Suction device

Abstract

An inhalation device equipped with a liquid storage section storing a liquid that generates an aerosol when heated, a heating section that heats the liquid, an electric power supply section that stores electric power, and a control section that controls the electric power supply from the electric power supply section to the heating section, wherein: when predetermined conditions are satisfied, the control section controls the electric power supply to perform first heating to raise the temperature of the liquid to a first temperature, at which the liquid vaporizes, or higher; and when an event that is expected to cause the predetermined conditions to be satisfied is detected before the predetermined conditions are satisfied, the control section controls the electric power supply to perform second heating to make the temperature of the liquid to be a second heating temperature or higher but lower than the first temperature.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Book Disclosure relates to a suction device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, techniques have been proposed for quickly providing an aerosol when inhaled by a user. For example, the device described in Patent Document 1 includes a heater that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol source, and a controller that can change the amount of power supplied to the heater to heat the aerosol source to a preheating temperature that is lower than the heating temperature for generating the aerosol. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] US2020 / 0329776 publication Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, preheating is continued between inhalation operations by the user, heating the aerosol source to a preheating temperature lower than the heating temperature for generating the aerosol, regardless of whether the user performs an inhalation operation. Therefore, if an inhalation operation is not performed after preheating, the power consumption for preheating is wasted. When heating to a temperature lower than the temperature for generating the aerosol is performed, it is desirable to reduce the wasted power consumption associated with heating. Book Disclosure The object of the present invention is to provide an inhalation device that can suppress unnecessary power consumption that occurs when heating to a temperature lower than the temperature at which aerosol is generated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure a liquid storage unit that stores a liquid that generates an aerosol when heated; a heating unit that heats the liquid; a power supply unit that accumulates power; and a control unit that controls power supply from the power supply unit to the heating unit, wherein the control unit controls the power supply to perform a first heating operation to raise the temperature of the liquid to a first temperature or higher at which the liquid vaporizes when a predetermined condition is met, and controls the power supply to perform a second heating operation to raise the temperature of the liquid to a second temperature or higher but lower than the first temperature when an event that is expected to raise the predetermined condition is detected before the predetermined condition is met. is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the first feature, when there is a high possibility that an inhalation operation will be performed, second heating is performed to lower the temperature below the temperature at which an aerosol is generated, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption associated with the second heating. According to the second feature, the second heating is performed based on the operation of the user performing the suction action, so that it is possible to more reliably prevent the power used for the second heating from being wasted. According to the third feature, it is possible to detect with a higher degree of accuracy that the possibility of a suction operation being performed has increased. According to the fourth feature, it is possible to detect with a higher degree of accuracy that the possibility of a suction operation being performed has increased. According to the fifth feature, it is possible to detect with a higher degree of accuracy that there is a high possibility that a suction operation will be performed. According to the sixth feature, it is possible to more accurately determine whether the distance to the user's mouth is equal to or less than the threshold. According to the seventh feature, even if the suction operation is not performed after the second heating, it is possible to reduce wasted power consumption. According to the eighth feature, power is not supplied more than necessary, so that power consumption during the second heating can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a suction device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a suction device. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a suction device. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of a heating process performed by a control unit. [Figure 5] 4 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the suction device. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a sensor unit and a control unit according to a modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a suction device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a suction device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of a suction device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the suction device according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, Disclosure The embodiment according to the present invention will now be described in detail. First Embodiment FIG. 1 is an example of a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a suction device 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is an example of a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the suction device 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of the suction device 1. As shown in FIG. The inhalation device 1 according to the first embodiment is a device that generates a substance to be inhaled by a user. In the following description, the substance generated by the inhalation device 1 is described as an aerosol. Alternatively, the substance generated by the inhalation device 1 may be a gas.

[0009] The inhalation device 1 generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol source in the form of a liquid. The inhalation device 1 includes a power supply unit 110, a cartridge 120, a case 10 that houses the power supply unit 110 and the cartridge 120, a mouthpiece 124, and an end cap 20 that houses a portion of the mouthpiece 124. The power supply unit 110 and the cartridge 120 are configured to be detachable from each other. A user inhales with the cartridge 120 attached to the power supply unit 110.

[0010] 3, the power supply unit 110 has a power supply section 111, a sensor section 112, a notification section 113, a storage section 114, a communication section 115, and a control section 116. The power supply unit 110 also has an operation section 117 that can be operated by a user, and a DC / DC converter 118. The cartridge 120 has a heating section 121, a liquid guide section 122, and a liquid storage section 123. An air flow path 180 is formed in the suction device 1. Each component will be described below in order.

[0011] (Power supply unit 110) The power supply unit 111 accumulates power. The power supply unit 111 supplies power to each component of the suction device 1. The power supply unit 111 may be configured with, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery. The power supply unit 111 may be charged by connecting to an external power supply via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or the like. The power supply unit 111 may also be charged using wireless power transmission technology while not connected to a power transmitting device. Alternatively, the power supply unit 111 may be detachable from the suction device 1 and may be replaceable with a new power supply unit 111.

[0012] Sensor unit 112 detects various types of information related to inhalation device 1. As an example, sensor unit 112 has a pressure sensor 112p such as a microphone capacitor, a flow rate sensor 112q that detects the amount of aerosol source stored in liquid storage unit 123, and a temperature sensor 112t that detects the temperature of heating unit 121. Sensor unit 112 then outputs the detected information to control unit 116. For example, when pressure sensor 112p detects a value associated with inhalation by the user, sensor unit 112 outputs information indicating that the user has inhaled to control unit 116.

[0013] The notification unit 113 notifies the user of information. As an example, the notification unit 113 is configured with a light-emitting device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). In this case, the notification unit 113 emits light in different light-emitting patterns when the power supply unit 111 needs to be charged, when the power supply unit 111 is being charged, when an abnormality has occurred in the suction device 1, and the like. The light-emitting pattern here is a concept that includes color, timing of turning on / off, and the like. The notification unit 113 may be configured with a display device that displays an image, a sound output device that outputs sound, a vibration device that vibrates, and the like, together with or instead of the light-emitting device.

[0014] The storage unit 114 stores various types of information for the operation of the suction device 1. The storage unit 114 is configured, for example, with a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory. One example of the information stored in the storage unit 114 is information related to the OS (Operating System) of the suction device 1, such as the control details of various components by the control unit 116. Another example of the information stored in the storage unit 114 is information related to suction by the user, such as the number of suctions, the time of suction, and the cumulative suction time.

[0015] The communication unit 115 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving information between the suction device 1 and other devices. The communication unit 115 performs communication in accordance with any wired or wireless communication standard. Examples of such communication standards include wireless LAN (Local Area Network), wired LAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and Bluetooth (registered trademark). As one example, the communication unit 115 transmits information about the user's suction to a smartphone to display the information about the user's suction on the smartphone. As another example, the communication unit 115 receives new OS information from a server to update the OS information stored in the storage unit 114.

[0016] The control unit 116 functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, and controls the overall operation of the suction device 1 in accordance with various programs. The control unit 116 is realized by electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a microprocessor. The control unit 116 may also include a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs to be used, calculation parameters, etc., and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores parameters that change as needed. The suction device 1 executes various processes under the control of the control unit 116. Examples of processes controlled by the control unit 116 include power supply from the power supply unit 111 to the other components, charging of the power supply unit 111, detection of information by the sensor unit 112, notification of information by the notification unit 113, storage and reading of information by the memory unit 114, and transmission and reception of information by the communication unit 115. Other processes executed by the suction device 1, such as input of information to each component and processing based on information output from each component, are also controlled by the control unit 116.

[0017] The operation unit 117 is configured with a button switch, a touch panel, or the like. The operation unit 117 outputs information operated by the user to the control unit 116. For example, when a predetermined startup operation is performed on the operation unit 117 while the power supply unit 110 is in a power-off state, the operation unit 117 outputs a startup command for the power supply unit 110 to the control unit 116. Upon receiving this startup command, the control unit 116 starts up the power supply unit 110. An example of the predetermined startup operation performed by the operation unit 117 is pressing the operation unit 117 three times in quick succession.

