DE102017222528B3 - Heating unit for a system for providing an inhalable aerosol - Google Patents

Abstract

A heating unit for a system for providing an inhalable aerosol, comprising: at least one substrate (9) having at least one heating element (11) for heating a substance (27) for forming the inhalable aerosol and at least one temperature sensor element (13) for detecting a temperature of the Heating element (11), wherein an internal resistance of the temperature sensor element (13) is greater than an internal resistance of the heating element (11); and at least one control means (15) connected to the heating element (11) and the temperature sensor element (13) and adapted for: applying a reference current profile to the heating element (11), detecting at least one temperature value from the temperature sensor element (13), determining a decision value based on the temperature value and at least one stored reference temperature value, and providing an indication if the decision value exceeds or falls below at least one limit value. Also, the present invention relates to a use of a heating unit and a method (1000) for operating a heating unit.

Description

The present invention relates to a heating unit for a system for providing an inhalable aerosol. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a use of a heating unit in a system for providing an inhalable aerosol, and a method for operating a heating unit.

The prior art discloses systems having heaters for providing inhalable aerosols that heat a substance for forming the aerosol. Depending on the system used, the substance may be liquid or solid. In general, in such systems, a substance comprising tobacco or a tobacco-like product will not be burned as in a conventional cigarette but merely heated without burning the substance to thereby obtain an inhalable aerosol.

For example, this describes WO 2013/034456 A1 the construction of a system in which a substance, such as tobacco or a tobacco-like product, is heated on a surface or near the surface of a heating element until a nicotine-containing and / or flavor-containing aerosol is formed. The formed aerosol can be inhaled by a user using a mouthpiece.

The use of a substance in the inhalable aerosol delivery system that is incompatible with the system and / or the heating unit used therein may damage the system and / or the heating element, in the worst case even leading to complete destruction of the system. To detect a compatible / non-compatible substance, various techniques are known in the prior art.

For example, this describes US 2017/0095003 A1 an admixture of a magnetic powder to the substance. When introducing the substance into the system, a coil on a heating element of the system registers a change in inductance to detect if the substance used is compatible with the system. A similar technique is used in the US 2016/0302488 A1 described in the markers in the substance can be detected spectroscopically. An optical recognition of the substance by means of diode and detector is in the WO 2017/029089 A1 described and a detection of the substance by means of capacitive measurement is in the WO 2015/140312 A1 described.

However, the techniques described above have the disadvantage that, prior to use with the inhalable aerosol delivery system, the substance must be labeled to identify the substance as being compatible with the system and / or the heating unit used therein. Also complex evaluation units, such as optical systems, induction and / or capacitance meters are necessary for such detections.

Another technique for detecting a substance is in the WO 2016/150922 A2 described. In the WO 2016/150922 A2 It is proposed to detect the history of the heating resistance of the heating element during the generation of the aerosol and to compare it with a reference value in order to identify compatible / non-compatible substances. However, the heating elements commonly used in the systems have, because of the limited physical dimensions and the associated limited power supply options, a very low internal resistance of about 1 ohm. To detect changes in resistance in a very small range of usually 0.1 to 0.001 ohms, based on the absolute value, for the detection of a system compatible / non-compatible substance, however, again a complex evaluation unit is necessary. A temperature control system for an inhalable aerosol delivery system is disclosed in US Pat US 2017/0280779 A1 described.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved heating unit for an inhalable aerosol delivery system which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, to provide a heating unit with which substances can be detected inexpensively and with little effort, which are not compatible with the system and / or with the heating unit.

This object is achieved by a heating unit according to the subject of claim 1.

• zumindest ein Substrat aufweisend zumindest ein Heizelement zum Erhitzen einer Substanz zum Bilden des inhalierbaren Aerosols und zumindest ein Temperatursensorelement zum Erfassen einer Temperatur des Heizelements, wobei ein Innenwiderstand des Temperatursensorelements größer ist als ein Innenwiderstand des Heizelements; und
• zumindest ein Steuermittel verbunden mit dem Heizelement und dem Temperatursensorelement und angepasst zum:
  • Beaufschlagen des Heizelements mit einem Referenzstromverlauf,
  • Erfassen zumindest eines Temperaturwertes von dem Temperatursensorelement,
  • Ermitteln eines Entscheidungswertes basierend auf dem Temperaturwert und zumindest einem gespeicherten Referenztemperaturwert, und
  • Bereitstellen eines Hinweises, wenn der Entscheidungswert zumindest einen Grenzwert über- oder unterschreitet.

