KR20220138405A - hookah device - Google Patents

Abstract

Hookah device 202 attached to hookah 246 . The hookah device 202 includes a plurality of ultrasonic mist generating devices 201 capable of generating a mist for inhalation by a user. The hookah device 202 controls the mist generating device 201 to maximize the efficiency of mist generation by the mist generating device 201, and a driver that optimizes the mist output from the hookah device 202 device 202 .

Description

hookah device

This application claims priority to the following patents, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. U.S. Patent Application No. 17/122025, filed on December 5, 2020, U.S. Patent Application No. 17/220189, filed on April 1, 2021, and British Patent Application No. 2104872.3, filed on April 6, 2021.

The present invention relates to a hookah device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a hookah device for generating mist using ultrasonic vibrations.

A conventional hookah is a smoking device that burns tobacco that is specially prepared to be crushed and then combusted using charcoal. Smoke is generated by burning the crushed leaf tobacco by the heat of the charcoal, and then it is drawn through the water in the glass chamber and the user can inhale it. Use water to cool the hot smoke and make it easier to inhale.

Hookah use began centuries ago in ancient Persia and India. Currently, hookah cafes are becoming famous all over the world, including the UK, France, Russia, the Middle East and the US.

A typical modern hookah is equipped with a head (with a hole in the bottom), a metal body, a water ball and a flexible hose with a mouthpiece. New types of electronic hookah products were introduced, including steam stones and hookah pens. These products are powered by batteries or mains and heat liquids containing nicotine, flavorings and other chemicals to produce inhalable smoke.

Although many users consider it less harmful than smoke cigarettes, hookah smoke contains many substances that are as dangerous to health as cigarette smoke.

Accordingly, there is a technical need for an improved hookah device that can solve at least some of the problems as disclosed herein.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved hookah device.

The present invention provides a hookah device as claimed in claim 1 and a hookah as claimed in claim 19 . The invention also provides preferred embodiments as claimed in the dependent claims.

The various embodiments of the present disclosure described below have a number of benefits and advantages over conventional hookah devices and hookahs. These benefits and advantages are set forth in the description below.

The hookah device specified in the embodiments of the present disclosure provides environmental benefits because the hookah device does not emit smoke and does not require burning charcoal.

In some embodiments, there is provided a hookah device, the hookah device comprising: a plurality of ultrasonic mist generating devices each provided with a respective mist discharge port; a driver device electrically connected to each of the mist generating devices and configured to activate the mist generating device; and a hookah attachment device configured to attach the hookah device to the hookah, wherein the hookah attachment device provides a fluid flow path from the mist discharge port of the mist generating device out of the hookah device, thereby Accordingly, when at least one of the mist generating devices is activated by the driver device, the mist generated by each activated mist generating device flows into the hookah along the fluid flow path and out of the hookah device. A hookah device is provided, comprising a hookah discharge port.

In some embodiments, the driver device is electrically connected to each of the mist generating devices by a data bus and the driver device uses a respective unique identifier for the mist generating device for each mist generating device. is configured to identify and control

In some embodiments, each mist generating device includes an identification device, the identification device comprising: an integrated circuit having a memory for storing a unique identifier for the mist generating device; and an electrical connection that provides an electronic interface for communicating with the integrated circuit.

In some embodiments, the driver device is configured to control each mist generating device to independently activate the other mist generating device.

In some embodiments, the driver device is configured to control the mist generating device to be activated according to a predetermined sequence.

In some embodiments, each mist generator includes a manifold having a manifold pipe in fluid communication with the mist discharge port of the mist generator, wherein the mist output from the mist discharge port is at the manifold pipe coupled and flows out of the hookah device through the manifold pipe.

In some embodiments, the hookah device includes four mist generators loosely coupled to the manifold at 90 degrees to each other.

In some embodiments, each mist generating device is loosely attached to the driver device so that each mist generating device is detachable from the driver device.

In some embodiments, each mist generator comprises: a mist generator housing that is elongate and has an air intake port and the mist discharge port; a liquid chamber provided in the mist generator housing and storing the sprayed liquid; an ultrasonic treatment chamber provided in the mist generator housing; a capillary element extending between the liquid chamber and the sonication chamber, wherein a first portion of the capillary element is in the liquid chamber and a second portion of the capillary element is in the sonication chamber; an ultrasonic transducer having a substantially flat atomizing surface provided within said ultrasonication chamber, said transducer housing said mist generator housing such that a plane of said atomizing surface is substantially parallel to a longitudinal length of said mist generator housing and wherein a portion of the second portion of the capillary element overlaps a portion of the atomizing surface, and the ultrasonic transducer vibrates the atomizing surface to atomize the liquid carried by the second portion of the capillary element. an ultrasonic transducer configured to generate a mist comprising the atomized liquid and air within the ultrasonication chamber; and an air flow device that provides an air flow path between the air intake port, the sonication chamber and the air discharge port.

In some embodiments, each mist generator is a transducer holder secured within the mist generator housing, wherein the transducer element holds the ultrasonic transducer and includes a portion of the capillary element overlapping a portion of the atomizing surface. a transducer holder holding the second portion; and a dispenser portion providing a barrier between the liquid chamber and the sonication chamber, the dispenser portion having a capillary from which a portion of the first portion of the capillary element extends.

In some embodiments, the capillary element is 100% bamboo fiber.

In some embodiments, the air flow device redirects the air flow along the air flow path so that when the air flow passes through the sonication chamber, the air flow affects the atomizing surface of the ultrasonic transducer. and is configured to be substantially perpendicular to the

In some embodiments, the liquid chamber stores a liquid having a kinematic viscosity between 1.05 Pa·s and 1.412 Pa·s, and a liquid density between 1.1 g/ml and 1.3 g/ml.

In some embodiments, the liquid chamber stores a liquid comprising a levulinic acid to nicotine molar ratio of about 2:1.

In some embodiments, the driver device comprises: an AC driver configured to generate an AC drive signal at a predetermined frequency to drive each ultrasonic transducer in each mist generating device; an active power monitoring device configured to monitor active power used by the ultrasound transducer when the ultrasound transducer is driven by the AC drive signal, wherein the active power monitoring device is configured to monitor active power used by the ultrasound transducer an active power monitoring device configured to provide a monitoring signal indicative of; a processor configured to control the AC driver and receive a monitoring signal drive from the active power monitoring device; and a memory to store instructions, wherein when executed by the processor, the instructions cause the processor to:

A. controlling the AC driver to output an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic transducer at a predetermined sweep frequency;

B. calculate the active power used by the ultrasonic transducer based on the monitoring signal;

C. control the AC driver to maximize the active power used by the ultrasonic transducer by modulating the AC drive signal;

D. record in the memory the maximum active power used by the ultrasonic transducer and the sweep frequency of the AC drive signal;

E. Repeat steps A-D for a predetermined number of iterations, increasing the sweep frequency for each iteration, and thus after repeating a predetermined number of times, the sweep frequency is increased from the starting sweep frequency to the ending sweep frequency; ;

F. identify from a record held in said memory an optimum frequency for said AC drive signal, which is a sweep frequency of said AC drive signal at which maximum active power is used by said ultrasonic transducer; and

G. Control the AC driver to output an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic transducer at the optimum frequency to drive the ultrasonic transducer to spray the liquid.

In some embodiments, the active power monitoring device includes a current sensing device configured to sense a drive current of the AC drive signal driving the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the active power monitoring device monitors indicative of the sensed drive current configured to provide a signal.

In some embodiments, the memory stores instructions, and when executed by the processor, the instructions cause the processor to repeat steps A through D with a sweep frequency increasing from a starting sweep frequency of 2900 kHz to an ending sweep frequency of 2960 kHz. .

In some embodiments, the memory stores instructions, and when executed by the processor, the instructions cause the processor to repeat steps A-D with a sweep frequency increasing from a starting sweep frequency of 2900 kHz to an ending sweep frequency of 3100 kHz. .

In some embodiments, the AC driver is configured to modulate the AC drive signal via pulse width modulation to maximize the active power used by the ultrasonic transducer.

In some embodiments, there is provided a hookah, the hookah comprising: a water chamber; an elongate stem having a first end attached to the water chamber; and the hookah device of any one of claims 1 to 19 disclosed herein, wherein the stem comprises a mist flow path extending from a second end of the stem through the stem to the first end; , wherein the hookah attachment device of the hookah device is attached to the stem of the hookah at a second end of the stem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to make these and other advantages and features of the present invention more apparent, a more specific description of the present invention will be made by reference to specific embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
1 shows an exploded view of the ultrasonic mist suction device parts,
Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the inhalation device liquid reservoir structure parts,
3 shows a cross-sectional view of a part of the inhaler liquid reservoir structure;
Figure 4A shows an isometric view of an air flow member for the inhaler liquid reservoir structure of Figures 2 and 3;
Fig. 4B shows a cross-sectional view of the air flow member shown in Fig. 4A;
5 shows a schematic diagram showing a piezoelectric transducer modeled as an RLC circuit;
6 shows a graph of log impedance versus frequency of the RLC circuit,
7 shows a graph of log impedance versus frequency illustrating the induction and capacitive regions during operation of a piezoelectric transducer;
8 shows a schematic diagram showing the operation of the frequency controller;
9 shows a perspective view of the mist generating device of the present disclosure,
10 shows a perspective view of the mist generating device of the present disclosure,
11 shows an exploded view of the mist generating device of the present disclosure,
12 shows a perspective view of a transducer holder of the present disclosure;
13 shows a perspective view of a transducer holder of the present disclosure;
14 shows a perspective view of a capillary element of the present disclosure;
15 shows a perspective view of a capillary element of the present disclosure;
16 shows a perspective view of a transducer holder of the present disclosure;
17 shows a perspective view of a transducer holder of the present disclosure;
18 shows a perspective view of a housing part of the present disclosure;
19 shows a perspective view of an absorbent member of the present disclosure;
20 shows a perspective view of a housing part of the present disclosure;
21 shows a perspective view of a housing part of the present disclosure;
22 shows a perspective view of an absorbent member of the present disclosure;
23 shows a perspective view of a housing part of the present disclosure;
24 shows a perspective view of a housing part of the present disclosure;
25 shows a perspective view of a housing part of the present disclosure;
26 shows a perspective view of a circuit board of the present disclosure;
27 shows a perspective view of a circuit board of the present disclosure;
28 shows an exploded view of the mist generating device of the present disclosure,
29 shows an exploded view of the mist generating device of the present disclosure,
30 shows a schematic diagram of an integrated circuit device of the present disclosure;
31 shows a schematic diagram of an integrated circuit of the present disclosure;
32 shows a schematic diagram of a pulse width modulation generator of the present disclosure;
33 shows a timing diagram of an embodiment of the present disclosure;
34 shows a timing diagram of an embodiment of the present disclosure;
35 shows a table indicating port functions of an embodiment of the present disclosure;
36 shows a schematic diagram of an integrated circuit of the present disclosure;
37 shows a circuit diagram of an H-bridge of an embodiment of the present disclosure;
38 shows a circuit diagram of a current sensing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
39 shows a circuit diagram of an H-bridge of an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 40 shows a graph showing the voltage during the operating phase of the H-bridge of Fig. 37;
Fig. 41 shows a graph showing the voltage during the actuation phase of the H-bridge of Fig. 37;
42 is a graph showing the voltage and current generated at the terminals of the ultrasonic transducer when the ultrasonic transducer is driven by the H-bridge of FIG. 37;
43 shows a schematic diagram showing the connections between the integrated circuits of the present disclosure;
44 shows a schematic diagram of an integrated circuit of the present disclosure;
45 shows a schematic showing the circuit diagram steps of an H-bridge of an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 46 shows a cross-sectional view of the mist generating device of the present disclosure,
47 shows a cross-sectional view of the mist generating device of the present disclosure,
48 shows a cross-sectional view of the mist generating device of the present disclosure,
49 shows a perspective view of the hookah device of the present disclosure;
50 shows a perspective view of a hookah device of the present disclosure attached to a hookah body and a water ball of a hookah device;
51 shows an exploded view of the hookah device of the present disclosure;
52 shows a perspective view of a hookah device component of the present disclosure;
53 shows a perspective view of a hookah device component of the present disclosure;
54 shows a perspective view of a hookah device component of the present disclosure;
55 shows a perspective view of a hookah device component of the present disclosure;
56 shows a perspective view of a hookah device component and four mist generating devices of the present disclosure;
57 shows a perspective view of a hookah device component of the present disclosure;
58 shows a cross-sectional view of the hookah device of the present disclosure;
59 shows a perspective view of a hookah device of the present disclosure attached to a hookah body and a waterball of a hookah device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Aspects of the present invention will be best understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that detailed figures of various functions are not shown in accordance with standard practice in the industry. The dimensions of the various functions may be arbitrarily increased or decreased for clarity of discussion.

The following disclosure provides a number of different embodiments or examples for implementing various functions of the specified subject matter. Specific examples of components, concentrations, applications, and devices are set forth below to simplify the present invention. These are merely examples and are not limited thereto. For example, attachment of a first function and a second function described below may include an embodiment in which the first function and the second function are attached such that they are in direct contact, and also the first function and the second function The embodiment may include an embodiment in which an additional function is disposed between the first function and the second function so that the functions do not directly contact each other. Moreover, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters of various embodiments. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations being discussed.

The following disclosure describes representative devices or examples. Each device or example may be considered an embodiment, and references to “device” or “example” may be replaced with “an embodiment” of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the hookah device comprises ultrasonic aerosolization technology. In some embodiments the hookah device is configured to replace a conventional hookah head (charcoal heated or electronically heated). In some embodiments, the hookah device is loosely coupled to an existing stem or metal body and water chamber/bowl in place of a conventional hookah head containing cigarettes and charcoal (or electronic heating element).

In another embodiment, the hookah device is provided with the stem/body and water chamber/bowl as a complete hookah device.

Hookah waterballs come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are decorated with traditional or futuristic décor depending on personal preference. In some embodiments, with tradition in mind, an ultrasonic atomizing hookah device is designed and developed to create a replaceable head suitable for a conventional hookah.

The following disclosure describes the components and functions of the ultrasonic mist generator. Thereafter, the present disclosure describes hookah devices of some embodiments incorporating a plurality of ultrasonic mist generating devices.

Conventional electronic vapor inhalation devices tend to rely on the property of inducing a high temperature in a metal part configured to heat the liquid in the suction device, thereby evaporating the liquid and making it respirable. The liquid usually contains nicotine and flavor mixed in propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG) which is vaporized through a heated element at high temperature. The conventional suction device has a problem in that there is a possibility of burning the metal and breathing the metal together with the burned liquid. Moreover, some people dislike the smell or taste of burning caused by heated liquids.

1 to 4 show an ultrasonic mist suction apparatus including an ultrasonic treatment chamber. It should be noted that the expression "mist" used in the following disclosure means that the liquid is not typically heated as in conventional suction devices known in the prior art. In fact, the conventional suction device generates vapor by heating the liquid above its boiling point using a heating element, which is different from mist.

When high-intensity ultrasound is applied to a liquid, sound waves propagating into the liquid medium alternate between high-pressure (compression) and low-pressure (thinning) cycles at different rates depending on the frequency. High-intensity ultrasound during low-pressure cycles creates small vacuum bubbles or voids in the liquid. This phenomenon is called cavitation. When the bubble reaches a volume where it can no longer absorb energy, it collapses violently during the high-pressure cycle. During the implosion process, very high pressures are applied locally. Microwaves destroyed during cavitation are generated, and microdroplets break the surface tension of the liquid and rapidly eject into the air, forming a mist shape.

Next, the cavitation phenomenon will be described more precisely.

When the liquid is atomized by ultrasonic vibration, microbubbles in the liquid are generated.

Bubble generation is a process in which a cavity is formed by the sound pressure generated by the high-intensity ultrasound generated by the ultrasonic vibration means.

High-intensity ultrasound rapidly grows the cavity and the decrease in cavity size during positive pressure cycles is relatively low or negligible.

Like all sound waves, ultrasound consists of cycles of compression and expansion. Upon contact with a liquid, the compression cycle applies positive pressure to the liquid, pushing the molecules together. The expansion cycle applies negative pressure to pull the molecules away from each other.

High-intensity ultrasound creates positive and negative pressure zones. Cavities can form and grow during negative pressure episodes. When the cavity reaches a critical size, the cavity explodes.

The amount of negative pressure required depends on the type and purity of the liquid. For very pure liquids, the tensile strength is so high that the ultrasonic generator cannot create enough negative pressure to form a cavity. For example, in the case of pure water, a sound pressure of 1,000 atmospheres or more is required, but the most powerful ultrasonic generator can create only a sound pressure of about 50 atmospheres. The tensile strength of a liquid is reduced by the gas trapped in the gaps between the liquid particles. This phenomenon is analogous to the lowering of the crack-generating strength of a solid material. When a gas-filled crevice is exposed to a negative pressure cycle of sound waves, the reduced pressure causes the gas in the crevice to expand until small bubbles are released into the solution.

However, ultrasonically irradiated bubbles continuously absorb energy from the alternating cycles of compression and expansion of sound waves. As a result, the bubble grows and contracts, and the dynamic balance between the voids inside the bubble and the liquid outside is broken. In some instances, the ultrasound maintains simply vibrating bubbles of a certain size. In other instances, the average size of the bubble increases.

Cavity growth depends on sound wave strength. High-intensity ultrasound expands the cavity very quickly during the negative pressure cycle so that the cavity does not shrink during the positive pressure cycle. During this process, the cavity can grow rapidly during a single sonic cycle.

In the case of low-intensity ultrasound, the cavity size oscillates with the expansion and compression cycles. The cavity surface created by the low-intensity ultrasound has a slightly larger size during the expansion cycle compared to the compression cycle. Since the amount of gas that diffuses into or out of the cavity depends on the surface area, diffusion into the cavity during an expansion cycle is somewhat greater than that during a compression cycle. In each sound wave cycle, the cavity expands slightly more than it compresses. The cavity grows slowly over multiple cycles.

It is known that the growing cavity eventually reaches a critical size that absorbs the most efficient energy from ultrasound. The threshold magnitude depends on the frequency of the ultrasound. When the cavity experiences very rapid growth by high-intensity ultrasound, it can no longer absorb energy from the ultrasound. Without this energy input, the cavity is no longer maintained. The liquid penetrates rapidly and the cavity explodes due to the non-linear reaction.

The energy released by the explosion fragments the liquid into fine particles and disperses into the air as a mist.

An equation for explaining the nonlinear reaction phenomenon may be described as a “Rayleigh-Plesset” equation. This equation can be derived from the “Navier-Stokes” equation used in fluid mechanics.

The inventor's approach is to rewrite the "Rayleigh-Plsett" equation, using the bubble volume V as a dynamic parameter, and the physics describing dissipation is the same as in its more traditional form, where radius is a dynamic parameter.

The equation used after derivation is:

here:

는 버블 부피

is the bubble volume

는 평형 버블 부피

is the equilibrium bubble volume

는 액체 밀도(상수로 가정)

is the liquid density (assuming constant)

는 표면 장력

is the surface tension

는 증기 압력

is the vapor pressure

버블 벽 바로 외부 액체의 정압

Static pressure of the liquid just outside the bubble wall

는 기체의 폴리트로프(polytropic) 지수

is the polytropic index of the gas

는 시간

is the time

는 버블 반경

is the bubble radius

는 인가된 압력

is the applied pressure

는 액체의 음속

is the speed of sound in the liquid

는 잠재 속도

is the latent speed

는 고주파 장의 파장이다.

is the wavelength of the high-frequency field.

In the ultrasonic mist suction device, the liquid is 1.05 Pa.sec and 1.412 Pa.sec. have a synergy between them.

Solving the above equations with the correct viscosity, density parameters and spraying the liquid with the desired target bubble volume into the air, the liquid viscosity range 1.05 Pa.s to 1.412 Pa.s to the 2.8 MHz to 3.2 MHz frequency range to a bubble volume of about 0.25 to 0.5 microns. It has been found that making

The ultrasonic cavitation process significantly affects the nicotine concentration in the generated mist.

No heating elements are included, so there is no burning element and the effect of secondary smoke generation is reduced.

In some embodiments, the liquid comprises 57-70% (w/w) vegetable glycerin and 30-43% (w/w) propylene glycol, wherein the propylene glycol includes nicotine and a flavor of choice.

In the ultrasonic mist suction device, a capillary element may extend between the ultrasonic treatment chamber and the liquid chamber.

In the ultrasonic mist suction device, the capillary element is at least partially made of bamboo fiber material.

The capillary element allows for high absorption capacity, high absorption rates, and high fluid retention rates.

It has been found that the intrinsic properties of the material presented for use in the capillary have a significant impact on the effective functioning of the ultrasonic mist absorber.

Moreover, the intrinsic properties of the presented material include good hygroscopicity while maintaining good permeability. This ensures that the inlet liquid effectively penetrates the capillary and retains a significant amount of liquid through the observed high absorption, so the ultrasonic mist inhaler lasts longer than other products on the market.

Another significant benefit of using bamboo fibers is that an antibacterial biologic called “Kun” that is inherently present in bamboo fibers occurs naturally, making them antibacterial, antifungal, and odor-resistant, and can be used for medical purposes. become suitable

This unique property has been validated through a number of analyzes related to the benefits of bamboo fibers for sonication.

