JP7594375B2 - Control unit of the aerosol generating device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a control unit for an aerosol generating device.

Patent Document 1 describes a non-combustion flavor inhaler that includes an atomization unit that atomizes an aerosol source without combustion, a battery that stores power to be supplied to the atomization unit, and a control unit that outputs a predetermined instruction to the battery to instruct the battery to keep the amount of aerosol atomized by the atomization unit within a desired range, and the control unit stops the supply of power from the battery to the atomization unit when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of power supply to the atomization unit.

Patent document 2 describes an inhalation device that includes an element configured to contribute to the generation of aerosol by consuming accumulated capacity, a sensor configured to detect a predetermined variable, a notification unit configured to notify a person inhaling the aerosol, and causes the notification unit to function when the capacity is less than a threshold value and the variable satisfies a predetermined condition for requesting the generation of aerosol.

Patent document 3 describes an electronic vapor supply device that includes a vaporizer that vaporizes a liquid for inhalation by a user of the device, a power source that supplies power to the vaporizer, a sensor that measures the air flow rate within the device as a result of inhalation by the user, and a control unit that repeatedly controls the power supplied to the vaporizer when the user inhales, and that measures the current air flow rate at each repetition during inhalation, updates the cumulative air flow rate by adding the current air flow rate measured by the sensor so far during inhalation, and controls the power supplied to the vaporizer based on the cumulative air flow rate updated at each repetition.

International Publication No. 2016/076147 Patent No. 6462965 Patent No. 6295347

It is desirable for an aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol that can be inhaled to be able to accurately determine the consumption state of the flavor source or aerosol source in order to provide a flavored aerosol to the user in a stable manner.

The object of the present invention is to accurately obtain the remaining or consumed amount of a flavor source or aerosol source in an aerosol generating device.

The control unit of an aerosol generating device of one embodiment of the present invention comprises a flow sensor that outputs the flow rate of inhalation by a user, and a processing device configured to be able to acquire an atomization command of the aerosol source by an atomizer, and the processing device is configured to control discharge from a power source to the atomizer based on the atomization command, acquire a flow rate per unit time in the suction corresponding to each of the atomization commands based on the output of the flow sensor, acquire an suction time which is the length of the suction corresponding to each of the atomization commands, acquire a residual amount which is the amount of the aerosol source that has been atomized by the atomizer and remains in the flow path through which the aerosol generated from the aerosol source flows based on the flow rate per unit time and the suction time, for each of the atomization commands, and acquire at least one of the remaining amount of a flavor source that adds flavor to the aerosol generated from the aerosol source and the consumption amount of the flavor source based on the remaining amount .

The control unit of an aerosol generating device of one embodiment of the present invention comprises a flow sensor that outputs the flow rate of inhalation by a user, and a processing device configured to be able to acquire an atomization command of the aerosol source by the atomizer, and the processing device is configured to selectively perform a first process of controlling discharge from a power source to the atomizer based on the atomization command, acquiring a flow rate per unit time in the inhalation corresponding to each of the atomization commands based on the output of the flow sensor, acquiring an inhalation time which is the length of the inhalation corresponding to each of the atomization commands, and acquiring at least one of the remaining amount of a flavor source that adds flavor to the aerosol generated from the aerosol source and the consumption amount of the flavor source based on the flow rate per unit time and the inhalation time, and a second process of acquiring at least one of the remaining amount of the flavor source and the consumption amount of the flavor source based on the discharge time .

The control unit of the aerosol generating device of one aspect of the present invention includes a processing device configured to be able to acquire an atomization command of the aerosol source by the atomizer, and the processing device is configured to control discharge from a power source to the atomizer based on the atomization command, acquire a residual amount, which is the amount of the aerosol source that is atomized by the atomizer and remains in a flow path through which the aerosol generated from the aerosol source flows, for each atomization command, and acquire information on at least one of the remaining amount of a flavor source that adds flavor to the aerosol generated from the aerosol source and the consumption amount of the flavor source based on the residual amount.

The control unit of the aerosol generating device of one aspect of the present invention includes a processing device configured to be able to acquire an atomization command for the aerosol source by the atomizer, and the processing device is configured to control discharge from a power source to the atomizer based on the atomization command, acquire a residual amount, which is the amount of the aerosol source that is atomized by the atomizer and remains in a flow path through which the aerosol generated from the aerosol source flows, for each atomization command, and acquire information on at least one of the remaining amount of the aerosol source and the consumption amount of the aerosol source based on the residual amount.

According to the present invention, the remaining amount or consumed amount of the flavor source or aerosol source of the aerosol generating device can be accurately obtained.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an aerosol generating device. FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a power supply unit in the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the hardware configuration of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the hardware configuration of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1 . 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1 . FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a power threshold _Pmax and an increase width ΔP. 9 is a schematic diagram showing atomization power supplied to a first load 21 in step S17 of FIG. 8 . FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing atomization power supplied to a first load 21 in step S19 of FIG. 8 . FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a table showing the relationship between the remaining amount of flavor components and the remaining amount of a reservoir. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the results of verifying the relationship between the cumulative discharge time and the cumulative value of the aerosol consumption amount. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of correcting a time during which atomization power is supplied to a first load; FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the results of verifying the relationship between the corrected cumulative discharge time and the cumulative value of the aerosol consumption amount. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the aerosol generation device 1 of the second modified example. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the aerosol generation device 1 of the second modified example. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the aerosol generation device 1 of the second modified example. 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams for explaining a modified example of a method for determining whether or not to notify replacement of the second cartridge 30. 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams for explaining a modified example of a method for determining whether or not to notify replacement of the first cartridge 30.

Below, an aerosol generating device 1, which is one embodiment of the aerosol generating device of the present invention, will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6.

(Aerosol generating device)
The aerosol generating device 1 is a device for generating an aerosol to which a flavor component is added without combustion and making it inhalable, and has a rod shape extending along a predetermined direction (hereinafter referred to as the longitudinal direction X) as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The aerosol generating device 1 includes a power supply unit 10, a first cartridge 20, and a second cartridge 30, which are provided in this order along the longitudinal direction X. The first cartridge 20 is detachable (in other words, replaceable) from the power supply unit 10. The second cartridge 30 is detachable (in other words, replaceable) from the first cartridge 20. As shown in Fig. 3, the first cartridge 20 is provided with a first load 21 and a second load 31. The overall shape of the aerosol generating device 1 is not limited to the shape in which the power supply unit 10, the first cartridge 20, and the second cartridge 30 are arranged in a line as shown in Fig. 1. Any shape, such as a substantially box shape, may be adopted as long as the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 are configured to be replaceable with respect to the power supply unit 10. Note that the second cartridge 30 may be detachable from the power supply unit 10 (in other words, replaceable).

(Power supply unit)
As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, the power supply unit 10 accommodates, inside a cylindrical power supply unit case 11, a power supply 12, a charging IC 55A, an MCU (Micro Controller Unit) 50, a DC/DC converter 51, an intake sensor 15, a temperature detection element T1 including a voltage sensor 52 and a current sensor 53, a temperature detection element T2 including a voltage sensor 54 and a current sensor 55, a first notification unit 45, and a second notification unit 46.

The power source 12 is a rechargeable secondary battery, an electric double layer capacitor, or the like, and is preferably a lithium ion secondary battery. The electrolyte of the power source 12 may be composed of one or a combination of a gel electrolyte, an electrolytic solution, a solid electrolyte, and an ionic liquid.

As shown in FIG. 5, the MCU 50 is connected to various sensor devices such as the intake sensor 15, the voltage sensor 52, the current sensor 53, the voltage sensor 54, and the current sensor 55, the DC/DC converter 51, the operation unit 14, the first notification unit 45, and the second notification unit 46, and performs various controls of the aerosol generating device 1.

The MCU 50 is mainly composed of a processor, and further includes a memory 50a composed of storage media such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) necessary for the operation of the processor and a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing various information. In this specification, a processor is specifically an electric circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

As shown in FIG. 4, a discharge terminal 41 is provided on the top portion 11a located at one end side (first cartridge 20 side) of the power supply unit case 11 in the longitudinal direction X. The discharge terminal 41 is provided so as to protrude from the upper surface of the top portion 11a toward the first cartridge 20, and is configured to be electrically connectable to each of the first load 21 and the second load 31 of the first cartridge 20.

In addition, an air supply section 42 that supplies air to the first load 21 of the first cartridge 20 is provided on the upper surface of the top section 11a near the discharge terminal 41.

The bottom portion 11b, which is located at the other end of the power supply unit case 11 in the longitudinal direction X (opposite the first cartridge 20), is provided with a charging terminal 43 that can be electrically connected to an external power supply (not shown). The charging terminal 43 is provided on the side of the bottom portion 11b, and can be connected to, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal or a microUSB terminal.

The charging terminal 43 may be a power receiving unit capable of contactlessly receiving power transmitted from an external power source. In such a case, the charging terminal 43 (power receiving unit) may be composed of a power receiving coil. The method of contactless power transmission (wireless power transfer) may be an electromagnetic induction type, a magnetic resonance type, or a combination of the electromagnetic induction type and the magnetic resonance type. The charging terminal 43 may also be a power receiving unit capable of contactlessly receiving power transmitted from an external power source. As another example, the charging terminal 43 may be connectable to a USB terminal or a microUSB terminal, and may have the above-mentioned power receiving unit.

The power supply unit case 11 has an operation unit 14 that can be operated by the user, which is provided on a side of the top portion 11a facing away from the charging terminal 43. More specifically, the operation unit 14 and the charging terminal 43 are in a point-symmetric relationship with respect to the intersection of a straight line connecting the operation unit 14 and the charging terminal 43 with the center line of the power supply unit 10 in the longitudinal direction X. The operation unit 14 is composed of a button-type switch, a touch panel, or the like. When a predetermined startup operation is performed by the operation unit 14 while the power supply unit 10 is in a power-off state, the operation unit 14 outputs a startup command for the power supply unit 10 to the MCU 50. When the MCU 50 receives this startup command, it starts up the power supply unit 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, an intake sensor 15 that detects a puff (inhalation) operation is provided near the operation unit 14. The power supply unit case 11 is provided with an air intake port (not shown) that takes in outside air. The air intake port may be provided around the operation unit 14 or around the charging terminal 43.

The intake sensor 15 is configured to output a value of the pressure (internal pressure) change inside the power supply unit 10 caused by the user's inhalation through the suction port 32 described below. The intake sensor 15 is, for example, a pressure sensor that outputs an output value (e.g., a voltage value or a current value) corresponding to the internal pressure that changes according to the flow rate of the fluid sucked from the air intake port toward the suction port 32 (i.e., the user's puffing action). The intake sensor 15 may output an analog value, or may output a digital value converted from the analog value.

The intake sensor 15 may have a built-in temperature sensor that detects the temperature (outside air temperature) of the environment in which the power supply unit 10 is placed in order to compensate for the detected pressure. The intake sensor 15 may be composed of a condenser microphone or the like instead of a pressure sensor.

When the puffing operation is performed and the output value of the inhalation sensor 15 becomes equal to or greater than the output threshold, the MCU 50 determines that an aerosol generation request (a command to atomize the aerosol source 22, described later) has been made, and when the output value of the inhalation sensor 15 subsequently falls below this output threshold, the MCU 50 determines that the aerosol generation request has ended. In addition, in the aerosol generating device 1, in order to prevent the first load 21 from overheating, etc., when the period during which the aerosol generation request is made (i.e., the inhalation period during which the user's inhalation operation continues) reaches an upper limit time t _upper (e.g., 2.4 seconds), the discharge for heating the first load 21 is stopped. Hereinafter, the length of the inhalation period is referred to as the inhalation time.

