Aerosol generation apparatus and operation method therefor

Abstract

Provided in the present application are an aerosol generation apparatus and an operation method therefor. The aerosol generation apparatus comprises: a battery cell; a resonant circuit, which comprises an inductor and a capacitor; a switching circuit, which comprises a first switching tube and a second switching tube; a controller, which is configured to output a first pulse signal and a second pulse signal, wherein the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal are complementary to each other, and there is a dead time therebetween; a driver, which is configured to drive the first switching tube on the basis of the first pulse signal and drive the second switching tube on the basis of the second pulse signal; and a susceptor, which is configured to be capable of being penetrated by a varying magnetic field to generate heat, so as to heat an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol generation apparatus can flexibly set a dead time to effectively prevent switching-tube shoot through, and can also shorten the dead time to reduce the loss of the switching tubes and effectively improve the overall efficiency.

Description

Aerosol generating device and operating method

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the Patent Office of China on January 10, 2024, with application number 202410040020.5 and invention name “Aerosol Generating Device and Operating Method”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of electronic atomization technology, and in particular to an aerosol generating device and an operating method. Background Art

[0004] An existing aerosol generating device generally adopts an LCC symmetric half bridge or an LC asymmetric half bridge, so that an inductor generates a changing magnetic field, thereby causing a receptor to heat the aerosol to form a matrix.

[0005] An LCC symmetrical half-bridge or an LC asymmetrical half-bridge is equipped with a corresponding switching circuit consisting of two switching transistors connected in series. Independent drivers are typically used to drive the switching transistors, causing them to alternately turn on and off. Typically, the drivers have a built-in dead zone function to effectively prevent the switching transistors from being cut through. However, if the corresponding dead zone time is too long, it will result in high losses in the switching transistors and reduce the efficiency of the entire device.

[0006] Application Contents

[0007] The present application provides an aerosol generating device and an operating method to solve the problem of a long dead time in existing aerosol generating devices, which results in large loss of a switching tube and reduces the efficiency of the entire device.

[0008] On the one hand, the present application provides an aerosol generating device, comprising: a battery cell for providing power; a resonant circuit comprising an inductor and a capacitor forming series resonance; a switching circuit electrically connected to the resonant circuit; the switching circuit comprising a first switching tube and a second switching tube connected in series; a controller configured to output a first pulse signal and a second pulse signal, the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal being complementary and having a dead time; a driver configured to drive the first switching tube based on the first pulse signal and to drive the second switching tube based on the second pulse signal, so as to drive the first switching tube and the second switching tube to be alternately turned on and off, thereby causing the inductor in the resonant circuit to flow through an alternating current and generate a changing magnetic field; wherein the dead time is greater than the sum of the rising edge time and the falling edge time of the driver; and a sensor configured to be able to be penetrated by the changing magnetic field and generate heat, so as to heat the aerosol-forming substrate, thereby generating an aerosol.

[0009] On the other hand, the present application provides a method for operating an aerosol generating device, which includes: a battery core for providing power; a resonant circuit including an inductor and a capacitor forming a series resonance; a switching circuit electrically connected to the resonant circuit; the switching circuit including a first switching tube and a second switching tube; a sensor configured to be able to be penetrated by a changing magnetic field and generate heat to heat an aerosol-forming matrix, thereby generating an aerosol; the method includes: outputting a first pulse signal and a second pulse signal, the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal are complementary and have a dead time; driving the first switching tube based on the first pulse signal, and driving the second switching tube based on the second pulse signal, so as to drive the first switching tube and the second switching tube to be alternately turned on and off, so that the inductor in the resonant circuit flows through an alternating current and generates a changing magnetic field; wherein the dead time is greater than the sum of the rising edge time and the falling edge time.

[0010] The above-mentioned aerosol generating device and operating method outputs two complementary pulse signals with dead time through the controller, and sets the dead time to be greater than the sum of the rising edge time and the falling edge time of the driver. In this way, on the one hand, the dead time can be flexibly set to effectively prevent the switch tube from being directly turned on; on the other hand, the dead time can be reduced, the loss of the switch tube can be reduced, and the efficiency of the entire device can be effectively improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] One or more embodiments are exemplarily illustrated by pictures in the corresponding drawings. These exemplifications do not constitute limitations on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings are represented as similar elements. Unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings do not constitute proportional limitations.

