Control unit, aerosol generating device, method and procedure for controlling heater, and smoking articles

Abstract

The aerosol generating apparatus includes at least one element capable of adjusting the amount of aerosol delivered and a control unit for controlling the element. The control unit is configured to control the element such that the aerosol delivery properties during a predetermined attractable period include an initial phase with a gradually increasing gradient relative to the time axis, a final phase with a gradually decreasing gradient relative to the time axis, and a middle phase containing one or more maxima between the initial and final phases.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a control unit, an aerosol generating apparatus, a method and procedure for controlling a heater, and smoking articles. Background Technology

[0002] Instead of conventional combustible cigarettes, there are known non-combustible aerosol generating devices that attract aerosols generated by atomizing an aerosol forming substrate (smoking article) through a heater (Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an aerosol generating apparatus comprising a smoking article containing a solid aerosol forming substrate and a insert-type heater that is inserted into the aerosol forming substrate during use. The heater heats the aerosol forming substrate from the inside.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses an aerosol generating apparatus comprising a smoking article containing a solid aerosol forming substrate and a cylindrical heater disposed on the outer periphery of the aerosol forming substrate during use. The heater heats the aerosol forming substrate from the outer periphery.

[0005] The aerosol generating devices disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 differ from conventional cigarettes in that they lack visual changes corresponding to the user's attraction actions. Therefore, users sometimes find it difficult to intuitively understand which stage of the attraction period they are in.

[0006] Existing technical documents

[0007] Patent documents

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-113016

[0009] Patent Document 2: International Publication No. 2018 / 019786 Summary of the Invention

[0010] The main point of the first feature is an aerosol generating apparatus comprising: at least one element capable of adjusting the amount of aerosol delivered; and a control unit that controls the element, the control unit being configured to control the element such that the aerosol delivery properties during a predetermined attractable period include: an initial phase with a gradually increasing gradient relative to a time axis; a final phase with a gradually decreasing gradient relative to a time axis; and a middle phase including one or more maxima between the initial phase and the final phase.

[0011] The main point of the second feature is that, according to the aerosol generating device in the first feature, the amount of aerosol transported at the end of the attractable period is greater than the amount of aerosol transported at the beginning of the attractable period.

[0012] The essence of the third feature is that, according to the aerosol generating device in the first or second feature, the maximum value of the gradient at the end of the attractable period is smaller than the maximum value of the gradient at the beginning of the attractable period.

[0013] The main point of the fourth feature is that, according to any one of the aerosol generating devices of the first to third features, the minimum value of the gradient in the final stage is smaller than the minimum value of the gradient in the initial stage.

[0014] The essence of the fifth feature is that, according to the aerosol generating apparatus of the first to fourth features, the intermediate period is longer than each of the initial and final periods.

[0015] The essence of the sixth feature is that, according to the aerosol generating apparatus of the first to fifth features, the intermediate period is the same as or longer than the sum of the initial and final periods.

[0016] The essence of the seventh feature is that, according to the aerosol generating apparatus of the first to sixth features, the intermediate period includes a stable period in which the gradient is smaller than the minimum value of the gradient in the initial period and smaller than the minimum value of the gradient in the final period, the stable period being longer than each of the initial and final periods.

[0017] The main point of the eighth feature is that, according to the aerosol generating apparatus of the first to seventh features, the element is configured as a heater capable of heating the aerosol source.

[0018] The main point of the ninth feature is that, according to the aerosol generating apparatus in the eighth feature, the control unit is configured to control the temperature of the heater toward a first target temperature during a first period, to control the temperature of the heater toward a second target temperature lower than the first target temperature during a second period after the first period, and to control the temperature of the heater toward a third target temperature lower than the second target temperature during a third period after the second period.

[0019] The tenth feature is a control unit comprising a control section for controlling at least one element capable of adjusting the amount of aerosol delivered, the control section being configured to control the element such that the aerosol delivery properties during a predetermined attractable period include: an initial phase with a gradually increasing gradient relative to the time axis; a final phase with a gradually decreasing gradient relative to the time axis; and a middle phase including one or more maxima between the initial phase and the final phase.

[0020] The main point of the eleventh feature is a method for adjusting the delivery amount of aerosol in an aerosol generating device, wherein the delivery amount of aerosol is adjusted such that the delivery properties of the aerosol during a predetermined attractable period include: an initial period with a gradually increasing gradient relative to the time axis; a final period with a gradually decreasing gradient relative to the time axis; and a middle period containing one or more maxima between the initial period and the final period.

[0021] The essence of the twelfth feature is a program that causes a computer to perform the methods described in the eleventh feature.

[0022] The thirteenth feature is a smoking article containing an aerosol source, characterized in that the smoking article is configured such that, when used in conjunction with a device capable of delivering aerosols by acting on the aerosol source, the aerosol delivery properties include: an initial phase with a gradually increasing gradient relative to the time axis; a final phase with a gradually decreasing gradient relative to the time axis; and a middle phase having one or more maxima between the initial phase and the final phase. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of a fragrance attractor.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing a scent diffuser inserted with a smoking item.

[0025] Figure 3 It means Figure 2 A diagram showing the internal structure of a fragrance attractor.

[0026] Figure 4 It means Figure 2 A diagram showing the internal structure of a smoking article.

[0027] Figure 5 This is a diagram of a fragrance attractor.

[0028] Figure 6 yes Figure 3 A schematic enlarged view of region 5R.

[0029] Figure 7 This is a simplified diagram showing the positional relationship between the substrate of the smoking article, the heater of the aerosol generating device, and the inner cylinder component.

[0030] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the heating properties of the heater and the transport properties of the main aerosol components.

[0031] Figure 9 This is a diagram representing the heating properties of the heater. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The embodiments will now be described. Furthermore, in the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts will be labeled with the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the scale of dimensions may sometimes differ from reality.

[0033] Therefore, specific dimensions should be determined with reference to the following instructions. Additionally, sometimes the accompanying drawings also include dimensional relationships and proportions that differ between the figures.

[0034] [Public Summary]

[0035] With traditional combustible cigarettes, users can easily identify which stage of the inhalable period they are in by visually confirming the burning position of the cigarette. However, in many aerosol generating devices, it is difficult for users to visually confirm the heating status of the smoking item containing the aerosol source.

[0036] The transport properties of the main aerosol components described in Patent Document 1 increase during the initial stage of heater operation and then remain constant until the heater stops. Therefore, it is difficult for the user to perceive which stage of the aerosol-attracting period—early, middle, or late—the user is in through the sensation of aerosol attraction.

[0037] In this method, the aerosol delivery amount is adjusted such that the aerosol delivery properties during a predetermined attractable period include: an initial phase with a gradually increasing gradient relative to the time axis; a final phase with a gradually decreasing gradient relative to the time axis; and a middle phase containing one or more maxima between the initial phase and the final phase.

[0038] Therefore, the amount of aerosol transported increases from the initial to the middle stage, reaches a maximum in the middle stage, and decreases from the middle to the final stage. Thus, users can perceive which stage of the aerosol-attracting period—the initial, middle, or final stage—is most effective through the sensation of aerosol attraction.

[0039] Furthermore, the transport properties of aerosols exhibit a gradient that gradually increases relative to time in the initial stage, thus becoming a downward-convex shape. Conversely, in the middle stage, the transport properties become an upward-convex shape. Therefore, the amount of aerosol transported can change drastically from the initial to the middle stage. Additionally, the transport properties of aerosols exhibit a gradient that gradually decreases relative to time in the final stage, thus becoming a downward-convex shape. Therefore, the amount of aerosol transported can change drastically from the middle to the final stage. As a result, users can more easily identify the transitions from the initial to the middle stage and from the middle to the final stage through the sensation of aerosol attraction.

