Control device for an aerosol generation device, aerosol generation device and control method

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of control, and particularly relates to a control device for an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device and a control method, which solve the technical problems of high standby power consumption and easy mis-triggering of the existing aerosol generating device. The control device comprises a power supply unit, a posture detection unit, a key unit, a power management unit and a controller. The input end of the posture detection unit is electrically connected with the output end of the power supply unit. The first end of the key unit is electrically connected with the output end of the posture detection unit. The second end of the key unit is electrically connected with the enable end of the power management unit. The posture detection unit turns on to enable the key unit to receive power supply when detecting that the aerosol generating device is in a predetermined posture, and turns off when not detecting the predetermined posture. The key unit generates a first enable signal when obtaining power supply and being triggered. The power management unit starts when receiving a valid level at the enable end. The controller is powered on after receiving power supply of a second working voltage, and generates a second enable signal after being powered on.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of control technology, and in particular to a control device, a mist generating device, and a control method for an aerosol generating device. Background Technology

[0002] Aerosol generating devices, as a novel type of aerosol generation system, have gained widespread attention and market promotion globally in recent years. Their working principle involves heating the aerosol-generating substrate (such as tobacco or herbal products) via electric heating, causing it to release inhalable aerosol components. The heating temperature is typically lower than the combustion temperature of traditional cigarettes, thereby reducing harmful substances such as tar produced during combustion.

[0003] Currently, commercially available aerosol generators typically use the following method for power-on / off control: the microcontroller inside the device is continuously powered by a battery, maintaining a standby or hibernation state, and cyclically scanning and detecting key input signals; when a valid key operation is detected, the microcontroller controls the power management module to start, and the entire device powers on and enters the working state; when powered off, the microcontroller controls the power management module to shut down, but the microcontroller itself remains in a powered standby state to wait for the next key press to wake it up.

[0004] However, relying on software to continuously scan and detect buttons can easily lead to accidental power-on due to incomplete software filtering or abnormal signal coupling in scenarios such as squeezing in pockets, collisions in bags, or bumps during transportation, posing a safety hazard. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this disclosure provides a control device, an aerosol generating device, and a control method for an aerosol generating apparatus.

[0006] In a first aspect, this application provides a control device for an aerosol generating apparatus. The control device includes: a power supply unit, an attitude detection unit, a button unit, a power management unit, and a controller; the input terminal of the attitude detection unit is electrically connected to the output terminal of the power supply unit; a first terminal of the button unit is electrically connected to the output terminal of the attitude detection unit; a second terminal of the button unit is electrically connected to the enable terminal of the power management unit, and the output terminal of the power management unit is connected to the controller; the output terminal of the controller is electrically connected to the enable terminal of the power management unit; the power supply unit is configured to provide a first operating voltage to the power management unit. The attitude detection unit is configured to turn on when it detects that the aerosol generating device is in a predetermined attitude, so that the button unit receives power, and to turn off when the predetermined attitude is not detected; the button unit is configured to generate a first enable signal when it receives power and is triggered; the power management unit is configured to start when the enable terminal receives a valid level, so as to output a second operating voltage based on the first operating voltage; the controller is configured to power on after receiving the power supply of the second operating voltage, and generate a second enable signal after power-on; wherein, the power management unit is started when the first enable signal or the second enable signal is a valid level.

[0007] In one feasible embodiment, the controller is further configured to: set the second enable signal to an active level after power-on; and set the second enable signal to an inactive level when a power-off trigger event is detected by the button unit.

[0008] In one feasible embodiment, the attitude detection unit is a unidirectional tilt ball switch; the unidirectional tilt ball switch is turned on when the angle between the longitudinal axis of the mist generating device and the vertical direction is less than or equal to a preset angle threshold, and is turned off when the angle is greater than the preset angle threshold.

[0009] In one feasible embodiment, the button unit includes: a button switch and a first resistor; a first end of the first resistor is electrically connected to the output end of the attitude detection unit, and a second end of the first resistor is electrically connected to the first end of the button switch; the second end of the button switch is the second end of the button unit; the button switch is configured to generate a first enable signal when it receives power and is triggered.

[0010] In one feasible embodiment, a second resistor and a third resistor are further included; a first end of the second resistor is electrically connected to a second end of the button unit and also electrically connected to a first end of the third resistor; a second end of the second resistor is electrically connected to a button terminal of the controller, and a second end of the third resistor is grounded; the controller is configured to recognize the trigger state of the button unit.

[0011] In one feasible embodiment, the system further includes a logic unit; a first input terminal of the logic unit is electrically connected to a second terminal of the button unit, a second input terminal of the logic unit is electrically connected to an output terminal of the controller, and an output terminal of the logic unit is electrically connected to an enable terminal of the power management unit; the logic unit is configured to set the enable terminal to an active level when the first enable signal or the second enable signal is active.

[0012] In one feasible embodiment, the logic unit includes: a first diode and a second diode; a first terminal of the first diode is a first input terminal of the logic unit, and a second terminal of the first diode is an output terminal of the logic unit; a first terminal of the second diode is a first input terminal of the logic unit, and a second terminal of the second diode is an output terminal of the logic unit.

[0013] In one feasible embodiment, a fourth resistor is further included; a first end of the fourth resistor is electrically connected to the output of the logic unit, and a second end of the fourth resistor is grounded; when both the first enable signal and the second enable signal are at an invalid level, the fourth resistor is configured to pull the enable terminal of the power management unit to an invalid level.

[0014] In one feasible embodiment, a first capacitor is further included; a first terminal of the first capacitor is electrically connected to the output terminal of the power management unit, and a second terminal of the first capacitor is grounded.

[0015] Secondly, this application also provides an aerosol generating device, including the aforementioned control device for the aerosol generating device.

