A control method of a heating cigarette system

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of heated cigarette technology, specifically relating to a control method for heated cigarettes. The adaptive temperature control method for the pre-smoking stage includes: determining the user's required smoke volume based on the user's smoking depth and duration during the smoking stage; simultaneously determining the input power of the temperature controller for the smoking stage based on the user's required smoke volume; and adaptively calculating the output power of the temperature controller for the pre-smoking stage, so that the required smoke volume can be rapidly generated according to the user's smoking behavior. The adaptive temperature control method for the smoking stage includes: adjusting the output power of the heating element based on the user's required smoke volume calculated by the data analyzer using differential pressure data. This invention transforms consumer smoking behavior characteristics into a time pointer in the control method, which is beneficial for the targeted design of heating programs such as preheating programs, smoking process heating programs, and smoking interval heating programs, and also provides technical support for personalized customization of heated cigarettes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of heated cigarette technology, and specifically relates to a control method for a heated cigarette system. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated cigarettes, and other tobacco products all primarily rely on nicotine delivery as their main consumption characteristic. However, newer tobacco products such as e-cigarettes and heated cigarettes are less harmful to consumers while effectively delivering nicotine, thus gaining increasing popularity. New tobacco products have experienced rapid growth in the international tobacco market in recent years and are a key focus for major tobacco manufacturers. Heated cigarettes, due to their similarity to the smoke characteristics of traditional cigarettes, have seen rapid development in the international market and are expected to become a major tobacco consumer product. Innovations in heated cigarettes mainly focus on the cigarette's structure, heating methods, and the close integration with smoking devices to promote aerosol generation and efficient delivery to consumers.

[0003] Mature heated cigarettes are generally cylindrical, typically 42mm–60mm long and 20mm–24mm in circumference, and axially contain a smoke-generating section, a hollow section, a cooling section, and a filter section. Heating directions include circumferential heating, central heating, and heating via hot airflow or aerosols. Circumferential heating refers to placing heaters around the smoke-generating section. Central heating typically involves placing heaters inside the aerosol-generating matrix or inserting them during use to heat the matrix. The airflow channel design during inhalation can be either integrated into the smoking device or naturally formed by the gap between the cigarette and the device. Airflow is introduced into the channel and passes through the aerosol-generating matrix, carrying away the aerosols formed by heating the matrix. Because airflow is introduced into the heated matrix, the aerosols migrating downstream are at a higher temperature and require cooling sections and / or perforated ventilation in the filter section to lower their temperature before being released. For this type of product, due to the presence of airflow channels in the device, airflow sensors (e.g., microphones) can be installed in the airflow path to record consumer vaping behavior characteristics, such as the number of puffs. The signals fed back by the airflow sensors can also control the atomizer heater, for example, increasing the heater output power when a vaping airflow is sensed and decreasing the heater output power when no vaping airflow is sensed.

[0004] Another type of heated cigarette (Chinese patents previously filed by the applicant in this case, such as 202010241676.5, 201911021676.8, and 201911021823, etc.) generally consists of a smoke-generating section, a hollow structure smoke-gas mixing section, and a filter section. The upstream end face of the aerosol-generating matrix is ​​sealed. The sealing method can be achieved by sealing the upstream end face of the aerosol-generating matrix with a matching smoking device, or by attaching a sealing rod or gas barrier membrane to the upstream end face of the aerosol-generating matrix. At the same time, an airflow channel is provided in the smoke-gas mixing section (for example, a channel of controllable size is provided in the hollow structure sidewall of the smoke-gas mixing section). During inhalation, the airflow bypasses the aerosol-generating matrix. Air enters the hollow structure of the smoke-mixing section through sidewall pores. The fluid flow in the mixing section creates negative pressure, drawing out the heated aerosol due to the pressure difference. This aerosol mixes with air entering from the outside through the sidewall pores and is then expelled through the filter. For such end-closed heated cigarettes, recording the consumer's inhalation behavior within the device becomes extremely difficult because the airflow channel is downstream of the aerosol-generating matrix in the heated cigarette, rather than within the device itself. Therefore, those skilled in the art generally do not incorporate airflow sensors into the device. How to record and acquire the consumer's inhalation behavior in this situation becomes a problem.

