Aerosol generating apparatus

Abstract

An aerosol generating apparatus, comprising: a microwave generation assembly (10), a microwave feed-in assembly (20), a microwave heating assembly (30), and a control assembly (40). The microwave generation assembly (10) comprises a protection circuit (13). The control assembly (40) is used for determining a current state, and outputting a state control signal, the state control signal comprising a working control signal and a standby control signal. The protection circuit (13) comprises: a detection module (131) used for detecting the state control signal, and outputting a switch control signal on the basis of the state control signal; a switch module (133), wherein a power supply voltage signal is inputted at a first end of the switch module (133), a second end of the switch module (133) is connected to a power supply end of a power amplifier (12), and a constant voltage signal is inputted at a control end of the power amplifier (12); and a switch control module (132) used for controlling on and off of the switch module (133) on the basis of the switch control signal.

Description

Aerosol generating device Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electronics, and in particular to an aerosol generating device. Background Art

[0002] With the development of semiconductors, the electrical properties of microwave power amplifiers have evolved from silicon and germanium in the first generation, to gallium arsenide and gallium phosphide in the second generation, and then to silicon carbide and gallium nitride in the third generation. Furthermore, microwave power amplifiers are widely used in various microwave electronic products, such as microwave-heated aerosol generators. As the electronic component that generates the most heat, the power consumption of these electronic products cannot be ignored, especially when operating with lithium batteries. This standby power consumption has a significant impact on the standby life of the electronic products.

[0003] In some existing electronic products, the power amplifier is always powered, but this increases the overall power consumption of the device. Another approach uses a switching circuit to control the power amplifier's on and off. While this saves power, device discreteness and load variations can cause fluctuations in the control voltage (bias voltage), which in turn can affect the power amplifier's electrical performance. Furthermore, frequent switching on and off can easily damage the amplifier. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is that the prior art has the technical defects of high power consumption and easy damage.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problem is: constructing an aerosol generating device, comprising: a microwave generating component, a microwave feeding component, a microwave heating component and a control component, wherein the microwave generating component generates a microwave signal and feeds the microwave signal into the microwave heating component through the microwave feeding component to heat the aerosol generating substrate, the microwave generating component comprises a microwave signal source and a power amplifier connected to each other, and the microwave generating component further comprises a protection circuit for protecting the power amplifier;

[0006] The control component is used to determine the current state of the aerosol generating device and output a state control signal, wherein the state control signal includes a working control signal and a standby control signal;

[0007] The protection circuit comprises:

[0008] a detection module, configured to detect the state control signal and output a switch control signal according to the state control signal;

[0009] A switch module, wherein a first end of the switch module inputs a power supply voltage signal, a second end of the switch module is connected to a power supply end of the power amplifier, wherein a control end of the power amplifier inputs a constant voltage signal;

[0010] The switch control module is used to control the on and off of the switch module according to the switch control signal.

[0011] Preferably, the detection module includes: a resistor R3, a resistor R5, and a diode D1, wherein the first end of the resistor R5 is the input end of the detection module and is used to input the state control signal, the second end of the resistor R5 is respectively connected to the cathode of the diode D1 and the first end of the resistor R3, the second end of the resistor R3 is connected to a negative voltage, and the anode of the diode D1 is the output end of the detection module and is used to output a switch control signal.

[0012] Preferably, the control end of the power amplifier is further connected to the output end of the negative voltage source, and the second end of the resistor R3 is connected to the control end of the power amplifier.

[0013] Preferably, the detection module further includes a resistor R6 , a first end of the resistor R6 is connected to the cathode of the diode D1 , and a second end of the resistor R6 is grounded.

[0014] Preferably, the switch module includes a MOS transistor Q1 and a resistor R1, wherein the source of the MOS transistor Q1 is the first end of the switch module and is used to input a power supply voltage signal, the drain of the MOS transistor Q1 is the second end of the switch module and is connected to the power supply end of the power amplifier, and the resistor R1 is connected between the source and gate of the MOS transistor Q1.

[0015] Preferably, the switch control module includes a resistor R2, a resistor R4, a transistor Q2, and a capacitor C1, wherein the base of the transistor Q2 is grounded through the resistor R4, the emitter of the transistor Q2 is connected to the output end of the detection module, the collector of the transistor Q2 is connected to the gate of the MOS transistor Q1 through the resistor R2, and the capacitor C1 is connected between the emitter of the transistor Q2 and the ground.

