Power supply unit for aerosol generator

Abstract

To provide technology advantageous for managing the power supply state with a high degree of precision.SOLUTION: A power supply unit of an aerosol generation device includes: a connector to which a heater for heating an aerosol source using electric power supplied from a power source is connected; a control part having a terminal to which an electric potential corresponding to the electric potential of the positive pole of the power source is supplied for controlling supply of electric power to the heater and charging of the electric source; a switch disposed in a route where the electric current output from the power source flows so as to block the electric discharge of the power source; and a protection circuit for opening the switch so that the discharge of the electric source is blocked in response to the fact that the electric potential of the positive pole becomes lower than a first level. The control part raises the charging electric current of the power source in response to the fact that the electric potential of the positive pole detected on the basis of the electric potential supplied to the terminal becomes higher than a second level larger than the first level by the charging of the electric source.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a power supply unit for an aerosol generator. [Background technology]

[0002] In an aerosol generator that produces aerosols, it is important to manage the state of the heater that heats the aerosol source and the power supply that provides power to various electronic components. Patent Document 1 discloses a system that includes a fuel gauge circuit. This fuel gauge circuit may be configured to receive various inputs and monitor and / or measure various battery characteristics such as voltage, current, battery capacity, battery operating mode, and state of health (SOH). The fuel gauge circuit may also generate various types of control signals in response to the received input signals and / or battery characteristics, such as control signals for controlling charging and discharging. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-61361 [Overview of the project]

[0004] The first to third aspects of the invention described in the specification and drawings provide an advantageous technique for controlling the state of a power supply with high precision.

[0005] The first aspect relates to a power supply unit for an aerosol generator having a plurality of substrates including a first substrate, the power supply unit comprising: a control unit that controls the supply of power to a heater for heating an aerosol source using power supplied from the power supply; a resistor arranged in a path through which the current output from the power supply flows; and a measurement circuit that measures the state of the power supply using the resistor, wherein the resistor and the measurement circuit are arranged on the first substrate.

[0006] In the first aspect, the resistor and the measuring circuit may be arranged on the same plane of the first substrate.

[0007] In a first aspect, the power supply unit may further include a first power connector connected to the positive terminal of the power supply and a second power connector connected to the negative terminal of the power supply, and the path includes a first conductive path connected to the first power supply connector and a second conductive path connected to the second power supply connector, the second power supply connector may be located on the first substrate and the resistor may be located on the second conductive path.

[0008] In the first aspect, the power supply unit may further include a first heater connector to which the positive terminal of the heater is connected, and a second heater connector to which the negative terminal of the heater is connected, and the second heater connector may be located on the first circuit board.

[0009] In the first aspect, the first heater connector may be located on the first substrate, and the first heater connector and the second heater connector may be located on the same plane of the first substrate.

[0010] In the first aspect, the resistor and the second heater connector may be located on opposite sides of the first substrate.

[0011] In the first aspect, in the orthogonal projection onto one of the two surfaces of the first substrate, at least a portion of the resistor may overlap with at least a portion of the second heater connector.

[0012] In the first aspect, the power supply unit may further include a switch positioned between the resistor and the second heater connector in the second conductive path.

[0013] In the first aspect, the switch and the second heater connector may be arranged on the same plane of the first substrate.

[0014] In the first aspect, the switch may be the element closest to the second heater connector among the electronic components arranged on the same plane.

[0015] In the first aspect, the electronic component may be an active element.

[0016] In the first aspect, the power supply unit may further include a switch section arranged in the second conductive path so as to be connected in series with the resistor.

[0017] In the first aspect, the resistor and the switch are arranged on the same plane of the first substrate, and in the orthographic projection, at least a portion of the switch may overlap with at least a portion of the second heater connector.

[0018] In a first aspect, the power supply unit may further include a protection circuit that controls the switch section to protect the power supply in accordance with at least one of the current flowing through the second conductive path and the output voltage of the power supply.

[0019] In the first aspect, the switch portion may be positioned between the resistor in the second conductive path and the negative electrode of the power supply.

[0020] In a first aspect, the power supply unit may further include a second resistor arranged in the second conductive path so as to be connected in series with the resistor, the protection circuit may detect the current flowing through the second conductive path using the second resistor, and the resistor and the second resistor may be arranged on the same plane of the first substrate.

[0021] In the first aspect, the shortest distance between the resistor and the second resistor may be smaller than at least one of the maximum dimensions of the resistor and the maximum dimensions of the second resistor.

[0022] In the first aspect, the plurality of substrates may include a second substrate, and the control unit may be located on the second substrate.

[0023] In a first aspect, the power supply unit may further include a first transformer circuit that transforms the voltage supplied from the power supply and supplies it to the power terminals of the measurement circuit, and the first transformer circuit may be located on the second board.

[0024] In the first aspect, the power supply unit may further include a second transformer circuit that transforms the voltage supplied from the power supply to generate a voltage to be supplied to the heater, and the second transformer circuit may be arranged on the first board.

[0025] In a first aspect, the power supply unit may further include a second switch, which is located in a path connecting the output of the second transformer circuit and the heater, and is controlled by the control unit, and the second switch may be located on the first circuit board.

[0026] In the first aspect, the power supply unit may further include a detection circuit for detecting the temperature of the heater, and the detection circuit may be located on the first circuit board.

[0027] Alternatively, the first aspect relates to a power supply unit for an aerosol generator having a plurality of element arrangement surfaces, including a first element arrangement surface, wherein the power supply unit comprises a control unit that controls the supply of power to a heater for heating an aerosol source using power supplied from the power supply, a resistor arranged in a path through which the current output from the power supply flows, and a measurement circuit that measures the state of the power supply using the resistor, wherein the resistor and the measurement circuit are arranged on the first element arrangement surface.

[0028] The second aspect relates to a power supply unit for an aerosol generator, the power supply unit comprising: a first conductive path connected to the positive terminal of the power supply; a second conductive path connected to the negative terminal of the power supply; a control unit that controls the heating of a heater for heating an aerosol source using power supplied from the power supply; a measurement circuit that measures the state of the power supply using a resistor placed in the second conductive path; a switch unit that is positioned between the resistor and the negative terminal in the second conductive path so as to be able to interrupt the current flowing through the second conductive path; and a protection circuit that controls the switch unit to protect the power supply in accordance with the current flowing through the second conductive path.

[0029] In a second aspect, the protection circuit may stop supplying voltage to the control unit and the measurement circuit by turning off the switch.

[0030] In a second aspect, the power supply unit may further include a voltage supply unit that supplies voltage to the control unit and the measurement circuit based on the voltage supplied from the power supply, and the supply of voltage from the power supply to the voltage supply unit may be stopped by the protection circuit turning off the switch unit, thereby stopping the supply of voltage from the voltage supply unit to the control unit and the measurement circuit.

[0031] In a second aspect, the voltage supply unit may be supplied with voltage from the power supply via the first conductive path and the second conductive path.

[0032] In a second aspect, the supply of voltage from the voltage supply unit to the control unit and the measurement circuit may be resumed when voltage is supplied to the voltage supply unit from an external device.

[0033] In a second aspect, the power supply unit further comprises a charging circuit that receives voltage from the external device to charge the power supply, and the charging of the power supply by the charging circuit may be controlled by the control unit.

[0034] In a second aspect, the control unit may control the charging circuit so that, when the switch is turned off, the charging circuit receives a voltage supply from the external device and starts charging the power supply.

[0035] In a second aspect, the control unit may control the charging circuit to start charging the power supply when it is determined that the power supply is rechargeable based on the output voltage of the power supply.

[0036] In a second aspect, the protection circuit may turn on the switch unit if the remaining capacity of the power supply exceeds a predetermined value due to charging by the charging circuit.

[0037] In a second aspect, the power supply unit further comprises a second resistor disposed between the resistor and the negative electrode in the second conductive path, and the protection circuit may control the switch section to protect the power supply in accordance with the current flowing through the second resistor.

[0038] In a second aspect, the second resistor may be positioned between the switch portion and the negative electrode in the second conductive path.

[0039] In a second aspect, the switch portion includes a transistor arranged to interrupt the current flowing through the second conductive path and a rectifier element connected in parallel with the transistor, wherein the transistor may be controlled by the protection circuit.

[0040] In a second aspect, the rectifier element may be a body diode associated with the transistor.

[0041] In a second aspect, the forward direction of the rectifier element is the direction in which the current that charges the power supply flows, and even when the switch is in the off state, the power supply may be charged by the current flowing through the rectifier element.

[0042] In a second aspect, the power supply unit may further include a cutoff switch positioned in the second conductive path so as to be able to cut off the current flowing through the heater and the second conductive path, and the control unit may control the cutoff switch so as to cut off the current flowing through the heater and the second conductive path based on the measurement results from the measurement circuit.

[0043] In a second aspect, the switch portion may be arranged between the interruption switch and the negative electrode in the second conductive path.

[0044] The third aspect relates to a power supply unit for an aerosol generator, the power supply unit comprising: a control unit that controls the supply of power to a heater for heating an aerosol source using power supplied from the power source; a first resistor and a second resistor arranged in series in a path through which current output from the power source flows; a switch unit arranged in the path; a measurement circuit that measures the state of the power source using the first resistor; and a protection circuit that controls the switch unit so as to interrupt the path based on the current flowing through the path detected using the second resistor, wherein the shortest distance between the first resistor and the measurement circuit is smaller than the shortest distance between the second resistor and the protection circuit.

[0045] In a third aspect, the first resistor and the measurement circuit may be arranged on the same plane of the same substrate, and the second resistor and the protection circuit may be arranged on the same plane of the same substrate.

[0046] In a third aspect, the first resistor, the second resistor, the measurement circuit, and the protection circuit may be arranged on the same plane of the same substrate.

[0047] In a third aspect, the first resistor, the second resistor, the measurement circuit, and the protection circuit may be arranged on the same substrate, the substrate may have an end on the side where the heater is arranged, and the shortest distance between the first resistor and the end may be smaller than the shortest distance between the measurement circuit and the end.

[0048] In a third aspect, the shortest distance between the second resistor and the end may be smaller than the shortest distance between the protection circuit and the end.

[0049] In a third aspect, the shortest distance between the measurement circuit and the end may be smaller than the shortest distance between the protection circuit and the end.

[0050] In a third aspect, the substrate may be provided with a first heater connector to which the positive terminal of the heater is connected, and a second heater connector to which the negative terminal of the heater is connected, and the shortest distance between the first heater connector and the end, and the shortest distance between the second heater connector and the end may be smaller than the shortest distance between the measurement circuit and the end.

[0051] In a third aspect, the first resistor and the second resistor may be arranged on the first surface of the substrate, and the first heater connector and the second heater connector may be arranged on the second surface of the substrate.

[0052] In a third aspect, in an orthogonal projection onto the first plane, at least a portion of the second heater connector may overlap with at least a portion of at least one of the first resistor and the second resistor.

[0053] In a third aspect, the switch portion may be arranged on the first surface.

[0054] In a third aspect, the power supply unit may further include a cutoff switch located in the path connecting the second heater connector and the first resistor.

[0055] In a third aspect, the shortest distance between the cutoff switch and the end may be smaller than the shortest distance between the measuring circuit and the end.

[0056] In a third aspect, the cutoff switch may be located on the second surface.

[0057] In a third aspect, the power supply unit may further include a transformer circuit that transforms the voltage supplied from the power supply to generate a voltage to be supplied to the heater, and a heater switch arranged in a path connecting the output of the transformer circuit to the first heater connector, wherein the shortest distance between the heater switch and the end may be smaller than the shortest distance between the measurement circuit and the end.

[0058] In a third aspect, the heater switch may be located on the first surface.

[0059] In a third aspect, in the orthogonal projection onto the first surface, at least a portion of the heater switch may overlap with at least a portion of the first heater connector.

[0060] In a third aspect, the shortest distance between the first resistor and the second resistor may be smaller than at least one of the maximum dimensions of the first resistor and the maximum dimensions of the second resistor.

[0061] The fourth aspect relates to a power supply unit of an aerosol generator, the power supply unit comprising: a control unit that controls the supply of power to a heater for heating an aerosol source using power supplied from the power supply; a resistor arranged in the path through which the current output from the power supply flows; a thermistor for measuring the temperature of the power supply; two thermistor connectors to which the thermistor is connected; a measurement circuit that measures the state of the power supply using the resistor and measures the temperature of the power supply using the thermistor; and a circuit board on which the resistor, the two thermistor connectors, and the measurement circuit are arranged, wherein the shortest distance between the two thermistor connectors and the measurement circuit is smaller than the shortest distance between the resistor and the measurement circuit.

[0062] In a fourth aspect, the measurement circuit may include a first function of providing the control unit with information indicating the temperature of the power supply, and a second function of notifying the control unit of an abnormality in the temperature of the power supply.

[0063] In a fourth aspect, the control unit may stop at least one of the discharge of the power supply and the charging of the power supply in response to a notification from the measurement circuit by the second function.

[0064] In a fourth aspect, the measurement circuit may calculate the remaining power supply based on the information obtained using the resistor and the information obtained using the thermistor.

[0065] In a fourth aspect, the two terminals of the thermistor may be directly connected to the two thermistor connectors, respectively.

[0066] In a fourth aspect, the thermistor may be arranged to at least partially surround the power supply.

[0067] In a fourth aspect, the power supply may have a cylindrical shape, and the thermistor may include an arc-shaped portion that follows the cylindrical shape of the power supply.

[0068] In a fourth aspect, the measuring circuit and the resistor may be arranged on the same plane of the substrate.

[0069] In the fourth aspect, the distance between the geometric center of the figure formed by the outer edge of the substrate and the geometric center of the measurement circuit may be smaller than the shortest distance between the geometric center of the figure and the resistor.

[0070] In the fourth aspect, the distance between the geometric center of the figure formed by the outer edge of the substrate and the geometric center of the measurement circuit may be smaller than the shortest distance between the geometric center of the figure and the two thermistor connectors.

[0071] In a fourth aspect, the distance between the geometric center of the figure formed by the outer edge of the substrate and the geometric center of the measurement circuit may be smaller than the shortest distance between the geometric center of the figure and the resistor, and also smaller than the shortest distance between the geometric center of the figure and the two thermistor connectors.

[0072] In a fourth aspect, the power supply unit further comprises two power connectors to which the power supply is connected, the two power connectors may be arranged on the circuit board, and the shortest distance between the geometric center of the figure formed by the outer edge of the circuit board and the geometric center of the measurement circuit may be smaller than the shortest distance between the geometric center of the figure and the two power connectors.

[0073] In a fourth aspect, the control unit may be located on a different board from the board on which the resistor, the two thermistor connectors, and the measurement circuit are located.

[0074] Aspects 5 through 7 of the invention described in the specification and drawings provide techniques advantageous for protecting power supplies.

[0075] The fifth aspect relates to the power supply unit of the aerosol generator, the power supply unit comprising a control unit that controls the supply of power to a heater for heating an aerosol source using power supplied from the power supply and the charging of the power supply, and a measurement circuit that measures the state of the power supply, The measurement circuit includes a detection circuit that detects when the state of the power supply becomes abnormal, and an output unit that outputs an abnormality notification in response to the detection by the detection circuit.

[0076] In a fifth aspect, the measurement circuit may further include an interface for providing the control unit with state information relating to the state of the power supply in response to a request from the control unit.

[0077] In a fifth aspect, the control unit may perform protective actions to protect the power supply in response to the abnormality notification and the status information.

[0078] In a fifth aspect, the protective action may include prohibiting charging of the power supply and prohibiting discharge from the power supply to the heater.

[0079] In a fifth aspect, the power supply unit may further include a notification unit for notifying that the power supply is abnormal.

[0080] In a fifth aspect, the power supply unit may further include a reset unit for resetting the control unit, and the protection operation may be released when the control unit is reset by the reset unit.

[0081] In a fifth aspect, the output unit may output the abnormality notification in response to at least one of the following: the charging current of the power supply exceeds a first reference value, and the discharge current from the power supply exceeds a second reference value.

[0082] In a fifth aspect, the control unit may, in response to the output of the abnormality notification from the output unit, acquire the status information from the measurement circuit via the interface, and the status information acquired from the measurement circuit may include at least one of information for determining whether the power supply has permanently failed, and information indicating that the power supply has permanently failed.

[0083] In a fifth aspect, the abnormal condition may include a condition in which the temperature of the power supply exceeds the reference temperature.

[0084] In a fifth aspect, the power supply unit may further include a protection unit that protects the power supply in response to the abnormality notification, without being controlled by the control unit.

[0085] In a fifth aspect, after the protection unit has protected the power supply in response to the abnormality notification, the control unit may enable the supply of power to the heater if the status information obtained via the interface indicates that the power supply is not in an abnormal state.

[0086] In a fifth aspect, the protection of the power supply by the protection unit may be deactivated.

[0087] In a fifth aspect, the control unit may acquire first information regarding the state of the power supply from the measurement circuit via the interface by periodic polling, and acquire second information regarding the state of the power supply from the measurement circuit via the interface in response to the abnormality notification, and the control unit may perform an action to protect the power supply when the first information indicates that the power supply is in a first state, and the measurement circuit may output the abnormality notification in response to the power supply being in a second state which is worse than the first state.

[0088] In the fifth aspect, the first information and the second information may be information indicating the temperature of the power supply.

[0089] In a fifth aspect, the control unit may acquire first information regarding the state of the power supply from the measurement circuit via the interface by periodic polling, and acquire second information regarding the state of the power supply from the measurement circuit via the interface in response to the abnormality notification, and the control unit may perform an operation to protect the power supply if the first information indicates that the state of the power supply satisfies any of the conditions included in the first condition group when the power supply is being charged, and perform an operation to protect the power supply if the first information indicates that the state of the power supply satisfies any of the conditions included in the second condition group when the power supply is being discharged, and the number of conditions included in the first condition group may be greater than the number of conditions included in the second condition group.

[0090] In a fifth aspect, the control unit may acquire first information regarding the state of the power supply from the measurement circuit via the interface by periodic polling, and acquire second information regarding the state of the power supply from the measurement circuit via the interface in response to the abnormality notification, and the control unit may perform an operation to protect the power supply if the second information indicates that the state of the power supply satisfies any of the conditions included in the third condition group when the power supply is being charged, and perform an operation to protect the power supply if the second information indicates that the state of the power supply satisfies any of the conditions included in the fourth condition group when the power supply is being discharged, and the number of conditions included in the third condition group may be less than the number of conditions included in the fourth condition group.

[0091] In a fifth aspect, the abnormality notification may include notification by a first abnormality signal and notification by a second abnormality signal, wherein the first abnormality signal may be provided to the control unit, the second abnormality signal may be provided to the control unit, the first abnormality signal may be output from the output unit when the state of the power supply is in a first abnormal state, and the second abnormality signal may be output from the output unit when the state of the power supply is in a second abnormal state different from the first abnormal state.

[0092] In a fifth aspect, the first abnormal signal may be provided to the control unit through an information holding circuit that holds the first abnormal signal.

[0093] The sixth aspect relates to a power supply unit of an aerosol generator, the power supply unit comprising: a connector to which a heater for heating an aerosol source using power supplied from the power supply is connected; a terminal to which a potential corresponding to the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply is supplied, and a control unit that controls the supply of power to the heater and the charging of the power supply; a switch positioned in the path through which the current output from the power supply flows so as to be able to interrupt the discharge of the power supply; and a protection circuit that opens the switch so as to interrupt the discharge of the power supply when the potential of the positive electrode falls below a first level, wherein the control unit increases the charging current of the power supply when the potential of the positive electrode detected based on the potential supplied to the terminal exceeds a second level greater than the first level due to the charging of the power supply.

[0094] In a sixth aspect, the power supply unit may further include a rectifier element connected in parallel with the switch so as to be able to supply a charging current to the power supply.

[0095] In a sixth aspect, the rectifier element may be a body diode associated with the switch.

[0096] In a sixth aspect, the output voltage of the power supply may be supplied to the protection circuit regardless of the state of the switch.

[0097] In a sixth aspect, the power supply to the control unit may be interrupted when the switch is opened.

[0098] In a sixth aspect, the difference between the second level and the first level may be greater than the forward voltage of the rectifier element.

[0099] In a sixth aspect, the terminal may be supplied with a potential obtained by dividing the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply.

[0100] In a sixth aspect, the path includes a first conductive path connected to the positive terminal of the power supply and a second conductive path connected to the negative terminal of the power supply, and the switch may be located in the second conductive path.

[0101] In a sixth aspect, the power supply unit may further include a voltage supply circuit that uses a voltage supplied from an external device to supply a first voltage between the first conductive path and the second conductive path for charging the power supply, and generates a second voltage for operating the control unit, and the control unit may control the charging of the power supply by controlling the voltage supply circuit.

[0102] In a sixth aspect, the voltage supply circuit may include a charging circuit that generates a third voltage in addition to the first voltage using a voltage supplied from the external device, and a transformer circuit that converts the third voltage output from the charging circuit into the second voltage.

[0103] In a sixth aspect, the control unit may perform error processing if the voltage supply circuit terminates charging before the potential of the positive electrode, detected based on the potential supplied to the terminal, exceeds the second level.

[0104] In a sixth aspect, the control unit may, as an error handling measure, prohibit charging the power supply and supplying power to the heater if the time required for the voltage supply circuit to charge the power supply is shorter than a reference time.

[0105] In the sixth aspect, the state in which charging of the power supply and supplying power to the heater are prohibited as an error handling measure may be irreversible.

[0106] In a sixth aspect, if the time required for the voltage supply circuit to charge the power supply is not shorter than the reference time, the state in which the charging of the power supply and the supply of power to the heater are prohibited as an error handling measure may be released by restarting the control unit.

[0107] In a sixth aspect, the protection circuit may close the switch in response to the potential of the positive electrode exceeding a third level, which is greater than the first level.

[0108] In a sixth aspect, the power supply unit may further include a measuring circuit for measuring the voltage of the power supply, and the control unit may increase the charging current of the power supply in response to the positive electrode potential measured by the measuring circuit exceeding a fourth level which is lower than the second level, after the protection circuit has closed the switch.

[0109] The seventh aspect relates to a power supply unit of an aerosol generator, the power supply unit comprising: a connector to which a heater for heating an aerosol source using power supplied from the power supply is connected; a control unit for controlling the supply of power to the heater and the charging operation of the power supply; and a measurement circuit for measuring the state of the power supply, wherein the control unit has a first terminal for receiving information correlated with the state of the power supply and acquires a first index corresponding to the information supplied to the first terminal; the measurement circuit has a second terminal for receiving information correlated with the state of the power supply and generates a second index corresponding to the information supplied to the second terminal and provides it to the control unit; and the control unit controls the charging operation of the power supply according to the first index and the second index.

[0110] In a seventh aspect, the system may further include a charging circuit capable of operating in a first mode, which charges the power supply with a first current value smaller than a predetermined current value, and a second mode, which charges the power supply with a second current value larger than the predetermined current value, and the control unit may control the charging operation so that the power supply is charged in the first mode when at least one of the first indicator and the second indicator indicates that the power supply is in an over-discharge state.

[0111] In a seventh aspect, the system may further include a charger circuit capable of operating in a first mode, which charges the power supply with a first current value smaller than a predetermined current value, and a second mode, which charges the power supply with a second current value larger than the predetermined current value. The control unit may control the charging operation so that the power supply is charged in the second mode when at least one of the first indicator and the second indicator indicates that the over-discharge state of the power supply has been resolved.

[0112] In a seventh aspect, the system may further include a charging circuit capable of operating in a first mode, which charges the power supply with a first current value smaller than a predetermined current value, and a second mode, which charges the power supply with a second current value larger than the predetermined current value. The control unit may control the charging operation so that the power supply is charged in the first mode when at least one of the first indicator and the second indicator indicates that the power supply is in an over-discharge state, and control the charging operation so that the power supply is charged in the second mode when at least one of the first indicator and the second indicator indicates that the over-discharge state has been resolved.

[0113] In the seventh aspect, the first and second indicators may be comparable indicators on the same scale.

[0114] In the seventh aspect, the first indicator and the second indicator may be the output voltage of the power supply.

[0115] In a seventh aspect, the power supply unit may further include a notification unit that notifies information regarding the remaining amount of power, and the control unit may acquire a third indicator indicating the remaining amount of power as the state of the power supply from the measurement circuit, and cause the notification unit to notify information corresponding to the third indicator.

