Aerosol inhaler

Abstract

To provide a power supply unit of an aerosol generation device that can achieve reduction in the size of the aerosol generation device.SOLUTION: A power supply unit 10 of an aerosol suction device 1 includes: a power source 12 capable of supplying power to a load 21 for heating an aerosol source; a charging terminal 43 configured so that a plug 100 with a plurality of pins can be inserted into it for receiving power for charging the power source 12 from the inserted plug 100; and a charging IC 55 configured so as to control charging of the power source 12 by the power that the charging terminal 43 receives. The charging terminal 43 includes pins that can be connected to only part of the plurality of pins equipped to the plug 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for connecting a control main body of an aerosol delivery device to a computer via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable and a connector (for example, USB2.0, 3.0, 3.1, USB Type-C). Patent Documents 2 and 3 also disclose techniques for connecting a USB (for example, USB Type-C) cable to a device that generates an aerosol.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Shi However, in the prior art, there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of miniaturization of the aerosol. A small aspirator There was room for improvement from the viewpoint of miniaturization.

[0005] The present invention Small provides an aerosol capable of realizing miniaturization. Aspirator is provided.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention An aerosol aspirator, comprising A substantially L-shaped circuit board having a short portion, a long portion, and a connecting portion where the short portion and the long portion are connected, such that the whole is in a substantially L shape An induction heating type heater disposed in a cutout portion of the circuit board for atomizing an aerosol source A first electronic component mounted on the connecting portion A second electronic component mounted on the short portion A third electronic component mounted on the long portion An MCU configured to control the heating of the heater and having pins electrically connected to the first electronic component, the second electronic component, and the third electronic component respectively A part of the MCU is mounted on the connecting portion 。

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention Small an aerosol capable of realizing shaping Aspirator can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, a power supply unit of an aerosol generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, an aerosol inhaler, which is an example of an aerosol generation device including the power supply unit of the present embodiment, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0010] (Aerosol inhaler) The aerosol inhaler 1 is a device for generating an aerosol with an added fragrance without combustion and sucking the generated aerosol. It is preferably sized to fit in the hand and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Note that the aerosol inhaler 1 may have an oval shape, an elliptical shape, or the like. In the following description, in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped aerosol inhaler, among the three orthogonal directions, in descending order of length, they are referred to as the vertical direction, the front-rear direction, and the left-right direction. Also, in the following description, for convenience, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the front, rear, left, right, upper, and lower directions are defined, and the front is denoted as Fr, the rear as Rr, the left side as L, the right side as R, the upper side as U, and the lower side as D.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the aerosol inhaler 1 includes a power supply unit 10, a first cartridge 20, and a second cartridge 30. The first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 are detachable from the power supply unit 10. In other words, the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 are each replaceable.

[0012] (Power supply unit) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the power supply unit 10 houses various sensors such as a power supply 12, an internal holder 13, a circuit board 60, and an intake sensor 15 inside a substantially rectangular parallelepiped power supply unit case 11 (hereinafter also referred to as the inside of the case). By housing the power supply 12, the circuit board 60 (including the MCU 50, the discharge terminal 41, the charging terminal 43, etc., to be described later), etc. together in the power supply unit case 11, it is easy for the user to carry, and the convenience of the user can be improved.

[0013] The power supply unit case 11 is composed of a first case 11A and a second case 11B that are detachable in the left - right direction (thickness direction). When the first case 11A and the second case 11B are assembled in the left - right direction (thickness direction), the front, rear, left, right, and bottom surfaces of the power supply unit 10 are formed. The upper surface of the power supply unit 10 is formed by the display 16.

[0014] On the upper surface of the power supply unit 10, a mouse piece 17 is provided in front of the display 16. The mouse piece 17 has a suction port 17a that protrudes further upward than the display 16.

[0015] Between the upper surface and the rear surface of the power supply unit 10, an inclined surface that slopes downward as it goes backward is provided. An operation part 18 that can be operated by the user is provided on the inclined surface. The operation part 18 is composed of a button - type switch, a touch panel, etc., and is used when reflecting the user's intention to use and starting / turning off the MCU50 and various sensors.

[0016] On the bottom surface of the power supply unit 10, a charging terminal 43 that can be electrically connected to an external power supply (not shown) capable of supplying power to charge the power supply 12 to the power supply unit 10 is provided. The charging terminal 43 is, for example, a receptacle into which a mating plug (described later) can be inserted. As the charging terminal 43, a receptacle into which various USB terminals (plugs) etc. can be inserted can be used. As an example, in this embodiment, the charging terminal 43 is a receptacle in the shape of a USB Type - C. This makes it easy to charge the power supply unit 10 (i.e., the aerosol inhaler 1) in various locations, and ensures the opportunity to charge the power supply unit 10.

[0017] Further, the charging terminal 43 may include, for example, a power receiving coil and be configured to be able to receive power transmitted from an external power source in a non-contact manner. In this case, the power transmission (Wireless Power Transfer) method may be an electromagnetic induction type, a magnetic resonance type, or a combination of an electromagnetic induction type and a magnetic resonance type. As another example, the charging terminal 43 may be connectable to various USB terminals and the like and may have the above-described power receiving coil.

[0018] The internal holder 13 includes a rear wall 13r extending along the rear surface of the power supply unit 10, a central wall 13c provided at the central portion in the front-rear direction inside the case and extending parallel to the rear wall 13r, an upper wall 13u extending along the display 16 and connecting the rear wall 13r and the central wall 13c, a partition wall 13d orthogonal to the rear wall 13r, the central wall 13c, and the upper wall 13u and dividing the space partitioned by the rear wall 13r, the central wall 13c, and the upper wall 13u into a left space and a right space, and a cartridge holding portion 13a connected to the central wall 13c and located in front of the central wall 13c and above the lower surface of the power supply unit 10.

[0019] A power supply 12 is disposed in the left space of the internal holder 13. The power supply 12 is a rechargeable secondary battery, an electric double layer capacitor, or the like, and is preferably a lithium ion secondary battery. The electrolyte of the power supply 12 may be composed of one of a gel electrolyte, an electrolytic solution, a solid electrolyte, an ionic liquid, or a combination thereof.

[0020] The circuit board 60 having a substantially L shape is disposed in the space formed by the right space of the inner holder 13 and the lower space formed between the cartridge holding portion 13a and the lower surface of the power supply unit 10. By forming the circuit board 60 into a substantially L shape, other components can be arranged in the cutout portion thereof, so that the power supply unit 10 and the aerosol suction device 1 can be miniaturized. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the cutout portion of the substantially L-shaped circuit board 60, the first cartridge 20 (that is, the aerosol source 22 and the load 21 described later) and the cartridge holder 14 for holding the same are arranged. That is, the power supply unit case 11 houses the first cartridge 20 and the like in a state where they are arranged in the cutout portion of the L-shaped circuit board 60. Thereby, the aerosol suction device 1 can be miniaturized, and for example, an aerosol suction device 1 having a size that can fit in the hand of an average adult can be realized.

[0021] The circuit board 60 is configured by laminating a plurality of (four in this embodiment) layers of substrates, and electronic components (elements) such as an MCU (Micro Controller Unit) 50 and a charging IC 55, which will be described later, are mounted thereon.

[0022] Details will be described later with reference to FIG. 5 and the like. The MCU 50 is connected to various sensor devices such as an intake sensor 15 that detects a puff (intake) operation, an operation unit 18, a notification unit 45, and a memory 19 that stores the number of puff operations or the energization time to the load 21, and is a control device (controller) that performs various controls on the aerosol suction device 1. Specifically, the MCU 50 is mainly configured by a processor, and further includes a storage medium such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) necessary for the operation of the processor and a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores various information. The processor in this specification is, for example, an electric circuit formed by combining circuit elements such as semiconductor elements. Note that some of the elements connected to the MCU 50 in FIG. 5 (for example, the intake sensor 15 and the memory 19) may be provided as functions of the MCU 50 itself inside the MCU 50.

[0023] The charging IC 55 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) that controls the charging of the power supply 12 with the power input from the charging terminal 43, or supplies the power of the power supply 12 to electronic components on the circuit board 60 and the like.

[0024] A cylindrical cartridge holder 14 for holding the first cartridge 20 is arranged in the cartridge holding portion 13a.

[0025] A through hole 13b for receiving a discharge terminal 41 (see FIG. 3) provided so as to protrude from the circuit board 60 toward the first cartridge 20 is provided at the lower end portion of the cartridge holding portion 13a. The discharge terminal 41 is a connector that electrically connects a load 21 provided in the first cartridge 20. Further, the discharge terminal 41 is a connector that removably (or easily removably) connects the load 21, and is composed of, for example, a pin with a built-in spring. Note that the discharge terminal 41 is an example of the second connector in the present invention.

[0026] The through hole 13b is larger than the discharge terminal 41, and is configured such that air flows into the inside of the first cartridge 20 through a gap formed between the through hole 13b and the discharge terminal 41.

[0027] An intake air sensor 15 for detecting the puff operation is provided at a position on the outer peripheral surface 14a of the cartridge holder 14 that faces the circuit board 60. The intake air sensor 15 may be composed of a condenser microphone, a pressure sensor, or the like. Further, the cartridge holder 14 is provided with a vertically long hole portion 14b that allows the remaining amount of the aerosol source 22 stored inside the first cartridge 20 to be visible, and the user can visually check the remaining amount of the aerosol source 22 stored inside the first cartridge 20 through the hole portion 14b of the first cartridge 20 from a remaining amount confirmation window 11w having translucency provided in the power supply unit case 11.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, a mouthpiece 17 is detachably fixed to the upper end of the cartridge holder 14. A second cartridge 30 is detachably fixed to the mouthpiece 17. The mouthpiece 17 includes a cartridge housing portion 17b that houses a part of the second cartridge 30, and a communication passage 17c that communicates the first cartridge 20 with the cartridge housing portion 17b.

[0029] The power supply unit case 11 is provided with an air intake 11i for taking in outside air inside. The air intake 11i is provided, for example, in the remaining amount confirmation window 11w.

[0030] (First Cartridge) As shown in FIG. 3, the first cartridge 20 includes a reservoir 23 that stores an aerosol source 22 inside a cylindrical cartridge case 27, an electrical load 21 that atomizes the aerosol source 22, a wick 24 that draws the aerosol source from the reservoir 23 to the load 21, and an aerosol flow path 25 through which the aerosol generated by atomizing the aerosol source 22 flows toward the second cartridge 30.

[0031] The reservoir 23 is partitioned so as to surround the periphery of the aerosol flow path 25 and stores the aerosol source 22. A porous body such as a resin web or cotton may be accommodated in the reservoir 23, and the aerosol source 22 may be impregnated in the porous body. Only the aerosol source 22 may be stored in the reservoir 23 without accommodating the porous body on the resin web or cotton. The aerosol source 22 contains a liquid such as glycerin, propylene glycol, or water.

[0032] The wick 24 is a liquid holding member that draws the aerosol source 22 from the reservoir 23 to the load 21 using capillary action. The wick 24 is composed of, for example, glass fiber or porous ceramic.

[0033] The load 21 is a heating element (i.e., a heater) that heats the aerosol source 22 without combustion by the electric power supplied from the power source 12 via the discharge terminal 41, and is constituted by, for example, a heating wire (coil) wound at a predetermined pitch. The load 21 atomizes the aerosol source 22 by heating the aerosol source 22. As the load 21, a heating resistor, a ceramic heater, an induction heating type heater, or the like can be used. Note that the load 21 is an example of the heater and the second load in the present invention.

[0034] The aerosol flow path 25 is provided on the center line of the first cartridge 20 on the downstream side of the load 21.

[0035] (Second Cartridge) The second cartridge 30 stores the flavor source 31. The second cartridge 30 is detachably accommodated in a cartridge accommodation portion 17b provided in the mouthpiece 17.

[0036] The second cartridge 30 imparts a flavor to the aerosol by passing the aerosol generated by atomizing the aerosol source 22 by the load 21 through the flavor source 31. As the raw material piece constituting the flavor source 31, shredded tobacco or a molded body obtained by granulating a tobacco raw material can be used. The flavor source 31 may be constituted by a plant other than tobacco (for example, mint, Kampo medicine, herb, etc.). The flavor source 31 may be imparted with a fragrance such as menthol.

[0037] The aerosol inhaler 1 can generate (i.e., generate) an aerosol with added flavor by the aerosol source 22, the flavor source 31, and the load 21. That is, the aerosol source 22 and the flavor source 31 constitute an aerosol generation source that generates an aerosol with added flavor.

[0038] The configuration of the aerosol generation source used in the aerosol inhaler 1 may be such that the aerosol source 22 and the flavor source 31 are separate, or the aerosol source 22 and the flavor source 31 are integrally formed, or the flavor source 31 is omitted and a substance that may be included in the flavor source 31 is added to the aerosol source 22, or a drug or the like is added to the aerosol source 22 instead of the flavor source 31, and so on.

[0039] In the aerosol inhaler 1 configured as described above, as shown by the arrow A in FIG. 3, the air flowing in from the air intake 11i provided in the power unit case 11 passes near the load 21 of the first cartridge 20 through the gap formed between the through hole 13b and the discharge terminal 41. The load 21 atomizes the aerosol source 22 drawn from the reservoir 23 by the wick 24. The aerosol generated by atomization flows through the aerosol flow path 25 together with the air flowing in from the intake port, and is supplied to the second cartridge 30 through the communication path 17c. The aerosol supplied to the second cartridge 30 is imparted with a flavor by passing through the flavor source 31, and is supplied to the suction port 32.

[0040] The aerosol inhaler 1 is also provided with a notification unit 45 for notifying various information (see FIG. 5). The notification unit 45 may be constituted by a light-emitting element, or may be constituted by a vibration element, or may be constituted by a sound output element. Further, the notification unit 45 may be a combination of two or more of the light-emitting element, the vibration element, and the sound output element. The notification unit 45 may be provided in any of the power unit 10, the first cartridge 20, and the second cartridge 30, but is preferably provided in the power unit 10 which is not a consumable.

[0041] In this embodiment, as the notification unit 45, an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) panel 46 and a vibrator 47 are provided. When the OLEDs of the OLED panel 46 emit light, various types of information regarding the aerosol inhaler 1 are notified to the user via the display 16. Also, when the vibrator 47 vibrates, various types of information regarding the aerosol inhaler 1 are notified to the user via the power unit case 11. The notification unit 45 may be provided with only one of the OLED panel 46 and the vibrator 47, or other light-emitting elements or the like may be provided. Also, the information notified by the OLED panel 46 and the information notified by the vibrator 47 may be different or the same.

[0042] (Electric Circuit) Next, the electric circuit of the power unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the power unit 10 includes, as main components, a power source 12, a charging terminal 43, an MCU 50, a charging IC 55, a protection IC 61, an LDO regulator (indicated by "LDO" in FIG. 4) 62, a first DC / DC converter (indicated by "First DC / DC" in FIG. 4) 63, a second DC / DC converter (indicated by "Second DC / DC" in FIG. 4) 64, a display driver 65, an intake sensor 15, an OLED panel 46, and a vibrator 47.

[0043] The charging terminal 43 is a receptacle into which the plug on the other side can be inserted as described above, and includes a plurality of pins (terminals) that are electrically connected to the pins of the inserted plug. Specifically, the charging terminal 43 includes an A1 pin (indicated by "A1" in FIG. 4), an A4 pin (indicated by "A4" in FIG. 4), an A5 pin (indicated by "A5" in FIG. 4), an A6 pin (indicated by "A6" in FIG. 4), an A7 pin (indicated by "A7" in FIG. 4), an A8 pin (indicated by "A8" in FIG. 4), an A9 pin (indicated by "A9" in FIG. 4), an A12 pin (indicated by "A12" in FIG. 4), a B1 pin (indicated by "B1" in FIG. 4), a B4 pin (indicated by "B4" in FIG. 4), a B5 pin (indicated by "B5" in FIG. 4), a B6 pin (indicated by "B6" in FIG. 4), a B7 pin (indicated by "B7" in FIG. 4), a B8 pin (indicated by "B8" in FIG. 4), a B9 pin (indicated by "B9" in FIG. 4), and a B12 pin (indicated by "B12" in FIG. 4).

