Aerosol generator that provides puff information

Abstract

The aerosol generating device (1) comprises an aerosol generating unit (2) arranged for converting an aerosol-forming substance into an aerosol that can be inhaled by a user through successive puffs during a steam inhalation session, a notification unit (3) arranged for notifying information related to the device (1), and a control unit (4) arranged for causing the notification unit (3) to notify the user, during a steam inhalation session, when the aerosol generating unit (2) has reached an appropriate state for the next puff.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly to information notification during a vapor inhalation session. 【Background Art】 【0002】 An aerosol generating device includes an aerosol generating unit arranged to convert an aerosol forming substance into an aerosol that can be inhaled by a user through successive puffs (or inhalation steps) during a vaping session, and a notification unit arranged to notify information regarding the aerosol generating device. 【0003】 If this type of aerosol generating device is portable, i.e., usable when held by a user, it further includes a battery (or power source) that is likely rechargeable and stores electrical energy and is used by the aerosol generating unit to generate the aerosol. In this case, the aerosol generating device may be a vaporizer or an e-cigarette. 【0004】 In the following description, the term "aerosol forming substance" is used to refer to any substance that can be aerosolized in air to form an aerosol. The aerosol forming substance may be, for example, in liquid form, solid form, or semi-liquid form. Thus, the aerosol forming substance can be a liquid, gel, paste, or wax, etc., or any combination thereof. 【0005】 The aerosol forming substance may contain one or more of nicotine, polyol, caffeine, or other active ingredients. The active ingredient may be carried by a carrier that may include, for example, propylene glycol or glycerin. Flavors may also be present within the aerosol forming substance. The flavor may include, for example, ethyl vanillin (vanilla), menthol, isoamyl acetate (banana oil), or the like. 【0006】 Furthermore, in the following description, the term “aerosol” may also include suspensions of a substance as one or more solid particles, droplets, and gases. Such suspensions may be in a gaseous state, including air. Aerosols as used here may generally refer to vapors, or may include vapors, and may include one or more components of aerosol-forming substances. 【0007】 The amount of aerosol-forming material available is limited (typically fewer than 20 inhalation stages (or puffs) during a vapor inhalation session), and aerosol generation during a vapor inhalation session is not persistent. In fact, the heater of the aerosol-generating unit is supplied with power adapted to aerosol generation only after the preheating stage, at the moment the start of an inhalation stage (or puff) is detected (i.e., each time the user begins inhaling). 【0008】 During each inhalation phase, the power supplied to the heater remains nearly constant, while the amount of available aerosol-forming material decreases after each inhalation phase. Therefore, as the time interval between consecutive puffs changes roughly, the aerosol temperature, and / or aerosol flavor, and / or proportion of aerosol components, and / or levels of undesirable aerosol components, and / or the amount of aerosol can change, perhaps significantly, from puff to puff within the same vapor inhalation session. In other words, one or more aerosol parameters often become suboptimal during a vapor inhalation session because the user does not take enough time, or takes too much time, to allow for proper aerosol generation between two consecutive puffs. This inconsistency in output can lead to user discomfort. 【0009】 As described in the patent document, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0000143A1, if the smartphone and aerosol generator are pre-paired when the user begins using the aerosol generator, it is possible to provide the user with information about the time interval between puffs on the smartphone screen. However, such a solution requires the user's smartphone to be within the communication range of the aerosol generator and does not accurately indicate to the user when the next puff is substantially ready in the aerosol generator. In other words, this solution does not avoid the inconsistency of output during a vapor inhalation session. [Overview of the Initiative] 【0010】 Therefore, the objective of the present invention is to improve that situation. 【0011】 The proposed invention provides an embodiment of an aerosol generator comprising, in particular, an aerosol generating unit arranged to convert an aerosol-forming substance into an aerosol that can be inhaled by a user through successive puffs during a vapor inhalation session, and a notification unit arranged to provide information regarding the aerosol generator. 【0012】 This aerosol generator is further characterized by comprising a control unit positioned to cause a notification unit to notify the user during a vapor inhalation session when the aerosol generating unit has reached a suitable state for the next puff. 