Aerosol generation device, control device

Abstract

Aerosol generating device (1), comprising: a load (3) configured to heat an aerosol-generating article (9) using power provided by a power source (4), wherein the aerosol-generating article (9) comprises an aerosol-forming substrate (9a) configured to hold or carry at least one aerosol source or flavoring source; and a control unit (8) configured to receive a temperature of the load (3) and to control the power to be supplied by the power source (4) to the load (3) by means of feedback control, wherein the control unit (8) is configured to control the power to be supplied by the power source (4) to the load (3) based on a comparison between an operational value obtained in the feedback control and a predetermined value, where the operation value and the predetermined value are values ​​relating to a duty cycle that relates to a corresponding power supplied to the load (3), and wherein the control unit (8) is configured to obtain a larger value for the operation value and the predetermined value when comparing the operation value and the predetermined value, and is configured to control the power supplied from the power source (4) to the load based on the larger value.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device and a control device. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] For example, an aerosol generating device is used which is configured to heat an aerosol generating article using an electrical heating element, such as an electrical heat source, and generate aerosols.

[0003] The aerosol generating device comprises an electrical heating element and a control unit configured to control the electrical heating element itself or the current supplied to the electrical heating element. The aerosol generating device is mounted with an aerosol generating article, such as a rod or a tube comprising a cigarette formed into a sheet or particle shape. The aerosol generating article is heated by the electrical heating element, thereby generating aerosols.

[0004] For example, as a method for heating the aerosol generating article, there are three heating methods as follows.

[0005] In a first heating process, a rod-shaped electric heating element is inserted into the aerosol generating article, and the electric heating element inserted into the aerosol generating article heats the aerosol generating article. For example, Japanese Patent Nos. 6,046,231, 6,125,008, and 6,062,457 and similar documents disclose heating control technologies for the first heating process.

[0006] In a second heating method, an annular electric heating element is arranged coaxially with the aerosol generating article at an outer peripheral part of the aerosol generating article, and the electric heating element heats the aerosol generating article from an external ambient side of the aerosol generating article.

[0007] In a third heating method, a metal part (also called a "susceptor") that generates heat (or heat) through an eddy current generated therein by a magnetic field penetrating the metal part is pre-inserted into the aerosol generating article. Then, the aerosol generating article is mounted on an aerosol generating device with a coil, alternating current flows through the coil to generate a magnetic field, and the metal part in the aerosol generating article mounted on the aerosol generating device is heated using an induction heating (IH) phenomenon.

[0008] WO2014102091A1 relates to a method for controlling aerosol generation in an aerosol generating device, the device comprising: a heating element comprising at least one heating element configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate; and a source for providing current to the heating element, comprising the following steps: controlling the current provided to the heating element such that, in a first phase, current is provided such that the temperature of the heating element is increased from an initial temperature to a first temperature, in a second phase, current is provided such that the temperature of the heating element falls below the first temperature, and in a third phase, current is provided such that the temperature of the heating element is increased again.

[0009] WO2013098397A2 relates to an aerosol generating device configured for inhalation of a generated aerosol by the user, the device comprising: a heating element configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate; a power source connected to the heating element; and a controller connected to the heating element and the power source, the controller configured to control the power supplied to the heating element by the power source to maintain the temperature of the heating element at a target temperature, and configured to monitor changes in the temperature of the heating element or changes in the power supplied to the heating element to detect a change in the airflow past the heating element indicative of inhalation by the user.The controller can determine when a user has inhaled and use this to dynamically control the device and provide user inhalation data for later analysis.

[0010] US2014096782A1 discloses an article comprising a control body portion having a first control component. A cartridge body portion is removably connected to the control body portion. The cartridge body portion includes a consumable assembly comprising an aerosol precursor composition, a heating element, and a second control component. The consumable assembly is configured to communicate with the first control component when the cartridge body and the control body portion engage. The first component is configured to send a request to the second control component and receive a response to the request from the second control component.The first control component is further configured to release the assembly of the consumable for use with the portion of the control body if the response is in accordance with the request.

[0011] EP3228198A1 relates to an atomizing device comprising a heating element and a temperature control switch. The temperature control switch is positioned side by side with the heating element, or the heating element is plugged onto the temperature control switch. The heating element is connected in series with the temperature control switch. Both the heating element and the temperature control switch are electrically connected to a power supply device. An electronic cigarette comprising the atomizing device is also provided.

[0012] US2015359263A1 relates to an electronic vaporizer comprising a heating element for heating a fluid to generate a vapor; a power source for supplying electrical power to the heating element to heat the fluid; and a power control circuit configured to regulate the supply of electrical power from the power source to the heating element based at least in part on an operating temperature of the heating element and a temperature setting to prevent the operating temperature of the heating element from exceeding the temperature setting.

[0013] WO2014 / 040988 A2 discloses a method for controlling a heating element in heated smoking devices by monitoring the duty cycle of the current pulses provided to the heating element and determining whether the duty cycle deviates from an expected duty cycle value. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0014] The subject matter of the invention is realized by the appended claims. Examples are provided for a better understanding of the present disclosure. For example, it is preferable that a period of time from the start of heating to the time at which a user can inhale aerosols is short in the aerosol generating device from the viewpoint of convenience of the aerosol generating device. Also, from the viewpoint of quality of the aerosol generating device, it is preferable to stabilize an amount of aerosol generation after the user can inhale aerosols until heating is over, thereby stabilizing the aroma and flavor given to the user.

[0015] The present invention has been provided in view of the above-mentioned situations and is to provide an aerosol generating device and a control device capable of appropriately heating an aerosol generating article to thereby stabilize an amount of aerosol generation. SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

[0016] An aerosol generating device of a first example comprises a load (or consumer) and a control unit. The load is configured to heat an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate configured to receive or support an aerosol source and / or a flavor source, using current (or power) provided by a power supply (or power supply). The control unit is configured to obtain a temperature of the load and to control the current provided by the power supply to the load through feedback control. The control unit is configured to determine the current provided to the load from a current source (or power source) based on a comparison between an operating value obtained in the feedback control and a predetermined value.

[0017] A control method of a second example is a control method of the current supplied from a power source to a load used to heat an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate configured to hold or support at least one aerosol source or a flavor source. The control method includes starting the power supply from the power source to the load, sensing a temperature of the load and controlling the current supplied from the power source to the load through feedback control, and determining the current supplied from the power source to the load based on a comparison between an operation value obtained in the feedback control and a predetermined value.

[0018] An aerosol generating device of a third example includes a load and a control unit. The load is configured to heat an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate configured to receive or support an aerosol source and / or a flavor source using power supplied by a power source. The control unit is configured to obtain a temperature of the load and control the current supplied by the power source to the load through feedback control based on a difference between the temperature of the load and a predetermined temperature. The control unit is configured to correct an operation value obtained in the feedback control so that an absolute value of the difference is not increased.

[0019] A control method of a fourth example is a control method for a current supplied from a power source to a load used to heat an aerosol generating article including an aerosol-generating substrate configured to hold or support at least one aerosol source or a flavor source. The control method includes starting supply of the current from the power source to the load, detecting a temperature of the load and controlling the current supplied from the power source to the load through feedback control based on a difference between the temperature of the load and a predetermined temperature, and correcting an operation value obtained in the feedback control so that an absolute value of the difference is not increased.

[0020] An aerosol generating device of a fifth example comprises a load and a control unit. The load is configured to heat an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate configured to receive or support an aerosol source and / or a flavor source using power supplied from a power source. The control unit is configured to obtain a temperature of the load and control the power supplied from the power source to the load through feedback control based on a difference between the temperature of the load and a predetermined temperature. The control unit is configured to correct an operation value obtained in the feedback control to suppress a decrease in the temperature of the load.

[0021] A control method of a sixth example is a control method for a current supplied from a power source to a load used to heat an aerosol generating article including an aerosol-forming substrate configured to hold or support at least one aerosol source or a flavor source. The control method includes starting the power supply from the power source to the load, obtaining a temperature of the load and controlling the current supplied from the power source to the load through feedback control based on a difference between the temperature of the load and a predetermined temperature, and correcting an operation value obtained in the feedback control to suppress a decrease in the temperature of the load. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0022] According to the present embodiments of the invention, it is possible to heat the aerosol generating article appropriately and thereby stabilize an amount (or amount) of aerosol generation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [ Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a basic configuration of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. [ Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a graph showing an example of changes in power supplied to a load by controlling according to the embodiment and in the temperature of the load. [ Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of control performed by a control unit of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment. [ Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a control block diagram illustrating an example of control performed by the control unit according to Example 1A. [ Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in a preparation phase by the control unit according to Example 1A. [ Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a condition in which a temperature of the load is uneven between the preparation phase and a use phase. [ Fig. 7] Fig. Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of duty cycle control in a first sub-phase. [ Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the preparation phase by the control unit according to Example 1B. [ Fig. 9] Fig. Figure 9 shows an example of a relationship between the current flowing from a power source to a load and a voltage applied from the power source to the load. [ Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the relationships between a full charge voltage, a discharge end voltage, a current corresponding to the full charge voltage, and a current corresponding to the discharge end voltage in the first sub-phase of the preparation phase. [ Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is a graph showing an example of comparison between a temperature change of the load in the preparation phase when the power source voltage at the beginning of the first sub-phase is a full charge voltage and a temperature change of the load in the preparation phase when the power source voltage at the beginning of the first sub-phase is close to the discharge end voltage in a case of constant duty cycle. [ Fig. 12] Fig. 12 is a diagram exemplifying a relationship between the full charge voltage and the discharge end voltage implemented by PWM control, and a relationship between a current corresponding to the full charge voltage and a current corresponding to the discharge end voltage. [ Fig. 13] Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the preparation phase by the control unit according to Example 1C. [ Fig. 14] Fig. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of control executed by the control unit according to Example 1D. [ Fig. 15] Fig. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an example of control performed by the control unit according to Example 1D. [ Fig. 16] Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the preparation phase by the control unit according to Example 1D. [ Fig. 17] Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the preparation phase by the control unit according to Example 1E. [ Fig. 18] Fig. 18 is a block diagram illustrating an example of control performed by the control unit according to Example 2A. [ Fig. 19] Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit according to Example 2A. [ Fig. 20] Fig. 20 is a control block diagram illustrating an example of changing a limiter width in a limiter changing unit in accordance with Example 2B. [ Fig. 21] Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 2B. [ Fig. 22] Fig. Figure 22 is a diagram showing an example of a change in the limiter width used in the unit and a condition of increasing the temperature of the load. [ Fig. 23] Fig. Figure 23 is a diagram showing an example of a change in the limiter width according to Example 2C. [ Fig. 24] Fig. 24 is a control block diagram showing an example of control executed by the control unit according to Example 2D. [ Fig. 25] Fig. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit according to Example 2D. [ Fig. 26] Fig. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the use phase by the control unit according to Example 2E. [ Fig. 27] Fig. 27 is a graph illustrating an example of comparison between a final temperature of the use phase using a second embodiment and a target temperature using a prior art aerosol generating device. [ Fig. 28] Fig. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of comparing a difference between the end temperature of the use phase and a measured temperature value according to the second embodiment and a difference between the target temperature and a measured temperature value according to the aerosol generating device of the related art. [ Fig. 29] Fig. 29 is a table showing a comparison of the preparation phase and the use phase executed by the control unit according to a third embodiment. [ Fig. 30] Fig. 30 is a control block diagram illustrating an example of control executed by the control unit according to Example 4A. [ Fig. 31] Fig. 31 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit according to Example 4A. [ Fig. 32] Fig. 32 is a diagram showing an example of generating a state of overshoot of the temperature of the load 3. [ Fig. 33] Fig. 33 is a control block diagram showing an example of control executed by the control unit according to Example 4B. [ Fig. 34] Fig. 34 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit according to Example 4B. [ Fig. 35] Fig. 35 is a control block diagram illustrating an example of the control executed by the control unit according to Example 4C. [ Fig. 36] Fig. 36 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit according to Example 4C. [ Fig. 37] Fig. 37 is a control block diagram showing an example of the control performed by the control unit according to Example 4D. [ Fig. 38] Fig. 38 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in an overshoot detection unit according to Example 4D. [ Fig. 39] Fig. 39 is a control block diagram illustrating an example of control performed by the control unit according to Example 4E. [ Fig. 40] Fig. 40 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the preparation phase by the control unit according to Example 4E. [ Fig. 41] Fig. 41 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit according to Example 4E. [ Fig. 42] Fig. 42 is a control block diagram illustrating an example of control executed by the control unit according to Example 5A. [ Fig. 43] Fig. 43 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit according to Example 5A. [ Fig. 44] Fig. Figure 44 is a graph showing an example of changes in the temperature of load 3 and the limiter width. [ Fig. 45] Fig. 45 shows an example of a limiter changing unit according to Example 5B. [ Fig. 46] Fig. 46 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit according to Example 5B. [ Fig. 47] Fig. 47 is a control block diagram illustrating an example of control executed by the control unit according to Example 5C. [ Fig. 48] Fig. 48 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit according to Example 5C. [ Fig. 49] Fig. 49 is a control block diagram illustrating an example of the control executed by the control unit according to Example 5D. [ Fig. 50] Fig. 50 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit according to Example 5D. [ Fig. 51] Fig. Figure 51 is a graph showing an example of changes in load temperature and limiter width according to Example 5E. [ Fig. 52] Fig. 52 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit according to Example 5E. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following descriptions, functions and constituent elements that are omitted or substantially the same are denoted by the same reference numerals and described only when necessary.

[0024] An aerosol generating device of the present embodiment will be described using, for example, an aerosol generating device for an aerosol generating article (solid heater or solid heater) as an example. However, the aerosol generating device of the present embodiment may also be an aerosol generating device of a different type or use, such as a medical nebulizer (spray device).

[0025] The aerosol generating device of the present embodiment will be described as an example of a case where aerosols are generated using the first method of heating the aerosol generating article from the inside thereof using an electric heating element inserted into the aerosol generating article. However, the aerosol generating device of the present embodiment may also employ another heating method, such as the second heating method of heating the aerosol generating article from the outside thereof using an annular electric heating element disposed at an outer periphery of the aerosol generating article, or the third heating method of heating the aerosol generating article from the inside thereof using an induction heating phenomenon.

[0026] Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a basic configuration of an aerosol generating device 1 according to the embodiment.

[0027] The aerosol generating device 1 comprises a mounting unit 2, a load 3, a power source 4, a timer 5, a temperature measuring unit 6, a power source measuring unit 7, and a control unit 8.

[0028] The mounting unit 2 is configured to removably support an aerosol generating article 9.

[0029] The aerosol generating article 9 comprises an aerosol-forming substrate 9a configured to receive or support, for example, an aerosol source or a flavor source. The aerosol generating article 9 may, for example, be a smoking article that can be formed into a shape, such as a rod, that is easy to use.

[0030] The aerosol source can be liquid or solid and may contain, for example, a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin or propylene glycol. The aerosol source may also contain, for example, a nicotine component in addition to the polyhydric alcohol.

[0031] The aerosol-forming substrate 9a is a solid material into which the aerosol source is introduced or carried and may, for example, be a cigarette leaf.

[0032] The aerosol-forming substrate 9a can be a substrate capable of emitting a volatile compound capable of generating aerosols, so that the substrate functions, for example, as an aerosol source or flavor source. The volatile compound is emitted by heating the aerosol-forming substrate 9a. In the present embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate 9a is part of the aerosol-generating article 9.

[0033] The load 3 is, for example, an electric heating element configured to generate heat when power is supplied from the power source 4, thereby heating the aerosol generating article 9 mounted on the mounting unit 2.

[0034] The power source 4 is a battery or a battery pack that combines a battery, a field emission transistor (FET), a discharge FET, a protection IC (integrated circuit), a monitoring device, and the like, and is configured to supply power to the load 3. The power source 4 is a rechargeable secondary battery and may be, for example, a lithium-ion secondary battery. The power source 4 may be included in the aerosol generating device 1 or configured separately from the aerosol generating device 1.

[0035] The timer 5 is configured to output to the control unit 8 a timer value t indicating a time since which the load 3 has been supplied with power in a non-operation state.

[0036] Here, the non-operational state may be a state in which the power source 4 is turned off, or a state in which the power source 4 is turned on but not waiting for the supply of energy to the load 3. The non-operational state may also be a standby state.

[0037] Meanwhile, the timer may also indicate a time from the start of aerosol generation, a time from the start of heating of the load 3, or a time from the start of control by the control unit 8 of the aerosol generating device 1.

[0038] The temperature measuring unit 6 is configured, for example, to measure a temperature of the load 3 (heater temperature) and output the measured temperature value to the control unit 8. The load 3 may be used with a heater having a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) characteristic, in which a resistance value changes depending on a temperature. If this is the case, the temperature measuring unit 6 may be configured to measure an electrical resistance value of the heater 3 and derive a temperature of the heater 3 from the measured electrical resistance value.

[0039] The power source measuring unit 7 is configured to measure a power source state value indicative of a state of the power source 4, such as a value concerning a remaining amount of the power source 4, a voltage value output from the power source 4, or a current discharged from the power source 4 or a current charged in the power source 4, and to output the power source state value to the control unit 8.

[0040] Herein, as the value concerning the remaining amount of the power source 4, for example, an output voltage of the power source 4 can be used. Alternatively, a state of charge (SOC) of the power source 4 can also be used. The SOC can be estimated from a voltage or current measured by a sensor using an open circuit voltage (SOC-OCV) method or a current integration method (Coulomb counting method) for integrating charging and discharging currents of the power source 4.

[0041] The control unit 8 is configured to control the power supplied by the power source 4 to the load 3 based on the input of the timer 5 and the input of the temperature measurement value from the temperature measurement unit 6, for example. The control unit 8 may also be configured to perform the control using the state of the power source input from the power source measurement unit 7, for example. The control unit 8 comprises a computer, controller, or processor, and a memory, and the computer, controller, or processor may be configured to execute a program stored in the memory to perform the control, for example.

[0042] Fig. Fig. 2 is a graph showing an example of changes in the power supplied to the load 3 by the controller according to the present embodiment and the temperature of the load 3. In Fig. 2, the horizontal axis indicates the timer value t, i.e., time, and the vertical axis indicates the power supplied to load 3 and the temperature of load 3.

[0043] The control unit 8 is configured to switch control mainly between a preparation phase and a use phase.

[0044] For example, in the preparation phase, a state in which the load 3 cannot generate a predetermined amount or more of aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9 is referred to as a preparation state. The preparation state may also be a state after heating of the load 3 begins in response to a user input, until the user is allowed to inhale (puff) aerosols with the aerosol generating device 1, for example. In other words, in the preparation state, it is assumed that the user is not allowed to inhale aerosols with the aerosol generating device 1.

[0045] The predetermined amount corresponds to an amount of aerosol generation at which the user is allowed to inhale aerosols, for example.

[0046] In particular, the predetermined amount may be an amount at which an effective amount of aerosols can be delivered, for example, into the mouth of a user. As used herein, the effective amount may be an amount at which the user can be provided with flavor and aroma from the aerosol source or flavor source comprised in the aerosol generating article. The predetermined amount may also be an amount of aerosols generated by the charge 3 and capable of being delivered, for example, into the user's mouth. The predetermined amount may also be an amount of aerosols generated when the temperature of the charge 3 is equal to or higher than a boiling point of the aerosol source, for example.The predetermined amount may also be an amount of aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9 when the power supplied to the load 3 is equal to or higher than the power that should be supplied to the load 3 to generate aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9, for example. In the preparation state, the load 3 may not generate aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9, i.e., the predetermined amount may be zero.

[0047] When the control unit 8 supplies power to the load 3 in the non-operation state or when the load 3 is in the preparation state, it controls the power supplied to the load 3 from the power source 4 by feedforward control (F / F control).

[0048] When the load 3 transitions from the preparation state to a use state, the control unit 8 may execute feedback control (F / B control) or both the feedback control and the feedforward control.

[0049] For example, in the use phase, a state in which the load 3 can generate the predetermined amount or more of aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9 is referred to as a use state. The use state may also be a state after the user has been allowed to inhale aerosols until aerosol generation is completed, for example.

[0050] The control executed by the control unit 8 will be described specifically in the first to fifth embodiments described later.

[0051] A dashed line L1 indicates a state in which the power supplied to the load 3 changes according to the timer value t. For example, the control unit 8 can control the power supplied to the load 3 from the power source 4 by pulse width modulation (PWM) control or pulse frequency modulation (PFM) control at a Fig. 1. Alternatively, the control unit 8 can control the power supplied by the power source 4 to the load 3 by controlling the output voltage of the power source 4 by a switch Fig. 1, not shown. In the preparation phase, in which the load 3 is in the preparation state, a high power is supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3, and then the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 is decreased. When the load 3 transitions from the preparation phase to the use phase, in which the load is in the use state, the power supplied to the load 3 from the power source 4 gradually (or stepwise) increases as the timer value t is increased. Then, when an end condition of the use phase state of the load 3 is met, for example, when the temperature of the load 3 reaches an end temperature of the use phase or when the timer value t is a threshold value or greater indicating an end of the use phase, the power supply to the load 3 is stopped.

[0052] A solid line L2 indicates a state in which the temperature of load 3 changes depending on the timer value t. In the preparation phase, the temperature of load 3 increases rapidly while high power is supplied to load 3 by power source 4. After the power supplied to load 3 by power source 4 in the preparation phase is reduced, the temperature of load 3 is maintained or slightly increased. When the transition is made to the use phase, the power supplied to load 3 by power source 4 gradually increases over time, and the temperature of load 3 also gradually increases. The control unit 8 executes feedback control based on the temperature measurement value input from the temperature measurement unit 6 so that the temperature of load 3 at the end of the use phase should be the end temperature of the use phase.

[0053] The end temperature of the use phase is a temperature of the load 3 that is set to eventually approach or be reached during the feedback control. The feedback control of the present embodiment controls the power supply to the load 3 so that there is no difference between the end temperature of the use phase and the measured temperature value at the end of the use phase.

[0054] Fig. 3 is a control block diagram showing an example of control performed by the control unit 8 of the aerosol generating device 1 of the present embodiment.

[0055] The control unit 8 comprises a preparation unit 10, a differential unit 11, a gain unit 12, a limiter changing unit 13, a limiter unit 14 and a comparison unit 15. The constitutive elements of the control unit 8 will be described later in particular.

[0056] The control performed by the control unit 8 mainly includes the first to fifth features. The power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 is controlled by the control unit 8, making it possible to shorten the preparation phase time and stabilize the amount of aerosol generation during the use phase.

