Aerosol-generating device

Abstract

The present application discloses an aerosol-generating device comprising: a heating element for heating an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol; the electric core is used for providing electric power for the heating element; the interface is used for being electrically connected with external equipment, so that the external equipment charges the battery cell through the interface; a resistance value detection circuit configured to detect a resistance value between the positive output terminal and the negative output terminal; and the control unit is electrically connected with the resistance value detection circuit to receive the detection signal output by the resistance value detection circuit so as to output a corresponding protection instruction. According to the invention, the detection signal output by the resistance detection circuit is received, so that the corresponding protection instruction is output; on one hand, the interface fault can be actively detected, and on the other hand, corresponding protection measures can be taken in time when the interface fault occurs, so that the safety and reliability of the aerosol generating device are ensured, and the user experience is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of aerosol generation, and particularly to an aerosol generating device. Background Art

[0002] In the related art, there is an aerosol generating device that forms a matrix by heating rather than burning a solid aerosol, such as a cigarette stick, to generate an aerosol for a user to inhale. There is also another aerosol generating device that forms a matrix by heating a liquid aerosol, such as e-liquid, to generate an aerosol for a user to inhale.

[0003] In the above devices, an interface (such as a Type-C interface) is usually used to connect to an external charging device, such as an adapter, for charging. During the charging process, the interface is prone to short-circuit faults, poor contact, etc., resulting in excessive current or voltage flowing through the interface pins, and then causing the temperature to increase rapidly and burn out the interface or the aerosol generating device, posing a significant safety hazard. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides an aerosol generating device to achieve the detection and protection of the interface and ensure the safety and reliability of the aerosol generating device.

[0005] This application provides an aerosol generating device, including:

[0006] A heating element for heating an aerosol-forming matrix to generate an aerosol;

[0007] A battery cell for supplying power to the heating element;

[0008] An interface for electrically connecting to an external device so that the external device charges the battery cell through the interface; the interface has a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal;

[0009] A resistance detection circuit configured to detect the resistance value between the positive output terminal and the negative output terminal;

[0010] A control unit electrically connected to the resistance detection circuit to receive the detection signal output by the resistance detection circuit and thus output a corresponding protection instruction.

[0011] In one example, the aerosol generating device further includes a first switch circuit, one end of the first switch circuit is electrically connected to the positive output terminal, and the other end of the first switch circuit is electrically connected to the negative output terminal;

[0012] The control unit is configured to control the first switch circuit to conduct based on the protection instruction.

[0013] In one example, the aerosol generating device further includes a protection resistor, and the protection resistor is connected in series with the first switch circuit and then electrically connected between the positive output terminal and the negative output terminal.

[0014] In one example, the interface further has a configuration terminal;

[0015] The aerosol generating device further includes a second switch circuit, one end of the second switch circuit is electrically connected to the configuration terminal, and the other end of the second switch circuit is electrically connected to the negative output terminal;

[0016] The control unit is configured to control the second switch circuit to be turned off based on the protection instruction to disconnect the electrical connection between the configuration terminal and the negative output terminal.

[0017] In one example, the resistance value detection circuit includes a nominal resistor and a first detection circuit;

[0018] One end of the nominal resistor is electrically connected to the positive electrode end of the battery cell, the other end of the nominal resistor is electrically connected to the positive output terminal, and the negative output terminal is electrically connected to the negative electrode end of the battery cell;

[0019] The first detection circuit is configured to detect a first voltage at the positive electrode end of the battery cell and a second voltage at a connection point between one end of the nominal resistor and the positive electrode end of the battery cell;

[0020] The control unit is configured to obtain the first voltage and the second voltage; and calculate the resistance between the positive output terminal and the negative output terminal according to the resistance value of the nominal resistor, the first voltage, and the second voltage.

[0021] In one example, the aerosol generating device further includes a third switch circuit, and the third switch circuit is electrically connected between one end of the nominal resistor and the positive electrode end of the battery cell;

[0022] The control unit is configured to control the third switch circuit to be turned on to calculate the resistance between the positive output terminal and the negative output terminal.

[0023] In one example, the aerosol generating device further includes an anti-backflow circuit, and the anti-backflow circuit is electrically connected between one end of the nominal resistor and the positive electrode end of the battery cell to prevent current from flowing back into the battery cell.

