Heating control circuit and aerosol generating device
By combining the design of airflow sensor and drive circuit with drive chip, the high cost problem caused by MCU is solved, realizing the control of multiple heat-generating elements without MCU, and reducing the cost of aerosol generation device.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-02-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-03
AI Technical Summary
The use of MCUs in existing heating control circuits results in high costs for aerosol generation devices, necessitating a heating control solution that does not require MCUs.
By employing an airflow sensor and drive circuit combined with a drive chip, the design controls the activation of multiple heating elements through a suction signal, achieving parallel heating of the heating elements and avoiding the use of expensive MCUs.
This reduces the cost of aerosol generation devices while enabling effective control and heating of multiple heating elements.
Smart Images
Figure CN224069802U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of aerosol generation technology, and in particular to a heating control circuit and an aerosol generation device. Background Technology
[0002] The heating control circuit is a crucial component of an aerosol generation device, responsible for heating the atomized aerosol-generating matrix to produce aerosols. In some exemplary prior art, a heating control circuit is provided, including a Microcontroller Unit (MCU) and two or more heating branches connected to the MCU. Each heating branch includes a drive circuit and a heating element. The MCU controls the activation of two or more heating elements to generate a significant amount of smoke. However, the high cost of MCUs increases the overall cost of aerosol generation devices. Utility Model Content
[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide a heating control circuit and an aerosol generating device, and to provide a heating control circuit that does not require the use of an MCU, thereby controlling two or more heating elements and reducing the cost of the aerosol generating device.
[0004] At least one embodiment of this application provides a heating control circuit, the heating control circuit comprising:
[0005] Two or more heating elements;
[0006] An airflow sensor is configured to output a suction signal in response to a suction action. A drive circuit is provided between the airflow sensor and each of the heating elements. Each drive circuit includes a drive chip connected to the corresponding heating element. The drive circuit is configured to receive the suction signal, and the drive chip responds to the suction signal by outputting a drive voltage, thereby driving the corresponding heating element to start heating.
[0007] As an example, the driving circuit also includes a trigger circuit electrically connected between the airflow sensor and the corresponding driving chip. The trigger circuit is configured to conduct a current path between the airflow sensor and the corresponding driving chip according to the suction signal, thereby causing the driving chip to output a driving voltage.
[0008] As an example, the trigger circuit includes a switch, a first capacitor, and a second capacitor;
[0009] The switch and the first capacitor are connected in series in the current path of the airflow sensor and the corresponding driving chip, and the switch is configured to operate in the on state according to the suction signal;
[0010] The second capacitor is electrically connected between the corresponding driver chip and the ground terminal;
[0011] The capacitance values of the first capacitor and the second capacitor are not equal.
[0012] As an example, the heating control circuit is located on a circuit board, which is equipped with an onboard capacitor; the ratio of the capacitance value of the first capacitor to the capacitance value of the onboard capacitor is greater than a preset proportional coefficient of the driving chip.
[0013] As an example, the switch includes an NMOS transistor, the gate of which is connected to the airflow sensor, the source of which is grounded, and the drain of which is connected to the corresponding driver chip via the first capacitor.
[0014] As an example, the trigger circuit also includes a bias resistor electrically connected between the gate and source of the NMOS transistor.
[0015] As an example, two or more of the heating elements are connected in parallel, and heating is simultaneously activated based on a suction signal generated by the airflow sensor. As an example, the driver chip includes:
[0016] The main control module is configured to detect the capacitance value output by the trigger circuit;
[0017] The output module, connected to the main control module, is configured to output a preset drive voltage in response to the detection result of the main control module.
[0018] At least one embodiment of this application provides an aerosol generating apparatus, which includes:
[0019] The heating control circuit as described in any embodiment of this application;
[0020] A power supply, connected to the heating control circuit, is used to provide power to two or more of the heating elements.
[0021] As an example, two or more heating elements are arranged at intervals along the airflow path according to the airflow direction; or two or more heating elements are arranged side by side along the same airflow path or different airflow paths.
