Aerosol Generator

Abstract

An aerosol aspirator (1) is provided with a power supply unit (10), a detachable cartridge (40) in which an aerosol source (71) is stored, and a color classification sensor (24). In the cartridge (40), a coloring unit (49) is formed. The power supply unit (10) is provided with a power supply (61), and an MCU 63 which can control the electric discharge from the power supply (61) to a first heater (45). The MCU 63 can execute aerosol source information acquisition processing for acquiring information about the aerosol source (71) stored in the cartridge (40) on the basis of information about the color that is colored by the coloring unit (49) and is classified by the color classification sensor (24).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an aerosol delivery system (aerosol generating device) that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol source to vaporize and / or atomize it. In the aerosol delivery system of Patent Document 1, the generated aerosol flows through a second aerosol generating device (accommodation chamber) that accommodates an aerosol generating element (flavor source), whereby flavor components contained in the flavor source are added to the aerosol, and the user can inhale the aerosol containing the flavor components.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 1 discloses that menthol may be contained in both the aerosol precursor composition of the reservoir substrate and the aerosol generating element of the second aerosol generating device.

[0004] Users of aerosol generating devices, like smokers of cigarettes, have different preferences for flavors. For example, some users of aerosol generating devices prefer the flavor of menthol, while others prefer the flavor of regular cigarettes that do not contain menthol. In order to accommodate users with different preferences, it is desirable that the aerosol generating device is capable of selecting a plurality of types of aerosol sources and / or flavor sources and capable of generating aerosols with a plurality of types of flavors added. Furthermore, in order to provide the user with the optimal flavor, it is preferable to separately set a mode for controlling discharge to a load that heats the aerosol source and / or flavor source according to the selected aerosol source and / or flavor source.

[0005] Therefore, Patent Document 2 discloses an electrically heated smoking system that is equipped with a detector that can identify specific smoking articles from identification information printed on the smoking article, and establishes a heating protocol based on the specific smoking article identified by the detector.

[0006] Patent Document 3 also discloses an aerosol generating device that has a cigarette sensing unit that can identify the type of cigarette based on the number of protrusions protruding from the joint of the cigarette, selects a temperature profile that corresponds to the type of cigarette identified by the cigarette sensing unit, and controls the battery power supplied to the heater according to the selected temperature profile. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-150031 [Patent Document 2] Japan Special Publication No. 2012-513750 [Patent Document 3] Japan Special Publication No. 2020-526208 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, the electrically heated smoking system of Patent Document 2 requires a step of printing identification information on the smoking article, and the aerosol generating device of Patent Document 3 requires a step of forming different numbers of protrusions at the joint of the cigarette depending on the type of cigarette. Thus, the electrically heated smoking system of Patent Document 2 and the aerosol generating device of Patent Document 3 require a step of attaching identification information to the smoking article and cigarette, which increases the number of manufacturing steps.

[0009] The present invention provides an aerosol generating device that can acquire information about an aerosol source and eliminates the need for a step of attaching identification information to an aerosol source storage unit, thereby reducing the number of steps during manufacturing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention relates to a removable aerosol source storage unit in which an aerosol source is stored; a heater for heating the aerosol source to vaporize and / or atomize it; a power supply unit including a power supply electrically connected to the heater and a controller capable of controlling discharge from the power supply to the heater; An aerosol generating device comprising: The aerosol source storage unit has a colored portion formed thereon, The aerosol generating device further includes a color identification sensor capable of identifying the color applied to the colored portion, The controller: The aerosol source information acquisition process can be executed to acquire information about the aerosol source stored in the aerosol source storage unit based on information about the color of the colored portion identified by the color identification sensor. the law of nature, The aerosol generating device comprises: a cartridge cover for accommodating a cartridge having an aerosol flow path through which the aerosol vaporized and / or atomized by the heater flows; The cartridge cover includes: The cartridge holder includes an inner circumferential wall that defines a space in which the cartridge is housed, an outer circumferential wall that is formed on the outside of the inner circumferential wall, and a space that is formed between the inner circumferential wall and the outer circumferential wall, The color identification sensor is provided in the space. . Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain information about the aerosol source stored in the aerosol-source storage unit, and it is not necessary to provide identification information to the aerosol-source storage unit, thereby reducing the number of steps during manufacturing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an aerosol inhalator. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the aerosol inhalator of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol inhalator of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a power supply unit in the aerosol inhalator of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] 4 is an enlarged view of a main portion of region A in FIG. 3, showing the periphery of a color discrimination sensor in the aerosol inhalator of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the hardware configuration of the aerosol inhalator of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of the power supply unit shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the aerosol inhalator of FIG. 1 (part 1: power-on control). [Figure 9] 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the aerosol inhalator of FIG. 1 (part 2: cartridge identification process). [Figure 10] 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the aerosol inhalator of FIG. 1 (part 3: standby control). [Figure 11] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the aerosol inhalator of FIG. 1 (part 4: discharge control and aerosol generation control). [Figure 12] 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the aerosol inhalator of FIG. 1 (part 5: remaining amount update process and power off control). [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of control in the menthol mode (part 1: when both the aerosol source and the flavor source contain menthol). [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of control in the menthol mode (part 2: when only the aerosol source contains menthol). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] An aerosol inhalator 1, which is one embodiment of the aerosol generating device of the present invention, will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 14. The drawings are to be read in the direction indicated by the reference symbols.

[0014] (Overview of the aerosol aspirator) As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the aerosol inhaler 1 is a device for generating an aerosol without combustion, adding a flavor component to the generated aerosol, and enabling a user to inhale the aerosol containing the flavor component. As an example, the aerosol inhaler 1 is rod-shaped.

[0015] The aerosol inhaler 1 includes a power supply unit 10, a cartridge cover 20 in which a cartridge 40 that stores an aerosol source 71 is accommodated, and a capsule holder 30 in which a capsule 50 having a storage chamber 53 in which a flavor source 52 is accommodated is accommodated. The power supply unit 10, the cartridge cover 20, and the capsule holder 30 are provided in this order from one end side to the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol inhaler 1. The power supply unit 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape centered on a center line L extending in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol inhaler 1. The cartridge cover 20 and the capsule holder 30 have a substantially annular shape centered on a center line L extending in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol inhaler 1. The outer peripheral surface of the power supply unit 10 and the outer peripheral surface of the cartridge cover 20 are substantially annular shapes of substantially the same diameter, and the capsule holder 30 is substantially annular shapes of a diameter slightly smaller than that of the power supply unit 10 and the cartridge cover 20.

[0016] In the following, in order to simplify and clarify the description in this specification, the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped aerosol inhalator 1 is defined as the first direction X. In addition, for the sake of convenience, in the first direction X, the side where the power supply unit 10 of the aerosol inhalator 1 is arranged is defined as the bottom side, and the side where the capsule holder 30 of the aerosol inhalator 1 is arranged is defined as the top side. In the drawings, the bottom side of the aerosol inhalator 1 in the first direction X is indicated as D, and the top side of the aerosol inhalator 1 in the first direction X is indicated as U.

[0017] The cartridge cover 20 is hollow and has a generally circular ring shape with both bottom and top end faces open. The bottom end of the cartridge cover 20 is connected to the top end of the power supply unit 10. The cartridge cover 20 is detachable from the power supply unit 10.

[0018] The capsule holder 30 is hollow and has a generally circular ring shape with both bottom and top end faces open. The bottom end of the capsule holder 30 is connected to the top end of the cartridge cover 20. The capsule holder 30 is made of a metal such as aluminum. The capsule holder 30 is detachable from the cartridge cover 20.

[0019] The cartridge 40 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is housed inside the cartridge cover 20. The cartridge 40 can be housed inside the cartridge cover 20 with the capsule holder 30 removed from the cartridge cover 20, and can be removed from inside the cartridge cover 20. Therefore, the aerosol inhaler 1 can be used by replacing the cartridge 40.

[0020] The capsule 50 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and is accommodated in the hollow portion of the hollow, substantially annular capsule holder 30 such that the top end portion in the first direction X is exposed in the first direction X from the top end portion of the capsule holder 30. The capsule 50 is detachable from the capsule holder 30. Therefore, the aerosol inhalator 1 can be used by replacing the capsule 50.

[0021] (Power supply unit) 3 and 4, the power supply unit 10 includes a power supply unit case 11 having a hollow, generally annular shape centered on a center line L extending in a first direction X. The power supply unit case 11 is formed of a metal such as stainless steel. The power supply unit case 11 has a top surface 11a which is an end surface on the top side of the power supply unit case 11 in the first direction X, a bottom surface 11b which is an end surface on the bottom side of the power supply unit case 11 in the first direction X, and a side surface 11c which extends in the first direction X from the top surface 11a to the bottom surface 11b in a generally annular shape centered on the center line L.

[0022] A discharge terminal 12 is provided on the top surface 11a of the power supply unit case 11. The discharge terminal 12 is provided so as to protrude from the top surface 11a of the power supply unit case 11 to the top side in the first direction X.

[0023] Further, an air supply unit 13 that supplies air to a heating chamber 43 of a cartridge 40 (described later) is provided on the top surface 11a near the discharge terminal 12. The air supply unit 13 is provided so as to protrude from the top surface 11a of the power supply unit case 11 to the top side in the first direction X.

[0024] A charging terminal 14 that can be electrically connected to an external power source (not shown) is provided on a side surface 11c of the power supply unit case 11. In this embodiment, the charging terminal 14 is provided on the side surface 11c near the bottom surface 11b, and is a receptacle to which, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal, a microUSB terminal, or the like can be connected.

[0025] The charging terminal 14 may be a power receiving unit capable of contactlessly receiving power transmitted from an external power source. In such a case, the charging terminal 14 (power receiving unit) may be composed of a power receiving coil. The method of contactless power transmission (WPT: 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 14 may also be a power receiving unit capable of contactlessly receiving power transmitted from an external power source. As another example, the charging terminal 14 may have both a receptacle to which a USB terminal, a microUSB terminal, or the like can be connected, and the above-mentioned power receiving unit.

[0026] An operation unit 15 that can be operated by a user is provided on the side surface 11c of the power supply unit case 11. The operation unit 15 is provided on the side surface 11c near the top surface 11a. In this embodiment, the operation unit 15 is provided at a position about 180 degrees away from the charging terminal 14 with the center line L as the center when viewed from the first direction X. In this embodiment, the operation unit 15 is a circular push button switch when the side surface 11c of the power supply unit case 11 is viewed from the outside. Note that the operation unit 15 may be a shape other than a circle, and may be composed of a switch other than a push button type, a touch panel, or the like.

[0027] The power supply unit case 11 is provided with a notification section 16 that notifies various kinds of information. The notification section 16 is composed of a light-emitting element 161 and a vibration element 162 (see FIG. 6). In this embodiment, the light-emitting element 161 is provided inside the power supply unit case 11 of the operation section 15. The periphery of the circular operation section 15 has translucency when the side surface 11c of the power supply unit case 11 is seen from the outside, and is configured to be lit by the light-emitting element 161. In this embodiment, the light-emitting element 161 is capable of emitting red, green, blue, white, and purple light.

[0028] Power supply unit case 11 is provided with an air intake port (not shown) that takes in outside air. The air intake port may be provided around charging terminal 14, around operation unit 15, or may be provided in power supply unit case 11 at a position away from charging terminal 14 and operation unit 15. The air intake port may be provided in cartridge cover 20. The air intake port may be provided in two or more of the above-mentioned locations.

[0029] The hollow portion of the hollow, substantially annular power supply unit case 11 accommodates a power supply 61, an intake sensor 62, an MCU (Micro Controller Unit) 63, and a charging IC (IC: Integrated Circuit) 64. The power supply unit case 11 also accommodates an LDO regulator 65 (LDO: Low Drop Out), a DC / DC converter 66, a first temperature detection element 67 including a voltage sensor 671 and a current sensor 672, and a second temperature detection element 68 including a voltage sensor 681 and a current sensor 682 (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

[0030] The power source 61 is a chargeable and dischargeable electricity storage device such as a secondary battery or an electric double layer capacitor, and is preferably a lithium ion secondary battery. The electrolyte of the power source 61 may be one of a gel electrolyte, an electrolytic solution, a solid electrolyte, and an ionic liquid, or a combination of these.

[0031] The inhalation sensor 62 is provided near the operation unit 15. The inhalation sensor 62 is a pressure sensor that detects a puffing (inhalation) action. The inhalation sensor 62 is configured to output a value of a pressure (internal pressure) change inside the power supply unit 10 caused by the user inhaling through the mouthpiece 58 of the capsule 50 described later. The inhalation sensor 62 outputs an output value (e.g., a voltage value or a current value) according to the internal pressure that changes according to the flow rate of air inhaled from the air intake port toward the mouthpiece 58 of the capsule 50 (i.e., the user's puffing action). The inhalation sensor 62 may output an analog value, or may output a digital value converted from the analog value.

[0032] In order to compensate for the detected pressure, the intake sensor 62 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 62 may be composed of a condenser microphone, a flow rate sensor, or the like, instead of a pressure sensor.

[0033] The MCU 63 is an electronic component that performs various controls of the aerosol inhalator 1. Specifically, the MCU 63 is mainly composed of a processor, and further includes a memory 63a composed of a storage medium such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) necessary for the operation of the processor and a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores various information (see FIG. 6). Specifically, the processor in this specification is an electric circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0034] When the puffing operation is performed and the output value of the inhalation sensor 62 exceeds a threshold, the MCU 63 determines that an aerosol generation request has been made, and when the output value of the inhalation sensor 62 falls below the threshold, the MCU 63 determines that the aerosol generation request has been terminated. In this way, the output value of the inhalation sensor 62 is used as a signal indicating an aerosol generation request. Therefore, the inhalation sensor 62 constitutes a sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request. Note that the inhalation sensor 62 may perform the above-mentioned determination instead of the MCU 63, and the MCU 63 may receive a digital value according to the determination result from the inhalation sensor 62. As a specific example, when it is determined that an aerosol generation request has been made, the inhalation sensor 62 may output a high-level signal, and when it is determined that the aerosol generation request has been terminated, the inhalation sensor 62 may output a low-level signal. In addition, the threshold at which the MCU 63 or the inhalation sensor 62 determines that an aerosol generation request has been made may be different from the threshold at which the MCU 63 or the inhalation sensor 62 determines that the aerosol generation request has been terminated.

[0035] Instead of the inhalation sensor 62, the MCU 63 may detect an aerosol generation request based on the operation of the operation unit 15. For example, when the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 15 to start inhaling the aerosol, the operation unit 15 may be configured to output a signal indicating an aerosol generation request to the MCU 63. In this case, the operation unit 15 constitutes a sensor that outputs the aerosol generation request.

[0036] The charging IC 64 is provided near the charging terminal 14. The charging IC 64 controls the power input from the charging terminal 14 and charged to the power source 61, thereby performing charging control of the power source 61. The charging IC 64 may be disposed near the MCU 63.

[0037] (cartridge) As shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge 40 includes a cartridge case 41 having a substantially cylindrical shape with the axial direction as the longitudinal direction. The cartridge case 41 is formed of a colorless and transparent resin such as polycarbonate. Inside the cartridge case 41, a storage chamber 42 for storing the aerosol source 71 and a heating chamber 43 for heating the aerosol source 71 are formed. The heating chamber 43 contains a wick 44 for transporting the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 to the heating chamber 43 and holding the aerosol source 71 in the heating chamber 43, and a first heater 45 for heating the aerosol source 71 held in the wick 44 to vaporize and / or atomize the aerosol source 71. The cartridge 40 further includes a first aerosol flow path 46 for aerosolizing the aerosol source 71 heated and vaporized and / or atomized by the first heater 45 and transporting the aerosol source 71 from the heating chamber 43 to the capsule 50.

[0038] The storage chamber 42 and the heating chamber 43 are formed adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40. The heating chamber 43 is formed on one end side of the cartridge 40 in the longitudinal direction, and the storage chamber 42 is formed adjacent to the heating chamber 43 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40 and extends to the end portion on the other end side of the cartridge 40 in the longitudinal direction.

[0039] The storage chamber 42 has a hollow, generally circular ring shape with the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40 as the axial direction, and stores the aerosol source 71 in the circular ring portion. A porous body such as a resin web or cotton may be accommodated in the storage chamber 42, and the aerosol source 71 may be impregnated into the porous body. The storage chamber 42 may not accommodate the resin web or the porous body on the cotton, and only the aerosol source 71 may be stored. The aerosol source 71 contains a liquid such as glycerin and / or propylene glycol.

[0040] The aerosol source 71 may contain menthol 80. In this embodiment, a regular type cartridge 40 in which an aerosol source 71 not containing menthol 80 is stored in the storage chamber 42, and a menthol type cartridge 40 in which an aerosol source 71 containing menthol 80 is stored in the storage chamber 42 are provided to a user by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1, etc. FIG. 3 shows an example in which a menthol type cartridge 40 in which an aerosol source 71 containing menthol 80 is stored in the storage chamber 42 is attached. In addition, in FIG. 3, for ease of explanation, the menthol 80 is shown in a particulate form, but in this embodiment, the menthol 80 is dissolved in a liquid such as glycerin and / or propylene glycol. In addition, it should be noted that the menthol 80 shown in FIG. 3 and the like is merely simulated, and the position and number of the menthol 80 in the storage chamber 42, the position and number of the menthol 80 in the capsule 50, and the positional relationship between the menthol 80 and the flavor source 52 do not necessarily match the actual ones.

