Temperature collection method and aerosol generating device

Abstract

The application discloses a temperature acquisition method for an aerosol generating device and the aerosol generating device. The temperature acquisition method is applied to the aerosol generating device. The temperature acquisition method comprises the following steps: acquiring a first voltage value and a second voltage value, and confirming a first temperature value and a second temperature value based on the first voltage value and the second voltage value; if the second voltage value is equal to the upper limit value or the lower limit value, the first temperature value is confirmed as a current temperature value of the heating element; and if the second voltage value is between the upper limit value and the lower limit value, the second temperature value is confirmed as the current temperature value of the heating element. In the above manner, it is not necessary to replace the controller with an ADC module with higher resolution, so that the procurement cost of the controller can be avoided to increase, and the manufacturing cost of the aerosol generating device is further increased.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application relates to the field of aerosol technology, and more particularly to a temperature acquisition method and an aerosol generating device for an aerosol generating device. [Background Technology]

[0002] Traditional tobacco products (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, etc.) produce tobacco smoke by burning tobacco during use. Technologies exist to replace these traditional tobacco products by releasing compounds through heating without combustion. An example of such a product is an aerosol generating device. These devices typically include a housing chamber and a heating element. The housing chamber houses an aerosol-generating product used in conjunction with the device. The aerosol-generating product can be solid tobacco or a non-tobacco filler, such as a cigarette. When the aerosol-generating product is housed in the device, the heating element heats it, causing at least a portion of the active substances in the product to evaporate and generate an aerosol that can be inhaled by the user.

[0003] The aforementioned aerosol generating device is usually also equipped with a temperature sensing element. The temperature sensing element is used to measure the temperature of the heating element and convert the measured temperature into an electrical signal, which is then sent to the controller (usually a microcontroller). The controller can then collect the electrical signal using its internal ADC acquisition module and calculate and convert the collected electrical signal into the corresponding temperature value.

[0004] To improve the accuracy of the converted temperature value, it is usually necessary to increase the resolution of the ADC acquisition module inside the controller to improve the acquisition accuracy of the electrical signal. Existing technology usually improves the acquisition accuracy of the ADC module by replacing it with a controller with a higher resolution ADC module. However, higher resolution ADC modules are also more expensive, which increases the purchase cost of the controller and thus the manufacturing cost of the aerosol generation device. [Summary of the Invention]

[0005] This application provides a temperature acquisition method and an aerosol generation device using the temperature acquisition method, in order to solve the technical problem that the current method of improving the acquisition accuracy of the ADC module by replacing the controller with a controller that has a higher resolution ADC module leads to an increase in the manufacturing cost of the aerosol generation device 100.

[0006] At least one embodiment of this application provides a temperature acquisition method for use in an aerosol generating apparatus. The aerosol generating apparatus includes a heating element for heating an aerosol generating article to generate aerosol, and a temperature sensing element for detecting the temperature of the heating element. The aerosol generating apparatus further includes a first voltage conversion circuit and a second voltage conversion circuit electrically connected to the temperature sensing element. The first voltage conversion circuit is configured to convert an electrical signal generated by the temperature sensing element into a first voltage value based on a first preset temperature range. The second voltage conversion circuit is configured to convert an electrical signal generated by the temperature sensing element into a second voltage value based on a second preset temperature range. The first preset temperature range covers the second preset temperature range. The first voltage value is located within a first preset voltage interval, and the second voltage value is located within a second preset voltage interval. The second preset voltage interval has an upper limit and a lower limit. The temperature acquisition method includes:

[0007] Obtain the first voltage value and the second voltage value, and determine the first temperature value and the second temperature value based on the first voltage value and the second voltage value;

[0008] If the second voltage value is equal to the upper limit value or the lower limit value, then the first temperature value is confirmed as the current temperature value of the heating element;

[0009] If the second voltage value is between the upper limit value and the lower limit value, then the second temperature value is confirmed as the current temperature value of the heating element.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first preset voltage range and the second preset voltage range are the same.

[0011] In one embodiment, the first preset temperature range is the temperature range that the temperature sensing element can measure.

[0012] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device has a preheating stage and a heat preservation stage. The preheating stage is used to heat the temperature of the heating element to a target temperature, and the heat preservation stage is used to maintain the temperature of the heating element at the target temperature. The temperature of the heating element in the heat preservation stage is within a second preset temperature range.

[0013] In one embodiment, the second preset temperature range is 200°C to 280°C.

[0014] In one embodiment, the heat preservation stage includes multiple energy supply time periods, during which an incremental PID control algorithm is used to control the supplied energy. The temperature acquisition method further includes:

[0015] Obtain the maximum value of the accumulated duty cycle during each of the energy supply time periods;

[0016] Compare the maximum value of the duty cycle accumulated in any two consecutive energy supply time periods;

[0017] If the maximum value of the duty cycle accumulated in the next energy supply period is greater than the maximum value of the duty cycle accumulated in the previous energy supply period, then a suction is confirmed to have occurred.

[0018] In one embodiment, the temperature acquisition method further includes:

[0019] Calculate the difference or ratio between the maximum value of the duty cycle accumulated during the next energy supply period and the maximum value of the duty cycle accumulated during the previous energy supply period;

[0020] The difference or ratio is compared with a preset threshold.

[0021] The suction strength is determined based on the comparison results.

[0022] In one embodiment, obtaining the maximum value of the accumulated duty cycle during each energy supply time period specifically includes:

[0023] Obtain the current temperature of the heating element and the target temperature;

[0024] The current temperature and the target temperature are fed into the PID control algorithm for calculation to obtain the duty cycle.

