Aerosol generation device, method of operating aerosol generation device, and non-transitory computer-readable medium

Abstract

An aerosol generating apparatus is provided, configured for use in consumable aerosolization for generating aerosols. The aerosol generating apparatus includes a battery (104) configured to provide a power flow to a heater, and a controller (102) configured to determine the voltage level of the battery. The battery voltage level is determined as a measured voltage of the battery when the elapsed time after the charging power flow to the battery has been disabled is greater than or equal to a time threshold. When the elapsed time is less than the time threshold, the battery voltage level is determined as a measured voltage of the battery adjusted by a compensation factor. The controller is further configured to control an indicator (108) to indicate, based on the determined voltage level, the amount of remaining aerosolization process that the battery can power.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to an aerosol generating apparatus, and more specifically to an electrical system for an aerosol generating apparatus. [Previous Technology]

[0002] Aerosol generating devices (such as e-cigarettes and other aerosol inhalers or vaporization devices) are becoming increasingly popular consumer products.

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

[0004] Problems faced by such aerosol generating devices include providing accurate indications of the charge level of the power system. [Summary of the Invention]

[0005] In a first aspect, an aerosol generating apparatus configured for use in consumable aerosolization for generating aerosols is provided, the aerosol generating apparatus comprising: a battery configured to provide a power flow to a heater; and a controller configured to determine a voltage level of the battery, wherein the voltage level of the battery is determined as a measured voltage of the battery when the elapsed time after the charging power flow to the battery has been disabled is greater than or equal to a time threshold, and wherein the voltage level of the battery is determined as a measured voltage of the battery adjusted by a compensation factor when the elapsed time is less than the time threshold; and wherein the controller is further configured to control an indicator to indicate the amount of remaining aerosolization process that the battery can power based on the determined voltage level.

[0006] In this way, an accurate and computationally efficient determination of the number of residual aerosolization processes that the battery can power is achieved. The battery voltage measured shortly after the charging power flow to the battery is disabled may be higher than the voltage in the rested state; by using a compensation factor to account for the voltage shift after charging compared to the rested state, the accuracy of determining the number of residual aerosolization processes is improved. This provides an accurate and computationally efficient determination of the number of residual aerosolization processes that is consistent both instantaneously after the device is charged and when the battery is in the rested state.

[0007] Adjusting the measured voltage of the battery may include compensating for overvoltages in the measured battery voltage to determine the desired balance battery voltage (i.e., the determined voltage level). The battery voltage (Ubattery) measured after the removal of the heating or charging load can be defined as Ubattery = Ubalance + Urelaxation. Urelaxation is the overvoltage (negative for discharge, positive for charging). The controller can estimate Urelaxation over time and subtract it to determine Ubalance. The controller can then use Ubalance (i.e., the determined voltage level) to assess the energy content of the battery to determine the amount of remaining aerosolization process that can be powered based on the measured battery voltage Ubattery.

[0008] Preferably, the device includes a handheld component and a charging case that can be connected to the handheld component, wherein the handheld component includes a battery and a controller and is configured for use in aerosolization of consumables that generate aerosols, and wherein the charging case is configured to charge the battery of the handheld component when the handheld component is connected to the charging case.

[0009] This two-part aerosol generating device advantageously improves the consumer experience because the handheld component can be made smaller without compromising the amount of aerosolization process that can be powered, since the handheld component can be connected to a separate charging case.

[0010] Preferably, the controller is configured to determine the elapsed time after the charging power flow has been blocked based on the elapsed time after the handheld device has been disconnected from the charging case.

[0011] In this way, when the handheld device is disconnected from the charging case, the controller determines that charging has ended, making it possible to take into account the impact on the measured battery voltage.

[0012] Preferably, the indicator is configured to indicate a first quantity of remaining aerosolization process when the controller determines that the voltage level of the battery is greater than or equal to a first voltage threshold.

[0013] Preferably, the indicator is configured to indicate a second number of remaining aerosolization processes when the controller determines that the voltage level of the battery is less than a second voltage threshold, wherein the second voltage threshold is lower than the first voltage threshold, and the second number of remaining aerosolization processes is less than the first number of remaining aerosolization processes.

[0014] Preferably, the indicator is configured to indicate a third quantity of remaining aerosolization processes when the controller determines that the voltage level of the battery is less than the first voltage threshold and greater than or equal to the second voltage threshold, wherein the third quantity of remaining aerosolization processes is less than the first quantity of aerosolization processes and greater than the second quantity of aerosolization processes.

[0015] In this way, the use of a voltage threshold eliminates the need for expensive current measurements and other additional components when determining the remaining number of battery-powered aerosolization processes. Furthermore, this method is robust and efficient, taking into account the actual state of charge of the battery. This also provides a more accurate determination of the number of battery-powered aerosolization processes compared to, for example, calculating the number of times the aerosolization process has been activated.

[0016] Preferably, the controller is configured to: determine the voltage level of the battery as the measured voltage of the battery when the second elapsed time after the battery has been at least partially discharged is greater than or equal to the second time threshold; and determine the voltage level of the battery as the measured voltage of the battery adjusted by the second compensation factor when the second elapsed time is less than the second time threshold.

[0017] The battery voltage measured shortly after the discharge power flow from the battery (e.g., the power flow to the heater) is disabled may be lower than the voltage in the quiescent state. Therefore, by taking into account the offset of the measured voltage after the heating load is applied to the battery compared to the quiescent state using a second compensation factor, the accuracy of determining the amount of residual aerosolization process is further improved. This provides an accurate and computationally efficient determination of the amount of residual aerosolization process that is consistent both instantaneously after the battery powers the heater and when the battery is in the quiescent state.

[0018] Preferably, the controller is further configured to determine whether the battery has been fully charged, and when it is determined that the battery has been fully charged, to indicate the first quantity of the remaining aerosolization process by means of the indicator.

[0019] In this way, the processing overhead at the controller can be reduced because the controller does not need to determine the battery voltage when the battery is fully charged.

[0020] Preferably, the controller is further configured to determine whether the battery has been fully charged by the charging case.

