Aerosol generating device, control method, and program

Abstract

This aerosol generating device comprises: a sensor for detecting inhalation performed by a user; a first heating unit for heating a first aerosol source; and a control unit for controlling supply of electric power to the first heating unit. Here, the control unit supplies electric power to the first heating unit in conjunction with detection, of inhalation, by the sensor, and calculates a consumed amount of a second aerosol source on the basis of the duration of heating performed on the first aerosol source by the first heating unit.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device, a control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] An aerosol generating device (hereinafter referred to as an "aerosol generating device") generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol source containing a fragrance or the like. When the aerosol source is a liquid, the aerosol is generated by heating the aerosol source guided into a glass fiber called a wick with a heater. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2013-516159 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In some aerosol generating devices, the consumption of the aerosol source may be calculated by, for example, multiplying the number of inhalations of a user detected by a sensor by the standard consumption. However, since users vary in their inhalation patterns, the actual consumption may not necessarily match the standard consumption. For example, if a user's average inhalation time is shorter than the standard time, the calculated consumption may be higher than the actual consumption. As a result, the aerosol source may need to be replaced even if there is still an amount of aerosol remaining in the aerosol source that can generate aerosol.

[0005] For example, in an aerosol generating device that can be equipped with a liquid aerosol source and a solid aerosol source, it is conceivable to calculate the consumption of the solid aerosol source by multiplying the number of inhalations of the user detected by a sensor by the standard consumption. However, since users vary in inhalation patterns, the actual consumption may not necessarily match the standard consumption. For example, if a user's average inhalation time is shorter than the standard time, the calculated consumption will be higher than the actual consumption. As a result, the solid aerosol source needs to be replaced even though there is still an amount of aerosol source remaining that can generate aerosol.

[0006] The present invention provides a technique that can improve the accuracy of calculation of the consumption of an aerosol source in an aerosol generating device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for preventing inhalation by a user, a first heating unit for heating a first aerosol source, and a control unit for controlling the supply of power to the first heating unit, wherein the control unit supplies power to the first heating unit in response to detection of inhalation by the sensor, and determines a heating time of the first aerosol source by the first heating unit based on the heating time of the first aerosol source. A mixture of the first aerosol and air from the first aerosol source is passed through the Calculating the consumption of the second aerosol source, an aerosol generating device wherein the mixed gas passing through the second aerosol source contains a second aerosol derived from the second aerosol source. is provided.

[0008] The control unit may set a monitoring period of a predetermined length upon detecting inhalation by the user, acquire the heating time length within the monitoring period for each monitoring period, and calculate the consumption amount of the second aerosol source consumed within the monitoring period based on the acquired heating time length.

[0009] When a plurality of suctions are detected within the monitoring period, the control unit may determine the total time of the plurality of suctions as the heating time length.

[0010] When one monitoring period is one inhalation, the control unit may calculate the remaining amount of the second aerosol source based on the cumulative value of the consumption amount calculated for each inhalation.

[0011] The control unit may classify the heating time length within the monitoring period into a plurality of ranges according to the size, and calculate the consumption amount using a calculation method prepared for each range.

[0012] If the device further has a second heating unit that heats the second aerosol source, and the control unit is capable of switching between a first heating that uses only the first heating unit and a second heating that uses both the first heating unit and the second heating unit, the control unit may switch the method of calculating the consumption of the second aerosol source in conjunction with switching between the first heating and the second heating.

[0013] When the heating time length for the first heating and the second heating is the same, the control unit may calculate the consumption of the second aerosol source during the second heating as a value greater than the consumption of the second aerosol source during the first heating.

[0014] The second aerosol source may be an aerosol source held by a mechanism.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol, the method comprising the steps of: detecting inhalation by a user with a sensor; and heating a first aerosol source with a first heating unit; The control unit supplying power to the first heating unit in response to detection of suction by the sensor; The control unit Based on the length of time for which the first heating unit heats the first aerosol source, A mixture of the first aerosol and air from the first aerosol source is passed through the calculating the consumption of the second aerosol source. and the mixed gas passing through the second aerosol source contains a second aerosol derived from the second aerosol source. A control method is provided.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling a temperature of a first aerosol source by a computer includes the steps of: detecting inhalation by a user with a sensor; heating a first aerosol source with a first heating unit; supplying power to the first heating unit in response to the detection of inhalation by the sensor; and determining a time period for heating the first aerosol source by the first heating unit based on the time period for which the first heating unit heats the first aerosol source. A mixture of the first aerosol and air from the first aerosol source is passed through the calculating the consumption of the second aerosol source; wherein the mixed gas passing through the second aerosol source includes a second aerosol originating from the second aerosol source. is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, the accuracy of calculation of the consumption of the aerosol source in the aerosol generating device can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of an aerosol generation device assumed in the first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram for explaining how to attach an aerosol source and the like to the device body assumed in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the internal configuration of an aerosol generation device assumed in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a normal mode and a high mode, in which (A) is a diagram illustrating an example of the timing of heating in the normal mode, and (B) is a diagram illustrating an example of the timing of heating in the high mode. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the timing of heating the cartridge and capsule in embodiment 1. (A) shows the period of inhalation, (B) shows an example of the timing of heating the cartridge, and (C) shows an example of the timing of heating the capsule. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another example of the timing of heating the cartridge and capsule in embodiment 1. (A) shows the period of inhalation, (B) shows an example of the timing of heating the cartridge, and (C) shows an example of the timing of heating the capsule. [Figure 7]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another example of the timing of heating the cartridge and capsule in embodiment 1. (A) shows the period of inhalation, (B) shows an example of the timing of heating the cartridge, and (C) shows an example of the timing of heating the capsule. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of the timing of heating the cartridge and capsule in high mode, where (A) shows the period of inhalation, (B) shows an example of the timing of heating the cartridge, and (C) shows an example of the timing of heating the capsule. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating other examples of the timing of heating the cartridge and capsule in high mode, where (A) shows the period of inhalation, (B) shows an example of the timing of heating the cartridge, and (C) shows an example of the timing of heating the capsule. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating other examples of the timing of heating the cartridge and capsule in high mode, where (A) shows the period of inhalation, (B) shows an example of the timing of heating the cartridge, and (C) shows an example of the timing of heating the capsule. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a part of a method for controlling the heating of the cartridge and calculating the amount of capsule consumption in the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the remaining part of the method for controlling the heating of the cartridge and calculating the amount of capsule consumption in the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table correlating the length of heating on time with the amount of capsule consumption according to the combination of heating modes. [Figure 14] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating suction patterns 1 and 2. (A) shows an example of suction pattern 1, and (B) shows an example of suction pattern 2. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating suction patterns 3 and 4. (A) shows an example of suction pattern 3, and (B) shows an example of suction pattern 4. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating suction patterns 5 and 6. (A) shows an example of suction pattern 5, and (B) shows an example of suction pattern 6. [Figure 17]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating suction patterns 7 and 8. (A) shows an example of suction pattern 7, and (B) shows an example of suction pattern 8. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a method for calculating the amount of capsule consumption according to the length of heating-on time. [Figure 19] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of the timing of heating the cartridge and capsule in embodiment 3. (A) shows the period of inhalation, (B) shows an example of the timing of heating the cartridge, and (C) shows an example of the timing of heating the capsule. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of an aerosol generation device assumed in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining how to attach an aerosol source and the like assumed in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating the internal configuration of an aerosol generation device assumed in a fourth embodiment. [Figure 23] 13 is a flowchart illustrating a part of the heating control of the cartridge in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 24] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for controlling the heating of a cartridge and calculating the amount of capsule consumption in the fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0020] <First Embodiment> <Features> The aerosol generating device assumed in the first embodiment is a form of electronic cigarette. In the following description, the substance generated by the aerosol generating device is called an aerosol. An aerosol is a mixture of tiny liquid or solid particles suspended in a gas and air or other gas. The aerosol generating device assumed in the first embodiment is capable of generating aerosol without combustion. In the first embodiment, the act of a user inhaling the aerosol generated by the aerosol generation device is simply referred to as "inhaling" or "puffing."

[0021] In the first embodiment, the aerosol generating device is assumed to be a device to which both a liquid aerosol source and a solid aerosol source can be attached. However, the aerosol source is not limited to a liquid or solid, and also includes a jelly or gel aerosol source, and an aerosol source in which a solid such as tobacco is impregnated with glycerin or the like. Hereinafter, a container that stores a liquid aerosol source will be referred to as a "cartridge," and a container that stores a solid aerosol source will be referred to as a "capsule." Both cartridges and capsules are consumables. For this reason, replacement guidelines are set for each cartridge and capsule. The replacement guidelines differ depending on the heating mode, which will be described later.

[0022] The aerosol generating device assumed in the first embodiment has a heater for heating a liquid aerosol source to generate an aerosol, and a heater for heating a solid aerosol source to generate an aerosol. The heater is an example of a heating unit, which will be described later. A liquid aerosol source is an example of a first aerosol source, and a solid aerosol source is an example of a second aerosol source. However, the first aerosol source is not limited to a liquid aerosol source, and may also include a solid aerosol source, a jelly or gel aerosol source, or an aerosol source in which a solid material such as tobacco is impregnated with glycerin or the like. Furthermore, the second aerosol source is not limited to a solid aerosol source, and may also include a liquid aerosol source, a jelly or gel aerosol source, or an aerosol source in which a solid material such as tobacco is impregnated with glycerin or the like.

[0023] <Appearance example> FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of an aerosol generation device 10 assumed in the first embodiment. The external appearance example shown in FIG. 1 can be obtained by observing the front of the aerosol generation device 10 from diagonally above. The aerosol generation device 10 assumed in this embodiment has a size that can be held in one hand by a user. For example, the aerosol generation device 10 has a width of approximately 32 mm, a height of approximately 60 mm, and a depth of approximately 23 mm. These sizes are merely examples. Furthermore, the width, height, and depth dimensions of the aerosol generation device 10 vary depending on the design.