【0013】 Specifically, in addition to notifying the user when the aerosol generator reaches the appropriate state for the first puff of a vapor inhalation session, the control unit causes the notification unit to notify the user when the aerosol generator reaches the appropriate state for each subsequent puff during the vapor inhalation session. As a result, the user always knows when the aerosol generator will be ready for the next puff during the vapor inhalation session, thereby significantly reducing and even preventing inconsistencies in output. 【0014】 Embodiments of the aerosol generator may include other embodiments or features, considered separately or in combination, as defined below: The control unit may be operable to determine, using selected parameters, that the aerosol generating unit has reached a suitable state for the next puff. The selected parameters may change, for example, as the elapsed time since the start of the vapor inhalation session increases, and may increase as a result. In the first embodiment, the selected parameter may be the time since the last puff, and the control unit may cause the notification unit to notify the waiting time until the aerosol generating unit reaches a suitable state; In this first embodiment, the control unit may cause a notification unit to notify of a waiting time that gradually increases in proportion to the elapsed time since the start of the vapor inhalation session (i.e., the time since the last puff may increase as the vapor inhalation session progresses, such that the time between the first and second puffs is shorter than the time between the second and third puffs). For example, the control unit may be configured to determine the increment depending on the type of appropriate state, which is selected from the group consisting of appropriate flavor and appropriate aerosol generation amount; In a second embodiment, the aerosol generator may further include a measuring unit positioned to determine a value representing the temperature of the aerosol generating unit. In this case, the selected parameter may be a selected value, and the control unit may cause a notification unit to notify the user if the value to be determined satisfies predetermined conditions; In this second embodiment, the control unit may cause the notification unit to notify the user when the value to be determined reaches a selected value since the last puff. For example, this selected value may change depending on the elapsed time since the start of the vapor inhalation session; In the first modification, the selected parameter may be the selected time length since reaching a selected value, and the control unit may cause the notification unit to notify the user when the selected time length has elapsed since the value to be determined reached the selected value after the last puff. For example, this selected time length may vary depending on the elapsed time since the start of the vapor inhalation session; In a second variation, the selected parameter may be an increment of the selected value, and the notification unit may be instructed to notify the user when the value to be determined reaches the increment of the selected value since the last puff. For example, this increment of the selected value may vary depending on the elapsed time since the start of the vapor inhalation session; • Notification units may be positioned to notify the user by means of display messages and / or audio messages and / or haptic feedback; The control unit may instruct the notification unit to continue notifying the user over a predetermined period. For example, this predetermined period may vary depending on the elapsed time since the start of the vapor inhalation session; The aerosol-forming substance may contain tobacco material or at least one polyol; The aerosol generator may further include a rechargeable power source for storing electrical energy; • An aerosol generator can constitute an e-cigarette. 【0015】 The present invention and its advantages are given only as non-limiting examples and will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, which is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0016】 [Figure 1] An embodiment of the aerosol generator according to the present invention is shown schematically and functionally. [Figure 2] An embodiment of a control unit belonging to the aerosol generator according to the present invention is shown schematically and functionally. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0017】 The present invention aims to provide an aerosol generator 1 that can notify the user when the preparation of the next puff in the aerosol generator 1 will be substantially completed during a vapor inhalation session. 【0018】 In the following description, the aerosol generator 1 is assumed to be an e-cigarette. However, the aerosol generator 1 according to the present invention may be of a different type, as long as it is configured to convert an aerosol-forming substance into an aerosol that can be inhaled by the user through successive puffs during a vapor inhalation session. For example, the aerosol generator 1 may be an inhaler. 