RU2772162C1 - Control unit, an aerosol generating device, a method and a computer-readable data carrier for controlling the heater, as well as a smoking product - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: aerosol production; smoking accessories.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a control unit, an aerosol-generating device, a method and a program for controlling a heater, as well as a smoking product. The present aerosol-generating device is equipped with at least one element that makes it possible to adjust the amount of aerosol delivered, and a controller for controlling the element. The controller is designed to control the element in such a way that the aerosol delivery profile in a pre-set period during which a puff is possible includes an initial period during which the said aerosol delivery profile increases with a gradually increasing gradient relative to the time axis, the final period during which the said aerosol delivery profile decreases with the gradually decreasing gradient relative to the time axis, and the intermediate period, which includes one or more values of local maxima between the initial period and the final period.

EFFECT: inventions are aimed at providing the possibility of recognition, based on the perceived sensation when performing a puff, of the transition from the initial period to the intermediate period and the transition from the intermediate period to the final period.

13 cl, 9 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES

[0001] The present invention relates to a control unit, an aerosol generating device, a method and program for controlling a heater, and a smoking article.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A non-flammable type aerosol generating device is known which is used instead of a known combustible type cigarette to draw in an aerosol formed by spraying an aerosol-forming carrier material (smoking article) by means of a heater (Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an aerosol-generating device that includes a smoking article containing a solid-phase aerosol-forming carrier material and a blade-type heater to be inserted into the aerosol-forming carrier material when it is used. The heater heats the aerosol-forming carrier material from within the material.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses an aerosol-generating device that includes a smoking article containing a solid-state aerosol-forming carrier material and a cylindrical heater to be located on an outer peripheral portion of the aerosol-forming carrier material when the article is used. The heater heats the aerosol-forming carrier material from the outer circumferential side.

[0005] The change in the visual shape corresponding to the puff of the user, compared with the known combustible type cigarette for each of the aerosol generating devices disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, is small, and therefore, within a reasonable puff period, it is difficult for the user to intuitively perceive the stage in which he is.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0006] Patent Document (PTL) 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-113016

PTL 2: PCT International Publication No. WO 2018/019786

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The first feature of the invention is an aerosol generating device, the essence of which is that it contains at least one element that can regulate the amount of delivered aerosol, and a control module for controlling the element; and the control module is configured to control the element such that the aerosol delivery profile during a predetermined allowable puff period includes an initial period during which an increase is observed with a gradient that gradually increases relative to the time axis, a final period during which decreasing with a gradient that gradually decreases with respect to the time axis; and an intermediate period that is located between the start period and the end period and includes one or more maximum values.

[0008] The second feature of the invention constitutes the aerosol generating device according to the first feature, the essence of which is that the amount of aerosol delivered at the end of the allowable puff period exceeds the amount of aerosol delivered at the start of the allowable puff period.

[0009] A third feature of the invention constitutes an aerosol generating device according to the first feature or the second feature, the essence of which is that the largest gradient value in the final period of the allowable puff period is less than the largest gradient value in the initial period of the allowable puff period.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the invention constitutes an aerosol generating device according to any of the first aspect to the third aspect, the essence of which is that the smallest gradient value in the end period is smaller than the smallest gradient value in the initial period.

[0011] The fifth feature of the invention constitutes the aerosol generating device according to the first to the fourth features, the essence of which is that the intermediate period is longer than each of the start period and the end period.

[0012] A sixth feature of the invention constitutes the aerosol generating device according to the first to fifth features, the essence of which is that the intermediate period is the same as or longer than the period equal to the sum of the start period and the end period.

[0013] The seventh feature of the invention constitutes the aerosol generating device according to the first to the sixth features, the essence of which is that the intermediate period contains a stable period during which the gradient has a value less than the smallest gradient value in the initial period, and less than than the smallest value of the gradient in the end period, and the stable period is longer than each of the start period and the end period.

[0014] The eighth feature of the invention constitutes the aerosol generating device according to the first to the seventh features, the essence of which is that the element is a heater configured to heat the aerosol source.

[0015] The ninth aspect of the invention constitutes the aerosol-generating apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the essence of which is that the control unit is configured to control the heater temperature to bring the temperature to the first target temperature during the first period, control the heater temperature to bring the temperature to a second target temperature that is lower than the first target temperature during the second period following the first period, and controlling the heater temperature to bring the temperature to a third target temperature that is lower than the second target temperature during the third period following the second period.

[0016] The tenth feature of the invention is a control unit containing a control module for controlling at least one element that can regulate the amount of delivered aerosol, and the essence of which is that the control module is configured to control the element in such a way that the profile delivery of an aerosol over a predetermined allowable puff period includes an initial period during which there is an increase with a gradient that gradually increases with respect to the time axis, an end period during which there is a decrease with a gradient that gradually decreases with respect to the time axis, and an intermediate a period that is located between the start period and the end period and includes one or more maximum values.

[0017] An eleventh feature of the invention is a method for adjusting the amount of aerosol delivered in an aerosol generating device, the essence of which is that the amount of aerosol delivered is controlled such that the aerosol delivery profile during a predetermined allowable puff period includes an initial period , during which there is an increase with a gradient that gradually increases with respect to the time axis, an end period during which there is a decrease with a gradient that gradually decreases with respect to the time axis, and an intermediate period located between the start period and the end period and includes one or more maximum values.

[0018] The twelfth feature of the invention constitutes a program, the essence of which is that the program causes the computer to execute the method according to the eleventh feature.

[0019] The thirteenth feature of the invention is a smoking article containing an aerosol source, the essence of which is that the aerosol delivery profile, when the smoking article is used in conjunction with a device that can deliver an aerosol by exposing the aerosol source, includes an initial period, during which there is an increase with a gradient that gradually increases relative to the time axis, an end period during which there is a decrease with a gradient that gradually decreases relative to the time axis, and an intermediate period located between the start period and the end period and includes one or over the maximum values.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] [Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is an illustration of an aroma inhaler according to an embodiment.

[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is an illustration of an aromatic inhaler into which a smoking article is inserted.

[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a view of the internal structure of the aroma inhaler shown in FIG. 2.

[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 shows the internal structure of the smoking article shown in FIG. 2.

[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a block diagram of an aroma inhaler.

[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a schematic enlarged view of the region 5R in FIG. 3.

[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a schematic relative arrangement of a portion of the carrier material of the smoking article and the heater, and the inner cylindrical element of the aerosol generating device.

[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 shows the heating profile of the heater and the delivery profile of the main components of the aerosol.

[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 - heating profile of the heater.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0021] In the following description, embodiments are explained. In this regard, in the following descriptions of the figures, the same or similar symbols are assigned to the same or similar parts. It should be mentioned that the figures are not drawn to scale and schematically, and therefore the ratios between the respective dimensions, etc., may differ from the actual ratios, etc.

[0022] Therefore, the issue of specific dimensions and so on should be decided in view of the following description. In addition, it goes without saying that, in the figures, the relationship and aspect ratio in one figure may differ from the relationship and aspect ratio in other figures.

[0023] [General Statement of the Invention]

In the case of the prior art combustible type cigarette, the user can easily recognize the specific stage, i.e., any of the start period, intermediate period, and end period of the allowable puff period that the user is currently in, by visually recognizing the position on the cigarette where smoldering cigarette. However, in many aerosol generating devices, it is difficult for a user to visually monitor the heating state of a smoking article containing an aerosol source.

[0024] The delivery profile of the main components of the aerosol described in Patent Document 1 is increasing during the initial period of operation of the heater and, thereafter, the delivery profile is maintained in a constant state until the heater is turned off. Therefore, it is difficult for the user to intuitively recognize, based on the perceived feeling when performing a puff, a particular period, i. e. one of the start period, intermediate period, and end period of the allowable puff period that the user is currently in.

[0025] In the present embodiment, the amount of aerosol delivered is controlled such that the delivery profile of the aerosol during a predetermined allowable puff period includes an initial period during which an increase is observed with a gradient that gradually rises relative to the time axis, an end period, in during which there is a decrease with a gradient that gradually decreases relative to the time axis, and an intermediate period located between the start period and the end period and includes one or more maximum values.

