HUE033539T2 - Portable electronic system including charging device and method of charging a secondary battery - Google Patents

Abstract

In one aspect, there is provided a portable electrical system comprising primary and secondary devices, the primary device having a first, lithium cobalt oxide battery and the secondary device having a second, lithium iron phosphate or lithium titanate battery, wherein the primary and secondary devices are configured to allow recharging of the second battery from the first battery at a rate of between 2C and 16C

Description

Description [0001] The present invention relates to a portable electronic system including a charger and a secondary device, and to methods for charging and operation of the secondary device. The invention may be applied to portable electronic smoking systems.

[0002] Electrically operated smoking systems of the prior art typically include a housing for receiving a smoking article, heating elements to generate an aerosol, a power source and electronic circuitry to control operation of the system.

[0003] Portable electronic smoking devices need to be small and convenient for the user if they are to be widely adopted by smokers of conventional cigarettes. This leads to several technical requirements for the power source of a portable electronic smoking device. The power source, typically a battery, must be small enough to fit within a smoking device of similar size to a conventional cigarette and must deliver sufficient power to generate an aerosol from a smoking article. The idea of using a rechargeable battery has been suggested in the prior art, but in any commercially viable system the rechargeable battery must be able to deliver enough power for at least one smoking session, must be able to be quickly, safely and conveniently recharged to a level at which it can be reused for another smoking session, and must be operable for thousands of charge cycles.

[0004] EP 2454956 discloses an electrically heated smoking system comprising two units, a primary unit and a secondary unit, the primary unit being a charging device for charging the secondary unit, which is an electrically heated smoking device.

[0005] Various different battery chemistries are known in the art, having different properties. The website www.batteryuniversity.com provides details of different battery chemistries.

[0006] US 5,903,136 describes a method for charging a secondary battery in which the internal resistance of the charging circuit is determined and the maximum charging voltage is based on the determined internal resistance, during a constant current phase of charging.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and charging method that meet these requirements for a rechargeable power source.

[0008] The invention is defined by the features of the independent claims. Preferred features are defined in the dependent claims.

[0009] Examples in accordance with the various aspects of the disclosure will now be described in detail, with reference to accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an electronic smoking system comprising primary and secondary units;

Figure 2a shows a standard charging profile for a rechargeable battery in accordance with the prior art; Figure 2b is a flow diagram illustrating a control proc ess for the charging profile of Figure 2a;

Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a charging circuit formed by the coupled primary and secondary devices of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 shows a charging profile in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5a is a flow diagram illustrating a control process for the charging profile of Figure 4;

Figure 5b is a flow diagram illustrating an alternative control process for the charging profile of Figure 4; Figure 5c is a flow diagram illustrating a further alternative control process for the charging profile of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for calculating an internal resistance of the charging circuit; and

Figure 7 is flow diagram illustrating a control process for preventing excessive discharge of the secondary battery in a system of the type shown in Figure 1.

[0010] Figure 1 shows a primary device 100 and a secondary device 102. The primary device 100 in this example is a charging unit for an electrically heated smoking system. The secondary device 102 in this example is an electrically heated aerosol-generating device adapted to receive a smoking article 104 comprising an aerosolforming substrate. The secondary device includes a heater to heat the aerosol forming substrate in operation. The user inhales on a mouthpiece portion of the smoking article 104 to draw aerosol into the user’s mouth. The secondary device 102 is configured to be received within a cavity 112 in the primary device 100 in order to recharge the power supply in the secondary device.

[0011] The primary device 100 comprises first battery 106, control electronics 108, and electrical contacts 110 configured to provide electrical power to a second battery in the secondary device, from the first battery 106, when the secondary device is in connection with the electrical contacts 110. The electrical contacts 110 are provided adjacent the bottom of a cavity 112. The cavity is configured to receive the secondary device 102. The components of the primary device 100 are housed within the housing 116.

[0012] The secondary device 102 comprises a second battery 126, secondary control electronics 128 and electrical contacts 130. As described above, the second, rechargeable battery 126 of the secondary device 102 is configured to receive a supply of power from the first battery 106 when the electrical contacts 130 are in contact with the electrical contacts 110 of the primary device 100. The secondary device 102 further comprises a cavity 132 configured to receive the smoking article 104. A heater 134, in the form of, for example, a blade heater, is provided at the bottom of the cavity 132. In use, the user activates the secondary device 102, and power is provided from the battery 126 via the control electronics 128 to the heater 134. The heater is heated to a standard operational temperature that is sufficient to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate of the aero-sol-generating article 104. The components of the secondary device 102 are housed within the housing 136. A secondary device of this type is described more fully in EP2110033 for example.

[0013] The aerosol-forming substrate preferably comprises a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavour compounds which are released from the substrate upon heating. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco material. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate further comprises an aerosol former. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are glycerine and propylene glycol.

[0014] The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid substrate. The solid substrate may comprise, for example, one or more of: powder, granules, pellets, shreds, spaghettis, strips or sheets containing one or more of: herb leaf, tobacco leaf, fragments of tobacco ribs, reconstituted tobacco, homogenised tobacco, extruded tobacco and expanded tobacco. Alternatively, the aerosolforming substrate may be a liquid substrate and the smoking article may comprise means for retaining the liquid substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may alternatively be any other sort of substrate, for example, a gas substrate, or any combination of the various types of substrate.

