Electronic atomization device and control method therefor

Abstract

An electronic atomization device and a control method therefor are provided. The electronic atomization device includes a battery cell (23) configured to provide power; a resonant circuit (221a) electrically connected to the battery cell (23), wherein the resonant circuit (221a) includes at least one inductor (21), and the inductor (21) is configured to generate a varying magnetic field when being electrified; a susceptor (11) configured to generate heat when penetrated by the varying magnetic field, to heat the liquid substrate to generate aerosols; and a controller (222) configured to: determine, within a first puff period on the electronic atomization device, a first value corresponding to an electrical parameter of the resonant circuit (221a) at a first moment of the first puff period; determine, within a second puff period after the first puff period, a second value corresponding to the electrical parameter at a second moment of the second puff period; and determine, based on the first value and the second value, whether the susceptor (11) has an adverse condition. Whether the susceptor is under an adverse condition is determined based on electrical parameter values within two puff periods, thereby enhancing an inhalation experience of a user.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202311047865.9, filed with China National Intellectual Property Administration on August 18, 2023 and entitled "ELECTRONIC ATOMIZATION DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR", which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This application relates to the field of electronic atomization technologies, and in particular, to an electronic atomization device and a control method therefor.BACKGROUND

[0003] An electronic atomization device generates aerosols for being inhaled by users by heating and atomizing a liquid substrate, such as e-liquid. Under adverse conditions such as insufficient liquid supplying in the electronic atomization device, a negative impact is generated on the quality of the aerosols. This affects the inhalation experience of users. Therefore, how to determine whether there is an adverse condition such as insufficient liquid supply is a current problem faced.SUMMARY

[0004] Embodiments of this application provide an electronic atomization device and a control method therefor, and aim at realizing how to determine whether a heater has an adverse condition.

[0005] An aspect of the embodiments of this application provides an electronic atomization device, including: a battery cell, configured to provide power; and a resonant circuit electrically connected to the battery cell, where the resonant circuit includes at least one inductor, and the inductor is configured to generate a varying magnetic field when being electrified; a susceptor configured to generate heat when penetrated by the varying magnetic field, to heat the liquid substrate to generate aerosols; and a controller configured to: determine, within a first puff period on the electronic atomization device, a first value corresponding to an electrical parameter of the resonant circuit at a first moment of the first puff period; determine, within a second puff period after the first puff period, a second value corresponding to the electrical parameter at a second moment of the second puff period; and determine, based on the first value and the second value, whether the susceptor is under an adverse condition.

[0006] Another aspect of the embodiments of this application provides a control method for an electronic atomization device. The electronic atomization device includes: a battery cell, configured to provide power; a resonant circuit electrically connected to the battery cell, where the resonant circuit includes at least one inductor, and the inductor is configured to generate a varying magnetic field when being electrified; and a susceptor configured to generate heat when penetrated by the varying magnetic field, to heat the liquid substrate to generate aerosols.

[0007] The control method includes: determining, within a first puff period on the electronic atomization device, a first value corresponding to an electrical parameter of the resonant circuit at a first moment of the first puff period; determining, within a second puff period after the first puff period, a second value corresponding to the electrical parameter at a second moment of the second puff period; and determining, based on the first value and the second value, whether the susceptor is under an adverse condition.

[0008] Another aspect of the embodiments of this application further provides an electronic atomization device, including: a battery cell, configured to provide power; a heater configured to heat a liquid substrate to generate aerosols; and a controller configured to: determine, within a first puff period on the electronic atomization device, first power corresponding to the heater at a first moment of the first puff period; determine, within a second puff period after the first puff period, second power corresponding to the heater at a second moment of the second puff period; and determine, based on the first power and the second power, whether the heater is under an adverse condition, where a first interval exists between the first moment and an initial moment of the first puff period; a second interval exists between the second moment and an initial moment of the second puff period; and the first interval and the second interval are the same.

[0009] According to the electronic atomization device and the control method therefor which are provided in this application, whether the susceptor is under an adverse condition is determined based on electrical parameter values within two puff periods, thereby enhancing an inhalation experience of a user.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] One or more embodiments are exemplarily described with reference to the corresponding figures in the accompanying drawings, and the descriptions are not to be construed as limiting the embodiments. Elements in the accompanying drawings that have same reference numerals are represented as similar elements, and unless otherwise particularly stated, the figures in the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale. FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic atomization device according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a circuit according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 3 is another schematic diagram of a circuit according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of voltage and current changes of an LC resonant circuit according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a curve of temperature and time within a puff period according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a curve of power and time within a puff period according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a curve of resonant voltage and time within a puff period according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a curve of resonant voltages of different liquid substrates and time according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of another curve of resonant voltage and time within a puff period according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a curve of resonant voltages and time within different puff periods according to an embodiment of this application; and FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a curve of power and time within different puff periods according to an embodiment of this application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application are clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application. Apparently, the described embodiments are merely some rather than all the embodiments of this application. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described here are only intended to explain this application and are not intended to limit this application. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of this application without making creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0012] It should be noted that, when an element is expressed as "being fixed to" another element, the element may be directly on the another element, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between the element and the another element. When one element is expressed as "being connected to" another element, the element may be directly connected to the another element, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between the element and the another element. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right", and similar expressions used in this specification are for illustrative purposes only.

[0013] In addition, technical features involved in the embodiments of this application described below may be combined if there is no conflict.

[0014] To facilitate the understanding of this application, this application is described in more detail below with reference to accompanying drawings and specific implementations.

[0015] An electronic atomization device includes an atomizer and a power assembly. In an example, the atomizer is removably connected to the power assembly. The atomizer may be in snap-fit connection, magnetic connection, or the like to the power assembly. In one example, the atomizer and the power assembly are non-removable. That is, it is also feasible that they are integrally formed.