[0026] Accordingly, the amount of delivered aerosol increases in the period from the start period to the intermediate period, has a maximum value during the intermediate period, and decreases during the period from the intermediate period to the end period. Therefore, based on the perceived feeling when taking a puff, the user can feel a specific period, i. e. one of the start period, intermediate period, and end period of the allowable puff period that the user is currently in.

[0027] In addition, in the initial period, since the delivery profile of the aerosol has a gradient that gradually rises relative to the time axis, the delivery profile has a downward curved shape. On the other hand, in the interim period, the delivery profile has an upward curved shape. Therefore, the amount of delivered aerosol can change dramatically during the transition from the initial period to the intermediate period. In addition, in the final period, since the delivery profile of the aerosol has a gradient that gradually decreases with respect to the time axis, the delivery profile has a downward curved shape. Therefore, the amount of aerosol delivered may change dramatically during the transition from the intermediate period to the final period. Therefore, the user will be able to more easily recognize, based on the perceived feeling when taking a puff, the transition from the start period to the intermediate period and the transition from the intermediate period to the end period.

[0028] (Aroma inhaler)

In the following description, an aroma inhaler according to the embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 depicts an aroma inhaler according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 shows an aromatic inhaler into which a smoking article is inserted. Fig. 3 shows the internal structure of the aroma inhaler shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 shows the internal structure of the smoking article shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an aroma inhaler.

[0029] The aroma inhaler 100 may be a non-combustible type aroma inhaler for generating an aerosol from a smoking article without a combustion process. In particular, the aroma inhaler 100 may be a portable device.

[0030] Aroma inhaler 100 includes a smoking article 110 including an aerosol source and an aerosol generating device 120 for generating an aerosol from smoking article 110.

[0031] The smoking article 110 is a replaceable cartridge that may include an aerosol source and a flavor source, and is shaped like a rod extending in the longitudinal direction. The smoking article 110 may be configured to form the aerosol and flavor components when it is heated in the state it is inserted into the aerosol generating device 120.

[0032] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the smoking article 110 includes a carrier material portion 11A that includes a filling article 111 and a first cigarette paper 112 in which the filling article 111 is wrapped, and a mouthpiece portion 11B that forms an end portion opposite the carrier material portion 11A. The carrier material portion 11A and the mouthpiece portion 11B are joined by the second cigarette paper 113, which is different from the first cigarette paper 112. Here, the carrier material portion 11A and the mouthpiece portion 11B may be joined using the first cigarette paper 112, i. with the exception of the second cigarette paper 113.

[0033] Mouthpiece portion 11B in FIG. 4 includes a paper tubular portion 114, a filter portion 115, a hollow segment portion 116 located between the paper tubular portion 114 and the filter portion 115. For example, the section 116 of the hollow segment contains a filling layer, including one or more hollow channels, and ficell to cover the filling layer. Because the density of the filling fibers in the filling layer is high, air and aerosol only flow through the hollow channel, and neither air nor aerosol almost leaks through the filling layer when a puff is made. With respect to the fragrance generating article 110, if it is desired to reduce the reduction in the amount of aerosol components due to filtration in the filter section 115 in order to increase the amount of aerosol delivered, then it is useful to shorten the length of the filter section 115 and replace this section with a hollow segment section 116.

[0034] FIG. 4, the mouthpiece portion 11B is made using three segments; however, in the present embodiment, the mouthpiece portion 11B may be manufactured using one or two segments, or may be manufactured using four or more segments. For example, it is possible to eliminate the hollow segment portion 116 and form the mouthpiece portion 11B by placing the paper tubular portion 114 and the filter portion 115 adjacent to each other.

[0035] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the length of the smoking article 110 in the longitudinal direction is preferably set in the range of 40-90 mm, more preferably the length is set in the range of 50-75 mm, and even more preferably the length is set in the range of 50-60 mm. The circumference of the smoking article 110 is preferably set in the range of 15-25 mm, more preferably the circumference is set in the range of 17-24 mm, and even more preferably the circumference is set in the range of 20-23 mm. In addition, in the longitudinal direction of the smoking article 110, the length of the carrier material portion 11A may be 20 mm, the length of the first cigarette paper 112 may be 20 mm, the length of the hollow segment portion 116 may be 8 mm, and the length of the filter portion 115 may be 7 mm. ; however, the length of each of the aforementioned segments can be changed accordingly, according to manufacturing requirements, quality requirements, and so on.

[0036] In the present embodiment, the filling article 111 in the smoking article 110 may comprise an aerosol source that forms an aerosol when heat is applied to it at a predetermined temperature. The type of the aerosol source is not particularly limited, and the extractable material and/or components thereof, which are obtained from various natural products, depending on the application, can be selected as the aerosol source. As aerosol sources, for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol and mixtures thereof can be listed. The content of the aerosol source in the filling article 111 is not specifically limited; and, in terms of producing sufficient aerosol and satisfactorily adding flavor to the inhaled fragrance, the content of the aerosol source is usually not less than 5 percent by weight, and preferably not less than 10 percent by weight, and usually does not exceed 50 percent by weight and preferably not more than 20 percent by weight.

[0037] The filling article 111 in the smoking article 110 in the present embodiment may contain cut tobacco as a flavoring source. The shredded tobacco material is not particularly limited, and generally known material such as tobacco leaf, tobacco stem, and so on can be used as the material. The content limits of the filling article 111 in the smoking article 110 in the case where the circumference is 22 mm and the length is 20 mm are, for example, 200-400 mg, and preferably 250-320 mg. The moisture content of the filling article 111 is, for example, 8-18 weight percent and preferably 10-16 weight percent. In the case where the moisture content is as above, the effect of spotting at the time of laying is eliminated, and the condition of suitability for laying at the time of manufacturing the carrier material portion 11A is satisfied. There is no specific restriction on the size, preparation method, etc. of the cut tobacco used as the filler product 111. For example, you can use dried tobacco leaves, cut into pieces, each of which has a width of 0.8-1.2 mm. Alternatively, the dried tobacco leaves are ground and made into uniform particles, the average particle size is 20-200 µm, and the particles are processed to turn into a sheet, and a sheet cut into pieces each having a width of 0.8 -1.2 mm. In addition, the aforementioned sheet formed using the sheet manufacturing and processing process can be processed to assemble it, and the assembled sheet can be used as the filling product 111. In addition, the filling product 111 can contain one kind or two or more kinds of flavors. Kinds of flavors are not specifically limited; however, to provide a pleasant smoke flavor, menthol is the preferred flavor.

[0038] In the present embodiment, each sheet of the first and second cigarette papers 112 and 113 can be made using a base paper that has a density of, for example, 20-65 g/m ² and preferably 25-45 g/m ² . The thickness of each sheet of the first and second cigarette papers 112 and 113 is not specifically limited; however, in consideration of stiffness, gas permeability and ease of adjustment during papermaking, the thickness is set within 10-100 µm, and is preferably set within 20-75 µm, and more preferably is set within 30-50 µm.

[0039] In the present embodiment, a filler may be included in the cigarette paper 112 and 113 in the filling article 111. The filler content may be no less than 10 wt% and no more than 60 wt%, and preferably in the range of 15 to 45 wt% based on the combined weight of the cigarette papers 112 and 113. In the present embodiment, it is preferable when the filler is 15-45 percent by weight relative to the preferred density range (25-45 g/m ² ). For example, calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, kaolin, and so on can be used as a filler. The paper including such a filler as described above has a white color which is preferable in terms of the appearance of the paper used as the cigarette paper of the smoking article 110 and is capable of permanently maintaining whiteness. By including a large amount of such a filler as described above, the ISO whiteness of cigarette paper can be increased, for example, to no less than 83%. In addition, from the viewpoint of practicality of using this paper as a cigarette paper in the smoking article 110, it is preferable that the cigarette papers 112 and 113 have a tear resistance of not less than 8 N/15 mm. The tear resistance can be increased by reducing the filler content. In particular, the tear resistance can be improved by lowering the filler content to less than the upper limit of the filler content, which has been shown in the above description for each density range.

[0040] Here again, reference is made to FIG. 3; and the aerosol generating device 120 includes a mounting hole 130 into which the smoking article 110 can be inserted. That is, the aerosol generating device 120 includes an inner cylindrical member 132 which is a component of the mounting hole 130. such as aluminium, stainless steel (SUS) or a similar material.