[0012] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0013] FIG2 is a wireframe diagram of an aerosol generating device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0014] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a switching circuit and a resonant circuit provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0015] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a driving circuit provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0016] FIG5 is a block diagram of a controller provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0017] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a pulse signal provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0018] FIG7 is a waveform diagram of a switch tube provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0019] FIG8 is another waveform diagram of a switch tube provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0020] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a method for operating an aerosol generating device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] In order to facilitate the understanding of the present application, the present application is described in more detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that when an element is described as "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element, or there can be one or more centered elements therebetween. When an element is described as "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element, or there can be one or more centered elements therebetween. The terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inside", "outside" and similar expressions used in this specification are for illustrative purposes only.

[0022] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the same meanings as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs. The terms used in this specification and in the specification of this application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application. The term "and / or" as used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the relevant listed items.

[0023] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1 , the aerosol generating device includes an atomizer 10 and a power supply assembly 20 .

[0025] In one example, the atomizer 10 is removably connected to the power supply assembly 20 , and the atomizer 10 and the power supply assembly 20 may be snap-connected, magnetically connected, etc. In another example, it is also feasible that the atomizer 10 and the power supply assembly 20 are integrally formed.

[0026] The atomizer 10 includes a carrier or container for a liquid aerosol-forming substrate, and the susceptor 11 may be incorporated into the carrier or container. For example, the container for the liquid aerosol-forming substrate may have a liquid storage chamber, and the susceptor 11 may be mounted within the container. The susceptor 11 is fixed within the container, facilitating more efficient coupling with the inductor 21 when the atomizer 10 is coupled to the power supply assembly 20.

[0027] The susceptor 11 is configured to be coupled with the inductor 21 and to generate heat when penetrated by the changing magnetic field, thereby heating the liquid aerosol-forming matrix, causing at least one component of the liquid aerosol-forming matrix to volatilize and form an aerosol for inhalation.

[0028] The susceptor 11 may be in direct contact with the liquid aerosol-forming substrate in the liquid storage chamber, or the susceptor 11 may be in indirect contact with the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. For example, a wicking material may be provided between the susceptor 11 and the liquid storage chamber to transfer the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the susceptor 11. Optional wicking materials include porous materials or fibrous materials.

[0029] The sensor 11 can be made of at least one of the following materials: aluminum, iron, nickel, copper, bronze, cobalt, ordinary carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, martensitic stainless steel or austenitic stainless steel.

[0030] The power supply assembly 20 includes an inductor 21 , a circuit 22 , and a battery cell 23 .

[0031] The inductor 21 generates a changing magnetic field under an alternating current. The inductor 21 includes but is not limited to an induction coil.

[0032] The circuit 22 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device. The circuit 22 controls not only the operation of the battery cell 23 and the inductor 21 , but also the operation of other components in the aerosol generating device.

[0033] The battery cell 23 provides power for operating the aerosol generating device and can be a rechargeable battery cell or a disposable battery cell.

[0034] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device provided in another embodiment of the present application.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, the aerosol generating device includes:

[0036] A chamber in which a solid aerosol-forming substrate is removably received; the solid aerosol-forming substrate may be part of an aerosol-generating article A, such as a cigarette.

[0037] The receptor 110, at least a portion of which extends within the chamber and is configured to be coupled to the inductor 210, generates heat when penetrated by the changing magnetic field, thereby heating the solid aerosol-forming matrix, causing at least one component of the solid aerosol-forming matrix to volatilize and form an aerosol for inhalation.

[0038] In one example, the susceptor 110 is generally pin-shaped or blade-shaped, which is advantageous for insertion into a solid aerosol-forming substrate. Furthermore, the susceptor 110 may have a length of approximately 12 mm, a width of approximately 4 mm, and a thickness of approximately 0.5 mm, and may be made of grade 430 stainless steel (SS430). Alternatively, the susceptor 110 may have a length of approximately 12 mm, a width of approximately 5 mm, and a thickness of approximately 0.5 mm, and may be made of grade 430 stainless steel (SS430).

[0039] In another example, the susceptor 110 may be configured in a cylindrical or tubular shape; when in use, its interior space forms a chamber for receiving the solid aerosol-forming substrate, and generates an aerosol for inhalation by heating the outer periphery of the solid aerosol-forming substrate. These susceptors may also be made of grade 420 stainless steel (SS420) or an iron / nickel alloy (such as Permalloy).

