Aerosol generator power supply system

Abstract

To provide a power system for an aerosol generation device.SOLUTION: An aerosol generation device includes a power system, which includes one supercapacitor 106 and at least one battery 104. The power system is operable in a plurality of selectable operating modes. The aerosol generation device further includes a controller 102. The controller is configured to control a power flow of the at least one supercapacitor and a power flow of the at least one battery based on the selected operating mode. The operating modes include a float mode in which a heater 108 associated with the aerosol generation device is maintained substantially at an aerosol generation temperature. In the float mode, the controller is configured to control a power flow of the power system to maintain the heater substantially at the aerosol generation temperature, and control the at least one battery to charge the at least one supercapacitor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly to a power supply system for an aerosol generating device.

Background Art

[0002] Aerosol generating devices such as electronic cigarettes and other aerosol inhalers or vaporizers are increasingly popular consumer products.

[0003] Heating devices for vaporization or aerosolization are known in the art. Such devices generally include a heating chamber and a heater. During operation, the operator inserts the product to be aerosolized or vaporized into the heating chamber. The product is then heated by an electric heater to vaporize the components of the product for the operator to inhale. In some examples, the product is a tobacco product similar to a conventional cigarette. Such devices are often referred to as "heat-not-burn" devices in that the product is heated to the aerosolization point without being burned.

[0004] Problems faced by known aerosol generating devices include providing sufficiently rapid heating and efficient utilization of energy.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] In one aspect, an aerosol generating device is provided, the aerosol generating device comprising a power supply system having at least one supercapacitor and at least one battery and operable in a plurality of selectable operating modes, and a controller configured to control the power flow of at least one supercapacitor and the power flow of at least one battery based on the selected operating mode, the plurality of operating modes including a floating mode in which a heater associated with the aerosol generating device is substantially maintained at an aerosol generating temperature, and in the floating mode, the controller The power flow of the power system is controlled to maintain the heater associated with the aerosol generator at substantially the aerosol generation temperature. It is configured to control at least one battery to charge at least one supercapacitor.

[0006] In this way, the supercapacitor is charged and ready for a future aerosolization session preheating mode. This eliminates the need for the user to charge the aerosol generator to recharge the supercapacitor between uses, thus improving the user experience. Furthermore, because the supercapacitor is recharged, the battery does not need to be used for preheating in subsequent aerosolization sessions, thereby avoiding stress on the battery and potentially contributing to improved battery life. This also enables more efficient use of energy in the aerosol generator. The supercapacitor may be understood as an electrochemical double-layer capacitor, a pseudocapacitor, or a hybrid capacitor. As an alternative to controlling at least one battery to charge at least one supercapacitor, the controller may be configured to control at least one supercapacitor to discharge in floating mode.

[0007] Preferably, the operating modes further include a post-session mode, in which the controller is configured to control at least one battery to continue charging at least one supercapacitor beyond the end of the floating mode in the post-session mode if at least one supercapacitor is substantially not charged at the end of the floating mode.

[0008] In this way, even if the aerosolization session is not long enough for the supercapacitor to be fully recharged by the battery during the floating mode, it is ensured that the supercapacitor has sufficient charge for subsequent or future preheating modes without the user needing to connect the device to an external power source to charge the supercapacitor. Because the supercapacitor is recharged, the battery does not need to be used for preheating in subsequent aerosolization sessions, thereby avoiding stress on the battery and potentially contributing to improved battery life. This also enables more efficient use of energy in the aerosol generator.

[0009] Preferably, the operating modes further include a first preheating mode in which a heater associated with the aerosol generator is heated to a predetermined temperature using a power system, and in the first preheating mode, the controller is configured to control both at least one supercapacitor and at least one battery to supply power to the heater.

[0010] The use of a supercapacitor in preheating mode is advantageous because its rapid energy delivery provides extremely rapid preheating of the heater. The combination of a supercapacitor and a battery is beneficial because the battery can provide the additional power needed if the supercapacitor alone does not store enough energy to provide the power required to heat the heater to a predetermined temperature, or if it is not possible to store enough energy. Using a supercapacitor in combination with a battery during preheating may reduce the stress on the battery compared to when only the battery is used for preheating. Reducing the stress on the battery can reduce the safety risks associated with a stressed battery and extend the battery's lifespan.

[0011] Preferably, the operating modes further include a second preheating mode in which a heater associated with the aerosol generator is heated to a predetermined temperature using a power system, and in the second preheating mode, the controller is configured to control at least one supercapacitor to power the heater without at least one battery supplying power to the heater.

[0012] In this way, the high capacity and rapid energy delivery of the supercapacitor enable extremely rapid preheating of the heater. By not using the battery for the preheating mode, stress on the battery during heater preheating is prevented, thereby improving battery life. Furthermore, this allows a larger level of energy to be stored in the battery for the floating mode that follows the preheating mode.

