CN120836821A

CN120836821A - Aerosol supply system and control method thereof

Info

Publication number: CN120836821A
Application number: CN202410501453.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 迪安·考恩; 刘颖; 黎荣辉
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2024-04-24
Filing date: 2024-04-24
Publication date: 2025-10-28
Also published as: WO2025224192A1

Abstract

The present application discloses an aerosol supply system and a control method thereof. The system comprises: a shell having an opening provided thereon; a cover configured to be movable between an open position for opening the opening and a closed position for closing the opening; a human-computer interaction module at least partially provided on the cover, configured to receive user operations; and a controller configured to determine whether to start heating of the system or whether to allow the system to start heating based on the user operations. Compared to the prior art, the embodiment of the present application enables the start of heating to be based on the user's accurate heating intention, avoiding the mistaken start of heating caused by starting heating only by opening the cover. At the same time, the embodiment of the present application can simplify user operations and facilitate the miniaturized design of the system.

Description

Aerosol supply system and control method thereof

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of aerosol supply, and in particular, to an aerosol supply system and a control method thereof.

Background

An aerosol-supply system refers to a system that contains aerosol-generating material therein and heats the aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user.

As shown in fig. 1, the aerosol provision system 10 generally includes a housing 100 having an opening 120 at one end of the housing 100 in a height direction, the opening 120 being operable for insertion of an aerosol product 130. The aerosol provision system 10 is further provided with a cover 140 movable between opening the opening 120 and closing the opening 120 for the hygiene of the interior of the housing. The opening 120 is generally configured as an aerosol product insertion port or air inlet. A heating control button 110 is provided at one side of the housing 100. When the user uses the system, he needs to first move the cover 140 to open the opening 120, and then turn his hand to the side of the housing 100 to operate the heating control button 110 to start the heating of the system. Such an operation flow is cumbersome and brings a bad experience to the user. The aerosol supply system 10 is a portable device, and it is preferable that the housing is thinner and smaller as the size is required. While providing buttons on the sides of the housing requires increasing the thickness of the housing and enlarging the area of the housing. This obviously is disadvantageous for the miniaturization of the system.

For this reason, in the related art, a magnet is provided on the cover 140, and the magnet moves together with the cover 140. A hall sensor is provided in the housing 100 to collect the magnetic field intensity of the magnet and output a corresponding electrical signal. The magnet moves to different positions, the collected magnetic field intensity is different, and the output electric signals are different. Thereby recognizing the positions of the magnet and the cover 140 and judging whether the opening 120 is opened. And heating is started when it is judged that the opening 120 is opened.

But this approach has the obvious disadvantage that the user opens the opening 120, possibly with the intention of inserting a cigarette or cleaning the inside of the housing, and does not intend to initiate heating. This causes heating to be initiated beyond the intent of the user.

Accordingly, there is an urgent need for a new aerosol provision system to solve one or more of the above-described problems.

Disclosure of Invention

The present application aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. Therefore, the application discloses an aerosol supply system and a control method thereof, which can accurately start heating according to the heating control operation of a user and can simultaneously reduce the volume of the system and the operation of the user.

In a first aspect, the present application discloses an aerosol provision system, characterized in that the system comprises:

the shell is provided with an opening;

a cover configured to be movable between an open position in which the opening is opened and a closed position in which the opening is closed;

a man-machine interaction module, at least partially disposed on the cover, configured to receive a user operation;

the controller is configured to determine whether to initiate heating of the system or whether to allow the system to initiate heating based on the user operation.

In the embodiment of the application, the man-machine interaction module for receiving the user operation is arranged on the cover, so that the heating start can be performed based on the accurate heating intention of the user, and the false heating caused by starting the heating only by opening the cover is avoided. Meanwhile, the man-machine interaction module is arranged on the cover, so that a user can operate the cover and the man-machine interaction module without moving hands between the cover and the position where the man-machine interaction module is arranged, the user operation is simplified, the thickness and the area of the multiplexing cover can reduce the requirements on the thickness and the area of the system shell, and the miniaturized design of the system is facilitated.

In one embodiment of the aerosol provision system described above, the system further comprises:

A first component and a second component;

The first component is connected with the cover and is configured to move between the open position and the closed position under the driving of the cover;

The second component is configured to output a first signal according to the position of the first component;

The controller is configured to determine whether to initiate heating of the system or whether to allow the system to initiate heating based on the first signal and the user operation.

In one embodiment of the aerosol provision system described above, the controller is configured to determine to initiate heating of the system or to allow the system to initiate heating when the user operation indicates that the user has an intention to initiate heating and the first signal indicates that the opening is open.

When the opening is not open, the user cannot draw in, and heating is generally not required. And when the opening is not opened, heating is started in a substantially closed space, which is easy to cause dry burning and overhigh temperature. To this end, the application further provides for starting the heating based on the first signal and the user operation. In this way, the heating is made based on the user's intention and is only started when the opening is open. Avoiding false heating and heating danger caused by the fact that the opening is not opened.

In one embodiment of the aerosol provision system described above, the human-machine interaction module comprises a sensor comprising:

a user operation section provided on the cover and configured to sense a physical characteristic of the user operation;

A signal processing section configured to convert the physical characteristic into a second signal;

The controller is configured to determine whether to initiate heating of the system or whether to allow the system to initiate heating based on the second signal.

In one embodiment of the aerosol provision system described above, the sensor is at least one of a pressure sensor, a biometric sensor.

In one embodiment of the above aerosol provision system, the human-machine interaction module comprises a switch module comprising:

a user operation section provided on the cover and configured to receive the user operation;

a switching circuit;

separable electrical contacts configured to separate or contact to open or close the switching circuit based on the user operation;

The controller is coupled to the switching circuit and configured to monitor a closed or open state of the switching circuit to determine whether to initiate heating of the system or whether to allow the system to initiate heating based on the state of the switching circuit.

In one embodiment of the above aerosol provision system, the user operation portion is a pressing portion, and the separable contacts include a first contact and a second contact provided on the switching circuit;

The pressing part is configured to drive the first contact to be close to the second contact and then contact with the second contact so as to close the switch circuit after being pressed by a user.

In one embodiment of the above aerosol provision system, the first contact is provided on the pressing portion, moves following the movement of the pressing portion, and comes into close contact with the second contact to close the switching circuit;

or the first contact is arranged between the second contact and the pressing part, and the pressing part is contacted and presses the first contact after being pressed, so that the first contact moves and contacts with the second contact to close the switch circuit;

Or the first contact is arranged on one side of the second contact far away from the pressing part, and the pressing part is pressed to contact and press the second contact, so that the second contact moves and contacts with the first contact to close the switch circuit.

