Temperature-dependent safety timer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for charging a battery in an aerosol generating system, the method comprising determining a temperature to indicate the temperature of the battery, and a maximum charging time t according to the determined temperature. max Calculating the maximum charging time t max This includes terminating charging when a certain amount of time has elapsed. The present invention also relates to a corresponding charging controller, an aerosol generator equipped with such a charging controller, and a charging case equipped with such a charging controller.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a controller and method for safely charging a battery in an aerosol generating system, and to an aerosol generating system that implements the aforementioned method. The present invention also relates to an aerosol generating device and a charging case used in an aerosol generating system. [Background technology]

[0002] Aerosol generating systems are generally portable, electrically operated, and typically include rechargeable batteries to provide the required power. Safe charging of the batteries within an aerosol generating system is crucial; otherwise, the batteries may become unstable, potentially leading to aerosol generator failure. This is especially important in aerosol generating systems because these systems typically generate heat and are used in close proximity to the user's body.

[0003] One common safety feature used in battery charging controllers is the so-called "safety timer." This safety feature measures how long the battery has been charging and terminates charging if the battery is still charging after a predetermined maximum charging time. However, the predetermined maximum charging time may not be appropriate depending on the charging conditions. If the predetermined maximum charging time is excessively short, charging may stop prematurely before the battery reaches its intended charge state. On the other hand, if the predetermined maximum charging time is excessively long, charging may continue for longer than appropriate, even if the intended charge state has not yet been reached due to a malfunction. Ideally, charging should terminate before or immediately after any malfunction occurs in the battery charging process, while simultaneously allowing the battery to reach its intended charge state.

[0004] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a more sophisticated charging safety timer that will enable further improvements in the safety of the battery charging process within aerosol generation systems.

[0005] Specifically, it would be even more desirable to provide a charging method that enables improved charging safety under changing charging conditions.

[0006] It would be even more desirable to improve the safety timer functionality, and specifically, to avoid unnecessary delays in terminating the charging process in abnormal charging conditions. [Overview of the project]

[0007] According to embodiments of the present invention, a method for charging a battery in an aerosol generating system is provided. The method involves determining a temperature to indicate the temperature of the battery, and determining a maximum charging time t according to the determined temperature. max Calculating the maximum charging time t max This includes terminating charging when a certain amount of time has elapsed.

[0008] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a charge controller for an aerosol generating system comprising a battery is provided, the charge controller determines a temperature to display the temperature of the battery, and a maximum charging time t according to the determined temperature. max Calculate the maximum charging time t max It is configured to terminate charging after a certain period of time has elapsed.

[0009] In conventional battery charging methods, a fixed safety timer function is implemented throughout the entire temperature range in which the battery can be charged. Typically, battery charging is performed at a lower charging rate as it approaches the end of the operating temperature range. As a result, the safety timer is conventionally defined according to the slowest applicable charging rate. Such a fixed safety timer ensures that the charging process is terminated in the event of an abnormal charging condition. However, when the battery temperature generally allows for rapid charging, there is a significant delay in terminating the charging process.

[0010] In the methods disclosed herein, the charging safety timer may be set so that the maximum charging time is adapted to the current temperature of the battery to be charged. Specifically, if the battery to be charged has a temperature that allows for a high charging rate, the expected maximum charging time may be significantly reduced. In such situations, the safety timer may be reduced accordingly. By adjusting the safety timer depending on the battery temperature, delays in the termination of the charging process in abnormal charging conditions, such as with a defective battery, may be avoided.

[0011] The method may further include suppressing battery charging if the determined temperature is outside a predetermined temperature range. The method may also include allowing battery charging only when the battery temperature is within a predetermined temperature range.

[0012] The specified temperature range may be -10°C to 60°C. Alternatively, the specified temperature range may be 0°C to 45°C. By suppressing battery charging when the battery temperature is outside the specified temperature range, the risk of causing damage to the battery or aerosol generating system may be reduced.

[0013] If the determined temperature is within a predetermined temperature range, the maximum charging time may be determined depending on the determined temperature.

[0014] The maximum charging time may be expressed as a linear function of the determined temperature. For example, the maximum charging time t max This can also be calculated using the following formula.