[0021] Preferably, the controller is configured to determine that the battery has been fully charged by determining that the control parameters are set to indicate a fully charged state.

[0022] Preferably, the battery is a lithium iron phosphate battery.

[0023] Lithium iron phosphate is a beneficial battery technology used in aerosol generating devices because it has high power capability, long cycle life, high level of safe thermodynamic stability and flat voltage curve, thus allowing constant power to be provided over a wide range of states of charge without the use of any compensation technology.

[0024] Preferably, the aerosol generating device includes a user input device that can be operated in a first manner to trigger the aerosol generating device to aerosolize the consumable for generating aerosol, and can be operated in a second manner to trigger a controller to determine the voltage level of the battery and control the indicator to indicate the amount of remaining aerosolization process that the battery can power based on the determined voltage level.

[0025] In this way, a single user input device can be used to determine the remaining amount of aerosolization process that can be powered and to trigger the aerosolization process. This allows for a more compact and simplified device layout, thereby improving the overall design of the device.

[0026] Preferably, the aerosol generating device further includes a pulse width modulation module connected to the controller, wherein the pulse width modulation module is configured to convert the power flow from the battery to the heater into a pulse width modulated power flow.

[0027] In this way, a fixed power level can be output from the battery, and then the power level can be adjusted before being delivered to the heater.

[0028] Preferably, the consumable tobacco stick used to generate aerosol is configured to heat the tobacco stick without burning it in order to generate aerosol during the aerosolization process.

[0029] In a second aspect, a method is provided for operating an aerosol generating apparatus configured for use in aerosol generation of consumables, the aerosol generating apparatus including a battery configured to provide a power flow to a heater, the method comprising: determining an elapsed time since a charging power flow to the battery has been disabled; determining a voltage level of the battery; wherein determining the voltage level of the battery includes determining the voltage level of the battery as a measured voltage of the battery when the elapsed time after the charging power flow to the battery has been disabled is greater than or equal to a time threshold; wherein determining the voltage level of the battery includes determining the voltage level of the battery as a measured voltage of the battery adjusted by a compensation factor when the elapsed time is less than the time threshold; and controlling an indicator to indicate the amount of remaining aerosolization process that the battery can power based on the determined voltage level.

[0030] In a third aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions, which, when executed by one or more processors of a controller configured to operate with an aerosol generating apparatus configured for aerosol generation of consumables and including a battery configured to provide a power flow to a heater, cause the one or more processors to perform steps including: determining, using a timer, an elapsed time since the charging power flow to the battery has been disabled; determining, using a voltage sensor of the aerosol generating apparatus, a voltage level of the battery; wherein determining the voltage level of the battery includes determining the voltage level of the battery as a measured voltage of the battery when the elapsed time after the charging power flow to the battery has been disabled is greater than or equal to a time threshold; wherein determining the voltage level of the battery includes determining the voltage level of the battery as a measured voltage of the battery adjusted by a compensation factor when the elapsed time is less than the time threshold; and controlling an indicator of the aerosol generating apparatus to indicate, based on the determined voltage level, the amount of remaining aerosol generation process that the battery can power.

[0031] The method of the second aspect and the non-transitory computer-readable medium of the third aspect may be suitably combined with the preferred features of the first aspect.

Implementation Method

[0039] Figures 1A and 1B show perspective views of a two-part aerosol generating device having a handheld component 100 and a charging case 200. The aerosol generating device may also be referred to as a vapor generating device or an electronic cigarette; for the purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that the terms aerosol and vapor are interchangeable.

[0040] In Figure 1A, the handheld device 100 is stored in the charging case 200; in Figure 1B, the handheld device is partially removed from the charging case. Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the handheld device 100 and the charging case 200 arranged separately.

[0041] The handheld device 100 is configured for use in aerosolizing a consumable for generating aerosols. The handheld device 100 includes a battery 104, a controller 102, and a chamber 106 in which a consumable 150 for generating aerosols can be received and heated to generate aerosols.

[0042] In this example, the heater may be arranged in chamber 106. Chamber 106 is accessed via an opening in the handle 100. Chamber 106 is arranged to receive associated consumables 150 for generating aerosols.

[0043] The consumable 150 for generating an aerosol may contain an aerosol-generating material, such as a tobacco stick containing tobacco. The tobacco stick may be similar to a conventional cigarette. The cross-section of the chamber is approximately equal to the cross-section of the consumable for generating an aerosol, and its depth is such that when the associated consumable for generating an aerosol is inserted into the chamber, a first end portion of the consumable for generating an aerosol reaches the bottom portion of the chamber (that is, the end portion away from the chamber opening), and a second end portion of the consumable for generating an aerosol extends outward from the chamber. In this way, when the consumable for generating an aerosol is inserted into a handheld device, the consumer can inhale from the consumable for generating an aerosol.

[0044] A heater may be arranged in chamber 106 such that the consumable 150 for generating aerosol engages with the heater when inserted into chamber 106. The heater may be arranged as a tube in the chamber such that when a first end portion of the consumable 150 for generating aerosol is inserted into the chamber, the heater substantially or completely surrounds the portion of the consumable 150 for generating aerosol within chamber 106. The heater may be a wire, such as a coiled wire heater, or a ceramic heater, or any other suitable type of heater. The heater may include a plurality of heating elements arranged sequentially along the axial length of the chamber, which heating elements may be activated (i.e., energized) independently in sequence.

[0045] Alternatively, the heater may be arranged as an elongated piercing member (e.g., in the form of a needle, rod, or blade) within the chamber, such that the heater can penetrate the consumable 150 for generating aerosols and engage with the aerosol-generating material when the consumable 150 for generating aerosols is inserted into the chamber.

[0046] Alternatively, the heater may be in the form of an induction heater. A heating element (i.e., a sensor) may be disposed in the consumable 150, and when the consumable is inserted into the chamber, the heating element is inductively coupled to an induction element (i.e., an induction coil) in the chamber. The induction heater can then heat the heating element by induction.

