Aerosol generator

Abstract

An inhalation device (100) comprises: a first voltage system (10) that is configured to be able to supply a first voltage generated on the basis of the output voltage of a power supply unit (111) to a resistor (Rheat) as a heating unit; a second voltage system (20) that is configured to be able to supply a second voltage generated on the basis of the output voltage of the power supply unit (111) to the resistor (Rheat); and an MCU (50) as a control unit. The first voltage is lower than the second voltage. The MCU (50) acquires the temperature of the resistor (Rheat) on the basis of the electrical resistance of the resistor (Rheat) acquired by supplying the first voltage to the resistor (Rheat) and controls the supply of the second voltage to the resistor (Rheat) depending on the temperature.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, an aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol to which a flavor component is added and enables a user to inhale the generated aerosol is known. Such an aerosol generating device typically generates an aerosol by heating a base material including an aerosol source with a heating unit (also referred to as a "heating element"), which is an electric resistance type or induction heating type heater.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a technique in which, when controlling the temperature of a heating element, the resistivity of the heating element is measured, the actual operating temperature value of the heating element is derived from the measured value of the resistivity, and the electrical energy supplied to the heating element is adjusted so as to maintain the actual operating temperature of the heating element at a predetermined maximum operating temperature or less.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the prior art, there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of reducing the power consumption when obtaining the temperature of the heating unit based on the electrical resistance value of the heating unit.

[0006] The present disclosure provides an aerosol generating device capable of reducing the power consumption when obtaining the temperature of the heating unit based on the electrical resistance value of the heating unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] One aspect of this disclosure is, Power supply and A heating unit equipped with a heat-generating resistor whose electrical resistance value and temperature are correlated, and configured to heat an aerosol source when powered, A first voltage system is provided between the power supply and the heating unit and is configured to supply a first voltage generated based on the output voltage of the power supply to the heating unit. A second voltage system is provided between the power supply and the heating unit and is configured to supply a second voltage generated based on the output voltage of the power supply to the heating unit. A control unit configured to control the supply of the first voltage to the heating unit by the first voltage system and the supply of the second voltage to the heating unit by the second voltage system, Equipped with, The first voltage is a voltage lower than the second voltage. The control unit obtains the temperature of the heating unit based on the electrical resistance value of the heating unit obtained by supplying the first voltage to the heating unit, and controls the supply of the second voltage to the heating unit based on the temperature. death, The first voltage system is configured to include a first DC / DC converter that generates a predetermined system voltage from the output voltage of the power supply, The control unit operates when the system voltage is supplied, The first voltage is generated based on the system voltage. ru, This is an aerosol generating device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, an aerosol generating apparatus can be provided that can reduce power consumption when obtaining the temperature of a heating element based on the electrical resistance value of the heating element. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1A] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating a first configuration example of a suction device. [Figure 1B] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating a second configuration example of the suction device. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a first example of the circuit configuration of the suction device 100. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a control example of each control target by the MCU 50 during temperature detection control. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a control example of each control target by the MCU 50 during heating control. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a second example of the circuit configuration of the suction device 100. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a third example of the circuit configuration of the suction device 100. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a fourth example of the circuit configuration of the suction device 100.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the aerosol generating device of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is an example when the aerosol generating device of the present disclosure is applied to a suction device. In the drawings, it is assumed that the direction of the reference numerals is viewed. Also, hereinafter, the same or similar elements may be given the same or similar reference numerals, and the description thereof may be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0011] [1. Example of the configuration of the suction device] A suction device, which is an example of the aerosol generating device of the present disclosure, is a device that generates a substance to be suctioned by a user. Hereinafter, it will be described on the assumption that the substance generated by the suction device is an aerosol. In addition, the substance generated by the suction device may be a gas.

[0012] <1-1. First example of the configuration of the suction device> FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram schematically showing a first configuration example of a suction device. As shown in FIG. 1A, the suction device 100A of this configuration example includes a power supply unit 110, a cartridge 120, and a flavor-imparting cartridge 130. The power supply unit 110 includes a power supply section 111A, a sensor section 112A, a notification section 113A, a storage section 114A, a communication section 115A, and a control section 116A. The cartridge 120 includes a heating section 121A, a liquid guiding section 122, and a liquid storage section 123. The flavor-imparting cartridge 130 includes a flavor source 131 and a mouthpiece 124. An air flow path 180 is formed in the cartridge 120 and the flavor-imparting cartridge 130.

[0013] The power supply section 111A accumulates electric power. Then, based on control by the control section 116A, the power supply section 111A supplies electric power to each component of the suction device 100A. The power supply section 111A may be constituted by a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery, for example.

[0014] The sensor section 112A acquires various information regarding the suction device 100A. The sensor section 112A is constituted by, for example, a pressure sensor such as a condenser microphone, a flow rate sensor, or a temperature sensor, etc., and acquires values associated with suction by the user.

[0015] As an example, the sensor section 112A may include a pressure sensor (also referred to as a "puff sensor") that detects a change in the pressure (hereinafter, also referred to as "internal pressure") inside the suction device 100A caused by the user's suction. As another example, the sensor section 112A may include a flow rate sensor that detects the flow rate (hereinafter, simply also referred to as "flow rate") caused by the user's suction. Further, as another example, the sensor section 112A may include a temperature sensor (also referred to as a "puff thermistor") that detects the temperature of the heating section 121A or the periphery of the heating section 121A.

[0016] Furthermore, the sensor unit 112A may be configured to include an input device that receives information from the user, such as an operation button or switch. For example, the sensor unit 112A may include an operation button as an input device that receives a heating start operation, which will be described later.

[0017] The notification unit 113A notifies the user of information. The notification unit 113A may be composed of, for example, a light-emitting device that emits light, a display device that displays an image, a sound output device that emits sound, or a vibration device that vibrates.

[0018] The memory unit 114A stores various information (e.g., programs and data) for the operation of the suction device 100A. The memory unit 114A may be composed of a non-volatile storage medium such as flash memory.

[0019] The communication unit 115A is a communication interface capable of performing communication in accordance with any wired or wireless communication standard. Examples of such communication standards include those using Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy®), NFC (Near Field Communication), or LPWA (Low Power Wide Area).

[0020] The control unit 116A functions as an arithmetic processing unit and control unit, and controls the overall operation of the suction device 100A according to various programs stored in the memory unit 114A, etc. The control unit 116A is implemented by an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor. As an example, the control unit 116A can be implemented by an MCU 50 (MCU: Micro Controller Unit) as described later.

[0021] The liquid storage unit 123 stores the aerosol source. An aerosol is generated when the aerosol source is atomized. The aerosol source is, for example, a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin and propylene glycol, or a liquid such as water. The aerosol source may contain tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavoring components. If the inhalation device 100A is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may contain a drug.

[0022] The liquid guide unit 122 guides and holds the aerosol source, which is a liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 123, from the liquid storage unit 123. The liquid guide unit 122 is, for example, a wick formed by twisting a fibrous material such as glass fiber or a porous material such as porous ceramic. In this case, the aerosol source stored in the liquid storage unit 123 is guided by the capillary effect of the wick.

[0023] The heating section 121A is composed of a heat-generating resistor whose electrical resistance is correlated with temperature. As an example, the heat-generating resistor of the heating section 121A may have a PTC characteristic (PTC: Positive Temperature Coefficient), where the electrical resistance increases with increasing temperature. A heat-generating resistor with PTC characteristics can be made of, for example, nichrome (NiCr), stainless steel, or tungsten. Alternatively, the heat-generating resistor of the heating section 121A may have an NTC characteristic (NTC: Negative Temperature Coefficient), where the electrical resistance decreases with increasing temperature.

[0024] The heating unit 121A generates an aerosol by heating the aerosol source, thereby atomizing the aerosol source. In the example shown in Figure 1A, the heating unit 121A is configured as a coil around which a heating resistor is wound and is wrapped around the liquid induction unit 122. When the heating unit 121A generates heat, the aerosol source held in the liquid induction unit 122 is heated and atomized, generating an aerosol. The heating unit 121A generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 111A.

[0025] For example, power may be supplied to the heating unit 121A when the sensor unit 112A detects that the user has started suctioning and / or that predetermined information has been entered. Power may then be stopped when the sensor unit 112A detects that the user has finished suctioning and / or that predetermined information has been entered.

[0026] Flavoring source 131 is a component for imparting flavor components to the aerosol. Flavoring source 131 may contain flavor components derived from tobacco or non-tobacco.

[0027] The air passage 180 is a passage for air drawn in by the user. The air passage 180 has a tubular structure with an air inlet 181, which is the entrance for air into the air passage 180, and an air outlet 182, which is the exit for air from the air passage 180, at both ends. In the middle of the air passage 180, a liquid guide unit 122 is located on the upstream side (closer to the air inlet 181) and a flavor source 131 is located on the downstream side (closer to the air outlet 182). Air drawn in from the air inlet 181 by the user is mixed with the aerosol generated by the heating unit 121A and transported to the air outlet 182 through the flavor source 131, as shown by arrow 190. When the mixed fluid of aerosol and air passes through the flavor source 131, flavor components contained in the flavor source 131 are imparted to the aerosol.

[0028] The mouthpiece 124 is a component that the user holds in their mouth during suction. The mouthpiece 124 has an air outlet 182. By holding the mouthpiece 124 in their mouth and suctioning, the user can take in a mixed fluid of aerosol and air into their oral cavity.

[0029] The above describes an example configuration of the suction device 100A. Of course, the configuration of the suction device 100A is not limited to the above, and it can take various configurations as exemplified below.

[0030] For example, the inhalation device 100A does not necessarily have to include a flavoring cartridge 130. In that case, a mouthpiece 124 is provided on the cartridge 120.

[0031] As another example, the suction device 100A may contain multiple types of aerosol sources. Multiple types of aerosols generated from multiple types of aerosol sources may be mixed in the air channel 180 and undergo a chemical reaction to generate even more types of aerosols.

[0032] Furthermore, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 121A. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be vibration atomization or induction heating.