[0041] Further, the aerosol generating device 120 may include a cap portion 140 for covering the mounting hole 130. The cap portion 140 may be slidable between a state in which the mounting hole 130 is closed (see FIG. 1) and a state where the mounting hole 130 is closed (see FIG. 1). in which the mounting hole 130 is open (see Fig. 2).

[0042] The aerosol generating device 120 may include an air channel 160 that communicates with the mounting hole 130. through a part other than the mounting hole 130.

[0043] The aerosol generating device 120 may include a cap portion 170 for covering the end of the air passage 160 from the side where the air passage 160 communicates with outside air. The cap portion 170 can be brought into a state whereby the end of the air passage 160 on the outside air communication side is thereby closed, and into a state where the air passage 160 is open.

[0044] The cap portion 170 does not block the air passage 160 in an air-tight manner even in the state in which it covers the air passage 160. That is, it is constructed such that, even in the state in which the air passage 160 is closed by the cap portion 170, outside air allowed to flow into the air passage 160 through a portion near the cap portion 170.

[0045] In a state in which the smoking article 110 is inserted into the aroma inhaler 100, the user holds the end portion of the smoking article 110, in particular, the mouthpiece portion 11B shown in FIG. 4, in the user's mouth and takes a puff. As a result of the user's puff, outside air flows into the air passage 160. Air flowing into the air passage 160 is directed into the user's mouth through the smoking article 110 at the mounting hole 130.

[0046] In a state in which the mounting hole 130 is not covered by the cap portion 140 and the smoking article 110 is not inserted into the mounting hole, i. in a state in which the inside of the inner barrel 132 and the air passage 160 are open, the user is able to clean the inside of the air passage 160 in the inner barrel 132 with a cleaning device such as a brush. The aforementioned cleaning device can be inserted from the side of the top cap portion 140 in FIG. 3 inside the air channel 160 or can be inserted from the side of the section 170 of the lower cap into the air channel 160.

[0047] The aerosol generating device 120 may be equipped with a temperature sensor in the air passage 160 or at a wall portion that is a component of the air passage 160. The temperature sensor may be, for example, a thermistor, a thermocouple, or the like. When the user puffs through the mouthpiece portion 11B of the smoking article 110, the temperature of the interior of the air passage 160 or the temperature of the wall portion that is a component of the air passage 160 is reduced by the air flowing through the air passage 160 in the direction from the cap portion 170 towards the heater 30. The temperature sensor detects the user's inhalation action by measuring the decrease in temperature.

[0048] The aerosol generating device 120 includes a battery 10, a control unit 20, and a heater 30. The battery stores electrical power to be used in the aerosol generating device 120. The battery 10 may be a rechargeable/dischargeable battery. The battery may be, for example, a lithium ion battery.

[0049] The heater 30 may be installed at a position around the inner cylindrical member 132. The space in which the heater 30 is housed and the space in which the battery 10 is housed may be separated by a dividing wall 180. In the above-described case, air heated by heater into the battery 10 housing space. Therefore, the temperature rise of the battery 10 can be suppressed.

[0050] The heater 30 preferably has a cylindrical shape, which allows heating the periphery of the rod-shaped smoking article 110. The heater 30 may be, for example, a film heater. The film heater may include a pair of film-shaped substrates and a resistor heating element positioned between the pair of film-shaped substrates. The film-shaped substrate is preferably made using a material having high thermal resistance and electrical insulating properties, and generally, the film-shaped substrate is made using polyimide. The resistor heating element is preferably formed using one or two or more materials of copper, nickel alloy, chromium alloy, stainless steel, platinum-rhodium, and so on, and the resistor heating element may be formed using, for example, a material based on of stainless steel. In addition, in order to be connected to a power source by means of a flexible printed circuit board (FPC), the connection parts and current-carrying parts of this resistor heating element board may be plated with copper.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a schematic enlarged view of the region 5R in FIG. 3 and the cross section of the heater 30 and parts around it. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the heater 30 is the above-described film heater, and is wound around the periphery of the inner cylindrical member 132, which can accommodate the smoking article 110. That is, the heater 30 is wound so as to form a cylindrical shape surrounding the inner cylindrical member 132. As a result, the heater 30 surrounds the outer periphery of the smoking article and can heat the smoking article 110 from its outside.

[0052] Preferably, a heat shrink tube 136 may be located on the outside of the heater 30. In other words, the preferred solution is when the heater 30 is installed in the heat shrink tube 136. The heat shrink tube 136 is a tube 136 that shrinks in the radial direction when heat is applied. , and can be made using, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer. As a result of the shrinking effect of the heat-shrinkable tube 136, the heater 30 is pressed against the inner barrel 132. As a result, the adhesion between the heater 30 and the inner barrel 132 is enhanced, and therefore the heat conduction from the heater 30 to the smoking article 220 through the inner barrel 132 is increased.

[0053] The aerosol generating device 120 may include a thermal insulation material 138 having a cylindrical shape on the radially outer side of the heater 30, preferably on the outer side of the heat shrinkable tube 136. Preferably, the thermal insulation material 138 is located around the outer periphery of the heater 30 The heat insulating material 138 may have a function of preventing the temperature of the outer surface of the body of the aerosol generating apparatus 120 from reaching too high a temperature by blocking heat from the heater 30. The heat insulating material 138 may be made using an airgel, such as silica gel, carbon airgel , aluminum oxide or something similar. For example, the airshell used as the thermal insulation material 138 may be silica gel, which has a high thermal insulation property and can be manufactured at a relatively low cost. Meanwhile, the heat insulating material 138 may be a fibrous heat insulating material such as glass wool, mineral wool or the like, or may be a foamed type heat insulating material such as urethane foam or phenol foam. Alternatively, the thermal insulation material 138 may be a vacuum thermal insulation material.

[0054] Thermal insulation material 138 may be routed at a position between inner cylindrical member 132 facing smoking article 110 and outer cylindrical member 134 on the outside of thermal insulation material 138. , aluminum or stainless steel (SUS). The preferred solution is when the thermal insulation material 138 is laid in a closed space.

[0055] FIG. 7 schematically represents the relative position, in the direction of the centerline, between the carrier material portion 11A in the smoking article 110 and the heater 30 and the inner cylindrical member 132 in the aerosol generating device 120, in the flavor inhaler 100. The term centerline in this case means the central axis mounting hole 130 in the aerosol generating device 120, and when the smoking article 110 is inserted into the mounting hole 130, the axial line and the central axis of the smoking article 110 partially coincide with each other (see also Fig. 3).

[0056] The length D0 of the heater 30 in the centerline direction can be set to be shorter than the length L0 of the carrier material portion 11A in the centerline direction in the smoking article 110 (D0<L0). In addition, the ratio of length D0 to length L0 (D0/L0) may be 0.70-0.90, preferably 0.75-0.85 and typically 0.80. Therefore, in the case where the length L0 of the carrier material portion 11A is 20 mm, the length D0 of the heater 30 may be 14-18 mm, preferably 15-17 mm, and usually 16 mm.

[0057] The upstream end of the carrier material portion 11A may extend forward beyond the upstream end of the heater 30 by a length D1. The front side and back side in the present case correspond to the inlet side and the outlet side of the airflow flowing through the interior of the air passage 160 as a result of the user's puff (see also FIG. 3). The portion of the carrier material portion 11A that protrudes beyond the heater 30 does not have a heater 30 on the radially outer side of the carrier material portion 11A so that the temperature in its interior may become somewhat lower than the temperature of the other portion of the carrier material portion 11A . Therefore, the generation of aerosol at the upstream end of the carrier material portion 11A and at a location near it can be suppressed, and therefore, the aerosol generated at the aforementioned locations can be prevented from condensing and flowing back into the air passage 160. The aerosol generated at another portion of the carrier material portion 11A may condense at and near the upstream end of the carrier material portion 11A.

[0058] The ratio of the protruding length D1 to the total length L0 of the carrier material portion 11A (D1/L0) may be 0.25-0.40, preferably 0.30-0.35, and typically 0.325. Therefore, in the case where the entire length L0 of the carrier material portion 11A is 20 mm, the protruding length D1 may be 5-8 mm, preferably 6-7 mm, and usually 6.5 mm.