[0018] The DC / DC converter 118 is connected between the heating section 121 and the power supply section 111 when the cartridge 120 is attached to the power supply unit 110. The control section 116 is connected between the DC / DC converter 118 and the power supply section 111. The DC / DC converter 118 is a boost circuit capable of boosting an input voltage, and is configured to be able to supply a boosted voltage of the input voltage or the input voltage to the heating unit 121. The DC / DC converter 118 can adjust the power supplied to the heating unit 121. For example, a switching regulator can be used as the DC / DC converter 118, which converts the input voltage to a desired output voltage by controlling the on / off times of a switching element while monitoring the output voltage. When a switching regulator is used as the DC / DC converter 118, it is also possible to output the input voltage as is without boosting it by controlling the switching element.

[0019] The temperature sensor 112t has a voltage sensor and a current sensor. The voltage sensor measures and outputs the voltage value applied to the heating unit 121. The current sensor measures and outputs the current value flowing through the heating unit 121. The outputs of the voltage sensor and the current sensor are each input to the control unit 116. The control unit 116 obtains the resistance value of the heating unit 121 based on the outputs of the voltage sensor and the current sensor, and obtains the temperature of the heating unit 121 according to this resistance value. The temperature of the heating unit 121 can be considered to be approximately the same as the temperature of the aerosol source heated by the heating unit 121.

[0020] Note that the temperature sensor 112t does not need to have a current sensor if a constant current is applied to the heating unit 121 when the resistance value of the heating unit 121 is acquired. Similarly, the temperature sensor 112t does not need to have a voltage sensor if a constant voltage is applied to the heating unit 121 when the resistance value of the heating unit 121 is acquired. The temperature sensor 112t may be, for example, a thermistor disposed near the heating unit 121.

[0021] (Cartridge 120) The liquid storage unit 123 stores the aerosol source. The aerosol source is atomized by heating to generate an aerosol. The aerosol source is a liquid such as a polyhydric alcohol, such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water. The aerosol source may further include a tobacco material or an extract derived from a tobacco material that releases a flavor component when heated. The aerosol source may further include nicotine. If the inhalation device 1 is a medical inhaler, such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may include a medication to be inhaled by the patient.

[0022] The liquid guide portion 122 guides and holds the aerosol source, which is a liquid stored in the liquid storage portion 123, from the liquid storage portion 123. The liquid guide portion 122 according to this embodiment is a wick formed by twisting a fiber material such as glass fiber or a porous material such as porous ceramic. The liquid guide portion 122 is in liquid communication with the liquid storage portion 123. Therefore, the aerosol source stored in the liquid storage portion 123 spreads throughout the liquid guide portion 122 due to the capillary effect.

[0023] The heating unit 121 generates an aerosol by heating the aerosol source and atomizing the aerosol source. The heating unit 121 is configured in any shape, such as a coil, a film, or a blade, and is made of any material, such as metal or polyimide. The heating unit 121 is disposed close to the liquid guiding unit 122. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the heating unit 121 is configured as a metal coil and is wound around the liquid guiding unit 122. Therefore, when the heating unit 121 generates heat, the aerosol source held in the liquid guiding unit 122 is heated and atomized, and an aerosol is generated. The heating unit 121 generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 111.

[0024] (Air flow path 180) Air flow path 180 is a flow path for air inhaled by the user. Air flow path 180 has, at both ends, air inlet hole 181, which is an entrance for air into air flow path 180, and air outlet hole 182, which is an exit for air from air flow path 180. As the user inhales, air flows into air flow path 180 from air inlet hole 181, and air flows out of air flow path 180 from air outlet hole 182. For example, air inlet hole 181 can be formed around operation unit 117. Air outlet hole 182 is formed in mouthpiece 124.

[0025] A liquid guide section 122 is disposed midway along the air flow path 180. The aerosol generated by the heating section 121 is mixed with air flowing in from the air inlet hole 181. Then, as the user inhales, the mixed fluid of the aerosol and air is transported to the air outlet hole 182 as shown by arrow 190.

[0026] (Case 10) The case 10 has a cylindrical power supply unit case 11 that houses a power supply unit 110 and a cylindrical cartridge case 12 that houses a cartridge 120 . The power supply unit case 11 is provided with an operating unit 117 that can be operated by the user, exposed from the surface of the power supply unit case 11. The power supply unit case 11 is formed with an air inlet hole 181 that takes in outside air. For example, the air inlet hole 181 can be formed around the operating unit 117. A pressure sensor 112p is provided near the operating unit 117. The pressure sensor 112p is configured to output a value of a pressure change inside the power supply unit 110 that occurs when the user inhales through the mouthpiece 124. The pressure sensor 112p outputs an output value that corresponds to, for example, the flow rate of air inhaled from the air inlet hole 181 toward the mouthpiece 124, in other words, the pressure that changes in response to the user's inhalation.

[0027] (End Cap 20) The end cap 20 has a first cylindrical portion 21 that is fitted into the inside of the opening of the cartridge case 12 on the opposite side to the power supply unit case 11, and a second cylindrical portion 22 that is provided on the outside of the cartridge case 12. A portion of the first cylindrical portion 21 on the cartridge case 12 side is fitted into the cartridge case 12, and has a flange portion that abuts against the end face of the cartridge case 12. The second cylindrical portion 22 has an outer circumferential surface with a smaller diameter than the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion 21, and an inner circumferential surface with the same diameter as the inner circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion 21.

[0028] (Mouthpiece 124) The mouthpiece 124 is a cylindrical member, a portion of which on the cartridge case 12 side is fitted inside the end cap 20 , and has a flange portion which abuts against the end face of the end cap 20 . Mouthpiece 124 is an example of a mouthpiece that is held in the user's mouth when inhaling. Air outlet holes 182 of air flow path 180 are formed in mouthpiece 124. By holding mouthpiece 124 in the mouth and inhaling, the user can take in the mixed fluid of aerosol and air transported by air flow path 180 into the oral cavity.

[0029] (Heating control of heating unit 121 by control unit 116) Control unit 116 starts up when the power of suction device 1 is turned on. For example, suction device 1 is turned on when operation unit 117 is pressed three times in quick succession. When a predetermined condition is met, the control unit 116 supplies power to the heating unit 121 to raise the temperature of the liquid aerosol source to a first temperature or higher at which the aerosol is atomized to generate an aerosol. An example of a case where the predetermined condition is met is when the output value of the pressure sensor 112p of the sensor unit 112 is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold. An example of a case where the output value of the pressure sensor 112p is equal to or higher than the threshold is when the user holds the mouthpiece 124 in their mouth and inhales, and the flow rate and pressure of air inhaled from the air inlet 181 toward the mouthpiece 124 change, causing the output value of the pressure sensor 112p to exceed the threshold. Hereinafter, inhaling by the user holding the mouthpiece 124 in their mouth may be referred to as an "inhalation operation." An example of the first temperature is the boiling point of the aerosol source.

[0030] In this way, when the user performs an inhalation operation, for example, the control unit 116 supplies power to the heating unit 121 to heat the heating unit 121 so that the temperature of the aerosol source is equal to or higher than the boiling point. Hereinafter, the act of supplying power to the heating unit 121 to heat the heating unit 121 so that the temperature of the aerosol source is equal to or higher than the boiling point may be referred to as "suction heating." The control unit 116 starts the suction heating when a predetermined condition is met. Furthermore, the above-mentioned predetermined condition may be referred to as the "suction heating condition." An example of the suction heating condition is that the output value of the pressure sensor 112p is equal to or higher than a threshold value.

[0031] When performing suction heating, the control unit 116 controls, for example, the power value supplied to the heating unit 121 so that it becomes a power value that is predetermined as the power value when performing suction heating. The predetermined power value can be, for example, a value that is obtained in advance by conducting an experiment or the like and stored in the storage unit 114 or ROM. Another example of the predetermined power value is that it is set so that the temperature of the heating unit 121 when performing suction heating becomes a suction heating target temperature, which will be described later.