[0005] To address the above problems, this invention is proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to design a smoking device for sealed heated cigarettes that can automatically detect the consumer's smoking behavior, based on the above-mentioned existing technology.

[0007] The first aspect of this application provides a control method for a heated cigarette system, characterized in that the control method uses the following heated cigarette system;

[0008] The heated cigarette system includes heated cigarette devices;

[0009] The heated cigarette device includes:

[0010] Cigarette holder, seals, differential pressure sensor, data acquisition unit, data storage device, data analyzer, heating element;

[0011] The bottom of the cigarette holder is sealed, and it is used to hold cigarettes.

[0012] The seal is configured to seal the gap between the cigarette holder and the cigarette;

[0013] The heating element includes a temperature controller and a power acquisition unit;

[0014] The data acquisition unit is configured to acquire data from the power acquisition unit and the differential pressure sensor.

[0015] One monitoring end of the differential pressure sensor is connected to the space formed by the seal, the cigarette, and the bottom wall of the cigarette holder, while the other monitoring end is connected to the atmosphere.

[0016] The differential pressure sensor is configured to detect the pressure difference between the space formed by the seal, the cigarette and the bottom wall of the cigarette holder and atmospheric pressure;

[0017] The heating element is communicatively connected to the data acquisition unit, the data storage unit, and the data analyzer. The temperature controller is configured to adjust the output power of the heating element according to the results of the data analyzer and transmit the data on the change of the output power of the heating element over time to the data storage unit.

[0018] The differential pressure sensor is communicatively connected to the data acquisition unit and the data storage unit, and the differential pressure sensor is configured to transmit the data of the differential pressure it detects changing over time to the data storage unit;

[0019] The data storage device automatically receives and stores power and differential pressure data from the data acquisition unit via a communication connection.

[0020] The data storage device is communicatively connected to the data analyzer and is configured to provide the data analyzer with the data required for analysis.

[0021] The data analyzer is configured to have at least one of the following functions:

[0022] The data analyzer is configured to divide data into a preheating stage, a suction stage, a suction stage, and a suction end stage based on the data characteristics therein.

[0023] The data analyzer is configured to convert between the user's flue gas demand and the differential pressure data during the suction phase.

[0024] Specifically, the pressure difference change pattern and duration in the suction phase data can reflect the user's suction depth and suction time, and thus reflect the user's smoke demand.

[0025] The data analyzer is configured to calculate the number of suction cycles based on the variation pattern of the differential pressure data.

[0026] The control method includes the following steps:

[0027] The control method includes one or more of the following: a preheating stage temperature control method, a pre-suction stage temperature adaptive control method, a suction stage temperature adaptive control method, and a termination stage control method.

[0028] The temperature control method for the preheating stage includes: determining whether to end the preheating stage based on a pre-set preheating duration.

[0029] The temperature adaptive control method for the suction stage includes: determining the amount of smoke required by the user based on the user's suction depth and suction duration during the suction stage; determining the output power of the heating element during the suction stage based on the user's required amount of smoke; and adaptively calculating the output power of the heating element during the suction stage based on historical data correspondence and adjusting it through the temperature controller so that the required amount of smoke can be generated quickly in response to the user's suction behavior during the suction stage.

[0030] The temperature adaptive control method during the suction stage includes: adjusting the output power and the rate of change of the output power of the heating element through the temperature controller according to the amount of smoke required by the user calculated by the data analyzer, so as to generate the amount of smoke required by the user;

[0031] The termination phase control method includes: the data analyzer determines whether the current aspiration has ended based on the number of aspirations or the aspiration time.

[0032] Preferably, the sealing element is a central annular seal disposed between the bottom and top of the cigarette holder, and / or a bottom annular seal disposed at the bottom of the cigarette holder;

[0033] When the sealing element is a central annular sealing element, one monitoring end of the differential pressure sensor is located on the side wall of the cigarette holder downstream of the central annular sealing element or on the bottom wall of the cigarette holder.

[0034] When the sealing element includes a bottom annular seal, one monitoring end of the differential pressure sensor is located on the bottom wall of the cigarette holder and is connected to the hollow portion of the bottom annular seal.