Using a bamboo fiber material for use as a capillary element and cotton, paper, or other fiber type, the following equations were tested and demonstrated that the bamboo fiber had better properties for sonication.

here:

는 모세관 요소의 건조 중량으로 나누어진 흡수된 액체의 중량당 부피,

is the volume per weight of absorbed liquid divided by the dry weight of the capillary element,

는 모세관 요소의 총 표면적

is the total surface area of the capillary element

는 모세관 요소의 두께,

is the thickness of the capillary element,

는 건조 모세관 요소의 중량,

is the weight of the dry capillary element,

는 건조 모세관 요소의 밀도,

is the density of the dry capillary element,

는 모세관 요소 내 확산된 액체 부피의 웨팅에 따른 모세관 요소의 부피 증가 비율,

is the rate of increase in volume of the capillary element with wetting of the diffused liquid volume in the capillary element,

모세관 요소 내 확산된 액체의 양,

the amount of liquid diffused in the capillary element,

는 단위 시간당 흡수된 액체의 양,

is the amount of liquid absorbed per unit time,

는 모세관 요소 내 포어(pore)의 반경,

is the radius of the pore in the capillary element,

는 액체의 표면 장력,

is the surface tension of the liquid,

는 섬유의 접촉 각도,

is the contact angle of the fiber,

는 유체의 점도이다.

is the viscosity of the fluid.

1 depicts a disposable ultrasonic mist inhaler 100 . 1, the ultrasonic mist suction device 100 has a relatively long cylindrical body compared to the diameter. In terms of shape and appearance, the ultrasonic mist inhaler 100 is designed to mimic the shape of a conventional cigarette. For example, the inhalation device may be characterized as having a first portion 101 primarily simulating a cigarette rod and a second portion 102 primarily simulating a filter. In the disposable device, the first portion and the second portion are regions of the disposable detachable device. The first part 101 and the second part 102 are used to conveniently differentiate the components mainly included in each part.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the ultrasonic mist suction device includes a mouthpiece 1 , a liquid reservoir structure 2 and a casing 3 . The first part 101 comprises a casing 3 and the second part 102 comprises a mouthpiece 1 and a reservoir structure 2 .

The first portion 101 contains power supply energy.

The electrical storage device 30 supplies power to the ultrasonic mist suction device 100 . The electrical storage device 30 may be a lithium-ion, alkaline, zinc-carbon, nickel-hydrogen alloy or nickel-cadmium battery; super capacitor; or a battery including, but not limited to, a combination thereof. In a disposable device the electrical storage device 30 is not rechargeable, whereas in a reusable device the electrical storage device 30 is selected to be rechargeable. In a disposable device, the electrical storage device 30 is basically selected to deliver a constant voltage over the life of the suction device 100 . However, the performance of the suction device deteriorates over time. Preferred electrical storage devices capable of providing a constant voltage over the lifetime of the device are lithium-ion and lithium polymer batteries.

The electrical storage device 30 has a first end 30a, typically corresponding to a positive terminal, and a second end 30b, typically corresponding to a negative terminal. The negative terminal extends to the first end 30a.

Since the electrical storage device 30 is located in the first portion 101 and the liquid reservoir structure 2 is located in the second portion 102, a joint is required to provide electrical communication between these components. Electrical communication is achieved using at least one electrode or probe that is compressed together when the first portion 101 is secured to the second portion 102 .

The electrical storage device 30 is rechargeable in order to make the device reusable. The casing 3 has a charging port 32 .

The integrated circuit 4 includes a proximal end 4a and a distal end 4b. The positive terminal of the first end 30a of the electrical storage device 30 is in electrical communication with the positive lead of the flexible integrated circuit 4 . The negative terminal of the second end 30b of the electrical storage device 30 is in electrical communication with the negative lead of the integrated circuit 4 . The distal end 4b of the integrated circuit 4 is equipped with a microprocessor. The microprocessor was configured to process the data from the sensor, control the light, command the current flow to the ultrasonic vibration means 5 of the second part 102 , and end the current flow after a pre-programmed time.

The sensor uses the ultrasonic mist suction device 100 and senses when the microprocessor is activated (when the user withdraws the suction device). The sensor may be selected to detect pressure, air flow, or vibration. In one example, the sensor is a pressure sensor. In digital devices, the sensor reads continuously and to do this the digital sensor must draw current continuously, but the amount of current is small and has a negligible impact on overall battery life.

In some embodiments, the integrated circuit 4 has an H bridge, which is formed of four MOSFETs to convert direct current to high frequency alternating current.

2 and 3 show diagrams of a liquid reservoir structure 2 according to an embodiment. The liquid reservoir structure 2 has a liquid chamber 21 adapted to contain an atomized liquid and an ultrasonic treatment chamber 22 in fluid communication with the liquid chamber 21 .

In the illustrated embodiment the liquid reservoir structure 2 comprises a suction channel 20 that provides an air passage from the ultrasonication chamber 22 to the periphery.

As an example of a sensor location, a sensor may be disposed in the ultrasonic processing chamber 22 .

The suction channel 20 has a frustoconical element 20a and an inner container 20b.

4A and 4B , the suction channel 20 further includes an air flow member 27 capable of providing an air flow at the periphery towards the sonication chamber 22 .

The air flow member 27 has an air flow bridge 27a and an air flow duct 27b made of a single piece, the air flow bridge 27a having two airway openings forming part of the intake channel 20 ( An airway opening 27a', an air flow duct 27b may extend from the air flow bridge 27a into the sonication chamber 22 to provide an air flow towards the sonication chamber at the periphery.

The air flow bridge 27a cooperates with the frusto-conical element 20a at a second diameter 20a2 .

The air flow bridge 27a is provided with two opposing peripheral openings 27a" that provide air flow to the air flow duct 27b.

The air flow bridge 27a and the frusto-conical element 20a cooperate such that the two opposing peripheral openings 27a" cooperate with the complementary openings 20a" in the frusto-conical element 20a.

The mouthpiece 1 and the frusto-conical element 20a have a radial space and an air flow chamber 28 lies between them.

1 and 2 , the mouthpiece 1 has two opposing peripheral openings 1″.

The peripheral openings 27a″, 20a″, 1″ of the air flow bridge 27a, the frusto-conical element 20a and the mouthpiece 1 directly supply the maximum airflow to the sonication chamber 22 .

The frusto-conical element 20a includes an inner passage that is aligned in the same direction as the intake channel 20 and has a first diameter 20a1 that is less than a second diameter 20a2 such that the inner passageway is a frusto-conical element 20a. decreases in diameter for

The frustoconical element 20a is arranged to coincide with the ultrasonic vibration means 5 and the capillary element 7 , the first diameter 20a1 being engaged with the mouthpiece 1 , the second diameter 20a2 being the inner container (20b) is combined.

The inner container 20b has an inner wall defining the limits of the ultrasonication chamber 22 and the liquid chamber 21 .

The liquid reservoir structure 2 has an outer container 20c which determines the limits of the outer wall of the liquid chamber 21 .

The inner container 20b and the outer container 20c become the inner wall and the outer wall of the liquid chamber 21, respectively.

The liquid reservoir structure (2) is disposed between the mouthpiece (1) and the casing (3) and is detachable from the mouthpiece (1) and the casing (3).

the liquid reservoir structure 2 and the mouthpiece 1 or casing 3 comprise complementary devices fastened to each other; The complementary device may include a bayonet type device; threaded engaged type devices; magnetic device; or a friction fitting device; The liquid reservoir structure 2 comprises a part of the device, and the mouthpiece 1 or the casing 3 comprises a complementary part of the device.

In a reusable device, the components are substantially identical. The difference between a reusable device compared to a disposable device is that there is a containment device made to replace the liquid reservoir structure 2 .

As shown in FIG. 3 , the liquid chamber 21 is provided with an upper wall 23 and a lower wall 25 that close the inner container 20b and the outer container 20c of the liquid chamber 21 .

The capillary element 7 is arranged between the first section 20b1 and the second section 20b2 of the inner container 20b.

The capillary element 7 has the shape of a plate extending from the sonication chamber to the liquid chamber.

2 or 3 , the capillary element 7 comprises a U-shaped central portion 7a and an L-shaped peripheral portion 7b.

The L-shaped portion 7b extends along the bottom wall 25 from the inner container 20b to the liquid chamber 21 .

The U-shaped part 7a is contained in the ultrasonic treatment chamber 22 . The U-shaped part 7a is in the inner container 20b and is arranged alongside the bottom wall 25 .

In the ultrasonic mist inhaler, the U-shaped part 7a has an inner part 7a1 and an outer part 7a2, the inner part 7a1 is in contact with the atomizing surface 50 of the ultrasonic vibration means 5 and is external The part 7a2 does not come into contact with the atomizing surface of the ultrasonic vibration means 5 .

The bottom wall 25 of the liquid chamber 21 is a bottom plate 25 that closes the liquid chamber 21 and the ultrasonic treatment chamber 22 . The bottom plate 25 is sealed, thereby preventing leakage of liquid from the sonication chamber 22 into the casing 3 .

The bottom plate 25 has a top surface 25a having a recess 25b into which the elastic member 8 is inserted. The ultrasonic vibration means 5 is supported by an elastic member 8 . The elastic member 8 is formed of an annular plate-shaped rubber having an inner opening 8', and a groove is designed to hold the ultrasonic vibration means 5. As shown in FIG.

The top wall 23 of the liquid chamber 21 is a cap 23 that closes the liquid chamber 21 .

The top wall 23 has a top surface 23 meaning the maximum level of liquid that the liquid chamber 21 can accommodate and a bottom surface 25 meaning the lowest level of liquid in the liquid chamber 21 .

Since the top wall 23 is sealed, it prevents liquid from leaking from the liquid chamber 21 into the mouthpiece 1 .

The top wall 23 and the bottom wall 25 are fixed to the liquid reservoir structure 2 by fixing means such as screws, adhesives or friction.

As shown in Fig. 3, the elastic member is in side-by-side contact with the ultrasonic vibration means 5 and prevents the contact between the ultrasonic vibration means 5 and the suction device wall, and more effectively prevents the vibration isolation of the liquid reservoir structure. . Accordingly, the fine particles of the liquid atomized by the atomizing member are spread farther away.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the inner container 20b has an opening 20b′ between the first section 20b1 and the second section 20b2 in which the capillary element 7 is connected to the sonication chamber 22 . extended from The capillary element 7 absorbs liquid from the liquid chamber 21 through the aperture 20b'. The capillary element 7 is a wick. The capillary element 7 moves the liquid into the sonication chamber 22 by capillary action. In some embodiments, the capillary element 7 is made of bamboo fibers. In some embodiments, the capillary element 7 has a thickness between 0.27 mm and 0.32 mm and a density between 38 g/m ² and 48 g/m ² .

As can be seen in FIG. 3 , the ultrasonic vibration means 5 is arranged directly below the capillary element 7 .

The ultrasonic vibration means 5 may be an ultrasonic transducer. For example, the ultrasonic vibration means 5 may be a piezoelectric transducer and may be designed in the form of a disk. The material of the piezoelectric transducer may be ceramic.

In addition, various transducer materials may be used as the ultrasonic vibration means 5 .

The air flow duct end 27b1 abuts the ultrasonic vibration means 5 . The ultrasonic vibration means 5 is in electrical communication with the electrical contactors 101a, 101b. For reference, the distal end 4b of the integrated circuit 4 has an inner electrode and an outer electrode. The inner electrode contacts the first electrical contact 101a which is a spring contact probe, and the outer electrode contacts the second electrical contact 101b which is a side pin. Through the integrated circuit 4 , the first electrical contact 101a is in electrical communication with the positive terminal of the electrical storage device 30 using a microprocessor, and the first electrode contact 101b is the electrical storage device 30 . It communicates electrically with the negative terminal.

Electrical contacts 101a and 101b cross the bottom plate 25 . The bottom plate 25 is designed to be seated inside the peripheral wall 26 of the liquid reservoir structure 2 . The bottom plate 25 rests on complementary ridges, thus creating a liquid chamber 21 and an ultrasonication chamber 22 .

The inner container 20b includes a circular inner slot 20d to which a mechanical spring is applied.

Pressing the central part 7a1 onto the ultrasonic vibration means 5 causes the mechanical spring 9 to ensure surface contact between them.

The liquid reservoir structure 2 and the bottom plate 25 may be made of various thermoplastic materials.

When the user pulls on the ultrasonic mist suction device 100, the air flow is sucked from the peripheral opening 1″, passes through the air flow chamber 28, and the air flow bridge 27a and the peripheral opening of the frusto-conical element 20a. After passing through (27a”), it flows down into the sonication chamber 22 through the air flow duct 27b just above the capillary element 7 . At the same time, the liquid is drawn from the reservoir chamber 21 into the capillary element 7 by capillary action through a plurality of apertures 20b'. The capillary element 7 brings the liquid into contact with the ultrasonic vibration means 5 of the suction device 100 . The pulling action by the user also causes the pressure sensor to activate the integrated circuit 4 , and induces an electric current into the ultrasonic vibration means 5 . Therefore, when the user pulls the mouthpiece 1 of the suction device 100, two operations occur at the same time. First, the sensor activates the integrated circuit 4 and triggers the ultrasonic vibration means 5 to start vibrating. Second, the draw-out operation reduces the pressure outside the reservoir chamber 21 so that liquid flow through the aperture 20b' begins and saturates the capillary element 7 . The capillary element 7 moves the liquid to the ultrasonic vibration means 5 , and forms bubbles in the capillary channel by the ultrasonic vibration means 5 to atomize the liquid. Then, the mist liquid is drawn out by the user.

In some embodiments, the integrated circuit 4 has a frequency controller configured to control the frequency at which the ultrasonic vibration means 5 operates. The frequency controller includes a processor and a memory, and the memory stores executable instructions and, when executed by the processor, the processor performs at least one function of the frequency controller.

As described above, in some embodiments, the ultrasonic mist suction device 100 generates a liquid viscosity of 1.05 Pa.s to 1.412 Pa.s by driving the ultrasonic vibration means 5 with a signal having 2.8 MHz to 3.2 MHz. The eggplant vaporizes the liquid and then produces a bubble volume of about 0.25 to 0.5 microns. However, in liquids having different viscosities and in other applications, the ultrasonic vibration means 5 can be driven by different frequencies.

For each different application of the mist generating system, there is an optimum frequency or frequency range at which the ultrasonic vibration means 5 can be driven in order to optimize the mist generation. In an embodiment in which the ultrasonic vibration means 5 is a piezoelectric transducer, the optimum frequency or frequency range depends on at least the following four parameters.

1. Transducer manufacturing process

In some embodiments, the ultrasonic vibration means 5 comprises a piezoelectric ceramic. Piezoelectric ceramics are manufactured by mixing compounds to make ceramic dough, and this mixing process may not be consistent during production. Due to this inconsistency, the resonant frequency of the cured piezoelectric ceramic may be made different.

If the resonant frequency of the piezoelectric ceramic does not correspond to the frequency required for operation of the device, no mist is generated during operation of the device. In the case of nicotine mist inhalers, even a slight offset in the piezoelectric ceramic resonance frequency can sufficiently affect mist generation, preventing the device from delivering adequate levels of nicotine to the user.

2. Transducer load

When the load of the piezoelectric transducer changes during operation, it interferes with the overall displacement of the piezoelectric transducer vibration. To obtain an optimal displacement of the piezoelectric transducer oscillations, the drive frequency must be adjusted so that the circuit provides adequate power corresponding to the optimal displacement.

The types of loads that affect the efficiency of the oscillator include the flow rate to the transducer (wetting of the wicking material) and the spring force applied to the wicking material to maintain permanent contact with the transducer. Electrical connection means are also included.

3. Temperature

The ultrasonic vibrating part of the piezoelectric transducer is partially wetted by the device assembly. This may include a transducer placed on a silicone/rubber ring, and a spring that applies pressure to the wicking material above the transducer. Wetting of this vibrating part can result in increased local temperature in and around the transducer area.

As the temperature rises, the transducer's molecular behavior changes, thus affecting its vibration. As the temperature rises, more energy is present in the ceramic molecules and temporarily affects the crystal structure. As the temperature decreases, this effect is reversed, but the modulation of the supplied frequency must maintain optimum oscillation. Such frequency modulation cannot be achieved in conventional fixed frequency devices.

In addition, as the temperature increases, the viscosity of the solution (e-liquid) decreases and vaporizes, so the drive frequency must be changed to induce cavitation and maintain continuous mist generation. In the case of a conventional fixed frequency device, if the viscosity of the liquid is lowered without changing the device frequency, mist generation is reduced or completely stopped, making the device inoperable.

4. Distance to power

The oscillation frequency of an electronic circuit can vary depending on the length of the wire between the transducer and the oscillator-driver. The frequency of an electronic circuit is inversely proportional to the distance between the transducer and the rest of the circuit.

Although the distance parameter is primarily fixed in the device, it can change during the manufacturing process of the device, lowering the overall efficiency of the device. Therefore, it is necessary to change the driving frequency of the device to compensate for the variation and to optimize the efficiency of the device.

The piezoelectric transducer can be modeled as an RLC circuit of an electric circuit as shown in the figure of FIG. 5 . The four parameters described above can be modeled to change the resonant frequency range supplied to the transducer by changing the overall inductance, capacitance and/or resistance. As the circuit frequency increases near the transducer's resonance point, the log impedance of the entire circuit drops to a minimum and then rises to a maximum before being determined by the median range.

6 shows a comprehensive graph illustrating the overall impedance change as the frequency in the RLC circuit increases. 7 shows how a capacitor in a first capacitor region operates at a frequency below a first predetermined frequency f _s and a capacitor in a second storage region at a frequency above a second predetermined frequency f _p . The piezoelectric transducer operates as an inductor in an inductive region at a frequency between first and second predetermined frequencies f _s , f _p . To achieve optimum efficiency by maintaining optimum transducer vibration, the current flowing through the transducer must maintain a frequency within the induction region.

In some embodiments the frequency controller of the device is configured to maintain the oscillation frequency of the piezoelectric transducer (ultrasonic vibration means 5) within the induction region in order to maximize the efficiency of the device.

The frequency controller is configured to perform a sweep operation that drives the transducer at a frequency that the frequency controller gradually tracks over a predetermined sweep frequency range. As the frequency controller performs the sweep, the frequency controller monitors the analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) value of the transducer and coupled analog-to-digital converter. In some embodiments, the ADC value is an ADC parameter that is proportional to the voltage across the transducer. In another embodiment, the ADC value is an ADC parameter that is proportional to the current flowing through the transducer.

As described in more detail below, the frequency controller of some embodiments monitors the current flowing through the transducer to determine the active power used by the ultrasonic transducer.

During the sweep operation, the frequency controller finds a frequency induced domain for the transducer. When the frequency controller identifies the induction region, the frequency controller records the ADC values and fixes the drive frequency of the transducer to the frequency within the induction region (ie, between the first and second predetermined frequencies f _s , f _p ) to the transducer by optimizing the ultrasonic cavitation. When the drive frequency is fixed within the inductive region, the transducer's electro-mechanical coupling factor is maximized, thereby maximizing the device's efficiency.

In some embodiments, the frequency controller is configured to perform a sweep operation to search the induction region whenever vibration is initiated or restarted. For example, the frequency controller is configured to compensate for variations in parameters affecting the efficiency of the device by fixing the driving frequency to a new frequency within the induction region whenever vibrations are initiated.

In some embodiments, the frequency controller ensures optimal mist generation and maximizes the efficiency of drug delivery to the user. In some embodiments, the frequency controller optimizes the device, increases efficiency, and maximizes nicotine delivery to the user.

In another embodiment, the frequency controller optimizes the device and increases the efficiency of other devices that use ultrasound. In some embodiments, the frequency controller is configured to use therapeutic ultrasound technology to improve drug release in an ultrasound responsive drug delivery system. Using precise and optimized frequencies during operation, microbubbles, nanobubbles, nanodroplets, liposomes, emulsions, micelles or other delivery systems can be created very efficiently.

In some embodiments, as described above, the frequency controller is configured to operate in a regression mode to ensure optimal mist generation and optimal compound delivery. When the frequency controller operates in regression mode, the frequency controller periodically performs a frequency sweep during operation of the device and monitors the ADC value to determine if the ADC value is above a predetermined threshold indicating optimal vibration of the transducer.

In some embodiments, the device is in the process of aerosolizing the liquid when the frequency controller is able to identify a better frequency for the transducer while performing a sweep operation. When the frequency controller identifies a better frequency, the frequency controller locks the drive frequency to the newly identified better frequency to maintain optimal device operation.

In some embodiments, the frequency controller performs frequency sweeps periodically during device operation for a predetermined amount of time. In the example device described above, the predetermined time of sweep and the time between sweeps are selected to optimize the functionality of the device. When implemented in an ultrasonic mist suction device, this ensures optimal delivery to the user during the user's suction operation.

8 shows a schematic diagram of the operation of some frequency controller examples.

The following disclosure discloses more examples of the mist generating device including a plurality of the examples and members described above. Example elements described above may be interchanged with example elements described in the remainder of this disclosure.

