KR20230061439A - Smoking device having a heating profile based on puff frequency - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of operating an aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate during a session of use is provided. The aerosol-generating device includes a power supply for powering a heater during a use session; and control electronics configured to control the supply of power from the power supply to the heater. The method uses control electronics to: correspond a puff applied in a usage session to a heater based on a cumulative puff count of puffs applied in a usage session and based on a time interval between an applied puff and a previous puff applied in the usage session; associated with a target operating temperature; and in the case of the applied puff, controlling power supply from the power supply to adjust the temperature of the heater to a target operating temperature associated with the applied puff.

Description

Smoking device having a heating profile based on puff frequency

The present disclosure relates to a method of operating an aerosol-generating device, a computer readable medium for use in an aerosol-generating device, an aerosol-generating device, and an aerosol-generating system.

Aerosol-generating devices configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate, such as a tobacco-containing substrate, are known in the art. Typically, inhalable aerosols are generated by heat transfer from a heat source to a physically separate aerosol-forming substrate or material, which may be located in, around or downstream of the heat source. The aerosol-forming substrate may be a liquid substrate contained within a reservoir. The aerosol-forming substrate may also be a solid substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may be a component part of a separate aerosol-generating article configured to engage an aerosol-generating device to form an aerosol. During consumption, volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-forming substrate by transfer of heat from a heat source and are entrained in the drawn air through the aerosol-generating article. As the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol that is inhaled by the consumer.

Some aerosol-generating devices are configured to provide a user experience of finite duration. The duration of the use session may be limited to approximate the experience of consuming a traditional cigarette, for example. Some aerosol-generating devices are configured for use with separate consumable aerosol-generating articles. Such aerosol-generating articles include an aerosol-forming substrate or substrates capable of releasing volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate is generally heated to form an aerosol. The quality of the resulting aerosol may deteriorate as the volatile compounds within the aerosol-forming substrate are depleted. Accordingly, some aerosol-generating devices are configured to limit the duration of a use session to help prevent generation of lower quality aerosols from a substantially depleted aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article. A user will inhale an aerosol from these known aerosol-generating devices by applying one or more puffs to the device during a session of use. Some known aerosol-generating devices may limit the duration of a use session based on when the number of puffs applied to the device in the session reaches a predetermined limit.

It is known to provide power to a heat source to heat an aerosol-forming substrate according to a varying thermal profile over the duration of a use session. In practice, these known thermal profiles define the temperature change for a heat source as a function of time elapsed in a usage session. As the aerosol-forming substrate becomes more depleted during a use session, more energy is required to extract the remaining volatile compounds from the aerosol-forming substrate. Accordingly, it is known to use a thermal profile that increases the target operating temperature for the heat source over the second half of the usage session. The known thermal profile used for operation of the heat source is based on an ideal hypothetical usage session. An ideal use session may be characterized by a predetermined length for the use session. The ideal usage session may be hypothesized or additionally based on the ideal user's puffing behavior; For example, it may be based on the assumption that successive puffs are applied at a predetermined rate over a finite period of time. However, the use of these known thermal profiles to control the temperature of the heat source can lead to inefficient extraction of the aerosol from the substrate, and can be detrimental to the overall user experience, if the actual use session deviates from the assumptions inherent in the ideal use session. there is. For example, if the user applied the puff at a faster rate than assumed in the known thermal profile, this could cause the use session to end earlier than would be expected in an ideal use session. As a result, the temperature of the heat source does not reach the required level at all in the second half of the use session, and the aerosol cannot be efficiently extracted from the substrate.

Accordingly, it is desirable to overcome the deficiencies and limitations described above.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operating an aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate during a use session, the aerosol-generating device comprising a power supply arranged to supply power to a heater during a use session. include The method,

associating a puff applied in the use session with a corresponding target operating temperature for the heater based on a cumulative puff count of applied puffs in the use session; and

For the applied puff, controlling power supply from the power supply to adjust the temperature of the heater to the target operating temperature associated with the applied puff.

By associating the applied puff with a corresponding target operating temperature for the heater based on the cumulative puff count, it is possible to adjust the target operating temperature of the heater to account for the particular puff characteristics of an individual user. This contrasts with known devices and thermal profiles discussed above, where the temperature of the heater changes as a function of time elapsed in a usage session. The ability to adjust a target operating temperature of a heater according to an individual user's particular puff characteristics may allow for more efficient extraction of aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate. Efficient aerosol extraction from the substrate can be achieved independent of (or less dependent on) the rate at which an individual user applies a puff to an aerosol-generating device. Thus, the user is not limited to applying a puff at a predetermined rate and can extract substantially all of the aerosol from the substrate. These advantages may also provide a user with an improved user experience over a usage session.

As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating device” refers to a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of an aerosol-generating article, for example part of a smoking article. An aerosol-generating device may include one or more components used to generate an aerosol by supplying energy from a power supply to the aerosol-forming substrate. For example, the aerosol-generating device may be a heated aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may be an electrically heated aerosol-generating device or a gas-heated aerosol-generating device. An aerosol-generating device may be a smoking device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol that can be directly inhaled through the user's mouth and into the user's lungs.

As used herein, the term “aerosol-forming substrate” refers to a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol. These volatile compounds can be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may be solid or liquid, or may contain both solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may be adsorbed, coated, impregnated or otherwise loaded onto a carrier or support. The aerosol-forming substrate may conveniently be part of an aerosol-generating article or smoking article.

The aerosol-forming substrate may include nicotine. The aerosol-forming substrate may include tobacco, for example a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavor compounds that are released from the aerosol-forming substrate upon heating. In a preferred embodiment the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a homogenized tobacco material, for example cast leaf tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate may contain at least one aerosol-forming agent, such as propylene glycol or glycerin.

As used herein, the term "use session" refers to a period of time during which a series of puffs are applied by a user to extract an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate.

As used herein, the term "cumulative puff count" refers to the number of puffs applied by a user in a usage session, relative to the start of that usage session.

Conveniently, the aerosol-generating device may store a predetermined thermal profile that defines a change in heater temperature over a predetermined distribution of puffs, wherein a target operating temperature associated with an applied puff is a puff value corresponding to a cumulative puff count of applied puffs. is the temperature of the pre-determined thermal profile for the puff at a pre-determined distribution of In this way, the temperature of the predetermined thermal profile is linked to the puff count. This contrasts with the known devices discussed above, where the thermal profile temperature is only linked to the elapsed time in a usage session.

The predetermined thermal profile may be stored in the controller used to control the power supply. Alternatively, a predetermined thermal profile may be stored in a memory module accessible to such a controller.

Advantageously, the predetermined thermal profile may include a predetermined relationship between a puff parameter and a predetermined distribution of puffs. The method determines whether the value of the puff parameter for one or both of the applied puff and a previous puff applied in the use session is different from the value of the puff parameter for a corresponding puff in a predetermined distribution of puffs. deciding; modifying the temperature of the predetermined thermal profile for the puff in a predetermined distribution of puffs corresponding to a cumulative puff count of the applied puff using the determined difference in the value of the puff parameter; and using the modified temperature of the predetermined thermal profile as a target operating temperature associated with the applied puff. In this way, the predetermined thermal profile may be dynamically adapted during a use session in response to characteristics of puffs applied by individual users during the use session.

As described in more detail below, the puff parameters used to modify the thermal profile include: i) the time interval between successive puffs; ii) strength of the puff; and iii) the volume of aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate in response to the puff.

The time interval between successive applied puffs is preferably determined by the controller based on detection of each puff. The controller may include control electronics configured to measure the time interval. Puff detection can be performed directly by use of an airflow sensor or the like. Preferably, however, puff detection is performed indirectly based on detecting a change in temperature of a heater that is expected to accompany any applied puff. Determination of the temperature of the heater can be performed directly using a temperature sensor. Preferably, however, the temperature of the heater is determined indirectly based on a change in one or more operational parameters of the aerosol-generating device. For example, the temperature of the heater may be determined based on the electrical resistance of the heater; This is particularly relevant when the heater is a resistive heater. In another example, if the heater takes the form of a susceptor that is heated by an inductor in use, the temperature of the susceptor may be determined based on a change in current supplied to the inductor from a power supply.