[0035] Preferably, the sealing element is disposed in contact with the side wall or bottom wall of the cigarette holder.

[0036] Preferably, the heating element is disposed around, at the bottom, or at the center of the cigarette holder.

[0037] Preferably, the heated cigarette system further includes: heated cigarettes;

[0038] The heated cigarette includes a smoke-generating section, the upstream end of which is open, and the smoke-generating section is located in the cigarette holder.

[0039] Preferably, the heated cigarette further includes a smoke mixing section and a filter section located downstream of the smoke-generating section, wherein the smoke mixing section has a hollow structure and the sidewall of the smoke mixing section is provided with a sidewall through hole communicating with the hollow structure.

[0040] The cigarette holder is designed to be highly compatible with the cigarette structure. Preferably, the cigarette holder is cylindrical.

[0041] The heating element can be selected from resistance heating elements, infrared heating elements, electromagnetic heating elements, microwave heating elements, etc. Heating elements may also include other electrically driven heating elements.

[0042] When the heating element is located at the center of the cigarette holder, it has a rod-shaped or sheet-shaped structure.

[0043] Thanks to the addition of a differential pressure sensor, heated cigarette devices can now collect the following data: the output power of the heating element, and the pressure difference between the sealing element, the cigarette holder, and the sealed space formed by the cigarette and atmospheric pressure. These two data points, reflecting changes over time, can be collected, stored, and analyzed to extract consumer smoking behavior characteristics, which can then be used for subsequent heating element control.

[0044] The control method of this application can be specifically described as follows:

[0045] After the device is turned on, it enters the preheating stage. When the preheating time meets the preset threshold requirement, the preheating stage ends and the device enters the ready-to-smoke stage.

[0046] During the suction phase, the temperature controller adjusts the heat source output power according to the amount of flue gas required by the user during the suction phase, so that the required amount of flue gas can be generated quickly in response to the user's suction behavior.

[0047] When the user performs a suction action, the differential pressure value monitored by the differential pressure sensor changes rapidly, indicating the start of the suction phase. The data analyzer estimates the user's flue gas demand based on the changes and duration of the differential pressure, and simultaneously sends instructions to the temperature controller to adjust the output power of the heating element.

[0048] The system can store historical user smoke demand data and then analyze it to determine the user's habitual smoke volume.

[0049] Once the differential pressure value captured by the differential pressure sensor falls back to the stable differential pressure value of the waiting-to-puff stage, it returns to the waiting-to-puff stage, and this cycle repeats until the data analyzer analyzes that the preset number of puffs or puffing time has been reached, at which point the puffing end stage begins. After completing one puffing cycle control scheme, the consumer's puffing behavior data can be synchronously input into the data storage, and the operation of the smoking device is shut down.

[0050] The preheating program is controlled by a start command, and this time is recorded as t0. The temperature control program starts at t0 and ends when the differential pressure sensor receives a differential pressure change signal, at which time it is recorded as t0_1. This preheating process is recorded as T. t0→t0_1 In the preheating process, when the heat output is constant or changes over time, the minimum heat output can be zero.

[0051] The suction phase consists of N cycles, denoted as n1 for the first cycle, n2 for the second cycle, and ni for the i-th cycle. The start time of the i-th cycle is denoted as tn(i-1_i), and the end time of the i-th cycle is denoted as tn(i_i). One program before the differential pressure sensor detects the change in differential pressure signal, the heating program for the i-th suction process is initiated. When the differential pressure signal changes to a certain set value, a certain delay time (denoted as tsi) is passed (the minimum delay time is zero). After the delay time tsi, the suction gap control program is entered. The heating program during this suction process is denoted as T. tn(i-1_i)→tn(i_i) In the heating program during the suction process, when the heating output is constant or changes over time, the minimum heating output can be zero.

