Aerosol generator power supply unit

Abstract

To provide an aerosol generation device with enhanced safety property.SOLUTION: A suction device (100) includes: a heater connector Cn to which a heater HTR is connected for consuming electric power supplied from a power source BAT and heating a rod (500); a thermistor T3 disposed in the vicinity of the heater HTR for outputting a value on a temperature of the heater HTR; and a thermistor T4 provided at a position separated from the thermistor T3 for outputting a value on a temperature of the position. When at least one of an output value of the thermistor T3 and an output value of the thermistor T4 is abnormal, charging of the power source BAT and discharging from the power source BAT to the heater HTR are prohibited.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 21

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply unit for an aerosol generating device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an apparatus that includes an aerosol generating device including a battery and an aerosol generating element, and a portable charger. In this apparatus, the portable charger has a thermistor that detects the temperature of the housing of the aerosol generating device, and when the temperature detected by this thermistor falls below 10°C, a coil around the battery of the aerosol generating device is operated to prevent the temperature of the battery from dropping below 10°C.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes a device that uses a comparator to provide protection against overcurrent and overvoltage. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japan Special Publication No. 2019-525737 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0000146 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In an aerosol generating device configured to be able to inhale an aerosol, heat-generating components such as a power supply and a heater are provided inside the housing. In order to enhance safety, it is important to prevent these components from generating heat in a high-temperature environment.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an aerosol generating device with improved safety. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A power supply unit of an aerosol generating device of one embodiment of the present invention comprises a power supply, a heater connector to which a heater that consumes power supplied from the power supply to heat an aerosol source is connected, a first sensor arranged in the vicinity of the heater or the power supply and outputting a value related to the temperature of the heater or a value related to the temperature of the power supply, and a second sensor arranged at a position spaced apart from the first sensor and outputting a value related to the temperature of the position, and if at least one of the output values ​​of the first sensor and the second sensor is abnormal, one or both of charging the power supply and discharging from the power supply to the heater are at least temporarily prohibited. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an aerosol generating device with improved safety. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a non-combustion type inhaler. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the non-combustion type inhaler with a rod attached. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the non-combustion type inhaler. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a non-combustion type inhaler. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the internal unit of the non-combustion inhaler. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the internal unit of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the internal unit with the power supply and chassis removed. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is another perspective view of the internal unit with the power supply and chassis removed. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining an operation mode of the inhaler. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electric circuit of an internal unit. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electric circuit of an internal unit. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electric circuit of an internal unit. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of an electric circuit in a sleep mode. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of an electric circuit in an active mode. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation of an electric circuit in a heating initial setting mode. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electric circuit when the heater is heated in a heating mode. [Figure 17] 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation of an electric circuit when detecting the temperature of a heater in a heating mode. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of an electric circuit in a charging mode. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the operation of an electric circuit when the MCU is reset (restarted). [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a detection process of a suction operation by an MCU using a puff thermistor. [Figure 21] FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of a main portion of the electric circuit shown in FIG. 10, showing major electronic components related to a thermistor. [Figure 22] 22 is a diagram showing an area AR enclosed by a dashed line in FIG. 21 . [Figure 23] FIG. 11 is a diagram summarizing specific examples of patterns of protective control performed in the aspirator. [Figure 24] 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the fuel gauge IC and the MCU when a high temperature notification signal is output from the fuel gauge IC in a sleep mode. [Diagram 25] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a cutting plane passing through a case thermistor T4 of the inhaler shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 26] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a cutting plane passing through a case thermistor T4 of the inhaler shown in FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, a suction system, which is an embodiment of the aerosol generating device of the present invention, will be described with reference to the drawings. This suction system includes a non-combustion type aspirator 100 (hereinafter, simply referred to as the aspirator 100) which is an embodiment of the power supply unit of the present invention, and a rod 500 heated by the aspirator 100. In the following description, an example will be described in which the aspirator 100 houses a heating unit in an undetachable manner. However, the heating unit may be configured to be detachable from the aspirator 100. For example, the rod 500 and the heating unit may be integrated and configured to be detachable from the aspirator 100. In other words, the power supply unit of the aerosol generating device may be configured not to include a heating unit as a component. Note that the term "undetachable" refers to a mode in which the unit cannot be removed within the scope of the intended use. Alternatively, the heating unit may be configured by cooperation between an induction heating coil provided in the aspirator 100 and a susceptor built into the rod 500.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the aspirator 100. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the aspirator 100 showing a state in which the rod 500 is attached. Fig. 3 is another perspective view of the aspirator 100. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the aspirator 100. In the following description, an orthogonal coordinate system in a three-dimensional space is used, in which three mutually orthogonal directions are defined as the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction for convenience. In the drawings, the front is indicated as Fr, the rear as Rr, the right side as R, the left side as L, the upper side as U, and the lower side as D.

[0012] The inhaler 100 is configured to generate aerosol containing a flavor by heating an elongated, generally cylindrical rod 500 (see FIG. 2), which is an example of a flavor ingredient generating substrate having an aerosol source and a filling containing a flavor source.

[0013] <Flavor component generating base material (rod)> The rod 500 includes a fill containing an aerosol source that is heated to a predetermined temperature to produce an aerosol.

[0014] The type of aerosol source is not particularly limited, and various extracts from natural products and / or their components can be selected depending on the application. The aerosol source may be a solid or a liquid such as a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water. The aerosol source may contain a flavor source such as a tobacco raw material or an extract derived from a tobacco raw material that releases a flavor component when heated. The gas to which the flavor component is added is not limited to an aerosol, and for example, invisible steam may be generated.

[0015] The filling of the rod 500 may contain tobacco shreds as a flavor source. The material of the tobacco shreds is not particularly limited, and known materials such as lamina and backbone can be used. The filling may contain one or more flavorings. The type of flavor is not particularly limited, but menthol is preferable from the viewpoint of imparting a good smoking taste. The flavor source may contain plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint, Chinese medicine, herbs, etc.). Depending on the application, the rod 500 may not contain a flavor source.

[0016] <Overall configuration of non-combustion type aspirator> Next, the overall configuration of the inhaler 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. The inhaler 100 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped case 110 having a front surface, a rear surface, a left surface, a right surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The case 110 includes a cylindrical case body 112 having a bottom and an integrally formed front surface, a rear surface, a top surface, a bottom surface, a bottom surface, and a bottom surface, an outer panel 115 and an inner panel 118 that seal an opening 114 (see FIG. 4) of the case body 112 and form the left surface, and a slider 119.

[0017] The inner panel 118 is fixed to the case body 112 with bolts 120. The outer panel 115 is fixed to the case body 112 so as to cover the outer surface of the inner panel 118 by magnets 124 held by a chassis 150 (see FIG. 5 ), which will be described later and is housed in the case body 112. Since the outer panel 115 is fixed by the magnets 124, the user can replace the outer panel 115 according to preference.

[0018] The inner panel 118 is provided with two through holes 126 through which the magnet 124 passes. Between the two through holes 126 arranged vertically, the inner panel 118 is further provided with a vertically long hole 127 and a circular hole 128. The long hole 127 is for transmitting light emitted from eight LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) L1 to L8 built in the case body 112. A button-type operation switch OPS built in the case body 112 passes through the circular hole 128. This allows the user to detect the light emitted from the eight LEDs L1 to L8 through the LED window 116 of the outer panel 115. The user can also press down the operation switch OPS through the pressing portion 117 of the outer panel 115.

[0019] 2, an opening 132 into which a rod 500 can be inserted is provided on the upper surface of the case body 112. The slider 119 is coupled to the case body 112 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction between a position where the opening 132 is closed (see FIG. 1) and a position where the opening 132 is opened (see FIG. 2).

[0020] The operation switch OPS is used to perform various operations of the inhaler 100. For example, the user operates the operation switch OPS via the pressing unit 117 while the rod 500 is inserted into the opening 132 and attached as shown in FIG. 2. This causes the heating unit 170 (see FIG. 5) to heat the rod 500 without burning it. When the rod 500 is heated, an aerosol is generated from the aerosol source contained in the rod 500, and the flavor of the flavor source contained in the rod 500 is added to the aerosol. The user can inhale the aerosol containing the flavor by holding the mouthpiece 502 of the rod 500 protruding from the opening 132 in their mouth and inhaling.

[0021] 3, a charging terminal 134 is provided on the bottom surface of the case body 112 for electrically connecting to an external power source such as an outlet or a mobile battery to receive power. In this embodiment, the charging terminal 134 is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type-C receptacle, but is not limited to this. Hereinafter, the charging terminal 134 is also referred to as a receptacle RCP.

[0022] The charging terminal 134 may be configured to include, for example, a power receiving coil and to be capable of contactlessly receiving power transmitted from an external power source. In this case, the method of power transmission (Wireless Power Transfer) may be an electromagnetic induction type, a magnetic resonance type, or a combination of the electromagnetic induction type and the magnetic resonance type. As another example, the charging terminal 134 may be connectable to various USB terminals or the like, and may include the above-mentioned power receiving coil.

[0023] The configuration of the inhaler 100 shown in Figures 1 to 4 is merely an example. The inhaler 100 can be configured in various forms such that, by holding the rod 500 and applying an action such as heating, the rod 500 generates gas imparted with flavor components, and the user can inhale the generated gas.

[0024] <Internal structure of non-combustion type aspirator> The internal unit 140 of the inhaler 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the internal unit 140 of the inhaler 100. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the internal unit 140 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the internal unit 140 with the power supply BAT and the chassis 150 removed. Fig. 8 is another perspective view of the internal unit 140 with the power supply BAT and the chassis 150 removed.

[0025] The internal unit 140 housed in the internal space of the case 110 includes a chassis 150, a power supply BAT, a circuit section 160, a heating section 170, a notification section 180, and various sensors.

[0026] The chassis 150 includes a plate-shaped chassis main body 151 disposed approximately at the center of the internal space of the case 110 in the front-rear direction and extending in the up-down and front-rear directions, a plate-shaped front-rear dividing wall 152 disposed approximately at the center of the internal space of the case 110 in the front-rear direction and extending in the up-down and left-right directions, a plate-shaped upper-lower dividing wall 153 extending forward from approximately the center of the front-rear dividing wall 152 in the up-down direction, a plate-shaped chassis upper wall 154 extending rearward from upper edges of the front-rear dividing wall 152 and the chassis main body 151, and a plate-shaped chassis lower wall 155 extending rearward from lower edges of the front-rear dividing wall 152 and the chassis main body 151. The left surface of the chassis main body 151 is covered by the inner panel 118 and outer panel 115 of the case 110 described above.

[0027] The internal space of the case 110 is defined by a chassis 150, with a heating unit accommodating area 142 defined at the upper front portion, a board accommodating area 144 defined at the lower front portion, and a power supply accommodating space 146 defined vertically at the rear.

[0028] The heating unit 170 accommodated in the heating unit accommodation area 142 is composed of a plurality of cylindrical members, which are arranged concentrically to form a cylindrical body as a whole. The heating unit 170 has a rod accommodation section 172 capable of accommodating a part of the rod 500 therein, and a heater HTR (see Figs. 10 to 19) that heats the rod 500 from the outer periphery or the center. It is preferable that the rod accommodation section 172 is composed of a heat insulating material, or that a heat insulating material is provided inside the rod accommodation section 172, so that the surface of the rod accommodation section 172 and the heater HTR are insulated from each other. The heater HTR may be any element capable of heating the rod 500. The heater HTR is, for example, a heating element. Examples of the heating element include a heating resistor, a ceramic heater, and an induction heating type heater. For example, a heater HTR having a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) characteristic in which the resistance value increases with increasing temperature is preferably used as the heater HTR. Alternatively, a heater HTR having a NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) characteristic in which the resistance value decreases with increasing temperature may be used. The heating unit 170 has a function of defining a flow path of air to be supplied to the rod 500 and a function of heating the rod 500. The case 110 is formed with an air vent (not shown) for allowing air to flow in, and is configured to allow air to flow into the heating unit 170.

[0029] The power source BAT accommodated in the power source accommodation space 146 is a rechargeable secondary battery, an electric double layer capacitor, or the like, and is preferably a lithium ion secondary battery. The electrolyte of the power source BAT may be one of a gel electrolyte, an electrolytic solution, a solid electrolyte, and an ionic liquid, or a combination of these.

[0030] The notification unit 180 notifies various information such as the SOC (State Of Charge) indicating the charging state of the power source BAT, the pre-heating time for inhalation, the period during which inhalation is possible, etc. The notification unit 180 of this embodiment includes eight LEDs L1 to L8 and a vibration motor M. The notification unit 180 may be composed of light-emitting elements such as the LEDs L1 to L8, may be composed of a vibration element such as the vibration motor M, or may be composed of a sound output element. The notification unit 180 may be a combination of two or more elements selected from the light-emitting elements, vibration elements, and sound output elements.

[0031] The various sensors include an intake sensor that detects the user's puffing action (inhalation action), a power supply temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the power supply BAT, a heater temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heater HTR, a case temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the case 110, a cover position sensor that detects the position of the slider 119, and a panel detection sensor that detects the attachment / detachment of the outer panel 115.

[0032] The intake sensor is mainly composed of, for example, a thermistor T2 arranged near the opening 132. The power supply temperature sensor is mainly composed of, for example, a thermistor T1 arranged near the power supply BAT. The heater temperature sensor is mainly composed of, for example, a thermistor T3 arranged near the heater HTR. As described above, it is preferable that the rod accommodating section 172 is insulated from the heater HTR. In this case, it is preferable that the thermistor T3 contacts or is close to the heater HTR inside the rod accommodating section 172. When the heater HTR has a PTC characteristic or an NTC characteristic, the heater HTR itself may be used as the heater temperature sensor. The case temperature sensor is mainly composed of, for example, a thermistor T4 arranged near the left surface of the case 110. It is preferable that the thermistor T4 contacts or is close to the case 110. The cover position sensor is mainly composed of a Hall IC 14 including a Hall element arranged near the slider 119. The panel detection sensor is mainly composed of a Hall IC 13 including a Hall element arranged in the vicinity of the inner surface of the inner panel 118.