[0024] In one example, the aerosol generating device further includes a charging management unit; the input end of the charging management unit is electrically connected to the positive output terminal, the output end of the charging management unit is electrically connected to the positive electrode end of the battery cell, and the enable end of the charging management unit is electrically connected to the control unit;

[0025] The control unit is configured to control the charge management unit to stop charging the battery cell or reduce the charging current of the battery cell based on the protection instruction.

[0026] In one example, the resistance value detection circuit includes a second detection circuit, and the second detection circuit is configured to detect the voltage at the connection point between the input end of the charge management unit and the positive output terminal.

[0027] The control unit is configured to control the charge management unit to stop working to obtain a third voltage detected by the second detection circuit; control the charge management unit to start working to obtain a fourth voltage detected by the second detection circuit; and calculate the contact resistance between the interface and the external device based on the third voltage, the fourth voltage, and the charging current output by the charge management unit.

[0028] The aerosol generating device provided above outputs a corresponding protection instruction by receiving the detection signal output by the resistance value detection circuit; on the one hand, it can actively detect the failure of the interface, and on the other hand, it can take corresponding protection measures in a timely manner when the interface fails, ensuring the safety and reliability of the aerosol generating device and improving the user experience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The realization, functional features, and advantages of the objectives of this application will be further described with reference to the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are exemplarily illustrated by the pictures in the corresponding accompanying drawings. These exemplary illustrations do not constitute limitations on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings represent similar elements, unless otherwise stated, and the drawings in the drawings do not constitute a proportional limitation.

[0030] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of another aerosol generating device provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 3 It is a specific circuit schematic diagram of the aerosol generating device provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 4 It is a circuit schematic diagram during normal operation provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 5 It is a circuit schematic diagram during short-circuit fault detection provided by an embodiment of this application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0035] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely for explaining the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. For the convenience of understanding the present application, the present application will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that when an element is expressed as "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element, or there can be one or more intermediate elements therebetween. When an element is expressed as "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element, or there can be one or more intermediate elements therebetween. The terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inner", "outer" and similar expressions used in this specification are only for the purpose of illustration.

[0036] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which this application belongs. The terms used in this specification in the description of the present application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present application. The term "and / or" used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0037] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0038] As Figure 1 shown, the aerosol generating device includes a mouthpiece 11, a liquid storage unit 12, a liquid transfer unit 13, a heating element 14, a circuit 15, a battery cell 16, and an interface 17. In Figure 1 an example, the above components are integrally formed, and the aerosol generating device is a common integrated device. In another example, the aerosol generating device includes an atomizer and a power supply component detachably connected to the atomizer. The atomizer is usually also called a cartridge, and the power supply component is usually also called a cigarette rod; wherein, the circuit 15, the battery cell 16, and the interface 17 are in the power supply component; the mouthpiece 11, the liquid storage unit 12, the liquid transfer unit 13, and the heating element 14 are in the atomizer.

[0039] The mouthpiece 11 is used for a user to inhale the aerosol generated by heating.

[0040] The liquid storage unit 12 is used to store a liquid aerosol-forming substrate capable of generating an aerosol. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate can be a liquid including a tobacco-containing substance containing volatile tobacco flavor components, or can also be a liquid including a non-tobacco substance. For example, the liquid aerosol-forming substrate can include water, a solvent, ethanol, a plant extract, a fragrance, a flavoring agent, or a vitamin mixture. The fragrance can include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit flavor components, etc., but is not limited thereto. The flavoring agent can include components capable of providing a variety of scents or flavors to the user. The vitamin mixture can be a substance mixed with at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but is not limited thereto. Additionally, the liquid aerosol-forming substrate can include aerosol-forming agents such as glycerol and propylene glycol.

[0041] The liquid delivery unit 13 is capable of delivering the liquid aerosol-forming substrate stored in the liquid storage unit 12 to the heating element 14. For example, the liquid delivery unit 13 can be a porous material such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramics, porous glass, etc., but is not limited thereto. The liquid delivery unit 13 can be configured in a tubular shape, a plate shape, or other regular or irregular shapes.

[0042] The heating element 14 is a component for heating the liquid aerosol-forming substrate delivered through the liquid delivery unit 13. For example, the heating element 14 can be a metal wire, a metal plate, a ceramic heater, etc., but is not limited thereto. Additionally, the heating element 14 can be composed of a conductive heating wire such as a nickel-chromium wire and can be arranged in a structure wound around the liquid delivery unit 13. The heating element 14 can be heated by the supply of an electric current and transfer heat to the liquid aerosol-forming substrate in contact with the heating element 14 to heat the liquid aerosol-forming substrate, thereby generating an aerosol.

