Electronic atomizer and atomization matrix detection method and system thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of electronic atomizer detection, and discloses an electronic atomizer and an atomization matrix detection method and system.The electronic atomizer comprises a liquid storage cavity with the bottom provided with a light-transmitting area, an image detection module and an infrared light source, and the image detection module and the infrared light source are arranged below the liquid storage cavity and right face the light-transmitting area; the method comprises the following steps: controlling an infrared light source to emit infrared light to a light-transmitting area of a liquid storage cavity; acquiring an optical image formed by reflecting the infrared light on the bottom interface of the liquid storage cavity after the infrared light passes through the light-transmitting area through an image detection module; based on the optical image, image feature parameters reflecting the existing state of the atomization substrate are obtained, the image feature parameters are compared with preset depletion conditions, and the depletion state of the atomization substrate is determined. According to the invention, the problem of misjudgment or missed judgment of atomization matrix depletion caused by a detection blind area, easy interference of tobacco tar components and easy damage of a sensor in the prior art can be effectively solved, so that accurate identification and reliable dry burning prevention control of residual liquid at the bottom of the liquid storage cavity are realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of electronic atomizer testing technology, and in particular to an electronic atomizer and its atomizing matrix testing method and system. Background Technology

[0002] With the widespread use of electronic atomizers, the phenomenon of heating components continuing to operate after the atomizing medium is depleted has become a critical issue affecting product safety and user experience. Dry burning not only easily damages the heating wire but may also produce harmful gases, endangering the user's health. Existing detection technologies mainly fall into two categories: contact and non-contact. Contact methods, such as buoyancy switches or resistance probes, require the sensor to directly contact the e-liquid. Long-term use can lead to failure due to adhesion and corrosion, resulting in a short lifespan and difficult maintenance. Non-contact methods, such as capacitive sensing or infrared transmission, avoid physical contact but have detection blind spots, especially when e-liquid remains only at the bottom of the reservoir, making accurate identification difficult and prone to misjudgment. Furthermore, these methods often rely on a single physical parameter (such as capacitance or transmitted light intensity) for judgment, making them susceptible to interference from factors such as e-liquid composition, color, bubbles, and ambient temperature, resulting in insufficient stability. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the present application provides an electronic atomizer and a method and system for detecting the atomizing matrix, which can effectively solve the problems of false judgment or missed judgment caused by the depletion of the atomizing matrix due to detection blind spots, susceptibility to interference from e-liquid components and sensor damage in the prior art, thereby achieving accurate identification of residual liquid at the bottom of the storage chamber and reliable anti-dry burning control.

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a method for detecting an atomizing matrix in an electronic atomizer. The electronic atomizer includes a liquid storage chamber with a light-transmitting area at its bottom, an image detection module disposed below the liquid storage chamber and facing the light-transmitting area, and an infrared light source. The method includes: The infrared light source is controlled to emit infrared light into the light-transmitting area of ​​the liquid storage cavity; The image detection module acquires an optical image formed by the reflection of infrared light at the bottom interface of the liquid storage cavity after it passes through the light-transmitting area. Based on the optical image, image feature parameters reflecting the state of the atomized matrix are obtained, and the image feature parameters are compared with a preset depletion condition to determine the depletion state of the atomized matrix.

[0005] In some embodiments, the image detection module is arranged in parallel with the infrared light source, and an isolation structure is provided between the image detection module and the infrared light source to block direct light coupling.

[0006] In some embodiments, the light-transmitting area includes a first light-transmitting area and a second light-transmitting area; the infrared light source faces the first light-transmitting area, and the image detection module faces the second light-transmitting area.

[0007] In some implementations, the image feature parameters include at least two of the following: average grayscale value, percentage of bright pixels, and image energy. The step of obtaining image feature parameters reflecting the state of the atomized matrix based on the optical image includes: The optical image is filtered to obtain an image of the target detection area; The average gray value, the proportion of bright pixels, and the image energy are determined based on the gray values ​​of all pixels in the target detection region image.

[0008] In some embodiments, the method further includes: performing a full-cavity calibration operation when the electronic atomizer is first powered on, and recording the reference values ​​of each of the image feature parameters in the full-cavity state; During subsequent detection, the rate of change of the image feature parameters extracted in real time is compared with the rate of change of the benchmark value. When the rate of change reaches a set threshold, it is determined that the atomized matrix in the reservoir is depleted.

[0009] In some implementations, after determining that the atomizing matrix is ​​depleted, the method further includes: generating a dry-burning indication signal and triggering an action to cut off the power supply circuit of the atomizing component.