In one embodiment of the aerosol provision system described above,

The first contact is arranged at one side of the second contact away from the pressing part;

The system also includes a support member configured to provide support to the first contact.

In one embodiment of the aerosol provision system described above, the first contact is provided on the support member.

In an embodiment of the aerosol provision system described above, the first contact is connected to the switching circuit by a resilient member. So that the first contact can be restored to a position separated from the second contact based on the elastic force of the elastic member after the pressing operation is completed.

In one embodiment of the aerosol provision system described above, the separable electrical contacts are configured to be disposed in connection with the cap and to maintain synchronous movement such that the separable contacts are always located in a range of positions that can be triggered by the user operation. In this embodiment, the user may not consider the problem of the separable point contact being aligned with the user operating portion, regardless of the position to which the user operating portion follows the cover.

In one embodiment of the aerosol provision system described above, the switching circuit is a flexible circuit that can be flexed or extended by the actuation of the cap to effect synchronous movement of the separable electrical contacts with the cap.

In one embodiment of the aerosol provision system described above, the cap comprises an upper cap and a lower cap operatively connected to the upper cap, defining a receiving cavity therebetween, the separable contacts being disposed within the receiving cavity.

In one embodiment of the aerosol provision system described above, the separable electrical contacts are provided separately from the cover and the position of the separable contacts is configured such that when the cover is moved to the open position, the separable contacts lie in a range of positions that are triggerable by the user operation, and when the cover is moved to the closed position, the separable contacts lie outside the range of positions that are triggerable by the user operation. Based on the embodiment, the separable contacts can be triggered only when the cover moves to the position where the opening is opened, so that the problems of false heating, dry burning and the like caused by the fact that the opening is not opened are avoided.

In one embodiment of the aerosol provision system, the user operation part is at least one of a pressing part, a rotating part, a sliding part, and a touching part.

In one embodiment of the aerosol provision system described above, the system further comprises a damping member configured to provide a damping force when the lid is moved between the open position and the closed position. The user can recognize the approximate moving position of the current cover by feeling the damping force.

In one embodiment of the aerosol provision system described above, the cap has a first stroke and a second stroke that occur sequentially when moving between the open position and the closed position;

the damping member is configured to provide a damping force in the first stroke and a driving force in the second stroke.

In one embodiment of the aerosol provision system described above, the damping member comprises at least one of an elastic member, a repulsive magnetic member.

In one embodiment of the aerosol provision system described above, the opening is an air inlet of the system or an article insertion opening of the system.

In one embodiment of the aerosol provision system described above, the first component is a magnetic member and the second component is a hall sensor.

In a second aspect, the application discloses a control method of an aerosol supply system, the aerosol supply system being the system according to any embodiment of the first aspect, the method comprising:

receiving user operation by using a man-machine interaction module at least partially arranged on the cover;

Determining whether to initiate heating of the system or whether to allow the system to initiate heating based on the user operation.

In a third aspect, the application discloses a computer device comprising a memory and a processor, the memory having stored thereon a computer program executable on the processor, which when executed by the processor, implements the method of controlling an aerosol supply system as described above.

In a fourth aspect, the present application discloses a computer readable storage medium having stored therein a computer program which, when executed, implements the above-described method of controlling an aerosol provision system.

The above one or more aspects of the present invention have at least one or more of the following beneficial effects:

Additional aspects and advantages of the application will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the application.

Drawings

The present disclosure will become more readily understood with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art that the drawings are designed solely for the purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the application. Moreover, like numerals in the figures are used to designate like parts, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a prior art aerosol provision system;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic diagrams of components of an aerosol provision system according to the present application;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the composition of an example of a human-machine interaction module as a sensor in an aerosol supply system;

fig. 5 and 6 are schematic diagrams of one of the switch modules of the man-machine interaction module in the aerosol supply system;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of another component of the man-machine interaction module as a switch module in an aerosol supply system;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the structure of FIG. 7 in one direction;

fig. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion B of the structure shown in fig. 8.

Reference numerals illustrate:

(10, 20): an aerosol supply system;

(100, 200) a housing;

201, an inner cavity, 202, an end cover;

210, a controller;

220, a power supply;

230, a heater;

110 heating control button

(120, 240) An opening;

130 aerosol article;

(140, 250) cover, 251 upper cover, 252 lower cover, 253 holding cavity;

260, a man-machine interaction module;

260' sensor 261' user operation part 262' signal processing part;

260": a switch module 261": a user operation portion 262": a switch circuit;

263": separable electrical contact; 2631": first contact; 2632": second contact;

271 a first magnetic element, 272 a second magnetic element, 270 a damping element;

280 parts of a bracket, 291 parts of a supporting piece and 292 parts of a switch circuit fixing piece;

310, a first component, 320, a second component.

Detailed Description

Some embodiments of the application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments are merely for explaining the technical principles of the present application, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application.

Terminology

Conveying system

As used herein, the term "delivery system" is intended to encompass a system that delivers at least one substance to a user in use, and includes:

Combustible aerosol supply systems, such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, and tobacco for pipes or for self-wrapping or for self-manufacturing cigarettes (with or without tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes or other smokable materials);

A non-combustible aerosol supply system that releases compounds from an aerosol-generating material without burning the aerosol-generating material, such as an electronic cigarette, a tobacco heating product, and a mixing system, to generate an aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, and

An aerosol-free delivery system delivers at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally, or otherwise without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to lozenges, chewing gums, patches, products including inhalable powders, and oral products (e.g., oral tobacco including snuff or wet snuff), wherein the at least one substance may or may not include nicotine.

Combustible sol supply system

In accordance with the present disclosure, a "combustible" aerosol supply system is an aerosol supply system in which the constituent aerosol-generating materials of the aerosol supply system (or components thereof) are combusted or ignited during use in order to deliver at least one substance to a user.

In some embodiments, the delivery system is a combustible sol supply system, such as a system selected from the group consisting of cigarettes, cigarillos, and cigars.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a component for use in a combustible sol supply system, such as a filter, a filter rod, a filter segment, a tobacco rod, an overflow, an aerosol modifier release component (e.g., a capsule, a thread, or a bead), or a paper (e.g., a plug wrap, a tipping paper, or a cigarette paper).

Non-combustible sol supply system

According to the present disclosure, a "non-combustible" aerosol supply system is an aerosol supply system in which the constituent aerosol-generating materials of the aerosol supply system (or components thereof) do not burn or ignite to deliver at least one substance to a user.