The volume of aerosol generated in response to an applied puff can be directly or indirectly determined. Volume can be directly determined by use of an airflow sensor or the like. Preferably, however, the volume is determined indirectly by use of a parameter representative of aerosol generation during a session of use. The parameter indicative of aerosol generation may itself represent the power supplied by the power supply during the use session. For example, current, voltage, or both current and voltage supplied to the heater may be parameters representing power. For example, the power supply may supply power to maintain the heater at a predetermined temperature during a use session. When the user puffs the device to generate an aerosol, the heater cools down and a greater amount of power is required to maintain the heater at the predetermined temperature. Thus, by monitoring a parameter representative of the power supplied by the power supply, a value representative of real-time aerosol generation can be recorded.

Advantageously, there may be a predetermined critical limit for the thermal profile, the temperature of which cannot be modified. By way of example, the deformation of the temperature in the thermal profile is below a predetermined threshold limit of +/- 10%, or +/- 7.5%, or +/- 5%, or +/- 3% of the unstrained temperature. May be limited to temperature changes. The provision of a threshold limit for varying the temperature of the thermal profile helps avoid excessive temperature fluctuations of the heater (and substrate) between successive applied puffs. Additionally or alternatively, the predetermined critical limit may include an absolute temperature limit. The value of this absolute temperature limit can be set to avoid ignition and burning of the aerosol-forming substrate and evolution of harmful compounds from the substrate. As an example, the absolute temperature limit may be set to a value of 400°C, or 375°C, or 350°C.

Associating an applied puff with a corresponding target operating temperature for the heater may be based on the time interval between the additional applied puff and the previous puff applied in the usage session. In this way, the target operating temperature for the heater may be a function of both i) the cumulative puff count of the applied puff and ii) the time interval between the applied puff and the previous puff. This feature provides the ability to adjust a target operating temperature for the heater during a use session to account for the rate at which puffs are applied by individual users during a use session. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently extract an aerosol from the substrate that will be maintained over a session of use regardless of (or less dependent on) the time interval between successive applied puffs. Preferably, the previous puff is an immediate predecessor to the applied puff in the usage session.

Each puff applied by the user will itself have a finite duration. Preferably, the time interval between the applied puff and the previous puff in the use session is the time interval between the onset of the applied puff and the onset of the previous puff. Alternatively, the time interval between the applied puff and the previous puff in the use session may be the time interval between the end of the applied puff and the end of the previous puff.

As noted above, the aerosol-generating device may store a predetermined thermal profile defining a change in heater temperature over a predetermined distribution of puffs. Preferably, the predetermined thermal profile includes a predetermined time interval between successive puffs of a predetermined distribution of puffs. The method further comprises: determining whether a time interval between the applied puff and the previous puff differs from a predetermined time interval between corresponding puffs in a predetermined distribution of puffs; modifying the temperature of a predetermined thermal profile for the puffs in a predetermined distribution of puffs corresponding to the cumulative puff count of the applied puffs by using the time difference; and using the modified temperature of the predetermined thermal profile as a target operating temperature associated with the applied puff. In this way, the temperature of the predetermined thermal profile can be modified based on the user's actual real-time puff behavior to maintain efficient aerosol extraction from the substrate. As mentioned above, the predetermined thermal profile may be stored in the controller used to control the power supply. Alternatively, a predetermined thermal profile may be stored in a memory module accessible to such a controller. The predetermined time interval may be uniform over a predetermined distribution of puffs.

A non-limiting example of the use and variation of a predetermined thermal profile that uses this “predetermined time interval” between successive puffs of a predetermined distribution of puffs is now described: the _{predetermined} distribution of puffs in a thermal profile is You may have successive puffs that are spaced apart from each other by a time interval. Thus, puff 'n' will be temporally separated from its subsequent puff 'n+1' by Δt _predet in the thermal profile. Conveniently, the time interval Δt _predet is 30 seconds. However, other values for the time interval Δt _predet may be chosen depending on the rate at which an ideal or hypothetical user is assumed to apply puffs over the course of a usage session. In this example, the thermal profile defines the heater temperatures for puffs 'n' and 'n+1' as T _n and T _n+1 , respectively. In the thermal profile, T _n and T _n+1 are different from each other and spaced apart from each other by a time interval of Δt _predet .

Two scenarios are now considered in which an actual user applies puffs to the device over the course of a usage session: In the first scenario, the user applies puffs according to predetermined time intervals in the thermal profile, where each puff has a Δt _predet It means that it is separated from its antecedents as much as it is. In this first scenario, the target operating temperature of the heater for the applied puff 'n+1' simply corresponds to the temperature T _n+1 , and there is no need to modify the thermal profile. In the second scenario, the same user applies the puff at a faster or slower rate than assumed in the thermal profile. In this second scenario, the temperature of the heat profile for puff 'n+1' depends on whether the user has puff 'n+1' applied earlier or later than assumed in the heat profile, i.e. applied Depending on whether the puffs 'n', 'n+1' are temporally separated by less or more than the time interval Δt _predet . Preferably, the temperature of the thermal profile corresponding to puff 'n+1' is modified depending on how earlier or later puff 'n+1' is applied after puff 'n' relative to the time interval Δt _predet . Advantageously, the temperature of the thermal profile corresponding to puff 'n+1' is modified in proportion to how sooner or later puff 'n+1' is applied after puff 'n' relative to Δt _predet .

Associating the applied puff with a corresponding target operating temperature for the heater may additionally be based on the intensity of the previous puff applied in the usage session. In this way, the target operating temperature for the heater may consequently be a function of both i) the cumulative puff count of the applied puff and ii) the intensity of the previous puff. Optionally, the target operating temperature may be a function of the time interval between the applied puff and the previous puff, as described in the preceding paragraphs. Puff intensity can affect both the depletion of the aerosol-forming substrate and the temperature of the substrate. The greater the intensity of the puff applied by the user, the more aerosol is generated in response to that puff, and the more the substrate is depleted of the compounds necessary for aerosol formation. In addition, puffs of higher intensity than expected may cause cooling of the substrate below the level necessary to ensure efficient extraction of the aerosol from the substrate. As the substrate becomes more depleted, more energy - and consequently higher heater temperature - is required to extract the residual compounds needed to form the aerosol. Accordingly, associating an applied puff with a corresponding target operating temperature for the heater based additionally on the intensity of a previous puff sets the target operating temperature to counteract substrate depletion caused by the intensity characteristics of puffs applied by individual users. It offers the advantage of being adjustable. Accordingly, it can efficiently extract the aerosol from the substrate to be held regardless of (or less dependent on) the strength of the puff applied by the user. Preferably, the previous puff immediately precedes the applied puff in the usage session.

The intensity of a given puff can be characterized in a variety of ways. As an example, the strength of a puff can be characterized by the volume of aerosol emitted from the substrate in response to that puff. Accordingly, the method may further include determining a volume of an aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate in response to a previous puff, and using the determined volume to determine an intensity of the previous puff.

As noted above, the aerosol-generating device may store a predetermined thermal profile defining a change in heater temperature over a predetermined distribution of puffs. Preferably, the predetermined thermal profile includes a predetermined intensity for each puff of the predetermined distribution of puffs. The method includes determining whether the intensity of the previous puff is different from a predetermined intensity for corresponding puffs in a predetermined distribution of puffs; modifying the temperature of a predetermined thermal profile for the puffs in a predetermined distribution of puffs corresponding to a cumulative puff count of the applied puffs by using these intensity differences; and using the modified temperature of the predetermined thermal profile as a target operating temperature associated with the applied puff. In this way, the predetermined thermal profile can be adapted in real time according to the individual user's puff strength characteristics to maintain efficient extraction of the aerosol from the substrate. As mentioned above, the predetermined thermal profile may be stored in the controller used to control the power supply. Alternatively, a predetermined thermal profile may be stored in a memory module accessible to such a controller. The predetermined intensity may be uniform over a predetermined distribution of puffs.

