EP4199763A1 - Procédé de fonctionnement d'un ensemble de génération d'aérosol, cartouche et ensemble de génération d'aérosol associés - Google Patents

Procédé de fonctionnement d'un ensemble de génération d'aérosol, cartouche et ensemble de génération d'aérosol associés

Info

Publication number
EP4199763A1
EP4199763A1 EP21763083.9A EP21763083A EP4199763A1 EP 4199763 A1 EP4199763 A1 EP 4199763A1 EP 21763083 A EP21763083 A EP 21763083A EP 4199763 A1 EP4199763 A1 EP 4199763A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
flow
cartridge
rms
threshold
aerosol generation
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP21763083.9A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Grzegorz Aleksander PILATOWICZ
Peter LOVEDAY
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
JT International SA
Original Assignee
JT International SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by JT International SA filed Critical JT International SA
Publication of EP4199763A1 publication Critical patent/EP4199763A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/42—Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
    • A24F40/53—Monitoring, e.g. fault detection
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/10—Devices using liquid inhalable precursors

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns an operation method of an aerosol generation assembly.
  • the present invention also concerns a cartridge for an aerosol generation device.
  • the present invention also concerns an aerosol generation assembly comprising such a cartridge.
  • aerosol generation devices comprise a storage portion for storing an aerosol forming precursor, which can comprise for example a liquid or a solid.
  • a heating system is formed of one or more electrically activated resistive heating elements arranged to heat said precursor to generate the aerosol.
  • the aerosol is released into a flow path extending between an inlet and outlet of the device.
  • the outlet may be arranged as a mouthpiece, through which a user inhales for delivery of the aerosol.
  • the heating system is powered by a battery presenting generally a rechargeable battery, as for example a lithium-ion battery.
  • the power from the battery is usually controlled by a microcontroller basing for example on heating system characteristics like for example the resistance of the heating coil.
  • the precursor is stored in a removable cartridge.
  • the cartridge can be easily removed and replaced.
  • a screw-threaded connection can for example be used.
  • Some aerosol generation devices using removable cartridges are able to perform a cartridge authentication process in order to ensure that the cartridge intended to be used is a genuine cartridge, i.e. a cartridge authorized by the solid or purchaser of the device.
  • each cartridge is provided with an identifier.
  • Such an identifier can take form of an optical signature or electronic signature.
  • the identifier can be read using single or multiple light emitters and detectors integrated into the cartridge and into the device.
  • the electronic signature can be transmitted using a datalink established between the cartridge and the device, or using some predetermined behavior of the heating system.
  • an electronic signature can consist in deliberate changing of the electrical parameters of the heating circuit such as resistance or inductance.
  • One of the aims of the invention is to ensure a cartridge authentication without modifying significantly the cartridge and device structures, and without increasing significantly the cost and manufacture complexity of these elements.
  • the invention relates to an operation method of an aerosol generation assembly comprising a cartridge and an aerosol generation device designed to operate with the cartridge, the aerosol generation device comprising a flow channel designed to be in communication with a flow path of the cartridge; the method comprising the following steps:
  • the recognition routine comprises determining a plurality of RMS flow values and a plurality of input averaged flow values and comparing these values with predetermined thresholds.
  • the recognition routine comprises the following steps performed for at least one RMS flow value and one input averaged flow value:
  • - first comparing step comprising comparing the RMS flow value with a first RMS threshold and the input averaged flow value with a first flow threshold;
  • - second comparing step comprising comparing the RMS flow value with a second RMS threshold and the input averaged flow value with a second flow threshold, the second RMS threshold being greater than the first RMS threshold, the second flow threshold being greater than the first flow threshold.
  • the second comparing step is performed only if the first comparing step has a positive result that the RMS flow value is higher than the first RMS threshold and the input averaged flow value is higher than the first flow threshold.
  • the recognition of the flow signature is failed if at least one of the following conditions is truth:
  • the RMS flow value is lower than the first RMS threshold during the first comparing step
  • the RMS flow value is higher than the second RMS threshold during the second comparing step
  • the input averaged flow value is higher than the second flow threshold during the second comparing step.
  • each RMS flow value is between the first RMS threshold and the second RMS threshold and each input averaged flow value is between the first flow threshold and the second flow threshold.
  • the predetermined thresholds and the number N are adjusted depending on the strength of user’s inhales.