[0016] Thirdly, this application also provides a control method for an aerosol generating device, applied to the aforementioned aerosol generating device; the method includes: a control device detecting whether the aerosol generating device is in a predetermined posture; when the aerosol generating device is detected to be in the predetermined posture, the control device activates a posture detection unit to supply power to a button unit; the control device generates a first enable signal in response to the button unit being triggered after receiving power; the control device sets the enable terminal of a power management unit to an active level in response to the first enable signal, causing the power management unit to start and output a second operating voltage based on a first operating voltage; the control device controls the second operating voltage to supply power to a controller, and the controller generates a second enable signal after being powered on; the control device maintains the enable terminal of the power management unit at the active level in response to the second enable signal, causing the power management unit to continue outputting the second operating voltage after the first enable signal disappears.

[0017] The technical solution provided in this disclosure has the following advantages compared with the prior art: The detection device provided in this disclosure, by setting an attitude detection unit connected in series between the power supply unit and the button unit, ensures that the button unit receives power only when the aerosol generator is in a predetermined attitude. This achieves a power-on mechanism triggered by both attitude and button conditions. After the controller is powered on, it outputs a second enable signal to self-lock and maintain the operation of the power management unit, thereby completely powering off the main control unit in the sleep state, significantly reducing standby power consumption and extending the storage life of the aerosol generator. Furthermore, in non-predetermined attitudes, the button unit is powered off at the hardware level, and even if the button is accidentally triggered, no enable signal can be generated. Compared to solutions that rely on software shielding, this disclosure completely eliminates accidental power-on at the physical circuit level, significantly improving the safety of the aerosol generator. Moreover, this hardware-level anti-accidental touch mechanism can directly replace the traditional software child lock function, achieving the same safety effect without the need for additional non-volatile memory units. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this disclosure.

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure or the prior art, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a control device for an aerosol generating apparatus according to some embodiments; Figure 2 This is a circuit diagram of a control device for an aerosol generating apparatus according to some embodiments; Figure 3 This is a circuit diagram of another control device for an aerosol generating apparatus according to some embodiments; Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a control method for an aerosol generating device according to some embodiments.

[0021] Among them, 1 is a power supply unit; 2 is an attitude detection unit; 3 is a button unit; 31 is a button switch; 4 is a power management unit; 5 is a controller; 6 is a logic unit; 100 is a control device for the aerosol generating device; R1 is a first resistor; R2 is a second resistor; R3 is a third resistor; R4 is a fourth resistor; D1 is a first diode; D2 is a second diode; C1 is a first capacitor; C2 is a second capacitor. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To better understand the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this disclosure, the solutions disclosed herein will be further described below. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described herein can be combined with each other.

[0023] Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a full understanding of this disclosure, but this disclosure may also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein; obviously, the embodiments in the specification are only some, and not all, of the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0024] Aerosol generating devices, as a novel type of aerosol generation system, have gained widespread attention and market promotion globally in recent years. Their working principle involves heating the aerosol-generating substrate (such as tobacco or herbal products) via electric heating, causing it to release inhalable aerosol components. The heating temperature is typically lower than the combustion temperature of traditional cigarettes, thereby reducing harmful substances such as tar produced during combustion.

[0025] Currently, commercially available aerosol generators typically employ the following method for power-on / off control: the microcontroller within the device is continuously powered by a battery, maintaining a standby or hibernation state while cyclically scanning and detecting key input signals; when a valid key press is detected, the microcontroller activates the power management module, powering on the device and putting it into operation; when powered off, the microcontroller shuts down the power management module, but the microcontroller itself remains in a powered standby state, awaiting the next key press to wake it up. Furthermore, to prevent accidental use or unintended triggering by children, some products incorporate a child lock function in addition to the above solution. A typical implementation involves pressing a key a certain number of times consecutively within a given time period to trigger a lock or unlock operation. The microcontroller writes the current lock / unlock status information to a non-volatile storage medium for storage. When the system is powered off and then powered on again, the microcontroller reads this status information; if the device is in a locked state, it disables key press responses.

[0026] However, the existing solutions mentioned above have the following significant drawbacks: First, the microcontroller continuously consumes power while in standby mode, and even in deep sleep mode, the battery power will still slowly deplete over time, shortening the product's battery life after storage. This is particularly prominent for portable aerosol generators powered by small-capacity batteries. Second, relying on software to cyclically scan and detect buttons can easily lead to accidental power-on due to incomplete software filtering or abnormal signal coupling in scenarios such as squeezing in pockets, collisions in bags, or bumps during transportation, posing a safety hazard. Third, while the added child lock function reduces the risk of misuse by children to some extent, its operation requires users to memorize and execute complex continuous button press rhythms, resulting in a poor user experience. Moreover, the system needs to have non-volatile storage capabilities to maintain the child lock state after power failure, increasing the cost of peripheral circuits or the occupation of on-chip storage resources of the microcontroller. At the same time, the software needs to handle logic such as status reading and writing, and erase / write lifespan management, further increasing system complexity and potential failure points.

[0027] In view of this, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a control device for an aerosol generating apparatus, such as... Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a control device for an aerosol generating apparatus according to some embodiments.

[0028] The control device includes: power supply unit 1, attitude detection unit 2, button unit 3, power management unit 4, and controller 5.

[0029] The input terminal of the attitude detection unit 2 is electrically connected to the output terminal of the power supply unit 1; the first terminal of the button unit 3 is electrically connected to the output terminal of the attitude detection unit 2; the second terminal of the button unit 3 is electrically connected to the enable terminal of the power management unit 4; the output terminal of the power management unit 4 is connected to the controller 5; and the output terminal of the controller 5 is electrically connected to the enable terminal of the power management unit 4.

[0030] The power supply unit 1 is configured to provide a first operating voltage to the power management unit 4; the attitude detection unit 2 is configured to turn on when the aerosol generating device is detected to be in a predetermined attitude, so that the button unit 3 receives power, and turn off when the predetermined attitude is not detected.

