CA3155610C - Battery charging - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus fora non-combustible aerosol provision system is described comprising: a charging unit configured to charge a battery of said aerosol provision system; a circuit 5 comprising a control module, wherein the control module outputs a first control signal having a charge enable state and a charge disable state; and a protection module configured to decouple the circuit from said battery when the battery voltage is below a first threshold level. The charging unit is configured to charge the battery unless the first control signal has the charge disable state.

Description

Battery Charging Technical Field The present specification relates to an arrangement for charging a battery, such as a 5 batteryof an aerosol provision system. Background Smoking articles, such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles 10 by creating products that release compoundswithout combusting. For example, a range of non-combustible aerosol provision systems exist that release compounds from an aerosolisable material without combusting the aerosolisable material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol using a combination or aerosolisable materials. 15 Summary In a first aspect, this specification describes an apparatus for a non-combustible aerosol provision system comprising: a charging unit configured to charge a battery of said aerosol provision system; a circuit comprising a control module, wherein the control 20 moduleoutputs a first control signal having a charge enable state and a charge disable state; and a protection module configmed to decouple the circuit from said battery when the battery voltage is below a first threshold level (e.g. 2.5V), wherein the charging unit is configured to charge the battery unless the first control signal has the charge disable state. The control module may have a microprocessor unit (MPU), 25 central processing unit (CPU) or similar module.The protection module may be implemented using a protection circuit module (PCM). The protection module may be configured to prevent the batteryfrom being charged when the battery voltage is below a second threshold level (e.g. 0.9V or 1V), wherein the 30 second threshold level is lower than the first threshold level. This functionality may be based on the internal implementation of a PCM implementing the protection module. The protection circuit may be configured to permanently decouple the circuit from said battery when the batteryvoltage is below a/the second threshold level, wherein the 35 second threshold level is lower than the first threshold level. This functionality may be based on the internal implementation of a PCM implementing the protection module. 8888085 Date Re^ue/Date Received 2023-11-02- 2- The control module maybe configured to output a charge current control signal. Furthermore, a charging current output by the charging unit to charge the battery may be dependent, at least in part, on the charge current control signal. The charging 5 current output may be set to a default level in the absence of the charge current control signal (i.e. if the charge control signal output of the control module is “floating”). The default level may be a lowest current level (e.g. for maximum safety). In one implementation, the default level is 70mA. The charge current control signal maybe dependent, at least in part, on a temperature of said battery. 10 The control module maybe configured to set the first control signal to the charge enablestate or the charge disable state based, at least in part, on a determined (e.g. measured) temperature of said battery. 15 The control module may be configured to set the first control signal to the charge disable state when the apparatus is used to generate an aerosol. Some embodiments further comprise a resistor arrangement, wherein the resistor arrangement is configured to receive the first control signal from the control module 20 and to receive a constant current source signal from the charging unit, wherein the constant current source signal generates a voltage within the resistor arrangement dependent on said first control signal, said voltage being used, by said charging unit, to determine whether to allow charging of said battery. The resistor arrangement may comprise: a first resistor having a first terminal configured to receive the constant 25 current source signal and a second terminal connected to ground; and a second resistor having a first terminal configured to receive the constant current source signal and a second terminal configured to receive the first control signal. In one example implementation, the first and second resistors are lokfl and 330ft resistor respectively, however this is not essential to all embodiments. The resistors maybe selected to 30 provide a given voltage (e.g. of the order of at least isomV). Some embodiments further comprise a regulator configured to regulate an operational voltage provided to said circuit. The operation voltage may provide a fixed voltage to the circuit. In one embodiment, the operational voltage is 2.5V. 35 8888085 Date Re^ue/Date Received 2023-11-02-3- The control module maybe configured to control an aerosol generation circuit of said apparatus. In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises the said battery. 5 In a second aspect, this specification describes a method comprising: decoupling (e.g. using a protection module, such as a protection circuit module (PCM)) a circuit from a battery of a non-combustible aerosol provision system in the event that the battery voltage is below a first threshold level (e.g. 2.5V), wherein the circuit comprises a 10 control module; using said control module to generate afirst control signal, the first control signal having a charge enable state and a charge disable state; and charging (e.g. using a charging unit) the battery unless the first control signal has the charge disable state. The control signal may have neither the charge enable state nor the charge disable state in the event that the circuit is decoupled from the battery. 