Aerosol generator with improved power controller

Abstract

To provide an aerosol-generating device having an improved power supply controller.SOLUTION: An aerosol-generating device (10) includes: an air inlet (28a); an air outlet (28b); an air flow passage extending between the air inlet and the air outlet; a heating element (30) to heat an aerosol-forming substrate (26); a sensor assembly (50) in communication with the air flow passage; and a controller (60) coupled to the sensor assembly and configured to control a supply of power to the heating element. The sensor assembly (60) is configured to measure one or both of a flow rate and a pressure level within the air flow passage. An amount of power supplied to the heating element (30) depends on at least one of: a flow rate and a pressure level measured by the sensor assembly (60); a length of time between a start of a given puff and an end of the puff immediately preceding the given puff; and a puff number of the given puff.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device. In particular, the present invention relates to an aerosol generating device having a heating element for heating an aerosol forming substrate. The present invention also relates to an aerosol generating system including such an aerosol generating device in combination with an aerosol generating article or cartridge for use in an aerosol generating device.

Background Art

[0002] In many handheld aerosol generating devices, an electrically operated heating element can be used to heat an aerosol forming substrate to generate an aerosol. The heating element can be controlled by a controller. In particular, the controller may be configured to cause power to be supplied to the heating element so that an aerosol can be provided for the smoking when the user sucks or smokes the aerosol generating device. To achieve this, the aerosol generating device may include a sensor for sensing an air flow within the aerosol generating device. The sensed air flow can indicate the suction caused by the user smoking, and thus can be used to cause power to be supplied to the heating element and, as a result, the delivery of an aerosol for the smoking. Such devices can be known as smoking-driven devices.

[0003] In such smoking-driven devices, a predetermined amount of power is supplied to the heating element each time the user smokes the aerosol generating device. However, such arrangements can have undesirable effects. For example, if the intensity of a given smoking is low, not all of the vapor may be discharged from the air flow channel of the device. This can cause the accumulation of liquid on the walls of the device, which can affect the performance of the device for subsequent smoking. Also, such liquid can eventually move to the user's mouth. Another drawback can occur if the intensity of a given smoking is high, as the power delivered to the heating element may not be large enough to result in the delivery of a sufficient amount of aerosol from the smoking.

[0004] Therefore, it is desirable to provide an aerosol generator that is not plagued by these drawbacks. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generating device is provided, comprising an air intake, an air outlet, an airflow passage extending between the air intake and the air outlet, and a heating element for heating an aerosol-forming substrate. The device further comprises a sensor assembly communicating with the airflow passage, configured to measure one or both of the flow rate and pressure level in the airflow passage, and a controller connected to the sensor assembly and configured to control the power supply to the heating element, wherein the amount of power supplied to the heating element depends on one or both of the flow rate and pressure level measured by the sensor assembly.

[0006] The inventors recognized that users could obtain an improved experience by arranging for the amount of power supplied to the heating element to depend on one or both of the flow rate and pressure levels measured by the sensor assembly. In particular, users can use their fumigation intensity as a means of controlling the amount of aerosol received. For example, when a user fumigates the device strongly, the controller can arrange for a greater amount of power to be supplied to the heating element than when the user fumigates the device lightly. Such arrangements can deliver more aerosols or more concentrated aerosols for strong fumigation and fewer aerosols or less concentrated aerosols for light fumigation. This can provide users with a more intuitive way to control the characteristics of the aerosols they receive.

[0007] The inventors also recognized that an alternative but advantageous solution is to adjust or control the amount of power supplied to the heating element in response to a given smoke extraction, according to the length of time from the start of the given smoke extraction to the end of the smoke extraction immediately preceding the given smoke extraction.

[0008] Accordingly, according to a second aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generator is provided, comprising: an air intake port; an air outlet port; an air passage extending between the air intake port and the air outlet port; a heating element for heating an aerosol forming substrate; a sensor assembly communicating with the air passage port, configured to measure one or both of the flow rate and pressure level in the air passage; and a controller connected to the sensor assembly port, configured to control the power supply to the heating element, wherein the controller is further configured to receive data from the sensor assembly port to determine when a user is inhaling smoke from the aerosol generator, and to record the start time and end time of each inhalation, and the amount of power supplied to the heating element for a given inhalation depends on the length of time from the start of the given inhalation to the end of the inhalation immediately preceding the given inhalation.

