KR20240004512A - Aerosol generating device that provides puff information - Google Patents

Abstract

The aerosol-generating device (1) comprises - an aerosol-generating unit (2) arranged to convert the aerosol-forming material into an aerosol that can be inhaled by the user through successive puffs during a vaping session; - a notification unit (3) arranged to announce information about the device (1); and - a control unit (4) arranged to cause the notification unit (3) to inform the user when the aerosol-generating unit (2) has reached a suitable state for the next puff, during a vaping session.

Description

Aerosol generating device that provides puff information

The present invention relates to aerosol-generating devices and, more precisely, to information notification during a vaping session.

Some aerosol-generating devices include an aerosol-generating unit arranged to convert an aerosol-forming material into an aerosol that can be inhaled by the user through successive puffs (or inhalation steps) during a vaping session, and information relating thereto. It includes a notification unit arranged to notify.

If this type of aerosol-generating device is portable, i.e. capable of being carried by the user, it will store the electrical energy used by the aerosol-generating unit to generate the aerosol, possibly using a rechargeable battery (or power source). It further includes. In this case, the aerosol-generating device may be a vaporizer or an electronic cigarette.

In the following description, the term “aerosol-forming material” is used to refer to any material capable of aerosolizing in the air to form an aerosol. For example, it may be in liquid form, solid form, or semi-liquid form. Accordingly, it may be a liquid, gel, paste, wax, etc., or any combination thereof.

Aerosol-forming substances may include one or more of nicotine, polyols, caffeine, or other active ingredients. The active ingredient may be delivered by a carrier which may comprise, for example, propylene glycol or glycerin. Additionally, flavoring agents may be present in the aerosol-forming material. Such flavoring agents may include, for example, ethylvanillin (vanilla), menthol, isoamyl acetate (banana oil) or similar materials.

Additionally, in the following description, the term "aerosol" may include suspensions of matter as one or more of solid particles, droplets, and gases. These suspended solids may be gases containing air. An aerosol herein may generally refer to or include a vapor and may include one or more components of an aerosol-forming substance.

The amount of aerosol-forming material available is limited (typically less than 20 inhalation steps (or puffs) during a vaping session), and the generation of aerosol is not permanent during a vaping session. In practice, once the start of the inhalation phase (or puff) is detected (i.e. whenever the user starts to inhale) and after the pre-heating phase only the power adapted to the aerosol generation is supplied to the heater of the aerosol-generating unit.

During each inhalation step, the power supplied to the heater remains approximately constant, while the amount of aerosol-forming material available decreases after each inhalation step. Thus, generally, as the time interval between successive puffs is varied, the aerosol temperature, and/or aerosol flavor, and/or percentage of aerosol constituents, and/or levels of undesirable aerosol constituents, and/or The amount can possibly vary significantly between puffs and different puffs in the same vaping session. That is, one or more aerosol parameters are often suboptimal during a vaping session because the user spends too much or not enough time between two consecutive puffs to enable adequate aerosol generation. Therefore, output mismatch may cause inconvenience to the user.

As described in patent document US-A1 2020/0000143, when the user begins using the aerosol-generating device, a puff is sent via the screen of the user's smartphone (if the latter and the user's aerosol-generating device were previously paired). It is possible to provide the user with information related to the time interval between. However, such solutions require the user's smartphone to be within communication range of the aerosol-generating device and do not accurately indicate to the user when the user's aerosol-generating device is substantially ready for the next puff. In other words, these solutions do not prevent output inconsistencies during a vaping session.

Therefore, the aim of the present invention is to improve the situation.

The proposed invention specifically provides one embodiment of an aerosol-generating device, wherein the aerosol-generating device is arranged to convert an aerosol-forming material into an aerosol that can be inhaled by a user through successive puffs during a vaping session. A generating unit, and a notification unit arranged to inform information about this aerosol generating device.

This aerosol-generating device is characterized by further comprising a control unit arranged to cause the notification unit to notify the user when the aerosol-generating unit reaches a suitable state for the next puff, during a vaping session.