Instead of the intake sensor 15, the request to generate aerosol may be detected based on the operation of the operation unit 14. For example, when the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 14 to start inhaling the aerosol, the operation unit 14 may be configured to output a signal indicating a request to generate aerosol to the MCU 50.

A flow sensor (not shown, flow sensor 16, described below) is provided near the intake sensor 15 to detect the flow rate of the fluid sucked from the air intake port toward the suction port 32. Flow rate information output from the flow sensor 16 is input to the MCU 50. The flow sensor 16 may be one that outputs information on the flow rate per unit time (e.g., 1 second), or one that outputs information on the total flow rate during the period. In the following, the flow sensor 16 will be described as outputting information on the total flow rate during the suction period during which a request to generate aerosol is made (hereinafter referred to as flow rate per puff), but is not limited to this.

The charging IC 55A is disposed close to the charging terminal 43 and controls charging of the power input from the charging terminal 43 to the power source 12. The charging IC 55A may be disposed close to the MCU 50.

(First Cartridge)
As shown in FIG. 3, the first cartridge 20 includes, inside a cylindrical cartridge case 27, a reservoir 23 constituting a storage section for storing the aerosol source 22, a first load 21 constituting an atomizer that atomizes the aerosol source 22 to generate an aerosol, a wick 24 that draws the aerosol source 22 from the reservoir 23 to the position of the first load 21, an aerosol flow path 25 that constitutes a cooling passage for adjusting the particle size of the aerosol generated by atomizing the aerosol source 22 to a size suitable for inhalation, an end cap 26 that accommodates a part of the second cartridge 30, and a second load 31 provided on the end cap 26 for heating the second cartridge 30.

The reservoir 23 is partitioned to surround the aerosol flow path 25 and stores the aerosol source 22. The reservoir 23 may contain a porous body such as a resin web or cotton, and the porous body may be impregnated with the aerosol source 22. The reservoir 23 may not contain a porous body on the resin web or cotton, and may store only the aerosol source 22. The aerosol source 22 contains a liquid such as glycerin, propylene glycol, or water.

The wick 24 is a liquid holding member that draws the aerosol source 22 from the reservoir 23 to the position of the first load 21 by using capillary action. The wick 24 constitutes a holding portion that holds the aerosol source 22 supplied from the reservoir 23 in a position where the first load 21 can atomize the aerosol source 22. The wick 24 is made of, for example, glass fiber or porous ceramic.

The aerosol source 22 contained in the first cartridge 20 is held in each of the reservoir 23 and the wick 24, but in the following, the reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir , which is the remaining amount of the aerosol source 22 stored in the reservoir 23, is treated as the remaining amount of the aerosol source 22 contained in the first cartridge 20. The reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir is set to 100% when the first cartridge 20 is new, and decreases as aerosol generation (atomization of the aerosol source 22) is performed. The reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir is calculated by the MCU 50 and stored in the memory 50a of the MCU 50. In the following, the reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir may be simply referred to as the reservoir remaining amount.

The first load 21 atomizes the aerosol source 22 by heating the aerosol source 22 without combustion using power supplied from the power source 12 via the discharge terminal 41. In principle, the more power supplied from the power source 12 to the first load 21, the greater the amount of aerosol source that is atomized. The first load 21 is composed of an electric heating wire (coil) wound at a predetermined pitch.

The first load 21 may be an element that can generate an aerosol by heating the aerosol source 22 and atomizing it. The first load 21 is, for example, a heating element. Examples of the heating element include a heating resistor, a ceramic heater, and an induction heater.

The first load 21 has a correlation between temperature and electrical resistance. For example, the first load 21 has a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) characteristic, in which the electrical resistance increases with increasing temperature.

The aerosol flow path 25 is located downstream of the first load 21 and on the center line L of the power supply unit 10. The end cap 26 includes a cartridge storage section 26a that stores a portion of the second cartridge 30, and a communication passage 26b that connects the aerosol flow path 25 to the cartridge storage section 26a.

The second load 31 is embedded in the cartridge storage section 26a. The second load 31 heats the second cartridge 30 (more specifically, the flavor source 33 contained therein) stored in the cartridge storage section 26a with power supplied from the power source 12 via the discharge terminal 41. The second load 31 is formed, for example, of an electric heating wire (coil) wound at a predetermined pitch.

The second load 31 may be any element capable of heating the second cartridge 30. The second load 31 may be, for example, a heating element. Examples of heating elements include a heating resistor, a ceramic heater, and an induction heater.

The second load 31 has a correlation between temperature and electrical resistance. For example, the second load 31 has a PTC characteristic.

(Second Cartridge)
The second cartridge 30 stores a flavor source 33. The second cartridge 30 is heated by the second load 31, and the flavor source 33 is heated. The second cartridge 30 is detachably housed in a cartridge housing portion 26a provided in the end cap 26 of the first cartridge 20. The end of the second cartridge 30 opposite to the first cartridge 20 side is a mouthpiece 32 for the user. The mouthpiece 32 is not limited to being integrally and inseparably formed with the second cartridge 30, and may be detachably formed with the second cartridge 30. By forming the mouthpiece 32 separately from the power supply unit 10 and the first cartridge 20 in this way, the mouthpiece 32 can be kept hygienic.

The second cartridge 30 adds flavor components to the aerosol by passing the aerosol generated by atomizing the aerosol source 22 by the first load 21 through the flavor source 33. The raw material pieces constituting the flavor source 33 may be cut tobacco or a molded product obtained by molding tobacco raw material into particles. The flavor source 33 may be made of plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint, Chinese medicine, herbs, etc.). A flavoring such as menthol may be added to the flavor source 33.

In the aerosol generating device 1, the aerosol source 22 and the flavor source 33 can generate an aerosol to which a flavor component has been added. In other words, the aerosol source 22 and the flavor source 33 constitute an aerosol generating source that generates an aerosol.

The aerosol generation source in the aerosol generating device 1 is a part that is replaced and used by the user. This part is provided to the user as a set, for example, of one first cartridge 20 and one or more (e.g., five) second cartridges 30. Note that the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 may be integrated to form a single cartridge.

In the aerosol generating device 1 configured in this manner, as shown by arrow B in FIG. 3, air flowing in from an inlet (not shown) provided in the power supply unit case 11 passes through the vicinity of the first load 21 of the first cartridge 20 from the air supply unit 42. The first load 21 atomizes the aerosol source 22 drawn from the reservoir 23 by the wick 24. The atomized aerosol flows through the aerosol flow path 25 together with the air flowing in from the inlet, and is supplied to the second cartridge 30 via the communication passage 26b. The aerosol supplied to the second cartridge 30 passes through the flavor source 33 to have flavor components added, and is then supplied to the mouthpiece 32.

The aerosol generating device 1 is also provided with a first notification section 45 and a second notification section 46 that notify the user of various information (see FIG. 5). The first notification section 45 is for notifying the user through the tactile sense, and is configured with a vibration element such as a vibrator. The second notification section 46 is for notifying the user through the visual sense, and is configured with a light-emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). As a notification section for notifying various information, a sound output element may be further provided for notifying the user through the auditory sense. The first notification section 45 and the second notification section 46 may be provided in any of the power supply unit 10, the first cartridge 20, and the second cartridge 30, but are preferably provided in the power supply unit 10. For example, the periphery of the operation section 14 is configured to be translucent and emit light by a light-emitting element such as an LED.

(Power supply unit details)
5, when the first cartridge 20 is attached to the power supply unit 10, the DC/DC converter 51 is connected between the first load 21 and the power supply 12. The MCU 50 is connected between the DC/DC converter 51 and the power supply 12. When the first cartridge 20 is attached to the power supply unit 10, the second load 31 is connected between the MCU 50 and the DC/DC converter 51. In this way, when the first cartridge 20 is attached to the power supply unit 10, the series circuit of the DC/DC converter 51 and the first load 21 and the second load 31 are connected in parallel to the power supply 12.

The DC/DC converter 51 is a boost circuit capable of boosting the input voltage, and is configured to be able to supply the boosted input voltage or the input voltage to the first load 21. The DC/DC converter 51 can adjust the power supplied to the first load 21, so that the amount of the aerosol source 22 atomized by the first load 21 can be controlled. For example, a switching regulator that converts the input voltage to a desired output voltage by controlling the on/off time of a switching element while monitoring the output voltage can be used as the DC/DC converter 51. When a switching regulator is used as the DC/DC converter 51, the input voltage can be output as is without boosting it by controlling the switching element.

The processor of the MCU 50 is configured to acquire the temperature of the flavor source 33 and the temperature of the second load 31 in order to control the discharge to the second load 31. The processor of the MCU 50 is also preferably configured to acquire the temperature of the first load 21. The temperature of the first load 21 can be used to prevent overheating of the first load 21 or the aerosol source 22, and to precisely control the amount of the aerosol source 22 atomized by the first load 21.

The voltage sensor 52 measures and outputs the voltage value applied to the second load 31. The current sensor 53 measures and outputs the current value flowing through the second load 31. The outputs of the voltage sensor 52 and the current sensor 53 are each input to the MCU 50. The processor of the MCU 50 obtains the resistance value of the second load 31 based on the outputs of the voltage sensor 52 and the current sensor 53, and obtains the temperature of the second load 31 according to this resistance value. The temperature of the second load 31 does not strictly match the temperature of the flavor source 33 heated by the second load 31, but can be considered to be approximately the same as the temperature of the flavor source 33.

If a constant current is applied to the second load 31 when the resistance value of the second load 31 is obtained, the current sensor 53 is not required in the temperature detection element T1. Similarly, if a constant voltage is applied to the second load 31 when the resistance value of the second load 31 is obtained, the voltage sensor 52 is not required in the temperature detection element T1.

Also, as shown in FIG. 6, instead of the temperature detection element T1, the first cartridge 20 may be provided with a temperature detection element T3 for detecting the temperature of the second cartridge 30 or the second load 31. The temperature detection element T3 is configured, for example, by a thermistor disposed near the second cartridge 30 or the second load 31. In the configuration of FIG. 6, the processor of the MCU 50 obtains the temperature of the second load 31 or the temperature of the second cartridge 30, in other words the temperature of the flavor source 33, based on the output of the temperature detection element T3.

As shown in FIG. 6, by acquiring the temperature of the flavor source 33 using the temperature detection element T3, it is possible to acquire the temperature of the flavor source 33 more accurately than acquiring the temperature of the flavor source 33 using the temperature detection element T1 of FIG. 5. The temperature detection element T3 may be configured to be mounted on the second cartridge 30. According to the configuration shown in FIG. 6 in which the temperature detection element T3 is mounted on the first cartridge 20, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the second cartridge 30, which is the cartridge that is most frequently replaced in the aerosol generating device 1.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the temperature of the flavor source 33 is obtained using the temperature detection element T1, the temperature detection element T1 can be provided in the power supply unit 10, which is replaced least frequently in the aerosol generating device 1. This allows the manufacturing costs of the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 to be reduced.

The voltage sensor 54 measures and outputs the voltage value applied to the first load 21. The current sensor 55 measures and outputs the current value flowing through the first load 21. The outputs of the voltage sensor 54 and the current sensor 55 are input to the MCU 50. The processor of the MCU 50 obtains the resistance value of the first load 21 based on the outputs of the voltage sensor 54 and the current sensor 55, and obtains the temperature of the first load 21 according to this resistance value. Note that if a constant current is passed through the first load 21 when obtaining the resistance value of the first load 21, the current sensor 55 is not required in the temperature detection element T2. Similarly, if a constant voltage is applied to the first load 21 when obtaining the resistance value of the first load 21, the voltage sensor 54 is not required in the temperature detection element T2.