[0040] (Fragrance attractant)

[0041] The following describes one embodiment of the fragrance attractor. Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of a fragrance attractor. Figure 2 This is a diagram showing a scent diffuser inserted with a smoking item. Figure 3 It means Figure 2 A diagram showing the internal structure of a fragrance attractor. Figure 4 It means Figure 2 A diagram showing the internal structure of a smoking article. Figure 5 This is a diagram of a fragrance attractor.

[0042] The aroma attractor 100 can also be a non-combustible aroma attractor that does not involve combustion and is used to generate an aerosol from a smoking article. The aroma attractor 100 can also be a portable device, in particular.

[0043] The aroma attractor 100 has a smoking article 110 containing an aerosol source and an aerosol generating device 120 that generates aerosol from the smoking article 110.

[0044] The smoking article 110 is a replaceable cartridge containing an aerosol source and a flavor source, and has a cylindrical shape extending along its length. The smoking article 110 can also be configured to be heated while inserted into the aerosol generating device 120, thereby generating aerosol and flavor components.

[0045] exist Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the smoking article 110 includes: a base portion 11A, which includes a filler 111 and a first roll of paper 112 containing the filler 111; and a mouthpiece portion 11B, which forms an end opposite to the base portion 11A. The base portion 11A and the mouthpiece portion 11B are connected by a second roll of paper 113, which is different from the first roll of paper 112. However, the second roll of paper 113 may be omitted, and the base portion 11A and the mouthpiece portion 11B may be connected using the first roll of paper 112.

[0046] Figure 4 The suction port 11B includes a paper tube portion 114, a filter nozzle portion 115, and a hollow section portion 116 disposed between the paper tube portion 114 and the filter nozzle portion 115. The hollow section portion 116 is, for example, composed of a filling layer having one or more hollow channels and a plug wrapper covering the filling layer. Because the filling layer has a high fiber density, air and aerosol flow only within the hollow channels during suction, and hardly flow within the filling layer itself. In the fragrance generating article 110, when it is desired to reduce the reduction caused by the filter nozzle portion 115 filtering aerosol components, shortening the length of the filter nozzle portion 115 and replacing it with the hollow section portion 116 is more effective in increasing the aerosol delivery volume.

[0047] Figure 4 The suction port 11B is composed of three sections, but in this embodiment, the suction port 11B may also be composed of one or two sections, or four or more sections. For example, the hollow section 116 may be omitted, and the paper tube section 114 and the filter tip section 115 may be arranged adjacent to each other to form the suction port 11B.

[0048] exist Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the length of the smoking article 110 in the longitudinal direction is preferably 40-90 mm, more preferably 50-75 mm, and even more preferably 50-60 mm. The circumference of the smoking article 110 is preferably 15-25 mm, more preferably 17-24 mm, and even more preferably 20-23 mm. Alternatively, in the longitudinal direction of the smoking article 110, the length of the substrate portion 11A may be 20 mm, the length of the first roll paper 112 may be 20 mm, the length of the hollow section portion 116 may be 8 mm, and the length of the filter portion 115 may be 7 mm, but the lengths of these sections can be appropriately varied according to manufacturing adaptability, required quality, etc.

[0049] In this embodiment, the filling 111 of the smoking article 110 may contain an aerosol source that generates aerosol by heating at a predetermined temperature. The type of aerosol source is not particularly limited, and extracts from various natural substances and / or their constituent components can be selected depending on the intended use. Examples of aerosol sources include glycerol, propylene glycol, glyceryl triacetate, 1,3-butanediol, and mixtures thereof. The content of the aerosol source in the filling 111 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of sufficiently generating aerosol and imparting a good aroma, it is typically 5% by weight or more, preferably 10% by weight or more, and typically 50% by weight or less, preferably 20% by weight or less.

[0050] The filling 111 of the smoking article 110 in this embodiment may contain tobacco as a flavor source. The material of the tobacco is not particularly limited, and known materials such as laminar or stems can be used. The content of the filling 111 in the smoking article 110 is preferably 200–400 mg or 250–320 mg, for example, when the circumference is 22 mm and the length is 20 mm. The moisture content of the filling 111 is preferably 8–18% by weight or 10–16% by weight, for example. Such a moisture content suppresses the formation of paper stains and improves the rolling adaptability during the manufacturing of the substrate portion 11A. There are no particular limitations on the size of the tobacco used as the filling 111 or its preparation method. For example, dried tobacco leaves can be shredded into pieces with a width of 0.8–1.2 mm. Alternatively, dried tobacco leaves can be pulverized and homogenized into particles with an average particle diameter of approximately 20–200 μm, processed into films, and then shredded into pieces with a width of 0.8–1.2 mm for use. Furthermore, the tobacco leaves processed into film as described above can be pleated instead of shredded and used as filler 111. Additionally, filler 111 may contain one or more flavorings. The type of flavoring is not particularly limited, but menthol is preferred for imparting a good smoking experience.

[0051] In this embodiment, the first and second rolls 112 and 113 of the smoking article 110 can be made from base paper with a basis weight of, for example, 20 to 65 gsm, preferably 25 to 45 gsm. The thickness of the rolls 112 and 113 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of rigidity, air permeability and ease of adjustment during papermaking, it is 10 to 100 μm, preferably 20 to 75 μm, and more preferably 30 to 50 μm.

[0052] In this embodiment, the paper rolls 112 and 113 of the smoking article 110 may contain filler. The filler content relative to the total weight of the paper rolls 112 and 113 can be listed as 10% by weight or more and less than 60% by weight, preferably 15% to 45% by weight. In this embodiment, the filler content is preferably 15% to 45% by weight relative to the preferred basis weight range (25 to 45 gsm). As fillers, for example, calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, kaolin, etc., can be used. From the viewpoint of appearance when used as paper rolls for the smoking article 110, the paper containing such filler can present a bright color of preferred white and permanently maintain its whiteness. By containing a large amount of such filler, for example, the ISO whiteness of the paper roll can be made to be 83% or more. In addition, from the viewpoint of practicality when used as paper rolls for the smoking article 110, the first and second paper rolls 112 and 113 preferably have a tensile strength of 8 N / 15 mm or more. This tensile strength can be increased by reducing the filler content. Specifically, the tensile strength can be improved by reducing the filler content from the upper limit of the filler content shown in the range of weights exemplified above.

[0053] Reference Figure 3 The aerosol generating device 120 has an insertion hole 130 into which a smoking article 110 can be inserted. That is, the aerosol generating device 120 has an inner cylinder component 132 constituting the insertion hole 130. The inner cylinder component 132 may be made of a heat-conducting component such as aluminum or stainless steel (SUS).

[0054] Alternatively, the aerosol generating device 120 may also have a cover 140 that seals the insertion hole 130. The cover 140 may also be configured to seal the insertion hole 130 (see reference). Figure 1 ) and the state in which the insertion hole 130 is exposed (refer to Figure 2 Slide between )

[0055] The aerosol generating device 120 may also have an airflow path 160 connected to the insertion hole 130. One end of the airflow path 160 is connected to the insertion hole 130, and the other end of the airflow path 160 is connected to the outside of the aerosol generating device 120 (external air) at a different location from the insertion hole 130.

[0056] The aerosol generating device 120 may also have a cover 170 that covers the end of the air flow path 160 that is connected to the outside air. The cover 170 may be in a state that covers the end of the air flow path 160 that is connected to the outside air, or it may be in a state that exposes the air flow path 160.

[0057] Even when the cover 170 covers the airflow path 160, it does not airtightly block the airflow path 160. That is, it is configured such that even when the cover 170 covers the airflow path 160, external air can still flow into the airflow path 160 through the vicinity of the cover 170.

[0058] With the smoking item 110 inserted into the aroma attractor 100, the user holds one end of the smoking item 110 in their mouth, specifically... Figure 4 The suction port 11B in the middle performs a suction action. Through the user's suction action, external air flows into the airflow path 160. The air flowing into the airflow path 160 is introduced into the user's mouth through the smoking article 110 in the insertion hole 130.

