Aerosol generating device with coulomb counter for tracking battery cell health

Abstract

Disclosed is an aerosol generating device (100). The aerosol generating device (100) includes a battery module (103) including a plurality of battery cells (108-1 to 108-N) to power a heating module (102) which has an opening (101) to receive an aerosol generating article. In addition, the aerosol generating device (100) includes a PCBA (104), which further includes a coulomb counter (105) that monitors a quantity of charge transferred through a first battery cell (108-1) of the plurality of battery cells (108-1 to 108-N) during a charge-discharge process. In addition, the PCBA (104) includes a controller (106) that generates, based on the monitored quantity of charge, a measurement result indicative of a maximum number of vaping sessions that the first battery cell (108- 1) is able to sustain from full charge, the measurement result being calculated according to a state of health of the first battery cell (108-1). Furthermore, the controller (106) updates a status of the first battery cell (108-1) based on the measurement result.

Description

[0001] AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE WITH COULOMB COUNTER FOR

[0002] TRACKING BATTERY CELL HEALTH

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present disclosure relates generally to an aerosol generating device. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device which is suitable for tracking status and identifying error in a battery cell of multiple battery cells in a battery module of the aerosol generating device.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] An aerosol generating device is responsible for producing aerosol by heating an aerosol generating substrate contained within an aerosol generating article. Instead of burning or combustion, the aerosol generating device heats the substrate to produce aerosol for inhalation during a vaping session. This alternative method of using tobacco products has gained popularity in recent years compared to the traditional practice.

[0007] Various techniques are used to increase the vaping sessions of the aerosol generating device per charge of the device. For example, the power capacity of the battery module of the aerosol generating device is increased. The battery module is designed to accommodate more battery cells, which results in more vaping sessions per charge. However, malfunctioning of any of the battery cells may result in malfunctioning of the whole battery module.

[0008] Regulations concerning batteries and waste batteries state that batteries must be readily removable and replaceable by the end-user or by independent operators during an appliance’s lifetime. The aerosol generating devices also come under this set of regulations. However, in most of the traditional aerosol generating devices, battery modules are embedded within the aerosol generating devices. These aerosol generating devices are designed such that the battery module is configured to be fully embedded within the center of the respective aerosol generating device. In such designs, in case of any malfunction in any of the battery cells, the whole battery module is required to be retrieved out of the aerosol generating device, and the process becomes very complicated. As the battery module is traditionally embedded within the center of the aerosol generating device, retrieval of the battery module may require the removal of several other components of the aerosol generating device. This may lead to the removal of permanently soldered electrical connections, adding cost to the aerosol generating device as well as an increase in size. Moreover, the removal of the permanently soldered electrical connections may result in several other faults in the aerosol generating device. Furthermore, providing access to the internal structure of the aerosol generating device leads to the introduction of moisture or dirt inside the aerosol generating device, which may harm the performance of the aerosol generating device and produce new safety challenges to overcome.

[0009] Having a replaceable battery module provides a technique to replace the battery module without direct exposure to other components. However, the replaceable battery module generally results in an increment in the size of the aerosol generating device. Furthermore, protection against the use of non-genuine or faulty battery cells, which might be used as replacements, is an extra issue to tackle.

[0010] In light of the above discussion, there is a need for a smart aerosol generating device that may overcome the above-stated drawbacks. Further, the aerosol generating device may be capable of tracking the status of the associated battery cells and isolating non-genuine or faulty battery cells from the circuit.

[0011] SUMMARY

[0012] The present disclosure seeks to provide an aerosol generating device.

[0013] The present disclosure also seeks to provide an aerosol generating device suitable for tracking status and identifying error in a battery cell of multiple battery cells in its battery module.

[0014] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising: a heating module comprising an opening to receive an aerosol generating article; a battery module comprising a plurality of battery cells to power the heating module; and a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) that is electrically connected to the battery module, wherein the PCBA comprises: a coulomb counter that is configured to monitor a quantity of charge transferred through a first battery cell of the plurality of battery cells during a charge-discharge process of the first battery cell, and a controller that is configured to: generate, based on the monitored quantity of charge, a measurement result indicative of a maximum number of vaping sessions that the first battery cell is able to sustain from a full charge, the measurement result being calculated according to a state of health of the first battery cell (108-1); and update a status of the first battery cell based on the measurement result.

