Flavoring generator, power supply unit, method for controlling the flavoring generator, and program

Abstract

To suppress the rapid decrease in a residual amount of a power supply and the advancement of degradation of the power supply in a flavor generation device having multiple loads.SOLUTION: A flavor generation device includes: a circuit which electrically connects a power source, a first load for atomizing an aerosol source or heating a flavor source and a second load different from the first load; a control unit which is configured to obtain power supply requests for the first load and the second load and to control the circuit so as to supply power from the power source to each of the first load and the second load based on the requests; and reduction means which, when the control unit acquires the request for the first load and the request for the second load at the same time, or when the control unit controls the circuit so as to supply power to the first load and supply power to the second load at the same time, is configured to reduce the power or power amount discharged from the power source relative to the maximum power or maximum power amount when the power source discharges power to the first load and the second load at the same time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aroma generating device, a power supply unit, a method for controlling an aroma generating device, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] There is known an aroma generating device that tastes an aerosol (aroma) generated by atomizing an aerosol source with an electric load such as a heater instead of a cigarette (Patent Documents 1-3). The aerosol generating device includes a heating element that atomizes an aerosol source or heats an aroma source, a power supply that supplies power to the heating element, and a control unit that controls the load and the power supply.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a smoking article having a first electric resistance heating element that is powered by a power source and heats air sucked through an opening at the distal end of an outer housing, and a second electric resistance heating element that is powered by a power source and heats an aerosol forming material and a tobacco material.

[0004] Patent Document 3 discloses a smoking material heating device having a plurality of heating cylinders for heating a smoking material. These heating cylinders are electrically driven by electricity.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

[0006] The first feature is a flavor generating device comprising: a power supply; a circuit electrically connecting a first load for atomizing an aerosol source or heating a flavor source; a second load different from the first load; a control unit configured to acquire power supply requests for the first load and the second load, and to control the circuit to supply power from the power supply to the first load and the second load based on the requests; and a reduction means configured to reduce the power or energy discharged from the power supply to less than the maximum power or energy discharged from the power supply to the first load and the second load simultaneously when the control unit acquires the requests for the first load and the second load at the same time, or when it controls the circuit to supply power to the first load and the second load at the same time.

[0007] The second feature is the flavor generating device in the first feature, wherein the reduction means is configured so that power is not supplied simultaneously from the power source to the first load and the second load.

[0008] The third feature is a flavor generating device according to the first or second feature, wherein the circuit includes a first switch for opening and closing the electrical connection between the first load and the power supply, and a second switch for opening and closing the electrical connection between the second load and the power supply, wherein the switching period of the first switch and the switching period of the second switch are the same, and the reduction means is configured to set or correct at least one of the on-periods of the first switch and the second switch so that the sum of the on-periods of the first switch and the second switch does not exceed the switching period.

[0009] The fourth feature is a flavor generating device in the third feature, wherein the reduction means is configured to shift the switching phase of the first switch from the switching phase of the second switch by more than the ON period of the second switch, or to shift the switching phase of the second switch from the switching phase of the first switch by more than the ON period of the first switch.

[0010] The fifth feature is a flavor generating device according to the third or fourth feature, wherein the reduction means is configured to set or correct at least one of the on-periods of the first switch and the second switch so that the sum of the on-periods of the first switch and the second switch is less than the switching period, thereby shifting the switching phase of the first switch by a larger amount than the on-period of the second switch from the switching phase of the second switch, or shifting the switching phase of the second switch by a larger amount than the on-period of the first switch from the switching phase of the first switch.

[0011] The sixth feature is a flavor generating device in the first feature, wherein the circuit includes a first switch for opening and closing the electrical connection between the first load and the power supply, and a second switch for opening and closing the electrical connection between the second load and the power supply, and the reduction means is configured to set or correct at least one of the variables or modes in the switching control of the first switch and the variables or modes in the switching control of the second switch to reduce the power or energy discharged from the power supply.

[0012] The seventh feature is a flavor generating device in the sixth feature, wherein the reduction means is configured to shorten at least one of the ON period of the first switch and the ON period of the second switch.

[0013] The eighth feature is a flavor generating device in the sixth feature, wherein the reduction means is configured to shorten at least one of the switching period of the first switch and the switching period of the second switch.

[0014] The ninth feature is a flavor generating device according to the sixth or eighth feature, wherein the control unit is configured to control the first switch and the second switch based on feedback control using PWM control, and the reduction means is configured to control at least one of the first switch and the second switch based on feedback control using PFM control instead of PWM control.

[0015] The tenth feature is a flavor generating device according to the first feature, the sixth to ninth features, wherein the reduction means is configured to reduce the power supplied to the second load simultaneously with the power supplied to the first load, or to reduce the power supplied to the first load simultaneously with the power supplied to the second load.

[0016] The eleventh feature is a flavor generating device in the tenth feature, wherein the control unit is configured to control the power supplied from the power supply to either the first load or the second load based on feedback control, and the reduction means is configured to adjust at least one of the proportional gain and the limiter upper limit in the feedback control in order to reduce the power supplied from the power supply to either the first load or the second load.

[0017] The twelfth feature is a flavor generating device according to the tenth feature, wherein the circuit includes a regulator that adjusts the current output to at least one of the first load and the second load, and the reducing means is configured to control the regulator so as to reduce the current value output by the regulator.

[0018] The thirteenth feature is a flavor generating device according to any of the first to eleventh features, wherein the circuit includes a first circuit and a second circuit connected in parallel with the first circuit and having a higher electrical resistance than the first circuit, and the reduction means is configured to allow the second circuit to function without allowing the first circuit to function.

