EA043095B1 - HEATING UNIT FOR STEAM GENERATING DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a heating unit for a steam generating device.

Devices that heat rather than burn, vapor-producing substances, 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 heats the material to generate steam.

Although there are a number of ways to generate steam, one way to achieve such steam generation is to provide a steam generating device that uses an induction heating approach. In such a device, an induction coil (hereinafter also referred to as an inductor and an induction heating device) is provided in the device, and a current collector is provided in the steam generating substance. Electricity is applied to the inductor when the user activates the device, which in turn generates an electromagnetic (EM) field. The current collector interacts with the field and generates heat, which is transferred to the substance, and as the substance heats up, steam is formed.

The use of induction heating for steam generation has the potential to provide controlled heating and therefore controlled steam generation. However, in practice, such an approach may lead to obtaining unsuitable temperatures in the substance for generating steam in an unknown way. This may waste energy, making it expensive to operate and risk damaging components, or render the steam generation agent inefficient, inconvenient for users who rely on a simple and reliable device. These problems also arise when steam is generated by heating other than induction heating.

This was previously eliminated by monitoring and controlling temperatures in the device. However, performance and how efficiently steam can be generated are also affected by factors other than temperature alone, such as age.

The present invention seeks to mitigate 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, in use, the main part, the main part containing a vaporizable substance located, in use, in the heating compartment of the heating unit, moreover, the heating unit is configured to supply power, in use, to the heating device to heat the main part or is configured to supply power, in use, based on a predetermined power supply profile, while said power supply profile is configured to provide a predetermined heating profile for the main part; a temperature sensor configured to monitor, in use, a temperature related to the heating on the body, wherein temperature information related to the heating on the body can be determined based on the monitored temperature; and a storage device access device configured to access, in use, a storage device that contains a relationship between the temperature information, the amount of power that is supplied to the heating device, or the power profile that is supplied to the heating device, and at least at least one condition, wherein at least one condition includes the service life of the main part or the type of the main part, or the presence of the main part.

This allows you to determine the characteristics of the main body based on power consumption and monitored temperature. These characteristics have been found to affect the performance of the assembly (eg, the device together with the body) during use. Accordingly, the ability to determine the performance of the body allows the used body to be replaced with an unused body before or when the performance of the used body has reached a stage where performance, efficiency and safety of the assembly deteriorate. It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the stored ratio data may not explicitly or explicitly refer to a condition such as body life, or body type, or presence of body. However, as long as the ratio data is substantially related to a specific relationship between the temperature information and the amount of power supplied to the heating device, which corresponds to the life of the main part or the type of the main part, or the presence of the main part, such embodiments naturally considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

The power profile applied to the heating device refers to the way in which power is supplied to the heating device, for example, taking into account the rate of change of the supplied power and/or the time range during which power is supplied to the heating device. For example, the amount of food or the speed of food delivery may be the same, but the food may

- 1 043095 be applied for a period of 1 s, or for a period of 3 s, which can lead to heating of the main body to a different temperature. By using a profile of the power supplied to the heating device to allow at least one body condition to be registered, it is possible to apply a predetermined heating amount or heating profile to the body during its use that is suitable for said at least one body condition. The heating profile, for example, may correspond to heating the body to a predetermined temperature at a predetermined rate of temperature increase or for a predetermined time.

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.

Preferably the vaporizable substance is a solid or semi-solid material, the main body thus contains a vaporizable substance of solid or semi-solid material.

The node may be configured to receive, 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 establishing body life due to differences in how quickly the body warms up as humidity levels in the 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. In addition, it helps to determine the life of the body, because for a particular amount of power consumed, it was found that the body with a long life reaches higher temperatures (surfaces) than the body with a shorter life.

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

At least one condition can be determined based on information about the temperature and the amount of power that is supplied to the heating device, or the profile of the power that is supplied to the heating device, based on the ratio contained in the memory device.

At least one condition may be determined based on any aspect of the temperature information. For example, if the heating profile corresponds to heating the body to a predetermined temperature (which may correspond to the temperature information) based on the heating profile (eg, the profile of the power supplied to the heating device), at least one condition may be registered.

