Heat Not Burn (HNB) aerosol generator and capsule reuse detection

Abstract

Provides heat-not-burn (HNB) aerosol generator and capsule reuse detection. A non-flammable aerosol generating device includes a memory that stores computer-readable instructions and a controller. The controller is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol generating device to apply power to a heater to preheat an aerosol-forming substrate, determine whether a pre-heat monitoring timer has exceeded a pre-heat timer threshold, determine whether the aerosol-forming substrate has been previously heated based on a comparison of the power applied to the heater with a first threshold power level in response to the pre-heat monitoring timer not exceeding the pre-heat timer threshold, and determine whether the aerosol-forming substrate has been previously heated based on a comparison of the power applied to the heater with a second threshold power level in response to the pre-heat monitoring timer exceeding the pre-heat timer threshold.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Application No. 17 / 479,260, filed September 20, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a heat not burn (HNB) aerosol generating device, a method for detecting capsule authenticity, integrity, and / or reuse, and / or a method for controlling an HNB aerosol generating device. [Background technology]

[0003] Some electronic devices are configured to heat plant material to a temperature sufficient to release components of the plant material, while maintaining the temperature below the plant material's combustion point to avoid substantial thermal decomposition of the plant material. Such devices are sometimes referred to as aerosol generating devices (e.g., heat-not-burn aerosol generating devices), and the heated plant material can be tobacco. In some embodiments, the plant material can be introduced directly into the heating chamber of the aerosol generating device. In other embodiments, the plant material can be pre-packaged in individual containers for easy insertion and removal from the aerosol generating device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one or more exemplary embodiments, a non-flammable aerosol generating device includes a memory storing computer-readable instructions and a controller. The controller is configured to execute computer-readable instructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol generating device to apply power to the heater to preheat the aerosol-forming substrate, determine whether the pre-heat monitoring timer has exceeded a pre-heat timer threshold, determine whether the aerosol-forming substrate has been previously heated based on a comparison of the power applied to the heater with a first threshold power level in response to the pre-heat monitoring timer not exceeding the pre-heat timer threshold, and determine whether the aerosol-forming substrate has been previously heated based on a comparison of the power applied to the heater with a second threshold power level in response to the pre-heat monitoring timer exceeding the pre-heat timer threshold.

[0005] According to one or more exemplary embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol generating device may further include a capsule including the aerosol-forming substrate and a heater.

[0006] One or more exemplary embodiments provide a method of operating a non-combustible aerosol-generating device, the method including: applying power to a heater to preheat an aerosol-forming substrate; determining whether a pre-heat monitoring timer has exceeded a pre-heat timer threshold; determining whether the aerosol-forming substrate has been previously heated based on a comparison of the applied power to the heater to a first threshold power level in response to the pre-heat monitoring timer not exceeding the pre-heat timer threshold; and determining whether the aerosol-forming substrate has been previously heated based on a comparison of the applied power to the heater to a second threshold power level in response to the pre-heat monitoring timer exceeding the pre-heat timer threshold.

[0007] One or more exemplary embodiments provide a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a controller of a non-combustion aerosol generating device, cause the controller to perform a method of operating the non-combustion aerosol generating device, the method including: applying power to a heater to preheat an aerosol-forming substrate; determining whether a pre-heat monitoring timer has exceeded a pre-heat timer threshold; determining whether the aerosol-forming substrate has been previously heated based on a comparison of the applied power to the heater with a first threshold power level, in response to the pre-heat monitoring timer not exceeding the pre-heat timer threshold; and determining whether the aerosol-forming substrate has been previously heated based on a comparison of the applied power to the heater with a second threshold power level, in response to the pre-heat monitoring timer exceeding the pre-heat timer threshold.

[0008] The controller can be configured to execute computer-readable instructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol generating device to terminate application of power to the heater in response to determining that the aerosol-forming substrate has previously been heated.

[0009] The controller can be configured to execute computer-readable instructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol generating device to terminate application of power to the heater in response to determining that the aerosol-forming substrate has previously been heated.

[0010] The controller may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol generating device to output a fault indication in response to determining that the aerosol-forming substrate has previously been heated.

[0011] One or more exemplary embodiments provide a non-flammable aerosol generating device comprising a memory storing computer-readable instructions and a controller. The controller executes computer-readable instructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol generating device to apply power to a heater to preheat the aerosol-forming substrate in the capsule, determine whether the pre-heat monitoring timer has exceeded a pre-heat timer threshold, and, in response to the pre-heat monitoring timer not exceeding the pre-heat timer threshold, determine whether the capsule is at least one of an authentic capsule or a degraded capsule based on a comparison of the power applied to the heater with a first threshold power level, and, in response to the pre-heat monitoring timer exceeding the pre-heat timer threshold, determine whether the capsule is at least one of an authentic capsule or a degraded capsule based on a comparison of the power applied to the heater with a second threshold power level.

[0012] The capsule may be a removable capsule containing the aerosol-forming substrate and the heater.

[0013] The capsules may be degraded capsules, and the degradation of the capsules may be the result of previous heating of the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0014] The controller may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol generating device to terminate application of power to the heater in response to determining that the capsule is at least one of an inauthentic capsule or a degraded capsule.

[0015] The controller may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol generating device to output a fault indication in response to determining that the capsule is at least one of an inauthentic capsule or a degraded capsule.

[0016] The controller may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol generating device to enable aerosol generation in response to determining that the capsule is not at least one of an authentic capsule or a degraded capsule.

[0017] The first threshold power level may be less than the second threshold power level.

[0018] The applied power can be the maximum power applied to the heater or the target power for the heater.

[0019] The first threshold power level and / or the second threshold power level may be based on a maximum power or a target power. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] Various features and advantages of the non-limiting embodiments herein will become more apparent from a consideration of the detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. The accompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly stated. Various dimensions of the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity.

[0021] [Figure 1A] 1A-1C show various perspective views of an aerosol generating device according to one or more exemplary embodiments. [Figure 1B] 1A-1C show various perspective views of an aerosol generating device according to one or more exemplary embodiments. [Figure 1C] 1A-1C show various perspective views of an aerosol generating device according to one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0022] [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A illustrates the aerosol generating device of FIGS. 1A-1C according to at least one exemplary embodiment.

[0023] [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B illustrates a capsule of the aerosol generating device of FIGS. 1A-1C according to at least one exemplary embodiment.

[0024] [Figure 2C] 2C-2D show partial exploded views of the aerosol generating device of FIGS. 1A-1C according to at least one exemplary embodiment. [Figure 2D] 2C-2D show partial exploded views of the aerosol generating device of FIGS. 1A-1C according to at least one exemplary embodiment.

[0025] [Figure 2E] 2E-2F show cross-sectional views of the aerosol generating device of FIGS. 1A-1C according to at least one exemplary embodiment. [Figure 2F] 2E-2F show cross-sectional views of the aerosol generating device of FIGS. 1A-1C according to at least one exemplary embodiment.

[0026] [Figure 3] FIG. 3 illustrates an electrical system of an aerosol generating device and capsule according to one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0027] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates a heater voltage measurement circuit according to one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0028] [Figure 5] FIG. 5 illustrates a heater current measurement circuit according to one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0029] [Figure 6A] 6A-6B illustrate a compensated voltage measurement circuit and algorithm according to one or more exemplary embodiments. [Figure 6B] 6A-6B illustrate a compensated voltage measurement circuit and algorithm according to one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0030] [Figure 7A] 7A-7C are circuit diagrams illustrating heating engine control circuits according to one or more exemplary embodiments. [Figure 7B] 7A-7C are circuit diagrams illustrating heating engine control circuits according to one or more exemplary embodiments. [Figure 7C] 7A-7C are circuit diagrams illustrating heating engine control circuits according to one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0031] [Figure 8A] 8A-8B illustrate a method of controlling a heater in a non-combustion aerosol generating device according to one or more exemplary embodiments. [Figure 8B] 8A-8B illustrate a method of controlling a heater in a non-combustion aerosol generating device according to one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0032] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a thermal heating engine control algorithm according to at least one example embodiment.

[0033] [Figure 10] FIG. 10 illustrates a timing diagram of the method illustrated in one or more exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 8A-8B.

[0034] [Figure 11A] 11A and 11B are flowcharts illustrating a method for controlling an aerosol generating device according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 11B] 11A and 11B are flowcharts illustrating a method for controlling an aerosol generating device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0035] [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for verifying a capsule according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0036] [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a graph showing a recorded waveform of a valid capsule according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0037] [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a part of the recording waveform shown in FIG.

[0038] [Figure 15]FIG. 15 is a graph showing waveforms recorded for a degraded capsule and an invalid capsule, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0039] [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of the waveform shown in FIG.

[0040] [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a graph illustrating a recorded waveform of another exemplary valid capsule according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0041] [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a graph illustrating a recorded waveform of another invalid capsule according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0042] [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of the waveform shown in FIG.

[0043] [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a method for detecting capsule reuse according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0044] [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating another method for detecting capsule reuse according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0045] [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a graph illustrating a comparison of recorded target power waveforms for a new capsule and a reused capsule, according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] Although several detailed exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing the exemplary embodiments, but the exemplary embodiments may be embodied in many alternative forms and should not be construed as being limited to only the exemplary embodiments set forth herein.

[0047] Thus, while example embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, example embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It is to be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the example embodiments are intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives thereof. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures.

[0048] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to," "coupled to," "attached to," "adjacent to," or "covering" another element or layer, it should be understood that it can be directly connected to, coupled to, attached to, adjacent to, or covering the other element or layer, and that intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers. As used herein, like numbers refer to like elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations or subcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0049] In this specification, terms such as first, second, and third may be used to describe various elements, regions, layers, and / or sections, but it should be understood that these elements, regions, layers, and / or sections are not limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, region, layer, or section described below could be referred to as a second element, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

[0050] For ease of description, spatially relative terms (e.g., "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," etc.) may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another, as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device during use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures were turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. Additionally, the device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees, oriented in other directions, etc.), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein would be interpreted accordingly.

[0051] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing various exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will be further understood that as used herein, the terms "includes," "including," "comprises," and / or "comprising" specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, and / or elements, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or groups thereof.

[0052] In this specification, when the words "about" and "substantially" are used in connection with numerical values, unless expressly defined otherwise, the associated numerical value is intended to include a tolerance of ±10% around the stated numerical value.

[0053] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the exemplary embodiments belong. Terms, including those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the relevant art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined as such herein.

[0054] The hardware may be implemented using processing or control circuitry, including, but not limited to, one or more processors, one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more microcontrollers, one or more arithmetic logic units (ALUs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), one or more microcomputers, one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more systems on a chip (SoCs), one or more programmable logic units (PLUs), one or more microprocessors, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or any other device that can respond to and / or execute instructions in a defined manner.

[0055] One or more exemplary embodiments may, in at least some instances, be described herein as being performed by an aerosol generating device that includes at least one processor and a memory that stores computer-executable instructions, where the at least one processor is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the aerosol generating device to perform the operations of one or more exemplary embodiments. Furthermore, the processor, memory, and exemplary algorithms encoded as computer program code may function as means for providing or causing the operations discussed herein.

[0056] FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1C is an upstream perspective view of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1A. Referring to FIGS. 1A-C, an aerosol generating device 10 is configured to receive and heat an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. The aerosol generating device 10 includes, among other components, a front housing 1202, a rear housing 1204, and a bottom housing 1206 coupled to a frame 1208 (e.g., a chassis). A door 1210 is also pivotally coupled / attached to the front housing 1202. For example, the door 1210 is configured to move or swing about a hinge 1212 and reversibly engage / disengage with the front housing 1202 via a latch 1214 to transition between an open position and a closed position. An aerosol-forming substrate, which may be contained within a capsule 100 (e.g., FIG. 2), may be loaded into the aerosol generation device 10 through a door 1210. During operation of the aerosol generation device 10, the generated aerosol may be drawn from the aerosol generation device 10 through an aerosol outlet 1102 defined by a mouth end segment 1104 of the mouthpiece 1100 (e.g., FIG. 2).

[0057] As shown in FIG. 1B , the aerosol generating device 10 includes a first button 1218 and a second button 1220. The first button 1218 can be a preheat button, and the second button 1220 can be a power button (or vice versa). Furthermore, one or both of the first button 1218 and the second button 1220 can include a light-emitting diode (LED) configured to emit visible light when the first button 1218 and / or the second button 1220 is pressed. If both the first button 1218 and the second button 1220 include an LED, the emitted light can be the same color or different colors. The lights can also be the same intensity or different intensities. Furthermore, the light can be configured as a continuous light or an intermittent light. For example, the light associated with the power button (e.g., the second button 1220) can flash / blink to indicate that the power source (e.g., the battery) is low and needs to be charged. Although the aerosol generating device 10 is shown as having two buttons, it should be understood that more (e.g., three) or fewer buttons may be provided depending on the desired interface and functionality.

[0058] The aerosol generating device 10 may have a cube-like shape including a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface, a first side surface between the front surface and the rear surface, a second side surface opposite the first side surface, a downstream end surface, and an upstream end surface opposite the downstream end surface. As used herein, "upstream" (and conversely, "downstream") refers to the aerosol flow, and "proximal" (and conversely, "distal") refers to an adult operator of the aerosol generating device 10 during aerosol generation. While the aerosol generating device 10 is illustrated as having a cube-like shape (e.g., a rounded rectangular parallelepiped) with a polygonal cross-section, it should be understood that exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, in some embodiments, the aerosol generating device 10 may have a cylinder-like shape with a circular cross-section (e.g., in the case of a circular cylinder) or an elliptical cross-section (e.g., in the case of an elliptical cylinder).

[0059] As shown in FIG. 1C, the aerosol generation device 10 includes an inlet insert 1222 configured to allow ambient air to enter the device body 1200 (e.g., FIG. 2). In an exemplary embodiment, the inlet insert 1222 defines an orifice as an air inlet in fluid communication with the aerosol outlet 1102. As a result, when a draw (e.g., a puff) or negative pressure is applied to the aerosol outlet 1102, ambient air is drawn into the device body 1200 through the orifice in the inlet insert 1222. The size (e.g., diameter) of the orifice in the inlet insert 1222 is adjusted to provide a desired overall resistance-to-draw (RTD), taking into account other variables in the flow path (e.g., capsule 100). In other embodiments, the inlet insert 1222 can be omitted entirely, such that the air inlet is defined by the bottom housing 1206.

[0060] The aerosol generation device 10 may further include a jack 1224 and a port 1226. In an exemplary embodiment, the jack 1224 allows for the downloading of operational information for research and development (R&D) purposes (e.g., via an RS232 cable). The port 1226 is configured to receive current from an external power source (e.g., via a USB / mini-USB cable) to charge an internal power source within the aerosol generation device 10. Additionally, the port 1226 may be configured to transmit data to and / or receive data (e.g., via a USB / mini-USB cable) from another aerosol generation device or other electronic device (e.g., a phone, tablet, computer). Furthermore, the aerosol generation device 10 may be configured to wirelessly communicate with another electronic device, such as a phone, via application software (app) installed on the electronic device. In such an example, an adult operator may control or otherwise interface with the aerosol generation device 10 (e.g., to locate the aerosol generation device, view usage information, or change operating parameters) through the app.

[0061] FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of the aerosol generating device of FIGS. 1A-1C, with the mouthpiece 1100 and capsule 100 separated from the device body. Referring to FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 10 includes a device body 1200 configured to receive the capsule 100 and the mouthpiece 1100. In the exemplary embodiment, the device body 1200 defines a receptacle 1228 configured to receive the capsule 100. The receptacle 1228 may be in the form of a cylindrical socket having diametrically opposed side slots extending outwardly for accommodating the electrical ends / contacts of the capsule 100. However, it should be understood that the receptacle 1228 may be in other forms based on the shape / configuration of the capsule 100.

[0062] As described above, the device body 1200 includes a door 1210 configured to open to allow insertion of the capsule 100 and mouthpiece 1100 and configured to close to retain the capsule 100 and mouthpiece 1100. The mouthpiece 1100 includes a mouth end (e.g., of the mouth end segment 1104) and an opposing capsule end (e.g., the capsule end segment 1106). In an exemplary embodiment, the capsule end is larger than the mouth end and configured to prevent the mouthpiece 1100 from becoming dislodged from the capsule 100 when the door 1210 of the device body 1200 is closed. When received / secured within the device body 1200 and ready for aerosol generation, the capsule 100 may be hidden from view while the mouth end segment 1104, which defines the aerosol outlet 1102 of the mouthpiece 1100, is visible. As shown, the mouth end segment 1104 of the mouthpiece 1100 may extend from / through the downstream end face of the device body 1200. Additionally, the mouth end segment 1104 of the mouthpiece 1100 may be closer to the front face of the device body 1200 than to the rear face.