[0040] The inductor 210 is used to generate a changing magnetic field under an alternating current. Depending on the configuration of the product during use, the inductor 210 may include a cylindrical inductor coil wound in a spiral shape.

[0041] The circuit 220 is electrically connected to the battery cell 230 and is used to convert the direct current output from the battery cell 230 into an alternating current with a suitable frequency and then supply the alternating current to the inductor 210 .

[0042] The battery cell 230 provides power for operating the aerosol generating device. The battery cell 230 may be a rechargeable battery cell or a disposable battery cell.

[0043] Based on the above-mentioned aerosol generating device, FIG3-FIG5 are schematic diagrams showing the basic components of an embodiment of a circuit; the circuit includes:

[0044] The switch circuit 221 includes a switch tube Q1 and a switch tube Q2 connected in series. The switch circuit 221 is used to form an alternating current flowing through the inductor L when the switch tube Q1 and the switch tube Q2 are alternately turned on and off.

[0045] Resonant circuit 222 is an LCC symmetrical half-bridge circuit consisting of inductor L, capacitor C1, and capacitor C2. In other examples, an LC asymmetrical half-bridge circuit consisting only of inductor L and capacitor C1 (or capacitor C2) is also feasible. Resonant circuit 222 is used to generate an alternating magnetic field in inductor L during resonance, inducing heating of the susceptor.

[0046] In terms of connection, the first end of capacitor C1 is connected to the power supply Vbat, and the second end is connected to the first end of capacitor C2; the second end of capacitor C2 is grounded through resistor R1; the first end of switch Q1 is connected to Vbat, and the second end is connected to the first end of switch Q2, and the second end of switch Q2 is grounded through resistor R1; of course, the control ends of switch Q1 and switch Q2 are both connected to driver U1, and are then turned on and off under the drive of driver U1; switch Q1 and switch Q2 include but are not limited to IGBT, MOS and other transistors. In a preferred embodiment, switch Q1 and switch Q2 are both NMOS transistors. The first end of inductor L is connected to the second end of switch Q1, and the second end is connected to the second end of capacitor C1.

[0047] In the resonant circuit 222 of the above structure, the connection states of capacitors C1 and C2 with inductor L change when switch Q1 and switch Q2 are switched. When switch Q1 is on and switch Q2 is off, capacitor C1 and inductor L together form a closed LC series circuit, while capacitor C2 and inductor L form an LC series circuit with both ends connected to Vbat and ground, respectively (this circuit starts at Vbat, passes through inductor L and capacitor C2 in sequence, and ends at the ground end). When switch Q1 is off and switch Q2 is on, the circuit formed is opposite to the above state, with capacitor C1 and inductor L forming an LC series circuit with both ends connected to Vbat and ground, respectively, while capacitor C2 and inductor L together form a closed LC series circuit. In their respective different states, capacitors C1 and C2 can each form their own LC series circuit with inductor L.

[0048] The controller 223 is configured to output two complementary pulse signals with dead time, that is, output a first pulse signal and a second pulse signal. The first pulse signal and the second pulse signal are complementary and have dead time. As shown in FIG6 , the first pulse signal S1 and the second pulse signal S2 are two complementary pulse signals with dead time. The first pulse signal S1 and the second pulse signal S2 have the same amplitude and opposite phase. The t d is the dead time between the first pulse signal S1 and the second pulse signal S2.

[0049] As shown in FIG5 , in one example, the controller 223 includes a reference signal generating module 224 , a dead zone generator 225 , and an output control module 226 ;

[0050] The reference signal generating module 224 is configured to output a reference signal based on the natural frequency of the resonant circuit 222;

[0051] In a specific example, the reference signal generating module 224 includes a frequency multiplier 2241 and a pre-divider 2242; the frequency multiplier 2241 is configured to multiply the reference frequency signal to generate a multiplied frequency signal; the pre-divider 2242 is configured to divide the multiplied frequency signal to obtain a divided frequency signal that is close to the natural frequency of the resonant circuit.

[0052] In a specific example, the registers in the reference signal generation module 224 may be configured so that the reference signal generation module 224 outputs a reference signal based on the frequency-divided signal.

[0053] For example, the values ​​of the automatic loading register TIMx_ARR, the capture / compare register TIMx_CCRx, and the counter register TIMx_CNT are configured to generate a PWM pulse signal with a certain frequency and duty cycle, that is, a reference signal.