Generally, at least one condition can be determined based on the threshold temperature for the temperature information, and preferably there are a plurality of threshold temperatures: at least one threshold temperature determining the service life of the main body, at least one threshold temperature determining the type of the main body , and at least one threshold temperature that determines the presence of the main part.

It has been found that the threshold temperature that the body potentially reaches allows a distinction to be made between the characteristics of the body. Setting a threshold simplifies the definition of at least one body condition because it allows a choice between two options. This reduces the amount of processing that needs to be done to determine at least one condition, hence reducing the amount of power that is required to determine at least one condition.

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In certain embodiments, only one of the at least one condition is determined at any one time. However, as a rule, at least two of the service life of the main part, the type of the main part and the presence of the main part are determined simultaneously. This makes detection more efficient, as multiple conditions can be defined in the same definition process. This reduces the amount of power used to determine multiple conditions, thus saving power.

The steam generating device may further comprise a control device configured to determine, in use, temperature information related to heating on the body.

The controller may use the temperature information in any manner deemed appropriate. Typically, based on the temperature information, the control device is configured to determine, when used, the next action of the heating unit. This allows a feedback loop to be established, which means that the controller can respond to actual temperature information and adjust the operation of the node in response to any registered changes. This has the advantage of more efficient power consumption since only minimal adjustments need to be made during use, requiring low levels of power consumption or small changes in power consumption instead of large changes due to an extreme situation that requires a large amount of power to be supplied.

The next action may be any action that can be performed by the control device or node. Generally, based on the ratio contained in the storage device, the control device is configured to prevent, in use, supplying power to the heating device when the life of the main part is greater than the threshold life, and is configured to supply power, in use, to the heating device when the life of the main body is less than the threshold life, or when the type of the main body is determined to be an unsuitable type. This reduces power consumption and improves safety, since a suitable lifetime can be set as the threshold lifetime, at which the temperatures to which the main body is heated are kept within levels that are safe for the user and do not damage the assembly, and also exclude any situations. inefficient heating that may occur after the service life of the main part increases.

The node may operate in any suitable manner. Generally, the heating unit has a first power supply mode and a second power supply mode, wherein the first power supply mode is set to apply, on use, during heating of the body, and the second power supply mode is set to apply, on use, after use. a first power supply mode to maintain the temperature of the main body in a predetermined temperature range; preferably, when it is in the first power supply mode, the heating unit is configured to supply at least 80% of full power to the heating device. This allows at least one main part condition to be registered based on the power consumption and temperature information obtained while the node is operating in one mode, but also provides for an additional mode if processing is to be performed corresponding to the definition of at least one main part condition. Since performing a determination requires processing that consumes power, using a power supply mode that is not associated with conducting a determination thereby reduces the power consumption associated with said determination.

It also allows the user to enjoy smoking as soon as possible after starting to use the device (eg, attempting to puff from the device) and allows the device to be maintained within a pre-set temperature after the temperature reaches the pre-set temperature while consuming power efficiently.

This means that 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 generate steam by heating tobacco, tobacco products, or other such solid vaporizers, while liquid vaporizer devices produce steam by heating a 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 obtain 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 choosing 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 beginning of the session and usually has additional puffs.

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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 vaporizer to move towards the heating device during use so that only a small amount of liquid needs to be vaporized (ideally enough for one puff), but this is not possible for solid vaporizers; 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 evaporator (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 from the heating device. This means that in such solid vaporizer devices, in general, more power and time is required than for a liquid vaporizer device to expel the first vapor during a puff when the vaporizer is heated from the same temperature (usually ambient temperature). As a confirmation of this, in general, solid evaporator devices currently need a few seconds or more after the start of heating before generating steam, in turn, liquid evaporator devices 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. By providing heating in this way, this 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 the 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 while puffing at any time without having to wait to do anything for the first puff.

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

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, or the power profile supplied to the heating device, based on the ratio contained 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 of time. Thus, it is advantageous for the control device to determine at least one condition more simply and accurately within a short period of time.

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 approximately 100°C can be recorded, since the water present in the body begins to evaporate at about this temperature, resulting to energy consumption with 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 protective packaging. 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. Other constituents may also be recorded in this way, or other characteristics of the main body may be determined based on a particular temperature rise profile.