In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible sol supply system, e.g., a powered non-combustible sol supply system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vapor smoke device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), but it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol generating material is not required.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible sol supply system is an aerosol generating material heating system, also referred to as a heated non-combustion system. One example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system is a hybrid system that generates an aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, wherein one or more of the aerosol-generating materials may be heated. Each aerosol-generating material may be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel, for example, and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the mixing system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, a tobacco or non-tobacco product.

In general, a non-combustible sol supply system may include a non-combustible sol supply device and a consumable for use with the non-combustible sol supply device.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to consumables that include an aerosol-generating material and are configured for use with a non-combustible sol supply device. These consumables are sometimes referred to in this disclosure as articles of manufacture.

In some embodiments, a non-combustible sol supply system, such as a non-combustible sol supply device thereof, may include a power source and a controller. The power source may be, for example, an electrical power source or an exothermic source. In some embodiments, the heat-generating source comprises a carbon matrix that may be energized to distribute power in the form of heat to the aerosol-generating material or the heat-transfer material in proximity to the heat-generating source.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system may include a region for receiving a consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating region, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and/or an aerosol modifier.

In some embodiments, a consumable for use with a non-combustible aerosol supply device may include an aerosol generating material, an aerosol generating material storage area, an aerosol generating material delivery component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/or an aerosol modifier.

No aerosol delivery system

In some embodiments, the delivery system is an aerosol-free delivery system that delivers at least one substance orally, nasally, transdermally, or otherwise to a user without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to lozenges, chewing gums, patches, products including inhalable powders, and oral products (e.g., oral tobacco including snuff or wet snuff), wherein the at least one substance may or may not include nicotine.

In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered may be an aerosol-generating material or a material that is not intended to be aerosolized. Any of the materials may include one or more active components, one or more flavoring agents, one or more aerosol former materials, and/or one or more other functional materials, as appropriate.

Active substances

In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises an active substance. An active substance as used herein may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active substance may for example be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropic agents, psychoactive substances. The active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active may include, for example, nicotine, caffeine, taurine, caffeine, vitamins (e.g., B6 or B12 or C), melatonin, or a component, derivative, or combination thereof. The active substance may comprise one or more components, derivatives or extracts of tobacco or other plants.

In some embodiments, the active comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active comprises caffeine, melatonin, or vitamin B12.

As described herein, the active substance may comprise or be derived from one or more plants or components, derivatives or extracts thereof. As used herein, the term "plant" includes any material derived from a plant, including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fibers, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, hulls, husks, and the like. Or the material may comprise an active compound naturally occurring in plants, which is obtained synthetically. The material may be in the form of a liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, chips, strips, flakes, or the like.

Examples of plants are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, fennel, lemon grass, peppermint, spearmint, black leaf tea, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo, hazelnut, hibiscus, bay, licorice, green tea, mate, orange peel, papaya, rose, sage, tea (e.g. green tea or black tea), thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, star anise (fennel), basil, bay leaf, cardamon, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, red pepper, rosemary, saffron, lavender, cinnamon, coffee, green tea (e.g. green tea or black tea) lemon peel, peppermint, juniper, elder, vanilla, wintergreen, perilla, turmeric root powder, sandalwood, coriander leaf, bergamot, orange flower, myrtle, blackcurrant, valerian, spanish sweet pepper, nutmeg, dammarlin, marjoram, olive, lemon mint, lemon basil, chive, carvacrol, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, tetramethyl uric acid, maca, indian ginseng, damia, guanna tea, chlorophyll, monkey tree, or any combination thereof. The mint may be selected from the group consisting of spearmint, peppermint c.v., egypt, peppermint, basil c.v., peppermint c.v., spearmint, peppermint, pineapple, calyx mint, spearmint c.v., and apple mint.

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more plants or components, derivatives or extracts thereof, and the plant is tobacco. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more plants or components, derivatives or extracts thereof, and the plants are selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa.

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more plants or components, derivatives or extracts thereof, and the plants are selected from the group consisting of camellia sinensis and fennel.

Flavoring agent

In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises a flavoring agent. As used herein, the terms "flavoring" and "fragrance" refer to materials that can be used to create a desired taste, aroma, or other somatosensory in a product for an adult consumer, as permitted by local regulations. Which may include naturally occurring flavor materials, plants, extracts of plants, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, licorice, hydrangea, eugenol, japanese magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, green tea, menthol, japanese mint, star anise (fennel), cinnamon, turmeric, indian spice, asian spice, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, citrus, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruit, du Linbiao wine, paraguay whiskey, scotch whiskey, juniper, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe, cardamom, celery, bitter orange peel, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, arabian tea, sorghum, nutmeg, papaya, and the like) betel leaf, coriander, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange flower, cherry blossom, cinnamon, coriander, cognac, jasmine, ylang, sage, fennel, mustard, green pepper, ginger, coriander, coffee, peppermint oil from any variety of mentha plants, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemon grass, red bean, flax, ginkgo leaf, hazelnut, hibiscus, bay, mate, orange peel, rose, tea (e.g., green tea or black tea), thyme, juniper, elder, basil, bay leaf, cumin, oregano, capsicum, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, peppermint, steak plant, turmeric, coriander, myrtle, black currant, valerian, spanish pepper, nutmeg dried skin, damianne, marjoram, olive, orange peel, rose, tea (e.g., green tea or black tea) Lemon balm, lemon basil, northleontopod, carvi, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavor enhancers, bitter taste receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulators, sugar and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, plants, or breath fresheners. It may be a imitation, synthetic or natural ingredient or a mixture thereof. It may be in any suitable form, for example, a liquid such as an oil, a solid such as a powder, or a gas.

In some embodiments, the flavoring agent comprises menthol, spearmint, and/or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavoring includes a flavoring component of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruit, and/or raspberry. In some embodiments, the flavoring agent comprises eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavoring includes a flavoring component extracted from tobacco.

In some embodiments, the flavoring agent may include a sensate intended to achieve a somatosensory that is generally chemically induced and perceived by stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or in lieu of the aromatic or gustatory nerve, and these may include agents that provide a heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effect. Suitable thermal agents may be, but are not limited to, vanillyl ether, and suitable coolants may be, but are not limited to, eucalyptol, WS-3.

Aerosol generating material

An aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating an aerosol, for example, when heated, irradiated or energized in any other manner. The aerosol-generating material may for example be in solid, liquid or gel form, which may or may not contain an active substance and/or a fragrance. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may comprise an "amorphous solid," which may alternatively be referred to as a "monolithic solid" (i.e., non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. Amorphous solids are solid materials that can retain some fluid (e.g., liquid) within their interior. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, from about 50wt%, 60wt%, or 70wt% amorphous solids to about 90wt%, 95wt%, or 100wt% amorphous solids.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more active substances and/or flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional materials.