[0063] In some embodiments, the device body 1200 of the aerosol generating device 10 may optionally include a mouthpiece sensor and / or a door sensor. The mouthpiece sensor may be located on the rim of the receptacle 1228 (e.g., adjacent to the front of the device body 1200). The door sensor may be located in a portion of the front housing 1202 adjacent to the hinge 1212 and within the swing path of the door 1210. In an exemplary embodiment, the mouthpiece sensor and the door sensor are spring-loaded (e.g., retractable) protrusions configured as safety switches. For example, the mouthpiece sensor may be retracted / depressed (e.g., activated) when the mouthpiece 1100 fully engages with the capsule 100 loaded in the receptacle 1228. Additionally, the door sensor may be retracted / depressed (e.g., activated) when the door 1210 is fully closed. In such a case, the control circuitry of the device body 1200 may allow current to be supplied to the capsule 100 to heat the aerosol-forming substrate therein (e.g., preheating, which is permitted when the first button 1218 is pressed). Conversely, the control circuitry of the device body 1200 (e.g., the controller 2105) may prevent or stop the supply of current if the mouthpiece sensor and / or the door sensor are not activated or deactivated (e.g., released). Thus, if the mouthpiece 1100 is not fully inserted and / or the door 1210 is not fully closed, heating of the aerosol-forming substrate will not begin. Similarly, if the door 1210 is opened while the aerosol-forming substrate is being heated, the supply of current to the capsule 100 is interrupted / stopped.

[0064] The capsule 100, described in further detail herein, generally includes a housing defining an entrance opening, an exit opening, and a chamber between the entrance opening and the exit opening. The aerosol-forming substrate is disposed within the chamber of the housing. Additionally, a heater may extend into the housing from its exterior. The housing may include a body portion and an upstream portion. The body portion of the housing includes a proximal end and a distal end. The upstream portion of the housing may be configured to engage with the distal end of the body portion.

[0065] FIG. 2B illustrates a capsule of the aerosol generating device of FIGS. 1A-1C according to at least one exemplary embodiment.

[0066] The aerosol-forming substrate contained within the capsule 100 may be in the form of a first aerosol-forming substrate 160a and a second aerosol-forming substrate 160b. In an exemplary embodiment, the first aerosol-forming substrate 160a and the second aerosol-forming substrate 160b are housed between the first cover 110 and the second cover 120. During operation of the aerosol generating device 10, the first aerosol-forming substrate 160a and the second aerosol-forming substrate 160b may be heated by a heater 336 to generate aerosol. As described in more detail herein, the heater 336 includes a first end 142, a middle section 144, and a second end 146. Furthermore, the heater 336 may be attached to the base portion 130 during the manufacturing process, prior to assembly of the capsule 100.

[0067] As shown, the first cover 110 of the capsule 100 defines a first upstream groove 112, a first recess 114, and a first downstream groove 116. The first upstream groove 112 and the first downstream groove 116 may each be in the form of a series of grooves. Similarly, the second cover 120 of the capsule 100 defines a second upstream groove, a second recess, and a second downstream groove 126. In an exemplary embodiment, the second upstream groove, the second recess, and the second downstream groove 126 of the second cover 120 are similar to the first upstream groove 112, the first recess 114, and the first downstream groove 116 of the first cover 110, respectively. Specifically, the first cover 110 and the second cover 120 may be identical and complementary in structure. In such a case, the first cover 110 and the second cover 120 are arranged complementary to each other when they are opposed to each other so as to engage with the base portion 130. As a result, one part can be used interchangeably as the first cover 110 or the second cover 120, simplifying the manufacturing method.

[0068] The first recess 114 of the first cover 110 and the second recess 120 collectively form a chamber configured to accommodate the intermediate section 144 of the heater 336 when the first cover 110 and the second cover 120 are coupled to the base portion 130. The first aerosol-forming substrate 160a and the second aerosol-forming substrate 160b may be housed within the chamber such that they are in thermal contact with the intermediate section 144 of the heater 336 when the capsule 100 is assembled. The chamber may have a longest dimension extending from at least one of the inlet openings (e.g., of the upstream passage 162) to a corresponding one of the outlet openings (e.g., of the downstream passage 166). In an exemplary embodiment, the housing of the capsule 100 has a longitudinal axis, and the longest dimension of the chamber extends along the longitudinal axis of the housing.

[0069] The first downstream groove 116 of the first cover 110 and the second downstream groove 126 of the second cover 120 collectively form a downstream passage 166. Similarly, the first upstream groove 112 of the first cover 110 and the second upstream groove 126 of the second cover 120 collectively form an upstream passage 162. The downstream passage 166 and the upstream passage 162 are small or narrow enough to hold the first aerosol-forming substrate 160 a and the second aerosol-forming substrate 160 b within the chamber, but large or wide enough to allow air and / or aerosol to pass through when the first aerosol-forming substrate 160 a and the second aerosol-forming substrate 160 b are heated by the heater 336.

[0070] In one example, each of the first aerosol-forming substrate 160a and the second aerosol-forming substrate 160b may be in a connected form (e.g., a sheet, a pallet, a tablet) configured to maintain its shape so that the first aerosol-forming substrate 160a and the second aerosol-forming substrate 160b can be integrally positioned within the first recess 114 of the first cover 110 and the second recess of the second cover 120, respectively. In such an example, the first aerosol-forming substrate 160a may be disposed on one side of the intermediate section 144 of the heater 336 (e.g., the side facing the first cover 110), while the second aerosol-forming substrate 160b may be disposed on the other side of the intermediate section 144 of the heater 336 (e.g., the side facing the second cover 120) so as to substantially fill the first recess 114 of the first cover 110 and the second recess 120, respectively, thereby sandwiching / embedding the intermediate section 144 of the heater 336. Alternatively, one or both of the first aerosol-forming substrate 160a and the second aerosol-forming substrate 160b may not have a fixed shape, but rather may be a loose shape (e.g., particle, fiber, dregs, fragments, shreds) configured to assume the shape of the first recess 114 of the first cover 110 and / or the second recess of the second cover 120 when introduced.

[0071] As described above, the housing of the capsule 100 may include a first cover 110, a second cover 120, and a base 130. When the capsule 100 is assembled, the housing may have a height (or length) of approximately 30 mm to 40 mm (e.g., 35 mm), although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. Furthermore, the first recess 114 of the first cover 110 and the second recess 120 may each have a depth of approximately 1 mm to 4 mm (e.g., 2 mm). In such an example, the chamber collectively formed by the first recess 114 of the first cover 110 and the second recess 120 may have an overall thickness of approximately 2 mm to 8 mm (e.g., 4 mm). Along these lines, the first aerosol-forming substrate 160a and the second aerosol-forming substrate 160b, when in coupled form, may each have a thickness of approximately 1 mm to 4 mm (e.g., 2 mm). As a result, the first aerosol-forming substrate 160a and the second aerosol-forming substrate 160b can be heated relatively quickly and uniformly by the intermediate section 144 of the heater 336.

[0072] The control circuitry can instruct the power supply to supply current to the heater 336. The current supply from the power supply can be manual (e.g., button activation) or automatic (e.g., draw / puff activation). As a result of the current, the capsule 100 can be heated to generate an aerosol. Furthermore, changes in the heater resistance can be used to monitor and control the aerosolization temperature. The generated aerosol can be inhaled from the aerosol generating device 10 through the mouthpiece 1100. Furthermore, the control circuitry (e.g., controller 2105) can instruct the power supply to supply current to the heater 336 to maintain the temperature of the capsule 100 during drawing.

[0073] As discussed herein, an aerosol-forming substrate is a material or combination of materials capable of producing an aerosol. Aerosol refers to a substance produced or output by the disclosed and claimed devices, and equivalents thereof. The material may include a compound (e.g., nicotine, cannabinoids), and when the material is heated, an aerosol containing the compound is produced. Heating can be below combustion temperatures to produce an aerosol without substantial thermal decomposition of the aerosol-forming substrate or substantial production of combustion by-products (if any). Thus, in exemplary embodiments, no thermal decomposition occurs during heating and the resulting production of the aerosol.

[0074] The aerosol-forming substrate can be a fibrous material. For example, the fibrous material can be a plant material. The fibrous material is configured to release a compound when heated. The compound can be a naturally occurring component of the fibrous material. For example, the fibrous material is a plant material such as tobacco, and the released compound is nicotine. The term "tobacco" includes any tobacco plant material, including tobacco leaf, tobacco plugs, reconstituted tobacco, compressed tobacco, formed tobacco, or powder tobacco, and combinations thereof from one or more species of tobacco plants, such as Nicotiana rustica or Nicotiana tabacum.

[0075] In some exemplary embodiments, the tobacco material can include material from any member of the Nicotiana genus. Furthermore, the tobacco material can also include a blend of two or more different tobacco varieties. Suitable types of tobacco material that can be used include, but are not limited to, flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, dark tobacco, Maryland tobacco, Oriental tobacco, rare tobacco, specialty tobacco, blends thereof, and the like. The tobacco material can be provided in any suitable form, including, but not limited to, tobacco lamina, processed tobacco materials such as expanded tobacco or puffed tobacco, processed tobacco stems such as cut rolling stems or cut puffed stems, reconstituted tobacco materials, blends thereof, and the like. In some exemplary embodiments, the tobacco material is in the form of a substantially dried mass of tobacco. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the tobacco material can be mixed and / or combined with at least one of propylene glycol, glycerin, subcombinations thereof, or combinations thereof.

[0076] The compound may also be a naturally occurring component of a medicinal plant with medically recognized therapeutic effects. For example, the medicinal plant may be the cannabis plant, and the compound may be a cannabinoid. Cannabinoids interact with receptors in the body, resulting in a variety of effects. As a result, cannabinoids have been used for a variety of medicinal purposes, including the treatment of pain, nausea, epilepsy, and psychiatric disorders. The fibrous material may include leaf and / or flower material from one or more cannabis species, such as Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. In one embodiment, the fibrous material is a mixture of 60-80% (e.g., 70%) Cannabis sativa and 20-40% (e.g., 30%) Cannabis indica.

[0077] Examples of cannabinoids include tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol acid (CBDA), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabichromene (CBC), and cannabigerol (CBG). Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is the precursor of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and cannabidiol acid (CBDA) is the precursor of cannabidiol (CBD). Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and cannabidiol acid (CBDA) can be converted to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), respectively, by heating. In an exemplary embodiment, heat from a heater (e.g., heater 336 shown in FIG. 2B) may cause decarboxylation to convert tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) in capsule 100 to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and / or cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) in capsule 100 to cannabidiol (CBD).

[0078] If both tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are present in capsule 100, decarboxylation and the resulting conversion will decrease tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and increase tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). At least 50% (e.g., at least 87%) of the tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) may be converted to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) during heating of capsule 100. Similarly, if both cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and cannabidiol (CBD) are present in capsule 100, decarboxylation and the resulting conversion will decrease cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and increase cannabidiol (CBD). At least 50% (e.g., at least 87%) of the cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) may be converted to cannabidiol (CBD) during heating of capsule 100.

[0079] Furthermore, the compound may be, or may additionally include, a non-naturally occurring additive that is subsequently introduced into the fibrous material. In one example, the fibrous material may comprise at least one of cotton, polyethylene, polyester, rayon, a combination thereof, and the like (e.g., in the form of gauze). In another example, the fibrous material may be a cellulosic material (e.g., a non-tobacco and / or non-cannabis material). In either example, the introduced compound may comprise nicotine, a cannabinoid, and / or a flavoring. The flavoring may be naturally occurring, such as a plant extract (e.g., tobacco extract, cannabis extract), and / or artificially occurring. In yet another example, if the fibrous material comprises tobacco and / or cannabis, the compound may be, or may further comprise, one or more flavorings (e.g., menthol, mint, vanilla). Thus, the compound within the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise naturally occurring components and / or non-naturally occurring additives. In this regard, it should be understood that the existing levels of naturally occurring components in the aerosol-forming substrate may be increased by supplementation. For example, the amount of nicotine in tobacco can be increased by supplementing it with an extract containing nicotine. Similarly, the existing levels of one or more cannabinoids in cannabis can be increased by supplementing it with an extract containing such cannabinoids.

[0080] The first cover 110 and the second cover 120 also define a first groove 118 and a second groove 128, respectively. The first groove 118 and the second groove 128 collectively form a downstream groove configured to receive the first annular member 150a. Similarly, the base portion 130 defines an upstream groove 138 configured to receive the second annular member 150b. As described above, the base portion 130 includes an engagement assembly 136 configured to facilitate connection with the first cover 110 and the second cover 120. The engagement assembly 136 may be an integrally formed part of the base portion 130. In the exemplary embodiment, the base portion 130 defines a base outlet 134 in fluid communication with the base inlet 132, and the engagement assembly 136 is in the form of a protruding rim / collar on either side of the base outlet 134. Additionally, each of the first cover 110 and the second cover 120 may define a slot configured to receive a corresponding protruding rim / collar of the engagement assembly 136. As a result, the first cover 110 and the second cover 120 may mate (e.g., via their distal ends) with the engagement assembly 136 of the base portion 130 (and simultaneously mate with each other) to form a housing for the capsule 100.

[0081] The first cover 110 and the second cover 120 may be made of, for example, a liquid crystal polymer, PEEK (polyetheretherketone), or aluminum.

[0082] To manufacture heater 336, the sheet material may be cut or otherwise processed (e.g., stamped, electrochemically etched, die-cut, laser cut, etc.). The sheet material may be formed of one or more conductors configured to undergo Joule heating (also called ohmic / resistive heating). Suitable conductors for the sheet material include iron-based alloys (e.g., stainless steel, iron aluminide), nickel-based alloys (e.g., nichrome), and / or ceramics (e.g., metal-coated ceramics). For example, stainless steel may be of a type known in the art as SS316L, although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. The sheet material may have a thickness of approximately 0.1-0.3 mm (e.g., 0.15-0.25 mm). The heater 336 may have a resistance of 0.5-2.5 ohms (e.g., 1-2 ohms).

[0083] The heater 336 has a first end 142, an intermediate section 144, and a second end 146. The first end 142 and the second end 146 are configured to receive electrical current from a power source when the heater 336 is activated. When the heater 336 is activated (e.g., to perform Joule heating), the temperature of the first aerosol-forming substrate 160 a and the second aerosol-forming substrate 160 b may increase, generating an aerosol that may be drawn or otherwise emitted through the downstream passage 166 of the capsule 100. The first end 142 and the second end 146 may each include a fork terminal to facilitate electrical connection to a power source (e.g., via a connecting bolt), although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. Furthermore, because the heater 336 may be fabricated from a sheet material, the first end 142, the second end 146, and the intermediate section 144 may be coplanar. Additionally, the middle section 144 of the heater 336 may have a planar and winding configuration resembling a zigzag or compression oscillation with multiple parallel segments (e.g., 8-16 parallel segments), however, it should be understood that other configurations of the middle section 144 of the heater 336 are also possible (e.g., a spiral configuration, a flower-like configuration).

[0084] In the exemplary embodiment, the heater 336 extends through the base portion 130. In such an example, the respective termini of the first end 142 and the second end 146 may be considered exterior segments of the heater 336 that protrude from opposite sides of the base portion 130. In particular, the middle section 144 of the heater 336 may be downstream of the base portion 130 and aligned with the base outlet 134. During manufacturing, the heater 336 may be embedded within the base portion 130 via injection molding (e.g., insert molding, overmolding). For example, the heater 336 may be embedded such that the middle section 144 is evenly spaced between a pair of protruding rims / collars of the engagement assembly 136.

[0085] Although the first end 142 and the second end 146 of the heater 336 are shown in the drawings as protrusions (e.g., fins) extending from the side of the base portion 130, it should be understood that in some exemplary embodiments, the first end 142 and the second end 146 of the heater 336 may be configured to form part of the side of the capsule 100. For example, the exposed portions of the first end 142 and the second end 146 of the heater 336 may be sized and oriented to rest / fold against the side of the base portion 130 (e.g., while also following the underlying contours of the base portion 130). As a result, the first end 142 and the second end 146 may form first and second electrical contacts, respectively, as well as part of the side of the capsule 100.

[0086] FIG. 2C is a partially exploded view of the aerosol generating device of FIGS. 1A-1C. FIG. 2D is a partially exploded view of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 2. Referring to FIGS. 2C-2D, a frame 1208 (e.g., a metal chassis) serves as a base for the internal components of the aerosol generating device 10, which may be directly or indirectly attached thereto. With respect to structures / components shown in the figures and already described above, it should be understood that such related teachings are also applicable to this section and may not be repeated for the sake of brevity. In the exemplary embodiment, the bottom housing 1206 is fixed to the upstream end of the frame 1208. Furthermore, a receptacle 1228 (for receiving the capsule 100) may be attached to the front side of the frame 1208. Between the receptacle 1228 and the bottom housing 1206 is an inlet channel 1230 configured to direct an incoming flow of ambient air to the capsule 100 in the receptacle 1228. An inlet insert 1222 (e.g., FIG. 1C) through which incoming air can flow can be disposed at the distal end of the inlet channel 1230. Additionally, the receptacle 1228 and / or the inlet channel 1230 can include a flow sensor (e.g., an integrated flow sensor).

[0087] The cover 1232 and the power source 1234 therein (e.g., FIG. 2E ) may be attached to the rear side of the frame 1208. To establish an electrical connection with the capsule 100 (e.g., located within the receptacle 1228 and covered by the capsule end segment 1106 of the mouthpiece 1100), a first power terminal block 1236a and a second power terminal block 1236b may be provided to facilitate the supply of electrical current. For example, the first power terminal block 1236a and the second power terminal block 1236b may establish the necessary electrical connection between the power source 1234 and the capsule 100 via the first end 142 and the second end 146 of the heater 336. The first power terminal block 1236a and / or the second power terminal block 1236b may be formed of brass.