[0043] The circuit 15 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device. Specifically, the circuit 15 not only controls the operations of the battery cell 16 and the heating element 14, but also controls the operations of other components in the aerosol generating device. In addition, the circuit 15 can determine whether the aerosol generating device can operate by checking the states of the components of the aerosol generating device.

[0044] The circuit 15 includes at least one control unit. The control unit can include, but is not limited to, a combination of a microcontroller and a memory for storing programs executable in the microcontroller, and the memory can be integrated in the microcontroller or independent of the microcontroller.

[0045] The battery cell 16 provides the power for operating the aerosol generating device. For example, the battery cell 16 can provide power to heat the heating element 14 and can provide the power required to operate the circuit 15. In addition, the battery cell 16 can provide the power required to operate sensors, motors, etc. provided in the aerosol generating device.

[0046] The battery cell 16 can be, but is not limited to, a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery cell. For example, the battery cell 16 can be a lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) battery cell or a lithium titanate battery cell. The battery cell 16 can be a rechargeable battery cell.

[0047] The interface 17 is used for electrically connecting to an external device, so that the external device charges the battery cell 16 through the interface 17. For example, an external power adapter is inserted into the interface 17, and the interface 17 outputs a charging voltage of 5V to charge the battery cell 16. In this example, the interface 17 includes, but is not limited to, a Lightning interface, a Type-C interface, a Micro-USb interface, and the like.

[0048] It should be noted that Figure 1 only the components related to this embodiment are shown. Those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the aerosol generating device may further include other general components in addition to Figure 1 the components shown.

[0049] For example, the aerosol generating device further includes a suction detector (not shown), which is used to detect the user's suction action and generate a corresponding electrical signal, such as detecting whether the aerosol generating device is being suctioned, the suction duration, the suction times, etc., so that the circuit 15, such as a control unit, controls the operations of the battery cell 16, the heating element 14, etc. according to the electrical signal, such as controlling the battery cell 16 to supply power to the heating element 14, so that the heating element 14 heats the atomized liquid aerosol to form a matrix. The suction detector can adopt common pressure sensors, differential pressure sensors, airflow sensors, and the like. When the aerosol generating device is being suctioned, the airflow enters through the interface 17, flows through the battery cell 16, the circuit 15, the heating element 14, etc., and then flows out through the mouthpiece 11. The dotted arrows in the figure generally show the airflow path.

[0050] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0051] As Figure 2 shown, the aerosol generating device includes:

[0052] A chamber A, in which the aerosol generating article B is removably received;

[0053] The aerosol generating article B preferably adopts a solid aerosol forming matrix, which can include one or more of powder, granule, fragment, shred, strip or flake of vanilla leaf, tobacco leaf, homogenized tobacco, expanded tobacco; or, the solid aerosol forming matrix can contain additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavor compounds to be released when the matrix is heated.

[0054] The heating element 14 can be inserted into the aerosol-generating article B to be heated to generate an aerosol when the aerosol-generating article B is received in the chamber A. This method is generally referred to as central heating or internal heating.

[0055] It should be noted that the heating methods of the heating element 14 include but are not limited to resistive heating, electromagnetic heating, infrared heating, and air heating. The shape of the heating element 14 includes but is not limited to needle-shaped, pin-shaped, or flake-shaped.

[0056] It should also be noted that, different from Figure 2 the example, in other examples, the heating element 14 is configured to heat at least part of the aerosol-generating article B, that is, the so-called circumferential heating or peripheral heating, etc., which is also feasible.

[0057] The battery cell 16 is used for power supply; the battery cell 16 can be a rechargeable battery cell.

[0058] The circuit 15 is used to control the aerosol-generating device; for example, controlling the battery cell 16 to supply power to the heating element 14.

[0059] The circuit 15 includes a control unit. The control unit is a hardware component that controls the overall operation of the aerosol-generating device. The control unit can be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or can be implemented as a combination of a microcontroller and a memory, and a program executable in the microcontroller is stored in the memory. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the control unit can be implemented in other forms of hardware.

[0060] The interface 17 is used for electrical connection with an external device so that the external device charges the battery cell 16 through the interface 17. For example, an external power adapter is inserted into the interface 17, and the interface 17 outputs a charging voltage of 5V to charge the battery cell 16. In this example, the interface 17 includes but is not limited to Lightning interface, Type-C interface, Micro-USb interface, etc.

[0061] Figure 3 is a specific circuit schematic diagram of the aerosol-generating device provided by the embodiment of the present application.