The mist generating device described below may be used or may be used in conjunction with the hookah device 202 also described below. In another embodiment, the hookah device 202 includes a plurality of other mist generating devices in place of the mist generating device 201 disclosed herein.

To ensure adequate aerosol generation, the mist generating device 201 of some embodiments comprises an ultrasonic/piezoelectric transducer having an exact or substantially 16 mm diameter. These transducers are manufactured with specific capacitance and impedance values to control the frequency and power required to generate the desired aerosol volume.

A horizontally arranged disk-shaped 16mm diameter ultrasonic transducer makes a large mist generator. To minimize size, the ultrasonic transducer of this example was mounted vertically within the sonication chamber (the plane of the ultrasonic transducer is typically parallel to the aerosol mist flow and/or typically parallel to the longitudinal direction of the mist generator). . In other words, the ultrasonic transducer is perpendicular to the base of the mist generator.

9-11, the mist generator 201 has an elongate and optionally formed mist generator housing 204 in two housing parts 205 and 206 attached to each other. The mist generator housing 204 includes an air intake port 207 and a mist discharge port 208 .

In this embodiment, the mist generator housing 204 is an injection-molded plastic, specifically polypropylene commonly used for medical purposes. In some embodiments, the mist generator housing 204 is a heterophasic copolymer. More specifically, it is a BF970MO heterophasic copolymer, which optimally combines very high stiffness and impact strength. Mist generator housing parts molded from this material show good antistatic performance.

A heterophasic copolymer, such as polypropylene, is particularly suitable for the mist generator housing 204 as this material does not cause condensation of the aerosol as it flows from the sonication chamber 219 through the mist discharge port 208 . These plastic materials can also be easily recycled directly through industry shredding and cleaning processes.

In FIG. 10 the mist discharge port 208 is closed by a closure member 209 . However, when using the mist suction device 200, the closure member 209 can be removed from the mist discharge port 208 as shown in FIG.

12 and 13 , the mist generator 201 includes a transducer holder 210 fixed in the mist generator housing 204 . The transducer holder 210 in this embodiment has a cylindrical or normally cylindrical body portion 211 including circular top and bottom openings 212 , 213 . The transducer holder 210 is provided including an inner channel 214 that can receive the edge of the ultrasonic transducer 215 as shown in FIG. 13 .

The transducer holder 210 has a cutout 216 through which the electrode 217 extends from the ultrasonic transducer 215, and thus the electrode 217, as will be described in more detail below. It is electrically connected to the AC driver of this hookah device 202 .

Referring to FIG. 11 , the mist generator 201 includes a liquid chamber 218 provided within the mist generator housing 204 . Liquid chamber 218 is used to contain the liquid to be atomized. In some embodiments, liquid is contained within liquid chamber 218 . In another embodiment, the liquid chamber 218 is initially emptied and subsequently filled with liquid.

A liquid composition suitable for use in the ultrasonic mist generator 201 (hereinafter referred to as e-liquid) comprises a nicotine salt with nicotine levulinate;

The relative content of vegetable glycerin in the composition is 55 to 80% (w/w), or 60 to 80% (w/w), or 65 to 75% (w/w), or 70% (w/w); and/or

The relative content of propylene glycol in the composition may be 5 to 30% (w/w), alternatively 10 to 30% (w/w), alternatively 15 to 25% (w/w), alternatively 20% (w/w); and/or

The relative content of water in the composition may be 5 to 15% (w/w), alternatively 7 to 12% (w/w), alternatively 10% (w/w); and/or

The content of nicotine and/or nicotine salt in the composition is 0.1 to 80 mg/ml, or 0.1 to 50 mg/ml, or 1 to 25 mg/ml, or 10 to 20 mg/ml, or 17 mg/ml.

In some embodiments, the mist generator 201 includes an e-liquid having a kinematic viscosity between 1.05 Pa·s and 1.412 Pa·s.

In some embodiments, liquid chamber 218 contains a liquid comprised of a 1:1 molar ratio of nicotine levulinate.

In some embodiments, liquid chamber 218 contains an e-liquid comprised of nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, water, and flavoring. In some examples, the % concentration of each component of the e-liquid is shown in Table 1, Table 2, Table 3, or Table 4 below.

Table 1: Concentration % of each component of e-liquid (e-liquid 1). ingredient % (w/w) propylene glycol 15.1 vegetable glycerin 70 water 10 nicotine 1.7 levulinic acid 0.2 spice 3

Table 2: Concentration % of each component of e-liquid (e-liquid 2). (Approximate levulinic acid to nicotine ratio 2:1 molar ratio) ingredient % (w/w) propylene glycol 12.87 vegetable glycerin 70 water 10 nicotine 1.7 levulinic acid 2.43 spice 3

Table 3: Concentration % of each component of e-liquid (e-liquid 3). (Approximate levulinic acid to nicotine ratio 1:1 molar ratio) ingredient % (w/w) propylene glycol 14.08 vegetable glycerin 70 water 10 nicotine 1.7 levulinic acid 1.22 spice 3

Table 4: Concentration % of each component of e-liquid (e-liquid 4). (Approximate levulinic acid to nicotine ratio 3:1 molar ratio) ingredient % (w/w) propylene glycol 11.64 vegetable glycerin 70 water 10 nicotine 1.7 levulinic acid 3.66 spice 3

In a non-limiting example, all or part of the nicotine in the solution is in the form of nicotine levulinic acid. Nicotine levulinate is formed by combining nicotine and levulinic acid in solution. As a result, nicotine levulinate is formed and contains a levulinic acid anion and a nicotine cation.

The nicotine concentration % of the e-liquid shown in Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4 is approximately equal to 17 mg/ml.

In some embodiments, liquid chamber 218 contains a liquid having a kinematic viscosity between 1.05 Pa·s and 1.412 Pa·s, and a liquid having a density between 1.1 g/ml and 1.3 g/ml.

In some embodiments, the liquid in liquid chamber 218 includes a flavor (eg, fruit flavor) that the user tastes when the user inhales the mist that the hookah device generates.

When using an e-liquid with the correct viscosity and density parameters and creating the desired target bubble volume by liquid spraying, the liquid viscosity ranges from 1.05 Pa·s to 1.412 Pa·s, and densities from about 1.1 to 1.3 g/mL (in Hertz). It was found that in the 2.8 MHz to 3.2 MHz frequency range for a density range (obtaining a density range), 90% of the droplets produced a droplet volume that was less than 1 micron and 50% was less than or equal to 0.5 microns.

The mist generator 201 includes an ultrasonic treatment chamber 219 provided in a mist generator housing 204 .

Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 13 , the transducer holder 210 includes a dispenser portion 220 that provides a barrier between the liquid chamber 218 and the sonication chamber 219 . The barrier provided by the dispenser portion 220 minimizes the risk that the sonicating chamber 219 is submerged with the liquid in the liquid chamber 218 or the capillary element above the ultrasonic transducer 215 is submerged or supersaturated. In this state, the ultrasonic transducer 215 is overloaded and its efficiency is reduced. Moreover, if the sonication chamber 219 is submerged or the capillary element becomes oversaturated, the user may experience an unpleasant experience due to the liquid sucked up during inhalation. To mitigate this risk, the dispenser portion 220 of the transducer holder 210 is seated on a wall between the ultrasonication chamber 219 and the liquid chamber 218 .

The dispenser portion 220 has a capillary aperture 221 only as a means by which liquid can flow from the liquid chamber 218 to the sonication chamber 219 through the capillary element. In this embodiment, the capillary aperture 221 is an elongate slot having a width of 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm. The dimensions of the capillary aperture 221 are biased by acting on the capillary element such that the edge of the capillary aperture 221 extends through the capillary aperture 221 for further control of liquid flow flowing into the sonication chamber 219 . configured to provide power.

In this embodiment, the transducer holder 210 is liquid silicone rubber (LSR). In this embodiment, the liquid silicone rubber is equipped with a Shore A 60 hardness. This LSR material ensures that the ultrasonic transducer 215 vibrates without experiencing vibration damping of the transducer holder 210 . In this embodiment, the vibration displacement of the ultrasonic transducer 215 is 2-5 nanometers and the damping effect may reduce the efficiency of the ultrasonic transducer 215 . Therefore, this LSR material and hardness is chosen for optimum performance with minimal damage.

Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15 , the mist generator 201 is a capillary or capillary element 222 capable of delivering a liquid (containing a drug or other substance) from the liquid chamber 218 to the sonication chamber 219 . includes The capillary element 222 is parallel or approximately parallel to the first portion 223 and the second portion 224 . In this embodiment, the first portion 223 is rectangular or approximately rectangular and the second portion 224 is partially circular.

In this embodiment, the capillary element 222 has a third portion 225 and a fourth portion 226 , each having the same shape as the first and second portions 223 and 224 . The capillary element 222 of this embodiment is arranged with respect to the fold line 227 such that the first and second portions 223 and 224 and the third and fourth portions 225 and 226 overlap each other as shown in FIG. 15 . Folds.

In this embodiment, the capillary element has a thickness of approximately 0.28 mm. When the capillary element 222 is folded and doubled as shown in FIG. 15 , the total thickness of the capillary element is approximately 0.56 mm. This double layer allows sufficient liquid to be present in the ultrasonic transducer 215 to generate an optimal aerosol.

In this embodiment, when the capillary element 222 is folded, the lower ends of the first and third portions 223 , 225 define an elongate lower end 228 , and the lower ends of the capillary element 222 within the capillary element 222 portion. It increases the surface area and optimizes the rate at which the capillary element 222 absorbs the liquid by being seated in the liquid in the liquid chamber 218 .

In this embodiment, the capillary element 222 is 100% bamboo fiber. In another embodiment, the capillary element is at least 75% bamboo fibers. The benefits of using bamboo fibers as capillary elements are as described above.

Referring now to FIGS. 16 and 17 , a capillary element 222 is included in a transducer holder 210 , such that the transducer holder 210 is a capillary superimposed at a portion of the atomizing surface of the ultrasonic transducer 215 . and a second portion 224 of element 222 . In this embodiment, the circular second portion 224 is seated in the inner recess 214 of the transducer holder 210 .

A first portion 223 of the capillary element 222 extends through the capillary aperture 221 of the transducer holder 210 .

Referring now to FIGS. 18-20 , the second portion 206 of the mist generator housing 204 is approximately circular in shape to receive the transducer holder 210 and form part of the wall of the ultrasonication chamber 219 . A wall 229 is provided.

Contact apertures 230 and 231 are provided in the sidewall of second portion 206 to receive electrical contacts 232 and 233 and form electrical connections with electrodes of ultrasonic transducer 215 .

In this embodiment, an absorbent tip or absorbent member 234 is provided adjacent to the mist discharge port 208 to absorb liquid at the mist discharge port 208 . In this embodiment, the absorbent member 234 is bamboo fiber.

Referring now to FIGS. 21-23 , the first portion 205 of the mist generator housing 204 has a shape similar to the second portion 206 and forms an additional wall portion of the ultrasonication chamber 219 and It further includes a typically circular wall portion 235 that secures the transducer holder 210 .

In this embodiment, an additional absorbent member 236 is provided adjacent to the mist discharge port 208 to absorb liquid at the mist discharge port 208 .

In the present embodiment, the first part 205 of the mist generator housing 204 has a spring support device 237 that supports the lower end of the retainer spring 238 as shown in FIG. 24 .

The upper end of the retainer spring 238 has a second portion 224 of the capillary element 222 such that the retainer spring 238 provides a biasing force that biases the capillary element 222 against the atomizing surface of the ultrasonic transducer 215 . ) is in contact with

Referring to FIG. 25 , the illustrated transducer holder 210 is fixed by the second part 206 of the mist generator housing 204 , and the two parts 205 coupled to each other of the mist generator housing 204 , 206) is previously located.

26 to 29 , in the present embodiment, the mist generating device 201 includes an identification device 239 . The identification device 239 includes a printed circuit board 240 having electrical contacts 241 provided on one side, and an integrated circuit 242 and other selectable components 243 provided on the other side.

The integrated circuit 242 includes a memory for storing a unique identifier for the mist generating device 201 . Electrical contacts 241 provide an electronic interface capable of communicating with integrated circuit 242 .

In this embodiment, the printed circuit board 240 is mounted in a recess 244 on one side of the mist generator housing 204 . An integrated circuit 242 and other optional electronic components 243 are seated in additional recesses 245 such that the printed circuit board 240 is typically parallel to the side of the mist generator housing 204 .

In this embodiment, the integrated circuit 242 is a one-time-programmable (OTP) device that provides an anti-counterfeiting function so that the device uses only the genuine mist generator supplied by the manufacturer. This anti-counterfeiting function is implemented in the mist generator 201 as a specific custom integrated circuit (IC) coupled to the mist generator 201 (including the printed circuit board 240 ). The OTP as an IC includes unique information that is fully traceable to the mist generator 201 (and its contents) over its lifetime, and precisely monitors the user's consumption. Through the OTP IC, the mist generating device 201 can operate to generate only approved mist.

OTP as a function specifies the approval status of a particular mist generator 201 . In practice, in order to prevent the release of carbonyl groups and keep the aerosol to a safe standard, experiments have shown that after approximately 1,000 seconds of aerosolization, the mist generator 201 considers the liquid in the liquid chamber 218 to be empty. It has been proven. In this way the genuine or non-empty mist generator 201 is not activated after this predetermined period of use.

OTP as a function can be combined with a digital store, accompanying mobile application, and mist generator 201 to form part of the entire chain. Only genuine mist generator 201 manufactured by a trusted company and sold in digital stores can be used for hookah device 202 . The OTP IC is read by the hookah device 202 recognizing the mist generating device 201 .

In some embodiments, the OTP IC is disposable, as is the mist generator 201 . When the mist generating device 201 is considered empty, insertion into the hookah device 202 does not work. Similarly, counterfeit mist generator 201 does not work with hookah device 202 .

Referring now to attached FIG. 30 , hookah device 202 includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducer driver microchips, each referred to herein as a power management integrated circuit or PMIC 300 . Each PMIC 300 is a microchip capable of driving each ultrasonic transducer 215 in one of the mist generating devices 201 . In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of PMICs of the hookah device 202 corresponds to the number of the mist generating device 201 used with the hookah device 202 . In the embodiment described below, there are four mist generating devices 201 and the hookah device 202 includes four corresponding PMICs 300 . In another embodiment, the hookah device 202 has two to eight PMICs 300 configured to drive two to eight mist generating devices 201 coupled with the hookah device 202 .

In the present disclosure, a chip, a microchip, and an integrated circuit may be used interchangeably. A microchip or integrated circuit is a single unit composed of a plurality of interconnected embedded components and subsystems. For example, microchips are semiconductors, at least in part, such as silicon, and are manufactured using semiconductor manufacturing techniques.

Hookah device 202 also has a plurality of second microchips, each referred to herein as a bridge integrated circuit or bridge IC 301 . Each bridge IC 301 is electrically connected to each one of the PMICs 300 . Each bridge IC 301 is a microchip capable of driving each ultrasonic transducer 215 in one of the mist generators 201 . In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of bridge ICs 301 of the hookah device 202 corresponds to the number of the mist generating device 201 used with the hookah device 202 . Each bridge IC 301 is a single unit composed of a plurality of interconnected embedded components and subsystems. In the embodiment described below, there are four bridge ICs 301 and the hookah device 202 includes four corresponding PMICs 300 .

In this embodiment, each PMIC 300 and each connected bridge IC 301 are mounted on the same PCM as the hookah device 202 . As described below, each bridge IC 301 is connected to each PMIC 300 through a connection portion of a PCB, not a communication bus (eg, an I2C bus described below). In this embodiment, the physical dimensions of the PMIC 300 are 1-3 mm wide and 1-3 mm long, and the physical dimensions of the bridge IC 301 are 1-3 mm wide and 1-3 mm long.

For simplicity, FIG. 43 shows only one PMIC 300 and one bridge IC 301 , and the following description refers to only one PMIC 300 and one bridge IC 301 . However, it is considered that the hookah device 202 includes a plurality of PMICs 300 and a plurality of respective bridge ICs 301 connected in a configuration as shown in FIG. 43 . As described below, each PMIC 300 is connected to a communication (I2C) bus 302 , and thus each PMIC 300 is connected to a signal transmitted by the microcontroller 303 over the communication bus 302 . can be independently controlled by

As described above, the mist generator 201 includes a programmable or disposable programmable integrated circuit or OTP IC 242 . When the mist generating device 201 is combined with the hookah device 202, the OTP IC is electrically coupled to the PMIC 300 so that the PMIC 300 can manage the voltage supplied to the OTP IC 242. ) to receive power from The OTP IC 242 is also connected to a data bus or communication bus 302 in the hookah device 202 . In this embodiment, the communication bus 302 is an I2C bus, but in other embodiments, the communication bus 302 is another type of data bus.

The ultrasonic transducer 215 of the mist generating device 201 is a bridge IC 301 such that the ultrasonic transducer 215 is driven by the AC driving signal generated by the bridge IC 301 when the hookah device 202 is used. electrically connected to

Hookah device 202 has a processor in the form of a microcontroller 303 that is electrically coupled to communicate with a communication bus 302 . In this embodiment, microcontroller 303 is a Bluetooth™ low energy (BLE) microcontroller. The microcontroller 303 receives power from a low drop regulator (LDO) 304 driven by a battery or, in this embodiment, an external power supply. The LDO 304 provides a stably regulated voltage to the microcontroller 303 so that the microcontroller 303 continues to operate even if the voltage of the battery or other power supply fluctuates.

The hookah device 202 has a voltage regulator in the form of a DC-DC boost converter 305 powered by a battery or an external power supply. Although only one DC-DC boost converter 305 is shown in FIG. 43 , in some embodiments the hookah device 202 is a plurality of DC-DC boost converters that respectively power each of the plurality of bridge ICs 301 . (305) is provided. In another embodiment the hookah device 202 has only one DC-DC boost converter 305 configured to power each of the plurality of bridge ICs 301 .

The boost converter 305 boosts the battery or power supply voltage to the programmable voltage VBOOST. The programmable voltage VBOOST is set by the boost converter 305 in response to the voltage control signal VCTL from the PMIC 300 . As described in more detail below, the boost converter 305 outputs the voltage VBOOST to the bridge IC 301 . In another embodiment, the voltage regulator is a buck converter or other type of voltage regulator that outputs a selectable voltage.

The voltage control signal VCTL is generated by a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and is implemented within the PMIC 300 in this embodiment. The DAC is not shown in FIG. 30 because the DAC is integrated into the PMIC 300 . The technical benefits of integrating a DAC and a DAC within the PMIC 300 are described in detail below.

In this embodiment, the PMIC 300 is connected to the power connector 306 so that the PMIC 300 can receive the charging voltage VCHRG when connecting the power connector 306 to the USB charger. In another embodiment, the PMIC 300 is connected to another power socket that allows the hookah device 202 to be connected to and powered from an external power source.

The hookah device 202 has a first pressure sensor 307 and in this embodiment is a static pressure sensor. Hookah device 202 has a second pressure sensor 308 and in this embodiment is a dynamic pressure sensor. However, in other embodiments, the hookah device 202 includes only one of the two pressure sensors 307 , 308 . The pressure sensors 307 and 308 sense a change in air pressure, and sense this when the user withdraws the hookah and withdraws it through the mist generating device 201 .

In this example, hookah device 202 has a plurality of LEDs 308 controlled by PMIC 300 . In other embodiments, one or more LEDs 308 are omitted.

Microcontroller 303 acts as a master device for communication bus 302, PMIC 300 is a first slave device, OTP IC 242 is a second slave device, and second pressure sensor 308 is a second 3 slave devices, and the first pressure sensor 307 is a fourth slave device. Each additional PMIC 300 of the plurality of PMICs 300 is another slave device of the communication bus 302 . The communication bus 302 allows the microcontroller 303 to control the following functions within the hookah device 202 .

1. All functions of each PMIC 300 are highly configurable by the microcontroller 303 .

2. The current flowing through the ultrasonic transducer 215 is sensed by a high bandwidth sense and rectifier circuit at a high common mode voltage (high side of the bridge). The sensed current is converted to a voltage in proportion to the rms current and provided as a buffered voltage at the current sense output pin 309 of the bridge IC 301 . This voltage is supplied and sampled to the PMIC 300 and is available as a digital representation via an I2C request. The method of sensing the current flowing through the ultrasonic transducer 215 forms part of the resonant frequency tracking function. As described herein, the ability for a device to use this function within the bridge IC 301 provides significant technical benefits.

3. A DAC (not shown in FIG. 30) integrated into the PMIC 300 allows the DC-DC boost converter voltage VBOOST to be programmed between 10V and 20V.

4. The microcontroller 303 allows the charging subsystem of the device 202 to manage the charging of the battery, which may be a single cell battery.

5. A light emitting diode (LED) driver module (not shown) is powered by the PMIC 300 to digitally drive and dim the LED 308 via either a linear mode or a gamma correction mode.

6. The microcontroller 303 may read the pressure #1 and pressure #2 sensor values from the pressure sensors 307 and 308 .