A non-limiting example of the use and variation of a predetermined thermal profile using this "predetermined intensity" for each puff of a predetermined distribution of puffs is now described. In this embodiment, the volume of aerosol generated in response to a puff is used as a measure of puff intensity: for a predetermined thermal profile, a predetermined distribution of puffs is a predetermined number of applied puffs over the course of a hypothetical use session. , is composed of N. The thermal profile also defines a predetermined total volume of aerosol, V, generated from the aerosol-forming substrate over the course of a virtual session of use. For the purposes of this example, it is assumed that the total predetermined aerosol volume, V, is generated uniformly over each of the N puffs. Thus, in the predetermined thermal profile, each puff of 'N' puffs is assumed to result in the generation of an equal volume, v, of aerosol, where v=V/N. In this embodiment, the volume v corresponds to the “predetermined strength”.

There are now two scenarios considered with an actual user applying a puff to the device over the course of a usage session: In the first scenario, the user applies the puff according to a predetermined distribution of puffs in the thermal profile. This means that each puff applied by the user during a session of use has an intensity that matches the thermal profile. That is, each applied puff results in the generation of a volume of aerosol, v. In this first scenario, no modification to the thermal profile will occur, and the target operating temperature of the heater for each applied puff is the heat for puffs in a predetermined distribution of puffs corresponding to the cumulative puff count number of applied puffs. It simply tracks the corresponding temperature of the profile. However, in the second scenario, the user may apply a puff that differs in intensity (and therefore volume of aerosol generated) from assumptions made in the thermal profile. In this second scenario, two successive puffs applied by the user are monitored: puffs 'n' and 'n+1'. If the applied puff 'n' is stronger than assumed in the thermal profile, then the aerosol volume due to puff 'n', _vn , will be greater than the ideal volume of the thermal profile, v. A larger expected intensity (aerosol volume v _n ) for puff 'n' will result in a larger expected depletion of the substrate in response to the expected puff 'n'. To compensate for the greater than expected depletion, the target operating temperature for the next puff 'n+1' may need to be higher than defined in the predetermined thermal profile. Alternatively, if the applied puff 'n' is less intense than assumed in the thermal profile, then the aerosol volume for puff 'n', _vn , will be less than the ideal volume, v, of the thermal profile. A smaller-than-expected intensity (aerosol volume v _n ) for puff 'n' will result in a smaller-than-expected depletion of the substrate in response to puff 'n'. To compensate for the later expected depletion, the target operating temperature for the next puff 'n+1' may need to be lower than defined in the predetermined thermal profile. The variation in temperature for puff 'n+1' in the predetermined thermal profile can be expressed as:

=

·αEquation 1:

=

α

for teeth:

은 퍼프 'n+1'에 대한 열 프로파일에서 초기에 정의된 온도이다.

is the temperature initially defined in the thermal profile for puff 'n+1'.

은 퍼프 'n+1'에 대한 열 프로파일의 변형된 온도이고; 그리고

is the modified temperature of the thermal profile for puff 'n+1'; and

에 적용되는 보정 인자이다. 보정 인자 α는 적용된 퍼프 'n'에 응답하여 생성된 에어로졸의 부피 v_n이 이상적인 부피, v보다 크거나 작은 양에 따라 달라질 수 있다.α to solve for the actual "strength" of puff 'n'

is the correction factor applied to The correction factor α may vary depending on how much the volume of the aerosol produced in response to the applied puff 'n', _vn , is greater or less than the ideal volume, v.

In one embodiment, the correction factor α can be expressed as:

Equation 2:

for teeth:

를 변형시킬 때 v_n이 v와 상이한 효과를 증가시키거나 감소시키도록 선택될 수 있다.δ is the scale factor, the value of which is the initially defined temperature

_v can be chosen to increase or decrease an effect different from v when modifying .

Associating an applied puff with a corresponding target operating temperature for the heater may be further based on a volume of aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate in response to a previous puff applied in a session of use. In this way, the target operating temperature for the heater may consequently be a function of both i) the cumulative puff count of applied puffs and ii) the volume of aerosol generated in response to previous puffs. Optionally, the target operating temperature is further determined by one or more of i) the time interval between the applied puff and the previous puff (as described in the preceding paragraph), and ii) the intensity of the previous puff (as described in the preceding paragraph). can be a function This can be understood as closely related to the above situation of target operating temperature as a function of puff intensity, and the volume of aerosol generated in response to a puff is one suitable means of characterizing the intensity of that puff. The greater the volume of aerosol generated in response to a puff, the more the substrate is depleted. As the substrate becomes more depleted, more energy - and consequently higher heater temperature - is required to extract the residual compounds needed to form the aerosol. Accordingly, associating an applied puff with a corresponding target operating temperature for the heater that is further based on the volume of aerosol generated in response to the previous puff counteracts substrate depletion caused by the nature of the puff applied by the individual user. It provides the advantage of being able to adjust the target operating temperature to Preferably, the previous puff immediately precedes the applied puff in the usage session.

As noted above, the aerosol-generating device may store a predetermined thermal profile defining a change in heater temperature over a predetermined distribution of puffs. Preferably, the predetermined thermal profile includes a predetermined volume of aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate for each puff of the predetermined distribution of puffs. The method includes determining whether the volume of aerosol generated for the previous puff is different from a predetermined volume for a corresponding puff of a predetermined distribution of the puff; modifying the temperature of the predetermined temperature profile for the puffs in a predetermined distribution of puffs corresponding to the cumulative puff count of the applied puffs by using the volume difference; and using the modified temperature of the predetermined thermal profile as a target operating temperature associated with the applied puff. In this way, the predetermined thermal profile can be adapted according to the individual user's puff characteristics, thereby facilitating maintaining efficient extraction of the aerosol from the substrate over a session of use. As mentioned above, the predetermined thermal profile may be stored in the controller used to control the power supply. Alternatively, a predetermined thermal profile may be stored in a memory module accessible to such a controller. The predetermined volume may be uniform over a predetermined distribution of puffs. The non-limiting example outlined in the previous paragraph with reference to Equations 1 and 2 describing the use and modification of a predetermined thermal profile using a “predetermined intensity” for each puff of a predetermined distribution of puffs is also aerosol generated. The variant described in this paragraph of a predetermined thermal profile using a "predetermined volume" of

Conveniently, the target operating temperature varies over a session of use within the range of 320°C to 350°C. Such operating temperatures have been found to be particularly suitable when generating aerosols from solid, tobacco-containing aerosol-forming substrates. However, the present disclosure is not limited to use with solid aerosol-forming substrates and may be adapted for use with liquid aerosol-forming substrates. It is also desirable to limit the maximum value for the target operating temperature over a session of use to avoid ignition and burning of the substrate and evolution of harmful compounds from the substrate; As an example, this limit may be set to 400°C, or 375°C, or 350°C. Specific ranges and limits for the target operating temperature over a session of use may be established depending on the heating characteristics of the particular aerosol-forming substrate used as well as the energy capacity of the power source used.

The method may include detecting the applied puff by monitoring a change in heater temperature in response to the applied puff. As an example, the heater temperature can be detected as described in the preceding paragraph.

The method may further include terminating the usage session when i) the cumulative number of puffs applied to the usage session reaching the predetermined puff limit, or ii) the usage session reaching the predetermined maximum duration occurs first. As an example, the predetermined puff limit may be 12 puffs, and the predetermined maximum duration may be 6 minutes. However, other values for the puff limit and maximum duration can be set, and their selection is influenced by a number of factors. These factors may include the amount and composition of the aerosol-forming substrate used, and the amount of power available from the power supply in a given session of use. It is desirable for the aerosol-generating device to be portable and have a size and mass suitable for holding in the hand of a user. This preference, in turn, will affect the size and energy capacity of the power source of the aerosol-generating device, which in turn will affect the values set for puff limit and maximum duration.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer readable medium for use in an aerosol generating device, said computer readable medium for carrying out any one of the methods of the first aspect and variants thereof as described above. Include instructions. Computer readable media may include computer memory. A computer readable medium may be provided in a controller used to control the power supply. Alternatively, the computer readable medium may be a discrete component separate from, but accessible to, such a controller. Preferably, the computer readable medium is both readable and recordable in use, thus providing the advantage of allowing a thermal profile stored on the computer readable medium to be modified over the course of a session of use.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate during a use session. The aerosol generating device:

a power supply arranged to supply power to a heater during said use session;

The aerosol generating device:

associate a puff applied in the use session with a corresponding target operating temperature for the heater based on a cumulative puff count of the applied puff in the use session; and

and for the applied puff, control power supply from the power supply to adjust the temperature of the heater to the target operating temperature associated with the applied puff.