[0059] Furthermore, when the cover 140 is not covering the insertion hole 130 and no smoking item 110 is inserted, i.e., when the internal space of the inner cylinder component 132 and the airflow path 160 are exposed, the user can use a cleaning tool such as a brush to clean the airflow path 160 of the inner cylinder component 132. This cleaning tool can also be used from... Figure 3 The upper cover 140 side is inserted into the air flow path 160, or it can be inserted into the air flow path 160 from the lower cover 170 side.

[0060] The aerosol generating device 120 may also have a temperature sensor inside the airflow path 160 or on the outer surface of the wall constituting the airflow path 160. The temperature sensor may be, for example, a thermistor or a thermocouple. When a user inhales the suction port 11B of the smoking article 110, the internal temperature of the airflow path 160 or the temperature of the wall constituting the airflow path 160 decreases due to the air flowing towards the cover 170 or the heater 30 within the airflow path 160. By measuring this temperature decrease, the temperature sensor can sense the user's inhalation action.

[0061] The aerosol generating device 120 includes a battery 10, a control unit 20, and a heater 30. The battery 10 stores the electricity used in the aerosol generating device 120. The battery 10 can also be a rechargeable secondary battery. For example, the battery 10 can also be a lithium-ion battery.

[0062] The heater 30 can also be located around the inner cylindrical component 132. The space housing the heater 30 and the space housing the battery 10 can also be separated from each other by a partition 180. This prevents air heated by the heater 30 from flowing into the space housing the battery 10. Consequently, the temperature rise of the battery 10 can be suppressed.

[0063] The heater 30 is preferably cylindrical in shape, capable of heating the outer periphery of the cylindrical smoking article 110. The heater 30 may also be a thin-film heater, for example. The thin-film heater may also have a pair of thin-film substrates and a resistive heating element sandwiched between the substrates. The thin-film substrates are preferably made of a material with excellent heat resistance and electrical insulation, typically polyimide. The resistive heating element is preferably made of one or more metals such as copper, nickel alloy, chromium alloy, stainless steel, platinum-rhodium, etc., for example, it may be formed from a stainless steel substrate. Furthermore, for the resistive heating element to be connected to a power source via a flexible printed circuit (FPC), the connection points and their leads may be copper-plated.

[0064] Figure 6 yes Figure 3 This is a schematic enlarged view of region 5R, and an enlarged cross-sectional view of heater 30 and its surroundings. Figure 6 In the example shown, heater 30 is the aforementioned thin-film heater, wound around the outer periphery of the inner cylindrical member 132 that houses the smoking article 110. That is, heater 30 is wound into a cylindrical shape surrounding the inner cylindrical member 132. Thus, heater 30 can surround the outer periphery of the smoking article and heat the smoking article 110 from the outside.

[0065] Preferably, the heat shrink tube 136 can be disposed on the outside of the heater 30. In other words, the heater 30 is preferably disposed inside the heat shrink tube 136. The heat shrink tube 136 is a tube 136 that shrinks in the radial direction due to heat, and may be made of, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer. Through the shrinkage of the heat shrink tube 136, the heater 30 is pressed against the inner tube component 132. As a result, the tightness between the heater 30 and the inner tube component 132 is improved, and therefore the heat conduction from the heater 30 to the smoking article 110 via the inner tube component 132 is improved.

[0066] The aerosol generating device 120 may also have a cylindrical heat-insulating material 138 on the outer side of the heater 30 in the radial direction, preferably on the outer side of the heat shrink tube 136. The heat-insulating material 138 preferably surrounds the outer periphery of the heater 30. By shielding the heater 30 from heat, the heat-insulating material 138 can prevent the outer surface of the frame of the aerosol generating device 120 from reaching excessively high temperatures. The heat-insulating material 138 can be made of aerogels such as silica aerogel, carbon aerogel, or alumina aerogel. Typically, the aerogel used as the heat-insulating material 138 can be silica aerogel, which has high heat insulation performance and relatively low manufacturing cost. However, the heat-insulating material 138 can also be a fiber-based heat-insulating material such as glass wool or rock wool, or a foamed heat-insulating material such as polyurethane foam or phenolic foam. Alternatively, the heat-insulating material 138 can also be a vacuum heat-insulating material.

[0067] The thermal insulation material 138 may also be disposed between the inner cylindrical component 132 facing the smoking article 110 and the outer cylindrical component 134 on the outside of the thermal insulation material 138. The outer cylindrical component 134 may also be made of heat-conducting components such as aluminum or stainless steel (SUS). The thermal insulation material 138 is preferably disposed in a closed space.

[0068] Figure 7 This diagram simply illustrates the positional relationship of the axial direction between the substrate portion 11A of the smoking article 110 in the aroma attractor 100 of this embodiment, the heater 30 of the aerosol generating device 120, and the inner cylinder component 132. Here, "axial direction" refers to the central axis of the insertion hole 130 in the aerosol generating device 120, which partially coincides with the central axis of the smoking article 110 when the smoking article 110 is inserted into the insertion hole 130 (see reference). Figure 3 ).

[0069] The axial length D0 of the heater 30 can also be smaller than the axial length L0 of the substrate portion 11A of the smoking article 110 (D0 < L0). Furthermore, the ratio of length D0 to length L0 (D0 / L0) is 0.70 to 0.90, preferably 0.75 to 0.85, and typically 0.80. Therefore, when the length L0 of the substrate portion 11A is 20 mm, the length D0 of the heater 30 is 14 to 18 mm, preferably 15 to 17 mm, and typically 16 mm.

[0070] The upstream end of the substrate portion 11A may also protrude upstream of the upstream end of the heater 30 by a length D1. Here, upstream and downstream refer to the upstream and downstream of the airflow within the airflow path 160 caused by the user's suction action (see also...). Figure 3 The substrate portion 11A does not have the heater 30 on its radially outer side from the protruding portion of the heater 30, thus its internal temperature can be lower compared to other portions of the substrate portion 11A. This suppresses the generation of aerosols at and near the upstream end of the substrate portion 11A, preventing the aerosols generated here from condensing in the airflow path 160 or flowing back in the airflow path 160. Aerosols generated in other portions of the substrate portion 11A can condense at and near the upstream end of the substrate portion 11A.

[0071] The ratio (D1 / L0) of the protruding length D1 of the substrate portion 11A to the overall length L0 is 0.25 to 0.40, preferably 0.30 to 0.35, and typically 0.325. Therefore, when the overall length L0 of the substrate portion 11A is 20 mm, the protruding length D1 is 5 to 8 mm, preferably 6 to 7 mm, and typically 6.5 mm.

[0072] The downstream end of the heater 30 may also protrude downstream of the downstream end of the substrate portion 11A by a length D2. This ensures sufficient heating of the downstream end of the substrate portion 11A and its vicinity, thus preventing insufficient aerosol generation and aerosol condensation. The ratio (D2 / L0) of the protruding length D2 of the heater 30 to the length L0 of the substrate portion 11A is 0.075 to 0.175, preferably 0.1 to 0.15, and typically 0.125. Therefore, when the length L0 of the substrate portion 11A is 20 mm, the protruding length D2 of the heater 30 is 1.5 to 3.5 mm, preferably 2 to 3 mm, and typically 2.5 mm.

[0073] The upstream end of the inner cylinder component 132 can be approximately aligned with the upstream end of the substrate portion 11A along their axial direction. Conversely, the downstream end of the inner cylinder component 132 can be the same as the downstream end of the heater 30, protruding downstream of the downstream end of the substrate portion 11A by a length D3. This allows heating not only of the downstream end of the substrate portion 11A and its vicinity, but also of the upstream end of the paper tube portion 114 and its vicinity, thus preventing excessive cooling and condensation of aerosol generated from the substrate portion 11A at and near the upstream end of the paper tube portion 114. The ratio (D3 / D2) of the protruding length D3 of the inner cylinder component 132 to the protruding length D2 of the heater 30 is 2.6 to 3.4, preferably 2.8 to 3.2, and more preferably 3.0. Therefore, when the protruding length D2 of the heater 30 is 2.5 mm, the protruding length D3 of the inner cylinder component 132 is 6.5 to 8.5 mm, preferably 7.0 to 8.0 mm, and typically 7.5 mm.