Referring now to the attached FIG. 31 , each PMIC 300 in this embodiment is an independent chip or integrated circuit including a plurality of pins and an integrated subsystem that provides electrical inputs and outputs to the PMIC 300 . References to integrated circuits or chips within this disclosure are interchangeable and the two terms encompass semiconductor devices such as silicon.

The PMIC 300 has an analog core 310 including analog components including a reference block (BG) 311 , an LDO 312 , a current sensor 313 , a temperature sensor 314 and an oscillator 315 . do.

As described in detail below, the oscillator 315 is coupled to a delay lock loop (DLL) that outputs pulse width modulation (PWM) phases A and B. Oscillator 315 and DLL produce two phase centers aligned with the PWM output driving the H bridge in bridge IC 301 .

The DLL includes a plurality of delay lines connected end-to-end, and the total delay of the delay lines is equal to the period of the main clock signal clk_m. In this embodiment, the DLL is the digital processor subsystem (referred to herein as digital core 316) of the PMIC 300 that receives the clock signal from the oscillator 315 and the regulated power supply voltage from the LDO 312. implemented within The DLL is implemented with a significant number (eg, millions) of delay gates connected end-to-end within the digital core 316 .

The implementation of the oscillator 315 and the DLL within the same integrated circuit of the PMIC 300 to create two phase centers aligned to the PWM signal is unique as signal generators present in the integrated circuit market do not include such devices.

As described herein, PWM accurately tracks the resonant frequency of an ultrasonic transducer 215 to maintain efficient transfer of electrical energy to kinetic energy to optimize mist generation by activating the hookah device 202 . It is part of the function.

In this embodiment, the PMIC 300 includes a charger circuit 317 that controls battery charging by power from, for example, a USB power source.

The PMIC 300 includes an integrated power switch VSYS configured such that the PMIC 300 powers the analog core 310 by power from a battery or power from an external power source.

The PMIC 300 has an embedded analog to digital converter (ADC) subsystem 318 . A device that implements ADC 318 and oscillator 315 together in the same integrated circuit is unique in the integrated circuit market as there is no integrated circuit that includes the oscillator and ADC implemented as sub-blocks within the integrated circuit. In conventional devices, the ADC is typically provided as a separate component from the oscillator and the separate ADC and oscillator are mounted on the same PCB. The problem with these conventional devices is that the two separate components - the ADC and the oscillator - take up unnecessary space on the PCB. A further problem is that conventional ADCs and oscillators are typically interconnected by a serial data communication bus, such as an I2C bus, with a limited communication rate of only up to 400 kHz. Compared to a conventional device, the PMIC 300 includes the ADC 318 and the oscillator 315 in the same integrated circuit to eliminate the communication delay between the ADC 318 and the oscillator 315, thereby eliminating the ADC 318 and the oscillator 315. ) may communicate with each other at high speed, such as oscillator 315 speed (eg, 3 MHz to 5 MHz).

In the PMIC 300 of this embodiment, the oscillator 315 runs at 5 MHz and generates a clock signal SYS CLOCK at 5 MHz. However, in other embodiments, the oscillator 315 generates the clock signal at a high frequency of up to 105 MHz. The integrated circuits described herein are all configured to operate on a high frequency oscillator 315 .

ADC 318 has multiple feedback input terminals or analog inputs 319 including multiple GPIO inputs (IF_GPIO1-3). The at least one feedback input terminal or analog input 319 receives a feedback signal from an H-bridge circuit in the bridge IC 301, and the feedback signal is generated by the H-bridge circuit via an AC drive signal to a resonant circuit, such as an ultrasonic transducer. Indicates the operating parameters of the H-bridge circuit or AC drive signal when driving 215. As shown below, the GPIO input is used to receive a current sense signal from the bridge IC 301 indicative of the root mean square (rms) current reported by the bridge IC 301 . In this embodiment, one of the GPIO inputs is a feedback input terminal that receives a feedback signal from the H-bridge in the bridge IC 301 .

The ADC subsystem 318 samples the analog signal received at the plurality of ADC input terminals 319 at a sampling frequency that is proportional to the frequency of the main clock signal. ADC subsystem 318 then uses the sampled analog signal to generate an ADC digital signal.

In this embodiment, the ADC 318 included in the PMIC 300 is used for the RMS current flowing through the H-bridge 334 and the ultrasonic transducer 215 as well as the system (eg, VBAT, VCHRG, VBOOST). It allows future expansion by sampling the voltage, the temperature of the PMIC 300, and even the temperature of the battery and GPIO inputs (IF_GPIO1-3).

The digital core 316 receives the ADC generated from the digital signal of the ADC subsystem and processes the ADC digital signal to generate a driver control signal. The digital core 316 passes driver control signals to the PWM signal generator subsystem (DLL 332) to control the PWM signal generator subsystem.

Rectifier circuits currently on the market have very limited bandwidth (typically less than 1 MHz). The oscillator 315 of the PMIC 300 runs up to 5 MHz or even up to 105 MHz so that a high bandwidth rectification circuit is implemented within the PMIC 300 . As described below, the method of sensing the RMS current within the H bridge of the bridge IC 301 is a part of a feedback loop in which the hookah device 202 can drive the ultrasonic transducer 215 with high precision. to form The feedback loop is an industry game changer for driving ultrasonic transducers as it accommodates any process variation (resonant frequency strain) in the creation of piezoelectric transducers and compensates for the temperature effect of the resonant frequency. This is achieved in part by a creative implementation that integrates the ADC 318 , the oscillator 315 and the DLL within the same integrated circuit PMIC 300 . Integration allows these subsystems to communicate with each other at high speed (eg, at a clock frequency of 5 MHz or up to 105 MHz). Reducing the delay between these subsystems is a game changer in the ultrasound industry, especially in the field of mist generators.

ADC 318 includes a battery voltage monitoring input VBAT and a charger input voltage monitoring input VCHG, as well as voltage monitoring inputs VMON and VRTH, as well as a temperature monitoring input TEMP.

The temperature monitoring input TEMP receives a temperature signal from a temperature sensor 314 built in the PMIC 300 . Through this, the PMIC 300 accurately senses the actual temperature in the PMIC 300, so that the PMIC 300 is not only a failure in the PMIC 300 affecting the temperature of the PMIC 300, but also failure of other components on the printed circuit board. can be sensed. Then, the PMIC 300 controls the bridge IC 301 to prevent excitation of the ultrasonic transducer 215 in case of failure, thereby maintaining the safety of the mist inhalation device 200 and, accordingly, the safety of the hookah device 202. keep

The additional temperature sensor input VRTH receives a temperature sensing signal from an external temperature sensor within the hookah device 202 that monitors the temperature of the hookah device 202 . The PMIC 300 thus responds to shut down the hookah device 202, reducing the risk of damage from excessively high operating temperatures.

In this embodiment, the PMIC 300 includes an LED driver 320 that receives a digital drive signal from a digital core 316 and includes six LEDs 321-326 configured to couple with the output pins of the PMIC 300 . to provide an LED drive output signal. LED driver 320 then drives and dims LEDs 321-326 in up to six independent channels.

The PMIC 300 includes a first digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 327 and the converter converts the digital signal in the PMIC 300 into an analog voltage control signal, which is then transmitted from the PMIC 300 through the output pin VDAC0. is output The first DAC 327 converts the digital control signal generated by the digital core 316 into an analog voltage control signal, which is output through the output pin VDAC0 to control the voltage regulator circuit, such as the boost converter 305 . . The voltage control signal thus controls the voltage regulator circuit to generate a predetermined voltage for modulation by the H-bridge circuit, thereby turning the ultrasonic transducer 215 in response to a feedback signal indicative of operation of the ultrasonic transducer 215. drive

In this embodiment, the PMIC 300 includes a second DAC 328 that converts a digital signal in the PMIC 300 output from the PMIC 300 through the second analog output pin VDAC1 into an analog voltage control signal.

When the DACs 327 and 328 are embedded in the same microchip as other subsystems of the PMIC 300, the DACs 327 and 328 can be connected to the digital core 316 and the PMIC 300 at high speed with no or minimal communication delay. It can communicate with other components. DACs 327 and 328 provide analog outputs that control the external feedback loop. For example, the first DAC 327 provides the control signal VCTL to the boost converter 305 to control the operation of the boost converter 305 . In other embodiments, DACs 327 , 328 are configured to provide drive signals to a DC-DC buck converter instead of, or in addition to, boost converter 305 . By integrating two independent DAC channels within the PMIC 300 , the PMIC 300 manipulates the feedback loop of the regulator used in the hookah device 202 and the hookah device 202 uses the ultrasonic wave of the ultrasonic transducer 215 . Allows you to adjust the power or set analog thresholds for the absolute maximum current and temperature of the ultrasonic transducer 215 .

The PMIC 300 has a serial communication interface, which in this embodiment is an I2C interface with an external I2C address set through a pin.

The PMIC 300 also includes various functional blocks that implement the functions of a microchip, including a digital machine (FSM). These blocks are described in more detail below.

Referring now to attached FIG. 32 , a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generation subsystem 329 is embedded within the PMIC 300 . The PWM generation system 329 includes an oscillator 315 , and a frequency divider 330 , a multiplexer 331 and a delay lock loop (DLL) 332 . As described below, the PWM generation system 329 is a two-phase center-aligned PWM generator.

Frequency divider 330 , multiplexer 331 , and DLL 332 are implemented within digital logic components (eg, transistors, logic gates, etc.) within digital core 316 .

In the example of this disclosure, the frequency range covered by the oscillator 315 and respectively for the PWM generation system 329 is 50 kHz to 5 MHz, or up to 105 MHz. The frequency accuracy of the PWM generation system 329 is ±1% and the temperature spread is ±1%. There are currently no ICs on the market that have a built-in oscillator and two-phase center-aligned PWM generator capable of providing a frequency range of 50 kHz to 5 MHz or up to 105 MHz.

The oscillator 315 generates a main clock signal clk_m including a frequency range of 50 kHz to 5 MHz or a maximum of 105 MHz. The main clock clk_m is an input to a frequency divider 330 that divides the frequency of the main clock clk_m by one or more predetermined divisors. In this embodiment, the frequency divider 330 divides the frequency of the main clock clk_m by 2, 4, 8, and 16 and provides the divided frequency clock as an output to the multiplexer 331 . The multiplexer 331 multiplexes the divided frequency clock and provides the divided frequency output to the DLL 332 . This signal transmitted to the DLL 332 is a frequency reference signal that controls the DLL 332 to output a signal at a desired frequency. In another embodiment, frequency divider 330 and multiplexer 331 are omitted.

The oscillator 315 also generates two phases, a first phase clock signal phase 1 and a second phase clock signal phase 2. The phases of the first phase clock signal and the second phase clock signal are center-aligned. As shown in Figure 33:

The first phase clock signal phase 1 is high during various times of the clk_m positive half cycle and low during the clk_m negative half cycle.

The second phase clock signal phase 2 is high during various times of the clk_m negative half cycle and low during the clk_m positive half cycle.

Phase 1 and Phase 2 are then sent to DLL 332 which uses the first phase clock signal phase 1 and the second phase clock signal phase 2 to generate a dual frequency clock signal. The dual frequency clock signal is twice the frequency of the main clock signal clk_m. The “OR” gate in DLL 332 in this embodiment uses the first phase clock signal phase 1 and the second phase clock signal phase 2 to generate a dual frequency clock signal. This dual frequency clock or a divided frequency received from the frequency divider 330 is selected based on the selected target frequency and then used as a reference for the DLL 332 .

A signal hereinafter referred to as “clock” in DLL 332 represents the main clock clk_m multiplied by two and a signal hereinafter referred to as “clock_del” is a duplicate of a clock delayed by a frequency of one period. The clock and clock_del are passed through the phase frequency detector. After that, node Vc is charged or discharged by the charge pump based on the phase fault polarity. A control current is supplied directly to control the delay of every single delay unit within DLL 332 until the total delay of DLL 332 is exactly one period.

The DLL 332 controls the rising edges of the first phase clock signal phase 1 and the second phase clock signal phase 2 to synchronize them with the rising edges of the dual frequency clock signal. DLL 332 adjusts the frequency and duty cycle of the first phase clock signal phase 1 and the second phase clock signal phase 2 in response to the respective frequency reference signal and duty cycle control signal to adjust the frequency and duty cycle of the first phase output signal phase A and the second phase clock signal. By generating a two-phase output signal phase B, it drives an H-bridge or inverter to generate an AC drive signal and then drives an ultrasonic transducer.

The PMIC 300 has a first phase output signal terminal PHASE_A for outputting the first phase output signal phase A to the H-bridge circuit and a second phase output signal terminal PHASE_B for outputting the second phase output signal phase B to the H-bridge circuit includes

In this embodiment, the DLL 332 corresponds to the duty cycle control by varying the delay of each delay line in the DLL 332 response to the duty cycle control signal to correspond to the first phase clock signal phase 1 and the second phase clock signal phase. Adjust the duty cycle of 2.

To ensure better precision, the clock is used at twice the frequency. As shown in FIG. 34 , in order to explain the case of using the frequency of the main clock clk_m (not included in the embodiment of the present disclosure), phase A is synchronized with the rising edge R of the clock, and phase B is the falling edge of the clock. It is synchronized with edge F. The delay line of DLL 332 controls the rising edge R, etc., and for the falling edge F, the PWM generation system 329 must rely on a perfect match with the delay unit of DLL 332, which may be imperfect. However, to eliminate this error, the PWM generation system 329 uses a dual frequency clock so that both phase A and phase B are synchronized with the rising edge R of the dual frequency clock.

To perform a 20% to 50% duty cycle with a 2% step size, the delay line of DLL 332 contains 25 delay units, the output of each delay unit representing the nth order phase. Eventually, the phase of the final delay unit output corresponds to the input clock. Given that all delays are approximately equal, a specific duty cycle is obtained with the output of a specific delay unit comprising simple logic within the digital core 316 .

Since the DLL 332 cannot lock one delay period, but more than one period is possible, the DLL 332 should be regarded as a non-converged region while paying attention to the DLL 332 startup. To avoid this problem, a startup circuit is implemented within the PWM generation system 329 so that the DLL 332 starts at a known deterministic condition. Moreover, the startup circuitry allows DLL 332 to start with minimal delay.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the frequency range covered by the PWM generation system 329 is extended so that the delay unit in the DLL 332 has a delay of 4 ns (for an oscillator frequency of 5 MHz) to 400 ns (for an oscillator frequency of 50 kHz) can provide To accommodate these different delays, the PWM generation system 329 includes a capacitor Cb and the capacitor value is selected to provide the required delay.

Phase A and Phase B are outputs from DLL 332 and are passed to bridge IC 301 via digital IO so phase A and phase B can be used to control the operation of bridge IC 301 .

The battery charging function of the hookah device 202 of some embodiments will now be described in more detail. However, in another embodiment, the battery charging function is omitted, and the hookah device 202 may be configured to be powered by an external power source instead of a battery.

In this embodiment, the battery charging subsystem has a charger circuit 317 embedded within the PMIC 300 and controlled by a digital charge controller hosted within the PMIC 300 . Charger circuit 317 is controlled by microcontroller 303 via communication bus 302 . The battery charging subsystem can charge single cell lithium polymer (LiPo) or lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries.

In this embodiment, the battery charging subsystem is capable of charging the battery or batteries with up to 1A charging current from a 5V power supply (eg USB power supply). One or more of the following parameters may be programmed via communication bus 302 (I2C interface) to adjust battery charging parameters.

· The charging voltage can be set between 3.9V and 4.3V in 100mV steps.

· The charging current can be set between 150mA and 1000mA in 50mA steps.

· The current before charging is 1/10 of the charging current.

· The pre-charge current and quick-charge timeout can be set between 5-20 minutes and 85-340 minutes, respectively.

· Optionally, an external negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor can be used to monitor the battery temperature.

In some embodiments, the battery charging subsystem reports one or more of the following events by increasing the interruption rate for the host microcontroller 303 .

· Battery detected

· Charging the battery

· Battery fully charged

· No battery

Reaching charging timeout

The charging supply is below the low voltage lower limit

A major advantage of having charger circuit 317 embedded in PMIC 300 is to enumerate and implement all programming options and event instructions within PMIC 300 to ensure safe operation of the battery charging subsystem. Furthermore, significant manufacturing cost and PCB space savings can be achieved compared to conventional mist suction devices with separate components of the charging system mounted separately on the PCB. Charger circuit 317 also allows for a wide variety of charging current and voltage settings, various fault timeouts, and multiple event flags.

The analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 318 will now be described in more detail. The inventors had to overcome significant technical challenges to integrate ADC 318 within PMIC 300 including high-speed oscillator 315 . Moreover, the way the ADC 318 is integrated into the PMIC 300 is contrary to prior art approaches that rely on using one of the many discrete ADC devices available on the IC market.

In the present embodiment, the ADC 318 samples at least one parameter in the ultrasonic transducer driver chip (PMIC 300 ) at a sampling rate equal to the main clock signal clk_m frequency. In this embodiment, ADC 318 is a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter capable of unloading digital sampling from microprocessor 303 to store the resources of microprocessor 303 . Integrating the ADC 318 within the PMIC 300 also avoids the need to use an I2C bus that would otherwise degrade the ADC sampling capability (conventional devices typically have a limited clock rate of up to 400 kHz, with a dedicated ADC between a separate ADC and a microcontroller). It relies on the I2C bus to communicate data).

In an example of this disclosure, one or more of the following parameters may be sequentially sampled by the ADC 318 .

i. An rms current signal received by the ultrasonic transducer driver chip (PMIC 300) from an external inverter circuit that drives the ultrasonic transducer. In this embodiment, this parameter is the root-mean-square (rms) current reported by the bridge IC 301 . The process of sensing the rms current is important in implementing a feedback loop used to drive the ultrasonic transducer 215 . The ADC 318 can sense the rms current directly from the bridge IC 301 via the signal with no or minimal delay as the ADC 318 does not rely on this information being sent over the I2C bus. This provides significant advantages in speed and precision over conventional devices limited by the relatively slow I2C bus.

ii. Battery voltage connected to PMIC (300).

iii. Charger voltage connected to PMIC (300).

iv. A temperature signal, such as a temperature signal indicative of the PMIC 300 chip temperature. As explained above, this temperature can be measured very precisely due to the temperature sensor 314 built into the same IC as the oscillator 315 . For example, when the temperature of the PMIC 300 rises, the current frequency and PWM are regulated by the PMIC 300 to control the transducer vibration and consequently the temperature.

v. Two external pins.

vi. External NTC temperature sensor to monitor battery pack temperature.

In some embodiments, ADC 318 samples one or more of the sources sequentially, for example in a round robin manner. ADC 318 samples the source at a high speed, such as oscillator 315 rate, which can be up to 5 MHz or up to 105 MHz.

In some embodiments, device 202 is configured to allow a user or device manufacturer to specify the amount of sample to collect from each source for averaging. For example, the user can configure the system to acquire 512 samples from the rms current input, 64 samples from the battery voltage, 64 samples from the charger input voltage, 32 samples from the external pin, and 8 samples from the NTC pin. have. Moreover, the user can also specify whether to shorten one of the sources. In some embodiments, hookah device 202 is configured by a user via an external computing device that wirelessly communicates with hookah device 202 .

In some embodiments, for each source the user may specify two digital thresholds that divide the entire range into multiple regions, such as three regions. Subsequently, the user can set the system to release the interruption when the sampled values change from region 2 to region 3, such as region 2.

Conventional ICs on the market cannot perform the above functions of the PMIC 300 . Sampling with this flexibility and granularity is of utmost importance when driving an ultrasonic transducer.

In this embodiment, the PMIC 300 has an 8-bit general purpose digital input and output port (GPIO). Each port can be configured as a digital input and digital output. As shown in the table of FIG. 35, some ports have an analog input function.

The GPIO7-GPIO5 ports of the PMIC 300 can be used to set the device address for the communication (I2C) bus 302 . Subsequently, 8 identical devices can be used on the same I2C bus. This is a unique feature in the IC industry as eight identical devices can be used on the same I2C bus without address conflicts. This function is implemented by each device to read the state of GPIO7-GPIO5 during the first 100 μs after startup of the PMIC 300 and internally store the corresponding address part in the PMIC 300 . After starting up the PMIC 300, the GPIO can be used for other purposes.

As described above, the PMIC 300 includes a 6 channel LED driver 320 . In this embodiment, the LED driver 320 includes an N-type metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS) with a 5V tolerance. The LED driver 320 is configured to set the LED current at four separate levels, 5mA, 10mA, 15mA and 20mA. The LED driver 320 is configured to dim each LED channel via a 12-bit PWM signal with or without gamma correction. The LED driver 320 is configured to vary the PWM frequency from 300Hz to 1.5KHz. This function is unique in the field of ultrasonic mist suction devices as the function is built-in as a subsystem of the PMIC 300 .

In this embodiment, the PMIC 300 includes two independent 6-bit digital-to-analog converters (DACs) 327 , 328 integrated into the PMIC 300 . The purpose of the DACs 327 and 328 is to output an analog voltage to manipulate the feedback path of an external regulator (eg DC-DC boost converter 305, buck converter or LDO). Moreover, in some embodiments, as described below, DACs 327 and 328 may be used to dynamically adjust the overcurrent quiescent level of bridge IC 301 .