[0041] The wick 44 is a liquid retaining member that draws the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 from the storage chamber 42 into the heating chamber 43 by using capillary action and retains the aerosol source 71 in the heating chamber 43. The wick 44 is made of, for example, glass fiber or porous ceramic. The wick 44 may extend into the interior of the storage chamber 42.

[0042] The first heater 45 is electrically connected to the connection terminal 47. In this embodiment, the first heater 45 is configured by an electric heating wire (coil) wound around the wick 44 at a predetermined pitch. The first heater 45 may be an element capable of heating the aerosol source 71 held by the wick 44 to vaporize and / or atomize it. The first heater 45 may be a heating element such as a heating resistor, a ceramic heater, and an induction heating heater. The first heater 45 is used in which the temperature and the electric resistance value are correlated. The first heater 45 is used in which the first heater 45 has, for example, a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) characteristic in which the electric resistance value increases with an increase in temperature. Alternatively, the first heater 45 may have, for example, an NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) characteristic in which the electric resistance value decreases with an increase in temperature. A part of the first heater 45 may be provided outside the heating chamber 43.

[0043] The first aerosol flow path 46 is formed in a hollow portion of the storage chamber 42 having a hollow, substantially annular shape, and extends in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40. The first aerosol flow path 46 is formed by a wall portion 46a extending in a substantially annular shape in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40. The wall portion 46a of the first aerosol flow path 46 also serves as an inner peripheral wall portion of the storage chamber 42 having a substantially annular shape. The first aerosol flow path 46 has a first end portion 461 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40 connected to the heating chamber 43, and a second end portion 462 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40 opening into an end face on the other end side of the cartridge case 41.

[0044] An electrode section 48 provided with a connection terminal 47 is fitted to an end section on one longitudinal end side of the cartridge case 41, i.e., the end section of the cartridge case 41 on the side where the heating chamber 43 is disposed in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40. The electrode section 48 has a bottomed cylindrical shape that is substantially concentric with and has substantially the same diameter as the cartridge case 41, and a bottom surface 48a of the electrode section 48 forms the end surface of the cartridge 40 on the side where the heating chamber 43 is disposed in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40. The connection terminal 47 is provided on the surface of the bottom surface 48a of the electrode section 48 that faces the outside of the cartridge 40, and is exposed on the outer surface of the cartridge 40.

[0045] The cartridge 40 is formed with a colored colored portion 49. In this embodiment, the colored portion 49 is formed on the electrode portion 48 of the cartridge 40. In this embodiment, the colored portion 49 is formed by forming at least a part of the electrode portion 48 with a colored resin. In this embodiment, the colored portion 49 is formed on the entire electrode portion 48 having a bottomed cylindrical shape, and the outer surface of the cylindrical surface of the electrode portion 48 is the colored portion 49. In this embodiment, the colored portion 49 constitutes a part of the outer surface of the cartridge 40 and is visible from the outside of the cartridge 40. The colored portion 49 may be located inside the cartridge case 41 formed of a colorless and transparent resin and may be visible from the outside of the cartridge 40 through the cartridge case 41 formed of a colorless and transparent resin. The colored portion 49 may be formed on the cartridge 40 other than the electrode portion 48 as long as it is formed on the cartridge 40. In this case, it is preferable that the colored portion 49 constitutes a part of the outer surface of the cartridge 40 and is visible from the outside of the cartridge 40.

[0046] The colored portion 49 is colored in a different color for each flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40. The colored portion 49 may be colored in any color that differs for each flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40. The colored portion 49 is preferably colored in any of red, green, and blue for each flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40. In this embodiment, the colored portion 49 of the regular type cartridge 40 in which the aerosol source 71 not containing menthol 80 is stored in the storage chamber 42 is colored red, and the colored portion 49 of the menthol type cartridge 40 in which the aerosol source 71 containing menthol 80 is stored in the storage chamber 42 is colored green.

[0047] The colored portion 49 is formed so as not to transmit light.

[0048] The cartridge 40 is accommodated in the hollow portion of the cartridge cover 20 having a hollow, substantially annular shape such that the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40 is the first direction X, which is the longitudinal direction of the aerosol inhalator 1. Furthermore, the cartridge 40 is accommodated in the hollow portion of the cartridge cover 20 such that, in the first direction X, the heating chamber 43 is on the bottom side of the aerosol inhalator 1 (i.e., the power supply unit 10 side) and the storage chamber 42 is on the top side of the aerosol inhalator 1 (i.e., the capsule 50 side).

[0049] The first aerosol flow path 46 of the cartridge 40 is formed so as to extend in the first direction X on the center line L of the aerosol inhalator 1 when the cartridge 40 is housed inside the cartridge cover 20.

[0050] The cartridge 40 is housed in the hollow portion of the cartridge cover 20 so that the connection terminal 47 is maintained in contact with the discharge terminal 12 provided on the top surface 11a of the power supply unit case 11 when the aerosol inhalator 1 is in use. The power supply 61 of the power supply unit 10 is electrically connected to the first heater 45 of the cartridge 40 via the discharge terminal 12 and the connection terminal 47 by contacting the discharge terminal 12 of the power supply unit 10 with the connection terminal 47 of the cartridge 40.

[0051] Furthermore, the cartridge 40 is accommodated in the hollow portion of the cartridge cover 20 so that, when the aerosol inhalator 1 is in use, air flowing in from an air intake port (not shown) provided in the power supply unit case 11 is taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply unit 13 provided on the top surface 11a of the power supply unit case 11, as shown by the arrow B in Fig. 3. Note that although the arrow B is inclined with respect to the center line L in Fig. 3, it may be in the same direction as the center line L. In other words, the arrow B may be parallel to the center line L.

[0052] When the aerosol inhalator 1 is in use, the first heater 45 heats the aerosol source 71 held by the wick 44 without combustion by power supplied from the power source 61 via the discharge terminal 12 provided on the power supply unit case 11 and the connection terminal 47 provided on the cartridge 40. Then, in the heating chamber 43, the aerosol source 71 heated by the first heater 45 is vaporized and / or atomized. At this time, if the cartridge 40 is a menthol type in which the aerosol source 71 containing menthol 80 is stored in the storage chamber 42, the vaporized and / or atomized aerosol source 71 includes vaporized and / or atomized glycerin and / or propylene glycol, etc., as well as vaporized and / or atomized menthol 80.

[0053] The aerosol source 71 vaporized and / or atomized in the heating chamber 43 is aerosolized using the air taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply unit 13 of the power supply unit case 11 as a dispersion medium. Furthermore, the aerosol source 71 vaporized and / or atomized in the heating chamber 43 and the air taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply unit 13 of the power supply unit case 11 flow through the first aerosol flow path 46 from the first end 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46 communicating with the heating chamber 43 to the second end 462 of the first aerosol flow path 46 while being further aerosolized. The aerosol source 71 vaporized and / or atomized in the heating chamber 43 is lowered in temperature during the process of flowing through the first aerosol flow path 46, and aerosolization is promoted. In this way, the aerosol source 71 vaporized and / or atomized in the heating chamber 43 and the air taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply unit 13 of the power supply unit case 11 generate aerosol 72 in the heating chamber 43 and the first aerosol flow path 46. When the cartridge 40 is a menthol type in which an aerosol source 71 containing menthol 80 is stored in the storage chamber 42, the aerosol 72 in the heating chamber 43 and the first aerosol flow path 46 also contains aerosolized menthol 80 derived from the aerosol source 71.

[0054] (capsule) The capsule 50 has a generally cylindrical shape and includes a side wall 51 that is open at both ends and extends in a generally annular shape. The side wall 51 is made of, for example, a resin such as plastic. The capsule 50 includes a storage chamber 53 in which a flavor source 52 is stored.

[0055] The flavor source 52 includes tobacco granules 521 formed by molding tobacco raw materials into granules. The flavor source 52 may include menthol 80 in addition to the tobacco granules 521. In this embodiment, a regular type capsule 50 containing a flavor source 52 not including menthol 80 and a menthol type capsule 50 containing a flavor source 52 containing menthol 80 are provided to a user by a manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1 or the like. FIG. 3 shows an example in which a menthol type capsule 50 containing a flavor source 52 containing menthol 80 is attached. In the flavor source 52 of the menthol type capsule 50, menthol 80 is adsorbed to the tobacco granules 521.

[0056] Flavor source 52 may contain shredded tobacco instead of tobacco granules 521. Flavor source 52 may contain plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint, Chinese medicine, herbs, etc.) instead of tobacco granules 521. Flavor source 52 may contain other flavorings in addition to menthol 80.

[0057] The storage chamber 53 is formed in the internal space of the capsule 50 surrounded by the side wall 51. The storage chamber 53 includes an inlet portion 54 provided at one end side of the capsule 50 in the cylindrical axial direction, which extends in a substantially cylindrical shape, and an outlet portion 55 provided at the other end side of the capsule 50 in the cylindrical axial direction. The inlet portion 54 is formed at the bottom of the capsule 50 and constitutes the bottom surface of the capsule 50. The inlet portion 54 is a mesh-like partition wall through which the flavor source 52 cannot pass and the aerosol 72 can pass. The outlet portion 55 is a filter member filled in the internal space of the capsule 50 surrounded by the side wall 51 at the end on the top side of the side wall 51 in the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50. The outlet portion 55 is a filter member through which the flavor source 52 cannot pass and the aerosol 72 can pass. In this embodiment, the outlet portion 55 is provided near the top of the capsule 50, but the outlet portion 55 may be provided at a position spaced apart from the top of the capsule 50. The storage chamber 53 is surrounded by a side wall 51 , an inlet portion 54 and an outlet portion 55 .

[0058] In the capsule 50, a suction port 58 through which a user performs inhalation is formed on the other end side of the outlet portion 55 in the cylindrical axis direction, that is, on the top side of the outlet portion 55 in the cylindrical axis direction.

[0059] (Capsule Holder) The capsule holder 30 has a side wall 31 extending in a substantially annular shape in the first direction X, and is hollow and substantially annular with both ends open at the bottom and top. The side wall 31 is substantially annular with a diameter slightly larger than that of the side wall 51 of the capsule 50. The side wall 31 is formed of a metal such as aluminum. The bottom end of the capsule holder 30 is connected to the top end of the cartridge cover 20 by screwing, locking, or the like, and is detachable from the cartridge cover 20. The inner peripheral surface 31a of the substantially annular side wall 31 is annular with the center line L of the aerosol inhalator 1 as the center, and is larger in diameter than the first aerosol flow path 46 of the cartridge 40 and smaller in diameter than the cartridge cover 20.

[0060] The capsule holder 30 includes a bottom wall 32 provided at the bottom end of the side wall 31. The bottom wall 32 is formed of, for example, resin. The bottom wall 32 is fixed to the bottom end of the side wall 31, and closes a hollow space surrounded by the inner peripheral surface of the side wall 31 at the bottom end of the side wall 31, except for a communication hole 33 described later.

[0061] The bottom wall 32 is provided with a communication hole 33 penetrating in the first direction X. The communication hole 33 is formed at a position overlapping with the center line L when viewed from the first direction. When the cartridge 40 is housed inside the cartridge cover 20 and the capsule holder 30 is attached to the cartridge cover 20, the communication hole 33 is formed so that the first aerosol flow path 46 of the cartridge 40 is located inside the communication hole 33 when viewed from the top side in the first direction X.

[0062] The second heater 34 is provided on the side wall 31 of the capsule holder 30. The second heater 34 has a ring shape along the side wall 31, which is substantially ring-shaped, and extends in the first direction X. The second heater 34 heats the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50 to heat the flavor source 52 stored in the storage chamber 53. The second heater 34 may be an element capable of heating the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50 to heat the flavor source 52. The second heater 34 may be, for example, a heating resistor, a ceramic heater, an induction heating heater, or other heating element. The second heater 34 is used in which the temperature and the electrical resistance value are correlated. The second heater 34 is, for example, a heater having a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) characteristic in which the electrical resistance value increases with an increase in temperature. Alternatively, the second heater 34 may be, for example, a heater having an NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) characteristic in which the electrical resistance value decreases with an increase in temperature.

[0063] In a state where the cartridge cover 20 is attached to the power supply unit 10 and the capsule holder 30 is attached to the cartridge cover 20, the second heater 34 is electrically connected to the power supply 61 of the power supply unit 10 (see Figs. 6 and 7). Specifically, when the cartridge cover 20 is attached to the power supply unit 10 and the capsule holder 30 is attached to the cartridge cover 20, the discharge terminal 17 (see Fig. 6) of the power supply unit 10 comes into contact with the connection terminal (not shown) of the capsule holder 30, so that the second heater 34 of the capsule holder 30 is electrically connected to the power supply 61 of the power supply unit 10 via the discharge terminal 17 and the connection terminal of the capsule holder 30.

[0064] (Configuration of the aerosol inhaler when in use) The aerosol inhalator 1 configured in this manner is used in a state where the cartridge cover 20, the capsule holder 30, the cartridge 40, and the capsule 50 are attached to the power supply unit 10. In this state, an aerosol flow path 90 is formed in the aerosol inhalator 1 by at least the first aerosol flow path 46 provided in the cartridge 40 and the communication hole 33 provided in the bottom wall 32 of the capsule holder 30. The aerosol flow path 90 connects the heating chamber 43 of the cartridge 40 and the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50, and transports the aerosol 72 generated in the heating chamber 43 from the heating chamber 43 to the storage chamber 53.

[0065] When the aerosol inhalator 1 is used, when the user inhales from the suction port 58, air flowing in from an air intake port (not shown) provided in the power supply unit case 11 is taken into the heating chamber 43 of the cartridge 40 from the air supply unit 13 provided on the top surface 11a of the power supply unit case 11, as shown by arrow B in FIG. 3. Furthermore, the first heater 45 generates heat, the aerosol source 71 held by the wick 44 is heated, and the aerosol source 71 heated by the first heater 45 is vaporized and / or atomized in the heating chamber 43. The aerosol source 71 vaporized and / or atomized by the first heater 45 is aerosolized using the air taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply unit 13 of the power supply unit case 11 as a dispersion medium. The aerosol source 71 vaporized and / or atomized in the heating chamber 43 and the air taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply unit 13 of the power supply unit case 11 flow through the first aerosol flow path 46 while being further aerosolized, from a first end 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46 communicating with the heating chamber 43 to a second end 462 of the first aerosol flow path 46. The aerosol 72 thus generated is introduced from the second end 462 of the first aerosol flow path 46 through the communication hole 33 provided in the bottom wall 32 of the capsule holder 30, and into the storage chamber 53 from the inlet 54 of the capsule 50.

[0066] The aerosol 72 introduced into the storage chamber 53 from the inlet 54 passes through the flavor source 52 contained in the storage chamber 53 as it flows in the first direction X of the aerosol inhaler 1 from the inlet 54 to the outlet 55, thereby adding flavor components from the flavor source 52.

[0067] In this manner, the aerosol 72 flows in the storage chamber 53 from the inlet 54 to the outlet 55 in the first direction X of the aerosol inhalator 1. Therefore, in this embodiment, the flow direction of the aerosol 72 in the storage chamber 53, in which the aerosol 72 flows from the inlet 54 to the outlet 55, is the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50, which is the first direction X of the aerosol inhalator 1.

[0068] Furthermore, when the aerosol inhaler 1 is in use, the second heater 34 provided in the capsule holder 30 generates heat to heat the storage chamber 53. As a result, the flavor source 52 stored in the storage chamber 53 and the aerosol 72 flowing through the storage chamber 53 are heated.

[0069] (Cartridge cover and color identification sensor) 5, the cartridge cover 20 has a substantially annular outer peripheral wall 21 extending in the first direction X, and a substantially annular inner peripheral wall 22 that is substantially concentric with the outer peripheral wall 21 inside the ring of the outer peripheral wall 21 and extends in the first direction X facing the outer peripheral wall 21. The outer peripheral wall 21 is made of a metal such as stainless steel and does not transmit light. The inner peripheral wall 22 is made of a resin such as polycarbonate and is colorless and transparent and transmits light.

[0070] A space 23 is formed between the outer peripheral wall 21 and the inner peripheral wall 22. A color discrimination sensor 24 capable of discriminating the color of the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 is provided in the space 23. The cartridge 40 is therefore accommodated in a space inside the inner peripheral wall 22, surrounded by the inner peripheral wall 22 of the cartridge cover 20, and the color discrimination sensor 24 is separated from the space in which the cartridge 40 is accommodated by the inner peripheral wall 22 and provided in the space 23 formed outside the inner peripheral wall 22. This makes it possible to prevent the user from inhaling the components of the solder, adhesive, etc. used to fix the color discrimination sensor 24 when the user performs an inhalation action during use of the aerosol inhalator 1.

[0071] The color identification sensor 24 is provided at a position facing the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 when the cartridge cover 20 is attached to the power supply unit 10 and the cartridge 40 is attached inside the cartridge cover 20. In this embodiment, the color identification sensor 24 is disposed at a position facing the outer surface of the cylindrical surface of the electrode portion 48 of the cartridge 40 on the radially outer side when the cartridge cover 20 is attached to the power supply unit 10 and the cartridge 40 is attached inside the cartridge cover 20.

[0072] The color identification sensor 24 has a light-projecting section 241 capable of projecting light toward the inside of the cartridge cover 20 toward the colored section 49 of the cartridge 40, and a color sensor section 242 that receives light reflected from the colored section 49 of the cartridge 40 and quantifies the color components of the received light.