[0116] In the seventh aspect, the third indicator may be SOC.

[0117] In a seventh aspect, the power supply unit may further include: a switch positioned in the path through which the current output from the power supply flows so as to be able to interrupt the discharge of the power supply; a protection circuit that opens the switch so as to interrupt the discharge of the power supply when the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply falls below a first level, and closes the switch when the potential of the positive electrode rises above a second level greater than the first level; and a rectifier element connected in parallel with the switch so as to be able to supply a charging current to the power supply.

[0118] In a seventh aspect, the control unit may control the charging operation based on the first indicator when the switch is open, and control the charging operation based on the second indicator when the switch is closed.

[0119] In a seventh aspect, the power supply unit may further include a rectifier element connected in parallel with the switch so as to be able to supply a charging current to the power supply.

[0120] In a seventh aspect, the rectifier element may be a body diode associated with the switch.

[0121] In a seventh aspect, the output voltage of the power supply may be supplied to the protection circuit regardless of the state of the switch.

[0122] In the seventh aspect described above, the first terminal may be supplied with a potential obtained by dividing the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply.

[0123] In a seventh aspect, the path may include a first conductive path connected to the positive terminal of the power supply and a second conductive path connected to the negative terminal of the power supply, and the switch may be located in the second conductive path.

[0124] In a seventh aspect, the power supply unit may further include a voltage supply circuit that uses a voltage supplied from an external device to supply a first voltage between the first conductive path and the second conductive path for charging the power supply, and generates a second voltage for operating the control unit, and the control unit may control the charging of the power supply by controlling the voltage supply circuit.

[0125] In a seventh aspect, the voltage supply circuit may include a charging circuit that generates a third voltage in addition to the first voltage using a voltage supplied from the external device, and a transformer circuit that converts the third voltage output from the charging circuit into the second voltage.

[0126] The eighth aspect of the invention described in the specification and drawings provides a technique advantageous for simplifying operation.

[0127] The eighth aspect relates to a power supply unit for an aerosol generator, the power supply unit comprising: a switch; an insertion hole capable of housing an aerosol source; a slider operable to provide a closed state that closes the insertion hole and an open state that allows the aerosol source to be inserted into the insertion hole; a first detection unit that detects the state of the slider; and a circuit block that operates in accordance with the detection result by the first detection unit in response to the operation of the switch.

[0128] In an eighth aspect, the power supply unit may further include an outer case including a removable panel and a second detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of the panel, and the circuit block operates in accordance with the detection result of the second detection unit, regardless of the detection result of the first detection unit, when the switch is operated while the second detection unit has detected that the panel is absent.

[0129] In an eighth aspect, the circuit block may include a restartable control unit, which may perform a first process relating to aerosol generation when the switch is operated while the second detection unit has detected the presence of the panel and the first detection unit has detected that the slider is in the open state; may perform a second process unrelated to aerosol generation when the switch is operated while the second detection unit has detected the presence of the panel and the first detection unit has detected that the slider is in the closed state; and may restart the control unit regardless of the detection result by the first detection unit when the switch is operated while the second detection unit has detected that the panel is not present.

[0130] In the eighth aspect, the second process may include processing relating to communication with external devices. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0131] [Figure 1A] A diagram illustrating the external appearance of an aerosol generator. [Figure 1B] A diagram illustrating the external appearance of an aerosol generator. [Figure 1C] A diagram illustrating the external appearance of an aerosol generator. [Figure 1D] A diagram illustrating the external appearance of an aerosol generator. [Figure 1E] A diagram illustrating the external appearance of an aerosol generator. [Figure 2A] A diagram illustrating the configuration of an aerosol generator. [Figure 2B] A diagram illustrating the configuration of an aerosol generator. [Figure 3A] A diagram illustrating the configuration of an aerosol generator. [Figure 3B] A diagram illustrating the configuration of an aerosol generator. [Figure 4] A diagram illustrating the circuit configuration of a power supply unit. [Figure 4A] A diagram illustrating the operation of the power supply unit. [Figure 4B] A diagram illustrating the operation of the power supply unit. [Figure 4C] A diagram illustrating the operation of the power supply unit. [Figure 4D] A diagram illustrating the operation of the power supply unit. [Figure 4E] A diagram illustrating the operation of the power supply unit. [Figure 4F] A diagram illustrating the operation of the power supply unit. [Figure 4G] A diagram illustrating the operation of the power supply unit. [Figure 4H] A diagram illustrating the operation of the power supply unit. [Figure 4I] A diagram illustrating the operation of the power supply unit. [Figure 5] A diagram illustrating the state transitions of an aerosol generator or power supply unit. [Figure 6] A diagram illustrating the configuration of an aerosol generator. [Figure 7A] A diagram illustrating the configuration of an aerosol generator. [Figure 7B] A diagram illustrating the configuration of an aerosol generator. [Figure 8] A diagram illustrating the configuration of an aerosol generator. [Figure 9A] A diagram illustrating the configuration of an aerosol generator. [Figure 9B] A diagram illustrating the configuration of an aerosol generator. [Figure 10] A diagram illustrating the configuration of an aerosol generator. [Figure 11] A schematic diagram showing the discharge state from the power supply. [Figure 12] A schematic diagram showing the charging status of the power supply. [Figure 13] A diagram illustrating the configuration of an aerosol generator. [Figure 14] A diagram illustrating protective circuits, measurement circuits, and electronic components arranged around them. [Figure 15] A diagram illustrating the operation of protection circuits, measurement circuits, and electronic components arranged around them. [Figure 16]A diagram illustrating the operation of protection circuits, measurement circuits, and electronic components arranged around them. [Figure 17] A diagram illustrating the operation of protection circuits, measurement circuits, and electronic components arranged around them. [Figure 18] A diagram illustrating the operation of protection circuits, measurement circuits, and electronic components arranged around them. [Figure 19] A diagram illustrating the operation of protection circuits, measurement circuits, and electronic components arranged around them. [Figure 20] A diagram illustrating the arrangement of electronic components on the first substrate. [Figure 21] A diagram illustrating the arrangement of electronic components on the first substrate. [Figure 22] A diagram illustrating the functions related to power supply protection. [Figure 23] Figure 22 schematically shows an example of the configuration of a measurement circuit to realize the function of the measurement circuit shown. [Figure 24] A diagram showing an example of connections for measurement circuits, control circuits, transformer circuits, charging circuits, information retention circuits, operational amplifiers, etc. [Figure 25] Figure 24 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the circuit configuration shown. [Figure 26] Figure 24 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the circuit configuration shown. [Figure 27] Figure 24 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the circuit configuration shown. [Figure 28] A schematic diagram illustrating examples of changes in the state related to the discharge and charge of a power supply. [Figure 29] A diagram showing the protection circuit, switch section, measurement circuit, control section, and switch circuit together with the first and second conductive paths. [Figure 29A] Figure 29 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the circuit configuration shown. [Figure 29B] Figure 29 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the circuit configuration shown. [Figure 29C] Figure 29 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the circuit configuration shown. [Figure 29D] Figure 29 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the circuit configuration shown. [Figure 29E] Figure 29 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the circuit configuration shown. [Figure 29F] Figure 29 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the circuit configuration shown. [Figure 30] A diagram showing a time-series example of the operation of the protection circuit, control unit, charging circuit, and measurement circuit. [Figure 31] A diagram showing a time-series example of the operation of the protection circuit, control unit, charging circuit, and measurement circuit. [Figure 32] This diagram shows an example of the control unit's operation when it receives an interrupt due to charging completion. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0132] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention as defined in the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the invention. Two or more features from the multiple features described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. Furthermore, identical or similar configurations will be given the same reference numeral, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0133] Figures 1A-1E show the configuration of an aerosol generator AGD according to one embodiment. Here, Figures 1A-1E are the rear view, front view, top view, and bottom view of the aerosol generator AGD, respectively. Figure D is a top view of the aerosol generator AGD with the component (slider C102) removed.

[0134] The aerosol generator AGD may be configured to provide the user with a flavored aerosol, or a gas containing an aerosol and a flavoring substance, or an aerosol or an aerosol containing a flavoring substance, in response to an action that requests aerosol generation, such as an inhalation action by the user (inhaler) (hereinafter also referred to as "atomization request"). The aerosol source may be a solid, a liquid, or a mixture of a solid and a liquid. A liquid aerosol source may include, for example, a liquid such as glycerin or a polyhydric alcohol such as propylene glycol. As a specific example, the aerosol source may include a mixed solution of glycerin and propylene glycol. The aerosol source may also contain a drug. A vapor source such as water may be used instead of or in conjunction with the aerosol source. The flavoring substance may be, for example, a molded body made from tobacco material. Alternatively, the flavoring substance may consist of plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint, herbs, Chinese medicine, coffee beans, etc.). The flavoring substance may be flavored with fragrances such as menthol. Flavoring substances may be added to the aerosol source.

[0135] The aerosol generator AGD may include, for example, an outer case C101 and a slider C102 attached to the outer case C101. The outer case C101 may have an insertion hole C104 into which an insert containing at least one aerosol source and a flavoring substance can be inserted or accommodated. The slider C102 may provide a closed state that closes or covers the insertion hole C104 and an open state that exposes the insertion hole C104 to the external space and allows an insert to be inserted into the insertion hole C104. The slider C102 may be, for example, a sliding mechanism along a straight or curved line, or a rotating mechanism. The slider C102 may be replaced by a shutter. The insert may be, for example, a stick or a capsule. A heater for heating the insert may be placed in the insertion hole C104. The heater may be, for example, a resistive element. A heater composed of a resistive element or the like may be placed in the insert. In this case, the insert is provided with an electrical connector for supplying power to the heater, and the insertion hole C104 may be provided with an electrical connector that is electrically connected to the electrical connector provided in the insert. The heater may be, for example, an induction heating type heater. An induction heating type heater may include a coil and a susceptor that generates heat from the coil by induction heating using electromagnetic waves. The susceptor may be placed inside the insert.

[0136] The outer case C101 may be composed of all or part of easily removable components such as panels. In other words, the outer case C101 may be composed of all or part of components such as panels that are not prohibited from being removed by the user. In one example, the outer case C101 has an easily removable outer panel C103. The outer panel C103 may be attached to the remaining part of the outer case C101 (the main body) by magnets or a latch mechanism. It can also be understood that the outer case C101 is the first part of the exterior components of the aerosol generator AGD, and the outer panel C103 is the second part of said exterior components.

[0137] The aerosol generator AGD may have a notification unit NU. The notification unit NU may provide information to the user in a user-perceptible format. The notification unit NU may include, for example, at least one of a display device, a speaker, a vibration device, and a fragrance generating device. The display device may include, for example, at least one of a light-emitting device such as an LED and a two-dimensional display device such as a liquid crystal display device.

[0138] Figure 2A illustrates an aerosol generator AGD with the outer panel C103 removed. The aerosol generator AGD may have one or more magnets (holding parts) C112 for holding the outer panel C103 magnetically. The aerosol generator AGD may have a switch SW that can be operated by the user. The outer panel C103 is configured to be easily deformed by user operation, and the switch SW may be operated by the user's pressing force on the outer panel C103. Alternatively, the switch SW may be positioned to be exposed to the outside of the aerosol generator AGD. The aerosol generator AGD may have an inner panel C113 inside the outer panel C103. The inner panel C113 may have multiple openings for exposing the magnets C112, the notification unit NU, and the switch SW. The inner panel C113 may be fastened to the internal structure of the aerosol generator AGD by fasteners such as screws.

[0139] Figure 2B illustrates an aerosol generator AGD with the inner panel C113 removed from the internal structure. The aerosol generator AGD includes a power supply unit PSU. The power supply unit PSU may include a power supply BT. As the power supply BT, for example, a lithium-ion secondary battery may be used, a lithium-ion capacitor may be used, a combination of these may be used, or other types of power supply elements may be used.

[0140] Figure 3A illustrates the aerosol generator AGD with the outer case C101 completely removed. Figure 3B illustrates the aerosol generator AGD with the chassis CHS and power supply BT completely removed. The aerosol generator AGD may include a heater HT for heating an insert inserted into the insertion hole C104. The heater HT may be located inside the insulating tube INS illustrated in Figure 2B. The power supply unit PSU may have multiple substrates (e.g., printed circuit boards (PCBs)) PCB1, PCB2, PCB3, PCB4.

[0141] The power supply BT may have a columnar shape, such as a cylindrical shape, with its axial direction parallel to the insertion / removal direction DIR of the insert into the insertion hole C104. In other words, the insertion / removal direction DIR of the insert into the insertion hole C104 and the axial direction of the power supply BT may be parallel to each other. A portion of the side surface of the power supply BT may be positioned to face the heater HT or the insertion hole C104, at least via an insulating tube INS. Another portion of the side surface of the power supply BT may be positioned to face the first substrate PCB1, either directly or via other components. The second substrate PCB2 may be positioned parallel to the first substrate PCB1. The third substrate PCB3 may be positioned perpendicular to the first substrate PCB1 and the second substrate PCB2. The third substrate PCB3 may be positioned between the first substrate PCB1 and the power supply BT in the width direction of the power supply unit PSU (the direction in which the dimensions of the aerosol generator AGD are largest among the directions perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction DIR). The third substrate PCB3 may be positioned so that it has a portion facing a portion of the side surface of the power supply BT and a portion of the insulating tube INS. The third substrate PCB3 may have an elongated shape in a direction parallel to the insertion / removal direction DIR. As shown in Figure 2B, the third substrate PCB3 may be positioned between the two magnets C112.

[0142] Figure 4 illustrates the circuit configuration of a power supply unit (PSU). The power supply unit (PSU) may include a power supply (BT), a protection circuit (90), a measurement circuit (100), an overvoltage protection circuit (110), a transformer circuit (120), an operational amplifier (Amplifier) ​​(A1), switches (SH, SM, SR, SS), and a thermistor (e.g., an NTC thermistor or a PTC thermistor) (TB). The power supply (BT), protection circuit (90), measurement circuit (100), overvoltage protection circuit (110), transformer circuit (120), operational amplifier (A1), and switches (SH, SM, SR, SS) may be arranged on, for example, a first circuit board (PSB1).

[0143] The power supply unit (PSU) may also include a load switch 10, a charging circuit 20, a transformer circuit 30, a load switch 40, a power switch driver 50, a load switch 60, a non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM) 70, and a switch circuit 80. The load switch 10, the charging circuit 20, the transformer circuit 30, the load switch 40, the power switch driver 50, the load switch 60, the non-volatile memory 70, and the switch circuit 80 may be located, for example, on a second circuit board (PCB2). The power supply unit (PSU) may also include a control unit (MCU) 130, a thermistor TP (e.g., an NTC thermistor or a PTC thermistor), a thermistor (e.g., an NTC thermistor or a PTC thermistor) TH, an operational amplifier (amplifier circuit) A2, a thermistor (e.g., an NTC thermistor or a PTC thermistor) TC, an operational amplifier (amplifier circuit) A3, and information holding circuits FF1 and FF2. The control unit 130, op-amp A2, op-amp A3, and information holding circuits FF1 and FF2 may be arranged on the second substrate PCB2.

[0144] The power supply unit (PSU) may also include a detection unit 140, a Schmitt trigger circuit 150, a communication device 160, a detection unit 170, a switch SW, and an alert unit NU. The detection unit 140, the Schmitt trigger circuit 150, the communication device 160, the switch SW, and the alert unit NU may be located on the third board PCB 3. The power supply unit (PSU) may also include a detection unit 170, which may be located on the fourth board PCB 4.

[0145] The operation of each component constituting the power supply unit (PSU) is described below. The positive terminal of power supply BT is electrically connected to the first power connector BC+, and the negative terminal of power supply BT is electrically connected to the second power connector BC-. The potential of the positive terminal of power supply BT can be supplied to the VBAT terminal of the protection circuit 90, the VBAT terminal of the measurement circuit 100, the VIN terminal of the transformer circuit 120, the BAT terminal of the charging circuit 20, and the potential input terminal of the switch circuit 80.

[0146] The protection circuit 90 measures the current flowing through the second conductive path PT2 using a resistor R2 located in the path through which the current output from the power supply BT flows, more specifically, the second conductive path PT2 electrically connected to the second power connector BC-, and can control a switch located in the second conductive path PT2 to protect the power supply BT according to that current. The switch may include a first transistor (first switch) SD and a second transistor (first switch) SC connected in series. Here, the first transistor SD functions as a switch to interrupt the second conductive path PT2 so as to stop the discharge of the power supply BT when it is opened (turned off), and the second transistor SC may function as a switch to interrupt the second conductive path PT2 so as to stop the charging of the power supply BT when it is opened (turned off). The first transistor SD may be located in the first conductive path PT1 electrically connected to the first power connector BC+, and the second transistor SC may also be located in the first conductive path PT1. The resistor R2 may also be located in the first conductive path PT1. As a specific example, if the current flowing through the second conductive path PT2 is excessive when the power supply BT is being charged, the protection circuit 90 opens (turns off) the second transistor SC. Also, if the current flowing through the second conductive path PT2 is excessive when the power supply BT is not being charged, the protection circuit 90 opens (turns off) the first transistor SD. The protection circuit 90 may be composed of, for example, an integrated circuit (IC).

[0147] The protection circuit 90 measures the output voltage of the power supply BT based on the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT supplied to the VBAT terminal, and can control the switch section located in the second conductive path PT2 to protect the power supply BT according to the output voltage. As a specific example, if the voltage of the power supply BT indicates an overcharge state of the power supply BT, the protection circuit 90 opens (turns off) the second transistor SC. Also, if the output voltage of the power supply BT indicates an over-discharge state of the power supply BT, the protection circuit 90 opens (turns off) the first transistor SD. An overcharge state of the power supply BT can be understood as a state in which the output voltage of the power supply BT exceeds a predetermined full charge voltage. An over-discharge state of the power supply BT can be understood as a state in which the output voltage of the power supply BT falls below a predetermined discharge termination voltage. Furthermore, a deep discharge state of the power supply BT can be understood as a state in which the discharge of the power supply BT in an over-discharge state progresses further, causing irreversible changes in the internal structure of the power supply BT.

[0148] As illustrated in Figure 4, a first rectifier element may be provided connected in parallel with the first transistor SD, and this first rectifier element may be configured as the body diode of the first transistor SD. The forward direction of the first rectifier element is the direction in which the current that charges the power supply BT flows. Also, as illustrated in Figure 4, a second rectifier element may be provided connected in parallel with the second transistor SC, and this second rectifier element may be configured as the body diode of the second transistor SC. The forward direction of the second rectifier element is the direction in which the current discharged from the power supply BT flows.

[0149] The measurement circuit 100 can measure the state of the power supply BT using a resistor R1 and a VBAT terminal located in the path through which the current output from the power supply BT flows, more specifically, in the second conductive path PT2 electrically connected to the second power connector BC-. The resistor R1 may also be located in the first conductive path PT1. The measurement circuit 100 may be configured to measure the temperature of the power supply BT by measuring the resistance of a thermistor (e.g., an NTC thermistor or PTC thermistor) TB, which is configured to measure the temperature of the power supply BT. As illustrated in Figures 3A and 3B, the power supply BT may have a cylindrical shape, in which case the thermistor TB may include an arc-shaped portion along the cylindrical shape of the power supply BT. The thermistor TB may, for example, surround the central angles of the power supply BT at 180 degrees or more, 200 degrees or more, 220 degrees or more, 240 degrees or more, and 260 degrees or more along the cylindrical shape of the power supply BT with a strip-shaped portion. The measurement circuit 100 may be composed of, for example, an integrated circuit.

[0150] The overvoltage protection circuit 110 receives the voltage V supplied from the USB connector USBC, which is used as the power supply connector. BUS V USB Voltage V on the line USB Outputs voltage V. USB The voltage value is, for example, 5.0V. USB The line is connected to the VOUT terminal and ON terminal of the load switch 10 (described later) and to the PA9 terminal of the control unit 130. The overvoltage protection circuit 110 is connected to the voltage V supplied from the USB connector USBC. BUS Even if the voltage exceeds a specified voltage value, it can function as a protection circuit that reduces it to the specified voltage value and supplies it to the output side of the overvoltage protection circuit 110. This specified voltage value may be set based on the voltage value input to the OVLo terminal. The overvoltage protection circuit 110 may be composed of an integrated circuit, for example.

[0151] The transformer circuit 120 receives the power supply voltage V from the power supply BT. BAT The heater voltage V is used to drive the heater HT by transforming the voltage. BOOSTIt is generated. The transformer circuit 120 can be a boost circuit, a buck-boost circuit, or a buck circuit. The heater HT is arranged to heat the aerosol source. The positive terminal of the heater HT can be electrically connected to the first heater connector HC+, and the negative terminal of the heater HT can be electrically connected to the second heater connector HC-. The heater HT may be attached to the power supply unit PSU or the aerosol generator AGD in a form (e.g., soldering) that cannot be removed without destruction, or may be attached in a form that can be removed without destruction. In this specification, the electrical connection by the "connector" is described as being able to be either in a form that cannot be separated from each other without destruction or in a form that can be separated from each other without destruction, unless otherwise specified. The transformer circuit 120 can be composed of, for example, an integrated circuit.

[0152] When heating the heater HT, the switch SM is turned off by the control unit 130, the switches SH and SS are turned on, and the heater voltage V BOOST can be supplied to the heater HT through the switch SH. When measuring the temperature or resistance of the heater HT, the switch SH is turned off by the control unit 130, the switches SM and SS are turned on, and the heater voltage V BOOST can be supplied to the heater HT through the switch SM. When measuring the temperature or resistance value of the heater HT, the OP amplifier A1 supplies an output corresponding to the voltage between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the heater HT, that is, the voltage between the first heater connector HC+ and the second heater connector HC-, to the PA7 terminal of the control unit 130. The OP amplifier A1 may be understood as a temperature measurement circuit for measuring the resistance value or temperature of the heater HT. A shunt resistor RS can be arranged in the path electrically connecting the switch SM and the first heater connector HC+. The resistance value of the shunt resistor RS can be determined such that the switch SR is on during the period of heating the heater HT and the switch SR is off during the period of measuring the temperature or resistance value of the heater HT.

[0153] When switch SR is composed of an N-channel MOSFET, the drain terminal of switch SR is connected to the output terminal of op-amp A1, the gate terminal of switch SR is connected between the shunt resistor RS and the first heater connector HC+, and the source terminal of switch SR is connected to the ground line. The gate terminal of switch SR is input to the heater voltage VBOOST, mainly the value obtained by dividing the voltage by the shunt resistor RS and the heater HT. The resistance value of the shunt resistor RS can be determined so that this divided value is greater than or equal to the threshold voltage of switch SR. Furthermore, due to the shunt resistor RS, the current flowing through heater HT when switch SH is turned off and switches SM and SS are turned on is smaller than the current flowing through heater HT when switches SH and SS are turned on and switch SM is turned off. As a result, when measuring the temperature or resistance of heater HT, the temperature of heater HT is less likely to change due to the current flowing through it.

[0154] When a low level is input to the ON terminal, the load switch 10 electrically disconnects the VIN terminal and the VOUT terminal, and when a high level is input to the ON terminal, it electrically connects the VIN terminal and the VOUT terminal, and VOUT is output from the VOUT terminal. CC5 Voltage V on the line CC5 Outputs voltage V. CC5 The voltage value is, for example, 5.0V. The ON terminal of the load switch 10 is electrically connected to the ground line via switch SI. Switch SI is composed of a transistor and turns on when a high level is supplied to its base or gate, and turns off when a low level is supplied. USB connector USBC and V USB Voltage V through the line BUS When voltage V is supplied, the control unit 130 detects it based on the voltage input to the PA9 terminal and supplies a low level to the base or gate of the transistor constituting the switch SI. When the switch SI is turned off, voltage V USB The voltage obtained by dividing the voltage is supplied to the ON terminal of the load switch 10. This supplies a high level to the ON terminal of the load switch 10. In other words, the two resistors connected to the ON terminal of the load switch 10 are divided by the voltage V.USB The voltage obtained by dividing the voltage has an electrical resistance value such that it becomes a high level for the ON terminal of the load switch 10. On the other hand, voltage V is transmitted via the USB connector USBC. BUS During periods when power is not supplied, the control unit 130 supplies a high level to the base or gate of the transistor constituting the switch SI based on the voltage input to the PA9 terminal. When the switch SI is turned on, the ON terminal of the load switch 10 is connected to the ground line. This supplies a low level to the ON terminal of the load switch 10. CC5 The line is connected to the VAC terminal and V terminal of the charging circuit 20. BUS The terminals and the notification unit NU are electrically connected. The switch SI may consist of a transistor that turns on when a low level is supplied to its base or gate and turns off when a high level is supplied. In this case, the control unit 130 is connected to the USB connector USBC and V USB Voltage V through the line BUS When supplied, it provides a high level to the base or gate of the transistor constituting the switch SI, and voltage V is transmitted via the USB connector USBC. BUS During periods when power is not supplied, a low level can be supplied to the base or gate of the transistors constituting the switch SI. The load switch 10 may be composed of an integrated circuit, for example.

