JP7621459B2 - Aerosol Generator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device.

Patent Document 1 discloses an aerosol delivery system (aerosol generating device) that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol source to vaporize and/or atomize it. In the aerosol delivery system of Patent Document 1, the generated aerosol flows through a second aerosol generating device (container) that contains an aerosol generating element (flavor source), so that flavor components contained in the flavor source are added to the aerosol, and the user can inhale the aerosol containing the flavor components.

Patent document 1 also discloses that menthol may be contained in both the aerosol precursor composition of the reservoir substrate and the aerosol generating element of the second aerosol generating device.

As with smokers of cigarettes, users of aerosol generating devices have different preferences for flavors. For example, some users of aerosol generating devices prefer the flavor of menthol, while others prefer the flavor of regular cigarettes that do not contain menthol. In order to accommodate users with different preferences, it is desirable that the aerosol generating device be capable of selecting multiple types of aerosol sources and/or flavor sources and capable of generating aerosols with multiple types of flavors added. Furthermore, in order to provide the user with the optimal flavor, it is preferable to separately set a mode that controls discharge to a load that heats the aerosol source and/or flavor source according to the selected aerosol source and/or flavor source.

Therefore, Patent Document 2 discloses an electrically heated smoking system that is equipped with a detector capable of identifying specific smoking articles from identification information printed on the smoking article, and that establishes a heating protocol based on the specific smoking article identified by the detector.

Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses an aerosol generating device that includes a cigarette sensing unit that can identify the type of cigarette based on the number of protrusions protruding from the joint of the cigarette, selects a temperature profile that corresponds to the type of cigarette identified by the cigarette sensing unit, and controls the battery power supplied to the heater according to the selected temperature profile.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-150031 Japan Special Table No. 2012-513750 Japan Special Table No. 2020-526208

However, the electrically heated smoking system of Patent Document 2 requires a process of printing identification information on the smoking article, and the aerosol generating device of Patent Document 3 requires a process of forming different numbers of protrusions at the joint of the cigarette depending on the type of cigarette. Thus, the electrically heated smoking system of Patent Document 2 and the aerosol generating device of Patent Document 3 require a process of attaching identification information to the smoking article and cigarette, which increases the number of steps required during manufacturing.

The present invention provides an aerosol generating device that can obtain information about an aerosol source and eliminates the need for a process for attaching identification information to an aerosol source storage unit, thereby reducing the number of steps required during manufacturing.

The present invention relates to
a removable aerosol source storage unit in which an aerosol source is stored;
a heater for heating the aerosol source to vaporize and/or atomize it;
a power supply unit including a power supply electrically connected to the heater and a controller capable of controlling discharge from the power supply to the heater;
An aerosol generating device comprising:
The aerosol source storage unit has a colored portion formed thereon,
The aerosol generating device further includes a color identification sensor capable of identifying the color applied to the colored portion,
The controller:
An aerosol source information acquisition process is executed to acquire information about the aerosol source stored in the aerosol source storage unit based on information about the color of the colored portion identified by the color identification sensor ,
The aerosol generating device comprises:
a cartridge cover for accommodating a cartridge having an aerosol flow path through which the aerosol vaporized and/or atomized by the heater flows;
The cartridge cover includes:
The cartridge holder includes an inner circumferential wall that defines a space in which the cartridge is housed, an outer circumferential wall that is formed outside the inner circumferential wall, and a space that is formed between the inner circumferential wall and the outer circumferential wall,
The color identification sensor is provided in the space .

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain information regarding the aerosol source stored in the aerosol source storage unit, and there is no need to perform a process of attaching identification information to the aerosol source storage unit, thereby reducing the number of steps required during manufacturing.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an aerosol inhalator. FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the aerosol inhalator of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol inhalator of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a power supply unit in the aerosol inhalator of FIG. 1. 4 is an enlarged view of a main portion of region A in FIG. 3, showing the periphery of a color discrimination sensor in the aerosol inhalator of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the hardware configuration of the aerosol inhalator of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of the power supply unit shown in FIG. 6 . 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the aerosol inhalator of FIG. 1 (part 1: power-on control). 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the aerosol inhalator of FIG. 1 (part 2: cartridge identification process). 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the aerosol inhalator of FIG. 1 (part 3: standby control). 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the aerosol inhalator of FIG. 1 (part 4: discharge control and aerosol generation control). 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the aerosol inhalator of FIG. 1 (part 5: remaining amount update process and power off control). FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of control in the menthol mode (part 1: when the aerosol source and the flavor source both contain menthol). FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of control in the menthol mode (part 2: when only the aerosol source contains menthol).

Hereinafter, an aerosol inhaler 1, which is one embodiment of the aerosol generating device of the present invention, will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 14. Note that the drawings should be viewed in the direction indicated by the reference symbols.

(Overview of the aerosol inhaler)
1 to 3, the aerosol inhalator 1 is a device for generating an aerosol without combustion, adding a flavor component to the generated aerosol, and enabling a user to inhale the aerosol containing the flavor component. As an example, the aerosol inhalator 1 is rod-shaped.

The aerosol inhaler 1 includes a power supply unit 10, a cartridge cover 20 in which a cartridge 40 that stores an aerosol source 71 is housed, and a capsule holder 30 in which a capsule 50 having a storage chamber 53 in which a flavor source 52 is housed is housed. The power supply unit 10, the cartridge cover 20, and the capsule holder 30 are provided in this order from one end side to the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol inhaler 1. The power supply unit 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape centered on a center line L extending in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol inhaler 1. The cartridge cover 20 and the capsule holder 30 have a substantially annular shape centered on a center line L extending in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol inhaler 1. The outer peripheral surface of the power supply unit 10 and the outer peripheral surface of the cartridge cover 20 are substantially annular shapes of substantially the same diameter, and the capsule holder 30 is substantially annular shapes of a diameter slightly smaller than that of the power supply unit 10 and the cartridge cover 20.

In the following, in order to simplify and clarify the explanation in this specification, the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped aerosol inhalator 1 is defined as the first direction X. In addition, for the sake of convenience, in the first direction X, the side on which the power supply unit 10 of the aerosol inhalator 1 is arranged is defined as the bottom side, and the side on which the capsule holder 30 of the aerosol inhalator 1 is arranged is defined as the top side. In the drawings, the bottom side of the aerosol inhalator 1 in the first direction X is indicated as D, and the top side of the aerosol inhalator 1 in the first direction X is indicated as U.

The cartridge cover 20 is hollow and has a generally circular ring shape with both bottom and top end faces open. The bottom end of the cartridge cover 20 connects to the top end of the power supply unit 10. The cartridge cover 20 is detachable from the power supply unit 10.

The capsule holder 30 is hollow and has an approximately circular ring shape with both bottom and top end faces open. The bottom end of the capsule holder 30 is connected to the top end of the cartridge cover 20. The capsule holder 30 is formed of a metal such as aluminum. The capsule holder 30 is detachable from the cartridge cover 20.

The cartridge 40 has a generally cylindrical shape and is housed inside the cartridge cover 20. The cartridge 40 can be housed inside the cartridge cover 20 with the capsule holder 30 removed from the cartridge cover 20, and can be removed from inside the cartridge cover 20. Therefore, the aerosol inhaler 1 can be used by replacing the cartridge 40.

The capsule 50 has a generally cylindrical shape and is housed in the hollow portion of the capsule holder 30, which is generally annular, so that the top end in the first direction X is exposed in the first direction X from the top end of the capsule holder 30. The capsule 50 is detachable from the capsule holder 30. Therefore, the aerosol inhaler 1 can be used by replacing the capsule 50.

(Power supply unit)
3 and 4, the power supply unit 10 includes a hollow, generally annular power supply unit case 11 centered on a center line L extending in the first direction X. The power supply unit case 11 is formed of a metal such as stainless steel. The power supply unit case 11 has a top surface 11a which is an end surface on the top side of the power supply unit case 11 in the first direction X, a bottom surface 11b which is an end surface on the bottom side of the power supply unit case 11 in the first direction X, and a side surface 11c which extends in the first direction X from the top surface 11a to the bottom surface 11b in a generally annular shape centered on the center line L.

A discharge terminal 12 is provided on the top surface 11a of the power supply unit case 11. The discharge terminal 12 is provided so as to protrude from the top surface 11a of the power supply unit case 11 toward the top side in the first direction X.

In addition, an air supply unit 13 that supplies air to a heating chamber 43 of a cartridge 40 (described later) is provided on the top surface 11a near the discharge terminal 12. The air supply unit 13 is provided so as to protrude from the top surface 11a of the power supply unit case 11 toward the top side in the first direction X.

A charging terminal 14 that can be electrically connected to an external power source (not shown) is provided on the side surface 11c of the power supply unit case 11. In this embodiment, the charging terminal 14 is provided on the side surface 11c near the bottom surface 11b and is a receptacle to which, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal, a microUSB terminal, etc. can be connected.

In addition, the charging terminal 14 may be a power receiving unit capable of contactlessly receiving power transmitted from an external power source. In such a case, the charging terminal 14 (power receiving unit) may be composed of a power receiving coil. The method of contactless power transmission (WPT: Wireless Power Transfer) may be an electromagnetic induction type, a magnetic resonance type, or a combination of an electromagnetic induction type and a magnetic resonance type. The charging terminal 14 may also be a power receiving unit capable of contactlessly receiving power transmitted from an external power source. As another example, the charging terminal 14 may have both a receptacle to which a USB terminal, a microUSB terminal, etc. can be connected, and the above-mentioned power receiving unit.

An operation unit 15 that can be operated by the user is provided on the side surface 11c of the power supply unit case 11. The operation unit 15 is provided on the side surface 11c near the top surface 11a. In this embodiment, the operation unit 15 is provided at a position about 180 degrees away from the charging terminal 14 with the center line L as the center when viewed from the first direction X. In this embodiment, the operation unit 15 is a circular push button switch when the side surface 11c of the power supply unit case 11 is viewed from the outside. The operation unit 15 may be a shape other than circular, and may be composed of a switch other than a push button type, a touch panel, or the like.

The power supply unit case 11 is provided with a notification section 16 that notifies various pieces of information. The notification section 16 is composed of a light-emitting element 161 and a vibration element 162 (see FIG. 6). In this embodiment, the light-emitting element 161 is provided inside the power supply unit case 11 of the operation section 15. The periphery of the circular operation section 15 is translucent when the side surface 11c of the power supply unit case 11 is viewed from the outside, and is configured to be lit by the light-emitting element 161. In this embodiment, the light-emitting element 161 is capable of emitting red, green, blue, white, and purple light.

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 charging terminal 14, around the operating unit 15, or in a position on the power supply unit case 11 away from the charging terminal 14 and the operating unit 15. The air intake port may be provided in the cartridge cover 20. The air intake port may be provided in two or more of the above locations.

The hollow portion of the hollow, roughly annular power supply unit case 11 houses a power supply 61, an intake sensor 62, an MCU 63 (MCU: Micro Controller Unit), and a charging IC 64 (IC: Integrated Circuit). The power supply unit case 11 also houses an LDO regulator 65 (LDO: Low Drop Out), a DC/DC converter 66, a first temperature detection element 67 including a voltage sensor 671 and a current sensor 672, and a second temperature detection element 68 including a voltage sensor 681 and a current sensor 682 (see Figures 6 and 7).

The power source 61 is a chargeable and dischargeable electricity storage device such as a secondary battery or an electric double layer capacitor, and is preferably a lithium ion secondary battery. The electrolyte of the power source 61 may be one or a combination of a gel electrolyte, an electrolytic solution, a solid electrolyte, and an ionic liquid.

The inhalation sensor 62 is provided near the operation unit 15. The inhalation sensor 62 is a pressure sensor that detects a puff (inhalation) action. The inhalation sensor 62 is configured to output a value of a pressure (internal pressure) change inside the power supply unit 10 caused by the user inhaling through the suction port 58 of the capsule 50 described later. The inhalation sensor 62 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 air sucked from the air intake port toward the suction port 58 of the capsule 50 (i.e., the user's puffing action). The inhalation sensor 62 may output an analog value, or may output a digital value converted from the analog value.

Intake sensor 62 may incorporate a temperature sensor that detects the temperature (outside air temperature) of the environment in which power supply unit 10 is placed in order to compensate for the detected pressure. Intake sensor 62 may be composed of a condenser microphone, a flow sensor, or the like, instead of a pressure sensor.

The MCU 63 is an electronic component that performs various controls of the aerosol inhaler 1. Specifically, the MCU 63 is mainly composed of a processor, and further includes a memory 63a composed of a storage medium such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) necessary for the operation of the processor and a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores various information (see FIG. 6). Specifically, the processor in this specification is an electric circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

When the puffing operation is performed and the output value of the inhalation sensor 62 exceeds the threshold, the MCU 63 determines that an aerosol generation request has been made, and when the output value of the inhalation sensor 62 falls below this threshold, the MCU 63 determines that the aerosol generation request has been terminated. In this way, the output value of the inhalation sensor 62 is used as a signal indicating an aerosol generation request. Therefore, the inhalation sensor 62 constitutes a sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request. Note that the inhalation sensor 62 may make the above-mentioned determination instead of the MCU 63, and the MCU 63 may receive a digital value corresponding to the determination result from the inhalation sensor 62. As a specific example, when it is determined that an aerosol generation request has been made, the inhalation sensor 62 may output a high-level signal, and when it is determined that the aerosol generation request has been terminated, the inhalation sensor 62 may output a low-level signal. In addition, the threshold at which the MCU 63 or the inhalation sensor 62 determines that an aerosol generation request has been made may be different from the threshold at which the MCU 63 or the inhalation sensor 62 determines that the aerosol generation request has been terminated.

In addition, instead of the intake sensor 62, the MCU 63 may be configured to detect an aerosol generation request based on the operation of the operation unit 15. For example, when a user performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 15 to start inhaling aerosol, the operation unit 15 may be configured to output a signal indicating an aerosol generation request to the MCU 63. In this case, the operation unit 15 constitutes a sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request.

The charging IC 64 is provided near the charging terminal 14. The charging IC 64 controls the power input from the charging terminal 14 and charged to the power source 61, thereby controlling the charging of the power source 61. The charging IC 64 may be provided near the MCU 63.

(cartridge)
As shown in Fig. 3, the cartridge 40 includes a cartridge case 41 having a substantially cylindrical shape with the axial direction as the longitudinal direction. The cartridge case 41 is formed of a colorless and transparent resin such as polycarbonate. Inside the cartridge case 41, a storage chamber 42 for storing the aerosol source 71 and a heating chamber 43 for heating the aerosol source 71 are formed. The heating chamber 43 contains a wick 44 for transporting the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 to the heating chamber 43 and holding the aerosol source 71 in the heating chamber 43, and a first heater 45 for heating the aerosol source 71 held in the wick 44 to vaporize and/or atomize the aerosol source 71. The cartridge 40 further includes a first aerosol flow path 46 for aerosolizing the aerosol source 71 heated and vaporized and/or atomized by the first heater 45 and transporting the aerosol source 71 from the heating chamber 43 to the capsule 50.

The storage chamber 42 and the heating chamber 43 are formed adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40. The heating chamber 43 is formed at one end of the cartridge 40 in the longitudinal direction, and the storage chamber 42 is formed adjacent to the heating chamber 43 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40 and extends to the end of the other end of the cartridge 40 in the longitudinal direction.

The storage chamber 42 has a hollow, generally circular ring shape with the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40 as the axial direction, and stores the aerosol source 71 in the circular ring portion. The storage chamber 42 may contain a porous body such as a resin web or cotton, and the aerosol source 71 may be impregnated into the porous body. The storage chamber 42 may not contain a porous body on the resin web or cotton, and only the aerosol source 71 may be stored. The aerosol source 71 contains a liquid such as glycerin and/or propylene glycol.

The aerosol source 71 may contain menthol 80. In this embodiment, a regular type cartridge 40 in which an aerosol source 71 not containing menthol 80 is stored in the storage chamber 42, and a menthol type cartridge 40 in which an aerosol source 71 containing menthol 80 is stored in the storage chamber 42 are provided to the user by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1. FIG. 3 shows an example in which a menthol type cartridge 40 in which an aerosol source 71 containing menthol 80 is stored in the storage chamber 42 is attached. In addition, in FIG. 3, the menthol 80 is shown in a particulate form for ease of explanation, but in this embodiment, the menthol 80 is dissolved in a liquid such as glycerin and/or propylene glycol. In addition, the menthol 80 shown in FIG. 3 is merely simulated, and it should be noted that the position and number of the menthol 80 in the storage chamber 42, the position and number of the menthol 80 in the capsule 50, and the positional relationship between the menthol 80 and the flavor source 52 do not necessarily match the actual ones.

The wick 44 is a liquid retention member that draws the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 from the storage chamber 42 into the heating chamber 43 by using capillary action and retains the aerosol source 71 in the heating chamber 43. The wick 44 is made of, for example, glass fiber or porous ceramic. The wick 44 may extend into the interior of the storage chamber 42.