This third aspect provides, in general terms, an aerosol-generating device capable of carrying out the method and variants thereof of the first aspect described above. For completeness, the different variants of aerosol-generating devices are briefly outlined below.

As described above with respect to the first aspect, the aerosol-generating device may store a predetermined thermal profile defining a change in heater temperature over a predetermined distribution of puffs, the aerosol-generating device associated with the applied puff. The target operating temperature is configured to be the temperature of the predetermined thermal profile for the puffs in the predetermined distribution of the puffs corresponding to the cumulative puff count of the applied puffs.

As described above with respect to the first aspect, the predetermined thermal profile may be stored in the controller used to control the power supply. Alternatively, a predetermined thermal profile may be stored in a memory module accessible to such a controller.

As described above with respect to the first aspect, the predetermined thermal profile may include a predetermined relationship between a puff parameter and a predetermined distribution of puffs. Further, the aerosol-generating device preferably comprises: a value of the puff parameter for one or both of the applied puff and the previous puff is different from a value of the puff parameter for a corresponding puff of a predetermined distribution of puffs. determine whether or not; modify the temperature of the predetermined thermal profile for the puff in a predetermined distribution of the puffs corresponding to a cumulative puff count of the applied puff by using this difference in the value of the puff parameter; and use the modified heater temperature of the predetermined thermal profile as a target operating temperature associated with the applied puff.

As described for the first aspect, the puff parameters include: the time interval between successive puffs; strength of the puff; and a volume of aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate in response to the puff.

The provision of a predetermined threshold limit for the thermal profile as described for the first aspect is equally applicable to the aerosol-generating device of this third aspect of the invention.

The aerosol-generating device may also be configured to: determine a time interval between an applied puff and a previous puff; and associating the applied puff with a corresponding target operating temperature for the heater may be further configured to be based on the determined time interval.

As noted above, the aerosol-generating device may store a predetermined thermal profile defining a change in heater temperature over a predetermined distribution of puffs. Preferably, the predetermined thermal profile comprises a predetermined time interval between successive puffs of the predetermined distribution of puffs, and the aerosol-generating device comprises: a determined time interval between the applied puff and the previous puff; determine whether a predetermined distribution of puffs differs from a predetermined time interval between corresponding puffs; modifying the temperature of a predetermined thermal profile for the puff in a predetermined distribution of puffs corresponding to the cumulative puff count of the applied puff by using this time difference; and use the modified temperature of the predetermined thermal profile as a target operating temperature associated with the applied puff. The embodiments described in the previous paragraph (with respect to the method of the first aspect) of the use and modification of a predetermined thermal profile using a "predetermined time interval" between successive puffs of a predetermined distribution of puffs are outlined in this paragraph. The same is applicable to providing an understanding of the configuration of the device.

The aerosol-generating device may also be configured to: determine the intensity of a previous puff applied in the use session; and associating the applied puff with a corresponding target operating temperature for the heater may be configured to be further based on the determined intensity of the previous puff. As discussed in the previous paragraph for the first aspect, the strength of a given puff can be characterized in a variety of ways. As an example, the strength of a puff can be characterized by the volume of aerosol emitted from the substrate in response to that puff. Accordingly, the aerosol-generating device is configured to: determine a volume of aerosol generated from an aerosol-forming substrate in response to a previous puff; and use the determined volume to determine the intensity of the previous puff.

As noted above, the aerosol-generating device may store a predetermined thermal profile defining a change in heater temperature over a predetermined distribution of puffs. Preferably, the predetermined thermal profile comprises a predetermined intensity for each puff of the predetermined distribution of puffs, and wherein the aerosol-generating device: wherein the determined intensity of the previous puff corresponds to a corresponding one of the predetermined distribution of puffs. determine whether it differs from a predetermined intensity for the puff; modifying the temperature of a predetermined thermal profile for the puff in a predetermined distribution of puffs corresponding to a cumulative puff count of the applied puff by using this intensity difference; and use the modified temperature of the predetermined thermal profile as a target operating temperature associated with the applied puff. The embodiment described in the previous paragraph (with respect to the method of the first aspect) for the use and modification of a predetermined thermal profile using a "predetermined intensity" for each puff of a predetermined distribution of puffs is outlined in this paragraph. The same is applicable in providing an understanding of the device's construction.

The aerosol-generating device may also be configured to: determine the volume of aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate in response to a previous puff applied in the use session; and associating the applied puff with a corresponding target operating temperature for the heater may be configured to be further based on the volume determined for the previous puff. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, it is closely related to the aforementioned situation of target operating temperature as a function of puff intensity, and the volume of aerosol generated in response to a puff is one suitable means of characterizing the intensity of that puff.

As noted above, the aerosol-generating device may store a predetermined thermal profile defining a change in heater temperature over a predetermined distribution of puffs. Preferably, the predetermined thermal profile comprises a predetermined volume of aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate for each puff of the predetermined distribution of puffs, and the aerosol-generating device: determine whether the determined volume of the aerosol is different from a predetermined volume for a corresponding puff of the predetermined distribution of the puff; change the temperature of the predetermined temperature profile for the puffs in the predetermined distribution of puffs corresponding to the cumulative puff count of applied puffs by using this volume difference; and use the modified temperature of the predetermined thermal profile as a target operating temperature associated with the applied puff.

In the same manner and for the same reasons as discussed in the previous paragraph for the method of the first aspect, the aerosol-generating device may be configured such that the target operating temperature is limited to vary within a range of 320°C to 350°C.

The aerosol-generating device may be configured to detect an applied puff by monitoring a change in heater temperature in response to the applied puff.

In the same manner and for the same reasons as discussed in the previous paragraph for the method of the first aspect, the aerosol-generating device may also: i) the cumulative number of puffs applied in use sessions in which a predetermined puff limit is reached, or ii) a predetermined maximum time It may be configured to terminate the usage session when the usage session reaching the limit duration occurs first.

The aerosol-generating device may include a heater. By way of example, the heater may be a resistive heating element intended to fit around or within the aerosol-forming substrate. Alternatively, the heater may be distinct from and separate from the device. For example, a heater may be a susceptor that forms part of an article distinct from a device in which the article contains an aerosol-forming substrate. In this example, the aerosol-generating device may include an inductor and the power supply is configured to provide power to the inductor such that, upon use of the device with the article, the inductor induces eddy currents into the susceptor resulting in heating of the susceptor. can be induced to do so.

In a fourth aspect, an aerosol-generating system is provided, the system comprising an aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding third aspect and variants thereof and an aerosol-generating article, the aerosol-generating article comprising a heater and an aerosol-forming substrate. and the aerosol-generating device is configured to receive an aerosol-generating article.

As an example, the heater may be in the form of a susceptor, and the aerosol-generating device includes an inductor coupled to a power supply. Aerosol-generating articles and devices are preferably such that when the articles are received by the device, the inductor and susceptor are positioned relative to each other such that power supply from a power supply to the inductor induces eddy currents into the susceptor, thereby heating the aerosol-forming substrate. is configured to result in

The invention is defined in the claims. However, a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples is provided below. Any one or more feature of these embodiments may be combined with any one or more feature of any other embodiment, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

Example 1: A method of operating an aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate during a session of use, the aerosol-generating device comprising:

a power supply arranged to supply power to a heater during said use session;

The method is:

associating a puff applied in the use session with a corresponding target operating temperature for the heater based on a cumulative puff count of applied puffs in the use session; and

for the applied puff, controlling the supply of power from the power supply to adjust the temperature of the heater to the target operating temperature associated with the applied puff.

Example 2: The aerosol-generating device of Example 1, wherein the aerosol-generating device stores a predetermined thermal profile defining a change in heater temperature over a predetermined distribution of puffs, wherein the target operating temperature associated with the applied puff is is the temperature of the predetermined thermal profile for the puffs in the predetermined distribution of puffs corresponding to a cumulative puff count of .

Example 3: The method of Example 2, wherein the predetermined thermal profile comprises a predetermined relationship between a puff parameter and a predetermined distribution of the puff; The method is:

determining whether a value of the puff parameter for one or both of the applied puff and a previous puff applied in the use session is different from a value of the puff parameter for a corresponding puff in a predetermined distribution of puffs;

modifying the temperature of the predetermined thermal profile for the puff in a predetermined distribution of puffs corresponding to a cumulative puff count of the applied puff by using the determined difference in the value of the puff parameter; and

using the modified temperature of the predetermined thermal profile as the target operating temperature associated with the applied puff.