The heating unit according to the invention for a system for providing an inhalable aerosol has for this purpose:

• at least one substrate comprising at least one heating element for heating a substance for forming the inhalable aerosol and at least one temperature sensor element for detecting a temperature of the heating element, wherein an internal resistance of the temperature sensor element is greater than an internal resistance of the heating element; and
• at least one control means connected to the heating element and the temperature sensor element and adapted to:
  • Applying a reference current profile to the heating element,
  • Detecting at least one temperature value from the temperature sensor element,
  • Determining a decision value based on the temperature value and at least one stored reference temperature value, and
  • Providing an indication if the decision value exceeds or falls below at least one limit value.

The substrate may comprise or consist of a pressed and sintered ceramic. Particularly suitable materials for the substrate are, for example, metal oxides such as aluminum oxide or zirconium dioxide.

The heating element may be an electrical heating element, for example a resistance conductor track arranged on the substrate, and may be operated for heating or vaporizing the substance in a temperature range from 200 ° C to 400 ° C. However, the heating element can be operated, at least temporarily, even in a higher temperature range, for example at about 550 ° C for cleaning the heater. Typically, the heating element has an internal resistance of about 1 ohm. The temperature sensor can be arranged, for example, in thin-film technology on the substrate.

The temperature sensing element may be a temperature dependent resistor, such as a PT100 or a P1000, and may be disposed on or near the heating element for sensing the temperature of the heating element. Depending on the embodiment, the temperature sensor element has an internal resistance of 100 or 1000 ohms at 0 ° C., which increases with increasing temperature.

The control means may comprise an electrical or electronic circuit such as a programmable circuit and be disposed within the system and comprise means for applying a reference current waveform to the heating element, detecting at least one temperature value from the temperature sensor element, determining a decision value based on the temperature value and at least one stored reference temperature value, and providing an indication when the decision value exceeds or falls below at least one threshold.

The term "reference current profile" in this context can be understood as applying the heating element with a predefined electrical current over a predefined period of time. In this case, the current over the predefined period of time may be constant, but also vary as a function of time and / or increase / decrease substantially constant over the predefined time period. The detection of the temperature value can take place continuously or once at a specific time / points in time after the heating element is subjected to the reference current profile. If the temperature sensor element is a temperature-dependent resistor, the temperature value can be determined from a resistance value of the temperature-dependent resistor. The decision value can then be determined from a comparison of the temperature value and a stored reference temperature value. In the simplest case, this can be done by comparing only the two values. In order to increase the accuracy, the decision value can also be determined from a comparison of a plurality of temperature values and reference temperature values, for example continuously. Thus, for example, the decision value can be determined from the sum of the differences between the temperature values determined in the predefined period of time and the corresponding reference temperature values. The determined decision value (s) may then be compared to a threshold that may be stored in the control means and, for example, define a maximum error. If this limit is exceeded or undershot, an indication is provided that the currently used substance for generating the aerosol, which is arranged on the heating element and heated by the heating element is not compatible. The indication may be provided as an electrical signal at an output of the control means and / or generated as a logical signal within the control means and further processed in the control means. For example, the indication in the control means may cause an immediate shutdown of the heating element or the output of an optical or acoustic signal.

The invention is based on the surprising finding that temperature values of the temperature sensor element can be detected very precisely and with little effort and therefore cost-effectively by using a separate temperature sensor element having a higher internal resistance than the internal resistance of the heating element. The exact temperature values are then simply compared to reference temperature values to find out for the applied reference current history whether the currently used substance for generating the aerosol is compatible with the heating element / system.

In one example, the heating unit comprises at least one power supply means and Control means is adapted to apply the heating element via the power supply means with the reference current profile and the temperature value is proportional to the height of the reference current.

In the above example, furthermore, the power supply means may be adapted upon receiving an indication from the control means to cut off the power supply of the heating element.

In one example, the control means is adapted to determine the temperature value during the reference current waveform at a predetermined time.

In a further example, the control means is adapted to determine at least two, preferably a plurality of temperature values, at predetermined times during the reference current profile, and to determine the decision value between the temperature values and stored reference temperature values.

In yet another example, the control means is adapted to determine the decision value from the difference of the temperature value (s) and the reference temperature value (s).

