Aerosol generator power supply unit

Abstract

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

Description

[Technical Field]

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0007] One aspect of the present invention Dear , A power supply unit for an aerosol generating device, comprising: a case that forms a surface of the power supply unit; Power supply and a connector to which a heater that consumes power supplied from the power source and heats the aerosol source is connected; a first sensor disposed adjacent to the power source and configured to output a value related to the temperature of the power source; a second sensor disposed near the case and configured to output a value related to the temperature of the case; a controller; The controller performing a first check to determine whether the output value of the first sensor and the output value of the second sensor are abnormal; When it is determined in the primary check that the output value of the first sensor and the output value of the second sensor are abnormal, a protective control is executed to prohibit one or both of charging of the power source and discharging from the power source to the heater, Before executing the primary check, a zero-order check is executed to determine whether or not the output value of the first sensor is abnormal; If the output value of the first sensor is determined to be abnormal in the zero-order check, the primary check is executed. This is the power supply unit for the aerosol generator. Another aspect of the present invention is A power supply unit for an aerosol generating device, comprising: a case that forms a surface of the power supply unit; Power supply and a connector to which a heater that consumes power supplied from the power source and heats the aerosol source is connected; a first sensor disposed adjacent to the power source and configured to output a value related to the temperature of the power source; a second sensor disposed near the case and configured to output a value related to the temperature of the case; a controller; The controller performing a first check to determine whether the output value of the first sensor and the output value of the second sensor are abnormal; When it is determined in the primary check that the output value of the first sensor and the output value of the second sensor are abnormal, a protective control is executed to prohibit one or both of charging of the power source and discharging from the power source to the heater, the controller includes an MCU configured to perform the primary check; a fuel gauge IC configured to acquire the remaining amount of the power source and the output value of the first sensor; The fuel gauge IC is converting an output value of the first sensor into a digital signal indicative of a temperature of the power supply; sending the digital signal to the MCU; This is the power supply unit for the aerosol generator. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, an aerosol generating device with improved safety can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0023] 1 to 4 are merely examples of the configuration of the inhaler 100. The inhaler 100 can be configured in various forms such that, by holding the rod 500 and applying an action such as heating, the rod 500 generates gas to which flavor components have been added, and the user can inhale the generated gas.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0034] The MCU mounting board 161 and the receptacle mounting board 162 are arranged parallel to each other in the board accommodating area 144. Specifically, the MCU mounting board 161 and the receptacle mounting board 162 are arranged with their respective element mounting surfaces aligned in the left-right and up-down directions, with the MCU mounting board 161 being arranged in front of the receptacle mounting board 162. An opening is provided in each of the MCU mounting board 161 and the receptacle mounting board 162. The MCU mounting board 161 and the receptacle mounting board 162 are fastened to the board fixing portion 156 of the front and rear dividing wall 152 with bolts 136, with a cylindrical spacer 173 interposed between the peripheral edges of the openings. In other words, the spacer 173 fixes the positions of the MCU mounting board 161 and the receptacle mounting board 162 inside the case 110, and also mechanically connects the MCU mounting board 161 and the receptacle mounting board 162. This prevents the MCU mounted board 161 and the receptacle mounted board 162 from coming into contact with each other and causing a short circuit current between them.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0043] The heating termination mode is a mode in which termination processing of the heating control of the heater HTR (such as storage processing of the heating history) is executed. When the power-on time of the heater HTR or the number of suctions by the user reaches an upper limit or the slider 119 is closed while the inhaler 100 is operating in the heating mode, the inhaler 100 switches the operation mode to the heating termination mode, and when the termination processing is completed, the inhaler 100 switches the operation mode to the active mode. When a USB connection is established while the inhaler 100 is operating in the heating mode, the inhaler 100 switches the operation mode to the heating termination mode, and when the termination processing is completed, the inhaler 100 switches the operation mode to the charging mode. As shown in FIG. 9 , in this case, the operation mode may be switched to the active mode before switching the operation mode to the charging mode. In other words, when a USB connection is established while the inhaler 100 is operating in the heating mode, the operation mode may be switched in the order of the heating termination mode, the active mode, and the charging mode.