[0019] The 14th feature is an aroma generating device according to any one of the 1st to 13th features, wherein the reducing means includes a protection integrated circuit or an electrical fuse provided in the circuit and having a rated current value greater than the maximum current value that can be supplied to one of the first load and the second load.

[0020] The 15th feature is an aroma generating device according to the 14th feature, wherein the reducing means is configured to control the circuit so that the sum of the first current supplied to the first load and the second current supplied to the second load simultaneously with the first current does not exceed the rated current.

[0021] The 16th feature is an aroma generating device according to any one of the 1st to 15th features, wherein the reducing means includes a thermal fuse provided in the circuit and having a rated current value equal to or less than half of the current value flowing when power is supplied to the first load and the second load simultaneously.

[0022] The 17th feature is an aroma generating device according to any one of the 1st to 15th features, wherein the reducing means includes an auxiliary power source capable of discharging to the first load and the second load.

[0023] [[ID=l7]] The 18th feature is an aroma generating device according to the 17th feature, wherein the auxiliary power source has a higher output density than the power source.

[0024] The 19th feature is an aroma generating device according to the 17th or 18th feature, wherein the control unit or the reducing means can acquire a value related to the remaining amount of the auxiliary power source, and the control unit or the reducing means is configured to control the circuit so that the power or the amount of power discharged by the power source is reduced as the value related to the remaining amount of the auxiliary power source increases.

[0025] The 20th feature is an aroma generating device according to the 1st feature or the 19th feature, wherein the power supply and the auxiliary power supply are connected in parallel to at least one of the 1st load and the 2nd load, and the circuit is provided between the power supply and the auxiliary power supply and includes a converter capable of converting and outputting at least one of the magnitude of the input current, voltage, and power.

[0026] The 21st feature is a power supply unit for an aroma generating device, including a power supply, a 1st load for atomizing an aerosol source or heating an aroma source, a circuit for electrically connecting the power supply to a 2nd load different from the 1st load, a control unit configured to acquire a power supply request for each of the 1st load and the 2nd load and control the circuit to supply power from the power supply to each of the 1st load and the 2nd load based on the request, and a reduction means configured to reduce the power or the amount of power discharged from the power supply to less than the maximum power or the maximum amount of power when the power supply discharges to the 1st load and the 2nd load simultaneously when the control unit acquires the requests for the 1st load and the 2nd load simultaneously or controls the circuit to supply power to the 1st load and the 2nd load simultaneously.

[0027] The 22nd feature is a method for controlling an aroma generating device including a 1st load for atomizing an aerosol source or heating an aroma source and a 2nd load different from the 1st load, including the steps of acquiring a power supply request for each of the 1st load and the 2nd load and controlling the circuit to supply power from the power supply to each of the 1st load and the 2nd load based on the request, and reducing the power or the amount of power discharged from the power supply to less than the maximum power or the maximum amount of power when the power supply discharges to the 1st load and the 2nd load simultaneously when the requests for the 1st load and the 2nd load are acquired simultaneously or the circuit is controlled to supply power to the 1st load and the 2nd load simultaneously.

[0028] The 23rd feature is essentially a program that causes the flavor generator to execute the method described in the 22nd feature. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0029] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a flavor generating apparatus according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an atomizing unit according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a suction sensor according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram of the flavor generator. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit of a flavor generator, including the atomizing unit and the power supply unit. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the control by a control unit according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a graph showing an example of power supply to the atomizing electrical load and the flavoring electrical load. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a control block diagram showing the switching control of the first and second switches. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a graph showing the switching control of the first and second switches. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a graph showing another example of power supply to the atomizing electrical load and the flavoring electrical load. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a graph showing yet another example of power supply to the atomizing and flavoring electrical loads. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit of the flavor generating device, including the atomizing unit and power supply unit, in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a modified electrical circuit of a flavor generating device including an atomizing unit and a power supply unit in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 14]Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit of the flavor generating device, including the atomizing unit and power supply unit, in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit of the flavor generating device, including the atomizing unit and power supply unit, in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit of the flavor generating device, including the atomizing unit and power supply unit, in the seventh embodiment. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit of the flavor generating device, including the atomizing unit and power supply unit, in the eighth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] Embodiments will be described below. In the following drawings, identical or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the proportions of the dimensions may differ from those of reality.

[0031] Therefore, specific dimensions should be determined by referring to the following explanation. Furthermore, it is important to note that there may be differences in the relationships and ratios of dimensions between different drawings.

[0032] [Summary of Disclosure] In the apparatus described in Patent Documents 2 and 3, power from a power source can be supplied to multiple electrical loads, such as two or more electric heating elements. The inventors of the present invention have considered driving each load individually or driving multiple loads simultaneously in a flavor generating apparatus having multiple loads. In this case, in order to independently control the loads, the multiple loads may be electrically connected in parallel with respect to the power source. When multiple loads are electrically connected in parallel with respect to the power source, the combined electrical resistance of the multiple loads becomes smaller than the individual electrical resistance of each load. Therefore, when attempting to supply power to multiple loads simultaneously from a power source, a larger current is output from the power source than the current output when supplying power to a single load.

[0033] Furthermore, it is known that the more power or current discharged per unit time, the faster the power supply deteriorates.