[0013] Preferably, the operating modes further comprise a first charging mode in which the controller controls at least one supercapacitor to be charged from an external power source connectable to the aerosol generator until at least one supercapacitor is fully charged, and then controls at least one battery to be charged from the external power source.

[0014] In this way, when a supercapacitor is used to preheat the heater, the aerosol generator can perform a preheating mode, thereby allowing subsequent aerosolization sessions to proceed at least partially, even if the power system itself is not fully charged, because the supercapacitor used in the preheating mode is preferentially charged. This enables more efficient use of energy in the aerosol generator.

[0015] Preferably, the operating modes further comprise a second charging mode in which the controller controls at least one supercapacitor to be charged from an external power source connectable to the aerosol generator until at least one supercapacitor reaches a predetermined charge level, and then controls both the at least one supercapacitor and at least one battery to be charged from the external power source.

[0016] In this way, it provides advanced utilization of the entire available charge power of the external power source. This enables more efficient use of energy in the aerosol generator.

[0017] Preferably, the predetermined charge level is more than 50% of a full charge, or more preferably 60% to 90% of a full charge, or more preferably 70% to 80% of a full charge.

[0018] Preferably, the operating modes further include a third charging mode, in which the controller is configured to control both at least one supercapacitor and at least one battery to charge from an external power source connectable to the aerosol generator.

[0019] Preferably, in the third charging mode, the controller is configured to control both at least one supercapacitor and at least one battery to charge from an external power source that can be connected to the aerosol generator, provided that the external power source has sufficient power capacity.

[0020] In this way, when a supercapacitor is used to preheat the heater, the power system can be charged without the risk of the supercapacitor not being properly charged to preheat the heater in subsequent aerosolization sessions. This enables more efficient use of energy in the aerosol generator.

[0021] Preferably, at least one supercapacitor comprises at least one hybrid supercapacitor and / or at least one asymmetric supercapacitor and / or at least one pseudosupercapacitor.

[0022] The use of hybrid supercapacitors, asymmetric supercapacitors, or pseudo-supercapacitors is advantageous in that they can have sufficiently high energy and power densities to provide preheating and / or aerosolization for at least one aerosol-generating consumable.

[0023] Preferably, at least one supercapacitor is configured to store enough energy to power an associated heater to aerosolize at least one aerosol generating consumable received within the aerosol generator.

[0024] Preferably, the aerosol generator is arranged to receive an aerosol generating consumable, which comprises a tobacco rod.

[0025] According to one embodiment, a method is provided for controlling a power supply system of an aerosol generator, the power supply system comprising at least one supercapacitor and at least one battery, the power supply system being capable of operating in a plurality of selectable operating modes, and the method is The controller includes controlling the power flow of at least one supercapacitor and the power flow of at least one battery based on the selected operating mode. Multiple operating modes include a floating mode in which the heater associated with the aerosol generator is substantially maintained at the aerosol generation temperature, and in the floating mode, the method further, The controller controls the power flow of the power system to maintain the heater associated with the aerosol generator at approximately the aerosol generation temperature, and The controller includes controlling at least one battery to charge at least one supercapacitor.

[0026] According to one aspect, there is provided a non - transient computer - readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to control a power system of an aerosol generator, the power system including at least one supercapacitor and at least one battery, the power system being operable in a plurality of selectable operating modes, the instructions causing the one or more processors to, based on a selected operating mode, control the power flow of at least one supercapacitor and the power flow of at least one battery, the plurality of operating modes including a floating mode in which a heater associated with the aerosol generator is substantially maintained at an aerosol - generating temperature, and in the floating mode, the instructions further causing the one or more processors to, control the power flow of the power system to substantially maintain a heater associated with the aerosol generator at an aerosol - generating temperature, control at least one battery to charge at least one supercapacitor.

[0027] In one aspect, an aerosol generator is provided, the aerosol generator including a power system including at least one supercapacitor and at least one battery and operable in a plurality of selectable operating modes, a controller configured to control the power flow of at least one supercapacitor and the power flow of at least one battery based on a selected operating mode, the plurality of operating modes including a pre - heating mode and / or a charging mode.

[0028] Preferably, the operating modes further include a floating mode in which a heater associated with the aerosol generator is substantially maintained at the aerosol generation temperature, in which the controller is configured to control the power flow of the power supply system to substantially maintain the heater associated with the aerosol generator at the aerosol generation temperature and to control at least one battery to charge at least one supercapacitor.

[0029] Preferably, the operating modes further include a post-session mode, in which the controller is configured to control at least one battery so that, if at least one supercapacitor is substantially not charged at the end of the floating mode, at least one supercapacitor continues to charge beyond the end of the floating mode in the post-session mode.

