Control unit of the aerosol generating device

Abstract

To provide an aerosol generation device capable of informing a user that at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source is required to be replaced.SOLUTION: An MCU 50 of a power unit 10 of an aerosol generation device 1 is configured so as to acquire a residual amount of an aerosol source 22 and a flavor source 33. When the residual amount is a threshold or more, the MCU is configured so as to permit first electric discharge, which is the electric discharge from a power source 12 to a first load 21, and second electric discharge, which is the electric discharge from the power source 12 to a second load 31, and when the residual amount is less than the threshold, it suppresses one of the first electric discharge and the second electric discharge.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control unit of an aerosol generating device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent documents 1, 3, and 4 describe devices that add flavor to an aerosol produced by heating a liquid by passing the aerosol through a flavor source, and allow a user to inhale the flavored aerosol.

[0003] Patent document 2 describes an inhalation device that includes an element configured to contribute to the generation of an aerosol or a flavored aerosol by consuming an accumulated capacity, a sensor configured to detect a predetermined variable, a notification unit configured to notify a person inhaling the aerosol, and a control unit configured to cause the notification unit to function in a first mode when the detected or estimated capacity is less than a threshold value and the variable satisfies a predetermined condition for requesting the generation of the aerosol. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 039589 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6462965 [Patent Document 3] Special Publication No. 2017-511703 [Patent Document 4] International Publication No. 2019 / 017654 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Patent Documents 1 to 4 do not describe a method for notifying a user when the remaining amount of the aerosol source and flavor source is low.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an aerosol generating device that can inform a user that at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source needs to be replaced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A control unit of an aerosol generating device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a processing device configured to acquire a remaining amount of at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source that adds flavor to the aerosol generated from the aerosol source, and the processing device is configured to allow a first discharge, which is a discharge from a power source to an atomizer that atomizes the aerosol source, and a second discharge, which is a discharge from the power source to an adjuster that can adjust the amount of flavor that the flavor source adds to the aerosol, when the remaining amount is equal to or greater than a threshold, and to suppress one of the first discharge and the second discharge when the remaining amount is less than the threshold. and a notification unit, the thresholds including a first threshold and a second threshold, the processing device being capable of acquiring a remaining amount of the flavor source and a remaining amount of the aerosol source, and configured to control the notification unit to suppress only one of the first discharge and the second discharge when the remaining amount of the flavor source is less than the first threshold and / or the remaining amount of the aerosol source is less than the second threshold, and to notify a user of the shortage of the flavor source and / or the aerosol source. It is something.

[0008] A control unit of an aerosol generating device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a notification unit and a processing device configured to be capable of controlling discharge from a power source to a first heater that heats one of an aerosol source and a flavor source that adds flavor to the aerosol generated from the aerosol source, and discharge from the power source to a second heater that heats the other of the aerosol source and the flavor source and is separate from the first heater; The processing device is capable of acquiring a remaining amount of the flavor source and a remaining amount of the aerosol source, and when the remaining amount is less than a threshold, controls the notification unit to notify a user of a shortage of the flavor source and / or the aerosol source; Before the notification unit is made to function, discharge from the power supply to the first heater and discharge from the power supply to the second heater are permitted, and when the notification unit is made to function, one of discharge from the power supply to the first heater and discharge from the power supply to the second heater is suppressed. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an aerosol generating device that can inform a user that at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source needs to be replaced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an aerosol generating device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the aerosol generating device of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a power supply unit in the aerosol generation device of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the hardware configuration of the aerosol generating device of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the hardware configuration of the aerosol generation device in FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the aerosol generation device of FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the aerosol generation device of FIG. [Figure 9] 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a power threshold Pmax and an increase width ΔP. [Figure 10] 9 is a schematic diagram showing atomization power supplied to the first load 21 in step S17 of FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 11] 9 is a schematic diagram showing atomization power supplied to the first load 21 in step S19 in FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 12] 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a table showing the relationship between the remaining amount of flavor components and the remaining amount of a reservoir. FIG. [Figure 13] 2 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the aerosol generation device of FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the aerosol generation device 1 of the first modified example. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the aerosol generation device 1 of the first modified example. [Figure 16] 13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the aerosol generation device 1 of the second modified example. [Figure 17]13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the aerosol generation device 1 of the second modified example. [Figure 18] 13 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the aerosol generation device of the second modified example. [Figure 19] 13 is a timing chart for explaining another example of the operation of the aerosol generating device of the second modified example. [Figure 20] 13 is a timing chart for explaining yet another example of the operation of the aerosol generating device of the second modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an aerosol generation apparatus 1, which is one embodiment of the aerosol generation apparatus of the present invention, will be described with reference to Figs.

[0012] (Aerosol generating device) The aerosol generation device 1 is a device for generating an aerosol to which a flavor component is added without combustion and making it inhalable, and has a rod shape extending along a predetermined direction (hereinafter referred to as a longitudinal direction X) as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The aerosol generation device 1 is provided with a power supply unit 10, a first cartridge 20, and a second cartridge 30 in this order along the longitudinal direction X. The first cartridge 20 is detachable (in other words, replaceable) from the power supply unit 10. The second cartridge 30 is detachable (in other words, replaceable) from the first cartridge 20. As shown in Fig. 3, the first cartridge 20 is provided with a first load 21 and a second load 31. The overall shape of the aerosol generation device 1 is not limited to the shape in which the power supply unit 10, the first cartridge 20, and the second cartridge 30 are arranged in a line as shown in Fig. 1. Any shape, such as a substantially box-like shape, may be adopted as long as the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 are configured to be replaceable with respect to the power supply unit 10. The second cartridge 30 may be detachable from the power supply unit 10 (in other words, replaceable).

[0013] (Power supply unit) As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, the power supply unit 10 accommodates a power supply 12, a charging IC 55A, an MCU (Micro Controller Unit) 50, a DC / DC converter 51, an intake sensor 15, a temperature detection element T1 including a voltage sensor 52 and a current sensor 53, a temperature detection element T2 including a voltage sensor 54 and a current sensor 55, a first notification unit 45, and a second notification unit 46 inside a cylindrical power supply unit case 11.

[0014] The power source 12 is a rechargeable secondary battery, an electric double layer capacitor, or the like, and is preferably a lithium ion secondary battery. The electrolyte of the power source 12 may be one of a gel electrolyte, an electrolytic solution, a solid electrolyte, and an ionic liquid, or a combination of these.

[0015] As shown in Figure 5, the MCU 50 is connected to various sensor devices such as an intake sensor 15, a voltage sensor 52, a current sensor 53, a voltage sensor 54, and a current sensor 55, a DC / DC converter 51, an operation unit 14, a first notification unit 45, and a second notification unit 46, and performs various controls of the aerosol generation device 1.

[0016] The MCU 50 is mainly composed of a processor, and further includes a memory 50a composed of storage media such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) necessary for the operation of the processor and a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing various information. In this specification, the processor is specifically an electric circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0017] 4, a discharge terminal 41 is provided on a top portion 11a located on one end side (first cartridge 20 side) in the longitudinal direction X of the power supply unit case 11. The discharge terminal 41 is provided so as to protrude from an upper surface of the top portion 11a toward the first cartridge 20, and is configured to be electrically connectable to each of the first load 21 and the second load 31 of the first cartridge 20.

[0018] Further, an air supply unit 42 that supplies air to the first load 21 of the first cartridge 20 is provided on the upper surface of the top portion 11a, in the vicinity of the discharge terminal 41.

[0019] A charging terminal 43 that can be electrically connected to an external power source (not shown) is provided on the bottom portion 11b located on the other end side (opposite the first cartridge 20) in the longitudinal direction X of the power supply unit case 11. The charging terminal 43 is provided on a side surface of the bottom portion 11b, and can be connected to, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) terminal or a microUSB terminal.

[0020] The charging terminal 43 may be a power receiving unit capable of contactlessly receiving power transmitted from an external power source. In such a case, the charging terminal 43 (power receiving unit) may be composed of a power receiving coil. The method of contactless power transmission (Wireless Power Transfer) may be an electromagnetic induction type, a magnetic resonance type, or a combination of the electromagnetic induction type and the magnetic resonance type. The charging terminal 43 may also be a power receiving unit capable of contactlessly receiving power transmitted from an external power source. As another example, the charging terminal 43 may be connectable to a USB terminal or a microUSB terminal, and may have the above-mentioned power receiving unit.

[0021] The power supply unit case 11 has an operation unit 14 that can be operated by the user, which is provided on a side surface of the top portion 11a so as to face the opposite side to the charging terminal 43. More specifically, the operation unit 14 and the charging terminal 43 are in a point-symmetric relationship with respect to the intersection point of a straight line connecting the operation unit 14 and the charging terminal 43 and the center line of the power supply unit 10 in the longitudinal direction X. The operation unit 14 is configured with a button-type switch, a touch panel, or the like. When a predetermined startup operation is performed by the operation unit 14 while the power supply unit 10 is in a power-off state, the operation unit 14 outputs a startup command for the power supply unit 10 to the MCU 50. When the MCU 50 receives this startup command, it starts up the power supply unit 10.

[0022] 3, an intake sensor 15 for detecting a puff (inhalation) action is provided near the operation unit 14. An air intake port (not shown) for taking in outside air is provided in the power supply unit case 11. The air intake port may be provided around the operation unit 14 or around the charging terminal 43.

[0023] The intake sensor 15 is configured to output a value of a pressure (internal pressure) change in the power supply unit 10 caused by the user inhaling through the suction port 32 described below. The intake sensor 15 is, for example, a pressure sensor that outputs an output value (for example, a voltage value or a current value) according to the internal pressure that changes according to the flow rate of air sucked from the air intake port toward the suction port 32 (i.e., the user's puffing action). The intake sensor 15 may output an analog value, or may output a digital value converted from the analog value.

[0024] In order to compensate for the detected pressure, the intake sensor 15 may incorporate a temperature sensor that detects the temperature (outside air temperature) of the environment in which the power supply unit 10 is placed. The intake sensor 15 may be composed of a condenser microphone or the like instead of a pressure sensor.

[0025] When the puffing operation is performed and the output value of the intake sensor 15 becomes equal to or greater than the output threshold, the MCU 50 determines that an aerosol generation request (a command to atomize the aerosol source 22, described later) has been made, and when the output value of the intake sensor 15 subsequently falls below this output threshold, the MCU 50 determines that the aerosol generation request has ended. Note that, in the aerosol generating device 1, in order to prevent overheating of the first load 21, etc., the period during which the aerosol generation request is made is set to an upper limit time t upper When the time period (for example, 2.4 seconds) is reached, it is determined that the aerosol production request has ended, regardless of the output value of the intake sensor 15.

[0026] Note that, instead of the inhalation sensor 15, the request for generating an aerosol may be detected based on the operation of the operation unit 14. For example, when the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 14 to start inhaling the aerosol, the operation unit 14 may be configured to output a signal indicating a request for generating an aerosol to the MCU 50.

[0027] The charging IC 55A is disposed in the vicinity of the charging terminal 43, and controls charging of the power input from the charging terminal 43 to the power source 12. The charging IC 55A may be disposed in the vicinity of the MCU 50.

[0028] (1st cartridge) As shown in FIG. 3, the first cartridge 20 includes, inside a cylindrical cartridge case 27, a reservoir 23 constituting a storage section for storing the aerosol source 22, a first load 21 constituting an atomizer that atomizes the aerosol source 22 to generate an aerosol, a wick 24 that draws the aerosol source 22 from the reservoir 23 to the position of the first load 21, an aerosol flow path 25 that constitutes a cooling passage for adjusting the particle size of the aerosol generated by atomization of the aerosol source 22 to a size suitable for inhalation, an end cap 26 that accommodates a part of the second cartridge 30, and a second load 31 provided on the end cap 26 for heating the second cartridge 30.