[0057] The control unit 8 has a first feature for executing the feedforward control in the preparation phase.

[0058] The control unit 8 has a second feature for expanding a limiter width of the limiter unit 14 in the feedback control in the use phase.

[0059] The control unit 8 has a third feature which consists in using different modes for controlling between the preparation phase and the use phase.

[0060] The control unit 8 has a fourth feature for suppressing the temperature decrease of the load 3 during the transition from the preparation phase to the use phase.

[0061] The control unit 8 has a fifth feature to restore the temperature decrease when the user inhales aerosols during the use phase.

[0062] The aerosol generating device 1 of the present embodiment is configured to heat the aerosol generating article 9, for example, by the load 3, thereby generating aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9. The control unit 8 is configured to control the power supply to the load 3 so that the aerosols generated when the load 3 is heated do not vary greatly.

[0063] To implement stable aerosol generation in one mode or phase of control, it is necessary to change control parameters such as a target temperature over time, so it may be difficult to perform stable control.

[0064] In contrast, the control unit 8 of the present embodiment divides and uses the plurality of different modes, particularly the feedforward control and the feedback control for heating the load 3, thereby enabling the stable aerosol generation.

[0065] In the first to fifth embodiments to be described later, the first feature to the fifth feature will be described in particular.

[0066] In the present embodiment and the first to fifth embodiments, for example, feedforward control and feedback control may be configured as different control modes. Feedforward control may be control in which an operation amount of an operation target is not determined based on a control amount of a control target. In other words, feedback control may be control in which a control amount of a control target is not used as a component for feedback, for example.As another example, feedforward control may also be control in which a control amount of a control target is determined based on only a predetermined algorithm or a predetermined variable, or based on a combination of the predetermined algorithm or the predetermined variable and any physical quantity obtained before a control instruction concerning the operation amount is issued to a target of the operation. Feedback control may, for example, be control in which an operation amount of an operation target is determined based on a control amount of a control target. In other words, feedback control may be control in which a control amount of a control target is used as a component for feedback, for example.As another example, the feedback control may also be a control in which a control amount of a target of the operation is determined based on a combination of any physical quantity obtained during execution of the control in addition to a predetermined algorithm or variable.

[0067] In the first to third embodiments, the term "overheating" refers to a state where a temperature of a control target is slightly higher than a temperature to be controlled (e.g., the end temperature of the use phase or the target temperature). Note that this does not necessarily mean that the control target is in an overheating state. (First embodiment)

[0068] In the first embodiment, the feedforward control in the preparation phase is described.

[0069] The control unit 8 of the first embodiment controls the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 through feedforward control when it starts supplying power to the load 3 in the non-operational state or when the load 3 is in the preparation state in which the load 3 cannot generate a predetermined amount or more of aerosols from an aerosol generating article. Thus, the temperature of the load 3 in the preparation state is increased through feedforward control, so that it is possible to accelerate the temperature increase of the load 3 until the load is in the use state.

[0070] The control unit 8 is configured to execute feedforward control to supply the load 3 with the power required for the load 3 to transition from the non-operational state or the preparation state to the use state. Thus, the temperature of the load 3 is raised to the use state by the feedforward control, making it possible to shorten the time required for the load 3 to be in the use state.

[0071] Specifically, it is described herein that the control unit 8 executes feedforward control to shorten a time until the load 3 is in the use state. For example, when the control unit 8 executes feedback control to transfer the load 3 from the non-operation state or the preparation state to the use state, a control amount affects the determination of an operation amount. Therefore, the time required for the load 3 to enter the use state may be lengthened. Specifically, in an aspect where the load 3 is used by the feedback control from a relatively early state of the preparation phase to the use state, when a gain (transfer function) is small, an increase in the temperature of the load 3 is slowed down, and when the gain is large, it is difficult for the load 3 to approach the use state.Even in an aspect where a target temperature of the load 3 is gradually increased over time by feedback control in the preparation phase, if the measured temperature value of the load 3 reverses the target temperature, stagnation of the temperature increase may occur. On the other hand, if the control unit 8 executes feedforward control in the preparation phase, the problem that occurs when the feedback control is used in the preparation phase as described above does not occur. However, it is possible to shorten the time until the load 3 is in the use state. For this reason, regarding the control executed by the control unit 8 to transfer the load 3 from the non-operational state or the preparation state to the use state, it can be said that feedforward control is preferable to feedback control.

[0072] The control unit 8 may be configured to execute feedforward control to suppress the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 after supplying the required amount of power to the load 3. For example, in this case, to suppress the power, the power supplied to the load 3 may be suppressed to maintain the temperature of the load 3. In this way, after supplying the required amount of power to the load 3, the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 is suppressed, so that overheating of the aerosol generating device 1 and the aerosol generating article 9 can be prevented.If the aerosol generating device 1 is placed in an overheated state, the service life of the power source 4, the control unit 8, the load 3, a circuit for electrically connecting the power source 4 and the load 3, and the like of the aerosol generating device 1 may be reduced. Also, if the aerosol generating article 9 is placed in the overheated state, the flavor and taste of the aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9 may be impaired.

[0073] The control unit 8 may be configured to control the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 through feedback control after supplying the required amount of power to the load 3. In this way, the feedback control is performed after supplying the required amount of power to the load 3, so that it is possible to improve the control accuracy after supplying the required amount of power to the load 3 through feedback control, whose control stability is excellent, thereby stabilizing aerosol generation.

[0074] The feedforward control executed by the control unit 8 is divided into a first sub-phase and a second sub-phase, and the values ​​of the variables used in the feedforward control in the first sub-phase and the second sub-phase can be set differently. If the different values ​​of the variables include different control variables, different constants, and different threshold values. In this way, the feedforward control is divided into the first sub-phase and the second sub-phase and the different values ​​of the variables are used, so that the control accuracy can be improved compared to a case where a single usage phase is used. Meanwhile, the functions or algorithms used in the feedforward control in the first sub-phase and the second sub-phase can be set differently.The first subphase and the second subphase will be discussed later with reference to the . Fig. 4 to 8 described in detail.

[0075] It is assumed that the first subphase is executed earlier than the second subphase, for example.

[0076] The power (W) or the amount of power (Wh) supplied to load 3 in the first sub-phase can be set larger than the power (W) or the amount of power (Wh) supplied to load 3 in the second sub-phase. Since the temperature increase of load 3 in the second sub-phase occurs slowly or is stopped, it is possible to stabilize the temperature of load 3 after the feedforward control is terminated.

[0077] A time period of the first sub-phase can be set longer than a time period of the second sub-phase. Thus, the time of the first sub-phase, in which the state (temperature) of the load 3 is dominantly changed, is set longer than the second sub-phase, making it possible to shorten the overall period of the feedforward control. In other words, the aerosol generating device 1 can produce aerosols with the desired flavor and taste more quickly from the aerosol generating article 9.

[0078] The control unit 8 can be configured to execute the feedforward control so that the load 3 is in the use state at the end of the second sub-phase. This makes it possible to stably control the temperature of the load 3 to a temperature required in the use state by the end of the second sub-phase using the feedforward control. In addition, since an amount of power discharged from the power source 4 is reduced compared to a case where the load 3 is in the use state before the end of the second sub-phase, it is possible to suppress deterioration in the power source 4, in addition to improving the specific power consumption of the power source 4.

[0079] The control unit 8 can be configured to execute feedforward control to supply the power or the amount of power required to place the load 3 in the state where aerosols can be generated in the second sub-phase and to maintain the state of use of the load 3. In this way, the power or the amount of power required to maintain the use state in the second sub-phase is supplied to the load 3, so that it is possible to avoid supplying extremely low power or an extremely low amount of power in the second sub-phase.Therefore, it is possible to suppress situations where the load 3 is not in the state of use, the aerosol generating device 1 cannot generate aerosols having the desired flavor and taste from the aerosol generating article 9 in the stage of use, and the specific power consumption of the power source 4 is reduced.

[0080] The control unit 8 can be configured to execute feedforward control so that the load 3 is in the use phase before the first subphase is changed to the second subphase. This makes it possible to place the load 3 in the control state early in the first subphase and maintain the state by adjusting the temperature of the load 3 in the second subphase, which increases the stability of the control.

[0081] The control unit 8 can be configured to execute feedforward control to supply the power or the amount of power required to maintain the use state to the load 3 in the use state during the second sub-phase. This makes it possible to suppress a situation in which an extremely low power or an extremely low amount of power is supplied during the second sub-phase and the load 3 is thereby not placed in the use state. As a result, it is possible to stabilize the load 3 in the use state. It is also possible to suppress deviations in the temperature of the load 3 at the end of the second sub-phase.

[0082] The second subphase can be set shorter than the first subphase and equal to or longer than a time unit of the control, which is (can be) implemented, for example, by the control unit 8. This allows the second subphase to be executed for an appropriate period of time, making it possible to stabilize the temperature of the load 3.

[0083] The control unit 8 may be configured to change the values ​​of variables used in the feedforward control based on an initial state, which is a state during or before the execution of the feedforward control of the load 3. For example, in this case, the initial state includes an initial temperature and the like. Changing the values ​​of variables includes changing a control variable, changing a constant, and changing a threshold. In this way, the values ​​of variables used in the feedback control are changed based on the initial state, so that it is possible to suppress the deviation in the temperature of the load 3 during the execution and / or at the end of the feedforward control, which may be caused due to external factors such as a product defect, an initial condition, an atmospheric temperature, and the like.

[0084] The control unit 8 can be configured to change the values ​​of variables to supply the power or amount of power required to the load 3 for the load 3 to transition from the initial state to the use state. This makes it possible to suppress the deviation in the temperature of the load 3 in the use state at the end of the feedback control, which may be caused by external factors such as a product defect, an initial condition, an atmospheric temperature, and the like.

[0085] The control unit 8 can be configured to obtain a value related to the remaining amount of the power source 4 and to change the values ​​of variables used in the feedforward control based on the value related to the remaining amount during or before the execution of the feedforward control. This makes it possible to suppress the deviation in the temperature of the load 3 that may be caused by a difference in the remaining amount of the power source 4.

[0086] The control unit 8 may be configured to increase at least one of a duty cycle, a voltage, and an on-time of the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 when the value related to the remaining amount is smaller. For example, in a case where a DC / DC converter is used, a pulse wave may not be applied to the load 3 due to a smoothing action of a smoothing capacitor provided on an output side of the DC / DC converter. Therefore, the control unit 8 can control a time (on-time) during which the power is supplied to the load 3 based on the value related to the remaining amount. This makes it possible to suppress the deviation in the temperature of the load 3 caused by a difference in the remaining amount of the power source 4.

[0087] The control unit 8 may be configured to change the values ​​of variables such that a first amount of power provided by the power source 4 to the load 3 based on a value related to a first remaining amount received from the power source 4 is substantially the same as a second amount of power provided by the power source 4 to the load 3 based on a value related to a second remaining amount received from the power source 4 and different from the value related to the first remaining amount. For example, the PWM control may be implemented such that a constant amount of power is provided to the load 3 regardless of the remaining amount of the power source 4.As a result, the deviation in the temperature of the load 3 caused by a difference in the remaining amount of the power source 4 can be suppressed.

[0088] The control unit 8 may be configured to acquire a value related to a remaining amount of the power source 4 and change the values ​​of variables used in the feedforward control based on a state of the load 3 during or before the execution of the feedforward control and the value related to the remaining amount. This makes it possible to suppress the deviation in the temperature of the load 3 during the execution and / or at the end of the feedforward control, which may be caused by external factors such as a product defect, an initial condition, an atmospheric temperature, and the like, in addition to a difference in the remaining amount of the power source 4.

[0089] The control unit 8 may be configured to decrease at least one of a duty cycle, a voltage, and a duty cycle of the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 as the load 3 approaches the usage state in which the load may generate aerosols, and to decrease at least one of a duty cycle, a voltage, and a duty cycle of the power when the value related to the remaining amount is larger, based on the state of the load 3.For example, in this case, at least one of a duty ratio, a voltage, and a duty cycle of the power obtained from the condition of the load 3 such as an initial temperature may be corrected with the remaining amount of the power source 4, so that it is possible to suppress the variation in the temperature of the load 3 during execution and / or at the end of the feedforward control, which may be caused by the remaining amount of the power source 4, in addition to the external factors such as a product defect, an initial condition, an atmospheric temperature, and the like.

[0090] The control unit 8 may be configured to change the duty cycle, voltage, and duty cycle such that a first amount of power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 based on a value related to a first residual amount detected by the power source 4 is substantially the same as a second amount of power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 based on a value related to a second residual amount detected by the power source 4 and different from the value related to the first residual amount. In this case, the first amount of power and the second amount of power can be set differently depending on the state of the load 3. Thereby, for example, the PWM control can be performed such that the same power is supplied to the load 3 in the form of the first residual amount and the second residual amount.As a result, it is possible to suppress the deviation in the temperature of the load 3 during the execution and / or at the end of the feedforward control, which may be caused by the remaining amount of the power source 4 in addition to the external factors such as a product defect, an initial condition, an atmospheric temperature, and the like.

[0091] The control unit 8 can be configured to change the values ​​of variables used in the feedforward control based on a resistance value of the load 3 or a deterioration state in the load 3 during or before the execution of the feedforward control. For example, in this case, the control unit 8 can be configured to determine the deterioration state based on the number of uses or a cumulative value of the times of use of the load 3. This allows the temperature of the load 3 to be stabilized even if the load 3 deteriorates and thus the electrical resistance value changes at room temperatures and the like as the number of uses of the aerosol generating device 1 increases.Even if load 3 has a positive temperature coefficient characteristic (PTC characteristic) and load 3 deteriorates and its characteristic changes, the temperature of load 3 can be stabilized.

[0092] The various controls by the control unit 8 can also be implemented by the control unit 8 executing a program.

[0093] With respect to the first embodiment, specific control examples are further described in the following Embodiments 1A to 1E. <Beispiel 1A>

[0094] Fig. 4 is a control block diagram illustrating an example of control executed by the control unit 8 according to Example 1A.

[0095] The preparation unit 10 of the control unit 8 receives the timer value t output by the timer 5 and, in the preparation phase, receives a key instruction value corresponding to the timer value t. The control unit 8 switches a switch 25 provided in a circuit for electrically connecting the load 3 and the power source 4, as shown in Fig. 9, according to the obtained key instruction value, thereby controlling the power supplied to the load 3 based on the key instruction value.

[0096] In Example 1A, a heating state for the load 3 is switched based on the duty command value, specifically, the duty cycle specified by the duty command value. However, when controlling a DC / DC converter provided in the circuit for electrically connecting the load 3 and the power source 4, instead of the switch 25, the heating state for the load 3 can be switched based on the current supplied to the load 3, the voltage applied to the load 3, or their set values, for example, and a value for commanding the heating state for the load 3 can be changed as needed.

[0097] The preparation phase further comprises the first subphase and the second subphase. The first subphase and the second subphase can also be differentiated by the duty cycle specified by the duty cycle. The first subphase and the second subphase can also be differentiated by the current supplied to load 3, the voltage applied to load 3, or their setpoints.

[0098] A period Δt1 of the first sub-phase is a period from the start of power supply to load 3 in the non-operation state to time t1.

[0099] A period Δt2 of the second subphase is a period from time t1 to the end time t2 of the preparation phase.

[0100] The time Δt1 of the first subphase is longer than the time Δt2 of the second subphase.

[0101] A duty cycle D1 in the first subphase is greater than a duty cycle D2 in the second subphase. In Example 1A, the power supplied by power source 4 to load 3 is set to be larger as the duty cycle increases. Therefore, the power supplied by power source 4 to load 3 in the first subphase is greater than the power supplied by power source 4 to load 3 in the second subphase.

[0102] In the first sub-phase, the control unit 8 controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on the duty cycle value indicating a large duty cycle until the temperature of the load 3 (aerosol generating article 9) reaches an aerosol generating temperature. This makes it possible to generate aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9 in the early state from the start of power supply (power injection) from the power source 4 to the load 3.

[0103] In the second sub-phase, the control unit 8 controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on a duty cycle value that specifies a duty cycle smaller than the duty cycle of the first sub-phase, so as to suppress a change in the temperature of the load 3 until the load enters the use phase and to maintain the temperature of the load 3 (aerosol generating article 9) at or above the aerosol generating temperature. Even if the temperature deviates slightly at the end of the first sub-phase, the control unit 8 suppresses and absorbs the deviation through the control in the second sub-phase. This stabilizes the flavor and taste of the aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9 in the use phase.

[0104] In this way, in the preparation phase, the high power of the load 3 is provided to quickly increase the temperature of the load 3 through the first sub-phase, and the low power for heat retention is provided to the load 3 through the second sub-phase, so that it is possible to stabilize the amount of aerosol generation and the flavor and taste thereof in the use phase after the preparation phase.

[0105] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the preparation phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 1A.

[0106] In step S501, the preparation unit 10 determines whether there is a request for aerosol generation. If it is determined that there is no request for aerosol generation ("No" in step S501), the preparation unit 10 repeats step S501. As a first example, in step S501, the preparation unit 10 may determine whether there is a request for aerosol generation based on whether an input to start heating the load 3 is made by a user. Specifically, if an input to start heating the load 3 is made by a user, the preparation unit 10 may determine that there is a request for aerosol generation. On the other hand, if no input to start heating the load 3 is made by a user, the unit 10 may determine that there is no request for aerosol generation. As a second example, the aerosol generation device 1 includes a sensor for detecting the user's inhalation, which is located in Fig. 1 is not shown, and can use the user's inhalation detected by the sensor as input for starting the heating of the load 3. As a third example, the aerosol generating device 1 comprises at least one button, a switch, a touch panel and a user interface, which are shown in Fig. 1 are not shown, and can serve an operation thereon as input to start heating the load 3.

[0107] If it is determined that there is a request for aerosol generation, the preparation unit 10 activates the timer 5 in step S502.

[0108] In step S503, input of the timer value t from the timer 5 to the processing unit 10 begins.

[0109] In step S504, the preparation unit 10 switches the switch 25 provided in the circuit for electrically connecting the load 3 and the power source 4 shown in Fig. 9, based on the duty instruction value indicating the duty cycle D1 in the first sub-phase, and thereby controls the power supplied to the load 3.

[0110] In step S505, the preparation unit 10 determines whether the timer value t is the end time t1 or longer of the first sub-phase. If it is determined that the timer value t is not the end time t1 or longer of the first sub-phase (a determination unit result in step S505 is "No"), the preparation unit 10 repeats step S505.

[0111] When it is determined that the timer value t is the end time t1 or longer of the first sub-phase (a determination result in step S505 is “Yes”), the preparation unit 10 controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on the duty instruction value indicating the duty ratio D2 in the second sub-phase in step S506.

[0112] In step S507, the preparation unit 10 determines whether the timer value t is the end time t2 or longer of the second sub-phase. If it is determined that the timer value t is not the end time t2 or longer of the second sub-phase (a determination result in step S507 is "No"), the preparation unit 10 repeats step S507. If it is determined that the timer value t is the end time t2 or longer of the second sub-phase (a determination result in step S507 is "Yes"), the preparation unit 10 ends the preparation phase and proceeds to the use phase.

[0113] In Example 1A, as described above, the control unit 8 controls the heating of the load 3 using feedforward control in the preparation phase. Therefore, after a request for aerosol generation is received and the power supply from the power source 4 to the load 3 begins, it is possible to increase the rate of temperature increase of the load 3.

[0114] In Example 1A, the feedforward control during the preparation phase increases the temperature of load 3 to a temperature at which aerosols can be inhaled. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time after the aerosol generation request until the user can inhale aerosols.

[0115] In Example 1A, since the power supplied to load 3 in the first sub-phase of the preparation phase is increased once and then the power supplied to load 3 in the second sub-phase of the preparation phase is decreased, it is possible to suppress overheating of load 3.

[0116] The control unit 8 controls the heating of the load 3 using feedforward control in the preparation phase, so that it is possible to increase the temperature increase of the load 3 after the aerosol generation request and the start of power supply to the load 3 from the power source 4, shorten the time after the aerosol generation request until the user can inhale aerosols, and prevent overheating of the load 3. The reasons are described in detail below. For example, if the control unit 8 controls the heating of the load 3 using feedback control in the preparation phase, a control amount influences a decision about the operation amount, so the rate of increase in the temperature of the load 3 is likely to be slow.The time after the aerosol generation request until the user can inhale aerosols is also likely to be extended for the same reason. Specifically, in an aspect where the load 3 is heated to the temperature at which aerosols can be generated at a relatively early stage of the preparation phase, the rate of increase in the temperature of the load 3 is slow when the magnification is small, and when the magnification is large, it is difficult to bring the temperature of the load 3 to the temperature at which aerosols can be generated, so the load 3 is likely to be overheated. Also, in an aspect where the target temperature of the load 3 is gradually increased over time, if the measured temperature value of the load 3 reverses the target temperature, stagnation of the temperature increase may occur.However, if the control unit 8 controls the heating of the load 3 using feedforward control in the preparation phase, these problems do not occur. Therefore, it is possible to increase the temperature increase of the load 3 after a request for aerosol generation is received and power supply from the power source 4 to the load 3 begins. It is also possible to shorten the time after the request for aerosol generation until the user can inhale aerosols. In addition, it is possible to prevent overheating of the load 3 and shorten the time until the load 3 enters the use state. Therefore, it can be said that feedforward control is preferable to feedback control as the control used for heating the load 3 in the preparation phase. <Beispiel 1B>

[0117] Example 1B describes the control of changing the power supplied to load 3 in the first sub-phase based on the measured temperature value indicating the temperature of load 3.

[0118] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a condition where a temperature of the load is uneven between the preparation phase and the use phase. Fig. Figure 6 is a graph illustrating an example of a relationship between the timer value t and the temperature of load 3, and a relationship between the timer value t and the power supplied by the power source 4 to load 3. The horizontal axis indicates the timer value t. The vertical axis indicates the temperature of load 3 or the duty cycle of the power supplied to load 3.

[0119] Even after the preparation phase is over, the temperature of load 3 may quickly differ from the final temperature of the preparation phase when the load transitions from the preparation phase to the use phase or immediately after the transition to the use phase.

[0120] If the final temperature of the preparation phase is not stable at or near the aerosol generation temperature, the temperature of load 3 shows a large deviation, so that the temperature of load 3 cannot reach the aerosol generation temperature, at least in the early stage of the use phase.

[0121] For example, the following three factors can be assumed as factors that cause a change in the temperature of load 3 when the preparation phase is over.

