco rod, the aerosol-generating consumable 114 comprises tobacco. The heater 108 is arranged to heat the tobacco without combusting the tobacco to generate an aerosol. That is, the heater 108 heats the tobacco to a predetermined temperature below the combustion point of the tobacco, thereby generating a tobacco-based aerosol. The skilled person will readily understand that the aerosol-generating consumable 114 need not necessarily comprise tobacco, and any other substance suitable for aerosolisation (or vaporisation), in particular by heating the substance without combusting the substance, can be used in place of tobacco.

[0051] Figure 1The aerosol generating device 100 is just one example of a type of aerosol generating device that can be used. Alternative devices can be configured to receive as a consumable a planar cartridge containing aerosol generating material such as tobacco. Other alternative devices can be configured to receive loose tobacco as an aerosol generating consumable. In other alternatives, the aerosol generating consumable can be a vaporisable liquid. The vaporisable liquid can be contained in a cartridge receivable in the aerosol generating device or can be deposited directly into the aerosol generating device.

[0052] The aerosol generating device 100 includes a battery temperature sensor 106. The controller 102 is configured to monitor the temperature of the battery 104 using the battery temperature sensor 106. In some examples, the battery temperature sensor can be a thermistor. In other examples, the battery temperature sensor 106 can be a sub-circuit specifically designed to measure the temperature of the battery.

[0053] The aerosol generating device 100 can also include a battery charge level monitoring sub-circuit 107. The controller 102 can be configured to determine the charge level of the battery 104 using the battery charge level monitoring sub-circuit 107. In some examples, the battery charge level monitoring sub-circuit is a specifically designed sub-circuit configured to monitor a battery characteristic, such as a battery fuel gauge or battery fuel gauge chip. The battery charge level monitoring sub-circuit 107 is just one implementation of a battery charge sensor. In another arrangement, the battery charge sensor includes a current sensor that can monitor the amount of current supplied to the battery 104. The state of charge of the battery 104 can be inferred by integrating the current supplied to the battery 104 over time. Of course, the current can be measured or inferred in other ways, such as by measuring the voltage drop across a resistor with a known resistance.

[0054] The controller 102 is also arranged to control the power flow of the battery 104 during the aerosolisation process. In some examples, the aerosolisation process can comprise a pre-heat phase and a heating phase. In the pre-heat phase, the heater 108 associated with the aerosol generation device 100 is heated to a predetermined temperature for the purpose of generating aerosol from the aerosol generating consumable 114. The pre-heat phase can be considered as the time during which the pre-heat mode is executed, for example the time taken for the heater 108 to reach the predetermined temperature. The pre-heat mode occurs during a first time period of the aerosolisation process. In examples, the first time period can be a fixed predetermined time period. In other examples, the first time period can vary depending on the length of time required to heat the heater 108 to the predetermined temperature. When the pre-heat phase is complete, the controller 102 ends the pre-heat mode and controls the power system to execute the heating phase. In the heating phase, the controller 102 controls the power flow from the power system to substantially maintain the heater 108 at the predetermined temperature, thereby generating aerosol for inhalation by a consumer. The heating phase can be considered as the time during which the heating mode is executed, for example the time during which the heater 108 aerosolises one aerosol generating consumable 114 (or at least a portion thereof) after the pre-heat phase. The controller 102 can control the power system to operate the heating mode for a second time period of the aerosolisation process. The second time period can be predetermined and stored at the controller 102.

[0055] The battery 104 is a rechargeable or secondary battery, such as a lithium-ion battery. To improve sustainability, rather than replacing the entire aerosol generation device, an aged and / or degraded battery of the aerosol generation device can be replaced.

[0056] Battery health decline can be indicated by the charge end temperature rise (ECTR) phenomenon. An ECTR event is a temperature rise towards the end of a charging process. This is understood to be caused by lithium deposition which can cause a permanent internal short circuit (indicating battery health decline) and cause safety issues. This effect can also be triggered due to the battery being in a low state of charge for a long time before charging (e.g. too long storage time).

[0057] ECTR events occur at high charging rates (such as > 1 A); these are typical charging rates for heated tobacco applications.