Aerosol former material

The aerosol former material may comprise one or more components capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol former material may include one or more of glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1, 3-butanediol, erythritol, meso-erythritol, ethyl vanillic acid, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a mixture of diacetin, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, glycerol tributyrate, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

Functional material

The one or more other functional materials may include one or more of pH adjusters, colorants, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants.

Matrix body

The material may be present on or in a carrier to form a matrix. The carrier may be or comprise, for example, paper, card, cardboard, recombinant material, plastic material, ceramic material, composite material, glass, metal or metal alloy. In some embodiments, the carrier comprises a susceptor. In some embodiments, the susceptor is embedded within the material. In some alternative embodiments, the susceptor is on one or either side of the material.

Consumable product

A consumable is an article comprising or consisting of an aerosol-generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed by a user during use. The consumable may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material delivery component, an aerosol-generating area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter, and/or an aerosol modifier. The consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, which in use releases heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol. The heater may for example comprise a combustible material, a material which is heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.

Susceptor

A susceptor is a material that can be heated by penetration with a varying magnetic field (e.g., an alternating magnetic field). The susceptor may be an electrically conductive material such that its penetration by a varying magnetic field results in inductive heating of the heating material. The heating material may be a magnetic material such that penetration thereof by a varying magnetic field results in hysteresis heating of the heating material. The susceptor may be electrically conductive and magnetic such that the susceptor may be heated by two heating mechanisms. The device configured to generate a varying magnetic field is referred to herein as a magnetic field generator.

Aerosol modifier

An aerosol-modifying agent is a substance typically located downstream of the aerosol-generating region that is configured to modify the generated aerosol, for example by altering the taste, flavor, acidity or another characteristic of the aerosol. The aerosol modifier may be disposed in an aerosol modifier release member operable to selectively release the aerosol modifier. For example, the aerosol modifier may be an additive or an adsorbent. For example, the aerosol modifiers may include one or more of fragrances, colorants, water, and carbon adsorbents. For example, the aerosol modifier may be a solid, a liquid, or a gel. The aerosol modifier may be in powder, wire or particulate form. The aerosol modifier may be free of filter material.

Aerosol generator

An aerosol generator is a device configured to cause the generation of an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to thermal energy in order to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to cause generation of an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.

The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery systems (which may also be referred to as vapor delivery systems), such as nebulizers or e-cigarettes. In the following description, the term "e-cigarette" or "e-cigarette" may be used at times, but it will be understood that this term may be used interchangeably with aerosol delivery system/device and electronic aerosol delivery system/device. Furthermore, as is common in the art, the terms "aerosol" and "vapor" and related terms such as "evaporation," "aerosolization," and "aerosolization" are often used interchangeably.

Aerosol delivery systems (e-cigarettes) typically, although not always, comprise a modular assembly comprising a reusable device portion and replaceable (disposable/consumable) cartridge components. Typically, the replaceable cartridge component will include an aerosol-generating material and a vaporiser (which may be collectively referred to as a "vaporiser"), and the reusable device portion will include a power supply (e.g. a rechargeable power supply) and control circuitry. It will be understood that these different parts may include additional elements depending on the function. For example, the reusable device portion will typically include a user interface for receiving user input and displaying operating status features, and the replaceable cartridge device portion in some cases includes a temperature sensor for helping control temperature. The cartridge is electrically and mechanically coupled to the control unit for use, for example using threads, bayonet or magnetic coupling with suitably arranged electrical contacts. When the aerosol-generating material in the cartridge is exhausted, or when the user wishes to switch to a different cartridge having a different aerosol-generating material, the cartridge may be removed from the reusable component and a replacement cartridge attached in its place. Systems and devices conforming to this type of two-piece modular configuration may generally be referred to as two-piece systems/devices.

Electronic cigarettes typically have a generally elongated shape. To provide a specific example, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be considered to include such a generally elongated two-piece system employing disposable cartridges. However, it will be appreciated that the basic principles described herein may equally be applied to different configurations, such as single-piece systems or modular systems comprising more than two parts, refillable devices and single-use disposable articles, as well as other general shapes, for example based on so-called box-mode high performance devices that typically have a box-like shape. More generally, it will be understood that certain embodiments of the present disclosure are based on aerosol delivery systems that are operatively configured to provide functionality in accordance with the principles described herein, and that the constructional aspects of the system configured to provide functionality in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure are not of primary importance.

As described in the background art, in order to start heating, the existing aerosol supply system is provided with a heating control button on the side of the housing, which is cumbersome to operate and is disadvantageous for miniaturization of the system. Or with a hall sensor, the movement of the cover is detected to start heating, which has the possibility of starting heating by mistake. To this end, the application creatively proposes a new aerosol provision system, which obtains the user's operation to activate heating by providing a man-machine interaction module on a lid that opens or closes an opening. Compared with the prior art, the application can start heating based on accurate heating intention of a user, and reduce the possibility of false heating. Meanwhile, a user can operate the cover and the man-machine interaction module without moving hands between the positions of the cover and the man-machine interaction module, so that the user operation is simplified, the thickness and the area of the cover are reused, and the miniaturized design of the system is facilitated.

Example 1

An embodiment of the application provides an aerosol supply system. Fig. 2 and 3 are schematic diagrams of components of the aerosol provision system of the present application. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the composition of an example of a human-computer interaction module as a sensor in an aerosol supply system. Fig. 5 and 6 are schematic diagrams of one of the switch modules of the man-machine interaction module in the aerosol supply system. Fig. 7 is an exploded view of another component structure of the man-machine interaction module as a switch module in the aerosol supply system. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the structure of fig. 7 in one direction. Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion B of the structure shown in fig. 8. Fig. 2 to 9 show in a simplified manner the composition of the aerosol supply system 20 and its partial structure, the parts of which are not necessarily drawn to scale and parts which are not relevant for an understanding of the solution of the application are omitted.

As shown in fig. 2, the aerosol provision system 20 includes a housing 200, the housing 200 forming an internal cavity 201.

The aerosol provision system 20 further comprises a controller 210, a power supply 220 and a heater 230. The controller 210, power supply 220, and heater 230 may all be disposed in the internal cavity 201.

Wherein the controller 210 is configured to control the power supply 220, thereby controlling the heating of the system. It will be appreciated that the controller 210 may have a variety of possible arrangements. Wherein the controller 210 may be programmable.