[0052] The heating phase consists of M cycles, where the number of cycles varies depending on the stop control method, with M = N or M = N-1. The first cycle is denoted as m1, the second as m2, and the i-th as mi. The start time of the i-th cycle is denoted as tm(i-1_i). The suction interval heating program ends when the differential pressure sensor receives another differential pressure change signal. The end time of the i-th suction interval cycle is denoted as tm(i_i). Simultaneously with the end of the suction interval heating program, the (n+1)-cycle suction process heating program begins. This suction interval heating program is denoted as T. tm(i-1_i)→tm(i_i) In the heating program during the suction process, when the heating output is constant or changes over time, the minimum heating output can be zero.

[0053] In the control method, the heating supply during the preheating stage, the waiting-to-suction stage, and the suction stage cannot all be constantly zero.

[0054] The suction termination procedure includes three or more methods: one is to turn off the heating power supply, another is to control the total running time of the process, and the third is to control the number of suction ports.

[0055] The control flowchart of one embodiment of this application is as follows: Figure 8 As shown.

[0056] The principle of this application is as follows:

[0057] During operation, the cigarette is inserted into the cigarette holder, the heating element is activated, and after preheating, the cigarette is inhaled. At this time, the smoking section generates aerosol due to heating, creating positive pressure that moves downstream. After the inhalation action is initiated, because the cigarette holder and the cigarette are directly sealed by the sealing element, outside air can only enter the smoke mixing section through the side wall opening. Due to the high-speed fluid flow, a negative pressure is formed in the hollow structure of the smoke mixing section. The aerosol generated in the smoking section migrates to the smoke mixing section due to the pressure difference, mixes with the air entering here to form aerosol, and then migrates out of the smoke mixing section under the pressure difference of the user's inhalation, completing one inhalation. In a standard 55ml / 2s bell-shaped inhalation process, the negative pressure formed by the user's inhalation is typically in the range of 500-3000 Pa. This pressure value exceeds the positive pressure formed by the aerosol in the cigarette's smoking section, so the differential pressure sensor located upstream of the cigarette has a significant response. The response can be input, recorded, and output through a data storage device. After a consumer finishes smoking a cigarette, the smoking device also records the consumer's smoking behavior during the smoking process.

[0058] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0059] 1. This application incorporates a pressure sensor within the cigarette holder of a sealed heated cigarette device. Even in the absence of an airflow channel in the sealed heated cigarette device, the pressure sensor records the consumer's smoking behavior when consuming heated cigarettes by recording the negative pressure generated during inhalation.

[0060] 2. This application can effectively calculate the user's suction depth and suction time based on the pressure difference change during the suction stage, thereby estimating the user's required flue gas volume, and adaptively adjusting the output power of the temperature controller according to the user's needs.

[0061] 3. This application replaces the constant power output of the heating source and adaptively adjusts the constant power of the heating source according to the real-time differential pressure value of the differential pressure sensor, which can effectively reduce the energy consumption of smoking a cigarette.

[0062] 4. This application replaces the setting of a fixed time (3 minutes) to end the smoking of a cigarette, and uses a data analyzer to calculate the number of puffs of a cigarette in real time, which is more effective in adapting to the consumer's smoking rhythm.

[0063] 3. The smoking behavior data collected by the data acquisition device, data storage device, and data analyzer in this application can be input into an external data processor to analyze consumer behavior characteristics, so as to further optimize the design of smoking devices and better optimize the design according to the user's usage.

[0064] 4. This invention transforms consumer smoking behavior characteristics into a time pointer in the control method, which is beneficial for the targeted design of heating programs such as preheating programs, heating programs during the smoking process, and heating programs during the smoking interval. It also provides technical support for the personalized customization of heated cigarettes. Attached Figure Description

[0065] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the heating system in the first embodiment (ring seal + circumferential heating).

[0066] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Test data of the pressure sensor of the heating system under 5 different suction capacities.

[0067] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the heating system for the second embodiment (ring seal + bottom heating).

[0068] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the heating system for the third implementation method (ring seal + central axial heating).

[0069] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the heating system in the fourth embodiment (bottom sealing + circumferential heating).

[0070] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the heating system in the fifth embodiment (bottom sealing + bottom heating).

[0071] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the heating system in the sixth embodiment (bottom sealing + central axial heating).

[0072] Figure 8 This is a control flowchart of one embodiment of this application.

[0073] Figure 9 This is a graph showing the change in the output temperature of the heat source as a function of the suction time.