[0009] By arranging the amount of power supplied to the heating element for a given smoke inhalation to depend on the length of time from the start of the given smoke inhalation to the end of the smoke inhalation immediately preceding it, aerosol delivery can be adjusted to suit the user's recent experience. For example, if only a short time has passed since the user's last smoke inhalation, it may be desirable to supply a relatively low amount of power for the user's next smoke inhalation. Similarly, if a long time has passed since the user's last smoke inhalation, it may be desirable to supply a relatively high amount of power for the user's next smoke inhalation.

[0010] The inventors also recognized that another alternative and advantageous solution is to adjust or control the amount of power supplied to the heating element for a given smoke inhalation, depending on how many times the user has already inhaled smoke.

[0011] Accordingly, according to a third aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generator is provided, comprising: an air intake; an air outlet; an airflow passage extending between the air intake and the air outlet; a heating element for heating an aerosol-forming substrate; a sensor assembly communicating with the airflow passage, configured to measure one or both of the flow rate and pressure level in the airflow passage; and a controller connected to the sensor assembly and configured to control the power supply to the heating element, wherein the controller is further configured to receive data from the sensor assembly to record when a user inhales smoke from the aerosol generator, and to assign a smoke inhalation number to each smoke inhalation recorded by the controller, and the amount of power supplied to the heating element for a given smoke inhalation depends on the smoke inhalation number of the given smoke inhalation.

[0012] The delivery of aerosols can be adjusted to suit the user's previous experience by arranging the amount of power supplied to the heating element for a given smoke inhalation to depend on the smoke inhalation number of the given smoke inhalation. For example, in conventional cigarettes, the level of nicotine delivery is higher in the user's last few inhalations than in the user's first few inhalations. Therefore, the controller can be arranged so that for higher smoke inhalation numbers, a higher level of power is supplied to the heating element than the level supplied to the heating element for lower smoke inhalation numbers. For example, the controller may be configured to supply a first level of power for a first smoke inhalation number and a second level of power for a second smoke inhalation number. The first level of power may be greater than the second level of power, and the first smoke inhalation number may be greater than the second smoke inhalation number. The first smoke inhalation number may be 4 to 8, or 6 to 8.

[0013] This could help the aerosol generator more closely mimic the behavior of conventional cigarettes.

[0014] Preferred features of the first, second, and third embodiments of the present invention are as follows:

[0015] In some embodiments, the amount of power supplied to the heating element depends on one or both of the flow rate and / or pressure levels measured by the sensor assembly. Therefore, the controller is configured to supply at least two different power levels or amounts of power to the heating element depending on the values ​​measured by the sensor assembly. This means that users can obtain different sensory experiences depending on how they choose to use the aerosol generator.

[0016] Therefore, it is preferable that the controller is configured to trigger the supply of a first amount of power to the heating element in response to a sensor assembly that measures one or both of a first level of flow rate and a first pressure level in the airflow passage, and to trigger the supply of a second amount of power to the heating element in response to a sensor assembly that measures one or both of a second level of flow rate and a second pressure level in the airflow passage.

[0017] In some embodiments, the first energy level is greater than the second energy level. In some embodiments, the flow rate at the first level is greater than the flow rate at the second level. In some embodiments, the first pressure level is greater than the second pressure level. Thus, in these embodiments, if the user chooses to increase their smoke extraction intensity, one or both of the higher flow rates and / or pressure levels are created in the airflow passage. This is measured by a sensor assembly, and the measurement data may be transmitted to a controller. The controller can then use this measurement data to ensure that the increased energy level for its smoke extraction is supplied to the heating element.

[0018] The controller may be configured to supply any number of different power levels to the heating element for any given smoke extraction. For example, the controller may utilize an algorithm that calculates the amount of power to be supplied to the heating element for a given smoke extraction based on a value measured by a sensor assembly at the start of the given smoke extraction. The controller may be configured to supply a constant level of power to the heating element during a given smoke extraction.

[0019] The controller and sensor assembly may be configured such that one or both of the flow rate and / or pressure level are repeatedly measured during a given fume extraction, and the amount of power supplied to the heating element depends on these repeated measurements. In such embodiments, various levels of power may be supplied to the heating element during a given fume extraction. For example, one or both of the flow rate and / or pressure level may be measured at set time intervals within a given duration of fume extraction, and if one or both of the flow rate and / or pressure level change between any two adjacent measurement points, the amount of power supplied to the heating element is adjusted based on the most recent measurement of one or both of the flow rate and / or pressure level. Such arrangements can advantageously enable dynamic adjustment of the heating element's performance, and thus of aerosol delivery.