[0025] In one embodiment, the first voltage conversion circuit includes a first operational amplifier circuit, and the second conversion circuit includes a second operational amplifier circuit. The first operational amplifier circuit amplifies the electrical signal within a first preset voltage range, and the second operational amplifier circuit amplifies the electrical signal within a second preset voltage range. The first operational amplifier circuit and the second operational amplifier circuit have different amplification factors.

[0026] At least one embodiment of this application provides a temperature acquisition method applied in an aerosol generating apparatus. The aerosol generating apparatus includes a heating element for heating an aerosol generating article to generate aerosol, and a temperature sensing element for detecting the temperature of the heating element. The aerosol generating apparatus further includes a first voltage conversion circuit and a second voltage conversion circuit electrically connected to the temperature sensing element. The first voltage conversion circuit is configured to convert an electrical signal generated by the temperature sensing element into a first voltage value based on a first preset temperature range. The second voltage conversion circuit is configured to convert an electrical signal generated by the temperature sensing element into a second voltage value based on a second preset temperature range. The first preset temperature range covers the second preset temperature range. The temperature acquisition method includes:

[0027] Obtain the first voltage value and the second voltage value, and determine the first temperature value and the second temperature value based on the first voltage value and the second voltage value;

[0028] If the first temperature value is outside the second preset temperature range, then the first temperature value is confirmed as the current temperature value of the heating element;

[0029] If the first temperature value is within the second preset temperature range, then the second temperature value is confirmed as the current temperature value of the heating element.

[0030] At least one embodiment of this application also provides an aerosol generating device, including a controller, the controller including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program, and the processor executing the computer program to implement the temperature acquisition method described in the above embodiments.

[0031] At least one embodiment of this application provides an aerosol generating apparatus. The aerosol generating apparatus includes a heating element for heating an aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol, and a temperature sensing element for detecting the temperature of the heating element. The aerosol generating apparatus further includes a first voltage conversion circuit and a second voltage conversion circuit electrically connected to the temperature sensing element. The first voltage conversion circuit is configured to convert an electrical signal generated by the temperature sensing element into a first voltage value based on a first preset temperature range. The second voltage conversion circuit is configured to convert an electrical signal generated by the temperature sensing element into a second voltage value based on a second preset temperature range. The first preset temperature range covers the second preset temperature range. The first voltage value has a first preset voltage interval, and the second voltage value has a second preset voltage interval. The second preset voltage interval has an upper limit value and a lower limit value.

[0032] The aerosol generating device further includes a controller electrically connected to the first voltage conversion circuit and the second voltage conversion circuit to obtain the first voltage value and the second voltage value. The controller is configured to determine a first temperature value and a second temperature value based on the first voltage value and the second voltage value, and to determine the first temperature value as the current temperature value of the heating element when the second voltage value is equal to the upper limit value or the lower limit value; and to determine the second temperature value as the current temperature value of the heating element when the second voltage value is between the upper limit value and the lower limit value.

[0033] The temperature acquisition method provided in the above embodiments acquires a first voltage value and a second voltage value, and confirms a first temperature value and a second temperature value based on the first voltage value and the second voltage value. When the second voltage value is equal to the upper or lower limit of the second preset voltage range, the first temperature value is confirmed as the current temperature value of the heating element; and when the second voltage value is between the upper and lower limits of the second preset voltage range, the second temperature value is confirmed as the current temperature value of the heating element. This segmented acquisition method can improve the acquisition accuracy of a certain preset temperature range within the first preset temperature range, without requiring a controller with a higher resolution ADC module, thus avoiding increased controller procurement costs and consequently, increased manufacturing costs of the aerosol generation device. [Attached Image Description]

[0034] One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. These illustrations do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments. Elements having the same reference numerals in the drawings are denoted as similar elements. Unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings are not to be limited by scale.

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an aerosol generating apparatus provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an aerosol generating apparatus provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 3 A schematic flowchart illustrating a temperature acquisition method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 4 An embodiment of this application is provided for implementation Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the circuit structure for a medium-temperature data acquisition method;

[0039] Figure 5 A schematic flowchart illustrating a temperature acquisition method provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 6 for Figure 1 or Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the energy versus time curves when the aerosol generator is in the heat preservation stage but without suction.

[0041] Figure 7 A schematic flowchart illustrating a temperature acquisition method provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 8 for Figure 1 or Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the energy versus time curve when the aerosol generator is in the heat preservation stage and generating suction.

[0043] Figure 9 A schematic flowchart illustrating a temperature acquisition method provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of an aerosol generation device controller provided in an embodiment of this application.

Detailed Implementation Methods

[0045] To facilitate understanding of this application, a more detailed description is provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that when an element is described as being "fixed to" or "attached to" another element, it can be directly on the other element, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between them. When an element is described as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between them. The terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "inner," "outer," and similar expressions used in this specification are for illustrative purposes only.

[0046] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the application. The term "and / or" as used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0047] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of this application described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0048] In the embodiments of this application, "installation" includes fixing or restricting a component or device to a specific position or place by means of welding, screwing, snapping, bonding, etc. The component or device may remain stationary in the specific position or place or may move within a limited range. After the component or device is fixed or restricted to the specific position or place, it may or may not be disassembled. This application does not impose any restrictions.

[0049] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0050] One embodiment of this application provides an aerosol generating device 100, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the aerosol generating device 100 includes a battery cell 10, a main board 20, and a heating element 30. A controller for the aerosol generating device 100 is mounted on the main board 20. The battery cell 10 and the heating element 30 are electrically connected to the controller, allowing the controller to control the battery cell 10 to supply electrical energy to the heating element 30. The aerosol generating device 100 also includes a longitudinally extending chamber 40, which houses the aerosol generating product 200 used in conjunction with the aerosol generating device 100. The heating element 30 is disposed on the outer wall of the chamber 40, thereby heating the aerosol generating product 200 within the chamber 40. The active material filling the aerosol generating product 200 volatilizes upon heating, generating aerosols. The battery cell 10 serves as the power source for the aerosol generating device 10 and can be either a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery cell.