【0019】 "Aerosol-forming substance" may be a liquid, gel, paste, or wax, etc., or any combination thereof, and it is recalled that it may contain one or more components such as nicotine, polyol, cannabinoid, or caffeine, and / or flavoring. For example, the aerosol-forming substance may contain tobacco materials. For example, the polyol which is an aerosol precursor may also be glycerin or propylene glycol. When the aerosol-forming substance is a liquid, the aerosol-forming substance may be held in an absorbent material having a porous structure or a spongy structure. Such absorbent materials may include, for example, porous ceramics, heat-resistant polymer foams or porous cellulose beads. 【0020】 It is also recalled that the term "aerosol" may include a suspension of a substance as one or more of solid (very fine) particles, droplets, vapors and gases, and such a suspension may be present in a gas containing air. 【0021】 As shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 1 according to the present invention comprises at least an aerosol generating unit 2, a notification unit 3, and a control unit (or controller) 4. 【0022】 The aerosol generating unit 2 is arranged to convert the aerosol-forming substance 5 into an aerosol that can be inhaled by the user through successive puffs during a vapor inhalation session. 【0023】 For example, the aerosol-forming substance 5 may be contained within a consumable 6, and the consumable 6 must be manually replaced by the user when the aerosol-forming substance 5 within the consumable 6 is depleted. This consumable 6 can be manually installed within a dedicated cavity 7 of the aerosol generating unit 2. 【0024】 For example, as shown in FIG. 1, this dedicated cavity 7 may be defined by a heating chamber 15 of the aerosol generating unit 2. 【0025】 The aerosol-forming material 5 is arranged to generate an aerosol when heated (without combustion) and mixed with air. This heating is carried out by a heater 8 supplied with electrical energy from a power source 9. This heater 8 belongs to the aerosol generation unit 2. 【0026】 In the non-limiting example shown in Figure 1, the heater 8 surrounds the heating chamber 15 and thus surrounds the dedicated cavity 7 within the region containing the aerosol-forming material 5. For example, the heater 8 may be a thin-film heater wound around the outer surface of the heating chamber 15 to heat the side walls of the heating chamber 15 and at least a portion of its internal volume (i.e., the dedicated cavity 7). For example, this heater 8 may heat the aerosol-forming material 5 to a temperature of 150°C to 350°C. 【0027】 However, in one modified example, the heater 8 may be located inside the heating chamber 15, and therefore inside the dedicated cavity 7. 【0028】 For example, the power supply 9 belongs to the electrical control device 10, which also includes a notification unit 3 and a control unit 4. 【0029】 Furthermore, for example, the power source 9 may be a rechargeable battery. In this case, the main body of the electrical control device 10 may include an electrical connector to which a charger cable can be connected during a charging session of the rechargeable battery 9. Such a charger cable may be coupled to an (AC) adapter or a wall outlet. The charger cable and / or (AC) adapter may belong to the aerosol generator 1. 【0030】 The aerosol generating unit 2 is coupled to the electrical control device 10 or (as shown in the non-limiting example in Figure 1) is provided on the electrical control device 10. 【0031】 The generated aerosol can be inhaled by the user (to be inhaled) during a puff of a vapor inhalation session through the outlet 11 of the aerosol generating unit 2. In the non-limiting example of Figure 1, this outlet 11 is defined within the consumable 6. However, this is not mandatory. More precisely, in this example, the consumable 6 includes, for example, an aerosol cooling region 12 and a filter 13. The aerosol cooling region 12 extends over a portion of the length of the consumable 6 and includes a hollow tubular portion 14 of the consumable 6. This hollow tubular portion 14 allows the aerosol (generated by heating the aerosol-forming material 5) to pass through the consumable 6 without leaking out from the sides of the hollow tubular portion 14. Since the aerosol cooling region 12 does not overlap with the heating region, the aerosol does not continue to be heated within the aerosol cooling region 12. In addition, the hollow tubular portion 14 may be configured to further accelerate heat dissipation within the aerosol cooling region 12, for example, by absorbing heat from the aerosol and conducting it to other areas of the consumable 6. The length of the aerosol cooling region 12 and the dimensions of the hollow tubular portion 14 are configured to consistently provide the generated aerosol at a temperature range desirable for user inhalation during use. In addition, the consumable 6 including the aerosol cooling region 12 can be provided in a shorter length than the consumable 6 without the aerosol cooling region, because the generated aerosol is cooled to a desired temperature compared to temperatures that could be achieved by other means. As a result, a smaller heating chamber 15 is required to accommodate the shorter consumable 6. The aerosol-forming material 5 is located at the end of the consumable 6 within the heating chamber 15, at the end of the consumable 6 furthest from the outlet 11. The filter 13 is located at the opposite end of the consumable 6, which includes the outlet 11. The aerosol cooling region 12 extends along the length of the consumable 30 between the aerosol-forming material 5 and the filter 13. This ensures that the generated aerosol can be sufficiently cooled before user inhalation during use. In other examples, the consumable 6 may not include the filter 13, or may further include additional components arranged throughout the consumable 6. 