[0054] The dead zone generator 225 is configured to generate two complementary pulse signals with dead zone times based on the reference signal and the preset dead zone time, that is, to generate the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal;

[0055] In a specific example, the dead zone generator 225 includes a dead zone register 2251 for generating the dead zone. For example, the corresponding dead zone can be generated by configuring the brake of the timer and the DTG[7:0] portion of the dead zone register TMIx_BDTR.

[0056] The output control module 226 is configured to output the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal generated by the dead zone generator 225 through corresponding pins of the controller.

[0057] In a specific example, the signal output by the dead zone generator 225 is split into two paths: the original signal and the inverted signal, as controlled by bits CCxP and CCxNP in register CCER. Whether the polarity-selected signal is output from the OCx pin to the external pins CHx / CHxN (i.e., whether it is enabled) is configured by bits CxE / CxNE in register CCER.

[0058] The driver U1 is configured to convert the two complementary pulse signals with dead time output by the controller 223 into two driving signals, that is, to drive the first switching tube based on the first pulse signal, and to drive the second switching tube based on the second pulse signal, so as to drive the switching tube Q1 and the switching tube Q2 to be alternately turned on and off, so that the inductor L in the resonant circuit 222 flows through the alternating current and generates a changing magnetic field.

[0059] In one example, driver U1 uses a UCC27212 switch tube driver. Driver U1 has an integrated bootstrap diode, eliminating the need for an external discrete diode.

[0060] The first input pin (shown as pin 7 in the figure) and the second input pin (shown as pin 8 in the figure) of the driver U1 are electrically connected to the controller 223 respectively. The first input pin receives the first pulse signal (shown as LC_PWM_HI in the figure) output by the controller 223, and the second input pin receives the second pulse signal (shown as LC_PWM_LI in the figure) output by the controller 223.

[0061] The first output pin of the driver U1 (pin 3 in the figure) is electrically connected to the control end of the switch tube Q1 (shown as LC_HO in the figure), and the second output pin of the driver U1 (pin 10 in the figure) is electrically connected to the control end of the switch tube Q2 (shown as LC_LO in the figure).

[0062] A bootstrap capacitor C3 is connected between the first power supply pin (shown as pin 2 in the figure) and the second power supply pin (shown as pin 4 in the figure) of the driver U1, that is, one end of the bootstrap capacitor C3 is electrically connected to the first power supply pin, and the other end of the bootstrap capacitor C3 is electrically connected to the second power supply pin. The second power supply pin of the driver U1 is electrically connected between the switch tube Q1 and the switch tube Q2 (shown as BOOST_HS in the figure).

[0063] In one example, the dead time generated by the dead time register is greater than the sum of the rising edge time and the falling edge time of the driver U1 , thereby avoiding the direct conduction of the switch tubes Q1 and Q2 due to the transmission delay of the driver U1 .

[0064] In an example, the dead time may be between 5 and 50 ns; or, the dead time may be between 10 and 50 ns; or, the dead time may be between 10 and 30 ns; or, the dead time may be between 20 and 30 ns.

[0065] Please refer to Figures 7 and 8 again. Assume that both switch tubes Q1 and Q2 are NMOS tubes. AM4 in the figure is the current waveform at both ends of the drain and source of switch tube Q1, VF1 is the input voltage waveform of the gate of switch tube Q1, VF2 is the input voltage waveform of the gate of switch tube Q2, and VM1 is the voltage V across the drain and source of switch tube Q1. DS .

[0066] As shown in Figure 7, in the prior art, due to the driver's built-in dead zone function, the corresponding dead zone time Δt0 is approximately 70ns. The waveforms corresponding to AM4 and VM1 show that during the dead zone, the value of VM1*AM4 is large, resulting in high power loss in the switch.

[0067] As shown in Figure 8, controller 223 outputs two complementary pulse signals with dead time, and the dead time is set to be greater than the sum of the rising and falling times of driver U1. The dead time Δt1 is approximately 15ns. The waveforms corresponding to AM4 and VM1 show that during the dead time, the value of VM1*AM4 is small, resulting in low power loss in the switch.