(MCU)
Next, a description will be given of the functions of the MCU 50. The MCU 50 includes a temperature detection unit, a power control unit, and a notification control unit as functional blocks that are realized by the processor executing a program stored in the ROM.

The temperature detection unit acquires the temperature of the flavor source 33 based on the output of the temperature detection element T1 (or the temperature detection element T3). The temperature detection unit also acquires the temperature of the first load 21 based on the output of the temperature detection element T2.

The notification control unit controls the first notification unit 45 and the second notification unit 46 to notify various information. For example, the notification control unit controls at least one of the first notification unit 45 and the second notification unit 46 to issue a notification encouraging replacement of the second cartridge 30 in response to detection of the timing to replace the second cartridge 30. The notification control unit is not limited to a notification encouraging replacement of the second cartridge 30, and may also issue a notification encouraging replacement of the first cartridge 20, a notification encouraging replacement of the power source 12, a notification encouraging charging of the power source 12, etc.

The power control unit controls the discharge from the power source 12 to at least the first load 21 of the first load 21 and the second load 31 (the discharge required to heat the load) in response to a signal indicating an aerosol generation request output from the intake sensor 15. In other words, the power control unit performs at least the first discharge of the first discharge from the power source 12 to the first load 21 for atomizing the aerosol source 22 and the second discharge from the power source 12 to the second load 31 for heating the flavor source 33.

In this way, in the aerosol generating device 1, it is possible to heat the flavor source 33 by discharging electricity to the second load 31. It has been experimentally found that in order to increase the amount of flavor components added to the aerosol, it is effective to increase the amount of aerosol generated from the aerosol source 22 and to increase the temperature of the flavor source 33.

Therefore, the power control unit controls the discharge for heating from the power source 12 to the first load 21 and the second load 31 based on information on the temperature of the flavor source 33 so that the unit flavor amount (flavor component amount W _flavor described below), which is the amount of flavor component added to the aerosol generated for each aerosol generation request, converges to the target amount. This target amount is a value that can be determined appropriately, but for example, a target range of the unit flavor amount may be determined appropriately and the median value of this target range may be set as the target amount. In this way, by converging the unit flavor amount (flavor component amount W _flavor ) to the target amount, it is possible to converge the unit flavor amount to a target range with a certain degree of width. Note that weight may be used as the unit of the unit flavor amount, the flavor component amount W _flavor , and the target amount.

In addition, the power control unit controls the discharge for heating from the power source 12 to the second load 31 so that the temperature of the flavor source 33 converges to a target temperature (the target temperature T _{cap_target} described below) based on the output of the temperature detection element T1 (or the temperature detection element T3), which outputs information regarding the temperature of the flavor source 33.

(Various parameters used in aerosol generation)
Before proceeding to a description of the specific operation of the MCU 50, various parameters used in the discharge control for generating aerosol will be described below.

The weight [mg] of the aerosol generated in the first cartridge 20 by one inhalation action by the user is described as the aerosol weight W _aerosol . The power required to be supplied to the first load 21 to generate this aerosol is described as the atomization power P _liquid . Assuming that the aerosol source 22 is sufficiently present, the aerosol weight W _aerosol is proportional to the atomization power P _liquid and the supply time t _sense of the atomization power P _liquid to the first load 21 (in other words, the energization time or discharge time to the first load 21). Therefore, the aerosol weight W _aerosol can be modeled by the following formula (1). α in formula (1) is a coefficient obtained experimentally. Note that the supply time t _sense is set to the upper limit value of the upper limit time t _upper described above. In addition, the following formula (1) may be replaced with formula (1A). In formula (1A), a positive intercept b is introduced into formula (1). This is an optional term that can be introduced in consideration of the fact that a part of the atomization power P _liquid is used to heat the aerosol source 22 before atomization in the aerosol source 22. The intercept b can also be experimentally determined.

The weight [mg] of the flavor component contained in the flavor source 33 when n _puffs (n _puff is a natural number equal to or greater than 0) have been inhaled is referred to as the remaining amount of flavor component W _capsule (n _puff ). The remaining amount of flavor component contained in the flavor source 33 of the second cartridge 30 in a brand new state (W _capsule (n _puff =0)) is also referred to as W _initial . Information on the temperature of the flavor source 33 is referred to as the capsule temperature parameter T _capsule . The weight [mg] of the flavor component added to the aerosol passing through the flavor source 33 by one inhalation action by the user is referred to as the amount of flavor component W _flavor . The information on the temperature of the flavor source 33 is, for example, the temperature of the flavor source 33 and the temperature of the second load 31 acquired based on the output of the temperature detection element T1 (or the temperature detection element T3). Hereinafter, the remaining amount of _flavor components W _capsule (n _puff ) may be _simply referred to as the remaining amount of flavor components.

It has been experimentally found that the amount of flavor components W _flavor depends on the remaining amount of flavor components W _capsule (n _puff ), the capsule temperature parameter T _capsule , and the aerosol weight W _aerosol . Therefore, the amount of flavor components W _flavor can be modeled by the following equation (2).

After each puff, the remaining flavor component amount W _capsule (n _puff ) decreases by the flavor component amount W _flavor . Therefore, the remaining flavor component amount W _capsule (n _puff ) when n _puff is 1 or more, that is, the remaining flavor component amount after one or more puffs, can be modeled by the following equation (3).

In formula (2), β is a coefficient indicating the proportion of the flavor component contained in the flavor source 33 that is added to the aerosol in one puff, and is determined experimentally. γ in formula (2) and δ in formula (3) are each coefficients determined experimentally. During the period in which one puff is performed, the capsule temperature parameter T _capsule and the remaining amount of flavor component W _capsule (n _puff ) may vary, but in this model, γ and δ are introduced to treat them as constant values.

(Operation of the aerosol generating device)
7 and 8 are flow charts for explaining the operation of the aerosol generating device 1 in Fig. 1. When the aerosol generating device 1 is started (powered ON) by operating the operating unit 14 or the like (step S0: YES), the MCU 50 judges whether aerosol has been generated (whether the user has inhaled at least once) after the power has been turned ON or after the second cartridge 30 has been replaced (step S1).

For example, the MCU 50 has a built-in puff number counter that counts up n _puff from an initial value (e.g., 0) every time inhalation (aerosol generation request) is performed. The count value of this puff number counter is stored in the memory 50a. The MCU 50 refers to this count value to determine whether or not inhalation has been performed at least once.

If it is the first inhalation after the power is turned on or before the first inhalation after the second cartridge 30 is replaced (step S1: NO), the flavor source 33 has not yet been heated or has not been heated for a while, and the temperature of the flavor source 33 is likely to depend on the external environment. Therefore, in this case, the MCU 50 acquires the temperature of the flavor source 33 acquired based on the output of the temperature detection element T1 (or the temperature detection element T3) as the capsule temperature parameter T _capsule , sets this acquired temperature of the flavor source 33 as the target temperature T _{cap_target} of the flavor source 33, and stores it in the memory 50a (step S2).

When the determination in step S1 is NO, the temperature of the flavor source 33 is likely to be close to the outside air temperature or the temperature of the power supply unit 10. Therefore, in step S2, as a modified example, the outside air temperature or the temperature of the power supply unit 10 may be acquired as a capsule temperature parameter T _capsule and set as the target temperature T _{cap_target} .

The outside air temperature is preferably obtained, for example, from a temperature sensor built into the intake sensor 15. The temperature of the power supply unit 10 is preferably obtained, for example, from a temperature sensor built into the MCU 50 to manage the temperature inside the MCU 50. In this case, both the temperature sensor built into the intake sensor 15 and the temperature sensor built into the MCU 50 function as elements that output information regarding the temperature of the flavor source 33.

As described above, the aerosol generating device 1 controls the discharge from the power source 12 to the second load 31 so that the temperature of the flavor source 33 converges to the target temperature T _{cap_target} . Therefore, after one inhalation is performed after the power is turned on or after the second cartridge 30 is replaced, the temperature of the flavor source 33 is likely to be close to the target temperature T _{cap_target} . Therefore, in this case (step S1: YES), the MCU 50 acquires the target temperature T _{cap_target} stored in the memory 50a used in the previous aerosol generation as the capsule temperature parameter T _capsule , and sets this as the target temperature T _{cap_target} (step S3). In this case, the memory 50a functions as an element that outputs information regarding the temperature of the flavor source 33.

In step S3, the MCU 50 may obtain the temperature of the flavor source 33 obtained based on the output of the temperature detecting element T1 (or the temperature detecting element T3) as a capsule temperature parameter T _capsule , and set the obtained temperature of the flavor source 33 as a target temperature T _{cap_target} of the flavor source 33. In this way, the capsule temperature parameter T _capsule can be obtained more accurately.

After step S2 or S3, the MCU 50 determines the aerosol weight W aerosol required to achieve the target amount of flavor components W _flavor by calculating _formula (4) based on the set target temperature T _{cap_target} and the current remaining amount of flavor components W _capsule (n _puff ) of the flavor source 33 (step S4). Formula (4) is a modification of formula (2) in which T _capsule is set to T _{cap_target} .

Next, the MCU 50 determines the atomization power P _liquid required to realize the aerosol weight W _aerosol determined in step S4 by calculating equation (1) in which t _sense is the upper limit time t _upper (step S5).

A table that associates combinations of the target temperature _{Tcap_target} and the remaining amount _Wcapsule ( _npuff ) of flavor components with the atomization power _Pliquid may be stored in the memory 50a of the MCU 50, and the MCU 50 may determine the atomization power _Pliquid using this table. This allows the atomization power _Pliquid to be determined quickly and with low power consumption.

In the aerosol generating device 1, as described later, if the temperature of the flavor source 33 has not yet reached the target temperature at the time when a request for generating aerosol is detected, the shortage of the amount of flavor component W _flavor is compensated for by increasing the weight of aerosol W _aerosol (increasing the atomization power). In order to secure this increase in the atomization power, it is necessary to make the atomization power determined in step S5 lower than the upper limit P _upper of the power that can be supplied to the first load 21, which is determined by the hardware configuration.

Specifically, after step S5, the MCU 50 sets a power threshold P _max lower than the upper limit P _upper (step S6a). If the atomization power P _liquid determined in step S5 exceeds this power threshold P _max (step S6: NO), the MCU 50 increases the target temperature T _{cap _ target} of the flavor source 33 (step S7) and returns the process to step S4. As can be seen from formula (4), by increasing the target temperature T _{cap _ target} , the aerosol weight W _aerosol required to achieve the target flavor component amount W _flavor can be reduced. As a result, the atomization power P _liquid determined in step S5 can be reduced. By repeating steps S4 to S7, the MCU 50 can change the determination in step S6, which was initially determined as NO, to YES, and move the process to step S8.

The power threshold _Pmax may be a single fixed value, but is preferably a variable value. Specifically, the power threshold _Pmax is set to any one of a plurality of values. As described above, the atomization power determined in step S5 is determined on the premise that the aerosol source 22 (reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir ) is sufficiently large. However, even if the atomization power is the same, when the reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir is large and when the reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir is small, the amount of the aerosol source ₂₂ supplied to the wick 24 is smaller, or it takes time for a sufficient amount of the aerosol source 22 to be held in the wick 24, so there is a possibility that the desired aerosol weight cannot be realized. In other words, when the reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir is small, there is a possibility that the required aerosol weight cannot be realized. Therefore, it is preferable to increase the target temperature of the flavor source 33 accordingly to reduce the required aerosol weight.