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

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

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

[0047] As shown in FIG. 11, the MCU mounting board 161 (area 161A) includes, as main electronic components, an MCU 1 that controls the entire inhaler 100, a charging IC 2 that controls charging of the power supply BAT, load switches (hereinafter referred to as LSW) 3, 4, and 5 that are configured by combining capacitors, resistors, transistors, etc., and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The power supply is provided with a power supply (power supply voltage: 10 V, power supply voltage: 10 V), ...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0056] The input terminal IN of the overvoltage protection IC11 is connected to one end of a voltage divider circuit Pa, which consists of two resistors connected in series. The other end of the voltage divider circuit Pa is connected to the ground line. The junction of the two resistors that make up the voltage divider circuit Pa is connected to the voltage detection terminal OVLo of the overvoltage protection IC11. When the voltage input to the voltage detection terminal OVLo is below a threshold, the overvoltage protection IC11 outputs the voltage input to the input terminal IN from the output terminal OUT. When the voltage input to the voltage detection terminal OVLo exceeds the threshold (overvoltage), the overvoltage protection IC11 stops outputting voltage from the output terminal OUT (cutting off the electrical connection between the LSW3 and the receptacle RCP), thereby protecting electronic components downstream of the overvoltage protection IC11. The output terminal OUT of the overvoltage protection IC11 is connected to the input terminal VIN of the LSW3 and one end of a voltage divider circuit Pc (a series circuit of two resistors) connected to the MCU1. The other end of the voltage divider circuit Pc is connected to the ground line. The connection point of the two resistors that make up the voltage dividing circuit Pc is connected to a terminal P17 of the MCU1.

[0057] One end of a voltage divider circuit Pf, consisting of two series resistors, is connected to the input terminal VIN of LSW3. The other end of the voltage divider circuit Pf is connected to the ground line. The junction of the two resistors that make up the voltage divider circuit Pf is connected to the control terminal ON of LSW3. The control terminal ON of LSW3 is connected to the collector terminal of bipolar transistor S2. The emitter terminal of bipolar transistor S2 is connected to the ground line. The base terminal of bipolar transistor S2 is connected to terminal P19 of MCU1. When the signal input to the control terminal ON of LSW3 becomes high level, LSW3 outputs the voltage input to the input terminal VIN from the output terminal VOUT. The output terminal VOUT of LSW3 is connected to the input terminal VBUS of charging IC2. MCU1 turns on the bipolar transistor S2 when USB is not connected. As a result, the control terminal ON of LSW3 is connected to the ground line via bipolar transistor S2, and a low-level signal is input to the control terminal ON of LSW3. When the USB connection is established, the bipolar transistor S2 connected to the LSW3 is turned off by the MCU 1. When the bipolar transistor S2 is turned off, the USB voltage V divided by the voltage divider circuit Pf is USB is input to the control terminal ON of LSW3. Therefore, when the USB connection is made and the bipolar transistor S2 is turned off, a high-level signal is input to the control terminal ON of LSW3. As a result, LSW3 receives the USB voltage V supplied from the USB cable. USB is output from the output terminal VOUT. Note that even if the USB connection is made with the bipolar transistor S2 turned off, the control terminal ON of LSW3 is connected to the ground line via the bipolar transistor S2. Therefore, it should be noted that a low-level signal continues to be input to the control terminal ON of LSW3 unless the MCU1 turns off the bipolar transistor S2.