[0016] Preferably, it also includes:

[0017] An anti-reverse module is connected between the second end of the switch module and the power supply end of the power amplifier and is used to prevent the microwave signal output by the power amplifier from flowing back.

[0018] Preferably, the anti-reverse module includes a diode D2, and the anode of the diode D2 is connected to the second end of the switch module, and the cathode of the diode D2 is connected to the power supply end of the power amplifier.

[0019] Preferably, the microwave generating assembly further comprises:

[0020] a coupler, configured to couple a portion of the microwave signal from the microwave signal output by the power amplifier;

[0021] a detector for detecting the amplitude of the coupled microwave signal and transmitting the amplitude to the control component;

[0022] The control component is used to adjust the power of the microwave signal output by the power amplifier according to the amplitude.

[0023] Preferably, the microwave generating assembly further includes a voltage management module, and,

[0024] The control component is used to adjust the power of the microwave signal output by the power amplifier by adjusting the supply voltage signal output by the voltage management module to the power amplifier according to the amplitude.

[0025] Through the technical solution of the present invention, the detection module detects the state control signal (operation control signal or standby control signal) output by the control component and outputs a switch control signal based on the state control signal. The switch control module then controls the switching module on and off based on the switch control signal, so that the power supply terminal of the power amplifier can select whether to receive the supply voltage signal or not according to the state control signal of the aerosol generating device. This allows the power amplifier to be powered only in the operating state and not in the standby state, thereby saving power consumption. Furthermore, because the switch module is connected to the power supply terminal of the power amplifier and the control terminal of the power amplifier receives a constant voltage signal, even if device discreteness and load changes cause jitter in the switch control signal, the bias voltage of the power amplifier remains unchanged (constant voltage), thus preventing changes in the electrical performance of the power amplifier. Furthermore, because the control terminal of the power amplifier receives a constant voltage signal, the power amplifier is prevented from frequent switching, reducing the chance of damage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for describing the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without inventive efforts. In the drawings:

[0027] FIG1 is a logical structure diagram of an aerosol generating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIG2 is a logic structure diagram of the power amplifier and protection circuit embodiment 1 in FIG1 ;

[0029] FIG3 is a circuit diagram of a second embodiment of the power amplifier and protection circuit in FIG1 ;

[0030] FIG4 is a logical structure diagram of a second embodiment of an aerosol generating device according to the present invention;

[0031] FIG5 is a waveform diagram of various signals in the aerosol generating device of the present invention in case 1;

[0032] FIG6 is a waveform diagram of various signals in the second embodiment of the aerosol generating device of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 1 is a logical structure diagram of a first embodiment of an aerosol generating device according to the present invention. The aerosol generating device of this embodiment comprises a microwave generating assembly 10, a microwave feeding assembly 20, a microwave heating assembly 30, and a control assembly 40. The microwave generating assembly 10 generates a microwave signal and feeds the microwave signal into the microwave heating assembly 30 via the microwave feeding assembly 20 to heat the aerosol-forming substrate. The microwave generating assembly 10 includes a connected microwave signal source 11 and a power amplifier 12, as well as a protection circuit 13 for protecting the power amplifier 12. The control assembly 40 is configured to determine the current state of the aerosol generating device and output a state control signal, which includes an operating control signal and a standby control signal. When the aerosol generating device is heating the aerosol-forming substrate, the control assembly 40 outputs the operating control signal. When the aerosol generating device is not heating or in an abnormal state, the control assembly 40 outputs the standby control signal.

[0035] 2 , the protection circuit includes a detection module 131 , a switch control module 132 and a switch module 133 . The first end of the switch module 133 inputs a supply voltage signal, the second end of the switch module 133 is connected to the power supply end of the power amplifier 12, and the control end of the power amplifier 12 inputs a constant voltage signal. It should also be noted that the control end of the power amplifier 12 is also connected to the output end of the microwave signal source 11, that is, for inputting a microwave signal. In other words, the control end of the power amplifier 12 inputs a superposition signal of a constant voltage signal and a microwave signal (an alternating signal). The detection module 131 is used to detect a state control signal and output a switch control signal based on the state control signal. The switch control module 132 is used to control the conduction and shutoff of the switch module 133 based on the switch control signal. Specifically, when the state control signal is an operating control signal, the switch module 133 is controlled to be turned on. At this time, the supply voltage signal can be input to the power supply end of the power amplifier 12, so that the power amplifier 12 operates normally. When the state control signal is a standby control signal, the switch module 133 is controlled to be turned off. At this time, the supply voltage signal is not input to the power supply end of the power amplifier 12, so that the power amplifier 12 stops operating.