[0122] A first factor is a shift in the initial state of load 3, for example, a shift in the temperature of load 3 at the time when the increase in temperature of load 3 begins.

[0123] A second factor is a shift in the output voltage of the power source 4, which may be caused by a reduction in the remaining amount or a deterioration of the power source 4.

[0124] A third factor is a product defect of the aerosol generating article 9 or the aerosol generating device 1.

[0125] The first and second factors can at least be mitigated by implementing the following control in the first sub-phase.

[0126] The third factor can at least be relaxed by controlling heat retention in the second subphase.

[0127] Fig. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of controlling the duty cycle D1 in the first sub-phase. Fig. Figure 7 shows a relationship between the timer value t and the temperature of load 3, as well as a relationship between the timer value t and the duty cycle. The horizontal axis indicates the timer value t. The vertical axis indicates the temperature of load 3 or the duty cycle of the power supplied to load 3.

[0128] If the duty cycle D1 is set constant in the first sub-phase and the duty cycle D2 is set constant in the second sub-phase, if the temperature of load 3 is low or high at the beginning of the first sub-phase, the temperature of load 3 is also low or high at the end of the second sub-phase and the temperature of load 3 varies at the end of the preparation phase.

[0129] In contrast, according to Example 1B, the control unit 8 changes the duty cycle D1 in the first sub-phase based on the measured temperature value at the beginning of the first sub-phase, thereby suppressing the deviation of the temperature of the load 3 at the end of the preparation phase based on the shift of the temperature of the load 3 at the beginning of the first sub-phase.

[0130] In particular, if the measured temperature value is low at the beginning of the first subphase, the control unit 8 increases the duty cycle D1 in the first subphase. Conversely, if the measured temperature value is high at the beginning of the first subphase, the control unit 8 decreases the duty cycle D1 in the first subphase.

[0131] Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the preparation phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 1B.

[0132] The processing from step S801 to step S803 is the same as the processing from step S501 to step S503 in Fig. 5.

[0133] In step S804, a measured temperature value T start at the beginning of the first sub-phase as initial state from the temperature measuring unit 6 into the preparation unit 10.

[0134] In step S805, the preparation unit 10 receives the duty cycle D1 (T start ) in the first sub-phase based on the measured temperature value T start and switches the switch 25 provided in the circuit for electrically connecting the load 3 and the power source 4 as shown in Fig. 9, based on the key instruction value, which determines the duty cycle D1 (T start ) in the first sub-phase, which controls the power supplied to load 3.

[0135] The processing from step S806 to step S808 is the same as the processing from step S505 to step S507 in Fig. 5.

[0136] In Example 1B, as described above, it is possible to suppress the deviation in the temperature of load 3 at the end of the preparation phase based on the shift in the temperature of load 3 at the beginning of the first sub-phase, so that it is possible to stabilize the amount of aerosol generation and the liking and taste thereof in the use phase after the preparation phase.

[0137] In Example 1B, the control unit 8 changes the key instruction value in the first sub-phase based on the measured temperature value T start at the beginning of the first sub-phase. However, the control unit 8 can adjust the key instruction value in the second sub-phase based on the measured temperature value T startchange, or it can change both the key instruction value in the first sub-phase and the key instruction value in the second sub-phase based on the measured temperature value T start change. <Beispiel 1C>

[0138] In Example 1C, the control of changing the power in the first sub-phase based on the SOC of the power source 4 is described as an example of the value related to the remaining amount of the power source 4, or the PWM control that makes the voltage applied to the load 3 constant even if the SOC of the power source 4 changes.

[0139] Fig. Figure 9 shows an example of a relationship between the current flowing from the power source 4 to the load 3 and a voltage applied from the power source 4 to the load 3. An ammeter 23 outputs the current A flowing from the power source 4 to the load 3, and a voltmeter 24 outputs a voltage V applied from the power source 4 to the load 3. Also, the (in Fig. The control unit 8 (not shown in FIG. 9) receives a value output from the ammeter 23 and a value output from the voltmeter 24. Meanwhile, as the ammeter 23 and the voltmeter 24, an ammeter and a voltmeter each having a shunt resistor with a known resistance embedded therein may be used, or a Hall element may be used. Meanwhile, from the viewpoint of weight or volume, it is advantageous to use those in which a shunt resistor is embedded, and from the viewpoint of measurement accuracy or less influence on a measurement target, it is advantageous to use the Hall element. Also, the ammeter 23 or the voltmeter 24 can output a measured value as a digital value or an analog value.When the ammeter 23 or the voltmeter 24 outputs an analog value, the control unit 8 can convert the analog value into a digital value by an A / D converter.

[0140] The power source 4 and the load 3 are also electrically connected through the circuit, so that when the control unit 8 opens / closes (switches) the switch 25 provided in the circuit, the power supply from the power source 4 to the load 3 is controlled. For example, the switch 25 may consist of at least one of the following elements: a switch, a contactor, and a transistor. Meanwhile, the circuit may also include a DC / DC converter instead of the switch 25 or in addition to the switch 25. In this case, the control unit 8 controls the DC / DC converter, thereby providing the power supply from the power source 4 to the load 3.

[0141] In Fig. 9, the voltmeter 24 is provided closer to the load 3 than the switch 25. However, to use the SOC-OCV method to obtain the SOC of the power source 4, another voltmeter may be provided closer to the power source 4 than the switch 25. The other voltmeter enables an output of an open circuit voltage (OCV) of the power source 4.

[0142] Fig. Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between an output voltage and an output current concerning the remaining amount of the power source 4 in the first sub-phase of the preparation phase. Fig. 10, the horizontal axis indicates the timer value t, and it should be noted that the second sub-phase is omitted after time t1. The vertical axis indicates the voltage or current output by the power source 4. Also in Fig. In Figure 10, the dashed line indicates the voltage and current when the remaining amount of power source 4 is 100%. The solid line indicates the voltage and current when the discharge end voltage or a voltage close to the discharge end voltage is output because the remaining amount of power source 4 is at or close to 0%. Fig. 10 give V full-charged and V E.O.D the full charge voltage or the final discharge voltage of the power source 4.

[0143] In Fig. 10 it is assumed that the duty cycle D1 in the first subphase is 100%.

[0144] If, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the electrical resistance of the circuit for electrically connecting the load 3 and the power source 4 is negligibly small and the circuit does not aim at the power source 4 providing power at the same time as the load 3, the output current corresponding to the remaining amount of the power source 4 is obtained by dividing the output voltage of the power source 4 by a resistance value R of the load 3.

[0145] The Stream I full-charged , which is output when the output voltage of the power source 4 is the full charge voltage, is obtained by the full charge voltage / resistance of the load 3 (V full-charged / R)when the simplified model described above is used.

[0146] The Stream I E.O.D, which is output when the output voltage of the power source 4 is the discharge end voltage, is obtained by the discharge end voltage / resistance of the load 3 (V E.O.D / R) when the simplified model as described above is used.

[0147] In the first sub-phase of the preparatory phase, the current V full-charged / R, which is output when the output voltage of the power source 4 exceeds the full charge voltage V full-charged is greater than the current V E.O.D / R, which is output when the output voltage of the power source 4 exceeds the discharge end voltage V E.O.D is.

[0148] Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the comparison between a temperature change of the load 3 in the preparation phase when a voltage of the power source 4 is the full charge voltage at the beginning of the first sub-phase and a temperature change of the load 4 in the preparation phase when a voltage of the power source 4 is close to the discharge end voltage at the beginning of the first sub-phase, in a case where the duty cycle is constant. In Fig. In FIG. 11, the horizontal axis indicates the timer value t. The vertical axis indicates the temperature or duty cycle of the power supplied to the load 3. As described above, when the power source 4 is near the discharge end voltage, the current supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 and the voltage applied are lower compared to a case where the power source 4 is at the full charge voltage. Therefore, the temperature change of the load 3 in the preparation phase when the power source 4 is at the full charge voltage is greater than the temperature change of the load 3 in the preparation phase when the power source 4 is near the discharge end voltage.

[0149] When the power source 4 is at full charge voltage, the power supplied by the power source 4 to the load 3 in the first sub-phase is expressed by the following equation. W=(Vfull−charged⋅D)2 / R

[0150] On the other hand, when the power source 4 is close to the discharge end voltage, the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the first sub-phase is expressed by the following equation. W=(VE.OD⋅D)2 / R

[0151] In both equations, D indicates the duty cycle of the power supplied to load 3.

[0152] A difference between the two equations is obtained. The difference between the power supplied by power source 4 to load 3 in the first sub-phase when power source 4 is at full charge voltage and the power supplied by power source 4 to load 3 in the first sub-phase when power source 4 is near the end-of-discharge voltage is expressed by the following equation. ΔW={(Vfully−charged⋅D)2−(VE.OD⋅D)2} / R

[0153] For example, if the full charge voltage V full-charged 4.2 V, the final discharge voltage V E.O.D 3.2 V, the electrical resistance value R of the load 3 is 1.0 Ω and the duty cycle D is 100%, the power difference ΔW is 7.4 W.

[0154] For this reason, the temperature of the load 3 at the end of the preparation phase changes depending on the remaining capacity of the power source 4, even if various conditions such as a condition (for example, a contact area and the like) concerning heat transfer between the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9, an initial temperature of the load 3, a heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 and the like are the same.

[0155] Therefore, in Example 1C, the control unit 8 changes the power in the first sub-phase, i.e., the duty cycle, based on the output voltage of the power source 4, thereby suppressing the temperature change of the load 3 at the end of the preparation phase.

[0156] In this example 1C, the control unit 8 can also perform PWM control to make the voltage applied to the load 3 constant, thus eliminating the influence of the output voltage of the power source 4. In PWM control, a pulsed voltage waveform is changed so that a region of an effective voltage waveform remains constant. Here, the effective voltage can be obtained from "applied voltage × duty cycle." In another example, the effective voltage can be obtained from the root mean square (RMS) value.

[0157] Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the output voltage and the output current of the power source 4 when PWM control is performed depending on the remaining amount of the power source 4. In Fig. In Figure 12, the horizontal axis indicates the timer value t, and note that the second subphase is omitted after time t1. The vertical axis indicates the voltage or current output by power source 4.

[0158] In the preparation phase, the control unit 8 performs the control so that an area of ​​a pulsed voltage waveform corresponding to the full charge voltage V full-charged is equal to a region of a voltage waveform corresponding to the discharge end voltage V E.O.D ). corresponds.

[0159] Equation (1) gives a relationship between the duty cycle D full-charged , which corresponds to the full charge voltage V full-charged corresponds to the full charge voltage Vfull-charged , the final discharge voltage V E.O.D and the duty cycle D E.O.D , which corresponds to the final discharge voltage V E.O.D corresponds to. [Equation 1] Dfull_charged=VE.OD⋅DE.O.DVfull_charged=3.2×100%4.2≅0.76

[0160] If in equation (1) the duty cycle D E.O.D , which corresponds to the final discharge voltage V E.O.D is set to 100%, the duty cycle D full-charged , which corresponds to the full charge voltage V full-charged corresponds to 76%.

[0161] In this way, the control unit 8 can suppress the deviation of the temperature of the load 3 at the end of the preparation phase by controlling the duty cycle based on the output voltage of the power source 4 in the first sub-phase including the preparation phase.

[0162] Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the preparation phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 1C.

[0163] The process from step S1301 to step S1303 is the same as the process from step S501 to step S503 in Fig. 5.

[0164] In step S1304, the power source measuring unit 7 measures the output voltage (battery voltage) V Batt the power source 4.

[0165] In step S1305, the processing unit 10 receives the duty cycle D1= (V E.O.D ·D E.O.D ) / V Batt .

[0166] In step S1306, the preparation unit 10 switches the switch 25 provided in the circuit for electrically connecting the load 3 and the power source 4, as shown in Fig. 9, based on the duty cycle value indicating the duty cycle D1, thus controlling the power supplied to load 3.

[0167] The processing from step S1307 to step S1309 is the same as the processing from step S505 to step S507 in Fig. 5.

[0168] In Example 1C, as described above, the duty cycle D1 in the first sub-phase, which includes the preparation phase, is changed according to the output voltage of the power source 4, which is an example of the value related to the remaining amount of the power source 4, so that the deviation in the temperature of the load at the end of the preparation phase can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to stabilize the amount of aerosol generation, as well as the flavor and taste, in the use phase after the preparation phase.

[0169] In Example 1C, the aspect was described in which the output voltage of the power source 4 is used as an example of the value concerning the remaining amount of the power source 4. Instead, the duty cycle D1 in the first sub-phase, which includes the preparation phase, may be changed depending on the SOC of the power source 4, which is another example of the value concerning the remaining amount of the power source 4.

[0170] If the SOC value is used as the value for the remaining amount of the power source 4, the SOC value is defined as 100% when the voltage of the power source 4 is the well-known full charge voltage. On the other hand, the SOC is defined as 0% when the voltage of the power source 4 is the end-of-discharge voltage. Also, the SOC continuously changes from 100% to 0% depending on the remaining amount of the power source 4. When a lithium-ion secondary battery is used as the power source 4, for example, the full charge voltage and the end-of-discharge voltage are 4.2 V and 3.2 V, respectively. However, the full charge voltage and the end-of-discharge voltage of the power source 4 are not limited to this. As described above, the control unit 8 can obtain the SOC of the power source 4 by the SOC-OCV method, the current integration method (Coulomb counting method), or the like. <Beispiel 1D>

[0171] In order to control the temperature of the load 3 at the end of the preparation phase with higher accuracy, the control is preferably performed based on a plurality of initial conditions, for example, on both values ​​related to the temperature of the load 3 and the remaining amount of the power source 4.

[0172] In Example 1D, the feedforward control of obtaining the duty cycle D E.O.D (T HTR ), which corresponds to the final discharge voltage V E.O.D based on the measured temperature value T HTR , obtaining the duty cycle D1 in the first sub-phase, based on the discharge end voltage V E.O.D , the duty cycle D E.O.D (T HTR ) and the battery voltage V Batt , and switching the switch 25 provided in the circuit for electrically connecting the load 3 and the power source 4, as shown in Fig. 9, using the duty cycle D1.

[0173] Fig. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of control performed by the control unit 8 according to Example 1D. In Fig. 14, the horizontal axis indicates the timer value t. The vertical axis indicates the temperature or duty cycle of the power supplied to load 3.

[0174] The left diagram of Fig. 14 graphically represents a relationship between the duty cycle and the change in temperature of the load 3. In the left diagram of Fig. 14, only the duty cycle D1 is changed in the first subphase and the duty cycle D2 in the second subphase. When the duty cycle D1 is set to the large duty cycle shown by the thick solid line, the temperature of load 3 changes, as shown, for example, by the solid line in the upper left diagram of Fig. 14. On the other hand, if the duty cycle D1 is set to the small duty cycle shown by the thin solid line, the temperature of load 3 changes, as shown, for example, by the dashed line in the upper left diagram of Fig. 14. As shown in the left diagram of Fig. As shown in Figure 14, the temperature of the load 3 changes according to the level (height) of the duty cycle D1 in the first sub-phase, that is, the temperature of the load 3 is different at each timer value t.

[0175] That is, even if the initial conditions, such as the values ​​concerning the temperature of the load 3 and the remaining amount of the power source 4, are different, the temperature of the load 3 can still be strongly controlled at the end of the preparation phase if the duty cycle D1 is adjusted in the first sub-phase.

[0176] Therefore, according to Example 1D, the control unit 8 performs the control such that the higher the temperature of the load 3 (initial temperature) at the beginning of the first sub-phase, the smaller the duty cycle D1 in the first sub-phase is, and the lower the temperature of the load 3 at the beginning of the first sub-phase, the larger the duty cycle D1 in the first sub-phase is, as shown in the right diagram of Fig. 14 shown.

[0177] Meanwhile, according to Example 1D, the control unit 8 can change the duty cycle D1 based on the value (for example, the output voltage of the power source 4) concerning the remaining amount of the power source 4, in addition to the temperature of the load 3 at the beginning of the first sub-phase. In this way, as shown in the right diagram of Fig. 14, it is possible to further strongly control the temperature of the load 3 at the end of the preparation phase and to approximate it to a specific value, although the initial conditions, such as the values ​​regarding the temperature of the load 3 and the remaining amount of the power source 4, are different.

[0178] Fig. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an example of control executed by the control unit 8 according to Example 1D.

[0179] In Example 1D, the control unit 8 comprises an initial setting unit 16 and a preparation unit 10.

[0180] The initial setting unit 16 has a relationship between the temperature of the load 3 and the duty cycle D E.O.D which corresponds to the final discharge voltage V E.O.D corresponds.

[0181] The initial setting unit 16 receives the measured temperature value T HTR at the beginning of the first sub-phase from the temperature measuring unit 6 and receives a duty cycle D E.O.D (T HTR ), which corresponds to the final discharge voltage V E.O.D based on the relationship between the temperature and the duty cycle and the measured temperature value T HTR .

[0182] The initial setting unit 16 also outputs the voltage V Batt from the power source measuring unit 7, the duty cycle D1=V E.O.D ·D E.O.D (T HTR ) / V Batt , and outputs the duty instruction value indicating the duty cycle D1 to the preparation unit 10.

[0183] When the timer value t from the timer 5 is input to the preparation unit 10, the preparation unit 10 determines whether the timer value t is in the first sub-phase or the second sub-phase, controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on the duty instruction value indicating the duty cycle D1 in the first sub-phase, and controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on the duty instruction value indicating the duty cycle D2 in the second sub-phase.

[0184] Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the preparation phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 1D.

[0185] The process from step S1601 to step S1603 is the same as the process from step S501 to step S503 in Fig. 5.

[0186] In step S1604, the measured temperature value T startat the beginning of the first sub-phase from the temperature measuring unit 6 into the initial setting unit 16.

[0187] In step S1605, the output voltage V Batt of the power source 4 from the power source measuring unit 7 into the initial setting unit 16.

[0188] In step S1606, the initial setting unit 16 obtains the duty cycle D E.O.D (T start ), which corresponds to the final discharge voltage V E.O.D based on the relationship between the temperature and the duty cycle and the measured temperature value T start , which was entered in step S1604, and obtains the duty cycle D1=V E.O.D ·D E.O.D (T start ) / V Batt , based on the voltage V Batt and the duty cycle D E.O.D (T start ).

[0189] In step S1607, the preparation unit 10 controls the switch 25 provided in the circuit for electrically connecting the load 3 and the power source 4, as shown in Fig. 9, based on the duty cycle D1, and thus controls the power supplied to load 3.

[0190] The processing from step S1608 to step S1610 is the same as the processing from step S505 to step S507 in Fig. 5.

[0191] As described above, according to Example 1D, the control unit 8 changes the duty cycle D1 in the first sub-phase based on the values ​​related to the initial temperature of the load 3 and the remaining amount of the power source 4. Specifically, the initial setting unit 16 obtains the duty cycle D E . O . D (T stare ), which corresponds to the final discharge voltage V E.O.Dbased on the relationship between the temperature and the duty cycle and the measured temperature value T start , and obtains the duty cycle D1 corresponding to the first sub-phase based on the discharge end voltage V E.O.D , the duty cycle D E.O.D (T start )and the voltage V Batt . This makes it possible to further control the temperature of load 3 at the end of the preparation phase, even by the feedforward control in which a control amount of a control target is not used as a feedback component for determining the operation amount. <Beispiel 1E>

[0192] Example 1E describes that the feedforward control is changed based on a deterioration of load 3 in the preparation phase.

[0193] If the total number of uses N sumof the load 3 is increased, deterioration, oxidation phenomenon and the like occur, so that the load 3 is deteriorated. When the load 3 is deteriorated, the electrical resistance value R HTR the load 3 to increase. This means that there is a correlation between the total number of uses N sum , which indicates a deterioration condition of load 3, and the electrical resistance value R HTR the load 3.

[0194] Therefore, in Example 1E, the power of load 3 is provided in such a way that the temperature of load 3 is stable even if the resistance value R HTR is increased due to the deterioration of the load 3. A method for supplying power to the load 3 so that the temperature of the load 3 is stable regardless of the state of deterioration in the load 3 will be described in detail below.

[0195] Where the current flowing through load 3 is called IHTR, the voltage applied to load 3 is called VHTR, the power supplied to load 3 is called P HTR , a resistance of the load as R HTR , the output of power source 4 is denoted as V, and the duty cycle of the power supplied to load 3 is denoted as D, equations (2) and (3) are obtained. Note that VHTR is an effective voltage value. [Equation 2] IHTR=V⋅DRHTR [Equation 3] PHTR=VHTR⋅IHTR=(V⋅D)2RHTR

[0196] Here, the performance is defined as P HTR_new When the load 3 is new (not deteriorated), the resistance is R HTR new , if the load 3 is new, and the duty cycle as D new if load 3 is new.

[0197] The performance is also referred to as P HTR_usedwhen the load 3 is old (deteriorated), the resistance is called R HTR used when the load is 3 old, and the duty cycle is called D used when the load 3 is old.

[0198] The power P HTR_new , if the load 3 is new, is preferably the same as the power P HTR_used if the load 3 is old.

[0199] This gives the following equation (4). [Equation 4] PHTR_new=PHTR_used →(V⋅Dnew)2RHTR_new=(V⋅Dused)2RHTR_used →DusedDnew=RHTR_usedRHTR_new →Dused=RHTR_usedRHTR_new⋅Dnew

[0200] If the correlation between the total number of uses N sum , which indicates a state of deterioration of the load 3, and the electrical resistance value R HTR of load 3 is linear or can be approximated to linear, equation (4) can be rewritten into the following equation (5). [Equation 5] Dused≡α⋅Nsum⋅RHTR_newRHTR_new⋅Dnew=α⋅Nsum⋅Dnew

[0201] If the correlation between the total number of uses N sum , which indicates a deterioration condition of the load 3, and the electrical resistance value R HTR of the load 3 is linear or can be approximated linearly, the control unit 8 can therefore adjust the duty cycle D used , which corresponds to the deteriorated load 3, is obtained based on equation (5) when the total number of uses N sum the load 3 is recorded.

