Inhalation component generating device

Abstract

To provide an inhalation component generating device having a notification part for notifying a user of various information.SOLUTION: The notification unit enters a first notification state when the remaining amount of the power supply is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, enters a second notification state when the remaining amount of the power supply is less than the first threshold value and equal to or greater than a second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value, and enters a third notification state when the remaining amount of the power supply is less than the second threshold value, the notification in the first notification state and the notification in the second notification state include emission colors different from each other, notification patterns in the first notification state and the second notification state are different from a notification pattern in the third notification state, the notification in the first notification state and the notification in the third notification state include emission colors different from each other, When the amount of remaining electric power in the power supply is smaller than the second threshold, electric power from the power supply is not supplied to the heating unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inhalant component generating device that includes a load that vaporizes or atomizes an inhalant component source using power from a power source. [Background technology]

[0002] Instead of cigarettes, inhalable component generators (electronic cigarettes) have been proposed that allow users to enjoy inhalable components produced by vaporizing or atomizing a flavor source or aerosol source such as tobacco using a load such as a heater (Patent Documents 1 to 8). The inhalable component generator includes a load that vaporizes or atomizes the flavor source and / or the aerosol source, a power source that supplies power to the load, and a control unit that controls the load and the power source.

[0003] Patent documents 2 to 7 disclose an inhalant component generator equipped with LEDs (light-emitting diodes). In particular, patent documents 4 to 7 disclose changing the number or lighting pattern of the light-emitting elements (LEDs) provided in the device depending on the charging rate of the power source.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 9 discloses that a management voltage value is set according to degradation information of the power supply before the voltage of the power supply reaches the discharge end voltage. When the voltage of the power supply falls below the management voltage value, a control unit executes a process to terminate discharge of the secondary battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2015 / 165747 [Patent Document 2] US Patent No. 2013 / 0019887 [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2015 / 046386 [Patent Document 4] International Publication No. 2015 / 073975 [Patent Document 5] US Patent No. 2015 / 0272223 [Patent Document 6] International Publication No. 2015 / 119918 [Patent Document 7] International Publication No. 2015 / 161502 [Patent Document 8] International Publication No. 2014 / 150942 [Patent Document 9] Patent Publication No. 2011-53097 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The aspirated component generating device of the present invention comprises: a heating unit that vaporizes or atomizes the suction component source using power from a power source; A notification unit; a control unit that operates the heating unit, The notification unit When the remaining amount of the power source is equal to or greater than a first threshold, the first notification state is established; When the remaining amount of the power source is less than the first threshold and equal to or greater than a second threshold that is smaller than the first threshold, the second notification state is entered; When the remaining amount of the power source is less than the second threshold, the third notification state is entered; The notification in the first notification state and the notification in the second notification state include different light emitting colors, The notification pattern in the first notification state and the second notification state is different from the notification pattern in the third notification state, The notification in the first notification state and the notification in the third notification state include different light emitting colors, When the remaining power of the power source is less than the second threshold, power from the power source is not supplied to the heating unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aspirated component generating device according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an atomization unit according to one embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a suction sensor according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the aspirated component generating device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the electric circuit of the atomization unit and the electrical unit when a load is connected. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the electric circuit of the charger and the electrical unit when the charger is connected. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a control method for the aspirated component generating device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the number of puffing actions by the user and the value indicating the remaining amount of power. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the light emitting pattern of the light emitting element in the normal use mode and the charge request mode. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a light emitting pattern of the light emitting element in the abnormality notification mode. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the threshold value changing process. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows an example of a block diagram of a control unit for implementing a predetermined algorithm. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows another example of a block diagram of a control unit for implementing a predetermined algorithm. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing another example of the threshold value changing process. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a graph showing the state of the voltage value of the power supply when charging is started before the voltage of the power supply reaches the discharge cut-off voltage. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 shows another example of a block diagram of a control unit for implementing a predetermined algorithm. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 shows an example of a block diagram of a control unit for performing the smoothing process. [Figure 18]FIG. 18 shows an example of a block diagram of a control unit for correcting the first threshold value when the threshold value change process is performed after a long period of inactivity. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the abnormality determination process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and the ratios of the dimensions may differ from those of the actual parts.

[0009] Therefore, specific dimensions should be determined with reference to the following explanation. Of course, there may be cases where the dimensional relationships and ratios differ between the drawings.

[0010] [Disclosure Summary] Patent Document 9 discloses setting a management voltage value according to deterioration information of a secondary battery before the voltage of a power supply reaches a discharge end voltage. This management voltage value is used as an indicator for terminating discharge of the secondary battery. This management voltage value is set based on the deterioration information of the secondary battery, but it is difficult to accurately calculate the deterioration information of the secondary battery. Therefore, the calculated value of the deterioration information of the secondary battery may vary greatly each time it is calculated. In this way, it is not desirable to control a device based on a value that can vary greatly each time it is calculated.

[0011] According to one aspect, an inhalation component generating device includes a load that vaporizes or atomizes an inhalation component source using power from a power source, a notification unit, and a control unit that acquires a value representing the remaining capacity of the power source, acquires an operation request signal for the load, and generates a command to operate the load. The control unit is configured to cause the notification unit to issue a second notification when the value representing the remaining capacity of the power source is less than a first threshold and equal to or greater than a second threshold that is smaller than the first threshold. The control unit is also configured to cause the notification unit to issue a third notification when the value representing the remaining capacity of the power source is less than the second threshold. The first threshold is changeable based on an algorithm. The control unit is configured to set the first threshold based on a value derived by performing an averaging process on a first threshold derived by the algorithm to approximate at least one of a plurality of previously changed first thresholds.

[0012] According to this aspect, the first threshold is set based on a value derived by performing a smoothing process to bring the first threshold closer to at least one of the multiple first thresholds previously changed. Therefore, even if the accuracy of the first threshold derived by the algorithm is poor, the smoothing process reduces the variation in the first threshold. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the second notification from being sent to the user at an undesirable timing due to the variation in the derived first threshold, and to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable.

[0013] [First embodiment] (Suction component generator) The following describes an aspirated component generation device according to a first embodiment. Fig. 1 is an exploded view showing an aspirated component generation device according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a view showing an atomization unit according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of the configuration of an aspirated sensor according to an embodiment. Fig. 4 is a block diagram of an aspirated component generation device. Fig. 5 is a view showing an electric circuit of the atomization unit and the electrical unit when a load is connected. Fig. 6 is a view showing an electric circuit of the charger and the electrical unit when the charger is connected.

[0014] The inhaled component generation device 100 may be a non-combustion flavor inhaler for inhaling inhaled components (flavor components) without combustion. The inhaled component generation device 100 may have a shape extending along a predetermined direction A, which is the direction from the non-suction end E2 toward the mouth end E1. In this case, the inhaled component generation device 100 may include one end E1 having a suction port 141 for inhaling the inhaled components, and the other end E2 opposite the suction port.

[0015] The inhaled component generation device 100 may include an electrical unit 110 and an atomization unit 120. The atomization unit 120 may be configured to be detachable from the electrical unit 110 via mechanical connection parts 111, 121. When the atomization unit 120 and the electrical unit 110 are mechanically connected to each other, a load 121R (described later) in the atomization unit 120 is electrically connected to the power source 10 provided in the electrical unit 110 via electrical connection terminals 110t, 120t. In other words, the electrical connection terminals 110t, 120t form a connection part that can electrically connect and disconnect the load 121R and the power source 10.

[0016] The atomization unit 120 includes a source of inhaled components that is inhaled by a user, and a load 121R that vaporizes or atomizes the source of inhaled components using power from the power source 10. The source of inhaled components may include an aerosol source that generates an aerosol and / or a flavor source that generates a flavor component.

[0017] The load 121R may be any element capable of generating an aerosol and / or a flavor component from the aerosol source and / or the flavor source by receiving power. For example, the load 121R may be a heat generating element such as a heater or an element such as an ultrasonic generator. Examples of the heat generating element include a heating resistor, a ceramic heater, and an induction heater.

[0018] A more detailed example of the atomization unit 120 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The atomization unit 120 may include a reservoir 121P, a wick 121Q, and a load 121R. The reservoir 121P may be configured to store a liquid aerosol source or flavor source. The reservoir 121P may be a porous body made of a material such as a resin web. The wick 121Q may be a liquid retention member that draws the aerosol source or flavor source from the reservoir 121P by utilizing capillary action. The wick 121Q may be made of, for example, glass fiber or porous ceramic.

[0019] Load 121R atomizes the aerosol source or heats the flavor source held by wick 121Q. Load 121R is configured, for example, by a resistance heating element (for example, a heating wire) wound around wick 121Q.

[0020] The air flowing in from the inlet hole 122A passes near the load 121R in the atomization unit 120. The inhaled components generated by the load 121R flow toward the mouthpiece together with the air.

[0021] The aerosol source may be liquid at room temperature. For example, a polyhydric alcohol may be used as the aerosol source. The aerosol source itself may contain a flavor component. Alternatively, the aerosol source may contain a tobacco material or an extract derived from a tobacco material that releases a flavor component upon heating.