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

[0059] The protection IC 10 obtains the current value flowing through the resistor Ra during charging or discharging of the power supply BAT from the voltage input to the current detection terminal CS. If this current value becomes excessive (overcurrent), the protection IC 10 controls the opening and closing of the switches Sa and Sb to stop charging or discharging of the power supply BAT, thereby protecting the power supply BAT. More specifically, if the protection IC 10 obtains an excessive current value during charging of the power supply BAT, it turns off the switch Sb to stop charging of the power supply BAT. If the protection IC 10 obtains an excessive current value during discharging of the power supply BAT, it turns off the switch Sa to stop discharging of the power supply BAT. Furthermore, if the protection IC 10 obtains an abnormal voltage value of the power supply BAT from the voltage input to the power supply terminal VDD (in the case of overcharge or overvoltage), it controls the opening and closing of the switches Sa and Sb to stop charging or discharging of the power supply BAT, thereby protecting the power supply BAT. More specifically, when the protection IC 10 detects overcharging of the power supply BAT, it turns off the switch Sb to stop charging of the power supply BAT.When the protection IC 10 detects overdischarging of the power supply BAT, it turns off the switch Sa to stop discharging of the power supply BAT.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0069] Charging IC2 also BAT Equipped with power pass function and OTG function. BAT The power path function prevents the power supply voltage V input to the charging terminal bat from BAT The OTG function outputs the system power supply voltage Vcc0, which is approximately equal to the power supply voltage Vcc1, from the output terminal SYS. BATThe OTG function of the charging IC2 is controlled by the MCU1 through serial communication using the communication line LN. In the OTG function, the power supply voltage Vcc4 input to the charging terminal bat is boosted and output from the input terminal VBUS. BAT may be output directly from the input terminal VBUS. In this case, the power supply voltage V BAT and the system power supply voltage Vcc4 are approximately the same.

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

[0071] A resistor is connected between the input terminal VIN and enable terminal EN of the buck-boost DC / DC converter 8. When the system power voltage Vcc0 is input to the input terminal VIN of the buck-boost DC / DC converter 8 from the output terminal SYS of the charging IC2, the signal input to the enable terminal EN of the buck-boost DC / DC converter 8 goes high, causing the buck-boost DC / DC converter 8 to start boosting or bucking. The buck-boost DC / DC converter 8 boosts or bucks the system power voltage Vcc0 input to the input terminal VIN through switching control of the internal transistor connected to the reactor Lb to generate the system power voltage Vcc1, which is output from the output terminal VOUT. The output terminal VOUT of the buck-boost DC / DC converter 8 is connected to the feedback terminal FB of the buck-boost DC / DC converter 8, the input terminal VIN of the LSW4, the input terminal VIN of the switch driver 7, and the power terminals VCC and D of the FF16. The wiring through which the system power voltage Vcc1, output from the output terminal VOUT of the buck-boost DC / DC converter 8, is supplied is referred to as the power line PL1.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0084] The signal input to the CLR(￣) terminal of FF17 goes low when the heater HTR temperature becomes excessive, when the case 110 temperature becomes excessive, or when a low-level signal indicating an abnormality is output from the notification terminal 12a of the fuel gauge IC 12. When the signal input to the CLR(￣) terminal goes low, FF17 outputs a low-level signal from its Q terminal. This low-level signal is input to terminal P10 of the MCU 1, the gate terminal of switch S6, the enable terminal EN of the step-up DC / DC converter 9, and the base terminal of the bipolar transistor S1 connected to the charging IC 2. When a low-level signal is input to the gate terminal of switch S6, the gate-source voltage of the N-channel MOSFET that constitutes switch S6 falls below the threshold voltage, turning switch S6 off. When a low-level signal is input to the enable terminal EN of the step-up DC / DC converter 9, the enable terminal EN of the step-up DC / DC converter 9 is positive logic, so the boost operation stops. When a low-level signal is input to the base terminal of bipolar transistor S1, bipolar transistor S1 turns on (amplified current is output from the collector terminal). When bipolar transistor S1 turns on, a high-level system power supply voltage Vcc2 is input to the CE(￣) terminal of charging IC2 via bipolar transistor S1. Because the CE(￣) terminal of charging IC2 is negative logic, charging of power supply BAT is stopped. This stops heating of heater HTR and charging of power supply BAT. Note that even if MCU1 attempts to output a low-level enable signal from terminal P22 to the charge enable terminal CE(￣) of charging IC2, when bipolar transistor S1 turns on, an amplified current is input from the collector terminal to terminal P22 of MCU1 and the charge enable terminal CE(￣) of charging IC2. Note that this causes a high-level signal to be input to the charge enable terminal CE(￣) of charging IC2.

