EA040428B1 - HEATING UNIT FOR STEAM GENERATING DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a heating unit for a steam generating device and a method for heating a main body.

Devices that heat rather than burn a substance to form inhaled vapor have become popular with consumers in recent years.

Such devices may use one of a number of different approaches to apply heat to a substance. One such approach is to simply provide a heating element that is energized to heat the element, the element in turn heating the material to generate steam.

There are several ways to generate steam. This includes the use of solid or semi-solid volatiles and liquid volatiles. How the evaporating substance is heated differs depending on whether the substance is solid or semi-solid, or whether the substance is liquid.

Regardless of the type of substance used, the amount of volatilized substance is consumed during use due to the volatilization of the volatilized substance during heating and passing through the device to the user. This may cause heating to be provided when the volatilized substance is completely exhausted, which may result in damage to the heating device or may result in ignition of the volatilized substance holding body, such as the cartridge.

When the vaporized substance is consumed, the body holding the device may become too hot, i.e. overheat when not enough volatilized matter is present to absorb the heat provided. This again can lead to damage to the main body and can occur at any stage during heating, but is especially noticeable when the evaporated substance is depleted from its maximum level.

These problems were previously solved by limiting the amount of heat provided. However, this leads to less reliable steam generation, which makes the use of the device unsatisfactory for the user.

The present invention seeks to prevent at least some of the above problems.

Brief description of the invention

According to the first aspect, a heating unit is provided for a steam generating device, wherein the heating unit comprises a heating device configured to heat when the main body is in use, the main body containing a vaporizable substance, while the heating unit is configured to supply power to the device in use heating to heat the body, wherein the volatilized substance is volatilized by heating, whereby the amount of the volatilized substance in the body decreases when heated;

a passage configured to ensure, in use, that a gaseous substance is drawn through the body; and a control device configured to monitor and store, using the amount of vaporized substance information, said amount of vaporized substance in the main body by determining the degree of previous use of the main body based on the stored time during which the main body was heated and/or the stored number of times of drawing in. gaseous substance through the main body during heating.

This allows the node and body to be periodically used by the user while keeping a record of the degree of use to which the body has been subjected by maintaining a usage record. This makes it possible to detect when the main body has reached the end of its use time, which means that the heating of the main body which no longer contains sufficient amounts of volatilized substance can be avoided, which may lead to the risk of damage due to heat or fire. The term gaseous substance is meant to include a substance such as air and air containing vapor, such as vapor from a vaporized substance, along with other gaseous substances and/or vapor.

The term vaporizable is understood to mean a substance from which steam can be generated. In general, steam can be generated by heating the fumes, but can be generated under other appropriate conditions. The vapor may be in the form of an aerosol; this means that the vaporized material may be an aerosol generating agent. The volatilized substance may itself become vapor under appropriate conditions (such as when heated, for example, above a threshold temperature), or one or more constituents of the volatilized substance may vaporize (or volatilize) to form vapor under appropriate conditions. Additionally, the volatilized substance may be a material saturated, impregnated, or intertwined with a constituent that volatilizes under appropriate conditions, or be a product that undergoes a transformation process or creates a material that becomes vaporized under appropriate conditions. More details regarding the volatilized substance are provided below.

The control device may perform any additional steps based on the stored information on the amount of vaporized material. Typically, the control device is further configured to set, when using the maximum amount of power supplied to the heating device, based on the stored amount of vaporized substance information and/or the stored relationship between the temperature information determined based on the monitored temperature during heating and the amount the power supplied to the heating device, or the power profile supplied to the heating device. By keeping a record of the amount of vaporized matter in the body, the value of the heating amount, also called the heating profile, which corresponds to the level of heat provided based on the power supplied to the heating device, can be adjusted according to the degree of use to which the body has been subjected. This makes it possible to provide sufficient heat to the body, minimizing the occurrence of damage caused by heat, since an appropriate amount of heat is provided for the degree of use to which the body has been subjected.

The maximum amount of power supplied to the heating device may be set to any suitable level. In general, the control device is configured to set, based on the amount of vaporized matter in the main body, the maximum amount of power supplied to the heating device to be lower for the main body with less vaporized matter than for the main body with more vaporized matter.

By using a lower amount of heat, when there is less volatilized material present, the risk of causing damage is reduced. This is because heat is absorbed by the evaporating material as it escapes, which prevents the rest of the body from overheating. As the amount of volatilized matter decreases, it becomes less able to absorb heat due to the reduced volume available for volatilization. Accordingly, by reducing the amount of heating, it is possible to control the amount of energy so that it remains close to the same amount related to the amount of the remaining volatilized substance.

When the previously unused body is provided for heating, information on the amount of volatilized substance for the unused body may be stored in the control device by any suitable means. Generally, the control device is configured to replace, using the stored volatilization amount information, with new volatilization amount information when the control device determines that the bulk is previously unused.

This reduces the amount of storage space required to store the volatilized amount information, which allows for a smaller storage capacity with a decrease in the amount of physical space required for storage. It also prevents stale information from being stored, making information storage more efficient without wasting available storage space on information that is no longer required.

The stored information can be replaced with new information by writing the new information to the location where the information is stored and then deleting the previously stored information. Alternatively, the stored information can be directly overwritten with new information, which results in the stored information being simultaneously erased by the new information being overwritten.

The control device is configured to, when the body is to be heated by the heating device, judge whether the body is previously unused when the user attempts to heat the body for the first time during a session, such as during the first puff of a session. This allows the controller to supply power to match the amount of heat needed for the new main body. Since this will be a higher amount of power than for the used body, it will allow the new body to heat up faster, allowing the assembly to reach full operating capacity as quickly as possible. This avoids delaying the user's ability to use the device.

The control device can provide and prevent heating at any point. As a rule, the control device is configured to prevent, when using the heating of the main body, when the amount of the volatilized substance in the main body is lower than a threshold value. This reduces the risk of causing damage when there is too little vaporized material left to absorb the heat provided to the body.

The threshold value below which the control device is configured to prevent heating of the main body may be the value when the gaseous substance has been drawn through the main body 3 to 30 times, or the main body has been heated for a total of 5 to 20 minutes, 10 to 15 min, 5 to 10 min, or 5 to 7 min. The presence of such a threshold value provides the desired protection for the user, the assembly and the body, especially for devices with a solid volatile substance, which are described in more detail below.

The vaporized substance may be semi-solid or liquid. As a rule, the vaporized substance

- 2 040428 is solid unless heat is applied. The use of a solid evaporator provides greater heat retention and less temperature fluctuation when heated.

Heating can be provided at any time and in accordance with any suitable schedule or times. In general, the control device is adapted to be applied by using heating when the gaseous substance is drawn through the main body and when the gaseous substance is not drawn through the main body. This prevents the temperature of the main body from falling below the volatilization temperature of the volatilized substance. This means that no additional time is required to reheat the volatilized substance to a temperature above its volatilization temperature when the user wishes to draw the gaseous substance through the body. This provides a faster supply of steam to the user as he seeks to draw steam from the assembly. In addition, it has been found to be more energy efficient to continue heating between pulls (and also during pulls) than to stop heating during pulls and then start heating again at the next pull. This, among other things, is especially true for devices with a solid vaporized substance.

Of course, the user can prevent or provide heating as they wish. This includes the user's choice that the node should be in operation for a period of time, and heating is carried out, as described above, during the period of time when the node is in operation.