[0058] ECTR events are self-terminating. For example, an ECTR event can terminate completely in one full charging process, or it can terminate completely after a number of charging processes (such as two to five charging processes); this means that observing a few charging events (e.g. five charging processes) after replacing the battery is sufficient to check for an ECTR event in the new battery.

[0059] The severity of the ECTR event is independent of the rate of charge or the pre-event impedance. Thus, it can not be detected or indicated until a high state of charge is reached. ECTR also does not affect the discharge capacity.

[0060] Figures 2A-2C A plot showing the characteristics of a healthy new battery that does not show ECTR is shown. Figures 2D-2F A plot showing the characteristics of a battery that exhibits ECTR is shown. These plots are taken from: End-of-Charge Temperature Rise and State-of-Health Evaluation of Aged Lithium-Ion Battery, Energies, 2023, 16(1), 405; https: / / doi.org / 10.3390 / en16010405.

[0061] Figure 2A A plot showing the battery temperature versus capacity for a new battery on the first and second 1.25 A charge is shown. While Figure 2D A corresponding plot showing the battery temperature versus capacity for a battery that shows an ECTR event on the first and second 1.25 A charge is shown. From the plots, it can be seen that there is a large temperature rise at the end of the charge cycle for the first charge; this is the ECTR event. For the second 1.25 A charge of the battery that shows an ECTR event, there is no temperature spike; this is understood to be because the ECTR is self-terminating. Figure 2D Comparison Figure 2A It can be seen that there is a large temperature rise at the end of the charge cycle for the first charge; this is the ECTR event. For the second 1.25 A charge of the battery that shows an ECTR event, there is no temperature spike; this is understood to be because the ECTR is self-terminating.

[0062] Figure 2C A plot showing the current versus capacity for a new battery on the first and second 1.25 A charge is shown. Figure 2E A corresponding plot showing the current versus capacity for a battery that shows an ECTR on the first and second 1.25 A charge is shown. From the plots, it can be seen that there is a current drop at high capacity after the ECTR event.

[0063] Figure 2D A plot showing the voltage versus capacity for a new battery on the first and second 1.25 A charge is shown. Figure 2F A corresponding plot showing the voltage versus capacity for a battery that shows an ECTR on the first and second 1.25 A charge is shown. From the plots, it can be seen that the battery capacity retention is greater than 80% after the ECTR (this indicates a theoretically good battery); thus, the change in battery capacity can not be a comprehensive indicator of battery degradation. Additional indicators such as ECTR are also needed to ensure that the field failure rate is as low as possible.

[0064] Detection of ECTR events is beneficial to identify degradation mechanisms with relatively slow kinetics (such as lithium deposition that can cause micro-short circuits) that can eventually lead to a sudden drop in the performance of the battery, and safety issues.

[0065] Detection of ECTR events can be used to determine that the battery in the aerosol generation device has degraded and can need to be replaced. Figure 3 A block diagram showing how it is determined that the battery has degraded and further steps taken.

[0066] At step 301, the controller 102 monitors the temperature of the battery 104 during charging of the battery 104 using the battery temperature sensor 106 to detect an indication of an ECTR event in the monitored battery temperature.

[0067] The controller 102 can measure the battery temperature continuously or at predetermined time intervals (e.g. 10 to 60 seconds intervals) during charging of the battery 104 using the battery temperature sensor 106. This can be triggered, for example, by the controller 102 detecting that the aerosol generation device has been connected to a charger.

[0068] In some examples, the aerosol generation device 100 can further comprise a battery charge level monitoring sub-circuit 107. The controller 102 can be configured to determine the charge level of the battery 104 using the battery charge level monitoring sub-circuit 107.

[0069] As ECTR occurs at the end of the charging cycle, the controller 102 can monitor the temperature of the battery 104 during charging of the battery to detect an indication of an ECTR event in the monitored battery temperature when the charge level of the battery exceeds a predetermined charge level threshold. The predetermined charge level threshold can refer to the charge level above which ECTR is expected to occur for the type of battery used. This predetermined charge level threshold can be stored in a storage device accessible to the controller 102. In one example, the predetermined charge level threshold can be 50% of the nominal capacity of the battery. In another example, the predetermined charge level threshold can be at least 30% of the nominal capacity of the battery.