[0033] The circuit section 160 includes four circuit boards, a plurality of ICs (Integrate Circuits), and a plurality of elements. The four circuit boards include an MCU mounting board 161 on which an MCU (Micro Controller Unit) 1 and a charging IC 2 (described later) are mainly arranged, a receptacle mounting board 162 on which a charging terminal 134 is mainly arranged, an LED mounting board 163 on which an operation switch OPS, LEDs L1 to L8, and a communication IC 15 (described later) are arranged, and a Hall IC mounting board 164 on which a Hall IC 14 (described later) including a Hall element constituting a cover position sensor is arranged.

[0034] The MCU mounting board 161 and the receptacle mounting board 162 are arranged parallel to each other in the board housing area 144. More specifically, the MCU mounting board 161 and the receptacle mounting board 162 are arranged such that their element mounting surfaces are aligned in the left-right and up-down directions, and the MCU mounting board 161 is arranged forward of the receptacle mounting board 162. An opening is provided in each of the MCU mounting board 161 and the receptacle mounting board 162. The MCU mounting board 161 and the receptacle mounting board 162 are fastened to the board fixing part 156 of the front and rear dividing walls 152 by the bolts 136 with a cylindrical spacer 173 interposed between the peripheries of the openings. That is, the spacer 173 fixes the positions of the MCU mounting board 161 and the receptacle mounting board 162 inside the case 110, and mechanically connects the MCU mounting board 161 and the receptacle mounting board 162. This makes it possible to prevent the MCU mounted board 161 and the receptacle mounted board 162 from coming into contact with each other and causing a short circuit current between them.

[0035] For convenience, the forward facing surfaces of MCU mounting board 161 and receptacle mounting board 162 are referred to as main surfaces 161a and 162a, respectively, and the opposite surfaces of main surfaces 161a and 162a are referred to as sub-surfaces 161b and 162b, respectively, so that sub-surface 161b of MCU mounting board 161 and main surface 162a of receptacle mounting board 162 face each other with a predetermined gap between them. Main surface 161a of MCU mounting board 161 faces the front surface of case 110, and sub-surface 162b of receptacle mounting board 162 faces front / rear dividing wall 152 of chassis 150. The elements and ICs mounted on MCU mounting board 161 and receptacle mounting board 162 will be described later.

[0036] The LED mounting board 163 is disposed on the left side surface of the chassis main body 151, between two magnets 124 disposed above and below. The element arrangement surface of the LED mounting board 163 is disposed along the up-down direction and the front-rear direction. In other words, the element arrangement surfaces of the MCU mounting board 161 and the receptacle mounting board 162 are orthogonal to the element arrangement surface of the LED mounting board 163. In this manner, the element arrangement surfaces of the MCU mounting board 161 and the receptacle mounting board 162 and the element arrangement surface of the LED mounting board 163 are not necessarily orthogonal, but preferably intersect (are non-parallel). The vibration motor M, which constitutes the notification unit 180 together with the LEDs L1 to L8, is fixed to the lower surface of the chassis lower wall 155, and is electrically connected to the MCU mounting board 161.

[0037] The Hall IC mounting board 164 is disposed on the upper surface of the chassis upper wall 154 .

[0038] <Aspirator operation mode> Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation modes of the inhalator 100. As shown in Fig. 9, the operation modes of the inhalator 100 include a charging mode, a sleep mode, an active mode, a heating initial setting mode, a heating mode, and a heating end mode.

[0039] The sleep mode is a power saving mode that cuts off the power supply to the electronic components required for the heating control of the heater HTR.

[0040] In the active mode, most of the functions are enabled except for the heating control of the heater HTR. When the slider 119 is opened while the inhaler 100 is operating in the sleep mode, the inhaler 100 switches the operation mode to the active mode. When the slider 119 is closed or the non-operation time of the operation switch OPS reaches a predetermined time while the inhaler 100 is operating in the active mode, the inhaler 100 switches the operation mode to the sleep mode.

[0041] The heating initial setting mode is a mode for performing initial settings of control parameters and the like for starting heating control of the heater HTR. When the inhaler 100 detects an operation of the operation switch OPS while operating in the active mode, the operation mode is switched to the heating initial setting mode, and when the initial setting is completed, the operation mode is switched to the heating mode.

[0042] The heating mode is a mode for executing heating control of the heater HTR (heating control for aerosol generation and heating control for temperature detection). When the operation mode of the inhaler 100 is switched to the heating mode, the inhaler 100 starts heating control of the heater HTR.

[0043] The heating end mode is a mode in which an end process of the heating control of the heater HTR (such as a process of storing a heating history) is executed. When the time of energization of the heater HTR or the number of inhalations by the user reaches an upper limit or the slider 119 is closed while the inhaler 100 is operating in the heating mode, the inhaler 100 switches the operation mode to the heating end mode, and when the end process ends, the inhaler 100 switches the operation mode to the active mode. When the inhaler 100 is connected to a USB while operating in the heating mode, the inhaler 100 switches the operation mode to the heating end mode, and when the end process ends, the inhaler 100 switches the operation mode to the charging mode. As shown in FIG. 9, in this case, the operation mode may be switched to the active mode before switching the operation mode to the charging mode. In other words, when the inhaler 100 is connected to a USB while operating in the heating mode, the operation mode may be switched in the order of the heating end mode, the active mode, and the charging mode.

[0044] The charging mode is a mode in which the power source BAT is charged by power supplied from an external power source connected to the receptacle RCP. When the inhaler 100 is operating in the sleep mode or active mode and an external power source is connected to the receptacle RCP (USB connection), the inhaler 100 switches the operation mode to the charging mode. When the inhaler 100 is operating in the charging mode and charging of the power source BAT is completed or the connection between the receptacle RCP and the external power source is released, the inhaler 100 switches the operation mode to the sleep mode.

[0045] <Outline of the internal unit circuit> 10, 11, and 12 are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of an electric circuit of the internal unit 140. Fig. 11 is the same as Fig. 10 except that, of the electric circuit shown in Fig. 10, a range 161A (range surrounded by a thick dashed line) mounted on the MCU mounting board 161 and a range 163A (range surrounded by a thick solid line) mounted on the LED mounting board 163 are added. Fig. 12 is the same as Fig. 10 except that, of the electric circuit shown in Fig. 10, a range 162A mounted on the receptacle mounting board 162 and a range 164A mounted on the Hall IC mounting board 164 are added.

[0046] The wiring shown by the thick solid line in FIG. 10 is wiring (connected to a ground provided in the internal unit 140) that has the same potential as the reference potential (ground potential) of the internal unit 140, and this wiring will be referred to as a ground line below. In FIG. 10, an electronic component in which multiple circuit elements are chipped is shown as a rectangle, and the symbols of various terminals are written inside the rectangle. The power supply terminal VCC and the power supply terminal VDD mounted on the chip respectively indicate power supply terminals on the high potential side. The power supply terminal VSS and the ground terminal GND mounted on the chip respectively indicate power supply terminals on the low potential side (reference potential side). In the electronic component formed on a chip, the difference between the potential of the power supply terminal on the high potential side and the potential of the power supply terminal on the low potential side becomes the power supply voltage. The electronic component formed on a chip executes various functions using this power supply voltage.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 11, the MCU mounting board 161 (area 161A) includes, as main electronic components, an MCU 1 that controls the entire inhaler 100, a charging IC 2 that controls charging of the power supply BAT, load switches (hereinafter, LSW) 3, 4, and 5 that are configured by combining capacitors, resistors, transistors, etc., and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The input / output terminal 12 is provided with a power supply 13 for receiving the power from the power supply 10. The power supply 13 is provided with a power supply memory (RAM) 6, a switch driver 7, a step-up / step-down DC / DC converter 8 (in the figure, shown as step-up / step-down DC / DC8), an operational amplifier OP2, an operational amplifier OP3, flip-flops (hereinafter, FF) 16, 17, a connector Cn(t2) electrically connected to a thermistor T2 constituting the intake sensor (in the figure, the thermistor T2 connected to this connector is shown), a connector Cn(t3) electrically connected to a thermistor T3 constituting the heater temperature sensor (in the figure, the thermistor T3 connected to this connector is shown), a connector Cn(t4) electrically connected to a thermistor T4 constituting the case temperature sensor (in the figure, the thermistor T4 connected to this connector is shown), and a voltage divider circuit Pc for detecting USB connection.

[0048] The ground terminals GND of the charging IC2, LSW3, LSW4, LSW5, switch driver 7, step-up / step-down DC / DC converter 8, FF16, and FF17 are connected to the ground line. The power supply terminal VSS of ROM6 is connected to the ground line. The negative power supply terminals of the operational amplifiers OP2 and OP3 are connected to the ground line.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 11, the LED mounting board 163 (area 163A) is provided with the following main electronic components: a Hall IC 13 including a Hall element constituting a panel detection sensor, LEDs L1 to L8, an operation switch OPS, and a communication IC 15. The communication IC 15 is a communication module for communicating with electronic devices such as a smartphone. A power supply terminal VSS of the Hall IC 13 and a ground terminal GND of the communication IC 15 are each connected to a ground line. The communication IC 15 and the MCU 1 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a communication line LN. One end of the operation switch OPS is connected to the ground line, and the other end of the operation switch OPS is connected to a terminal P4 of the MCU 1.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 12, receptacle mounting board 162 (area 162A) is provided with, as main electronic components, a power connector electrically connected to a power source BAT (the figure shows the power source BAT connected to this power connector), a connector electrically connected to a thermistor T1 constituting a power source temperature sensor (the figure shows thermistor T1 connected to this connector), a step-up DC / DC converter 9 (the figure shows step-up DC / DC9), a protection IC10, an overvoltage protection IC11, a fuel gauge IC12, a receptacle RCP, switches S3 to S6 composed of MOSFETs, an operational amplifier OP1, and a pair of heater connectors Cn (positive and negative sides) electrically connected to a heater HTR.

[0051] The two ground terminals GND of the receptacle RCP, the ground terminal GND of the step-up DC / DC converter 9, the power supply terminal VSS of the protection IC 10, the power supply terminal VSS of the fuel gauge IC 12, the ground terminal GND of the overvoltage protection IC 11, and the negative power supply terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 are each connected to the ground line.

[0052] 12, the Hall IC mounting board 164 (area 164A) is provided with a Hall IC 14 including a Hall element that constitutes a cover position sensor. A power supply terminal VSS of the Hall IC 14 is connected to the ground line. An output terminal OUT of the Hall IC 14 is connected to a terminal P8 of the MCU1. The MCU1 detects the opening and closing of the slider 119 based on a signal input to the terminal P8.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 11, a connector electrically connected to the vibration motor M is provided on the MCU mounting board 161.

[0054] <Details of the internal unit circuit> The connections of the electronic components will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0055] Two power input terminals V of the receptacle RCP BUS are connected to the input terminal IN of the overvoltage protection IC11 via a fuse Fs. When a USB plug is connected to the receptacle RCP and the USB cable including the USB plug is connected to an external power supply, the two power supply input terminals V BUS to USB voltage V USB is supplied.

[0056] One end of a voltage divider circuit Pa, which is a series circuit of two resistors, is connected to the input terminal IN of the overvoltage protection IC11. The other end of the voltage divider circuit Pa is connected to the ground line. The connection point of the two resistors that make up the voltage divider circuit Pa is connected to the voltage detection terminal OVLo of the overvoltage protection IC11. When the voltage input to the voltage detection terminal OVLo of the overvoltage protection IC11 is below a threshold, the overvoltage protection IC11 outputs the voltage input to the input terminal IN from the output terminal OUT. When the voltage input to the voltage detection terminal OVLo becomes equal to or higher than the threshold (overvoltage), the overvoltage protection IC11 stops the voltage output from the output terminal OUT (cuts off the electrical connection between the LSW3 and the receptacle RCP) to protect electronic components downstream of the overvoltage protection IC11. The output terminal OUT of the overvoltage protection IC11 is connected to the input terminal VIN of the LSW3 and one end of a voltage divider circuit Pc (a series circuit of two resistors) connected to the MCU1. The other end of the voltage divider circuit Pc is connected to the ground line. The connection point of the two resistors that make up the voltage divider circuit Pc is connected to a terminal P17 of the MCU1.

[0057] One end of a voltage divider circuit Pf consisting of a series circuit of two resistors is connected to the input terminal VIN of the LSW3. The other end of the voltage divider circuit Pf is connected to the ground line. The connection point of the two resistors constituting the voltage divider circuit Pf is connected to the control terminal ON of the LSW3. The collector terminal of the bipolar transistor S2 is connected to the control terminal ON of the LSW3. The emitter terminal of the bipolar transistor S2 is connected to the ground line. The base terminal of the bipolar transistor S2 is connected to the terminal P19 of the MCU1. When the signal input to the control terminal ON of the LSW3 becomes high level, the LSW3 outputs the voltage input to the input terminal VIN from the output terminal VOUT. The output terminal VOUT of the LSW3 is connected to the input terminal VBUS of the charging IC2. The MCU1 turns on the bipolar transistor S2 while the USB connection is not made. As a result, the control terminal ON of the LSW3 is connected to the ground line via the bipolar transistor S2, so that a low level signal is input to the control terminal ON of the LSW3. The bipolar transistor S2 connected to the LSW3 is turned off by the MCU1 when the USB connection is established. When the bipolar transistor S2 is turned off, the USB voltage V USB is input to the control terminal ON of LSW3. Therefore, when the USB connection is established and the bipolar transistor S2 is turned off, a high-level signal is input to the control terminal ON of LSW3. As a result, LSW3 receives the USB voltage V USB is output from the output terminal VOUT. Note that even if the USB connection is made with the bipolar transistor S2 turned on, the control terminal ON of LSW3 is connected to the ground line via the bipolar transistor S2. Therefore, it should be noted that a low-level signal continues to be input to the control terminal ON of LSW3 unless the MCU1 turns off the bipolar transistor S2.

[0058] The positive terminal of the power supply BAT is connected to the power supply terminal VDD of the protection IC 10, the input terminal VIN of the step-up DC / DC converter 9, and the charging terminal bat of the charging IC 2. Therefore, the power supply voltage V of the power supply BAT BAT is supplied to protection IC10, charging IC2, and step-up DC / DC converter 9. A resistor Ra, a switch Sa configured with a MOSFET, a switch Sb configured with a MOSFET, and a resistor Rb are connected in series to the negative terminal of power supply BAT, in this order. A current detection terminal CS of protection IC10 is connected to the connection point between resistor Ra and switch Sa. The control terminals of switch Sa and switch Sb are connected to protection IC10. Both ends of resistor Rb are connected to fuel gauge IC12.