[0020] The duration of the time interval may be at least 0.05 milliseconds, preferably at least 10 milliseconds, and more preferably at least 100 milliseconds. The duration of the time interval may be 300 milliseconds or less, preferably 100 milliseconds or less, and more preferably 10 milliseconds or less.

[0021] In some preferred embodiments, the controller is configured to use a lookup table for determining the amount of power supplied to the heating element. The lookup table may include a set of power values ​​and one or both of a set of flow parameters and a set of pressure level parameters, and the lookup table associates each power value with a corresponding flow parameter, pressure level parameter, or both. The flow parameter may be a single flow value or a range of flow values. The pressure level parameter may be a single pressure level value or a range of pressure level values.

[0022] For example, if a sensor assembly measures a first flow rate during a given smoke extraction, the controller can determine which range of flow rate values ​​in a lookup table encompasses the first flow rate, which power value corresponds to the determined range of flow rate values, and then trigger the supply of that power value to the heating element.

[0023] Each of the lookup tables described herein may be stored in computer-readable memory accessible to the controller. The computer-readable memory may be provided within the aerosol generator. Alternatively, the computer-readable memory may be stored outside the aerosol generator, but may be accessed, for example, by a wireless communication link.

[0024] In some embodiments, the amount of power supplied to the heating element depends on the length of time between the start of a given smoke extraction and the end of the smoke extraction immediately preceding the given smoke extraction.

[0025] For example, if the controller determines that there is a first length of time between the start of a given smoke extraction and the end of the smoke extraction immediately preceding it, the controller is configured to cause a first amount of power to be supplied to the heating element. On the other hand, if the controller determines that there is a second length of time between the start of a given smoke extraction and the end of the smoke extraction immediately preceding it, the controller is configured to cause a second amount of power to be supplied to the heating element. In such arrangements, the length of the first time is different from the length of the second time, and the first amount of power is different from the second amount of power. In such arrangements, it is preferable that the length of the first time is longer than the length of the second time, and the first amount of power is greater than the second amount of power. In other words, the controller may be configured to cause an increased amount of power to be supplied to the heating element when a longer time has elapsed between smoke extractions.

[0026] When the amount of power supplied to the heating element for a given puff depends on the length of time between the start of the given puff and the end of the immediately preceding puff, the controller may be configured to further adjust the amount of power supplied for the given puff based on past measurements of one or more puffs preceding the given puff. The past measurements may include the time elapsed between two or more preceding puffs, such as the time elapsed between the first preceding puff and the second preceding puff. The past measurements may also include an estimated or calculated amount of nicotine delivered by the aerosol-generating device during the current usage session.

[0027] The controller may be configured to determine the start time and end time for a given puff in a number of ways. As an example, the controller may monitor data received from the sensor assembly and determine that a puff has started because one or both of the measured flow rate and pressure levels have rapidly changed from a steady-state value or range of values to a non-steady-state value. In the case of flow rate, this may be when the measured flow rate value rapidly changes from a value that is not measured or a low value that is measured to a higher value that is measured. Thus, in some embodiments, the controller may be configured to determine that a puff has been started because one or both of the measured flow rate and pressure level values have risen above a predetermined threshold. The point at which the measured value rises above the predetermined threshold may be defined as the start time of the puff.

[0028] Thus, the controller is preferably configured to determine whether a data value transmitted from the sensor assembly to the controller exceeds a threshold, and when the data value exceeds the threshold, determine that the data value indicates the start of a puff.

[0029] Similarly, the controller may be configured to determine that smoking has ended because one or both of the measured flow rate and pressure level values have dropped below a predetermined threshold. The point at which the measured value drops below the predetermined threshold may be defined as the end time of smoking. The length of time between the start time of a given smoking and the end time of the given smoking may be defined as the smoking duration of the given smoking.

[0030] Therefore, it is preferable that the controller is configured to determine whether the data value transmitted from the sensor assembly to the controller is below the threshold value, and if the data value is below the threshold value, determine that the data value indicates the end of smoking.