  • the operation method further comprising a step of performing a blow detection routine to detect user’s blows, the blow detection routine being performed before or simultaneously with the recognition routine, the step of controlling the operation of the aerosol generation device being further performed according to the detection of a user’s blow.
  • the blow detection routine comprises comparing at least some RMS flow values and at least some input averaged flow values with predetermined thresholds.
  • the blow detection routine comprises a third comparing step performed for at least one RMS flow value and one input averaged flow value when the recognition of the flow signature is failed after the second comparing step of the recognition routine performed for the same RMS flow value and the input averaged flow value; the third comparing step comprising comparing the RMS flow value with a blow RMS threshold and the input averaged flow value with a blow flow threshold, a blow being considered as non-detected when the RMS flow value is higher than the blow RMS threshold or the input averaged flow value is higher than the blow flow threshold.
  • a blow is detected when it is not considered as nondetected during M iterations of the third comparing step for different RMS flow values and input averaged flow values.
  • the recognition routine comprises determining an effective frequency of the flow using RMS flow values and comparing the effective frequency with predetermined thresholds.
  • the operation method further comprising determining the precursor stored in the storage portion of the cartridge basing on the determined effective frequency.
  • the recognition routine comprises determining a flow rate within a predetermined time interval and comparing this flow rate with at least one predetermined threshold.
  • the recognition routine may be implemented using very low requirements regarding computation time and necessary memory
  • the recognition routine comprises determining a frequency spectrum of the flow and comparing this spectrum with a predetermined spectrum.
  • the frequency spectrum is determined using a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) or a fast Fourier transform (FFT).
  • DFT discrete Fourier transform
  • FFT fast Fourier transform
  • the recognition routine may be implemented using very low requirements regarding computation time and necessary memory.
  • the recognition routine may give very accurate and robust results. Additionally, it makes also possible to determine the effective frequency of the flow so as the nature of the precursor contained in the cartridge can also be determined, using this effective frequency.
  • FFT fast Fourier transform
  • the invention also relates to a cartridge for an aerosol generation device, comprising a cartridge body defining a cartridge flow inlet and a cartridge flow outlet, the cartridge flow inlet being designed to be in communication with a flow channel arranged in the aerosol generation device; the cartridge body comprising:
  • an atomizer arranged in the flow path and configured to form an aerosol from the precursor stored in the storage portion;
  • a flow disruptor configured to create a flow signature of the flow in the flow path by creating a predetermined perturbation of this flow, the flow signature being detectable by an external recognition system.
  • a flow signature detectable by an aerosol generation device can be created by the cartridge.
  • This flow signature makes it possible to authenticate the cartridge only by adding a flow disruptor in the cartridge without additional electronic or optical components.
  • the structure of the cartridge can be kept relatively simple which will not increase significantly its cost and the complexity of its structure.
  • the flow signature is defined by dimensions of the flow disruptor.
  • the flow disruptor comprises a Helmholtz cavity defining an internal part and a throat.
  • the flow signature is defined by the volume of the internal part of the Helmholtz cavity, the throat area and the throat length.
  • the flow signature can be created by defining an internal part and a throat of a Helmholtz cavity.
  • the flow disruptor comprises an additional Helmholtz cavity, said Helmholtz cavities being arranged on different sides of the flow path.
  • the flow signature is a predetermined frequency pattern of the flow.
  • the flow signature has a corresponding relationship to the precursor stored in the storage portion.
  • the flow disruptor is arranged between the cartridge flow inlet and the atomizer.
  • the flow signature can be integrated in the flow passing through the aerosol generation device.
  • the invention also relates to an aerosol generation assembly comprising a cartridge as defined above and an aerosol generation device designed to operate with the cartridge and comprising a device body defining a device flow inlet and a device flow outlet, the device flow outlet being designed to be in communication with the flow path of the cartridge; the device body comprising: - a flow channel extending between the device flow inlet and the device flow outlet;
  • a recognition system comprising a sensor arranged in the flow channel and configured to generate measurements relative to the flow, and a computing unit configured to recognize the flow signature created by the cartridge using said measurements.
  • the aerosol generation device can recognize a flow signature of the cartridge and thus, authenticate it.
  • the computing unit is further configured to activate the operation of the aerosol generation device if the flow signature is recognized or deactivate the operation of the aerosol generation device if the flow signature is not recognized.
  • the computing unit is further configured to identify a direction of the flow passing in the flow channel.