[0029] Reservoir 23 is partitioned and formed so as to surround the periphery of aerosol flow path 25, and stores aerosol source 22. Reservoir 23 may contain a porous body such as a resin web or cotton, and the porous body may be impregnated with aerosol source 22. Reservoir 23 may not contain a porous body on the resin web or cotton, and may store only aerosol source 22. Aerosol source 22 contains a liquid such as glycerin, propylene glycol, or water.

[0030] The wick 24 is a liquid holding member that draws the aerosol source 22 from the reservoir 23 to the position of the first load 21 by utilizing capillary action. The wick 24 constitutes a holding portion that holds the aerosol source 22 supplied from the reservoir 23 at a position where the aerosol source 22 can be atomized by the first load 21. The wick 24 is made of, for example, glass fiber or porous ceramic.

[0031] The aerosol source 22 contained in the first cartridge 20 is held in each of the reservoir 23 and the wick 24. In the following, the remaining amount of the aerosol source 22 stored in the reservoir 23 is referred to as the reservoir remaining amount W reservoir is treated as the remaining amount of the aerosol source 22 contained in the first cartridge 20. reservoir The remaining amount W of the reservoir is set to 100% when the first cartridge 20 is new, and decreases as the aerosol is generated (atomization of the aerosol source 22) proceeds. reservoir is calculated by the MCU 50 and stored in the memory 50a of the MCU 50. reservoir This is sometimes simply referred to as the remaining reservoir capacity.

[0032] First load 21 atomizes aerosol source 22 by heating aerosol source 22 without combustion using power supplied from power source 12 via discharge terminal 41. In principle, the more power supplied from power source 12 to first load 21, the greater the amount of aerosol source that is atomized. First load 21 is formed of an electric heating wire (coil) wound at a predetermined pitch.

[0033] The first load 21 may be any element capable of generating an aerosol by heating the aerosol source 22 and atomizing the aerosol source 22. The first load 21 is, for example, a heating element. Examples of the heating element include a heating resistor, a ceramic heater, and an induction heater.

[0034] A load having a correlation between temperature and electrical resistance is used as the first load 21. For example, the first load 21 has a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) characteristic in which the electrical resistance increases with an increase in temperature.

[0035] The aerosol flow path 25 is provided downstream of the first load 21 and on the center line L of the power supply unit 10. The end cap 26 includes a cartridge accommodating portion 26a that accommodates a part of the second cartridge 30, and a communication passage 26b that communicates between the aerosol flow path 25 and the cartridge accommodating portion 26a.

[0036] The second load 31 is embedded in the cartridge housing portion 26a. The second load 31 heats the second cartridge 30 (more specifically, the flavor source 33 contained therein) housed in the cartridge housing portion 26a by power supplied from the power source 12 via the discharge terminal 41. The second load 31 is formed, for example, of an electric heating wire (coil) wound at a predetermined pitch.

[0037] The second load 31 may be any element capable of heating the second cartridge 30. The second load 31 is, for example, a heating element. Examples of the heating element include a heating resistor, a ceramic heater, and an induction heater.

[0038] The second load 31 has a correlation between temperature and an electric resistance value, and may have, for example, a PTC characteristic.

[0039] (2nd cartridge) The second cartridge 30 stores the flavor source 33. The second cartridge 30 is heated by the second load 31, and the flavor source 33 is heated. The second cartridge 30 is detachably housed in a cartridge housing portion 26a provided in the end cap 26 of the first cartridge 20. The end of the second cartridge 30 opposite to the first cartridge 20 side is a mouthpiece 32 for the user. The mouthpiece 32 is not limited to being integrally and inseparably formed with the second cartridge 30, and may be detachably formed with the second cartridge 30. By forming the mouthpiece 32 separately from the power supply unit 10 and the first cartridge 20 in this way, the mouthpiece 32 can be kept hygienic.

[0040] The second cartridge 30 adds flavor components to the aerosol generated by atomizing the aerosol source 22 by the first load 21 by passing the aerosol through the flavor source 33. The raw material pieces constituting the flavor source 33 may be cut tobacco or a molded product obtained by molding a tobacco raw material into a granular shape. The flavor source 33 may be made of a plant other than tobacco (e.g., mint, Chinese medicine, herbs, etc.). A flavoring such as menthol may be added to the flavor source 33.

[0041] In the aerosol generation device 1, an aerosol to which a flavor component has been added can be generated by the aerosol source 22 and the flavor source 33. In other words, the aerosol source 22 and the flavor source 33 configure an aerosol generation source that generates an aerosol.

[0042] The aerosol generation source in the aerosol generation device 1 is a part that is replaced and used by the user. This part is provided to the user as one set, for example, one first cartridge 20 and one or more (for example, five) second cartridges 30. Note that the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 may be integrated into one cartridge.

[0043] In the aerosol generating device 1 configured in this manner, as shown by arrow B in Fig. 3, air flowing in from an inlet (not shown) provided in the power supply unit case 11 passes through the vicinity of the first load 21 of the first cartridge 20 from the air supply unit 42. The first load 21 atomizes the aerosol source 22 drawn from the reservoir 23 by the wick 24. The atomized aerosol flows through the aerosol flow path 25 together with the air flowing in from the inlet, and is supplied to the second cartridge 30 via the communication passage 26b. The aerosol supplied to the second cartridge 30 passes through the flavor source 33, whereby flavor components are added, and is supplied to the mouthpiece 32.

[0044] The aerosol generating device 1 is also provided with a first notification section 45 and a second notification section 46 for notifying the user of various information (see FIG. 5). The first notification section 45 is for notifying the user by acting on the user's sense of touch, and is configured with a vibration element such as a vibrator. The second notification section 46 is for notifying the user by acting on the user's sense of sight, and is configured with a light-emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). As a notification section for notifying various information, a sound output element may be further provided for notifying the user by acting on the user's sense of hearing. The first notification section 45 and the second notification section 46 may be provided in any of the power supply unit 10, the first cartridge 20, and the second cartridge 30, but are preferably provided in the power supply unit 10. For example, the periphery of the operation section 14 is configured to be translucent and emit light by a light-emitting element such as an LED.

[0045] (Power supply unit details) 5, when the first cartridge 20 is attached to the power supply unit 10, the DC / DC converter 51 is connected between the first load 21 and the power supply 12. The MCU 50 is connected between the DC / DC converter 51 and the power supply 12. When the first cartridge 20 is attached to the power supply unit 10, the second load 31 is connected between the MCU 50 and the DC / DC converter 51. Thus, in the power supply unit 10, when the first cartridge 20 is attached, the series circuit of the DC / DC converter 51 and the first load 21 and the second load 31 are connected in parallel to the power supply 12.

[0046] The DC / DC converter 51 is a boost circuit capable of boosting an input voltage, and is configured to be able to supply a boosted voltage of the input voltage or the input voltage to the first load 21. The DC / DC converter 51 can adjust the power supplied to the first load 21, so that the amount of the aerosol source 22 atomized by the first load 21 can be controlled. As the DC / DC converter 51, for example, a switching regulator that converts the input voltage into a desired output voltage by controlling the on / off time of a switching element while monitoring the output voltage can be used. When a switching regulator is used as the DC / DC converter 51, the input voltage can also be output as is without boosting it by controlling the switching element.

[0047] The processor of the MCU 50 is configured to acquire the temperature of the flavor source 33 and the temperature of the second load 31 in order to control the discharge to the second load 31. The processor of the MCU 50 is also preferably configured to acquire the temperature of the first load 21. The temperature of the first load 21 can be used to prevent overheating of the first load 21 or the aerosol source 22, and to precisely control the amount of the aerosol source 22 that the first load 21 atomizes.

[0048] The voltage sensor 52 measures and outputs a voltage value applied to the second load 31. The current sensor 53 measures and outputs a current value flowing through the second load 31. The outputs of the voltage sensor 52 and the current sensor 53 are each input to the MCU 50. The processor of the MCU 50 obtains a resistance value of the second load 31 based on the outputs of the voltage sensor 52 and the current sensor 53, and obtains a temperature of the second load 31 according to this resistance value. The temperature of the second load 31 does not strictly match the temperature of the flavor source 33 heated by the second load 31, but can be considered to be approximately the same as the temperature of the flavor source 33.

[0049] If a constant current is applied to the second load 31 when the resistance value of the second load 31 is acquired, the temperature detection element T1 does not require the current sensor 53. Similarly, if a constant voltage is applied to the second load 31 when the resistance value of the second load 31 is acquired, the temperature detection element T1 does not require the voltage sensor 52.

[0050] 6, instead of the temperature detection element T1, the first cartridge 20 may be provided with a temperature detection element T3 for detecting the temperature of the second cartridge 30 or the second load 31. The temperature detection element T3 is constituted by, for example, a thermistor disposed near the second cartridge 30 or the second load 31. In the configuration of FIG. 6, the processor of the MCU 50 obtains the temperature of the second load 31 or the temperature of the second cartridge 30, in other words, the temperature of the flavor source 33, based on the output of the temperature detection element T3.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 6, by acquiring the temperature of the flavor source 33 using the temperature detection element T3, it is possible to acquire the temperature of the flavor source 33 more accurately than acquiring the temperature of the flavor source 33 using the temperature detection element T1 of Fig. 5. The temperature detection element T3 may be configured to be mounted on the second cartridge 30. According to the configuration shown in Fig. 6 in which the temperature detection element T3 is mounted on the first cartridge 20, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the second cartridge 30, which is the cartridge that is most frequently replaced in the aerosol generation device 1.

[0052] 5, when the temperature of the flavor source 33 is obtained using the temperature detection element T1, the temperature detection element T1 can be provided in the power supply unit 10, which is replaced least frequently in the aerosol generation device 1. This allows the manufacturing costs of the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 to be reduced.

[0053] The voltage sensor 54 measures and outputs a voltage value applied to the first load 21. The current sensor 55 measures and outputs a current value flowing through the first load 21. The outputs of the voltage sensor 54 and the current sensor 55 are input to the MCU 50. The processor of the MCU 50 obtains the resistance value of the first load 21 based on the outputs of the voltage sensor 54 and the current sensor 55, and obtains the temperature of the first load 21 according to this resistance value. If a constant current is applied to the first load 21 when the resistance value of the first load 21 is obtained, the current sensor 55 is not required in the temperature detection element T2. Similarly, if a constant voltage is applied to the first load 21 when the resistance value of the first load 21 is obtained, the voltage sensor 54 is not required in the temperature detection element T2.

[0054] (MCU) Next, a description will be given of the functions of the MCU 50. The MCU 50 includes a temperature detection unit, a power control unit, and a notification control unit as functional blocks that are realized by a processor executing a program stored in a ROM.

[0055] The temperature detection unit obtains the temperature of the flavor source 33 based on the output of the temperature detection element T1 (or the temperature detection element T3). The temperature detection unit also obtains the temperature of the first load 21 based on the output of the temperature detection element T2.

[0056] The notification control unit controls the first notification unit 45 and the second notification unit 46 to notify various information. For example, the notification control unit controls at least one of the first notification unit 45 and the second notification unit 46 to issue a notification to prompt the user to replace the second cartridge 30 in response to detection of the timing to replace the second cartridge 30. The notification control unit is not limited to a notification to prompt the user to replace the second cartridge 30, but may also issue a notification to prompt the user to replace the first cartridge 20, a notification to prompt the user to replace the power source 12, a notification to prompt the user to charge the power source 12, and the like. The memory 50a of the MCU 50 stores a replacement flag for determining whether or not the second cartridge 30 (flavor source 33) needs to be replaced. This replacement flag takes a value of either FALSE or TRUE. FALSE means that replacement is not necessary. TRUE means that replacement is necessary. This replacement flag is set to FALSE when the amount of flavor component contained in the flavor source 33 (flavor component remaining amount described later) is equal to or greater than a threshold value TH1, and is set to TRUE when this amount is less than the threshold value TH1.