[0030] Preferably, the preheating mode includes a first preheating mode in which a heater associated with the aerosol generator is heated to a predetermined temperature using a power system, and in the first preheating mode, the controller is configured to control both at least one supercapacitor and at least one battery to supply power to the heater.

[0031] Preferably, the preheating mode includes a second preheating mode in which a heater associated with the aerosol generator is heated to a predetermined temperature using a power system, and in the second preheating mode, the controller is configured to control at least one supercapacitor to power the heater without at least one battery supplying power to the heater.

[0032] Preferably, the charging mode comprises a first charging mode, in which the controller is configured to control at least one supercapacitor to be charged from an external power source connectable to the aerosol generator until at least one supercapacitor is fully charged, and then to control at least one battery to be charged from the external power source.

[0033] Preferably, the charging mode comprises a second charging mode, in which the controller is configured to control at least one supercapacitor to be charged from an external power source connectable to the aerosol generator until at least one supercapacitor reaches a predetermined charge level, and then to control both the at least one supercapacitor and at least one battery to be charged from the external power source.

[0034] Preferably, the predetermined charge level is more than 50% of a full charge, or more preferably 60% to 90% of a full charge, or more preferably 70% to 80% of a full charge.

[0035] Preferably, the charging mode includes a third charging mode, in which the controller is configured to control both at least one supercapacitor and at least one battery to charge from an external power source connectable to the aerosol generator.

[0036] Preferably, in the third charging mode, the controller is configured to control both at least one supercapacitor and at least one battery to charge from an external power source that can be connected to the aerosol generator, provided that the external power source has sufficient power capacity.

[0037] Preferably, at least one supercapacitor comprises at least one hybrid supercapacitor and / or at least one asymmetric supercapacitor and / or at least one pseudosupercapacitor.

[0038] Preferably, at least one supercapacitor is configured to store enough energy to power an associated heater in order to aerosolize at least one aerosol generating consumable received within the aerosol generator.

[0039] Preferably, the aerosol generator is arranged to receive an aerosol generating consumable, which comprises a tobacco rod.

[0040] According to one embodiment, a method is provided for controlling a power supply system of an aerosol generator, the power supply system comprising at least one supercapacitor and at least one battery, the power supply system being operable in a plurality of selectable operating modes, the plurality of operating modes comprising a preheating mode and / or a charging mode, and the method is The controller includes controlling the power flow of at least one supercapacitor and the power flow of at least one battery based on the selected operating mode.

[0041] According to one embodiment, a non-transient computer-readable medium is provided which, when executed by one or more processors, stores instructions causing one or more processors to control the power supply system of an aerosol generator, the power supply system comprises at least one supercapacitor and at least one battery, the power supply system is operable in a plurality of selectable operating modes, the plurality of operating modes comprising a preheating mode and / or a charging mode, Instructions are sent to one or more processors. Based on the selected operating mode, the power flow of at least one supercapacitor and the power flow of at least one battery are controlled.

[0042] In one embodiment, an aerosol generator is provided that is configured to heat a tobacco rod, and the aerosol generator is A power supply system comprising at least one supercapacitor and at least one battery, capable of operating in multiple selectable operating modes, A controller configured to control the power flow of at least one supercapacitor and the power flow of at least one battery based on a selected operating mode, In an aerosolization session, the operating modes include a preheating mode in which a heater associated with the aerosol generator is heated to a predetermined temperature, and a floating mode in which the heater associated with the aerosol generator is substantially maintained at the aerosol generation temperature of the tobacco rod, and the controller, Control at least one supercapacitor to supply power to the heater in preheating mode, It is configured to control at least one battery to charge at least one supercapacitor in floating mode.

[0043] According to one embodiment, a method is provided for controlling a power supply system of an aerosol generator configured to heat a tobacco rod, wherein the power supply system comprises at least one supercapacitor and at least one battery, the power supply system is capable of operating in a plurality of selectable operating modes, and the method is The controller includes controlling the power flow of at least one supercapacitor and the power flow of at least one battery based on the selected operating mode. In an aerosolization session, the operating modes include a preheating mode in which a heater associated with the aerosol generator is heated to a predetermined temperature, and a floating mode in which the heater associated with the aerosol generator is substantially maintained at the aerosol generation temperature of the tobacco rod, and the method is Controlling at least one supercapacitor to supply power to the heater in preheating mode, The further includes controlling at least one battery to charge at least one supercapacitor in floating mode.