[0010] In some implementations, the preset exhaustion condition includes at least two triggering phases, with the rate of change threshold of each triggering phase increasing sequentially, and the urgency of the triggered system response action increasing as the rate of change threshold increases.

[0011] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide an atomization matrix detection system for an electronic atomizer. The electronic atomizer includes a liquid storage chamber with a light-transmitting area at its bottom, an image detection module disposed below the liquid storage chamber and facing the light-transmitting area, and an infrared light source. The system includes: The infrared light source is used to emit infrared light into the light-transmitting area of ​​the liquid storage cavity; The image detection module is used to acquire the optical image formed by the reflection of the infrared light at the bottom interface of the liquid storage cavity after it passes through the light-transmitting area; The image detection module is further configured to acquire image feature parameters reflecting the existence state of the atomized matrix based on the optical image, and compare the image feature parameters with a preset depletion condition to determine the depletion state of the atomized matrix.

[0012] In some embodiments, the image detection module is further configured to perform a full-cavity calibration operation upon initial power-on, record the baseline values ​​of each image feature parameter in the full-cavity state, and compare the rate of change of the image feature parameters extracted in real time with the baseline values ​​during subsequent detection processes. When the rate of change reaches a set threshold, it is determined that the atomizing matrix is ​​exhausted, and a dry-burning indication signal is generated.

[0013] Thirdly, this application provides an electronic atomizer, which includes the atomization matrix detection system, liquid storage chamber, and heating component described above. When the atomizing matrix detection system detects that the atomizing matrix in the storage chamber is depleted, it generates a dry-burning indication signal and triggers the action of cutting off the power supply circuit of the atomizing component to cut off the power supply to the heating component.

[0014] The embodiments of this application have the following beneficial effects: By placing an infrared light source and an image detection module below the liquid storage chamber of the electronic atomizer and facing the bottom light-transmitting area, this application achieves optical illumination and imaging detection of the bottom area of ​​the liquid storage chamber, thereby accurately identifying the presence state of the atomized matrix. Furthermore, this application adopts a non-contact detection architecture, eliminating the need for the sensor to directly contact the atomized matrix. This effectively avoids the corrosion, adhesion, or jamming problems caused by long-term contact with liquids, such as with traditional buoyancy switches and resistance probes, significantly improving the service life of the detection components and the reliability of the system. By acquiring optical images formed by reflected light, extracting multi-dimensional feature parameters such as average grayscale value, high-brightness pixel ratio, and image energy, and combining these with preset depletion conditions for comprehensive judgment, compared to traditional capacitive or infrared transmission detection methods that rely on a single signal, this approach can more comprehensively reflect the actual state of the liquid at the bottom, improving detection accuracy and anti-interference capabilities. This structural arrangement fundamentally eliminates the bottom detection blind zone caused by sensors installed on the sidewall or top, ensuring stable identification of trace residues even when the e-liquid is about to run out, triggering the protection mechanism in a timely manner, effectively preventing dry burning, and improving product safety and user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this application and should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This paper shows a first structural schematic diagram of the atomization matrix detection system in an electronic atomizer according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 2This paper shows a second structural schematic diagram of the atomization matrix detection system in an electronic atomizer according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an image detection module according to an embodiment of this application is shown; Figure 4 This paper illustrates a first flowchart of a method for detecting atomizing matrix in an electronic atomizer according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 5 This paper illustrates a schematic diagram of pixel grayscale values ​​generated by a CMOS photoelectric sensor array according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the second process of the atomization matrix detection method in the electronic atomizer according to an embodiment of this application is shown.

[0017] Explanation of key component symbols: 100-Infrared light source; 200-Image detection module; 300-Liquid storage chamber; 400-Atomizing matrix; 500-Light shielding structure; 210-Image acquisition module; 220-Signal processing module; 221-Digital signal processor; 222-Micro control unit. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments.

[0019] The components of the embodiments of this application described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings can be arranged and designed in a variety of different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of this application provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed application, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0020] In the following text, the terms "comprising," "having," and their cognates, which may be used in various embodiments of this application, are intended only to indicate a particular feature, number, step, operation, element, component, or combination thereof, and should not be construed as primarily excluding the presence of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, or adding the possibility of one or more combinations thereof. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are used only for distinguishing descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0021] Unless otherwise specified, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the various embodiments of this application pertain. Terms (such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries) shall be interpreted as having the same meaning as in their contextual meaning in the relevant technical field and shall not be construed as having an idealized or overly formal meaning, unless clearly defined in the various embodiments of this application.