[0034] In other words, when attempting to drive multiple loads simultaneously, the discharge rate from the power supply becomes relatively large, leading to a rapid decrease in the power supply's remaining charge and accelerated power supply degradation. Therefore, even in such cases, it is desirable to suppress the rapid decrease in the power supply's remaining charge and the accelerated degradation of the power supply.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the flavor generating apparatus includes a power supply, a circuit electrically connecting a first load for atomizing an aerosol source or heating a flavor source, and a second load different from the first load, a control unit configured to acquire requests for power supply to the first load and the second load, and to control the circuit to supply power from the power supply to the first load and the second load, respectively, based on the requests, and a reduction means configured to reduce the power or amount of energy discharged from the power supply to less than the maximum power or amount of energy when the power supply discharges to the first load and the second load simultaneously, when the control unit acquires the requests for the first load and the second load at the same time, or when it controls the circuit to supply power to the first load and the second load at the same time.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the power supply unit includes a power supply, a circuit that electrically connects the power supply to a first load for atomizing an aerosol source or heating a flavor source, and a second load different from the first load, a control unit configured to acquire requests for power supply to the first load and the second load, and to control the circuit to supply power from the power supply to the first load and the second load, respectively, based on the requests, and a reduction means configured to reduce the power or energy discharged from the power supply to less than the maximum power or energy discharged from the power supply to the first load and the second load simultaneously when the control unit acquires the requests for the first load and the second load at the same time, or when it controls the circuit to supply power to the first load and the second load at the same time.

[0037] According to the above embodiment, when a request for the first load and a request for the second load are obtained at the same time, or when the circuit is controlled to supply power to the first load and the second load at the same time, the power or amount of energy discharged from the power supply is reduced. Therefore, even in such cases, the amount of discharge from the power supply is reduced, and it is possible to suppress the rapid decrease in the remaining power supply capacity and the accelerated deterioration of the power supply.

[0038] (Flavor generation device) The following describes a flavor generating device according to one embodiment. Figure 1 is an exploded view showing a flavor generating device according to one embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the atomizing unit according to one embodiment. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the suction sensor according to one embodiment. Figure 4 is a block diagram of the flavor generating device.

[0039] The flavor generator 100 may be a non-combustion type flavor aspirator for aspirating flavor without combustion. Preferably, the flavor generator 100 may be a portable flavor aspirator. The flavor generator 100 may have a shape that extends along a predetermined direction A, which is the direction from the non-mouthpiece end E2 toward the mouthpiece end E1. In this case, the flavor generator 100 may include one end E1 having a mouthpiece 141 for aspirating flavor, and the other end E2 opposite to the mouthpiece 141.

[0040] The flavor generating device 100 may include a power supply unit 110 and an atomizing unit 120. The atomizing unit 120 may be configured to be detachably attached to the power supply unit 110 via mechanical connection parts 111 and 121. When the atomizing unit 120 and the power supply unit 110 are mechanically connected to each other, the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R, described later, within the atomizing unit 120 are electrically connected to the power supply 10 provided in the power supply unit 110.

[0041] The atomizing unit 120 includes an aerosol source (flavoring component source) that is atomized and inhaled by the user, and an atomizing electrical load 122R that atomizes the aerosol source using electricity from the power supply 10.

[0042] The atomizing electrical load 122R can be any element capable of adjusting the amount of aerosol (amount of flavor components) generated from the aerosol source according to the supplied power. For example, the atomizing electrical load 122R may be an atomizing temperature controller 122 capable of adjusting the temperature of the aerosol source. As an example, the atomizing electrical load 122R constituting the atomizing temperature controller 122 may be a resistance heating element. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the amount of aerosol generated from the aerosol source changes depending on the temperature of the aerosol source.

[0043] A more detailed example of the atomizing unit 120 will be described below with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The atomizing unit 120 may include a reservoir 122P, a wick 122Q, and an atomizing electrical load 122R. The reservoir 122P may be configured to store a liquid aerosol source. The reservoir 122P may be a porous body made of a material such as a resin web. The wick 122Q may be a liquid-holding member that transports the aerosol source from the reservoir 122P to the vicinity of the atomizing electrical load 122R using capillary action. The wick 122Q can be made of, for example, glass fiber or porous ceramic.

[0044] The atomizing electrical load 122R heats the aerosol source held in the wick 122Q. The atomizing electrical load 122R is composed of, for example, a resistance heating element (e.g., a heating wire) wound around the wick 122Q.

[0045] The atomizing electrical load 122R may be, for example, a temperature controller 122 such as an electric heater. Alternatively, the atomizing electrical load 122R may be a temperature controller equipped with the function of heating and cooling the aerosol source held in the wick 122Q.

[0046] The air flowing in from the inlet 125 through the flow path 127 passes near the atomizing electrical load 122R inside the atomizing unit 120. The aerosol generated at the atomizing electrical load 122R flows towards the intake port 141 along with the incoming air. Note that the inlet 125 only needs to be provided in at least one of the power supply unit 110 and the atomizing unit 120.

[0047] The aerosol source may be a liquid at room temperature. For example, polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin or propylene glycol can be used as the aerosol source. The aerosol source may also contain tobacco raw materials or extracts derived from tobacco raw materials that release flavor components when heated.

[0048] In the above embodiment, an example of an aerosol source that is liquid at room temperature was described in detail, but instead, an aerosol source that is solid at room temperature can also be used. In this case, the atomizing electrical load 122R may be in contact with or close to the solid aerosol source, since it generates aerosols from the solid aerosol source.

[0049] The atomizing unit 120 may include a replaceable flavoring unit 130. The flavoring unit 130 may have a cylindrical body 131 that houses a flavoring source (inhalation component source). The cylindrical body 131 may include a membrane member 133 and a filter 132 through which air or aerosols can pass. The flavoring source may be provided in the space formed by the membrane member 133 and the filter 132.