[0057] The power control unit controls the discharge (discharge required for heating the load) from the power source 12 to at least the first load 21 of the first load 21 and the second load 31 in response to a signal indicating an aerosol generation request output from the inhalation sensor 15. In other words, the power control unit performs at least the first discharge of the first discharge from the power source 12 to the first load 21 for atomizing the aerosol source 22 and the second discharge from the power source 12 to the second load 31 for heating the flavor source 33.

[0058] In this way, in the aerosol generation device 1, it is possible to heat the flavor source 33 by discharging electricity to the second load 31. It has been experimentally found that in order to increase the amount of flavor components added to the aerosol, it is effective to increase the amount of aerosol generated from the aerosol source 22 and to increase the temperature of the flavor source 33.

[0059] Therefore, the power control unit determines a unit amount of flavor (amount of flavor component W described below) which is the amount of flavor component to be added to the aerosol generated for each aerosol generation request based on information about the temperature of the flavor source 33. flavorThe discharge for heating from the power source 12 to the first load 21 and the second load 31 is controlled so that the unit flavor amount (amount of flavor component W flavor ) to the target amount, it is possible to converge the unit flavor amount to a target range with a certain degree of width. flavor The target amount may be expressed in units of weight.

[0060] In addition, the power control unit determines whether the temperature of the flavor source 33 is a target temperature (a target temperature T cap_target The discharge for heating from the power source 12 to the second load 31 is controlled so as to converge to the current I .

[0061] (Various parameters used in aerosol generation) Before proceeding to a description of the specific operation of the MCU 50, various parameters used in the discharge control for generating aerosol will be described below.

[0062] The weight [mg] of the aerosol generated in the first cartridge 20 by one inhalation action by the user is defined as the aerosol weight W aerosol The power required to be supplied to the first load 21 in order to generate this aerosol is expressed as atomization power P liquid The aerosol weight W aerosol Assuming that the aerosol source 22 is sufficiently present, the atomization power P liquid and atomization power P liquid The supply time t sense (In other words, the time during which the first load 21 is energized or the time during which the puff is performed). Therefore, the aerosol weight W aerosol can be modeled by the following formula (1). In formula (1), α is a coefficient obtained experimentally. Note that the supply time t sense is the upper limit time t upperis set as the upper limit. In addition, the following formula (1) may be replaced with formula (1A). In formula (1A), a positive intercept b is introduced into formula (1). This is because the atomization power P liquid is an optional term that can be introduced considering that a part of is used to heat the aerosol source 22 before atomization in the aerosol source 22. The intercept b can also be experimentally determined.

[0063]

number

[0064] Suction is n puff times(n puff is a natural number equal to or greater than 0), the weight [mg] of the flavor component contained in the flavor source 33 in the state in which the flavor component was removed is expressed as the remaining flavor component W capsule (n puff ) in the flavor source 33 of the second cartridge 30 in a new state. capsule (n puff =0)) to W initial The information about the temperature of the flavor source 33 is referred to as the capsule temperature parameter T capsule The weight [mg] of the flavor component added to the aerosol passing through the flavor source 33 by one inhalation action by the user is represented as the flavor component amount W flavor The information regarding the temperature of the flavor source 33 is, for example, the temperature of the flavor source 33 and the temperature of the second load 31 acquired based on the output of the temperature detection element T1 (or the temperature detection element T3). capsule (n puff ) is sometimes simply referred to as the remaining amount of flavor components.

[0065] Flavor ingredient amount W flavor is the remaining amount of flavor components W capsule (n puff ), capsule temperature parameter T capsule , and the aerosol weight W aerosol It has been experimentally proven that the amount of flavor components depends on W flavor can be modeled by the following equation (2):

[0066]

number

[0067] Each time a puff is taken, the remaining amount of flavor component W capsule (n puff ) is the amount of flavor component W flavor Therefore, n puff The remaining amount of flavor components when W is set to 1 or more capsule (n puff ), that is, the amount of flavor components remaining after one or more puffs have been taken, can be modeled by the following equation (3):

[0068]

number

[0069] In formula (2), β is a coefficient that indicates the proportion of the flavor component contained in the flavor source 33 that is added to the aerosol in one inhalation, and is determined experimentally. In formula (2), γ and in formula (3), δ are each coefficients that are determined experimentally. During the period when one inhalation is performed, the capsule temperature parameter T capsule and remaining flavor component W capsule (n puff ) can vary, but in this model, γ and δ are introduced to treat them as constant values.

[0070] (Operation of the aerosol generating device) 7 and 8 are flow charts for explaining the operation of the aerosol generation device 1 in Fig. 1. When the aerosol generation device 1 is started (powered ON) by operating the operation unit 14 or the like (step S0: YES), the MCU 50 determines whether aerosol has been generated (whether the user has inhaled at least once) after the power has been turned ON or after the second cartridge 30 has been replaced (step S1).

[0071] For example, the MCU 50 receives n puff The puff number counter is built in and counts up from an initial value (for example, 0). The count value of this puff number counter is stored in memory 50a. MCU 50 refers to this count value to determine whether or not the state has been reached after inhalation at least once.

[0072] If it is the first inhalation after the power is turned on, or before the first inhalation after the second cartridge 30 is replaced (step S1: NO), the flavor source 33 has not yet been heated or has not been heated for a while, and the temperature of the flavor source 33 is likely to depend on the external environment. Therefore, in this case, the MCU 50 calculates the temperature of the flavor source 33 obtained based on the output of the temperature detection element T1 (or the temperature detection element T3) as the capsule temperature parameter T capsule The obtained temperature of the flavor source 33 is set as the target temperature T cap_target and stores it in the memory 50a (step S2).

[0073] In addition, when the determination in step S1 is NO, it is highly likely that the temperature of the flavor source 33 is close to the outside air temperature or the temperature of the power supply unit 10. Therefore, in step S2, as a modified example, the outside air temperature or the temperature of the power supply unit 10 is set as the capsule temperature parameter T capsule and set this to the target temperature T cap_target It is also possible to use the following.

[0074] The outside air temperature is preferably obtained, for example, from a temperature sensor built into the intake sensor 15. The temperature of the power supply unit 10 is preferably obtained, for example, from a temperature sensor built into the MCU 50 for managing the internal temperature of the MCU 50. In this case, both the temperature sensor built into the intake sensor 15 and the temperature sensor built into the MCU 50 function as elements that output information regarding the temperature of the flavor source 33.

[0075] In the aerosol generating device 1, as described above, the temperature of the flavor source 33 is set to the target temperature Tcap_target Therefore, after the power source 12 is turned on or the second cartridge 30 is replaced, the temperature of the flavor source 33 is converged to the target temperature T cap_target Therefore, in this case (step S1: YES), the MCU 50 sets the target temperature T cap_target , the capsule temperature parameter T capsule This is then used as the target temperature T cap_target (Step S3). In this case, the memory 50a functions as an element that outputs information related to the temperature of the flavor source 33.

[0076] In step S3, the MCU 50 calculates the temperature of the flavor source 33 obtained based on the output of the temperature detection element T1 (or the temperature detection element T3) as a capsule temperature parameter T capsule The obtained temperature of the flavor source 33 is set as the target temperature T cap_target In this way, the capsule temperature parameter T capsule can be obtained more accurately.

[0077] After step S2 or step S3, the MCU 50 adjusts the set target temperature T cap_target and the remaining flavor component amount W of the flavor source 33 at the present time capsule (n puff ) based on the target flavor component amount W flavor The aerosol weight W required to achieve aerosol is determined by the calculation of equation (4) (step S4). capsule T cap_target This is a modification of equation (2).

[0078]

number

[0079] Next, the MCU 50 calculates the aerosol weight Waerosol The atomization power P required to achieve this liquid t sense The upper limit time t upper The value is determined by the calculation of the formula (1) (step S5).

[0080] In addition, the target temperature T cap_target and flavor component remaining amount W capsule (n puff ) and the atomization power P liquid A table in which the power consumption and the power consumption are associated with each other is stored in the memory 50a of the MCU 50, and the MCU 50 uses this table to calculate the atomization power P liquid This allows the atomization power P liquid can be determined quickly and with low power consumption.

[0081] In the aerosol generating device 1, as described later, if the temperature of the flavor source 33 has not yet reached the target temperature at the time when a request for generating aerosol is detected, the amount of flavor component W flavor The shortage of aerosol weight W aerosol In order to secure the increase in the atomization power, the atomization power determined in step S5 is set to be equal to or smaller than the upper limit P upper It needs to be lower than that.

[0082] Specifically, after step S5, the MCU 50 sets the upper limit value P upper Lower power threshold P max (Step S6a). The MCU 50 sets the atomization power P determined in step S5. liquid This power threshold P max If the temperature exceeds the target temperature T cap_target (step S7), and the process returns to step S4. As can be seen from equation (4), the target temperature T cap_target By increasing the amount of flavor components, the target amount W flavor The aerosol weight W required to achieve aerosol As a result, the atomization power P determined in step S5 can be reduced. liquidBy repeating steps S4 to S7, the MCU 50 can change the determination in step S6, which was initially NO, to YES, and move the process to step S8.

[0083] Power Threshold P max Although it may be a single fixed value, it is preferable that it is a variable value. max The atomization power determined in step S5 is set to any one of a plurality of values, as described above, based on the aerosol source 22 (reservoir remaining amount W reservoir ) is sufficiently large. However, even if the atomization power is the same, the remaining reservoir capacity W reservoir When there is a lot of water, the reservoir level W reservoir When the reservoir level W is low, reservoir When the reservoir remaining amount W is small, the amount of the aerosol source 22 supplied to the wick 24 is small, or it takes time for a sufficient amount of the aerosol source 22 to be retained in the wick 24, so that the desired aerosol weight may not be achieved. reservoir If the temperature of the flavor source 33 is low, the required aerosol weight may not be achieved. Therefore, it is preferable to increase the target temperature of the flavor source 33 accordingly to reduce the required aerosol weight.

[0084] From this perspective, in step S6a, the MCU 50 calculates the remaining amount W reservoir and the remaining reservoir volume W reservoir Based on the power threshold P max Specifically, the MCU 50 sets the remaining reservoir capacity W reservoir The higher the power threshold P max In other words, the MCU 50 sets the remaining reservoir amount W reservoir If the first remaining amount is W, the reservoir remaining amount is W reservoir is a second remaining amount different from the first remaining amount (e.g., a remaining amount greater than the first remaining amount), the power threshold P max In this way, the atomization power supplied to the first load 21 is set to a small value.reservoir Therefore, the reservoir remaining amount W reservoir It is therefore possible to achieve the target amount of flavor components without relying on the above.

[0085] Upper limit P upper During discharging from the power source 12 to the first load 21, the current flowing through the first load 21 and the voltage of the power source 12 are I and V, respectively. LIB and the upper limit of the boost rate of the DC / DC converter 51 is set to η upper and the upper limit of the output voltage of the DC / DC converter 51 is set to P DC / DC_upper and the electrical resistance value of the first load 21 in a state where the temperature of the first load 21 reaches the boiling point of the aerosol source 22 is represented as R HTR (T HTR =T B.P. ) is written. When written in this way, the upper limit P upper can be expressed by the following equation (5).

[0086]

number

[0087] In formula (5), Δ=0 is the upper limit P upper is an ideal value. However, in an actual circuit, it is necessary to take into consideration the resistance component of the conductor connected to the first load 21, resistance components other than the resistance component connected to the first load 21, etc. For this reason, an adjustment value Δ is introduced in equation (5) to provide a certain degree of margin.

[0088] In the aerosol generating device 1, the DC / DC converter 51 is not essential and can be omitted. When the DC / DC converter 51 is omitted, the upper limit value P upper can be expressed by the following equation (6).

[0089]

number

[0090] The MCU 50 determines the atomization power P liquid is the power threshold P max If it is equal to or lower than the temperature T cap_sense is acquired based on the output of the temperature detecting element T1 (or the temperature detecting element T3) (step S8).