[0024] 1 shows a state in which a capsule holder 12 is attached to a device main body 11 of the aerosol generation device 10. As will be described later, the capsule holder 12 is detachable from the device main body 11. A display 11A and operation buttons 11B are arranged on the top surface of the device body 11. The display 11A may be, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The operation buttons 11B are used for, for example, turning the power on or off, checking the remaining amount of the solid aerosol source, checking the remaining battery level, and other operations. The display 11A is an example of a display unit.

[0025] <Examples of attaching aerosol sources, etc.> FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating how to attach the aerosol source and the like to the device body 11 assumed in the first embodiment. An opening (not shown) is provided in the upper part of the device body 11. This opening constitutes the end of a cylindrical body (not shown) provided inside the device body 11. The cartridge 20 is first inserted into the opening of the device body 11, and then the capsule holder 12 is attached.

[0026] When attaching or detaching the capsule holder 12 to or from the opening of the device body 11, the user rotates the capsule holder 12 by, for example, 120° relative to the opening. The capsule holder 12 attached to the device body 11 functions as a retainer to prevent the cartridge 20 inserted into the device body 11 from jumping out. An opening is also provided in the capsule holder 12. The opening constitutes the end of a cylindrical body (not shown) provided inside the capsule holder 12. The capsule 30 is attached to this opening. The capsule 30 can be attached by pushing it into the opening of the capsule holder 12, and can be removed by pulling it out of the opening of the capsule holder 12. In the present embodiment, the cartridge 20 is attached through an opening provided on the top surface of the apparatus main body 11, but a configuration in which it is attached from the bottom surface side of the apparatus main body 11 may also be adopted.

[0027] <Inside the device> 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating the internal configuration of the aerosol generation device 10 assumed in the embodiment 1. The internal configuration here includes a cartridge 20 (see FIG. 2) and a capsule 30 (see FIG. 2) attached to the device main body 11. The internal configuration shown in Fig. 3 is intended to explain the components provided inside the device main body 11 and their positional relationships. Therefore, the appearance of the components, etc. shown in Fig. 3 does not necessarily match the appearance diagram described above.

[0028] The aerosol generating device 10 shown in Figure 3 has a power supply unit 111L, a sensor unit 112L, a notification unit 113L, a memory unit 114L, a communication unit 115L, a control unit 116L, a liquid guide unit 122L, a liquid storage unit 123L, a heating unit 121L-1, a heating unit 121L-2, a holding unit 140L, and an insulating unit 144L. An air flow path 180L is formed inside the device body 11. The air flow path 180L functions as a passage for transporting the aerosol generated from the liquid aerosol source stored in the liquid storage unit 123L to the capsule-type container 130L filled with the solid aerosol source.

[0029] The liquid storage section 123L corresponds to the cartridge 20 described above, and the capsule-type container 130L corresponds to the capsule 30 described above. In this embodiment, the user inhales with the capsule-type container 130L attached to the holder 140L. The holder 140L corresponds to the capsule holder 12 (see FIG. 2) and the cylindrical body on the device main body 11 side to which the capsule holder 12 is attached.

[0030] Each part constituting the device main body 11 will be described below. The power supply unit 111L is a device that stores power and supplies power to each component that constitutes the device main body 11. A rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery is used as the power supply unit 111L. If the power supply unit 111L is a rechargeable battery, it can be charged any number of times via an external power source connected via a USB (=Universal Serial Bus) cable or the like.

[0031] However, if the apparatus main body 11 is compatible with wireless power transmission, it is possible to charge the power supply unit 111L in a state where it is not in contact with an external device that is the power transmitting side. If the power supply unit 111L is removable from the device main body 11, it is possible to replace a worn-out power supply unit 111L with a new power supply unit 111L.

[0032] The sensor unit 112L is a device that detects information relating to each part of the apparatus main body 11. The sensor unit 112L outputs the detected information to the control unit 116L. The sensor unit 112L provided in the device main body 11 includes, for example, a pressure sensor such as a microphone capacitor, a flow rate sensor, and a temperature sensor. This type of sensor unit 112L is used, for example, to detect inhalation by the user. In this sense, the sensor unit 112L is an example of a sensor that detects inhalation by the user.

[0033] The sensor unit 112L provided in the device main body 11 includes an input device that accepts user operations on, for example, buttons, switches, etc. The buttons here include the operation button 11B (see FIG. 1) described above. This type of sensor unit 112L is used, for example, to accept user operations. The sensor unit 112L provided in the device main body 11 includes, for example, a thermistor. In the present embodiment, the thermistor is used to measure the temperature of the heating unit 121L-2 used to heat the capsule 30, for example.

[0034] The notification unit 113L is a device that notifies the user of information. The notification unit 113L provided in the device main body 11 is, for example, a light-emitting device such as an LED (=Light Emitting Diode). When the notification unit 113L is a light-emitting device, the light-emitting device is controlled to emit light in a pattern according to the content of the information to be notified. For example, the light-emitting device is controlled to emit light in different patterns when notifying the user that the power supply unit 111L needs to be charged, when notifying the user that the power supply unit 111L is being charged, and when notifying the user that an abnormality has occurred.

[0035] The different light emission patterns are a concept that includes differences in color, differences in timing of turning on and off the light, differences in brightness when turned on, and the like. In addition, the notification unit 113L provided in the device main body 11 may include, for example, a display device that displays an image, a sound output device that outputs sound, and a vibration device that vibrates. These devices may be used alone or in combination, and may be used together with the light-emitting device described above or in place of the light-emitting device. An example of the display device here is the display 11A (see FIG. 1).

[0036] The storage unit 114L stores various types of information relating to the operation of the device main body 11. The storage unit 114L is configured by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory. The information stored in the storage unit 114L includes, for example, a program executed by the control unit 116L. The program includes an OS (=Operating System), firmware, and also an application program.

[0037] In addition, the information stored in the storage unit 114L includes, for example, information required by the control unit 116L to control each unit. This information includes information about each component detected by the sensor unit 112L. For example, it also includes information about the user's inhalation and the remaining battery level. The information about the user's inhalation includes, for example, the number of times inhalation has occurred, the time when the start and end of inhalation have been detected, the cumulative time of inhalation, and the heating mode currently being performed. The information here also includes a table used to calculate the amount of capsule 30 consumed when the cartridge 20 is sucked.

[0038] The communication unit 115L is a communication interface used to send and receive information to and from other devices, and conforms to wired or wireless communication standards. Communication standards include, for example, wireless LAN (=Local Area Network), wired LAN, and mobile communication systems such as 4G and 5G. In this embodiment, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark) are used.

[0039] The communication unit 115L is used to display, for example, information relating to the user's suction on a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like. In addition, the communication unit 115L is used to receive, for example, update data for a program stored in the storage unit 114L from a server.

[0040] The control unit 116L functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls the operation of each unit constituting the device main body 11 through the execution of a program. The control unit 116L is provided with electronic circuits such as a CPU (=Central Processing Unit) and a microprocessor. In addition, the control unit 116L may be provided with a ROM (=Read Only Memory) for storing programs, calculation parameters, etc., and a RAM (=Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing parameters, etc., which change as appropriate.

[0041] The control unit 116L controls, for example, power supply from the power supply unit 111L to each unit, charging of the power supply unit 111L, detection of information by the sensor unit 112L, notification of information by the notification unit 113L, storage and reading of information by the memory unit 114L, and transmission and reception of information by the communication unit 115L. The control unit 116L also performs processing such as accepting information from user operations and processing based on information output from each unit.

[0042] Liquid storage unit 123L is a container that stores a liquid aerosol source, such as a polyhydric alcohol, such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water. The liquid aerosol source may include a tobacco material or an extract derived from a tobacco material that releases a flavor component when heated, and may also include a nicotine component.

[0043] The liquid guide 122L is a component that guides and holds the liquid aerosol source stored in the liquid storage 123L from the liquid storage 123L. The liquid guide 122L has a structure in which a fiber material such as glass fiber or a porous material such as porous ceramic is twisted. This type of component is also called a wick. Both ends of the liquid guide portion 122L are connected to the inside of the liquid storage portion 123L. Therefore, the aerosol source stored in the liquid storage portion 123L spreads throughout the entire liquid guide portion 122L due to the capillary effect.

[0044] The heating unit 121L-1 is a component that heats and atomizes the aerosol source held in the liquid guiding unit 122L to generate an aerosol. The heating unit 121L-1 is an example of a first heating unit. The heating unit 121L-1 is not limited to a coil shape as shown in Fig. 3, but may be a film shape, a blade shape, or other shapes. The shape of the heating unit 121L-1 varies depending on the heating method, etc. The heating unit 121L-1 is made of any material such as metal or polyimide.

[0045] The heating unit 121L-1 is disposed adjacent to the liquid guiding unit 122L. In the present embodiment, the heating unit 121L-1 is a metal coil wound around the outer circumferential surface of the liquid guiding unit 122L. Heating unit 121L-1 generates heat when power is supplied from power supply unit 111L, and heats the aerosol source held in liquid guiding unit 122L to a vaporization temperature. The aerosol source that has reached the vaporization temperature is released as a gas from liquid guiding unit 122L into the air, but is cooled by the surrounding air and atomized, becoming an aerosol.

[0046] The power supply to the heating unit 121L-1 that heats the liquid aerosol source is basically linked to the user's inhalation. That is, power is supplied to the heating unit 121L-1 from the start of inhalation by the user to the end of inhalation, and when the user's inhalation ends, the power supply to the heating unit 121L-1 is stopped. However, in this embodiment, as a measure against liquid drying up, a period may be provided during which the supply of power to the heating unit 121L-1 is stopped even if inhalation by the user is detected. This period will be described later.

[0047] In addition, power supply to the heating unit 121L-1 that heats the liquid aerosol source may start, for example, when a specific button is pressed when no aerosol is being generated, and may stop when a specific button is pressed when aerosol is being generated. The button for instructing the start of aerosol generation and the button for instructing the stop of aerosol generation may be the same physical button or may be different buttons.