[0050] The flavor generator 100 has channels 127 and 128 that allow at least a portion of the aerosol generated from the aerosol source to reach the outlet through the flavor source. In this way, the flavor source in the flavor unit 130 imparts flavor components to the aerosol generated by the atomizing electrical load 122R of the atomizing unit 120. The flavor components imparted to the aerosol by the flavor source are carried to the inlet 141 of the flavor generator 100.

[0051] The flavor source within the flavor unit 130 may be solid at room temperature. For example, the flavor source is composed of raw material pieces of plant material that impart flavor components to the aerosol. As the raw material pieces constituting the flavor source, molded bodies made by shaping tobacco materials such as shredded tobacco or tobacco raw materials into granules can be used. Alternatively, the flavor source may be molded bodies made by shaping tobacco materials into a sheet. Furthermore, the raw material pieces constituting the flavor source may be composed of plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint, herbs, etc.). The flavor source may be imparted with flavorings such as menthol.

[0052] The flavor source may be contained in a fluid manner within a space formed by the membrane member 133 and the filter 132. In this case, the flavor source flows within the flavor unit 130 during use, reducing the uneven distribution of the flavor source in contact with the flavor electrical load 124R, thus enabling stable release of flavor components.

[0053] Alternatively, the flavor source may be substantially fixed by being filled within a space formed by the membrane member 133 and the filter 132. In this case, heat can be efficiently transferred from the flavor electrical load 124R to the flavor source.

[0054] The flavoring electrical load 124R provided on the atomizing unit 120 may be located around the cylindrical body 131 of the flavoring unit 130 attached to the atomizing unit 120. The flavoring electrical load 124R may be configured to adjust the amount of flavor (attraction component) generated from the flavor source. The flavoring electrical load 124R may be an element that can adjust the amount of flavor generated from the flavor source according to the supplied power. For example, the flavoring electrical load 124R may be a temperature controller 124 that can adjust the temperature of the flavor source. The temperature controller 124 may be composed of a resistance heating element. The temperature controller 124 may be composed of an induction heating element. Alternatively, the temperature controller 124 may be a cooling element such as a Peltier element. Also, the temperature controller 124 may be an element that can perform both heating and cooling.

[0055] An insulating material 126 may be provided on the outside of the flavoring electrical load 124R. This prevents the temperature difference between the outer edge of the flavoring device 100 and the ambient temperature from becoming too large. In other words, it prevents the outer edge of the flavoring device 100 from becoming too cold or too hot. In addition, the insulating material 126 can reduce heat transfer loss from the flavoring electrical load 124R, enabling energy-saving temperature control.

[0056] The flavor generating device 100 may include a mouthpiece having an inhalation port for the user to inhale the inhaled components. The mouthpiece may be detachably attached to the atomizing unit 120 or the flavoring unit 130, or it may be integrally attached to the unit. Alternatively, a part of the atomizing unit 120 or the flavoring unit 130 may serve as the mouthpiece.

[0057] Furthermore, the flavor generating device 100, specifically the atomizing unit 120, may have a first channel 128 that guides the aerosol to the inhalation port 141 through a flavor source, and a second channel 129 that guides the aerosol to the inhalation port 141 without passing through the flavor source. The aerosol passing through the second channel 129 reaches the inhalation port 141 without being flavored by the flavor source. In this case, the atomizing unit 120 may include a flow rate adjustment means (not shown) that adjusts the ratio of the flow rate of the first channel 128 to the flow rate of the second channel 129.

[0058] The power supply unit 110 may include a power supply 10 and a control unit 50. The control unit 50 may have a memory 52 that stores information necessary for performing various controls required for the operation of the flavor generating device 100.

[0059] The control unit 50 may perform various controls necessary for the operation of the flavor generating device 100. For example, the control unit 50 obtains requests for power supply to the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R, and controls the electrical circuit to supply power from the power supply 10 to the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R, respectively, based on these requests. The power supply requests are defined based on output signals from push buttons, suction sensors 20, etc., as will be described later.

[0060] Furthermore, the control unit 50 may include a notification unit that issues notifications to inform the user of various types of information, as needed. The notification unit may be, for example, an element that emits light such as an LED, an element that generates sound, or a vibrator that emits vibrations. Alternatively, the notification unit may be composed of a combination of elements that emit light, sound, or vibrations.

[0061] The power supply 10 stores the power necessary for the operation of the flavor generating device 100. The power supply 10 may be detachable from the power supply unit 110. The power supply 10 may be a rechargeable battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery, an electric double-layer capacitor, or a combination thereof.

[0062] The control unit 50 may include a suction detection unit that detects a suction request operation by the user. The suction detection unit may be, for example, a suction sensor 20 that detects the user's suction operation. Alternatively, the suction detection unit may be, for example, a push button pressed by the user.

[0063] When the suction detection unit detects a suction request, the control unit 50 generates a command to operate the atomizing electrical load 122R and / or the flavoring electrical load 124R. The control unit 50 may be configured to variably control the power supplied to the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R according to the mode specified by the user or the environment.

[0064] When the suction detection unit detects a suction request, the control unit 50 preferably supplies power from the power supply 10 to the atomizing electrical load 122R and / or the flavoring electrical load 124R in the form of power pulses. This allows the control unit 50 to control the power supplied to the atomizing electrical load 122R and / or the flavoring electrical load 124R by adjusting the duty cycle of pulse width modulation (PWM) or pulse frequency modulation (PFM).