[0031] In some preferred embodiments, the controller is configured to use a look-up table for determining the amount of power supplied to the heating element. The look-up table includes a set of power values and a set of time ranges, and the look-up table associates each power value with the corresponding time range. As an example, if the controller determines that there is a first length of time between the start of a given smoking and the end of the immediately preceding smoking, the controller determines which time range encompasses the first length of time, determines which power value corresponds to the determined time range, and can cause the supply of the power value to the heating element for the given smoking.

[0032] In some embodiments, the amount of power supplied to the heating element for a given puff depends on the puff number of the given puff. For example, if the controller determines that a given puff has a low puff number, the controller is configured to trigger the supply of a first amount of power to the heating element, while if the controller determines that a given puff has a high puff number, the controller is configured to trigger the supply of a second amount of power to the heating element. In such arrangements, the first amount of power is different from the second amount of power. In such arrangements, it is preferable that the first amount of power is lower than the second amount of power. In other words, the controller may be configured to supply an increased amount of power to the heating element when it appears that the user has already taken several puffs with the device, so that the device can more closely mimic the behavior of a conventional cigarette.

[0033] Alternatively, or additionally, the controller may be configured to supply a lower power to the heating element when the user appears to have already inhaled smoke several times with the device. This may be desirable when the user has an incentive to reduce the amount of aerosol they inhale in subsequent inhalations.

[0034] In some preferred embodiments, the controller is configured such that, when a given smoke extraction is occurring, power is not supplied to the heating element if the smoke extraction number assigned to the given smoke extraction exceeds a threshold. This may be advantageous when it is desirable to limit the number of smoke extractions that the user can perform with the aerosol generator.

[0035] In some embodiments, the aerosol generator may be provided with means for resetting the smoke inhalation number. For example, the aerosol generator may be provided with a button that allows the user to reset the smoke inhalation number to zero. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generator may be configured so that the smoke inhalation number is reset to zero after a predetermined time has elapsed since a particular smoke inhalation number occurred. For example, if the aerosol generator is configured to allow only seven inhalations during a single use session, the aerosol generator may be configured so that the smoke inhalation number is reset to zero 10 minutes after the seventh smoke inhalation occurs.

[0036] In some preferred embodiments, the controller is configured to use a lookup table for determining the amount of power supplied to the heating element for a given smoke extraction number, the lookup table comprising a set of power values ​​and a set of smoke extraction numbers, and the lookup table associates each power value with a corresponding smoke extraction number. More specifically, the lookup table may comprise a set of power values ​​and a set of smoke extraction numbers, where each power value in the lookup table is distinct from the other power values ​​in the lookup table, and the lookup table associates each power value with one of the smoke extraction numbers from a set of smoke extraction numbers. For example, if the controller determines that a given smoke extraction is the first smoke extraction of the current usage session, the controller can determine which power value in the lookup table corresponds to the first smoke extraction number and cause the supply of the power value to the heating element for the given smoke extraction. However, if the controller determines that a given smoke intake is the sixth smoke intake of the current usage session, the controller can determine which power value in the lookup table corresponds to the sixth smoke intake number and cause the power value to be supplied to the heating element for the given smoke intake.

[0037] The aerosol generator may be equipped with a power supply electrically connectable to the heating element. The power supply is preferably configured to provide alternating current to the heating element. The power supply may be located within the housing of the device. The power supply may be a DC power supply. The power supply may be a battery. The battery may be a lithium-based battery, such as a lithium cobalt battery, lithium iron phosphate battery, lithium titanate battery, or lithium polymer battery. The battery may be a nickel-metal hydride battery or a nickel-cadmium battery. The power supply may be another form of charge storage device, such as a capacitor. The power supply may require recharging and may be configured for numerous charge-discharge cycles. The power supply may have sufficient capacity to allow for a predetermined number of fume extractions or discontinuous startup of the atomizing assembly.

[0038] The controller may include a control circuit configured to control the power supply from the power source to the heat source. The control circuit may include a microcontroller. Preferably, the microcontroller is a programmable microcontroller. The control circuit may include further electronic components. The control circuit may be configured to regulate the power supply to the heat source.

[0039] The aerosol generation system may include a first power source configured to supply power to a control circuit, and a second power source configured to supply power to a heating element.

[0040] The sensor assembly comprises at least one sensor configured to measure either or both of the following: flow rate and / or pressure level. The at least one sensor may comprise one or more of the following: a temperature sensor, a flow sensor, and a pressure level sensor.