That is, in addition to notifying the user when the aerosol-generating device has reached a suitable state for the first puff of a vaping session, the control unit may, during the vaping session, cause the notification unit to cause the aerosol-generating unit to take each subsequent puff. Notify the user when an appropriate state is reached. Accordingly, during a vaping session, the user is always aware when the user's aerosol-generating device is ready for the next puff, thereby significantly reducing and even preventing output mismatch.

Embodiments of aerosol-generating devices may include other aspects or features considered separately or in combination, as defined below:

- The control unit may be operable to determine, using the selected parameters, that the aerosol-generating unit has reached a suitable state for the next puff. The selected parameter may vary (eg, increase) as the time elapsed since the start of the vaping session increases.

- In a first example of an embodiment, the selected parameter may be the time since the last puff, and the control unit may cause the notification unit to inform the waiting time for the aerosol-generating unit to reach a suitable state. there is;

- In this first example of embodiment, the control unit causes the notification unit to gradually increase the waiting time depending on the time elapsed since the start of the vaping session (i.e. the time between the first and second puffs) The time since the last puff may increase as the vaping session progresses, so that it is shorter than the time between the second and third puffs. For example, the control unit may be arranged to determine an increase according to a type of suitable condition, which type is selected from the group comprising a suitable flavor and a suitable generated aerosol volume;

- In a second example of the embodiment, the aerosol-generating device may further comprise a measuring unit arranged to determine a value representing the temperature of the aerosol-generating unit. In this case, the selected parameter may be a selected value, and the control unit may cause the notification unit to notify the user if the determined value satisfies a predetermined condition;

- In this second example of the embodiment, the control unit may cause the notification unit to inform the user if the determined value reaches the selected value since the last puff. For example, this selected value may vary depending on the time that has elapsed since the start of the vaping session;

- In a first variant, the selected parameter may be a selected duration since the selected value has been reached, and the control unit can cause the notification unit to: since the determined value has reached the selected value since the last puff; You can notify the user when the selected duration has elapsed. For example, this selected duration may vary depending on the time that has elapsed since the start of the vaping session;

- In a second variant, the selected parameter may be an increase in the selected value and the control unit may cause the notification unit to inform the user if the determined value corresponds to an increase in the selected value since the last puff. For example, this selected value increment may vary depending on the time elapsed since the start of the vaping session;

- the notification unit may be arranged to inform the user by means of a displayed message and/or an audio message and/or a tactile feedback;

- The control unit may cause the notification unit to keep informing the user for a predetermined period of time. For example, this predetermined period of time may vary depending on the time that has elapsed since the start of the vaping session;

- The aerosol-forming substance may comprise tobacco material or at least one polyol;

- The aerosol-generating device may further include a rechargeable power source that stores electrical energy;

- The aerosol-generating device may constitute an electronic cigarette.

The present invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description, which is provided by way of non-limiting example only and is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 schematically and functionally shows one embodiment of an embodiment of an aerosol-generating device according to the invention; and
- Figure 2 schematically and functionally shows one embodiment of an embodiment of a control unit belonging to an aerosol-generating device according to the invention.

The present invention aims, in particular, to provide an aerosol-generating device (1) that can inform its user during a vaping session when the user is substantially ready for the next puff.

In the following description, the aerosol-generating device 1 will be considered to be an electronic cigarette. However, the aerosol-generating device 1 according to the invention may be of a different type, as long as it is arranged to convert the aerosol-forming material into an aerosol that can be inhaled by the user through successive puffs during a vaping session. Thus, for example, the aerosol-generating device 1 may be an inhaler.

An “aerosol-forming substance” may be a liquid, gel, paste, wax, etc., or any combination thereof, such as nicotinoid(s), polyol(s), cannabinoid(s), or caffeine. Recall that the above ingredients and/or flavoring agents may be included. For example, aerosol-forming substances may include tobacco materials. Also, for example, the polyol that is an aerosol precursor may be glycerin or propylene glycol. If the aerosol-forming material is a liquid, it may be retained in an absorbent material with a porous or spongy structure. Such absorbent materials may include, for example, porous ceramics, heat-resistant polymer foam, or porous cellulose beads.