[0074] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0075] 1. Heated cigarette device; 1-1. Cigarette holder; 1-2. Middle annular cigarette seal; 1-3. Bottom annular cigarette seal; 1-4. Heating element; 1-5. Differential pressure sensor; 1-6. Data acquisition unit; 1-7. Data storage device; 1-8. Data analyzer; 1-9. Battery; 1-10. Power start / stop controller; 1-11. Connection channel between differential pressure sensor and cigarette holder; 1-12. Connection channel between differential pressure sensor and atmospheric pressure; 1-13. Spare part; 2. Cigarette; 2-1. Smoke-generating section; 2-2. Hollow structure; 2-3. Filter section; 2-4. Side wall through hole. Detailed Implementation

[0076] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the embodiments.

[0077] Those skilled in the art will understand that the following embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Where specific techniques or conditions are not specified in the embodiments, they are performed in accordance with the techniques or conditions described in the literature in the field or according to the product instructions. Materials or equipment whose manufacturers are not specified are all conventional products that can be obtained by purchase.

[0078] Those skilled in the art will understand that, unless specifically stated otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” “the,” and “the” used herein may also include the plural forms. It should be further understood that the term “comprising” as used in this specification means the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. It should be understood that when we say an element is “connected” to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element, or there may be an intermediate element. Furthermore, the term “connected” as used herein can include wireless connections.

[0079] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more. The terms "inner," "upper," "lower," etc., indicate the orientation or state relationship based on the orientation or state relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention.

[0080] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "equipped with" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0081] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. It should also be understood that terms such as those defined in general dictionaries should be understood to have the meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the prior art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless defined as herein.

[0082] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the heating system in the first embodiment (ring seal + circumferential heating).

[0083] The heated cigarette system includes: heated cigarette 2 and heated cigarette device 1.

[0084] The heated cigarette device 1 includes: a cigarette holder 1-1, a sealing element, a data acquisition unit 1-6, a data storage unit 1-7, a data analyzer 1-8, a battery 1-9, a power start / stop controller 1-10, a heating element 1-4, a differential pressure sensor 1-5, and a temperature controller.

[0085] Heating elements 1-4 include a heat source, a temperature controller, and a power acquisition unit.

[0086] The data acquisition units 1-6 are configured to acquire data from the power acquisition unit and the differential pressure sensor.

[0087] The bottom of the cigarette holder 1-1 is sealed, and it is used to hold the cigarette 2.

[0088] The seal is configured to seal the gap between the cigarette holder 1-1 and the cigarette 2.

[0089] One monitoring end of the differential pressure sensor 1-5 is connected to the space between the seal and the bottom wall of the cigarette holder 1-1 via a differential pressure sensor-to-cigarette-receiving-cavity connection channel 1-11, and the other monitoring end is connected to the atmosphere via a differential pressure sensor-to-atmospheric-pressure connection channel 1-12. The differential pressure sensor 1-5 is configured to detect the pressure difference between the space between the seal and the bottom wall of the cigarette holder 1-1 and atmospheric pressure.

[0090] The sealing element is a central annular seal 1-2 located between the bottom and top of the cigarette holder 1-1, and one monitoring end of the differential pressure sensor 1-5 is located on the side wall of the cigarette holder 1-1 downstream of the central annular seal 1-2.

[0091] The heating element is communicatively connected to the data acquisition unit 1-6, the data storage unit 1-7, and the data analyzer 1-8. The temperature controller is configured to adjust the output power of the heating element 1-4 according to the results of the data analyzer 1-8 and transmit the data on the change of the output power of the heating element 1-4 over time to the data storage unit 1-7.

[0092] The differential pressure sensor 1-5 is communicatively connected to the data storage 1-7, and the differential pressure sensor 1-5 is configured to transmit the data of the differential pressure it detects changing over time to the data storage 1-7;

[0093] The data storage devices 1-7 automatically receive and store power and differential pressure data from the data acquisition devices 1-6 via a communication connection;

[0094] The data storage device 1-7 is communicatively connected to the data analyzer 1-8, and the data storage device 1-7 is configured to provide the data required for analysis to the data analyzer 1-8.