[0073] A light-shielding member 25 that does not transmit light is provided in the space 23 between the color identification sensor 24 and the inner circumferential wall 22 of the cartridge cover 20. The light-shielding member 25 may be, for example, a light-shielding film that does not transmit light and is bonded to the surface of the inner circumferential wall 22 that faces the outer circumferential wall 21, or a light-shielding film made of a material that does not transmit light and is formed on the surface of the inner circumferential wall 22 that faces the outer circumferential wall 21.

[0074] The light shielding member 25 is formed with a light transmitting portion 25a that transmits light. The light transmitting portion 25a is, for example, a through hole formed in the light shielding member 25. The light transmitting portion 25a is formed between the light projecting portion 241 of the color identification sensor 24 and the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40, and between the color sensor portion 242 of the color identification sensor 24 and the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40, respectively, when the cartridge cover 20 is attached to the power supply unit 10 and the cartridge 40 is attached inside the cartridge cover 20. Note that the light transmitting portion 25a may be formed at a position and with a size between both the light projecting portion 241 and the color sensor portion 242 of the color identification sensor 24 and the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40, when the cartridge cover 20 is attached to the power supply unit 10 and the cartridge 40 is attached inside the cartridge cover 20.

[0075] The light projecting section 241 of the color identification sensor 24 projects white light toward the colored section 49 of the cartridge 40 and into the inside of the cartridge cover 20. The light projecting section 241 may have, for example, a blue LED element and a yellow phosphor, and generate white light by mixing blue light emitted from the blue LED element and yellow light excited by the blue light emitted from the blue LED element and emitted by the yellow phosphor. The light projecting section 241 may have, for example, a near-ultraviolet LED element and a red phosphor, a green phosphor, and a blue phosphor, and generate white light by mixing red light excited by the red phosphor and emitted by the near-ultraviolet light emitted from the near-ultraviolet LED element, green light excited by the green phosphor and emitted by the blue phosphor. The light-projecting unit 241 may have, for example, a red LED element, a green LED element, and a blue LED element, and may generate white light by mixing the red light emitted from the red LED element, the green light emitted from the green LED element, and the blue light emitted from the blue LED element.

[0076] The white light projected from the light projecting unit 241 passes through the light transmitting unit 25a of the light blocking member 25 and illuminates the colored unit 49 of the cartridge 40. Of the white light projected onto the colored unit 49 of the cartridge 40, light of a specific wavelength is reflected according to the color of the colored unit 49.

[0077] The color sensor section 242 of the color identification sensor 24 has a light receiving section that receives light that is reflected according to the color applied to the colored section 49 and passes through the light transmitting section 25a of the light blocking member 25, and an analog-to-digital converter that converts the color components of the light received by the light receiving section into numerical values.

[0078] For example, in the color sensor section 242 of the color identification sensor 24, the light receiving section has a photodiode that receives a red component, a photodiode that receives a green component, and a photodiode that receives a blue component, and the analog-to-digital converter digitizes the red component, green component, and blue component of the light received by the light receiving section into values ​​between 0 and 255 based on the amount of light received by each of the photodiodes that receive the red component, the photodiode that receives the green component, and the photodiode that receives the blue component.

[0079] Also, for example, in the color sensor section 242 of the color identification sensor 24, the light receiving section may have a plurality of photodiodes that are wavelength-divided within the visible range, and the analog-to-digital converter may digitize the red, green, and blue components of the light received by the light receiving section into values ​​between 0 and 255 based on the amount of light received by each photodiode.

[0080] At this time, since the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 is formed so as not to transmit light, it is possible to increase the amount of reflected light that reflects according to the color of the colored portion 49. As a result, in the color sensor portion 242 of the color identification sensor 24, the light receiving portion can receive more light that reflects according to the color of the colored portion 49, so that the color components of the light received by the light receiving portion can be accurately quantified, and the color of the colored portion 49 can be accurately identified.

[0081] The colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 is colored either red, green, or blue (in this embodiment, the colored portion 49 of the regular type cartridge 40 in which the aerosol source 71 not containing menthol 80 is stored in the storage chamber 42 is colored red, and the colored portion 49 of the menthol type cartridge 40 in which the aerosol source 71 containing menthol 80 is stored in the storage chamber 42 is colored green), so that it becomes easy to identify the color of the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 from the values ​​of the red, green, and blue components of the light received by the light receiving unit, which are digitized by the analog-to-digital converter in the color sensor unit 242 of the color identification sensor 24.

[0082] Furthermore, since the color identification sensor 24 is provided on the cartridge cover 20, the color identification sensor 24 can be placed near the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 without increasing the size of the aerosol inhaler 1, and the color applied to the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 can be accurately identified.

[0083] Further, a light-shielding member 25 that does not transmit light is provided between the color identification sensor 24 and the inner peripheral wall 22 of the cartridge cover 20, and the white light projected from the light-projecting unit 241 passes through the light-transmitting portion 25a of the light-shielding member 25 to irradiate the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40, so that it is possible to prevent light other than the white light projected from the light-projecting unit 241 from being irradiated onto the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40. Further, a light-shielding member 25 that does not transmit light is provided between the color identification sensor 24 and the inner peripheral wall 22 of the cartridge cover 20, and the color sensor unit 242 of the color identification sensor 24 receives light that is reflected according to the color of the colored portion 49 and passes through the light-transmitting portion 25a of the light-shielding member 25, so that it is possible to prevent the color sensor unit 242 of the color identification sensor 24 from receiving light other than the light reflected according to the color of the colored portion 49. This allows the color sensor portion 242 of the color identification sensor 24 to accurately identify the color of the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40.

[0084] The color sensor unit 242 of the color identification sensor 24 may perform HSL conversion to convert the values ​​of the red, green, and blue components of the light received by the light receiving unit, which have been digitized in the analog-to-digital converter, into three color components, namely, hue, saturation, and lightness. In the HSL conversion, the hue is converted to a value of 0 degrees to 360 degrees, the saturation is converted to a value of 0 to 100, and the lightness is converted to a value of 0 to 100, depending on the values ​​of the red, green, and blue components of the light received by the light receiving unit, each of which has a value of 0 to 255. This allows the color components of the light received by the light receiving unit to be digitized with high accuracy with respect to variations in the light receiving light luminance at the light receiving unit.

[0085] In addition, the color sensor section 242 of the color identification sensor 24 may convert the values ​​of the red, green, and blue components of the light received by the light receiving section, which have been digitized in an analog-to-digital converter, into color identification information from a known color sample book.

[0086] The color identification sensor 24 outputs to the MCU 63 at least one of the following as information regarding the color applied to the coloring section 49 of the cartridge 40: a value of 0 to 255 for each of the red, green, and blue components of the light received by the light receiving section which have been digitized by the analog-to-digital converter of the color sensor section 242, a value of 0 degrees to 360 degrees for the HSL converted hue, a value of 0 to 100 for the saturation, and a value of 0 to 100 for the lightness, and color identification information from a color sample book.

[0087] (Power supply unit details) Next, the details of the power supply unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, in the power supply unit 10, a DC / DC converter 66, which is an example of a voltage converter capable of converting the output voltage of the power supply 61 and applying it to the first heater 45, is connected between the first heater 45 and the power supply 61 when the cartridge 40 is attached to the power supply unit 10. The MCU 63 is connected between the DC / DC converter 66 and the power supply 61. When the cartridge 40 is attached to the power supply unit 10, the second heater 34 is connected to a connection node provided between the MCU 63 and the DC / DC converter 66. Thus, in the power supply unit 10, when the cartridge 40 is attached, the series circuit of the DC / DC converter 66 and the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 are connected in parallel to the power supply 61.

[0088] The DC / DC converter 66 is a boost circuit controlled by the MCU 63 and capable of boosting an input voltage (for example, the output voltage of the power supply 61), and is configured to be able to apply the input voltage or a voltage obtained by boosting the input voltage to the first heater 45. By changing the voltage applied to the first heater 45 by the DC / DC converter 66, the power supplied to the first heater 45 can be adjusted, and therefore the amount of the aerosol source 71 vaporized or atomized by the first heater 45 can be controlled. As the DC / DC converter 66, for example, a switching regulator that converts the input voltage to 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 66, the input voltage can be output as it is without boosting it by controlling the switching element. The DC / DC converter 66 may be used, for example, to set the voltage applied to the first heater 45 to V1 to V5 [V], etc., which will be described later.

[0089] The MCU 63 is configured to acquire the temperature of the second heater 34, the temperature of the flavor source 52, or the temperature of the storage chamber 53 (i.e., a second temperature T2 described later) in order to control the discharge to the second heater 34. The MCU 63 is also preferably configured to acquire the temperature of the first heater 45. The temperature of the first heater 45 can be used to prevent the first heater 45 and the aerosol source 71 from overheating, and to precisely control the amount of the aerosol source 71 that the first heater 45 vaporizes or atomizes.

[0090] The voltage sensor 671 measures and outputs a voltage value applied to the first heater 45. The current sensor 672 measures and outputs a current value flowing through the first heater 45. The outputs of the voltage sensor 671 and the current sensor 672 are each input to the MCU 63. The MCU 63 obtains the resistance value of the first heater 45 based on the outputs of the voltage sensor 671 and the current sensor 672, and obtains the temperature of the first heater 45 based on the obtained resistance value of the first heater 45.

[0091] If a constant current is applied to the first heater 45 when the resistance value of the first heater 45 is acquired, the current sensor 672 is not required in the first temperature detection element 67. Similarly, if a constant voltage is applied to the first heater 45 when the resistance value of the first heater 45 is acquired, the voltage sensor 671 is not required in the first temperature detection element 67.

[0092] The voltage sensor 681 measures and outputs a voltage value applied to the second heater 34. The current sensor 682 measures and outputs a current value flowing through the second heater 34. The outputs of the voltage sensor 681 and the current sensor 682 are each input to the MCU 63. The MCU 63 obtains the resistance value of the second heater 34 based on the outputs of the voltage sensor 681 and the current sensor 682, and obtains the temperature of the second heater 34 based on the obtained resistance value of the second heater 34.

[0093] Here, the temperature of the second heater 34 does not strictly match the temperature of the flavor source 52 heated by the second heater 34, but can be considered to be approximately the same as the temperature of the flavor source 52. Also, the temperature of the second heater 34 does not strictly match the temperature of the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50 heated by the second heater 34, but can be considered to be approximately the same as the temperature of the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50. For this reason, the second temperature detection element 68 can also be used as a temperature detection element for detecting the temperature of the flavor source 52 or the temperature of the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50.

[0094] If a constant current is applied to the second heater 34 when the resistance value of the second heater 34 is acquired, the current sensor 682 is not required in the second temperature detection element 68. Similarly, if a constant voltage is applied to the second heater 34 when the resistance value of the second heater 34 is acquired, the voltage sensor 681 is not required in the second temperature detection element 68.

[0095] Even if the second temperature detection element 68 is provided in the capsule holder 30 or the cartridge 40, the temperature of the second heater 34, the temperature of the flavor source 52, or the temperature of the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50 can be obtained based on the output of the second temperature detection element 68, but it is preferable to provide the second temperature detection element 68 in the power supply unit 10, which is replaced least frequently in the aerosol inhaler 1. In this way, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing costs of the capsule holder 30 and the cartridge 40, and provide the capsule holder 30 and the cartridge 40, which are replaced more frequently than the power supply unit 10, to users at low cost.

[0096] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of the power supply unit 10 shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 7 shows a specific example of a configuration in which the second temperature detection element 68 does not have a current sensor 682, and the first temperature detection element 67 does not have a current sensor 672.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 7, the power supply unit 10 includes a power supply 61, an MCU 63, an LDO regulator 65, a switch SW1, a parallel circuit C1 consisting of a series circuit of a resistor element R1 connected in parallel to the switch SW1 and a switch SW2, a parallel circuit C2 consisting of a switch SW3, a series circuit of a resistor element R2 connected in parallel to the switch SW3 and a switch SW4, an operational amplifier OP1 and an analog-to-digital converter ADC1 that constitute a voltage sensor 671, and an operational amplifier OP2 and an analog-to-digital converter ADC2 that constitute a voltage sensor 681.

[0098] The resistive element described in this specification may be any element having a fixed electrical resistance, such as a resistor, a diode, a transistor, etc. In the example of Fig. 7, the resistive element R1 and the resistive element R2 are each a resistor.

[0099] The switches described in this specification are switching elements such as transistors that switch between interruption and conduction of a wiring path, and may be, for example, bipolar transistors such as insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) or field effect transistors such as metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs). The switches described in this specification may also be configured with relays. In the example of Fig. 7, the switches SW1 to SW4 are each a transistor.

[0100] The LDO regulator 65 is connected to a main positive bus LU connected to the positive electrode of the power supply 61. The MCU 63 is connected to the LDO regulator 65 and a main negative bus LD connected to the negative electrode of the power supply 61. The MCU 63 is also connected to each of the switches SW1 to SW4 and controls their opening and closing. The LDO regulator 65 steps down and outputs the voltage from the power supply 61. The output voltage V0 of the LDO regulator 65 is also used as an operating voltage for each of the MCU 63, the DC / DC converter 66, the operational amplifier OP1, the operational amplifier OP2, and the notification unit 16.

[0101] The DC / DC converter 66 is connected to the main positive bus LU. The first heater 45 is connected to the main negative bus LD. The parallel circuit C1 is connected to the DC / DC converter 66 and the first heater 45.

[0102] The parallel circuit C2 is connected to the main positive bus LU. The second heater 34 is connected to the parallel circuit C2 and the main negative bus LD.

[0103] A non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 is connected to a connection node between the parallel circuit C1 and the first heater 45. An inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 is connected to each of the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 and the main negative bus LD via a resistive element.

[0104] A non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 is connected to a connection node between the parallel circuit C2 and the second heater 34. An inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 is connected to each of the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 and the main negative bus LD via a resistive element.

[0105] The analog-to-digital converter ADC1 is connected to the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP1. The analog-to-digital converter ADC2 is connected to the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP2. The analog-to-digital converter ADC1 and the analog-to-digital converter ADC2 may be provided outside the MCU 63.

[0106] (MCU) Next, a description will be given of the functions of the MCU 63. The MCU 63 includes a temperature detection unit, a power control unit, and a notification control unit as functional blocks that are realized by the processor executing a program stored in the memory 63a.

[0107] The temperature detection unit obtains a first temperature T1, which is the temperature of the first heater 45, based on the output of the first temperature detection element 67. In addition, the temperature detection unit obtains a second temperature T2, which is the temperature of the second heater 34, the temperature of the flavor source 52, or the temperature of the storage chamber 53, based on the output of the second temperature detection element 68.

[0108] In the case of the circuit example shown in FIG. 7, the temperature detection unit acquires the output value of the analog-to-digital converter ADC1 (the voltage value applied to the first heater 45) while controlling the switch SW1, the switch SW3, and the switch SW4 to a cut-off state and the switch SW2 to a conductive state, and acquires the first temperature T1 based on this output value.

[0109] Alternatively, the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 may be connected to the terminal of the resistor element R1 on the DC / DC converter 66 side, and the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 may be connected to the terminal of the resistor element R1 on the switch SW2 side. In this case, the temperature detection unit acquires the output value of the analog-to-digital converter ADC1 (the voltage value applied to the resistor element R1) while controlling the switches SW1, SW3, and SW4 to the cut-off state and the switch SW2 to the conductive state, and can acquire the first temperature T1 based on this output value.

[0110] In addition, in the case of the circuit example shown in FIG. 7, the temperature detection unit acquires the output value of the analog-to-digital converter ADC2 (the voltage value applied to the second heater 34) while controlling the switch SW1, the switch SW2, and the switch SW3 to a cut-off state and the switch SW4 to a conductive state, and acquires the second temperature T2 based on this output value.

[0111] Alternatively, the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 may be connected to a terminal of the resistor element R2 on the main positive bus LU side, and the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 may be connected to a terminal of the resistor element R2 on the switch SW4 side. In this case, the temperature detection unit acquires the output value (voltage value applied to the resistor element R2) of the analog-to-digital converter ADC2 while controlling the switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 to the cutoff state and the switch SW4 to the conductive state, and can acquire the second temperature T2 based on this output value.

[0112] The notification control unit controls the notification unit 16 to notify the user of various information. For example, when the notification control unit detects that it is time to replace the capsule 50, the notification control unit controls the notification unit 16 to issue a capsule replacement notification to prompt the user to replace the capsule 50. Also, when the notification control unit detects that it is time to replace the cartridge 40, the notification control unit controls the notification unit 16 to issue a cartridge replacement notification to prompt the user to replace the cartridge 40. Furthermore, when the notification control unit detects that the remaining amount of the power source 61 is low, the notification control unit may control the notification unit 16 to issue a notification to prompt the user to replace or charge the power source 61, or may control the notification unit 16 to notify the user of the control state (for example, menthol mode or regular mode, which will be described later) by the MCU 63 at a predetermined timing.

[0113] The power control unit controls discharge from the power source 61 to the first heater 45 (hereinafter also simply referred to as discharge to the first heater 45) and discharge from the power source 61 to the second heater 34 (hereinafter also simply referred to as discharge to the second heater 34). For example, when the power source unit 10 has the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 7, the power control unit can realize discharge to the first heater 45 by setting the switch SW2, the switch SW3, and the switch SW4 to a cutoff state (i.e., off) and setting the switch SW1 to a conductive state (i.e., on). Also, when the power source unit 10 has the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 7, the power control unit can realize discharge to the second heater 34 by setting the switch SW1, the switch SW2, and the switch SW4 to a cutoff state and setting the switch SW3 to a conductive state.