Example 4: The puff parameter of Example 3 is

the time interval between successive puffs;

strength of the puff; and

and at least one of the volumes of aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate in response to a puff.

Embodiment 5: The method of any of Embodiments 1-4, wherein associating the applied puff with a corresponding target operating temperature for the heater further comprises a time between the applied puff and a previous puff applied in the use session. Interval based, method.

Example 6: The method of example 5, wherein the previous puff immediately precedes the applied puff in the use session.

Embodiment 7: The method of embodiment 5 or embodiment 6, wherein the aerosol-generating device stores a predetermined thermal profile defining a change in heater temperature over a predetermined distribution of puffs, the predetermined thermal profile of the puff. comprising a predetermined time interval between successive puffs of a predetermined distribution;

The method is:

determining whether a time interval between the applied puff and the previous puff differs from a predetermined time interval between corresponding puffs in a predetermined distribution of puffs;

modifying the temperature of the predetermined thermal profile for the puffs in a predetermined distribution of the puffs corresponding to a cumulative puff count of the applied puffs by using the time difference; and

using the modified temperature of the predetermined thermal profile as the target operating temperature associated with the applied puff.

Example 8: The method of Example 7, wherein the predetermined time interval is non-uniform across the predetermined distribution of puffs.

Example 9: The method of any of Examples 1-8, wherein associating the applied puff with a corresponding target operating temperature for the heater is additionally based on an intensity of a previous puff applied in the session of use. .

Example 10: The method of Example 9, wherein the previous puff is an immediate predecessor to the applied puff.

Embodiment 11: The aerosol-generating device according to embodiment 9 or embodiment 10, wherein the aerosol-generating device stores a predetermined thermal profile defining a change in heater temperature over a predetermined distribution of puffs, the predetermined thermal profile of the puff. includes a predetermined intensity for each puff of the predetermined distribution;

The method is:

determining whether the intensity of the previous puff is different from the predetermined intensity for corresponding puffs in the predetermined distribution of puffs;

modifying the temperature of the predetermined thermal profile for the puffs in a predetermined distribution of the puffs corresponding to a cumulative puff count of the applied puffs by using these intensity differences; and

using the modified temperature of the predetermined thermal profile as the target operating temperature associated with the applied puff.

Example 12: The method of Example 11, wherein the predetermined intensity is non-uniform across a predetermined distribution of puffs.

Example 13: The method according to any one of Examples 9-12, wherein the method:

determining a volume of an aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate in response to the previous puff, and determining an intensity of the previous puff using the determined volume.

Embodiment 14: The method of any of embodiments 1-13, wherein associating the applied puff with a corresponding target operating temperature for the heater further comprises removing the aerosol-forming substrate from the aerosol-forming substrate in response to a previous puff applied in the session of use. based on the volume of aerosol generated.

Example 15: The method of Example 14, wherein the previous puff is an immediate predecessor to the applied puff.

Embodiment 16: The aerosol-generating device according to embodiment 14 or embodiment 15, wherein the aerosol-generating device stores a predetermined thermal profile defining a change in heater temperature over a predetermined distribution of puffs, the predetermined thermal profile of the puff. comprising a predetermined volume of aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate for each puff of a predetermined distribution;

The method is:

determining whether the volume of the aerosol generated for the previous puff is different from the predetermined volume for a corresponding puff of the predetermined distribution of puffs;

modifying the temperature of the predetermined temperature profile for the puffs in a predetermined distribution of the puffs corresponding to the cumulative puff count of the applied puffs by using the volume difference; and

using the modified temperature of the predetermined thermal profile as the target operating temperature associated with the applied puff.

Example 17: The method of Example 16, wherein the predetermined volume is non-uniform across the predetermined distribution of the puff.

Embodiment 18: The method of any of embodiments 1-17, wherein the target operating temperature varies over the use session within a range of 320°C to 350°C.

Example 19: The method of any of embodiments 1-18, wherein the method comprises detecting the applied puff by monitoring a change in heater temperature in response to the applied puff.

Example 20: The method according to any one of Examples 1-19, wherein the method:

terminating the use session when i) the cumulative number of puffs applied to the use session reaching a predetermined puff limit, or ii) the use session reaching a predetermined maximum duration occurs first.

Embodiment 21: A computer readable medium for use in an aerosol generating device, wherein the computer readable medium contains instructions for performing a method according to any one of embodiments 1-20.

Example 22: An aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate during a use session, the aerosol-generating device comprising:

a power supply arranged to supply power to a heater during said use session;

The aerosol generating device:

associate a puff applied in the use session with a corresponding target operating temperature for the heater based on a cumulative puff count of the applied puff in the use session; and

and for the applied puff, control the supply of power from the power supply to adjust the temperature of the heater to the target operating temperature associated with the applied puff.

Embodiment 23: The method of embodiment 22, wherein the aerosol-generating device stores a predetermined thermal profile defining a change in heater temperature over a predetermined distribution of puffs, and wherein the aerosol-generating device determines the target associated with the applied puff. wherein the operating temperature is the temperature of the predetermined thermal profile for the puffs in the predetermined distribution of the puffs corresponding to the cumulative puff count of the applied puffs.

Example 24: The method of Example 23, wherein the predetermined thermal profile stored by the aerosol-generating device comprises a predetermined relationship between a puff parameter and a predetermined distribution of puffs; wherein the aerosol-generating device:

determine whether a value of the puff parameter for one or both of the applied puff and the previous puff is different from a value of the puff parameter for a corresponding puff in a predetermined distribution of puffs;

modify the temperature of the predetermined thermal profile for the puff in a predetermined distribution of the puffs corresponding to a cumulative puff count of the applied puff by using this difference in the value of the puff parameter; and

and use the modified heater temperature of the predetermined thermal profile as the target operating temperature associated with the applied puff.

Example 25: The puff parameter of Example 24 is:

the time interval between successive puffs;

strength of the puff; and

an aerosol-generating device comprising at least one of the volumes of aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate in response to a puff.

Embodiment 26: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of embodiments 22-25,

determine a time interval between the applied puff and a previous puff; and

wherein the step of associating the applied puff with a corresponding target operating temperature for the heater is further configured to be based on the determined time interval.

Embodiment 27: The aerosol-generating device of embodiment 26, wherein the aerosol-generating device stores a predetermined thermal profile that defines a change in heater temperature over a predetermined distribution of puffs, the predetermined thermal profile comprising a predetermined distribution of puffs. comprising a predetermined time interval between successive puffs;

wherein the aerosol-generating device:

determine whether the determined time interval between the applied puff and the previous puff is different from a predetermined time interval between corresponding puffs in the predetermined distribution of puffs;

modifying the temperature of the predetermined thermal profile for the puffs in a predetermined distribution of the puffs corresponding to a cumulative puff count of the applied puffs by using this time difference; and

and use the modified temperature of the predetermined thermal profile as the target operating temperature associated with the applied puff.

Embodiment 28: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of embodiments 22-27, wherein:

determine the intensity of a previous puff applied in the use session; and

wherein the step of associating the applied puff with a corresponding target operating temperature for the heater is further configured to be further configured to based on the determined intensity of the previous puff.

Embodiment 29: The aerosol-generating device of embodiment 28, wherein the aerosol-generating device stores a predetermined thermal profile that defines a change in heater temperature over a predetermined distribution of puffs, the predetermined thermal profile comprising a predetermined distribution of puffs. includes a predetermined intensity for each puff;

wherein the aerosol-generating device:

determine whether the determined intensity of the previous puff is different from the predetermined intensity for corresponding puffs in the predetermined distribution of puffs;

modifying the temperature of the predetermined thermal profile for the puffs in a predetermined distribution of the puffs corresponding to a cumulative puff count of the applied puffs by using this intensity difference; and

and use the modified temperature of the predetermined thermal profile as the target operating temperature associated with the applied puff.

Embodiment 30: according to embodiment 28 or embodiment 29, wherein the aerosol-generating device:

determine a volume of aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate in response to the previous puff; and

and use the determined volume in determining the intensity of the previous puff.