The start and/or stop of heating can be provided in accordance with any event or schedule. Typically, the control device is operable to use heat only after receiving the first activating action and/or the control device is configured to stop when using heat after receiving the second activating action. This provides control to the user so that he can bring the node up when he is waiting to use the node and/or when he wants to stop using the node. This means that heating is only required at certain times and the controller has less need to constantly monitor the need for heating, which reduces the power consumption of the node. The first activation action and/or the second activation action may be provided by the user activating a button, such as a push button. The first activating action may be provided by opening the cover of the heating compartment by the user. The second activating action can be provided by closing the lid of the heating compartment. The lid may close automatically due to the fact that, as a rule, the lid is moved to the closed position, and in use, it can be kept from closing by the presence of the main body in the heating compartment. The second activating action may be a predetermined period, such as 1, 3, or 5 minutes, elapsed since the user has drawn steam from the assembly, such as by actively drawing air through the mouthpiece.

Additionally or alternatively, the device may further comprise a temperature sensor configured to monitor, in use, the temperature related to the heating in the main body. This provides direct monitoring of the main body to allow the assembly and control device to know and take into account the temperature.

The temperature sensor can be a thermistor or a thermocouple. For example, the temperature sensor may be a resistance thermometer, such as a resistance thermometer, which may use a platinum resistor as a sensing element. The platinum resistor may be a platinum film (eg, thin film) on a ceramic substrate that may be passivated with a glass coating. The temperature sensor may, for example, be a PT100 from Measurement Specialties, Inc. of the PTF line of sensors.

When a temperature sensor is present, the control device may be configured to receive, using temperature information from the temperature sensor, and stop heating if the body temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold. This reduces the risk of overheating of the main body, thereby improving user safety and further reducing the risk of damage to the assembly or body due to excess heat.

Also or alternatively, when a temperature sensor is present, the controller may determine that the bulk is previously unused based on data provided to the controller or any other means. Generally, the control device may be configured to determine, in use, that the main body is previously unused based on the stored relationship between the temperature information determined based on the monitored temperature during heating, the duration of operation of the main body, and the amount of power supplied to the heating device, or the power profile supplied to the heating device. This allows you to get the duration of the main part based on the ratio. This has the advantage that suitable heating is provided for the unused body, for example by preventing slower heating when a non-optimal amount of power is provided. It also allows a suitable remaining heating period and/or number of puffs to be stored to allow the user to apply the correct heat for

- 3 040428 period of use of the main part.

By profile of the power supplied to the heating device is meant the manner in which power is supplied to the heating device, for example in terms of the rate of change of the supplied power and/or the amount of time that power is supplied to the heating device. For example, the amount of power or the power delivery rate may be the same, but power may be supplied for a period of 1 second or a period of 3 seconds, which may cause the main body to be heated to a different temperature.

The node may be configured to obtain, in use, temperature information. The temperature information may be generated or determined by the control device of the heating unit, a temperature sensor or an external processing unit. The temperature information may be generated or determined by processing the monitored temperature, for example, by recording the monitored temperature over a predetermined period of time and analyzing the recorded monitored temperature for trends, including, for example, rate of change, increase, decrease, change, or a number of others. factors. The power consumption of the heating device and/or the power supplied to the heating device may also be monitored and/or recorded and/or determined by the heating device, control device or external processing unit.

The temperature information may include the monitored temperature itself or any other relevant information that can be obtained from the temperature monitoring. Typically, the temperature information includes the rate of change of the monitored temperature. The rate of temperature change allows you to know the rate at which the temperature of the main body increases. This has been found to be a useful piece of information for ascertaining the duration of the base body due to differences in how quickly the base body heats up as moisture levels in the base body decrease with use.

Additionally or alternatively, the temperature information may include the surface temperature of the body. Knowing the surface temperature of the main body is also helpful. The reason for this is that different types of main body have been found to heat up to different temperatures with the same amount of power being consumed. Thus, it contributes to the definition of the type of the body. Additionally, it helps to determine the duration of operation of the main body, because for a particular amount of power consumed, it has been found that the main body that has been in operation for more time reaches higher temperatures (surfaces) than the main body that has been in operation for less time.

One example of a monitored temperature may also be the surface temperature of the body.

After obtaining the temperature information, at least one condition may be determined based on the temperature information and the amount of power supplied to the heating device in the first power supply mode, based on the relationship held in the memory.

This allows the controller to decide in the next step how to heat up as quickly as possible, for example, the choice of heating profile in the late part of the first mode and/or the second mode can be determined based on the detected condition. Further, in the first power supply mode, a large amount of power is supplied in a short period. Thus, it is advantageous for the control device to determine at least one condition more simply and accurately within a short period.

Additionally, it may be possible to determine useful information based on the rate of increase of the detected temperature during the first energization while the main body is heated to the target temperature. For example, if the body contains a significant amount of water, such as more than 5%, then a decrease in the rate of increase in temperature (surface) of the body at about 100°C can be found, since the water present in the body begins to evaporate at about this temperature, resulting in to the consumption of energy for the evaporation of water, and not an increase in its temperature. The amount of water contained in the body may be indicative of the amount of time the body has been stored in an environment having significant humidity without the benefit of a protective package. This water content can also adversely affect the quality of the steam produced by the unit. Therefore, it may be appropriate to stop heating the main body and advise the user to dispose of the main body and replace it with a new, unused (e.g., unused) main body, or otherwise advise the user to wait until steam appears and continue heating the main body at a reduced temperature ( sufficient to evaporate all or most of the excess water) until most of the (excess) water has evaporated and then heat the bulk to operating temperature, etc. Other constituents may also be detected in this manner, or other characteristics of the main body may be determined based on a particular temperature rise profile.

The control device may determine that the body is previously unused on

- 4 040428 any stage. Generally, however, the control device is configured to determine in use whether the body is a previously unused body upon detecting the body placed to be heated by the heating device. This allows the body to be identified as unused as soon as possible, so that appropriate heating conditions can be applied immediately when the body is used. Of course, as a rule, heating is applied only when the node is in a heating state, for example, when the user has indicated that heating should be provided, for example, by providing a first activating action.

In addition, the detection of the body placed to be heated by the heating device can be determined by detecting the main body placed in the appropriate place for heating, for example, in the heating compartment of the heating device. Detection can be achieved using a sensor or switch that is configured to control when using a signal or send it to a control device when the body is removed from and/or placed in the appropriate location. This can be achieved, for example, by using a switch on the mouthpiece or lid of the heating chamber, whereby the switch sends a signal to the control device when the mouthpiece or lid is moved in order to place the body in the heating chamber. Namely, the sensor or switch may be located on that part of the heating device with which the user can interact when replacing the main part. Controlling the signal or sending it to the control device, when the main part is removed from the appropriate place and/or placed in it, can provide the first activating action.

Typically, the amount of vaporized material information may include the available remaining heating time and/or the remaining number of times that gaseous material can be drawn through the body during heating. The additionally stored vaporizing amount information can be used as vaporizing quantity information for the next heating session if the controller determines that the main body is the main body used in said next heating session. This allows previously stored body data to be used, reducing the analysis that needs to be done on the body to determine the remaining use time of the body.

Information about the amount of the evaporated substance can be stored anywhere. As a rule, the control device is configured to store information about the amount of vaporized substance in a memory device. The storage device may be located inside the heating unit. Alternatively, the storage device may be located outside the heating unit. In this case, the node may have a storage access device configured to be implemented using storage access. Storing information in the storage device allows the control device not to store information about the main part inside the control device or the node itself, which allows more storage space of the control device to be allocated for operation of the control device. This allows the control device to be used with less storage space, thereby making the control device physically smaller, and/or allows the control device to perform more functions while allocating storage space for functional aspects instead.

The assembly according to this aspect may refer to devices using a solid vaporizable substance, hereinafter referred to as solid vaporizer devices, instead of devices using a liquid vaporizer, hereinafter referred to as liquid vaporizer devices. Solid vaporizer devices produce steam by heating tobacco, tobacco products or other such solid vaporizers; in turn, devices with a liquid vaporized substance form vapor by heating the liquid.