From this viewpoint, in step S6a, the MCU 50 acquires the reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir and sets the power threshold P _max based on this reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir . Specifically, the MCU 50 sets the power threshold P max to a larger value so that the aerosol weight increases as the reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir increases. In other words, when the reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir is the first remaining amount, the MCU 50 sets the power threshold P _max to a smaller value than when the reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir is the second remaining amount (e.g., a remaining amount greater than the first remaining _amount ) that is different from the first remaining amount. In this way, the atomization power supplied to the first load 21 can be adjusted based on the reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir . Therefore, it is possible to realize the target amount of flavor components regardless of the remaining amount W _reservoir .

The upper limit value P _upper will be described. During discharge from the power source 12 to the first load 21, the current flowing through the first load 21 and the voltage of the power source 12 are written as I and V _LIB , respectively, the upper limit value of the boost rate of the DC/DC converter 51 is written as η _upper , the upper limit value of the output voltage of the DC/DC converter 51 is written as P _{DC/DC_upper} , and the electrical resistance value of the first load 21 in a state in which the temperature of the first load 21 has reached the boiling point temperature of the aerosol source 22 is written as R _HTR (T _HTR =T _B.P. ). When written in this way, the upper limit value P _upper can be expressed by the following formula (5).

In formula (5), Δ=0 is the ideal value of the upper limit value P _upper . However, in an actual circuit, it is necessary to take into consideration the resistance component of the conductor connected to the first load 21 and resistance components other than the resistance component connected to the first load 21. For this reason, an adjustment value Δ is introduced in formula (5) to provide a certain degree of margin.

In addition, the DC/DC converter 51 is not essential and may be omitted in the aerosol generation device 1. When the DC/DC converter 51 is omitted, the upper limit value P _upper can be expressed by the following formula (6).

If the atomization power P _liquid determined in step S5 is equal to or less than the power threshold P _max (step S6: YES), the MCU 50 obtains the current temperature T _{cap_sense} of the flavor source 33 based on the output of the temperature detection element T1 (or the temperature detection element T3) (step S8).

Then, the MCU 50 controls the discharge to the second load 31 to heat the second load 31 based on the temperature T cap _{_sense} and the target temperature T cap _{_target} (step S9). Specifically, the MCU 50 performs power supply to the second load 31 by PID (Proportional-Integral-Differential) control or ON/OFF control so that the temperature T _{cap _sense} converges to the target temperature T _{cap _target} .

PID control feeds back the difference between the temperature T _{cap _sense} and the target temperature T _{cap _target} , and performs power control based on the feedback result so that the temperature T _{cap _sense} converges to the target temperature T _{cap _target} . According to the PID control, the temperature T _{cap _sense} can be converged to the target temperature T _{cap _target} with high accuracy. Note that the MCU 50 may use P (Proportional) control or PI (Proportional-Integral) control instead of PID control.

The ON/OFF control is a control that supplies power to the second load 31 when the temperature T _{cap_sense} is lower than the target temperature T _{cap_target} , and stops the power supply to the second load 31 until the temperature T _{cap_sense} becomes lower than the target temperature T _{cap_target} when the temperature T _{cap_sense} is equal to or higher than the target temperature T _{cap_target} . The ON/OFF control can increase the temperature of the flavor source 33 faster than the PID control. Therefore, it is possible to increase the possibility that the temperature T _{cap_sense} will reach the target temperature T _{cap_target} before a request for generating an aerosol, which will be described later, is detected. The target temperature T _{cap_target} may have hysteresis.

After step S9, the MCU 50 determines whether or not there is a request to generate aerosol (step S10). If the MCU 50 does not detect a request to generate aerosol (step S10: NO), the MCU 50 determines the length of time during which no request to generate aerosol has been made (hereinafter referred to as no-operation time) in step S11. If the no-operation time has reached a predetermined time (step S11: YES), the MCU 50 ends discharging to the second load 31 (step S12) and transitions to a sleep mode in which power consumption is reduced (step S13). If the no-operation time is less than the predetermined time (step S11: NO), the MCU 50 transitions to step S8.

When the MCU 50 detects a request to generate an aerosol (step S10: YES), it ends the discharge to the second load 31 and acquires the temperature T _{cap_sense} of the flavor source 33 at that time based on the output of the temperature detection element T1 (or the temperature detection element T3) (step S14).Then, the MCU 50 determines whether the temperature T _{cap_sense} acquired in step S14 is equal to or higher than the target temperature T _{cap_target} (step S15).

If the temperature T _{cap _ sense} is lower than the target temperature T _{cap _ target} (step S15: NO), the MCU 50 increases the atomization power P _liquid determined in step S5 to compensate for the decrease in the amount of flavor components caused by insufficient temperature of the flavor source 33. Specifically, the MCU 50 first determines an increase width ΔP of the atomization power based on the remaining reservoir amount W _reservoir (step S19a), and supplies the atomization power P _liquid ′ obtained by adding this increase width ΔP to the atomization power P _liquid determined in step S5 to the first load 21 to start heating the first load 21 (step S19).

The increase amount ΔP is a variable value according to the remaining amount W _reservoir , but may be a single fixed value. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a combination of the power threshold P _max and the increase amount ΔP.

In the example of Fig. 9, the increase width ΔP is a constant value P1 when the reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH1, and is smaller than the value P1 when the reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2 and less than the threshold value TH1. Specifically, in the range in which the reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2 and less than the threshold value TH1, the smaller the reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir is, the smaller the increase width ΔP is. In the example of Fig. 9, the power threshold P _max is a constant value P2 when the reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH1, and is smaller than the value P2 when the reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2 and less than the threshold value TH1. Specifically, in the range where the remaining amount of the reservoir W _reservoir is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2 and less than the threshold value TH1, the smaller the remaining amount of the reservoir W _reservoir is, the smaller the power threshold value _Pmax is. The sum of the power threshold value _Pmax and the increase width ΔP corresponding to each remaining amount _{of the reservoir} W reservoir is equal to or less than the _upper limit value _Pupper . The sum of the values P1 and P2 is the same as the upper limit value Pupper. The sum of the values P1 and P2 may be less than the upper limit value Pupper.

The threshold value TH2 shown in FIG. 9 is a value smaller than the threshold value TH1, and is used to make a decision to suppress discharge for heating the first load 21. Suppressing discharge for heating the first load 21 means prohibiting discharge to the first load 21, or setting the power that can be discharged to the first load 21 lower than the minimum value of power supplied to the first load 21 for heating the first load 21 in response to an aerosol generation request.

For example, when the remaining reservoir capacity W _reservoir acquired in step S6a is less than the threshold value TH2, the MCU 50 performs control to prohibit discharge from the power source 12 to the first load 21, in other words, control to suppress discharge from the power source 12 to the first load 21 more than when the remaining reservoir capacity W _reservoir is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2, and further performs control to notify the replacement of the first cartridge 20.

Alternatively, for example, when the reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir updated in step S24a described later is less than the threshold value TH2, the MCU 50 may perform control to prohibit discharge from the power source 12 to the first load 21, and may further perform control to cause a replacement notification of the first cartridge 20 to be issued. When the replacement notification of the first cartridge 20 is issued, the MCU 50 resets the reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir stored in the memory 50a to 100%.

In step S15, if the temperature T _{cap_sense} is equal to or higher than the target temperature T _{cap_target} (step S15: YES), the MCU 50 supplies the atomization power P _liquid determined in step S5 to the first load 21 to start heating the first load 21 and generate an aerosol (step S17).

After starting heating of the first load 21 in step S19 or step S17, if the aerosol generation request has not ended (step S18: NO), and if the duration of the aerosol generation request is less than the upper limit time t _upper (step S18a: YES), the MCU 50 continues heating of the first load 21. If the duration of the aerosol generation request reaches the upper limit time t _upper (step S18a: NO) or if the aerosol generation request has ended (step S18: YES), the MCU 50 stops the power supply to the first load 21 (step S21).

The MCU 50 may control the heating of the first load 21 in steps S17 and S19 based on the output of the temperature detection element T2. For example, if the MCU 50 executes PID control or ON/OFF control with the boiling point of the aerosol source 22 as the target temperature based on the output of the temperature detection element T2, it is possible to prevent the first load 21 and the aerosol source 22 from overheating, and to precisely control the amount of the aerosol source 22 atomized by the first load 21.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the atomization power supplied to the first load 21 in step S17 in Fig. 8. Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the atomization power supplied to the first load 21 in step S19 in Fig. 8. As shown in Fig. 11, when the temperature T _{cap_sense} has not reached the target temperature T _{cap_target} at the time when the aerosol generation request is detected, the atomization power P _liquid is increased and then supplied to the first load 21.

In this way, even if the temperature of the flavor source 33 has not reached the target temperature at the time when the aerosol generation request is made, the amount of aerosol generated can be increased by performing the process of step S19. As a result, the decrease in the amount of flavor components added to the aerosol caused by the temperature of the flavor source 33 being lower than the target temperature can be compensated for by increasing the amount of aerosol. Therefore, the amount of flavor components added to the aerosol can be converged to the target amount. In addition, the increase width ΔP of the atomization power increased in step S19 is a value based on the remaining amount W _reservoir . Even when the atomization power is increased in step S19, the smaller the remaining amount W _reservoir is, the smaller the increase width ΔP is, so that an appropriate amount of aerosol according to the remaining amount W _reservoir can be generated. As a result, the generation of aerosol having an unintended flavor caused by supplying more power than necessary for the remaining amount W _reservoir can be suppressed.

On the other hand, if the temperature of the flavor source 33 has reached the target temperature at the time a request to generate aerosol is made, the desired amount of aerosol required to achieve the target amount of flavor components is generated by the atomization power determined in step S5. Therefore, the amount of flavor components added to the aerosol can be converged to the target amount.

After step S21, if the aerosol generation request continues, the MCU 50 waits for the aerosol generation request to end before performing the process of step S22. In step S22, the MCU 50 acquires the supply time t _sense of the atomization power supplied to the first load 21 in step S17 or step S19. Note that if the MCU 50 detects the aerosol generation request beyond the upper limit time t _upper , the supply time t _sense becomes equal to the upper limit time t _upper . Furthermore, the MCU 50 advances the puff number counter by "1" (step S23).

The MCU 50 updates the remaining amount W _capsule (n puff ) of the flavor component in the flavor source 33 based on the supply time t _sense acquired in step S22, the atomization power supplied to the first load 21 in response to the aerosol generation request _, and the target temperature T _{cap_target} at the time the aerosol generation request is detected (step S24).

10 is performed, the amount of flavor component added to the aerosol generated from the start to the end of the aerosol generation request can be calculated by the following formula (7). (t _end -t _start ) in formula (7) indicates the supply time t _sense . The remaining amount of flavor component W _capsule (n _puff ) in formula (7) is a value at the time point immediately before the aerosol generation request is made.

11 is performed, the amount of flavor component added to the aerosol generated from the start to the end of the aerosol generation request can be calculated by the following formula (7A). (t _end -t _start ) in formula (7A) indicates the supply time t _sense . The remaining amount of flavor component W _capsule (n _puff ) in formula (7A) is a value at the time point immediately before the aerosol generation request is made.

The W _flavor thus determined for each aerosol generation request is stored in memory 50a, and past W _flavor values, including the W _flavor at the current aerosol generation and the W _flavor at the aerosol generation before the previous one, are substituted into equation (3) (that is, the value obtained by multiplying the integrated value of the past W _flavor values by the coefficient δ is subtracted from W _initial ), thereby making it possible to derive and update the remaining amount of flavor components W _capsule (n _puff ) after aerosol generation with high accuracy.