[0059] The protection IC10 obtains the current value flowing through the resistor Ra when the power supply BAT is charged or discharged from the voltage input to the current detection terminal CS, and when this current value becomes excessive (overcurrent), the protection IC10 controls the opening and closing of the switches Sa and Sb to stop charging or discharging the power supply BAT, thereby protecting the power supply BAT. More specifically, when the protection IC10 obtains an excessive current value when the power supply BAT is charged, the protection IC10 turns off the switch Sb to stop charging the power supply BAT. When the protection IC10 obtains an excessive current value when the power supply BAT is discharged, the protection IC10 turns off the switch Sa to stop discharging the power supply BAT. In addition, when the voltage value of the power supply BAT becomes abnormal (overcharge or overvoltage) from the voltage input to the power supply terminal VDD, the protection IC10 controls the opening and closing of the switches Sa and Sb to stop charging or discharging the power supply BAT, thereby protecting the power supply BAT. More specifically, when the protection IC10 detects overcharging of the power supply BAT, it stops charging of the power supply BAT by turning off the switch Sb. When the protection IC10 detects overdischarging of the power supply BAT, it stops discharging of the power supply BAT by turning off the switch Sa.

[0060] A resistor Rt1 is connected to a connector that is connected to the thermistor T1 arranged near the power supply BAT. A series circuit of the resistor Rt1 and thermistor T1 is connected to a ground line and a regulator terminal TREG of the fuel gauge IC12. A connection point between the thermistor T1 and resistor Rt1 is connected to a thermistor terminal THM of the fuel gauge IC12. The thermistor T1 may be a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) thermistor whose resistance value increases with increasing temperature, or an NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) thermistor whose resistance value decreases with increasing temperature.

[0061] The fuel gauge IC12 detects the current flowing through the resistor Rb, and based on the detected current value, derives battery information such as the remaining capacity of the power supply BAT, a state of charge (SOC), and a state of health (SOH). The fuel gauge IC12 supplies a voltage to a voltage divider circuit of the thermistor T1 and resistor Rt1 from an internal regulator connected to a regulator terminal TREG. The fuel gauge IC12 obtains the voltage divided by the voltage divider circuit from a thermistor terminal THM, and obtains temperature information on the temperature of the power supply BAT based on this voltage. The fuel gauge IC12 is connected to the MCU1 by a communication line LN for serial communication, and is configured to be able to communicate with the MCU1. The fuel gauge IC12 transmits the derived battery information and the obtained temperature information of the power supply BAT to the MCU1 in response to a request from the MCU1. In order to perform serial communication, a plurality of signal lines, such as a data line for data transmission and a clock line for synchronization, are required. Please note that in Figures 10-19, for simplicity, only one signal line is shown.

[0062] The fuel gauge IC12 has a notification terminal 12a. The notification terminal 12a is connected to a terminal P6 of the MCU1 and to the cathode of a diode D2, which will be described later. When the fuel gauge IC12 detects an abnormality, such as an excessively high temperature of the power supply BAT, it outputs a low-level signal from the notification terminal 12a to notify the MCU1 of the occurrence of the abnormality. This low-level signal is also input to the CLR(￣) terminal of FF17 via the diode D2.

[0063] One end of a reactor Lc is connected to the switching terminal SW of the boost DC / DC converter 9. The other end of the reactor Lc is connected to the input terminal VIN of the boost DC / DC converter 9. The boost DC / DC converter 9 boosts the input voltage by controlling the on / off of an internal transistor connected to the switching terminal SW, and outputs the boosted voltage from the output terminal VOUT. The input terminal VIN of the boost DC / DC converter 9 constitutes a high-potential power supply terminal of the boost DC / DC converter 9. The boost DC / DC converter 9 performs a boost operation when a signal input to an enable terminal EN is at a high level. In a state where the device is connected to the USB, the signal input to the enable terminal EN of the boost DC / DC converter 9 may be controlled to a low level by the MCU 1. Alternatively, in a state where the device is connected to the USB, the MCU 1 may not control the signal input to the enable terminal EN of the boost DC / DC converter 9, thereby making the potential of the enable terminal EN indefinite.

[0064] The output terminal VOUT of the step-up DC / DC converter 9 is connected to the source terminal of a switch S4 configured by a P-channel MOSFET. The gate terminal of the switch S4 is connected to a terminal P15 of the MCU1. The drain terminal of the switch S4 is connected to one end of a resistor Rs. The other end of the resistor Rs is connected to a positive-side heater connector Cn connected to one end of the heater HTR. A voltage divider circuit Pb consisting of two resistors is connected to the connection point between the switch S4 and the resistor Rs. The connection point between the two resistors that make up the voltage divider circuit Pb is connected to a terminal P18 of the MCU1. The connection point between the switch S4 and the resistor Rs is further connected to the positive power supply terminal of the operational amplifier OP1.

[0065] The source terminal of the switch S3, which is configured by a P-channel MOSFET, is connected to the connection line between the output terminal VOUT of the step-up DC / DC converter 9 and the source terminal of the switch S4. The gate terminal of the switch S3 is connected to the terminal P16 of the MCU1. The drain terminal of the switch S3 is connected to the connection line between the resistor Rs and the positive electrode side heater connector Cn. In this way, a circuit including the switch S3 and a circuit including the switch S4 and the resistor Rs are connected in parallel between the output terminal VOUT of the step-up DC / DC converter 9 and the positive electrode side of the heater connector Cn. The circuit including the switch S3 does not have a resistor, and therefore has a lower resistance than the circuit including the switch S4 and the resistor Rs.

[0066] The non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 is connected to the connection line between the resistor Rs and the positive heater connector Cn. The inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 is connected to the negative heater connector Cn connected to the other end of the heater HTR, and to the drain terminal of the switch S6 configured by an N-channel MOSFET. The source terminal of the switch S6 is connected to the ground line. The gate terminal of the switch S6 is connected to the terminal P14 of the MCU1, the anode of the diode D4, and the enable terminal EN of the step-up DC / DC converter 9. The cathode of the diode D4 is connected to the Q terminal of the FF17. One end of the resistor R4 is connected to the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP1. The other end of the resistor R4 is connected to the terminal P9 of the MCU1 and to the drain terminal of the switch S5 configured by an N-channel MOSFET. The source terminal of the switch S5 is connected to the ground line. The gate terminal of the switch S5 is connected to the connection line between the resistor Rs and the positive heater connector Cn.

[0067] The input terminal VBUS of the charging IC2 is connected to the anodes of the LEDs L1 to L8. The cathodes of the LEDs L1 to L8 are connected to the control terminals PD1 to PD8 of the MCU1 via resistors for current limiting. In other words, the LEDs L1 to L8 are connected in parallel to the input terminal VBUS. The LEDs L1 to L8 are connected to the USB voltage V USB and the voltage supplied from the power supply BAT via the charging IC2. The MCU1 has built-in transistors (switching elements) connected to each of the control terminals PD1 to PD8 and to the ground terminal GND. The MCU1 turns on the transistor connected to the control terminal PD1 to pass electricity through the LED L1, turning it on, and turns off the transistor connected to the control terminal PD1 to turn off the LED L1. The brightness and light emission pattern of the LED L1 can be dynamically controlled by quickly switching the transistor connected to the control terminal PD1 on and off. The lighting of the LEDs L2 to L8 is similarly controlled by the MCU1.

[0068] The charging IC2 detects the USB voltage V USB The charging IC2 has a charging function of charging the power supply BAT based on the charging current and charging voltage of the power supply BAT from terminals and wiring (not shown), and performs charging control of the power supply BAT (control of power supply from the charging terminal bat to the power supply BAT) based on the charging current and charging voltage. The charging IC2 may also obtain temperature information of the power supply BAT sent from the fuel gauge IC12 to the MCU1 through serial communication using the communication line LN from the MCU1, and use the temperature information for charging control.

[0069] The charging IC2 also BAT Equipped with power pass function and OTG function. BAT The power path function is to protect the power supply voltage V BAT The OTG function outputs the system power supply voltage Vcc0, which is approximately equal to the system power supply voltage Vcc0 input to the charging terminal bat, from the output terminal SYS. BATThe OTG function of the charging IC2 is controlled by the MCU1 through serial communication using the communication line LN. In the OTG function, the power supply voltage Vcc4 input to the charging terminal bat is boosted and output from the input terminal VBUS. BAT may be output directly from the input terminal VBUS. In this case, the power supply voltage V BAT and the system power supply voltage Vcc4 are approximately equal.

[0070] The output terminal SYS of the charging IC2 is connected to the input terminal VIN of the step-up / step-down DC / DC converter 8. One end of the reactor La is connected to the switching terminal SW of the charging IC2. The other end of the reactor La is connected to the output terminal SYS of the charging IC2. The charge enable terminal CE(￣) of the charging IC2 is connected to the terminal P22 of the MCU1 via a resistor. Furthermore, the collector terminal of the bipolar transistor S1 is connected to the charge enable terminal CE(￣) of the charging IC2. The emitter terminal of the bipolar transistor S1 is connected to the output terminal VOUT of the LSW4 described below. The base terminal of the bipolar transistor S1 is connected to the Q terminal of the FF17. Furthermore, one end of the resistor Rc is connected to the charge enable terminal CE(￣) of the charging IC2. The other end of the resistor Rc is connected to the output terminal VOUT of the LSW4.

[0071] A resistor is connected to the input terminal VIN and the enable terminal EN of the step-up / step-down DC / DC converter 8. When the system power supply voltage Vcc0 is input from the output terminal SYS of the charging IC2 to the input terminal VIN of the step-up / step-down DC / DC converter 8, the signal input to the enable terminal EN of the step-up / step-down DC / DC converter 8 becomes high level, and the step-up / step-down DC / DC converter 8 starts step-up or step-down operation. The step-up / step-down DC / DC converter 8 generates the system power supply voltage Vcc1 by stepping up or stepping down the system power supply voltage Vcc0 input to the input terminal VIN by switching control of the built-in transistor connected to the reactor Lb, and outputs it from the output terminal VOUT. The output terminal VOUT of the step-up / step-down DC / DC converter 8 is connected to the feedback terminal FB of the step-up / step-down DC / DC converter 8, the input terminal VIN of the LSW4, the input terminal VIN of the switch driver 7, and the power supply terminals VCC and D of the FF16. The wiring through which the system power supply voltage Vcc1 output from the output terminal VOUT of the step-up / step-down DC / DC converter 8 is supplied is referred to as the power supply line PL1.

[0072] When the signal input to the control terminal ON of LSW4 becomes high level, it outputs the system power supply voltage Vcc1 input to the input terminal VIN from the output terminal VOUT. The control terminal ON of LSW4 and the power supply line PL1 are connected via a resistor. Therefore, when the system power supply voltage Vcc1 is supplied to the power supply line PL1, a high-level signal is input to the control terminal ON of LSW4. The voltage output by LSW4 is the same as the system power supply voltage Vcc1 if wiring resistance and the like are ignored, but to distinguish it from the system power supply voltage Vcc1, the voltage output from the output terminal VOUT of LSW4 will be referred to as the system power supply voltage Vcc2 below.

[0073] The output terminal VOUT of LSW4 is connected to the power supply terminal VDD of MCU1, the input terminal VIN of LSW5, the power supply terminal VDD of fuel gauge IC12, the power supply terminal VCC of ROM6, the emitter terminal of bipolar transistor S1, resistor Rc, and the power supply terminal VCC of FF 17. The wiring through which the system power supply voltage Vcc2 output from the output terminal VOUT of LSW4 is supplied is referred to as power supply line PL2.

[0074] When the signal input to the control terminal ON of LSW5 becomes high level, LSW5 outputs the system power supply voltage Vcc2 input to the input terminal VIN from the output terminal VOUT. The control terminal ON of LSW5 is connected to the terminal P23 of MCU1. The voltage output by LSW5 is the same as the system power supply voltage Vcc2 if wiring resistance and the like are ignored, but in order to distinguish it from the system power supply voltage Vcc2, the voltage output from the output terminal VOUT of LSW5 will be referred to as the system power supply voltage Vcc3 below. The wiring through which the system power supply voltage Vcc3 output from the output terminal VOUT of LSW5 is supplied will be referred to as the power supply line PL3.

[0075] A series circuit of a thermistor T2 and a resistor Rt2 is connected to the power supply line PL3, and the resistor Rt2 is connected to the ground line. The thermistor T2 and the resistor Rt2 form a voltage divider circuit, and their connection point is connected to the terminal P21 of the MCU1. The MCU1 detects the temperature fluctuation (resistance value fluctuation) of the thermistor T2 based on the voltage input to the terminal P21, and determines whether or not a puff operation is occurring based on the amount of temperature fluctuation.

[0076] A series circuit of a thermistor T3 and a resistor Rt3 is connected to the power supply line PL3, and the resistor Rt3 is connected to the ground line. The thermistor T3 and the resistor Rt3 form a voltage divider circuit, and their connection point is connected to a terminal P13 of the MCU1 and an inverting input terminal of an operational amplifier OP2. The MCU1 detects the temperature of the thermistor T3 (corresponding to the temperature of the heater HTR) based on the voltage input to the terminal P13.

[0077] A series circuit of a thermistor T4 and a resistor Rt4 is connected to the power supply line PL3, and the resistor Rt4 is connected to the ground line. The thermistor T4 and the resistor Rt4 form a voltage divider circuit, and their connection point is connected to a terminal P12 of the MCU1 and an inverting input terminal of an operational amplifier OP3. The MCU1 detects the temperature of thermistor T4 (corresponding to the temperature of the case 110) based on the voltage input to the terminal P12.

[0078] A source terminal of a switch S7 made of a MOSFET is connected to the power supply line PL2. A gate terminal of the switch S7 is connected to a terminal P20 of the MCU1. A drain terminal of the switch S7 is connected to one of a pair of connectors to which the vibration motor M is connected. The other of the pair of connectors is connected to a ground line. The MCU1 controls the opening and closing of the switch S7 by manipulating the potential of the terminal P20, and can cause the vibration motor M to vibrate in a specific pattern. A dedicated driver IC may be used instead of the switch S7.