[0032] The control unit 116 may set the target temperature of the heating unit 121 during suction heating to a first temperature or higher, and control the power supply so that the temperature of the heating unit 121 during suction heating reaches this target temperature. Hereinafter, the target temperature of the heating unit 121 during suction heating may be referred to as the "suction heating target temperature." The suction heating target temperature is 180 ℃ It can be exemplified that:

[0033] When performing suction heating, the control unit 116 may control the power supplied to the heating unit 121 via the DC / DC converter 118, for example, so that the temperature of the heating unit 121 detected by the temperature sensor 112t becomes the suction heating target temperature. For example, the control unit 116 may control the power supplied to the heating unit 121 based on the deviation between the suction heating target temperature stored in the storage unit 114 and the actual temperature of the heating unit 121 detected by the temperature sensor 112t (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the "actual temperature"). This temperature control of the heating unit 121 can be achieved, for example, by known feedback control. Note that the control unit 116 may also control the power supplied to the heating unit 121 based on the deviation between the actual temperature and a temperature (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the "suction heating set temperature") set to a value smaller than the suction heating target temperature (e.g., 175°C) so that the actual temperature does not exceed the suction heating target temperature.

[0034] The control unit 116 performs suction heating while the output value of the pressure sensor 112p is equal to or greater than the threshold value, in other words, while the user continues the suction operation, assuming that the suction heating condition is met. However, when the period during which the output value of the pressure sensor 112p is equal to or greater than the threshold value reaches a predetermined upper limit time (e.g., 2.4 seconds), the control unit 116 stops supplying power to the heating unit 121 regardless of the output value of the pressure sensor 112p.

[0035] On the other hand, when control unit 116 detects an event that is expected to establish the suction heating condition before the suction heating condition is established, it supplies power to heating unit 121 to make the temperature of the aerosol source equal to or higher than the second temperature and lower than the first temperature. An example of a case in which an event that is expected to establish the suction heating condition is detected is when a predetermined operation (e.g., a single press) is performed on operation unit 117. Note that the target for performing the predetermined operation may be an operation unit different from operation unit 117, which is the target for performing a predetermined startup operation to turn on power supply unit 110. An example of the second temperature is 40 degrees.

[0036] In this way, when operation unit 117 is pressed once before the user performs inhalation, for example, control unit 116 supplies power to heating unit 121 to heat heating unit 121 so that the temperature of the aerosol source is equal to or higher than the second temperature but lower than the first temperature. Hereinafter, supplying power to heating unit 121 to heat heating unit 121 so that the temperature of the aerosol source is equal to or higher than the second temperature but lower than the first temperature may be referred to as "pre-heating." Control unit 116 starts pre-heating when it detects an event that is expected to establish the suction heating condition. Hereinafter, an event that is expected to establish the suction heating condition may be referred to as a "pre-event."

[0037] When preheating is performed, the control unit 116 controls, for example, the power value supplied to the heating unit 121 so that it becomes a power value that is predetermined as the power value when preheating is performed. The predetermined power value can be, for example, a value that is obtained in advance by conducting an experiment or the like and stored in the storage unit 114 or ROM. Another example of the predetermined power value is one that is set so that the temperature of the heating unit 121 when preheating becomes a preheating target temperature, which will be described later.

[0038] The control unit 116 may set the target temperature of the heating unit 121 during preheating to a temperature that is equal to or higher than the second temperature and lower than the boiling point of the aerosol source, and control the power supply so that the temperature of the heating unit 121 during preheating reaches this target temperature. Hereinafter, the target temperature of the heating unit 121 during preheating may be referred to as the "preheating target temperature." An example of the preheating target temperature is 50 degrees.

[0039] When performing preheating, the control unit 116 may, for example, control the power supplied to the heating unit 121 via the DC / DC converter 118 so that the temperature of the heating unit 121 detected by the temperature sensor 112t becomes the preheating target temperature. For example, the control unit 116 may control the power supplied to the heating unit 121 based on the deviation between the preheating target temperature stored in the storage unit 114 and the actual temperature (actual temperature) of the heating unit 121 detected by the temperature sensor 112t. This temperature control of the heating unit 121 can be achieved by, for example, known feedback control. Note that the control unit 116 may also control the power supplied to the heating unit 121 based on the deviation between the actual temperature and a temperature (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "preheating set temperature") set to a value smaller than the preheating target temperature (for example, 45 degrees) so that the actual temperature does not exceed the preheating target temperature.

[0040] Furthermore, because the preheating target temperature is lower than the suction heating target temperature, the control unit 116 sets the power value when performing preheating to be smaller than the power value when performing suction heating. For example, the control unit 116 sets the duty ratio when performing preheating to be smaller than the duty ratio when performing suction heating of the PWM signal output to the DC / DC converter 118. For example, the duty ratio when performing suction heating can be set to 90%, and the duty ratio when performing preheating to be 30%.

[0041] Note that control unit 116 may fix the duty ratio to 30% until the actual temperature reaches the preheating set temperature, and after the actual temperature reaches the preheating set temperature, change the duty ratio based on the deviation between the actual temperature and the set temperature. Similarly, control unit 116 may fix the duty ratio to 90% until the actual temperature reaches the suction set temperature, and after the actual temperature reaches the suction set temperature, change the duty ratio based on the deviation between the actual temperature and the set temperature.

[0042] If the suction heating conditions are met while preheating is being performed, the control unit 116 performs suction heating. Therefore, in the suction device 1, as described above, the process of transitioning to suction heating by the control unit 116 controlling the power supply to the heating unit 121 may involve a transition to suction heating after preheating, or a transition to suction heating without preheating. In the following description, suction heating when transitioning to suction heating after preheating may be referred to as "first suction heating," and suction heating when transitioning to suction heating without preheating may be referred to as "second suction heating."

[0043] On the other hand, when a predetermined condition for ending preheating (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a "preheating ending condition") is met before the suction heating condition is met during preheating, the control unit 116 stops preheating. This is to reduce unnecessary power consumption associated with preheating. The preheating ending condition can be, for example, the elapse of a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds) after the start of preheating.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the heating process performed by the control unit 116. The control unit 116 repeatedly executes this process, for example, at a predetermined control period (for example, every 1 millisecond). The control unit 116 determines whether a preliminary event has been detected (S401). If a preliminary event has been detected (YES in S401), the control unit 116 performs preliminary heating (S402). Thereafter, the control unit 116 determines whether a suction and heating condition has been met (S403). If the suction and heating condition has been met (YES in S403), the control unit 116 performs first suction and heating (S404). Thereafter, the control unit 116 determines whether the suction operation has ended (S405). If it has been determined that the suction operation has not ended (NO in S405), the control unit 116 determines whether the upper limit time has been reached (S406). If the upper limit time has not been reached (NO in S406), the control unit 116 performs the processes from S405 onwards. When the upper limit time is reached (YES in S406) or when the suction operation is completed (YES in S405), the control unit 116 stops the power supply from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121 to stop heating (S407).

[0045] On the other hand, if it is determined in S403 that the user is not performing a suction operation (NO in S403), the control unit 116 determines whether the pre-heating end condition is met (S408). If the pre-heating end condition is not met (NO in S408), the control unit 116 performs the processes from S402 onwards. On the other hand, if the pre-heating end condition is met (YES in S408), the control unit 116 stops the power supply from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121 to stop heating (S407).

[0046] On the other hand, if it is determined in S401 that a preliminary event has not been detected (NO in S401), the control unit 116 determines whether the suction and heating conditions are met (S409). If the suction and heating conditions are not met (NO in S409), the control unit 116 ends this process. If the suction and heating conditions are met (YES in S409), the control unit 116 performs second suction and heating (S410). Thereafter, the control unit 116 determines whether the suction operation has ended (S411). If it is determined that the suction operation has not ended (NO in S411), the control unit 116 determines whether the upper limit time has been reached (S412). If the upper limit time has not been reached (NO in S412), the control unit 116 performs the processes from S411 onwards. If the upper limit time has been reached (YES in S412) or if the suction operation has ended (YES in S411), the control unit 116 stops the power supply from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121 to stop heating (S407).

