Control device for aerosol inhalation device and aerosol inhalation device
Inventors
MIZUGUCHI, Kazuma • Akao, Takeshi
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12396487-B2
Publication Date
2025-08-26
Expiration Date
Abstract
Control device for aerosol inhalation device, includes operational amplifier including output terminal configured to generate voltage according to voltage applied to load configured to heat aerosol source and having correlation between temperature and electrical resistance value, control unit including input terminal and configured to perform processing based on voltage applied to the input terminal, and voltage dividing circuit configured to electrically connect the output terminal of the operational amplifier and the input terminal of the control unit. Power supply voltage of the operational amplifier is higher than power supply voltage of the control unit, and equals voltage applied to aerosol generation circuit including the load, and one of inverting input terminal and noninverting input terminal of the operational amplifier is electrically connected to the aerosol generation circuit.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an aerosol inhalation device that includes an operational amplifier configured to generate a voltage according to power applied to a load that heats an aerosol source, where the load has a correlation between a temperature and an electrical resistance value. A controller includes an input terminal and performs processing based on a voltage applied to the input terminal, and an RC circuit is connected to the output terminal of the operational amplifier to generate a voltage supplied to the input terminal of the controller.
The operational amplifier is supplied with a power supply voltage that is higher than a power supply voltage of the controller, while an inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier is electrically connected to an aerosol generation circuit. A first switch is electrically connected between the power supply and the load, and a first resistor is electrically connected in series with the first switch, so that the controller input voltage is generated through the RC circuit based on the operational amplifier output.
In representative embodiments, the RC-circuit-generated voltage path is used to measure load temperature based on a temperature-resistance correlation while preventing overvoltage from being applied to an operational amplifier/comparator and/or the control unit. The described control-device architectures include an analog front-end with diode arrangements and shunt-resistor circuits for stabilizing sampling and detecting load/cartridge detachment, and an alternative architecture using a voltage dividing circuit to ensure the analog signal to the controller does not exceed the controller power supply voltage.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim defines one aerosol inhalation device architecture that includes temperature/resistance-correlated voltage generation by an operational amplifier, RC-based voltage feeding to a controller input, and a defined relationship between the operational amplifier power supply and the controller power supply. The inventive features in the independent claim are complemented by dependent claims that further constrain controller input voltage and add exchange detection for a removably received aerosol generating article.
Operational amplifier generates a voltage correlated to load temperature and resistance
An operational amplifier including an output terminal is configured to generate a voltage according to power applied to a load configured to heat an aerosol source, wherein the load has a correlation between a temperature and an electrical resistance value.
RC circuit forms a controller input voltage from the operational amplifier output
An RC circuit connected to the output terminal of the operational amplifier is configured to generate a voltage supplied to the input terminal of the controller.
Controller processing based on the RC-generated voltage
A controller including an input terminal is configured to perform processing based on a voltage applied to the input terminal.
Power supply voltage relationship between operational amplifier and controller
A power supply voltage of the operational amplifier is higher than a power supply voltage of the controller, and an inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier is electrically connected to an aerosol generation circuit.
Switch-and-series resistor between power supply and load heating
A first switch electrically connected between the power supply and the load, and a first resistor electrically connected in series with the first switch.
RC behavior or amplification factor limits controller input voltage to controller supply
In dependent embodiments, the device is configured so that the RC circuit provides a controller input voltage that is no greater than the controller power supply voltage, or alternatively the operational amplifier amplification factor is set so that the controller input voltage does not exceed the controller power supply voltage.
Detecting exchange of a removably received aerosol generating article
The controller is configured to detect replacement of a removably received aerosol generating article based on output from the operational amplifier.
Across the independent and dependent claims, the core coverage is an aerosol inhalation device that uses an operational amplifier to generate a voltage correlated with load temperature/resistance, uses an RC circuit to supply that voltage to a controller input, and defines the operational amplifier-to-controller power supply relationship. Dependent features further ensure the controller input voltage does not exceed the controller power supply voltage and add detection of exchange of a removably received aerosol generating article based on operational amplifier output.
Stated Advantages
Prevents overvoltage from being applied to the operational amplifier/comparator and/or the control unit by ensuring an appropriate controller input voltage through RC behavior or voltage limiting via circuitry.
Enables measurement of load temperature based on a temperature-resistance correlation by using the operational amplifier output and the RC circuit to supply the controller with a voltage for processing.
Detects exhaustion/shortage and cartridge exchange using operational amplifier output and associated detection circuitry.
Documented Applications
Use in an aerosol inhalation device where the load heats an aerosol source, and controller processing is performed based on a voltage corresponding to load temperature/resistance for temperature-related judgments such as exhaustion/shortage.
Detection of replacement/exchange of a removably received aerosol generating article (cartridge) in the aerosol inhalation device based on operational amplifier output.
Interested in licensing this patent?