【0032】 The consumable 6 and the heating chamber 15 are configured to define an air passage 25 between the consumable 6 and the heating chamber 15. When in use, that is, when the user inhales the aerosol generated from the consumable 6, air flows into the heating chamber 15 through the opening 26, passes through the air passage 25, and reaches the aerosol-forming substance 5. Since the air passage 25 passes through the heating region, it preheats the incoming air before it flows into the consumable 6. This further increases the heating efficiency of the aerosol generator 1 and reduces the power required for operation. 【0033】 Notification unit 3 is positioned to provide information regarding the aerosol generator 1. 【0034】 The control unit 4 is positioned to cause the notification unit 3 to notify the user during the vapor inhalation session when the aerosol generation unit 2 has reached a suitable state for the next puff. 【0035】 Therefore, the present invention allows the user to receive puff information during a vapor inhalation session indicating when (or when) the next puff will be ready in the user's aerosol generator 1, thereby significantly reducing and even preventing inconsistencies in output. 【0036】 The term "appropriate condition" here refers to the state of aerosol generator 1 that allows for no significant changes in any of the puffs during a vapor inhalation session. 【0037】 The control unit 4 may be notified of the start and end of each inhalation stage (or puff) by signals transmitted by an inhalation sensor 20, which may be positioned in the air passage 25, for example, below the aerosol-forming substance 5. This inhalation sensor 20 may be, for example, a flow rate or pressure sensor, a microphone, or a thermistor that detects a drop in temperature. 【0038】 In the first embodiment, the control unit 4 may, for example, cause the notification unit 3 to notify the aerosol generating unit 2 of the waiting time until it reaches a suitable state. Therefore, after each puff, the control unit 4 estimates when the aerosol generating unit 2 will again reach a suitable state, and then estimates the waiting time from this estimate. 【0039】 In this first embodiment, the control unit 4 may, for example, cause the notification unit 3 to notify the user of a waiting time that gradually increases according to the elapsed time since the start of the vapor inhalation session. In other words, as the elapsed time increases, the amount of aerosol-forming material 5 available decreases, and therefore the time required to generate a suitable aerosol increases. 【0040】 In one example, the control unit 4 may be configured to determine the increment of the waiting time depending on the appropriate type of state. This type may be a parameter selected from, for example, the appropriate flavor and the appropriate amount of aerosol generated. 【0041】 In modified or additionally modified versions, the increment of the waiting time may depend, for example, on the type or physical state of the aerosol-forming substance 5. This type or physical state of the substance is another parameter. 【0042】 Therefore, the control unit 4 may be configured to determine the waiting time by means of a predetermined mathematical formula having one or more parameters. 【0043】 In the second embodiment, the aerosol generator 1 may also include a measuring unit 16 positioned to determine a value representing the temperature of the aerosol generating unit 2. In this case, the control unit 4 may cause the notification unit 3 to notify the user if the determined value meets predetermined conditions. Therefore, in this second embodiment, the temperature of the aerosol, rather than the time it takes for the aerosol generating unit 2 to return to a suitable state (as in the first embodiment), is considered to determine whether the state of the aerosol generating unit 2 is appropriate. 【0044】 For example, the measuring unit 16 could be a temperature sensor that determines the temperature value. However, it is also possible to use other physical parameters that indirectly represent temperature. 【0045】 Furthermore, for example, the measurement unit 16 may determine the value within the dedicated cavity 7 of the aerosol generation unit 2, for example, on the inner wall of the heating chamber 15. However, in one modified example, the measurement unit 16 may determine the value on the outer surface of the dedicated cavity 7, for example, on the outer wall of the heating chamber 15. 【0046】 In one option of the second embodiment, the control unit 4 may cause the notification unit 3 to notify the user when the value determined by the measurement unit 16 reaches a selected value since the last puff. For example, this selected value may change depending on the elapsed time since the start of the vapor inhalation session. One possible explanation is that as the elapsed time increases, the amount of available aerosol-forming material 5 decreases, and therefore the temperature required to generate a suitable aerosol increases. 