[0044] The A1 pin, A4 pin, A5 pin, A6 pin, A7 pin, A8 pin, A9 pin, and A12 pin, and the B1 pin, B4 pin, B5 pin, B6 pin, B7 pin, B8 pin, B9 pin, and B12 pin are arranged to be point-symmetrical with the center of the mating surface of the plug in the charging terminal 43 as the symmetry point. Thereby, regardless of the up and down orientation of the plug, it is possible to insert the plug into the charging terminal 43, improving the convenience for the user.

[0045] Note that in this embodiment, it should be noted that only the main pins among the pins included in the charging terminal 43 are described. Also, in this embodiment, although the A8 pin and B8 pin are provided in the charging terminal 43, as will be described later, these pins are not used and can be omitted.

[0046] The protection IC 61 is an IC that has the function of converting the voltage input via the charging terminal 43 into a predetermined voltage as required and outputting the converted voltage. Specifically, the protection IC 61 converts the input voltage into a voltage within the range from the minimum value to the maximum value of the recommended input voltage of the charging IC 55. Thereby, even if a high voltage exceeding the maximum value of the recommended input voltage of the charging IC 55 is input via the charging terminal 43, the protection IC 61 can protect the charging IC 55 from this high voltage.

[0047] As an example, in the present embodiment, the recommended input voltage of the charging IC 55 has a minimum value of 4.35 [V] and a maximum value of 6.4 [V]. Therefore, the protection IC 61 converts the input voltage to 5.5 ± 0.2 [V] and outputs the converted voltage to the charging IC 55. Thereby, the protection IC 61 can supply an appropriate voltage to the charging IC 55. Also, when the above-described high voltage is input via the charging terminal 43, the protection IC 61 may protect the charging IC 55 by opening the circuit connecting the input terminal (described as IN in FIG. 4) and the output terminal (described as OUT in FIG. 4) of the protection IC 61. In addition, the protection IC 61 may also have various protection functions (for example, overcurrent detection function and overvoltage detection function) for protecting the electric circuit of the power supply unit 10.

[0048] Note that it is preferable that the protection IC 61 is connected between the charging terminal 43 and the charging IC 55, that is, electrically provided between the charging terminal 43 and the charging IC 55. By connecting the protection IC 61 between the charging terminal 43 and the charging IC 55, it becomes possible to discharge the power supply 12 via the charging IC 55 without passing through the protection IC 61, and the power loss due to passing through the protection IC 61 can be reduced.

[0049] The protection IC 61 includes a plurality of pins (terminals) for electrically connecting the inside and outside of the protection IC 61. Specifically, the protection IC 61 includes an IN pin (indicated by "IN" in FIG. 4), a VSS pin (indicated by "VSS" in FIG. 4), a GND pin (indicated by "GND" in FIG. 4), an OUT pin (indicated by "OUT" in FIG. 4), a VBAT pin (indicated by "VBAT" in FIG. 4), and a CE pin (indicated by "CE" in FIG. 4).

[0050] In the protection IC 61, the IN pin is a pin to which the power supplied from the charging terminal 43 is input. The VSS pin is a pin to which the power for the operation of the protection IC 61 is input. The GND pin is a grounded pin. The OUT pin is a pin that outputs power to the charging IC 55. The VBAT pin is a pin for the protection IC 61 to detect the state of the power supply 12. The CE pin is a pin for switching the on / off of the protection function by the protection IC 61. The connection relationship of these pins will be described later. Note that in this embodiment, it should be noted that only the main pins among the pins included in the protection IC 61 are described.

[0051] The charging IC 55 is an IC having a function of controlling the charging to the power supply 12 and a function of supplying the power of the power supply 12 to the LDO regulator 62, the first DC / DC converter 63, the second DC / DC converter 64, etc. For example, when supplying the power of the power supply 12, the charging IC 55 outputs a standard system voltage corresponding to the output of the power supply 12 at that time to the LDO regulator 62, the first DC / DC converter 63, the second DC / DC converter 64, etc. Here, the standard system voltage is higher than the low-voltage system voltage described later and lower than the first high-voltage system voltage and the second high-voltage system voltage. The standard system voltage is, for example, the output voltage of the power supply 12 itself and can be a voltage of about 3 to 4 [V].

[0052] In addition, the charging IC 55 also has a Power-Path function that supplies the power input via the charging terminal 43 to the LDO regulator 62, the first DC / DC converter 63, the second DC / DC converter 64, etc.

[0053] By using this Power-Path function, even while the power supply 12 is being charged, it is possible to supply the power input via the charging terminal 43 to the system of the power supply unit 10 such as the LDO regulator 62, the first DC / DC converter 63, and the second DC / DC converter 64. Therefore, when the system of these power supply units 10 is utilized during the charging of the power supply 12, it is possible to utilize the system of these power supply units 10 while reducing the burden on the power supply 12 (i.e., suppressing the deterioration of the power supply 12). At the same time, it is also possible to improve the charging speed of the power supply 12 and shorten the charging time. Furthermore, by using this Power-Path function, even when the power supply 12 reaches over-discharge, it is possible to attempt to recover the system of the power supply unit 10 by using the power input via the charging terminal 43.

[0054] The charging IC 55 includes a plurality of pins (terminals) for electrically connecting the inside and outside of the charging IC 55. Specifically, the charging IC 55 includes an IN pin (indicated by "IN" in FIG. 4), a BAT_1 pin (indicated by "BAT_1" in FIG. 4), a BAT_2 pin (indicated by "BAT_2" in FIG. 4), an ISET pin (indicated by "ISET" in FIG. 4), a TS pin (indicated by "TS" in FIG. 4), an OUT_1 pin (indicated by "OUT_1" in FIG. 4), an OUT_2 pin (indicated by "OUT_2" in FIG. 4), an ILIM pin (indicated by "ILIM" in FIG. 4), and a CHG pin (indicated by "CHG" in FIG. 4).

[0055] Note that in this embodiment, only the main pins among the pins provided in the charging IC 55 are described. Also, in this embodiment, the charging IC 55 is provided with BAT_1 pin and BAT_2 pin, but these may be combined into one pin. Similarly, in this embodiment, the charging IC 55 is provided with OUT_1 pin and OUT_2 pin, but these may be combined into one pin.

[0056] The LDO regulator 62 is an IC having a function of generating a low-voltage system voltage from the input standard system voltage and outputting the generated low-voltage system voltage. Here, the low-voltage system voltage is a voltage lower than the standard system voltage as described above, and is, for example, a voltage suitable for operating the MCU 50, the intake air sensor 15, etc. An example of the low-voltage system voltage is 2.5 [V].

[0057] The LDO regulator 62 includes a plurality of pins (terminals) for electrically connecting the inside and the outside of the LDO regulator 62. Specifically, the LDO regulator 62 includes an IN pin (indicated by "IN" in FIG. 4), a GND pin (indicated by "GND" in FIG. 4), an OUT pin (indicated by "OUT" in FIG. 4), and an EN pin (indicated by "EN" in FIG. 4). Note that in this embodiment, only the main pins among the pins provided in the LDO regulator 62 are described.

[0058] The MCU 50 operates using the input low-voltage system voltage as a power source and performs various controls of the aerosol inhaler 1. For example, the MCU 50 can control the heating of the load 21 by controlling the on / off of a switch SW4 (described later) provided in the electric circuit of the power supply unit 10 and the operation of the first DC / DC converter 63. Also, the MCU 50 can control the display of the display 16 by controlling the operation of the display driver 65. Further, the MCU 50 can control the vibration of the vibrator 47 by controlling the on / off of a switch SW3 (described later) provided in the electric circuit of the power supply unit 10.

[0059] The MCU 50 includes a plurality of pins (terminals) for electrically connecting the inside and outside of the MCU 50. Specifically, the MCU 50 includes a VDD pin (indicated by "VDD" in FIG. 4), a VDD_USB pin (indicated by "VDD_USB" in FIG. 4), a VSS pin (indicated by "VSS" in FIG. 4), a PC1 pin (indicated by "PC1" in FIG. 4), a PA8 pin (indicated by "PA8" in FIG. 4), a PB3 pin (indicated by "PB3" in FIG. 4), a PB15 pin (indicated by "PB15" in FIG. 4), a PB4 pin (indicated by "PB4" in FIG. 4), a PC6 pin (indicated by "PC6" in FIG. 4), a PA0 pin (indicated by "PA0" in FIG. 4), a PC5 pin (indicated by "PC5" in FIG. 4), a PA11 pin (indicated by "PA11" in FIG. 4), a PA12 pin (indicated by "PA12" in FIG. 4), a PC12 pin (indicated by "PC12" in FIG. 4), a PB8 pin (indicated by "PB8" in FIG. 4), and a PB9 pin (indicated by "PB9" in FIG. 4).

[0060] Note that in this embodiment, only the main pins among the pins of the MCU 50 are described. Also, in this embodiment, the VDD pin and the VDD_USB pin are provided for the MCU 50, but these may be combined into one pin.

[0061] The intake sensor 15 is a sensor device that detects the puff operation as described above. For example, as described later, it is a sensor device configured to output a signal indicating the value of the pressure (internal pressure) change in the power unit 10 caused by the user's suction through the suction port 32 as a detection result.

[0062] The intake sensor 15 includes a plurality of pins (terminals) for electrically connecting the inside and outside of the intake sensor 15. Specifically, the intake sensor 15 includes a VCC pin (indicated by "VCC" in FIG. 4), a GND pin (indicated by "GND" in FIG. 4), and an OUT pin (indicated by "OUT" in FIG. 4). Note that in this embodiment, only the main pins among the pins of the intake sensor 15 are described.

[0063] The vibrator 47 is provided in a state of being connected to a positive electrode side terminal 47a provided on a power supply line 60E described later and a negative electrode side terminal 47b provided on a ground line 60N, and rotates a rotating shaft according to a voltage input via the positive electrode side terminal 47a and the negative electrode side terminal 47b. It includes a motor (not shown) and an eccentric weight (not shown) attached to the rotating shaft of the motor. When a voltage (for example, a low-voltage system voltage) is input via the positive electrode side terminal 47a and the negative electrode side terminal 47b, the vibrator 47 causes the motor and the eccentric weight to rotate, generating vibration.

[0064] In this specification, the term "positive electrode side" means the higher potential side than the "negative electrode side". That is, in the following description, the term "positive electrode side" may be read as "higher potential side". Also, in this specification, the term "negative electrode side" means the lower potential side than the "positive electrode side". That is, in the following description, the term "negative electrode side" may be read as "lower potential side".

[0065] The vibrator 47 is provided in a state of being attached to the power supply unit 10, and the positive electrode side terminal 47a and the negative electrode side terminal 47b are connected to the terminals of the vibrator 47 by, for example, soldering. That is, the positive electrode side terminal 47a and the negative electrode side terminal 47b serve as connectors that connect the vibrator 47 in a non-removable (or difficult-to-remove) manner. Note that "non-removable (or difficult-to-remove)" refers to a mode in which removal is not possible within the assumed use range of the power supply unit 10.

[0066] The first DC / DC converter 63 is an IC that has a function of generating a first high-voltage system voltage from the input standard system voltage and outputting the generated first high-voltage system voltage. Here, the first high-voltage system voltage is a voltage higher than the standard system voltage as described above. That is, the first DC / DC converter 63 boosts the input standard system voltage to the first high-voltage system voltage and outputs it. The first high-voltage system voltage is, for example, a voltage suitable for heating the load 21, and as an example, it is 4.2 [V].

[0067] The first DC / DC converter 63 includes a plurality of pins (terminals) for electrically connecting the inside and outside of the first DC / DC converter 63. Specifically, the first DC / DC converter 63 includes a VIN pin (indicated by "VIN" in FIG. 4), a SW pin (indicated by "SW" in FIG. 4), a GND pin (indicated by "GND" in FIG. 4), a VOUT pin (indicated by "VOUT" in FIG. 4), a MODE pin (indicated by "MODE" in FIG. 4), and an EN pin (indicated by "EN" in FIG. 4). Note that in this embodiment, it should be noted that only the main pins among the pins included in the first DC / DC converter 63 are described.

[0068] The second DC / DC converter 64 is an IC that has a function of generating a second high-voltage system voltage from the input standard system voltage and outputting the generated second high-voltage system voltage. Here, the second high-voltage system voltage is a voltage higher than the standard system voltage as described above. That is, the second DC / DC converter 64 boosts the input standard system voltage to the second high-voltage system voltage and outputs it. Also, the second high-voltage system voltage is a voltage even higher than the first high-voltage system voltage, and for example, it is a voltage suitable for operating the OLED panel 46. An example of the second high-voltage system voltage is 15 [V].

[0069] The second DC / DC converter 64 includes a plurality of pins (terminals) for electrically connecting the inside and outside of the second DC / DC converter 64. Specifically, the second DC / DC converter 64 includes a VIN pin (indicated by "VIN" in FIG. 4), an SW pin (indicated by "SW" in FIG. 4), a GND pin (indicated by "GND" in FIG. 4), a VOUT pin (indicated by "VOUT" in FIG. 4), and an EN pin (indicated by "EN" in FIG. 4). Note that in this embodiment, only the main pins among the pins included in the second DC / DC converter 64 are described.

[0070] The display driver 65 operates using the input low-voltage system voltage as a power source, controls the OLED panel 46, and supplies the second high-voltage system voltage to the OLED panel 46 to control the display of the display 16. It is an IC having such a function.

[0071] The display driver 65 includes a plurality of pins (terminals) for electrically connecting the inside and outside of the display driver 65. Specifically, the display driver 65 includes a VDD pin (indicated by "VDD" in FIG. 4), a VSS pin (indicated by "VSS" in FIG. 4), a VCC_C pin (indicated by "VCC_C" in FIG. 4), an SDA pin (indicated by "SDA" in FIG. 4), an SCL pin (indicated by "SCL" in FIG. 4), and an IXS pin (indicated by "IXS" in FIG. 4). Note that in this embodiment, only the main pins among the pins included in the display driver 65 are described.

[0072] Each component of the power supply unit 10 described above is electrically connected by conductors or the like provided on the circuit board 60 of the power supply unit 10. Hereinafter, the electrical connection of each component of the power supply unit 10 will be described in detail.

[0073] The A1 pin, A12 pin, B1 pin, and B12 pin of the charging terminal 43 are ground pins. The A1 pin and B12 pin are connected in parallel, and they are grounded by the ground line 60N. Similarly, the A12 pin and B1 pin are also connected in parallel and are grounded by the ground line 60N. In FIG. 4, the ground line 60N (i.e., the line with a potential of approximately 0 [V]) is indicated by a thick solid line.

[0074] The A4 pin, A9 pin, B4 pin, and B9 pin of the charging terminal 43 are pins that receive the input of power from the plug of an external power source inserted into the charging terminal 43 to the power supply unit 10. For example, when a plug is inserted into the charging terminal 43, a predetermined USB bus power is supplied to the power supply unit 10 via the A4 pin and B9 pin or the A9 pin and B4 pin from the inserted plug. Also, power corresponding to USB PD (USB Power Delivery) may be supplied to the power supply unit 10 from the plug of the external power source inserted into the charging terminal 43.

[0075] Specifically, the A4 pin and B9 pin are connected in parallel, and they are connected to the IN pin of the protection IC61 via the power line 60A. The IN pin of the protection IC61 is the positive power pin in the protection IC61. Also, the A9 pin and B4 pin are connected in parallel, and they are connected to the IN pin of the protection IC61 via the power line 60A.