The first power supply mode can be configured to apply at any time. Typically, the first power supply mode is configured to be applied in response to an activation action, the activation action being determined based on a change in monitored temperature or a switch state change caused by a user action, such as moving to replace a main body (e.g., opening a compartment cover) or turning on to start a smoking session. This allows the first power supply mode to be used when the main body is first heated after being placed in the heating compartment. This is useful because information about the main body is collected as quickly as possible instead of being collected after use, when certainty about the condition of the main body when first inserted into the heating compartment is reduced. The control device may be configured to apply, when used, an appropriate power supply mode in response to an actuating action or in response to a predetermined sequence, for example, the second power mode is applied after the first power mode is applied, preferably when predefined conditions occur, such as those mentioned above. The activating action may indicate a change in the main body in the heating compartment.

The heating unit may further comprise an indicator configured to display when using at least one parameter from the registered at least one parameter. This allows the user to be aware of the condition of the body that is being used and enhances his awareness of the experience he is able to achieve with the body currently in use and how this may affect the use and safety of the device.

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 heat, when using, the induction heated current collector of the main part, while the heating unit is made with the possibility of supplying power, in use, to the induction heating device for heating the inductively heated pantograph; the temperature sensor is configured to monitor, in use, 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.

When using induction heating, heat is generated within the main body, and only when a pantograph 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). In addition, heating by induction improves safety, since heat is not 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 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 configured to operate, when used, to generate an alternating electromagnetic field having a magnetic flux density of approximately 0, 5 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 kHz to 500 kHz, preferably about 150 kHz 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 kHz to 500 kHz, preferably about 150 kHz to 250 kHz, more preferably about 200 kHz).

Although the induction coil, which is one form that the induction heating device can take, may contain any suitable material, in general, 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 missing from 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 monitoring and recording the relationship 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 main body does not contain a suitable substrate, in turn, too fast heating may indicate that either an unsuitable current collector is contained, or the life of the main part is too long, or it has already been heated and thus , the humidifier has run out, etc.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a method for determining a condition of the main body, the main body containing a vaporizable substance, the method comprising: heating the body with a heating device by supplying power to the device to be heated; monitoring the temperature related to the heating on the main body, wherein the temperature information related to the heating on the main body can be determined based on the monitored temperature; accessing the storage device, wherein the storage device contains a relationship between the temperature information, the amount of power that is supplied to the heating device, or the power profile that is supplied to the heating device, and at least one condition, wherein at least one condition includes the life of the main body or the type of the main body, or the presence of the main body, when the specified power supply profile applied provides a predetermined heating profile of the main body; and determining at least one condition based on the relationship held in the memory.

As in the first aspect, in the second aspect, preferably the volatilized substance is a solid or semi-solid material, in this regard, the main part contains a volatilized substance of a solid or semi-solid material.

The storage device may be located on an external device or may be located in the cloud, by which is meant a computer storage device with Internet access and processing resources that can be accessed on demand. In such a case, the steam generating device may have a storage device that can access and interact with the storage device.

The method according to the second aspect may also include that, preferably at the beginning of the heating, the remaining heating amount for the body is set based on the relationship between the temperature information, the amount of power that is supplied to the heating device, or the profile of the power that is supplied to the heating device, and the period main body services in memory

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Setting the remaining heating amount for the main body can be achieved by providing a predetermined power level for a predetermined period of time and recording the rate of temperature increase during the specified period of time, the recorded rate being temperature information.

Additionally, setting the remaining amount of heating of the body may be based on the recorded rate of temperature increase over a specified period of time, or based on data associated with the recorded rate of temperature increase, such as, for example, a profile of the rate of increase in temperature of the body (e.g., determining changes in rate temperature increase at different temperatures). Additionally, information about the relationship between the service life of the main part and the recorded rate of temperature increase during the period may be contained in the storage device (for example, in a lookup table or in the form of a formula); and this can be used together with the recorded temperature increase rate information during the heating period to determine the expected life of the main body, and then the remaining heating amount for the main body can be set based on the estimated life of the main body.