[0202] On the other hand, if the correlation between the total number of uses N sum , which indicates a deteriorated condition of the load 3, and the electrical resistance value R HTR the load 3 is non-linear if the electrical resistance value R HTR the load 3 by the function of the total number of uses N sumthe load 3, equation (4) can be rewritten into the following equation (6). [Equation 6] Dused≡RHTR(Nsum)RHTR(0)⋅Dnew

[0203] So if the correlation between the total number of uses N sum , which indicates a state of deterioration of the load 3, and the electrical resistance value R HTR the load 3 is not linear if the total number of uses N sum of the load 3, the control unit 8 can use equation (6) to determine the duty cycle D used corresponding to the degraded load 3, based on a resistance R(0) of the load 3 whose total number of uses is N sum is zero (load 3 is new), a resistance R(N sum ) of load 3, whose total number of uses N sum and the duty cycle D new if load 3 is new.

[0204] Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the preparation phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 1E.

[0205] The process from step S1701 to step S1703 is the same as the process from step S501 to step S503 in Fig. 5.

[0206] In step S1704, the resistance value R HTR used when the load 3 is deteriorated, is input from the power source measuring unit 7 to the preparation unit 10.

[0207] In step S1705, if the correlation between the total number of uses N sum , which indicates a deterioration condition of the load 3, and the electrical resistance value R HTR of the load 3 is linear or can be approximated linearly, the preparation unit 10 receives the duty cycle D used , which corresponds to the deteriorated load 3, based on the obtained total number of uses N sumof load 3 and equation (5). On the other hand, if the correlation between the total number of uses N sum , which indicates a state of deterioration of the load 3, and the electrical resistance value R HTR of the load 3 is non-linear, the preparation unit 10 uses equation (6) to calculate the duty cycle D used corresponding to the degraded load 3, based on the total number of uses N sum of load 3, the resistance R(0) of load 3, if the total number of uses N sum is zero (load 3 is new), the resistance R(N sum ) of the load 3, if the total number of uses N sum and the duty cycle D new if load 3 is new.

[0208] In step S1706, the preparation unit 10 switches the switch 25 provided in the circuit for electrically connecting the load 3 and the power source 4 as shown in Fig. 9, based on the key instruction value, which determines the duty cycle D used in the first sub-phase, thereby controlling the power supplied to load 3.

[0209] The process from step S1707 to step S1709 is the same as the process from step S505 to step S507 in Fig. 5.

[0210] In Example 1E, as described above, even if the load 3 is increased due to factors such as the increase in the total number of uses N sum the load 3 is deteriorated, the power of the load 3 must be provided so that the temperature of the load 3 is stabilized.

[0211] In this example, the total number of uses N sum of load 3 is used as a physical quantity indicating the state of deterioration of load 3. Instead of the total number of uses N sumHowever, for example, an integrated time of operation of the load 3, an integrated power consumption of the load 3, an integrated amount of aerosol generation of the load 3, an electrical resistance value of the load 3 at predetermined temperatures such as room temperature, and the like may also be used. (Second embodiment)

[0212] In a second embodiment, the control of changing at least one of the gain of the amplifying unit 12 and a limiter width (range) used in the limiter unit 14 in the feedback control executed in the use phase will be described.

[0213] In the aerosol generating device 1 configured to heat the aerosol generating article 9, in order to stabilize the aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9 over time, it is necessary to gradually shift an aerosol generating position of the aerosol generating article 9 away from the vicinity of the load 3 by gradually increasing the temperature of the load 3 or the aerosol generating article 9. This is because, when heating of the aerosol generating article 9 starts, aerosols are generated earlier at a position closer to the load 3 in the aerosol generating article 9, taking into account heat transfer from the load 3 to the aerosol generating article 9.That is, when an aerosol source is completely atomized at a position of the aerosol generating article 9 near the load 3 and the aerosol generation is completed, it is necessary to atomize an aerosol source distant from the load 3 to continuously generate aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9. That is, it is necessary to shift the aerosol generation position from a position of the aerosol generating article 9 near the load 3 to a position of the aerosol generating article 9 far from the load 3 where the aerosol source is not completely atomized because the heat transfer efficiency from the load 3 decreases.

[0214] As described above, the position of the aerosol generating article 9 away from the load 3 is inferior to the position of the aerosol generating article 9 near the load 3 from the perspective of heat transfer. Therefore, when aerosols are to be generated in the position of the aerosol generating article 9 away from the load 3, the load 3 needs to transfer a lot of heat to the aerosol generating article 9 compared to a case where aerosols are generated in the position of the aerosol generating article 9 near the load 3. In other words, when aerosols are to be generated in the position of the aerosol generating article 9 away from the load 3, it is necessary to increase the temperature of the load 3 compared to a case where aerosols are generated in the position of the aerosol generating article 9 close to the load 3.

[0215] In the second embodiment, the control of stabilizing an amount of aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9 over time by shifting the aerosol generating position of the aerosol generating article 9 from a position near the load 3 to a position away from the load will be described.

[0216] For example, when a first heating method is used in which the load 3 heats the aerosol generating article 9 from within the load 3, a central part of the aerosol generating article 9 is the position of the aerosol generating article 9 close to the load 3. Also, an outer peripheral part of the aerosol generating article 9 is the position of the aerosol generating article 9 away from the load 3.

[0217] For example, when a second heating method is used in which the load 3 heats the aerosol generating article 9 from outside the load 3, the outer peripheral part of the aerosol generating article 9 is the position of the aerosol generating article 9 near the load 3. Also, the central part of the aerosol generating article 9 is the position of the aerosol generating article 9 away from the load 3.

[0218] For example, when a third heating method is used in which the load 3 heats the aerosol generating article 9 using induction heating (IH), a position of the aerosol generating article 9 that is in contact with or near a susceptor is the position of the aerosol generating article 9 near the load 3. Also, a position of the aerosol generating article 9 that is not in contact with or away from the susceptor is the position of the aerosol generating article 9 away from the load 3.

[0219] However, when it is intended to gradually increase the temperature of the load 3 or the aerosol generating article 9 by gradually increasing a target temperature in the feedback control, if the measured temperature value temporarily exceeds the target temperature, the temperature increase stagnates at that time, so that the user who inhales aerosols may feel uncomfortable.

[0220] Therefore, in the second embodiment, at least one of the magnification of the gain unit 12 and the limiter width of the limiter unit 14 is gradually increased during the use phase to smoothly increase the temperature of the load 3 or the aerosol generating article 9 without delay, thereby generating stable aerosols. Meanwhile, increasing the gain of the gain unit 12 may mean adjusting a correlation between an output value and an input value of the gain unit 12 so that an absolute value of an output value to an input value input to the gain unit 12 after a gain is increased is larger than an absolute value of the output value to the input value input to the gain unit 12 before a gain is increased.Also, increasing the limiter width of the limiter unit 14 may mean increasing a maximum value that may be regarded as the absolute value of an output value output by the limiter unit 14.

[0221] Comparing the control by the control unit 8 according to the second embodiment and the control by a prior art aerosol generating device, the control by the control unit 8 according to the second embodiment has the feature of performing control while maintaining the end temperature of the use phase constant, rather than the control of increasing, decreasing, and re-increasing the target temperature used in the feedback control. That is, in the second embodiment, since the temperature of the load 3 is lower than the end temperature of the use phase used under the feedback control, the temperature of the load 3 or the aerosol generating article 9 is increased smoothly without delay throughout the entire use phase, so that aerosols are stably generated.

[0222] The control by the control unit 8 according to the second embodiment has the feature that it is not a control of narrowing the limiter width of the limiter unit 14 based on the timer value t. Also, the control by the control unit 8 according to the second embodiment has the feature that it is not a control of increasing the target temperature based on the timer value t while setting the limiter width of the limiter unit 14 to be constant. In other words, in the control by the control unit 8 according to the second embodiment, the limiter width is continuously widened or gradually narrowed without being narrowed as the usage period progresses.

[0223] When the temperature of the load 3 in the use phase is equal to or higher than a value at which the predetermined amount or more of aerosols can be generated by the aerosol generating article 9, the control unit 8 according to the second embodiment, for example, may obtain the temperature of the load 3 and a progress degree of the use phase, execute feedback control so that the temperature of the load 3 converges to a predetermined temperature, and increase an intensification in the feedback control or an upper limit value of the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 as the progress degree of the feedback control progresses. This makes it possible to gradually and stably increase the temperature of the load 3 without delay. That is, it is possible to stabilize the amount of aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9 throughout the use phase.

[0224] Here, the control unit 8 can increase the magnification of the feedback control by changing any element of the proportional control (P), the integral control (I), and the derivative control (D) of the PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) control. The control unit 8 can also increase one gain of the proportional control, the integral control, and the derivative control, or a plurality of gains. The control unit 8 can also increase both the magnification and the upper limit of the power supplied to the load 3.

[0225] The control unit 8 can be configured to increase the magnification or the upper limit as the degree of progress progresses, so that the temperature of the load 3 does not decrease from the beginning of the use phase. This can suppress the reduction of the amount of aerosol generation.

[0226] A gain magnification range or upper limit can be set to a constant value for a progressive range of the progression degree. This can improve the stability of the feedback control.

[0227] The control unit 8 can be configured to change the magnification rate of the gain value or the upper limit value to the advancing width of the progression level. This makes it possible to generate an amount of aerosols corresponding to the progression level.

[0228] The control unit 8 can be configured to increase the magnification rate as the degree of progress increases. This makes it possible to avoid reducing the amount of aerosol generation. It is also possible to shorten the period during which the load 3 is at high temperatures, thus preventing overheating of the load 3 and the aerosol generation device 1, thereby improving the service life of the load 3 and the aerosol generation device 1. Since the period during which the load 3 is at high temperatures is short, it is also possible to simplify the adiabatic structure of the aerosol generation device 1. In particular, when the aerosol generation device 1 adopts the second heating method, it is possible to simplify the adiabatic structure.

[0229] The control unit 8 can be configured to reduce the magnification rate as the degree of progress increases. This makes it possible to extend a period in which the load 3 is at high temperatures, so that it is possible not to reduce the amount of aerosol generation. Since it is possible to extend the period in which the load 3 is at high temperatures, it is possible to increase the amount of aerosols generated by an aerosol generation article 9. Also, by increasing the magnification or the upper limit for a long period, it is possible to quickly compensate for the temperature drop (e.g., temperature drop) caused by the user inhaling (or breathing in) aerosols, thus compensating for the temperature of the load 3.This means that it is possible to stabilize the amount of aerosols generated by an aerosol generating article 9 throughout the entire usage phase.

[0230] The control unit 8 may be configured to determine the magnification or upper limit value corresponding to the progress degree based on a first relationship (correlation) that the magnification or upper limit value increases with increasing progress degree, and to change the first relationship based on a change in the progress degree over time. This makes it possible to change the degree of increase of the gain or the upper limit value in accordance with the progress degree of the progress degree and to supply an appropriate amount of power to the load 3 in accordance with the actual progress degree, thus making it possible to stabilize the amount of aerosol generation.

[0231] The control unit 8 can be configured to change the first relationship so that the gain or upper limit is increased as the degree of progress increases. If the gain or upper limit is not decreased, it is possible to maintain the amount of aerosol generation.

[0232] When the progress rate is delayed compared to a predetermined progress rate, the control unit 8 may change the first relationship to increase the magnification width of the boost or upper limit value according to the progressive width of the progress rate, and may set the temperature of the load 3 as the progress rate. By further delaying the increase in the temperature of the load 3, it is possible to slightly increase the temperature of the load 3, thus making it possible to suppress the amount of aerosol generation that is reduced.

[0233] As the progress degree progresses further compared to a predetermined progress degree, the control unit 8 may change the first relationship so that the magnification width of the gain or the upper limit corresponding to the progressing width of the progress degree decreases, and may set the temperature of the load 3 as the progress degree. This makes it difficult to increase the temperature of the load 3 as the temperature of the load 3 progresses further, thus suppressing an increase in the amount of aerosol generation.

[0234] When the progress rate is delayed compared to a predetermined progress rate, the control unit 8 may change the first relationship so that the magnification width of the gain or the upper limit corresponding to the progress rate decreases, and may set the progress rate to include at least a number of times of aerosol inhalation, a quantity of aerosol inhalation, and a quantity of aerosol generation. For example, when the aerosol inhalation rate is delayed compared to a predetermined progress rate, it is assumed that the aerosol source near the load 3 is not depleted. In this case, if the magnification width of the gain or the upper limit is reduced, it is possible to effectively utilize the aerosol source in the aerosol generation article 9.

[0235] When the progress degree progresses further compared to a predetermined progress degree, the control unit 8 may change the first relationship so that the magnification width of the gain or the upper limit corresponding to the progressing width of the progress degree increases, and may adjust the progress degree to include at least a number of times of aerosol inhalation, a quantity of aerosol inhalation, and a quantity of aerosol generation. For example, when the progress degree progresses further compared to a predetermined progress degree, it is assumed that the aerosol generation position of the aerosol generation article 9 is shifted to a position farther away from the load 3 than expected.In this case, even if the magnification range of the magnification or the upper limit is increased, it is possible to positively generate aerosols from the aerosol generation position away from the load 3.

[0236] The control unit 8 can be configured to temporarily change the first relation or change a part of the first relation. If the magnification width of the increment or the upper limit is temporarily changed and then returned to the original magnification width, the stability of the control can be improved.

[0237] The control unit 8 can be configured to change an entire part of the first relation after the last progress degree has been received by the control unit 8. If the magnification width of the increment or the upper limit is changed completely, in this case, the possibility of having to perform the change again can be reduced.

[0238] In the meantime, the control unit 8 can be configured to change the entire first relation comprising the progress level that is further back than the last progress level.

[0239] The control unit 8 may be configured to change part of the first relationship according to the last progress degree received by the control unit 8, and to set a relationship between the progress degree and the gain or upper limit value at the end of the usage phase to be the same before and after the change of the first relationship. In this case, if the gain or upper limit value does not change at the end of the usage phase, it is possible to largely suppress the amount of power supplied to the load 3, thereby improving the stability of the control.

[0240] The predetermined temperature may be a temperature of the load 3 necessary to generate aerosols from the aerosol source or the aerosol-generating substrate 9a included in the assembled aerosol generating article 9 and located at a position farthest from the load 3. This makes it possible to effectively generate aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9.

[0241] When the temperature of the load 3 reaches the specified temperature, the control unit 8 can terminate the use phase. This makes it possible to prevent overheating of the aerosol generating article 9.

[0242] When the temperature of load 3 reaches the specified temperature or when the degree of progress reaches the specified threshold, the control unit 8 can terminate the use phase. This makes it possible to terminate the feedback control more safely.

[0243] When the temperature of the load 3 reaches the predetermined temperature and the degree of progress reaches a predetermined threshold, the control unit 8 can terminate the use phase. This makes it possible to generate more aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9, with the end condition strictly set within a suitable range.

[0244] The control unit 8 can be configured to increase the increment or the upper limit value so that a period of time in which the temperature of the load 3 is lower than the predetermined temperature is longer than a period of time in which the temperature of the load 3 is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature in the usage phase. In this case, if the period in which the temperature of the load 3 is not close to the predetermined temperature is longer than the period in which the temperature of the load 3 is close to the predetermined temperature, it is possible to suppress the increase in the amount of aerosol generation.

[0245] The degree of progress can be the time of the usage phase, the number of aerosol inhalations, the amount of aerosol generation or the temperature of the load 3 according to the control of the control unit 8.

[0246] The control unit 8 according to the second embodiment is configured to increase the magnification of the feedback control or the upper limit of the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3, so that the temperature of the load 3 gradually approaches from a first temperature at which the predetermined amount or more of aerosols can be generated from the aerosol source or the aerosol-forming substrate 9a included in the aerosol-generating article 9 and located at a position closest to the load 3, to a second temperature at which the predetermined amount or more of aerosols can be generated from the aerosol source or the aerosol-forming substrate 9a included in the aerosol-generating article 9 and located at a position farthest from the load 3, for example.Thereby, the control unit 8 can effectively perform the aerosol generation over the entire range from a position near the load 3 to a position of the aerosol generating article 9 which is away from the load 3 through the feedback control.

[0247] For example, if the temperature of the load 3 in the use phase is equal to or greater than a value at which the predetermined amount or more of aerosols can be generated by the aerosol generating article 9, the control unit 8 according to the second embodiment may obtain the temperature of the load 3 and the progress degree of the use phase, determine the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 based on a difference between the temperature of the load 3 and the predetermined temperature, and execute feedback control so that a rate of change in the power supply amount with the progress of the use phase is greater than a rate of change in the predetermined temperature with the progress of the use phase. Meanwhile, the rate of change may also include a state where the rate of change is zero, that is, no change occurs.This makes it possible to increase the temperature of load 3 gradually and stably without delay.

[0248] For example, if in the use phase, the temperature of the load 3 is equal to or greater than a value at which the predetermined amount or more of aerosols can be generated by the aerosol generating article 9, the control unit 8 according to the second embodiment may detect the temperature of the load 3 and the progress degree of the use phase, and determine the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 based on a difference between the temperature of the load 3 and the predetermined temperature, and perform feedback control such that a value obtained by subtracting the temperature of the load 3 from the predetermined temperature decreases with the progress of the use phase and the amount of power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 increases with the progress of the use phase.This makes it possible to increase the temperature of load 3 gradually and stably without delay.

[0249] The various controls by the control unit 8 can also be implemented by the control unit 8 executing the program.

[0250] Regarding the second embodiment, specific examples of the control are further described in the following Embodiments 2A to 2F. <Beispiel 2A>

[0251] Fig. 18 is a control block diagram showing an example of control executed by the control unit 8 according to Example 2A.

[0252] The limiter changing unit 13 of the control unit 8 maintains the first relationship in which an input parameter, including at least a timer value t, the measured temperature value of the load 3, and a puff profile, and the limiter width of the limiter unit 14 are linked. The timer value t, the measured temperature value of the load 3, and the puff profile are examples of the value indicating the degree of progress of the usage phase. Instead, other physical quantities or variables that tend to increase according to the degree of progress of the usage phase may be used.

[0253] Example 2A describes a case where the timer value t, the temperature measurement, and the puff profile are used as input parameters. However, a portion of the timer value t, the temperature measurement, and the puff profile can also be used as input parameters.

[0254] The connection between the input parameter and the delimiter width can be managed by a table or a data structure, such as a list structure, and a function can be used that affects the input parameter and the delimiter width. The same applies to a variety of connections described later.

[0255] In the use phase, the control unit 8 uses the input of the timer value t from the timer 5 and the input of the temperature measurement value indicating the temperature of the load 3 from the temperature measurement unit 6.

[0256] The control unit 8 detects the user's inhalation based on an output value of a sensor configured to detect a physical quantity that changes with the user's inhalation, such as a flow sensor, a flow rate sensor, and a pressure sensor provided in the aerosol generating device 1, and generates a puff profile indicating an inhalation state, such as the number of time-series inhalations of the user or an amount of inhalation.

[0257] The control unit 8 includes the limiter changing unit 13, the differential unit 11, the amplifying unit 12 and the limiter unit 14.

[0258] The limiter changing unit 13 determines an enlargement width of the limiter width used in the limiter unit 14 based on the input parameter, and gradually enlarges the limiter width as the use phase progresses.

[0259] For example, in Example 2A, the limiter changing unit 13 is not allowed to change the limiter width. In other words, when changing the limiter width, the limiter changing unit 13 is only allowed to widen the limiter width. Also, in the following Examples 2B to 2F of the second embodiment, the limiter width used in the limiter changing unit 13 is not allowed to narrow.

[0260] Specifically, the limiter changing unit 13 changes the limiter width of the limiter unit 14 so that a width between a maximum value of the limiter and a minimum value of the limiter is increased as the timer value t is increased.

[0261] The differential unit 11 receives a difference between the temperature value measured by the temperature measurement unit 6 and the end temperature of the usage phase. In this example 2A, it is assumed that the end temperature of the usage phase is a fixed value that the temperature of the load 3 is intended to reach at the end of the usage phase, for example, through feedback control.

[0262] Based on the difference between the measured temperature value and the end temperature of the use phase, the amplification unit 12 obtains a duty cycle at which the difference is reduced or eliminated. In other words, the amplification unit 12 outputs to the limiting unit 14 a duty cycle that has a correlation between a difference between the measured temperature value and the end temperature of the use phase and the duty cycle, and corresponds to a difference between the input measured temperature value and the end temperature of the use phase.

[0263] The limiter unit 14 controls such that the duty cycle obtained from the gain unit 12 includes the limiter width. Specifically, when the duty cycle obtained from the gain unit 12 exceeds the maximum value of the limiter width obtained from the limiter changing unit 13, the limiter unit 14 sets the duty cycle as the maximum value of the limiter width, and when the obtained duty cycle falls below the minimum value of the limiter width obtained from the limiter changing unit 13, the limiter unit 14 limits the duty cycle to the minimum value of the limiter width. As a result of the limiter processing, the limiter unit 14 outputs a duty operation value indicating the duty cycle included in the limiter width, for example, to the Fig. 3. The key operation value is a value obtained as a result of feedback control by the control unit 8.

[0264] Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 2A.

[0265] In step S1901, the control unit 8 inputs the timer value t from the timer 5.

[0266] In step S1902, the control unit 8 determines whether the timer value t is equal to or greater than the time t thre which indicates the end of the usage phase.

[0267] If it is determined that the timer value t is equal to or greater than the time t thre (a determination result in step S1902 is positive), the control unit 8 stops supplying power to the load 3 and ends the usage phase.

[0268] If it is determined that the timer value t is not equal to or greater than the time t thre (a determination result in step S1902 is negative), the difference unit 11 of the control unit 8 receives a difference ΔT in step S1903 HTR between the end temperature of the usage phase of the load 3 and the temperature measurement value input by the temperature measuring unit 6.

[0269] In step S1904, the limiter changing unit 13 of the control unit 8 determines the increase of the magnification width of the limiter width used in the limiter unit 14 based on at least one of the timer value t, the measured temperature value, and the puff profile, and changes the limiter width.

[0270] In step S1905, the amplification unit 12 of the control unit 8 obtains the duty ratio (the duty operation value) D cmd based on the difference ΔT HTR. If a correlation between the input value and the output value in the amplification unit 12 is referred to as a function K, the processing of the amplification unit 12 can be represented by D cmd =K(ΔT HTR ). In particular, if the correlation between the input value and the output value in the gain unit 12 is linear, when a gain coefficient, which is a gradient of the correlation, is denoted as K, the processing of the gain unit 12 can be represented by D cmd =K × ΔT HTR be expressed.

[0271] In step S1906, the amplification unit 14 of the control unit 8 performs the limiter processing so that the duty cycle D obtained from the amplification unit 12 cmd falls within the limiter width of the amplification unit 14, whereby a duty cycle D processed by the limiter cmdd receives.