[0022] In the above embodiment, an example of an aerosol source that is liquid at room temperature has been described in detail. However, instead of this, an aerosol source that is solid at room temperature can also be used.

[0023] The atomization unit 120 may include a replaceable flavor unit 130. The flavor unit 130 has a cylindrical body 131 that houses a flavor source. The cylindrical body 131 may include a membrane member 133 and a filter 132. The flavor source may be provided in a space defined by the membrane member 133 and the filter 132.

[0024] The atomizing unit 120 may include a destruction section 90. The destruction section 90 is a member for destroying a part of the membrane member 133 of the flavor unit 130. The destruction section 90 may be held by a partition member 126 for separating the atomizing unit 120 and the flavor unit 130. The partition member 126 is made of, for example, polyacetal resin. The destruction section 90 is, for example, a cylindrical hollow needle. By piercing the tip of the hollow needle into the membrane member 133, an air flow path is formed that pneumatically connects the atomizing unit 120 and the flavor unit 130. Here, it is preferable that the inside of the hollow needle be provided with a mesh that is rough enough to prevent the flavor source from passing through.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, a flavor source in the flavor unit 130 imparts flavoring ingredients to the aerosol generated by the load 121R of the atomization unit 120. The flavor imparted to the aerosol by the flavor source is delivered to the mouthpiece of the inhalable ingredient generating device 100. In this manner, the inhalable ingredient generating device 100 may have multiple inhalable ingredient sources. Alternatively, the inhalable ingredient generating device 100 may have only one inhalable ingredient source.

[0026] The flavor source in the flavor unit 130 may be solid at room temperature. As an example, the flavor source is composed of raw material pieces of plant material that impart flavor components to the aerosol. The raw material pieces that make up the flavor source may be formed from a granular product of tobacco material such as cut tobacco or tobacco raw material. Alternatively, the flavor source may be a shaped product of tobacco material formed into a sheet. The raw material pieces that make up the flavor source may also be formed from plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint, herbs, etc.). The flavor source may also be imparted with flavorings such as menthol.

[0027] The inhaled component generating device 100 may include a mouthpiece 142 having an inhalation port 141 through which a user inhales the inhaled component. The mouthpiece 142 may be configured to be detachable from the atomizing unit 120 or the flavoring unit 130, or may be configured as an integral, inseparable unit.

[0028] The electrical unit 110 may include a power source 10, a suction sensor 20, a push button 30, a notification unit 40, and a control unit 50. The power source 10 stores the power required for the operation of the flavor inhaler 100. The power source 10 may be detachable from the electrical unit 110. The power source 10 may be a rechargeable battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery.

[0029] When the atomization unit 120 is connected to the electrical unit 110, the load 121R provided on the atomization unit 120 is electrically connected to the power supply 10 of the electrical unit 110 (see FIG. 5).

[0030] The aspirated component generation device 100 may include a switch 140 that can electrically connect and disconnect the load 121R and the power supply 10. The switch 140 is opened and closed by the control unit 50. The switch 140 may be configured by, for example, a MOSFET.

[0031] When the switch 140 is turned ON, power is supplied from the power supply 10 to the load 121R. On the other hand, when the switch 140 is turned OFF, the supply of power from the power supply 10 to the load 121R is stopped. The ON / OFF of the switch 140 is controlled by the control unit 50.

[0032] The control unit 50 may include an activation request sensor that detects an operation related to a user's activation request. The activation request sensor may be, for example, a push button 30 pressed by the user or a suction sensor 20 that detects the user's inhalation operation. The control unit 50 acquires an operation request signal for the load 121R and generates a command to operate the load 121R. In a specific example, the control unit 50 outputs a command to operate the load 121R to the switch 140, and the switch 140 turns ON in response to this command. In this manner, the control unit 50 is configured to control the power supply from the power source 10 to the load 121R. When power is supplied from the power source 10 to the load 121R, the inhalation component source is vaporized or atomized by the load 121R.

[0033] Furthermore, the inhalant component generating device 100 may include at least one of a voltage sensor 150, a current sensor 152, and a temperature sensor 154, as needed. For convenience, the temperature sensor 154 is not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0034] The voltage sensor 150 may be configured to be able to detect the voltage of the power supply 10. The current sensor 152 may be configured to be able to detect the amount of current flowing out of and into the power supply 10. The temperature sensor 154 may be configured to be able to detect, for example, the temperature near the power supply 10. The control unit 50 is configured to be able to acquire outputs from the voltage sensor 150, the current sensor 152, and the temperature sensor 154. The control unit 50 performs various controls using these outputs.

[0035] The suction sensor 20 may be a sensor that outputs a value (e.g., a voltage value or a current value) that changes depending on the flow rate of air sucked from the non-suction-portion side to the suction-portion side (i.e., the user's puffing action). Examples of such sensors include a condenser microphone sensor and a known flow rate sensor.

[0036] FIG. 3 shows a specific example of the suction sensor 20. The suction sensor 20 shown in FIG. 3 includes a sensor body 21, a cover 22, and a substrate 23. The sensor body 21 is configured, for example, by a capacitor. The capacitance of the sensor body 21 changes due to vibrations (pressure) caused by air sucked through the air inlet hole 125 (i.e., air sucked from the non-suction port side toward the suction port side). The cover 22 is provided on the suction port side of the sensor body 21 and has an opening 22A. By providing the cover 22 with the opening 22A, the capacitance of the sensor body 21 can be easily changed, improving the response characteristics of the sensor body 21. The substrate 23 outputs a value (here, a voltage value) indicating the capacitance of the sensor body 21 (capacitor).

[0037] The aspirated component generation device 100, more specifically the electrical component unit 110, may be configured to be connectable to a charger 200 that charges the power source 10 in the electrical component unit 110 (see FIG. 6). When the charger 200 is connected to the electrical component unit 110, the charger 200 is electrically connected to the power source 10 of the electrical component unit 110.

[0038] The electrical unit 110 may have a determination unit that determines whether the charger 200 is connected. The determination unit may be, for example, a means for determining whether the charger 200 is connected based on a change in the potential difference between a pair of electrical terminals to which the charger 200 is connected. The determination unit is not limited to this means, and may be any means that can determine whether the charger 200 is connected.

[0039] The charger 200 has an external power source 210 for charging the power source 10 in the electrical unit 110. The aspirated component generation device 100 may be capable of communicating with a processor 250 of the charger 200. The processor 250 may be configured to be capable of controlling at least one of discharging from the power source 10 to the external power source 210 and charging from the external power source 210 to the power source 10. The charger 200 may also have a current sensor 230 that acquires a value of a charging current and a voltage sensor 240 that acquires a value of a charging voltage.

[0040] The control unit 50 may include a counter 52 that counts the number of times that a puffing action by the user is detected. The control unit 50 may also include a timer 54 that measures the time that has elapsed since the detection of a puffing action by the user, i.e., since the acquisition of an operation request signal to the load 121R.

[0041] The notification unit 40 issues notifications to notify the user of various types of information. The notification unit 40 may be, for example, a light-emitting element such as an LED. Alternatively, the notification unit 40 may be an element that generates sound or a vibrator. The control unit 50 may be configured to be able to control the notification unit 40 to operate in any one of a normal use mode, a charge request mode, and an abnormality notification mode. The normal use mode, the charge request mode, and the abnormality notification mode will be described later.

[0042] When the notification unit 40 includes a light-emitting element, the light-emitting element is preferably provided on the side surface 124 extending between the suction end E1 and the non-suction end E2 (see FIG. 1). In this case, the length from the suction end E1 to the light-emitting element is preferably 58 mm or more, more preferably 100 mm or more. Furthermore, the length from one end E1 to the other end E2 is preferably 135 mm or less.

[0043] The light-emitting element may also be provided across the non-suction end E2 of the inhalable component production device 100 and a portion of the side surface 124 extending between the mouth end E1 and the non-suction end E2. In this case, the length from one end E1 to the other end E2, i.e., the approximate length from the mouth end E1 to the light-emitting element, is preferably 58 mm or more, more preferably 100 mm or more. Furthermore, the length from one end E1 to the other end E2 is preferably 135 mm or less. This length may be set from the perspective of imitating the shape of a widely available cigarette and from the perspective of ensuring that the notification unit 40 is within the user's field of vision when the user holds the end E1 in their mouth.

[0044] This ensures a sufficient distance between the user's eyes and the other end E2 of the suction component generator 100, i.e., the light-emitting element, when the user holds the suction end E1 in their mouth and uses the suction component generator 100. Assuming a typical user's eyes are 100 mm apart and considering peripheral vision, if the light-emitting element emits purple light, the user can begin to recognize the color of the light-emitting element even when the distance from the suction end E1 to the light-emitting element is 58 mm or more and the user's gaze is directed toward the center of the front. In other words, the user can easily recognize the difference in the color of the light-emitting element without focusing on the light-emitting element. Furthermore, when the distance from the suction end E1 to the light-emitting element is 100 mm or more, the user's recognition rate for purple exceeds 50%. Note that color recognition refers to the ability to distinguish a specific color from other colors. It is not necessary to be able to distinguish between multiple colors in the same color family; it is sufficient to be able to distinguish between at least multiple colors that are not in the same color family and are easily distinguishable.