[0059] The downstream end of the heater 30 may protrude rearwardly beyond the downstream end of the carrier material portion 11A by a length D2. Therefore, the downstream end of the carrier material portion 11A and the place around it can be sufficiently heated, and therefore the reduction in the amount of aerosol generated and the phenomenon of aerosol condensation at the above-mentioned places can be prevented. The ratio of the protruding length D2 of the heater 30 to the length L0 of the carrier material portion 11A (D2/L0) may be 0.075-0.175, preferably 0.1-0.15 and typically 0.125. Therefore, in the case where the length L0 of the carrier material portion 11A is 20 mm, the protruding length D2 of the heater 30 may be 1.5-3.5 mm, preferably 2-3 mm, and usually 2.5 mm.

[0060] The position of the upstream end of the inner cylindrical member 132 and the position of the upstream end of the carrier material portion 11A in the centerline direction may approximately coincide with each other. On the other hand, like the case with the downstream end of the heater 30, the downstream end of the inner cylindrical member 132 may protrude upstream of the downstream end of the carrier material portion 11A by a length D3. Therefore, in addition to the downstream end of the carrier material portion 11A and the location thereof, it is possible to heat the upstream end of the paper tubular portion 114 and the location thereof, and therefore it is possible to prevent the aerosol generated in the material portion 11A from media, excessively cooled and condensed at the upstream end of the paper tubular section 114 and the place near it. The ratio of the projected length D3 of the inner cylindrical member 132 to the projected length D2 of the heater 30 (D3/D2) may be 2.6-3.4, preferably 2.8-3.2, and more preferably 3.0. Therefore, in the case where the protruding length D2 of the heater is 2.5 mm, the protruding length D3 of the inner cylindrical member 132 may be 6.5-8.5 mm, preferably 7.0-8.0 mm, and usually 7. 5 mm.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 20 may include a control board, a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, and so on. The CPU and memory are components for creating a control unit 22 that controls the heater 30 to heat the aerosol source. In addition, the control unit 20 includes a notification unit 40 for presenting various information to the user. For example, the notification module 40 may be a light emitting element such as an LED (light-emitting diode) or a vibrating element, or a combination thereof.

[0062] The control module 22, when it detects a wake-up request issued by the user, starts supplying electrical power from the battery 10 to the heater 30. The user's wake-up request is generated, for example, by the user's manipulation of a push button or slide switch, or the user's puff. In the present embodiment, the user's activation request is generated by pressing the push button 150. Specifically, the user's activation request is generated by pressing the push button 150 while in the state in which the cap portion 140 is open. Alternatively, the user's activation request may be generated when the user's puff is determined. For example, the puff of the user may be determined by a temperature sensor, such as the temperature sensor described above.

[0063] Next, with reference to FIG. 8 explains the delivery profile of the main aerosol components related to the aerosol generating device. In the present embodiment, the heating profile is a graph representing the change over time of the target temperature when the heater is controlled. In addition, the delivery profile is a graph representing the change over time in the amount of major aerosol constituents per puff that is delivered to the user's mouth after the user has taken a puff using the smoking article 110. FIG. 8 shows the heating profile of the heater 30 and the delivery profile of the main components of the aerosol. The vertical axis in Fig. 8 represents the temperature of the heater or the amount of the main components of the aerosol delivered. The horizontal axis in Fig. 8 represents time.

[0064] In this regard, the term "major aerosol components" refers to observable aerosol components that are formed when various aerosol sources included in a smoking article are heated to a temperature above a predetermined temperature. Typically, aerosol sources included in a smoking article are propylene glycol and glycerin. In addition, in the case where the smoking article contains a flavor source such as tobacco or the like, an aerosol component derived from the flavor source is included in the base aerosol components. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, an aerosol component derived from moisture contained in a smoking article is not considered to be an object to be included in the main aerosol components.

[0065] The delivery profile of the main components of the aerosol can be measured using such a method, which is explained below. First, an aerosol-generating device is prepared, for which the delivery profile of the main components of the aerosol should be measured. Then, in a state in which the smoking article is inserted into the aerosol generating device, suction is performed through the mouthpiece portion of the smoking article using an automatic smoking device (which is manufactured by, for example, Borgwaldt KC Inc.). When performing the above procedure, the heater 30 is heated in accordance with the control method set for the prepared aerosol generating device. With respect to the suction regimen, a regimen equivalent to the HCI (HCI; Health Canada) regimen given by Health Canada is adopted. In particular, the suction mode is as follows: suction intensity, 27.5 ml per second; suction time, 2 seconds per puff; and the interval between puffs, 20 seconds.

[0066] The aerosol sucked in by the automatic smoking device in the above-described suction mode is collected by a Cambridge filter (eg, CM-133 manufactured by Borgwaldt KC Inc.). Specifically, the smoke that has been passed through the aforementioned Cambridge filter is collected in 10 ml of methanol, which is cooled to -70 degrees Celsius with a dry ice-isopropanol cooler. 10 ml methanol solution in which tobacco smoke has been collected and internal standard solution (0.05 mg/ml pentadecane-d32, 50 ml/l ethanol-d1, 2 ml/l anethole and 4 ml/l 1,3-butanediol) added to a Cambridge filter, and this filter is shaken for 30 minutes, and the components contained are extracted.

[0067] The extraction of the contained components was performed for each of the puffs. As a result, the amount of the main components of the aerosol delivered from the aerosol generating device to the automatic smoking device was determined for each puff. By plotting the amount of aerosol major constituents delivered over the time each puff was taken, the delivery profile of aerosol major constituents along the time axis can be discretely obtained. It should be recalled that, in FIG. 8, the discretely obtained delivery profile is plotted continuous using a fitted curve.

[0068] In the present embodiment, the delivery profile of the main components of the aerosol contains the initial period Q1, the intermediate period Q2 and the final period Q3. The initial period Q1 is the period during which the gradient of the main components of the aerosol over time gradually increases. In other words, the initial period Q1 is a period during which the amount of increase in the amount of delivered basic aerosol components per puff gradually increases.

[0069] In this regard, the gradient of the delivery profile of the main components of the aerosol is the absolute value of the slope at each point of the curve that forms the delivery profile. The delivery profile gradient of the main aerosol components can be determined, for example, in the following way. As stated above, the delivery profile of the main components of the aerosol along the time axis is obtained discretely. In the above case, the gradient of the delivery profile of the main aerosol constituents can be determined from the plotted points that are adjacent to each other on the time axis, as a value obtained by dividing the difference in the delivery profile of the main aerosol components by the time difference between the plotted points.

[0070] Alternatively, the gradient of the delivery profile of the main aerosol components can be obtained, for example, using a fitted curve obtained by discrete plotting. In the above case, if the analytical formula of the fitted curve is determined, then the gradient of the delivery profile of the main components of the aerosol can be determined by calculating the differentiated value of the analytical formula. A fitted curve, such as the curve described above, can be obtained, for example, using a polynomial expression or using a trigonometric function.

[0071] In the present embodiment, the start time S0 of the delivery profile is determined by the start time of the allowable aerosol puff period (allowable puff period) (see FIG. 9). In particular, the start time S0 of the delivery profile is determined by the start of the allowable puff period message (time T2 in FIG. 9), which is explained later.

[0072] In addition, the boundary S1 between the initial period Q1 and the intermediate period Q2 may be determined by the point at which the gradient of the main components of the aerosol in the initial period Q1 becomes the largest. In other words, the boundary S1 between the initial period Q1 and the intermediate period Q2 is the point at which the gradient of the main aerosol components begins to decrease for the first time over the entire delivery profile. In the case where the delivery profile is approximated by a continuous fitted curve, the boundary S1 between the initial period Q1 and the intermediate period Q2 may be defined by an inflection point.

[0073] The final period Q3 is the period during which the gradient of the main components of the aerosol over time gradually decreases. In other words, the end period Q3 is the period during which the amount of reduction in the amount of the delivered main aerosol components per puff is gradually reduced.

[0074] In the present embodiment, the end point S3 of the delivery profile is determined by the end point of the allowable aerosol puff period (allowable puff period) (see FIG. 9). In particular, the end point S3 of the delivery profile is determined by the point in time when the message about the end of the allowable puff period is presented (the point in time T7 in FIG. 9).