[0114] When the power control unit detects an aerosol generation request from the user based on the output of the inhalation sensor 62 (i.e., when the user performs an inhalation action), it causes discharge to be performed on the first heater 45 and the second heater 34. As a result, in response to the aerosol generation request, the aerosol source 71 is heated by the first heater 45 (i.e., aerosol is generated), and the flavor source 52 is heated by the second heater 34. At this time, the power control unit determines the amount of flavor component (hereinafter also simply referred to as the amount of flavor component. For example, the amount of flavor component W described below) to be added from the flavor source 52 to the aerosol (vaporized and / or atomized aerosol source 71) generated in response to the aerosol generation request. flavor ) converges to a predetermined target amount. This target amount is a value that can be determined appropriately, but for example, a target range for the amount of flavor components may be determined appropriately and the median value of this target range may be set as the target amount. In this way, by converging the amount of flavor components to the target amount, it is possible to make the amount of flavor components converge to a target range with a certain degree of width. Note that weight (e.g., [mg]) may be used as a unit for the amount of flavor components and the target amount.

[0115] For example, the power control unit changes the discharge mode to the first heater 45 and the discharge mode to the second heater 34 according to the following cases: when neither the aerosol source 71 nor the flavor source 52 contains menthol; when only the aerosol source 71 of the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contains menthol; and when both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol. This makes it possible to appropriately control the discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 according to the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 or the flavor source 52 of the capsule 50 mounted on the aerosol inhaler 1, and stably supply an aerosol containing an appropriate amount of flavor component or menthol to the user. Specific examples of the discharge mode to the first heater 45 and the discharge mode to the second heater 34 for each of these cases will be described later with reference to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14.

[0116] In order to realize appropriate discharge to the first heater 45 and discharge to the second heater 34 according to the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 and the flavor source 52 of the capsule 50 mounted on the aerosol inhaler 1, the MCU 63 is configured to be able to determine (identify) whether or not menthol is contained in each of the aerosol source 71 stored in the cartridge 40 and the flavor source 52 housed in the capsule 50. The power control unit controls discharge to the first heater 45 and discharge to the second heater 34 based on this determination result (identification result). Note that the determination of whether or not menthol is contained in each of the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 may be realized using any method. For example, as described later, the MCU 63 may determine whether or not menthol is contained in each of the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 based on an operation performed on the operation unit 15. Furthermore, for example, as described later, the MCU 63 may determine whether or not each of the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contains menthol, regardless of the operation of the operation unit 15 by the user.

[0117] The MCU 63 has a plurality of modes for operating the aerosol inhalator 1 by controlling the discharge from the power source 61 to the first heater 45 and the discharge from the power source 61 to the second heater 34. The MCU 63 has at least a regular mode, a menthol mode, and a sleep mode, which are described later, as modes for operating the aerosol inhalator 1. The sleep mode consumes less power of the aerosol inhalator 1 than the regular mode and the menthol mode, and can be directly or indirectly transitioned to the regular mode and the menthol mode. In addition, the MCU 63 may further have a power mode as a mode for operating the aerosol inhalator 1. In such a case, the sleep mode consumes less power of the aerosol inhalator 1 than the power mode, and can be directly transitioned to the power mode. Therefore, by transitioning the aerosol inhalator 1 to the sleep mode, the MCU 63 can reduce the power consumption of the aerosol inhalator 1 while maintaining a state in which it is possible to return to another mode as necessary. In this embodiment, when the aerosol inhalator 1 is operating in the sleep mode, the aerosol generation control is not executed even if the user performs an inhalation action.

[0118] The regular mode is a mode in which the control of discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 is optimized when the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 attached to the aerosol inhalator 1 is the regular type (i.e., the aerosol source 71 does not contain menthol). The menthol mode is a mode in which the control of discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 is optimized when the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 attached to the aerosol inhalator 1 is the menthol type (i.e., the aerosol source 71 contains menthol). The error mode is a mode in which discharge from the power source 61 to the second heater 34 is suppressed, and is, for example, a mode in which control is performed so that discharge from the power source 61 to the second heater 34 is not performed.

[0119] The menthol mode may be subdivided into a first menthol mode and a second menthol mode. For example, the first menthol mode is an optimized mode when the flavor type of both the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 and the flavor source 52 of the capsule 50 mounted on the aerosol inhaler 1 is menthol type (i.e., when both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol). The second menthol mode is an optimized mode when, of the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 and the flavor source 52 of the capsule 50 mounted on the aerosol inhaler 1, only the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 is menthol type (i.e., when only the aerosol source 71 of the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contains menthol).

[0120] The MCU 63 determines whether the current mode is the regular mode or the menthol mode, and the remaining amount W of the flavor component contained in the flavor source 52. capsule (n puff Based on this, the target temperature of the second heater 34 (hereinafter, the target temperature T cap_target In the following explanation, the remaining flavor component amount W capsule may simply be referred to as the remaining amount of flavor source 52.

[0121] The power control unit detects the temperature of the second heater 34 (hereinafter, temperature T cap_sense (also called the temperature) is set to the target temperature T cap_target The discharge from the power source 61 to the first heater 45 and the discharge from the power source 61 to the second heater 34 are controlled so as to converge to.

[0122] This makes it possible to appropriately control the discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 depending on the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 or the flavor source 52 of the capsule 50 attached to the aerosol inhaler 1, thereby enabling a stable supply of aerosol containing an appropriate amount of flavor components or menthol to the user.

[0123] Specific examples of control of discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 in each of these cases will be described later with reference to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, etc.

[0124] (Various parameters used in aerosol generation) Before describing the specific discharge control of the first heater 45 etc. by the MCU 63, various parameters used in the discharge control of the first heater 45 etc. by the MCU 63 will be described here.

[0125] The weight [mg] of the aerosol generated by heating with the first heater 45 and passing through the flavor source 52 (i.e., inside the capsule 50) in response to one inhalation by the user is defined as the aerosol weight W aerosol The aerosol weight W aerosol The power required to be supplied to the first heater 45 in order to generate the aerosol of liquid Also, the atomization power P liquid The supply time to the first heater 45 is set as the supply time t sense In order to prevent the first heater 45 from overheating, the supply time t sense A predetermined upper limit value t upper (for example, 2.4 [s]) is provided, and the MCU 63 supplies the time t sense is the upper limit t upper When this temperature reaches the threshold value, the power supply to the first heater 45 is stopped regardless of the output value of the intake sensor 62 (see steps S38 and S39 described later).

[0126] In addition, after the capsule 50 is attached to the aerosol inhaler 1, the user puff times (where n puff The weight [mg] of the flavor component contained in the flavor source 52 when the inhalation operation of the flavor component is performed is defined as the remaining flavor component W capsule (n puff The weight [mg] of the flavor component contained in the flavor source 52 of a new capsule 50 (a capsule 50 that has not been inhaled even once since being attached), that is, the remaining amount W capsule (npuff =0) to W initial It is also written as:

[0127] The weight [mg] of the flavor component added to the aerosol passing through the flavor source 52 (i.e., inside the capsule 50) in one inhalation by the user is defined as the amount of flavor component W flavor The parameter related to the temperature of the flavor source 52 is expressed as a temperature parameter T capsule The temperature parameter T capsule is a parameter indicating the above-mentioned second temperature T2, for example, a parameter indicating the temperature of the second heater 34.

[0128] Flavor ingredient amount W flavor is the remaining amount of flavor components W 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 (1):

[0129] W flavor =β×(W capsule ×T capsule )×γ×W aerosol (1)

[0130] In the above formula (1), β is a coefficient that indicates the proportion of flavor components added to the aerosol generated in response to one inhalation by the user when the aerosol passes through the flavor source 52, and is determined experimentally. Also, γ in the above formula (1) is a coefficient that is determined experimentally. During the period when one inhalation is being performed, the temperature parameter T capsule and flavor component remaining amount W capsule Although each of these may vary, γ is introduced here in order to treat them as constant values.

[0131] Flavor component remaining amount W capsule decreases every time the user inhales. capsuleis inversely proportional to the number of times the inhalation action is performed (hereinafter, also referred to as the number of inhalations). In addition, in the aerosol inhalator 1, the first heater 45 is discharged every time the inhalation action is performed, so that the remaining amount of flavor component W capsule It can also be said that is inversely proportional to the number of times that first heater 45 is discharged to generate aerosol or the cumulative value of the period during which first heater 45 is discharged.

[0132] As can be seen from the above equation (1), the aerosol weight W generated by one inhalation action by the user is aerosol Assuming that the amount of flavor components is controlled to be almost constant, W flavor In order to stabilize the flavor component remaining amount W capsule With the decrease in (i.e., the increase in the number of suctions), the temperature parameter T capsule (i.e., the temperature of the flavor source 52) needs to be increased.

[0133] For this reason, when the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 and the flavor source 52 of the capsule 50 mounted on the aerosol inhaler 1 is of the regular flavor type (i.e., the aerosol source 71 does not contain menthol), the MCU 63 (power control unit) operates in the regular mode to control the discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34. When operating in the regular mode, the MCU 63 controls the remaining amount W capsule As the number of inhalations decreases (that is, as the number of inhalations increases), the discharge to the second heater 34 is controlled to increase the temperature of the flavor source 52 (see FIGS. 13 and 14).

[0134] On the other hand, when the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 and the flavor source 52 of the capsule 50 mounted on the aerosol inhaler 1 are of the menthol type (i.e., when the aerosol source 71 contains menthol), the MCU 63 (power control unit) operates in a menthol mode different from the regular mode. When operating in the menthol mode, the MCU 63 calculates the remaining amount Wcapsule As the number of puffs decreases (i.e., the number of puffs increases), the discharge to the second heater 34 is controlled to lower the temperature of the flavor source 52 (see Figs. 13 and 14). This makes it possible to supply an appropriate amount of menthol to the user, as described below.

[0135] By the way, the remaining flavor component W capsule If the temperature of the flavor source 52 is also lowered with the decrease in flavor This leads to a decrease in the remaining flavor component W capsule When the temperature of the flavor source 52 is lowered in accordance with the decrease in the aerosol weight W aerosol 13. This can be used to increase the amount of flavor component W resulting from lowering the temperature of the flavor source 52 to provide the appropriate amount of menthol to the user. flavor The reduction in the aerosol weight W generated by the heating by the first heater 45 is aerosol This can be compensated for by increasing the amount of flavor components W supplied to the user's mouth. flavor This suppresses the decrease in menthol and flavor components, enabling users to receive a stable supply of menthol and flavor components.

[0136] (Aerosol aspirator operation) Next, an example of the operation of the aerosol inhalator 1 will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 12. The operation of the aerosol inhalator 1 described below is realized, for example, by the processor of the MCU 63 executing a program previously stored in the memory 63a.

[0137] <Power on control> As shown in Fig. 8, when the user turns on the operation unit 15 (step S1: YES), the MCU 63 executes power-on control and switches the mode in which the aerosol inhalator 1 operates from the sleep mode to the power mode (step S2). Meanwhile, the MCU 63 waits in the sleep mode in which the aerosol inhalator 1 operates until the user turns on the operation unit 15 (step S1: NO loop). That is, when YES is determined in step S1, the MCU 63 switches the mode in which the aerosol inhalator 1 operates from the sleep mode to the power mode. The power-on operation is, for example, an operation in which the operation unit 15 is pressed three times in succession within a predetermined time (for example, 2 [seconds]).

[0138] When the sleep mode is switched to the power mode, the MCU 63 sets the temperature of the second heater 34 to a preset preheat temperature (hereinafter, referred to as the preheat temperature T cap_pre In this case, preheating control may be performed to discharge the power source 61 to the second heater 34 so that the target temperature T cap_target is set to a high value of 80°C. Therefore, the target temperature T cap_target Although it takes some time for the second heater 34 to reach the target temperature T cap_target This allows the temperature to be set close to the target temperature T cap_target Even if the temperature is high, it is possible to stably supply aerosol with an appropriate flavor to the user immediately after the aerosol generation control is executed (for example, from the so-called start of inhalation).

[0139] When the operating mode of the aerosol inhaler 1 transitions from the sleep mode to the power mode, the MCU 63 starts a cartridge identification process for identifying the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 and the flavor source 52 of the capsule 50 (step S3).

[0140] <Cartridge identification process> 9, in the cartridge identification process, the MCU 63 first determines whether or not it is immediately after the execution of power-on control (step S101). For example, if the cartridge identification process has not been executed even once after the execution of power-on control, the MCU 63 determines that it is immediately after the execution of power-on control (step S101: YES), proceeds to step S111, and executes the aerosol source information acquisition process described later. On the other hand, if the cartridge identification process has been executed at least once after the execution of power-on control, the MCU 63 determines that it is not immediately after the execution of power-on control (step S101: NO), and determines whether or not the cartridge 40 has been replaced (step S102).

[0141] It should be noted that the MCU 63 may detect the replacement of the cartridge 40 in step S102 using any method.

[0142] For example, the MCU 63 may detect replacement of the cartridge 40 based on the electrical resistance value between the pair of discharge terminals 12 acquired using the voltage sensor 671 and the current sensor 672. It is clear that the electrical resistance value between the discharge terminals 12 that the MCU 63 can acquire differs between a state in which the pair of discharge terminals 12 is conductive due to the first heater 45 being connected between the pair of discharge terminals 12 and a state in which the pair of discharge terminals 12 is insulated by air due to the first heater 45 not being connected between the pair of discharge terminals 12. Therefore, the MCU 63 can detect replacement of the cartridge 40 based on the electrical resistance value between the discharge terminals 12.

[0143] In this embodiment, based on the electrical resistance value between the discharge terminals 12, it is determined that the cartridge 40 has been replaced when it is detected that a transition has occurred from a state in which the connection terminal 47 of the cartridge 40 is not electrically connected to the discharge terminal 12 of the power supply unit 10 to a state in which the connection terminal 47 of the cartridge 40 is electrically connected to the discharge terminal 12 of the power supply unit 10.

[0144] If the cartridge 40 has been replaced (step S102: YES), the cartridge 40 has been changed and the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 may have been changed, so the MCU 63 proceeds to the aforementioned step S111 and executes the aerosol source information acquisition process described below.

[0145] If the cartridge 40 has not been replaced (step S102: NO), the remaining amount update process described below determines whether or not a cartridge replacement notification (step S47) has been executed (step S103). Note that step S102 may be omitted. That is, if a negative determination is made in step S101 (step S101: NO), the MCU 63 may advance the process to step S103. By omitting step S102, the function for detecting the replacement of the cartridge 40 described above becomes unnecessary, thereby making it possible to reduce the cost and volume of the power supply unit 10.

[0146] If the cartridge replacement notification (step S47) is being executed in the remaining amount update process (step S103: YES), the cartridge 40 attached to the aerosol inhaler 1 has reached the end of its life. Therefore, even if the user replaces the cartridge 40 after the cartridge replacement notification (step S47) is executed, the detection of the replacement of the cartridge 40 in step S102 may be a false detection. Therefore, the MCU 63 proceeds to the above-mentioned step S111 and executes the aerosol source information acquisition process described later.

[0147] In the remaining amount update process described later, if the cartridge replacement notification (step S47) is not executed (step S103: NO), it is considered that the cartridge 40 has not been replaced since the previous cartridge identification process was executed, and the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 has not been changed from the identification result in the previous cartridge identification process. Therefore, the MCU 63 reads out the identification result of the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 in the previous cartridge identification process from the memory 63a. The MCU 63 sets the identification result of the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 to be the same as the identification result of the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 in the previous cartridge identification process (step S104). Then, the identification result of the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 in the cartridge identification process is stored in the memory 63a (step S105), and the cartridge identification process is terminated.

[0148] <Aerosol source information acquisition processing> In the aerosol source information acquisition process, information about the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 is acquired based on information about the color of the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 identified by the color identification sensor 24 provided on the cartridge cover 20. In this embodiment, flavor type information about the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 is acquired by the aerosol source information acquisition process.

[0149] In the aerosol source information acquisition process, the MCU 63 first controls the color identification sensor 24 to project white light from the light projecting unit 241 toward the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 into the inside of the cartridge cover 20 (step S111). The white light projected from the light projecting unit 241 passes through the light transmitting portion 25a of the light blocking member 25 and irradiates the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40. The white light irradiated to the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 reflects light of a specific wavelength according to the color of the colored portion 49. The light receiving unit of the color sensor unit 242 receives the light that is reflected from the colored portion 49 according to the color of the colored portion 49 and passes through the light transmitting portion 25a of the light blocking member 25. Then, the color components of the light received by the light receiving unit are quantified by the analog-to-digital converter of the color sensor unit 242.

[0150] The color identification sensor 24 outputs to the MCU 63 at least one of the following as information regarding the color applied to the coloring section 49 of the cartridge 40: a value between 0 and 255 for each of the red, green, and blue components of the light received by the light receiving section which have been digitized by the analog-to-digital converter of the color sensor section 242; an HSL converted hue value between 0 degrees and 360 degrees; a saturation value between 0 and 100; and a lightness value between 0 and 100; and color identification information from a color sample book.

[0151] The memory 63a of the MCU 63 stores a colored portion-aerosol source correspondence table that links information regarding the color applied to the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 obtained from the color identification sensor 24 with the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40.

[0152] The MCU 63 refers to the colored portion-aerosol source correspondence table stored in the memory 63a, and acquires information on the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 based on information regarding the color of the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 acquired from the color identification sensor 24 (step S112).