[0045] It should be noted that the above-mentioned length at which the user can begin to recognize the color of the light-emitting element and the length at which the user's color recognition rate exceeds 50% are values ​​for an example in which the light-emitting element emits purple light. In other words, the length from the suction mouth end E1 to the light-emitting element may be determined based on the color of the light-emitting element that the user is particularly interested in recognizing.

[0046] Furthermore, if the light-emitting element is provided on a part of the side surface 124 extending between the suction end E1 and the non-suction end E2, there is an advantage that the user can easily recognize the color of the light-emitting element while holding the suction component generation device in their mouth.

[0047] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a control method for an inhaled component generating device. Fig. 8 shows the relationship between the number of puffing actions by the user and a value indicating the remaining power level.

[0048] During the following series of processes, counter 52 preferably counts the number of times the user performs a puffing action.

[0049] The control unit 50 monitors whether the charger 200 has charged the power source 10 (step S100). This determination can be made by monitoring a value indicating the remaining capacity of the power source 10. For example, the control unit 50 can determine that charging has occurred when the value indicating the remaining capacity of the power source 10 increases to a predetermined level or greater. Alternatively, the control unit 50 may determine that charging has occurred when a current sensor 152 provided in the electrical unit 110 detects a charging current for charging the power source 10. Alternatively, the control unit 50 may determine that charging has occurred when a communication means (not shown) that enables communication between the electrical unit 110 and the charger 200 communicates with the electrical unit 110 that charging is being performed. Alternatively, the control unit 50 may determine that charging has occurred when a signal requesting charging is transmitted from the electrical unit 110 to the charger 200. Note that communication between the electrical unit 110 and the charger 200 may be performed via power line communication (PLC) via a circuit without using a dedicated communication means.

[0050] The value indicating the remaining capacity of power source 10 may be, for example, the voltage of power source 10, the state of charge (SOC) of power source 10, or the remaining capacity of the power source. The voltage of power source 10 may be an open circuit voltage (OCV) obtained without electrically connecting load 121R to power source 10, or a closed circuit voltage (CCV) obtained by electrically connecting a load to the power source. However, from the perspective of accuracy in estimating the remaining capacity of power source 10, it is preferable that the value indicating the remaining capacity of power source 10 be determined by the open circuit voltage (OCV) rather than the closed circuit voltage (CCV), in order to eliminate the effects of voltage drops associated with the electrical connection of load 121R and changes in internal resistance and temperature associated with discharge.

[0051] When charging is performed, the control unit 50 preferably sets the value of the counter 52 to "0" (step S102), thereby enabling the counter 52 to count the number of puffing actions from when charging was performed until the present time.

[0052] Furthermore, when charging has been performed, the control unit 50 may perform threshold value change processing S104 as necessary. The threshold value change processing S104 will be described in detail below.

[0053] Furthermore, the control unit 50 waits until it acquires an operation request signal for the load 121R (step S106). The operation request signal for the load 121R is input to the control unit 50 from the operation request sensor described above in response to the user's operation.

[0054] When the control unit 50 receives the operation request signal for the load 121R, it acquires a value indicating the remaining capacity of the power source 10 (step S108). Examples of the value indicating the remaining capacity of the power source 10 are as described above. The acquired value indicating the remaining capacity of the power source 10 is stored in the memory 58.

[0055] If the acquired value indicating the remaining amount of power source 10 is less than the second threshold, control unit 50 controls notification unit 40 in an abnormality notification mode and causes notification unit 40 to issue a third notification (steps S110 and S112). The abnormality notification mode is a mode indicating that the remaining amount of power source 10 is zero or extremely low and that load 121R cannot normally generate the attraction component from the attraction component source.

[0056] The second threshold may be defined, for example, by a value corresponding to the remaining capacity of the power source that is 0 or close to 0. If the value indicating the remaining capacity of the power source 10 is the voltage of the power source 10, the second threshold may be defined, for example, by the end-of-discharge voltage or a voltage slightly higher than the end-of-discharge voltage. If the value indicating the remaining capacity of the power source 10 is the charge rate or remaining capacity of the power source 10, the second threshold may be defined, for example, by the end-of-discharge voltage or a charge rate or remaining capacity corresponding to a voltage slightly higher than the end-of-discharge voltage.

[0057] In the abnormality notification mode, the control unit 50 may wait without supplying power to the load 121R. Alternatively, the control unit 50 may automatically turn off the aspirated component production device 100 when the control unit 50 enters the abnormality notification mode.

[0058] Preferably, when the control unit 50 enters the abnormality notification mode, it executes a threshold value change process (step S114) as needed. The threshold value change process S114 will be described in detail later.

[0059] If the acquired value indicating the remaining charge of power source 10 is equal to or greater than a first threshold value that is greater than a second threshold value, control unit 50 controls notification unit 40 in normal use mode and causes notification unit 40 to issue a first notification (steps S110, S116, S118). Normal use mode is a mode in which the remaining charge of power source 10 is sufficiently high and load 121R can generate an attraction component from the attraction component source. The first threshold value is used to distinguish between the normal use mode and a charge request mode, which will be described later.

[0060] In the normal use mode, the control unit 50 acquires an operation request signal for the load 121R and generates a command to operate the load 121R. Based on this command, the switch 140 turns ON, thereby supplying power to the load 121R (step S120). This causes the load 121R to generate suction components from the suction component source. The generated suction components are inhaled by the user through the suction port. The control unit 50 may control the amount of power supplied to the load 121R by pulse width modulation (PWM).

[0061] When the control unit 50 determines that the user's requested operation (inhalation operation) has been completed based on the operation request signal from the operation request sensor, the control unit 50 stops the power supply to the load 121R by turning off the switch 140 (steps S122 and S124). Furthermore, if the user's requested operation (inhalation operation) continues for more than a predetermined period, the control unit 50 may forcibly stop the power supply to the load 121R. The predetermined period for forcibly stopping the power supply to the load 121R may be set based on the duration of one inhalation operation by a normal user, and may be set in the range of 2 to 4 seconds, for example.

[0062] When the control unit 50 detects a puffing action by the user based on the action request signal from the action request sensor, the control unit 50 increments the value of the counter 52, which counts the number of puffing actions, by one. Furthermore, the control unit 50 resets the timer 54 and measures the elapsed time using the timer 54 (step S128). This allows the control unit 50 to measure the unused time, which is the period during which power is not supplied to the load 121R, using the timer 54.

[0063] When the power supply to the load 121R is stopped, the state returns to standby, and the control unit 50 again monitors whether charging has been performed (step S100) and whether an operation request signal to the load 121R has been acquired (step S106).

[0064] If the value indicating the remaining amount of power source obtained in step S108 is less than the first threshold value and equal to or greater than the second threshold value, control unit 50 controls notification unit 40 in a charge request mode and causes notification unit 40 to issue a second notification (steps S110, S116, S119). The charge request mode is provided to notify the user of a decrease in the remaining amount of power source 10 and request the user to charge, although an attraction component can be generated by supplying power to load 121R.

[0065] In the charge request mode, the control unit 50, like in the normal use mode, receives an operation request signal for the load 121R and generates a command to operate the load 121R. Based on this command, the switch 140 turns ON, thereby supplying power to the load 121R (step S120). This causes the load 121R to generate the inhaled component from the inhaled component source. As described above, the steps from the start to the end of the power supply to the load 121R in the charge request mode (steps S120, S122, and S124) can be performed in the same manner as in the normal use mode. Furthermore, when the control unit 50 detects a puffing action by the user, it increments the value of the counter 52 by one even in the charge request mode (step S126). Furthermore, the control unit 50 resets the timer 54 and measures the elapsed time using the timer 54 (step S128). This allows the control unit 50 to measure the unused time, which is the period during which power is not supplied to the load 121R, using the timer 54.

[0066] The first threshold value described above is a variable value that can be changed based on an operation request signal to the load 121R acquired by the control unit 50. That is, the condition for switching between the normal use mode and the charge request mode is changed based on the operation request signal. The first threshold value is changed automatically by the control unit 50, for example, in the threshold change process described above. Preferably, the first threshold value is changed based on a value related to power supply from the power source 10 to the load 121R. This value related to power supply may be the voltage of the power source 10, the charging rate of the power source 10, or the remaining capacity of the power source. More specifically, the first threshold value may be changed based on, for example, the amount of voltage drop of the power source 10 per puff, the amount of decrease in the charging rate of the power source 10 per puff, or the amount of decrease in the remaining capacity of the power source 10 per puff.

[0067] Here, the curve showing the relationship between the value indicating the remaining power supply amount and the number of puffing operations shown in FIG. 8 changes depending on the puffing method (suction time and suction amount) and the degree of deterioration of the power supply 10.

[0068] The operation request signal is output according to how the user uses the device. For example, the suction sensor 20 outputs an output signal (operation request signal) according to the amount of suction per puff and the suction time of the user (see the upper graphs in FIGS. 9 and 10).