After step S24, the MCU 50 updates the remaining reservoir amount W _reservoir stored in the memory 50a (step S24a).

In step S24a, the MCU 50 derives the reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir based on the flavor component remaining amount W _capsule (n _puff ) of the second cartridge 30 updated in step S24. In this embodiment, five second cartridges 30 are usable for one first cartridge 20. For example, data showing the relationship between the change in the reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir when one second cartridge 30 is used and the change in the flavor component remaining amount W _capsule (n _puff ) of the second cartridge 30 is experimentally obtained. In addition, the reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir of a new first cartridge 20 is equally divided among five second cartridges 30, and the above data is associated with each equally divided remaining amount to create a table shown in FIG. 12, which is stored in the memory 50a. In step S24a, the MCU 50 reads out from the table the reservoir remaining amount W reservoir corresponding to the current number of second cartridges 30 used and the flavor component remaining amount W _capsule (n _puff ) based on the cumulative number of uses of the second cartridge 30 since the first cartridge 20 was replaced with a new one, the flavor component remaining amount W _capsule (n _puff ) obtained in step _S24 , and the table shown in Figure 12, and stores this read reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir as the latest information in memory 50a.

Next, the MCU 50 judges whether the updated flavor component remaining amount W _capsule (n _puff ) is less than the remaining amount threshold (step S25). If the updated flavor component remaining amount W _capsule (n _puff ) is equal to or greater than the remaining amount threshold (step S25: NO), the MCU 50 proceeds to step S28. If the updated flavor component remaining amount W _capsule (n _puff ) is less than the remaining amount threshold (step S25: YES), the MCU 50 causes at least one of the first notification unit 45 and the second notification unit 46 to send a notification to prompt the replacement of the second cartridge 30 (step S26). Then, the MCU 50 resets the puff number counter to an initial value (=0), erases the above-mentioned past value of W _flavor , and further initializes the target temperature T _{cap_target} (step S27).

Initialization of the target temperature T _{cap_target} means excluding the target temperature T _{cap_target} at that time stored in the memory 50a from the set value. Note that, as another example, when steps S1 and S2 are omitted and step S3 is always executed, initialization of the target temperature T _{cap_target} means setting the target temperature T _{cap_target} at that time stored in the memory 50a to normal temperature or room temperature.

After step S27, if the power is not turned off (step S28: NO), the MCU 50 returns to step S1, and if the power is turned off (step S28: YES), the MCU 50 ends the process.

(Effects of the embodiment)
As described above, according to the aerosol generation device 1, discharge control from the power source 12 to the first load 21 and the second load 31 is performed so that the amount of flavor component contained in the aerosol converges to a target amount each time the user inhales the aerosol. Therefore, the amount of flavor component provided to the user can be stabilized for each inhalation, thereby increasing the commercial value of the aerosol generation device 1. Moreover, compared to the case where discharge is performed only to the first load 21, it is possible to stabilize the amount of flavor component provided to the user for each inhalation, thereby further increasing the commercial value of the aerosol generation device 1.

Furthermore, according to the aerosol generating device 1, when the atomization power determined in step S5 exceeds the power threshold _Pmax and it is not possible to generate the aerosol required to achieve the target amount of flavor components, control is performed to discharge from the power source 12 to the second load 31. In this way, since discharge to the second load 31 is performed as necessary, it is possible to stabilize the amount of flavor components provided to the user per inhalation while reducing the amount of power required to achieve this.

Furthermore, according to the aerosol generating device 1, the remaining amount of flavor components is updated in step S24 based on the discharge time (t _sense ) to the first load 21 in response to the aerosol generation request, T _{cap_target} at the time of receiving the generation request, and the power (atomization power P _liquid , atomization power P _liquid ') or the amount of power (this power x t _sense )) discharged to the first load in response to the generation request, and the power to be discharged to the first load 21 is determined in steps S4 and S5 based on this remaining amount of flavor components. Therefore, the discharge to the first load 21 can be controlled by appropriately considering the power or the amount of power discharged to the first load 21, which has a large effect on the amount of flavor components that can be added to the aerosol, and further by appropriately considering the temperature of the flavor source 33 when discharging to the first load 21, which has a large effect on the amount of flavor components that can be added to the aerosol. In this way, by controlling the discharge to the first load 21 while appropriately taking into consideration the state of the aerosol generation device 1, the amount of flavor component per inhalation can be stabilized with high precision, thereby increasing the commercial value of the aerosol generation device 1.

In addition, according to the aerosol generating device 1, the flavor source 33 is heated before detecting a request to generate an aerosol. This allows the flavor source 33 to be warmed before generating the aerosol, and shortens the time required from receiving a request to generate an aerosol to which a desired amount of flavor component has been added.

Furthermore, according to the aerosol generating device 1, discharging to the second load 31 is stopped after receiving a request to generate an aerosol. This eliminates the need to simultaneously discharge to the first load 21 and the second load 31, and can prevent a shortage of power discharged to the second load 31. In addition, discharging of a large current from the power source 12 is prevented. Therefore, deterioration of the power source 12 can be prevented.

In addition, according to the aerosol generating device 1, after the aerosol is generated, discharging to the second load 31 is resumed, so that the flavor source 33 can be kept warm even when aerosols are continuously generated. This makes it possible to provide the user with a stable amount of flavor components over multiple consecutive inhalations.

In addition, according to the aerosol generating device 1, the power threshold _Pmax is changed based on the remaining amount W of _{the reservoir} , and therefore the atomization power is controlled based on the remaining amount W of _{the reservoir} . Therefore, it is possible to supply the first load 21 with an appropriate power based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source 22. Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with an aerosol having an appropriate flavor and aroma, and the commercial value can be improved.

Furthermore, according to the aerosol generating device 1, when the temperature of the flavor source 33 has not yet reached the target temperature, the power supplied to the first load 21 is controlled according to the remaining amount W of _{the reservoir} . This makes it possible to provide the user with an aerosol having an appropriate flavor and aroma, thereby improving the product value.

Furthermore, according to the aerosol generating device 1, the power threshold _Pmax is determined based on the remaining amount W _reservoir , so that the power discharged from the power source 12 to the second load 31 is controlled based on the remaining amount W _reservoir . Therefore, it is possible to supply the second load 31 with appropriate power based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source 22. Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with an aerosol having an appropriate flavor and aroma, thereby improving the product value.

Furthermore, according to the aerosol generating device 1, the flavor component remaining amount is updated in step S24 based on the discharge time (t _sense ) to the first load 21 in response to the aerosol generation request, and the reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir can be derived based on this flavor component remaining amount. In this way, a dedicated sensor for measuring the reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir is not required. Therefore, the cost increase of the aerosol generating device 1 can be suppressed.

(First Modification of the Aerosol Generation Device)
In the above description, it is assumed that the aerosol weight W _aerosol generated in response to one inhalation action of the user is inhaled almost entirely by the user. However, strictly speaking, the amount of aerosol that reaches the user side end of the suction port 32 (hereinafter referred to as aerosol consumption amount) out of the aerosol weight W _aerosol generated in response to one inhalation action of the user may vary depending on the inhalation conditions. The aerosol consumption amount is the amount of aerosol that the user actually inhales out of the total amount of aerosol generated in response to one inhalation action of the user.

This is because the aerosol generated near the first load 21 and unable to reach the user side end of the suction mouth 32 re-aggregates in the space inside the suction mouth 32 (the space from the user side end of the suction mouth 32 to the space in which the wick 24 and the first load 21 are housed) and remains as a liquid aerosol source, and the amount of the remaining aerosol source varies depending on the suction conditions. Note that a part of the remaining aerosol source eventually returns to the wick 24 or the aerosol source 22, and is reused for aerosol generation during subsequent inhalation. This aerosol source remaining is not a phenomenon that always occurs, and depending on the suction conditions, almost all of the aerosol weight W _aerosol generated in response to one inhalation action of the user reaches the user side end of the suction mouth 32. In other words, it should be noted that depending on the suction conditions, the aerosol weight W _aerosol generated in response to one inhalation action of the user and the aerosol consumption amount are approximately equal.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the results of verifying the relationship between the cumulative value of the supply time t _sense (cumulative discharge time Σt _sense ) and the cumulative value of the aerosol consumption amount for each of different suction conditions.

In the suction condition C1, the time during which one suction is continued (the suction time described above) is 3.0 seconds, and the total flow rate of the fluid passing through the inside of the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 during this suction time (the puff flow rate described above) is 55 [mL]. In the suction condition C2, the suction time is 2.2 seconds, and the puff flow rate is 75 [mL]. In the suction condition C3, the suction time is 3.7 seconds, and the puff flow rate is 35 [mL]. In both suction conditions, the upper limit of the supply time t _sense per suction is 2.4 seconds. When the suction time is equal to or less than this upper limit, the supply time t _sense and the suction time match, and when the suction time exceeds this upper limit, the supply time t _sense and this upper limit match.

As can be seen from the verification results shown in Figure 13, the slope of the line showing the change in the cumulative value of aerosol consumption according to the cumulative discharge time differs depending on the inhalation conditions. There is a strong correlation between the cumulative value of aerosol consumption and the cumulative value of the amount of flavor component generated by the inhalation action and inhaled by the user. For this reason, the vertical axis of Figure 13 can also be interpreted as the cumulative value of the amount of flavor component actually inhaled by the user. Thus, strictly speaking, the decreasing trend of the reservoir remaining amount and the decreasing trend of the flavor component remaining amount change depending on the inhalation conditions.

Therefore, by correcting the supply time t _sense used in calculating the remaining amount of flavor components in step S24 of Fig. 8 taking into consideration the difference in the remaining amount of the aerosol source due to the difference in the inhalation conditions, the remaining amount of flavor components can be obtained more accurately. In other words, the supply time t _sense is a value that has a strong correlation with the theoretical value of the weight of the aerosol generated by the current inhalation operation, which is necessary for calculating the amount of flavor components consumed by the user by the current inhalation operation. In other words, the above-mentioned correction is a correction of the theoretical value of the weight of the aerosol to the amount of aerosol actually consumed by the user. Then, by using this accurate remaining amount of flavor components, the accuracy of obtaining the remaining amount of the reservoir can be improved.

Specifically, the MCU 50 corrects the supply time t _sense used to calculate the aerosol weight W _aerosol in formula (2) used to calculate the flavor component amount W _flavor per inhalation in formula (3) based on the inhalation conditions. Then, the MCU 50 calculates the remaining amount of flavor component using the aerosol weight W _aerosol (= the aerosol weight actually inhaled by the user) calculated by formula (1) based on the corrected supply time t _sense .

As a result of extensive investigation into a method for correcting the supply time t _sense based on the suction conditions, the inventors have found that the remaining amount of flavor components can be calculated more accurately by correcting the supply time t _sense using the correction process shown below. Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram for explaining the correction process of the supply time t _sense .

The suction time is described as "d [seconds]", the puff equivalent flow rate (total flow rate per d seconds) is described as "F [milliliters]", the volume of the internal space of the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 through which the aerosol generated from the aerosol source 22 can move (hereinafter referred to as the flow path volume) is described as "Cv [milliliters]", and {Cv/(F/d)} is described as the spatial time τ [seconds]. The flow path volume "Cv" is stored in advance in the memory 50a. (F/d) represents the flow rate per unit time (1 second).

When using a flow sensor 16 that outputs information on the flow rate per unit time (1 second) rather than the flow rate per puff, if this flow rate per unit time is written as Fa [milliliters/second], the spatial time τ described above can be replaced with the value obtained by calculating Cv/Fa.