[0041] The sensor assembly is in fluid communication with the airflow passage and is configured to measure one or both of the flow rate and / or pressure level within the airflow passage. Therefore, the sensor assembly may comprise at least one sensor located within the airflow passage. Alternatively, or additionally, the sensor assembly may comprise at least one sensor that is separated from the airflow passage by a gap but is in fluid communication with the airflow passage.

[0042] In some preferred embodiments, the sensor assembly comprises a first pressure level sensor and a second pressure level sensor spaced apart along the airflow passage. Such an arrangement may enable the calculation of the flow rate in the airflow passage by analyzing the difference between the pressure levels measured by the first and second pressure level sensors, respectively.

[0043] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generating system is provided comprising an aerosol generating device according to any one of the first, second, and third aspects, and a cartridge including a liquid storage portion containing a certain amount of liquid aerosol forming substrate.

[0044] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generating system is provided which includes an aerosol generating device according to any one of the first, second, and third aspects and a cartridge, the cartridge comprising a first compartment containing a nicotine source, a second compartment containing an acid source, and a mixing chamber for mixing nicotine from the nicotine source and acid from the acid source with an airflow to form an aerosol, and a heating element is configured to heat the mixing chamber.

[0045] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generating system is provided comprising an aerosol generating device according to any one of the first, second, and third aspects, and a cartridge including a liquid storage portion containing a certain amount of liquid aerosol forming substrate.

[0046] Where a functional module is referred to in an embodiment of the apparatus for performing various steps of the described method(s), it will be understood that these modules may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both. If implemented in hardware, the module may be implemented as one or more hardware modules, such as one or more application-specific integrated circuits. If implemented in software, the module may be implemented as one or more computer programs running on one or more processors.

[0047] The heating element of the present invention is electrically operated and configured to receive power. The electrically operated heating element may have a number of different configurations. For example, the heating element may include a coil. The coil may extend around a core configured to transport liquid from a storage portion containing a liquid aerosol generating substrate to a location adjacent to the coil. The coil heating element can be used to vaporize the transported liquid and generate an aerosol.

[0048] The heating element is preferably a substantially flat, conductive, and fluid-permeable heating element (such as a mesh). For example, the heating element may be an array of filaments arranged parallel to each other.

[0049] The electrically operated heating element preferably contains a magnetic material. Suitable magnetic materials for the heating element include ferrite, electrical steel, and permalloy.

[0050] As used herein in connection with the present invention, the term “air intake” is used to describe one or more openings through which air can pass and be drawn into a cartridge or a component or part of a component of an aerosol generator.

[0051] As used herein in connection with the present invention, the term “air outlet” is used to describe one or more openings through which air can be drawn out of a cartridge or a component or part of a component of an aerosol generator.

[0052] As used herein in connection with the present invention, the terms “proximal,” “distal,” “upstream,” and “downstream” are used to describe the relative locations of components or parts of components of the cartridge and aerosol generating system.

[0053] As used herein in connection with the present invention, the term “longitudinal direction” is used to describe the direction between the proximal end and the opposite distal end of a cartridge or aerosol generating system, and the term “transverse direction” is used to describe the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0054] As used herein in connection with the present invention, the term “length” is used to describe the maximum longitudinal dimension of a component or part of a component of a cartridge or aerosol generating system, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis between the proximal end and the opposite distal end of the cartridge or aerosol generating system.

[0055] As used herein in connection with the present invention, the terms “height” and “width” are used to describe the maximum cross-sectional dimension of a component or part of a component of a cartridge or aerosol generating system or aerosol generating device that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge or aerosol generating system. If the height and width of a component or part of a component of a cartridge or aerosol generating system are not the same, the term “width” is used to refer to the larger of the two cross-sectional dimensions that are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge or aerosol generating system.

[0056] As used herein in connection with the present invention, the term “elongated” is used to describe a component or part of a component having a length greater than its width and height.

[0057] As used herein in connection with the present invention, the term "nicotine" is used to describe nicotine, nicotine base, or nicotine salt. In embodiments in which the first carrier material is impregnated with a nicotine base or nicotine salt, the amounts of nicotine listed herein are, respectively, amounts of nicotine base or amounts of ionized nicotine.