  • the computing unit is configured to recognize the flow signature if the identified direction of the flow is from the device flow inlet to the device flow outlet.
  • the computing unit is further configured to deactivate the operation of the aerosol generation device if the identified direction of the flow is from the device flow outlet to the device flow inlet.
  • the sensor is configured to generate flow rate values relative to the flow passing through the flow channel
  • the computing unit is configured to recognize the flow signature created by the cartridge from the flow rate values generated by the sensor.
  • the sensor is a pressure sensor.
  • a simple pressure sensor combined with a computing unit can be used to recognize the flow signature. This does not affect significantly the cost and structure complexity of the aerosol generation device.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of an aerosol generation assembly according to the invention, the aerosol generation assembly comprising an aerosol generation device and a cartridge;
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the cartridge of Figure 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 shows several graphs making apparent differences between a flow comprising a flow signature integrated by the cartridge of Figure 2 and a flow without flow signature;
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an operation method performed by the aerosol generation assembly of Figure 1 ;
  • FIG. 5 shows several graphs illustrating the operation of a blow detection routine performed by the aerosol generation device of Figure 1 ;
  • FIG. 6 shows a logic of determination of RMS values according to a first example of implementation of a recognition routine performed by the aerosol generation device of Figure 1 ;
  • FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the first example of implementation of the recognition routine performed by the aerosol generation device of Figure 1 ;
  • FIG. 8 shows a logic of determination of a flow effective frequency according to a variant of the first example of implementation of the recognition routine performed by the aerosol generation device of Figure 1 ;
  • FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a blow detection routine performed simultaneously with the first example of implementation of the recognition routine performed by the aerosol generation device of Figure 1 .
  • the term “aerosol generation device” or “device” may include a vaping device to deliver an aerosol to a user, including an aerosol for vaping, by means of aerosol generating unit (e.g. an aerosol generating element which generates vapor which condenses into an aerosol before delivery to an outlet of the device at, for example, a mouthpiece, for inhalation by a user).
  • the device may be portable. “Portable” may refer to the device being for use when held by a user.
  • the device may be adapted to generate a variable amount of aerosol, e.g. by activating a heater system for a variable amount of time (as opposed to a metered dose of aerosol), which can be controlled by a trigger.
  • the trigger may be user activated, such as a vaping button and/or inhalation sensor.
  • the inhalation sensor may be sensitive to the strength of inhalation as well as the duration of inhalation to enable a variable amount of vapor to be provided (so as to mimic the effect of smoking a conventional combustible smoking article such as a cigarette, cigar or pipe, etc.).
  • the device may include a temperature regulation control to drive the temperature of the heater and/or the heated aerosol generating substance (aerosol pre-cursor) to a specified target temperature and thereafter to maintain the temperature at the target temperature that enables efficient generation of aerosol.
  • the term “aerosol” may include a suspension of precursor as one or more of: solid particles; liquid droplets; gas. Said suspension may be in a gas including air. Aerosol herein may generally refer to/include a vapor. Aerosol may include one or more components of the precursor.
  • the term “aerosol-forming precursor” or “precursor” or “aerosolforming substance” or “substance” may refer to one or more of a: liquid; solid; gel; mousse; foam or other substances.
  • the precursor may be processable by the heating system of the device to form an aerosol as defined herein.
  • the precursor may comprise one or more of: nicotine; caffeine or other active components.
  • the active component may be carried with a carrier, which may be a liquid.
  • the carrier may include propylene glycol or glycerine.
  • a flavoring may also be present.
  • the flavoring may include Ethylvanillin (vanilla), menthol, Isoamyl acetate (banana oil) or similar.
  • a solid aerosol forming substance may be in the form of a rod, which contains processed tobacco material, a crimped sheet or oriented strips of reconstituted tobacco (RTB).
  • an aerosol generation assembly 10 comprises an aerosol generation device 12 and a removable cartridge 14.
  • the aerosol generation device 12 comprises a device body 16 extending between a cartridge end 17 and a battery end 18. On the cartridge end 17, the device body 16 defines a device flow outlet 19 and on a lateral side, the device body 16 defines a device flow inlet 20.
  • the device body 16 also defines on the cartridge end 17 a payload compartment 21 designed to receive and eventually fix the cartridge 14.
