An aerosol generating device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating article. The device is configured to receive a first removable battery assembly having a first battery, a positive terminal and a negative terminal and a second removable battery assembly having a second battery, a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The aerosol generating device comprises a control unit that has a positive power supply terminal and a negative power supply terminal. The aerosol generating device also comprises a first switch configured to connect the positive power supply terminal of the control unit with the positive terminal of the received first removable battery assembly, a second switch configured to connect the positive power supply terminal of the control unit with the positive terminal of the received second removable battery assembly, a third switch configured to connect the negative terminal of the received first removable battery assembly with a ground terminal, and a fourth switch configured to connect the negative terminal of the received second removable battery assembly with the ground terminal.

Description

[0001] September 4, 2025T International SA J175241WO CKA / Wrd

[0002] AN AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating article.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] An aerosol generating device, or E-cigarette, is now a mainstream product that simulates a traditional tobacco cigarette. There are many types of aerosol generating devices, one type of which is often referred to as heated tobacco product (HTP). Heated tobacco products have an operation method which heats a tobacco product to generate an aerosol without causing the tobacco to burn. Accordingly, this type of device is also referred to as heat-not-burn (HNB) device, which is becoming increasingly popular.

[0007] A heat-not-burn device generally operates with an article comprising tobacco that is inserted into the device and that is heated by the aerosol generator comprised in the heat- not-burn device. Various tobacco articles are commercially available, but the heat-not- burn device may also generate an aerosol from a non-tobacco article comprising flavoring instead of tobacco. In recent years, resistive heating elements and inductive heating elements were commonly used as aerosol generators, but chemical reaction, ultrasonic, microwave, spray, infrared or laser aerosol generators are also possible.

[0008] In recent years, social and environmental impact of products has become an increasingly important subject in the industry. For example, the EU recently issued a Batteries Regulation, requiring portable devices with portable batteries to become removable and replaceable to promote a circular economy and to reduce environmental and social impacts throughout all stages of battery life cycle in the near future. A removable and replaceable battery may also be desirable by users. For example, users can continue to use the device without purchasing a new device when an equipped battery is degraded or damaged. Furthermore, users may quickly exchange an empty battery with a fully charged battery at a battery station without waiting for the empty battery to finish charging. Improving the environmental impact of HTP devices by enabling recycling of the battery through its removal presents numerous technical problems. For example, when a battery is removed, the device loses its power supply. Since HTP devices often use Integrated Circuits (ICs) and other types of circuitries employing processors and memories, such as volatile and non-volatile memories or mixes of both, complete removal of the power supply can lead to the risk of data losses. In addition, features for troubleshooting the HTP devices while they are in a standby, sleep or turned-off mode of operation become inaccessible when power supply is lost due to battery removal. Accordingly, a problem of using a removable battery is the complete loss of power when the battery is removed.

[0009] Furthermore, some HTP devices may require rather high amounts of power, such as up to 40 Watts, to generate aerosols even though the devices are typically rather small. This puts a high burden on the electrical interface and connector which needs to carry rather large electric currents. An electric interface suitable for use with removable batteries of a portable HTP device would need to reliably withstand such high currents and physical impacts during portable use, requiring high mechanical strength and conductor crosssection. These requirements have a large impact on the electrical interface’s physical dimensions, leading to increased HTP device size. Since users strongly prefer small devices, this has a negative impact on HTP product design. Accordingly, a problem of electric interfaces for use with removable batteries is their reliability and large physical size.

[0010] Further, removing a battery requires opening the device to access the battery storage compartment housing the electric interface. As a result, the electric interface is directly exposed to the environment, increasing the risk of oxidation, mechanical damage, or dirt buildup on the interface. This in turn may lead to an increased ohmic resistance of the contacts of the interface leading to voltage drops that can cause overheating of the electric interface or other safety or usability-related issues for HTP devices, which may result in failure of the device. Increased ohmic resistance and lowered voltage at the electric interface can also lead to premature deactivation of the battery even of the battery’s available capacity is still relatively high, because specifications of components of the HTP device, such as a control unit or IC, may impose certain voltage thresholds. Device efficiency is also negatively impacted by decreased voltages at lower levels because higher currents need to be supplied to maintain the same power output. Similarly, when voltages drop below a minimum required level to sustain data integrity in volatile memories, there is a risk of data loss. Accordingly, a problem of using removable batteries is the exposure of the electric battery interface to environmental effects.

[0011] Even though this could be countered by a higher voltage, state of the art single cell batteries which are commonly used in HTP devices are limited in their voltage, for example, to a maximum of approximately 4.2 Volts in modern rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Accordingly, a problem of single cell batteries is their limited maximum voltage. Limited maximum current may be also a problem when single cell battery is used. Put in another way, available current and voltage ranges of single cell battery can be seen as to be limited.

[0012] As described above, the risk of failure of the electric interface is increased when using a removable battery. In addition, also the risk of failure of the battery itself is increased, since it is also subject to increased exposure to environmental effects and degradation due to wear and tear. For the above reasons, this risk is further increased for single cell batteries. When the battery or the interface is damaged, it can become difficult or impossible to manage consumer complaints or to perform maintenance-related tasks or troubleshooting from afar and without disassembling the device by trained personnel. Accordingly, a problem of using portable batteries is a more difficult service and maintenance of the device.

[0013] In general, charging a battery in a HTP device with a single battery is prohibited while generating aerosol due to high internal temperatures. Even more so when the battery has a low level of charge or when the user uses the device for a relatively long time. Accordingly, a problem of using a single battery is that the available functions of HTP devices are limited while charging.

[0014] It is therefore desired to provide an aerosol generating device that solves at least one of the technical problems described above to provide a HTP device with improved environmental impact without sacrificing any one or more of the device’s data integrity, feature accessibility, reliability, small physical size, degree of impact of environmental effects, available maximum power supply voltage, safety of use, ease of maintenance and uptimes.

[0015] One or more of these objects are achieved by the subject-matter of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are subject of the dependent claims. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention provides a device which solves some or all the above problems.

[0017] One aspect is directed to an aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating article, the device being configured to receive a first removable batteiy assembly having a first batteiy, a positive terminal and a negative terminal and a second removable battery assembly having a second battery, a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The aerosol generating device comprises a control unit that has a positive power supply terminal and a negative power supply terminal. The aerosol generating device also comprises a first switch configured to connect the positive power supply terminal of the control unit with the positive terminal of the received first removable battery assembly, a second switch configured to connect the positive power supply terminal of the control unit with the positive terminal of the received second removable battery assembly, a third switch configured to connect the negative terminal of the received first removable batteiy assembly with a ground terminal, and a fourth switch configured to connect the negative terminal of the received second removable batteiy assembly with the ground terminal.