The output voltage of each DAC 327, 328 is programmable between 0V and 1.5V, or between 0V and V_battery(Vbat). In this embodiment, the control of the DAC output voltage is performed through an I2C command. The way the two DACs are integrated into the PMIC 300 is unique and allows for dynamic monitoring control of the current. If the two DACs 327 and 328 are external chips, the speed may be subject to the same speed limit due to the I2C protocol. The active power monitoring device of device 202 operates with optimal efficiency when all of these built-in functions are present in the PMIC. For external components, active power monitoring devices are utterly inefficient.

Referring now to the attached FIG. 36 , the bridge IC 301 is a microchip including an embedded power switching circuit 333 . In this embodiment, the power switching circuit 333 is the H-bridge 334 shown in FIG. 37 and is described in detail below. However, the bridge IC 301 of another embodiment may have an alternative power switching circuit for the H-bridge 334 . However, the power switching circuit drives the ultrasonic transducer 215 by performing an equivalent function capable of generating an AC driving signal.

The bridge IC 301 includes a first phase terminal phase A that receives a first phase output signal phase A from the PWM signal generating subsystem of the PMIC 300 . The bridge IC 301 also includes a second phase terminal phase B that receives a second phase output signal phase B from the PWM signal generation subsystem of the PMIC 300 .

The bridge IC 301 has a current sensing circuit 335 that directly senses the current flow in the H-bridge 334 and provides an RMS current output signal through the RMS_CURR pin of the bridge IC 301 . The current sensing circuit 335 is configured for overcurrent monitoring and detects when the current flow in the H-bridge 334 is above a predetermined threshold. The method of integrating the power switching circuit 333 including the H-bridge 334 and the current sensing circuit 335 into an embedded circuit of the same bridge IC 301 is a unique combination existing in the IC market. Other integrated circuits currently on the market for ICs do not have an H-bridge with an embedded circuit capable of sensing the RMS current flowing through the H-bridge.

The bridge IC 301 has a temperature sensor 336 that includes over temperature monitoring. The temperature sensor 336 is configured to stop the bridge IC 301 or disable at least a portion of the bridge IC 301 when the temperature sensor 336 detects that the bridge IC 301 is operating at a temperature above a predetermined threshold. make up The temperature sensor 336 therefore provides an integrated safety feature that leaves damage to the bridge IC 301 or other components within the hookah device 202 when the bridge IC 301 operates at excessively high temperatures.

The bridge IC 301 has a digital state machine 337 that is fully coupled with the power switching circuit 333 . Digital state machine 337 receives phase A and phase B signals from PMIC 300 and an ENABLE signal, such as a signal from microcontroller 303 . The digital state machine 337 generates a timing signal based on the first phase output signal phase A and the second phase output signal phase B.

Digital state machine 337 BRIDGE along with output timing signals corresponding to phase A and phase B signals. PR and BRIDGE The EN signal is output to the power switching circuit 333 to control the power switching circuit 333 . Accordingly, the digital state machine 337 sequentially turns on and off by controlling the switches T ₁ -T ₄ by outputting a timing signal to the switches T ₁ -T ₄ of the H-bridge circuit 334, and accordingly the H-bridge circuit is An AC driving signal capable of driving a resonance circuit, for example, the ultrasonic transducer 215 is output.

As will be described in detail below, in the switching sequence, the first switch T ₁ and the second switch T ₂ are turned off, and the third switch T ₃ and the fourth switch T ₄ are turned on and stored in the resonance circuit (ultrasonic transducer 215). This includes free-floating time to dissipate energy.

The bridge IC 301 includes a test controller 338 that tests the bridge IC 301 to determine whether embedded components within the bridge IC 301 are operating correctly. The test controller 338 is TEST DATA, TEST CLK and TEST Coupled to the LOAD pin, the bridge IC 301 can be connected to an external control device that tests the operation of the bridge IC 301 by sending and receiving data to/from the bridge IC 301 . Bridge IC 301 is also TST It has a TEST BUS that activates the digital communication bus in the bridge IC 301 being tested via the PAD pin.

The bridge IC 301 includes a power-on reset circuit (POR) 339 that controls a startup operation of the bridge IC 301 . The POR 339 causes the bridge IC 301 to properly start only when the supply voltage does not fall within a predetermined range. If the power supply voltage is outside the predetermined range, for example if the power supply voltage is too high, the POR 339 delays the startup of the bridge IC 301 until the supply voltage reaches within the predetermined range.

The bridge IC 301 includes a reference block (BG) 340 that provides a precise reference voltage for use by other subsystems of the bridge IC 301 .

The bridge IC 301 includes a current reference 341 that supplies a precise current to the power switching circuit 333 and/or other subsystems within the bridge IC 301 , such as a current sensor 335 .

The temperature sensor 336 continuously monitors the silicon temperature of the bridge IC 301 . When the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold, the power switching circuit 333 is automatically turned off. In addition, the over temperature can be reported to the outside host so that the outside host can be notified that an over temperature has occurred.

A digital state machine (FSM) 337 generates a timing signal for the power switching circuit 333 . In this embodiment, this is the timing signal that can control the H-bridge 334 .

The bridge IC 301 compares signals from the various subsystems of the bridge IC 301, including voltage and current references 340, 341, and provides a reference output signal through a pin of the bridge IC 301. 342, 343).

Referring to the accompanying FIG. 37 , the H-bridge 334 of this embodiment includes four switches in the form of NMOS field effect transistors (FETs) on both sides of the H-bridge 334 . H-bridge 334 has four switches or transistors T ₁ -T ₄ coupled with an H-bridge configuration, each transistor T ₁ -T ₄ being driven by a respective logic input AD. Transistors T ₁ -T ₄ are driven by a bootstrap voltage generated internally via two external capacitors Cb coupled as illustrated in FIG. 37 .

H-bridge 334 has various power inputs and outputs coupled to respective pins of bridge IC 301 . H-bridge 334 receives the programmable voltage VBOOST, which is the output from boost converter 305 through the first power supply terminal labeled VBOOST in FIG. H-bridge 334 has a second power supply terminal labeled VSS_P in FIG. 37 .

The H-bridge 334 has outputs OUTP, OUTN configured to connect to the terminals of each ultrasonic transducer 215 so that the AC drive signal output from the H-bridge 334 will drive the ultrasonic transducer 215 . can

The switching of the four switches or transistors T ₁ -T ₄ is controlled by a switch signal from the digital state machine 337 via logic input AD. Although FIG. 37 shows four transistors T ₁ -T ₄ , in other embodiments H-bridge 334 has more transistors or other switching components to implement the functions of the H-bridge.

In this embodiment, the H-bridge 334 operates at a switching power of 22W to 37W to deliver an AC drive signal of sufficient power to drive the ultrasonic transducer 215 and then generate an optimal mist. The voltage switched by the H-bridge 334 in this embodiment is ±15V. In another embodiment the voltage is ±20V.

In this embodiment, H-bridge 334 is switched at a frequency of 3 MHz to 5 MHz, or up to 105 MHz. It switches faster than conventional integrated circuit H-bridges available on the IC market. For example, conventional integrated circuit H-bridges currently available on the IC market are configured to operate only at a maximum frequency of 2 MHz. Other than the bridge IC 301 described herein, there is no conventional integrated circuit H-bridge available in the IC market that operates at a power of 22V to 37V at a maximum frequency of 5MHz, even at a maximum of 105MHz.

Referring now to the accompanying FIG. 38 , the current sensor 335 has positive and negative current sense resistors RshuntP, RshuntN connected in series with the respective high and low sides of the H-bridge 334 as shown in FIG. 37 . do. The current sense resistors RshuntP and RshuntN are low-cost resters, which are 0.1Ω in this embodiment. The current sensor 335 is a first voltage sensor in the form of a first operating amplifier 344 measuring the voltage drop through the first current sensor resistor RshuntP and a second measuring the voltage drop through the second current sensor resistor RshuntN A second voltage sensor in the form of an operating amplifier 345 is provided. In this embodiment, the gain of each of the operating amplifiers 344 and 345 is 2V/V. In this embodiment, the output of each of the operating amplifiers 344 and 345 is 1 mA/V. The current sensor 335 has a pull-down resistor R _cs , which in this embodiment is 2 kΩ. The output of the operational amplifiers 344 and 345 removes transients in the signal CSout and then provides an output CSout that passes through a low frequency filter 346 . The output Vout of the low-frequency filter 346 is an output signal of the current sensor 335 .

A current sensor 335 thus flows through the H-bridge 334 and each measures an AC current flowing through the ultrasonic transducer 215 . Current sensor 335 converts AC current to an equivalent RMS output voltage Vout with respect to ground. Current sensor 335 has high bandwidth capability as H-bridge 334 can operate at frequencies up to 5 MHz or, in some embodiments, up to 105 MHz. The output Vout of the current sensor 335 reports a positive voltage equal to the measured AC rms current flowing through the ultrasonic transducer 215 . In this embodiment, the output voltage Vout of the current sensor 335 is supplied back to the control circuit in the bridge IC 301 so that the current flowing through the transducer 215 after passing through the H-bridge 334 exceeds a predetermined threshold. If exceeded, the bridge IC 301 causes the H-bridge 334 to stop. In addition, when a current threshold is exceeded, it is reported to the first comparator 342 in the bridge IC 301 , so that the bridge IC 301 is the OVC of the bridge IC 301 . Transient occurrences can be reported through the TRIGG pin.

Referring now to the attached FIG. 39 , the controller of the H-bridge 334 will be described with reference to an equivalent piezoelectric model of the ultrasonic transducer 215 .

Switching of transistors T ₁ -T ₄ via input AD used to develop a positive voltage across outputs OUTP, OUTN of H-bridge 334, as shown by V_out in FIG. 39 (note arrow direction) The sequence is as follows.

1. Positive output voltage through ultrasonic transducer 215: A-ON, B-OFF, C-OFF, D-ON

2. Transition from positive output voltage to zero: A-OFF, B-OFF, C-OFF, D-ON. During this transition, C is turned off first to minimize or avoid power loss by minimizing or avoiding current flowing through A and C in the event of a switching error or delay in A.

3. Zero output voltage: A-OFF, B-OFF, C-ON, D-ON. During this zero output voltage phase, the output OUTP and OUTN terminals of the H-bridge 334 are grounded by the C and D switches in the on state. This dissipates the energy stored by the capacitors in the equivalent circuit of the ultrasonic transducer, thereby minimizing voltage overshoot in the switching waveform voltage applied to the ultrasonic transducer.

4. Transition from zero to negative output voltage: A-OFF, B-OFF, C-ON, D-OFF.

5. Output negative voltage through ultrasonic transducer 215: A-OFF, B-ON, C-ON, D-OFF

At high frequencies up to 5 MHz or even up to 105 MHz, the time for each part of the switching sequence is very short, on the order of nanoseconds or picoseconds. For example, at a switching frequency of 6 MHz, each part of the switching sequence occurs at approximately 80 ns.

A graph showing output voltages OUTP and OUTN of the H-bridge 334 according to the switching sequence is shown in FIG. 40 . A zero output voltage portion of the switching sequence is included to receive the energy stored by the ultrasonic transducer 215 (eg, energy stored by a capacitor in the equivalent circuit of the ultrasonic transducer). As described above, this minimizes unnecessary power dissipation and heating in the ultrasonic transducer by minimizing voltage overshoot in the switching waveform voltage applied to the ultrasonic transducer.

Minimizing or eliminating voltage overshoot also reduces the risk of damage to the transistors in the bridge IC 301 by preventing the transistors from being exposed to voltages exceeding the rated voltage. Moreover, by minimizing or eliminating voltage overshoot, bridge IC 301 drives the ultrasonic transducer precisely in a manner that minimizes disruption to the current sense feedback loop described herein. As a result, the bridge IC 301 can drive ultrasonic transducers at high frequencies up to 5 MHz, or even up to 105 MHz, with powers up to 22 W to 50 W or even up to 70 W.

The bridge IC 301 of this embodiment is controlled by the PMIC 300 and configured to operate in two different modes, referred to herein as a forced mode and a native frequency mode. These two modes of operation are novel compared to conventional bridge ICs. In particular, the sonic mode is a major innovation that provides substantial benefits in precision and efficiency when driving ultrasonic transducers compared to conventional devices.

Forced Frequency Mode (FFM)

In forced frequency mode, H-bridge 334 is controlled in the sequence described above, but the frequency is selectable by the user. As a result, the H-bridge transistors T ₁ -T ₄ are forcibly controlled regardless of the intrinsic resonance frequency of the ultrasonic transducer 215 to change the output voltage through the ultrasonic transducer 215 . Therefore, through the forced frequency mode, the H-bridge 334 drives the ultrasonic transducer 215 having a resonant frequency f1 at a different frequency f2.

By driving the ultrasonic transducer at a frequency different from the resonant frequency, it can be tuned to suit different applications. For example, it may be suitable to drive an ultrasonic transducer with a frequency slightly outside the resonant frequency (for mechanical reasons to avoid mechanical damage to the transducer). Alternatively, it may be suitable when the ultrasonic transducer is driven at a low frequency but has a different native resonant frequency due to its size.

Hookah device 202 drives ultrasonic transducer 215 in forced frequency mode by controlling bridge IC 301 in response to hookah device 202 configuration for a specific application or specific ultrasonic transducer. For example, the hookah device 202 may be configured to operate in a forced frequency mode when the mist inhaler 200 is used for a specific application, such as to produce a medicament comprising a specific viscosity for delivery to a user. have.

Native Frequency Mode (NFM)

The next native frequency operating mode is a significant development and offers benefits such as improved precision and efficiency over conventional ultrasonic drivers currently available on the IC market.

The native frequency mode of operation follows the same switching sequence as described above, but adjusts the timing of the zero output of the sequence to minimize or avoid problems that may arise from current spikes in the forced frequency mode of operation. This current spike occurs when the voltage across the ultrasonic transducer 215 is converted to the opposite voltage polarity. An ultrasonic transducer having a piezoelectric crystal has an electrically equivalent circuit including a parallel-connected capacitor (eg, see the piezoelectric model in FIG. 39 ). When the voltage across the ultrasonic transducer is hard switched from positive to negative due to its high dV/dt, the energy stored in the capacitor is dissipated, which can result in large current flows.

The native frequency mode avoids hard switching of the voltage across the ultrasonic transducer 215 from positive to negative (and vice versa). Instead, the ultrasonic transducer 215 (piezoelectric crystal) remains free-floating prior to applying the reverse voltage, and zero voltage is applied across the terminals during the free-floating period. The PMIC 300 sets the driving frequency of the bridge IC 301 so that the bridge 334 sets a free-floating period, and then the current flow inside the ultrasonic transducer 215 is free-floating during the free-floating period (with energy stored in the piezoelectric crystal). due to) reverse the voltage through the ultrasonic transducer 215 terminal.

As a result, when the H-bridge 334 applies a negative voltage to the terminals of the ultrasonic transducer 215, the ultrasonic transducer 215 (equivalent in-circuit capacitor) is already reverse charged and there is no high dV/dt. No current spikes.

However, when the ultrasonic transducer 215 is first activated, it may take time for the charge of the ultrasonic transducer 215 (piezoelectric crystal) to build up. Therefore, it is appropriate that the situation in which the energy in the ultrasonic transducer 215 reverses the voltage during the free-floating period occurs only after the vibrations inside the ultrasonic transducer 215 build up a charge. To accommodate this, when the bridge IC 301 first activates the ultrasonic transducer 215, the PMIC 300 reduces the power delivered to the ultrasonic transducer 215 through the H-bridge 334 to a low cost model. Control with a value of 1 (eg 5V). After that, the PMIC 300 controls the power delivered to the ultrasonic transducer 215 through the H-bridge 334 to increase during a period for a second value (eg, 15V) higher than the first value, thereby increasing the ultrasonic wave. It builds up the energy stored in the transducer 215 . Current spikes still occur during these vibration ramps until the current inside the ultrasonic transducer 215 is sufficiently developed. However, by using a low first voltage at startup, such current spikes are kept low enough to minimize their effect on the operation of the ultrasonic transducer 215 .

To implement the native frequency mode, the hookah device 202 calculates the frequency of the oscillator 315 and the duty cycle (ratio of the on time to the free floating time) of the AC drive signal output from the H-bridge 334 with high precision. controlled with In this embodiment, the hookah device 202 performs three control loops to adjust the oscillator frequency and duty cycle, so that the voltage reversal at the terminals of the ultrasonic transducer 215 occurs as precisely as possible and the current spikes is minimized or avoided as much as possible. Precise control of the oscillator and duty cycle using a control loop is a significant advancement in the field of IC ultrasonic drivers.

During the native frequency mode of operation, the current sensor 335 senses the current flowing through the ultrasonic transducer 215 (resonant circuit) during the free-floating period. The digital state machine 337 adjusts the timing signal so that when the current sensor 335 senses the current flowing through the ultrasonic transducer 215 (resonant circuit) while the free-floating period is zero, the first switch T ₁ or the second Switch to one of the switches T ₂ .

The attached FIG. 41 shows an oscillator voltage waveform 347 (V(osc)), one switching waveform 348 resulting from the turn-on and turn-off left high switch T ₁ of the H-bridge 334 . , another switching waveform 349 resulted from the turn-on and turn-off right high switch T ₂ of the H-bridge 334 . For an intervening free-floating period 350 , both high switches T ₁ , T ₂ of H-bridge 334 are turned off (free-floating phase). The duration of the free-floating period 350 is controlled by the magnitude of the free-floating control voltage 351 (Vphioff).

The accompanying FIG. 42 shows the voltage waveform 352 at the first terminal of the ultrasonic transducer 215 (the voltage waveform is inverted at the second terminal of the ultrasonic transducer 215) and flowing through the ultrasonic transducer 215. A piezoelectric current 353 is shown. The piezoelectric current 353 is a (nearly) ideal sine wave (this is not possible in forced frequency mode or bridges in the IC market).

Before the sine wave of the piezoelectric current 353 reaches zero, the left high switch T ₁ of the H-bridge 334 is turned off (in this case, the switch T ₁ turns off when the piezoelectric current 353 reaches approximately 6A). The residual piezoelectric current 353 flowing in the ultrasonic transducer 215 due to the energy stored in the ultrasonic transducer 215 (a capacitor in the piezoelectric equivalent circuit) reverses the voltage during the free-floating period 350 . The piezoelectric current 353 decays to zero during the free-floating period 350 and thereafter becomes a negative current flow region. The terminal voltage of the ultrasonic transducer 215 drops below 2V from the supply voltage (19V in this case), and the drop operation stops when the piezoelectric current 353 reaches zero. This is the perfect time to turn on the low side switch T ₃ of H-bridge 334 to minimize or avoid current spikes.

Compared to the forced frequency mode described above, the sound frequency mode has at least three advantages.

1. Current spikes associated with hard switching of package capacitors are significantly reduced or avoided altogether.

2. Power loss due to hard switching is almost eliminated.

3. The frequency is regulated by the control loop and kept close to the resonance of the piezoelectric crystal (ie, the resonant sound frequency of the piezoelectric crystal).

When the frequency is adjusted by the control loop (Advantage 3 above), the PMIC 300 is started by controlling the bridge IC 301 to drive the ultrasonic transducer 215 above the resonance frequency of the piezoelectric crystal. After that, the PMIC 300 controls the bridge IC 301 so that the AC drive signal frequency is attenuated/reduced at startup. As the frequency approaches the resonant frequency of the piezoelectric crystal, the piezoelectric current rapidly develops/increases. Frequency attenuation/reduction is stopped by PMIC 300 when the piezoelectric current is high enough to cause the desired voltage reversal. Thereafter, the control loop of the PMIC 300 is responsible for adjusting the frequency and duty cycle of the AC drive signal.

In forced frequency mode, the power delivered to the ultrasonic transducer 215 is controlled through duty cycle and/or frequency shift and/or variations in supply voltage. However, the power delivered to the ultrasonic transducer 215 in the native frequency mode of the present embodiment is controlled only by the supply voltage.

In this embodiment, during the operation setting phase of the hookah device, the bridge IC 301 measures the elapsed time for the current flowing through the ultrasonic transducer 215 (resonance circuit) to measure the first switch T ₁ and the second switch T ₂ is turned off and configured to fall to zero when the third switch T ₃ and the fourth switch T ₄ are turned on. After that, the bridge IC 301 sets the time of the free-floating period to be equal to the measured time.

Referring to the accompanying FIG. 43, the PMIC 300 and the bridge IC 301 of this embodiment are designed to operate as a companion chip set. The PMIC 300 and the bridge IC 301 are electrically coupled to communicate with each other. In this embodiment, the mutual coupling between the PMIC 300 and the bridge IC 301 enables the following two categories of communication.

1. Control signal

2. Feedback signal

The connection between the PHASE_A and PHASE_B pins of the PMIC 300 and the bridge IC 301 carries a PWM modulated control signal that drives the H-bridge 334 . The connection between the PMIC 300 and the EN_BR pin of the bridge IC 301 carries the EN_BR control signal that triggers the startup of the H-bridge 334 . The timing between the PHASE_A, PHASE_B, and EN_BR control signals is important and is handled by the digital bridge control of the PMIC 300 .