[0076] Also, the power line 60A is connected to the ground line 60N via a varistor (Variable Resistor: non-linear resistance element) VR1. Here, the varistor has two terminals (electrodes), and when the voltage between these terminals is lower than a predetermined varistor voltage (for example, in the case of this embodiment, 27 [V]), it has a relatively high electrical resistance value, and when the voltage between these terminals becomes higher than the varistor voltage, its electrical resistance value rapidly decreases.

[0077] Specifically, one end of varistor VR1 is connected to node N11 provided on power supply line 60A, and the other end is connected to ground line 60N. Here, node N11 is provided closer to protection IC61 than the nodes connected to A4 pin and B9 pin and the nodes connected to A9 pin and B4 pin on power supply line 60A. Therefore, for example, even if static electricity is generated at A4 pin, A9 pin, B4 pin or B9 pin when a plug is inserted into charging terminal 43 and they rub against each other, this static electricity can be discharged to ground line 60N via varistor VR1 to protect protection IC61.

[0078] Also, power supply line 60A is connected to ground line 60N via capacitor CD1 that functions as a decoupling capacitor (also called a bypass capacitor or smoothing capacitor). Thereby, the voltage input to protection IC61 via power supply line 60A can be stabilized. Specifically, one end of capacitor CD1 is connected to node N12 provided on power supply line 60A, and the other end is connected to ground line 60N. Here, node N12 is provided closer to protection IC61 than node N11 on power supply line 60A. Therefore, even if static electricity is generated at A4 pin, A9 pin, B4 pin or B9 pin, varistor VR1 can protect capacitor CD1 from this static electricity. That is, by providing node N12 closer to protection IC61 than node N11 on power supply line 60A, both protection of protection IC61 from overvoltage and stable operation of protection IC61 can be achieved.

[0079] Pins A6, A7, B6, and B7 of charging terminal 43 are pins used for input and output of signals for communication between power supply unit 10 and an external device (for example, an electronic device described later). In the present embodiment, for communication between power supply unit 10 and the external device, serial communication that differentially transmits signals via two signal lines of Dp (also called D+) and Dn (also called D-) is used.

[0080] Pin A6 and pin B6 are pins corresponding to the signal lines on the Dp side. Pin A6 and pin B6 are connected in parallel, and they are connected to the PA12 pin of the MCU50 via a resistor R1. The resistor R1 is an element having a predetermined electrical resistance value composed of a resistive element, a transistor, or the like. Also, the PA12 pin of the MCU50 is a pin used for signal input and output in the MCU50. Therefore, the signal on the Dp side from an external device can be input to the MCU50 via pin A6 or pin B6. Also, the signal on the Dp side from the MCU50 can be output to an external device via pin A6 or pin B6.

[0081] Also, the parallel-connected pin A6 and pin B6 are also connected to the ground line 60N via a varistor VR2. That is, the varistor VR2 is connected in parallel to the parallel-connected pin A6 and pin B6. Therefore, for example, even if static electricity is generated on pin A6 or pin B6 due to rubbing when a plug is inserted into the charging terminal 43, this static electricity can be discharged to the ground line 60N via the varistor VR2 to protect the MCU50. Furthermore, since a resistor R1 is provided between pin A6 and pin B6 and the MCU50, the resistor R1 can also suppress the input of a high voltage to the MCU50 and protect the MCU50.

[0082] Pin A7 and pin B7 are pins corresponding to the signal lines on the Dn side. Pin A7 and pin B7 are connected in parallel, and they are connected to the PA11 pin of the MCU50 via a resistor R2. The resistor R2 is an element having a predetermined electrical resistance value composed of a resistive element, a transistor, or the like. Also, the PA11 pin of the MCU50 is a pin used for signal input and output in the MCU50. Therefore, the signal on the Dn side from an external device can be input to the MCU50 via pin A7 or pin B7. Also, the signal on the Dn side from the MCU50 can be output to an external device via pin A7 or pin B7.

[0083] Also, the parallel-connected A7 pin and B7 pin are also connected to the ground line 60N via the varistor VR3. That is, the varistor VR3 is connected in parallel to the parallel-connected A7 pin and B7 pin. Therefore, for example, even if static electricity is generated on the A7 pin or B7 pin due to friction when a plug is inserted into the charging terminal 43, this static electricity can be discharged to the ground line 60N via the varistor VR3 to protect the MCU50. Further, since a resistor R2 is provided between the A7 pin and B7 pin and the MCU50, this resistor R2 can also suppress the input of a high voltage to the MCU50, and the MCU50 can be protected.

[0084] The A5 pin and B5 pin of the charging terminal 43 are pins used to detect the up and down directions of the plug inserted into the charging terminal 43. For example, the A5 pin and B5 pin are CC (Configuration Channel) pins. The A5 pin is connected to the ground line 60N via a resistor R3, and the B5 pin is connected to the ground line 60N via a resistor R4.

[0085] The A8 pin and B8 pin of the charging terminal 43 are not connected to the electric circuit of the power supply unit 10. Therefore, the A8 pin and B8 pin are not used and can be omitted.

[0086] The IN pin of the protection IC61 is, as described above, the positive power supply pin in the protection IC61 and is connected to the power supply line 60A. The VSS pin of the protection IC61 is the negative power supply pin in the protection IC61 and is connected to the ground line 60N. Also, the GND pin of the protection IC61 is the ground pin in the protection IC61 and is connected to the ground line 60N. Thus, when an external power supply plug is inserted into the charging terminal 43, power (for example, USB bus power) is supplied to the protection IC61 via the power supply line 60A.

[0087] The OUT pin of protection IC61 is the pin from which the voltage input to the IN pin of protection IC61 is output as it is or the voltage converted by protection IC61 (for example, 5.5 ± 0.2 [V]), and it is connected to the IN pin of charging IC55 via power line 60B. The IN pin of charging IC55 is the positive power pin of charging IC55. Thereby, an appropriate voltage converted by protection IC61 is supplied to charging IC55.

[0088] Also, power line 60B is connected to ground line 60N via capacitor CD2 that functions as a decoupling capacitor. Thereby, it is possible to stabilize the voltage input to charging IC55 via power line 60B.

[0089] The VBAT pin of protection IC61 is the pin used to detect the presence or absence of the connection of power source 12 by protection IC61, and it is connected to the positive terminal 12a of power source 12 via resistor R5. Resistor R5 is an element having a predetermined electrical resistance value composed of a resistive element, a transistor, or the like. Protection IC61 can detect that power source 12 is connected based on the voltage input to the VBAT pin.

[0090] The CE pin of protection IC61 is the pin for turning on / off the operation (various functions) of protection IC61. Specifically, protection IC61 operates when a low-level voltage is input to the CE pin, and stops operating when a high-level voltage is input to the CE pin. In the present embodiment, the CE pin of protection IC61 is connected to ground line 60N, and a low-level voltage is constantly input. Therefore, protection IC61 always operates during power supply and performs conversion to a predetermined voltage, overcurrent detection, overvoltage detection, etc.

[0091] Note that, instead of the protection IC 61 in the present embodiment, a protection IC that operates when a high-level voltage is input to the CE pin and stops operating when a low-level voltage is input to the CE pin may be used. However, when this is the case, it should be noted that the CE pin of this protection IC must be connected to the power supply line 60B or the power supply line 60A, rather than the ground line 60N.

[0092] As described above, the IN pin of the charging IC 55 is the positive power supply pin of the charging IC 55 and is connected to the power supply line 60B. Also, the charging IC 55 is connected to the ground line 60N by, for example, a negative power supply pin (not shown). Thus, the voltage output from the protection IC 61 is supplied to the charging IC 55 via the power supply line 60B.

[0093] The BAT_1 pin and the BAT_2 pin of the charging IC 55 are pins used for power transfer between the charging IC 55 and the power supply 12, and are connected to the positive terminal 12a of the power supply 12 via the power supply line 60C. Note that the negative terminal 12b of the power supply 12 is connected to the ground line 60N.

[0094] Specifically, the BAT_1 pin and the BAT_2 pin are connected in parallel. These are connected to the positive terminal 12a and are also connected to the ground line 60N via the capacitor CD3. When the power supply 12 discharges, charge accumulates in the capacitor CD3 and the voltage output from the power supply 12 is input to the BAT_1 pin and the BAT_2 pin. Also, when the power supply 12 is charged, the voltage for charging the power supply 12 is output from the BAT_1 pin and the BAT_2 pin and is applied to the positive terminal 12a of the power supply 12 via the power supply line 60C.

[0095] Also, the power supply line 60C is connected to the ground line 60N via the capacitor CD4 that functions as a decoupling capacitor. Thereby, the voltage input to the power supply 12 via the power supply line 60C can be stabilized.

[0096] The ISET pin of the charging IC 55 is a pin for setting the current value output from the charging IC 55 to the power supply 12. In the present embodiment, the ISET pin is connected to the ground line 60N via the resistor R6. Here, the resistor R6 is an element having a predetermined electrical resistance value formed by a resistance element, a transistor, or the like.

[0097] The charging IC 55 outputs a current having a current value corresponding to the electrical resistance value of the resistor R6 connected to the ISET pin to the power supply 12.

[0098] The TS pin of the charging IC 55 is input with the voltage value applied to the resistor connected here, and is a pin used for detecting the electrical resistance value and temperature of the resistor connected to the TS pin from this voltage value. In the present embodiment, the TS pin is connected to the ground line 60N via the resistor R7. Here, the resistor R7 is an element having a predetermined electrical resistance value formed by a resistance element, a transistor, or the like. Therefore, the charging IC 55 can detect the electrical resistance value and temperature of the resistor R7 from the voltage value applied to the resistor R7.

[0099] The CHG pin of the charging IC 55 is a pin for outputting information regarding the charging state of the power supply 12 (hereinafter also referred to as charging state information), such as during charging, during charging stop, and after charging completion, and information regarding the remaining capacity of the power supply 12 (hereinafter also referred to as remaining capacity information). The CHG pin of the charging IC 55 is connected to the PB15 pin of the MCU 50. The PB15 pin of the MCU 50 is a pin used for inputting signals in the MCU 50. Therefore, the charging IC 55 can notify the MCU 50 of the charging state, remaining capacity, etc. of the power supply 12 by outputting the charging state information and the remaining capacity information from the CHG pin to the MCU 50.

[0100] The OUT_1 pin and the OUT_2 pin of the charging IC 55 are pins that output the standard system voltage, and are connected via the power line 60D to the IN pin of the LDO regulator 62, the VIN pin of the first DC / DC converter 63, and the VIN pin of the second DC / DC converter 64. The IN pin of the LDO regulator 62 is the positive power supply pin of the LDO regulator 62. Also, the VIN pin of the first DC / DC converter 63 is the positive power supply pin of the first DC / DC converter 63. And the VIN pin of the second DC / DC converter 64 is the positive power supply pin of the second DC / DC converter 64.

[0101] Specifically, the OUT_1 pin is connected to the ground line 60N via the capacitor CD5 that functions as a decoupling capacitor and is also connected to the OUT_2 pin. And the OUT_1 pin and the OUT_2 pin are connected to the ground line 60N via the capacitor CD6 that functions as a decoupling capacitor and are also connected to the IN pin of the LDO regulator 62, the VIN pin of the first DC / DC converter 63, and the VIN pin of the second DC / DC converter 64. Thereby, the charging IC 55 can supply a stable standard system voltage to the LDO regulator 62, the first DC / DC converter 63, and the second DC / DC converter 64.

[0102] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a capacitor CD7 that functions as a decoupling capacitor is also provided immediately before the first DC / DC converter 63 on the power line 60D. Thereby, a stable standard system voltage can be supplied to the first DC / DC converter 63, and the stabilization of the power supply from the first DC / DC converter 63 to the load 21 can be achieved.

[0103] The ILIM pin of the charging IC 55 is a pin for setting the upper limit of the current value output from the charging IC 55 to the LDO regulator 62, the first DC / DC converter 63, and the second DC / DC converter 64. In the present embodiment, the ILIM pin is connected to the ground line 60N via the resistor R7. Here, the resistor R7 is an element having a predetermined electrical resistance value composed of a resistive element, a transistor, or the like.

[0104] The charging IC 55 outputs a current with an upper limit of a current value corresponding to the electrical resistance value of the resistor R7 connected to the ILIM pin to the LDO regulator 62, the first DC / DC converter 63, and the second DC / DC converter 64. More specifically, the charging IC 55 outputs a current having a current value corresponding to the electrical resistance value of the resistor R6 connected to the ISET pin from the OUT_1 pin and the OUT_2 pin, but if this current value reaches the current value corresponding to the electrical resistance value of the resistor R7 connected to the ILIM pin, the output of the current from the OUT_1 pin and the OUT_2 pin is stopped. That is, the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1 can set the upper limit value of the current output from the charging IC 55 to the LDO regulator 62, the first DC / DC converter 63, and the second DC / DC converter 64 by the electrical resistance value of the resistor R7 connected to the ILIM pin.

[0105] Also, a LED circuit C1 is provided which branches off from the power line 60D. The LED circuit C1 is configured by connecting a resistor R8, an LED 70, and a switch SW1 in series. Here, the resistor R8 is an element having a predetermined electrical resistance value constituted by a resistance element, a transistor, or the like. The resistor R8 is mainly used to limit the voltage applied to the LED 70 and / or the current supplied to the LED 70. The LED 70 is provided at a position corresponding to the remaining amount confirmation window 11w inside the power supply unit 10, and is a light emitting unit configured to illuminate the outside of the power supply unit 10 through the remaining amount confirmation window 11w from the inside of the power supply unit 10. When the LED 70 emits light, the visibility of the remaining amount of the first cartridge 20 (specifically, the remaining amount of the aerosol source 22 stored in the first cartridge 20) through the remaining amount confirmation window 11w is improved. The switch SW1 is a switch constituted by, for example, a MOSFET or the like.

[0106] One end on the resistor R8 side of the LED circuit C1, that is, one end of the resistor R8 is connected to the node N21 provided on the power line 60D. The other end of the resistor R8 constitutes a connector 70a and is connected to the anode-side terminal of the LED 70. One end of the switch SW1 constitutes a connector 70b and is connected to the cathode-side terminal of the LED 70. The other end on the switch SW1 side of the LED circuit C1, that is, the other end of the switch SW1 is connected to the ground line 60N.

[0107] Also, the switch SW1 is also connected to the MCU 50 as will be described later, turns on in response to an on command from the MCU 50, and turns off in response to an off command from the MCU 50. The LED circuit C1 becomes conductive when the switch SW1 turns on. Then, the LED 70 emits light when the LED circuit C1 becomes conductive.

[0108] As described above, the IN pin of the LDO regulator 62 is the positive power pin of the LDO regulator 62 and is connected to the power line 60D. The GND pin of the LDO regulator 62 is the ground pin of the LDO regulator 62 and is connected to the ground line 60N. Thus, the LDO regulator 62 is supplied with the standard system voltage output from the charging IC 55 via the power line 60D.

[0109] The OUT pin of the LDO regulator 62 is the pin from which the low-voltage system voltage generated by the LDO regulator 62 is output, and is connected to the VDD pin and VDD_USB pin of the MCU 50, the VCC pin of the intake air sensor 15, the VDD pin and IXS pin of the display driver 65, and the positive terminal 47a connected to the vibrator 47 via the power line 60E. The VDD pin and VDD_USB pin of the MCU 50 are the positive power pins of the MCU 50. Also, the VCC pin of the intake air sensor 15 is the positive power pin of the intake air sensor 15. And the VDD pin of the display driver 65 is the positive power pin of the display driver 65. Thus, the LDO regulator 62 can supply the low-voltage system voltage to the MCU 50, the intake air sensor 15, the display driver 65, and the vibrator 47.

[0110] The EN pin of the LDO regulator 62 is the pin for turning on / off the operation (function) of the LDO regulator 62. Specifically, the LDO regulator 62 operates when a high-level voltage is input to the EN pin, and stops operating when a high-level voltage is not input to the EN pin.