[0031] The button unit 3 is configured to generate a first enable signal when it is powered on and triggered; the power management unit 4 is configured to start when the enable terminal receives a valid level, so as to output a second operating voltage based on the first operating voltage.

[0032] The controller 5 is configured to receive a second operating voltage and then power on, generating a second enable signal after power-on.

[0033] Specifically, the power management unit 4 is activated when either the first enable signal or the second enable signal is at an active level.

[0034] First, the attitude detection unit 2 is connected in series in the physical path between the power supply unit 1 and the button unit 3. That is, the power of the power supply unit 1 must flow through the attitude detection unit 2 to reach the button unit 3. When the attitude detection unit 2 is not conducting, the first end of the button unit 3 is in a completely floating or de-energized state, and the button unit 3 as a whole is without power and cannot generate any effective electrical signal.

[0035] The predetermined posture refers to the specific orientation of the aerosol generating device in space; for example, the nozzle is facing upward and the angle of the longitudinal axis relative to the direction of gravity is less than or equal to a certain predetermined angle threshold, such as 45°. This posture information is sensed by the posture detection unit 2. The posture detection unit 2 only changes its electrical state from disconnected to connected when the aerosol generating device meets the predetermined posture conditions.

[0036] The enable pin of the power management unit 4 is its startup control pin. The level signal received by this pin determines the working state of the power management unit 4: when the pin receives a valid level, such as a high level, the power management unit 4 starts up and outputs voltage; when the pin receives an invalid level, such as a low level, the power management unit 4 shuts down and does not output voltage.

[0037] The specific polarity of the effective level, i.e., whether it is active high or active low, depends on the chip selection of the power management unit 4. This application uses active high as an example for limitation.

[0038] When either the first enable signal or the second enable signal is at an active level, the power management unit 4 is activated, meaning that the power management unit 4's enable pin has two independent power supply paths. First path: The first enable signal generated after the button unit 3 is triggered is directly sent to the enable terminal of the power management unit 4 to enable the power management unit 4.

[0039] Second path: After the controller 5 is powered on, the second enable signal generated by the output terminal is also sent to the enable terminal of the power management unit 4 to realize the controller 5's control of the power management unit 4.

[0040] The first enable signal and the second enable signal are logically ORed, meaning that the power management unit 4 is activated when either one is at an active level.

[0041] It should be noted that when the controller 5 is not powered on, the second enable signal is in an invalid state; however, when the button is released and the first enable signal disappears, the second enable signal remains valid, thereby maintaining the continuous operation of the power management unit 4.

[0042] The controller 5 can be powered by the second working voltage output by the power management unit 4 instead of directly by the power supply unit 1. When the power management unit 4 is not started, the controller 5 is completely powered off and does not consume any power. Only when the power management unit 4 is started and outputs the second working voltage can the controller 5 be powered on and work.

[0043] In this way, since the attitude detection unit 2 is connected in series in the power supply path, the power supply circuit of the button unit 3 is physically cut off when the attitude is not predetermined, the power management unit 4 does not start, and the controller 5 is completely powered off. Only the attitude detection unit 2 has a very small static power consumption. Compared with the traditional solution where the controller 5 is powered on and in sleep mode for a long time, the standby power consumption is greatly reduced and the storage life is extended.

[0044] Furthermore, since the power supply to the button unit 3 is physically cut off by the attitude detection unit 2, no matter how the button is accidentally touched in a non-predetermined attitude, its power supply circuit is disconnected and no effective electrical signal can be generated. The power management unit 4 will not be accidentally started, thus preventing accidental power-on. At the same time, this anti-accidental touch mechanism achieves the same safety purpose as traditional software child locks. Therefore, the child lock function and its associated non-volatile storage requirements can be eliminated, simplifying the system's hardware and software design and reducing costs.

[0045] In one feasible embodiment, the controller 5 is further configured to: set the second enable signal to an active level after power-on; and set the second enable signal to an inactive level when a power-off trigger event is detected by the button unit 3.

[0046] Setting the second enable signal to an active level after power-on means that after the controller 5 obtains the second operating voltage and completes the power-on startup, it immediately outputs an active level, such as a high level, from its output terminal to the enable terminal of the power management unit 4. The purpose is to allow the controller 5 to take over the enable maintenance task of the power management unit 4 before the first enable signal generated by the button unit 3 disappears, so as to realize the timing connection of hardware trigger startup and software takeover self-locking.

[0047] When a power-off trigger event is detected by the button unit 3, the second enable signal is set to an invalid level. This means that the controller 5 continuously monitors the trigger state of the button unit 3 under normal operating conditions. When a button operation that meets the power-off conditions is detected, such as when the button is pressed in a predetermined posture, the controller actively switches the output second enable signal from an effective level to an invalid level, such as a low level. At this time, since the power management unit 4 has only two effective level sources, the first enable signal is invalid and the second enable signal is also invalid. Both of them are ineffective, the power management unit 4 is turned off, and the whole machine is powered off.

[0048] It should be noted that the recognition of the power-off trigger event also requires the aerosol generating device to be in a predetermined posture. This is because the button unit 3 is only powered when the posture detection unit 2 is turned on, and the level change generated by the button trigger can be transmitted to the button detection input pin of the controller 5 through the signal isolation resistor. If the aerosol generating device is in a non-predetermined posture, the button unit 3 is not powered, and the controller 5 cannot recognize any button operation.

[0049] In summary, after the controller 5 is powered on, it immediately sets the second enable signal to an active level, realizing the connection from the hardware trigger of the button to the software self-locking of the controller 5 during the startup process. After the user releases the button and the first enable signal disappears, the power management unit 4 continues to work because the second enable signal remains active, and the whole machine will not lose power, thus ensuring that the aerosol generator can continue to work normally after the user releases the button.