[0036] In the protection circuit of this embodiment, the detection module detects a state control signal (operation control signal or standby control signal) output by the control component and outputs a switch control signal based on the state control signal. The switch control module then controls the switching module on and off based on the switch control signal, so that the power supply terminal of the power amplifier can select whether to receive the supply voltage signal or not according to the state control signal. This allows the power amplifier to be powered only in the operation state and not in the standby state, thereby saving power consumption. Compared to a method of controlling the operation of the power amplifier through the power amplifier's bias voltage, because the switch module is connected to the power supply terminal of the power amplifier and the control terminal of the power amplifier receives a constant voltage signal, even if device discreteness and load changes cause jitter in the switch control signal, the bias voltage of the power amplifier remains unchanged (constant voltage), thus preventing changes in the electrical performance of the power amplifier. Furthermore, because the control terminal of the power amplifier receives a constant voltage signal, the power amplifier will not be frequently switched on and off, reducing the chance of damage.

[0037] Furthermore, the status control signal includes not only the working control signal and the standby control signal but also the abnormality control signal, so that the power supply to the power amplifier can be cut off when the device is in standby or an abnormality occurs, and the power amplifier is only powered when the device is working normally (during the user's puffing time).

[0038] Furthermore, in an optional embodiment, the protection circuit of the present invention further includes an anti-backflow module, which is connected between the second end of the switch module and the power supply end of the power amplifier and is used to prevent the microwave signal output by the power amplifier from backflowing.

[0039] Figure 3 is a circuit diagram of a second embodiment of the power amplifier and protection circuit shown in Figure 1. This protection circuit is used to protect power amplifier 12, which includes a radio frequency amplifier tube U1. It should be understood that the gate and drain of radio frequency amplifier tube U1 are also connected to components such as an inductor and a capacitor (not shown). This protection circuit includes a detection module 131, a switch control module 132, a switch module 133, and an anti-reverse module 134.

[0040] The detection module 131 of this embodiment includes a resistor R3, a resistor R5, a diode D1, and a resistor R6. The first end of resistor R5 serves as the input of the detection module 131 and is used to input a state control signal (ctrl). The second end of resistor R5 is connected to the cathode of diode D1 and the first end of resistor R3, respectively. The second end of resistor R3 is connected to a negative voltage (Vgs). The anode of diode D1 serves as the output of the detection module 131 and is used to output a switch control signal. The first end of resistor R6 is connected to the cathode of diode D1, and the second end of resistor R6 is grounded. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the constant voltage signal input to the control terminal of the power amplifier 12 is also a negative voltage. Therefore, the second end of resistor R3 and the control terminal of the power amplifier 12 can be connected to the output of a negative voltage source. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the second end of resistor R3 and the control terminal of the power amplifier 12 may not be connected together. For example, the second end of resistor R3 and the control terminal of the power amplifier 12 can be connected to appropriate voltage signals.

[0041] The switch module 133 of this embodiment includes: a MOS transistor Q1 and a resistor R1. The MOS transistor Q1 is a P-type MOS transistor, and the source of the MOS transistor Q1 is the first terminal of the switch module 133 and is used to input the power supply voltage signal (+VDD). The drain of the MOS transistor Q1 is the second terminal of the switch module 133 and is connected to the power supply terminal of the power amplifier 12 through the anti-reverse module 134. The resistor R1 is connected between the source and gate of the MOS transistor Q1.

[0042] The switch control module 132 of this embodiment includes a resistor R2, a resistor R4, a transistor Q2, and a capacitor C1. The base of the transistor Q2 is grounded via the resistor R4, and the emitter of the transistor Q2 is connected to the output of the detection module 131, that is, to the anode of the diode D1. The collector of the transistor Q2 is connected to the gate of the MOS transistor Q1 via the resistor R2, and the capacitor C1 is connected between the emitter of the transistor Q2 and ground.

[0043] The anti-reverse module 134 of this embodiment includes: a diode D2, and the positive electrode of the diode D2 is connected to the second end of the switch module 133, that is, connected to the drain of the MOS tube Q1, and the negative electrode of the diode D2 is connected to the power supply end of the power amplifier 12 and is used to output the microwave signal.