[0069] Therefore, if the first threshold value is changeable based on an operation request signal to the load 121R, for example, a value related to power supply to the load 121R, the first threshold value can be changed depending on how the load 121R is used. As a result, the timing of issuing the second notification can be changed depending on how the user uses the aspirated component generation device. Therefore, according to this aspect, it is possible to issue the second notification at a more appropriate timing depending on how the user uses the aspirated component generation device.

[0070] (Notification by the Notification Department) The first, second, and third notifications described above are different from one another. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the notifications from the notification unit 40 in the normal use mode, charge request mode, and abnormality notification mode are different from one another. Therefore, the notification unit 40 can make the user aware of the remaining charge and / or mode of the power source 10 by issuing at least three different types of notifications according to the remaining charge of the power source 10.

[0071] As a result, the notification unit 40 can inform the user of the differences between the normal use mode, the charge request mode, and the abnormality notification mode by using different notifications. Inhalation component generation devices such as electronic cigarettes must mimic the shape and weight of widely available cigarettes, while including essential components that are difficult to miniaturize, such as the reservoir 121P and flavor unit 130 that store or accommodate the aerosol source and / or flavor source, and the power source 10. Therefore, the user interface (U / I) and layout (L / O) are particularly constrained. In such inhalation component generation devices, the notification unit 40 can effectively inform the user of the differences between the normal use mode, the charge request mode, and the abnormality notification mode by using different notifications, for example, different notification modes.

[0072] Furthermore, by notifying the user by the second notification that the remaining charge of the power source 10 is decreasing before the third notification, it is possible to give the user a notification to request charging of the power source 10 before the remaining charge of the power source 10 runs out. It is known that when the remaining charge of the power source 10 runs out, deterioration of the power source 10 accelerates. According to this aspect, by urging the user to charge the power source 10 before the remaining charge of the power source 10 runs out, it is possible to prevent the acceleration of deterioration of the power source 10.

[0073] The notification unit 40 preferably includes a light-emitting element. In this case, the first notification, the second notification, and the third notification may be configured by a first light-emitting color, a second light-emitting color, and a third light-emitting color, respectively, emitted by the light-emitting element. Here, the first light-emitting color, the second light-emitting color, and the third light-emitting color are different from each other.

[0074] More preferably, the first luminous color includes a cool color, the second luminous color includes a neutral color, and the third luminous color includes a warm color, where the "neutral color" as the second luminous color is defined by a color located between the "cool" first luminous color and the "warm" third luminous color on the color wheel.

[0075] A "color wheel" is defined, for example, by a color wheel in which hues in the Munsell color system are arranged in an orderly circular pattern. A "warm color" may be defined by a region having hues of 10RP to 10Y in the Munsell color system, or by light having a spectral peak in the wavelength range of 570 nm to 830 nm. An example of a "warm color" is red. A "cool color" may be defined by a region having hues of 5BG to 5PB in the Munsell color system, or by light having a spectral peak in the wavelength range of 450 nm to 500 nm. An example of a "cool color" is blue. A "neutral color" may be defined by a region having hues of 5PB to 10RP in the Munsell color system, or by light having a spectral peak in the wavelength range of 380 nm to 450 nm. An example of a "neutral color" is purple.

[0076] The third emitted color in the abnormality notification mode includes a warm color, which effectively impresses on the user that an abnormality has occurred, specifically that the remaining power of the power source 10 is depleted. On the other hand, the first emitted color in the normal use mode includes a cool color, which effectively impresses on the user that the aspirated component generation device 100 is operating without any problems. Furthermore, the second emitted color in the charge request mode is an intermediate color between the first emitted color and the third emitted color, which effectively impresses on the user that the device is transitioning from the normal use mode, in which the remaining power of the power source 10 is sufficient, to the abnormality notification mode, in which the remaining power of the power source 10 is depleted.

[0077] Preferably, the distance on the color wheel between the complementary color of the first emitting color and the third emitting color is shorter than the distance on the color wheel between the complementary color of the first emitting color and the second emitting color. Alternatively or additionally, the distance on the color wheel between the complementary color of the third emitting color and the first emitting color is preferably shorter than the distance on the color wheel between the complementary color of the third emitting color and the second emitting color.

[0078] Here, the "complementary color" of a certain color means the color located directly opposite (or diagonally opposite) that color on the color wheel. A combination of a certain color and its complementary color corresponds to a color combination that makes each color stand out. Therefore, if the third emitted color is closer to the complementary color of the first emitted color on the color wheel than the second emitted color, the user can more easily distinguish the third emitted color from the first emitted color. This effectively impresses the user with the fact that the mode associated with the third emitted color is a mode that is polar opposite to the normal use mode associated with the first emitted color, i.e., the abnormality notification mode.

[0079] Furthermore, the wavelength of light corresponding to the second emitted color may be closer to the wavelength of light corresponding to the third emitted color than to the wavelength of light corresponding to the first emitted color. In particular, when the light emitting element has a prominent optical spectrum peak in a specific wavelength band, such as an LED, it is preferable that the wavelengths of light for each emitted color satisfy this relationship.

[0080] As an example of a preferred embodiment, the first notification may be constituted by blue light emitted by the light-emitting element, the second notification may be constituted by purple light emitted by the light-emitting element, and the third notification may be constituted by red light emitted by the light-emitting element.

[0081] Next, examples of light emission patterns of the light-emitting elements will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing examples of light emission patterns of the light-emitting elements in the normal use mode and the charge request mode. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a light emission pattern of the light-emitting elements in the abnormality notification mode. In FIGS. 9 and 10, the upper graphs show the time dependency of the output value of an operation request sensor, for example, the suction sensor 20. In FIGS. 9 and 10, the middle graphs show the time dependency of power supply to the light-emitting elements. In FIGS. 9 and 10, the lower graphs show the time dependency of power supply to the load 121R.

[0082] The light-emitting element may continuously emit light in each of the normal use mode, the charge request mode, and the abnormality notification mode, or may blink by alternately emitting and not emitting light. In the illustrated example, the light-emitting element emits light for a desired period in the normal use mode and the charge request mode. On the other hand, the light-emitting element alternates between emitting and not emitting light in the abnormality notification mode.

[0083] The control unit 50 may start emitting light from the light-emitting element in response to an operation request signal as a trigger in each of the normal use mode, the charge request mode, and the abnormality notification mode. For example, if the operation request sensor is a suction sensor 20 that outputs a value related to the flow velocity within the suction component production device 100, the control unit 50 may start supplying power to the light-emitting element and cause the light-emitting element to emit light when the output value of the suction sensor 20 exceeds a predetermined threshold, as shown in Figures 9 and 10.

[0084] Furthermore, in the normal use mode and the charge request mode, the control unit 50 may terminate the light emission of the light-emitting element upon determining that the user's operation request (suction operation) has been completed. For example, if the operation request sensor is a suction sensor 20 that outputs a value related to the flow velocity within the suction component production device 100, as shown in FIG. 9 , the control unit 50 may stop the supply of power to the light-emitting element and cause the light-emitting element to become non-luminous when the output value of the suction sensor 20 falls below another predetermined threshold. That is, the control unit 50 variably controls the duration of the first and second notifications issued by the notification unit 40 depending on the duration for which the operation request signal from the suction sensor 20 is continuously received. While the method for controlling the notification unit 40 based on the operation request signal from the suction sensor 20 has been described here, the operation request signal may also be output from a sensor other than the suction sensor 20. For example, if a push button 30 is used, the control unit 50 may variably control the duration of the first and second notifications issued by the notification unit 40 depending on the duration for which the operation request signal from the push button 30 is continuously received.

[0085] The light-emitting pattern of the light-emitting element in the first notification in the normal use mode and the second notification in the charge request mode is preferably the same (see FIG. 9). Specifically, at least one of, and more preferably both, the notification timing and notification period of the first notification and the second notification when the control unit 50 detects the operation request signal may be the same. By setting the light-emitting color in the second notification to be different from that in the first notification but using the same notification pattern (light-emitting pattern) for the first and second notifications, the user can easily recognize that in the second notification, i.e., the charge request mode, the attractable component can be generated from the attractable component source, just like in the first notification, i.e., the normal use mode.

[0086] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, the timings at which the first notification and the second notification by the notification unit 40 start and end may be the same as the timings at which the supply of power to the load 121R starts and ends.

[0087] Alternatively, the timing to end the second notification in the charge request mode may be later than the timing to end the supply of power to the load 121R, more preferably, the timing to end the puffing operation.

[0088] The control unit 50 may be configured to control the notification unit 40 to issue the third notification for a predetermined period that is independent of the period during which the operation request signal is continuously received (see FIG. 10). That is, the notification unit 40 only needs to issue the third notification for a predetermined period, regardless of the duration of the user's puffing action. In this case, it is preferable that the period during which the notification unit 40 issues the first and second notifications be shorter than the predetermined period during which the third notification is issued. For example, the predetermined period during which the third notification is issued may be set to be longer than the duration of one typical inhalation action by a user, and may be set to, for example, a range of 4.5 to 6 seconds.

[0089] According to the above aspect, the third notification in the abnormality notification mode can be easily distinguished from the first notification in the normal use mode and the second notification in the charge request mode. Furthermore, since the third notification continues for a longer period than the first notification in the normal use mode and the second notification in the charge request mode, the user can be effectively informed that charging is required.