[0088] The aerosol generation device 10 may also include multiple printed circuit boards (PCBs) configured to facilitate its operation. In an exemplary embodiment, a first printed circuit board 1238 (e.g., a bridge PCB for power supply and I2C) is attached to the downstream end of the cover 1232 for the power supply 1234. Furthermore, a second printed circuit board 1240 (e.g., an HMI PCB) is attached to the rear of the cover 1232. In another example, a third printed circuit board 1242 (e.g., a serial port PCB) is fixed to the front of the frame 1208 and located behind the inlet channel 1230. Furthermore, a fourth printed circuit board 1244 (e.g., a USB-CPCB) is disposed between the rear of the frame 1208 and the cover 1232 for the power supply 1234. However, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments of printed circuit boards herein should not be construed as limiting, as their size, shape, and location may vary depending on the desired characteristics of the aerosol generation device 10.

[0089] FIG. 2E is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device of FIGS. 1A-1C. FIG. 2F is another cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device of FIGS. 1A-1C. With respect to structures / components shown in the figures and already described above, it should be understood that such relevant teachings are also applicable to this section and have not been repeated for the sake of brevity. Referring to FIGS. 2E-2F, the mouth-end segment 1104 of the mouthpiece 1100 is illustrated as defining an aerosol outlet 1102 in the form of a single outlet. However, it should be understood that exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the aerosol outlet 1102 may alternatively be in the form of multiple small outlets (e.g., 2-6 outlets). In one example, the multiple outlets may be in the form of four outlets. The outlets may be radially arranged and / or angled outward to emit a diverging stream of aerosol.

[0090] In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of a filter or a flavor medium may be optionally disposed within the mouth-end segment 1104 of the mouthpiece 1100. In such an example, the filter and / or flavor medium are downstream of the chamber 164, where the generated aerosol passes through at least one of the filter or flavor medium before exiting through at least one aerosol outlet 1102. The filter may reduce or prevent particles from the aerosol-forming substrate (e.g., aerosol-forming substrate 160a and / or aerosol-forming substrate 160b) from being inadvertently inhaled from the capsule 100. The filter may also help lower the temperature of the aerosol to provide a desired mouthfeel. The flavor medium (e.g., flavor beads) may release flavorings as the aerosol passes therethrough, imparting a desired flavor to the aerosol. The flavorings may be the same as those described above in connection with the aerosol-forming substrate. Furthermore, the filter and / or flavor medium may have a coupled or loose form, as described above in connection with the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0091] The aerosol generating device 10 may also include a third annular member 150c seated within the receptacle 1228. The third annular member 150c (e.g., a resilient O-ring) is configured to establish an air seal when the base portion 130 of the capsule 100 is fully inserted into the receptacle 1228. As a result, most, if not all, of the air drawn into the receptacle 1228 passes through the capsule 100, with little, if any, bypass flow around the capsule 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the first annular member 150a, the second annular member 150b, and / or the third annular member 150c may be formed of clear silicone.

[0092] In addition to the printed circuit boards already described above, the aerosol generating device 10 may also include a fifth printed circuit board 1246 (e.g., a main PCB) disposed between the frame 1208 and the power supply 1234. The power supply 1234 may be a 900 mAh battery, although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. Furthermore, to enhance operation of the aerosol generating device 10, a sensor 1248 may be disposed upstream of the capsule 100. For example, the sensor 1248 may be an airflow sensor. In view of the sensor 1248 and the first and second buttons 1218 and 1220, operation of the aerosol generating device 10 may be automatic (e.g., puff-activated) or manual (e.g., button-activated). In at least one exemplary embodiment, the sensor may be a microelectromechanical system (MEMS), a flow or pressure sensor, or another type of sensor configured to measure airflow, such as a hot wire anemometer.

[0093] When the aerosol generating device 10 is activated, the capsule 100 within the device body 1200 may be heated to generate an aerosol. In an exemplary embodiment, activation of the aerosol generating device 10 may be triggered by detection of airflow by the sensor 1248 and / or generation of a signal associated with pressing the first button 1218 and / or the second button 1220. With respect to airflow detection, drawing or applying negative pressure to the aerosol outlet 1102 of the mouthpiece 1100 draws ambient air into the device body 1200 via the inlet channel 1230, where the air may first pass through the inlet insert 1222 (e.g., FIG. 1C ). Once within the device body 1200, the air travels through the inlet channel 1230 to the receptacle 1228, where it is detected by the sensor 1248. After the sensor 1248, the air continues through the receptacle 1228 and enters the capsule 100 via the base 130. Specifically, air flows through the base inlet 132 of the capsule 100 before entering the chamber 164 through the upstream passage 162. Additionally, the control circuitry (e.g., the controller 2105) may command the power supply to provide current to the heater 336 to maintain the temperature of the capsule 100 during the draw.

[0094] Detection of airflow by the sensor 1248 may cause the control circuitry for the power supply 1234 to supply current to the capsule 100 via the first end 142 and the second end 146 of the heater 336. As a result, the temperature of the middle section 144 of the heater 336 increases, which in turn increases the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate (e.g., aerosol-forming substrate 160a and / or aerosol-forming substrate 160b) in the chamber 164, causing the aerosol-forming substrate to release volatile materials and generate aerosol. The generated aerosol is entrained in the air flowing through the chamber 164. In particular, the aerosol generated in the chamber 164 passes through the downstream passage 166 of the capsule 100 before exiting the aerosol-generating device 10 through the aerosol outlet 1102 of the mouthpiece 1100.

[0095] FIG. 3 illustrates an electrical system of an aerosol generating device and capsule according to one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0096] 3, the electrical system includes an aerosol generation device electrical system 2100 and a capsule electrical system 2200. The aerosol generation device electrical system 2100 may be included in the aerosol generation device 10, and the capsule electrical system 2200 may be included in the capsule 100.

[0097] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, capsule electrical system 2200 includes heater 336 .

[0098] The capsule electrical system 2200 may further include a body electrical / data interface (not shown) for transferring power and / or data between the aerosol generation device 10 and the capsule 100. According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the electrical contacts shown in FIG. 2B, for example, may function as the body electrical interface, although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0099] The aerosol generation device electrical system 2100 includes a controller 2105, a power supply 1234, a device sensor or measurement circuit 2125, a heating engine control circuit 2127, an aerosol indicator 2135, on-product controls 2150 (e.g., buttons 1218 and 1220 shown in FIG. 1B ), memory 2130, and a clock circuit 2128. In some exemplary embodiments, the controller 2105, the power supply 1234, the device sensor or measurement circuit 2125, the heating engine control circuit 2127, the memory 2130, and the clock circuit 2128 are on the same PCB (e.g., main PCB 1246). The aerosol generation device electrical system 2100 may further include a capsule electrical / data interface (not shown) for transferring power and / or data between the aerosol generation device 10 and the capsule 100.

[0100] The power supply 1234 may be an internal power source for powering the aerosol generation device 10 and the capsule 100. The power supply from the power supply 1234 may be controlled by the controller 2105 via a power control circuit (not shown). The power control circuit may include one or more switches or transistors for regulating the power output from the power supply 1234. The power supply 1234 may be a lithium ion battery or a variant thereof (e.g., a lithium ion polymer battery).

[0101] The controller 2105 may be configured to control the overall operation of the aerosol generation device 10. The controller 2105 may be configured to control the overall operation of the aerosol generation device 10. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the controller 2105 may include a processing circuit, such as hardware including logic circuits, a hardware / software combination, such as a processor executing software, or a combination thereof. For example, the processing circuit may more specifically include, but is not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a system on a chip (SoC), a programmable logic unit, a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.

[0102] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a controller 2105, general purpose input / outputs (GPIOs), inter-integrated circuit (I 2 21. The controller 2105 is shown as a microcontroller including an input / output (I / O) interface, such as a serial peripheral interface bus (SPI) interface, a multi-channel analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a clock input terminal. However, exemplary embodiments should not be limited to this example. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 may be a microprocessor.

[0103] Although memory 2130 is shown as being external to controller 2105, in some exemplary embodiments, memory 2130 may be included with controller 2105.

[0104] The controller 2105 is communicatively coupled to the device sensor 2125 , the heating engine control circuitry 2127 , the aerosol indicator 2135 , the memory 2130 , the on-product control 2150 , the clock circuitry 2128 , and the power supply 1234 .

[0105] The heating engine control circuit 2127 is connected to the controller 2105 via a GPIO (General Purpose Input / Output) terminal. The memory 2130 is connected to the controller 2105 via an SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) terminal. The clock circuit 2128 is connected to the clock input terminal of the controller 2105. The aerosol indicator 2135 is connected to the I 2 The device sensors 2125 are connected to the controller 2105 via C (inter-integrated circuit) interface terminals and SPI / GPIO terminals. The device sensors 2125 are connected to the controller 2105 via terminals of the multi-channel ADC. The device sensors 2125 are connected to the controller 2105 via pins of the multi-channel ADC.

[0106] The clock circuit 2128 may be a timing mechanism, such as an oscillator circuit, that enables the controller 2105 to track the idle time, preheat length, aerosol generation (draw) length, a combination of idle time and aerosol generation (draw) length, power usage time for determining a hot capsule alarm (e.g., 30 seconds after an instance has ended), etc. of the aerosol generation device 100. The clock circuit 2128 may include a dedicated external crystal clock configured to generate the system clock of the aerosol generation device 100.

[0107] The memory 2130 may be a non-volatile memory that stores operating parameters and computer-readable instructions for the controller 2105 to execute the algorithms described herein. In one example, the memory 2130 may be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), such as flash memory.

[0108] 3, the device sensors 2125 may include multiple sensors or measurement circuits configured to provide signals indicative of sensor or measurement information to the controller 2105. In the example shown in Figure 3, the measurement circuits 2125 include a heater current measurement circuit 21258, a heater voltage measurement circuit 21252, and a compensation voltage measurement circuit 21250. The electrical system of Figure 3 may further include sensors described with reference to Figures 1A-2F.

[0109] The heater current measurement circuit 21258 may be configured to output a (e.g., voltage) signal indicative of the current through the heater 336. An exemplary embodiment of the heater current measurement circuit 21258 is described in more detail below with reference to FIG.

[0110] The heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 can be configured to output a (e.g., voltage) signal indicative of the voltage across the heater 336. An exemplary embodiment of the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 is described in more detail below with respect to FIG.

[0111] The compensation voltage measurement circuit 21250 may be configured to output a (e.g., voltage) signal indicative of the resistance of the power interface (e.g., electrical connector) between the capsule 100 and the aerosol generation device 10. In some exemplary embodiments, the compensation voltage measurement circuit 21250 may provide the compensation voltage measurement signal to the controller 2105. Exemplary embodiments of the compensation voltage measurement circuit 21250 are described in further detail below with respect to Figures 6A-6B.

[0112] As described above, the compensation voltage measurement circuit 21250, the heater current measurement circuit 21258, and the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 are connected to the controller 2105 via terminals of the multi-channel ADC. To measure characteristics and / or parameters of the aerosol generation device 100 and the capsule 200 (e.g., the voltage, current, resistance, temperature, etc. of the heater system 36), the multi-channel ADC of the controller 2105 may sample the output signals from the device sensors 2125 at a sampling rate appropriate for the predetermined characteristics and / or parameters measured by each device sensor.

[0113] The aerosol generation device electrical system 2100 may include a sensor 1248 for measuring airflow through the aerosol generation device 10. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the sensor may be a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) flow or pressure sensor, or another type of sensor configured to measure airflow, such as a hot wire anemometer. In an exemplary embodiment, the output from the sensor to the controller 2105 is a flow rate (ml / s or cm) via a digital interface or SPI. 3 The instantaneous measurement of flow rate (units: ml / s) is an instantaneous measurement of flow rate (units: ml / s). In other exemplary embodiments, the sensor may be a hot wire anemometer, a digital MEMS sensor, or other known sensor. The sensor may operate as a puff sensor by detecting a draw when the flow rate value is 1 ml / s or greater and then terminating the draw when the flow rate value drops to 0 ml / s. In another example, the flow sensor may operate as a puff sensor by detecting a draw when the flow rate value is 1 ml / s or greater and then terminating the draw when the flow rate value drops to 1 ml / s or less. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor may be a MEMS flow sensor based on a differential pressure sensor in which the differential pressure (in Pascals) is converted to an instantaneous flow rate reading (in ml / s) using a curve-fitting calibration function or a look-up table (of flow rate values ​​for each differential pressure reading). In another exemplary embodiment, the flow sensor may be a capacitive pressure drop sensor.

[0114] The heating engine control circuit 2127 is connected to the controller 2105 via a GPIO terminal. The heating engine control circuit 2127 is configured to control (enable and / or disable) the heater 336 of the aerosol generating device 10 by controlling the power to the heater 336.

[0115] The controller 2105 may control the aerosol indicator 2135 to indicate to the adult operator the status and / or operation of the aerosol generation device 10. The aerosol indicator 2135 may be implemented at least in part via a light guide and may include a power indicator (e.g., an LED) that may be activated when the controller 2105 senses a button being pressed by the adult operator. The aerosol indicator 2135 may also include a vibrator, speaker, or other feedback mechanism and may indicate the current status of an aerosol generation parameter (e.g., aerosol volume) controlled by the adult operator.

[0116] 3, the controller 2105 may control power to the heater 336 to heat the aerosol-forming substrate according to a heating profile (e.g., heating based on volume, temperature, flavor, etc.). The heating profile may be determined based on empirical data and stored in the memory 2130.

[0117] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a heater voltage measurement circuit 21252.

[0118] 4, the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 includes resistors 3702 and 3704 connected in a voltage divider configuration between a terminal configured to receive the input voltage signal COIL_OUT and ground. Resistors 3702 and 3704 may have resistances of 8.2 kOhms and 3.3 kOhms, respectively. The input voltage signal COIL_OUT is the voltage input to the heater system 36 (the voltage at the input terminal of the heater 336). Capacitor 3706 is connected between node N3716 and ground to form a low-pass filter circuit (R / C filter) for stabilizing the voltage input to the positive input of operational amplifier 3708. Capacitor 3706 is connected between node N3716 and ground to form a low-pass filter circuit (R / C filter) for stabilizing the voltage input to the positive input of operational amplifier 3708. The capacitance of capacitor 3706 may be, for example, 18 nanofarads. The filter circuit also reduces inaccuracies caused by switching noise induced by the PWM signal used to apply power to energize the heater 336 and may have the same phase response / group delay for both current and voltage.

[0119] The heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 further includes resistors 3710 and 3712 and a capacitor 3714. The resistor 3712 is connected between node N 3718 and a terminal configured to receive the output voltage signal COIL_RTN and may have a resistance of, for example, 8.2 kilohms. The output voltage signal COIL_RTN is the voltage output from the heater 336 (the voltage at the output terminal of the heater 336).

[0120] Resistor 3710 and capacitor 3714 are connected in parallel between node N3718 and the output of operational amplifier 3708. Resistor 3710 may have a resistance of 3.3 kilohms, and capacitor 3714 may have a capacitance of, for example, 18 nanofarads. The negative input of operational amplifier 3708 is also connected to node N3718. Resistors 3710, 3712 and capacitor 3714 are connected in a low pass filter circuit configuration.

[0121] The heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 utilizes an operational amplifier 3708 to measure the voltage difference between the input voltage signal COIL_OUT and the output voltage signal COIL_RTN and outputs a scaled heater voltage measurement signal COIL_VOL that represents the voltage across the heater 336. The heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 outputs the scaled heater voltage measurement signal COIL_VOL to an ADC terminal of the controller 2105 for digital sampling and measurement by the controller 2105.

[0122] The gain of the operational amplifier 3708 may be set based on surrounding passive electrical elements (e.g., resistors and capacitors) to improve the dynamic range of the voltage measurement. In one example, the dynamic range of the operational amplifier 3708 may be achieved by scaling the voltage so that the maximum voltage output matches the maximum input range of the ADC (e.g., approximately 2.5V). In at least one exemplary embodiment, the scaling may be approximately 402 mV per 1 V, so the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 may measure a maximum of approximately 2.5V / 0.402V=6.22V.

[0123] The voltage signals COIL_OUT and COIL_RTN are clamped by diodes 3720 and 3722, respectively, to reduce the risk of damage from electrostatic discharge (ESD) events.

[0124] In some exemplary embodiments, a four-wire / Kelvin measurement may be used, and the voltage signals COIL_OUT, COIL_RTN may be measured at the measurement contacts (also called voltage detection connections (as opposed to main power contacts)) to take into account the contact resistance and bulk resistance of the power interface (e.g., electrical connector) between the heater 336 and the aerosol generation device 10.

[0125] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the heater current measurement circuit 21258 shown in FIG.

[0126] 5, the output current signal COIL_RTN_I is input to a four-terminal (4T) measurement resistor 3802 connected to ground. The differential voltage across the four-terminal measurement resistor 3802 is scaled by an operational amplifier 3806, which outputs a heater current measurement signal COIL_CUR indicative of the current flowing through the heater 336. The heater current measurement signal COIL_CUR is output to an ADC terminal of the controller 2105 for digital sampling and measurement by the controller 2105 of the current flowing through the heater 336.

[0127] 5, a four-terminal measurement resistor 3802 may be used to reduce errors in current measurements using four-wire / Kelvin current measurement techniques. In this example, separating the current measurement path from the voltage measurement path may reduce noise in the voltage measurement path.