In both types of devices, in order to use the device, the user draws steam from the device. This is referred to as puffing, as the device typically draws vapor from the mouthpiece. To form steam for a puff, the evaporated substance is heated. This is common between solid vaporizer devices and liquid vaporizer devices.

Users typically use the device for a period of time of their choice in which they take multiple puffs from the device, regardless of device type. This period of use of the device, in which one or more puffs are performed, is called a session. Each session, therefore, has a first puff at the start of the session and usually has additional puffs.

The energy requirements for the first puff are different for solid evaporative devices and for liquid evaporative devices.

One suggestion is that this is due to the ability of the liquid vaporizable to move towards the heating device during use so that only a small amount of liquid needs to be vaporized (ideally just enough for one puff), but this is not possible for solid vaporizers. substances; more heat needs to be provided to the heating device in the solid evaporator device in order to be able to heat a much larger amount of solid evaporable substance (eg the whole portion), which is also generally further away from the heating device. This, of course, requires more energy and time, since the heat must be transferred further away from the heating device. Thus, due to the smaller amount to be heated and the need to provide less heat, this means that such solid vaporizer devices generally require more power and time than a liquid vaporizer device to expel the first vapor during a puff. when the vaporized substance is heated from the same temperature (usually ambient temperature). As a confirmation of this, in general, devices with a solid evaporable substance currently need several seconds or more after the start of heating before steam is generated; in turn, devices with a liquid vaporized substance can generate steam almost simultaneously with the start of providing heating.

In general, in liquid vaporizer devices, power is supplied to the heating device only when the user is actively puffing from the device. On the other hand, it has been found that in solid volatile matter devices, power can be supplied to the heating device (in the case of the assembly according to the first aspect, to the heating device) at any time after the assembly is turned on.

Providing heating in this way means that after the evaporating substance reaches a temperature that leads to the evaporation of the substance, i.e. evaporating temperature or target operating temperature, for example after the first energization, steam continues to be generated regardless of whether the user takes a puff. It also allows the user to actively draw through the mouthpiece and receive steam at any time during the session, such as during the second power cycle. This is in line with the traditional cigarette.

Energy savings have been found to be achieved by providing continuous heating during a session. The reason for this is that it typically takes more energy to reheat a solid volatilization that has been allowed to cool below the target operating temperature than is necessary to maintain the target operating temperature of the solid volatilizable. Additionally, by maintaining the temperature for subsequent puffs, the user can draw vapor from the device, taking a puff at any time and without the wait that may be required for the first puff.

Accordingly, with respect to the first aspect, generally, the heating device is configured to be heated by using a volatilized substance during the period in which the user draws air through the mouthpiece of the assembly. In this case, the period refers to the session, which means the provision of heating during the entire duration of the session. However, in some circumstances, the period may only refer to the time during which the user actively draws air/gas/vapour/aerosol through the mouthpiece.

Because the user can choose when to actively draw from the device, the period between draws in a session is likely not constant. During a session, if the pause between draws is too long, the amount of energy consumed by the solid vaporizer device maintaining the vaporizer at the target operating temperature is greater than if the vaporizer is allowed to cool and reheat. As long as the break between times the user actively draws from the device is not too long, the power savings advantage discussed above is achieved. To avoid loss of efficiency gain, a session in the solid vaporizable device may be interrupted by stopping heating after a predetermined period, requiring the session to be restarted the next time the user wishes to draw from the device.

Accordingly, with respect to the first aspect, the heating device can be configured to stop when using heating of the evaporating substance if the period since the last time air was drawn through the mouthpiece by the user is longer than a predetermined period. The passage of air through the mouthpiece caused by the user can be detected by a sensor in the device, such as a temperature sensor, or a pressure sensor (such as a pressure-based puff sensor), or a flow sensor. For example, a temperature sensor can detect temperature fluctuations when a user causes air to pass through the mouthpiece (and heating chamber).

The heating unit may be an induction heating unit, the heating device may be an induction heating device, and the main body may further comprise an induction heated current collector, wherein the induction heating device is configured to be heated using an induction heated current collector of the main body, while the heating unit is configured to supply power when used on an induction heating device for heating an inductively heated pantograph; the temperature sensor is configured to monitor using a temperature related to the heat generated by the current collector, wherein the temperature information related to the heat generated by the current collector is determined based on the monitored temperature.

- 6 040428

When using induction heating, heat is generated inside the body and only when a current collector is present. Thus, heating is more efficient because heat is generated within the body instead of being transferred to the body, for example by conduction transfer from a heating device (which would also result in heating of components other than the body). Additionally, heating by induction improves safety, since no heat is generated without a suitable main body located in the heating compartment for heating. This also eliminates the use of unnecessary or inadvertent heating when a suitable body is not present in the heating compartment. The heating unit is configured to generate steam from the steam-generating solid material within 5 seconds, preferably 3 seconds, after the start of heating (i.e., within 3 seconds). Intermittent use of the device and induction heating have a synergistic effect. This is because induction heating generates steam quickly compared to other heating systems such as resistance heating, which means the user does not have to wait until heating resumes each time. The combination of the use of solid steam generating material and rapid heating thus achieves at the same time energy saving, efficient use of solid steam generating material, and limited waiting time for the user, which means that he can use the assembly more comfortably.

The current collector may comprise one or more, but not limited to, aluminum, iron, nickel, stainless steel, and their alloys, such as nichrome. When an electromagnetic field is applied near it, the pantograph can generate heat due to eddy currents and magnetic hysteresis losses, leading to the conversion of electromagnetic energy into thermal energy.

When using induction heating, the assembly may comprise an alternating electromagnetic field generator, for example, in the form of an induction heating coil, and associated control and power supply circuits that are operable when used to generate an alternating electromagnetic field having a magnetic flux density of approximately 0.5 Tesla (T) to approximately 2.0 T at the point of greatest concentration.

The power supply and the circuit can advantageously be configured to operate at a high frequency, whereby they can drive the induction heating coil of the heating device at such a high frequency. Preferably, the power supply and circuitry can be configured to operate at a frequency of about 80 to 500 kHz, preferably about 150 to 250 kHz, more preferably about 200 kHz. Preferably, in embodiments containing an induction heating coil, the power source drives the induction coil at the same frequency (i.e., about 80 to 500 kHz, preferably about 150 to 250 kHz, more preferably about 200 kHz).

While the induction coil, which is one form that an induction heating device can take, may comprise any suitable material; typically, the induction coil may comprise a high frequency stranded winding wire or a high frequency stranded winding cable.

The use of induction heating provides several technical advantages in embodiments in which it is used. For example, in embodiments that require the body to contain current collectors (as discussed above) for heating by the device, if the body is inserted into a device that does not contain a current collector (i.e., if an unsuitable body is inserted into the device, for example, erroneously), it can be easily determined that a suitable main body is not present in the device based on the relationship between the power supplied to the heating device and the temperature information related to heating on the main body.

Thus, in some embodiments, a suitable body may be provided with a current collector or current collectors having a predetermined resonant frequency. In such a case, it may be possible to distinguish between suitable and unsuitable main parts based on tracking and detecting relationships between power supplied to the heating device and temperature information when the alternating magnetic field generator generates alternating magnetic fields at a predetermined resonant frequency. In particular, in such a case, there is an expected range of rates at which the temperature must rise in order to determine a suitable body for heating. In particular, too low a heating rate indicates that the body does not contain a suitable substrate; in turn, too fast heating may indicate one of the fact that an unsuitable current collector is contained, the use time of the main part is too long, it has already been heated and thus the humidifier has ended, etc.