[0015] In this example, the secondary device 102 is an electrically heated smoking device. As such the secondary device 102 is small (conventional cigarette size) but must deliver high power over a period of just a few minutes, typically around 7 minutes for a single smoking session. The second battery may then need to be returned to the primary device 100 for recharging. Recharging is desirably completed, at least to a level sufficient to allow for another complete smoking experience, in a matter of a few minutes and preferably less than 6 minutes.

[0016] The first battery 106 in the primary device is configured to hold sufficient charge to recharge the second battery 126 several times before needing recharging itself. This provides the user with a portable system that allows for several smoking sessions before recharging from a mains outlet is required.

[0017] It is also desirable that the second battery need not be frequently replaced. Preferably the second battery has a useful life of at least one year, equating to around 8000 charge/discharge cycles for a typical user.

[0018] In order to satisfy the competing requirements for the second battery 126 of small size, sufficient capacity and safe, but fast, charge and discharge, as well as acceptable lifetime, a lithium iron phosphate (LiFeP04) battery chemistry may be used, as in this example. The second battery 126 in this example has a cylindrical shape, with a diameter of 10mm and a length of 37mm. This battery is able to undergo 8000 cycles of charge/discharge at more than 900J per cycle. The average charging rate may be up to 12C. A charging rate of 1C means that the battery is fully charged from zero charge to full charge in one hour and a charging rate of 2C means that the battery is fully charged from zero charge to full charge in half an hour. The battery capacity is in the region of 125mAh. The maximum charging current can range from 980mA to 1.5A. Discharging is performed using 1 millisecond pulses of up to 2A. Discharge rate depends on the resistance of the heater, which is in turn dependent of the heater temperature. At ambient temperature the discharge rate may be as high as 28C but is reduced at higher temperatures as the resistance of the heater in- 1 creases. At typical operating temperature the discharging rate is around 13C. As an alternative, a lithium titanate battery may be used for the second battery.

[0019] A sample of second batteries may be qualification tested to ensure that they are able to meet a qualification standard in terms of number of useful cycles of charge discharge. The qualification testing may comprise: charging the battery at a rate of at least 2C; discharging the battery; repeating the charge/discharge cycle at least 6000 times; and then determining that the 1 battery meets a qualification standard if the battery capacity is greater than a threshold capacity, such as 80% of the original rated battery capacity.

[0020] The first battery 106 in the primary unit 100 is a lithium cobalt oxide (LiCo02) battery of the prismatic type. The first battery has a capacity of around 1350mAh, over ten times the capacity of the second battery. The second battery may be charged from the first battery at a rate between 2C and 16C. Discharging the first battery at a rate of 1C provides a charging rate of over 10C to 1 the second battery. Charging of the first battery can be performed from a mains supply, at a rate between 0 and 1.5C, and typically at a rate of around 0.5C to maximise battery life.

[0021] A lithium cobalt oxide battery provides a higher battery voltage than lithium iron phosphate, allowing the charging of a lithium iron phosphate battery from a single lithium cobalt oxide battery.

[0022] Figure 2a shows a standard charging profile for charging a rechargeable battery. Figure 2a shows the 1 charging voltage from the charging device 210, the charging current 220 from the charging device and the battery voltage 230 of the second battery being charged. The charging profile consists of an initial constant current phase 200. During the constant current phase 200 the charging voltage 210 is controlled so as to provide constant, maximum charging current lch. This provides for the maximum rate of charging. However, the constant charging current phase 200 comes to an end when the charging voltage required to maintain the maximum 1 charging current exceeds a maximum charging voltage Vch- Vch is set at a level that preserves the lifetime of the second battery. Once this stage is reached, indicated at point 203 on Figure 2a, a constant voltage phase 202 begins. During the constant voltage phase the charging voltage 210 is held at the maximum Vch. During the constant voltage phase, the charging current drops as the difference between the charging voltage 210 and battery voltage 230 drops. The charging process is stopped when the charging current reaches a low threshold lend. The maximum charging current and the maximum charging voltage are set by the battery manufacturer.

[0023] Figure 2b illustrates the control steps in this process. In step 20 the charging current is set at lch, the maximum charging current. During the constant current phase, the control logic compares the charging voltage with the maximum permitted charging voltage Vch. This is shown as step 22. If the charging voltage is below Vch the charging current is maintained. If the charging current is equal to or exceeds Vch, the constant current phase is ended and the charging voltage set to Vch. This is shown as step 24. The control logic then monitors the charging current in step 26. Once the charging current is less than lend the charging process is considered complete and is ended in step 28.

[0024] The charging profile illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b can be used in a system as described with reference to Figure 1. However, the charge time can be made shorter by compensating for the internal resistance in the charging circuit. A shorter charge time is desirable, particularly for systems such aselectronicsmoking systems, in which recharge time must be only a few minutes.

[0025] Figure 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating the charging circuit formed by the coupled primary and secondary devices. The circuit is divided in a primary device side and a secondary device side. Dotted line 30 represents the boundary between the primary device 100 and the secondary device 102. The primary device side comprises a controlled voltage source 320, comprising the first battery and a voltage regulator and a microcontroller 340 configured to control the voltage source 340 based on current I and voltage V measurements. The secondary device side comprises the second battery 126. The internal resistance of the charging circuit comprises contributions from several sources. The resistances rp_ and rp+ represent the electrical resistances of the electronics layout and solder tabs in the primary device. The resistances rs_ and rs+ represent the electrical resistances of the electronics layout and solder tabs in the primary device. The resistances rc_(t) and rc+(t) represent the electrical resistances of the contacts between the primary and secondary devices. They will vary from device to device and can vary with time from charge cycle to charge cycle. In an electrical smoking system of the type described with reference to Figure 1, primary and secondary units may be brought in and out of contact several times a day, and each time the contact resistances may be different. The contact resistances may also increase if the contacts are not kept clean. The resistance η(ί) represents the internal resistance of the second battery, which increases over the life of the second battery.