[0047] The heater can be arranged to heat the consumable 150 used to generate the aerosol to a predetermined temperature to generate an aerosol during the aerosolization process. The aerosolization process can be considered as the device being operated to generate an aerosol from the consumable used to generate the aerosol. In the example where the consumable 150 used to generate the aerosol is a tobacco stick (e.g., in the example of Figure 2), the consumable used to generate the aerosol includes tobacco. The heater is arranged to heat the tobacco without burning it to generate an aerosol. That is, the heater heats the tobacco to a predetermined temperature below the tobacco's combustion point, thereby generating a tobacco-based aerosol. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the consumable used to generate the aerosol does not necessarily need to include tobacco, and any other suitable substance for aerosolization (or vaporization), particularly by heating the substance without burning it, can be used in place of tobacco.

[0048] In an alternative, the consumable used to generate the aerosol can be an evaporable liquid. The evaporable liquid can be contained in a cartridge that can be received in the handheld device, or it can be deposited directly into the handheld device.

[0049] The battery 104 in the handheld device 100 may have a charge capacity suitable for powering multiple aerosolization processes. For example, when fully charged, the handheld device battery 104 may have a charge capacity sufficient to power multiple aerosolization processes (such as for aerosolizing two tobacco sticks). In the example, the handheld device battery may be a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. Lithium iron phosphate is an advantageous battery technology used in the handheld device 100 because it has high power capability, long cycle life, high level of safe thermodynamic stability, and a flat voltage curve, thereby allowing constant power to be provided over a wide range of states of charge without the use of any compensation techniques.

[0050] The handheld device 100 may include an indicator 108 arranged to indicate the number of remaining aerosolization processes that can be powered by the handheld device battery 104 based on a determined voltage level of the battery 104. In one example, the indicator 108 may include multiple light sources (e.g., LEDs), wherein the number of lit LEDs corresponds to the number of remaining aerosolization processes that can be powered by the handheld device battery 104. In another example, the indicator 108 may be a display screen that presents the number of remaining aerosolization processes that can be powered by the handheld device battery 104 in a textual or visual manner.

[0051] The handheld device controller 102 is configured to control the operation of the handheld device 100, including the power flow from the handheld device battery 104 to the heater. The handheld device controller 102 may be at least one microcontroller unit, the microcontroller unit including: memory storing instructions for operating the handheld device 100, including instructions for executing operating modes and controlling the power flow; and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions.

[0052] The charging case 200 can be connected to the handheld device 100 and is configured to charge the handheld device battery 104 when the handheld device 100 is connected to the charging case 200. The charging case 200 has a receiving area 220 in which the handheld device 100 is connected.

[0053] The charging case 200 includes a charging case battery 204. Typically, the capacity of the battery 204 in the charging case 200 is greater than that of the handheld device battery 104 in the handheld device 100. In this way, when the handheld device battery 104 is depleted, it can be recharged by the charging case 200. For example, the handheld device battery 104 can store enough charge for two aerosolization processes, and the charging case battery 204 can store enough charge to fully recharge the handheld device battery 104 ten times, enabling the entire aerosol generation device (handheld device 100 and charging case 200) to perform twenty aerosolization processes. The charging case battery 204 can be recharged from an external source (such as a wall adapter, power bank, or USB connector).

[0054] The charging case 200 may also include a charging case controller 202 configured to manage the power flow from the charging case battery 204 to the handheld device battery 104.

[0055] The handheld device 100 may have a first connector 110 for power and / or data, and the charging case 200 may have a second connector 210 for power and / or data. The first connector 110 and the second connector 210 cooperate such that when the handheld device 100 is held within the receiving area 220, power can flow from the charging case 200 to the handheld device 100 to charge the handheld device battery 104 from the charging case battery 204.

[0056] In use, the operator removes the handheld device 100 from the charging case 200 and inserts the consumable 150 for generating aerosol into the chamber 106. The operator can then operate the user input device to initiate the aerosolization process. In response, the handheld device controller 102 controls the power flow from the handheld device battery 104 to the heater to preheat the heater to a predetermined aerosolization temperature. The handheld device controller 102 then controls the power flow to maintain the heater and aerosolization temperature for the aerosolization process. The operator draws in the generated aerosol at the end of the aerosol-generating material 150. In this example, the aerosolization process continues for a predetermined period of time, after which the handheld device controller 102 disables the power flow from the handheld device battery 104 to the heater. This predetermined period of time may correspond to the amount of time typically required to aerosolize one consumable 150 (e.g., a tobacco stick). After the aerosolization process is complete, the operator places the handheld device 100 into the receiving position 220 in the charging case 200 and initiates a power flow from the charging case battery 204 to the handheld device battery 104 to recharge the handheld device battery 104 for subsequent aerosolization processes. In some examples, the handheld device battery 104 may be able to power multiple aerosolization processes (e.g., two aerosolization processes) before recharging; in this way, the operator does not need to reconnect the handheld device 100 to the charging case 200 between each aerosolization process.

[0057] Figure 3 shows an exemplary circuit diagram of a handheld device electronics device. The handheld device electronics device includes a handheld device battery 104, a handheld device controller 102, and a heater assembly 114. The handheld device electronics device may further include a pulse width modulation (PWM) module 112 controlled by the handheld device controller 102. The PWM module 112 is configured to apply pulse width modulation to the power flow from the handheld device battery 104 to the heater assembly 114. The handheld device controller 102 may control the duty cycle of the PWM to control the power applied to the heater. For example, a high duty cycle may be applied during preheating to rapidly heat the heater. A lower duty cycle may be applied when the heater is maintained at the aerosolization temperature. The PWM module may include a switch, such as a transistor, controlled by the handheld device controller 102 to switch between an "on" state and an "off" state in each PWM cycle.

[0058] Temperature sensor 120 may be disposed at the heater or in chamber 106 to monitor heater temperature. The heater temperature is fed back to handheld controller 102. When handheld controller 102 determines that the heater temperature has moved above the aerosolization temperature, it may reduce the power level applied to the heater (e.g., by reducing the PWM duty cycle). Similarly, when handheld controller 102 determines that the heater temperature has dropped below the aerosolization temperature, it may increase the power level applied to the heater (e.g., by increasing the PWM duty cycle).