Any determination of the remaining amount of heating, or the remaining number of times gaseous matter can be drawn through the body during heating, may be based on the detected rate of temperature increase. However, as a rule, instead, the remaining amount of heating for the main part is based on the stored information about the amount of material to be evaporated. This may follow a determination of whether the bulk is used or unused based on the information stored in the node, allowing less power to be used to make such a determination.

- 7 040428

The heating device may have a first power supply mode and a second power supply mode, and in use, the heating device is configured to track and store information about the amount of vaporized substance before switching to the second power supply mode, for example, when it is in the first power supply mode. At this stage, the temperature of the body may be increased to a predetermined temperature and/or heating may be provided for a predetermined period while applying the predetermined power level to the heating device. Any tracking and heating may be performed in response to an activation action, such as in response to the first activation action described herein.

When in the second power supply mode, the heating device may be configured to maintain the body at a predetermined temperature and/or generate heat based on the predetermined power level, for example, due to the fact that the maximum amount of power allowed for the heating device is set. This application of various power supply modes and tracking allows you to determine whether the main body is used or unused before the device maintains the main body at a predetermined temperature. This means that the level of use can be determined and heat increased to an appropriate temperature can be supplied to the main body with a reduced risk of damage to the main body or assembly. When in the first power supply mode, the heating device may be configured to increase the temperature of the body.

During the period when the heating device is in the second power supply mode, information on the amount of vaporized substance can be monitored to take into account (for example, record) the degree of use of the main body. This tracking may be different from the tracking performed when the heating device is in the first power supply mode. This is because the monitoring carried out in the second power supply mode can be monitoring (stored) information on the amount of vaporized substance, which allows comparison with any current use of the node, resulting in heating of the main body. In other words, when the heating device is in the second power supply mode, the monitoring may be monitoring to record the reduction of the body vaporized substance during the session compared to the monitoring to determine the amount of the vaporized substance in the main body at the beginning of the session, which can be performed, when the heating device is in the first power supply mode according to the process described above. Of course, other steps can also be performed when the heating device is in any of the power supply modes.

Accordingly, the first power supply mode can be set to apply when used during the heating of the main body, and the second power supply mode can be set to apply when used after the first power supply mode is applied, so as to maintain the temperature of the main body in a predetermined temperature range; preferably, when the heating unit is in the first power supply mode, it is configured to supply at least 80 percent (%) of full power to the heating device. This allows at least one main part condition to be detected based on the power consumption and temperature information obtained while the node is running in one mode, but also provides for an additional mode where processing is not required to be performed corresponding to the definition of at least one main part condition. parts. Since the execution of the determination requires processing that consumes power, using a power supply mode that is not associated with the determination thereby reduces the power consumption associated with the specified determination.

After determining the amount of material to be evaporated in the body, the control device may be further configured to perform one of the following, based on the determined information of the amount of material to be evaporated, to prevent heating by the heating device, to update the information on the amount of material to be evaporated, and to initiate heating with the device. heating or initiating heating with a heating device. Typically, this can be achieved with a control device adapted to determine in use whether the body is a body unsuitable for use with the assembly, a suitable used body, or a suitable unused body, and after determining whether the body is an unsuitable part , a suitable unused body, or a suitable used body, the control device is further configured to perform, in use, based on said determination, one of the following:

if the body is determined to be an unsuitable body, preventing heating with the heating device, if the body is determined to be a suitable unused body, initiating heating with the heating device and replacing the stored volatilization amount information with new volatilization amount information, or if the main body is determined to be a suitable used main body, initiating heating with the heating device based on the stored information on the amount of vaporised matter.

This allows the heating unit to take an appropriate action based on the expected amount of remaining volatilized substance in the main body, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the device or the main body as a result of inappropriate action taking place for the amount of evaporating substance remaining in the main body. Additionally, this process may be performed when the heating device is in the first power supply mode, and may be at least part of the tracking that can be performed.

The term "body not suitable for use with the assembly" refers to the body with which the assembly is made incompatible. This can be a main body with special types of evaporating substances or, for example, made of special materials.

As defined herein, the body can be determined as used or unused, and a determination is made whether the body is a suitable or unsuitable body. Of course, determining whether the body is suitable or not may be determined separately from whether the body is used or not used, or may be determined simultaneously.

In this case, preventing heating may mean that heating already in progress is stopped or that heating is not started if it would otherwise start after execution of the determination (i.e., if the determination result were different).

According to a second aspect, a method for heating a body is provided, wherein the body contains a volatilized substance, the evaporating substance volatilizes when heated, the method comprising determining by a control device a degree of previous use of the body based on a stored time during which the body was heated, and/or the saved number of times the gaseous substance is drawn through the body during heating;

setting by the control device the maximum amount of power supplied to the heating device, based on the stored information about the amount of vaporized substance; and heating the main body by a heating device energized to heat the main body by providing a set maximum amount of power.

As in the case of the first aspect, this makes it possible to provide sufficient heat to the body, minimizing the occurrence of damage caused by heat, since an appropriate amount of heat is provided for the degree of use to which the body has been subjected. The term volatilization refers to the formation of steam or the direction to the formation of steam.

The method according to the second aspect may also include providing at the beginning of heating a predetermined power level for a predetermined period of time and monitoring the rate of temperature increase during the specified period of time, while the monitored rate is temperature information, and setting the remaining heating amount for the main part based on the use time of the main part, determined based on the ratio stored in the storage device.

The heating amount refers to the remaining heating amount of the main body before the use time of the main body is considered to have elapsed or the main body has been fully used. It is considered that the time of use has expired or the main part has been fully used when a predetermined amount of evaporating substance, for example, equal to zero, remains in the main part. The amount of heating can be measured by the amount of time remaining that the body can be heated under a predetermined condition, or the number of gaseous draws through the cartridge/body, also referred to as puffs, remaining before heating the body causes the use time to expire. main part.

Determination of the remaining amount of heating allows you to stop heating before further heating becomes dangerous or leads to burning or damage to the main part. This reduces the risk to the user and reduces the possibility of damage to the body holding device due to excessive use of the body.

Once the remaining heating amount is determined, the remaining heating amount may be stored in the memory and/or the control device, and preferably the remaining heating amount is monitored while the user is using the device (e.g., by heating), and the control device and/or the storage device can determine when the remaining heating amount has expired. This reduces the cases of overuse of the body, as well as burning or damage to it.

The tracked speed can also be used to determine whether the body is a heat device compatible body based on a relationship between the temperature information, the amount of power supplied to the heat device, and at least one condition; when the main body is determined to be compatible, heating continues, and when the main body is determined to be incompatible, heating is stopped. It also reduces the risk of injury and injury to the user of the heated body due to improper heating.

If heating is stopped due to an incompatible body, an indication may be provided to the user. This notifies the user to replace the main body. Heating may also be stopped when the remaining amount of heating is determined to be used.

The heating of the main body can be started and/or stopped by an activating action. This allows the user to better control the heat, which can extend the life of the main body. This activating action may be a first activating action or a second activating action as described above.

According to a third aspect, a steam generating device is provided, comprising: a heating unit according to the first aspect;

the main part containing the evaporated substance, while the main part is made with the possibility of heating the heating unit; and an air inlet and an air outlet having a passage therebetween for allowing a gaseous substance to pass through the main body during heating to provide air to the heating compartment.

The body (also referred to as the cartridge) may contain any suitable material. Typically, the cartridge contains a humectant or tobacco containing moisture, and preferably the cartridge is a disposable cartridge that expires upon use after consumption of a predetermined amount of at least one component of the cartridge. Such a humectant or tobacco may be a vaporizable substance.