[0047] FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the suction device 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5(a) is a timing chart when the first suction heating is performed, and FIG. 5(b) is a timing chart when the second suction heating is performed.

[0048] 5(a) shows the operation when an operation to turn on the power of the suction device 1 is performed at time t1, a preliminary event is detected at a subsequent time t2, and the first suction operation is detected at a subsequent time t3 (when it is detected that the suction heating condition is met). Also, FIG. 5(a) shows the operation when it is detected that the first suction operation has not been performed at time t4, a preliminary event is detected at a subsequent time t5, and the second suction operation is detected at a subsequent time t6.

[0049] Fig. 5(b) shows the operation when an operation to turn on the power of the suction device 1 is performed at time t1, and it is detected that the first suction operation has been performed at a subsequent time t3 (when it is detected that the suction and heating conditions have been met). Fig. 5(b) also shows the operation when it is detected that the first suction operation has ceased at time t4, and it is detected that the second suction operation has been performed at a subsequent time t6.

[0050] Fig. 5(c) is a diagram showing the temperature change of the heating unit 121 when the suction device 1 operates as shown in Fig. 5(a) (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "Case 1") and when it operates as shown in Fig. 5(b) (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "Case 2"). The temperature change in Case 1 is shown by a solid line, and the temperature change in Case 2 is shown by a dashed line.

[0051] 5(c), in Case 1, preheating is performed before suction heating, so the suction heating target temperature is likely to be reached earlier than in Case 2. Therefore, in Case 1, the temperature of the aerosol source is likely to reach the temperature at which atomization occurs and aerosol is generated earlier than in Case 2. Therefore, in the inhalation device 1, the amount of aerosol generated at the beginning of inhalation by the user is greater when the first suction and heating is performed (Case 1 in FIG. 5) than when the second suction and heating is performed (Case 2 in FIG. 5) for the following reasons.

[0052] Liquid guide section 122 guides and holds the aerosol source, which is a liquid stored in liquid storage section 123, by the capillary effect, and heating section 121 is disposed close to liquid guide section 122 and generates heat to atomize the aerosol source and generate aerosol. Therefore, the more power supplied to heating section 121, the greater the amount of aerosol generated.

[0053] During the second suction and heating, power is supplied to the heating unit 121 after the user performs a suction action, so most of the power supplied at the beginning of suction is consumed to increase the temperature of the liquid that is the aerosol source, and the amount of power consumed to vaporize the liquid is reduced, resulting in a smaller amount of aerosol generated at the beginning of suction.

[0054] In contrast, during the first suction heating, which occurs after preheating, power is supplied to the heating unit 121 before the user performs a suction operation, and the temperature of the liquid, which is the aerosol source, rises. Therefore, during the first suction heating, less of the power supplied at the beginning of suction is consumed to raise the temperature of the liquid, and more is consumed to vaporize the liquid, than during the second suction heating. As a result, the first suction heating generates a larger amount of aerosol at the beginning of suction than the second suction heating.

[0055] As described above, the inhalation device 1 includes a liquid storage unit 123 that stores a liquid serving as an aerosol source that generates an aerosol when heated, a heating unit 121 that heats the liquid, a power supply unit 111 that accumulates power, and a control unit 116 that controls power supply from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121. When a suction heating condition, which is an example of a predetermined condition, is established, the control unit 116 controls the power supply to perform suction heating, which is an example of first heating, that raises the temperature of the liquid serving as the aerosol source to a first temperature (e.g., boiling point) or higher at which the liquid vaporizes. On the other hand, when the control unit 116 detects an event that predicts that the suction heating condition will be established before the suction heating condition is established, the control unit 116 controls the power supply to perform preheating, which is an example of second heating, that raises the temperature of the liquid serving as the aerosol source to a second temperature (e.g., 40° C.) or higher but lower than the first temperature (e.g., boiling point).

[0056] That is, the inhalation device 1 performs preheating when it detects an event that predicts that the suction heating condition will be met before the suction heating condition is met, and then performs suction heating when the suction heating condition is met. With the inhalation device 1 configured in this manner, by performing suction heating after preheating, the amount of aerosol at the beginning of suction is greater than when suction heating is performed without preheating.

[0057] Although the second temperature is 40°C in the example, it is not particularly limited to 40°C. Because the purpose of preheating is to increase the temperature of the liquid, which is the aerosol source, before suction heating, the second temperature need only be higher than the temperature of the location where the suction device 1 is used. For example, if the region where the suction device 1 is used is Japan, the second temperature need only be higher than the air temperature in Japan. Because air temperature changes with the seasons, the second temperature may be changed according to the season. Furthermore, although the preheating target temperature is 50°C in the example, it is not particularly limited to 50°C. The preheating target temperature may be changed in the same manner as the second temperature, for example, by setting it to the second temperature + 10°C. Similarly, if the power value supplied to the heating unit 121 during preheating is set to a predetermined power value, the predetermined power value may be changed in the same manner as the second temperature. In other words, this predetermined power value and preheating target temperature may be changed according to the region or season where the suction device 1 is used.

[0058] The suction device 1 performs preheating when an event that is expected to satisfy the suction heating condition is detected before the suction heating condition is satisfied. This reduces unnecessary power consumption associated with preheating, compared to starting preheating when the suction device 1 is powered on. For example, even when the suction device 1 is powered on, the user does not necessarily perform a suction operation immediately. If the suction device 1 is powered on and preheating is started but the suction operation is not performed, the power consumed for performing preheating is wasted. In contrast, the suction device 1 starts preheating when an event that is expected to satisfy the suction heating condition is detected after the suction device 1 is powered on, for example, when a predetermined operation (e.g., a single press) is performed on the operation unit 117. If the event that is expected to satisfy the suction heating condition is more likely to lead to the user's suction operation than other events (e.g., the suction device 1 being powered on), suction heating is performed with high probability after preheating, so the power consumed for performing preheating is less likely to be wasted.

[0059] Furthermore, with the suction device 1, it is possible to reduce unnecessary power consumption associated with preheating compared to a configuration in which preheating is performed during the entire period between the nth suction operation and the (n+1)th suction operation that follows the nth suction operation. Since the time interval between the nth suction operation and the (n+1)th suction operation is approximately 10 to 20 seconds, for example, if the time interval between the detection of an event that is expected to establish the suction heating condition and the start of the suction operation is approximately 3 seconds, the preheating period can be shortened by 7 to 17 seconds. Furthermore, if the preheating target temperature is reached within 3 seconds after the start of preheating, the power required for preheating can be reduced by the amount of time that the preheating period can be shortened.

[0060] Furthermore, in the suction device 1, the control unit 116 sets the power value when performing preheating to be lower than the power value when performing suction heating. For example, the control unit 116 sets the duty ratio when performing suction heating to 90% and the duty ratio when performing preheating to 30%. This makes it possible to reduce unnecessary power consumption associated with preheating even if a suction operation is not performed after preheating.

[0061] Furthermore, the control unit 116 controls the temperature of the heating unit 121 so that it does not exceed the target temperature. This prevents the temperature of the heating unit 121 from rising more than necessary, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption associated with preheating.

[0062] (Modification of detection of events that are expected to result in suction heating conditions) The following describes a modified example of detecting an event that is expected to result in the suction and heating condition being satisfied, in other words, detecting an event that is expected to result in the suction operation being performed. Hereinafter, an event that is expected to result in the suction and heating condition being satisfied may be referred to as a "preliminary event." Here, performing preheating before the suction operation enables a high atomization rate from the beginning of suction. However, if the suction operation is not performed after preheating, the power used for preheating is wasted. Furthermore, if the time from the start of preheating until the preheating target temperature is reached is called the "minimum heating time," starting preheating before the minimum heating time required for the suction operation can reduce the power consumption required to maintain the preheating target temperature after it has been reached. The minimum heating time depends on the specifications of the heating unit 121 and the preheating target temperature, but can be, for example, 2 seconds or less. If the minimum heating time is 2 seconds, starting preheating 2 seconds before the suction operation ensures that the temperature will be sufficiently at the preheating target temperature by the time the suction operation is performed. For the above reasons, it is desirable to start preheating before the minimum heating time that allows the suction operation to be performed with high reliability.