[0153] In this embodiment, the colored portion 49 of the regular type cartridge 40 in which the aerosol source 71 not containing menthol 80 is stored in the storage chamber 42 is colored red, and the colored portion 49 of the menthol type cartridge 40 in which the aerosol source 71 containing menthol 80 is stored in the storage chamber 42 is colored green. The colored portion-aerosol source correspondence table stored in the memory 63a associates the color of the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 being red with the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 being a regular type not containing menthol 80, and associates the color of the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 being green with the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 being a menthol type containing menthol 80. Then, the MCU 63 refers to the colored portion-aerosol source correspondence table stored in the memory 63a, and when the information obtained from the color identification sensor 24 indicates that the color of the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 is red, the MCU 63 identifies the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 as a regular type not including menthol 80. Also, the MCU 63 refers to the colored portion-aerosol source correspondence table stored in the memory 63a, and when the information obtained from the color identification sensor 24 indicates that the color of the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 is green, the MCU 63 identifies the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 as a menthol type including menthol 80. In this way, the MCU 63 obtains information on the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 based on the information on the color of the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 obtained from the color identification sensor 24.

[0154] In this way, the MCU 63 can execute an aerosol source information acquisition process to acquire information about the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 based on information about the color of the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 identified by the color identification sensor 24 provided on the cartridge cover 20. Since the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 can be molded from a colored resin, the aerosol inhalator 1 can acquire information about the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 without needing to add a process of attaching identification information such as a barcode, a two-dimensional code, or a protrusion to the cartridge 40 during the manufacture of the cartridge 40. As a result, the aerosol inhalator 1 can acquire information about the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40, and the process of attaching identification information to the cartridge 40 is not required, thereby reducing the number of steps during manufacturing.

[0155] Next, the MCU 63 determines whether or not information on the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 has been acquired in the immediately preceding step S112 (step S113).

[0156] In the immediately preceding step S112, if the information on the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 can be acquired (step S113: YES), the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 is set to the acquired flavor type information (step S114). Then, the process proceeds to step S105, where the identification result of the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 in the cartridge identification process is stored in the memory 63a, and the cartridge identification process is terminated.

[0157] If the information on the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 could not be obtained in the immediately preceding step S112 (step S113: NO), the identification result of the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 is set to regular type (step S115). Then, the process proceeds to step S105, where the identification result of the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 in the cartridge identification process is stored in the memory 63a, and the cartridge identification process is terminated.

[0158] In this way, after the user turns on the power to the operation unit 15, the MCU 63 executes a cartridge identification process, and executes an aerosol source information acquisition process when the state transitions from a state in which the connection terminal 47 of the cartridge 40 is not electrically connected to the discharge terminal 12 of the power supply unit 10 to a state in which the connection terminal 47 of the cartridge 40 is electrically connected to the discharge terminal 12 of the power supply unit 10.

[0159] Therefore, the aerosol source information acquisition process can be executed when there is a high probability that the cartridge 40 attached to the aerosol inhalator 1 has been replaced, that is, when a transition occurs from a state in which the connection terminal 47 of the cartridge 40 is not electrically connected to the discharge terminal 12 of the power supply unit 10 to a state in which the connection terminal 47 of the cartridge 40 is electrically connected to the discharge terminal 12 of the power supply unit 10. This makes it possible to reduce the number of times the aerosol source information acquisition process is executed, and to save the power consumption of the power supply 61 consumed by the aerosol source information acquisition process.

[0160] In addition, in this embodiment, after the user turns on the operation unit 15, that is, after the mode in which the aerosol inhaler 1 is operated is switched from the sleep mode to the power mode, the cartridge identification process including the aerosol source information acquisition process is executed. Therefore, since the aerosol source information acquisition process is not executed in the sleep mode, the power consumption of the power source 61 in the sleep mode can be reduced. This allows the power consumption of the power source 61 to be further saved.

[0161] The aerosol inhaler 1 is capable of transmitting to the outside the identification result of the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the memory 63a by the cartridge identification process, i.e., information regarding whether or not the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 contains menthol.

[0162] For example, the aerosol inhaler 1 may be configured such that the charging terminal 14 is a receptacle for a terminal capable of transmitting and receiving data, such as a USB terminal or a microUSB terminal, and when a terminal such as a USB terminal or a microUSB terminal is connected to the charging terminal 14, information regarding whether or not the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 contains menthol is transmitted to an external information terminal such as a smartphone or a computer via a cable having a terminal such as a USB terminal or a microUSB terminal.

[0163] Furthermore, for example, the aerosol inhalator 1 may house a wireless communication chip capable of wireless communication with the outside in the hollow portion of the power supply unit case 11, and may be configured to transmit information regarding whether or not the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 contains menthol from the wireless communication chip via wireless communication to an external information terminal such as a smartphone or computer.

[0164] This allows information regarding whether or not the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 contains menthol to be checked on an external information terminal such as a smartphone or computer, making it possible to operate the aerosol inhaler 1 in conjunction with an external information terminal such as a smartphone or computer.

[0165] In addition, the memory 63a of the aerosol inhalator 1 may be capable of accumulating and storing the identification results of the aerosol source identification process previously performed, and may be capable of transmitting information to the outside regarding whether or not the aerosol source 71 contains menthol for each cartridge 40 previously attached to the aerosol inhalator 1.

[0166] This allows the history of the cartridge 40 previously attached to the aerosol inhalator 1 to be transmitted to the outside, so that information such as the aroma and flavor preferred by the user of the aerosol inhalator 1 can be collected in an external information terminal such as a smartphone or computer. In addition, when the user brings the aerosol inhalator 1 to a store for repairs or the like, the history of the cartridge 40 previously attached to the aerosol inhalator 1 can be collected in a server or the like of a customer service center, so that the customer service of the aerosol inhalator 1 can be improved by utilizing the history information of the cartridge 40 previously attached to the aerosol inhalator 1.

[0167] <Standby control> 10, when the cartridge identification process is completed, the MCU 63 determines whether the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 is menthol type or not based on the identification result of the cartridge identification process (step S4). If the identification result of the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 is set to menthol type in the cartridge identification process, the MCU 63 determines affirmatively in step S4 (step S4: YES) and proceeds to step S5. Next, the MCU 63 switches the mode in which the aerosol inhaler 1 is operated from the power mode to the menthol mode (step S5) and executes the menthol mode process. On the other hand, when the identification result of the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 in the cartridge identification process is not set to the menthol type, that is, when the identification result of the flavor type of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 in the cartridge identification process is set to the regular type, the MCU 63 determines the negative in step S4 (step S4: NO) and proceeds to step S6. Next, the MCU 63 switches the mode in which the aerosol inhaler 1 is operated from the power mode to the regular mode (step S6) and executes the regular mode process.

[0168] <Menthol mode processing> In the menthol mode process, the MCU 63 first notifies the user that the mode is the menthol mode through the notification unit 16 (step S7). At this time, the MCU 63 notifies the user that the mode is the menthol mode by, for example, causing the light emitting element 161 to emit green light and vibrating the vibration element 162.

[0169] Next, the MCU 63 calculates the remaining amount W capsule (n puff Based on the above, the target temperature T cap_target and the atomization power supplied to the first heater 45 (hereinafter, atomization power P liquid (also called) is set (step S8), and the process proceeds to step S21. capsule (n puff -1) If no suction operation has been performed after a new capsule 50 has been installed, initial If the inhalation operation has been performed at least once, the flavor component remaining amount W calculated by the immediately preceding remaining amount update process (described later) is capsule (n puff ) In addition, the target temperature in the menthol mode is T cap_target Specific setting examples such as those described above will be described later with reference to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14.

[0170] <Regular mode processing> In the regular mode process, the MCU 63 first notifies the user that the mode is the regular mode through the notification unit 16 (step S9). At this time, the MCU 63 notifies the user that the mode is the regular mode by, for example, causing the light emitting element 161 to emit white light and vibrating the vibration element 162.

[0171] Next, the MCU 63 calculates the remaining amount W capsule (n puff Based on the above, the target temperature T cap_target and the target flavor component amount W flavor The aerosol weight W required to achieve aerosolIn step S10, the MCU 63 determines the aerosol weight W from the following formula (2) obtained by modifying the above formula (1), for example. aerosol Calculate the calculated aerosol weight W aerosol is decided.

[0172]

number

[0173] The β and γ in the above formula (2) are the same as the β and γ in the above formula (1) and are experimentally determined. In addition, in the above formula (2), the target flavor component amount W flavor is set in advance by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1. The remaining amount of flavor component W capsule (n puff -1) If no suction operation has been performed after a new capsule 50 has been installed, initial If the inhalation operation has been performed at least once, the flavor component remaining amount W calculated by the immediately preceding remaining amount update process is capsule (n puff )

[0174] Next, the MCU 63 calculates the aerosol weight W aerosol Based on this, the atomization power P to be supplied to the first heater 45 is liquid In step S11, the MCU 63 calculates the atomization power P from, for example, the following formula (3): liquid Calculate the calculated atomization power P liquid Set.

[0175]

number

[0176] In the above formula (3), α is a coefficient obtained experimentally, similar to β and γ. In addition, the aerosol weight W aerosol is the aerosol weight W determined in step S10aerosol In the above formula (3), t is the atomization power P liquid The expected supply time t sense For example, the upper limit t upper It can be said that:

[0177] Next, the MCU 63 controls the atomization power P liquid At that time, it is determined whether the atomization power P is equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit power that can be discharged from the power source 61 to the first heater 45 (step S12). liquid If the atomization power P is equal to or less than the upper limit power (step S12: YES), the MCU 63 proceeds to the above-mentioned step S21. liquid If exceeds the upper limit power (step S12: NO), the MCU 63 sets the target temperature T cap_target is increased by a predetermined amount (step S13), and the process returns to step S10.

[0178] That is, as can be seen from the above-mentioned formula (1), the target temperature T cap_target (i.e. T capsule ) to achieve the target amount of flavor components W flavor The aerosol weight W required to achieve aerosol can be reduced, so that the atomization power P determined in step S11 above can be reduced. liquid By repeating steps S10 to S13, the MCU 63 can eventually change the determination in step S12, which was initially NO, to YES, and can proceed to step S21 shown in FIG.

[0179] <Discharge control> As shown in FIG. 11, next, the MCU 63 detects the current temperature of the second heater 34 (hereinafter, temperature T cap_sense The temperature T cap_sense is the temperature parameter T capsule Here, the temperature parameter T capsuleAn example in which the temperature of the second heater 34 is used as the temperature sensor will be described, but instead of the temperature of the second heater 34, the temperature of the flavor source 52 or the storage chamber 53 may be used.

[0180] Next, the MCU 63 adjusts the target temperature T cap_target and the obtained temperature T cap_sense and based on temperature T cap_sense is the target temperature T cap_target The discharge from the power source 61 to the second heater 34 is controlled so that the temperature T cap_sense is the target temperature T cap_target For example, PID (Proportional-Integral-Differential) control is performed so that the output converges to

[0181] Also, the temperature T cap_sense The target temperature T cap_target As a control for converging to the target temperature T cap_target may have hysteresis.

[0182] Next, the MCU 63 determines whether or not there is an aerosol generation request (step S23). If there is no aerosol generation request (step S23: NO), the MCU 63 determines whether or not a predetermined period of time has elapsed without an aerosol generation request (step S24). If the predetermined period of time has not elapsed without an aerosol generation request (step S24: NO), the MCU 63 returns to step S21.

[0183] When a predetermined period of time has elapsed without any request for aerosol generation (step S24: YES), the MCU 63 stops discharging the second heater 34 (step S25), switches the operating mode of the aerosol inhalator 1 to a sleep mode (step S26), and proceeds to step S51 described below.

[0184] <Aerosol generation control> On the other hand, if there is a request to generate an aerosol (step S23: YES), the MCU 63 executes the aerosol generation control. First, the MCU 63 temporarily stops heating the flavor source 52 by the second heater 34 (i.e., discharging to the second heater 34), and detects the temperature T cap_sense (Step S30). Note that the MCU 63 does not need to stop heating of the flavor source 52 by the second heater 34 (that is, discharging electricity to the second heater 34) when executing step S11.

[0185] Next, the MCU 63 calculates the temperature T cap_sense is the set target temperature T cap_target It is determined whether the temperature T is higher than −δ (where δ≧0) (step S31). This δ can be determined arbitrarily by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhalator 1. cap_sense is the target temperature T cap_target If it is higher than -δ (step S31: YES), the MCU 63 determines the current atomization power P liquid -Δ(Δ>0) is the new atomization power P liquid (step S32), and the process proceeds to step S35.

[0186] On the other hand, temperature T cap_sense is the target temperature T cap_target If it is not higher than temperature T cap_sense is the target temperature T cap_target It is determined whether the temperature T cap_sense is the target temperature T cap_target If it is lower than -δ (step S33: YES), the MCU 63 determines the current atomization power P liquid +Δ is the new atomization power P liquid (step S34), and the process proceeds to step S35.

[0187] On the other hand, temperature T cap_sense is the target temperature T cap_target If the temperature is not lower than −δ (step S33: NO), cap_sense=Target temperature T cap_target -δ, the MCU 63 determines the current atomization power P liquid The process proceeds to step S35.

[0188] Details will be described later with reference to FIG. 14 and the like. In this embodiment, the target temperature T cap_target When controlling the target temperature T cap_target Change the target temperature T from 80[℃] to 60[℃]. cap_target Immediately after the change, the temperature of the second heater 34 at that time, the temperature T cap_sense (For example, 80[℃]) is the changed target temperature T cap_target In such a case, the MCU 63 makes a NO determination in step S32 and performs the process of step S34 to reduce the atomization power P liquid This reduces the target temperature T cap_target Even if the actual temperature of the flavor source 52, the second heater 34, etc. is higher than 60[°C], for example, immediately after the atomization power P liquid By reducing the amount of the aerosol source 71 generated by heating with the first heater 45 and supplied to the flavor source 52, it is possible to reduce the amount of the aerosol source 71. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an excessive amount of menthol from being supplied to the user's mouth, and to stably supply an appropriate amount of menthol to the user.

[0189] Next, the MCU 63 notifies the user of the current mode (step S35). For example, in the case of the menthol mode (i.e., when the menthol mode process has been executed), in step S35, the MCU 63 notifies the user that the mode is the menthol mode by, for example, causing the light-emitting element 161 to emit green light. On the other hand, in the case of the regular mode (i.e., when the regular mode process has been executed), in step S35, the MCU 63 notifies the user that the mode is the regular mode by, for example, causing the light-emitting element 161 to emit white light.

[0190] Next, the MCU 63 controls the atomization power P liquid To be more specific, the MCU 63 controls the DC / DC converter 66 so that the atomization power P liquid is supplied to the first heater 45. As a result, the atomization power P liquid is supplied to the first heater 45, the aerosol source 71 is heated by the first heater 45, and the aerosol source 71 is vaporized and / or atomized.

[0191] Next, the MCU 63 judges whether the aerosol generation request has ended (step S37). If the aerosol generation request has not ended (step S37: NO), the MCU 63 adjusts the atomization power P liquid The time elapsed from the start of supply, i.e., supply time t sense is the upper limit t upper It is determined whether the supply time t sense is the upper limit t upper If the power P has not yet reached the predetermined value (step S38: NO), the MCU 63 returns to step S36. liquid The supply of the aerosol, i.e., the generation of vaporized and / or atomized aerosol source 71, continues.

[0192] On the other hand, if the aerosol generation request has ended (step S37: YES), and the supply time t sense is the upper limit t upper If the power reaches the predetermined value (step S38: YES), the MCU 63 controls the atomization power P liquid The supply of (i.e., discharge to first heater 45) is stopped (step S39), and the aerosol generation control is terminated.

[0193] In this way, when executing aerosol generation control, the MCU 63 controls the discharge from the power source 61 to the first heater 45 and the discharge from the power source 61 to the second heater 34 in the menthol mode or the regular mode.

[0194] <Remaining amount update process> As shown in FIG. 12, when the aerosol generation control is ended, the MCU 63 executes a remaining amount update process for calculating the remaining amount of the flavor component contained in the flavor source 52.

[0195] In the remaining amount update process, the MCU 63 first calculates the atomization power P liquid Supply time t sense Next, the MCU 63 acquires the count value n puff "1" is added to (step S42).

[0196] Then, the MCU 63 receives the obtained supply time t sense and the atomization power P supplied to the first heater 45 in response to a request for generating aerosol. liquid and the target temperature T cap_target Based on this, the remaining amount W of the flavor component contained in the flavor source 52 is calculated. capsule (n puff ) (step S43). The MCU 63 calculates the remaining flavor component amount W capsule (n puff ) and calculate the remaining flavor component amount W capsule (n puff ) in the memory 63a, the remaining amount of flavor component W capsule (n puff ) will be updated.

[0197]

number

[0198] The α in the above formula (4) is the same as the α in the above formula (3) and is experimentally determined. The β and γ in the above formula (4) are the same as the β and γ in the above formula (1) and are experimentally determined. Moreover, the δ in the above formula (4) is the same as the δ used in step S32 and is preset by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhalator 1.

[0199] Next, the MCU 63 calculates the updated flavor component remaining amount W capsule (n puff It is determined whether the updated flavor component remaining amount W is less than a predetermined remaining amount threshold value, which is a condition for issuing a capsule replacement notification (step S44). capsule (n puff If the remaining amount is equal to or greater than the remaining amount threshold (step S44: NO), it is considered that the flavor component contained in the flavor source 52 (i.e., in the capsule 50) still remains in sufficient amount, so the MCU 63 proceeds directly to step S51.