[0090] In this embodiment, the first notification in the normal use mode is configured by blue light emitted by the light-emitting element, the second notification in the charge request mode is configured by purple light emitted by the light-emitting element, and the third notification in the abnormality notification mode is configured by red light emitted by the light-emitting element. Instead of this configuration, the light-emitting element may be configured to emit light of multiple colors in each notification. More specifically, the light-emitting element may change its emission color depending on the elapsed time since the start of each notification, even within the same mode. Furthermore, the light-emitting element may emit light of multiple colors simultaneously.

[0091] That is, at least a portion of the light-emitting elements may be configured with blue light during at least a portion of the first notification in the normal use mode, at least a portion of the light-emitting elements may be configured with purple light during at least a portion of the second notification in the charge request mode, and at least a portion of the light-emitting elements may be configured with red light during at least a portion of the third notification in the abnormality notification mode.

[0092] (Threshold change processing) The above-mentioned threshold value changing process will now be described in detail. Fig. 11 shows an example of a flowchart of the threshold value changing process. It is preferable that the control unit 50 executes the threshold value changing process S114 when the value representing the remaining capacity of the power source 10 becomes equal to or less than the second threshold value.

[0093] In the threshold value changing process, a first threshold value is derived based on a predetermined algorithm (step S200). Fig. 12 shows a block diagram of a control unit for implementing the predetermined algorithm according to this example.

[0094] In the example shown in FIG. 12, the value indicating the remaining charge of the power source 10 is determined by the voltage of the power source 10. In this case, a full charge may be determined by the full charge voltage, and the second threshold may be determined by the discharge end voltage. In this case, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 50 acquires the voltage of the power source 10 as the value indicating the remaining charge of the power source 10. The voltage of the power source 10 is preferably the open circuit voltage (OCV) acquired with the switch 140 turned off. The open circuit voltage (OCV) is stored in the memory 58 each time a puffing operation is performed.

[0095] The predetermined algorithm according to this example is executed when the voltage of the power supply 10 falls below the discharge cut-off voltage. In this algorithm, the first threshold is changed based on the value of the voltage of the power supply 10 when the load 121R was operated a predetermined number of times before the voltage of the power supply 10 reached the discharge cut-off voltage. Specifically, the control unit 50 subtracts the number of puffing operations (N) measured after charging from the number of puffing operations (N) measured after charging. re The voltage of power supply 10 (OCV(NN)) obtained just before re ) is obtained from the memory 58 and set as the first threshold value (see FIG. 12).

[0096] If the first predetermined condition is not satisfied, the control unit 50 sets the first threshold to a new first threshold (steps S202, S208). If the first predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit 50 sets the first threshold to a value obtained by smoothing the first threshold (steps S202, S204, S206). Here, the first predetermined condition may be, for example, a condition that the degradation state of the power supply 10 has not progressed beyond a predetermined determination state, as will be described later. The smoothing process will be described later.

[0097] Default number of times (N re ) may be a fixed value set in advance, or may be a variable value that can be set by the user. re ) is not particularly limited, but is preferably 15 to 35 times, more preferably 20 to 30 times.

[0098] Default number of times (N re ) is preferably smaller than the number of times an unused inhalation component source can be used. If the inhalation component generation device 100 has multiple inhalation component sources, the predetermined number is more preferably smaller than the number of times the least unused inhalation component source can be used. For example, if the inhalation component generation device 100 includes an atomization unit 120 including an aerosol source and a flavor unit 130 including a flavor source, the predetermined number may be set smaller than the value of the atomization unit 120 or the flavor unit 130, whichever has the smaller number of times it can be used.

[0099] Here, the number of times that the device can be used may be a value that is preset according to the design of the atomization unit 120 or the flavor unit 130. The number of times that the device can be used may be, for example, the maximum number of times that the device can be used when the amount of smoke inhaled per puff is within a designed range for each inhaled component source, or the maximum number of times that the device can be used when the components inhaled per puff are within a designed range.

[0100] Default number of times (N re ) is smaller than the number of times that an unused inhalation component source can be used, it is possible to prevent the time to replace the atomizing unit 120 or the flavoring unit 130 from coming during the charge request mode. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the recognition that a predetermined number of puffing operations are possible in the charge request mode is overturned.

[0101] The control unit 50 preferably performs a smoothing process as necessary to bring the first threshold value derived by the predetermined algorithm closer to at least one of the first threshold values ​​previously changed (step S204). In this case, the control unit 50 sets the first threshold value based on the value derived by performing the smoothing process (step S206).

[0102] It is preferable that the first threshold value is stored in memory 58 each time it is changed (step S210). That is, memory 58 stores a history of the first threshold value. The above-described threshold value changing process changes the value of the first threshold value used in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7.

[0103] When the first threshold value is changed, it is preferable to execute the abnormality diagnosis process S300 as needed. The abnormality diagnosis process S300 will be described later.

[0104] By changing the first threshold using the threshold change process according to this example, it is possible to ensure a predetermined number of puffing operations before switching from the charge request mode to the abnormality notification mode. That is, it is possible to ensure a possible number of puffing operations in the charge request mode, regardless of the user's puffing behavior (pattern of the operation request signal) or deterioration of the power source 10. This prevents the inhalant component generator 100 from suddenly becoming unusable after entering the charge request mode, and provides a highly user-friendly inhalant component generator 100.

[0105] (Another example of the default algorithm) Next, another example of the predetermined algorithm will be described. Fig. 13 shows a block diagram of a control unit for implementing the predetermined algorithm according to this example.

[0106] In the example shown in FIG. 13 , the value indicating the remaining charge of the power source 10 is determined by the state of charge (SOC) or remaining capacity of the power source 10. In this case, the second threshold may be the state of charge or remaining capacity of the power source when the voltage of the power source reaches the discharge end voltage. In this case, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 , the control unit 50 acquires the state of charge or remaining capacity of the power source 10 as a value indicating the remaining charge of the power source 10. The acquired state of charge or remaining capacity is stored in the memory 58 each time a puffing action is performed. Furthermore, when the state of charge (SOC) of the power source 10 is used as a value indicating the remaining charge of the power source 10, the second threshold in step S110 and the first threshold in step S116 are values ​​suitable for comparison with the state of charge (SOC), and their dimensions (units) are (%). On the other hand, when the remaining capacity of the power source 10 is used as a value indicating the remaining charge of the power source 10, the first threshold in step S110 and the second threshold in step S116 are values ​​suitable for comparison with the remaining capacity, and their dimensions (units) are (Wh).

[0107] The predetermined algorithm according to this example is preferably executed when the charge rate of power source 10 falls below the charge rate corresponding to the discharge end voltage. In this algorithm, the first threshold is changed based on a value obtained by adding the charge rate or remaining capacity of power source 10 required to operate load 121R an amount corresponding to the above-mentioned predetermined number of times to the second threshold.

[0108] The state of charge (SOC) or remaining capacity of the power source 10 can be estimated by, for example, the well-known SOC-OCV method or current integration method (Coulomb counting method). FIG. 13 shows an example using the SOC-OCV method. In this method, the control unit 50 has a degradation state estimation unit 70 that estimates the degradation state of the power source 10. The control unit 50 also has an integrated discharge current deriving unit 62, an integrated charge current deriving unit 64, an impedance measurement unit 66, and an integrated consumed capacity deriving unit 68. The integrated discharge current deriving unit 62 and the integrated charge current deriving unit 64 use a current sensor 152 to calculate the integrated value of the current flowing out of the power source 10 and the integrated value of the current flowing into the power source 10, respectively. The impedance measurement unit 66 uses a voltage sensor 150 and a current sensor 152 to measure impedance (internal resistance). The state of health estimation unit 70 acquires the state of health (SOH) of the power source 10 using a known method based on the integrated value of the current flowing out of the power source 10, the integrated value of the current flowing into the power source 10, the impedance, and the temperature measured using the temperature sensor 154.

[0109] The control unit 50 obtains the full charge capacity of the power source 10 from the state of health (SOH) of the power source 10 by mapping 72. Using the integrated consumption capacity and full charge capacity of the power source 10 derived by the integrated consumption capacity derivation unit 68, the control unit 50 derives the charge rate or remaining capacity of the power source 10 required to operate the load 121R for an amount corresponding to the predetermined number of times described above. From the required charge rate or remaining capacity of the power source 10 derived using mapping 74 of the charge rate (SOC) of the power source 10 and the open circuit voltage of the power source 10, the open circuit voltage (V th1 ) is derived.

[0110] It is known that the mapping 74 between the state of charge (SOC) of the power source 10 and the open circuit voltage of the power source 10 depends on the degradation state of the power source 10. Therefore, it is preferable that a plurality of mappings 74 corresponding to the degradation state of the power source are stored in advance in the memory 58.

[0111] As described above, the SOC-OCV method utilizes the one-to-one relationship between the state of charge and the voltage of the power source, and can estimate the state of charge from the voltage of the power source obtained during use by using a mapping of the state of charge and the voltage of the power source in advance according to the type of power source. Here, the voltage of the power source is preferably the open circuit voltage.