[0050] Meanwhile, controller 5 can simultaneously recognize power-on and power-off triggers through the same button unit 3, eliminating the need for separate power-on and power-off buttons, simplifying the user interface and reducing hardware costs. Furthermore, when controller 5 detects a power-off trigger event, it actively sets the second enable signal to an invalid level. Power management unit 4 shuts down due to the loss of all valid levels at its enable pin, ceasing to output the second operating voltage. Controller 5 itself is then completely powered off, ensuring zero power consumption after shutdown. This fundamentally solves the problem of slow battery drain caused by controller 5 being constantly powered on in traditional solutions.

[0051] In one feasible embodiment, the attitude detection unit 2 is a unidirectional tilt ball switch.

[0052] The unidirectional tilt ball switch is turned on when the angle between the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generator and the vertical direction is less than or equal to a preset angle threshold, and turned off when the angle is greater than the preset angle threshold.

[0053] First, a unidirectional tilt ball switch is a passive physical switching device. It contains a freely rolling conductive ball and two fixed contacts. When the orientation of the switch changes, the ball moves under the action of gravity. When the tilt angle reaches a certain threshold, the ball rolls down to the contact position, forming a conductive path between the two contacts, and the switch is turned on. Conversely, when the ball moves away from the contact position, the switch is turned off.

[0054] The angle between the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generator and the vertical direction refers to the angle between the longitudinal axis and the vertical direction. The aerosol generator is usually a columnar or rod-shaped structure. Its longitudinal axis is the central axis extending along the length of the aerosol generator. The vertical direction is the direction of gravity. For example, taking the aerosol generator standing upright with the nozzle facing upward as a predetermined posture, when the aerosol generator is in this posture, the angle between the longitudinal axis and the vertical direction approaches 0°, and the switch is turned on. When the aerosol generator is placed horizontally, such as lying flat on a table or holding it horizontally in the hand, the angle between the longitudinal axis and the vertical direction approaches 90°. At this time, the angle is greater than the preset angle threshold of 45°, and the switch is turned off.

[0055] In this way, the unidirectional tilt ball switch is a physical mechanical switch, and its conduction and disconnection depend entirely on the relative relationship between the direction of gravity and the posture of the aerosol generating device. It can work without any external drive circuit or bias voltage. The ball switch used in this embodiment can realize posture sensing without power supply, which further reduces the standby power consumption of the whole device. For portable aerosol generating devices powered by small-capacity batteries, this can significantly extend the product's shelf life.

[0056] like Figure 2 As shown, in one feasible embodiment, the button unit 3 includes a button switch 31 and a first resistor R1.

[0057] The first end of the first resistor R1 is electrically connected to the output end of the attitude detection unit 2, and the second end of the first resistor R1 is electrically connected to the first end of the push button switch 31.

[0058] The second end of the push-button switch 31 is the second end of the push-button unit 3.

[0059] The push-button switch 31 is configured to generate a first enable signal when it is powered and triggered.

[0060] In some embodiments, the resistance of the first resistor R1 is 2kΩ.

[0061] The first end of the first resistor R1 is electrically connected to the output terminal of the attitude detection unit 2, and the second end of the first resistor R1 is electrically connected to the first end of the push-button switch 31. This means that the first resistor R1 is connected in series between the output terminal of the attitude detection unit 2 and the push-button switch 31. After the attitude detection unit 2 is turned on, the power supply unit 1's electrical energy first passes through the first resistor R1 and then reaches the first end of the push-button switch 31. The first resistor R1 here acts as a current limiter. When the push-button switch 31 is pressed and turned on, the first operating voltage output by the power supply unit 1 is directly applied to the branch containing the first resistor R1 and the push-button switch 31. If there were no first resistor R1 to limit the current, it would be equivalent to the positive terminal of the power supply unit 1 being directly short-circuited to ground through the push-button switch 31, which may generate a large current and damage the attitude detection unit 2 or the push-button switch 31 itself. The first resistor R1 protects the contacts of the attitude detection unit 2 and the push-button switch 31 by limiting the current in this branch.

[0062] In summary, the first resistor R1 is connected in series between the output terminal of the attitude detection unit 2 and the push button switch 31. When the push button switch 31 is pressed, it limits the current flowing through the attitude detection unit 2 and the push button switch 31, avoiding the large current surge caused by the power supply unit 1 being directly short-circuited to ground. This effectively protects the internal contact structure of the attitude detection unit 2 and the contact surface of the push button switch 31, extending the service life of the device and improving contact reliability.

[0063] like Figure 2 As shown, in one feasible embodiment, a second resistor R2 and a third resistor R3 are also included.

[0064] The first end of the second resistor R2 is electrically connected to the second end of the button unit 3, and is also electrically connected to the first end of the third resistor R3.

[0065] The second end of the second resistor R2 is electrically connected to the button terminal of the controller 5, and the second end of the third resistor R3 is grounded.

[0066] The controller 5 is configured to recognize the trigger state of the button unit 3.

[0067] In some embodiments, the resistance of the second resistor R2 is 1kΩ and the resistance of the third resistor R3 is 15kΩ.

[0068] The second end of the button unit 3 is led out and divided into three paths: the first path is connected to the enable terminal of the power management unit 4 to generate the first enable signal; the second path is connected to the button terminal of the controller 5 through the second resistor R2 to transmit the button trigger state to the controller 5; the third path is connected to the reference ground through the third resistor R3. The second end of the button unit 3 is the common node of the above three paths. The first enable signal, the button signal sent to the controller 5 through the second resistor R2, and the path pulled down to ground through the third resistor R3 all share the same node potential.