[0111] In this embodiment, the EN pin of the LDO regulator 62 is connected to the power supply line 60D and is also connected to the ground line 60N via the capacitor CD8. Therefore, when the standard system voltage is output from the charging IC 55, the capacitor CD8 is charged, a high-level voltage is input to the EN pin of the LDO regulator 62, the LDO regulator 62 operates, and a low-voltage system voltage is output from the LDO regulator 62.

[0112] That is, in the power supply unit 10, the capacitor CD8 connected to the EN pin of the LDO regulator 62 can be charged by the power from the charging IC 55, and a high-level signal can be input to the EN pin of the LDO regulator 62. Thereby, even when the LDO regulator 62 and the MCU 50 are in a stopped state due to a power shortage in the power supply 12, the LDO regulator 62 can be restarted by the power from an external power supply, and the MCU 50 can be restarted by the power from the LDO regulator 62.

[0113] The VDD pin and the VDD_USB pin of the MCU 50 are the power supply pins on the positive electrode side in the MCU 50 and are connected to the power supply line 60E as described above. The VSS pin of the MCU 50 is the power supply pin on the negative electrode side in the MCU 50 and is connected to the ground line 60N. Thereby, the low-voltage system voltage output from the LDO regulator 62 is supplied to the MCU 50 via the power supply line 60E. Note that the VDD pin and the VDD_USB pin may be combined into one pin.

[0114] Also, a thermistor circuit C2 is provided by branching from the power supply line 60E. The thermistor circuit C2 is configured by connecting a switch SW2, a resistor R9, and a thermistor TH in series. One end of the thermistor circuit C2 on the switch SW2 side is connected to a node N31 provided on the power supply line 60E. Also, the other end of the thermistor circuit C2 on the thermistor TH side is connected to the ground line 60N.

[0115] Here, the switch SW2 is a switch composed of, for example, a MOSFET or the like. The switch SW2 is connected to the MCU50 as will be described later, turns on in response to an on command from the MCU50, and turns off in response to an off command from the MCU50. The thermistor circuit C2 becomes conductive when the switch SW2 turns on.

[0116] The resistor R9 is an element having a predetermined electrical resistance value composed of a resistance element, a transistor, or the like. The thermistor TH includes an element having NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) characteristics or PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) characteristics, that is, an element having a correlation between the electrical resistance value and the temperature, and is configured. The thermistor TH is arranged in the vicinity of the power supply 12 in a state where the temperature of the power supply 12 can be detected.

[0117] The PC1 pin of the MCU50 is connected to a node N32 provided between the resistor R9 and the thermistor TH in the thermistor circuit C2. When the thermistor circuit C2 is in a conductive state (that is, when the switch SW2 is on), a voltage divided by the resistor R9 and the thermistor TH is input to the PC1 pin. The MCU50 can detect the temperature of the thermistor TH, that is, the temperature of the power supply 12, from the voltage value input to the PC1 pin.

[0118] The PA8 pin of the MCU50 is connected to the switch SW2 and is the pin that outputs an on command to turn on the switch SW2 or an off command to turn off the switch SW2. By outputting an on command from the PA8 pin, the MCU50 can turn on the switch SW2 and make the thermistor circuit C2 conductive. Also, by outputting an off command from the PA8 pin, the MCU50 can turn off the switch SW2 and make the thermistor circuit C2 non-conductive. As a specific example, when the switch SW2 is a switch composed of a MOSFET, the PA8 pin of the MCU50 is connected to the gate terminal of this MOSFET. Then, the MCU50 can control the on / off of the switch SW2 by controlling the gate voltage applied to this gate terminal (i.e., the output from the PA8 pin).

[0119] Also, in the power line 60E, a switch SW3 is provided in front of the positive terminal 47a. Here, the switch SW3 is a switch composed of, for example, a MOSFET or the like. The switch SW3 is connected to the MCU50, turns on in response to the on command of the MCU50, and turns off in response to the off command of the MCU50.

[0120] Specifically, the PC6 pin of the MCU 50 is connected to the switch SW3 and is the pin from which an on command to turn on the switch SW3 or an off command to turn off the switch SW3 is output. By outputting an on command from the PC6 pin, the MCU 50 can turn on the switch SW3 and supply power to the vibrator 47 via the power line 60E, causing the vibrator 47 to vibrate. Also, by outputting an off command from the PC6 pin, the MCU 50 can turn off the switch SW3 and stop the supply of power to the vibrator 47 via the power line 60E (i.e., the vibration of the vibrator 47). As a specific example, when the switch SW3 is a switch composed of a MOSFET, the PC6 pin of the MCU 50 is connected to the gate terminal of this MOSFET. Then, the MCU 50 can control the on / off of the switch SW3 by controlling the gate voltage applied to this gate terminal (i.e., the output from the PC6 pin).

[0121] Also, a Zener diode D is connected to the power line 60E. Here, a Zener diode has two terminals (electrodes), an anode side and a cathode side, and when the voltage of the terminal on the anode side exceeds a predetermined Zener voltage (also called the breakdown voltage. As an example, in the case of this embodiment, a voltage less than the above-described varistor voltage), a current rapidly flows from the cathode side to the anode side. It is a diode that becomes like this.

[0122] Specifically, one end of the Zener diode D on the anode side is connected to the ground line 60N, and the other end on the cathode side is connected to the node N41 provided on the power supply line 60E. Here, the node N41 is provided between the switch SW3 and the positive terminal 47a on the power supply line 60E. Thus, even if a back electromotive force having a voltage greater than the Zener voltage of the Zener diode D is generated from the vibrator 47 when the vibrator 47 is turned on / off, as indicated by the arrow of reference numeral C3 in FIG. 4, a current due to this back electromotive force can flow through the closed circuit formed by the vibrator 47 and the Zener diode D. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the current due to this back electromotive force from flowing outside the closed circuit formed by the vibrator 47 and the Zener diode D, and protect electronic components of the power supply unit 10 such as the power supply 12 and the LDO regulator 62 provided outside this closed circuit.

[0123] Furthermore, the capacitor CD9 may be connected to the power supply line 60E. Specifically, in this case, one end of the capacitor CD9 is connected to the node N42 provided on the power supply line 60E, and the other end is connected to the ground line 60N. Here, the node N42 is provided on the power supply line 60E on the positive terminal 47a side with respect to the node N41. In this way, the capacitor CD9 can be arranged in the closed circuit formed by the above-described vibrator 47 and the Zener diode D, and the capacitor CD9 can also protect electronic components of the power supply unit 10 such as the power supply 12 and the LDO regulator 62 provided outside the closed circuit formed by the vibrator 47 and the Zener diode D. Note that the capacitor CD9 may be provided near the closed circuit instead of being provided in the above-described closed circuit. As a specific example, the capacitor CD9 may be provided between the switch SW3 and the Zener diode D. Even in this case, the capacitor CD9 and the Zener diode D can protect electronic components of the power supply unit 10 such as the power supply 12 and the LDO regulator 62.

[0124] The PB3 pin of the MCU50 is connected to the EN pin of the first DC / DC converter 63 and is a pin for outputting a predetermined voltage signal. The MCU50 can turn on / off the operation of the first DC / DC converter 63 according to the voltage signal output from the PB3 pin. Specifically, the MCU50 can operate the first DC / DC converter 63 (i.e., activate the first DC / DC converter 63) by outputting a high-level voltage signal from the PB3 pin. Also, the MCU50 can stop the operation of the first DC / DC converter 63 (i.e., deactivate the first DC / DC converter 63) by outputting a low-level voltage signal from the PB3 pin.

[0125] The PB4 pin of the MCU50 is connected to a switch SW4 (to be described later) provided between the first DC / DC converter 63 and the discharge terminal 41 and is a pin for outputting an on command to turn on the switch SW4 or an off command to turn off the switch SW4. The MCU50 can cause power to be supplied to the load 21 as described later by outputting an on command from the PB4 pin to turn on the switch SW4. Also, the MCU50 can stop the power supply to the load 21 by outputting an off command from the PB4 pin to turn off the switch SW4. As a specific example, when the switch SW4 is a switch composed of a MOSFET, the PB4 pin of the MCU50 is connected to the gate terminal of this MOSFET. And the MCU50 can control the on / off of the switch SW4 by controlling the gate voltage (i.e., the output from the PB4 pin) applied to this gate terminal.

[0126] As described above, the PB15 pin of the MCU50 is connected to the CHG pin of the charging IC55 and is a pin for receiving the input of the charging state information and remaining capacity information output by the charging IC55.

[0127] The PA0 pin of the MCU50 is connected to the switch SW1 of the LED circuit C1 and is the pin that outputs an on command to turn on the switch SW1 or an off command to turn off the switch SW1. By outputting an on command from the PA0 pin of the MCU50 to turn on the switch SW1, the LED circuit C1 can be made conductive and the LED70 can be made to emit light (light up). Also, by outputting an off command from the PA0 pin of the MCU50 to turn off the switch SW1, the LED circuit C1 can be made non-conductive and the LED70 can be turned off. As a specific example, when the switch SW1 is a switch composed of a MOSFET, the PA0 pin of the MCU50 is connected to the gate terminal of this MOSFET. And the MCU50 can control the on / off of the switch SW1 by controlling the gate voltage applied to this gate terminal (that is, the output from the PA0 pin). Also, by outputting the on command and the off command from the PA0 pin while switching them at high speed, the conductive state and the non-conductive state of the LED circuit C1 can be switched at high speed, and the LED70 can be made to blink.

[0128] The PC5 pin of the MCU50 is connected to the OUT pin of the intake air sensor 15 and is the pin that receives the output of the intake air sensor 15 (that is, the signal indicating the detection result of the intake air sensor 15).

[0129] The PA11 pin and the PA12 pin of the MCU50 are the pins used for the input / output of the signals for communication between the power supply unit 10 and the external device. Specifically explained, as described above, the PA11 pin is connected to the A7 pin and the B7 pin of the charging terminal 43 via the resistor R2 and is used for the input / output of the Dn-side signal. Also, as described above, the PA12 pin is connected to the A6 pin and the B6 pin of the charging terminal 43 via the resistor R1 and is used for the input / output of the Dp-side signal.

[0130] The PC12 pin of the MCU50 is connected to the EN pin of the second DC / DC converter 64 and is a pin for outputting a predetermined voltage signal. The MCU50 can turn on / off the operation of the second DC / DC converter 64 according to the voltage signal output from the PC12 pin. Specifically, the MCU50 can operate the second DC / DC converter 64 (i.e., activate the second DC / DC converter 64) by outputting a high-level voltage signal from the PC12 pin. Also, the MCU50 can stop the operation of the second DC / DC converter 64 (i.e., deactivate the second DC / DC converter 64) by outputting a low-level voltage signal from the PC12 pin.

[0131] The PB8 pin and PB9 pin of the MCU50 are pins used for outputting signals for communication between the MCU50 and other ICs. In this embodiment, they are used for communication between the MCU50 and the display driver 65. Specifically, in this embodiment, the MCU50 and the display driver 65 perform I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) communication. The PB8 pin is used for outputting the signal on the SCL side in I2C communication, and the PB9 pin is used for outputting the signal on the SDA side in I2C communication. The MCU50 can control the display driver 65 according to the signals output from the PB8 pin and PB9 pin to control the display content of the display 16 (OLED panel 46).

[0132] As described above, the VCC pin of the intake air sensor 15 is the positive power supply pin of the intake air sensor 15 and is connected to the power supply line 60E. The GND pin of the intake air sensor 15 is the ground pin of the intake air sensor 15 and is connected to the ground line 60N. Thereby, the intake air sensor 15 is supplied with the low-voltage system voltage output from the LDO regulator 62 via the power supply line 60E.

[0133] As described above, the OUT pin of the intake air sensor 15 is the pin from which a signal indicating the detection result of the intake air sensor 15 is output, and is connected to the PC5 pin of the MCU 50. Thereby, the intake air sensor 15 can notify the MCU 50 of the detection result.

[0134] As described above, the VIN pin of the first DC / DC converter 63 is the positive power supply pin in the first DC / DC converter 63 and is connected to the power supply line 60D. Also, the VIN pin of the first DC / DC converter 63 is connected to the SW pin (switch pin) of the first DC / DC converter 63 via the coil CL1. The GND pin of the first DC / DC converter 63 is the ground pin in the first DC / DC converter 63 and is connected to the ground line 60N.

[0135] The VOUT pin of the first DC / DC converter 63 is the pin from which the first high-voltage system voltage generated by the first DC / DC converter 63 is output, and is connected to the positive discharge terminal 41a of the discharge terminals 41 via the power supply line 60F. Note that the negative discharge terminal 41b of the discharge terminals 41 is connected to the ground line 60N.

[0136] A switch SW4 is provided in the power supply line 60F. The switch SW4 is a switch constituted by, for example, a MOSFET or the like, and more specifically, is a power MOSFET with a high switching speed. The switch SW4 is connected to the MCU 50 as described above, turns on in response to an on command from the MCU 50, and turns off in response to an off command from the MCU 50. When the switch SW4 turns on, the power supply line 60F becomes conductive, and the first high-voltage system voltage is supplied to the load 21 via the power supply line 60F.

[0137] Also, a varistor VR4 is connected to the power line 60F. Specifically, one end of the varistor VR4 is connected to a node N51 provided on the power line 60F, and the other end is connected to the ground line 60N. Here, the node N51 is provided on the positive electrode side discharge terminal 41a side of the switch SW4 in the power line 60F, that is, on the output side of the switch SW4. In other words, the varistor VR4 is connected between the discharge terminal 41 and the power supply 12, and more specifically, it is connected between the discharge terminal 41 and the first DC / DC converter 63 (more specifically, the switch SW4).

[0138] Therefore, for example, even if static electricity is generated at the discharge terminal 41 due to rubbing between the discharge terminal 41 and the load 21 when replacing the first cartridge 20, this static electricity can be discharged to the ground line 60N via the varistor VR4 to protect the switch SW4, the first DC / DC converter 63, the power supply 12, etc. Further, even if the varistor VR4 fails, the switch SW4 and the first DC / DC converter 63 can serve as a barrier against noise (in this case, the static electricity generated at the discharge terminal 41) for other elements (for example, the charging IC55) on the power supply 12 side of these, and other elements can be protected.

[0139] Also, a capacitor CD10 that functions as a decoupling capacitor is connected to the power line 60F. Specifically, one end of the capacitor CD10 is connected to a node N52 provided on the power line 60F, and the other end is connected to the ground line 60N. Here, the node N52 is provided between the node N51 and the switch SW4 in the power line 60F. In other words, the capacitor CD10 is connected to the output side of the switch SW4. Thereby, the stabilization of the power supply from the switch SW4 to the load 21 can be achieved, and even if static electricity is generated at the discharge terminal 41, the varistor VR4 can protect the capacitor CD10 from this static electricity.

[0140] Furthermore, a capacitor CD11 that functions as a decoupling capacitor may be connected to the power line 60F. Specifically, in this case, one end of the capacitor CD11 is connected to a node N53 provided on the power line 60F, and the other end is connected to the ground line 60N. Here, the node N53 is provided between the switch SW4 and the first DC / DC converter 63 in the power line 60F. In other words, the capacitor CD11 is connected to the output side of the first DC / DC converter 63. Thereby, the stabilization of the power supply from the first DC / DC converter 63 to the switch SW4 (for example, a power MOSFET) can be achieved, and as a result, the stabilization of the power supply to the load 21 can be achieved.

[0141] As described above, the EN pin of the first DC / DC converter 63 is a pin for setting the on / off operation of the first DC / DC converter 63, and is connected to the PB3 pin of the MCU50.

[0142] The MODE pin of the first DC / DC converter 63 is a pin for setting the operation mode of the first DC / DC converter 63. The first DC / DC converter 63 is, for example, a switching regulator, and as operation modes, it can take a pulse width modulation (PWM) mode (hereinafter also referred to as the PWM mode) and a pulse frequency modulation (PFM) mode (hereinafter also referred to as the PFM mode). In the present embodiment, by connecting the MODE pin to the power line 60D, a high-level voltage is input to the MODE pin when the first DC / DC converter 63 can operate, and the first DC / DC converter 63 is set to operate in the PWM mode.