[0018] The configuration of the device to be able to receive two removable batteiy assemblies allows recycling the battery assemblies, thereby improving the environmental footprint of the device over the full battery lifecycle. This also allows the device to remain powered while one batteiy assembly is removed, which can improve data integrity by maintaining data that is stored, for example, in volatile memories. This can also improve feature accessibility, especially in powered-down, sleep or inactive modes of operations. The redundancy introduced by the configuration for use of two battery assemblies also improves reliability of the device. Further, while environmental effects could have an effect on one of the received removable batteiy assemblies, the additional redundancy provided via two batteiy assemblies means that the device is less likely to be seriously impacted by such effects. Further, by being configured for receiving two removable battery assemblies, the available maximum power supply voltage is advantageously enhanced because series connection of both received removable battery assemblies effectively doubles the voltage in comparison to a single batteiy assembly, thereby increasing the efficiency of the device because lower currents are then required. Even if one removable batteiy assembly fails, the second one would still allow the device to remain powered such that maintenance or troubleshooting of the device is still possible without necessarily requiring manual disassembly by trained personnel. The device uptime can also be improved because the device may produce aerosols by using a single received removable battery assembly as a power supply while the second one may simultaneously be charged. In addition, by using four switches to connect the positive and negative terminals of the received first and second removable battery assemblies to the respective positive power supply terminals of the control unit of the device and the ground, the device is enabled to flexibly switch on and off power supply via either or all of the removable battery assemblies when they are received. This enables each of the above-mentioned advantages to be realized in a flexible and easy manner that simultaneously enhances product safety. In addition, because the positive power supply terminals of the control unit can be connected to each of the positive terminals of the received removable battery assemblies, the received removable battery assemblies can also be connected in parallel. This also allows the conductor cross-section and all components of the electric interface to remain physically smaller. By being configured for use with two separate removable battery assemblies, space within the device may also be used more efficiently such as by flexibly making space for the respectively smaller units where space is more readily available in the device. Accordingly, it is possible to design a smaller aerosol generating device when compared with a larger single battery assembly. Further, by being configured for use with two separate removable battery assemblies, product safety of the device is improved by means of the spacing in the device granting additional protection against a thermal runoff event impacting both assemblies.

[0019] In a further aspect that can be combined with the aspect described above, the aerosol generating device includes a charger IC having a battery terminal and a system terminal, wherein the positive terminals of the received first and second removable battery assemblies are both connected to the battery terminal of the charger IC in parallel by means of each of the first and second switches and wherein the system terminal of the charger IC is connected to the positive power supply terminal of the control unit.

[0020] A general charging IC has a power-path function which outputs a battery current input to the battery terminal from the system terminal. By providing a parallel connection usable between the received first and second removable battery assemblies and the battery terminal of the charger IC, the available current based on the power-path function is advantageously increased. By providing the connection via the first and second switches, the connection can be flexibly turned on or off. The first and second switches may realize a first state in which only the received first removable battery assembly is connected to the battery terminal, a second state in which only the received second removable battery assembly is connected to the battery terminal, a third state in which both received first and second removable battery assemblies are connected to the battery terminal and a fourth state in which both received first and second removable battery assemblies are not connected to the battery terminal. These states may allow to select which removable batteiy assembly is to be discharged, charged or isolated. This further enhances the improvements mentioned with respect to the aspect above. By connecting the system terminal of the charger IC with the positive power supply terminal of the control unit, the charger IC can provide power to the control unit. This allows the control unit to be supplied with power via the charger IC. Accordingly, the charger IC may provide the device with power routing or power distribution capabilities.

[0021] In another aspect that can be combined with the aspect described above, the first switch includes a p-channel MOSFET with a parasitic diode having an anode and a cathode, wherein the anode is connected to the positive terminal of the received first removable battery assembly and wherein the cathode is connected to the battery terminal of the charger IC, and the second switch includes a p-channel MOSFET with a parasitic diode having an anode and a cathode, wherein the anode is connected to the positive terminal of the received second removable batteiy assembly and wherein the cathode is connected to the battery terminal of the charger IC.

[0022] By utilizing first and second switches with p-channel MOSFETs having parasitic diodes, it is possible to provide automatic discharging to the charger IC without commands from the control unit because flow of current is enabled through the respective parasitic diodes. Similarly, this allows for discharging from a high voltage battery assembly while providing protection against reverse current flow from the high-voltage batteiy assembly to a lower voltage battery assembly. This prevents undesired crosscurrents from occurring between different batteiy assemblies and / or from damaging the received removable batteiy assemblies especially when the level of charge of the received removable batteiy assemblies is different. Further, this improves operation of the aerosol generating device via a single received removable battery assembly and allows the removable batteiy assemblies to be charged individually.

[0023] In a further aspect that can be combined with the aspect described above, the control unit of the aerosol generating device is configured to individually control to turn ON and OFF the first and second switches.

[0024] By providing a control unit with such means of control, flexibility of the mode of operation of the aerosol generating device is further improved. Further in detail, the control unit may flexibly choose a received removable battery assembly to be subjected to discharge or charge and may change a connection between the received first and second removable battery assemblies.

[0025] In yet another aspect that can be freely combined with all other aspects described above, the third switch includes an n-channel MOSFET with a source and a drain, wherein the source is connected to the ground terminal and wherein the drain is connected to the negative terminal of the received first removable battery assembly. Further, the fourth switch includes an n-channel MOSFET with a source and a drain, wherein the source is connected to the ground terminal and wherein the drain is connected to the negative terminal of the received second removable batteiy assembly. A gate of the n-channel MOSFET included in the third switch is connected to the positive terminal of the received first removable battery assembly and a gate of the n-channel MOSFET included in the fourth switch is connected to the positive terminal of the received second removable batteiy assembly.

[0026] By using n-channel MOSFETs as the respective third and fourth switches and by connecting their gates to the positive terminals of the received first or second removable battery assemblies, respectively, the n-channel MOSFET devices are automatically turned on by the high electrical potentials of the respectively received removable batteiy assemblies, which simplifies and thereby improves forming of a closed electric circuit when a battery assembly is received by the device. This also allows that the switches automatically break the circuit when a user removes either of the removable battery assemblies, thereby further improving safety of use.

[0027] In a further aspect that can be combined with the aspect described above, the gates of the n-channel MOSFETs included in the third and fourth switches are respectively connected to the control unit by means of voltage divider circuits and the control unit is configured to detect both a receipt and a removal of the first and second removable batteiy assemblies based on a signal received from each the voltage divider circuits.

[0028] The gates of the n-channel MOSFETs included in the third and fourth switches are respectively connected to the positive terminal of the received first and second removable battery assemblies. Thus, after n-channel MOSFETs included in the third and fourth switches are closed, electrical potentials at the positive terminal of the received first and second removable battery assemblies respectively represent voltages across the received first and second removable batteiy assemblies. The control unit may measure a midpoint voltage at the voltage divider circuit to detect whether the respective removable batteiy assemblies are received by the device or not. In another aspect that can be freely combined with the aspect described above, the control unit is configured to permit an aerosol generation in a normal mode, if both the receipts of the first and second removable battery assemblies are detected, and to permit the aerosol generation in a restriction mode, even if one of the receipts of the first or the second removable battery assembly is not detected, wherein at least one of a duration, a total usage power or a maximum power of the normal mode is greater than that of the restriction mode.

[0029] Any one or more of a duration, a total usage power or a maximum power is adopted based on whether receipt of one or more of the received removable battery assemblies is detected. As a result, the aerosol generating device can enter a normal or a restriction mode by taking account availabilities of the received removable battery assemblies. This allows the device to safely maintain aerosol generation and thereby advantageously increases the device uptime irrespective from how many removable battery assemblies are received by the device.

[0030] In a further aspect that can be freely combined with all other aspects described above, the aerosol generating device includes an aerosol generator configured to generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating article, and a fifth switch configured to connect between the positive terminal of the received second removable battery assembly and the negative terminal of the received first removable battery assembly, wherein the positive terminal of the received first removable battery assembly is connected to the aerosol generator.

[0031] By providing the fifth switch in between the positive terminal of the received second removable battery assembly and the positive terminal of the received first removable battery assembly, the fifth switch can connect the received first and second removable battery assemblies in series. Further, the fifth switch also allows the aerosol generating device to run both received removable battery assemblies in parallel when in an open, i.e. not closed state. When the fifth switch is closed, the serial connection of the received removable battery assemblies provides a higher voltage output that is substantially equal to the sum of the voltages of both received removable battery assemblies. By also connecting the positive terminal of the received first removable battery assembly to the aerosol generator, the aerosol generator, which typically represents a power-intensive electrical component, may then be provided with this higher voltage. Accordingly, the fifth switch allows the device to operate using a high voltage, which can increase the electric efficiency. This is particularly advantageous because the aerosol generator typically represents a component of an aerosol generating device that consumes large amounts of power.