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

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

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

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

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

[0090] <Operation of each suction device operation mode> The operation of the electric circuit shown in FIG. 10 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 13 to 19. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electric circuit in sleep mode. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electric circuit in active mode. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electric circuit in heating initial setting mode. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electric circuit when heating the heater HTR in heating mode. FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electric circuit when detecting the temperature of the heater HTR in heating mode. FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electric circuit in charging mode. FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electric circuit when resetting (restarting) the MCU 1. In each of FIGS. 13 to 19, of the terminals of the chipped electronic components, the terminals surrounded by dashed ellipses are terminals that are connected to the power supply voltage V BAT , USB voltage V USB , and terminals to which the system power supply voltage or the like is input or output.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0097] <Heating initial setting mode: Figure 15> When the signal input to terminal P4 goes low (the operation switch OPS is pressed) from the state in FIG. 14, the MCU 1 performs various settings required for heating, and then inputs a high-level enable signal from terminal P14 to the enable terminal EN of the step-up DC / DC converter 9. This causes the step-up DC / DC converter 9 to BAT The drive voltage V obtained by boosting bst is output from the output terminal VOUT. bstis supplied to switches S3 and S4. In this state, switches S3 and S4 are off. Also, switch S6 is turned on by a high-level enable signal output from terminal P14. This connects the negative terminal of heater HTR to the ground line, and when switch S3 is turned on, heater HTR is ready to heat. After a high-level enable signal is output from terminal P14 of MCU1, the system transitions to heating mode.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0104] The MCU 1 can acquire the temperature of the heater HTR even during the period when the switches S3 and S4 are turned off (the period when the heater HTR is not energized). Specifically, the MCU 1 acquires the temperature of the heater HTR based on the voltage input to the terminal P13 (the output voltage of the voltage divider circuit configured by the thermistor T3 and the resistor Rt3).

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0111] <Reset of MCU: FIG. 19> When the outer panel 115 is removed and the output of the hall IC 13 becomes a low level, and when the signal input to the terminal P4 of the MCU 1 becomes a low level due to the on operation of the operation switch OPS, both the terminal SW1 and the terminal SW2 of the switch driver 7 become low levels. As a result, the switch driver 7 outputs a low-level signal from the reset input terminal RSTB. The low-level signal output from the reset input terminal RSTB is input to the control terminal ON of the LSW4. As a result, the LSW4 stops the output of the system power supply voltage Vcc2 from the output terminal VOUT. Since the system power supply voltage Vcc2 is no longer input to the power supply terminal VDD of the MCU 1 when the output of the system power supply voltage Vcc2 is stopped, the MCU 1 stops.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0118] Protection control to prohibit charging and discharging refers to controlling electronic components to disable charging and discharging. To disable discharging from the power supply BAT to the heater HTR, a low-level signal is input to the enable terminal EN of the step-up DC / DC converter 9 (or the potential of the enable terminal EN is made undefined) to stop the boost operation, and a low-level signal is input to the gate terminal of the switch S6 (or the potential of the gate terminal is made undefined) to disconnect the negative heater connector Cn(-) from ground. Disabling discharging from the power supply BAT to the heater HTR can also be achieved by either stopping the boost operation of the step-up DC / DC converter 9 or disconnecting the heater connector Cn(-) from ground. To disable charging the power supply BAT, a high-level signal is input to the charge enable terminal CE(￣) of the charging IC2 to stop the charging operation of the charging IC2. In the following, an example of the protective control in which charging and discharging are prohibited will be described, but from the viewpoint of improving safety, the protective control may be a control that prohibits only charging, or a control that prohibits only discharging.