It is further recalled that the term "aerosol" may include suspensions of substances as one or more of solid (very small) particles, droplets, vapors, and gases, and that such suspensions may be in gases, including air. .

As shown in Figure 1, the aerosol generating device 1 according to the present invention includes at least an aerosol generating unit 2, a notification unit 3, and a control unit (or controller) 4.

The aerosol-generating unit 2 is arranged to convert the aerosol-forming material 5 into an aerosol that can be inhaled by the user through successive puffs during a vaping session.

For example, the aerosol-forming substance 5 may be contained within a consumable 6 which must be replaced manually by the user if there is no aerosol-forming substance 5 therein. These consumables (6) can be installed manually into a dedicated cavity (7) of the aerosol-generating unit (2).

For example, as shown in Figure 1, this dedicated cavity 7 may be defined by the heating chamber 15 of the aerosol-generating unit 2.

The aerosol-forming material 5 is arranged so that it generates an aerosol when heated (without burning) and mixed with air. This heating is performed by a heater (8) supplied with electrical energy originating from a power source (9). This heater (8) belongs to the aerosol generating unit (2).

In the non-limiting embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the heater 8 surrounds the heating chamber 15 and thus a dedicated cavity 7 in the area containing the aerosol-forming material 5 . For example, heater 8 may be a thin film heater wrapped around the outer surface of heating chamber 15 to heat its side walls and at least a portion of its interior volume (i.e. dedicated cavity 7). . For example, such heater 8 can heat the aerosol-forming material 5 to a temperature comprised between 150°C and 350°C.

However, in one variant, the heater 8 may be located inside the heating chamber 15 and thus inside the dedicated cavity 7 .

For example, the power source 9 belongs to the electrical and control device 10 which also includes the notification unit 3 and the control unit 4 .

Also for example, the power source 9 may be a rechargeable battery. In this case, the body of the electrical and control device 10 may comprise an electrical connector to which a charger cable can be connected during a charging session of the rechargeable battery 9 . These charger cables can be plugged into an (AC) adapter or wall socket. The charger cable and/or (AC) adapter may belong to the aerosol-generating device (1).

The aerosol-generating unit 2 is coupled to or included within the electrical and control device 10 (as shown in the non-limiting embodiment of Figure 1).

The generated aerosol can be inhaled (to be inhaled) by the user during a puff of a vaping session, through the outlet 11 of the aerosol generating unit 2. In the non-limiting embodiment of Figure 1, this outlet 11 is defined within the consumable product 6. However, this is not essential. More precisely, in an embodiment the consumable 6 comprises, for example, an aerosol cooling zone 12 and a filter 13 . The aerosol cooling region 12 extends over a portion of the length of the consumable 6 and includes a hollow tubular portion 14 of the consumable 6. This hollow tubular portion 14 allows aerosols (generated by heating the aerosol-forming material 5 ) to pass through the consumable 6 without leaking through the sides of the hollow tubular portion 14 . The aerosol cooling zone 12 does not overlap the heating zone, so the aerosol will not continue to heat within the aerosol cooling zone 12. Additionally, the hollow tubular portion 14 may be configured to further promote heat loss within the aerosol cooling region 12 . For example, by conducting heat escaping from the aerosol to other areas of the consumable (6). The length of the aerosol cooling region 12 and the dimensions of the hollow tubular portion 14 are configured such that, in use, the generated aerosol is provided consistently within a desirable temperature range for inhalation by the user. Additionally, consumables 6 comprising an aerosol cooling area 12 are provided in a shorter length than consumables 6 without an aerosol cooling area 12 because the generated aerosol is cooled to a desired temperature than would otherwise be possible. It can be. As a result, in order to accommodate the shorter consumables 6, a smaller heating chamber 15 is required. The aerosol-forming material 5 is disposed at the end of the consumable 6 , within the heating chamber 15 and furthest from the outlet 11 . The filter 13 is disposed at the opposite end of the consumable product 6 containing the outlet 11 . The aerosol cooling zone 12 extends along the length of the consumable 30 between the aerosol-forming material 5 and the filter 13 . This ensures that, upon use, the generated aerosol can be sufficiently cooled before inhalation by the user. In other embodiments, consumable 6 may not include filter 13 or may further include additional components disposed throughout consumable 6.