[0016] The atomizer includes a heater and a liquid storage cavity. The heater may include a resistive heating element that can generate joule heat when current flows through it, or a susceptor that can implement induction heating in a varying magnetic field. The liquid storage cavity is configured to store an atomizable liquid substrate. The heater is configured to heat the liquid substrate to generate aerosols for inhalation.

[0017] The liquid substrate preferably includes a tobacco-containing material. The tobacco-containing material includes a volatile tobacco aroma compound released from the liquid substrate when being heated. Alternatively or additionally, the liquid substrate may include a non-tobacco material. The liquid substrate may include water, anhydrous alcohol or another solvent, plant extracts, nicotine solution, and natural or artificial flavoring agents. Preferably, the liquid substrate further includes an aerosol generating agent. Examples of a suitable aerosol generating agent are glycerol and propylene glycol.

[0018] The power assembly includes a circuit and a battery cell.

[0019] The circuit may control overall operations of the electronic atomization device. The circuit not only controls operations of the battery cell and the heater, but also controls an operation of another element in the electronic atomization device.

[0020] The battery cell is configured to provide power for operating the electronic atomization device. The battery cell may be a rechargeable battery cell or a disposable battery cell.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic atomization device according to an implementation of this application.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the atomizer 10 includes a susceptor 11. The susceptor 11 is configured to be coupled with an inductor 21 and generate heat after being penetrated by a varying magnetic field, thus heating the liquid substrate stored in a liquid storage cavity to generate aerosols for inhalation.

[0023] In one example, the susceptor 11 may be made of at least one of the following materials: aluminum, iron, nickel, copper, bronze, cobalt, ordinary carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, martensitic stainless steel, or Austenitic stainless steel.

[0024] In one example, the susceptor 11 can be in direct contact with the liquid substrate, thereby evaporating the liquid substrate by releasing heat.

[0025] In one example, the susceptor 11 can remain in non-contact with the liquid substrate and heat the liquid substrate by radiating heat.

[0026] In one example, the atomizer 10 further includes a liquid transfer unit, and the susceptor 11 is in indirect contact with the liquid substrate through the liquid transfer unit. The liquid transfer unit may be made of, for example, a cotton fiber, a metal fiber, a ceramic fiber, a glass fiber, porous ceramic, or the like. The liquid substrate stored in the liquid storage cavity may be transferred to the susceptor 11 through a capillary action.

[0027] In one specific example, the susceptor 11 is constructed into a tubular structure in the shape of a closed ring or a non-closed ring, and the susceptor 11 is wound by a sheet-like metal mesh and supported on an inner surface of the liquid transfer unit.

[0028] In one specific example, the susceptor 11 may further include a radial portion radially extending from one end of a tube, and the radial portion may abut against an end portion of the liquid transfer unit.

[0029] In an embodiment, the susceptor 11 is buried in the liquid transfer unit and is co-fired with the liquid transfer unit to form an atomization core. In this way, the liquid substrate can be heated and atomized when approaching the region of the susceptor 11, instead of being transferred to be in contact with a surface of the susceptor 11. In one aspect, dry heating is avoided because of heat conduction contact between the susceptor 11 and the liquid transfer unit. In another aspect, most liquid substrates are in no direct contact with the susceptor 11 during atomization, which can avoid metal contamination caused by the susceptor 11.

[0030] In one example, the susceptor 11 may include a plurality of spaced closed rings. Each closed ring includes the same or different metal materials. For example, Curie temperature points of the materials of different closed rings are different.

[0031] In one example, the susceptor 11 may be of a plate-like structure. The susceptor 11 of the plate-like structure may have a plurality of mesh openings.

[0032] The power assembly 20 includes an inductor 21, a circuit 22, and a battery cell 23.

[0033] The inductor 21 is configured to generate a varying magnetic field under alternating current. In one example, the inductor 21 includes an induction coil wound around a central longitudinal axis of the susceptor 11.

[0034] The circuit 22 may control overall operations of the electronic atomization device 100. The circuit 22 not only controls operations of the battery cell 23 and the inductor 21, but also controls an operation of another element in the electronic atomization device 100.

[0035] In one example, a frequency of alternating current supplied by the circuit 22 to the inductor 21 is between 500 KHz and 3 MHz. Preferably, the frequency may be between 500 KHz and 2.5 MHz. Further preferably, the frequency may be between 500 KHz and 2 MHz. Further preferably, the frequency may be between 500 KHz and 1.5 MHz. Further preferably, the frequency may be between 500 KHz and 1 MHz. For example, the frequency of the alternating current supplied by the circuit 22 to the inductor 21 is 500 KHZ, or 600 KHZ, or 800 KHZ, or 1.2 MHZ.

[0036] The battery cell 23 is configured to provide power for operating the electronic atomization device 100. The battery cell 23 may be a rechargeable battery cell or a disposable battery cell.

[0037] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show schematic diagrams of basic assemblies of a circuit 22 in one embodiment. The circuit 22 includes: an inverter 221 including a switching circuit 221a and a resonant circuit 221b. The switching circuit 221a includes a switching transistor Q1. The resonant circuit 221b is formed by connecting a capacitor C1 in parallel with an inductor L (i.e. the inductor 21), thereby forming an LC parallel resonant circuit. It can be understood that it is also feasible that the resonant circuit 221b is formed by connecting the capacitor C1 in series with the inductor L.

[0038] The switching transistor Q1 is driven by a pulse signal to be turned on or turned off, to guide current between the battery cell 23 and the resonant circuit 221b to generate resonance in the resonant circuit 221b, thus forming alternating current flowing through the inductor L and causing the inductor L to generate the varying magnetic field and inducing the susceptor 11 to generate heat. In the examples of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the switching transistor Q1 is a commonly used metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor which is turned on or turned off based on a pulse width modulation (PWM) pulse signal received by a G electrode. In a preferred implementation, a frequency of the PWM pulse signal is between 500 KHz and 3 MHz.