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

[0120] The protection controls performed by the inhalator 100 include manual recovery protection control, which can be terminated by resetting the MCU 1 through a user operation; automatic recovery protection control, which can be terminated automatically when the temperature environment improves without requiring resetting the MCU 1; and non-recovery protection control, which cannot be terminated. The operation modes of the inhalator 100 include an error mode and a permanent error mode in addition to those described in Fig. 9. In this specification, the phrase "all operation modes of the inhalator" refers to all operation modes excluding the error mode and permanent error mode (all operation modes shown in Fig. 9).

[0121] When manual recovery protection control or automatic recovery protection control is performed, the inhaler 100 transitions to error mode and cannot transition to another operation mode. Note that in error mode, the power supply voltage state (the supply state of the system power supply voltage) in the previous operation mode is maintained. That is, in error mode, functions that could be performed in the previous operation mode (e.g., obtaining temperature information) except for charging and discharging can be performed. When the MCU 1 is reset in error mode, the manual recovery protection control is terminated. When the temperature environment is improved in error mode, the automatic recovery protection control is terminated. When manual recovery protection control or automatic recovery protection control is terminated, the operation mode restriction is lifted and the operation mode transitions to sleep mode. After that, the operation mode can be changed by user operation, etc.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0136] (A) The capacitance of capacitor Cu is greater than the capacitance of capacitors Ct3, Ct4, and Ct2. As shown in FIG. 22, capacitor Cu is provided upstream (on the high-potential side) of three voltage-dividing circuits: a voltage-dividing circuit of puff thermistor T2 and resistor Rt2, a voltage-dividing circuit of case thermistor T4 and resistor Rt4, and a voltage-dividing circuit of heater thermistor T3 and resistor Rt3. The presence of large-capacity capacitor Cu in this position reduces the likelihood of unstable power being supplied to each voltage-dividing circuit, stabilizing the output signals of thermistors T2 to T4 and enabling stable operation of inhalator 100. Furthermore, the presence of large-capacity capacitor Cu upstream allows the capacitances of capacitors Ct2, Ct3, and Ct4 provided downstream to be reduced. This allows for effective use of the circuit board area and reduces the cost and size of inhalator 100. Incidentally, providing capacitor Cu also smoothes transient voltages that may occur when LSW 5, which is intermittently turned on in response to the opening and closing of slider 119 or resetting of MCU 1, is turned on and off.

[0137] (B) The capacitance of capacitor Ct2 is smaller than the capacitance of capacitors Ct3 and Ct4. Of the signals input to terminals P21, P12, and P13, MCU1 performs filtering only on the signal input to terminal P21, as described in FIG. 20. Furthermore, MCU1 detects the suction action based on changes in the signal input to terminal P21. Therefore, it is undesirable to significantly smooth the signal input to terminal P21 before inputting it. By reducing the capacitance of capacitor Ct2, noise can be appropriately removed from the output of puff thermistor T2 while minimizing the impact on the results of the filtering process. This allows for highly accurate suction detection. On the other hand, by using capacitors Ct3 and Ct4 with larger capacitances, it becomes possible to input a sufficiently smoothed signal to operational amplifiers OP2 and OP3, which reduces the risk of operational amplifiers OP2 and OP3 malfunctioning and enables the MCU1 to obtain the output values ​​of heater thermistor T3 and case thermistor T4 with high accuracy.

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

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

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

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

[0142] The fuel gauge IC12 monitors the power supply temperature T BAT When the power supply temperature T satisfies the low temperature condition (the condition that the temperature T is equal to or lower than the temperature threshold THL2 (-5°C)) (when the output value of the power supply thermistor T1 is abnormal), the fuel gauge IC 12 outputs a low temperature notification signal SIG2b from the second notification terminal 12ab. BAT When the low temperature release condition (the condition that the temperature is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold THL1 (0°C)) is satisfied (when the output value of the power supply thermistor T1 is normal), the low temperature release notification signal SIG2c is output from the second notification terminal 12ab. In FIG. 21, the high temperature notification signal SIG2a, the low temperature notification signal SIG2b, and the low temperature release notification signal SIG2c are collectively referred to as the notification signal SIG2. The low temperature notification signal SIG2b and the low temperature release notification signal SIG2c are output without waiting for a request from the MCU1 via the communication line LN. The low temperature notification signal SIG2b and the low temperature release notification signal SIG2c can also be considered interrupt signals to the MCU1.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0151] MCU1 mainly performs protection control in operation modes other than the sleep mode. This will be specifically described below with reference to Fig. 23. Fig. 23 is a diagram summarizing specific examples of patterns of protection control performed in inhalator 100. For ease of understanding, Fig. 23 also shows the relationship between temperatures in the diagram and temperature thresholds.