[0128] The gain of the op amp 3806 can be set to improve the dynamic range of the measurement. In this example, the scaling of the op amp 3806 is approximately 0.820 V / A, so the heater current measurement circuit 21258 can measure up to approximately 2.5 V / (0.820 V / A) = 3.5 A.

[0129] 5 in more detail, a first terminal of a four-terminal measuring resistor 3802 is connected to the terminals of the heater 336 and receives the output current signal COIL_RTN_I. A second terminal of the four-terminal measuring resistor 3802 is connected to ground. A third terminal of the four-terminal measuring resistor 3802 is connected to a low-pass filter circuit (R / C filter) including a resistor 3804, a capacitor 3808, and a resistor 3810. The resistance of resistor 3804 may be 100 Ω, the resistance of resistor 3810 may be 8.2 kilohms, and the capacitance of capacitor 3808 may be, for example, 3.3 nanofarads.

[0130] The output of the low pass filter circuit is connected to the positive input of the operational amplifier 3806. The low pass filter circuit may reduce inaccuracies due to switching noise induced by the PWM signal applied to energize the heater 336 and may have the same phase response / group delay for both current and voltage.

[0131] The heater current measurement circuit 21258 further includes resistors 3812, 3814 and a capacitor 3816. The resistors 3812, 3814 and the capacitor 3816 are connected in a low pass filter circuit configuration to the fourth terminal of the four terminal measurement resistor 3802, the negative input of an operational amplifier 3806 and the output of the operational amplifier 3806, the output of which is connected to the negative input of the operational amplifier 3806. The resistors 3812, 3814 may have resistances of 100 ohms and 8.2 kilohms, respectively, and the capacitor 3816 may have a capacitance of, for example, 3.3 nanofarads.

[0132] The operational amplifier 3806 outputs a differential voltage as a heater current measurement signal COIL_CUR to an ADC terminal of the controller 2105 for sampling and measuring the current flowing through the heater system 36 by the controller 2105 .

[0133] According to at least this exemplary embodiment, the configuration of the heater current measurement circuit 21258 is similar to the configuration of the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252, except that a low pass filter circuit including resistors 3804, 3810 and capacitor 3808 is connected to one terminal of the four terminal measurement resistor 3802, and a low pass filter circuit including resistors 3812, 3814 and capacitor 3816 is connected to another terminal of the four terminal measurement resistor 3802.

[0134] The controller 2105 may average multiple samples (e.g., voltage) over a time window (e.g., about 1 ms) corresponding to the "tick" time (control loop iteration time) used in the aerosol generation device 10 and convert the average value into a mathematical representation of the voltage across and current through the heater 336 through the application of a scaling value. The scaling value may be determined based on the gain settings implemented in each operational amplifier, which may be specific to the hardware of the aerosol generation device 10.

[0135] The controller 2105 may filter the converted voltage and current measurements using, for example, a three-tap moving average filter to attenuate measurement noise. In this case, the controller 2105 may use the filtered measurements to calculate the resistance R of the heater system. HEATER (R HEATER =COIL_VOL / COIL_CUR), the power P applied to the heater 336 HEATER (P HEATER =COIL_VOL*COIL_CUR) etc.

[0136] According to one or more exemplary embodiments, the gain settings of the passive elements of the circuits shown in FIGS. 4 and / or 5 may be adjusted to match the output signal range to the input range of the controller 2105.

[0137] FIG. 6A illustrates an electrical system of an aerosol generating device including a separate compensation voltage measurement circuit according to one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0138] As shown in FIG. 6A, the contact interface between the heater 336 and the aerosol generating device electrical system 2100 includes a four-wire / Kelvin arrangement having an input power contact 6100, an input measurement contact 6200, an output measurement contact 6300, and an output power contact 6400.

[0139] Voltage measurement circuit 21252A receives measurement voltage COIL_OUT_MEAS at input measurement contact 6200 and output measurement voltage COIL_RTN_MEAS at output measurement contact 6300. Voltage measurement circuit 21252A is the same circuit as heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 shown in Figure 4 and outputs a scaled voltage measurement signal COIL_VOL. Although COIL_OUT and COIL_RTN are illustrated in Figure 4, it should be understood that in an exemplary embodiment without a separate compensation voltage measurement circuit, voltage measurement circuit 21252 could receive voltages at input and output measurement contacts 6200, 6300 instead of input and output power contacts 6100, 6400.

[0140] 6A further includes a compensation voltage measurement circuit 21250. The compensation voltage measurement circuit 21250 is similar to the voltage measurement circuit 21252A, except that the compensation voltage measurement circuit 21250 receives the voltage COIL_OUT at the input power contact 6100 and the voltage COIL_RTN at the output power contact 6400, and outputs a compensation voltage measurement signal VCOMP.

[0141] The current measurement circuit 21258 receives the output current signal COIL_RTN_I at the power contacts 6400 and outputs the heater current measurement signal COIL_CUR.

[0142] FIG. 6B illustrates a method for using a compensation voltage measurement signal to adjust a target power for a heater, according to an example embodiment.

[0143] The controller 2105 may perform the method shown in FIG. 6B.

[0144] At S6500, the controller starts the heater power supply loop. At 6505, the controller retrieves operating parameters from memory (e.g., heating engine control circuit threshold voltage, power loss threshold, and wetness timer limit).

[0145] At 6510, the controller determines whether the power dissipated at the contact PCONTACT exceeds a loss threshold. The controller may determine the power dissipated at the contact PCONTACT as follows: PCONTACT=abs((VCOMP*COIL_CUR)-(COIL_VOL*COIL_CUR))

[0146] The loss threshold may be an absolute value (eg, 3 W) or a percentage of the power applied to the heater (eg, 25%).

[0147] If the controller determines that the power loss PCONTACT is less than or equal to the loss threshold, the controller clears the wetness flag in S6515. The controller monitors the compensated voltage measurement signal VCOMP in S6520 and determines whether the compensated voltage measurement signal VCOMP exceeds a threshold voltage VMAX in S6525. The threshold voltage VMAX may be the rated voltage of the heating engine control circuit 2127.

[0148] If the controller determines that the compensated voltage measurement signal VCOMP does not exceed the threshold voltage VMAX, the controller proceeds to the next iteration (i.e., the next time step) at S6530. If the controller determines that the compensated voltage measurement signal VCOMP exceeds the threshold voltage VMAX, the controller reduces the target heater power for the next iteration at S6532 and proceeds to the next iteration at 6530.

[0149] Thus, if the power loss PCONTACT is below the loss threshold, the controller may reduce the applied power to reduce contact heating effects.

[0150] Returning to S6510, if the controller determines that the power loss PCONTACT is greater than the loss threshold, the controller determines whether the wetness flag is set in 6535. If the controller determines that the wetness flag is set in S6535, the controller terminates heating (e.g., does not supply power to the heater) in S6550.

[0151] If the controller determines in S6535 that the wetness flag is not set, then in S6540 the controller determines whether the wetness timer is running. The wetness timer is used to allow increased power dissipation for a desired / selected time (e.g., 200 ms).

[0152] If the controller determines that the wetness timer is not running, the controller starts the wetness timer at S6545 and then proceeds to monitor the compensated voltage measurement signal VCOMP at 6520.

[0153] If the wetness timer is determined to be running in S6540, the controller determines whether the wetness timer has expired in S6555. If the controller determines that the wetness timer has not expired, the controller proceeds to monitor the compensated voltage measurement signal VCOMP in S6520. Thus, it is acceptable for the power loss at contact PCONTACT to be equal to or greater than the power loss threshold if the wetness timer is still running.

[0154] If the controller determines that the wetness timer has elapsed, then the controller sets a wetness flag at 6560. The controller then reduces the target heater power at S6565 so that the power loss at contact PCONTACT is below the loss threshold, and the controller proceeds to monitor the compensated voltage measurement signal VCOMP at 6520. More specifically, the controller sets an upper power limit that the PID controller can use (i.e., instead of allowing the PID loop to use the full power range, it is limited to a lower range, such as 6 W instead of 12 W). The controller continues to use the same temperature error input, but the upper power limit is reduced, resulting in a slower response.

[0155] In other exemplary embodiments, the controller may vary the target temperature.

[0156] Contact resistance changes with temperature (or can be reduced by "wetting currents" that remove oxide layers from the contacts), and as a result the rate at which power is lost at the power contacts can change during use. By compensating for power losses at the contacts, electrical systems can improve power delivery to the heater (e.g., increasing power once wetting effects occur can reduce the wait time to achieve heater temperature).

[0157] On each subsequent iteration of the power supply loop shown in FIG. 6B, the controller 2105 may re-enter the “wetting” process (e.g., to respond to changes in contact force), but the wetness flag is used to prevent the controller from continually restarting the process.

[0158] 7A-7C are circuit diagrams illustrating a heat engine control circuit according to an exemplary embodiment. The heat engine control circuit shown in Figures 7A-7C is an example of the heat engine control circuit 2127 shown in Figure 3.

[0159] The heating engine control circuit includes a boost converter circuit 7020 (FIG. 7A), a first stage 7040 (FIG. 7B), and a second stage 7060 (FIG. 7C).

[0160] The boost converter circuit 7020 is configured to generate a voltage signal VGATE (e.g., a 9V power supply) (also referred to as a power supply signal or an input voltage signal) from a voltage source BATT to power the first stage 7040 based on a first power supply enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE (also referred to as a shutdown signal). The controller may generate the first power supply enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE to have a logic high level when the aerosol generation device is ready for use. In other words, the first power supply enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE has a logic high level at least when the controller detects that a capsule is properly connected to the aerosol generation device. In another exemplary embodiment, the first power supply enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE becomes a logic high level when the controller detects that a capsule is properly connected to the aerosol generation device and detects an operation such as a button being pressed.

[0161] The first stage 7040 utilizes the input voltage signal VGATE from the boost converter circuit 7020 to drive the heating engine control circuit 2127. The first stage 7040 and the second stage 7060 form a buck converter circuit.

[0162] 7A , the boost converter circuit 7020 generates the input voltage signal VGATE only when the first enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE is asserted (present). The controller 2105 may disable VGATE to cut power to the first stage 7040 by deasserting (stopping or terminating) the first enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE. The first enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE may function as a device state power signal for performing an aerosol generation off operation in the device 1000. In this example, the controller 2105 may perform an aerosol generation off operation by deasserting the first enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE, thereby disabling power to the first stage 7040, the second stage 7060, and the heater 336. The controller 2105 may then enable aerosol generation in the device 1000 by re-asserting the first enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE to the boost converter circuit 7020.

[0163] The controller 2105 may generate the first enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE at a logic level such that the boost converter circuit 7020 outputs an input voltage signal VGATE having a high level (approximately 9 V) to enable power to the first stage 7040 and the heater 336, depending on the aerosol generation conditions in the apparatus 1000. The controller 2105 may generate the first enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE at another logic level such that the boost converter circuit 7020 outputs an input voltage signal VGATE having a low level (or approximately 0 V) ​​to disable power to the first stage 7040 and the heater 336, thereby performing a heater-off operation.

[0164] 7A, a capacitor C36 is connected between the voltage source BATT and ground. Capacitor C36 may have a capacitance of 10 microfarads.

[0165] A first terminal of inductor L1006 is connected to node Node1 between voltage source BATT and capacitor C36. Inductor L1006 functions as the main storage element of boost converter circuit 7020. The inductance of inductor L1006 may be 10 microhenries.

[0166] Node 1 is connected to the voltage input terminal A1 of the boost converter chip U11. In some exemplary embodiments, the boost converter chip may be a TPS61046.

[0167] A second terminal of the inductor L1006 is connected to a switch terminal SW of the boost converter chip U11. An enable terminal EN of the boost converter chip U11 is configured to receive a first enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE from the controller 2105.

[0168] In the example shown in FIG. 7A, the boost converter chip U11 functions as the main switching element of the boost converter circuit 7020.

[0169] Resistor R53 is connected between the enable terminal EN of booster converter chip U11 and ground and functions as a pull-down resistor to ensure operation of heater 336 is prevented when first enable signal PWR_EN_GATE is in an indeterminate state. Resistor R53 may have a resistance of 100 kilohms in some exemplary embodiments.

[0170] The voltage output terminal VOUT of the boost converter chip U11 is connected to a first terminal of a resistor R49 and a first terminal of a capacitor C58. The second terminal of the capacitor C58 is connected to ground. The voltage output by the voltage output terminal VOUT is the input voltage signal VGATE.

[0171] The second terminal of resistor R49 and the first terminal of resistor R51 are connected to a second node Node2. The second node Node2 is connected to a feedback terminal FB of the boost converter chip U11. The boost converter chip U11 is configured to generate an input voltage signal VGATE of approximately 9 V using the ratio of the resistance of resistor R49 to the resistance of resistor R51. In some exemplary embodiments, resistor R49 may have a resistance of 680 kilohms, and resistor R51 may have a resistance of 66.5 kilohms.

[0172] Capacitors C36 and C58 act as smoothing capacitors and may have capacitances of 10 microfarads and 4.7 microfarads, respectively. Inductor L1006 may have an inductance selected based on the desired output voltage (e.g., 9V).

[0173] 7B, a first stage 7040 receives an input voltage signal VGATE and a second enable signal COIL_Z. The second enable signal is a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal and is input to the first stage 7040.

[0174] The first stage 7040 includes, among other things, an integrated gate driver U6 configured to convert low current signals from the controller 2105 into high current signals for controlling the switching of the transistors of the first stage 7040. The integrated gate driver U6 is also configured to convert voltage levels from the controller 2105 into voltage levels required by the transistors of the first stage 7040. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7B , the integrated gate driver U6 is a half-bridge driver. However, exemplary embodiments should not be limited to this example.

[0175] More specifically, the input voltage signal VGATE from the boost converter circuit 7020 is input to the first stage 7040 via a filter circuit including a resistor R22 and a capacitor C32. Resistor R22 may have a resistance of 10 Ω, and capacitor C32 may have a capacitance of 1 microfarad.

[0176] A filter circuit including resistor R22 and capacitor C32 is connected to the VCC terminal (terminal 4) of integrated gate driver U6 and the anode of Zener diode D2 at node Node3. The second terminal of capacitor C32 is connected to ground. The anode of Zener diode D2 is connected to a first terminal of capacitor C32 and to boost terminal BST (terminal 1) of integrated gate driver U6 at node Node7. The second terminal of capacitor C31 is connected to switching node terminal SWN (terminal 7) of integrated gate driver U6 and between transistors Q2 and Q3 at node Node8. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7B, Zener diode D2 and capacitor C31 form part of a bootstrap charge pump circuit connected between input voltage terminal VCC and boost terminal BST of integrated gate driver U6. Capacitor C31 is connected to an input voltage signal VGATE from boost converter circuit 7020 and is therefore charged via diode D2 to a voltage approximately equal to the input voltage signal VGATE. Capacitor C31 may have a capacitance of 220 nanofarads.

[0177] 7B, a resistor R25 is connected between the high-side gate driver terminal DRVH (terminal 8) and the switching node terminal SWN (terminal 7). A first terminal of a resistor R29 is connected to the low-side gate driver terminal DRVL at node Node9. A second terminal of the resistor R29 is connected to ground.

[0178] Resistor R23 and capacitor C33 form a filter circuit connected to input terminal IN (terminal 2) of integrated gate driver U6. The filter circuit is configured to remove high-frequency noise from second heater enable signal COIL_Z input to input terminal IN. Second heater enable signal COIL_Z is a PWM signal from controller 2105. Thus, the filter circuit is designed to filter out high-frequency components from the PWM square wave pulse train and slightly shorten the rise and fall times of the square wave edges so that the transistors are gradually turned on and off.

[0179] Resistor R24 ​​is connected to the filter circuit and to input terminal IN at node Node 10. Resistor R24 ​​is used as a pull-down resistor so that when second heater enable signal COIL_Z is floating (or indeterminate), input terminal IN of integrated gate driver U6 is held at a logic low level, preventing activation of heater 336.

[0180] Resistor R30 and capacitor C37 form a filter circuit connected to terminal OD (terminal 3) of integrated gate driver U6, which is configured to remove high frequency noise from the input voltage signal VGATE input to terminal OD.

[0181] Resistor R31 is connected to the filter circuit and to terminal OD of node Node11. Resistor R31 is used as a pull-down resistor so that when the input voltage signal VGATE is floating (or indeterminate), terminal OD of integrated gate driver U6 is held at a logic low level, preventing activation of heater 336. The signal output by the filter circuit formed by resistor R30 and capacitor C37 is referred to as the filtered signal GATEON. R30 and R31 also form a frequency divider circuit that divides the signal VGATE down to 2.5V or less for the transistor driver chip input.

[0182] Transistors Q2 and Q3 are field effect transistors (FETs) connected in series between voltage source BATT and ground. Additionally, a first terminal of inductor L3 is connected to voltage source BATT. A second terminal of inductor L3 is connected to a first terminal of capacitor C30 at node Node12 and to the drain of transistor Q2. A second terminal of capacitor C30 is connected to ground. Inductor L3 and capacitor C30 form a filter to reduce and / or prevent transient spikes from voltage source BATT.