[0015]

number

[0016] In the formula, t maxis the maximum charging time, T is the determined temperature, and m, c are empirically determined parameters. The parameters m and c may depend not only on the battery to be charged but also on the structural details of the current aerosol generation system.

[0017] The maximum charging time t max may also be calculated as a non-linear function of the determined temperature.

[0018] The predetermined temperature range may be subdivided into two or more sub-ranges. The maximum charging time t max The relationship with the determined temperature may vary in each sub-range of the predetermined temperature range. The maximum charging time t max By using different equations for the relationship between the maximum charging time t max and the determined temperature, the accuracy of the calculation of the maximum charging time t

[0019] As described above, the predefined temperature range may be in the range of -10 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius. This temperature range may be subdivided into two or more sub-ranges. Suitable sub-ranges may be in the ranges of -10 degrees Celsius to 0 degrees Celsius, 0 degrees Celsius to 15 degrees Celsius, 15 degrees Celsius to 45 degrees Celsius, and 45 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius. By subdividing the predefined temperature interval into a plurality of sub-ranges, the adaptation of the safety timer to the determined temperature can be further enhanced.

[0020] The temperature may be measured periodically during the charging process. There may be intervals between temperature measurements. In this way, the charging process may be adjusted to vary the battery's temperature conditions. This can be particularly important because the determined temperature may change during charging. Specifically, the determined temperature may rise during charging. In typical charging situations, a user may recharge their device using a pocket charger kept in a backpack or a similar temperature-isolated environment. The battery temperature may rise considerably during the charging process. In such cases, the charging current may increase as soon as the determined temperature exceeds a predefined threshold into a temperature range that allows for faster charging. This may reduce the required charging time and substantially reduce the duration of the safety timer. Therefore, a dynamic safety timer may be useful in adjusting to the expected battery charging time under different temperature conditions.

[0021] The temperature measurement interval may be in the range of 1 to 20 minutes. The temperature measurement interval may be in the range of 5 to 15 minutes. The temperature measurement interval may be approximately 10 minutes. The temperature measurement interval may be kept constant throughout the entire charging process. In more advanced control methods, the temperature measurement interval may be dynamically changed during the charging process. For example, the temperature measurement interval may be reduced as the determined temperature approaches the end region of a predefined temperature range or a predefined sub-temperature range.

[0022] Maximum charging time max This may be initially calculated depending on the temperature determined at the start of the charging process. As discussed above, the determined temperature may be monitored throughout the entire charging process. If the determined temperature changes significantly during the charging process, the maximum charging time t may be reduced. max This may be adjusted based on the current temperature measurement.

[0023] The method is the maximum charging time t max The maximum charging time t previously calculated during the same charging processmax This may further include comparison with the following. The adjustment of the charging time may be performed so that only an increase in charging time is permitted. In such embodiments, the safety timer cutoff is kept constant even if the charging time calculated at this point would result in a reduction of the safety cutoff of the charging timer. This modification may specifically help to avoid premature termination toward the end of the charging process at a certain voltage regulation stage of the lithium-ion battery. At such a stage, the charging current decreases continuously, and the determined temperature may begin to decrease to a sub-range of temperatures that requires a shorter safety timer. Applying a shorter safety timer may lead to the termination of the charging process even if charging is not yet complete. To avoid such premature termination of the charging process, the method may limit the maximum charging time t during the charging process. max This may prevent the reduction of the maximum charging time t calculated previously by the controller. To enable this function, the method is to prevent the controller from reducing the maximum charging time t max The current calculated charging time t max This may involve a comparison process, which may include a comparison step.

[0024] The temperature displayed for the battery temperature may be determined via a thermistor or thermocouple connected to the controller of the aerosol generation system.

[0025] The battery in the aerosol generation system may be a lithium-ion battery. The battery may be a lithium-based battery, such as lithium cobalt oxide, lithium iron phosphate, lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide, lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide, lithium titanate, or lithium polymer battery. Such batteries allow for sufficient energy storage for the mobile aerosol generation system. Furthermore, they enable rapid and multiple recharges, which further enhances the user experience.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an aerosol generating system comprising a battery and a charge controller is provided. The aerosol generating system is configured to perform the charging method described above. For this purpose, the charge controller determines a temperature to display the temperature of the battery and sets a maximum charging time T according to the determined temperature. max Calculate the maximum charging time T max It is configured to terminate charging after a certain period of time has elapsed.