The first heater 45 is electrically connected to the connection terminal 47. In this embodiment, the first heater 45 is composed of an electric heating wire (coil) wound around the wick 44 at a predetermined pitch. The first heater 45 may be any element capable of heating the aerosol source 71 held in the wick 44 to vaporize and/or atomize it. The first heater 45 may be, for example, a heating resistor, a ceramic heater, an induction heating heater, or other heating element. The first heater 45 is used in which the temperature and the electrical resistance value are correlated. The first heater 45 is used in which, for example, the heater has a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) characteristic in which the electrical resistance value increases with an increase in temperature. Alternatively, a heater having a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) characteristic in which an electrical resistance value decreases with an increase in temperature may be used as the first heater 45. Furthermore, a part of the first heater 45 may be provided outside the heating chamber 43.

The first aerosol flow path 46 is formed in the hollow portion of the storage chamber 42 having a hollow, approximately annular shape, and extends in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40. The first aerosol flow path 46 is formed by a wall portion 46a extending in an approximately annular shape in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40. The wall portion 46a of the first aerosol flow path 46 also serves as the inner peripheral wall portion of the storage chamber 42 having an approximately annular shape. The first aerosol flow path 46 has a first end portion 461 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40 connected to the heating chamber 43, and a second end portion 462 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40 opening into the end face on the other end side of the cartridge case 41.

An electrode section 48 provided with a connection terminal 47 is fitted to one end of the cartridge case 41 in the longitudinal direction, i.e., the end of the cartridge case 41 on the side where the heating chamber 43 is located in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40. The electrode section 48 has a bottomed cylindrical shape that is approximately concentric and has approximately the same diameter as the cartridge case 41, and the bottom surface 48a of the electrode section 48 constitutes the end surface of the cartridge 40 on the side where the heating chamber 43 is located in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40. The connection terminal 47 is provided on the surface of the bottom surface 48a of the electrode section 48 facing the outside of the cartridge 40, and is exposed to the outer surface of the cartridge 40.

The cartridge 40 has a colored coloring portion 49 formed thereon. In this embodiment, the coloring portion 49 is formed on the electrode portion 48 of the cartridge 40. In this embodiment, the coloring portion 49 is formed by forming at least a part of the electrode portion 48 with a colored resin. In this embodiment, the coloring portion 49 is formed on the entire electrode portion 48 having a bottomed cylindrical shape, and the outer surface of the cylindrical surface of the electrode portion 48 is the coloring portion 49. In this embodiment, the coloring portion 49 constitutes a part of the outer surface of the cartridge 40 and is visible from the outside of the cartridge 40. The coloring portion 49 may be located inside the cartridge case 41 formed of a colorless and transparent resin and may be visible from the outside of the cartridge 40 through the cartridge case 41 formed of a colorless and transparent resin. The coloring portion 49 may be formed on the cartridge 40 other than the electrode portion 48 as long as it is formed on the cartridge 40. In this case, it is preferable that the coloring portion 49 constitutes a part of the outer surface of the cartridge 40 and is visible from the outside of the cartridge 40.

The colored portion 49 is colored in a different color for each flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40. The colored portion 49 may be colored in any color that differs for each flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40. It is preferable that the colored portion 49 is colored in any of red, green, and blue for each flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40. In this embodiment, the colored portion 49 of the regular type cartridge 40 in which the aerosol source 71 not containing menthol 80 is stored in the storage chamber 42 is colored red, and the colored portion 49 of the menthol type cartridge 40 in which the aerosol source 71 containing menthol 80 is stored in the storage chamber 42 is colored green.

The colored portion 49 is formed so as not to transmit light.

The cartridge 40 is accommodated in the hollow portion of the hollow, approximately annular cartridge cover 20 such that the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40 is the first direction X, which is the longitudinal direction of the aerosol inhalator 1. Furthermore, the cartridge 40 is accommodated in the hollow portion of the cartridge cover 20 such that, in the first direction X, the heating chamber 43 is on the bottom side of the aerosol inhalator 1 (i.e., the power supply unit 10 side) and the storage chamber 42 is on the top side of the aerosol inhalator 1 (i.e., the capsule 50 side).

The first aerosol flow path 46 of the cartridge 40 is formed to extend in the first direction X along the center line L of the aerosol inhaler 1 when the cartridge 40 is housed inside the cartridge cover 20.

The cartridge 40 is housed in the hollow portion of the cartridge cover 20 so that, when the aerosol inhaler 1 is in use, the connection terminal 47 is maintained in contact with the discharge terminal 12 provided on the top surface 11a of the power supply unit case 11. When the discharge terminal 12 of the power supply unit 10 comes into contact with the connection terminal 47 of the cartridge 40, the power supply 61 of the power supply unit 10 is electrically connected to the first heater 45 of the cartridge 40 via the discharge terminal 12 and the connection terminal 47.

Furthermore, the cartridge 40 is housed in the hollow portion of the cartridge cover 20 so that, when the aerosol inhaler 1 is in use, air flowing in from an air intake port (not shown) provided in the power supply unit case 11 is taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply section 13 provided on the top surface 11a of the power supply unit case 11, as shown by arrow B in Fig. 3. Note that although arrow B is inclined with respect to the center line L in Fig. 3, it may be in the same direction as the center line L. In other words, arrow B may be parallel to the center line L.

When the aerosol inhaler 1 is in use, the first heater 45 heats the aerosol source 71 held in the wick 44 without combustion by power supplied from the power source 61 via the discharge terminal 12 provided on the power supply unit case 11 and the connection terminal 47 provided on the cartridge 40. Then, in the heating chamber 43, the aerosol source 71 heated by the first heater 45 is vaporized and/or atomized. At this time, if the cartridge 40 is a menthol type in which the aerosol source 71 containing menthol 80 is stored in the storage chamber 42, the vaporized and/or atomized aerosol source 71 includes vaporized and/or atomized glycerin and/or propylene glycol, etc., as well as vaporized and/or atomized menthol 80.

The aerosol source 71 vaporized and/or atomized in the heating chamber 43 is aerosolized using the air taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply unit 13 of the power supply unit case 11 as a dispersion medium. Furthermore, the aerosol source 71 vaporized and/or atomized in the heating chamber 43 and the air taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply unit 13 of the power supply unit case 11 flow through the first aerosol flow path 46 from the first end 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46 communicating with the heating chamber 43 to the second end 462 of the first aerosol flow path 46 while being further aerosolized. The aerosol source 71 vaporized and/or atomized in the heating chamber 43 is cooled in temperature as it flows through the first aerosol flow path 46, accelerating aerosolization. In this manner, aerosol 72 is generated in the heating chamber 43 and the first aerosol flow path 46 by the aerosol source 71 vaporized and/or atomized in the heating chamber 43 and the air taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply unit 13 of the power supply unit case 11. When the cartridge 40 is a menthol type in which the aerosol source 71 containing menthol 80 is stored in the storage chamber 42, the aerosol 72 in the heating chamber 43 and the first aerosol flow path 46 also contains aerosolized menthol 80 derived from the aerosol source 71.

(capsule)
The capsule 50 has a generally cylindrical shape and includes a side wall 51 that is open at both ends and extends in a generally annular shape. The side wall 51 is made of, for example, a resin such as plastic. The capsule 50 includes a storage chamber 53 that stores a flavor source 52.

The flavor source 52 includes tobacco granules 521 formed by granulating tobacco raw materials. The flavor source 52 may include menthol 80 in addition to the tobacco granules 521. In this embodiment, a regular type capsule 50 containing a flavor source 52 that does not include menthol 80 and a menthol type capsule 50 containing a flavor source 52 that includes menthol 80 are provided to the user by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1. FIG. 3 shows an example in which a menthol type capsule 50 containing a flavor source 52 that includes menthol 80 is attached. The flavor source 52 of the menthol type capsule 50 has menthol 80 adsorbed to the tobacco granules 521.

The flavor source 52 may contain shredded tobacco instead of the tobacco granules 521. The flavor source 52 may contain a plant other than tobacco (e.g., mint, Chinese medicine, herbs, etc.) instead of the tobacco granules 521. The flavor source 52 may contain other flavorings in addition to menthol 80.

The storage chamber 53 is formed in the internal space of the capsule 50 surrounded by the side wall 51. The storage chamber 53 includes an inlet portion 54 provided at one end side of the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50 extending in a substantially cylindrical shape, and an outlet portion 55 provided at the other end side of the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50. The inlet portion 54 is formed at the bottom of the capsule 50 and constitutes the bottom surface of the capsule 50. The inlet portion 54 is a mesh-like partition wall through which the flavor source 52 cannot pass and the aerosol 72 can pass. The outlet portion 55 is a filter member filled in the internal space of the capsule 50 surrounded by the side wall 51 at the end on the top side of the side wall 51 in the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50. The outlet portion 55 is a filter member through which the flavor source 52 cannot pass and the aerosol 72 can pass. In this embodiment, the outlet portion 55 is provided near the top of the capsule 50, but the outlet portion 55 may be provided at a position spaced apart from the top of the capsule 50. The storage chamber 53 is surrounded by a side wall 51 , an inlet portion 54 , and an outlet portion 55 .

In the capsule 50, a suction port 58 through which the user performs inhalation is formed on the other end side of the outlet portion 55 in the cylindrical axial direction, i.e., on the top side of the outlet portion 55 in the cylindrical axial direction.

(Capsule holder)
The capsule holder 30 has a side wall 31 extending in a substantially annular shape in the first direction X, and is hollow and substantially annular with both ends open at the bottom and top. The side wall 31 is substantially annular with a diameter slightly larger than that of the side wall 51 of the capsule 50. The side wall 31 is formed of a metal such as aluminum. The bottom end of the capsule holder 30 is connected to the top end of the cartridge cover 20 by screwing, locking, or the like, and is detachable from the cartridge cover 20. The inner peripheral surface 31a of the substantially annular side wall 31 is annular with a center on the center line L of the aerosol inhaler 1, and has a diameter larger than that of the first aerosol flow path 46 of the cartridge 40 and smaller than that of the cartridge cover 20.

The capsule holder 30 has a bottom wall 32 provided at the bottom end of the side wall 31. The bottom wall 32 is formed of, for example, resin. The bottom wall 32 is fixed to the bottom end of the side wall 31 and closes the hollow space surrounded by the inner circumferential surface of the side wall 31 at the bottom end of the side wall 31, except for a communication hole 33 described later.

The bottom wall 32 is provided with a communication hole 33 penetrating in the first direction X. The communication hole 33 is formed at a position overlapping the center line L when viewed from the first direction. When the cartridge 40 is housed inside the cartridge cover 20 and the capsule holder 30 is attached to the cartridge cover 20, the communication hole 33 is formed such that the first aerosol flow path 46 of the cartridge 40 is located inside the communication hole 33 when viewed from the top side in the first direction X.

The second heater 34 is provided on the side wall 31 of the capsule holder 30. The second heater 34 has a circular shape along the side wall 31, which is substantially circular, and extends in the first direction X. The second heater 34 heats the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50 to heat the flavor source 52 stored in the storage chamber 53. The second heater 34 may be an element that can heat the flavor source 52 by heating the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50. The second heater 34 may be, for example, a heating element such as a heating resistor, a ceramic heater, and an induction heating heater. The second heater 34 is used in which the temperature and the electrical resistance value are correlated. For example, the second heater 34 is used in which the PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) characteristic, in which the electrical resistance value increases with an increase in temperature, is used. Alternatively, the second heater 34 may have, for example, a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) characteristic in which the electrical resistance value decreases as the temperature increases.

When the cartridge cover 20 is attached to the power supply unit 10 and the capsule holder 30 is attached to the cartridge cover 20, the second heater 34 is electrically connected to the power supply 61 of the power supply unit 10 (see Figures 6 and 7). Specifically, when the cartridge cover 20 is attached to the power supply unit 10 and the capsule holder 30 is attached to the cartridge cover 20, the discharge terminal 17 (see Figure 6) of the power supply unit 10 comes into contact with the connection terminal (not shown) of the capsule holder 30, and the second heater 34 of the capsule holder 30 is electrically connected to the power supply 61 of the power supply unit 10 via the discharge terminal 17 and the connection terminal of the capsule holder 30.

(Configuration of the aerosol inhaler when in use)
The aerosol inhalator 1 configured in this manner is used in a state where the cartridge cover 20, the capsule holder 30, the cartridge 40, and the capsule 50 are attached to the power supply unit 10. In this state, an aerosol flow path 90 is formed in the aerosol inhalator 1 by at least the first aerosol flow path 46 provided in the cartridge 40 and the communication hole 33 provided in the bottom wall 32 of the capsule holder 30. The aerosol flow path 90 connects the heating chamber 43 of the cartridge 40 and the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50, and transports the aerosol 72 generated in the heating chamber 43 from the heating chamber 43 to the storage chamber 53.

When the aerosol inhaler 1 is in use, when the user inhales through the suction port 58, air flowing in from an air intake port (not shown) provided in the power supply unit case 11 is taken into the heating chamber 43 of the cartridge 40 from the air supply unit 13 provided on the top surface 11a of the power supply unit case 11, as shown by arrow B in Fig. 3. Furthermore, the first heater 45 generates heat, the aerosol source 71 held in the wick 44 is heated, and the aerosol source 71 heated by the first heater 45 is vaporized and/or atomized in the heating chamber 43. The aerosol source 71 vaporized and/or atomized by the first heater 45 is aerosolized using the air taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply unit 13 of the power supply unit case 11 as a dispersion medium. The aerosol source 71 vaporized and/or atomized in the heating chamber 43 and the air taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply unit 13 of the power supply unit case 11 flow through the first aerosol flow path 46 from a first end 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46 communicating with the heating chamber 43 to a second end 462 of the first aerosol flow path 46 while being further aerosolized. The aerosol 72 thus generated is introduced from the second end 462 of the first aerosol flow path 46 through the communication hole 33 provided in the bottom wall 32 of the capsule holder 30 and into the storage chamber 53 from the inlet 54 of the capsule 50.

The aerosol 72 introduced into the storage chamber 53 from the inlet 54 passes through the flavor source 52 contained in the storage chamber 53 as it flows from the inlet 54 to the outlet 55 in the first direction X of the aerosol inhaler 1, thereby adding flavor components from the flavor source 52.

In this way, the aerosol 72 flows in the storage chamber 53 from the inlet 54 to the outlet 55 in the first direction X of the aerosol inhalator 1. Therefore, in this embodiment, the flow direction of the aerosol 72 in the storage chamber 53, in which the aerosol 72 flows from the inlet 54 to the outlet 55, is the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50, which is the first direction X of the aerosol inhalator 1.

Furthermore, when the aerosol inhaler 1 is in use, the second heater 34 provided in the capsule holder 30 generates heat and heats the storage chamber 53. This heats the flavor source 52 stored in the storage chamber 53 and the aerosol 72 flowing through the storage chamber 53.

(Cartridge cover and color identification sensor)
5, the cartridge cover 20 has a generally annular outer wall 21 extending in the first direction X, and a generally annular inner wall 22 that is generally concentric with the outer wall 21 inside the ring of the outer wall 21 and extends in the first direction X facing the outer wall 21. The outer wall 21 is made of a metal such as stainless steel and does not transmit light. The inner wall 22 is made of a resin such as polycarbonate and is colorless and transparent and transmits light.

A space 23 is formed between the outer peripheral wall 21 and the inner peripheral wall 22. A color identification sensor 24 capable of identifying the color of the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 is provided in the space 23. The cartridge 40 is therefore housed in a space inside the inner peripheral wall 22, surrounded by the inner peripheral wall 22 of the cartridge cover 20, and the color identification sensor 24 is separated from the space in which the cartridge 40 is housed by the inner peripheral wall 22 and provided in the space 23 formed outside the inner peripheral wall 22. This makes it possible to prevent the user from inhaling the components of the solder, adhesive, etc. used to fix the color identification sensor 24 when the user performs an inhalation operation during use of the aerosol inhaler 1.

The color identification sensor 24 is provided at a position facing the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 when the cartridge cover 20 is attached to the power supply unit 10 and the cartridge 40 is attached inside the cartridge cover 20. In this embodiment, the color identification sensor 24 is disposed at a position facing the outer surface of the cylindrical surface of the electrode portion 48 of the cartridge 40 on the radially outer side when the cartridge cover 20 is attached to the power supply unit 10 and the cartridge 40 is attached inside the cartridge cover 20.

The color identification sensor 24 has a light-projecting section 241 capable of projecting light toward the inside of the cartridge cover 20 toward the colored section 49 of the cartridge 40, and a color sensor section 242 that receives light reflected from the colored section 49 of the cartridge 40 and quantifies the color components of the received light.

A light-blocking member 25 that does not transmit light is provided in the space 23 between the color identification sensor 24 and the inner wall 22 of the cartridge cover 20. The light-blocking member 25 may be, for example, a light-blocking film that does not transmit light and is adhered to the surface of the inner wall 22 that faces the outer wall 21, or a light-blocking film made of a material that does not transmit light and is formed on the surface of the inner wall 22 that faces the outer wall 21.

The light-shielding member 25 is formed with a light-transmitting portion 25a that transmits light. The light-transmitting portion 25a is, for example, a through hole formed in the light-shielding member 25. When the cartridge cover 20 is attached to the power supply unit 10 and the cartridge 40 is attached inside the cartridge cover 20, the light-transmitting portion 25a is formed between the light-projecting portion 241 of the color identification sensor 24 and the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40, and between the color sensor portion 242 of the color identification sensor 24 and the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40. Note that the light-transmitting portion 25a may be formed in a position and size between both the light-projecting portion 241 and the color sensor portion 242 of the color identification sensor 24 and the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 when the cartridge cover 20 is attached to the power supply unit 10 and the cartridge 40 is attached inside the cartridge cover 20.