[0143] As described above, the VIN pin of the second DC / DC converter 64 is the positive power pin in the second DC / DC converter 64 and is connected to the power line 60D. Also, the VIN pin of the second DC / DC converter 64 is connected to the SW pin (switch pin) of the second DC / DC converter 64 via the coil CL2. The GND pin of the second DC / DC converter 64 is the ground pin in the second DC / DC converter 64 and is connected to the ground line 60N.

[0144] The VOUT pin of the second DC / DC converter 64 is the pin where the second high-voltage system voltage generated by the second DC / DC converter 64 is output, and is connected to the VCC_C pin of the display driver 65 via the power line 60G. Thus, the second DC / DC converter 64 can supply the second high-voltage system voltage to the display driver 65.

[0145] Also, a varistor VR5 is connected to the power line 60G. Specifically, one end of the varistor VR5 is connected to the node N61 provided on the power line 60G, and the other end is connected to the ground line 60N. In other words, the varistor VR5 is connected between the connector portion where the power line 60G is connected to the VCC_C pin of the display driver 65 and the second DC / DC converter 64.

[0146] Therefore, even if an object (e.g., the user's hand) touches the display 16 exposed outside the aerosol inhaler 1, generating static electricity on the display 16, and this static electricity flows back to the second DC / DC converter 64 side via the OLED panel 46 or the display driver 65, the varistor VR5 can discharge this static electricity to the ground line 60N, protecting the second DC / DC converter 64 and the like from this static electricity. Further, even if the varistor VR5 fails, the second DC / DC converter 64 can serve as a barrier against noise (in this case, the static electricity generated on the display 16) for other components (e.g., the LDO regulator 62) on the power supply 12 side, protecting these other components. That is, by providing the node N62 closer to the second DC / DC converter than the node N61 on the power supply line 60G, it is possible to achieve both protection against overvoltage of the display driver 65 and stable operation of the display driver 65.

[0147] Also, from the same perspective, a varistor VR6 is connected to the power supply line 60E. Specifically, one end of the varistor VR6 is connected to the node N43 provided on the power supply line 60E, and the other end is connected to the ground line 60N. Here, the node N43 is provided between the LDO regulator 62 and the switch SW3 on the power supply line 60E. Therefore, even if an object touches the display 16 exposed outside the aerosol inhaler 1, generating static electricity on the display 16, and this static electricity flows back to the LDO regulator 62 side via the OLED panel 46 or the display driver 65, the varistor VR6 can discharge this static electricity to the ground line 60N, protecting the LDO regulator 62 from this static electricity.

[0148] Also, a capacitor CD12 that functions as a decoupling capacitor is connected to the power line 60G. Specifically, one end of the capacitor CD12 is connected to a node N62 provided on the power line 60G, and the other end is connected to the ground line 60N. Here, the node N62 is provided on the side of the second DC / DC converter 64 rather than the node N61 on the power line 60G. Thereby, a stable second high-voltage system voltage can be supplied to the display driver 65, and even if static electricity is generated in the display 16, the varistor VR5 can protect the capacitor CD12 from this static electricity.

[0149] The EN pin of the second DC / DC converter 64 is a pin for setting the on / off operation of the second DC / DC converter 64, and as described above, it is connected to the PC12 pin of the MCU50.

[0150] The VDD pin of the display driver 65 is the positive power pin in the display driver 65 and is connected to the power line 60E. Also, the VSS pin of the display driver 65 is the negative power pin in the display driver 65 and is connected to the ground line 60N. Thereby, a low-voltage system voltage output from the LDO regulator 62 is supplied to the display driver 65 via the power line 60E. The low-voltage system voltage supplied to the display driver 65 is used as the power for the display driver 65 to operate.

[0151] The VCC_C pin of the display driver 65 is a pin that receives the second high-voltage system voltage. As described above, it is connected to the VOUT pin of the second DC / DC converter 64 via the power line 60G. When the display driver 65 receives the second high-voltage system voltage through the VCC_C pin, it supplies the received second high-voltage system voltage to the OLED panel 46 via the power line 60H. Thereby, the display driver 65 can operate the OLED panel 46. Note that the display driver 65 and the OLED panel 46 may also be connected by other lines (not shown).

[0152] The SCL pin of the display driver 65 is a pin that receives the SCL-side signal in the I2C communication between the MCU 50 and the display driver 65, and is connected to the PB8 pin of the MCU 50 as described above. Also, the SDA pin of the display driver 65 is a pin that receives the SDA-side signal in the I2C communication between the MCU 50 and the display driver 65, and is connected to the PB9 pin of the MCU 50 as described above.

[0153] The IXS pin of the display driver 65 is a pin for setting whether the communication between the display driver 65 and another IC (the MCU 50 in this embodiment) is performed by I2C communication or SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) communication. In this embodiment, by connecting the IXS pin to the power line 60E, a high-level voltage is input to the IXS pin, and the communication between the display driver 65 and the MCU 50 is set to be performed by I2C communication. Note that by inputting a low-level voltage to the IXS pin, the communication between the display driver 65 and the MCU 50 may be set to be performed by SPI communication.

[0154] (MCU) Next, the configuration of the MCU 50 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the MCU 50 includes an aerosol generation request detection unit 51, a temperature detection unit 52, a power control unit 53, and a notification control unit 54 as functional blocks realized by a processor executing a program stored in a ROM (not shown).

[0155] The aerosol generation request detection unit 51 detects a request for aerosol generation based on the output result of the intake air sensor 15. The intake air sensor 15 is configured to output a value of a pressure (internal pressure) change in the power supply unit 10 caused by the suction of the user through the suction port 32. The intake air sensor 15 is, for example, a pressure sensor that outputs an output value (for example, a voltage value or a current value) corresponding to the internal pressure that changes according to the flow rate of the air sucked from an intake port (not shown) toward the suction port 32 (that is, the puff operation of the user). The intake air sensor 15 may be composed of a condenser microphone or the like. The intake air sensor 15 may output an analog value or may output a digital value converted from the analog value. Further, the intake air sensor 15 may transmit the output to the aerosol generation request detection unit 51 using the above-described I2C communication, SPI communication, or the like.

[0156] The temperature detection unit 52 detects the temperature of the power supply 12 based on the input from the thermistor circuit C2. Specifically, the temperature detection unit 52 applies a voltage to the thermistor circuit C2 by turning on the switch SW2, and detects the temperature of the thermistor TH, that is, the temperature of the power supply 12, from the voltage value input from the thermistor circuit C2 to the MCU 50 (for example, the PC1 pin) at that time. Further, for example, the electrical resistance value of the load 21 may be configured to be detectable, and the temperature detection unit 52 may detect the temperature of the load 21.

[0157] The power control unit 53 controls the supply of power to each electronic component of the aerosol inhaler 1. For example, when the aerosol generation request detection unit 51 detects a request for aerosol generation, the power control unit 53 operates the first DC / DC converter 63 and controls the switching of the switch SW4 to supply the first high-voltage system voltage to the load 21 via the positive electrode side discharge terminal 41a. Thereby, the MCU 50 can supply the power of the first high-voltage system voltage to the load 21, heat (function) the load 21, and generate an aerosol. And by boosting the power from the charging IC 55 (i.e., the power of the standard system voltage) to the first high-voltage system voltage by the first DC / DC converter 63 and supplying it to the load 21, compared with the case of supplying the power from the charging IC 55 to the load 21 without boosting, the amount of aerosol generated by the load 21 and the aroma taste can be improved.

[0158] Also, the power control unit 53 supplies the standard system voltage to the vibrator 47 via the positive electrode side terminal 47a by turning on the switch SW3 at a predetermined timing. Thereby, the MCU 50 can supply the power of the standard system voltage to the vibrator 47 and make the vibrator 47 vibrate (function).

[0159] Also, the power control unit 53 operates the second DC / DC converter 64 at a predetermined timing to supply the second high-voltage system voltage to the OLED panel 46 via the display driver 65. Thereby, the MCU 50 can supply the power of the second high-voltage system voltage to the OLED panel 46 and make the OLED panel 46 operate (function).

[0160] Further, when the aerosol generation request detection unit 51 detects a request for aerosol generation, the power control unit 53 further turns on the switch SW1 to put the LED circuit C1 in a conductive state and cause the LED 70 to emit light (function). In this case, a voltage obtained by dropping the standard system voltage from the charging IC 55 by the resistor R8 is supplied to the connector 70a. That is, by turning on the switch SW1, the power control unit 53 can supply power of the voltage obtained by dropping the standard system voltage by the resistor R8 to the LED 70 via the connector 70a.

[0161] Note that the power control unit 53 controls, for example, so that the power supplied to the LED 70 is smaller than the power supplied to other electronic components such as the load 21, the OLED panel 46, and the vibrator 47. That is, the power control unit 53 controls so that the power supplied to the connector 70a is smaller than the power supplied to the positive electrode side discharge terminal 41a, the positive electrode side terminal 47a, etc. Thereby, it becomes possible to supply appropriate power to the LED 70 with a simple configuration, and while suppressing an increase in the manufacturing cost of the aerosol suction device 1 (for example, the power supply unit 10), the high functionality of the aerosol suction device 1 can be realized.

[0162] The notification control unit 54 controls the notification unit 45 to notify various information. For example, the notification control unit 54 controls the notification unit 45 to notify the replacement timing of the second cartridge 30 in response to the detection of the replacement timing of the second cartridge 30. The notification control unit 54 detects and notifies the replacement timing of the second cartridge 30 based on the cumulative number of times of the performance operation stored in the memory 19 or the cumulative energization time to the load 21. The notification control unit 54 is not limited to notifying the replacement timing of the second cartridge 30, and may notify the replacement timing of the first cartridge 20, the replacement timing of the power supply 12, the charging timing of the power supply 12, etc.

[0163] Further, when the puff operation has been performed a predetermined number of times or when the cumulative energization time to the load 21 due to the puff operation has reached a predetermined value (for example, 120 seconds) with one unused second cartridge 30 set, the notification control unit 54 may determine that this second cartridge 30 has been used (i.e., the remaining amount is zero or empty) and notify the replacement timing of the second cartridge 30.

[0164] Also, when the notification control unit 54 determines that all the second cartridges 30 included in the above set have been used, it may determine that one first cartridge 20 included in this set has been used (that is, the remaining amount is zero or empty) and notify the replacement timing of the first cartridge 20. In addition to or instead of these, the notification control unit 54 may also notify the remaining amount of the first cartridge 20, the remaining amount of the second cartridge 30, the remaining capacity of the power supply 12, and the like.

[0165] (Plug inserted into the charging terminal) Next, the plug inserted into the charging terminal 43 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 shows an example of the mating surface of the charging terminal 43 with the plug and an example of the mating surface of the plug with the charging terminal 43.

[0166] The plug 100 shown in FIG. 6 is an example of a plug inserted into the charging terminal 43 and is provided at the end of a cable (not shown) connected to an electronic device (not shown, hereinafter also simply referred to as an electronic device) that can function as an external power supply for supplying power to an external device such as the power supply unit 10. An example of the electronic device is a PC (Personal Computer), but it is not limited to a PC and may be any device having a terminal (for example, a USB port) capable of outputting power externally. Further, the cable including the plug 100 is, for example, an E-Marked cable including an IC called an eMarker.

[0167] The plug 100 has a shape that fits with the charging terminal 43 when inserted into the charging terminal 43. And the plug 100 supplies power from the electronic device (for example, power for charging the power supply 12) to the power supply unit 10 when inserted into the charging terminal 43. As the plug 100, various USB terminals (plugs) and the like can be used. As an example, in the present embodiment, the plug 100 is a USB Type-C plug.

[0168] The plug 100 includes a plurality of pins (terminals) including pins that are electrically connected to the pins of the charging terminal 43 when inserted into the charging terminal 43. Specifically, the plug 100 includes an A1 pin (indicated by "A1" in the plug 100 in FIG. 6), an A2 pin (indicated by "A2" in the plug 100 in FIG. 6), an A3 pin (indicated by "A3" in the plug 100 in FIG. 6), an A4 pin (indicated by "A4" in the plug 100 in FIG. 6), an A5 pin (indicated by "A5" in the plug 100 in FIG. 6), an A6 pin (indicated by "A6" in the plug 100 in FIG. 6), an A7 pin (indicated by "A7" in the plug 100 in FIG. 6), an A8 pin (indicated by "A8" in the plug 100 in FIG. 6), an A9 pin (indicated by "A9" in the plug 100 in FIG. 6), an A10 pin (indicated by "A10" in the plug 100 in FIG. 6), an A11 pin (indicated by "A11" in the plug 100 in FIG. 6), and an A12 pin (indicated by "A12" in the plug 100 in FIG. 6).

[0169] Further, the plug 100 includes a B1 pin (indicated by "B1" in the plug 100 in FIG. 6), a B2 pin (indicated by "B2" in the plug 100 in FIG. 6), a B3 pin (indicated by "B3" in the plug 100 in FIG. 6), a B4 pin (indicated by "B4" in the plug 100 in FIG. 6), a B5 pin (indicated by "B5" in the plug 100 in FIG. 6), a B8 pin (indicated by "B8" in the plug 100 in FIG. 6), a B9 pin (indicated by "B9" in the plug 100 in FIG. 6), a B10 pin (indicated by "B10" in the plug 100 in FIG. 6), a B11 pin (indicated by "B11" in the plug 100 in FIG. 6), and a B12 pin (indicated by "B12" in the plug 100 in FIG. 6).

[0170] In the plug 100, the A1 pin, A2 pin, A3 pin, A4 pin, A5 pin, A8 pin, A9 pin, A10 pin, A11 pin, A12 pin, the B1 pin, B2 pin, B3 pin, B4 pin, B5 pin, B8 pin, B9 pin, B10 pin, B11 pin, and B12 pin are arranged to be point-symmetrical with the center of the fitting surface with the charging terminal 43 as the symmetry point. Thereby, with respect to the charging terminal 43 in the orientation shown in FIG. 6, the plug 100 can be inserted in either the upside-up orientation shown in (A) in FIG. 6 or the upside-down orientation shown in (B) in FIG. 6.

[0171] Here, the upside-up orientation means that when viewed from the insertion direction (for example, the vertical direction), the B1 pin of the plug 100 faces the B1 pin of the charging terminal 43, the B12 pin of the plug 100 faces the B12 pin of the charging terminal 43, the A1 pin of the plug 100 faces the A1 pin of the charging terminal 43, and the A12 pin of the plug 100 faces the A12 pin of the charging terminal 43.

[0172] Also, in the upside - down orientation, when viewed from the insertion direction (e.g., the vertical direction), the B1 pin of the plug 100 faces the A1 pin of the charging terminal 43, the B12 pin of the plug 100 faces the A12 pin of the charging terminal 43, the A1 pin of the plug 100 faces the B1 pin of the charging terminal 43, and the A12 pin of the plug 100 faces the B12 pin of the charging terminal 43. That is, the upside - down orientation is the orientation in which the plug 100 is rotated 180 degrees in the rolling direction from the upside - up orientation.

[0173] The A1 pin, A12 pin, B1 pin, and B12 pins of the plug 100 are ground pins. The A4 pin, A9 pin, B4 pin, and B9 pins of the plug 100 are pins corresponding to the power lines for supplying power from the electronic device to an external device (e.g., the power supply unit 10).

[0174] The A2 pin, A3 pin, A6 pin, A7 pin, A10 pin, A11 pin, B2 pin, B3 pin, B10 pin, and B11 pins of the plug 100 are pins used for input and output of signals for communication between the electronic device and the external device.