[0091] Next, the MCU 50 refers to the replacement flag in the memory 50a. If the replacement flag is FALSE (step S9a: YES), the MCU 50 cap_sense and the target temperature T cap_target Based on the temperature T cap_sense is the target temperature T cap_target Power is supplied to the second load 31 by PID (Proportional-Integral-Differential) control or ON / OFF control so that the power converges to the value obtained by the power supply control.

[0092] PID control is temperature T cap_sense and the target temperature T cap_target The difference between the temperature T cap_sense is the target temperature T cap_target According to PID control, the power is controlled so that the temperature T cap_sense The target temperature T cap_target It should be noted that the MCU 50 may use P (Proportional) control or PI (Proportional-Integral) control instead of PID control.

[0093] ON / OFF control is performed at temperature T cap_sense is the target temperature T cap_target When the temperature is less than T cap_sense is the target temperature T cap_target In the above state, the temperature T cap_sense is the target temperature T cap_targetThe ON / OFF control stops the power supply to the second load 31 until the temperature T cap_sense is the target temperature T cap_target This increases the possibility of reaching the target temperature T cap_target may have hysteresis.

[0094] When the replacement flag is TRUE (step S9a: NO), the MCU 50 skips step S9 and proceeds to step S10. That is, when the replacement flag is TRUE, the MCU 50 controls to suppress discharge to the second load 31 for heating the second load 31, compared to when the replacement flag is FALSE. That is, when the replacement flag is FALSE, discharge to the second load 31 is permitted, and when the replacement flag is TRUE, discharge to the second load 31 is not permitted. Note that, at a timing such as immediately after replacing the second cartridge 30, the remaining amount of flavor component W capsule (n puff ) is sufficiently large, the process of step S9 is basically performed.

[0095] Suppressing discharge to the second load 31 for heating the second load 31 means preventing power equal to or greater than the minimum value of power supplied to the second load 31 for aerosol generation from being supplied to the second load 31, and ideally means preventing any power from being supplied to the second load 31. Allowing discharge to the second load 31 for heating the second load 31 means allowing power equal to or greater than the minimum value to be supplied to the second load 31.

[0096] In step S10 after step S9, the MCU 50 judges whether or not there is a request to generate aerosol. If the MCU 50 does not detect a request to generate aerosol (step S10: NO), the MCU 50 judges the length of time during which no request to generate aerosol has been made (hereinafter, referred to as no-operation time) in step S11. If the no-operation time has reached a predetermined time (step S11: YES), the MCU 50 transitions to a sleep mode in which power consumption is reduced (step S12). Note that, if discharging to the second load 31 has been started in step S9, the discharging is stopped in step S12. If the no-operation time is less than the predetermined time (step S11: NO), the MCU 50 transitions to step S8.

[0097] When the MCU 50 detects a request to generate an aerosol (step S10: YES), the MCU 50 calculates the temperature T cap_sense Based on the output of the temperature detection element T1 (or the temperature detection element T3) (step S14), the MCU 50 acquires the temperature T cap_sense is the target temperature T cap_target It is determined whether or not the number is equal to or greater (step S15).

[0098] temperature T cap_sense is the target temperature T cap_target If it is less than the amount W of the flavor component (step S15: NO), the MCU 50 determines whether the amount W of the flavor component is due to insufficient temperature of the flavor source 33. flavor In order to compensate for the decrease in the atomization power P determined in step S5, liquid Specifically, first, the MCU 50 increases the remaining reservoir amount W reservoir Based on this, the increase width ΔP of the atomization power is determined (step S19a), and the atomization power P determined in step S5 is liquid The atomization power P obtained by adding this increase ΔP to liquid ' is supplied to the first load 21 to start heating the first load 21 (step S19). reservoir 9, the power threshold P max13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a combination of and an increase width ΔP.

[0099] In the example of FIG. 9, the increase ΔP is reservoir When the threshold value TH3 is exceeded, the reservoir remaining amount W reservoir When the remaining amount W of the reservoir is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2 and less than the threshold value TH3, the remaining amount W of the reservoir is smaller than the value P1. reservoir When the threshold value is greater than or equal to TH2 and less than TH3, the remaining amount of the reservoir W reservoir In the example of FIG. 9, the power threshold P max is the remaining reservoir capacity W reservoir When the threshold value TH3 is exceeded, the reservoir remaining amount W reservoir When the remaining amount W of the reservoir is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2 and less than the threshold value TH3, the remaining amount W of the reservoir is smaller than the value P2. reservoir When the threshold value is greater than or equal to TH2 and less than TH3, the remaining amount of the reservoir W reservoir The smaller the power threshold P max The remaining capacity of each reservoir W reservoir The power threshold P max The sum of the increase ΔP is the upper limit P upper The sum of values ​​P1 and P2 is equal to or less than the upper limit P upper The threshold value TH2 shown in FIG. 9 is a value smaller than the threshold value TH3, and is used to determine whether or not to replace the first cartridge 20. The sum of the values ​​P1 and P2 is equal to the upper limit value P upper It may be less than the remaining amount W reservoir The threshold value TH2 may be set so that replacement of the first cartridge 20 is determined somewhat before the amount of charge reaches zero.

[0100] In step S15, the MCU 50 detects the temperature T cap_sense is the target temperature T cap_target If it is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (step S15: YES), the atomization power P liquid to the first load 21 to start heating the first load 21 (step S17).cap_sense is the target temperature T cap_target Prior to the determination of whether the temperature T cap_sense is the target temperature T cap_target If the replacement flag is TRUE, the temperature T cap_sense is the target temperature T cap_target The process of step S19a may be performed without judging whether the remaining amount W of the flavor component is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount W. capsule (n puff When the temperature of the flavor source 33 is close to the target temperature, the amount of flavor component W added to the aerosol is small. flavor Therefore, by increasing the aerosol weight by the process of step S19, the flavor component amount W flavor can be made to converge to a target amount.

[0101] After the heating of the first load 21 is started in step S19 or step S17, if the aerosol generation request has not ended (step S18: NO), the MCU 50 determines whether the duration of the aerosol generation request has exceeded the upper limit time t upper If the time is less than the upper limit time t upper If the power supply reaches the threshold value (step S18a: NO) or if the aerosol generation request has ended (step S18: YES), the power supply to the first load 21 and, if the processing of step 9 is being performed, the power supply to the second load 31 are stopped (step S21).

[0102] Based on the output of temperature detection element T2, MCU 50 may control heating of first load 21 in step S17 or step S19. For example, if MCU 50 executes PID control or ON / OFF control with the boiling point of aerosol source 22 as a target temperature based on the output of temperature detection element T2, it is possible to suppress overheating of first load 21 or aerosol source 22, or to precisely control the amount of aerosol source 22 atomized by first load 21.

[0103] Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the atomization power supplied to the first load 21 in step S17 of Fig. 8. Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the atomization power supplied to the first load 21 in step S19 of Fig. 8. As shown in Fig. 11, when a request for generating aerosol is detected, the temperature T cap_sense is the target temperature T cap_target If it does not reach the atomization power P liquid is increased and then supplied to the first load 21.

[0104] In this way, even if the temperature of the flavor source 33 has not yet reached the target temperature at the time when a request for aerosol generation is made, the amount of aerosol generated can be increased by performing the process of step S19. As a result, it is possible to compensate for the decrease in the amount of flavor components added to the aerosol caused by the temperature of the flavor source 33 being lower than the target temperature by increasing the amount of aerosol. Therefore, the amount of flavor components added to the aerosol can be converged to the target amount. Also, the increase amount ΔP of the atomization power increased in step S19 is determined based on the remaining reservoir amount W reservoir Even if the atomization power is increased in step S19, the remaining amount of the reservoir W reservoir The smaller the increase in the reservoir volume W, the smaller the increase in the reservoir volume ΔP. reservoir As a result, the appropriate amount of aerosol can be generated according to the remaining amount of the reservoir W reservoir This can prevent the generation of aerosols with unintended flavors and aromas caused by supplying more power than necessary to the device.

[0105] On the other hand, if the temperature of the flavor source 33 has reached the target temperature at the time when the aerosol generation request is made, the desired amount of aerosol required to achieve the target amount of flavor components is generated by the atomization power determined in step S5. Therefore, the amount of flavor components added to the aerosol can be converged to the target amount.

[0106] After step S21, the MCU 50 determines the supply time t sense (Step S22). Note that the MCU 50 acquires the upper limit time t upper When an aerosol generation request is detected beyond the supply time t sense is the upper limit time t upper Furthermore, the MCU 50 increments the puff number counter by "1" (step S23).

[0107] The MCU 50 receives the supply time t sense The atomization power supplied to the first load 21 in response to the aerosol generation request, and the target temperature T cap_target and the flavor component remaining amount W just before this point capsule (n puff ) and the remaining amount W of the flavor component of the flavor source 33 at the time when the current inhalation is completed. capsule (n puff ) is calculated (step S24).

[0108] When the control shown in FIG. 10 is performed, the amount of flavor component W added to the aerosol generated from the start to the end of the aerosol generation request is flavor can be calculated by the following formula (7). end -t start ) is the supply time t sense The remaining flavor component amount W capsule (n puff ) is the value immediately before a request for aerosol production is made.

[0109]

number

[0110] When the control shown in FIG. 11 is performed, the amount of flavor component W added to the aerosol generated from the start to the end of the aerosol generation request is flavor can be calculated by the following formula (7A). end -t start ) is the supply time t sense The remaining flavor component amount W of formula (7A) is shown. capsule (n puff ) is the value immediately before a request for aerosol production is made.

[0111]

number

[0112] The W for each aerosol generation requirement calculated in this way flavor is stored in the memory 50a, and the amount of flavor component W flavor and the amount of flavor components W flavor Including the past flavor component amount W flavor Substitute the value of into equation (3) (i.e., the past flavor component amount W flavor The integrated value of the values ​​is multiplied by the coefficient δ and the value is W initial By subtracting from the amount of flavor component remaining after the aerosol is generated, capsule (n puff ) can be derived with high accuracy and updated.

[0113] After step S24, the MCU 50 reads the remaining reservoir amount W reservoir The remaining amount of the reservoir W is updated (step S24a). reservoir is the time t of supplying the atomization power to the first load 21 after the first cartridge 20 is replaced with a new one. sense The cumulative value of the reservoir remaining amount W can be calculated based on this cumulative value. reservoirThe relationship between the remaining amount of the reservoir and W can be obtained experimentally. reservoir is the time t of supplying the atomization power to the first load 21 after the first cartridge 20 is replaced with a new one. sense and the power discharged to the first load 21 (atomization power P liquid , atomization power P liquid The cumulative value of the product of W ′) may be calculated and the calculation may be performed based on this cumulative value. reservoir The relationship between these two can also be experimentally determined.

[0114] In step S24a, the MCU 50 updates the remaining amount W of the flavor component in the second cartridge 30 updated in step S24. capsule (n puff ) based on the remaining reservoir volume W reservoir In this embodiment, five second cartridges 30 can be used for one first cartridge 20. For example, the remaining amount W of the reservoir when one second cartridge 30 is used may be calculated as follows: reservoir and the remaining amount W of the flavor component in the second cartridge 30 capsule (n puff ) is experimentally obtained. reservoir 12 in which the remaining amount is associated with the above data, and the table is stored in the memory 50a. In step S24a, the MCU 50 calculates the cumulative number of second cartridges 30 used since the first cartridge 20 was replaced with a new one and the remaining amount W of the flavor component acquired in step S24. capsule (n puff ) and the table shown in FIG. 12, the number of second cartridges 30 currently used and the remaining amount W capsule (n puff ) corresponding to the remaining reservoir capacity W reservoir is read from the table, and the remaining reservoir volume W reservoir is stored in the memory 50a as the latest information.