The light-projecting unit 241 of the color identification sensor 24 projects white light toward the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 and into the inside of the cartridge cover 20. The light-projecting unit 241 may have, for example, a blue LED element and a yellow phosphor, and generate white light by mixing blue light emitted from the blue LED element and yellow light excited by the yellow phosphor with the blue light emitted from the blue LED element. The light-projecting unit 241 may have, for example, a near-ultraviolet LED element and a red phosphor, a green phosphor, and a blue phosphor, and generate white light by mixing red light excited by the red phosphor with near-ultraviolet light emitted from the near-ultraviolet LED element, green light excited by the green phosphor, and blue light excited by the blue phosphor. The light-projecting unit 241 may have, for example, a red LED element, a green LED element, and a blue LED element, and may generate white light by mixing the red light emitted from the red LED element, the green light emitted from the green LED element, and the blue light emitted from the blue LED element.

The white light projected from the light projecting unit 241 passes through the light transmitting portion 25a of the light blocking member 25 and illuminates the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40. Of the white light projected onto the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40, light of a specific wavelength is reflected according to the color of the colored portion 49.

The color sensor section 242 of the color identification sensor 24 has a light receiving section that receives light that is reflected according to the color applied to the colored section 49 and passes through the light transmitting section 25a of the light blocking member 25, and an analog-to-digital converter that converts the color components of the light received by the light receiving section into numerical values.

For example, in the color sensor section 242 of the color identification sensor 24, the light receiving section has a photodiode that receives a red component, a photodiode that receives a green component, and a photodiode that receives a blue component, and the analog-to-digital converter converts the red component, green component, and blue component of the light received by the light receiving section into numerical values ranging from 0 to 255 based on the amount of light received by each of the photodiodes that receive the red component, the photodiode that receives the green component, and the photodiode that receives the blue component.

For example, in the color sensor section 242 of the color identification sensor 24, the light receiving section may have multiple photodiodes that are wavelength-divided within the visible range, and the analog-to-digital converter may digitize the red, green, and blue components of the light received by the light receiving section into values between 0 and 255 based on the amount of light received by each photodiode.

At this time, since the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 is formed so as not to transmit light, it is possible to increase the amount of reflected light that reflects according to the color of the colored portion 49. As a result, in the color sensor portion 242 of the color identification sensor 24, the light receiving portion can receive more light that reflects according to the color of the colored portion 49, so that the color components of the light received by the light receiving portion can be accurately quantified, and the color of the colored portion 49 can be accurately identified.

The colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 is colored red, green, or blue (in this embodiment, the colored portion 49 of a regular type cartridge 40 in which an aerosol source 71 not containing menthol 80 is stored in the storage chamber 42 is colored red, and the colored portion 49 of a menthol type cartridge 40 in which an aerosol source 71 containing menthol 80 is stored in the storage chamber 42 is colored green), so that it is easy to identify the color of the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 from the values of the red, green, and blue components of the light received by the light receiving unit, which are digitized by an analog-to-digital converter in the color sensor portion 242 of the color identification sensor 24.

In addition, since the color identification sensor 24 is provided on the cartridge cover 20, the color identification sensor 24 can be positioned near the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 without increasing the size of the aerosol inhaler 1, and the color applied to the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 can be accurately identified.

In addition, a light-shielding member 25 that does not transmit light is provided between the color identification sensor 24 and the inner peripheral wall 22 of the cartridge cover 20, and the white light projected from the light-projecting unit 241 passes through the light-transmitting portion 25a of the light-shielding member 25 and irradiates the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40, so that light other than the white light projected from the light-projecting unit 241 can be prevented from being irradiated onto the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40. In addition, a light-shielding member 25 that does not transmit light is provided between the color identification sensor 24 and the inner peripheral wall 22 of the cartridge cover 20, and the color sensor portion 242 of the color identification sensor 24 receives light that is reflected according to the color of the colored portion 49 and passes through the light-transmitting portion 25a of the light-shielding member 25, so that the color sensor portion 242 of the color identification sensor 24 can be prevented from receiving light other than the light reflected according to the color of the colored portion 49. This allows the color sensor portion 242 of the color identification sensor 24 to accurately identify the color of the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 .

The color sensor unit 242 of the color identification sensor 24 may perform HSL conversion to convert the values of the red, green, and blue components of the light received by the light receiving unit, which have been digitized in the analog-to-digital converter, into three color components: hue, saturation, and brightness. In HSL conversion, the hue is converted to a value between 0 degrees and 360 degrees, the saturation is converted to a value between 0 and 100, and the brightness is converted to a value between 0 and 100, depending on the values between 0 and 255 of the red, green, and blue components of the light received by the light receiving unit. This allows the color components of the light received by the light receiving unit to be digitized with high accuracy in relation to variations in the brightness of the light received by the light receiving unit.

In addition, the color sensor section 242 of the color identification sensor 24 may convert the values of the red, green, and blue components of the light received by the light receiving section, which have been digitized in an analog-to-digital converter, into color identification information from a publicly known color sample book.

The color identification sensor 24 outputs to the MCU 63 at least one of the following as information regarding the color applied to the coloring section 49 of the cartridge 40: a 0-255 value for each of the red, green, and blue components of the light received by the light receiving section which have been digitized by the analog-to-digital converter of the color sensor section 242; an HSL converted hue value of 0 degrees to 360 degrees; a saturation value of 0-100; and a brightness value of 0-100; and color identification information from a color sample book.

(Power supply unit details)
Next, the details of the power supply unit 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 6, in the power supply unit 10, a DC/DC converter 66, which is an example of a voltage converter capable of converting the output voltage of the power supply 61 and applying it to the first heater 45, is connected between the first heater 45 and the power supply 61 when the cartridge 40 is attached to the power supply unit 10. The MCU 63 is connected between the DC/DC converter 66 and the power supply 61. When the cartridge 40 is attached to the power supply unit 10, the second heater 34 is connected to a connection node provided between the MCU 63 and the DC/DC converter 66. Thus, in the power supply unit 10, when the cartridge 40 is attached, the series circuit of the DC/DC converter 66 and the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 are connected in parallel to the power supply 61.

The DC/DC converter 66 is a boost circuit controlled by the MCU 63 and capable of boosting an input voltage (for example, the output voltage of the power source 61), and is configured to be able to apply the input voltage or a voltage obtained by boosting the input voltage to the first heater 45. By changing the voltage applied to the first heater 45 by the DC/DC converter 66, the power supplied to the first heater 45 can be adjusted, so that the amount of the aerosol source 71 vaporized or atomized by the first heater 45 can be controlled. As the DC/DC converter 66, 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. When a switching regulator is used as the DC/DC converter 66, the input voltage can be output as it is without boosting it by controlling the switching element. The DC/DC converter 66 may be used, for example, to set the voltage applied to the first heater 45 to V1 to V5 [V], etc., which will be described later.

The MCU 63 is configured to acquire the temperature of the second heater 34, the temperature of the flavor source 52, or the temperature of the storage chamber 53 (i.e., the second temperature T2 described below) in order to control the discharge to the second heater 34. The MCU 63 is also preferably configured to acquire the temperature of the first heater 45. The temperature of the first heater 45 can be used to prevent overheating of the first heater 45 or the aerosol source 71, and to precisely control the amount of the aerosol source 71 vaporized or atomized by the first heater 45.

The voltage sensor 671 measures and outputs the voltage value applied to the first heater 45. The current sensor 672 measures and outputs the current value flowing through the first heater 45. The outputs of the voltage sensor 671 and the current sensor 672 are each input to the MCU 63. The MCU 63 obtains the resistance value of the first heater 45 based on the outputs of the voltage sensor 671 and the current sensor 672, and obtains the temperature of the first heater 45 based on the obtained resistance value of the first heater 45.

If a constant current is applied to the first heater 45 when the resistance value of the first heater 45 is obtained, the current sensor 672 is not required in the first temperature detection element 67. Similarly, if a constant voltage is applied to the first heater 45 when the resistance value of the first heater 45 is obtained, the voltage sensor 671 is not required in the first temperature detection element 67.

The voltage sensor 681 measures and outputs the voltage value applied to the second heater 34. The current sensor 682 measures and outputs the current value flowing through the second heater 34. The outputs of the voltage sensor 681 and the current sensor 682 are each input to the MCU 63. The MCU 63 obtains the resistance value of the second heater 34 based on the outputs of the voltage sensor 681 and the current sensor 682, and obtains the temperature of the second heater 34 based on the obtained resistance value of the second heater 34.

Here, the temperature of the second heater 34 does not strictly match the temperature of the flavor source 52 heated by the second heater 34, but can be considered to be approximately the same as the temperature of the flavor source 52. Also, the temperature of the second heater 34 does not strictly match the temperature of the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50 heated by the second heater 34, but can be considered to be approximately the same as the temperature of the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50. For this reason, the second temperature detection element 68 can also be used as a temperature detection element for detecting the temperature of the flavor source 52 or the temperature of the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50.

If a constant current is applied to the second heater 34 when the resistance value of the second heater 34 is obtained, the current sensor 682 is not required in the second temperature detection element 68. Similarly, if a constant voltage is applied to the second heater 34 when the resistance value of the second heater 34 is obtained, the voltage sensor 681 is not required in the second temperature detection element 68.

Even if the second temperature detection element 68 is provided in the capsule holder 30 or the cartridge 40, the temperature of the second heater 34, the temperature of the flavor source 52, or the temperature of the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50 can be obtained based on the output of the second temperature detection element 68, but it is preferable to provide the second temperature detection element 68 in the power supply unit 10, which is replaced least frequently in the aerosol inhaler 1. In this way, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing costs of the capsule holder 30 and the cartridge 40 and provide users with capsule holders 30 and cartridges 40 that are replaced more frequently than the power supply unit 10 at low cost.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of the power supply unit 10 shown in Figure 6. Figure 7 shows a specific example of a configuration that does not have a current sensor 682 as the second temperature detection element 68 and does not have a current sensor 672 as the first temperature detection element 67.

As shown in FIG. 7, the power supply unit 10 includes a power supply 61, an MCU 63, an LDO regulator 65, a switch SW1, a parallel circuit C1 consisting of a series circuit of a resistance element R1 connected in parallel to the switch SW1 and a switch SW2, a parallel circuit C2 consisting of a switch SW3, a series circuit of a resistance element R2 connected in parallel to the switch SW3 and a switch SW4, an operational amplifier OP1 and an analog-to-digital converter ADC1 that constitute a voltage sensor 671, and an operational amplifier OP2 and an analog-to-digital converter ADC2 that constitute a voltage sensor 681.

The resistive element described in this specification may be any element having a fixed electrical resistance, such as a resistor, a diode, or a transistor. In the example of Figure 7, resistive element R1 and resistive element R2 are each resistors.

The switches described in this specification are switching elements such as transistors that switch between interruption and conduction of the wiring path, and can be, for example, bipolar transistors such as insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) or field effect transistors such as metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs). The switches described in this specification may also be configured as relays. In the example of FIG. 7, switches SW1 to SW4 are each transistors.

The LDO regulator 65 is connected to the main positive bus LU, which is connected to the positive pole of the power supply 61. The MCU 63 is connected to the LDO regulator 65 and the main negative bus LD, which is connected to the negative pole of the power supply 61. The MCU 63 is also connected to each of the switches SW1 to SW4, and controls their opening and closing. The LDO regulator 65 steps down the voltage from the power supply 61 and outputs it. The output voltage V0 of the LDO regulator 65 is also used as the operating voltage for each of the MCU 63, the DC/DC converter 66, the operational amplifier OP1, the operational amplifier OP2, and the notification unit 16.

The DC/DC converter 66 is connected to the main positive bus LU. The first heater 45 is connected to the main negative bus LD. The parallel circuit C1 is connected to the DC/DC converter 66 and the first heater 45.

The parallel circuit C2 is connected to the main positive bus LU. The second heater 34 is connected to the parallel circuit C2 and the main negative bus LD.

The non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 is connected to the connection node between the parallel circuit C1 and the first heater 45. The inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 is connected to each of the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 and the main negative bus LD via a resistive element.

The non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 is connected to the connection node between the parallel circuit C2 and the second heater 34. The inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 is connected to each of the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 and the main negative bus LD via a resistive element.

The analog-to-digital converter ADC1 is connected to the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP1. The analog-to-digital converter ADC2 is connected to the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP2. The analog-to-digital converter ADC1 and the analog-to-digital converter ADC2 may be provided outside the MCU 63.

(MCU)
Next, a description will be given of the functions of the MCU 63. The MCU 63 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 memory 63a.

The temperature detection unit obtains a first temperature T1, which is the temperature of the first heater 45, based on the output of the first temperature detection element 67. The temperature detection unit also obtains a second temperature T2, which is the temperature of the second heater 34, the temperature of the flavor source 52, or the temperature of the storage chamber 53, based on the output of the second temperature detection element 68.

In the circuit example shown in Figure 7, the temperature detection unit acquires the output value of the analog-to-digital converter ADC1 (the voltage value applied to the first heater 45) while controlling the switch SW1, switch SW3, and switch SW4 to a cut-off state and the switch SW2 to a conductive state, and acquires the first temperature T1 based on this output value.

Alternatively, the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 may be connected to the terminal of the resistor element R1 on the DC/DC converter 66 side, and the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 may be connected to the terminal of the resistor element R1 on the switch SW2 side. In this case, the temperature detection unit controls the switches SW1, SW3, and SW4 to the cut-off state and the switch SW2 to the conductive state, and acquires the output value of the analog-to-digital converter ADC1 (the voltage value applied to the resistor element R1), and acquires the first temperature T1 based on this output value.

In addition, in the case of the circuit example shown in Figure 7, the temperature detection unit acquires the output value of the analog-to-digital converter ADC2 (the voltage value applied to the second heater 34) while controlling the switch SW1, switch SW2, and switch SW3 to a cut-off state and the switch SW4 to a conductive state, and acquires the second temperature T2 based on this output value.

Alternatively, the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 may be connected to the terminal of the resistor element R2 on the main positive bus LU side, and the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 may be connected to the terminal of the resistor element R2 on the switch SW4 side. In this case, the temperature detection unit controls the switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 to the cut-off state and the switch SW4 to the conductive state, and acquires the output value of the analog-to-digital converter ADC2 (the voltage value applied to the resistor element R2), and acquires the second temperature T2 based on this output value.

The notification control unit controls the notification unit 16 to notify the user of various information. For example, when the notification control unit detects that it is time to replace the capsule 50, it controls the notification unit 16 to issue a capsule replacement notification to prompt the user to replace the capsule 50. Also, when the notification control unit detects that it is time to replace the cartridge 40, it controls the notification unit 16 to issue a cartridge replacement notification to prompt the user to replace the cartridge 40. Furthermore, when the notification control unit detects that the remaining amount of the power source 61 is low, it may control the notification unit 16 to issue a notification to prompt the user to replace or charge the power source 61, or control the notification unit 16 to notify the control state by the MCU 63 (for example, the menthol mode or regular mode described below) at a predetermined timing.

The power control unit controls the discharge from the power source 61 to the first heater 45 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the discharge to the first heater 45) and the discharge from the power source 61 to the second heater 34 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the discharge to the second heater 34). For example, when the power supply unit 10 has the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 7, the power control unit can realize the discharge to the first heater 45 by setting the switch SW2, the switch SW3, and the switch SW4 to the cut-off state (i.e., off) and the switch SW1 to the conductive state (i.e., on). Also, when the power supply unit 10 has the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 7, the power control unit can realize the discharge to the second heater 34 by setting the switch SW1, the switch SW2, and the switch SW4 to the cut-off state and the switch SW3 to the conductive state.

When the power control unit detects an aerosol generation request from the user based on the output of the inhalation sensor 62 (i.e., when the user performs an inhalation operation), the power control unit causes discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34. As a result, in response to the aerosol generation request, the aerosol source 71 is heated by the first heater 45 (i.e., aerosol generation), and the flavor source 52 is heated by the second heater 34. At this time, the power control unit controls discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 so that the amount of flavor component (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the flavor component amount; for example, the flavor component amount W _flavor described later) added from the flavor source 52 to the aerosol (vaporized and/or atomized aerosol source 71) generated in response to the aerosol generation request converges to a predetermined target amount. This target amount is a value that can be determined as appropriate, but for example, a target range of the flavor component amount may be determined as appropriate, and the median value in this target range may be set as the target amount. In this way, the amount of flavor components can be converged to a target amount, and the amount of flavor components can be converged to a target range having a certain degree of width. Note that weight (e.g., mg) may be used as a unit for the amount of flavor components and the target amount.

For example, the power control unit changes the discharge mode to the first heater 45 and the discharge mode to the second heater 34 depending on whether menthol is contained in either the aerosol source 71 or the flavor source 52, whether menthol is contained only in the aerosol source 71 of the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52, or whether menthol is contained in both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 of the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52. This makes it possible to appropriately control the discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 according to the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 attached to the aerosol inhaler 1 and the flavor source 52 of the capsule 50, and to stably supply an aerosol containing an appropriate amount of flavor component or menthol to the user. Specific examples of the discharge mode to the first heater 45 and the discharge mode to the second heater 34 for each of these cases will be described later using Figures 13 and 14, etc.