[0079] The power supply line PL2 is connected to the positive power supply terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 and a voltage divider circuit Pd (a series circuit of two resistors) connected to the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2. The connection point of the two resistors constituting the voltage divider circuit Pd is connected to the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2. The operational amplifier OP2 outputs a signal corresponding to the temperature of the heater HTR (a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the thermistor T3). In this embodiment, a thermistor T3 having an NTC characteristic is used as the thermistor T3, so the higher the temperature of the heater HTR (the temperature of thermistor T3), the lower the output voltage of the operational amplifier OP2. This is because the negative power supply terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 is connected to the ground line, and when the voltage value (voltage divided by the thermistor T3 and resistor Rt3) input to the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 becomes higher than the voltage value (voltage divided by the voltage divider circuit Pd) input to the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2, the value of the output voltage of the operational amplifier OP2 becomes approximately equal to the value of the ground potential. In other words, when the temperature of the heater HTR (the temperature of thermistor T3) becomes high, the output voltage of the operational amplifier OP2 becomes low level. In addition, when using a thermistor T3 having PTC characteristics, the output of a voltage divider circuit including the thermistor T3 and resistor Rt3 is connected to the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2, and the output of the voltage divider circuit Pd is connected to the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2.

[0080] The power supply line PL2 is connected to the positive power supply terminal of the operational amplifier OP3 and a voltage dividing circuit Pe (a series circuit of two resistors) connected to the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP3. The connection point of the two resistors constituting the voltage dividing circuit Pe is connected to the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP3. The operational amplifier OP3 outputs a signal corresponding to the temperature of the case 110 (a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the thermistor T4). In this embodiment, a thermistor having an NTC characteristic is used as the thermistor T4, so that the higher the temperature of the case 110, the lower the output voltage of the operational amplifier OP3. This is because the negative power supply terminal of the operational amplifier OP3 is connected to the ground line, and when the voltage value input to the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP3 (voltage divided by the thermistor T4 and the resistor Rt4) becomes higher than the voltage value input to the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP3 (voltage divided by the voltage dividing circuit Pe), the value of the output voltage of the operational amplifier OP3 becomes approximately equal to the value of the ground potential. In other words, when the temperature of thermistor T4 becomes high, the output voltage of operational amplifier OP3 becomes low level. In addition, when using a thermistor T4 having PTC characteristics, the output of a voltage divider circuit consisting of the thermistor T4 and resistor Rt4 is connected to the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP3, and the output of the voltage divider circuit Pe is connected to the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP3.

[0081] A resistor R1 is connected to the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP2. The cathode of a diode D1 is connected to the resistor R1. The anode of the diode D1 is connected to the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP3, the D terminal of FF17, and the CLR(￣) terminal of FF17. A resistor R2, which is connected to the power supply line PL1, is connected to the connection line between the resistor R1 and the diode D1. The CLR(￣) terminal of FF16 is also connected to this connection line.

[0082] One end of a resistor R3 is connected to a connection line between the connection point of the anode of the diode D1 and the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP3, and the D terminal of FF17. The other end of the resistor R3 is connected to a power supply line PL2. Furthermore, this connection line is connected to the anode of a diode D2 connected to the notification terminal 12a of the fuel gauge IC12, the anode of a diode D3, and the CLR(￣) terminal of FF17. The cathode of the diode D3 is connected to terminal P5 of the MCU1.

[0083] When the temperature of heater HTR becomes excessive, the signal output from operational amplifier OP2 becomes small and the signal input to the CLR(￣) terminal goes low, FF16 inputs a high-level signal from its Q(￣) terminal to terminal P11 of MCU1. High-level system power supply voltage Vcc1 is supplied to the D terminal of FF16 from power line PL1. For this reason, FF16 continues to output a low-level signal from its Q(￣) terminal unless the signal input to the CLR(￣) terminal, which operates with negative logic, goes low.

[0084] The signal input to the CLR(￣) terminal of FF17 becomes low level when the temperature of the heater HTR becomes excessive, when the temperature of the case 110 becomes excessive, or when a low level signal indicating abnormality detection is output from the notification terminal 12a of the fuel gauge IC12. When the signal input to the CLR(￣) terminal of FF17 becomes low level, the Q terminal of FF17 outputs a low level signal. This low level signal is input to the terminal P10 of the MCU1, the gate terminal of the switch S6, the enable terminal EN of the boost DC / DC converter 9, and the base terminal of the bipolar transistor S1 connected to the charging IC2. When a low level signal is input to the gate terminal of the switch S6, the gate-source voltage of the N-channel MOSFET constituting the switch S6 becomes less than the threshold voltage, so that the switch S6 is turned off. When a low level signal is input to the enable terminal EN of the boost DC / DC converter 9, the enable terminal EN of the boost DC / DC converter 9 is positive logic, so that the boost operation stops. When a low-level signal is input to the base terminal of bipolar transistor S1, bipolar transistor S1 turns on (amplified current is output from the collector terminal). When bipolar transistor S1 turns on, a high-level system power supply voltage Vcc2 is input to the CE(￣) terminal of charging IC2 via bipolar transistor S1. Because the CE(￣) terminal of charging IC2 is negative logic, charging of power supply BAT is stopped. As a result, heating of heater HTR and charging of power supply BAT are stopped. Note that even if MCU1 attempts to output a low-level enable signal from terminal P22 to the charge enable terminal CE(￣) of charging IC2, when bipolar transistor S1 is turned on, an amplified current is input from the collector terminal to terminal P22 of MCU1 and to the charge enable terminal CE(￣) of charging IC2. Note that as a result, a high-level signal is input to the charge enable terminal CE(￣) of charging IC2.

[0085] A high-level system power supply voltage Vcc2 is supplied to the D terminal of FF17 from the power supply line PL2. For this reason, in FF17, a high-level signal continues to be output from the Q terminal unless the signal input to the CLR(￣) terminal, which operates in negative logic, becomes low. When a low-level signal is output from the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP3, a low-level signal is input to the CLR(￣) terminal of FF17, regardless of the level of the signal output from the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP2. Note that when a high-level signal is output from the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP2, the low-level signal output from the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP3 is not affected by this high-level signal due to the diode D1. Also, when a low-level signal is output from the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP2, even if a high-level signal is output from the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP3, this high-level signal is replaced by a low-level signal via the diode D1.

[0086] The power supply line PL2 further branches from the MCU mounted board 161 toward the LED mounted board 163 and the Hall IC mounted board 164. A power supply terminal VDD of the Hall IC 13, a power supply terminal VCC of the communication IC 15, and a power supply terminal VDD of the Hall IC 14 are connected to this branched power supply line PL2.

[0087] An output terminal OUT of the Hall IC 13 is connected to a terminal P3 of the MCU 1 and a terminal SW2 of the switch driver 7. When the outer panel 115 is removed, a low-level signal is output from the output terminal OUT of the Hall IC 13. The MCU 1 determines whether or not the outer panel 115 is attached based on the signal input to the terminal P3.

[0088] The LED mounting board 163 is provided with a series circuit (series circuit of a resistor and a capacitor) connected to the operation switch OPS. This series circuit is connected to the power supply line PL2. The connection point of the resistor and the capacitor of this series circuit is connected to the terminal P4 of the MCU1, the operation switch OPS, and the terminal SW1 of the switch driver 7. When the operation switch OPS is not pressed, the operation switch OPS is not conductive, and the signals input to the terminal P4 of the MCU1 and the terminal SW1 of the switch driver 7 are at high level due to the system power supply voltage Vcc2. When the operation switch OPS is pressed and the operation switch OPS is in a conductive state, the signals input to the terminal P4 of the MCU1 and the terminal SW1 of the switch driver 7 are at low level because they are connected to the ground line. The MCU1 detects the operation of the operation switch OPS by the signal input to the terminal P4.

[0089] The switch driver 7 is provided with a reset input terminal RSTB. The reset input terminal RSTB is connected to the control terminal ON of the LSW4. When the levels of the signals input to the terminals SW1 and SW2 of the switch driver 7 are both at a low level (when the outer panel 115 is removed and the operation switch OPS is pressed), the switch driver 7 outputs a low-level signal from the reset input terminal RSTB to stop the output operation of the LSW4. In other words, when the operation switch OPS, which is normally pressed down via the pressing portion 117 of the outer panel 115, is pressed down directly by the user with the outer panel 115 removed, the levels of the signals input to the terminals SW1 and SW2 of the switch driver 7 are both at a low level.

[0090] <Operation of the suction device in each operation mode> Hereinafter, the operation of the electric circuit shown in FIG. 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 19. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electric circuit in a sleep mode. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electric circuit in an active mode. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electric circuit in a heating initial setting mode. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electric circuit when the heater HTR is heated in the heating mode. FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electric circuit when the temperature of the heater HTR is detected in the heating mode. FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electric circuit in a charging mode. FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electric circuit when the MCU1 is reset (restarted). In each of FIGS. 13 to 19, among the terminals of the chipped electronic components, the terminals surrounded by a dashed ellipse are connected to the power supply voltage V BAT , USB voltage V USB , and a terminal through which the system power supply voltage or the like is input or output.

[0091] In either operating mode, the power supply voltage V BAT is input to the power supply terminal VDD of the protection IC 10, the input terminal VIN of the step-up DC / DC converter 9, and the charging terminal bat of the charging IC 2.

[0092] <Sleep mode: Figure 13> MCU1 detects the V BAT Enable the power path function and disable the OTG and charging functions. Apply the USB voltage V to the input terminal VBUS of the charging IC2. USB When no input is made, the V of charging IC2 BAT The power path function is enabled. The OTG function is disabled because the signal to enable the OTG function from the communication line LN is not output from the MCU1 to the charging IC2. Therefore, the charging IC2 detects the power supply voltage V BATThe step-up / step-down DC / DC converter 8 generates a system power supply voltage Vcc0 from the system power supply voltage Vcc0 and outputs it from the output terminal SYS. The system power supply voltage Vcc0 output from the output terminal SYS is input to the input terminal VIN and enable terminal EN of the step-up / step-down DC / DC converter 8. The step-up / step-down DC / DC converter 8 is enabled when a high-level system power supply voltage Vcc0 is input to the enable terminal EN, which is positive logic, and generates a system power supply voltage Vcc1 from the system power supply voltage Vcc0 and outputs it from the output terminal VOUT. The system power supply voltage Vcc1 output from the output terminal VOUT of the step-up / step-down DC / DC converter 8 is supplied to the input terminal VIN of the LSW4, the control terminal ON of the LSW4, the input terminal VIN of the switch driver 7, and the power supply terminals VCC and D terminal of the FF16.

[0093] When the system power supply voltage Vcc1 is input to the control terminal ON, the LSW4 outputs the system power supply voltage Vcc1 input to the input terminal VIN as the system power supply voltage Vcc2 from the output terminal VOUT. The system power supply voltage Vcc2 output from the LSW4 is input to the power supply terminal VDD of the MCU1, the input terminal VIN of the LSW5, the power supply terminal VDD of the Hall IC13, the power supply terminal VCC of the communication IC15, and the power supply terminal VDD of the Hall IC14. Furthermore, the system power supply voltage Vcc2 is supplied to the power supply terminal VDD of the fuel gauge IC12, the power supply terminal VCC of the ROM6, the resistor Rc and the bipolar transistor S1 connected to the charge enable terminal CE(￣) of the charger IC2, the power supply terminal VCC of the FF17, the positive power supply terminal of the operational amplifier OP3, the voltage divider circuit Pe, the positive power supply terminal of the operational amplifier OP2, and the voltage divider circuit Pd. The bipolar transistor S1 connected to the charger IC2 is off unless a low-level signal is output from the Q terminal of the FF17. As a result, the system power supply voltage Vcc2 generated by LSW4 is also input to the charge enable terminal CE(￣) of charger IC2. Because the charge enable terminal CE(￣) of charger IC2 is negative logic, in this state the charging function of charger IC2 is turned off.

[0094] In this way, in the sleep mode, the LSW5 stops outputting the system power supply voltage Vcc3, so that the power supply to the electronic components connected to the power line PL3 is stopped. Also, in the sleep mode, the OTG function of the charging IC2 is stopped, so that the power supply to the LEDs L1 to L8 is stopped.

[0095] <Active mode: Figure 14> 13, when the signal input to terminal P8 becomes high level and the MCU1 detects that the slider 119 has opened, the MCU1 inputs a high level signal from terminal P23 to the control terminal ON of the LSW5. This causes the LSW5 to output the system power supply voltage Vcc2 input to the input terminal VIN as the system power supply voltage Vcc3 from the output terminal VOUT. The system power supply voltage Vcc3 output from the output terminal VOUT of the LSW5 is supplied to thermistors T2, T3, and T4.

[0096] Furthermore, when the MCU 1 detects that the slider 119 is open, the MCU 1 enables the OTG function of the charging IC 2 via the communication line LN. As a result, the charging IC 2 detects the power supply voltage V BAT The system power supply voltage Vcc4 obtained by boosting the input terminal VBUS is output from the input terminal VBUS. Supplied to LEDs L1 to L8.

[0097] <Heating initial setting mode: Figure 15> When the signal input to terminal P4 becomes low level (the operation switch OPS is pressed) from the state in FIG. 14, the MCU1 performs various settings required for heating, and then inputs a high-level enable signal from terminal P14 to the enable terminal EN of the step-up DC / DC converter 9. This causes the step-up DC / DC converter 9 to BAT The drive voltage V obtained by boosting bst is output from the output terminal VOUT. bstis supplied to switches S3 and S4. In this state, switches S3 and S4 are off. Also, switch S6 is turned on by a high-level enable signal output from terminal P14. This connects the negative terminal of the heater HTR to the ground line, and the heater HTR is placed in a heating state when switch S3 is turned on. After a high-level enable signal is output from terminal P14 of the MCU1, the mode transitions to the heating mode.