[0075] In addition, the boundary S2 between the intermediate period Q2 and the final period Q3 may be determined by the point at which the gradient of the main components of the aerosol in the final period Q3 becomes the largest. In other words, the boundary S2 between the intermediate period Q2 and the final period Q3 is the point at which the gradient of the main aerosol components begins to decline for the last time over the entire delivery profile. In the case where the delivery profile is approximated by a continuous fitted curve, the boundary S2 between the intermediate period Q2 and the final period Q3 may be defined by an inflection point.

[0076] The interim period Q2 is the period between the start period Q1 and the end period Q3. Interim period Q2 includes one or more maximum values that exceed the start point and end point of the delivery profile. In the delivery profile shown in FIG. 8, the intermediate period Q2 includes one maximum value (highest value).

[0077] In accordance with the aerosol delivery profile described above, the amount of delivered aerosol increases in the period from the initial period Q1 to the intermediate period Q2, has a maximum value in the intermediate period Q2, and decreases in the period from the intermediate period Q2 to the final period Q3. Therefore, the user can recognize a specific period, i. e. one of the start period Q1, the intermediate period Q2, and the end period Q3 of the allowable puff period that the user is currently in based on the perceived feeling at the time of drawing in the aerosol.

[0078] In addition, during the initial period Q1, the gradient of the main components of the aerosol over time gradually increases, and therefore the delivery profile has a downward curved shape. On the other hand, in the interim period Q2, the delivery profile is curved upwards. Therefore, the amount of delivered aerosol can change dramatically during the transition from the initial period Q1 to the intermediate period Q2. In addition, during the final period Q3, the gradient of the main aerosol components over time gradually decreases, and therefore the delivery profile has a downward curved shape. Therefore, the amount of delivered aerosol can change dramatically during the transition from the intermediate period Q2 to the final period Q3. Therefore, the user will be able to more easily recognize, based on the perceived feeling when puffing, the transition from the start period Q1 to the intermediate period Q2 and the transition from the intermediate period Q2 to the end period Q3.

[0079] Preferably, the intermediate period Q2 is longer than each of the start period Q1 and the end period Q3. More preferably, the interim period Q2 is the same or longer than the sum of the start period Q1 and the end period Q3. For example, the interim period Q2 may be 50-60% of the entire period, and each of the start period Q1 and the end period Q3 may be 20-25% of the entire period. According to the above scheme, the period in which a large amount of aerosol base components is delivered is relatively long, and therefore the user can be inhaled by the aerosol base components for a relatively long period.

[0080] Preferably, the solution is when the amount of aerosol base components delivered at the end time S3 in the end period Q3 exceeds the amount of aerosol base components delivered at the start time S0. In the above case, excessive reduction in the amount of aerosol delivered in the end period Q3 can be eliminated. According to the above scheme, it is possible to prevent the delivery amount of the main aerosol components from decreasing to a low level during the allowable puff period, and in particular, the delivery amount can be maintained at a high level until the end of the end period Q2.

[0081] It is preferable to decide when the largest value of the gradient related to the main components of the aerosol in the final period Q3 has a value lower than the largest value of the gradient related to the main components of the aerosol in the first period Q1. In the above case, the rate of increase of the main components of the aerosol during the initial period Q1 becomes relatively high, and therefore the amount of delivered aerosol can be brought to a high level at a relatively early stage within the allowable puff period. On the other hand, the gradient related to the main aerosol components in the final period Q3 is low, and therefore the reduction rate of the main aerosol components during the final period Q3 becomes relatively low. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a sharp decrease in the amount of delivered aerosol during the final period Q3. According to the above scheme, the amount of delivered aerosol can be maintained at a high level for a relatively long period.

[0082] Preferably, the decision is when the smallest value of the gradient related to the main components of the aerosol in the final period Q3 has a value lower than the smallest value of the gradient related to the main components of the aerosol in the initial period Q1. Since the lowest value of the gradient related to the main components of the aerosol in the final period Q3 is low, the rate of decrease in the main components of the aerosol during the final period Q3 becomes relatively low. Therefore, a sharp decrease in the amount of delivered aerosol during the final period Q3 can be suppressed.

[0083] The interim period Q2 may comprise a stable period SP in which the aerosol major component gradient has an absolute value less than the smallest value of the aerosol major component gradient in the initial period Q1 and less than the smallest gradient value related to the main aerosol components in the final period Q3. That is, the stable period SP is the period during which the change in the amount of aerosol major components delivered per puff is relatively small.

[0084] It is preferable to decide when the stable period SP is longer than each of the start period Q1 and the end period Q3. During the stable period, SP delivers a large amount of the main components of the aerosol, and the change in the amount delivered is small. Therefore, in the case where the stable period SP is longer than each of the start period Q1 and the end period Q3, the main aerosol components can be supplied stably for a relatively long period in the intermediate period Q2. In addition, it is preferable that the stable period SP is 50-60% of the intermediate period Q2. According to the above scheme, the main components of the aerosol can be supplied stably for a relatively long period in the intermediate period Q2.

[0085] It should be remembered that the above-described delivery profile and its benefits have been identified as a result of painstaking research conducted by the inventors on the subject matter of the application.

[0086] The control module 22 of the aerosol generating device 120 may be configured to control the heater 30 to implement the above-described delivery profile of the main aerosol components. In this regard, the delivery profile of the main components of the aerosol depends mainly on the heating profile of the heater 30.

[0087] FIG. 9 represents an exemplary heater heating profile. It should be remembered that the heating profile shown in FIG. 9 is exemplary in that it is suitable for implementing the delivery profile of the main aerosol components described above, and the heating profile is not necessarily limited to the heating profile described above.

[0088] As described above, the heating profile is a graph showing the change in time of the target temperature when the heater 30 is controlled. The temperature control of the heater 30 can be implemented, for example, using well-known feedback control. In particular, the control module 22 of the aerosol generating device 120 may supply electrical power from the battery 22 to the heater 30 in a pulsed form in accordance with a pulse width modulation (PWM) or pulse frequency modulation (PFM) technique. In the above case, the control unit 22 may control the temperature of the heater 30 by adjusting the duty cycle of the electric power pulses.

[0089] In closed loop control, the control unit 22 may measure or estimate the temperature of the heater 30 and, based on the difference between the measured or estimated temperature of the heater 30 and the target temperature, or the like, control the supply of electric power to the heater 30, for example, control the aforementioned duty cycle. The feedback control may be, for example, proportional-integral-derivative PID control. The temperature of the heater may be quantified, for example, by measuring or evaluating the electrical resistance value of the heating resistor that is a component of the heater 30. This is because the electrical resistance value of the heating resistor changes in response to a change in temperature. The electrical resistance value of the heating resistor can be estimated, for example, by measuring the voltage drop across the heating resistor. The amount of voltage drop across the heating resistor can be measured by a voltage sensor that measures the potential difference applied to the heating resistor. In another example, the temperature of the heater 30 may be measured by a temperature sensor positioned adjacent to the heater 30.

[0090] As stated above, in the present embodiment, the control of the electric power supply to the heater 30 may be performed such that the actual temperature of the heater 30 reaches the target temperature on the heating profile. In this regard, since it is possible that the heating profile includes a portion where the target temperature changes rapidly, it may be that, within such a portion as the above portion, the discrepancy between the actual temperature of the heater 30 and the target temperature is temporarily increases. In the heating profile shown in Fig. 9, each of the parts within which there is a large difference between the actual temperature of the heater 30 and the target temperature is shown with a dashed line.

[0091] In the heating profile shown in FIG. 9, when electric power is supplied from the battery 10 to the heater 30 in response to receiving a wake-up request from the user, the control unit 22 first controls the temperature of the heater 30 to bring it to the first target temperature TA1 during the first period P1. That is, the control unit 22 heats the heater 30 to raise the temperature from the start temperature to the first target temperature TA1. During the first period P1, after the temperature of the heater 30 reaches the first target temperature TA1, the control unit 22 executes control to maintain the temperature of the heater 30 at the first target temperature TA1.

[0092] The first target temperature TA1 may preferably be in the range of 225-240 degrees Celsius and typically 230 degrees Celsius.

[0093] The temperature rise rate of the heater 30 can be increased by setting a relatively high temperature for the first target temperature TA1 in the first period P1. By increasing the temperature rise rate of the heater 30, it is possible to shorten the period from the start of supplying electric power to the heater 30 until the time when the aerosol is puffed up.