[0058] As used herein, the term “aerosol-forming compound” is used to describe any suitable well-known compound or mixture of compounds that facilitates aerosol formation when in use. As used herein, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” are used to describe the relative position of a heater assembly, cartridge, or element or part of an aerosol generating system with respect to the direction in which air is drawn through the system during use.

[0059] As used herein, the term “longitudinal direction” is used to describe the direction between the upstream and downstream ends of a heater assembly, cartridge, or aerosol generating system, while the term “transverse direction” is used to describe the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. With respect to heater assemblies, the term “transverse direction” refers to the direction parallel to the plane of the porous sheet(s), while the term “orthogonal” refers to the direction perpendicular to the plane of the porous sheet(s).

[0060] The aerosol generating system may be a handheld aerosol generating system configured to allow the user to inhale the mouthpiece and draw out an aerosol through the opening at the mouth end. The aerosol generating system may be comparable in size to a conventional cigar or cigarette. The aerosol generating system may have an overall length of approximately 30 mm to approximately 150 mm. The aerosol generating system may have an outer diameter of approximately 5 mm to approximately 30 mm.

[0061] Features of one aspect of the present invention may also apply to other aspects of the present invention. In particular, although the present invention has been described above in relation to different aspects, it will be understood that these aspects are not necessarily mutually exclusive and may be applied in combination with each other. For example, the first and third aspects of the present invention may be adopted in combination with each other. In this case, the controller may first determine the smoke number of a given smoke inhaler in order to determine whether any power value limit should be applied to a given smoke inhaler. However, the controller may then be further configured to adjust or control the power level supplied to the heating element during the given smoke inhaler based on one or both of the flow rate and pressure levels measured throughout the given smoke inhaler. More specifically, once the controller has determined the smoke number of a given smoke inhaler, the controller may limit the power supply options for the given smoke inhaler, defined by a specific lookup table associated with the given smoke inhaler. A particular lookup table may include a set of power values ​​and one or both of a set of flow parameters and a set of pressure level parameters, where each power value is associated with a corresponding flow parameter, pressure level parameter, or both. For other smoke extraction numbers, separate lookup tables may be used, each containing specific parameters provided for that smoke extraction number.

[0062] The present invention also relates to methods (may be multiple) that can be carried out by the aerosol generator described above. Accordingly, according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for operating an aerosol generator, the method comprising measuring one or both of the flow rate and pressure level in the airflow passage of the aerosol generator and controlling the power supply to the heating element of the aerosol generator, the amount of power supplied to the heating element depending on one or both of the flow rate and pressure level measured by the sensor assembly.

[0063] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for operating an aerosol generator, the method comprising: measuring one or both of the flow rate and pressure level in the airflow passage of the aerosol generator; receiving at least one measurement for one or both of the flow rate and pressure level; analyzing at least one measurement to determine when a user is inhaling smoke from the aerosol generator; recording the start and end times of each inhalation; and controlling the power supply to a heating element of the aerosol generator, wherein the amount of power supplied to the heating element for a given inhalation depends on the length of time between the start of the given inhalation and the end of the inhalation immediately preceding the given inhalation.

[0064] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for operating an aerosol generator, the method comprising: measuring one or both of the flow rate and pressure level in the airflow passage of the aerosol generator; receiving at least one measurement for one or both of the flow rate and pressure level; analyzing at least one measurement and recording when a user inhales smoke from the aerosol generator; assigning a smoke inhalation number to each recorded smoke inhalation; and controlling the power supply to a heating element of the aerosol generator, wherein the amount of power supplied to the heating element for a given smoke inhalation depends on the smoke inhalation number of the given smoke inhalation.

[0065] The disclosure also incorporates preferred method steps for each of the seventh, eighth, and ninth embodiments of the present invention, based on the preferred functions described above with respect to the controller and sensor assemblies. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the controller is further configured to use a lookup table for determining the amount of power supplied to the heating element. As a result, the disclosure also incorporates preferred method steps for using a lookup table for determining the amount of power supplied to the heating element.

[0066] Herein, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail, albeit only as illustrative examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0067] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an aerosol generation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a controller for use in an aerosol generator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A-3C] Figures 3A-3C show the lookup tables used by the controllers in Figures 1 and 2.

[0068] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generation system 10 comprising a connected and combined cartridge 20 and an aerosol generator 40. The system includes a power supply 41 in the form of a battery and a controller 60 which includes a control circuit connected to the power supply 41.