The power source 220 may be any suitable power source, such as a DC voltage source. In one embodiment, the power source is a lithium ion battery. Or the power source may be a nickel metal hydride battery, a nickel cadmium battery, or a lithium-based battery, such as a lithium cobalt, lithium iron phosphate, or lithium polymer battery.

The heater 230 may take a variety of possible configurations, as an example and not by way of limitation, and may be a center heater such as a heater pin. In other possible examples, the heater may be in the form of a heat generating mesh, a heat generating coil, or the like. The present application is not particularly limited thereto.

As shown in fig. 2, the top end of the housing 200 in the height direction is opened with an opening 240. The opening 240 may be configured as a different functional opening based on different needs. In one embodiment, the opening 240 is configured to communicate with the internal cavity 201 for insertion of the aerosol product. The aerosol product may be a cigarette or a cartridge. Which is a consumable that can be replaced when needed. At the time of replacement, a cigarette or cartridge is inserted into the interior cavity 201 through the opening 240 to be heated within the interior cavity 201. In an alternative embodiment, the opening 240 is configured to communicate with the outside to provide an air inlet into the interior cavity 201.

In this embodiment of the present application, the function, the setting position, the shape, the size, etc. of the opening 240 are not specifically limited, and the user may set the opening according to the actual requirement without departing from the concept of the present application. The illustration in fig. 2 and the above description are only some examples thereof. It will be appreciated that the opening 240 may have other possible forms. Such as being provided as other functional openings or at other locations in the housing 200. Such as being provided as an air inlet port at the side of the housing 200 or at the bottom end in the height direction of the housing 200, etc.

As shown in fig. 2, the aerosol provision system 20 further comprises a cover 250 configured to be movable between an open position, in which the opening 240 is open, and a closed position, in which the opening 240 is closed. With the cover 250, the cover 250 may be moved to an open position to open the opening 240 when in use. When not in use, the cover 250 is moved to the closed position to close the opening 240, preventing dust from falling into the interior cavity 201. The open position therein may include a position corresponding to where the opening 240 is at least partially opened.

As shown in fig. 2, the aerosol provision system 20 further comprises a human-machine interaction module 260 configured to receive user operations. The human-computer interaction module 260 is at least partially structurally disposed on the cover 250 to be exposed to a user for direct manipulation by the user. The man-machine interaction module 260 of the present application is disposed at a portion of the cover 250, may be a structure independent of the cover 250, or may be integrated with the cover 250, that is, formed by a portion of the cover 250. As shown in fig. 7, the man-machine interaction module 260 is disposed at a portion of the cover 250, and is formed by a finger-like depression of the cover 250 itself.

Here, the user operation received by the man-machine interaction module 260 means an operation received directly from the user by the man-machine interaction module 260, and is distinguished from an operation indirectly received by the user for the operation of the cover 250. Such as the structure shown in fig. 2, the magnetic member provided on the cover 250 is also indirectly operated when the user operates the cover. Such user operations indirectly received through the cover 250 are not within the scope of user operations received by the human-machine interaction module 260 described in the present application. The user operation received by the human-machine interaction module 260 may reflect the user's heating intent, and thus the controller 210 may determine whether to initiate heating of the system 20 based on the user operation. In some embodiments of the present application, the controller 210 may also be configured to determine whether to allow the system 20 to initiate heating based on the user operation, and the initiation of heating may be based on further operations such as user suction, thereby achieving energy savings and the like.

A typical scenario for a user using the aerosol provision system described above is described below:

The user holds the system 20 with his right hand and moves the cap 250 with his right hand fingers to open the opening 240 and the left hand inserts the cigarette through the opening 240. If heating is required, a right hand finger placed on the cover 250 triggers the human interaction module 260 on the cover 250. Throughout the process, a right hand finger such as a thumb may be placed on the cover 250 for operation without moving to other locations in the system. Compared with the prior art, the embodiment of the application can start heating based on the accurate heating intention of the user and can simplify the operation of the user.

Further considering the miniaturized design of the system, the portion of the human-machine interaction module 260 disposed on the cover 250 may be flush with the outer surface of the cover 250, such as a slot in the cover 250, in which the human-machine interaction module 260 is mounted. To avoid malfunction, in some embodiments, the human-computer interaction module 260 is disposed at a portion of the cover 250 slightly below the outer surface of the cover 250.

The aerosol provision system 20 further comprises a damping member 270 configured to provide a damping force when the cover 250 is moved between the open and closed positions. The damping force is convenient for a user to feel the movement of the cover and provides better operation experience, and on the other hand, misoperation caused by too easy movement can be reduced.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the damping component is not specifically limited, and the user can set the damping component according to the actual requirement without departing from the concept of the present application. By way of example and not limitation, as shown in FIG. 2, the damping member 270 in an embodiment of the present application includes a first magnetic member 271 and a second magnetic member 272 that repel each other. The first magnetic member 271 may be disposed on the cover 250. The second magnetic element 272 may be disposed within the interior cavity 201. The first magnetic member 271 moves together with the cover 250 and generates a different damping force or driving force with the second magnetic member 272 when moving to a different position.

In a further embodiment of the application, the cover 250 has a first stroke and a second stroke that occur sequentially when moving between the open position and the closed position. As shown in fig. 2, the movements of A1 to A2 are the first stroke, and the movements of A2 to A3 are the second stroke. The damping member 270 is configured to provide a damping force of the movement of the cover 250 in a first stroke and to provide a driving force of the movement of the cover 250 in a second stroke. Taking the first magnetic member 271 and the second magnetic member 272 as an example, when the user moves the cover 250 such that the first magnetic member 271 is gradually close to the second magnetic member 272, the user can feel the gradually increasing damping force. The damping force is greatest when the first magnetic member 271 is closest to the second magnetic member 272. As the cover 250 continues to move from the position where the magnetic members are closest to each other, the first magnetic member 271 is gradually moved away from the second magnetic member 272, and the user can feel the gradually decreasing driving force. Based on the force variation, the user can make a determination of the position of the movement of the cover 250. For example, when the damping force is maximized, the cover 250 is moved to the full open position of the opening 240, or to a position where the opening 240 is to be opened. In alternative embodiments, the damping member 270 may be provided as an elastic member or the like.