[0044] According to one embodiment, a non-transient computer-readable medium is provided which, when executed by one or more processors, causes one or more processors to control a power supply system of an aerosol generator configured to heat a tobacco rod, the power supply system comprises at least one supercapacitor and at least one battery, the power supply system is capable of operating in a plurality of selectable operating modes, and the instructions are given to one or more processors, Based on the selected operating mode, the power flow of at least one supercapacitor and the power flow of at least one battery are controlled. In an aerosolization session, the operating modes include a preheating mode in which a heater associated with the aerosol generator is heated to a predetermined temperature, and a floating mode in which the heater associated with the aerosol generator is substantially maintained at the aerosol generation temperature of the tobacco rod, and the instruction further provides to one or more processors, Control at least one supercapacitor to supply power to the heater in preheating mode. Control at least one battery to charge at least one supercapacitor in floating mode.

[0045] Any of the aforementioned desirable features can be included in any of the aforementioned embodiments, as necessary.

[0046] Here, embodiments of the present invention will be described as examples with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0047] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram of an aerosol generator according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart of the operating modes of an aerosol generator according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0048] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the components of an aerosol generator 100 or vapor generator, also known as an e-cigarette. For the purposes of this explanation, please understand that the terms vapor and aerosol are interchangeable.

[0049] The aerosol generator 100 comprises a main body 112 including a controller 102, and a power supply system comprising at least one battery 104 and at least one supercapacitor 106. The power supply system is operable in a number of selectable operating modes. In this specification, only one battery 104 and one supercapacitor 106 are mentioned, but those skilled in the art will understand that the power supply system may comprise one or more batteries and one or more supercapacitors as needed, and that the reference to “battery” may encompass “at least one battery,” and “supercapacitor” may encompass “at least one supercapacitor.” The controller 102 is configured to control the power flow of the supercapacitor 106 and the power flow of the battery 104 based on the selected operating mode, as will be described later.

[0050] In one embodiment, the heater 108 is housed in a main body portion 112. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the heater 108 is located in a cavity 110 or chamber within the main body portion 112. The cavity 110 is accessed by an opening 110A in the main body portion 112. The cavity 110 is positioned to receive an associated aerosol generating consumable 114. The aerosol generating consumable may contain an aerosol generating material such as a tobacco rod containing tobacco. The tobacco rod may be similar to a conventional cigarette. The cavity 110 has a cross-section substantially equal to that of the aerosol generating consumable 114, and a depth such that when the associated aerosol generating consumable 114 is inserted into the cavity 110, the first end 114A of the aerosol generating consumable 114 reaches the bottom 110B of the cavity 110 (i.e., the end 110B of the cavity 110 distal to the cavity opening 110A), and the second end 114B of the aerosol generating consumable 114 distal to the first end 114A extends outward from the cavity 110. In this way, the consumer can inhale the aerosol generating consumable 114 when it is inserted into the aerosol generator 100. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the heater 108 is positioned within the cavity 110 so as to engage with the heater 108 when the aerosol generating consumable 114 is inserted into the cavity 110. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the heater 108 is positioned as a tube within the cavity such that when the first end 114A of the aerosol generating consumable is inserted into the cavity, the heater 108 substantially or completely surrounds a portion of the aerosol generating consumable 114 inside the cavity 110. The heater 108 can be a wire such as a coiled wire heater, a ceramic heater, or any other suitable type of heater. The heater 108 may comprise a plurality of heating elements arranged continuously along the axial length of the cavity, which can operate sequentially and independently (i.e., be powered on).In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the heater may be positioned inside the cavity as an elongated perforating member (such as a needle, rod, or blade), in which case the heater may be positioned to penetrate the aerosol generating consumable and engage with the aerosol generating material when the aerosol generating consumable is inserted into the cavity. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the heater may be in the form of an induction heater. In this embodiment, a heating element is provided inside the consumable, and the heating element is inductively coupled to an induction heater inside the cavity when the consumable is inserted into the cavity. The induction heater then heats the heating element by induction.

[0051] The heater 108 is configured to heat the aerosol generating consumable 114 to a predetermined temperature to generate an aerosol in an aerosolization session. An aerosolization session can be thought of as the device being operated to generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating consumable 114. In embodiments where the aerosol generating consumable 114 is a tobacco rod, the aerosol generating consumable 114 comprises a tobacco stick. The heater 108 is configured to heat the tobacco stick without burning it in order to generate an aerosol. That is, the heater 108 heats the tobacco stick to a predetermined temperature below the burning point of the tobacco stick so that a tobacco-based aerosol is generated. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the aerosol generating consumable 114 does not necessarily have to comprise a tobacco stick, and any other suitable substance for aerosolization (or vaporization) by heating without burning the substance can be used instead of tobacco.

[0052] The controller 102 is configured to control the power flow of the supercapacitor 106 and the battery 104 based on the selected operating mode. The operating modes include preheating mode, floating mode, post-session mode, and charging mode.