[0033] <1-2. Second example of suction device configuration> Figure 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating a second configuration example of the suction device. As shown in Figure 1B, the suction device 100B in this configuration example includes a power supply unit 111B, a sensor unit 112B, a notification unit 113B, a storage unit 114B, a communication unit 115B, a control unit 116B, a heating unit 121B, a housing unit 140, and a heat insulation unit 144.

[0034] Each of the power supply unit 111B, sensor unit 112B, notification unit 113B, storage unit 114B, communication unit 115B, and control unit 116B is substantially identical to the corresponding components included in the aforementioned suction device 100A.

[0035] The housing section 140 has an internal space 141 and holds the stick-type substrate 150 while housing a portion of the stick-type substrate 150 in the internal space 141. The housing section 140 has an opening 142 that communicates the internal space 141 with the outside and accommodates the stick-type substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141 from the opening 142. For example, the housing section 140 is a cylindrical body with the opening 142 and bottom 143 as its base, defining a columnar internal space 141. An air passage is connected to the housing section 140 to supply air to the internal space 141. An air inlet, which is the air entrance to the air passage, is located, for example, on the side of the suction device 100. An air outlet, which is the air exit from the air passage to the internal space 141, is located, for example, on the bottom 143.

[0036] The stick-type base material 150 includes a base material portion 151 and a mouthpiece portion 152. The base material portion 151 includes an aerosol source. The aerosol source includes flavoring components derived from tobacco or non-tobacco. If the inhalation device 100B is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may also include a drug. The aerosol source may be a liquid such as glycerin and polyhydric alcohols such as propylene glycol, and water, which include flavoring components derived from tobacco or non-tobacco, or it may be a solid which includes flavoring components derived from tobacco or non-tobacco. When the stick-type base material 150 is held in the housing portion 140, at least a part of the base material portion 151 is housed in the internal space 141, and at least a part of the mouthpiece portion 152 protrudes from the opening 142. When the user puts the mouthpiece portion 152 protruding from the opening 142 in their mouth and inhales, air flows into the internal space 141 via an air passage (not shown) and reaches the user's mouth together with the aerosol generated from the base material portion 151.

[0037] In the example shown in Figure 1B, the heating unit 121B is configured as a film heater with conductive tracks made of heating resistors whose electrical resistance and temperature are correlated, and is positioned to cover the outer circumference of the housing unit 140. When the heating unit 121B generates heat, the base material portion 151 of the stick-type base material 150 is heated from the outer circumference, and an aerosol is generated. The heating resistor for the heating unit 121B can be the same as the heating resistor for the heating unit 121A described above.

[0038] The heat insulating section 144 prevents heat transfer from the heating section 121B to other components. For example, the heat insulating section 144 is made of a vacuum insulating material or an aerogel insulating material.

[0039] The above describes an example configuration of the suction device 100B. Of course, the configuration of the suction device 100B is not limited to the above, and it can take various configurations as exemplified below.

[0040] As an example, the heating element 121B may be configured in a blade shape and positioned to protrude from the bottom 143 of the housing 140 into the internal space 141. In this case, the blade-shaped heating element 121B is inserted into the base material portion 151 of the stick-shaped base material 150 and heats the base material portion 151 of the stick-shaped base material 150 from the inside. As another example, the heating element 121B may be positioned to cover the bottom 143 of the housing 140. Furthermore, the heating element 121B may be configured as a combination of two or more of the following: a first heating element covering the outer circumference of the housing 140, a blade-shaped second heating element, and a third heating element covering the bottom 143 of the housing 140.

[0041] As another example, the housing section 140 may include an opening and closing mechanism, such as a hinge, that opens and closes a part of the outer shell forming the internal space 141. The housing section 140 may then house the stick-shaped base material 150 inserted into the internal space 141 while clamping it by opening and closing the outer shell. In this case, the heating section 121B may be provided at the clamping location in the housing section 140 and may heat the stick-shaped base material 150 while pressing it.

[0042] Furthermore, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 121B. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be induction heating. In that case, the suction device 100B has at least an electromagnetic induction source, such as a coil that generates a magnetic field, instead of the heating unit 121B. The susceptor that generates heat by induction heating may be provided in the suction device 100B or may be included in the stick-type substrate 150.

[0043] Furthermore, the suction device 100B may further include a heating unit 121A, a liquid induction unit 122, a liquid storage unit 123, and an air passage 180 according to the first configuration example, and the air passage 180 may supply air to the internal space 141. In this case, the mixed fluid of aerosol generated by the heating unit 121A and air flows into the internal space 141, is further mixed with the aerosol generated by the heating unit 121B, and reaches the user's oral cavity.

[0044] In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the suction device 100 of this embodiment will be described as the suction device 100B shown in Figure 1B. However, the description is not limited to this, and the same can be applied if the suction device 100 of this embodiment is the suction device 100A shown in Figure 1A.

[0045] [2. Circuit configuration of the suction device] Next, the circuit configuration of the suction device 100 will be described. In order to keep the explanation concise, the following description will focus on the parts of the circuit of the suction device 100 that are related to the power supply to the heating unit 121 (for example, heating unit 121B), and illustrations and explanations of other parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0046] Figure 2 shows a first example of the circuit configuration of the suction device 100. In Figure 2, the wiring indicated by the symbol Ln is the wiring that has the reference potential in the circuit of the suction device 100. Hereafter, the wiring Ln will also be referred to as the "ground line Ln," and the potential of the ground line Ln will be set to 0[V]. Unless otherwise specified, each voltage below will represent the potential difference from the potential of the ground line Ln (i.e., 0[V]).

[0047] As shown in Figure 2, the suction device 100 is composed of a power supply unit 111 (e.g., power supply unit 111B), which is a rechargeable battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery; a resistor Rheat, which serves as a heat-generating resistor for the heating unit 121 (e.g., heating unit 121B); and an MCU 50, which serves as a microprocessor for realizing the control unit 116 (e.g., control unit 116B). The suction device 100 is further composed of a first voltage system 10, a second voltage system 20, and a temperature detection circuit 30.

[0048] The power supply unit 111 is configured to output a terminal voltage of approximately 4[V] between its positive and negative terminals. Hereinafter, the output voltage of the power supply unit 111 will also be referred to as the "power supply voltage Vbat". The positive terminal of the power supply unit 111 is connected to the power supply voltage line Lbat. The negative terminal of the power supply unit 111 is connected to the ground line Ln.

[0049] <2-1. First Voltage System> The first voltage system 10 is provided between the power supply unit 111 and the resistor Rheat (i.e., the heating unit 121), and is configured to supply the first voltage generated based on the power supply voltage Vbat to the resistor Rheat.

[0050] In the example shown in Figure 2, the first voltage system 10 comprises a first DC / DC converter 11 and a first switch circuit 12. The first voltage system 10 can supply the system voltage Vcc (described later) generated by the first DC / DC converter 11 to the resistor Rheat via the first switch circuit 12 and the resistor Rref. Here, the resistor Rref is a resistor having a predetermined electrical resistance value and connected in series with the resistor Rheat.

[0051] The first DC / DC converter 11 is used in combination with a first inductor L1 which functions as a power inductor, and is an integrated circuit (IC) that functions as a switching regulator that converts the input DC voltage into a predetermined DC voltage.

[0052] For example, the first DC / DC converter 11 includes a VIN terminal, a GND terminal, a VOUT terminal, an LX1 terminal, and an LX2 terminal as terminals that electrically connect the inside and outside of the first DC / DC converter 11.

[0053] The VIN terminal of the first DC / DC converter 11 is the high-potential power supply terminal of the first DC / DC converter 11 and is connected to the positive terminal of the power supply unit 111 via the power supply voltage line Lbat. The GND terminal is the ground terminal (in other words, the low-potential power supply terminal) of the first DC / DC converter 11 and is connected to the ground line Ln. The VOUT terminal is the output terminal to which the system voltage Vcc generated by the first DC / DC converter 11 is output and is connected to the VBAT terminal, which is the high-potential power supply terminal of the MCU 50, via the system voltage line Lsys1. The LX1 and LX2 terminals are used to connect the first DC / DC converter 11 to the first inductor L1.

[0054] The first DC / DC converter 11, for example, when a power supply voltage Vbat is input via the VIN terminal, generates a system voltage Vcc and outputs it from the VOUT terminal. The system voltage Vcc output from the first DC / DC converter 11 can be supplied to the MCU 50 and the resistor Rheat via the system voltage line Lsys1. In other words, the system voltage line Lsys1 is a power line to which the system voltage Vcc is supplied from the first DC / DC converter 11.

[0055] The system voltage Vcc is the voltage required for the MCU50 to operate properly, and can be, for example, 3.3[V]. The following explanation assumes the system voltage Vcc is 3.3[V], but it is not limited to this value. However, the system voltage Vcc should be lower than the heating voltage Vheat, which will be discussed later.

[0056] The first switch circuit 12 operates according to the control of the MCU 50 and functions as a switch to turn the connection between the first voltage system 10 and the resistor Rheat (i.e., the heating element 121) on or off. When the first switch circuit 12 is in the ON state, the first voltage system 10 and the resistor Rheat are electrically connected, and when the first switch circuit 12 is in the OFF state, the first voltage system 10 and the resistor Rheat are electrically disconnected.

[0057] In the example shown in Figure 2, the first switch circuit 12 is composed of a BJT12a (BJT: Bipolar junction transistor), an FET12b (FET: Field effect transistor), an FET12c, and a resistor Ra. The BJT12a is an NPN type bipolar transistor. The FET12b and FET12c are P-channel type MOSFETs (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors), respectively. The resistor Ra is a resistor having a predetermined electrical resistance value.