In another example, the heating element and the temperature sensor element are arranged separately and adjacent to one another on the same side of the substrate, in particular in thin-film technology on the same side of the substrate.

In yet another example, the heating unit has at least one electrically insulating layer, wherein the electrically insulating layer is arranged at least in regions on the heating element and / or the temperature sensor element.

In another example, the heating unit has a housing with a receptacle for holding the substance for forming the inhalable aerosol, preferably the receptacle is adapted to hold the substance immediately adjacent to the heating element and / or surrounding the heating element.

The invention also proposes a use of a heating unit according to the invention in a system for providing an inhalable aerosol.

Furthermore, the invention proposes a method for operating a heating unit for a system for providing an inhalable aerosol, comprising the steps of applying at least one heating element having at least one reference current profile, detecting at least one temperature value of at least one temperature sensor element arranged on a substrate with the heating element for heating a substance for forming the inhalable aerosol, wherein an internal resistance of the temperature sensor element is greater than an internal resistance of the heating element; Determining a decision value based on the temperature value and at least one stored reference temperature value; and providing an indication if the decision value exceeds or falls below at least one limit value.

In one example, determining the decision value includes:

Determining the temperature value at a predetermined time during the reference current waveform.

In yet another example, determining the decision value includes:

Determining at least two, preferably a plurality of temperature values, at predetermined times during the reference current waveform, and determining the decision value between the temperature values and stored reference temperature values.

In another example, the decision value is determined by the difference of the temperature value (s) and the reference temperature value (s).

In another example, the decision value is determined from the sum of the differences between the temperature values determined in the predefined period of time and the corresponding reference temperature values.

• Anordnen einer Referenzsubstanz an dem Heizelement;
• Beaufschlagen des Heizelements mit dem Referenzstromverlauf,
• Erfassen des Referenztemperaturwerts während des Referenzstromverlaufs, bevorzugt Erfassen einer Vielzahl von Referenztemperaturwerten zu vorbestimmten Zeitpunkten während des Referenzstromverlaufs; und
• Speichern des Referenztemperaturwerts, bevorzugt der Referenztemperaturwerte, in einem Steuermittel.

In another example, the threshold is set by:

• Placing a reference substance on the heating element;
• Applying the reference current profile to the heating element,
• Detecting the reference temperature value during the reference current waveform, preferably detecting a plurality of reference temperature values at predetermined times during the reference current waveform; and
• Storing the reference temperature value, preferably the reference temperature values, in a control means.

In this context, a "known reference substance" may be a known substance, an ideal substance, or also a test substance that is compatible with the system for providing the substance inhalable aerosol and / or the heating unit is compatible. For example, the "reference substance" may be an original product of the manufacturer. The determination of the limit may be made once by the manufacturer or by a distributor prior to the sale of the system, and the reference temperature value may remain stored in the control means for the life of the system.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, are explained in the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to schematic drawings.

• 1 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung durch ein System zur Bereitstellung eines inhalierbaren Aerosols mit einer Heizeinheit gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 2 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung durch ein System zur Bereitstellung eines inhalierbaren Aerosols mit einer daran angeordneten Substanz zum Bilden des inhalierbaren Aerosols und einer Heizeinheit gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 3 ein Verfahren zum Betreiben einer Heizeinheit gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung; und
• 4 ein Verfahren zum Festlegen eines Grenzwertes gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung.

Showing:

• 1 a schematic sectional view of a system for providing an inhalable aerosol with a heating unit according to an embodiment of the invention;
• 2 a schematic sectional view of a system for providing an inhalable aerosol with a substance arranged thereon for forming the inhalable aerosol and a heating unit according to an embodiment of the invention;
• 3 a method of operating a heating unit according to an embodiment of the invention; and
• 4 a method of setting a threshold according to an embodiment of the invention.

1 shows a schematic sectional view through a system 1 to provide an inhalable aerosol with a heating unit 3 according to an embodiment of the invention.

The heating unit shown 3 has a substantially cylindrical housing 5 with a recording 7 for holding a substance for forming the inhalable aerosol. The recording 7 is substantially cylindrical in order to hold a likewise cylindrical or tubular substance arranged.

In the in 1 the embodiment shown is the heating element 11 meandering on a substrate 9 arranged. The heating element 11 has a resistance trace and is in thin film technology on the substrate 9 applied. The substrate 9 In the embodiment shown, it is formed of a plate-pressed and sintered alumina ceramic. When a current flows through the resistor track, the resistor track heats up and can thereby heat a substance disposed thereon. The substrate shown 9 In the embodiment shown, it is tapered towards its end region or designed in the shape of an arrow. In embodiments not shown, the substrate 9 but also be formed from other materials and / or designed differently, such as rectangular or triangular.