[0048] The capsule-type container 130L is a container filled with a solid aerosol source. The solid aerosol source may include a processed product, such as cut tobacco or a tobacco raw material formed into granules, sheets, or powder, which releases a flavor component when heated. That is, the solid aerosol source may include a tobacco-derived substance. The solid aerosol source may also include, for example, a nicotine component. However, the solid aerosol source may also include non-tobacco-derived substances extracted from plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint, herbs, etc.). Additionally, the solid aerosol source may include flavoring ingredients such as menthol.

[0049] The holding part 140L corresponds to, for example, the capsule holder 12 (see FIG. 2), and has an internal space 141L in which the capsule-type container 130L is attached. The holding part 140L is a cylindrical body having a bottom 143L, and defines the columnar internal space 141L. The holding part 140L is an example of a mechanism for holding the capsule 30. A part of the capsule-type container 130L is held in the holding portion 140L, and the rest is exposed to the outside of the holding portion 140L. The part of the capsule-type container 130L that is exposed from the holding portion 140L is used as a mouthpiece 124L. The mouthpiece 124L is held in the mouth by a user who inhales the aerosol.

[0050] An air inlet (i.e., an air inlet hole) for the holding part 140L is provided, for example, in the bottom part 143L. A hole through which air can flow is formed in the bottom part of the capsule-type container 130L. Therefore, the air flowing in from the bottom part 143L passes through the inside of the capsule-type container 130L and reaches the mouthpiece 124L. In other words, the mouthpiece 124L serves as an air outlet (i.e., an air outlet hole). Incidentally, the bottom 143L is in communication with an air outlet hole 182L of an air flow path 180L formed inside the device body 11. Through this air outlet hole 182L, the internal space 141L of the holder 140L and the air flow path 180L are in communication with each other.

[0051] The heating unit 121L-2 heats the solid aerosol source filled in the capsule-type container 130L. The heating unit 121L-2 is an example of a second heating unit. The heating part 121L-2 is made of metal, polyimide, etc. The heating part 121L-2 is provided at a position where it comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the metal part of the holding part 140L. The heating unit 121L-2 generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 111L, and heats the outer circumferential surface of the capsule-type container 130L that is in contact with the metal portion of the holding unit 140L.

[0052] Therefore, the position close to the outer circumferential surface of the capsule-shaped container 130L is heated first, and then the heated area spreads toward the center. When the aerosol source reaches the vaporization temperature, it is vaporized, but when cooled by the surrounding air, it atomizes and becomes an aerosol. The power supply to the heating unit 121L-2 and the heating that accompanies the power supply are controlled by the control unit 116L.

[0053] The heat insulating portion 144L is a member that prevents heat from being transmitted from the heating portion 121L-2 to other components of the apparatus body 11. The heat insulating portion 144L covers at least the outer peripheral surface of the heating portion 121L-2. The heat insulating section 144L is made of, for example, a vacuum insulating material or an aerogel insulating material. A vacuum insulating material is an insulating material in which glass wool, silica (silicon powder), or the like is wrapped in a resin film and placed in a high vacuum state, thereby reducing the thermal conduction of gas to as close to zero as possible.

[0054] As described above, the air flow path 180L is an air flow path provided inside the device body 11. The air flow path 180L has a tubular structure having, at both ends, an air inlet hole 181L which is an air inlet to the air flow path 180L and an air outlet hole 182L which is an air outlet from the air flow path 180L. When the user inhales, air flows into the air flow path 180L from the air inlet hole 181L, and the air flows out to the bottom 143L of the holder 140L from the air outlet hole 182L.

[0055] A liquid guide section 122L is disposed midway along the air flow path 180L. The liquid-derived aerosol generated by heating in the heating section 121L-1 is mixed with air flowing in through the air inlet hole 181L. The mixture of the liquid-derived aerosol and air then passes through the inside of the capsule-type container 130L and is output from the mouthpiece 124L into the user's oral cavity. In FIG. 3, this flow path is indicated by an arrow 190L.

[0056] Aerosol derived from solid matter is added to the mixed gas of the liquid-derived aerosol and air as it passes through the capsule-shaped container 130L. The concentration of the aerosol derived from the solid matter increases by combining the heating control of the heating unit 121L-2. However, as will be described later, in this embodiment, a heating mode that is not combined with the heating control of the heating unit 121L-2 is also provided.

[0057] When the heating control of the heating unit 121L-2 is not combined, the aerosol derived from the liquid is generated by heating the aerosol source of the solid material when the aerosol derived from the liquid passes through the capsule container 130L. However, the amount of solid-derived aerosol generated by heating the liquid-derived aerosol is smaller than when combined with heating control of the heating unit 121L-2.

[0058] <Heating mode> The aerosol generation device 10 assumed in the first embodiment is provided with two types of heating modes. The first heating mode is a first mode in which only the heating unit 121L-1 that heats the aerosol source stored in the cartridge 20 (see FIG. 2) is used. That is, this is a heating mode in which only the cartridge 20 is heated. Hereinafter, this heating mode will be referred to as "normal mode." In normal mode, the heating unit 121L-2 that heats the solid aerosol source is always controlled to be off. Note that in normal mode, the heating unit 121L-2 that heats the solid aerosol source may be controlled to be always off, but the power supplied thereto may be reduced instead. The normal mode is an example of first heating.

[0059] The second heating mode is a second mode that uses both the heating unit 121L-1 that heats the aerosol source stored in the cartridge 20 and the heating unit 121L-2 that heats the aerosol source filled in the capsule 30 (see FIG. 2). That is, this is a heating mode that heats both the cartridge 20 and the capsule 30. Hereinafter, this heating mode will be referred to as "high mode." In high mode, heating of the cartridge 20 by the heating unit 121L-1 and heating of the capsule 30 by the heating unit 121L-2 are alternately performed, or the power supplied to the heating unit 121L-2 is reduced while heating by the heating unit 121L-1. The high mode is an example of second heating.

[0060] The heating mode can be switched by, for example, pressing and holding the operation button 11B (see FIG. 1) for two seconds or more. For example, if the operation button 11B is pressed for two seconds or more in the high mode, the operation mode switches to the normal mode. On the other hand, if the operation button 11B is pressed for two seconds or more in the normal mode, the operation mode switches to the high mode.

[0061] In the high mode, the heating of the cartridge 20 by the heating unit 121L-1 takes priority over the heating of the capsule 30 by the heating unit 121L-2. That is, while heating is being performed by the heating unit 121L-1, heating by the heating unit 121L-2 is controlled to be stopped or reduced. Also, while heating the capsule 30 by the heating unit 121L-2, if an event occurs that starts heating the cartridge 20, heating by the heating unit 121L-2 is controlled to be stopped or reduced.

[0062] In the case of the aerosol generation device 10 assumed in the first embodiment, the heating of the heating unit 121L-1 and the heating unit 121L-2 are controlled not to be performed simultaneously so as not to exceed the upper limit of the output current of the battery used as the power supply unit 111L. In other words, the heating period of the heating unit 121L-1 and the heating period of the heating unit 121L-2 are separated, or the power supplied to the heating unit 121L-2 is reduced while the heating unit 121L-1 is being heated. The term "simultaneous" here does not mean that the heating timings do not overlap at all, so overlaps caused by errors in operation timing, for example, are allowed.

[0063] In the high mode, the heating unit 121L-2 that heats the solid aerosol source may be controlled to be always off, but the power supplied thereto may be reduced. That is, the heating period by the heating unit 121L-1 and the heating period by the heating unit 121L-2 may be allowed to overlap partially or completely. However, if simultaneous heating is allowed, it is desirable to set the maximum power supplied to the heating units 121L-1 and 121L-2 during simultaneous heating to be smaller than the maximum power supplied when each unit is heating alone, so as not to exceed the upper limit of the battery output current. For example, when heating of the cartridge 20 by the heating unit 121L-1 is started, heating of the capsule 30 by the heating unit 121L-2 is reduced so as not to exceed the upper limit of the output current of the battery.

[0064] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating the normal mode and the high mode, where (A) is a diagram illustrating an example of the timing of heating in the normal mode, and (B) is a diagram illustrating an example of the timing of heating in the high mode. FIG. 4(A1) shows the heating timing of the cartridge 20 in the normal mode, and FIG. 4(A2) shows the heating timing of the capsule 30 in the normal mode. The horizontal axis in FIGS. 4(A1) and (A2) represents time, and the vertical axis represents the presence or absence of heating. During periods when heating is present, power is supplied to the corresponding heating section, and during periods when heating is not present, power is not supplied to the corresponding heating section.

[0065] Heating control in normal mode is started when the locked state is released. The locked state is a state in which control by control unit 116L is stopped, and therefore, even if the user inhales through mouthpiece 124L (see FIG. 3), no aerosol is generated. The locked state can be released, for example, by pressing the operation button 11B (see FIG. 1) three times in succession within two seconds. The number of presses, the button to be operated, and the time required for the operation are all examples. When the heating control in the normal mode starts, as shown in FIG. 4(A1), the cartridge 20 is heated in conjunction with the suction period. "Linked to the period of suction" means linked to the detection of suction by sensor unit 112L.

[0066] Thus, if suction for one second is detected, cartridge 20 is heated for one second, and if suction for two seconds is detected, cartridge 20 is heated for two seconds. In this embodiment, the heating of the cartridge 20 is controlled in units of a monitoring period of a predetermined length that is initiated upon detection of suction. In this embodiment, this monitoring period may be referred to as a "heating-on monitoring time." The heating-on monitoring time is the longest time during which the cartridge 20 can be continuously heated. The heating of the cartridge may be controlled in units of "suctions." A suction is a monitoring period that begins upon detection of the first suction after the end of the previous suction. One monitoring period is one suction. Therefore, even if suction is detected at the end of the monitoring period, heating of the cartridge 20 is terminated.

