Aerosol generating device and system with induction heating device and method of operating same - Patents.com

Abstract

A method (800) for controlling aerosol generation in an aerosol generating device (200) is provided, the method including performing (820) a calibration process during user operation of the aerosol generating device (200) to define first and second calibration values ​​of an induction heating device (320) during a first heating stage for generating an aerosol, the first calibration value being associated with a first calibration temperature of a susceptor (160) inductively coupled to the induction heating device, the second calibration value being associated with a second calibration temperature of the susceptor, the susceptor being configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate (110), and controlling (840) power provided to the induction heating device to maintain a target operating value of the induction heating device within the first and second calibration values ​​during the second heating stage.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an inductive heating device for heating an aerosol-forming substrate. The present disclosure further relates to an aerosol-generating device including such an inductive heating device, and to a method for controlling aerosol generation in an aerosol-generating device. [Background technology]

[0002] The aerosol generating device may include an electrically operated heat source configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to generate the aerosol. The electrically operated heat source may be an induction heating device. The induction heating device typically comprises an inductor inductively coupled to the susceptor. The inductor generates an alternating magnetic field that causes heating of the susceptor. Typically, the susceptor is in direct contact with the aerosol-forming substrate, and heat is transferred from the susceptor to the aerosol-forming substrate primarily by conduction. The temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate may be controlled by controlling the temperature of the susceptor. It is therefore important that such an aerosol generating device accurately monitors and controls the temperature of the susceptor to ensure optimal generation and delivery of the aerosol to the user.

[0003] It is desirable to provide temperature monitoring and control of induction heating devices that is accurate, reliable, and inexpensive. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling aerosol generation in an aerosol generating device. The device may include an induction heating device and a power source for providing power to the induction heating device. The method may include performing a calibration process to define a first calibration value and a second calibration value of the induction heating device during a first heating stage during user operation of the aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol, the first calibration value being associated with a first calibration temperature of a susceptor inductively coupled to the induction heating device and the second calibration value being associated with a second calibration temperature of the susceptor, the susceptor being configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate, and controlling power provided to the induction heating device to maintain a target operating value of the induction heating device within the first calibration value and the second calibration value during a second heating stage during user operation of the aerosol generating device.

[0005] Carrying out a calibration process during user operation of the aerosol generating device and using the calibration values ​​resulting from the calibration process to control the power provided to the induction heating device means that the calibration values ​​used to control the heating process are more accurate and reliable than if the calibration process was carried out at the time of manufacture. This also improves flexibility and cost efficiency in that the aerosol generating device can be calibrated for multiple types of susceptors. This is particularly important where the susceptor forms part of a separate aerosol generating article that does not form part of the aerosol generating device. In such situations, calibration at the time of manufacture is not possible.

[0006] The induction heating device may include a DC / AC converter and an inductor connected to the DC / AC converter. The susceptor may be disposed inductively coupled to the inductor. Power from a power source may be continuously supplied to the inductor via the DC / AC converter. The current, conductance or resistance of the induction heating device may be determined based on measurements of the DC current drawn from the power source at the input of the DC / AC converter and, optionally, the DC supply voltage of the power source.

[0007] The second calibration temperature of the susceptor may correspond to the Curie temperature of the material of the susceptor.The first calibration temperature of the susceptor may correspond to a temperature at maximum permeability of the material of the susceptor.

[0008] The susceptor may comprise a first susceptor material having a first Curie temperature and a second susceptor material having a second Curie temperature, the second Curie temperature being lower than the first Curie temperature, and the second temperature of the susceptor may correspond to the second Curie temperature of the second susceptor material.

[0009] The first and second susceptor materials are preferably two separate susceptor materials that are bonded together and thus in physical contact with each other, thereby ensuring that both susceptor materials have the same temperature by thermal conduction. The two susceptor materials are preferably two layers or strips that are bonded together along one of their major surfaces. The susceptor may further comprise a further third layer of susceptor material. The third layer of susceptor material may be made from the first susceptor material. The thickness of the third layer of susceptor material may be less than the thickness of the second layer of the second susceptor material.

[0010] The first calibration value may be a first conductance value, the second calibration value may be a second conductance value, and the target operating value may be a target conductance value. Performing the calibration process may include (i) controlling power provided to an induction heating device to increase a temperature of the susceptor, (ii) monitoring a conductance value associated with the susceptor, (iii) interrupting power supply to the induction heating device when the conductance value reaches a maximum value, the conductance value at the maximum value corresponding to the second calibration value, and (iv) monitoring the conductance value until the conductance value reaches a minimum value, the conductance value at the minimum value corresponding to the first calibration value.

[0011] Monitoring the conductance value may include measuring the DC current drawn from the power supply at the input side of the DC / AC converter. Monitoring the conductance value may further include measuring the DC voltage at the power supply at the input side of the DC / AC converter. This is due to the fact that there is a monotonic relationship between the actual conductance of the susceptor (which cannot be determined when the susceptor forms part of the article) and the apparent conductance thus determined (because the susceptor contributes the conductance of the LCR circuit to which it is coupled (of the DC / AC converter) and therefore most of the load (R) is due to the resistance of the susceptor). The conductance is 1 / R. Thus, in this text, when we refer to the conductance of the susceptor, we are in fact referring to the apparent conductance when the susceptor forms part of a separate aerosol-generating article.

[0012] Performing the calibration process may further include repeating steps (i)-(iv) in response to determining that the conductance value has reached a minimum value. The first calibration value and the second calibration value may correspond to conductance values ​​measured during at least a first repetition of steps (i)-(iv).

[0013] The first calibration value may be a first resistance value, the second calibration value may be a second resistance value, and the target operating value may be a target resistance value. Performing the calibration process may include i) controlling power provided to the induction heating device to increase a temperature of the susceptor, ii) monitoring a resistance value associated with the susceptor, iii) interrupting power supply to the induction heating device when the resistance value reaches a minimum value, the resistance value at the minimum corresponding to the second calibration value, and iv) monitoring the resistance value until the resistance value reaches a maximum value, the resistance value at the maximum corresponding to the first calibration value.

[0014] Monitoring the resistance value may include measuring a DC current drawn from the power supply at the input side of the DC / AC converter. Monitoring the resistance value may further include measuring a DC voltage at the power supply at the input side of the DC / AC converter.

[0015] Performing the calibration process may further include repeating steps i)-iv) in response to determining that the resistance value has reached a maximum value, The first calibration value and the second calibration value may correspond to resistance values ​​measured during at least a first repetition of steps i)-iv).

[0016] The first calibration value may be a first current value, the second calibration value may be a second current value, and the target operating value may be a target current value.

[0017] Performing the calibration process may include the steps of: i) controlling power provided to the induction heating device to increase the temperature of the susceptor; ii) monitoring a current value associated with the susceptor; iii) interrupting the power supply to the induction heating device when the current value reaches a maximum value, the current value at the maximum value corresponding to a second calibration value; and iv) monitoring the conductance value until the conductance value reaches a minimum value, the current value at the minimum value corresponding to the first calibration value.

[0018] Monitoring the current value may include measuring a DC current drawn from the power supply at the input side of the DC / AC converter. Monitoring the current value may further include measuring a DC voltage at the power supply at the input side of the DC / AC converter.

[0019] Performing the calibration process may further include repeating steps i)-iv) in response to determining that the current value has reached a minimum value, The first calibration value and the second calibration value may correspond to current values ​​measured during at least a first repetition of steps i)-iv).

[0020] The calibration process is fast and reliable without slowing down aerosol generation, and by repeating the steps of the calibration process, subsequent temperature control is greatly improved since heat has had more time to distribute within the substrate.

[0021] The method may further include performing a calibration process during the second heating stage in response to detecting one or more of a predetermined period of time, a predetermined number of user puffs, and a predetermined voltage value of the power source.

[0022] Conditions may change during user operation of the aerosol generating device: for example, the susceptor may move relative to the induction heating device, the power source (e.g., a battery) may lose some efficiency over time, etc. Therefore, periodically performing a calibration process ensures reliability of the calibration values, thereby ensuring that optimal temperature regulation is maintained throughout use of the aerosol generating device.

[0023] The method may further include performing a pre-heating process during the first heating stage. The pre-heating process may be performed before the calibration process, and the pre-heating process may have a predetermined duration.

[0024] The preheating process may include the steps of: (i) controlling the power provided to an induction heating device to increase the temperature of the susceptor; (ii) monitoring with a power supply a conductance value associated with the susceptor; and (iii) interrupting the supply of power to the susceptor when the conductance value reaches a minimum value.

[0025] The pre-heating process may further include repeating steps (i)-(iii) of the pre-heating process until the end of the predetermined period of the pre-heating process if the conductance value reaches a minimum before the end of the predetermined period of the pre-heating process. The predetermined time allows heat to diffuse within the substrate until the minimum conductance value measured during the calibration process is reached, regardless of the physical state of the substrate (e.g., whether the substrate is dry or wet). This ensures reliability of the calibration process.

[0026] The pre-heating process may further include ceasing operation of the aerosol generating device if the conductance value of the susceptor does not reach a minimum value during a predetermined period of the pre-heating process. The susceptor is preferably included in an aerosol generating article configured to be inserted into the aerosol generating device. Aerosol generating articles that are not configured for use with an aerosol generating device will not behave the same as approved aerosol generating articles. Specifically, the conductance of the susceptor does not reach a minimum value during a predetermined period of the pre-heating process. This therefore prevents the use of unapproved aerosol generating articles.

[0027] The preheating process may include the steps of: i) controlling the power provided to an induction heating device to increase the temperature of the susceptor; ii) monitoring a resistance value associated with the susceptor with a power supply; and iii) interrupting the supply of power to the susceptor when the resistance value reaches a maximum value.

[0028] If the resistance value reaches a maximum value before the end of the predetermined period of the pre-heating process, steps (i)-(iii) of the pre-heating process may be repeated until the end of the predetermined period of the pre-heating process.

[0029] If the resistance value associated with the susceptor does not reach a maximum value during a predetermined period of the pre-heating process, operation of the aerosol generating device may be stopped.

[0030] The preheating process may include the steps of: i) controlling the power provided to an induction heating device to increase the temperature of the susceptor; ii) monitoring with a power supply a current value associated with the susceptor; and iii) interrupting the supply of power to the susceptor when the current value reaches a minimum value.

[0031] If the current value reaches a minimum value before the end of the predetermined period of the pre-heating process, steps (i) to (iii) of the pre-heating process may be repeated until the end of the predetermined period of the pre-heating process.

[0032] If the current value associated with the susceptor does not reach a minimum value during a predetermined period of the pre-heating process, operation of the aerosol generating device may be terminated.

[0033] During the preheating process, power from the power supply may be continuously supplied to the inductor via a DC / AC converter.

[0034] The calibration process may be performed in response to detecting completion of a predetermined period of a pre-heating process. The pre-heating process may be performed in response to detecting a user input. The user input may correspond to a user activation of the aerosol generating device.