Embodiment 31: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of embodiments 22-30, wherein:

determine a volume of aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate in response to a previous puff applied in the use session; and

and wherein the step of associating the applied puff with a corresponding target operating temperature for the heater is further configured to be based on the determined volume for the previous puff.

Embodiment 32: The aerosol-generating device of embodiment 31, wherein the aerosol-generating device stores a predetermined thermal profile that defines a change in heater temperature over a predetermined distribution of puffs, the predetermined thermal profile comprising a predetermined distribution of puffs. comprising for each puff a predetermined volume of aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate;

wherein the aerosol-generating device:

determine whether the determined volume of aerosol generated for the previous puff is different from the predetermined volume for a corresponding puff of the predetermined distribution of the puff;

modifying the temperature of the predetermined temperature profile for the puffs in a predetermined distribution of the puffs corresponding to a cumulative puff count of the applied puffs by using the volume difference; and

and use the modified temperature of the predetermined thermal profile as the target operating temperature associated with the applied puff.

Embodiment 33: The aerosol-generating device according to any of embodiments 22-32, wherein the aerosol-generating device is configured such that the target operating temperature is limited to vary within a range of 320°C to 350°C.

Embodiment 34: The aerosol-generating device of any of embodiments 22-33, wherein the aerosol-generating device is configured to detect the applied puff by monitoring a change in heater temperature in response to the applied puff.

Embodiment 35: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of embodiments 22-34, wherein:

i) a cumulative number of puffs applied to the use session reaching a predetermined puff limit, or ii) a use session reaching a predetermined maximum duration, which is configured to end the use session when it first occurs.

Embodiment 36: The aerosol-generating device according to any of embodiments 22-35, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises the heater.

Embodiment 37: An aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article according to any one of embodiments 22-35, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises the heater and an aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the aerosol-generating device is configured to swim an aerosol-generating article.

Embodiments will now be further described with reference to the drawings.
1 shows a schematic side view of an aerosol-generating device;
Figure 2 shows a schematic top end view of the aerosol-generating device of Figure 1;
3 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of the aerosol-generating device of FIG. 1 and an aerosol-generating article for use with the device;
Figure 4 shows the thermal profile of a prior art used in the operation of a known aerosol-generating device;
Figure 5 shows the change in target operating temperature of a heater of an aerosol-generating device due to use of the prior art thermal profile of Figure 4, in a scenario where the user applies successive puffs each spaced 15 seconds apart;
Figure 6 shows the change in the target operating temperature of the heater of the aerosol-generating device due to use of the prior art thermal profile of Figure 4, in a scenario where the user applies successive puffs, each spaced 11 seconds apart;
7 shows a method according to the present disclosure wherein a target operating temperature for a heater is adjusted as a function of puff count;
8 shows a thermal profile in accordance with the present disclosure in which a target operating temperature for a heater is defined as a function of puff count;
Figure 9 shows how the target operating temperature of the heater changes when using the thermal profile of Figure 8, in a scenario where the user applies puffs at even intervals;
FIG. 10 shows how the target operating temperature of a heater changes when using the thermal profile of FIG. 8 in a scenario in which a user applies puffs at various (ie non-uniform) intervals.

The exemplary aerosol-generating device 10 is a handheld aerosol-generating device and has an elongated shape defined by a substantially circular, cylindrical housing 20 in shape (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 ). The aerosol-generating device 10 includes an open cavity 25 located at the proximal end 21 of the housing 20 for receiving an aerosol-generating article 30 comprising an aerosol-forming substrate 31 . The aerosol-generating device 10 has a battery 26 , control electronics 27 and a memory module 28 located within a housing 20 . The memory module 28 is readable and writable when in use. An electrically operated heater 40 is arranged within the apparatus 10 to heat at least the aerosol-forming substrate portion 31 of the aerosol-generating article 30 when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity 25 . Memory module 28 stores a thermal profile accessible to control electronics 27 during use of device 10 . The thermal profile defines how the target operating temperature for the heater 40 changes over a session of use.

The aerosol-generating device is configured to receive a consumable aerosol-generating article 30 . The aerosol-generating article 30 is in the form of a cylindrical rod and includes an aerosol-forming substrate 31 (see FIG. 3 ). The aerosol-forming substrate 31 is a solid aerosol-forming substrate comprising tobacco. The aerosol-generating article 30 further includes a mouthpiece such as a filter 32 arranged in coaxial alignment with the aerosol-forming substrate 31 within the cylindrical rod. The aerosol-generating article 30 has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the cavity 25 of the device 10 and a length greater than the depth of the cavity 25 such that the article 30 is formed in the cavity 25 of the device 10. ), the mouthpiece 32 extends out of the cavity 25 and allows the user to inhale, similar to a conventional cigarette.

In use, the user inserts the article 30 into the cavity 25 of the aerosol-generating device 10 and presses the user button 50 (see FIG. 1 ) to activate the heater 40 to initiate a use session of the device. Turn on (10). The heater 40 heats the aerosol-forming substrate 31 of the article 30 so that the volatile compounds of the aerosol-forming substrate are released and atomized to form an aerosol. The user inhales the mouthpiece of the article 30 and inhales the aerosol generated from the heated aerosol-forming substrate 31 . After activation, the temperature of the heater 40 is increased from ambient temperature to a predetermined temperature to heat the aerosol-forming substrate. The predetermined temperature is defined in a thermal profile stored in memory 28. After activation and over the course of a use session, the control electronics 27 of the device 10 access the thermal profile stored in the memory module 28 to adjust the heater temperature according to the thermal profile from the battery 26. The power supply to the heater 40 is controlled. The heater 40 continues to heat the aerosol-generating article 30 until the end of the use session, when the heater is deactivated and cooled. In some specific examples, heater 40 may be a resistive heater element. In some specific examples, heater 40 may be a susceptor arranged in a fluctuating magnetic field to be heated by induction.

At the end of the use session, article 30 is removed from device 10 for disposal, and device 10 may be coupled to an external power source to charge battery 26 of device 10 .

The aerosol-generating article 30 for use with device 10 has a finite amount of aerosol-forming substrate 31, so that a session of use is designed to prevent the user from attempting to generate an aerosol when the aerosol-forming substrate is depleted. It needs to have a finite duration. A usage session is configured to have a maximum duration determined by the maximum duration from the start of the usage session. The usage session is also configured to have a duration less than the maximum duration if a user interaction parameter recorded during the usage session reaches a threshold value before the lapse of the maximum duration. In a particular example, the user interaction parameter represents the cumulative number of puffs applied to the device by the user over a usage session, for which a threshold of 14 puffs is defined. Thus, for this particular example, the aerosol-generating device 10 will ensure that each use session is i) 6 minutes from activation of the use session, or ii) a maximum number first defined by the generation of a total of 14 puffs applied to the use session. It is built to last.

In prior art devices, the thermal profile used to adjust the temperature of the heater 40 is a predetermined temperature profile that changes the target operating temperature for the heater only as a function of elapsed time in a session of use. Figure 4 shows this prior art thermal profile. The prior art thermal profile is based on the behavior of an ideal or hypothetical user and defines a temperature profile for the heater 40 that changes a target operating temperature for the heater 40 only as a function of elapsed time. The prior art thermal profile of FIG. 4 is constructed under the assumption that the user applies each successive puff to the device 10 at 30 second intervals, resulting in a usage session having a duration of 6 minutes (360 seconds). These imaginary or ideal puffs are indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 4 .

Operation of device 10 using the prior art thermal profile of FIG. 4 is now described for three different scenarios:

In a first scenario, a user initiates a usage session with an unused item 30 by pressing a user button 50 and then activates the device 10 by applying a series of 12 consecutive puffs spaced apart at 30 second intervals. . As the user applies puffs at a rate consistent with the assumptions about the thermal profile of FIG. It will provide power to the heater 40 for a minute usage session. Essentially, the heater 40 will adjust according to the thermal profile shown in FIG. 4 . As a result, the aerosol-forming substrate 31 will be substantially depleted of aerosol.