[0063] As a preliminary event, the following events are possible in addition to the above-mentioned predetermined operation (for example, one press) on the operation unit 117. (1) The suction device 1 is moved to the mouth. This is because the user moves the suction device 1 to the mouth before performing the suction operation. In particular, it is considered that the suction device 1 is moved to the mouth during the first suction operation. (2) The suction device 1 is located near the mouth. This is because the suction device 1 is located near the mouth when the user performs the suction operation. In particular, before the second or subsequent suction operation, it is considered that the suction device 1 may be kept near the mouth from the time of the previous suction operation. (3) The inhalation device 1 comes into contact with the lips, because the user holds the mouthpiece 124 in their mouth when performing the inhalation action.

[0064] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the sensor unit 112 and the control unit 116 according to a modified example. In the above case (1), the control unit 116 can detect a preliminary event as follows, for example. Before performing a suction operation, a user may pick up the suction device 1 that is placed on a desk or table, for example, and lift it up. For example, the sensor unit 112 may include a gyro sensor 112j, and the control unit 116 may detect a preliminary event when the output value of the gyro sensor 112j indicates that the orientation of the suction device 1 has been changed from landscape to portrait. For example, the gyro sensor 112j may be provided inside the power supply unit case 11. When the suction device 1 is placed on a desk or table, it is oriented landscape-wise, with the power supply unit 111 and the mouthpiece 124 at the same height. On the other hand, when the user is performing a suction operation, it is oriented portrait-wise, with the mouthpiece 124 positioned above the power supply unit 110, or in other words, with the mouthpiece 124 at a higher height than the power supply unit 111, as shown in FIG. 1 . Therefore, for example, control unit 116 can detect a preliminary event when the output value of gyro sensor 112j changes from a value indicating a state in which power supply unit 111 and mouthpiece 124 are at the same altitude to a value indicating a state in which mouthpiece 124 is at a higher altitude than power supply unit 111. Note that the state in which power supply unit 111 and mouthpiece 124 are at the same altitude is not limited to a state in which power supply unit 111 and mouthpiece 124 are at exactly the same altitude, and may also be a state in which the difference in altitude between power supply unit 111 and mouthpiece 124 is 1 cm or less. This is because when the difference in altitude between power supply unit 111 and mouthpiece 124 is 1 cm or less, it can be assumed that inhalation device 1 is oriented sideways.

[0065] Furthermore, because the user touches the suction device 1 with his / her hand before performing the suction operation, the sensor unit 112 may have a tactile sensor 112s, and the control unit 116 may detect a preliminary event when the output value of the tactile sensor 112s indicates that the hand is touching the suction device 1. Note that the tactile sensor 112s may be, for example, attached to the power supply unit case 11 in a state exposed from the surface of the power supply unit case 11 that houses the power supply unit 110.

[0066] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the user may move the suction device 1, for example, from near the waist to near the mouth, before performing the suction operation. Therefore, the sensor unit 112 may include an acceleration sensor 112a, and the control unit 116 may detect a preliminary event when the output value of the acceleration sensor 112a exceeds a predetermined threshold. When the suction device 1 is moved from bottom to top, a downward inertial force acts, and the acceleration sensor 112a indicates a positive acceleration. When the suction device 1 is moved from top to bottom, an upward inertial force acts, and the acceleration sensor 112a indicates a negative acceleration. Therefore, when the output value of the acceleration sensor 112a exceeds a predetermined threshold, it can be considered that the user has moved the suction device 1 from near the waist to near the mouth to perform the suction operation. For example, the acceleration sensor 112a may be provided inside the power supply unit case 11.

[0067] Furthermore, when the suction device 1 is moved from near the waist to near the mouth, the altitude of the suction device 1 is likely to change by the height between near the waist and near the mouth. Therefore, the sensor unit 112 may include an altitude sensor 112h, and the control unit 116 may detect a preliminary event when the amount of change in the output value of the altitude sensor 112h becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. The altitude sensor 112h may be provided inside the power supply unit case 11. Note that, instead of using the output value of the altitude sensor 112h, the control unit 116 may detect a preliminary event by inferring that the suction device 1 has been moved from near the waist to near the mouth when the amount of change in the output value of the pressure sensor 112p becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0068] Furthermore, when the user moves the suction device 1 to the mouth before performing a suction operation, the distance between the suction device 1 and the mouth becomes smaller. Therefore, the suction device 1 may include a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) 112l that measures the distance between the suction device 1 and the mouth, and the control unit 116 may detect a preliminary event when the output value of the LiDAR 112l indicates that the distance between the suction device 1 and the mouth has become equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. When the user moves the suction device 1 to the mouth to perform a suction operation, the suction device 1 is usually moved from a position below the mouth upward toward the mouth, so the LiDAR 112l measures the distance to the lower lip. For example, the control unit 116 may detect a preliminary event when the distance measured by the LiDAR 112l becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, the LiDAR 112l may measure the distance to the nose, and the control unit 116 may estimate the distance between the contact point between the upper lip and the lower lip and the suction device 1 using the distance measured by the LiDAR 112l and the distance between the nose and the contact point between the upper lip and the lower lip, which is stored in advance in the storage unit 114 or ROM, and detect a preliminary event when the estimated distance is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. Note that the LiDAR 112l may be attached to the end cap 20, for example. Alternatively, the LiDAR 112l may be attached to the mouthpiece 124.

[0069] Furthermore, when the inhalation device 1 is moved to the user's mouth, the infrared sensor 112i can measure the user's body temperature. Utilizing this, the inhalation device 1 may include the infrared sensor 112i, and the control unit 116 may detect a preliminary event when the output value of the infrared sensor 112i exceeds a predetermined threshold. The infrared sensor 112i may be attached to the end cap 20, for example. Alternatively, the infrared sensor 112i may be attached to the mouthpiece 124.

[0070] Furthermore, the suction device 1 may include a camera 112c, and the control unit 116 may detect a preliminary event when the camera 112c captures an image of the suction device 1 approaching the user's mouth. The image captured by the camera 112c may be a still image or a moving image. In the case of a still image, the camera 112c may capture an image, for example, every 1 millisecond. The camera 112c may be attached to the end cap 20, for example. Alternatively, the camera 112c may be attached to the mouthpiece 124.

[0071] In the case of (2) above, the control unit 116 can detect a preliminary event as follows, for example. The inhalation device 1 may include the odor sensor 112n, and the control unit 116 may detect a preliminary event when the output value of the odor sensor 112n is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, utilizing the fact that the odor sensor 112n can measure volatile sulfur compounds generated in the user's mouth when the inhalation device 1 is near the user's mouth. Alternatively, the odor sensor 112n may be a sensor capable of measuring flavor components contained in aerosol inhalable by the inhalation device 1, and the control unit 116 may detect a preliminary event when the output value of the odor sensor 112n is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.

[0072] In addition, since the user's exhaled breath has very high humidity, when the humidity sensor 112k is near the user's mouth, the output value of the humidity sensor 112k will exceed a predetermined threshold. In light of this, the sensor unit 112 may have a humidity sensor 112k, and the control unit 116 may detect a potential event when the output value of the humidity sensor 112k exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0073] In addition, since the CO2 concentration in the user's breath is higher than that in the outside air, when the CO2 sensor 112o is near the user's mouth, the output value of the CO2 sensor 112o will be above a predetermined threshold.In light of this, the sensor unit 112 may have a CO2 sensor 112o, and the control unit 116 may detect a potential event when the output value of the CO2 sensor 112o is above a predetermined threshold. The odor sensor 112n, the humidity sensor 112k, and the CO2 sensor 112o may be attached to, for example, the end cap 20. Alternatively, the odor sensor 112n, the humidity sensor 112k, and the CO2 sensor 112o may be attached to the mouthpiece 124.