[0115] Next, the MCU 50 calculates the remaining amount of flavor components after updating Wcapsule (n puff ) is less than the threshold value TH1 (step S25). capsule (n puff If the updated flavor component remaining amount W capsule (n puff If the flavor component remaining amount W is less than the threshold value TH1 (step S25: YES), the MCU 50 refers to the replacement flag (step S25a). If the replacement flag is FALSE (step S25a: NO), the MCU 50 sets the replacement flag to TRUE (step S25b) and proceeds to step S29. capsule (n puff ) is zero, it is not necessary to judge it as YES (affirmative). In other words, capsule (n puff The threshold value TH1 may be set so that the determination in step S25 becomes YES (affirmative) to some extent before the difference TH1 becomes zero.

[0116] If the replacement flag is TRUE (step S25a: YES), the MCU 50 causes at least one of the first notification unit 45 and the second notification unit 46 to issue a notification to prompt replacement of at least one of the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 (step S26). Then, the MCU 50 resets the puff number counter to an initial value (=0) and counts the number of past puffs. flavor The value of is erased, and the target temperature T cap_target (step S27). Furthermore, the MCU 50 sets the exchange flag to FALSE (step S28), and performs the process of step S29.

[0117] Target temperature T cap_target The initialization of the target temperature T cap_target This means that the target temperature T is excluded from the set value. As another example, in the case where steps S1 and S2 are omitted and step S3 is always executed, the target temperature T cap_targetThe initialization of the target temperature T cap_target This means setting the temperature to room temperature.

[0118] In step S29, if the power is not turned off (step S29: NO), the MCU 50 returns the process to step S1, and if the power is turned off (step S29: YES), the MCU 50 ends the process.

[0119] Fig. 13 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the aerosol generation device of Fig. 1. In Fig. 13, the power supply of the aerosol generation device 1 is turned on at time t1, the first inhalation is started at time t2, and the remaining amount of flavor component W is measured at time t4 after the end of the inhalation. capsule (n puff ) becomes less than threshold value TH1, and then, at time t5, the second suction is started.

[0120] After the power is turned on at time t1, the processes of steps S1 to S9a in FIG. 7 are performed. However, before the first inhalation, the remaining amount of flavor component W capsule (n puff ) is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH1. Therefore, the determination in step S9a is YES, and as shown in FIG. 13, discharging to the second load 31 is started after the power is turned on at time t1.

[0121] Thereafter, when an aerosol generation request (a command to atomize the aerosol source 22 by the first load 21) is acquired by the MCU 50 at time t2, discharge to the first load 21 is started. Thereafter, when the aerosol generation request is ended at time t3, discharge to each of the first load 21 and the second load 31 is stopped.

[0122] After time t3, the target temperature at time t2, the remaining amount of flavor component at that time, the time between time t2 and time t3 (supply time t sense ), and based on the atomization power that is started to be supplied to the first load 21 at time t2, the remaining amount of flavor component W capsule (n puffAt time t4, the calculated flavor component remaining amount W capsule (n puff ) is less than threshold value TH1, the replacement flag is set to TRUE, as shown in step S25b in FIG. 8. Then, steps S1 to S9a in FIG. 7 are executed again, but the determination in step S9a is NO here. Therefore, discharging to second load 31 after time t4 is suppressed. Then, when the second suction is performed at time t5, discharging to first load 21 is started.

[0123] When the second inhalation ends at time t6, discharge to the first load 21 is stopped. Thereafter, as a result of the determination of step S25a in Fig. 8 becoming YES, the first notification unit 45 is first activated to issue a notification prompting replacement of the second cartridge 30, as shown in Fig. 13. Thereafter, the second notification unit 46 is activated to issue a notification prompting replacement of the second cartridge 30. The activation start timings of the first notification unit 45 and the second notification unit 46 may be the same, or may be reversed from that in Fig. 13. The activation start timing of at least one of the first notification unit 45 and the second notification unit 46 may be the same as the timing at which the aerosol generation request ends.

[0124] (Effects of the embodiment) As described above, according to the aerosol generation device 1, discharge control from the power source 12 to the first load 21 and the second load 31 is performed so that the amount of flavor components contained in the aerosol converges to a target amount each time the user inhales the aerosol. Therefore, the amount of flavor components provided to the user can be stabilized for each inhalation, thereby increasing the commercial value of the aerosol generation device 1. Moreover, compared to the case where discharge is performed only to the first load 21, it is possible to stabilize the amount of flavor components provided to the user for each inhalation, thereby further increasing the commercial value of the aerosol generation device 1.

[0125] In addition, according to the aerosol generating device 1, the atomization power determined in step S5 of FIG. 7 is equal to or smaller than the power threshold P maxand it is not possible to generate the aerosol required to achieve the target amount of flavor components, control is performed to discharge from the power source 12 to the second load 31. In this way, since discharge to the second load 31 is performed as needed, it is possible to stabilize the amount of flavor components provided to the user for each inhalation while reducing the amount of power required to achieve this.

[0126] In addition, according to the aerosol generation device 1, the discharge time (t sense ) and T at the time of receiving the generation request cap_target and the power discharged to the first load in response to the generation request (atomization power P liquid , atomization power P liquid ') or power (this power x t sense )), the remaining amount of flavor component is updated in step S24, and the power to be discharged to first load 21 is determined in steps S4 and S5 based on this remaining amount of flavor component. Therefore, the discharge to first load 21 can be controlled while appropriately considering the power or amount of power discharged to first load 21, which has a significant effect on the amount of flavor component that can be added to the aerosol, and further, while appropriately considering the temperature of flavor source 33 when discharging to first load 21, which has a significant effect on the amount of flavor component that can be added to the aerosol.

[0127] Furthermore, according to the aerosol generation device 1, the flavor source 33 is heated before detecting a request to generate an aerosol. This allows the flavor source 33 to be warmed before generating an aerosol, thereby shortening the time required from receiving a request to generate an aerosol to which a desired amount of flavor component has been added to being generated.

[0128] In addition, according to the aerosol generating device 1, the power threshold P max is the remaining reservoir capacity W reservoir Since it changes based on the remaining reservoir W reservoir The atomization power is controlled based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source 22. Therefore, it is possible to supply the first load 21 with an appropriate power based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source 22. Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with an aerosol having an appropriate flavor and aroma, thereby improving the product value.

[0129] In addition, according to the aerosol generating device 1, when the temperature of the flavor source 33 has not yet reached the target temperature, the power supplied to the first load 21 is limited to the reservoir remaining amount W reservoir Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with an aerosol having an appropriate flavor and aroma, thereby improving the product value.

[0130] In addition, according to the aerosol generating device 1, the power threshold P max is the remaining reservoir capacity W reservoir Therefore, the power discharged from the power source 12 to the second load 31 is determined based on the remaining reservoir capacity W reservoir Therefore, it is possible to supply an appropriate amount of power to the second load 31 based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source 22. Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with an aerosol having an appropriate flavor and aroma, thereby improving the product value.

[0131] In addition, according to the aerosol generation device 1, the discharge time (t sense ) in step S24, the flavor component remaining amount is updated based on the flavor component remaining amount, and the reservoir remaining amount W reservoir In this way, the remaining reservoir capacity W reservoir Therefore, a dedicated sensor for measuring the aerosol amount is not required, and therefore the cost increase of the aerosol generation device 1 can be suppressed.

[0132] Furthermore, according to the aerosol generating device 1, when the remaining amount of flavor components is less than the threshold TH1, discharging to the second load 31 is suppressed, and the flavor and taste of the aerosol changes compared to when the remaining amount of flavor components is large. Therefore, the user can be notified through taste or smell that at least one of the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 needs to be replaced. As a result, compared to a case where a visual, tactile, or auditory notification is given (compared to a case where a notification is given through the user's eyes, hands, or ears), the necessity of replacement can be more intuitively conveyed to the user. Furthermore, by suppressing only the discharge to the second load 31, the user can be notified that the second cartridge 30 including the flavor source 33 closely related to the flavor needs to be replaced.

[0133] Furthermore, according to the aerosol generating device 1, the remaining amount of flavor components is calculated after the end of inhalation, and when the remaining amount of flavor components is less than the threshold value TH1, the discharge to the second load 31 is suppressed (stopped) at the start of the next inhalation. Therefore, the decrease in the flavor of the aerosol during the current inhalation can be made more noticeable compared to the flavor of the aerosol during the previous inhalation. As a result, the user can easily notice that at least one of the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 needs to be replaced.

[0134] Up to this point, the discharge control when the flavor component remaining amount is low has been described, but the same discharge control is possible when the reservoir remaining amount is low. For example, assume that the flavor component remaining amount is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH1 and the reservoir remaining amount is less than the threshold value TH2 at time t4 in FIG. 13. In this case, the MCU 50 executes discharge to the second load 31 after time t4 (executes the process of step S9 in FIG. 7), and suppresses (stops) discharge to the first load 21 for heating the first load 21, which should be performed in response to the start of inhalation at time t5 (does not perform the process of step S17 or step S19 in FIG. 8). Then, the MCU 50 activates at least one of the first notification unit 45 and the second notification unit 46 to issue a notification urging the user to replace the first cartridge 20. Suppressing discharge to the first load 21 for heating the first load 21 means preventing power equal to or greater than the minimum value of power supplied to the first load 21 for aerosol generation from being supplied to the first load 21, and ideally means preventing any power from being supplied to the first load 21. Allowing discharge to the first load 21 means supplying power equal to or greater than the minimum value to the first load 21.

[0135] In this way, when the remaining amount of the reservoir is low, the amount of aerosol generated is significantly reduced by suppressing discharge to the first load 21. Therefore, the user can be informed through taste that the first cartridge 20 including the aerosol source 22 closely related to the aerosol needs to be replaced.

[0136] Also, at time t4 in Fig. 13, it is possible that the flavor component remaining amount is less than the threshold value TH1 and the reservoir remaining amount is less than the threshold value TH2. In this case, it is preferable that the MCU 50 suppresses (stops) only the discharge to the first load 21 among the discharges for heating performed in response to the next aerosol generation request, and allows (performs) the discharge to the second load 31.

[0137] In this way, when both the flavor component remaining amount and the reservoir remaining amount are low, the amount of aerosol that the user can more sensitively sense among the amount of flavor and the amount of aerosol is reduced, and the user is notified of the shortage of the flavor component remaining amount and the reservoir remaining amount. Therefore, the user is more likely to notice that both the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 need to be replaced. Even if both the flavor component remaining amount and the reservoir remaining amount are low, discharging of either one of them is continued, which can prevent a situation in which the user inhales but hardly tastes anything, and can increase the product value. Note that even if only discharging to the first load 21 is suppressed (stopped) and discharging to the second load 31 is permitted (performed), the flavor is delivered to the user by inhalation. However, it should also be noted that the flavor in this case is different from the flavor in the case where discharging to both the first load 21 and the second load 31 is permitted (performed).

[0138] In addition, in any of the cases where the flavor component remaining amount is less than the threshold TH1 and the reservoir remaining amount is equal to or greater than the threshold TH2, where the flavor component remaining amount is equal to or greater than the threshold TH1 and the reservoir remaining amount is less than the threshold TH2, and where the flavor component remaining amount is less than the threshold TH1 and the reservoir remaining amount is less than the threshold TH2, the MCU 50 first controls to suppress (stop) discharge to one of the first load 21 and the second load 31 and to permit (execute) discharge to the other of the first load 21 and the second load 31 after the start of the next inhalation. In this way, the user who is inhaling can feel the change in flavor and taste in stages. Therefore, it is easy to make the user realize that one or both of the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 need to be replaced.

[0139] (First modified example of the aerosol generating device) In the above description, the remaining amount of flavor component is derived, and based on this remaining amount of flavor component, the target amount of flavor component W is calculated before a request for generating aerosol is made. flavor The atomization power P required to achieve liquid and the target temperature T cap_targetIn this modification, the atomization power P is determined before a request for aerosol generation is made. liquid is set to a constant value, and instead, the target temperature T is set based on the remaining amount of flavor source 33. cap_target By variably controlling (specifically, raising the target temperature as the remaining amount decreases), the target amount of flavor components W flavor We are striving to achieve this.