The heating amount refers to the remaining heating amount of the main body before the service life of the main body is considered to have expired or the main body has been fully utilized. It is considered that the service life has expired, or the main part has been fully used, when a predetermined amount of volatilized substance remains in the main part, for example, equal to zero. The amount of heating can be measured by the amount of time remaining that the body can be heated, or the number of draws, also referred to as puffs, remaining before heating of the body causes the body to expire.

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, which means that the material to be vaporized may be an aerosol forming 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 vapor under appropriate conditions. More details regarding the vaporized substance are provided below.

The predetermined power level applied at the start of heating may be the first power supply mode mentioned above.

Determination of the remaining amount of heating allows heating to be stopped before further heating becomes dangerous or leads to burning or damage to the main body. 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/recorded while the user is using the device (e.g., by heating) and the control device and/or the storage device may determine when the remaining heating amount has elapsed. This reduces the possibility of overuse of the main body, as well as its burning or damage.

Additionally or alternatively to setting the remaining amount of heating, preferably at the beginning of heating, the maximum allowable power level for the main body can be determined based on the relationship between the temperature information, the amount of power that is supplied to the heating device, or the power profile that is supplied to the heating device, and the service life of the main part in the storage device. This allows an appropriate amount of heat to be supplied to the main body, while the amount of volatilized matter in the main body decreases over time due to service life and heating. This reduces the risk of overheating of the main body, reducing the chance of the main body being burned as a result of further heating.

The relationship may be between temperature increase rates and allowable power levels, and setting the power level supplied to the heater based on the allowable power level corresponding to the detected rate.

Further, determination of the maximum allowable power level can be achieved by supplying a predetermined power level for a predetermined period of time, and a temperature increase rate is recorded, the recorded rate being temperature information.

The tracked speed can also be used to determine if the primary

- 7 043095 part of the main part compatible with the heating device, based on the relationship between the temperature information, the amount of power that is supplied to the heating 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 damage and injury to the user of the heated body as a result of improper heating.

If heating stops 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 terminated when the remaining amount of heating is determined to be used.

The heating of the main body can be started and/or stopped by means of an activating action. This allows the user to better control the heat, which can extend the life of the main body. The activating action leading to the start of heating of the main body may be different from the activating action leading to the cessation of heating of the main body. The activating action leading to the start of heating of the main body may be called the first activating action. The activating action leading to the termination of heating of the main body may be called the second activating action. 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 may be prevented from closing by the presence of the main body in the heating compartment. The second activating action may be a predetermined period of time, such as 1, 3, or 5 minutes, since the user has drawn steam from the assembly, such as by actively drawing air through the mouthpiece. Regardless of whether the activating action causing the heating of the main body to start and the activating action causing the heating to stop of the main body are different or the same, the activating action to cause the heating to stop of the main body may be a predetermined period of time that has elapsed from the moment of the last puff or switch activation/deactivation, such as pressing a push switch or touching a touch switch.

According to a third aspect, a steam generating device is provided, comprising: a heating unit according to the first aspect; a heated cartridge located inside the heating compartment of the heating unit; an air inlet configured to supply air to the heating compartment; and an air outlet in communication with the heating compartment. The cartridge according to the first aspect may be the main part described with respect to the first aspect or the second aspect.

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, when used, after consumption of a predetermined amount of at least one component of the cartridge.

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, strands, porous material, foam or sheets. The substance may contain material of plant origin, and 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 registered without the need to provide some form of paper wrap or packaging for the body to make its type identifiable by printed indication, thus being environmentally friendly in terms of minimizing overpacking. Additionally, such base parts having a high humectant mass fraction are well suited to determine their state of use by measuring the rate of increase in their temperature when heated, since it can vary significantly as the humectant is used up, especially for base parts such as mousse in which the humectant is 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 vaporizable substance within an air-permeable shell. The breathable material may be a material that is electrically insulating and non-magnetic. The material may have a high breathability to allow air to pass through the high temperature resistant material. Examples of suitable breathable materials include cellulose fibres, paper, cotton and silk. The breathable material may also act 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 volatilized substance and configured such that at least one condition, including the life 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 adaptation 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 wt. .% (100 wt.% is equal to 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 life, 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 packaging 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 evaporated 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 configured to prevent the percentage of vaporized liquid from falling below 3% by weight over a predetermined period of time, preferably at least one year. before opening the package (eg by the consumer).