[0074] Also in the case of (2) above, similarly to the case of (1) above, the control unit 116 may detect a preliminary event by determining that the suction device 1 is near the mouth when the output value of the infrared sensor 112i is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. The control unit 116 may also detect a preliminary event when the output value of the LiDAR 112l indicates that the distance between the suction device 1 and the mouth is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. The control unit 116 may also detect a preliminary event when the camera 112c captures an image that shows that the suction device 1 is near the user's mouth.

[0075] In the case of (3) above, the tactile sensor 112m is attached in a state where it is exposed from the surface of the mouthpiece 124, and the control unit 116 can detect a preliminary event when the output value of the tactile sensor 112m indicates that the mouth is touching the mouthpiece 124.

[0076] The suction device 1 may include at least two of the above-described gyro sensor 112j, tactile sensor 112s, acceleration sensor 112a, altitude sensor 112h, LiDAR 112l, infrared sensor 112i, camera 112c, odor sensor 112n, tactile sensor 112m, humidity sensor 112k, and CO2 sensor 112o, and the control unit 116 may detect a preliminary event based on output values ​​from two or more of these sensors. For example, during a first suction operation, the control unit 116 may detect a preliminary event when the output value of the gyro sensor 112j indicates that the orientation of the suction device 1 is vertical and the output value of the acceleration sensor 112a indicates that the suction device 1 has moved from bottom to top. Furthermore, during a second or subsequent suction operation, the control unit 116 may detect a preliminary event when the output value of the gyro sensor 112j indicates that the orientation of the suction device 1 is vertical and the output value of the infrared sensor 112i is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. This makes it possible to detect a preliminary event with higher accuracy.

[0077] The suction device 1 may also include at least three of the above-described gyro sensor 112j, tactile sensor 112s, acceleration sensor 112a, altitude sensor 112h, LiDAR 112l, infrared sensor 112i, camera 112c, odor sensor 112n, tactile sensor 112m, humidity sensor 112k, and CO2 sensor 112o, and the control unit 116 may detect a preliminary event based on output values ​​from the three or more sensors. For example, during the first suction operation, the control unit 116 may detect a preliminary event when the output value of the gyro sensor 112j indicates that the orientation of the suction device 1 is vertical, the output value of the acceleration sensor 112a indicates that the suction device 1 has moved from bottom to top, and the output value of the infrared sensor 112i is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Furthermore, during the second or subsequent suction operation, the control unit 116 may detect a preliminary event when the output value of the gyro sensor 112j indicates that the orientation of the suction device 1 is vertical, the output value of the infrared sensor 112i is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and the output value of the odor sensor 112n is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. This makes it possible to detect a preliminary event with higher accuracy.

[0078] Alternatively, the suction device 1 may learn the time interval between successive suction operations, and the control unit 116 may detect, as a preliminary event, the occurrence after the nth suction operation of the minimum heating time before the time when the (n+1)th suction operation is expected to start. For example, the control unit 116 may calculate the average value of the time interval between successive suction operations and store this average value in the memory unit 114 as the average time interval. The control unit 116 may then detect, as a preliminary event, the occurrence of (average time interval - minimum heating time) after the nth suction operation. For example, if the average time interval is 15 seconds and the minimum heating time is 2 seconds, the control unit 116 may detect, as a preliminary event, the occurrence of 13 seconds after the nth suction operation.

[0079] (Regarding the end of preheating) As described above, in the suction device 1, the control unit 116 stops preheating when a preheating termination condition is met after preheating has been performed. For example, the control unit 116 stops preheating when a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds) has elapsed since preheating started. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which preheating continues after preheating has started until the suction operation is performed, the period during which preheating is performed can be shortened, and power consumption for preheating can be reduced.

[0080] The preheating end condition may be the following condition other than the above-mentioned condition that a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed since the preheating started. For example, the control unit 116 may determine that the pre-heating termination condition is that the output value of the gyro sensor 112j indicates that the orientation of the inhaler 1 has been changed from vertical to horizontal. In other words, the control unit 116 may determine that the pre-heating termination condition is that the output value of the gyro sensor 112j has changed from a value indicating a state in which the altitude of the mouthpiece 124 is greater than that of the power supply unit 111 to a value indicating a state in which the altitudes of the power supply unit 111 and the mouthpiece 124 are the same. This is because, when the inhaler 1 is placed on, for example, a desk or table, it is considered unlikely that the inhalation operation will be performed within the minimum heating time.

[0081] Furthermore, the control unit 116 may set the condition for ending pre-heating as being when the output value of the tactile sensor 112s no longer indicates that the hand is touching the suction device 1. This is because if the user removes their hand from the suction device 1, it is considered unlikely that a suction operation will be performed within the minimum heating time.

[0082] Furthermore, the control unit 116 may set the pre-heating termination condition to be that the output value of the acceleration sensor 112a, which exhibits negative acceleration when the suction device 1 is moved from top to bottom, is equal to or less than a predetermined negative threshold value. This is because, for example, when the user moves the suction device 1 from the mouth to the waist area, it is considered unlikely that the suction operation will be performed within the minimum heating time.

[0083] Furthermore, in consideration of the fact that the amount of change in altitude becomes a negative value when the suction device 1 is moved from top to bottom, the control unit 116 may determine that the pre-heating termination condition is met when the amount of change in the output value of the altitude sensor 112h becomes equal to or less than a predetermined negative threshold. This is because, for example, when the user moves the suction device 1 from the mouth to the waist area, it is considered unlikely that the suction operation will be performed within the minimum heating time. Note that, instead of using the output value of the altitude sensor 112h, the control unit 116 may determine that the pre-heating termination condition is met when the amount of change in the output value of the pressure sensor 112p becomes equal to or less than a predetermined negative threshold, assuming that the suction device 1 has been moved from the mouth to the waist area.

[0084] Furthermore, because the suction operation is unlikely to be performed within the minimum heating time when the distance between the suction device 1 and the mouth is large, the control unit 116 may set the following as the pre-heating termination condition. In other words, the pre-heating termination condition may be established when the distance between the suction device 1 and the user's mouth exceeds a predetermined threshold. For example, the control unit 116 may set the pre-heating termination condition to be established when the output value of the LiDAR 112l indicates that the distance between the suction device 1 and the mouth exceeds a predetermined threshold. The control unit 116 may set the pre-heating termination condition to be established when the output value of the infrared sensor 112i falls below a predetermined threshold. The control unit 116 may set the pre-heating termination condition to be established when the camera 112c captures an image indicating that the suction device 1 is not near the user's mouth. The control unit 116 may set the pre-heating termination condition to be established when the output value of the odor sensor 112n is below a predetermined threshold. The control unit 116 may set the pre-heating termination condition to be established when the output value of the humidity sensor 112k is below a predetermined threshold. Furthermore, the control unit 116 may set the condition for ending pre-heating as being that the output value of the CO2 sensor 112o is less than a predetermined threshold value.

[0085] The suction device 1 has at least two of the above-mentioned gyro sensor 112j, tactile sensor 112s, acceleration sensor 112a, altitude sensor 112h, LiDAR 112l, infrared sensor 112i, camera 112c, odor sensor 112n, tactile sensor 112m, humidity sensor 112k, and CO2 sensor 112o, and the control unit 116 may determine whether the pre-heating termination condition is met based on output values ​​from two or more sensors.

[0086] For example, the control unit 116 may determine that the pre-heating end condition is met when the output value of the acceleration sensor 112a indicates that the suction device 1 has moved from top to bottom and the output value of the gyro sensor 112j indicates that the orientation of the suction device 1 is horizontal. Alternatively, the control unit 116 may determine that the pre-heating end condition is met when the output value of the acceleration sensor 112a indicates that the suction device 1 has moved from top to bottom and the output value of the infrared sensor 112i is less than a predetermined threshold. This makes it possible to more accurately determine that the suction operation will not be performed within the minimum heating time.