This in 1 shown temperature sensor element 13 is also meander-shaped and can be on the substrate 9 as well as the heating element 11 , be arranged in thin-film technology. In an embodiment not shown, the temperature sensor element 13 also have a separate housing. It is advantageous in the embodiment shown, the very good thermal coupling between the temperature sensor element 13 and substrate 9 , and that the internal resistance of the temperature sensor element 13 is greater than the internal resistance of the heating element 11 to thereby make it easier to detect the temperature or temperature changes compared to a direct measurement on the heating element 11 to enable.

The heating element shown 11 and the temperature sensor element 13 are in the embodiment shown with a control means 15 connected. The control means 15 may comprise an electrical or electronic circuit, such as a programmable circuit. In the embodiment shown, the control means comprises 15 Means for applying 17 of the heating element with a reference current profile, means for detecting 19 at least one temperature value from the temperature sensor element 13 , Means for determining 21 a decision value based on the temperature value and at least one stored reference temperature value, and means for providing 23 an indication if the decision value exceeds or falls below at least one limit value. In the embodiment shown, these are means 17 - 23 electronically in the control means 15 realized. In embodiments not shown, these means 17 - 23 but also by separate electronic circuits in the control means 15 be realized.

Also will be in 1 a power supply 25 shown with the control means 15 is connected and to the power supply of the control means 15 , as well as the heating element 11 and the temperature sensor element 13 serves.

In 2 is a schematic sectional view through a system 1 for providing an inhalable aerosol having a substance disposed thereon 27 for forming the inhalable aerosol and a heating unit 3 according to an embodiment of the invention.

The system shown 1 corresponds to the system 1 that already in 1 was shown, with the difference that a substance 27 was introduced into the receptacle to form the inhalable aerosol. The substance 27 includes a tobacco or tobacco-like product and forms the aerosol when the substance 27 with the heating element 11 is heated.

3 shows a method of operating a heating unit for a system for providing an inhalable aerosol according to an embodiment of the invention.

• Beaufschlagen 1010 zumindest eines Heizelements mit zumindest einem Referenzstromverlauf,
• Erfassen 1020 zumindest eines Temperaturwertes von zumindest einem Temperatursensorelement angeordnet auf einem Substrat mit dem Heizelement zum Erhitzen einer Substanz zum Bilden des inhalierbaren Aerosols, wobei ein Innenwiderstand des Temperatursensorelements größer ist als ein Innenwiderstand des Heizelements;
• Ermitteln 1030 eines Entscheidungswertes basierend auf dem Temperaturwert und zumindest einem gespeicherten Referenztemperaturwert; und
• Bereitstellen 1040 eines Hinweises, wenn der Entscheidungswert zumindest einen Grenzwert über- oder unterschreitet.

The procedure shown 1000 for operating a heating unit for a system for providing an inhalable aerosol, comprising the steps of:

• apply 1010 at least one heating element with at least one reference current profile,
• To capture 1020 at least one temperature value of at least one temperature sensor element arranged on a substrate with the heating element for heating a substance for forming the inhalable aerosol, wherein an internal resistance of the temperature sensor element is greater than an internal resistance of the heating element;
• Determine 1030 a decision value based on the temperature value and at least one stored reference temperature value; and
• Provide 1040 an indication if the decision value exceeds or falls below at least one limit value.

Further shows 4 a procedure 1100 for setting a threshold according to an embodiment of the invention.

• Anordnen 1110 einer Referenzsubstanz an dem Heizelement
• Beaufschlagen 1120 des Heizelements mit dem Referenzstromverlauf,
• Erfassen 1130 des Referenztemperaturwerts während des Referenzstromverlaufs, bevorzugt Erfassen einer Vielzahl von Referenztemperaturwerten zu vorbestimmten Zeitpunkten während des Referenzstromverlaufs; und
• Speichern 1140 des Referenztemperaturwerts, bevorzugt der Referenztemperaturwerte, in einem Steuermittel.

The procedure shown 1100 has the following steps:

• arrange 1110 a reference substance on the heating element
• apply 1120 the heating element with the reference current profile,
• To capture 1130 the reference temperature value during the reference current waveform, preferably detecting a plurality of reference temperature values at predetermined times during the reference current waveform; and
• to save 1140 the reference temperature value, preferably the reference temperature values, in a control means.