[0070] Likewise, the controller 102 can be further configured to not perform the step of monitoring the temperature of the battery 104 during charging of the battery to detect an indication of an ECTR event in the monitored battery temperature when the charge level of the battery does not exceed the predetermined charge level threshold.

[0071] In this way, the battery temperature is monitored to detect ECTR events only at the time in the charging cycle when ECTR events are expected to occur. This reduces the likelihood of false positive ECTR events being detected due to temperature changes occurring at times in the charging cycle other than at the end of charging.

[0072] The controller 102 can be configured to detect that the battery 104 is charging before monitoring the temperature of the battery during charging using the battery temperature sensor 106 to detect an indication of an ECTR event in the monitored battery temperature. That is, battery temperature monitoring is not triggered when the battery 104 is not charging. This reduces the likelihood of a false positive ECTR event being detected due to a temperature change occurring during use or storage of the aerosol generation device 100 rather than during charging of the battery 104.

[0073] At step 302, the controller 102 determines whether an indication of an ECTR event is detected in the monitored battery temperature.

[0074] When an indication of an ECTR event is detected, the process proceeds to step 303. When an indication of an ECTR event is not detected, the process proceeds to step 304.

[0075] The indication of an ECTR event can comprise the temperature of the battery 104 increasing above a threshold temperature change rate.

[0076] The threshold temperature change rate can be a predetermined value stored in a storage device accessible to the controller.

[0077] The controller 102 can be configured to monitor the temperature of the battery 104 during charging of the battery using the battery temperature sensor 106 by measuring the temperature of the battery at predetermined time intervals during charging (i.e. monitoring the temperature gradient or rate of change of temperature). The controller 102 can then detect an indication of an ECTR event in the temperature of the battery 104 measured at the predetermined time intervals when the temperature of the battery increases above a threshold temperature change rate.

[0078] The threshold temperature change rate can be a maximum allowed temperature change between temperature measurements at the predetermined time intervals (i.e. a threshold temperature gradient or threshold rate of change of temperature). When the temperature change exceeds the maximum allowed change, the temperature increase can be considered to indicate an ECTR event. An example threshold temperature change rate can be 6 °C over a given time interval, and a temperature change of > 6 °C over a given time interval can be considered to indicate an ECTR event. The time interval at which the temperature measurements are taken can be, for example, in the range of 10 seconds to 1 minute.

[0079] In some examples, there can be more than one threshold rate of temperature change. For example, there can be two thresholds. A first threshold rate of temperature change can correspond to a non-critical ECTR event. A second threshold rate of temperature change is higher than the first threshold rate of temperature change and can correspond to a critical ECTR event. In a specific example, the first threshold rate of temperature change can be 6 °C over a given time interval, and a temperature change > 6 °C over a given time interval (e.g. 10 seconds) can be considered to indicate a non-critical ECTR event; the second threshold rate of temperature change can be 20 °C over a given time interval, and a temperature change > 20 °C over a given time interval (e.g. 10 seconds) can be considered to indicate a critical ECTR event. In such examples with more than one threshold rate of temperature change, the action performed by the controller in response to detecting an ECTR event can correspond to the threshold rate of temperature change that is exceeded. That is, the action triggered when the battery temperature change is detected to exceed the first threshold rate of temperature change can be different to the action triggered when the battery temperature change is detected to exceed the second threshold rate of temperature change. This is discussed in more detail in relation to step 303.

[0080] The controller 102 can be configured to determine whether the temperature of the battery 104 is within a predetermined temperature range during charging.

[0081] The predetermined temperature range can be a preferred operating temperature range for the battery. In examples, such a temperature range can be 15 °C to 40 °C. The predetermined temperature range can be stored in a storage device accessible to the controller 102. The controller 102 can then compare the temperature of the battery 104 measured with the battery temperature sensor 106 to this predetermined temperature range.