[0095] The data analyzers 1-8 are configured to divide data into a preheating stage, a suction stage, a suction stage, and a suction end stage based on the data characteristics therein.

[0096] The data analyzers 1-8 are configured to convert between the output power of the heating elements 1-4 and the output temperature of the heating elements 1-4.

[0097] The data analyzers 1-8 are configured to convert between the user's smoke demand and the pressure difference data during the suction phase.

[0098] The data analyzers 1-8 are configured to determine the amount of flue gas in the smoke generation section of the preheating stage and the suction stage based on the differential pressure data.

[0099] The data analyzers 1-8 are configured to calculate the number of suction cycles based on the variation pattern of the differential pressure data.

[0100] The heating elements 1-4 are arranged around the cigarette holder 1-1.

[0101] The heated cigarette 2 includes a smoke-generating section, the upstream end of which is open.

[0102] The heated cigarette also includes a smoke mixing section and a filter section 2-3 located downstream of the smoke-generating section. The smoke mixing section has a hollow structure 2-2, and the sidewall of the smoke mixing section is provided with a sidewall through hole 2-4 that communicates with the hollow structure 2-2.

[0103] The control method can be described as follows: after the smoking device is started, it runs according to the set heating program. When the smoking is in progress, the differential pressure sensors 1-5 detect the differential pressure change data and send an instruction to the temperature control program to run the heating program during the smoking process.

[0104] After the smoking process is complete, the heating program during the smoking interval can be activated according to the smoking end time, completing one smoking cycle control scheme. Consumer smoking behavior data can be synchronously input into the data storage device. After repeating the set number of times or after the total running time of the smoking device, the device operation is turned off.

[0105] The control method of the temperature control program includes one or more of the following: a preheating stage temperature control method, a pre-suction stage temperature adaptive control method, a suction stage temperature adaptive control method, and an end stage control method.

[0106] The preheating stage temperature adaptive control method employs a preheating program controlled by a start command, denoted as t0. The temperature control program begins at t0 and ends when differential pressure sensors 1-5 receive a differential pressure change signal, denoted as t0_1. This preheating process is denoted as T. t0→t0_1 When the heating output power in the preheating process is constant or changes over time, the minimum heating output power can be zero.

[0107] The temperature adaptive control method for the suction phase employs a suction process heating program consisting of N cycles, denoted as n1 for the first cycle, n2 for the second, and ni for the i-th cycle. The start time of the i-th cycle is denoted as tn(i-1_i), and the end time of the i-th cycle is denoted as tn(i_i). The i-th suction process heating program begins immediately after the differential pressure sensors 1-5 detect the differential pressure change signal and the previous cycle ends. When the differential pressure change signal reaches a certain set value, the suction gap control program is initiated after a certain delay time. This delay time is denoted as tsi, and the minimum delay time is zero.

[0108] After a certain delay time tsi, the suction gap control program can be entered. The heating program during this suction process is denoted as T. tn(i-1_i)→tn(i_i) When the heating output power in the suction process heating program is constant or changes over time, the minimum heating output power can be zero.

[0109] The temperature adaptive control method for the suction phase employs a suction interval heating program. This program consists of M cycles, where the number of cycles varies (M = N or M = N-1) depending on the stopping control method. The first cycle is denoted as m1, the second as m2, and the i-th as mi. The start time of the i-th cycle is denoted as tm(i-1_i). The suction interval heating program ends when differential pressure sensors 1-5 receive another differential pressure change signal. The end time of the i-th suction interval cycle is denoted as tm(i_i). Simultaneously, the (n+1)-cycle suction process heating program begins. This suction interval heating program is denoted as T. tm(i-1_i)→tm(i_i) In the aforementioned suction interval heating program, when the heating output power remains constant or changes over time, the minimum heating output power can be zero.

[0110] In the control method, the heating output power of the preheating program, the heating program during the suction process, and the heating program during the suction gap cannot all be constantly zero at the same time.

[0111] The end-stage control method employs a suction end procedure, which includes three or more methods: the first is to shut off the heating power supply, the second is to control the total running time of the process, and the third is to control the number of suction ports.