[0065] The flavor generating device 100 may optionally include a first temperature sensor 150 capable of estimating or acquiring the temperature of the atomizing electrical load 122R, and a second temperature sensor 160 capable of estimating or acquiring the temperature of the flavor source or the flavoring electrical load 124R. For example, the first temperature sensor 150 and the second temperature sensor 160 may be composed of thermistors or thermocouples.

[0066] The suction sensor 20 may be configured to output an output value that fluctuates in response to suction from the suction port. Specifically, the suction sensor 20 may be a sensor that outputs a value (e.g., a voltage value or a current value) that changes in response to the flow rate of air drawn in from the non-suction port side towards the suction port side (i.e., the user's puffing action). Examples of such sensors include condenser microphone sensors and known flow sensors.

[0067] Figure 3 shows a specific example of a suction sensor 20. The suction sensor 20 illustrated in Figure 3 comprises a sensor body 21, a cover 22, and a substrate 23. The sensor body 21 is composed of, for example, a capacitor. The capacitance of the sensor body 21 changes due to vibrations (pressure) caused by air drawn in from the inlet 125 (i.e., air drawn in from the non-inlet side toward the inlet side). The cover 22 is provided on the inlet side relative to the sensor body 21 and has an opening 40. By providing a cover 22 with an opening 40, the capacitance of the sensor body 21 changes more easily, improving the response characteristics of the sensor body 21. The substrate 23 outputs a value (in this case, a voltage value) indicating the capacitance of the sensor body 21 (capacitor).

[0068] (First embodiment) Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit of the flavor generating device 100, including the atomizing unit 120 and the power supply unit 110. Note that in Figure 5, the configuration of the electrical circuit is simplified for convenience in order to explain the control of the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R by the control unit 50.

[0069] When the atomizing unit 120 is mechanically connected to the power supply unit 110, the atomizing electrical load (first load) 122R and the flavoring electrical load (second load) 124R are electrically connected to the power supply 10 of the power supply unit 110. The atomizing electrical load (first load) 122R and the flavoring electrical load (second load) 124R may be electrically connected in parallel with respect to the power supply 10.

[0070] The flavor generating device 100 may include a first switch 142 for opening and closing the electrical connection between the atomizing electrical load 122R and the power supply 10, and a second switch 144 for opening and closing the electrical connection between the flavoring electrical load 124R and the power supply 10. The first switch 142 and the second switch 144 may be electrically connected in parallel with respect to the power supply 10.

[0071] The first switch 142 and the second switch 144 are switched on and off by the control unit 50. The first switch 142 and the second switch 144 may be made up of, for example, MOSFETs. However, the first switch 142 and the second switch 144 may be made up of various elements other than MOSFETs, as long as they can switch the electrical connections between the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R and the power supply 10, respectively. As another example, the first switch 142 and the second switch 144 may be made up of, for example, conductors.

[0072] When the first switch 142 is closed (on), power can be supplied from the power supply 10 to the atomizing electrical load 122R. When the second switch 144 is closed (on), power can be supplied from the power supply 10 to the flavoring electrical load 124R. When both the first switch 142 and the second switch 144 are closed (on), power can be supplied from the power supply 10 to both the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R simultaneously.

[0073] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of control by the control unit 50 according to one embodiment.

[0074] When the control unit 50 detects the start of a suction cycle, it estimates or measures the temperature of the flavoring electrical load 124R (steps S305 and S306). The suction cycle can be detected, for example, by the user pressing a push button. The suction cycle is a state in which power can be supplied to the atomizing electrical load 122R and / or the flavoring electrical load 124R by the user's suction action, and may include one or more suction actions by the user. The suction action refers to actions such as the user pressing a push button or suction from the mouthpiece.

[0075] The temperature of the flavoring electrical load 124R can be estimated or measured, for example, by a second temperature sensor 160. Alternatively, the flavoring electrical load 124R can be configured with a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater having a positive temperature coefficient, and the control unit 50 can estimate the temperature of the flavoring electrical load 124R by measuring or estimating its electrical resistance. Furthermore, the flavoring electrical load 124R can also be configured with an NTC heater having a negative temperature coefficient instead of a PTC heater. This is because the electrical resistance of the flavoring electrical load 124R changes depending on the temperature. The electrical resistance of the flavoring electrical load 124R can be estimated by measuring the voltage drop across the flavoring electrical load 124R using a voltage sensor.

[0076] Next, the control unit 50 determines whether the difference (absolute value of the difference) between the temperature of the flavoring electrical load 124R and the target temperature is greater than a predetermined threshold (step S307). If the difference (absolute value of the difference) between the temperature of the flavoring electrical load 124R and the target temperature is greater than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 50 adjusts the power to the flavoring electrical load 124R and controls it so that the flavoring electrical load 124R is maintained near the target temperature (step S308). The predetermined threshold is the allowable value of the temperature error and is set, for example, in the range of a few degrees Celsius to less than 10 degrees Celsius.

[0077] Power to the flavoring electrical load 124R can be supplied in the form of power pulses. In this case, the temperature of the flavoring electrical load 124R can be controlled by adjusting the duty cycle in pulse width modulation (PWM) or pulse frequency modulation (PFM). Specifically, temperature control of the flavoring electrical load 124R can be performed, for example, by adjusting the duty cycle in pulse width modulation (PWM) or pulse frequency modulation (PWM) using feedback control.

[0078] Furthermore, if the difference (absolute value of the difference) between the temperature of the flavoring electrical load 124R and the target temperature is below a predetermined threshold, it is not necessary to control the power supplied to the flavoring electrical load 124R. When using PWM, the power supply to the flavoring electrical load 124R is stopped by adjusting the duty cycle to 0%.