[0082] If the battery temperature is not within the predetermined temperature range (e.g. if the temperature is too high or too low), it can not be possible to accurately determine whether an ECTR event has occurred, leading to false negatives and false positives in determining ECTR events. Therefore, when the battery temperature is not within the predetermined temperature range, the data is considered invalid for ECTR checking, and the controller 102 does not perform the step of monitoring the temperature of the battery 104 during charging of the battery to detect an indication of an ECTR event during charging of the battery.

[0083] When the temperature of the battery 104 is within the predetermined temperature range, the controller 102 monitors the temperature of the battery during charging of the battery to detect an indication of an ECTR event during charging of the battery. As described above, when the temperature of the battery 104 is not within the predetermined temperature range, the controller 102 does not perform the step of monitoring the temperature of the battery during charging of the battery to detect an indication of an ECTR event during charging of the battery. In this way, the likelihood of false negatives and false positives in determining ECTR events is reduced.

[0084] It is known that ECTR events can result in an increase in battery temperature, followed by a decrease in battery temperature. This is illustrated, for example, in the first 1.25 A charge in Figure 2D The controller 102 can monitor the temperature of the battery to detect a decrease in battery temperature following an increase in temperature at the end of a charge. This can be included as an optional requirement to confirm an ECTR event. In this way, the temperature of the battery can be monitored to detect a characteristic profile indicative of an ECTR event, which includes an increase in temperature followed by a decrease in temperature. Both aspects of the temperature profile can be identified by monitoring the first derivative of the temperature of the battery. In some embodiments, the decrease in temperature can be identified by determining that the first derivative of the temperature is less than zero or less than a predetermined negative threshold.

[0085] At step 303, when an indication of an ECTR event is detected, the controller 102 controls the aerosol generation device 100 to perform an action.

[0086] In a first example, the action comprises providing an output by an indicator of the aerosol generation device indicating degradation of the battery 104.

[0087] The indicator can for example be an audio indicator (such as a loudspeaker), a visual indicator (such as one or more lights, or a display screen), or a haptic indicator (such as a vibration module). In the example of a display screen, the indication can comprise a message displayed to the user alerting the user to a battery issue that should be checked or replaced. An audio indicator can convey a similar indication in an audible manner.

[0088] Such an indicator can be beneficial in alerting the user to a battery issue that should be checked, or the battery 104 should be replaced, while still allowing the user to continue charging the battery 104 and / or to continue the aerosolisation process. This can be useful if the battery issue is not critical (at least in the short term). For example, if a new (or relatively new) battery experiences an ECTR event, it can not be critical to the operation of the aerosol generation device 100, such that the aerosolisation process is not prevented from occurring, but can alert the user that this non-critical issue can still have a negative impact on the operation of the device or the quality of the aerosolisation process. The action can further comprise locking the device if the operator has not replaced the battery within a predefined time period (for example, two weeks); this allows the use of the non-optimal battery in the short term, while avoiding a long-term issue.

[0089] In a second example, the action comprises deactivating the aerosol generation device 100.

[0090] Deactivating the aerosol generation device 100 can comprise preventing the device from performing one or more aerosolisation processes and / or preventing the battery 104 from being charged. The action can also comprise providing an indication to an operator using an indicator in the device (e.g. an audio, visual or haptic indicator) to prompt the user to replace the battery.

[0091] In this example, the controller 102 can use internal switches to block the circuitry used to charge the battery 104 or perform aerosolisation processes. Alternatively or additionally, the controller can lock the software / firmware of the device used to perform charging or aerosolisation processes.

[0092] This can be beneficial when there is a serious problem with the battery 104. For example, if an ECTR event is accompanied by a large rise in temperature, there can be a serious problem with the battery, creating a safety risk. Deactivating the aerosol generation device 100 in response to such a problem can help mitigate this risk.

[0093] The action can comprise two or either of: providing an output by an indicator of the aerosol generation device indicating that there is a degradation of the battery 104, or deactivating the aerosol generation device 100.

[0094] Taking two threshold temperature change rates as an example, when the battery temperature change rate exceeds a first (lower) threshold temperature change rate when charging is detected, the controller 102 controls an indicator of the device to provide an output indicating that there is a battery problem that should be checked, or that the battery 104 should be replaced (i.e. there is a non-critical battery problem), but does not deactivate the aerosol generation device 100. Then, if / when the battery temperature change rate exceeds a second (higher) threshold temperature change rate when charging is detected, the controller deactivates the aerosol generation device 100 for safety.