[0022] The heating control circuit provided in the above embodiments includes two or more heating elements and an airflow sensor. The airflow sensor is configured to output a suction signal in response to a suction action. A driving circuit is provided between the airflow sensor and each heating element. Each driving circuit includes a driving chip connected to the corresponding heating element. The driving circuit is configured to receive the suction signal, and the driving chip responds to the suction signal by outputting a driving voltage, thereby driving the corresponding heating element to start heating. Therefore, the aerosol generating device provided in this application does not require the use of an expensive MCU to control two or more heating elements, thereby reducing the cost of the aerosol generating device. Attached Figure Description
[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the specific embodiments of this application or the prior art, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. In all the drawings, similar elements or parts are generally identified by similar reference numerals. In the drawings, the elements or parts are not necessarily drawn to scale.
[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a heating control circuit provided in some embodiments of this application;
[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a heating control circuit provided in some embodiments of this application;
[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the driver chip provided in some embodiments of this application;
[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the trigger circuit provided in some embodiments of this application;
[0028] Figure 5 This is a circuit diagram of a heating control circuit provided in some embodiments of this application;
[0029] Figure 6 This is a circuit diagram of a heating control circuit provided in some embodiments of this application;
[0030] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an aerosol generating apparatus provided in some embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation
[0031] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0032] The terms "first," "second," and "third" used in this application are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number or order of the indicated technical features. All directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of this application are only used to explain the relative positional relationship or movement of the components in a specific orientation (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific orientation changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.
[0033] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.
[0034] Please refer to Figure 1 This application provides an embodiment of a heating control circuit 1, which includes: two or more heating elements 10; an airflow sensor 20 configured to output a suction signal in response to a suction action; a drive circuit 30 is provided between the airflow sensor 20 and each heating element 10; each drive circuit 30 includes a drive chip 31 connected to the corresponding heating element 10; the drive circuit 30 is configured to receive the suction signal, and the drive chip 31 responds to the suction signal to output a drive voltage, thereby driving the corresponding heating element 10 to start heating.
[0035] In this embodiment, two or more heating elements 10 are connected in parallel, and heating is started simultaneously based on the suction signal generated by the airflow sensor 20.
[0036] In some embodiments, two or more heating elements 10 are arranged in parallel, the driving circuit 30 is configured to receive a suction signal, and at least one driving chip 31 responds to the suction signal and outputs a driving voltage after a preset time delay. At this time, the two or more heating elements 10 arranged in parallel start heating one after another.
[0037] The heating element 10 can be a central heating method or a peripheral heating method. The heating element 10 can also heat the aerosol generation matrix to generate aerosols through one or more of the following methods: heat conduction, electromagnetic induction, chemical change, infrared heating, resonance, photoelectric conversion, and photothermal conversion.
[0038] In some embodiments, the heating element 10 is a resistance heating element, heated by an electric current supply, and transfers heat to the liquid aerosol forming matrix in contact with the heating element 10 to heat the liquid aerosol forming matrix, thereby generating an aerosol. For example, the heating element 10 can be a metal wire, a metal plate, a ceramic heater, etc., but is not limited thereto. Also, for example, the heating element 10 can be composed of a conductive heating wire such as a nickel-chromium wire, and can be configured to be wound around a liquid transfer unit, or can be configured to heat at least a portion of the aerosol forming article.
[0039] An airflow sensor 20 is a device used to measure gas flow parameters. It detects the user's inhalation action by measuring these parameters. Airflow sensors 20 used in the electronic cigarette industry mainly include: electret microphones, MEMS sensors, and capacitive microphones. In this embodiment, the airflow sensor 20 is configured to output an inhalation signal in response to an inhalation action. This signal is received by the drive circuit 30, and the drive chip 31 responds to the inhalation signal by outputting a drive voltage, thereby driving the corresponding heating element 10 to start heating. When the airflow sensor 20 detects an inhalation action applied by the user, it outputs a high-level signal.
[0040] Please refer to Figure 2 In some embodiments, the drive circuit 30 further includes a trigger circuit 32 electrically connected between the airflow sensor 20 and the corresponding drive chip 31. The trigger circuit 32 is configured to conduct the current path between the airflow sensor 20 and the corresponding drive chip 31 according to the suction signal, thereby causing the drive chip 31 to output a drive voltage.
[0041] Please refer to Figure 3 The driver chip 31 includes: a main control module 311, configured to detect the capacitance value output by the trigger circuit 32; and an output module 312, connected to the main control module 311, configured to output a preset driving voltage in response to the detection structure of the main control module 311.