The material to be evaporated may be any type of solid or semi-solid material. Exemplary types of vapor generating solids include powder, granules, grains, chips, filaments, porous material, or sheets. The substance may contain material of plant origin, in particular the substance may contain tobacco.

Preferably, the material to be vaporized may contain an aerosol generating agent. Examples of aerosol forming agents include polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof such as glycerol or propylene glycol. Typically, the volatilized material may have an aerosolizing agent content of from about 5% to about 50% by dry weight. Preferably, the vaporizable material may have an aerosolizing agent content of about 15% by dry weight.

Examples of solid materials that contain a liquid aerosolizing agent that are suitable for forming the body in embodiments of this invention include tobacco rods containing reconstituted tobacco paper sheets impregnated with a humectant, typically to an amount of humectant of about 20% by weight, wherein the humectant is typically glycerol or a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol, with finely ground tobacco particles with humectant added to form a paste or tobacco mousse, also formed from finely ground tobacco particles mixed with a humectant, but generally also containing a gelling agent and with levels humectant to about 40% by weight (preferably 20 to 40%), for example as described in pending patent application WO 2018/0122375. Using bases such as mousse with high levels of humectant (which are still dry enough around the surface to avoid contamination of surfaces they may come into contact with) makes certain embodiments advantageous because the type of such bases can be detected without the need to provide some form of paper wrapping or packaging for the main part to make its type determined by printed indication; thus, it is environmentally friendly in terms of minimizing excess packaging. Additionally, such base parts having a high humectant weight fraction are well suited to determine their state of use by measuring the rate of increase in their temperature when heated, since it can change significantly as the humectant is used up, especially for base parts such as mousse in which the humectant is used. almost completely consumed during vaping (ranging from about 40% by weight to closer to 0% by weight after a full vaping session).

When heated, the vaporized substance may release volatile compounds. The volatile compounds may contain nicotine or flavor compounds such as tobacco flavor.

The body may be a capsule which contains, in use, a volatile substance within an air-permeable shell. The breathable material may be a material that is electrically insulating and non-magnetic. The material may have high breathability to allow air to pass through the high temperature resistant material. Examples of suitable breathable materials include cellulose fibers, paper, cotton and silk. Breathable material can also act

- 10 040428 as a filter. Alternatively, the main part may be a volatilized substance wrapped in paper. Alternatively, the body may be a volatile substance retained within a material that is not breathable, but which contains appropriate perforations or holes to allow air to flow. Alternatively, the major part may be the vaporizable material itself. The main body may be formed substantially in the form of a handle.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a body or cartridge for use with any of the previous aspects, containing a vaporizable substance and adapted such that at least one condition, including the duration of the body or capsule, the type of body or capsule, or the presence of the body or capsule may be determined depending on the relationship between the power supplied to the heating device for heating the body or capsule and the temperature information related to heating the body or capsule. Preferably, the device may include providing a body having a percentage of evaporable liquid (preferably a humectant such as propylene glycol and/or glycerin, but may additionally contain other evaporable liquids such as water or ethanol, etc.) that is greater than 20 or 10 wt.% (100 wt.% equals the total weight of the liquid and the evaporated substance, such as tobacco, humectant and/or vegetable material) when the main part has not been in use or has a short use time, which is reduced by at least 4 wt.% when the body or capsule is heated for one session or left after being removed from the package associated with the body or capsule for more than a predetermined period of time (preferably at least 3 months) under predetermined environmental conditions. Most preferably, the vaporized liquid is reduced by at least 7% when heated during one session.

Adapting to the body or capsule for the purposes of the fourth aspect of the present invention may include providing a current collector in the body or capsule that has a heating efficiency that depends on the frequency of the driving alternating magnetic field such that it has a maximum heating efficiency at a first predetermined resonant frequency. , and it falls below a preset heating efficiency threshold of 50% of the maximum heating efficiency on both sides of the frequency band.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a set of main parts of the cartridges according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, which are packaged in a package adapted to prevent the percentage of vaporized liquid from falling below 3% by weight for a predetermined period of time, preferably at least one year, prior to opening. packaging (for example, by the consumer).

Brief description of the figures

An exemplary heating unit and exemplary processes are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures, in which FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary steam generating device;

in fig. 2 is an exploded view of a steam generating device according to the example shown in FIG. 1;

in fig. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary process; and in FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram of a further exemplary process.

Detailed description

An exemplary steam generating apparatus is described below, including a description of an exemplary induction heating assembly, exemplary induction heated cartridges, and exemplary current collectors. Although only induction heating is described below, there are other forms of heating, such as resistive heating, and they can be used in an exemplary steam generating apparatus instead of induction heating.

According to FIG. 1 and 2, an exemplary steam generating device is shown generally at 1 in the assembled configuration in FIG. 1 and the exploded configuration in FIG. 2.

An exemplary steam generating device 1 is a hand held device (by which is meant a device that a user can hold and support unaided with one hand) that has an induction heating assembly 10, an induction heated cartridge 20, and a mouthpiece 30. Steam is released by the cartridge when heating. Accordingly, steam is generated by using the induction heating unit to heat the induction heated cartridge. The user can then inhale the vapor through the mouthpiece.

In this example, the user inhales steam by drawing air into the device 1 from the environment through or around (each corresponding to, for example, typically a po value) the induction heated cartridge 20 and from the mouthpiece 30 while heating the cartridge. This is achieved by locating the cartridge in a heating chamber 12 which is formed by a portion of the induction heating assembly 10, and the chamber is in gaseous communication with an air inlet 14 provided in the assembly and an air outlet 32 in the mouthpiece when the device is assembled. This

- 11 040428 provides a passage through the assembly and allows air to be drawn through the device by applying negative pressure, which is usually created by the user by drawing air from the air outlet.

The cartridge 20 is the main part that contains the vaporized substance 22 and the inductively heated current collector 24. In this example, the vaporized substance contains one or more of tobacco, humectant, glycerin, and propylene glycol. The evaporated substance is also a solid. The pantograph contains a plurality of plates that are electrically conductive. In this example, the cartridge also has a layer or membrane 26 for containing the vaporized substance and a current collector, wherein the layer or membrane is breathable. In other examples, the membrane is not present.

As mentioned above, the induction heating unit 10 is used to heat the cartridge 20. The unit includes an induction heating device in the form of an induction coil 16 and a power source 18. The power supply and the induction coil are electrically connected so that power can be selectively transferred between the two components.

In this example, the induction coil 16 is substantially cylindrical, so that the shape of the induction heating unit 10 is also substantially cylindrical. The heating compartment 12 is formed radially inside the induction coil, with the base located at the axial end of the induction coil and the side walls located around the radially inner side of the induction coil. The heating compartment is open at the opposite base of the axial end of the induction coil. When the steam generating apparatus 1 is assembled, the opening is closed by the mouthpiece 30, with the opening to the air outlet 32 located near the opening of the heating compartment. In the example shown in the figures, the air inlet 14 has an opening into the heating compartment at the base of the heating compartment.

The temperature sensor 11 is located at the base of the heating compartment 12. Accordingly, the temperature sensor is located inside the heating compartment at the same axial end of the induction coil 16 as the base of the heating compartment. This means that when the cartridge 20 is located in the heating compartment and when the steam generating device 1 is assembled (in other words, when the steam generating device is in use or ready for use), the cartridge is bent around the temperature sensor. The reason for this is that in this example the temperature sensor does not pierce the membrane 26 of the cartridge due to its size and shape.

The temperature sensor 11 is electrically connected to the control device 13 located inside the induction heating unit 10 . The control device is also electrically connected to the induction coil 16 and the power supply 18 and is adapted to control in use the operation of the induction coil and the temperature sensor by determining when each of them is energized from the power supply.