[0098] <Heater heating in heating mode: Figure 16> 15, the MCU1 starts the switching control of the switch S3 connected to the terminal P16 and the switching control of the switch S4 connected to the terminal P15. These switching controls may be started automatically when the above-mentioned heating initial setting mode is completed, or may be started by further pressing of the operation switch OPS. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, the MCU1 turns on the switch S3 and turns off the switch S4 to set the driving voltage V bst to the heater HTR to heat the heater HTR for generating an aerosol, and a temperature detection control is performed to detect the temperature of the heater HTR by turning off switch S3 and turning on switch S4 as shown in FIG. 17.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 16, during heating control, the driving voltage V bst is also supplied to the gate of the switch S5, turning the switch S5 on. In addition, during heating control, the driving voltage V bst is also input to the positive power supply terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 through the resistor Rs. The resistance of the resistor Rs is negligibly small compared to the internal resistance of the operational amplifier OP1. Therefore, during heating control, the voltage input to the positive power supply terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 is the driving voltage V bst is almost equivalent to

[0100] The resistance value of resistor R4 is greater than the on-resistance value of switch S5. The operational amplifier OP1 also operates during heating control, but switch S5 is turned on during heating control. When switch S5 is on, the output voltage of operational amplifier OP1 is divided by the voltage divider circuit consisting of resistor R4 and switch S5, and input to terminal P9 of MCU1. Because the resistance value of resistor R4 is greater than the on-resistance value of switch S5, the voltage input to terminal P9 of MCU1 is sufficiently small. This makes it possible to prevent a large voltage from being input from operational amplifier OP1 to MCU1.

[0101] <Heater temperature detection in heating mode: Figure 17> As shown in Figure 17, during temperature detection control, the drive voltage V bst is input to the positive power supply terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 and also to the voltage divider circuit Pb. The voltage divided by the voltage divider circuit Pb is input to a terminal P18 of the MCU1. The MCU1 determines the reference voltage V applied to the series circuit of the resistor Rs and the heater HTR during temperature detection control based on the voltage input to the terminal P18. temp Get the.

[0102] In addition, during temperature detection control, the drive voltage V bst (Reference voltage V temp ) is supplied to the resistor Rs and the heater HTR in series. bst (Reference voltage V temp ) divided by resistor Rs and heater HTR, heat is input to the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP1. Since the resistance value of the resistor Rs is sufficiently larger than the resistance value of the heater HTR, the voltage V heat is the driving voltage V bst During temperature detection control, this low voltage V heat is also supplied to the gate terminal of the switch S5, turning off the switch S5. The operational amplifier OP1 is heat The difference between these is amplified and output.

[0103] The output signal of the operational amplifier OP1 is input to the terminal P9 of the MCU1. The MCU1 obtains a reference voltage V based on the signal input to the terminal P9 and the input voltage of the terminal P18. temp and the known electrical resistance value of the resistor Rs, the MCU 1 acquires the temperature of the heater HTR. Based on the acquired temperature of the heater HTR, the MCU 1 performs heating control of the heater HTR (for example, control so that the temperature of the heater HTR becomes a target temperature).

[0104] The MCU1 can obtain the temperature of the heater HTR even during a period when the switches S3 and S4 are turned off (a period when the heater HTR is not energized). Specifically, the MCU1 obtains the temperature of the heater HTR based on a voltage input to the terminal P13 (an output voltage of a voltage divider circuit formed of the thermistor T3 and the resistor Rt3).

[0105] Furthermore, the MCU 1 can also acquire, at any time, the temperature of the case 110. Specifically, the MCU 1 acquires the temperature of the case 110 based on the voltage input to the terminal P12 (the output voltage of a voltage divider circuit configured by the thermistor T4 and the resistor Rt4).

[0106] <Charging mode: Figure 18> FIG. 18 illustrates a case where a USB connection is made in the sleep mode. When a USB connection is made, the USB voltage V USB is input to the input terminal VIN of LSW3 via the overvoltage protection IC11. USB The USB voltage V is also supplied to the voltage divider circuit Pf connected to the input terminal VIN of LSW3. Immediately after the USB connection is made, the bipolar transistor S2 is on, so the signal input to the control terminal ON of LSW3 remains at low level. USB is also supplied to a voltage divider circuit Pc connected to a terminal P17 of the MCU1, and the voltage divided by this voltage divider circuit Pc is input to the terminal P17. The MCU1 detects that a USB connection has been made based on the voltage input to the terminal P17.

[0107] When the MCU1 detects that the USB connection has been established, it turns off the bipolar transistor S2 connected to the terminal P19. When a low-level signal is input to the gate terminal of the bipolar transistor S2, the USB voltage V USB is input to the control terminal ON of LSW3. As a result, a high-level signal is input to the control terminal ON of LSW3, and LSW3 is turned on by the USB voltage V USB is output from the output terminal VOUT. The USB voltage V USB is input to the input terminal VBUS of the charging IC2. Also, the USB voltage V USB is supplied as it is to the LEDs L1 to L8 as the system power supply voltage Vcc4.

[0108] When the MCU1 detects that the USB connection has been established, it also outputs a low-level enable signal from the terminal P22 to the charging enable terminal CE(￣) of the charging IC2. This causes the charging IC2 to enable the charging function of the power supply BAT and increase the USB voltage V USB Charging of the power supply BAT starts.

[0109] If a USB connection is made in the active mode, the MCU1 detects that a USB connection has been made and turns off the bipolar transistor S2 connected to the terminal P19. In addition, the MCU1 outputs a low-level enable signal from the terminal P22 to the charging enable terminal CE(￣) of the charging IC2. In addition, the MCU1 turns off the OTG function of the charging IC2 through serial communication using the communication line LN. As a result, the system power supply voltage Vcc4 supplied to the LEDs L1 to L8 becomes the voltage (power supply voltage V BAT The USB voltage V output from the LSW3 USB The LEDs L1 to L8 do not operate unless the built-in transistors are turned on by the MCU 1. This prevents the unstable voltage that occurs during the transition period from on to off of the OTG function from being supplied to the LEDs L1 to L8.

[0110] In FIG. 18, the supply state of the system power supply voltage in the charging mode is the same as that in the sleep mode. However, it is preferable that the supply state of the system power supply voltage in the charging mode is the same as that in the active mode shown in FIG. 14. That is, in the charging mode, for temperature management described later, it is preferable that the system power supply voltage Vcc3 is supplied to the thermistors T2 to T4.

[0111] <Reset of MCU: FIG. 19> When the outer panel 115 is removed and the output of the hall IC 13 becomes low level, and when the on operation of the operation switch OPS is performed and the signal input to the terminal P4 of the MCU1 becomes low level, both the terminal SW1 and the terminal SW2 of the switch driver 7 become low level. As a result, the switch driver 7 outputs a low-level signal from the reset input terminal RSTB. The low-level signal output from the reset input terminal RSTB is input to the control terminal ON of the LSW4. Thereby, the LSW4 stops the output of the system power supply voltage Vcc2 from the output terminal VOUT. Since the system power supply voltage Vcc2 is no longer input to the power supply terminal VDD of the MCU1 when the output of the system power supply voltage Vcc2 is stopped, the MCU1 stops.

[0112] When the time during which the switch driver 7 outputs a low-level signal from the reset input terminal RSTB reaches the preset time, or when the signal input to either the terminal SW1 or the terminal SW2 becomes high level, the switch driver 7 returns the signal output from the reset input terminal RSTB to high level. As a result, the control terminal ON of the LSW4 becomes high level, and the state returns to the state where the system power supply voltage Vcc2 is supplied to each part.

[0113] Hereinafter, for ease of understanding, the thermistor T1 described above is also referred to as the power supply thermistor T1, the thermistor T2 described above is also referred to as the perf thermistor T2, the thermistor T3 described above is also referred to as the heater thermistor T3, and the thermistor T4 described above is also referred to as the case thermistor T4.

[0114] (Details of suction detection) Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram for explaining the detection process of the inhalation operation by the MCU 1 using the puff thermistor T2. As shown in Fig. 20, the MCU 1 includes an operational amplifier 1A, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 1B, a filter circuit 1C, a delay circuit 1D, a subtractor 1E, and a comparator 1F.

[0115] The non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 1A is connected to the terminal P21. The inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 1A is connected to the reference voltage V Ref is input. Reference voltage V Ref may be generated from the system power supply voltage Vcc2 input to the power supply terminal VDD of the MCU1. In the example of FIG. 20, the power thermistor T2 has NTC characteristics. A signal obtained by dividing the system power supply voltage Vcc3 by the power thermistor T2 and resistor Rt2 is input to the terminal P21. Therefore, the higher the temperature of the power thermistor T2, the larger the value of the signal input to the terminal P21 becomes. The operational amplifier 1A amplifies and outputs the voltage applied to the power thermistor T2. The ADC 1B converts the output signal of the operational amplifier 1A into a digital value. The filter circuit 1C applies filtering such as a high-pass filter, a low-pass filter, and a band-pass filter to the digital signal output from the ADC 1B. The digital signal filtered by the filter circuit 1C is input to the + side of the subtractor 1E. This digital signal is delayed by the delay circuit 1D and input to the - side of the subtractor 1E. Therefore, subtractor 1E outputs the difference between the digital signal corresponding to the temperature of powder thermistor T2 obtained at any time t(n) and the digital signal corresponding to the temperature of powder thermistor T2 obtained at time t(n-1), a delay time before time t(n). If the temperature of powder thermistor T2 decreases from time t(n-1) to time t(n), the output value of subtractor 1E becomes negative and the output of comparator 1F becomes low. If the temperature of powder thermistor T2 increases from time t(n-1) to time t(n), the output value of subtractor 1E becomes positive and the output of comparator 1F becomes high.

[0116] When the heating mode is changed from the heating initial setting mode to the heating mode, the MCU1 starts preheating the heater HTR. As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the puff thermistor T2 is disposed near the heating unit 170. Therefore, when the temperature of the heater HTR rises due to this preheating, the temperature of the puff thermistor T2 also rises accordingly. When the user inhales in this state, the temperature of the puff thermistor T2 drops slightly due to the flow of gas inside the case 110. In other words, when the user inhales during the preheating of the heater HTR, the output of the subtractor 1E becomes a negative value, and a low-level signal is output from the comparator 1F. When the comparator 1F outputs a low-level signal, the MCU1 determines that the inhalation operation has been performed.

[0117] (Protection and Control) In the inhaler 100, the temperature of the power supply BAT (hereinafter, the power supply temperature T BAT The resistance (output) of the heater thermistor T3 determines the temperature of the heater HTR (hereafter referred to as heater temperature T HTR The temperature of the case 110 (hereinafter, the case temperature T CASE The inhaler 100 can obtain the power supply temperature T BAT , heater temperature T HTR , and the case temperature T CASE When at least one of the above is far from the value in the recommended environment in which the inhaler 100 is used, a protective control is executed to prohibit charging of the power source BAT and discharging from the power source BAT to the heater HTR (hereinafter, also referred to as charging and discharging), thereby enhancing safety. This protective control is executed by the MCU1 and the FF17.

[0118] The protection control for prohibiting charging and discharging refers to controlling electronic components so that charging and discharging are not possible. In order to disable discharging from the power supply BAT to the heater HTR, a low-level signal is input to the enable terminal EN of the step-up DC / DC converter 9 (or the potential of the enable terminal EN is made undefined) to stop the step-up operation, and a low-level signal is input to the gate terminal of the switch S6 (or the potential of the gate terminal is made undefined) to cut off the connection between the heater connector Cn(-) on the negative pole side and the ground. It is also possible to disable discharging from the power supply BAT to the heater HTR by only stopping the step-up operation of the step-up DC / DC converter 9 or cutting off the connection between the heater connector Cn(-) and the ground. In order to disable charging of the power supply BAT, a high-level signal is input to the charge enable terminal CE(￣) of the charging IC2 to stop the charging operation of the charging IC2. In the following, an example of the protective control in which charging and discharging are prohibited will be described. However, from the viewpoint of improving safety, the protective control may be control that prohibits only charging, or control that prohibits only discharging.

[0119] When protective control is performed, it is preferable to further restrict the operation mode. In the following, it is assumed that the operation mode is restricted when protective control is performed. However, since the operation mode is managed by the MCU1, the operation mode does not need to be restricted when the MCU1 is not operating for some reason.

[0120] The protection control performed by the inhalator 100 includes manual recovery protection control that can be terminated by resetting the MCU1 by a user operation, automatic recovery protection control that can be terminated automatically by improvement of the temperature environment without resetting the MCU1, and non-recovery protection control that cannot be terminated. The operation modes of the inhalator 100 include an error mode and a permanent error mode in addition to those described in Fig. 9. In this specification, when describing "all operation modes of the inhalator," it means all operation modes (all operation modes shown in Fig. 9) except for the error mode and the permanent error mode.

[0121] When manual recovery protection control or automatic recovery protection control is performed, the inhaler 100 transitions to an error mode and transition to another operation mode is not possible. In the error mode, the state of the power supply voltage in the previous operation mode (the supply state of the system power supply voltage) is maintained. That is, in the error mode, functions that can be executed in the previous operation mode (e.g., acquisition of temperature information, etc.) except for charging and discharging can be executed. When the MCU1 is reset in the error mode, the manual recovery protection control is terminated. When the temperature environment is improved in the error mode, the automatic recovery protection control is terminated. When the manual recovery protection control or automatic recovery protection control is terminated, the restriction on the operation mode is released and the operation mode transitions to a sleep mode. After that, the operation mode can be changed by a user operation or the like.

[0122] When the non-recoverable protective control is performed, the inhaler 100 transitions to a permanent error mode. In the permanent error mode, all functions of the inhaler 100 become unavailable, and the inhaler 100 must be repaired or discarded.

[0123] The MCU 1 performs protection control by outputting a low-level signal from terminal P14 to stop the boost operation of the boost DC / DC converter 9 and cut off the connection between the negative heater connector Cn(-) and ground, and by outputting a high-level signal from terminal P22 to stop the charging operation of the charging IC 2. When only charging is prohibited, there is no need to output a low-level signal from terminal P14, and when only discharging is prohibited, there is no need to output a high-level signal from terminal P22.

[0124] FF17 outputs a low-level signal from the Q terminal to stop the boost operation of the boost DC / DC converter 9, cut off the connection between the negative heater connector Cn(-) and ground, and stop the charging operation of the charging IC2 by turning on the bipolar transistor S1, thereby performing protection control without going through the MCU1.