  • the device body 16 delimits an interior part of the aerosol generation device 12 and comprises a power block 22 designed to power the device 12, an atomizer circuit 24 powered by the power block 22, a flow channel 26 extending between the device flow inlet 20 and the device flow outlet 19, a controller 28 controlling the operation of the device and a recognition system 30 arranged partially in the flow channel 26.
  • the device body 16 of the aerosol generation device 12 may further comprise other internal components performing different functionalities of the device 12 known per se as for example a communication module, an antenna, an inertial sensor, etc.
  • the power block 22 comprises a battery 36 and a battery charger 38.
  • the battery 36 is for example a known battery designed to be charged using the power supply furnished by an external source and to provide a direct current of a predetermined voltage.
  • the battery charger 38 is able to connect the battery to the external source and comprises for this purpose a power connector (like for example a mini-USB connector) or wireless charging connector.
  • the battery charger 38 is also able to control the power delivered from the external source to the battery according for example a predetermined charging profile.
  • a charging profile can for example define a charging voltage of the battery depending on its level of charge.
  • the atomizer circuit 24 is configured to power an atomizer arranged in the cartridge 14.
  • the atomizer circuit 24 comprises a pair of contacts protruding from the device body 16 and configured to be in contact with a pair of contacts of the cartridge 14 when the cartridge 14 is received in the payload compartment 21.
  • the atomizer circuit 24 comprises at least one heating element, as for example a heating plate. In this case, such a heating plate protrudes from the device body 16 and configured to be in contact with another heating element such a heating plate which forms at least a part of the atomizer of the cartridge 14.
  • the flow channel 26 extends between the device flow inlet 20 and the device flow outlet 19 and is configured to conduct a flow, notably an airflow, between the inlet 20 and the outlet 19. While normal operation of the device 12, the flow is conducted principally from the device flow inlet 20 to the device flow outlet 19. This case corresponds to user’s inhales. In some cases, the flow can also be conducted principally from the device flow outlet 19 to the device flow inlet 20. This case corresponds notably to the user’s blows.
  • the controller 28 is formed for example by a microcontroller (known also as MCU) able to control the operation of the aerosol generation device 12. Particularly, the controller 28 is able to control the operation of the atomizer of the cartridge 14 by controlling the powering of the atomizer circuit 24 by the power block 22 and eventually, of at least some other components of the device body 16 providing additional functionalities of the device 12. For example, the controller 28 is able to activate the operation of the device 12 to generate aerosol if a user’s inhale is detected. The controller 28 is also able to activate or deactivate the operation of the aerosol generation to generate aerosol according to the recognition of a flow signature of the cartridge 14, as it will be explained below in further detail.
  • MCU microcontroller
  • the recognition system 30 is able to recognize a flow signature of the flow passing through the flow channel 26 and distinguish user’s inhales from user’s blows, as it will be explained in further detail below.
  • the recognition system comprises a sensor 40 arranged in the flow channel 26 and configured to generate measurements relative to the flow, and a computing unit 42 configured to recognize the flow signature by performing a recognition routine and distinguish user’s inhales from user’s blows by performing a blow detection routine, using the measurements generated by the sensor 40.
  • the sensor 40 is for example a pressure sensor 40, formed for example by a MEMS or hot-wire element, which is configured to generate flow rate values, called also flow rate measurements, relative to the flow passing through the flow channel 26.
  • the senor 40 is arranged as close as possible to device flow outlet 19. In this case, it is arranged close to a flow disruptor of the cartridge 14 which is explained in further detail below.
  • the sensor 40 may generate flow measurements characterizing efficiently the flow disturbance produced by the disruptor.
  • the computing unit 42 is for example formed by an independent microcontroller as it is showed on figure 1 .
  • the computing unit 42 is integrated into the controller 28 explained above.
  • the controller is also configured to perform the recognition routine and the blow detection routine.
  • the computing unit 42, the controller 28, and the atomizer circuit 24 are all integrated on one printed circuit board (PCB).
  • the cartridge 14 comprises a cartridge body 48 defining a cartridge flow inlet 49 and a cartridge flow outlet 50.
  • the cartridge body 48 delimits an interior part of the cartridge 14 and comprises a storage portion 60, a flow path 62, an atomizer 64 and a flow disruptor 66.
  • the storage portion 60 is designed to store the precursor used to generate aerosol. Particularly, based on the nature of the precursor, the storage portion 60 can be designed to store the precursor in a liquid and/or solid form. In some embodiments, the storage portion 60 can be also refilled with the precursor.