[0074] Reference Figure 5 The control unit 20 may also include a control board, a CPU, and a memory. The CPU and memory constitute a control unit 22 that controls the heater 30 of the heated aerosol source. Additionally, the control unit 20 has a notification unit 40 for reporting various information to the user. The notification unit 40 may be, for example, a light-emitting element such as an LED, a vibrating element, or a combination thereof.

[0075] Once the control unit 22 senses a user's start request, it begins supplying power from the battery 10 to the heater 30. The user's start request can be initiated, for example, by the user's operation of a button, a slider switch, or by the user's suction action. In this embodiment, the user's start request is initiated by pressing the button 150. More specifically, the user's start request is initiated by pressing the button 150 with the cover 140 open. Alternatively, the user's start request can also be initiated by sensing the user's suction action. The user's suction action can be sensed, for example, by a temperature sensor as described above.

[0076] Next, use Figure 8 The delivery properties of the main aerosol components in the aerosol generating device will be explained. In this embodiment, the heating property is a graph showing the time-varying change of the target temperature controlled by the heater 30. The delivery property is a graph showing the time-varying change of the amount of the main aerosol component delivered to the user's mouth with each inhalation of the smoking article 110. Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the heating properties of heater 30 and the transport properties of the main aerosol components. Figure 8 The vertical axis indicates the temperature of the heater or the amount of the main aerosol component delivered. Figure 8 The horizontal axis represents time.

[0077] Here, "major aerosol component" refers to the visible aerosol components produced when various aerosol sources contained in a smoking article are heated to a specified temperature or above. Typical aerosol sources in smoking articles are propylene glycol and glycerin. Additionally, if the smoking article contains flavor sources such as tobacco, aerosol components derived from those flavor sources are also included in the major aerosol components. On the other hand, in this specification, aerosol components derived from moisture contained in the smoking article are not considered major aerosol components.

[0078] The delivery properties of the main aerosol components can be determined by the following method. First, an aerosol generating device for which the delivery properties of the main aerosol components to be determined is prepared. Next, with a smoking article inserted into the aerosol generating device, suction is performed using an automatic smoking device (e.g., manufactured by Borgwaldt KC Inc.) from the mouthpiece of the smoking article. At this time, the heater 30 is heated according to the control method specified in the prepared aerosol generating device. As suction conditions, suction conditions following the HCI (Health Canada Intense) conditions established by Health Canada are adopted. Specifically, the suction conditions are: suction volume 27.5 ml / second, suction time 2 seconds / s, and suction interval 20 seconds.

[0079] The aerosols drawn by the automatic smoking device under the aforementioned suction conditions were captured using a Cambridge filter (e.g., CM-133, manufactured by Borgwaldt KC Inc.). Specifically, the smoke passing through the Cambridge filter was captured in 10 mL of methanol cooled to -70°C using dry ice-isopropanol refrigerant. 10 mL of the methanol solution containing the captured tobacco smoke and 1 mL of internal standard solution (d-32 pentadecane 0.05 mg / mL, d-1-ethanol 50 mL / L, anethole 2 mL / L, 1,3-butanediol 4 mL / L) were added to the Cambridge filter and shaken for 30 minutes to extract the contents.

[0080] The extraction of the content components is performed according to each attraction. Therefore, the amount of the main aerosol component transported from the aerosol generating device to the automatic smoking device is determined in each attraction. By plotting the amount of the main aerosol component transported according to the time of each attraction, the transport properties of the main aerosol component on the time axis are discretely derived. Additionally, it is worth noting that... Figure 8 The transport properties derived discretely are depicted continuously using approximate curves.

[0081] In this embodiment, the transport properties of the main aerosol component have an initial phase (Q1), a middle phase (Q2), and a final phase (Q3). The initial phase (Q1) is the period during which the gradient of the main aerosol component gradually increases with respect to time. In other words, the initial phase (Q1) can also be described as the period during which the amount of main aerosol component transported each time gradually increases.

[0082] Here, the gradient of the transport properties of the major aerosol component refers to the absolute value of the slope of each point on the curve forming the transport properties. The gradient of the transport properties of the major aerosol component can be defined, for example, by the following method. As described above, the transport properties of the major aerosol component on the time axis are derived discretely. In this case, the gradient of the transport properties of the major aerosol component can be defined by dividing the difference in the transport properties of the major aerosol component for adjacent plotted points on the time axis by the time difference between those plotted points.

[0083] Instead, the gradient of the transport properties of the main aerosol component can also be derived, for example, using an approximate curve derived from discrete plotted points. In this case, if the analytical expression of the approximate curve is determined, the gradient of the transport properties of the main aerosol component can be specified by calculating the differential value of the analytical expression. Such an approximate curve can be derived, for example, using polynomials or trigonometric functions.

[0084] In this embodiment, the starting point S0 of the transport attribute is defined by the starting point of the aerosol attractability period (attractability period) (see reference). Figure 9 Specifically, the starting point S0 of the transmission attribute is reported by the start of the attractable period, as described later. Figure 9 The timing T2) is specified.

[0085] Furthermore, the boundary S1 between the initial stage Q1 and the intermediate stage Q2 can also be defined by the point where the gradient of the main aerosol component in the initial stage Q1 becomes the largest. In other words, the boundary S1 between the initial stage Q1 and the intermediate stage Q2 can also be said to be the point where the gradient of the main aerosol component initially begins to decrease through the overall transport properties. When the transport properties are approximated by a continuous approximate curve, the boundary S1 between the initial stage Q1 and the intermediate stage Q2 can also be defined by the inflection point.

[0086] The final stage, Q3, is the period during which the gradient of the main aerosol components gradually decreases with respect to time. In other words, the final stage, Q3, can also be described as the period during which the reduction in the amount of main aerosol components transported each time gradually diminishes.

[0087] In this embodiment, the endpoint S3 of the transport attribute is defined by the endpoint of the aerosol attractability period (attractability period) (see reference). Figure 9 Specifically, the endpoint S3 of the transmission attribute can be timed by a report with an attractive end period. Figure 9 The timing T7) is specified.

[0088] Furthermore, the boundary S2 between the intermediate stage Q2 and the final stage Q3 can also be defined by the point where the gradient of the main aerosol component in the final stage Q3 becomes the largest. In other words, the boundary S2 between the intermediate stage Q2 and the final stage Q3 can also be said to be the point where the gradient of the main aerosol component finally begins to decrease through the overall transport properties. When the transport properties are approximated by a continuous approximation curve, the boundary S2 between the intermediate stage Q2 and the final stage Q3 can also be defined by the inflection point.

[0089] Mid-stage Q2 is the period between early-stage Q1 and late-stage Q3. Mid-stage Q2 contains one or more maxima larger than the start and end points of the teleportation attribute. Figure 8 In the transport properties shown, the mid-term Q2 contains a maximum value.

[0090] Based on the aforementioned aerosol transport properties, the amount of aerosol transported increases from the initial stage (Q1) to the middle stage (Q2), reaching a maximum value in the middle stage (Q2), and decreases from the middle stage (Q2) to the final stage (Q3). Therefore, users can perceive which stage of the attractive period (initial Q1, middle Q2, or final Q3) they are in by sensing the attraction of the aerosol.