15 The method may further comprising preventing the battery from being charged when the battery voltage is below a second threshold level (e.g. 0.9V or 1V), wherein the second threshold level is lower than the first threshold level. 20 The method mayfurther comprise permanently decoupling the circuit from said battery in the event that the battery voltage is below a second threshold level, wherein the second threshold level is lower than the first threshold level. The method may further comprise: generating a voltage within a resistor arrangement 25 dependent on said first control signal; and determining whether to charge the battery depending on said generated voltage. The method may comprise providing a charge current control signal. Furthermore, a charging current for charging the battery maybe dependent, at least in part, on the 30 charge current control signal.The method may comprise setting the charging current output to a default level in the absence of the charge current control signal (i.e. if the charge control signal output of the control module is “floating”). The default level may be a lowest current level (e.g. for maximum safety). In one implementation, the default level is 70mA. 35 8888085 Date Re^ue/Date Received 2023-11-02-4- The charge current control signal may be dependent, at least in part, on a temperature of said battery. In a third aspect, this specification describes a non-combustible aerosol provision 5 system (e.g. for generating an aerosol from an aerosolisable material), the aerosol provision system comprising an apparatus including any of the features of the first aspect described above or configured to operate in accordance with any of the features of the second aspect described above. The aerosol provision system may be configured to receive a removable article comprising an aerosol generating material. 10 In a fourth aspect, this specification describes computer-readable instructions which, when executed by computing apparatus, cause the computing apparatus to perform any method as described with reference to the second aspect. 15 In a fifth aspect, this specification describes a kit of parts comprising an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol generating system, wherein the non-combustible aerosol generating system comprising an apparatus including any of the features of the first aspect described above or configured to operate in accordance with any of the features of the second aspect described above. The article may, for example, be a removable 20 article comprising an aerosol generating material. In a sixth aspect, this specification describes a computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: decouple a circuit from a battery of a non-combustible aerosol provision system in the event that 25 the battery voltage is below a first threshold level; generate a first control signal, the first control signal having a charge enable state and a charge disable state; and charge the battery unless the first control signal has the charge disable state. Brief Description of the Drawings 30 Example embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following schematic drawings, in which: FIG.1is a block diagram of a system in accordance with an example embodiment; FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an algorithm in accordance with an example 35 embodiment FIG. 3is a block diagram of a system in accordance with an example embodiment; 8888085 Date Re^ue/Date Received 2023-11-02-5- FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an algorithm in accordance with an example embodiment; FIG. 5is a flow chart showing an algorithm in accordance with an example embodiment; 5 FIG. 6is a block diagram of a circuit in accordance with an example embodiment; FIG. 7is a flow chart showing an algorithm in accordance with an example embodiment; FIG.8is a flow chart showing an algorithm in accordance with an example embodiment; io FIG.9isa block diagram of a circuit in accordancewith an exampleembodiment; and FIG. io is a block diagram of a non-combustible aerosol provision device in accordance with an example embodiment. Detailed Description 15 As used herein, the term “delivery system” is intended to encompass systems that deliver a substance to a user, and includes: combustible aerosol provision systems, such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, and tobacco for pipes or for roll-your-own or for make-your-own cigarettes (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco 20 substitutes or other smokable material); non-combustible aerosol provision systems that release compounds from an aerosolisable material without combusting the aerosolisable material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosolisable materials; 25 articles comprising aerosolisable material and configured to be used in one of these non-combustible aerosol provision systems; and aerosol-free delivery systems, such as lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and smokeless tobacco products such as snus and snuff, which deliver a material to a user without forming an aerosol, wherein the material may 30 or may not comprise nicotine. According to the present disclosure, a “combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosolisable material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is combusted or burned in order to facilitate deliveryto a user. 35 8888085 Date Re^ue/Date Received 2023-11-02-6- According to the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosolisable material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery to a user. In embodiments described herein, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol 5 provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system. In one embodiment, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosolisable material is not a 10 requirement. In one embodiment, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a tobacco heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. 