[0069] The second end of the second resistor R2 is electrically connected to the button terminal of the controller 5. The second resistor R2 plays a dual role of signal isolation and current limiting in this circuit. The voltage of the first enable signal node is the first operating voltage of the power supply unit 1, while the button terminal of the controller 5 is the general-purpose input / output port of the controller 5. The withstand voltage value is usually 3V logic level, which is consistent with the second operating voltage.

[0070] The second end of the third resistor R3 is grounded and the controller 5 is configured to identify the trigger state of the button unit 3. The third resistor R3 is the aforementioned pull-down resistor. When the button switch 31 is not pressed, the first enable signal node is pulled down to ground level through the third resistor R3. At this time, the first end of the second resistor R2 is at a low level, and the signal transmitted to the button end of the controller 5 through the second resistor R2 is also at a low level. The controller 5 identifies the button as not being triggered.

[0071] When the push-button switch 31 is pressed and the attitude detection unit 2 is turned on, the first enable signal node is pulled high to the voltage of the power supply unit 1. This high level is transmitted to the button terminal of the controller 5 through the second resistor R2. The controller 5 recognizes the change of the pin level from low to high, that is, it recognizes that the button has been triggered. After the controller 5 is powered on, the controller 5 continuously reads the level status through its button terminal. If a valid level is detected, it is determined that the button has been pressed, and then executes the corresponding function response according to the preset logic such as button duration and number of button presses.

[0072] The second resistor R2 is connected in series between the first enable signal node and the KEY pin of the controller 5. After the battery voltage is current-limited by the resistor, it is sent to the logic level IO port of the controller 5. This avoids the high battery voltage being directly applied to the pin of the controller 5, which would cause overvoltage damage to the IO port. This effectively protects the controller 5 and improves the reliability and service life of the system.

[0073] Meanwhile, the second resistor R2 also serves as an isolation mechanism. The level change at the first enable signal node and the high level generated by the button trigger are sent to the button terminal of the controller 5 via the second resistor R2, ensuring that the first enable signal sent to the enable terminal of the power management unit 4 is not interfered with by the pin status of the controller 5, thus achieving stable transmission of the button signal.

[0074] The third resistor R3 is connected as a pull-down resistor between the first enable signal node and ground. When the button is not pressed, it clamps the first enable signal node to a stable low level, avoiding uncertain floating levels caused by distributed capacitance coupling on the circuit board or spatial electromagnetic interference when the button is floating. The presence of the third resistor R3 ensures that in the non-triggered state, both the first enable signal node and the button terminal of the controller 5 are at a definite low level. The controller 5 can accurately identify the button trigger state, improving the anti-interference capability of the system.

[0075] like Figure 3 As shown, in one feasible embodiment, it also includes a logic unit 6.

[0076] The first input terminal of logic unit 6 is electrically connected to the second terminal of button unit 3, the second input terminal of logic unit 6 is electrically connected to the output terminal of controller 5, and the output terminal of logic unit 6 is electrically connected to the enable terminal of power management unit 4.

[0077] Logic unit 6 is configured to set the enable pin to an active level when either the first enable signal or the second enable signal is active.

[0078] The electrical connection between the first input terminal of logic unit 6 and the second terminal of button unit 3 means that the input terminal receives the first enable signal generated when button unit 3 is triggered. The first enable signal is a high-level signal output by the second terminal of button switch 31 at the moment of power-on. This signal is led out through the second terminal node of button unit 3 and sent to the first input terminal of logic unit 6.

[0079] The electrical connection between the second input terminal of logic unit 6 and the output terminal of controller 5 means that the input terminal receives the second enable signal generated by the output terminal of controller 5 after controller 5 is powered on. After controller 5 is powered on, the second enable signal is set to an active level, and the signal is sent to the second input terminal of logic unit 6 after being led out through the general-purpose input / output port of controller 5.

[0080] The output terminal of logic unit 6 is electrically connected to the enable terminal of power management unit 4. After logically combining the two input signals, logic unit 6 outputs the signal to the enable terminal of power management unit 4. Logic unit 6 essentially performs a logical OR function. That is, when either the first or second input terminal receives a valid level (high level), the output terminal outputs a valid level (high level) to the enable terminal of power management unit 4, enabling power management unit 4 to start. Only when both inputs are invalid levels (low level) will the output terminal output an invalid level, turning off power management unit 4.

[0081] In summary, logic unit 6 achieves independent control of the first enable signal and the second enable signal. At the moment of power-on, the first enable signal pulls the enable terminal high to start the power management unit 4. After the controller 5 is powered on, the second enable signal continues to maintain the enable terminal at a high level. The two achieve the timing connection of hardware wake-up and software takeover through a logical OR relationship. This ensures that the power can be started without the participation of the controller 5 at the time of power-on, and that the power management unit 4 continues to work after the button is released because the second enable signal is still valid. The two do not interfere with each other and are seamlessly connected.

[0082] Reference Figure 3 In one feasible embodiment, the logic unit 6 includes: a first diode D1 and a second diode D2.

[0083] The first terminal of the first diode D1 is the first input terminal of logic unit 6, and the second terminal of the first diode D1 is the output terminal of logic unit 6.

[0084] The first terminal of the second diode D2 is the first input terminal of logic unit 6, and the second terminal of the second diode D2 is the output terminal of logic unit 6.

[0085] A diode is a semiconductor device with unidirectional conductivity, and its two electrodes are the anode and the cathode, respectively. The first terminal refers to the anode of the diode, and the second terminal refers to the cathode of the diode. The first terminal of the first diode D1 is connected to the second terminal of the button unit 3, and is used to receive the first enable signal generated when the button unit 3 is triggered. Therefore, this terminal serves as the first input terminal of the logic unit 6.

[0086] The first end of the second diode D2 being the second input terminal of logic unit 6 means that the first end of the second diode D2 is connected to the output terminal of controller 5 and is used to receive the second enable signal generated after controller 5 is powered on. Therefore, this end serves as the second input terminal of logic unit 6.