[0094] The control module 22 may be configured to notify the user of a state that a valid puff period has begun, in a period that falls within the first period P1, and during which the temperature of the heater 30 is maintained at the first target temperature TA1. The status message that the allowable puff period has begun may be submitted by controlling the notification unit 40, and, for example, may be submitted by executing a color changing control process of light emitted from a light emitting element such as an LED or the like, a light emission pattern changing control process, or a control process excitation of a vibration element, or a control process containing a combination of the above described control processes.

[0095] In the example shown in FIG. 9, a status message that a valid puff period has begun is presented at time T2. Specifically, the status message that the allowable puff period has begun may be presented either at time T2 when the predetermined period P1b has elapsed from the time when the temperature of the heater 30 has reached the first target temperature, or at the time when the predetermined period has elapsed. from the point in time when the supply of electric power to the heater 30 began, whichever of these points in time occurs earlier. The predetermined period P1b may be preferably 20-26 seconds and typically 23 seconds.

[0096] Preferably, the control module 22 may be configured to report a state that a valid puff period has begun in the last half of the first period P1. The last half of the first P1 period means the period after the middle of the first P1 period.

[0097] At the time T3 when the predetermined period P1c has elapsed from the time Ts when the start of the allowable puff period was reported, the control unit 22 controls the period transition to the second period P2 to be described later. The predetermined period P1c may preferably be 5-15 seconds and typically 10 seconds. According to the above scheme, the probability of occurrence of the user puffing event for the first time during the first period P1 becomes high. In the above case, the user may be led to perform a puff for the first time during the period when the heater temperature is maintained at a temperature around the first target temperature TA1, which is the highest temperature on the heating profile.

[0098] The first period P1 changes due to the states of heating, ambient temperature, and so on of the heater 30 and the smoking article 110; however, it may have a duration, usually in the range of 35-55 seconds. In this regard, it is preferable that the control unit 22 is configured to change the duration of the first period P1 based on the temperature rise rate of the heater 30 in the first period P1. In particular, the initial temperature rise period P1a in the first period P1 can be set to change based on the temperature rise rate of the heater 30. In particular, it is preferable that the control unit 22 is configured to change the length of the first period P1 to shorten when the period from the start of heating of the heater 30 until the time when the temperature reaches the predetermined temperature is reduced.

[0099] In the present embodiment, the first period P1 ends when a predetermined period (P1b+P1c) has elapsed since the time when the temperature of the heater 30 reached the first target temperature TA1. That is, if the temperature rise rate of the heater 30 is high, the period P1a, that is, the period from the time T0 when electric power is supplied to the heater 30 to the time when the temperature of the heater 30 reaches the first target temperature TA1, becomes short. . The predetermined period (P1b+P1c) may preferably be 25-41 seconds and typically 33 seconds.

[0100] As stated above, in the case where the temperature rise rate of the heater 30 is high, the electric power consumption during the preheating period can be reduced by shortening the preheating period.

[0101] It is preferable to decide that the change range of the first period P1, in particular, the change range of the period (P1a+P1b) which ends when the start of the allowable puff period is reported has a predetermined upper limit value. For example, the upper limit value of the period (P1a+P1b), i.e., the period from the start time T0 of the electric power supply to the time T2 of reporting the start of the allowable puff period, is preferably 40-60 seconds and usually 50 seconds. According to the above scheme, it is possible to prevent the control unit 22 from continuing the preheating without proceeding to the second period P2 in the case where the temperature of the heater 30 does not reach the first target temperature TA1.

[0102] Then, during the second period P2 following the first period P1, the control unit 22 controls the temperature of the heater 30 to change it to a second target temperature TA2 that is lower than the first target temperature TA1. That is, the control unit 22 controls the heater 30 to lower the temperature of the heater 30 from the first target temperature TA1 and maintain the temperature at the second target temperature TA2.

[0103] The second target temperature TA2 may be a temperature preferably in the range of 190-210 degrees Celsius and typically 200 degrees Celsius. The second period P2 may have a duration preferably in the range of 105-160 seconds and typically 130 seconds. Preferably, the solution is when the second period P2 is longer than each of the first period P1 and the third period P3, which will be described later. Since the second period is a period during which the temperature is maintained higher than during the third period P3, the second period is a period during which the aerosol is stably supplied. Therefore, the period during which the aerosol can be stably supplied can be made relatively long.

[0104] By lowering the target temperature in the second period P2, it becomes possible to reduce the electric power consumption in the second period P2.

[0105] The control module 22 may provide a first shutdown period, that is, a period from the end of the first period P1 to the start period in the second period P2, to stop the supply of electric power to the heater 30. When the first shutdown period is set, the temperature decreases from the first target temperature TA1 to the second target temperature TA2 can be carried out in the shortest period of time. The control module 22 may continue to measure the temperature of the heater 30 even in the first shutdown period. In the above case, the control unit 22 may be configured to resume supplying electric power to the heater 30 when the temperature of the heater 30 has decreased and reached a temperature near the second target temperature TA2.

[0106] It is preferable to decide that the first off period is a time interval during which a normal user cannot puff two or more times. If the user inhales two or more times during the off period, the temperature of the heater 30 may drop sharply and may become much lower than the second target temperature TA2. In the above case, there is a risk of reducing the amount of aerosol produced by the smoking article 110. Assuming that the time interval between normal puffs of a typical user is approximately 20 seconds, it is preferable that the first off period be, for example, a period in the range of 15-20 seconds. . The first target temperature TA1 and the second target temperature TA2 may be set such that the temperature drop from the first target temperature TA1 to the second target temperature TA2 due to free cooling during the first off period ends in said time interval. Alternatively, the control module 22 may be configured to measure the elapsed time of the first OFF period and, after the first OFF period has reached a predetermined upper limit value, forcibly restart the supply of electrical power to the heater 30. Preferably, the decision when the upper limit value the first off period in the above case is 15-20 seconds.

[0107] Then, in the third period P3 that follows the second period P2, the control unit 22 controls the temperature of the heater 30 to change it to a third target temperature TA3 that is lower than the second target temperature TA2. That is, the control unit 22 controls the heater 30 to further lower the temperature of the heater 30 from the second target temperature TA2 and maintain the temperature at the third target temperature TA3. The third target temperature TA3 may be a temperature preferably in the range of 175-190 degrees Celsius and typically 185 degrees Celsius. The third period P3 may be a period preferably in the range of 30-90 seconds and typically 60 seconds. By further lowering the target temperature in the third period P3, it becomes possible to reduce the electric power consumption in the third period P3.

[0108] It is preferable to decide when the temperature difference (ΔT12) between the first target temperature TA1 and the second target temperature TA2 exceeds the temperature difference (ΔT23) between the second target temperature TA2 and the third target temperature TA3. The electric power consumed by the heater 30 in the second period P2 is higher than in the third period P3, and the electric power consumption during the entire period can be reduced if the temperature difference (ΔT12) during the transition from the first period P1 to the second period P2 is set to greater than the temperature difference (ΔT23) during the transition from the second period P2 to the third period P3. Therefore, it is preferable that the ratio ΔT12/ΔT23 is greater than 1. On the other hand, in the case where ΔT12 is set too large compared to ΔT23, the target temperature TA2 in the second period P2, which is set based on stable aerosol supply, becomes relatively low, and therefore there is a risk that the aerosol supply in the second period P2 becomes unstable. Therefore, it is preferable that the ratio ΔT12/ΔT23 has a predetermined upper limit value. The upper limit value for ΔT12/ΔT23 can be, for example, 2.5. ΔT12/ΔT23 may preferably be 1.0-2.5 and usually 2.0.

[0109] The control module 22 may provide a second OFF period, i.e., a period from the end of the second period P2 to the start period in the third period P3, to stop the supply of electric power to the heater 30. When the second OFF period is set, the temperature decrease from the second target temperature TA2 to the third target temperature TA3 can be carried out in the shortest possible time. The control module 22 may continue to measure the temperature of the heater 30 even in the second off period. In the above case, the control unit 22 may be configured to resume supplying electric power to the heater 30 when the temperature of the heater 30 has decreased and reached a temperature around the third target temperature TA3. Like the first off period, it is preferable that the second off period be a time interval during which a typical user cannot puff two or more times, and that the second off period be in the range of 15-20 seconds. The second target temperature TA2 and the third target temperature TA3 may be set such that the temperature drop from the second target temperature TA2 to the third target temperature TA3 due to free cooling during the second off period ends in said time interval. Alternatively, the control module 22 may be configured to measure the elapsed time of the second OFF period, and, after the second OFF period has reached a predetermined upper limit, forcibly resume the supply of electrical power to the heater 30.