[0112] In this example, an algorithm for deriving the open-circuit voltage as the first threshold has been described in detail. Alternatively, if the state of charge (SOC) or remaining capacity of the power source 10 is used as a value representing the remaining capacity of the power source 10, the "state of charge or remaining capacity of the power source 10 required to operate the load 121R an amount corresponding to a predetermined number of times" derived in the previous stage of the mapping 74 shown in FIG. 13 may be used as the first threshold. Alternatively, the "state of charge or remaining capacity of the power source 10 required to operate the load 121R an amount corresponding to a predetermined number of times" derived using the mapping 74 and / or the full charge capacity and the open-circuit voltage derived in the mapping 74 may be used as the first threshold.

[0113] In this example, although the algorithm for deriving the first threshold value is different from that in the above-described example, the threshold value changing process can be executed in accordance with the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0114] (Another example of threshold change processing) Another example of the threshold value changing process will be described in detail. Fig. 14 shows an example of a flowchart of the threshold value changing process. It is preferable that the control unit 50 executes the threshold value changing process S104 when charging of the power source 10 is started before the value representing the remaining capacity of the power source 10 becomes less than the second threshold value. Fig. 15 shows the voltage value of the power source when charging is started before the voltage of the power source 10 reaches the second threshold value, for example, the discharge end voltage.

[0115] In the threshold value changing process according to this example, if the second predetermined condition is not satisfied, it is preferable to not change the first threshold value and to end the threshold value changing process (steps S220, S222).

[0116] In one aspect, the second predetermined condition is a condition that the amount of operation of the load 121R or the amount of attracted components generated by the load 121R at or before the start of charging the power source 10 is equal to or greater than a reference amount. That is, if the amount of operation of the load 121R or the amount of attracted components generated by the load 121R at or before the start of charging the power source 10 is less than the reference amount, the first threshold is not changed. Here, the amount of operation of the load 121R or the amount of attracted components generated by the load 121R is calculated from the point in time when charging was previously performed.

[0117] In another aspect, the second predetermined condition is a condition that the value acquired by the control unit 50 at or before the start of charging of the power source 10 is less than the first threshold. In other words, if the value indicating the remaining capacity of the power source 10 acquired by the control unit 50 at or before the start of charging of the power source 10 is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the first threshold is not changed. More specifically, if the value indicating the remaining capacity of the power source 10 is equal to or greater than the first threshold, it is preferable not to change the first threshold even if the power source 10 is charged.

[0118] The second predetermined condition means that the remaining charge of the power source 10 is high, i.e., the number of puffing operations is low. Therefore, the first threshold value that distinguishes between the normal use mode and the charge request mode can be considered to remain set to a relatively appropriate value without being changed.

[0119] In yet another aspect, the second predetermined condition is that the unused time, which is the period during which power is not supplied to the load 121R, is less than a predetermined time. That is, if the unused time, which is the period during which power is not supplied to the load 121R, is equal to or greater than the predetermined time, the first threshold is not changed. The unused time can be measured by the timer 54 described above.

[0120] If the unused time is longer than the predetermined time, a significant voltage drop due to natural discharge may occur. This may result in a decrease in the accuracy of the threshold change process, more specifically, the value of the first threshold value derived by the predetermined algorithm. If the first threshold value is changed using such a first threshold value, the first threshold value that distinguishes between the normal use mode and the charge request mode may deviate from the appropriate value. Therefore, in cases where a significant voltage drop occurs due to natural discharge as described above, it is preferable not to change the first threshold value.

[0121] In the threshold change process, if the second predetermined condition is satisfied, a first threshold is derived based on a predetermined algorithm (step S200). In this example, the first threshold is changed based on a value that is greater than the second threshold by an amount corresponding to the amount of voltage drop of the power source 10 when the load 121R is operated an amount corresponding to the predetermined number of times. Here, the amount of voltage drop of the power source 10 when the load 121R is operated an amount corresponding to the predetermined number of times may be a value estimated by the control unit 50. In other words, the amount of voltage drop of the power source 10 is estimated based on a value indicating the remaining capacity of the power source 10 obtained by the control unit 50 at or before the start of charging the power source. In other words, in this example, the first threshold is changed so as to enable puffing operations approximately a predetermined number of times in the charge request mode.

[0122] Specifically, for each puffing operation, the control unit 50 obtains the voltage of the power source 10 as a value representing the remaining capacity of the power source 10. This allows the control unit 50 to obtain the voltage drop ΔV(i) for each puffing operation, where "i" is an index representing the number of puffing operations.

[0123] When the power supply 10 is charged, the control unit 50 calculates the average voltage drop ΔV for each puffing operation. AVE Here, the average voltage drop for each puffing operation, ΔV AVE may be calculated over the number of puffs that have occurred since the power source 10 was last charged.

[0124] Instead, the average voltage drop per puff is ΔV AVEmay be calculated over the number of puffing operations performed after the voltage of power source 10 falls below a predetermined value. In this case, the predetermined value may be the currently set first threshold. In this case, if charging of power source 10 begins before the voltage of power source 10 falls below the first threshold, control unit 50 may not need to change the first threshold.

[0125] The control unit 50 calculates the average voltage drop amount ΔV AVE The remaining number of puffs at the start of charging is estimated using the remaining number of puffs. The remaining number of puffs is an index of how many more puffing operations can be performed with the remaining power supply at the start of charging. The remaining number of puffs can be estimated, for example, by assuming that the voltage of the power supply 10 decreases linearly with the puffing operation. In this case, the remaining number of puffs (puff remain ) can be obtained by the following formula: puff remain = (V(N) - discharge end voltage) / ΔV AVE Here, V(N) means the voltage of the power supply 10 at the start of charging.

[0126] The control unit 50 calculates the remaining number of puffs estimated in this way. remain The number of puffs (N) measured after charging and the remaining number of puffs (puff remain ) and the sum of the predetermined number of times (N re ) the voltage of power supply 10 (OCV(N+puff remain -N re )) can be obtained from the memory 58 and set as the first threshold value.

[0127] As described above, when the first predetermined condition is not satisfied, the control unit 50 sets the first threshold to the new first threshold (steps S202, S208). When the first predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit 50 sets the first threshold to a value obtained by smoothing the first threshold (steps S202, S204, S206). Here, the first predetermined condition may be, for example, a condition that the degradation state of the power supply 10 has not progressed beyond a predetermined determination state.

[0128] Default number of times (Nre ) is as described above, and may be a fixed value set in advance, or may be a variable value that can be set by the user.

[0129] (Yet another example of the default algorithm) Next, another example of the predetermined algorithm will be described. Fig. 16 shows a block diagram of a control unit for implementing the predetermined algorithm according to this example.

[0130] In the example shown in FIG. 16 , the value indicating the remaining charge of the power source 10 is determined by the state of charge (SOC) or remaining capacity of the power source 10. In this case, the second threshold may be the state of charge or remaining capacity of the power source when the voltage of the power source reaches the discharge end voltage. In this case, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 , the control unit 50 acquires the state of charge or remaining capacity of the power source 10 as a value indicating the remaining charge of the power source 10. The acquired state of charge or remaining capacity is stored in the memory 58 each time a puffing action is performed. Furthermore, when the state of charge (SOC) of the power source 10 is used as a value indicating the remaining charge of the power source 10, the second threshold in step S110 and the first threshold in step S116 are values ​​suitable for comparison with the state of charge (SOC), and their dimensions (units) are (%). On the other hand, when the remaining capacity of the power source 10 is used as a value indicating the remaining charge of the power source 10, the first threshold in step S110 and the second threshold in step S116 are values ​​suitable for comparison with the remaining capacity, and their dimensions (units) are (Wh).

[0131] The predetermined algorithm according to this example is preferably executed when the charging rate of power source 10 falls below the charging rate or remaining capacity corresponding to the discharge end voltage. In this algorithm, the first threshold is changed based on a value that is greater than the second threshold by an amount corresponding to the amount of drop in the charging rate or remaining capacity of power source 10 when load 121R is operated an amount corresponding to a predetermined number of times. The amount of drop in the charging rate or remaining capacity of power source 10 may be estimated based on the charging rate or remaining capacity acquired by control unit 50 at or before the start of charging power source 10.

[0132] The state of charge (SOC) or remaining capacity of the power source 10 can be estimated by, for example, the well-known SOC-OCV method or current integration method (Coulomb counting method). FIG. 16 shows an example using the SOC-OCV method. In this method, the control unit 50 has a degradation state estimation unit 70 that estimates the degradation state of the power source 10. The control unit 50 also has an integrated discharge current calculation unit 62, an integrated charge current calculation unit 64, an impedance measurement unit 66, and a per-puff power consumption calculation unit 69.

[0133] The integrated discharge current derivation unit 62 and the integrated charge current derivation unit 64 use the current sensor 152 to calculate the integrated value of the current flowing out from the power source 10 and the integrated value of the current flowing into the power source 10, respectively. The impedance measurement unit 66 measures the impedance (internal resistance) using the voltage sensor 150 and the current sensor 152. The degradation state estimation unit 70 acquires the state of health (SOH) of the power source 10 using a known method based on the integrated value of the current flowing out from the power source 10, the integrated value of the current flowing into the power source 10, the impedance, and the temperature measured using the temperature sensor 154.