[0039] Turning on or turning off of the switching circuit 221a is controlled by the PWM pulse signal generated by a driver 223, and the driver 223 includes a driver chip U1 and a peripheral circuit of the driver chip U1. Certainly, the driver 223 is generated based on the PWM pulse control signal emitted by a controller 222. In other embodiments, the PWM pulse signal may be generated by a driver integrated into the controller 222.

[0040] In a preferred implementation, turning-on time and turning-off time of the switching transistor Q1 are different. That is, a duty cycle of the PWM pulse signal is not 50%, and a resonance process of the resonant circuit 221b is asymmetric, so that the resonant circuit 221b maintains sufficient resonant voltage to maintain the intensity of the magnetic field. Specifically, FIG. 4 shows a varying process of resonant current / voltage within one cycle from time t11 to time t15 when the resonant circuit 221b of the circuit 20 shown in FIG. 3 performs driving in a symmetrical resonance manner with the duty cycle of 50%, including: S1, a time period from t11 to t12: the driver 223 transmits the PWM pulse signal to the G electrode of the switching transistor Q1 to turn on the MOS transistor. After the transistor is turned on, current i1 flows through the inductor L from a positive electrode of the battery cell 23. Since coil reactance does not allow a sudden change in current, during t11 to t12, linearly increasing current i1 is generated by charging the inductor L. S2, a time period from t12 to t13: at t12, a PWM pulse ends, and the switching transistor Q1 is turned off. Similarly, due to the action of the inductive reactance of the inductor L, the current cannot immediately drop to 0, but instead charges the capacitor C1, thus generating current i2 that charges the capacitor C1.

[0041] By the moment t13, the capacitor C1 is fully charged and the current drops to 0. In this case, magnetic field energy of the inductor L is completely converted into electric field energy of the capacitor C1, thereby establishing peak voltage across two ends of the capacitor C1. Voltage generated between D / S electrodes of the switching transistor Q1 is actually a sum of the peak value of inverse-polarity pulse voltage and positive output voltage of the battery cell 23.

[0042] S3, a time period from t13 to t14: the capacitor C1 is discharged through the inductor L. At the end of discharging, i3 reaches a maximum value, and the voltage across the two ends of the capacitor C1 gradually decreases to zero. In this case, the electrical energy in the capacitor C1 is converted into magnetic energy in the inductor L. Similarly, the current flowing through the inductor L gradually changes due to the inductive reactance effect and is opposite in direction to S1 and S2. The capacitor C1 is discharged until electromotive forces at two ends of the inductor L are in opposite directions.

[0043] S4, a time period from t14 to t15: at t14, the switching transistor Q1 is turned on again, and the inductor L and a filter capacitor C3 form a freewheeling path. The energy of the inductor L is fed back to the filter capacitor C3, thus generating gradually decreasing current i4 until the current decreases to 0. At t15, the cycle ends. A next resonance cycle starts.

[0044] From the description of the above process, it can be inferred that at t14, the voltage between the D / S electrodes of the switching transistor Q1 may cross zero, and during the resonance, the switching transistor Q1 switches an on / off state at the moment when the voltage between the D / S electrodes crosses zero.

[0045] Further, in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a synchronous detection unit 224 is configured to detect resonant voltage of the resonant circuit 221b. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the synchronous detection unit 224 mainly includes a zero-crossing comparator U2 which is configured to sample and detect a zero-crossing point of a D-electrode voltage signal of the switching transistor Q1, so that the controller 222 can control the switching of turning on and turning off of the switching transistor Q1 based on a zero-crossing moment. It can be understood that other circuits can also be used to detect the resonant voltage of resonant circuit 221b. After obtaining the resonant voltage data used or detected, the controller 222 can process the data in a software filtering manner, such as a Kalman filtering algorithm, to facilitate subsequent processing.

[0046] In this embodiment of FIG. 2, detection of real-time voltage of the battery cell 23 is further provided to control a voltage detection circuit 225 of the switching transistor Q1. The voltage detection circuit 225 includes a switching transistor Q2, a voltage divider resistor R1, and a voltage divider resistor R2. Under the action of a control signal of the controller 222, the switching transistor Q2 can turn on or turn off the voltage detection circuit 225.

[0047] Based on the above electronic atomization device, the electronic atomization device can enter a puff period in response to a single or one puff of a user when obtaining an inhalation starting instruction. That is, a heater is started to heat the liquid substrate within this puff period to continuously generate aerosols. For example, an airflow sensor is arranged inside the electronic atomization device. The airflow sensor senses a change in an air pressure inside an airflow channel, thus generating an electrical signal, to control the electronic atomization device to be started to perform heating, that is, control outputting power of the battery cell, thus starting the heater for heating. In one example, duration of a puff period is between 2 s and 3 s (seconds).

[0048] One puff period of the electronic atomization device may include a plurality of time periods based on a temperature change of the heater. A temperature curve shown in FIG. 5 is used as an example. A puff period of the electronic atomization device includes three time periods: a time period from t0 to t1, a time period from t1 to t2, and a time period from t2 to t3.

[0049] During the time period from t0 to t1, a temperature of the heater rapidly rises from an initial temperature T0 to a target temperature T1, such as 250°C. Generally, the target temperature T1 is a maximum temperature during one puff period of the electronic atomization device. Duration of the time period from t0 to t1 is within 1 s, such as 0.2 s, 0.4 s, 0.6 s, and 0.8 s, thus making a rapid response to user inhalation. During this phase, the battery cell outputs relatively high power, so that the heater can have a quick temperature rise to a desired temperature and heat the liquid substrate as quick as possible to generate aerosols. For example, during the time period from t0 to t1, the controller is configured to control the battery cell to output preset constant power. The preset constant power is maximum power that can be supplied by the battery cell, commonly referred to as full-power outputting.