Taking the example of the opening 240 being configured as an air inlet or an aerosol product insertion port, one skilled in the art will appreciate that it is not reasonable to activate heating in the unopened state of the opening 240. If the opening 240 is not open, the aerosol product is not inserted and heating is initiated at this point, which may cause the system 20 to burn dry. Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the present application, the controller 210 is configured to initiate heating based on user operation and the status of the opening 240. In particular, it may be configured to determine to start heating of the system or to allow the system to start heating when the user operation indicates that the user has an intention to start heating and the opening is in an open state. This can be achieved in a number of possible ways:

in a first manner, the system 20 further includes an opening state detection module configured to detect an opening and closing state of the opening 240 for transmission to the controller 210, so that the controller 210 can determine whether to start heating by integrating the user operation received by the man-machine interaction module 260 and the opening and closing state of the opening 240 detected by the opening state detection module.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the working principle, structure and composition of the opening state detection module are not specifically limited, and the user can set according to the actual requirement without departing from the concept of the present application. By way of example and not limitation, the opening status detection module may proceed through direct detection of an opening. For example, a photosensor is disposed in the inner cavity 201 at a position corresponding to the opening 240 to detect light entering the inner cavity 201 through the opening 240. If the preset condition is met, it can be determined that the opening 240 is opened, otherwise, it is determined that the opening 240 is closed.

In one embodiment of the present application, the state of the opening 240 may also be determined by detecting the moving position of the cover 250. As shown in fig. 3, the opening state detection module in the embodiment of the present application includes a first part 310 and a second part 320. Wherein the first member 310 is coupled to the cover 250 and is configured to move between an open position and a closed position under the force of the cover 250. The second component 320 is configured to output a first signal according to where the first component 310 is located. The controller 210 is configured to determine whether to initiate heating of the system 20 or whether to allow the system 20 to initiate heating based on the first signal and the user operation. As an example, the first component 310 is a magnetic member and the second component 320 is a hall sensor. When the magnetic member moves to different positions along with the cover 250, the hall sensor can detect different magnetic field intensities, so as to output different electric signals to the controller 210, so that the controller 210 can determine the position of the magnetic member according to the received electric signals, and further determine whether the cover 250 is at the open position or the closed position, so as to determine the open/close state of the opening 240. Of course, in alternative embodiments, the first component 310 and the second component 320 may also be based on other types of sensor arrangements.

In some embodiments, the first member and the first magnetic member may share the same magnet.

In the second manner, the opening state detection module is not required, but the man-machine interaction module 260 is provided, so that the man-machine interaction module 260 can be triggered only when the opening 240 is opened. If a part of the structure of the man-machine interaction module 260 is set at a predetermined position, the part of the structure can be triggered only when the cover 250 is located at the open position. The second mode will be described together with the following description of the composition of the switch module, which is not repeated here.

In summary, to avoid starting heating when the opening is closed, the present application may be realized by integrating the opening state and the user operation by the controller, or may be realized by limiting that the user can effectively trigger the man-machine interaction module only when the opening is opened.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the composition, principle and structure of the man-machine interaction module are not specifically limited, and the user can set according to the actual needs without departing from the concept of the present application. By way of example and not limitation, as shown in FIG. 4, the human-machine interaction module is configured as a sensor 260'. In particular embodiments, the sensor 260' may be configured as at least one of a pressure sensor, a biometric sensor. As shown, the sensor 260' includes a user operation portion 261' provided on the cover 250, configured to sense a physical characteristic of a user operation such as a pressure of a user's pressing. The sensor 260' further includes a signal processing portion 262' configured to convert the physical characteristic sensed by the user operation portion 261' into a second signal, such as converting the pressure signal into an electrical signal. The controller 210 is configured to determine whether to initiate heating of the aerosol provision system 20 or whether to allow the aerosol provision system 20 to initiate heating based on the second signal. In some embodiments of the present application, the signal processing portion 262' is disposed within the internal cavity 201. In an alternative embodiment, both the signal processing part 262 'and the user operating part 261' are provided on the cover 250. The signal processing unit 262' may be provided on the cover 250 separately from the user operation unit 261', or may be provided on the cover 250 integrally with the user operation unit 261 '. The cover 250 may form a receiving chamber to receive the signal processing part 262 'therein to reduce an influence of an external environment on the signal processing part 262'.

Unlike the structure shown in fig. 4, in another embodiment of the present application, as shown in fig. 5 and 6, the man-machine interaction module is configured as a switch module 260". The switch module 260 "includes a user operation portion 261" provided on the cover 250, configured to receive a user operation. The switch module 260 "also includes a switch circuit 262" and separable electrical contacts 263". Wherein separable electrical contacts 263 "are configured to separate or contact to open or close switching power 262" based on user operation. The controller 210 is coupled to the switching circuit 262 "and configured to monitor the closed or open state of the switching circuit 262" to determine whether to initiate heating of the aerosol supply system 20 or whether to allow the aerosol supply system 20 to initiate heating based on the closed or open state. Wherein the user operation portion 261 "is movable based on a user operation and moves the separable electrical contacts 263" to a separated or contacted position based on the movement to open or close the switching circuit 262".

As shown in fig. 5, the switching circuit 262", separable electrical contacts 263", is separate from the cover 250, disposed in the interior cavity 201. In alternative embodiments, the switching circuit 262 "and/or the separable electrical contacts 263" may be integrated on the cover 250 along with the user-operable portion 261 ". When disposed on the cover 250, the cover 250 may form a receiving cavity to receive the switching circuitry 262 "and/or the separable electrical contacts 263".

In the present application, the user operation part 261″ has various possible forms such as at least one of a pressing part, a rotating part, a sliding part, or a touching part.

In the present application, as shown in fig. 5, separable electrical contact 263 "can include a first contact 2631" and a second contact 2632 "disposed on switching circuit 262". The user operation portion 261 "is configured to receive a user operation to move and drive the first contact 2631" and the second contact 2632 "to come close to each other to make contact to close the switch circuit 262". The user operation portion 261″ may be a pressing portion configured to move after being pressed by a user and to bring the first contact 2631″ and the second contact 2632' into close contact with each other.

The present application contemplates that the first contact 2631 "and the second contact 2632" have a variety of possible forms. As the first contact 2631 "may be provided on the user operation part 261", move following the movement of the user operation part 261", and come into close rear contact with the second contact 2632" to close the switching circuit 262".

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in fig. 5 and 6, the first contact 2631 "is disposed between the second contact 2632" and the user operation portion 261", and the user operation portion 261" is pressed to contact and press the first contact 2631", so that the first contact 2631" moves and contacts the second contact 2632 "to close the switch circuit 262".

In another alternative embodiment, the first contact 2631 "is disposed on a side of the second contact 2632" away from the user operation portion 261", and the user operation portion 261" is pressed to contact and press the second contact 2632", so that the second contact 2632" moves and contacts the first contact 2631 "to close the switching circuit 262". Further, the aerosol provision system 20 may also be provided with a support configured to provide support for the first contact 2631 "towards the user operated portion 261". More specifically, the first contact 2631 "is integrally provided on the support.