[0067] After the end of the monitoring period, a new monitoring period is set by detecting a new suction. In the new monitoring period, heating control similar to that for heating the cartridge 20 during the monitoring period is executed. If the time between the monitoring period and the new monitoring period is less than a predetermined value, the heating of the cartridge 20 during the new monitoring period may be reduced compared to the heating of the cartridge 20 during the monitoring period. In this case, the degree of reduction in heating of the cartridge 20 during the new monitoring period may be determined based on the length of time between the monitoring period and the new monitoring period. Note that the predetermined value is, for example, 10 seconds, but is not limited to 10 seconds and can be set arbitrarily. Based on the length of time between the monitoring period and the new monitoring period, the heating of the cartridge 20 during the new monitoring period is reduced compared to the heating of the cartridge 20 during the monitoring period, so that even if short intervals of inhalation are repeated, the amount of aerosol generated can be reduced and the aerosol source of the liquid in the liquid guide portion does not run dry. In other words, liquid drying up is suppressed, and the user can continue inhaling the aerosol.

[0068] In this embodiment, a period (hereinafter referred to as "heating prohibition period") in which heating of the cartridge 20 is prohibited regardless of detection of suction may be provided after the monitoring period. By providing a monitoring period and a heating prohibition time, even if suction is repeated at short intervals (or even if suction is detected continuously for a long period of time), it is possible to ensure time for supplying the liquid aerosol source to the wick before starting heating of the cartridge 20. Specific examples of the number of suctions, etc. will be described later.

[0069] In the normal mode, as shown in FIG. 4(A2), the capsule 30 is not heated regardless of whether or not inhalation is occurring. In the present embodiment, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the last detection of suction, control unit 116L transitions to the locked state. The heating mode will not change even if the device is locked. The heating mode will not change even when the device is released from the locked state.

[0070] In this embodiment, the predetermined time is set to 6 minutes (i.e., 360 seconds). This time is an example. If 6 minutes have passed since the last inhalation, it is highly likely that the user has stopped inhaling aerosol. Therefore, in this embodiment, the device main body 11 (see FIG. 2) is shifted to a locked state in order to reduce the power consumed by the device main body 11. The same applies to the high mode. That is, when six minutes have passed since the last suction, the aerosol generation device 10 is controlled to a locked state.

[0071] The device also transitions to the locked state when the user instructs it to do so. The user can manually transition to the locked state by, for example, pressing operation button 11B (see FIG. 1) three times in succession within two seconds before six minutes have elapsed since the last suction. The number of presses, the buttons to be operated, and the time required for the operation are all examples.

[0072] FIG. 4(B1) shows the heating timing of the cartridge 20 in the high mode, and FIG. 4(B2) shows the heating timing of the capsule 30 in the high mode. The horizontal axis in FIGS. 4(B1) and (B2) represents time, and the vertical axis represents the presence or absence of heating. As described above, in this embodiment, simultaneous heating of the cartridge 20 and the capsule 30 may be prohibited. Therefore, the heating timing of the cartridge 20 and the heating timing of the capsule 30 do not have to overlap. Furthermore, the power supplied to the capsule 30 may be reduced while the cartridge 20 is being heated. In this case, the heating timing of the cartridge 20 and the heating timing of the capsule 30 may partially overlap. During periods indicating heating, power is supplied to the corresponding heating unit, and during periods indicating no heating, power is not supplied to the corresponding heating unit or the power supplied to the corresponding heating unit is reduced.

[0073] The heating control in the high mode is started when the locked state is released or when the normal mode is switched to the high mode. When the high mode heating control starts, as shown in Fig. 4(B2), heating of the capsule 30 starts. This heating basically continues until inhalation is detected, and heating of the capsule 30 is stopped or reduced during the period in which inhalation is detected. 4(B1) and 4(B2), heating of the capsule 30 is stopped or reduced at the timing when heating of the cartridge 20 is started. The initial temperature of the capsule 30 is, for example, the air temperature of the environment in which the aerosol generation device 10 is used, for example, room temperature.

[0074] In the case of the aerosol generation device 10 of this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4(B1) and (B2), when 30 seconds have passed since the last detection of inhalation, heating of the capsule 30 is stopped or reduced to reduce power consumption. That is, the device enters a sleep state. When the device enters the sleep state, the temperature of the capsule 30 gradually decreases.

[0075] In the sleep state, heating of the capsule 30 is stopped or reduced, but the sensor unit 112L that detects inhalation is operating. Therefore, when inhalation by the user is detected in the sleep state, heating of the cartridge 20 is performed as shown in Fig. 4(B1). Furthermore, when heating of the cartridge 20 is completed, heating of the capsule 30 is started or increased as shown in Fig. 4(B2).

[0076] In the present embodiment, the user is not notified of the transition to the sleep state, but the user may be notified. If the device remains in sleep mode for another 5 minutes and 30 seconds, it will transition to the locked state described above.

[0077] <Heating on monitoring time> In this embodiment, heating of capsule 30 may be turned off or reduced during the monitoring period.

[0078] 5 to 7 show examples of heating timing control when heating of the capsule 30 is stopped or reduced during the monitoring period. Note that the heating control examples described below can be applied to heating of the cartridge 20 (see FIG. 2) in the normal mode, except for heating of the capsule 30 (see FIG. 2). 5 to 7 correspond to different suction patterns.

[0079] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating an example of the heating timing of the cartridge 20 and the capsule 30 in embodiment 1. (A) shows the inhalation period, (B) shows an example of the heating timing of the cartridge 20, and (C) shows an example of the heating timing of the capsule 30.

[0080] In this embodiment, the monitoring period may be referred to as a "heating-on monitoring time." In the following description, the monitoring period will be referred to as the "heating-on monitoring time." In the case of FIG. 8, the heating-on monitoring time is 2.4 seconds. Note that the heating-on monitoring time is not limited to 2.4 seconds, and may be 2 seconds or 3 seconds.

[0081] In the case of Fig. 5(A), two suctions are detected during the heating-on monitoring period, and the second suction ends before the heating-on monitoring period elapses. In this case, the heating timing of cartridge 20 coincides with the detected suction periods, as shown in Fig. 5(B). A new heating-on monitoring time is set when new suction is detected after the end of the heating-on monitoring time.Since a new heating-on monitoring time is set when new suction is detected after the end of the heating-on monitoring time, a new heating-on monitoring time is not set even if a second suction is detected during the heating-on monitoring time. The heating of the cartridge may be controlled in units of "suctions." A suction is a heating-on monitoring time that starts upon detection of the first suction after the previous suction has ended. One heating-on monitoring time is one suction. In this embodiment, the heating of the capsule 30 is stopped (off-controlled) or reduced during the entire heating-on monitoring time, as shown in Fig. 5(C), and the heating of the capsule 30 is started or increased during a period other than the heating-on monitoring time, as shown in Fig. 5(C).

[0082] In this embodiment, the time between the heating-on monitoring time and the new heating-on monitoring time may be referred to as the "heating-off time." For example, the time from the end of the heating-on monitoring time to the start of the new heating-on monitoring time is referred to as the "heating-off time." In other words, the time from the end of the heating-on monitoring time to the detection of new suction is referred to as the "heating-off time." In FIG. 5(A), the heating-off time is 1.8 seconds.

[0083] Assuming that inhalation is detected throughout the entire heating-on monitoring time, the capsule 30 should be replaced approximately 50 times in normal mode and approximately 30 times in high mode, for example. In the high mode, since the capsule 30 is preheated, more aerosol source is consumed when the liquid-derived aerosol passes through than in the normal mode, so the frequency is lower than in the normal mode. Note that these guideline numbers are merely examples and are not limited to these numbers. Also, the guideline numbers will differ depending on the type and classification of the cartridge. Also, the guideline numbers can be set arbitrarily.

[0084] However, since different users have different inhalation methods, the aerosol source of the capsule 30 may not always be consumed as planned. Therefore, in this embodiment, the "heating time length" is measured for each suction or each heating-on monitoring time, and the consumption amount of the solid aerosol source is calculated using the measured heating time length or the total heating time length. The heating time length may be referred to as a “heating-on time.” In the following description, the heating-on time will be used.

[0085] The heating-on time is the time during which the cartridge 20 is heated. The heating-on time may be the time during which power is supplied to the heating unit 121L-1. The heating-on time may be the length of time during which the user's inhalation is detected during the heating-on monitoring time. The heating-on time may be calculated for each inhalation, or may be calculated as the total time of inhalations that occur within the heating-on monitoring time. The consumption of the solid aerosol source is calculated using the heating on monitoring time as a unit because, during use of one capsule 30, heating in normal mode and heating in high mode may occur together, and the consumption amount may not be the same even if the heating on time is the same.

[0086] In the case of Figure 5(A), two suctions are detected during one suction, and the second suction ends before the heating-on monitoring time has elapsed. In this case, the heating timing of cartridge 20 coincides with the detected suction period, as shown in Figure 5(B). In this example, the total "heating-on time" corresponding to the two suctions that occurred during the heating-on monitoring time is 1.2 seconds.

[0087] 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating another example of the timing of heating the cartridge 20 and the capsule 30 in embodiment 1. (A) shows the period of inhalation, (B) shows an example of the timing of heating the cartridge 20, and (C) shows an example of the timing of heating the capsule 30. In FIG. 6, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The difference between Figure 6 and Figure 5 is that 6 In the case of (A), the second suction during the heating monitoring ON time continues beyond the heating ON monitoring time.

[0088] In Fig. 6(A), the heating-off time is 1.2 seconds. As shown in Fig. 6(B), even if inhalation continues beyond the heating-on monitoring time, heating of the cartridge 20 is stopped when the heating-on monitoring time has elapsed. Also, as shown in Fig. 6(C), heating of the capsule 30 is started or increased. In the case of FIG. 6, the total heating-on time corresponding to the two suctions that occurred during the heating-on monitoring period is 2.0 seconds.