[0175] Specifically, the A2 pin, A3 pin, A10 pin, A11 pin, B2 pin, B3 pin, B10 pin, and B11 pins of the plug 100 are pins corresponding to high - speed signal lines used for high - speed communication. More specifically, in this embodiment, the A2 pin, A3 pin, A10 pin, A11 pin, B2 pin, B3 pin, B10 pin, and B11 pins of the plug 100 are pins corresponding to the SuperSpeed signal lines in SuperSpeed USB.

[0176] And the A2 pin of the plug 100 corresponds to the signal line of TX1p (also referred to as TX1+) among the SuperSpeed signal lines. The A3 pin of the plug 100 corresponds to the signal line of TX1n (also referred to as TX1-) among the SuperSpeed signal lines. The A10 pin of the plug 100 corresponds to the signal line of RX2n (also referred to as RX2-) among the SuperSpeed signal lines. The A11 pin of the plug 100 corresponds to the signal line of RX2p (also referred to as RX2+) among the SuperSpeed signal lines.

[0177] Also, the B2 pin of the plug 100 corresponds to the signal line of TX2p (also referred to as TX2+) among the SuperSpeed signal lines. The B3 pin of the plug 100 corresponds to the signal line of TX2n (also referred to as TX2-) among the SuperSpeed signal lines. The B10 pin of the plug 100 corresponds to the signal line of RX1n (also referred to as RX1-) among the SuperSpeed signal lines. The B11 pin of the plug 100 corresponds to the signal line of RX1p (also referred to as RX1+) among the SuperSpeed signal lines.

[0178] On the other hand, the A6 pin and the A7 pin of the plug 100 are pins corresponding to the low-speed signal lines used for low-speed communication slower than high-speed communication. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the electronic device is configured to be capable of performing serial communication that differentially transmits signals through two signal lines of Dp (also referred to as D+) and Dn (also referred to as D-) as low-speed communication without using the SuperSpeed signal lines, with an external device such as the power supply unit 10. And the A6 pin of the plug 100 is the pin corresponding to the signal line of Dp, and the A7 pin of the plug 100 is the pin corresponding to the signal line of Dn.

[0179] The A5 pin of the plug 100 is a pin used to detect whether the plug 100 is inserted in the right-side-up orientation or the upside-down orientation with respect to a receptacle such as the charging terminal 43. More specifically, the A5 pin of the plug 100 is a CC (Configuration Channel) pin.

[0180] The B5 pin of the plug 100 is a pin used to supply power to a cable (e.g., an E-Marked cable) provided with the plug 100. More specifically, the B5 pin of the plug 100 is a Vconn pin and is used to supply power (hereinafter also referred to as Vconn power supply) for operating the eMarker of the E-Marked cable provided with the plug 100.

[0181] Note that in the plug 100, the roles of the A5 pin and the B5 pin (i.e., the outputs from the A5 pin and the B5 pin) can be appropriately changed by the electronic device. More specifically, when the plug 100 is inserted into the charging terminal 43 etc. in the right-side-up orientation, the A5 pin of the plug 100 is used as a CC pin, and the B5 pin of the plug 100 is used as a Vconn pin. On the other hand, when the plug 100 is inserted into the charging terminal 43 etc. in the upside-down orientation, the A5 pin of the plug 100 is used as a Vconn pin, and the B5 pin of the plug 100 is used as a CC pin.

[0182] The A8 pin and the B8 pin of the plug 100 are pins corresponding to auxiliary signal lines. More specifically, the A8 pin of the plug 100 is a pin corresponding to the signal line of SBU1 used for communication in the alternate mode which is an optional function of USB Type-C. Also, the B8 pin of the plug 100 is a pin corresponding to the signal line of SBU2 used for communication in the alternate mode.

[0183] (Connection relationship of each pin when the plug is inserted into the charging terminal in the upside-up direction) Next, the connection relationship between each pin of the charging terminal 43 and each pin of the plug 100 when the plug 100 is inserted into the charging terminal 43 in the upside-up direction will be described.

[0184] In the case of upside-up, as shown by the arrow of reference sign α in FIG. 6, the A1 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the A1 pin of the plug 100, the A12 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the A12 pin of the plug 100, the B1 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the B1 pin of the plug 100, and the B12 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the B12 pin of the plug 100.

[0185] Also, in the case of upside-up, the A4 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the A4 pin of the plug 100, the A9 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the A9 pin of the plug 100, the B4 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the B4 pin of the plug 100, and the B9 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the B9 pin of the plug 100. Therefore, the power supply unit 10 can receive USB bus power and the like supplied via the A4 pin, A9 pin, B4 pin, and B9 pin of the plug 100 by the A4 pin, A9 pin, B4 pin, and B9 pin of the charging terminal 43, and can charge the power supply 12 and the like with the received power.

[0186] Also, in the case of upside-up, the A6 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the A6 pin of the plug 100, and the A7 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the A7 pin of the plug 100. Therefore, the power supply unit 10 can perform serial communication, that is, low-speed communication, with the electronic device using two signal lines of Dp and Dn.

[0187] Also, when the plug 100 is in the upside-up position, it does not have pins connected to the B6 pin and the B7 pin of the charging terminal 43. That is, when in the upside-up position, the B6 pin and the B7 pin of the charging terminal 43 are not connected to any pins in the plug 100. Therefore, even if the A6 pin and the B6 pin of the charging terminal 43 are connected in parallel as shown in FIG. 4 etc., when in the upside-up position, it is possible to suppress a signal that can become noise from being input to the power supply unit 10 (for example, the MCU 50) via the B6 pin of the charging terminal 43. Similarly, even if the A7 pin and the B7 pin of the charging terminal 43 are connected in parallel, when in the upside-up position, it is possible to suppress a signal that can become noise from being input to the power supply unit 10 (for example, the MCU 50) via the B7 pin of the charging terminal 43.

[0188] Also, when in the upside-up position, the A5 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the A5 pin of the plug 100. Therefore, the electronic device or the power supply unit 10 can detect that the plug 100 is inserted into the charging terminal 43 in the upside-up orientation through communication of the CC signal via the A5 pin of the charging terminal 43 and the A5 pin of the plug 100.

[0189] Also, when in the upside-up position, the B5 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the B5 pin of the plug 100. Therefore, the power supply unit 10 can receive the Vconn power supplied via the B5 pin of the plug 100 by means of the B5 pin of the charging terminal 43.

[0190] Also, when in the upside-up position, the A8 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the A8 pin of the plug 100, and the B8 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the B8 pin of the plug 100. However, as described above, the A8 pin and the B8 pin of the charging terminal 43 are not connected to the electric circuit of the power supply unit 10 (for example, the electric circuit of the circuit board 60). Therefore, the auxiliary signals (for example, the signal of SBU1 or the signal of SBU2) output from the A8 pin and the B8 pin of the plug 100 are not input to the power supply unit 10.

[0191] In addition, when in the upside-up position, the charging terminal 43 does not have pins that are connected to the A2 pin, A3 pin, A10 pin, A11 pin, B2 pin, B3 pin, B10 pin, and B11 pin of the plug 100. That is, when in the upside-up position, the A2 pin, A3 pin, A10 pin, A11 pin, B2 pin, B3 pin, B10 pin, and B11 pin of the plug 100 are not connected to any pins of the charging terminal 43. Therefore, when in the upside-down position, signals for high-speed communication using the A2 pin, A3 pin, A10 pin, A11 pin, B2 pin, B3 pin, B10 pin, and B11 pin, etc. of the plug 100 are not input to the power supply unit 10.

[0192] (Connection relationship of each pin when the plug is inserted into the charging terminal in the upside-down orientation) Next, the connection relationship between each pin of the charging terminal 43 and each pin of the plug 100 when the plug 100 is inserted into the charging terminal 43 in the upside-down orientation will be described.

[0193] In the case of upside-down, as shown by the arrow of the symbol β in Fig. 6, the A1 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the B1 pin of the plug 100, the A12 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the B12 pin of the plug 100, the B1 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the A1 pin of the plug 100, and the B12 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the A12 pin of the plug 100.

[0194] Also, in the case of upside-down, the A4 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the B4 pin of the plug 100, the A9 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the B9 pin of the plug 100, the B4 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the A4 pin of the plug 100, and the B9 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the A9 pin of the plug 100. Therefore, the power supply unit 10 can receive USB bus power, etc. supplied via the A4 pin, A9 pin, B4 pin, and B9 pin of the plug 100 by the B4 pin, B9 pin, A4 pin, and A9 pin of the charging terminal 43, and can charge the power supply 12, etc. with the received power.

[0195] Also, in the case of upside - down, the A6 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the B6 pin of the plug 100, and the A7 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the B7 pin of the plug 100. Therefore, the power supply unit 10 can perform serial communication, that is, low - speed communication, with the electronic device using two signal lines of Dp and Dn.

[0196] Also, the plug 100 does not have pins connected to the A6 pin and the A7 pin of the charging terminal 43 in the case of upside - down. That is, in the case of upside - down, the A6 pin and the A7 pin of the charging terminal 43 are not connected to any pins in the plug 100. Therefore, even if the A6 pin and the B6 pin of the charging terminal 43 are connected in parallel as shown in FIG. 4 etc., in the case of upside - down, it is possible to suppress the input of signals that can become noise to the power supply unit 10 (for example, MCU50) via the A6 pin of the charging terminal 43. Similarly, even if the A7 pin and the B7 pin of the charging terminal 43 are connected in parallel, in the case of upside - down, it is possible to suppress the input of signals that can become noise to the power supply unit 10 (for example, MCU50) via the A7 pin of the charging terminal 43.

[0197] Also, in the case of upside - down, the A5 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the B5 pin of the plug 100. Therefore, the electronic device or the power supply unit 10 can detect that the plug 100 is inserted into the charging terminal 43 in the upside - down orientation by the communication of the CC signal via the A5 pin of the charging terminal 43 and the B5 pin of the plug 100.

[0198] Also, in the case of upside - down, the B5 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the A5 pin of the plug 100. Therefore, the power supply unit 10 can receive the Vconn power supplied via the A5 pin of the plug 100 by the B5 pin of the charging terminal 43.

[0199] Also, in the case of upside-down, the A8 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the B8 pin of the plug 100, and the B8 pin of the charging terminal 43 is connected to the A8 pin of the plug 100. However, as described above, the A8 pin and the B8 pin of the charging terminal 43 are not connected to the electric circuit of the power supply unit 10 (for example, the electric circuit of the circuit board 60). Therefore, the auxiliary signals (for example, the signal of SBU1 or the signal of SBU2) output from the A8 pin and the B8 pin of the plug 100 do not enter the power supply unit 10.

[0200] Also, the charging terminal 43 does not have pins connected to the A2 pin, A3 pin, A10 pin, A11 pin, B2 pin, B3 pin, B10 pin, and B11 pin of the plug 100 even in the case of upside-down. That is, even in the case of upside-down, the A2 pin, A3 pin, A10 pin, A11 pin, B2 pin, B3 pin, B10 pin, and B11 pin of the plug 100 are not connected to any pins of the charging terminal 43. Therefore, even in the case of upside-down, the signals for high-speed communication using the A2 pin, A3 pin, A10 pin, A11 pin, B2 pin, B3 pin, B10 pin, and B11 pin, etc. of the plug 100 do not enter the power supply unit 10.

[0201] As described above, the charging terminal 43 has pins that can be connected to only some of the plurality of pins provided in the plug 100. Specifically, the charging terminal 43 has pins connected to the A1 pin, A4 pin, A5 pin, A6 pin, A7 pin, A8 pin, A9 pin, A12 pin, B1 pin, B4 pin, B5 pin, B8 pin, B9 pin, and B12 pin of the plug 100 respectively, while not having pins connected to the A2 pin, A3 pin, A10 pin, A11 pin, B2 pin, B3 pin, B10 pin, and B11 pin of the plug 100 respectively.

[0202] Suppose that the charging terminal 43 is configured to include pins each connected to each pin of the plug 100. In such a case, a large number of pins are required for the charging terminal 43, and the wiring (especially the ground line 60N) for connecting each pin of the charging terminal 43 to the electric circuit (for example, the electric circuit of the circuit board 60) of the power supply unit 10 also increases. Therefore, the configuration of the charging terminal 43 and the electric circuit of the circuit board 60 becomes complicated, and it is assumed that the mounting area of the charging terminal 43 becomes large or the manufacturing cost of the power supply unit 10 (that is, the aerosol suction device 1) increases. Here, the mounting area of the charging terminal 43 is the area required for mounting the charging terminal 43 on the circuit board 60, and includes, for example, the area required for mounting the charging terminal 43 itself on the circuit board 60 and the area of the wiring portion for connecting each pin of the charging terminal 43 to the electric circuit of the circuit board 60. The increase in the mounting area of the charging terminal 43 leads to an increase in the size of the power supply unit 10, and thus the aerosol suction device 1.

[0203] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the charging terminal 43 is configured to include pins connected to only some of the pins of the plug 100. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the complication of the configuration of the charging terminal 43 and the electric circuit of the circuit board 60, reduce the mounting area of the charging terminal 43, and realize the miniaturization of the power supply unit 10 and the aerosol suction device 1. Further, by suppressing the complication of the configuration of the charging terminal 43 and the electric circuit of the circuit board 60, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the power supply unit 10 (that is, the aerosol suction device 1).

[0204] More specifically, the charging terminal 43 includes pins connected to the A4 pin, A9 pin, B4 pin, and B9 pin, which are pins corresponding to the power lines included in the plug 100. Thereby, the power supply unit 10 can receive power supply from the plug 100 through the charging terminal 43 and charge the power supply 12 with the received power. That is, since the charging terminal 43 includes pins for realizing the functions required in the current power supply unit 10, it is possible to suppress a decrease in user convenience due to reduction of such pins.

[0205] On the other hand, signals communicated by pins corresponding to high-speed signal lines or auxiliary signal lines among the pins provided in the plug 100 are less likely to be used at least in the current power supply unit 10. Therefore, by configuring the charging terminal 43 not to include pins connected to pins corresponding to high-speed signal lines or auxiliary signal lines in the plug 100, it is possible to reduce pins for realizing functions that are redundant at least for the current power supply unit 10. As a result, the mounting area of the charging terminal 43 can be appropriately reduced.

[0206] In particular, pins corresponding to high-speed signal lines of the plug 100 are composed of a large number of pins. Therefore, by configuring the charging terminal 43 not to include pins connected to pins corresponding to high-speed signal lines in the plug 100, the number of pins of the charging terminal 43 and the wiring connecting the pins of the charging terminal 43 and the electric circuit of the circuit board 60 can be reduced accordingly. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the mounting area of the charging terminal 43, and it is possible to reduce the size of the power supply unit 10 and the aerosol inhaler 1 and reduce the manufacturing cost.

[0207] On the other hand, pins corresponding to low-speed signal lines of the plug 100 are composed of fewer pins than pins corresponding to high-speed signal lines. Therefore, by configuring the charging terminal 43 to include pins connected to pins corresponding to low-speed signal lines in the plug 100, communication between the power supply unit 10 and the electronic device can be realized with a small number of pins and wiring. That is, while suppressing an increase in the mounting area of the charging terminal 43, the power supply unit 10 can be configured to have functions necessary in the current power supply unit 10 (for example, functions that may be used), and the convenience for the user can be improved. More specifically, for example, the power supply unit 10 can receive new firmware from the electronic device by low-speed communication and perform firmware update. As a result, the performance of the power supply unit 10 can be improved and the operation can be stabilized, the convenience for the user can be improved, and the user satisfaction with the aerosol inhaler 1 can be improved.

[0208] Also, the A6 pin and the B6 pin of the charging terminal 43 that can be connected to the pin corresponding to the low-speed signal line of the plug 100 are connected in parallel on the circuit board 60, and a varistor VR2 is connected in parallel to the A6 pin and the B6 pin connected in parallel. Thereby, compared with the case where protection elements are individually connected to each of the A6 pin and the B6 pin of the charging terminal 43, the system of the power supply unit 10 (for example, the MCU 50) can be protected from noise (for example, static electricity) that can be input through these pins with fewer protection elements. That is, while appropriately protecting the system of the power supply unit 10, it is possible to reduce the number of protection elements and achieve miniaturization of the power supply unit 10 and the aerosol inhaler 1 and reduction of the manufacturing cost.