[0051] The aerosol generating device 100 also includes an airflow channel 50, which connects external air and the chamber 40. When a user uses the aerosol generating product 200 for inhalation, external cold air can enter the chamber 40 through the airflow channel, and then enter the aerosol generating product 200, carrying the aerosol in the aerosol generating product 200 out for the user to inhale.

[0052] The aerosol-generating article 200 preferably uses a tobacco-containing material from which volatile compounds are released upon heating; or it may be a non-tobacco material suitable for electric heating and smoke generation after heating. The aerosol-generating article 200 preferably uses a solid matrix, which may include one or more of the following: vanilla leaves, tobacco leaves, homogenized tobacco, expanded tobacco, powder, granules, fragments, strips, or sheets; or the solid matrix may contain additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile aroma compounds to be released when the matrix is ​​heated.

[0053] In some embodiments, the heating element 30 may be a mesh resistive heating element covered on the outer wall of the chamber 40, an infrared electrothermal coating coated on the outer wall of the chamber 40, or a thick film heating element printed on the outer wall of the chamber 40. The heating element 30 is electrically connected to the main board 20. After the heating element 30 is powered on, it generates heat. The heat is transferred to the aerosol generating product 200 in the chamber 40 by heat transfer or heat radiation, thereby causing the aerosol generating product 200 to evaporate and generate aerosol.

[0054] exist Figure 2 In another embodiment shown, the aerosol generating apparatus 100 can also use electromagnetic induction heating to heat the aerosol generating article 200. The heating element 30 extends at least partially into the chamber 40, and its end extending into the chamber 40 is configured as a pin or plate to facilitate smooth insertion of the heating element 30 into the aerosol generating article 200 for heating. A coil 60 is wound around the outer wall of the chamber 40. The controller controls the battery 10 to supply alternating current to the coil 60. Under the action of the alternating current, the coil 60 generates a changing magnetic field. This changing magnetic field penetrates the heating element 30, inducing eddy currents in the heating element 30. The heating element 30 generates heat under the action of the eddy current effect and the hysteresis effect, thereby heating the aerosol generating matrix 200.

[0055] The suitable material for the heating element 30 can be any one of graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, stainless steel, niobium, aluminum, nickel, iron, copper, nickel-containing compounds, titanium, and metallic composites. In some embodiments, to better induce eddy currents and improve heating efficiency, the heating element 30 is preferably made of ferromagnetic materials or composed of ferromagnetic materials, such as ferritic iron, ferromagnetic alloys (e.g., ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel), ferromagnetic particles, and ferrite.

[0056] In some embodiments, when the heating element 30 is inserted into the aerosol generating article 200 for heating, the heating element 30 can also be a ceramic heating element. The ceramic heating element is a heating element made by sintering an electric heating element and a ceramic together at high temperature. The heating element 30 is directly electrically connected to the controller of the main board 40, and the controller can control the battery cell 10 to provide electrical energy to the heating element 30. After the heating element 30 obtains electrical energy, it can generate heat.

[0057] The aerosol generating device 100 has a preheating stage and a heat preservation stage. In the preheating stage, the controller controls the battery cell 10 to provide a large power to the heating element 30, so that the temperature of the heating element 30 rises rapidly from the initial temperature to the target temperature. At the target temperature, the tobacco or non-tobacco solid matrix in the aerosol generating product 200 is heated and volatilized to produce an aerosol with better taste.

[0058] After the preheating stage is completed, the aerosol generating device 100 enters the heat preservation stage. This stage aims to maintain the temperature of the heating element 30 at the target temperature, meaning the temperature of the heating element 30 will fluctuate around the target temperature. During the heat preservation stage, the user can use the aerosol generating product 200 for suction. When the user is not suctioning, the controller controls the battery cell 10 to provide a small amount of power to the heating element 30 to maintain its temperature near the target temperature.

[0059] When the user uses the aerosol generating product 200 to perform suction during the heat preservation stage, as the user suctions, the external cold air enters the aerosol generating product 200 and cools the heating element 30 or the temperature sensor located near the heating element 30, thereby causing the temperature of the heating element 30 or the sensor to drop. The controller then controls the battery cell 10 to provide a larger power to the heating element 30 so that the temperature of the heating element 30 can be quickly restored.

[0060] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating apparatus 100 also includes a feedback element for providing feedback to the user, indicating that the preheating phase is complete and the user can begin using the aerosol generating article 200 for suction. The feedback element may be a buzzer or a vibration motor; once preheating is complete, the controller may control the buzzer to sound or the vibration motor to vibrate, thereby providing feedback to the user.

[0061] In some embodiments, the controller may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a microcontroller, an ARM (Acorn RISC Machine) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination of these components. Additionally, the controller may also be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The controller may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a DSP, and / or any other such configuration. The controller may also be the inverter board or main control board of a washing machine.

[0062] Based on the aforementioned aerosol generating device 100, one embodiment of this application provides a temperature acquisition method, which is applied to the aforementioned aerosol generating device 100, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the temperature acquisition method includes:

[0063] S10a, acquire the first voltage value and the second voltage value, and confirm the first temperature value and the second temperature value based on the first voltage value and the second voltage value;

[0064] S20a, if the first temperature value is outside the second preset temperature range, then the first temperature value is confirmed as the current temperature value of the heating element; if the first temperature value is within the second preset temperature range, then the second temperature value is confirmed as the current temperature value of the heating element.