[0059] A voltage sensor or voltage sensing circuit 118 can be connected to the handheld battery 104 to act as a voltmeter and can feed back the battery voltage to the handheld controller 102 so that the handheld controller 102 can monitor the state of charge of the handheld battery 104 by determining the voltage level of the handheld battery 104.

[0060] In Figure 3, for simplicity, the corresponding connections between the handheld controller 102 and the voltage sensor 118, the PWM module 112, and the temperature sensor 114 are indicated by arrows. However, those skilled in the art will understand that typical electrical connections between the controller and these components can be used.

[0061] The handheld device controller 102 is configured to determine the voltage level of the handheld device battery 104 and control the indicator 108 to indicate the amount of remaining aerosolization process that can be powered by the handheld device battery 104 based on the determined voltage level.

[0062] The voltage level of the handheld battery 104 corresponds to the number of aerosolization processes that can be powered by the handheld battery 104.

[0063] The handheld device controller 102 can determine the number of remaining aerosolization processes that can be powered by the handheld device battery 104 by comparing a determined voltage level of the handheld device battery 104 with one or more voltage thresholds, wherein each voltage threshold is calibrated to correspond to the minimum battery voltage level required in the handheld device battery 104 to power multiple aerosolization processes. These voltage thresholds may be predetermined and stored in and accessed from a storage device associated with the handheld device controller 102.

[0064] In the example, the handheld battery 104 can power two aerosolization processes when fully charged. When the determined voltage level of the handheld battery 104 is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the charge level of the handheld battery 104 is considered sufficient to power two aerosolization processes (i.e., the number of remaining aerosolization processes that can be powered by the handheld battery 104 is two). When the determined voltage level of the handheld battery 104 is lower than a second threshold lower than the first threshold, the charge level of the handheld battery 104 is considered insufficient to power the aerosolization processes (i.e., the number of remaining aerosolization processes that can be powered by the handheld battery 104 is zero). When the determined voltage level of the handheld battery 104 is less than the first voltage threshold and greater than or equal to the second voltage threshold (i.e., between the two thresholds), the charge level of the handheld battery 104 is considered sufficient to power one aerosolization process (i.e., the number of remaining aerosolization processes that can be powered by the handheld battery 104 is one).

[0065] Although the example of a handheld battery 104 capable of powering two aerosolization processes was used above, those skilled in the art will understand that the number of aerosolization processes is not limited to two. For example, the handheld battery 104 can power three aerosolization processes and has three predetermined thresholds that divide the number of processes that can be completed based on whether the battery voltage level reaches or exceeds the threshold. More generally, a handheld battery 104 capable of powering N aerosolization processes can have N predetermined thresholds that divide the number of processes that can be completed based on the battery voltage level.

[0066] In other words, when the handheld device controller 102 determines that the voltage level of the handheld device battery 104 is greater than or equal to a first voltage threshold, the handheld device controller 102 can determine that the handheld device battery 104 can power a first number of remaining aerosolization processes (e.g., two aerosolization processes). The indicator 108 is configured to indicate the first number of remaining aerosolization processes when the handheld device controller 102 determines that the voltage level of the handheld device battery 104 is greater than or equal to the first voltage threshold. When the handheld device controller 102 determines that the voltage level of the handheld device battery 104 is less than a second voltage threshold, the handheld device controller 102 can determine that the handheld device battery 102 can power a second number of remaining aerosolization processes (e.g., zero aerosolization processes), wherein the second voltage threshold is lower than the first voltage threshold, and the second number of remaining aerosolization processes is less than the first number of remaining aerosolization processes. The indicator 108 is configured to indicate the second number of remaining aerosolization processes when the handheld device controller 102 determines that the voltage level of the handheld device battery 104 is less than the second voltage threshold. When the handheld device controller 102 determines that the voltage level of the handheld device battery 104 is less than a first voltage threshold and greater than or equal to a second voltage threshold, the handheld device controller 102 can determine that the handheld device battery 104 can power a third number of remaining aerosolization processes (e.g., one aerosolization process), wherein the third number of remaining aerosolization processes is less than the first number of aerosolization processes and greater than the second number of aerosolization processes. The indicator 108 is configured to indicate the third number of remaining aerosolization processes when the handheld device controller 102 determines that the voltage level of the handheld device battery 104 is less than the first voltage threshold and greater than or equal to the second voltage threshold.

[0067] Figure 4 shows an exemplary graph of the state of charge 402 versus open circuit voltage (V) 404 for a specific example of an LFP battery during a charging cycle 406 and a discharging cycle 408, which is configured as a handheld battery 104 that can store enough energy to power a handheld aerosol generating device for two aerosolization processes.

[0068] As shown in Figure 4, LFP batteries have a flat voltage curve, which can present problems. Specifically, to take advantage of the aforementioned benefits of LFP batteries, accurate and expensive voltage measurement solutions may be required to avoid high errors. For example, these problems could include applying current measurements to implement a coulomb counting method, which would require implementing a measurement shunt or other sensors, increasing cost, complexity, and device size. In another example, this could include using a custom battery fuel gauge integrated circuit, again increasing cost, complexity, and device size. LFP batteries also exhibit hysteresis, which can lead to different possible voltage levels at the same state of charge, depending on the presence of a short history of charging or discharging. This does not allow for a simple relationship between battery voltage and state of charge.

[0069] Comparing the measured voltage to a predetermined voltage threshold to determine the number of aerosolization processes that the battery can power (as described in this disclosure) overcomes these problems. The advantage of comparing the measured voltage to a predetermined voltage threshold to determine the number of aerosolization processes that the battery can power (as described in this disclosure) can also be applied to other battery technologies, not just LFP batteries, to achieve accurate and computationally efficient determination of the remaining aerosolization processes that a handheld device battery can power.