[0079] The control unit 50 monitors for the presence or absence of user inhalation while controlling the flavoring electrical load 124R (step S309). User inhalation can be detected, for example, by the aforementioned inhalation sensor 20.

[0080] When the user's inhalation action is detected, the control unit 50 supplies power to the atomizing electrical load 122R and heats the atomizing electrical load 122R (step S310). As a result, an aerosol is generated from the atomizing unit 120. At least a portion of the aerosol generated by the atomizing unit 120 is flavored by passing through the flavor source. The user then inhales the flavored aerosol.

[0081] Power to the atomizing electrical load 122R can be supplied in the form of power pulses. In this case, the temperature of the atomizing electrical load 122R can be controlled by adjusting the duty cycle in pulse width modulation (PWM) or pulse frequency modulation (PFM). Specifically, temperature control of the atomizing electrical load 122R can be performed, for example, by adjusting the duty cycle in pulse width modulation (PWM) or pulse frequency modulation (PFM) by feedback control. As another example, this can be done by adjusting the duty cycle in pulse width modulation (PWM) or pulse frequency modulation (PFM) by feedforward control. Alternatively, constant power control can be performed by increasing the duty cycle as the output voltage of the power supply 10 decreases.

[0082] When the control unit 50 detects the end of the suction operation (step S311), it stops supplying power to the atomizing electrical load 122R (step S312). Here, the end of the suction operation can be detected by the suction sensor 20.

[0083] Furthermore, the control unit 50 may stop supplying power to the atomizing electrical load 122R at times other than when it detects the end of the suction operation. For example, it may stop supplying power to the atomizing electrical load 122R if the user continues the suction operation for a very long time, or if it detects an abnormality in the atomizing electrical load 122R or the power supply 10.

[0084] When the control unit 50 detects the end of a suction cycle (step S313), it may stop supplying power to the flavoring electrical load 124R (step S314). The control unit 50 may also determine that a suction cycle has ended, for example, when a predetermined push button is pressed by the user or when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the end of the previous suction operation. Alternatively, the control unit 50 may determine that a suction cycle has ended when it detects a predetermined number of suction operations during a single suction cycle or when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of the suction cycle.

[0085] In the control flow described above, the start and end timings of power supply to the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R are different. In this case, power can be supplied from the power supply 10 to the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R simultaneously between step S308 and step S312. Alternatively, the start and / or end timings of power supply to the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R may be the same. In this case, power can be supplied from the power supply 10 to the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R simultaneously from the start to the end of the suction cycle.

[0086] Figure 7 shows a more specific example of power supply to the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R. In Figure 7, the straight line (middle line) shows the power supply to the atomizing electrical load 122R. The dashed line (bottom line) shows the power supply to the flavoring electrical load 124R. The dotted line (top line) shows the amount of current discharged from the power source.

[0087] As described above, the control unit 50 controls the electrical circuit to supply power to the flavoring electrical load 124R during the suction cycle. Furthermore, when the control unit 50 detects a suction operation during the power supply cycle, it controls the electrical circuit to supply power to the atomizing electrical load 122R in the form of power pulses. Power pulses can be generated by opening and closing the first switch 142 and the second switch 144.

[0088] In the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the control unit 50 is configured so that power is not supplied simultaneously from the power supply 10 to both the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R during suction operation. Specifically, when the control unit 50 receives a request to supply power to the atomizing electrical load 122R and a request to supply power to the flavoring electrical load 124R at the same time, or when it controls the circuit to perform the request to supply power to the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R at the same time, it operates so that power is not supplied simultaneously from the power supply 10 to both the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R.

[0089] In a specific example, the control unit 50 can turn off the second switch 144 and stop supplying power to the flavoring electrical load 124R from the time it detects the start of the suction operation until it detects the end of the suction operation.

[0090] If power is supplied to both the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R simultaneously, the combined electrical resistance of the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R will be smaller than the individual electrical resistance of either the atomizing electrical load 122R or the flavoring electrical load 124R. Therefore, the amount of current discharged from the power supply 10 will be greater than when power is supplied to only one of the atomizing electrical load 122R or the flavoring electrical load 124R.

[0091] In this embodiment, the control unit 50 operates in such a way that power is not supplied simultaneously from the power supply 10 to the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R. As a result, the amount of power or energy discharged from the power supply 10 is reduced to the maximum power or energy that would occur if the power supply 10 were to discharge simultaneously to the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R. In other words, the control unit 50 functions as a reduction means configured to reduce the amount of power or energy discharged from the power supply 10 to the maximum power or energy that would occur if the power supply 10 were to discharge simultaneously to the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R. This reduces the load on the power supply 10, preventing the power supply 10 from rapidly depleting or deteriorating.

[0092] (Second example) In the first embodiment, the control unit 50, acting as a reduction means, turned off the second switch 144 from the time the suction operation was detected until the end of the suction operation was detected. Instead, in the second embodiment, the control unit 50, acting as a reduction means, turned on the second switch 144 even during the period from the time the suction operation was detected until the end of the suction operation was detected, and supplied power to the flavoring electrical load 124R.

[0093] The following describes an example of control according to the second embodiment, with reference to Figures 8 and 9. Figure 8 is a control block diagram showing the switching control of the first switch 142 and the second switch 144. Figure 9 is a graph showing the switching control of the first switch 142 and the second switch 144. Note that in Figure 9, instead of power pulses in Figure 7, the timing of the switching commands to the first switch 142 and the second switch 144 are shown. Note that in the following, explanations of configurations similar to those in the first embodiment may be omitted.