[0087] By setting the pre-heating termination conditions to the above-mentioned conditions, the control unit 116 can determine with high accuracy that it is unlikely that the suction operation will be performed within the minimum heating time and stop the pre-heating, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption associated with the pre-heating.

[0088] Note that, as long as the control unit 116 stops preheating when a preheating termination condition is met after preheating, the timing for starting preheating is not limited to when an event is detected that predicts the suction heating condition being met. For example, the control unit 116 may start preheating when the power of the suction device 1 is turned on and started, and then stop preheating when the preheating termination condition is met. Furthermore, the control unit 116 may change from suction heating to preheating when the n-th suction operation is completed, and then stop preheating when the preheating termination condition is met.

[0089] Second Embodiment FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the suction device 2 according to the second embodiment. The inhalation device 2 according to the second embodiment differs from the inhalation device 1 according to the first embodiment in that it includes a flavor-imparting cartridge 130. The inhalation device 2 also differs from the inhalation device 1 in that it includes a case 210 instead of the case 10. The following describes the differences from the first embodiment. The same components in the first and second embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0090] The flavoring cartridge 130 has a flavor source 131 . Flavor source 131 is a component for imparting flavor components to the aerosol. Flavor source 131 may be derived from tobacco, such as a processed product obtained by molding shredded tobacco or tobacco raw materials into granules, sheets, or powder. Flavor source 131 may also include non-tobacco-derived flavor sources made from plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint and herbs). As an example, flavor source 131 may include a flavor component such as menthol. Flavor source 131 may also be placed inside a container such as a capsule.

[0091] In addition to the liquid guide section 122, a flavor source 131 is arranged in the air flow path 185 downstream of the liquid guide section 122 (closer to the air outlet hole 182). The aerosol generated by the heating section 121 is mixed with air that has flowed in through the air inlet hole 181. Next, as the user inhales, the mixed fluid of the aerosol and air passes through the flavor source 131 and is transported to the air outlet hole 182, as shown by arrow 192. Then, as the mixed fluid of the aerosol and air passes through the flavor source 131, flavor components contained in the flavor source 131 are imparted to the aerosol.

[0092] The case 210 has a cylindrical flavoring cartridge case 13 that houses a flavoring cartridge 130, in addition to the power supply unit case 11 and the cartridge case 12. The flavoring cartridge 130 and the cartridge 120 are configured to be detachable from each other. An end cap 20 is attached to an opening of the flavoring cartridge case 13 on the side opposite to the cartridge case 12. Inhalation by the user is performed with the cartridge 120, the flavoring cartridge 130, and the power supply unit 110 attached to each other, the end cap 20 attached to the flavoring cartridge case 13, and the mouthpiece 124 attached to the end cap 20.

[0093] In the suction device 2 of the second embodiment configured as described above, the control unit 116 also performs preheating in a manner similar to that described in the first embodiment, thereby increasing the amount of aerosol at the beginning of suction and suppressing unnecessary power consumption associated with preheating.

[0094] <Third embodiment> FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a suction device 3 according to the third embodiment. The suction device 3 according to the third embodiment differs from the suction device 1 according to the first embodiment in that it includes a susceptor 161 and an electromagnetic induction source 162 instead of the heating unit 121. The following describes the differences from the first embodiment. The same components in the first and third embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0095] The susceptor 161 generates heat by electromagnetic induction. The susceptor 161 is made of a conductive material such as metal. The susceptor 161 is disposed close to the liquid guide portion 122. In the example shown in FIG. 8 , the susceptor 161 is made of a metal conductor and is wound around the liquid guide portion 122.

[0096] The electromagnetic induction source 162 generates heat in the susceptor 161 by electromagnetic induction. The electromagnetic induction source 162 is formed of, for example, a coiled conductor. When an alternating current is supplied to the electromagnetic induction source 162 from the power supply unit 111, the electromagnetic induction source 162 generates a magnetic field. The electromagnetic induction source 162 is disposed at a position where the susceptor 161 is superimposed on the generated magnetic field. Therefore, when the magnetic field is generated, an eddy current is generated in the susceptor 161, generating Joule heat. Then, the aerosol source held in the liquid guiding unit 122 is heated and atomized by the Joule heat, and an aerosol is generated.

[0097] In the suction device 3 according to the third embodiment configured as described above, the control unit 116 controls the power supply to the electromagnetic induction source 162 in the same manner as controlling the power supply to the heating unit 121 according to the first embodiment, thereby performing a heating process on the susceptor 161. Then, in the heating process on the susceptor 161, the control unit 116 performs preheating in the same manner as described in the first embodiment, thereby making it possible to increase the amount of aerosol at the initial stage of suction and to suppress unnecessary power consumption due to preheating.

[0098] <Fourth embodiment> FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of the suction device 4 according to the fourth embodiment. The suction device 4 according to the fourth embodiment differs from the suction device 1 according to the first embodiment in that it generates aerosol by heating an aerosol source as a liquid and by heating a substrate containing the aerosol source. The suction device 4 also differs from the suction device 1 in that it has a case 410 instead of the case 10. The differences from the first embodiment will be described below. The same components in the first and fourth embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0099] The suction device 4 according to the fourth embodiment includes a power supply unit 110, a heating section 121, a liquid guide section 122, and a liquid storage section 123, as well as a substrate heating section 171, a holding section 140, and a heat insulating section 144. In the suction device 4, a stick-shaped substrate 150 is held by the holding section 140, and the user performs suction.

[0100] The holding unit 140 has an internal space 141 and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150 while accommodating a portion of the stick-shaped substrate 150 in the internal space 141. The holding unit 140 has an opening 142 that connects the internal space 141 to the outside and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141 through the opening 142. For example, the holding unit 140 is a cylindrical body with the opening 142 and a bottom 143 as its bottom surface, and defines a columnar internal space 141. The holding unit 140 is configured so that the inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the stick-shaped substrate 150 in at least a portion of the height direction of the cylindrical body, and can hold the stick-shaped substrate 150 by compressing the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141 from the outer periphery. The holding unit 140 also has the function of defining an air flow path that passes through the stick-shaped substrate 150. An air inlet, which is an air inlet into the flow path, is located, for example, in the bottom 143. On the other hand, the air outlet hole, which is the outlet for air from such a flow path, is the opening 142 .

[0101] Stick-shaped substrate 150 is a stick-shaped member. Stick-shaped substrate 150 has substrate portion 151 and mouthpiece portion 152. The substrate 151 includes an aerosol source. The aerosol source is atomized by heating to generate an aerosol. The aerosol source may be tobacco-derived, such as a processed product obtained by molding cut tobacco or tobacco raw materials into granules, sheets, or powder. The aerosol source may also include non-tobacco-derived aerosol sources made from plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint and herbs). For example, the aerosol source may contain a flavoring component such as menthol. When the inhalation device 4 is a medical inhaler, the aerosol source may contain a medication to be inhaled by the patient. Note that the aerosol source is not limited to a solid, but may also be a liquid such as a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water. At least a portion of the substrate 151 is accommodated in the internal space 141 of the holder 140 when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is held in the holder 140.

[0102] Suction mouth portion 152 is a portion that is held in the user's mouth when inhaling. At least a portion of suction mouth portion 152 protrudes from opening 142 when stick-shaped substrate 150 is held in holding portion 140. When the user holds suction mouth portion 152 protruding from opening 142 in their mouth and inhales, air flows into holding portion 140 through air inlet hole 187. The flowing-in air passes through internal space 141 of holding portion 140, that is, passes through substrate portion 151, and reaches the user's mouth together with the aerosol generated from substrate portion 151.

[0103] The substrate heating unit 171 generates aerosol by atomizing the aerosol source by heating the substrate unit 151. The substrate heating unit 171 is made of any material, such as metal or polyimide. For example, the substrate heating unit 171 is configured in the form of a film, and is arranged so as to cover the outer periphery of the holder 140. When the substrate heating unit 171 generates heat, the aerosol source included in the stick-shaped substrate 150 is heated from the outer periphery of the stick-shaped substrate 150 and atomized, thereby generating aerosol. The substrate heating unit 171 generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 111.