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

[0153] (Pattern PT1) The protection control is executed by the MCU1, and the type of protection control is automatic recovery protection control. The MCU1 can execute automatic recovery protection control during the transition period from sleep mode to active mode (the period until the start-up process that enables all functions is completed) and during the heating initial setting mode. The MCU1 transmits the power supply temperature T BATThe MCU 1 periodically requests the power supply temperature T BAT When the temperature T reaches or exceeds the high-temperature threshold THH5 (51°C), the MCU 1 determines that the output value of the power supply thermistor T1 is abnormal and executes automatic recovery protection control. BAT However, when the temperature drops below the temperature threshold THH8 (45°C) which is lower than the temperature threshold THH5, the output value of the power supply thermistor T1 is determined to be normal, the automatic recovery protection control is terminated, and the system transitions to sleep mode.

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

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

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

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

[0158] (Pattern PT6) The protection control is executed by the MCU1, and the type of protection control is automatic recovery protection control. The MCU1 can execute automatic recovery protection control in the active mode and the heating initial setting mode. The MCU1 operating in these operation modes detects the case temperature T based on the signal input to the terminal P12 (a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the case thermistor T4). CASEWhen the output value of the case thermistor T4 is equal to or greater than the temperature threshold value THH6 (48°C), the MCU 1 determines that the output value of the case thermistor T4 is abnormal and executes automatic recovery protection control. After executing automatic recovery protection control, the MCU 1 determines the case temperature T CASE When the output value of the case thermistor T4 becomes equal to or lower than the temperature threshold value THH7 (47°C) which is lower than the temperature threshold value THH6, the output value of the case thermistor T4 is determined to be normal, and the automatic recovery protection control is terminated. In pattern PT6, the protective control is disabled in the charging mode and the heating mode, but the protective control may be enabled in either one of the modes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0169] 23 , in the inhalator 100, protective control is performed in a plurality of patterns, in which the subject of protective control is different, the type of protective control is different, the type of signal used to determine whether or not to perform protective control is different, and the executable operation mode is different. In this way, protective control can be performed appropriately depending on the temperature measurement target and the situation, thereby improving the safety of the inhalator 100.

[0170] In the above-described embodiment, the protection control of pattern PT8 is executed in response to the high temperature notification signal SIG2a output from the fuel gauge IC 12. Alternatively, the protection control of pattern PT8 may be executed without being triggered by the high temperature notification signal SIG2a. In other words, after a normal transition from sleep mode to another mode occurs when an external power supply is connected to the receptacle RCP (USB connection) or the slider 119 is opened, the MCU 1 detects the power supply temperature T BAT becomes equal to or greater than the high temperature threshold THH1 (85°C), and the case temperature T CASEis equal to or higher than the temperature threshold value THH2 (65°C), the non-restore protective control may be executed. Such protective control of pattern PT8 is realized by omitting steps S2 to S7 and steps S11 to S13 in the flowchart shown in Figure 24.

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

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

[0173] In this way, the position of the case thermistor T4 is fixed by the chassis 150, which is used to fix other electronic components. This allows the case thermistor T4 to accurately acquire the temperature of the case 110 while avoiding an increase in the manufacturing cost of the inhalator 100. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 26 , by not positioning the case thermistor T4 toward the end in the front-to-rear direction, the heat of the user's hand when the user grips the case 110 is less likely to affect the case thermistor T4. Furthermore, the presence of the portions Pa and Pb makes it difficult for heat generated by the power supply BAT and the heater HTR to be transmitted to the case thermistor T4. This allows the environment in which the inhalator 100 is placed to be more accurately determined from the output value of the case thermistor T4.