[0022] The following detailed description of some embodiments of this application is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features can be combined with each other.

[0023] With the rapid development of e-cigarettes and various electronic atomizers, portable atomizing devices have become an important alternative to traditional cigarettes due to their ease of use, diverse flavors, and stylish appearance, and are widely used in personal care, medical inhalation therapy, and other fields. During the operation of an electronic atomizer, the atomizing matrix (usually a liquid containing nicotine or herbal extracts) in the reservoir is heated and vaporized by a heating element to form an aerosol that can be inhaled. However, if power continues to be supplied to the heating element after the atomizing matrix is ​​depleted, it will cause it to operate at a continuously high temperature in a liquid-free state, a phenomenon known as dry burning.

[0024] Dry burning not only accelerates the aging and even melts the heating wire, damaging core components of the device, but also produces harmful substances such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, and heavy metal oxides due to the high-temperature decomposition of residual organic matter, seriously endangering the user's health. Furthermore, the abnormal odor and choking sensation caused by dry burning significantly reduce the user experience. Therefore, accurately detecting the remaining amount of atomizing matrix in the reservoir and promptly cutting off the heating circuit when it is nearly or completely depleted has become a key technical requirement for ensuring the safety and reliability of electronic atomizers.

[0025] Currently, the mainstream methods for detecting atomized matrix in the industry mainly fall into two categories: contact detection and non-contact detection. Contact detection methods, such as the buoyancy switch method and the resistance probe method, rely on sensors directly immersed in the liquid to sense changes in physical state. For example, the buoyancy switch uses a floating element that rises and falls with the liquid level to trigger a mechanical on / off switch; the resistance probe determines the presence of atomized matrix by measuring the conductivity of the liquid between two electrodes. These methods are simple in structure and low in cost, but they have significant drawbacks: prolonged contact with e-liquid can easily cause the sensor to be adhered to, corroded, or stuck by viscous components, leading to slow response, increased false alarm rate, and difficulty in adapting to e-liquids of different compositions and viscosities, resulting in a short lifespan.

[0026] On the other hand, non-contact detection methods have gradually become a research hotspot in recent years, with typical examples including capacitive sensing and infrared transmission detection. Capacitive sensing infers the e-liquid level by detecting the difference in dielectric constant caused by changes in liquid level through parallel electrode plates placed on the outside of the reservoir. However, due to significant differences in dielectric properties among different brands of e-liquid and susceptibility to temperature drift, the detection stability is insufficient. Infrared transmission, on the other hand, places infrared emitting and receiving tubes on both sides of the reservoir, determining the liquid level based on the degree of absorption of infrared light by the e-liquid. However, this method generally suffers from a bottom detection blind zone; when e-liquid remains only at the bottom of the reservoir, the system may still misjudge it as empty because the light path does not pass through the liquid area, thus prematurely terminating operation or failing to effectively identify the risk of dry burning at the end. Furthermore, this method relies solely on a single light intensity signal for judgment, making it susceptible to interference from factors such as bubbles, color variations, and container wall contamination, thus limiting its reliability.

[0027] In summary, existing atomized matrix detection methods have varying degrees of deficiencies in terms of detection accuracy, anti-interference ability, lifespan stability, and bottom residual liquid identification capability, and cannot fundamentally solve the safety hazards caused by dry burning, especially in high-precision anti-dry burning control scenarios.

[0028] Based on this, this application proposes a photoelectric sensing-based atomizing matrix detection system for electronic atomizers. This system is used to determine the presence, near depletion, or complete depletion of the atomizing matrix 400 within the liquid storage chamber 300. Through non-contact optical detection, combined with image feature analysis and adaptive threshold comparison, the system accurately identifies the residual liquid state at the bottom of the liquid storage chamber 300 without direct contact with the atomizing matrix 400. This effectively prevents dry burning caused by the heating element continuously operating in a liquid-free state, thereby improving product safety and user experience.

[0029] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the atomization matrix detection system is applied to an electronic atomizer, which includes a liquid storage chamber 300 with a light-transmitting area at the bottom, an image detection module 200 and an infrared light source 100 disposed below the liquid storage chamber 300 and facing the light-transmitting area.