[0200] On the other hand, the remaining flavor component after updating W capsule (n puff If the remaining amount is less than the threshold value (step S44: YES), it is considered that the flavor components contained in the flavor source 52 are almost depleted, and the MCU 63 judges whether the number of replacements of the capsule 50 after the cartridge 40 replacement is a predetermined number (step S45). For example, in this embodiment, one cartridge 40 is provided to the user in a form in which five capsules 50 are combined. In this case, in step S25, the MCU 63 judges whether the number of replacements of the capsule 50 after the cartridge 40 replacement is five.

[0201] If the number of capsule 50 replacements after cartridge 40 replacement is not the predetermined number (five times in this embodiment) (step S45: NO), it is estimated that the remaining amount of aerosol source 71 in cartridge 40 is equal to or greater than the amount required to reduce the remaining amount of unused flavor source 52 to a threshold value or less, and the MCU 63 issues a capsule replacement notification, assuming that cartridge 40 is still in a usable state (step S46). In this embodiment, the MCU 63 issues a capsule replacement notification by flashing the light emitting element 161 in green when the aerosol inhaler 1 is operating in the menthol mode, and in white when the aerosol inhaler 1 is operating in the regular mode.

[0202] On the other hand, if the number of capsule 50 replacements after cartridge 40 replacement is the predetermined number (five times in this embodiment) (step S45: YES), it is estimated that the remaining amount of aerosol source 71 in cartridge 40 is less than the amount necessary to reduce the remaining amount of unused flavor source 52 to the threshold value or less, and the MCU 63 issues a cartridge replacement notification, assuming that cartridge 40 has reached the end of its life (step S47). In this embodiment, the MCU 63 issues a cartridge replacement notification by blinking light emitting element 161 in blue.

[0203] Next, the MCU 63 executes counter reset control to reset the count value of the puff number counter to 1, and also resets the target temperature T cap_target The setting of the target temperature T cap_target When initializing the setting of the target temperature T cap_target is set to −273° C., which is absolute zero. This effectively stops the discharge to the second heater 34, regardless of the temperature of the second heater 34 at that time, and stops the heating of the flavor source 52 by the second heater 34.

[0204] <Power off control> Next, the MCU 63 judges whether the user has operated the operation unit 15 to turn off the power (step S51). In this embodiment, the power-off operation is an operation of maintaining the operation unit 15 pressed for a predetermined time (e.g., 3 seconds) or more. If the user has not operated the operation unit 15 to turn off the power (step S51: NO), the MCU 63 returns to step S3. On the other hand, if the user has operated the operation unit 15 to turn off the power (step S51: YES), the MCU 63 executes power-off control to switch the mode in which the aerosol inhaler 1 operates to a sleep mode (step S52), and ends the series of processes.

[0205] In this way, the MCU 63 controls the discharge from the power source 61 to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 based on the result of the cartridge identification process including the aerosol source information acquisition process. This makes it possible to appropriately control the discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 according to the type of the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 attached to the aerosol inhaler 1, and stably supply an appropriate amount of flavor component and aerosol to the user.

[0206] More specifically, the MCU 63 can control the discharge from the power source 61 to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 in a plurality of modes, selects one mode from the plurality of modes based on the result of the cartridge identification process including the aerosol source information acquisition process, and controls the discharge from the power source 61 to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 in the selected mode. This makes it possible to appropriately control the discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 with simple control according to the type of the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 attached to the aerosol inhaler 1, and stably supply an appropriate amount of flavor component or aerosol to the user.

[0207] In this embodiment, the discharge from the power source 61 to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 can be controlled in a plurality of modes including at least a regular mode and a menthol mode. When information indicating that the aerosol source 71 contains menthol is acquired in the aerosol source information acquisition process, the discharge from the power source 61 to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 is controlled in the menthol mode. When information indicating that the aerosol source 71 does not contain menthol is acquired in the aerosol source information acquisition process, the discharge from the power source 61 to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 is controlled in the regular mode. Therefore, the discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 can be appropriately controlled depending on whether the aerosol source 71 of the cartridge 40 attached to the aerosol inhaler 1 contains menthol or does not contain menthol, and an aerosol containing an appropriate amount of flavor component or menthol can be stably supplied to the user.

[0208] In addition, in the present embodiment, when the aerosol source information acquisition process fails to acquire information on whether or not the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 contains menthol, the power source 61 controls discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 in the regular mode. Therefore, when the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 does not contain menthol, the MCU 63 can be reliably prevented from controlling discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 in the menthol mode. This can prevent the aerosol source 71 not containing menthol from being heated in the menthol mode, thereby preventing the generation of an unintended flavor, and at least the flavor derived from the flavor source can be stably supplied to the user.

[0209] (Calibration process) Next, the calibration of the color identification sensor 24 in the aerosol inhalator 1 will be described.

[0210] After the aerosol inhalator 1 is shipped from the factory, it is possible to calibrate the color identification sensor 24. The calibration of the color identification sensor 24 described below is realized, for example, by the processor of the MCU 63 executing a calibration processing program stored in advance in the memory 63a.

[0211] In the calibration process, the MCU 63 first causes the color sensor unit 242 of the color identification sensor 24 to receive test light having numerical values ​​of predetermined color components.

[0212] For example, a light emitting device capable of emitting inspection light and capable of being housed in the cartridge cover 20 may be housed in the cartridge cover 20 instead of the cartridge 40, and the inspection light may be light having predetermined color component values ​​such as red, green, blue, etc., emitted from the light emitting device housed in the cartridge cover 20. Alternatively, the inspection light may be a plurality of lights having different color component values ​​such as red, green, blue, etc., which are separately emitted, and each light may be received by the color sensor unit 242 of the color identification sensor 24.

[0213] Also, for example, an inspection device that can be accommodated in the cartridge cover 20 may be accommodated in the cartridge cover 20 instead of the cartridge 40, and when the inspection device is accommodated in the cartridge cover 20, at least an area facing the light-projecting unit 241 and the color sensor unit 242 of the color identification sensor 24 may be colored in a color having a predetermined color component value, and white light projected from the light-projecting unit 241 may be reflected by the area colored in the color having the predetermined color component value in the inspection device, and the light reflected from the area may be received by the color sensor unit 242 of the color identification sensor 24. In other words, the inspection light may be white light projected from the light-projecting unit 241 and reflected by the area colored in the color having the predetermined color component value in the inspection device. In addition, at least the area facing the light-projecting section 241 and color sensor section 242 of the color identification sensor 24 may have a plurality of inspection devices colored in colors having different color component values, such as red, green, and blue, and the color sensor section 242 of the color identification sensor 24 may receive light reflected from each of the inspection devices colored in colors having different color component values.

[0214] When the color sensor unit 242 of the color identification sensor 24 receives the inspection light, it digitizes the color components of the received inspection light. For example, the color sensor unit 242 digitizes the red component, green component, and blue component of the inspection light received by the light receiving unit into values ​​from 0 to 255. Then, the color identification sensor 24 outputs the values ​​from 0 to 255 of the red component, green component, and blue component of the inspection light received by the light receiving unit to the MCU 63.

[0215] Information about the numerical values ​​of predetermined color components of the inspection light is stored in the memory 63a of the MCU 63. For example, values ​​of 0 to 255 for each of the red, green, and blue components of the inspection light are stored in the memory 63a of the MCU 63.

[0216] Next, the MCU 63 calibrates the numerical values ​​of the color components of the light quantified by the color sensor unit 242 based on the numerical values ​​of the predetermined color components of the inspection light stored in the memory 63a and the numerical values ​​of the color components of the inspection light quantified by the color sensor unit 242. For example, the MCU 63 calibrates the values ​​of 0 to 255 of the red component, green component, and blue component of the inspection light received by the light receiving unit quantified by the color sensor unit 242 of the color identification sensor 24 so that they match the values ​​of 0 to 255 for the red component, green component, and blue component of the inspection light stored in the memory 63a.

[0217] In this way, the MCU 63 can perform a calibration process in which the color sensor unit 242 receives inspection light having numerical values ​​of predetermined color components, and calibrates the numerical values ​​of the color components of the inspection light quantified by the color sensor unit 242 based on the numerical values ​​of the predetermined color components of the inspection light stored in memory 63a and the numerical values ​​of the color components of the inspection light quantified by the color sensor unit 242.

[0218] This allows the aerosol inhalator 1 to calibrate the color identification sensor 24 even after it is shipped from the factory, so that even if the aerosol inhalator 1 is used for a long period of time, the color identification sensor 24 can identify the color applied to the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 without a decrease in accuracy.

[0219] In addition, in the calibration process, the MCU 63 may adjust the numerical conversion process of the color sensor unit 242 to the numerical values ​​of the color components of the calibrated light, or the MCU 63 may correct the numerical values ​​of the color components of the light quantified by the color sensor unit 242 to the numerical values ​​of the color components of the calibrated light.

[0220] (Modification of the calibration process) Next, a modified example of the calibration of the color identification sensor 24 in the aerosol inhalator 1 will be described.

[0221] After the aerosol inhalator 1 is shipped from the factory, it is possible to calibrate the color identification sensor 24. The calibration of the color identification sensor 24 described below is realized, for example, by the processor of the MCU 63 executing a calibration processing program stored in advance in the memory 63a.

[0222] The cartridge cover 20 may be provided with an openable / closable shutter that can prevent light from outside the cartridge cover 20 from entering the inside of the cartridge cover 20. For example, when the shutter is in a closed state, light from outside the cartridge cover 20 can be prevented from entering the inside of the cartridge cover 20.

[0223] Furthermore, a shutter open / close sensor capable of detecting that the above-mentioned shutter is in a closed state may be provided in the cartridge cover 20. For example, the shutter open / close sensor has a Hall element or the like, and outputs a signal indicating that the shutter is in a closed state to the MCU 63 when the above-mentioned shutter is in a closed state.

[0224] The MCU 63 is capable of detecting, by any method, whether or not the cartridge 40 is housed in the cartridge cover 20. Note that the MCU 63 may detect, by any method, whether or not the cartridge 40 is housed in the cartridge cover 20.

[0225] For example, the MCU 63 may detect whether or not the cartridge 40 is accommodated in the cartridge cover 20 based on the electrical resistance value between the pair of discharge terminals 12 acquired using the voltage sensor 671 and the current sensor 672. It is clear that the electrical resistance value between the discharge terminals 12 that the MCU 63 can acquire differs between a state in which the cartridge 40 is accommodated in the cartridge cover 20 and the first heater 45 is connected between the pair of discharge terminals 12 to thereby conduct the pair of discharge terminals 12, and a state in which the cartridge 40 is not accommodated in the cartridge cover 20 and the first heater 45 is not connected between the pair of discharge terminals 12 and the pair of discharge terminals 12 is insulated by air. Therefore, the MCU 63 can detect whether or not the cartridge 40 is accommodated in the cartridge cover 20 by any method based on the electrical resistance value between the discharge terminals 12.

[0226] For example, when the acquired electrical resistance value between the discharge terminals 12 is the electrical resistance value when the pair of discharge terminals 12 is insulated by air and a signal indicating that the shutter is closed is input from the shutter open / close sensor, the MCU 63 determines that the cartridge 40 is not contained in the cartridge cover 20 and that no light from outside the cartridge cover 20 enters the interior of the cartridge cover 20, and causes the light-emitting section 241 of the color identification sensor 24 to emit inspection light.

[0227] For example, the inspection light is white light projected from the light projector 241. Note that the inspection light may be light projected from the light projector 241 and having a color component different from the white light.

[0228] For example, the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 21 of the cartridge cover 20 facing the inside of the ring is colored black or white. Therefore, the inspection light projected from the light projecting unit 241 does not have a specific wavelength that is absorbed by the outer peripheral wall 21 of the cartridge cover 20, and the color sensor unit 242 of the color identification sensor 24 receives the inspection light that retains the color components projected from the light projecting unit 241.

[0229] When the color sensor unit 242 of the color identification sensor 24 receives the inspection light having the color components projected from the light projecting unit 241, the color sensor unit 242 digitizes the color components of the received inspection light. For example, the color sensor unit 242 digitizes the red component, green component, and blue component of the inspection light received by the light receiving unit into values ​​from 0 to 255. Then, the color identification sensor 24 outputs the values ​​from 0 to 255 of the red component, green component, and blue component of the inspection light received by the light receiving unit to the MCU 63.

[0230] The memory 63a of the MCU 63 stores information related to the numerical values ​​of predetermined color components of the inspection light projected from the light projecting unit 241. For example, the memory 63a of the MCU 63 stores values ​​of 0 to 255 for each of the red component, green component, and blue component of the inspection light.

[0231] Next, the MCU 63 calibrates the numerical values ​​of the color components of the light quantified by the color sensor unit 242 based on the numerical values ​​of the predetermined color components of the inspection light stored in the memory 63a and the numerical values ​​of the color components of the inspection light quantified by the color sensor unit 242. For example, the MCU 63 calibrates the values ​​of 0 to 255 of the red component, green component, and blue component of the inspection light received by the light receiving unit quantified by the color sensor unit 242 of the color identification sensor 24 so that they match the values ​​of 0 to 255 for the red component, green component, and blue component of the inspection light stored in the memory 63a.

[0232] In this way, when the cartridge 40 is not contained in the cartridge cover 20 and no light from outside the cartridge cover 20 enters the interior of the cartridge cover 20, the MCU 63 can execute a calibration process in which inspection light having numerical values ​​of predetermined color components is projected from the light-projecting unit 241 of the color identification sensor 24, and the numerical values ​​of the color components of the inspection light quantified by the color sensor unit 242 are calibrated based on the numerical values ​​of the predetermined color components of the inspection light stored in the memory 63a and the numerical values ​​of the color components of the inspection light quantified by the color sensor unit 242.

[0233] This allows the aerosol inhalator 1 to calibrate the color identification sensor 24 even after it is shipped from the factory, so that even if the aerosol inhalator 1 is used for a long period of time, the color identification sensor 24 can identify the color applied to the colored portion 49 of the cartridge 40 without a decrease in accuracy.

[0234] In addition, in the calibration process, the MCU 63 may adjust the numerical conversion process of the color sensor unit 242 to the numerical values ​​of the color components of the calibrated light, or the MCU 63 may correct the numerical values ​​of the color components of the light quantified by the color sensor unit 242 to the numerical values ​​of the color components of the calibrated light.

[0235] (Specific control example using menthol mode) Next, a specific control example in the above-mentioned menthol mode will be described with reference to Figs. 13 and 14, including a comparison with a control example in the regular mode.

[0236] If menthol 80 is contained in at least one of the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 and the flavor source 52 housed in the capsule 50, the aerosol inhaler 1 can supply the aerosol 72 containing menthol 80 to the user by the user's inhalation action. At this time, it is preferable that the aerosol inhaler 1 appropriately controls discharge to the first heater 45, which is a heater that heats the aerosol source 71 stored in the cartridge 40, and the second heater 34, which is a heater that heats the capsule 50 (i.e., the flavor source 52), to stably supply an appropriate amount of menthol to the user. Below, a specific control example in the menthol mode in which control of discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 is optimized will be described in the case where both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80 and in the case where only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol.

[0237] <When both the aerosol source and the flavor source contain menthol> First, a specific control example in the menthol mode in the case where the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 both contain menthol 80 will be described with reference to FIG. 13, including a comparison with a control example in the regular mode.

[0238] In this description, it is assumed that a predetermined number of inhalation operations are performed from when a new capsule 50 is attached to the aerosol inhaler 1 until the remaining amount of flavor component in the capsule 50 falls below the aforementioned remaining amount threshold (i.e., until the remaining amount of flavor component in the capsule 50 is almost gone). It is also assumed that a sufficient amount of the aerosol source 71 is stored in the storage chamber 42 of the cartridge 40 while the predetermined number of inhalation operations are being performed.

[0239] In each of (a), (b), and (c) of FIG. 13, the horizontal axis represents the remaining amount [mg] of the flavor component contained in the flavor source 52 in the capsule 50 (i.e., the remaining amount W capsule 13(a) indicates the target temperature (i.e., target temperature T cap_target 13(b) represents the voltage [V] applied to first heater 45, which is a heater that heats aerosol source 71 stored in cartridge 40.

[0240] The vertical axis on the left side of FIG. 13(c) indicates the amount of menthol [mg / puff] supplied to the user's mouth by one inhalation. The vertical axis on the right side of FIG. 13(c) indicates the amount of flavor component [mg / puff] supplied to the user's mouth by one inhalation. The amount of menthol supplied to the user's mouth by one inhalation is also referred to as the unit supply amount of menthol below. The amount of flavor component supplied to the user's mouth by one inhalation is also referred to as the unit supply amount of flavor component below.

[0241] In FIG. 13, the first period Tm1 is a certain period immediately after the capsule 50 is replaced. Specifically, the first period Tm1 is a period in which the remaining amount of flavor components in the capsule 50 is W initialFrom then on, the W preset by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1 th1 This is the period until W th1 is W initial The remaining amount threshold W, which is the condition for notifying the user of a capsule exchange, is smaller than the th2 For example, W th1 The second period Tm2 in FIG. 13 is a period after the first period Tm1, and specifically, the remaining amount of flavor ingredients in the capsule 50 is W th1 Since then, th2 This is the period until

[0242] When both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80, as described above, the MCU 63 controls the discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 in the menthol mode. Specifically, in the menthol mode in this case, as shown by the thick solid line in (a) of Fig. 13, the MCU 63 sets the target temperature of the second heater 34 in the first period Tm1 to 80[°C].