[0110] As stated above, it is preferable to decide when the temperature difference (ΔT12) between the first target temperature TA1 and the second target temperature TA2 exceeds the temperature difference (ΔT23) between the second target temperature TA2 and the third target temperature TA3; and the above ratio is preferable in view of setting the first OFF period and the second OFF period so as to make their values close to each other. According to Newton's law of cooling, the decrease in temperature in the high temperature range occurs at a greater rate than in the low temperature range, in the case of natural cooling; therefore, in order to set the first OFF period and the second OFF period as close to each other as possible, it is necessary to set a relatively large temperature difference (ΔT12) between the first target temperature TA1 and the second target temperature TA2, which belongs to the high temperature range. Assuming that the temperature difference (ΔT12) between the first target temperature TA1 and the second target temperature TA2 is set to the temperature difference (ΔT23) between the second target temperature TA2 and the third target temperature TA3, or assuming that the first-mentioned temperature difference (ΔT12) is set less than the second mentioned temperature difference (ΔT23), the first OFF period always becomes shorter than the second OFF period, and therefore it is theoretically impossible to set the two OFF periods equal to each other.

[0111] In addition, it is preferable that the ratio of the difference between the first target temperature TA1 and the second target temperature TA2 to the difference between the second target temperature TA2 and the third target temperature TA3 is less than 2.5. The aforementioned scheme is adopted for the reason to allow stable formation of aerosol during the middle stage in the allowable puff period by preventing the difference between the first target temperature TA1 and the second target temperature TA2 from becoming excessively large.

[0112] It should be recalled that, due to the reduction in electrical power consumption, it is possible that the preferred control of the heater 30 provides cooling to the third target temperature TA3, without passing through the second target temperature TA2 stage after the first target temperature TA1. However, in the above case, the period (second OFF period) required for changing the temperature from the first target temperature TA1 to the third target temperature TA3 becomes relatively long. Since the supply of electric power to the heater 30 in the period required to reach the third target temperature TA3 from the first target temperature TA1 is stopped, there is a risk that the temperature of the heater 30 may become much lower than the third target temperature if the user puffs repeatedly during the aforementioned period. . By passing through the second target temperature T2, which is set between the first target temperature TA1 and the third target temperature TA3, before the transition from the first target temperature TA1 to the third target temperature TA3, it is possible to shorten the time required to change from one target temperature to another target temperature. According to the above scheme, the duration of the OFF period during which the electric power supply to the heater 30 is cut off is shortened, and therefore, it becomes possible to prevent the temperature of the smoking article from falling excessively due to repeated puffs and to prevent the resulting unstable generation of aerosol.

[0113] The control unit 22 stops supplying electric power to the heater 30 at the time when the third period P3 ends. Then, the control unit 22 reports the end of the allowable puff period at time T7 when a predetermined period has elapsed after the electric power supply to the heater 30 is stopped (time T6). That is, even for some time after the supply electric power to the heater 30 is stopped, the user is prompted to inhale the aerosol until a predetermined period has elapsed, so that the user can inhale the aerosol using the residual heat of the heater 30 and the smoking article 110. In this regard, a message about the end of the allowable puff period may be provided by the module. 40 notification, and for example, may be provided by performing a color change control process of light emitted by a light emitting element such as an LED or the like, a light emission pattern change control process, or a vibration element driving control process, or a process a control sa containing a combination of the above described control processes.

[0114] After the heater 30 has passed through the first period P1, the second period P2, and the third period P3 on the heating profile, sufficient heat has been transferred from the heater 30 to the interior of the smoking article 110. Therefore, in the period from the end of the third period P3 to the end of the allowable puff period, that is, in the fourth period P4 in FIG. 8, some aerosol can be generated using the residual heat of the heater 30 and the smoking article 110. Therefore, like the cases of the first off period and the second off period, the aerosol generation in the fourth aerosol period P4 becomes unstable, and therefore it is preferable that the fourth period P4 was a time interval during which the user does not take two or more puffs. Therefore, the fourth period P4 is preferably 5-15 seconds and typically 10 seconds.

[0115] In addition, the control unit 22 may report the state that the allowable puff period is nearing its end at time T5, which is ahead by a predetermined period Pe of time T7 when the end of the allowable puff period is reported. The above message may be issued, for example, 20-40 seconds before the end of the allowable puff period. The above-described message may be output by the notification unit 40, and, for example, may be output by executing a color change control process of light emitted by a light emitting element such as an LED or the like, a light emission pattern change control process, or a vibration element drive control process, or a control process comprising a combination of the above management processes.

[0116] In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 22 stops supplying electric power to the heater 30 at the end time of the third period P3. In addition, the control unit 22 may stop supplying electric power to the heater 30 even in the second period P2 or the third period P3 in the case where the number of puffs of the user exceeds a predetermined number of times. The puff of the user can be determined, for example, by the above-described temperature sensor.

[0117] Referring again to FIG. 8. The delivery profile of the major aerosol constituents may depend primarily on the heating profile of the heater 30. In particular, the delivery profile of the major aerosol constituents may be generally a profile corresponding to the temperature profile of the interior of the smoking article 110. The temperature profile of the interior of the smoking article 110 follows the profile heating of heater 30, and therefore it generally tends to take on a shape that lags behind the heating profile.

[0118] Therefore, by setting the first target temperature TA1 in the first period P1 to be the highest temperature throughout the entire heating profile, it is facilitated to form an upward curve having a high gradient during the initial period Q1 on the delivery profile of the main aerosol components. By maintaining the temperature of the heater 30 at the second target temperature TA2 for most of the second period P2 that follows the first period P1, it is facilitated to form a stable period SP, during which the change per puff remains negligible, in the intermediate period Q2 on the delivery profile of the main components. aerosol. In addition, by adjusting the temperature of the heater 30 to bring it to the third target temperature TA3, which is lower than the second target temperature TA2, during the third period P3 that follows the second period P2, it is facilitated to form a downward curve in the final period Q3 on the delivery profile of the main aerosol components. In particular, by providing a small temperature difference ΔT23 between the second target temperature TA2 and the third target temperature TA3, it is facilitated to form a downward curve having a reduced gradient in the final period Q3 on the delivery profile of the main aerosol components. As stated above, by controlling the heater 30 in accordance with the heating profile shown in FIG. 8, it is easier to form an upwardly curved curve generally having a maximum point in the intermediate period Q2, it is easier to form an upward curve having a high gradient in the initial period Q1, and it is easier to form a downward curve having a low gradient in the final period Q3 on the delivery profile of the main aerosol components.

[0119] As discussed above, the delivery profile of the main aerosol components depends primarily on the heating profile of the heater 30. However, the delivery profile of the main aerosol components may vary depending on factors such as the shape of the heater 30, the presence/absence and shape of the thermal insulation material. 138, the size of the smoking article 110, the quality of the contact between the heater 30 and the smoking article 110, the position of the heating portion of the heater 30 relative to the smoking article 110, and so on. Therefore, the heating profile of the heater 30 and the above factors can be appropriately combined to achieve the desired delivery profile for the main aerosol components.

[0120] For example, in the case where the heater 30 has a cylindrical shape surrounding the outer periphery of the rod-shaped smoking article, it is difficult for the heat transferred to the smoking article 110 to dissipate to the outside, which facilitates the formation of a delivery profile of the main components of the aerosol that follows the heating profile of the heater 30. Similarly, in the case where the cylindrical heat-insulating material 138 is disposed on the radially outward side of the heater 30, it is difficult for the heat transferred to the smoking article 110 to dissipate to the outside, which facilitates the formation of a delivery profile of the main components of the aerosol that follows the heating profile of the heater 30. In the above In this case, the rate of rise of the delivery profile during the initial period Q1 becomes relatively high, and therefore the overall upward curve of the delivery profile in the initial period Q1 may have higher gradients. On the other hand, the rate of decline in the delivery profile during the final period Q3 becomes relatively slow, and therefore the overall downward curve of the delivery profile during the final period Q3 may have reduced gradients.