[0095] In other words, when the detected temperature change rate of the end-of-charge temperature rise is greater than a first predetermined temperature change rate but not greater than a second predetermined temperature change rate, an output is provided by an indicator of the aerosol generation device indicating that there is a degradation of the battery. When the detected temperature change rate of the end-of-charge temperature rise is greater than the second predetermined temperature change rate, the aerosol generation device is deactivated. The second predetermined temperature change rate is greater than the first predetermined temperature change rate.

[0096] At step 304, when no indication of an ECTR event is detected, the controller 102 maintains the aerosol generation device 100 in an operable state and does not control the aerosol generation device 100 to perform an action.

[0097] When no ECTR event is detected, the battery 104 can be considered to be healthy. Therefore, charging the battery and / or performing aerosolisation processes is not prohibited, and the aerosol generation device can be used normally.

[0098] Referring to Figure 3 The described processes and teachings can be implemented in a battery testing process for a new battery connected to the aerosol generation device 100. For example, when a new battery 104 is connected or inserted to the aerosol generation device 100, the controller 102 can perform checks to confirm that the battery 104 is a verified battery (e.g., a type of battery suitable for use in the device) by checking battery characteristics. If the newly connected battery passes these checks, the aerosol generation device 100 can be unlocked by the controller 102 and used for a predetermined number of charging cycles (e.g., 3 to 5 full charges, each to at least 50% of the nominal capacity). During the charging of these charging cycles, the processes described in Figure 3 are performed. By this, it can be determined whether the new and verified battery has degraded or not depending on whether there is an ECTR event. In this way, if there is an ECTR event, the user can be alerted that the battery has degraded. For example, if the new battery has been in a low power state for a long time when stored, the new battery can have degraded.

[0099] To this end, the processes described in Figure 3 may be performed in a looped manner in response to a new battery being connected to the aerosol generation device 100. The controller 102 can be configured to repeatedly monitor the temperature of the battery 104 during charging to detect an indication of an ECTR event in the monitored battery temperature (i.e., as shown in step 301) and determine whether an indication of an ECTR event is detected (i.e., as shown in step 302) in a looped manner. These loops can each correspond to a separate and consecutive battery charging cycle. That is, each loop corresponds to a battery charging process, and the loop is repeated for each charging process.

[0100] When no indication of an ECTR event is detected in n loops, the controller 102 maintains the aerosol generation device 100 in an operable state (i.e., as shown in step 304). That is, the newly connected battery 104 is determined to be a well-healthy battery. To this end, n can be an integer greater than 1. In one specific example, n can be equal to 5. In another example, n can be equal to 3. In yet some examples, n can be any suitable positive integer value. For each loop in which no indication of an ECTR event is detected, the controller 102 can increase a loop count by 1. The controller 102 can then be configured to stop monitoring the temperature of the battery for an indication of an ECTR event when the loop count reaches n, and maintain the aerosol generation device 100 in an operable state.

[0101] However, when an indication of an ECTR event is detected in one of the n loops, the controller 102 can control the aerosol generation device to perform an action (i.e., as shown in step 303).

[0102] In more detail, Figure 4 An exemplary cycling approach for testing a new connected battery for ECTR events is presented in Figure 3 The described processes and teachings can be implemented in the context of Figure 4 However, for the sake of brevity, Figure 4 These are not all repeated.

[0103] At step 401, the controller 102 can detect that a new battery has been connected. For example, the controller 102 can detect this through a sensor indicating that a connection has been made with the battery 104. The process then enters step 402.

[0104] At step 402, the controller 102 can confirm that the battery is a verified battery type by checking the characteristics of the battery 104. A verified battery type is a battery that the controller 102 determines is suitable for use in the aerosol generation device 100. When the controller 100 determines that the battery 104 is not a verified battery type, the controller 102 can control the aerosol generation device to lock or deactivate so that the unverified battery cannot be used in the aerosol generation device 100; this improves the safety of the operation of the aerosol generation device 100. When the controller 102 determines that the battery 104 is a verified battery type, the process enters step 403.