[0015] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, according to the preceding aspect, the status of the first battery cell is updated to indicate an underperforming state of the first battery cell based on a determination that the maximum number of vaping sessions is within a threshold range.

[0016] In a third aspect of the present disclosure, according to any of the above aspects, the status of the first battery cell is updated to indicate a damaged state of the first battery cell based on a determination that the maximum number of vaping sessions is below a threshold range. Further, based on the damaged state, the controller is further configured to disconnect a network connection of the first battery cell with the PCBA.

[0017] In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, according to any of the above aspects, the status of the first battery cell is updated to indicate a healthy state of the first battery cell based on a determination that the maximum number of vaping sessions is above a threshold range.

[0018] In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, according to any of the above aspects, the controller is further configured to control an output device based on the updated status to generate an alert signal. The alert signal corresponds to one of a damaged state of the first battery cell, an underperforming state of the first battery cell, or a healthy state of the first battery cell.

[0019] In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, according to any of the above aspects, the controller is configured to receive a user input that includes a selection of a heating profile for the heating module of the aerosol generating device. The controller is further configured to switch, based on the user input, a connection configuration of the plurality of battery cells from a series configuration to a parallel configuration or from a parallel configuration to a series configuration, during an ongoing vaping session.

[0020] In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, according to any of the above aspects, the controller is further configured to control a battery management system of the battery module based on the updated status to charge one or more battery cells of the plurality of battery cells while the first battery cell powers the heating module during a vaping session.

[0021] In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, according to any of the above aspects, the battery module includes a non-volatile memory that is configured to store identifiers associated with the plurality of battery cells. The non-volatile memory is an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) that includes a Write Once Read Multiple (WORM) or One Time Programmable (OTP) memory. The controller is further configured to write the measurement result associated with the first battery cell of the battery module into the non-volatile memory.

[0022] In a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, according to the preceding aspect, the controller is further configured to authenticate the first battery cell based on whether an identifier of the first battery cell is included in the stored identifiers, and the status is updated further based on the authentication.

[0023] In a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, according to any of the above aspects, the battery module is a replaceable module in which each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells is removable from the battery module. In an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, according to any of the above aspects, the coulomb counter calculates a number of sessions that the heating module is able to sustain. If number of sessions of the heating module exceed a threshold number, the output device may notify a user that the heating module should be exchanged for a new one. For the calculation, resistance and capacitance of the heating element against stored library values may be used. The combination of these values may be used to determine the status of the heating module and if the exchange is required.

[0024] Embodiments of the present disclosure substantially eliminate or at least partially address the aforementioned problems in the prior art, and provides an aerosol generating device, which is suitable for tracking status and identifying error in a battery cell of multiple battery cells in its battery module.

[0025] Additional aspects, advantages, features and objects of the present disclosure would be made apparent from the drawings and the detailed description of the illustrative embodiments construed in conjunction with the appended claims that follow.

[0026] It will be appreciated that features of the present disclosure are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0027] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers.

[0029] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein: FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of an aerosol generating device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram representing charging of battery cells associated with the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a diagram representing discharging of battery cells associated with the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram representing simultaneous charging-discharging of battery cells associated with the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram representing an error in a battery cell of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram representing the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1 including battery cells with non-volatile memory, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0035] FIG. 7 illustrates a diagram representing battery pack with multiple battery cells, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] In the accompanying drawings, an underlined number is employed to represent an item over which the underlined number is positioned or an item to which the underlined number is adjacent. A non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non-underlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the non-underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.