[0035] The aerosol-generating device may be configured to removably receive an aerosol-generating article, the aerosol-generating article including a susceptor and an aerosol-forming substrate, and the pre-heating process is performed in response to detecting the presence of the aerosol-generating article in the aerosol-generating device. The predetermined period of time may be between 10 seconds and 15 seconds.

[0036] The susceptor is preferably included in an aerosol-generating article that is configured to be inserted into an aerosol-generating device. An aerosol-generating article that is not configured for use with an aerosol-generating device will not behave the same as an approved aerosol-generating article. In particular, the conductance of the susceptor will not reach a minimum value during a given period of the preheating process. This therefore prevents the use of an unapproved aerosol-generating article.

[0037] Controlling the power provided to the induction heating device during the second heating stage may further include controlling the power provided to the induction heating device to incrementally increase the target operating value from a first target operating value associated with a first operating temperature of the susceptor to a second target operating value associated with a second operating temperature of the susceptor. The first operating temperature may be sufficient for the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol.

[0038] Controlling the power provided to the induction heating device to increase the temperature of the susceptor in stages allows for aerosol generation over a sustained period, including multiple puffs, such as 14 puffs, or a complete user experience over a predefined time period, such as 6 minutes, with delivery (nicotine, flavor, aerosol volume, etc.) substantially constant from puff to puff throughout the entire user experience. Specifically, the staged increase occurs when the temperature of the susceptor prevents aerosol delivery from decreasing due to substrate depletion and reduced thermal diffusion over time. Additionally, increasing the temperature in stages allows heat to spread into the substrate at each step.

[0039] The first operating temperature may be between 150 degrees Celsius and 330 degrees Celsius, and the second operating temperature is between 200 degrees Celsius and 400 degrees Celsius. The temperature difference between the first operating temperature and the second operating temperature may be at least 30 degrees Celsius.

[0040] The incremental increase in the target performance value may include at least three successive steps, each step having a duration.

[0041] Controlling the power provided to the induction heating device may further include, for each step, maintaining a target operating value of the induction heating device at a value associated with the respective step for a duration of the respective step. Maintaining the target operating value of the induction heating device may include determining one of a current value, a conductance value, or a resistance value associated with the susceptor and adjusting the power provided to the induction heating device based on the determined conductance value.

[0042] The duration of each step is at least 10 seconds. The duration of each step may be between 30 seconds and 200 seconds. The duration of each step may be between 40 seconds and 160 seconds. The duration of each step may be predetermined. The duration of each step may correspond to a predetermined number of user puffs. A first step of the successive steps may have a longer duration than a subsequent temperature step.

[0043] Power from a power source may be supplied to the inductor via a DC / AC converter as multiple pulses, each pulse separated by a time interval.

[0044] Controlling the power provided to the induction heating device may include controlling the time interval between each of the multiple pulses.

[0045] Controlling the power provided to the induction heating device may include controlling a length of each pulse of the multiple pulses.

[0046] The first heating stage and the second heating stage may be stages operated by a user of the aerosol generating device.

[0047] The first calibration temperature may be between 150 degrees Celsius and 350 degrees Celsius, and the second calibration temperature may be between 200 degrees Celsius and 400 degrees Celsius. The temperature difference between the first calibration temperature and the second calibration temperature may be at least 50 degrees Celsius.

[0048] According to another embodiment of the invention, an aerosol generating device is provided. The aerosol generating device may include a power supply for providing a DC supply voltage and a DC current, and power supply electronics connected to the power supply. The power supply electronics may comprise a DC / AC converter, an inductor connected to the DC / AC converter for generating an alternating magnetic field when energized by an alternating current from the DC / AC converter, the inductor being coupleable to a susceptor, the susceptor being configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate, and a controller. The controller may be configured to perform a calibration process for defining a first calibration value and a second calibration value of the power supply electronics during a first heating stage during user operation of the aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol, the first calibration value being associated with a first calibration temperature of the susceptor, the second calibration value being associated with a second calibration temperature of the susceptor, and to control power provided to the power supply electronics to maintain target operating values ​​of the power supply electronics within the first calibration value and the second calibration value during a second heating stage during user operation of the aerosol generating device to produce an aerosol.

[0049] Power from a power source may be continuously supplied to the inductor via a DC / AC converter.

[0050] The second calibration temperature of the susceptor may correspond to a Curie temperature of a material of the susceptor. The first calibration temperature of the susceptor may correspond to a temperature at maximum permeability of a material of the susceptor. The first calibration value may be a first conductance value, the second calibration value is a second conductance value, and the target operating value is the target conductance value. Performing the calibration process may include (i) controlling power provided to the power electronics to increase the temperature of the susceptor, (ii) monitoring a conductance value associated with the susceptor, (iii) interrupting power supply to the power electronics when the conductance value reaches a maximum value, the conductance value at the maximum value corresponding to the second calibration value, and (iv) monitoring the conductance value until the conductance value reaches a minimum value, the conductance value at the minimum value corresponding to the first calibration value.

[0051] Monitoring the conductance value may include measuring a DC current drawn from the power supply at the input side of the DC / AC converter. Monitoring the conductance value may further include measuring a DC voltage at the power supply at the input side of the DC / AC converter.

[0052] Performing the calibration process may further include repeating steps (i)-(iv) in response to determining that the conductance value has reached a minimum value. The first calibration value and the second calibration value may correspond to conductance values ​​measured during at least a first repetition of steps (i)-(iv).

[0053] The first calibration value may be a first resistance value, the second calibration value may be a second resistance value, and the target operating value may be a target resistance value. Performing the calibration process may include i) controlling power provided to the induction heating device to increase a temperature of the susceptor, ii) monitoring a resistance value associated with the susceptor, iii) interrupting power supply to the induction heating device when the resistance value reaches a minimum value, the resistance value at the minimum corresponding to the second calibration value, and iv) monitoring the resistance value until the resistance value reaches a maximum value, the resistance value at the maximum corresponding to the first calibration value.

[0054] Monitoring the resistance value may include measuring a DC current drawn from the power supply at the input side of the DC / AC converter. Monitoring the resistance value may further include measuring a DC voltage at the power supply at the input side of the DC / AC converter.

[0055] Performing the calibration process may further include repeating steps i)-iv) in response to determining that the resistance value has reached a maximum value.

[0056] The first calibration value and the second calibration value may correspond to resistance values ​​measured during at least a first repetition of steps i) to iv).

[0057] The first calibration value may be a first current value, the second calibration value may be a second current value, and the target operating value may be a target current value. Performing the calibration process may include i) controlling power provided to the induction heating device to increase a temperature of the susceptor, ii) monitoring a current value associated with the susceptor, iii) interrupting power supply to the induction heating device when the current value reaches a maximum value, the current value at the maximum value corresponding to the second calibration value, and iv) monitoring a conductance value until a conductance value reaches a minimum value, the current value at the minimum value corresponding to the first calibration value.

[0058] Monitoring the current value may include measuring a DC current drawn from the power supply at the input side of the DC / AC converter. Monitoring the current value may further include measuring a DC voltage at the power supply at the input side of the DC / AC converter.

[0059] Performing the calibration process may further include repeating steps i)-iv) in response to determining that the current value has reached a minimum value, The first calibration value and the second calibration value may correspond to current values ​​measured during at least a first repetition of steps i)-iv).

[0060] The controller may be further configured to perform a calibration process in response to detecting one or more of a predetermined period of time, a predetermined number of user puffs, and a predetermined voltage value of the power source during the second heating stage.

[0061] The controller may be further configured to perform a pre-heating process during the first heating stage. The controller may be configured to perform the pre-heating process prior to the calibration process, the pre-heating process having a predetermined duration.

[0062] The preheat process may include (i) controlling power provided to the power supply electronics to increase the temperature of the susceptor, (ii) monitoring at the power supply a conductance value associated with the susceptor, and (iii) interrupting the power supply to the power supply electronics when the conductance value reaches a minimum value. During the preheat process, power from the power supply is continuously supplied to the inductor via a DC / AC converter.

[0063] The controller may be further configured to repeat steps i) to iii) of the pre-heating process until the end of the predetermined period of the pre-heating process if the conductance value reaches a minimum value before the end of the predetermined period of the pre-heating process.

[0064] The controller may further be configured to generate a control signal to stop operation of the aerosol generating device if the conductance value of the susceptor does not reach a minimum value during a predetermined period of the pre-heating process.

[0065] The preheating process may include the steps of: i) controlling the power provided to an induction heating device to increase the temperature of the susceptor; ii) monitoring a resistance value associated with the susceptor with a power supply; and iii) interrupting the supply of power to the susceptor when the resistance value reaches a maximum value.

[0066] The controller may further be configured to repeat steps (i)-(iii) of the pre-heating process until the end of the predetermined period of the pre-heating process if the resistance value reaches a maximum value before the end of the predetermined period of the pre-heating process.

[0067] The controller may further be configured to generate a control signal to stop operation of the aerosol generating device if the resistance value associated with the susceptor does not reach a maximum value during a predetermined period of the pre-heating process.

[0068] The preheating process may include the steps of: i) controlling the power provided to an induction heating device to increase the temperature of the susceptor; ii) monitoring with a power supply a current value associated with the susceptor; and iii) interrupting the supply of power to the susceptor when the current value reaches a minimum value.

[0069] The controller may further be configured to repeat steps (i) to (iii) of the pre-heating process until the end of the predetermined period of the pre-heating process if the current value reaches a minimum value before the end of the predetermined period of the pre-heating process.

[0070] The controller may be further configured to generate a control signal to stop operation of the aerosol generating device if the current value associated with the susceptor does not reach a minimum value during a predetermined period of the pre-heating process. The controller may be configured to perform a calibration process in response to detecting an end of the predetermined period of the pre-heating process.

[0071] The controller may be configured to implement the pre-heating process in response to detecting a user input, which may correspond to a user activation of the aerosol generating device.

[0072] The controller may be configured to implement a pre-heating process in response to detecting the presence of an aerosol-generating article within a predetermined threshold distance of the inductor. The predetermined period of time for the pre-heating process may be between 10 seconds and 15 seconds.

[0073] Controlling the power provided to the power electronics during the second heating stage may further include controlling the power provided to the power electronics to incrementally increase the target operating value from a first target operating value associated with a first operating temperature of the susceptor to a second target operating value associated with a second operating temperature of the susceptor.

[0074] The first operating temperature may be sufficient for the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol.

[0075] The first operating temperature may be between 150 degrees Celsius and 330 degrees Celsius and the second operating temperature may be between 200 degrees Celsius and 400 degrees Celsius. The temperature difference between the first operating temperature and the second operating temperature may be at least 30 degrees Celsius.

[0076] The incremental increase in the target performance value may include at least three successive steps, each step having a duration.

[0077] Controlling the power provided to the power supply electronics may further include, for each step, maintaining a target operating value for the power supply electronics at a value associated with the respective step for the duration of the respective step.