[0105] In some examples, step 402 can be optional, and if step 402 is not included, the process can enter step 403 directly from step 401.

[0106] At step 403, the controller 102 can detect whether the battery 104 is charging. If the battery 104 is not charging, the process can pause until the battery 104 is charging. When the battery 104 is charging, the process enters step 404.

[0107] At step 404, the controller 102 can determine whether the charge level of the battery 104 is above a predetermined charge level threshold.

[0108] When the charge level of the battery 104 is not above the predetermined charge level threshold, the process enters step 405. At step 405, the controller can determine that the data collected is invalid for ECTR event checking. This is because ECTR events occur at the end of a charging cycle, and therefore monitoring ECTR events only at the end of a charging cycle (i.e. when the charge level of the battery is above the predetermined charge level threshold) reduces the likelihood of detecting a false ECTR event due to a temperature change occurring at a time other than the end of the charging cycle. At step 405, the process can pause until the charge level of the battery 104 is above the predetermined charge level threshold.

[0109] When the charge level of the battery 104 is above the predetermined charge level threshold, the process enters step 406. At step 406, the controller 102 can determine that the collected data is valid for ECTR event checking. This is because the battery 104 is approaching the end of charge defined by the charge level exceeding the predetermined charge level threshold, and thus the charge level is in a range where an ECTR event can occur. The process enters step 407.

[0110] At step 407, the controller 102 can determine whether the battery 104 is operating within a predetermined temperature range during charging. When the temperature of the battery 104 is within the predetermined temperature range, the process enters step 408. When the temperature of the battery 104 is not within the predetermined temperature range, the process enters step 412.

[0111] At step 407, other temperature checks can also be performed.

[0112] Another temperature sensor can measure the ambient temperature, which can be for example in the microcontroller unit of the aerosol generation device, and can be used for plausibility checking. If the ambient temperature is outside of an allowed ambient temperature range, the battery temperature data can be considered invalid for ECTR checking. On the other hand, if the ambient temperature is within the allowed ambient temperature range, the battery temperature data can be considered valid for ECTR checking, and the process can enter step 408.

[0113] The ambient temperature change rate can also be used for plausibility checking. If the ambient temperature change over a given time unit exceeds an ambient temperature change threshold, the battery temperature data can be considered invalid for ECTR checking. On the other hand, if the ambient temperature change over a given time unit does not exceed the ambient temperature change threshold, the battery temperature data can be considered valid for ECTR checking, and the process can enter step 408. This additional plausibility check can be used for slow charging implementations of the battery, for example, using a 1 C rate. Fast charging implementations can cause the device to heat up, causing the ambient temperature sensor to sense a temperature increase due to heating inside the device (e.g. by the charging IC). In this case, the controller should disable this ambient temperature change check.

[0114] In an example where multiple types of temperature checks are performed at step 407, all of the temperature checks should correspond to valid battery temperature data for the process to enter step 408.

[0115] In some examples, the order of the checks at steps 404 and 407 can be reversed. That is, the check that the charge level of the battery charge exceeds the predetermined charge level threshold (step 404) can be made after determining whether the battery temperature is within the predetermined temperature range during charging.

[0116] At step 412, when the battery temperature is not within the predetermined temperature range, the controller 102 can determine that the data is considered invalid for ECTR checking. Then Figure 4 the process can be aborted or suspended at step 407 until the battery temperature is within the predetermined temperature range.

[0117] At step 408, the controller 102 can monitor the temperature of the battery during charging using the battery temperature sensor 106 by measuring the temperature of the battery 104 at predetermined time intervals during charging to detect whether the rate of change of the battery temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold rate of temperature change (e.g. Figure 3 as shown at step 302 of the process 300).

[0118] When the controller 102 detects that the rate of change of the battery temperature exceeds the predetermined threshold rate of temperature change, an ECTR event is detected and the process proceeds to step 411.

[0119] At step 411, in response to detecting an ECTR event, the controller 102 can control the aerosol generation device 100 to perform the aforementioned actions (e.g. Figure 3 as shown at step 303 of the process 300).