[0050] During the time period from t1 to t2, the controller controls the battery cell to output power at a moderate level. During this phase, the power supplied by the battery cell is less than the power supplied by the battery cell during the time period from t0 to t1. The temperature of the heater decreases from T1 to T2 and is maintained at T2.

[0051] During the time period from t2 to t3, the controller controls the battery cell to output power at a relatively low level. During this phase, the power supplied by the battery cell is less than the power supplied by the battery cell during the time period from t1 to t2. The temperature of the heater decreases from T2 to T3 and is maintained at T3.

[0052] In this way, the controller gradually reduces the temperature of the electronic atomization device by controlling the battery core to adjust the outputted power. This can avoid an excessively high temperature in the latter half of one puff period, ensure a consistent aerosol flavor during continuous inhalation, and ultimately enhance an inhalation experience of a user.

[0053] Within the three time periods described in the above situation, t0 is an initial moment of one puff period, and t3 is an end moment of the same puff period.

[0054] It should be noted that one puff period of the electronic atomization device is not limited to the three time periods described in the above situation. For example, one puff period of the electronic atomization device may include four, five, or more time periods, meaning that total duration of the three time periods described in the above situation can also be partial duration within one puff period. In some examples, one puff period of the electronic atomization device only includes two time phases with a heater temperature difference, but in at least one of the time phases, the temperature of the heater tends to be steady.

[0055] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a power curve corresponding to FIG. 5. As can be seen from FIG. 6, during the time period from t0 to t1, the controller controls the battery cell to output at preset power P1, such as the maximum power mentioned earlier, so that the temperature of the heater can rapidly rise from the initial temperature T0 to the target temperature T1.

[0056] During the time period from t1 to t2, the controller reduces the power output of the battery cell, i.e. less than the preset power P1. To maintain the temperature of the heater at T2, the controller continuously adjusts the power output of the battery cell. That is, when the temperature of the heater is less than the target temperature T2, the power output of the battery cell 23 is increased; and when the temperature of the heater is greater than the target temperature T2, the power output of the battery cell 23 is decreased, thereby maintaining the temperature of the heater at T2.

[0057] During the time period from t2 to t3, the controller further reduces the power output of the battery cell. Similarly, to maintain the temperature of the heater at T3, the controller continuously adjusts the power output of the battery cell.

[0058] In one example, the susceptor is made of a metal material and exhibits a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) characteristic of the metal material. That is, a resistance value also changes correspondingly as the temperature of the susceptor rises (before reaching the Curie temperature of the susceptor). Correspondingly, an electrical parameter value of the resonant circuit also changes correspondingly. For example, as the temperature of the susceptor increases, a resistance value of the susceptor increases. Correspondingly, a quality factor Q of the resonant circuit decreases, and the resonant voltage and the resonant current also decrease.

[0059] In one example, the electrical parameter value of the resonant circuit includes at least one of the resonant voltage, the resonant current, and the quality factor.

[0060] By the use of the characteristic that the temperature of the susceptor and the electrical parameter value of the resonant circuit have a correspondence relationship, the heating temperature of the susceptor can be correspondingly controlled by adjusting an electrical parameter value outputted to the resonant circuit 221b, thus causing the electronic atomization device to operate based on a preset desired temperature curve.

[0061] In an appropriate example, the controller can adjust the electrical parameter value by controlling the battery cell to change the power outputted to the resonant circuit, for example, by changing the duty cycle of the PWM signal outputted by a switching circuit to the resonant circuit, for another example, by changing an amplitude value of output voltage outputted by the battery cell or a boosting circuit of the battery cell to the resonant circuit, for still another example, by changing a frequency of the switching circuit or a signal density of the PWM signal. It is not limited by the above manners.

[0062] In some examples, the resonant circuit has one or more preset reference values for an electrical parameter. For example, the resonant circuit correspondingly has different reference values for an electrical parameter in different heating phases within one puff period. For example, referring to the schematic diagram of a resonant voltage curve shown in FIG. 7. The resonant voltage curve has a resonant voltage reference value V0 during the time period from t0 to t1, a resonant voltage reference value V1 during the time period from t1 to t2, and another resonant voltage reference value V2 during the time period from t2 to t3. In some examples, the reference value of the electrical parameter can vary over time.

[0063] The controller can intermittently obtain a real-time value of an electrical parameter through a detection circuit, such as acquiring real-time resonant voltage of the resonant circuit. Furthermore, by comparing the real-time value of the electrical parameter with a reference value of the electrical parameter, the controller controls the battery cell to adjust the power supplied to the resonant circuit, thereby ensuring that the real-time value of the above electrical parameter approaches or remains near the reference value of the electrical parameter.

[0064] In some examples, the real-time value of the above electrical parameter can be either a real-time acquired electrical parameter value or a derived parameter value obtained by calculating the acquired electrical parameter value, or can be a related parameter value obtained by filtering the real-time acquired electrical parameter value. For example, a recursive predictive filtering algorithm can be used to perform noise reduction and filtering on a real-time acquired voltage signal. The noise reduction and filtering process using the recursive predictive filtering algorithm includes both signal filtering and prediction on a next moment.

[0065] It can be understood that different types of liquid substrates or atomizers / cartridges of different specifications correspond to different reference values of the electrical parameter of the resonant circuit.

[0066] In one example, the controller is configured to: determine a type of the liquid substrate during a preceding time phase within the time period from t0 to t1, such as performing the determination action within short duration starting at t0; and determine one or more reference values of the electrical parameter of the resonant circuit based on the type of the liquid substrate. The controller can adjust the real-time value of the electrical parameter of the resonant circuit based on each determined reference value of the electrical parameter of the resonant circuit, to control a heating temperature of the susceptor.

[0067] In one specific example, the controller 222 determines a type of the liquid substrate by providing predetermined energy to the resonant circuit within predetermined time, such as 100 ms.