[0089] 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating another example of the timing of heating the cartridge 20 and the capsule 30 in embodiment 1. (A) shows the period of inhalation, (B) shows an example of the timing of heating the cartridge 20, and (C) shows an example of the timing of heating the capsule 30. In FIG. 7, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The difference between FIG. 7 and FIG. 5 is that the non-suction state continues even after the heating-on monitoring time has elapsed, and the state shifts to the sleep state.

[0090] In Figure 7, the start of the period for transitioning to the sleep state is the end of the heating-on monitoring time, and the sleep state is entered when the non-suction state continues for 30 seconds. Note that the sleep state may also be entered when 30 seconds have elapsed since the end of suction within the heating-on monitoring time, i.e., the end of the second suction in Figure 7(A). In Figure 7(A), the heating-off time is 10 seconds or more. Note that Figures 5(A), 6(A), and 7(A) illustrate the case where the number of suctions detected during the heating-on monitoring time is two, but the number of suctions during the heating-on monitoring time may be one or three or more. In the case of FIG. 6, the total heating-on time corresponding to one suction that occurred during the heating-on monitoring time is 1.2 seconds.

[0091] Note that Figures 5(A), 6(A), and 7(A) illustrate the case where the number of suctions detected during the heating-on monitoring time (one suction) is two, but the number of suctions during the heating-on monitoring time (one suction) may be one or three or more.

[0092] <Heating on monitoring time and heating prohibited time> In this embodiment, a heating prohibition time may be provided in addition to the heating period (heating-on monitoring time). Specific examples of heating control during the heating-on monitoring time and the heating prohibition time will be described below with reference to Figures 8 to 10. 8 to 10 show examples of heating timing control in high mode. However, the heating control examples described below can also be applied to heating of the cartridge 20 (see FIG. 2) in normal mode, except for heating of the capsule 30 (see FIG. 2). 8 to 10 correspond to different suction patterns.

[0093] 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating an example of the heating timing of the cartridge 20 and the capsule 30 in high mode. (A) shows the inhalation period, (B) shows an example of the heating timing of the cartridge 20, and (C) shows an example of the heating timing of the capsule 30. As described above, a suction round (i.e., the heating-on monitoring time) starts when the first suction is detected after the previous suction round ends. In the case of Figure 8, the heating-on monitoring time is 2.4 seconds. However, the heating-on monitoring time is not limited to 2.4 seconds, and may be 2 seconds or 3 seconds.

[0094] In the case of Figure 8(A), two suctions are detected during one suction, and the second suction ends before the heating-on monitoring time has elapsed. In this case, the heating timing of cartridge 20 coincides with the detected suction period, as shown in Figure 8(B). In this example, the total "heating-on time" corresponding to the two suctions that occurred during the heating-on monitoring time is 1.2 seconds. In both normal mode and high mode, the aerosol derived from the solid material is generated by passing the high-temperature aerosol derived from the liquid through the capsule 30.

[0095] Incidentally, since the suction round (i.e., the heating-on monitoring time) starts upon detection of the first suction after the end of the previous suction round, even if a second suction is detected in the same suction round, the suction round (i.e., the heating-on monitoring time) is not reset. In this embodiment, the heating of the capsule 30 is stopped (controlled to be off) or reduced for the entire heating on monitoring time, as shown in FIG. 8(C).

[0096] After the heating-on monitoring time has ended, a heating prohibition time of, for example, 1.2 seconds is provided. Note that the heating prohibition time of 1.2 seconds is just an example. The heating prohibition time is a time during which heating of the cartridge 20 is prohibited. Therefore, even if inhalation is detected during the heating prohibition time as shown in Fig. 8(A), heating of the cartridge 20 is not performed as shown in Fig. 8(B). On the other hand, when the heating prohibition time starts, heating of the capsule 30 is started or increased as shown in Fig. 8(C).

[0097] In the example of Fig. 8(A), no inhalation is detected even after the heating prohibition time has elapsed, so the capsule 30 continues to be heated even after the heating prohibition time has elapsed until the next inhalation is detected. If a new inhalation is detected in this state, a new heating-on monitoring time is set, and heating of the cartridge 20 is started and heating of the capsule 30 is stopped or reduced. In this embodiment, the time from the end of the heating-on monitoring time (or the start of the heating prohibition time) to the start of the first detected suction after the end of the heating prohibition time is called the "heating-off time." In the case of Figure 8(A), the heating-off time is 1.8 seconds.

[0098] 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating another example of the timing of heating the cartridge 20 and the capsule 30 in high mode. (A) shows the period of inhalation, (B) shows an example of the timing of heating the cartridge 20, and (C) shows an example of the timing of heating the capsule 30. In FIG. 9, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The difference between Figure 9 and Figure 8 is that in Figure 9(A), the second suction in one suction session continues beyond the heating-on monitoring time, and the next suction starts within the heating prohibition time.

[0099] Even if suction continues beyond the heating-on monitoring time, the heating prohibition time starts when the heating-on monitoring time has elapsed, and therefore heating of the cartridge 20 is stopped as shown in FIG. 9(B). Furthermore, even if suction starts before the heating prohibition time has elapsed, heating of the cartridge 20 is prohibited. Therefore, the next suction, i.e., the heating-on monitoring time, starts after the heating prohibition time has elapsed. In the case of FIG. 9, the total heating-on time corresponding to the two suctions that occurred during the heating-on monitoring period is 2.0 seconds.

[0100] 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of the timing of heating the cartridge 20 and the capsule 30 in high mode. (A) shows the period of inhalation, (B) shows an example of the timing of heating the cartridge 20, and (C) shows an example of the timing of heating the capsule 30. In FIG. 10, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The difference between FIG. 10 and FIG. 8 is that the non-suction state continues even after the heating prohibition time has elapsed, and the state shifts to the sleep state.

[0101] In Figure 10, the start of the period when the device transitions to the sleep state is the time when the heating-on monitoring time ends, i.e., the time when the heating prohibition time begins, and the device transitions to the sleep state when the non-suction state continues for 28.8 seconds after the end of the heating prohibition time. However, the device may be configured to transition to a sleep state when 30 seconds have passed since the end of suction within the heating-on monitoring time, that is, the end of the second suction in FIG. 10(A). In the case of FIG. 10, the total heating-on time corresponding to one suction that occurred during the heating-on monitoring time is 1.2 seconds.

[0102] In the above-mentioned Figures 8(A), 9(A), and 10(A), the number of suctions detected during the heating-on monitoring time (one suction) is two, but the number of suctions during the heating-on monitoring time (one suction) may be one or three or more.

[0103] <Cartridge heating control and capsule consumption calculation> Fig. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a part of the method for controlling the heating of the cartridge 20 and calculating the consumption amount of the capsule 30 in the first embodiment. Fig. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the remaining part of the method for controlling the heating of the cartridge 20 and calculating the consumption amount of the capsule 30 in the first embodiment. The symbol S in the figure means step. 11 and 12 are realized through the execution of a program. The program here is stored in the storage unit 114L (see FIG. 3) and executed by the control unit 116L (see FIG. 3). The controls shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 are executed in both the normal mode and the high mode.

[0104] First, the control unit 116L determines whether or not the start of suction has been detected as a start event of the heating-on monitoring time (step 1). For example, if the start of suction is detected after the heating-on monitoring time has elapsed, control unit 116L obtains a positive result in step 1 ("YES" in step 1). Furthermore, when a heating prohibition time is set, for example, if the start of suction is detected after the heating prohibition time of cartridge 20 has elapsed, controller 116L may be configured to obtain a positive result in step 1 ("YES" in step 1). The period after the heating prohibition time has elapsed includes the period before entering sleep mode and the period during sleep mode. In this embodiment, if suction is started during the heating prohibition time and continues at the end of the heating prohibition time, it is considered that the start of suction was detected simultaneously with the end of the heating prohibition time. On the other hand, for example, if the start of suction is detected within the heating-on monitoring time, the control unit 116L obtains a negative result ("NO" in step 1) in step 1. In this case, although not shown in Fig. 14, power may be supplied to the heating unit 121L-1 that heats the cartridge 20 until the detected suction ends or until the heating-on monitoring time has elapsed. Furthermore, if the start of suction is detected within the heating prohibition time, the control unit 116L may be configured to obtain a negative result in step 1 ("NO" in step 1).

[0105] The pressure sensor used to detect suction requires approximately 60 ms to detect the start of suction. At the shortest, the start of suction can be detected in approximately 20 ms. However, in this embodiment, the accuracy of detecting the start of suction is improved by repeating the 20 ms determination three times. The same applies to detecting the end of suction, which will be described later. That is, the control unit 116L increases the accuracy of detecting the end of suction by repeating the approximately 20 ms determination three times. While a negative result is obtained in step 1 ("NO" in step 1), control unit 116L repeats the determination in step 1.

[0106] If a positive result is obtained in step 1 ("YES" in step 1), control unit 116L sets a heating-on monitoring time (step 2). The length of the heating-on monitoring time is determined in advance. Next, the control unit 116L instructs the supply of power to the heating unit 121L-1 that heats the cartridge 20 (step 3). Next, the control unit 116L determines whether the heating-on monitoring time has ended (step 4). In this embodiment, even if the end of suction, which is the starting event of the heating-on monitoring time, is not detected within the heating-on monitoring time, it is necessary to stop heating of the cartridge 20. Therefore, the control unit 116L determines whether the heating-on monitoring time has ended.

[0107] If a negative result is obtained in step 4 ("NO" in step 4), control unit 116L determines whether the end of suction has been detected (step 5). The end of suction to be detected is not limited to the end of suction that became the start event of the heating-on monitoring time, but also includes the end of the second or subsequent suction within the same heating-on monitoring time. If the ongoing suction continues or if the second or subsequent suction has not started, controller 116L obtains a negative result in step 5 ("NO" in step 5). In this case, control unit 116L determines whether or not the start of suction has been detected (step 6). The start of suction to be detected is the start of the second or subsequent suction.