[0027] The aerosol generation system may include an aerosol generating device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. The aerosol generation system may further include a charging case. The charging case may be a portable charging case. The charging case may be configured to connect to the aerosol generating device for charging purposes.

[0028] When used herein, the "aerosol generating system" may comprise an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article.

[0029] As used herein, the term “aerosol generator” refers to a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. An aerosol generator may interact with either or both an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate and / or a cartridge comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. In some embodiments, an aerosol generator may heat the aerosol-forming substrate to facilitate the release of volatile compounds from the substrate. An electrically operated aerosol generator may include an atomizer, such as an electric heater, for heating the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol.

[0030] The aerosol generator may be a smoking device that generates an aerosol that can be directly inhaled into the user's lungs through the user's mouth by interacting with an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol generator may be a holder. The device may be an electrically heated smoking device. The aerosol generator may comprise a housing, an electrical circuit, a power supply, a heating chamber, and a heating element.

[0031] As used herein in relation to the present invention, the term “smoking” does not refer to conventional smoking in which the aerosol-forming substrate is completely or at least partially burned, with respect to the apparatus, article, system, substrate, or other method. The aerosol generating apparatus of the present invention is configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature below the combustion temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate, but above the temperature at which one or more volatile compounds of the aerosol-forming substrate are released, in order to form an inhalable aerosol.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an aerosol generator for use in an aerosol generation system is provided. The aerosol generator comprises a rechargeable battery, a first power interface for connecting the rechargeable battery to an external power source, and a host controller for controlling the power supply from the rechargeable battery to an electric heater. The aerosol generator further comprises the charge controller as described above. The charge controller may be provided within the host controller of the aerosol generator. Alternatively, the charge controller may be provided within the battery charger IC of the aerosol generator.

[0033] Providing a charge controller within the aerosol generator increases its versatility in terms of charging. In these embodiments, the charging process may be controlled by a circuit provided within the aerosol generator. To perform the charging process, it is sufficient to connect the aerosol generator to a suitable external power source.

[0034] The external power supply may be a mains AC adapter that accepts AC input from the mains power supply and outputs a suitable DC voltage for charging the rechargeable battery. Typically, a DC output of about 5 volts is provided by the power supply.

[0035] The first power interface for connecting to a power source may be any suitable connection means. The connection means may be a USB interface such as a USB-A, USB-B, or USB-C interface.

[0036] The aerosol generator may include a host controller. The host microcontroller may be configured to perform the necessary functions of the aerosol generator, such as supplying power from a battery to a heater, so that aerosols can be generated from the aerosol generating substrate. The host microcontroller may be further configured to include a charge controller. Therefore, the host microcontroller may also be configured to perform and control the charging process of the rechargeable battery of the aerosol generator.

[0037] The aerosol generator may also include a separate battery charger IC. If a battery charger IC is provided, it may be configured to perform and control the charging process of the aerosol generator's rechargeable battery. The aerosol generator's rechargeable battery provides power to the host microcontroller and heater so that the aerosol generator can be used when it is no longer connected to a power source.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a charging case for an aerosol generator as described above is provided. The charging case may include a rechargeable battery and a first power interface for connecting the rechargeable battery of the charging case to an external power source. The charging case may also include a second power interface for connecting the rechargeable battery of the charging case to a rechargeable battery of an aerosol generator. The charging case may further include a charging controller as described above for charging the rechargeable battery of the aerosol generator.

[0039] By providing the charge controller within the charging case, there is no longer a need to provide a separate charge controller within the aerosol generator. Therefore, fewer electronic circuits are required within the aerosol generator. This may reduce the complexity of manufacturing the aerosol generator. At the same time, the cost-effectiveness of the manufacturing process for the aerosol generator may increase.

[0040] In this case as well, the external power supply may be a mains power AC adapter that accepts AC input from the mains power supply and also outputs a DC voltage. The first power interface for connecting the charging case to the power supply may be any suitable connection means. The connection means may be a USB interface such as a USB-A, USB-B, or USB-C interface.