[0243] The target temperature (80°C) of the second heater 34 in the first period Tm1 in this case is an example of the first target temperature in the present invention. For example, the target temperature (i.e., the first target temperature) of the second heater 34 in the first period Tm1 in this case is a temperature higher than the melting point of menthol (e.g., 42 to 45°C) and lower than the boiling point of menthol (e.g., 212 to 216°C). The target temperature (i.e., the first target temperature) of the second heater 34 in the first period Tm1 in this case may be a temperature of 90°C or lower. Thus, in this embodiment, the temperature of the second heater 34 (i.e., the flavor source 52) in the first period Tm1 is controlled to converge to 80°C, which is an example of the first target temperature. Therefore, in the first period Tm1, the menthol 80 adsorbed to the flavor source 52 is heated to an appropriate temperature by the second heater 34, so that the rapid desorption of menthol 80 from the flavor source 52 can be suppressed, and an appropriate amount of menthol can be stably supplied to the user.

[0244] In the menthol mode in which both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80, in the subsequent second period Tm2, ​​the MCU 63 sets the target temperature of the second heater 34 to 60 [°C], which is lower than the target temperature in the immediately preceding first period Tm1. The target temperature (60 [°C]) of the second heater 34 in the second period Tm2 in this case is an example of the second target temperature in the present invention. For example, the target temperature (i.e., the second target temperature) of the second heater 34 in the second period Tm2 in this case is also a temperature higher than the melting point of menthol and lower than the boiling point of menthol. The target temperature (i.e., the second target temperature) of the second heater 34 in the second period Tm2 in this case may also be a temperature of 90 [°C] or lower. As a result, in this embodiment, the temperature of the second heater 34 (i.e., the flavor source 52) is controlled to converge to 60 [°C], which is an example of the second target temperature, in the second period Tm2. Therefore, even during the second period Tm2, ​​the menthol 80 adsorbed to the flavor source 52 is heated to an appropriate temperature by the second heater 34, so that the rapid desorption of menthol 80 from the flavor source 52 can be suppressed, and an appropriate amount of menthol can be stably supplied to the user.

[0245] Thus, in the menthol mode in which both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80, when the second period Tm2 begins, the temperature of the second heater 34 (i.e., the flavor source 52) is controlled to converge to a temperature lower than that of the immediately preceding first period Tm1. Specifically, in this embodiment, when the second period Tm2 begins, the temperature of the second heater 34 (i.e., the flavor source 52) is controlled to converge to 60[°C], which is lower than 80[°C] in the immediately preceding first period Tm1.

[0246] In the menthol mode in which both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80, the MCU 63 sets the voltage applied to the first heater 45 in the first period Tm1 to V1 [V], as shown by the thick solid line in (b) of Fig. 13. This V1 [V] is an example of the first voltage in the present invention, and is a voltage preset by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1. As a result, in the first period Tm1 in this case, power according to the applied voltage V1 [V] is supplied from the power source 61 to the first heater 45, and the first heater 45 generates an amount of vaporized and / or atomized aerosol source 71 according to this power.

[0247] In the menthol mode in which both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80, the MCU 63 sets the voltage applied to the first heater 45 to V2 [V] in the subsequent second period Tm2. This V2 [V] is an example of the second voltage in the present invention, and is a voltage higher than V1 [V] as shown in (b) of FIG. 13. V2 [V] is set in advance by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1. Note that the MCU 63 can apply a voltage such as V1 [V] or V2 [V] to the first heater 45 by controlling, for example, the DC / DC converter 66.

[0248] Thus, in the menthol mode when both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80, the voltage applied to the first heater 45 in the second period Tm2 (here, V2 [V]) is higher than the voltage applied to the first heater 45 in the first period Tm1 (here, V1 [V]).

[0249] Therefore, in the menthol mode in which both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80, when the second period Tm2 begins, the power supplied to the first heater 45 increases from that in the immediately preceding first period Tm1. Accordingly, the amount of the vaporized and / or atomized aerosol source 71 generated by the first heater 45 also increases from that in the immediately preceding first period Tm1.

[0250] When both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80, and the MCU 63 controls the target temperature of the second heater 34 and the voltage applied to the first heater 45 in the above-mentioned menthol mode, an example of a unit supply menthol amount is shown as unit supply menthol amount 131a in (c) of Figure 13.

[0251] In addition, when both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80, and the MCU 63 controls the target temperature of the second heater 34 and the applied voltage to the first heater 45 in the above-mentioned menthol mode, an example of the unit supply amount of flavor component is shown as unit supply amount of flavor component 131b in (c) of Figure 13.

[0252] For comparison with the unit supply menthol amount 131a and the unit supply flavor component amount 131b, an example will be described in which, even though the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 both contain menthol 80, the MCU 63 controls the discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 (i.e., the target temperature of the second heater 34 and the voltage applied to the first heater 45) in regular mode.

[0253] In the regular mode, as shown by the thick dashed line in (a) of FIG. 13, the MCU 63 gradually increases the target temperature of the second heater 34 in the first period Tm1 and the second period Tm2, ​​for example, to 30[°C], 60[°C], 70[°C], and 85[°C]. Note that these target temperatures and the timing for changing the target temperature are set in advance by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1. As another example, the timing for changing the target temperature of the second heater 34 in the regular mode is determined based on the remaining amount [mg] of flavor component contained in the flavor source 52 in the capsule 50 (i.e., the remaining amount W capsule ) may be determined.

[0254] Here, the maximum value of the target temperature of the second heater 34 in the first period Tm1 of the regular mode (here, 70[°C]) is lower than the target temperature of the second heater 34 in the first period Tm1 of the menthol mode (here, 80[°C]). Also, the minimum value of the target temperature of the second heater 34 in the second period Tm2 of the regular mode (here, 70[°C]) is higher than the target temperature of the second heater 34 in the second period Tm2 of the menthol mode (here, 60[°C]).

[0255] In the regular mode, as shown by the thick dashed line in (b) of Fig. 13, the MCU 63 maintains the voltage applied to the first heater 45 in the first period Tm1 and the second period Tm2 at a constant V3 [V]. This V3 [V] is a voltage higher than V1 [V] and lower than V2 [V], and is a voltage preset by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhalator 1. The MCU 63 can apply a voltage such as V3 [V] to the first heater 45 by controlling, for example, the DC / DC converter 66.

[0256] When the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 both contain menthol 80, and the MCU 63 controls the target temperature of the second heater 34 and the voltage applied to the first heater 45 in the regular mode described above, an example of a unit supply menthol amount is shown as unit supply menthol amount 132a in (c) of Figure 13.

[0257] In addition, when both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80, and the MCU 63 controls the target temperature of the second heater 34 and the applied voltage to the first heater 45 in the above-mentioned regular mode, an example of the unit supply amount of flavor component is shown as unit supply amount of flavor component 132b in (c) of Figure 13.

[0258] That is, even when the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 both contain menthol 80, when the discharge to the first heater 45 and the second heater 34 (i.e., the target temperature of the second heater 34 and the voltage applied to the first heater 45) are controlled in the regular mode, the target temperature of the second heater 34 in the first period Tm1 is lower than when these are controlled in the menthol mode, and therefore the temperature of the flavor source 52 in the first period Tm1 is lower.

[0259] Therefore, when the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 both contain menthol 80, if discharge to the first heater 45 etc. is controlled in the regular mode, it takes longer for the flavor source 52 (more specifically, the tobacco granules 521) and the menthol 80 to reach an adsorption equilibrium state in the capsule 50 than when controlled in the menthol mode. During this time, most of the menthol 80 from the aerosol source 71 is adsorbed to the flavor source 52, and less menthol 80 can pass through the flavor source 52.

[0260] From the above, when the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 both contain menthol 80, if discharge to the first heater 45 etc. is controlled in the regular mode, the unit supply menthol amount that can be supplied to the user in the first period Tm1 becomes smaller than when controlled in the menthol mode, as shown in the unit supply menthol amount 131a and the unit supply menthol amount 132a. Therefore, if this is done, there is a risk that a sufficient amount of menthol cannot be supplied to the user in the first period Tm1.

[0261] In contrast, in the menthol mode in which both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80, the MCU 63 sets the second heater 34 (i.e., the flavor source 52) to a higher temperature of approximately 80° C. in the first period Tm1, which is assumed to be a period before the flavor source 52 (specifically, the tobacco granules 521) and the menthol 80 reach an adsorption equilibrium state. As a result, the MCU 63 can encourage the flavor source 52 (specifically, the tobacco granules 521) and the menthol 80 to reach an adsorption equilibrium state early in the capsule 50 in the first period Tm1, and can suppress the menthol 80 originating from the aerosol source 71 from being adsorbed to the flavor source 52, thereby ensuring the amount of menthol 80 originating from the aerosol source 71 that is supplied to the user's mouth without being adsorbed to the flavor source 52. Furthermore, the MCU 63 can increase the amount of menthol 80 derived from the flavor source 52 that is desorbed from the flavor source 52 (specifically, the tobacco granules 521) and supplied to the user's mouth by raising the second heater 34 (i.e., the flavor source 52) to a high temperature in the first period Tm1. Therefore, as shown in the unit supply menthol amount 131a, a sufficient amount of menthol can be supplied to the user from the time when the flavor component contained in the flavor source 52 is sufficient (when it is new).

[0262] In addition, in FIG. 13(c), the unit supply menthol amount 133a shows an example of a unit supply menthol amount when both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80 and the flavor source 52 is not heated by the second heater 34. In this case, the temperature of the second heater 34 (i.e., the flavor source 52) in the first period Tm1 is room temperature (see RT in FIG. 13(c)). Therefore, as shown in the unit supply menthol amount 133a, in this case, the temperature of the flavor source 52 in the first period Tm1 is low compared to the case where discharge to the first heater 45, etc. is controlled by the menthol mode, so that a sufficient amount of menthol cannot be supplied to the user in the first period Tm1.

[0263] In the menthol mode, in order to supply a sufficient amount of menthol to the user in the first period Tm1, the target temperature of the second heater 34 in the first period Tm1 is set high. However, if the flavor source 52, which has reached a high temperature after the first period Tm1, continues to be heated at an even higher temperature in the second period Tm2, ​​a large amount of menthol may be supplied to the user, which may lead to a deterioration in the flavor and taste.

[0264] Therefore, as described above, in the menthol mode, the target temperature of the second heater 34 in the second period Tm2 is set lower than the target temperature of the second heater 34 in the first period Tm1, thereby preventing the flavor source 52, which has become hot after the first period Tm1, from being continuously heated at a high temperature in the second period Tm2. As a result, as shown in the unit supply menthol amount 131a, in the second period Tm2, ​​which is assumed to be the time after the flavor source 52 (specifically, the tobacco granules 521) and the menthol 80 reach an adsorption equilibrium state, the amount of menthol 80 that can be adsorbed to the flavor source 52 (specifically, the tobacco granules 521) is increased by lowering the temperature of the flavor source 52, thereby preventing an increase in the unit supply menthol amount. Therefore, it is possible to supply an appropriate amount of menthol to the user in the second period Tm2.

[0265] In addition, in order to prevent a large amount of menthol from being supplied to the user in the second period Tm2, ​​the target temperature of the second heater 34 in the second period Tm2 is set low in the menthol mode. However, if the target temperature of the second heater 34 is set low in this way, although the increase in the unit supply amount of menthol in the second period Tm2 can be prevented, the unit supply amount of flavor component in the second period Tm2 also decreases, and it is considered that a sufficient smoking sensation cannot be provided to the user.

[0266] In the menthol mode in which both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80, the MCU 63 sets the voltage applied to the first heater 45 in the first period Tm1 to V1 [V], and sets the voltage applied to the first heater 45 in the subsequent second period Tm2 to V2 [V] higher than V1 [V]. This allows the second period Tm2 to be entered, and the voltage applied to the first heater 45 to be changed to a higher V2 [V] in accordance with the change in the target temperature of the second heater 34 to a lower 60 [°C]. Therefore, in the second period Tm2, ​​the amount of the aerosol source 71 generated by heating by the first heater 45 and supplied to the flavor source 52 can be increased, and the decrease in the unit supply flavor component amount in the second period Tm2 can be suppressed as shown in the unit supply flavor component amount 131b.

[0267] <Specific control example when only the aerosol source contains menthol> Next, a specific example of control by the MCU 63 in the case where only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol 80 will be described with reference to Fig. 14. In the menthol mode in which only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol 80, only the voltage applied to the first heater 45 in the first period Tm1 and the second period Tm2 differs from the menthol mode in which both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol 80. Therefore, the following description will focus on points that differ from the description in Fig. 13, and descriptions of points that are the same as those in Fig. 13 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0268] In the menthol mode in which only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol 80, the MCU 63 sets the applied voltage to the first heater 45 in the first period Tm1 to V4 [V], as shown by the thick solid line in (b) of Fig. 14. This V4 [V] is a voltage higher than V3 [V] as shown in (b) of Fig. 14, and is a voltage preset by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1. As a result, in the first period Tm1 in this case, power according to the applied voltage V3 [V] is supplied from the power source 61 to the first heater 45, and the first heater 45 generates the amount of vaporized and / or atomized aerosol source 71 according to this power.

[0269] Then, in the menthol mode in which only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol 80, in the subsequent second period Tm2, ​​the MCU 63 sets the voltage applied to the first heater 45 to V5 [V]. This V5 [V] is a voltage higher than V3 [V] and lower than V4 [V], as shown in (b) of FIG. 14. V5 [V] is set in advance by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1. Note that the MCU 63 can apply a voltage such as V4 [V] or V5 [V] to the first heater 45 by controlling, for example, the DC / DC converter 66.

[0270] When only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol 80 and the MCU 63 controls the target temperature of the second heater 34 and the voltage applied to the first heater 45 in the above-mentioned menthol mode, an example of a unit supply menthol amount is shown as unit supply menthol amount 141a in (c) of Figure 14.

[0271] An example of a unit supply of flavor component amount when only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol 80 and the MCU 63 controls the target temperature of the second heater 34 and the applied voltage to the first heater 45 in the above-mentioned menthol mode is shown as unit supply of flavor component amount 141b in (c) of Figure 14.

[0272] In addition, when only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol 80, and the MCU 63 controls the target temperature of the second heater 34 and the applied voltage to the first heater 45 in the regular mode, an example of the unit supply menthol amount is shown as the unit supply menthol amount 142a in (c) of Figure 14.

[0273] An example of a unit supply of flavor component amount when only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol 80 and the MCU 63 controls the target temperature of the second heater 34 and the applied voltage to the first heater 45 in the regular mode described above is shown as unit supply of flavor component amount 142b in (c) of Figure 14.

[0274] In addition, an example of a unit supply menthol amount in a case where only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol 80 and the flavor source 52 is not heated by the second heater 34 is shown as a unit supply menthol amount 143a in (c) of Figure 14.

[0275] An example of a unit supply of flavor component amount when only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol 80 and the flavor source 52 is not heated by the second heater 34 is shown as unit supply of flavor component amount 143b in (c) of Figure 14.

[0276] That is, in the menthol mode in which only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol 80, i.e., the flavor source 52 does not contain menthol 80, the MCU 63 applies a voltage V4 [V] to the first heater 45 in the first period Tm1, and applies a voltage V5 [V] lower than V4 [V] to the first heater 45 in the subsequent second period Tm2. As a result, in the first period Tm1, which is assumed to be a period before the flavor source 52 (more specifically, the tobacco granules 521) and the menthol 80 reach an adsorption equilibrium state in the capsule 50, a higher voltage V4 [V] is applied to the first heater 45 (i.e., a large amount of power is supplied to the first heater 45), thereby increasing the amount of the aerosol source 71 generated by heating by the first heater 45 and supplied to the flavor source 52.

[0277] Therefore, before the flavor source 52 and the menthol 80 reach an adsorption equilibrium state, the amount of menthol 80 derived from the aerosol source 71 that is not adsorbed to the flavor source 52 and is supplied to the user's mouth can be increased, and the flavor source 52 and the menthol 80 can be encouraged to reach an adsorption equilibrium state early in the capsule 50. Therefore, an appropriate and sufficient amount of menthol can be stably supplied to the user from a time when the flavor component contained in the flavor source 52 is sufficient (for example, at the start of smoking).

[0278] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can come up with various modified or revised examples within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, the components in the above embodiment may be arbitrarily combined within the scope of the invention.

[0279] For example, the aerosol inhaler 1 may include a first heater 45 for heating the aerosol source to vaporize and / or atomize it, provided in the power supply unit 10, and a removable aerosol source storage unit in which the aerosol source is stored, instead of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50. The aerosol source storage unit may be, for example, a removable refill in which the aerosol source is stored and in which a flavor source such as tobacco leaves is housed. In this case, the colored portion 49 is formed in the aerosol source storage unit such as the refill.

[0280] Also, for example, the colored portion 49 is not limited to being colored red, green, or blue, and may be colored any color.

[0281] In addition, for example, the overall shape of the aerosol inhalator 1 is not limited to a shape in which the power supply unit 10, the cartridge 40, and the capsule 50 are arranged in a line as shown in Fig. 1. The aerosol inhalator 1 may have any shape, such as a substantially box-like shape, as long as the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are configured to be replaceable with respect to the power supply unit 10.

[0282] Also, for example, in the present embodiment, the capsule holder 30 is provided with the second heater 34, but the second heater 34 does not necessarily have to be provided.