[0087] The second terminal of the first diode D1 is the output terminal of logic unit 6, and the second terminal of the second diode D2 is the output terminal of logic unit 6. This means that the second terminals of the first diode D1 and the second diode D2 are connected together in the circuit to form a common cathode connection structure. This common connection node is connected to the enable terminal of power management unit 4 as the overall output terminal of logic unit 6.

[0088] When the anode of the first diode D1 is high, it is forward-biased and conducts, pulling its cathode high. When the anode of the second diode D2 is high, it is forward-biased and conducts, pulling its cathode high as well. When both anodes are low, both diodes are cut off, and the output terminal is pulled low through a pull-down resistor. Therefore, the output level is the result of the logical OR of the two input signals; if either input is high, the output is high; if both are low, the output is low.

[0089] Due to the unidirectional conductivity of diodes, current can only flow from the anode to the cathode, not from the cathode to the anode. Therefore, when the anode of the first diode D1 (the first enable signal) is high, this high level reaches the common output terminal via the first diode D1. However, due to the reverse cutoff characteristic of the second diode D2, this high level will not flow back to the anode of the second diode D2 (the output terminal of controller 5), thus preventing voltage from being applied to the output port of controller 5 before it is powered on. Similarly, when the second enable signal is high, this high level will not flow back to the second terminal of the button unit 3.

[0090] The common cathode connection of the two diodes forms a line or structure. By utilizing the unidirectional conductivity of the diodes, the logic combination is realized while effectively isolating the two signal sources. This prevents the first enable signal on the button unit 3 side from flowing back to the output of the controller 5, thereby ensuring that the controller 5 is powered on only after the power management unit 4 outputs the second working voltage normally, thus ensuring the correctness and safety of the power-on sequence.

[0091] Reference Figure 3 In one feasible embodiment, a fourth resistor R4 is also included.

[0092] The first end of the fourth resistor R4 is electrically connected to the output of logic unit 6, and the second end of the fourth resistor R4 is grounded.

[0093] When both the first enable signal and the second enable signal are at an invalid level, the fourth resistor R4 is configured to pull the enable terminal of the power management unit 4 to an invalid level.

[0094] In some embodiments, the resistance of the fourth resistor R4 is 15kΩ.

[0095] Both the first enable signal and the second enable signal have two states: valid level and invalid level. When both are invalid, that is, the button is not pressed and the controller 5 does not output a sustain signal, the output of the logic unit 6 loses the high-level drive from the first diode D1 and the second diode D2.

[0096] In this case, without the fourth resistor R4, the enable terminal will be in an electrically floating state, and its level will be uncertain. It may fluctuate randomly due to distributed capacitance coupling on the circuit board or spatial electromagnetic interference, causing the power management unit 4 to be unpredictably triggered.

[0097] The presence of the fourth resistor R4 establishes a defined low-impedance path between the enable terminal and the reference ground. When both enable signals are low, the enable terminal is discharged to ground level through the fourth resistor R4, i.e., pulled to an invalid level (low level), ensuring that the level of the enable terminal in the non-triggered state is a deterministic and stable low level.

[0098] When the first enable signal is at an effective level (high level), the high level originates from the first operating voltage of the power supply unit 1 (such as the battery voltage 4.2V), passes through the first resistor R1 and the push button switch 31, reaches the anode of the first diode D1, and then reaches the node where the fourth resistor R4 is located through the first diode D1. At this time, the fourth resistor R4 and the first resistor R1 form a series voltage divider relationship. Since the resistance of the fourth resistor R4 is much greater than that of the first resistor R1, the high level of the enable terminal is maintained and will not be pulled low by the fourth resistor R4.

[0099] The fourth resistor R4 stably pulls the enable pin of the power management unit 4 to a low level in the non-triggered state, solving the electrical floating problem that may occur when the enable pin is not driven by a valid level. By providing a definite low-level reference, the fourth resistor R4 eliminates the false triggering path at the hardware level, ensuring that the power management unit 4 only starts when it receives a clear valid level from the button unit 3 or the controller 5, thereby improving the system's electromagnetic interference resistance and operational reliability.

[0100] Reference Figure 3 In one feasible embodiment, a first capacitor C1 is also included.

[0101] The first terminal of the first capacitor C1 is electrically connected to the output terminal of the power management unit 4, and the second terminal of the first capacitor C1 is grounded.

[0102] The first end of the first capacitor C1 is electrically connected to the output end of the power management unit 4, which means that the output end of the power management unit 4 outputs the second working voltage. This output end is connected to the power supply pin of the controller 5 to provide working power to the controller 5. The first end of the first capacitor C1 is connected to this output end node, that is, it is connected to the same electrical node as the output end of the power management unit 4 and the power supply pin of the controller 5.

[0103] Grounding the second terminal of the first capacitor C1 means that the second terminal of the first capacitor C1 is connected to the reference ground, sharing the same ground plane with the power management unit 4 and the controller 5; therefore, the first capacitor C1 is actually connected in parallel between the second operating voltage and ground.

[0104] It should be noted that the basic electrical characteristic of a capacitor is that the voltage across its terminals cannot change abruptly. When the power management unit 4 is activated and outputs the second operating voltage, there is a rising edge as the output voltage rises from 0V to 3V; when the power management unit 4 is deactivated, there is a falling edge as the output voltage drops from 3V to 0V. The first capacitor C1 utilizes its charging and discharging characteristics to suppress rapid changes in the output voltage. When the output voltage rises rapidly, the capacitor absorbs current to charge, slowing down the rate of voltage rise; when the output voltage drops rapidly, the capacitor releases the stored charge, slowing down the rate of voltage drop. This characteristic enables the first capacitor C1 to function as a voltage regulator and filter in the circuit.