The features set forth in the foregoing description, in the claims and in the figures may be essential to the invention in its various embodiments both individually and in any combination.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

System for providing an inhalable aerosol

3

heating unit

5

casing

7

admission

9

substratum

11

heating element

13

Temperature sensor element

15

control means

17

Means for applying

19

Means for detecting

21

Means for determining

23

Means for providing

25

Power supply means

27

substance

1000

Method of operation

1010

apply

1020

To capture

1030

Determine

1040

Provide

1100

Method for setting a limit value

1110

arrange

1120

apply

1130

To capture

1140

to save

Claims (15)

A heating unit for a system for providing an inhalable aerosol, comprising: at least one substrate (9) having at least one heating element (11) for heating a substance (27) for forming the inhalable aerosol and at least one temperature sensor element (13) for detecting a temperature of the Heating element (11), wherein an internal resistance of the temperature sensor element (13) is greater than an internal resistance of the heating element (11); and at least one control means (15) connected to the heating element (11) and the temperature sensor element (13) and adapted for: applying a reference current profile to the heating element (11), detecting at least one temperature value from the temperature sensor element (13), determining a decision value based on the Temperature value and at least one stored reference temperature value, and providing an indication if the decision value exceeds or falls below at least one limit value. The heating unit after Claim 1 , characterized in that the heating unit has at least one energy supply means (25) and the control means (15) is adapted to act on the heating element (11) via the power supply means (25) with the reference current profile and the temperature value is proportional to the height of the reference current. The heating unit after Claim 2 characterized in that the power supply means (25) is adapted upon receiving an indication from the control means (15) to cut off the power supply of the heating element (11). The heating unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control means (15) is adapted to determine the temperature value during the reference current profile at a predetermined time. The heating unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control means (15) is adapted to determine at least two, preferably a plurality of temperature values, at predetermined times during the reference current profile, and to determine the decision value between the temperature values and stored reference temperature values. The heating unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control means (15) is adapted to determine the decision value from the difference of the temperature value (s) and the reference temperature value (s). The heating unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating element (11) and the temperature sensor element (13) on the same side of the substrate (9) are arranged separately and adjacent, in particular in thin-film technology on the same side of the substrate (9) are arranged , The heating unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating unit has at least one electrically insulating layer, wherein the electrically insulating layer is arranged at least partially on the heating element (11) and / or the temperature sensor element (13). The heating unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating unit has a housing (5) with a receptacle (7) for holding the substance (27) for forming the inhalable aerosol, preferably the receptacle (7) is adapted to the substance ( 27) directly to the heating element (11) and / or the heating element (11) to keep surrounding. Use of a heating unit according to one of Claims 1 to 9 in a system for providing an inhalable aerosol. A method of operating a heating unit for an inhalable aerosol delivery system, comprising the steps of: Applying (1010) at least one heating element (11) with at least one reference current profile, Detecting (1020) at least one temperature value of at least one temperature sensor element (13) arranged on a substrate (9) with the heating element (11) for heating a substance (27) for forming the inhalable aerosol, wherein an internal resistance of the temperature sensor element (13) is greater as an internal resistance of the heating element (11); Determining (1030) a decision value based on the temperature value and at least one stored reference temperature value; and Providing (1040) an indication if the decision value exceeds or falls below at least one threshold. The procedure according to Claim 11 characterized in that determining (1030) the decision value comprises: determining the temperature value at a predetermined time during the reference current waveform. The procedure according to Claim 11 or 12 characterized in that determining (1030) the decision value comprises: determining at least two, preferably a plurality of temperature values at predetermined times during the reference current history, and determining the decision value between the temperature values and stored reference temperature values. The method according to one of Claims 11 to 13 , characterized in that the Decision value is determined by means of the difference of the temperature value / the temperature values and the reference temperature value / the reference temperature values. The method according to one of Claims 11 to 14 characterized in that the threshold value is determined by: arranging (1110) a reference substance on the heating element (11); Applying (1120) the heating element (11) to the reference current waveform, detecting (1130) the reference temperature value during the reference current waveform, preferably detecting a plurality of reference temperature values at predetermined times during the reference current waveform; and storing (1140) the reference temperature value, preferably the reference temperature values, in a control means (15).

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