[0134] The control unit 50 obtains the full charge capacity of the power source 10 from the state of health (SOH) of the power source 10 using mapping 72. The control unit 50 also derives the charge rate (%) of the power source 10 from the voltage value of the power source 10 at the start of charging using appropriate mapping 74 based on the state of health (SOH) of the power source 10. The control unit 50 can estimate the remaining capacity of the power source 10 at the start of charging by multiplying the obtained full charge capacity by the state of health (SOC) of the power source 10.

[0135] Furthermore, the control unit 50 derives an estimate of the amount of power consumption required for one puff action by dividing the cumulative value of the amount of power consumption per puff derived by the per-puff power consumption derivation unit 69 by the number of puffs. The control unit 50 calculates the remaining number of puffs (puff) by dividing the remaining capacity of the power source 10 at the start of charging by the estimated value of the amount of power consumption required for one puff action. remain ) can be estimated.

[0136] The control unit 50 calculates the remaining number of puffs estimated in this way. remain The number of puffs (N) measured after charging and the remaining number of puffs (puff remain ) and the sum of the predetermined number of times (N re ) the voltage of power supply 10 (OCV(N+puff remain -N re )) can be obtained from the memory 58 and set as the first threshold value.

[0137] As described above, when the first predetermined condition is not satisfied, the control unit 50 sets the first threshold to the new first threshold (steps S202, S208). When the first predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit 50 sets the first threshold to a value obtained by smoothing the first threshold (steps S202, S204, S206). Here, the first predetermined condition may be, for example, a condition that the degradation state of the power supply 10 has not progressed beyond a predetermined determination state.

[0138] Default number of times (N re ) may be a fixed value set in advance as described above, or may be a variable value that can be set by the user.

[0139] In this example, the algorithm for deriving the open-circuit voltage as the first threshold has been described in detail. Alternatively, if the state of charge (SOC) or remaining capacity of the power source 10 is used as a value representing the remaining capacity of the power source 10, the "state of charge or remaining capacity of the power source 10 required to operate the load 121R an amount corresponding to a predetermined number of times" derived in the previous stage of the mapping 74 shown in FIG. 16 may be used as the first threshold. Alternatively, the "state of charge or remaining capacity of the power source 10 required to operate the load 121R an amount corresponding to a predetermined number of times" derived using the mapping 74 and / or the full charge capacity and the open-circuit voltage derived in the mapping 74 may be used as the first threshold.

[0140] In this example, although the algorithm for deriving the first threshold value is different from that in the above-described example, the threshold value changing process can be executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 14, for example.

[0141] (Controlled by an external processor) In the example described above, the control unit 50 performs all of the processing for changing the first threshold value according to a predetermined algorithm using a value indicating the remaining capacity of the power source 10. Alternatively, at least a part of the processing may be performed by the processor 250 of the external power source, for example, the processor of the charger 200.

[0142] As an example, the aspirated component generation device 100 may be capable of communicating with a processor 250 of an external power source that can estimate the remaining capacity of the power source 10 at the start of discharging or the previous time. The processor 250 can estimate the remaining capacity of the power source 10 at the start of charging the power source 10 or the previous time, and transmit a value representing the estimated remaining capacity of the power source 10 to the aspirated component generation device 100.

[0143] Processor 250 can estimate the remaining power of power source 10 based on at least one of a value representing the amount of power discharged from power source 10 to external power source 210 and a value representing the amount of power charged from external power source 210 to power source 10. These amounts of power can be derived using current sensor 230 and voltage sensor 240.

[0144] The processor 250 may estimate the remaining capacity of the power source 10 by any known method. For example, when the power source 10 is connected to the charger 200, the remaining capacity of the power source 10 can be estimated by the ratio of the amount of discharged energy when the power source 10 is discharged to the discharge cut-off voltage to the amount of charged energy when the power source 10 is charged from the discharge cut-off voltage to the full charge voltage. In this case, the amount of discharged energy and the amount of charged energy can be derived, for example, by first discharging the power source 10 to the discharge cut-off voltage and then charging it to the full charge voltage.

[0145] When the remaining capacity of the power source 10 is estimated by the processor 250, the control unit 50 may change the first threshold value based on the remaining capacity of the power source 10 obtained from the processor 250. Specifically, the control unit 50 can derive the first threshold value by applying one of the predetermined algorithms described above using the remaining capacity of the power source 10 obtained from the processor 250.

[0146] (Annealing treatment) 17 shows an example of a block diagram of a control unit for performing the smoothing process. The smoothing process may be, for example, a process of taking a moving average of a predetermined number of first thresholds most recently selected from among a plurality of first thresholds that have been changed in the past. In other words, the smoothing process is the average value of a predetermined number of first thresholds extracted in order from the most recent first thresholds (Vth1) stored in memory 58.

[0147] As described above, the predetermined algorithm derives the first threshold value based on the voltage value of the power source 10. However, because the voltage value of the power source 10 may contain variations and errors due to various environmental factors, such as temperature conditions, simply setting the first threshold value to the first threshold value may result in the first threshold value changing significantly from the previous first threshold value. By smoothing the first threshold value and setting it as the new first threshold value, variations and errors due to various environmental factors, such as temperature conditions, can be reduced. Furthermore, the influence of subtle differences in the user's inhalation style and product variations and changes over time of the inhalant component generation device 100 on the new first threshold value can be reduced. Furthermore, by preventing the newly set first threshold value from changing significantly, the discomfort experienced by the user can be reduced.

[0148] In one example, the strength of the smoothing process may be changed based on the number of previously changed first thresholds, specifically the number of first thresholds stored in memory 58. For example, if the number of first thresholds already stored in memory 58 is 0, control unit 50 sets the first threshold derived by a predetermined algorithm as the first threshold without performing the smoothing process. That is, in this case, the number of first thresholds (n1) used in the smoothing process is 0.

[0149] Furthermore, if the number of first thresholds already stored in memory 58 is one, control unit 50 may set the first threshold to the average value of the first threshold stored in memory 58 and the first threshold derived by a predetermined algorithm. That is, in this case, the number of first thresholds (n1) used in the smoothing process is one.

[0150] Furthermore, if the number of first thresholds already stored in the memory 58 is two or more, the control unit 50 may set the first threshold to the average value of the two first thresholds stored in the memory and the first threshold derived by a predetermined algorithm. That is, in this case, the number (n1) of first thresholds used in the smoothing process is two.

[0151] In this way, the strength of the smoothing process can be appropriately set by changing the number of values ​​used to calculate the moving average in accordance with the number of first thresholds stored in memory 58. This prevents the first threshold from being unable to be appropriately changed due to the smoothing process being too strong, and also prevents the process from not functioning due to the smoothing process being too weak.

[0152] Furthermore, the intensity of the smoothing process may be changed based on the state of health (SOH) of the power supply 10. Specifically, it is preferable that the intensity of the smoothing process be weakened as the state of health of the power supply 10 progresses. Specifically, the number of first thresholds (n2) used in the smoothing process may be reduced as the state of health of the power supply 10 progresses. More preferably, the number of first thresholds used in the smoothing process may be the smaller of a number (n1) corresponding to the number of first thresholds stored in memory 58 and a number (n2) obtained based on the state of health (SOH) of the power supply 10 (see FIG. 17).

[0153] For example, when the state of health (SOH) of power supply 10 is equal to or lower than the first determination state, control unit 50 may set the first threshold to the average value of two first thresholds already stored in memory 58 and a first threshold derived by a predetermined algorithm. However, if the number of first thresholds stored in memory 58 is less than two, the number of first thresholds used in the smoothing process may be reduced according to the number of first thresholds stored in memory 58. Similarly, if no first thresholds are stored in memory 58, the smoothing process need not be performed.

[0154] Furthermore, when the state of health (SOH) of the power supply 10 progresses beyond the first determination state and reaches or falls below the second determination state, the control unit 50 may set the first threshold to the average value of one first threshold value already stored in the memory 58 and a first threshold value derived by a predetermined algorithm. However, if the first threshold value is not stored in the memory 58, the smoothing process may not be performed.

[0155] Furthermore, if the state of health (SOH) of the power supply 10 progresses beyond the second determination state, it is preferable that the control unit 50 sets the first threshold to a first threshold derived by a predetermined algorithm (steps S202, S208).

[0156] As power supply 10 deteriorates, values ​​indicating the remaining capacity of power supply 10, such as the voltage of power supply 10, the charging rate of power supply 10, and the remaining capacity of power supply 10, may change suddenly. In such cases, by weakening the strength of the smoothing process or not performing the smoothing process at all, it becomes possible to set the first threshold to a value that reflects the deterioration state of power supply 10 in the threshold change process.

[0157] In the smoothing process, the control unit 50 preferably uses only the first threshold value obtained after the load 121R is attached to the connection part 120t. Furthermore, the control unit 50 may disable or erase at least a part, preferably all, of the first threshold values ​​stored in the memory 58 based on the attachment or detachment of the load 121R to the connection part 120t. This allows the control unit 50 not to use, in the smoothing process, the first threshold value obtained before the load 121R is attached to the connection part 120t.