[0155] The charging circuit 20 has a charging mode. In the charging mode, the charging circuit 20 has a V CC5 Voltage V supplied through the line CC5 Use the SW terminal to access V CC Voltage V on the line CC In addition to supplying power, the SYS terminal and the BAT terminal are electrically connected, and a charging voltage can be supplied from the BAT terminal to the power supply BT via the first conductive path PT1. CC The line is connected to the VIN and EN terminals of the transformer circuit 30, which will be described later. The charging mode can be enabled or activated by supplying a low level to the / CE terminal. The charging circuit 20 may be composed of an integrated circuit, for example.

[0156] The charging circuit 20 may have a first power path mode. In the first power path mode, the charging circuit 20 electrically connects the VBUS terminal and the SW terminal, and V CC5 Voltage V supplied through the line CC5 Use V CC Voltage V on the line CC The power supply is provided, but the SYS terminal and the BAT terminal are electrically isolated. The first power path mode is mainly used when the power supply BT is in an over-discharged or deeply discharged state. The charging circuit 20 may also have a second power path mode. In the second power path mode, the charging circuit 20 electrically connects the SYS terminal and the BAT terminal, and controls the pulse width of the switching element that electrically connects the VBUS terminal and the SW terminal, thereby supplying the power supply voltage V from the power supply BT. BAT and V CC5 Voltage V supplied through the line CC5 and combine to form V CC Voltage V on the line CC The second power path mode uses USB-C and V connectors. USB Voltage V through the line BUS This is used when power is supplied and the power supply BT is fully charged. The charging circuit 20 may also have a third power path mode. In the third power path mode, the charging circuit 20 electrically isolates the VBUS terminal and the SW terminal, electrically connects the SYS terminal and the BAT terminal, and sets the power supply voltage supplied from the power supply BT to voltage V CC V CC The power is supplied to the line. The third power path mode uses a voltage V via the USB connector USBC. BUS It is used when it is not supplied.

[0157] The charging circuit 20 may have an OTG mode. In OTG mode, the charging circuit 20 uses a power supply voltage V supplied from the power supply BT to the BAT terminal via the first conductive path PT1. BAT Upon receiving this, V from the SYS terminal CC Voltage V on the line CC It supplies power and also provides V from the VBUS terminal. CC5 Voltage V on the line CC5 The power supply voltage V is supplied. In this case, the charging circuit 20 supplies the power supply voltage VBAT In response, the power supply voltage V BAT A voltage higher than voltage V CC5 It is generated as and sent from the VBUS terminal to V CC5 It can supply power to the line. When a high level is supplied to the / CE terminal, the charging circuit 20 can operate in one of the first, second, and third power path modes and OTG mode, which are set by default, or in one of the operating modes set by the control unit 130. The control unit 130 is I 2 The charging circuit 20 can be set to one of the first, second, or third power path modes or OTG mode via C communication. Note that in this specification, I is used as an example of a communication standard. 2 Although listed under C communications, this is not intended to limit the communication standards or methods, but rather refers to I, which will be explained below. 2 C communications and I 2 The C interface can be replaced by other communication and interface methods.

[0158] The transformer circuit 30 is connected to the EN terminal, which is the enable terminal, V CC Voltage V on the line CC It is enabled when power is supplied, and V is output from the VOUT terminal. CC33_0 Voltage V on the line CC33_0 It supplies voltage V. CC33_0 The voltage value is, for example, 3.3V. CC33_0 The line is connected to the VIN terminal of the load switch 40 (described later), the VIN and RSTB terminals of the power switch driver 50 (described later), and the VCC and D terminals of the information holding circuit FF2 (described later). The transformer circuit 30 may be a boost circuit, a buck-boost circuit, or a step-down circuit. The transformer circuit 30 may be composed of an integrated circuit, for example. When a low level is input to the ON terminal of the load switch 40, it electrically disconnects the VIN terminal and the VOUT terminal, and when a high level is input to the ON terminal, it electrically connects the VIN terminal and the VOUT terminal, and VOUT is connected from the VOUT terminal. CC33 Voltage V on the line CC33 Outputs voltage V. CC33 The voltage value is, for example, 3.3V.CC33 The line is connected to the VIN terminal of the load switch 60, the VCC terminal of the non-volatile memory 70, the VDD and CE terminals of the measurement circuit 100, the VDD terminal of the control unit 130, the VDD terminal of the detection unit 140, the VCC terminal of the Schmitt trigger circuit 150, the VCC_NRF terminal of the communication device 160, the VDD terminal of the detection unit 170, the VCC and D terminals of the information holding circuit FF1, the power supply terminal of OP amp A1, and the power supply terminal of OP amp A2. The VIN terminal of the load switch 40 is electrically connected to the VOUT terminal of the transformer circuit 30, and voltage V is supplied from the transformer circuit 30. CC33_0 The ON terminal of the load switch 40 is also electrically connected to the VOUT terminal of the transformer circuit 30 via a resistor, and voltage V is supplied from the transformer circuit 30. CC33_0 This is supplied. In other words, voltage V is supplied from the transformer circuit 40. CC33_0 When power is supplied, the load switch 40 receives V from the VOUT terminal. CC33 Voltage V on the line CC33 It can output the following. The load switch 50 may be composed of, for example, an integrated circuit.

[0159] The power switch driver 50 outputs a low level from the RSTB terminal in response to a low level being supplied to the SW1 and SW2 terminals for a predetermined period of time. The RSTB terminal is electrically connected to the ON terminal of the load switch 40. Therefore, in response to a low level being supplied to the SW1 and SW2 terminals of the power switch driver 50 for a predetermined period of time, the load switch 40 outputs a voltage V from the VOUT terminal. CC33 Stop the output. Voltage V from the VOUT terminal of load switch 40 CC33 When the output stops, the voltage V to the VDD terminal (power terminal) of the control unit 130 CC33 Since the power supply is cut off, the control unit 130 stops operating. The power switch driver 50 may be composed of an integrated circuit, for example.

[0160] Here, when the outer panel C103 is removed from the aerosol generator AGD or power supply unit PSU, a low level is supplied from the detection unit 140 to the SW2 terminal of the power switch driver 50 via the Schmitt trigger circuit 150. Also, when the switch SW is pressed, a low level is supplied to the SW1 terminal of the power switch driver 50. Therefore, when the switch SW is pressed while the outer panel C103 is removed from the aerosol generator AGD or power supply unit PSU (as shown in Figure 2A), a low level is supplied to the SW1 and SW2 terminals of the power switch driver 50. The power switch driver 50 recognizes that a reset or restart command has been input to the aerosol generator AGD or power supply unit PSU if a low level is continuously supplied to the SW1 and SW2 terminals for a predetermined time (e.g., several seconds). The power switch driver 50 may be configured to stop outputting a low level from the RSTB terminal after outputting a low level from the RSTB terminal. In such a configuration, the ON terminal of the load switch 40 will have a voltage V after a low level has been supplied. CC33_0 Since the power is supplied again, the load switch 40 switches from the VOUT terminal to V CC33 Voltage V on the line CC33 It can output this voltage V again. CC33 Since this signal is input to the VDD terminal of the control unit 130, the control unit 130 can be restarted. In other words, the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU is reset or restarted when the power switch driver 50 stops outputting a low level from the RSTB terminal after outputting a low level from the RSTB terminal.

[0161] When a low level is input to the ON terminal, the load switch 60 electrically disconnects the VIN terminal and the VOUT terminal, and when a high level is input to the ON terminal, it electrically connects the VIN terminal and the VOUT terminal, and VOUT is connected from the VOUT terminal. CC33_SLP Voltage V on the line CC33_SLP Outputs voltage V. CC33_SLP The voltage value is, for example, 3.3V. CC33_SLPThe line can be connected to thermistor TP, thermistor TH, and thermistor TC, which will be described later. The ON terminal of the load switch 60 is electrically connected to the PC11 terminal of the control unit 130. When the control unit 130 transitions to sleep mode, it shifts the logic level of the PC11 terminal from high to low, and when it transitions from sleep mode to active mode, it shifts the logic level of the PC11 terminal from low to high. In other words, in sleep mode, the voltage V CC33_SLP It is unavailable, and when transitioning from sleep mode to active mode, voltage V CC33_SLP This will become available. The load switch 60 may be composed of an integrated circuit, for example.

[0162] The switch circuit 80 is a switch controlled by the control unit 130. When it is ON, a potential corresponding to the potential of the first conductive path PT1, i.e., the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT, is supplied to the PC2 terminal of the control unit 130 via the switch circuit 80. The potential corresponding to the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT is, for example, a potential obtained by dividing the potential of the positive electrode. The control unit 130 includes an AD converter or voltage detector electrically connected to the PC2 terminal. By turning on the switch circuit 80, the control unit 130 can detect the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT, i.e., the output voltage of the power supply BT.

[0163] The power supply unit (PSU) may include a thermistor (e.g., an NTC thermistor or PTC thermistor) TP that constitutes a puff sensor for detecting puffing. The thermistor TP may be arranged to detect, for example, a temperature change in the airflow path associated with puffing. The power supply unit (PSU) may also include a vibrator M. The vibrator M may be activated, for example, by turning on a switch SN. The switch SN may be composed of a transistor, and a control signal may be supplied to the base or gate of the transistor from the PH0 terminal of the control unit 130. Alternatively, a driver for the vibrator M may be used instead of the switch SN.

[0164] The power supply unit PSU may include a thermistor (e.g., an NTC thermistor or a PTC thermistor) TH for detecting the temperature of the heater HT. The temperature of the heater HT may be indirectly detected by detecting the temperature in the vicinity of the heater HT. The OP amplifier A2 may output a voltage corresponding to the resistance value of the thermistor TH, that is, a voltage corresponding to the temperature of the heater HT.

[0165] The power supply unit PSU may include a thermistor (e.g., an NTC thermistor or a PTC thermistor) TC for detecting the temperature of the outer case C101. The temperature of the outer case C101 may be indirectly detected by detecting the temperature in the vicinity of the outer case C101. The OP amplifier A3 outputs a voltage corresponding to the resistance value of the thermistor TC, that is, a voltage corresponding to the temperature of the outer case C101.

[0166] The information holding circuit FF1 may be configured to hold information indicating that the voltage corresponding to the output of the OP amplifier A2 has deviated from the specified range, typically when the temperature indicated by the output of the OP amplifier A2 exceeds the allowable limit temperature of the heater HT. The information holding circuit FF1 may operate by receiving the supply of the voltage V CC33 output from the load switch 40 to the V CC33 line. In other words, the VCC terminal (power supply terminal) of the information holding circuit FF1 is connected to the V CC33 line. When the output of the voltage V CC33 from the load switch 40 is stopped, in addition to the control unit 130 stopping its operation, the information held in the information holding circuit FF1 may be lost. The information holding circuit FF1 may be configured of, for example, an integrated circuit.

[0167] The information retention circuit FF1 can also be configured to retain information indicating that the voltage corresponding to the output of the operational amplifier A3 has deviated from the specified range, typically when the temperature indicated by the output of the operational amplifier A3 exceeds the allowable limit temperature of the outer case C101. As is clear from the above description, the information retention circuit FF1 can be configured to retain information indicating that either the temperature indicated by the output of the operational amplifier A2 exceeds the allowable limit temperature of the heater HT or the temperature indicated by the output of the operational amplifier A3 exceeds the allowable limit temperature of the outer case C101.

[0168] The information retention circuit FF2 can be configured to retain information indicating that the voltage corresponding to the output of the operational amplifier A2 has deviated from the specified range, typically when the temperature indicated by the output of the operational amplifier A2 exceeds the allowable limit temperature of the heater HT. The information retention circuit FF2 can operate by receiving the supply of the voltage V CC33_0 output to the V CC33_0 line. In other words, the VCC terminal (power supply terminal) of the information retention circuit FF2 is connected to the V CC33_0 line. When the output of the voltage V CC33_0 from the transformer circuit 30 is stopped, the information held in the information retention circuit FF2 may be lost. However, even when a low level is input to the SW1 terminal and the SW2 terminal, causing a low level to be output from the RSTB terminal of the power switch driver 50 and the output of the voltage V CC33 from the load switch 40 to be stopped, the output of the voltage V CC33_0 from the transformer circuit 30 is not stopped, and the information held in the information retention circuit FF2 may be maintained. The information retention circuit FF2 may be constituted by an EEPROM. In this case, one EEPROM may provide the functions of the information retention circuit FF2 and the non-volatile memory 70. The information retention circuit FF2 can be constituted by, for example, an integrated circuit.

[0169] The control unit 130 is composed of a processor such as an MCU and operates based on a program stored in the non-volatile memory 70 or an internal memory, and can control or define the operation of the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU. The control unit 130 controls the supply of power to the heater HT for heating the aerosol source using power supplied from the power supply BT. In another aspect, the control unit 130 controls the heat generation of the heater HT for heating the aerosol source using power supplied from the power supply BT. In yet another aspect, the control unit 130 controls the supply of power to the heater HT and the charging operation of the power supply BT.

[0170] The detection unit 140 may be configured to detect when the outer panel C103 has been removed from the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU. The detection unit 140 may be composed of, for example, an integrated circuit. The output of the detection unit 140 may be supplied to the SW2 terminal of the power switch driver 50 and the PD2 terminal of the control unit 130 via a Schmitt trigger circuit 150. The Schmitt trigger circuit 150 may be composed of, for example, an integrated circuit. One end of the switch SW may be connected to the SW1 terminal of the power switch driver 50 and the PC10 terminal of the control unit 130. One end of the switch SW is V CC33It is also connected to the line, and the other end of the switch SW is connected to the ground line. Thus, when the switch SW is pressed, a low level is supplied to the SW1 terminal of the power switch driver 50 and the PC10 terminal of the control unit 130, and when the switch SW is not pressed, a high level can be supplied to the SW1 terminal of the power switch driver 50 and the PC10 terminal of the control unit 130. The detection unit 170 can be configured to detect the opening and closing of the slider C102. The output of the detection unit 170 can be supplied to the PC13 terminal of the control unit 130. The detection unit 170 can be composed of, for example, an integrated circuit. The detection units 140 and 170 can be composed of, for example, Hall elements. The communication device 160 provides the control unit 130 with a function of communicating with electronic devices such as smartphones, mobile phones, and personal computers. The communication device 160 is, for example, a communication device compliant with a short-range communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The communication device 160 can be composed of, for example, an integrated circuit.

[0171] FIG. 5 shows a state transition diagram of the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU. In the sleep mode, a voltage V is supplied from the VOUT terminal of the load switch 40 to the VDD terminal (power supply terminal) of the control unit 130 via the V line. CC33 In the sleep mode, when the slider C102 is opened and this is detected by the detection unit 170, the aerosol generator AGD, the power supply unit PSU, or the control unit 130 can transition to the active mode. In the active mode, a voltage V can be supplied from the VOUT terminal of the load switch 60 to the thermistors TP, TH, and TC. In the sleep mode, the control unit 130 can stop acquiring information from the measurement circuit 100 via the I2C interface described later. CC33 が供給される。スリープモードにおいて、スライダC102が開状態にされて、これが検出部170によって検出されると、エアロゾル発生装置AGD、電源ユニットPSUあるいは制御部130は、アクティブモードに移行しうる。アクティブモードでは、ロードスイッチ60のVOUT端子からサーミスタTP、TH、TCに電圧V CC33_SLP が供給されうる。スリープモードでは、制御部130は、後述するI 2 Cインターフェースを介した計測回路100からの情報の取得を停止しうる。

[0172] In active mode, when a switch SW (for example, a button switch) is pressed, the aerosol generator AGD, power supply unit PSU, or control unit 130 may transition to heating preparation mode. In heating preparation mode, the control unit 130 outputs a high level from the PC12 terminal, starting the transformer circuit 120, which then outputs a voltage V from the VOUT terminal. BOOST It can output a high level. Since switch SS is also connected to the PC12 terminal of the control unit 130, when a high level is output from the PC12 terminal, switch SS is turned on, and the heater connector HC- and the ground line can be connected.

[0173] After the transformer circuit 120 is started, the aerosol generator AGD, power supply unit PSU, or control unit 130 may switch from the heating preparation mode to the heating mode. The heating mode may repeatedly perform a heating operation in which the aerosol source is heated by the heater HT, and a measurement operation in which the resistance value of the heater HT, i.e., the temperature of the heater HT, is measured.

[0174] The heating mode ends in response to a predetermined termination event, such as the elapsed time from the start of timing, the generation of a predetermined number of puffs from the start of counting, the closing operation of slider C102, or the connection of a USB cable to USB connector USBC. The aerosol generator AGD, power supply unit PSU, or control unit 130 then transitions to the heating termination mode. The start of timing may be, for example, the detection of the switch SW being pressed in active mode, the transition to the heating preparation mode, or the transition to the heating mode. The start of counting may be, for example, the transition from the heating preparation mode to the heating mode. In the heating termination mode, heating of the aerosol source by heater HT is terminated, and thereafter the aerosol generator AGD, power supply unit PSU, or control unit 130 may transition to active mode. If heating of the aerosol source is terminated by connecting a USB cable to USB connector USBC, the aerosol generator AGD, power supply unit PSU, or control unit 130 may directly transition from the heating termination mode to the charging mode.

[0175] In active mode, if slider C102 is closed, or if slider C102 and switch SW are not operated for a predetermined period of time, the aerosol generator AGD, power supply unit PSU, or control unit 130 may enter sleep mode. In sleep mode, if switch SW is pressed while slider C102 is closed, the aerosol generator AGD, power supply unit PSU, or control unit 130 may enter pairing mode. In pairing mode, pairing (key exchange) with electronic equipment is performed by the communication device 160. If pairing is successful, bonding (key storage) is performed, and the aerosol generator AGD, power supply unit PSU, or control unit 130 may enter sleep mode. Bonding information may be stored in the non-volatile memory 70. Also, if pairing fails, the aerosol generator AGD, power supply unit PSU, or control unit 130 may enter sleep mode.

[0176] In sleep mode, when a USB cable is connected to the USB connector USBC, the aerosol generator AGD, power supply unit PSU, or control unit 130 may switch to charging mode. The control unit 130 detects the connection of the USB cable to the USB connector USBC according to the voltage or potential supplied to the PA9 terminal, and accordingly outputs a low level from the PC9 terminal, turning off switch SI. As a result, a high level is supplied to the ON terminal of the load switch 10, and the load switch 10 receives a high level via the USB cable. USB Voltage V supplied to the line USB The power can be supplied to the charging circuit 20 via the VOUT terminal. The control unit 130 also outputs a low level from the PB3 terminal. As a result, a low level (enable level) is supplied to the / CE terminal of the charging circuit 20, and the charging circuit 20 can supply the charging voltage to the power supply BT from the BAT terminal.

[0177] In charging mode, if a critical error occurs, the aerosol generator AGD, power supply unit PSU, or control unit 130 may transition to permanent failure mode. The aerosol generator AGD, power supply unit PSU, or control unit 130 may also transition to permanent failure mode from a mode other than charging mode. In permanent failure mode, transitions to all other modes may be prohibited. If an error occurs in charging mode, active mode, heating preparation mode, or heating mode, the aerosol generator AGD, power supply unit PSU, or control unit 130 may transition to error handling mode.

[0178] In error processing mode, the aerosol generator AGD, power supply unit PSU, or control unit 130 may, for example, use the notification unit NU to notify the system of the occurrence of an error, the type of error, and a request for an operation to clear the error. Subsequently, if the type of error that occurred is a Category 1 error, the aerosol generator AGD, power supply unit PSU, or control unit 130 may wait for a predetermined time to elapse before transitioning to sleep mode. On the other hand, if the type of error that occurred is a Category 2 error, the aerosol generator AGD, power supply unit PSU, or control unit 130 may continue error processing. In this case, a reset or restart of the control unit 130 is required to return to sleep mode.

[0179] Figure 4A illustrates the operation of the power supply unit (PSU) in sleep mode. Thick lines highlight the voltage supply path. Power supply BT receives the power supply voltage V through the first conductive path PT1. BAT The power can be supplied to the VBAT terminal of the protection circuit 90, the VBAT terminal of the measurement circuit 100, the BAT terminal of the charging circuit 20, the VIN terminal of the transformer circuit 120, and the switch circuit 80. The charging circuit 20 is set to the third power path mode by the control unit 130, and the charging circuit 20 receives the power supply voltage V from the power supply BT. BAT Voltage V CC V CC It can be supplied to the line.

[0180] The transformer circuit 30 is V CC Voltage V on the lineCC It is enabled when power is supplied, and V is output from the VOUT terminal. CC33_0 Voltage V on the line CC33_0 It can supply voltage V CC33_0 V CC33_0 The power can be supplied via the line to the load switch 40, the power switch driver 50, and the information holding circuits FF1 and FF2.

[0181] V CC33_0 Voltage V from the line to the ON terminal of load switch 40 CC33_0 Since the VOUT terminal is supplied, the load switch 40 electrically connects the VIN terminal and the VOUT terminal, and VOUT is supplied from the VOUT terminal. CC33 Voltage V on the line CC33 It can output a voltage V. CC33 V CC33 Power can be supplied via the line to the VDD terminal (power terminal) of the control unit 130, the VDD terminals (power terminals) of the detection units 140 and 170, the VCC terminal (power terminal) of the Schmitt trigger circuit 150, the VCC_NRF terminal (power terminal) of the communication device 160, the VCC terminal (power terminal) of the non-volatile memory 70, the VDD terminal (power terminal) and CE terminal of the measurement circuit 100, the power terminals of the op-amps A2 and A3, and the VCC terminals (power terminals) of the information holding circuits FF1 and FF2.

[0182] When a low level is input to the SW1 and SW2 terminals of the power switch driver 50 for a predetermined period of time, the power switch driver 50 supplies a low level from the RSTB terminal to the ON terminal of the load switch 40. In response, the load switch 40 receives the voltage V from the VOUT terminal. CC33 The output of is stopped, and the control unit 130 stops operating. Subsequently, the power switch driver 50 stops supplying a low level from the RSTB terminal to the ON terminal of the load switch 40. In response to this, V CC33_0 Voltage V from the line to the ON terminal of load switch 40 CC33_0 As the supply is resumed, the load switch 40 receives the voltage V from the VOUT terminal. CC33 The output may be resumed, and the control unit 130 may be reset or restarted.

[0183] Figure 4B illustrates the transition from sleep mode to pairing mode. Thick lines highlight the voltage and signal supply paths. When the outer panel C103 is attached to the aerosol generator AGD or power supply unit PSU, a high level is supplied from the detection unit 140 to the PD2 terminal of the control unit 130 and the SW2 terminal of the power switch driver 50 via the Schmitt trigger circuit 150. Also, when the slider C102 is in the closed position, a high level is supplied from the detection unit 170 to the PC13 terminal of the control unit 130. In this state, when the switch SW is pressed, a low level is supplied to the PC10 terminal of the control unit 130. When a low level is supplied to the PC10 terminal for a predetermined period of time while a high level is supplied to the PC13 terminal, the control unit 130 recognizes this as a command to transition to pairing mode and can transition from sleep mode to pairing mode.

[0184] Figure 4C illustrates the transition from sleep mode to active mode. Thick lines highlight the voltage and signal supply paths. When the outer panel C103 is attached to the aerosol generator AGD or power supply unit PSU, a high level is supplied from the detection unit 140 to the PD2 terminal of the control unit 130 and the SW2 terminal of the power switch driver 50 via the Schmitt trigger circuit 150. Also, when the slider C102 is opened, a low level is supplied from the detection unit 170 to the PC13 terminal of the control unit 130. The control unit 130 recognizes this as a command to transition to active mode and can transition from sleep mode to active mode. Specifically, the control unit 130 supplies a high level from the PC11 terminal to the ON terminal of the load switch 60, and in response, the load switch 60 electrically connects the VIN terminal and the VOUT terminal, and the voltage V CC33_SLP This can be supplied to thermistors TP, TH, and TC.