[0125] When the signal input to the CLR(￣) terminal of FF17 switches from high to low, FF17 outputs a low-level signal from the Q terminal. This low-level signal is also input to the P10 terminal of MCU1. While a low-level signal is input to the terminal P10, MCU1 does not switch the signal input to the CLK terminal (not shown) of FF17 from low to high. In other words, while a low-level signal is input to the terminal P10, the CLK signal of FF17 does not rise. Also, when MCU1 is, for example, frozen, the signal input to the CLK terminal (not shown) of FF17 remains at low. Therefore, regardless of whether MCU1 is operating normally or frozen, after a low-level signal is output from the Q terminal of FF17, even if the signal input to the CLR(￣) terminal of FF17 switches from low to high, a low-level signal continues to be output from the Q terminal of FF17. When MCU1 is reset as explained in Figure 19, FF17 is restarted (the system power supply voltage Vcc2 is re-applied). The reset MCU1 operates in sleep mode, so the system power supply voltage Vcc3 is not applied to the heater thermistor T3 and case thermistor T4, and the outputs of operational amplifiers OP2 and OP3 both go to high level. As a result, a high level signal is input to the D terminal and CLR(￣) terminal of FF17. At this timing, a low level signal is not being input to terminal P10 due to the restart of FF17, so MCU1 causes the CLK signal of FF17 to rise. This makes it possible to return the output of the Q terminal of FF17 to high level. When the output of the Q terminal of FF17 returns to high level, protection control by FF17 ends.

[0126] As described above, the signal output from the Q terminal of FF17 is also input to the terminal P10 of MCU1. Therefore, MCU1 can detect that FF17 has performed protective control from the low-level signal input to the terminal P10. When MCU1 detects that FF17 has performed protective control, it is preferable that MCU1 causes the notification unit 180 to issue a reset request notification for MCU1 and transitions to the error mode.

[0127] In the inhaler 100, the following thresholds for temperature determination (hereinafter referred to as temperature thresholds) are set. The values ​​in parentheses for each temperature threshold and the magnitude relationship are preferred examples and are not limited to these. In the following description, each temperature threshold is assumed to be the value in parentheses. Temperature threshold THH0 (340℃) Temperature threshold THH1 (85℃) Temperature threshold THH2 (65℃) Temperature threshold THH3 (60℃) Temperature threshold THH4 (55℃) Temperature threshold THH5 (51℃) Temperature threshold THH6 (48℃) Temperature threshold THH7 (47℃) Temperature threshold THH8 (45℃) Temperature threshold THL1 (0℃) Temperature threshold THL2 (-5℃)

[0128] Next, a circuit configuration necessary for explaining the protection control will be described. Fig. 21 is a circuit diagram showing the main electronic components related to thermistors T1-T4 from the electric circuit shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 22 is a diagram showing the area AR surrounded by a dashed line in Fig. 21. Fig. 22 shows LSW5 which generates system power supply voltage Vcc3 as an electronic component not shown in Fig. 21.

[0129] In Fig. 21, the capacitor Cu, the capacitor Ct3, the resistor Rh, the capacitor Ct4, the capacitor Ch, the capacitor Ct2, the node Nu, the node Nt2, the node Nt3, the node Nt4, and the node Nb are shown as electronic components and nodes that were omitted in Fig. 10. The capacitor Cu, the capacitor Ct3, the resistor Rh, the capacitor Ct4, the capacitor Ch, and the capacitor Ct2 are provided for the purpose of reducing noise (smoothing the signal). In addition, the notification terminal 12a of the fuel gauge IC 12, which is shown as a single terminal in Fig. 10, is shown in Fig. 21 as a first notification terminal 12aa and a second notification terminal 12ab.

[0130] As shown in FIG. 22, node Nu connects the output terminal VOUT of LSW5 and the positive side of connector Cn(t2) to which powder thermistor T2 is connected. One end of capacitor Cu is connected to the connection line between node Nu and output terminal VOUT of LSW5. The other end of capacitor Cu is connected to ground. As an example, the capacitance of capacitor Cu is 1 μF. Node Nu is connected to the positive side of connector Cn(t4) to which case thermistor T4 is connected, and the positive side of connector Cn(t3) to which heater thermistor T3 is connected.

[0131] The node Nt2 connects the negative side of the connector Cn(t2) and one end of a resistor Rt2. The other end of the resistor Rt2 is connected to the ground. One end of a capacitor Ct2 is connected to a connection line between the node Nt2 and the negative side of the connector Cn(t2). The other end of the capacitor Ct2 is connected to the ground. The capacitance of the capacitor Ct2 is, for example, 0.01 μF. The node Nt2 is connected to a terminal P21 of the MCU1.

[0132] The node Nt4 connects the negative side of the connector Cn(t4) and one end of a resistor Rt4. The other end of the resistor Rt4 is connected to the ground. One end of a capacitor Ct4 is connected to a connection line between the node Nt4 and the negative side of the connector Cn(t4). The other end of the capacitor Ct4 is connected to the ground. The capacitance of the capacitor Ct4 is, for example, 0.1 μF. The node Nt4 is connected to a terminal P12 of the MCU1. The inverting input terminal of an operational amplifier OP3 is connected to a connection line between the node Nt4 and the terminal P12 of the MCU1.

[0133] The node Nt3 connects the negative side of the connector Cn(t3) and one end of a resistor Rt3. The other end of the resistor Rt3 is connected to ground. One end of a capacitor Ct3 is connected to a connection line between the node Nt3 and the negative side of the connector Cn(t3). The other end of the capacitor Ct3 is connected to ground. The capacitance of the capacitor Ct3 is, for example, 0.1 μF. One end of a resistor Rh is connected to the node Nt3. The other end of the resistor Rh is connected to a terminal P13 of the MCU1. One end of a capacitor Ch is connected to a connection line between the other end of the resistor Rh and the terminal P13 of the MCU1. The other end of the capacitor Ch is connected to ground. The capacitance of the capacitor Ch is, for example, 0.01 μF. The resistor Rh and the capacitor Ch form a filter circuit RC1 using a primary RC series circuit.

[0134] The node Nb connects one end of the resistor Rh and the node Nt3. The inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 is connected to the node Nb.

[0135] (Preferred capacitor configuration) It is desirable that the capacitances of the capacitors Cu, Ct3, Ct4, Ch, and Ct2 satisfy the following relationships (A) to (C).

[0136] (A) The capacitance of the capacitor Cu is greater than the capacitance of each of the capacitors Ct3, Ct4, and Ct2. As shown in FIG. 22, the capacitor Cu is provided upstream (high potential side) of three voltage dividing circuits, namely, the voltage dividing circuit of the puff thermistor T2 and resistor Rt2, the voltage dividing circuit of the case thermistor T4 and resistor Rt4, and the voltage dividing circuit of the heater thermistor T3 and resistor Rt3. The presence of the large-capacity capacitor Cu at this position makes it difficult for an unstable power supply to be supplied to each voltage dividing circuit, so that the output signals of the thermistors T2 to T4 can be stabilized and the inhaler 100 can be operated stably. In addition, the presence of the large-capacity capacitor Cu on the upstream side makes it possible to reduce the capacitance of the capacitors Ct2, Ct3, and Ct4 provided on the downstream side. Therefore, the area of ​​the circuit board can be effectively utilized, and the cost and size of the inhaler 100 can be reduced. In addition, the provision of the capacitor Cu also has the effect of smoothing the transient voltage that may occur when the LSW5, which is intermittently turned on in response to the opening and closing of the slider 119 and the resetting of the MCU1, is turned on and off.

[0137] (B) The capacitance of the capacitor Ct2 is smaller than the capacitance of each of the capacitors Ct3 and Ct4. Of the signals input to terminals P21, P12, and P13, MCU1 performs filtering only on the signal input to terminal P21, as described in FIG. 20. Furthermore, MCU1 detects the suction action based on a change in the signal input to terminal P21. Therefore, it is not preferable for the signal input to terminal P21 to be significantly smoothed before being input. By reducing the capacitance of capacitor Ct2, noise can be appropriately removed from the output of puff thermistor T2 while reducing the effect on the results of filtering. This allows suction detection to be performed with high accuracy. On the other hand, by setting the capacitors Ct3 and Ct4 to larger capacitances, a sufficiently smoothed signal can be input to the operational amplifiers OP2 and OP3, which reduces the risk of the operational amplifiers OP2 and OP3 malfunctioning and enables the MCU1 to obtain the output values ​​of the heater thermistor T3 and the case thermistor T4 with high accuracy.

[0138] (C) The capacitance of capacitor Ch is smaller than the capacitance of capacitor Ct3. By providing the RC filter circuit RC1, it is possible to obtain the effect of removing spike noise that could not be smoothed by the capacitor Ct3. In other words, the RC filter circuit RC1 plays an auxiliary role to the capacitor Ct3, but by using a capacitor with a smaller capacity than the capacitor Ct3 for this auxiliary RC filter circuit RC1, it is possible to suppress the delay in the output signal of the heater thermistor T3 caused by the RC filter circuit RC1. As a result, the MCU1 can detect the heater temperature T HTR The acquisition can be performed at high speed and with low noise. The output signal of the heater thermistor T3 is also input to the operational amplifier OP2, but the input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 is connected between the node Nt3 and the RC filter circuit RC1, so that the output signal of the heater thermistor T3 input to the operational amplifier OP2 is prevented from being delayed by the RC filter circuit RC1.

[0139] 21, a first notification terminal 12aa of the fuel gauge IC12 is connected to the cathode of the diode D2. A second notification terminal 12ab of the fuel gauge IC12 is connected to a terminal P6 of the MCU1.

[0140] The fuel gauge IC12 detects the power supply temperature T BAT The fuel gauge IC12 periodically acquires the power supply temperature T BAT When a transmission request is received, the power supply temperature T BAT Send to MCU1.

[0141] In sleep mode, the fuel gauge IC12 detects the power supply temperature T BATWhen the high temperature condition (the condition that the temperature threshold value THH1 (85°C) or higher is reached multiple times in succession) is satisfied (when the output value of the power supply thermistor T1 is abnormal), the MCU1 outputs a high temperature notification signal SIG2a from the second notification terminal 12ab. In the sleep mode, the MCU1 cannot communicate with the fuel gauge IC12 via the communication line LN. Therefore, the high temperature notification signal SIG2a can be considered an interrupt signal for the MCU1.

[0142] The fuel gauge IC12 monitors the power supply temperature T BAT When the power supply temperature T BAT satisfies the low temperature release condition (the condition that the temperature is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold THL1 (0°C)) (the output value of the power supply thermistor T1 is normal), a low temperature release notification signal SIG2c is output from the second notification terminal 12ab. In FIG. 21, the high temperature notification signal SIG2a, the low temperature notification signal SIG2b, and the low temperature release notification signal SIG2c are collectively referred to as the notification signal SIG2. The low temperature notification signal SIG2b and the low temperature release notification signal SIG2c are output without waiting for a request from the MCU1 via the communication line LN. The low temperature notification signal SIG2b and the low temperature release notification signal SIG2c can also be considered as interrupt signals for the MCU1.

[0143] When operating in sleep mode, the MCU1 aims to conserve energy by limiting its functions to detecting the operation of the operating switch OPS, detecting the opening of the slider 119, detecting the attachment / detachment of the outer panel 115, detecting a USB connection, detecting notifications from the fuel gauge IC 12, and executing protective control based on notifications from the fuel gauge IC 12.

[0144] As described above, the MCU1 operating in the sleep mode is started (all functions are enabled) when the slider 119 is opened, and the operation mode of the inhalator 100 is shifted to the active mode. In addition, when the MCU1 receives a high temperature notification signal SIG2a from the fuel gauge IC12 at the terminal P6 in the sleep mode (when the output value of the power supply thermistor T1 is abnormal), the MCU1 is also started and shifts the operation mode of the inhalator 100 to the active mode.

[0145] Furthermore, when the MCU1 receives a low temperature notification signal SIG2b from the fuel gauge IC12 at terminal P6 (when the output value of the power supply thermistor T1 is abnormal) in the sleep mode, the MCU1 executes automatic recovery protection control and shifts the operation mode of the inhaler 100 to the error mode. After executing this automatic recovery protection control, when the MCU1 receives a low temperature release notification signal SIG2c at terminal P6 (when the output value of the power supply thermistor T1 is normal), the MCU1 ends the automatic recovery protection control and returns to the sleep mode.

[0146] The fuel gauge IC12 detects the power supply temperature T BAT satisfies the high temperature condition (the condition that the temperature is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold value THH3 (60°C)) (when the output value of power supply thermistor T1 is abnormal), a low-level high temperature notification signal SIG1 is output from first notification terminal 12aa. When a low-level high temperature notification signal SIG1 is output from first notification terminal 12aa, the CLR(￣) terminal of FF17 goes to low level. In other words, the output of the Q terminal of FF17 goes to low level, and manual recovery protection control is executed. Protection control based on the high temperature notification signal SIG1 can be executed in all operating modes.

[0147] The resistance value of the voltage divider circuit Pd connected to the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 is determined so that the output of the operational amplifier OP2 becomes low level when the temperature of the heater thermistor T3 becomes equal to or higher than the temperature threshold value THH0 (340°C) (when the output value of the heater thermistor T3 is abnormal). The temperature of the heater thermistor T3 becomes high close to the temperature threshold value THH0 (340°C) in the heating mode. Therefore, when a low-level signal is output from the operational amplifier OP2 in the heating mode, the CLR(￣) terminal of FF17 becomes low level. In other words, the output of the Q terminal of FF17 becomes low level, and manual recovery protection control is executed. Protection control based on the output of the operational amplifier OP2 can be executed in the operation mode in which power is supplied to the heater thermistor T3 (in other words, in the operation mode other than the sleep mode).

[0148] The resistance value of the voltage divider circuit Pe connected to the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP3 is determined so that the output of the operational amplifier OP3 goes to low level when the temperature of the case thermistor T4 reaches the temperature threshold value THH3 (60°C) or higher (when the output value of the case thermistor T4 is abnormal). When a low-level signal is output from the operational amplifier OP3, the CLR(￣) terminal of FF17 goes to low level. In other words, the output of the Q terminal of FF17 goes to low level, and manual recovery protection control is executed. Protection control based on the output of the operational amplifier OP3 can be executed in operating modes in which power is supplied to the case thermistor T4 (in other words, operating modes other than sleep mode).

[0149] In this way, FF17 can execute protection control without going through MCU1. Therefore, even if MCU1 is in sleep mode to save power or is not operating normally for some reason, it can still detect the power supply temperature T BAT , heater temperature T HTR , and the case temperature T CASE Charging and discharging can be prohibited based on any one of the temperatures. This can improve the safety of the inhaler 100.