[0078] Maintaining an operational conductance value of the power supply electronics may include determining one of a current value, a conductance value, or a resistance value associated with the susceptor and adjusting the power provided to the power supply electronics based on the determined conductance value. The power supply electronics may further comprise a current sensor configured to measure a DC current drawn from the power supply at an input of the DC / AC converter. The power supply electronics may further comprise a voltage sensor configured to measure a DC supply voltage of the power supply at an input of the DC / AC converter. The duration of each step may be at least 10 seconds. The duration of each step may be between 30 seconds and 200 seconds. The duration of each step may be between 40 seconds and 160 seconds. The duration of each step may be predetermined. The duration of each step may correspond to a predetermined number of user puffs. A first step of the successive steps may have a longer duration than a subsequent step.

[0079] Power from the power source may be provided to the inductor via a DC / AC converter as a plurality of pulses, each pulse separated by a time interval. Controlling the power provided to the power electronics may include controlling a time interval between each of the plurality of pulses. Controlling the power provided to the power electronics may include controlling a length of each pulse of the plurality of pulses.

[0080] The first heating stage and the second heating stage may be stages operated by a user of the aerosol generating device.

[0081] The first calibration temperature may be between 150 degrees Celsius and 350 degrees Celsius, and the second calibration temperature may be between 200 degrees Celsius and 400 degrees Celsius. The temperature difference between the first calibration temperature and the second calibration temperature may be at least 50 degrees Celsius.

[0082] The power electronics may further comprise a matching network for matching the impedance of the inductor to the impedance of the susceptor.

[0083] The aerosol generating device may further comprise a housing having a cavity configured to receive an aerosol-generating article, the aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate and a susceptor.

[0084] According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article as described above. The aerosol-generating article may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate and a susceptor.

[0085] The susceptor may include a first layer of a first material and a second layer of a second material, the first material being disposed in physical contact with the second material. The first material may be one of aluminum, iron, and stainless steel, and the second material is nickel or a nickel alloy. The first material may have a first Curie temperature and the second material may have a second Curie temperature. The second Curie temperature may be lower than the first Curie temperature. The second calibration temperature may correspond to a second Curie temperature of the second susceptor material.

[0086] The term "aerosol-generating device" as used herein refers to a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. The aerosol-generating device may interact with one or both of an aerosol-generating article that includes an aerosol-forming substrate and a cartridge that includes an aerosol-forming substrate. In some examples, the aerosol-generating device may heat the aerosol-forming substrate to facilitate the release of volatile compounds from the substrate. An electrically operated aerosol-generating device may include an atomizer, such as an electric heater, for heating the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol.

[0087] The term "aerosol-generating system" as used herein refers to the combination of an aerosol-generating device with an aerosol-forming substrate. When the aerosol-forming substrate forms part of an aerosol-generating article, the aerosol-generating system refers to the combination of an aerosol-generating device with an aerosol-generating article. In an aerosol-generating system, the aerosol-forming substrate and the aerosol-generating device work together to generate an aerosol.

[0088] The term "aerosol-forming substrate" as used herein refers to a substrate capable of releasing a volatile compound capable of forming an aerosol. The volatile compound may be released by heating or burning the aerosol-forming substrate. As an alternative to heating or burning, in some cases the volatile compound may be released by a chemical reaction or by mechanical stimulation such as ultrasound. The aerosol-forming substrate may be solid or may include both solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of an aerosol-generating article.

[0089] The term "aerosol-generating article" as used herein refers to an article that includes an aerosol-forming substrate capable of emitting a volatile compound capable of forming an aerosol. The aerosol-generating article may be disposable. An aerosol-generating article that includes an aerosol-forming substrate that includes tobacco may be referred to herein as a tobacco stick.

[0090] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco, for example a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavour compounds that are released from the aerosol-forming substrate upon heating. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenized tobacco material, for example cast leaf tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise both solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavour compounds that are released from the substrate upon heating. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may further comprise an aerosol former. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0091] As used herein, "aerosol cooling element" refers to a component of an aerosol-generating article located downstream of an aerosol-forming substrate such that, during use, an aerosol formed by volatile compounds emitted from the aerosol-forming substrate passes through and is cooled by the aerosol cooling element before being inhaled by a user. Aerosol cooling elements have a large surface area but generate a low pressure drop. Filters and other mouthpieces that generate a high pressure drop (e.g., filters formed of fiber bundles) are not considered aerosol cooling elements. Chambers and cavities within an aerosol-generating article are not considered aerosol cooling elements.

[0092] As used herein, the term "mouthpiece" means that portion of an aerosol-generating article, device, or system that is placed into the mouth of a user for direct inhalation of the aerosol.

[0093] As used herein, the term "susceptor" refers to an element that includes a material capable of converting the energy of a magnetic field into heat. When the susceptor is located in an alternating magnetic field, the susceptor heats up. The heating of the susceptor can be the result of at least one of hysteresis losses and eddy currents induced in the susceptor, depending on the electrical and magnetic properties of the susceptor material.

[0094] As used herein in referring to an aerosol generating device, the terms "upstream" and "forward," as well as "downstream" and "rearward," are used to describe the relative locations of components, or portions of components, of the aerosol generating device in relation to the direction in which air flows through the aerosol generating device during use. An aerosol generating device according to the invention comprises a proximal end through which aerosol exits the device during use. The proximal end of the aerosol generating device may also be referred to as the mouth end or downstream end. The mouth end is downstream of the distal end. The distal end of the aerosol-generating article may also be referred to as the upstream end. Components or portions of components of an aerosol generating device may be described as being upstream or downstream of one another based on their relative location with respect to the airflow path of the aerosol generating device.

[0095] As used herein when referring to an aerosol-generating article, the terms "upstream" and "forward", as well as "downstream" and "backward" are used to describe the relative positions of components or parts of components of the aerosol-generating article in relation to the direction in which air flows through the aerosol-generating article during use of the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article according to the present invention comprises a proximal end through which the aerosol exits the article during use. The proximal end of the aerosol-generating article may also be referred to as the mouth end or the downstream end. The mouth end is downstream of the distal end. The distal end of the aerosol-generating article may also be referred to as the upstream end. Components or parts of components of the aerosol-generating article may be described as being upstream or downstream of each other based on their relative positions between the proximal end of the aerosol-generating article and the distal end of the aerosol-generating article. The forward of a component or part of a component of the aerosol-generating article is the part that is at the end closest to the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article. The back of a component or part of a component of the aerosol-generating article is the part that is at the end closest to the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article.

[0096] As used herein, the term "inductively coupled" refers to the heating of a susceptor when penetrated by an alternating magnetic field. The heating is caused by the generation of eddy currents in the susceptor. The heating is also caused by magnetic hysteresis losses.

[0097] As used herein, the term "puffing" refers to the act of a user inhaling an aerosol through the user's mouth or nose and into the user's body.

[0098] As used herein, the term "value associated with current" refers to a value determined from a measurement of current, such as a current value, a conductance value, and a resistance value. The current measurement is performed in the heating device (also called the power supply electronics). In particular, the DC current may be measured at the input side of a DC / AC converter.

[0099] As used herein, the term "limit value" refers to the maximum or minimum value of a function or set of values ​​within a given range or range.

[0100] The present invention is defined in the claims. However, below is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of any other example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