[0105] At the moment the power management unit 4 starts up, the first capacitor C1 is initially uncharged (voltage is 0V) because the voltage across the capacitor cannot change abruptly. When the power management unit 4 starts outputting 3V, the capacitor absorbs a large instantaneous charging current. This characteristic allows the first capacitor C1 to play a transient current compensation role at the moment of power-on. When the controller 5 requires a large starting current at the moment of power-on, the first capacitor C1 can release the stored charge in time to replenish it, avoiding the instantaneous drop in the output voltage of the power management unit 4 or the entry into the current limiting protection state due to the excessive instantaneous current demand of the controller 5 at the moment of power-on, and ensuring that the controller 5 can be powered on and started smoothly.

[0106] Meanwhile, during the operation of controller 5, when the load current changes abruptly, the first capacitor C1 can release the stored charge in time to compensate for the transient current demand and maintain the stability of the output voltage.

[0107] Reference Figure 3 In some embodiments, a second capacitor C2 is also included. The first end of the second capacitor C2 is electrically connected to the output end of the power supply unit 1 and the input end of the power management unit 4. The second end of the second capacitor C2 is grounded.

[0108] In other words, the second capacitor C2 is connected in parallel between the output terminal of the power supply unit 1 and ground. By utilizing the characteristic that the voltage across the capacitor cannot change abruptly, the high-frequency ripple and power supply noise in the first working voltage output by the power supply unit 1 are effectively filtered out, providing a stable input voltage for the power management unit 4 and ensuring the stable operation of the power management unit 4 in a complex electromagnetic environment.

[0109] Secondly, this application also provides an aerosol generating device, including the aforementioned control device 100 for the aerosol generating device.

[0110] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device is used to heat an aerosol generating article, which includes a material that can provide volatile components when heated, and may include any tobacco-containing material, such as one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, or tobacco substitutes.

[0111] For example, the aerosol-generating article may be selected from solid materials or liquid materials. The aerosol-generating article may also include other non-tobacco products, which may or may not include nicotine, and this disclosure does not limit this.

[0112] Thirdly, such as Figure 4 As shown, this application also provides a control method for an aerosol generating device, applied to the aforementioned aerosol generating device; the method includes: S1. The control device detects whether the aerosol generating device is in the predetermined posture.

[0113] The control device detects whether the aerosol generator is in a predetermined posture. In standby sleep mode, the controller is completely powered off. This detection is performed by the posture detection unit, which is a unidirectional tilt ball switch. Whether it is on or off depends on the angle between the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generator and the direction of gravity. When the angle is greater than a preset angle threshold, the ball switch is off and no action is performed. When the angle is less than or equal to the threshold, the ball switch is on, providing physical conditions for subsequent steps.

[0114] S2. When the mist generating device is detected to be in a predetermined posture, the control device turns on the posture detection unit to provide power to the button unit.

[0115] When the aerosol generator is detected to be in a predetermined posture, the control device activates the posture detection unit. Specifically, after the ball switch changes from open to on, the first operating voltage of the power supply unit reaches the first end of the button unit through the ball switch and the first resistor R1, and the button unit is powered. At this time, the power supply circuit of the button unit has been established, but if the user has not pressed the button, the first enable signal node is still kept at a low level through the third resistor R3, and the power management unit is not started.

[0116] S3. The control device responds to the button unit being triggered after receiving power and generates a first enable signal.

[0117] The control device responds to the button unit being triggered after receiving power and generates a first enable signal. Specifically, when the user presses the button switch 31 in a predetermined posture, the button switch 31 closes, and its first terminal is connected to its second terminal. The high level of the first working voltage reaches the second terminal of the button unit 3 through the first resistor R1 and the button switch 31. The first enable signal node changes from low to high, generating a first enable signal (effective level). This high level is simultaneously sent to the controller through the second resistor R2. However, since the controller is not yet powered on and is in a high-impedance state, this signal is not recognized by the controller and is only used for hardware wake-up power.

[0118] S4. In response to the first enable signal, the control device sets the enable terminal of the power management unit to an active level, enabling the power management unit to start and output a second operating voltage based on the first operating voltage.

[0119] In response to the first enable signal, the control device sets the enable terminal of the power management unit to an active level. Specifically, a high level is sent to the enable terminal of the power management unit via the first diode D1, pulling the enable terminal high. At this time, the controller is not yet powered on, and the second enable signal is low. However, since the first diode D1 and the second diode D2 form a wired-OR logic, any high level can pull the enable terminal high. Therefore, the power management unit starts up and performs voltage regulation and conversion based on the first operating voltage provided by the power supply unit, outputting the second operating voltage from its output terminal.

[0120] S5. The control device controls the second working voltage to power the controller, and the controller generates a second enable signal after being powered on.

[0121] The control device controls the second operating voltage to power the controller. After the controller is powered on, it generates a second enable signal. Specifically, the second operating voltage output by the power management unit is sent to the power supply pin of the controller. After the controller obtains the operating power, it is powered on and starts up. In the early stage of executing the initialization program, it immediately outputs a high level as the second enable signal through its general-purpose input / output port. This high level is sent to the enable terminal of the power management unit through the second diode D2, so that the enable terminal continues to maintain a high level.

[0122] S6. In response to the second enable signal, the control device maintains the enable terminal of the power management unit at an active level, so that the power management unit continues to output the second operating voltage after the first enable signal disappears.

[0123] The control device responds to the second enable signal by maintaining the enable terminal of the power management unit at an active level. Specifically, when the user releases the button switch 31, the node loses its high-level drive and is pulled back to a low level by the third resistor R3, and the first enable signal disappears. However, since the controller output remains high, the second diode D2 continuously pulls the enable terminal of the power management unit high, so the power management unit continues to output the second operating voltage after the first enable signal disappears. Subsequently, the controller continuously monitors the button status. If a valid button command is detected again in a predetermined posture, the controller actively cancels the high level, and the enable terminal of the power management unit loses all active levels and shuts down, restoring the entire device to the completely power-off sleep state before step S1.