[0108] If no new suction is detected, control unit 116L obtains a negative result in step 6 ("NO" in step 6) and returns to step 4. That is, if neither the end of ongoing suction nor the start of new suction is detected within the heating-on monitoring time, the loop process of step 4-step 5-step 6-step 4 is repeated. If the end of the ongoing suction is detected during this loop process, the control unit 116L obtains a positive result in step 5 ("YES" in step 5). In this case, the control unit 116L stops the supply of power to the heating unit 121L-1 that heats the cartridge 20 (step 7). Next, control unit 116L acquires the heating-on time for the current suction (step 8), and returns to step 4. Acquisition of the heating-on time in step 8 is performed every time the end of suction is detected within the heating-on time.

[0109] Meanwhile, during the loop process of Step 4-Step 5-Step 6-Step 4, a new suction If detected, the control unit 116L obtains a positive result in step 6 ("YES" in step 6) and returns to step 3. In this case, in response to the newly detected suction, the control unit 116L instructs the heater 121L-1, which heats the cartridge 20, to supply power (step 3), and thereafter executes the above-described process. When the heating-on monitoring time ends, control unit 116L obtains a positive result in step 4 ("YES" in step 4). In this case, control unit 116L determines whether suction is continuing (step 9). If a positive result is obtained in step 9 (“YES” in step 9), the control unit 116L stops the supply of power to the heating unit 121L-1 that heats the cartridge 20 (step 10), and obtains the heating-on time for this suction (step 11).

[0110] If suction has already ended when the heating-on monitoring time has ended, control unit 116L obtains a negative result in step 9 ("NO" in step 9). If a negative result is obtained in step 9 ("NO" in step 9), or after step 11 is executed, control unit 116L calculates the total heating-on time within the current heating-on monitoring time (step 12). Thereafter, the control unit 116L acquires the heating mode (step 13), and further calculates the consumption amount of capsules 30 consumed during this heating-on monitoring time based on the calculated total time and the heating mode (step 14). In the present embodiment, the control unit 116L calculates the consumption amount of the capsules 30 related to the current heating-on monitoring time through a table (see FIG. 13, which will be described later) stored in the storage unit 114L.

[0111] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table that associates the consumption amount of the capsule 30 with the combination of the heating ON time length and the heating mode. In the table shown in Figure 13, the first column from the left is the "length of heating on time," the second column from the left is the amount of consumption in "normal mode," and the third column from the left is the amount of consumption in "high mode." In the table shown in Figure 13, the unit of "length of heating on time" is "seconds," and the unit of the magnitude of the consumption amount in each heating mode is "%." The length of heating on time here is the total time corresponding to suction detected within the heating on monitoring time.

[0112] In this embodiment, the remaining amount of aerosol from the solid aerosol source filled in the unused capsule 30 is set to 100%, and the consumption amount calculated according to the length of the heating on time is recorded. In normal mode, for example, the consumption is set to 100% when a 2.4-second heating-on time is repeated 50 times. Therefore, the value in normal mode corresponding to a 2.4-second heating-on time is 2% (=100%÷50). In high mode, for example, the consumption is set to 100% when a 2.4-second heating-on time is repeated 30 times. Therefore, the high mode value corresponding to a 2.4-second heating-on time is 3.333% (=100% ÷ 30).

[0113] However, as will be described later, the energy consumption according to the length of the heating-on time is not in a completely linear relationship. For example, the rate of change in energy consumption in the heating-on time range from 0.5 to 1.5 seconds is greater than the rate of change in energy consumption in the range up to 0.5 seconds, and the rate of change in energy consumption in the range from 1.5 to 2.4 seconds is greater than the rate of change in energy consumption in the range from 0.5 to 1.5 seconds. This tendency is common to both normal mode and high mode.

[0114] However, depending on the composition of the aerosol source, the number of change points in the rate of change is not limited to two, and the value of the change point may differ between normal mode and high mode. In the table shown in FIG. 13, the consumption values ​​that reflect this rate of change are recorded in association with the length of the heating ON time. 13 is in increments of 0.1 seconds, but the increments may be smaller, for example, 0.05 seconds or 0.01 seconds.

[0115] Returning to the explanation of FIG. When the consumption amount of the solid aerosol source consumed during each heating-on monitoring period is calculated in step 14, the control unit 116L updates the cumulative consumption amount with the newly calculated consumption amount (step 15). As mentioned above, the heating mode may be switched during use of one capsule 30, and the consumption amount may differ depending on the heating mode even for the same heating-on time. However, the cumulative value of the consumption amount calculated in heating-on monitoring time units is calculated, thereby improving the accuracy of the consumption amount calculation.

[0116] If the user requests that the remaining amount of the capsule 30 be displayed, the remaining amount R may be calculated and displayed using the following formula. Remaining amount R(%) = 100(%) - cumulative consumption (%) Furthermore, when the remaining amount R of the aerosol source filled in the capsule 30 reaches 0%, the control unit 116L displays a notice on the display 11A (see FIG. 1) requesting the user to replace the capsule.

[0117] In the flowcharts shown in Figures 11 and 12, the cumulative consumption of the solid aerosol source filled in capsule 30 is calculated each time the heating-on monitoring time ends, but the cumulative consumption of capsule 30 in normal mode and the cumulative consumption of capsule 30 in high mode may be calculated separately and stored in memory unit 114L, and when calculation of the cumulative consumption of the solid aerosol source or display of the remaining amount is required, the sum of the two cumulative consumption amounts may be calculated, or the remaining amount may be calculated using the sum.

[0118] The memory unit 114L may also store the number of capsules 30 whose cumulative consumption has reached 100%, the number of puffs in normal mode, and the number of puffs in high mode. Storing these values ​​as a log allows for analysis when a malfunction occurs. Alternatively, these values ​​may be displayed on the display 11A (see FIG. 1).

[0119] <Example of the relationship between suction pattern and heating on time> Specific examples of various suction patterns and heating ON times will be described below with reference to FIGS. 14 is a diagram illustrating suction patterns 1 and 2. (A) shows an example of suction pattern 1, and (B) shows an example of suction pattern 2. In FIG. 14, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 8 are assigned the same reference numerals.

[0120] In the explanation of Figures 14 to 16, the normal mode is set so that the consumption is 100% when the heating ON time of 2.4 seconds is repeated 50 times, and the high mode is set so that the consumption is 100% when the heating ON time of 2.4 seconds is repeated 30 times.

[0121] Suction pattern 1 includes two heating-on monitoring periods. The first heat-on monitoring period includes two suctions, and the second suction continues until the end of the heat-on monitoring period. The total heating-on time is 2.0 seconds in suction pattern 1. Therefore, in the example of Fig. 13, 1.6% of the aerosol source is consumed in normal mode, and 2.5% of the aerosol source is consumed in high mode.

[0122] Suction pattern 2 also includes two heating-on monitoring periods. The first heating-on monitoring period includes two suctions. However, this pattern differs from suction pattern 1 in that the second suction in the first heating-on monitoring period ends before the end of the heating-on monitoring period. The total heating-on time is 1.2 seconds in suction pattern 2. Therefore, in the example of Fig. 13, 0.86% of the aerosol source is consumed in normal mode, and 1.2% of the aerosol source is consumed in high mode.

[0123] 15 is a diagram illustrating suction patterns 3 and 4. (A) shows an example of suction pattern 3, and (B) shows an example of suction pattern 4. In FIG. 15, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 14 are assigned the same reference numerals. Suction pattern 3 also includes two heating-on monitoring periods. The first heating-on monitoring period includes two suctions. However, this pattern differs from suction pattern 1 in that the second suction during the first heating-on monitoring period continues even after the heating-on monitoring period has ended. However, since heating of the cartridge 20 stops after the heating-on monitoring time has elapsed, the total heating-on time in suction pattern 3 is 2.0 seconds. Therefore, the total amount of consumption during the heating-on monitoring time is the same as in suction pattern 1.

[0124] Suction pattern 4 also includes two heating-on monitoring periods. However, suction during the first heating-on monitoring time is performed only once. In this case, the total heating-on time within the heating-on monitoring time matches the heating-on time for one suction. In the case of Figure 15(B), the heating-on time is 0.8 seconds. Therefore, in the example of Figure 13, 0.54% of the aerosol source is consumed in normal mode, and 0.8% is consumed in high mode.

[0125] 16 is a diagram illustrating suction patterns 5 and 6. (A) shows an example of suction pattern 5, and (B) shows an example of suction pattern 6. In FIG. 16, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 15 are assigned the same reference numerals. Suction pattern 5 also includes two heating-on monitoring periods, and the first heating-on monitoring period includes one suction. The difference between suction pattern 5 and suction pattern 4 is the length of the heating-on time, which is 2.0 seconds in suction pattern 5. Therefore, the consumption amount of the capsules 30 during the heating-on monitoring time is the same as that of pattern 1.

[0126] Suction pattern 6 also includes two heating-on monitoring periods, and the first heating-on monitoring period includes one suction. However, in the case of pattern 6, one suction within the first heating-on monitoring time continues beyond the heating-on monitoring time, which is a difference from suction patterns 4 and 5. Even though suction continues, power supply to heating unit 121L-1, which heats cartridge 20, is stopped when the heating-on monitoring time has elapsed, so the heating-on time is 2.4 seconds. Therefore, in the example of Figure 13, 2.0% of the aerosol source is consumed in normal mode, and 3.3% of the aerosol source is consumed in high mode. For a user who repeats this inhalation pattern, one capsule 30 can be used approximately 50 times (inhalations) in normal mode, and approximately 30 times (inhalations) in high mode.

[0127] <Example of setting the heating prohibition time> Below, an example of determining multiple suction patterns and the power supplied to generate a liquid-derived aerosol when setting a heating prohibition time will be described with reference to FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating suction patterns 7 and 8. (A) shows an example of suction pattern 7, and (B) shows an example of suction pattern 8. In FIG. 17, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 14 are assigned the same reference numerals.