[0283] Also, for example, in this embodiment, a light-blocking member 25 that does not transmit light is provided between the color identification sensor 24 and the inner wall 22 of the cartridge cover 20, but the light-blocking member 25 does not necessarily have to be provided.

[0284] Also, for example, the capsule 50 may be configured to be replaceable with respect to the power supply unit 10, and may be detachable from the power supply unit 10.

[0285] This specification describes at least the following items. In parentheses, components corresponding to the above-described embodiment are shown as examples, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0286] (1) a removable aerosol source storage unit (cartridge 40) in which an aerosol source (aerosol source 71) is stored; A heater (first heater 45) that heats the aerosol source to vaporize and / or atomize it; a power supply unit (power supply unit 10) including a power supply (power supply 61) electrically connected to the heater and a controller (MCU 63) capable of controlling discharge from the power supply to the heater; An aerosol generating device (aerosol inhaler 1) comprising: The aerosol source storage unit is provided with a colored portion (colored portion 49), The aerosol generating device further includes a color identification sensor (color identification sensor 24) capable of identifying the color applied to the colored portion, The controller: An aerosol generating device capable of executing an aerosol source information acquisition process to acquire information regarding the aerosol source stored in the aerosol source storage unit based on information regarding the color colored in the colored portion identified by the color identification sensor.

[0287] According to (1), the controller can execute the aerosol source information acquisition process based on information about the color with which the colored portion is colored, identified by the color identification sensor, so that the aerosol generation device can acquire information about the aerosol source stored in the aerosol source storage unit without needing to add a process of attaching identification information such as a barcode, two-dimensional code, or protrusion to the aerosol source storage unit during manufacturing of the aerosol source storage unit. This allows the aerosol generation device to acquire information about the aerosol source stored in the aerosol source storage unit, and eliminates the need for a process of attaching identification information to the aerosol source storage unit, thereby reducing the number of steps during manufacturing.

[0288] (2) The aerosol generating device according to (1), The aerosol source storage unit comprises: A storage chamber (storage chamber 42) for storing the aerosol source; A heating chamber (heating chamber 43) in which the heater is provided; a removable cartridge (cartridge 40) having an electrode portion (electrode portion 48) provided with a connection terminal (connection terminal 47) electrically connected to the heater, the power supply of the power supply unit is electrically connected to the heater via the connection terminal; The aerosol generating device, wherein the coloring portion is formed in the cartridge.

[0289] According to (2), the aerosol generating device can obtain information about the aerosol source stored in the storage chamber of the cartridge without needing to add a process for attaching identification information such as a barcode, a two-dimensional code, or protrusions to the cartridge during the manufacture of the cartridge. This allows the aerosol generating device to obtain information about the aerosol source stored in the storage chamber of the cartridge, and also reduces the number of steps during manufacturing because the process for attaching identification information to the cartridge is not required.

[0290] (3) The aerosol generating device according to (2), The aerosol generating device, wherein the coloring portion is formed on the electrode portion of the cartridge.

[0291] According to (3), since the colored portion is formed on the electrode portion of the cartridge, by manufacturing the electrode portion of the cartridge in a predetermined color, it is possible to obtain information about the aerosol source stored in the storage chamber of the cartridge. This makes it possible to further reduce the number of steps required for manufacturing the aerosol generating device.

[0292] (4) An aerosol generating device according to (2) or (3), The controller: An aerosol generating device that controls discharge from the power source to the heater based on the result of the aerosol source information acquisition process.

[0293] According to (4), the controller controls the discharge from the power source to the heater based on the results of the aerosol source information acquisition process, so that the controller can appropriately control the discharge to the heater depending on the type of aerosol source in the cartridge attached to the aerosol generating device, and can stably supply an appropriate amount of flavor components and aerosol to the user.

[0294] (5) The aerosol generating device according to (4), The controller: Discharge from the power supply to the heater can be controlled in a plurality of modes; An aerosol generating device that selects one mode from the plurality of modes based on the result of the aerosol source information acquisition process, and controls discharge from the power source to the heater in the selected mode.

[0295] According to (5), the controller selects one mode from a plurality of modes based on the results of the aerosol source information acquisition process, and controls the discharge from the power source to the heater in the selected mode. Therefore, with simple control, the discharge to the heater can be appropriately controlled according to the type of aerosol source in the cartridge attached to the aerosol generating device, and an appropriate amount of flavor components and aerosol can be stably supplied to the user.

[0296] (6) The aerosol generating device according to (4), The controller: Discharge from the power source to the heater can be controlled in a plurality of modes including at least a regular mode and a menthol mode; When information indicating that the aerosol source contains menthol is acquired in the aerosol source information acquisition process, the discharge from the power source to the heater is controlled in the menthol mode; An aerosol generating device that controls discharge from the power source to the heater in the regular mode when information indicating that the aerosol source does not contain menthol is acquired in the aerosol source information acquisition process.

[0297] According to (6), if the controller acquires information indicating that the aerosol source contains menthol during the aerosol source information acquisition process, the controller controls the discharge from the power source to the heater in menthol mode, and if the controller acquires information indicating that the aerosol source does not contain menthol during the aerosol source information acquisition process, the controller controls the discharge from the power source to the heater in regular mode.Therefore, the controller can appropriately control the discharge to the heater depending on whether the aerosol source of the cartridge attached to the aerosol generating device contains menthol or does not contain menthol, and can stably supply an appropriate amount of aerosol containing flavor components and menthol to the user.

[0298] (7) The aerosol generating device according to (6), The controller: An aerosol generating device that controls discharge from the power source to the heater in the regular mode if information regarding whether or not the aerosol source stored in the storage chamber of the cartridge contains menthol cannot be obtained during the aerosol source information acquisition process.

[0299] According to (7), when the controller cannot obtain information on whether the aerosol source stored in the storage chamber of the cartridge contains menthol in the aerosol source information acquisition process, the controller controls the discharge from the power source to the heater in regular mode, so that when the aerosol source stored in the storage chamber of the cartridge does not contain menthol, it is possible to reliably prevent the control of discharge to the heater in menthol mode. This makes it possible to prevent the generation of unintended flavors caused by heating an aerosol source that does not contain menthol in menthol mode, and at least to stably supply the user with a flavor derived from the flavor source.

[0300] (8) The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of (2) to (7), The power supply unit further includes a connector (discharge terminal 12) electrically connected to the power supply, the connector is electrically and detachably connected to the connection terminal of the cartridge; The controller: An aerosol generating device that executes the aerosol source information acquisition process when a transition is made from a state in which the connection terminal of the cartridge is not electrically connected to the connector of the power supply unit to a state in which the connection terminal of the cartridge is electrically connected to the connector of the power supply unit.

[0301] According to (8), the controller can execute the aerosol source information acquisition process when there is a high probability that the cartridge attached to the aerosol generation device has been replaced, that is, when the state transitions from a state in which the connection terminal of the cartridge is not electrically connected to the connector of the power supply unit to a state in which the connection terminal of the cartridge is electrically connected to the connector of the power supply unit. This can reduce the number of times the aerosol source information acquisition process is executed, and can save the power consumption of the power source consumed by the aerosol source information acquisition process.

[0302] (9) The aerosol generating device according to (8), The aerosol generating device further includes an operation unit (operation unit 15) that can be operated by a user, The controller: An aerosol generating device that executes the aerosol source information acquisition process when the user operates the operating unit and the connection terminal of the cartridge transitions from a state in which the connection terminal of the cartridge is not electrically connected to the connector of the power supply unit to a state in which the connection terminal of the cartridge is electrically connected to the connector of the power supply unit.

[0303] According to (9), the controller executes the aerosol source information acquisition process after the user operates the operating unit, thereby enabling greater savings in power consumption.

[0304] (10) The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of (2) to (9), The colored portion is formed so as not to transmit light.

[0305] According to (10), since the colored portion is formed so as not to transmit light, it is possible to increase the amount of reflected light that reflects according to the color of the colored portion, thereby enabling the color identification sensor to accurately identify the color of the colored portion.

[0306] (11) The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of (2) to (10), The aerosol generating device, wherein the colored portion is colored any one of red, green, and blue.

[0307] According to (11), since the colored portion is colored in any one of red, green, and blue, it becomes easy for the color identification sensor to identify the color of the colored portion.

[0308] (12) The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of (2) to (11), The aerosol source information acquisition process further includes a storage medium (memory 63a) capable of storing information regarding whether or not the aerosol source stored in the storage chamber of the cartridge contains menthol, An aerosol generating device capable of transmitting information stored in the storage medium regarding whether or not the aerosol source stored in the storage chamber of the cartridge contains menthol to the outside.

[0309] According to (12), since information on whether or not the aerosol source stored in the storage chamber of the cartridge contains menthol can be confirmed on an external information terminal such as a smartphone or a computer, it is possible to operate the aerosol generating device in cooperation with an external information terminal such as a smartphone or a computer. In addition, since it is possible to collect the history of cartridges previously attached to the aerosol generating device in an external information terminal such as a server, it is possible to improve the customer service of the aerosol generating device by utilizing the history information of cartridges previously attached to the aerosol generating device.

[0310] (13) The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of (2) to (12), The aerosol generating device further includes a cartridge cover (cartridge cover 20) in which the cartridge is housed, The aerosol generating device, wherein the color identification sensor is provided in the cartridge cover.

[0311] According to (13), since the color identification sensor is provided on the cartridge cover, the color identification sensor can be placed near the colored portion of the cartridge without increasing the size of the aerosol generating device, and the color applied to the colored portion of the cartridge can be accurately identified.

[0312] (14) The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of (2) to (13), The color identification sensor includes: The color sensor unit includes a light projection unit (light projection unit 241) capable of projecting light toward the colored unit, and a color sensor unit (color sensor unit 242) that receives light reflected from the colored unit and digitizes the color components of the received light, The controller: causing the color sensor unit to receive inspection light having a predetermined color component value; An aerosol generating device capable of performing a calibration process to calibrate the numerical values ​​of the color components of the light quantified by the color sensor unit based on the numerical values ​​of the specified color components of the inspection light and the numerical values ​​of the color components of the inspection light quantified by the color sensor unit.

[0313] According to (14), the controller causes the color sensor unit to receive inspection light having numerical values ​​of predetermined color components, and is capable of performing a calibration process based on the numerical values ​​of the predetermined color components of the inspection light and the numerical values ​​of the color components of the inspection light quantified by the color sensor unit. Therefore, the aerosol generating device is capable of calibrating the color identification sensor even after being shipped from the factory, and the color identification sensor can identify the color applied to the colored portion without a decrease in accuracy even when the aerosol generating device is used for a long period of time.

[0314] (15) The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of (2) to (12), The aerosol generating device further includes a cartridge cover (cartridge cover 20) in which the cartridge is housed, The color identification sensor includes: The cartridge cover is provided inside the cartridge cover. The color sensor unit includes a light projection unit (light projection unit 241) capable of projecting light toward the colored unit, and a color sensor unit (color sensor unit 242) that receives light reflected from the colored unit and digitizes the color components of the received light, The controller: a cartridge cover that is not fitted with the cartridge and that does not allow light from outside the cartridge cover to enter an interior of the cartridge cover, the light projecting unit projects inspection light having a predetermined color component value; An aerosol generating device capable of performing a calibration process to calibrate the numerical values ​​of the color components of the light quantified by the color sensor unit based on the numerical values ​​of the specified color components of the inspection light and the numerical values ​​of the color components of the inspection light quantified by the color sensor unit.

[0315] According to (15), when no cartridge is contained in the cartridge cover and no light from outside the cartridge cover enters the inside of the cartridge cover, the controller causes the light-projecting unit to project inspection light having a numerical value of a predetermined color component, and is able to perform a calibration process based on the numerical value of the predetermined color component of the inspection light and the numerical value of the color component of the inspection light quantified by the color sensor unit. Therefore, the aerosol generating device is able to calibrate the color identification sensor even after being shipped from the factory, and the color applied to the colored portion can be identified without a decrease in accuracy by the color identification sensor even when the aerosol generating device is used for a long period of time.

[0316] This application is based on a Japanese patent application (Patent Application No. 2021-063177) filed on April 1, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0317] 1. Aerosol aspirator (aerosol generating device) 10 Power supply unit 12 Discharge terminal (connector) 15 Control section 20 Cartridge cover 24 Color Identification Sensor 241 Light Projector 242 Color sensor section 40 Cartridge (aerosol source storage unit) 42 Storage chamber 43 Heating chamber 45 First heater (heater) 47 Connection terminal 48 Electrode section 49 Coloring section 61 Power supply 63 MCU (controller) 63a Memory (storage media) 71 Aerosol Sources

Claims

1. a removable aerosol source storage unit in which an aerosol source is stored; a heater for heating the aerosol source to vaporize and / or atomize it; a power supply unit including a power supply electrically connected to the heater and a controller capable of controlling discharge from the power supply to the heater; An aerosol generating device comprising: The aerosol source storage unit has a colored portion formed thereon, The aerosol generating device further includes a color identification sensor capable of identifying the color applied to the colored portion, The controller: An aerosol source information acquisition process is executed to acquire information about the aerosol source stored in the aerosol source storage unit based on information about the color of the colored portion identified by the color identification sensor, The aerosol generating device comprises: a cartridge cover for accommodating a cartridge having an aerosol flow path through which the aerosol vaporized and / or atomized by the heater flows; The cartridge cover includes: The cartridge holder includes an inner circumferential wall that defines a space in which the cartridge is housed, an outer circumferential wall that is formed on the outside of the inner circumferential wall, and a space that is formed between the inner circumferential wall and the outer circumferential wall, The color identification sensor is provided in the space. Aerosol generating device.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , The aerosol source storage unit comprises: A storage chamber for storing the aerosol source; a heating chamber in which the heater is provided; an electrode portion provided with a connection terminal electrically connected to the heater; and the power supply of the power supply unit is electrically connected to the heater via the connection terminal; The aerosol generating device, wherein the coloring portion is formed in the cartridge.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, The aerosol generating device, wherein the coloring portion is formed on the electrode portion of the cartridge.

4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2 or 3, The controller: An aerosol generating device that controls discharge from the power source to the heater based on the result of the aerosol source information acquisition process.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 4, The controller: Discharge from the power supply to the heater can be controlled in a plurality of modes; An aerosol generating device that selects one mode from the plurality of modes based on the result of the aerosol source information acquisition process, and controls discharge from the power source to the heater in the selected mode.

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 4, The controller: Discharge from the power source to the heater can be controlled in a plurality of modes including at least a regular mode and a menthol mode; When information indicating that the aerosol source contains menthol is acquired in the aerosol source information acquisition process, the discharge from the power source to the heater is controlled in the menthol mode; An aerosol generating device that controls discharge from the power source to the heater in the regular mode when information indicating that the aerosol source does not contain menthol is acquired in the aerosol source information acquisition process.

7. The aerosol generating device according to claim 6, The controller: An aerosol generating device that controls discharge from the power source to the heater in the regular mode if information regarding whether or not the aerosol source stored in the storage chamber of the cartridge contains menthol cannot be obtained during the aerosol source information acquisition process.

8. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, The power supply unit further includes a connector electrically connected to the power supply, the connector is electrically and detachably connected to the connection terminal of the cartridge; The controller: An aerosol generating device that executes the aerosol source information acquisition process when a transition is made from a state in which the connection terminal of the cartridge is not electrically connected to the connector of the power supply unit to a state in which the connection terminal of the cartridge is electrically connected to the connector of the power supply unit.

9. 9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 8, The aerosol generating device further includes an operation unit that can be operated by a user, The controller: An aerosol generating device that executes the aerosol source information acquisition process when the user operates the operating unit and the connection terminal of the cartridge transitions from a state in which the connection terminal of the cartridge is not electrically connected to the connector of the power supply unit to a state in which the connection terminal of the cartridge is electrically connected to the connector of the power supply unit.

10. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, The colored portion is formed so as not to transmit light.

11. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 2 to 10, The aerosol generating device, wherein the colored portion is colored any one of red, green, and blue.

12. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 2 to 11, A storage medium capable of storing information regarding whether or not the aerosol source stored in the storage chamber of the cartridge contains menthol, the information being acquired by the aerosol source information acquisition process, An aerosol generating device capable of transmitting information stored in the storage medium regarding whether or not the aerosol source stored in the storage chamber of the cartridge contains menthol to the outside.

13. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 2 to 12, The color identification sensor includes: a light projection unit capable of projecting light toward the colored portion, and a color sensor unit that receives light reflected from the colored portion and converts color components of the received light into numerical values; The controller: causing the color sensor unit to receive inspection light having a predetermined color component value; An aerosol generating device capable of performing a calibration process to calibrate the numerical values ​​of the color components of the light quantified by the color sensor unit based on the numerical values ​​of the specified color components of the inspection light and the numerical values ​​of the color components of the inspection light quantified by the color sensor unit.

14. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 2 to 13, The color identification sensor includes: The cartridge cover is provided inside the cartridge cover. a light projection unit capable of projecting light toward the colored portion, and a color sensor unit that receives light reflected from the colored portion and converts color components of the received light into numerical values; The controller: a cartridge cover that is inserted into the cartridge cover and that is exposed to light from the outside of the cartridge cover; a light projecting unit that projects an inspection light having a predetermined color component value in a state where the cartridge cover is not inserted into the cartridge cover; An aerosol generating device capable of performing a calibration process to calibrate the numerical values ​​of the color components of the light quantified by the color sensor unit based on the numerical values ​​of the specified color components of the inspection light and the numerical values ​​of the color components of the inspection light quantified by the color sensor unit.

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