[0272] In step S1907, the control unit 8 controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on a duty instruction value that determines the duty cycle D cmdd and then the processing returns to step S1901. In the meantime, the duty cycle D cmdd also be applied to the switch 25 provided between the power source 4 and the load 3 or to the DC / DC converter provided between the power source 4 and the load 3.

[0273] In the above processing, the order of step S1904 and step S1905 may be reversed.

[0274] In the control performed by the control unit 8 according to Example 2A, the limiter width used in the limiter unit 14 is changed to be gradually widened each time the use phase progresses, and the temperature of the load 3 is controlled based on the duty cycle D cmddcontrolled within the limiter width. This makes it possible to increase the temperature of the load 3 or the aerosol generating article 9 without delay, making it possible to generate aerosols stably. <Beispiel 2B>

[0275] In Example 2B, a control is described in which the limiter changing unit 13 determines the enlargement width of the limiter width based on a determination of whether a heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 is larger than expected with the time course of the usage phase, and changes the limiter width.

[0276] In Example 2B, the heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 can also be strictly obtained from a mass and a specific heat of the aerosol generating article 9. As another example, the heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 can be treated as a physical quantity that depends on the compositions or structures of the aerosol-generating substrate 9a, the flavor source, and the aerosol source provided in the aerosol generating article 9, and has a larger value as the residual amounts of the aerosol generating article 9, the flavor source, and the aerosol source are larger. That is, when the aerosol generating article 9 is heated by the load 3, at least a portion of the aerosol-generating substrate 9a and the flavor source or the aerosol source is consumed, so the heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 tends to decrease with the progress of the usage period.In other words, the heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 is assumed to indicate an amount of aerosols that can be generated by the aerosol generating article 9, a residual amount of aerosols that can be inhaled by the user of the aerosol generating device 1, the number of remaining inhalations, or an amount of heat that can be applied to the aerosol generating article 9 by the aerosol generating device 1. Note that the heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 is not zero even if an amount of aerosols that can be generated by the aerosol generating article 9, a residual amount of aerosols that can be inhaled by the user of the aerosol generating device 1, or the number of remaining inhalations is zero.

[0277] The control unit 8 and / or the limiter changing unit 13 according to Example 2B can determine, based on the measured temperature value or the puff profile, whether the heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 is greater than expected as the time series of the usage phase progresses. For example, the control unit 8 and / or the limiter changing unit 13 according to Example 2B stores in advance ideal time series data about the temperature of the load 3 or the aerosol generating article 9 in the usage phase, the number of inhalations by the user of the aerosol generating device 1 in the usage phase, or an integrated value of the amount of inhalation. By comparing the ideal time series data and the measured temperature value or the puff profile, it can be determined whether the heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 is greater than expected as the time series of the usage phase progresses.

[0278] In particular, if the measured temperature value is delayed relative to the ideal time series data, the control unit 8 and / or the limiter changing unit 13 may determine that the heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 is greater than expected. On the other hand, the control unit 8 and / or the limiter changing unit 13 may determine that the heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 is lower than expected as the measured temperature value progresses relative to the ideal time series data.

[0279] In other words, in a state where the heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 is large, the measured temperature value is estimated to be small. On the other hand, in a state where the heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 is not large (small), the measured temperature value is estimated to be large.

[0280] When the measured temperature value is small, the limiter changing unit 13 increases the enlargement width of the limiter width.

[0281] When the measured temperature value is large, the limiter changing unit 13 narrows the enlargement width of the limiter width.

[0282] Meanwhile, if the puff profile is delayed compared to the ideal time series data, the control unit 8 and / or the limiter changing unit 13 may determine that the heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 is greater than expected. If the user does not inhale the aerosol generating device 1 more than expected, this will be clearly evident from the delay in the puff profile. Therefore, it should be noted that by expanding the limiter width magnification, it is less necessary to increase or maintain the amount of aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9.

[0283] Even if the puff profile progresses relative to the ideal time series data, the control unit 8 and / or the limiter changing unit 13 may determine that the heat capacity of the aerosol generating article 9 is smaller than expected. If the user inhales the aerosol generating device 1 more than expected, this will be clearly evident from the progression of the puff profile. Therefore, it should be noted that in order to increase or maintain the amount of aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9, it is necessary to positively expand the magnification width of the limiter width by expanding the magnification width of the limiter width.

[0284] When the puff profile is delayed, the limiter changing unit 13 narrows the enlargement width of the limiter width.

[0285] As the puff profile progresses, the limiter changing unit 13 increases the enlargement width of the limiter width.

[0286] Meanwhile, as described above, even if one of the measured temperature values ​​and the puff profile is used for the progress degree of the use phase, in Example 2B, the limiter changing unit 13 does not narrow the limiter width with the progress of the use phase.

[0287] Fig. 20 shows an example of changing the limiter width in the limiter changing unit 13 in accordance with Example 2B. In Fig. 20, the upwardly sloping dashed line indicates the increase in the limiter width magnification before changing. In a first example of changing the limiter width, indicated by the dashed line in Fig. 20, the limiter changing unit 13 temporarily expands or decreases the enlargement width of the limiter width based on the input parameter, and then returns the enlargement width of the limiter width to the state before changing, which is indicated by the downward sloping dashed line in Fig. 20. Note that the limiter changing unit 13 does not output the enlargement width of the limiter width before changing, which is shown with the dashed line, in an area where the limiter width shown with the dashed line in the first limiter width changing example is applied.

[0288] In a second example of changing the limiter width, which is shown with the solid line in Fig. As shown in Figure 20, the limiter changing unit 13 expands or decreases the increase width of the limiter width based on the input parameter, and then maintains the change in the limiter width by the increase width. In other words, in the second change example, the axes of the function including the limiter width and the input parameter are changed smoothly.

[0289] In a third example of changing the limiter width, which is shown with the dashed-dotted line in Fig. 20, the limiter changing unit 13 increases or decreases the enlargement width of the limiter width based on the input parameter, and then changes the enlargement width of the limiter width to be a limiter width expected at the end of the use period.

[0290] Fig. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 2B. In Fig. 21 shows an example of a case where the enlargement width of the limiter width is determined based on the puff profile or the measured temperature value, and the limiter width is changed based on the determined enlargement width.

[0291] The processing of step S2101 and step S2102 is the same as the processing of step S1901 and step S1902 in Fig. 19.

[0292] If it is determined in step S2102 that the timer value t is not equal to or greater than the time t thre (a determination result is negative), the puff profile or the temperature measurement value is input to the limiter changing unit 13, for example, in step S2103.

[0293] In step S2104, the limiter changing unit 13 determines whether the input puff profile or temperature measurement value is within an assumed range (within a predetermined range). Meanwhile, the description "the input puff profile or measured temperature value is within an assumed range" indicates that there is no deviation between the ideal time series data and the input puff profile or measured temperature value, or that there is a slight deviation.

[0294] If it is determined that the puff profile or the temperature measurement value is within the assumed range (a determination result in step S2104 is positive), the processing proceeds to step S2106.

[0295] When it is determined that the puff profile or the temperature measurement value is not within the assumed range (a determination result in step S2104 is negative), the limiter changing unit 13 changes the enlargement width of the limiter width in step S2105, and the processing proceeds to step S2106.

[0296] The processing from step S2106 to step S2110 is the same as the processing from step S1903 to step S1907 in Fig. 19.

[0297] The above-described effects of the operation of Example 2B are described.

[0298] The aerosol generation rate by the aerosol generating device 1 varies from user to user. Also, there is an inevitable product error between the aerosol generating device 1 and / or the aerosol generating article 9. In Example 2B, the magnification of the limiter width used using the limiter unit 14 is changed based on the degree of progress of the usage phase to correct / absorb the error based on the user's aerosol inhalation rate and the product error. This makes it possible to stabilize the aerosol generation control. <Beispiel 2C>

[0299] It is possible to prevent overheating of the aerosol generating article 9 by, for example, suppressing the period in which the load 3 has high temperatures.

[0300] Meanwhile, it is possible to promote aerosol generation in a position of the aerosol generating article 9 away from the load 3 by extending the period in which the load 3 has high temperatures.

[0301] Therefore, in Example 2C, it is described that the enlargement width of the limiter width is increased or decreased and the temperature of the load 3 is controlled in order to prevent overheating of the aerosol generating article 9 or to promote aerosol generation.

[0302] In order to generate aerosols stably throughout the entire usage phase, it is necessary to generate aerosols from a position of the aerosol generating article 9 that is away from the load 3 over time from the start of aerosol generation.

[0303] When, as described above, a position of the aerosol generating article 9 remote from the load 3 is exposed to a temperature suitable for aerosol generation, it is necessary to expose the load 3 to higher temperatures than at the start of aerosol generation.

[0304] The control unit 8 controls the load 3 so that it reaches the end temperature of the usage phase at the end of the usage phase. However, it is possible to prevent overheating of the load 3 because the period during which the load is maintained at the end temperature of the usage phase is shorter.

[0305] Meanwhile, there is a case where the load 3 is preferably kept at high temperatures for a long time to generate a sufficient amount of aerosols even in a position away from the load 3.

[0306] Fig. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a change in the limiter width used in the limiter unit 14 and a state of increasing the temperature of the load 3. In Fig. 22, the horizontal axis indicates the timer value t. The vertical axis indicates the temperature or limiter width.

[0307] A line L 28A indicates that the smaller the timer value (time) t, the smaller the limiter width magnification range, and the larger the timer value t, the larger the limiter width magnification range. A temperature change applied to the line L 28A corresponds to a line L 28B . The line L 28Bshows that an increase in the temperature of the load 3 occurs slowly and the temperature of the load 3 is increased as it approaches the end of the usage phase. The limiter changing unit 13 can prevent an overheated condition of the load 3 by changing the increase width of the limiter width so that it corresponds to the line L 28A and the line L 28B follows.

[0308] In the meantime, a line L 28C indicates that the smaller the timer value (time) t, the larger the limiter width enlargement range, and the larger the timer value t, the smaller the limiter width enlargement range. A temperature change applied to the line L 28C corresponds to a line L 28D . The line L 28Dshows that an increase in the temperature of the load 3 occurs quickly and the period during which the temperature of the load 3 is maintained near the end temperature of the use phase is extended. The limiter changing unit 13 can generate a sufficient amount of aerosols from a position of the aerosol generating article 9 remote from the load 3 by changing the increase width of the limiter width so that it corresponds to the line L. 28C and the line L 28D follows.

[0309] Fig. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a change in the limiter width according to Example 2C.

[0310] The limiter changing unit 13 basically changes the limiter width based on, for example, the timer value t, and determines the enlargement width of the limiter width at the time of changing the limiter width based on the puff profile and / or the measured temperature value.

[0311] A line L 29A indicates an extended state of the limiter width enlargement, and a line L 29B indicates a narrowed state of the limiter width enlargement width.

[0312] In example 2C described above, the limiter width enlargement width is changed depending on the degree of progress, thereby preventing overheating of load 3.

[0313] Also in Example 2C, it is possible to effectively generate aerosols in the position of the aerosol generating article 9 remote from the load 3. <Beispiel 2D>

[0314] In Example 2A to Example 2C, the limiter changing unit 13 changes the limiter width used in the limiter unit 14.

[0315] In contrast, in Example 2D, the gain of the gain unit 12 is changed based on the input parameter, which includes at least a timer value t, the temperature of the load 3, and the puff profile.

[0316] Fig. 24 is a control block diagram showing an example of control executed by the control unit 8 according to Example 2D.

[0317] A gain unit 17, provided in the control unit 8 according to Example 2D, changes a gain used in the gain unit 12 based on the input parameter, which includes at least one of the timer value t, the measured temperature value, and the puff profile. The change in the gain includes, for example, a change in a characteristic of the controller, a change in a gain function, and a change in a value included in a gain function. The gain function has a second relationship in which, for example, a difference between the end temperature of the use phase and the measured temperature value and a duty cycle corresponding to the difference are linked.

[0318] When the amplification unit 17 changes a gain used in the amplification unit 12, a duty cycle obtained using the differential input from the differential unit 11 may be changed based on the input parameter.

[0319] Fig. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 2D.

[0320] The process from step S2501 to step S2503 is the same as the process from step S1901 to step S1903 in Fig. 19.

[0321] In step S2504, the gain changing unit 17 of the control unit 8 changes a gain of the gain unit 12 based on the input parameter.

[0322] The processing from step S2505 to step S2507 is the same as the processing from step S1905 to step S1907 in Fig. 19.

[0323] In Example 2D, as described above, the gain of the amplification unit 12 is changed except for the limiter width of the limiter unit 14 to stabilize the control of aerosol generation. <Beispiel 2E>

[0324] In Example 2E, an end condition of the use phase is that the measured temperature value is equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature, and the control of terminating the use phase when the measured temperature value is equal to or greater than the predetermined temperature is described. For example, herein, the predetermined temperature may be equal to or higher than the end temperature of the use phase of the load 3. The predetermined temperature may be the temperature of the load 3 necessary to generate aerosols from the aerosol source or the aerosol-generating substrate 9a contained in the aerosol-generating article 9 and located in the position farthest from the load 3, for example, as described above.

[0325] Fig. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 2E.

[0326] The processing from step S2601 to step S2607 is the same as the processing from step S1901 to step S1907 in Fig. 19.

[0327] When it is determined in step S2602 that the timer value t is equal to or greater than the time t3 (a determination result is positive), the control unit 8 determines in step S2608 whether the measured temperature value is equal to or greater than the predetermined temperature.

[0328] When it is determined that the measured temperature value is equal to or greater than the predetermined temperature (a determination result in step S2608 is positive), the control unit 8 stops the power supply to the load 3 and ends the use phase.

[0329] When it is determined that the measured temperature value is not equal to or greater than the predetermined temperature (a determination result in step S2608 is negative), the control unit 8 repeats step S2608.

[0330] In Example 2E, as described above, the use phase is terminated when the measured temperature value is equal to or greater than the predetermined temperature.

[0331] In particular, in Example 2E, the end condition of the use phase is the condition where the timer value t is equal to or greater than the time t thre and the measured temperature value is equal to or greater than the predetermined temperature.

[0332] The final condition is strictly set so that it is possible to generate more aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9 while preventing the aerosol generating article 9 from being overheated.

[0333] In the meantime, the condition where the timer value t is equal to or greater than the time t can also be used as the end condition of the use phase. thre as described in Examples 2A to 2C.

[0334] As an end condition of the usage phase, one of the states can also be used where the timer value t is equal to or greater than the time t thre or the state in which the measured temperature value is equal to or greater than the specified temperature. This makes it possible to safely end the usage phase, preventing overheating of the aerosol generating article 9. <Beispiel 2F>

[0335] In Example 2F, features of the control by the control unit 8 in the use phase in the second embodiment are described.

[0336] Fig. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of the comparison between a final temperature of the use phase according to the second embodiment and a target temperature according to an aerosol generating device of the related art. In Fig. 27, the horizontal axis indicates the timer value t. The vertical axis indicates the temperature or power. Power can also be specified by the duty cycle, for example.

[0337] For example, in the prior art aerosol generating device, as described with a line L 33A shown, the increase in the target temperature of the load 3 and / or the aerosol generating article 9 is controlled over time.

[0338] In contrast, in the control performed by the control unit 8 of the second embodiment, as with a line L 33B As shown, the final temperature of the use phase is constant, ie, it does not change. In the second embodiment, the magnification range of the power supplied to the load 3 is gradually increased, as with a line L 33C shown.

[0339] In other words, in the control executed by the control unit 8 of the second embodiment, a change rate of the power supplied to the load 3 with the progress of the use phase is larger than a change rate of the end temperature of the use phase with the progress of the use phase.

[0340] Fig. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of comparing a difference between the end temperature of the use phase and the measured temperature value according to the second embodiment and a difference between the target temperature and the measured temperature value according to the aerosol generating device of the related art. Fig. 28, the horizontal axis indicates the timer value t. The vertical axis indicates the difference or power.

[0341] For example, in the aerosol generating device of the related art, as provided with a line L 34A shown, the temperature of the load 3 is directly controlled so that a value obtained by subtracting the measured temperature value from the target temperature is reduced.

[0342] In contrast, in the control performed by the control unit 8 of the second embodiment, as with a line L 34B shown, a value obtained by subtracting the measured temperature value from the final temperature of the use phase, with the increase of the timer value t, ie with time, reduced.

[0343] In this way, in the control performed by the control unit 8 of the second embodiment, the value obtained by subtracting the measured temperature value from the end temperature of the use phase decreases with the progress of the use phase, and the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 increases simultaneously with the progress of the use phase. (Third embodiment)

[0344] In a third embodiment, a case will be described in which the aerosol generating device 1 executes various controls in multiple phases, and the multiple phases include a first phase executed first and a second phase executed later than the first phase.

[0345] The aerosol generating device 1 according to the third embodiment includes the load 3 configured to heat the aerosol generating article 9 using the energy supplied from the energy source 4, and the control unit 8 configured to control the energy supplied from the energy source 4 to the load 3 in multiple phases, in which different control modes are executed. The control modes are different in the multiple phases concerning the heating of the aerosol generating article 9, so that a control mode having a characteristic suitable for a phase can be used, and the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 heated by the load 3 can be further highly controlled. Therefore, even with an aerosol generating article 9 having a complicated structure, it is possible to highly control the aerosols to be generated.

[0346] For example, as described in the first and second embodiments, the control unit 8 may be configured to execute a first feedforward control in the first phase and to execute at least one of a second feedforward control and the feedback control in the second phase. In this way, the control by the control unit 8 is shifted from feedforward control to feedback control, so that it is possible to simultaneously realize the rapid increase in the temperature of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 through the feedforward control and the stable aerosol generation through the feedback control, which are contradictory effects.

[0347] The number of control modes used in the second phase can be greater than the number of control modes used in the first phase. This makes it possible to achieve stable aerosol generation using a variety of control modes after the transition from the first phase to the second phase.

[0348] A time for executing the first phase may be shorter than a time for executing the second phase if the rate of temperature increase of the load 3 is lower than in the first phase. This shortens the execution time in the phase in which the temperature increase of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 occurs faster, making it possible to generate aerosols early.

[0349] The time for executing the first phase can be shorter than the time for executing the second phase when the temperature of the load or an average temperature of the load is higher than in the first phase. This shortens the execution time in the phase where the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9, or the average temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9, are lower, so that it is possible to generate aerosols early.

[0350] The amount of power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the first phase may be smaller than the amount of power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the second phase, where the temperature increase rate of the load 3 is lower than in the first phase. This reduces the amount of power consumed in the phase where the increase rate of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 is higher, making it possible to utilize the efficiency of the power source 4 for aerosol generation.

[0351] The amount of power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the first phase may be smaller than the amount of power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the second phase, in which the temperature of the load or an average temperature of the load is higher than in the first phase. This reduces the amount of power consumed in the phase in which the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 or the average temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 are lower, so that it is possible to improve the efficiency of the power source 4 for aerosol generation using.

[0352] The power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the first phase can be greater than the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the second phase, in which the temperature increase rate of the load 3 is lower than in the first phase. Thus, the power consumed in the first phase is greater than the power consumed in the second phase, so it is possible to quickly generate aerosols in the first phase, stably generate a preferred amount of aerosols in the second phase, and suppress the power consumed in the second phase.

[0353] The power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the first phase may be higher than the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the second phase if the temperature of the load or an average temperature of the load is higher than that in the first phase. In this way, the power consumed in the first phase is greater than the power consumed in the second phase, making it possible to quickly generate aerosols in the first phase, stably generate a preferred amount of aerosols in the second phase, and suppress the power consumed in the second phase.

[0354] The temperature increase rate of load 3 in the second phase can be lower than the temperature increase rate of load 3 in the first phase, and the number of conditions for terminating the second phase when it is met can be greater than the number of conditions for terminating the first phase when it is met. This allows for a stable termination of aerosol generation.

[0355] The rate of increase in the temperature of the load 3 in the second phase may be lower than the rate of increase in the temperature of the load 3 in the first phase, and the number of end conditions that should be met to end the second phase may be greater than the number of end conditions that should be met to end the first phase. By more accurately determining the end of the second phase, it is possible to sufficiently secure the time in which the second phase is executed, thereby generating more aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9.

[0356] The temperature or average temperature of load 3 in the second phase may be higher than the temperature or average temperature of load 3 in the first phase, and the number of conditions for terminating the second phase, if met, may be greater than the number of conditions for terminating the first phase, if met. This makes it possible to stably terminate aerosol generation.

[0357] The temperature or average temperature of the load 3 in the second phase may be higher than the temperature or average temperature of the load 3 in the first phase, and the number of end conditions that should be met to end the second phase may be greater than the number of end conditions that should be met to end the first phase. By more accurately determining the end of the second phase, it is possible to sufficiently secure the time in which the second phase is executed, thereby generating more aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9.

[0358] The plurality of phases include the first phase and the second phase in which the rate of increase of the temperature of the load 3 is lower than in the first phase, and the number of variables obtained by the control unit 8 before the execution of the first phase or before the increase of the temperature of the load 3 in the first phase and used in the control of the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the first phase may be greater than the number of variables obtained by the control unit 8 before the execution of the second phase or before the increase of the temperature of the load 3 in the second phase and used in the control of the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in the second phase.As a result, the environmental settings at the beginning of the phase increase in the phase where the temperature increase rate is higher, so that it is possible to increase the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 more stably and quickly.

[0359] The multiple phases include a phase in which the temperature increase rate of the load 3 is the lowest, and the control unit 8 may not obtain variables used in controlling the power supplied to the load 3 in the lowest phase from the power source 4 before the execution of the lowest phase or before the temperature increase of the load 3 in the lowest phase, or may not execute the control of the power supplied to the load 3 in the lowest phase from the power source 4 based on variables obtained before the execution of the lowest phase or before the temperature increase of the load 3 in the lowest phase. Since it is possible to omit the acquisition of variables for the phase in which the temperature increase rate is the lowest, it is possible to immediately execute the phase in which the temperature increase rate is the lowest.It is also possible to simplify the control of the phase in which the rate of temperature increase is lowest.

[0360] The plurality of phases include the first phase and the second phase in which the temperature or the average temperature of the load 3 is higher than in the first phase, and the number of variables obtained by the control unit 8 before the execution of the first phase or before the increase in the temperature of the load 3 in the first phase and used in controlling the power supplied to the load 3 in the first phase from the power source 4 may be greater than the number of variables obtained by the control unit 8 before the execution of the second phase or before the increase in the temperature of the load 3 in the second phase and used in controlling the power supplied to the load 3 in the second phase from the power source 4.As a result, the environmental settings at the beginning of the phase increase in the phase where the temperature increase rate is higher, so that it is possible to increase the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 more stably and quickly.