[0058] The base of the BJT12a is connected to a predetermined output terminal of the MCU50 (for example, terminal F9 in this case). The emitter of the BJT12a is connected to the ground line Ln. The collector of the BJT12a is connected to the gates of FET12b and FET12c, respectively. Alternatively, a base resistor may be provided between the base of the BJT12a and the predetermined output terminal of the MCU50, or a collector resistor may be provided between the collector of the BJT12a and the gates of FET12b and FET12c, or other elements may be inserted as appropriate. Furthermore, the BJT12a is an example of a switch (first switch) for adjusting the gate potentials of FET12b and FET12c, and this switch is not limited to an NPN bipolar transistor like the BJT12a. For example, an N-channel MOSFET may be used as the switch for adjusting the gate potentials of FET12b and FET12c. In this case, the gate of the N-channel MOSFET is connected to a predetermined output terminal (e.g., terminal F9) of the MCU50, the source is connected to the ground line Ln, and the drain is connected to the gates of FET12b and FET12c, respectively.

[0059] The sources of FET12b and FET12c are connected to each other, and are also connected to the gates of FET12b and FET12c via resistor Ra. The drain of FET12b is connected to connection point Cp1, which is located on the system voltage line Lsys1. The drain of FET12c is connected to one end of resistor Rheat via resistor Rref.

[0060] The other end of the resistor Rheat is connected to the ground line Ln via an FET 60, which functions as a low-side switch to turn the power supply to the resistor Rheat on or off.

[0061] For example, FET60 is an N-channel MOSFET. The gate of FET60 is connected to a predetermined output terminal on the MCU50 (for example, terminal K9 in this case). The drain of FET60 is connected to the other end of resistor Rheat. The source of FET60 is connected to the ground line Ln.

[0062] <2-2. Second Voltage System> The second voltage system 20 is provided between the power supply unit 111 and the resistor Rheat (i.e., the heating unit 121), and is configured to supply the resistor Rheat with a second voltage generated based on the power supply voltage Vbat (i.e., the output voltage of the power supply unit 111).

[0063] In the example shown in Figure 2, the second voltage system 20 includes a second DC / DC converter 21 and a second switch circuit 22. The second voltage system 20 can supply the heating voltage Vheat (described later) generated by the second DC / DC converter 21 to the resistor Rheat via the second switch circuit 22.

[0064] The second DC / DC converter 21 is used in combination with a second inductor L2 that functions as a power inductor, and is an IC that functions as a switching regulator that converts the input DC voltage into a predetermined DC voltage.

[0065] For example, the second DC / DC converter 21 includes the following terminals for electrically connecting the inside and outside of the second DC / DC converter 21: a VIN terminal, a GND terminal, a VOUT terminal, a SW terminal, a BST terminal, and an EN terminal.

[0066] The VIN terminal of the second DC / DC converter 21 is the high-potential power supply terminal of the second DC / DC converter 21 and is connected to the positive terminal of the power supply unit 111 via the power supply voltage line Lbat. The GND terminal is the ground terminal of the second DC / DC converter 21 and is connected to the ground line Ln. The VOUT terminal is the output terminal to which the heating voltage Vheat generated by the second DC / DC converter 21 is output and is connected to the connection point Cp2 provided between resistor Rref and resistor Rheat via the heating voltage line Lheat. The SW terminal and BST terminal are used to connect the second DC / DC converter 21 to the second inductor L2. The EN terminal is connected to a predetermined output terminal of the MCU 50 (for example, terminal K9 in this case).

[0067] For example, when a high-level voltage is input to the EN terminal and the power supply voltage Vbat is input via the VIN terminal, the second DC / DC converter 21 generates a heating voltage Vheat by boosting the power supply voltage Vbat and outputs it from the VOUT terminal. The heating voltage Vheat output from the second DC / DC converter 21 can be supplied to the resistor Rheat via the heating voltage line Lheat. In other words, the heating voltage line Lheat is a power line to which the heating voltage Vheat is supplied from the second DC / DC converter 21.

[0068] In this embodiment, the heating voltage Vheat is set to a higher voltage than the system voltage Vcc (i.e., 3.3[V]) so that the resistor Rheat (i.e., the heating unit 121) can be heated efficiently and quickly, for example, to 5[V]. In the following description, the heating voltage Vheat will be assumed to be 5[V], but it is not limited to this.

[0069] The second switch circuit 22 operates according to the control of the MCU 50 and functions as a switch that controls the power supply from the second voltage system 20 to the resistor Rheat (i.e., the heating unit 121). In this embodiment, for example, power is supplied to the heating unit 121 in the form of pulses by pulse width modulation (PWM). The second switch circuit 22 is used to adjust the duty cycle of the power pulses supplied to the heating unit 121.

[0070] In the example shown in Figure 2, the second switch circuit 22 is composed of a BJT 22a and an FET 22b. The BJT 22a is an NPN bipolar transistor. The FET 22b is a P-channel MOSFET.

[0071] The base of the BJT22a is connected to a predetermined output terminal of the MCU50 (for example, terminal L9). The emitter of the BJT22a is connected to the ground line Ln. The collector of the BJT22a is connected to the gate of the FET22b. Alternatively, a base resistor may be provided between the base of the BJT22a and the predetermined output terminal of the MCU50, or a collector resistor may be provided between the collector of the BJT22a and the gate of the FET22b, or other components may be inserted as appropriate. Furthermore, the BJT22a is an example of a switch for adjusting the gate potential of the FET22b, and this switch is not limited to an NPN bipolar transistor like the BJT22a. For example, an N-channel MOSFET may be used as the switch for adjusting the gate potential of the FET22b. In that case, the gate of such an N-channel MOSFET is connected to a predetermined output terminal of the MCU50 (for example, terminal L9), the source is connected to the ground line Ln, and the drain is connected to the gate of the FET22b.

[0072] FET22b is located on the heating voltage line Lheat. The drain of FET22b is connected to the aforementioned connection point Cp2. The source of FET22b is connected to the VOUT terminal of the second DC / DC converter 21.

[0073] <2-3.Temperature measurement circuit> The temperature detection circuit 30 is configured so that the MCU 50 can acquire the voltage drop amount due to the resistor Rheat (i.e., the heating element 121). For example, if the MCU 50 can acquire the voltage drop amount due to the resistor Rheat, it can acquire the electrical resistance value of the resistor Rheat from that voltage drop amount. Then, if the MCU 50 can acquire the electrical resistance value of the resistor Rheat, it can acquire the temperature of the resistor Rheat from that electrical resistance value.

[0074] In the example shown in Figure 2, the temperature detection circuit 30 is configured to include a first voltage divider circuit 31, an operational amplifier 32, and a second voltage divider circuit 33.

[0075] The first voltage divider circuit 31 is constructed by connecting two resistors, Rh and Rl, each having a predetermined electrical resistance, in series. One end of the first voltage divider circuit 31 on the Rh side is connected to a connection point Cp3 located between the drain of the FET 12b and the Rref resistor. The other end of the first voltage divider circuit 31 on the Rl side is connected to the ground line Ln. Furthermore, the connection point Cp4 located between the Rh and Rl resistors in the first voltage divider circuit 31 is connected to a predetermined input terminal of the MCU 50 (for example, terminal F1 in this case).

[0076] The operational amplifier 32 is an amplifier that, for example, has an IN+ terminal which is a non-inverting input terminal, an IN- terminal which is an inverting input terminal, and an OUT terminal which is an output terminal, and outputs the potential difference between the IN+ terminal and the IN- terminal amplified at a predetermined amplification factor (differential gain) from the OUT terminal. In this embodiment, the operational amplifier 32 is configured as an IC and, in addition to the above terminals, also has a VS terminal, a GND terminal, and an EN terminal.

[0077] The VS terminal of the operational amplifier 32 is the high-potential power supply terminal of the operational amplifier 32 and is connected to the system voltage line Lsys1. The GND terminal is the ground terminal of the operational amplifier 32 and is connected to the ground line Ln. The IN+ terminal is connected to the aforementioned connection point Cp2. The IN- terminal is connected to the connection point Cp5, which is provided between the other end of the resistor Rheat and the drain of the FET 60. The OUT terminal is connected to one end of the resistor Rhh side of the second voltage divider circuit 33, which will be described later. The EN terminal is connected to a predetermined output terminal of the MCU 50 (for example, terminal K9 in this case).

[0078] For example, when a predetermined power supply voltage is supplied via the VS terminal and the GND terminal, and a high-level voltage is input to the EN terminal, the operational amplifier 32 amplifies the potential difference between the IN+ terminal and the IN- terminal and outputs it from the OUT terminal. In the example shown in Figure 2, the system voltage Vcc is supplied to the operational amplifier 32 as the power supply voltage.

[0079] The second voltage divider circuit 33 is constructed by connecting two resistors, Rhh and Rhl, each having a predetermined electrical resistance value, in series. One end of the second voltage divider circuit 33, on the side with resistor Rhh, is connected to the OUT terminal of the operational amplifier 32. The other end of the second voltage divider circuit 33, on the side with resistor Rhl, is connected to the ground line Ln. Furthermore, the connection point Cp6 between resistors Rhh and Rhl in the second voltage divider circuit 33 is connected to a predetermined input terminal of the MCU 50 (for example, terminal D1 in this case).

[0080] <2-4.MCU> The MCU50 is mainly composed of a processor that performs various calculations and controls the operation of predetermined control targets provided in the circuit of the suction device 100. Examples of control targets controlled by the MCU50 include the aforementioned BJT12a, second DC / DC converter 21, BJT22a (i.e., FET22b), operational amplifier 32, FET60, etc.

[0081] For example, the MCU50 includes the following terminals for electrically connecting the inside and outside of the MCU50: VBAT terminal, GND terminal, F9 terminal, L9 terminal, K9 terminal, F1 terminal, and D1 terminal.

[0082] The VBAT terminal of the MCU50 is the high-potential power supply terminal of the MCU50 and is connected to the system voltage line Lsys1. The GND terminal is the ground terminal of the MCU50 and is connected to the ground line Ln. The F9, L9, and K9 terminals are output terminals that output a predetermined electrical signal (in other words, voltage). The F1 and D1 terminals are input terminals that receive a predetermined electrical signal.