The consumable part 6 and the heating chamber 15 are configured to define an air channel 25 between the consumable part 6 and the heating chamber 15 . During use, i.e. when the user inhales the aerosol generated from the consumable 6, air may therefore enter the heating chamber 15 through the opening 26 and pass through the air channel 25. Thus, it is possible to reach the aerosol-forming material (5). As the air channel 25 passes through the heating zone, it provides a preheating effect for the incoming air before it enters the consumable 6. This further increases the heating efficiency of the aerosol-generating device 1, thereby reducing the power required for operation.

The notification unit 3 is arranged to announce information about the aerosol-generating device 1.

The control unit 4 is arranged to cause the notification unit 3 to inform the user, during a vaping session, when the aerosol generating unit 2 has reached a suitable state for the next puff.

Accordingly, due to the present invention, during a vaping session, the user receives puff information indicating when the user's aerosol-generating device 1 is (or will be) ready for the next puff, thereby significantly reducing the output discrepancy. It can be reduced and even prevented.

The term “suitable condition” here means a condition of the aerosol-generating device 1 such that every puff of a vaping session will not have significant changes.

The control unit 4 can, as shown without limitation, by means of a signal transmitted by a suction sensor 20 which can be positioned, for example, in the air channel 25 below the aerosol-forming material 5, The start and end of each inhalation step (or puff) can be notified. This suction sensor 20 may be, for example, a flow or pressure sensor, or a microphone, or another thermistor that detects a drop in temperature.

In a first example of the embodiment, for example, the control unit 4 can cause the notification unit 3 to inform the waiting time for the aerosol-generating unit 2 to reach a suitable state. . Accordingly, the control unit 4 estimates after each puff when the aerosol-generating unit 2 will again be in its suitable state and then deduces the waiting time from this estimate.

In this first example of embodiment, for example, the control unit 4 causes the notification unit 3 to notify the waiting time which gradually increases depending on the time elapsed since the start of the vaping session. can do. That is, it is considered that the more time elapsed, the less amount of aerosol-forming material 5 is available, and thus the more time required to generate a suitable aerosol.

In one embodiment, the control unit 4 may be arranged to determine the waiting time increase depending on the type of state suitable. These types are parameters that can be selected, for example, among suitable flavors and suitable generated aerosol volumes.

In one variant or additionally, the increase in waiting time may also depend, for example, on the type or physical state of the aerosol-forming material 5 . The type of material or physical state of the material is another parameter.

Accordingly, the control unit 4 can be arranged to determine the waiting time by means of a predetermined formula with one or more parameters.

In a second example of the embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 1 may further comprise a measuring unit 16 arranged to determine a value representing the temperature of the aerosol-generating unit 2 . In this case, the control unit 4 can cause the notification unit 3 to inform the user if the determined value satisfies a predetermined condition. Therefore, in this second example of the embodiment, it is the aerosol temperature that is taken into account for determining the suitability of the state of the aerosol-generating unit 2, but (as in the first example of the embodiment) the aerosol-generating unit 2 ) is not the time for it to return to its proper state.

For example, measuring unit 16 may be a temperature sensor that determines a temperature value. However, it is possible to use other physical parameters that indirectly represent temperature.

Also for example, the measuring unit 16 can determine this value inside the dedicated cavity 7 of the aerosol-generating unit 2 , for example on the inner wall of the heating chamber 15 . However, in one variant, the measuring unit 16 can determine its value on the external surface of the dedicated cavity 7 , for example on the outer wall of the heating chamber 15 .