[0104] Here, an air outlet hole 188 of the air flow path 186 is arranged in the bottom 143 of the holder 140. Through the air outlet hole 188, the internal space 141 of the holder 140 and the air flow path 186 are in communication with each other.

[0105] The air flow path 186 is a path for air inhaled by the user. The air flow path 186 has a tubular structure with an air inlet hole 187, which is an entrance for air into the air flow path 186, and an air outlet hole 188, which is an exit for air from the air flow path 186, at both ends. As the user inhales, air flows into the air flow path 186 from the air inlet hole 187 and flows out from the air outlet hole 188 into the internal space 141 of the holding part 140. As an example, the air inlet hole 187 is disposed at any position on the inhaler 4. On the other hand, the air outlet hole 188 is disposed at the bottom 143 of the holding part 140. The liquid guide part 122 is disposed midway along the air flow path 186. The aerosol generated by the heating part 121 is mixed with the air flowing in from the air inlet hole 187. Next, as the user inhales, the mixed fluid of the aerosol and air is transported to the internal space 141 of the holding part 140 via the air outlet hole 188, as shown by arrow 194. Then, the mixed fluid of the aerosol and air transported to the internal space 141 of the holding part 140 reaches the inside of the user's mouth together with the aerosol generated by the substrate heating part 171.

[0106] The case 410 has a power supply unit case 11 and a cylindrical heating unit case 412 that houses the heating unit 121, the liquid guide unit 122, the liquid storage unit 123, the holding unit 140, the substrate heating unit 171, the heat insulating unit 144, etc. The power supply unit case 11 and the heating unit case 412 can be configured as separate bodies that can be detached from each other, for example. However, the power supply unit case 11 and the heating unit case 412 may be integrated.

[0107] FIG. 10 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the suction device 4. As shown in FIG. In the suction device 4 according to the fourth embodiment configured as described above, after the suction device 4 is powered on and activated, when an operation to start heating the substrate heating unit 171 is performed on the operation unit 117 at time t10 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a "substrate heating unit heating operation"), the control unit 116 starts supplying power to the substrate heating unit 171 to start heating the substrate heating unit 171. The substrate heating unit heating operation can be, for example, a long press of the operation unit 117 for two seconds or more. The control unit 116 then controls the power supplied to the substrate heating unit 171 via the DC / DC converter 118 so as to achieve a time series transition of the target temperature defined in the heating profile previously stored in the storage unit 114. For example, the control unit 116 controls the power supplied to the substrate heating unit 171 based on the difference between the target temperature defined in the heating profile and the actual temperature of the substrate heating unit 171 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the "actual temperature"). This temperature control of the substrate heating unit 171 can be achieved, for example, by known feedback control.

[0108] The period from when heating of the substrate heating unit 171 begins until the period during which the user can perform inhalation begins is referred to as the "preheating period," and the period after the preheating period ends and during which the stick-shaped substrate 150 can generate a sufficient amount of aerosol is referred to as the "inhalable period." The preheating period ends after the temperature of the substrate heating unit 171 reaches a predetermined maximum temperature (e.g., 295°C). For example, the preheating period can end when a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds) has elapsed after the temperature of the substrate heating unit 171 reaches a predetermined maximum temperature (e.g., 295°C). Alternatively, the preheating period can end when a predetermined time (e.g., 30 seconds) has elapsed after heating of the substrate heating unit 171 begins. When the preheating period ends and the inhalable period begins, the control unit 116 notifies the user via the notification unit 113 that the inhalable period has begun. During the suction period, the temperature of the substrate heating part 171 is maintained within a predetermined temperature range (for example, 230 to 295 degrees).

[0109] In the suction device 4 of the fourth embodiment configured as described above, when it is in a suction-enabled period, the control unit 116 preheats the heating unit 121 in the same manner as described in the first embodiment, thereby increasing the amount of aerosol at the beginning of suction and suppressing unnecessary power consumption due to preheating. Then, the control unit 116 of the suction device 4 may regard the end of the preheating period and the transition to the suction-enabled period as a preliminary event. In other words, the control unit 116 may start preheating of the heating unit 121 when the preheating period ends and the transition to the suction-enabled period occurs. This makes it possible to highly reliably reduce unnecessary power consumption associated with preheating.

[0110] Like the suction device 1, the suction device 4 includes at least one of the following sensors: a gyro sensor 112j, a tactile sensor 112s, an acceleration sensor 112a, an altitude sensor 112h, a LiDAR 112l, an infrared sensor 112i, a camera 112c, an odor sensor 112n, a tactile sensor 112m, a humidity sensor 112k, and a CO2 sensor 112o. The control unit 116 may detect a preliminary event or determine whether a preliminary heating end condition has been met based on an output value from one of the sensors. For example, the LiDAR 112l, the infrared sensor 112i, the camera 112c, the odor sensor 112n, the humidity sensor 112k, and the CO2 sensor 112o may be attached to the heater case 412. By attaching the sensors to the heater case 412, the distance between the suction device 4 and the mouth can be determined more accurately than if they were attached to the power supply unit case 11. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 1,2,3,4...Suction device, 10...Case, 11...Power supply unit case, 12...Cartridge case, 20...End cap, 110...Power supply unit, 111...Power supply section, 112...Sensor section, 112a...Acceleration sensor, 112c...Camera, 112h...Altitude sensor, 112i...Infrared sensor, 112j...Gyro sensor, 112k...Humidity sensor, 112l...LiDAR, 112m...Tactile sensor, 112n...Odor sensor, 112o...CO2 sensor, 112p...Pressure sensor, 112q...Flow rate sensor, 112s...Tactile sensor, 112t...Temperature sensor, 116...Control section, 117...Operation section, 118...DC / DC converter, 120...Cartridge, 121...Heating section, 122...Liquid guide section, 123...Liquid storage section, 124...Mouthpiece

Claims

1. a liquid storage unit that stores a liquid that generates an aerosol when heated; a heating unit that heats the liquid; a power supply unit that stores power; a control unit that controls power supply from the power supply unit to the heating unit; Equipped with the control unit controls the power supply to perform a first heating operation to raise the temperature of the liquid to a first temperature or higher at which the liquid vaporizes when a predetermined condition is met, and controls the power supply to perform a second heating operation to raise the temperature of the liquid to a second temperature or higher but lower than the first temperature when an event that is expected to raise the temperature of the liquid to a second temperature or higher but lower than the first temperature is detected before the predetermined condition is met; Equipped with a gyro sensor, The event is that the output value of the gyro sensor has changed from a value indicating that the altitude of the power supply unit and the suction port unit that is held in the mouth when suctioning the aerosol are the same to a value indicating that the altitude of the suction port unit is higher than the altitude of the power supply unit. Suction device.

2. A liquid storage section that stores a liquid that generates an aerosol when heated; a heating unit that heats the liquid; a power supply unit that stores power; a control unit that controls power supply from the power supply unit to the heating unit; Equipped with the control unit controls the power supply to perform a first heating operation to raise the temperature of the liquid to a first temperature or higher at which the liquid vaporizes when a predetermined condition is met, and controls the power supply to perform a second heating operation to raise the temperature of the liquid to a second temperature or higher but lower than the first temperature when an event that is expected to raise the temperature of the liquid to a second temperature or higher but lower than the first temperature is detected before the predetermined condition is met; The event is that the distance between the user's mouth and the sensor is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold; The distance measurement device includes at least one of a LiDAR, an odor sensor, and a CO2 sensor, The control unit determines that the distance is equal to or less than the threshold value using the output value of the device. Suction device.

3. The control unit sets a power value when performing the second heating to be smaller than a power value when performing the first heating.

3. The suction device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The control unit controls the temperature of the heating unit so that it does not exceed a target temperature. The suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images