[0041] The second power interface for connecting the rechargeable battery of the charging case to the rechargeable battery of the aerosol generator may also be any suitable connection means, and in this case may also be a USB interface.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a charging case for an aerosol generator as described above is provided. The charging case may include a rechargeable battery and a first power interface for connecting the rechargeable battery of the charging case to an external power source. The charging case may also include a second power interface for connecting the rechargeable battery of the charging case to a rechargeable battery of an aerosol generator. The charging case may further include a host microcontroller having a charge controller as described above for charging the rechargeable battery of the charging case. Alternatively, the charging case may include a battery charger IC having a charge controller as described above for charging the rechargeable battery of the charging case.

[0043] The host microcontroller of the charging case may be configured to perform the necessary functions of the charging case. These functions may include downloading data from the aerosol generator. The host microcontroller may also be configured to communicate with an external device, such as a computer. The host microcontroller may be configured to transmit the data downloaded from the aerosol generator to an external device, such as a computer, via a USB interface.

[0044] As described, in any aspect of the present disclosure, the heating element may be part of an aerosol generator. The aerosol generator may comprise an internal heating element, an external heating element, or both an internal and an external heating element, where "internal" and "external" refer to the aerosol-forming substrate. The internal heating element may take any suitable form. For example, the internal heating element may take the form of a heating blade. Alternatively, the internal heater may take the form of a casing or substrate having different conductive parts or electrically resistant metal tubes. Alternatively, the internal heating element may be one or more heating needles or rods passing through the center of the aerosol-forming substrate. Other alternatives include heating wires or filaments, such as Ni-Cr (nickel-chromium), platinum, tungsten, or alloy wires or heating plates.

[0045] The external heating element may take any suitable form. For example, the external heating element may take the form of one or more flexible heating foils on a dielectric substrate such as polyimide. Alternatively, the external heating element may take the form of a metal grid, a flexible printed circuit board, a molded circuit component (MID), a ceramic heater, a flexible carbon fiber heater, or may be formed on a substrate of a suitable shape using a coating technique such as plasma deposition. The external heating element may also be formed using a metal having a clear relationship between temperature and resistivity. In such exemplary devices, the metal may be formed as a track between two layers of suitable insulating material. The external heating element thus formed may be used both for heating the external heating element and for monitoring its temperature during operation.

[0046] As an alternative to electrically resistive heating elements, the heating element may be configured as an induction heating element. The induction heating element may include an induction coil and a susceptor.

[0047] As used herein, the term “aerosol-forming substrate” refers to a substrate having the ability to release one or more volatile compounds that can form aerosols. Such volatile compounds may be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. Conveniently, the aerosol-forming substrate may be part of an aerosol-generating article.

[0048] The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may contain both solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may contain a tobacco-containing material that contains volatile tobacco-flavored compounds released from the substrate upon heating. The aerosol-forming substrate may contain non-tobacco materials. The aerosol-forming substrate may contain an aerosol-forming agent that facilitates the formation of a high-density and stable aerosol. Examples of suitable aerosol-forming agents include glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0049] The aerosol generating substrate preferably comprises homogenized tobacco material, an aerosol forming body, and water. Providing homogenized tobacco material may improve aerosol generation and the nicotine content and flavor profile of the aerosol generated during heating of the aerosol generating article. Specifically, the process of producing homogenized tobacco involves a process of crushing tobacco leaves, which allows for more effective release of nicotine and flavor during heating.

[0050] As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating article” refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate having the ability to release volatile compounds capable of forming aerosols. For example, an aerosol-generating article may be a smoking article that generates an aerosol that can be directly inhaled into the user's lungs through the user’s mouth. An aerosol-generating article may be disposable.

[0051] The aerosol-generating article may be substantially cylindrical in shape. The aerosol-generating article may be substantially elongated. The aerosol-generating article may have a length and a circumference substantially perpendicular to that length. The aerosol-generating article may be substantially rod-shaped. The aerosol-forming substrate may be substantially cylindrical in shape. The aerosol-forming substrate may be substantially elongated. The aerosol-forming substrate may have a length and a circumference substantially perpendicular to that length. The aerosol-forming substrate may be substantially rod-shaped.