As an option in a second embodiment of the embodiment, the control unit 4 may cause the notification unit 3 to inform the user if the value determined by the measuring unit 16 reaches the selected value since the last puff. You can. For example, this selected value may vary depending on the time that has elapsed since the start of the vaping session. Here, it is considered that the longer the elapsed time, the smaller the amount of aerosol-forming substance 5 available and therefore the higher the temperature for generating a suitable aerosol.

As another option in a second embodiment of the embodiment, the control unit 4 causes the notification unit 3 to notify the user if the selected duration has elapsed since the determined value has reached the selected value since the last puff. You can make it known. For example, this selected duration may vary depending on the time that has elapsed since the start of the vaping session.

As another option in the second example of the embodiment, the control unit 4 can cause the notification unit 3 to inform the user if the determined value corresponds to an increase in the selected value since the last puff. For example, this selected value increment may vary depending on the time that has elapsed since the start of the vaping session.

It should be noted that the notification unit 3 may be arranged to inform the user by means of a displayed message and/or an audio message and/or a tactile feedback.

In order to display messages, the aerosol-generating device 1 should comprise a user interface screen that is used to provide the user with any information related to its operation during a vaping session or possibly a charging session. In this case, the notification unit 3 preferably includes such a user interface screen. For example, the displayed message might be of the type “1 second” or “next puff in 2 seconds” or “ok” or “ok for puff” or “ready” or “ready for next puff”. You can.

For broadcasting voice messages, the aerosol-generating device 1 may be used to provide the user with at least some of the information related to its operation during a vaping session or possibly a charging session, or may be part of a user interface, which may be dedicated to notifications only. Must include a capable loudspeaker. Accordingly, the notification unit 3 may comprise such a user interface loudspeaker or a dedicated loudspeaker. For example, the voice message being broadcast could be of the type "1 second" or "Next puff in 2 seconds" or "Okay" or "Okay for puff" or "Ready" or "Ready for next puff". there is.

The tactile feedback may be dedicated to notifications or may be part of the user interface used to provide the user with at least some of the information related to its task during a vaping session or possibly a charging session. Accordingly, the notification unit 3 may comprise such user interface tactile feedback or dedicated tactile feedback. For example, the tactile feedback may be a vibration indicating that the aerosol-generating device 1 is ready for the next puff or will be ready in 1 or 2 seconds, or a number of vibrations indicating the number of seconds the user should wait before starting the next puff. Continuous vibration can be generated.

It should also be noted that the control unit 4 can cause the notification unit 3 to keep informing the user for a predetermined period of time. For example, this predetermined period of time may vary depending on the time that has elapsed since the start of the vaping session.

As shown in Figure 2, the control unit (or controller) 4 controls the notification unit 3 and the aerosol-generating unit 2 (and in particular its heater 8) during a vaping session and during a possible charging session. It may also include at least a processor 17 and a memory 18 arranged to perform tasks for controlling the power source 9 while also controlling the power source 9 .

For example, processor 17 may be a digital signal processor (or DSP), or application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other field programmable gate array (FPGA). More generally, processor 17 may include an integrated (or printed) circuit, or a number of integrated (or printed) circuits connected therebetween through wired or wireless connections. The term “integrated (or printed) circuit” herein refers to any type of device capable of performing at least one electrical or electronic task.

Also for example, memory 18 may be random access memory (or RAM). However, it may be any type of device arranged to store program instructions for processor 17.

Generally speaking, the functions of the control unit (or controller) 4 are performed through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually (by the user). It can be. Such functionality may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware, as well as hardware capable of executing the software in conjunction with appropriate software.

As shown in the non-limiting embodiment of Figure 1, the control unit (or controller) 4 (and in particular its processor 17 and memory 18) is connected to a printed circuit board (or PCB) 19 ( where it is received within the body of the electrical and control device 10). Furthermore, the notification unit 3 can be fixed at least partially on this printed circuit board 19 to facilitate and simplify its connection with the control unit (or controller) 4 . However, the notification unit 3 may have its own printed circuit board connected to the printed circuit board 19 by wires of flexible circuit(s) in order to allow it to be positioned anywhere.