[0032] In yet another aspect that can be combined with the aspect described above, the third switch includes an n-channel MOSFET with a source and a drain, wherein the source is connected to a ground terminal and wherein the drain is connected to the negative terminal of the received first removable battery assembly. The fifth switch includes a p- channel MOSFET with a source and a drain, wherein the source is connected to the negative terminal of the received first removable battery assembly and wherein the drain is connected to the positive terminal of the received second removable battery assembly. A gate of the n-channel MOSFET included in the third switch and a gate of the p-channel MOSFET included in the fifth switch are connected to a terminal of the control unit in parallel.

[0033] By connecting the gate of the third switch including an n-channel MOSFET device and the gate of the fifth switch including a p-channel MOSFET device to the same terminal of the control unit, it is ensured that the third switch will automatically be turned off when the fifth switch is turned on or vice versa. This prevents the received first and the second removable battery assemblies from being connected in parallel as well as in series simultaneously. This helps to prevent short circuiting the positive and negative terminals of the removable batteries without requiring additional control signals or the like, which improves the safety of use and reliability of the aerosol generating device.

[0034] In a further aspect that can be combined with the aspect described above, the fourth switch includes an n-channel MOSFET with a source and a drain, wherein the source is connected to the ground terminal and wherein the drain is connected to the negative terminal of the received second removable battery assembly. The gate of the n-channel MOSFET included in the third switch is connected to the positive terminal of the received first removable battery assembly by means of a resistor and the gate of the n-channel MOSFET included in the fourth switch is connected to the positive terminal of the received second removable battery assembly.

[0035] The resistor connected between the gate of the n-channel MOSFET in the third switch and the positive terminal of the received first removable battery assembly may work to isolate electrical potentials at the gate of the n-channel MOSFET in the third switch and the positive terminal. When the n-channel MOSFET in the third switch turns on, the resistor simply transmits high electrical potential from the positive terminal of the received first removable battery assembly to the gate of the n-channel MOSFET in the IO third switch. On the other hand, when the n-channel MOSFET in the third switch turns off, the resistor isolates a high electrical potential at the positive terminal of the received first removable battery assembly from a low electrical potential at the gate of the n- channel MOSFET in the third switch. The resistor may lead to stable operation of the aerosol generating device.

[0036] In another aspect that can be freely combined with any other aspects comprising an aerosol generator described above, the aerosol generating device further includes a charger IC having a battery terminal and a system terminal and a rerouting circuit, wherein the positive terminals of the received first and second removable battery assemblies are both connected to the battery terminal of the charger IC in parallel by means of each of the first and second switches, wherein the system terminal of the charger IC is connected to the positive power supply terminal of the control unit, and wherein the rerouting circuit connects the positive terminal of the received first removable battery assembly to the aerosol generator independently from the charger IC.

[0037] By providing a rerouting circuit that connects the positive terminal of the received first removable battery assembly to the aerosol generator independently from the charger IC, it is possible to provide a voltage to the aerosol generator without routing the voltage through the charger IC. This allows to evade applying high voltage, which may cause a malfunction or a failure due to additional stress and degradation, to the charger IC. This may also allow the voltage being provided to the aerosol generator via the rerouting circuit to differ from the voltage that is routed to the battery terminal of the charger IC. This is advantageous because the battery terminal’s voltage is connected, via the system terminal of the charger IC, with the positive power supply terminal of the control unit. In general, any kind of voltage regulator may be arranged between the system terminal of the charger IC and the positive power supply terminal of the control unit. Therefore, the voltage regulator (e.g., LDO) may output a substantially constant voltage which leads to a stable operation of the control unit. However, such voltage regulation may be accompanied by unavoidable energy loss, and this loss tends to increase in accordance with a magnitude of input voltage. Accordingly, the rerouting circuit advantageously allows the device to efficiently supply a high voltage to the aerosol generator, and optionally, to provide an appropriate voltage to the control unit.

[0038] In a further aspect that can be combined with the aspect described above, the rerouting circuit is connected to the battery terminal of the charger IC by means of a diode with an anode and a cathode, wherein the anode is connected to the battery terminal of the charger IC and wherein the cathode is connected to the rerouting circuit.

[0039] By connecting a diode between the rerouting circuit and the battery terminal of the charger IC, flow of current from the rerouting circuit to the battery terminal is prevented. This is advantageous because the rerouting circuit may therefore carry a higher voltage without connecting such a high voltage to the battery terminal of the charger IC. This can prevent overloading the battery terminal with a voltage that is above the maximum tolerable level. At the same time, flow of current from the battery terminal to the rerouting circuit is allowed. This is advantageous because this allows a higher current to be provided to the rerouting circuit when necessary, for example in case the received removable battery assemblies are connected in parallel.

[0040] In yet another aspect that can be combined with the aspect described above, the rerouting circuit includes a diode with an anode and a cathode, wherein the anode is connected to the positive terminal of the received first removable battery assembly and wherein the cathode is connected to the aerosol generator.

[0041] By connecting a diode between positive terminal of the received first removable battery assembly and the aerosol generator, the voltage and current supplied via the positive terminal of the received first removable battery assembly can be routed directly to the aerosol generator while a reverse flow is prevented. This further improves the functionality of the rerouting circuit, while also protecting the received first removable battery assembly from being exposed to undesired voltages or currents. This diode may also prevent forming a closed-circuit among the positive terminal of the received first removable battery assembly and the rerouting circuit.

[0042] In another aspect that can be freely combined with all other aspects described above, the control unit is configured to receive status signals from the received first and second removable batteiy assemblies, to determine whether the received first and second removable batteiy assemblies can be used for aerosol generation, to permit an aerosol generation in a normal mode, if both the received first and second removable batteiy assemblies can be used for aerosol generation and to permit the aerosol generation in a restriction mode, even if either one of the received first and second removable batteiy assembly cannot be used for aerosol generation, wherein at least one of a duration, a total usage power or a maximum power of the normal mode is greater than that of the restriction mode. By monitoring the status signals from the received removable battery assemblies, the control unit can set aerosol generation to either a higher power or longer duration normal mode or to a lower power or shorter restricted mode. This has the advantage that the best possible user experience can be allowed in a normal mode, while the user is still able to make use of the device even if one of the received removable battery assemblies is not usable for aerosol generation. This may be the case when a level of charge of the respective received removable battery assembly is too low, or when it is being charged, for example. This beneficially increases the uptime of the aerosol generating device.

[0043] In a further aspect that can be combined with the aspect described above, the received first and second removable battery assemblies each comprise a fuel gauge IC which monitors and outputs a level of charge of the received first and second removable battery assemblies, and the fuel gauge ICs are separately connected to the control unit.

[0044] By providing separate fuel gauge ICs for the received first and second removable battery assemblies, various states (including the level of charge) of the assemblies can be accurately measured by the control unit of the aerosol generating device. This not only improves the accuracy about the knowledge of the charging state, but also allows the control unit to better determine whether the received removable battery assemblies are sufficiently charged for being used for various features or applications of the aerosol generating device, such as generating an aerosol or powering to control unit, for example. In general, communication between a fuel gauge IC and the control unit tends to be busy. Thus, by connecting respective fuel gauge IC to the control unit by communication lines separated from each other, smooth communication with respect to the fuel gauge IC may be realized.

[0045] With the above, an aerosol generating device is provided that offers at least one of an improved usability, environmental footprint, safety of use, data integrity, feature accessibility, reliability, physical size, available maximum power supply voltage, ease of maintenance and device uptime. Preferred embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Figure 1: is a schematic view of a circuit of an exemplary aerosol generating device. DETAILED DSCRIPTION

[0048] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described hereinafter with reference to the drawings.