[0037] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0038] The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure and ways in which they can be implemented. Although some modes of carrying out the present disclosure have been disclosed, those skilled in the art would recognize that other embodiments for carrying out or practicing the present disclosure are also possible. In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship terms "one end", "another end", "the other end", "outside", "inside", "upper", "lower", "above", "top", "bottom", "horizontal", "coaxial", "central", "length", "distance", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description. Specifically, the orientation or positional relationship terms should be understood as the aerosol-generating device being in its upright position (top-down) and / or taking the centre of the opening of the heating chamber as the centre point or reference. Otherwise, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention should be understood according to specific situations that make the most technical sense for the skilled person in the art.

[0039] As an overview of an aerosol-generating device of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 illustrates an aerosol-generating device with some of its subassemblies. FIG. 2 to FIG. 7 show more details of some of the subassemblies. For ease of understanding and brevity, certain features shown in the drawings have not been described in detail and certain features have been omitted entirely. As used herein, the term "aerosol generation device", "E-cigarette" or "electronic cigarette" may include an electronic cigarette system configured to deliver an aerosol to a user, including an aerosol for smoking.

[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of an aerosol generating device 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The aerosol generating device 100 includes a heating module 102, a battery module 103, and a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) 104. The PCBA 104 further includes a coulomb counter 105 and a controller 106.

[0041] The heating module 102 includes an opening 101 to receive an aerosol generating article. In an instance, the heating module 102 is configured to accommodate the aerosol generating article in a vertical orientation along a longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device 100. The aerosol generating article may be, for example, a heated tobacco stick (HTS). The heating module 102 may be made of a high temperature- resistant material such as stainless steel. As stainless steel has a low thermal conductivity, a coating may be applied to allow efficient spreading of the heat. The batery module 103 is a self-contained unit whose primary function is to store and release electrical energy efficiently and reliably. The battery module 103 includes multiple batery packs 107-1 to 107-N, which in turn consist of a plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N to power the heating module 102, along with other necessary electronics and mechanical components for the operation. For the sake of brevity, only two batery packs and two battery cells have been shown in FIG. 1. However, in some embodiments, there may be more than two batery packs or two batery cells, without limiting the scope of the disclosure.

[0042] In an embodiment, each batery pack of the multiple batery packs 107-1 to 107-N may be adapted to accommodate exactly one batery cell of the plurality of batery cells 108- 1 to 108-N. For instance, the batery pack 107-1 may accommodate the batery cell 108- 1, and similarly the batery pack 107-N may accommodate the batery cell 108-N (as illustrated in FIG. 1). In another embodiment, each batery pack of the multiple batery packs 107-1 to 107-N may be adapted to accommodate more than one batery cell of the plurality of batery cells 108-1 to 108-N (as illustrated in FIG. 7).

[0043] According to an embodiment, the batery module 103 may be placed proximal to or in contact with a longitudinal side (or a lateral side) of the aerosol generating device 100 to facilitate easy replacement of the plurality of batery cells 108-1 to 108-N. The batery module 103 may be a replaceable module in which each batery cell of the plurality of batery cells 108-1 to 108-N is removable from the batery module 103. For instance, the plurality of batery cells 108-1 to 108-N may be easily detached from the batery module 103. Further, the battery module 103 may be designed such that the plurality of batery cells 108-1 to 108-N are securely housed and interconnected, allowing for optimal performance and safety. The plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N may be non- rechargeable or rechargeable.

[0044] The PCBA 104 includes an assembly of distinct specific electronic components onto a printed circuit board (PCB) to create a functional unit. The PCBA 104 is electrically connected to the batery module 103, and the coulomb counter 105 and the controller 106 are embedded into the PCBA 104. The PCBA 104 may include other electronic components as well, which are not described and illustrated in FIG. 1 for the sake of brevity. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N may be individually connected to the PCBA 104, which may allow the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N to be operated in parallel or in series. This provides additional benefits, as some of the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N may be in a series configuration, hence allowing for an increase in power, which decreases heat-up time of the aerosol generating device 100. Further, some battery cells of the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N may be connected in a parallel configuration, resulting in cumulation of capacity of the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N, which may allow for a longer vaping session and may facilitate more vaping sessions per charge.