[0083] For example, the MCU50 can control the operation of the controlled object by the output from the F9 terminal, L9 terminal, or K9 terminal. More specifically, the MCU50 can control BJT12a by the output from the F9 terminal, BJT22a (i.e., FET22b) by the output from the L9 terminal, and the second DC / DC converter 21, operational amplifier 32, and FET60 by the output from the K9 terminal. In addition, the MCU50 can obtain the voltage drop amount across the resistor Rheat (i.e., heating unit 121) based on the input from the F1 terminal and D1 terminal.

[0084] Furthermore, the MCU 50 may be configured to include a storage device (e.g., flash memory) that implements the memory unit 114, a communication module that implements the communication unit 115, and the like.

[0085] [3. Example of suction device operation] Next, an example of the operation of the suction device 100 will be described. The MCU 50, which acts as the control unit 116 of the suction device 100, for example, in response to a request from the user for aerosol generation, supplies power to the heating unit 121 (more specifically, the resistor Rheat), thereby causing the heating unit 121 to generate aerosol.

[0086] A request for aerosol generation can be, for example, an operation to instruct the start of heating (hereinafter also referred to as the "heating start operation"). As an example, the heating start operation can be the pressing of a predetermined operation button (not shown) provided on the suction device 100. As another example, the heating start operation may be the insertion of a stick-type substrate 150 into the suction device 100, or suction applied to the suction device 100. Furthermore, a request for aerosol generation is not limited to direct operation on the suction device 100, but may also be the reception of predetermined information from another device capable of communicating with the suction device 100, such as a smartphone. The MCU 50 can detect a request for aerosol generation based on information acquired, for example, by the sensor unit 112 or the communication unit 115.

[0087] Then, the MCU 50 repeatedly performs, at predetermined intervals (for example, every 50 ms), a temperature detection control that acquires the actual temperature of the heating unit 121 (hereinafter also referred to as "actual temperature") during the period from when it detects a request to generate an aerosol until a predetermined time (for example, 300 s) has elapsed or a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times) has been performed, and a heating control that controls the temperature of the heating unit 121 so that the actual temperature acquired by the temperature detection control approaches a predetermined target temperature.

[0088] Furthermore, the period from the time a request for aerosol generation is detected until a predetermined time has elapsed or a predetermined number of inhalations have been performed, that is, the period during which temperature detection control and heating control are repeatedly executed, will hereafter be referred to as a "smoking session." In the inhalation device 100, aerosols are generated during the smoking session, and the user is able to inhale the aerosols (in other words, smoke).

[0089] In temperature detection control, the MCU 50, for example, obtains the voltage drop across the heating unit 121 (more specifically, the resistor Rheat) when a predetermined voltage is supplied to the heating unit 121, and obtains the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 based on that voltage drop. Then, the MCU 50 obtains the temperature of the heating unit 121 based on the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121. As an example, the MCU 50 can obtain the temperature from the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 by using a map or calculation formula that defines the relationship between the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 and the temperature.

[0090] Furthermore, heating control can be achieved by known feedback control. For example, the MCU 50 supplies power to the heating unit 121 in the form of pulses using pulse width modulation (PWM). In this case, the MCU 50 can perform heating control by adjusting the duty cycle of the power pulses supplied to the heating unit 121.

[0091] More specifically, the MCU 50 can control the power supplied to the heating unit 121, such as the duty cycle, based on the difference between the actual temperature and the target temperature. Alternatively, the feedback control may be PID control (Proportional-Integral-Differential Controller). In this case, the MCU 50 can perform simple ON-OFF control. For example, it can supply power to the heating unit 121 until the actual temperature reaches the target temperature, stop supplying power to the heating unit 121 when the actual temperature reaches the target temperature, and resume supplying power to the heating unit 121 when the actual temperature falls below the target temperature.

[0092] <3-1. Temperature detection and control> Next, we will explain an example of control of each control target by the MCU 50 during temperature detection control. Figure 3 shows an example of control of each control target by the MCU 50 during temperature detection control. Here, we will mainly explain the differences from the explanation in Figure 2, and the explanation of parts that are common to the explanation in Figure 2 will be omitted or simplified as appropriate. Furthermore, in the following, it is assumed that power is supplied from the power supply unit 111 to the first DC / DC converter 11 and the second DC / DC converter 21.

[0093] As shown in Figure 3, in temperature detection control, the MCU 50 raises the output from the K9 terminal. This supplies a high-level voltage to the EN terminals of the second DC / DC converter 21 and the operational amplifier 32. Therefore, both the second DC / DC converter 21 and the operational amplifier 32 are put into an operational state. In addition, the high-level voltage output from the K9 terminal of the MCU 50 is also supplied to the gate of the FET 60, which is the low-side switch of the resistor Rheat. As a result, the FET 60 is turned on.

[0094] Furthermore, in temperature detection control, the MCU50 raises the output from the F9 terminal. This supplies drive current to the base of BJT12a, turning BJT12a ON. When BJT12a is ON, 0[V] of the ground line Ln is supplied to the gates of FET12b and FET12c, which are connected to the collector of BJT12a.

[0095] On the other hand, current flows from the system voltage line Lsys1 through the body diode D1 of FET12b to the source of each FET12b and FET12c. As a result, a voltage is supplied that is the system voltage Vcc (i.e., 3.3[V]) minus the forward voltage of the body diode D1, creating a potential difference between the source and gate of each FET12b and FET12c. Therefore, FET12b and FET12c are both turned on. When FET12b and FET12c are turned on, the first switch circuit 12 is turned on. In other words, the first switch circuit 12 being turned on means that both FET12b and FET12c are turned on.

[0096] When the first switch circuit 12 is turned ON, the system voltage Vcc is supplied to the series circuit of resistor Rref and resistor Rheat. Hereinafter, the voltage supplied to the series circuit of resistor Rref and resistor Rheat when the first switch circuit 12 is turned ON will also be referred to as the "reference voltage Vtemp".

[0097] When a reference voltage Vtemp is supplied to the series circuit of resistors Rref and Rheat, the measured voltage Vheat_temp, which is the voltage obtained by dividing the reference voltage Vtemp by resistors Rref and Rheat, is input to the IN+ terminal of op-amp 32. On the other hand, since FET 60 is ON, 0[V] of the ground line Ln is supplied to the IN- terminal of op-amp 32.

[0098] Therefore, the operational amplifier 32 outputs a voltage from the OUT terminal that is an amplified version of the measured voltage Vheat_temp at a predetermined amplification factor. The voltage output from the OUT terminal of the operational amplifier 32 is divided by the second voltage divider circuit 33 and then input to the D1 terminal of the MCU 50. Based on the voltage input to the D1 terminal in this way, the MCU 50 obtains the voltage value of the measured voltage Vheat_temp.

[0099] Furthermore, when the first switch circuit 12 is turned ON, the F1 terminal of the MCU 50 receives a voltage obtained by dividing the reference voltage Vtemp (i.e., the system voltage Vcc) by the first voltage divider circuit 31. Based on the voltage thus input to the F1 terminal, the MCU 50 obtains the voltage value of the reference voltage Vtemp.

[0100] The MCU50 then determines the voltage drop across the resistor Rheat (i.e., the heating element 121) from the reference voltage Vtemp and the measured voltage Vheat_temp, obtains the electrical resistance of the resistor Rheat from that voltage drop, and obtains the temperature of the resistor Rheat (in other words, the actual temperature of the heating element 121) from that electrical resistance. Note that obtaining the reference voltage Vtemp is not essential when obtaining the electrical resistance of the resistor Rheat; the voltage drop across the resistor Rheat (i.e., the heating element 121) can be determined from the measured voltage Vheat_temp, and the electrical resistance of the resistor Rheat can be obtained from that voltage drop.

[0101] Furthermore, in temperature detection control, the MCU 50, for example, maintains the output from terminal L9 at a low level, thereby turning off BJT 22a (i.e., the second switch circuit 22) and setting the duty cycle of the power pulse of the heating voltage Vheat supplied to resistor Rheat (i.e., heating unit 121) to 0%.

[0102] Furthermore, the MCU50 may be configured to suspend the operation of the second DC / DC converter 21 by setting the input to the EN terminal of the second DC / DC converter 21 to a low level during temperature detection control. For example, the EN terminal of the second DC / DC converter 21 can be connected to the output terminal of the MCU50, which has a low level output during temperature detection control. In this way, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the second DC / DC converter 21 due to unnecessary operation.

[0103] <3-2. Heating Control> Next, we will explain an example of how the MCU50 controls each control target during heating control. Figure 4 shows an example of how the MCU50 controls each control target during heating control. Here, we will focus on explaining the differences from the explanations in Figure 2 or Figure 3, and will omit or simplify explanations of parts that are common to the explanations in Figure 2 or Figure 3 as appropriate.

[0104] As shown in Figure 4, in heating control, the MCU 50 controls the on / off state of the BJT 22a (i.e., the second switch circuit 22) by the output from the L9 terminal, thereby adjusting the duty cycle of the power pulse of the heating voltage Vheat supplied to the resistor Rheat (i.e., the heating unit 121). In this way, the MCU 50 brings the actual temperature closer to the target temperature.

[0105] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, during heating control, the MCU 50 sets the output from the F9 terminal to a low level. This turns off the BJT 12a, and disconnects the gates of FET 12b and FET 12c from the ground line Ln. During heating control, current from the heating voltage line Lheat can flow into the sources of FET 12b and FET 12c through the body diode D2 of FET 12c. However, since the gates of FET 12b and FET 12c are disconnected from the ground line Ln, the potential difference between the sources and gates of FET 12b and FET 12c is kept below the threshold at which these FETs are driven (for example, approximately 0 [V]). Therefore, FET 12b and FET 12c are both turned off, and the first switch circuit 12 is turned off. This makes it possible to suppress current flowing into the first voltage system 10 due to the potential difference between the first voltage system 10 and the second voltage system 20 when the heating voltage Vheat is supplied to the heating unit 121.