[0070] For the battery in this example, an open-circuit voltage of 3.25 V is predetermined as the minimum voltage required to power two aerosolization processes, and an open-circuit voltage of 3.19 V is predetermined as the minimum voltage required to power one aerosolization process. Therefore, in this example, the first threshold voltage 410 is 3.25 V, and the second threshold voltage 412 is 3.19 V. For this battery, when the handheld device controller 102 determines that the battery voltage level is greater than or equal to 3.25 V (i.e., the first voltage threshold), the handheld device controller 102 determines that the battery has sufficient charge to power two aerosolization processes. When the handheld device controller 102 determines that the battery voltage level is less than 3.19 V (i.e., the second voltage threshold), the handheld device controller 102 determines that the battery can no longer power the aerosolization processes (i.e., the battery has sufficient charge to power zero aerosolization processes). When the handheld device controller 102 determines that the battery voltage level is less than 3.25 V (i.e., the first voltage threshold) and greater than or equal to 3.19 V (i.e., the second voltage threshold), the handheld device controller 102 determines that the battery has sufficient charge to power an aerosolization process.

[0071] In addition to addressing the aforementioned issues associated with using LFP batteries, the voltage threshold technique disclosed herein does not require expensive current measurements or any additional components. Furthermore, the technique is robust, efficient, and takes into account the actual state of charge of the battery. This provides a more accurate determination of the number of aerosolization processes that a handheld battery can power, compared to, for example, calculating the number of times the aerosolization process has been activated.

[0072] During the factory calibration phase, predetermined voltage thresholds can be determined and stored in a storage device associated with and accessible to the handheld device controller 102. In some examples, the voltage thresholds can be based on an average value determined for multiple batteries of the same type. In other examples, the voltage threshold can be uniquely determined for each battery.

[0073] As explained, the handheld device 100 can be configured to display an indication of the remaining aerosolization process in response to user input. The user can trigger the handheld device controller 102 by, for example, pressing a button to determine the remaining amount of aerosolization process that can be powered by the handheld device battery 102. In response to user input, the handheld device controller 102 can use a voltage sensor 118 to determine the battery voltage and compare it to a predetermined voltage threshold to determine the remaining amount of aerosolization process that can be powered by the handheld device battery 104. The handheld device controller 102 then controls the indicator 108 to display the remaining amount of aerosolization process to the operator.

[0074] In some examples, the user input device may be a button. For example, the user input device may be a dedicated button for monitoring the state of charge of the handheld device battery 104. In another example, the handheld device 100 may have a button that triggers different functions when pressed in different ways (e.g., half-pressed or fully pressed). The handheld device 100 may have a heater ignition button that triggers the start of the aerosolization process. When the button is operated in the first way (e.g., half-pressed or short-pressed), it causes the handheld device controller 102 to determine the battery voltage and display the remaining amount of aerosolization process that the handheld device battery 104 can power. When the button is operated in the second way (e.g., fully pressed or long-pressed), it triggers the handheld device controller 102 to control the device for the aerosolization process.

[0075] After a charging load (e.g., when the handheld battery 104 is charging) or a discharging load (e.g., when the handheld battery 104 is powering the heater) is applied to the handheld battery 104, the voltage level across the handheld battery 104 measured by the handheld controller 102 and the voltage sensor 118 may not provide a true representation of the amount of power that can be supplied. For a period of time after a charging load has been applied to the handheld battery 104 (i.e., when the handheld battery 104 is charging), the measured voltage will be higher than the voltage of the quiescent battery (i.e., there is a positive overvoltage in the measured battery voltage). After the charging load is removed, the voltage level drops to the quiescent battery state over time. Similarly, for a period of time after a discharging load has been applied to the handheld battery 104 (i.e., a heating load when powering the heater), the measured voltage will be lower than the voltage of the quiescent battery (i.e., there is a negative overvoltage in the measured battery voltage). That is, the measured battery voltage is lower than the balanced battery voltage or recovers to a good battery voltage after the quiescent period. After the discharge load is removed, the voltage level rises to the quiescent battery state over time.

[0076] Therefore, the voltage level determined immediately after the handheld battery 104 is charged may be higher than the voltage level in the resting state, thus giving an indication that the number of aerosolization processes that can be powered is greater than the actual amount of charge available. Similarly, the voltage level determined immediately after the handheld battery 104 supplies power to the heater may be lower than the resting state, thus giving an indication that the number of aerosolization processes that can be powered is less than the actual amount of charge available. The handheld controller 102 may apply a compensation factor to the measured voltage level to account for these differences, so that an accurate and consistent indication of the number of available aerosolization processes can be provided both immediately after charging and / or discharging the handheld battery 104 and in the resting state.

[0077] After the charging power flow to the handheld device battery 104 has been disabled (i.e., when the handheld device 100 has been removed from the charging case 200, or when the power flow from the charging case battery 204 to the handheld device battery 104 is disabled), when the elapsed time after the removal of the charging power flow is less than a first time threshold, the handheld device controller 104 can adjust the measured handheld device battery voltage by means of a first compensation factor (or a post-charging compensation factor). This elapsed time can be considered as the first elapsed time or the post-charging time, and the first time threshold can be considered as the post-charging time threshold. The first compensation factor can be considered as a calibration factor applied to the battery voltage measured during the post-charging time period to adjust the measured battery voltage to represent the battery voltage in a quiescent state.

[0078] The handheld device controller 102 may start a post-charging timer to monitor the post-charging time after detecting that the charging current to the handheld device battery 104 has been blocked. When the handheld device controller 102 determines the voltage level of the handheld device battery 104, the handheld device controller 102 also compares the elapsed post-charging time with a post-charging time threshold.

[0079] When the handheld device controller 102 determines that the post-charging time is greater than or equal to a post-charging time threshold, the measured battery voltage represents the resting battery state, because the battery will have rested for a sufficient time after charging, and the first compensation factor is not applied. When the handheld device controller 102 determines that the post-charging time is less than the post-charging time threshold, the handheld device controller 102 adjusts the measured battery voltage using the first compensation factor. The first compensation factor may be predetermined and stored in memory associated with and accessible to the handheld device controller 102.