15 In one embodiment, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosolisable materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosolisable materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosolisable material and a solid 20 aerosolisable material. The solid aerosolisable material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product. Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a noncombustible aerosol provision device and an article for use with the non-combustible 25 aerosol provision system. However, it is envisaged that articles which themselves comprise a means for powering an aerosol generating component may themselves form the non-combustible aerosol provision system. In one embodiment, the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise a 30 power source and a controller. The power source may be an electric powersource or an exothermic power source. In one embodiment, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in theform of heat to an aerosolisable material or heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source. In one embodiment, the power source, such as an exothermic power 35 source, is provided in the article so as to form the non-combustible aerosol provision. 8888085 Date Re^ue/Date Received 2023-11-02-TIn one embodiment, the article for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise an aerosolisable material, an aerosol generating component, an aerosol generating area, a mouthpiece, and/or an area for receiving aerosolisable material. 5 In one embodiment, the aerosol generating component is a heater capable of interacting with the aerosolisable material so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosolisable material to form an aerosol. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating component is capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosolisable 10 material without heating. For example, the aerosol generating component may be capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosolisable material without applying heat thereto, for example via one or more of vibrational, mechanical, pressurisation or electrostatic means. 15 In one embodiment, the aerosolisable material may comprise an active material, an aerosol forming material and optionally one or more functional materials. The active material may comprise nicotine (optionally contained in tobacco or a tobacco derivative) or one or more other non-olfactory physiologically active materials. A non¬ olfactory physiologically active material is a material which is included in the 20 aerosolisable material in order to achieve a physiological response other than olfactory perception. The aerosol forming material may comprise one or more of glycerine, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol,1,3-butylene 25 glycol, erythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate. The one or more functional materials may comprise one or more of flavours, carriers, 30 pH regulators, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants. In one embodiment, the article for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosolisable material or an area for receiving aerosolisable material. In one embodiment, the article for use with the non-combustible aerosol 35 provision device may comprise a mouthpiece. The area for receiving aerosolisable material maybe a storage area for storing aerosolisable material. For example, the 8888085 Date Re^ue/Date Received 2023-11-02-8- storage area may be a reservoir. In one embodiment, the area for receiving aerosolisable material may be separate from, or combined with, an aerosol generating area. 5 Aerosolisable material, which also may be referred to herein as aerosol generating material, is material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosolisable material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain nicotineand/or flavourants. In some embodiments, the aerosolisable material may comprise an 10 “amorphous solid”, which may alternatively be referred to as a “monolithicsolid” (i.e. non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid maybe a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. The aerosolisable material maybe present on a substrate. The substrate may, for 15 example, be or comprise paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, reconstituted aerosolisable material, a plastics material, a ceramic material, a composite material, glass, a metal, or a metal alloy. FIG.1is a block diagram of a system, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, 20 in accordance with an example embodiment. The system 10 comprises a battery 11, a charging unit 12, a circuit 13, a power supply 14, a protection module15 and a regulator16. The circuit 13 has a control module 17 (such as an MCU, CPU or some other processor). The protection module 15 maybe a 25 protection circuit module (PCM). The circuit 13 mayform part of a non-combustible aerosol provision system. The system 10 enables the control module17 to control charging of the battery11, such that the battery11can be used to power the circuit13 (and can be used to power the aerosol 30 provision system). The power supply14 may be an external power supply that may be temporarily connected to the charging unit 12 to enable charging of the batteiy 11. The power supply 14 maybe attached to the system 10 using a connector, such as a universal serial bus 35 (USB) connector. Many alternative connector arrangements and many other charging arrangements will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. 