[0049] In the following an aerosol generating device for heating an aerosol generating article will be described in more detail. The aerosol generating device can receive a plurality of, for example two or more, removable battery assemblies. In Fig. 1, an exemplary schematic view of how the electric circuit of the aerosol generating device may be designed is shown. However, the aerosol generating device can also use different electric circuits. Further, the aerosol generating device may have any physical shape or form, which is why it is not illustrated in the Figures. The aerosol generating device may be configured to be able to receive a first and a second removable battery assembly.

[0050] As used herein, an aerosol generating article can be any type of article that comprises a substance that can be used for generating an aerosol for inhalation by a user. The aerosol generating article can be of any type or nature and can have one or more materials in a solid, liquid or gaseous state and may comprise tobacco, flavours and / or other constituents, for example. The aerosol generating article may also comprise elements that allow it to be heated up, such as a metal element that can be heated up via induction or the like.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 1, the aerosol generating device has a positive terminal for a first removable battery assembly 101 and a negative terminal for the first removable battery assembly 102. Accordingly, the aerosol generating device allows a first removable battery assembly to be electrically connected with the circuitry of the aerosol generating device via these terminals. Similarly, as shown in Fig. 1, the aerosol generating device has a positive terminal of a second removable battery assembly 103 and a negative terminal of a second removable battery assembly 104. Accordingly, the aerosol generating device allows a second removable battery assembly to be electrically connected with the circuitry of the aerosol generating device via these terminals. For example, when a user inserts a first and / or a second removable battery assembly into the aerosol generating device, the terminals 101, 102, 103 and 104 of the aerosol generating device act as an electric interface which contacts with or connects to the positive and negative terminals of the respective removable battery assembly. This can be done via additional intermediate tabs or conductors in between the terminals of the aerosol generating device and the positive and negative terminals of the respective removable battery assembly or directly. This allows an electric circuit to be closed such that the removable battery assemblies can provide power to the aerosol generating device. The physical design and arrangement of the interfaces depends on the specifications of the aerosol generating device and can be chosen and adapted according to these specifications.

[0052] As is illustrated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1, there can be more than a pair of the illustrated terminals. For example, the dotted line between the positive terminal of a first removable battery assembly 101 and the positive terminal of a second removable battery assembly 103 illustrates that there could be further positive terminals of further removable battery assemblies in between. This also applies to the switches and other circuitry where dotted lines are shown in Fig. 1 and that are described in further detail below. Accordingly, the aerosol generating device may also be configured to receive three or more removable battery assemblies in the manner described above.

[0053] As used herein, each removable battery assembly can comprise a single battery or multiple batteries, each of the one or more batteries having at least one positive and one negative terminal. A respective battery can be of Lithium-ion type and can have a single cell or a multi cell design but is not limited to either. As such, a battery assembly may be any one of a single battery, a single battery with additional circuitry and / or hardware, more than one battery and / or more than one battery with additional circuitry and / or hardware. A single battery assembly represents a closed physical unit or block that can be individually inserted into or removed from the aerosol generating device.

[0054] As also shown in Fig. 1, the aerosol generating device comprises a control unit 105 (e.g., microcontroller unit (MCU)). The control unit 105 has a positive power supply terminal 106 and a negative power supply terminal 107. The positive power supply terminal 106 may be simply referred to as a power supply terminal or VDD terminal. The negative power supply terminal 107 may be referred to as GND terminal or VSS terminal. These terminals 106 and 107 allow the control unit 105 to be supplied with power. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the positive power supply terminal 106 of the control unit 105 maybe connected to the removable battery assemblies via one or more intermediate circuit elements, as long as the terminal 106 can be supplied with power. For example, such an intermediate element may be a converter or a regulator, for example a low dropout regulator (LDO), which can provide a positive voltage output at a specific voltage level to the positive power supply terminal 106, which is not illustrated in Fig. 1. This may help provide the control unit 105 with an appropriate voltage for stable operation. However, such elements are optional and depend on the specifications of the aerosol generating device. Other additional intermediate circuit elements may also be connected to the terminal io6. For example, the charger IC 170 illustrated in Fig. 1 can be one such intermediate circuit element through which a supply voltage is connected from a battery terminal 171 of the charger IC 170 to a system terminal 172 of the charger IC 170 that is then connected to the positive power supply terminal 106. The charger IC 170 will be described in further preferred embodiments below. The negative power supply terminal 107 may have a ground connection to a low reference potential.

[0055] If the negative terminals of the received first and second removable battery assemblies 102, 104 are connected to ground, the negative power supply terminal 107 of the control unit 105 may be connected to the received removable battery assemblies via the ground connection. Accordingly, the received first and second removable battery assemblies may respectively form a closed-circuit while including the control unit 105.

[0056] As used herein, the control unit 105 can be of any type of suitable hardware, such as an Integrated Circuit (IC), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a set of discrete components comprising transistors, resistors, capacitors and / or other components, or the like. It is configured to control the operation of the aerosol generating device and to perform tasks that are necessary for the control of the aerosol generating device. For example, as shown in Fig. 1, the control unit 105 can have control lines that output a signal to the gates of switches, which will be described in further detail below. This allows the control unit to turn on or off the switches by applying a voltage to the gate that leads to the respective switch to open or close. Further, the control unit 105 may also receive signals via control lines that are connected to it. For example, the control unit 105 may receive status signals about whether a removable battery assembly is received by the aerosol generating device or about the level of charge of a removable battery assembly. Accordingly, the control unit 105 may comprise input-output (I / O) terminals that allow it to transmit and receive signals which allow the control unit 105 to control the aerosol generating device. Alternatively, or in combination, such communication may also be performed wirelessly or with a mix of wired and wireless communication.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 1, the aerosol generating device may comprise a first switch 110, a second switch 120, a third switch 130, a fourth switch 140 and a fifth switch 150. It may also comprise further switches, such as a sixth switch 160 or switches that are not illustrated in Fig. 1. The switches are preferably transistors, even more preferable n-channel or p- channel MOSFETs, but can also be implemented with a different transistor type, such as IGBT or the like, or with non-transistor-type switches. The switches serve to connect or disconnect the section of the electric circuit they are arranged in such that the respective part of the circuit can be opened, i.e. turned off, or closed, i.e. turned on. When the switches are turned on, they allow current to pass through them. When they are turned off, they do not allow such current to pass through. If the switches are of a transistor type, they comprise a parasitic diode that can be formed by the PN junction structure of the transistor. Such a parasitic diode can block or conduct current under specific conditions. For example, when the transistor is in its normal operating region, the parasitic diode can be reverse-biased. This means it blocks current flow. If the voltage applied to the transistor terminals is reversed (relative to normal operation), the parasitic diode can become forward-biased instead. This allows current to flow through the diode. As used herein, a parasitic diode may also be referred to as a body diode.

[0058] As used herein, the first and second switches no, 120 being configured to connect the positive terminals of received first and second removable batteiy assemblies 101, 103 means that the positive terminals of the received first and second removable batteiy assemblies 101, 103 can be connected with the positive power terminal 106 of the control unit 105 via the same or different, i.e. additional, conductors. The same applies regarding, for example, the third and fourth switches 130, 140 being configured to connect the negative terminals of the received first and second battery assemblies 102, 104 to the negative power supply terminal 107 of the control unit 105 via the ground. As such, the first, second, third and fourth switches are configured to be able to open and close a connection which allows for current to pass from the respective removable batteiy assembly to the respective terminal of the battery assemblies, be it directly or indirectly via additional hardware, circuitiy and / or conductors. When the switches are transistors, such connection and disconnection may not only be performed by the switch being put into a conductive state by applying a gate voltage that activates the switch, but it may also be performed by allowing a parasitic diode of the switch to conduct a current. Accordingly, the switches may connect the voltage either in a forward-biased or reverse- biased manner, depending on the implementation of the switch, as already explained above.