  • the flow path 62 extends between the cartridge flow inlet 49 and the cartridge flow outlet 50. Particularly, when the cartridge 14 is received in the payload compartment 21 , the cartridge flow inlet 49 is adjacent to the device flow outlet 19 so as the flow channel 26 of the device 12 is extended by the flow path 62 of the cartridge 14.
  • the cartridge flow outlet 50 can be for example arranged in a mouthpiece used by the user to inhale the aerosol.
  • the flow path 62 is configured to conduct, from the cartridge flow inlet 49 to the cartridge flow outlet 50, the flow issued from the flow channel 26 of the device 12 together with the aerosol generated by the atomizer 64 while user’s inhales. While user’s blows, the flow path 62 is configured to conduct from the cartridge flow outlet 50 to the cartridge flow inlet 49 in order to evacuate it via the flow channel 26 of the device 12.
  • the atomizer 64 is arranged in the flow path 62 and configured to form an aerosol from the precursor stored in the storage portion 60 when it is powered by the atomizer circuit 24 of the device 12.
  • the atomizer 64 comprises a heating element like a coil comprising contacts designed to be in contact with the pair of contacts of the atomizer circuit 24 when the cartridge 14 is received in the payload compartment 21.
  • the contacts of the heating element protrudes from the cartridge body 48.
  • the atomizer 64 comprises a heating element presenting for example a heating plate which can protrudes at least partially from the cartridge body 48.
  • the heating plate of the atomizer 64 is for example designed to be in contact with another heating plate making part of the atomizer circuit 24 of the device 12.
  • the flow disruptor 66 is configured to create a flow signature of the flow in the flow path 62 of the cartridge 14, and consequently in the flow channel 26 of the device 12, by creating a predetermined perturbation of this flow.
  • the flow disruptor 66 is configured to disrupt the flow passing through the flow path 62 and flow channel 64 so as to create a predetermined frequency vibration pattern in the flow. This pattern is called hereinafter flow signature.
  • the flow signature is defined by dimensions of the flow disruptor 62.
  • the flow disruptor 66 is a unique Helmholtz cavity defining an internal part 70 and a throat 72.
  • the Helmholtz cavity is for example arranged on one side of the flow path 62 facing an assembly compartment 73 comprising for example electrical connection, sealing and leakage collection means of the cartridge 14.
  • the flow disruptor 66 comprises several Helmholtz cavities, for example two cavities, which can be arranged on both sides of the flow path 62. According to a particular embodiment, these cavities can be arranged symmetrically in respect with the flow path 62 and can have identical or different dimensions.
  • each compartment 66, 73 can form a Helmholtz cavity.
  • i9 is a speed of sound in a gas (in dry air at 20°C it equals approx. 340 m*s-1 );
  • A is a cross section area of the throat 72
  • V is a static volume of the internal part 70
  • L is the length of the throat 72.
  • the vibration frequency f is chosen so as not create any additional hearable noise for the user or any other harmful feeling.
  • graph (A) on this figure 3 shows a flow rate over time of a user’s inhale in a conventional aerosol generation assembly without a flow disruptor.
  • graph (B) on the same figure shows a flow rate over time of a flow generated by the flow disruptor in absence of user’s inhales.
  • the flow rate presents an oscillating signal.
  • the frequency of this signal can be modified to create a specific flow signature.
  • this signal can present a multi-frequency signal with frequencies correlated for example between them and/or other time.
  • graph (C) shows a flow rate over time while a user’s inhale in the aerosol generation device according to the invention. As it can be seen, in this case, graphs (A) and (B) are superposed and form a specific flow signature.
  • the flow signature generated by the cartridge 14 can thus be used for different authentication needs of the cartridge 14.
  • the aerosol generation device 12 can operate only with cartridges having a specific flow signature known only by an authorized cartridge manufacturer.
  • the flow signature can also define the nature of the precursor stored in the cartridge 14 e.g., by associating a characteristic of the Helmholtz cavity with one type of precursor and thus detection of the flow signature can indicate identification of stored precursor.
  • the flow signature generated by the Helmholtz cavity can have a relationship to the precursor stored in the storage portion 60.
  • the aerosol generation device 12 can for example operate only with cartridges containing an authorized precursor in the area where the device 12 is used.
  • the method 100 can be used as a cartridge authentication method at least while its first using.