[0209] Also, similarly, the A7 pin and the B7 pin of the charging terminal 43 that can be connected to the pin corresponding to the low-speed signal line of the plug 100 are connected in parallel on the circuit board 60, and a varistor VR3 is connected in parallel to the A7 pin and the B7 pin connected in parallel. Therefore, while appropriately protecting the system of the power supply unit 10, it is possible to reduce the number of protection elements and achieve miniaturization of the power supply unit 10 and the aerosol inhaler 1 and reduction of the manufacturing cost.

[0210] Also, the charging terminal 43 includes A8 pins and B8 pins that are not connected to the electric circuit of the circuit board 60, that is, other elements mounted on the circuit board 60. Thereby, considering the future function expansion of the aerosol inhaler 1, while leaving the A8 pins and B8 pins that can be connected to the A8 pins and B8 pins of the plug 100, the wiring for connecting these pins to other elements can be reduced at present, so that the mounting area of the charging terminal 43 can be miniaturized, and miniaturization of the power supply unit 10 and the aerosol inhaler 1 and reduction of the manufacturing cost can be achieved.

[0211] As described above, by reducing the mounting area of the charging terminal 43, the circuit board 60 itself can also be reduced in size. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the circuit board 60 can be formed in a substantially L shape. By forming the circuit board 60 in a substantially L shape, as described above, the aerosol inhaler 1 that can fit in the hand of an average adult, that is, the aerosol inhaler 1 that is easy for the user to hold, can be realized. Hereinafter, a specific example of the circuit board 60 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 7 to 10. Note that FIGS. 7 to 10 disclose only the main parts of the circuit configuration on the circuit board 60.

[0212] (Circuit board) As shown in FIG. 2, the circuit board 60 has a first surface 71 and a second surface 72 located on the back side of the first surface 71. The first surface 71 and the second surface 72 are surfaces that are substantially perpendicular to the left-right direction. The first surface 71 constitutes the right surface of the circuit board 60, and the second surface 72 constitutes the left surface of the circuit board 60. The second surface 72 faces the power supply 12 and / or the second surface 72 is disposed closer to the power supply 12 than the first surface 71. In the present embodiment, the second surface 72 faces the power supply 12.

[0213] A plurality of elements are mounted on the first surface 71 that constitutes the right surface of the circuit board 60 and the second surface 72 that constitutes the left surface of the circuit board 60.

[0214] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the circuit board 60 further has a ground layer 73 and a power supply layer 74, and the ground layer 73 and the power supply layer 74 are provided between the first surface 71 and the second surface 72. That is, in the present embodiment, the circuit board 60 is a four-layer multilayer board formed by laminating the first surface 71, the ground layer 73, the power supply layer 74, and the second surface 72. In the present embodiment, the circuit board 60 is configured by laminating the first surface 71, the ground layer 73, the power supply layer 74, and the second surface 72 in this order from the right. Instead of the present embodiment, the circuit board 60 may be a multilayer board having five or more layers by multi-layerizing at least one of the first surface 71, the ground layer 73, the power supply layer 74, and the second surface 72. Further, the first surface 71, the ground layer 73, the power supply layer 74, and the second surface 72 may be divided into two or more groups and laminated only within the same group. Note that, in this case, although the circuit board 60 is physically divided into two or more parts, it should be noted that the order of arrangement of the first surface 71, the ground layer 73, the power supply layer 74, and the second surface 72 in the left-right direction remains unchanged.

[0215] The circuit board 60 is substantially L-shaped when viewed from the left-right direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first surface 71 and the second surface 72 on which a plurality of elements are mounted. Specifically, the circuit board 60 has, when viewed from the left-right direction, a substantially rectangular connecting portion 600, a first portion 601 extending forward from the front end surface of the connecting portion 600, and a second portion 602 extending upward from the upper end surface of the connecting portion 600. The first surface 71, the ground layer 73, the power supply layer 74, and the second surface 72 have substantially the same shape and are substantially L-shaped when viewed from the left-right direction. Specifically, the first surface 71 has, when viewed from the left-right direction, a substantially rectangular connecting portion 710, a first portion 711 extending forward from the front end portion of the connecting portion 710, and a second portion 712 extending upward from the upper end surface of the connecting portion 710. The second surface 72 has, when viewed from the left-right direction, a substantially rectangular connecting portion 720, a first portion 721 extending forward from the front end portion of the connecting portion 720, and a second portion 722 extending upward from the upper end surface of the connecting portion 720. The ground layer 73 has, when viewed from the left-right direction, a substantially rectangular connecting portion 730, a first portion 731 extending forward from the front end portion of the connecting portion 730, and a second portion 732 extending upward from the upper end surface of the connecting portion 730. The power supply layer 74 has, when viewed from the left-right direction, a substantially rectangular connecting portion 740, a first portion 741 extending forward from the front end portion of the connecting portion 740, and a second portion 742 extending upward from the upper end surface of the connecting portion 740. The connecting portion 600 of the circuit board 60 is formed by the connecting portions 710, 720, 730, 740 of the first surface 71, the ground layer 73, the power supply layer 74, and the second surface 72, respectively. The first portion 601 of the circuit board 60 is formed by the first portions 711, 721, 731, 741 of the first surface 71, the ground layer 73, the power supply layer 74, and the second surface 72, respectively. The second portion 602 is formed by the second portions 712, 722, 732, 742 of the first surface 71, the ground layer 73, the power supply layer 74, and the second surface 72, respectively.

[0216] As shown in FIG. 7, on the first surface 71 of the circuit board 60, elements such as a display driver 65, a second DC / DC converter 64, an MCU 50, a charging IC 55, an LDO regulator 62, a protection IC 61, a first DC / DC converter 63, and a power connector 81 are mounted. Further, on the first surface 71 of the circuit board 60, an intake sensor connection portion 82, a switch connection portion 83, and a vibrator connection portion 84 are formed.

[0217] The display driver 65 is mounted above the vertical center of the second portion 712. Above the circuit board 60, an OLED panel 46 is disposed, and the display driver 65 and the OLED panel 46 are connected by a power line 60H.

[0218] The second DC / DC converter 64 is mounted slightly above the vertical center of the second portion 712 and in the front lower part of the display driver 65.

[0219] The MCU 50 is mounted at a position straddling the lower end of the second portion 712 and the upper end of the connecting portion 710.

[0220] The charging IC 55 is mounted at the rear end of the first portion 711.

[0221] In this way, the charging IC 55 is mounted on the first surface 71 which faces the power source 12 and / or is located on the back side of the second surface 72 near the power source 12. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the power source 12 from being heated by the heat generated from the charging IC 55 during charging of the power source 12.

[0222] The LDO regulator 62 is mounted at a substantially central portion in the vertical direction of the connecting portion 710 and between the MCU 50 and the charging IC 55 in the front-rear direction.

[0223] Thus, the LDO regulator 62 is mounted on the first surface 71 that faces the power supply 12 and / or is located on the back side of the second surface 72 disposed near the power supply 12. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the power supply 12 from being heated by the heat generated from the LDO regulator 62 during charging of the power supply 12.

[0224] The protection IC 61 is mounted at a position below the charging IC 55 and the LDO regulator 62 and straddling the connection portion 710 and the first portion 711.

[0225] The first DC / DC converter 63 is mounted at the front upper end of the first portion 711.

[0226] Thus, since the first DC / DC converter 63 is mounted on the first surface 71 that faces the power supply 12 and / or is located on the back side of the second surface 72 disposed near the power supply 12, it is possible to suppress the power supply 12 from being heated by the heat generated during the operation of the first DC / DC converter 63.

[0227] The power connector 81 is a connector for electrically connecting the circuit board 60 to the power supply 12, and is mounted below the first DC / DC converter 63 and at the lower end of the first portion 711. A power line connected to the power supply 12 is connected to the power connector 81. Further, the power connector 81 and the charging IC 55 are mounted on one of the left and right sides (the right side in this embodiment; that is, the front side in the aerosol inhaler 1) when viewed from the position where the charging terminal 43 is mounted on the circuit board 60. Thereby, the power connector 81 and the charging IC 55, which are elements for charging the power supply 12, can be integrated and mounted on the circuit board 60, achieving miniaturization of the circuit board 60 and high efficiency of charging.

[0228] The intake air sensor connection portion 82 is formed at substantially the center in the vertical direction at the front end of the second portion 712. A power line connected to the intake air sensor 15 is soldered to the intake air sensor connection portion 82.

[0229] The switch connection part 83 is formed at approximately the center in the vertical direction at the rear end part of the second part 712. A power line connected to the operation part 18 is soldered to the switch connection part 83.

[0230] The vibrator connection part 84 is formed at the lower rear end part of the connection part 710. Power lines connected to the positive electrode side terminal 47a and the negative electrode side terminal 47b of the vibrator 47 are soldered to the vibrator connection part 84.

[0231] Therefore, the first DC / DC converter 63 and the second DC / DC converter 64 are mounted on the circuit board 60 while being separated from each other. More specifically, the first DC / DC converter 63 is mounted on the first part 601 of the circuit board 60, and the second DC / DC converter 64 is mounted on the second part 602 of the circuit board 60. Further, the first DC / DC converter 63 is mounted at a position straddling the lower end part of the second part 712 of the circuit board 60 and the upper end part of the connection part 710, and the second DC / DC converter 64 is mounted at a position straddling the lower end part of the second part 712 of the circuit board 60 and the upper end part of the connection part 710. Thereby, the distance between the first DC / DC converter 63 and the second DC / DC converter 64 is longer than the distance between the first DC / DC converter 63 and the MCU 50, and is also longer than the distance between the second DC / DC converter 64 and the MCU 50. Here, the "distance" refers to the shortest one (i.e., the straight-line distance) among the lines connecting two objects. The same applies in the following description.

[0232] In this way, since the first DC / DC converter 63 and the second DC / DC converter 64 are mounted on the circuit board 60 while being separated from each other, heat and switching noise generated from one DC / DC converter can be reduced from affecting the other DC / DC converter.

[0233] In addition, since both the first DC / DC converter 63 and the second DC / DC converter 64 are mounted on the first surface 71 of the circuit board 60, by arranging the first DC / DC converter 63 and the second DC / DC converter 64 on the same surface, the second surface 72 where the first DC / DC converter 63 and the second DC / DC converter 64 are not mounted can be configured to be less affected by the heat and switching noise generated by the DC / DC converter.

[0234] As shown in FIG. 10, an LED 70, a discharge terminal 41, a power module 85, a charging terminal 43, and a thermistor TH are mounted on the second surface 72 of the circuit board 60.

[0235] The LED 70 is mounted at a substantially central portion in the vertical direction at the rear end of the second portion 722.

[0236] The discharge terminal 41 is mounted so as to protrude upward from the upper end of the first portion 721. The discharge terminal 41 is a pin or the like with a built-in spring, is connected to the load 21 of the first cartridge 20, and the power of the power supply 12 is supplied from the discharge terminal 41 to the load 21.

[0237] The power module 85 is mounted on the first portion 721 below the discharge terminal 41. The power module 85 includes a switch SW4, a capacitor CD10, and a varistor VR4. Also, although the power module 85 includes the switch SW4, it may be configured without including the capacitor CD10 and the varistor VR4. In this case, the capacitor CD10 and the varistor VR4 may be provided between the discharge terminal 41 and the power module 85.

[0238] The charging terminal 43 is mounted so as to protrude downward from the lower end of the second surface 72 at a position straddling the connecting portion 720 and the first portion 721 in the front-rear direction.

[0239] Furthermore, when viewed from the left - right direction, on the first surface 71 located on the back side of the second surface 72, at least a part of the protection IC61 is mounted in a region overlapping with the charging terminal 43 mounted on the second surface 72 (see FIG. 7).

[0240] Thereby, elements can be mounted on the circuit board 60 with high density, and the circuit board 60 can be made even smaller in size.

[0241] The thermistor TH is mounted in a region behind and below the connection portion 720. Therefore, the thermistor TH is mounted at the rear lower end of the entire second surface 72.

[0242] Since the thermistor TH is mounted on the second surface 72 facing the power supply 12 and / or closer to the power supply 12 than the first surface 71, the thermistor TH can be arranged to face the power supply 12 and / or closer to the power supply 12. Thereby, the temperature of the power supply 12 can be detected more accurately by the thermistor TH.

[0243] On the second surface 72, a thermistor circuit C2 is formed by the thermistor TH and the resistor R9. The resistor R9 is mounted on the second surface 72 in front of the thermistor TH. The thermistor TH is spaced apart from the resistor R9, and at least one of the plurality of elements is mounted at a position where the straight - line distance from the resistor R9 is shorter than the straight - line distance from the resistor R9 to the thermistor TH. In the present embodiment, the switch SW2 is mounted at a position where the straight - line distance from the resistor R9 is shorter than the straight - line distance from the resistor R9 to the thermistor TH.

[0244] In this way, since the thermistor TH is mounted on the second surface 72 spaced apart from the resistor R9, the thermistor TH is less likely to be affected by the heat generated from the resistor R9. Thereby, the temperature of the power supply 12 can be detected more accurately by the thermistor TH.

[0245] In addition, since the thermistor TH is mounted on the second surface 72 different from the first surface 71 on which the MCU 50 is mounted, the thermistor TH is less likely to be affected by the heat generated from the MCU 50. As a result, the temperature of the power supply 12 can be detected more accurately by the thermistor TH.

[0246] In addition, since the first DC / DC converter 63 is mounted on the first surface 71 different from the second surface 72 on which the thermistor TH is mounted, the thermistor TH is less likely to be affected by the heat generated from the first DC / DC converter 63. As a result, the temperature of the power supply 12 can be detected more accurately by the thermistor TH.

[0247] In addition, since the LDO regulator 62 is mounted on the first surface 71 different from the second surface 72 on which the thermistor TH is mounted, the thermistor TH is less likely to be affected by the heat generated from the LDO regulator 62. As a result, the temperature of the power supply 12 can be detected more accurately by the thermistor TH.

[0248] In addition, since the charging IC 55 is mounted on the first surface 71 different from the second surface 72 on which the thermistor TH is mounted, the thermistor TH is less likely to be affected by the heat generated from the charging IC 55. As a result, the temperature of the power supply 12 can be detected more accurately by the thermistor TH.

[0249] In addition, both the first DC / DC converter 63 and the discharge terminal 41 connected to the load 21 that consumes the power output by the first DC / DC converter 63 are mounted on the first portion 601 of the circuit board 60. Further, both the second DC / DC converter 64 and the display driver 65 connected to the OLED panel 46 that consumes the power output by the second DC / DC converter 64 are mounted on the second portion 602 of the circuit board 60.

[0250] Note that the discharge terminal 41 does not necessarily have to be mounted on the first portion 601 of the circuit board 60. For example, the discharge terminal 41 may be mounted on a portion of the circuit board 60 other than the first portion 601 and connected to an element mounted on the first portion 601. Also, the display driver 65 does not necessarily have to be mounted on the second portion 602 of the circuit board 60. For example, the display driver 65 may be mounted on a portion of the circuit board 60 other than the second portion 602 and connected to an element mounted on the second portion 602.

[0251] In this way, since the discharge terminal 41 is mounted or connected to the first portion 601 of the circuit board 60 and the display driver 65 is mounted or connected to the second portion 602 of the circuit board 60, the discharge terminal 41 can be arranged close to the first DC / DC converter 63, and the display driver 65 can be arranged close to the second DC / DC converter 64. Therefore, the path for supplying the power boosted by the first DC / DC converter 63 to the load 21 can be shortened, and the path for supplying the power boosted by the second DC / DC converter 64 to the OLED panel 46 can be shortened. Thereby, the loss of the power boosted by the first DC / DC converter 63 and the second DC / DC converter 64 can be reduced. And the influence on other elements due to the loss of the power boosted by the first DC / DC converter 63 and the second DC / DC converter 64 can be suppressed, and also the decrease in the amount of aerosol that can be generated by one charge can be suppressed.