[0101] Example 1: 1. A method for controlling aerosol generation in an aerosol generating device, the device comprising an induction heating device and a power source for supplying power to the induction heating device, the method comprising: performing a calibration process to define a first calibration value and a second calibration value of the induction heating device during a first heating stage during user operation of the aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol, the first calibration value being associated with a first calibration temperature of a susceptor inductively coupled to the induction heating device and the second calibration value being associated with a second calibration temperature of the susceptor, the susceptor being configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate; and controlling power provided to the induction heating device to maintain a target operating value of the induction heating device within the first calibration value and the second calibration value during a second heating stage during user operation of the aerosol generating device. Example 2: The method of example 1, wherein the second calibration temperature of the susceptor corresponds to a Curie temperature of a material of the susceptor and the first calibration temperature of the susceptor corresponds to a temperature of maximum permeability of a material of the susceptor. Example 3: 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the susceptor comprises a first susceptor material having a first Curie temperature and a second susceptor material having a second Curie temperature, the second Curie temperature being lower than the first Curie temperature, and the second calibration temperature of the susceptor corresponds to the second Curie temperature of the second susceptor material. Example 4: The method according to any one of the first to third embodiments, wherein the first calibration value is a first conductance value, the second calibration value is a second conductance value, and the target operating value is a target conductance value. Example 5: The method of example 4, wherein performing the calibration process includes: (i) controlling power provided to the induction heating device to increase the temperature of the susceptor; (ii) monitoring a conductance value associated with the susceptor; (iii) interrupting the supply of power to the induction heating device when the conductance value reaches a maximum value, where the conductance value at the maximum value corresponds to a second calibration value; and (iv) monitoring the conductance value until the conductance value reaches a minimum value, where the conductance value at the minimum value corresponds to the first calibration value. Example 6: 6. The method of example 5, wherein monitoring the conductance value includes measuring a DC current drawn from a power source at an input side of the DC / AC converter. Example 7: 7. The method of embodiment 6, wherein monitoring the conductance value further comprises measuring a DC voltage of the power source at an input side of the DC / AC converter. Example 8: The method of any of Examples 5-7, wherein performing the calibration process further comprises repeating steps (i)-(iv) in response to determining that the conductance value has reached a minimum value. Example 9: 9. The method of example 8, wherein the first calibration value and the second calibration value correspond to conductance values ​​measured during at least a first repetition of steps (i)-(iv). Example 10: The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 3, wherein the first calibration value is a first resistance value, the second calibration value is a second resistance value, and the target operating value is a target resistance value. Example 11: The method of example 10, wherein performing the calibration process includes the steps of: i) controlling power provided to the induction heating device to increase the temperature of the susceptor; ii) monitoring a resistance value associated with the susceptor; iii) interrupting the power supply to the induction heating device when the resistance value reaches a minimum value, the resistance value at the minimum value corresponding to a second calibration value; and iv) monitoring the resistance value until the resistance value reaches a maximum value, the resistance value at the maximum value corresponding to the first calibration value. Example 12: 12. The method of example 11, wherein monitoring the resistance value includes measuring a DC current drawn from a power source at an input side of the DC / AC converter. Example 13: 13. The method of embodiment 12, wherein monitoring the resistance value further comprises measuring a DC voltage at the power supply at the input side of the DC / AC converter. Example 14: 14. The method of any of Examples 11-13, wherein performing the calibration process further comprises repeating steps i)-iv) in response to determining that the resistance value has reached a maximum value. Example 15: 15. The method of example 14, wherein the first calibration value and the second calibration value correspond to resistance values ​​measured during at least a first repetition of steps i) to iv). Example 16: The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 3, wherein the first calibration value is a first current value, the second calibration value is a second current value, and the target operating value is a target current value. Example 17: The method of example 16, wherein performing the calibration process includes: i) controlling the power provided to the induction heating device to increase the temperature of the susceptor; ii) monitoring a current value associated with the susceptor; iii) interrupting the power supply to the induction heating device when the current value reaches a maximum value, the current value at the maximum value corresponding to a second calibration value; and iv) monitoring the conductance value until the conductance value reaches a minimum value, the current value at the minimum value corresponding to the first calibration value. Example 18: 18. The method of example 17, wherein monitoring the current value includes measuring a DC current drawn from the power source at an input side of the DC / AC converter. Example 19: 20. The method of embodiment 18, wherein monitoring the current value further comprises measuring a DC voltage at the power supply at the input side of the DC / AC converter. Example 20: 20. The method of any of Examples 17-19, wherein performing the calibration process further comprises repeating steps i) to iv) in response to determining that the current value has reached a minimum value. Example 21: 21. The method of example 20, wherein the first calibration value and the second calibration value correspond to current values ​​measured during at least a first repetition of steps i) to iv). Example 22: The method of any of Examples 1-21, further comprising performing a calibration process in response to detecting one or more of a predetermined period of time, a predetermined number of user puffs, and a predetermined voltage value of the power source during the second heating stage. Example 23: 23. The method of any of Examples 1-22, further comprising performing a pre-heating process during the first heating stage, wherein the pre-heating process is performed before the calibration process, and wherein the pre-heating process has a predetermined duration. Example 24: The method described in Example 23, wherein the preheating process includes the steps of: (i) controlling the power provided to an induction heating device to increase the temperature of the susceptor; (ii) monitoring with a power supply a conductance value associated with the susceptor; and (iii) interrupting the supply of power to the susceptor when the conductance value reaches a minimum value. Example 25: 25. The method of example 24, further comprising, if the conductance value reaches a minimum value before the end of the predetermined period of the preheating process, repeating steps (i)-(iii) of the preheating process until the end of the predetermined period of the preheating process. Example 26: 25. The method of example 24, further comprising ceasing operation of the aerosol generating device if a conductance value associated with the susceptor does not reach a minimum value during a predetermined period of the preheating process. Example 27: The method described in Example 23, wherein the preheating process includes the steps of: i) controlling the power provided to an induction heating device to increase the temperature of the susceptor; ii) monitoring a resistance value associated with the susceptor with a power supply; and iii) interrupting the power supply to the susceptor when the resistance value reaches a maximum value. Example 28: 28. The method of example 27, further comprising repeating steps (i)-(iii) of the preheating process until the end of the predetermined period of the preheating process if the resistance value reaches a maximum value before the end of the predetermined period of the preheating process. Example 29: 28. The method of example 27, further comprising shutting down operation of the aerosol generating device if a resistance value associated with the susceptor does not reach a maximum value during a predetermined period of the preheating process. Example 30: The method described in Example 23, wherein the preheating process includes the steps of: i) controlling the power provided to an induction heating device to increase the temperature of the susceptor; ii) monitoring with a power supply a current value associated with the susceptor; and iii) interrupting the power supply to the susceptor when the current value reaches a minimum value. Example 31: 31. The method of example 30, further comprising repeating steps (i)-(iii) of the preheating process until the end of the predetermined period of the preheating process if the current value reaches a minimum value before the end of the predetermined period of the preheating process. Example 32: 31. The method of example 30, further comprising shutting down operation of the aerosol generating device if the current value associated with the susceptor does not reach a minimum value during a predetermined period of the preheating process. Example 33: The method according to any of Examples 23 to 32, wherein during the preheating process, power from the power source is continuously supplied to the inductor via a DC / AC converter. Example 34: 34. The method of any of claims 23-33, wherein the calibration process is performed in response to detecting the end of a predetermined period of the preheating process. Example 35: 34. The method of any of claims 23-33, wherein the pre-heating process is performed in response to detecting a user input. Example 36: The method of example 35, wherein the user input corresponds to user activation of an aerosol generating device. Example 37: The method of any of Examples 23 to 33, wherein the aerosol-generating device is configured to removably receive the aerosol-generating article, the aerosol-generating article comprising a susceptor and an aerosol-forming substrate, and the pre-heating process is performed in response to detecting the presence of the aerosol-generating article in the aerosol-generating device. Example 38: The method according to any one of Examples 23 to 37, wherein the predetermined period of time is between 10 seconds and 15 seconds. Example 39: The method of any of Examples 1-38, wherein controlling the power provided to the induction heating device during the second heating stage further comprises controlling the power provided to the induction heating device to incrementally increase the target operating value from a first target operating value associated with a first operating temperature of the susceptor to a second target operating value associated with a second operating temperature of the susceptor. Example 40: 40. The method of example 39, wherein the first operating temperature is sufficient for the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol. Example 41: 41. The method of example 40, wherein the first operating temperature is between 150 degrees Celsius and 330 degrees Celsius, the second operating temperature is between 200 degrees Celsius and 400 degrees Celsius, and a temperature difference between the first operating temperature and the second operating temperature is at least 30 degrees Celsius. Example 42: 42. The method of any of Examples 39-41, wherein the stepwise increase in the target performance value includes at least three consecutive steps, with each step having a predetermined duration. Example 43: 43. The method of example 42, wherein controlling the power provided to the induction heating device further comprises, for each step, maintaining a target operating value for the induction heating device at a value associated with the respective step for a duration of the respective step. Example 44: 44. The method of claim 43, wherein maintaining a target operating value of the induction heating device includes determining one of a current value, a conductance value, and a resistance value associated with the susceptor, and adjusting the power provided to the induction heating device based on the determined value. Example 45: The method according to any of Examples 39 to 44, wherein the duration of the step is at least 10 seconds. Example 46: The method according to any of Examples 39 to 44, wherein the duration of the step is from 30 seconds to 200 seconds. Example 47: The method according to any of Examples 39 to 44, wherein the duration of the step is between 40 seconds and 160 seconds. Example 48. The method of any of Examples 39-47, wherein the duration of each step is predetermined. Example 49: The method of any of Examples 39-44, wherein the duration of the step corresponds to a predetermined number of user puffs. Example 50: The method of any of Examples 39-44, wherein the first step of the successive steps has a longer duration than the subsequent step. Example 51: The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the induction heating device comprises a DC / AC converter and an inductor connected to the DC / AC converter. Example 52: 52. The method of embodiment 51, wherein power from the power source is continuously supplied to the inductor via a DC / AC converter. Example 53: 53. The method of example 51 or 52, wherein power from a power source is supplied to the inductor via a DC / AC converter as multiple pulses, each pulse separated by a time interval. Example 54: 54. The method of example 53, wherein controlling the power provided to the induction heating device includes controlling a time interval between each of the multiple pulses. Example 55: 54. The method of example 53, wherein controlling the power provided to the induction heating device includes controlling a length of each pulse of the multiple pulses. Example 56: 56. The method of any of Examples 1-55, wherein the first calibration temperature is between 150 degrees Celsius and 350 degrees Celsius, the second calibration temperature is between 200 degrees Celsius and 400 degrees Celsius, and the temperature difference between the first calibration temperature and the second calibration temperature is at least 50 degrees Celsius. Example 57: an aerosol generating device comprising: a power supply for providing a DC supply voltage and a DC current; power supply electronics connected to the power supply, the power supply electronics including a DC / AC converter and an inductor connected to the DC / AC converter for generating an alternating magnetic field, the inductor being couplable with a susceptor when energized by an alternating current from the DC / AC converter, the inductor being configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate; and a controller configured to perform a calibration process for defining a first calibration value and a second calibration value of the power supply electronics during a first heating stage during user operation of the aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol, the first calibration value being associated with a first calibration temperature of the susceptor and the second calibration value being associated with a second calibration temperature of the susceptor, and to control power provided to the power supply electronics to maintain target operating values ​​of the power supply electronics within the first calibration value and the second calibration value during a second heating stage during user operation of the aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol. Example 58: An aerosol generating device as described in Example 57, wherein power from a power source is continuously supplied to the inductor via a DC / AC converter. Example 59: 59. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of Examples 57 to 58, wherein the second calibration temperature of the susceptor corresponds to the Curie temperature of a material of the susceptor. Example 60: 60. The aerosol generating apparatus of Example 59, wherein the first calibration temperature of the susceptor corresponds to a temperature at maximum permeability of the material of the susceptor. Example 61: An aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of Examples 57 to 60, wherein the first calibration value is a first conductance value, the second calibration value is a second conductance value, and the target operating value is a target conductance value. Example 62: An aerosol generating device as described in Example 61, wherein performing the calibration process includes the steps of: (i) controlling the power provided to the power supply electronics to increase the temperature of the susceptor; (ii) monitoring a conductance value associated with the susceptor; (iii) interrupting the power supply to the power supply electronics when the conductance value reaches a maximum value, where the conductance value at the maximum value corresponds to a second calibration value; and (iv) monitoring the conductance value until the conductance value reaches a minimum value, where the conductance value at the minimum value corresponds to the first calibration value. Example 63: An aerosol generating device as described in Example 62, wherein monitoring the conductance value includes measuring the DC current drawn from the power source at the input side of the DC / AC converter. Example 64: An aerosol generating device as described in Example 63, wherein monitoring the conductance value further comprises measuring the DC voltage at the power supply on the input side of the DC / AC converter. Example 65: An aerosol generating device described in any of Examples 62 to 65, wherein performing the calibration process further comprises repeating steps (i) to (iv) in response to determining that the conductance value has reached a minimum value. Example 66: An aerosol generating device as described in Example 65, wherein the first calibration value and the second calibration value correspond to conductance values ​​measured during at least a first repetition of steps (i) to (iv). Example 67: An aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of Examples 57 to 60, wherein the first calibration value is a first resistance value, the second calibration value is a second resistance value, and the target operating value is a target resistance value. Example 68: An aerosol generating device as described in Example 67, wherein performing the calibration process includes the steps of: i) controlling the power provided to the induction heating device to increase the temperature of the susceptor; ii) monitoring a resistance value associated with the susceptor; iii) interrupting the power supply to the induction heating device when the resistance value reaches a minimum value, wherein the resistance value at the minimum value corresponds to a second calibration value; and iv) monitoring the resistance value until the resistance value reaches a maximum value, wherein the resistance value at the maximum value corresponds to the first calibration value. Example 69: An aerosol generating device as described in Example 68, wherein monitoring the resistance value includes measuring the DC current drawn from the power supply at the input side of the DC / AC converter. Example 70: An aerosol generating device as described in Example 69, wherein monitoring the resistance value further includes measuring the DC voltage at the power supply on the input side of the DC / AC converter. Example 71: An aerosol generating device described in any of Examples 68 to 70, wherein performing the calibration process further comprises repeating steps i) to iv) in response to determining that the resistance value has reached a maximum value. Example 72: An aerosol generating device as described in Example 71, wherein the first calibration value and the second calibration value correspond to resistance values ​​measured during at least a first repetition of steps i) to iv). Example 73: An aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of Examples 57 to 60, wherein the first calibration value is a first current value, the second calibration value is a second current value, and the target operating value is a target current value. Example 74: An aerosol generating device as described in Example 73, wherein performing the calibration process includes the steps of: i) controlling the power provided to the induction heating device to increase the temperature of the susceptor; ii) monitoring a current value associated with the susceptor; iii) interrupting the power supply to the induction heating device when the current value reaches a maximum value, the current value at the maximum value corresponding to a second calibration value; and iv) monitoring the conductance value until the conductance value reaches a minimum value, the current value at the minimum value corresponding to the first calibration value. Example 75: An aerosol generating device as described in Example 74, wherein monitoring the current value includes measuring the DC current drawn from the power source at the input side of the DC / AC converter. Example 76: An aerosol generating device as described in Example 75, wherein monitoring the current value further includes measuring the DC voltage at the power supply on the input side of the DC / AC converter. Example 77: An aerosol generating device described in any of Examples 74 to 76, wherein performing the calibration process further comprises repeating steps i) to iv) in response to determining that the current value has reached a minimum value. Example 78: An aerosol generating device as described in Example 77, wherein the first calibration value and the second calibration value correspond to current values ​​measured during at least a first repetition of steps i) to iv). Example 79: An aerosol generating device as described in any of Examples 57 to 78, wherein the controller is further configured to perform a calibration process in response to detecting one or more of a predetermined period of time, a predetermined number of user puffs, and a predetermined voltage value of the power source during the second heating stage. Example 80: An aerosol generating device described in any of Examples 57 to 79, wherein the controller is further configured to perform a pre-heating process during the first heating stage, and wherein the controller is configured to perform the pre-heating process prior to the calibration process, and wherein the pre-heating process has a predetermined duration. Example 81: An aerosol generating device as described in Example 80, wherein the pre-heating process includes the steps of (i) controlling the power provided to the power supply electronics to increase the temperature of the susceptor, (ii) monitoring a conductance value associated with the susceptor in the power supply, and (iii) interrupting the power supply to the power supply electronics when the conductance value reaches a minimum value. Example 82: An aerosol generating apparatus as described in Example 81, wherein the controller is further configured to repeat steps i) to iii) of the pre-heating process until the end of the predetermined period of the pre-heating process if the conductance value reaches a minimum value before the end of the predetermined period of the pre-heating process. Example 83: An aerosol generating apparatus as described in Example 81 or 82, wherein the controller is further configured to generate a control signal to stop operation of the aerosol generating apparatus if the conductance value of the susceptor does not reach a minimum value during a predetermined period of the pre-heating process. Example 84: An aerosol generating apparatus as described in Example 80, wherein the preheating process includes the steps of: i) controlling the power provided to an induction heating device to increase the temperature of the susceptor; ii) monitoring a resistance value associated with the susceptor with a power supply; and iii) interrupting the power supply to the susceptor when the resistance value reaches a maximum value. Example 85: An aerosol generating apparatus as described in Example 84, wherein the controller is further configured to repeat steps (i) to (iii) of the pre-heating process until the end of the predetermined period of the pre-heating process if the resistance value reaches a maximum value before the end of the predetermined period of the pre-heating process. Example 86: An aerosol generating apparatus as described in Example 84, wherein the controller is further configured to generate a control signal to stop operation of the aerosol generating apparatus if a resistance value associated with the susceptor does not reach a maximum value during a predetermined period of the preheating process. Example 87: An aerosol generating apparatus as described in Example 80, wherein the preheating process includes the steps of: i) controlling the power provided to an induction heating device to increase the temperature of the susceptor; ii) monitoring a current value associated with the susceptor with a power supply; and iii) interrupting the power supply to the susceptor when the current value reaches a minimum value. Example 88: An aerosol generating apparatus as described in Example 87, wherein the controller is further configured to repeat steps (i) to (iii) of the preheating process until the end of the predetermined period of the preheating process if the current value reaches a minimum value before the end of the predetermined period of the preheating process. Example 89: An aerosol generating apparatus as described in Example 87, wherein the controller is further configured to generate a control signal to stop operation of the aerosol generating apparatus if the current value associated with the susceptor does not reach a minimum value during a predetermined period of the preheating process. Example 90: 90. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of Examples 80 to 89, wherein during the preheating process, power from the power source is continuously supplied to the inductor via a DC / AC converter. Example 91: An aerosol generating device described in any of Examples 80 to 90, wherein the controller is configured to perform a calibration process in response to detecting the end of a predetermined period of the pre-heating process. Example 92: An aerosol generating device described in any of Examples 80 to 91, wherein the controller is configured to perform a pre-heating process in response to detecting user input. Example 93: An aerosol generating device as described in Example 92, wherein the user input corresponds to user activation of the aerosol generating device. Example 94: An aerosol generating device described in any of Examples 80 to 91, wherein the controller is configured to perform a preheating process in response to detecting the presence of an aerosol-generating article within a predetermined threshold distance of the inductor. Example 95: The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of Examples 80 to 94, wherein the predetermined period is 10 seconds to 15 seconds. Example 96: An aerosol generating device described in any of Examples 57 to 95, wherein controlling the power provided to the power electronics during the second heating stage further includes controlling the power provided to the power electronics to incrementally increase the target operating value from a first target operating value associated with the first operating temperature to a second target operating value associated with the second operating temperature. Example 97: 97. The aerosol generating device of example 96, wherein the first operating temperature is sufficient for the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol. Example 98: An aerosol generating device as described in Example 97, wherein the first operating temperature is between 150 degrees Celsius and 330 degrees Celsius, the second operating temperature is between 200 degrees Celsius and 400 degrees Celsius, and the temperature difference between the first operating temperature and the second operating temperature is at least 30 degrees Celsius. Example 99: An aerosol generating apparatus as described in any of Examples 96 to 98, wherein the stepwise increase in the target operating value includes at least three consecutive steps, each step having a duration. Example 100: An aerosol generating device as described in Example 99, wherein controlling the power provided to the power supply electronic circuitry further includes maintaining a target operating value of the power supply electronic circuitry for each step at a value associated with each step for the duration of each step. Example 101: An aerosol generating device as described in Example 100, wherein maintaining a target operating value of the power supply electronic circuitry includes determining one of a current value, a conductance value, and a resistance value associated with the susceptor, and adjusting the power provided to the power supply electronic circuitry based on the determined value. Example 102: An aerosol generating device as described in Example 101, wherein the power supply electronic circuit further includes a current sensor configured to measure the DC current drawn from the power supply at the input side of the DC / AC converter. Example 103: An aerosol generating device as described in Example 102, wherein the power supply electronic circuit further includes a voltage sensor configured to measure the DC supply voltage of the power supply at the input side of the DC / AC converter. Example 104: 105. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of Examples 100 to 104, wherein the duration of the step is at least 10 seconds. Example 105: The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of Examples 100 to 104, wherein the duration of the step is from 30 seconds to 200 seconds. Example 106: The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of Examples 100 to 103, wherein the duration of the step is between 40 seconds and 160 seconds. Example 107: The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of Examples 100 to 106, wherein the period of each step is predetermined. Example 108: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 100 to 103, wherein the duration of a step corresponds to a predetermined number of user puffs. Example 109: 107. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any of Examples 100 to 106, wherein a first step of the successive steps has a longer duration than a subsequent step. Example 110: An aerosol generation apparatus according to any of Examples 57 to 106, wherein power from a power source is supplied to the inductor via a DC / AC converter as multiple pulses, each pulse being separated by a time interval. Example 111: An aerosol generating device as described in Example 110, wherein controlling the power provided to the power supply electronic circuitry includes controlling the time interval between each of the multiple pulses. Example 112: An aerosol generating device as described in Example 110, wherein controlling the power provided to the power supply electronic circuitry includes controlling the length of each pulse of the multiple pulses. Example 113: An aerosol generating device according to any of Examples 57 to 111, wherein the first calibration temperature is between 150 degrees Celsius and 300 degrees Celsius, the second calibration temperature is between 200 degrees Celsius and 400 degrees Celsius, and the temperature difference between the first calibration temperature and the second calibration temperature is at least 50 degrees Celsius. Example 114: An aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of Examples 57 to 113, wherein the power supply electronics further comprises a matching network for matching the impedance of the inductor with the impedance of the susceptor. Example 115: An aerosol generating apparatus as described in any of Examples 57 to 114, further comprising a housing having a cavity configured to receive an aerosol-generating article, the aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate and a susceptor. Example 116: An aerosol-generating system comprising the aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples 56 to 15 and an aerosol-generating article, the aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate and a susceptor. Example 117: An aerosol generating system as described in Example 116, wherein the susceptor comprises a first layer made of a first material and a second layer made of a second material, the first material being positioned in physical contact with the second material. Example 118: The aerosol generating system of Example 117, wherein the first material is one of aluminum, iron, and stainless steel, and the second material is nickel or a nickel alloy. Example 119: An aerosol generation system as described in Example 117 or 118, wherein the first material has a first Curie temperature and the second material has a second Curie temperature, the second Curie temperature being lower than the first Curie temperature. Example 120: 120. The aerosol generation system of example 119, wherein the second calibration temperature corresponds to a second Curie temperature of the second susceptor material.