[0150] In the sleep mode, the power supply voltage (system power supply voltage Vcc3) is not supplied to the thermistors T2 to T4. HTR and case temperature T CASE It is not possible to prohibit charging or discharging based on any of the temperatures. On the other hand, the power supply voltage is supplied to the power supply thermistor T1 in all operation modes. Therefore, protection control by FF17 can be performed in all operation modes.

[0151] The MCU1 mainly performs protection control in operation modes other than the sleep mode. A specific description will be given below with reference to Fig. 23. Fig. 23 is a diagram summarizing specific examples of patterns of protection control performed in the inhaler 100. For ease of understanding, Fig. 23 also shows the relationship between the temperature in the diagram and the temperature threshold value.

[0152] (Protection control pattern) As shown in Figure 23, the power supply temperature T BAT There are patterns PT1 to PT4 for protection control based only on the heater temperature T HTR Pattern PT5 exists for protection control based only on the case temperature T CASE There are two patterns, PT6 and PT7, for protection control based only on the power supply temperature T BAT and case temperature T CASE There is a pattern PT8 in the protection control performed based on the above. Each pattern will be explained below.

[0153] (Pattern PT1) The protection control is executed by the MCU1, and the type of protection control is automatic recovery protection control. The MCU1 can execute automatic recovery protection control during the transition period from sleep mode to active mode (the period until the start-up process that enables all functions is completed) and during the heating initial setting mode. The MCU1 transmits the power supply temperature T BATThe MCU 1 periodically requests to acquire the power supply temperature T BAT When the power supply temperature T BAT However, when the temperature drops to or below the temperature threshold THH8 (45° C.), which is lower than the temperature threshold THH5, it is determined that the output value of the power supply thermistor T1 is normal, the automatic recovery protection control is terminated, and the system transitions to sleep mode.

[0154] (Pattern PT2) The protection control is executed by the MCU1, and the type of the protection control is manual recovery protection control. The MCU1 can execute the manual recovery protection control in both the heating mode and the charging mode. The MCU1 transmits the power supply temperature T BAT The MCU1, which is operating in heating mode, periodically requests to acquire the power supply temperature T BAT When the temperature T reaches or exceeds the high-temperature threshold THH4 (55°C), the MCU 1 determines that the output value of the power supply thermistor T1 is abnormal and performs manual recovery protection control. BAT When the temperature threshold THH4 (55°C) or higher is reached, the power supply temperature T BAT or falls below the low-temperature threshold THL1 (0° C.), the output value of the power supply thermistor T1 is determined to be abnormal, and manual recovery protection control is performed.

[0155] (Pattern PT3) The protection control is executed by FF17, and the type of the protection control is manual recovery protection control. FF17 can execute manual recovery protection control in all operation modes. FF17 receives the notification signal SIG1 (power supply temperature T BATWhen the CLR terminal (￣) receives a signal indicating that the temperature has reached or exceeded the temperature threshold THH3 (60°C) (when the output value of the power supply thermistor T1 is abnormal), manual recovery protection control is performed.

[0156] (Pattern PT4) The protection control is executed by the MCU1, and the type of protection control is automatic recovery protection control. The MCU1 can execute automatic recovery protection control in all operation modes. When the MCU1 receives a low temperature notification signal SIG2b at terminal P6 from the fuel gauge IC12, it determines that the output value of the power supply thermistor T1 is abnormal, and executes automatic protection control. After executing this automatic recovery protection control, when the MCU1 receives a low temperature release notification signal SIG2c at terminal P6, it determines that the output value of the power supply thermistor T1 is normal, and ends the automatic protection control.

[0157] (Pattern PT5) Protection control is executed by FF17, and the type of protection control is manual recovery protection control. FF17 can execute manual recovery protection control in operation modes other than sleep mode. FF17 executes manual recovery protection control when it receives a low-level signal from operational amplifier OP2 at the CLR(￣) terminal (when the output value of heater thermistor T3 is abnormal). In operation modes other than heating mode, it is extremely unlikely that the temperature of heater thermistor T3 will approach the temperature threshold value THH0 (340°C). For this reason, in Figure 23, the operation mode in which this manual recovery protection control is executed is shown as heating mode only.

[0158] (Pattern PT6) The protection control is executed by the MCU1, and the type of protection control is automatic recovery protection control. The MCU1 can execute automatic recovery protection control in the active mode and the heating initial setting mode. The MCU1 operating in these operation modes detects the case temperature T CASEWhen the output value of the case thermistor T4 is equal to or greater than the temperature threshold value THH6 (48° C.), the MCU 1 determines that the output value of the case thermistor T4 is abnormal and executes automatic recovery protection control. After executing the automatic recovery protection control, the MCU 1 determines the case temperature T CASE When the output value of the case thermistor T4 becomes equal to or lower than the temperature threshold value THH7 (47°C) which is lower than the temperature threshold value THH6, the output value of the case thermistor T4 is determined to be normal, and the automatic recovery protection control is terminated. In pattern PT6, the protective control is disabled in the charging mode and the heating mode, but the protective control may be enabled in either one of the modes.

[0159] (Pattern PT7) The protection control is executed by FF17, and the type of protection control is manual recovery protection control. FF17 can execute manual recovery protection control in operation modes other than the sleep mode. In these operation modes, FF17 outputs a low-level signal (case temperature T CASE When the CLR(￣) terminal receives a signal indicating that the temperature is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold THH3 (60°C) (when the output of case thermistor T4 is abnormal), manual recovery protection control is performed.

[0160] (Pattern PT8) The protective control is executed by the MCU1, and the type of protective control is non-returnable protective control. Non-returnable protective control can be executed when a high temperature notification signal SIG2a is output from the fuel gauge IC12 in sleep mode. When the MCU1 operating in sleep mode receives the high temperature notification signal SIG2a, it transitions to active mode and executes a primary check to determine whether the output values ​​of the power supply thermistor T1 and case thermistor T4 are abnormal. Specifically, the MCU1 receives the power supply temperature T BAT becomes equal to or higher than the high-temperature threshold THH1 (85°C), and the case temperature T based on the signal input to the terminal P12 (a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the case thermistor T4) CASEis equal to or higher than the temperature threshold value THH2 (65° C.), the output values ​​of the power supply thermistor T1 and the case thermistor T4 are determined to be abnormal, and non-return protection control is executed.

[0161] Although the protection control of pattern PT8 is non-return protection control, it may be replaced by manual return protection control. A situation in which the output values ​​of the power supply thermistor T1 and the case thermistor T4 are abnormal is a situation in which it is estimated that a serious abnormality has occurred in the inhaler 100. In such a situation, the safety of the inhaler 100 can be improved by preventing the protection control from being automatically terminated by non-return protection control or manual return protection control.

[0162] FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of fuel gauge IC12 and MCU1 when high temperature notification signal SIG2a is output from fuel gauge IC12 in the sleep mode.

[0163] The fuel gauge IC12 measures the power supply temperature T BAT The fuel gauge IC 12 acquires the power supply temperature T BAT Specifically, the fuel gauge IC 12 determines whether one minute has passed since the last abnormality determination (step S2). If the determination in step S2 is yes, the fuel gauge IC 12 reads the latest power supply temperature T BAT If the determination in step S3 is no, the fuel gauge IC 12 resets the value n of the built-in counter to the initial value 0 (step S4), and returns the process to step S2.

[0164] If the determination in step S3 is yes, the fuel gauge IC 12 increments the value n of the built-in counter by 1 (step S5). After that, if the value n is less than 2 (step S6: no), the fuel gauge IC 12 returns the process to step S2, and if the value n is 2 or more (step S6: yes), it transmits a high temperature notification signal SIG2a to the MCU1 (step S7). Note that the determination threshold value (=2) in step S6 is merely an example, and any natural number equal to or greater than 1 may be used.

[0165] When the MCU1 operating in the sleep mode receives the high temperature notification signal SIG2a transmitted in step S7 (step S11), it resets the value m of the built-in counter to the initial value 0 (step S12) and changes the operation mode to the active mode (step S13). BAT and case temperature T CASE The abnormality judgment is started.

[0166] Specifically, when one second has elapsed (step S14: yes), the MCU 1 notifies the fuel gauge IC 12 of the power supply temperature T BAT When the fuel gauge IC 12 receives this request (step S8), it transmits the power supply temperature T BAT The MCU 1 acquires the power supply temperature T BAT is received and acquired (step S16).

[0167] The MCU 1 performs the process of step S17 in parallel with the processes of steps S15 and S16. In step S17, the MCU 1 calculates the case temperature T CASE After steps S16 and S17, the MCU 1 acquires the power supply temperature T BAT is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold value THH1 (85° C.), and the case temperature T CASE It is determined whether or not the temperature is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold value THH2 (65° C.) (step S18).

[0168] If the determination in step S18 is no, the MCU1 returns the process to step S14. Alternatively, if the determination in step S18 is no, the MCU1 may end the process. If the determination in step S18 is yes, the MCU1 increments the numerical value m by one (step S19). After that, the MCU1 determines whether the numerical value m is 5 or more (step S20). If the determination in step S20 is no, the MCU1 returns the process to step S14. If the determination in step S20 is yes, the MCU1 performs protection control to prohibit charging and discharging by outputting a low-level signal from the terminal P14 and a high-level signal from the terminal P22 (step S21). After step S21, the MCU1 transitions the operation mode to the permanent error mode (step S22). Note that the determination threshold value (=5) in step S20 is merely an example, and any natural number equal to or greater than 1 may be used.

[0169] 23, in the inhaler 100, the protective control is executed in a plurality of patterns in which the subject of the protective control is different, the type of the protective control is different, the type of the signal used for determining whether or not to execute the protective control is different, and the executable operation mode is different. In this way, the protective control can be executed appropriately according to the temperature measurement target and the situation, so that the safety of the inhaler 100 can be improved.

[0170] In the embodiment described above, the protection control of pattern PT8 is executed in response to the high temperature notification signal SIG2a output from fuel gauge IC 12. Alternatively to this embodiment, the protection control of pattern PT8 may be executed without being triggered by the high temperature notification signal SIG2a. In other words, after a normal transition from the sleep mode to another mode occurs when an external power source is connected to receptacle RCP (USB connection) or slider 119 is opened, MCU1 detects the power supply temperature T BAT becomes equal to or higher than the high temperature threshold THH1 (85°C) and the case temperature T CASEis equal to or higher than the temperature threshold value THH2 (65° C.), the non-restore protective control may be executed. Such a protective control of pattern PT8 is realized by omitting steps S2 to S7 and steps S11 to S13 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0171] (Preferred placement of case thermistor T4) Fig. 25 and Fig. 26 are cross-sectional views taken along a cutting plane passing through the case thermistor T4 of the inhalator 100 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along a cutting plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. Fig. 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along a cutting plane perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0172] A heating unit 170 including a heater HTR, a power source BAT, and a case thermistor T4 are fixed to the chassis 150 inside the case 110. As shown in Fig. 26, the heating unit 170 and the power source BAT are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction, and the case thermistor T4 is fixed to the chassis 150 so as to be located between the heating unit 170 and the power source BAT in the front-rear direction. As shown in Fig. 25 and Fig. 26, the chassis 150 includes a portion Pb located between the power source BAT and the case thermistor T4, and a portion Pa located between the heating unit 170 and the case thermistor T4.

[0173] In this way, the case thermistor T4 is fixed in position by the chassis 150 used to fix another electronic component. This allows the case thermistor T4 to accurately acquire the temperature of the case 110 while avoiding an increase in the manufacturing cost of the inhalator 100. In addition, as shown in FIG. 26, since the case thermistor T4 is not positioned toward the end in the front-rear direction, the heat of the user's hand when the user holds the case 110 is less likely to affect the case thermistor T4. In addition, due to the presence of the portion Pa and the portion Pb, the heat generated by the power source BAT and the heater HTR is less likely to be transmitted to the case thermistor T4. This allows the environment in which the inhalator 100 is placed to be more accurately understood from the output value of the case thermistor T4.

[0174] Even if one of the parts Pa and Pb of the chassis 150 is omitted, the presence of the other of the parts Pa and Pb can provide the effect of making it difficult for heat generated by the power supply BAT or the heater HTR to be transmitted to the case thermistor T4.

[0175] Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can come up with various modified or altered examples within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that such examples also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0176] This specification describes at least the following items. Note that, in parentheses, components corresponding to those in the above-mentioned embodiment are shown, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0177] (1) A power supply unit (inhaler 100) of an aerosol generating device, Power supply (power supply BAT) and a heater connector (heater connector Cn) to which a heater (heater HTR) that consumes power supplied from the power source to heat the aerosol source is connected; a first sensor (heater thermistor T3 or power supply thermistor T1) disposed near the heater or the power supply and configured to output a value related to the temperature of the heater or a value related to the temperature of the power supply; A second sensor (case thermistor T4) is provided at a position separated from the first sensor and outputs a value related to the temperature at the first sensor, when at least one of the output value of the first sensor and the output value of the second sensor is abnormal, at least temporarily prohibiting one or both of charging of the power source and discharging from the power source to the heater; Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

[0178] According to (1), even if one of the first sensor and the second sensor cannot detect an abnormality due to some factor, if the other sensor is abnormal, at least one of the charging of the power source and the discharging of the power source to the heater can be stopped, thereby improving the safety of the aerosol generating device.

[0179] (2) A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to (1), an MCU (MCU1) configured to control the supply of power from the power source to the heater; When the output value of the first sensor is abnormal, a first protection control (protection control of pattern PT3 or pattern PT5 in FIG. 23) is executed to prohibit one or both of the charging and discharging without going through the MCU, When the output value of the second sensor is abnormal, a second protective control (protective control of pattern PT7 in FIG. 23) is executed to prohibit one or both of the charging and discharging without going through the MCU. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

[0180] According to (2), even if an abnormality such as freezing occurs in the MCU, protective control can be executed using each of the first and second sensors. Therefore, even if the MCU is not operating normally, the safety of the aerosol generating device can be improved.

[0181] (3) A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to (2), To end the first protection control, the MCU must be restarted. To end the second protection control, the MCU must be restarted. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

[0182] If protective control is executed to prohibit at least one of charging the power source and discharging the power source to the heater without the intervention of the MCU, there is no guarantee that the MCU is operating normally. For this reason, by requiring the MCU to be restarted to end this protective control, as in (3), the MCU can be operated normally and control of the aerosol generating device can be normalized.