[0185] Figures 4D and 4E illustrate the transition from active mode to heating preparation mode. Thick lines highlight the voltage and signal supply paths. When the outer panel C103 is attached to the aerosol generator AGD or power supply unit PSU, a high level is supplied from the detection unit 140 to the PD2 terminal of the control unit 130 and the SW2 terminal of the power switch driver 50 via the Schmitt trigger circuit 150. When the slider C102 is open, a low level is supplied from the detection unit 170 to the PC13 terminal of the control unit 130. Furthermore, when the switch SW is pressed, a low level is supplied to the PC10 terminal of the control unit 130. When a high level is supplied to the PD2 terminal and a low level is supplied to the PC13 terminal, and a low level is supplied to the PC10 terminal for a predetermined period of time, the control unit 130 recognizes this as a command to transition to heating preparation mode and can transition from active mode to heating preparation mode. Specifically, the control unit 130 supplies a high level from the PC12 terminal to the EN terminal of the transformer circuit 120, and in response, the transformer circuit 120 supplies a high level from the VOUT terminal. boost V line boost Outputs.

[0186] Figure 4F shows the heating operation in heating mode. Thick lines highlight the voltage and signal supply paths. The control unit 130 supplies a high level from the PA2 terminal to the gate or base of the transistor constituting switch SH, turning on switch SH. This results in the voltage V output from the VOUT terminal of the transformer circuit 120. boost The voltage V is supplied to the heater HT, which heats the aerosol source. At this time, the gate or base of the transistor constituting the switch SR is supplied with a voltage that turns on the switch SR. The power supply terminal of the op-amp A2 is supplied with voltage V boost It is supplied via the shunt resistor RS.

[0187] Figure 4G shows the measurement operation in the heating mode. The thick line emphasizes the supply paths of the voltage and the signal. The control unit 130 supplies a high level to the gate or base of the transistor constituting the switch SM from the PB5 terminal to turn on the switch SM. As a result, the voltage V boost output from the VOUT terminal of the transformer circuit 120 is supplied to the heater HT via the shunt resistor RS. At this time, a voltage obtained by dividing the voltage V boost is supplied to the gate or base of the transistor constituting the switch SR. This is a voltage for turning off the switch SR. The OP amplifier A1 may be configured to supply a voltage correlated with the resistance value of the heater HT to the PA7 terminal of the control unit 130. The control unit 130 can detect the temperature of the heater HT based on the voltage supplied from the OP amplifier A1. The control unit 130 may take in a voltage corresponding to the voltage V boost from the PA1 terminal and use this as a reference voltage for calculating the temperature of the heater HT.

[0188] During the period when the heater HT is not energized, the control unit 130 may detect the temperature of the heater HT using the thermistor TH, that is, based on the output of the OP amplifier A2.

[0189] Figure 4H shows the operation of the power supply unit PSU in the charging mode. The thick line emphasizes the supply paths of the voltage and the signal. The overvoltage protection circuit 110 receives the voltage V BUS supplied from the USB connector USBC and outputs the voltage V USB to the V USB line. The voltage V USB may be divided and supplied to the PA9 terminal of the control unit 130. Thereby, the control unit 130 can recognize that the voltage V USB is supplied via the USB cable connected to the USB connector USBC, and can transition the level of the PC9 terminal from high level to low level. As a result, the switch SI turns off, and a high level is supplied to the ON terminal of the load switch 10. In response to this, the load switch 10 electrically connects the VIN terminal and the VOUT terminal, and V is output from the VOUT terminalCC5 Voltage V on the line CC5 It can output the following.

[0190] The control unit 130 also supplies a low level from the PB3 terminal to the / CE terminal of the charging circuit 20, allowing the charging circuit 20 to charge the power supply BT. The charging circuit 20 is set to charging mode, V CC5 Voltage V supplied through the line CC5 Use the SW terminal to access V CC Voltage V on the line CC In addition to supplying power, the SYS terminal and the BAT terminal are electrically connected, and a charging voltage can be supplied from the BAT terminal to the power supply BT via the first conductive path PT1. This charges the power supply BT.

[0191] Figure 4I shows the reset operation of the power supply unit (PSU) and the control unit (PSU). Thick lines highlight the voltage and signal supply paths. When the outer panel C103 is detached from the aerosol generator (AGD) or the power supply unit (PSU), a low level is supplied from the detection unit (140) to the SW2 terminal of the power switch driver (50) via the Schmitt trigger circuit (150). When the switch SW is pressed in this state, a low level is supplied to SW1 of the power switch driver (50).

[0192] In this way, when a low level is supplied to the SW1 and SW2 terminals of the power switch driver 50 for a predetermined time, the power switch driver 50 can supply a low level from the RSTB terminal to the ON terminal of the load switch 40. In response, the load switch 40 receives the voltage V from the VOUT terminal. CC33 Stop the output of voltage V CC33 The control unit 130, whose power supply has been cut off, has stopped operating. Subsequently, the power switch driver 50 may stop supplying a low level from the RSTB terminal to the ON terminal of the load switch 40. In response to this, V CC33_0 Voltage V from the line to the ON terminal of load switch 40 CC33_0 As the supply is resumed, the load switch 40 receives the voltage V from the VOUT terminal. CC33The output may be resumed, and the control unit 130 may be restarted.

[0193] Here, the control unit 130, the power switch driver 50, and the load switch 40 can be understood as constituting a circuit block that performs an operation in accordance with the detection result of the detection unit 140, which detects the presence or absence of the outer panel C103, in response to the operation of the switch SW. Alternatively, the control unit 130, the power switch driver 50, and the load switch 40 can be understood as constituting a circuit block that performs an operation in accordance with the detection result of the detection unit 140, regardless of the detection result of the detection unit 170, which detects the state of the slider C102, in response to the operation of the switch SW when the detection unit 140 has detected that the outer panel C103 is absent. Furthermore, the control unit 130, the power switch driver 50, and the load switch 40 can be understood as constituting a circuit block that performs an operation in accordance with the detection result of the detection unit 170, which detects the state of the slider C102, in response to the operation of the switch SW.

[0194] The circuit block can perform a first process related to aerosol generation when the switch SW is operated while the detection unit 140 has detected the presence of the outer panel C103 and the detection unit 170 has detected that the slider C102 is in the open state. Furthermore, when the switch SW is operated while the detection unit 140 has detected the presence of the outer panel C103 and the detection unit 170 has detected that the slider C102 is in the closed state, the circuit block can perform a second process unrelated to aerosol generation, such as a process related to communication with an external device. This corresponds to the pairing mode described above. When the switch SW is operated while the detection unit 140 has detected the absence of the outer panel C103, the circuit block can restart the control unit 130 regardless of the detection result by the detection unit 170, i.e., the state of the slider C102.

[0195] Figures 6, 7A, 7B, 8, 9A, and 9B show examples of the arrangement of the various electronic components described above. Note that in these figures, the electrical connections (wiring) of thermistors TC, TP, and TH to thermistor connectors TC+, TC-, thermistor connectors TP+, TP-, and thermistor connectors THC+, THC- are not precisely shown. Also, in these figures, the electrical connections (wiring) of heaters HT to the first heater connector HC+ and the second heater connector HC- are omitted. As illustrated in Figure 6, the communication device 160, switch SW, detection unit 140, Schmitt trigger circuit 150, and notification unit NU can be arranged, for example, on the same plane of the third substrate PCB3 (the same plane of the same substrate). As illustrated in Figure 6, the communication device 160 and switch SW can be arranged along the insertion / removal direction DIR of the inserted object to the insertion hole C104. Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 3A in addition to Figure 6, the communication device 160 and the switch SW may be positioned in the center of the power supply unit PSU or aerosol generator AGD with respect to a direction perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction DIR. For example, as illustrated in Figure 3A in addition to Figure 6, the communication device 160 and the switch SW may be positioned between the first substrate PCB1 and the power supply BT with respect to a direction perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction DIR. As illustrated in Figure 6, the switch SW may be positioned between the communication device 160 and the notification unit NU. The switch SW may be positioned between the detection unit 140 and the communication device 160.

[0196] As illustrated in Figures 7A and 7B, at least one of the protection circuit 90 and the measurement circuit 100 may be located on the first surface S11 of the first PCB 1, which faces the power supply BT. Alternatively, both the protection circuit 90 and the measurement circuit 100 may be located on the first surface S11 of the first PCB 1. The transformer circuit 120 may be located on the first surface S11 of the first PCB 1. As illustrated in Figures 7A and 7B, the transistors SD and SC may be located on the first surface S11 of the first PCB 1. As illustrated in Figures 7A and 7B, the switch SH may be located on the first surface S11 of the first PCB 1. The first and second resistors R1 and R2 may be located on the first surface S11 of the first PCB 1. As illustrated in Figures 7A and 7B, the op-amp A1 may be located on the first surface S11 of the first PCB 1. Placing the protection circuit 90, measurement circuit 100, first resistor R1, second resistor R2, transistors SD and SC on the first surface S11 of the first substrate PCB1 is advantageous in order to reduce the parasitic resistance of the second conductive path PT2.

[0197] As illustrated in Figure 8, the transformer circuit 120 may be accompanied by an inductor 120', and the transformer circuit 120 and the inductor 120' may be arranged on opposite sides of the first substrate PCB 1. Preferably, the transformer circuit 120 may be arranged on the first side S11 of the first substrate PCB 1, and the inductor 120' may be arranged on the second side S12 on the opposite side. The USB connector USBC and the inductor 120' may be arranged on the second side S12 of the first substrate PCB 1. Since the USB connector USBC and the inductor 120' are electronic components with fairly large dimensions or thickness, arranging them on the same side of the first substrate PCB 1 may contribute to miniaturization of the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU.

[0198] As illustrated in Figure 8, the heater connectors HC+ and HC-, switches SM and SS, and shunt resistor RS may be arranged on the second surface S12 of the first substrate PCB1 (i.e., the same surface of the same substrate). Such arrangement is advantageous for reducing the parasitic resistance of the conductive path of the circuit for detecting the resistance or temperature of the heater HT. The shortest distance between the second surface S12 of the first substrate PCB1 and the heater HT is preferably smaller than the shortest distance between the first surface S11 of the first substrate PCB1 and the heater HT. Such a configuration is advantageous for shortening the lead wires connecting the heater connectors HC+ and HC- to the heater HT.

[0199] As illustrated in Figures 9A and 9B, the second substrate PCB2 has a first surface S21 facing the second surface S12 of the first substrate PCB1, and a second surface S22 on the opposite side. Connectors THC+ and THC- for thermistors TH for detecting the temperature of heater HT may be located on the second surface S22 of the second substrate PCB2. The charging circuit 20 and its associated inductor 20' may be located on the same surface of the second substrate PCB2, for example, on the second surface S22. The transformer circuit 30 and its associated inductor 30' may be located on the same surface of the second substrate PCB2, for example, on the second surface S22. The load switch 10 may be located on the second surface S22 of the second substrate PCB2. The control unit 130 may be located on the second surface S22 of the second substrate PCB2. The information holding circuit F11 may be located on the second surface S22 of the second substrate PCB2. The non-volatile memory 70 and the information retention circuit FF2 may be located on the first surface S21 of the second substrate PCB2. Thermistor connectors TC+ and TC- for thermistor TC, and thermistor connectors TP+ and TP- for thermistor TP may be located on the first surface S21 of the second substrate PCB2.

[0200] Figure 10 shows the protection circuit 90 and the measurement circuit 100, as well as the electronic components arranged around them. The protection circuit 90 can measure the current flowing through the path through which the current output from the power supply BT flows, using a second resistor R2 located in the path, and control a switch SWP that is controlled to protect the power supply BT according to that current. Alternatively, or in addition to the above, the protection circuit 90 can measure the voltage of the power supply BT based on the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT supplied to the VBAT terminal, and control the switch SWP to protect the power supply BT according to that voltage. The second resistor R2 and the switch SWP may be located in a first conductive path PT1 electrically connected to the first power supply connector BC+, but it is preferable that they be located in a second conductive path PT2 electrically connected to the second power supply connector BC-. This configuration is advantageous because it allows for a small common-mode input voltage to the operational amplifier built into the protection circuit 90, enabling stable operation of the protection circuit 90 and allowing the use of an inexpensive protection circuit 90. The switch SWP may include a first transistor SD and a second transistor SC connected in series. The first transistor SD can function as a switch to interrupt the second conductive path PT2 (in other words, the path through which the current output from power supply BT flows) in order to stop the discharge of power supply BT. The second transistor SC can function as a switch to interrupt the second conductive path PT2 (in other words, the path through which the current output from power supply BT flows) in order to stop the charging of power supply BT.

[0201] A first rectifier element may be provided in parallel with the first transistor SD, and this first rectifier element may be configured as the body diode BDD of the first transistor SD. The forward direction of the first rectifier element is the direction in which the current that charges the power supply BT flows. A second rectifier element may also be provided in parallel with the second transistor SC, and this second rectifier element may be configured as the body diode BDC of the second transistor SC. The forward direction of the second rectifier element is the direction in which the current discharged from the power supply BT flows.

[0202] The resistance value of the second resistor R2 is known, and the protection circuit 90 can detect the current (current value) flowing through the second conductive path PT2 by detecting the voltage drop due to the second resistance value R2. The protection circuit 90 may be configured to turn off the first transistor SD when the current discharged from the power supply BT, i.e., the current flowing from the second heater connector HC- to the second power supply connector BC-, exceeds a first threshold for determining overcurrent during discharge. The protection circuit 90 may also be configured to turn off the second transistor SC when the current charging the power supply BT, i.e., the current flowing from the second power supply connector BC- to the second heater connector HC-, exceeds a second threshold for determining overcurrent during charging. The protection circuit 90 may also be configured to turn off the second transistor SC when the output voltage of the power supply BT indicates an overcharge state of the power supply BT. Furthermore, the protection circuit 90 may be configured to turn off the first transistor SD when the output voltage of the power supply BT indicates an overdischarge state of the power supply BT.

[0203] The measurement circuit 100 can measure the state of the power supply BT using a first resistor R1 placed in the path through which the current output from the power supply BT flows. The resistor R1 may be placed in a first conductive path PT1 electrically connected to the first power supply connector BC+, but it is preferable to place it in a second conductive path PT2 electrically connected to the second power supply connector BC-. This configuration is advantageous because it allows for a small common-mode input voltage to the operational amplifier built into the measurement circuit 100, enabling stable operation of the measurement circuit 100 and allowing the use of an inexpensive measurement circuit 100. The measurement circuit 100 can calculate the remaining capacity (Ah) and SOC (State of Charge) of the power supply BT by integrating the current (current value) flowing through the first resistor R1, that is, by determining the amount of charge (power consumption) flowing through the first resistor R1. SOC (%) can be defined as "remaining capacity (Ah) / full charge capacity (Ah) × 100". The measurement circuit 100 can provide the remaining capacity and SOC to the control unit 130. The measurement circuit 100 may acquire the temperature of the power supply BT using the TREG terminal, THM terminal, and thermistor TB (not shown in Figure 10), and calculate the remaining capacity and SOC based on the acquired temperature of the power supply BT. Since the remaining capacity and SOC of the power supply BT are strongly affected by the temperature of the power supply BT, such a configuration is advantageous for accurately acquiring the remaining capacity and SOC of the power supply BT.

[0204] Between the second heater connector HC- and the second power connector BC-, there may be a switch SS, a first resistor R1, a switch section SWP, and a second resistor R2. A parasitic resistance r1 may exist between the switch SS and the first resistor R1, and a parasitic resistance r6 may exist between the second resistor R2 and the second power connector BC-. A parasitic resistance r2 may exist between the first resistor R1 and the VRSP terminal of the measurement circuit 100, and a parasitic resistance r3 may exist between the first resistor R1 and the VRSM terminal of the measurement circuit 100.

[0205] Furthermore, although not shown in the diagram, parasitic resistances may also exist between the connection node between parasitic resistance r2 and the first resistor R1 and the first resistor R1, and between the connection node between parasitic resistance r3 and the first resistor R1 and the first resistor R1. These can be factors that cause errors in the measurement results obtained by the measurement circuit 100.

[0206] Figure 11 schematically shows the discharge state from the power supply BT. In Figure 11 and Figure 12 (described later), rSS represents the on-resistance of switch SS, rSC represents the on-resistance of the second transistor SC, and rSD represents the on-resistance of the first transistor SD. During discharge, the potential of the second heater connector HC- is higher than the potential of the second power supply connector BC-. Parasitic resistances r1, r6, etc., are factors that increase the potential difference ΔV between the second heater connector HC- and the second power supply connector BC-. An increase in ΔV can increase the short-circuit current that flows when the second heater connector HC- and the second power supply connector BC- are short-circuited, for example, due to condensation or the intrusion of moisture from an aerosol source.

[0207] Figure 12 schematically shows the charging state of the power supply BT. During charging, the potential of the second power connector BC- is higher than the potential of the second heater connector HC-. Parasitic resistances r1, r6, etc., increase the potential difference ΔV between the second power connector BC- and the second heater connector HC-. As mentioned above, an increase in ΔV can increase the short-circuit current that flows when the second power connector BC- and the second heater connector HC- are short-circuited due to condensation or the intrusion of moisture from an aerosol source.

[0208] Figure 13 illustrates the physical path between the second heater connector HC- and the second power connector BC-. The power supply unit PSU or aerosol generator AGD may have multiple substrates PCB1, PCB2, PCB3, and PCB4. Figure 13 illustrates the configuration of the first substrate PCB1. The first heater connector HC+ and the second heater connector HC- may be placed on the first substrate PCB1. By placing the measurement circuit 100 and the first resistor R1 together with the second heater connector HC- on the first substrate PCB1, the conductive pattern connecting them is shortened, thereby reducing the parasitic resistance r1. This makes the short-circuit current that flows when the second power connector BC- and the second heater connector HC- are short-circuited very weak.

[0209] The first heater connector HC+ and the second heater connector HC- may be located on different sides of the first substrate PCB1, or on the same side. In the example shown in Figure 13, the first heater connector HC+ and the second heater connector HC- may be located on the second side S12 of the first substrate PCB1. With the first heater connector HC+ and the second heater connector HC- located on the same side of the same substrate, it becomes easier to connect the lead wires of the heater HT to the first heater connector HC+ and the second heater connector HC- during manufacturing. This reduces the cost of the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU.

[0210] A first power connector BC+, electrically connected to the positive terminal of power supply BT, and a second power connector BC-, connected to the negative terminal of power supply BT, may be located on the first circuit board PCB1. The path through which the current output from power supply BT flows includes a first conductive path PT1 connected to the first power connector BC+ and a second conductive path PT2 connected to the second power connector BC-. A first resistor R1 and a second resistor R2 may be located on the second conductive path PT2. With this configuration, the common-mode input voltages to the VRSP and VRSM terminals of the measurement circuit 100 and the common-mode input voltages to the CS and VSS terminals of the protection circuit 90 can be reduced to small values. This eliminates the need for expensive and / or large measurement circuits 100 and protection circuits 90, thereby reducing the cost and size of the aerosol generator AGD or power supply unit PSU.

[0211] The measurement circuit 100, which measures the state of the power supply BT (e.g., remaining capacity, SOC, etc.) using the first resistor R1, can be placed on the same board as the board on which the first resistor R1 is located, i.e., the first board PCB1, among the multiple boards PCB1, PCB2, PCB3, and PCB4. From another perspective, the measurement circuit 100 can be placed on the same element placement surface as the element placement surface on which the first resistor R1 is located, i.e., the first surface S11, among the multiple element placement surfaces (S11, S12, S21, S22, etc.). With these configurations, the first resistor R1 and the VRSP terminal and VRSM terminal of the measurement circuit 100 can be placed physically close together. This reduces the parasitic resistance r2 between the first resistor R1 and the VRSP terminal of the measurement circuit 100, and the parasitic resistance r3 between the first resistor R1 and the VRSM terminal of the measurement circuit 100. This reduction in parasitic resistance enables high-precision measurement of the state of the power supply BT by the measurement circuit 100. Furthermore, the conductive pattern connecting the first resistor R1 to the VRSP terminal and VRSM terminal of the measurement circuit 100 can be shortened. Also, the length of the conductive pattern connecting the first resistor R1 to the VRSP terminal of the measurement circuit 100 can be easily made to be approximately the same as the length of the conductive pattern connecting the first resistor R1 to the VRSM terminal of the measurement circuit 100. These also enable high-precision measurement of the power supply BT state by the measurement circuit 100.

[0212] The first resistor R1 and the second heater connector HC- may be located on opposite sides of the first substrate PCB1. In the example in Figure 13, the first resistor R1 is located on the first side S11 of the first substrate PCB1, and the second heater connector HC- is located on the second side S12 of the first substrate PCB1. In an orthogonal projection onto one of the two sides S11, S12 of the first substrate PCB1, at least a portion of the first resistor R1 may overlap with at least a portion of the second heater connector HC-. In another view, in an orthogonal projection onto one of the two sides S11, S12 of the first substrate PCB1, the first resistor R1 may be located within the area of ​​the second heater connector HC-. Such an arrangement is advantageous in reducing the undesirable parasitic resistance (the resistance value of the aforementioned parasitic resistance r1) between the second power connector BC- and the second heater connector HC-, which is advantageous, for example, in reducing the short-circuit current between the second power connector BC- and the second heater connector HC-.

[0213] The second conductive path PT2 may include a switch SS positioned between the first resistor R1 and the second heater connector HC-. The switch SS and the second heater connector HC- may be positioned on the same plane of the first substrate PCB1. In the example shown in Figure 13, the switch SS and the second heater connector HC- are positioned on the second plane S12 of the first substrate PCB1. The switch SS may be the closest electronic component to the second heater connector HC- among the electronic components positioned on the same plane, i.e., the second plane S12. In other words, the switch SS may be the closest active component to the second heater connector HC- among the active components positioned on the same plane, i.e., the second plane S12. With this configuration, by turning off the switch SS when the aerosol generator AGD or power supply unit PSU is not in use, static electricity and noise that may enter from the heater HT, the first heater connector HC+, and the second heater connector HC- are less likely to enter the first resistor R1 and the second conductive path PT2.

[0214] The second conductive path PT2 may further include a switch SWP arranged in series with the first resistor R1. With this configuration, if an abnormality such as overcurrent, overdischarge, or overcharge occurs in the power supply BT, the power supply BT can be protected by opening the switch SWP.

[0215] The first resistor R1 and the switch SWP are located on the same plane of the first substrate PCB1, specifically on the first plane S11 in the example shown in Figure 13. In addition to the first resistor R1 and the switch SWP, the second resistor R2 may also be located on the same plane of the first substrate PCB1, for example, on the first plane S11. In the orthogonal projection onto one of the two planes S11 and S12 of the first substrate PCB1, at least a portion of the switch SWP may overlap with at least a portion of the second heater connector HC-. With this configuration, the second conductive path PT2 can be shortened, thereby reducing the parasitic resistance of the second conductive path PT2. This makes the short-circuit current that flows when the second power connector BC- and the second heater connector HC- are short-circuited very weak.

[0216] The protection circuit 90 can control the switch SWP to protect the power supply BT according to the current flowing through the second conductive path PT2 or the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT input to the VBAT terminal (output voltage of the power supply BT). With this configuration, the power supply BT can be protected if an abnormality such as overcurrent, overdischarge, or overcharge occurs in the power supply BT.

[0217] The switch SWP can be placed between the first resistor R1 in the second conductive path PT2 and the negative terminal of the power supply BT (or the second power supply connector BC-). With this configuration, as will be described later, even when the first transistor SD is turned off, the measurement circuit 100 and the control unit 130 will each have their own I 2 Communication becomes possible via the C interface. In addition, the protection circuit 90 can protect the power supply BT for as long as possible, and further discharge of the power supply BT can be suppressed to the absolute minimum.