[0045] According to an embodiment, the controller 106 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code that may be configured to manage and regulate operations of the aerosol generating device 100. The controller 106 may receive input signals from any of the heating module 102, the battery module 103, and the coulomb counter 105. Further, the controller 106 may process information associated with the received signals and may then generate output signals to control operations of various components of the aerosol generating device 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the controller 106 may be realized in hardware, or a combination of hardware and software. In an instance, the controller 106 may be implemented using various technologies, including microcontrollers, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). The controller 106 may be programmed with specific instructions or algorithms to perform desired tasks.

[0046] During operation, the controller 106 receives a user input that includes a selection of a heating profile for the heating module 102 of the aerosol generating device 100. For instance, an authorized user may provide the user input through a user device, such as, but not limited to, a smartphone, a touchpad, or via keypad or buttons on the aerosol generating device 100. Based on the user input, the controller 106 switches a connection configuration of the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N from the series configuration to the parallel configuration or from the parallel configuration to the series configuration during an ongoing vaping session. The connection configuration of the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N may change during the vaping session to provide a hybrid of both conditions, i.e. series configuration and parallel configuration. In an exemplary embodiment, the controller 106 may switch to the series configuration, which may lead to increased power supply and decreased heat-up time of the aerosol generating device 100. Further, in another embodiment, the controller 106 may switch to the parallel configuration, which may lead to a longer vaping session and facilitates more vaping sessions per charge.

[0047] According to an embodiment, the coulomb counter 105 is configured to monitor a quantity of charge transferred through a first battery cell, for instance the battery cell 108- 1, of the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N during a charge-discharge process of the first battery cell 108-1. In an exemplary embodiment, the coulomb counter 105 may consist of a current sensor, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a microcontroller or digital signal processor (DSP) for processing and calculating the quantity of charge. In general, the coulomb counter 105 may work by measuring a current flowing in and out of the first battery cell 108-1, converting it into a digital signal, and integrating corresponding current values over time to calculate the accumulated charge. To ensure accuracy, the coulomb counter 105 may also consider factors such as temperature, voltage, and battery characteristics that may affect the charge measurement. Distinct calibration and compensation techniques may be employed to account for these factors and improve the accuracy of the measurement.

[0048] Further, based on the monitored quantity of charge, the controller 106 is configured to generate a measurement result to indicate a maximum number of vaping sessions that the first battery cell 108-1 is able to sustain from a full charge, the measurement result being calculated according to a state of health of the first battery cell 108-1. In an exemplary embodiment, based on the the monitored quantity of charge, the controller 106 may continuously measure current flowing through the first battery cell 108-1 per unit time. Further, the controller 106 may compute the total charge consumed during a vaping session by integrating the measured current over a specific time-period. The coulomb counter 105 may be programmed with a specific base value that represents the charge consumed per vaping session. Once the total charge consumed reaches the base value, it indicates the completion of a vaping session. In a similar manner, each time the base value is reached, the coulomb counter 105 increments a session counter. The session counter may keep a track of the number of vaping sessions completed. Further, the controller 106 may generate a measurement result in the form of metrics, graph, pie-chart, or other such output data to indicate the number of vaping sessions completed or sustained by the first battery cell 108-1.

[0049] The controller 106 is further configured to update a status of the first battery cell 108-1 based on the measurement result. In a preferred embodiment, the controller 106 is configured to generate the measurement result by comparing the maximum number of vaping sessions with a threshold range, and correspondingly update the status of the first battery cell 108-1. In an exemplary embodiment, the threshold range may be represented by a specific number of vaping sessions. In another exemplary embodiment, multiple threshold values ranging between specific values may collectively form the threshold range. Further, the threshold range may be pre-specified by the authorized user or may be pre-defined for the aerosol generating device 100.

[0050] According to an embodiment, the controller 106 is configured to update the status of the first battery cell 108-1 to indicate an underperforming state of the first battery cell 108-1 based on a determination that the maximum number of vaping sessions is within the threshold range. For example, if anew battery cell achieves 22 vaping sessions per charge, the threshold range may be defined to be between 17 to 20 vaping sessions. At a timeinstant, if the first battery cell 108-1 achieves only 20 vaping sessions, then the status of the first battery cell 108-1 may be updated to indicate the underperforming state.