[0106] As described above, the MCU 50, which serves as the control unit 116 of the suction device 100, is configured to control the supply of a first voltage (e.g., system voltage Vcc) to the heating unit 121 (more specifically, the resistor Rheat) by the first voltage system 10, and the supply of a second voltage (e.g., heating voltage Vheat) to the heating unit 121 by the second voltage system.

[0107] More specifically, the MCU 50 can control the supply of the first voltage to the heating unit 121 by the first voltage system 10 by controlling the first switch circuit 12 of the first voltage system 10. In addition, the MCU 50 can control the supply of the second voltage to the heating unit 121 by the second voltage system 20 by controlling the second switch circuit 22 of the second voltage system 20.

[0108] The MCU 50 then obtains the temperature of the heating unit 121 (more specifically, the resistor Rheat) based on the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 obtained by supplying a first voltage to the heating unit 121, and controls the supply of a second voltage to the heating unit 121 based on this temperature. This allows the power supply to the heating unit 121 to be controlled while taking into account the actual temperature of the heating unit 121, thereby enabling the heating of the aerosol source by the heating unit 121 to be carried out appropriately.

[0109] Furthermore, the first voltage supplied to the heating unit 121 when acquiring its temperature is lower than the second voltage. This allows the voltage supplied to the heating unit 121 when acquiring its temperature to be lower than when the second voltage is used. Consequently, it becomes possible to reduce the power consumption when acquiring the temperature of the heating unit 121 based on its electrical resistance value.

[0110] Furthermore, the first voltage system 10 includes a first DC / DC converter 11 that generates a system voltage Vcc from the power supply voltage Vbat, which is the output voltage of the power supply unit 111, and the MCU 50 operates when the system voltage Vcc is supplied. The first voltage supplied to the heating unit 121 when acquiring the temperature of the heating unit 121 is generated based on the system voltage Vcc. This makes it possible to acquire the temperature of the heating unit 121 using the first voltage obtained by utilizing the system voltage Vcc necessary to operate the MCU 50. Therefore, compared to the case where the voltage supplied to the heating unit 121 when acquiring the temperature of the heating unit 121 is a dedicated voltage unrelated to the system voltage Vcc, it is possible to avoid the need for a DC / DC converter or the like to generate a dedicated voltage, and thus suppress the complexity of the configuration of the suction device 100.

[0111] Furthermore, the second voltage system 20 includes a second DC / DC converter 21 that boosts the power supply voltage Vbat, which is the output voltage of the power supply unit 111, to generate a heating voltage Vheat. The second voltage supplied to the heating unit 121 to heat the aerosol source is generated based on the heating voltage Vheat. This makes it possible to supply the heating unit 121 with a voltage higher than the power supply voltage Vbat as the second voltage. Therefore, it becomes possible to efficiently heat the aerosol source by the heating unit 121.

[0112] Furthermore, the first voltage system 10 is configured to include a first switch circuit 12 that turns the connection between the first voltage system 10 and the heating unit 121 on or off, and the first switch circuit 12 operates according to the control of the MCU 50. The MCU 50 turns on the first switch circuit 12 when supplying the first voltage to the heating unit 121, and turns off the first switch circuit 12 when supplying the second voltage to the heating unit 121. This makes it possible to suppress the inflow of current into the first voltage system 10 due to the potential difference between the first voltage system 10 and the second voltage system 20 when the second voltage is supplied to the heating unit 121. Therefore, it is possible to protect the MCU 50 and other devices connected to the first voltage system 10 from current caused by the potential difference between the first voltage system 10 and the second voltage system 20.

[0113] The first switch circuit 12 is composed of a BJT 12a and two FETs, FET 12b and FET 12c, which are P-channel type MOSFETs. The base of the BJT 12a is connected to the MCU 50, the emitter is connected to the ground line Ln, and the collector is connected to the gates of FET 12b and FET 12c, respectively. The sources of FET 12b and FET 12c are connected to each other and also to the gates of FET 12b and FET 12c, respectively, via a resistor Ra having a predetermined electrical resistance value. Furthermore, the drain of FET 12b is connected to the system voltage line Lsys1, which is supplied with the system voltage Vcc from the first DC / DC converter 11, and the drain of FET 12c is connected to the heating unit 121.

[0114] By configuring the first switch circuit 12 in this way, the number of resistors required for the first switch circuit 12 can be reduced compared to when the first switch circuit 12 is configured as shown in Figure 6, which will be described later, and the complexity of the suction device 100 can be suppressed.

[0115] When the first switch circuit 12 is configured as described above, the MCU 50 only needs to turn on BJT 12a when supplying the first voltage to the heating unit 121. Turning on BJT 12a turns on both FET 12b and FET 12c, thereby turning on the first switch circuit 12. On the other hand, when supplying the second voltage to the heating unit 121, the MCU 50 only needs to turn off BJT 12a. Turning off BJT 12a turns off both FET 12b and FET 12c, thereby turning off the first switch circuit 12.

[0116] By the way, when the first switch circuit 12 is configured as described above, the body diode D1 of FET 12b and the body diode D2 of FET 12c are oriented toward the inside of the first switch circuit 12. Therefore, after the second voltage is supplied to the heating unit 121 (i.e., after heating control), there is a possibility that charge will accumulate between FET 12b and FET 12c.

[0117] Therefore, it is preferable for the MCU 50 to temporarily turn on the BJT 12a at a predetermined timing after supplying the second voltage to the heating unit 121. This makes it possible to release the charge accumulated between FET 12b and FET 12c to the ground line Ln after supplying the second voltage to the heating unit 121. Thus, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of malfunctions caused by the charge accumulated between FET 12b and FET 12c. The predetermined timing can be, for example, the end of one smoking session (i.e., when it is assumed that there will be a certain amount of time until the next smoking session).

[0118] Furthermore, the suction device 100 is further equipped with an operational amplifier 32. The operational amplifier 32 has its IN+ terminal (non-inverting input terminal) connected to one end of the heating unit 121, its IN- terminal (inverting input terminal) connected to the other end of the heating unit 121, and its output terminal connected to the MCU 50, and operates using the system voltage Vcc as the power supply voltage. The MCU 50 acquires the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 based on the output of the operational amplifier 32 and acquires the temperature of the heating unit 121 based on this electrical resistance value. This makes it possible to reduce the power consumption of the operational amplifier 32 while making the operation of the operational amplifier 32 more stable compared to when the power supply voltage of the operational amplifier 32 is a voltage higher than the system voltage Vcc (for example, the heating voltage Vheat).

[0119] More specifically, by setting the power supply voltage of the operational amplifier 32 to the system voltage Vcc, the power supply voltage can be supplied to the operational amplifier 32 even before the heating voltage Vheat is applied. Therefore, when the MCU 50 supplies a high-level voltage to the EN terminal of the operational amplifier 32, the operational amplifier 32 can be activated immediately, and the operation of the operational amplifier 32 can be made more stable.

[0120] [4. Other examples of suction device circuit configurations] Next, another example of the circuit configuration of the suction device 100 of this embodiment will be described. In the following, the explanation will focus on the differences from the first example shown in Figure 2, and explanations and illustrations of parts common to the first example will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0121] <4-1. Second example of circuit configuration for suction device> First, a second example of the circuit configuration of the suction device 100 will be described. The second example described below is one in which an LDO regulator (LDO: Low Drop Out) is further provided to the suction device 100 to step down the system voltage Vcc and generate a stepped-down voltage, and a first voltage based on the stepped-down voltage generated by the LDO regulator is supplied to the heating unit 121 when acquiring the temperature of the heating unit 121.

[0122] Figure 5 shows a second example of the circuit configuration of the suction device 100. As shown in Figure 5, the first voltage system 10 in this example further includes an LDO regulator 15 that steps down the system voltage Vcc generated by the first DC / DC converter 11 to generate a step-down voltage Vccl.

[0123] The LDO regulator 15 is provided, for example, in the MCU 50, which is an IC that constitutes the control unit 116 of the suction device 100. The LDO regulator 15 steps down the system voltage Vcc input via the VBAT terminal of the MCU 50 to generate a stepped-down voltage Vccl, and outputs the generated stepped-down voltage Vccl to the outside of the MCU 50.

[0124] The step-down voltage Vccl is lower than the system voltage Vcc, and can be, for example, 1.8[V]. The following explanation assumes that the step-down voltage Vccl is 1.8[V], but it is not limited to this value.

[0125] The step-down voltage Vccl generated by the LDO regulator 15 is supplied to the step-down voltage line Lsys2, for example, via an output terminal (not shown) of the MCU 50. In this example, the connection point Cp1 to which the drain of the FET 12b is connected is located on the step-down voltage line Lsys2.

[0126] Therefore, in this example, when the MCU 50 turns on the first switch circuit 12 during temperature detection control, a step-down voltage Vccl is supplied to the series circuit of resistor Rref and resistor Rheat. In other words, the reference voltage Vtemp in this example is the step-down voltage Vccl. Then, the IN+ terminal of the operational amplifier 32 receives the measured voltage Vheat_temp, which is the voltage obtained by dividing this reference voltage Vtemp (i.e., step-down voltage Vccl) by resistor Rref and resistor Rheat.

[0127] Furthermore, in this example, it is preferable to connect the VS terminal of the operational amplifier 32 to the step-down voltage line Lsys2, so that the step-down voltage Vccl is supplied to the operational amplifier 32 as the power supply voltage. This reduces the power consumption of the operational amplifier 32 compared to when the power supply voltage of the operational amplifier 32 is a voltage higher than the step-down voltage Vccl (for example, the heating voltage Vheat). In addition, since the power supply voltage can be supplied to the operational amplifier 32 before the heating voltage Vheat is applied, the operational amplifier 32 can be operated immediately when the MCU 50 supplies a high-level voltage to the EN terminal of the operational amplifier 32, and the operation of the operational amplifier 32 can be made more stable.

[0128] As described above, the first voltage system 10 may further include an LDO regulator 15 that steps down the system voltage Vcc to generate a step-down voltage Vccl. The first voltage supplied to the heating unit 121 when acquiring the temperature of the heating unit 121 may be generated based on the step-down voltage Vccl. This makes it possible to further lower the voltage supplied to the heating unit 121 when acquiring the temperature of the heating unit 121, and to further reduce the power consumption when acquiring the temperature of the heating unit 121 based on the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121.