[0059] In the example of Fig. 1, the first switch 110 and the third switch 130 are connected to the positive terminal of a first removable batteiy assembly 101 and the positive terminal of a second removable battery assembly 103, respectively. Further, the negative terminal of a first removable battery assembly 102 and the negative terminal of a second removable battery assembly 104 are connected to the second switch 120 and with the fourth switch 140, respectively. Therefore, the first to fourth switches enable the device to flexibly switch on and off power supply via either or both of the two removable batteiy assemblies when they are received. This enhances product safety, because the terminals can be deactivated, for example when no removable battery assembly is received at the respective terminals or when the user is removing or inserting a removable battery assembly into the aerosol generating device.

[0060] Further, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the first to fourth switches no, 120, 130 and 140 are ultimately connected to the positive and negative power supply terminals 106, 107 of the control unit 105. By connecting any received removable battery assemblies via their switches in parallel, the aerosol generating device and / or the control unit 105 can be powered with an increased current (for example essentially double the current in case of two similar removable battery assemblies being received), while advantageously maintaining the current via each conducting connection only half as large. This reduced current per set of terminals for each removable battery assembly increases the efficiency of the aerosol generating device due to reduced ohmic resistances for each set of terminals, such as the set of terminals consisting of the positive and negative terminal of a first removable battery assembly 101 and 102. This also allows the conductor crosssection and all components of the respective electric interface to remain physically smaller. This also allows the current that needs to be drawn from each received removable battery assembly smaller. This is advantageous especially when the respective removable battery assembly near a lower level of charge which leads to a decrease in voltage which the respective removable battery assembly can provide. To maintain a substantially similar power output, the provided current then needs to be increased. The parallel connection therefore helps to counter the need to increase the current that would decrease the device’s electric efficiency and speed up depletion of the received removable batter assemblies by allowing the current to be provided to the aerosol generating device to be spread over all received removable battery assemblies. Alternatively, different from the example connection illustrated in Fig. 1, the respective switches could also be connected in series, which allows the voltage supplied by any received removable battery assemblies to be added, thereby advantageously increasing the voltage that can be supplied to the aerosol generating device instead.

[0061] Likewise, the arrangement with two removable battery assemblies allows the aerosol generating device to be powered solely by one received removable battery assembly. The other one may simultaneously be received, but disconnected from the circuit via its switches, allowing this battery assembly to be charged while the aerosol generating device is still operational and in use. This also allows the aerosol generating device to remain powered even when the other battery assembly is removed. This can advantageously prevent a loss of data in volatile memories of the aerosol generating device even in these cases, because volatile memories may require a certain minimum voltage to remain constantly applied such that the stored data may be safely maintained. The user experience can therefore also be improved, since a loss of such data may cause a reset of all stored settings or information, which would require the user to reapply all changed settings once the aerosol generating device is repowered.

[0062] Fig. i further illustrates that the aerosol generating device may preferably comprise a charger IC 170. The charger IC 170 can be connected to switches of the aerosol generating device, such as switches 101, 102, 103 and 104, via a battery terminal 171 of the charger IC 170. For example, the positive terminals 101, 103 of the received first and second removable battery assemblies are both connected to the battery terminal of the charger IC 170 in parallel by means of each of the first and second switches 110, 120. The charger IC 170 may comprise internal routing that can connect the input to the battery terminal 171 to the system terminal 172. Accordingly, the voltage and current supplied to the charger IC 170 maybe output to the system of the aerosol generating device, for example to the positive power supply terminal 106 of the control unit 105.

[0063] Preferably, the charger IC 170 may also comprise further inputs and outputs as illustrated in Fig. 1, for example a charger terminal (i.e., VBUS terminal) to which an external charger can be connected. The external charger may supply a voltage, for example from an external power supply, which can be used to charged one or more of the removably battery assemblies received by the aerosol generating device. For this purpose, the charger IC 170 may comprise internal routing and / or circuitry which enables it to connect the external power supply to the positive and negative terminals of any removable battery assembly. For example, the battery terminal 171 of the charger IC 170 maybe connected to such an external voltage input terminal (e.g., USB receptacle). In this case, the first and second switches 110, 120 may connect the external power supply to the positive terminals of the first and second removable battery assemblies 101, 103. As explained before, depending on the implementation of the switches, if they are transistors, either the parasitic diode of the transistors or the active switching of the switches may enable such connection. Irrespective thereof, the charger IC 170 thus allows the removable battery assemblies to be charged via the external power supply when the removable battery assembly is received by the aerosol generating device. The charger IC 170 may comprise a power regulation function to output appropriate charge current and / or voltage to the first and / or second received removable battery assemblies. In addition, the charger IC 170 may also comprise other functionalities which are related to routing voltages throughout the aerosol generating device as described with respect to exemplary battery and systems terminals 171 and 172 above.

[0064] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the first switch 110 of the aerosol generating device may include a p-channel MOSFET with a parasitic diode having an anode and a cathode, wherein the anode is connected to the positive terminal 101 of the received first removable battery assembly and wherein the cathode is connected to the battery terminal 171 of the charger IC 170. This allows the positive terminal of the first removable battery assembly 101 to automatically be connected to the battery terminal 171 when the first removable battery assembly is inserted into the aerosol generating device, because the parasitic diode allows a current to be conducted through switch 110 when the positive terminal 101 provides a sufficiently high voltage. This configuration allows for a very easy and straightforward way to discharge power from the first removable battery assembly to the aerosol generating device, because the control unit 105 does not need to provide a control signal enabling the first switch 110, while at the same time preventing currents from flowing to the first removable battery assembly as long as the control unit 105 does not turn the switch 110 on. To turn a p-channel MOSFET on, the control unit 105 needs to apply a negative voltage to the gate of the p-channel MOSFET that is below the threshold voltage of the p-channel MOSFET. Accordingly, the first removable battery assembly is also automatically protected from accidental damages when the user inserts the first removable battery assembly into the aerosol generating device. The same applies with respect to any of the other switches, such as switch 120 as illustrated in Fig. 1.

[0065] The third and fourth switches 130, 140 may be an n-channel MOSFET with a source and a drain and with a parasitic diode having an anode and a cathode.

[0066] As illustrated in Fig. 1, when the gate of n-channel MOSFET 130 or 140 is connected to the positive terminal 101, 103 of the received first or second removable battery assembly, respectively, the gate of the third / fourth switches 130, 140 may automatically be activated by this high electrical potential. For n-channel MOSFET switches, a positive gate voltage above the threshold voltage automatically turns on the switches such that a current can be conducted between the ground or negative reference potential connected to the source and the negative terminal 102, 104 of the first or second removable battery assembly connected to the drain, respectively. Accordingly, the control circuit 105 need not provide an active control signal to close a circuit once a user has inserted the respective removable battery assembly into the aerosol generating device. Further, this also allows the switches 130, 140 to automatically break the circuit when a user removes either of the removable battery assemblies due to removal of the positive gate voltage from gate contact 132, thereby improving safety of use of the aerosol generating device.

[0067] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the gates of the n-channel MOSFETs included in the third and fourth switches 130, 140 can be connected to the control unit 105 by means of voltage divider circuits 116, 117. The voltage divider circuits 116, 117 comprise two resistors connected to each other in series, one resistor is connected to the conductor in series, and another resistor is connected to the conductor in parallel. One end of one resistor is connected to the ground. Accordingly, by reading the voltage signal present at the midpoint of the voltage divider circuits 116, 117, the control circuit 105 may detect whether the first and second removable battery assemblies are received by or removed from the aerosol generating device.