[0030] The infrared light source 100 is located at the bottom of the electronic atomizer body structure, outside the liquid storage cavity 300 and adjacent to its bottom light-transmitting area. In one embodiment, the infrared light source 100 is a near-infrared light-emitting diode (LED) used to emit infrared light of a specific wavelength into the light-transmitting area at the bottom of the liquid storage cavity 300. Preferably, the wavelength range of the light emitted by the infrared light source 100 is between 760 nm and 1500 nm. Infrared light in this band has strong penetrating power and can effectively pass through the bottom of the liquid storage cavity 300, which is made of transparent or translucent materials (such as polycarbonate, glass, etc.), and interact with the atomizing matrix 400 present inside. At the same time, this band avoids the main distribution range of visible light, significantly reducing the interference of ambient natural light or indoor lighting on the detection results, thereby improving the anti-interference performance and detection stability of the system.

[0031] The image detection module 200 is also located outside the liquid storage chamber 300, and is arranged on the same plane or at a similar height as the infrared light source 100. Both are fixedly installed on the inner wall of the housing of the electronic atomizer body or on a special bracket to ensure structural stability and accurate positioning.

[0032] The image detection module 200 is used to acquire an optical image formed by the reflection of the infrared light source 100 at the bottom interface of the liquid storage cavity 300 after passing through the light-transmitting area; and to obtain image feature parameters reflecting the existence state of the atomizing matrix 400 based on the optical image, and further compare the image feature parameters with a preset depletion condition to determine whether the atomizing matrix 400 is depleted.

[0033] Specifically, when infrared light shines from below onto the bottom of the liquid storage chamber 300: If a sufficient amount of atomizing matrix 400 (such as e-liquid) is present in the area, some light is absorbed by the liquid, while the rest undergoes diffuse reflection at the liquid-bottom interface, forming a strong and stable reflected light signal. If the area lacks atomizing matrix 400 and contains only air or trace residue, the infrared light will suffer total internal reflection loss or scattering attenuation at the interface between the container material and the air, resulting in a significant reduction in the intensity of the reflected light. The image detection module 200 captures these differentiated changes in reflected light intensity, converts them into digital image data, and combines them with image processing algorithms to determine the presence or absence of atomizing matrix 400.

[0034] It should be noted that the image detection module 200 does not extend into the liquid storage chamber 300, nor does it have any form of physical contact with the atomizing matrix 400, adopting a non-contact sensing architecture. This design fundamentally avoids the problems of adhesion, corrosion, and jamming found in traditional buoyancy switches and resistance probes, thereby extending the service life of the detection components and improving long-term reliability.

[0035] In one embodiment, the image detection module 200 and the infrared light source 100 are arranged side-by-side, meaning they are laterally adjacent in spatial layout, and an isolation structure is provided between the image detection module 200 and the infrared light source 100 to prevent direct optical coupling. This arrangement effectively prevents strong light emitted by the infrared light source 100 from directly entering the image detection module 200 without reflection, thus preventing signal saturation or crosstalk and reducing the risk of misjudgment. Furthermore, the coplanar optical path configuration of oblique incidence and oblique reception enhances the ability to capture weak reflected signals from the bottom liquid surface, improving the system's signal-to-noise ratio.

[0036] In addition, the light-transmitting area includes a first light-transmitting area and a second light-transmitting area that are independent of each other: the infrared light source 100 faces the first light-transmitting area, allowing infrared light to pass through this area and enter the liquid storage cavity 300; the image detection module 200 faces the second light-transmitting area and is used to receive the light reflected back after being reflected from the bottom interface. By adopting a split light-transmitting window design, not only can the functional isolation of the optical path be achieved, but the system's directionality and anti-interference ability can also be further improved. This is conducive to achieving miniaturized, highly integrated detection module packaging, suitable for size-sensitive portable devices such as electronic cigarettes and refillable atomizing pens.

[0037] To further enhance the system's anti-interference capability and prevent ambient light (such as sunlight or lamplight) from penetrating the image detection module 200 from the side or bottom and causing signal contamination, this embodiment also includes a light-shielding structure 500. This light-shielding structure 500 covers the outer periphery of the infrared light source 100 and the image detection module 200, and is positioned corresponding to the light-transmitting area at the bottom of the liquid storage cavity 300. The light-shielding structure 500 can be made of opaque materials, such as black engineering plastic, a metal shield, or an elastic sleeve coated with a light-absorbing coating. Its inner wall is preferably matte black to reduce internal reflection. This light-shielding structure 500 serves two purposes: firstly, it blocks stray external light from directly illuminating the CMOS photoelectric sensor array; secondly, it restricts the light emitted by the infrared light source 100 to be projected only at a predetermined angle to the bottom of the liquid storage cavity 300, thereby improving the directionality of the optical path and the signal-to-noise ratio.