The MCU 50 corrects the supply time t _sense to (d-τ) when the condition (dt _sense )<τ is satisfied, and does not correct the supply time t _sense when the condition (dt _sense )≧τ is satisfied.

14, when the condition (d-t _sense )<τ is satisfied, the output of the operational amplifier in the figure becomes high level, the upper switch in the figure becomes on and the lower switch in the figure becomes off, and (d-τ) is obtained as the supply time La after the correction process. On the other hand, when the condition (d-t _sense )≧τ is satisfied, the output of the operational amplifier in the figure becomes low level, the upper switch in the figure becomes off and the lower switch in the figure becomes on, and the supply time t _sense is obtained as it is as the supply time La after the correction process.

The operation of the aerosol generating device 1 of the first modified example differs only in the processing of steps S22 and S24 in the flowcharts shown in Figures 7 and 8, so that part will be explained.

In step S22 of FIG. 8, the MCU 50 acquires, in addition to the supply time t _sense , the suction time “d” in the current suction operation, the puff equivalent flow rate “F” in the current suction operation, and the flow path volume “Cv” stored in the memory 50a, and calculates the spatial time τ based on this information, and further calculates (d−t _sense ).

8, the MCU 50 compares (d-t _sense ) with the spatial time τ, and if (d-t _sense )<τ, corrects the supply time t _sense acquired in step S22 to (d-τ) to obtain the supply time La. The MCU 50 calculates the amount of flavor component W flavor inhaled by the user in the current inhalation operation based on this supply time La, the atomization power supplied to the first load 21 in response to the aerosol generation request, the target temperature set before the aerosol generation request is made, the remaining amount of flavor component immediately before the aerosol generation request is made, and formulas (1) and (2), and calculates the remaining amount of flavor component based on the calculated amount of flavor component W _{flavor ,} the past amount of flavor component W _flavor , and formula (3).

8, if (d-t _sense )≧τ, the MCU 50 sets the supply time t _sense acquired in step S22 as the corrected supply time La. The MCU 50 calculates the amount of flavor component W flavor inhaled by the user in the current inhalation operation based on this supply time La, the atomization power supplied to the first load 21 in response to the aerosol generation request, the target temperature set before the aerosol generation request is made, the remaining amount of flavor component immediately before the aerosol generation request is made, and formulas (1) and (2), and calculates the remaining amount of flavor component based on the calculated _{amount of flavor component W flavor ,} the past amount of flavor component W _flavor , and formula (3).

The value of the spatial time τ is a positive value greater than 0. Therefore, when the suction time d and the supply time t _sense are equal, the condition (d-t _sense )<τ is always satisfied. In other words, when the suction time d and the supply time t _sense are equal, a first acquisition process is performed in which the remaining amount of flavor component is acquired based on the suction time d and the spatial time τ.

Furthermore, when the suction time d is longer than the supply time t _sense , the smaller the value of the spatial time τ, the more likely it is that the condition (d-t _sense ) ≥ τ is satisfied. A smaller value of the spatial time τ means a larger flow rate per unit time. In other words, when the suction time d is longer than the supply time t _sense , the greater the flow rate per unit time, the more likely it is that the condition (d-t _sense ) ≥ τ is satisfied. As a result, the second acquisition process in which the flavor component remaining amount is acquired based on the supply time t _sense is performed more frequently than the first acquisition process.

Fig. 15 is a diagram showing the result of correcting the cumulative discharge time Σt _sense for each inhalation condition shown in Fig. 13 according to the above correction process. As shown in Fig. 15, by correcting the supply time t _sense for each inhalation as necessary according to the above correction process, the relationship between the cumulative discharge time Σt _sense after the correction process and the cumulative value of the aerosol consumption amount becomes almost constant, and it can be seen that the remaining amount of flavor component can be calculated more accurately.

As described above, in the aerosol generating device 1 of the first modification, the amount of flavor component W _flavor per inhalation and the remaining amount of flavor component after each inhalation are calculated in consideration of the inhalation conditions (inhalation time and flow rate per unit time). Therefore, the amount of flavor component W _flavor and the remaining amount of flavor component can be accurately obtained. In addition, the accuracy of obtaining the remaining amount of the reservoir can be improved based on the remaining amount of flavor component.

(Second Modification of the Aerosol Generation Device)
In the aerosol generation device 1 of the first modification, the remaining amount of flavor components is derived, and based on this remaining amount of flavor components, the atomization power P _liquid and the target temperature T _{cap_target} necessary to achieve the target amount of flavor components W _flavor are determined before a request for generating an aerosol is made. In this modification, the atomization power P _liquid determined before a request for generating an aerosol is made is a constant value, and instead, the target temperature T _{cap_target} is variably controlled based on the total consumption amount of flavor components contained in the flavor source 33 (hereinafter referred to as the consumption amount of the flavor source 33) (specifically, the target temperature is raised as the consumption amount of the flavor source 33 increases), thereby achieving the target amount of flavor components W _flavor .

In the aerosol generating device 1 of the second modification, when a request for generating aerosol is detected and the temperature of the flavor source 33 has not yet reached the target temperature, the shortage of the flavor component amount W _flavor is compensated for by increasing the aerosol weight W _aerosol (increasing the atomization power). In order to secure this increase in the atomization power, the atomization power P _liquid determined before the detection of the request for generating aerosol is set to be lower than the upper limit value P _upper .

The consumption of the flavor source 33 has a strong correlation with the cumulative value of the weight of aerosol inhaled by the user (the above-mentioned aerosol consumption amount). Therefore, the cumulative value of the supply time La per inhalation (hereinafter referred to as the cumulative discharge time ΣLa) described in the first modified example can also be used as information representing the consumption of the flavor source 33. In other words, the MCU 50 obtains the consumption of the flavor source 33 by calculating this cumulative discharge time ΣLa.

As can be seen from the model of equation (2), assuming that the aerosol weight W _aerosol per inhalation is controlled to be approximately constant (the atomization power P _liquid is controlled to be constant), in order to stabilize the amount of flavor component W _flavor , it is necessary to increase the temperature of the flavor source 33 in accordance with the decrease in the remaining amount of flavor component (i.e., the increase in the consumption amount (cumulative discharge time ΣLa) of the flavor source 33). In the second modified example, the power control unit of the MCU 50 manages the target temperature according to a table stored in advance in the memory 50a that associates the cumulative discharge time ΣLa with the target temperature of the flavor source 33.

16, 17, and 18 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the aerosol generation device 1 of the second modified example. When the power supply of the aerosol generation device 1 is turned on by operating the operation unit 14 or the like (step S30: YES), the MCU 50 determines (sets) a target temperature T _{cap_target} of the flavor source 33 based on the current accumulated discharge time ΣLa stored in the memory 50a (step S31).

Next, the MCU 50 obtains the current temperature T _{cap — sense} of the flavor source 33 based on the output of the temperature detecting element T1 (or the temperature detecting element T3) (step S32).

Then, based on the temperature T _{cap_sense} and the target temperature T _{cap_target} , the MCU 50 controls the discharge to the second load 31 to heat the flavor source 33 (step S33). Specifically, the MCU 50 supplies power to the second load 31 by PID control or ON/OFF control so that the temperature T _{cap_sense} converges to the target temperature T _{cap_target} .

After step S33, the MCU 50 determines whether or not there is a request to generate aerosol (step S34). If the MCU 50 does not detect a request to generate aerosol (step S34: NO), in step S35, it determines the length of the no-operation time during which no request to generate aerosol has been made. If the no-operation time has reached a predetermined time (step S35: YES), the MCU 50 ends discharging to the second load 31 (step S36) and transitions to a sleep mode in which power consumption is reduced (step S37). If the no-operation time is less than the predetermined time (step S35: NO), the MCU 50 transitions to step S32.

When the MCU 50 detects a request to generate an aerosol (step S34: YES), it ends the discharge to the second load 31 for heating the flavor source 33, and acquires the temperature T _{cap_sense} of the flavor source 33 at that time based on the output of the temperature detection element T1 (or the temperature detection element T3) (step S41). Then, the MCU 50 determines whether the temperature T _{cap_sense} acquired in step S41 is equal to or higher than the target temperature T _{cap_target} (step S42). Note that the MCU 50 may continue discharging to the second load 31 for heating the flavor source 33 even after step S34.

If the temperature T _{cap _ sense} is greater than or equal to the target temperature T _{cap _ target} (step S42: YES), the MCU 50 supplies a predetermined atomization power P _liquid to the first load 21 to start heating the first load 21 (heating to atomize the aerosol source 22) (step S43).

If the temperature T _{cap _ sense} is lower than the target temperature T _{cap _ target} (step S42: NO), the MCU 50 increases the predetermined atomization power P _liquid to compensate for the decrease in the amount of flavor components due to the insufficient temperature of the flavor source 33. Specifically, the MCU 50 first acquires the current reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir stored in the memory 50a, and determines the increase width ΔPa of the atomization power P _liquid based on the acquired reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir (step S45). Then, the MCU 50 supplies the atomization power P _liquid ′ obtained by adding the increase width ΔPa to the atomization power P _liquid to the first load 21, and starts heating the first load 21 (step S46). For example, the increase width ΔPa is the same variable value as the increase width ΔP shown in FIG. 9. A method for calculating the remaining amount W _reservoir will be described later. Note that the increase amount ΔPa may be a fixed value instead of a variable value.

After starting heating of the first load 21 in step S43 or step S46, if the aerosol generation request has not ended (step S44: NO), and if the duration of the aerosol generation request (i.e., the suction time) is less than the upper limit time t _upper (step S44a: YES), the MCU 50 continues heating of the first load 21. If the duration of the aerosol generation request reaches the upper limit time t _upper (step S44a: NO) or if the aerosol generation request has ended (step S44: YES), the MCU 50 stops the power supply to the first load 21 (step S21).

In this way, even when the atomization power is increased in step S46, the smaller the remaining amount W _reservoir , the smaller the increase amount ΔPa is, so that appropriate power according to the remaining amount W _reservoir can be supplied to the first load 21. As a result, it is possible to suppress the generation of aerosols having unintended flavors and aromas caused by supplying more power than necessary for the remaining amount W _reservoir .

After step S48, if the aerosol generation request is continued (in other words, if suction is continued), the MCU 50 waits for the generation request to end and then performs the process of step S49. In step S49, the MCU 50 acquires the supply time t _sense of the atomization power supplied to the first load 21 in step S43 or step S46, the suction time d during this suction, the flow path volume Cv, and the puff equivalent flow rate F, and calculates the spatial time τ and (d-t _sense ) as described in the first modified example based on this information (step S49).

Next, the MCU 50 compares the spatial time τ calculated in step S49 with (d-t _sense ). If the condition (d-t _sense )<τ is satisfied, the MCU 50 acquires (d-τ) as the supply time La after the correction process, and if the condition (d-t _sense )≧τ is satisfied, the MCU 50 acquires the supply time t _sense as the supply time La. The MCU 50 adds the supply time La acquired in this way to the accumulated value of the supply time La since the second cartridge 30 was replaced with a new one to obtain the accumulated discharge time ΣLa, and updates the accumulated discharge time ΣLa stored in the memory 50a (step S50).

The cumulative discharge time ΣLa is the amount of flavor source 33 consumed in hours since the second cartridge 30 was replaced with a new one. Therefore, by comparing the cumulative discharge time ΣLa with a threshold value TH3 that indicates the upper limit of the cumulative discharge time ΣLa per second cartridge 30, it is possible to obtain the amount of flavor source 33 consumed or the remaining amount of flavor source 33.