[0080] The first compensation factor can vary based on the elapsed post-charging time. That is, the longer the elapsed time, the smaller the compensation factor becomes as the handheld device battery 104 approaches a resting state. For example, the handheld device controller 102 can access a lookup table of compensation factors for different elapsed post-charging times and apply the compensation factor for a given elapsed time. In this way, the measured voltage level can be accurately adjusted. Alternatively, the first compensation factor can be a fixed value instead of varying over time. This reduces the processing burden compared to determining a compensation factor that varies over time.

[0081] In other words, considering that the voltage after charging is prohibited is higher than the voltage in the idle state, a first compensation factor can be subtracted from the measured battery voltage to provide an adjusted battery voltage. In the example, the first time threshold after charging is prohibited can be 30 minutes.

[0082] After the heating load is removed from the handheld battery 104 (i.e., when the battery stops supplying power to the heater), if the elapsed time after the removal of the heating load is less than a second time threshold, the handheld controller 102 can adjust the measured battery voltage using a second compensation factor (or a post-heating compensation factor). This elapsed time can be considered either the second elapsed time or the post-heating time, and the second time threshold can be considered the post-heating time threshold. The second compensation factor can be considered a calibration factor applied to the battery voltage measured during the post-heating period to adjust the measured battery voltage to represent the battery voltage in a resting state.

[0083] The handheld device controller 102 may start a post-heating timer after detecting that the heating load has been removed from the handheld device battery 104 to monitor the post-heating time. When the handheld device controller 102 determines the voltage level of the handheld device battery 104, the handheld device controller 102 also compares the elapsed post-heating time with a post-heating time threshold.

[0084] When the handheld device controller 102 determines that the post-heating time is greater than or equal to a post-heating time threshold, the measured battery voltage represents the resting battery state because the handheld device battery 104 has already rested for a sufficient time after the heating load was applied, and the second compensation factor is not applied. When the handheld device controller 102 determines that the post-heating time is less than the post-heating time threshold, the handheld device controller 102 adjusts the measured battery voltage using the second compensation factor. The second compensation factor may be predetermined and stored in memory associated with and accessible to the handheld device controller 102.

[0085] The second compensation factor can vary according to the elapsed post-heating time. That is, the longer the elapsed time, the smaller the compensation factor becomes as the handheld device battery 104 approaches a resting state. For example, the handheld device controller 102 can access a lookup table of compensation factors for different elapsed post-heating times and apply the compensation factor for a given elapsed time. In this way, the measured voltage level can be accurately adjusted. Alternatively, the second compensation factor can be a fixed value instead of varying over time. This reduces the processing burden compared to determining a compensation factor that varies over time.

[0086] In other words, considering that the voltage after removing the heating load is lower than the voltage in the quiescent state, a second compensation factor can be added to the measured battery voltage to provide an adjusted battery voltage. In the example, the second time threshold after removing the heating load from the handheld battery could be 30 minutes.

[0087] When the handheld battery 104 is fully charged by the charging case 200, the state of charge control parameter at the handheld controller 102 can be set to the "fully charged" state. For example, the firmware of the handheld controller 102 can have the following settings: when the handheld battery 104 is fully charged, the logic state is 1 ("fully charged" state), and when the handheld battery 104 is not fully charged, the logic state is 0 ("not fully charged" state).

[0088] During the charging process, the charging case battery 204 supplies charge to the handheld device battery 104 via the power connectors in the power / data connectors 110 and 210 between the handheld device 100 and the charging case 200. When the charging case controller 202 determines that the handheld device battery 104 is fully charged, the charging case controller disables the power flow from the charging case battery 204 to the handheld device battery 104. The charging case controller 202 can then also use the data connectors in the power / data connectors 110 and 210 to set the state of charge control parameter at the handheld device controller 102 to a "fully charged" state. Alternatively, the handheld device controller 102 can detect that the handheld device battery 104 is fully charged and set the state of charge control parameter to a "fully charged" state.

[0089] When the handheld battery 104 is subsequently (at least partially) discharged, for example when a heating load is applied to the heater, the handheld controller 102 can switch the parameters to a "not fully charged" state.

[0090] When the handheld device controller 102 is triggered to determine the voltage level to determine the amount of remaining aerosolization process that can be powered by the handheld device battery 104, the handheld device controller 102 may first check the state of charge control parameters before determining the handheld device battery voltage level. When the state of charge control parameters are not set to indicate that the handheld device battery is fully charged (i.e., the state of charge control parameters are in a "not fully charged" state), the handheld device controller 102 continues to determine the voltage level of the handheld device battery 104 (e.g., using voltage sensor 118) to determine the amount of remaining aerosolization process that can be powered by the handheld device battery 104. When the state of charge control parameters are set to indicate that the handheld device battery 104 is fully charged (i.e., the state of charge control parameters are in a "fully charged" state), the handheld device controller 102 does not determine the voltage level of the handheld device battery 104. Alternatively, the handheld device controller 102 determines that the handheld device battery 104 has sufficient energy to power the maximum number of aerosolization processes (two in the LFP battery example above), because the state-of-charge control parameters indicate that the handheld device battery 104 is fully charged and has not yet been discharged or partially discharged. In this way, the processing overhead at the handheld device controller 102 can be reduced, since the handheld device controller 102 is uncertain about the battery voltage when the battery is fully charged.

[0091] As described above, it can be understood that the handheld device controller 102 can determine the number of aerosolization processes that the handheld device battery 104 has sufficient charge level to power the process based on multiple criteria.

[0092] When the handheld device controller 102 determines that the handheld device battery 104 has a charge level sufficient to power a first number of aerosolization processes (e.g., a maximum number of aerosolization processes, or two aerosolization processes in an earlier example of an LFP battery that can power up to two processes): - The state of charge control parameter is set to indicate that the handheld device battery 104 is fully charged (i.e., the state of charge control parameter is in a "fully charged" state); - The elapsed post-charge time is greater than or equal to a post-charge time threshold, and the measured battery voltage level is greater than or equal to a first voltage threshold; - The elapsed post-charge time is less than a post-charge time threshold, and the battery voltage level adjusted using a post-charge compensation factor is greater than or equal to the first voltage threshold; - The elapsed post-heating time is greater than or equal to a post-heating time threshold, and the measured battery voltage level is greater than or equal to the first voltage threshold; or - The elapsed post-heating time is less than a post-heating time threshold, and the battery voltage level adjusted using a post-heating compensation factor is greater than or equal to the first voltage threshold.