Brief description of the figures

An example of an induction heating assembly is detailed below with reference to the accompanying graphics, in which:

in 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;

in fig. 4 is a graph of exemplary power modes applied over time;

in fig. 5 shows an additional plot of exemplary power delivery patterns applied over time; and in FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of an exemplary process.

- 9 043095

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 may 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.

The 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 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 allows air to be drawn through the device by applying negative pressure, which is typically generated 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 are 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 device 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 inductive coil 16 and the power source 18 and is configured to control, in use, the operation of the inductive coil and the temperature sensor by determining when to each (each) apply power from the power source.

An exemplary process as shown in FIG. 3 is described next. As mentioned above, in order to produce steam, the cartridge 20 is heated, step 101. This is achieved by converting the direct electric current supplied from the power source 18 into alternating current (AC), which in turn is supplied to the induction coil 16. The current flows through the induction coil, resulting in the generation of a controlled EM field in the region near the coil. The generated EM field provides a source for an external current collector (in this case the cartridge current collector plates) to absorb the EM 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, causing an EM field to be generated. As mentioned above, the current supplied

- 10 043095 on 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 part of the length 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 placement of the current collector plates results in the induction of eddy currents in each plate due to the coupling of the EM 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 pantograph 24 is inductively heated by the induction coil 16 of the induction heating unit 10, heat is transferred from the pantograph 24 to the vaporized substance 22 to heat the vaporized substance 22 and produce 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 may then process the electrical signal to obtain temperature information, step 103, relating to the heat that the current collector generates. 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 that is 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 cartridge 20 life, cartridge type, or the presence or absence of a cartridge in heating compartment 12.

In an alternative example, the storage device is located on an external device or located in the cloud, by which is meant 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 control device 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 a ratio for a cartridge containing tobacco, when the tobacco in the cartridge is heated, it 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 heats different types of cartridge 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 the third temperature range, between two additional temperature thresholds

- 11 043095 or below or above the additional temperature threshold, then the cartridge can be determined as an additional type 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 telecoil 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 the cartridge is not 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 to generate 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 the 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 amount of use of a cartridge 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 of time 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 vapor generating device 1 has an indicator or display (not shown) that indicates to the user at least one condition of the cartridge 20 as determined by the control device 13.

In FIG. 4 shows an example of how the steam generating device 1 operates over time. When a user uses the device, there is an initial time period 30 in which the device operates in one of two power supply modes: the first power supply mode 32 or the fast temperature rise power supply mode 34. These power modes cause the monitored temperature to rise to a preset temperature at which, as long as it meets certain criteria (which are described in more detail below), the device switches from operation in the first power mode or the fast temperature rise power mode. to a second power supply mode 36 that maintains a monitored temperature within a predetermined temperature range for the remainder of the time the user uses the device at one time (puff 38). Alternatively, in some cases, after a period of time in which the device operates in the first power supply mode, the device may continue to operate in the second power supply mode for one session 42. In this case, for example, the second power supply mode continues to remain active even for a period of time without puff (similar to the process outlined in Fig. 5). However, of course, if the puff does not occur within a predetermined period of time, the second energization may be terminated, and then some activation action, such as the next activation action, may trigger the first energization again.

The first power supply mode 32 differs from the fast temperature rise power supply mode 34 in that only when the device is operating in the first power supply mode, in addition to increasing the monitored temperature to a preset temperature, the amount of power that is supplied to the induction coil is monitored. coil 16 during this period of time, and obtaining information about the temperature. Then, based on this, at least one condition of the heated cartridge 20 is determined. on

- 12 043095 induction coil. This heats up the cartridge quickly so that the user experiences as little delay as possible between attempting to use the device and operating the device as expected.