[0026] If the parasitic resistances rp_, rp+, rs_, rs+, rc_(t) and rc+(t) are combined into a single resistance R(t), then the voltage across the second battery will be less than the charging voltage from the voltage source by Vdrop= I * R(t).

[0027] This means that the charging voltage supplied by the voltage source can be increased above the maximum Vch by an amount I * R(t) and the voltage across the second battery will be equal to Vch. The constant current phase of the charging profile can be extended until the point that the charging voltage reaches Vch + I * R(t). The charging voltage supplied thereafter can also be controlled to be more then Vch but no more than Vch + I * R(t).

[0028] Figure 4 illustrates a charging profile in accordance with an aspect of the invention, in which the supplied charging voltage exceeds Vch. The charging profile comprises a constant current phase 400 and a pseudo-constant voltage phase 402. The charging voltage from the voltage source is shown as 410, the charging current is shown as 420 and the voltage of the second battery is shown as 430.

[0029] The constant current phase 400 extends until the charging voltage reaches a maximum of Vcomp=Vch + I * R(t). In the pseudo-constant voltage phase 402, the charging voltage is controlled to equal Vcomp. The charging cycle is ended when the charging current equals lend.

[0030] Figure 5a, 5b, and 5c illustrate alternative control strategies for implementing a charging profile as shown in Figure 4. Figure 5a shows the process starting at step 500. At step 510 the charging current is set to lch the maximum charging current specified by the manufacturer. In step 520 the internal resistance of the charging circuit is measured.

[0031] The process for measuring the internal resistance of the charging circuit is shown in Figure 6. In a first step 610 the charging current l1 and charging voltage V1 are measured. The charging voltage is then reduced to a lower voltage V2 in step 620, where V2=V1-AV. AV is a fixed, predetermined voltage difference of a few millivolts. The reduced voltage V2 and corresponding reduced current l2 are measured in step 630. The voltage is only reduced for a period of 100-400μ3, long enough for the voltage and current to be measured once (or a few times to provide an average) by the microcontroller. The internal resistance R, of the charging circuit is calculated in step 640 using the relationship Ri=(Vi-V2)/(li-l2).The process ends at step 650, and may be repeated as described below.

[0032] In step 530 the charging voltage is compared with the compensated maximum charging voltage Vcomp. The internal resistance R, comprises both the parasitic resistance R(t) and the internal resistance of the battery ri(t). Vcomp=Vch+R(t). The maximum internal resistance of the second battery rimax is provided by the battery manufacturer and can be used to derive a value for R(t) from Rj. As an alternative, the voltage across the battery can be directly measured and passed to the microcontroller to allow the parasitic resistance to be determined. Using the value of R(t), Vcomp can be calculated.

[0033] If the charging voltage is less than Vcomp the constant current phase continues and step 530 is repeated based on the calculated value of Vcomp. If the charging voltage is equal to or exceeds Vcomp then the constant current phase ends and the charging voltage is set to Vcomp in steP 540. In step 550 the charging current is compared to lend. If the charging current is greater than or equal to lend, then the process returns to step 540. The charging voltage is reset to a new value of Vcomp based on the newly measured charging current and then the process proceeds to step 550. This control loop of step 540 and 550 can be repeated as frequently as desired. If in step 550 the charging current is less than lend then the charging cycle is terminated at step 560 and this is indicated to the user. The value of lend may be set based on the full capacity of the battery or may be based on the amount of energy required for one standard use of the secondary device, e.g. a single smoking session.

[0034] Figure 5b illustrates a charging process according to the invention. In the process of Figure 5b, steps 500 and 510 are identical to those described with reference to Figure 5a. Step 515 is additional to the process shown in Figure 5a. In step 515 the charging voltage is compared with Vch, the maximum charging voltage specified by the battery manufacturer. Only if the charging voltage is equal to or exceeds Vch does the process proceed to step 520, determination of the internal resistance. Steps 520 and 530 are as described with reference to Figure 5a, but in the process of Figure 5b, the internal resistance and Vœmp are only calculated after the charging voltage reaches Vch. In the pseudo-constant current phase of Figure 5b, the first step is a recalculation of the internal resistance, in step 535. The internal resistance of the charging circuit may have increased during the charging process, and recalculating allows for a better calculation ofVcomp and a potentially shorter charge time. Steps 540, 550 and 560 are as described with reference to Figure 5a.

[0035] Figure 5c illustrates a further alternative charging process. In the process of Figure 5c steps 500, 510 and 520 are as described with reference to Figure 5a. In step 525 the charging voltage is compared with the compensated maximum charging voltage Vcomp, in the same manner as in step 530 in Figure 5a and 5b. However, in step 525, if the charging voltage is greater than or equal to Vcomp the process returns to step 520.