In addition, in order to realize appropriate discharge to the first heater 45 and discharge to the second heater 34 according to the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 and the flavor source 52 of the capsule 50 mounted on the aerosol inhaler 1, the MCU 63 is configured to be able to determine (identify) whether or not menthol is contained in each of the aerosol source 71 stored in the cartridge 40 and the flavor source 52 contained in the capsule 50. The power control unit controls discharge to the first heater 45 and discharge to the second heater 34 based on this determination result (identification result). Note that the determination of whether or not menthol is contained in each of the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 may be realized using any method. For example, as described later, the MCU 63 may determine whether or not menthol is contained in each of the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 based on an operation performed on the operation unit 15. Furthermore, for example, as described below, the MCU 63 may determine whether or not each of the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contains menthol, regardless of the user's operation of the operation unit 15 .

The MCU 63 has a plurality of modes for operating the aerosol inhalator 1 by controlling the discharge from the power source 61 to the first heater 45 and the discharge from the power source 61 to the second heater 34. The MCU 63 has at least a regular mode, a menthol mode, and a sleep mode as modes for operating the aerosol inhalator 1. The sleep mode consumes less power of the aerosol inhalator 1 than the regular mode and the menthol mode, and can be directly or indirectly transitioned to the regular mode and the menthol mode. In addition, the MCU 63 may further have a power mode as a mode for operating the aerosol inhalator 1. In such a case, the sleep mode consumes less power of the aerosol inhalator 1 than the power mode, and can be directly transitioned to the power mode. Therefore, by transitioning the aerosol inhalator 1 to the sleep mode, the MCU 63 can reduce the power consumption of the aerosol inhalator 1 while maintaining a state in which it is possible to return to another mode as necessary. In this embodiment, when the aerosol inhalator 1 is operating in the sleep mode, the aerosol generation control is not executed even if the user performs an inhalation action.

The regular mode is a mode in which the control of discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 is optimized when the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 attached to the aerosol inhaler 1 is the regular type (i.e., the aerosol source 71 does not contain menthol). The menthol mode is a mode in which the control of discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 is optimized when the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 attached to the aerosol inhaler 1 is the menthol type (i.e., the aerosol source 71 contains menthol). The error mode is a mode in which discharge from the power source 61 to the second heater 34 is suppressed, for example, a mode in which discharge from the power source 61 to the second heater 34 is not performed.

The above-mentioned menthol mode may be subdivided into a first menthol mode and a second menthol mode. For example, the first menthol mode is an optimized mode when the flavor type of both the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 and the flavor source 52 of the capsule 50 mounted on the aerosol inhaler 1 is menthol type (i.e., when both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol). The second menthol mode is an optimized mode when, of the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 and the flavor source 52 of the capsule 50 mounted on the aerosol inhaler 1, only the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 is menthol type (i.e., when only the aerosol source 71 of the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contains menthol).

The MCU 63 sets a target temperature of the second heater 34 (hereinafter also referred to as target temperature T cap_target) based on whether the current mode is the regular mode or the menthol mode and on the remaining amount W _capsule of the flavor component contained in the flavor source 52 (n _{puff -1} ). In the following description, the remaining amount W _capsule of the flavor component may be simply referred to as the remaining amount of the flavor source 52.

The power control unit controls the discharge from the power supply 61 to the first heater 45 and the discharge from the power supply 61 to the second heater 34 so that the temperature of the second heater 34 based on the output of the second temperature detection element 68 (hereinafter also referred to as temperature T _{cap_sense} ) converges to the set target temperature T _{cap_target} .

This allows the discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 to be appropriately controlled depending on the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 or the flavor source 52 of the capsule 50 attached to the aerosol inhaler 1, making it possible to stably supply an aerosol containing an appropriate amount of flavor components or menthol to the user.

Specific examples of control of discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 in each of these cases will be described later using Figures 13 and 14, etc.

(Various parameters used in the generation of aerosols)
Before describing specific discharge control of the first heater 45 etc. by the MCU 63, various parameters used in the discharge control of the first heater 45 etc. by the MCU 63 will be described here.

The weight [mg] of the aerosol generated by heating the first heater 45 and passing through the flavor source 52 (i.e., inside the capsule 50) for one inhalation action by the user is described as the aerosol weight W _aerosol . The power required to be supplied to the first heater 45 to generate the aerosol of the aerosol weight W _aerosol is described as the atomization power P _liquid . The supply time of the atomization power P _liquid to the first heater 45 is described as the supply time t _sense . In addition, from the viewpoint of suppressing overheating of the first heater 45, a predetermined upper limit value t _upper (e.g., 2.4 [s]) is set for the supply time t _sense , and when the supply time t _sense reaches the upper limit value t _upper , the MCU 63 stops the power supply to the first heater 45 regardless of the output value of the intake sensor 62 (see steps S38 and S39 described later).

The weight [mg] of the flavor component contained in the flavor source 52 when the user has inhaled n _puffs (n _puff is a natural number equal to or greater than 0) since the capsule 50 was attached to the aerosol inhaler 1 is referred to as the remaining flavor component amount W _capsule (n _puff ). The weight [mg] of the flavor component contained in the flavor source 52 of a new capsule 50 (a capsule 50 on which no inhalation has been performed since it was attached), i.e., the remaining flavor component amount W _capsule (n _puff =0), is also referred to as W _initial .

Furthermore, the weight [mg] of the flavor component added to the aerosol passing through the flavor source 52 (i.e., inside the capsule 50) in one inhalation by the user is referred to as the flavor component amount W _flavor . A parameter related to the temperature of the flavor source 52 is referred to as a temperature parameter T _capsule . The temperature parameter T _capsule is a parameter indicating the above-mentioned second temperature T2, for example, a parameter indicating the temperature of the second heater 34.

It has been experimentally found that the amount of flavor components W _flavor depends on the remaining amount of flavor components W _capsule , the 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 (1).

W _flavor =β×(W _capsule ×T _capsule )×γ×W _aerosol・・(1)

In the above formula (1), β is an experimentally determined coefficient indicating the proportion of flavor components added to the aerosol generated in response to one inhalation by the user when the aerosol passes through the flavor source 52. Also, γ in the above formula (1) is an experimentally determined coefficient. During one inhalation period, the temperature parameter T _capsule and the remaining amount of flavor components W _capsule may vary, but γ is introduced here in order to treat them as constant values.

The remaining flavor component amount W _capsule decreases every time the user inhales. Therefore, the remaining flavor component amount W _capsule is inversely proportional to the number of times the inhalation operation has been performed (hereinafter also referred to as the number of inhalations). In addition, in the aerosol inhaler 1, since the first heater 45 is discharged every time an inhalation operation is performed, it can be said that the remaining flavor component amount W _capsule is inversely proportional to the number of times the first heater 45 is discharged to generate an aerosol or the cumulative value of the period during which the first heater 45 is discharged.

As can be seen from the above equation (1), assuming that the aerosol weight W _aerosol generated per one inhalation action by the user is controlled to be approximately constant, in order to stabilize the flavor component amount W _flavor , it is necessary to increase the temperature parameter T _capsule (i.e., the temperature of the flavor source 52) as the remaining flavor component amount W _capsule decreases (i.e., an increase in the number of inhalations).

For this reason, when the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 and the flavor source 52 of the capsule 50 mounted on the aerosol inhaler 1 is of the regular flavor type (i.e., the aerosol source 71 does not contain menthol), the MCU 63 (power control unit) operates in the regular mode to control discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34. When operating in the regular mode, the MCU 63 controls discharge to the second heater 34 to increase the temperature of the flavor source 52 as the remaining flavor component amount W _capsule decreases (i.e., the number of inhalations increases) (see Figs. 13 and 14).

On the other hand, when the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 and the flavor source 52 of the capsule 50 mounted on the aerosol inhaler 1 are menthol type (i.e., when the aerosol source 71 contains menthol), the MCU 63 (power control unit) operates in a menthol mode different from the regular mode. When operating in the menthol mode, the MCU 63 controls the discharge to the second heater 34 to lower the temperature of the flavor source 52 as the flavor component remaining amount W _capsule decreases (i.e., the number of inhalations increases) from the viewpoint of supplying an appropriate amount of menthol to the user (see Figs. 13 and 14). This makes it possible to supply an appropriate amount of menthol to the user, as described later.

However, if the temperature of the flavor source 52 is also lowered with a decrease in the remaining amount W _capsule of the flavor component, this leads to a decrease in the amount W _flavor of the flavor component. Therefore, when the temperature of the flavor source 52 is also lowered with a decrease in the remaining amount W _capsule of the flavor component, the MCU 63 may increase the aerosol weight W _aerosol by increasing the voltage applied to the first heater 45 to increase the power supplied to the first heater 45 (see FIG. 13). This makes it possible to compensate for the decrease in the amount W _flavor of the flavor component caused by lowering the temperature of the flavor source 52 in order to supply an appropriate amount of menthol to the user with an increase in the aerosol weight W _aerosol generated by heating with the first heater 45, thereby suppressing the decrease in the amount W _flavor of the flavor component supplied to the user's mouth and enabling a stable supply of menthol and flavor components to the user.

(Operation of aerosol aspirator)
Next, an example of the operation of the aerosol inhalator 1 will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 12. The operation of the aerosol inhalator 1 described below is realized, for example, by the processor of the MCU 63 executing a program previously stored in the memory 63a.

<Power on control>
As shown in Fig. 8, when the user turns on the operation unit 15 (step S1: YES), the MCU 63 executes power-on control and switches the mode in which the aerosol inhalator 1 is operated from the sleep mode to the power mode (step S2). Meanwhile, the MCU 63 waits in the sleep mode in which the aerosol inhalator 1 is operated until the user turns on the operation unit 15 (step S1: NO loop). That is, when YES is determined in step S1, the MCU 63 switches the mode in which the aerosol inhalator 1 is operated from the sleep mode to the power mode. The power-on operation is, for example, an operation in which the operation unit 15 is pressed three times in succession within a predetermined time (for example, 2 [seconds]).

In addition, the MCU 63 may perform preheating control in which the power source 61 discharges the second heater 34 so that the temperature of the second heater 34 becomes a preheating temperature (hereinafter also referred to as a preheating temperature T _{cap_pre} ) set in advance when the sleep mode is switched to the power mode. This allows the temperature of the second heater 34 to be increased immediately after switching to the power mode. For example, when the MCU 63 executes aerosol generation control in the menthol mode, the target temperature T _{cap_target} is initially set to a high temperature of 80° C. For this reason, it takes a certain amount of time to reach the target temperature T _{cap_target} , but by performing preheating control, the second heater 34 can be brought close to the target temperature T _{cap_target} in advance before detecting an aerosol generation request. As a result, even if the set target temperature T _{cap — target} is high, it is possible to stably supply an aerosol with an appropriate flavor to the user immediately after the aerosol generation control is executed (for example, at the start of inhalation).

When the operating mode of the aerosol inhaler 1 transitions from sleep mode to power mode, the MCU 63 starts a cartridge identification process to identify the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 and the flavor source 52 of the capsule 50 (step S3).

<Cartridge Identification Process>
9, in the cartridge identification process, the MCU 63 first judges whether or not it is immediately after the execution of power-on control (step S101). For example, if the cartridge identification process has not been executed even once after the execution of the power-on control, the MCU 63 judges that it is immediately after the execution of the power-on control (step S101: YES), proceeds to step S111, and executes the aerosol source information acquisition process described later. On the other hand, if the cartridge identification process has been executed at least once after the execution of the power-on control, the MCU 63 judges that it is not immediately after the execution of the power-on control (step S101: NO), and judges whether or not the cartridge 40 has been replaced (step S102).

In addition, in step S102, the MCU 63 may detect the replacement of the cartridge 40 in any manner.

For example, the MCU 63 may detect replacement of the cartridge 40 based on the electrical resistance value between the pair of discharge terminals 12 obtained using the voltage sensor 671 and the current sensor 672. It is clear that the electrical resistance value between the discharge terminals 12 that the MCU 63 can obtain is different between a state in which the pair of discharge terminals 12 is conductive due to the first heater 45 being connected between the pair of discharge terminals 12, and a state in which the first heater 45 is not connected between the pair of discharge terminals 12 and the pair of discharge terminals 12 is insulated by air. Therefore, the MCU 63 can detect replacement of the cartridge 40 based on the electrical resistance value between the discharge terminals 12.

In this embodiment, based on the electrical resistance value between the discharge terminals 12, it is determined that the cartridge 40 has been replaced when it is detected that a transition has occurred from a state in which the connection terminal 47 of the cartridge 40 is not electrically connected to the discharge terminal 12 of the power supply unit 10 to a state in which the connection terminal 47 of the cartridge 40 is electrically connected to the discharge terminal 12 of the power supply unit 10.

If the cartridge 40 has been replaced (step S102: YES), the cartridge 40 has been changed and the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 may have been changed, so the MCU 63 proceeds to the aforementioned step S111 and executes the aerosol source information acquisition process described below.

If the cartridge 40 has not been replaced (step S102: NO), the remaining amount update process described below determines whether or not a cartridge replacement notification (step S47) has been executed (step S103). Note that step S102 may be omitted. That is, if a negative determination is made in step S101 (step S101: NO), the MCU 63 may proceed to step S103. By omitting step S102, the function for detecting the replacement of the cartridge 40 described above is not necessary, and therefore the cost and volume of the power supply unit 10 can be reduced.

If a cartridge replacement notification (step S47) is being executed in the remaining amount update process (step S103: YES), the cartridge 40 attached to the aerosol inhaler 1 has reached the end of its life. Therefore, even if the user replaces the cartridge 40 after the cartridge replacement notification (step S47) is executed, the detection of the cartridge 40 replacement in step S102 may be a false detection. Therefore, the MCU 63 proceeds to the aforementioned step S111 and executes the aerosol source information acquisition process described below.

If the cartridge replacement notification (step S47) is not executed in the remaining amount update process described later (step S103: NO), it is considered that the cartridge 40 has not been replaced since the previous cartridge identification process was executed, and the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 has not been changed from the identification result in the previous cartridge identification process. Therefore, the MCU 63 reads out the identification result of the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 in the previous cartridge identification process from the memory 63a. The MCU 63 sets the identification result of the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 to be the same as the identification result of the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 in the previous cartridge identification process (step S104). Then, the identification result of the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 in the cartridge identification process is stored in the memory 63a (step S105), and the cartridge identification process is terminated.

<Aerosol source information acquisition processing>
In the aerosol source information acquisition process, information about the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 is acquired based on information about the color of the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 identified by the color identification sensor 24 provided on the cartridge cover 20. In this embodiment, flavor type information about the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 is acquired by the aerosol source information acquisition process.

In the aerosol source information acquisition process, the MCU 63 first controls the color identification sensor 24 to project white light from the light projecting unit 241 toward the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 into the inside of the cartridge cover 20 (step S111). The white light projected from the light projecting unit 241 passes through the light transmitting portion 25a of the light blocking member 25 and irradiates the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40. The white light irradiated to the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 reflects light of a specific wavelength according to the color of the colored portion 49. The light receiving unit of the color sensor unit 242 receives the light that is reflected from the colored portion 49 according to the color of the colored portion 49 and passes through the light transmitting portion 25a of the light blocking member 25. Then, the color components of the light received by the light receiving unit are quantified by the analog-to-digital converter of the color sensor unit 242.

The color identification sensor 24 outputs to the MCU 63 at least one of the following as information regarding the color applied to the coloring section 49 of the cartridge 40: a value between 0 and 255 for each of the red, green, and blue components of the light received by the light receiving section which have been digitized by the analog-to-digital converter of the color sensor section 242; an HSL converted hue value between 0 degrees and 360 degrees; a saturation value between 0 and 100; and a brightness value between 0 and 100; and color identification information from a color sample book.

The memory 63a of the MCU 63 stores a colored portion-aerosol source correspondence table that links information regarding the color applied to the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 obtained from the color identification sensor 24 with the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40.

The MCU 63 refers to the colored portion-aerosol source correspondence table stored in the memory 63a, and obtains information on the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 based on information regarding the color applied to the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 obtained from the color identification sensor 24 (step S112).

In this embodiment, the colored portion 49 of a regular type cartridge 40 in which an aerosol source 71 not containing menthol 80 is stored in the storage chamber 42 is colored red, and the colored portion 49 of a menthol type cartridge 40 in which an aerosol source 71 containing menthol 80 is stored in the storage chamber 42 is colored green. The colored portion-aerosol source correspondence table stored in the memory 63a associates the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 being red with the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 being a regular type not containing menthol 80, and associates the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 being green with the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 being a menthol type containing menthol 80. Then, the MCU 63 refers to the colored portion-aerosol source correspondence table stored in the memory 63a, and when the information obtained from the color identification sensor 24 indicates that the color colored in the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 is red, the MCU 63 identifies that the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 is a regular type that does not contain menthol 80. Also, the MCU 63 refers to the colored portion-aerosol source correspondence table stored in the memory 63a, and when the information obtained from the color identification sensor 24 indicates that the color colored in the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 is green, the MCU 63 identifies that the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 is a menthol type that contains menthol 80. In this way, the MCU 63 obtains information on the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 based on the information on the color colored in the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 obtained from the color identification sensor 24.

