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Publication Number
US-12484633-B2
Publication Date
2025-12-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
An inhalation device controller is configured to control an atomizer including a container configured to hold an aerosol source of a liquid, a heater, and a transport portion configured to transport the aerosol source from the container to a heating area by the heater. The controller includes a control circuit configured to monitor a physical amount correlated with a temperature of the heater and configured to control power to be supplied to the atomizer such that the physical amount under monitoring approaches a target value. The target value is set such that the temperature of the heater during heating of the aerosol source falls within a range of 210° C. to 230° C.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an inhalation device controller for an atomizer that includes a container configured to hold an aerosol source of a liquid, a heater, and a transport portion configured to transport the aerosol source from the container to a heating area by the heater. The controller includes a control circuit configured to monitor a voltage at a first terminal of the heater and to control power supplied to the atomizer so that the monitored voltage approaches a target value. The control circuit includes an operational amplifier having a noninverting input connected to the first terminal of the heater and an inverting input connected to a second terminal of the heater.
A microcontroller converts the output of the operational amplifier into digital form and compares it with the target value stored in a memory in order to monitor the output as the voltage at the first terminal of the heater. The target value is set such that a temperature of the heater during heating of the aerosol source falls within a range of 2106C to 2306C. The concept is based on setting the target and regulating heater power according to feedback from the heater-terminal voltage.
The document also describes control variations in which the power supply is adjusted based on comparator results and in which operation maintains the temperature requirement within the 2106C to 2306C range even when the aerosol source is not present in the heating area. Further embodiments stop supplying power when the monitored heater first-terminal voltage corresponds to a heater temperature not less than 2306C. Additional embodiments describe using a voltage generation circuit and transistor-based control arrangement, including signal driving based on comparisons to a target value, and dual comparator and resistor-transistor series branches with a relative resistance constraint.
Claims Coverage
The partial content identifies one independent claim (independent_claim_id clm-00001) supported by dependent refinements (clm-00002 to clm-00007). Across these claims, the inventive coverage centers on monitoring heater terminal voltage with an operational amplifier, digitizing and comparing with a digitally stored target value in a memory, and setting that target so heater temperature during aerosol heating falls within 2106C to 2306C, with further refinements for comparator-based power control and specific power shutoff and operating conditions.
Heater terminal voltage feedback control with operational amplifier and microcontroller target comparison
An inhalation device controller configured to control an atomizer by monitoring a voltage at a first terminal of the heater with a control circuit that includes an operational amplifier, and a microcontroller that converts the operational amplifier output into digital form and compares it with a target value stored in a memory so the monitored heater terminal voltage approaches the target value.
Target value set to keep heater temperature in 2106C to 2306C during aerosol heating
A target value configured such that a temperature of the heater during heating of the aerosol source falls within a range of 2106C to 2306C.
Comparator-based power supply amount control
The controller controls power supplied to the atomizer by switching a supply amount based on a comparator that compares the heater monitored first-terminal voltage to the target value.
Temperature-range maintenance even when aerosol source is absent
The controller configures the control circuit to keep the heater temperature within 2106C to 2306C even when the aerosol source is not present in the heating area.
Power shutoff when heater temperature reaches 2306C
The controller stops supplying power to the atomizer when the monitored heater first-terminal voltage corresponds to a heater temperature that is not less than 2306C.
Voltage generation circuit and transistor-based heater power regulation
The controller includes a voltage generation circuit and a transistor-based control arrangement where a microcontroller compares the operational amplifier output to a target value and sends the resulting signal to a transistor control terminal to regulate heater power for the atomizer.
Dual comparator and resistor-transistor series branches with relative resistance constraint
The controller uses a voltage generation circuit and a control circuit with two resistor-transistor series branches feeding the heater terminals, including two comparators to compare heater terminal voltage against a target value and drive each transistor, where a second resistor has a higher resistance than a first resistor.
The independent claim and its dependent refinements cover heater-temperature regulation for an inhalation atomizer by monitoring heater terminal voltage with an operational amplifier, digitizing and comparing with a memory-stored target value, and setting that target so the heater temperature remains within 2106C to 2306C. Further refinements specify comparator-driven power switching, maintaining operation when the aerosol source is absent, stopping power at not less than 2306C, and additional voltage-generation and transistor/comparator topologies.
Stated Advantages
Keeps the heater temperature during heating of the aerosol source within a range of 2106C to 2306C.
Enables power control based on monitoring a heater terminal voltage and comparing to a target value.
Maintains the temperature range even when the aerosol source is not present in the heating area.
Stops supplying power when the heater temperature reaches not less than 2306C.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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