[0051] According to another embodiment, the controller 106 is further configured to update the status of the first battery cell 108-1 to indicate a damaged state of the first battery cell 108-1. The status may be updated based on a determination that the maximum number of vaping sessions is below the threshold range. For example, at a time-instant, if the first battery cell 108-1 achieves only 8 vaping sessions, which is well below the defined threshold range between 17 to 20 vaping sessions, then the status of the first battery cell 108-1 may be updated to indicate the damaged state.

[0052] Further, based on the indication of the damaged state, the controller 106 may further be configured to disconnect a network connection of the first battery cell 108-1 with the PCBA 104 to isolate and protect the rest of the components of the aerosol generating device 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the network connection may include a transistor (not shown), which may be configured to disconnect the network connection of the first battery cell 108-1 with the PCBA 104, when the updated status is indicated to be the damaged state. The transistor may further be configured to connect the first battery cell 108-1 to the PCBA 104, if permitted (i.e. when the updated status is other than the damaged state).

[0053] According to yet another embodiment, the controller 106 is further configured to update the status of the first battery cell 108-1 to indicate a healthy state of the first battery cell 108-1 based on a determination that the maximum number of vaping sessions is above the threshold range. For example, at a time-instant, if the first battery cell 108-1 achieves 21 vaping sessions, which is above the defined threshold range of 17 to 20 vaping sessions, the status of the first battery cell 108-1 may be updated to indicate the healthy state.

[0054] In an embodiment, the battery module 103 includes a battery management system 110. The controller 106 is configured to control the battery management system 110 based on the updated status to charge one or more battery cells of the plurality of battery cells 108- 1 to 108-N while the first battery cell 108-1 powers the heating module 102 during a vaping session. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery management system 110 may monitor and control the performance of each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N. Further, the battery management system 110 may ensure that each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N operates within its safe operating limits. Furthermore, the battery management system 110 may balance charge levels between each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N. Moreover, the battery management system 110 may provide important data on health and performance of each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N

[0055] For the sake of brevity, the battery cell 108-1 is shown as the first battery cell. However, in some embodiments, without limiting the scope of the disclosure, a different battery cell of the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N may be considered as the first battery cell.

[0056] In one embodiment, an output device 111 may be integrated into the aerosol generating device 100. In another embodiment, the output device 111 may also be an independent device, which may be in communication with the aerosol generating device 100. The output device 111 is configured to render information related to the updated status of the first battery cell 108-1. In an exemplary embodiment, the output device 111 may be selected from any of a LED, a haptic feedback, or a mini display that may be integrated into the aerosol generating device 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the output device 111 may include any of a display device, a smart phone, atablet, or other such user device which may be in communication with the aerosol generating device 100. For example, the output device 111 may be connected to the aerosol generating device 100 through a Bluetooth® network, a Wi-Fi® network, or any point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, or multipoint-to-point network. Further, the output device 111 may render the information by activating the LED, by transmitting haptic signals to the haptic feedback sensor, or by transmitting radio signals to the user device. By way of example, and not limitation, the controller 106 may activate a fast blinking red LED to indicate the damaged state of the first battery cell 108-1. The controller 106 may activate a slow blinking yellow LED to indicate the underperforming state of the first battery cell 108-1. Similarly, the controller 106 may activate a green LED to indicate the healthy state of the first battery cell 108-1.

[0057] FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram 200 representing charging of the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N associated with the aerosol generating device 100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The aerosol generating device 100 may further include a charging port 109, which may be adapted to connect a Universal Serial Bus (USB) charger, which is adapted to be connected to the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N for facilitating charging. The charging port 109 may not be directly connected to the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N, instead the charging port 109 may be connected to the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N through the coulomb counter 105. During operation, the USB charger supplies electric power (from an external power source) to the PCBA 104 through charging port 109. The PCBA 104 further facilitates transmission of the supplied electric power to the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N via the coulomb counter 105 (as shown by arrows). In some instances, the supplied electric power may also be directly used for heating the aerosol generating article through the heating module 102.