[0158] In this example, as the smoothing process for the first threshold value, a process of calculating a moving average of the first threshold value and the first threshold value stored in memory 58 has been described in detail. Instead of this, smoothing process using the least squares method for a data group of a plurality of first threshold values ​​stored in memory 58, or a data group to which the first threshold value has been added, may be used. Alternatively, in the smoothing process, a weighted moving average or an exponential moving average may be performed in which the most recent first threshold values ​​stored in memory 58 are weighted more heavily.

[0159] In this example, the algorithm has been described in detail in which the first threshold value derived in step S200 of Fig. 11 and Fig. 14 is not stored in memory 58, but is treated as a temporary variable in the control flow. Alternatively, the first threshold value derived in step S200 of Fig. 11 and Fig. 14 may be stored in memory 58 before the smoothing process is performed. In other words, in Fig. 17, before the smoothing process is performed, the most recent data V stored in memory 58 is th1 11 and 14. Therefore, when setting the strength of the smoothing process based on the number of first thresholds stored in memory 58 and the state of health (SOH) of power supply 10, at least one data is stored in memory 58. In this case, in the smoothing process, it is necessary to increase by 1 the number (n1) corresponding to the number of first thresholds stored in memory 58 across all of the first thresholds stored in memory 58. Similarly, it is necessary to increase by 1 the number (n2) obtained based on the state of health (SOH) of power supply 10 across all of the states of health (SOH) of power supply 10. Furthermore, the new first threshold obtained by the smoothing process is the first threshold V stored in memory 58. th1 Note that (n) must be overwritten.

[0160] In this example, the smoothing process was described in detail when the voltage of the power source 10 was used as the value representing the remaining capacity of the power source 10, the first threshold value, and the first threshold value. Alternatively, the state of charge (SOC) or remaining capacity of the power source 10 may be used as the value representing the remaining capacity of the power source 10, the first threshold value, and the first threshold value.

[0161] (Measures against long-term abandonment) If the threshold change process described above is performed after the power supply 10 has been left unused for a long period of time, the accuracy of the predetermined algorithm described above may be reduced due to natural discharge. Therefore, it is preferable that the control unit 50 corrects the first threshold, which is changed based on the operation request signal, according to the unused time. Here, the unused time is defined by the period during which power is not supplied to the load 121R, as described above, and can be measured by the timer 54.

[0162] FIG. 18 shows an example of a block diagram of a control unit for correcting the first threshold value when performing a threshold value change process after a long period of inactivity. In this example, the control unit 50 corrects the first threshold value (V th1 ) is corrected by the following correction formula: V th1_amend =V th1 -α1+α2×α3.

[0163] where V th1_amend is the corrected first-order threshold. V th1 is the uncorrected primary threshold value, i.e., the primary threshold value obtained by the predetermined algorithm described above. α1, α2, and α3 are correction coefficients, respectively.

[0164] The correction coefficient α1 is a coefficient for compensating for a natural drop in the voltage of the power supply 10 that occurs when the power supply 10 is left unused. According to the predetermined algorithm described above, if no correction is made according to the unused time, the first threshold value may be set to a value that is higher by the amount of voltage drop due to natural discharge. Therefore, the correction coefficient α1 may be set so as to cancel the voltage drop due to natural discharge. In other words, it is preferable that the control unit 50 corrects the first threshold value to a smaller value according to the unused time.

[0165] The correction coefficients α2 and α3 are coefficients for compensating for capacity degradation of the power supply 10 (in other words, a decrease in the full charge capacity) that occurs when the power supply 10 is left unused for a long period of time. It is generally known that the power supply 10 deteriorates and the full charge capacity decreases when left unused for a long period of time. Furthermore, the degree of this decrease depends on the remaining capacity of the power supply 10 when left unused. According to the above-mentioned predetermined algorithm, if no correction is made according to the length of time the power supply 10 is left unused, the first threshold may be set to a value that is low by the amount of decrease in the full charge capacity. Therefore, it is preferable to make corrections based on the correction coefficients α2 and α3 to take into account the decrease in full charge capacity that occurs when the power supply 10 is left unused for a long period of time.

[0166] The correction coefficient α3 is a value corresponding to the remaining charge of the power source 10 when the load 121R operates or generates an attraction component. More specifically, the correction coefficient α3 is a value corresponding to the remaining charge of the power source 10 when the load 121R is operated after the power source 10 has been left unused. As described above, the decrease in the full charge capacity of the power source 10 due to long-term unused state depends on the remaining charge of the power source when left unused. In particular, if the power source 10 is left unused for a long period of time at a remaining charge close to the full charge voltage or the discharge end voltage, the full charge capacity of the power source 10 is likely to decrease. From this perspective, it is preferable to correct the first threshold to a larger value as the remaining charge of the power source 10 when left unused approaches the full charge voltage or the discharge end voltage.

[0167] The decrease in the storage capacity (≈ the number of possible puffing operations) associated with leaving power source 10 unused is also affected by the length of time the power source 10 is left unused. Therefore, control unit 50 can correct the first threshold value by adding the product of correction coefficient α2, which is based on the remaining charge of power source 10 when left unused, and correction coefficient α3 to the first threshold value.

[0168] The relationship between the correction coefficients α1 and α2 and the unused time is determined by the type (design) of the power source 10. Similarly, the relationship between the correction coefficient α3 and the discharge voltage, the charge rate of the power source, or the remaining capacity is determined by the type (design) of the power source 10. Therefore, the correction coefficients α1, α2, and α3 can be derived in advance by experiment for the power source 10 to be used.

[0169] The control unit 50 sets the corrected value as the first threshold value. Alternatively, as described above, the control unit 50 may set the value obtained by performing smoothing processing on the corrected value as the first threshold value.

[0170] In this example, the smoothing process was described in detail when the voltage of the power source 10 was used as the value representing the remaining capacity of the power source 10, the first threshold value, and the first threshold value. Alternatively, the state of charge (SOC) or remaining capacity of the power source 10 may be used as the value representing the remaining capacity of the power source 10, the first threshold value, and the first threshold value.

[0171] (Abnormality determination processing) 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the abnormality determination process. When the changed first threshold value is equal to or greater than a predetermined determination value, the control unit 50 detects deterioration or abnormality of the power supply 10 (step S302).

[0172] In a deteriorated power source 10, the value indicating the remaining charge of the power source 10 rapidly decreases with the number of puffing operations. Therefore, if an attempt is made to change the first threshold based on a value that can operate the load 121R or generate an inhaled component by an amount corresponding to a predetermined number of puffing operations, the first threshold increases with the deterioration of the power source 10. Therefore, if the changed first threshold is equal to or greater than a predetermined determination value, it can be considered that the power source 10 has deteriorated or that an abnormality has occurred in the power source 10.

[0173] Here, the predetermined judgment value may be set to a predetermined value that is considered to be a deterioration or abnormality of the power supply 10. When the value indicating the remaining capacity of the power supply 10 is the voltage of the power supply and a lithium ion secondary battery is used as the power supply 10, the predetermined judgment value may be in the range of 3.7 to 3.9 V, for example.

[0174] When the control unit 50 detects deterioration or abnormality of the power supply 10, it controls the notification unit 40 to issue a fourth notification (step S306). The fourth notification is preferably different from the first, second, and third notifications described above. If the notification unit 40 is a light-emitting element, the light-emitting color and / or light-emitting pattern of the light-emitting element in the fourth notification may be different from the light-emitting color and / or light-emitting pattern of the light-emitting element in the first, second, and third notifications.

[0175] When the control unit 50 detects an abnormality, it may stop all operations of the aspirated component production device 100.

[0176] [Other embodiments] Although the present invention has been described by the above-mentioned embodiments, the descriptions and drawings that form part of this disclosure should not be understood to limit the present invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples, and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0177] For example, the configurations described in the above embodiments can be combined and / or substituted with each other whenever possible.

[0178] It should also be noted that the scope of the present invention includes a program that causes the aspirated component generating device to execute the various methods described above that are performed by the control unit 50.

Claims

1. a heating unit that vaporizes or atomizes the suction component source using power from a power source; A notification unit; a control unit that operates the heating unit, The notification unit When the remaining amount of the power source is equal to or greater than a first threshold, the first notification state is established; When the remaining amount of the power source is less than the first threshold and is equal to or greater than a second threshold that is smaller than the first threshold, the second notification state is entered; When the remaining amount of the power source is less than the second threshold, the third notification state is entered; The notification in the first notification state and the notification in the second notification state include different light emitting colors, The notification pattern in the first notification state and the second notification state is different from the notification pattern in the third notification state, The notification in the first notification state and the notification in the third notification state include different light emitting colors, When the remaining charge of the power source is less than the second threshold, power from the power source is not supplied to the heating unit.

2. The aspirated component generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the third notification state is notified when the remaining charge of the power source is zero or extremely low and the heating unit cannot normally generate the aspirated component from the aspirated component source.

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