In this way, the MCU 63 can execute an aerosol source information acquisition process to acquire information about the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 based on information about the color of the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 identified by the color identification sensor 24 provided on the cartridge cover 20. Since the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 can be molded from a colored resin, the aerosol inhaler 1 can acquire information about the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 without needing to add a process of attaching identification information such as a barcode, two-dimensional code, or protrusions to the cartridge 40 during the manufacture of the cartridge 40. This allows the aerosol inhaler 1 to acquire information about the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40, and also eliminates the need for a process of attaching identification information to the cartridge 40, thereby reducing the number of steps during manufacturing.

Next, the MCU 63 determines whether or not information on the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 was obtained in step S112, which was executed immediately before (step S113).

If the information on the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 can be obtained in the immediately preceding step S112 (step S113: YES), the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 is set to the obtained flavor type information (step S114). Then, the process proceeds to step S105, where the identification result of the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 in the cartridge identification process is stored in the memory 63a, and the cartridge identification process is terminated.

If the information on the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 could not be obtained in the immediately preceding step S112 (step S113: NO), the identification result of the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 is set to regular type (step S115). Then, the process proceeds to step S105, where the identification result of the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 in the cartridge identification process is stored in the memory 63a, and the cartridge identification process is terminated.

In this way, after the user turns on the power to the operation unit 15, the MCU 63 executes a cartridge identification process, and executes an aerosol source information acquisition process when the state transitions from a state in which the connection terminal 47 of the cartridge 40 is not electrically connected to the discharge terminal 12 of the power supply unit 10 to a state in which the connection terminal 47 of the cartridge 40 is electrically connected to the discharge terminal 12 of the power supply unit 10.

Therefore, the aerosol source information acquisition process can be executed when there is a high probability that the cartridge 40 attached to the aerosol inhaler 1 has been replaced, that is, when a transition occurs from a state in which the connection terminal 47 of the cartridge 40 is not electrically connected to the discharge terminal 12 of the power supply unit 10 to a state in which the connection terminal 47 of the cartridge 40 is electrically connected to the discharge terminal 12 of the power supply unit 10. This makes it possible to reduce the number of times the aerosol source information acquisition process is executed, and to conserve the power consumption of the power supply 61 consumed by the aerosol source information acquisition process.

In addition, in this embodiment, after the user turns on the operation unit 15, that is, after the mode in which the aerosol inhaler 1 is operated is switched from the sleep mode to the power mode, the cartridge identification process including the aerosol source information acquisition process is executed. Therefore, since the aerosol source information acquisition process is not executed in the sleep mode, the power consumption of the power supply 61 in the sleep mode can be reduced. This allows the power consumption of the power supply 61 to be further saved.

The aerosol inhaler 1 is capable of transmitting to the outside the identification result of the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the memory 63a by the cartridge identification process, i.e., information regarding whether or not the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 contains menthol.

For example, the aerosol inhaler 1 may be configured such that the charging terminal 14 is a receptacle for a terminal capable of transmitting and receiving data, such as a USB terminal or a microUSB terminal, and when a terminal such as a USB terminal or a microUSB terminal is connected to the charging terminal 14, information regarding whether or not the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 contains menthol may be transmitted to an external information terminal such as a smartphone or computer via a cable having a terminal such as a USB terminal or a microUSB terminal.

In addition, for example, the aerosol inhaler 1 may house a wireless communication chip capable of wireless communication with the outside in the hollow portion of the power supply unit case 11, and may be configured to transmit information regarding whether or not the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 contains menthol from the wireless communication chip via wireless communication to an external information terminal such as a smartphone or computer.

This allows information regarding whether or not the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 contains menthol to be checked on an external information terminal such as a smartphone or computer, making it possible to operate the aerosol inhaler 1 in conjunction with an external information terminal such as a smartphone or computer.

In addition, the memory 63a of the aerosol inhalator 1 may be capable of accumulating and storing the identification results of the aerosol source identification process previously performed, and may be capable of transmitting to the outside information regarding whether or not the aerosol source 71 contains menthol for each cartridge 40 previously attached to the aerosol inhalator 1.

This allows the history of cartridges 40 previously attached to the aerosol inhalator 1 to be transmitted to the outside, so that information such as the aroma and flavor preferred by the user of the aerosol inhalator 1 can be collected in an external information terminal such as a smartphone or computer. In addition, when the user brings the aerosol inhalator 1 to a store for repairs or the like, the history of cartridges 40 previously attached to the aerosol inhalator 1 can be collected in a server or the like of a customer service center, so that the customer service of the aerosol inhalator 1 can be improved by utilizing the history information of cartridges 40 previously attached to the aerosol inhalator 1.

<Standby control>
10, when the cartridge identification process is completed, the MCU 63 determines whether the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 is menthol type or not based on the identification result of the cartridge identification process (step S4). If the identification result of the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 is set to menthol type in the cartridge identification process, the MCU 63 determines affirmatively in step S4 (step S4: YES) and proceeds to step S5. Next, the MCU 63 switches the mode in which the aerosol inhaler 1 is operated from the power mode to the menthol mode (step S5) and executes the menthol mode process. On the other hand, when the identification result of the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 is not set to the menthol type in the cartridge identification process, that is, when the identification result of the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 is set to the regular type in the cartridge identification process, the MCU 63 judges the result to be negative in step S4 (step S4: NO) and proceeds to step S6. Next, the MCU 63 switches the mode in which the aerosol inhaler 1 is operated from the power mode to the regular mode (step S6) and executes the regular mode process.

<Menthol mode processing>
In the menthol mode process, the MCU 63 first notifies the user that the mode is the menthol mode through the notification unit 16 (step S7). At this time, the MCU 63 notifies the user that the mode is the menthol mode by, for example, causing the light emitting element 161 to emit green light and vibrating the vibration element 162.

Next, the MCU 63 sets the target temperature T _{cap_target} of the second heater 34 and the atomization power (hereinafter also referred to as atomization power P _liquid ) to be supplied to the first heater 45 based on the flavor component remaining amount W _capsule ( _n puff -1) contained in the flavor source 52 (step S8), and proceeds to step S21. Here, the flavor component remaining amount W _capsule (n _puff -1) is W _initial if no inhalation operation has been performed after the attachment of a new capsule 50, and is the flavor component remaining amount W _capsule (n _puff ) calculated by the immediately preceding remaining amount update process (described later) if one or more inhalation operations have been performed. Specific setting examples of the target temperature T _{cap_target} and the like in the menthol mode will be described later with reference to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, etc.

<Regular mode processing>
In the regular mode process, the MCU 63 first notifies the user that the mode is the regular mode through the notification unit 16 (step S9). At this time, the MCU 63 notifies the user that the mode is the regular mode by, for example, causing the light emitting element 161 to emit white light and vibrating the vibration element 162.

Next, the MCU 63 determines a target temperature T _{cap_target} of the second heater 34 and an aerosol weight W aerosol required to achieve a target amount of flavor components W _flavor based on the remaining amount of flavor components W _capsule (n _puff -1) contained in the flavor source 52 (step S10). In step S10, the MCU 63 calculates the aerosol weight W _aerosol from the following formula (2) obtained by modifying the above formula (1), and determines the calculated aerosol weight _{W aerosol} as the aerosol weight.

β and γ in the above formula (2) are the same as β and γ in the above formula (1) and are experimentally determined. In the above formula (2), the target flavor component amount W _flavor is preset by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1. The flavor component remaining amount W _capsule (n _puff -1) in the above formula (2) is W _initial if no inhalation operation has been performed after the attachment of a new capsule 50, and is the flavor component remaining amount W _capsule (n _puff ) calculated by the immediately preceding remaining amount update process if one or more inhalation operations have been performed.

Next, the MCU 63 sets the atomization power P _liquid to be supplied to the first heater 45 based on the aerosol weight W _aerosol determined in step S10 (step S11). In step S11, the MCU 63 calculates the atomization power P _liquid from, for example, the following formula (3), and sets the calculated atomization power P _liquid .

In the above formula (3), α is a coefficient obtained experimentally, similar to β and γ. In addition, the aerosol weight W _aerosol in the above formula (3) is the aerosol weight W _aerosol determined in step S10. In addition, t in the above formula (3) is the expected supply time t _sense for supplying the atomization power P _liquid , and can be, for example, the upper limit value t _upper .

Next, the MCU 63 determines whether the atomization power P _liquid determined in step S11 is equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit power that can be discharged from the power source 61 to the first heater 45 at that time (step S12). If the atomization power P _liquid is equal to or less than the upper limit power (step S12: YES), the MCU 63 proceeds to the above-mentioned step S21. On the other hand, if the atomization power P _liquid exceeds the upper limit power (step S12: NO), the MCU 63 increases the target temperature T _{cap_target} by a predetermined amount (step S13) and returns to step S10.

That is, as can be seen from the above-mentioned formula (1), by increasing the target temperature T _{cap_target} (i.e., T _capsule ), the aerosol weight W _aerosol required to achieve the target flavor component amount W _flavor can be reduced accordingly, and as a result, the atomization power P _liquid determined in the above step S11 can be reduced. By repeating steps S10 to S13, the MCU 63 can eventually change the determination in step S12, which was initially NO, to YES, and can proceed to step S21 shown in FIG.

<Discharge control>
11, next, the MCU 63 acquires the current temperature of the second heater 34 (hereinafter also referred to as temperature _{Tcap_sense} ) based on the output of the second temperature detection element 68 (step S21). The temperature _{Tcap_sense} , which is the temperature of the second heater 34, is an example of the above-mentioned temperature parameter _Tcapsule . Note that, although an example in which the temperature of the second heater 34 is used as the temperature parameter _Tcapsule will be described here, the temperature of the flavor source 52 or the storage chamber 53 may be used instead of the temperature of the second heater 34.

Next, the MCU 63 controls the discharge from the power source 61 to the second heater 34 based on the target temperature T _{cap_target} set in the menthol mode process or the regular mode process and the acquired temperature T _{cap_sense} so that the temperature T _{cap_sense} converges to the target temperature T _{cap_target} (step S22). At this time, the MCU 63 performs, for example, PID (Proportional-Integral-Differential) control so that the temperature T _{cap_sense} converges to the target temperature T _{cap_target} .

Furthermore, as a control for converging the temperature T _{cap_sense} to the target temperature T _{cap_target} , ON/OFF control for turning on and off the power supply to the second heater 34, P (Proportional) control, PI (Proportional-Integral) control, or the like may be used instead of PID control. Furthermore, the target temperature T _{cap_target} may have hysteresis.

Next, the MCU 63 determines whether or not there has been an aerosol generation request (step S23). If there has been no aerosol generation request (step S23: NO), the MCU 63 determines whether or not a predetermined period of time has elapsed without an aerosol generation request (step S24). If the predetermined period of time has not elapsed without an aerosol generation request (step S24: NO), the MCU 63 returns to step S21.

When a predetermined period of time has elapsed without any request for aerosol generation (step S24: YES), the MCU 63 stops discharging the second heater 34 (step S25), switches the operating mode of the aerosol inhalator 1 to a sleep mode (step S26), and proceeds to step S51 described below.

<Aerosol generation control>
On the other hand, if there is a request for generating aerosol (step S23: YES), the MCU 63 executes aerosol generation control. First, the MCU 63 temporarily stops heating of the flavor source 52 by the second heater 34 (i.e., discharging to the second heater 34), and acquires the temperature T _{cap_sense} based on the output of the second temperature detection element 68 (step S30). Note that the MCU 63 does not need to stop heating of the flavor source 52 by the second heater 34 (i.e., discharging to the second heater 34) when executing step S11.

Next, the MCU 63 judges whether the acquired temperature T _{cap _ sense} is higher than the set target temperature T _{cap _ target} - δ (where δ ≧ 0) (step S31). This δ can be arbitrarily determined by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1. If the temperature T _{cap _ sense} is higher than the target temperature T _{cap _ target} - δ (step S31: YES), the MCU 63 sets the current atomization power P _liquid - Δ (where Δ > 0) as a new atomization power P _liquid (step S32), and proceeds to step S35.

On the other hand, if the temperature T _{cap _ sense} is not higher than the target temperature T _{cap _ target} - δ (step S31: NO), the MCU 63 judges whether the temperature T _{cap _ sense} is lower than the target temperature T cap _ target - δ (step S33). If the temperature T _{cap _ sense} is lower than the target temperature T _{cap _ target} - δ (step S33: YES), the MCU 63 sets the current atomization power P _liquid + Δ as the new atomization power P _liquid (step S34), and proceeds to step S35.

On the other hand, if the temperature T _{cap — sense} is not lower than the target temperature T _{cap — target} −δ (step S33: NO), the temperature T _{cap — sense} =the target temperature T _{cap — target} −δ, so the MCU 63 maintains the current atomization power P _liquid and proceeds directly to step S35.

Details will be described later with reference to FIG. 14 and the like, but in this embodiment, when the target temperature T _{cap_target} is controlled in the menthol mode, the MCU 63 changes the target temperature T _{cap_target} from 80 [°C] to 60 [°C] at a predetermined timing. Immediately after such a change in the target temperature T _{cap_target} , the temperature T _{cap_sense} (e.g., 80 [°C]) of the second heater 34 at that time may exceed the changed target temperature T _{cap_target} (i.e., 60 [°C]). In such a case, the MCU 63 judges NO in step S32 and performs the process of step S34 to reduce the atomization power P _liquid . As a result, even if the actual temperature of the flavor source 52, the second heater 34, etc. is higher than 60 [°C], such as immediately after changing the target temperature T _{cap_target} from 80 [°C] to 60 [°C], the atomization power P _liquid can be reduced to reduce the amount of the aerosol source 71 generated by heating by the first heater 45 and supplied to the flavor source 52. This prevents excessive menthol from being supplied to the user's mouth, and allows an appropriate amount of menthol to be stably supplied to the user.

Next, the MCU 63 notifies the user of the current mode (step S35). For example, in the case of the menthol mode (i.e., when the menthol mode process has been executed), in step S35, the MCU 63 notifies the user that the mode is the menthol mode, for example, by causing the light-emitting element 161 to emit green light. On the other hand, in the case of the regular mode (i.e., when the regular mode process has been executed), in step S35, the MCU 63 notifies the user that the mode is the regular mode, for example, by causing the light-emitting element 161 to emit white light.

Next, the MCU 63 controls the DC/DC converter 66 so that the atomization power P _liquid set in step S33 or step S34 is supplied to the first heater 45 (step S36). Specifically, the MCU 63 controls the voltage applied to the first heater 45 by the DC/DC converter 66 so that the atomization power P _liquid is supplied to the first heater 45. As a result, the atomization power P _liquid is supplied to the first heater 45, the aerosol source 71 is heated by the first heater 45, and the vaporized and/or atomized aerosol source 71 is generated.

Next, the MCU 63 judges whether the aerosol generation request has ended (step S37). If the aerosol generation request has not ended (step S37: NO), the MCU 63 judges whether the elapsed time from the start of the supply of the atomization power P _liquid , that is, the supply time t _sense has reached the upper limit value t upper (step S38). If the supply time t _sense has not reached the _{upper limit value t upper (} step S38: NO), the MCU 63 returns to step S36. In this case, the supply of the atomization power P _liquid to the first heater 45, that is, the generation of the vaporized and/or atomized aerosol source 71, is continued.

On the other hand, when the aerosol generation request has ended (step S37: YES), and when the supply time t _sense has reached the upper limit value t _upper (step S38: YES), the MCU 63 stops the supply of the atomization power P _liquid to the first heater 45 (i.e., discharging to the first heater 45) (step S39), and ends the aerosol generation control.

In this way, when performing aerosol generation control, the MCU 63 controls the discharge from the power source 61 to the first heater 45 and the discharge from the power source 61 to the second heater 34 in menthol mode or regular mode.

<Remaining amount update process>
As shown in FIG. 12 , when the MCU 63 ends the aerosol generation control, it executes a remaining amount update process for calculating the remaining amount of flavor components contained in the flavor source 52 .

In the remaining amount update process, the MCU 63 first obtains the supply time t _sense during which the atomization power P _liquid is supplied (step S41), and then adds "1" to n _puff , which is the count value of the puff number counter (step S42).

Then, the MCU 63 updates the remaining amount W capsule (n puff ) of the flavor component contained in the flavor source 52 based on the acquired supply time t _sense , the atomization power P _liquid supplied to the first heater 45 in response to the aerosol generation request, and the target temperature T _{cap_target} set when the aerosol generation request was detected (step S43). The MCU 63 updates the remaining amount W _capsule (n _puff ) _of the flavor component by, for example, calculating the remaining amount W _capsule (n _puff ) of the flavor component from the following formula (4) and storing the calculated remaining amount W _capsule ( _{n puff )} of the flavor component in the memory 63a.

α in the above formula (4) is the same as α in the above formula (3) and is experimentally determined. β and γ in the above formula (4) are the same as β and γ in the above formula (1) and are experimentally determined. Also, δ in the above formula (4) is the same as δ used in step S32 and is set in advance by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhalator 1.

Next, the MCU 63 judges whether the updated flavor component remaining amount W _capsule (n _puff ) is less than a predetermined remaining amount threshold, which is a condition for issuing a capsule replacement notification (step S44). If the updated flavor component remaining amount W _capsule (n _puff ) is equal to or greater than the remaining amount threshold (step S44: NO), it is considered that there is still a sufficient amount of flavor component remaining in the flavor source 52 (i.e., in the capsule 50), so the MCU 63 proceeds to step S51.