[0062] Such as Figure 3As shown, in this example, the interface 17 uses a Type-C interface. The female socket of the Type-C interface is provided on the aerosol generating device, and the male socket of the Type-C interface is provided on the data cable of the external power adapter. The female socket of the Type-C interface has power pins (shown as A9, B9, A12, B12 in the figure) and configuration pins (shown as A5, B5 in the figure) for connecting with the male socket of the Type-C interface. The female socket of the Type-C interface also has a positive output terminal V+, a negative output terminal V-, a configuration terminal CC1, and a configuration terminal CC2 for electrically connecting with the circuit 15.

[0063] The control unit has multiple pins, such as input / output pins (shown as IO1 - IO7 in the figure), and power pins (shown as VCC, GND in the figure). The power pin VCC is electrically connected to the positive electrode end of the battery cell 16, and the power pin GND is electrically connected to the negative electrode end of the battery cell 16 through the PCM (protection circuit module). The PCM can ensure a stable voltage during the use of the battery cell 16 and prevent problems such as overvoltage, undervoltage, and overcurrent of the battery cell 16. The PCM can also monitor the usage of the battery cell 16 and provide relevant information to the user, such as the charging status, usage duration, and remaining power of the battery cell 16.

[0064] A transistor Q3, a resistor R4, a diode D2, and a transistor Q4 are provided between the positive output terminal V+ and the positive electrode end of the battery cell 16.

[0065] The first electrode terminal of the transistor Q3 is electrically connected to the positive output terminal V+, the second electrode terminal of the transistor Q3 is electrically connected to one end of the resistor R4, the other end of the resistor R4 is electrically connected to the cathode terminal of the diode D2, the anode terminal of the diode D2 is electrically connected to the second electrode terminal of the transistor Q4, and the first electrode terminal of the transistor Q4 is electrically connected to the positive electrode end of the battery cell 16.

[0066] The control terminal of the transistor Q3 is electrically connected to the second electrode terminal of the transistor Q5. The first electrode terminal of the transistor Q5 is electrically connected to the power pin GND (i.e., grounded), and the control terminal of the transistor Q5 is electrically connected to the input / output pin IO3 of the control unit. The control terminal of the transistor Q4 is directly electrically connected to the input / output pin IO1 of the control unit.

[0067] In the figure, both the transistor Q3 and the transistor Q4 use PMOS transistors. The source of the PMOS transistor is the first electrode terminal, the drain of the PMOS transistor is the second electrode terminal, and the gate of the PMOS transistor is the control terminal. In the figure, the transistor Q5 uses an NMOS transistor. The source of the NMOS transistor is the first electrode terminal, the drain of the NMOS transistor is the second electrode terminal, and the gate of the NMOS transistor is the control terminal. It can be understood that in other examples, the transistor Q3, the transistor Q4, and the transistor Q5 can also use other types of transistors, such as thyristors, IGBTs, etc.

[0068]

[0068] The control unit can control the transistor Q4 to conduct or disconnect through the input / output pin IO1. The control unit can control the transistor Q5 to conduct or disconnect through the input / output pin IO3. When controlling the transistor Q5 to conduct, the second electrode terminal of the transistor Q5 or the control terminal of the transistor Q3 is pulled down to a low level, so that the transistor Q3 also conducts. When controlling the transistor Q5 to disconnect, the voltage of the second electrode terminal of the transistor Q5 or the control terminal of the transistor Q3 is the same as the positive output terminal V+, so that the transistor Q3 also disconnects.

[0069]

[0069] The resistor R8 and the resistor R10 form a voltage detection circuit for detecting the voltage of the connection point (shown as A in the figure) between the second electrode terminal of the transistor Q3 and one end of the resistor R4. One end of the resistor R8 is electrically connected to the connection point A, the other end of the resistor R8 is electrically connected to one end of the resistor R10 and the input / output pin IO4 of the control unit, and the other end of the resistor R10 is electrically connected to the power supply pin GND. The control unit can sample the voltage of the connection point A through the input / output pin IO4.

[0070] The input end of the charge management unit is electrically connected to the connection point A, the output end of the charge management unit is electrically connected to the positive electrode end of the battery cell 16, and the enable end of the charge management unit is electrically connected to the input / output pin IO2 of the control unit. The control unit can control the charge management unit to stop working or start working through the input / output pin IO2. For example, by outputting a low-level signal to the enable end of the charge management unit through the input / output pin IO2, the charge management unit can be controlled to start working. And by outputting a high-level signal to the enable end of the charge management unit, the charge management unit can be controlled to stop working. The charge management unit can output a preset charging current based on the voltage at the input end (i.e., the voltage of the connection point A). The control unit can also control the magnitude of the charging current output by the charge management unit through the input / output pin IO2.