[0102] The embodiments will now be further described with reference to the figures. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0103] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating article. [Diagram 2] Figure 2A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device for use with the aerosol-generating article shown in Figure 1. Figure 2B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device that engages with the aerosol-generating article shown in Figure 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an induction heating device for the aerosol generating device described in relation to FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the electronic components of the induction heating device described in relation to FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an inductor of an LC load network of the induction heating device described in relation to FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a graph of DC current versus time illustrating the remotely detectable change in electrical current that occurs as the susceptor material undergoes a phase transition associated with its Curie point. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows the temperature profile of the susceptor during operation of the aerosol generating device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for controlling aerosol generation in the aerosol generating device of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0104] FIG. 1 shows an aerosol-generating article 100. The aerosol-generating article 100 comprises four coaxially aligned elements, namely, an aerosol-forming substrate 110, a support element 120, an aerosol cooling element 130, and a mouthpiece 140. Each of these four elements is a substantially cylindrical element, each having substantially the same diameter. These four elements are arranged consecutively and surrounded by an outer wrapper 150 to form a cylindrical rod. An elongated susceptor 160 is located within and in contact with the aerosol-forming substrate 110. The susceptor 160 has a length approximately the same as the length of the aerosol-forming substrate 110 and is located along the radial central axis of the aerosol-forming substrate 110.

[0105] The susceptor 160 comprises at least two different materials. The susceptor 160 is preferably in the form of an elongated strip having a length of 12 mm and a width of 4 mm. The susceptor 160 comprises at least two layers, a first layer of a first susceptor material disposed in physical contact with a second layer of a second susceptor material. The first susceptor material and the second susceptor material may each have a Curie temperature. In this case, the Curie temperature of the second susceptor material is lower than the Curie temperature of the first susceptor material. The first material may not have a Curie temperature. The first susceptor material may be aluminum, iron or stainless steel. The second susceptor material may be nickel or a nickel alloy. The susceptor 160 may be formed by electroplating at least one patch of the second susceptor material onto a strip of the first susceptor material. The susceptor may be formed by coating a strip of the second susceptor material onto a strip of the first susceptor material.