[0036] Steps 535 and 540 of Figure 5c are identical to steps 535 and 540 of Figure 5b. In step 545 the charging current is compared to lend. If the charging current is greater than or equal to lend then the process return to step 535, and the internal resistance is recalculated and Vcomp updated prior to step 540. If in step 550 the charging current is less than lend then the charging cycle is terminated at step 560 and this is indicated to the user. As explained above, the value of lend may be based on the full capacity of the battery so that the battery is charged to a certain proportion of full charge, say 90% of full charge. Alternatively lend may be set based on the amount of stored energy required for a single use of the secondary device.

[0037] Figures 5a, 5b and 5c are example control processes and it should be clear that other processes are possible in accordance with the same general principle. For example any of the constant current phases of Figures 5a, 5b and 5c, can be used with any of the pseudoconstant voltage phases of Figures 5a, 5b and 5c, providing nine different possible control processes.

[0038] In systems such as an electrical smoking system, any decrease in the time taken to recharge the secondary device may significantly increase user adoption. A key requirement is ease and convenience of use, and in a recharge cycle lasting just a few minutes every second is noticeable. The recharging processes described with reference to Figure 4 and Figures 5a, 5b and 5c provide for rapid recharging within the limits of operation specified by the battery manufacturer.

[0039] A further aspect of this disclosure is illustrated in Figure 7. With reference to the secondary device shown in Figure 1, the secondary device 102 may be configured to prevent operation if the second battery drops below 20% of its fully charged level. This protects the life of the second battery. The control electronics 128 are configured to monitor the battery voltage of the second battery in use. When the battery voltage drops to 20% of the fully charged voltage, the device is disabled until the second battery has been recharged to a threshold charge level. The threshold charge level may be chosen to be less that maximum battery capacity, say 90% of full capacity, again to protect the life of the battery. The 20% level has been found to be a good threshold level for lithium iron phosphate batteries, but any level between 15% and 25% may be used and other levels may be chosen to suit different battery chemistries.

[0040] Figure 7 illustrates the control process that the control electronics 128 is configured to execute. The process starts in step 700. In step 720 the battery voltage of the secondary battery is compared with a minimum starting voltage Vmin for allowing operation of the device. If the battery voltage is less than Vmin then the secondary device will not allow further operation of the heater and will enter a low power mode to conserve battery capacity until the next recharge cycle. The process then ends in step 730. In the case of a smoking device this prevents the heating operation of the device if there is insufficient charge in the second battery to complete a single smoking experience (corresponding to the experience of smoking a conventional cigarette say). Once the second battery has been recharged the process can restart at step 700.

[0041] If the battery voltage is greater than or equal to Vmin then the device is allowed to fully operate. During operation, the battery voltage of the second battery is repeatedly compared to a second threshold, in this case Vmin/5, i.e. 20% of the minimum starting battery voltage. This is shown as step 740. If the battery voltage is greater than Vmin/5 then the device continues to be operable and step 740 is repeated. If the battery voltage is less than or equal to Vmin/5 then the device enters the low power mode in which the heater is disabled in step 750. Once the heater is disabled, the control process must start again at step 700 so the heater cannot operate until the second battery is recharged to a level at which that the battery voltage is greater than or equal to Vmin.

Claims 1. A portable electronic smoking system comprising rechargeable primary (100) and secondary devices (102), the secondary device (102) being an electrically heated tobacco device, said secondary device comprising a heater (134) configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate, the primary device (100) comprising a housing (116), said secondary device being configured to be received within the housing of the primary device during a recharging cycle, the primary device having a first battery (106) and the secondary device having a second battery (126), wherein the capacity of the first battery (106) is between five and forty times the capacity of the second battery (126), and wherein the primary and secondary devices are configured to recharge the second battery (126) from the first battery (106) wherein the primary device comprises: a pair of output terminals (110) for connection to the second battery; a DC power source (106); a voltage regulator connected between the DC power source (106) and to the output terminals for controlling a charging voltage; and a microprocessor (340) coupled to the voltage regulator and to the output terminals, wherein the primary device (100) and second battery (126) are configured to be coupled together and to form a charging circuit, and wherein the microprocessor is configured to: control the voltage regulator to supply a first charging voltage; and only after the first charging voltage has reached a predetermined maximum charging voltage level of the second battery (126), determine an internal resistance of the charging circuit by measuring the current in the charging circuit at the first charging voltage and at a second charging voltage, wherein the second charging voltage is lower than the first charging voltage; and limit the first charging voltage supplied by the voltage regulator to a maximum first charging voltage based on the determined internal resistance and the predetermined maximum charging voltage level of the second battery. 2. The portable electronic smoking system according to claim 1, wherein the microprocessor (340) is con figured to: calculate the maximum first charging voltage based on the determined internal resistance and the predetermined maximum charging voltage level of the second battery; and adjust the first charging voltage to maintain a predetermined charging current until the first charging voltage reaches the maximum charging voltage level of the second battery, thereafter adjust the first charging voltage to a level at or below the maximum first charging voltage, and thereafter periodically or continuously recalculate the maximum first charging voltage and adjust the first charging voltage to maintain it at a level at or below the recalculated maximum first charging voltage. 3. The portable electronic smoking system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the microprocessor (340) is configured to determ ine the second charging voltage by reducing the voltage from the first charging voltage by a predetermined voltage difference. 4. The portable electronic smoking system according to any preceding claim, wherein the microprocessor (340) is configured to recalculate the internal resistance periodically. 5. The electronic smoking system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second battery (126) has a diameter of 10 mm and a length of 37 mm. 6. A method of charging a second battery (126) in a secondary electrically heated tobacco device (102) from a first battery (106) in a primary device (100) comprising a housing (116) and comprising a heater (134) configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate, the primary and secondary devices forming a portable electronic smoking system, the primary device having a first battery (106) and the secondary device having a second battery (126), wherein the capacity of the first battery (106) is between five and forty times the capacity of the second battery (126), and wherein the primary and secondary devices are configured to recharge of the second battery (126) from the first battery (106), the method comprising: connecting the second battery to the primary device, the primary device having an adjustable voltage source (320), to form a charging circuit; controlling a first voltage supplied by the voltage source to provide a predetermined charging current to the secondary battery; determining an internal resistance of the charging circuit by measuring the current in the charging circuit at the first charging voltage and at a second charging voltage, wherein the second charging voltage is lower than the first charging voltage; calculating a maximum first charging voltage based on the determined internal resistance and a predetermined maximum charging voltage level of the secondary battery; and adjusting the first charging voltage to maintain a predetermined charging current until the first charging voltage reaches the predetermined maximum charging voltage level of the secondary battery, and thereafter adjusting the first charging voltage to maintain it at a level at or below the maximum first charging voltage, wherein the steps of determining the internal resistance and calculating the maximum first charging voltage are carried out only after the first charging voltage has reached the predetermined maximum charging voltage level of the second battery. 7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the second voltage has a predetermined voltage difference from the first charging voltage. 8. A method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the steps of calculating the maximum first charging voltage and adjusting the first charging voltage to maintain it at a level at or below the maximum first charging voltage are carried out a plurality of times during a single charging cycle. 9. A method according to claim 7, wherein the steps of calculating the maximum first charging voltage and adjusting the first charging voltage to maintain it at a level at or below the maximum first charging voltage are carried out continuously after the first charging voltage first reaches the maximum first charging voltage during a single charging cycle. 10. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the step of determining the internal resistance is carried out periodically. 11. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, further comprising the step of returning the secondary device to the primary device for recharging the second battery after a single smoking session. 12. Themethodaccordingtoanyoneofclaim 11,wherein the single smoking session lasts 7 minutes. 13. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 12, further comprising the step of recharging the second battery for less than 6 minutes.