An exemplary process as shown in FIG. 3 is described next. As mentioned above, to generate steam, the cartridge 20 is heated (step 101). This leads to volatilization of the evaporated substance.

Heating is achieved by converting the DC electrical current supplied from the power supply 18 into alternating current (AC), which in turn is applied to the induction coil 16. The current passes through the induction coil, resulting in the generation of a controlled electromagnetic field in the area near the coil. The generated electromagnetic field provides a source for an external current collector (in this case the cartridge current collector plates) to absorb electromagnetic energy and convert it into heat, thus achieving induction heating.

In more detail, power supplied to the induction coil 16 causes current to flow through the induction coil, resulting in the generation of an electromagnetic field. As mentioned above, the current supplied to the induction coil is alternating (AC) current. This results in the generation of heat within the cartridge, because when the cartridge is located in the heating compartment 12, it is understood that the plates of the current collector are placed (substantially) parallel to the radius of the induction coil 16, as shown in the figures, or at least have a length component parallel to the radius of the induction coil. coils. Accordingly, when alternating current is applied to the induction coil while the cartridge is located in the heating compartment, the arrangement of the current collector plates results in the induction of eddy currents in each plate due to the coupling of the electromagnetic field generated by the induction coil to each current collector plate. This results in the generation of heat in each plate through induction.

The plates of the cartridge 20 are in thermal contact with the vaporized substance 22, in this example by direct or indirect contact between each current collector plate and the vaporized substance. This means that when the current collector 24 is inductively heated by the induction coil 16 of the induction heating unit 10, heat is transferred from the current collector 24 to the vaporized substance 22 to heat the vaporized substance 22, causing it to volatilize to form steam.

When the temperature sensor 11 is in use, it monitors the temperature (step 102) by measuring the temperature on its surface. Each temperature measurement is sent to the control device 13 as an electrical signal. The control device can then process

- 12 040428 electrical signal for obtaining temperature information (step 103) related to the heat generated by the current collector. In this example, the temperature information includes one or more of the monitored temperature, the surface temperature of the cartridge 20 (which, as noted above, may be the monitored temperature), or the rate of temperature change.

The control device 13 can also monitor the amount of power supplied by the power source 18 to the induction coil 16.

In this example, the steam generating device 1 also has a memory 28. The memory stores data that reflects the relationship between the temperature information, the amount of power supplied to the induction coil 16, and at least one cartridge condition. Accordingly, the storage device contains the ratio. In this example, at least one condition is one or more of the duration of the cartridge 20, the type of cartridge, or the presence or absence of a cartridge in the heating compartment 12.

In an alternative example, the storage device is located on an external device or located in the cloud, which refers to a computer storage device with Internet access and processing resources that can be accessed on demand. In such a case, the steam generating device has a storage device that can access and interact with the storage device.

In use, the controller 13 may access the memory 28 (step 104) to retrieve sufficient information to be able to determine (step 105) at least one condition of the cartridge 20 based on the ratio by performing processing using the temperature information and the amount of power that is fed to the induction coil 16.

As an example of the ratio for a cartridge containing tobacco, when heated, the tobacco in the cartridge generates an aerosol. Simultaneously with the generation of the aerosol, the moisture level of the tobacco decreases due to the generation of the aerosol. Therefore, tobacco stored in an unused cartridge and tobacco stored in a used cartridge have different moisture levels, which can be determined by the amount of humectant (eg, considering an aerosolizing agent) and water. This has an effect on the rate of temperature change as the cartridge heats up. For a used capsule, due to the reduced moisture level, such a cartridge heats up faster than an unused cartridge heated under the same conditions, so the rate of temperature change is greater for a used cartridge than for an unused cartridge. Likewise, the amount of power required to heat a used cartridge to a specific temperature is less than for an unused cartridge. This of course also means that a used cartridge can be heated to a higher temperature than an unused cartridge if the same amount of power is applied to the induction coil to provide heating.

An additional example of a relationship is that the type of cartridge being heated can be determined. Due to differences between types of cartridge, such as differences in the design of different types of cartridge, supplying a specific amount of power to heat the cartridge causes different types of cartridge to be heated to different temperatures. Thus, if the surface temperature of the cartridge is in one temperature range or below a particular temperature threshold, the cartridge can be defined as one type of cartridge; if the surface temperature of the cartridge is in the second temperature range or between two temperature thresholds, then the cartridge may be defined as a cartridge of the second type; if the surface temperature of the cartridge is in a third temperature range, between two additional temperature thresholds, or below or above the additional temperature threshold, then the cartridge may be determined to be an additional type of cartridge.

Another example of a relationship is that the presence of a cartridge in the heating compartment can be determined. In this example, if power is applied to the induction coil and the temperature remains below the temperature threshold, then there is no cartridge. On the other hand, if power is applied to the induction coil and the temperature rises to or above the temperature threshold, then the cartridge is present. This aspect of the relationship exists because heat is generated by the current collector in the cartridge, so if there is no cartridge in the heating compartment, no heat is generated because there is no current collector to generate heat; in turn, if the cartridge is present, then there is also a current collector for generating heat.

Of course, all three examples of the ratio described above can be defined simultaneously. For example, if the cartridge is not present, then the temperature that can be monitored is below the first threshold temperature. If the temperature is between the first threshold temperature and the second threshold temperature, which is a higher temperature than the first threshold temperature, then the cartridge is an unused cartridge of the first type. If the temperature is between the second threshold temperature and the third threshold temperature, which is a higher temperature than the second threshold temperature, the cartridge is an unused cartridge of the second type. If the temperature is between the third threshold temperature and

- 13 040428 a fourth threshold temperature which is higher than the third threshold temperature, then the cartridge is an unused cartridge of the third cartridge type. If the temperature is above the fourth threshold temperature, then the cartridge is a used cartridge.

After at least one condition of the cartridge 20 is determined, the controller 13 selects the next action (step 106) to be performed by the vapor generating device 1 based on the at least one condition. An example of the next action is to prevent the induction coil 16 from being energized if the cartridge is in use. This prevents the use of cartridges that are no longer suitable for heating. Of course, the cartridge can be used more than once before being identified as a used cartridge. The extent to which a cartridge is used before it is considered no longer suitable is determined, for example, by a predetermined threshold temperature for used cartridges, and when the cartridge reaches that temperature when heated from ambient temperature, the cartridge is considered used. This allows the cartridges to be used for an extended period before they are considered no longer suitable for heating.

Of course, if the cartridge 20 is determined to be unused, then the controller chooses to next act to energize the induction coil 16 as needed.

In some examples, the device 1 that generates steam has an indicator or display (not shown) that indicates to the user at least one condition of the cartridge 20, determined by the device 13 control.

The user can use the device at his own discretion. As stated above, use of the device is achieved by the user drawing air through the passageways of the device and out of the mouthpiece, causing the air (ie, gaseous matter) of the vapor generated in the heating chamber to be drawn into the user's mouth. In some examples, a user's pull on the mouthpiece will act as a trigger event to start heating, and in other examples, another trigger action is provided to start heating, such as pressing a button.

Regardless of any activating event, some uses by the user will be close to each other, for example, during the period when a regular cigarette is burned, or a similar period of time, and some uses will be separated by significant periods of time, such as up to 15, 30, 60 min or more. These two categories of use can generally be divided into sequential use relative to usage pattern, where usages are close to each other, and inconsistent usage relative to usage pattern, where usage is separated by a significant period of time. Sequential use is a use that typically refers to a single session of use of a steam generating device, with non-sequential use being performed over multiple sessions.