The connections between the CS, OC and OT pins of the PMIC 300 and the bridge IC 301 are CS (current sense), OC (overcurrent) and OT (over temperature) from the bridge IC 301 returned to the PMIC 300 . It carries a feedback signal. Most notably, the CS (Current Sense) feedback signal includes a voltage equal to the rms current measured by the current sensor 335 of the bridge IC 301 and flowing through the ultrasonic transducer 215 .

The OC (over current) and OT (over temperature) feedback signals are digital signals indicating whether an over current or over temperature occurrence has been detected by the bridge IC 301 . In this embodiment, the thresholds of overcurrent and overtemperature are set by external resistors. Optionally, the threshold may also be set dynamically in response to a signal passed from one of the two DAC channels VDAC0, VDAC1 of the PMIC 300 to the OC_REF pin of the bridge IC 301 .

In this embodiment, through the design of the PMIC 300 and the bridge IC 301, these two integrated circuit pins are directly coupled to each other (eg, a copper track on the PCB) so that the signal between the PMIC 300 and the bridge IC 301 is There is no or minimal delay in communication. This provides a significant speed advantage over conventional bridges in the IC market, which are typically controlled by signals over a digital communication bus. For example, a standard I2C bus is clocked only at 400 kHz, which is very slow compared to communication data sampled at a high clock rate of up to 5 MHz in embodiments of the present disclosure.

While embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with respect to microchip hardware, other embodiments of the present disclosure may include methods of operating each microchip's components and subsystems to perform the functions described herein. For example, a method of operating the PMIC 300 and the bridge IC 301 in either a forced frequency mode or a native frequency mod is included.

44, the OTP IC 242 includes a power-on reset circuit (POR) 354, a bandgap reference (BG) 355, a capacitor-free low-dropout regulator (LDO) 356, and a communication (eg : I2C) interface 357 , a one-time programmable memory bank (eFuse) 358 , an oscillator 359 and a general purpose input-output interface 360 . The OTP IC 242 also has a digital core 361 including a cryptographic authenticator. In this embodiment, the cryptographic authenticator uses an elliptic curve digital signature algorithm (ECDSA) to encrypt/decrypt data stored in the OTP IC 242 and data received and sent from the OTP IC 242 .

The POR 354 causes the OTP IC 242 to properly start only when the supply voltage does not fall within a predetermined range. If the supply voltage is out of the predetermined range, the POR 354 resets the OTP IC 242 and waits until the supply voltage falls within the predetermined range.

BG 355 provides precise reference voltages and currents for LDO 356 and oscillator 359 . LDO 356 supplies digital core 361 , communication interface 357 and eFuse memory bank 358 .

The OTP IC 242 is configured to operate at least the following modes.

· Fuse programming (fusing): During efuse programming (programming of one-time programmable memory), a high current is required to burn the associated fuse within the eFuse memory bank 358 . In this mode, a fast bias current is provided to maintain the gain and bandwidth of the regulation loop.

• Fuse Read: In this mode, an intermediate current is required to hold the efuse read in the eFuse memory bank 358. This mode is executed during OTP IC 242 startup to transfer the fuse contents to the shadow register. In this mode, the gain and bandwidth of the regulating loop are set to lower values compared to the fusing mode.

• Normal operation: In this mode, the LDO 356 is driven under very low bias current conditions to operate the OTP IC 242 at low power so that the OTP IC 242 consumes as little power as possible.

Oscillator 359 provides the necessary clock for digital core/engine 361 during testing (SCAN test), during fusing, and during normal operation. Oscillator 359 is trimmed to handle stringent timing requirements during fusing mode.

In this embodiment, the communication interface 357 complies with the FM+ specification of the I2C standard, but is also compatible with low-speed and high-speed modes. OTP IC 242 communicates with hookah device 202 (host) for data and key exchange using communication interface 357 .

The digital core 361 implements the control and communication functions of the OTP IC 242 . Using the cryptographic authenticator of the digital core 361, the OTP IC 242 includes the hookah device 202 by authenticating itself (e.g., using ECDSA encrypted messages) (e.g., for a specific application) to the OTP IC 242. ) is genuine and authorizes the OTP IC 242 to connect to the driver device 202 (or other device).

45, the OTP IC 242 performs the following PKI procedure to authenticate the OTP IC 242 to be used with a host (eg, hookah device 202).

1. Signer public key verification: The host requests the manufacturing public key and certificate. The host verifies the certificate with the authority public key.

2. Device public key verification: If verification is successful, the host requests the device public key and certificate. The host verifies the certificate with the manufacturing public key.

3. Challenge-response: If verification is successful, the host generates a random number challenge and sends it to the device. The end product signs the random number challenge with the device private key.

4. The signature is sent back to the host for verification using the device public key.

Upon successful completion of all verification procedures, the chain of trust was verified again against the root of trust and the OTP IC 242 was successfully verified for host use. However, if any of the steps in the authentication process fail, the OTP IC 242 is not verified for host use and use of the device containing the OTP IC 242 is restricted or prohibited.

46-48 show the air flow through the mist generator 201 during operation.

When a liquid drug (such as nicotine) is subjected to ultrasound, the liquid is converted into a mist (aerosolization). However, if the outside air does not sufficiently replace the blown aerosol, it sinks in the ultrasonic transducer 215 . A continuous supply of air is required as a mist (aerosol) is generated within the ultrasonication chamber 219 and withdrawn through the mist discharge port 208 . To meet these requirements, air flow channels are provided. In this embodiment, the air flow channel has an average cross-sectional area of 11.5 mm ² , which is calculated based on the average user's air negative pressure and then designed into the sonication chamber 219 . It also controls the mist air ratio of the inhaled aerosol to control the amount of medicament delivered to the user.

Based on the design requirements, the air flow channels are routed to start at the bottom of the ultrasound chamber 219 . The opening in the bottom of the aerosol chamber is aligned and in close contact with the opening of the air flow bridge in the device. The air flow channel runs vertically towards the reservoir and continues to the center of the sonication chamber (concentric to the ultrasonic transducer 215). Go back 90º from here. The flow path continues until approximately 1.5 mm at the ultrasonic transducer 215 . Through this path, it is maximized that the external air is directly supplied to the atomization surface of the ultrasonic transducer 215 . The air flow through the channel towards the transducer collects the generated mist as it travels through the mist discharge port 208 .

49 and 50 attached, the hookah device 202 of some embodiments is configured to loosely attach to an existing hookah 246. The hookah device 202 is attached to a stem 247 that replaces a conventional hookah head that otherwise houses cigarettes and charcoal (or electronic heating devices).

Hookah 246 includes an elongate stem 247 having a water chamber and a first end attached to the water chamber. The stem 247 includes a mist flow path extending through the stem 247 from the second end to the first end of the stem 247 into the water chamber.

In this embodiment, the hookah device 202 is loosely attached to the second end of the hookah 246 stem 247 . However, in other embodiments, hookah device 202 is not designed to be detachable, but instead is fixed to or integrally formed with hookah 246 stem 247 .

51-59, the hookah device 202 includes a housing 248 having a base 249 and a cover 250 that are attached or loosely attached to each other. In this embodiment, the housing 248 is cylindrical and typically disk-shaped.

In this embodiment, the cover 250 is provided with a plurality of air intake ports 251 so that air can be drawn into the hookah device 202 . The base 249 is provided with a hookah discharge port 252 to allow air and mist to flow from the hookah device 202 to the hookah 246 . The diameter of the hookah discharge port 252 is sufficient for a user to quickly draw air through the hookah device 202 and hookah 246 to create mist bubbles that travel through the water in the hookah 246 . .

In this embodiment, hookah discharge port 252 is a circular aperture that receives the end of hookah 246 stem 247 . Hookah device 202 is supported by a stem 247 of a hookah 246 that is typically configured to provide a hermetic seal between tobacco device 202 and stem 247 .

In this embodiment, the hookah device 202 is a self-contained device comprising electronic components and a mist generating device containing e-liquid housed within a housing 248 .

In this embodiment, the hookah device 202 includes an upper support plate 253 , a middle support plate 254 and a lower support plate 255 stacked on top of each other. The support plates 253 to 255 support the plurality of mist generating devices 201 in the hookah device 202 . Each mist generating device is a mist generating device 201 described in the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the mist generating device 201 is loosely attached to the hookah device 202, so that the mist generating device 201 can be replaced when empty (ie, the e-liquid is partially or completely depleted). when it is).

In this embodiment, the hookah device 202 has four mist generating devices 201 controlled by the microcontroller 3030 of the hookah device 202 (each PMIC 300 and a bridge IC ( 301) through). In another embodiment, the hookah device 202 includes a plurality of mist generating devices 201 , such as at least two mist generating devices 201 or up to eight mist generating devices 201 .

The hookah device 202 is provided with a first contact terminal 259 which forms an electrical connection between the controller of the hookah device 202 and the electrical contacts 232 and 233 of each mist generating device 201 . The hookah device 202 is provided with a second contact terminal 260 that forms an electrical connection between the controller of the hookah device 202 and the electrical contacts 241 on the OTP PCB of each mist generating device 201 .

In this embodiment, the hookah device 202 includes an upper printed circuit board (PCB) 256 positioned above the upper support plate 253 and an intermediate PCB 257 positioned between the middle support plate 254 and the lower support plate 255 . includes The bottom PCB 258 is located below the bottom support plate 255 . The PCBs 256 - 258 carry the electronic components constituting the driver device of the hookah device 202 . PCBs 256-258 couple together to allow electronic components on each PCB 256-258 to communicate with each other.

Although there are three PCBs 256-258 in this embodiment, other embodiments have only one PCB or multiple PCBs performing the same function of the hookah device 202 driver device.

In this embodiment, the hookah device 202 includes a plurality of magnets 261 that allow the support plates 253-255 to be loosely coupled to each other. When the hookah device 202 is assembled with the support plates 253 to 255 and the PCBs 256 to 258 stacked on top of each other together with the mist generating device 201 are fixed between the support plates 253 to 255, the cover 250 is disposed on the base 249 and loosely attaches the cover 250 to the base 249 using a plurality of screws 262 .

The upper support plate 253 includes a manifold 263 centrally disposed on one side of the upper support plate 253 . In this embodiment, the manifold 263 is provided with four apertures 264 (only one is shown in FIG. 56 ), each receiving the discharge port 208 of a respective mist generator 201 . In this embodiment, the hookah device 202 has four mist generating devices 201 loosely coupled to the manifold at 90 degrees to each other. In another embodiment, the manifold 263 has a varying number of apertures 264 corresponding to the number of mist generating devices 201 used with the hookah device 202 .

The manifold 263 has a manifold pipe 265 in fluid communication with the aperture 264 , whereby the mist generated by the mist generating device 201 is coupled and flows downward from the manifold 263 . It can then flow out of the manifold pipe 265 . When hookah device 202 is assembled, manifold pipe 265 extends through aperture 266 in intermediate support plate 254 and aperture 267 in intermediate PCB 257 . Thereafter, the manifold pipe 265 is connected to a discharge pipe 268 extending through the bottom support plate 255 and a fluid flow path through the bottom support plate to the hookah discharge port 252 of the hookah device 202 . provides

During use, each mist generating device 201 is fixed by a manifold in the horizontal direction. In other words, the longitudinal length of each mist generating device 201 is perpendicular or generally perpendicular to the flow direction of the mist when the mist flows downward from the base of the hookah device 202 .

The discharge pipe 268 extends downward through the aperture 269 of the bottom PCB 258 from the underside of the bottom support plate 255 . The discharge pipe 268 then extends through the aperture 270 in the base 249 of the hookah device 202 . In this embodiment, the discharge pipe 268 and hookah discharge port 252 are hookah attachment devices 271 configured to attach or attach the hookah device 202 to the hookah 246 . In this embodiment, the hookah device 202 is coupled to the hookah 246 by inserting a portion of the hookah's stem 247 into the hookah discharge port 252 .

The hookah discharge port 252 provides a fluid flow path 272 from the mist discharge port 208 of the mist generating device 201 out of the hookah device 202, as shown in FIGS. 58 and 59 , thereby Accordingly, the mist generated by the mist generating device 201 flows out of the hookah device 202 to the hookah 246 . The air and mist mixture creates air in the water of the hookah 246 . As the mist floats over the water surface in the hookah's water ball, the bubble escapes the water surface and travels through the pipe to the user during the suction action.

In this embodiment, the top PCB 256 carries a pressure sensor that senses the air pressure in the vicinity of the mist discharge port 208 of the mist generator 201 . Accordingly, the pressure sensor detects the negative pressure in the vicinity of the mist discharge port 208 when the user withdraws the hookah and inhales air through the mist generator 201 along the fluid flow path 272 . The pressure sensor provides a signal to the controller of the hookah device, such that the controller activates the at least one mist generating device 201 so that mist is generated when the user withdraws the hookah, as described below.

In this embodiment, the bottom PCB 258 carries a power control component 273 that controls and distributes power to the other electronic components of the hookah device 202 . In some embodiments, the power control component 273 receives power from an external power source, such as a mains adapter loosely coupled to the hookah device 202 . In this embodiment, the hookah head 202 is configured to be powered by an external power adapter in a DC voltage range of 20V to 40V.

In another embodiment, the hookah device 202 includes a battery integrated within the hookah device 202 and coupled to the power control component 273 . In some embodiments, the battery is a rechargeable Li-Po battery. In some embodiments, the battery is configured to output a 20V to 40V DC voltage. In some embodiments, the battery has a high discharge rate. A high discharge rate is required for voltage amplification required by the ultrasonic transducer of the mist generating device 201 . In accordance with the requirement for a high discharge rate, the Li-Po battery of some embodiments is specifically designed for continuous current draw. In some embodiments, a charging port is provided on the hookah device 202 to allow the battery to be charged by an external power source.

The intermediate PCB 257 contains the controller of the hookah device 202 or the processor 274 and memory 275 of the computing device. In this embodiment, each PMIC 300 and each bridge IC 301 are mounted on the PCB 257 along with the other electrical components of the hookah device 202 . In this embodiment, processor 274 and memory 275 are components of the driver device in hookah device 202 . In the present embodiment, the functions of the driver device are constituted by executable instructions stored in the memory 275 , and when executed by the processor 274 , the instructions cause the processor 274 to control the driver device to thereby perform at least one function. to do it The driver device is electrically connected to each mist generating device 201 . In this embodiment, the driver device of the hookah device 202 is coupled to communicate with each mist generator 201 by a communication bus or data bus, such as an I²C data bus, as described above. In this embodiment, each mist generating device 201 is identified by a unique identifier used when controlling the mist generating device 201 via the data bus (microcontroller 303 is each PMIC via the data bus) (300, then control each mist generating device 201). In some embodiments, the unique identifier is stored in the OTP IC 242 of the mist generator 201 .

In some embodiments, the driver device (microcontroller 303) independently controls each mist generating device. In some embodiments, the control functions are implemented as executable instructions stored in memory 275 . According to the independent control configuration, the driver device activates or deactivates each mist generator 201 independently of other mist generators 201 . Accordingly, the driver device controls one or more mist generating devices 201 to generate mists simultaneously or alternately according to predetermined requirements.

In some embodiments, the driver device controls the mist generating device 201 to sequentially activate and/or deactivate in turn. In some embodiments, the activation sequence of the mist generating device 201 optimizes the operation of the hookah device 202 by generating the mist fast enough so that the mist enters the bubble through the water in the water chamber of the hookah. Accordingly, the hookah device 202 of some embodiments causes the mist bubbles to be drawn through the water in the water chamber at a high rate when the user withdraws the hookah mouthpiece. As a result, water-soluble compounds (eg, vegetable glycerin, flavoring, etc.) can migrate through the water in the mist bubble for inhalation by the user.

In some embodiments, the driver device controls the mist generator 201 to in turn activate it. In some embodiments, the driver device controls the mist generator 201 to activate rotation, whereby the mist generator 201 is activated one at a time and/or sequentially in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

In some embodiments, the driver device controls the mist generator 201 to activate in pairs. In some embodiments, the driver device simultaneously activates two mist generators 201 , such as two mist generators 201 close to each other or two mist generators opposite each other.

In some embodiments, the driver device is configured such that the mist generator 201 does not properly wick the e-liquid in the capillary 222 , or activates when there is little or no e-liquid in the liquid chamber 218 . . This protects the hookah device 202 by ensuring that the hookah device 202 operates correctly.

The electronic components of the hookah device 202 driver device (distributed to the PCBs 256-258) are divided as discussed below. Although the following description relates to controlling one mist generating device 201, the driver device of the hookah device 202 is considered to independently control each mist generating device 201 in the same way.

In order to achieve the most efficient aerosolization with a particle size of 1 μm or less, the driver device provides a contact pad that houses an ultrasonic transducer 215 (a piezoelectric ceramic disk (PZT)) with a high adaptive frequency (approximately 3 MHz).

This section protects the ultrasonic transducer 215 from failure while providing a high frequency as well as continuously optimized cavitation.

The mechanical deformation of the PZT is related to the amplitude of the AC voltage applied to the PZT, and during any ultrasonic operation, the maximum deformation must always be implemented in the PZT to ensure optimal function and to transmit it to the system.

However, to prevent failure of the PZT, the transmitted active power must be precisely controlled.

Processor 274 and memory 275 enable modulation of the active power provided to the PZT in all cases without compromising the mechanical amplitude for the PZT oscillations.

By means of AC voltage pulse width modulation (PWM) applied to the PZT, the mechanical amplitude of the vibration remains the same.

The RMS voltage actually applied has the same effect as the voltage modulation and the duty cycle modulation, but the quality of the active power transmitted to the PZT is degraded. In practice, considering the following equation

이고The active power shown for PZT is

ego

here

는 전류와 전압 사이의 위상(phase)의 시프트이다.

is the shift in phase between current and voltage.

I _rms is the root mean square current

V _rms is the root mean square voltage.

Considering the first harmonic, Irms is a function of the actual voltage amplitude applied to the transducer, and pulse width modulation controls Irms by varying the time of the voltage supplied to the transducer.

The specific design of the PMIC uses a state-of-the-art design to control the frequency range and steps applied to the PZT with ultra-high precision, including a complete set of feedback loops, and to monitor the path of the used control section.

In this embodiment, the driver device has a DC/DC boost converter and a transformer that deliver the power required to the PZT contact pads.

In this embodiment, the driver device includes an AC driver capable of driving the ultrasonic transducer by converting the voltage of the battery into an AC drive signal at a predetermined frequency.

The driver device has an active power monitoring device (as described above) capable of monitoring the active power used by the ultrasonic transducer when the ultrasonic transducer is driven by an AC drive signal. The active power monitoring device provides a monitoring signal indicative of the active power used by the ultrasonic transducer.

A processor 274 in the driver device controls the AC driver and accepts monitoring signal drives from the active power monitoring device.

The memory 275 of the driver device holds instructions, and when executed by the processor, the instructions cause the processor to:

A. Control the AC driver to output the AC drive signal at the sweep frequency to the ultrasonic transducer;

B. calculate active power used by the ultrasonic transducer based on the monitoring signal;

C. Control the AC driver to maximize the active power used by the ultrasonic transducer by modulating the AC drive signal;

D. keep a record in memory of the sweep frequency of the AC drive signal and the maximum active power used by the ultrasonic transducer;

E. Repeat steps A-D for a predetermined number of iterations, with each iteration increasing or decreasing the sweep frequency, so that after a predetermined number of repetitions, the sweep frequency increases from the starting sweep frequency to the ending sweep frequency or decrease;

F. identify from the record held in memory the optimum frequency for the AC drive signal, which is the sweep frequency of the AC drive signal at which the maximum active power is used by the ultrasonic transducer; and

G. Control the AC driver to output the AC drive signal to the ultrasonic transducer at the optimum frequency to drive the ultrasonic transducer to spray the liquid.

In some embodiments, the active power monitoring device includes a current sensing device for sensing a driving current of an AC driving signal driving the ultrasonic transducer, and the active power monitoring device provides a monitoring signal indicating the sensed driving current.

In some embodiments, the current sensing device includes an analog-to-digital converter that converts the sensed drive current into a digital signal for processing by the processor.

In some embodiments, the start frequency is 2900 kHz and the end frequency is 3100 kHz. In another embodiment, the start frequency is 3100 kHz and the end frequency is 2900 kHz.

In some embodiments, the memory stores instructions, and when executed by the processor, the instructions cause the processor to repeat steps A-D with a sweep frequency increasing from a starting sweep frequency of 2900 kHz to an ending sweep frequency of 2960 kHz.

In some embodiments, the memory stores the instructions, and when executed by the processor, the instructions cause the processor to repeat steps A-D with a sweep frequency increasing from a starting sweep frequency of 2900 kHz to an ending sweep frequency of 3100 kHz.

In some embodiments, the memory stores instructions, and when executed by the process, the instructions cause the processor to control the AC driver in step G to ultrasonically transform the AC drive signal at a frequency shifting from the optimum frequency to a predetermined shift amount. Let it be output by a ducer.

In some embodiments, the predetermined amount of shift is between 1-10% of the optimal frequency.