8888085 Date Re^ue/Date Received 2023-11-02-9- The charging unit 12 is configured to charge the battery11. The control module17 provides a control signal (charge_en) to the charging unit 12, wherein the control signal has a charge enable state and a charge disable state. As discussed in detail below, the 5 charging unit12 is configmed to charge the battery11unless the control signal is in the charge disable state. Thus, if the first control signal is “floating” (such that the first control signal has neither the charge enable state nor the charge disable state), then the charging unit12 is still configured to charge the battery 11. 10 The protection module15is provided to decouple the power source (the battery11) from the rest of the system 10 (in particular the circuit13) in certain defined conditions. These may include one or more of: an overvoltage condition, an undervoltage condition and an overcurrent condition. In one example embodiment, the protection module 15 decouples the circuit 13 from the battery 11in the event that the battery voltage is below 15 a first threshold voltage. This may be provided a safetyfeature, since using the battery 11to power an aerosol provision system when the batteryvoltage is too lowcan cause problems. The regulator16 provides a fixed voltage to part of the circuit13. For example, in one 20 example embodiment, the circuit13operatesat 2.5V, with that voltage being provided by the regulator 16. The first threshold voltage at which the protection module 15 decouples thebattery 11 from the circuit 13 may be set at about 2.5V. As a result of the decoupling, the rate at 25 which current from the battery will be drained will be reduced, thereby making it less likely that the battery will fall below a second threshold voltage below which the battery may be permanently decoupled from the circuit 13 (as discussed further below). Moreover, as noted above, the circuit13 may operate at 2.5V, thus if the battery voltage provided to the circuit 13 drops below 2.5V (or whatever the relevant operational 30 voltage is), then coupling the battery voltage to the circuit 13 may lead to unstable operation of the circuit. FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an algorithm, indicated generally by the reference numeral 20, in accordance with an example embodiment. The algorithm 20 maybe 35 implemented by the system 10 described above. 8888085 Date Re^ue/Date Received 2023-11-02- ioThe algorithm 20 starts at operation 22, where the circuit13 is selectively decoupled from the battery11of the system 10. Specifically, the circuit 13is decoupled (e.g. using the protection circuit 15) from the battery 11in the event that the battery voltage is belowa first threshold voltage level. 5 At operation 24, a first charge control signal is generated by the circuit 13(e.g. by the control module 17). As discussed above, the first control signal has a charge enable state and a charge disable state. However, in the event that the circuit is decoupled from the batteiy (and therefore not powered), the first control signal will be floating, such that 10 the first control signal has neither the charge enable state nor the charge disablestate. At operation 26, the battery 11is charged (using the charging unit 12) unless the first control signal has the charge disable state. Thus, if the first control signal has the charge enable state, or the first control signal is floating (as discussed above), then the 15 batteiy11 may be charged in the operation 26 (provided, of course, that a suitable charging arrangement, such as the power supply14, is provided). FIG. 3is a block diagram of a system, indicated generally by the reference numeral 30, in accordance with an example embodiment. The system 30 includes the charging unit 20 12and the control module17described above. The system 30 further comprises a resistor arrangement 32 provided between the charging unit 12 and the control module 17. The resistor arrangement 32 is configured to receive the first control signal (charge_en) from the control module17 and to receive a constant currentsource signal from the charging unit 12, e.g. from a temperature sense (TS) pin of the charging unit 25 12, as shown in FIG. 3. As discussed further below, the constant current source signal can be used to generate a voltage within the resistor arrangement 32 that is dependent on thefirst control signal (charge_en), that generated voltage being used, by the charging unit12, to determine whether to allow charging of the battery 11described above. 30 In the example system 30, the resistor arrangement 32 comprises: a first resistor 34 having a first terminal connected to the TS pin of the charging unit 12 (i.e. to the constant current source) and a second terminal connected to ground; and a second resistor 35 having a first terminal connected to the TS pin of the charging unit 12 (i.e. to 35 the constant current source) and a second terminal connected to the first control signal (charge_en). In one example implementation, the first resistor 34 has a resistance of 8888085 Date Re^ue/Date Received 2023-11-02-11- xokft and the second resistor 35 has a resistance of 330ft (of course, these resistors could have different values in alternative embodiments). FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an algorithm, indicated generally by the reference 5 numeral 40, in accordance with an example embodiment. The algorithm 40 may be implemented by the system 30 described above. The algorithm 40 starts at