[0140] In the aerosol generation device 1 of the first modification, when a request for generating aerosol is detected, if the temperature of the flavor source 33 has not yet reached the target temperature, the amount of flavor component W flavor The shortage of aerosol weight W aerosol In order to secure this increase in the atomization power, the atomization power P liquid is the upper limit P upper is set to be lower than

[0141] In the first modification, the MCU 50 does not derive the remaining amount of the flavor component, but uses other parameters corresponding to the remaining amount of the flavor component to determine the target temperature T cap_target The above is variably controlled.

[0142] The remaining amount of flavor components described above decreases every time a puff is performed. Therefore, the remaining amount of flavor components is inversely proportional to the number of puffs, which is the number of puffs performed (in other words, the cumulative number of discharge operations to the first load 21 for aerosol generation in response to an aerosol generation request). Furthermore, the remaining amount of flavor components decreases more the longer the time during which discharging to the first load 21 for aerosol generation in response to a puff is performed. Therefore, the remaining amount of flavor components is also inversely proportional to the cumulative value of the time during which discharging to the first load 21 for aerosol generation in response to a puff (hereinafter referred to as cumulative discharge time). Therefore, even if the remaining amount of flavor components is derived by the complicated calculations described above, the remaining amount of flavor components in the second cartridge 30 can be calculated based on the number of puffs or cumulative discharge time when one second cartridge 30 is used.

[0143] As can be seen from the model in equation (2), the aerosol weight per inhalation W aerosol is controlled to be almost constant (atomization power P liquid Assuming that the amount of flavor components W flavor In order to stabilize the flavor source 33, it is necessary to increase the temperature of the flavor source 33 in accordance with a decrease in the remaining amount of the flavor component (i.e., an increase in the number of inhalations or the cumulative discharge time). In the first modified example, the power control unit of the MCU 50 manages the target temperature according to a table stored in advance in the memory 50a, which stores the number of inhalations or the cumulative discharge time (or the remaining amount of the flavor source 33 calculated based on these) in association with the target temperature of the flavor source 33.

[0144] 14 and 15 are flow charts for explaining the operation of the aerosol generation device 1 of the first modified example. When the power supply of the aerosol generation device 1 is turned on by operating the operation unit 14 or the like (step S30: YES), the MCU 50 determines the target temperature T cap_target is determined (set) (step S31).

[0145] Next, the MCU 50 detects the current temperature T cap_sense is acquired based on the output of the temperature detecting element T1 (or the temperature detecting element T3) (step S32).

[0146] Next, the MCU 50 refers to the replacement flag in the memory 50a. If the replacement flag is FALSE (step S32a: YES), the MCU 50 cap_sense and the target temperature T cap_target Based on the temperature T cap_sense is the target temperature T cap_target Power is supplied to the second load 31 by PID control or ON / OFF control so that the power converges to the value.

[0147] When the replacement flag is TRUE (step S32a: NO), the MCU 50 skips step S33 and proceeds to step S34. Note that immediately after replacing the second cartridge 30, the remaining amount of flavor components is sufficiently large, so that the process of step S33 is basically performed.

[0148] After step S33, the MCU 50 judges whether or not there is a request to generate aerosol (step S34). If the MCU 50 does not detect a request to generate aerosol (step S34: NO), in step S35, the MCU 50 judges the length of the no-operation time during which no request to generate aerosol has been made. If the no-operation time reaches a predetermined time (step S35: YES), the MCU 50 transitions to a sleep mode in which power consumption is reduced (step S36). Note that, if discharging to the second load 31 has been started in step S33, the discharging is stopped in step S36. If the no-operation time is less than the predetermined time (step S35: NO), the MCU 50 transitions to the process of step S32.

[0149] When the MCU 50 detects a request to generate an aerosol (step S34: YES), the MCU 50 calculates the temperature T cap_sense Based on the output of the temperature detection element T1 (or the temperature detection element T3) (step S37), the MCU 50 acquires the temperature T cap_sense is the target temperature T cap_target It is determined whether or not the number is equal to or greater (step S42).

[0150] temperature T cap_sense is the target temperature T cap_target If it is equal to or greater than the predetermined atomization power P liquid is supplied to first load 21 to start heating of first load 21 (heating for atomizing aerosol source 22) (step S43).

[0151] temperature T cap_sense is the target temperature T cap_targetIf the amount of the flavor component is less than the predetermined atomization power P liquid Specifically, first, the MCU 50 increases the remaining reservoir amount W reservoir The remaining reservoir volume W reservoir Based on the atomization power P liquid Then, the MCU 50 determines the increase width ΔPa of the atomization power P liquid The atomization power P obtained by adding this increase ΔPa to liquid 9. Then, the first load 21 is supplied with the first heat source 1' to start heating the first load 21 (step S46). The increase amount ΔPa may have the same variable value as the increase amount ΔP shown in FIG.

[0152] After the heating of the first load 21 is started in step S43 or step S46, if the aerosol generation request has not ended (step S44: NO), the MCU 50 determines whether the duration of the aerosol generation request is greater than or equal to the upper limit time t upper If the time is less than the upper limit time t upper When the atomization power P reaches the predetermined value (step S44a: NO) or when the aerosol generation request is terminated (step S44: YES), the MCU 50 stops the power supply to the first load 21 and, when step S33 is being performed, stops the power supply to the second load 31 (step S48). liquid When increasing the upper limit time t upper Specifically, the atomization power P before the increase may be shortened. liquid The upper limit time before shortening is t upper and the atomization power P liquid and the sum of the increase ΔPa and the shortened upper limit time t upper The upper limit time t upper A value of may be determined.

[0153] In this way, even if the atomization power is increased in step S46, the remaining reservoir amount W reservoir The smaller the increase width ΔPa, the smaller the reservoir remaining amount W reservoir As a result, the first load 21 can be supplied with an appropriate amount of power according to the remaining amount W reservoir This can prevent the generation of aerosols with unintended flavors caused by supplying more power than necessary to the upper If this is also performed while shortening the time required for smoking, the generation of aerosols having unintended flavors and aromas can be more effectively suppressed.

[0154] After step S48, the MCU 50 determines the supply time t sense (Step S49). Then, the MCU 50 acquires this supply time t sense Based on this, the MCU 50 updates the accumulated discharge time stored in the memory 50a (step S50). If the number of suctions is used to determine the target temperature in step S31, the MCU 50 updates the number of suctions stored in the memory 50a in step S50. Furthermore, the MCU 50 updates the remaining amount of the reservoir W reservoir (Step S51). Note that the MCU 50 updates the atomization power P liquid When increasing, the obtained supply time t sense Specifically, the atomization power P liquid The sum of the increase in power and the increase in width ΔPa is the atomization power P liquid Divide by the supply time t sense The value multiplied by is the corrected supply time t sense Then, the subsequent processing may be performed.

[0155] The accumulated discharge time or number of puffs updated in step S50 is a parameter that indicates the consumption amount of the flavor source 33 since the second cartridge 30 was replaced with a new one. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the remaining amount of the flavor source 33 by comparing the accumulated discharge time or number of puffs with the upper limit value of the accumulated discharge time or number of puffs per one second cartridge 30. For example, the remaining amount [%] of the flavor source 33 can be obtained by subtracting the accumulated discharge time or number of puffs from this upper limit value, dividing the result by this upper limit value, and multiplying the result by 100.

[0156] Next, the MCU 50 determines whether the remaining amount of the flavor source 33 calculated based on the updated number of puffs or cumulative discharge time in step S50 is less than a threshold value TH1 (step S52). If the remaining amount of the flavor source 33 is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH1 (step S52: NO), the MCU 50 proceeds to step S58. If the remaining amount of the flavor source 33 is less than the threshold value TH1 (step S52: YES), the MCU 50 refers to the replacement flag (step S53). If the replacement flag is FALSE (step S53: NO), the MCU 50 sets the replacement flag to TRUE (step S54) and proceeds to step S58.

[0157] If the replacement flag is TRUE (step S53: YES), the MCU 50 causes at least one of the first notification unit 45 and the second notification unit 46 to send a notification urging replacement of the second cartridge 30 (step S55). The notification method is the same as that described above. Then, the MCU 50 resets the number of suctions or the accumulated discharge time to an initial value (=0) (step S56). Furthermore, the MCU 50 sets the replacement flag to FALSE (step S57), and performs the process of step S58.

[0158] In step S58, if the power is not turned off (step S58: NO), the MCU 50 returns to step S31, and if the power is turned off (step S58: YES), the MCU 50 ends the process. In this way, according to the first modified example, the operation can be simplified and the flavor and aroma can be stabilized for each puff.

[0159] (Second Modification of Aerosol Generation Device) In the aerosol generating device 1 of Figure 1, the remaining flavor component amount and the remaining reservoir amount may be calculated during the period in which aerosol is generated in response to an aerosol generation request, and if at least one of the remaining flavor component amount and the remaining reservoir amount falls below a threshold value, control may be performed to stop discharging to either the first load 21 or the second load 31 during that period.

[0160] 16 and 17 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the aerosol generation device 1 of the second modified example. The flowchart shown in FIG. 16 is the same as the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, except that step S9a is deleted and step S9 is performed after step S8. Steps S15, S17, S19a, and S19 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 17 are the same as the processes shown in FIG. 8. Therefore, only the operations after steps S17 and S19 in FIG. 17 will be described below. Note that the operations after steps S17 and S19 in FIG. 17 are performed after the second cartridge 30 has been replaced and suction has been stopped. puff After this is done n times, puff This shows the operation when the +1st suction is being performed.

[0161] After step S17 or step S19, the MCU 50 calculates the elapsed time from the start of the process of step S17 or step S19 to the present time (the supply time t sense(now) ) is obtained (step S51).

[0162] Next, the MCU 50 calculates the supply time t sense(now) The atomization power supplied to the first load 21 in step S17 or step S19 and the target temperature T cap_target And, n puff The remaining amount of flavor components at the end of the second inhalation W capsule (n puff ) and based on this, the remaining flavor component amount W of the flavor source 33 at the present time capsule(Now) is calculated (step S52).

[0163] The amount of flavor component W added to the aerosol generated during the period from the start of step S17 or step S19 to the current time flavor (Now) is the (t end -t start ) with supply time t sense(now) Substituting P in equation (7), liquid Substituting the atomization power that is started to be supplied to the first load 21 in step S17 or step S19 into T in formula (7) cap_target This can be calculated by substituting the current target temperature into

[0164] MCU50 is the amount of flavor components calculated in this way W flavor (Now) and last time (n puff The amount of flavor component W added to the aerosol during the second inhalation flavor Including the past flavor component amount W flavor The integrated value of is multiplied by the coefficient δ in formula (3) to obtain W initial By subtracting from the current remaining flavor component W capsule (Now) or MCU50 calculates the remaining flavor component W capsule (n puff ) to the amount of flavor components W flavor By subtracting the value obtained by multiplying (Now) by the coefficient δ, the current remaining amount of flavor component W capsule (Now) may be calculated.

[0165] After step S52, the MCU 50 determines the current remaining amount of the reservoir W reservoir (Step S53) The current remaining amount of the reservoir W reservoir The amount of the supply of the atomization power to the first load 21 can be calculated based on the accumulated value obtained by calculating the accumulated value of the time during which the atomization power is supplied to the first load 21 from when the first cartridge 20 is replaced with a new one until the present time. reservoir The relationship between the flavor component remaining amount W and the flavor component remaining amount W calculated in step S52 may be experimentally obtained. capsule Based on (Now), the current remaining reservoir volume W reservoirmay be calculated.

[0166] Next, the MCU50 detects the remaining flavor component W capsule The MCU 50 determines whether the remaining amount W capsule If (Now) is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH1 (step S54: NO), the process proceeds to step S55. In step S55, if the aerosol generation request has not ended (step S55: NO), the MCU 50 determines whether the duration of the aerosol generation request is equal to or greater than the upper limit time t upper If the time limit is less than the upper limit time t upper If the predetermined time is reached (step S55a: NO) or if the request for aerosol generation has ended (step S55: YES), discharge for heating the first load 21 and the second load 31 is stopped (suppressed) (step S56).