In the second scenario, the user activates the device 10 by pressing the user button 50 to initiate a usage session with an unused item 30 . However, in contrast to the first scenario, after taking the first puff 30 seconds after the start of the usage session, the user applies all subsequent puffs spaced apart from each other at intervals of only 15 seconds. This higher puff rate would result in a usage session being prematurely terminated by device 10 for reaching a threshold limit of 14 puffs before the 6 minutes (360 seconds) had elapsed in the usage session. The effect of increased puffing rate on heater temperature over the course of these reduced length usage sessions can be seen in FIG. 5 , where each applied puff is represented by a dashed line. In this second scenario, assuming that the thermal profile applies successive puffs at a time interval of 30 seconds, the effect of the actual user applying puffs at a faster rate of one puff every 15 seconds is that the aerosol-forming substrate (31 ), the heater 40 never achieves the temperature required later in the use session to extract all the aerosols from it.

In a third scenario, the user activates the device 10 by pressing the user button 50 to initiate a usage session for an unused item. However, in contrast to the second scenario, after taking the first puff 30 seconds after the start of the usage session, then the user applies all subsequent puffs spaced apart from each other at intervals of only 11 seconds. As shown in FIG. 6 , this higher puff rate results in the usage session being terminated by device 10 much earlier than in the second scenario. Again, premature termination of a usage session occurs because the threshold limit of 14 puffs is reached before 6 minutes (360 seconds) have elapsed in the usage session. The effect of a higher puff rate on heater temperature over the course of these reduced length usage sessions can be seen in FIG. 6 , where each applied puff is represented by a dashed line. As can be understood from FIG. 6 , the consequences of inadequate heating of the aerosol-forming substrate 31 by the heater 40 are much more severe for this third scenario than for the second scenario of FIG. 5 .

5 and 6 can therefore be viewed as illustrating the problem of using a known thermal profile for a heater that changes the target operating temperature for heater 40 only as a function of elapsed time.

7 illustrates a method 100 according to the present disclosure. The method 100 is performed by the aerosol-generating device 10 of the present disclosure when a user applies a series of puffs to the aerosol-generating device 10 during a use session. In step 101, the applied puff is associated with a corresponding target operating temperature for the heater 40 based on the cumulative puff count of applied puffs in the usage session. At step 102, for the applied puff, the power supply from battery 26 is controlled by control electronics 27 to adjust the temperature of heater 40 to a target operating temperature associated with the applied puff.

Steps 101 and 102 of method 100 are performed for each puff applied by the user in the usage session until the end of the usage session. Accordingly, the method 100 allows for adjusting the temperature of the heater 40 as a function of the cumulative number of puffs in a use session.

Method 100 may be performed by a combination of control electronics 27 and a thermal profile stored in memory module 28 . In the course of a session of use, control electronics 27 accesses memory module 28, reads the thermal profile, and then uses power supply 26 to adjust the temperature of heater 40 according to the instructions provided in the thermal profile. will control the power supply from However, the thermal profile used by method 100 is different from the prior art thermal profiles discussed above with respect to FIGS. 4-6.

8 shows an example of a thermal profile for use in carrying out the method 100 with an aerosol-generating device 10 . However, in contrast to the prior art thermal profile discussed above, the thermal profile of FIG. 8 defines a target operating temperature for heater 40 as a function of puff count. Thus, for the thermal profile of FIG. 8 , each puff in a session of use is associated with a given target operating temperature for heater 40 . The thermal profile of FIG. 8 defines a target operating temperature for each puff of a predetermined distribution of 12 puffs. As mentioned above, the thermal profile is stored inside the memory module 28 of the aerosol-generating device 10 . As the user applies each puff of the series of puffs to device 10, control electronics 27 access memory 28 to read the thermal profile. Control electronics 27 then controls the power supply from battery 26 to heater 40 to adjust a target operating temperature for the heater according to the thermal profile of FIG. 8 and the cumulative puff count of each applied puff. .

9 and 10 show how the target operating temperature for the heater 40 changes over time when using the thermal profile of FIG. 8 for use sessions in which successive puffs are applied to the aerosol-generating device 10 by the user. Two examples are shown for 9 shows the temperature change when the user applies puffs spaced apart from each other by a uniform interval of 15 seconds in this case. 10 shows a temperature change when a user applies puffs spaced apart by non-uniform time intervals. Examining FIGS. 9 and 10 , it can be seen that using the thermal profile of FIG. 8 , the target operating temperature is adjusted based on the cumulative puff count of applied puffs in a use session, rather than adjusted solely as a function of time elapsed in a use session. can know that Essentially, the target operating temperature for heater 40 is adjusted by tracking the puff number of applied puffs with reference to the FIG. 8 thermal profile stored in memory module 28 . Thus, in contrast to the use of the prior art thermal profile of FIG. 4 , the thermal profile of FIG. 8 allows the target operating temperature to be increased throughout the second half of the use session regardless of the speed and timing of puffs applied by the user.

로 변형된다:In another example, associating an applied puff with a corresponding target operating temperature may be a function of the time interval between the additional applied puff and a previous puff in the use session. In this embodiment, a second thermal profile corresponding to the profile shown in FIG. 8 is used. However, this second thermal profile also includes a “predetermined time interval”, Δt _predet . In this example, Δt _predet has a value of 30 seconds. The predetermined time interval Δt _predet represents an imaginary or ideal time interval between successive puffs in the thermal profile. In this embodiment, the temperature in the thermal profile corresponding to the applied puff is itself modified according to whether the actual time interval between the applied puff and its predecessor, Δt, differs from the predetermined time interval Δt _predet . In the thermal profile, heater temperatures T _n , T _n+1 are defined for successive applied puffs 'n' and 'n+1'. When a user applies a puff to the device in a usage session, if the time interval Δt between the applied puff 'n+1' and the previous puff 'n' is less than or greater than the predetermined time interval Δt _predet , then puff 'n+1' The temperature of the thermal profile for Δt is transformed proportionally to the difference between Δt and Δt _predet . Expressed mathematically, the temperature of the thermal profile for puff 'n+1' is

is transformed into:

Equation 3

However, deformation of the temperature of the thermal profile is subject to a predetermined critical limit of +/- 3% of the unstrained temperature. Additionally, the temperature variation of the thermal profile is also subject to an absolute temperature limit of 350°C. In other implementations, different values may be set for the percentage of the critical limit and the absolute temperature limit.

For this second thermal profile, when the user applies successive puffs to the aerosol-generating device 10 over a session of use, the time interval between the applied puff and the previous puff is first determined. Then, the temperature in the thermal profile corresponding to the puff count of the applied puff (eg, for puff 'n+1') is transformed according to the methodology discussed above (see Equation 3). The modified temperature in the thermal profile is then used as the target operating temperature for the applied puff, and control electronics 27 controls the power supply to heater 40 to achieve this target operating temperature for the applied puff. If the user has to apply puffs at intervals equal to the “predetermined time interval” Δ t _predet , the temperature(s) of the thermal profile will not be modified for these puffs.

In another example, associating an applied puff with a corresponding target operating temperature may additionally be a function of the intensity of the previous puff in the use session. In this embodiment, the strength of a puff is characterized by the volume of aerosol generated in response to the puff. In this embodiment, a third thermal profile corresponding to the profile shown in FIG. 8 is used. However, this third thermal profile also includes a "predetermined intensity" in the present embodiment in the form of a predetermined volume. The predetermined intensity (or volume) can be considered to represent an idealized or hypothesized volume of aerosol generated by each puff in the thermal profile. For this example, the thermal profile has a predetermined number of puffs, N, which are assumed to apply over a session of use. The thermal profile also has a predetermined total volume V of aerosol generated over the course of a use session. In this example, it is assumed that the total predetermined aerosol volume V is generated uniformly over each of the N puffs. Thus, for this thermal profile, it is assumed that each puff of 'N' puffs results in the generation of an equal volume v of aerosol, where v = V/N. This volume, v, is a predetermined intensity (or volume).