To reset the first contact 2631", the switch module 260" also includes a spring. The first contact 2631 "is connected to the switching circuit 262" by a spring such that the first contact 2631 "moves between a position near and away from the second contact 2632" and is resettable to an initial position.

In the above configuration, the first contact 2631 "and the second contact 2632" are away from each other in the initial position, and the switching circuit 262 "is opened. When the user operation unit 261 "receives a user operation, the contact comes close to contact, and the switch circuit 262" is closed. The controller 210 initiates heating when the switching circuit 262 "is closed. When the user operates to remove, the contact is restored to the original position by the elastic member. It will be appreciated that in other possible embodiments, the first and second contacts 2631", 2632" are in close contact when in the initial position, and the switching circuit 262 "is closed. When the user operation section 261 "receives a user operation, the contacts are away from each other to open the switch circuit 262". The controller 210 initiates heating when the switching circuit 262 "is open. When the user operates to remove, the contact is restored to the original position by the elastic member.

In order to ensure that the system is only started to heat when the opening is opened, the man-machine interaction module can be set so that the man-machine interaction module can be triggered only when the opening is opened. Corresponding to this implementation, separable electrical contacts 263 "are configured to be disposed apart from cover 250, and the position of separable contacts 263" is configured such that separable contacts 263 "are located in a range of positions that are triggerable by user operation when cover 250 is moved to the open position of opening 240, and separable contacts 263" are located outside the range of positions that are triggerable by user operation when cover 250 is moved to the closed position of opening 240.

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, separable contacts 263 "are all disposed apart from cover 250. And as shown in fig. 5, when the cover 250 is moved to the open position, the user operation portion 261 "is pressed against the user operation portion 261" corresponding to the position of the separable contacts 263", and the user operation portion 261" is pressed against the separable contacts 263". As shown in fig. 6, when the cover 250 is moved to the closed position, the position of the user operation portion 261 "is shifted from the position of the separable contacts 263". Even if the user operation portion 261 "is pressed, the user operation portion 261" and the separable contacts 263 "cannot be contacted, i.e., the separable contacts 263" cannot be triggered.

Based on this, can guarantee when the opening is opened, effectively trigger man-machine interaction module in order to start heating. And when the opening is closed, the man-machine interaction module cannot be effectively triggered, so that heating cannot be started.

It will be appreciated that in addition to the arrangements shown in fig. 5 and 6, only the first contact 2631 "or the second contact 2632" of the separable contacts 263 "may be configured to be positioned in a range of positions that are user-operable to be triggered when the cover 250 is moved to the open position of the opening 240, and to be positioned outside the range of positions that are user-operable to be triggered when the cover 250 is moved to the closed position of the opening 240.

In the configuration shown in fig. 5 and 6, the user is required to position the user operation unit 261 "and the separable electrical contacts 263". In order to facilitate the user to identify the alignable positions, a characteristic position which is convenient to identify can be arranged in the application. The separable contacts 263 may be effectively triggered if the cover 250 is set to move to the maximum open position.

In another embodiment of the application, another configuration of an aerosol provision system is provided that triggers the man-machine interaction module when the cover is moved to any position. As shown in fig. 7 to 9, the aerosol provision system 20 includes a housing 200 forming an internal cavity 201, and a controller 210, a power supply 220, and a heater 230 disposed in the internal cavity 201. Wherein a bracket 280 is also provided within the interior cavity 201 for mounting the power supply 220, heater 230, controller 210, etc. The top end of the housing 200 is provided with an end cap 202, and the end cap 202 is provided with an opening 240. The aerosol provision system 20 further comprises a cover 250 movable over the end cap 202 to open or close the opening 240. The cover 250 specifically includes an upper cover 251 and a lower cover 252 disposed adjacent to the end cover 202, with a receiving cavity 253 formed between the upper cover 251 and the lower cover 252.

The aerosol provision system 20 further comprises a man-machine interaction module in the form of a switch module, in particular comprising a user operation 261 "(a finger-like press is shown in the figure), a switch circuit 262" and separable contacts 263". The switch circuit 262 "is also connected to the controller 210 for the controller 210 to obtain the open and closed states of the switch circuit 262".

Separable contacts 263 "and switching circuit 262" are integrated into a single flexible circuit board FPCBA on which the first and second contacts of separable contacts 263 "are disposed in a gap. The separable contacts 263 "and the portion of the switching circuit 262" where the separable contacts 263 "are disposed within the receiving cavity 253 to move synchronously with the cover 250. This synchronous movement allows separable contacts 263 "to be consistently aligned with user operating portion 261" to ensure separable contacts 263' are consistently located in a range of positions that can be triggered by the user operating portion. The flexible circuit board can bend or stretch following the movement of the cover 250 without breaking.

The aerosol provision system 20 further comprises a damping member 270, in particular comprising a first magnetic member 271 and a second magnetic member 272.

The aerosol provision system 20 further comprises a support 291 disposed within the accommodation space and configured to provide support for the separable contacts 263 "towards the user operation 261".

The aerosol provision system 20 further comprises a switching circuit mount 292 configured to mount the switching circuit 262 "extending from the receiving space through the end cap 202 to the controller 210 to avoid sloshing of the switching circuit 262" within the internal cavity 201.

The aerosol supply system 20 may further comprise an opening state detection module, and may specifically comprise a magnet and a hall sensor, wherein the magnet may share the first magnetic member 271.

With respect to the arrangements shown in fig. 5 and 6, the arrangements shown in fig. 7 to 9 allow a user to trigger the switch module when the cover is moved to any position. By combining the first signal of the open state detection module, accurate control of the heating can also be achieved.

Example two

The second embodiment of the application provides a control method of an aerosol supply system, which specifically includes:

The aerosol supply system in the second embodiment may be, in particular, the aerosol supply system described in the first embodiment and fig. 2 to 9. And the method can be applied to the controller described in the first embodiment.

When the aerosol provision system further comprises a first component and a second component for open condition detection, the method comprises:

receiving a first signal of a second component;

Determining whether to initiate heating of the system or whether to allow the system to initiate heating based on the user operation and the first signal.

When the user operation characterizes the user heating intent and the first signal indicates that the opening is open, heating of the system is initiated or the system is allowed to initiate heating.

When the man-machine interaction module is a switch module, the heating intention of a user can be represented through the opening and closing state of the switch circuit.

When the man-machine interaction module is a sensor, the heating intention of the user is represented by a second signal of the sensor.

In this embodiment, the same or similar content as that of the first embodiment may be referred to the description above, and will not be described in detail later.