[0052] Features described in relation to one embodiment may be equally applicable to other embodiments of the present invention. The present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, for illustrative purposes only. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0053] [Figure 1] Figure 1 illustrates the required charging time, which depends on the battery temperature. [Figure 2]Figure 2 shows a general flowchart for adjusting the safety timer. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an implementation of a method for adjusting the safety timer. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the setup of the aerosol generation system. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the aerosol generation system including the charging case. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a modification of the aerosol generation system in Figure 5. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0054] The diagram in Figure 1 illustrates the required charging time, dependent on battery temperature, for the temperature range of 0 to 45 degrees Celsius. In the temperature range of 25 to 42 degrees Celsius, the maximum charging current can be applied to charge the battery. Therefore, the required charging time is the shortest in this temperature range. In the temperature ranges of 15 to 25 degrees Celsius and 42 to 45 degrees Celsius, a slightly reduced charging current is applied. As a result, the required charging time increases slightly, but is still well under one hour.

[0055] At temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius, significantly lower charging currents are typically used. For this reason, the required charging time increases within the temperature range of 5 to 15 degrees Celsius. In this temperature range, the required charging time doubles to approximately 1.6 hours. At even lower temperatures within the temperature range of 0 to 5 degrees Celsius, the required charging time increases further to approximately 2.7 hours.

[0056] Conventional charging methods utilize a safety timer function. The safety timer is programmed to terminate battery charging when the charging time exceeds a specific time limit. In prior art devices, the time limit is set to a fixed value, for example, 4 or 5 hours. Such time limits ensure that the battery is fully charged throughout the entire temperature range in which charging is permitted.

[0057] These fixed safety timers are typically longer than the time required to fully charge the battery under low-temperature conditions. Consequently, the fixed safety timers are usually much longer than the time required to fully charge the battery under favorable temperature conditions of 15-45 degrees Celsius. As a result, in these settings, if the battery is not in a normal state during charging—in other words, if there is a defective battery—the completion of the charging process will be considerably delayed.

[0058] Figure 2 shows a general flowchart of a charging method that implements a dynamic safety timer function. At the beginning of the charging process, the battery temperature is measured either directly or indirectly. Therefore, the battery temperature may also be called the temperature that displays the battery temperature. Based on the battery temperature, the maximum required charging time is calculated. The safety timer is set according to the calculated maximum charging time. If the safety time has elapsed, charging is terminated. If the safety time has not yet elapsed, charging continues, and the above method is repeated.

[0059] Figure 3 shows a possible implementation of the dynamic safety timer charging method. Charging is activated when the device detects the charging voltage level in the charging adapter. At the start of the charging process, the counter cnt is set to a value of -1, and a predefined waiting time t is set. waiting It is read from the controller memory. In this example, the waiting time t waiting It is set to 600 seconds.

[0060] Subsequently, the battery temperature T NTC This is measured via an NTC thermistor. The charge controller measures the battery temperature T NTC This determines whether the temperature is within the operating temperature range. In the scheme shown in Figure 3, the operating temperature range is set to 0 to 45 degrees Celsius. If the battery temperature falls outside this operating range, charging is terminated.

[0061] If the battery temperature is within the operating interval, charging continues. The counter cnt increases by 1. In the next step, the maximum charging time t maxIt is calculated using the following formula:

[0062]

number

[0063] In the equation, T is the battery temperature, and m and c are empirically determined parameters. The parameters used in this exemplary charging method are determined to be m = -16 and c = 13705. According to this equation, at a temperature T = 0 degrees Celsius, the maximum charging time t max This is calculated to be approximately 3.8 hours. The maximum charging time decreases continuously with increasing battery temperature to approximately 3.6 hours at 45 degrees Celsius. Parameters m and c may be adapted according to the details of the battery and aerosol generating system in which the safety timer function is implemented.

[0064] In the next step, the safety timer t safety This is set. For this purpose, the following equation is used.

[0065]

number

[0066] Since cnt is valued at "0" at this point, the safety timer t starts at the beginning of the charging process. safety The maximum charging time is t max It is set to . After the safety timer is set, there is a 600-second waiting period t waiting Charging will continue until the expiration of the specified period.

[0067] After the waiting period has elapsed, the controller checks whether the safety timer has expired, or in other words, whether the safety timer has decreased to 0 seconds or less. If this occurs, charging is stopped.