[0094] In the second embodiment, the control unit 50 supplies power pulses to the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R even between the detection of the suction operation and the detection of the end of the suction operation. The control unit 50 may perform feedback control or feedforward control using PWM control or PFM control, as in the first embodiment.

[0095] In the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, the control unit 50 supplies an ON command to the second switch 144 during the period between ON commands to the first switch 142 (see Figure 9(D)). In other words, even during the period from detection of suction operation to detection of completion of suction operation, the control unit 50 only needs to turn on the second switch 144 during the OFF period of the first switch 142.

[0096] Such control can be implemented, for example, as follows. First, the switching period of the first switch 142 and the switching period of the second switch 144 are matched. In this case, if the switching timing of the first switch 142 and the second switch 144 is matched, the first switch 142 and the second switch 144 will turn on simultaneously, so an ON command for the first switch 142 and an ON command for the second switch 144 are generated simultaneously (see Figures 9(A) and (B)).

[0097] Therefore, the control unit 50, as a reduction means, may be configured to shift the switching phase of the second switch 144 from the switching phase of the first switch 142 by more than the ON period of the first switch 142 (see Figure 9(C)). In the following, this shifting of the phase may be referred to as "phase shift".

[0098] In the example shown in Figure 9(C), the switching phase of the second switch 144 is shifted by the same amount as the ON period of the first switch 142 (see Figure 9(C)). Such a phase shift can be achieved by determining the pulse width or duty cycle of the first switch 142, and then setting the amount of phase shift of the second switch 144 based on the ON period derived from that pulse width or duty cycle (see also Figure 8).

[0099] Due to the phase shift described above, the ON period of the second switch 144 begins within the OFF period of the first switch 142. This prevents the first switch 142 and the second switch 144 from being turned on simultaneously at the start of the ON period of the second switch 144. Therefore, the control unit 50, acting as a reduction means, can reduce the amount of power or energy discharged from the power supply 10, at least at the start of the ON period of the second switch 144.

[0100] More preferably, the control unit 50 is configured to shift the switching phase of the second switch 144 significantly from the switching phase of the first switch 142 by more than the ON period of the first switch 142. This creates a predetermined period between the time an OFF command is sent to the first switch 142 and the time an ON command is sent to the second switch 144. Even when an OFF command is sent to a switch that is in the ON state, there is a predetermined turn-off time before the switch turns OFF. Therefore, some current flows from the power supply 10 even for a short time after the OFF command is sent to the first switch 142. Thus, by providing a predetermined period between the time an OFF command is sent to the first switch 142 and the time an ON command is sent to the second switch 144, it is possible to avoid overlapping the ON periods of the first switch 142 and the second switch 144. As a result, the control unit 50, as a reduction means, can reduce the amount of power or energy discharged from the power supply 10, at least at the start of the ON period of the second switch 144.

[0101] Furthermore, the control unit 50, acting as a reduction measure, is configured to set or correct at least one of the on-periods of the first switch 142 and the second switch 144 so that the sum of the on-periods of the first switch 142 and the second switch 144 does not exceed the switching period during one switching cycle. In the following, this adjustment of either on-period may be referred to as "dead time compensation" (see Figure 8). In the dead time compensation shown in Figure 8, the on-period of the second switch 144 is shortened. This ensures that an on-command is sent to the first switch 142 after an off-command is sent to the second switch 144 again (see Figures 9(C) and (D)). Therefore, the control unit 50, acting as a reduction measure, can suppress the simultaneous turning on of the first switch 142 and the second switch 144.

[0102] Such dead time compensation can be achieved by setting an upper limit on the pulse width, duty cycle, or on-period of the second switch 144 for the power supplied to the flavoring electrical load 122R, based on the pulse width, duty cycle, or on-period of the first switch 142 for the power supplied to the atomizing electrical load 122R. In other words, the control unit 50, as a reduction means, is configured to set or correct the on-period in the switching control of the second switch 144 to reduce the power or amount of energy discharged from the power supply 10.

[0103] As described above, in dead time compensation, the control unit 50, as a reduction means, only needs to adjust at least one of the proportional gain and limiter upper limit in the feedback control to reduce the power supplied from the power supply 10 to the flavoring electrical load 124R (see also Figure 8). In this case, even if the power pulses supplied to the flavoring electrical load 124R are configured to be variable by the feedback control, it is possible to prevent an increase in the power supplied from the power supply 10 to the flavoring electrical load 124R.

[0104] In the examples shown in Figures 8 and 9, the control unit 50, acting as a reduction means, is configured to shift the switching phase of the second switch 144 from the switching phase of the first switch 142 by more than the ON period of the first switch 142. Alternatively, the control unit 50 may shift the switching phase of the first switch 142 from the switching phase of the second switch 144 by more than the ON period of the second switch 144. More preferably, the control unit 50 may shift the switching phase of the first switch 142 by a larger amount than the ON period of the second switch 144 from the switching phase of the second switch 144. Even in this case, the power pulses to the atomizing electrical load 122R and the power pulses to the flavoring electrical load 124R do not overlap and are generated at staggered times. As a result, the control unit 50, acting as a reduction means, can reduce the power or amount of energy discharged from the power supply 10 to less than the maximum power or amount of energy when the power supply 10 simultaneously discharges to the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R.

[0105] In the examples shown in Figures 8 and 9, the control unit 50, acting as a reduction means, is configured to set or correct the on-period in the switching control of the second switch 144 to reduce the power or energy discharged from the power supply 10. Alternatively, the control unit 50, acting as a reduction means, may be configured to set or correct the on-period in the switching control of the first switch 142 to reduce the power or energy discharged from the power supply 10. In other words, the on-period of the first switch 142 may be shortened.