operation 41, where a constant current is output by the TS terminal of the charging unit 12. In one example embodiment, the constant current is 10 5opA. At operation 44, a voltage at the TS terminal of the charging unit 12 is determined. On the basis of the determined voltage, a determination is made regarding thestate of the charge_en control signal. It should be noted that there may not be a “determination” of 15 the state of the charge_en control signal; rather, action may occur simply based on the voltage generated across the resistor arrangement 32. In the example described above, if the charge_en signal is floating, then the 50pA current flows through the lokft resistor to ground, resulting in a voltage of soomV at 20 the TSpin of the charging unit12. This voltage is sufficient to enable the charging unit 12, such that the battery can be charged in the event that the circuit13is decoupled from the battery (see operation 22 above), such that the battery can be charged (see operation 26 above). 25 FIG. 5is a flow chart showing an algorithm, indicated generally by the reference numeral 50, in accordance with an example embodiment. The algorithm 50 is an example implementation of the operation 26 of the algorithm 20 described above. The algorithm 50 starts at operation 52, where a determination is made regarding 30 whether the state of the control signal (charge_en) received at the charging unit 12 from the control module17is in the charge disable state. If the control signal has the charge disable state, then the operation 52 is simply repeated; otherwise (if the control signal has the charge enable state or is floating), the algorithm moves to operation 54. As noted above, there may not be a “determination” of the state of the charge_en 35 control signal; rather, action may occur simply based on the voltage generated across the resistor arrangement 32. 8888085 Date Re^ue/Date Received 2023-11-02- 12- At operation 54, a charging current output by the charging unit12 to charge the battery 11is set.As described below, the charging current output by the charging unit 12 to charge the battery 11 maybe dependent, at least in part, on a charge current control 5 signalIset. The charging current output may be set in operation 54 to a default level in the absence of a charge current control signal (e.g.Iset).For example, the default level may be a low level (e.g. 70mA) that maybe used in a default condition. The default level may, for 10 example, be used if the control module17is decoupled from the battery 11. FIG. 6is a block diagram of a circuit, indicated generally by the reference numeral 60, in accordance with an example embodiment.The circuit 60 comprises the charging unit 12 described above, which charging unit includes an input pinIset.The voltage received 15 at the input pin Iset may be used to determine the charging current applied in the operation 26 of the algorithm 20. The voltage at the input pin Iset may be dependent on the state of two control signals: Iset and Iseti. Those control signals may be provided to a resistor arrangement 62. The 20 control signalsIsetand Iseti maybe provided bythe control module17, such that the control module 17 may set whether charging is enabled by setting the first control signal (charge_en) and, if charging is enabled, may set the charging level bysetting the control signals Iset and Iseti. Of course, as noted above, the control module17 maybe decoupled from the battery 11such that the control signals Iset and Iseti may, in some 25 circumstances, be floating. In one example embodiment, the charge current is set in the operation 26in accordance with the following logic: 30 • If Isetand Isetiare floating, the charge current is set to a low level (e.g. 70mA). This state may readily be detected by virtue of a grounded resistor 63 of the resistor arrangement 62. • If Isetis floating and Iseti is low, the charge current is set to a medium level (e.g. 175mA). 35 • If Isetis low and Isetiis floating, the charge current is set to a high level (e.g. 700mA). 8888085 Date Re<;ue/Date Received 2023-11-02-13- Of course the number of options described above, and the parameters (e.g. current levels) of those options are provided by way of example only; many variants are possible. 5 Alternatively, or in addition, to the algorithm 50, the charge current output may be dependent, at least in part, on a temperature of the battery 11. For example, a negative temperature coefficient resistor (NTC) maybe provided as part of a battery temperature monitoring algorithm. 10 FIG. 7is a flow chart showing an algorithm, indicated generally by the reference numeral 70, in accordance with an example embodiment. The algorithm 70 may, for example, be implemented by the control module17. 15 The algorithm 70 starts at operation 71, where a temperature of operation is determined (e.g. measured). For example, the operation 71 may determine the temperature of the battery 11. The operation 71 maybe implemented in many ways, for example using a thermocouple or an NTC resistor. 20 At operation 72 of the algorithm 70, it is determined whether the system 10 is being used to generate an aerosol. For example, a determination may be made regarding whether a user is activating the device (e.g. taking a puff). At operation 73 of the algorithm 70, a decision is taken regarding whether charging of 25 the battery11should be enabled or disabled. For example, if the temperature (e.g. of the battery) is high (as determined in operation 71), then charging may bedisabled. Alternatively, or in addition, if the system is generating an aerosol (as determined in operation 72), then charging may be disabled. Otherwise, charging of the battery may be enabled. Of course, other factors (instead of, or in addition to, one or more of the 30 factors discussed with reference to operations 71and 72) may be taken into account when determine whether or not to enable battery charging. If battery charging is disabled in the operation 73, then the first control signal discussed aboveis set to the charge disable state and the algorithm 70 terminates at operation 76. 