[0112] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The heating system's pressure sensor test data were obtained under five different suction capacities. The experimental results were obtained by measuring the pressure drop at the bottom of the smoking device under different suction capacities using a micro differential pressure gauge, a smoking machine, and a suction resistance meter. The operating temperature of the smoking device was 260℃; the suction time was 2 seconds; and the suction capacities were 15mL, 25mL, 35mL, 45mL, and 55mL. It is evident that the differential pressure sensor can clearly detect the pressure drop at the bottom of the smoking device (compared to atmospheric pressure).

[0113] The figure shows the pressure difference between the waiting-to-aspirate stage and the aspirate stage over time. The pressure difference during the waiting-to-aspirate stage remains at approximately 0 Pa, while the aspirate stage exhibits significant pressure difference changes. Therefore, the waiting-to-aspirate stage and the aspirate stage can be distinguished based on the data analysis, and the number of aspirations can be counted.

[0114] During the suction phase, as the suction volume increases, the pressure difference increases from 200Pa to 1200Pa. The suction volume and pressure difference show a positive correlation. Therefore, the user's suction volume, i.e. the user's smoke demand, can be calculated from the pressure difference variable.

[0115] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the heating system for the second embodiment (ring seal + bottom heating). Figure 3 and Figure 1 The difference is that the heating element 1-4 is located at the bottom of the cigarette holder 1-1. There is a gap of -13 between the upstream end face of the smoke-generating section and the bottom of the cigarette holder 1-1.

[0116] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the heating system for the third implementation method (ring seal + central axial heating). Figure 4 and Figure 1 The difference is that the heating element is located at the center of the cigarette holder.

[0117] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the heating system in the fourth embodiment (bottom sealing + circumferential heating).

[0118] The sealing element is a bottom annular seal 1-3 located at the bottom of the cigarette holder 1-1. One monitoring end of the differential pressure sensor 1-5 is located on the bottom wall of the cigarette holder 1-1 and in the hollow portion of the bottom annular seal 1-3. The other monitoring end of the differential pressure sensor 1-5 is connected to the atmosphere.

[0119] The differential pressure sensor 1-5 is configured to detect the pressure difference between the space between the seal and the bottom wall of the cigarette holder 1-1 and atmospheric pressure.

[0120] Heating elements 1-4 are arranged around the cigarette holder 1-1.

[0121] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the heating system in the fifth embodiment (bottom sealing + bottom heating). Figure 6 and Figure 5 The difference is that the heating element 1-4 is located at the bottom of the cigarette holder 1-1.

[0122] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the heating system in the sixth embodiment (bottom sealing + central axial heating). Figure 6 and Figure 7 The difference is that the heating element 1-4 is located at the center of the cigarette holder 1-1.

[0123] Figure 9 This is a graph showing the change in output temperature of heating elements 1-4 over time during the preheating, waiting-to-puff, and puffing stages. During the preheating stage, the output temperature of heating elements 1-4 rapidly rises to the rated heating temperature of the heat source, fully heating the cigarette. Once the set preheating time is reached, the output temperature of heating elements 1-4 adjusts to approximately 200 degrees Celsius, entering the waiting-to-puff stage. When the differential pressure sensor detects that the user is puffing, the output temperature of heating elements 1-4 rapidly rises to approximately 260 degrees Celsius to ensure the required amount of smoke. When the differential pressure sensor detects the end of the puffing stage, the output temperature of heating elements 1-4 drops to approximately 200 degrees Celsius, returning to the waiting-to-puff stage. This cycle continues until the required number of puffs or the set puffing time is reached, at which point the puffing process ends.

[0124] Compared to a continuous constant temperature output, by analyzing the differential pressure data acquired by differential pressure sensors 1-5, the output temperature of heating elements 1-4 required during the preheating, smoking, and smoking stages is adaptively adjusted. This reduces the energy consumption required to smoke a cigarette and increases the battery life of the device. Furthermore, the output temperature of heating elements 1-4 can be adaptively adjusted according to the user's smoke requirements, allowing for more precise control of the heating process.