[0183] The gate of transistor Q3 is connected to the low-side gate driver terminal DRVL (terminal 5) of the integrated gate driver U6, the drain of transistor Q3 is connected to the switching node terminal SWN (terminal 7) of the integrated gate driver U6 at node Node8, and the source of transistor Q3 is connected to ground GND. When the low-side gate drive signal output from the low-side gate driver terminal DRVL is high, transistor Q3 is in a low impedance state (ON), thereby connecting node Node8 to ground.

[0184] As described above, because capacitor C31 is connected to the input voltage signal VGATE from boost converter circuit 7020, capacitor C31 is charged via diode D2 to a voltage equal to or substantially equal to the input voltage signal VGATE.

[0185] When the low-side gate drive signal output from the low-side gate driver terminal DRVL is low, the transistor Q3 switches to a high-impedance state (OFF), and the high-side gate driver terminal DRVH (terminal 8) is internally connected to the boost terminal BST in the integrated gate driver U6. As a result, the transistor Q2 switches to a low-impedance state (ON), thereby connecting the switching node SWN to the voltage source BATT and pulling up the switching node SWN (node ​​8) to the voltage of the voltage source BATT.

[0186] In this case, node Node7 is boosted to a bootstrap voltage V(BST)≈V(VGATE)+V(BATT), which allows the gate-source voltage of transistor Q2 to be the same or substantially the same as the voltage of input voltage signal VGATE (e.g., V(VGATE)), regardless of (or independent of) the voltage from voltage source BATT. This circuit arrangement ensures that the BST voltage does not change when the voltage source voltage drops, i.e., the transistor switches efficiently even when the voltage from voltage source BATT changes.

[0187] As a result, switching node SWN (node ​​8) provides a high current switching signal that can be used to generate a voltage output to second stage 7060 (and to heater 336), which has a maximum value equal to the battery voltage source BATT, but is otherwise substantially independent of the voltage output from the battery voltage source BATT.

[0188] The first terminal of capacitor C34 and the anode of Zener diode D4 are connected to the output terminal of second stage 7060 at node Node13. The capacitor C34 and resistor R28 are connected in series. The second terminal of capacitor C34 and the first terminal of resistor R28 are connected together. The cathode of Zener diode D4 and the second terminal of resistor R28 are connected to ground.

[0189] Capacitor C34, Zener diode D4 and resistor R28 form a back EMF (electric and magnetic fields) prevention circuit that prevents energy from inductor L4 (shown in FIG. 7C) from flowing back into first stage 7040.

[0190] Resistor R25 is connected between the gate of transistor Q2 and the drain of transistor Q3. Resistor R25 acts as a pull-down resistor to ensure that transistor Q2 switches to a high impedance state.

[0191] The output of the first stage 7040 is substantially independent of and less than the voltage of the voltage source. When the second heater enable signal COIL_Z is 100% PWM, transistor Q2 is always activated and the output of the first stage 7040 is at or substantially at the voltage of the voltage source.

[0192] FIG. 7C shows the second stage 7060. The second stage 7060 increases the voltage of the output signal from the first stage 7040. More specifically, when the second heater enable signal COIL_Z is at a constant logic high level, the third enable signal COIL_X can be activated to increase the output of the first stage 7040. The third enable signal COIL_X is a PWM signal from the controller 2105. The controller 2105 controls the pulse width of the third enable signal COIL_X to boost the output of the first stage 7040 and generate the input voltage signal COIL_OUT. When the third enable signal COIL_X is at a constant logic low level, the output of the second stage 7060 becomes the output of the first stage 7040.

[0193] The second stage 7060 receives the input voltage signal VGATE, the third enable signal COIL_X, and the filtered signal GATEON.

[0194] The second stage 7060 includes, among other things, an integrated gate driver U7 configured to convert low current signals from the controller 2105 into high current signals for controlling the switching of the transistors of the second stage 7060. The integrated gate driver U7 is also configured to convert voltage levels from the controller 2105 into voltage levels required by the transistors of the second stage 7060. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7B , the integrated gate driver U7 is a half-bridge driver. However, exemplary embodiments should not be limited to this example.

[0195] More specifically, the input voltage signal VGATE from the boost converter circuit 7020 is input to the second stage 7060 via a filter circuit including a resistor R18 and a capacitor C28. Resistor R18 may have a resistance of 10 ohms, and capacitor C28 may have a capacitance of 1 microfarad.

[0196] A filter circuit including resistor R18 and capacitor C28 is connected to the VCC terminal (terminal 4) of integrated gate driver U7 and the anode of Zener diode D1 at node Node14. A second terminal of capacitor C28 is connected to ground. An anode of Zener diode D2 is connected to a first terminal of capacitor C27 and to boost terminal BST (terminal 1) of integrated gate driver U7 at node Node15. A second terminal of capacitor C27 is connected at node Node16 between switching node terminal SWN (terminal 7) of integrated gate driver U7 and transistors Q1 and Q4.

[0197] 7C, Zener diode D1 and capacitor C27 form part of a bootstrap charge pump circuit connected between input voltage terminal VCC and boost terminal BST of integrated gate driver U7. Capacitor C27 is connected to input voltage signal VGATE from boost converter circuit 7020 and is therefore charged to a voltage approximately equal to input voltage signal VGATE through diode D1. Capacitor C31 may have a capacitance of 220 nanofarads.

[0198] 7C, resistor R21 is connected between high-side gate driver terminal DRVH (terminal 8) and switching node terminal SWN (terminal 7). The gate of transistor Q4 is connected to low-side gate driver terminal DRVL (terminal 5) of integrated gate driver U7.

[0199] A first terminal of inductor L4 is connected to the output of the first stage 7040, and a second terminal of inductor L4 is connected to node Node16. Inductor L4 functions as a main storage element for the output of the first stage 7040. In an example operation, when integrated gate driver U7 outputs a low-level signal from low-side gate driver terminal DRVL (terminal 5), transistor Q4 switches to a low-impedance state (ON), allowing current to flow through inductor L4 and transistor Q4. This causes energy to be stored in inductor L4, and the current increases linearly with time. The current in the inductor is proportional to the transistor's switching frequency (which is controlled by the third heater enable signal COIL_X).

[0200] Resistor R10 and capacitor C29 form a filter circuit connected to input terminal IN (terminal 2) of integrated gate driver U7, configured to remove high-frequency noise from the third heater enable signal COIL_X input to input terminal IN.

[0201] Resistor R20 is connected to the filter circuit and to input terminal IN of node Node 17. Resistor R20 is used as a pull-down resistor so that when third heater enable signal COIL_X is floating (or indeterminate), input terminal IN of integrated gate driver U7 is held at a logic low level, preventing activation of heater 336.

[0202] Resistor R30 and capacitor C37 form a filter circuit connected to terminal OD (terminal 3) of integrated gate driver U6, which is configured to remove high frequency noise from the input voltage signal VGATE input to terminal OD.

[0203] Terminal OD of integrated gate driver U7 receives the filtered signal GATEON.

[0204] The transistors Q1 and Q4 are field effect transistors (FETs). The gate of the transistor Q1 and the first terminal of the resistor R21 are connected to the high-side gate driver terminal DRVH (terminal 8) of the integrated gate driver U7 at the node Node18.

[0205] The source of transistor Q1 is connected to the second terminal of resistor R21, the anode of Zener diode D3, the drain of transistor Q4, the first terminal of capacitor C35, the second terminal of capacitor C27, and the switching node terminal SWN (terminal 7) of integrated gate driver U7 at node Node16.

[0206] The gate of transistor Q4 is connected to the low-side gate driver terminal DRVL (terminal 5) of integrated gate driver U7 and to the first terminal of resistor R27 at node Node19. The source of transistor Q4 and the second terminal of resistor R27 are connected to ground.

[0207] The second terminal of capacitor C35 is connected to the first terminal of resistor R29, the second terminal of which is connected to ground.

[0208] The drain of transistor Q1 is connected at node Node20 to a first terminal of capacitor C36, a cathode of Zener diode D3, and a cathode of Zener diode D5. The second terminal of capacitor C36 and the anode of Zener diode D5 are connected to ground. An output terminal 7065 of second stage 7060 is connected to node Node20 and outputs input voltage signal COIL_OUT. Output terminal 7065 serves as the output of heating engine control circuit 2127.

[0209] Capacitor C35 may be a smoothing capacitor, and the resistor limits inrush current. Zener diode D3 is a blocking diode to prevent the voltage at node Node20 from discharging into capacitor C35. Capacitor C36 is an output capacitor charged by the second stage 7060 (reducing ripple on COIL_OUT), and Zener diode D5 is an ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection diode.

[0210] When the low-side gate drive signal output from the low-side gate driver terminal DRVL is at a high level, the transistor Q4 is in a low impedance state (ON), thereby connecting the node Node16 to ground and increasing the energy stored in the magnetic field of the inductor L4.

[0211] As described above, since capacitor C27 is connected to the input voltage signal VGATE from the boost converter circuit 7020, capacitor C27 charges through diode D1 to a voltage equal to or substantially equal to the input voltage signal VGATE.

[0212] When the low-side gate drive signal output from the low-side gate driver terminal DRVL is low, the transistor Q4 switches to a high-impedance state (off), and the high-side gate driver terminal DRVH (terminal 8) is internally connected to the bootstrap terminal BST within the integrated gate driver U7. As a result, the transistor Q1 switches to a low-impedance state (on), and the switching node SWN is connected to the inductor L4.

[0213] In this case, node Node15 is boosted to a bootstrap voltage V(BST)≈V(VGATE)+V(INDUCTOR), which may cause the gate-source voltage of transistor Q1 to be the same or substantially the same as the voltage of input voltage signal VGATE (e.g., V(VGATE)), regardless of (or independent of) the voltage from inductor L4. Because second stage 7060 is a boost circuit, the bootstrap voltage may also be referred to as a boost voltage.

[0214] The switching node SWN (node ​​8) is connected to the inductor voltage and the output capacitor C36 is charged, generating a voltage output signal COIL_OUT (the voltage output to the heater 336) that is substantially independent of the voltage output from the first stage 7040.

[0215] 8A-8B illustrate a method for controlling a heater in a non-flammable aerosol generating device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0216] Many non-combustible devices preheat organic materials (e.g., tobacco) before use. Preheating is used to raise the temperature of the material to a point where the target compounds begin to volatilize, so that the initial negative pressure applied by the adult operator will contain the appropriate aerosol volume and composition.

[0217] In at least some exemplary embodiments, applied energy is used as the basis for controlling the heater during preheating. Using applied energy to control the heater improves the quality and consistency of the initial negative pressure applied by the adult operator. In contrast, time and temperature are commonly used as the basis for controlling preheating.

[0218] 8A-8B may be implemented in the controller 2105. In one example, the method of Figures 8A-8B may be implemented as part of a device manager finite automaton (FSM) software implementation running on the controller 2105.

[0219] As shown in Figure 8A, the method includes applying a first power based on a first target preheat temperature in S805. An exemplary embodiment of S805 is further illustrated in Figure 8B.

[0220] As shown in FIG. 8B, the controller detects that a capsule has been inserted into the aerosol generating device. In some exemplary embodiments, the controller obtains a signal from an open / close switch coupled to the door, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C. In other exemplary embodiments, the aerosol generating device further includes (or alternatively includes) a capsule detection switch. The capsule detection switch detects whether the capsule has been properly inserted (e.g., the capsule detection switch is depressed / closed upon proper insertion of the capsule). Upon proper insertion of the capsule, the controller may generate a signal PWR_EN_VGATE (shown in FIG. 7A) as a logic high level. Additionally, the controller may perform a heater continuity check to determine that a capsule has been inserted and that the heater resistance is within a specified range (e.g., ±20%).

[0221] After a capsule is inserted (detected by a switch) and / or when the aerosol generating device 10 is turned on (e.g., by pressing a button), the heater 336 is briefly powered (~50 ms) with a low-power signal (~1 W) from the heating engine control circuit, and during this impulse of energy, a resistance can be calculated from the measured voltage and current. If the measured resistance is within a specified range (e.g., nominal 2100 mΩ ±20%), the capsule is considered acceptable and the system can proceed with aerosol generation.

[0222] The low power and short duration are intended to provide minimal heating to the capsule (to prevent aerosol generation).

[0223] At S825, the controller retrieves the operating parameters from the memory. The operating parameters include the maximum power level (P max)The operating parameters may include values ​​specifying an initial preheat temperature, a subsequent preheat temperature, and a preheat energy threshold. For example, the operating parameters may be predetermined based on heuristic data or adjusted based on measurements (e.g., voltage or current) obtained from the capsule. However, example embodiments are not limited in this regard. Additionally or alternatively, the operating parameters may include different initial preheat temperatures for subsequent instances of the multi-instance device. For example, the controller may obtain the operating parameters for a first instance and the operating parameters for a second subsequent instance.

[0224] In S830, the controller may cause the aerosol generating device to indicate an "on" state. The controller may cause the aerosol generating device to generate a visual indicator and / or tactile feedback to indicate the "on" state.

[0225] In S835, the controller determines whether pre-heating has been initiated. In some exemplary embodiments, the controller may initiate pre-heating upon receiving input from the on-product controls indicating that the consumer has pressed a button to initiate pre-heating. In some exemplary embodiments, the button may be separate from the button that powers on the aerosol generating device, and in other exemplary embodiments, the button may be the same button that powers on the aerosol generating device. In other exemplary embodiments, pre-heating may be initiated based on another input, such as sensing airflow above a threshold. In other exemplary embodiments, the on-product controls may allow the adult operator to select one or more temperature profiles (each temperature profile associated with operating parameters stored in memory).

[0226] If the controller determines that preheating has not started, the method proceeds to S880, where the controller determines whether the off timer has elapsed. If the off timer has not elapsed, the method returns to S830. If the controller determines that the off timer has elapsed, the controller causes the aerosol generating device to display an "off" state in S885 and turns off the power in S890. When the detected airflow rate falls below a threshold, the off timer starts. The off timer is used to display the "off" state based on a period of inactivity, such as 15 minutes. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited to 15 minutes. For example, the duration of the off timer can be between approximately 5 minutes and approximately 60 minutes or more.

[0227] In S835, if the controller determines that preheating has started (e.g., if it detects an input from the on-product controls), the controller retrieves from memory operating parameters associated with the input from the on-product controls. In one example, if the aerosol generation instance is not the first instance of the capsule, the controller may retrieve operating parameters associated with the instance number. For example, the memory may store different target temperatures based on the instance number (e.g., different target temperatures for each instance number) and different target energy levels to use for preheating based on the instance number.

[0228] The first instance is generated the first time the controller starts the preheat algorithm after detecting that a capsule has been removed and then inserted. The instance number is incremented if the instance times out (e.g., after 8 minutes) or if the consumer powers off the device during the instance.

[0229] Upon obtaining the operating parameters in S840, the controller may cause the aerosol generating device to display an indication that pre-heating has commenced via the aerosol indicator in S845.

[0230] In S850, the controller ramps up the heater's available maximum power (through the VGATE, COIL_Z, and COIL_X signals provided to the heating engine control circuit 2127) (e.g., the controller provides 10 W of maximum available power within 200 ms). More specifically, the controller requests maximum power but ramps up to the maximum power to reduce the instantaneous load on the power supply. In the exemplary embodiment, the maximum available power is set based on the battery's capacity and is a value that minimizes overshoot (i.e., how much energy can be input to the aerosol-forming substrate without burning it) so that the aerosol-forming substrate is not burned by the heater. The maximum available power is set empirically to between 10 and 15 W. In S855, the controller provides the maximum available power until it determines that the heater's initial target preheat temperature (e.g., 320°C) is approaching. While 320°C is illustrated as the initial target preheat temperature, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the initial target preheat temperature may be less than 400°C, such as 350°C. Further, the target initial preheat temperature is based on the material of the aerosol-forming substrate. The controller may determine the temperature of the heater using measured voltages from the heater voltage measurement circuit (e.g., COIL_VOL) and compensation voltage measurement circuit, and measured currents from the heater current measurement circuit (e.g., COIL_RTN_I). The controller may determine the temperature of the heater 336 in any known manner (e.g., based on a relatively linear relationship between the resistance and temperature of the heater 336).

[0231] Additionally, the controller may use the measured current COIL_RTN_I and the measured voltage COIL_RTN to determine (e.g., using Ohm's law or other known methods) the resistance of the heater 336, the heater resistance R Heater For example, according to at least some example embodiments, the controller may divide the measured voltage COIL_RTN (or the compensation voltage VCOMP) by the measured current COIL_RTN_I to determine the heater resistance R Heater It is possible.

[0232] In some exemplary embodiments, the measured voltage COIL_RTN measured at the measurement junction for resistance calculation may be used for temperature control.

[0233] For example, the controller 2105 may use the following equation to determine (i.e., estimate) the temperature: R Heater =R0[1+α(T-T0)]where α is the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) value of the heater material, R0 is the starting resistance, T0 is the starting temperature, R Heater is the current resistance judgment value, and T is the estimated temperature.

[0234] The starting resistance R0 is stored in memory 2130 by controller 2105 during initial preheating. More specifically, controller 2105 may measure the starting resistance R0 when the power applied to heater 336 reaches a value where the effect of measurement error on temperature calculations is reduced. For example, controller 2105 may measure the starting resistance R0 when the power supplied to heater 336 is 1 W (where the resistance measurement error is less than about 1%).

[0235] The start temperature T0 is the ambient temperature when the controller 2105 measures the start resistance R0. The controller 2105 may determine the start temperature T0 using an on-board thermistor or any temperature measuring device to measure the start temperature T0.