【0047】 In another option of the second embodiment, the control unit 4 may cause the notification unit 3 to notify the user when a selected time length has elapsed since the value to be determined reached a selected value since the last puff. For example, this selected time length may vary depending on the elapsed time since the start of the vapor inhalation session. 【0048】 In yet another option of the second embodiment, the control unit 4 may cause the notification unit 3 to notify the user when the value to be determined corresponds to an increment of the selected value since the last puff. For example, this increment of the selected value may vary depending on the elapsed time since the start of the vapor inhalation session. 【0049】 It should be noted that notification unit 3 may be configured to notify the user by means of display messages and / or audio messages and / or haptic feedback. 【0050】 To display a message, the aerosol generator 1 must include a user interface screen used to provide the user with any information regarding the operation of the aerosol generator 1 during a vapor inhalation session or a possible charging session. In this case, preferably, a notification unit 3 includes this user interface screen. For example, the displayed message may be of the type "1 second" or "2 seconds until the next puff" or "OK" or "Puff OK" or "Ready" or "Ready for the next puff". 【0051】 To play voice messages, the aerosol generator 1 must include a speaker, which may be part of a user interface used to provide the user with at least some information regarding the operation of the aerosol generator 1 during a vapor inhalation session or a possible charging session, or it may be solely dedicated to the above-mentioned notifications. Therefore, the notification unit 3 may include the speaker of this user interface or a dedicated speaker. For example, the voice messages played may be of the type such as "1 second" or "2 seconds until the next puff" or "OK" or "Puff OK" or "Ready" or "Ready for the next puff." 【0052】 The tactile feedback may be solely for the notification described above, or it may be part of a user interface used to provide the user with at least some information regarding the operation of the aerosol generator 1 during a vapor inhalation session or a possible charging session. Therefore, the notification unit 3 may include tactile feedback for this user interface or dedicated tactile feedback. For example, the tactile feedback may generate vibrations indicating that the aerosol generator 1 is ready for the next puff or will be ready in one or two seconds, or sequential vibrations indicating the number of seconds the user must wait before starting the next puff. 【0053】 It should also be noted that the control unit 4 may instruct the notification unit 3 to continue notifying the user for a predetermined period of time. For example, this predetermined period may vary depending on the elapsed time since the start of the vapor inhalation session. 【0054】 As shown in Figure 2, the control unit (or controller) 4 may include at least a processor 17 and memory 18, which are arranged to control the notification unit 3 and the aerosol generating unit 2 (and in particular its heater 8) during a vapor inhalation session, and to control the power supply 9 during a possible charging session. 【0055】 For example, the processor 17 may be a digital signal processor (i.e., a DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). More generally, the processor 17 may include a number of integrated (or printed) circuits, or several integrated (or printed) circuits connected to each other via wired or wireless connections. The term “integrated (or printed) circuit” here refers to any kind of device capable of performing at least one electrical or electronic operation. 【0056】 Furthermore, for example, memory 18 may be random access memory (i.e., RAM). However, memory may be any type of device arranged to store program instructions for processor 17. 【0057】 Generally speaking, the functions of the control unit (or controller) 4 can be performed through the operation of programmed logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction between programmed control and dedicated logic, or manually (by the user). These functions can be provided through dedicated hardware and the use of hardware capable of executing software in conjunction with appropriate software. 【0058】 As shown in the non-limiting example in Figure 1, the control unit (or controller) 4 (and in particular its processor 17 and memory 18) may be fixed on a printed circuit board (or PCB) 19 (which is housed here within the body of the electrical control device 10). The notification unit 3 may also be fixed at least partially on this printed circuit board 19 to facilitate and simplify the connection between the notification unit 3 and the control unit (or controller) 4. However, the notification unit 3 may have its own printed circuit board connected to the printed circuit board 19 by flexible circuit wiring so that it can be positioned at any location. 