[0121] In addition, if the size of the smoking article 110, in particular the diameter of the smoking article 110, is made smaller, heat transfer from the outside of the smoking article 110 to the inside of the smoking article 110 is facilitated. Therefore, if the diameter of the smoking article 110 is made smaller, then the formation of the delivery profile of the main components of the aerosol, which follows the heating profile of the heater 30, is facilitated.

[0122] In addition, if a high quality of contact between the heater 30 and the smoking article 110 is ensured when they are used, the transfer of heat from the heater 30 to the smoking article 110 is facilitated. That is, if a smaller space is set between the smoking article 110 and the mounting hole 130 in the state that the smoking article 110 is installed in the mounting hole 130, the formation of a delivery profile of the main aerosol components that follows the heating profile of the heater 30 is facilitated.

[0123] In addition, the delivery profile of the main components of the aerosol may depend on the mutual relative position between the smoking article 110 and the heater 30. From FIG. 7 also shows that the preferred solution is that the heater 30 is positioned so that it extends in the smoking article 110 from the carrier material portion 11A which contains the aerosol source to the paper tubular portion 114 which does not contain the aerosol source. In accordance with the above arrangement, it is facilitated to transfer sufficient heat from the heater 30 to the surface at the downstream end and the location of the carrier material portion 11A near this surface, and therefore it is facilitated to form a delivery profile of the main components of the aerosol that follows the heating profile of the heater 30. Further, it is preferable that the inner cylindrical member 132, which has an inner peripheral surface that comes into contact with the smoking article 110 and an outer peripheral surface that comes into contact with the heater 30, is positioned so that it extends from the material portion 11A - a carrier that contains an aerosol source to a paper tubular section 114 that does not contain an aerosol source. Particularly, it is preferable that the downstream end of the inner cylindrical member 132 protrudes towards the downstream side below the downstream end of the heater 30. According to the above arrangement, it is possible to sufficiently heat, in addition to the surface of the carrier material portion 11A at the rear downstream end, the surface at the upstream end of the paper tubular portion 114 and a place near this surface, and therefore, aerosol condensation in the above part can be avoided, and therefore the above solution becomes a factor in improving the delivery profile in general. Incidentally, the heating portion 31 of the heater 30 is a portion that is actively heated. In the case of a heater containing a heating resistor, the heating portion 31 of the heater 30 refers to a heating resistor.

[0124] In addition, the delivery profile of aerosol major components can be driven by the components that make up smoking article 110. In particular, the amount of moisture in smoking article 110 can affect the rate of increase in the delivery profile of aerosol major components during the initial period Q1. For example, in the case where the smoking article 110 contains a relatively large amount of moisture, the heat from the heater 30 may serve to vaporize the moisture instead of heating the source of the aerosol, and the aforementioned problem may become a factor in reducing the rate of increase in the delivery profile of the main components of the aerosol. As a result, the portion of the delivery profile corresponding to the initial Q1 period may generally have reduced gradients. As discussed above, the aerosol resulting from the moisture in the smoking article 110 typically does not include the essential components of the aerosol.

[0125] By properly setting the heating profile of the heater 30, taking into account such factors as described above and affecting the delivery profile, the above-described desired delivery profile of the main components of the aerosol can be realized.

[0126] (Program and storage medium)

The control algorithm for implementing the heating profile and/or delivery profile of the main components of the aerosol, which is described above, can be performed by the control module 22. That is, the present invention may include a program for causing the aroma inhaler 100 and/or the aerosol generating device 120 to perform the above-described method, and a storage medium on which the program is stored. The above-described storage medium may be a non-volatile storage medium.

[0127] [Other Embodiments]

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above embodiments, it should be understood that the descriptions and figures that form part of the present disclosure are not intended to limit the present invention. One of skill in the art will appreciate from the present disclosure various alternative embodiments, practical examples, and methods of operation.

[0128] In the above-described embodiments, the aerosol generating device includes a heater 30 as an element that can control the amount of aerosol delivered. However, in the present invention, the element that can control the amount of aerosol delivered is not limited to the heater 30. The element that can control the amount of aerosol delivered can be any element that can control the amount of aerosol generated from the aerosol source in the smoking article, or which can control the delivered amount of aerosol generated. For example, an element that can control the amount of aerosol delivered may be an ultrasonic transducer that can vaporize the aerosol source. In addition, the aerosol generating device 120 may include a plurality of elements that can control the amount of aerosol delivered. In the above case, the control module 22 may be configured to control elements that can adjust the amount of delivered aerosol so that the delivery profile of the main components of the aerosol plotted on the time axis becomes the profile described above.

Claims (37)

1. An aerosol generating device, comprising: at least one element that can control the amount of delivered aerosol; and a control module for controlling the element, wherein the control module is configured to control the element in such a way that the aerosol delivery profile during a predetermined allowable puff period comprises an initial period during which there is an increase with a gradient that gradually rises relative to the time axis, a terminal period during which there is a decrease with a gradient that gradually decreases with respect to the time axis, and an intermediate period that is located between the start period and the end period and contains one or more maximum values, wherein the predetermined allowable puff period is spread over a plurality of puffs, wherein the delivery profile represents the change over time in the amount of aerosol inhaled per puff over the plurality of puffs. 2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the amount of aerosol delivered at the end of the allowable puff period is greater than the amount of aerosol delivered at the start of the allowable puff period. 3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the largest gradient value in the final period of the allowable puff period is less than the largest gradient value in the initial period of the allowable puff period. 4. Aerosol-generating device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-3, wherein the smallest gradient value in the end period is smaller than the smallest gradient value in the start period. 5. Aerosol-generating device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-4, in which the intermediate period is longer than each of the start period and the end period. 6. Aerosol-generating device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-5, in which the intermediate period is the same or longer than the sum of the start period and the end period. 7. Aerosol-generating device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-6, in which the intermediate period contains a stable period during which the gradient has a value less than the smallest gradient value in the start period and less than the smallest gradient value in the end period, and the stable period is longer than each of the start period and end period. 8. Aerosol-generating device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-7, wherein the element is a heater configured to heat the aerosol source. 9. The aerosol generating device of claim 8, wherein the control module is configured to control the temperature of the heater to bring the temperature to a first target temperature during the first heater temperature control period to bring the temperature to a second target temperature that is lower than the first a target temperature during the second period following the first period and controlling the temperature of the heater to bring the temperature to a third target temperature which is lower than the second target temperature during the third period following the second period. 10. A control unit containing a control module for controlling at least one element that can regulate the amount of delivered aerosol, while the control module is configured to control the element in such a way that the aerosol delivery profile during a predetermined allowable puff period comprises an initial period during which there is an increase with a gradient that gradually rises relative to the time axis, a terminal period during which there is a decrease with a gradient that gradually decreases with respect to the time axis, and an intermediate period that is located between the start period and the end period and contains one or more maximum values, wherein the predetermined allowable puff period is spread over a plurality of puffs, wherein the delivery profile represents the change over time in the amount of aerosol inhaled per puff over the plurality of puffs. 11. A method for adjusting the amount of delivered aerosol in an aerosol-generating device, which consists in the fact that: control the amount of delivered aerosol in such a way that the aerosol delivery profile during a predetermined allowable puff period contains an initial period during which there is an increase with a gradient that gradually rises relative to the time axis, a terminal period during which there is a decrease with a gradient that gradually decreases with respect to the time axis, and an intermediate period located between the start period and the end period and containing one or more maximum values, wherein the predetermined allowable puff period is spread over a plurality of puffs, wherein the delivery profile represents the change over time in the amount of aerosol inhaled per puff over the plurality of puffs. 12. A computer-readable storage medium containing a program that causes the computer to perform the method of claim 11. 13. A smoking article containing an aerosol source in which an aerosol delivery profile in a predetermined tolerable puff period when a smoking article is used in conjunction with a device that can deliver an aerosol by exposing an aerosol source, comprises an initial period during which there is a rise with a gradient that gradually rises relative to the time axis, a terminal period during which there is a decrease with a gradient that gradually decreases with respect to the time axis, and an intermediate period located between the start period and the end period and containing one or more maximum values, wherein the predetermined allowable puff period is spread over a plurality of puffs, wherein the delivery profile represents the change over time in the amount of aerosol inhaled per puff over the plurality of puffs.

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