[0042] Optionally, the driver chip 31 also includes a protection module to implement functions such as overcurrent protection, overvoltage protection, overheat protection, and short circuit protection.
[0043] Please refer to Figure 4In some embodiments, the trigger circuit 32 includes a switch 321, a first capacitor 322, and a second capacitor 323; the switch 321 and the first capacitor 322 are connected in series in the current path between the airflow sensor 20 and the corresponding drive chip 31, and the switch 321 is configured to operate in the on state according to the suction signal; the second capacitor 323 is electrically connected between the corresponding drive chip 31 and the ground terminal; wherein the capacitance value of the first capacitor 322 and the capacitance value of the second capacitor 323 are not equal.
[0044] In some embodiments, switch 321 includes an NMOS transistor, the gate of which is connected to the airflow sensor 20, the source of which is grounded, and the drain of which is connected to the corresponding driver chip 31 via a first capacitor 322.
[0045] In some embodiments, the trigger circuit 32 further includes a bias resistor electrically connected between the gate and source of the NMOS transistor.
[0046] The following description uses the heating control circuit 1, which includes two heating elements 10. A drive circuit 30 is provided between the airflow sensor 20 and each heating element 10. The drive circuit 30 includes a drive chip 31 and a trigger circuit 32.
[0047] like Figure 5 or Figure 6 As shown, the two heating elements 10 are heating wire L1 and heating wire L2. The driving circuit 30 between the airflow sensor U1 and the heating wire L1 includes a driving chip U2 and a trigger circuit 32a. The driving circuit 30 between the airflow sensor U1 and the heating wire L2 includes a driving chip U3 and a trigger circuit 32b.
[0048] In the trigger circuit 32a, switch 321 is NMOS transistor Q1, first capacitor 322 is capacitor C1, second capacitor 323 is capacitor C2, and bias resistor is resistor R1. The gate of NMOS transistor Q1 is connected to the output pin GATE of airflow sensor U1, the source of NMOS transistor Q1 is grounded, and the drain of NMOS transistor Q1 is connected to the detection pin MIC of driver chip U2 via capacitor C1. Capacitor C2 is electrically connected between the detection pin MIC of driver chip U2 and ground terminal GND. Resistor R1 is electrically connected between the gate and source of NMOS transistor Q1.
[0049] In the trigger circuit 32b, switch 321 is NMOS transistor Q2, first capacitor 322 is capacitor C3, second capacitor 323 is capacitor C4, and bias resistor is resistor R2. The gate of NMOS transistor Q2 is connected to the output pin GATE of airflow sensor U1, the source of NMOS transistor Q2 is grounded, and the drain of NMOS transistor Q2 is connected to the detection pin MIC of driver chip U3 via capacitor C3. Capacitor C4 is electrically connected between the detection pin MIC of driver chip U3 and ground terminal GND. Resistor R2 is electrically connected between the gate and source of NMOS transistor Q2.
[0050] In some embodiments, driver chip U2 and driver chip U3 are of the same model. For example, driver chip U2 and driver chip U3 can be chips such as Crystal Source CSC9011 or Micro Source LPS7855.
[0051] When the airflow sensor U1 does not detect the suction action applied by the user, the conduction conditions of NMOS transistors Q1 and Q2 are not met, and both NMOS transistors Q1 and Q2 are in the off state. At this time, the detection pin MIC of the driver chip U2 detects the capacitance value of capacitor C2, the drive pin OUT of the driver chip U2 does not output, and the heating wire L1 does not start heating. The detection pin MIC of the driver chip U3 detects the capacitance value of capacitor C4, the drive pin OUT of the driver chip U3 does not output, and the heating wire L2 does not start heating. When the airflow sensor U1 detects the suction action applied by the user and outputs a suction signal, the signal pin GATE of the airflow sensor U1 outputs a high-level signal, which reaches the gate of NMOS transistor Q1 and the gate of NMOS transistor Q2 respectively, satisfying the conduction conditions of NMOS transistors Q1 and Q2. Both NMOS transistors Q1 and Q2 are turned on. At this time, the detection pin MIC of the driver chip U2 detects the capacitance value of capacitors C1 and C2 in parallel, and the drive pin OUT of the driver chip U2 outputs a drive voltage, and the heating wire L1 starts heating. The detection pin MIC of the driver chip U3 detects the capacitance value of capacitors C3 and C4 in parallel, and the drive pin OUT of the driver chip U3 outputs a drive voltage, and the heating wire L2 starts heating.