The pressure sensor used in the device serves two purposes. The first objective is to prevent an undesired and accidental starting of the ultrasonic engine (ultrasonic transducer drive). This function is implemented within the device's processing unit but is optimized for low power to precisely detect and classify so-called intrinsic suction by continuously measuring environmental parameters such as temperature and ambient pressure through internal calibration and reference settings.

A second purpose of the pressure sensor is to determine the user's inhalation intensity, as well as to monitor the precise inhalation time by the user for precise inhalation measurement. Overall, it is possible to fully understand the pressure profile for every inhalation and predict the end of the inhalation for optimized aerosolization.

In some embodiments, the hookah device 202 is equipped with a Bluetooth™ low energy (BLE) microcontroller. In practice, these features provide extremely precise inhalation times, optimized aerosolization, monitor a number of parameters to ensure safe mist generation, prevent the use of non-genuine e-liquid or aerosol chambers, and prevent overheating of the device and user risk at the same time. Enables settings that allow excessive mist generation to be neglected.

The use of BLE microcontrollers enables over-the-air (OTA) updates to continuously provide users with improved software based on AI trained on anonymized data collection and PZT modeling. Additionally, the BLE microcontroller allows the remote computing device to communicate with the hookah device 202 so that the remote computing device can control the operation of the hookah device 202 . In one embodiment, the plurality of hookah devices is controlled by one or more remote computing devices, such as within a hookah or shisha bar, so that an administrator of the bar controls operation and/or controls the status of each hookah device. can be monitored.

In one embodiment, since the status indication data of each mist generating device in each hookah device is transmitted to the remote computing device by the hookah device, the remote computing device can monitor the status of each mist generating device. Therefore, an administrator or user can replace each mist generator by tracking it when each mist generator is in a low-level liquid state or is not operating properly.

The hookah device 202 is a precise, reliable and safe solution for everyday customer use and therefore should provide controlled and stable aerosolization.

This is done through an internal method that can be divided into various sections:

sonication

In order to provide the most optimal aerosolization, the ultrasonic transducer (PZT) or the respective mist generator 201 should vibrate in the most efficient way.

frequency

Depending on the electromechanical properties of piezoelectric ceramics, components operate most efficiently at their resonant frequencies. However, vibrating the PZT for long periods of time at its resonant frequency will eventually fail and destroy the components, rendering the aerosol chamber unusable.

Another important factor to consider when using piezoelectric materials is that they have inherent variability during manufacturing and will fluctuate with temperature and time.

To resonate a PZT at 3 MHz to make a particle size <1 um, an adaptive correction method must be employed to find and target the 'sweet spot' of a specific PZT inside every aerosol chamber used in the device for every single inhalation.

sweep

The device must find a 'sweet spot' for every single suction, and due to overuse, the PZT temperature fluctuates as the device uses the in-house double-sweep method.

The first sweep is used if all heat dissipation has occurred in the device and the specific aerosol chamber has not been used for sufficient time to cool the PZT to its 'base temperature'. This procedure is also called a cold start. During this procedure, the PZT needs a boost to generate the necessary aerosol. This is achieved by examining a small subset of frequencies between 2900 kHz and 2960 kHz that, according to extensive research and experimentation, are considered to cover the resonance point.

For each frequency in this range, the ultrasonic engine is activated and the current flowing through the PZT is actively monitored and stored by the microcontroller via an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), then converted back to current to precisely measure the power used by the PZT. to derive

As a result, the cold profile of this PZT related to the frequency is obtained, and the frequency used during the suction process is the frequency that uses the most current, so it is the lowest impedance frequency.

The second sweep is performed during subsequent suction and covers the entire frequency range between 2900 kHz and 3100 kHz due to the PZT profile change with respect to temperature and strain. This hot profile is used to determine which shift to apply.

shift

The aerosolization must be optimized so that no shift is used during cold inhalation and the PZT therefore oscillates at the resonant frequency. This is only possible for a short, non-repetitive period of time, otherwise the PZT will eventually break.

However, using most of the in-suction shift in a way that still targets low-impedance frequencies puts the PZT into a near-optimal operating state while protecting it from failure.

The hot and cold profiles are stored during suction, so the microcontroller selects the appropriate shift frequency based on the measurement of the current through the PZT during the sweep and ensures safe machine operation.

The choice of shift direction is important as the piezoelectric component behaves differently when outside or inside the double resonant/anti-resonant frequency range. Since PZT is inductive and not capacitive, the selected shift must fall within this range defined by the resonant to antiresonant frequency.

Finally, the shift ratio is kept below 10% to get close to the lowest impedance but far enough away from resonance.

control

Due to the unique properties of PZT, every inhalation is different. In addition to the piezoelectric element, a number of parameters influence the outcome of inhalation, such as the amount of e-liquid remaining in the aerosol chamber, the wicking state of the gauze or the battery level of the device.

In this way, the device monitors the current used by the PZT inside the aerosol chamber and the microcontroller continuously adjusts parameters such as frequency and duty cycle, pre-defined according to research and experimental results for the most optimal and safe aerosolization. It provides the aerosol chamber with the most stable power possible within its range.

battery monitoring

In some embodiments, the battery is integrated into the hookah device 202 . In this embodiment, the hookah device 202 is powered by a DC Li-Po battery that provides the necessary voltage to the hookah device 202 . In accordance with the requirement for a high discharge rate, the Li-Po battery of some embodiments is specifically designed for continuous current draw.

As the battery voltage drops and fluctuates when activating the ultrasound section, the microcontroller continuously monitors the power used by the PZT inside the aerosol chamber to ensure proper but safe aerosolization.

Control is at the heart of aerosols, so the device first ensures that the control and information sections of the device are always working and not interrupted by damage to the ultrasound section.

Therefore, the regulation method takes into account the real-time battery level considerably, changes parameters such as duty cycle if necessary to keep the battery at a safe level, and if the battery level is low before starting the ultrasonic engine, the control and information section prevents activation. .

power control

As described above, the key to aerosolization is control and the method used in the device is a real-time multidimensional function that always takes into account the PZT profile, the current inside the PZT, and the battery level of the device.

All of this can be achieved through the use of a microcontroller that can monitor and control every element of the device to produce optimal suction.

interval

Since the device relies on a piezoelectric component, the device prevents activation of the ultrasonic section when suction is stopped. The safe delay between two inhalations is adjustable depending on the time of the previous inhalation. Therefore, the gauze is properly wicked before the next activation.

With these features, the device operates safely and aerosolization is further optimized without the risk of breakage of the PZT elements or exposing the user to toxic substances.

Connectivity (BLE)

The device control and information section consists of a microcontroller-type wireless communication system with Bluetooth low energy capability. The wireless communication system is configured to communicate with the device processor and transmit and receive data between the driver device and the computing device, such as a smartphone.

The connection with the companion mobile application via Bluetooth low energy requires only a small amount of power for communication compared to conventional wireless connectivity solutions such as Wi-Fi, classic Bluetooth, GSM or even LTE-M and NB-IOT, so the device is not used at all. When not in use, it can maintain its function for a long time.

Most importantly, this connectivity enables complete control and safety of OTP and inhalation as a function. All data of the resonant frequency of the suction or user-generated sound pressure and time is stored and transmitted via BLE to further analyze and improve the built-in software.

Finally, this connectivity ensures that the latest version is always quickly deployed by updating the firmware built into the device and over the air (OTA). This provides expandability for devices and the insurance they wish to apply to devices.

In one embodiment, the hookah device includes an active power monitor comprising a current sensor capable of sensing the rms drive current of the AC drive signal driving the sonic transducer 215 , such as the current sensor 335 described above. It includes a mist suction device 200 having. The active power monitor provides a monitoring signal indicative of the sensed drive current, as described above.

Through the additional function of this embodiment, the mist suction device 200 monitors the operation of the ultrasonic transducer while the ultrasonic transducer is activated. The mist inhaler 200 calculates an efficiency value or quality indicator indicating the information that the ultrasonic transducer is operating efficiently to atomize the liquid in the device. The device uses the efficiency value to calculate the actual mist content generated during the active time of the ultrasonic transducer.

When the actual mist content is calculated, the device is configured to calculate the actual dose of the drug inhaled by the user based on the actual dose of the drug present in the mist, and thus the drug concentration in the liquid.

Practically, as described above, there are various factors that affect the operation of the ultrasonic transducer, the mist content produced by the ultrasonic transducer, and thus the actual medication dose delivered to the user.

Now, in some embodiments, the configuration of the mist suction device and the method of generating mist using the mist suction device will be described in detail below.

In this embodiment, the mist suction device includes the components of the mist suction device 200 described above, but the memory of the driver device 202, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to generate mist for a first predetermined time. It additionally stores a command to activate the device 201 . As described above, the mist generator operates by including an AC drive signal to drive the ultrasonic transducer 215 in the mist generator 201 , whereby the ultrasonic transducer 215 operates the capillary element 222 . Atomizes the liquid it carries.

According to the execution instruction, the processor periodically senses the current of the AC drive signal flowing through the ultrasonic transducer 215 using the current sensor for a first predetermined time and stores the periodically measured current value in the memory.

Execution instructions cause the processor to calculate an efficiency value using the current value stored in memory. Efficiency values represent the operating efficiency of the ultrasonic transducer when atomizing liquids.

In one embodiment, the execution instruction causes the processor to calculate an efficiency value through the following equation.

here

은 상기 효율성 값,

is the efficiency value,

는 모니터링된 주파수 값(초음파 트랜스듀서(215)가 구동되는 주파수)을 기반으로 하는 주파수의 하위 효율성 값,

is the sub-efficiency value of the frequency based on the monitored frequency value (the frequency at which the ultrasonic transducer 215 is driven);

는 측정된 전류 값(초음파 트랜스듀서(215)를 통해 흐르는 rms 전류)을 기반으로 하는 아날로그 디지털 컨버터의 하위 효율성 값,

is the sub-efficiency value of the analog-to-digital converter based on the measured current value (the rms current flowing through the ultrasonic transducer 215);

t=0 is the start of the first predetermined time,

t=D is the end of the first predetermined time,

N is the number of periodic measurements (samples) for the first predetermined time, and

는 정규화 인자이다.

is the normalization factor.

아날로그 디지털 컨버터 하위 효율성 값을 변조한다. 결과적으로, 본 실시예의 미스트 흡입장치는 장치가 효율성 값을 계산할 때 초음파 트랜스듀서(215)의 활성을 통해 발생할 수 있는 듀티 사이클의 변동을 고려한다. 따라서, 미스트 흡입장치는 초음파 트랜스듀서가 활성화되면서 발생할 수 있는 AC 구동 신호의 듀티 사이클 내 변동을 고려함으로써 정확하게 생성되는 실제 미스트 함량을 계산한다.In one embodiment, the memory stores instructions, and when executed by the processor, the instructions cause the processor to periodically measure the duty cycle of the AC drive signal driving the ultrasonic transducer for a first predetermined time and periodically measure the measured duty cycle. It causes the duty cycle value to be stored in memory. After that, the mist suction device is based on the current value stored in the memory.

Modulates the analog-to-digital converter sub-efficiency values. As a result, the mist suction device of this embodiment takes into account variations in duty cycle that may occur through activation of the ultrasonic transducer 215 when the device calculates the efficiency value. Therefore, the mist suction device accurately calculates the actual mist content generated by taking into account variations in the duty cycle of the AC drive signal that may occur when the ultrasonic transducer is activated.

The efficiency value is used as a weight by the mist generator to calculate the actual mist content generated by the mist suction device by proportionally reducing the value of the maximum mist content generated when the device is operating at its optimum.

In one embodiment, the memory stores instructions, and when executed by the processor, the instructions cause the processor to periodically measure the frequency of the AC drive signal driving the ultrasonic transducer 215 for a first predetermined time and periodically Save the measured frequency value in memory. The device then calculates an efficiency value using the frequency value stored in the memory in addition to the current value described above.

In one embodiment, the memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to calculate the maximum mist content generated when the ultrasonic transducer 215 is operating in an optimal state for a first predetermined time. . In one embodiment, the maximum mist content is calculated based on modeling to determine the maximum mist content produced when the ultrasonic transducer is operating at its optimum.

When the maximum mist content value is calculated, the mist inhaler calculates the actual mist content by proportionally reducing the maximum mist content value based on the efficiency value to determine the actual mist content generated during the first predetermined time.

When the actual mist content is calculated, the mist inhaler may calculate a medicament dose value representing the medicament dose of the actual mist content generated for the first predetermined time. After that, the mist inhaler stores a record of the drug dose value in the memory.

In one embodiment, the memory stores instructions, and when executed by the processor, the instructions cause the processor to select a second predetermined time in response to the efficiency value. In this case, the second predetermined time is the time at which the ultrasonic transducer 215 is activated during a second inhalation or smoking by the user. In one embodiment, the second predetermined time is the same as the first predetermined time but decreased or increased in proportion to the efficiency value. For example, if the efficiency value suggests that the ultrasonic transducer 215 is not operating effectively, then the second predetermined time is longer by the efficiency value, thus producing the desired mist content for the second predetermined time. do.

In connection with the next inhalation, the mist inhaling device activates the mist generating device for a second predetermined time, whereby the mist generating device generates a predetermined mist content for the second predetermined time. Therefore, the mist inhaler accurately controls the mist content generated for the second predetermined time period, and takes into account various parameters that reflect the efficiency value affecting the operation of the mist inhaler.

In one embodiment, the memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to activate the mist generator for a plurality of predetermined times. For example, the mist generating device is activated during a plurality of successive inhalations or smoking by the user.

The mist inhaler stores a plurality of medicament dose values in a memory, and each medicament dose value indicates a medicament dose in the mist generated for a predetermined time, respectively.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the mist inhalation device transmits data representing the drug dose value from the mist generating device to the computing device (eg, via Bluetooth™ low energy communication) to the memory of the computing device (eg, a smartphone). configured to store. Accordingly, an application executable on the computing device records the medication dose delivered to the user. In addition, an executable application controls the operation of the mist inhaler, whereby the application adjusts the operation of each mist inhaler in the hookah device to accommodate a non-optimal mist inhaler.

Since the aerosolization of the e-liquid is achieved by the mechanical action of the piezoelectric disk and not by direct heating of the liquid, the individual elements of the e-liquid (propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavoring ingredients, etc.) are mostly intact and less harmful components , such as acrolein, acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, etc., these components are found in high proportions in conventional end user devices (ENDS).

All of the above applications related to ultrasonic technology can benefit from the optimization achieved by a frequency controller that optimizes the ultrasonic frequency for optimal performance.

The disclosure herein is not limited to nicotine delivery only. The devices disclosed herein are used in conjunction with any medicament or other compound (eg, CBD), wherein the medicament or compound is provided in a liquid within the liquid chamber of the device for nebulization by the device.

The hookah device 202 of some embodiments is a healthy replacement for a conventional hookah head that uses the heat of charcoal or electrical elements to burn a cigarette. Nevertheless, the hookah device 202 of some embodiments still provides the same user experience as a conventional hookah, due to the mist bubbles in the water of the hookah. Accordingly, a user may wish to avoid the smoke risk of tobacco in a hookah by using the ultrasonic hookah device 202 of some embodiments instead of a conventional tobacco-burning hookah.

The foregoing describes features of various devices, examples, or embodiments so that those of ordinary skill in the art may better understand the various aspects of the present disclosure. Those of ordinary skill in the art will be able to use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same benefits as those of the various examples or embodiments presented herein. In addition, those skilled in the art will be able to make various changes, substitutions, and improvements to such equivalent products without departing from the principles and scope of the present disclosure and without departing from the principles and scope of the present disclosure.

Although the subject matter has been described in language according to structural characteristics or methods, it will be appreciated that the subject matter of the appended claims need not be limited to only the specific functions or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above have been disclosed as examples of implementing at least some of the claims.

Various manipulations of examples or examples are provided herein. A spell in which some or all manipulations are described should not be construed as implying that such manipulations are necessarily dependent upon the spell. It is acknowledged that other orders may benefit from this description. Furthermore, not all manipulations are necessarily present in each embodiment disclosed herein. Also, it is understood that not all measures are essential in some examples or embodiments.

Moreover, as used herein, the term “exemplary” refers to, but not necessarily to, an illustration, instance, instance, or the like. As used herein, "or" means an inclusive "or" and not an exclusive "or". Moreover, the term "a" as used herein and in the appended claims is to be construed to mean "one or more" unless otherwise specified or it is clear from the context to refer to a single form. Also, at least one of A and B and/or the like generally means A or B, or both A and B. Moreover, in terms of "including", "including", "including", "with" or variations thereof, such expressions are used to include in a manner similar to "comprising". Further, unless otherwise specified, the expressions "first", "second" or the like do not imply a time-limiting aspect, a spatial aspect, an order, or the like. Instead, such expressions are simply used as identifiers, names, etc. for functions, members, items, etc. For example, a first member and a second member generally correspond to member A and member B or two different or two identical members, or the same member.

Furthermore, while this disclosure has been shown and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent modifications and adaptations may be practiced in other apparatus made using ordinary skill, upon reading and understanding this specification and the annexed drawings. This disclosure includes all such modifications and variations and is limited only by the following claims. In particular, with respect to the various functions performed by the functions described above (eg, members, resources, etc.), the language used to describe those functions is not structurally identical to the disclosed structure, unless otherwise specified. It corresponds to a characteristic (eg, functionally identical) that performs a specific function of the specified characteristic. Moreover, while specific functionality of the present disclosure is disclosed for only one implementation of the various implementations, such functionality may be combined with one or more other functionality of other implementations as desired and advantageous for a particular or particular application.

Examples or embodiments of the subject matter and functional manipulations described herein may include digital electronic circuitry, or computer software, firmware or hardware, devices that are structurally and structurally identical to those disclosed herein, or may be implemented as a combination of one or more thereof. have.

Some examples or embodiments are implemented using one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded in a computer readable medium for controlling the execution, or manipulation of, a data processing mechanism. The computer readable medium may be a hard drive of a manufactured product, such as a computer system or an embedded system. The computer readable medium may be obtained separately or subsequently encoded by transmitting one or more computer program instruction modules, such as one or more computer program instruction modules over a wired or wireless network. The computer readable medium may be a machine readable storage device, a machine readable storage substrate, a memory device, or a combination of one or more thereof.

"Computing apparatus" and "data processing apparatus" include all apparatus, apparatus and machines that process data, including programmable processors, computers, or multiple processors or computers, and the like. The apparatus includes, in addition to hardware, code that creates an execution environment for the computer program in question, such as code comprising processor firmware, protocol stack, database management system, operating system, runtime environment, or a combination of one or more thereof. Moreover, the organization may use various computing model infrastructures, such as web services, distributed computing, and grid computing infrastructure.

The processes and logic flows described herein may be performed by one or more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs to manipulate input data and generate output.

Processors suitable for the execution of computer programs include, by way of example, general and special purpose microprocessors, and one or more processors of the digital computer type. In general, commands and data are received from read-only memory or random access memory, or both. An essential element of a computer is a processor that executes instructions and one or more memory devices that store instructions and data. Generally, a computer includes one or more mass storage devices that can hold data, such as magnets, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks, or act to receive data from, send data to, or both. are negatively coupled However, it is not necessary for a computer to have such a device. Devices suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all types of non-volatile memory, media, and memory devices.

As used herein, "comprising" means "comprising or comprising", and "comprising" means "comprising or comprising".

The functions disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, or specified in particular forms, aspects of methods for performing the disclosed functions, or methods or processes for obtaining the disclosed results, suitably, separately, or as such function can be used to implement the present invention in various forms.

typical features

Representative functions specified in the following sentences may be separated or combined by combining one or more functions disclosed in the text and/or drawings of this specification.