[0038] Furthermore, such as Figure 3The image detection module 200 includes an image acquisition module 210 and a signal processing module 220. The image acquisition module 210 is responsible for converting the raw optical signal into an electrical signal and then into a digital image. This image acquisition module 210 includes a CMOS photoelectric sensor array with a resolution of 16×16 pixels. Each pixel can independently sense the intensity of incident light and convert it into an analog voltage signal. These analog signals are then digitized by an on-chip or external analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to generate a two-dimensional grayscale image matrix. This image records the distribution of reflected light intensity at different spatial locations in numerical form for subsequent calculations to determine whether the liquid in the storage chamber 300 is depleted.

[0039] The signal processing module 220 includes a digital signal processor 221 (DSP) and a microcontroller unit 222 (MCU). The DSP is an embedded processor optimized for high-speed signal processing and can be used to perform operations such as filtering, convolution, and statistical calculations. The MCU is the control center of the entire system, responsible for coordinating the operation of various components, executing initialization programs, managing storage resources, and outputting instructions. In this embodiment, the DSP and MCU are integrated into the same chip, forming a highly integrated detection chip, thereby further reducing system size, lowering power consumption, and improving communication efficiency.

[0040] Specifically, in this embodiment, the digital signal processor 221 is used to filter the optical image and extract image feature parameters from the filtered image.

[0041] For example, the image feature parameters include at least two of the following: average grayscale value, proportion of bright pixels, and image energy. It is understood that the image feature parameters can be selected based on the specific application scenario. For instance, in some low-cost products, only the average grayscale value and proportion of bright pixels may be used for quick judgment; while in high-end products, all three parameters can be enabled to pursue higher accuracy and anti-interference capabilities.

[0042] like Figure 4 As shown, the acquisition of image feature parameters reflecting the state of the atomized matrix 400 based on optical images includes steps S410-S420: Step S410: Filter the optical image to obtain the target detection area image.

[0043] In this step, due to the unavoidable influence of power fluctuations, electromagnetic interference, and sensor noise in the actual working environment, the original optical image often contains a certain degree of random noise or local anomalies. If directly used for feature extraction, it may lead to misjudgment. To improve the accuracy of subsequent analysis, the optical image needs to be preprocessed by filtering, mainly for denoising and smoothing. In this embodiment, the filtering can be selected from one or more combinations of median filtering, mean filtering, or Gaussian filtering. In addition, in this embodiment, the region of interest can be set according to actual needs, retaining only the image data of the central region corresponding to the bottom of the liquid storage cavity 300 and discarding invalid edge regions to reduce the computational burden, ultimately obtaining a clear and focused image of the target detection area.

[0044] Step S420: Determine the average gray value, the proportion of bright pixels, and the image energy based on the gray values ​​of all pixels in the target detection area image.

[0045] In this step, the digital signal processor 221 determines three key image feature parameters based on the grayscale values ​​of all pixels in the target detection area image: average grayscale value, proportion of bright pixels, and image energy. These three parameters characterize the overall brightness level, proportion of strongly reflective areas, and energy concentration of the image from different dimensions. Using them together can significantly improve the accuracy of judgment and avoid the limitations of a single indicator.

[0046] The average gray value refers to the arithmetic mean of the gray values ​​of all pixels in the entire image, which can be expressed by the formula... The calculation yields the result, where n is the total number of pixels in the image. This represents the grayscale value of the i-th pixel, ranging from 0 to 255. This value reflects the overall intensity of reflected light in the image; a larger value indicates stronger light reflection, suggesting the presence of atomizing matrix 400 at the bottom of the reservoir 300; a smaller value indicates weaker reflected light, suggesting that the e-liquid is nearly or completely depleted.

[0047] When there is sufficient atomizing matrix 400 at the bottom of the reservoir 300, infrared light undergoes effective diffuse reflection at the oil-bottom interface, and the CMOS photoelectric sensor array receives a strong reflected light signal. The overall brightness of the acquired image is high, with an average grayscale value of approximately 112 (corresponding to hexadecimal 0x70). However, when the atomizing matrix 400 is depleted, the bottom contains air or trace residue. Infrared light undergoes strong scattering or transmission loss at the air interface, resulting in a significant reduction in the reflected light intensity. The image tends to be dark, and the average grayscale value drops to approximately 19 (corresponding to hexadecimal 0x13), a decrease of more than 80%, forming a clear criterion for judgment.

[0048] like Figure 5As shown, each value represents the grayscale value of a pixel generated by a CMOS photoelectric sensor array, forming a 16×16 pixel two-dimensional digital image matrix. In the presence of e-liquid (right side), most pixels have a grayscale value concentrated around 0x70, exhibiting a uniform bright distribution; while in the state where e-liquid is depleted (left side), the grayscale value of most pixels drops to around 0x13, resulting in an overall darker image with no obvious bright areas. This repeatable difference in optical response provides a stable and reliable detection basis for the system.