[0053] The progression from preheating mode to floating mode, and then to post-session mode, can be understood from Figure 2. In preheating mode 202, the heater 108 associated with the aerosol generator 100 is heated to a predetermined temperature for generating aerosols from the aerosol generating consumables 114. The preheating phase can be considered as the time during which the preheating mode is performed, for example, the time it takes for the heater 108 to reach the predetermined temperature. Once the heater reaches the predetermined temperature, the controller exits preheating mode 202 and selects floating mode 204. In floating mode 204, the controller 102 controls the power flow from the power supply system to maintain the heater 108 at substantially a predetermined temperature so that aerosols are generated for consumer inhalation. The floating phase can be considered as the time during which the floating mode is performed, for example, the time during which the heater 108 aerosolizes one (or at least a portion of one) aerosol generating consumables 114 after the preheating phase. Optionally, following the floating mode, post-session mode 206 is initiated. Post-session mode will be described later. The post-session phase can be thought of as the time during which post-session mode is running.

[0054] In charging mode, the supercapacitor 106 and battery 104 of the power system are charged from an external power source connected to the aerosol generator 100. The charging mode will be described in detail later.

[0055] The battery 104 can supply power to the heater 108 during a preheating mode in which the heater 108 is heated to a predetermined temperature, and during a floating mode in which the heater 108 is maintained at a constant temperature. In one embodiment, the battery 104 can charge the supercapacitor 106 in floating mode. In one embodiment, the battery 104 is a high-energy battery such as a battery using lithium-ion technology, aluminum-ion technology, or zinc-ion technology, or any other suitable type of battery.

[0056] The supercapacitor 106 can supply power to the heater 108 in preheating mode. In some embodiments, the supercapacitor 106 can store enough charge to supply power to the heater 108 for one or more preheating phases, i.e., the supercapacitor 106 can store enough energy to supply power to heat the heater 108 to a predetermined temperature one or more times. In some embodiments, the supercapacitor 106 can supply power to the heater 108 in floating mode. In such embodiments, the supercapacitor 106 can store enough charge to supply power to the heater 108 to aerosolize one or more tobacco rods in floating mode. In some embodiments, the supercapacitor 106 can have a total voltage of less than 5V and a maximum voltage of more than 3V. Preferably, the supercapacitor 106 is more powerful than the battery but has sufficient energy storage capacity to power the heater 108 to aerosolize one aerosol generating consumable 114 in floating mode, in some embodiments, so that the heater 108 is heated to a predetermined temperature at least once in preheating mode.

[0057] The supercapacitor 106 can be any suitable energy storage unit based on supercapacitor technology. In some embodiments, the supercapacitor 106 can be a hybrid supercapacitor or an asymmetric or pseudo-supercapacitor.

[0058] The controller 102 is configured to control the power flow of the supercapacitor 106 and the battery 104 based on the selected operating mode. The controller 102 can be a microcontroller unit comprising a memory in which instructions for operating the aerosol generator 100, including instructions for performing the selectable operating modes, are stored, and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions.

[0059] Here, we will explain in more detail the various operating modes of the aerosol generator 100. Preheating mode The preheating mode is selected by the controller 102 when an aerosolization session is initiated by a user of the aerosol generator 100. This preheating mode can be triggered by the controller determining that the consumer is holding / pressing the heating button on the device 100. Alternatively, the preheating mode can be triggered by gesture-controlled activation, such as the consumer shaking or tapping the device. In one embodiment, an indicator, such as a light-emitting diode integrated into the device, may be configured to indicate that preheating is complete and the consumer can inhale the generated aerosol.

[0060] In preheating mode, the controller 102 controls the flow of power from the power supply system to the heater 108 to heat the heater 108 to a predetermined temperature or operating temperature. The predetermined temperature can be pre-stored in the controller 102 of the aerosol generator 100. For example, the predetermined temperature can be a known, pre-set temperature at which the aerosol generating material is heated to generate aerosols. In some embodiments, the predetermined temperature may be in the range of 210 to 250°C, more preferably 220 to 240°C, or more preferably 230°C or about 230°C, to provide a desirable user experience. Preheating can be considered a phase in which the temperature of the heater 108 is raised to reach a predetermined temperature in floating mode.

[0061] In some embodiments, preheating a heater may involve applying up to 30W from the power system to the heater for 10 seconds, although these parameters are variable to provide the minimum heating time. Supercapacitors can provide extremely rapid preheating, especially when compared to the use of batteries alone, due to their associated high power capacity.

[0062] In a first embodiment of the preheating mode, the heater 108 associated with the aerosol generator 100 is heated to a predetermined temperature using a power supply system. More specifically, the controller 102 is configured to control both the supercapacitor 106 and the battery 104 to supply power to the heater 108 during the preheating mode. That is, power is supplied to the heater 108 from a combination of both the supercapacitor 106 and the battery 104 to heat the heater 108 to a predetermined temperature.