[0236] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a 10 ms (millisecond) measurement interval may be used (as this may be the maximum sample rate) for measurements obtained from the heater current measurement circuit 21258 and the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252. However, in at least one other exemplary embodiment, a 1 ms measurement interval (system tick rate) may be used for resistance-based heater measurements.

[0237] In other exemplary embodiments, determining the heater temperature value may include retrieving the heater temperature value from a look-up table (LUT) based on the determined resistance. In some exemplary embodiments, a LUT numbered by change in resistance relative to the starting resistance may be used.

[0238] The LUT may store a plurality of temperature values ​​corresponding to a plurality of heater resistors, and the obtained heater temperature value may be the temperature value corresponding to the determined resistor from among the plurality of temperature values ​​stored in the LUT.

[0239] Additionally, the aerosol generation device 10 may store (e.g., in the memory 2130) a look-up table (LUT) that stores a plurality of heater resistance values ​​as indices for a plurality of corresponding heater temperature values ​​also stored in the LUT. As a result, the controller may use the previously determined heater resistance R as an index into the LUT to identify (e.g., look up) a corresponding heater temperature T from among the heater temperatures stored in the LUT. Heater The current temperature of the heater 336 can be estimated by using

[0240] When the controller determines that the initial target preheat temperature is being approached, the controller begins reducing the power applied to the heater to an intermediate power level in S855 to avoid temperature overshoot.

[0241] A proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller (shown in FIG. 9) applies proportional control based on the error signal (i.e., the target temperature minus the currently determined temperature), so as the error signal decreases towards zero, the controller 2105 begins to back off the applied power (which is mostly controlled by the proportional term (P) of the PID controller, but the integral term (I) and derivative terms also contribute).

[0242] The P, I, and D values ​​balance overshoot, delay time, and steady-state error, controlling how the PID controller regulates the output. The P, I, and D values ​​are derived empirically or by simulation.

[0243] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a thermal heating engine control algorithm according to at least some example embodiments.

[0244] 9, the thermal heating engine control algorithm 900 uses a PID controller 970 to control the amount of power applied to the heating engine control circuit 2127 to achieve a desired temperature. For example, as discussed in more detail below, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the thermal heating engine control algorithm 900 includes obtaining a determined temperature value 974 (e.g., determined as described above), obtaining a target temperature value (e.g., target temperature 976) from memory 2130, and controlling, by a PID controller (e.g., PID controller 970), the level of power provided to the heater based on the determined heater temperature value and the target temperature value.

[0245] Furthermore, according to at least some example embodiments, the target temperature 976 serves as a set point (ie, a temperature set point) in a PID control loop controlled by the PID controller 970 .

[0246] As a result, the PID controller 970 continuously corrects the level of the power control signal 972 to control the power waveforms 930 (i.e., COIL_X and COIL_Z) output to the heating engine control circuit 2127 by the set power level operation 944 such that the difference (e.g., the magnitude of the difference) between the target temperature 976 and the determined temperature 974 is reduced, or alternatively minimized. The difference between the target temperature 976 and the determined temperature 974 may also be considered an error value that the PID controller 970 works to reduce or minimize.

[0247] For example, according to at least some example embodiments, set power level operation 944 outputs power waveform 930, such that the level of power waveform 930 is controlled by power control signal 972. Heating engine control circuit 2127 increases or decreases the amount of power supplied by power supply 1234 to heater 336 in a manner proportional to the increase or decrease in the magnitude of the power level of the power level waveform output to heating engine control circuit 2127. As a result, by controlling power control signal 972, PID controller 970 controls the level of power supplied to heater 336 (e.g., by power supply 1234) such that the magnitude of the difference between a target temperature value (e.g., target temperature 976) and a determined temperature value (e.g., determined temperature 974) is reduced, or alternatively minimized.

[0248] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the PID controller 970 may operate according to known PID control methods. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the PID controller 970 may generate two or more terms from among a proportional term (P), an integral term (I), and a derivative term (D), and the PID controller 970 may use the two or more terms to adjust or correct the power control signal 972 according to known methods. In some exemplary embodiments, the same PID settings may be used for the first preheat stage and the next preheat stage.

[0249] In other exemplary embodiments, different PID settings may be used for each stage (eg, if the target temperatures used for the first and second preheats are substantially different).

[0250] Figure 10 illustrates an exemplary manner in which the level of the power waveform 930 may change over time as the PID controller 970 continuously corrects the power control signal 972 provided to the power level setting operation 944. Figure 10 illustrates an exemplary manner in which the level of the power waveform 930 may change as temperature and energy thresholds are reached. The power in Figure 10 is COIL_VOL*COIL_CUR. In Figure 10, the PID loop increases the applied power to the maximum power P as the temperature approaches the set point. maxThis reduces overshoot of the target temperature.

[0251] FIG. 10 is described in more detail below.

[0252] Returning to FIG. 8A, the controller determines, in S810, an estimated energy supplied to the heater as part of applying the first power.

[0253] 8B and described above, the controller controls the power supplied to the heater in S855. In S860, the controller determines whether the estimated energy applied to the heater has reached the preheat energy threshold. More specifically, the controller integrates the power supplied to the heater since preheating began to estimate the energy supplied to the heater. In an exemplary embodiment, the controller determines the power applied to the heater every millisecond (POWER = COIL_VOL * COIL_CUR) and uses the determined power as part of the integration.

[0254] If the controller determines that the preheat energy threshold has not been met, the method proceeds to S855 where power is supplied to the heater as part of the heater preheat process.

[0255] When the controller determines that the applied energy has reached the preheat energy threshold (e.g., 75 J), it causes the aerosol generating device to output a preheat completion indication via the aerosol indicator in S865.

[0256] 8A and 8B, the controller applies a second power to the heater in S815 when the preheat energy threshold is met. The second power may be less than the first power.

[0257] The controller changes the initial target preheat temperature of the heater to the next preheat temperature (e.g., 300°C), and the controller appropriately reduces the input power to a second power using the temperature control algorithm described in Figure 9. The next preheat temperature may be lower than the initial target preheat temperature based on empirical data. In some exemplary embodiments, the next preheat temperature may be based on the number of times negative pressure is applied to the device while the capsule is in the device.

[0258] 8B and 10 show preheating to the next target preheat temperature, the adult operator may initiate aerosol generation after the initial preheat temperature is reached. More specifically, the controller 2105 may initiate aerosol generation (i.e., supplying power to the heater so that it reaches a temperature sufficient to generate aerosol) when it detects negative pressure being applied by the adult operator and when the initial target preheat temperature is reached.

[0259] The preheat energy threshold may be determined based on empirical data and determined to be sufficient energy to generate a desired / selected amount of aerosol when a negative pressure exceeding the pressure threshold is applied.

[0260] In S875, the adult operator may apply negative pressure to the aerosol generating device, which in response heats the pre-aerosol formulation within the capsule to generate an aerosol.

[0261] Using applied energy as a factor to control the temperature of the heater and / or the temperature during heating improves the experience and energy efficiency, thereby conserving battery power.

[0262] 10 is a timing diagram of the method shown in FIGS. 8A-8B. At T1, preheating begins and the controller sets the maximum power P maxAt T2, the controller determines that the heater is approaching the initial target preheat temperature Temp1 (due to a decreasing error signal in the PID control loop) and increases the applied power to P to avoid temperature overshoot. max to intermediate power P int The intermediate power P int The decrease to includes at least two intervals Int1 and Int2. The controller reduces power at a faster rate (i.e., a greater slope) during interval Int1 than during interval Int2. Interval Int2 has a reduced rate of change so that the intermediate power Pint is reached substantially simultaneously with the controller determining that the initial preheat temperature Temp1 has been reached. The PID settings used for preheating may be the same in both intervals Int1 and Int2 (e.g., P=100, I=0.25, D=0). The change in power application during intervals Int1 and Int2 is the result of a decrease in the temperature error signal.

[0263] At T3, the controller determines that the first preheat temperature Temp1 has been reached. At T4, the controller determines that the applied energy has reached the preheat energy threshold and reduces the power to a second power P2 to maintain the heater temperature at the next preheat temperature Temp2.

[0264] Intermediate power P int The transition from P to the second power P2 includes two intervals Int3 and Int4. In the interval Int3, the controller decreases the power with a first slope. In the interval Int4, the controller increases the power with a slope smaller than the magnitude of the first slope. The controller then increases the power until the power reaches P dip and when this is smaller than the second power P2, the interval Int4 starts.

[0265] According to one or more exemplary embodiments, the (non-combustible) aerosol generating device may determine the effectiveness of an inserted capsule based on the length of time that maximum power is applied to the heater and the measured heating characteristics and / or heating characteristic waveform (also called a profile) for at least a portion of the capsule (e.g., the heater and / or the aerosol-forming substrate), and may control the aerosol generating device based on the determined effectiveness of the capsule. The aerosol generating device may measure and record the heating characteristics and / or heating characteristic waveform in real time.

[0266] According to one or more exemplary embodiments, the aerosol generating device may be configured to determine the validity of the capsule during pre-heating of the capsule and enable or disable further pre-heating and / or aerosol generation based on whether the capsule is a valid capsule.

[0267] Among other things, the aerosol generating device can include a controller and a memory storing computer-readable instructions. The controller can be configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the aerosol generating device to apply power to the heater during a pre-heat interval, record, during at least a portion of the pre-heat interval, one or more heating profile waveforms resulting from the application of power to the heater during the pre-heat interval, and determine whether the capsule is valid based on the one or more heating profile waveforms and / or the length of time that maximum power is applied to the heater. The maximum power applied to the heater can be measured directly.

[0268] According to one or more exemplary embodiments, one or more heating characteristics and / or characteristic waveforms (e.g., during at least a portion of the initial preheating from an initial (e.g., room temperature) temperature to an initial target preheating temperature) may be correlated to a number of physical variables in the capsule's construction. These physical variables may include, for example: (i) the composition of the aerosol-forming substrate (e.g., organic plant material, etc.) in terms of the aerosol-forming substrate's thermal mass, thermal conductivity within the aerosol-forming substrate's mass, thermal contact with the heater, etc., which changes as the aerosol-forming substrate is depleted; (ii) surface area, thermal mass, temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR), structural integrity (e.g., partial shorting caused by individual elements of the heater contacting each other), etc.; and / or (iii) the material (e.g., thermal mass and electrical conductivity of the material) utilized in the capsule body, such as the capsule shell or housing components, where the material(s) used for the shell and its(their) thickness may have a relatively strong effect on the capsule's heating characteristics.

[0269] These physical variables can indicate the validity of the aerosol-forming substrate and / or capsule structure, and as a result, deviations from the expected heating profile (and / or heating profile waveform) can be used to determine whether a capsule inserted into an aerosol-generating device is a valid capsule (e.g., whether the capsule is authentic (or counterfeit), whether the capsule meets relatively strict manufacturing standards (is of sufficient quality), whether the aerosol-forming substrate is depleted or substantially depleted, etc.).

[0270] As discussed herein, a valid capsule may refer, for example, to an authentic and properly manufactured capsule (e.g., a capsule of adequate or sufficient quality, within manufacturing tolerances or relatively strict manufacturing standards), a capsule that has not been damaged or tampered with prior to insertion into an aerosol generating device, a capsule that is not depleted (e.g., completely depleted), etc.

[0271] The one or more heating characteristic waveforms may include a recorded resistance waveform (also referred to as a characteristic resistance signature), an applied power waveform (also referred to as an applied power signature), and / or a recorded temperature waveform (also referred to as a characteristic temperature waveform). The one or more heating characteristic waveforms may be acquired during preheating of the heater to a target preheat temperature. According to one or more exemplary embodiments, an airflow waveform may also be recorded. The airflow waveform may be utilized to compensate (or mask) disturbances induced in other waveforms. The period during which the one or more heating characteristic waveforms are recorded may be referred to as a validation period.

[0272] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the controller may determine whether the capsule is valid based on a comparison between one or more heating characteristic waveforms and one or more corresponding expected heating characteristic envelopes (also referred to as profiles, signatures, or waveforms). As discussed herein, the one or more expected heating characteristic envelopes may be more generally referred to as capsule validation information, capsule information, or capsule authentication information. The capsule validation information may be stored in a memory. In one example, the capsule verification information may be stored in a look-up table (LUT).

[0273] The one or more expected heating profile envelopes may include one or more of an expected resistance profile envelope, an expected power profile envelope, and / or an expected temperature profile envelope expected in response to application of power to a heater in the capsule during preheating. The controller may compare the one or more heating profile waveforms recorded during preheating with corresponding ones of the one or more expected heating profile envelopes to determine whether the capsule inserted into the aerosol generation device is valid.

[0274] The expected resistance profile envelope may be defined as upper and lower resistance limits at each 1 ms time step or "tick" of the timer interval (e.g., at least a portion of the preheat interval). The expected power profile may be defined as upper and lower power limits at each 1 ms time step or "tick" of the timer interval. The expected temperature profile envelope may be defined as upper and lower temperature limits at each 1 ms time step or "tick" of the timer interval.

[0275] Upper and lower limits for each of the one or more heating characteristic envelopes expected at each 1 ms increment may be preset, for example, empirically or based on test results obtained on capsules known to be effective.

[0276] In one example, a tolerance on the order of ±5% from the nominal value may be used as the upper and lower limits. However, exemplary embodiments should not be limited to this example. Rather, in another example, a tighter tolerance (e.g., about ±1% from the nominal value) may be used at the beginning of the waveform, with the tolerance increasing as the waveform progresses. This may reflect practical considerations that the profile is better controlled (e.g., governed by heater configuration) at the beginning of the waveform than at the end of the waveform, where the profile is governed by more variable influences such as tobacco composition, heat conduction, etc.

[0277] Examples of heating characteristic waveforms will be described later with reference to FIGS.

[0278] Exemplary embodiments are described in more detail below with respect to the devices and electrical systems described above (e.g., in Figures 1A-10), but exemplary embodiments should not be limited to these examples.

[0279] 11A and 11B are flowcharts illustrating a method for controlling an aerosol generating device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0280] For illustrative purposes, the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 11A and 11B will be described with respect to operations performed by controller 2105 of Figure 3. However, the exemplary embodiment should not be limited to this example. The method shown in Figures 11A and 11B can be described as being performed by an aerosol generating device including at least one processor and a memory storing computer-executable instructions, where the at least one processor is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the aerosol generating device to perform the operations of one or more exemplary embodiments. Furthermore, the processor, memory, and exemplary algorithms encoded as computer program code can function as means for providing or causing the operations discussed herein to be performed.

[0281] Referring to Figures 11A and 11B, in S820, the controller 2105 detects that the capsule 100 has been inserted into the aerosol generation device 10 in the same or substantially the same manner as described above with respect to S820 of Figure 8B.

[0282] In S825, the controller 2105 retrieves the operating parameters from the memory 2130 in the same or substantially the same manner as described above with respect to S825 of FIG. 8B.

[0283] In S830, the controller 2105 causes the aerosol generation device 10 to indicate an "on" state in the same or substantially the same manner as described above with respect to S830 of FIG. 8B.

[0284] In S835, the controller 2105 determines whether pre-heating of the aerosol generation device 10 has started in the same or substantially the same manner as described above with respect to S835 of FIG. 8B.

[0285] If the controller 2105 determines that preheating has not started, then in S880, the controller 2105 determines whether the off timer has elapsed. The off timer is used to indicate an "off" state based on a period of inactivity, such as 15 minutes. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited to 15 minutes. For example, the duration of the off timer may be between about 5 minutes and about 60 minutes or more. In one example, the off timer may start when the capsule 100 is inserted (and the aerosol generation device 10 is turned on).

[0286] If the off timer has not expired, the method returns to S830 and continues as described herein.

[0287] Returning to S880, if the controller 2105 determines that the off timer has elapsed, the controller 2105 causes the aerosol generating device 10 to display an "off" state in S885 and turn off the power in S890, as described above with respect to FIG. 8B.

[0288] Returning to S835, if the controller 2105 determines that pre-heating has begun (e.g., detects input from the on-product controls), then in S1140 the controller 2105 retrieves operating parameters associated with the input from the on-product controls from the memory 2130 in the same or substantially the same manner as described above with respect to S840 of FIG. 8B. Also in S1140, the controller 2105 starts a pre-heat timer in the clock circuit 2128. The pre-heat timer tracks the current pre-heat interval of the capsule 100.

[0289] After obtaining the operating parameters and starting the preheat timer in S1140, in S845 the controller 2105 causes the aerosol generating device 10 to display an indication that preheating has begun via the aerosol indicator 2135 in the same or substantially the same manner as described above with respect to S845 of FIG. 8B.

[0290] In S1156, the controller 2105 starts a maximum power timer and a preheat monitor timer. The preheat monitor timer is a timer that defines the length of a measurement window used to record samples for the next capsule 100 validity check. In one example, the measurement window is about 7 seconds. The maximum power timer tracks the length of time the system is at maximum power (e.g., the maximum available power is applied to the heater 336).

[0291] 11B, in S855, the controller 2105 applies power (activates) to the heater 336. In one example, the controller 2105 causes the heater 336 to provide the maximum available power (e.g., approximately 10 W) (via the VGATE, COIL_Z, and COIL_X signals provided to the heating engine control circuit 2127) in the same or substantially the same manner as described above with respect to S850 of FIG.