[0071]

[0070] One end of the capacitor C3 is electrically connected to the connection point A, the other end of the capacitor C3 is electrically connected to the second electrode terminal of the transistor Q7, the first electrode terminal of the transistor Q7 is electrically connected to the power supply pin GND, and the control terminal of the transistor Q7 is electrically connected to the input / output pin IO6 of the control unit. The control unit can control the transistor Q7 to conduct or disconnect through the input / output pin IO6. For example, if the transistor Q7 is an NMOS transistor, the control unit can control the transistor Q7 to conduct by outputting a high-level signal through the input / output pin IO6. Conversely, it disconnects. When the transistor Q7 conducts, the capacitor C3 filters the voltage at the input end of the charge management unit.

[0072] A transistor Q8 is provided between the negative output terminal V- and the negative electrode end of the battery cell 16. The first electrode terminal of the transistor Q8 is electrically connected to the negative output terminal V-, the second electrode terminal of the transistor Q8 is electrically connected to the power supply pin GND, and the second electrode terminal of the transistor Q8 is also electrically connected to the configuration terminal CC2 through a resistor R14 and to the configuration terminal CC1 through a resistor R15. The control terminal of the transistor Q8 is electrically connected to the input / output pin IO7 of the control unit. The control unit can control the transistor Q8 to conduct or disconnect through the input / output pin IO7. For example, if the transistor Q8 is a PMOS transistor, the control unit can control the transistor Q8 to conduct by outputting a low-level signal through the input / output pin IO6; otherwise, it disconnects.

[0073] A transistor Q6 and a resistor R7 are provided between the positive output terminal V+ and the negative output terminal V-. One end of the resistor R7 is electrically connected to the positive output terminal V+, the other end of the resistor R7 is electrically connected to the second electrode terminal of the transistor Q6, the first electrode terminal of the transistor Q6 is electrically connected to the negative output terminal V-, and the control terminal of the transistor Q6 is electrically connected to the input / output pin IO5 of the control unit. The control unit can control the transistor Q6 to conduct or disconnect through the input / output pin IO5. For example, if the transistor Q6 is a PMOS transistor, the control unit can control the transistor Q6 to conduct by outputting a low-level signal through the input / output pin IO5; otherwise, it disconnects. The resistor R7 can be a resistor with a relatively large power or a PTC.

[0074] Resistors R6, R5, R9, R11, R12, and R13 are also provided in the figure. These resistors are all provided between the first electrode terminal and the control terminal of the transistor, providing a bias voltage for the transistor on the one hand and acting as a discharge resistor on the other hand.

[0075] Based on the above aerosol generating device, in one example, a resistance detection circuit is configured to detect the resistance value between the positive output terminal and the negative output terminal;

[0076] A control unit is electrically connected to the resistance detection circuit to receive the detection signal output by the resistance detection circuit, and thus output a corresponding protection instruction.

[0077] In a specific implementation, the control unit can calculate the resistance between the positive output terminal V+ and the negative output terminal V- according to the detection signal output by the resistance detection circuit received; and determine whether a short-circuit fault occurs in the interface 17 according to the resistance between the positive output terminal V+ and the negative output terminal V-.

[0078] If the calculated resistance between the positive output terminal V+ and the negative output terminal V- is lower than a first preset resistance threshold, it can be determined that a short-circuit fault occurs in the interface 17; otherwise, it can be determined that no short-circuit fault occurs in the interface 17.

[0079] Taking the Type-C interface as an example, under normal circumstances, the resistance between the positive output terminal V+ and the negative output terminal V- of the Type-C interface is greater than 1 MΩ. When it is detected that the resistance between the positive output terminal V+ and the negative output terminal V- of the Type-C interface is less than 100 Ω (or other impedance values that may cause burnout, and this situation is usually also referred to as micro-short circuit), the aerosol generating device determines that a short circuit fault has occurred in the Type-C interface, and then gives a fault prompt and activates the protection.

[0080] In another specific implementation, when the control unit determines that the interface 17 has not had a short circuit fault, it can calculate the contact resistance between the interface 17 and the external device according to the detection signal output by the resistance detection circuit received; according to the contact resistance between the interface 17 and the external device, it determines whether the interface 17 has an open circuit fault.