[0049] Based on this, a reasonable dry burning judgment threshold can be set in the microcontroller unit 222 (MCU). For example, an average gray value below 30 can be used as one of the primary triggering conditions, combined with other characteristic parameters for comprehensive judgment, thereby ensuring that the detection results have high sensitivity and low false alarm rate.

[0050] The proportion of bright pixels is the percentage of pixels with grayscale values ​​greater than a preset high threshold (e.g., 180 / 255) out of the total number of pixels. This parameter measures whether there are enough bright areas in an image, reflecting the presence or absence of local strong reflections. With a fogging matrix of 400, due to the specular reflection effect of the liquid surface, multiple bright spots above the threshold will appear in the image, resulting in a higher proportion of bright pixels. However, in a dry-burning state, there is almost no effective reflection, and the number of bright pixels is extremely small or even zero, with the proportion approaching zero.

[0051] Image energy refers to the mean of the sum of the squares of the gray values ​​of all pixels, which can be expressed by the formula... This parameter is more sensitive to extreme values, better highlighting the contribution of a few extremely bright pixels in the image and avoiding the obscuring of details due to a lower overall average. For scenes containing a small amount of foam or impurities, the image energy can still be maintained at a relatively high level, helping to distinguish between real dry burning and temporary bubble obstruction.

[0052] In some implementations, the microcontroller unit 222 is also used to perform a full-cavity calibration operation when powered on for the first time, record the reference values ​​of each image feature parameter in the full-cavity state, and compare the rate of change of the real-time extracted image feature parameters with the reference values ​​in subsequent detection processes. When the rate of change reaches a set threshold, it is determined that the atomizing matrix 400 is exhausted, and a dry burning indication signal is generated.

[0053] Full-cavity calibration refers to the process where, before the equipment leaves the factory or after the user injects the atomizing matrix 400 for the first time, the system, assuming the reservoir 300 is full of oil, acquires a standard image sample and extracts the baseline values ​​of various image feature parameters under the current environment. , and These reference values, once determined, can be written into the MCU's built-in read-only memory or flash memory.

[0054] The purpose of introducing a full-cavity calibration mechanism in this embodiment is to overcome the impact of individual differences. Although consistency is strived for during production, due to factors such as CMOS sensor sensitivity deviation, LED luminous intensity dispersion, and assembly tolerances, the initial signal intensity acquired by each device under the same conditions may still fluctuate to some extent. If no correction is made and a uniform absolute threshold is directly set for judgment, it will inevitably lead to frequent false alarms from some devices, while others will have delayed alarms. This embodiment establishes a personalized benchmark, and all subsequent detections are based on the "rate of change relative to its own initial state" as the judgment criterion, thereby making the judgment results more accurate.

[0055] Specifically, during each detection process, the microcontroller unit 222 will call the latest extracted image feature parameters ( , and The system compares the values ​​with stored baseline values ​​and calculates their respective rates of change. When the rate of change of any one or more of these three parameters reaches or exceeds a preset trigger threshold (e.g., 70%), the system determines that the atomizing matrix 400 has been depleted. This embodiment employs this multi-verification method, which can reduce the probability of false judgments caused by a single noise pulse or a brief bubble, and improve the reliability of the judgment.

[0056] Once the depletion condition is met, the microcontroller unit 222 immediately generates a dry-burn indicator signal. This signal can be a low-level pulse signal, output to the main control MCU of the electronic atomizer via a general-purpose input / output interface. Upon receiving this signal, the main control MCU immediately executes a preset safety protection program, cutting off the power supply circuit to the heating element and stopping the atomization operation, thereby fundamentally preventing dry-burning. This process requires no user intervention, has a fast response time, and thus fully ensures the safety of both the device and the user.