[0068] As shown in FIG9 , another embodiment of the present application further provides a method for operating an aerosol generating device, and the aerosol generating device can refer to the above content. The method comprises the following steps:

[0069] S11, outputting a first pulse signal and a second pulse signal, wherein the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal are complementary and have a dead time;

[0070] S12. Drive the first switching tube based on the first pulse signal, and drive the second switching tube based on the second pulse signal, so as to drive the first switching tube and the second switching tube to be alternately turned on and off, so that the inductor in the resonant circuit flows through an alternating current and generates a changing magnetic field; wherein the dead time is greater than the sum of the rising edge time and the falling edge time.

[0071] It should be noted that the preferred embodiments of the present application are given in the specification and drawings of this application. However, the present application can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described in this specification. These embodiments are not intended to be additional limitations on the content of this application. The purpose of providing these embodiments is to make the understanding of the disclosure of this application more thorough and comprehensive. In addition, the above-mentioned technical features can be combined with each other to form various embodiments not listed above, which are all considered to be within the scope of the description of this application; further, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that improvements or changes can be made based on the above description, and all such improvements and changes should fall within the scope of protection of the claims attached to this application.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, characterized in that, Comprising: a battery cell for providing electric power; a resonant circuit including an inductor and a capacitor forming a series resonance; a switching circuit electrically connected to the resonant circuit; the switching circuit includes a first switching transistor and a second switching transistor; a controller configured to output a first pulse signal and a second pulse signal, the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal being complementary and having a dead time; a driver configured to drive the first switching transistor based on the first pulse signal and drive the second switching transistor based on the second pulse signal to drive the first switching transistor and the second switching transistor to conduct and disconnect alternately, so that an alternating current flows through the inductor in the resonant circuit and a changing magnetic field is generated; wherein, the dead time is greater than the sum of the rise time and the fall time of the driver; and a sensor configured to be penetrated by the changing magnetic field and generate heat to heat an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein The dead time is between 5 and 50 ns; or, the dead time is between 10 and 50 ns; or, the dead time is between 10 and 30 ns; or, the dead time is between 20 and 30 ns.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein The controller includes a reference signal generation module, a dead time generator, and an output control module; the reference signal generation module is configured to output a reference signal based on the natural frequency of the resonant circuit; the dead time generator is configured to generate the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal based on the reference signal and the preset dead time; the output control module is configured to output the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal generated by the dead time generator through corresponding pins of the controller.

4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The reference signal generation module includes a frequency multiplier and a prescaler; the frequency multiplier is configured to multiply the frequency of a reference frequency signal to generate a multiplied frequency signal; the prescaler is configured to divide the multiplied frequency signal to obtain a divided frequency signal approaching the natural frequency of the resonant circuit.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The dead time generator includes a dead time register for generating the dead time.

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driver includes a first input pin, a second input pin, a first output pin, and a second output pin; the first input pin is electrically connected to the controller to receive the first pulse signal output by the controller; the second input pin is electrically connected to the controller to receive the second pulse signal output by the controller; the first output pin is electrically connected to the control end of the first switching transistor, and the second output pin is electrically connected to the control end of the second switching transistor.

7. The aerosol generating device according to claim 6, wherein, The driver further includes a first power supply pin, a second power supply pin, and a bootstrap capacitor; one end of the bootstrap capacitor is electrically connected to the first power supply pin, the other end of the bootstrap capacitor is electrically connected to the second power supply pin, and the second power supply pin is electrically connected between the first switching transistor and the second switching transistor.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 7, characterized in that A bootstrap diode is integrated in the driver.

9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein, Both the first switching transistor and the second switching transistor are NMOS transistors.

10. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The resonant circuit includes an LC asymmetric half-bridge resonant circuit or an LCC symmetric half-bridge resonant circuit.

11. A method of operating an aerosol generating device, characterized in that, The aerosol generating device includes: a battery cell for providing power; a resonant circuit including an inductor and a capacitor forming a series resonance; a switching circuit electrically connected to the resonant circuit; the switching circuit includes a first switching transistor and a second switching transistor; a susceptor configured to be penetrated by a changing magnetic field and generate heat to heat an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol; The method includes: outputting a first pulse signal and a second pulse signal, the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal being complementary and having a dead time; driving the first switching transistor based on the first pulse signal and driving the second switching transistor based on the second pulse signal to drive the first switching transistor and the second switching transistor to alternately turn on and off, so that an alternating current flows through the inductor in the resonant circuit and a changing magnetic field is generated; wherein, the dead time is greater than the sum of the rise time and the fall time.

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