[0167] After step S56, the MCU 50 increments the puff number counter by "1" (step S57). capsule (Now) is the latest flavor component remaining amount W capsule (n puff ) and stores it in the memory 50a (step S58). After step S58, the process goes to step S63.

[0168] MCU50 is flavor component remaining amount W capsuleIf (Now) is less than the threshold value TH1 (step S54: YES), the MCU 50 suppresses (stops) the discharge to the second load 31 (heating of the second load 31 for generating the aerosol) (step S59). Furthermore, the MCU 50 causes at least one of the first notification unit 45 and the second notification unit 46 to issue a notification to prompt replacement of the second cartridge 30 (step S60). After that, the MCU 50 suppresses (stops) the discharge to the first load 21 (heating of the first load 21 for generating the aerosol) (step S61). Note that the MCU 50 may execute step S55 after step S59, and if the determination in step S55 is positive (step S55: YES), the process may proceed to step S61, and if the determination in step S55 is negative (step S55a: YES), the process may proceed to step S55a. Furthermore, the MCU 50 may return the process to step S51 when the determination in step S55a is positive (step S55a: YES), and may proceed to step S61 when the determination in step S55a is negative (step S55a: NO). In this way, the duration of the aerosol generation request may be set to the upper limit time t upper (step S55a: NO) or the aerosol generation request is terminated (step S55: YES), the discharge for heating the first load 21 is continued. Furthermore, the MCU 50 resets the puff number counter to the initial value (=0) and counts the amount of flavor components W flavor Clear the (Now) value and set the target temperature T cap_target (Step S62). After step S62, if the power is not turned off (Step S63: NO), the MCU 50 returns the process to step S1, and if the power is turned off (Step S63: YES), the MCU 50 ends the process.

[0169] Fig. 18 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the aerosol generation device of the second modified example. In Fig. 18, the power supply of the aerosol generation device 1 is turned on at time t1, suction is started at time t2, and the remaining amount of flavor component W capsule This shows the operation when (Now) is less than the threshold TH1.

[0170] After the power is turned on at time t1, the processes of steps S1 to S9 in FIG. 16 are performed, and therefore, as shown in FIG. 18, discharging to the second load 31 starts after time t1 when the power is turned on.

[0171] After the inhalation is started at time t2, the MCU 50 periodically checks the remaining amount of flavor component W capsule (Now) and Reservoir Remaining W reservoir Then, at time t3 while the aerosol generation request is being made, the flavor component remaining amount W capsule When it is confirmed that (Now) is less than the threshold value TH1, the discharge to the second load 31 is stopped, and the first notification unit 45 is activated to issue a notification urging replacement of the second cartridge 30. Thereafter, the discharge to the first load 21 is stopped at time t4, and then the second notification unit 46 is activated to issue a notification urging replacement of the second cartridge 30. The timing (time t4) at which the discharge to the first load 21 is stopped may be before the request for generation of aerosol is completed, or may be after the request for generation of aerosol is completed.

[0172] In addition, the first notification unit 45 and the second notification unit 46 may be operated simultaneously at time t3, or the first notification unit 45 and the second notification unit 46 may be operated simultaneously at time t4, or the second notification unit 46 may be operated at time t3 and the first notification unit 45 may be operated at time t4, or the first notification unit 45 may be operated at time t3 and the second notification unit 46 may be operated at time t4.

[0173] According to the aerosol generation device 1 of the second modified example described above, when the remaining amount of flavor components of the flavor source 33 obtained during aerosol generation is low, discharging to the second load 31 during aerosol generation is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to inform the user that the remaining amount of the flavor source 33 is low as early as possible.

[0174] In the aerosol generating device 1 of the second modification, the same discharge control is possible even when the remaining amount of the reservoir is low. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, assume that the remaining amount of the reservoir is less than the threshold value TH2 at time t3. In this case, the MCU 50 executes discharge to the second load 31 after time t3, and suppresses (stops) discharge to the first load 21 after time t3. In this way, when the remaining amount of the reservoir is low, the amount of aerosol generated is significantly reduced by suppressing discharge to the first load 21. Therefore, it is possible to inform the user through the sense of taste that the first cartridge 20 including the aerosol source 22 closely related to the aerosol needs to be replaced. Note that even if only the discharge to the first load 21 is suppressed (stopped) and the discharge to the second load 31 is permitted (performed), the flavor of the smoke is delivered to the user by inhalation. However, it should also be noted that the flavor of the smoke in this case is different from the flavor of the smoke in the case where the discharge to both the first load 21 and the second load 31 is permitted (performed).

[0175] Also, at time t3 in FIG. 19, the flavor component remaining amount W capsule It is also conceivable that (Now) is less than the threshold value TH1 and the remaining amount of the reservoir is less than the threshold value TH2. In this case, it is preferable that the MCU 50 suppresses (stops) only the discharge to the first load 21 after time t3 and executes the discharge to the second load 31. In this way, when both the remaining amount of the flavor ingredient and the remaining amount of the reservoir are low, the amount of aerosol, which the user can more sensitively detect among the amount of flavor and the amount of aerosol, is reduced and the user is notified of the shortage of the remaining amount of the flavor ingredient and the remaining amount of the reservoir. Therefore, the user is more likely to notice that both the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 need to be replaced. In addition, even if both the remaining amount of the flavor ingredient and the remaining amount of the reservoir are low, the discharge of either one of them is continued, thereby preventing a situation in which the user hardly tastes anything even after inhalation, and improving the product value.

[0176] In addition, the remaining flavor component W capsule When (Now) is less than the threshold TH1 and the reservoir remaining amount is equal to or greater than the threshold TH2, the flavor component remaining amount Wcapsule When (Now) is equal to or greater than the threshold TH1 and the reservoir remaining amount is less than the threshold TH2, the flavor component remaining amount W capsule In either case, when (Now) is less than the threshold value TH1 and when the remaining amount of the reservoir is less than the threshold value TH2, the MCU 50 performs control to stop discharging to one of the first load 21 and the second load 31 and to continue discharging to the other of the first load 21 and the second load 31 after time t3 in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19. Thereafter, the MCU 50 performs control to stop discharging to both the first load 21 and the second load 31. In this way, the user who is inhaling can feel the change in flavor and aroma in stages. Therefore, it is easy to make the user realize that one or both of the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 need to be replaced.

[0177] 18, the timing of stopping the discharge to the second load 31 and the timing of starting the operation of the first notification unit 45 are the same, but this is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG 19, the first notification unit 45 may be operated after the discharge is stopped.

[0178] Also, as shown in FIG. 20, the remaining flavor component amount W capsule Discharge to the second load 31 may be stopped shortly after time t3 when (Now) becomes less than the threshold value TH1, and the first notification unit 45 may be activated prior to the stop of discharge (time t3 in the example of Figure 20), and the second notification unit 46 may be activated after discharge to the second load 31 is stopped.

[0179] In this way, the first notification unit 45 functions before the discharge to the first load 21 or the second load 31 is suppressed and the flavor and taste change, so that the user can more easily notice that the remaining amount of the flavor source 33 or the aerosol source 22 is low. In addition, it becomes possible to replace the first cartridge 20 or the second cartridge 30 before the aerosol with the changed flavor and taste is generated. As a result, the marketability of the aerosol generation device 1 is improved. In addition, the notification is performed by different notification units before and after the time when the flavor and taste change, so that the user can more easily notice that the first cartridge 20 or the second cartridge 30 needs to be replaced.

[0180] 20, the second notification unit 46 is activated when the discharge to the second load 31 is stopped. This allows the second notification unit 46 to be activated at a timing before the aerosol generation request ends. This makes it easier for the user to notice a change in flavor or aroma.

[0181] In the aerosol generation device 1 of the second modified example, the method of setting the target temperature based on the accumulated discharge time described in the first modified example can also be applied. That is, the MCU 50 sets the target temperature based on the accumulated discharge time, starts discharging to the second load 31 according to this target temperature, calculates the accumulated discharge time at a predetermined interval during the generation period of the aerosol, and when the calculated accumulated discharge time exceeds the threshold value TH4, performs the process of step S59 and subsequent steps in Fig. 17, and when the calculated accumulated discharge time is equal to or less than the threshold value TH4, continues discharging to each of the first load 21 and the second load 31.

[0182] In the aerosol generation device 1 described so far, the first cartridge 20 is configured to be detachable from the power supply unit 10. However, the first cartridge 20 may be configured to be integrated with the power supply unit 10.

[0183] In the aerosol generation device 1 described so far, the first load 21 and the second load 31 are heaters that generate heat by power discharged from the power source 12. However, the first load 21 and the second load 31 may each be a Peltier element that can both generate heat and cool by power discharged from the power source 12. Configuring the first load 21 and the second load 31 in this way increases the degree of freedom in controlling the temperature of the aerosol source 22 and the temperature of the flavor source 33, allowing for more precise control of the unit amount of flavor. Also, first load 21 may be configured with an element that can atomize aerosol source 22 without heating aerosol source 22 by ultrasonic waves or the like. Also, second load 31 may be configured with an element that can change the amount of flavor component that flavor source 33 adds to the aerosol without heating flavor source 33 by ultrasonic waves or the like. When the second load 31 uses, for example, an ultrasonic element, the MCU 50 may control the discharge to the first load 21 and the second load 31 based on the wavelength of the ultrasonic waves applied to the flavor source 33, rather than the temperature of the flavor source 33, as a parameter that affects the amount of flavor component added to the aerosol passing through the flavor source 33. The elements that can be used for the first load 21 are not limited to the heater, Peltier element, and ultrasonic element described above, and various elements or combinations thereof can be used as long as they are elements that can atomize the aerosol source 22 by consuming power supplied from the power source 12. Similarly, the elements that can be used for the second load 31 are not limited to the heater, Peltier element, and ultrasonic element described above, and various elements or combinations thereof can be used as long as they are elements that can change the amount of flavor component added to the aerosol by consuming power supplied from the power source 12.

[0184] This specification describes at least the following items. Note that, in parentheses, components corresponding to those in the above-mentioned embodiment are shown, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0185] (1) The device includes a processor (MCU 50) configured to acquire the remaining amount of at least one of an aerosol source (aerosol source 22) and a flavor source (flavor source 33) that adds flavor to the aerosol generated from the aerosol source, The processing device includes: When the remaining amount is equal to or greater than a threshold value, a first discharge is permitted, which is a discharge from a power source (power source 12) to an atomizer (first load 21) that atomizes the aerosol source, and a second discharge is permitted, which is a discharge from the power source to an adjuster (second load 31) that can adjust the amount of flavor that the flavor source adds to the aerosol; When the remaining amount is less than the threshold value, one of the first discharge and the second discharge is suppressed. Control unit of the aerosol generator.

[0186] According to (1), when the remaining amount of at least one of the flavor source and the aerosol source is low, the discharge to either the atomizer or the regulator is suppressed, and the flavor and taste of the aerosol changes compared to when the remaining amount is high. Therefore, the fact that the remaining amount of at least one of the flavor source and the aerosol source is low can be communicated to the user through the user's sense of taste. As a result, the reduction in the remaining amount can be communicated to the user more intuitively than when the notification is given visually, tactilely, or audibly.

[0187] (2) A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to (1), The processing device includes: The remaining amount of the flavor source (remaining amount of flavor component) can be obtained, When the remaining amount of the flavor source is less than the threshold (threshold TH1), the second discharge is suppressed. Control unit of the aerosol generator.

[0188] According to (2), when the remaining amount of the flavor source is low, the amount of flavor added to the aerosol is reduced by suppressing discharge to the regulator, thereby informing the user that the flavor source, which is closely related to the flavor, needs to be replaced.