In the thermal profile, heater temperatures T _n , T _n+1 are defined for successive applied puffs 'n' and 'n+1'. If the applied puff 'n' has a higher intensity than assumed in the thermal profile, then the aerosol volume for puff 'n', _vn , will be greater than the predetermined volume, v. A greater than expected intensity (aerosol volume v _n ) for puff 'n' will result in a greater than expected depletion of the substrate in response to puff 'n'. To compensate for the greater than expected depletion, the target operating temperature for the next puff 'n+1' may need to be higher than defined in the predetermined thermal profile. Alternatively, if the applied puff 'n' is less intense than assumed in the thermal profile, then the aerosol volume for puff 'n', _vn , will be less than the ideal volume, v, of the thermal profile. A smaller-than-expected intensity (aerosol volume v _n ) for puff 'n' will result in a smaller-than-expected depletion of the substrate in response to puff 'n'. To compensate for the lower than expected depletion, the target operating temperature for the next puff 'n+1' may need to be lower than defined in the predetermined thermal profile. The variation in temperature for puff 'n+1' in a predetermined thermal profile can be expressed in equations 1 and 2 cited above, and repeated below for completeness:

for teeth:

은 퍼프 'n+1'에 대한 열 프로파일에서 초기에 정의된 온도이다

is the temperature initially defined in the thermal profile for puff 'n+1'

은 퍼프 'n+1'에 대한 열 프로파일의 변형된 온도이고; 그리고

is the modified temperature of the thermal profile for puff 'n+1'; and

에 적용되는 보정 인자이다. 보정 인자 α는 적용된 퍼프 'n'에 응답하여 생성된 에어로졸의 부피 v_n이 이상적인 부피 v보다 크거나 작은 양에 따라 달라질 것이다.α to solve for the actual "strength" of puff 'n'

is the correction factor applied to The correction factor α will depend on how much the volume v _n of the aerosol generated in response to the applied puff 'n' is greater or less than the ideal volume v.

The correction factor α can be expressed as:

for teeth:

를 변형할 때 v_n이 v와 상이한 효과를 증가시키거나 감소시키도록 그 값이 선택될 수 있다.δ is the scale factor, the initially defined temperature for puff 'n+1' in the thermal profile

The value can be chosen such that v _n increases or decreases the effect different from v when modifying .

For this third thermal profile, as the user applies successive puffs to the aerosol-generating device 10 over a session of use, the volume of aerosol generated by each puff is determined. The temperature in the thermal profile corresponding to the puff count of the applied puff (eg, for puff 'n+1') is then modified according to the methodology discussed above. The modified temperature in the thermal profile is then used as the target operating temperature for the applied puff, and control electronics 27 controls the power supply to heater 40 to achieve this target operating temperature for the applied puff. If the user applies puffs over a session of use, each will generate a volume of aerosol equal to volume v, then will not modify the temperature of the thermal profile. However, it is more likely that there is a change in the volume of aerosol generated by each successive puff, with some or all of the applied puffs generating a volume of aerosol different from the volume v.

For purposes of this description and appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, etc., are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about." Also, all ranges are inclusive of the disclosed maximum and minimum points and include therein any intermediate ranges that may or may not be specifically recited herein. Thus, in this context, the number "A" is understood as "A" ± 10% of "A". Within this context, the number “A” may be considered to include a numerical value that is within the usual standard error for measurement of the property for which the number “A” modifies. In some instances as used in the appended claims, the number "A" may deviate from the above-listed percentages, provided that the amount of deviation from "A" does not materially affect the basic and novel feature(s) of the claimed invention. there is. Also, all ranges are inclusive of the disclosed maximum and minimum points and include therein any intermediate ranges that may or may not be specifically recited herein.

Claims (15)

A method of operating an aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate during a session of use, the aerosol-generating device comprising:
a power supply arranged to supply power to a heater during said use session; and
The method uses control electronics of the aerosol-generating device to:
a corresponding target activation for the heater based on the applied puff in the usage session, based on the cumulative puff count of the applied puff in the usage session and based on the time interval between the applied puff and a previous puff applied in the usage session correlate with temperature; and
for the applied puff, controlling power supply from the power supply to adjust the temperature of the heater to the target operating temperature associated with the applied puff. 2. The aerosol-generating device of claim 1, wherein the aerosol-generating device stores a predetermined thermal profile defining a change in heater temperature over a predetermined distribution of puffs, wherein the target operating temperature associated with the applied puffs is a cumulative puff count of the applied puffs. wherein the temperature of the predetermined thermal profile for the puff in the predetermined distribution of the puff corresponds to 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the predetermined thermal profile comprises a predetermined relationship between a puff parameter and a predetermined distribution of the puff; The method is:
determining whether a value of the puff parameter for one or both of the applied puff and a previous puff applied in the use session is different from a value of the puff parameter for a corresponding puff in a predetermined distribution of puffs;
modifying the temperature of the predetermined thermal profile for the puff in a predetermined distribution of puffs corresponding to a cumulative puff count of the applied puff by using the determined difference in the value of the puff parameter; and
using the modified temperature of the predetermined thermal profile as the target operating temperature associated with the applied puff. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the puff parameter is:
the time interval between successive puffs;
strength of the puff; and
and at least one of the volumes of aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate in response to a puff. 5. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the previous puff immediately precedes the applied puff in the use session. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the aerosol-generating device stores a predetermined thermal profile defining a change in heater temperature over a predetermined distribution of puffs, the predetermined thermal profile of the puff. comprising a predetermined time interval between successive puffs of a predetermined distribution;
The method is:
determining whether a time interval between the applied puff and the previous puff differs from a predetermined time interval between corresponding puffs in a predetermined distribution of puffs;
modifying the temperature of the predetermined thermal profile for the puffs in a predetermined distribution of the puffs corresponding to a cumulative puff count of the applied puffs by using the time difference; and
using the modified temperature of the predetermined thermal profile as the target operating temperature associated with the applied puff. 7. The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein associating the applied puff with a corresponding target operating temperature for the heater is further based on the intensity of a previous puff applied in the usage session. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the aerosol-generating device stores a predetermined thermal profile defining a change in heater temperature over a predetermined distribution of puffs, the predetermined thermal profile for each puff of the predetermined distribution of puffs. includes a predetermined intensity;
The method is:
determining whether the intensity of the previous puff is different from the predetermined intensity for corresponding puffs in the predetermined distribution of puffs;
modifying the temperature of the predetermined thermal profile for the puffs in a predetermined distribution of the puffs corresponding to a cumulative puff count of the applied puffs by using these intensity differences; and
using the modified temperature of the predetermined thermal profile as the target operating temperature associated with the applied puff. 9. The method of any preceding claim, comprising detecting the applied puff by monitoring a change in heater temperature in response to the applied puff. 10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the method:
terminating the use session upon the occurrence of the first of i) the cumulative number of puffs applied to the use session reaching a predetermined puff limit, or ii) the use session reaching a predetermined maximum duration, method. A computer-readable medium for use in an aerosol-generating device, wherein the computer-readable medium, when interacting with an aerosol-forming substrate, is used to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 on the aerosol-generating device. A computer readable medium containing instructions. An aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate during a session of use, the aerosol-generating device comprising:
a power supply arranged to supply power to a heater during said use session; and
includes control electronics;
Control electronics of the aerosol-generating device include:
determine a time interval between the applied puff and a previous puff;
associate a puff applied in the use session with a corresponding target operating temperature for the heater based on the determined time interval and a cumulative puff count of applied puffs in the use session; and
and for the applied puff, control the supply of power from the power supply to adjust the temperature of the heater to the target operating temperature associated with the applied puff. 13. The aerosol-generating device of claim 12, wherein the aerosol-generating device stores a predetermined thermal profile that defines a change in heater temperature over a predetermined distribution of puffs, and the aerosol-generating device determines that the target operating temperature associated with the applied puff is the The aerosol-generating device is configured to result in a temperature of the predetermined thermal profile for the puff in a predetermined distribution of the puff corresponding to a cumulative puff count of applied puffs. 14. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the aerosol-generating device stores a predetermined thermal profile defining a change in heater temperature over a predetermined distribution of puffs, the predetermined thermal profile comprising a predetermined distribution of puffs. comprising a predetermined time interval between successive puffs;
wherein the aerosol-generating device:
determine whether the determined time interval between the applied puff and the previous puff is different from a predetermined time interval between corresponding puffs in the predetermined distribution of puffs;
modifying the temperature of the predetermined thermal profile for the puffs in a predetermined distribution of the puffs corresponding to a cumulative puff count of the applied puffs by using this time difference; and
and use the modified temperature of the predetermined thermal profile as the target operating temperature associated with the applied puff. 15. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the aerosol-generating device:
determine a volume of aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate in response to a previous puff applied in the use session; and
and wherein the step of associating the applied puff with a corresponding target operating temperature for the heater is further configured to be based on the determined volume for the previous puff.

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