  • the device upon detecting insertion of a new cartridge and user inhaling on the new cartridge for the first time, the device performs the method as explained below, and in case of successful recognition (as explained in step 135), the authentication result is valid until complete depletion of precursor in the cartridge or detecting replacement of the cartridge. Detecting insertion and/or replacement of a cartridge can be performed by a sensor disposed in the payload compartment 21 .
  • the method 100 is performed at each using of the aerosol generation device 12.
  • the recognition or authentication result is only valid for a continuous vaping session. It is thus considered that initially, the aerosol generation device 12 is not operated to generate the aerosol or operated to generate the aerosol within a short period.
  • the initial step 1 10 of the method is performed further to a user interaction with device 12 which can include user inhalation (taking puffs) or exhalation (blowing) or other forms.
  • the step 1 10 of the method may be performed when a flow passes through the flow path 62 of the cartridge 14 and the flow channel 26 of the device 12. This can occur when the user inhales through the cartridge outlet 50 in order to activate the operation of the aerosol generation device 12 or blows, for example erroneously or for maintenance needs, into the cartridge outlet 50.
  • the flow passes notably through the flow disruptor 66 which integrates into the flow the predetermined flow signature.
  • the term “integrate” should be understood as making the flow vibrating according to the frequency vibration pattern predetermined by the dimensions of the flow disruptor 66.
  • the computing unit 42 performs the blow detection routine. Particularly, at this step 120, if the computing unit 42 detects a blow, it transmits the corresponding signal to the controller 28 which, during the step 125, keeps the device 12 deactivated (i.e., not to generate the aerosol) if it was not activated or otherwise deactivates the operation of the aerosol generation device 12 to generate the aerosol. If no blow is detected, the next step 130 is performed.
  • the blow detection routine may consist in comparing at least some characteristics of the flow with predetermined patterns.
  • the computing unit 42 can analyze temperature measurements of the flow.
  • a temperature sensor can also be arranged in the flow channel 26 as the sensor 40. As it showed on figure 5, during the blows, the temperature increases and during the inhales the temperature returns to its ambient level. Thus, a blow can be detected by detecting an increasing of the flow temperature.
  • the computing unit 42 can determine High-Frequency Higher Moment data (HFHM data) from the flow rate measurements and analyze this data. Indeed, as it is showed on figure 5, HFHM data presents turbulent energy while user’s blows. This energy returns to the nominal level while user’s inhales.
  • HFHM data presents turbulent energy while user’s blows. This energy returns to the nominal level while user’s inhales.
  • the computing unit 42 performs the blow detection using simultaneously at least two examples among the examples cited above. It should be noted that in all of these examples, the presence of the disruptor 66 makes the fluctuations or other characteristics of the flow more pronounced in case of user’s blow. Thus, the blows may more easily detected.
  • the computing unit 42 performs the recognition routine in order to recognize the flow signature.
  • the recognition routine can be performed according to different examples explained in detail below and consists in comparing at least one characteristic of the flow with parameters determined from a reference flow signature. In order to be recognized, the flow signature generated by the cartridge 14 should match the reference flow signature.
  • the computing unit 42 communicates to the controller 28 the results of the recognition routine: positive result when the flow signature is recognized by the recognition routine, or negative result when the flow signature is not recognized by the routine, or an ‘unknown’ result when the measurements performed by the sensor 40 does not make it possible to determine a positive or a negative result.
  • the controller 28 activates the operation of the aerosol generation device 12 to generate the aerosol or if the aerosol generation device 12 was already operating in such way, keeps it activated. If the result is negative or unknown, during the step 125, the controller 28 keeps the device 12 deactivated without generating the aerosol if it was not previously activated by default, or otherwise (i.e., the device was previously activated by default), deactivates the aerosol generation operation of the aerosol generation device 12. In the case when the result is unknown, the controller 28 can command the computing unit 42 to perform again the recognition routine or deactivate the aerosol generation operation of the aerosol generation device 12.
  • the steps 120 and 130 performing respectively the blow detection routine and the recognition routine can be carried out simultaneously or independently one from the other.
  • the recognition routine can be carried out before the blow detection routine. In some other embodiments, the blow detection routine is not carried out.
  • the recognition routine according to the first example of implementation is based on using a digital filter implemented and calculation of the RMS values of the flow rate.
  • the digital filter can be a band pass filter with a limited frequency range. This frequency range can for example be formed by 5Hz and 20Hz edge frequencies.
  • the computing unit 42 determines a plurality of RMS flow values and a plurality of input averaged flow values.