[0106] The aerosol-generating article 100 has a proximal or oral end 170 which a user inserts into the mouth during use, and a distal end 180 which is at the opposite end of the aerosol-generating article 100 to the oral end 170. The total length of the assembled aerosol-generating article 100 is preferably about 45 mm, and its diameter is about 7.2 mm.

[0107] In use, air is drawn through the aerosol-generating article 100 by a user from the distal end 180 to the oral end 170. The distal end 180 of the aerosol-generating article 100 may also be described as the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article 100, and the oral end 170 of the aerosol-generating article 100 may also be described as the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article 100. Elements of the aerosol-generating article 100 located between the oral end 170 and the distal end 180 may be described as being upstream of the oral end 170, or alternatively downstream of the distal end 180. The aerosol-forming substrate 110 is located at the distal or upstream end 180 of the aerosol-generating article 100.

[0108] The support element 120 is located immediately downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate 110 and abuts the aerosol-forming substrate 110. The support element 120 may be a hollow cellulose acetate tube. The support element 120 positions the aerosol-forming substrate 110 at the distal-most end 180 of the aerosol-generating article 100. The support element 120 also acts as a spacer to space the aerosol-cooling element 130 of the aerosol-generating article 100 from the aerosol-forming substrate 110.

[0109] The aerosol cooling element 130 is located immediately downstream of and abuts the support element 120. In use, volatile material emitted from the aerosol-forming substrate 110 passes along the aerosol cooling element 130 towards the mouth end 170 of the aerosol-generating article 100. The volatile material may cool within the aerosol cooling element 130 to form an aerosol that is inhaled by the user. The aerosol cooling element 130 may include an assembly of crimped sheets of polylactic acid surrounded by a wrapper 190. The assembly of crimped sheets of polylactic acid defines a plurality of longitudinal channels extending along the length of the aerosol cooling element 130.

[0110] Mouthpiece 140 is located immediately downstream of and abuts aerosol cooling element 130. Mouthpiece 140 includes a conventional cellulose acetate tow filter with low filtration efficiency.

[0111] To assemble the aerosol-generating article 100, the four elements 110, 120, 130, and 140 described above are aligned and tightly wrapped within an outer wrapper 150, which may be a conventional cigarette paper. A susceptor 160 may be inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate 110 during the process used to form the aerosol-forming substrate 110, prior to assembling the elements to form a rod.

[0112] The aerosol-generating article 100 shown in Figure 1 is designed to engage with an aerosol-generating device, such as the aerosol-generating device 200 shown in Figure 2A, to generate an aerosol. The aerosol-generating device 200 includes a housing 210 having a cavity 220 configured to receive the aerosol-generating article 100. The aerosol-generating device 200 further includes an induction heating device 230 configured to heat the aerosol-generating article 100 to generate an aerosol. Figure 2B shows the aerosol-generating device 200 when the aerosol-generating article 100 is inserted into the cavity 220.

[0113] The induction heating device 230 is shown as a block diagram in Figure 3. The induction heating device 230 comprises a DC power supply 310 and a heating device 320 (also referred to as power electronics). The heating device includes a controller 330, a DC / AC converter 340, a matching network 350, and an inductor 240.

[0114] The DC power supply 310 is configured to provide DC power to the heating device 320. Specifically, the DC power supply 310 provides a DC supply voltage (V DC ) and DC current (I DC) to the DC / AC converter 340. The power source 310 is preferably a battery, such as a lithium ion battery. Alternatively, the power source 310 may be another form of charge storage device, such as a capacitor. The power source 310 may require recharging. For example, the power source 310 may have a capacity sufficient to allow continuous generation of aerosol for approximately six minutes, or a multiple of six minutes. In another example, the power source 310 may have a capacity sufficient to allow a predetermined number of puffs, or discontinuous activation of a heating device.

[0115] The DC / AC converter 340 is configured to supply the inductor 240 with a high frequency alternating current. As used herein, the term "high frequency alternating current" refers to an alternating current having a frequency between about 500 kilohertz and about 30 megahertz. The high frequency alternating current may have a frequency between about 1 megahertz and about 30 megahertz (such as between about 1 megahertz and about 10 megahertz, or between about 5 megahertz and about 8 megahertz).

[0116] 4 shows diagrammatically the electrical components of the induction heating device 230, in particular the DC / AC converter 340. The DC / AC converter 340 preferably comprises a class E power amplifier. The class E power amplifier comprises a field effect transistor 420, a transistor switch 410, e.g. comprising a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor, a transistor switch supply circuit, indicated by arrow 430, for supplying a switching signal (gate-source voltage) to the field effect transistor 420, and an LC load network 440 comprising a series connection of a shunt capacitor C1 and a capacitor C2, corresponding to the inductor 240, and an inductor L2. Furthermore, a DC power supply 310 with a choke L1 is connected to the inductor 240 to supply a DC current I DC along with the DC supply voltage V DC The ohmic resistance of inductor L2, R Coil and the ohmic resistance R of the susceptor 160. Load 4. An ohmic resistance R, which represents a total ohmic load 450, is shown in more detail in FIG.

[0117] Although DC / AC converter 340 is shown as including a class E power amplifier, it should be understood that DC / AC converter 340 may use any suitable circuit for converting DC current to AC current. For example, DC / AC converter 340 may include a class D power amplifier including two transistor switches. As another example, DC / AC converter 340 may include a full-bridge power inverter having four switching transistors acting in pairs.

[0118] Returning to Figure 3, the inductor 240 may receive the AC current from the DC / AC converter 340 through a matching network 350 for optimal matching to the load, although the matching network 350 is not required. The matching network 350 may comprise a small matching transformer. The matching network 350 may improve the efficiency of the power transfer between the DC / AC converter 340 and the inductor 240.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 2A, the inductor 240 is located adjacent to the distal portion 225 of the cavity 220 of the aerosol generating device 200. Thus, during operation of the aerosol generating device 200, a high frequency alternating current supplied to the inductor 240 causes the inductor 240 to generate a high frequency alternating magnetic field in the distal portion 225 of the aerosol generating device 200. The alternating magnetic field has a frequency preferably between 1 and 30 megahertz, preferably between 2 and 10 megahertz, for example between 5 and 7 megahertz. As can be seen from FIG. 2B, when the aerosol-generating article 100 is inserted into the cavity 200, the aerosol-forming substrate 110 of the aerosol-generating article 100 is located adjacent to the inductor 240 such that the susceptor 160 of the aerosol-generating article 100 is located within this alternating magnetic field. When the alternating magnetic field penetrates the susceptor 160, the alternating magnetic field causes the susceptor 160 to heat up. For example, eddy currents are generated within the susceptor 160 which, as a result, is heated. Further heating is provided by magnetic hysteresis losses within the susceptor 160. The heated susceptor 160 heats the aerosol-forming substrate 110 of the aerosol-generating article 100 to a temperature sufficient to form an aerosol. The aerosol is drawn downstream through the aerosol-generating article 100 and inhaled by the user.

[0120] The controller 330 may be a microcontroller, preferably a programmable microcontroller, that is programmed to regulate the power supply from the DC power supply 310 to the induction heater 320 to control the temperature of the susceptor 160.

[0121] FIG. 6 shows the DC current I drawn from the power supply 310 over time as the temperature of the susceptor 160 (shown by the dashed line) increases. DC The relationship between the DC current I drawn from the power supply 310 is shown. DC is measured at the input of the DC / AC converter 340. For the purposes of this figure, the voltage V DC can be assumed to be approximately constant. When the susceptor 160 is inductively heated, the apparent resistance of the susceptor 160 increases. This increase in resistance is proportional to the DC current I drawn from the power supply 310.DC , which at constant voltage decreases as the temperature of the susceptor 160 increases. The high frequency alternating magnetic field provided by the inductor 240 induces eddy currents near the susceptor surface, an effect known as the skin effect. The resistance of the susceptor 160 depends partly on the electrical resistivity of the first susceptor material, partly on the resistivity of the second susceptor material, and partly on the depth of the skin layer of each material available for the induced eddy currents, the resistivity being temperature dependent. As the second susceptor material reaches its Curie temperature, it loses its magnetism. This causes more skin layer to be available for eddy currents in the second susceptor material, which decreases the apparent resistance of the susceptor 160. As a result, as the skin depth of the second susceptor material begins to increase and its resistance begins to drop, the detected DC current I DC A temporary increase in current occurs. This is seen as a valley (local minimum) in FIG. 6. The current continues to increase until it reaches a maximum skin depth which coincides with the point at which the second susceptor material loses its natural magnetic properties. This point is called the Curie temperature and is seen as a hill (local maximum) in FIG. 6. At this point, the second susceptor material has undergone a phase change from a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic state to a paramagnetic state. At this point, the susceptor 160 is at a known temperature (the Curie temperature, which is an intrinsic material specific temperature). If the inductor 240 continues to generate an alternating magnetic field after the Curie temperature is reached (i.e., power to the DC / AC converter 340 is not interrupted), the eddy currents generated within the susceptor 160 will flow against the resistance of the susceptor 160, causing continued Joule heating of the susceptor 160, which causes the resistance to increase again (resistance has a polynomial dependence on temperature, and for most metallic susceptor materials can be approximated for our purposes to a third order polynomial dependence), and the current will begin to decrease again as long as the inductor 240 continues to supply power to the susceptor 160.

[0122] Thus, as can be seen from FIG. 6, the apparent resistance of the susceptor 160 (and the corresponding current I drawn from the power supply 310) DC) may vary with the temperature of the susceptor 160 in a strictly monotonic relationship over a particular temperature range of the susceptor 160. The strictly monotonic relationship allows for an unambiguous determination of the temperature of the susceptor 160 from a determination of the apparent resistance or apparent conductance (1 / R). This is because each determined value of apparent resistance represents only one value of temperature, and there is no ambiguity in the relationship. The monotonic relationship between the temperature of the susceptor 160 and the apparent resistance allows the temperature of the susceptor 160, and therefore the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate 110, to be determined and controlled. The apparent resistance of the susceptor 160 is determined by at least the DC current I drawn from the DC power supply 310. DC This can be detected remotely by monitoring

[0123] At least the DC current I drawn from the power supply 310 DC is monitored by the controller 330. Preferably, the DC current drawn from the power supply 310, I DC and DC supply voltage V DC Both the conductance and resistance are monitored. The controller 330 adjusts the supply of power provided to the heating device 320 based on the conductance or resistance value. The conductance is proportional to the DC current I DC DC supply voltage V DC is defined as the ratio of the DC supply voltage V DC DC current I DC The heating device 320 is driven by a DC current I DC The heating device may be equipped with a current sensor (not shown) for measuring a DC supply voltage V DC A voltage sensor (not shown) may optionally be included to measure the DC current I. The current sensor and the voltage sensor are located on the input side of the DC / AC converter 340. DC , and optionally a DC supply voltage V DC is provided by a feedback channel to the controller 330 and represents the AC power P AC Controlling further supply of.