Patentansprüche 1. Tragbares elektronisches System zum Rauchen, das wiederaufladbare primäre (100) und sekundäre Vorrichtungen (102) aufweist, wobei die sekundäre Vorrichtung (102) eine elektrisch beheizte Tabakvor-richtung ist und die sekundäre Vorrichtung eine Heizvorrichtung (134) aufweist, die ausgelegt ist, ein aerosolbildendes Substrat zu erwärmen, die primäre > Vorrichtung (100) ein Gehäuse (116) aufweist und die sekundäre Vorrichtung ausgelegt ist, während eines Wiederaufladezyklus innerhalb des Gehäuses der primären Vorrichtung aufgenommen zu werden, die primäre Vorrichtung eine erste Batterie (106) und > die sekundäre Vorrichtung eine zweite Batterie (126) aufweist, wobei die Kapazität der ersten Batterie (106) zwischen fünf und vierzig Mal der Kapazität der zweiten Batterie (126) beträgt, und wobei die primären und sekundären Vorrichtungen ausgelegt > sind, die zweite Batterie (126) von der ersten Batterie (106) aufzuladen, wobei die primäre Vorrichtung aufweist: ein Paar von Ausgangsanschlüssen (110) zum > Verbinden mit der zweiten Batterie; eine Gleichstromquelle (106); einen Spannungsregler, der zwischen der Gleichstromquelle (106) und den Ausgangsanschlüssen verbunden ist, um eine Ladespan- > nung zu regeln; und einen Mikroprozessor (340), der mit dem Spannungsregler und den Ausgangsanschlüssen gekoppelt ist, wobei die primäre Vorrichtung (100) und die zweite Batterie (126) ausgelegt sind, > miteinander gekoppelt zu sein und einen Ladekreis zu bilden, und wobei der Mikroprozessor ausgelegt ist: den Spannungsregierzu steuern, um eine > erste Ladespannung bereitzustellen; und nur, nachdem die erste Ladespannung einen vorbestimmten maximalen Ladespannungspegel der zweiten Batterie (126) erreicht hat, > einen Innenwiderstand des Ladekreises durch Messen des Stroms im Ladekreis bei der ersten Ladespannung und bei einer zweiten Ladespannung zu bestimmen, wobei die zweite Ladespannung niedriger ist > als die erste Ladespannung; und die erste Ladespannung, die durch den Spannungsregler bereitgestellt wird, basierend auf dem bestimmten Innenwiderstand und dem vorbestimmten maximalen Lade- > spannungspegel der zweiten Batterie auf eine maximale erste Ladespannung zu begrenzen. 2. Tragbares elektronisches System zum Rauchen nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Mikroprozessor (340) ausgelegt ist: die maximale erste Ladespannung basierend auf dem bestimmten Innenwiderstand und dem vorbestimmten maximalen Ladespannungspegel der zweiten Batterie zu berechnen; und die erste Ladespannung anzupassen, um einen vorbestimmten Ladestrom aufrechtzuerhalten, bis die erste Ladespannung den maximalen Ladespannungspegel der zweiten Batterie erreicht, danach die erste Ladespannung an einen Pegel auf oder unterhalb der maximalen ersten Ladespannung anzupassen und danach periodisch oder kontinuierlich die maximale erste Ladespannung neu zu berechnen und die erste Ladespannung anzupassen, um sie auf einem Pegel auf oder unter der neu berechneten maximalen ersten Ladespannung aufrechtzuerhalten. 3. Tragbares elektronisches System zum Rauchen nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei der Mikroprozessor (340) ausgelegt ist, die zweite Ladespannung durch Reduzieren der Spannung von der ersten Ladespannung durch eine vorbestimmte Spannungsdifferenz zu bestimmen. 4. Tragbares elektronisches System zum Rauchen nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Mikroprozessor(340) ausgelegt ist, den Innenwiderstand periodisch neu zu berechnen. 5. Elektronisches System zum Rauchen nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei die zweite Batterie (126) einen Durchmesser von 10 mm und eine Länge von 37 mm aufweist. 6. Verfahren zum Laden einer zweiten Batterie (126) in einer sekundären elektrisch beheizten Tabakvorrichtung (102) von einer ersten Batterie (106) in einer primären Vorrichtung (100), die ein Gehäuse (116) und eine Heizvorrichtung (134) aufweist, die ausgelegt ist, ein aerosolbildendes Substrat zu erwärmen, wobei die primären und sekundären Vorrichtungen ein tragbares elektronisches System zum Rauchen bilden und die primäre Vorrichtung eine erste Batterie (106) und die sekundäre Vorrichtung eine zweite Batterie (126) aufweist, die Kapazität von der ersten Batterie (106) zwischen fünf und vierzig Mal der Kapazität der zweiten Batterie (126) beträgt, und wobei die primären und sekundären Vorrichtungen ausgelegt sind, die zweite Batterie (126) von der ersten Batterie (106) wiederzuaufladen, wobei das Verfahren aufweist:

Verbindenderzweiten Batterie mit der primären

Vorrichtung, wobei die primäre Vorrichtung eine anpassbare Spannungsquelle (320) aufweist, um einen Ladekreis zu bilden;

Regeln einer ersten Spannung, die durch die Spannungsquelle bereitgestellt wird, um einen vorbestimmten Ladestrom an die sekundäre Batterie bereitzustellen;

Bestimmen eines Innenwiderstandes des Ladekreises durch Messen des Stroms im Ladekreis bei der ersten Ladespannung und bei einer zweiten Ladespannung, wobei die zweite Ladespannung niedriger ist als die erste Ladespannung;

Berechnen einer maximalen ersten Ladespannung basierend auf dem bestimmten Innenwiderstand und einem vorbestimmten maximalen Ladespannungspegel der sekundären Batterie; und

Anpassen der ersten Ladespannung, um einen vorbestimmten Ladestrom aufrechtzuerhalten, bis die erste Ladespannung den vorbestimmten maximalen Ladespannungspegel der sekundären Batterie erreicht, und danach Anpassen der ersten Ladespannung, um sie auf einem Pegel auf oder unterhalb der maximalen ersten Ladespannung aufrechtzuerhalten, wobei die Schritte des Bestimmens des Innenwiderstands und des Berechnens der maximalen ersten Ladespannung nur ausgeführt werden, nachdem die erste Ladespannung den vorbestimmten maximalen Ladespannungspegel der zweiten Batterie erreicht hat. 7. Verfahren nach Anspruch 6, wobei die zweite Spannung eine vorbestimmte Spannungsdifferenz von der ersten Ladespannung aufweist. 8. Verfahren nach Anspruch 6 oder 7, wobei die Schritte des Berechnens der maximalen ersten Ladespannung und des Anpassens der ersten Ladespannung, um sie auf einem Pegel auf oder unterhalb der maximalen ersten Ladespannung aufrechtzuerhalten, mehrere Male während eines einzelnen Ladevorgangs ausgeführt werden. 9. Verfahren nach Anspruch 7, wobei die Schritte des Berechnens der maximalen ersten Ladespannung und des Anpassens der ersten Ladespannung, um sie auf einem Pegel auf oder unterhalb der maximalen ersten Ladespannung aufrechtzuerhalten kontinuierlich ausgeführt werden, nachdem die erste Ladespannung zuerst die maximale erste Ladespannung während eines einzelnen Ladevorgangs erreicht. 10. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 6 bis 9, wobei der Schritt des Bestimmens des Innenwiderstandes regelmäßig erfolgt. 11. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 6 bis 10, weiter aufweisend den Schritt des Zurückbringens der sekundären Vorrichtung zur primären Vorrichtung, um die zweite Batterie nach einer einzelnen Rauchsitzung aufzuladen. 12. Verfahren nach einem von Anspruch 11, wobei die einzelne Rauchsitzung 7 Minuten andauert. 13. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 6 bis 12, weiter aufweisend den Schritt des Aufladens der zweiten Batterie für weniger als 6 Minuten.