On the other hand, if the updated flavor component remaining amount W _capsule (n _puff ) is less than the remaining amount threshold (step S44: YES), it is considered that the flavor components contained in the flavor source 52 are almost gone, so the MCU 63 judges whether the number of capsule 50 replacements after the cartridge 40 replacement is a predetermined number (step S45). For example, in this embodiment, one cartridge 40 is provided to the user in a form in which five capsules 50 are combined. In this case, in step S25, the MCU 63 judges whether the number of capsule 50 replacements after the cartridge 40 replacement is five.

If the number of capsule 50 replacements after cartridge 40 replacement is not the predetermined number (five times in this embodiment) (step S45: NO), it is estimated that the remaining amount of aerosol source 71 in cartridge 40 is equal to or greater than the amount necessary to reduce the remaining amount of unused flavor source 52 to a threshold value or less, and the MCU 63 issues a capsule replacement notification (step S46) assuming that the cartridge 40 is still usable. In this embodiment, the MCU 63 issues a capsule replacement notification by flashing the light-emitting element 161 in green when the aerosol inhaler 1 is operating in menthol mode, and in white when the aerosol inhaler 1 is operating in regular mode.

On the other hand, if the number of capsule 50 replacements after cartridge 40 replacement is the predetermined number (five times in this embodiment) (step S45: YES), it is estimated that the remaining amount of aerosol source 71 in cartridge 40 is less than the amount necessary to reduce the remaining amount of unused flavor source 52 to a threshold value or less, and the MCU 63 issues a cartridge replacement notification (step S47) assuming that the cartridge 40 has reached the end of its life. In this embodiment, the MCU 63 issues a cartridge replacement notification by flashing the light-emitting element 161 in blue.

Next, the MCU 63 executes counter reset control to reset the count value of the puff number counter to 1, and initializes the setting of the target temperature T _{cap_target} (step S48). When initializing the setting of the target temperature T _{cap_target} , the MCU 63 sets the target temperature T _{cap_target} to, for example, −273° C., which is absolute zero. This effectively stops discharging to the second heater 34, and stops heating the flavor source 52 by the second heater 34, regardless of the temperature of the second heater 34 at that time.

<Power off control>
Next, the MCU 63 judges whether the user has operated the operation unit 15 to turn off the power (step S51). In this embodiment, the power-off operation is an operation of maintaining the operation unit 15 pressed for a predetermined time (e.g., 3 seconds) or more. If the user has not operated the operation unit 15 to turn off the power (step S51: NO), the MCU 63 returns to step S3. On the other hand, if the user has operated the operation unit 15 to turn off the power (step S51: YES), the MCU 63 executes power-off control to switch the mode in which the aerosol inhaler 1 is operated to the sleep mode (step S52), and ends the series of processes.

In this way, the MCU 63 controls the discharge from the power source 61 to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 based on the results of the cartridge identification process including the aerosol source information acquisition process. This makes it possible to appropriately control the discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 according to the type of aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 attached to the aerosol inhaler 1, and stably supply an appropriate amount of flavor components and aerosol to the user.

More specifically, the MCU 63 can control the discharge from the power source 61 to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 in a plurality of modes, selects one mode from the plurality of modes based on the result of the cartridge identification process including the aerosol source information acquisition process, and controls the discharge from the power source 61 to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 in the selected mode. This makes it possible to appropriately control the discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 with simple control according to the type of aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 attached to the aerosol inhaler 1, and stably supply an appropriate amount of flavor component or aerosol to the user.

In this embodiment, the discharge from the power source 61 to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 can be controlled in a plurality of modes including at least a regular mode and a menthol mode. If information indicating that the aerosol source 71 contains menthol is acquired in the aerosol source information acquisition process, the discharge from the power source 61 to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 is controlled in the menthol mode. If information indicating that the aerosol source 71 does not contain menthol is acquired in the aerosol source information acquisition process, the discharge from the power source 61 to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 is controlled in the regular mode. Therefore, the discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 can be appropriately controlled depending on whether the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 attached to the aerosol inhaler 1 contains menthol or does not contain menthol, and an appropriate amount of aerosol containing flavor components and menthol can be stably supplied to the user.

In addition, in this embodiment, if the aerosol source information acquisition process fails to acquire information regarding whether or not the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 contains menthol, the discharge from the power source 61 to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 is controlled in the regular mode. Therefore, if the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 does not contain menthol, it is possible to reliably prevent the MCU 63 from controlling the discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 in the menthol mode. This makes it possible to prevent the generation of unintended flavors caused by the aerosol source 71 not containing menthol being heated in the menthol mode, and at least the flavors derived from the flavor source can be stably supplied to the user.

(Calibration process)
Next, the calibration of the color identification sensor 24 in the aerosol inhalator 1 will be described.

After the aerosol inhaler 1 is shipped from the factory, it is possible to calibrate the color identification sensor 24. The calibration of the color identification sensor 24 described below is realized, for example, by the processor of the MCU 63 executing a calibration processing program pre-stored in the memory 63a.

In the calibration process, the MCU 63 first causes the color sensor section 242 of the color identification sensor 24 to receive test light having numerical values of specified color components.

For example, a light emitting device capable of emitting inspection light and capable of being housed in the cartridge cover 20 may be housed in the cartridge cover 20 instead of the cartridge 40, and the inspection light may be light having predetermined color component values, such as red, green, blue, etc., emitted from the light emitting device housed in the cartridge cover 20. Alternatively, the inspection light may be a plurality of lights having different color component values, such as red, green, blue, etc., that are emitted separately, and each light may be received by the color sensor unit 242 of the color identification sensor 24.

In addition, for example, an inspection device that can be accommodated in the cartridge cover 20 may be accommodated in the cartridge cover 20 instead of the cartridge 40, and when the inspection device is accommodated in the cartridge cover 20, at least the area facing the light-projecting unit 241 and the color sensor unit 242 of the color identification sensor 24 may be colored in a color having a predetermined color component value, and white light projected from the light-projecting unit 241 may be reflected by the area colored in the color having the predetermined color component value in the inspection device, and the light reflected from the area may be received by the color sensor unit 242 of the color identification sensor 24. In other words, the inspection light may be white light projected from the light-projecting unit 241 and reflected by the area colored in the color having the predetermined color component value in the inspection device. In addition, at least the area facing the light-projecting section 241 and color sensor section 242 of the color identification sensor 24 may have a plurality of inspection devices colored in colors having different color component numerical values, such as red, green, and blue, and the color sensor section 242 of the color identification sensor 24 may receive light reflected from each of the inspection devices colored in colors having different color component numerical values.

When the color sensor unit 242 of the color identification sensor 24 receives the inspection light, it digitizes the color components of the received inspection light. For example, the color sensor unit 242 digitizes the red, green, and blue components of the inspection light received by the light receiving unit into values between 0 and 255. The color identification sensor 24 then outputs the values between 0 and 255 for the red, green, and blue components of the inspection light received by the light receiving unit to the MCU 63.

The memory 63a of the MCU 63 stores information about the numerical values of specific color components of the test light. For example, the memory 63a of the MCU 63 stores values from 0 to 255 for each of the red, green, and blue components of the test light.

The MCU 63 then calibrates the numerical values of the color components of the light quantified by the color sensor unit 242 based on the numerical values of the predetermined color components of the inspection light stored in the memory 63a and the numerical values of the color components of the inspection light quantified by the color sensor unit 242. For example, the MCU 63 calibrates the values of 0 to 255 of the red component, green component, and blue component of the inspection light received by the light receiving unit quantified by the color sensor unit 242 of the color identification sensor 24 so that they match the values of 0 to 255 for the red component, green component, and blue component of the inspection light stored in the memory 63a.

In this way, the MCU 63 can perform a calibration process in which the color sensor unit 242 receives inspection light having numerical values of predetermined color components, and calibrates the numerical values of the color components of the inspection light quantified by the color sensor unit 242 based on the numerical values of the predetermined color components of the inspection light stored in memory 63a and the numerical values of the color components of the inspection light quantified by the color sensor unit 242.

As a result, the aerosol inhalator 1 can have the color identification sensor 24 calibrated even after it is shipped from the factory, so that even if the aerosol inhalator 1 is used for a long period of time, the color identification sensor 24 can identify the color applied to the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 without a decrease in accuracy.

In addition, in the calibration process, the MCU 63 may cause the digitization process of the color sensor unit 242 to result in the numerical value of the calibrated color component of light, or the MCU 63 may correct the numerical value of the color component of light digitized by the color sensor unit 242 so that it becomes the numerical value of the calibrated color component of light.

(Modification of Calibration Process)
Next, a modified example of the calibration of the color identification sensor 24 in the aerosol inhalator 1 will be described.

After the aerosol inhaler 1 is shipped from the factory, it is possible to calibrate the color identification sensor 24. The calibration of the color identification sensor 24 described below is realized, for example, by the processor of the MCU 63 executing a calibration processing program pre-stored in the memory 63a.

The cartridge cover 20 may be provided with an openable/closable shutter that can prevent light from outside the cartridge cover 20 from entering the interior of the cartridge cover 20. For example, when the shutter is in a closed state, light from outside the cartridge cover 20 can be prevented from entering the interior of the cartridge cover 20.

Furthermore, the cartridge cover 20 may be provided with a shutter open/close sensor capable of detecting that the shutter is in a closed state. For example, the shutter open/close sensor has a Hall element or the like, and outputs a signal indicating that the shutter is in a closed state to the MCU 63 when the shutter is in a closed state.

The MCU 63 is capable of detecting, by any method, whether or not the cartridge 40 is housed in the cartridge cover 20. The MCU 63 may detect, by any method, whether or not the cartridge 40 is housed in the cartridge cover 20.

For example, the MCU 63 may detect whether the cartridge 40 is accommodated in the cartridge cover 20 based on the electrical resistance value between the pair of discharge terminals 12 acquired using the voltage sensor 671 and the current sensor 672. It is clear that the electrical resistance value between the discharge terminals 12 that the MCU 63 can acquire is different between a state in which the cartridge 40 is accommodated in the cartridge cover 20 and the pair of discharge terminals 12 are conductive due to the first heater 45 being connected between them, and a state in which the cartridge 40 is not accommodated in the cartridge cover 20, the first heater 45 is not connected between the pair of discharge terminals 12, and the pair of discharge terminals 12 are insulated by air. Therefore, the MCU 63 can detect whether the cartridge 40 is accommodated in the cartridge cover 20 by any method based on the electrical resistance value between the discharge terminals 12.

For example, when the acquired electrical resistance value between the discharge terminals 12 is the electrical resistance value when the pair of discharge terminals 12 is insulated by air and a signal indicating that the shutter is closed is input from the shutter opening/closing sensor, the MCU 63 determines that the cartridge 40 is not contained in the cartridge cover 20 and that no light from outside the cartridge cover 20 enters the interior of the cartridge cover 20, and causes the light-emitting portion 241 of the color identification sensor 24 to emit inspection light.

For example, the inspection light is white light projected from the light projecting unit 241. Note that the inspection light may be light projected from the light projecting unit 241 and having a color component different from the white light.

For example, the inner surface of the outer peripheral wall 21 of the cartridge cover 20 facing the inside of the ring is colored black or white. Therefore, the inspection light projected from the light projecting unit 241 does not have a specific wavelength that is absorbed by the outer peripheral wall 21 of the cartridge cover 20, and the color sensor unit 242 of the color identification sensor 24 receives the inspection light that retains the color components projected from the light projecting unit 241.

When the color sensor unit 242 of the color identification sensor 24 receives the inspection light that still has the color components projected from the light projecting unit 241, it digitizes the color components of the received inspection light. For example, the color sensor unit 242 digitizes the red, green, and blue components of the inspection light received by the light receiving unit into values between 0 and 255. The color identification sensor 24 then outputs the values between 0 and 255 for the red, green, and blue components of the inspection light received by the light receiving unit to the MCU 63.

The memory 63a of the MCU 63 stores information related to the numerical values of predetermined color components of the inspection light projected from the light projector 241. For example, the memory 63a of the MCU 63 stores values from 0 to 255 for each of the red, green, and blue components of the inspection light.

The MCU 63 then calibrates the numerical values of the color components of the light quantified by the color sensor unit 242 based on the numerical values of the predetermined color components of the inspection light stored in the memory 63a and the numerical values of the color components of the inspection light quantified by the color sensor unit 242. For example, the MCU 63 calibrates the values of 0 to 255 of the red component, green component, and blue component of the inspection light received by the light receiving unit quantified by the color sensor unit 242 of the color identification sensor 24 so that they match the values of 0 to 255 for the red component, green component, and blue component of the inspection light stored in the memory 63a.

In this way, when the cartridge 40 is not housed in the cartridge cover 20 and no light from outside the cartridge cover 20 enters the interior of the cartridge cover 20, the MCU 63 can execute a calibration process in which inspection light having numerical values of predetermined color components is projected from the light-projecting unit 241 of the color identification sensor 24, and the numerical values of the color components of the inspection light quantified by the color sensor unit 242 are calibrated based on the numerical values of the predetermined color components of the inspection light stored in the memory 63a and the numerical values of the color components of the inspection light quantified by the color sensor unit 242.

As a result, the aerosol inhalator 1 can have the color identification sensor 24 calibrated even after it is shipped from the factory, so that even if the aerosol inhalator 1 is used for a long period of time, the color identification sensor 24 can identify the color applied to the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 without a decrease in accuracy.

In addition, in the calibration process, the MCU 63 may cause the digitization process of the color sensor unit 242 to result in the numerical value of the calibrated color component of light, or the MCU 63 may correct the numerical value of the color component of light digitized by the color sensor unit 242 so that it becomes the numerical value of the calibrated color component of light.

(Specific control example using menthol mode)
Next, a specific control example in the above-mentioned menthol mode will be described with reference to Figs. 13 and 14, including a comparison with a control example in the regular mode.

If at least one of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 and the flavor source 52 contained in the capsule 50 contains menthol 80, the aerosol inhaler 1 can supply the aerosol 72 containing menthol 80 to the user by the user's inhalation action. At this time, it is preferable that the aerosol inhaler 1 appropriately controls the discharge to the first heater 45, which is a heater that heats the aerosol source 71 stored in the cartridge 40, and the second heater 34, which is a heater that heats the capsule 50 (i.e., the flavor source 52), to stably supply an appropriate amount of menthol to the user. Below, a specific control example in the menthol mode in which the control of the discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 is optimized will be described in the case where both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80 and in the case where only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol.

<When both the aerosol source and the flavor source contain menthol>
First, a specific control example in the menthol mode in the case where the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 both contain menthol 80 will be described with reference to FIG. 13, including a comparison with a control example in the regular mode.

In this description, it is assumed that a predetermined number of inhalation operations are performed from when a new capsule 50 is attached to the aerosol inhaler 1 until the remaining amount of flavor component in the capsule 50 falls below the aforementioned remaining amount threshold (i.e., until the remaining amount of flavor component in the capsule 50 is almost depleted). It is also assumed that a sufficient amount of aerosol source 71 is stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 while the predetermined number of inhalation operations are being performed.

In each of (a), (b), and (c) of Fig. 13, the horizontal axis indicates the remaining amount [mg] of flavor component contained in the flavor source 52 in the capsule 50 (i.e., the remaining amount W _capsule of flavor component). The vertical axis in (a) of Fig. 13 indicates the target temperature (i.e., the target temperature T _{cap_target} ) [°C] of the second heater 34 which is a heater that heats the capsule 50 (i.e., the flavor source 52). The vertical axis in (b) of Fig. 13 indicates the applied voltage [V] to the first heater 45 which is a heater that heats the aerosol source 71 stored in the cartridge 40.

The vertical axis on the left in FIG. 13(c) indicates the amount of menthol [mg/puff] supplied to the user's mouth by one inhalation. The vertical axis on the right in FIG. 13(c) indicates the amount of flavor component [mg/puff] supplied to the user's mouth by one inhalation. The amount of menthol supplied to the user's mouth by one inhalation is also referred to as the unit supply menthol amount below. The amount of flavor component supplied to the user's mouth by one inhalation is also referred to as the unit supply flavor component amount below.

In Fig. 13, the first period Tm1 is a certain period immediately after the capsule 50 is replaced. Specifically, the first period Tm1 is a period from when the flavor component remaining amount in the capsule 50 is W _initial to when it becomes W _th1 , which is preset by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1. Here, W _th1 is a value smaller than W _initial and larger than W _th2 , which is the remaining amount threshold value that is the condition for performing the capsule replacement notification. For example, W _th1 can be the flavor component remaining amount when about 10 inhalation operations are performed after a new capsule 50 is attached. Also, in Fig. 13, the second period Tm2 is a period after the first period Tm1, specifically, a period from when the flavor component remaining amount in the capsule 50 becomes W _th1 to when it becomes W _th2 .

When both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80, as described above, the MCU 63 controls the discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 in the menthol mode. Specifically, in the menthol mode in this case, as shown by the thick solid line in (a) of FIG. 13, the MCU 63 sets the target temperature of the second heater 34 in the first period Tm1 to 80°C.