[0044] The working principle of the protection circuit is described below:

[0045] When the state control signal (ctrl) output by the control component is at a high level, for example, a high level is output in the standby state or abnormal state, the diode D1 is not conducting, the voltage between the base set and the emitter set of the transistor Q2 is 0V, which is less than the initial conduction voltage, and the transistor Q2 is also not conducting. At this time, the resistor R1 makes the voltage between the gate and the source of the MOS transistor Q1 equal, the MOS transistor Q1 is not conducting, the voltage at Vd is 0V, and the power amplifier 12 cannot be powered on and work.

[0046] When the control component outputs a low-level state control signal (ctrl), for example, during normal operation, diode D1 conducts, and the voltage between the base and emitter of transistor Q2 exceeds the initial turn-on voltage. Transistor Q2 conducts, thereby pulling the collector voltage of transistor Q2 down to ground. At this point, the supply voltage signal (+VDD) passes through resistors R1 and R2 to GND, while the voltage between the gate and source of MOS transistor Q1 changes from 0 to a negative voltage. The resistance between GD decreases, approaching zero. MOS transistor Q1 conducts, and a voltage appears at Vd, approximately equal to the supply voltage signal (+VDD). This voltage signal provides the power supply voltage to power amplifier 12 through diode D2. It should be noted that diode D2 serves to limit unidirectional current flow, preventing backflow of the alternating voltage and current of the RF envelope signal during operation of power amplifier 12 and current backflow after a power outage.

[0047] FIG4 is a logical structure diagram of a second embodiment of an aerosol generating device according to the present invention. The aerosol generating device of this embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in FIG1 only in that the microwave generating assembly 10 further includes a coupler 14, a detector 15, and a voltage management module 16. The coupler 14 is used to couple a portion of the microwave signal from the microwave signal output by the power amplifier 12; the detector 15 is used to detect the amplitude of the coupled microwave signal and transmit it to the control assembly 40. The control assembly 40 is further used to adjust the power of the microwave signal output by the power amplifier 12 by adjusting the supply voltage signal output by the voltage management module 16 to the power amplifier 12 based on the amplitude. For example, when a user takes a puff, the power of the microwave signal output by the power amplifier 12 is increased; when the user does not take a puff, the power of the microwave signal output by the power amplifier 12 is decreased. Of course, in other embodiments, the voltage management module 16 may not be provided, and the control assembly 40 may adjust the power of the microwave signal output by the power amplifier 12 using other methods based on the amplitude of the coupled microwave signal, such as adjusting the power of the microwave signal output by the microwave signal source 11.

[0048] The following describes the power-on sequence of various signals in the aerosol generating device of the present invention:

[0049] First, as shown in Figure 5, in this case, the state control signal is at a low level, as shown by curve L4. The voltage at the control terminal of power amplifier 12 (Vgs bias voltage) remains in a normally open state and is negative, as shown by curve L1. Furthermore, the Vgs bias voltage is prioritized when the device is powered on or restarted after a power outage. When the device is powered on, for example at time t1, the power supply component outputs a supply voltage signal +VDD, as shown by curve L2. Furthermore, under the control of the switch control signal, this supply voltage signal causes the voltage at Vd to increase from 0 at time t2 and stabilize at a predetermined voltage (the supply voltage minus the voltage between the drain and source of MOS transistor Q1), thereby powering the power amplifier 12, as shown by curve L3, and enabling the power amplifier to operate. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the supply voltage +VDD lags behind the bias voltage by more than 150ms, and the voltage at Vd lags behind the supply voltage +VDD by 6ms.

[0050] As shown in FIG6 , in this case, the state control signal changes from a high level to a low level at time t3, as shown by curve L4. Furthermore, when the state control signal is high, the switch module is disconnected, and the power amplifier is in the off state. Therefore, the voltage signal at Vd is 0, as shown by curve L3. When the state control signal changes to a low level, the switch module is turned on, and the supply voltage signal +VDD (as shown by curve L2) is controlled by the switch control signal. At time t4, the voltage signal at Vd increases from 0 to a predetermined voltage (the supply voltage minus the voltage between the drain and source of MOS transistor Q1) at this time, thereby powering the power amplifier 12, as shown by curve L3, and turning the power amplifier on. Furthermore, in this case, the voltage at the control terminal of the power amplifier 12 (the Vgs bias voltage) also remains in a normally-on state and is negative, as shown by curve L1.