[0120] When the controller 102 detects that the rate of change of the battery temperature does not exceed the predetermined threshold rate of temperature change during the charging process, the process proceeds to step 409.

[0121] At step 409, the controller 102 can update the “ECTR checking counter” by increasing the counter by one (i.e. ECTR checking counter = ECTR checking counter + 1). The ECTR checking counter can be stored in a storage device accessible to the controller 102. That is, for each battery charging process in which no ECTR event is detected, the counter is increased by one.

[0122] After updating the ECTR checking counter, when the ECTR checking counter has reached a value n (i.e. ECTR checking counter = n), the process proceeds to step 410.

[0123] At step 410, when the ECTR check counter equals n, the controller 102 can determine that the battery 104 is healthy as n charging processes for a new battery have been successfully performed without detecting an ECTR event. Thereafter, the controller 102 maintains the aerosol generation device 100 in an operable state and does not control the aerosol generation device 100 to perform an action. In some examples, no further ECTR checks are performed before connecting another new battery. In other examples, as will be discussed, the controller 102 can continue to perform ECTR checks each time the battery 104 is charged.

[0124] Returning to step 409, after updating the ECTR check counter, when the value of the ECTR check counter is less than n (i.e.: ECTR check counter < n), the process continues with step 402 and the loop is repeated for the next battery charging process. Figure 4 That is, each loop corresponds to a battery charging process. In this way, the degradation of newly connected batteries can be checked over a predetermined number of charging processes (n).

[0125] Alternatively or additionally, to detect ECTR events when a new battery is connected (i.e. in the aforementioned n loops), the controller 102 can be configured to detect ECTR events each time the battery 104 is charged. That is, the process described with reference to Figure 3 may be performed each time the battery is charged (e.g. beyond n loops) to monitor whether an ECTR event occurs. In this way, the degradation of the battery 104 indicated by ECTR events throughout its working life can be checked.

[0126] The processing steps described herein as being performed by the controller 102 can be stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium or storage associated with the controller 102. The computer readable medium can comprise non-volatile and volatile media. Volatile media can comprise, inter alia, semiconductor memories and dynamic memories. Non-volatile media can comprise, inter alia, optical and magnetic disks.

[0127] The skilled person will readily understand that the foregoing examples in the preceding description are not limiting; features of each example can be incorporated into other examples as appropriate. It will also be understood that steps of the processes described with reference to Figure 3 and Figure 4 do not have to be performed in the order described; they can be performed in any suitable order.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, comprising a battery module, a battery temperature sensor, a battery power sensor, and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to: monitoring a charge level of the battery during charging of the battery using the battery charge sensor; monitoring the temperature of the battery during charging of the battery using the battery temperature sensor to detect an indication of a temperature rise in the monitored battery temperature indicating an end of charge; determining whether an increase in the end-of-charge temperature is detected in the monitored battery temperature only when it is determined that the monitored charge level of the battery has exceeded a predetermined charge level threshold; When the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise is detected, controlling the aerosol generating device to perform an action; as well as When the indication of the charge end temperature rise is not detected, the aerosol generating device is maintained in an operable state and the aerosol generating device is not controlled to perform the action.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein The indication of end-of-charge temperature rise includes a temperature increase of the battery exceeding a threshold temperature change rate.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein: the controller being configured to monitor the temperature of the battery during charging of the battery by measuring the temperature of the battery at predetermined time intervals during charging using the battery temperature sensor; as well as An indication of an end-of-charge temperature rise is detected in the temperature of the battery measured at the predetermined time intervals when the temperature of the battery rises above the threshold temperature change rate.

4. An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein The battery charge sensor further includes a battery charge level monitoring subcircuit, and the controller is configured to determine the charge level of the battery using the battery charge level monitoring subcircuit; and the controller is further configured to When the charge level of the battery does not exceed the predetermined charge level threshold, the step of monitoring the temperature of the battery during charging of the battery to detect an indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise in the monitored battery temperature is not performed.