  • the RMS values are determined according to the logic showed on figure 6. It should be noted that in further explanations, instead of RMS values, the squares of these RMS values can also be used.
  • the averaged flow values correspond to arithmetic mean values over all samples of the flow rate collected during one integration period used for calculation of the RMS values. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the averaged flow values can correspond to Olympic average values, i.e. average values that eliminate max and min outliers.
  • the computing unit 42 performs steps 210 to 240 according to the flowchart showed on figure 7.
  • the computing unit 42 performs a first comparing step 210 and a second comparing step 220 for at least one RMS flow value (including RMS value, or square RMS value) and one input averaged flow value (i.e., AVG value). During these steps, the computing unit 42 compares these values with a lower RMS threshold (also called first RMS threshold), a lower flow threshold (also called first flow threshold), a higher RMS threshold (also called second RMS threshold) and a higher flow threshold (also called second flow threshold). These thresholds are memorized by the computing unit 42 and are determined from the reference flow signature.
  • the computing unit 42 compares the corresponding RMS flow value with the lower RMS threshold and the input averaged flow value with the lower flow threshold. If the RMS flow value is lower than the lower RMS threshold or the input averaged flow value is lower than the lower flow threshold, during the step 215, the computing unit 42 considers the flow signature as non-recognized. Otherwise, the computing unit 42 passes to the second comparing step 220.
  • the computing unit 42 compares the corresponding RMS flow value with the higher RMS threshold and the input averaged flow value with the higher flow threshold. If the RMS flow value is higher than the higher RMS threshold or the input averaged flow value is higher than the higher flow threshold, during the step 225, the computing unit 42 considers the flow signature as non-recognized. Otherwise, the computing unit 42 passes to the next step 230.
  • the computing unit 42 determines the number of the RMS flow values and the input averaged flow values that fulfills the requirements of the first and the second comparing steps 210, 220 (i.e., the corresponding RMS flow value is within the range defined by the aforesaid lower RMS threshold and higher RMS threshold, and the input averaged flow value is within the range defined by the aforesaid lower flow threshold and higher flow threshold). If this number is below a predetermined number N, the computing unit 42 performs again the first and the second comparing steps 210, 220 in relation with another pair of RMS flow and input averaged flow values. Otherwise, the computing unit 42 passes to the step 240. During this step 240, the computing unit 42 concludes that the flow signature is recognized.
  • the lower RMS threshold, the lower flow threshold, the higher RMS threshold, the higher flow threshold as well as the number N can be adjusted depending on the strength of the inhale. For example, for a low strength of the inhale (sucking) the number N could be set lower compared to those set for stronger inhales.
  • the low and the high thresholds could be also set respectively to lower and higher values, i.e., decrease the low threshold and increase the high threshold to have more tolerant detection.
  • the strength of inhalation is low, it is very possible that the puff will be very short (e.g. somebody is vaping in similar manner as smoking pipe). In this case a very fast detection would be necessary to allow the consumer to vape a device like that if he or she wishes too.
  • a lower value of N and more tolerant thresholds can be used.
  • the puff will be most likely long enough, so that the number of samples (N) could be slightly higher to have less risk of false positive or false negative detection, and less permissive values for thresholds can be used, i.e., increasing the low threshold (the low threshold is higher than that for low strength of inhale) and decreasing the high threshold (the high threshold is lower than that for low strength of inhale).
  • the computing unit 42 may directly determine an effective frequency f integrated into the flow.
  • the computing unit 42 may perform the logic showed on figure 8 where the value o> 2 is outputted from the flow rate measurements provided by the sensor.
  • the computing unit 42 determines not only RMS values but also derivatives of these values over time.
  • the computing unit 42 can recognize the flow signature of the cartridge 14 when the effective flow frequency generated by its disruptor 66 is in a predetermined frequency range, and basing on the precise value of this frequency, the computing unit 42 can further recognize the nature of the precursor contained in the cartridge 14.
  • the recognition routine according to the first example of implementation can be performed simultaneously with the blow detection routine.
  • the computing unit 42 determines a plurality of RMS flow values and a plurality of input averaged flow values.