[0068] Further in detail, if the first removable battery assembly is not inserted into the aerosol generating device, high electrical potential is not applied to the voltage divider circuit 116 from the positive terminal of the first removable battery assembly 101. As a result, the voltage signal at the mid-point of the voltage divider circuit 116, which is input to a terminal 118 of the control unit 105, shows a low level, because one end of one resistor is connected to the ground, as described above. On the other hand, if the first removable battery assembly is inserted into the aerosol generating device, high electrical potential is applied to the voltage divider circuit 116 from the positive terminal of the first removable batteiy assembly 101. As a result, the voltage signal at the mid-point of the voltage divider circuit 116 shows a high level, because the voltage signal at the mid-point of the voltage divider circuit 116 corresponds to a voltage of the positive terminal 101 divided by the resistors of the voltage divider circuit 116. Consequently, the control circuit 105 may detect that the first removable battery assembly is received if the voltage signal present at mid-point of the voltage divider circuit 116 shows a high level, or vice versa. The same applies with respect to the second removable battery assembly, the voltage divider circuit 117 and a terminal 119 of the control unit 105.

[0069] When the control unit 105 can detect the receipt or removal of the removable batteiy assembles, for example as explained above, the control unit 105 can control the aerosol generating device to operate in one of several modes. For example, when the aerosol generating device is configured to receive two removable battery assemblies and receipt of both batteiy assemblies is detected, the control circuit 105 may permit the aerosol generating device to operate in a normal mode that has a relatively high duration of operation, total usage power during operation or a maximum power being provided during operation. If only receipt of one of the removable battery assemblies is detected while removal of the other is detected, then the control circuit 105 may set the aerosol generating device to operate in a restricted mode that can be referred to as a restriction mode instead. In contrast to the normal mode, the restriction mode will allow a relatively lower duration of operation, total usage power during operation or a maximum power being provided during operation than in the normal mode. Therefore, the control circuit 105 allows the aerosol generating device to operate even when only a part of the receivable removable battery assemblies is received, even though this means that part of the available power supply is missing. To account for this, the power that can be drawn by the aerosol generating device in the restriction mode is reduced either in duration or maximum or total amount such that operation is still possible with the limited available power source.

[0070] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the aerosol generating device may have an aerosol generator terminal 190 connected to an aerosol generator that is configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol generating article. As also illustrated in Fig. 1, a fifth switch 150 may be connected between the positive terminal of the received second removable battery assembly 103 and the negative terminal of the received first removable battery assembly 102. The switch 150 therefore allows the two removable battery assemblies to be connected in series. This is particularly advantageous when the positive terminal of the received first removable battery assembly 101 is also connected to the aerosol generator terminal 190, as illustrated in Fig. 1, because the aerosol generator that is connected to said terminal 190 may be a relatively high-power component of the aerosol generating device requiring a relatively high voltage. Accordingly, it is advantageous to supply the aerosol generator with a higher voltage than other components of the aerosol generating device, such as, for example, the control unit 105, because a higher voltage reduces the needed current and improve an efficiency of aerosol generation. Furthermore, a sensitive component such as the control unit 105 may not support a high voltage. As explained before, if the LDO is arranged between the system terminal 172 of the charger IC 170 and the positive power supply terminal 106 of the control unit 105, an energy loss accompanying voltage regulation or conversion tends to become large in accordance with scale of the input voltage.

[0071] Even though Fig. 1 shows a sixth switch 160 that is also connected between the aerosol generator terminal 190 and the positive terminal of a first removable battery assembly 101, this is optional and not necessarily required. However, employing the sixth switch 160 may further improve the level of control of the control circuit 105 over the functioning of the aerosol generating device. For example, it allows activating or deactivating said serial connection of the received removable battery assemblies to the voltage generator terminal 190. This could be advantageous, for example, when the aerosol generator shall not be supplied with the serial voltage of the battery assemblies, for example because it is to be supplied with a higher current from a parallel connection of the received removable battery assemblies instead, as will be explained with respect to a rerouting circuit further below.

[0072] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the third switch 130 may include an n-channel MOSFET with a source and a drain, wherein the source is connected to a ground terminal and wherein the drain is connected to the negative terminal of the received first removable battery assembly. Further, the fifth switch 150 may include a p-channel MOSFET with a source and a drain, wherein the source is connected to the negative terminal of the received first removable battery assembly and wherein the drain is connected to the positive terminal of the received second removable battery assembly. By utilizing such an n-channel MOSFET for the third switch 130 and such a p-channel MOSFET for the fifth switch 150, the gate of the n-channel MOSFET included in the third switch 130 and the gate of the p-channel MOSFET included in the fifth switch 150 can further be connected to a control terminal 111 of the control unit 105 in parallel. This way, the third and fifth switches 130 and 150 are always maintained in opposite modes of operation irrespective of the signal that is present on the parallel connection connected to the respective gates. For example, if the control terminal 111 outputs a high level signal, the third switch 130 is closed, i.e. turned on, the fifth switch 150 is opened, i.e. turned off. If the control terminal 111 outputs a low level signal, the third switch 130 is opened, i.e. turned off and the fifth switch 150 is closed, i.e. turned on. This prevents short circuiting the positive and negative terminals of the removable batteries without requiring additional control signals or the like, which could destroy the aerosol generating device and / or the received removable battery assemblies. This functionality is provided by the mere connection of the switches and does not rely on a further control signal to be provided by the control unit 105. Hence, the safety of use and reliability of the aerosol generating device is improved.

[0073] A pull-up resistor 112 to pull up an electrical potential at these gates to an electrical potential at the positive terminal of a second removable battery assembly 103 may be optionally arranged. The pull-up resistor 112 may prevent the electrical potentials at these gates to become unstable. A resistor 114 may be optionally arranged between the gate of the third switch 130 and the positive terminal of a first removable battery assembly 101. The resistor 114 may isolate the electrical potential at the gate of the third switch 130 from the electrical potential at the positive terminal of a first removable battery assembly 101 when the control unit 105 outputs a signal from the control terminal 111.

[0074] A diode 115 having a cathode that is connected to the gate of the third switch 130 and having an anode that is connected to the gate of the fifth switch 150 may also be arranged as illustrated in Fig. 1. The third switch 130 isolates the electrical potential of the positive terminal of a second removable battery assembly 103 from the electrical potential of the gate of the third switch 130, if a low level signal is input to the gate of the third switch 130 due to removal of the first removable battery assembly.

[0075] When the sixth switch 160 is arranged as illustrated in Fig. 1, a signal output from the control terminal 111 may also be input to the gate of the sixth switch 160. Accordingly, a single control terminal 111 may control at least three switches at the same time.

[0076] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the aerosol generating device may include a rerouting circuit 180. The rerouting circuit 180 may comprise a diode 181, a diode 182 and several conductor segments. The positive terminals of the received first and second removable batteiy assemblies 101, 103 may both be connected to the battery terminal 171 of the charger IC 170 in parallel by means of each of the first and second switches 110, 120. Further, while the system terminal 172 of the charger IC 170 may be connected to the positive power supply terminal 106 of the control unit 105, the rerouting circuit 180 may connect the positive terminal of the received first removable battery assembly 101 to the aerosol generator terminal 190 independently from the charger IC 170. Accordingly, the rerouting circuit 180 allows the first received removable batteiy assembly to be connected to the aerosol generator terminal 190 independently from the charger IC 170. This allows the power provided through the switch 110 to either the control unit 105 (via battery and system terminals 171, 172 of the charger IC 170) to also be provided to the aerosol generator terminal 190. By utilizing the same switches and respective conductor segments, the aerosol generating device may not require additional or separate circuit elements or conductors to supply both the control unit 105 and the aerosol generator connected to the aerosol generator terminal 190. Accordingly, the circuit elements and the space required by the aerosol generating device may be advantageously conserved, which also reduces the cost of producing the aerosol generating device. When the first and second switches 110, 120 are connected in parallel, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the provided current can be increased. Hence, the aerosol generator terminal may then be supplied with a higher current. In addition, the charger IC 170 may be protected from such a higher current.