[0218] The protection circuit 90 can detect the current flowing through the second conductive path PT2 using a second resistor R2 placed in series with the first resistor R1 in the second conductive path PT2. The first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 may be placed on the same plane of the first substrate PCB1, for example, on the first plane S11. The second resistor R2 may be placed between the switch SWP in the second conductive path PT2 and the negative terminal of the power supply BT (or the second power connector BC-). The first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 may be placed such that the shortest distance between the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 is smaller than at least one of the maximum dimensions of the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2. These configurations are advantageous for reducing parasitic resistance between the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2.

[0219] In one example, the measurement circuit 100 may be located on the first PCB 1, and the control unit 130 may be located on the second PCB 2. The measurement circuit 100 and the control unit 130 may have the function of communicating with each other. Since the measurement circuit 100 and the control unit 130 each perform many calculations internally, they may become sources of noise. By placing them on different boards, noise generated in one is less likely to affect the other.

[0220] The VDD terminal (power terminal) of the measurement circuit 100 is supplied with V by the transformer circuit 30. CC33 Voltage V through the line CC33 The voltage V supplied from the power supply BT via the charging circuit 20 can be supplied. CC Transform the voltage to produce voltage V CC33_0 This generates a voltage V via the load switch 40. CC33 This can be supplied to the VDD terminal (power terminal) of the measurement circuit 100. With this configuration, the voltage V supplied to the VDD terminal (power terminal) of the measurement circuit 100 can be supplied. CC33 This stabilizes the operation of the measurement circuit 100.

[0221] In one example, the measurement circuit 100 may be located on the first PCB 1, and the transformer circuit 30 may be located on the second PCB 2. The transformer circuit 30 may generate noise when performing voltage transformation. With this configuration, the measurement circuit 100 can be physically separated from the transformer circuit 30, which may be a source of noise, thus stabilizing the operation of the measurement circuit 100.

[0222] Voltage V is supplied to the heater HT after transforming the voltage supplied from the power supply BT. BOOST A transformer circuit 120 that generates the voltage can be placed on the first substrate PCB1. With such a configuration, an appropriate voltage V is supplied to the heater HT to heat the aerosol source. BOOST This allows us to supply aerosols with highly controlled quantity and flavor to users of the AGD aerosol generator.

[0223] A switch SH may be placed in the path that electrically connects the output of the transformer circuit 120 and the heater HT. The switch SH may be placed on the first substrate PCB1. For example, the switch SH may be placed on the first surface S11 of the first substrate PCB1. Since a large amount of power to generate heat for the heater HT is supplied to the switch SH from the transformer circuit 120, it is preferable that the conductive pattern connecting the switch SH and the transformer circuit 120 be thick and short. With this configuration, since the switch SH and the transformer circuit 120 are placed on the first substrate PCB1, it becomes easier to form a thick and short conductive pattern. As a result, even when the large current mentioned above flows, heat and noise are less likely to be generated in the conductive pattern.

[0224] The operational amplifier A1, which constitutes a detection circuit for detecting the resistance value or temperature of the heater HT, may be placed on the first substrate PCB1. For example, the operational amplifier A1 may be placed on the first surface S11 of the first substrate PCB1.

[0225] Figure 14 shows the protection circuit 90 and the measurement circuit 100, as well as the electronic components arranged around them. Figure 14 also shows the control unit 130. The aerosol generator AGD or power supply unit PSU may include a first conductive path PT1 electrically connected to the positive terminal of the power supply BT or to the first power connector BC+, and a second conductive path PT2 electrically connected to the negative terminal of the power supply BT or to the second power connector BC-. The control unit 130 can control the heating of the heater HT for heating the aerosol source using the voltage or power supplied from the power supply BT. The measurement circuit 100 can measure the state of the power supply BT using a first resistor R1 which may be located in the second conductive path PT2. The switch unit SWP may be located between the first resistor R1 in the second conductive path PT2 and the negative terminal of the power supply BT (or the second power connector BC-) so as to be able to interrupt the current flowing through the second conductive path PT2 (and the first conductive path PT1). The protection circuit 90 can control the switch SWP to protect the power supply BT in accordance with the current flowing through the second conductive path PT2 and the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT supplied to the VBAT terminal. The protection circuit 90 can detect the current flowing through the second conductive path PT2 using a second resistor R2 placed between the switch SWP in the second conductive path PT2 and the negative terminal of the power supply BT (or the second power connector BC-).

[0226] The aerosol generator AGD or power supply unit PSU may be equipped with a switch SS, which can be used as a cutoff switch, located in the second conductive circuit PT2 and capable of interrupting the current flowing through the heater HT and the second conductive circuit PT2, in addition to the switch section SWP. The control unit 130 is connected to the measurement circuit 100 and I 2 Communication can be performed in accordance with communication standards such as C communication. The control unit 130 can control the switch SS, which acts as a cutoff switch, so that the current flowing through the second conductive path PT2 is cut off based on the measurement results from the measurement circuit 100.

[0227] Figure 15 schematically shows a state in which the protection circuit 90 detects an overcurrent during discharge or an over-discharge state of the power supply BT, turns off the first transistor SD, and interrupts the second conductive path PT2 (discharge path of the power supply BT). The transformer circuit 30 can function as a voltage supply unit that supplies voltage to the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100. The transformer circuit 30, which can function as a voltage supply unit, can be supplied with voltage or power from the power supply BT via the first conductive path PT1 and the second conductive path PT2. When the current flowing through the second conductive path PT2 is interrupted, the transformer circuit 30, which functions as a voltage supply unit that supplies voltage to the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100, is not supplied with the voltage between the positive and negative terminals of the power supply BT, i.e., the power supply voltage. Therefore, the transformer circuit 30 is unable to output voltage V from its VOUT terminal. CC33_0 This prevents the output of the V signal from the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100 via the load switch 40. CC33 The supply of power is also stopped. Therefore, the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100 stop operating. At this time, the current consumed by the power supply unit PSU is limited to the current flowing between the VBAT terminal and the VSS terminal for the protection circuit 90 to obtain the output voltage of the power supply BT, and the current supplied to the VDD terminal (power supply terminal) for the protection circuit 90 to operate. This is a very small current.

[0228] On the other hand, in a configuration where the positions of the protection circuit 90 and the measurement circuit 100 are swapped, the current flowing between the VBAT terminal and VSS terminal of the measurement circuit 100 will also be consumed additionally, and this current may cause further over-discharge of the power supply BT or deep discharge of the power supply BT. Therefore, it is advantageous from the viewpoint of protecting the power supply BT if the switch SWP controlled by the protection circuit 90 is located between the first resistor R1 in the second conductive path PT2 and the negative terminal of the power supply BT (second power connector BC-).

[0229] The protection circuit 90 may be configured to fix the COUN terminal to a low level and permanently fix the second switch SC to the off state, as shown in Figure 16, if the potential supplied from the power supply BT to the VBAT terminal of the protection circuit 90 indicates that the power supply BT may have reached an irrecoverable deep discharge state. This makes it impossible to recharge the power supply BT which may have reached a deep discharge state, thereby improving the safety of the power supply unit PSU or the aerosol generator AGD. Alternatively, after detecting an overcurrent during discharge and turning off the first transistor SD, the protection circuit 90 may also turn off the second transistor SC for a predetermined period of time, as shown in Figure 16.

[0230] If the protection circuit 90 detects an overcurrent during charging or an overcharge state of the battery BT, it may turn off the second transistor SC for a predetermined period of time. In this case, the protection circuit 90 may also turn off the first transistor SD.

[0231] Figure 17 schematically shows a state in which the first transistor SD is turned off and a USB cable is connected to the USB connector USBC. Here, the connection of a USB cable to the USB connector USBC may be understood as an external device being connected to the USB connector USBC via the USB cable. In this case, the charging circuit 20 can operate in the first power path mode, which is set by default. Specifically, the charging circuit 20 electrically connects the VBUS terminal and the SYS terminal with the SYS terminal and the BAT terminal electrically isolated, and V CC5 Voltage V supplied via the USB-C connector through the line CC5 Use V CC Voltage V on the line CC It can supply voltage. Accordingly, the transformer circuit 30, which functions as a voltage supply unit that supplies voltage to the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100, is V CC33_0 Voltage V on the line CC33_0 The load switch 40 is V CC33 Voltage V on the line CC33 This allows the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100 to receive a voltage V. CC33Voltage V is supplied, and the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100 can start or restart operation. That is, when an external device is connected to the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU, the transformer circuit 30 is supplied with voltage V to the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100 via the load switch 40. CC33 By supplying power, the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100 can start or restart operation. At this time, the control unit 130 may operate in sleep mode.

[0232] The control unit 130, having restarted operation, may acquire the output voltage (positive electrode potential) of the power supply BT from the measurement circuit 100 and / or turn on the switch circuit 80 to acquire the potential of the power supply BT based on the potential supplied to the PC2 terminal. If the control unit 130 determines, based on the acquired potential, that the power supply BT has not reached deep discharge, or that the power supply BT is rechargeable, it supplies a low level from the PB3 terminal to the / CE terminal of the charging circuit 20, causing the charging circuit 20 to switch to charging mode. As a result, as schematically shown in Figure 18, the charging circuit 20 outputs a voltage between the BAT terminal and the GND terminal to charge the power supply BT, and the power supply BT is charged. If the power supply BT is determined to be in an over-discharged state but has not reached deep discharge, it is preferable for the charging circuit 20 to charge the power supply BT with a smaller current than when the power supply BT is not in a deep-discharged or over-discharged state.

[0233] If the remaining capacity of power supply BT exceeds a predetermined value, or if the remaining capacity of power supply BT exceeds a predetermined value due to charging, the protection circuit 90 may output a high level from the DOUT terminal and turn on the first transistor SD, as schematically shown in Figure 19. This is because it has been determined that the remaining capacity of power supply BT has recovered sufficiently and that an over-discharge state will not immediately occur even if discharge is resumed.

[0234] In the configurations illustrated in Figures 14 to 19, the switch SWP may be placed between the first resistor R1, which the measurement circuit 100 uses to measure the state of the power supply BT, and the second power connector BC-, which is connected to the negative terminal of the power supply BT. With such a configuration, the voltage V is determined by the first power path mode as shown in Figure 17. USB Voltage V generated from CC33 Even when the measurement circuit 100 and the control unit 130 are operating and the first transistor SD is turned off, the VSS terminal of the measurement circuit 100 and the VSS terminal of the control unit 130 are at the same potential. In other words, the measurement circuit 100 and the control unit 130 are at the same potential. 2 Communication becomes possible via the C interface. Also, when the first transistor SD is turned off, the first power connector BC+ and the second power connector BC- form a closed circuit only with the protection circuit 90. This allows the protection circuit 90 to protect the power supply BT to function for as long as possible, and further discharge of the power supply BT can be suppressed to the greatest extent possible.

[0235] On the other hand, consider a configuration in which the measurement circuit 100 and the first resistor R1 are swapped with the protection circuit 90, the second resistor R2, and the switch SWP from the configurations illustrated in Figures 14 to 19. In this configuration, the switch SWP is provided between the VSS terminal of the measurement circuit 100 and the VSS terminal of the control unit 100. Therefore, when the first transistor SD is turned off, the VSS terminal of the measurement circuit 100 and the VSS terminal of the control unit 130 are disconnected, and they become at different potentials. Between circuits where different potentials are input to the VSS terminal to which a reference potential should be input, 2 Communication becomes difficult via the C interface. Furthermore, when the first transistor SD is turned off, the first power connector BC+ and the second power connector BC- form a closed circuit not only with the protection circuit 90 but also with the measurement circuit 100. In other words, further discharge of the power supply BT cannot be suppressed to the absolute minimum.

[0236] Therefore, the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 19 is more advantageous than the configuration in which the measurement circuit 100 and the first resistor R1 are interchanged with the protection circuit 90, the second resistor R2, and the switch unit SWP in terms of the following two points: 2 communication via the I2C interface can be performed well, and

[0237] FIG. 20 shows an example of the arrangement of electronic components on the first substrate PCB1. The shortest distance D11 between the first resistor R1 and the measurement circuit 100 is preferably smaller than the shortest distance D12 between the second resistor R2 and the protection circuit 90. Here, the measurement circuit 100 needs to accurately detect and integrate the current flowing through the first resistor R1 in order to accurately calculate the state of the power supply BT, for example, the remaining capacity and SOC of the power supply BT. Therefore, in order to eliminate the influence of parasitic resistance as much as possible, it is advantageous to make the shortest distance D11 between the first resistor R1 and the measurement circuit 100 as small as possible. On the other hand, for the protection circuit 90, for example, it is sufficient to cut off the switch unit SWP when the current flowing through the second resistor R2 exceeds the threshold value. Therefore, the protection circuit 90 is more tolerant to noise than the measurement circuit 100. Thus, D11 < D12 can be one of the design guidelines for how to arrange electronic components within the limited substrate area. Of course, D11 < D12 is a condition from one perspective, and for example, conditions corresponding to the required accuracy and the specifications of the aerosol generator AGD can be provided, such as D11 < 0.9 × D12, D11 < 0.8 × D12, D11 < 0.7 × D12, D11 < 0.6 × D12, D11 < 0.5 × D12, D11 < 0.4 × D12, D11 < 0.3 × D12, D11 < 0.2 × D12, D11 < 0.1 × D12.

[0238] The first resistor R1 and the measurement circuit 100 can be placed on the same plane of the same substrate, for example, on the first surface S11 of the first substrate PCB1. This configuration, where the first resistor R1 and the measurement circuit 100 are placed on the same plane, allows them to be connected by conductive paths within the same plane without vias or through-holes. This reduces the parasitic resistance r2 between the first resistor R1 and the VRSP terminal of the measurement circuit 100, and the parasitic resistance r3 between the first resistor R1 and the VRSM terminal of the measurement circuit 100. This reduction in parasitic resistance enables high-precision measurement of the power supply BT state by the measurement circuit 100. Furthermore, the conductive pattern connecting the first resistor R1 and the VRSP and VRSM terminals of the measurement circuit 100 can be shortened. Additionally, the length of the conductive pattern connecting the first resistor R1 and the VRSP terminal of the measurement circuit 100 can be easily made approximately the same as the length of the conductive pattern connecting the first resistor R1 and the VRSM terminal of the measurement circuit 100. These also enable high-precision measurement of the power supply BT status by the measurement circuit 100.

[0239] The second resistor R2 and the protection circuit 90 can also be arranged on the same plane of the same board, for example, on the first surface S11 of the first board PCB1. With this configuration, the resistance value of the parasitic resistor r4 between the second resistor R2 and the CS terminal of the measurement circuit 90, and the resistance value of the parasitic resistor r5 between the second resistor R2 and the VSS terminal of the protection circuit 90 can also be reduced. This reduction in the resistance values ​​of parasitic resistors enables high-precision protection of the power supply BT by the protection circuit 90.

[0240] In one example, the first resistor R1, the second resistor R2, the measurement circuit 100, and the protection circuit 90 can be arranged on the same plane of the same substrate, for example, on the first surface S11 of the first substrate PCB1. With such a configuration, the resistance values ​​of parasitic resistors r2, r3, r4, and r5 can be reduced. This makes it possible to simultaneously perform highly accurate measurement of the power supply BT state by the measurement circuit 100 and highly accurate protection of the power supply BT by the protection circuit 90.

[0241] From another perspective, the first resistor R1, the second resistor R2, the measurement circuit 100, and the protection circuit 90 can be arranged on the same substrate, for example, on the first substrate PCB1. The first substrate PCB1 has an edge EE on the side where the heater HT is placed, and it is preferable that the shortest distance between the first resistor R1 and the edge EE is smaller than the shortest distance between the measurement circuit 100 and the edge EE. The edges of a substrate are expected to be more susceptible to external noise such as static electricity than the central part of the substrate. This is because external noise generally enters the substrate from the edges. In particular, since the edge EE is the edge on the side where the heater HT is placed, there is a risk of static electricity entering when inserting or removing objects from the insertion hole C104 or when opening and closing the slider C102. Furthermore, since the central part of the substrate is surrounded all around by other electronic components, these other electronic components act as a physical barrier to external noise. In other words, with this configuration, by separating the measurement circuit 100 from the edge EE, the measurement circuit 100 becomes less susceptible to the effects of external noise.

[0242] Furthermore, it is preferable that the shortest distance between the second resistor R2 and the end EE is smaller than the shortest distance between the protection circuit 90 and the end EE. With such a configuration, the protection circuit 90 is separated from the end EE, making it less susceptible to external noise.

[0243] These provide examples that embody the idea of ​​placing the first resistor R1 and / or the second resistor R2 near the edge EE of the first substrate PCB1.

[0244] The shortest distance between the measurement circuit 100 and the end EE is preferably smaller than the shortest distance between the protection circuit 90 and the end EE. The protection circuit 90 protects the power supply BT and the aerosol generator AGD by prohibiting charging and / or discharging of the power supply BT when an abnormality occurs in the power supply BT. In other words, the protection circuit 90 is more important than the measurement circuit 100. With this configuration, the protection circuit 90 is further away from the end EE and less susceptible to the effects of external noise. This improves the safety of the aerosol generator AGD.

[0245] The first substrate PCB1 may include a first heater connector HC+ to which the positive terminal of the heater HT is electrically connected, and a second heater connector HC- to which the negative terminal of the heater HT is electrically connected. Preferably, the shortest distance between the first heater connector HC+ and the end EE, and the shortest distance between the second heater connector HC- and the end EE are smaller than the shortest distance between the measurement circuit 100 and the end EE. Such a configuration is advantageous from the viewpoint of protecting the measurement circuit 100 from external noise.

[0246] The first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 may be placed on the first side S11 of the first substrate PCB1, and the first heater connector HC+ and the second heater connector HC- may be placed on the second side S12 of the first substrate PCB1. Such a configuration is advantageous from the viewpoint of efficiently arranging electronic components on the first side S11 and the second side S12 of the first substrate PCB1. In other words, if these relatively large electronic components are all placed together on either the first side S11 or the second side S12, the substrate area of ​​the first substrate PCB1 may increase, and it may impose significant constraints on the formation of conductive patterns and the arrangement of other electronic components.

[0247] In the orthogonal projection onto the first surface S11, at least a portion of the second heater connector HC- may be positioned to overlap with at least a portion of at least one of the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2. Alternatively, although different from the illustrated example, in the orthogonal projection, at least a portion of the first heater connector HC+ may be positioned to overlap with at least a portion of at least one of the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2. Such a configuration is also advantageous from the viewpoint of efficiently arranging electronic components on the first surface S11 and the second surface S12 of the first substrate PCB1.

[0248] The switch unit SWP can be placed on the first surface S11 of the first substrate PCB1. This configuration is also advantageous from the viewpoint of efficiently arranging electronic components on the first surface S11 and the second surface S12 of the first substrate PCB1.

[0249] A switch SS, which is controlled by the control unit 130 and can be used as a cutoff switch to interrupt the current flowing through the heater HT, may be placed in the path that electrically connects the second heater connector HC- and the first resistor R1. As described above, the switch SS makes it more difficult for static electricity and noise that may enter from the heater HT, the first heater connector HC+, and the second heater connector HC- to enter the first resistor R1 and the second conductive path PT2.

[0250] The switch SS can be placed on the second surface 12 of the first substrate PCB 1. This configuration is also advantageous from the viewpoint of efficiently arranging electronic components on the first surface S11 and the second surface S12 of the first substrate PCB 1.

[0251] The shortest distance between the switch SS and the end EE is preferably smaller than the shortest distance between the measurement circuit 100 and the end EE. With this configuration, the measurement circuit 100 is separated from the end EE and the switch SS acts as a physical barrier to external noise, making the measurement circuit 100 less susceptible to external noise.

[0252] A switch SH, which functions as a heater switch and is located in the path electrically connecting the output of the transformer circuit 120 and the first heater connector HC+, may be placed on the first substrate PCB1. Preferably, the shortest distance between switch SH and end EE is smaller than the shortest distance between the measurement circuit 100 and end EE. With this configuration, the measurement circuit 100 is separated from end EE and switch SH acts as a physical barrier to external noise, making the measurement circuit 100 less susceptible to external noise.

[0253] Switch SH can be switched at high speed using either PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) or PFM (Pulse Frequency Modulation) to maintain the heater HT at the target temperature. Switch SH is supplied with high power to generate heat for the heater HT and can be switched at high speed.

[0254] The switch SH may be located on the first surface S11 of the first substrate PCB1. In the orthogonal projection onto the first surface S11 of the first substrate PCB1, at least a portion of the switch SH may be positioned to overlap at least a portion of the first heater connector HC+. Such a configuration is advantageous for reducing the parasitic resistance between the switch SH and the first heater connector HC+. Alternatively, although different from the illustrated example, in the orthogonal projection, at least a portion of the switch SH may be positioned to overlap at least a portion of the second heater connector HC-.

[0255] In this configuration, the shortest distance between the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 may be smaller than at least one of the maximum dimensions of the first resistor R1 and the maximum dimensions of the second resistor R2. This configuration is also advantageous from the viewpoint of efficiently arranging electronic components on the first surface S11 and the second surface S12 of the first substrate PCB1.

[0256] Figure 21 shows an example of the arrangement of electronic components on the first substrate PCB1. The thermistor TB for measuring the temperature of the power supply BT has two terminals, which can be electrically connected to two thermistor connectors TBC1 and TBC2, respectively. The measurement circuit 100 may be configured to measure the state of the power supply BT (e.g., remaining capacitance, SOC, etc.) using the first resistor R1, and to measure the temperature of the power supply BT using the thermistor TB.

[0257] The first resistor R1, the two thermistor connectors TBC1 and TBC2, and the measurement circuit 100 can be arranged on the first substrate PCB1. On one side, it is preferable that the shortest distance D13 between the two thermistor connectors TBC1 and TBC2 and the measurement circuit 100 is smaller than the shortest distance D11 between the first resistor R1 and the measurement circuit 100. The first resistor R1 and the thermistors TB connected to the two thermistor connectors TBC1 and TBC2 are both important parameters used by the measurement circuit 100 to measure the state of the power supply BT. Unlike the first resistor R1, the temperature of the power supply BT, which is obtained indirectly from the resistance value of the thermistor TB, is prone to errors. With this configuration, at least the error due to parasitic resistance can be reduced when the measurement circuit 100 obtains the temperature of the power supply BT. As a result, the measurement circuit 100 can obtain the parameters necessary to measure the state of the power supply BT from the first resistor R1 and thermistor TB with less error.

[0258] The power supply BT may be the largest component in volume among all the components that make up the aerosol generator AGD or power supply unit PSU. The power supply BT may occupy, for example, 20% or more, 25% or more, or 30% or more of the volume of the aerosol generator AGD or power supply unit PSU. The thermistor TB may be positioned along at least a portion of the side surface of the power supply BT. The thermistor TB may also be positioned between the outer case C101 and the power supply BT, or near the inner surface of the outer case C101. Considering these points, it is advantageous for efficient use of space to position the thermistor connectors TBC1 and TBC2, to which the thermistor TB is electrically connected, near the outer edge of the entire area (effective area) of the first substrate PCB1. In other words, if the thermistor connectors TBC1 and TBC2 are positioned in or near the center of the first substrate PCB1, it is disadvantageous in terms of the arrangement of other electronic components, the formation of conductive patterns on the substrate surface, and the formation of a ground layer inside the substrate.

[0259] The measurement circuit 100 can measure or detect the temperature of the power supply TB by measuring the resistance value of the thermistor TB, and calculate the remaining amount of the power supply BT (for example, the remaining capacity and SOC) using the temperature as one parameter value. Therefore, accurately measuring the temperature of the power supply TB is important for accurately measuring the remaining amount of the power supply BT. Also, an increase in the distance between the thermistor connectors TBC1, TB2 and the measurement circuit 100 results in an increase in the parasitic resistance value of the conductive path electrically connecting the thermistor connectors TBC1, TB2 and the measurement circuit 100, which can reduce the measurement accuracy of the temperature of the power supply BT.

[0260] Therefore, setting placement constraints to minimize the shortest distance D13 between the thermistor connectors TBC1, TBC2 and the measurement circuit 100 is an advantageous design concept regarding how to arrange electronic components within a limited board area. D13 < D11 is a condition from one perspective. For example, conditions such as D13 < 0.9×D11, D13 < 0.8×D11, D13 < 0.7×D11, D13 < 0.6×D11, D13 < 0.5×D11, D13 < 0.4×D11, D13 < 0.3×D11, D13 < 0.2×D11, D13 < 0.1×D11 can be set according to the required accuracy and the specifications of the aerosol generator AGD.