[0124] The controller 330 may control the temperature of the susceptor 160 by maintaining the measured conductance value or the measured resistance value at a target value that corresponds to a target operating temperature of the susceptor 160. The controller 330 may maintain the measured conductance value or the measured resistance value at the target value using any suitable control loop, for example, by using a proportional-integral-derivative control loop.

[0125] To take advantage of the strictly monotonic relationship between the apparent resistance (or apparent conductance) of the susceptor 160 and the temperature of the susceptor 160, during user operation to generate an aerosol, a conductance value or resistance value associated with the susceptor and measured at the input side of the DC / AC converter 340 is maintained between a first calibration value corresponding to a first calibration temperature and a second calibration value corresponding to a second calibration temperature. The second calibration temperature is the Curie temperature of the second susceptor material (the hill of the current plot in FIG. 6). The first calibration temperature is a temperature at or above the temperature of the susceptor at which the skin depth of the second susceptor material begins to increase (resulting in a temporary drop in resistance). Thus, the first calibration temperature is a temperature at or above the temperature at maximum permeability of the second susceptor material. The first calibration temperature is at least 50 degrees Celsius lower than the second calibration temperature. At least the second calibration value may be determined by calibration of the susceptor 160, as described in more detail below. The first calibration value and the second calibration value may be stored as calibration values ​​in a memory of the controller 330.

[0126] Since the conductance (resistance) has a polynomial dependence on temperature, the conductance (resistance) behaves nonlinearly as a function of temperature. However, the first and second calibration values ​​are selected such that this dependence can be approximated as linear between the first and second calibration values, since the difference between the first and second calibration values ​​is small and the first and second calibration values ​​are in the upper part of the operating temperature range. Thus, to adjust the temperature to the target operating temperature, the conductance is adjusted according to the first and second calibration values ​​via a linear equation. For example, if the first and second calibration values ​​are conductance values, the target conductance value corresponding to the target operating temperature can be given as follows: G Target =G Lower +(x×ΔG) where ΔG is the difference between the first conductance value and the second conductance value, and x is the ratio of ΔG.

[0127] The controller 330 may control the power supply to the heating device 320 by adjusting the duty cycle of the switching transistor 410 of the DC / AC converter 340. For example, during heating, the DC / AC converter 340 may continuously generate an alternating current that heats the susceptor 160 and simultaneously generate a DC supply voltage V DC and DC current I DCmay be measured, preferably every 1 millisecond, for 100 milliseconds. If conductance is monitored by the controller 330, the duty cycle of the switching transistor 410 is reduced when the conductance reaches or exceeds a value corresponding to the target operating temperature. If resistance is monitored by the controller 330, the duty cycle of the switching transistor 410 is reduced when the resistance reaches or falls below a value corresponding to the target operating temperature. For example, the duty cycle of the switching transistor 410 may be reduced to about 9%. In other words, the switching transistor 410 may switch to a mode in which it pulses only every 10 milliseconds for a period of 1 millisecond. During this 1 millisecond on-state (conducting state) of the switching transistor 410, the DC supply voltage V DC and the DC current I DC The value of is measured to determine the conductance. If the conductance decreases (or the resistance increases), indicating that the temperature of the susceptor 160 is below the target operating temperature, then the gate of transistor 410 is again supplied with a train of pulses at the system's selected drive frequency.

[0128] Power may be supplied to the inductor 240 by the controller 330 in the form of a successive series of pulses of current. In particular, power may be supplied to the inductor 240 in a series of pulses, each separated by a time interval. The successive series of pulses may include two or more heating pulses and one or more probing pulses between the successive heating pulses. The heating pulses have an intensity such that they heat the susceptor 160. The probing pulses are separate power pulses that do not heat the susceptor 160, but rather have an intensity such that they obtain feedback on the evolution (decrease) of the conductance or resistance value and then the susceptor temperature. The controller 330 may control the power by controlling the duration of the time interval between successive heating pulses of power supplied to the inductor 240 by the DC power supply. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 330 may control the power by controlling the length (in other words, the duration) of each of the successive heating pulses of power supplied to the inductor 240 by the DC power supply.

[0129] The controller 330 is programmed to perform a calibration process to obtain calibration values ​​where the conductance is measured at known temperatures of the susceptor 160. The known temperatures of the susceptor may be a first calibration temperature corresponding to the first calibration value and a second calibration temperature corresponding to the second calibration value. Preferably, the calibration process is performed each time a user operates the aerosol generating device 200, e.g., each time a user inserts an aerosol-generating article 100 into the aerosol generating device 200.

[0130] During the calibration process, the controller 330 controls the DC / AC converter 340 to continuously or continuously supply power to the inductor 240 to heat the susceptor 160. The controller 330 controls the current I drawn by the power supply. DC , and possibly the supply voltage V DCThe conductance or resistance associated with the susceptor 160 is monitored by measuring the current I. As described above in connection with FIG. 6, as the susceptor 160 heats up, the measured current decreases until a first turning point is reached at which the current increases. This first turning point corresponds to a local minimum conductance value (local maximum resistance value). The controller 330 may record the local minimum of conductance (or local maximum of resistance) as the first calibration value. The controller may record the value of the conductance or resistance at a predetermined time after the minimum current is reached as the first calibration value. The conductance or resistance is proportional to the measured current I. DC and the measured voltage V DC Alternatively, the power supply voltage V DC may be assumed to be approximately constant. The temperature of the susceptor 160 at the first calibration value is referred to as the first calibration temperature. The first calibration temperature is preferably between 150 degrees Celsius and 350 degrees Celsius. More preferably, when the aerosol-forming substrate 110 includes tobacco, the first calibration temperature is 320 degrees Celsius. The first calibration temperature is at least 50 degrees Celsius lower than the second calibration temperature.

[0131] As the controller 330 continues to control the power provided by the DC / AC converter 340 to the inductor 240, the measured current increases until a second turning point is reached and a maximum current (corresponding to the Curie temperature of the second susceptor material) is observed before the measured current begins to decrease. This turning point corresponds to a local maximum conductance value (local minimum resistance value). The controller 330 records the local maximum of conductance (or local minimum of resistance) as a second calibration value. The temperature of the susceptor 160 at the second calibration value is referred to as the second calibration temperature. Preferably, the second calibration temperature is between 200 degrees Celsius and 400 degrees Celsius. When the maximum value is detected, the controller 330 controls the DC / AC converter 340 to interrupt the power supply to the inductor 240, resulting in a decrease in the temperature of the susceptor 160 and a corresponding decrease in conductance.

[0132] This process of continuously heating the susceptor 160 to obtain the first and second calibration values ​​due to the shape of the graph may be repeated at least once. After interrupting the power supply to the inductor 240, the controller 330 continues to monitor the conductance (or resistance) until a third turning point corresponding to a second minimum conductance value (second maximum resistance value) is observed. When the third turning point is detected, the controller 330 controls the DC / AC converter 340 to continuously supply power to the inductor 240 until a fourth turning point corresponding to a second maximum conductance value (second minimum resistance value) is detected. The controller 330 stores the conductance or resistance value at or shortly after the third turning point as the first calibration value and the conductance or resistance value at the fourth turning point as the second calibration value. The repetition of the measurement of the turning points corresponding to the minimum and maximum measured current significantly improves subsequent temperature regulation during user operation of the device to generate an aerosol. Preferably, the controller 330 adjusts the power based on the conductance or resistance value obtained from the second maximum and second minimum, which is more reliable since the heat requires more time to disperse within the aerosol-forming substrate 110 and the susceptor 160.

[0133] To further improve the reliability of the calibration process, the controller 310 may be optionally programmed to perform a pre-heating process prior to the calibration process. For example, if the aerosol-forming substrate 110 is particularly dry or in similar conditions, the calibration may be performed before heat spreads into the aerosol-forming substrate 110, reducing the reliability of the calibration value. If the aerosol-forming substrate 110 is wet, the susceptor 160 will take longer to reach the valley temperature (depending on the moisture content of the substrate 110).

[0134] To perform the preheating process, the controller 330 is configured to continuously supply power to the inductor 240. As described above, the current starts to decrease with increasing temperature of the susceptor 160 and reaches a minimum value. At this stage, the controller 330 is configured to wait a predetermined period of time to allow the susceptor 160 to cool before continuing the heating. Thus, the controller 330 controls the DC / AC converter 340 to interrupt the supply of power to the inductor 240. After the predetermined period of time, the controller 330 controls the DC / AC converter 340 to supply power until the minimum value is reached. At this point, the controller controls the DC / AC converter 340 to again interrupt the supply of power to the inductor 240. The controller 330 again waits the same predetermined time to allow the susceptor 160 to cool before continuing the heating. This heating and cooling of the susceptor 160 is repeated for the predetermined period of the preheating process. The predetermined period of the preheating process is preferably 11 seconds. Following the pre-heating process, the calibration process is preferably for a predetermined combined period of 20 seconds.

[0135] If the aerosol-forming substrate 110 is dry, the first minimum of the pre-heating process is reached within the predetermined time and the interruption of power is repeated until the end of the predetermined time. If the aerosol-forming substrate 110 is wet, the first minimum of the pre-heating process is reached towards the end of the predetermined time. Thus, carrying out the pre-heating process for a predetermined period of time ensures that, regardless of the physical state of the substrate 110, the substrate 110 has had enough time to reach a minimum temperature in order to be ready to continue applying power to reach the first maximum. This allows calibration as early as possible without the risk that the substrate 110 has not reached the valley beforehand.

[0136] Furthermore, the aerosol-generating article 100 may be configured such that the minimum value is always reached within a predetermined period of the pre-heating process. If the minimum value is not reached within a predetermined period of the pre-heating process, this may indicate that the aerosol-generating article 100, including the aerosol-forming substrate 110, is not suitable for use with the aerosol-generating device 200. For example, the aerosol-generating article 100 may include an aerosol-forming substrate 110 that is different from or of lower quality than the aerosol-forming substrate 100 intended for use with the aerosol-generating device 200. As another example, the aerosol-generating article 100 may not be configured for use with the heating device 320, for example, if the aerosol-generating article 100 and the aerosol-generating device 200 are manufactured by different manufacturers. Thus, the controller 330 may be configured to generate a control signal to stop operation of the aerosol-generating device 200.

[0137] The pre-heating process may be performed in response to receiving a user input, such as, for example, a user activation of the aerosol generating device 200. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 330 may be configured to detect the presence of the aerosol-generating article 100 in the aerosol generating device 200, and the pre-heating process may be performed in response to detecting the presence of the aerosol-generating article 100 in the cavity 220 of the aerosol generating device 200.

[0138] 7 is a graph of conductance versus time illustrating a heating profile of the susceptor 160. The graph shows two successive stages of heating, a first heating stage 710, which includes the pre-heating process 710A and the calibration process 710B described above, and a second heating stage 720, which corresponds to user operation of the aerosol generating device 200 to generate an aerosol. Although FIG. 7 is shown as a graph of conductance versus time, it should be understood that the controller 330 may be configured to control the heating of the susceptor during the first heating stage 710 and the second heating stage 720 based on measured resistance or current, as described above.