As shown in Figure 2, the control unit (or controller) 4, together with its processor 17 and memory 18, can be configured, in a manner known to those skilled in the art, by a further digital signal processor 22. preferably after processing and/or demodulating and/or amplifying them, for using them in calculus and processing, in particular for receiving the signal transmitted by the suction sensor 20 and possibly the values determined by the measuring unit 16. It may further include an input interface 21. The control unit 4 stores in particular any useful times (and in particular the start time of the vaping session and the start and end time of each puff), and also stores its calculus and intermediate data generated during processing. It may further include a large memory 23 for this purpose. The control unit 4 controls the notification unit 3, the aerosol-generating unit 2 (and in particular its heater 8), and the aerosol-generating unit 2 and the notification unit 3 (stored in the power source 9). ) may further include an output interface 24 for conveying messages and commands for at least controlling the electronic component(s) (e.g., switch(s)) that supply power.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that some of the block diagrams in FIGS. 1 and 2 herein represent conceptual views of example circuits that implement the principles of the invention.

The description and drawings merely illustrate the principles of the invention. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art may devise various ways, although not explicitly described or shown herein, that embody the principles of the invention and are included within its spirit and scope. Moreover, all embodiments listed herein are expressly intended primarily for educational purposes only to help the reader understand the principles of the invention and the concepts with which the inventor(s) have contributed to the development of the technology, and such specifically listed embodiments It should be construed as not limited to and conditions. Additionally, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to include equivalents thereof.

Claims (15)

As an aerosol generating device (1),
The aerosol generating device (1),
an aerosol-generating unit (2) arranged to convert the aerosol-forming material into an aerosol that can be inhaled by the user through successive puffs during a vaping session, and a notification unit arranged to inform information about the device (1) 3) Includes,
and a control unit (4) arranged to cause the notification unit (3) to notify the user when the aerosol-generating unit (2) reaches a suitable state for the next puff, during the vaping session. doing,
Aerosol generating device (1). According to paragraph 1,
wherein the control unit is operable to determine, using the selected parameters, that the aerosol-generating unit has reached a suitable state for the next puff,
wherein the selected parameter varies as the time elapsed since the start of the vaping session increases. According to claim 1 or 2,
The control unit (4) causes the notification unit (3) to inform the waiting time for the aerosol-generating unit (2) to reach the suitable state. According to paragraph 3,
The control unit (4) causes the notification unit (3) to notify a waiting time that gradually increases depending on the time elapsed since the start of the vaping session. According to paragraph 4,
The control unit (4) is arranged to determine the increase depending on the type of suitable state,
The type is selected from the group comprising suitable flavors and suitable generated aerosol volumes. According to claim 1 or 2,
further comprising a measuring unit (16) arranged to determine a value representing the temperature of the aerosol-generating unit (2),
The control unit (4) causes the notification unit (3) to notify the user when the determined value satisfies a predetermined condition. According to clause 6,
The control unit (4) causes the notification unit (3) to inform the user when the determined value reaches the selected value since the last puff,
The selected value varies depending on the time elapsed since the start of the vaping session. According to clause 6,
The control unit (4) causes the notification unit (3) to inform the user when a selected duration has elapsed since the determined value has reached the selected value since the last puff. . According to clause 8,
wherein the selected duration varies depending on the time that has elapsed since the start of the vaping session. According to clause 6,
The control unit (4) causes the notification unit (3) to inform the user if the determined value corresponds to an increase in the selected value since the last puff. According to clause 10,
wherein the selected value increase varies depending on the time elapsed since the start of the vaping session. According to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The notification unit (3) is arranged to inform the user by a displayed message and/or an audio message and/or a tactile feedback. According to any one of claims 1 to 12,
The control unit (4) causes the notification unit (3) to keep the user informed for a predetermined period of time. According to clause 13,
wherein the predetermined period of time varies depending on the time that has elapsed since the start of the vaping session. According to any one of claims 1 to 14,
Aerosol-generating device further comprising a rechargeable power source (9) storing electrical energy.