[0361] The multiple phases include a phase in which the temperature or the average temperature of the load 3 is the highest, and the control unit 8 may not obtain variables used in controlling the power supplied to the load 3 in the highest phase from the power source 4 before the execution of the highest phase or before the temperature of the load 3 increases in the highest phase, or may not execute the control of the power supplied to the load 3 in the highest phase from the power source 4 based on variables obtained before the execution of the highest phase or before the temperature of the load 3 increases in the highest phase. Since it is possible to omit the acquisition of variables for the phase in which the temperature or the average temperature is the highest, it is possible to execute the phase in which the temperature or the average temperature is the highest immediately.It is also possible to simplify the control of the phase with the highest temperature or average temperature.

[0362] The temperature increase rate of the load 3 in the second phase may be lower than the temperature increase rate of the load 3 in the first phase, and the number of times variables and / or algorithms used in the second-phase control are changed during the execution of the second-phase control may be greater than the number of times variables and / or algorithms used in the first-phase control are changed during the execution of the first-phase control. At this time, the number of times during the phase changes in the phase where the increase rate of the load 3 is lower, so that the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generation article 9 can be further tightly controlled to stably generate aerosols.

[0363] Herein, changing variables used using the controller includes changing one variable to another variable and changing a value stored in a variable, for example.

[0364] For example, changing the algorithm includes changing one algorithm to another algorithm, changing a function, processing, and variable used in an algorithm, changing part of a function, and changing part of the processing.

[0365] The control unit 8 can be configured so that it does not change a variable and / or algorithm used in control in a phase of the multiple phases in which the increase rate of the load 3 is the highest while executing control in the highest phase. This makes it possible to omit the acquisition of variables for the phase in which the temperature increase rate is the highest and simplify control in the phase in which the temperature increase rate is the highest.

[0366] The temperature or average temperature of the load 3 in the second phase may be higher than the temperature or average temperature of the load 3 in the first phase, and the number of times variables and / or algorithms used in the control in the second phase are changed during the execution of the control in the second phase may be greater than the number of times variables and / or algorithms used in the control in the first phase are changed during the execution of the control in the first phase. At this time, the number of times of change during the phase increases in the phase where the temperature or average temperature of the load 3 is higher, so that the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 can be further controlled to generate aerosols stably.

[0367] The control unit 8 may be configured so that it does not change a variable and / or an algorithm used in control in a phase of the multiple phases in which the temperature or the average temperature of the load 3 is the lowest while executing control of the lowest phase. Since it is possible to omit the acquisition of variables for the phase in which the temperature or the average temperature is the lowest, it is possible to immediately execute the phase in which the temperature or the average temperature is the lowest. It is also possible to simplify the control of the phase in which the temperature or the average temperature is the lowest.

[0368] The increase rate of the temperature of the load 3 in the second phase may be lower than the increase rate of the temperature of the load 3 in the first phase, the control unit 8 may be configured to detect the inhalation of aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9, and the increase width of the power supplied to the load 3 from the power source 4 in accordance with the inhalation detected in the second phase may be set larger than the increase width of the power supplied to the load 3 from the power source 4 in accordance with the inhalation detected in the first phase.As a result, the temperature in the phase where the magnification rate of load 3 is lower can be restored with a larger magnification width with respect to the temperature decrease caused by inhalation, so that it is possible to suppress the amount of aerosol generation and not lower the temperature of load 3 by inhalation.

[0369] The temperature or average temperature of the load 3 in the second phase may be higher than the temperature or average temperature of the load 3 in the first phase, the control unit 8 may be configured to detect the inhalation of aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9, and the magnification width of the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in accordance with the inhalation detected in the second phase may be set larger than the magnification width of the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 in accordance with the inhalation detected in the first phase.This allows the temperature to be restored with a larger magnification range with respect to the temperature decrease due to inhalation in the phase where the temperature or the average temperature of load 3 is higher, so that it is possible to suppress the amount of aerosol generation and the temperature of load 3 before a decrease due to inhalation.

[0370] The control unit 8 can be configured to receive progress levels for each of the multiple phases based on different variables. In this way, a variable corresponding to the progress level is changed for each phase, making it possible to better identify the progress of a phase.

[0371] The control unit 8 can be configured to obtain, based on time, a degree of progress of a phase of the plurality of phases in which the increase rate of the load 3 is the highest. In this way, it is possible to prevent overheating of the load 3 by temporally determining the degree of progress of the phase in which the temperature increase is the highest.

[0372] The control unit 8 can be configured to obtain, based on time, a degree of progress of a phase of the plurality of phases in which the temperature or the average temperature of the load 3 is the lowest. In this way, it is possible to prevent overheating of the load 3 by temporally determining the degree of progress of the phase in which the temperature or the average temperature of the load 3 is the lowest.

[0373] The control unit 8 can be configured to detect the inhalation of aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9 and to obtain, based on the temperature of the load 3 or the inhalation, a progress degree of a phase among the multiple phases in which the rate of increase in the temperature of the load 3 is the lowest. In this way, the progress degree is determined based on the temperature of the load 3 or the inhalation, so that the progress degree of the phase can be determined based on a result of aerosol generation by the aerosol generating article 9. Therefore, it is possible to generate more aerosols by the aerosol generating article 9.

[0374] The control unit 8 may be configured to detect the inhalation of aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9 and determine, based on the temperature of the load 3 or the inhalation, a degree of progress of a phase among the multiple phases in which the temperature or the average temperature of the load 3 is the highest. In this way, the degree of progress is determined based on the temperature of the load 3 or the inhalation in the phase in which the temperature or the average temperature is the highest, so that the degree of progress of the phase can be determined based on a result of aerosol generation of the aerosol generating article 9. Therefore, it is possible to generate more aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9.

[0375] The control unit 8 may be configured to perform feedback control in the multiple phases where the target temperatures are different, and to set the feedback control gain and / or the upper limit of the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 differently in each of the multiple phases. The control modes in the different phases with respect to heating are different, so that a control mode with a characteristic suitable for a phase can be used, and the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 heated by the load 3 can still be well controlled. Therefore, it is possible to highly control the aerosols to be generated even if the aerosol generating article 9 has a complicated structure.

[0376] In the third embodiment, the use phase may be further divided into multiple phases, and the multiple phases may include the first phase and the second phase.

[0377] In this case, the target temperature of the first phase may be lower than the target temperature of the second phase, and at least one of the gain and the upper limit value used by the control unit 8 in the first phase may be set larger than at least one of the gain and the upper limit value used by the control unit 8 in the second phase. This allows at least one of the gains and the upper limit value to be increased in the phase where the target temperature is lower. Furthermore, in the first phase, the temperature rise rate of the load 3 depending on the target temperature can be strongly controlled by feedback control instead of feedforward control.

[0378] A change width of the temperature of the load 3 in the first phase may be larger than a change width of the temperature of the load 3 in the second phase, and at least one of the gain and the upper limit value used by the control unit 8 in the first phase may be set larger than at least one of the gain and the upper limit value used by the control unit 8 in the second phase. Thereby, at least one of the gains and the upper limit value can be increased in the phase where the change width of the temperature of the load 3 is larger. Furthermore, in the first phase, the rate of temperature rise of the load 3 can be strongly controlled according to the target temperature by feedback control instead of feedforward control.

[0379] The target temperature of the second phase may be higher than the target temperature of the first phase, and a change width of the gain and / or the upper limit value used by the control unit 8 in the first phase may be set smaller than a change width of the gain and / or the upper limit value used by the control unit 8 in the second phase. This allows the change width of the gain and / or the upper limit value to be increased in the phase where the target temperature is higher. Furthermore, in the first phase, the temperature rise rate of the load 3 can be controlled to a large extent according to the target temperature through feedback control instead of feedforward control.

[0380] The change width of the temperature of the load 3 in the second phase may be smaller than the change width of the temperature of the load 3 in the first phase, and a change width of at least one of the gains and the upper limit value used by the control unit 8 in the first phase may be set smaller than at least one of the gains and the upper limit value used by the control unit 8 in the second phase. Thereby, the change width of the gain and / or the upper limit value can be increased in the phase where the change width of the temperature of the load 3 is smaller. Furthermore, in the first phase, the rate of temperature rise of the load 3 according to the target temperature can be strongly controlled by feedback control instead of feedforward control.

[0381] The control unit 8 can be configured to change the target temperature, gain, and power upper limit of the second phase based on the progress of the first phase. This makes it possible to change a variable value of a later phase based on the progress of an earlier phase. Therefore, a smooth transition from the earlier phase to the later phase is possible.

[0382] The control unit 8 can be configured to execute feedback control in the multiple phases and set different feedback control gains in each of the multiple phases. This makes it possible to perform appropriate feedback control in each phase.

[0383] The various controls by the control unit 8 can also be implemented by the control unit 8 executing a program.

[0384] Fig. 29 is a table showing a comparison of the preparation phase and the use phase executed by the control unit according to the third embodiment. As described above, the preparation phase is a phase corresponding to the preparation state in which, for example, the load 3 cannot generate the predetermined amount or more of aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9. Furthermore, the use phase is a phase corresponding to the use state in which the load 3 can generate the predetermined amount or more of aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9. Therefore, in order to generate aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9, it is necessary for the control unit 8 to shift a phase to be executed in the order from the preparation phase to the use phase.

[0385] As described in the first embodiment, the control mode used in the preparation phase is feedforward control. The end condition of the preparation phase is that a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the preparation phase, for example.

[0386] In the preparation phase, the charge 3 in the preparation state is brought into the use state, and aerosols are rapidly generated by the aerosol generation article 9. Therefore, the execution time of the preparation phase is shorter than the execution time of the use phase.

[0387] The preparation phase is designed so that load 3 transitions to the use state in the preparation state. Aerosol generation is not required during the preparation phase, and the power consumption per unit time during the preparation phase is greater than the power consumption per unit time during the use phase. Meanwhile, since the preparation phase is preferably only executed for a short time, the total energy consumption during the entire preparation phase is smaller than the total energy consumption during the entire use phase.

[0388] With the feedforward control used in the preparation phase, it is difficult to reflect the state of the control target in the controller during control execution. Therefore, in the preparation phase, as described above, environmental adjustment can be performed to change the control characteristic based on the measured temperature value at the beginning of the preparation phase, the charging rate of the power source 4, or the like. Through the environmental adjustment, the state of the load 3 and / or the aerosol generating article 9 can be uniformed at the end of the preparation phase.

[0389] In the preparation phase, the control variable (control parameter) or the control function may or may not be changed from a predetermined value or function before the execution of the phase.

[0390] The preparation phase is intended to transfer the load 3 from the preparation state to the use state. During the preparation phase, aerosol generation is not required, and inhalation by the user of the aerosol generating device 1 is not assumed. Therefore, the recovery of the temperature decrease due to the user's inhalation is not performed during the preparation phase.

[0391] For this purpose, the preparation phase is preferably carried out only briefly. Therefore, the time value t, i.e., the operating time, is used as the input parameter for the pre-control executed in the preparation phase. The operating time, which reliably increases over time, is used as the input parameter, so that the preparation phase can be continued safely to reduce the operating time as much as possible.

[0392] The change in the temperature measurement value (temperature curve) in the preparation phase shows a rather linear increase trend, since it transfers the consumer 3 from the preparation state to the standby state in the shortest possible time.

[0393] In contrast, as described in the second embodiment, the feedback control mode is used in the use phase, although feedforward control may also be used in part.

[0394] Since one of the purposes of the use phase is to generate more aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9, it is necessary to design the condition for whether the use phase should end more carefully. Therefore, for example, the elapse of a predetermined time, the reaching of a predetermined temperature, or the elapse of a predetermined time and the reaching of a predetermined temperature are used as the end condition of the use phase.

[0395] The use phase is used to generate more aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9. Therefore, an execution period of the use phase is longer than an execution period of the preparation phase.

[0396] The load 3 is already in the use state when the use phase is executed. Since it is not necessary to significantly increase the temperature of the load 3 in the use phase compared to the preparation phase, the amount of energy consumed in the use phase is smaller than that consumed in the preparation phase, and the energy consumption in the use phase is less than that in the preparation phase. Meanwhile, since it is necessary to generate many aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9 in the use phase, the total amount of energy over the entire use phase is greater than the total amount of energy in the preparation phase. Since the control is mainly carried out in the use phase, the ambient setting at the beginning of the use phase can be omitted, or the measured temperature value at the end of the preparation phase can be used as the ambient temperature.

[0397] In the use phase, for example, the control variable, such as a gain, may be changed to strongly control the temperature of the load 3 and / or the temperature of the aerosol generating object 9.

[0398] Since it is necessary in the use phase to stabilize the aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9, the recovery of the temperature decrease caused by inhalation is carried out.

[0399] When executing feedforward control in the use phase, the input parameter of the feedforward control in the use phase can be, for example, the time value t, the measured temperature value, and the puff profile, or a combination thereof. Since it is necessary to generate more aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9 in the use phase, it is necessary to further tightly control the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9. Therefore, it should be noted that the measured temperature value or the puff profile, which only increases as the phase progresses, can be used as the input parameter of the feedforward control.

[0400] Since the temperature of the load 3 in the use phase is controlled so that the aerosol generation position of the aerosol generation article 9 changes with time, the temperature of the load 3 in the use phase changes in a curve.

[0401] In the third embodiment, as described above, feedforward control is performed in the preparation phase and feedback control is performed in the use phase, so that aerosols are generated. Therefore, compared to a case where only feedback control is used, for example, it is possible to improve the comfort of the user inhaling aerosols, improve power efficiency, and generate aerosols stably. (Fourth embodiment)

[0402] In a fourth embodiment, a case is described in which the power supplied to load 3 is controlled using a larger value of an operating value obtained as a result of feedback control in the use phase and a predetermined value. For example, this control can suppress the temperature drop of load 3 that occurs during the transition from the preparation phase to the use phase.

[0403] The control unit 8 according to the fourth embodiment is configured to determine the power supplied to the load 3 from the power source 4 based on a comparison between an operating value obtained during feedback control and a predetermined value, for example. For example, the predetermined value may be a minimum guaranteed value. This makes it possible to prevent a sharp drop in the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9, compared to a case where there is no minimum guaranteed value.

[0404] The control unit 8 can also be configured to determine the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 based on a larger value of the operating value and the predetermined value. This can prevent a situation in which the power supplied to the load 3 is controlled based on a value smaller than the predetermined value, thus causing the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 to drop sharply.

[0405] The control unit 8 may be configured to control the power supplied to the load 3 from the power source 4 in the multiple phases, wherein the multiple phases may include the first phase and the second phase performed after the first phase, and the predetermined value used in the second phase may be determined based on the power supplied to the load 3 from the power source 4 in the first phase. In this way, the predetermined value used in the second phase is determined based on the power used in the first phase, so that it is possible to suppress the temperature drop of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 during the transition from the first phase to the second phase.

[0406] The predetermined value used in the second phase can also be determined based on a value related to the power finally determined in the first phase. In this way, the predetermined value used in the second phase is determined based on a value related to the power finally determined in the first phase, so that it is possible to efficiently suppress the temperature drop of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 when switching from the first phase to the second phase.

[0407] The control unit 8 can be configured to perform feedback control so that the temperature of the load 3 is gradually increased, and the predetermined value can change with the increase in the temperature of the load 3. If the minimum guaranteed value changes as the phase progresses, in this case, it is possible to use the corresponding minimum guaranteed value corresponding to the phase progress. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a sharp drop in the temperature of the load 3 even as the phase progresses.

[0408] The control unit 8 can also be configured to perform feedback control so that the operation value is gradually increased, and the predetermined value can be changed with the increase in the temperature of the load 3. This makes it possible to prevent a sharp drop in the temperature of the load 3 even when the phase progresses and the temperature of the load 3 increases by using the corresponding minimum guaranteed value corresponding to the phase progress.

[0409] The control unit 8 can also be configured to gradually increase the magnitude of the feedback control. This makes it possible to increase the operating value as the phase progresses. Therefore, since it is possible to increase the temperature of the load 3 and / or the aerosol generating article 9 according to the phase progress, it is possible to stably generate aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9 throughout the entire use phase, as described in the second embodiment.

[0410] The control unit 8 can also be configured to gradually increase the upper limit of the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 during feedback control. In this way, it is possible to increase the operating value as the phase progresses. Therefore, since it is possible to increase the temperature of the load 3 and / or the aerosol generating article 9 according to the progression of the phase, it is possible to stably generate aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9 throughout the entire use phase, as described in the second embodiment.

[0411] The predetermined value may decrease gradually. If this is the case, it is possible to reduce the minimum guaranteed value as the phase progresses. In particular, if the minimum guaranteed value is provided to suppress the temperature drop of load 3 that occurs during the transition from the preparation phase to the use phase, the need to provide the minimum guaranteed value decreases as the phase progresses. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the influence of the minimum value on control as the phase progresses.

[0412] The control unit 8 may be configured to change the predetermined value to zero during the execution of the feedback control. If this is the case, the influence of the minimum value on the control can be suppressed, which, as described above, is unnecessary as the phase progresses.

[0413] Herein, changing the preset value to zero includes temporarily changing the preset value to zero.

[0414] The control unit 8 can decrease the predetermined value when an overshoot is detected in which the temperature of the load 3 changes by a threshold value or more per predetermined time. Thus, when the temperature of the load 3 is detected to exceed the threshold, the minimum guaranteed value is decreased to reduce the influence of the minimum guaranteed value on the operating value obtained by the feedback control executed by the control unit 8. Therefore, it is possible to correct the overshoot early.

[0415] Once the overshoot is resolved, the control unit 8 can reset the predetermined value to a value before the overshoot was detected. This makes it possible to restore the minimum guaranteed value based on the resolution of the overshoot and prevent the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 from dropping sharply after the overshoot is resolved.

[0416] The predetermined value may be determined as a value or greater necessary to maintain the temperature of the load 3. At this time, the minimum guaranteed value is determined so that the temperature of the load 3 is not lowered, so that a decrease in the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 can be suppressed.

[0417] The control unit 8 can also be configured to determine or correct the predetermined value based on the temperature of the load 3. Since the minimum guaranteed value is determined or corrected based on the temperature of the load 3, the minimum guaranteed value becomes a value that reflects a state of the load 3, compared to a case where the minimum guaranteed value is not determined or corrected. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the temperature drop of the load 3.

[0418] The control unit 8 can also be configured to determine or correct the predetermined value so that an absolute value of a difference between the temperature of the load 3 and the predetermined temperature is not increased. Since the minimum guaranteed value is determined or corrected so that the difference between the predetermined temperature and the temperature of the load 3 is not increased, the minimum guaranteed value becomes a value that reflects the progress of the usage phase, compared to a case where the minimum guaranteed value is not determined or corrected. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the temperature drop of the load 3.

[0419] The control unit 8 may also be configured to detect the temperature of the load 3, control the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3 through feedback control based on the difference between the temperature of the load 3 and the predetermined temperature, and correct the operation value obtained in the feedback control to suppress the temperature drop of the load 3. At this time, the operation value is corrected to a value reflecting the temperature of the load 3, which is a control value of the feedback control executed by the control unit 8. Therefore, even if a small operation value is obtained in the feedback control, it is possible to effectively suppress a sharp drop in the temperature of the load 3.

[0420] The various controls by the control unit 8 can also be implemented by the control unit 8 executing a program. <Beispiel 4A>

[0421] Fig. 30 is a control block diagram illustrating an example of control executed by the control unit 8 according to Example 4A.

[0422] The comparison unit 15 provided in the control unit 8 according to Example 4A compares an operation value obtained as a result of the feedback control with a predetermined value and outputs a larger value in the use phase.

[0423] The predetermined value is, for example, a minimum guaranteed value of the duty instruction value, which indicates the duty cycle provided to the load 3. As the predetermined value, for example, the duty cycle at the end of the preparation phase can be used as the value concerning the power in the preparation phase.

[0424] In particular, the comparison unit 15 will be described in more detail. During the use phase, a keying operation value from the limiter unit 14 and a minimum guaranteed value are input to the comparison unit 15. The comparison unit 15 compares the keying operation value and the minimum guaranteed value and obtains a value greater than the keying instruction value. The control unit 8 controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on the keying instruction value. Meanwhile, the keying instruction value can be applied to the switch 25 provided between the power source 4 and the load 3 or to the DC / DC converter provided between the power source 4 and the load 3.

[0425] Fig. 31 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 4A.

[0426] The process from step S3101 to step S3106 is the same as the process from step S1901 to step S1906 in Fig. 19.

[0427] In step S3107, the comparison unit 15 of the control unit 8 determines whether the duty cycle D cmdd indicated by the key operation value inputted from the limiter unit 14 is equal to or greater than the minimum guaranteed value.

[0428] If it is determined that the duty cycle D cmdd is equal to or greater than the minimum guaranteed value (a determination result in step S3107 is positive), the control unit 8 controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on the duty instruction value that determines the duty ratio D cmdd in step S3108, and then the processing returns to step S3101.

[0429] If it is determined that the duty cycle D cmddis not equal to or greater than the minimum guaranteed value (a determination result in step S3107 is negative), the control unit 8 controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on the minimum guaranteed value in step S3109, and then the processing returns to step S3101.

[0430] The above-described effects of the operation of Example 4A are described.

[0431] For example, in order to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable, the aerosol generating device 1 configured to heat the aerosol generating article 9 for aerosol generation controls the power supplied to the load 3 so that the aerosols generated by the heating do not vary greatly. As described above, the control of the power supplied to the load 3 is preferably carried out in multiple phases, such as the preparation phase and the use phase. For example, as described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the control unit 8 executes the use phase after the preparation phase, so that it is possible to realize both the early aerosol generation by the aerosol generating device 1 and the stable aerosol generation thereafter.

[0432] When controlling the transition from one phase to another, it is also beneficial to prevent the temperature of load 3 from changing dramatically during the phase transition. Especially when the controls used before and after the phase shift are significantly different, the time of the shift from one phase to another becomes a period of control transition. Therefore, it can be said that the temperature of load 3, which is a common control amount, is likely to vary throughout the different phases.

[0433] In Example 4A, the control parameter used in the phase before the shift is used as the minimum guaranteed value during the phase shift. Therefore, compared to a case where the minimum guaranteed value is not used, it is possible to prevent the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 from changing significantly during the phase shift. <Beispiel 4B>

[0434] Example 4B describes the control of an appropriate suppression of the overshoot, even when the overshoot, ie the strong increase in the temperature of the load 3, occurs.