[0065] During the heating process of the heating element 30, in order to control the temperature of the heating element 30 and make the heating element 30 heat according to the preset heating curve, the aerosol generating device 100 also needs to be equipped with a temperature sensing element (not shown in the figure). The temperature sensing element is used to measure the temperature of the heating element 30 and convert the measured temperature into an electrical signal such as voltage and send it to the controller. The controller receives the electrical signal and processes and calculates the electrical signal to restore the corresponding temperature value, so that the controller can obtain the real-time temperature value of the heating element 30 and adjust the power output to the heating element 30 based on the temperature value to achieve temperature control of the heating element 30.

[0066] The temperature sensing element can be any of the following: a thermistor, a thermocouple, or a semiconductor-based temperature sensor.

[0067] The controller in the aerosol generating device 100 is usually a microcontroller. The microcontroller usually integrates an ADC module (ADC, Analog-to-Digital Converter). The corresponding microcontroller pins are set with ADC pins. The ADC pins are used to collect the electrical signals sent by the temperature sensing element and send the collected electrical signals to the ADC. When the electrical signal is a voltage, the ADC can read the voltage value. Based on the voltage value read by the ADC and combined with the characteristics of the temperature sensing element, the microcontroller can calculate the specific temperature value.

[0068] Specifically, during the voltage reading process of the ADC, the ADC converts the reference voltage into a binary number according to its resolution. For example, if the ADC resolution is 12 bits, then a 12-bit ADC means it can convert the reference voltage into a 12-bit binary number. Since each bit can represent two voltage states (0 or 1), a 12-bit ADC can represent 2^32 / ... 12 = 4096 (0~4095) different voltage values. If the reference voltage is 3.3V (usually the power supply voltage of a microcontroller is 3.3V, which is also the reference voltage of the ADC, and the maximum input voltage that the ADC can recognize), then the smallest change in input voltage that a 12-bit ADC can distinguish is 3.3V / 4096≈0.0008V, which is the difference between two adjacent ADC numbers is 0.0008V. Therefore, the ADC can represent the 3.3V reference voltage in the following tabular form:

[0069]

[0070]

[0071] Then, the ADC compares the voltage signal sent by the temperature sensing element with the reference voltage using a successive binary comparison method. Finally, it can determine that the voltage value of the voltage signal sent by the temperature sensing element is one of the AD serial numbers from 0 to 409. For example, if the voltage value of the voltage signal sent by the temperature sensing element is 1.65V, the ADC confirms that the voltage value corresponds to AD serial number 2048 in the table above, and the voltage value corresponding to AD serial number 2048 is 1.65V. Thus, the specific voltage value can be read out in this way.

[0072] like Figure 4 As shown, the aerosol generating device 100 also includes a first voltage conversion circuit and a second voltage conversion circuit connected in parallel. Both the first voltage conversion circuit and the second voltage conversion circuit are electrically connected to the temperature sensing element. The controller has a first preset temperature range and a second preset temperature range preset in advance, and the first preset temperature range covers the second preset temperature range. Both the first preset temperature range and the second preset temperature range are the ranges that the temperature sensing element can measure. For example, if the temperature range that the temperature sensing element can measure is -50℃ to 380℃, then the first preset temperature range can be the full range of the temperature sensing element, while the second preset temperature range can be a range within the full range, such as 210℃ to 260℃.

[0073] The first voltage conversion circuit converts the voltage signal generated by the temperature sensing element into a specific first voltage value based on a first preset temperature range, while the second voltage conversion circuit converts the voltage signal generated by the temperature sensing element into a specific second voltage value based on a second preset temperature range. Since the first and second voltage conversion circuits are connected in parallel, they simultaneously convert the voltage signal generated by the temperature sensing element, and the controller simultaneously acquires both the first and second voltage values. Although the first and second voltage conversion circuits convert the same voltage signal, the first and second voltage values ​​are different because the first and second preset temperature ranges are different.

[0074] The first voltage conversion circuit is electrically connected to the first ADC pin of the controller so that the controller can acquire the first voltage value through the first ADC pin. The second voltage conversion circuit is electrically connected to the second ADC pin of the controller so that the controller can acquire the second voltage value through the second ADC pin. Therefore, the first voltage value and the second voltage value need to be within a suitable voltage range so that the first voltage value and the second voltage value can be acquired by the controller. When the controller is a microcontroller, the power supply voltage of the microcontroller is usually 3.3V, so the first voltage value and the second voltage value are within the voltage range of 0 to 3.3V.

[0075] For example, if the first preset temperature range is -50℃ to 380℃, and the ADC resolution is 12 bits, then the first voltage conversion circuit will represent the first voltage value within the voltage range of 0 to 3.3V and the first preset temperature range in the following table format:

[0076] AD serial number First voltage value Temperature value 0 0V -50℃ 1～2047 … … 2048 1.65V 165℃ 2049～4094 … … 4095 3.3V 380℃

[0077] As shown in the table above, when the ADC resolution is 12 bits and the temperature range to be measured by the temperature sensing element is -50℃ to 380℃, the minimum temperature change that the 12-bit ADC can resolve is (380℃-(-50℃)) / 4096≈0.105℃, which means the acquisition accuracy is 0.105℃.