[0292] In one example, the controller 2105 causes the heating engine control circuit 2127 to apply maximum available power until the controller 2105 determines that the initial target preheat temperature (e.g., 320°C) of the heater 336 is being approached. The controller 2105 may determine that the initial target preheat temperature (e.g., 320°C) of the heater 336 is being approached in the same or substantially the same manner as described above with respect to FIG. 8B.

[0293] 11A and 11B, if an adult operator draws on (e.g., applies sufficient negative pressure to) the aerosol generating device 10 during preheating (e.g., sufficient negative pressure to trigger detection of airflow by sensor 1248 and activate the aerosol generating device 10), the controller 2105 can measure the magnitude of the airflow through the aerosol generating device 10 and compensate for the induced change in heating characteristics accordingly. The controller 2105 can measure the magnitude of the airflow in any known manner based on information from the sensor 1248.

[0294] The controller 2105 may compensate for the induced change in heating characteristics by ignoring (or alternatively filtering) the recorded measurements for the duration of the airflow and the subsequent settling time period. In one example, the settling time period may be the same as or substantially the same as the length of the airflow event. In this example, the affected time portion is not included in the validity check of the capsule 100.

[0295] In another example, the controller 2105 may utilize mathematical permutations to correct for the waveform cooling effect caused by airflow.

[0296] In another example, the controller 2105 may calculate the estimated cooling effect of the airflow and the power surge / resistance change induced by the cooling effect, for example, based on a state-space model of the system. The estimated changes may then form an array of correction factors that the controller 2105 can subtract / add as needed (e.g., power surges are subtracted and resistance decreases are added) to correct and / or compensate for the heating signature waveform.

[0297] Compensating for the induced changes may reduce and / or prevent the occurrence of false positives due to the application of negative pressure during preheating.

[0298] 11B , in S1160, the controller 2105 records the power applied to the heater 336 and measures and records one or more of a plurality of heating characteristics for the heater 336 at each 1 ms increment (time step) during the measurement window to generate / obtain one or more heating characteristic waveforms (e.g., a recorded resistance waveform, an applied power waveform, and / or a recorded temperature waveform) of the heater 336. As mentioned above, the controller 2105 may also record the airflow waveform, which may be used, for example, to compensate for (or mask out) disturbances induced in other waveforms.

[0299] More particularly, for example, to generate the recorded resistance waveform, the controller 2105 may measure the resistance of the heater 336 at each 1 ms time step based on the measured voltage across and current through the heater 336 according to the well-known formula R=V / I. The measured current through the heater 336 may be provided by or determined based on information provided by the current measurement circuit 21258. The measured voltage across the heater 336 may be provided by or determined based on information provided by the voltage measurement circuit 21252. Alternatively, the controller 2105 may continuously calculate and / or monitor the resistance of the heater 336 to generate the recorded resistance waveform.

[0300] To generate the applied power waveform, the controller 2105 may calculate the instantaneous power across the heater 336 at each 1 ms time step based on the measured voltage across the heater 336 and the measured current through the heater 336 according to the well-known formula (P=I×V). The measured current and voltage across the heater 336 may be provided in the same or substantially the same manner as described above with respect to resistance measurements. Alternatively, the controller 2105 may continuously calculate and / or monitor the applied power to the heater 336 to generate the applied power waveform.

[0301] To generate the temperature waveform, the controller 2105 may calculate the temperature of the heater 336 at each 1 ms time step in the same or substantially the same manner as described above with respect to S855 of Figure 8B. Alternatively, the controller 2105 may continuously calculate and / or monitor the temperature of the heater 336 to generate the recorded temperature waveform.

[0302] To generate the airflow waveform, the controller 2105 may, for example, record measurements provided by the sensor 1248 in the memory 2130 either continuously or at each 1 ms time step.

[0303] Examples of heating characteristic waveforms will be described in detail later.

[0304] Still referring to FIG. 11B, in S1162, the controller 2105 calculates the power (e.g., instantaneous power) P currently (e.g., in the next 1 ms time step) being applied to the heater 336. APPLIED is the maximum available power P MAX In one example, the power applied to the heater 336 may fall below the maximum available power as the temperature of the heater 336 approaches (or reaches) an initial target preheat temperature (e.g., approximately 320°C). For example, if the controller 2105 determines that the temperature of the heater 336 is approaching (or reaches) the initial target preheat temperature, the controller 2105 may begin reducing the applied power to the heater 336 to an intermediate power level to avoid temperature overshoot. According to one or more exemplary embodiments, continued application of the maximum available power to the heater 336 may indicate that the temperature of the heater 336 has not yet reached the initial target preheat temperature. According to at least one other exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 determines whether the power P APPLIED Instead, a target heater power may be used.

[0305] If the power applied to the heater 336 is not below the maximum available power (the maximum available power remains applied to the heater 336), then in S1168 the controller 2105 determines whether the preheat monitor timer has elapsed (or, alternatively, whether the maximum preheat measurement window threshold has been reached). As discussed above, one example of the length of the preheat monitor timer (or the value of the maximum preheat measurement window threshold) is approximately 7 seconds.

[0306] If the preheat monitor timer has not expired, the process returns to S855 and continues as discussed herein.

[0307] Returning to S1168, if the controller 2105 determines that the pre-heat monitor timer has elapsed, in S1170, the controller 2105 determines whether the capsule 100 is a valid (or authentic) capsule based on one or more recorded heating profile waveforms and one or more corresponding expected heating profile envelopes stored in the memory 2130. The controller 2105 may determine whether the capsule is valid based on a comparison of the one or more recorded profile waveforms with the one or more corresponding expected heating profile envelopes. An exemplary embodiment of the validity determination in S1170 is described in more detail below with respect to FIG. 12.

[0308] If in S1170 the controller 2105 determines that the capsule 100 is not a valid capsule, then in S1176 the controller 2105 terminates the application of power to the heater 336. In one example, the controller 2105 may terminate the application of power to the heater 336 in the same or substantially the same manner as described above with respect to 6550 in FIG.

[0309] At S1180, the controller 2105 outputs a fault indication via the aerosol indicator 2135. In one example, the fault indication may be in the form of an audible, visual indication, and / or haptic feedback. For example, the indication may be a flashing red LED, a software message including an error code sent to a connected “app” on a remote electronic device (e.g., via Bluetooth), a combination thereof, etc.

[0310] Returning to S1170, if the controller 2105 determines that the capsule 100 is valid, in S1174 the controller 2105 allows preheating to continue and aerosol generation is permitted. In this case, in response to the application of negative pressure to the aerosol generation device by the adult operator, the aerosol generation device 10 may heat the aerosol-forming substrate within the capsule 100 to generate aerosol.

[0311] Returning to S1162, if the controller 2105 determines that the applied power is less than the maximum available power, then in S1164 the controller 2105 stops the maximum power timer.

[0312] Next, in S1166, the controller 2105 determines whether the value of the maximum power timer is within an acceptable range (e.g., between a minimum and maximum value). In one example, the maximum value of the timer is about 5 seconds, and the minimum value is about 2.5 seconds.

[0313] If the controller 2105 determines that the maximum power timer value is within an acceptable range (eg, greater than or equal to the minimum timer value and less than or equal to the maximum timer value), the process proceeds to S1168 and continues as described above.

[0314] Returning to S1166, if the controller 2105 determines that the value of the maximum power timer is outside the acceptable range, processing proceeds to S1176 and continues as described above.

[0315] 11A and 11B are described above with respect to activation of pre-heating by an adult operator, the exemplary embodiments may be utilized prior to activation of pre-heating by an adult operator (e.g., during a pre-check of the validity, authenticity, and / or integrity of capsule 100). In this example, an authentication routine may be performed autonomously (e.g., upon insertion of the capsule) prior to indicating to the adult operator that capsule 100 is valid and may be pre-heated.

[0316] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining whether a capsule is valid (eg, in S1170 of FIG. 11B) according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0317] 12 , in S1210, the controller 2105 determines whether one or more recorded heating characteristic waveforms fall within the range of one or more corresponding expected heating characteristic envelopes. In one example, the controller 2105 may compare the recorded resistance waveform with an expected resistance profile envelope (defined as the upper and lower resistance limits in each 1 ms increment) to determine whether the recorded resistance value at each 1 ms increment is within the range of the expected resistance value at the corresponding point in the expected resistance profile envelope; the controller 2105 may compare the applied power waveform with an expected power profile envelope (defined as the upper and lower power limits in each 1 ms increment) to determine whether the recorded power value at each 1 ms increment is within the range of the expected power at the corresponding point in the expected power profile envelope; and / or the controller 2105 may compare the recorded temperature waveform with an expected temperature profile envelope (defined as the upper and lower temperature limits in each 1 ms increment) to determine whether the recorded temperature value at each 1 ms increment is within the range of the expected temperature at the corresponding point in the expected temperature profile envelope.

[0318] According to an exemplary embodiment, the length of any or all of the predicted heating profile envelopes may be interpolated or decimated as necessary to match the length of the recorded heating profile waveform (e.g., to match the length of the measurement window and / or depending on the actual length of preheating).

[0319] Still referring to FIG. 12, if at least a portion (e.g., one or more data points) of one or more (e.g., any) of the recorded heating characteristic waveforms is outside the range of the corresponding expected heating characteristic envelope, the controller 2105 determines in S1240 that the capsule is not valid.

[0320] Returning to S1210, if each of the one or more recorded heating characteristic waveforms is within the range of the corresponding expected heating characteristic envelope, in S1220 the controller 2105 determines whether a sharp positive or negative slope is present in the one or more heating characteristic waveforms.

[0321] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 determines whether a sharp positive or negative slope is present in the recorded resistance waveform by comparing two resistance values ​​separated by a predetermined time period (referred to herein as a slope threshold time period or measurement window). The length of time can be as small as one sample (e.g., approximately 1 ms), but can also include multiple samples. In one example, the time period can be 64 samples (approximately 64 ms) to allow the system to detect lower slopes (while still detecting slopes greater than those expected in a normal operating system). In one example, the maximum allowable rate of change in resistance can be approximately 3% per 64 ms. However, exemplary embodiments should not be limited to this example. Rather, the maximum allowable rate of resistance change can be approximately 3% or greater. Furthermore, for different (e.g., smaller) time periods, the maximum allowable change in resistance can be less than 3% (e.g., approximately 1% or 2%).

[0322] If the rate of change in magnitude (positive or negative) between two time-separated resistance values ​​exceeds (is greater than) a threshold (rate of change threshold), a sharp gradient is determined to be present in the recorded waveform. The rate of change threshold may be set to be greater than the resistance change expected due to normal heating or cooling effects (e.g., the rate threshold may be a physically impossible value). In one example, the rate of change threshold may be approximately 3%. However, exemplary embodiments should not be limited to this example.

[0323] Still referring to FIG. 12, if the controller 2105 determines that there is a sharp positive or negative slope in the recorded resistance waveform, the controller 2105 determines in S1240 that the capsule is not valid.

[0324] Returning to S1220, if the controller 2105 determines that there are no sharp positive or negative slopes in the recorded resistance waveform, the controller 2105 determines that the capsule is valid in S1230.

[0325] The exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 12 are discussed with respect to initiation in response to the insertion of a capsule into the aerosol generating device (e.g., at S820). These exemplary embodiments may be utilized in connection with a newly inserted capsule. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the capsule was already verified during the initial preheat, and the aerosol generating device has not detected that the capsule has not been removed and a new capsule has not been inserted, so verification may be omitted for the next preheat (e.g., after a time between operations, such as after a power-off and power-on). However, exemplary embodiments should not be limited to this example. Rather, exemplary embodiments may also be utilized to re-verify the capsule for subsequent operation by an adult operator (e.g., after a power-off and power-on). In this case, step S820 is omitted from the process, and the method may be initiated or triggered, for example, upon power-on.

[0326] In at least one example, for revalidation purposes, the waveform tolerance may be increased (e.g., to about ±30%) and the maximum power timer tolerance in S1166 may be increased to, for example, between about 1 s and about 5 s. These changes may be sufficient to accommodate at least partially depleted capsules, yet still detect significant errors that manifest during operation.

[0327] Alternatively, the tolerances and timers could be lifted in a more controlled manner (e.g., by estimating capsule depletion based on cumulative operation time to date or the number of draws by an adult operator after the capsule has been inserted).

[0328] Furthermore, for re-verification, the discontinuity check in S1220 of FIG. 12 may be omitted since these properties may not be affected by capsule depletion.

[0329] FIG. 13 is a graph showing a recorded waveform of a valid capsule according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0330] Figure 14 is an enlarged view of a portion of the recorded waveform shown in Figure 13. The graph in Figure 14 shows in more detail the initial rising portion of the waveform (between 0 seconds and about 3 seconds).

[0331] 13 and 14, the recorded waveforms include a characteristic temperature waveform (in degrees Celsius), a characteristic resistance waveform (in mΩ), and an applied power waveform (in mW). As also noted above, the characteristic temperature waveform indicates a characteristic temperature rise time and can be mathematically derived from the measured resistance of a heater (e.g., heater 336). The characteristic resistance waveform can be affected by the heater itself and / or organic mass in contact with heater 336.

[0332] In this example, for a valid capsule, the heater resistance substantially stabilizes once the preheat temperature is reached (e.g., after about 5 seconds). The stabilization of the heater resistance can cause artifacts, as more clearly shown in Figure 14. In one example, the artifacts can be the result of wetting effects.

[0333] The applied power waveform shows a time at maximum power (also called a "Time at Max Point" characteristic or interval), which in this example is approximately 4 seconds. Thus, the maximum power output is approximately 10 W. Once the time at Max Point interval ends, a power roll-off is produced in which the power to the heater drops to a steady state (e.g., approximately 4 W). The power roll-off can be a system characteristic that is affected by the organic mass in contact with the heater, the PID settings, the mass of the heater, etc.

[0334] FIG. 15 is a graph showing waveforms recorded for a degraded capsule and an invalid capsule, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0335] Figure 16 is an expanded view of the waveform shown in Figure 15. The graph in Figure 16 shows the initial rising portion of the waveform in more detail.

[0336] The waveforms shown in Figures 15 and 16 are examples for capsules where prior operation of the aerosol generating device has depleted the organic material, thereby altering the thermal response, but similar deviations from the waveforms shown in Figures 13 and 14 may be used to detect other types of invalid capsules (e.g., wrong organic material, wrong heater mass, etc.).

[0337] As shown in Figure 15, the "time to maximum" interval has been reduced from approximately 4 seconds to approximately 2 seconds compared to the examples shown in Figures 13 and 14. Additionally, the power roll-off is sharper than in the example shown in Figure 13. There is also noise in the applied power, indicating that the system may be thermally sensitive (e.g., relatively small power fluctuations cause relatively large temperature changes). The heater resistance also stabilizes, reaching the preheat temperature in approximately 2 seconds compared to approximately 5 seconds in the example shown in Figure 13.

[0338] 17 is a graph showing a recorded waveform of another exemplary valid capsule according to an exemplary embodiment. The waveform shown in FIG. 17 is for a valid capsule when a second preheat is used during the airflow (or puff) event.

[0339] As shown in FIG. 17, the airflow event during the initial preheat does not affect the applied power because the maximum available power is already being applied to the heater. However, this airflow cools the system, resulting in a decrease (e.g., a relatively small decrease) in resistance. The next airflow event, after the power applied to the heater drops below the maximum available power (e.g., around 4 seconds), cools the heater. As a result, the applied power to the heater increases to maintain the heater temperature. This power increase continues after the airflow event ends (e.g., after about 1 second) as the system recovers lost energy. As an example, the system may compensate for the airflow by ignoring the feature for approximately twice the length of the airflow event.

[0340] In the example shown in Figure 17, the maximum point time interval is about 2.5 seconds. This decrease in the maximum point time interval, as compared to the example shown in Figure 13, where the maximum point time interval is about 4 seconds, may indicate that the capsule has previously been heated but not completely consumed, and therefore remains a valid capsule.

[0341] FIG. 18 is a graph illustrating a recorded waveform of another invalid capsule according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0342] Figure 19 is an expanded view of the waveform shown in Figure 18. The graph in Figure 19 shows the resistance discontinuity in more detail.

[0343] The waveforms shown in Figures 18 and 19 show an example of a sharp negative slope in the characteristic resistance waveform due to a heater failure within the capsule (eg, due to an intermittent heater short circuit).

[0344] As shown in Figures 18 and 19, the "time to peak" interval is approximately 4 seconds, and the power roll-off is substantially the same as for the valid capsule shown in Figure 13. However, in the characteristic resistance waveform, a heater failure results in a measured discontinuity or sharp negative slope (rapid drop) in resistance for a period of time. In at least some cases, this discontinuity is likely to occur in the early stages of heating, for example, due to a thermal shock of the heater.

[0345] As also described above with respect to S1220 of FIG. 12, discontinuities or sharp negative slopes can be detected by monitoring for slope shifts in the characteristic resistance waveform that are greater than expected from heating or cooling. As an example, a slope shift of more than about 3% of the previous resistance value within a single 1 ms sample can indicate a discontinuity in the resistance waveform. As another example, a slope shift of more than about 3% of the previous resistance value within a 64 ms interval can indicate a discontinuity in the resistance waveform.