A session is generally meant to refer to a period of time during which a user can use a device within a short period of time. Therefore, this is the period during which the device must be able to provide steam to the user in direct response to the user's draw on the mouthpiece. In some examples, each session may be limited to an activating event resulting in the session (and any associated heating) starting or stopping.

During a session for the steam generating device described above, in some examples, heating is provided for the duration of the session (including when the user draws air through the device and when he does not draw air through the device). On the other hand, heat is not provided between sessions, which means that any response to the user in the form of providing steam can be mediated, for example, by an activating event, and not simply as a result of user retraction on the device.

Having the device operational (eg, providing or being ready to provide heat) during a session and idle between sessions reduces the power consumption of the device. To enhance this benefit, in some examples, the device is configured to terminate the session when the user has not puffed on the device for a predetermined period of time. This allows for further energy savings and reduces the depletion of vaporized matter from the cartridge when the user is not puffing on the device.

In FIG. 4 shows an example of a process that can be performed using the steam generating device described above. When the user starts a session using the device, the heating process starts with an activating event (step 201). The activating event may, for example, be a button press by the user. In other examples, the activating action may be one of a number of events. One such event, in some examples, is the removal of the cartridge from or the placement of the cartridge in the heating chamber of the vapor generating device.

In this case, in use, the user removes the cartridge from the heating compartment of the steam generating device when it is no longer needed. The user then inserts the cartridge into the heating compartment. To achieve this, the mouthpiece is detached from the rest of the body.

- 14 040428 device generating steam. This causes the heating compartment to open and the user to gain access to the cartridge. The user then pulls the cartridge out of the heating compartment.

The user then places the cartridge in the heating compartment and the mouthpiece is reattached to the rest of the main body of the vapor generating device.

In embodiments where the mouthpiece is replaced by a lid (not shown) or a heating compartment lid is provided in addition to the mouthpiece at an alternative location to the mouthpiece, the lid can be rotated back and forth to open and close the compartment, with the cartridge being removed instead of detaching the mouthpiece. out of the chamber by opening the cover and pulling the cartridge by the user through the opening on which the cover is located; said opening is, of course, in communication with the heating compartment. The alternative cartridge may then be inserted into the chamber by insertion through said opening. The lid is then closed. In some alternative cases, where the cartridge has a mouthpiece similar to a conventional cigarette, the cap remains open during the time the cartridge is located in the heating compartment.

As mentioned above, the activating action may be one of several events, with one such event being the removal/insertion of the cartridge from/into the heating compartment. Taking this example, in some instances, the activation action is the opening/closing of the heating compartment, when this is detected (for example, by a sensor in the steam generating device), the control device is adapted to start the heating process as described above.

A session may be a session that uses a cartridge that has been previously used, or it may be a cartridge that has not been used, such as a new cartridge or a cartridge that is being used in a device for the first time. In case the session is a session that uses a cartridge that was previously used in the heater compartment of the device, the start of the session may be referred to as re-starting the session. If the session is a session that uses a cartridge that has not previously been used in the heater compartment, and thus is new to the device, then the start of the session may be referred to as the start of the session.

In the context of session start, the terms start and restart are used interchangeably. Thus, whether the session is started or restarted as mentioned above, the heating process starts. By a process such as the process outlined above with respect to FIG. 3, the cartridge type is detected (step 202). It allows you to determine if the cartridge is a used cartridge, a new cartridge and/or the wrong type of cartridge for the vapor generating device.

If the detected cartridge type is not suitable for the device for any reason, heating is stopped and the device provides an indication to the user (step 203). In this example, the indication could be provided as a message on the display, such as a message saying: Please insert a new cartridge.

When the cartridge type is determined to be a suitable cartridge type (i.e., the cartridge is not determined to be of the wrong type or is not suitable) and the cartridge is determined to be a new (i.e., unused) cartridge, the remaining heating time or the number of puffs remaining for the cartridge is stored in a storage device accessible to the controller based on the detected cartridge type (step 204). If the storage device contains previously stored information of this type, it is overwritten at this stage. This information may be inferred by the control device based on the fact that the cartridge is a new cartridge of the correct type for use with the vapor generating device, or may be determined using a process. Such a process is described in more detail below.

After this step, or when the cartridge is instead found to be a used cartridge (and not determined to be of the wrong type), heat is applied based on the amount of heat time remaining and/or puffs remaining (step 205).

In one example, this involves determining the current type of cartridge by a storage device available to the device being tested to determine the remaining amount of time or number of puffs for the cartridge present in the device. Once this determination is made, the amount of power provided for heating is limited to a predetermined amount based on the determination based on the remaining or still available amount of time or puffs for that cartridge. This therefore corresponds to the amount of power that must be applied to a particular type of cartridge; thus, the maximum power level is set to ensure heating up to the preset temperature.

An illustration of this definition can be seen in the hypothetical example of maximum nutrition, target temperature, and relative rate of temperature change for starting/restarting the heating process, as shown in Table 1. 1 below.

An illustration of this definition can be seen from a hypothetical example for cartridges previously present in the device, the relationship between session time or number of puffs corresponding to maximum power and the resulting target temperature in the process.

- 15 040428 restarting the heating shown in the table. 1 below.

Table 1

Cumulative heat-up time elapsed before restart (e.g. minutes), or cumulative puffs that occurred before restart Maximum power applied at restart (%) Target temperature (°C) 1 15 130 2 10 130 3 7.5 130 4 5 130 5 2.5 130

An additional hypothetical example of the relationship between maximum power, target temperature, and relative rate of temperature change for starting/restarting the heating process is shown in Table 1. 2 below.

table 2

Maximum power applied at start/restart (%) Target temperature (°C) Rate of change temperature at start/restart at known (low) power (°C/s) 15 130 10 10 130 20 7.5 130 thirty 5 130 40 2.5 130 50

The rate of change of relative temperature in table. 2 corresponds to the rate of increase in cartridge temperature. This is a consequence of the applied maximum, i.e. limited power while allowing the cartridge to reach the target temperature and/or maintain the target temperature.

As for the table. 2, a rate of temperature change, such as 10 degrees Celsius per second (°C/s), indicates that a relatively large amount of humectant is present in the cartridge compared to when the rate of temperature change is 50°C/s. This means that for a temperature change rate of 10°C/s, the appropriate maximum power level for the application will be relatively large (e.g., 15% of the maximum power output of the heating device) compared to the suitable maximum power level when the temperature change rate is, for example , 50°С/s.

Taking into account the table. 1, it can be seen that the cumulative amount of heating time elapsed so far affects the maximum power that will be applied because if the cumulative time is longer, the maximum power level is lower. However, it is still possible to reach the target temperature by setting the appropriate maximum power.

With the help of the examples given in Table. 1 and 2, the maximum power to be applied can be determined. For example from Table. 1 this can be achieved by monitoring the rate of change of temperature with a known nutrition and determining the maximum nutritional level to be applied based on the value(s) read from the storage device, compared(s) to a look-up table or database of values. , similar to the values of Table. 2. For an example from table. 1 determining the maximum power can be achieved by reading the elapsed cumulative time or cumulative number of puffs (or the remaining time or number of puffs) from the memory device and determining the maximum power level to apply based on the value(s) read from the memory device being compared (s) with a lookup table or database with values similar to those in Table. 1. This process corresponds to the process outlined in FIG. 3, with the selection of the next action based on the determined at least one condition in step 106 corresponding to the next action, which is the maximum power setting.

These examples are also a process that can be used to determine the number of puffs remaining or the total remaining heat time for a new cartridge.