In this case, the target temperature (80°C) of the second heater 34 in the first period Tm1 is an example of the first target temperature in the present invention. For example, the target temperature (i.e., the first target temperature) of the second heater 34 in the first period Tm1 in this case is a temperature higher than the melting point of menthol (e.g., 42 to 45°C) and lower than the boiling point of menthol (e.g., 212 to 216°C). In addition, the target temperature (i.e., the first target temperature) of the second heater 34 in the first period Tm1 in this case may be a temperature of 90°C or less. As a result, in this embodiment, the temperature of the second heater 34 (i.e., the flavor source 52) in the first period Tm1 is controlled to converge to 80°C, which is an example of the first target temperature. Therefore, in the first period Tm1, the menthol 80 adsorbed to the flavor source 52 is heated to an appropriate temperature by the second heater 34, so that the rapid desorption of menthol 80 from the flavor source 52 can be suppressed, and an appropriate amount of menthol can be stably supplied to the user.

In the menthol mode in which both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80, when the second period Tm2 is reached, the MCU 63 sets the target temperature of the second heater 34 to 60°C, which is lower than the target temperature in the immediately preceding first period Tm1. The target temperature of the second heater 34 in the second period Tm2 in this case (60°C) is an example of the second target temperature in the present invention. For example, the target temperature of the second heater 34 in the second period Tm2 in this case (i.e., the second target temperature) is also a temperature higher than the melting point of menthol and lower than the boiling point of menthol. The target temperature of the second heater 34 in the second period Tm2 in this case (i.e., the second target temperature) may also be a temperature of 90°C or less. As a result, in this embodiment, the temperature of the second heater 34 (i.e., the flavor source 52) in the second period Tm2 is controlled to converge to 60°C, which is an example of the second target temperature. Therefore, even during the second period Tm2, the menthol 80 adsorbed to the flavor source 52 is heated to an appropriate temperature by the second heater 34, so that the rapid desorption of menthol 80 from the flavor source 52 can be suppressed, and an appropriate amount of menthol can be stably supplied to the user.

Thus, in the menthol mode when both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80, when the second period Tm2 begins, the temperature of the second heater 34 (i.e., the flavor source 52) is controlled to converge to a temperature lower than that of the immediately preceding first period Tm1. Specifically, in this embodiment, when the second period Tm2 begins, the temperature of the second heater 34 (i.e., the flavor source 52) is controlled to converge to 60°C, which is lower than the 80°C in the immediately preceding first period Tm1.

In addition, in the menthol mode when both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80, the MCU 63 sets the voltage applied to the first heater 45 in the first period Tm1 to V1 [V], as shown by the thick solid line in (b) of Figure 13. This V1 [V] is an example of the first voltage in the present invention, and is a voltage that is preset by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1. As a result, in the first period Tm1 in this case, power corresponding to the applied voltage V1 [V] is supplied from the power source 61 to the first heater 45, and the first heater 45 generates an amount of vaporized and/or atomized aerosol source 71 corresponding to this power.

Then, in the menthol mode when both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80, when the second period Tm2 is reached, the MCU 63 sets the voltage applied to the first heater 45 to V2 [V]. This V2 [V] is an example of the second voltage in the present invention, and is a voltage higher than V1 [V] as shown in (b) of FIG. 13. V2 [V] is set in advance by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1. The MCU 63 can apply a voltage such as V1 [V] or V2 [V] to the first heater 45 by controlling, for example, the DC/DC converter 66.

Thus, in the menthol mode when both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80, the voltage applied to the first heater 45 in the second period Tm2 (here, V2 [V]) is higher than the voltage applied to the first heater 45 in the first period Tm1 (here, V1 [V]).

Therefore, in the menthol mode in which both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80, when the second period Tm2 begins, the power supplied to the first heater 45 increases from that of the immediately preceding first period Tm1. Accordingly, the amount of vaporized and/or atomized aerosol source 71 generated by the first heater 45 also increases from that of the immediately preceding first period Tm1.

When the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 both contain menthol 80, and the MCU 63 controls the target temperature of the second heater 34 and the applied voltage to the first heater 45 in the above-mentioned menthol mode, an example of a unit supply menthol amount is shown as unit supply menthol amount 131a in (c) of Figure 13.

In addition, when both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80, and the MCU 63 controls the target temperature of the second heater 34 and the applied voltage to the first heater 45 in the above-mentioned menthol mode, an example of the unit supply amount of flavor component is shown as unit supply amount of flavor component 131b in (c) of Figure 13.

For comparison with the unit supply menthol amount 131a and the unit supply flavor component amount 131b, an example will be described in which, even though the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 both contain menthol 80, the MCU 63 controls the discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 (i.e., the target temperature of the second heater 34 and the voltage applied to the first heater 45) in regular mode.

In the regular mode, as shown by the thick dashed line in (a) of Fig. 13, the MCU 63 gradually increases the target temperature of the second heater 34 in the first period Tm1 and the second period Tm2, for example, to 30 [°C], 60 [°C], 70 [°C], and 85 [°C]. Note that these target temperatures and the timing for changing the target temperature are set in advance by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1. As another example, the timing for changing the target temperature of the second heater 34 in the regular mode may be determined from the remaining amount [mg] of flavor components contained in the flavor source 52 in the capsule 50 (i.e., the remaining amount W _capsule of flavor components).

Here, the maximum value of the target temperature of the second heater 34 during the first period Tm1 in the regular mode (here, 70°C) is lower than the target temperature of the second heater 34 during the first period Tm1 in the menthol mode (here, 80°C). Also, the minimum value of the target temperature of the second heater 34 during the second period Tm2 in the regular mode (here, 70°C) is higher than the target temperature of the second heater 34 during the second period Tm2 in the menthol mode (here, 60°C).

In the regular mode, as shown by the thick dashed line in (b) of Figure 13, the MCU 63 maintains the voltage applied to the first heater 45 in the first period Tm1 and the second period Tm2 at a constant V3 [V]. This V3 [V] is a voltage higher than V1 [V] and lower than V2 [V], and is a voltage preset by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1. The MCU 63 can apply a voltage such as V3 [V] to the first heater 45 by controlling, for example, the DC/DC converter 66.

When the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 both contain menthol 80, and the MCU 63 controls the target temperature of the second heater 34 and the applied voltage to the first heater 45 in the regular mode described above, an example of a unit supply of menthol amount is shown as unit supply of menthol amount 132a in (c) of Figure 13.

In addition, when both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80, and the MCU 63 controls the target temperature of the second heater 34 and the applied voltage to the first heater 45 in the above-mentioned regular mode, an example of the unit supply amount of flavor component is shown as unit supply amount of flavor component 132b in (c) of Figure 13.

That is, even when the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 both contain menthol 80, when the discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 (i.e., the target temperature of the second heater 34 and the voltage applied to the first heater 45) are controlled in the regular mode, the target temperature of the second heater 34 in the first period Tm1 is lower than when these are controlled in the menthol mode, and therefore the temperature of the flavor source 52 in the first period Tm1 is lower.

Therefore, when the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 both contain menthol 80, if discharge to the first heater 45, etc. is controlled in the regular mode, it takes longer for the flavor source 52 (more specifically, the tobacco granules 521) and the menthol 80 to reach an adsorption equilibrium state in the capsule 50 than when controlled in the menthol mode. During this time, most of the menthol 80 from the aerosol source 71 is adsorbed to the flavor source 52, and the amount of menthol 80 that can pass through the flavor source 52 decreases.

In view of the above, when the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 both contain menthol 80, if discharge to the first heater 45, etc. is controlled in the regular mode, the unit supply menthol amount that can be supplied to the user in the first period Tm1 is smaller than when controlled in the menthol mode, as shown in the unit supply menthol amount 131a and the unit supply menthol amount 132a. Therefore, if this is done, there is a risk that a sufficient amount of menthol cannot be supplied to the user in the first period Tm1.

In contrast, in the menthol mode in which both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80, the MCU 63 sets the second heater 34 (i.e., the flavor source 52) to a higher temperature of around 80°C during the first period Tm1, which is assumed to be a period before the flavor source 52 (specifically, the tobacco granules 521) and the menthol 80 reach an adsorption equilibrium state. As a result, the MCU 63 can encourage the flavor source 52 (specifically, the tobacco granules 521) and the menthol 80 to reach an adsorption equilibrium state early in the capsule 50 during the first period Tm1, suppressing the adsorption of the menthol 80 derived from the aerosol source 71 to the flavor source 52, and ensuring the amount of menthol 80 derived from the aerosol source 71 that is supplied to the user's mouth without being adsorbed to the flavor source 52. Furthermore, the MCU 63 can increase the amount of menthol 80 derived from the flavor source 52, which is desorbed from the flavor source 52 (specifically, the tobacco granules 521) and supplied to the user's mouth, by raising the second heater 34 (i.e., the flavor source 52) to a high temperature in the first period Tm1. Therefore, as shown in the unit supply menthol amount 131a, a sufficient amount of menthol can be supplied to the user from the time when the flavor component contained in the flavor source 52 is sufficient (when it is new).

In addition, in FIG. 13(c), the unit supply menthol amount 133a shows an example of a unit supply menthol amount when both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80, and the flavor source 52 is not heated by the second heater 34. In this case, the temperature of the second heater 34 (i.e., the flavor source 52) in the first period Tm1 is room temperature (see R.T. in FIG. 13(c)). Therefore, even in this case, as shown in the unit supply menthol amount 133a, the temperature of the flavor source 52 in the first period Tm1 is lower than when discharge to the first heater 45, etc. is controlled by the menthol mode, so that a sufficient amount of menthol cannot be supplied to the user in the first period Tm1.

In order to supply a sufficient amount of menthol to the user in the first period Tm1, the target temperature of the second heater 34 is set high in the menthol mode in the first period Tm1. However, if the flavor source 52, which has become hot after the first period Tm1, continues to be heated at an even higher temperature in the second period Tm2, a large amount of menthol will be supplied to the user, which may lead to a deterioration in the flavor and aroma.

Therefore, as described above, in the menthol mode, the target temperature of the second heater 34 in the second period Tm2 is set lower than the target temperature of the second heater 34 in the first period Tm1, thereby preventing the flavor source 52, which has become hot after the first period Tm1, from being continuously heated at a high temperature in the second period Tm2. As a result, as shown in the unit supply menthol amount 131a, in the second period Tm2, which is assumed to be the period after the flavor source 52 (specifically, the tobacco granules 521) and the menthol 80 reach an adsorption equilibrium state, the amount of menthol 80 that can be adsorbed by the flavor source 52 (specifically, the tobacco granules 521) is increased by lowering the temperature of the flavor source 52, thereby preventing an increase in the unit supply menthol amount. Therefore, it is possible to supply an appropriate amount of menthol to the user in the second period Tm2.

In addition, in order to prevent a large amount of menthol from being supplied to the user in the second period Tm2, the target temperature of the second heater 34 in the second period Tm2 is set low in the menthol mode. However, if the target temperature of the second heater 34 is set low in this way, although it is possible to prevent an increase in the amount of menthol supplied per unit of time in the second period Tm2, it is also possible that the amount of flavor component supplied per unit of time in the second period Tm2 will decrease, and it is considered that a sufficient smoking sensation cannot be provided to the user.

Therefore, in the menthol mode in which both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80, the MCU 63 sets the voltage applied to the first heater 45 in the first period Tm1 to V1 [V], and sets the voltage applied to the first heater 45 in the subsequent second period Tm2 to V2 [V] higher than V1 [V]. This allows the second period Tm2 to be entered, and the voltage applied to the first heater 45 can be changed to a higher V2 [V] in accordance with the change in the target temperature of the second heater 34 to a lower 60 [°C]. Therefore, in the second period Tm2, the amount of the aerosol source 71 generated by heating by the first heater 45 and supplied to the flavor source 52 can be increased, and the decrease in the unit supply flavor component amount in the second period Tm2 can be suppressed as shown in the unit supply flavor component amount 131b.

<Specific control example when only the aerosol source contains menthol>
Next, a specific example of control by the MCU 63 in the case where only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol 80 will be described with reference to Fig. 14. In the menthol mode in which only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol 80, only the voltage applied to the first heater 45 in the first period Tm1 and the second period Tm2 differs from the menthol mode in which both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80. Therefore, the following description will focus on points that differ from the description in Fig. 13, and descriptions of points that are the same as those in Fig. 13 will be omitted as appropriate.

In the menthol mode where only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol 80, the MCU 63 sets the applied voltage to the first heater 45 in the first period Tm1 to V4 [V], as shown by the thick solid line in (b) of Fig. 14. This V4 [V] is a voltage higher than V3 [V] as shown in (b) of Fig. 14, and is a voltage preset by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1. As a result, in the first period Tm1 in this case, power corresponding to the applied voltage V3 [V] is supplied from the power source 61 to the first heater 45, and the first heater 45 generates an amount of vaporized and/or atomized aerosol source 71 corresponding to this power.

Then, in the menthol mode where only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol 80, in the subsequent second period Tm2, the MCU 63 sets the voltage applied to the first heater 45 to V5 [V]. This V5 [V] is a voltage higher than V3 [V] and lower than V4 [V], as shown in FIG. 14(b). V5 [V] is set in advance by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1. The MCU 63 can apply a voltage such as V4 [V] or V5 [V] to the first heater 45 by controlling, for example, the DC/DC converter 66.

When only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol 80 and the MCU 63 controls the target temperature of the second heater 34 and the applied voltage to the first heater 45 in the above-mentioned menthol mode, an example of a unit supply menthol amount is shown as unit supply menthol amount 141a in (c) of Figure 14.

When only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol 80 and the MCU 63 controls the target temperature of the second heater 34 and the applied voltage to the first heater 45 in the above-mentioned menthol mode, an example of the unit supply amount of flavor component is shown as unit supply amount of flavor component 141b in (c) of Figure 14.

In addition, when only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol 80 and the MCU 63 controls the target temperature of the second heater 34 and the applied voltage to the first heater 45 in the above-mentioned regular mode, an example of a unit supply of menthol amount is shown as unit supply of menthol amount 142a in (c) of Figure 14.

An example of a unit supply amount of flavor component when only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol 80 and the MCU 63 controls the target temperature of the second heater 34 and the applied voltage to the first heater 45 in the regular mode described above is shown as unit supply amount of flavor component 142b in (c) of Figure 14.

In addition, an example of a unit supply menthol amount when only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol 80 and the flavor source 52 is not heated by the second heater 34 is shown as unit supply menthol amount 143a in (c) of Figure 14.

An example of a unit supply of flavor component amount when only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol 80 and the flavor source 52 is not heated by the second heater 34 is shown as unit supply of flavor component amount 143b in (c) of Figure 14.

That is, in the menthol mode in which only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol 80, i.e., the flavor source 52 does not contain menthol 80, the MCU 63 applies a voltage of V4 [V] to the first heater 45 in the first period Tm1, and applies a voltage of V5 [V] to the first heater 45 in the subsequent second period Tm2, which is lower than V4 [V]. As a result, during the first period Tm1, which is assumed to be the period before the flavor source 52 (specifically, the tobacco granules 521) and the menthol 80 reach an adsorption equilibrium state in the capsule 50, a higher voltage of V4 [V] is applied to the first heater 45 (i.e., a large amount of power is supplied to the first heater 45), thereby increasing the amount of the aerosol source 71 generated by heating by the first heater 45 and supplied to the flavor source 52.

Therefore, before the flavor source 52 and the menthol 80 reach an adsorption equilibrium state, the amount of menthol 80 that is supplied to the user's mouth without being adsorbed to the flavor source 52 from the aerosol source 71 can be increased, and the flavor source 52 and the menthol 80 can be encouraged to reach an adsorption equilibrium state early in the capsule 50. Therefore, an appropriate and sufficient amount of menthol can be stably supplied to the user from a time when there are sufficient flavor components contained in the flavor source 52 (for example, at the beginning of smoking).

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the attached drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can come up with various modified or revised examples within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the components in the above embodiment may be combined in any manner as long as it does not deviate from the spirit of the invention.

For example, the aerosol inhaler 1 may include a first heater 45 that heats the aerosol source to vaporize and/or atomize it, provided in the power supply unit 10, and a removable aerosol source storage unit in which the aerosol source is stored, instead of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50. The aerosol source storage unit may be, for example, a removable refill in which the aerosol source is stored and in which a flavor source such as tobacco leaves is contained. In this case, the colored portion 49 is formed in the aerosol source storage unit such as the refill.

Furthermore, for example, the colored portion 49 may be colored any color, not limited to red, green, or blue.

In addition, for example, the overall shape of the aerosol inhalator 1 is not limited to a shape in which the power supply unit 10, cartridge 40, and capsule 50 are arranged in a line as shown in Fig. 1. The aerosol inhalator 1 only needs to be configured so that the cartridge 40 and capsule 50 are replaceable with respect to the power supply unit 10, and any shape, such as a roughly box shape, can be adopted.

For example, in this embodiment, a second heater 34 is provided in the capsule holder 30, but the second heater 34 does not necessarily have to be provided.

In addition, for example, in this embodiment, a light-shielding member 25 that does not transmit light is provided between the color identification sensor 24 and the inner wall 22 of the cartridge cover 20, but the light-shielding member 25 does not necessarily have to be provided.

Furthermore, for example, the capsule 50 may be configured to be replaceable with respect to the power supply unit 10, and may be detachable from the power supply unit 10.