[0081] The contact resistance between the interface 17 and the external power adapter can be, for example, the contact resistance between the power pin of the interface 17 and the power pin of the external power adapter. If the calculated contact resistance between the interface 17 and the external power adapter exceeds the second preset resistance threshold, it can be determined that the interface 17 has an open circuit fault; otherwise, it can be determined that the interface 17 has no open circuit fault.

[0082] It should be noted that both the first and second preset resistance thresholds are experimental values or empirical values.

[0083] In one example, the aerosol generating device further includes a first switch circuit, one end of the first switch circuit is electrically connected to the positive output terminal V+, and the other end of the first switch circuit is electrically connected to the negative output terminal V-;

[0084] The control unit is configured to control the first switch circuit to conduct based on the protection instruction.

[0085] Further, it further includes a protection resistor, and the protection resistor is electrically connected between the positive output terminal and the negative output terminal after being connected in series with the first switch circuit.

[0086] Taking Figure 3 as an example, the resistor R7 constitutes the protection resistor, and the transistor Q6 constitutes the first switch circuit. When the control unit determines that a short circuit fault has occurred in the interface 17, it outputs a low-level signal (i.e., the protection instruction) through the input / output pin IO5 to control the transistor Q6 to conduct, so that the positive output terminal V+ and the negative output terminal V- are truly short-circuited or completely short-circuited, forcing the external power adapter to detect the short circuit for protection and disconnect the power supply, ultimately ensuring that the TYPEC does not show abnormalities.

[0087] In one example, the interface further has a configuration terminal;

[0088] The aerosol generating device further includes a second switch circuit, one end of the second switch circuit is electrically connected to the configuration terminal, and the other end of the second switch circuit is electrically connected to the negative output terminal;

[0089] The control unit is configured to control the second switch circuit to disconnect based on the protection instruction, so as to disconnect the electrical connection between the configuration terminal and the negative output terminal.

[0090] Still taking Figure 3 as an example, the interface 17 has a configuration terminal CC1 and a configuration terminal CC2, and the transistor Q8 constitutes a second switch circuit. When the control unit determines that a short circuit fault occurs in the interface 17, the control unit outputs a high-level signal (i.e., the protection instruction) through the input / output pin IO6 to control the transistor Q8 to disconnect, thereby disconnecting the electrical connection between the configuration terminal CC1 and the negative output terminal V-, and the electrical connection between the configuration terminal CC2 and the negative output terminal V-. In this way, an external power adapter with a PD protocol will turn off the voltage output when detecting that the configuration terminals CC1 and CC2 cannot provide a matching protocol, thereby realizing the protection against short circuit faults.

[0091] In one example, the resistance detection circuit includes a nominal resistor and a first detection circuit;

[0092] One end of the nominal resistor is electrically connected to the positive electrode end of the battery cell, the other end of the nominal resistor is electrically connected to the positive output terminal, and the negative output terminal is electrically connected to the negative electrode end of the battery cell;

[0093] The first detection circuit is configured to detect a first voltage at the positive electrode end of the battery cell and a second voltage at the connection point between one end of the nominal resistor and the positive electrode end of the battery cell;

[0094] The control unit is configured to obtain the first voltage and the second voltage; and calculate the resistance between the positive output terminal and the negative output terminal according to the resistance value of the nominal resistor, the first voltage, and the second voltage.

[0095] Further, it further includes a third switch circuit, and the third switch circuit is electrically connected between one end of the nominal resistor and the positive electrode end of the battery cell;

[0096] The control unit is configured to control the third switch circuit to conduct to calculate the resistance between the positive output terminal and the negative output terminal.

[0097] Further, it further includes an anti-backflow circuit, and the anti-backflow circuit is electrically connected between one end of the nominal resistor and the positive electrode end of the battery cell to prevent current from flowing back into the battery cell.

[0098] Still taking Figure 3 as an example, the resistor R4 forms a nominal resistor, the resistance value of the nominal resistor R4 is known, the transistor Q4 forms a third switching circuit, the diode D2 forms an anti-backflow circuit, and the voltage detection circuit formed by the resistors R8 and R10 is part of the first detection circuit. Another part of the first detection circuit (i.e., for detecting the voltage at the positive terminal of the battery cell 16) can use an existing voltage detection circuit inside the aerosol generating device (not shown in the drawings).