[0069] The cartridge assembly 20 includes a housing 22 that forms a mouthpiece for the system. Inside the housing is a storage container 24 that holds a liquid aerosol-forming substrate 26. The capillary body 27 is positioned adjacent to the open end of the liquid storage container 24. An electric heater 30 is provided adjacent to the outer surface of the capillary body 27, so that the capillary body 27 can transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate 26 from the liquid storage container 26 to the electric heater 30. The capillary body 27 and the electric heater 30 together form at least part of the heater assembly 31.

[0070] The electric heater 30 is also positioned adjacent to the airflow path within the cartridge 20. The airflow path is indicated by a curved arrow in Figure 1. The airflow path extends from the air intake 28a to the air outlet 28b formed in the opening at the mouth end of the cartridge housing 22.

[0071] As shown in Figure 1, when the cartridge 20 is connected to the aerosol generator 40, the electric heater 30 is electrically connected to the power supply 41. Therefore, the device 40 functions to supply power to the electric heater 30 in the cartridge 20 in order to vaporize the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The vaporized aerosol-forming substrate is carried along with the airflow passing through the system, which is brought about by the user inhaling smoke at the mouth end of the cartridge 20. The vaporized aerosol-forming substrate cools in the airflow and forms an aerosol before being drawn into the user's mouth.

[0072] The sensor assembly 50, which includes a pressure level sensor, is located in a cartridge 20 adjacent to the airflow path. The sensor assembly 50 is connected to a controller 60 and configured to transmit measurement data from the pressure level sensor to the controller 60. Although the sensor assembly 50 is shown in Figure 1 as being located in the cartridge 20, it will be understood that the sensor assembly 50 may alternatively be located within the device 20.

[0073] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a controller 260 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The controller includes a receiving module 262 configured to receive measurement data from a sensor assembly 50, a determination module 264 configured to determine the amount of power supplied to the heating element 30, and a power supply module 266 configured to start supplying power to the heating element 30. The determination module 264 is coupled to a clock 265, at least one lookup table 267, and computer-readable memory 269. An exemplary lookup table 267 is shown in Figures 3A-3C.

[0074] In the first exemplary embodiment, the receiving module 262 of the controller 260 receives the measurement value from the sensor assembly 50 and relays this measurement value to the determination module 264. The determination module 264 uses the first lookup table 267A in Figure 3A to determine which pressure range in the first lookup table 267A encompasses the measurement value. The determination module then determines which power value in the first lookup table 267A corresponds to the pressure range. The power supply module 266 then begins supplying this power level to the heating element 30. For example, if the measurement value is 80 Pascals, the heating element is supplied with a power level of 2 watts, and if the measurement value is 180 Pascals, the heating element is supplied with a power level of 4 watts. In the first exemplary embodiment, the measurement value may be transmitted from the sensor assembly 50 to the receiving module 262 of the controller 260 every 100 milliseconds. The power level to the heating element is calculated each time the measurement value is received by the controller 260 so that the amount of power supplied to the heating element can be continuously adjusted.

[0075] In a second exemplary implementation, the receiving module 262 of the controller 260 repeatedly receives measurement values ​​from the sensor assembly 50 and relays these measurements to the determination module 264. The determination module 264 analyzes the received measurement values ​​and determines the time at which the measurement values ​​rise above a first predetermined threshold stored in the computer-readable memory 269 and the time at which they rise below a second predetermined threshold stored in the computer-readable memory 269. Each time this occurs, the determination module 264 uses the clock 265 to establish the time of each rise and fall and records this temporal information in the computer-readable memory 269 as the time at which each smoke extraction begins on the aerosol generator and the time at which each smoke extraction ends on the aerosol generator. The determination module 264 then uses this recorded data to determine the length of time between smoke extractions. The determination module 264 then compares this determined length of time with the elapsed time range in the second lookup table 262B in Figure 3B to determine the power level value that should be supplied to the heating element 30 for the current smoke extraction. Next, the power supply module 266 begins supplying this power level to the heat-generating element 30.