[0057] In some implementations, the preset depletion condition includes at least two triggering stages, with the rate of change thresholds for each stage increasing sequentially, and the urgency of the triggered system response action increasing with the rate of change threshold. For example, the preset depletion condition includes three triggering stages: the first triggering stage is: when the rate of change of any one or more image feature parameters relative to the full-cavity reference value reaches a first threshold range (e.g., 30%-40%), the system determines that the atomizing matrix 400 has entered a low-balance state and generates a first-level indication signal; this signal can be used to drive the LED light to flash, emit a short prompt sound, or push a depletion reminder to the user's mobile terminal APP via Bluetooth module to prompt the user to prepare to replace the cartridge or replenish the atomizing liquid; the second triggering stage is: when the rate of change reaches a second threshold range (e.g., 50%-60%), the system enters a dry-burning warning state and generates a second-level warning signal; this signal can trigger a buzzer to sound periodically or the device to vibrate, warning the user that they have entered a high-risk usage range and should stop operating as soon as possible; the third triggering stage is: when the rate of change reaches a third threshold ... When the atomizing matrix 400 is completely depleted (0%), the system confirms this and immediately generates a dry-burn protection signal. This signal triggers the main control unit to cut off the power supply to the heating component, terminating the atomization process. This embodiment, by setting multiple trigger stages and responding sequentially, can output status information in stages as the atomizing matrix 400 gradually depletes, achieving a shift from single-endpoint protection to full-process status monitoring. This method not only promptly reminds the user to replenish the atomizing matrix 400 before dry-burning occurs, reducing the risk of misuse, but also rationally allocates system resources and response strategies based on the changing trends of detection parameters, improving the precision of the control logic and operational reliability.

[0058] This embodiment places the infrared light source 100 and the image detection module 200 on the outside and below the liquid storage chamber 300 of the electronic atomizer, performing optical illumination and imaging detection on the bottom area of ​​the liquid storage chamber 300, thereby achieving accurate identification of the presence state of the atomizing matrix 400 within the liquid storage chamber 300. The detection architecture of this embodiment adopts a non-contact design; the image detection module 200 does not extend into the liquid storage chamber 300 and does not need to physically contact the atomizing matrix 400. This effectively avoids the corrosion, adhesion, or mechanical jamming problems caused by long-term contact with e-liquid, such as with traditional buoyancy switches and resistance probes, significantly improving the service life of the detection components and the long-term reliability of the system. Regarding the detection mechanism, this embodiment not only collects reflected light intensity information but also further acquires multi-dimensional image feature parameters, including average grayscale value, high-brightness pixel ratio, and image energy, and combines this with an adaptive threshold comparison method for comprehensive judgment. Compared to traditional single-light intensity detection (such as infrared transmission) or capacitive liquid level sensing methods, this scheme can comprehensively characterize the presence of liquid at the bottom from multiple dimensions, including spatial distribution, brightness response, and energy concentration. This improves the ability to identify trace amounts of residual liquid and enhances the accuracy and anti-interference capabilities of the detection results. Furthermore, because the sensor assembly directly faces the bottom region of the liquid storage chamber 300 for detection, it overcomes the bottom detection blind zone problem caused by placing sensors on the sidewalls or tops in existing technologies. Even when only a small amount of residual liquid remains in the atomizing matrix 400, it can still stably capture its optical characteristics, ensuring timely triggering of protective actions before dry burning occurs.

[0059] Figure 6 A schematic flowchart of a method for detecting the atomizing matrix in an electronic atomizer according to an embodiment of this application is shown. Exemplarily, this method for detecting the atomizing matrix in an electronic atomizer includes the following steps: Step S610: Control the infrared light source 100 to emit infrared light into the light-transmitting area of ​​the liquid storage chamber 300.

[0060] In step S620, the image detection module 200 acquires an optical image formed by the reflection of infrared light at the bottom interface of the liquid storage cavity 300 after the infrared light passes through the light-transmitting area.

[0061] Step S630: Based on the optical image, image feature parameters reflecting the existence state of the atomized matrix 400 are acquired, and the image feature parameters are compared with the preset depletion conditions to determine the depletion state of the atomized matrix 400.

[0062] It is understood that the options of the above-described embodiment of the atomization matrix detection system are also applicable to this embodiment, and therefore will not be described again here.

[0063] This application also provides an electronic atomizer, which includes an atomization matrix detection system, a liquid storage chamber 300, and a heating component. When the depletion detection system detects that the atomization matrix 400 in the liquid storage chamber 300 is depleted, it generates a dry-burning indication signal and triggers the action of cutting off the power supply circuit of the atomization component to cut off the power supply to the heating component.

[0064] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing the computer program used in the aforementioned electronic atomizer. For example, the computer-readable storage medium may include, but is not limited to, various media capable of storing program code, such as a USB flash drive, a portable hard drive, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0065] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods can also be implemented in other ways. The apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the flowcharts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings show the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of apparatus, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of this application. In this regard, each block in a flowchart or block diagram may represent a module, segment, or portion of code containing one or more executable instructions for implementing a specified logical function. It should also be noted that, in alternative implementations, the functions marked in the blocks may occur in a different order than those marked in the drawings. For example, two consecutive blocks may actually be executed substantially in parallel, and they may sometimes be executed in reverse order, depending on the functions involved. It should also be noted that each block in the block diagram and / or flowchart, and combinations of blocks in the block diagram and / or flowchart, can be implemented using a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified function or action, or using a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0066] In addition, the functional modules or units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated together to form an independent part, or each module can exist independently, or two or more modules can be integrated to form an independent part.