[0129] Furthermore, by making the first voltage supplied to the heating unit 121 when acquiring the temperature of the heating unit 121 based on the step-down voltage Vccl generated by the LDO regulator 15, it becomes possible to acquire the temperature of the heating unit 121 with greater accuracy.

[0130] More specifically, the system voltage Vcc generated by the first DC / DC converter 11 is, strictly speaking, sawtooth-shaped. If such a system voltage Vcc is used as the reference voltage Vtemp, the quality of the input to the operational amplifier 32 will be low, and as a result, the SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) of the output from the operational amplifier 32 may be low.

[0131] In contrast, the step-down voltage Vccl generated by the LDO regulator 15 takes a more stable value than the system voltage Vcc generated by the first DC / DC converter 11. Therefore, by using such a step-down voltage Vccl as the reference voltage Vtemp, it is possible to improve the SNR of the output from the operational amplifier 32 and improve the accuracy of the temperature of the heating unit 121 obtained based on the output of the operational amplifier 32.

[0132] Furthermore, the LDO regulator 15 may be provided, for example, in the MCU 50, which is an IC that constitutes the control unit 116 of the suction device 100. This makes it possible to generate the step-down voltage Vccl with fewer components than when the LDO regulator is provided separately from the MCU 50. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the complexity of the suction device 100's configuration.

[0133] <4-2. Third example of circuit configuration for a suction device> Next, a third example of the circuit configuration of the suction device 100 will be described. The third example described below is an example in which the configuration of the first switch circuit 12 is changed from the first or second example described above.

[0134] Figure 6 shows a third example of the circuit configuration of the suction device 100. As shown in Figure 6, the first switch circuit 12 in this example is composed of a BJT 12a, an FET 12b, an FET 12c, and two resistors Ra (resistor Ra1 and resistor Ra2).

[0135] In this example, the drains of FET12b and FET12c are connected to each other. The source of FET12b is connected to one end of resistor Rheat (i.e., heating element 121) via resistor Rref, and is also connected to the gate of FET12b via resistor Ra1. The source of FET12c is connected to connection point Cp1 provided on the system voltage line Lsys1 or the step-down voltage line Lsys2, and is also connected to the gate of FET12c via resistor Ra2. Although not shown in the diagrams and detailed explanation, the connection relationships with respect to BJT12a are the same as in the first or second example described above. Also, as in the first or second example described above, an N-channel MOSFET may be provided instead of BJT12a (bipolar transistor).

[0136] Even when the first switch circuit 12 is configured as in this example, in temperature detection control, the MCU 50 can turn on BJT 12a by setting the output from terminal F9 to a high level, which in turn turns on FET 12b and FET 12c, i.e., the first switch circuit 12. Therefore, similar to the first or second example described above, a reference voltage Vtemp can be supplied to the series circuit of resistor Rref and resistor Rheat.

[0137] Furthermore, even if the first switch circuit 12 is configured as in this example, during heating control, the MCU 50 can turn off the BJT 12a by setting the output from the F9 terminal to a low level, which in turn turns off the first switch circuit 12. This makes it possible to suppress the inflow of current into the first voltage system 10 due to the potential difference between the first voltage system 10 and the second voltage system 20 when the second voltage is supplied to the heating unit 121. Therefore, it is possible to protect the MCU 50 and other devices connected to the first voltage system 10 from current caused by the potential difference between the first voltage system 10 and the second voltage system 20. The potential difference between the source and gate of the FET 12b can be calculated from the potential difference between the first voltage system 10 and the second voltage system 20 and the electrical resistance values ​​of the two resistors Ra, but the gate threshold voltage of the FET 12b should be higher than the voltage drop across resistor Ra1 when the second voltage is supplied to the heating unit 121 during heating control.

[0138] Furthermore, since the connection point Cp3 provided between the source of FET12b and resistor Rref and the connection point Cp1 provided on the system voltage line Lsys1 or the step-down voltage line Lsys2 are connected with resistors Ra1 and Ra2 in between, a small current flows into the first voltage system 10 when the second voltage is supplied to the heating unit 121. Taking this into consideration, when configuring the first switch circuit 12 as in this example, it is preferable to select a first DC / DC converter 11 and an LDO regulator 15 that can tolerate this small current when generating the first voltage.

[0139] Furthermore, when the first switch circuit 12 is configured as in this example, no charge accumulates between FET 12b and FET 12c after the second voltage is supplied to the heating unit 121 (i.e., after heating control). This is because the body diode D1 of FET 12b and the body diode D2 of FET 12c work to release the charge between FET 12b and FET 12c to the outside. Therefore, when the first switch circuit 12 is configured as in this example, it is not necessary to turn on BJT 12a after supplying the second voltage to the heating unit 121, and it becomes possible to simplify the control of the first switch circuit 12 by the MCU 50.

[0140] <4-3. Fourth example of circuit configuration for a suction device> Next, a fourth example of the circuit configuration of the suction device 100 will be described. The fourth example described below is an example in which the first switch circuit 12 of the first, second, or third example described above is configured with an IC that functions as a load switch.

[0141] Figure 7 shows a fourth example of the circuit configuration of the suction device 100. As shown in Figure 7, the first switch circuit 12 in this example is composed of a load switch 12A. The load switch 12A is an IC that operates according to the control of the MCU 50 and functions as a switch to turn on or off the connection between the first voltage system 10 and the resistor Rheat (i.e., the heating unit 121).

[0142] For example, the load switch 12A includes a VIN terminal, a GND terminal, a VOUT terminal, and an ON terminal as terminals that electrically connect the inside and outside of the load switch 12A.

[0143] The VIN terminal of the load switch 12A is the input terminal of the load switch 12A and is connected to connection point Cp1 provided on the system voltage line Lsys1 or the step-down voltage line Lsys2. The GND terminal is the ground terminal of the load switch 12A and is connected to the ground line Ln. The VOUT terminal is the output terminal of the load switch 12A and is connected to one end of resistor Rheat via resistor Rref. The ON terminal is connected to, for example, the F9 terminal of MCU50.

[0144] Load switch 12A outputs the voltage supplied to the VIN terminal from the VOUT terminal only when, for example, a high-level voltage is input to the ON terminal.

[0145] Even if the first switch circuit 12 is configured with a load switch 12A as in this example, in temperature detection control, the MCU 50 raises the output from the F9 terminal to a high level, causing the load switch 12A to output the system voltage Vcc or step-down voltage Vccl, and can supply a reference voltage Vtemp to the series circuit of resistor Rref and resistor Rheat, similar to the first, second, or third example described above.

[0146] By providing the aforementioned first switch circuit 12 between the VIN terminal and the VOUT terminal inside the load switch 12A, for example, when a low-level voltage is input to the ON terminal, the current reverse flow prevention function between the VIN terminal and the VOUT terminal is activated, and when the heating voltage Vheat is supplied to the heating unit 121, it becomes possible to suppress the current caused by the potential difference between the first voltage system 10 and the second voltage system 20 from flowing into the first voltage system 10.

[0147] Furthermore, when the first switch circuit 12 is configured using a load switch 12A, as in this example, the number of required electronic components can be reduced compared to, for example, when the first switch circuit 12 is configured using individual electronic components, thereby preventing the configuration of the suction device 100 from becoming overly complex. In addition, the implementation work for the first switch circuit 12 can also be simplified.

[0148] Furthermore, it is preferable that the load switch 12A does not have an output discharge function. If the load switch 12A is configured to have a discharge resistor for the output discharge function, the voltage applied to the VOUT terminal side when the heating voltage Vheat is supplied to the heating unit 121 by the second voltage system 20 will be applied to the discharge resistor, increasing power consumption. Therefore, by configuring the load switch 12A not to have an output discharge function, it is possible to prevent an increase in power consumption when the heating voltage Vheat is supplied to the heating unit 121 by the second voltage system 20.

[0149] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a suction device 100 that can reduce the power consumption when obtaining the temperature of the heating unit 121 based on the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121.

[0150] Incidentally, the MCU 50 only requires the output of the operational amplifier 32 during temperature detection control. However, in this embodiment, the MCU 50 supplies a high-level voltage to the EN terminal of the operational amplifier 32 not only during temperature detection control but also during heating control, so that the operational amplifier 32 operates. This is because it may take a certain amount of time from the start of operation of the operational amplifier 32 until its operation (in other words, the output of the operational amplifier 32) stabilizes.

[0151] If the operational amplifier 32 were to be operated only during temperature detection control, the MCU 50 would acquire the temperature of the heating unit 121 based on the output of the operational amplifier 32 before it stabilized, which could reduce the accuracy of the acquired temperature. To prevent this from happening, in this embodiment, the operational amplifier 32 is operated not only during temperature detection control but also during heating control. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of the temperature of the heating unit 121 acquired based on the output of the operational amplifier 32.

[0152] In other words, if the operational amplifier 32 has the characteristic of stabilizing quickly, the MCU 50 may operate the operational amplifier 32 only when temperature detection control is in operation. For example, by connecting the EN terminal of the operational amplifier 32 to the F9 terminal of the MCU 50, the MCU 50 can operate the operational amplifier 32 only when temperature detection control is in operation. By operating the operational amplifier 32 only when temperature detection control is in operation, the MCU 50 can operate the operational amplifier 32 only when it needs its output, thereby reducing power consumption due to unnecessary operation of the operational amplifier 32.

[0153] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the power consumption when acquiring the temperature of the heating unit 121 was reduced by lowering the voltage supplied to the heating unit 121. Alternatively, one could consider reducing power consumption by setting the voltage used to acquire the temperature of the heating unit 121 as the heating voltage Vheat and reducing its current value.