[0076] In the third exemplary implementation, the receiving module 262 of the controller 260 repeatedly receives measurement values ​​from the sensor assembly 50 and relays these measurements to the determination module 264. In a manner similar to the second implementation, the determination module analyzes the measurement values ​​to determine when smoke extraction is taking place on the aerosol generator 10. However, in the third exemplary implementation, the determination module 264 further assigns a smoke extraction number to each smoke extraction performed on the aerosol generator 10. In particular, in the third implementation, if the determination module 264 detects that the measurement values ​​have risen above a first predetermined threshold, the determination module 264 determines that new smoke extraction is taking place on the device. The determination module 264 then assigns a smoke extraction number of n+1 to the current smoke extraction, where n is the smoke extraction number of the most recent smoke extraction on the device. The determination module 264 then compares the assigned smoke extraction number with the smoke extraction numbers included in the third lookup table in Figure 3C to identify the power level corresponding to the smoke extraction number. Subsequently, the power supply module 266 begins supplying this specified power level to the heating element 30 for use during current smoke extraction.

[0077] As can be understood from the above considerations, this disclosure also includes the following numbered sections: 1. An aerosol generator, Air intake and Air outlet and An airflow passage extending between the air intake and the air outlet, A heating element for heating the aerosol-forming substrate, A sensor assembly communicating with the aforementioned airflow passage, configured to measure either or both of the flow rate and pressure level within the airflow passage, An aerosol generator comprising: a controller connected to the sensor assembly and configured to control the power supply to the heating element, wherein the amount of power supplied to the heating element depends on one or both of the flow rate and the pressure level measured by the sensor assembly.

[0078] 2. The controller, In response to measuring one or both of the first level of flow rate and the first pressure level in the airflow passage, the sensor assembly causes the supply of a first amount of power to the heating element, and The aerosol generator according to claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly is configured to cause the supply of a second amount of power to the heating element in response to measuring one or both of a second level of flow rate and a second pressure level in the airflow passage.

[0079] 3. The sensor assembly is configured to repeatedly measure one or both of the flow rate and the pressure level at set time intervals within a given duration of smoke extraction. The aerosol generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the amount of energy supplied to the heating element so that the amount of energy is based on the most recent measurement of either or both of the flow rate and the pressure level if the flow rate and / or pressure level change between any two adjacent measurement points.

[0080] 4. The aerosol generator according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the controller is further configured to use a lookup table for determining the amount of power supplied to the heating element, the lookup table comprising a set of power values ​​and one or both of a set of flow parameters and a set of pressure level parameters, and the lookup table associates each power value with a corresponding flow parameter, a pressure level parameter, or both.

Claims

1. Aerosol generator, Air intake and Air outlet and An airflow passage extending between the air intake and the air outlet, A heating element for heating the aerosol-forming substrate, A sensor assembly communicating with the aforementioned airflow passage, configured to measure either or both of the flow rate and pressure level within the airflow passage, The sensor assembly is connected to a controller configured to control the power supply to the heating element, the controller being further configured to receive data from the sensor assembly, record when the user inhales smoke with the aerosol generator, and assign a smoke inhalation number to each smoke inhalation recorded by the controller. The amount of power supplied to the heating element for a given smoke extraction depends on the smoke extraction number of the given smoke extraction. The device is configured such that the smoke extraction number is reset to zero after a predetermined time has elapsed since a specific smoke extraction number was generated. When the given smoke extraction is occurring, the controller is further configured such that power is not supplied to the heating element if the smoke extraction number assigned to the given smoke extraction exceeds a threshold. Aerosol generator.

2. The aerosol generator according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to use a lookup table to determine the amount of power supplied to the heating element for a given smoke extraction number, the lookup table comprising a set of power values ​​and a set of smoke extraction numbers, each power value in the lookup table being different from other power values ​​in the lookup table, and the lookup table associating each output value with one of the smoke extraction numbers from the set of smoke extraction numbers.

3. The aerosol generator according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to supply a first level of power to a first smoke extraction number and a second level of power to a second smoke extraction number, wherein the first level of power is greater than the second level of power and the first smoke extraction number is greater than the second smoke extraction number.

4. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a button for resetting the smoke extraction number to zero.

5. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sensor assembly comprises at least one sensor disposed within the airflow passage.

6. The aerosol generator according to claim 5, wherein the sensor assembly comprises a first pressure level sensor and a second pressure level sensor spaced apart along the airflow passage.

7. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the heating element comprises a mesh.

8. An aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and at least one aerosol generating article or cartridge for use with the aerosol generating device.

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