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

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

[0176] This specification describes at least the following items. Note that the components in parentheses correspond to those in the above-described embodiment, but are not limited to these.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0186] The power supply is a more complex and important component than the case. According to (5), in modes where the second protective control cannot be executed, the first protective control based on the temperature of the power supply can be executed. This allows for more appropriate safety assurance while reducing the number of modes where both the first and second protective controls can be executed, thereby saving power in the aerosol generating device.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0198] According to (11), an appropriate hysteresis is set for the threshold value for determining abnormality in the sensor output value according to the object of temperature measurement, thereby improving the safety of the aerosol generating device.

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

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

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

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

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

[0204] According to (14), it is possible to determine whether the aerosol generating device is in a safe environment before generating aerosol. If the aerosol generating device is placed in an unrecommended environment, for example, the heater need not be turned on. This avoids wasting the aerosol source and improves the convenience and safety of the aerosol generating device.

[0205] Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the components of the above-described embodiments may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the invention.

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

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

Claims

1. A power supply unit for an aerosol generating device, comprising: a case that forms a surface of the power supply unit; Power supply and a connector to which a heater that consumes power supplied from the power source and heats the aerosol source is connected; a first sensor disposed adjacent to the power source and configured to output a value related to the temperature of the power source; a second sensor disposed near the case and configured to output a value related to the temperature of the case; a controller; The controller performing a primary check to determine whether the output value of the first sensor and the output value of the second sensor are abnormal; When it is determined in the primary check that the output value of the first sensor and the output value of the second sensor are abnormal, a protective control is executed to prohibit one or both of charging of the power source and discharging from the power source to the heater, Before executing the primary check, a zero-order check is executed to determine whether or not the output value of the first sensor is abnormal; and executing the first check when the output value of the first sensor is determined to be abnormal in the zero-order check. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

2. A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to claim 1, The protection control permanently prohibits one or both of the charging and the discharging. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

3. A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to claim 1, The protection control can be terminated only based on a user operation. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

4. A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the controller is configured to be unable to acquire an output value of the second sensor when executing the zero-order check; Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

5. A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The controller includes an MCU, When performing the zero-order check, the MCU is configured to operate in a sleep mode. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

6. A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, When the output value of the first sensor is determined to be abnormal in the zero-order check, the second sensor is supplied with power necessary to output a value related to the temperature of the case. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

7. A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the controller includes an MCU and a fuel gauge IC configured to acquire the remaining amount of the power source and the output value of the first sensor; The zero-order check is performed by the fuel gauge IC out of the MCU and the fuel gauge IC. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

8. A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The controller includes an MCU configured to perform the primary check and a first circuit. the MCU includes a first terminal connected to the first circuit and a second terminal connected to the second sensor; the first circuit is connected to the first sensor; Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

9. A power supply unit for the aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the controller includes an MCU configured to perform the primary check; The MCU comprises: acquiring an output value of the first sensor as a digital signal; The output value of the second sensor is obtained by an analog signal. Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

10. A power supply unit for an aerosol generating device, comprising: a case that forms a surface of the power supply unit; Power supply and a connector to which a heater that consumes power supplied from the power source and heats the aerosol source is connected; a first sensor disposed adjacent to the power source and configured to output a value related to the temperature of the power source; a second sensor disposed near the case and configured to output a value related to the temperature of the case; a controller; The controller performing a primary check to determine whether the output value of the first sensor and the output value of the second sensor are abnormal; When it is determined in the primary check that the output value of the first sensor and the output value of the second sensor are abnormal, a protective control is executed to prohibit one or both of charging of the power source and discharging from the power source to the heater, the controller includes an MCU configured to perform the primary check; a fuel gauge IC configured to acquire the remaining amount of the power source and the output value of the first sensor, The fuel gauge IC includes: converting an output value of the first sensor into a digital signal indicative of the temperature of the power supply; transmitting the digital signal to the MCU; Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

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