[0078] Similarly, when the second preset temperature range is between 210℃ and 260℃, the ADC resolution is also 12 bits. The second voltage conversion circuit then represents the second voltage value within the 0-3.3V voltage range and the second preset temperature range in the following table:

[0079] AD serial number Second voltage value Temperature value 0 0V 210℃ 1～2047 … … 2048 1.65V 235℃ 2049～4094 … … 4095 3.3V 260℃

[0080] As shown in the table above, when the ADC resolution is 12 bits, and the temperature range to be measured by the temperature sensing element is between 210℃ and 260℃, the minimum change that the 12-bit ADC can distinguish for the acquired temperature is approximately (260℃-210℃) / 4096≈0.012℃, which is a sampling accuracy of 0.012℃. This is a significant improvement compared to the sampling accuracy of 0.105℃ mentioned above.

[0081] Furthermore, as can be seen from the two tables above, when the actual temperature of the heating element 30 measured by the temperature sensing element is, for example, 235°C, the second voltage value is 1.65V, while the first voltage value is significantly greater than the second voltage value. In other words, for the same electrical signal generated by the temperature sensing element, the first voltage value obtained by the first voltage conversion circuit and the second voltage value obtained by the second voltage conversion circuit are different.

[0082] In the prior art, during the entire heating process of the heating element 30, only one ADC module is used to collect the temperature of the heating element 30, and the collection is carried out within the full range of the temperature sensing element. If the resolution of the ADC is 12 bits and the temperature range to be collected is -50℃ to 380℃, then as can be seen from the above, the smallest change value that the ADC module can distinguish for the collected temperature is 0.105℃, that is, the accuracy is 0.105℃.

[0083] In this embodiment, two ADC modules (a first ADC module and a second ADC module) are used for simultaneous data acquisition. The first ADC module acquires a first voltage value, while the second ADC module acquires a second voltage value. Both ADC modules have the same resolution, for example, 12-bit resolution. After the first ADC module acquires and reads the first voltage value, the controller calculates the first temperature value based on the first voltage value read by the first ADC module. Similarly, after the second ADC module acquires and reads the second voltage value, the controller calculates the second temperature value based on the second voltage value read by the second ADC module.

[0084] Since the first preset temperature range covers the second preset temperature range, for example, the first preset temperature range is -50℃ to 380℃ and the second preset temperature range is 210℃ to 260℃, the first temperature value may fall within or outside the second preset temperature range. The controller then judges the first temperature value. If it is determined that the first temperature value is within the second preset temperature range, the controller can infer that the current temperature value of the heating element 30 is within the second preset temperature range. The controller further confirms the second temperature value as the current temperature value of the heating element 30. As can be seen from the above, the second ADC module has higher acquisition accuracy within the second preset temperature range, and the temperature value calculated by the microcontroller based on the second voltage value will also be more accurate.

[0085] If the controller determines that the first temperature value is outside the second preset temperature range, for example, the first temperature value is less than 210℃, the controller will infer that the current temperature value of the heating element 30 is less than 210℃. Since the current temperature value of the heating element 30 exceeds the temperature range that the second ADC module can collect, the controller will default the second temperature value to the lower limit of the second preset temperature range, 210℃. In other words, the second temperature value cannot reflect the true temperature value of the heating element 30 at this time, so the controller will confirm the first temperature value as the current temperature value of the heating element 30.

[0086] If the first temperature value is greater than 260℃, thus placing the first temperature value outside the second preset temperature range, the controller will infer that the current temperature value of the heating element 30 is greater than 260℃. Therefore, the controller will default the second temperature value to the upper limit of the second preset temperature range, 260℃. In other words, the second temperature value cannot reflect the true temperature value of the heating element 30 at this time, so the controller will also confirm the first temperature value as the current temperature value of the heating element 30.

[0087] By using the above-described tiered acquisition method, there is no need to replace the controller with one that has a higher resolution ADC module to improve the acquisition accuracy. It is only necessary to use two ADC modules with the same resolution in the controller to acquire the first voltage value and the second voltage value respectively. This can improve the acquisition accuracy of a specific temperature range within the first preset temperature range, which in turn improves the acquisition accuracy when acquiring the temperature within the second preset temperature range. This avoids the high cost of the controller caused by replacing it with one that has a higher resolution ADC module, which would increase the manufacturing cost of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0088] Based on the aforementioned aerosol generating device 100, another embodiment of this application provides a temperature acquisition method, such as... Figure 5 As shown, the temperature acquisition method includes:

[0089] S10b, acquire the first voltage value and the second voltage value, and confirm the first temperature value and the second temperature value based on the first voltage value and the second voltage value;

[0090] S20b, if the second voltage value is equal to the upper limit value or the lower limit value, then the first temperature value is confirmed as the current temperature value of the heating element; if the second voltage value is between the upper limit value and the lower limit value, then the second temperature value is confirmed as the current temperature value of the heating element.

[0091] Steps S10b and S10a are the same and will not be described again here. In this embodiment, the first voltage value has a first preset voltage range and the second voltage value has a second preset voltage range. The first preset voltage range and the second preset voltage range may be the same or different. Preferably, the first preset voltage range and the second preset voltage range are the same, which facilitates the design of hardware circuits and software programs. For example, both the first preset voltage range and the second preset voltage range can be 0 to 3.3V.

[0092] The first voltage conversion circuit converts the electrical signal sent by the temperature sensing element into a value within the first preset voltage range based on the first preset temperature range. The second voltage conversion circuit converts the electrical signal sent by the temperature sensing element into a value within the second preset voltage range based on the second preset temperature range. Specifically, when the temperature value represented by the electrical signal sent by the temperature sensing element is within the second preset temperature range, since the first preset temperature range covers the second preset temperature range, the temperature value represented by the electrical signal must also be within the first preset temperature range. At this time, the first voltage conversion circuit will output a specific first voltage value, and the second voltage conversion circuit will also output a specific second voltage value. The second voltage value will be between the upper and lower limits of the second preset voltage range. Based on the second voltage value, the controller will confirm that the current temperature value of the heating element 30 is within the second preset temperature range and confirm the second temperature value as the current temperature value of the heating element 30. As can be seen from the description in the foregoing embodiments, the second ADC module will have higher temperature acquisition accuracy within the second preset temperature range.