[0139] Furthermore, while the techniques for controlling the heating of the susceptor during the first heating stage 710 and the second heating stage 720 have been described above based on determined conductance values ​​or determined resistance values ​​associated with the susceptor, it should be understood that the above-described techniques may be implemented based on values ​​of current measured at the input of the DC / AC converter 340.

[0140] As can be seen from FIG. 7, the second heating stage 720 includes a number of conductance steps corresponding to a number of temperature steps from a first operating temperature of the susceptor 160 to a second operating temperature of the susceptor 160. The first operating temperature of the susceptor is the lowest temperature at which the aerosol-forming substrate forms an aerosol in a volume and amount sufficient to provide a satisfactory experience when inhaled by a user. The second operating temperature of the susceptor is the highest temperature to which it is desired to heat the aerosol-forming substrate in order for the user to inhale the aerosol. The first operating temperature of the susceptor 160 is equal to or greater than a first calibration temperature of the susceptor 160 at the valley of the current plot shown in FIG. 6. The first operating temperature may be between 150 degrees Celsius and 330 degrees Celsius. The second operating temperature of the susceptor is equal to or less than a second calibration temperature of the susceptor 160 at the Curie temperature of the second susceptor material. The second operating temperature may be between 200 degrees Celsius and 400 degrees Celsius. The difference between the first operating temperature and the second operating temperature is at least 50 degrees Celsius. The first operating temperature of the susceptor is the temperature at which the aerosol-forming substrate 110 forms an aerosol such that an aerosol is formed during each temperature step.

[0141] It should be understood that the number of temperature steps shown in FIG. 7 is exemplary and the second heating stage 720 includes at least three consecutive temperature steps, preferably between two and fourteen temperature steps, and most preferably between three and eight temperature steps. Each temperature step may have a predetermined duration. The duration of the first temperature step is preferably longer than the duration of the subsequent temperature steps. The duration of each temperature step is preferably longer than 10 seconds, preferably between 30 seconds and 200 seconds, more preferably between 40 seconds and 160 seconds. The duration of each temperature step may correspond to a predetermined number of user puffs. Preferably, the first temperature step corresponds to four user puffs and each subsequent temperature step corresponds to one user puff.

[0142] For the duration of each temperature step, the temperature of the susceptor 160 is maintained at the target operating temperature corresponding to the respective temperature step. Thus, during each temperature step, the controller 330 controls the power supply to the heating device 320 such that the conductance is maintained at a value corresponding to the target operating temperature of the respective temperature step. The target conductance value for each temperature step may be stored in the memory of the controller 330.

[0143] As an example, the second heating stage 720 includes five temperature steps, a duration of 160 seconds, and a G Target =G Lower A first temperature step with a target conductance value of +(0.09×ΔG), duration of 40 seconds and G Target =G Lower A second temperature step with a target conductance value of +(0.25×ΔG), duration of 40 seconds and G Target =G Lower A third temperature step with a target conductance value of +(0.4×ΔG), duration of 40 seconds and G Target =G Lower A fourth temperature step with a target conductance value of +(0.56×ΔG) and a duration of 85 seconds and G Target =G Lower+(0.75×ΔG)。 + (0.75×ΔG) target conductance value of 330 degrees Celsius, 340 degrees Celsius, 345 degrees Celsius, 355 degrees Celsius, and 380 degrees Celsius.

[0144] 8 is a flow diagram of a method 800 for controlling aerosol generation in the aerosol generating device 200. The controller 330 may be programmed to implement the method 800, as described above.

[0145] The method begins at step 810, where the controller 330 detects user operation of the aerosol generating device 200 to generate aerosol. Detecting user operation of the aerosol generating device 200 may include detecting a user input, such as, for example, user activation of the aerosol generating device 200. Additionally or alternatively, detecting user operation of the aerosol generating device 200 may include detecting that an aerosol-generating article 100 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 200.

[0146] In response to detecting user action at step 810, controller 330 may be configured to perform any pre-heating process as described above. At the end of the pre-heating process predetermined period, controller 330 performs a calibration process (step 820) as described above. Alternatively, controller 330 may be configured to proceed to step 820 in response to detecting user action at step 810. After completion of the calibration process, controller 330 performs a second heating stage at step 840 in which an aerosol is generated.

[0147] For the purposes of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and the like should be understood in all instances to be modified by the term "about." Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed, and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically recited herein. Within this context, the number A may be considered to include a numerical value that is within the general standard error for the measurement of the property that the number A modifies. The number A may deviate by the percentages recited above, in some cases as used in the appended claims, provided that the amount by which A deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel properties of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed, and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically recited herein.

Claims

1. 1. A method for controlling aerosol generation in an aerosol generating device, the device comprising an induction heating device and a power supply for providing power to the induction heating device, the method comprising: performing a calibration process for defining a first calibration value and a second calibration value of the induction heating device during a first heating stage during user operation of the aerosol-generating device to generate an aerosol, the first calibration value being associated with a first calibration temperature of a susceptor inductively coupled to the induction heating device and the second calibration value being associated with a second calibration temperature of the susceptor, the susceptor being configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate; and controlling power provided to the induction heating device during a second heating stage during user operation of the aerosol generating device to maintain a target operating value of the induction heating device within the first calibration value and the second calibration value; performing the calibration process includes: (i) controlling the power provided to the induction heating device to increase the temperature of the susceptor; (ii) monitoring a value associated with a current associated with the susceptor; (iii) interrupting the supply of power to the induction heating device when the value reaches a first extreme value, where the value associated with the current at the first extreme value corresponds to the second calibration value; and (iv) monitoring the value until the value reaches a second extreme value, where the value associated with the current at the second extreme value corresponds to the first calibration value; and wherein performing the calibration process further comprises repeating steps (i)-(iv) in response to determining that the value associated with current has reached a minimum value, wherein the first calibration value and the second calibration value correspond to values ​​associated with current measured during at least a first repetition of steps (i)-(iv).

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first calibration value is a first conductance value, the second calibration value is a second conductance value, and the target operating value is a target conductance value.

3. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein step (ii) of the calibration process includes monitoring a conductance value associated with the susceptor, step (iii) of the calibration process includes interrupting power to the induction heating device when the conductance value reaches a maximum value, the conductance value at the maximum value corresponding to the second calibration value, and step (iv) of the calibration process includes monitoring the conductance value until it reaches a minimum value, the conductance value at the minimum value corresponding to the first calibration value.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein monitoring the conductance value comprises measuring a DC current drawn from the power source at an input of a DC / AC converter.

5. The method according to claims 1 to 4, further comprising performing a pre-heating process during the first heating stage, said pre-heating process being performed before said calibration process, and said pre-heating process having a predetermined duration.

6. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the preheating process includes the steps of: (i) controlling the power provided to the induction heating device to increase the temperature of the susceptor; (ii) monitoring a current value associated with the susceptor with the power supply; and (iii) interrupting the supply of power to the susceptor when the current value reaches a minimum value.

7. 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: if the current value reaches a minimum value before the end of the predetermined period of the pre-heating process, repeating steps (i)-(iii) of the pre-heating process until the end of the predetermined period of the pre-heating process.

8. 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: ceasing operation of the aerosol generating device if the current value associated with the susceptor does not reach a minimum value during a predetermined period of the preheating process.

9. 9. The method of claim 5, wherein the aerosol-generating device is configured to removably receive an aerosol-generating article, the aerosol-generating article comprising the susceptor and the aerosol-forming substrate, and the pre-heating process is performed in response to detecting the presence of the aerosol-generating article in the aerosol-generating device.

10. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling the power provided to the induction heating device during the second heating stage further comprises controlling the power provided to the induction heating device to incrementally increase the target operating value from a first target operating value associated with a first operating temperature of a susceptor to a second target operating value associated with a second operating temperature of a susceptor.

11. An aerosol generating device, comprising: a power supply for providing a DC supply voltage and a DC current; a power supply electronic circuit connected to the power supply, the power supply electronic circuit comprising: A DC / AC converter; power supply electronics including: an inductor connected to the DC / AC converter to generate an alternating magnetic field, the inductor being couplable to a susceptor, the susceptor being configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate when energized by alternating current from the DC / AC converter; A controller, configured to perform a calibration process for defining a first calibration value and a second calibration value of the power supply electronics during a first heating phase during user operation of the aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol, the first calibration value being associated with a first calibration temperature of the susceptor and the second calibration value being associated with a second calibration temperature of the susceptor; and configured to control power provided to the power supply electronics during a second heating stage during user operation of the aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol to maintain a target operating value of the power supply electronics within the first calibration value and the second calibration value; performing the calibration process includes: (i) controlling the power provided to the induction heating device to increase the temperature of the susceptor; (ii) monitoring a value associated with a current associated with the susceptor; (iii) interrupting the supply of power to the induction heating device when the value reaches a first extreme value, where the value associated with the current at the first extreme value corresponds to the second calibration value; and (iv) monitoring the value until the value reaches a second extreme value, where the value associated with the current at the second extreme value corresponds to the first calibration value; and a controller, wherein performing the calibration process further includes repeating steps (i) to (iv) in response to determining that the value associated with the current has reached a minimum value, and wherein the first calibration value and the second calibration value correspond to values ​​associated with the current measured during at least a first repetition of steps (i) to (iv).

12. 12. The aerosol generating device of claim 11, wherein the second calibration temperature of the susceptor corresponds to a Curie temperature of a material of the susceptor.

13. 13. An aerosol generating device as described in claim 11 or 12, wherein the first calibration value is a first resistance value, the second calibration value is a second resistance value, and the target operating value is a target resistance value.

14. 14. The aerosol generating device of claim 13, wherein step ii) of the calibration process comprises monitoring a resistance value associated with the susceptor, step iii) of the calibration process comprises interrupting power supply to the induction heating device when the resistance value reaches a minimum value, the resistance value at the minimum value corresponding to the second calibration value, and step iv) of the calibration process comprises monitoring the resistance value until the resistance value reaches a maximum value, the resistance value at the maximum value corresponding to the first calibration value.

15. 15. An aerosol generating device as described in any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein power from the power source is supplied to the inductor via the DC / AC converter in a number of pulses, each pulse being separated by a time interval.

16. 16. The aerosol generating device of claim 15, wherein controlling the power provided to the power supply electronics comprises controlling the time interval between each of the plurality of pulses.

17. 16. The aerosol generating device of claim 15, wherein controlling the power provided to the power supply electronics comprises controlling a length of each pulse of the plurality of pulses.

18. 18. An aerosol generating system comprising the aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 11 to 17 and an aerosol generating article, the aerosol generating article comprising the aerosol-forming substrate and the susceptor.

19. 20. The aerosol generating system of claim 18, wherein the susceptor comprises a first layer of a first material and a second layer of a second material, the first material being positioned in physical contact with the second material.

20. 20. The aerosol generating system of claim 19, wherein the first material has a first Curie temperature and the second material has a second Curie temperature, the second Curie temperature being lower than the first Curie temperature.

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