[0052] exist Figure 5 or Figure 6In the illustrated embodiment, the heating control circuit 1 further includes electrical connection points J1, J2, and J3, with connection point J2 grounded. The drive pin OUT of the driver chip U2 is connected to electrical connection point J1, and the heating wire L1 is connected between electrical connection points J1 and J2. The drive pin OUT of the driver chip U3 is connected to electrical connection point J3, and the heating wire L2 is connected between electrical connection points J3 and J2. In some alternative embodiments, the heating control circuit 1 further includes electrical connection points J1, J2, J3, and J4, with both electrical connection points J2 and J3 grounded. The drive pin OUT of the driver chip U2 is connected to electrical connection point J1, and the heating wire L1 is connected between electrical connection points J1 and J2. The drive pin OUT of the driver chip U3 is connected to electrical connection point J4, and the heating wire L2 is connected between electrical connection points J4 and J3.
[0053] In some embodiments, the heating wire L1, heating wire L2, moving chip U2, trigger circuit 32a, driving chip U3, trigger circuit 32b, connection point J1, electrical connection point J2, and electrical connection point J3 are all disposed on the same circuit board. In some embodiments, the heating wire L1, heating wire L2, moving chip U2, trigger circuit 32a, driving chip U3, and trigger circuit 32b are disposed on one circuit board, and the connection point J1, electrical connection point J2, and electrical connection point J3 are disposed on another circuit board, i.e., a connecting board, to realize the electrical connection between the heating wire L1 and the corresponding driving circuit 30, as well as between the heating wire L1 and the corresponding driving circuit 30.
[0054] In some embodiments, the heating control circuit 1 is located on a circuit board, and the circuit board is equipped with an onboard capacitor; the ratio of the capacitance value of the first capacitor 322 to the capacitance value of the onboard capacitor is greater than the preset proportional coefficient of the driving chip 31.
[0055] Onboard capacitors are capacitors directly mounted on a circuit board to store electrical charge and energy. They play various important roles in electronic circuits, such as filtering, decoupling, energy storage, timing, and signal coupling. In some embodiments, onboard capacitors often consist of two mutually insulated conductive plates and an insulating dielectric in between. When a voltage is applied across the plates, charge accumulates on the plates, forming an electric field, thereby storing electrical energy.
[0056] In some embodiments, the capacitance value of the onboard capacitor can be obtained through actual measurement, and the preset scaling factor of the driver chip 31 can be read from the datasheet of the driver chip 31. A suitable first capacitor 322 is selected based on the capacitance value of the onboard capacitor and the preset scaling factor of the driver chip 31. For example, if the measured capacitance value of the onboard capacitor is 3pF, and the preset scaling factor of the driver chip 31 is (1+1 / 128), then the capacitance value of the first capacitor 322 needs to be greater than 3×(1+1 / 128)pF, meaning the selection of the first capacitor 322 needs to meet the requirement of a capacitance value greater than 3.02pF.
[0057] In some embodiments, the ratio of the capacitance value of the first capacitor 322 to the sum of the capacitance values of the onboard capacitor and the fixed capacitor is greater than a preset scaling factor of the driver chip 31. For example, the measured capacitance value of the onboard capacitor is 3pF, the capacitance value of the fixed capacitor is 1pF, and the preset scaling factor of the driver chip 31 is (1+1 / 32). Therefore, the capacitance value of the first capacitor 322 needs to be greater than (3+1)×(1+1 / 32)pF, that is, the selection of the first capacitor 322 needs to meet the requirement that the capacitance value is greater than 4.125pF.
[0058] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, two or more heating elements 10 are arranged vertically and spaced apart. For example, as an example, an aerosol generating device includes a longitudinally extending airflow path, and two or more heating elements 10 are arranged spaced apart along the airflow direction (i.e., longitudinally). In other embodiments, such as Figure 6 As shown, two or more heating elements 10 are arranged horizontally. As an example, the aerosol generating device includes one or more longitudinally extending airflow paths, with two or more heating elements 10 arranged side-by-side on the same or different airflow paths; for example, two or more heating elements 10 are arranged laterally side-by-side on different airflow paths, and the aerosols generated in the multiple airflow paths converge at the nozzle of the aerosol generating device. It is understood that two or more heating elements 10 can also be arranged in other ways.