[0261] The measurement circuit 100 may include a first function of providing information indicating the temperature of the power supply BT to the control unit 130, and a second function of notifying the control unit 130 of an abnormality in the temperature of the power supply BT. The control unit 130 can be configured to stop at least one of the discharge and charging of the power supply BT in response to the notification from the measurement circuit 100 according to the second function. According to these configurations, the measurement circuit 100 can not only provide information indicating the temperature of the power supply BT to the control unit 130 in response to polling from the control unit 130, but also notify the control unit 130 of an abnormality in the temperature of the power supply BT without waiting for polling from the control unit 130. Thereby, while suppressing the power consumption of the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100 when the temperature of the power supply BT is normal, when the temperature of the power supply BT becomes abnormal, the power supply BT and the aerosol generator AGD can be protected.

[0262] The measurement circuit 100 can calculate the remaining capacity of the power supply BT (e.g., remaining capacitance and SOC) based on information obtained using the first resistor R1 (e.g., integrated current) and information obtained using the thermistor TB. The remaining capacity of the power supply BT depends not only on the information obtained using the first resistor R1 (e.g., integrated current) but also on the temperature of the power supply BT. With this configuration, the measurement circuit 100 can calculate the remaining capacity of the power supply BT (e.g., remaining capacitance and SOC) with high accuracy.

[0263] The two terminals of thermistor TB can be directly connected to the two thermistor connectors TBC1 and TBC2, respectively. In other words, the two terminals of thermistor TB can be connected to each of the two thermistor connectors TBC1 and TBC2 without the need for conductive lines, active elements, or passive elements. This is consistent with the idea of ​​reducing parasitic resistance between the thermistor connectors TBC1 and TBC2 and the two terminals of thermistor TB.

[0264] The thermistor TB is positioned to at least partially surround the power supply BT, which is advantageous for measuring the averaged surface temperature of the power supply BT when the power supply BT has a corresponding temperature distribution. In one example, the power supply BT has a cylindrical shape, and the thermistor TB may include an arc-shaped portion that follows the cylindrical shape of the power supply BT. In another example, the power supply BT has a rectangular shape, and the thermistor TB may have a structure or shape that follows the rectangular shape of the power supply BT.

[0265] The measurement circuit 100 and the first resistor R1 can be placed on the same side of the first substrate PCB1, for example, on the first side S11 or the second side S12. This configuration enables high-precision measurement of the power supply BT state by the measurement circuit 100, as described above. Alternatively, the measurement circuit 100 and the first resistor R1 may be placed on different sides of the first substrate PCB1.

[0266] Preferably, the distance between the geometric center of the figure (closed figure) formed by the outer edge of the first PCB1 and the geometric center of the measurement circuit 100 is smaller than the distance between the geometric center of the figure and the first resistor R1. Alternatively, preferably, the distance between the geometric center of the figure (closed figure) formed by the outer edge of the first PCB1 and the geometric center (or area centroid) of the measurement circuit 100 is smaller than the shortest distance between the geometric center of the figure and the two thermistor connectors TB1 and TB2. Alternatively, preferably, the distance between the geometric center of the figure (closed figure) formed by the outer edge of the first PCB1 and the geometric center of the measurement circuit 100 is smaller than the shortest distance between the geometric center of the figure and the first resistor R1, and also smaller than the shortest distance between the geometric center of the figure and the two thermistor connectors TBC1 and TBC2. The outer edge of the board is more susceptible to the effects of external noise such as static electricity than the geometric center of the board. Therefore, such a configuration is advantageous in that the precise continuous circuit 100 is less susceptible to noise.

[0267] Two power connectors to which power supply BC is connected, namely the first power connector BC+ and the second power connector BC-, can be arranged on the first substrate PCB1. Preferably, the distance between the geometric center of the figure (closed figure) formed by the outer edge of the first substrate PCB1 and the geometric center of the measurement circuit 100 is smaller than the shortest distance between the geometric center of the figure and the two power connectors BC+ and BC-. With this configuration, the busbars connected to the two power connectors BC+ and BC- act as a physical barrier against external noise entering from the outer edge of the substrate. These busbars are thick because large currents flow through them, making them suitable as physical barriers. Therefore, the measurement circuit 100 becomes even less susceptible to the effects of noise.

[0268] The control unit 130 may be located on a different board from the first board PCB1 on which the first resistor R1, the two thermistor connectors TB1 and TB2, and the measurement circuit 100 are located, for example, on a second board PCB2. The measurement circuit 100 and the control unit 130 each perform many calculations internally, and therefore may become sources of noise. By placing them on different boards, noise generated on one is less likely to affect the other.

[0269] Figure 22 illustrates the functions related to the protection of the power supply BT. The columns "Measurement Circuit," "Charging Circuit," and "Protection Circuit" in the figure indicate the functions that can be provided by the measurement circuit 100, charging circuit 20, and protection circuit 90, respectively. 2 The column "C" is I 2 This illustrates the conditions under which the control unit 130 performs error processing based on information provided to the control unit 130 from the measurement circuit 100 via the C interface. The "nGAUGE_INT1" column illustrates the nGAUGE_INT1 signal output from the ALERT terminal of the measurement circuit 100. The "nGAUGE_INT2" column shows the nGAUGE_INT2 signal output from the IO5 terminal of the measurement circuit 100. "Charging circuit" ("I 2 The column C is I 2 This illustrates the conditions under which the control unit 130 performs error processing based on information provided to the control unit 130 from the charging circuit 20 via the C interface. The "Protection Circuit" column illustrates the conditions under which the protection circuit 90 puts the switch SWP into an off state.

[0270] The control unit 130 is I 2Polling via the C interface allows the measurement circuit 100 to acquire information indicating the charging current during charging of the power supply BT, the discharge current during discharging of the power supply BT, the voltage of the power supply BT, and the temperature of the power supply BT during discharging and charging. The control unit 130 may, for example, execute error processing if the charging current acquired by the measurement circuit 100 becomes 1.1 times or more a set value. The set value may be the charging current value in constant current (CC) charging among the CCCV (constant current-constant voltage) charging performed by the charging circuit 20. The control unit 130 may also execute error processing if the temperature of the power supply BT during discharge becomes 55°C or higher. The control unit 130 may also execute error processing if the temperature of the power supply BT during charging becomes 51°C or higher. The control unit 130 may also execute error processing if, for example, the temperature of the power supply BT during charging becomes 0°C or lower. The control unit 130 may also, for example, determine the discharge current from the power supply BT and the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT. 2 The power supply BT can be periodically monitored via the C interface, and based on these monitoring results, it can be determined whether or not it is in a deep discharge state. In the table shown in Figure 22, the conditions for determining whether or not it is in a deep discharge state are listed as the "internal algorithm." Details of this "internal algorithm" will be described later.

[0271] Furthermore, the measurement circuit 100 may transition the nGAUGE_INT1 signal to an active level if it detects, for example, that the discharge current from the power supply BT is 10A or more, the charging current of the power supply BT is 3.0A or more, or that the temperature during discharge from the power supply BT is 60°C or higher for 2 seconds. The active level of the nGAUGE_INT1 signal is, for example, a low level.

[0272] Furthermore, the measurement circuit 100 may transition the nGAUGE_INT2 signal to an active level if it detects any of the following: the discharge current from the power supply BT is 9.75A or more; the charging current of the power supply BT is 2.75A or more; the temperature during discharge from the power supply BT is 85°C or higher for 2 minutes; the temperature during charging of the power supply BT is 85°C or higher for 2 minutes; the temperature during discharge from the power supply BT is -5°C or lower for 5 seconds; the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT during charging is 4.235V or higher; or the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT during discharge is 2.8V or lower. The active level of the nGAUGE_INT2 signal is, for example, a low level. The positive electrode potential of the power supply BT acquired by the measurement circuit 100 corresponds to the difference between the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT and the potential of the VSS terminal. Since both the VSS terminal of the measurement circuit 100 and the second power connector BC- are connected to the ground line, the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT acquired by the measurement circuit 100 corresponds to the output voltage of the power supply BT.

[0273] Furthermore, the control unit 130 is I 2 Polling via the C interface allows the charging circuit 20 to obtain information indicating the potential of the BAT terminal (positive potential of the power supply BT) during charging. The potential of the BAT terminal (positive potential of the power supply BT) obtained by the charging circuit 20 corresponds to the difference between the potential of the BAT terminal (positive potential of the power supply BT) and the potential of the GND terminal. Since both the GND terminal of the charging circuit 20 and the second power connector BC- are connected to the ground line, the potential of the BAT terminal (positive potential of the power supply BT) obtained by the charging circuit 20 corresponds to the output voltage of the power supply BT. The control unit 130 may, for example, execute error processing if the potential of the BAT terminal (positive potential of the power supply BT) during charging becomes 4.343V or higher.

[0274] The protection circuit 90 may, for example, change the first transistor SD to an off state if the discharge current from the power supply BT exceeds 12.67A. The protection circuit 90 may acquire the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT based on the input to the VBAT terminal. The positive electrode potential of the power supply BT acquired by the protection circuit 90 corresponds to the difference between the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT and the potential of the V- terminal. Since both the V- terminal of the protection circuit 90 and the second power connector BC- are connected to the ground line, the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT acquired by the protection circuit 90 corresponds to the output voltage of the power supply BT. The protection circuit 90 may, for example, change the second transistor SC to an off state if the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT during charging exceeds 4.28V. Also, the protection circuit 90 may, for example, change the first transistor SD to an off state if the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT during discharge falls below 2.5V. The state in which the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT during charging exceeds 4.28V corresponds to the overcharge state of the power supply BT described above. The condition where the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT is 2.5V or less during charging corresponds to the over-discharge state of the power supply BT described above.

[0275] Figure 23 schematically shows an example configuration of the measurement circuit 100 to realize the functions of the measurement circuit 100 shown in Figure 22. The measurement circuit 100 may include, for example, a detection circuit ABD that detects when the state of the power supply BT becomes abnormal, and an output unit ABN that outputs an abnormality notification in response to the detection by the detection circuit ABD. The detection circuit ABD may include a first detection logic circuit that individually detects that the discharge current from the power supply BT is 10A or more, the charging current of the power supply BT is 3.0A or more, and the temperature during discharge from the power supply BT is 60°C or more for 2 seconds. The output unit ABN may include a first output logic circuit that transitions the nGAUGE_INT1 signal to an active level as an operation to output an abnormality notification when the first detection logic circuit detects at least one of these.

[0276] Furthermore, the measurement circuit 100 may include a second detection logic circuit that individually detects any of the following: the discharge current from the power supply BT is 9.75A or more; the charging current of the power supply BT is 2.75A or more; the temperature during discharge from the power supply BT is 85°C or higher for 2 minutes; the temperature during charging of the power supply BT is 85°C or higher for 2 minutes; the temperature during discharge from the power supply BT is -5°C or lower for 5 seconds; the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT during charging is 4.235V or higher; or the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT during discharge is 2.8V or lower. The output unit ABN may include a second output logic circuit that, when the second detection logic circuit detects at least one of these conditions, transitions the nGAUGE_INT2 signal to an active level as an operation to output an abnormality notification.

[0277] Figure 24 shows an example of connections for the measurement circuit 100, control unit 130, transformer circuit 120, charging circuit 20, information holding circuits FF1 and FF2, and operational amplifiers A2 and A3. The control unit 130 may be configured to control the supply of power to the heater HT for heating the aerosol source using power supplied from the power supply BT, and to control the charging of the power supply BT.

[0278] The measurement circuit 100 may be configured to measure the state of the power supply BT (e.g., remaining capacity, SOC, temperature, etc.). As illustrated in Figure 23, the measurement circuit 100 may include a detection circuit ABD that detects when the power supply BT is in an abnormal state, and an output unit ABN that outputs an abnormality notification in response to the detection by the detection circuit ABD. The output unit ABN may be configured to output a first abnormality signal by transitioning the nGAUGE_INT1 signal output from the ALERT terminal to an active level (here, a low level), and to output a second abnormality signal by transitioning the nGAUGE_INT2 signal output from the IO5 terminal to an active level (here, a low level). The measurement circuit 100 may include an interface for providing state information regarding the state of the power supply BT to the control unit 130 in response to a request from the control unit 130, for example, I 2 It may include a C interface. 2The C interface may consist of SCL and SDA terminals, which are different from the ALERT and IO5 terminals.

[0279] The control unit 130 may be configured to perform protective actions to protect the power supply BT in response to abnormality notifications and status information. These protective actions may include, for example, prohibiting charging of the power supply BT and / or prohibiting discharge from the power supply BT to the heater HT.

[0280] The output circuit ABN of the measurement circuit 100 can output an abnormality notification in response to at least one of the following: the charging current of the power supply BT exceeds a first reference value, and the discharge current from the power supply BT exceeds a second reference value. In the example shown in Figure 22, the output circuit ABN of the measurement circuit 100 transitions the nGAUGE_INT1 signal to the active level (here, low level) as an abnormality notification output in response to the charging current of the power supply BT being 3.0A or more. The output circuit ABN of the measurement circuit 100 also transitions the nGAUGE_INT1 signal to the active level (here, low level) as an abnormality notification output in response to the discharge current from the power supply BT being 10A or more. The output circuit ABN of the measurement circuit 100 also transitions the nGAUGE_INT2 signal to the active level (here, low level) as an abnormality notification output in response to the discharge current from the power supply BT being 9.75A or more. Furthermore, the output circuit ABN of the measurement circuit 100 transitions the nGAUGE_INT2 signal to an active level (in this case, a low level) as an abnormality notification output when the charging current of the power supply BT is 2.75A or higher.

[0281] The control unit 130 responds to the transition of the nGAUGE_INT2 signal to the active level (in this case, low level) by I 2 Status information can be obtained from the measurement circuit 100 via the C interface. This status information may include at least one of the following: information for the control unit 130 to determine whether to transition to the permanent failure mode described above, and information indicating a transition to the permanent failure mode. For example, in the example shown in Figure 22, the control unit 130, 2If the status information obtained from the measurement circuit 100 via the C interface indicates that the temperature during discharge from the power supply BT is 85°C or higher for 2 minutes, or that the temperature during charging of the power supply BT is 85°C or higher for 2 minutes, it can be determined that the system should transition to permanent failure mode. Alternatively, if the temperature during discharge from the power supply BT is 85°C or higher for 2 minutes, or if the temperature during charging of the power supply BT is 85°C or higher for 2 minutes, the measurement circuit 100 may, in response to polling from the control unit 130, provide the control unit 130 with status information indicating a transition to permanent failure mode.

[0282] The control unit 130 receives information from the measurement circuit 100, for example, I 2 Based on information obtained from the measurement circuit 100 via the C interface, it is possible to determine whether or not a power supply BT abnormality has occurred. In addition to this, or instead, the control unit 130 may determine whether or not a power supply BT abnormality has occurred based on the output from the output unit ABN of the measurement circuit 100. Furthermore, if the control unit 130 determines that a power supply BT abnormality has occurred, it may control the notification unit NU to provide notification to that effect. Such notification may prompt the user to perform a predetermined operation for resetting. Such notification may be one of the following, or a combination of two or more: the generation of light of a predetermined color, flashing display, generation of a predetermined sound, or generation of a predetermined vibration.

[0283] When the control unit 130 determines that the system has entered a permanent failure mode, it may cause the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU to become unusable. For example, the control unit 130 may cause the charging circuit 20 to... 2 The voltage output from the SYS and SW terminals of the charging circuit 20 can be stopped by sending a command via the C interface to disable operation in all power path modes. This will stop the voltage V CC , voltage V CC33_0 , voltage V CC33Since the output is stopped, the power supply to the control unit 130 is cut off, and the control unit 130 becomes inoperable. The charging circuit 20 continues to hold the command sent from the control unit 130 to prohibit operation in all power path modes, so a voltage V is received from the USB connector USBC. BUS Even when power is supplied, no voltage is output from the SYS and SW terminals of the charging circuit 20. This prevents transitions from the permanent failure mode to all other modes. Such operation is useful for enhancing safety by preventing charging and discharging of the power supply BT which is determined to be faulty.

[0284] The aerosol generator AGD or power supply unit PSU may be equipped with a protection unit PPP that has the function of protecting the power supply BT in response to an abnormality notification from the measurement circuit 100, without being controlled by the control unit 130. The protection unit PPP may further include a function of protecting the power supply BT by control by the control unit 130. The protection unit PPP may include, for example, an information holding circuit FF1. As will be described in detail later, the information holding circuit FF1 transitions the nALARM_Latched signal to an active level (here, a low level) in response to the nGAUGE_INT1 signal output from the ALERT terminal of the measurement circuit 100 being driven to an active level (here, a low level) (i.e., a first abnormality signal), thereby turning off the switch SS located in the current path that drives the heater HT. Information that the nGAUGE_INT1 signal has been driven to an active level (i.e., a first abnormality signal) may also be provided to the PA10 terminal of the control unit 130 via the information holding circuit FF1. Specifically, the information holding circuit FF1 can be composed of a D-type flip-flop having a / CLR terminal. As is well known, a D-type flip-flop can hold 1 bit of information that can take on high or low levels, and can therefore be used as an information holding circuit. The nGAUGE_INT1 signal can be supplied to the / CLR terminal of the information holding circuit FF1 (D-type flip-flop). The nALARM_Latched signal can be output from the Q terminal of the information holding circuit FF1 (D-type flip-flop). When the nGAUGE_INT1 signal supplied to the negative logic / CLR terminal transitions to a low level, the information holding circuit FF1 (D-type flip-flop) fixes the level of the information it holds to a low level. The Q terminal of the information holding circuit FF1 (D-type flip-flop) outputs the same level as the level of the information it holds. With this configuration, the nALARM_Latched signal can be transitioned to an active level (here, a low level) in response to the transition of the nGAUGE_INT1 signal to an active level (here, a low level). As will be described later, the nALARM_Latched signal can also be supplied to the EN terminal of the transformer circuit 120, or to the base or gate of the transistor constituting the switch SL.

[0285] In other words, when the measurement circuit 100 determines that the criteria (conditions) for prohibiting the supply of power (heat generation) to the heater HT or the charging of the power supply BT have been met, it drives the nGAUGE_INT1 signal output from the ALERT terminal of the measurement circuit 100 to an active level. In response, the protection unit PPP turns off the switch SS without control by the control unit 130. This prevents the heater HT from generating heat (supplying power to the heater HT).

[0286] In the example shown in Figure 22, the nGAUGE_INT1 signal transitions to the active level when any of the following criteria are met: the current is 10A or more, the charging current of the power supply BT is 3.0A or more, or the temperature during discharge from the power supply BT is 60°C or higher for 2 seconds. Other criteria may be set as such criteria. For example, the measurement circuit 100 may drive the nGAUGE_INT1 signal to the active level when at least one of the following conditions is met: the value of the discharge current, the value of the charging current, the temperature of the power supply BT during discharge, the temperature of the power supply BT during charging, the positive electrode potential (output voltage) of the power supply BT during discharge, or the positive electrode potential (output voltage) of the power supply BT during charging.

[0287] After the protection unit PPP protects the power supply BT in response to an abnormality notification, the control unit 130 performs the following: 2 If the status information obtained from the measurement circuit 100 via the C interface indicates that the power supply BT is not in an abnormal state, power supply to the heater HT and charging of the power supply BT may be enabled. For example, after the protection unit PPP protects the power supply BT in response to an abnormality notification, the control unit 130 may use the notification unit NU to prompt the user to perform an operation for reset or restart. When the control unit 130 is reset or restarted in this way, the control unit 130 will 2Status information can be obtained from the measurement circuit 100 via the C interface, or the level of the nGAUGE_INT1 signal can be checked, and if the power supply BT is not in an abnormal state, power can be supplied to the heater HT or the power supply BT can be charged. Conversely, the control unit 130 may become capable of supplying power to the heater HT when it is reset or restarted. In this case, the control unit 130 will 2 Status information is acquired from the measurement circuit 100 via the C interface, and, depending on the status information, power supply to the heater HT can be prohibited if necessary.

[0288] As described above, the protection of the power supply BT by the protection unit PPP in response to the nGAUGE_INT1 signal can be treated as a reversible protection. This is because the protection of the power supply BT by the protection unit PPP is not controlled by the control unit 130, and there is a risk that this protection may occur due to a malfunction of any of the electronic components constituting the protection unit PPP. Furthermore, if this protection occurs due to a failure of the control unit 130, such as a freeze, it may be possible to restore the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU to a normal state by resetting or restarting the control unit 130. The reason why the conditions shown in the "nGAUGE_INT2" column in Figure 22 are set to be met before the conditions shown in the "nGAUGE_INT1" column is also to determine whether a failure such as a freeze has occurred in the control unit 130.

[0289] On the other hand, once a device becomes inoperable due to a decision to transition to permanent failure mode, it cannot be reversed in principle. If the temperature of the power supply BT remains above 85°C for two minutes during discharge or charging, the aerosol generator AGD or power supply unit PSU is forced into permanent failure mode by the control unit 130. In other words, as is clear from the fact that the control unit 130 is able to obtain the temperature of the power supply BT, the control unit 130 is not experiencing any malfunctions such as freezing. Nevertheless, if the temperature of the power supply BT becomes high, an irrecoverable error has occurred elsewhere than in the control unit 130, and resetting or restarting the control unit 130 will not resolve the error. Therefore, it is necessary to force the aerosol generator AGD or power supply unit PSU into permanent failure mode.

[0290] The control unit 130 performs periodic polling to determine I 2 First information regarding the status of power supply BT is acquired from the measurement circuit 100 via the C interface, and in response to an abnormality notification, I 2 Second information regarding the state of the power supply BT can be obtained from the measurement circuit 100 via the C interface. The control unit 130 performs an action to protect the power supply BT when the first information indicates that the power supply BT is in a first state, and the measurement circuit 100 may output an abnormality notification when the power supply BT enters a second state which is more important than the first state. Referring to Figure 22, as an example, the control unit 130 performs an action to protect the power supply BT (e.g., request a reset) when the first information indicates that the power supply BT is in a first state (the temperature of the power supply BT is 55°C or higher when discharging to the heater HT), and the measurement circuit 100 may output an abnormality notification (drive the nGAUGE_INT1 signal to an active level) when the power supply BT enters a second state which is more important than the first state (the temperature of the power supply BT is 60°C or higher for 2 seconds when discharging to or charging to the heater HT). In this example, the first and second information are information indicating the temperature of the power supply BT, but the first and second information may also be information indicating other states (e.g., discharge current, charge current).

[0291] In one configuration example, the control unit 130 performs an operation to protect the power supply BT if the first information indicates that the state of the power supply BT during charging satisfies any of the conditions included in the first condition group, and if the first information indicates that the state of the power supply BT during discharge satisfies any of the conditions included in the second condition group, where the number of conditions included in the first condition group is greater than the number of conditions included in the second condition group. In other words, the protection of the power supply BT based on the first information functions more strongly during charging than during discharge. This is because, unlike during discharge, the energy stored in the power supply BT continues to increase during charging, making the protection of the power supply BT more important during charging. Also, unlike during discharge, low-temperature charging may cause irreversible changes to the internal structure of the power supply BT, such as electrodeposition at the negative electrode, making the protection of the power supply BT more important during charging.

[0292] In other configuration examples, the control unit 130 performs an operation to protect the power supply BT if the second information indicates that the state of the power supply BT during charging satisfies any of the conditions included in the third condition group, and performs an operation to protect the power supply BT if the second information indicates that the state of the power supply BT during discharge satisfies any of the conditions included in the fourth condition group, where the number of conditions included in the third condition group is less than the number of conditions included in the fourth condition group. In other words, the protection of the power supply BT based on the second information functions more strongly during discharge than during charging. This is because, as mentioned above, during charging, the energy stored in the power supply BT continues to increase, and there is a risk of irreversible changes occurring in the internal structure of the power supply BT.