[0093] When the handheld device controller 102 determines that the charge level of the handheld device battery 104 is sufficient to power a second number of aerosolization processes (e.g., zero aerosolization processes) when at least one of the following is determined: - the elapsed post-charge time is greater than or equal to a post-charge time threshold, and the measured battery voltage level is less than a second voltage threshold; - the elapsed post-charge time is less than a post-charge time threshold, and the battery voltage level adjusted using a post-charge compensation factor is less than a second voltage threshold; - the elapsed post-heating time is greater than or equal to a post-heating time threshold, and the measured battery voltage level is less than a second voltage threshold; or - the elapsed post-heating time is less than a post-heating time threshold, and the battery voltage level adjusted using a post-heating compensation factor is less than a second voltage threshold.

[0094] When the handheld device controller 102 determines that the handheld device battery 104 has a charge level sufficient to power a third number of aerosolization processes (e.g., an intermediate number between the first and second number of aerosolization processes, or two aerosolization processes in an earlier example of an LFP battery that can power up to two processes): - the elapsed post-charge time is greater than or equal to a post-charge time threshold, and the measured battery voltage level is less than a first voltage threshold and greater than or equal to a second voltage threshold; - the elapsed post-charge time is less than a post-charge time threshold, and the battery voltage level adjusted using a post-charge compensation factor is less than a first voltage threshold and greater than or equal to a second voltage threshold; - the elapsed post-heating time is greater than or equal to a post-heating time threshold, and the measured battery voltage level is less than a first voltage threshold and greater than or equal to a second voltage threshold; or - the elapsed post-heating time is less than a post-heating time threshold, and the battery voltage level adjusted using a post-heating compensation factor is less than a first voltage threshold and greater than or equal to a second voltage threshold.

[0095] Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary processing flow of the steps performed by the handheld controller 102 according to the preceding description.

[0096] In step 503, the handheld device controller 102 determines the elapsed time (i.e., the first elapsed time) since the charging power flow to the handheld device battery 104 was disabled. If necessary, in step 504, the handheld device controller 102 determines a second elapsed time (e.g., the elapsed time since the power flow from the battery to the heater ended).

[0097] In step 505, the handheld device controller 102 determines the measured voltage level of the battery. In step 506, when the elapsed time is less than a time threshold (i.e., a first time threshold), the handheld device controller 102 adjusts the measured voltage level using a compensation factor (i.e., a first compensation factor). When the elapsed time is greater than or equal to the time threshold, the measured voltage level is not adjusted using a compensation factor.

[0098] As needed, in step 507, when the second elapsed time is less than the second time threshold, the handheld device controller 102 adjusts the measured voltage level using a second compensation factor. When the second elapsed time is greater than or equal to the second time threshold, the measured voltage level is not adjusted using the second compensation factor.

[0099] In other words, the handheld controller 102 can compensate for overvoltage in the measured battery voltage to determine the desired balanced battery voltage. The battery voltage (Ubattery) measured after the removal of the heating load or charging load can be defined as Ubattery = Ubalance + Urelaxation. Urelaxation is the overvoltage (negative for discharge, positive for charging). The controller can then estimate Urelaxation over time and subtract it to determine Ubalance. Ubalance can then be used to assess the energy content of the battery based on the measured battery voltage Ubattery.

[0100] If the handheld device controller 102 determines that the first elapsed time is less than the first time threshold (after charging) and the second elapsed time is less than the second time threshold (after heating), the handheld device controller 102 can adjust the measured voltage level by means of the first compensation factor and the second compensation factor.

[0101] In step 508, the handheld device controller 102 controls the indicator 108 to indicate the amount of remaining aerosolization process that can be powered by the battery based on a determined voltage level.

[0102] If necessary, prior to step 503, the handheld device controller 102 may determine whether the handheld device battery 104 has been fully charged by determining whether the control parameter is set to indicate a fully charged state. When the control parameter is set to indicate a fully charged state, the process may continue to step 502 if necessary, in which the handheld device controller 104 controls an indicator to indicate that a maximum amount of the remaining aerosolization process can be powered by the handheld device battery 104. When the control parameter is not set to indicate a fully charged state, the process may continue to step 503.

[0103] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the process steps described with reference to Figure 5 can be implemented in any suitable order. In an alternative process flow similar to that of Figure 5, the handheld controller 102 can be configured to perform steps 504 and 507, wherein steps 503 and 506 are as needed. In another alternative process flow similar to that of Figure 5, the handheld controller 102 can be configured to perform steps 501 and 502, wherein steps 503-507 are as needed.

[0104] Although the foregoing description describes the handheld device controller 102 performing the determination of the amount of remaining aerosolization process that can be powered by the handheld device battery 104, these processing steps can alternatively be performed by the charging case controller 202, which communicates with the handheld device 100, via data connectors 110 and 210 between the charging case 200 and the handheld device 100. In this alternative, an indicator 108 indicating the amount of remaining aerosolization process can also be integrated into the charging case 200.

[0105] Although the foregoing description portrays the aerosol generating device as a two-part system comprising a handheld device 100 and a charging case 200, in an alternative, the aerosol generating device may be a single-part system comprising only the handheld device. In this alternative, the handheld device can be charged from an external source (such as a power bank or power adapter); the first elapsed time may be based on the time period since the handheld device was disconnected from the external source. In this alternative, the state of charge control parameters may be set by the handheld device controller when it is determined that the battery is fully charged. In some examples of this alternative, the handheld device may be configured to power a greater number of aerosolization processes than the two processes required for a fully charged battery.

[0106] In the foregoing description, one or more controllers may store instructions for controlling the aerosol generating device and the power system in the manner described. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that one or more controllers may be configured to perform any of the above-described methods in a suitable combination of each other. The processing steps performed by one or more controllers described herein may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or storage device associated with the one or more controllers. Computer-readable media may include non-volatile media and volatile media. Volatile media may include semiconductor memory and dynamic storage devices, etc. Non-volatile media may include optical discs and magnetic disks, etc.