This process is performed each time the user uses the device 1 (ie, each time the user takes a puff 38), with each use determined by the user drawing 38 through the mouthpiece 30 of the device. However, switching to the second power supply mode 36 is only performed when the cartridge is not determined to be a used cartridge. If the cartridge is identified as a used cartridge, the device prevents switching to the second power supply mode. Alternatively, in some cases, based on the detected condition, the controller changes the heating profile (including heating termination) of the late part of the first power supply mode, the fast temperature increase power mode 34, and/or the second power mode 36 upon determination.

The action that determines whether the device 1 is operating in the first power supply mode 32 or the rapid temperature increase power supply mode 34 is the first use of the device after the activating action 41 during session 42. The first power supply mode is applied on said first use, and on subsequent In use, either the first power supply mode or the fast temperature rise power supply mode can be applied.

Each session 42 implies a period of time between successive activation actions 40. An exemplary activation action includes pressing a button.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, there are additional trigger events. One such trigger event is the cartridge replacement trigger 40. In other examples, this activating action may be triggered by another event.

The cartridge replacement actuation 40 may be registering a change of the heater compartment from open to closed, insertion of a cartridge, or a decrease in temperature due to removal of the cartridge. In this example, an ongoing activating action of replacing a cartridge causes device 1 to reapply the first power supply mode at the start of the next session 42 when activating action 40 (such as pressing a button) occurs and/or resets a counter related to the cartridge, such as remaining the amount of heating time or the remaining number of puffs for the cartridge.

In case the activation action 40 is the cartridge replacement activation action in this example, this provides a signal that when the next activation action 41 is received, the first power supply mode 32 is applied when heating starts. Regardless of the type of activation action that the activation action 40 provides, this may indicate the start of a session. In some examples, this may be provided by pressing a button. The session then begins when the next activation action 41 is received. The activation action 41 may be provided by any form of event, such as a button press. If the activating action 40 is provided by pressing a button, another type of button pressing provides an activating action 41 such as multiple button presses or pressing the button for at least a predetermined time. In any case, the activating action 41 leads to the start of heating (and hence the session).

An additional activating event of this example is the stop activating action 43 . The activating action of the stop is to register the end of the puff (ie, the end of the draw through the mouthpiece 30 when the user stops drawing). In this example, this results in the completion of the second power supply and thus causes the heating to stop.

In FIG. 5 shows a second example of how the steam generating device 1 can operate over time. When a user uses the device, there is a period of time in which the device operates in the first power supply mode 32 . As in the example shown in FIG. 4, this power-up mode causes the monitored temperature to increase to a predetermined temperature at which, as long as it meets certain criteria (which are described in more detail below), the device switches from operation in the first power-up mode to the second power-up mode 36 . This maintains the monitored temperature within a predetermined temperature range for the remainder of session 42. This differs from the example shown in FIG. 4 because the second power delivery mode is maintained for the total number of uses (ie, 38 puffs) of the session, whether it is one or more puffs. Thus, the second power supply mode continues to be active even for a period of time without a puff. However, of course, if the puff does not occur within a predetermined period of time, the second energization may be terminated, and then some activating action, such as the next activating action, may trigger the first energization again.

As in the example shown in FIG. 4, in the example shown in FIG. 5, at least one condition of the heated cartridge 20 is then determined based on monitoring the amount of power that is supplied to the induction coil 16 during the period of time when the monitored temperature

- 13 043095 increases to the preset temperature and the temperature information received during this time period.

The first mode of energizing the telecoil is at a level of at least 80% of the maximum functionality with which the device can energize the telecoil. This heats up the cartridge quickly so that the user experiences as little delay as possible between attempting to use the device and operating the device as expected. In a solid evaporative device, if resistive heating is used, this time period is generally more than about 20 seconds. For solid evaporative devices using induction heating technology, heating can result in a monitored temperature being reached within approximately 3 seconds.

The process in Fig. 5 is executed each time the user starts a session using the device 1 (eg, each time an activating action 40 is performed, such as a button press or other event). If such an activation action occurs, it will activate the first power supply mode 32 . During the time that the device 1 is operating in the first power supply mode, a determination is made to determine whether the cartridge is a used cartridge, is not a used cartridge (and thus is an unused cartridge), or is missing.