[0293] Figure 25 schematically illustrates the protection of the power supply BT based on the state of the power supply BT obtained by periodic polling of the measurement circuit 100 by the control unit 130. The control unit 130 can obtain state information regarding the state of the power supply BT from the measurement circuit 100 by periodic polling of the measurement circuit 100. The control unit 130 can then perform a protection operation to protect the power supply BT if the state information meets the criteria for protecting the power supply BT. This protection operation may include, for example, transitioning the Heater_Enable signal output from the PC12 terminal to an inactive level (here, a low level), stopping the operation of the transformer circuit 120, and turning off the switch SS located in the current path of the heater HT. This protection operation may also include, for example, transitioning the nCharger_Enable signal output from the PB3 terminal to an inactive level (here, a high level), stopping the charging of the power supply BT by the charging circuit 20. As a specific example, if the EN terminal of the transformer circuit 120 is set to positive logic and the switch SS is configured as an N-channel MOSFET, supplying a low-level Heater_Enable signal to the EN terminal of the transformer circuit 120 and the gate terminal of the switch SS can stop the operation of the transformer circuit 120 and turn off the switch SS. Also, if the / CE terminal of the charging circuit 20 is set to negative logic, supplying a high-level nCharger_Enable signal to the / CE terminal of the charging circuit 20 can stop the charging of the power supply BT by the charging circuit 20.

[0294] The protection operation may include continuing the error processing mode until a predetermined condition is met, and then transitioning to sleep mode after the predetermined condition is met. For example, as explained in the example in Figure 22, the control unit 130 may transition to error processing mode when the temperature of the power supply BT becomes 51°C or higher during discharge from the power supply BT, and then transition to sleep mode when the temperature of the power supply BT becomes 45°C or lower.

[0295] Figure 26 schematically illustrates the protection of the power supply BT in response to the measurement circuit 100 outputting a second abnormal signal by transitioning the nGAUGE_INT2 signal to an active level (in this case, a low level). The control unit 130 can poll the measurement circuit 100 in response to the transition of the nGAUGE_INT2 signal to an active level (second abnormal signal) and obtain state information regarding the state of the power supply BT from the measurement circuit 100. Then, if the state information satisfies the criteria for protecting the power supply BT, the control unit 130 can perform a protection operation to protect the power supply BT. This protection operation may be the same as or different from the protection operation described with reference to Figure 25. If the control unit 130 has stopped periodic polling of the measurement circuit 100 because the aerosol generator AGD or power supply unit PSU is in sleep mode, the control unit 130 may restart periodic polling of the measurement circuit 100 based on the nGAUGE_INT2 signal that has transitioned to an active level. In other words, the nGAUGE_INT2 signal can also be understood as an interrupt signal for the control unit 130.

[0296] The protection operation may include continuing the error processing mode until a predetermined condition is met, and then transitioning to sleep mode after the predetermined condition is met. For example, as explained in the example in Figure 22, the control unit 130 may transition to sleep mode via the error processing mode if the temperature of the power supply BT falls below -5°C for 5 seconds or more during discharge from the power supply BT. Alternatively, the control unit 130 may transition to sleep mode via the error processing mode if the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT falls below 2.8V during discharge from the power supply BT.

[0297] On the other hand, if the status information indicates that the temperature of the power supply BT during discharge is 85°C or higher for 2 minutes, or that the temperature of the power supply BT during charging is 85°C or higher for 2 minutes, the control unit 130 may determine to transition the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU to permanent failure mode. In this case, the control unit 130 may transition the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU to a state where it is permanently unusable.

[0298] Figure 27 schematically illustrates the protection of the power supply BT performed by the protection unit PPP in response to the measurement circuit 100 transitioning the nGAUGE_INT1 signal to an active level. The information holding circuit FF1 can transition the nALARM_Latched signal to an active level (here, a low level) in response to the nGAUGE_INT1 signal output from the ALERT terminal of the measurement circuit 100 being driven to an active level (here, a low level) (i.e., a first abnormal signal). In response to this, the switch SS located in the current path that drives the heater HT is turned off, and the voltage V boost The transformer circuit 120 that generates the signal may stop operating, and the charging circuit 20 may also stop operating. As a specific example, if the EN terminal of the transformer circuit 120 is set to positive logic and the switch SS is configured as an N-channel MOSFET, supplying the nALARM_Latched signal, which has been transitioned to a low level, to the EN terminal of the transformer circuit 120 and the gate terminal of the switch SS may stop the operation of the transformer circuit 120 and turn off the switch SS. Also, if the / CE terminal of the charging circuit 20 is set to negative logic and the switch SL is configured as a pnp bipolar transistor, supplying the nALARM_Latched signal, which has been transitioned to a low level, to the base terminal of the switch SL will turn on the switch SL. When the switch SL is turned on, the voltage V across the two resistors connected in parallel to the / CE terminal of the charging circuit 20 CC33 The voltage division stops. As a result, a high-level voltage V is applied to the / CE terminal of the charging circuit 20. CC33 This is supplied via switch SL. Since the / CE terminal of the charging circuit 20 is negative logic, the operation of the charging circuit 20 may stop.

[0299] The information holding circuit FF1 may also transition the nALARM_Latched signal to an active level (in this case, a low level) if the temperature of the heater HT, as measured using the thermistor TH for detecting the heater HT's temperature, exceeds its upper limit. Specifically, the electrical resistance values ​​of the resistors connected to the non-inverting and inverting input terminals of op-amp A2, and the physical properties of the thermistor TH should be selected so that the output of op-amp A2 becomes low level when the temperature of heater HT exceeds its condition value. Since the low level output by op-amp A2 is supplied to the / CLR terminal of the information holding circuit FF1, similar to the nGAUGE_INT1 signal that has transitioned to an active level, the nALARM_Latched signal can transition to an active level (in this case, a low level).

[0300] The information holding circuit FF1 may also transition the nALARM_Latched signal to an active level if the temperature of the outer case C101, measured using the thermistor TC for detecting the temperature of the outer case C101, exceeds its upper limit. Specifically, the electrical resistance values ​​of the resistors connected to the non-inverting and inverting input terminals of op-amp A3, and the physical properties of the thermistor TC should be selected so that the output of op-amp A3 becomes low level when the heater HT temperature exceeds its condition value. Since the low level output by op-amp A3 is supplied to the / CLR terminal of the information holding circuit FF1, similar to the nGAUGE_INT1 signal which has transitioned to an active level, the nALARM_Latched signal can transition to an active level (in this case, a low level).

[0301] The protection unit PPP may further include an information retention circuit FF2. In one example, the information retention circuit FF2 has a voltage V CC33_0Since it is driven by the power supply BT, it will continue to retain information unless it is in a permanent failure mode, provided that the power supply BT is functioning correctly. The information retention circuit FF2 retains information indicating that the temperature of the heater HT, measured using the thermistor TH to detect the heater HT temperature, exceeds its upper limit, and can also transition the Heater_Latched signal to an active level (high level in this case). Specifically, the information retention circuit FF2 can be composed of a D-type flip-flop having a / CLR terminal. The output signal of op-amp A2 can be supplied to the / CLR terminal of the information retention circuit FF2 (D-type flip-flop). The Heater_Latched signal can be output from the / Q terminal of the information retention circuit FF2 (D-type flip-flop). When the output signal of op-amp A2 supplied to the negative logic / CLR terminal transitions to a low level, the information retention circuit FF2 (D-type flip-flop) fixes the level of the information it retains at a low level. The / Q terminal of the information holding circuit FF2 (D-type flip-flop) outputs a level inverse to the level of the information being held. With this configuration, the Heater_Latched signal can be transitioned to an active level (high level in this case) when the heater HT temperature exceeds its upper limit. Note that the Heater_Latched signal may also be output from the Q terminal of the information holding circuit FF2 (D-type flip-flop). In this case, it should be noted that the active level of the Heater_Latched signal is low unless an inverter is connected to the Q terminal. Also, in this case, the information holding circuit FF2 (D-type flip-flop) does not need to have a / Q terminal.

[0302] When the Heater_Latched signal transitions to an active level, the control unit 130 determines that the heater HT has overheated and can control the notification unit NU to provide notification. Such notification may prompt the user to perform a predetermined operation for resetting. Such notification may be one of the following, or a combination of two or more: the generation of light of a predetermined color, flashing display, generation of a predetermined sound, or generation of a predetermined vibration.

[0303] When the control unit 130 is reset or restarted, it checks the information held in the information holding circuit FF2 by the state (logic level) of the Heater_Latched signal, and can further check whether or not overheating has occurred in the heater HT. When the control unit 130 recognizes that overheating has occurred in the heater HT, it can put the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU into permanent failure mode. As described above, the transition of the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU into permanent failure mode is initiated when the control unit 130 sends a message to the charging circuit 20. 2 This can be achieved by sending a command via the C interface to disable operation in all power path modes. However, if the heater HT overheats, there is a risk that the control unit 130 may also be experiencing a malfunction such as freezing. Therefore, to ensure that the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU enters permanent failure mode, the control unit 130 is reset or restarted. Even if the control unit 130 experiences a malfunction such as freezing, if the heater HT temperature exceeds its upper limit, the information holding circuit FF1 will transition the nALARM_Latched signal to an active level (low level in this case), preventing further overheating of the heater HT.

[0304] When the information holding circuit FF2 is configured with a D-type flip-flop, the information holding circuit FF2 (D-type flip-flop) may include a CLK (clock) terminal, which is not shown and connected to the control unit 130. By inputting a CLK signal to the CLK terminal, the level of information held by the information holding circuit FF2 (D-type flip-flop) can be made the same as the level input to the D terminal. However, in order for the control unit 130 to recognize the occurrence of heater HT overheating after resetting or restarting, it is preferable that the control unit 130 does not input a CLK signal to the CLK terminal of the information holding circuit FF2 (D-type flip-flop), at least immediately after resetting or restarting.

[0305] Figure 28 schematically shows the state changes related to the discharge and charge of the power supply BT. S1 to S8 indicate the timing. The upper part of Figure 28 illustrates the potential detected as the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT by the protection circuit 90 (dotted line), the potential detected as the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT by the measurement circuit 100 (gray solid line), and the potential detected as the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT by the control unit 130 (black solid line). The potential detected as the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT by the protection circuit 90 corresponds to the voltage detected as the output voltage of the power supply BT by the protection circuit 90. The potential detected as the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT by the measurement circuit 100 corresponds to the voltage detected as the output voltage of the power supply BT by the measurement circuit 100. The potential detected as the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT by the control unit 130 corresponds to the voltage detected as the output voltage of the power supply BT by the control unit 130. The middle part of Figure 28 illustrates the charging current for charging the power supply BT. The lower part of Figure 28 illustrates the level of the DOUT terminal of the protection circuit 90.

[0306] At timing S1, the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (the output voltage output between the positive and negative electrodes) is normal. Here, "normal" can be understood as the state in which the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (the output voltage output between the positive and negative electrodes) is below the full charge voltage of the power supply BT and above the discharge termination voltage. By timing S2, discharge from the power supply BT has progressed, and at timing S2, the state of the power supply BT enters the over-discharge region. Figure 28 shows 2.5V as an example of the discharge termination voltage of the power supply BT, and the state of the power supply BT enters the over-discharge region when the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (the output voltage output between the positive and negative electrodes) falls below this discharge termination voltage. At timings S2 to S6, the potential detected by the protection circuit 90 (dotted line), the potential detected by the measurement circuit 100 (gray solid line), and the potential detected by the control unit 130 (black solid line) can differ significantly from each other. In the example described here, as will be explained in detail later, during the period of timing S2 to S5, the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT decreases, making it impossible for the switch circuit 80 to electrically connect the first conductive path PT1 and the PC2 terminal of the control unit 130. Therefore, during the period of timing S2 to S5, the potential detected by the control unit 130 (solid black line) is zero. Also, in the example described here, in the over-discharge region of the power supply BT, the measurement circuit 100 cannot accurately detect the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT. This is because the measurement circuit 100 assigns the minimum remaining capacity of 0 mAh and the minimum state of charge (SOC) of 0% to the state in which the output voltage of the power supply BT is equal to its discharge termination voltage, and is not designed to accurately measure states below these minimum values.

[0307] At timing S3, when the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT drops further due to discharge and falls below the first level, the protection circuit 90 opens the first transistor (switch) SD of the switch SWP to protect the power supply BT and stops the discharge from the power supply BT to anything other than the protection circuit 90. Here, as mentioned above, the first transistor SD is a switch located in the path through which the current output from the power supply BT flows, more specifically, in the second conductive path PT2 which is electrically connected to the second power connector BC-. Note that even when the first transistor (switch) SD is opened, a closed circuit is formed between the first power connector BC+, the VDD terminal of the protection circuit 90, the VSS terminal of the protection circuit 90, and the second power connector BC-, so the protection circuit 90 can maintain the state in which the first transistor (switch) SD is open. When the first transistor (switch) SD is opened, a voltage V is supplied to the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100. CC33 Because the necessary power is not supplied, these will stop working.

[0308] At timing S4, a USB cable with an external device (e.g., a charger or electronic device) connected to it is connected to the USB connector USBC by the user for charging the power supply BT. In this state, a voltage V is applied to the VDD terminal (power terminal) of the control unit 130. CC33 Since power is not supplied, a low level is supplied to the base or gate of the transistors constituting switch SI, and switch SI is off. Therefore, the ON terminal of load switch 10 is connected to the power supply V USB A high level obtained by voltage division can be supplied. Therefore, the load switch 10 supplies the voltage V to the VIN terminal. USB Voltage V CC5 V CC5 The VBUS terminal of the charging circuit 20 can be supplied via the line. The charging circuit 20 operates in first power path mode, electrically connecting the VBUS terminal and the SW terminal, V CC5 Voltage V supplied through the line CC5 Use V CC Voltage V on the line CC It can supply voltage V CC The transformer circuit 30, which receives the power supply, has a voltage V CC33_0The load switch 40 generates the voltage V CC33_0 Receiving voltage V CC33 This can output a voltage V. This causes the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100 to receive a voltage V. CC33 Once supplied, these can resume operation.

[0309] From timing S4 onward, the measurement circuit 100 can detect the potential of the power supply BT supplied to the VBAT terminal. The control unit 130 can determine whether a fault has occurred in the power supply BT that should cause the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU to enter permanent failure mode. If the control unit 130 determines that such a fault has occurred in the power supply BT, it can cause the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU to enter permanent failure mode. On the other hand, if the control unit 130 determines that such a fault has not occurred in the power supply BT, it can perform the operations described below.

[0310] At timing S5, the control unit 130 may output a low level from the PB3 terminal, supplying a low level (enable level) to the / CE terminal of the charging circuit 20. This allows the charging circuit 20 to start supplying a charging voltage (first voltage) to the power supply BT from the BAT terminal. The charging current of the power supply BT at this time may be a first current value smaller than a predetermined current value (540mA in Figure 28). The potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT begins to rise due to charging. Also, the charging circuit 20 supplies a voltage from the SYS terminal. CC Voltage V on the line CC The transformer circuit 30 supplies V CC33_0 Voltage V on the line CC33_0 The load switch 40 can supply voltage V CC33_0 In response to this, V CC33 V as (second voltage) CC33The power can be supplied to the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100 through the line. Here, the charging circuit 20, the transformer circuit 30, and the load switch 40 can be understood as constituting a single voltage supply circuit. This voltage supply circuit can use the voltage supplied from an external device through a USB cable to supply a first voltage for charging the power supply BT between the first conductive path PT1 and the second conductive path PT2, and to generate a second voltage for operating the control unit 130. With such a configuration, the voltage supply circuit can use the voltage supplied from an external device through a USB cable to restart the control unit 130 that has stopped working and to recover the power supply BT that has reached an over-discharge state. In other words, the voltage supply circuit can restore the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU to a normal state.

[0311] At timing S6, the switch circuit 80 is turned on by the rise in the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT, and the PC2 terminal of the control unit 130 may be supplied with a potential ADC_B+ obtained by dividing the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT at a predetermined voltage division ratio. The control unit 130 can convert the potential of the PC2 terminal to the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT based on this voltage division ratio.

[0312] In this example, after timing S5, when the potential of the positive electrode of power supply BT exceeds a certain level, the potential detected by the measurement circuit 100 may rise sharply. In the example in Figure 28, this timing coincides with timing S6, but this is just one example.

[0313] At this stage, the value detected by the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100 as the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) is the forward voltage V of the body diode BDD, which is the first rectifier element connected in parallel with the first transistor SD, as described later, because the first transistor SD of the switch unit SWP is in the off state. F This can be the result of adding this to the output voltage of the power supply BT.

[0314] The control unit 130 determines whether the output voltage of the power supply BT obtained from the measurement circuit 100 has exceeded a second level greater than the first level. If the output voltage exceeds the second level, the control unit 130 may increase the charging current of the power supply BT by the charging circuit 20 to a second current value greater than the predetermined current value (2640mA in Figure 28).

[0315] Furthermore, the control unit 130 determines whether the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT, which is converted or detected based on the potential supplied to the PC2 terminal, exceeds the second level. If the potential of the positive electrode exceeds the second level, the charging current of the power supply BT by the charging circuit 20 may be increased to the second current value (for example, 2640mA). Here, the difference between the second level and the first level is the forward voltage V of the body diode BDD. F It is considered to be a larger value. According to these configurations, the forward voltage V of the body diode BDD is included in the apparent potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT detected by the control unit 130. F By taking this into consideration, it is possible to determine with high accuracy whether or not the over-discharge state of the power battery (BT) has been resolved. This not only improves the charging speed of power batteries whose over-discharge state has been resolved, but also suppresses high-rate charging of power batteries whose over-discharge state has not been resolved.

[0316] Furthermore, the above determination by the control unit 130 may become positive between timing S6 and timing S7 in Figure 28. In other words, if the above determination becomes positive, unlike the example in Figure 28, timing S8 may occur without waiting for timing S7.

[0317] At timing S7, when the potential of the power supply BT rises further and the potential detected by the protection circuit 90 as the potential of the power supply BT exceeds the third level which is higher than the first level, the protection circuit 90 closes the first transistor SD. As a result, the potential detected by the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100 as the potential of the power supply BT matches the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT. In other words, when the first transistor SD is closed, the potential detected by the protection circuit 90 decreases by the amount of the forward voltage VF of the body diode BDD, which is the first rectifier element.

[0318] Subsequently, the control unit 130 determines whether the output voltage of the power supply BT obtained from the measurement circuit 100 has exceeded a fourth level which is lower than the second level. If the potential of the positive electrode exceeds the fourth level, the control unit 130 may increase the charging current of the power supply BT by the charging circuit 20 to the second current value (2640mA in Figure 28). The control unit 130 also determines whether the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT, which is converted or detected based on the potential supplied to the PC2 terminal, has exceeded a third level which is higher than the first level. If the potential of the positive electrode exceeds the third level, the control unit 130 may increase the charging current of the power supply BT by the charging circuit 20 to the second current value (2640mA in Figure 28).

[0319] In other words, the protection circuit 90 may operate to open the first transistor (switch) SD so as to interrupt the discharge of the power supply BT when the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) falls below a first level. The control unit 130 may also operate to increase the charging current of the power supply BT when the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT, detected based on the potential supplied to the PC2 terminal, exceeds a second level greater than the first level due to the charging of the power supply BT.

[0320] Figure 29 shows the protection circuit 90, the switch unit SWP, the measurement circuit 100, the control unit 130, and the switch circuit 80 together with the first conductive path PT1 and the second conductive path PT2. The switch circuit 80 may include, for example, a PMOS transistor SBVC, an npn bipolar transistor SBEN, and two resistors (10kΩ, 470Ω), but is not limited to this configuration. The switch circuit 80 may also consist of a single transistor that turns on when the ADCB+_EN signal output from the PB4 terminal of the control unit 130 is at an active level.

[0321] In the example shown in Figure 29, when the power supply BT is in a normal state, the PMOS transistor SBVC turns on when the ADCB+_EN signal is set to the active level (high level in this case). More specifically, when the ADCB+_EN signal, which has transitioned to the active level (high level in this case), is supplied to the base terminal of the npn bipolar transistor SBEN, the npn bipolar transistor SBEN turns on. Since the gate terminal of the PMOS transistor SBVC is connected to the ground line, the second conductive path PT2, via the npn bipolar transistor SBEN, the potential of the gate terminal of the PMOS transistor SBVC is approximately 0V. The potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT is supplied to the source terminal of the PMOS transistor SBVC via the first conductive path PT1, so the source-gate voltage (absolute value) of the PMOS transistor SBVC becomes greater than the threshold voltage (absolute value) of the PMOS transistor SBVC, and the PMOS transistor SBVC turns on. When the PMOS transistor SBVC is turned on, the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT, divided by the voltage divider resistors R11 and R12, is input to the PC2 terminal of the control unit 130. Since the magnitude of the signal input to the PC2 terminal of the control unit 130 depends on the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT, the control unit 130 can also obtain the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT based on the signal input to the PC2 terminal. The VSS terminal and the second power connector BC- of the control unit 130 are both connected to the second conductive path PT2. In other words, the VSS terminal and the second power connector BC- of the control unit 130 are at approximately the same potential. Therefore, the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT obtained by the control unit 130 is approximately equal to the output voltage of the power supply BT.

[0322] On the other hand, if the power supply BT is in an over-discharged or deeply discharged state, the PMOS transistor SBVC will not turn on even if the ADCB+_EN signal is set to an active level. Here, the voltage division ratio of the two resistors in the switch circuit 80 determines the lower limit of the positive terminal potential of the power supply BT when the PMOS transistor SBVC turns on. For the PMOS transistor SBVC to turn on, the gate potential must be lower than the source potential by a threshold amount of the PMOS transistor SBVC, and therefore the positive terminal potential of the power supply BT must be greater than or equal to the value determined by the voltage division ratio. In the example shown in Figure 29, when the power supply BT is in an over-discharged or deeply discharged state, current is prevented from flowing from the power supply BT through the switch circuit 80 (PMOS transistor SBVC) and the voltage divider resistors R11 and R12. This prevents the power supply BT from discharging further when it is in an over-discharged or deeply discharged state.

[0323] Figures 29A, 28B, 29C, 29D, 29E, and 29F show configurations similar to those in Figure 29. Figures 29A, 28B, 29C, 29D, 29E, and 29F schematically show the states at timings S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, and S7 shown in Figure 28, respectively.

[0324] At timing S2 shown in Figure 29A, the power supply BT enters an over-discharge state, and the potential of its positive terminal (the potential of the first power connector BC+) drops to the over-discharge potential (2.5V in this case). As a result, the source-gate voltage (absolute value) of the PMOS transistor SBVC becomes smaller than the threshold voltage (absolute value) of the PMOS transistor SBVC, and the PMOS transistor SBVC turns off. When the PMOS transistor SBVC turns off, current is prevented from flowing from the power supply BT through the switch circuit 80 (PMOS transistor SBVC) and the voltage divider resistors R11 and R12, so the potential of the second conductive path PT2 is input to the PC2 terminal of the control unit 130 through resistor R12. As a result, the control unit 130 obtains 0V as the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT. The VBAT terminals of the protection circuit 90 and the measurement circuit 100 are directly connected to the first conductive path PT1. Therefore, the protection circuit 90 and the measurement circuit 100 can obtain a value greater than 0V as the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) at timing S2.

[0325] At timing S3 shown in Figure 29B, the discharge of the power supply BT progresses further, and as the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT falls below the first threshold, the protection circuit 90 turns off the first transistor (switch) SD to protect the power supply BT. This disconnects the path from the positive terminal of the power supply BT through the first power connector BC+, the first conductive path PT1, the second conductive path PT2, and the second power connector BC- to the negative terminal of the power supply BT. As a result, the power or voltage supply to the charging circuit 20, which is supplied with power or voltage from the power supply BT via the first conductive path PT1 and the second conductive path PT2, and to the transformer circuit 30 and load switch 40, which are further supplied with power or voltage via the charging circuit 20, is cut off. Therefore, the voltage V supplied to the measurement circuit 100 and the control unit 130 is cut off. CC33When the power supply is stopped, the measurement circuit 100 and the control unit 130 stop operating. In other words, the measurement circuit 100 and the control unit 130 can no longer obtain the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT (the output voltage of the power supply BT). On the other hand, the protection circuit 90 can continue to operate because it receives power or voltage directly from the power supply BT through the closed circuit described above, regardless of the state of the first transistor (switch) SD. At this time, since the operation of the measurement circuit 100 and the control unit 130 is stopped, the progress of discharge of the power supply BT can be suppressed.