[0063] The supercapacitor 106 is advantageous because its high capacity and rapid energy delivery provide extremely rapid preheating of the heater 108. The combination of the supercapacitor 106 and the battery 104 is beneficial because if the supercapacitor 106 alone does not store enough energy to provide the power required to heat the heater 108 to a predetermined temperature, or is unable to store enough energy, the battery 104 can provide the necessary additional power. By using the supercapacitor 106 in combination with the battery 104 during preheating, the stress on the battery 104 is reduced compared to when the battery 104 is used for preheating alone. Reducing the stress on the battery 104 can reduce the safety risks associated with a stressed battery 104 and extend the life of the battery 104.

[0064] In a second embodiment of the preheating mode, the heater 108 associated with the aerosol generator 100 is heated to a predetermined temperature using a power supply system. More specifically, the controller 102 is configured to control the supercapacitor 106 to supply power to the heater 108 even in the absence of the battery 104 that supplies power to the heater 108 during the preheating mode. That is, the controller 102 controls only the supercapacitor 106 to supply power to the heater 108 during the preheating mode, and the battery 104 is not used to supply power to the heater 108 during the preheating mode. This is advantageous because the high capacity and rapid energy delivery of the supercapacitor 106 enable extremely rapid preheating of the heater 108. By not using the battery 104 for the preheating mode, stress is prevented from being applied to the battery 104 when preheating the heater 108, thereby improving the lifespan of the battery 104. Furthermore, this allows a larger level of energy to be stored in the battery 104 for the floating mode that follows the preheating mode.

[0065] The controller 102 stores operation commands for one or more of the exemplary preheating modes described above and can execute various preheating modes as needed, for example, depending on specific hardware considerations related to the aerosol generator 100.

[0066] When heater 108 reaches a predetermined temperature, the preheating mode ends and the floating mode begins. Floating mode The floating mode is selected by the controller 102 when the controller 102 determines that the preheating mode has successfully heated the heater 108 to a predetermined temperature.

[0067] In floating mode, the heater 108 associated with the aerosol generator 100 is substantially maintained at an aerosol generation temperature (which may be a predetermined or operating temperature) using the power supply system. Specifically, information regarding the temperature of the heater 108 is fed back to the controller 102. If the heater temperature is below the predetermined aerosol generation temperature, the controller 102 increases the power applied to the heater 108 to raise the temperature. If the heater temperature exceeds the predetermined aerosol generation temperature, the controller 102 decreases the power applied to the heater 108 to lower the temperature. The controller 102 controls the power flow from the power supply system to maintain the heater substantially at the aerosol generation temperature.

[0068] During the floating mode, the controller 102 also controls the battery 104 to charge the supercapacitor 106. That is, the battery 104 is controlled to power the supercapacitor 106 to charge it, as well as to directly power the heater 108 to maintain a predetermined temperature. In such an embodiment of the floating mode, the controller 102 may control only the battery 104 to power the heater 108 without the supercapacitor 106 powering the heater 108. This is advantageous because it allows the supercapacitor 106 to be charged in preparation for a future aerosolization session if it is necessary to perform another preheating mode.

[0069] In another embodiment of the floating mode, the supercapacitor 106 alone may supply power to the heater 108. For example, the supercapacitor 106 may be configured to store enough energy to power the heater 108 to aerosolize one or more aerosol-generating consumables 114 in the floating mode.

[0070] In a further embodiment of the floating mode, the battery 104 and the supercapacitor 106 may be used together at the start of the floating mode. When the power level of the supercapacitor 106 drops to a certain point, the battery 104 may provide power to the heater 108 alone, or it may provide power to charge the supercapacitor 106.

[0071] The floating mode ends when the controller 102 determines that the aerosolization session has ended. For example, the controller 102 may determine that the aerosolization session has ended when the consumer releases the heater 108 button, when no airflow is detected for a predetermined period of time, or when a predetermined aerosolization session timer expires. The aerosolization session may also end when the consumer has completely aerosolized the aerosol generating consumable 114 or a desired amount of the aerosol generating consumable 114. Post-session mode Optionally, when the controller 102 determines that the floating mode has ended, the controller 102 may choose to start a post-session mode, which is the mode that follows the aerosolization session.

[0072] If the supercapacitor 106 is not properly or completely recharged by the battery 104 during the floating mode, the post-session mode is initiated after the floating mode.

[0073] In post-session mode, the controller 102 is configured to control the battery 104 to continue charging the supercapacitor 106 beyond the end of the floating mode if the supercapacitor 106 is not fully charged (or not properly charged) at the end of the floating mode.