Switching to the second power supply mode 36 is performed only when the cartridge is not determined to be a used cartridge, for example, if the cartridge is determined to be a used cartridge or is registered as missing. When a cartridge is determined to be a used cartridge or missing, the device is prevented from switching to the second power supply mode. Alternatively, in some cases, based on the detected condition, the controller changes the heating profile (including heating termination) of the late part of the first power supply mode, the fast temperature increase power mode 34, and/or the second power mode 36 upon determination. The first energizing mode is active for a short time, for example, within three seconds after the activation action 40 is taken. The user then takes a puff 38 after the device enters the second energized mode.

The session in the example shown in FIG. 5 is terminated when the session end activating action 45 occurs. Such an end-of-session activating action occurs, for example, when the remaining amount of time for which the cartridge can be heated has elapsed. This causes the heating to stop.

Of course, it is possible to change the temperature range that the device is maintained in when operating in the second power supply mode based on the registered cartridge type.

In the example, in use, from the heating compartment of the steam generating device, the user removes the cartridge when it is no longer required. The user then inserts the cartridge into the heating compartment. To achieve this, the mouthpiece is detached from the rest of the main body of the steam generating device. 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 chamber 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 lid and pulling the cartridge by the user through the opening on which the lid 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.

As mentioned above, the activating action can be one of a number of events. Let us take as an example that the activating action is the closing of the heating compartment; when this is detected (for example, by a sensor in the steam generating device), the controller is configured to cause the application of the first power supply mode when the heat is applied for the first time due to the user's attempt to use the steam generating device.

In FIG. 6 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. As discussed above, in other examples, the activating action may be one of a number of events.

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,

- 14 043095 which has not previously been used in the heating compartment, and thus is new to the device, then the start of the session can be called the start of the session.

Whether the session is started or restarted as mentioned above, the heating process begins. In one example, this involves providing a known amount of power at a low power level to cause the cartridge to heat up for a predetermined period of time. The rate of temperature rise, also referred to as the rate of temperature rise, is monitored.

By a process such as the process outlined above with respect to FIG. 3, cartridge type and/or life is recorded (step 202). In some instances, this involves using a lookup table to compare the monitored rate of temperature rise to the maximum power allowed to further heat the cartridge, which was determined based on a predetermined test on cartridges of various types, including life, condition, and variant.

If the registered 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 stating: Please insert a new cartridge.

When the cartridge type is registered as a suitable cartridge type, the remaining heating time or the number of puffs remaining is set based on the cartridge type and/or registered life (step 204). Preferably, steps 202, 204 and 205 are carried out in the first power supply mode. As the session continues, the device transitions from a heating start mode to a normal operating heating mode, such as a second energizing mode. At this time, the maximum power level suitable for the cartridge is applied. The maximum power level to provide heating is adjusted based on the cartridge condition as it changes (step 205). This heating profile adjustment is based on the remaining time or remaining number of puffs available to the cartridge and is achieved by checking the memory that can be accessed by the device to determine the appropriate amount of power, such as the maximum allowable power level, to be applied to the cartridge. with that period of use/number of puffs remaining.

Simultaneously with the continuation of the normal operating heating mode, the time remaining to heat the cartridge is monitored and/or the number of puffs for the cartridge is monitored. 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 registered as unsuitable for the device.

If the remaining time or number of puffs has not reached zero, a check is made to determine if a stop activating action for the heating process has been received (step 207). 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 208). If no stop activating action is taken, then the process continues cyclically, looping back to check if the remaining time or number of puffs is zero, at step 206.

When further heating is stopped, the entire process can be restarted when the next start activating action is taken.