【0059】 As shown in Figure 2, the control unit (or controller) 4 may also include an input interface 21 in addition to the processor 17 and memory 18, the input interface 21 to receive signals transmitted by the inhalation sensor 20 and values ​​determined by a possible measuring unit 16, and to process and / or demodulate and / or amplify such signals and values, possibly by means of an additional digital signal processor 22, in a manner known to those skilled in the art, and then use them in calculation formulas and processing. The control unit 4 may also include a large-capacity memory 23 for storing any useful time (particularly the start time of a vapor inhalation session, and the start and end times of each puff), as well as intermediate data generated during its calculation formulas and processing. The control unit 4 may also include an output interface 24 for transmitting messages and commands to control at least the notification unit 3, the aerosol generating unit 2 (particularly its heater 8), and electronic components (such as switches) that supply power (stored in the power supply 9) to the aerosol generating unit 2 and the notification unit 3. 【0060】 Those skilled in the art will understand that some of the block diagrams in Figures 1 and 2 represent conceptual diagrams of exemplary circuits that embody the principles of the present invention as described herein. 【0061】 The description and drawings merely illustrate the principles of the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various configurations embodying the principles of the invention and falling within its spirit and scope, although not expressly described or illustrated herein, can be devised by those skilled in the art. Furthermore, all examples listed herein are expressly intended solely for teaching purposes to assist the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts to which the inventors contribute to the advancement of the art, and should be construed as not limiting the reader to such specifically listed examples and conditions. Moreover, all descriptions herein enumerating the principles, aspects and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass their equivalents.

Claims

[Claim 1] Aerosol generator (1), an aerosol generating unit (2) arranged to convert an aerosol-forming substance into an aerosol that can be inhaled by the user through successive puffs during a vapor inhalation session, and a notification unit (3) arranged to notify information regarding the aerosol generating device (1), Equipped with, The system further comprises a control unit (4) which, during the vapor inhalation session, determines using parameters whether the aerosol generating unit (2) has reached a suitable state for the next puff, and which causes the notification unit (3) to notify the user when the suitable state is reached, The parameters include the waiting time required from the last puff of the puffs performed so far in the vapor inhalation session until the aerosol generating unit (2) reaches the appropriate state. The waiting time varies depending on the elapsed time since the start of the vapor inhalation session. Aerosol generator. [Claim 2] The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (4) causes the notification unit (3) to notify the waiting time before the aerosol generating unit (2) reaches the appropriate state. [Claim 3] The aerosol generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit (4) increases the waiting time as the elapsed time increases. [Claim 4] The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the appropriate state is the state of the aerosol generating unit (2) that can produce an aerosol containing an appropriate flavor and an appropriate amount of generated aerosol. [Claim 5] The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a measuring unit (16) positioned to determine a value representing the temperature of the aerosol generating unit (2), wherein the control unit (4) causes the notification unit (3) to notify the user when the determined value satisfies predetermined conditions. [Claim 6] The aerosol generator according to claim 5, wherein the control unit (4) causes the notification unit (3) to notify the user when the value to be determined reaches a selected value after the last puff, and the selected value changes according to the elapsed time. [Claim 7] The aerosol generator according to claim 5, wherein the control unit (4) causes the notification unit (3) to notify the user when a selected time length has elapsed since the value to be determined reached a selected value after the last puff. [Claim 8] The aerosol generator according to claim 7, wherein the selected time length changes according to the elapsed time. [Claim 9] The value to be determined represents the increment of the temperature, The aerosol generator according to claim 5, wherein the control unit (4) causes the notification unit (3) to notify the user when the increment of the temperature, as the value to be determined, corresponds to a selected increment since the last puff. [Claim 10] The aerosol generator according to claim 9, wherein the selected increment changes according to the elapsed time. [Claim 11] The aerosol generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification unit (3) is arranged to notify the user by means of displaying a message and / or providing an audio message and / or haptic feedback. [Claim 12] The aerosol generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit (4) causes the notification unit (3) to continue notifying the user for a predetermined period of time. [Claim 13] The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the predetermined period changes according to the elapsed time. [Claim 14] The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a rechargeable power source (9) for storing electrical energy.