[0435] Fig. 32 is a diagram showing an example of generating a state of overshoot of the temperature of the load 3. In Fig. 32 assumes that the minimum guaranteed value is constant.

[0436] The temperature of load 3 gradually increases with the increase of the timer value t, which is an example of an index indicating the degree of progress of a phase in the use phase, that is, with time.

[0437] The limiter width gradually increases with the increase of the timer value t.

[0438] The amplification unit 12 receives a duty cycle based on a difference between the measured temperature value and the end temperature of the usage phase.

[0439] The amplification unit 14 obtains a duty cycle within a limiter width range based on the duty cycle obtained by the amplification unit 12, and obtains a duty operation value indicating the duty cycle within the limiter width range. As the limiter width is gradually increased, the duty cycle indicated by the duty operation value can also be gradually increased.

[0440] When the temperature of load 3 exceeds (or overshoots) the threshold during the use phase, the control unit 8 reduces the duty cycle value to suppress the overshoot. For example, when the temperature of load 3 immediately exceeds the end temperature of the use phase in the feedback control, the control unit 8 lowers the temperature of load 3, which is a control value, by reducing the duty cycle, which is an operation value. However, since the duty cycle specified by the duty cycle value does not fall below the minimum guaranteed value, there is a possibility that the temperature of load 3 may not be adequately recovered.

[0441] Therefore, in this example 4B, the minimum guaranteed value is gradually decreased according to the progress of the use phase based on the input parameter including at least one of the timer value t, the temperature of the load 3, and the puff profile, so that the temperature of the load 3 can be appropriately restored even when the temperature of the load 3 exceeds . The minimum guaranteed value is provided to suppress the sharp change in the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9 that may occur during the transition from the preparation phase to the use phase. That is, once the control unit 8 executes the use phase, the need to provide the minimum guaranteed value is reduced.Therefore, even if the minimum guaranteed value is gradually reduced according to the progress of the use phase, the control unit 8 can highly control the temperatures of the load 3 and the aerosol generating article 9.

[0442] Fig. 33 is a block diagram illustrating an example of control executed by the control unit 8 according to Example 4B.

[0443] A gradual decrease unit 18 provided in the control unit 8 according to Example 4B gradually decreases the minimum guaranteed value indicating the duty cycle at the end of the preparation phase based on the progress of the use phase indicated by the input parameter, which includes, for example, the timer value t, the measured temperature value, and the puff profile. Meanwhile, the timer value t, the measured temperature value, and the puff profile used when the gradual decrease unit 18 indicates the progress of the use phase may be the same as or different from those used when the limiter changing unit 13 and / or the gain unit 17 indicates the progress of the use phase.

[0444] The comparison unit 15 compares the duty cycle D cmddprocessed by the limiter unit 14 with the minimum guaranteed value gradually decreased by the gradual decrease unit 18, and obtains as a result of the comparison a value indicating a larger value than the key instruction value.

[0445] Fig. 34 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 4B.

[0446] The process from step S3401 to step S3406 is the same as the process from step S1901 to step S1906 in Fig. 19.

[0447] In step S3407, the control unit 8 receives the input parameter.

[0448] In step S3408, the gradual reduction unit 18 of the control unit 8 obtains the minimum guaranteed value, which is gradually reduced based on the input parameter, for example. For example, if the input parameter is the timer value t, it is determined that the longer the timer value t, the further the usage phase progresses, and the minimum guaranteed value is reduced. Meanwhile, the gradual reduction unit 18 may gradually reduce the minimum guaranteed value based on the measured temperature value and / or the puff profile instead of the timer value t or together with the timer value t.

[0449] In step S3409, the comparison unit 15 of the control unit 8 determines whether the duty cycle D processed by the limiter cmdd equal to or greater than the gradually decreasing minimum guaranteed value.

[0450] If it is determined that the duty cycle D cmdd is equal to or greater than the minimum guaranteed value which is gradually decreased (a determination result in step S3409 is positive), the control unit 8 controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on the duty instruction value which determines the duty ratio D cmdd in step S3410, and then the processing returns to step S3401.

[0451] If it is determined that the duty cycle D cmdd is not equal to or greater than the gradually decreased minimum guaranteed value (a determination result in step S3409 is negative), the control unit 8 controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on the gradually decreased minimum guaranteed value in step S3411, and then the processing returns to step S3401.

[0452] In Example 4B, as described above, the progress degree of the utilization phase is determined based on the input parameter including at least one of the timer value t, the temperature of Load 3, and the puff profile, and the minimum guaranteed value is gradually decreased as the progress degree of the utilization phase progresses. This makes it possible to sufficiently suppress the power supplied to Load 3 when overshoot occurs, making it possible to resolve the overshoot promptly and appropriately. <Beispiel 4C>

[0453] Example 4C is a modified example of Example 4B. In this Example 4C, control is performed during the use phase such that the key operation value is used as the key instruction value. In other words, in the control of Example 4C, the minimum guaranteed value is invalidated or set to zero based on the input parameter, or the processing of the comparison unit 15 based on the minimum guaranteed value is aborted.

[0454] Fig. 35 is a control block diagram showing an example of control executed by the control unit 8 according to Example 4C.

[0455] A changing unit 19 provided in the control unit 8 according to Example 4C changes the minimum guaranteed value to zero or cancels it when the input parameter including at least one of the timer value t, the measured temperature value and the puff profile indicates, for example, a predetermined degree of progress.

[0456] When the minimum guaranteed value is changed to zero by the changing unit 19, the comparing unit 15 sets the key operation value inputted from the limiter changing unit 14 as the key instruction value.

[0457] The control unit 8 controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on the key instruction value corresponding to the operation value of the load.

[0458] Fig. 36 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 4C. In Fig. Figure 36 shows a case where the progress of the usage phase is determined using the timer value t as an input parameter. However, the progress of the usage phase can also be determined using the temperature measurement or the puff profile.

[0459] The process from step S3601 to step S3606 is the same as the process from step S1901 to step S1906 in Fig. 19.

[0460] In step S3607, the changing unit 19 of the control unit 8 determines whether the timer value t is less than a predetermined time t thre2 is, for example.

[0461] If it is determined that the timer value t is less than a predetermined time t thre2 (a determination result in step S3607 is positive), the comparison unit 15 of the control unit 8 determines in step S3608 whether the duty cycle D processed by the limiter cmddequal to or greater than the minimum guaranteed value.

[0462] If the change unit 19 determines that the timer value t is not less than the predetermined time t thre2 (a determination result in step S3607 is negative), or when it is determined by the comparison unit 15 that the duty cycle D cmdd is equal to or greater than the minimum guaranteed value (a determination result in step S3608 is positive), the control unit 8 controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on the duty instruction value that determines the duty ratio D cmdd in step S3609, and then the processing returns to step S3601.

[0463] If the comparison unit 15 determines that the duty cycle D cmddis not equal to or greater than the minimum guaranteed value (a determination result in step S3608 is negative), the control unit 8 controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on the minimum guaranteed value in step S3610, and then the processing returns to step S3601.

[0464] In Example 4C, as described above, it is determined based on the input parameter whether the progress of the use phase is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. If it is determined that the progress of the use phase is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the control is switched to the control in which the minimum guaranteed value is not used. When a disturbance in the behavior of the temperature of the load 3 occurs, such as a temperature overshoot, the feedback control controls the output of a large operation amount, so that it is possible to strongly control the power supplied to the load 3. Therefore, it is possible to quickly and appropriately resolve or converge the disturbance in the behavior of the temperature of the load 3. <Beispiel 4D>

[0465] Example 4D is a modified example of Example 4C. In Example 4D, when the temperature exceedance is detected, the control unit 8 overrides the minimum guaranteed value, sets the minimum guaranteed value to zero, or aborts the processing of the comparison unit 15 based on the minimum guaranteed value.

[0466] Fig. 37 is a block diagram illustrating an example of control executed by the control unit 8 in accordance with Example 4D.

[0467] An overshoot detection unit 20 provided in the control unit according to Example 4D overrides or reduces the minimum guaranteed value when, for example, the temperature overshoot is detected, and reconfirms or increases the minimum guaranteed value when the temperature overshoot is resolved.

[0468] Fig. 38 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the excess detection unit 20 according to Example 4D.

[0469] In step S3801, the over-temperature detection unit 20 performs the over-temperature detection and determines whether the over-temperature is detected.

[0470] If it is determined that the overshoot is not detected (a detection result in step S3801 is negative), the processing of step S3801 is repeated.

[0471] When it is determined that the excess is detected (a detection result in step S3801 is positive), the excess detection unit 20 invalidates or reduces the minimum guaranteed value in step S3802.

[0472] In step S3803, the overshoot detection unit 20 determines whether the overshoot has been resolved.

[0473] If it is determined that the overshoot has not been resolved (a determination result in step S3803 is negative), the processing of step S3803 is repeated.

[0474] If it is detected that the excess is resolved, the excess detection unit 20 returns the minimum guaranteed value in step S3804.

[0475] In example 4D described above, when the temperature exceedance is detected, the minimum guaranteed value is invalidated or reduced so that it is possible to resolve the temperature exceedance immediately and appropriately. <Beispiel 4E>

[0476] In Example 4E, the control unit 8 obtains a minimum guaranteed value with a duty cycle required to maintain the temperature of the load 3 based on the input parameter indicating the degree of progress in the usage phase, sets a larger value of the duty operation value obtained from the boosting unit 12 and the minimum guaranteed value as the duty instruction value, and controls the power supplied to the load 3 based on the duty instruction value.

[0477] Example 4E describes a case where the temperature measurement is used as an input parameter, indicating the degree of progress in the usage phase. However, the timer value t or the puff profile can also be used as input parameters.

[0478] Fig. 39 is a block diagram showing an example of control executed by the control unit 8 according to Example 4E.

[0479] A heat retention control unit 21 provided in the control unit 8 according to Example 4E obtains, for example, a minimum guaranteed value representing a duty cycle required to maintain the temperature of the load 3 based on the measured temperature value, and outputs the minimum guaranteed value required for heat retention to the comparison unit 15. For example, the measured temperature value and the minimum guaranteed value representing a duty cycle required to heat the load 3 are determined analytically or experimentally according to the measured temperature value. Then, the heat retention control unit 21 may also use a model formula or a table relating to a correlation between the measured temperature value and the minimum guaranteed value derived, for example, from the analysis result or the experiment result.Meanwhile, the heat retention control unit 21 may also use a correlation between another control parameter such as the timer value t or the puff profile indicating the degree of progress in the use phase and the minimum guaranteed value.

[0480] In this way, the duty cycle required to maintain the temperature of load 3 is used as the minimum guaranteed value, so that the second sub-phase, which includes the preparation phase, can be included in the usage phase. The second sub-phase can be omitted from the preparation phase. Therefore, in Example 4E, the preparation phase period can be shortened, and the temperature drop of load 3 can be suppressed because the temperature of load 3 is maintained according to the minimum guaranteed value.

[0481] Fig. 40 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the preparation phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 4E.

[0482] The processing from step S4001 to step S4005 in Fig. 40 is the same as the processing from step S501 to step S505 in Fig. 5.

[0483] It should be noted that in the process of Fig. 40 the processing of step S4006 and step S4007, which correspond to step S506 and step S507, in the process of Fig. 5 is omitted.

[0484] Fig. 41 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 4E.

[0485] In step S4101, the heat retention control unit 21 of the control unit 8 controls the measured temperature value T HTR from the temperature measuring unit 6.

[0486] In step S4102, the heat retention control unit 21 obtains the duty cycle required to achieve the value determined by the measured temperature value T HTR specified temperature and gives a minimum guaranteed value D lim (T HTR ), which indicates the duty cycle required for heat retention, to the comparison unit 15. For example, if the heat retention control unit 21 has the correlation between the input parameter and the minimum guaranteed value as a model formula, D lim (T HTR ) a function. For example, if the heat retention control unit 21 has the correlation between the control parameter and the minimum guaranteed value in the form of a table, D lim (T HTR ) a query for this table.

[0487] The process from step S4103 to step S4111 is the same as the process from step S3101 to step S3109 in Fig. 31. Meanwhile, after step S4110 and step S4111, the processing may return to step S4103 or step S4101.

[0488] In Example 4E, as described above, it is possible to appropriately resolve the temperature change, such as overshoot, while ensuring the heat retention of load 3. Also, in Example 4E, it is possible to omit the second sub-phase from the preparation phase, thereby shortening the preparation phase. (Fifth embodiment)

[0489] In an electronic cigarette or a heating-type cigarette, in order not to affect the amount and flavor of the aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9, even if the temperature of the load 3 is feedback-controlled and the temperature of the load 3 decreases due to the user's inhalation, it is preferably required to promptly compensate for the temperature decrease and compensate the temperature of the load 3.

[0490] However, for example, if the operation amount obtained by the feedback control is small, insufficient power is supplied to the load 3 whose temperature has dropped, so it may take time to compensate for the temperature drop of the load 3.

[0491] Therefore, in a fifth embodiment, when the user's inhalation is detected, the operation amount obtained by the feedback control is temporarily increased to immediately compensate for the temperature drop of the load 3 caused by the inhalation. Specifically, when the temperature drop due to aerosol inhalation occurs during the use phase, the control unit 8 of the fifth embodiment controls the increase in the limiter width of the unit 14 used in the feedback control compared to the limiter width before the temperature drop occurred. Thus, in the fifth embodiment, the temperature drop of the load 3 during inhalation is immediately compensated to compensate for the temperature of the load 3.Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the amount and flavor of the aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9 even when inhalation is performed by the user.

[0492] When the temperature drop of the load 3 is detected during the execution of the feedback control, the control unit 8 of the fifth embodiment can change the value of the variable used in the feedback control to increase the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3. This makes it possible to quickly restore the temperature of the load 3 compared to a case where the value of the variable used in the feedback control is not changed. Herein, the change of the variable used in the control includes changing one variable to another variable and changing a value stored in a variable, for example.

[0493] When the drop is detected, the control unit 8 can increase at least one of the gains used in the feedback control and the upper limit of the power supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3. This allows the temperature of the load 3 to be quickly recovered compared to a case where both the gain and the upper limit of the power are not increased.

[0494] When the drop is detected, the control unit 8 can increase the target temperature used in the feedback control. In this way, the temperature of the load 3 can be quickly restored compared to a case where the target temperature is not increased.

[0495] The control unit 8 can be configured to perform feedback control to gradually increase the temperature of the load 3, and can change the variable to a value different from a value before the change based on the detection of the drop when the drop is dissolved. For example, this makes it possible to supply more power to the load 3 than before the detection of the drop. As described in the second embodiment, in order to stabilize the amount of aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9, it is necessary to increase the temperature of the load 3 and the temperature of the aerosol generating article 9 heated by the load 3 over time. Therefore, more power is supplied to the load 3 than before the detection of the drop, so that the decrease in the amount of aerosol generation before and after the drop can be suppressed.

[0496] The control unit 8 can be configured to perform feedback control to gradually increase the power supplied to the load 3 from the power source 4, and can change the variable to a value different from a value before the change based on the detection of the droplet when the droplet is dissolved. For example, this makes it possible to supply more power to the load 3 than before the droplet was detected. As described above, more power is supplied to the load 3 than before the droplet was detected, so it is possible to suppress the decrease in the amount of aerosol generation before and after the droplet.

[0497] The control unit 8 may be configured to gradually increase the gain used in the feedback control and / or the upper limit of the power supplied to the load 3 from the power source 4 as the feedback control progresses; it may increase the gain and / or the upper limit by an increment or more corresponding to the progress of the feedback control when the droplet is detected, and it may change the gain and / or the upper limit to a value different from a value before the increase based on the detection of the droplet when the droplet is dissolved. This makes it possible, for example, to supply more power to the load 3 than before the droplet was detected. For this purpose, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the amount of aerosol generation before and after the droplet.

[0498] The control unit 8 can change the gain and / or the upper limit so that it does not decrease when the droplet is detected or when the droplet is dissolved. This makes it possible to prevent the temperature of the load 3 from stagnating. However, the amount of aerosol generation is difficult to decrease over time.

[0499] The control unit 8 can change at least one of the gains and the upper limit value to increase when the droplet is detected or when the droplet is dissolved. This makes it possible to suppress the reduction in the amount of aerosol generation.

[0500] The control unit 8 can increase the gain and / or the upper limit value by an increment corresponding to the progress of the feedback control as the droplet is dissolved. Since it is possible to increase the temperature of the load 3 in accordance with the same control before the droplet is detected, it is possible to stably generate aerosols after the droplet is dissolved without being affected by the inhalation state. Therefore, the user of the aerosol generating device 1 does not feel discomfort regarding the amount and flavor of the aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9 throughout the entire use period. Therefore, it is possible to improve the quality of the aerosol generating device 1.

[0501] When the droplet is dissolved, the control unit 8 may change at least one of the gain values ​​and the upper limit value to a value different from a value before the increase based on the droplet detection, so that the higher power than before the droplet detection is supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3. This makes it possible to avoid reducing the amount of aerosol generated.

[0502] The control unit 8 can be configured to reduce the amount of change of the variable as the feedback control progresses. The feedback control operates to output a large amount of operation as the phase progresses, making it possible to suppress the change of a variable whose importance level is reduced from the control.

[0503] When the feedback control advances by a predetermined degree or more and the drop is detected, the control unit 8 can set the change amount of the variable to zero. This prevents the variable from changing even if the drop occurs to a certain extent after the phase advances. Meanwhile, after the phase advances to a certain degree, the drop is immediately resolved by the feedback control, which is capable of outputting a large amount of operation. This suppresses the reduction of the amount of aerosol generation.

[0504] The control unit 8 can be configured to reduce the increase in the gain and / or the upper limit value as the feedback control progresses. As a result, the feedback control functions to output a large amount of operation as the phase progresses, so that it is possible to suppress the change in the gain and / or the upper limit value when a degree of change significance of the gain and / or the upper limit value is reduced to influence the control.

[0505] When the feedback control advances by a predetermined degree or more and the drop is detected, the control unit 8 can set the amount of change of at least one of the gains and the upper limit value to zero. Therefore, the feedback control normally functions to output a large amount of operation with the phase advance, so that when the change of at least one of the gain and the upper limit value is unnecessary, the change of at least one of the gain and the upper limit value can be suppressed.

[0506] The control unit 8 can be configured to perform feedback control so that the temperature of the load 3 remains constant, and can change the changed variable to a value before the change based on the detection of the drop when the drop is resolved. This makes it possible to resolve the drop in a timely manner and return the control state to the state before the drop was detected.

[0507] The control unit 8 can be configured to recognize as a decrease that the temperature of the load 3 decreases by a first threshold value or more or that the power supplied to the load 3 by the power source 4 is increased by a second threshold value or more, wherein the first threshold value can be a value by which it is possible to distinguish a decrease in the temperature of the load 3 when inhaling aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9 and a decrease in the temperature of the load 3 when not inhaling aerosols, and the second threshold value can be a value by which it is possible to distinguish an increase in the power supplied by the power source 4 to the load 3 when inhaling aerosols from the aerosol generating article 9 and an increase in the power supplied by the power source 4 to the load 3 when not inhaling aerosols.If the temperature drop is caused by inhaling aerosols, it is possible to immediately reduce the amount of aerosol generation.

[0508] When the temperature drop of the load 3 is detected during the execution of the feedback control, the control unit 8 can override the upper limit of the power used in the feedback control and supplied from the power source 4 to the load 3. This makes it possible to increase the power supplied to the load 3 based on the detection of the droplet, so that it is possible to immediately suppress the amount of aerosol generation reduced by the droplet.

[0509] The various controls by the control unit 8 can also be implemented by the control unit 8 executing a program. <Beispiel 5A>

[0510] Fig. 42 is a control block diagram showing an example of control executed by the control unit 8 according to Example 5A.

[0511] The limiter changing unit 13 of the control unit 8 controls the enlargement width of the limiter width by the feedforward control based on the input parameter.

[0512] When the user inhales aerosols, an airflow generated in the aerosol generating device 1 passes through the surroundings of the load 3, temporarily lowering the temperature of the load 3. When the inhalation of the aerosol is detected, the limiter changing unit 13 of Example 5A temporarily changes the enlargement width of the limiter width, thereby immediately compensating for the temperature decrease of the load 3 caused by the inhalation.

[0513] Fig. 43 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 5A.

[0514] The process from step S4301 to step S4303 is the same as the process from step S1901 to step S1903 in Fig. 19.

[0515] In step S4304, the control unit 8 determines whether inhalation is detected. Inhalation is detected based on an output value of a sensor configured to detect a physical quantity that changes with the user's inhalation, such as a flow sensor, a flow rate sensor, and a pressure sensor, provided in the aerosol generating device 1.

[0516] If it is determined that the inhalation is not detected (a detection result in step S4304 is negative), the processing proceeds to step S4306.

[0517] When it is determined that the inhalation is detected (a determination result in step S4304 is positive), the limiter changing unit 13 changes a correlation for the limiter width change so that the enlargement width of the limiter width used in the limiter unit 14 is large with respect to an input profile in step S4305, and proceeds to step S4306.

[0518] The process from step S4306 to step S4309 is the same as the process from step S1904 to step S1907 in Fig. 19.

[0519] In Example 5A, as described above, when inhalation is detected, the magnification width of the limiter width used in the limiter unit 14 is expanded to increase the sensing operation value obtained by the feedback control, so that it is possible to immediately restore the temperature decrease of the load 3 due to inhalation. Therefore, even if the user performs inhalation, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the amount and flavor of the aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9. <Beispiel 5B>

[0520] Example 5B describes controlling the further increase in the limiter width magnification when inhalation is detected compared to the limiter width magnification when inhalation is not detected.

[0521] Fig. Figure 44 is a graph showing an example of changes in the temperature of load 3 and the limiter width. In Fig. 44 the horizontal axis indicates the timer value t and the vertical axis the temperature or the limiter width.

[0522] The limiter changing unit 13 of the control unit 8 controls the enlargement width of the limiter width to increase the temperature of the load 3 more after detecting the inhalation than before detecting the inhalation.

[0523] If the inhalation is not detected, the limiter changing unit 13 changes the magnification of the limiter width with increasing timer value t, ie over time, as with a line L 50A shown.

[0524] When inhalation is detected, the limiter changing unit 13 changes the limiter width so that it is greater than a change in the line L 50A , as with a line L 50Bshown after the temperature of load 3 is restored.