5. An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein The controller is configured to determine whether the temperature of the battery is within a predetermined temperature range, and the controller is further configured to: monitoring the temperature of the battery during charging of the battery to detect an indication of a temperature rise at the end of charging of the battery when the temperature of the battery is within the predetermined temperature range; as well as When the temperature of the battery is not within the predetermined temperature range, the step of monitoring the temperature of the battery during charging of the battery to detect an indication of a rise in the end-of-charge temperature during charging of the battery is not performed.

6. An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein In response to a new battery being connected to the aerosol-generating device, the controller is configured to repeatedly monitor the temperature of the battery while charging in a cyclical manner to detect an indication of an end-of-charge temperature rise in the monitored battery temperature, and to determine whether the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise has been detected, wherein each cycle corresponds to a separate and consecutive battery charging cycle; and maintaining the aerosol-generating device in the operable state when no indication of an end-of-charge temperature increase is detected for n cycles, wherein n has a predetermined value that is an integer greater than 1; and When an indication of a rise in the charge completion temperature is detected in the n cycles, the aerosol generating device is controlled to perform the action.

7. The aerosol generating device according to claim 6, wherein: For each cycle in which the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise is not detected, the controller increases the cycle count by 1, and the controller is configured to stop monitoring the temperature of the battery for the indication cycle of the end-of-charge temperature rise when the cycle count reaches n, and maintain the aerosol generating device in the operable state.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein: n = 5。 9. An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein The controller is configured to detect that the battery is being charged before monitoring the temperature of the battery during charging of the battery using the battery temperature sensor to detect an indication of a charge end temperature rise in the monitored battery temperature.

10. An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein The actions include providing, by an indicator of the aerosol-generating device, an output indicative of battery degradation.

11. An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein The action comprises deactivating the aerosol-generating device.

12. An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein The action includes: providing, by an indicator of the aerosol-generating device, an output indicating battery degradation when the detected rate of temperature change of the end-of-charge temperature increase is greater than a first predetermined rate of temperature change but not greater than a second predetermined rate of temperature change, wherein the second predetermined rate of temperature change is greater than the first predetermined rate of temperature change; and When the detected temperature change rate of the charge end temperature rise is greater than the second predetermined temperature change rate, the aerosol generating device is deactivated.

13. An aerosol generating device according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein: Deactivating the aerosol-generating device comprises preventing the device from performing one or more aerosolisation processes and / or preventing the battery from charging.

14. An aerosol-generating device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein The controller is configured to determine that the battery temperature has dropped after detecting an indication of a rise in the end-of-charge temperature in the monitored battery temperature, and to control the aerosol generating device to perform an action when there is a drop in the battery temperature after detecting an indication of a rise in the end-of-charge temperature.

15. A method of monitoring a battery in an aerosol-generating device, the method comprising: monitoring the temperature of a battery of the aerosol-generating device during battery charging using a battery temperature sensor of the aerosol-generating device to detect an end-of-charge temperature rise in the monitored battery temperature; monitoring a charge level of the battery during charging of the battery using a battery charge sensor; determining whether an increase in the end-of-charge temperature is detected in the monitored battery temperature only when it is determined that the monitored charge level of the battery has exceeded a predetermined charge level threshold; When the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise is detected, controlling the aerosol generating device to perform an action; as well as When the indication of the charge end temperature rise is not detected, the aerosol generating device is maintained in an operable state and the aerosol generating device is not controlled to perform the action.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an aerosol-generating device, cause the processors to: monitoring the temperature of a battery of the aerosol-generating device during battery charging using a battery temperature sensor of the aerosol-generating device to detect an indication of an end-of-charge temperature rise in the monitored battery temperature; monitoring a charge level of the battery during charging of the battery using a battery charge sensor; determining whether an increase in the end-of-charge temperature is detected in the monitored battery temperature only when it is determined that the monitored charge level of the battery has exceeded a predetermined charge level threshold; When the indication of the end-of-charge temperature rise is detected, controlling the aerosol generating device to perform an action; as well as When the indication of the charge end temperature rise is not detected, the aerosol generating device is maintained in an operable state and the aerosol generating device is not controlled to perform the action.