[0067] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional modules and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a smartphone, personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application.

[0068] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A method for detecting atomizing matrix in an electronic atomizer, characterized in that, The electronic atomizer includes a liquid storage chamber with a light-transmitting area at the bottom, an image detection module and an infrared light source disposed below the liquid storage chamber and facing the light-transmitting area, and the method includes: The infrared light source is controlled to emit infrared light into the light-transmitting area of ​​the liquid storage cavity; The image detection module acquires an optical image formed by the reflection of infrared light at the bottom interface of the liquid storage cavity after it passes through the light-transmitting area. Based on the optical image, image feature parameters reflecting the state of the atomized matrix are obtained, and the image feature parameters are compared with a preset depletion condition to determine the depletion state of the atomized matrix.

2. The method for detecting the atomizing matrix in an electronic atomizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The image detection module is arranged in parallel with the infrared light source, and an isolation structure is provided between the image detection module and the infrared light source to block direct light coupling.

3. The method for detecting the atomizing matrix in an electronic atomizer according to claim 2, characterized in that, The light-transmitting area includes a first light-transmitting area and a second light-transmitting area; the infrared light source faces the first light-transmitting area, and the image detection module faces the second light-transmitting area.

4. The method for detecting the atomizing matrix in an electronic atomizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The image feature parameters include at least two of the following: average gray value, proportion of bright pixels, and image energy. The step of obtaining image feature parameters reflecting the state of the atomized matrix based on the optical image includes: The optical image is filtered to obtain an image of the target detection area; The average gray value, the proportion of bright pixels, and the image energy are determined based on the gray values ​​of all pixels in the target detection region image.

5. The method for detecting the atomizing matrix in an electronic atomizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: When the electronic atomizer is powered on for the first time, a full-cavity calibration operation is performed, and the baseline values ​​of each of the image feature parameters in the full-cavity state are recorded; During subsequent detection, the rate of change of the image feature parameters extracted in real time is compared with the rate of change of the benchmark value. When the rate of change reaches a set threshold, it is determined that the atomized matrix in the reservoir is depleted.

6. The method for detecting the atomizing matrix in an electronic atomizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, After determining that the atomizing matrix is ​​exhausted, the method further includes: generating a dry-burning indication signal and triggering the action of cutting off the power supply circuit of the atomizing component.

7. The method for detecting the atomizing matrix in an electronic atomizer according to claim 5, characterized in that, The preset exhaustion condition includes at least two triggering stages, with the rate of change threshold of each triggering stage increasing sequentially, and the urgency of the triggered system response action increasing as the rate of change threshold increases.

8. A detection system for atomizing matrix in an electronic atomizer, characterized in that, The electronic atomizer includes a liquid storage chamber with a light-transmitting area at the bottom, and an image detection module and an infrared light source disposed below the liquid storage chamber and facing the light-transmitting area. The system includes: The infrared light source is used to emit infrared light into the light-transmitting area of ​​the liquid storage cavity; The image detection module is used to acquire the optical image formed by the reflection of infrared light at the bottom interface of the liquid storage cavity after the infrared light passes through the light-transmitting area. The image detection module is further configured to acquire image feature parameters reflecting the existence state of the atomized matrix based on the optical image, and compare the image feature parameters with a preset depletion condition to determine the depletion state of the atomized matrix.

9. The atomizing matrix detection system in an electronic atomizer according to claim 8, characterized in that, The image detection module is also used to perform a full-cavity calibration operation when powered on for the first time, record the reference values ​​of each image feature parameter in the full-cavity state, and compare the rate of change of the image feature parameters extracted in real time with the reference values ​​in subsequent detection processes. When the rate of change reaches a set threshold, it is determined that the atomizing matrix is ​​exhausted and a dry burning indication signal is generated.

10. An electronic atomizer, characterized in that, The electronic atomizer includes the atomization matrix detection system, liquid storage chamber, and heating component as described in any one of claims 8-9; When the atomizing matrix detection system detects that the atomizing matrix in the storage chamber is depleted, it generates a dry-burning indication signal and triggers the action of cutting off the power supply circuit of the atomizing component to cut off the power supply to the heating component.

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