[0093] For example, if both the first preset voltage range and the second preset voltage range are 0 to 3.3V, as can be seen from the table provided in the aforementioned embodiment, when the temperature value represented by the electrical signal sent by the temperature sensing element is 235 degrees, the second voltage value is 1.65V, which is between 0 and 3.3V, while the first voltage value is greater than 1.65V and less than 3.3V.

[0094] When the temperature value represented by the electrical signal sent by the temperature sensing element is outside the second preset temperature range, for example, less than the lower limit of the second preset temperature range, but still falls within the first preset temperature range, the first voltage conversion circuit will still normally output a specific first voltage value, while the second voltage conversion circuit outputs a second voltage value of 0V, which is the lower limit of the second preset voltage range. The controller confirms the second temperature value as the lower limit of the second preset temperature range based on this 0V voltage. However, the controller cannot calculate the specific second temperature value at this time. That is to say, when the controller obtains a second voltage value of 0V, the controller will confirm the second temperature value as the lower limit of the second preset temperature range. At this time, the actual value of the second temperature value may be the lower limit of the second preset temperature range, but it is more likely to be less than the lower limit of the second preset temperature range, that is, outside the second preset temperature range. Therefore, the second temperature value cannot represent the actual value of the heating element 30 at this time, and the controller will confirm the first temperature value as the current temperature value of the heating element 30.

[0095] Similarly, when the temperature value represented by the electrical signal sent by the temperature sensing element is greater than the upper limit of the second preset temperature range, but the temperature value still falls within the first preset temperature range, the first voltage conversion circuit will still normally output a specific first voltage value, while the second voltage value output by the second voltage conversion circuit is the upper limit of the second preset voltage range, such as 3.3V. The controller confirms the second temperature value as the upper limit of the second preset temperature range based on this second voltage value, but the controller cannot calculate the specific second temperature value at this time. That is to say, when the second voltage value obtained by the controller is the upper limit of the second preset voltage range, the controller will confirm the second temperature value as the upper limit of the second preset temperature range. At this time, the actual value of the second temperature value may be the upper limit of the second preset temperature range, but it is more likely to be greater than the upper limit of the second preset temperature range, that is, outside the second preset temperature range. Therefore, the second temperature value cannot represent the actual value of the heating element 30 at this time, and the controller will confirm the first temperature value as the current temperature value of the heating element 30.

[0096] In some embodiments, the first preset temperature range is the temperature range that the temperature sensing element can measure. For example, if the temperature sensing element can measure a range of -50°C to 380°C, then the first preset temperature range is -50°C to 380°C. This is so that during the entire heating process of the heating element 30, the first ADC module can still monitor the temperature of the heating element 30 in the temperature range that the second ADC module cannot collect, thereby improving the safety of the aerosol generating device 100 during operation.

[0097] In some embodiments, the temperature of the heating element 30 during the heat preservation stage is within a second preset temperature range. When the user performs suction during the heat preservation stage, the temperature of the heating element 30 will suddenly drop during suction. The controller will determine whether the user has performed suction based on the sudden drop in temperature. Therefore, if the temperature acquisition accuracy during the heat preservation stage is higher, the temperature drop caused by suction will be more obvious, and the controller will be more accurate in determining suction based on the temperature drop.

[0098] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the second preset temperature range is 200°C to 280°C. The aerosol generating apparatus 100 can accommodate aerosol generating products 200 with different aerosol forming matrices. The target temperature required for the aerosol generating product 200 to generate aerosols by heating and volatilizing will also be different depending on the matrix. Setting the second preset temperature range to 200°C to 280°C can accommodate a variety of different aerosol generating products 200.

[0099] In some embodiments, the first voltage conversion circuit includes a first operational amplifier circuit, and the second voltage conversion circuit includes a second operational amplifier circuit. The first operational amplifier circuit amplifies the electrical signal generated by the temperature sensing element within a first preset voltage range, and the second operational amplifier circuit amplifies the electrical signal generated by the temperature sensing element within a second preset voltage range.

[0100] Based on the output characteristics of operational amplifiers, which have a linear output region, the output voltage can only be within its power supply range. For example, if the power supply voltage of an operational amplifier is 3.3V, then the output voltage will be between 0V and 3.3V. If the amplified voltage exceeds 0-3.3V, the operational amplifier will output either 0V or 3.3V. Therefore, based on this characteristic, the upper limit of the first preset voltage range can be set as the power supply voltage of the first operational amplifier, thereby amplifying the electrical signal generated by the temperature sensing element within the first preset voltage range. Similarly, the upper limit of the second preset voltage range can be set as the power supply voltage of the second operational amplifier, thereby amplifying the electrical signal generated by the temperature sensing element within the second preset voltage range.

[0101] Furthermore, the first operational amplifier and the second operational amplifier have different amplification factors. Thus, by controlling the amplification factors, the first operational amplifier can output a first voltage value in its linear output region according to a first preset temperature range, and the second operational amplifier can output a second voltage value in its linear output region according to a second preset temperature range.

[0102] The heat preservation phase of the aerosol generating device 100 typically includes an energy supply period and a cooling period. When the current temperature of the heating element 30 is lower than the target temperature, the controller controls the battery cell 10 to supply power to the heating element 30, causing the temperature of the heating element 30 to gradually rise and recover to the target temperature; this process is the energy supply period. When the temperature of the heating element 30 exceeds the target temperature, the controller further controls the reduction or cessation of power supply to the heating element 30, causing the temperature of the heating element 30 to gradually decrease to the target temperature. Through the alternation of the energy supply period and the cooling period, the temperature of the heating element 30 can be maintained at the target temperature.