[0189] (3) A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to (1) or (2), The processing device includes: The remaining amount of the aerosol source (reservoir remaining amount) can be obtained, When the remaining amount of the aerosol source is less than the threshold (threshold TH2), the first discharge is suppressed. Control unit of the aerosol generator.

[0190] According to (3), when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is low, the discharge to the atomizer is suppressed, thereby reducing the amount of aerosol. Therefore, the user can be informed that the aerosol source, which is closely related to the aerosol, needs to be replaced.

[0191] (4) A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to (1), A notification unit (a first notification unit 45 and a second notification unit 46) is provided, The thresholds include a first threshold (threshold TH1) and a second threshold (threshold TH2), The processing device includes: The remaining amount of the flavor source (remaining amount of flavor component) and the remaining amount of the aerosol source (remaining amount of reservoir) can be obtained; When the remaining amount of the flavor source is less than the first threshold and the remaining amount of the aerosol source is less than the second threshold, the notification unit is configured to suppress only the first discharge of the first discharge and the second discharge, and to notify a user of the shortage of the flavor source and the aerosol source. Control unit of the aerosol generator.

[0192] According to (4), when the remaining amounts of both the flavor source and the aerosol source are low, the amount of aerosol, which is the amount of flavor and the amount of aerosol that the user can more sensitively sense, is reduced and the user is notified of the shortage of the flavor source and the aerosol source, so that the user can more easily realize that both the flavor source and the aerosol source need to be replaced.

[0193] (5) A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to any one of (1) to (4), The processing device includes: When the remaining amount is less than the threshold value, one of the first discharge and the second discharge is suppressed, and then the first discharge and the second discharge are suppressed. Control unit of the aerosol generator.

[0194] According to (5), after the discharge to either the atomizer or the regulator is suppressed, the discharge to both the atomizer and the regulator is suppressed. This allows the flavor and taste to change gradually, making it easier for the user to notice when the remaining amount is low.

[0195] (6) A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to (1), The processing device includes: A remaining amount of at least one of the flavor source and the aerosol source can be obtained while the aerosol is being generated; When the remaining amount is less than the threshold value, one of the first discharge and the second discharge is continued, and the other of the first discharge and the second discharge is suppressed. Control unit of the aerosol generator.

[0196] According to (6), when the remaining amount obtained during aerosol generation is low, one of the first discharge and the second discharge is suppressed during aerosol generation. Therefore, the user can be notified that the remaining amount is low as early as possible.

[0197] (7) A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to (1), The processing device includes: A command to atomize the aerosol source by the atomizer can be obtained; After the aerosol is generated in response to the atomization command, a remaining amount of at least one of the flavor source and the aerosol source can be obtained; When the remaining amount is less than the threshold value and the next atomization command is obtained, one of the first discharge and the second discharge is executed, and the other of the first discharge and the second discharge is suppressed. Control unit of the aerosol generator.

[0198] According to (7), when the remaining amount falls below the threshold, the change in flavor and taste of the generated aerosol becomes greater than when one of the first discharge and the second discharge is suppressed during aerosol generation. This makes it easier for the user to notice that the remaining amount is getting low.

[0199] (8) A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to any one of (1) to (6), A first notification unit (first notification unit 45), The processing device is configured to activate the first notification unit at a timing (time t3 in FIG. 18 and time t3 in FIG. 20) before a time when either the first discharge or the second discharge is suppressed. Control unit of the aerosol generator.

[0200] According to (8), the first notification unit functions at or before the time when either the first or second discharge is suppressed and the flavor or aroma changes. This allows the user to more easily notice that the remaining amount is low through another sense in addition to taste.

[0201] (9) A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to (8), The processing device is configured to cause the first notification unit to function at a timing (time t3 in FIG. 20) prior to a time when either the first discharge or the second discharge is suppressed. Control unit of the aerosol generator.

[0202] According to (9), the user can be made aware of the change in flavor through a sense other than taste before the change in flavor occurs. This makes it easier for the user to notice the change in flavor. Furthermore, it becomes possible to replace the flavor source or the aerosol source before the aerosol with the changed flavor is generated. As a result, the marketability of the aerosol generating device is improved.

[0203] (10) A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to (8) or (9), The first notification unit is configured to provide a notification that affects the user's tactile sense. Control unit of the aerosol generator.

[0204] According to (10), by using a notification unit that acts on the user's sense of touch, people around the user are less likely to notice the need for replacement. This improves the sophistication of the aerosol generating device, and as a result, improves its marketability.

[0205] (11) A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to any one of (1) to (6) and (8) to (10), A second notification unit (second notification unit 46), The processing device includes: When the remaining amount is less than the threshold value, suppressing one of the first discharge and the second discharge, and then suppressing the first discharge and the second discharge; The second notification unit is configured to function at a timing before a time point at which the first discharge and the second discharge are suppressed (time t4 in FIGS. 18 to 20 ). Control unit of the aerosol generator.

[0206] According to (11), the second notification unit functions at or before the time when the first and second discharges are suppressed and the flavor and aroma change, making it easier for the user to notice that the remaining amount is low through another sense in addition to taste.

[0207] (12) A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to (11), The processing device is configured to cause the second notification unit to function at a timing prior to a time point at which the first discharge and the second discharge are suppressed (a timing prior to time t4 in FIG. 20). Control unit of the aerosol generator.

[0208] According to (12), the user can be made aware of the change in flavor and aroma through a sense other than taste before the change occurs. This makes it easier for the user to notice the change in flavor and aroma. Furthermore, it is possible to avoid a situation where aerosol is not generated even when inhaled, improving the marketability of the aerosol generating device.

[0209] (13) A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to (11) or (12), The second notification unit is configured to perform a notification that affects the user's visual sense. Control unit of the aerosol generator.

[0210] According to (13), since the notification is given using a notification unit that affects the user's sense of sight, it becomes easier for the user to notice that the remaining amount is getting low.

[0211] (14) A notification unit (a first notification unit 45 and a second notification unit 46), a processing device (MCU 50) configured to be capable of controlling discharge from a power source to a first heater (first load 21) that heats one of an aerosol source (aerosol source 22) and a flavor source (flavor source 33) that adds flavor to the aerosol generated from the aerosol source, and discharge from the power source to a second heater (second load 31) that heats the other of the aerosol source and the flavor source and is separate from the first heater; The processing device includes: before the notification unit is activated, discharging from the power source to the first heater and discharging from the power source to the second heater are permitted; When the notification unit is activated, the notification unit is configured to suppress either one of discharge from the power source to the first heater and discharge from the power source to the second heater. Control unit of the aerosol generator.

[0212] According to (14), when the notification unit functions, discharge to either the first heater or the second heater is suppressed. This suppression changes the flavor and taste of the aerosol, making it easier for the user to recognize that the notification unit is functioning. As a result, for example, by notifying the user that the remaining amount of the flavor source or the aerosol source is low, the notification unit can prompt the user to replace the flavor source or the aerosol source. [Explanation of symbols]

[0213] 1. Aerosol generator T1, T2, T3 Temperature detection elements 10 Power supply unit 11a Top section 11b Bottom section 11 Power supply unit case 12 Power supply 14 Control section 15 Intake Sensor 20 First Cartridge 21 First load 31 Second load 22 Aerosol Sources 23 Reservoir 24 Wick 25 Aerosol flow path 26a Cartridge storage section 26b Communication path 26 End Cap 27 Cartridge Case 30 2nd Cartridge 32 Mouthpiece 33 Flavor source 41 Discharge terminal 42 Air supply section 43 Charging terminal 45 First Notification Department 46 Second Notification Department 50a Memory 50 MCU 51 DC / DC Converter 52,54 Voltage Sensor 53,55 Current sensor 55A charging IC

Claims

1. The device includes an aerosol source and a processing device configured to acquire a remaining amount of at least one of a flavor source that adds a flavor to the aerosol generated from the aerosol source, The processing device includes: When the remaining amount is equal to or greater than a threshold value, a first discharge is permitted, which is a discharge from a power source to an atomizer that atomizes the aerosol source, and a second discharge is permitted, which is a discharge from the power source to an adjuster that can adjust the amount of flavor that the flavor source adds to the aerosol; When the remaining amount is less than the threshold value, one of the first discharge and the second discharge is suppressed; A notification section is provided, The threshold value includes a first threshold value and a second threshold value, The processing device includes: The remaining amount of the flavor source and the remaining amount of the aerosol source can be obtained; and controlling the notification unit to suppress only one of the first discharge and the second discharge when the remaining amount of the flavor source is less than the first threshold value and / or the remaining amount of the aerosol source is less than the second threshold value, and to notify a user of the shortage of the flavor source and / or the aerosol source. Control unit of the aerosol generator.

2. A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to claim 1, The processing device includes: The remaining amount of the flavor source can be obtained; and inhibiting the second discharge when the remaining amount of the flavor source is less than the threshold. Control unit of the aerosol generator.

3. A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or 2, The processing device includes: A remaining amount of the aerosol source can be obtained; and configured to inhibit the first discharge when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is less than the threshold. Control unit of the aerosol generator.

4. A control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The processing device is a control unit of an aerosol generating device that suppresses only the first discharge of the first discharge and the second discharge when the remaining amount of the flavor source is less than the first threshold and the remaining amount of the aerosol source is less than the second threshold.

5. A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The processing device includes: When the remaining amount is less than the threshold value, one of the first discharge and the second discharge is suppressed, and then the first discharge and the second discharge are suppressed. Control unit of the aerosol generator.

6. A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to claim 1, The processing device includes: A remaining amount of at least one of the flavor source and the aerosol source can be obtained while the aerosol is being generated; When the remaining amount is less than the threshold value, one of the first discharge and the second discharge is continued, and the other of the first discharge and the second discharge is suppressed. Control unit of the aerosol generator.

7. A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to claim 1, The processing device includes: A command for atomizing the aerosol source by the atomizer can be obtained; After the aerosol is generated in response to the atomization command, a remaining amount of at least one of the flavor source and the aerosol source can be obtained; When the remaining amount is less than the threshold and the next atomization command is obtained, one of the first discharge and the second discharge is executed, and the other of the first discharge and the second discharge is suppressed. Control unit of the aerosol generator.

8. A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A first notification unit is provided, The processing device is configured to cause the first notification unit to function at a timing before a time point when either the first discharge or the second discharge is suppressed. Control unit of the aerosol generator.

9. A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to claim 8, The processing device is configured to cause the first notification unit to function at a timing before a time point at which either the first discharge or the second discharge is suppressed. Control unit of the aerosol generator.

10. A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to claim 8 or 9, The first notification unit is configured to provide a notification that affects the user's tactile sense. Control unit of the aerosol generator.

11. A control unit of an aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and 8 to 10, A second notification unit is provided, The processing device includes: When the remaining amount is less than the threshold value, suppressing one of the first discharge and the second discharge, and then suppressing the first discharge and the second discharge; The second notification unit is configured to function at a timing before the first discharge and the second discharge are suppressed. Control unit of the aerosol generator.

12. A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to claim 11, The processing device is configured to cause the second notification unit to function at a timing before the first discharge and the second discharge are suppressed. Control unit of the aerosol generator.

13. A control unit of the aerosol generating device according to claim 11 or 12, comprising: The second notification unit is configured to perform a notification that affects the user's visual sense. Control unit of the aerosol generator.

14. A notification unit; a processing device configured to be capable of controlling discharge from a power source to a first heater that heats one of an aerosol source and a flavor source that adds flavor to the aerosol generated from the aerosol source, and discharge from the power source to a second heater that heats the other of the aerosol source and the flavor source and is separate from the first heater; The processing device includes: The remaining amount of the flavor source and the remaining amount of the aerosol source can be obtained; When the remaining amount is less than a threshold value, control the notification unit to notify a user of a shortage of the flavor source and / or the aerosol source; before the notification unit is activated, discharging from the power source to the first heater and discharging from the power source to the second heater are permitted; When the notification unit is activated, the notification unit is configured to suppress one of discharge from the power source to the first heater and discharge from the power source to the second heater. Control unit of the aerosol generator.

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