[0107] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the foregoing embodiments described above are not limiting; features of each embodiment may be appropriately incorporated into other embodiments. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0032] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] [Fig. 1A] is a perspective view of a two-part aerosolization device having a handheld component and a charging box, wherein the handheld component is stored in the charging box;

[0034] [Figure 1B] is a perspective view of a two-part aerosolization device, in which the handheld part and the charging box are separated;

[0035] [Figure 2] is a block diagram of a two-part aerosolization device;

[0036] [Figure 3] is a circuit diagram of the handheld electronic components of the two-part aerosolization device;

[0037] [Figure 4] is a graph showing the state of charge and open-circuit voltage of an LFP battery during its charge and discharge cycles, configured to store sufficient energy to power an aerosol generation device for two aerosolization processes; and

[0038] [Figure 5] is a flowchart of the processing steps executed by the controller of the aerosol generating device.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating apparatus configured for use in generating aerosols from consumables, the aerosol generating apparatus comprising: A battery configured to provide a power flow to the heater; The controller is configured to determine the voltage level of the battery, wherein the battery voltage level is determined as a measured voltage of the battery when the elapsed time after the charging power flow to the battery has been disabled is greater than or equal to a time threshold, and wherein the battery voltage level is determined as a measured voltage of the battery adjusted by a compensation factor when the elapsed time is less than the time threshold; and wherein the controller is further configured to control an indicator to indicate the amount of residual aerosolization process that the battery can power based on the determined voltage level.

2. The aerosol generating apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein, The device includes a handheld component and a charging case that can be connected to the handheld component, wherein the handheld component includes the battery and the controller and is configured to aerosolize the consumable for generating aerosols, and wherein the charging case is configured to charge the battery of the handheld component when the handheld component is connected to the charging case.

3. The aerosol generating apparatus as described in claim 2, wherein, The controller is configured to determine the elapsed time after the charging power flow has been blocked, based on the elapsed time after the handheld device has been disconnected from the charging case.

4. The aerosol generating apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein, The indicator is configured to indicate a first quantity of remaining aerosolization process when the controller determines that the voltage level of the battery is greater than or equal to a first voltage threshold.

5. The aerosol generating apparatus as described in claim 4, wherein, The indicator is configured to indicate a second quantity of remaining aerosolization processes when the controller determines that the voltage level of the battery is less than a second voltage threshold, wherein the second voltage threshold is lower than the first voltage threshold, and the second quantity of remaining aerosolization processes is less than the first quantity of remaining aerosolization processes.

6. The aerosol generating apparatus as described in claim 5, wherein, The indicator is configured to indicate a third quantity of remaining aerosolization processes when the controller determines that the voltage level of the battery is less than the first voltage threshold and greater than or equal to the second voltage threshold, wherein the third quantity of remaining aerosolization processes is less than the first quantity of aerosolization processes and greater than the second quantity of aerosolization processes.

7. The aerosol generating apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein, The controller is configured to: determine the voltage level of the battery as the measured voltage of the battery when a second elapsed time after the battery has been at least partially discharged is greater than or equal to a second time threshold; and determine the voltage level of the battery as the measured voltage of the battery adjusted by a second compensation factor when the second elapsed time is less than the second time threshold.

8. The aerosol generating apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein, The controller is further configured to determine whether the battery has been fully charged, and when it is determined that the battery has been fully charged, to indicate a first amount of remaining aerosolization process by means of the indicator.

9. The aerosol generating apparatus as described in claim 8, wherein, The controller is configured to determine that the battery has been fully charged by setting control parameters to indicate a fully charged state.

10. The aerosol generating apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein, This battery is a lithium iron phosphate battery.

11. The aerosol generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising a user input device that can operate in a first manner to trigger the aerosol generating apparatus to aerosolize the consumable for generating aerosols, and can operate in a second manner to trigger a controller to determine the voltage level of the battery and control an indicator to indicate the amount of remaining aerosolization process that the battery can power based on the determined voltage level.

12. The aerosol generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a pulse width modulation module connected to the controller, wherein, The pulse width modulation module is configured to convert the power flow from the battery to the heater into a pulse width modulated power flow.

13. The aerosol generating apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein, The consumable tobacco stick is used to generate aerosols, and the aerosol generating device is configured to heat the tobacco stick without burning it in order to generate aerosols during the aerosolization process.

14. A method of operating an aerosol generating apparatus configured for use in generating aerosols for consumable aerosolization, the aerosol generating apparatus including a battery configured to provide a power flow to a heater, the method comprising: Determine the elapsed time since the charging power flow to the battery has been disabled; Determine the voltage level of the battery; wherein determining the voltage level of the battery includes determining the voltage level of the battery as the measured voltage of the battery when the elapsed time after the charging power flow to the battery has been disabled is greater than or equal to the time threshold; wherein determining the voltage level of the battery includes determining the voltage level of the battery as the measured voltage of the battery after adjustment by a compensation factor when the elapsed time is less than the time threshold; and controlling an indicator to indicate the amount of residual aerosolization process that the battery can power based on the determined voltage level.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a controller configured to operate with an aerosol generating apparatus configured for aerosolization of a consumable and including a battery configured to provide a power flow to a heater, cause the one or more processors to perform steps including: determining, using a timer, an elapsed time since the charging power flow to the battery has been disabled; determining, using a voltage sensor of the aerosol generating apparatus, a voltage level of the battery; wherein, Determining the battery voltage level includes determining the battery voltage level as the measured voltage of the battery when the elapsed time after the charging power flow to the battery has been disabled is greater than or equal to a time threshold; wherein, determining the battery voltage level includes determining the battery voltage level as the measured voltage of the battery after adjustment by a compensation factor when the elapsed time is less than the time threshold; and controlling the indicator of the aerosol generating device to indicate the amount of residual aerosolization process that the battery can power based on the determined voltage level.

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