[0059] The heating control circuit provided in this application receives a suction signal through a drive circuit. The drive chip responds to the suction signal by outputting a drive voltage to drive the corresponding heating element to start heating. This avoids the use of dual or multiple-output schemes that include expensive MCUs, thus reducing the cost of the aerosol generation device.
[0060] Please refer to Figure 7This application provides an embodiment of an aerosol generating device 100, which includes a heating control circuit 1 as described in any embodiment of this application and a power supply 2. The power supply 2 is connected to the heating control circuit 1 and is used to provide power to two or more heating elements 10. Therefore, the aerosol generating device 100 has the circuit structure and function of the heating control circuit 1. To avoid repetition, please refer to the foregoing embodiments.
[0061] The aerosol generating device 100 includes one or more longitudinally extending airflow paths, with two or more heating elements 10 arranged at intervals along the airflow direction, i.e., longitudinally distributed; or two or more heating elements 10 arranged side by side along the same or different airflow paths, i.e., laterally distributed. In an optional embodiment, the aerosol generating device 100 further includes a charging circuit 3 for charging the power supply 2.
[0062] It should be noted that the preferred embodiments of this application are given in the specification and accompanying drawings, but are not limited to the embodiments described in this specification. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can make improvements or modifications based on the above description, and all such improvements and modifications should fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A heating control circuit, characterized by, The heating control circuit comprises: two or more heating elements; an airflow sensor configured to output a puff signal in response to a puffing action, a driving circuit being arranged between the airflow sensor and each of the heating elements, each of the driving circuits comprising a driving chip connected with the corresponding heating element, the driving circuit being configured to receive the puff signal, and the driving chip being configured to output a driving voltage in response to the puff signal to drive the corresponding heating element to start heating.
2. The heating control circuit of claim 1, wherein, The driving circuit further comprises a trigger circuit electrically connected between the airflow sensor and the corresponding driving chip, the trigger circuit being configured to turn on a current path between the airflow sensor and the corresponding driving chip according to the puff signal, so that the driving chip outputs the driving voltage.
3. The heating control circuit of claim 2, wherein, The trigger circuit comprises a switch, a first capacitor and a second capacitor. The switch and the first capacitor are connected in series on the current path between the airflow sensor and the corresponding driving chip, and the switch is configured to work in an on state according to the puff signal. The second capacitor is electrically connected between the corresponding driving chip and a ground terminal. The capacitance value of the first capacitor and the capacitance value of the second capacitor are not equal.
4. The heating control circuit of claim 3, wherein, The heating control circuit is located on a circuit board, and the circuit board is provided with an on-board capacitor; the ratio of the capacitance value of the first capacitor to the capacitance value of the on-board capacitor is greater than a preset proportion coefficient of the driving chip.
5. The heating control circuit of claim 3, wherein, The switch comprises an NMOS tube, the gate of the NMOS tube is connected with the airflow sensor, the source of the NMOS tube is grounded, and the drain of the NMOS tube is connected to the corresponding driving chip through the first capacitor.
6. The heating control circuit of claim 5, wherein, The trigger circuit further comprises a bias resistor electrically connected between the gate of the NMOS tube and the source of the NMOS tube.
7. The heating control circuit of claim 1, wherein, The two or more heating elements are arranged in parallel and start heating simultaneously based on the puff signal generated by the airflow sensor.
8. The heating control circuit of claim 2, wherein, The driving chip comprises: a master control module configured to detect the capacitance value output by the trigger circuit; an output module connected with the master control module and configured to output a preset driving voltage in response to the detection result of the master control module.
9. An aerosol-generating device comprising: The heating control circuit comprises: The heating control circuit according to any one of claims 1-8; a power supply connected with the heating control circuit and configured to provide power for the two or more heating elements.
10. The aerosol-generating device of claim 9, wherein, The two or more heating elements are arranged at intervals on an airflow path according to the airflow direction, or the two or more heating elements are arranged side by side on the same airflow path or different airflow paths.