[0074] If the consumer terminates their aerosolization session, battery 104 may not have yet provided sufficient charge to the supercapacitor 106 during the floating mode when the supercapacitor 106 is fully (or substantially) recharged. That is, the supercapacitor 106 may not be sufficiently charged to perform the subsequent preheating mode. In this case, controller 102 determines that the supercapacitor 106 is not fully charged (or not sufficiently charged to perform the subsequent preheating mode) and then controls battery 104 to continue charging the supercapacitor 106 beyond the end of the floating mode, i.e., after the aerosolization session or floating mode has ended, until the supercapacitor is fully (or substantially) recharged for the subsequent preheating mode.

[0075] This is advantageous because it ensures that the supercapacitor 106 stores enough energy for subsequent or future preheating modes without the user needing to connect the device to an external power source to charge the supercapacitor 106, even if the aerosolization session is not long enough for the supercapacitor 106 to be fully recharged by the battery 104 during the floating mode. That is, if the consumer performs only short aerosolization sessions, the supercapacitor 106 can still be recharged for the preheating mode of the next aerosolization session. In addition to this improvement to the user experience, this also reduces the need to use the battery 104 instead or additionally to power the heater 108 in subsequent preheating modes, as the supercapacitor 106 stores enough energy to do so. This reduces stress on the battery 104 during subsequent preheating modes and thus avoids potentially shortening the battery 104's lifespan. Charging mode The charging mode is selected when the controller 102 determines that the aerosol generator 100 is connected to an external power source.

[0076] In one embodiment, the external power supply may be a main power supply or power bank or the like, connected to the aerosol generator 100 by a wired connection to the aerosol generator 100. In one embodiment, the wired or wireless connection may be in the form of a USB cable connected to the aerosol generator 100 by a USB socket on the aerosol generator 100. In particular, the USB connection may be a micro USB connection or a USB-C connection. However, those skilled in the art will readily understand that any other suitable type of wired or wireless power connection may be used. The charging mode can be started when the controller 102 determines that the external power supply has been connected to the aerosol generator 100.

[0077] In the first embodiment of the charging mode, the controller 102 is configured to control the supercapacitor 106 to be charged from an external power source connectable to the aerosol generator 100 until the supercapacitor 106 is fully charged, and then the controller 102 controls the battery 104 to be charged from the external power source. Only the supercapacitor 106 is charged, and then only the battery 104 is charged. That is, the supercapacitor 106 is given a higher charging priority than the battery 104 in that it is charged before the battery 104 is charged. In this way, the aerosol generator 100 can perform a preheating mode, thereby allowing subsequent aerosolization sessions to proceed at least partially, even if the power system itself is not fully charged, because the supercapacitor 106 used in the preheating mode is preferentially charged.

[0078] In a second embodiment of the charging mode, the controller 102 is configured to control the supercapacitor 106 to be charged from an external power source connectable to the aerosol generator 100 until the supercapacitor 106 reaches a predetermined charge level, and then the controller 102 is configured to control both the supercapacitor 106 and the battery 104 to be charged from the external power source. Only the supercapacitor 106 is charged until it reaches a predetermined charge level, and then both the battery 104 and the supercapacitor 106 are charged. That is, the controller 102 determines the charge level of the supercapacitor 106 and controls it to be charged until only the supercapacitor 106 approaches a point of full charge by, for example, comparing the charge level with a predetermined charge level (i.e., a predetermined charge threshold) stored in the controller 102. When the controller 102 determines that the supercapacitor 106 has been charged to the predetermined charge threshold, it controls both the supercapacitor 106 and the battery 104 to be charged from the external power source. The supercapacitor 106 can be considered to have a higher charging priority than the battery 104 until the supercapacitor 106 reaches a predetermined charging threshold. This approach provides high utilization of the total available charging power from the external power source.

[0079] In some embodiments, the predetermined charge level can be a charge level exceeding 50% of a full charge, preferably a charge level in the range of 60-90% of a full charge, or more preferably a charge level in the range of 70-80% of a full charge.

[0080] In a third embodiment of the charging mode, the controller 102 is configured to control both the supercapacitor 106 and the battery 104 to charge from an external power source that can be connected to the aerosol generator 100. More specifically, the controller 102 controls both the supercapacitor 106 and the battery 104 to charge from the external power source when the external power source has sufficient power capacity. That is, if the external power source can deliver power at a sufficiently high level, both the battery 104 and the supercapacitor 106 are charged simultaneously (i.e., the battery 104 and the supercapacitor 106 are given equal charging priority). Whether the external power source has sufficient power capacity can be determined by the controller 102 when the aerosol generator 100 is connected to the external power source, and the controller 102 can compare the power capacity or power delivery level of the external power source with a predetermined power delivery threshold stored in the controller 102. If the power delivery level of the external power source meets or exceeds the predetermined power delivery threshold, the controller 102 controls both the battery 104 and the supercapacitor 106 to charge simultaneously. This charging mode is advantageous because it provides a power system that charges the supercapacitor 106 without the risk of it not being properly charged to perform a preheating mode for a subsequent aerosolization session.