Example III

The application also provides a computer device corresponding to the first and second embodiments, comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a computer program capable of running on the processor, and when the computer program is executed by the processor, the control method for the aerosol supply system provided by any one of the embodiments is executed.

Example IV

Corresponding to the first to third embodiments described above, embodiments of the present application also provide a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by a processor, implements the control method for an aerosol supply system as described in the above embodiments. In this embodiment, the same or similar contents as those of the first to third embodiments may be referred to the description above, and will not be repeated.

It is to be understood that portions of the present application may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In the above-described embodiments, the various steps or methods may be implemented in software or firmware stored in a memory and executed by a suitable instruction execution system. For example, if implemented in hardware, as in another embodiment, may be implemented using any one or combination of techniques known in the art, discrete logic circuits with logic gates for implementing logic functions on data signals, application specific integrated circuits with appropriate combinational logic gates, programmable Gate Arrays (PGAs), field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), and the like.

In the description of the present specification, a description referring to terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "examples," "specific examples," or "some examples," etc., means that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments or examples. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and the like, are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying a relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defining "a first" or "a second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In the description of the present application, the meaning of "plurality" means at least two, for example, two, three, etc., unless specifically defined otherwise.

In the present application, unless explicitly specified and limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," "secured," and the like are to be construed broadly, and may be, for example, fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally formed, mechanically connected, electrically connected, directly connected, indirectly connected through an intervening medium, or in communication between two elements or in an interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise explicitly specified. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art according to the specific circumstances.

While embodiments of the present application have been shown and described above, it will be understood that the above embodiments are illustrative and not to be construed as limiting the application, and that variations, modifications, alternatives and variations may be made to the above embodiments by one of ordinary skill in the art within the scope of the application.

Claims

1. An aerosol supply system, characterized in that the system comprises:

a housing, wherein the housing is provided with an opening;

a cover configured to be movable between an open position for opening the opening and a closed position for closing the opening;

a human-computer interaction module, at least partially disposed on the cover and configured to receive user operations;

A controller is configured to determine whether to start heating of the system or whether to allow the system to start heating based on the user operation.

2. The aerosol supply system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first component and a second component;

The first component is connected to the cover and is configured to move between the open position and the closed position under the drive of the cover;

the second component being configured to output a first signal according to a position of the first component;

The controller is configured to determine whether to start heating of the system or whether to allow the system to start heating according to the first signal and the user operation.

3. The aerosol supply system according to claim 2, characterized in that

The controller is configured to determine to start heating of the system or allow the system to start heating when the user operation indicates that the user has an intention to start heating and the first signal indicates that the opening is opened.

4. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that:

The human-computer interaction module includes a sensor, and the sensor includes:

a user operation portion provided on the cover, configured to sense a physical characteristic of the user operation;

a signal processing unit configured to convert the physical characteristic into a second signal;

The controller is configured to determine whether to start heating of the system or whether to allow the system to start heating based on the second signal.

5. The aerosol supply system according to claim 4, characterized in that:

The sensor is at least one of a pressure sensor and a biometric sensor.

6. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that:

The human-computer interaction module includes a switch module, and the switch module includes:

A user operation portion provided on the cover, configured to receive the user operation;

Switching circuit;

separable electrical contacts configured to separate or contact based on the user operation to open or close the switch circuit;

The controller is connected to the switch circuit and configured to monitor the closed or open state of the switch circuit to determine whether to start heating of the system or whether to allow the system to start heating based on the state of the switch circuit.

7. The aerosol supply system according to claim 6, characterized in that

The user operation portion is a pressing portion, and the separable contacts include a first contact and a second contact provided on the switch circuit;

The pressing portion is configured to drive the first contact and the second contact to approach each other and then contact each other to close the switch circuit after being pressed by the user.

8. The aerosol supply system according to claim 7, characterized in that

The first contact is provided on the pressing portion, moves following the movement of the pressing portion, and contacts the second contact after approaching the second contact to close the switch circuit;

or the first contact is arranged between the second contact and the pressing portion, and the pressing portion contacts and presses the first contact when pressed, so that the first contact moves and contacts the second contact to close the switch circuit;

Or the first contact is arranged on a side of the second contact away from the pressing portion, and the pressing portion contacts and presses the second contact when pressed, so that the second contact moves and contacts the first contact to close the switch circuit.

9. The aerosol supply system according to claim 8, characterized in that

The first contact is arranged on a side of the second contact away from the pressing portion;

The system further includes a support component configured to provide support for the first contact.

10 . The aerosol supply system according to claim 9 , wherein the first contact is provided on the supporting component.

11 . The aerosol supply system according to claim 9 , wherein the first contact is connected to the switch circuit via an elastic member.

12. The aerosol supply system according to claim 6, wherein the detachable electrical contact is configured to be connected to the cover and maintain synchronous movement so that the detachable contact is always located in a position range that can be triggered by the user operation.

13. The aerosol supply system according to claim 12, wherein the switch circuit is a flexible circuit that can be bent or unfolded under the drive of the cover to achieve synchronous movement of the detachable electrical contact and the cover.

14. The aerosol supply system according to claim 12, wherein the cover comprises an upper cover and a lower cover connected to the upper cover, a receiving cavity is defined therebetween, and the detachable contact is disposed in the receiving cavity.

15. The aerosol supply system according to claim 6 is characterized in that the detachable electrical contact is separately arranged from the cover, and the position of the detachable contact is configured so that when the cover is moved to the open position, the detachable contact is located in a position range that can be triggered by the user operation, and when the cover is moved to the closed position, the detachable contact is located outside the position range that can be triggered by the user operation.

16 . The aerosol supply system according to claim 6 , wherein the user operation portion is at least one of a pressing portion, a rotating portion, a sliding portion, and a touch portion.

17 . The aerosol supply system of claim 1 , further comprising a damping member configured to provide a damping force when the lid moves between the open position and the closed position.

18. The aerosol supply system according to claim 17, wherein the cover has a first stroke and a second stroke that occur successively when moving between the open position and the closed position;

The damping component is configured to provide a damping force in the first stroke and to provide a driving force in the second stroke.

19 . The aerosol supply system according to claim 17 , wherein the damping component comprises at least one of an elastic member and a repelling magnetic member.

20. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the opening is an air inlet of the system or a product insertion port of the system.

21. The aerosol supply system according to claim 2, wherein the first component is a magnetic component, and the second component is a Hall sensor.

22. A method for controlling an aerosol supply system, wherein the aerosol supply system is a system according to any one of claims 1 to 21; the method comprising:

receiving user operations using a human-computer interaction module at least partially disposed on the cover;

Whether to start heating of the system or whether to allow the system to start heating is determined based on the user operation.