[0099] In one example, the aerosol generating device further includes a charging management unit; the input terminal of the charging management unit is electrically connected to the positive output terminal, the output terminal of the charging management unit is electrically connected to the positive terminal of the battery cell, and the enable terminal of the charging management unit is electrically connected to the control unit;

[0100] The control unit is configured to control the charging management unit to stop charging the battery cell or reduce the charging current of the battery cell based on the protection instruction.

[0101] Taking Figure 3 as an example, the control unit can further calculate a safe charging current based on the calculated contact resistance between the interface 17 and the external power adapter and the safe power consumption of the interface itself; then, through the input / output pin IO2, control the charging management unit to output a corresponding charging current, so as to charge normally and slowly below this safe current. Alternatively, the control unit can control the charging management unit to stop working through the input / output pin IO2, that is, completely turn off the charging, so that there will be no safety hazard at the interface.

[0102] In one example, the resistance value detection circuit includes a second detection circuit; the second detection circuit is configured to detect the voltage at the connection point between the input terminal of the charging management unit and the positive output terminal;

[0103] The control unit is configured to control the charging management unit to stop working to obtain a third voltage detected by the second detection circuit; control the charging management unit to start working to obtain a fourth voltage detected by the second detection circuit; and calculate the contact resistance between the interface and the external device according to the third voltage, the fourth voltage, and the charging current output by the charging management unit.

[0104] Still taking Figure 3 as an example, the voltage detection circuit formed by the resistors R8 and R10 is the second detection circuit.

[0105] The following Figures 4 - 5 is used to Figure 3 describe the working process:

[0106] I. When Interface 17 is operating normally:

[0107] As Figure 4 shown, when Interface 17 is operating normally, the control unit controls the transistor Q4 and the transistor Q6 to be turned off (the turned-off transistors can be referred to the gray parts shown in the figure), controls the transistor Q3 (transistor Q5), the transistor Q7 and the transistor Q8 to be turned on, and controls the charging management unit to start working.

[0108] The current flows out from the positive output terminal V+ of Interface 17 and finally flows into the negative output terminal V- of Interface 17. The flow direction can be referred to the blue arrow shown in the figure. Based on the voltage output by Interface 17 through the positive output terminal V+ and the negative output terminal V-, the battery cell 16 can be normally charged through the charging management unit. The control unit can sample the voltage output by Interface 17 through the positive output terminal V+ and the negative output terminal V- through the input / output pin IO4, so as to control the charging management unit.

[0109] II. Short-circuit fault detection:

[0110] As Figure 5 shown, when performing short-circuit fault detection, the control unit controls the transistor Q3 (transistor Q5), the transistor Q6, the transistor Q7 and the transistor Q8 to be turned off (the turned-off transistors can be referred to the gray parts shown in the figure), controls the transistor Q4 to be turned on, and controls the charging management unit to stop working.

[0111] The current flows out from the positive terminal of the battery cell 16 and finally flows into the negative terminal of the battery cell 16. The flow direction can be referred to the blue arrow shown in the figure. Among them, the transistors Q3 and Q8 are both turned off, so the current flows through the freewheeling diodes (body diodes) in the transistors Q3 and Q8.

[0112] The control unit can sample the voltage at the connection point A (assumed to be V A ) through the input / output pin IO4. The control unit can also sample the voltage of the battery cell 16 (assumed to be Vcc). If the voltage drops across the diode D2 and the transistor Q4 are not considered, the voltage drop across the resistor R4 is (Vcc - V A ). Since the resistance value of the resistor R4 is known (represented by R4), the current in the loop is (Vcc - V A ) / R4. Similarly, if the voltage drops across the PCM, the transistor Q8, etc. are not considered, the voltage drop between the positive output terminal V+ and the negative output terminal V- is V A , so the resistance value between the positive output terminal V+ and the negative output terminal V- is V A * R4 / (Vcc - V A) According to the resistance value calculated between the positive output terminal V+ and the negative output terminal V-, it is possible to determine whether a short-circuit fault occurs in the interface 17 and implement fault protection.

[0113] III. Open-circuit fault detection:

[0114] Refer to Figure 4 for understanding. Similar to when the interface 17 is working properly, during open-circuit fault detection, the control unit controls the transistor Q4 and the transistor Q6 to be turned off (the turned-off transistors can be referred to the gray parts shown in the figure), and controls the transistor Q3 (transistor Q5), the transistor Q7, and the transistor Q8 to be turned on.