[0252] Also, the first DC / DC converter 63 is mounted on the first surface 71, and the power module 85 is mounted on the second surface 72. In this way, since the first DC / DC converter 63 and the power module 85 are mounted on different surfaces of the circuit board 60, it is possible to suppress the concentration of the heat generated from the first DC / DC converter 63 and the heat generated from the power module 85 when supplying power to the load 21.

[0253] In addition, since both the power module 85 and the discharge terminal 41 are mounted on the first portion 721 of the second surface 72, they are mounted in proximity to each other. As a result, the length of the portion of the power line 60F that electrically connects the power module 85 and the discharge terminal 41 can be shortened, and the power loss between the power module 85 and the discharge terminal 41 can be reduced. Also, a pulsed current flows through the portion of the power line 60F that electrically connects the power module 85 and the discharge terminal 41. Therefore, by shortening the length of the portion of the power line 60F that electrically connects the power module 85 and the discharge terminal 41, the influence of this pulsed current on other elements can be suppressed.

[0254] Also, when viewed from the left - right direction, in the first surface 71 located on the back side of the second surface 72, no element is mounted in the region overlapping the thermistor TH mounted on the second surface 72.

[0255] Therefore, the thermistor TH is less likely to be affected by the heat generated from the elements mounted on the first surface 71 located on the back side of the second surface 72. As a result, the temperature of the power supply 12 can be detected more accurately by the thermistor TH.

[0256] The second surface 72 has a high - density region 72A where a large number of elements are mounted and the mounting density of the mounted elements is high, and a low - density region 72B where the mounting density of the mounted elements is lower than that of the high - density region 72A. In the present embodiment, the first portion 721, the region above the connecting portion 720, and the region near the vertical center of the connecting portion 720 between the connecting portion 720 and the first portion 721 are the high - density region 72A. In the present embodiment, the thermistor TH is mounted in the region behind and below the connecting portion 720, which is one of the low - density regions 72B where the mounting density of the mounted elements is lower than that of the high - density region 72A. In the present embodiment, in addition to the region behind and below the connecting portion 720, the region below the second portion 722 and the region behind and above the second portion 722 are the low - density regions 72B.

[0257] Therefore, since the thermistor TH is mounted in a region where the mounting density of the elements to be implemented is sparse, it is less likely to be affected by the heat generated from other elements mounted on the circuit board 60. As a result, the thermistor TH can more accurately detect the temperature of the power supply 12.

[0258] As shown in FIG. 8, a ground line 60N is formed in the ground layer 73 of the circuit board 60. In the present embodiment, the ground line 60N is a conductive thin film formed on the ground layer 73 of the circuit board 60 and has the reference potential of the circuit board 60.

[0259] The ground line 60N is not formed in the region overlapping with the thermistor TH mounted on the second surface 72 when viewed from the left - right direction. Therefore, the thermistor TH is less likely to be affected by the heat generated from the ground line 60N. As a result, the thermistor TH can more accurately detect the temperature of the power supply 12.

[0260] The ground line 60N is not formed in the region at the lower - rear end of the ground layer 73 including the region overlapping with the thermistor TH mounted on the second surface 72 when viewed from the left - right direction. In other words, the ground line 60N has a shape in which the region at the lower - rear end of the ground layer 73 is cut out when viewed from the left - right direction. Thus, the ground line 60N is not formed in the region overlapping with the thermistor TH and is formed so as not to surround the thermistor TH when viewed from the left - right direction. Therefore, the thermistor TH is less likely to be affected by the heat generated from the ground line 60N. As a result, the thermistor TH can more accurately detect the temperature of the power supply 12.

[0261] As shown in FIG. 9, a power - supply path 743 for supplying power to each element mounted on the circuit board 60 is formed in the power - supply layer 74 of the circuit board 60. The power - supply path 743 is composed of power - supply lines 60A, 60B, 60C, 60D, 60E, 60G, etc. The power - supply path 743 is a conductor circuit wiring formed on the power - supply layer 74 of the circuit board 60 by printing or the like.

[0262] When viewed from the left - right direction, the power supply path 743 is not formed in the region overlapping with the thermistor TH mounted on the second surface 72. Therefore, the thermistor TH is less likely to be affected by the heat generated from the power supply path 743. As a result, the temperature of the power supply 12 can be detected more accurately by the thermistor TH.

[0263] When viewed from the left - right direction, the power supply path 743 is not formed in the region at the rear lower end of the power supply layer 74 including the region overlapping with the thermistor TH mounted on the second surface 72. Further, the power supply path 743 is formed so as not to surround the thermistor TH when viewed from the left - right direction. Therefore, the thermistor TH is less likely to be affected by the heat generated from the power supply path 743. As a result, the temperature of the power supply 12 can be detected more accurately by the thermistor TH.

[0264] In this way, neither the ground line 60N of the ground layer 73 nor the power supply path 743 of the power supply layer 74 is formed in the region overlapping with the thermistor TH mounted on the second surface 72 when viewed from the left - right direction. Therefore, the thermistor TH is less likely to be affected by the heat generated from both the ground line 60N and the power supply path 743. As a result, the temperature of the power supply 12 can be detected more accurately by the thermistor TH.

[0265] Returning to FIG. 2, the internal holder 13 holds the circuit board 60 on the right side of the partition wall 13d and holds the power supply 12 on the left side of the partition wall 13d. In this way, since both the circuit board 60 and the power supply 12 are held by the internal holder 13, the thermistor TH can be maintained at a position suitable for detecting the temperature of the power supply 12.

[0266] Note that the internal holder 13 may hold only a part of the circuit board 60 on the right side of the partition wall 13d and hold only a part of the power supply 12 on the left side of the partition wall 13d. More specifically, the internal holder 13 may hold the circuit board 60 and the power supply 12 such that the position of the power supply 12 facing the thermistor TH is exposed from the internal holder 13 in the left-right direction of the thermistor TH. In this way, since the temperature of the power supply 12 is transmitted to the thermistor TH without passing through the partition wall 13d, the thermistor TH can detect the temperature of the power supply 12 more accurately and quickly.

[0267] As described above, in this embodiment, among the power connector 81, the MCU 50, the charging IC 55, and the charging terminal 43, the power connector 81, the MCU 50, and the charging IC 55 are mounted on the first surface 71 of the circuit board 60, and the charging terminal 43 is mounted on the second surface 72 of the circuit board 60. In this way, by dispersedly mounting the charging terminal 43 and elements for charging the power supply 12 on both the first surface 71 and the second surface 72 of the circuit board 60, the heat generated by them when charging the power supply 12 can be dispersed. Note that, not limited to the example described in this embodiment, if the charging terminal 43 and elements for charging the power supply 12 are separately mounted on both the first surface 71 and the second surface 72, the heat generated by them when charging the power supply 12 can be dispersed. That is, for example, among the power connector 81, the MCU 50, the charging IC 55, and the charging terminal 43, the MCU 50 and the charging IC 55 may be mounted on the first surface 71, and the power connector 81 and the charging terminal 43 may be mounted on the second surface 72.

[0268] As described above, according to the power supply unit 10 of this embodiment, by providing the charging terminal 43 with pins connected only to some pins of the plug 100, the charging terminal 43 and the power supply unit 10 can have a simple configuration, the mounting area of the charging terminal 43 can be reduced, and the miniaturization of the power supply unit 10 and the reduction of the manufacturing cost can be achieved.

[0269] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications, improvements, etc. can be made as appropriate.

[0270] The present specification describes at least the following matters. In the parentheses, corresponding components and the like in the above-described embodiments are shown, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0271] (1) A power source (power source 12) capable of supplying power to a heater (load 21) that heats an aerosol source (aerosol source 22), a receptacle (charging terminal 43) configured to be insertable with a plug (plug 100) having a plurality of pins and to receive power for charging the power source from the inserted plug, a charger (charging IC 55) configured to control charging of the power source by the power received by the receptacle, A power supply unit (power supply unit 10) of an aerosol generating device (aerosol suction device 1) including wherein the receptacle includes pins connectable to only some of the pins of the plurality of pins, A power supply unit of an aerosol generating device.

[0272] According to (1), since the receptacle includes pins connectable to only some of the pins of the plug, it is possible to suppress the complication of the configuration of the electrical circuit of the receptacle and the power supply unit, reduce the mounting area of the receptacle, and realize miniaturization of the power supply unit and thus the aerosol generating device. Further, if the receptacle is configured to be able to insert a popular plug, it becomes easy to charge the power supply unit (i.e., the aerosol generating device) at various locations (places), and the opportunity to charge the power supply unit can be ensured.

[0273] (2) A power supply unit of the aerosol generating device according to (1), wherein the receptacle includes pins (A4 pin, A9 pin, B4 pin, B9 pin) connectable to the pins of the power lines of the plug, and is configured not to be connectable to the pin of the first signal line among the plurality of signal lines of the plug, A power supply unit of an aerosol generating device.

[0274] According to (2), since the receptacle is configured to be unable to connect to the pin of the first signal line among the plurality of signal lines provided in the plug, pins and wirings for realizing functions that may become excessive in the power supply unit can be reduced, and the mounting area of the receptacle can be appropriately reduced in size.

[0275] (3) A power supply unit of the aerosol generating device according to (2), The receptacle includes pins (A6 pin, A7 pin, B6 pin, B7 pin) that can be connected to the pins of the second signal line among the plurality of signal lines, The second signal line is a signal line used for communication slower than the first signal line. A power supply unit of an aerosol generating device.

[0276] According to (3), since the receptacle includes pins that can be connected to the pins of the second signal line, which is suitable for the aerosol generating device because it is used for communication slower than the first signal line, the power supply unit can be configured to have the necessary functions in the power supply unit, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

[0277] (4) A power supply unit of the aerosol generating device according to (3), It includes a circuit board (circuit board 60) on which the receptacle is mounted, The receptacle is configured to be insertable with the plug at the first angle (upside-up direction) and the plug at the second angle (upside-down direction) rotated 180 degrees in the rolling direction from the first angle, a first pin (A6 pin, A7 pin) that can be connected to the pin of the second signal line of the plug inserted at the first angle, a second pin (B6 pin, B7 pin) that can be connected to the pin of the second signal line of the plug inserted at the second angle, and includes The circuit board connects the first pin and the second pin in parallel, A protection element (varistors VR2, VR3) connected in parallel to the first and second pins connected in parallel is provided. A power supply unit of an aerosol generating device.

[0278] (4) According to this, on the circuit board, since the protection elements are connected in parallel to the first and second pins connected in parallel, compared with the case where the protection elements are individually connected to each of the first and second pins, a smaller number of protection elements can protect the system of the power supply unit from noise that can be input through these pins. That is, while appropriately protecting the system of the power supply unit, it is possible to reduce the number of protection elements and realize miniaturization of the power supply unit and the aerosol generating device and reduction of manufacturing costs.

[0279] (5) A power supply unit of the aerosol generating device according to (1), comprising a circuit board (circuit board 60) on which the receptacle is mounted, the receptacle includes pins (pin A8, pin B8) connectable to pins of some of the plurality of signal lines provided in the plug, the pins connectable to the pins of the some of the signal lines are not connected to other elements mounted on the circuit board, A power supply unit of an aerosol generating device.

[0280] (5) According to this, in consideration of future function expansion of the aerosol generating device, it is possible to reduce the mounting area of the receptacle while leaving pins connectable to pins of some of the signal lines of the plug.

[0281] (6) A power supply unit of the aerosol generating device according to any one of (1) to (5), comprising a circuit board having a first surface (first surface 71) on which the receptacle is mounted and a second surface (second surface 72) that is the back surface of the first surface or is located on the back side of the first surface and on which an element (protection IC61) is mounted, A power supply unit of an aerosol generating device.

[0282] According to (6), since the receptacle and the elements can be mounted using both the first surface and the second surface of the circuit board, the circuit board can be miniaturized.

[0283] (7) A power supply unit of the aerosol generating device according to (6), The element is mounted at a location on the second surface that is vertically behind the location on the first surface where the receptacle is mounted. Power supply unit of the aerosol generating device.

[0284] (7) According to (7), since the receptacle can be mounted in a small area, the element is mounted at a location on the second surface that is vertically behind the location on the first surface where the receptacle is mounted, so that the circuit board can be miniaturized.

[0285] (8) A power supply unit of the aerosol generating device according to any one of (1) to (7), Comprising a circuit board (circuit board 60) on which the receptacle is mounted and at least a part of which is L-shaped. Power supply unit of the aerosol generating device.

[0286] (8) According to (8), since other components can be arranged in the notch of the L-shaped circuit board, the power supply unit can be miniaturized.

[0287] (9) A power supply unit of the aerosol generating device according to (8), Comprising the power supply, the receptacle, the charger, and a case (power supply unit case 11) for housing the circuit board. The case can house the heater and the aerosol source in the notch of the L-shaped circuit board. Power supply unit of the aerosol generating device.

[0288] (9) According to (9), since the case for housing the power supply, the circuit board, etc. can house the heater and the aerosol source in the notch of the L-shaped circuit board, the aerosol generating device can be miniaturized.

[0289] (10) The power supply unit of the aerosol generating device according to (8), a connector (power connector 81) for electrically connecting the power supply and the circuit board, a controller (MCU 50), and is provided with, the circuit board has a first surface (first surface 71) and a second surface (second surface 72) that is the back surface of the first surface or is located on the back side of the first surface, a part of the connector, the controller, the charger, and the receptacle is mounted on the first surface, the remainder of the connector, the controller, the charger, and the receptacle is mounted on the second surface. The power supply unit of the aerosol generating device.

[0290] According to (10), since the receptacle and elements for charging the power supply are dispersedly mounted on both the first surface and the second surface, the heat generated by these can be dispersed when charging the power supply.

[0291] (11) The power supply unit of the aerosol generating device according to (8), comprises a connector (power connector 81) for electrically connecting the power supply and the circuit board, the connector and the charger are mounted on one of the left and right when viewed from the position where the receptacle is mounted on the circuit board, The power supply unit of the aerosol generating device.

[0292] According to (11), since the connector and the charger can be aggregated and mounted on the circuit board, miniaturization of the circuit board and high efficiency of charging can be achieved.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0293] 1 Aerosol inhaler (aerosol generating device) 10 Power supply unit 12 Power supply 21 Load (heater) 50 MCU (Controller) 55 Charging IC (Charger) 60 Circuit Board 61 Protection IC (Element) 71 First Side 72 Second Side 81 Power Connector (Connector)

Claims

1. An aerosol inhaler, comprising: a substantially L-shaped circuit board having a short portion, a long portion, and a connecting portion at which the short portion and the long portion are connected so that the entire circuit board has a substantially L-shaped configuration; an induction heater disposed in the cutout portion of the circuit board for atomizing the aerosol source; a first electronic component mounted on the connecting portion; A second electronic component mounted on the short portion; a third electronic component mounted on the long portion; an MCU configured to control heating of the heater and having pins electrically connected to the first electronic component, the second electronic component, and the third electronic component, respectively; A part of the MCU is implemented in the connecting portion. Aerosol aspirator.

2. An aerosol inhaler as described in claim 1, The MCU is mounted across the long portion and the connecting portion. Aerosol aspirator.

3. An aerosol inhaler as described in claim 2, an area of ​​the MCU that is mounted on the long portion is smaller than an area of ​​the MCU that is mounted on the connecting portion; Aerosol aspirator.

4. An aerosol inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The circuit board has a power supply layer formed therein, the power supply layer having a power supply path for supplying power to each mounted element. Aerosol aspirator.

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