[0068] If the safety timer still exceeds 0 seconds, the method in Figure 3 is repeated by measuring the battery temperature. The counter cnt is again incremented by 1, and the maximum charging time is recalculated based on the current battery temperature. The safety timer is reset according to equation (2), and charging is performed for a further predetermined waiting time t. waiting This will continue for a certain period of time.

[0069] The process is repeated, and charging continues until the safety timer decreases to 0 seconds or less. When the charging safety timer decreases to 0 seconds or less, charging is stopped. The charging safety timer may be adapted as deemed appropriate. For example, the waiting time may be adapted, and the gradient m or constant c in equation (1) may be varied. Instead of the linear form (1), the maximum charging time may also be calculated from another equation using another linear or nonlinear relationship between the battery temperature and the maximum charging time.

[0070] Three different architectural embodiments of the aerosol generation system 100 that implements the method are shown in Figures 4-6.

[0071] In Figure 4, the aerosol generation system 100 includes an aerosol generator 110 that can be connected to an external power source 102 for charging.

[0072] In the illustrated embodiment, the power supply 102 is a mains AC adapter that receives AC input from a mains power supply and outputs 5V DC via a USB-C cable. The aerosol generator 110 device comprises a rechargeable lithium-ion battery 112 and a battery charger IC 114 that controls the charging of the battery 112. The battery charger IC 114 receives power from a power interface 116 and delivers power to the battery 112 for charging.

[0073] The aerosol generator 110 further comprises a host microcontroller 118 to perform the necessary functions of the aerosol generator 110, such as supplying power from a battery to a heater 120, so that it can generate aerosols from an aerosol-forming substrate.

[0074] Battery 112 supplies power to the host microcontroller 118 and heater 120 so that the aerosol generator 110 can be used when it is no longer connected to the power supply 102.

[0075] In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the aerosol generating system 100 additionally includes a charging case 120. Power from an external power source 102 is used to charge a rechargeable battery 122 in the charging case 120. The battery 122 in the charging case 120 is then used to charge the battery 112 of the aerosol generating device 110. The aerosol generating device 110 has essentially the same structure as the preceding embodiment shown in Figure 4.

[0076] The charging case 120 includes a battery 122 and a battery charger IC 124 that controls the charging of the battery 122 within the charging case 120. The battery charger IC 124 receives power from the power interface 126 and delivers power to the battery 122 for charging. The power interface 126 for connecting the power supply 102 to the charging case 120 and the power interface 116 for connecting the charging case 120 to the aerosol generator 110 are identical and both are USB-C type connections.

[0077] The charging case 120 also includes a host microcontroller 128 to perform the necessary functions of the charging case 120, such as downloading data from the aerosol generator 110 and transmitting this data to an external computer via a USB-C interface.

[0078] The charging case 120 includes a regulator 129 that receives power from the charging case battery 122 and outputs a predetermined voltage of 5V to the aerosol generator 110. Similar to the embodiment in Figure 4, the aerosol generator 110 includes a battery 112 and a battery charger IC 114 that controls the charging of the battery 112 within the aerosol generator 110. The battery charger IC 114 receives power from its power interface 116 and delivers power to the battery 112 for charging.

[0079] In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the aerosol generating system 100 also includes a charging case 120 and is similar in most respects to the earlier embodiment shown in Figure 5.

[0080] However, in this embodiment, the battery charger IC 125 that charges the battery 112 of the aerosol generator 110 is located in the charging case 120, not in the aerosol generator 110 itself. Therefore, all electronic control circuits related to the charging process are located in the charging case 120. As a result, this means that fewer circuits are required to be located within the aerosol generator 110. This makes it possible to reduce the number of components of the aerosol generator 110, which may lead to a less complex and potentially smaller structure for the aerosol generator 110.

[0081] In the exemplary apparatus described above with reference to Figures 4, 5, and 6, the method described above with reference to Figures 2 and 3 may be implemented in a dedicated battery charger IC. In this way, the dedicated battery charger IC can operate independently of the host microcontroller, thereby dynamically adjusting the maximum charging time regardless of whether the host microcontroller is operational or not. For example, at very low battery charge levels in the apparatus, the battery may not be able to provide sufficient voltage to operate the host microcontroller. Therefore, the maximum charging time can be dynamically adjusted even at very low battery charge levels.