35 If the battery charging is enabled in the operation 73, then said first control signal is set 8888085 Date Re^ue/Date Received 2023-11-02-14“ to the charge enable state and the algorithm 70 moves to operation 74, where the current charging level is set. The current charging level may be set in operation 74 in a number of ways (and may be 5 implemented by setting the control signals Iset and Iseti, as discussed above). For example, the current charging level may be dependent (at least in part) on the temperature of the battery 11. Alternatively, or in addition, the current charging level may be dependent on how long the charging process has been in operation (e.g. the charging level may increase over time). Other factors could also be taken into account. 10 FIG.8is a flow chart showing an algorithm, indicated generally by the reference numeral 80, in accordance with an example embodiment. The algorithm 80 starts at operation 82, where the circuit 13 (and hence the control 15 module17) is decoupled from the battery 11in the event that the battery voltage is belowa first threshold level (Ti). As discussed above, with the control circuit decoupled, it maystill be possible to charge the battery, such that the battery voltagelevel can rise about the first threshold level. At that stage, the circuit 13 may be coupled to the battery again and normal operation resumed. 20 At operation 84, the system 10 is disabled in the event that the battery voltage is below a second threshold (T2). Disabling the system may involve permanently decoupling the circuit13from said battery11when the battery voltage is below the second threshold level, wherein the second threshold level is lower than the first threshold level. The 25 protection module15 may be provided with a feature that prevents the battery11from being charged in the event that the battery voltage drops below the first threshold, even if a charging source (such as the power supply 14) is attached. It should be noted that although the algorithm 80 is shown with two separate 30 operations, the operations 82 and 84 may, in practice, be implemented at the same time. Moreover, the operations 82 and 84 may be implemented in an ongoing fashion. In one example embodiment, the operations 82 and 84 are implemented bythe protection module15 on the basis of the battery voltage. 35 FIG. 9is a block diagram of a circuit, indicated generally by the reference numeral 90, in accordance with an example embodiment. The circuit 90 includes a charging 8888085 Date Re^ue/Date Received 2023-11-02-15“ management module 92.The module 92 is an example of the charging module12 described above. The charging management module 92 includes a number of pins, some of which are 5 described below. A first pin (IN) is configured to receive a voltageVbus from a power supply (when connected). For example, the power supply14 described above may be selectively connectable to the first pin (IN). 10 A second pin (ISET) receives a current setting voltage. A resistor arrangement 93 (similar to the resistor arrangement 62 described above) converts control signals Iset and Iseti (as output, for example, by the control circuit 17) into the current setting voltage at the second pin ISET. 15 A ninth pin (TS) receives a charging control signal. A resistor arrangement 94 (similar to the resistor arrangement 32 described above) converts a charge_en control signal (as output, for example, by the control circuit 17) into the charging control signal. 20 A tenth pin (OUT) provides a charging current toa battery (such as the battery11 described above). FIG.10 is a block diagram of a non-combustible aerosol provision device, indicated generally by the reference numeral 100, in accordance with an example embodiment. 25 The device100 is a modular device, comprising a first part 101and a second part102. The first part 101of the device100 includes a control circuit 103 (which may include at least some of the charging unit 12, the circuit 13, the protection module 15, the regulator16 and the control module17 described above) and a battery104 (such as the 30 battery11described above). The second part102 of the device100 includesa heater 105 and a liquid reservoir 106. The first part 101includes a first connector 107a (such as a USB connector). The first connector107a may enable connection to be made to a power source (such as the power 35 source14 described above) for charging the battery104 (e.g. under the control of the control circuit 103). 8888085 Date Re<;ue/Date Received 2023-11-02-16- The first part 101also includes a second connector107b that can be removably connected to a first connector 108 of the second part 102. 5 In the use of the device 100, air is drawn into an air inlet of the heater 105, as indicated by the arrow no. The heater is used to heat the air (e.g. under the control of the circuit 103).The heated air is directed to the liquid reservoir 106, where an aerosol is generated. The aerosol exits the device at an air outlet, as indicated by the arrow 111 (for example into the mouth of a user of the device100). 10 Of course, the device 100 is provided by way of example only; many variants and alternatives are possible. The variousembodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding 15 and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representativesample of embodimentsonly, and are not exhaustiveand/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages,embodiments,examples,functions,features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be consideredlimitationson the scopeof theinvention as defined by the claimsor limitationson equivalents to the 20 claims, and that other embodimentsmaybe utilised and modificationsmaybe made without departingfrom the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components,features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure mayinclude 25 other inventions not presentlyclaimed, but which may be claimed in future. 8888085 Date Re^ue/Date Received 2023-11-02