[0051] In summary, when the aerosol generating device is turned on, powered off, in multiple working modes, or encounters sudden abnormalities, the control end of the power amplifier always maintains a stable constant voltage (negative Vgs bias voltage), which stabilizes the performance of the power amplifier. Moreover, the anti-reverse module can play a role in unidirectional conduction flow, isolating the front and back of the power amplifier in the power-on working state or when the power is off, ensuring that the front and back voltages and currents are not mixed when the RF output or load changes, and avoiding damage to the power amplifier due to voltage jitter. In addition, when the aerosol generating device is operating, in order to improve the reliability of the product and user experience, the power amplifier is controlled to be disconnected and turned on through the logic control of the peripheral interface ctrl, thereby reducing the power consumption of the product and satisfying the user experience. Therefore, the technical solution of the present invention can better provide protection for the power amplifier, stabilize the operation of the power amplifier, and improve the reliability of the device.

[0052] It is understandable that the above embodiments only express the preferred implementation modes of the present invention, and the description thereof is relatively specific and detailed, but it cannot be understood as limiting the patent scope of the present invention. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this field, without departing from the concept of the present invention, the above technical features can be freely combined, and several deformations and improvements can be made, all of which fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent changes and modifications made to the scope of the claims of the present invention should fall within the scope of coverage of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, comprising: A microwave generating component, a microwave feeding component, a microwave heating component and a control component, wherein the microwave generating component generates a microwave signal and feeds the microwave signal into the microwave heating component through the microwave feeding component to heat an aerosol generating substrate. The microwave generating component includes a connected microwave signal source and a power amplifier. It is characterized in that the microwave generating component further includes a protection circuit for protecting the power amplifier; The control component is used to determine the current state of the aerosol generating device and output a state control signal, and the state control signal includes a working control signal and a standby control signal; The protection circuit includes: A detection module for detecting the state control signal and outputting a switch control signal according to the state control signal; A switch module, wherein a first end of the switch module inputs a power supply voltage signal, and a second end of the switch module is connected to a power supply end of the power amplifier. Wherein, a constant voltage signal is input to a control end of the power amplifier A switch control module for controlling the on and off of the switch module according to the switch control signal.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein The detection module includes a resistor R3, a resistor R5 and a diode D1. Wherein, a first end of the resistor R5 is an input end of the detection module and is used for inputting the state control signal. A second end of the resistor R5 is respectively connected to a negative electrode of the diode D1 and a first end of the resistor R3. A second end of the resistor R3 is connected to a negative voltage. A positive electrode of the diode D1 is an output end of the detection module and is used for outputting the switch control signal.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein, The control end of the power amplifier is further connected to an output end of a negative voltage source, and the second end of the resistor R3 is connected to the control end of the power amplifier.

4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein The detection module further includes a resistor R6, a first end of the resistor R6 is connected to the negative electrode of the diode D1, and a second end of the resistor R6 is grounded.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The switch module includes a MOS transistor Q1 and a resistor R1. Wherein, a source electrode of the MOS transistor Q1 is a first end of the switch module and is used for inputting the power supply voltage signal. A drain electrode of the MOS transistor Q1 is a second end of the switch module and is connected to the power supply end of the power amplifier. The resistor R1 is connected between the source electrode and the gate electrode of the MOS transistor Q1.

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The switch control module includes a resistor R2, a resistor R4, a triode Q2 and a capacitor C1. Wherein, a base of the triode Q2 is grounded through the resistor R4. An emitter of the triode Q2 is connected to an output end of the detection module. A collector of the triode Q2 is connected to the gate electrode of the MOS transistor Q1 through the resistor R2. The capacitor C1 is connected between the emitter of the triode Q2 and the ground.

7. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, It further includes: An anti - reverse module connected between the second end of the switch module and the power supply end of the power amplifier and used for preventing the microwave signal output by the power amplifier from flowing back; 8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 7, wherein, The anti - reverse module includes a diode D2, and a positive electrode of the diode D2 is connected to the second end of the switch module, and a negative electrode of the diode D2 is connected to the power supply end of the power amplifier.

9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The microwave generating component further includes: A coupler for coupling a partial microwave signal from the microwave signal output by the power amplifier; A detector for detecting the amplitude of the coupled microwave signal and transmitting it to the control component; The control component for adjusting the power of the microwave signal output by the power amplifier according to the amplitude.

10. The aerosol generating device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The microwave generating component further includes a voltage management module, and The control component for adjusting the power of the microwave signal output by the power amplifier by adjusting the power supply voltage signal output by the voltage management module to the power amplifier according to the amplitude.

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