[0124] In summary, in standby mode, when the attitude detection unit is not powered on, the button unit has no power supply, the power management unit does not start, and the controller is completely powered off. Only the attitude detection unit has a very small static power consumption. Compared with the shortcomings of traditional solutions where the controller is powered on for a long time and continuously consumes power, this method significantly reduces standby power consumption and effectively extends the battery life of the aerosol generator in storage mode. It is especially suitable for portable devices powered by small-capacity batteries.

[0125] Furthermore, the power supply to the button unit is controlled by the physical on / off state of the attitude detection unit. When the button unit is not in the predetermined attitude, the power supply circuit is cut off, and even if the button is accidentally touched, the first enable signal cannot be generated. Compared with the traditional solution, this method eliminates the possibility of accidental power-on at the hardware circuit level, has higher reliability in preventing accidental touches, and can achieve the same safety protection effect without the need for additional software child lock function.

[0126] Meanwhile, the power management unit is started by the hardware trigger of the first enable signal at the moment of power-on. After the controller is powered on, it is maintained by the second enable signal. This realizes the timing connection of hardware wake-up and software self-locking, which not only ensures the timeliness of power-on response, but also ensures that the system does not lose power after the button is released. When powering off, the controller actively cancels the second enable signal, the power management unit is turned off, and the whole machine returns to complete power-off hibernation. The control logic is clear, the division of labor between software and hardware is clear, and the complexity of system design is reduced.

[0127] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this disclosure, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement it. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not to be limited to the embodiments described herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A control device for an aerosol generating apparatus, characterized in that, include: Power supply unit, attitude detection unit, button unit, power management unit, and controller; The input terminal of the attitude detection unit is electrically connected to the output terminal of the power supply unit; the first terminal of the button unit is electrically connected to the output terminal of the attitude detection unit; the second terminal of the button unit is electrically connected to the enable terminal of the power management unit; the output terminal of the power management unit is connected to the controller; and the output terminal of the controller is electrically connected to the enable terminal of the power management unit. The power supply unit is configured to provide a first operating voltage to the power management unit; the attitude detection unit is configured to turn on when the aerosol generating device is detected to be in a predetermined attitude, so that the button unit receives power, and turn off when the predetermined attitude is not detected. The button unit is configured to generate a first enable signal when it receives power and is triggered. The power management unit is configured to start when the enable terminal receives a valid level, so as to output a second operating voltage based on the first operating voltage; The controller is configured to receive power from the second operating voltage and then generate a second enable signal after power-on. The power management unit is activated when either the first enable signal or the second enable signal is at an active level.

2. The control device for an aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controller is also configured to: After power-on, the second enable signal is set to an active level; When a power-off trigger event is detected by the button unit, the second enable signal is set to an invalid level.

3. The control device for an aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The attitude detection unit is a unidirectional tilt ball switch; The unidirectional tilting ball switch is turned on when the angle between the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device and the vertical direction is less than or equal to a preset angle threshold, and is turned off when the angle is greater than the preset angle threshold.

4. The control device for an aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The button unit includes: a button switch and a first resistor; The first end of the first resistor is electrically connected to the output end of the attitude detection unit, and the second end of the first resistor is electrically connected to the first end of the push button switch. The second end of the push-button switch is the second end of the push-button unit; The push-button switch is configured to generate a first enable signal when it is powered and triggered.

5. The control device for an aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a second resistor and a third resistor; The first end of the second resistor is electrically connected to the second end of the button unit, and also electrically connected to the first end of the third resistor; The second end of the second resistor is electrically connected to the button terminal of the controller, and the second end of the third resistor is grounded; The controller is configured to recognize the trigger state of the button unit.

6. The control device for an aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes logic units; The first input terminal of the logic unit is electrically connected to the second terminal of the button unit, the second input terminal of the logic unit is electrically connected to the output terminal of the controller, and the output terminal of the logic unit is electrically connected to the enable terminal of the power management unit. The logic unit is configured to set the enable terminal to an active level when either the first enable signal or the second enable signal is active.

7. The control device for an aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The logic unit includes: a first diode and a second diode; The first terminal of the first diode is the first input terminal of the logic unit, and the second terminal of the first diode is the output terminal of the logic unit; The first terminal of the second diode is the first input terminal of the logic unit, and the second terminal of the second diode is the output terminal of the logic unit.

8. The control device for an aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, It also includes a fourth resistor; The first end of the fourth resistor is electrically connected to the output end of the logic unit, and the second end of the fourth resistor is grounded. When both the first enable signal and the second enable signal are at an invalid level, the fourth resistor is configured to pull the enable terminal of the power management unit to an invalid level.

9. The control device for an aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes the first capacitor; The first terminal of the first capacitor is electrically connected to the output terminal of the power management unit, and the second terminal of the first capacitor is grounded.

10. An aerosol generating device, characterized in that, Includes a control device for an aerosol generating apparatus as described in any one of claims 1-9.

11. A control method for an aerosol generating device, characterized in that, The method, applied to the aerosol generating apparatus as described in claim 10, comprises: The control device detects whether the aerosol generating device is in a predetermined posture; When the aerosol generating device is detected to be in the predetermined posture, the control device activates the posture detection unit to provide power to the button unit. The control device generates a first enable signal in response to the button unit being triggered after receiving power; In response to the first enable signal, the control device sets the enable terminal of the power management unit to an active level, thereby enabling the power management unit to start and output a second operating voltage based on the first operating voltage. The control device controls the second operating voltage to power the controller, and the controller generates a second enable signal after being powered on. In response to the second enable signal, the control device maintains the enable terminal of the power management unit at the active level, so that the power management unit continues to output the second operating voltage after the first enable signal disappears.

Images