Claims

1. A control method for a heated cigarette system, characterized in that, The control method uses the following heated cigarette system; The heated cigarette system includes heated cigarette devices; The heated cigarette device includes: Cigarette holder, seals, differential pressure sensor, data acquisition unit, data storage device, data analyzer, heating element; The bottom of the cigarette holder is sealed, and it is used to hold cigarettes. The seal is configured to seal the gap between the cigarette holder and the cigarette; The heating element includes a temperature controller and a power acquisition unit; The data acquisition unit is configured to acquire data from the power acquisition unit and the differential pressure sensor; One monitoring end of the differential pressure sensor is connected to the space formed by the seal, the cigarette, and the cigarette holder, while the other monitoring end is connected to the atmosphere. The differential pressure sensor is configured to detect the pressure difference between the space between the seal, the cigarette and the bottom wall of the cigarette holder and atmospheric pressure. The heating element is communicatively connected to the data acquisition unit, the data storage unit, and the data analyzer. The temperature controller is configured to adjust the output power of the heating element according to the results of the data analyzer and transmit the data on the change of the output power of the heating element over time to the data storage unit. The differential pressure sensor is communicatively connected to the data acquisition unit and the data storage unit, and the differential pressure sensor is configured to transmit the data of the differential pressure it detects changing over time to the data storage unit; The data storage device automatically receives and stores power and differential pressure data from the data acquisition unit via a communication connection. The data storage device is communicatively connected to the data analyzer, and the data storage device is configured to provide the data analyzer with the data required for analysis. The data analyzer is configured to have at least one of the following functions: The data analyzer is configured to divide data into preheating stage data, suction stage data, suction stage data, and suction end stage data based on data characteristics. The data analyzer is configured to convert between the output power of the heating element and the output temperature of the heating element; The data analyzer is configured to convert between the user's smoke demand and the pressure difference data during the suction phase. The data analyzer is configured to calculate the number of suction cycles based on the variation pattern of the differential pressure data. The control method includes the following steps: The control method includes one or more of the following: a preheating stage temperature control method, a pre-suction stage temperature adaptive control method, a suction stage temperature adaptive control method, and a termination stage control method. The temperature control method for the preheating stage includes: starting the heating process and determining whether to end the preheating stage after a preset preheating time has elapsed; The temperature adaptive control method for the suction stage includes: determining the amount of smoke required by the user based on the user's suction depth and suction duration during the suction stage; determining the output power of the heating element during the suction stage based on the user's required amount of smoke; and adaptively calculating the output power of the heating element during the suction stage based on historical data correspondence and adjusting it through the temperature controller so that the required amount of smoke can be generated quickly in response to the user's suction behavior during the suction stage. The temperature adaptive control method during the suction phase includes: adjusting the output power and the rate of change of the output power of the heating element through the temperature controller based on the amount of flue gas required by the user calculated by the data analyzer through differential pressure data; The termination phase control method includes: the data analyzer determines whether the current aspiration has ended based on the number of aspirations or the aspiration time.

2. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing element is a central annular seal disposed between the bottom and top of the cigarette holder, and / or a bottom annular seal disposed at the bottom of the cigarette holder; When the sealing element is a central annular sealing element, one monitoring end of the differential pressure sensor is located on the side wall of the cigarette holder downstream of the central annular sealing element or on the bottom wall of the cigarette holder. When the sealing element includes a bottom annular seal, one monitoring end of the differential pressure sensor is located on the bottom wall of the cigarette holder and is connected to the hollow portion of the bottom annular seal.

3. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing element is fitted to the side wall or bottom wall of the cigarette holder.

4. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heated cigarette device further includes a heating element, which is disposed around, at the bottom or at the center of the cigarette holder.

5. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The data analyzer is communicatively connected to the controller, which is used to control the output power of the heating element.

6. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heated cigarette system further includes: heated cigarettes; The heated cigarette includes a smoke-generating section, the upstream end of which is open, and the smoke-generating section is located in the cigarette holder.

7. The control method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The heated cigarette further includes a smoke mixing section and a filter section located downstream of the smoke-generating section. The smoke mixing section has a hollow structure, and the sidewall of the smoke mixing section is provided with a sidewall through hole that communicates with the hollow structure.

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