As the session continues, the device transitions from the step of determining which maximum power is being applied to the normal heating operating mode, with the normal heating operating mode corresponding in some embodiments to the second powering mode described above. At this time, a certain maximum nutritional level is applied, suitable for

- 16 040428 cartridges. The maximum power level to provide heat can then be adjusted based on the condition of the cartridge as it changes, if needed. This adjustment of the heating profile is based, for example, as explained above, on the remaining time or the remaining number of puffs available to the cartridge, and is achieved by checking the storage device that can be accessed by the device to determine the appropriate amount of power to be applied to the cartridge. with the same usage time/number of puffs remaining.

The use of a cartridge under heat and the drawing of a gaseous substance through the cartridge when using a vapor generating device by the user results in a reduction in the remaining heating time and the number of puffs remaining. In this example, this decrease is monitored so that the remaining heating time and remaining puffs are known.

Thus, simultaneously with the continuation of the normal operating heating mode, the time remaining to heat the cartridge and/or the number of puffs for the cartridge are monitored, while heating continues to be applied. A check is made to determine if the remaining time or remaining puffs have reached zero (step 206). If the remaining time or remaining puffs has reached zero, heating is stopped and the device provides an indication to the user (step 203). The indication to the user may be the same as when the cartridge type is found to be inappropriate for the device.

If the remaining time or number of puffs has not reached zero, a safety check is performed (step 207). This is to avoid not detecting a change in the cartridge and placing an empty cartridge in the device in place of, for example, a partially used cartridge. In some examples, this includes monitoring the temperature of the cartridge using a temperature sensor, and determining by the control device whether the temperature indicated by the data output from the temperature sensor corresponds to the expected temperature of the type of cartridge (for example, by duration of operation) that the device determines to be present based on the process outlined above, or above the expected temperature.

The expected temperature that the cartridge should have may correspond to the stored temperature range for which cartridges suitable for the device are intended to be used. If the temperature is higher than expected, i.e. If it is above a pre-set temperature threshold (for example, the upper value of the stored temperature range), this indicates that the cartridge is overheating and may be damaged. As such, if this is detected by the security check, heating is stopped and the device provides an indication to the user (step 203). The indication to the user may be the same as when the cartridge type is found to be inappropriate for the device.

If the cartridge is considered safe for continued use by the safety check, an additional check is made to ensure that the activation action to stop the heating process has been taken (step 208). In some examples, the stop activating action is provided by pressing a button by the user, which may be the same button as the button that provides the start activating action. If a stop activation action is received, heating is stopped (step 209). If no stop activating action is taken, then the process continues cycling back to check if the remaining time or number of puffs is zero, at step 206.

When the heating is stopped, the remaining amount of heating time and/or the remaining number of puffs are stored in memory, allowing them to be used when restarting a new session if the current cartridge has not been replaced. After stopping the heating, the entire process can be restarted when the next start activating action is taken.

As stated above, each cartridge used with the vapor generating device described above contains a volume of material to be vaporized. This volume is the highest when the cartridge is new. The volume then decreases as the vaporizable material in the cartridge is depleted during use of the cartridge. In some examples, the cartridge is determined by the control device to be the wrong type of cartridge when the amount of vaporized substance is output as being below a predetermined threshold value. This threshold may refer to the number of puffs remaining, or the amount of heating time remaining, or the reciprocal of the number of puffs the cartridge has been subjected to, or the cumulative amount of time the cartridge has been heated. In some examples, the threshold is 3 to 30 puffs and/or 5 to 20 minutes of total heat up time. By cumulative heating time is meant the total amount of time that heating has been applied, which can last for several sessions depending on how the cartridge and vapor generating device are used.

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Claims (17)

CLAIM 1. A heating unit for a device that generates steam, wherein the heating unit comprises a heating device configured to heat when using the main part, while the main part contains a vaporizable substance, and the heating unit is configured to supply power when used to the heating device to heat the main a part, wherein the heating device has a channel configured to cause, in use, a gaseous substance to be drawn through the main body, and the volatilized substance volatilizes when heated, whereby the amount of volatilized substance in the body decreases when heated; means for tracking and storing information on the amount of vaporized substance in the main body by determining the degree of previous use of the main body based on the stored time during which the main body was heated and/or the stored number of times the gaseous substance was drawn through the main body during heating; and a control device configured to control the heating device and set the power level supplied to the heating device based on said information on the amount of vaporized substance, so that the power level supplied to the heating device is lower when there is less vaporized substance in the body, than when there is a larger amount of evaporated substance in it. 2. The heating unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device is further configured to set, using the power level supplied to the heating device, also based on the stored relationship between the temperature information determined based on the monitored temperature during heating, and the amount of power supplied to the heating device, or the profile of the power supplied to the heating device. 3. The heating unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control device is configured to replace, when using the stored information on the amount of evaporated substance, new information on the amount of evaporated substance, when the control device determines that the main part is previously unused. 4. The heating unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device is configured to prevent, when using the heating of the main body, when the amount of vaporized substance in the main body is below a threshold value. 5. The heating unit according to claim 4, characterized in that the threshold value, below which the control device is configured to stop heating the main body, is the value when the gaseous substance was drawn through the main body from 3 to 30 times or the main body was heated in total for 5 to 20 minutes. 6. Heating unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vaporized substance is a solid. 7. Heating unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device is adapted to be used when heating is used when the gaseous substance is drawn through the main body and when the gaseous substance is not drawn through the body. 8. The heating unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device is configured to ensure, when heating is used, only after receiving the first activating action and / or the control device is configured to stop when using heat after receiving the second activating action. 9. The heating unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a temperature sensor configured to monitor using a temperature related to heating in the main body. 10. The heating unit according to claim 9, characterized in that the control device is configured to receive, using temperature information from the temperature sensor and stop heating if the temperature of the main body exceeds a predetermined threshold value. 11. The heating unit according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the control device is configured to determine, in use, whether the body is previously unused, based on the stored relationship between the temperature information determined based on the monitored temperature during heating, duration operation of the main body and the amount of power supplied to the heating device, or the profile of the power supplied to the heating device. 12. The heating unit according to claim 11, characterized in that the control device is configured to determine, in use, whether the body is a previously unused body when detecting the body placed to be heated by the heating device. 13. The heating unit according to any of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that information about the amount - 18 040428 vaporized substance contains the available remaining heating time and/or the remaining number of times that the gaseous substance can be drawn through the body during heating. 14. The heating unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device is configured to store information about the amount of evaporated substance in a memory device. 15. The heating unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device is adapted to determine in use whether the body is a body unsuitable for use with the unit, a suitable used body or a suitable unused body, and after determining whether it is body with an unsuitable body, a suitable unused body, or a suitable used body, the control device is further configured to perform, in use, based on said definition, one of the following: if the body is determined to be an unsuitable body, preventing heating with the heating device, if the body is determined to be a suitable unused body, initiating heating with the heating device and replacing the stored volatilization amount information with new volatilization amount information, or if the main part is determined as a suitable used main part, initiation of heating by the heating device based on the stored information about the amount of vaporized substance. 16. A method for heating a body using a heating unit according to claim 1, wherein the body contains a volatilized substance, the evaporating substance volatilizes when heated, the method comprising determining the degree of previous use of the body based on the stored time during which the body was heated part, and/or the saved number of times the gaseous substance is drawn through the main part during heating; the setting by the control device of the power level supplied to the heating device, based on the stored amount of vaporized substance in the main body, so that the power level supplied to the heating device is lower when there is less vaporized substance in the main body than when there is more vaporized substance in it substances; and heating the body by a heating device that is supplied with power to heat the body by providing a set power level. 17. A device that generates steam, containing the heating unit according to any one of paragraphs.1-15; the main part containing the evaporated substance, while the main part is made with the possibility of heating the heating unit; an air inlet, an air outlet, and a passage connecting them, for allowing the use of a gaseous substance to pass through the body during heating to provide air to the heating compartment. -