Claims (17)

1. A heating unit for a steam generating device, the heating unit comprising: a heating device configured to heat, in use, a main body containing an evaporable substance of a solid or semi-solid material, located, in use, in the heating compartment of the heating unit, while the heating unit is configured to supply power, in use, to the heating device for heating the body or configured to supply power, when used, based on a predetermined power supply profile, said power supply profile being configured to provide a predetermined heating profile for the body; a temperature sensor configured to monitor, in use, the surface temperature of the body, and based on said monitored temperature, temperature information related to the temperature profile of the body can be determined; and a storage device access device configured to access, in use, a storage device that contains a relationship between the temperature information, the amount of power that is supplied to the heating device, or the power profile that is supplied to the heating device, and at least at least one condition, which includes the life of the main part or the type of the main part, or the presence of the main part. 2. The heating unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the temperature information includes the rate of change - 15 043095 monitoring temperature. 3. Heating unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the temperature information includes the surface temperature of the main body. 4. The heating unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one condition can be determined based on information about the temperature and the amount of power supplied to the heating device, or the power profile supplied to the heating device, based on the ratio, contained in the storage device. 5. The heating unit according to claim 4, characterized in that said at least one condition can be determined based on the threshold temperature for the temperature information, and preferably there are a plurality of threshold temperatures: at least one threshold temperature determining the service life of the main part , at least one threshold temperature that determines the type of the main part, and at least one threshold temperature that determines the presence of the main part. 6. The heating unit according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that at least two of the service life of the main part, the type of the main part and the presence of the main part can be determined simultaneously. 7. A heating unit according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a control device configured to determine, in use, temperature information relating to the heating of the body. 8. The heating unit according to claim 7, characterized in that, based on the temperature information, the control device is configured to determine, when used, the next action of the heating unit. 9. The heating unit according to claim 8, characterized in that, based on the ratio contained in the storage device, the control device is configured to prevent, in use, supplying power to the heating device when the life of the main part is longer than the threshold life, and configured to supply power, in use, to the heating device when the life of the main body is less than the threshold life, or when the type of the main body is determined to be an unsuitable type. 10. The heating unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating unit has a first power supply mode and a second power supply mode, and wherein the first power supply mode is set to apply, in use, during heating of the main body, and the second mode power supply is configured to apply, in use, after applying the first power supply, to maintain the main body at a temperature in a predetermined temperature range, preferably when in the first power supply the heating unit is configured to supply at least 80% of full power to the device heating. 11. The heating unit according to claim 10, characterized in that said at least one condition can be determined based on information about the temperature and the amount of power supplied to the heating device, or the power profile supplied to the heating device, in the first power supply mode based on the ratio contained in the storage device. 12. The heating unit according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the first power supply mode is configured to be applied in response to an activation action, and the activation action is determined based on a change in monitored temperature or a change in switch state caused by a user action. 13. The heating unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating unit is an induction heating unit, the heating device is an induction heating device, the main part further comprises an induction heated current collector, the induction heating device is configured to heat, when used, an induction heated current collector of the body, the heating unit is configured to supply power, in use, to the induction heating device for heating the inductively heated pantograph, the temperature sensor is configured to monitor, in use, the temperature related to the heat that the pantograph generates, while the temperature information, relating to the heat generated by the pantograph can be determined from the monitored temperature. 14. The method for determining the condition of the main part using the heating unit according to claim 1 in a device generating steam, and the main part contains a vaporizable substance from a solid or semi-solid material, while the method includes: heating the body by the heating device by supplying power to the heating device; monitoring the temperature of the surface of the body, and on the basis of the specified monitored temperature can be determined information about the temperature relating to the heating of the body; accessing the storage device, wherein the storage device contains a relationship between the temperature information, the amount of power that is supplied to the heating device, or the power profile that is supplied to the heating device, and at least one condition that includes the service life of the main part or type the main part, or the presence of the main - 16 043095 parts, when the specified feed profile used provides a predetermined heating profile of the main part; and determining said at least one condition based on the ratio contained in the storage device. 15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising, preferably at the start of heating, setting the remaining heating amount for the body based on the relationship between the temperature information, the amount of power that is supplied to the heating device, or the power profile that is supplied on the heating device, and the service life of the main part in the storage device. 16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, further comprising, preferably at the beginning of heating, determining the maximum allowable power level for the body based on the relationship between the temperature information, the amount of power that is supplied to the heating device, or the power profile , which is supplied to the heating device, and the service life of the main part in the storage device. 17. A device that generates steam, containing: heating unit according to any one of claims 1 to 13; a heated cartridge located inside the heating compartment of the heating unit; an air inlet configured to supply air to the heating compartment; and an air outlet in communication with the heating compartment.