[0103] During each energy supply period, the supplied energy gradually increases over time. When it reaches a certain value, it decreases. This is because the controller typically uses an incremental PI-K control algorithm to manage the energy supply during each period. As energy is supplied, the temperature of the heating element 30 gradually rises. When it reaches a temperature very close to the target temperature, the controller reduces the energy supply. Based on this, a curve showing the relationship between energy and time during each energy supply period can be plotted. Figure 6As shown.

[0104] exist Figure 6 In the diagram, each waveform represents one energy supply, and the peak of each waveform represents the maximum energy supplied in each energy supply. Figure 6 It can be seen that when the user is not pumping, the peak of the next waveform is lower than the peak of the previous waveform, meaning that the maximum energy supplied in the next energy supply is less than the maximum energy supplied in the previous energy supply. Figure 6 The maximum energy values ​​E1 to E4 decrease sequentially. This is because with each energy supply, water-soluble substances in the aerosol product 200 are released, resulting in a decrease in specific heat. The same amount of energy will inevitably lead to a greater temperature rise, and conversely, less energy is required to maintain the same temperature.

[0105] Based on the above, in some embodiments, such as Figure 7 As shown, the temperature acquisition method further includes:

[0106] S30, obtain the maximum value of the accumulated duty cycle in each of the energy supply time periods;

[0107] S40, compare the maximum value of the duty cycle accumulated in any two adjacent energy supply time periods;

[0108] S50, if the maximum value of the duty cycle accumulated in the next energy supply period is greater than the maximum value of the duty cycle accumulated in the previous energy supply period, then it is confirmed that a suction has occurred.

[0109] Specifically, during the energy supply period, the controller acquires the current temperature value of the heating element 30, and then inputs the current temperature value and the target temperature into the PID control algorithm for calculation, thereby obtaining the duty cycle to be provided. The duty cycle is the duration of the energized time in a periodic signal. For example, the periodic signal can be a PWM signal. A PWM signal includes a high-level signal and a low-level signal in one cycle. During the high-level signal period, the battery cell 10 provides power to the heating element 30, while during the low-level signal period, the battery cell 10 stops providing power to the heating element 30. Thus, by controlling the duty cycle, the energy supplied to the heating element 30 can be controlled.

[0110] The controller accumulates the duty cycle provided in each energy supply period and obtains the maximum value of the accumulated duty cycle in each energy supply period. Then, it compares the maximum values ​​of the accumulated duty cycles of any two adjacent periods. If the maximum value of the accumulated duty cycle in the next energy supply period is greater than the maximum value of the accumulated duty cycle in the previous energy supply period, the controller determines that suction has occurred.

[0111] During the suction process, as cold air enters, it cools the heating element 30, causing a sudden drop in its temperature. Consequently, the controller needs to provide more energy to restore the heating element 30 to the target temperature. This results in the peak value of the next energy supply waveform being greater than the peak value of the previous energy supply waveform. Figure 8 The peak value E2 of the next energy supply waveform shown is greater than the peak value E1 of the previous energy supply waveform.

[0112] And, in some embodiments, such as Figure 9 As shown, the temperature acquisition method also includes:

[0113] S51, calculate the difference or ratio between the maximum value of the duty cycle accumulated in the next energy supply period and the maximum value of the duty cycle accumulated in the previous energy supply period.

[0114] S52, compare the difference or ratio with a preset threshold;

[0115] S53 determines the suction strength based on comparison results.

[0116] After determining suction through steps S30 to S50, the controller further calculates the difference or ratio between the maximum value of the accumulated duty cycle in the next energy supply period and the maximum value of the accumulated duty cycle in the previous energy supply period. The controller has a preset threshold, which can be adjusted according to the controller's calculation method. The thresholds used to calculate the difference and the thresholds used to calculate the ratio are different.

[0117] The controller compares the difference or ratio with a preset threshold. If the difference or ratio is less than the preset threshold, the controller identifies it as a light suction, meaning the user's suction force is small. If the difference or ratio is greater than the preset threshold, the controller identifies it as a heavy suction, meaning the user's suction force is large.

[0118] Furthermore, such as Figure 10 As shown, the controller includes: at least one processor; and a memory communicatively connected to the at least one processor. Figure 10 Taking a processor as an example, the memory stores instructions executable by at least one processor. These instructions are executed by at least one processor to enable the at least one processor to perform the control method described in the above embodiment. Figure 10 Taking the example of a connection between China and Israel via a bus.

[0119] A processor can be implemented using at least one of the following: application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP), digital signal processing device (DSPD), programmable logic device (PLD), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), processor, controller, microcontroller, microprocessor, or other electronic unit that performs these functions.

[0120] The memory includes high-speed random access memory and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, flash memory device, or other non-volatile solid-state memory device. In some embodiments, the memory may optionally include memory remotely located relative to the processor, which can be connected to the aerosol generating apparatus via a network. Examples of such networks include, but are not limited to, the Internet, intranets, local area networks, mobile communication networks, and combinations thereof.

[0121] The memory is used to store non-volatile software programs, non-volatile computer-executable programs, and modules, such as the program instructions / units corresponding to the control method / device described herein. The processor executes the various functional applications and data processing of the aerosol generating apparatus by running the non-volatile software programs, instructions, and units stored in the memory, thereby implementing the suction detection method described in the above embodiments.