[0081] If the supercapacitor 106 is not properly charged, it may not be possible to perform the preheating mode, and therefore the subsequent aerosolization session may not be possible. The aforementioned charging mode for the power system prevents this problem by ensuring that the supercapacitor 106 is properly charged.

[0082] The controller 102 stores one or more of the aforementioned charging modes and can execute various charging modes as needed, for example, based on specific hardware considerations related to the aerosol generator 100 and / or external power supply. The aforementioned charging modes are advantageous in that they provide a rapid charge after the power system is completely discharged for use with one or more aerosol generating consumables in a subsequent aerosolization session. This reduces the waiting time for the aerosolization session. These rapid charging examples can enable the power system to be rapidly charged to a state where sufficient energy is stored to aerosolize multiple (e.g., two) aerosol generating consumables.

[0083] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the controller 102 can be configured to perform any of the aforementioned operating modes in combination with each other as needed.

[0084] The processing steps described herein, performed by the controller 102, may be stored in a non-temporary computer-readable medium or storage associated with the main control unit. The computer-readable medium may include non-volatile and volatile media. The volatile media may, among other things, include semiconductor memory and dynamic memory. The non-volatile media may, among other things, include optical disks and magnetic disks.

[0085] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the prior embodiments described above are not limiting. Features of each embodiment may be incorporated into other embodiments as needed.

Claims

1. Aerosol generator, A power supply system comprising at least one supercapacitor and at least one battery, and capable of operating in multiple selectable operating modes, A controller configured to control the power flow of the at least one supercapacitor and the power flow of the at least one battery based on a selected operating mode, The aforementioned plurality of operating modes include a first charging mode, In the first charging mode, the controller, An aerosol generator configured to control the at least one supercapacitor to charge from an external power source connectable to the aerosol generator until the at least one supercapacitor is fully charged, and then to control the at least one battery to charge from the external power source.

2. The aforementioned plurality of operating modes include a second charging mode, and in the second charging mode, the controller, The system is configured to control the at least one supercapacitor to charge from an external power source connectable to the aerosol generator until the at least one supercapacitor reaches a predetermined charge level, and then to control both the at least one supercapacitor and the at least one battery to charge from the external power source. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned predetermined charge level is It is between 60% and 90% of a full charge. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned plurality of operating modes include a third charging mode, and in the third charging mode, the controller, The at least one supercapacitor and the at least one battery are configured to be controlled so that both are simultaneously charged from an external power source connectable to the aerosol generator. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. In the third charging mode, the controller, When an external power supply has sufficient power capacity, the at least one supercapacitor and the at least one battery are controlled to charge both simultaneously from the external power supply, which can be connected to the aerosol generator. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The at least one supercapacitor comprises at least one hybrid supercapacitor and / or at least one asymmetric supercapacitor and / or at least one pseudosupercapacitor. An aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The at least one supercapacitor is configured to store enough energy to supply power to an associated heater in order to aerosolize at least one aerosol generating consumable received in the aerosol generator. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The aerosol generator is arranged to receive aerosol generating consumables, and the aerosol generating consumables include a tobacco rod. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A method for controlling a power supply system of an aerosol generator, wherein the power supply system comprises at least one supercapacitor and at least one battery, the power supply system is operable in a plurality of selectable operating modes, the plurality of operating modes comprising a first charging mode, and the method is The controller includes controlling the power flow of the at least one supercapacitor and the power flow of the at least one battery based on the selected operating mode, A method for controlling, in the first charging mode, to charge the at least one supercapacitor from an external power source connectable to the aerosol generator until the at least one supercapacitor is fully charged, and then to control the at least one battery to charge from the external power source.

10. The aforementioned plurality of operating modes include a second charging mode, In the second charging mode, the at least one supercapacitor is controlled to be charged from an external power source connectable to the aerosol generator until the at least one supercapacitor reaches a predetermined charge level, and then both the at least one supercapacitor and the at least one battery are controlled to be charged from the external power source. The method according to claim 9.

11. The aforementioned plurality of operating modes include a third charging mode, In the third charging mode, the at least one supercapacitor and the at least one battery are controlled to charge both simultaneously from an external power source connectable to the aerosol generator. The method according to claim 9 or 10.

12. In the third charging mode, if the external power supply has sufficient power capacity, the at least one supercapacitor and the at least one battery are controlled to charge both simultaneously from the external power supply that can be connected to the aerosol generator. The method according to claim 11.

13. A non-temporary computer-readable medium that, when executed by one or more processors, stores instructions causing the one or more processors to perform the method according to any one of claims 9 to 12.

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