[0183] (4) A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to (2) or (3), It can operate in multiple modes, In a mode in which one of the first protection control (protection control of pattern PT3 in FIG. 23) and the second protection control (protection control of pattern PT7 in FIG. 23) among the multiple modes cannot be executed, the other of the first protection control and the second protection control can be executed. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

[0184] In a mode in which only one of the two protective controls can be executed, power consumption can be reduced compared to when both are enabled. Therefore, according to (4), it is possible to reduce power consumption of the aerosol generating device while ensuring safety.

[0185] (5) A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to (4), A case (case 110) that constitutes the surface of the power supply unit is provided, the first sensor (power supply thermistor T1) is disposed near the power supply and outputs a value related to the temperature of the power supply; the second sensor (case thermistor T4) is disposed near the case and outputs a value related to the temperature of the case; In a mode (sleep mode) in which the second protective control (protective control of pattern PT7 in FIG. 23) cannot be executed among the plurality of modes, the first protective control (protective control of pattern PT3 in FIG. 23) can be executed. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

[0186] The power supply has a more complex structure and is an important component compared to the case. According to (5), in a mode in which the second protective control cannot be executed, the first protective control based on the temperature of the power supply can be executed. Therefore, while more appropriately ensuring safety, the aerosol generating device can save power by reducing the number of modes in which both the first protective control and the second protective control can be executed.

[0187] (6) A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to (5), The first protective control (protective control of pattern PT3 in FIG. 23) can be executed in all of the above modes. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

[0188] According to (6), the first protective control based on the temperature of the power supply can be executed in all modes, thereby making it possible to reduce power consumption of the aerosol generating device while more appropriately ensuring safety.

[0189] (7) A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to any one of (1) to (6), an MCU (MCU1) configured to control a supply of power from the power source to the heater; The above MCU is When the output value of the first sensor (power supply thermistor T1) is abnormal, a third protection control (protection control of patterns PT1, PT2, and PT4 in FIG. 23) is executed to prohibit one or both of the charging and discharging. When the output value of the second sensor (case thermistor T4) is abnormal, a fourth protection control (protection control of pattern PT6 in FIG. 23) is executed to prohibit one or both of the charging and discharging. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

[0190] According to (7), the third and fourth protective controls are performed by the MCU, which is the most accurately operating IC among those built into the aerosol generating device, so that these protective controls can be performed at more appropriate times.

[0191] (8) A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to (7), The above MCU is When the output value of the first sensor becomes normal, the third protective control (protective control of patterns PT1 and PT4 in FIG. 23) is terminated. When the output value of the second sensor becomes normal, the fourth protective control (protective control of pattern PT6 in FIG. 23) is terminated. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

[0192] According to (8), even if the protective control is performed by the MCU, if the device returns to a normal state, the protective control is automatically terminated without waiting for a user operation. Therefore, when the output values ​​of the first sensor or the second sensor are abnormal for a short period of time, the protective control can be prevented from being executed for a long time, improving the marketability of the aerosol generating device.

[0193] (9) A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to any one of (1) to (6), A case (case 110) that constitutes the surface of the power supply unit; an MCU (MCU1) configured to control the supply of power from the power source to the heater; the first sensor (power supply thermistor T1) is disposed near the power supply and outputs a value related to the temperature of the power supply; the second sensor (case thermistor T4) is disposed near the case and outputs a value related to the temperature of the case; The above MCU is acquiring a temperature of the power source based on an output value of the first sensor; acquiring a temperature of the case based on an output value of the second sensor; When the temperature of the power supply is equal to or higher than a first threshold value (temperature threshold value THH5: 51°C or temperature threshold value THH4: 55°C), it is determined that the output value of the first sensor is abnormal, and a third protection control (protection control of patterns PT1 and PT2 in FIG. 23) is executed to prohibit one or both of the charging and discharging. When the temperature of the case is equal to or higher than a second threshold value (temperature threshold value THH6: 48°C), the output value of the second sensor is determined to be abnormal, and a fourth protection control (protection control of pattern PT6 in FIG. 23) is executed to prohibit one or both of the charging and discharging. The first threshold is different from the second threshold. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

[0194] According to (9), an appropriate threshold value can be set according to the object to be measured for temperature, thereby improving the safety of the aerosol generating device.

[0195] (10) A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to (9), The first threshold is higher than the second threshold; Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

[0196] The case, which is not a heat source itself, is unlikely to become hot in the first place. Therefore, even if the second threshold is set low, it is possible to distinguish between abnormal and normal conditions. According to (10), a low second threshold makes it possible to detect abnormalities in the case temperature early, thereby improving the safety of the aerosol generating device.

[0197] (11) A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to any one of (1) to (6), A case (case 110) that constitutes the surface of the power supply unit; an MCU (MCU1) configured to control the supply of power from the power source to the heater; the first sensor (power supply thermistor T1) is disposed near the power supply and outputs a value related to the temperature of the power supply; the second sensor (case thermistor T4) is disposed near the case and outputs a value related to the temperature of the case; The above MCU is acquiring a temperature of the power source based on an output value of the first sensor; acquiring a temperature of the case based on an output value of the second sensor; When the temperature of the power supply is equal to or higher than a first threshold value (temperature threshold value THH5: 51° C.), it is determined that the output value of the first sensor is abnormal, and a third protection control (protection control of pattern PT1 in FIG. 23 ) is executed to prohibit one or both of the charging and discharging. When the temperature of the power supply becomes equal to or lower than a second threshold (temperature threshold THH8: 45°C) that is lower than the first threshold after the execution of the third protection control, the output value of the first sensor is determined to be normal, and the third protection control is terminated; When the temperature of the case is equal to or higher than a third threshold value (temperature threshold value THH6: 48°C), the output value of the second sensor is determined to be abnormal, and a fourth protective control (protective control of pattern PT6 in FIG. 23) is executed to prohibit one or both of the charging and discharging. When the temperature of the case becomes equal to or lower than a fourth threshold (temperature threshold THH7: 47°C) that is lower than the third threshold after the fourth protection control is executed, the output value of the second sensor is determined to be normal, and the fourth protection control is terminated. the value obtained by subtracting the second threshold from the first threshold is different from the value obtained by subtracting the fourth threshold from the third threshold; Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

[0198] According to (11), an appropriate hysteresis is set in the threshold value for determining whether the output value of the sensor is abnormal, depending on the object to be measured, thereby improving the safety of the aerosol generating device.

[0199] (12) A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to (11), a value obtained by subtracting the second threshold from the first threshold is greater than a value obtained by subtracting the fourth threshold from the third threshold; Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

[0200] The temperature of the case, which is not a heat source itself, is unlikely to change. Therefore, by reducing the difference between the third and fourth thresholds as in (12), it is possible to reduce the possibility that the fourth protective control will be executed for a long period of time or frequently, while enabling early detection of abnormalities in the case temperature using a relatively low threshold. As a result, the safety and convenience of the aerosol generating device are improved.

[0201] (13) A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to any one of (1) to (12), A case (case 110) that constitutes the surface of the power supply unit; an MCU (MCU1) configured to control the supply of power from the power source to the heater; the first sensor (heater thermistor T3) is disposed in the vicinity of the heater and outputs a value related to the temperature of the heater; the second sensor (case thermistor T4) is disposed near the case and outputs a value related to the temperature of the case; When the output value of the first sensor is abnormal, a fifth protection control (protection control of pattern PT5 in FIG. 23) is executed to prohibit one or both of the charging and discharging without going through the MCU, The MCU is configured to execute a sixth protection control (protection control of pattern PT6 in FIG. 23 ) that prohibits one or both of the charging and the discharging when the output value of the second sensor is abnormal; The power supply unit is capable of operating in multiple modes; In a mode (heating mode) in which the sixth protection control cannot be executed among the plurality of modes, the fifth protection control can be executed. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

[0202] According to (13), the fifth protective control based on an abnormality in the heater temperature, which is more important than the case, can be executed in a mode in which the sixth protective control cannot be executed, thereby improving the safety of the aerosol generating device.

[0203] (14) A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to (13), The plurality of modes include a heating mode in which the power source discharges electricity to the heater, a sleep mode, and a pre-heating mode (an active mode and a heating initial setting mode) that must be passed through in order to transition from the sleep mode to the heating mode, The sixth protection control is executable only in the pre-heating mode among the heating mode and the pre-heating mode. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

[0204] According to (14), it is possible to determine whether the aerosol generating device is in a safe condition before generating an aerosol. If the aerosol generating device is placed in an unrecommended environment, for example, the heater does not need to be started, which can avoid wasting the aerosol source and improve the convenience and safety of the aerosol generating device.

[0205] Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such examples. 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. Furthermore, the components in the above-mentioned embodiments may be arbitrarily combined within the scope of the invention.

[0206] This application is based on a Japanese patent application (Patent Application No. 2021-079893) filed on May 10, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0207] 100 Aspirator 110 cases 119 Slider 150 Chassis 170 Heating section 1. MCU 2 Charging IC 9. Step-up DC / DC converter 12 Fuel Gauge IC 17. Flip-flop HTR Heater BAT power supply Cn Heater Connector T1 Power Thermistor T2 puff thermistor T3 Heater Thermistor T4 Case Thermistor Ch, Cu, Ct2, Ct3, Ct4 capacitors Nt1, Nt2, Nt3, Nt4, Nu, Nb nodes OPS Operation Switch PT1~PT8 patterns

Claims

1. A non-combustion type inhaler, A rechargeable power source and a heating section that consumes the power supplied from the power source to heat the flavor component generating substrate; an MCU configured to control the non-combustion inhaler; A first temperature sensor that outputs a value related to the temperature of the heating unit; a first voltage divider circuit consisting of two resistors; a second temperature sensor separate from the first temperature sensor; a second voltage divider circuit consisting of two resistors; a first operational amplifier including an input terminal connected to the first temperature sensor and a midpoint of the first voltage divider circuit, an output terminal, and a positive power supply terminal; a second operational amplifier including an input terminal connected to the second temperature sensor and a midpoint of the second voltage divider circuit, an output terminal, and a positive power supply terminal; Equipped with the first operational amplifier indicates that the value output by the first temperature sensor is higher than a first temperature by changing an output level of an output voltage of the first operational amplifier; the second operational amplifier indicates that the value output by the second temperature sensor is higher than a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature by changing an output level of an output voltage of the second operational amplifier; an output terminal of the first operational amplifier and an output terminal of the second operational amplifier are connected in parallel to a first terminal of the MCU, and when an output level of either the output voltage of the first operational amplifier or the output voltage of the second operational amplifier is changed, charging of the power source and / or discharging from the power source to the heating unit are at least temporarily prohibited based on a level of a signal input to the first terminal. Non-combustion aspirator.

2. The non-combustion type inhaler according to claim 1, the first temperature sensor is further connected to a second terminal of the MCU without passing through the first operational amplifier; and / or the second temperature sensor is further connected to a third terminal of the MCU without passing through the second operational amplifier; Non-combustion aspirator.

3. The non-combustion type inhaler according to claim 2, a node that connects in parallel an input terminal of the first operational amplifier and the second terminal of the MCU; a filter circuit formed of a primary RC series circuit provided between the node and the second terminal of the MCU; Non-combustion aspirator.

4. The non-combustion type inhaler according to claim 1, the first temperature sensor is further connected to a second terminal of the MCU without passing through the first operational amplifier; the second temperature sensor is further connected to a third terminal of the MCU without passing through the second operational amplifier; a filter circuit formed of a primary RC series circuit is provided only between the first temperature sensor and the second terminal of the MCU, among between the first temperature sensor and the second terminal of the MCU and between the second temperature sensor and the third terminal of the MCU; Non-combustion aspirator.

5. The non-combustion type inhaler according to claim 4, a node that connects an input terminal of the first operational amplifier and the second terminal of the MCU in parallel; The filter circuit is provided between the node and the second terminal of the MCU. Non-combustion aspirator.

6. A non-combustion type inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A power supply line for supplying a system power supply voltage is included, a positive power supply terminal of the first operational amplifier and a positive power supply terminal of the second operational amplifier are connected in parallel to the power supply line; The second temperature sensor outputs a value related to the temperature of the case of the non-combustion inhaler. Non-combustion aspirator.

7. A non-combustion type inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A power supply line for supplying a system power supply voltage is included, the first voltage dividing circuit and the second voltage dividing circuit are connected in parallel to the power supply line; Non-combustion aspirator.

8. The non-combustion type inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A power supply line for supplying a system power supply voltage is included, a positive power supply terminal of the first operational amplifier, a positive power supply terminal of the second operational amplifier, the first voltage divider circuit, and the second voltage divider circuit are connected in parallel to the power supply line; Non-combustion aspirator.

9. A non-combustion type inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The second temperature sensor is provided at a position spaced apart from the first temperature sensor. Non-combustion aspirator.

10. A non-combustion type inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 9, a third voltage dividing circuit including the first temperature sensor and a first resistor; a fourth voltage dividing circuit including the second temperature sensor and a second resistor different from the first resistor; an input terminal of the first operational amplifier is connected to a midpoint of the third voltage divider circuit; an input terminal of the second operational amplifier is connected to a midpoint of the fourth voltage divider circuit; Non-combustion aspirator.

11. A non-combustion type inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 10, a chip-formed electronic component including an input terminal connected to the power supply, an output terminal connected to the heating unit, and an enable terminal; the electronic component is configured to operate when a high-level signal is input to the enable terminal; an output terminal of the first operational amplifier and an output terminal of the second operational amplifier are connected in parallel to the enable terminal of the electronic component; Non-combustion aspirator.

12. The non-combustion type inhaler according to claim 11, The enable terminal of the electronic component is connected to a fourth terminal of the MCU. Non-combustion aspirator.

13. A non-combustion type inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 12, A non-combustion inhaler, wherein the change in the output level of the first operational amplifier and the change in the output level of the second operational amplifier are changes to lower the output levels.

14. A non-combustion type inhaler as described in claim 13, A non-combustion inhaler, wherein the change in output level is to a low level.

15. A non-combustion type inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 14, The heating unit is an induction heater, The non-combustion inhaler, wherein the power source is a lithium ion secondary battery.

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