[0326] At timing S4 shown in Figure 29C, the user connects the USB cable to the USB connector USBC for charging the power supply BT. Accordingly, the voltage supplied through the USB cable is overvoltage protection circuit 110, V USB Line, load switch 10 and V CC5 The power is supplied to the charging circuit 20 via the line, and the charging circuit 20 operates in the first power path mode, which is set by default, and V CC Voltage V on the line CC It supplies the voltage V to the measurement circuit 100 and the control unit 130 accordingly. CC33 The supply is resumed or started. Therefore, the measurement circuit 100 and the control unit 130 resume or start operation.

[0327] At timing S5 shown in Figure 29D, the control unit 130 outputs a low level from the PB3 terminal, supplying a low level (enable level) to the / CE terminal of the charging circuit 20. As a result, the charging circuit 20 starts supplying a charging voltage to the power supply BT from the BAT terminal, and the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT starts to rise. The charging current of the power supply BT at this time may be a first current value (540mA in Figure 28) which is smaller than a predetermined current value. This is because if the power supply BT is in an over-discharged or deep-discharged state and is charged with a current value like that used during normal charging, the power supply BT may become irrecoverable.

[0328] During the timing period S5-S7, the first transistor SD is off, but the forward direction of the body diode BDD connected in parallel with the first transistor SD coincides with the direction of the charging current that charges the power supply BT, so the power supply BT can be charged. However, with respect to the ground node GN (the same node as the ground terminal of the USB connector USBC), the potential of the second power supply connector BC- to which the negative terminal of the power supply BT is connected is higher by the voltage drop in the path between them. In the example in Figure 29D, the potential of the second power supply connector BC- to which the negative terminal of the power supply BT is connected is equal to the forward voltage V of the body diode BDD. F Furthermore, the voltage drop across resistors R1 and R2 is greater than the potential of the ground node GN. Since the electrical resistances of resistor R2 connected to the protection circuit 90 and resistor R1 connected to the measurement circuit 100 are extremely small, the voltage drop across resistors R1 and R2 is negligible. Therefore, when the power supply BT is in a normal state, the potential of the second power connector BC- is approximately equal to the potential of the ground node GN. However, the forward voltage of the body diode BDD V F Since it is generally around several hundred mV, it cannot be ignored.

[0329] At timing S6, when the potential of the positive terminal of power supply BT rises to the potential before entering the over-discharge region, the switch circuit 80 is turned on, and the PC2 terminal of the control unit 130 is supplied with a potential ADC_B+ obtained by dividing the potential of the positive terminal of power supply BT at a predetermined voltage division ratio. The control unit 130 can convert the potential of the PC2 terminal to the potential of the positive terminal of power supply BT based on this voltage division ratio. This voltage division ratio is determined by the resistance values ​​of resistors R11 and R12.

[0330] Subsequently, at timing S7 shown in Figure 29F, the protection circuit 90 closes the first transistor SD. This creates a path through the first transistor SD, and since the on-resistance of the first transistor SD is negligible, the potential detected by the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100 as the potential of the power supply BT will match the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT. In other words, by closing the first transistor SD, the potential detected by the protection circuit 90 matches the forward voltage V of the body diode BDD. F It drops by 1 minute. The protection circuit 90 obtains the potential difference between the VBAT terminal and the VSS terminal as the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT). In other words, the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT obtained by the protection circuit 90 (output voltage of the power supply BT) includes the forward voltage of the body diode BDD V F It is not affected by this. Therefore, the positive terminal potential of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) acquired by the protection circuit 90 is approximately equal to its true value. The first transistor (switch) SD is turned off at timing S3 shown in Figure 29B, and the first transistor (switch) SD is turned on at timing S7 shown in Figure 29F. As is clear from Figure 28 and other figures, the positive terminal potential of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) when the first transistor (switch) SD is turned off may differ from the positive terminal potential of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) when the first transistor (switch) SD is turned on. More specifically, the positive terminal potential of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) when the first transistor (switch) SD is turned off is lower than the positive terminal potential of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) when the first transistor (switch) SD is turned on. This can function as hysteresis to suppress situations in which the first transistor (switch) SD is turned off immediately after being turned on.

[0331] Figures 30 and 31 show a time-series example of the operation of the protection circuit 90, control unit 130, charging circuit 20, and measurement circuit 100. Figure 32 shows an example of the operation of the control unit 130 when an interrupt is received due to the completion of charging. First, the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT continues to decrease due to discharge from the power supply BT, and in step P11, the protection circuit 90 detects that the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT has fallen below the first level. In response to this, in step P12, the protection circuit 90 turns off the first transistor (switch) SD (timing S3 in Figure 28 and Figure 29B). This reduces the voltage V to the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100. CC33 The supply is cut off. Therefore, the control unit 130 stops operating in step M11, and the measurement circuit 100 stops operating in step K11. Steps P12, M11, and K11 can occur almost simultaneously.

[0332] Subsequently, the USB cable connected to the external device is connected to the USB connector USBC (timing S4 in Figure 28 and Figure 29C). This allows power to be supplied from the external device to the VBUS terminal of the charging circuit 20. The charging circuit 20 operates in first power path mode, electrically connecting the VBUS terminal and the SW terminal, and V CC5 Voltage V supplied through the line CC5 Use V CC Voltage V on the line CC Supply (step C11). Voltage V CC The transformer circuit 30, which receives the power supply, has a voltage V CC33_0 The load switch 40 generates the voltage V CC33_0 Receiving voltage V CC33 This outputs a voltage V to the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100. CC33 It will be supplied.

[0333] In step M12, the control unit 130 is started (restarted), and in parallel, in step K12, the measurement circuit 100 is also started (restarted). In step M13, the control unit 130 gives the measurement circuit 100 an I 2Information on the output voltage (V) of the power supply BT via the C interface. BAT The system requests the provision of information. In step K13, the measurement circuit 100 requests the control unit 130 to provide I 2 Information on the output voltage (V) of the power supply BT via the C interface. BAT Information is provided. In step M14, the control unit 130 receives from the measurement circuit 100, I 2 Information on the output voltage (V) of the power supply BT via the C interface. BAT Receive information.

[0334] In step M15, the control unit 130 transitions the ADCB+_EN signal to the active level, and in step M16, the control unit 130 obtains the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) based on the potential supplied to the PC2 terminal (also called the ADCB+ signal).

[0335] In step M17, the control unit 130 determines whether the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) obtained in step M16 is less than or equal to a first predetermined threshold (for example, 0.1V) or whether the output voltage information of the power supply BT (V) obtained from the measurement circuit 100 in step M14 is less than or equal to a first predetermined threshold (for example, 0.1V). BAT The system determines whether the information is below a second predetermined threshold (for example, 1.5V).

[0336] Then, if the positive terminal potential of power supply BT (output voltage of power supply BT) obtained in step M16 is less than or equal to the first predetermined threshold, or if the output voltage information of power supply BT (V) obtained from the measurement circuit 100 in step M14 is... BAT If the information is below the second predetermined threshold, in step M21, 2 A command is sent to the charging circuit 20 via the C interface to charge the power supply BT with a first current value smaller than a predetermined current value (timing S5 in Figure 28 and Figure 29D). Meanwhile, the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) obtained in step M16 is not less than or equal to the first predetermined threshold, and the output voltage information of the power supply BT (V) obtained from the measurement circuit 100 in step M14 is BAT If the information is not below the second predetermined threshold, in step M18,2 A command is sent to the charging circuit 20 via the C interface to charge the power supply BT with a second current value (normal charging sequence) that is greater than a predetermined current value.

[0337] The normal charging sequence is a typical CCCV charge, so its explanation will be omitted. Note that if the potential of the positive terminal of power supply BT (output voltage of power supply BT) drops to the point where the transistor (switch) SD is turned off by the protection circuit 90, the potential of the second conductive path PT2 (i.e., ground potential) is input to the PC2 terminal through resistor R12. In other words, the potential of the positive terminal of power supply BT (output voltage of power supply BT) obtained in step M16 should be 0.1V or less. To put it another way, if the potential of the positive terminal of power supply BT (output voltage of power supply BT) obtained in step M16 exceeds 0.1V, it can be considered that the power supply BT was mistakenly judged to be in an over-discharged or deeply discharged state due to noise or being placed in an extremely low-temperature environment.

[0338] To give another example, in step M17, the control unit 130 determines whether the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) obtained in step M16 is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold (for example, 0.1V). If the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) obtained in step M16 is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold (for example, 0.1V), the control unit 130, in step M21, 2 A command is sent to the charging circuit 20 via the C interface to charge the power supply BT with a first current value smaller than a predetermined current value (timing S5 in Figure 28 and Figure 29D). On the other hand, if the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) obtained in step M16 is not less than or equal to the predetermined threshold (for example, 0.1V), then in step M18, I 2 A command is sent to the charging circuit 20 via the C interface to charge the power supply BT with a second current value (normal charging sequence) that is greater than a predetermined current value.

[0339] To give yet another example, in step M17, the control unit 130 receives the output voltage information (V) of the power supply BT obtained from the measurement circuit 100 in step M14.BAT The system determines whether the information is below a predetermined threshold (for example, 1.5V). Then, it determines whether the output voltage information (V) of the power supply BT obtained in step M14 is below the threshold. BAT If the information is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold (for example, 1.5V), the control unit 130, in step M21, 2 A command is sent to the charging circuit 20 via the C interface to charge the power supply BT with a first current value smaller than a predetermined current value (timing S5 in Figure 28 and Figure 29D). On the other hand, if the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) obtained in step M14 is not less than or equal to the predetermined threshold (for example, 1.5V), then in step M18, I 2 A command is sent to the charging circuit 20 via the C interface to charge the power supply BT with a second current value (normal charging sequence) that is greater than a predetermined current value.

[0340] In step M22, the control unit 130 waits for a predetermined time. During this predetermined time, the charging of the power supply BT proceeds in step C12, which will be described later. In step M23, the control unit 130 transitions the ADCB+_EN signal to the active level, and in step M24, the control unit 130 obtains the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) based on the potential supplied to the PC2 terminal (ADCB+ signal). In step M25, the control unit 130 determines whether the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) obtained in step M24 is at or above the second level (e.g., 3.35V). If the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) obtained in step M24 is at or above the second level (e.g., 3.35V), the control unit 130 performs the following in step M26: 2 A command is sent to the charging circuit 20 via the C interface to charge the power supply BT with a second current value (normal charging sequence) that is greater than a predetermined current value.

[0341] On the other hand, if the positive terminal potential of power supply BT (output voltage of power supply BT) obtained in step M24 is not equal to or greater than the second level (for example, 3.35V), the control unit 130, in step M27, determines that the positive terminal potential of power supply BT (output voltage of power supply BT) obtained in step M24 is greater than the forward voltage V of the body diode SDD mentioned above. F This determines whether the voltage has dropped by a certain amount, that is, whether the first transistor (switch) SD has turned on. This determination is made by subtracting the positive terminal potential of power supply BT (output voltage of power supply BT) obtained in the current step M24 from the positive terminal potential of power supply BT (output voltage of power supply BT) obtained in the previous step M24, and the forward voltage V of the body diode SDD. F The process can be executed depending on whether the above conditions are met or not. If the control unit 130 determines that the first transistor (switch) SD is ON, it proceeds to step M28. On the other hand, if the control unit 130 determines that the first transistor (switch) SD is NOT ON, it returns to step M23. In the time series illustrated in Figure 31, in step P21, the protection circuit 90 closes the first transistor SD (timing S7 in Figure 28 and Figure 29F).

[0342] In step M28, the control unit 130 communicates to the measurement circuit 100: 2 Information on the output voltage (V) of the power supply BT via the C interface. BAT The information is requested to be provided. In step K21, the measurement circuit 100 requests the control unit 130 to provide I 2 Information on the output voltage (V) of the power supply BT via the C interface. BAT Information is provided. In step M29, the control unit 130 receives from the measurement circuit 100, I 2 Information on the output voltage (V) of the power supply BT via the C interface. BAT Receive information.

[0343] In step M30, the control unit 130 determines whether the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) obtained in step M29 is at or above the fourth level (for example, 2.35V). If the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) obtained in step M29 is at or above the fourth level, the control unit 130 performs the following in step M31: 2 The control unit 130 sends a command to the charging circuit 20 via the C interface to charge the power supply BT with a second current value greater than a predetermined current value (normal charging sequence) (timing S8 in Figure 28). On the other hand, if the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) obtained in step M29 is not greater than or equal to the fourth level, the control unit 130 returns the process to step S28. The fourth level is a reference used when the first transistor (switch) SD is ON, so it can be a value smaller than the second level. Also, the fourth level is a value larger than the first level.

[0344] After the charging circuit 20 starts charging the power supply BT in step C12, it waits for the charging of the power supply BT to be completed in step C13. Once charging is complete, it may send an interrupt request to the control unit 130 in step C14. On the other hand, when the control unit 130 receives an interrupt request from the charging circuit 20, it may execute the process shown in Figure 32 separately from the processes shown in Figures 30 and 31.

[0345] In step M41, the control unit 130, 2The total charging time required to charge the power supply BT is obtained from the charging circuit 20 via the C interface. In step M42, the control unit 130 determines whether the state immediately before receiving the interrupt request from the charging circuit 20 was charging the power supply BT with a first current value. If the state immediately before receiving the interrupt request was not charging the power supply BT with a first current value, the process shown in Figure 32 is terminated. On the other hand, if the state immediately before receiving the interrupt request was charging the power supply BT with a first current value, the control unit 130 performs error processing. This error processing may include two types of processing, as described below. In other words, the control unit 130 determines whether the state immediately before receiving the interrupt request is before changing the charging current from a first current value to a second current value. If the state immediately before receiving the interrupt request is before changing the charging current from a first current value to a second current value, permanent fault processing is performed. On the other hand, if the state immediately before receiving the interrupt request is after changing the charging current from a first current value to a second current value, the control unit 130 performs charging error processing.

[0346] Specifically, in step M43, the control unit 130 determines whether the total charging time obtained from the charging circuit 20 in step M41 is shorter than the reference time. If the total charging time is shorter than the reference time, the control unit 130 executes a permanent failure process as an error handling step SM44. For example, as a permanent failure process, the control unit 130 may execute a process that renders the aerosol generator AGD or power supply unit PSU unusable. This may be equivalent to transitioning the aerosol generator AGD or power supply unit PSU to the permanent failure mode described above. For example, the control unit 130 may tell the charging circuit 20, 2 By sending a command via the C interface to disable operation in all power path modes, the voltage output from the SYS and SW terminals of the charging circuit 20 can be stopped. This cuts off the power supply to the control unit 130, rendering it inoperable. This operation helps to enhance safety by prohibiting the charging and discharging of the power supply BT, which is determined to have reached a deep discharge state.

[0347] On the other hand, if the total charging time obtained from the charging circuit 20 in step M41 is not shorter than the reference time, in step M45, the control unit 130 performs a charging error processing as another error processing method. The charging error processing may include processing to prohibit charging of the power supply BT and supplying power to the heater HT. The charging error processing may include processing to prompt the user to perform a reset or restart operation using the notification unit NU. When the control unit 130 is reset or restarted, the control unit 130 may enter sleep mode. In this case, the user can charge the power supply BT again by reconnecting the USB cable to the USB connector. Also, if the power supply BT is in a normal state, power can be supplied to the heater HT.

[0348] As described above, the control unit 130 may be configured to perform error processing if the charging circuit 20 (voltage supply circuit) finishes charging before the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT, detected based on the potential supplied to the PC2 terminal, exceeds the second threshold. If the time required for the charging circuit 20 to charge the power supply BT is shorter than the reference time, the control unit 130 may, as an error processing measure, prohibit charging the power supply BT and supplying power to the heater HT. In this case, the state in which charging the power supply BT and supplying power to the heater HT are prohibited may be irreversible. If the time required for the charging circuit 20 to charge the power supply BT is not shorter than the reference time, the control unit 130 may, as an error processing measure, prohibit charging the power supply BT and supplying power to the heater HT. In this case, the state in which charging the power supply BT and supplying power to the heater HT are prohibited may be released by restarting or resetting the control unit 130.

[0349] The embodiments described with reference to Figures 28, 29, 29A to 29F, and 30 to 32 also have the following aspects.

[0350] The control unit 130 has a PC2 terminal as a first terminal that receives information correlated with the state of the power supply BT, and can acquire a first index according to the information supplied to the PC2 terminal. The first information is an index indicating the state of the power supply BT.

[0351] The measurement circuit 100 has a VBAT terminal as a second terminal that receives information correlated with the state of the power supply BT, and can generate a second index according to the information supplied to the VBAT terminal and provide it to the control unit 130. Providing the second index to the control unit 130 is I 2 This can be done using the C interface.

[0352] The control unit 130 can control the charging operation of the power supply BT according to the first and second indicators. For example, steps M23, M24, M25, and M26 in Figure 31 are an example of a sequence that controls the charging operation of the power supply BT based on the first indicator corresponding to the information supplied to the PC2 terminal of the control unit 130. Also, steps M28, M29, M30, and M31 in Figure 31 are an example of a sequence that controls the charging operation of the power supply BT based on the second indicator generated by the measurement circuit 100 and provided to the control unit 130. It is extremely difficult to determine the state of a power supply BT that is not in a normal state using only one indicator. With this configuration, the control unit 130 obtains the state of the power supply BT from the first and second indicators, so it can perform appropriate charging even for a power supply BT that is not in a normal state.

[0353] The charging circuit 20 may be understood as a charging circuit capable of operating in a first mode, which charges the power supply BT with a first current value smaller than a predetermined current value, and a second mode, which charges the power supply BT with a second current value larger than the predetermined current value.

[0354] The control unit 130 can control the charging operation of the power supply BT by the charging circuit 20 so that the power supply BT is charged in the first mode if at least one of the first and second indicators indicates that the power supply BT is in an over-discharge state (step C12). It is not easy to distinguish with high accuracy whether or not the power supply BT is in an over-discharge state. With this configuration, even if one of the first and second indicators cannot detect the over-discharge state of the power supply BT, if the other can detect the over-discharge state, the power supply BT will be charged in the first charging mode. In other words, high-rate charging will not be performed on a power supply BT that is likely to be in an over-discharge state, so that a power supply BT in an over-discharge state will not fail due to high-rate charging.

[0355] Alternatively, the control unit 130 may control the charging operation of the power supply BT by the charging circuit 20 so that the power supply BT is charged in the second mode when at least one of the first and second indicators indicates that the over-discharge state of the power supply BT has been resolved (steps M26, M31). During charging of the power supply BT, the control unit 130 detects the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT and the output voltage information of the power supply BT provided to the control unit 130 by the measurement circuit 100 (V BAT (Information) The forward voltage V of the body diode BDD F There is a risk that the following effects may be involved. Forward voltage V F Since this value also fluctuates depending on temperature and charging current, it is not easy to determine whether the over-discharge state of the power supply battery (BT) has been resolved using only one indicator. With this configuration, even if one of the first or second indicators fails to detect that the over-discharge state of the power supply battery (BT) has been resolved, if the other indicator can detect it, the power supply battery (BT) will be charged in the second charging mode. In other words, the resolution of the over-discharge state of the power supply battery (BT) is less likely to be overlooked, allowing the remaining capacity of the power supply battery (BT) to be restored to a normal state more quickly.

[0356] Alternatively, the control unit 130 may control the charging operation of the charging circuit 20 to charge the power supply BT in the first mode when at least one of the first and second indicators indicates that the power supply BT is in an over-discharge state (step C21), and may control the charging operation of the charging circuit 20 to charge the power supply BT in the second mode when at least one of the first and second indicators indicates that the over-discharge state of the power supply BT has been resolved (steps M26, M31).

[0357] The first and second indicators mentioned above, in the example above, are the potential of the positive terminal of power supply BT, or the output voltage of power supply BT, and these are indicators that can be compared on the same scale. Also, as stated above, in the example above, the potential of the positive terminal of power supply BT is approximately equal to the output voltage of power supply BT.

[0358] As illustrated in M23 to M31 of Figure 31, the control unit 130 may be configured to control the charging operation based on the first indicator when the first transistor (first switch) SD is open, and to control the charging operation based on the second indicator when the first transistor (first switch) SD is closed. Here, the VBAT terminal of the measurement circuit 100 may be directly connected to the first path PT1 (positive terminal of the power supply BT). On the other hand, the PC2 terminal of the control unit 130 may be connected to the first path PT1 (positive terminal of the power supply BT) via a voltage divider circuit consisting of a transistor such as a PMOS transistor SBVC and / or resistors R11 and R12. Alternatively, from another viewpoint, the PC2 terminal of the control unit 130 may be connected to the first path PT1 (positive terminal of the power supply BT) via an analog circuit. Therefore, the accuracy of detecting or measuring the potential of the positive terminal of the power supply BT, or the output voltage of the power supply BT, is higher in the measurement circuit 100 than in the control unit 130. Therefore, the first transistor (first switch) SD is closed, and the forward voltage V of the body diode BDD is closed. F The state in which the effect has disappeared (forward voltage V F When the error factors are eliminated, it is advantageous for the control unit 130 to control the charging operation based on the second indicator provided by the measurement circuit 100.

[0359] The notification unit NU can notify information regarding the remaining capacity of the power supply BT, and the control unit 130 can be configured to obtain a third indicator from the measurement circuit that shows the remaining capacity of the power supply BT (e.g., remaining capacity, SOC, etc.) as the state of the power supply BT, and to notify the notification unit NU of information corresponding to the third indicator.

[0360] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention.

[0361] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-079754, filed on May 10, 2021, and all of its contents are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A power supply unit for an aerosol generator, A connector to which a heater is connected for heating the aerosol source using power supplied from the power source, A control unit having a terminal to which a potential corresponding to the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply is supplied, and which controls the supply of power to the heater and the charging of the power supply, A switch is positioned in the path through which the current output from the power supply flows, capable of interrupting the discharge of the power supply. The system includes a protection circuit that opens the switch in response to the potential of the positive electrode falling below a first level, so as to interrupt the discharge of the power supply, The control unit increases the charging current of the power supply in response to the fact that the potential of the positive electrode, detected based on the potential supplied to the terminal, exceeds a second level greater than the first level due to charging of the power supply.

2. The power supply unit according to claim 1, further comprising a rectifier element connected in parallel with the switch so as to be able to supply a charging current to the power supply.

3. The power supply unit according to claim 2, wherein the rectifier element is a body diode associated with the switch.

4. The power supply unit according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the output voltage of the power supply is supplied to the protection circuit regardless of the state of the switch.

5. The power supply unit according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the power supply to the control unit is interrupted when the switch is opened.

6. The power supply unit according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the difference between the second level and the first level is greater than the forward voltage of the rectifier element.

7. The power supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the terminal is supplied with a potential obtained by dividing the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply.

8. The power supply unit according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the path includes a first conductive path connected to the positive terminal of the power supply and a second conductive path connected to the negative terminal of the power supply, and the switch is located in the second conductive path.

9. The system further includes a voltage supply circuit that uses a voltage supplied from an external device to supply a first voltage between the first conductive path and the second conductive path for charging the power supply, and generates a second voltage for operating the control unit. The power supply unit according to claim 8, wherein the control unit controls the charging of the power supply by controlling the voltage supply circuit.

10. The power supply unit according to claim 9, wherein the voltage supply circuit includes a charging circuit that generates a third voltage in addition to the first voltage using a voltage supplied from the external device, and a transformer circuit that converts the third voltage output from the charging circuit into the second voltage.

11. The power supply unit according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the control unit performs error processing if the voltage supply circuit terminates charging before the potential of the positive electrode, detected based on the potential supplied to the terminal, exceeds the second level.

12. The power supply unit according to claim 11, wherein the control unit, as an error handling measure, prohibits charging the power supply and supplying power to the heater when the time required for the voltage supply circuit to charge the power supply is shorter than a reference time.

13. The power supply unit according to claim 12, wherein the state in which charging of the power supply and supply of power to the heater are prohibited as an error handling measure cannot be released.

14. The power supply unit according to claim 12, wherein if the time required for the voltage supply circuit to charge the power supply is not shorter than the reference time, the state in which charging the power supply and supplying power to the heater are prohibited as an error processing measure is released by restarting the control unit.

15. The power supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the protection circuit closes the switch when the potential of the positive electrode exceeds a third level greater than the first level.

16. The circuit further comprises a measuring circuit for measuring the voltage of the aforementioned power supply. The power supply unit according to claim 15, wherein the control unit increases the charging current of the power supply in response to the fact that the potential of the positive electrode measured by the measurement circuit exceeds a fourth level which is lower than the second level, after the protection circuit has closed the switch.

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