[0068] Specifically, the controller 222 determines the type of the liquid substrate by providing the predetermined energy to the resonant circuit within the predetermined time, e.g. 100 ms, and monitoring a variation or a change rate of the resonant voltage or the resonant current of the resonant circuit within the predetermined time; or determines the type of the liquid substrate by monitoring whether the resonant voltage or the resonant current of the resonant circuit exceeds a preset threshold within the predetermined time; or determines the type of the liquid substrate by monitoring whether the variation or the change rate of the resonant voltage or the resonant current of the resonant circuit exceeds a preset threshold within the predetermined time.

[0069] FIG. 8 is used as an example. The liquid substrate corresponding to curve S1 contains approximately 50% of propylene glycol and 50% of plant glycerol. The liquid substrate corresponding to curve S2 contains approximately 40% of propylene glycol and 60% of plant glycerol, so that the liquid substrate has higher viscosity and higher specific heat capacity. As can be seen from the comparison of resonant voltages V shown in FIG. 8, within the same predetermined time t1, curve S2 has a greater amplitude value decrease degree in resonant voltage. For example, in FIG. 8, a voltage value of curve S1 decreases from V0 to V1, while a voltage value of curve S2 decreases from V0 to V2 which is less than V1.

[0070] Based on different decrease degrees, caused by different liquid substrates shown in FIG. 8, in the resonant voltage of the resonant circuit during the detection, the controller 222 is configured to determine the type of the liquid substrate on the susceptor by monitoring a voltage variation or a voltage change rate based on the resonant voltage of the resonant circuit.

[0071] In one specific example, the controller is configured to look up pre-established correspondence relationship data between the type of the liquid substrate and the electrical parameter value of the resonant circuit based on the type of the liquid substrate, and determine the reference value of the electrical parameter of the resonant circuit.

[0072] The pre-established correspondence relationship data between the type of the liquid substrate and the electrical parameter value of the resonant circuit can be stored in a built-in memory of the controller or in an independent memory.

[0073] In one specific example, the controller is configured to use a proportion integration differentiation (PID) algorithm to adjust the electrical parameter value of the resonant circuit. For example, after determining the reference value of the electrical parameter of the resonant circuit based on the type of liquid substrate, the controller can perform the PID algorithm on the real-time value of the electrical parameter of the resonant circuit based on the determined reference value of the electrical parameter of the resonant circuit, to control the battery cell to output power to the resonant circuit, so that the real-time value of the electrical parameter tends to be close to the reference value of the electrical parameter.

[0074] In one example, the controller is configured to control the battery cell to change the power outputted to the resonant circuit, so that the electrical parameter value of the resonant circuit gradually increases in a stepwise manner.

[0075] FIG. 7 is used as an example, each heating cycle of the electronic atomization device includes three time phases, namely the time period from t0 to t1, the time period from t1 to t2, and the time period from t2 to t3. Within the three phases, the battery cell provides different powers for the resonant circuit.

[0076] During the time period from t0 to t1, the controller controls the battery cell to output maximum power to the resonant circuit, so that the resonant circuit generates the varying magnetic field. The susceptor begins to generate heat and the temperature gradually increases, and the real-time value of the resonant voltage obtained by the controller from the resonant circuit gradually decreases. In this phase, the duty cycle of the PWM pulse signal provided by the switching circuit to the resonant circuit is 100%.

[0077] Within this phase, the controller compares the obtained real-time value of the resonant voltage with a preset first resonant voltage reference value V0. When the real-time value of the resonant voltage is greater than the first resonant voltage reference value V0, a maximum duty cycle is continuously maintained to heat the liquid substrate at the maximum power until the real-time value of the resonant voltage decreases to the first resonant voltage reference value V0. That is, when the real-time value of the resonant voltage is less than or equal to the first resonant voltage reference value V0, the controller controls the switching circuit to reduce the duty cycle of the PWM pulse signal outputted by the switching circuit, thereby reducing the power outputted by the battery cell to the resonant circuit. In other examples, during the time period from t0 to t1, time for heating the liquid substrate at the maximum power can be obtained. After the obtained time reaches predetermined time (such as the duration of the period from t0 to t1), the controller controls the switching circuit to reduce the duty cycle of the PWM pulse signal outputted by the switching circuit, thereby reducing the power outputted by the battery cell to the resonant circuit.

[0078] During the time period from t1 to t2, the controller controls the battery cell to output medium power to the resonant circuit 221b. The temperature of the susceptor decreases compared with the temperature in the previous phase, and the real-time value of the resonant voltage obtained by the controller from the resonant circuit gradually increases. In this phase, the duty cycle of the PWM pulse signal provided by the switching circuit to the resonant circuit is less than 100%. Within this phase, the duty cycle outputted by the switching circuit can vary over time. For example, a suitable duty cycle is 50% to 80%.

[0079] In this phase, the controller compares the obtained real-time value of the resonant voltage with a preset second resonant voltage reference value V1, adjusts the power output of the battery cell to make the real-time value of the resonant voltage approach the second resonant voltage reference value V1, and maintains the real-time value near the second resonant voltage reference value V1 by the moment t2. Specifically, when the real-time value of the resonant voltage exceeds the second resonant voltage reference value V1, the battery cell increases the power supplied to the resonant circuit (for example, increasing the duty cycle of the PWM pulse signal), so that the real-time value of the resonant voltage decreases and approaches the second resonant voltage reference value V1. When the real-time value of the resonant voltage is less than the second resonant voltage reference value V1, the battery cell decreases the power supplied to the resonant circuit (for example, decreasing the duty cycle of the PWM pulse signal), so that the real-time value of the resonant voltage increases and approaches the second resonant voltage reference value V1.

[0080] In a specific example, the controller is configured to adjust the power by determining an absolute difference between the real-time value of the resonant voltage and the second resonant voltage reference value V1. For example, when the absolute difference is greater than a set threshold, the power is decreased or increased; and when the absolute difference is less than a set threshold, the current power remains unchanged.