[0091] Furthermore, in the initial stage (Q1), the gradient of the main aerosol component with respect to time gradually increases, and the transport properties become a downward-convex shape. On the other hand, in the intermediate stage (Q2), the transport properties become a downward-convex shape. Therefore, the amount of aerosol transported can change relatively significantly as it transitions from the initial stage (Q1) to the intermediate stage (Q2). Additionally, in the final stage (Q3), the gradient of the main aerosol component with respect to time gradually decreases, and the transport properties become a downward-convex shape. Therefore, the amount of aerosol transported can change relatively significantly as it transitions from the intermediate stage (Q2) to the final stage (Q3). Thus, users can more easily identify the transitions from the initial stage (Q1) to the intermediate stage (Q2) and from the intermediate stage (Q2) to the final stage (Q3) by sensing the attraction of aerosols.

[0092] Preferably, the intermediate Q2 period is longer than the initial Q1 and the final Q3 period. More preferably, the intermediate Q2 period is longer than or equal to the combined period of the initial Q1 and the final Q3 period. For example, the intermediate Q2 period could be 50-60% of the total period, while the initial Q1 and the final Q3 period could be 20-25% of the total period. As a result, the period with the highest delivery volume of the main aerosol component becomes relatively longer, allowing the user to attract the main aerosol component for a relatively longer period of time.

[0093] The transport rate of the main aerosol component at the end point S3 of the final stage Q3 is preferably greater than that at the starting point S0. In this case, it is possible to suppress excessive reduction in the transport rate of aerosols in the final stage Q3. As a result, it is possible to prevent the transport rate of the main aerosol component from decreasing to a low level midway through the attractable period, and in particular, it is possible to maintain a high level of transport rate until the very end of the final stage Q3.

[0094] Preferably, the maximum value of the gradient of the main aerosol component in the final stage Q3 is smaller than the maximum value of the gradient of the main aerosol component in the initial stage Q1. In this case, the rate of increase of the main aerosol component in the initial stage Q1 becomes relatively large, thus enabling a higher level of aerosol transport to be achieved in a relatively early stage of the attractable period. On the other hand, since the gradient of the main aerosol component in the final stage Q3 is smaller, the rate of decrease of the main aerosol component in the final stage Q3 becomes relatively smaller. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the sharp decrease of aerosol transport in the final stage Q3. As a result, a higher level of aerosol transport can be maintained for a relatively long period of time.

[0095] The minimum gradient of the main aerosol component in the final stage Q3 is preferably smaller than the minimum gradient of the main aerosol component in the initial stage Q1. Because the minimum gradient of the main aerosol component in the final stage Q3 is smaller, the rate of decrease of the main aerosol component in the final stage Q3 becomes relatively slower. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the sharp decrease in aerosol transport in the final stage Q3.

[0096] The intermediate period Q2 can also include a stable period SP in which the absolute value of the gradient of the major aerosol component is smaller than the minimum value of the gradient of the major aerosol component in the initial period Q1 and smaller than the minimum value of the gradient of the major aerosol component in the final period Q3. That is, the stable period SP is a period in which the variation in the amount of major aerosol component transported each time is relatively small.

[0097] The stabilization period SP is preferably longer than the initial period Q1 and the final period Q3. During the stabilization period SP, the delivery volume of the main aerosol component is higher, and the variation in this delivery volume is smaller. Therefore, if the stabilization period SP is longer than the initial period Q1 and the final period Q3, the main aerosol component can be stably supplied for a relatively long time in the intermediate period Q2. Furthermore, the stabilization period SP is preferably 50-60% of the intermediate period Q2. This allows for a relatively long-term stable supply of the main aerosol component in the intermediate period Q2.

[0098] It should be noted that, as a result of in-depth research, the inventors of this application discovered the aforementioned transmission properties and their advantages.

[0099] The control unit 22 of the aerosol generating apparatus 120 can also be configured to control the heater 30 to achieve the aforementioned transport properties of the main aerosol components. Here, the transport properties of the main aerosol components can depend primarily on the heating properties of the heater 30.

[0100] Figure 9 An example of the heating properties of a heater is shown. It is worth noting that... Figure 9 The heating properties shown are an example of the transport properties suitable for achieving the aforementioned main aerosol components, and are not necessarily limited to this.

[0101] As described above, the heating attribute is a graph representing the time-varying change of the target temperature of the heater 30 under control. Temperature control of the heater 30 can be achieved, for example, through known feedback control. Specifically, the control unit 22 of the aerosol generating device 120 can supply power from the battery 22 to the heater 30 in the form of pulses based on pulse width modulation (PWM) or pulse frequency modulation (PFM). In this case, the control unit 22 can control the temperature of the heater 30 by adjusting the duty cycle of the power pulses.

[0102] In feedback control, the control unit 22 measures or infers the temperature of the heater 30, and controls the power supplied to the heater 30, such as the duty cycle mentioned above, based on the difference between the measured or inferred temperature of the heater 30 and the target temperature. Feedback control can also be, for example, PID control. The temperature of the heater 30 can be quantified, for example, by measuring or inferring the resistance value of the heating resistor constituting the heater 30. This is because the resistance value of the heating resistor changes with temperature. The resistance value of the heating resistor can be inferred, for example, by measuring the voltage drop in the heating resistor. The voltage drop in the heating resistor can be measured by a voltage sensor that measures the potential difference applied to the heating resistor. In other examples, the temperature of the heater 30 can be measured by a temperature sensor located near the heater 30.

[0103] As described above, in this embodiment, the power supply to the heater 30 is controlled to make the actual temperature of the heater 30 close to the target temperature of the heating attribute. However, the heating attribute sometimes includes areas where the target temperature changes drastically, and in such areas, the deviation between the actual temperature of the heater 30 and the target temperature may temporarily increase. Figure 9 In the illustrated heating properties, dashed lines indicate the areas where the actual temperature of heater 30 deviates significantly from the target temperature.

[0104] exist Figure 9 In the heating properties shown, if a user's start request is accepted and power supply from battery 10 to heater 30 begins, control unit 22 first controls the temperature of heater 30 towards a first target temperature TA1 during a first period P1. That is, control unit 22 heats heater 30 from an initial temperature towards the first target temperature TA1. During the first period P1, if heater 30 reaches the first target temperature TA1, control unit 22 controls the temperature of heater 30 to be maintained at the first target temperature TA1.

[0105] The preferred target temperature TA1 is 225–240°C, but typically it can also be 230°C.

[0106] By setting the first target temperature TA1 relatively high during the first period P1, the heating rate of the heater 30 can be increased. By increasing the heating rate of the heater 30, the period from the start of power supply to the heater 30 to the point where aerosols can be attracted can be shortened.

[0107] The control unit 22 may also be configured to report to the user the start of the attractable period during the first period P1, and during the period when the temperature of the heater 30 is maintained at the first target temperature TA1. The report of the start of the attractable period can be performed by controlling the notification unit 40, for example by changing the light emission color of the light-emitting element such as an LED, changing the light emission mode, controlling the drive vibration element, or a combination thereof.

[0108] exist Figure 9 In the example shown, the report of the start of the attractable period is made at time T2. More specifically, the report of the start of the attractable period can be made at the earlier of time T2, which occurs after the heater 30 has reached the first target temperature and a predetermined period P1b has elapsed, and time T2, which occurs after a predetermined period has elapsed since the start of power supply to the heater 30. The predetermined period P1b is preferably 20 to 26 seconds, and typically 23 seconds is also possible.

[0109] Preferably, the control unit 22 can also be configured to report the start of the attractive period during the latter half of the first period P1. The latter half of the first period P1 means the period slightly after the middle of the first period P1.

[0110] The control unit 22 moves to the second period P2 after a predetermined period P1c following a timing T3 from the timing T2 that begins the suction period. The predetermined period P1c is preferably 5 to 15 seconds, but typically it can also be 10 seconds. This increases the likelihood that the user will perform the first suction action during the first period P1. In this case, the user can perform the first suction action while the heater temperature is maintained near the highest temperature of the heating attribute, i.e., the first target temperature TA1.