[0128] <Suction pattern 7> Suction pattern 7 includes two heating-on monitoring periods. The first heat-on monitoring period includes two suctions, and the second suction continues until the end of the heat-on monitoring period. In suction pattern 7, a heating inhibit time of 1.2 seconds is set after the first heating-on monitoring time has elapsed. Also, in suction pattern 7, a new puff is detected within the heating inhibit time after the first heating-on monitoring time has elapsed. Furthermore, in suction pattern 7, a new puff is detected again 1.2 seconds after the first heating-on monitoring time has elapsed. In suction pattern 7, suction is detected at the end of the heating prohibited period, so the length of the heating prohibited period and the heating off period are the same, 1.2 seconds. If the first suction detected after the end of the heating prohibited period is, for example, 1.0 second later, the heating off time will be 2.2 seconds (2.2 seconds from the end of the first heating on monitoring time to the time when the first suction is detected after the end of the heating prohibited period).

[0129] Because heating of the cartridge 20 is not performed during the heating prohibited time, the total heating-on time in suction pattern 7 is 2.0 seconds. Therefore, in the example of Figure 13, 1.6% of the aerosol source is consumed in normal mode, and 2.5% of the aerosol source is consumed in high mode.

[0130] <Suction pattern 8> Suction pattern 8 also includes two heating-on monitoring periods. However, the second suction in the first heating-on monitoring period in suction pattern 8 ends before the end of the heating-on monitoring period. The first suction in the second heating-on monitoring period is the same as in suction pattern 7. In the case of suction pattern 8, the length of the heating off time immediately before the start of the first heating on monitoring time and the length of the heating off time immediately before the start of the second heating on monitoring time are the same as those in suction pattern 7.

[0131] In suction pattern 8, a heating inhibit time of 1.2 seconds is set after the first heating-on monitoring time has elapsed. Also, in suction pattern 8, a new puff is detected within the heating inhibit time after the first heating-on monitoring time has elapsed. Furthermore, in suction pattern 8, a new puff is detected again 1.2 seconds after the first heating-on monitoring time has elapsed. Therefore, in suction pattern 8, the heating-off period is 1.2 seconds, which is the time from the elapse of the first heating-on monitoring time to the start of the first suction detected after the end of the heating-prohibited period. In other words, even if suction is detected during the heating-prohibited time, heating of cartridge 20 is not performed, and therefore it is not included in the calculation of the heating-off period.

[0132] Because heating of the cartridge 20 is not performed during the heating prohibited time, the total heating-on time in suction pattern 8 is 1.2 seconds. Therefore, in the example of Figure 13, 0.86% of the aerosol source is consumed in normal mode, and 1.2% of the aerosol source is consumed in high mode.

[0133] <Embodiment 2> In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the consumption amount corresponding to the total value of the heating ON time measured for each heating ON monitoring time is calculated based on a calculation formula. The external appearance and internal configuration of the aerosol generation device 10 assumed in this embodiment are the same as those of the aerosol generation device 10 described in the first embodiment.

[0134] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a method for calculating the consumption amount of the capsule 30 according to the length of the heating-on time. The horizontal axis in Fig. 18 represents the length of the heating-on time in seconds. The vertical axis in Fig. 18 represents the consumption of capsules 30 in percentage. When multiple suctions are included in one heating-on monitoring time, as in the above-mentioned suction patterns 1 to 3 (see Figs. 14 and 15), the heating-on time shown on the horizontal axis is the total value of the heating-on times corresponding to the individual suctions.

[0135] In Figure 18, the relationship between the length of heating ON time and the amount of capsule 30 consumed in normal mode is shown by a solid line, and the relationship between the length of heating ON time and the amount of capsule 30 consumed in high mode is shown by a dashed line. As can be seen from FIG. 18, when the heating on time is the same length, the consumption in high mode is greater than the consumption in normal mode. The changes in the graph shown in FIG. 18 are also used to calculate the table shown in FIG.

[0136] Incidentally, if the length of the heating on time is x and the consumption amount of the capsule 30 is y, the consumption amount in each operation mode is calculated, for example, by the following formula. In normal mode y=1.0x-0.4 (where 1.5≦x≦2.4) y=0.8x-0.1 (where 0.5≦x<1.5) y=0.3 (but x<0.5) High mode y=2.0x-1.5 (where 1.5≦x≦2.4) y=1.0x (where 0.5≦x<1.5) y=0.5 (but x<0.5)

[0137] The calculation formula shown in FIG. 18 is an example, and different values ​​may be used for the angle of inclination and the length of the heating ON time when the inclination is switched. 18 is a linear equation, the consumption calculated according to the length of the heating on time may be expressed by a nonlinear equation. Note that linear and nonlinear equations may be mixed for each range covered by each equation. As in the present embodiment, if a calculation formula is prepared in advance, it is necessary to calculate the consumption amount each time the heating-on monitoring time ends, but it is possible to improve the accuracy of the calculation of the consumption amount for any length of heating-on time that is not prepared in the table.

[0138] <Third Embodiment> In this embodiment, another example of heating control of the capsule 30 used in the high mode will be described. The aerosol generation device 10 (see FIG. 1) assumed in the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the heating of the capsule 30 during the heating-on monitoring time is controlled in conjunction with the heating of the cartridge 20. The external appearance and internal configuration of the aerosol generation device 10 assumed in this embodiment are the same as those of the aerosol generation device 10 described in the first embodiment.

[0139] 19A and 19B are diagrams illustrating an example of the heating timing of the cartridge 20 and the capsule 30 in embodiment 3. (A) shows the inhalation period, (B) shows an example of the heating timing of the cartridge 20, and (C) shows an example of the heating timing of the capsule 30. In FIG. 19, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The suction pattern shown in Figure 19(A) is the same as the suction pattern shown in Figure 8(A). That is, two suctions are detected during the first heating-on monitoring period, and the second suction ends before the heating-on monitoring period elapses. Therefore, as shown in Figure 19(B), during the heating-on monitoring period, the cartridge 20 is heated twice in conjunction with the detected suction periods.

[0140] The difference is the heating control of the capsule 30. 19(C), in the present embodiment, heating control of the capsule 30 is executed during a period in which heating of the cartridge 20 is controlled to be turned off. Also, when heating of the cartridge 20 is controlled to be turned on, heating of the capsule 30 is stopped (controlled to be turned off) or reduced. That is, heating control of the cartridge 20 takes priority over heating control of the capsule 30. 19(A), the second inhalation ends before the heating-on monitoring time has elapsed, and therefore heating of the capsule 30 begins before the heating-on monitoring time has elapsed. Note that when a heating prohibition time is set, heating of the capsule 30 may continue during the heating prohibition time. By adopting this heating control, the temperature of the capsule 30 is less likely to drop, and therefore the concentration of aerosol derived from solid matter contained in the aerosol inhaled by the user can be increased.

[0141] <Fourth Embodiment> In this embodiment, an aerosol generating device that does not include a heating unit 121L-2 (see FIG. 3) that heats the capsule 30 will be described. <Appearance example> FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the aerosol generation device 1000 assumed in the fourth embodiment. The aerosol generation device 1000 shown in Fig. 20 is also a form of electronic cigarette. The aerosol generation device 1000 has a roughly cylindrical shape and generates aerosol derived from a liquid without combustion.

[0142] The aerosol generating device 1000 is composed of multiple units. In the case of Fig. 20, the multiple units are composed of a power supply unit 1010, a cartridge cover 1020 to which the cartridge 20 (see Fig. 2) is attached, and a capsule holder 1030 to which the capsule 30 (see Fig. 2) is attached. The cartridge cover 1020 is detachable from the power supply unit 1010, and the capsule holder 1030 is detachable from the cartridge cover 1020. In other words, both the cartridge cover 1020 and the capsule holder 1030 are replaceable.

[0143] The power supply unit 1010 has built-in electronic circuits and the like. An operation button 1011 is provided on the side of the power supply unit 1010. The operation button 1011 is an example of an operation section used to input user instructions to the power supply unit 1010. The operation button 1011 corresponds to the above-mentioned operation button 11B (see FIG. 1). An air inlet hole (hereinafter referred to as "air inlet hole") 1021 is provided on the side surface of the cartridge cover 1020. Air that flows in through the air inlet hole 1021 passes through the inside of the cartridge cover 1020 and is discharged from the capsule holder 1030. The user applies the mouthpiece 1031 of the capsule-holder 1030 and inhales the aerosol.

[0144] <Examples of attaching aerosol sources, etc.> FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining how to attach the aerosol source and the like assumed in the fourth embodiment. First, the cartridge cover 1020 is attached to the top of the power supply unit 1010. The cartridge cover 1020 is attached to or detached from the power supply unit 1010 by rotating the cartridge cover 1020 relative to the power supply unit 1010 by, for example, 120 degrees.

[0145] The cartridge cover 1020 is a cylindrical body, and the cartridge 20 is attached and detached through the upper end thereof. After the cartridge 20 is attached to the cartridge cover 1020, the lower end of the capsule holder 1030 is attached to the cartridge cover 1020. The capsule holder 1030 can also be attached to and detached from the cartridge cover 1020 by rotating it, for example, by 120°. The capsule holder 1030 attached to the cartridge cover 1020 functions as a presser that prevents the cartridge 20 inserted into the cartridge cover 1020 from jumping out.

[0146] An opening is provided at the upper end of the capsule holder 1030. The opening constitutes the end of a cylindrical body (not shown) provided inside the capsule holder 1030. The capsule 30 is attached to this opening. The capsule 30 can be attached by pushing it into the opening of the capsule holder 1030, and can be removed by pulling it out of the opening of the capsule holder 1030. The upper end of the capsule 30 is used as a mouthpiece 1031.