[0115] The difference is that during open-circuit fault detection, the control unit first controls the charging management unit to stop working, and samples the voltage at the connection point A (assumed to be V0) through the input / output pin IO4. Then the control unit controls the charging management unit to start working (the direction of the current can be referred to Figure 4 the blue arrow shown), and samples the voltage at the connection point A (assumed to be V1) through the input / output pin IO4 again. Thus, it can be determined that the contact voltage between the interface 17 and the external power adapter is (V0 - V1), and the charging current output by the charging management unit is known (assumed to be I0), so the current in the loop is also I0. Therefore, the contact resistance between the interface 17 and the external power adapter can be determined as (V0 - V1) / I0. According to the calculated contact resistance between the interface 17 and the external power adapter, it is possible to determine whether an open-circuit fault occurs in the interface 17 and implement fault protection.

[0116] It should be noted that the description and drawings of the present application give preferred embodiments of the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described in this specification. These embodiments do not serve as additional limitations to the content of the present application. The purpose of providing these embodiments is to make the understanding of the disclosed content of the present application more thorough and comprehensive. Moreover, the above technical features continue to be combined with each other to form various embodiments not listed above, all of which are regarded as within the scope described in the specification of the present application; further, for those of ordinary skill in the art, improvements or transformations can be made according to the above description, and all such improvements and transformations should fall within the protection scope of the appended claims of the present application.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, characterized in that, Comprising: A heating element for heating an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol; A battery cell for supplying power to the heating element; An interface for electrically connecting to an external device so that the external device charges the battery cell through the interface; The interface has a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal; A resistance detection circuit configured to detect the resistance value between the positive output terminal and the negative output terminal; A control unit electrically connected to the resistance detection circuit to receive a detection signal output by the resistance detection circuit and thus output a corresponding protection instruction.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aerosol generating device further includes a first switch circuit, one end of the first switch circuit is electrically connected to the positive output terminal, and the other end of the first switch circuit is electrically connected to the negative output terminal; The control unit is configured to control the first switch circuit to conduct based on the protection instruction.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein The aerosol generating device further includes a protection resistor, and the protection resistor is connected in series with the first switch circuit and then electrically connected between the positive output terminal and the negative output terminal.

4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein, The interface further has a configuration terminal; The aerosol generating device further includes a second switch circuit, one end of the second switch circuit is electrically connected to the configuration terminal, and the other end of the second switch circuit is electrically connected to the negative output terminal; The control unit is configured to control the second switch circuit to disconnect based on the protection instruction to disconnect the electrical connection between the configuration terminal and the negative output terminal.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The resistance detection circuit includes a nominal resistor and a first detection circuit; One end of the nominal resistor is electrically connected to the positive electrode end of the battery cell, the other end of the nominal resistor is electrically connected to the positive output terminal, and the negative output terminal is electrically connected to the negative electrode end of the battery cell; The first detection circuit is configured to detect a first voltage at the positive electrode end of the battery cell and a second voltage at the connection point between one end of the nominal resistor and the positive electrode end of the battery cell; The control unit is configured to obtain the first voltage and the second voltage; Calculate the resistance between the positive output terminal and the negative output terminal according to the resistance value of the nominal resistor, the first voltage, and the second voltage.

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The aerosol generating device further includes a third switch circuit, and the third switch circuit is electrically connected between one end of the nominal resistor and the positive electrode end of the battery cell; The control unit is configured to control the third switch circuit to conduct to calculate the resistance between the positive output terminal and the negative output terminal.

7. The aerosol generating device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The aerosol generating device further includes an anti-backflow circuit, and the anti-backflow circuit is electrically connected between one end of the nominal resistor and the positive electrode end of the battery cell to prevent current from flowing back into the battery cell.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aerosol generating device further includes a charging management unit; the input end of the charging management unit is electrically connected to the positive output terminal, the output end of the charging management unit is electrically connected to the positive electrode end of the battery cell, and the enable end of the charging management unit is electrically connected to the control unit; The control unit is configured to control the charging management unit to stop charging the battery cell or reduce the charging current of the battery cell based on the protection instruction.

9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 8, wherein, The resistance detection circuit includes a second detection circuit configured to detect the voltage at the connection point between the input end of the charging management unit and the positive output terminal; The control unit is configured to control the charging management unit to stop working to obtain a third voltage detected by the second detection circuit; and control the charging management unit to start working to obtain a fourth voltage detected by the second detection circuit; Calculate the contact resistance between the interface and the external device according to the third voltage, the fourth voltage, and the charging current output by the charging management unit.

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