[0111] While the first period P1 varies depending on the heating state of the heater 30 and the smoking article 110, as well as the ambient temperature, it can typically be in the range of 35 to 55 seconds. However, the control unit 22 is preferably configured to change the length of the first period P1 based on the rate of temperature rise of the heater 30 during the first period P1. More specifically, it can also be configured so that the initial heating period P1a in the first period P1 can be changed based on the rate of temperature rise of the heater 30. Specifically, the control unit 22 is preferably configured to shorten the length of the first period P1 as the period from the start of heating of the heater 30 to reaching the predetermined temperature is shorter.

[0112] In this embodiment, the first period P1 ends when the temperature of the heater 30 reaches the first target temperature TA1 and a predetermined period (P1b+P1c) has elapsed. That is, if the temperature of the heater 30 rises rapidly, the period P1a from the moment power is supplied to the heater 30 at the beginning to the moment the temperature of the heater 30 reaches the first target temperature TA1 becomes shorter. The predetermined period (P1b+P1c) is preferably 25 to 41 seconds, and typically 33 seconds is also possible.

[0113] Thus, when the temperature of heater 30 rises rapidly, the power consumption during the preheating period can be suppressed by shortening the preheating period.

[0114] The variable range of the first period P1, more specifically the variable range of the period up to the start of the reported attractable period (P1a+P1b), preferably has a predetermined upper limit. For example, the upper limit of the period from the start of power supply T0 to the report T2 of the start of the attractable period (P1a+P1b) is preferably 40 to 60 seconds, and typically 50 seconds is also possible. This prevents the control unit 22 from continuing preheating instead of transitioning to the second period P2 if the temperature of the heater 30 has not reached the first target temperature TA1.

[0115] Next, during the second period P2 following the first period P1, the control unit 22 controls the temperature of the heater 30 toward a second target temperature TA2, which is lower than the first target temperature TA1. That is, the control unit 22 controls the heater 30 in a manner that causes the temperature of the heater 30 to decrease from the first target temperature TA1 and be maintained at the second target temperature TA2.

[0116] The second target temperature TA2 is preferably in the range of 190–210°C, and typically can also be 200°C. The second period P2 is preferably in the range of 105–160 seconds, and typically can also be 130 seconds. The second period P2 is preferably longer than the first period P1 and the third period P3 described later. The second period is a period in which the temperature is maintained at a higher level than the third period P3, and therefore becomes a period in which aerosols can be stably supplied. Thus, the period in which aerosols can be stably supplied can be relatively extended.

[0117] By reducing the target temperature in the second period P2, the power consumed in the second period P2 can be reduced.

[0118] The control unit 22 may also have a first disconnection period from the end of the first period P1 to the beginning of the second period P2, during which the power supply to the heater 30 is stopped. By setting the first disconnection period, the temperature reduction from the first target temperature TA1 to the second target temperature TA2 can be achieved in the shortest possible time. The control unit 22 can also continue to measure the temperature of the heater 30 during the first disconnection period. In this case, the control unit 22 can be configured to restart the power supply to the heater 30 when the temperature of the heater 30 drops to near the second target temperature TA2.

[0119] The first disconnection period is preferably a time interval such that a normal user does not perform two or more suction actions. If the user performs two or more suction actions during the disconnection period, the temperature of the heater 30 may drop sharply and fall significantly below the second target temperature TA2. In this case, there is a risk of a reduction in the amount of aerosol generated from the smoking article 110. Assuming that the time interval of a normal user's suction actions is about 20 seconds, the first disconnection period is preferably in the range of 15 to 20 seconds. The first target temperature TA1 and the second target temperature TA2 can be set such that the temperature drop from the first target temperature TA1 to the second target temperature TA2 caused by natural cooling during the first disconnection period occurs within the above-mentioned time range. Alternatively, the control unit 22 may be configured to measure the elapsed time of the first disconnection period and forcibly resume power supply to the heater 30 once the first disconnection period reaches a predetermined upper limit. In this case, the upper limit of the first disconnection period is preferably 15 to 20 seconds.

[0120] Next, during the third period P3 following the second period P2, the control unit 22 controls the temperature of the heater 30 towards a third target temperature TA3, which is lower than the second target temperature TA2. That is, the control unit 22 controls the heater 30 in a manner that further reduces the temperature of the heater 30 from the second target temperature TA1 and maintains it at the third target temperature TA3. The third target temperature TA3 is preferably in the range of 175–190°C, and typically can also be 185°C. The third period P3 is preferably in the range of 30–90 seconds, and typically can also be 60 seconds. By further reducing the target temperature during the third period P3, the power consumed during the third period P3 can be further reduced.

[0121] The temperature difference (ΔT12) between the first target temperature TA1 and the second target temperature TA2 is preferably larger than the temperature difference (ΔT23) between the second target temperature TA2 and the third target temperature TA3. The power consumption of the heater 30 is greater in the second period P2 than in the third period P3. Therefore, increasing the temperature difference (ΔT23) from the first period P1 to the second period P2 is related to the reduction in power consumption throughout the entire period. Therefore, it is preferable that ΔT12 / ΔT23 is greater than 1. On the other hand, if ΔT12 is excessively increased relative to ΔT23, the target temperature TA2 for the second period P2, where a stable supply of aerosols is desired, becomes relatively lower, thus posing a risk of unstable aerosol generation in the second period P2. Therefore, ΔT12 / ΔT23 preferably has a predetermined upper limit. For example, the upper limit of ΔT12 / ΔT23 could also be 2.5. The preferred value for ΔT12 / ΔT23 is 1.0 to 2.5, but typically it can also be 2.0.

[0122] The control unit 22 may also have a second disconnection period, from the end of the second period P2 to the beginning of the third period P3, during which the power supply to the heater 30 is stopped. By setting the second disconnection period, the temperature drop from the second target temperature TA2 to the third target temperature TA3 can be achieved in the shortest possible time. The control unit 22 can also continue to measure the temperature of the heater 30 during the second disconnection period. In this case, the control unit 22 may also be configured to restart the power supply to the heater 30 when the temperature of the heater 30 drops to near the third target temperature TA3. The second disconnection period is the same as the first disconnection period, preferably a time interval such that the user does not perform two or more suction actions, for example, preferably in the range of 15 to 20 seconds. The second target temperature TA2 and the third target temperature TA3 can be set such that the temperature drop from the second target temperature TA2 to the third target temperature TA3 caused by natural cooling during the second disconnection period occurs within the above-mentioned time range. Alternatively, the control unit 22 may also be configured to measure the elapsed time of the second disconnection period and forcibly restart the power supply to the heater 30 once the second disconnection period reaches a predetermined upper limit value.

[0123] As described above, from the perspective of reducing power consumption, the temperature difference (ΔT12) between the first target temperature TA1 and the second target temperature TA2 is preferably larger than the temperature difference (ΔT23) between the second target temperature TA2 and the third target temperature TA3. However, this relationship is also preferred from the perspective of making the first disconnection period as close as possible to the second disconnection period. According to Newton's law of cooling, the temperature decrease rate during natural cooling is greater in high-temperature regions than in low-temperature regions. Therefore, in order to make the first disconnection period as close as possible to the second disconnection period, it is necessary to relatively increase the temperature difference (ΔT12) between the first target temperature TA1 and the second target temperature TA2, which belongs to the high-temperature region. Assuming that the temperature difference (ΔT12) between the first target temperature TA1 and the second target temperature TA2 is equal to the temperature difference (ΔT23) between the second target temperature TA2 and the third target temperature TA3, or that the former's temperature difference (ΔT12) is smaller than the latter's temperature difference (ΔT23), since the first disconnection period is always shorter than the second disconnection period, theoretically, the two disconnection periods cannot be the same.