1. A hookah device comprising:

a plurality of ultrasonic mist generators;

a plurality of H-bridge circuits;

microcontroller;

a data bus electrically coupled to the microcontroller to communicate data with the microcontroller;

a plurality of microchips electrically coupled to the data bus to receive data from and transmit data to the microcontroller; and

a hookah attachment device configured to attach the hookah device to the hookah;

Each mist generating device,

a mist generator housing having an elongated shape and having an air intake port and a mist discharge port;

a liquid chamber provided in the mist generator housing and storing the sprayed liquid;

an ultrasonic treatment chamber provided in the mist generator housing;

a capillary element extending between the liquid chamber and the sonication chamber, wherein a first portion of the capillary element is in the liquid chamber and a second portion of the capillary element is in the sonication chamber;

An ultrasonic transducer having an atomizing surface, wherein a portion of the second portion of the capillary element overlaps a portion of the atomizing surface, and when the ultrasonic transducer is driven by an AC drive signal, the atomizing surface vibrates an ultrasonic transducer for generating a mist comprising the atomized liquid and air within the sonication chamber by atomizing the liquid carried by the second portion of the capillary element; and

an air flow device providing an air flow path between the air intake port, the sonication chamber and the air discharge port;

each H-bridge circuit of the plurality of H-bridge circuits is coupled to each one of the ultrasonic transducers and is configured to generate an AC drive signal to drive the ultrasonic transducer;

each microchip of the plurality of microchips is connected to each one of the H-bridge circuits to control the H-bridge circuit to generate the AC drive signal;

Each microchip is a single unit containing a plurality of interconnected embedded components and subsystems:

oscillator;

a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generator subsystem;

analog-to-digital converter (ADC) subsystem;

digital processor subsystem; and

a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) subsystem;

The oscillator is:

main clock signal,

a first phase clock signal that is high for a first time during a positive half-cycle of the main clock signal and low during a negative half-cycle of the main clock signal; and

and generate a second phase clock signal that is high for a second time during a negative half period of the main clock signal and low during a positive half period of the main clock signal;

the phases of the first phase clock signal and the second phase clock signal are centrally aligned;

The pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generator subsystem comprises:

a delay lock loop configured to use the first phase clock signal and the second phase clock signal and to generate a dual frequency clock signal that is twice a frequency of the main clock signal, wherein the delay lock loop comprises the first phase clock signal and the and controlling a rising edge of a second phase clock signal to be synchronized with a rising edge of the dual frequency clock signal, wherein the delay lock loop is configured to control the rising edge of the first phase clock signal and the second phase clock signal in response to a driver control signal. and adjust a duty output signal and frequency to generate a first phase output signal and a second phase output signal, the first phase output signal and the second phase output signal comprising: the H-bridge circuit coupled to the microchip; configured to drive the ultrasonic transducer by driving to generate an AC drive signal;

a first phase output signal terminal configured to output the first phase output signal to the H-bridge circuit coupled to the microchip;

a second phase output signal terminal configured to output the second phase output signal to the H-bridge circuit coupled to the microchip;

from the H-bridge circuit, the AC drive signal or the operation of the H-bridge circuit connected to the microchip when the H-bridge circuit drives the ultrasonic transducer together with the AC drive signal to atomize the liquid. a feedback input terminal configured to receive a feedback signal indicative of the parameter;

The analog-to-digital converter (ADC) subsystem includes a plurality of ADC input terminals configured to receive a plurality of respective analog signals, wherein one ADC input terminal of the plurality of ADC input terminals is coupled to the feedback input terminal, whereby the an ADC subsystem receives the feedback signal from the H-bridge circuit coupled to the microchip, wherein the ADC subsystem receives an analog signal received at the plurality of ADC input terminals at a sampling frequency proportional to the frequency of the main clock signal. and the ADC subsystem is configured to generate an ADC digital signal using the sampled analog signal;

The digital processor subsystem is configured to receive the ADC digital signal from the ADC subsystem, process the ADC digital signal to generate the driver control signal, and pass the driver control signal to the PWM signal generator subsystem to control the PWM signal generator subsystem; and

The digital-to-analog converter (DAC) subsystem comprises:

a digital-to-analog converter configured to control a voltage regulator circuit that converts a digital control signal generated by the digital processor subsystem to an analog voltage control signal to generate a voltage for modulation by the H-bridge circuit coupled to the microchip; DAC); and

for modulation by the H-bridge circuit coupled to the microchip to drive the ultrasonic transducer in response to a feedback signal indicative of operation of the ultrasonic transducer by outputting the analog voltage control signal to control the voltage regulator circuit a DAC output terminal configured to generate a predetermined voltage;

The hookah attachment device provides a fluid flow path from the mist discharge port of the mist generating device out of the hookah device, so that when at least one of the mist generating devices is activated by a driver device, each activated and a hookah discharge port for allowing mist generated by the mist generating device to flow into the hookah along the fluid flow path and out of the hookah device.

2. The hookah device of claim 1 , wherein the microcontroller is configured to identify and control each mist generator using a respective unique identifier for the mist generator.

3. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each mist generating device comprises an identification device, said identification device comprising:

an integrated circuit having a memory for storing a unique identifier for the mist generating device; and

and an electrical connection providing an electronic interface for communicating with the integrated circuit.

4. 4. The hookah device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the microcontroller is configured to control each microchip and each mist generator to independently activate the other mist generator.

5. 5. The hookah device according to claim 4, wherein the microcontroller is configured to control the mist generating device to be activated according to a predetermined sequence.

6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the hookah device comprises:

and a manifold having a manifold pipe in fluid communication with the mist discharge port of the mist generator, wherein the mist output from the mist discharge port is coupled at the manifold pipe and through the manifold pipe the water A hookah device, flowing out of the cigarette device.

7. 7. The hookah device of claim 6, wherein the hookah device has four mist generating devices loosely coupled to the manifold at 90 degrees to each other.

8. 8. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the feedback input terminal is configured to receive a feedback signal from the H-bridge circuit in the form of a voltage representative of the rms current of the AC drive signal driving the ultrasonic transducer. , hookah device.

9. 9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each microchip comprises:

a temperature sensor embedded within the microchip, the temperature sensor configured to generate a temperature signal indicative of a temperature of the microchip, the temperature signal being received by an additional ADC input terminal of the ADC subsystem; wherein the temperature signal is sampled by the ADC.

10. 10. The ADC subsystem of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the ADC subsystem is configured to sequentially sample signals received at the plurality of ADC input terminals, each signal a respective predetermined number of times. Sampled by the hookah device.

11. 11. The hookah device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the hookah device further comprises a plurality of additional microchips, each additional microchip of the plurality of additional microchips comprising a respective one of the plurality of microchips. connected to the microchip and having one H-bridge circuit of the plurality of H-bridge circuits;

Each additional microchip is a single unit comprising a plurality of interconnected embedded components and subsystems:

a first power supply terminal;

a second power supply terminal;

an H-bridge circuit in the additional microchip comprising a first switch, a second switch, a third switch and a fourth switch, the first switch and the third switch being the first power supply terminal and the second power supply terminal connected in series between terminals, a first output terminal electrically connected between the first switch and the third switch, the first output terminal connected to a first terminal of the ultrasonic transducer, and the second a switch and the fourth switch are connected in series between the first power supply terminal and the second power supply terminal, and a second output terminal is electrically connected between the second switch and the fourth switch; a second output terminal coupled to a second terminal of the ultrasonic transducer;

a first phase terminal configured to receive the first phase output signal from the pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generator subsystem;

a second phase terminal configured to receive a second phase output signal from the PWM signal generator subsystem;

generating a timing signal based on the first phase output signal and the second phase output signal, and outputting the timing signal to a switch of the H-bridge circuit to control the switch to turn on and off according to a sequence, Accordingly, the H-bridge circuit is configured to output an AC drive signal for driving the ultrasonic transducer, and the sequence includes the freedom to turn off the first switch and the second switch and turn on the third switch and the fourth switch a digital state machine in which a free-float period is included to dissipate energy stored in the ultrasonic transducer; and

a current sensor,

The current sensor is:

the first switch and a first current sense resistor connected in series between the first power supply terminals;

a first voltage sensor configured to measure a voltage drop across the first current sense resistor and provide a first voltage output indicative of a current flowing through the first current sense resistor;

a second current sense resistor connected in series between the second switch and the first power supply terminal;

a second voltage sensor configured to measure a voltage drop across the second current sense resistor and provide a second voltage output indicative of a current flowing through the second current sense resistor; and

a current sensor output terminal configured to provide an rms output voltage to ground equal to the first voltage output and the second voltage output;

The rms output voltage represents an rms current flowing through the first switch or the second switch, and a current flowing through the ultrasonic transducer coupled between the first output terminal and the second output terminal.

12. 12. The hookah device of claim 11, wherein the H-bridge circuitry in each additional microchip is configured to output between 22W and 50W of power to the ultrasonic transducer coupled to the first output terminal and the second output terminal.

13. 13. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein each additional microchip further comprises a temperature sensor embedded within the additional microchip, the temperature sensor measuring a temperature of the additional microchip, wherein the temperature of the additional microchip is and disable at least a portion of the additional microchip if the temperature sensor senses that a predetermined threshold is exceeded.

14. 14. The hookah device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising a boost converter circuit configured to increase a power supply voltage to a boost voltage in response to the analog voltage output signal from the DAC output terminal. and the boost converter circuit is configured such that the boost voltage is modulated by providing the boost voltage to the first power supply terminal and switching a switch of the H-bridge circuit accordingly.

15. 15. The current sensor according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the current sensor is configured to sense a current flowing through a resonant circuit during the free-floating period, and the digital state machine adjusts the timing signal so that the current sensor and turn on one of the first switch or the second switch when it senses that the current flowing through the resonant circuit during the free-floating period is zero.

16. 16. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein during the step of setting the operation of the hookah device, the additional microchip comprises:

measuring the length of time it takes for the current flowing through the resonance circuit to fall to zero when the first switch and the second switch are turned off and the third switch and the fourth switch are turned on; and

and set the length of time of the free-floating period equal to the measured length of time.

17. 17. The hookah device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the hookah device further comprises a memory for storing instructions, wherein when executed by the microcontroller, the instructions cause the microchip to:

A. controlling the H-bridge circuit to output an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic transducer at a sweep frequency;

B. calculate an active power used by the ultrasonic transducer based on the feedback signal;

C. controlling the H-bridge circuit to maximize the active power used by the ultrasonic transducer by modulating the AC drive signal;

D. record in the memory the maximum active power used by the ultrasonic transducer and the sweep frequency of the AC drive signal;

E. Repeat steps A-D for a predetermined number of iterations, with each iteration increasing or decreasing the sweep frequency, so that after repeating a predetermined number of times, the sweep frequency increases from the starting sweep frequency to the ending sweep frequency or decrease;

F. identify from a record held in the memory an optimal frequency for the AC drive signal, the sweep frequency of the AC drive signal at which maximum active power is used by the ultrasonic transducer; and

G. and controlling the H-bridge circuit to output an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic transducer at the optimum frequency to thereby drive the ultrasonic transducer to atomize the liquid.

18. 18. The hookah device of claim 17, wherein the starting sweep frequency is 2900 kHz and the ending sweep frequency is 3100 kHz.

19. As a hookah,

water chamber;

an elongate stem having a first end attached to the water chamber; and

19. A hookah device comprising the hookah device according to any one of claims 1 to 18,

the stem comprises a mist flow path extending from a second end of the stem through the stem to the first end;

and the hookah attachment device of the hookah device is attached to the stem of the hookah at a second end of the stem.

Claims (19)

A hookah device comprising:
a plurality of ultrasonic mist generators;
a plurality of H-bridge circuits;
microcontroller;
a data bus electrically coupled to the microcontroller to communicate data with the microcontroller;
a plurality of microchips electrically coupled to the data bus to receive data from and transmit data to the microcontroller; and
a hookah attachment device configured to attach the hookah device to the hookah;
Each mist generator,
a mist generator housing which is elongate and has an air intake port and a mist discharge port;
a liquid chamber provided in the mist generator housing and storing the sprayed liquid;
an ultrasonic treatment chamber provided in the mist generator housing;
a capillary element extending between the liquid chamber and the sonication chamber, wherein a first portion of the capillary element is in the liquid chamber and a second portion of the capillary element is in the sonication chamber;
An ultrasonic transducer having an atomizing surface, wherein a portion of the second portion of the capillary element overlaps a portion of the atomizing surface, and when the ultrasonic transducer is driven by an AC drive signal, the atomizing surface vibrates an ultrasonic transducer for generating a mist comprising the atomized liquid and air within the sonication chamber by atomizing the liquid carried by the second portion of the capillary element; and
an air flow device providing an air flow path between the air intake port, the sonication chamber and the air discharge port;
each H-bridge circuit of the plurality of H-bridge circuits is coupled to each one of the ultrasonic transducers and is configured to generate an AC drive signal to drive the ultrasonic transducer;
each microchip of the plurality of microchips is connected to each one of the H-bridge circuits to control the H-bridge circuit to generate the AC drive signal;
Each microchip is a single unit containing a plurality of interconnected embedded components and subsystems:
oscillator;
a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generator subsystem;
analog-to-digital converter (ADC) subsystem;
digital processor subsystem; and
a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) subsystem;
The oscillator is:
main clock signal,
a first phase clock signal that is high for a first time during a positive half-cycle of the main clock signal and low during a negative half-cycle of the main clock signal; and
and generate a second phase clock signal that is high for a second time during a negative half period of the main clock signal and low during a positive half period of the main clock signal;
the phases of the first phase clock signal and the second phase clock signal are centrally aligned;
The pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generator subsystem comprises:
a delay lock loop configured to use the first phase clock signal and the second phase clock signal and to generate a dual frequency clock signal that is twice a frequency of the main clock signal, wherein the delay lock loop comprises the first phase clock signal and and control a rising edge of the second phase clock signal to synchronize with a rising edge of the dual frequency clock signal, wherein the delay lock loop responds to a driver control signal to the first phase clock signal and the second phase clock signal and to generate a first phase output signal and a second phase output signal by adjusting the duty cycle and frequency of configured to drive the ultrasonic transducer by driving to generate an AC drive signal;
a first phase output signal terminal configured to output the first phase output signal to the H-bridge circuit coupled to the microchip;
a second phase output signal terminal configured to output the second phase output signal to the H-bridge circuit coupled to the microchip;
from the H-bridge circuit, the AC drive signal or the operation of the H-bridge circuit connected to the microchip when the H-bridge circuit drives the ultrasonic transducer together with the AC drive signal to atomize the liquid. a feedback input terminal configured to receive a feedback signal indicative of the parameter;
The analog-to-digital converter (ADC) subsystem includes a plurality of ADC input terminals configured to receive a plurality of respective analog signals, wherein one ADC input terminal of the plurality of ADC input terminals is coupled to the feedback input terminal, whereby the an ADC subsystem receives the feedback signal from the H-bridge circuit coupled to the microchip, wherein the ADC subsystem receives an analog signal received at the plurality of ADC input terminals at a sampling frequency proportional to the frequency of the main clock signal. and the ADC subsystem is configured to generate an ADC digital signal using the sampled analog signal;
The digital processor subsystem is configured to receive the ADC digital signal from the ADC subsystem, process the ADC digital signal to generate the driver control signal, and pass the driver control signal to the PWM signal generator subsystem to control the PWM signal generator subsystem, and
The digital-to-analog converter (DAC) subsystem comprises:
a digital-to-analog converter configured to control a voltage regulator circuit that converts a digital control signal generated by the digital processor subsystem to an analog voltage control signal to generate a voltage for modulation by the H-bridge circuit coupled to the microchip; DAC); and
for modulation by the H-bridge circuit coupled to the microchip to drive the ultrasonic transducer in response to a feedback signal indicative of operation of the ultrasonic transducer by outputting the analog voltage control signal to control the voltage regulator circuit a DAC output terminal configured to generate a predetermined voltage;
The hookah attachment device provides a fluid flow path from the mist discharge port of the mist generating device out of the hookah device, so that when at least one of the mist generating devices is activated by a driver device, each activated and a hookah discharge port for allowing mist generated by the mist generating device to flow into the hookah along the fluid flow path and out of the hookah device. According to claim 1,
and the microcontroller is configured to identify and control each mist generator using a respective unique identifier for the mist generator. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2,
Each mist generating device comprises an identification device, said identification device comprising:
an integrated circuit having a memory for storing a unique identifier for the mist generating device; and
and an electrical connection providing an electronic interface for communicating with the integrated circuit. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
and the microcontroller is configured to control each microchip and each mist generating device to independently activate the other mist generating device. 5. The method of claim 4,
and the microcontroller is configured to control the mist generating device to be activated according to a predetermined sequence. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The hookah device is
and a manifold having a manifold pipe in fluid communication with the mist discharge port of the mist generator, wherein the mist output from the mist discharge port is coupled at the manifold pipe and through the manifold pipe the water A hookah device, flowing out of the cigarette device. 7. The method of claim 6,
wherein said hookah device has four mist generating devices loosely coupled to said manifold at 90 degrees to each other. 8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
and the feedback input terminal is configured to receive a feedback signal from the H-bridge circuit in the form of a voltage representative of the rms current of the AC drive signal driving the ultrasonic transducer. 9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Each microchip is
a temperature sensor embedded within the microchip, the temperature sensor configured to generate a temperature signal indicative of a temperature of the microchip, the temperature signal being received by an additional ADC input terminal of the ADC subsystem; wherein the temperature signal is sampled by the ADC. 10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
wherein the ADC subsystem is configured to sequentially sample signals received at the plurality of ADC input terminals, each signal being sampled by the ADC subsystem a respective predetermined number of times. 11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The hookah device further comprises a plurality of additional microchips, each additional microchip of the plurality of additional microchips coupled with a respective microchip of the plurality of microchips, wherein: having one H-bridge circuit,
Each additional microchip is a single unit comprising a plurality of interconnected embedded components and subsystems:
a first power supply terminal;
a second power supply terminal;
an H-bridge circuit in the additional microchip comprising a first switch, a second switch, a third switch and a fourth switch, the first switch and the third switch being the first power supply terminal and the second power supply terminal connected in series between terminals, a first output terminal electrically connected between the first switch and the third switch, the first output terminal connected to a first terminal of the ultrasonic transducer, and the second a switch and the fourth switch are connected in series between the first power supply terminal and the second power supply terminal, and a second output terminal is electrically connected between the second switch and the fourth switch; a second output terminal coupled to a second terminal of the ultrasonic transducer;
a first phase terminal configured to receive the first phase output signal from the pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generator subsystem;
a second phase terminal configured to receive a second phase output signal from the PWM signal generator subsystem;
generating a timing signal based on the first phase output signal and the second phase output signal, and outputting the timing signal to a switch of the H-bridge circuit to control the switch to turn on and off according to a sequence, Accordingly, the H-bridge circuit is configured to output an AC drive signal for driving the ultrasonic transducer, and the sequence includes the freedom to turn off the first switch and the second switch and turn on the third switch and the fourth switch a digital state machine in which a free-float period is included to dissipate energy stored in the ultrasonic transducer; and
a current sensor,
The current sensor is:
a first current sense resistor connected in series between the first switch and the first power supply terminal;
a first voltage sensor configured to measure a voltage drop across the first current sense resistor and provide a first voltage output indicative of a current flowing through the first current sense resistor;
a second current sense resistor connected in series between the second switch and the first power supply terminal;
a second voltage sensor configured to measure a voltage drop across the second current sense resistor and provide a second voltage output indicative of a current flowing through the second current sense resistor; and
a current sensor output terminal configured to provide an rms output voltage to ground equal to the first voltage output and the second voltage output;
The rms output voltage represents an rms current flowing through the first switch or the second switch, and a current flowing through the ultrasonic transducer coupled between the first output terminal and the second output terminal. 12. The method of claim 11,
and the H-bridge circuit in each additional microchip is configured to output a power of 22W to 50W to the ultrasonic transducer coupled to the first output terminal and the second output terminal. 13. The method of claim 11 or 12,
each additional microchip further comprising a temperature sensor embedded within said additional microchip;
wherein the temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the additional microchip and to disable at least a portion of the additional microchip if the temperature sensor senses that the temperature of the additional microchip exceeds a predetermined threshold. Device. 14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13,
the hookah device further comprises a boost converter circuit configured to increase a power supply voltage to a boost voltage in response to the analog voltage output signal from the DAC output terminal;
and the boost converter circuit is configured such that the boost voltage is modulated by providing the boost voltage to the first power supply terminal and switching a switch of the H-bridge circuit accordingly. 15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14,
the current sensor is configured to sense a current flowing through the resonant circuit during the free-floating period;
The digital state machine adjusts the timing signal to activate either the first switch or the second switch when the current sensor senses that the current flowing through the resonant circuit during the free-floating period is zero. A hookah device configured to turn on. 16. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15,
During the operation setting step of the hookah device, the additional microchip comprises:
measuring the length of time it takes for the current flowing through the resonance circuit to fall to zero when the first switch and the second switch are turned off and the third switch and the fourth switch are turned on; and
and set the length of time of the free-floating period equal to the measured length of time. 17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 16,
The hookah device further comprises a memory for storing instructions, wherein when executed by the microcontroller, the instructions cause the microchip to:
A. controlling the H-bridge circuit to output an AC drive signal at a sweep frequency to the ultrasonic transducer;
B. calculate an active power used by the ultrasonic transducer based on the feedback signal;
C. controlling the H-bridge circuit to maximize the active power used by the ultrasonic transducer by modulating the AC drive signal;
D. record in the memory the maximum active power used by the ultrasonic transducer and the sweep frequency of the AC drive signal;
E. Repeat steps A-D for a predetermined number of iterations, with each iteration increasing or decreasing the sweep frequency, so that after repeating a predetermined number of times, the sweep frequency changes from the starting sweep frequency to the ending sweep frequency to increase or decrease;
F. identify from a record held in said memory an optimum frequency for said AC drive signal, which is a sweep frequency of said AC drive signal at which maximum active power is used by said ultrasonic transducer; and
G. controlling the H-bridge circuit to output an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic transducer at the optimum frequency to thereby drive the ultrasonic transducer to atomize the liquid. 18. The method of claim 17,
wherein the starting sweep frequency is 2900 kHz and the ending sweep frequency is 3100 kHz. As a hookah,
water chamber;
an elongate stem having a first end attached to the water chamber; and
19. A hookah device comprising the hookah device according to any one of claims 1 to 18,
the stem comprises a mist flow path extending from a second end of the stem through the stem to the first end;
and the hookah attachment device of the hookah device is attached to the stem of the hookah at a second end of the stem.

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