  • the computing unit 42 performs a first and a second comparing steps 310, 320 which are identical to the first and the second comparing steps 210, 220 explained above. Also as in the previous case, if during the first comparing step 310, the RMS flow value is lower than the lower RMS threshold or the input averaged flow value is lower than the lower flow threshold, during the step 315, the computing unit 42 considers the flow signature as non-recognized. Otherwise, the computing unit 42 passes to the second comparing step 320. Contrary to the previous case, if during the second comparing step 320 the RMS flow value is higher than the higher RMS threshold or the input averaged flow value is higher than the higher flow threshold, the computing unit performs a third comparing step 323. Otherwise, the computing unit 42 passes to the next step 330 and eventually to the step 340 which are identical to the steps 230 and 240 explained above.
  • the computing unit 40 compares the RMS flow value with a blow RMS threshold and the input averaged flow value with a blow flow threshold. If the RMS flow value is higher than the blow RMS threshold or the input averaged flow value is higher than the blow flow threshold, during the next step 325, the computing unit 42 concludes that the blow detection as well as the signature recognition are failed. Otherwise, the computing unit 40 passes to the step 326.
  • the computing unit 42 determines the number of the RMS flow values and the input averaged flow values that fulfills the requirements of the third comparing step 323. If this number is below a number M, the computing unit 42 performs again the first, the second and eventually the third comparing steps 310, 320, 323 in relation with another pair of RMS flow and input averaged flow values. Otherwise, the computing unit 42 passes to the step 327. During this step 327, the computing unit 42 concludes that a blow is detected.
  • the second example of implementation of the recognition routine is based on using differential analysis of the flow rate measurements over time.
  • the computing unit 42 determines a flow rate measurements within a predetermined time interval At. Then, the computing unit 42 checks whether the obtained value is located within certain thresholds which are determined from the reference flow signature.
  • This routine has very low requirements regarding computation time and necessary memory. Its precision may be partly improved by applying a low-pass filter.
  • the computing unit 42 determines a frequency spectrum of the flow and compares this spectrum with a predetermined spectrum which is determined from the reference flow signature.
  • the frequency spectrum of the flow is determined using a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) according to for example a Goertzel algorithm.
  • DFT discrete Fourier transform
  • the computing unit 42 also determines a frequency spectrum of the flow and compares this spectrum with a predetermined spectrum which is determined from the reference flow signature.
  • the frequency spectrum of the flow is determined using a fast Fourier transform (FFT) according for example to a Cooley-Tukey algorithm.
  • FFT fast Fourier transform

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un procédé de fonctionnement (100) d'un ensemble de génération d'aérosol comprenant une cartouche et un dispositif de génération d'aérosol, le dispositif de génération d'aérosol comprenant un canal de flux conçu pour être en communication avec un trajet de flux de la cartouche. Le procédé (100) comprend les étapes suivantes consistant à : - intégrer (110) une signature de flux dans le flux traversant le canal de flux du dispositif de génération d'aérosol en réponse à une interaction d'utilisateur avec le dispositif de génération d'aérosol ; - effectuer (130) une routine de reconnaissance pour reconnaître la signature de flux ; - commander (125, 135) le fonctionnement du dispositif de génération d'aérosol en fonction de la reconnaissance de la signature de flux.
EP21763083.9A 2020-08-21 2021-08-19 Procédé de fonctionnement d'un ensemble de génération d'aérosol, cartouche et ensemble de génération d'aérosol associés Withdrawn EP4199763A1 (fr)

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EP20192194 2020-08-21
EP20192183 2020-08-21
PCT/EP2021/073017 WO2022038221A1 (fr) 2020-08-21 2021-08-19 Procédé de fonctionnement d'un ensemble de génération d'aérosol, cartouche et ensemble de génération d'aérosol associés

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WO2015070532A1 (fr) * 2013-11-18 2015-05-21 吉瑞高新科技股份有限公司 Atomiseur et cigarette électronique
MY189739A (en) * 2014-05-02 2022-02-28 Japan Tobacco Inc Non-burning-type flavor inhaler
MX2017007440A (es) * 2014-12-11 2017-10-02 Philip Morris Products Sa Dispositivo de inhalacion con reconocimiento de usuario basado en el comportamiento de inhalacion.
ES2703233T3 (es) * 2015-08-28 2019-03-07 Fontem Holdings 1 Bv Depósito de líquido con dos volúmenes de almacenamiento y atomizador/porción de depósito de líquido así como dispositivo electrónico para fumar con depósito de líquido
US10850050B2 (en) * 2016-05-19 2020-12-01 Trudell Medical International Smart valved holding chamber

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