For example, the remaining amount [%] of the flavor source 33 can be obtained by calculating {(TH3-ΣL)/TH3} x 100. Also, the consumed amount [%] of the flavor source 33 can be obtained by calculating (ΣL/TH3) x 100.

After step S50, the MCU 50 updates the reservoir remaining amount W _reservoir (step S51). The cumulative discharge time ΣLa is a cumulative value of the aerosol consumption amount inhaled by the user expressed in units of time. Therefore, by comparing the cumulative discharge time ΣLa with a threshold value TH2 indicating the upper limit value of the cumulative discharge time ΣLa per one first cartridge 20, it is possible to obtain the consumption amount of the aerosol source 22 or the remaining amount of the aerosol source 22 (i.e., the reservoir remaining amount) with improved accuracy. Note that the consumption amount of the aerosol source 22 or the remaining amount of the aerosol source 22 may be obtained by comparing the cumulative discharge time Σt _sense with the threshold value TH2 instead of the cumulative discharge time ΣLa.

However, as described above, a part of the remaining amount obtained by subtracting the amount of aerosol actually inhaled by the user from the total amount of aerosol generated by the inhalation operation is reused at the time of subsequent inhalation. Therefore, in step S51, the consumption amount of the aerosol source 22 or the remaining amount of the aerosol source 22 is acquired taking into consideration the part of the remaining amount to be reused. Note that, as described above, when the condition (d-t _sense ) ≧ τ is satisfied, the supply time t _sense is not corrected. This means that when the condition (d-t _sense ) ≧ τ is satisfied, the above-mentioned remaining amount becomes zero.

In step S51, the MCU 50 subtracts the supply time La acquired in step S50 from the supply time t _sense acquired in step S49 to obtain a time difference ΔL. This time difference ΔL is the amount of aerosol generated by the suction operation that is not inhaled by the user and remains in the total amount of aerosol expressed in units of time. If the condition (d-t _sense ) ≧ τ is satisfied, the time difference ΔL is 0. The amount of the aerosol source to be reused can be obtained by multiplying this time difference ΔL by a coefficient A that is greater than 0 and less than 1, which is experimentally obtained. The coefficient A means that not all of the remaining amount is returned to the reservoir 23 or the wick 24. The coefficient A may have a property that the smaller the flow rate during the period (d-t _sense ) during which suction is performed after the supply of the atomization power P _liquid to the first load 21 is completed, the larger the coefficient A may be.

In step S51, the MCU 50 subtracts (ΔL×A) from the supply time La obtained in step S50 to obtain a supply time Lb equivalent to the amount of aerosol source 22 lost from the reservoir 23 and the wick 24 due to the current inhalation action of the user. This supply time Lb is added to the cumulative value of the supply time Lb since the first cartridge 20 was replaced with a new one to obtain a cumulative discharge time ΣLb. By comparing this cumulative discharge time ΣLb with the threshold value TH2, it becomes possible to obtain the consumption amount of the aerosol source 22 or the remaining amount of the aerosol source 22 more accurately.

For example, the remaining amount [%] of the aerosol source 22 can be obtained by calculating {(TH2-ΣLb)/TH2} x 100. Also, the consumption amount [%] of the aerosol source 22 can be obtained by calculating (ΣLb/TH2) x 100.

In the above description, the MCU 50 subtracts (ΔL×A) from the supply time La to obtain the supply time Lb, but this is not limited to the above. When the condition (d−t _sense )<τ is satisfied, the MCU 50 may multiply the supply time La by an experimentally determined coefficient C to obtain the supply time Lb, and when the condition (d−t _sense )≧τ is satisfied, the MCU 50 may directly obtain the supply time La as the supply time Lb. The coefficient C is a value greater than 0 and less than 1.

Next, the MCU 50 judges whether the cumulative discharge time ΣLb after the update in step S51 is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2 (step S52). The process of step S52 is the same as the process of judging whether the consumption amount of the aerosol source 22 is 100% or not, or whether the remaining amount of the aerosol source 22 is 0% or not. If the cumulative discharge time ΣLb after the update is less than the threshold value TH2 (step S52: NO), the MCU 50 shifts the process to step S56. If the cumulative discharge time ΣLb after the update is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2 (step S52: YES), the MCU 50 causes at least one of the first notification unit 45 and the second notification unit 46 to issue a notification to prompt the replacement of the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 (step S53). Then, the MCU 50 resets the cumulative discharge time ΣLa and the cumulative discharge time ΣLb to their initial values (=0), respectively, and initializes the target temperature T _{cap_target} (step S54). Initialization of the target temperature T _{cap_target} means excluding the target temperature T _{cap_target} at that time point stored in the memory 50a from the set value.

In step S56, the MCU 50 judges whether the cumulative discharge time ΣLa after updating in step S50 is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH3. The process of step S56 is the same as the process of judging whether the consumption amount of the flavor source 33 is 100% or whether the remaining amount of the flavor source 33 is 0% or not. If the cumulative discharge time ΣLa after updating is less than the threshold value TH3 (step S56: NO), the MCU 50 proceeds to step S55. If the cumulative discharge time ΣLa after updating is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH3 (step S56: YES), the MCU 50 causes at least one of the first notification unit 45 and the second notification unit 46 to issue a notification to prompt the replacement of the second cartridge 30 (step S57). Then, the MCU 50 resets the cumulative discharge time ΣLa to an initial value (=0) and initializes the target temperature T _{cap_target} (step S58).

Instead of the above-described operation, when the updated cumulative discharge time ΣLb is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2 in step S51 (YES in step S52), the MCU 50 may determine whether the updated cumulative discharge time ΣLa is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH3 in step S50. Then, only when the updated cumulative discharge time ΣLa is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH3, the MCU 50 may cause at least one of the first notification unit 45 and the second notification unit 46 to issue a notification to prompt replacement of the first cartridge 20 in step S53. Also, only when the updated cumulative discharge time ΣLa is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH3, the MCU 50 may reset the cumulative discharge time ΣLa to an initial value (=0) and initialize the target temperature T _{cap_target} in step S54.

After step S54 or step S58, if the power is not turned off (step S55: NO), the MCU 50 returns to step S31, and if the power is turned off (step S55: YES), ends the process.

The aerosol generating device 1 of the second modification can provide the user with an aerosol having a stable flavor and aroma through simpler control than the aerosol generating device 1 of the first modification. Also, as with the first modification, at least one of the remaining amount and consumed amount of the flavor source 33 can be obtained more accurately. Also, at least one of the remaining amount and consumed amount of the aerosol source 22 can be obtained more accurately.

The MCU 50 may use the accumulated value of the supply time Lb instead of the accumulated discharge time ΣLa, which corresponds to the consumption of the flavor source 33. The supply time Lb is information that represents the amount of the aerosol source 22 that has disappeared from the reservoir 23 and the wick 24 by one inhalation action of the user, and has a strong correlation with the amount of flavor components. Therefore, it is also possible to treat the accumulated value of the supply time Lb as the consumption of the flavor source 33. It is also possible to obtain the remaining amount of the flavor source 33 from the accumulated value of this supply time Lb.

In the second modification, the threshold value TH3 is fixed, and the cumulative discharge time ΣLa is updated to notify the replacement of the second cartridge 30, and the threshold value TH2 is fixed, and the cumulative discharge time ΣLb is updated to notify the replacement of the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30. As this modification, the threshold value TH3 may be corrected by the cumulative value of the difference between the supply time La and the supply time t _sense , and the timing to replace the second cartridge 30 may be determined by comparing the corrected threshold value TH3 with the cumulative value of the supply time t _sense . Also, the threshold value TH2 may be corrected by the cumulative value of the difference between the supply time Lb and the supply time t _sense , and the timing to replace the first cartridge 20 may be determined by comparing the corrected threshold value TH2 with the cumulative value of the supply time t _sense .

Fig. 19 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the MCU 50 when correcting the threshold value TH3. In the example shown in Fig. 19, the MCU 50 adds the integrated value of the absolute value of the difference (corresponding to the remaining amount of the aerosol source) obtained by subtracting the supply time t _sense from the supply time La after the correction process to the threshold value TH3, and controls to notify the replacement of the second cartridge 30 when the accumulated value of the supply time t _sense reaches the threshold value TH3 after the addition. By comparing the threshold value TH3 after the addition with the accumulated value of the supply time t _sense , the remaining amount or consumed amount of the flavor source 33 can be obtained.

Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the MCU 50 when correcting the threshold value TH2. In the example shown in Fig. 20, the MCU 50 adds the integrated value of the absolute value of the difference (corresponding to the residual amount returning to the aerosol source 22) obtained by subtracting the supply time t _sense from the supply time Lb after the correction process to the threshold value TH2, and controls to notify the replacement of the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 when the accumulated value of the supply time t _sense reaches the threshold value TH2 after the addition. By comparing the threshold value TH2 after the addition with the accumulated value of the supply time t _sense , the remaining amount or consumption amount of the aerosol source 22 can be obtained.

By doing this, it is possible to accurately determine the timing for replacing the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30.

The aerosol generating device 1 described so far is configured to be able to heat the flavor source 33, but this configuration is not essential. Even if the flavor source 33 is not heated, it is possible to obtain with high accuracy at least one of the remaining amount and consumed amount of the flavor source 33 and at least one of the remaining amount and consumed amount of the aerosol source 22 based on the inhalation time and the flow rate per unit time.

In addition, in the aerosol generating device 1 described so far, the first cartridge 20 is configured to be detachable from the power supply unit 10, but the first cartridge 20 may be configured to be integrated with the power supply unit 10.

In the aerosol generating device 1 described so far, the first load 21 and the second load 31 are heaters that generate heat by power discharged from the power source 12. However, the first load 21 and the second load 31 may each be a Peltier element that can both generate heat and cool by power discharged from the power source 12. Configuring the first load 21 and the second load 31 in this manner increases the degree of freedom in controlling the temperature of the aerosol source 22 and the temperature of the flavor source 33, allowing for more precise control of the unit flavor amount.
Also, first load 21 may be configured with an element that can atomize aerosol source 22 without heating aerosol source 22 by ultrasonic waves or the like. Also, second load 31 may be configured with an element that can change the amount of flavor component added to the aerosol by flavor source 33 without heating flavor source 33 by ultrasonic waves or the like.
When an ultrasonic element, for example, is used as the second load 31, the MCU 50 may control the discharge to the first load 21 and the second load 31 based on the wavelength of the ultrasonic waves applied to the flavor source 33, rather than the temperature of the flavor source 33, as a parameter that affects the amount of flavor component added to the aerosol passing through the flavor source 33.
The elements that can be used for the first load 21 are not limited to the heater, Peltier element, and ultrasonic element described above, and various elements or combinations thereof can be used as long as they are elements that can atomize the aerosol source 22 by consuming power supplied from the power source 12. Similarly, the elements that can be used for the second load 31 are not limited to the heater, Peltier element, and ultrasonic element described above, and various elements or combinations thereof can be used as long as they are elements that can change the amount of flavor component added to the aerosol by consuming power supplied from the power source 12.

This specification describes at least the following items. Note that the corresponding components in the above-mentioned embodiment are shown in parentheses, but are not limited to these.