[0081] During the time period from t2 to t3, the controller controls the battery cell to output relatively low power to the resonant circuit. The temperature of the susceptor further decreases compared with the temperature in the previous phase, and the real-time value of the resonant voltage of the resonant circuit further increases. In this phase, the duty cycle of the PWM pulse signal provided by the switching circuit to the resonant circuit is less than the duty cycle of the time period from t1 to t2. Within this phase, the duty cycle outputted by the switching circuit can vary over time. For example, a suitable duty cycle is 30% to 50%.

[0082] In this phase, the controller compares the obtained real-time value of the resonant voltage with a preset third resonant voltage reference value V2, adjusts the power output of the battery cell to make the real-time value of the resonant voltage approach the third resonant voltage reference value V2, and maintains the real-time value near the third resonant voltage reference value V2 by the moment t3, where V2 is greater than V1. The specific control method is similar to that during the time period from t1 to t2.

[0083] In some other examples, as shown in FIG. 9, during the time period from t1 to t2, the controller 222 is configured to adjust the power such that the real-time value of the resonant voltage of the resonant circuit fluctuates within a fluctuation range near the second resonant voltage reference value V1. The fluctuation range includes an upper limit V1a of resonant voltage reference value and a lower limit V1b of resonant voltage reference value. Similarly, during the time period from t2 to t3, an upper limit V2a of resonant voltage reference value and a lower limit V2b of resonant voltage reference value are included.

[0084] In this way, the resonant voltage of the resonant circuit is adjusted in real time, the heating temperature of the susceptor can be controlled.

[0085] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a curve of resonant voltages and time within different puff periods according to an embodiment of this application.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 10, two continuous puffs are shown. The first puff (indicated by the solid line in the figure) is a normal puff when the susceptor 11 is not under an adverse condition, and the second puff (indicated by the dashed lines in the figure) is an abnormal puff when the susceptor 11 is under an adverse condition (assuming that the event that the susceptor 11 is under an adverse condition occurs during the time period from t0 to t1). It can be understood that the first puff and the second puff shown in FIG. 10 can be a first puff and a second puff when a user first uses the electronic atomization device and starts puffing it, or can be a first puff and a second puff after that. In the example of FIG. 10, the adverse condition includes a liquid substrate delivered or provided to the susceptor 11 being insufficient, depleted, or unexpected.

[0087] For the first puff, refer to FIG. 7 and its related description.

[0088] During the second puff period, since the amount of the liquid substrate provided to the susceptor is relatively small, the temperature of the susceptor increases rapidly. As the temperature of the susceptor increases, a resistance value of the susceptor increases. Correspondingly, a quality factor Q of the resonant circuit decreases, and the resonant voltage and the resonant current also decrease. It can be understood that for other adverse conditions, such as the atomizer connected to the power assembly being counterfeit, disqualified, or damaged, a situation similar to that in FIG. 10 also exists.

[0089] In practical operation, whether the susceptor 11 is under an adverse condition can be determined by selecting a value of an electrical parameter (resonant voltage, resonant current, or a quality factor) corresponding to the same moment of a puff period. For example, at moment tm shown in FIG. 10, resonant voltage corresponding to a first puff period is Vm, while resonant voltage corresponding to a second puff period is Vm'. Based on Vm and Vm', whether the susceptor is under an adverse condition can be determined. Specifically, a difference between Vm and Vm' can be determined based on Vm and Vm', and is compared with a preset threshold. If the difference is greater than or equal to the preset threshold, it is determined that the susceptor 11 is under an adverse condition. Certainly, the above comparison manner is not the only option, and other comparison manners are also feasible.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 10, within the first puff period, an interval Δt exists between the moment tm and a starting moment t0 of the first puff period, and within the second puff period, an interval Δt also exists between the moment tm and a starting moment t0 of the second puff period. It can be understood that an initial value of the resonant voltage corresponding to the starting moment t0 of the first puff period is different from an initial value of the resonant voltage corresponding to the starting moment t0 of the second puff period. This is a result caused by residual heat from the susceptor. Moment tn shown in FIG. 10 represents a moment at which the power output of the battery cell is stopped upon detecting that the susceptor 11 is under an adverse condition.

[0091] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a curve of power and time within different puff periods according to an embodiment of this application.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 11, two continuous puffs are shown. The first puff (indicated by the curve corresponding to a time period from t0 to t3) is a normal puff when the susceptor 11 is not under an adverse condition, and the second puff (indicated by the curve corresponding to a time period from t0 to tn) is an abnormal puff when the susceptor 11 is under an adverse condition (assuming that the event that the susceptor 11 is under an adverse condition occurs during the time period from t1 to t2). In the example of FIG. 11, the adverse condition includes a liquid substrate delivered or provided to the susceptor 11 being insufficient, depleted, or unexpected.

[0093] For the first puff, refer to FIG. 7 and its related description.

[0094] Within the second puff period, since the amount of the liquid substrate provided to the susceptor is relatively small, the temperature of the susceptor rises rapidly. To maintain the temperature of the susceptor at T2, the controller continuously reduces the power output of the battery cell 23. It can be understood that for other adverse conditions, such as the atomizer connected to the power assembly being counterfeit, disqualified, or damaged, a situation similar to that in FIG. 11 also exists.

[0095] In practical operation, whether the susceptor 11 is under an adverse condition can be determined by selecting a value of an electrical parameter (power) corresponding to the same moment of a puff period. For example, at moment t1m shown in FIG. 11, power corresponding to a first puff period is Pm, while power corresponding to a second puff period is Pm'. Based on Pm and Pm', whether the susceptor is under an adverse condition can be determined. Specifically, a difference between Pm and Pm' can be determined based on Pm and Pm', and is compared with a preset threshold. Thus, whether the susceptor 11 is under an adverse condition is determined based on a comparison result. Certainly, the above comparison manner is not the only option, and other comparison manners are also feasible.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 11, within the first puff period, an interval ΔT exists between the moment t1m and a starting moment t0 of the first puff period, and within the second puff period, an interval ΔT also exists between the moment t1m and a starting moment t0 of the second puff period. Moment t1n shown in FIG. 11 represents a moment at which the power output of the battery cell is stopped upon detecting that the susceptor 11 is under an adverse condition.