[0154] However, the second DC / DC converter 21 that generates the heating voltage Vheat is generally specialized in outputting a large current so that the heating unit 121 (resistor Rheat) can heat up efficiently and quickly, and cannot efficiently perform operations that output a small current. Therefore, if the voltage used to obtain the temperature of the heating unit 121 is set as the heating voltage Vheat, even if the current value is reduced, the effect of reducing power consumption will be limited.

[0155] Furthermore, it is preferable that the switching frequency of the first DC / DC converter 11 be higher than the switching frequency of the second DC / DC converter 21. That is, as mentioned above, the voltage output from the first DC / DC converter 11 and the second DC / DC converter 21 may fluctuate in a sawtooth wave pattern. And this fluctuation becomes larger as the switching frequency decreases.

[0156] Therefore, if the switching frequency of the first DC / DC converter 11, which generates the system voltage Vcc that forms the basis of the voltage input to the operational amplifier 32, is lowered, the quality of the input to the operational amplifier 32 will decrease, and as a result, the SNR of the output from the operational amplifier 32 may also become low. Consequently, the accuracy of the temperature of the heating unit 121, which is obtained based on the output of the operational amplifier 32, may deteriorate.

[0157] Therefore, it is preferable that the switching frequency of the first DC / DC converter 11 be relatively high. On the other hand, the switching frequency of the second DC / DC converter 21, which generates the heating voltage Vheat solely for heating the heating unit 121, can be relatively low, as this is sufficient to heat the heating unit 121, and problems are unlikely to occur.

[0158] Although one embodiment of the aerosol generating apparatus of this disclosure has been described above, it goes without saying that this disclosure is not limited to this embodiment. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these will naturally also fall within the technical scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the components of the above-described embodiment may be combined in any way without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0159] As an example of modification, instead of the aforementioned FET12b, a diode that only allows current to flow from the first voltage system 10 to the second voltage system 20 may be provided. By providing such a diode instead of the FET12b, it is possible to suppress the current caused by the potential difference between the first voltage system 10 and the second voltage system 20 from flowing into the first voltage system 10. When a diode is provided instead of the FET12b, it is preferable to configure the system to determine the voltage drop by the resistor Rheat (i.e., the heating unit 121) from the respective voltage values ​​of the reference voltage Vtemp and the measured voltage Vheat_temp, obtain the electrical resistance value of the resistor Rheat from that voltage drop, and obtain the temperature of the resistor Rheat (in other words, the actual temperature of the heating unit 121) from that electrical resistance value. During temperature detection control, the voltage obtained by subtracting the forward voltage of the diode from the first voltage is applied as the reference voltage Vtemp to the series circuit of the resistor Rref and the resistor Rheat. When the MCU50 acquires the temperature of the resistor Rheat (in other words, the actual temperature of the heating element 121), it obtains the voltage value of the reference voltage Vtemp based on the voltage input to the F1 terminal. Therefore, even if a diode is provided instead of the FET12b, temperature detection control can be performed in the same way as with the FET12b.

[0160] Alternatively, for example, the power supply voltage Vbat may be supplied directly to the LDO regulator 15, and the LDO regulator 15 may be configured to generate a step-down voltage Vccl from the power supply voltage Vbat.

[0161] This specification contains at least the following information. The components and other elements corresponding to those in the embodiments described above are shown in parentheses as examples, but are not limited thereto.

[0162] (1) Power supply (power supply units 111, 111A, 111B) A heating unit (heating unit 121, 121A, 121B) is equipped with a heat-generating resistor (resistor Rheat) whose electrical resistance value is correlated with temperature, and is configured to heat an aerosol source when power is supplied. A first voltage system (first voltage system 10) is provided between the power supply and the heating unit and is configured to supply a first voltage generated based on the output voltage of the power supply to the heating unit, A second voltage system (second voltage system 20) is provided between the power supply and the heating unit and is configured to supply a second voltage generated based on the output voltage of the power supply to the heating unit, A control unit (control units 116, 116A, 116B, MCU 50) is configured to control the supply of the first voltage to the heating unit by the first voltage system and the supply of the second voltage to the heating unit by the second voltage system, Equipped with, The first voltage is a voltage lower than the second voltage. The control unit obtains the temperature of the heating unit based on the electrical resistance value of the heating unit obtained by supplying the first voltage to the heating unit, and controls the supply of the second voltage to the heating unit based on the temperature. Aerosol generator.

[0163] According to (1), the temperature of the heating section is obtained based on the electrical resistance value of the heating section obtained by supplying a first voltage to the heating section, and the supply of a second voltage to the heating section is controlled based on this temperature. This allows the power supply to the heating section to be controlled considering the actual temperature of the heating section, and enables the heating section to properly heat the aerosol source. Furthermore, since the first voltage supplied to the heating section when obtaining the temperature of the heating section is lower than the second voltage, it is possible to reduce the power consumption when obtaining the temperature of the heating section compared to when the second voltage is supplied when obtaining the temperature of the heating section.

[0164] (2) An aerosol generating apparatus as described in (1), The first voltage system is configured to include a first DC / DC converter (first DC / DC converter 11) that generates a predetermined system voltage from the output voltage of the power supply, The control unit operates when the system voltage is supplied, The first voltage is generated based on the system voltage. Aerosol generator.

[0165] According to (2), it is possible to obtain the temperature of the heating section using a first voltage obtained by utilizing the system voltage necessary to operate the control unit. This eliminates the need for a DC / DC converter or the like to generate a dedicated voltage when obtaining the temperature of the heating section, compared to when a dedicated voltage unrelated to the system voltage is used, and thus suppresses the complexity of the aerosol generation device configuration.

[0166] (3) An aerosol generating apparatus as described in (2), The second voltage system is configured to include a second DC / DC converter (second DC / DC converter 21) that boosts the output voltage of the power supply to generate a heating voltage. The second voltage is generated based on the heating voltage. Aerosol generator.

[0167] According to (3), it is possible to supply a voltage higher than the output voltage of the power supply to the heating unit as a second voltage. This makes it possible to efficiently heat the aerosol source by the heating unit.

[0168] (4) An aerosol generating apparatus as described in (2) or (3), The first voltage system further includes a switch circuit (first switch circuit 12) that turns the connection between the first voltage system and the heating unit on or off. The switch circuit operates according to the control of the control unit, The control unit turns on the switch circuit when supplying the first voltage to the heating unit, and turns off the switch circuit when supplying the second voltage to the heating unit. Aerosol generator.

[0169] According to (4), when the second voltage is supplied to the heating section, it is possible to suppress the inflow of current into the first voltage system due to the potential difference between the first voltage system and the second voltage system. This makes it possible to protect electronic components connected to the first voltage system from current caused by the potential difference between the first voltage system and the second voltage system.

[0170] (5) An aerosol generating apparatus as described in (4), The aforementioned switch circuit comprises a first switch (BJT12a) and a first FET (FET12b) and a second FET (FET12c), both of which are P-channel type MOSFETs. The first switch is connected to the gates of the first FET and the second FET, and the gate potential is adjusted by opening and closing the first switch. The sources of the first FET and the second FET are connected to each other, and are also connected to the gates of the first FET and the second FET via a resistor (resistor Ra) having a predetermined electrical resistance value. The drain of the first FET is connected to the power line (system voltage line Lsys1) from which the system voltage is supplied from the first DC / DC converter. The drain of the second FET is connected to the heating section. Aerosol generator.

[0171] According to (5), the number of resistors required in the switch circuit can be reduced, and the complexity of the aerosol generation device can be suppressed.

[0172] (6) An aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of (2) to (5), The aerosol generating device further comprises an operational amplifier (operational amplifier 32), The operational amplifier has its non-inverting input terminal connected to one end of the heating unit, its inverting input terminal connected to the other end of the heating unit, and its output terminal connected to the control unit, and operates using the system voltage as the power supply voltage. The control unit acquires the electrical resistance value based on the output of the operational amplifier. Aerosol generator.

[0173] According to (6), compared to setting the operational amplifier's power supply voltage to a voltage higher than the system voltage (e.g., heating voltage), it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the operational amplifier while avoiding a decrease in the accuracy of the heating section temperature obtained based on the operational amplifier's output.

[0174] (7) An aerosol generating apparatus as described in (2) or (3), The first voltage system further includes an LDO regulator (LDO regulator 15) that reduces the system voltage to generate a step-down voltage. The first voltage is generated based on the step-down voltage. Aerosol generator.

[0175] According to (7), it becomes possible to further reduce the voltage supplied to the heating element when acquiring its temperature, thereby further reducing the power consumption when acquiring the temperature of the heating element. In addition, by making the first voltage supplied to the heating element when acquiring its temperature based on a step-down voltage generated by an LDO regulator, it becomes possible to acquire the temperature of the heating element with greater accuracy.

[0176] (8) An aerosol generating apparatus as described in (7), The LDO regulator is provided in the IC (MCU50) that constitutes the control unit. Aerosol generator.

[0177] According to (8), it becomes possible to generate a step-down voltage without adding any electronic components other than the IC that constitutes the control unit. Therefore, it becomes possible to suppress the complexity of the aerosol generation device configuration.

[0178] (9) An aerosol generating apparatus as described in (7) or (8), The first voltage system further includes a switch circuit (first switch circuit 12) that turns the connection between the first voltage system and the heating unit on or off. The switch circuit operates according to the control of the control unit, The control unit turns on the switch circuit when supplying the first voltage to the heating unit, and turns off the switch circuit when supplying the second voltage to the heating unit. Aerosol generator.

[0179] According to (9), when the second voltage is supplied to the heating section, it is possible to suppress the flow of current caused by the potential difference between the first voltage system and the second voltage system into the first voltage system. This makes it possible to protect electronic components connected to the first voltage system from current caused by the potential difference between the first voltage system and the second voltage system.

[0180] (10) An aerosol generating apparatus as described in (9), The aforementioned switch circuit comprises a first switch (BJT12a) and a first FET (FET12b) and a second FET (FET12c), both of which are P-channel type MOSFETs. The first switch is connected to the gates of the first FET and the second FET, and the gate potential is adjusted by opening and closing the first switch. The sources of the first FET and the second FET are connected to each other, and are also connected to the gates of the first FET and the second FET via resistors having a predetermined electrical resistance value. The drain of the first FET is connected to the power line (step-down voltage line Lsys2) to which the step-down voltage is supplied from the LDO regulator. The drain of the second FET is connected to the heating section. Aerosol generator.