[0124] Furthermore, 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. This is because, by ensuring that the difference between the first target temperature TA1 and the second target temperature TA2 is not too large, aerosols can be stably generated in the intermediate stage of the aspirable period.

[0125] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of reducing power consumption, it is sometimes preferable to control the heater 30 from the first target temperature TA1 to the third target temperature TA3 without passing through the second target temperature TA2. However, in this case, the period from the first target temperature TA1 to the third target temperature TA3 (the second disconnection period) becomes relatively long. Since the power supply to the heater 30 is stopped during the period from the first target temperature TA1 to the third target temperature TA3, there is a risk that the temperature of the heater 30 may drop significantly below the third temperature if the user performs multiple suction actions during this period. By passing through the second target temperature TA2 between the first target temperature TA1 and the third target temperature TA2 before moving from the first target temperature TA1 to the third target temperature TA3, the period required to transfer from one target temperature to another can be shortened. As a result, the continuous time of the disconnection period of stopping the power supply to the heater 30 is relatively short, thus preventing the temperature of the smoking article from dropping excessively due to multiple suction actions, which could lead to unstable aerosol generation.

[0126] Control unit 22 stops supplying power to heater 30 at the end of the third period P3. Then, control unit 22 reports the end of the aerosol-inhaling period at time T7, after a predetermined period has elapsed since the power supply to heater 30 was stopped (timing T6). That is, even after the power supply to heater 30 is stopped, the user can be prompted to inhale the aerosol until the predetermined period has elapsed, allowing the user to enjoy the aerosol using the residual heat of heater 30 and smoking article 110. Furthermore, the report of the end of the aerosol-inhaling period can be made by notification unit 40, for example, by changing the light emission color of light-emitting elements such as LEDs, changing the light emission mode, controlling the vibration element, or a combination thereof.

[0127] After the heater 30 has passed through the first period P1, the second period P2, and the third period P3 of its heating properties, the heat from the heater 30 is sufficiently transferred to the interior of the smoking article 110. Therefore, the period from the end of the third period P3 to the end of the attractive period, i.e. Figure 8 In the fourth period P4, a certain amount of aerosol can be generated solely by the residual heat of the heater 30 and the smoking article 110. However, like the first and second disconnection periods, aerosol generation in the fourth period P4 tends to become unstable. Therefore, a time interval where the user does not perform two or more suction actions is preferred. Thus, the fourth period P4 is preferably 5 to 15 seconds, and typically 10 seconds is also possible.

[0128] Furthermore, the control unit 22 can report to the user at a predetermined time T5, Pe, before the time T7 that the end of the attractable period is approaching. This report can, for example, be made 20 to 40 seconds before the end of the attractable period. This report can be made via the notification unit 40, for example, by changing the light emission color of a light-emitting element such as an LED, changing the light emission mode, controlling the vibration drive element, or a combination thereof.

[0129] In the aforementioned manner, the control unit 22 stops supplying power to the heater 30 at the end of the third period P3. Alternatively, the control unit 22 may also stop supplying power to the heater 30 even during the second period P2 or the third period P3 if the user's suction actions exceed a predetermined number. The user's suction actions can be detected, for example, by the aforementioned temperature sensor.

[0130] Refer again Figure 8 The transport properties of the main aerosol components can largely depend on the heating properties of the heater 30. Specifically, the transport properties of the main aerosol components can essentially correspond to the internal temperature properties of the smoking article 110. The internal temperature properties of the smoking article 110 follow the heating properties of the heater 30, and therefore, generally tend to be a shape that is delayed in time relative to the heating properties.

[0131] Therefore, by setting the first target temperature TA1 in the first period P1 to the highest temperature throughout the entire heating property, the transport property of the main aerosol component is made to easily form a steep upward curve in the initial stage Q1. Furthermore, by maintaining the temperature of the heater 30 at the second target temperature TA2 for most of the second period P2 after the first period P1, the transport property of the main aerosol component is made to easily form a stable period SP with less variation in each attraction in the middle stage Q2. Moreover, by controlling the temperature of the heater 30 towards the third target temperature TA3, which is lower than the second target temperature TA2, the transport property of the main aerosol component is made to easily form a downward curve in the final stage Q3. In particular, by reducing the temperature difference T23 between the second target temperature TA2 and the third target temperature TA3, the transport property of the main aerosol component is made to easily form a gentler downward curve in the final stage Q3. As described above, by... Figure 8 The heating properties illustrated are used to control the heating of heater 30 so that the transport properties of the main aerosol components tend to form an upward convex curve with a maximum point in the middle stage Q2, a steep upward curve in the initial stage Q1, and a gentle downward curve in the final stage Q3.

[0132] As mentioned above, the transport properties of the main aerosol component depend primarily on the heating properties of the heater 30. However, the transport properties of the main aerosol component can vary depending on factors such as the shape of the heater 30, the presence and shape of the insulation material 138, the size of the smoking article 110, the degree of contact between the heater 30 and the smoking article 110, and the position of the heated portion of the heater 30 relative to the smoking article 110. Therefore, to achieve the desired transport properties of the main aerosol component, it is sufficient to appropriately combine the heating properties of the heater 30 with these factors.

[0133] For example, when the heater 30 has a cylindrical shape surrounding the outer periphery of the columnar smoking article 110, the heat transferred to the smoking article 110 is difficult to dissipate to the outside, so the transport properties of the main aerosol component tend to follow the heating properties of the heater 30. Similarly, when a cylindrical heat-insulating material 138 is disposed on the outer side of the heater 30 in the radial direction, the heat transferred to the smoking article 110 is difficult to dissipate to the outside, so the transport properties of the main aerosol component tend to follow the heating properties of the heater 30. In this case, the rate of increase of the transport properties in the initial Q1 is relatively large, so the overall upward curve of the transport properties in the initial Q1 can become a steeper slope. On the other hand, the rate of decrease of the transport properties in the final Q3 is relatively small, so the overall downward curve of the transport properties in the final Q3 can become a gentler slope.

[0134] Furthermore, the smaller the size of the smoking article 110, more specifically, the smaller the diameter of the smoking article 110, the easier it is for heat from the outside of the smoking article 110 to be transferred to the inside of the smoking article 110. Therefore, the smaller the diameter of the smoking article 110, the easier it is for the transport properties of the main aerosol components to follow the heating properties of the heater 30.

[0135] Furthermore, the higher the contact between the heater 30 and the smoking article 110 during use, the easier it is for heat from the heater 30 to be transferred to the smoking article 110. That is, when the smoking article 110 is inserted into the insertion hole 130, and the gap between the smoking article 110 and the inner cylinder component 132 is small, the transfer properties of the main aerosol components are more likely to follow the heating properties of the heater 30.

[0136] Furthermore, the delivery properties of the main aerosol components can also depend on the positional relationship between the smoking article 110 and the heater 30. (See again...) Figure 7The heater 30 is preferably configured to extend from the substrate portion 11A containing the aerosol source in the smoking article 110 to the paper tube portion 114 without the aerosol source. This allows heat from the heater 30 to be readily and sufficiently transferred to the downstream end face of the substrate portion 11A and its vicinity, thus the transport properties of the main aerosol component readily follow the heating properties of the heater 30. Furthermore, the inner tube member 132, which contacts the smoking article 110 on its inner circumferential surface and the heater 3 on its outer circumferential surface, is also preferably configured to extend from the substrate portion 11A containing the aerosol source to the paper tube portion 114 without the aerosol source. In particular, the downstream end face of the inner tube member 132 preferably protrudes downstream than the downstream end face of the heater 30. This allows for sufficient heating not only of the downstream end face of the substrate portion 11A but also of the upstream end face of the paper tube portion 114 and its vicinity, thus suppressing aerosol condensation and becoming an important factor in improving the overall transport properties. Furthermore, the heating portion 31 of the heater 30 is the portion that is actively heated. In the case of a heater that includes a heating resistor, the heating portion 31 of the heater 30 refers to the heating resistor.