[0097] It should be noted that if an event that the susceptor 11 is under an adverse condition occurs during the time period from t2 to t3, it is similar to the above determining manner.

[0098] Based on the above principle, in one example, the controller is configured to: determine, within a first puff period on the electronic atomization device, a first value corresponding to an electrical parameter of the resonant circuit at a first moment of the first puff period; determine, within a second puff period after the first puff period, a second value corresponding to the electrical parameter at a second moment of the second puff period; and determine, based on the first value and the second value, whether the susceptor is under an adverse condition.

[0099] In one implementation, a first interval exists between the first moment and an initial moment of the first puff period; a second interval exists between the second moment and an initial moment of the second puff period; and the first interval and the second interval are the same.

[0100] In one specific implementation, the electrical parameter includes resonant voltage, resonant current, a quality factor, and derived parameters of the foregoing electrical parameters.

[0101] In one specific implementation, the controller is configured to control, within a first time period of the first puff period or within a second time period of the second puff period, the battery cell to output preset constant power to the resonant circuit, where the first moment is within the first time period, and the second moment is within the second time period.

[0102] In one implementation, the electrical parameter includes power and a derived parameter of the power.

[0103] In one specific implementation, the controller is configured to control, within a third time period of the first puff period or within a fourth time period of the second puff period, power supplied by the battery cell to the resonant circuit, to keep a temperature of the susceptor basically constant, where the first moment is within the third time period, and the second moment is within the fourth time period.

[0104] In one implementation, the controller is configured to: within the first puff period on the electronic atomization device, determine a first value corresponding to a first electrical parameter of the resonant circuit at the first moment of the first puff period, and a third value corresponding to a second electrical parameter of the resonant circuit at a third moment after the first moment; determine, within the second puff period after the first puff period, a second value corresponding to the first electrical parameter at the second moment of the second puff period; determine, based on the first value and the second value, whether the susceptor is under an adverse condition; and if the susceptor is not under an adverse condition, determine a fourth value corresponding to the second electrical parameter at a fourth moment after the second moment; and determine, based on the third value and the fourth value, whether the susceptor is under an adverse condition.

[0105] In one specific implementation, the first electrical parameter and the second electrical parameter are different electrical parameters.

[0106] For example, during the time period from t0 to t1, whether the susceptor 11 is under an adverse condition is determined based on the resonant voltage corresponding to the same moment. When it is determined that the susceptor 11 is not under an adverse condition, during the time period from t1 to t2, whether the susceptor 11 is under an adverse condition is determined based on the power corresponding to the same moment.

[0107] In one implementation, the first puff period and the second puff period are adjacent puff periods. It can be understood that if the first puff period and the second puff period are not adjacent puff periods, for example, if one puff period exists between the first puff period and the second puff period, it is still possible to determine whether the susceptor 11 is under an adverse condition, especially during the first few puffs when a user first uses the electronic atomization device.

[0108] In one implementation, the controller is configured to: determine a difference between the first value and the second value, and determine, based on a comparison result of the difference and a preset threshold, whether the susceptor is under an adverse condition.

[0109] In one implementation, the controller is further configured to restrict or stop power supplying of the battery cell or generate prompt information when the susceptor is under an adverse condition.

[0110] Moment tm during the puff period corresponding to the curve in FIG. 10 is used as an example. If it is determined at moment tm that the susceptor is under an adverse condition, the power supplying to the battery cell can be restricted or stopped at the moment, or the prompt information can be generated. This prompt information is configured to control a prompt assembly, such as a display screen, an indicator light, or a vibration motor, to generate a prompt.

[0111] In one example, the electronic atomization device further includes a memory configured to store the first value corresponding to the electrical parameter of the resonant circuit at the first moment of the first puff period. In a further implementation, the controller is further configured to update the first value stored in the memory to the second value when determining that the susceptor is not under an adverse condition. In this way, whether the susceptor is under an adverse condition can be determined based on an electrical parameter value corresponding to a subsequent third puff and the electrical parameter value that is stored in the memory and corresponds to the second puff.

[0112] It can be understood that when the electronic atomization device leaves the factory, an electrical parameter value of a moment of a puff period can be stored in the memory in advance. The value stored in advance can be an empirical value or an experimental value. In this way, during the first puff period when the user first uses the electronic atomization device and starts puffing on it, whether the susceptor is under an adverse condition can be determined.

[0113] Another embodiment of this application provides a control method for an electronic atomization device. The method includes: determining, within a first puff period on the electronic atomization device, a first value corresponding to an electrical parameter of the resonant circuit at a first moment of the first puff period; determining, within a second puff period after the first puff period, a second value corresponding to the electrical parameter at a second moment of the second puff period; and determining, based on the first value and the second value, whether the susceptor is under an adverse condition.

[0114] For the electronic atomization device, refer to the foregoing content. For the specific implementations of the control method, refer to the content of the above controller. They will not be elaborated here.

[0115] It should be noted that as shown in FIG. 11, whether the susceptor 11 is under an adverse condition is determined by selecting a power value corresponding to the same moment of a puff period. It is also applicable to a resistive heating element. Another embodiment of this application provides an electronic atomization device, including: a battery cell, configured to provide power; and a heater configured to heat a liquid substrate to generate aerosols; and a controller configured to: determine, within a first puff period on the electronic atomization device, first power corresponding to the heater at a first moment of the first puff period; determine, within a second puff period after the first puff period, second power corresponding to the heater at a second moment of the second puff period; and determine, based on the first power and the second power, whether the heater is under an adverse condition, where a first interval exists between the first moment and an initial moment of the first puff period; a second interval exists between the second moment and an initial moment of the second puff period; and the first interval and the second interval are the same.

