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Publication Number
US-11992603-B2
Publication Date
2024-05-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention relates to a controller for an aerosol generator having a vibration head for generating an aerosol, the controller comprising: a connection unit (110) for connecting an electric contacting element (300), the electric contacting element being connectable with the vibration head (210); a detection unit (120) for detecting an electric energy storage capacity parameter related to the connected electric contacting element (300); and a determination unit (130) for determining whether the vibration head (210) is connected with the electric contacting element (300) based on the determined electric energy storage capacity parameter.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a controller for an aerosol generator having a vibration head for generating an aerosol. The controller includes a connection unit for connecting an electric contacting element, where the electric contacting element is connectable with the vibration head. A detection unit detects an electric energy storage capacity parameter related to the connected electric contacting element, the parameter being related to at least one of an electric capacity and inductance storable in the vibration head and the electric contacting element.
The controller further includes a determination unit for determining whether the vibration head is connected with the electric contacting element based on the determined electric energy storage capacity parameter. The detected electric energy storage capacity parameter can be used as a connection determination basis such that connected and not connected vibration head states are distinguishable by electric behavior, including discharge curves and discharge time constant.
The same electric energy storage capacity parameter is also used to identify a vibration head type by comparing the parameter against ranges and/or parameter combinations. The controller then provides a corresponding configuration so that the vibration head is driven with corresponding drive parameters. Embodiments also include user notification of the determination result, detection of water ingress into the vibration head, temperature determination based on the detected electric energy storage capacity parameter, and a temperature-dependent prevention of overheating during operation.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides one independent claim. It covers detecting an electric energy storage capacity parameter from a connected electric contacting element and using that parameter to determine whether the vibration head is properly connected, with the independent claim’s inventive core consisting of three functional units (connection unit, detection unit, determination unit). Dependent claim refinements in the provided set add threshold-based connection criteria, water-ingress determination, temperature determination from the parameter, vibration head type identification by parameter range comparison, and selecting vibration-head-type-dependent configuration parameters for aerosol generation.
Determining vibration head connection by electric energy storage capacity parameter
A controller includes a connection unit for connecting an electric contacting element to a vibration head, a detection unit for detecting an electric energy storage capacity parameter related to the connected electric contacting element (the parameter being related to at least one of an electric capacity and inductance storable in the vibration head and the electric contacting element), and a determination unit for determining whether the vibration head is connected with the electric contacting element based on the determined electric energy storage capacity parameter.
Threshold-based connection decision
The determination unit determines whether the vibration head is connected with the electric contacting element when a detected electric energy storage capacity parameter exceeds a predetermined threshold.
Water ingress determination in the vibration head
The controller further includes a determination unit configured to determine water ingress into the vibration head.
Temperature determination based on detected electric energy storage capacity parameter
The controller further determines a temperature of the vibration head based on a detected electric energy storage capacity parameter.
Vibration head type identification by comparison to parameter ranges
The controller determines the vibration head type by comparing a detected electric energy storage capacity parameter against multiple electric energy storage capacity parameter ranges.
Selecting vibration-head-type-dependent configuration parameters for aerosol generation
The controller comprises a storage unit and a controlling unit that select a vibration head type dependent configuration parameter based on a determined vibration head type and use it to control the vibration head of an aerosol generator to generate aerosol.
Across the provided independent and dependent claim set, the central claimed capability is using an electric energy storage capacity parameter associated with the connected contacting element to determine connection status of the vibration head. Additional claim features extend this parameter use to water-ingress and temperature-related determinations, to vibration-head-type identification via range comparison, and to selecting stored, vibration-head-type-dependent configuration parameters for controlling aerosol generation.
Stated Advantages
Enables distinguishing whether the vibration head is connected with the electric contacting element based on detected electric energy storage capacity parameter.
Supports identifying a vibration head type and using a corresponding vibration-head-type-dependent configuration parameter to control the vibration head.
Provides user notification of the determination result.
Enables detection of water ingress into the vibration head.
Enables temperature determination of the vibration head based on the detected electric energy storage capacity parameter, including temperature-dependent prevention of overheating.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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