[0525] In the meantime, the limiter changing unit 13, as in line L 50C shown, change the limiter width after the end of temperature recovery to be smaller than the limiter width while resolving the temperature drop due to inhalation. If this is the case, the limiter changing unit 13 may set the limiter width after the end of temperature recovery to be larger than the limiter width before inhalation detection. Also, the limiter changing unit 13 may reset the limiter width after the end of temperature recovery to a state before inhalation detection.

[0526] For example, if the control unit 8 evaluates the degree of progress of the use phase based on the temperature of the load 3, the degree of progress of the use phase stagnates when the temperature drops due to inhalation. When the temperature of the load 3 is restored and the limiter width is changed, as in line L 50A As shown, the degree of progress of the usage phase is delayed compared to a case where the inhalation is not detected because the line L 50A indicates the magnification width when inhalation is not detected. Therefore, when inhalation is detected, the limiter changing unit 13 changes the limiter width so that it is larger than the change in line L 50A , as with the line L 50B shown after the temperature of load 3 has been restored. This makes it possible to compensate for the delay in the degree of progress of the use phase due to inhalation.

[0527] Meanwhile, the limiter changing unit 13 can change the limiter width to be larger than the change when the inhalation is not detected, as in the line L 50B shown when inhalation is detected. This allows the progress of the use phase to be made uniform even if the user of the aerosol generating device 1 performs inhalation in any puffing profile. Therefore, the flavor and taste of aerosols generated by the aerosol generating article 9 can be made stable regardless of the puffing profile, making it possible to improve the quality of the aerosol generating device.

[0528] Fig. 45 shows an example of the limiter changing unit 13 according to Example 5B.

[0529] The limiter changing unit 13 according to Example 5B determines the enlargement width of the limiter width based on the input parameter including at least one of the timer value t, the measured temperature value, and the puff profile.

[0530] The limiter changing unit 13 increases the limiter width when the inhalation is detected, for example, based on the temperature decrease of the load 3 or the puff profile. The larger the increase in the limiter width (expansion degree), the further the temperature increase of the load 3 can be promoted. That is, a degree of temperature recovery of the load 3 is different between a case where the increase in the increase in the limiter width, as in Fig. 45, is small, and a case where it is large, corresponding to an area A 51, which represents the difference. Therefore, an area defined by the magnification width of the limiter width represented by the upwardly inclined dashed line when inhalation is not detected and the expanded magnification width represented by the dashed line is preferably larger the greater the degree of temperature decrease of the load 3 or the greater the need to increase the temperature of the load 3.

[0531] Fig. 46 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 5B.

[0532] The process from step S4601 to step S4603 is the same as the process from step S4301 to step S4303 in Fig. 43.

[0533] In step S4604, the limiter changing unit 13 of the control unit 8 determines whether a third relationship between the input parameter and the limiter width (hereinafter referred to as the correlation for limiter width change) has already been changed. Here, the correlation for limiter width change can also be expressed by correlation data or a correlation function.

[0534] When it is determined that the correlation for the limiter width change has not been changed yet (a result of the determination in step S4604 is negative), the processing proceeds to step S4607.

[0535] When it is determined that the correlation for the limiter width change has already been changed (a determination result in step S4604 is positive), the limiter changing unit 13 determines in step S4605 whether the temperature decrease of the load 3 has been restored, for example, whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the temperature decrease of the load 3.

[0536] When it is determined that the temperature decrease of the load 3 has not recovered (a determination result in step S4605 is negative), the processing proceeds to step S4607.

[0537] When it is determined that the temperature decrease of the load 3 has been restored (a determination result in step S4605 is positive), the limiter changing unit 13 returns the correlation for the limiter width change to an original state before the inhalation detection in step S4606, and the processing proceeds to step S4607.

[0538] The processing from step S4607 to step S4612 is the same as the processing from step S4304 to step S4309 in Fig. 43.

[0539] In Example 5B, as described above, when inhalation is detected, the limiter width can be increased, and the temperature of load 3 can be increased further after inhalation than before the temperature of load 3 is reduced due to inhalation. This makes it possible to compensate for the delay in heating after the temperature increase of load 3 and optimize the heating of load 3.

[0540] In Example 5B, the correlation for the limiter width change is also restored to the state before the temperature decrease so that stable aerosol generation can be implemented after the temperature decrease is restored. <Beispiel 5C>

[0541] In Example 5C, in the use phase, the control unit 8 stably controls the temperature of the load 3 through the feedback control by reducing the influence of the feedforward control for changing the limiter width when the limiter width is expanded to a certain extent.

[0542] Fig. 47 is a control block diagram showing an example of the control executed by the control unit 8 according to Example 5C.

[0543] The control unit 8 detects the inhalation based on an output value of a sensor configured to detect a physical quantity that changes with the user's inhalation, such as a flow sensor, a flow rate sensor, and a pressure sensor, provided in the aerosol generating device 1.

[0544] During the use phase, the limiter changing unit 13 gradually expands the limiter width through feedforward control based on the input parameter. When inhalation is detected, the limiter changing unit 13 expands the limiter width to recover the temperature of load 3.

[0545] A limiter width control unit 22 provided in the control unit 8 suppresses the increase of the limiter width upon detection of inhalation when the limiter width increases to a certain extent.

[0546] Specifically, the limiter width control unit 22 has a fourth relationship (hereinafter referred to as a compensation relationship) in which, for example, a limiter width and a compensation coefficient corresponding to the limiter width are linked. The compensation coefficient indicates the extent to which the limiter width is expanded to restore the temperature when inhalation is detected. For example, the limiter width and the compensation coefficient in the compensation relationship have an inverse correlation. That is, for example, the smaller the limiter width, the larger the compensation coefficient, and the larger the limiter width, the smaller the compensation coefficient. The smaller the compensation coefficient, the further the increase in the expansion width of the limiter width, which is changed when inhalation is detected, is suppressed.As a result, the larger the compensation coefficient is, the more sensitively the limiter width is extended with respect to inhalation detection, and the smaller the compensation coefficient is, the more sensitively the limiter width extension with respect to inhalation detection is limited.

[0547] For example, as in Fig. 47, in the fourth relationship, when the magnification of the limiter width is increased to a threshold value or more, the corresponding compensation coefficient is zero. For example, the compensation coefficient may be as shown in Fig. 47, have an upper limit in the fourth relationship.

[0548] In Example 5C, as the limiter width is increased, the effect of temperature drop recovery by the limiter width increase during inhalation detection is reduced, and the effect of temperature drop recovery by feedback control during inhalation detection is increased. Specifically, as the limiter width is increased, the possibility that the duty cycle output by the amplification unit 12 corresponds to the operation value increases. For example, the duty cycle output by the amplification unit 12 depends on the difference between the end temperature of the use phase and the measured temperature value. Therefore, when there is no influence of the limiter unit 14, the temperature drop is effectively controlled by the feedback control. This makes it possible to perform the control stably.

[0549] Fig. 48 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 5C. In Fig. 48 is based on whether the timer value t is less than a threshold t thre3 determines whether the limiter width should be changed upon detection of an inhalation. However, it can also be determined whether the limiter width should be changed upon detection of an inhalation based on the measured temperature value and / or the puff profile instead of the timer value t or together with the timer value t.

[0550] The process from step S4801 to step S4803 is the same as the process from step S4301 to step S4303 in Fig. 43.

[0551] In step S4804, the limiter width control unit 22 determines whether the timer value t is less than a threshold value t thre3 which indicates an advanced state of the usage phase.

[0552] If it is determined that the timer value t is not less than the threshold value t thre3 (a determination result in step S4804 is negative), the limiter width control unit 22 does not change the correlation for the limiter width change, and the processing proceeds to step S4807.

[0553] If it is determined that the timer value t is less than the threshold value t thre3 the limiter changing unit 13 determines in step S4805 whether inhalation is detected.

[0554] If it is determined that inhalation is not detected (a detection result in step S4805 is negative), the processing proceeds to step S4807.

[0555] When it is determined that inhalation is detected, the limiter changing unit 13 changes the correlation for the limiter width change used in the limiter changing unit 13 based on the timer value t in step S4806, and the processing proceeds to step S4807.

[0556] The process from step S4807 to step S4810 is the same as the process from step S4306 to step S4309 in Fig. 43.

[0557] The above-described effects of the operation of Example 5C are described.

[0558] As the use phase progresses, the limiter width is expanded, and the limitation on the magnitude of the key operation value obtained by the limiter unit 14 is relaxed. If the limiter width used in the limiter unit 14 is sufficiently expanded, the feedback control is likely to function effectively, so that it is possible to compensate for the temperature decrease of the load 3 during inhalation through the feedback control, even if the limiter width is not expanded during inhalation. If the limiter width is expanded, the control performed during the use phase may be quite complicated in this case.

[0559] In Example 5C, in order to compensate for the temperature drop of the load 3 that occurs during inhalation, the degree of expansion of the limiter width during inhalation is gradually reduced, so that it is possible to ensure the stability of the temperature of the load 3 using the feedback control with a large operation amount that can be output. <Beispiel 5D>

[0560] Example 5D describes the control of the recovery of the temperature decrease of the load 3 upon detection of inhalation by changing the gain unit 12. Here, changing a gain includes, for example, changing a gain function, changing a value included in the gain function, and the like.

[0561] Fig. 49 is a control block diagram showing an example of control executed by the control unit 8 according to Example 5D.

[0562] The gain changing unit 17 provided in the control unit 8 according to Example 5D changes a gain used in the gain unit 12 when, for example, inhalation is detected. Specifically, when inhalation is detected, the gain changing unit 17 changes the gain of the gain unit 12, specifically, it increases the gain of the gain unit 12 to obtain a larger duty cycle than when inhalation is not detected, based on a differential input from the differential unit 11.

[0563] This makes it possible to restore the temperature decrease of load 3 during inhalation.

[0564] Fig. 50 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 5D.

[0565] The process from step S5001 to step S5004 is the same as the process from step S4301 to step S4304 in Fig. 43.

[0566] If it is determined in step S5004 that the inhalation is not detected (a detection result is negative), the processing proceeds to step S5006.

[0567] When it is determined in step S5004 that the inhalation is detected (a determination result is positive), the gain changing unit 17 changes a correlation for the gain change indicating a correlation between a gain and an input parameter in step S5005, and the processing proceeds to step S5006.

[0568] In step S5006, the gain changing unit 17 changes the gain of the amplifying unit 12 based on the input parameter.

[0569] The process from step S5007 to step S5009 is the same as the process from step S4307 to step S4309 in Fig. 43.

[0570] In Example 5D, as described above, when inhalation occurs, the boost unit 12 is changed to compensate for the temperature decrease of the load 3 early on.

[0571] Meanwhile, when inhalation is detected, the control unit 8 can change the end temperature of the use phase to increase the duty value obtained by the feedback control, instead of increasing the limiter width enlargement width used in the limiter unit 14 or the gain of the gain unit 12, or together with the limiter width enlargement width or the gain. When the end temperature of the use phase is used, the difference output by the gain unit 11 increases, so the duty ratio output by the gain unit 12 increases. As a result, the duty operation value output by the feedback control can be increased. <Beispiel 5E>

[0572] Example 5E describes the control of increasing the limiter width upon detection of inhalation and returning the limiter width to a value prior to detection of inhalation after the temperature decrease of load 3 due to inhalation is restored.

[0573] Fig. Figure 51 is a graph illustrating an example of changes in the temperature of load 3 and the limiter width according to Example 5E. In the graph, the horizontal axis indicates the timer value t, and the vertical axis indicates the temperature of load 3 and the limiter width.

[0574] As described above, the temperature of the load 3 is lowered during inhalation. When inhalation is detected, the limiter changing unit 13 of the control unit 8 increases the limiter width, so that the control unit 8 restores the lowered temperature of the load 3.

[0575] The limiter changing unit 13 detects the recovery of the temperature of the load 3 when the temperature of the load 3 returns to the state before the inhalation was detected, or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the inhalation was detected, for example. Then, the limiter changing unit 13 changes the limiter width back to a value before the inhalation was detected.

[0576] The control of Example 5E can also be applied to a case where the temperature of load 3 is maintained constant.

[0577] Fig. 52 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the use phase by the control unit 8 according to Example 5E.

[0578] The process from step S5201 to step S5205 is the same as the process from step S4601 to step S4605 in Fig. 46.

[0579] If it is determined in step S5204 that the correlation for the limiter width change has not yet been changed (a negative determination result), the process proceeds to step S5207.

[0580] If it is also determined in step S5205 that the temperature decrease of the load 3 has not been restored (a determination result is negative), the processing proceeds to step S5207.

[0581] When it is determined in step S5205 that the temperature decrease of the load 3 has been restored (a determination result is positive), the limiter changing unit 13 returns the limiter width to an original state in step S5206, and the processing proceeds to step S5207.

[0582] In step S5207, the control unit 8 determines whether inhalation is detected.

[0583] If it is determined that the inhalation is not detected (a detection result in step S5207 is negative), the processing proceeds to step S5209.

[0584] When it is determined that the inhalation is detected (a determination result in step S5207 is positive), the limiter changing unit 13 expands the limiter width used in the limiter unit 14 in step S5208 and proceeds to step S5209.

[0585] The process from step S5209 to step S5212 is the same as the process from step S4609 to step S4612 in Fig. 46.

[0586] In Example 5E, as described above, when inhalation is detected, the temperature of load 3 can be promptly and appropriately restored. After the temperature of load 3 is restored, the limiter width used in limiter unit 14 can be reset to the value before inhalation was detected. In this way, the temperature of load 3 can be stabilized.

[0587] The above embodiments can be freely combined. These embodiments are exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

[0588] Further existing embodiments of the present invention are described below as E1 to E21: E1. An aerosol generating device comprising a load configured to heat an aerosol generating article using power provided from a power source, the aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate configured to hold or support at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source; and a control unit configured to obtain a temperature of the load and to control the power provided from the power source to the load through feedback control, the control unit configured to determine the power provided from the power source to the load based on a comparison between an operation value obtained in the feedback control and a predetermined value. E2. The aerosol generating device according to E2, wherein the control unit is configured to determine the power supplied from the power source to the load based on a larger value of the operation value and the predetermined value. E3. The aerosol generating device according to E2, wherein the control unit is configured to control the power supplied from the power source to the load in a plurality of phases, the plurality of phases comprising a first phase and a second phase performed after the first phase, and wherein the predetermined value used in the second phase is determined based on a value related to the power supplied from the power source to the load in the first phase. E4. The aerosol generating device according to E3, wherein the predetermined value used in the second phase is determined based on a value related to the power finally determined in the first phase. E5. The aerosol generating device according to E2, wherein the control unit is configured to perform the feedback control so that the temperature of the load is gradually increased, and wherein the predetermined value changes with an increase in the temperature of the load. E6. The aerosol generating device according to E2, wherein the control unit is configured to perform the feedback control such that the operation value is gradually increased, and wherein the predetermined value changes with an increase in the temperature of the load. E7. The aerosol generating device according to E5 or E6, wherein the control unit is configured to gradually increase a magnification in the feedback control. E8. The aerosol generating device according to E5 or E6, wherein the control unit is configured to gradually increase an upper limit of the power supplied from the power source to the load in the feedback control. E9. The aerosol generating device according to E7 or E8, wherein the predetermined value gradually decreases. E10. The aerosol generating device according to E7 or E8, wherein the control unit is configured to change the predetermined value to zero during the execution of the feedback control. E11. The aerosol generating device according to any one of E2 to E10, wherein the control unit decreases the predetermined value when an excess is detected in which the temperature of the load changes by a threshold value or more per predetermined time. E12. The aerosol generating device according to E11, wherein the control unit, when the exceedance is resolved, resets the predetermined value to a value before the exceedance was detected. E13. The aerosol generating device according to any one of E1 to E12, wherein the predetermined value is determined as a value or greater necessary to maintain the temperature of the load. E14. The aerosol generating device according to any one of items E1 to E12, wherein the control unit is configured to determine or correct the predetermined value based on the temperature of the load. E15. The aerosol generating device according to E14, wherein the control unit is configured to determine or correct the predetermined value so that an absolute value of a difference between the temperature of the load and the predetermined temperature does not increase. E16. A control method for power provided by a power source to a load used to heat an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate configured to hold or support at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source, the control method comprising starting the supply of power from the power source to the load; sensing a temperature of the load and controlling the power provided by the power source to the load through feedback control; and determining the power provided by the power source to the load based on a comparison between an operating value obtained in the feedback control and a predetermined value. E17. A control device for controlling the power supplied to a load from a power source used to heat an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate configured to hold or support at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source, the control device being configured to start supplying the power from the power source to the load; controlling the power supplied by the power source to the load through feedback control; and determining the power supplied by the power source to the load based on a comparison between an operation value obtained in the feedback control and a predetermined value. E18. An aerosol generating device comprising a load configured to heat an aerosol generating article using power supplied from a power source, the aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate configured to hold or support at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source; and a control unit configured to detect a temperature of the load and control the power supplied from the power source to the load through feedback control based on a difference between the temperature of the load and a predetermined temperature, the control unit configured to correct an operation value obtained in the feedback control so that an absolute value of the difference is not increased. E19. A control method for power supplied from a power source to a load used to heat an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate configured to hold or support at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source, the control method comprising starting power supply from the power source to the load; detecting a temperature of the load and controlling power supplied from the power source to the load by feedback control based on a difference between the temperature of the load and a predetermined temperature; and correcting an operation value obtained in the feedback control so that an absolute value of the difference does not increase. E20. A control device for controlling power supplied from a power source to a load used to heat an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate configured to hold or support at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source, the control device being configured to start supplying the power from the power source to the load; obtaining a temperature of the load and controlling the power supplied from the power source to the load through feedback control based on a difference between the temperature of the load and a predetermined temperature; and correcting an operation value obtained in the feedback control so that an absolute value of the difference is not increased. E21. An aerosol generating device comprising a load configured to heat an aerosol generating article using power supplied from a power source, the aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate configured to hold or support at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source; and a control unit configured to detect a temperature of the load and control power supplied from the power source to the load through feedback control based on a difference between the temperature of the load and a predetermined temperature, the control unit configured to correct an operation value obtained in the feedback control to suppress a decrease in the temperature of the load. E22. A control method for power supplied from a power source to a load used to heat an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate configured to hold or support at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source, the control method comprising starting power supply from the power source to the load; detecting a temperature of the load and controlling power supplied from the power source to the load by feedback control based on a difference between the temperature of the load and a predetermined temperature; and correcting an operation value obtained in the feedback control to suppress a decrease in the temperature of the load. E23. A control device for controlling power supplied from an aerosol generating device to a load used for heating an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate configured to hold or support at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source, the control device being configured to start supplying power from the power source to the load; obtaining a temperature of the load and controlling the power supplied from the power source to the load by feedback control based on a difference between the temperature of the load and a predetermined temperature; and correcting an operation value obtained in the feedback control to suppress a decrease in the temperature of the load. E24. A program for causing a computer to implement the control method according to any one of items E16, E19 and E22. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 6,046,231

[0005] JP 6,125,008

[0005] JP 6,062,457

[0005] WO 2014102091A1

[0008] WO 2013098397A2

[0009] US 2014096782A1

[0010] EP 3228198A1

[0011] US 2015359263A1

[0012] WO 2014 / 040988 A2

[0013]

Claims

[1] Aerosol generating device (1) comprising: a load (3) configured to heat an aerosol generating article (9) using power provided by a power source (4), wherein the aerosol generating article (9) comprises an aerosol-forming substrate (9a) configured to hold or support at least one aerosol source or a flavor source; and a control unit (8) configured to receive a temperature of the load (3) and to control the power to be provided by the power source (4) to the load (3) by feedback control, wherein the control unit (8) is configured to control the power to be supplied from the power source (4) to the load (3) based on a comparison between an operation value obtained in the feedback control and a predetermined value, wherein the operation value and the predetermined value are values ​​relating to a duty cycle related to a corresponding power supplied to the load (3), and wherein the control unit (8) configured to obtain a larger value of the operation value and the predetermined value in the comparison between the operation value and the predetermined value, and configured to control the power supplied by the power source (4) to the load based on the larger value. [2] Aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (8) is configured to control the power provided by the power source (4) to the load (3) in several phases, wherein the plurality of phases comprise a first phase and a second phase executed after the first phase, and wherein the predetermined value used in the second phase is determined based on a value related to the power supplied to the load (3) in the first phase by the power source (4). [3] The aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined value used in the second phase is determined based on a value related to the power finally determined in the first phase. [4] The aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (8) is configured to perform the feedback control so that the temperature of the load (3) is gradually increased, and wherein the predetermined value changes with an increase in the temperature of the load. [5] The aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (8) is configured to perform the feedback control so that the operation value is gradually increased, and wherein the predetermined value changes with an increase in the temperature of the load. [6] The aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the control unit (8) is configured to gradually perform an increase in the feedback control. [7] The aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the control unit (8) is configured to gradually increase an upper limit of the power supplied from the power source (4) to the load (3) in the feedback control. [8] Aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the predetermined value gradually decreases. [9] The aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the control unit (8) is configured to change the predetermined value to zero during the execution of the feedback control. [10] Aerosol generating device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the control unit (8) lowers the predetermined value when an exceedance is detected in which the temperature of the load (3) changes by a threshold value or more per predetermined time. [11] Aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the control unit (8), when the exceedance is detected, resets the predetermined value to a value before the detection of the exceedance. [12] The aerosol generating device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the predetermined value is determined as a value or greater required to maintain the temperature of the load, or wherein the control unit (8) is configured to determine or correct the predetermined value based on the temperature of the load, wherein the control unit (8) is preferably configured to determine or correct the predetermined value such that an absolute value of a difference between the temperature of the load (3) and the predetermined temperature is not increased. [13] A control device for controlling a power provided by an aerosol generating device (4) to a load used to heat an aerosol generating article (9) comprising an aerosol-forming substrate (9a) configured to hold or support at least one aerosol source or a flavor source, the control device being configured: to start the power supply from the power source (4) to the load (3); to maintain a temperature of the load (3) and to control the power to be supplied by the power source (4) to the load (3) by feedback control; and to control the power supplied by the power source (4) to the load (3) based on a comparison between an operating value obtained during the feedback control and a predetermined value, wherein the operation value and the predetermined value are values ​​relating to a duty cycle related to a corresponding power supplied to the load, and wherein controlling the power comprises obtaining a larger value of the operation value and the predetermined value in the comparison between the operation value and the predetermined value, and is performed based on the larger value.

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