[0082] Alternatively, the method described above, with reference to Figures 2 and 3, may be implemented in a host microcontroller. Typically, battery charger ICs have limited programmability, while host microcontrollers are more adaptable. Therefore, implementing the method described above in a host microcontroller may be simpler and more efficient.

[0083] For the purposes of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers representing amounts, quantities, percentages, etc., are understood to be modified in all cases by the term “approximately.” Furthermore, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points and any intermediate ranges within them, which may or may not be specifically listed herein. Thus, in this context, the number A is understood as A ± 10%. In this context, the number A may be considered to include a number within the general standard error of the measurement of the characteristic that the number A modifies. In some examples used in the appended claims, the number A may deviate by the percentages listed above, as long as the amount of deviation from A does not substantially affect the fundamental and novel characteristics of the invention described in the claims. Furthermore, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points and any intermediate ranges within them, which may or may not be specifically listed herein.

Claims

1. A method for charging a battery in an aerosol generating system, - Determining the temperature at which to display the battery temperature, - Maximum charging time t according to the temperature determined above max Calculating and - Maximum charging time t max A method including terminating charging after a certain period of time has elapsed.

2. A charge controller for an aerosol generation system equipped with a battery, - Determine the temperature at which to display the temperature of the battery, - Maximum charging time t according to the temperature determined above max Calculate, - Maximum charging time t max A charge controller configured to terminate charging after a certain period of time has elapsed.

3. The temperature of the battery is determined via a thermistor or thermocouple, and / or the maximum charging time t max The method or charge controller according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the temperature is calculated as a linear or nonlinear function of the temperature determined.

4. The method or charge controller according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein charging of the battery is suppressed when the determined temperature is outside a predetermined temperature range.

5. The method or charge controller according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined temperature range is -10 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius, preferably 0 degrees Celsius to 45 degrees Celsius.

6. The method or charge controller according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the predetermined temperature range may be subdivided into two or more subranges.

7. The maximum charging time t max However, the maximum charging time is max The method or charge controller according to claim 6, calculated based on the relationship between and temperature, wherein the relationship differs in each subrange.

8. The method or charge controller according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the temperature of the battery is measured periodically during charging.

9. The method or charge controller according to claim 8, wherein the temperature of the battery is displayed by periodically measuring the temperature at a certain temperature measurement interval, preferably the temperature measurement interval is 1 to 20 minutes, 5 to 15 minutes, and preferably about 10 minutes.

10. The maximum charging time t max The method or charge controller according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which is adjusted based on the last temperature measurement.

11. the maximum charging time t max is adjusted such that only an increase in the maximum charging time t max is allowed, the method or charging controller according to claim 10.

12. An aerosol generator comprising a rechargeable battery, a first power interface for connecting the rechargeable battery to an external power source, and a host controller for controlling the power supply from the rechargeable battery to an electric heater, The host controller includes a charge controller according to any one of claims 2 to 11 for charging the rechargeable battery. or The aerosol generator comprises a battery charger IC equipped with a charge controller according to any one of claims 2 to 11 for charging the rechargeable battery.

13. A charging case for an aerosol generator, comprising a rechargeable battery, a first power interface for connecting the rechargeable battery of the charging case to an external power source, and a second power interface for connecting the rechargeable battery of the charging case to a rechargeable battery of the aerosol generator, A charging case further comprising a charging controller according to any one of claims 2 to 11 for charging the rechargeable battery of the aerosol generator.

14. A charging case for an aerosol generator, comprising a rechargeable battery, a first power interface for connecting the rechargeable battery of the charging case to an external power source, and a second power interface for connecting the rechargeable battery of the charging case to a rechargeable battery of the aerosol generator, The charging case further comprises a host microcontroller equipped with a charging controller according to any one of claims 2 to 11 for charging the rechargeable battery of the charging case. or A charging case comprising a battery charger IC equipped with a charge controller according to any one of claims 2 to 11 for charging the rechargeable battery of the charging case.

15. A non-temporary computer-readable medium comprising software for causing a charge controller to perform the method described in any one of claims 1 to 11.

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