[0116] Still another embodiment of this application provides a control method for an electronic atomization device. The electronic atomization device includes: a battery cell, configured to provide power; and a heater configured to heat a liquid substrate to generate aerosols.

[0117] The control method includes: determining, within a first puff period on the electronic atomization device, first power corresponding to the heater at a first moment of the first puff period; determining, within a second puff period after the first puff period, second power corresponding to the heater at a second moment of the second puff period; and determining, based on the first power and the second power, whether the heater is under an adverse condition, where a first interval exists between the first moment and an initial moment of the first puff period; a second interval exists between the second moment and an initial moment of the second puff period; and the first interval and the second interval are the same.

[0118] The foregoing descriptions are merely the embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the patent scope of this application. All equivalent structure or process changes made according to the content of the specification and the drawings of this application or direct or indirect application in other related arts shall fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0119] It should be finally noted that: The foregoing various embodiments are merely intended to describe the technical solutions of this application, but not for limiting this application. Under the concept of this application, the technical features in the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, and the steps can be implemented in any order. There are many other variations of the different aspects of this application as described above, which are not provided in detail for the sake of simplicity. Although this application is described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, persons of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they may still make modifications to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent replacements to partial technical features thereof. However, these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions depart from the scope of the technical solutions of the various embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. An electronic atomization device, comprising: a battery cell configured to provide power; a resonant circuit electrically connected to the battery cell, wherein the resonant circuit comprises at least one inductor, and the inductor is configured to generate a varying magnetic field when being electrified; a susceptor configured to generate heat when penetrated by the varying magnetic field, to heat the liquid substrate to generate aerosols; and a controller configured to: determine, within a first puff period on the electronic atomization device, a first value corresponding to an electrical parameter of the resonant circuit at a first moment of the first puff period; determine, within a second puff period after the first puff period, a second value corresponding to the electrical parameter at a second moment of the second puff period; and determine, based on the first value and the second value, whether the susceptor is under an adverse condition.

2. The electronic atomization device according to claim 1, wherein a first interval exists between the first moment and an initial moment of the first puff period; a second interval exists between the second moment and an initial moment of the second puff period; and the first interval and the second interval are the same.

3. The electronic atomization device according to claim 2, wherein the electrical parameter comprises resonant voltage, resonant current, a quality factor, and derived parameters of the foregoing electrical parameters.

4. The electronic atomization device according to claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to control, within a first time period of the first puff period or within a second time period of the second puff period, the battery cell to output preset constant power to the resonant circuit, wherein the first moment is within the first time period, and the second moment is within the second time period.

5. The electronic atomization device according to claim 2, wherein the electrical parameter comprises power and a derived parameter of the power.

6. The electronic atomization device according to claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to control, within a third time period of the first puff period or within a fourth time period of the second puff period, power supplied by the battery cell to the resonant circuit, to keep a temperature of the susceptor basically constant, wherein the first moment is within the third time period, and the second moment is within the fourth time period.

7. The electronic atomization device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to: within the first puff period on the electronic atomization device, determine a first value corresponding to a first electrical parameter of the resonant circuit at the first moment of the first puff period, and a third value corresponding to a second electrical parameter of the resonant circuit at a third moment after the first moment; determine, within the second puff period after the first puff period, a second value corresponding to the first electrical parameter at the second moment of the second puff period; determine, based on the first value and the second value, whether the susceptor is under an adverse condition; and if the susceptor is not under an adverse condition, determine a fourth value corresponding to the second electrical parameter at a fourth moment after the second moment; and determine, based on the third value and the fourth value, whether the susceptor is under an adverse condition.

8. The electronic atomization device according to claim 7, wherein the first electrical parameter and the second electrical parameter are different electrical parameters.

9. The electronic atomization device according to claim 1, wherein the first puff period and the second puff period are adjacent puff periods.

10. The electronic atomization device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to: determine a difference between the first value and the second value, and determine, based on a comparison result of the difference and a preset threshold, whether the susceptor is under an adverse condition.

11. The electronic atomization device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to restrict or stop power supplying of the battery cell or generate prompt information when the susceptor is under an adverse condition.

12. The electronic atomization device according to claim 1, further comprising a memory configured to store the first value, wherein the controller is further configured to update the first value stored in the memory to the second value when determining that the susceptor is not under an adverse condition.

13. A control method for an electronic atomization device, wherein the electronic atomization device comprises: a battery cell configured to provide power; a resonant circuit electrically connected to the battery cell, wherein the resonant circuit comprises at least one inductor, and the inductor is configured to generate a varying magnetic field when being electrified; and a susceptor configured to generate heat when penetrated by the varying magnetic field, to heat the liquid substrate to generate aerosols; and the control method comprises: determining, within a first puff period on the electronic atomization device, a first value corresponding to an electrical parameter of the resonant circuit at a first moment of the first puff period; determining, within a second puff period after the first puff period, a second value corresponding to the electrical parameter at a second moment of the second puff period; and determining, based on the first value and the second value, whether the susceptor is under an adverse condition.

14. An electronic atomization device, comprising: a battery cell configured to provide power; a heater configured to heat a liquid substrate to generate aerosols; and a controller configured to: determine, within a first puff period on the electronic atomization device, first power corresponding to the heater at a first moment of the first puff period; determine, within a second puff period after the first puff period, second power corresponding to the heater at a second moment of the second puff period; and determine, based on the first power and the second power, whether the heater is under an adverse condition, wherein a first interval exists between the first moment and an initial moment of the first puff period; a second interval exists between the second moment and an initial moment of the second puff period; and the first interval and the second interval are the same.

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