Revendications 1. Système à fumer électronique portatif comprenant des dispositifs rechargeables primaire (100) et secondaire (102), le dispositif secondaire (102) étant un dispositif pour tabac chauffé électriquement, ledit dispositif secondaire comprenant un dispositif de chauffage (134) configuré pour chauffer un substrat formant aérosol, le dispositif primaire (100) comprenant un logement (116), ledit dispositif secondaire étant configuré pour être reçu à l’intérieur du boîtier du dispositif primaire durant un cycle de recharge, le dispositif primaire ayant une première batterie (106) et le dispositif secondaire ayant une seconde batterie (126), où la capacité de la première batterie (106) est entre cinq et quarante fois la capacité de la seconde batterie (126), et où les dispositifs primaire et secondaire sont configurés pour recharger la seconde batterie (126) à partir de la première batterie (106), où le dispositif primaire comprend : une paire de bornes de sortie (110) pour raccorder à la seconde batterie ; une source d’alimentation en courant continu (106) ; un régulateur de tension raccordé entre la source d’alimentation en courant continu (106) et les bornes de sortie pour contrôler une tension de charge ; et un microprocesseur (340) accouplé au régulateur de tension et aux bornes de sortie, où le dispositif primaire (100) et la seconde batterie (126) sont configurés pour être couplés ensemble et former un circuit de charge, et où le microprocesseur est configuré pour : commander au régulateur de tension d’alimenter une première tension de charge ; et uniquement après que la tension de charge ait atteint un niveau de tension de charge maximum prédéterminé de la seconde batterie (126), déterminer une résistance interne du circuit de charge en mesurant le courant dans le circuit de charge à la première tension de charge et à la seconde tension de charge, où la seconde tension de charge est inférieure à la première tension de charge ; et limiter la première tension de charge alimentée par le régulateur de tension à une première tension de charge maximale basée sur la résistance interne déterminée et le niveau de tension de charge maximum prédéterminé de la seconde batterie. 2. Système à fumer électronique portatif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le microprocesseur (340) est configuré pour : calculer la première tension de charge maximale sur la base de la résistance interne déterminée et du niveau de tension de charge maximum prédéterminé de la seconde batterie ; et ajuster la première tension de charge afin de maintenir un courant de charge prédéterminé jusqu’à ce que la première tension de charge atteigne le niveau de tension de charge maximum de la seconde batterie, ajuster par la suite la première tension de charge à un niveau égal ou inférieur à la première tension de charge maximale, et ensuite, recalculer périodiquement ou continuellement la première tension de charge maximale et ajuster la première tension de charge pour la maintenir à un niveau égal ou inférieur de la première tension de charge maximale recalculée. 3. Système à fumer électronique portatif selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel le microprocesseur (340) est configuré pour déterminer la seconde tension de charge en réduisant la tension vis à vis de la première tension de charge par une différence de tension prédéterminée. 4. Système à fumer électronique portatif selon une quelconque revendication précédente, dans lequel le microprocesseur (340) est configuré pour recalculer périodiquement la résistance interne. 5. Système à fumer électronique selon l’une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la seconde batterie (126) a un diamètre de 10 mm et une longueur de 37 mm. 6. Procédé de charge d’une seconde batterie (126) dans un dispositif pour tabac (102) chaufFé électriquement secondaire à partir d’une première batterie (106) dans un dispositif primaire (100) comprenant un logement (116) et comprenant un dispositif de chauffage (134) configuré pour chauffer un substrat formant aérosol, les dispositifs primaire et secondaire formant un système à fumer électronique portatif, le dispositif primaire ayant une première batterie (106) et le dispositif secondaire ayant une seconde batterie (126), où la capacité de la première batterie (106) est entre cinq et quarante fois la capacité de la seconde batterie (126), et où les dispositifs primaire et secondaire sont configurés pour recharger la seconde batterie (126) à partir de la première batterie (106), le procédé comprenant : le raccordement de la seconde batterie au dispositif primaire, le dispositif primaire ayant une source de tension (320) ajustable afin de former un circuit de charge ; le contrôle d’une première tension fournie par la source de tension pour procurer un courant de charge prédéterminé à la batterie secondaire ; la détermination d’une résistance interne du circuit de charge en mesurant le courant dans le circuitde charge à la première tension de charge et à une seconde tension de charge, où la seconde tension de charge est inférieure à la première tension de charge ; le calcul d’une première tension de charge sur la base de la résistance interne déterminée et d’un niveau de tension de charge maximum prédéterminé de la batterie secondaire ; et l’ajustement de la première tension de charge pour maintenir un courant de charge prédéterminé jusqu’à ce que la première tension de charge atteigne le niveau de tension de charge maximum prédéterminé de la batterie secondaire, et par la suite l’ajustement de la première tension de charge afin de la maintenir à un niveau égal ou inférieur à la première tension de charge maximale, où les étapes de détermination de la résistance interne et de calcul de la première tension de charge maximale ne sont réalisées qu’après que la première tension de charge ait atteint le niveau de tension de charge maximum prédéterminé de la seconde batterie. 7. Procédé selon la revendication 6, dans lequel la seconde tension a une différence de tension prédéterminée vis à vis de la première tension de charge. 8. Procédé selon la revendication 6 ou 7, dans lequel les étapes de calcul de la première tension de charge maximale et d’ajustement de la première tension de charge afin de la maintenir à un niveau égal ou inférieur à la première tension de charge maximale sont réalisées une pluralité de fois durant un seul cycle de charge. 9. Procédé selon la revendication 7, dans lequel les étapes de calcul de la première tension de charge maximale et d’ajustement de la première tension de charge afin de la maintenir à un niveau égal ou inférieur à la première tension de charge maximale sont réalisées continuellement après que la première tension de charge ait atteint en premier la première tension de charge maximale durant un seul cycle de charge. 10. Procédé selon l’une quelconque des revendications 6 à 9, dans lequel l’étape de détermination de la résistance interne est réalisée périodiquement. 11. Procédé selon l’une quelconque des revendications 6 à 10, comprenant en outre l’étape de remise en place du dispositif secondaire vers le dispositif primaire pour la recharge de la seconde batterie après une seule session de consommation. 12. Procédé selon une quelconque revendication 11, dans lequel la seule session de consommation dure 7 minutes. 13. Procédé selon l’une quelconque des revendications 6 à 12, comprenant en outre l’étape de recharge de la seconde batterie pendant moins de 6 minutes.