Claims

Claims 1. An apparatus for a non-combustible aerosol provision system comprising: a charging unit configured to charge a battery of said aerosol provision system; 5 a circuit comprising a control module, wherein the control moduleoutputs a first control signal having a charge enable state and a charge disable state; and a protection module configured to decouple the circuit from said battery when the battery voltage is below a first threshold level, wherein: io thecharging unit is configured tocharge the battery unless thefirst control signal has the charge disable state; and the protection module is configured to prevent the battery from being charged when the battery voltage is below a second threshold level, wherein the second threshold level is lower than the first threshold level. 15 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protection circuit is configured to permanently decouple the circuit from said battery when the battery voltage is below the second threshold level. 20 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim1or claim 2, wherein the control module is configured to output a charge current control signal. 4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein a charging current output by the charging unit to charge the battery is dependent, at least in part, on the charge current 25 control signal. 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the charging current output is set to a default level in the absence of the charge current control signal. 30 6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claim 3to 5, wherein the charge current control signal is dependent, at least in part, on a temperature of said battery. 7. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims1to 6, wherein the control module is configured to set the first control signal to the charge enable state or the charge 35 disable state based, at least in part, on a determined temperature of said battery. AMENDED SHEETPCT/GB 2020/052 684 - 04.05.2021 -18- 8. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims i to 7, wherein the control module is configured to set the first control signal to the charge disable state when the apparatus is used to generate an aerosol. 59. An apparatusasclaimedin anyoneof claims1to8,furthercomprisinga resistor arrangement, wherein the resistor arrangement is configured to receive the first control signal from the control module and to receive a constant current source signal from the charging unit, wherein the constant current source signal generates a voltage within the resistor arrangement dependent on said first control signal, said io voltage being used, by said charging unit, to determine whetherto allowcharging of said batteiy. 10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the resistor arrangement comprises: 15 a first resistor having a first terminal configured to receive the constant current source signal and a second terminal connected to ground; and a second resistor having a first terminal configured to receive the constant current source signal and a second terminal configured to receive the first control signal. 20 11. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims1to10,further comprising a regulator configured to regulate an operational voltage provided to said circuit. 12. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims1to 11, wherein thecontrol 25 module is configured to control an aerosol generation circuit of said apparatus. 13. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims1to 12, further comprising said batteiy. 30 14. A non-combustible aerosol provision system comprising an apparatus as claimed in any one of claims1to 13- 15. A non-combustible aerosol provision system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the aerosol provision system is configured to receive a removable article comprising an 35 aerosol generating material. CA 03155610 2022-4-21 AMENDED SHEETPCT/GB 2020/052 684 - 04.05.2021 -19- 16. A method comprising: decoupling a circuit from a battery of a non-combustible aerosol provision system in the event that the battery voltage is below a first threshold level, wherein the circuit comprises a control module; 5 preventingthe batteiy from being charged when the batteiy voltage is below a second threshold level, wherein the second threshold level is lower than the first threshold level; using said control module to generate a first control signal, the first control signal having a charge enable state and a charge disable state; and io charging the batteiy unless thefirst control signal has thechargedisablestate. 17. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the control signal has neither the charge enable state nor the charge disable state in the event that the circuit is decoupled from the battery. 15 18. A method as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, further comprising permanently decoupling the circuit from said batteiy in the event that the batteiy voltage is below the second threshold level. 20 19. A method as claimed in anyone of claims16to18,further comprising: generating a voltage within a resistor arrangement dependent on said first control signal; and determining whether to charge the batteiydepending on said generated voltage. CA 03155610 2022-4-21 AMENDED SHEET