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

(1) a removable aerosol source storage unit (cartridge 40) in which an aerosol source (aerosol source 71) is stored;
A heater (first heater 45) for heating the aerosol source to vaporize and/or atomize it;
a power supply unit (power supply unit 10) including a power supply (power supply 61) electrically connected to the heater and a controller (MCU 63) capable of controlling discharge from the power supply to the heater;
An aerosol generating device (aerosol inhaler 1) comprising:
The aerosol source storage unit is provided with a colored portion (colored portion 49),
The aerosol generating device further includes a color identification sensor (color identification sensor 24) capable of identifying the color applied to the colored portion,
The controller:
An aerosol generating device capable of executing an aerosol source information acquisition process to acquire information regarding the aerosol source stored in the aerosol source storage unit based on information regarding the color colored in the colored portion identified by the color identification sensor.

According to (1), the controller can execute an aerosol source information acquisition process based on information about the color applied to the colored portion identified by the color identification sensor, so the aerosol generating device can acquire information about the aerosol source stored in the aerosol source storage unit without needing to add a process of attaching identification information such as a barcode, two-dimensional code, or protrusions to the aerosol source storage unit when manufacturing the aerosol source storage unit. This allows the aerosol generating device to acquire information about the aerosol source stored in the aerosol source storage unit, and eliminates the need for a process of attaching identification information to the aerosol source storage unit, reducing the number of steps during manufacturing.

(2) The aerosol generating device according to (1),
The aerosol source storage unit comprises:
A storage chamber (storage chamber 42) for storing the aerosol source;
a heating chamber (heating chamber 43) in which the heater is provided;
a removable cartridge (cartridge 40) having an electrode portion (electrode portion 48) provided with a connection terminal (connection terminal 47) electrically connected to the heater,
the power supply of the power supply unit is electrically connected to the heater via the connection terminal;
The aerosol generating device, wherein the coloring portion is formed in the cartridge.

According to (2), the aerosol generating device can obtain information about the aerosol source stored in the storage chamber of the cartridge without needing to add a process for attaching identification information such as a barcode, two-dimensional code, or protrusions to the cartridge when manufacturing the cartridge. This allows the aerosol generating device to obtain information about the aerosol source stored in the storage chamber of the cartridge, and also reduces the number of steps during manufacturing because it does not require a process for attaching identification information to the cartridge.

(3) The aerosol generating device according to (2),
The aerosol generating device, wherein the coloring portion is formed on the electrode portion of the cartridge.

According to (3), since the colored portion is formed on the electrode portion of the cartridge, by manufacturing the electrode portion of the cartridge in a specified color, it becomes possible to obtain information about the aerosol source stored in the storage chamber of the cartridge. This makes it possible to further reduce the number of steps required to manufacture the aerosol generating device.

(4) The aerosol generating device according to (2) or (3),
The controller:
An aerosol generating device that controls discharge from the power source to the heater based on the result of the aerosol source information acquisition process.

According to (4), the controller controls the discharge from the power source to the heater based on the results of the aerosol source information acquisition process, so that the controller can appropriately control the discharge to the heater depending on the type of aerosol source in the cartridge attached to the aerosol generating device, and can stably supply an appropriate amount of flavor components and aerosol to the user.

(5) The aerosol generating device according to (4),
The controller:
Discharge from the power supply to the heater can be controlled in a plurality of modes;
An aerosol generating device that selects one mode from the plurality of modes based on the result of the aerosol source information acquisition process, and controls discharge from the power source to the heater in the selected mode.

According to (5), the controller selects one mode from a plurality of modes based on the results of the aerosol source information acquisition process, and controls the discharge from the power source to the heater in the selected mode. Therefore, with simple control, the discharge to the heater can be appropriately controlled according to the type of aerosol source of the cartridge attached to the aerosol generating device, and an appropriate amount of flavor components and aerosol can be stably supplied to the user.

(6) The aerosol generating device according to (4),
The controller:
Discharge from the power source to the heater can be controlled in a plurality of modes including at least a regular mode and a menthol mode;
When information indicating that the aerosol source contains menthol is acquired in the aerosol source information acquisition process, the discharge from the power source to the heater is controlled in the menthol mode;
An aerosol generating device that controls discharge from the power source to the heater in the regular mode when information indicating that the aerosol source does not contain menthol is acquired in the aerosol source information acquisition process.

According to (6), if the controller acquires information indicating that the aerosol source contains menthol during the aerosol source information acquisition process, the controller controls the discharge from the power source to the heater in menthol mode, and if the controller acquires information indicating that the aerosol source does not contain menthol during the aerosol source information acquisition process, the controller controls the discharge from the power source to the heater in regular mode. Therefore, the controller can appropriately control the discharge to the heater depending on whether the aerosol source of the cartridge attached to the aerosol generating device contains menthol or does not contain menthol, and can stably supply an appropriate amount of aerosol containing flavor components and menthol to the user.

(7) The aerosol generating device according to (6),
The controller:
An aerosol generating device that controls discharge from the power source to the heater in the regular mode if information regarding whether or not the aerosol source stored in the storage chamber of the cartridge contains menthol cannot be obtained during the aerosol source information acquisition process.

According to (7), if the controller is unable to acquire information regarding whether or not the aerosol source stored in the storage chamber of the cartridge contains menthol in the aerosol source information acquisition process, the controller controls discharge from the power source to the heater in regular mode, so that it is possible to reliably prevent control of discharge to the heater in menthol mode when the aerosol source stored in the storage chamber of the cartridge does not contain menthol. This makes it possible to prevent the generation of unintended flavors caused by heating an aerosol source that does not contain menthol in menthol mode, and at least to stably supply the user with a flavor derived from the flavor source.

(8) The aerosol generating device according to any one of (2) to (7),
The power supply unit further includes a connector (discharge terminal 12) electrically connected to the power supply,
the connector is electrically and detachably connected to the connection terminal of the cartridge;
The controller:
An aerosol generating device that executes the aerosol source information acquisition process when a transition is made from a state in which the connection terminal of the cartridge is not electrically connected to the connector of the power supply unit to a state in which the connection terminal of the cartridge is electrically connected to the connector of the power supply unit.

According to (8), the controller can execute the aerosol source information acquisition process when there is a high probability that the cartridge attached to the aerosol generating device has been replaced, that is, when the state transitions from a state in which the connection terminal of the cartridge is not electrically connected to the connector of the power supply unit to a state in which the connection terminal of the cartridge is electrically connected to the connector of the power supply unit. This can reduce the number of times the aerosol source information acquisition process is executed, and can save on the power consumption of the power source consumed by the aerosol source information acquisition process.

(9) The aerosol generating device according to (8),
The aerosol generating device further includes an operation unit (operation unit 15) that can be operated by a user,
The controller:
An aerosol generating device that executes the aerosol source information acquisition process when the user operates the operating unit and the connection terminal of the cartridge transitions from a state in which the connection terminal of the cartridge is not electrically connected to the connector of the power supply unit to a state in which the connection terminal of the cartridge is electrically connected to the connector of the power supply unit.

According to (9), the controller executes the aerosol source information acquisition process after the user operates the operating unit, thereby further saving power consumption of the power supply.

(10) The aerosol generating device according to any one of (2) to (9),
The colored portion is formed so as not to transmit light.

According to (10), the colored portion is formed so as not to transmit light, so that the amount of reflected light that reflects according to the color of the colored portion can be increased. This allows the color identification sensor to accurately identify the color of the colored portion.

(11) The aerosol generating device according to any one of (2) to (10),
The aerosol generating device, wherein the colored portion is colored any one of red, green, and blue.

According to (11), the colored portion is colored either red, green, or blue, making it easy for the color identification sensor to identify the color colored on the colored portion.

(12) The aerosol generating device according to any one of (2) to (11),
The aerosol source information acquisition process further includes a storage medium (memory 63a) capable of storing information regarding whether or not the aerosol source stored in the storage chamber of the cartridge contains menthol,
An aerosol generating device capable of transmitting information stored in the storage medium regarding whether or not the aerosol source stored in the storage chamber of the cartridge contains menthol to the outside.

According to (12), since information on whether or not the aerosol source stored in the storage chamber of the cartridge contains menthol can be confirmed on an external information terminal such as a smartphone or a computer, it becomes possible to operate the aerosol generating device in cooperation with an external information terminal such as a smartphone or a computer. In addition, since it becomes possible to collect the history of cartridges previously attached to the aerosol generating device in an external information terminal such as a server, it is possible to improve the customer service of the aerosol generating device by utilizing the history information of cartridges previously attached to the aerosol generating device.

(13) The aerosol generating device according to any one of (2) to (12),
The aerosol generating device further includes a cartridge cover (cartridge cover 20) in which the cartridge is housed,
The aerosol generating device, wherein the color identification sensor is provided in the cartridge cover.

According to (13), since a color identification sensor is provided on the cartridge cover, the color identification sensor can be placed near the colored portion of the cartridge without increasing the size of the aerosol generating device, and the color applied to the colored portion of the cartridge can be accurately identified.

(14) The aerosol generating device according to any one of (2) to (13),
The color identification sensor includes:
a light-projecting unit (light-projecting unit 241) capable of projecting light toward the colored unit, and a color sensor unit (color sensor unit 242) that receives light reflected from the colored unit and digitizes color components of the received light,
The controller:
causing the color sensor unit to receive inspection light having a predetermined color component value;
An aerosol generating device capable of performing a calibration process to calibrate the numerical values of the color components of the light quantified by the color sensor unit based on the numerical values of the specified color components of the inspection light and the numerical values of the color components of the inspection light quantified by the color sensor unit.

According to (14), the controller causes the color sensor unit to receive inspection light having numerical values of predetermined color components, and is capable of performing a calibration process based on the numerical values of the predetermined color components of the inspection light and the numerical values of the color components of the inspection light quantified by the color sensor unit. Therefore, the aerosol generating device is capable of calibrating the color identification sensor even after being shipped from the factory, and the color identification sensor can identify the color applied to the colored portion without a decrease in accuracy even when the aerosol generating device is used for a long period of time.

(15) The aerosol generating device according to any one of (2) to (12),
The aerosol generating device further includes a cartridge cover (cartridge cover 20) in which the cartridge is housed,
The color identification sensor includes:
The cartridge cover is provided inside the cartridge cover.
a light-projecting unit (light-projecting unit 241) capable of projecting light toward the colored unit, and a color sensor unit (color sensor unit 242) that receives light reflected from the colored unit and digitizes color components of the received light,
The controller:
a cartridge cover that is inserted into the cartridge cover and that is exposed to light from the outside of the cartridge cover; a light projecting unit that projects an inspection light having a predetermined color component value in a state where the cartridge cover is not inserted into the cartridge cover and light from the outside of the cartridge cover does not enter the cartridge cover;
An aerosol generating device capable of performing a calibration process to calibrate the numerical values of the color components of the light quantified by the color sensor unit based on the numerical values of the specified color components of the inspection light and the numerical values of the color components of the inspection light quantified by the color sensor unit.

According to (15), when no cartridge is contained in the cartridge cover and no light from outside the cartridge cover enters the inside of the cartridge cover, the controller causes the light-projecting unit to project inspection light having a numerical value of a predetermined color component, and is capable of performing a calibration process based on the numerical value of the predetermined color component of the inspection light and the numerical value of the color component of the inspection light quantified by the color sensor unit. Therefore, the aerosol generating device is capable of calibrating the color identification sensor even after being shipped from the factory, and the color identification sensor can identify the color applied to the colored portion without a decrease in accuracy even when the aerosol generating device is used for a long period of time.

This application is based on a Japanese patent application (Patent Application No. 2021-063177) filed on April 1, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application.

1. Aerosol inhaler (aerosol generating device)
10 Power supply unit 12 Discharge terminal (connector)
15 Operation unit 20 Cartridge cover 24 Color identification sensor 241 Light projecting unit 242 Color sensor unit 40 Cartridge (aerosol source storage unit)
42 Storage chamber 43 Heating chamber 45 First heater (heater)
47 Connection terminal 48 Electrode portion 49 Coloring portion 61 Power source 63 MCU (controller)
63a Memory (storage medium)
71 Aerosol Sources

Claims (14)

a removable aerosol source storage unit in which an aerosol source is stored;
a heater for heating the aerosol source to vaporize and/or atomize it;
a power supply unit including a power supply electrically connected to the heater and a controller capable of controlling discharge from the power supply to the heater;
An aerosol generating device comprising:
The aerosol source storage unit has a colored portion formed thereon,
The aerosol generating device further includes a color identification sensor capable of identifying the color applied to the colored portion,
The controller:
An aerosol source information acquisition process is executed to acquire information about the aerosol source stored in the aerosol source storage unit based on information about the color of the colored portion identified by the color identification sensor ,
The aerosol generating device comprises:
a cartridge cover for accommodating a cartridge having an aerosol flow path through which the aerosol vaporized and/or atomized by the heater flows;
The cartridge cover includes:
The cartridge holder includes an inner circumferential wall that defines a space in which the cartridge is housed, an outer circumferential wall that is formed on the outside of the inner circumferential wall, and a space that is formed between the inner circumferential wall and the outer circumferential wall,
The color identification sensor is provided in the space.
Aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 ,
The aerosol source storage unit comprises:
A storage chamber for storing the aerosol source;
a heating chamber in which the heater is provided;
an electrode portion provided with a connection terminal electrically connected to the heater; and
the power supply of the power supply unit is electrically connected to the heater via the connection terminal;
The aerosol generating device, wherein the coloring portion is formed in the cartridge. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2,
The aerosol generating device, wherein the coloring portion is formed on the electrode portion of the cartridge. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2 or 3,
The controller:
An aerosol generating device that controls discharge from the power source to the heater based on the result of the aerosol source information acquisition process. The aerosol generating device according to claim 4,
The controller:
Discharge from the power supply to the heater can be controlled in a plurality of modes;
An aerosol generating device that selects one mode from the plurality of modes based on the result of the aerosol source information acquisition process, and controls discharge from the power source to the heater in the selected mode. The aerosol generating device according to claim 4,
The controller:
Discharge from the power source to the heater can be controlled in a plurality of modes including at least a regular mode and a menthol mode;
When information indicating that the aerosol source contains menthol is acquired in the aerosol source information acquisition process, the discharge from the power source to the heater is controlled in the menthol mode;
An aerosol generating device that controls discharge from the power source to the heater in the regular mode when information indicating that the aerosol source does not contain menthol is acquired in the aerosol source information acquisition process. The aerosol generating device according to claim 6,
The controller:
An aerosol generating device that controls discharge from the power source to the heater in the regular mode if information regarding whether or not the aerosol source stored in the storage chamber of the cartridge contains menthol cannot be obtained during the aerosol source information acquisition process. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 2 to 7,
The power supply unit further includes a connector electrically connected to the power supply,
the connector is electrically and detachably connected to the connection terminal of the cartridge;
The controller:
An aerosol generating device that executes the aerosol source information acquisition process when a transition is made from a state in which the connection terminal of the cartridge is not electrically connected to the connector of the power supply unit to a state in which the connection terminal of the cartridge is electrically connected to the connector of the power supply unit. The aerosol generating device according to claim 8,
The aerosol generating device further includes an operation unit that can be operated by a user,
The controller:
An aerosol generating device that executes the aerosol source information acquisition process when the user operates the operating unit and the connection terminal of the cartridge transitions from a state in which the connection terminal of the cartridge is not electrically connected to the connector of the power supply unit to a state in which the connection terminal of the cartridge is electrically connected to the connector of the power supply unit. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 2 to 9,
The colored portion is formed so as not to transmit light. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 2 to 10,
The aerosol generating device, wherein the colored portion is colored any one of red, green, and blue. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 2 to 11,
A storage medium capable of storing information regarding whether or not the aerosol source stored in the storage chamber of the cartridge contains menthol, the information being acquired by the aerosol source information acquisition process,
An aerosol generating device capable of transmitting information stored in the storage medium regarding whether or not the aerosol source stored in the storage chamber of the cartridge contains menthol to the outside. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 2 to 12 ,
The color identification sensor includes:
a light projection unit capable of projecting light toward the colored portion, and a color sensor unit that receives light reflected from the colored portion and converts color components of the received light into numerical values;
The controller:
causing the color sensor unit to receive inspection light having a predetermined color component value;
An aerosol generating device capable of performing a calibration process to calibrate the numerical values of the color components of the light quantified by the color sensor unit based on the numerical values of the specified color components of the inspection light and the numerical values of the color components of the inspection light quantified by the color sensor unit. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 2 to 13 ,
The color identification sensor includes :
The cartridge cover is provided inside the cartridge cover.
a light projection unit capable of projecting light toward the colored portion, and a color sensor unit that receives light reflected from the colored portion and converts color components of the received light into numerical values;
The controller:
a cartridge cover that is inserted into the cartridge cover and that is exposed to light from the outside of the cartridge cover; a light projecting unit that projects an inspection light having a predetermined color component value in a state where the cartridge cover is not inserted into the cartridge cover and light from the outside of the cartridge cover does not enter the cartridge cover;
An aerosol generating device capable of performing a calibration process to calibrate the numerical values of the color components of the light quantified by the color sensor unit based on the numerical values of the specified color components of the inspection light and the numerical values of the color components of the inspection light quantified by the color sensor unit.

Images