[0137] Furthermore, the transport properties of the main aerosol component can also be determined by the composition of the smoking article 110. More specifically, the amount of moisture contained in the smoking article 110 can sometimes affect the rate of increase in the initial Q1 of the transport properties of the main aerosol component. For example, when the smoking article 110 contains a relatively high amount of moisture, the heat from the heater 30 is used to vaporize the moisture instead of heating the aerosol source, thus becoming an important factor in reducing the rate of increase in the transport properties of the main aerosol component. As a result, the transport properties in the initial Q1 can sometimes have a gentler gradient overall. As mentioned above, aerosols derived from moisture in the smoking article 110 are generally not included in the main aerosol component.

[0138] By taking into account the factors that affect the transport properties mentioned above and by appropriately setting the heating properties of the heater 30, the transport properties of the main aerosol components that were previously desired can be achieved.

[0139] (Program and storage media)

[0140] The control process for achieving the aforementioned heating properties and / or the delivery properties of the main aerosol components can be executed by the control unit 22. That is, the present invention may also include a program for causing the aroma attractor 100 and / or the aerosol generating device 120 to perform the aforementioned method, and a storage medium storing the program. Such a storage medium may also be a non-transitory storage medium.

[0141] [Other Implementation Methods]

[0142] While the invention has been described through the above embodiments, it should not be construed as limiting the invention to the descriptions and drawings that form part of this disclosure. Based on this disclosure, those skilled in the art will be able to recognize various alternative embodiments, examples, and techniques.

[0143] In the above embodiment, the aerosol generating apparatus includes a heater 30 as an element capable of adjusting the amount of aerosol delivered. However, in this invention, the element capable of adjusting the amount of aerosol delivered is not limited to the heater 30. Any element capable of adjusting the amount of aerosol delivered can be used, as long as it can adjust the amount of aerosol generated from the aerosol source in the smoking article or the amount of aerosol delivered. For example, the element capable of adjusting the amount of aerosol delivered could be an ultrasonic transducer capable of atomizing the aerosol source. Furthermore, the aerosol generating apparatus may include multiple elements capable of adjusting the amount of aerosol delivered. In this case, the control unit 22 only needs to be configured to control the elements capable of adjusting the amount of aerosol delivered so that the delivery properties of the main aerosol components on the time axis depict the aforementioned properties.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, characterized in that, have: At least one element capable of adjusting the amount of aerosol delivered; and The control unit controls the aforementioned components. The control unit is configured to control the element so that the aerosol delivery properties during a predetermined attraction period include: It has an initial phase that increases with a gradient that gradually increases relative to the time axis; The final stage has a gradient that gradually decreases relative to the time axis; and The middle period has one or more maxima between the initial stage and the final stage; The delivery attribute represents the temporal variation in the amount of the main aerosol component delivered to the user's mouth with each inhalation action when the user inhales a smoking item. The component is configured as a heater capable of heating an aerosol source. The starting point of the transmission attribute is defined by the starting point of the attractable period, which is a part of the heating attribute representing the time change of the target temperature on the control of the heater, and the ending point of the transmission attribute is defined by the ending point of the attractable period. When the control unit detects a user's start request, it begins to supply power to the heater according to the heating attribute. During the first period from the moment the power supply to the heater begins, after the temperature of the heater reaches a first target temperature, during the period when the temperature of the heater is maintained at the first target temperature, the control unit notifies the user that the suction period has begun in order to induce a suction action.

2. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The amount of aerosol transported at the end of the attractive period is greater than the amount of aerosol transported at the beginning of the attractive period.

3. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The maximum value of the gradient at the end of the attractable period is greater than the maximum value of the gradient at the beginning of the attractable period.

4. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The minimum value of the gradient in the final stage is less than the minimum value of the gradient in the initial stage.

5. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The intermediate period is longer than each of the initial and final periods.

6. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The intermediate period is the same as or longer than the combined period of the initial period and the final period.

7. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The intermediate period includes a stable period in which the gradient is smaller than the minimum gradient in the initial period and smaller than the minimum gradient in the final period. The stable period is longer than each of the initial and final periods.

8. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, The control unit is configured to control the temperature of the heater toward a first target temperature during a first period, to control the temperature of the heater toward a second target temperature lower than the first target temperature during a second period after the first period, and to control the temperature of the heater toward a third target temperature lower than the second target temperature during a third period after the second period.

9. A control unit, characterized in that, It includes a control unit for controlling at least one element capable of adjusting the amount of aerosol delivered. The control unit is configured to control the element so that the aerosol delivery properties during a predetermined attraction period include: It has an initial phase that increases with a gradient that gradually increases relative to the time axis; The final stage has a gradient that gradually decreases relative to the time axis; and The middle period has one or more maxima between the initial stage and the final stage; The delivery attribute represents the temporal variation in the amount of the main aerosol component delivered to the user's mouth with each inhalation action when the user inhales a smoking item. The component is configured as a heater capable of heating an aerosol source. The starting point of the transmission attribute is defined by the starting point of the attractable period, which is a part of the heating attribute representing the time change of the target temperature on the control of the heater, and the ending point of the transmission attribute is defined by the ending point of the attractable period. When the control unit detects a user's start request, it begins to supply power to the heater according to the heating attribute. During the first period from the moment the power supply to the heater begins, after the temperature of the heater reaches a first target temperature, during the period when the temperature of the heater is maintained at the first target temperature, the control unit notifies the user that the suction period has begun in order to induce a suction action.

10. A method for adjusting the aerosol delivery rate of an aerosol generating apparatus, the aerosol generating apparatus having at least one element capable of adjusting the aerosol delivery rate, characterized in that... The aerosol delivery rate is adjusted so that the aerosol delivery properties during a predetermined attractable period include: It has an initial phase that increases with a gradient that gradually increases relative to the time axis; The final stage has a gradient that gradually decreases relative to the time axis; and The middle period has one or more maxima between the initial stage and the final stage; The delivery attribute represents the temporal variation in the amount of the main aerosol component delivered to the user's mouth with each inhalation action when the user inhales a smoking item. The component is configured as a heater capable of heating an aerosol source. The starting point of the transmission attribute is defined by the starting point of the attractable period, which is a part of the heating attribute representing the time change of the target temperature on the control of the heater, and the ending point of the transmission attribute is defined by the ending point of the attractable period. When the control unit detects a user's start request, it begins to supply power to the heater according to the heating attribute. During the first period from the moment the power supply to the heater begins, after the temperature of the heater reaches a first target temperature, during the period when the temperature of the heater is maintained at the first target temperature, the control unit notifies the user that the suction period has begun in order to induce a suction action.

11. A smoking article containing an aerosol source, characterized in that, The smoking article is configured such that, when used with a device capable of delivering aerosols by acting on the aerosol source, and a device having at least one element capable of adjusting the amount of aerosol delivery and a control unit for controlling the element, the aerosol delivery properties during a predetermined inhalation period include: It has an initial phase that rises with a gradually increasing gradient relative to the time axis; The final stage has a decreasing gradient relative to the time axis; and The middle period has one or more maxima between the initial stage and the final stage; The delivery attribute represents the temporal variation in the amount of the main aerosol component delivered to the user's mouth with each inhalation action when the user inhales a smoking item. The component is configured as a heater capable of heating an aerosol source. The starting point of the transmission attribute is defined by the starting point of the attractable period, which is a part of the heating attribute representing the time change of the target temperature on the control of the heater, and the ending point of the transmission attribute is defined by the ending point of the attractable period. When the control unit detects a user's start request, it begins to supply power to the heater according to the heating attribute. During the first period from the moment the power supply to the heater begins, after the temperature of the heater reaches a first target temperature, during the period when the temperature of the heater is maintained at the first target temperature, the control unit notifies the user that the suction period has begun in order to induce a suction action.

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