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader’s convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard. • EP 2110033 A [0012]

Patent documents cited in the description • EP 2454956 A [0004] • US 5903136 A [0006]

Claims (4)

HO Page ''! 'Í i) I K! KN xf M only \ t V ALAM INI'S THE RICE OF YOU! K AKKU MU LATOR CHARGING HR Fi Patent Verb points! .. Portable electronic smoking system with rechargeable primary 100} and secondary devices (102), the secondary device (102) is an electrically operated tobacco device, the secondary device includes a heater ( 134) for the heating of an aerosol-shaped splitter, the primary device (100) comprises a housing (116) fitting into the housing of the primary device during the recharging cycle of the secondary device, i.e., the primary device has a first battery (106> - the secondary device has a battery (126), the capacity of the first battery (106) being between five and forty times the capacity of the second Battery (126), and wherein the primary and secondary devices are the first battery snow of the second spider (126) 106) to the hornboy of the city: ahokäKÄMieps toolbox: a pope out; 10) to connect to the second battery; a DC flowing female (106); a voltage regulator for the DC current source flOr and the limiter terminals, the power supply voltage supply voltage and the microprocessor (340) are connected to the junction box and output terminals, the primary device (100) and the second battery (126) are interconnected, forming a charge circuit by means of a yamt, and the microprocessor is configured to drive the voltage regulator to provide a first charger voltage; and after the first maximum charge * test has reached the maximum charge voltage of the given charge circuit, the charging of the charging circuits of the charging circuit determines the voltages of the first charger and the second charger discharges to determine the internal resistance of the charging circuit. * Voltage less than first charge voltage, and the first charge voltage limiter provided by the voltage regulator for a maximum first charging voltage at the base of the megaliapy MsŐ resistor and the second battery at a given maximum charge voltage color. where the microprocessor (340) is designed to calculate the maximum first charge voltage based on the determined maximum resistance of the internal resistance and the second actuator, and the first charge voltage to set the cost of a given prohibition aram until the first charge reaches the maximum limit for the second actuator, and then to set the first charge voltage, the maximum first pushed # tgs§isü | or a friend. and then recalculating the first first charge period to periodic or continuous recalculation and adjusting the first charge voltage to a level corresponding to or below the maximum first charge voltage of the CJ. 3. The i. A portable electronic smoking system according to claim 2 or 2, wherein the microprocessor (340) is configured to heat the second charger »by reducing its voltages from the first charge voltage to a given voltage difference, 4 The power according to any one of the preceding claims pre-moDe: system where the microprocessor (Art) nose is configured to recalculate the internal resistance periodically A portable dectromic tobacco system according to any one of the preceding claims. a diameter of 37 mm in length 37 mm, # <Egs method for charging a second battery fi 26) an electrically heated heater in another tobacco device 102), a first battery (106) of a primary device housing (100) comprising a housing 016¾ and includes a warm »(134) for heating an aerosol-shaped carrier, the primary device and the secondary device forming a portable electronic smoking system, i. the primary device has a first battery ff Öi), the secondary battery has a second battery i 126), where the capacity of the first battery (juvenile) is between five and forty times that of the second battery (ii), and wherein the primary and secondary devices the second battery (126} the first battery_theMaMM (106} v # i: ifptÄe ^ M: bath_mlaMt $ a, ahoi as; the procedure includes the following: the second accumulator · attaches to the primary device, the primary device Tan is a variable tea) tones * one #: :xmiMM &amp; m is a fmility: feamsrel is the first tension of a charging station to provide a charging current for the second battery; determining the internal resistance of the charging circuit to the current of the charging circuit: the uterus of the first general voltage a is a second: my charging voltage where: the second charger voltage is less than the first charge voltage, a maximum charging íészúltségszámhása first set of internal resistance of the second akfcenzuláior given by the maximum charge voltage of the keyboards; the first charge voltage being adjusted to a given charging current until the first charge voltage reaches the maximum charge voltage of the second battery, then maintaining the first mm voltage is the maximum first; at a level corresponding to or below the voltage of the charger, where the determination of the internal resistance of the charging circuit and the maximal charge of the first charger after the first charge voltage is reached: the second battery charge has reached its maximum charging voltage level, f, A i. The burst according to claim 1, wherein the second charging voltage is different from the voltage value of the first charge voltage. $ K k, or f, claim 1: the method of calculating the maximum first charge voltage and maintaining the first prohibition voltage at the maximum :: first charge: voltage corresponding to or below the voltage level is died several times: finally. The method of claim 7 to discover the maximum first boiling voltage: the calculation and the maintenance of the first charge voltage m at the level corresponding to or below the maximum first charge voltage is continuously charged in a cycle after the first charger: voltage first reaches the first Maximum charging voltage. 10. The method of any one of 64 64, wherein the step of determining internal internality is performed periodically. IL A 6 ~ 10. A method of claim 1, further comprising the step of reconnecting the second battery; returning to the primary device w by the secondary device after a smoking operation. 12. All. The method of claim 1, wherein the smoking operation lasts for 7 minutes. 113. Á. A method according to any of claims 6 to 12, further comprising the step of: recharging the second battery for a time period greater than 6 seconds.