[0346] One or more exemplary embodiments provide a mechanism for determining the authenticity and / or integrity (e.g., degradation) of a capsule based on its thermal characteristics (e.g., during preheating of the capsule) (e.g., heater temperature rise time indicated by current power demand). Determining the authenticity and / or integrity of a capsule may also be referred to as performing an authenticity and / or integrity check. In one example, the authenticity and / or integrity check may indicate whether the capsule is well-constructed for aerosol generation (e.g., whether the organic material is in good thermal contact with the heater).

[0347] One or more other exemplary embodiments provide a mechanism for detecting capsule reuse based on the capsule's thermal characteristics (e.g., during preheating) (e.g., heater temperature rise time indicated by current power demand). In one example, detecting capsule reuse may indicate whether the organic matter (e.g., aerosol-generating substrate) within the capsule has sufficient volatile content for aerosol generation. Insufficient volatile content for aerosol generation may be the result of the capsule having previously been inserted into an aerosol-generating device and the aerosol-generating substrate having been exposed to heating by the aerosol-generating device for an extended period of time. In one example, a capsule may be determined to have previously been heated by the aerosol-generating device for more than a threshold time (e.g., 1 s, 2 s, 5 s, etc.). Thus, a reused capsule may refer to a capsule that has previously been inserted into an aerosol-generating device and heated by the aerosol-generating device for any length of time.

[0348] Both structural defects (authenticity and / or integrity check) and preheating (capsule reuse detection) can reduce the rate at which energy is delivered to the aerosol-generating substrate over a given time period, causing the heater to reach the target temperature sooner than expected. An example of this is shown in Figure 22, which shows a comparison of recorded power target waveforms for a genuine, unheated capsule and a reused capsule.

[0349] As shown in Figure 22, preheating a genuine, unheated capsule requires maximum power (e.g., about 10 W) for at least about 3 seconds to approach the target temperature, while a reused capsule exhibits a power roll-off from maximum power 2 seconds earlier, since it is already approaching the target temperature at that point. The target temperature may be the same or substantially the same as that described above.

[0350] Exemplary embodiments of methods for capsule reuse detection will now be described in more detail with respect to Figures 20 and 21. Although described in the context of capsule reuse detection, it will be understood that the methods shown and described herein may also be utilized to determine the authenticity and / or integrity of capsules in the same or substantially the same way to detect counterfeit and / or degraded capsules.

[0351] For illustrative purposes, the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 20 and 21 will be described with reference to operations performed by controller 2105 of Figure 3. However, exemplary embodiments should not be limited to these examples.

[0352] With respect to at least the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the applied power P APPLIED may refer to target power or power output.

[0353] FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a method for detecting capsule reuse in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0354] As will be described in more detail below, according to at least this exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 monitors the initial preheat phase to determine whether a minimum power delivery profile has been met. Similar to the method described above with respect to Figure 11B, the method illustrated in Figure 20 may be performed during preheat after the operations illustrated in Figure 11A, although exemplary embodiments should not be limited to this example.

[0355] Referring to FIG. 20, after the controller 2105 starts the maximum power timer and preheat monitor timer in S1156 of FIG. 11A, in S850 the controller 2105 ramps up to the maximum power available to the heater 336 (via the VGATE, COIL_Z, and COIL_X signals supplied to the heating engine control circuit 2127) in the same or substantially the same manner as described above with respect to FIG. 11B.

[0356] In S1160, in the same or substantially the same manner as described above with respect to FIG. 11B, the controller 2105 records the power applied to the heater 336 and measures and records one or more of a plurality of heating characteristics of the heater 336 at each 1 ms increment (time step) during the measurement window.

[0357] In S2020, the controller 2105 determines whether the preheat monitoring timer reaches the capsule reuse timer detection threshold t TH_R In one example, the capsule reuse timer detection threshold t TH_R may be approximately 2 seconds, although exemplary embodiments should not be limited to this example. Rather, the capsule reuse timer detection threshold t TH_R may be between about 2s and 5s.

[0358] The preheating monitor timer is still at the capsule reuse timer detection threshold t TH_R If not, in S2022, the controller 2105 calculates the power (e.g., instantaneous power) P currently being applied to the heater 336 (e.g., in the next 1 ms time step). APPLIED is the minimum applied power threshold P TH_1 In one example, the minimum applied power threshold P TH_1 is the maximum applied power P MAX Approximately 90% of (e.g., P MAX 90% of the power consumption may be set to approximately 10 W (approximately 9 W). More generally, according to one or more exemplary embodiments, the minimum applied power threshold P TH_1 is the applied power P APPLIEDmacro-movements (e.g., only macro-movements) may be configured to trigger capsule reuse detection.

[0359] Applied power P APPLIED is the minimum applied power threshold P TH_1 If the applied power P APPLIED An early roll-off of is generated and the capsule is determined to be a reused capsule.

[0360] In response to determining that the capsule is a reuse capsule, in S1176 the controller 2105 terminates the application of power to the heater 336 in the same or substantially the same manner as described above with respect to FIG. 11B.

[0361] Controller 2105 then outputs a fault indication via aerosol indicator 2135 in S1180 in the same or substantially the same manner as described above with respect to Figure 11B. In another example, in S1180 controller 2105 may control aerosol generating device to output a "capsule empty" indicator via aerosol indicator 2135.

[0362] According to one or more exemplary embodiments, early roll-off detection in step S2020 enables flagging of recycled (and / or degraded, counterfeit, or other minor) capsules relatively early in the preheating process.

[0363] Returning to S2022, the controller 2105 APPLIED is the minimum applied power threshold P TH_1 If so, the process returns to step S855 and continues as described herein.

[0364] Now, return to S2020, and the preheat monitoring timer reaches the capsule reuse timer detection threshold t TH_R If the power (e.g., instantaneous power) P currently being applied to the heater 336 (e.g., in the next 1 ms time step) is reached, then in S2024 the controller 2105APPLIED is the second minimum applied power threshold P TH_2 In one example, a second minimum applied power threshold P TH_2 is the maximum applied power P MAX Approximately 98% of (e.g., P MAX = approximately 9.8 W, which is 98% of approximately 10 W).

[0365] Power P APPLIED is the second minimum applied power threshold P TH_2 If the applied power P APPLIED An early roll-off of is generated, determining that the capsule is a reused capsule. The process then proceeds to S1176 and continues as described herein.

[0366] Returning to step S2024, the power P APPLIED is the second minimum applied power threshold P TH_2 If so, in S1174, the controller 2105 allows preheating to continue and aerosol generation to be permitted in the same or substantially the same manner as described above with respect to FIG. 11B.

[0367] Although a preheat monitor timer has been described, the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 20 may utilize another timer.

[0368] According to one or more exemplary embodiments, the capsule reuse detection function (and / or the authenticity or integrity check function) may be set to a "monitoring" mode (also referred to as a "diagnostic" mode) for diagnostic purposes. In one example, the monitoring mode may be set via a device manager setting (e.g., via a flag) in the controller 2105. The monitoring mode may enable the collection of diagnostic information related to at least capsule reuse detection of the aerosol generating device to improve functionality.

[0369] Figure 21 is a flowchart illustrating a method for capsule reuse detection including a monitor mode feature, according to one or more exemplary embodiments. The method illustrated in Figure 21 is similar to the method illustrated in Figure 20, and therefore only the differences between the exemplary embodiments will be described in detail here.

[0370] Referring to FIG. 21, in this exemplary embodiment, the power P APPLIED is the minimum applied power threshold P TH_1 If so, in S2026, the controller 2105 sets a power profile failure flag (e.g., power failure flag=TRUE), for example, to indicate that a reused capsule (or alternatively, an inauthentic capsule) has been detected. The power profile failure flag may be implemented by a flag bit.

[0371] Next, in S2028, the controller 2105 checks whether the aerosol generating device is set to monitoring mode (eg, the controller 2105 determines whether detection mode=monitoring).

[0372] If the aerosol generating device is not set to monitoring mode, the process proceeds to S1176 and continues as described above with respect to FIG.

[0373] Returning to S2028, if the aerosol generating device is set to monitoring mode, in S2030 the controller 2105 stores diagnostic information related to the detected roll-off in memory. In one example, the diagnostic information may include a fault condition, such as the waveform recorded in S1160 at the time the reused capsule was detected. The process then proceeds to S1174 and continues as described above with respect to FIG. 20.

[0374] Turning to step S2024 of FIG. 21, in this exemplary embodiment, the power P currently applied to the heater 336 is APPLIED (e.g., in the next 1 ms time step) reaches the second minimum applied power threshold P TH_2If the controller 2105 determines that the threshold voltage Vcc is greater than 1, the process proceeds to step S2026 and continues as discussed herein.

[0375] Although not shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments, in S2024, the power P APPLIED is the second minimum applied power threshold P TH_2 After detecting that the pre-heat monitor timer is equal to or greater than the capsule reuse timer detection threshold t, the controller 2105 may set a power profile check flag (power profile check flag=TRUE). TH_R Each time the power profile check flag is reached, the controller 2105 may check the power profile check flag to determine whether to perform capsule reuse detection. The power profile checked flag may cause the controller 2105 to perform capsule reuse detection only during the first preheat (e.g., before 2 s) and not on subsequent preheats (e.g., following puffs where the same or similar logic is used and / or following puffs where multi-puff mode is activated) and / or to prevent interpreting a normal roll-off as an early roll-off.

[0376] One or more exemplary embodiments may provide the ability to detect whether a capsule is of degraded quality or has been previously heated, thereby reducing the likelihood that an adult operator will have a relatively poor experience and / or preventing operation of the aerosol generating device with unauthorized counterfeit products.

[0377] By detecting a deterioration in quality immediately after the aerosol generating device has started operating (for example, during initial warm-up), an early decision may be made and communicated to the adult operator while terminating operation of the aerosol generating device.

[0378] Measuring the intrinsic physical properties of a capsule to detect whether the capsule is effective, according to one or more exemplary embodiments, may provide a relatively low-cost method for determining effectiveness. The measurement technique may also reduce added costs to the aerosol generating device because it uses circuitry already implemented to precisely control the capsule's sensitivity.

[0379] The aerosol generating device according to one or more exemplary embodiments includes an integrated heater element and utilizes precision heater control electronics that enable measurement and monitoring of characteristic preheating curves to determine capsule efficacy, authenticity, manufacturing quality and / or depletion status.

[0380] One or more exemplary embodiments may also enable detection of the fraudulent reuse of capsules to create counterfeit capsules.

[0381] One or more exemplary embodiments also provide the ability to detect (e.g., via a recorded heating profile waveform and corresponding expected heating profile envelope) unexpected, relatively short duration artifacts in the profile preheat curve that, while still within an acceptable profile envelope, indicate a possible manufacturing quality issue with the capsule (e.g., heater). These artifacts may manifest as the heater being subjected to thermal shock associated with a rapid increase from room temperature to aerosol-generating temperatures.

[0382] In addition to the non-limiting embodiments described herein, additional details regarding the substrates, capsules, devices, and methods discussed herein can also be found in U.S. Application No. 16 / 451,662, filed June 25, 2019, entitled "CAPSULES, HEAT-NOT-BURN (HNB) AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICES, AND METHODS OF GENERATING AEROSOL," attorney docket number 24000NV-000522. -US), U.S. application Ser. No. 16 / 252,951, filed January 21, 2019, entitled "CAPSULES, HEAT-NOT-BURN (HNB) AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICES, AND METHODS OF GENERATING AEROSOL" and attorney docket number 24000NV-000521-US, and U.S. application Ser. No. 15 / 845,501, filed December 18, 2017, entitled "VAPORIZING No. 15 / 559,308, filed September 18, 2017, entitled "VAPORIZER FOR VAPORIZING AN ACTIVE INGREDIENT," Attorney Docket No. 24000DM-000003-US-NP, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0383] While a number of exemplary embodiments have been disclosed herein, it should be understood that other variations are possible. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and all such modifications that would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. 1. A non-flammable aerosol generating device, comprising: a memory storing computer-readable instructions; and a controller; The controller executes the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-flammable aerosol generating device to: applying power to a heater to preheat the aerosol-forming substrate; Determine whether the preheat monitoring timer has exceeded the preheat timer threshold value; determining whether the aerosol-forming substrate has been previously heated based on a comparison of a first threshold power level with a power applied to the heater in response to the pre-heat monitor timer not exceeding the pre-heat timer threshold; The non-flammable aerosol generating device is configured to, in response to the pre-heating monitoring timer exceeding the pre-heating timer threshold, determine whether the aerosol-forming substrate has previously been heated based on a comparison of the applied power to the heater with a second threshold power level.

2. The non-flammable aerosol generating device according to claim 1, The non-flammable aerosol generating device further comprises a capsule containing the aerosol-forming substrate and the heater.

3. The non-flammable aerosol generating device according to claim 1, The controller is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol generating device to terminate application of power to the heater in response to determining that the aerosol-forming substrate has previously been heated.

4. The non-flammable aerosol generating device according to claim 3, The controller is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-flammable aerosol generating device to output a fault indication in response to determining that the aerosol-forming substrate has previously been heated.

5. The non-flammable aerosol generating device according to claim 1, The controller is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-flammable aerosol generating device to output a fault indication in response to determining that the aerosol-forming substrate has previously been heated.

6. The non-flammable aerosol generating device according to claim 1, The controller is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol generating device to enable aerosol generation in response to determining that the aerosol-forming substrate has not been previously heated.

7. The non-flammable aerosol generating device according to claim 1, The non-flammable aerosol generating device, wherein the first threshold power level is less than the second threshold power level.

8. The non-flammable aerosol generating device according to claim 1, A non-flammable aerosol generating device, wherein the applied power is a maximum power applied to the heater or a target power of the heater.

9. The non-flammable aerosol generating device according to claim 8, A non-flammable aerosol generating device, wherein the first threshold power level and the second threshold power level are based on the maximum power or the target power.

10. 1. A method of operating a non-flammable aerosol generating device, comprising: applying power to a heater to preheat the aerosol-forming substrate; determining whether a preheat monitor timer has exceeded a preheat timer threshold; determining whether the aerosol-forming substrate has been previously heated based on a comparison of the power applied to the heater with a first threshold power level in response to the pre-heat monitor timer not exceeding the pre-heat timer threshold; and determining whether the aerosol-forming substrate has been previously heated based on a comparison of the applied power to the heater with a second threshold power level in response to the pre-heat monitor timer exceeding the pre-heat timer threshold.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon, comprising: The computer-readable instructions, when executed by a controller of a non-flammable aerosol generating device, cause the controller to perform a method of operating the non-flammable aerosol generating device, the method comprising: applying power to a heater to preheat the aerosol-forming substrate; determining whether a preheat monitor timer has exceeded a preheat timer threshold; determining whether the aerosol-forming substrate has been previously heated based on a comparison of the power applied to the heater with a first threshold power level in response to the pre-heat monitor timer not exceeding the pre-heat timer threshold; and determining whether the aerosol-forming substrate has been previously heated based on a comparison of the applied power to the heater with a second threshold power level in response to the pre-heat monitor timer exceeding the pre-heat timer threshold.

12. 1. A non-flammable aerosol generating device, comprising: a memory storing computer-readable instructions; and a controller; The controller executes the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-flammable aerosol generating device to: applying power to a heater to preheat the aerosol-forming substrate within the capsule; Determine whether the preheat monitoring timer has exceeded the preheat timer threshold value; determining whether the capsule is at least one of an inauthentic capsule and a deteriorated capsule based on a comparison of the power applied to the heater with a first threshold power level in response to the pre-heat monitor timer not exceeding the pre-heat timer threshold; A non-flammable aerosol generating device that, in response to the pre-heat monitoring timer exceeding the pre-heat timer threshold, determines whether the capsule is at least one of an authentic capsule or a deteriorated capsule based on a comparison of the power applied to the heater with a second threshold power level.

13. The non-flammable aerosol generating device according to claim 12, Further comprising the capsule, The non-flammable aerosol generating device, wherein the capsule is a removable capsule containing the aerosol-forming substrate and the heater.

14. The non-flammable aerosol generating device according to claim 12, The capsule is a degraded capsule, A non-flammable aerosol generating device, wherein the degradation of the capsule is the result of previous heating of the aerosol-forming substrate.

15. The non-flammable aerosol generating device according to claim 12, The controller is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol generating device to terminate the application of power to the heater in response to determining that the capsule is at least one of an authentic capsule or a degraded capsule.

16. The non-flammable aerosol generating device according to claim 15, The controller is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-flammable aerosol generating device to output a malfunction indication in response to determining that the capsule is at least one of an inauthentic capsule or a degraded capsule.

17. The non-flammable aerosol generating device according to claim 12, The controller is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-flammable aerosol generating device to output a malfunction indication in response to determining that the capsule is at least one of an inauthentic capsule or a degraded capsule.

18. The non-flammable aerosol generating device according to claim 12, The controller is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol generating device to enable aerosol generation in response to determining that the capsule is not at least one of an authentic capsule or a degraded capsule.

19. The non-flammable aerosol generating device according to claim 12, The non-flammable aerosol generating device, wherein the first threshold power level is less than the second threshold power level.

20. The non-flammable aerosol generating device according to claim 12, A non-flammable aerosol generating device, wherein the applied power is the maximum power applied to the heater or the target power of the heater.

21. The non-flammable aerosol generating device according to claim 20, A non-flammable aerosol generating device, wherein the first threshold power level and the second threshold power level are based on the maximum power or the target power.

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