[0077] As is illustrated in Fig. 1, the rerouting circuit 180 may be connected to the battery terminal 171 of the charger IC 170 by means of a diode 181 with an anode and a cathode, wherein the anode is connected to the battery terminal 171 of the charger IC 170 and wherein the cathode is connected to the aerosol generator terminal 190. Accordingly, the aerosol generator terminal 190 may be isolated from the battery terminal 171 of the charger IC 170, if necessary. This may be advantageous in cases where the aerosol generator terminal 190 is provided with a voltage that is different from, for example higher than, the voltage provided to the battery terminal 171 of the charger IC 170. In such cases, the diode prevents connecting such a different or higher voltage to the battery terminal 171, which may exceed the maximum tolerable voltage level that can safely be received by the battery terminal 171 or, ultimately, the positive control unit power supply terminal 106 of the control unit 105. Simultaneously, the above-described function of allowing current to be provided to the aerosol generator terminal 190 via the diode 181 is maintained. This enables the aerosol generator terminal 190 to be supplied with power even in case just a single one of the removable battery assemblies is received by the aerosol generating device, in which case a serial connection provided via a fifth switch 150 would not be available to supply the aerosol generator terminal 190.

[0078] Further, as is illustrated in Fig. 1, in addition to the part of rerouting circuit 180 comprising the diode 181, the rerouting circuit 180 may alternatively or in combination with said part comprise another part comprising the diode 182. The anode of diode 182 may be connected to the positive terminal of the received first removable battery assembly 101 and the cathode maybe connected to the aerosol generator terminal 190. In this case the voltage and current supplied via the positive terminal of the received first removable battery assembly 101 can be routed directly to the aerosol generator via the diode 182. This part of the rerouting circuit 180 also allows a higher voltage from a serial connection of the two or more battery assemblies that is enabled by a fifth switch 150 to be routed to the aerosol generator terminal 190 independently from the voltage that is supplied to the battery terminal 171 of the charger IC 170, as described above. Simultaneously, the diode 182 allows the received first removable battery assembly from being exposed to undesired voltages or currents originating from the aerosol generator terminal 190. Further, the control unit 105 of the aerosol generating device may be configured to receive status signals from received first and second removable batteiy assemblies, for example. Independent from whether receipt and / or removal of the respective batteiy assemblies is detected by the control unit 105 via the use of, for example, a voltage divider as described above, the control unit 105 may use these status signals to determine whether any of the received removable batteiy assemblies can be used for aerosol generation. For example, even if all removable batteiy assemblies are received, not all battery assemblies may also be able to supply a voltage to the aerosol generating device. This may be the case when a removable battery assembly has a level of charge below the level required to support aerosol generation. Alternatively, this may be the case when a removable batteiy assembly is being charged, during which time it is unavailable for providing power to the circuit elements of the aerosol generating device. Accordingly, the aerosol generating device may provide an improved user experience that enables the device to maintain operation even if some of the received removable battery assemblies are not available for providing power to the aerosol generating device.

[0079] The receivable and removable batteiy assemblies may also comprise a fuel gauge IC, respectively. The fuel gauge IC can monitor and output a signal indicating various conditions (including a level of charge) of the received first and second removable batteiy assemblies. When this signal is received by the control unit 105, for example via a wireless or wired connection, the control unit may obtain information about the level of charge and / or remaining capacity. This may improve the accuracy of control which the control circuit 105 may provide. For example, the control unit 105 may then determine whether the received removable batteiy assemblies are sufficiently charged for being used for various features or applications of the aerosol generating device, such as generating an aerosol or powering to control unit. Such information obtained from the fuel gauge IC may be used by the control unit 105 to permit either the normal mode or the restriction mode. Even if the receipt of the first and / or second removable batteiy assembly is detected, the received removable batteiy assembly may not be suitable for discharging. The control unit 105 may determine whether the received removable battery assembly is suitable for discharging based on the level of charge (i.e., SOC), a remaining capacity, a temperature, and / or a degree of degradation (i.e., SOH), for example. If either one of the received removable battery assemblies is determined as not being suitable for discharging, the restriction mode may be selected.

[0080] Hereinafter, it is explained in further detail how the circuit may operate in each mode of operation of the aerosol generating device. CHARGING MODE

[0081] The control unit 105 may flexibly select the removable battery assembly to be charged. Once an external power supply is connected to the aerosol generating device, the control unit 105 may prohibit a series connection of the first and second removable battery assemblies by outputting a high level signal at the control terminal 111. This high level signal is input to the gates of the third and fifth switches 130, 150 (and, optionally, the sixth switch 160). The third switch 130 is turned on, subsequently the negative terminal of the first removable battery assembly 102 is connected to the ground by means of the third switch 130. The fifth switch 150 is turned off, and subsequently the negative terminal of the first removable battery assembly 102 is isolated from the positive terminal of the second removable battery assembly 103. As a result, the series connection of the first and second removable battery assemblies may be disabled, and the first and second removable battery assemblies can be connected to the battery terminal 171 of the charger IC 170 in parallel. Until the parallel connection is formed, the control unit 105 may wait to send an enable signal to the charger IC 105.

[0082] The control unit 105 may turn on the switch connected to the battery terminal 171 to select the removable battery assembly to be charged. For example, if the first switch 110 is closed and the second switch 120 is opened, the first removable battery assembly is charged but the second removable battery assembly is not charged, or vice versa. The first and second switches can be controlled by terminals 132, 133 of the control unit 105, respectively.

[0083] The control unit 105 may refer information obtained from each of the fuel gauge ICs for selecting the removable battery assembly to be charged. For example, for charging of a removable battery assembly, the one which may have a lower level of charge, a lower level of degradation, or a lower temperature may be more appropriate, such that it is prioritized. After charging of the first removable battery assembly, the charging of the second removable battery assembly may take over, or vice versa.

[0084] The control unit 105 may charge both the first and second removable battery assembly at same time, by closing the first and second switches 110, 120. If an imbalance of the level of charge exists between the first and second removable batteries, charge current flows into the removable battery assembly having a lower level of charge with a higher priority. Thus, the imbalance may be gradually reduced while charging in parallel.

[0085] SERIES DISCHARGING MODE The control unit 105 may output a low level signal at the control terminal 111. This low level signal is input to both gates of the third and fifth switches 130, 150. First, the electrical potential of these gates is maintained at a high level by a combination of the pull-up resistor 112 and the positive terminal of the second removable battery assembly 103 and a combination of the resistor 114 and the positive terminal of the second removable battery assembly 101. However, the low level signal then overwrites the electrical potential of these gates to a low level and the pull-up resistor 112 and resistor 114 isolate the positive terminals of the second and first removable battery assemblies 103, 101, respectively.

[0086] The third switch 130 may be turned off. Subsequently, the negative terminal of the first removable battery assembly 102 may be isolated from the ground. The fifth switch 150 may be turned on, and subsequently the negative terminal of the first removable battery assembly 102 is connected to the positive terminal of the second removable battery assembly 103. As a result, the series connection of the first and second removable battery assemblies may be formed. If the optional sixth switch 160 is arranged, the sixth switch 160 is also turned on due to the low level signal that is output by the control terminal 111. A boosted voltage generated by the series connection may supply the aerosol generator by means of the rerouting circuit 180 and the aerosol generator terminal 190. As described above, the diode 181 prevents this boosted voltage to be applied to the battery terminal 171 of the charger 170. The battery terminal 171 may receive a voltage supplied from a received removable battery assembly having the highest output voltage.