(1)
A flow rate sensor (flow rate sensor 16) that outputs a flow rate of aspiration by a user;
A processing device (MCU 50) configured to be able to acquire an atomization command (aerosol generation request) of an aerosol source (aerosol source 22) by an atomizer (first load 21),
The processing device includes:
Based on the atomization command, control the discharge from a power source (power source 12) to the atomizer;
Based on the output of the flow rate sensor, a flow rate per unit time ((F/d) or Fa) during the suction corresponding to each of the atomization commands is obtained;
Acquire a suction time (suction time d) which is the length of the suction corresponding to each of the atomization commands;
The method is configured to obtain at least one of a remaining amount of a flavor source (flavor source 33) that adds flavor to the aerosol generated from the aerosol source and a consumption amount of the flavor source based on the flow rate per unit time and the suction time.
Control unit of the aerosol generating device (power supply unit 10).

According to (1), at least one of the remaining amount and the consumed amount of the flavor source is obtained by taking into consideration the flow rate per unit time during inhalation and the inhalation time. Therefore, at least one of the remaining amount and the consumed amount of the flavor source can be accurately obtained.

(2)
A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to (1),
The processing device is configured to acquire at least one of the remaining amount of the flavor source and the consumption amount of the flavor source based on the flow rate per unit time and the inhalation time acquired after the discharge to the atomizer based on the atomization command is completed.
Control unit of the aerosol generator.

According to (2), the flow rate during inhalation and the inhalation time can be accurately obtained, so that at least one of the remaining amount and the consumed amount of the flavor source can be obtained more accurately.

(3)
A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to (1) or (2),
The remaining amount of the flavor source acquired by the processing device is smaller as the flow rate per unit time is larger (the spatial time τ is smaller).
and/or
The consumption amount of the flavor source acquired by the processing device increases as the flow rate per unit time increases (as the spatial time τ decreases).
Control unit of the aerosol generator.

According to (3), the greater the flow rate per unit time during inhalation, the smaller the remaining amount and/or the greater the consumed amount is obtained, so that at least one of the remaining amount and the consumed amount of the flavor source can be obtained more accurately.

(4)
A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to (1),
The processing device includes:
Based on the flow rate per unit time and the suction time, a residual amount (|supply time La-supply time t _sense |) which is the amount of the aerosol source atomized by the atomizer and remaining in the flow path through which the aerosol generated from the aerosol source flows is obtained for each of the atomization commands;
and acquiring at least one of a remaining amount of the flavor source and a consumption amount of the flavor source based on the remaining amount.
Control unit of the aerosol generator.

According to (4), at least one of the remaining amount of flavor source and the consumed amount of flavor source is obtained taking into account the amount of aerosol source remaining in the flow path, so that at least one of the remaining amount of flavor source and the consumed amount can be obtained more accurately.

(5)
A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to (1),
The processing device includes:
Acquire a discharge time (supply time t _sense ) which is a length of discharge to the atomizer corresponding to each of the atomization commands;
The device is configured to selectively perform a first process of acquiring at least one of a remaining amount of the flavor source and a consumption amount of the flavor source based on the flow rate per unit time and the inhalation time, and a second process of acquiring at least one of a remaining amount of the flavor source and a consumption amount of the flavor source based on the discharge time.
Control unit of the aerosol generator.

According to (5), by selectively performing the first process and the second process depending on the inhalation method, at least one of the remaining amount and the consumed amount of the flavor source can be obtained more accurately.

(6)
A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to (5),
The processing device includes:
Selecting and performing either the first process or the second process based on the flow rate per unit time, the suction time, and the discharge time.
Control unit of the aerosol generator.

According to (6), either the first process or the second process is selected based on the inhalation conditions and the discharge time, so that at least one of the remaining amount and the consumed amount of the flavor source can be obtained more accurately.

(7)
A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to (5) or (6),
The processing device includes:
When the suction time and the discharge time are equal, the first process is selected and performed.
Control unit of the aerosol generator.

According to (7), when the first process is determined to be appropriate based on the inhalation conditions and the discharge time, the first process is selected, so that at least one of the remaining amount and the consumed amount of the flavor source can be obtained more accurately.

(8)
A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to (5) or (6),
The processing device includes:
When the suction time is longer than the discharge time, the second process is selected and performed more frequently as the flow rate per unit time increases (as the spatial time τ decreases).
Control unit of the aerosol generator.

According to (8), when the second process is determined to be appropriate based on the inhalation conditions and the discharge time, the second process is selected, so that at least one of the remaining amount and the consumed amount of the flavor source can be obtained more accurately.

(9)
A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to any one of (1) to (8),
The processing device is configured to obtain at least one of a remaining amount of the aerosol source and a consumption amount of the aerosol source based on the flow rate per unit time and the suction time.
Control unit of the aerosol generator.

According to (9), at least one of the remaining amount and the consumed amount of the aerosol source is obtained by taking into account the flow rate per unit time during inhalation and the inhalation time, so that at least one of the remaining amount and the consumed amount of the aerosol source can be accurately obtained.

(10)
A flow rate sensor (flow rate sensor 16) that outputs a flow rate of aspiration by a user;
A processing device (MCU 50) configured to be able to acquire an atomization command (aerosol generation request) of an aerosol source (aerosol source 22) by an atomizer (first load 21),
The processing device includes:
Based on the atomization command, control the discharge from a power source (power source 12) to the atomizer;
Based on the output of the flow rate sensor, a flow rate per unit time ((F/d) or Fa) during the suction corresponding to each of the atomization commands is obtained;
Acquire a suction time (suction time d) which is the length of the suction corresponding to each of the atomization commands;
and configured to obtain at least one of a remaining amount of the aerosol source and a consumption amount of the aerosol source based on the flow rate per unit time and the suction time.
Control unit of the aerosol generator.

According to (10), at least one of the remaining amount and the consumed amount of the aerosol source is obtained by taking into account the flow rate per unit time during inhalation and the inhalation time, so that at least one of the remaining amount and the consumed amount of the aerosol source can be accurately obtained.

(11)
A processing device (MCU 50) configured to be able to acquire an atomization command (a request to generate an aerosol) of an aerosol source (aerosol source 22) by an atomizer (first load 21),
The processing device includes:
Based on the atomization command, control the discharge from a power source (power source 12) to the atomizer;
A residual amount (|supply time La-supply time t _sense |) of the aerosol source remaining in a flow path through which the aerosol generated from the aerosol source flows after being atomized by the atomizer is acquired for each of the atomization commands;
The device is configured to obtain information regarding at least one of a remaining amount of a flavor source that adds flavor to the aerosol generated from the aerosol source and a consumption amount of the flavor source based on the remaining amount.
Control unit of the aerosol generator.

According to (11), at least one of the remaining amount and the consumed amount of the flavor source is obtained taking into account the amount of the aerosol source remaining in the flow path, so that at least one of the remaining amount and the consumed amount of the flavor source can be obtained more accurately.

(12)
A processing device (MCU 50) configured to be able to acquire an atomization command (a request to generate an aerosol) of an aerosol source (aerosol source 22) by an atomizer (first load 21),
The processing device includes:
Based on the atomization command, control the discharge from a power source (power source 12) to the atomizer;
A residual amount (time difference ΔL) of the aerosol source remaining in a flow path through which the aerosol generated from the aerosol source flows after being atomized by the atomizer is acquired for each of the atomization commands;
configured to obtain information regarding at least one of a remaining amount of the aerosol source and a consumption amount of the aerosol source based on the remaining amount;
Control unit of the aerosol generator.

According to (12), at least one of the remaining amount and the consumed amount of the aerosol source is obtained taking into account the amount of the aerosol source remaining in the flow path, so that at least one of the remaining amount and the consumed amount of the aerosol source can be obtained more accurately.

1 Aerosol generating device T1, T2, T3 Temperature detection element 10 Power supply unit 11a Top part 11b Bottom part 11 Power supply unit case 12 Power supply 14 Operation part 15 Inhalation sensor 20 First cartridge 21 First load 31 Second load 22 Aerosol source 23 Reservoir 24 Wick 25 Aerosol flow path 26a Cartridge storage part 26b Communication path 26 End cap 27 Cartridge case 30 Second cartridge 32 Mouthpiece 33 Flavor source 41 Discharge terminal 42 Air supply part 43 Charging terminal 45 First notification part 46 Second notification part 50a Memory 50 MCU
51 DC/DC converter 52, 54 Voltage sensor 53, 55 Current sensor 55A Charging IC

Claims (8)

A flow rate sensor that outputs a flow rate of a user's inhalation;
A processing device configured to be able to acquire a command for atomizing the aerosol source by the atomizer,
The processing device includes:
Controlling discharge from a power source to the atomizer based on the atomization command;
Based on the output of the flow rate sensor, a flow rate per unit time during suction corresponding to each of the atomization commands is obtained;
Acquire a suction time, which is a length of the suction corresponding to each of the atomization commands;
A residual amount, which is an amount of the aerosol source that is atomized by the atomizer and remains in a flow path through which the aerosol generated from the aerosol source flows, is obtained for each of the atomization commands based on the flow rate per unit time and the suction time;
Based on the remaining amount, at least one of a remaining amount of a flavor source that adds flavor to the aerosol generated from the aerosol source and a consumption amount of the flavor source is obtained.
Control unit of the aerosol generator. A flow rate sensor that outputs a flow rate of a user's inhalation;
A processing device configured to be able to acquire a command for atomizing the aerosol source by the atomizer,
The processing device includes:
Controlling discharge from a power source to the atomizer based on the atomization command;
Based on the output of the flow rate sensor, a flow rate per unit time during suction corresponding to each of the atomization commands is obtained;
Acquire a suction time, which is a length of the suction corresponding to each of the atomization commands;
Acquire a discharge time, which is a length of discharge to the atomizer corresponding to each of the atomization commands;
The device is configured to selectively perform a first process of acquiring at least one of a remaining amount of a flavor source that adds a flavor to the aerosol generated from the aerosol source and a consumption amount of the flavor source based on the flow rate per unit time and the inhalation time, and a second process of acquiring at least one of a remaining amount of the flavor source and a consumption amount of the flavor source based on the discharge time.
Control unit of the aerosol generator. A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to claim 2 ,
The processing device includes:
Selecting and performing either the first process or the second process based on the flow rate per unit time, the suction time, and the discharge time.
Control unit of the aerosol generator. A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to claim 2 or 3 ,
The processing device includes:
When the suction time and the discharge time are equal, the first process is selected and performed.
Control unit of the aerosol generator. A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to claim 2 or 3 ,
The processing device includes:
When the suction time is longer than the discharge time, the second process is selected and performed more frequently as the flow rate per unit time increases.
Control unit of the aerosol generator. A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The processing device is configured to obtain at least one of a remaining amount of the aerosol source and a consumption amount of the aerosol source based on the flow rate per unit time and the suction time.
Control unit of the aerosol generator. A processing device configured to be able to acquire a command for atomizing the aerosol source by the atomizer,
The processing device includes:
Controlling discharge from a power source to the atomizer based on the atomization command;
A residual amount of the aerosol source that is atomized by the atomizer and remains in a flow path through which the aerosol generated from the aerosol source flows is obtained for each of the atomization commands;
The aerosol generating device is configured to obtain information regarding at least one of a remaining amount of a flavor source that adds flavor to the aerosol generated from the aerosol source and a consumption amount of the flavor source based on the remaining amount.
Control unit of the aerosol generator. A processing device configured to be able to acquire a command for atomizing the aerosol source by the atomizer,
The processing device includes:
Controlling discharge from a power source to the atomizer based on the atomization command;
A residual amount of the aerosol source that is atomized by the atomizer and remains in a flow path through which the aerosol generated from the aerosol source flows is obtained for each of the atomization commands;
configured to obtain information regarding at least one of a remaining amount of the aerosol source and a consumption amount of the aerosol source based on the remaining amount;
Control unit of the aerosol generator.

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