[0122] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and not to limit them; under the concept of this application, the technical features of the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, the steps can be implemented in any order, and there are many other variations of different aspects of this application as described above, which are not provided in detail for the sake of brevity; although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A temperature acquisition method applied in an aerosol generating apparatus, the aerosol generating apparatus comprising a heating element for heating an aerosol generating article to generate aerosol, and a temperature sensing element for detecting the temperature of the heating element, characterized in that, The aerosol generating device further includes a first voltage conversion circuit and a second voltage conversion circuit electrically connected to the temperature sensing element. The first voltage conversion circuit is configured to convert the electrical signal generated by the temperature sensing element into a first voltage value based on a first preset temperature range. The second voltage conversion circuit is configured to convert the electrical signal generated by the temperature sensing element into a second voltage value based on a second preset temperature range. The first preset temperature range covers the second preset temperature range. The first voltage value is located within the first preset voltage interval, and the second voltage value is located within the second preset voltage interval. The second preset voltage interval has an upper limit and a lower limit. The temperature acquisition method includes: Obtain the first voltage value and the second voltage value, and determine the first temperature value and the second temperature value based on the first voltage value and the second voltage value; If the second voltage value is equal to the upper limit value or the lower limit value, then the first temperature value is confirmed as the current temperature value of the heating element; If the second voltage value is between the upper limit value and the lower limit value, then the second temperature value is confirmed as the current temperature value of the heating element.

2. The temperature acquisition method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first preset voltage range and the second preset voltage range are the same.

3. The temperature acquisition method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first preset temperature range is the temperature range that the temperature sensing element can measure.

4. The temperature acquisition method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aerosol generating device has a preheating stage and a heat preservation stage. The preheating stage is used to heat the temperature of the heating element to a target temperature, and the heat preservation stage is used to maintain the temperature of the heating element at the target temperature. The temperature of the heating element in the heat preservation stage is within the second preset temperature range.

5. The temperature acquisition method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second preset temperature range is 200℃~280℃.

6. The temperature acquisition method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The heat preservation stage includes multiple energy supply time periods, during which an incremental PID control algorithm is used to control the supplied energy. The temperature acquisition method further includes: Obtain the maximum value of the accumulated duty cycle during each of the energy supply time periods; Compare the maximum value of the duty cycle accumulated in any two consecutive energy supply time periods; If the maximum value of the duty cycle accumulated in the next energy supply period is greater than the maximum value of the duty cycle accumulated in the previous energy supply period, then a suction is confirmed to have occurred.

7. The temperature acquisition method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The temperature acquisition method further includes: Calculate the difference or ratio between the maximum value of the duty cycle accumulated during the next energy supply period and the maximum value of the duty cycle accumulated during the previous energy supply period; The difference or ratio is compared with a preset threshold. The suction strength is determined based on the comparison results.

8. The temperature acquisition method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The step of obtaining the maximum value of the accumulated duty cycle in each of the energy supply time periods specifically includes: Obtain the current temperature of the heating element and the target temperature; The current temperature and the target temperature are fed into the PID control algorithm for calculation to obtain the duty cycle.

9. The temperature acquisition method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first voltage conversion circuit includes a first operational amplifier circuit, and the second conversion circuit includes a second operational amplifier circuit. The first operational amplifier circuit amplifies the electrical signal within a first preset voltage range, and the second operational amplifier circuit amplifies the electrical signal within a second preset voltage range. The first operational amplifier circuit and the second operational amplifier circuit have different amplification factors.

10. A temperature acquisition method applied in an aerosol generating apparatus, the aerosol generating apparatus comprising a heating element for heating an aerosol generating article to generate aerosol, and a temperature sensing element for detecting the temperature of the heating element, characterized in that... The aerosol generating device further includes a first voltage conversion circuit and a second voltage conversion circuit electrically connected to the temperature sensing element. The first voltage conversion circuit is configured to convert the electrical signal generated by the temperature sensing element into a first voltage value based on a first preset temperature range. The second voltage conversion circuit is configured to convert the electrical signal generated by the temperature sensing element into a second voltage value based on a second preset temperature range. The first preset temperature range covers the second preset temperature range. The temperature acquisition method includes: Obtain the first voltage value and the second voltage value, and determine the first temperature value and the second temperature value based on the first voltage value and the second voltage value; If the first temperature value is outside the second preset temperature range, then the first temperature value is confirmed as the current temperature value of the heating element; If the first temperature value is within the second preset temperature range, then the second temperature value is confirmed as the current temperature value of the heating element.

11. An aerosol generating apparatus, comprising a heating element for heating an aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol, and a temperature sensing element for detecting the temperature of the heating element, characterized in that, The aerosol generating device further includes a first voltage conversion circuit and a second voltage conversion circuit electrically connected to the temperature sensing element. The first voltage conversion circuit is configured to convert the electrical signal generated by the temperature sensing element into a first voltage value based on a first preset temperature range. The second voltage conversion circuit is configured to convert the electrical signal generated by the temperature sensing element into a second voltage value based on a second preset temperature range. The first preset temperature range covers the second preset temperature range. The first voltage value has a first preset voltage range. The second voltage value has a second preset voltage range. The second preset voltage range has an upper limit value and a lower limit value. The aerosol generating device further includes a controller electrically connected to the first voltage conversion circuit and the second voltage conversion circuit to obtain the first voltage value and the second voltage value. The controller is also configured to determine a first temperature value and a second temperature value based on the first voltage value and the second voltage value, and to determine the first temperature value as the current temperature value of the heating element when the second voltage value is equal to the upper limit value or the lower limit value; and to determine the second temperature value as the current temperature value of the heating element when the second voltage value is between the upper limit value and the lower limit value.

12. An aerosol generating device, comprising a controller, characterized in that, The controller includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program, and the processor executing the computer program implements the temperature acquisition method according to any one of claims 1-10.

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