[0058] FIG. 3 illustrates a diagram 300 representing discharging of the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N associated with the aerosol generating device 100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The electric power is supplied to the heating module 102 of the aerosol generating device 100 by the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N (as shown by arrows). When the aerosol generating device 100 is not connected to a direct electric source, then the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108- N supply electric power, via the PCBA 104, to the heating module 102 for heating of the aerosol generating article, which results in gradual discharging of the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N.

[0059] FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram 400 representing simultaneous charging-discharging of the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N associated with the aerosol generating device 100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, at a time instance, a battery cell of the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N may be charged by the electric power supplied through an external power source, and simultaneously another battery cell of the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N may be gradually discharged by supplying electric power to the heating module 102 of the aerosol generating (as shown by arrows). Vaping, while charging a traditional aerosol generating device was previously not possible due to stress caused on battery cells. In contrast, the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N of the aerosol generating device 100 are independently and individually connected to the PCBA 104, which makes it possible to perform a simultaneous charging-discharging (also referred to as charging while vaping) of the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N associated with the aerosol generating device 100. For instance, while the battery cell 108-1 may be charged via the PCBA 104, through the supplied electric power at a given time-instant, the battery cell 108-N may be discharged for the vaping session(s) simultaneously. In an embodiment, the simultaneous charging-discharging of the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N is possible only when status of the corresponding battery cells is not updated to the damaged state.

[0060] FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram 500 representing an error in a battery cell 108-N of the aerosol generating device 100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, at a time instance, a battery cell of the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N may be charged by the electric power supplied through an external power source (as shown by arrow), and simultaneously another battery cell of the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N may be disconnected (as shown by AA’). In an exemplary embodiment, upon detection of the error in the battery cell 108-N, the controller 106 may further be configured to disconnect a network connection AA’ of the first battery cell 108-N with the PCBA 104 to isolate and protect rest of the components of the aerosol generating device 100. However, the battery cell 108-1 may be charged by the electric power supplied.

[0061] FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram 600 representing the aerosol generating device 100 of FIG. 1 including battery cells with non-volatile memory, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. The battery module 103 includes a non-volatile memory 602 that is configured to store identifiers associated with the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N. In an embodiment, each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N includes corresponding non-volatile memory units 602-1 to 602-N. Further, the controller 106 is configured to write a measurement result associated with each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N into the corresponding non-volatile memory unit 602-1 to 602-N. In an embodiment, as each non-volatile memory unit of the non-volatile memory units 602-1 to 602-N is integrated within one battery cell of the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N, exchanging a damaged battery cell and putting such a cell into another device still prevents the damaged battery cell from being used, which enhances safety.

[0062] In an instance, when a new battery cell is inserted into the aerosol generating device 100, the controller 106 reads memory of the new battery cell, which stores a unique identifier. The controller 106 verifies authenticity of the new battery cell based on the corresponding unique identifier. A number of vaping sessions sustained by the new battery cell is processed by the coulomb counter 105, and the processed number is written to the EEPROM. When the number of vaping sessions sustained is below the threshold range, the controller 106 no longer allows a vaping session to start.

[0063] In an exemplary embodiment, the non-volatile memory units 602-1 to 602-N may be an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) that may include a Write Once Read Multiple (WORM) or One Time Programmable (OTP) memory to enhance security. In the WORM or OTP memory, data cannot be erased easily. This prevents used or damaged battery cells from having their memory reprogrammed or tampered.

[0064] In another exemplary embodiment, the controller 106 is further configured to authenticate a battery cell of the plurality of battery cells 108-1 to 108-N based on whether an identifier of that battery cell is included in the stored identifiers. Further, the status of the battery cell may also be updated based on the authentication. Examples of WORM or OTP memory include EPROM chips like 27C64 or 27C256, OTP microcontrollers like Atmel® AT89C51, EEPROM chips with OTP memory or Specialized WORM memory ICs like Microchip® 24LC00B.