[0181] According to (10), the number of resistors required in the switch circuit can be reduced, and the complexity of the aerosol generator's configuration can be suppressed.

[0182] (11) An aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of (7) to (10), The aerosol generating device further comprises an operational amplifier (operational amplifier 32), The operational amplifier has its non-inverting input terminal connected to one end of the heating unit, its inverting input terminal connected to the other end of the heating unit, and its output terminal connected to the control unit, and operates using the step-down voltage as the power supply voltage. The control unit acquires the electrical resistance value based on the output of the operational amplifier. Aerosol generator.

[0183] According to (11), compared to setting the op-amp's power supply voltage to a voltage higher than the step-down voltage (e.g., heating voltage), it is possible to reduce the op-amp's power consumption while avoiding a decrease in the accuracy of the heating section temperature obtained based on the op-amp's output.

[0184] (12) An aerosol generating apparatus as described in (5) or (10), The first switch is a bipolar transistor, The bipolar transistor has its base connected to the control unit, its emitter connected to ground, and its collector connected to the gates of the first FET and the second FET, respectively. Aerosol generator.

[0185] According to (12), the potential of the gates of the first FET and the second FET can be adjusted by turning the bipolar transistor on and off (i.e., switching it open and closed) as the first switch.

[0186] (13) An aerosol generating apparatus as described in (5) or (10), The first switch is an N-channel MOSFET, The N-channel MOSFET has its gate connected to the control unit, its source connected to ground, and its drain connected to the gates of the first FET and the second FET, respectively. Aerosol generator.

[0187] According to (13), the gate potentials of the first FET and the second FET can be adjusted by turning the MOSFET on and off (i.e., switching it open and closed) as the first switch.

[0188] (14) (5) or (11) Aerosol generating apparatus as described above, The control unit further turns on the first switch at a predetermined timing after supplying the second voltage to the heating unit. Aerosol generator.

[0189] According to (14), after supplying the second voltage to the heating section, the charge accumulated between the first FET and the second FET can be discharged to ground. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of problems caused by the charge accumulated between the first FET and the second FET.

[0190] (15) An aerosol generating apparatus as described in (4) or (9), The aforementioned switch circuit is composed of a load switch (load switch 12A). Aerosol generator.

[0191] According to (15), compared to the case where the switch circuit is constructed using individual electronic components, the number of required electronic components can be reduced, and the complexity of the aerosol generator's configuration can be suppressed. Furthermore, the implementation work of the switch circuit can also be simplified.

[0192] (16) An aerosol generating apparatus as described in (4), The aforementioned switch circuit is composed of a bipolar transistor (BJT12a) and a first FET (FET12b) and a second FET (FET12c), which are P-channel type MOSFETs, The bipolar transistor has its base connected to the control unit, its emitter connected to ground, and its collector connected to the gates of the first FET and the second FET, respectively. The drains of the first FET and the second FET are connected to each other. The source of the first FET is connected to the heating section and is also connected to the gate of the first FET via a first resistor (resistor Ra1) having a predetermined electrical resistance value. The source of the second FET is connected to a power line (system voltage line Lsys1) from which the system voltage is supplied from the first DC / DC converter, and is also connected to the gate of the second FET via a second resistor (resistor Ra2) having a predetermined electrical resistance value. Aerosol generator.

[0193] According to (16), since charge can be prevented from accumulating between the first FET and the second FET after the supply of the second voltage to the heating section, for example, it is not necessary to turn on the bipolar transistor after supplying the second voltage to the heating section, and the control of the switch circuit by the control unit can be simplified.

[0194] (17) An aerosol generating apparatus as described in (9), The aforementioned switch circuit is composed of a bipolar transistor (BJT12a) and a first FET (FET12b) and a second FET (FET12c), which are P-channel type MOSFETs, The bipolar transistor has its base connected to the control unit, its emitter connected to ground, and its collector connected to the gates of the first FET and the second FET, respectively. The drains of the first FET and the second FET are connected to each other. The source of the first FET is connected to the heating section and is also connected to the gate of the first FET via a first resistor (resistor Ra1) having a predetermined electrical resistance value. The source of the second FET is connected to the power line (step-down voltage line Lsys2) to which the step-down voltage is supplied from the LDO regulator, and is also connected to the gate of the second FET via a second resistor (resistor Ra2) having a predetermined electrical resistance value. Aerosol generator.

[0195] According to (17), since charge does not accumulate between the first FET and the second FET after the supply of the second voltage to the heating section, for example, it is not necessary to turn on the bipolar transistor after supplying the second voltage to the heating section, and the control of the switch circuit by the control unit can be simplified. [Explanation of symbols]

[0196] 100, 100A, 100B Suction device (aerosol generator) 111, 111A, 111B Power supply section (power supply) 116, 116A, 116B Control Unit 121, 121A, 121B heating section 11. First DC / DC converter 12. First Switch Circuit (Switch Circuit) 12a BJT (Bipolar Transistor) 12b FET (1st FET) 12c FET (2nd FET) 15 LDO Regulator 21. Second DC / DC Converter 50 MCU (Control Unit) Rheat resistor (heat-generating resistor) Lsys1 System Voltage Line (Power Line) Lsys2 Step-down voltage line (power line)

Claims

1. Power supply and A heating unit equipped with a heat-generating resistor whose electrical resistance value and temperature are correlated, and configured to heat an aerosol source when powered, A first voltage system is provided between the power supply and the heating unit and is configured to supply a first voltage generated based on the output voltage of the power supply to the heating unit. A second voltage system is provided between the power supply and the heating unit and is configured to supply a second voltage generated based on the output voltage of the power supply to the heating unit. A control unit configured to control the supply of the first voltage to the heating unit by the first voltage system and the supply of the second voltage to the heating unit by the second voltage system, Equipped with, The first voltage is a voltage lower than the second voltage. The control unit obtains the temperature of the heating unit based on the electrical resistance value of the heating unit obtained by supplying the first voltage to the heating unit, and controls the supply of the second voltage to the heating unit based on the temperature. The first voltage system is configured to include a first DC / DC converter that generates a predetermined system voltage from the output voltage of the power supply, The control unit operates when the system voltage is supplied, The first voltage is generated based on the system voltage. Aerosol generator.

2. An aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, The second voltage system is configured to include a second DC / DC converter that boosts the output voltage of the power supply to generate a heating voltage, The second voltage is generated based on the heating voltage. Aerosol generator.

3. An aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, The first voltage system further includes a switch circuit for turning the connection between the first voltage system and the heating unit on or off. The switch circuit operates according to the control of the control unit, The control unit turns on the switch circuit when supplying the first voltage to the heating unit, and turns off the switch circuit when supplying the second voltage to the heating unit. Aerosol generator.

4. An aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 3, The switch circuit comprises a first switch and a first FET and a second FET, each being a P-channel type MOSFET. The first switch is connected to the gates of the first FET and the second FET, and the potential of the gates is adjusted by opening and closing the first switch. The sources of the first FET and the second FET are connected to each other, and are also connected to the gates of the first FET and the second FET via resistors having a predetermined electrical resistance value. The drain of the first FET is connected to the power line from which the system voltage is supplied from the first DC / DC converter. The drain of the second FET is connected to the heating section. Aerosol generator.

5. An aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, The aerosol generating apparatus further comprises an operational amplifier, The operational amplifier has its non-inverting input terminal connected to one end of the heating unit, its inverting input terminal connected to the other end of the heating unit, and its output terminal connected to the control unit, and operates using the system voltage as the power supply voltage. The control unit acquires the electrical resistance value based on the output of the operational amplifier. Aerosol generator.

6. An aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, The first voltage system further includes an LDO regulator that reduces the system voltage to generate a step-down voltage, The first voltage is generated based on the step-down voltage. Aerosol generator.

7. An aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 6, The LDO regulator is provided in the IC that constitutes the control unit. Aerosol generator.

8. An aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 6, The first voltage system further includes a switch circuit for turning the connection between the first voltage system and the heating unit on or off. The switch circuit operates according to the control of the control unit, The control unit turns on the switch circuit when supplying the first voltage to the heating unit, and turns off the switch circuit when supplying the second voltage to the heating unit. Aerosol generator.

9. An aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 8, The switch circuit comprises a first switch and a first FET and a second FET, each being a P-channel type MOSFET. The first switch is connected to the gates of the first FET and the second FET, and the potential of the gates is adjusted by opening and closing the first switch. The sources of the first FET and the second FET are connected to each other, and are also connected to the gates of the first FET and the second FET via resistors having a predetermined electrical resistance value. The drain of the first FET is connected to the power line from which the step-down voltage is supplied by the LDO regulator. The drain of the second FET is connected to the heating section. Aerosol generator.

10. an aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9, The aerosol generating apparatus further comprises an operational amplifier, The operational amplifier has its non-inverting input terminal connected to one end of the heating unit, its inverting input terminal connected to the other end of the heating unit, and its output terminal connected to the control unit, and operates using the step-down voltage as the power supply voltage. The control unit acquires the electrical resistance value based on the output of the operational amplifier. Aerosol generator.

11. an aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 4 or 9, The first switch is a bipolar transistor, The bipolar transistor has its base connected to the control unit, its emitter connected to ground, and its collector connected to the gates of the first FET and the second FET, respectively. Aerosol generator.

12. an aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 4 or 9, The first switch is an N-channel MOSFET, The N-channel MOSFET has its gate connected to the control unit, its source connected to ground, and its drain connected to the gates of the first FET and the second FET, respectively. Aerosol generator.

13. ） an aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 4 or 9, The control unit further turns on the first switch at a predetermined timing after supplying the second voltage to the heating unit. Aerosol generator.

14. An aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 3 or 8, The aforementioned switch circuit is composed of a load switch. Aerosol generator.

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