[0087] PARALLEL DISCHARGING MODE

[0088] The control unit 105 may prohibit a series connection of the first and second removable battery assemblies by outputting a high level signal at the control terminal 111, as explained for the charging mode. If output voltages of the first and second removable battery assemblies are substantially the same, the battery terminal 171 and the aerosol generator terminal 190 receive current from both the first and second removable batteiy assemblies in parallel. If an imbalance of the output voltage exists between the first and second removable batteries, only a removable batteiy assembly having the highest output voltage may be discharged. In accordance with this discharging, the imbalance may be gradually reduced, and the parallel discharging mode may become available. Although exemplary embodiments have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be understood that various modifications may be made to those embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the breadth and scope of the claims should not be limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments.

[0089] For example, the third switch 130 is explained so that it is turned off in response to a low level signal outputted from the control terminal 111. Alternatively, by arranging an inverting circuit, the third switch 130 may be configured to be turned off in response to a high level signal outputted from the control terminal 111. In another alternative, the third switch 130 may not be implemented as the opposite type of MOSFET transistor. For example, instead of using an n-channel MOSFET, a p-channel MOSFET be used. The same alternatives may apply to the other switches.

[0090] Any combination of the above-described features is encompassed by the present disclosure in all possible variations thereof unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

[0091] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

[0092] LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0093] 101 positive terminal of a first removable battery assembly

[0094] 102 negative terminal of a first removable battery assembly

[0095] 103 positive terminal of a second removable battery assembly

[0096] 104 negative terminal of a second removable batteiy assembly

[0097] 105 control unit

[0098] 106 positive power supply terminal

[0099] 107 negative power supply terminal

[0100] 110 first switch

[0101] 111 control terminal

[0102] 112 pull-up resistor

[0103] 114 resistor

[0104] 115 diode

[0105] 116 voltage divider circuit

[0106] 117 voltage divider circuit 118 terminal

[0107] 119 terminal

[0108] 120 second switch

[0109] 130 third switch 131 source contact

[0110] 132 terminal

[0111] 133 terminal

[0112] 140 fourth switch

[0113] 150 fifth switch i6o sixth switch

[0114] 170 charger IC

[0115] 171 battery terminal

[0116] 172 system terminal

[0117] 180 rerouting circuit 181 diode

[0118] 182 diode

[0119] 190 aerosol generator terminal

Claims

September 4, 2025national SA J175241WO CKA / WrdClaims1. An aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating article, the device being configured to receive: -a first removable batteiy assembly having a first battery, a positive terminal and a negative terminal;-a second removable batteiy assembly having a second battery, a positive terminal and a negative terminal; and the device comprising: -a control unit that has a positive power supply terminal and a negative power supply terminal;-a first switch configured to connect the positive power supply terminal of the control unit with the positive terminal of the received first removable battery assembly;-a second switch configured to connect the positive power supply terminal of the control unit with the positive terminal of the received second removable battery assembly;-a third switch configured to connect the negative terminal of the received first removable battery assembly with a ground terminal; and-a fourth switch configured to connect the negative terminal of the received second removable battery assembly with the ground terminal.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, including a charger IC having a battery terminal and a system terminal, wherein the positive terminals of the received first and second removable battery assemblies are both connected to the batteiy terminal of the charger IC in parallel by means of each of the first and second switches; and the system terminal of the charger IC is connected to the positive power supply terminal of the control unit.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein the first switch includes a p-channel MOSFET with a parasitic diode having an anode and a cathode, wherein the anode is connected to the positive terminal of the received first removablebattery assembly and wherein the cathode is connected to the battery terminal of the charger IC; and wherein the second switch includes a p-channel MOSFET with a parasitic diode having an anode and a cathode, wherein the anode is connected to the positive terminal of the received second removable battery assembly and wherein the cathode is connected to the battery terminal of the charger IC.

4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit is configured to individually control to turn ON and OFF the first and second switches.

5. The aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the third switch includes an n-channel MOSFET with a source and a drain, wherein the source is connected to the ground terminal and wherein the drain is connected to the negative terminal of the received first removable battery assembly; the fourth switch includes an n-channel MOSFET with a source and a drain, wherein the source is connected to the ground terminal and wherein the drain is connected to the negative terminal of the received second removable battery assembly; wherein a gate of the n-channel MOSFET included in the third switch is connected to the positive terminal of the received first removable battery assembly; and wherein a gate of the n-channel MOSFET included in the fourth switch is connected to the positive terminal of the received second removable battery assembly.

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 5, wherein the gates of the n- channel MOSFETs included in the third and fourth switches are respectively connected to the control unit by means of voltage divider circuits; and the control unit is configured to detect both a receipt and a removal of the first and second removable batteiy assemblies based on a signal received from each the voltage divider circuits.

7. The aerosol generating device according to claim 6, wherein the control unit is configured to:-permit an aerosol generation in a normal mode, if both the receipts of the first and second removable batteiy assemblies are detected; and-permit the aerosol generation in a restriction mode, even if one of the receipts of the first or the second removable battery assembly is not detected; wherein at least one of a duration, a total usage power or a maximum power of the normal mode is greater than that of the restriction mode.

8. The aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, including an aerosol generator configured to generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating article; and a fifth switch configured to connect between the positive terminal of the received second removable batteiy assembly and the negative terminal of the received first removable battery assembly; wherein the positive terminal of the received first removable battery assembly is connected to the aerosol generator.

9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 8, wherein the third switch includes an n-channel MOSFET with a source and a drain, wherein the source is connected to a ground terminal and wherein the drain is connected to the negative terminal of the received first removable batteiy assembly; the fifth switch includes a p-channel MOSFET with a source and a drain, wherein the source is connected to the negative terminal of the received first removable battery assembly and wherein the drain is connected to the positive terminal of the received second removable battery assembly; a gate of the n-channel MOSFET included in the third switch and a gate of the p- channel MOSFET included in the fifth switch are connected to a terminal of the control unit in parallel.

10. The aerosol generating device according to claim 9, wherein the fourth switch includes an n-channel MOSFET with a source and a drain, wherein the source is connected to the ground terminal and wherein the drain is connected to the negative terminal of the received second removable battery assembly; andthe gate of the n-channel MOSFET included in the third switch is connected to the positive terminal of the received first removable battery assembly by means of a resistor; and the gate of the n-channel MOSFET included in the fourth switch is connected to the positive terminal of the received second removable battery assembly. n. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, including: -a charger IC having a battery terminal and a system terminal; and -a rerouting circuit; wherein the positive terminals of the received first and second removable battery assemblies are both connected to the battery terminal of the charger IC in parallel by means of each of the first and second switches; wherein the system terminal of the charger IC is connected to the positive power supply terminal of the control unit; and wherein the rerouting circuit connects the positive terminal of the received first removable battery assembly to the aerosol generator independently from the charger IC.

12. The aerosol generating device according to claim 11, wherein the rerouting circuit is connected to the battery terminal of the charger IC by means of a diode with an anode and a cathode, wherein the anode is connected to the battery terminal of the charger IC and wherein the cathode is connected to the rerouting circuit.

13. The aerosol generating device according to claim 12, wherein the rerouting circuit includes a diode with an anode and a cathode, wherein the anode is connected to the positive terminal of the received first removable battery assembly and wherein the cathode is connected to the aerosol generator.

14. The aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit is configured to:-receive status signals from the received first and second removable battery assemblies;-determine whether the received first and second removable battery assemblies can be used for aerosol generation;-permit an aerosol generation in a normal mode, if both the received first and second removable battery assemblies can be used for aerosol generation; and-permit the aerosol generation in a restriction mode, even if either one of the received first and second removable battery assembly cannot be used for aerosol generation; and wherein at least one of a duration, a total usage power or a maximum power of the normal mode is greater than that of the restriction mode.

15. The aerosol generating device according to claim 14, wherein the received first and second removable battery assemblies each comprise a fuel gauge IC which monitors and outputs a level of charge of the received first and second removable battery assemblies; and the fuel gauge ICs are separately connected to the control unit.

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