[0147] <Inside the device> Fig. 22 is a diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the aerosol-generating device 1000 assumed in the embodiment 4. In Fig. 22, parts corresponding to those in Fig. 3 are assigned the same reference numerals. The internal configuration shown in FIG. 22 also includes the cartridge 20 (see FIG. 2) attached to a cartridge cover 1020, and the capsule 30 (see FIG. 2) attached to a capsule holder 1030. The internal configuration shown in Fig. 22 is also intended to explain the parts provided inside the power supply unit 1010, cartridge cover 1020, and capsule holder 1030 and their positional relationships. For this reason, the appearance of the parts etc. shown in Fig. 21 does not necessarily match the appearance diagram described above. The basic configuration is the same as that of the aerosol generation device 10 (see Figure 3), except that the capsule holder 1030 does not have a heating section 121L-1, a holding section 140L, a heat insulating section 144L, etc.

[0148] <Heating mode> 23 is a flowchart illustrating a part of the heating control of cartridge 20 in embodiment 4. In FIG. 23, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 12 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The aerosol generation device 1000 assumed in this embodiment does not have a heating unit 121L-2 that heats the capsule 30, and therefore does not have a high mode in the sense of embodiment 1. Therefore, there is no need to switch power depending on the heating mode. Therefore, step 13 (see FIG. 12) is not provided.

[0149] Since the heating mode is not acquired, the control unit 116L that has executed step 12 calculates the amount of capsules consumed during the current heating-on monitoring time based on the total time added up (step 21). The difference from the flowchart shown in FIG. 12 is that step 21 replaces step 14 (see FIG. 12).

[0150] <Summary> The aerosol generating device 1000 in this embodiment has only the normal mode described in the first embodiment as the heating mode, but like the first embodiment, it is possible to accurately calculate the consumption amount of the capsule 30 due to the inhalation of the aerosol. This also makes it possible to improve the accuracy of the remaining amount of the aerosol source. Even in the aerosol generation device 1000 having only the heating unit 121L-1 for heating the cartridge 20, multiple types of heating modes for the cartridge 20 may be prepared.

[0151] For example, a standard mode in which the amount of aerosol generated is standard and an increased mode in which the amount of aerosol generated is greater than that in the standard mode may be provided. For example, when using the increased mode, the amount of heat generated by the heating unit 121L-1 may be increased by supplying more power to the heating unit 121L-1 than the power supplied to the heating unit 121L-1 in the standard mode. When the standard mode and the increased amount mode can be switched, the consumption amount of the capsules 30 is calculated for each heating mode, as in the first embodiment.

[0152] <Fifth Embodiment> In this embodiment, a case where a heating mode in which the heating-on monitoring time is not set will be described. This embodiment is based on the aerosol-generating apparatus 1000 (see FIG. 20) described in embodiment 4. However, it may also be based on the aerosol-generating apparatus 10 (see FIG. 1) described in embodiment 1. The external appearance and internal configuration of the aerosol generation device 1000 etc. assumed in this embodiment are the same as those of the aerosol generation device 1000 etc. described in the fourth embodiment.

[0153] In this embodiment, since no heating-on monitoring time is set, the heating-on time also becomes longer as suction becomes longer. Therefore, the table and calculation formula that record the correspondence relationship between the consumption amount and the heating-on time length can be extended in the direction of increasing the heating-on time. Fig. 24 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for controlling heating of the cartridge 20 and calculating the consumption amount of the capsule 30 in the fifth embodiment. In Fig. 24, parts corresponding to those in Figs. 11 and 12 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0154] First, control unit 116L, which has started control due to the release of the locked state or the like, determines whether or not the start of suction has been detected (step 31). While the start of suction is not detected, control unit 116L obtains a negative result in step 31 ("NO" in step 31) and repeats the determination in step 31. When the start of suction is detected, the control unit 116L obtains a positive result in step 31 ("YES" in step 31), and instructs the supply of power to the heating unit 121L-1 that heats the cartridge 20 (step 3). Next, control unit 116L determines whether the end of suction has been detected (step 5). Until the end of suction is detected, control unit 116L obtains a negative result in step 5 ("NO" in step 5) and repeats the determination in step 5.

[0155] When the end of suction is detected, the control unit 116L obtains a positive result in step 5 ("YES" in step 5), and stops the supply of power to the heating unit 121L-1 that heats the cartridge 20 (step 7). Next, control unit 116L acquires the heating-on time related to the current suction (step 8). In the case of this embodiment, since the heating-on monitoring time is not set, there is no need to calculate the total value. When the heating-on time is acquired, the control unit 116L calculates the amount of capsule 30 consumed in the current inhalation (step 32). For example, when only the normal mode is used, the consumption amount is calculated using the table and formula for the normal mode.

[0156] However, if it is possible to switch between normal mode and high mode, or between standard mode and increased mode, the consumption amount is calculated using tables and formulas prepared for each heating mode, as in embodiment 1. Next, the control unit 116L updates the cumulative consumption amount with the newly calculated consumption amount (step 15), and returns to step 31. The loop process shown in Fig. 24 is repeated until a transition to the locked state is made.

[0157] <Other embodiments> (1) Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope of the above-described embodiments. It is clear from the claims that various modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0158] (2) In the above-described embodiments, the aerosol generation devices 10 (see FIG. 1) and 1000 (see FIG. 20) are described as electronic cigarettes, but they may also be medical inhalers such as nebulizers. When the aerosol generation device 10 or the like is a nebulizer, the liquid aerosol source or solid aerosol source may contain a drug for inhalation by a patient.

[0159] (3) In the above-described embodiment, the aerosol is generated by heating the liquid aerosol source with the heating unit 121L-1. However, the aerosol may be generated by vibrating the liquid aerosol source with an oscillator. Alternatively, the heating unit 121L-1 may be configured as a susceptor made of a conductive material such as metal, and the susceptor may be induction-heated with an electromagnetic induction source to generate the aerosol.

[0160] (4) In the above-described embodiment, simultaneous heating by the heating unit 121L-1 and the heating unit 121L-2 in high mode is prohibited, but simultaneous heating may be permitted. That is, the heating period by the heating unit 121L-1 and the heating period by the heating unit 121L-2 may be permitted to overlap partially or completely. However, if simultaneous heating is permitted, it is desirable to set the maximum value of power supplied to the heating units 121L-1 and 121L-2 during simultaneous heating to be smaller than the maximum value of power supplied when heating each unit individually, so as not to exceed the upper limit of the battery output current. When simultaneous heating of the cartridge 20 and the capsule 30 is permitted, the consumption of the capsule 30 may be different from when the cartridge 20 and the capsule 30 are heated separately. In this case, it is desirable to prepare a dedicated table or calculation formula for the simultaneous heating mode.

[0161] (5) In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the heating-on monitoring time is fixed at an initial value, but multiple values ​​may be prepared as the heating-on monitoring time, and the user may be allowed to select one of the values. In this case, the maximum time that the cartridge 20 can be continuously heated changes, but as long as a table or calculation formula that includes the maximum value among the multiple selectable values ​​is prepared, the method of each of the above-described embodiments can be applied to calculating the consumption amount. [Explanation of symbols]

[0162] 10, 1000... aerosol generating device, 11... device body, 11A... display, 11B... operation button, 12, 1030... capsule holder, 20... cartridge, 30... capsule, 121L-1, 121L-2... heating unit, 1010... power supply unit, 1020... cartridge cover

Claims

1. a sensor that detects inhalation by a user; a first heating unit that heats the first aerosol source; a control unit that controls the supply of power to the first heating unit; and The control unit supplying power to the first heating unit in response to detection of suction by the sensor; calculating a consumption amount of a second aerosol source through which a mixture gas of the first aerosol originating from the first aerosol source and air passes, based on a heating time length of the first aerosol source by the first heating unit; an aerosol generating device, The mixed gas passing through the second aerosol source contains a second aerosol derived from the second aerosol source. Aerosol generator.

2. The control unit setting a monitoring period of a predetermined length upon detection of inhalation by the user; For each monitoring period, the heating time length within the monitoring period is acquired; calculating a consumption amount of the second aerosol source consumed within the monitoring period based on the acquired heating time length; The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 .

3. The control unit If multiple suctions are detected within the monitoring period, the total time of the multiple suctions is set as the heating time length. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2 .

4. The control unit calculating a remaining amount of the second aerosol source based on a cumulative value of the consumption amount calculated for each inhalation, where one monitoring period corresponds to one inhalation; The aerosol generating device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The control unit classifying the heating time length within the monitoring period into a plurality of ranges according to the size, and calculating the consumption amount using a calculation method prepared for each range; The aerosol generating device according to claim 2 .

6. Further comprising a second heating unit that heats the second aerosol source, The control unit When it is possible to switch between a first heating using only the first heating unit and a second heating using both the first heating unit and the second heating unit, a method of calculating the consumption amount of the second aerosol source is switched in accordance with the switching between the first heating and the second heating. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The control unit When the heating time lengths in the first heating and the second heating are the same, the consumption amount of the second aerosol source during the second heating is calculated as a value greater than the consumption amount of the second aerosol source during the first heating. The aerosol generating device according to claim 6.

8. The second aerosol source is an aerosol source held by a mechanism. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A method for controlling an aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol, comprising: a sensor detecting inhalation by a user; a first heating unit heating a first aerosol source; a control unit supplying power to the first heating unit in response to detection of suction by the sensor; The control unit calculates a consumption amount of a second aerosol source through which a mixture gas of a first aerosol originating from the first aerosol source and air passes, based on a heating time length of the first aerosol source by the first heating unit; Including, A control method, characterized in that the mixed gas passing through the second aerosol source contains a second aerosol derived from the second aerosol source.

10. On the computer, a sensor detecting inhalation by a user; a first heating section heating a first aerosol source; supplying power to the first heating unit in response to detection of suction by the sensor; A step of calculating a consumption amount of a second aerosol source through which a mixture gas of the first aerosol and air originating from the first aerosol source passes, based on a heating time length of the first aerosol source by the first heating unit; It is a program for executing The mixed gas passing through the second aerosol source includes a second aerosol originating from the second aerosol source.

Images