[0065] FIG. 7 illustrates a diagram representing battery pack with multiple battery cells, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. In some of the embodiments, each battery pack of the multiple battery packs 107-1 to 107-N may be adapted to accommodate more than one battery cell of the plurality of battery cells 108- 1 to 108-N. In an instance, the battery pack 107-1 may accommodate the battery cell 108-

[0066] 1 and the battery cell 108-2. For the sake of brevity, only one battery pack 107-1 accommodating two battery cells including the battery cell 108-1 and the battery cell 108-

[0067] 2 has been shown in FIG. 7. However, in some embodiments, a battery pack of the battery packs 107-1 to 107-N may be adapted to accommodate more than two (for instance, three, four, and so on) battery cells, without limiting the scope of the disclosure.

[0068] Modifications to embodiments of the present disclosure described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as “including”, “comprising”, “incorporating”, “have”, “is” used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An aerosol generating device (100) comprising: a heating module (102) comprising an opening (101) to receive an aerosol generating article; a batery module (103) comprising a plurality of batery cells (108-1 to 108- N) to power the heating module (102); and a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) (104) that is electrically connected to the batery module (103), wherein the PCBA (104) comprises: a coulomb counter (105) that is configured to monitor a quantity of charge transferred through a first battery cell (108-1) of the plurality of batery cells (108-1 to 108-N) during a charge-discharge process of the first batery cell (108-1), and a controller (106) that is configured to: generate, based on the monitored quantity of charge, a measurement result indicative of a maximum number of vaping sessions that the first batery cell (108-1) is able to sustain from a full charge, the measurement result being calculated according to a state of health of the first batery cell (108-1); and update a status of the first battery cell (108-1) based on the measurement result.

2. The aerosol generating device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the status of the first batery cell (108-1) is updated to indicate an underperforming state of the first battery cell (108-1) based on a determination that the maximum number of vaping sessions is within a threshold range.

3. The aerosol generating device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the status of the first batery cell (108-1) is updated to indicate a damaged state of the first batery cell (108-1) based on a determination that the maximum number of vaping sessions is below a threshold range.

4. The aerosol generating device (100) according to claim 3, wherein, based on the damaged state, the controller (106) is further configured to disconnect a network connection of the first battery cell (108-1) with the PCBA (104).

5. The aerosol generating device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the status of the first battery cell (108-1) is updated to indicate a healthy state of the first battery cell (108-1) based on a determination that the maximum number of vaping sessions is above a threshold range.

6. The aerosol generating device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the controller (106) is further configured to control an output device (111) based on the updated status to generate an alert signal, wherein the alert signal corresponds to one of a damaged state of the first battery cell (108-1), an underperforming state of the first battery cell (108-1), or a healthy state of the first battery cell (108-1).

7. The aerosol generating device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the controller (106) is further configured to: receive a user input that includes a selection of a heating profile for the heating module of the aerosol generating device (100); and switch, based on the user input, a connection configuration of the plurality of battery cells (108-1 to 108-N) from a series configuration to a parallel configuration or from a parallel configuration to a series configuration, during an ongoing vaping session.

8. The aerosol generating device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the controller (106) is further configured to control a battery management system (110) of the battery module (103) based on the updated status to charge one or more battery cells of the plurality of battery cells (108-1 to 108-N) while the first battery cell (108-1) powers the heating module (102) during a vaping session.

199. The aerosol generating device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the battery module (103) comprises a non-volatile memory (602) that is configured to store identifiers associated with the plurality of battery cells (108-1 to 108-N), and wherein the controller (106) is further configured to write the measurement result associated with the first battery cell (108-1) of the battery module (103) into the non-volatile memory (602).

10. The aerosol generating device (100) according to claim 9, wherein the nonvolatile memory (602) is an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) that includes a Write Once Read Multiple (WORM) or One Time Programmable (OTP) memory.

11. The aerosol generating device (100) according to claim 9, wherein the controller (106) is further configured to authenticate the first battery cell (108-1) based on whether an identifier of the first battery cell (108-1) is included in the stored identifiers, and the status is updated further based on the authentication.

12. The aerosol generating device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the battery module (103) is a replaceable module in which each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells (108-1 to 108-N) is removable from the battery module (103).

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