[0106] Furthermore, if the control unit 50 controls the power supplied to the atomizing electrical load 122R based on feedback control, it may adjust at least one of the proportional gain and the limiter upper limit in the feedback control to reduce the power supplied from the power supply 10 to the atomizing electrical load 122R.

[0107] (Third embodiment) In the first and second embodiments, the control unit 50 primarily performs switching control so that the ON period of the first switch 142 and the ON period of the second switch 144 do not overlap. Alternatively, the control unit 50 may perform switching control so that the ON period of the first switch 142 and the ON period of the second switch 144 partially overlap. Even in this case, by reducing the period during which both the first switch 142 and the second switch 144 are ON, the control unit 50, as a reduction means, can reduce the power or amount of energy discharged from the power supply 10 to less than the maximum power or amount of energy when the power supply 10 simultaneously discharges to the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R.

[0108] Thus, when power pulses are supplied simultaneously to both the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R, the control unit 50 may be configured to set or correct at least one of the variables or modes in the switching control of the first switch 122 and the variables or modes in the switching control of the second switch 124 in order to reduce the power or amount of energy discharged from the power supply 10.

[0109] In a specific example, the control unit 50, as a reduction measure, may be configured to shorten at least one of the on-periods of the first switch 142 and the second switch 144 when simultaneously supplying power pulses to both the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R. For example, as shown in Figure 10, when the control unit 50 receives requests for power supply to the atomizing electrical load 122R and requests for power supply to the flavoring electrical load 124R at the same time, it shortens the on-period of the second switch 144. Specifically, the control unit 50 shortens the on-period of the second switch 144 from the detection of the suction operation to the detection of the end of the suction operation. Such control can be achieved by reducing the duty cycle of the PWM control. The on-period of the second switch 144 and the duty cycle of the PWM control are specific examples of variables in the switching control of the second switch 144.

[0110] In another specific example, the control unit 50, as a reduction means, is configured to shorten at least one of the switching periods of the first switch 142 and the second switch 144 when simultaneously supplying power pulses to both the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R. In this case, the control unit 50 may maintain the switching duty cycles of the first switch 142 and the second switch 144. This makes it possible to reduce the width of each power pulse in PWM control. For example, as shown in Figure 11, the control unit 50 shortens the switching period of the second switch 144 while maintaining the duty cycle of the second switch 144 from the detection of the suction operation to the detection of the end of the suction operation. The switching period of the first switch 142 is a specific example of a variable in the switching control of the first switch 142. The switching period of the second switch 144 is a specific example of a variable in the switching control of the second switch 144.

[0111] In another specific example, when the control unit 50 simultaneously supplies power pulses to both the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R, it may be configured to control at least one of the first switch 142 and the second switch 144 based on feedback control or feedforward control using PFM control instead of PWM control. In this case, the control unit 50 should determine the duty cycle to reduce the power supplied to the flavoring electrical load 124R at the same time as the power supplied to the atomizing electrical load 122R, or to reduce the power supplied to the atomizing electrical load 122R at the same time as the power supplied to the flavoring electrical load 124R. By switching to PFM control, the off period can be made variable without changing the pulse width. That is, by setting an upper limit on the pulse width (on period), it is possible to suppress the increase in the integrated value of the power supplied to the flavoring electrical load 124R from the detection of the suction operation to the detection of the end of the suction operation. The PWM control and PFM control used to control the first switch 142 are specific examples of modes in the switching control of the first switch 142. The PWM control and PFM control used to control the second switch 144 are specific examples of modes in the switching control of the second switch 144.

[0112] (Fourth embodiment) Figures 12 and 13 are schematic diagrams of the electrical circuits of a flavor generator including an atomizing unit and a power supply unit in a fourth embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 12, the flavor generator includes a protective integrated circuit 200 having a rated current value greater than the maximum current value that can be supplied to either the atomizing electrical load 122R or the flavor electrical load 124R. Such a protective integrated circuit 200 prevents large currents from flowing that could cause problems in the electrical circuit. The protective integrated circuit 200 is particularly useful when control is performed that allows the first switch 142 and the second switch 144 to be turned on simultaneously.

[0113] Instead of such a protective integrated circuit 200, an electrical (power) fuse 210 having a rated current value greater than the maximum current value that can be supplied to either the atomizing electrical load 122R or the flavoring electrical load 124R may be used.

[0114] If a protective integrated circuit 200 or an electrical fuse 210 as described above is provided, it is preferable that the control unit 50, as a reduction means, is configured to control the electrical circuit so that the sum of the current supplied to the atomizing electrical load 122R (first current) and the current supplied to the flavoring electrical load 124R simultaneously with the first current (second current) does not exceed the rated current. In other words, the above-mentioned phase shift, dead time compensation, reduction of the upper limit of the pulse width or duty cycle, and / or feedback control should be implemented so that the sum of the first current and the second current, i.e., the maximum value of the current discharged from the power supply 10, does not exceed the rated current.

[0115] In particular, when an electrical fuse is used, the circuit opens if a current exceeding the rated current value flows for the rated time. Therefore, the control unit 50 only needs to control the first switch 142 and the second switch 144 so that the sum of the first current and the second current is less than the rated current value, or the overlap period between the first current and the second current is less than the rated time.

[0116] Furthermore, if a current value greater than the maximum current value that can be supplied to either the atomizing electrical load 122R or the flavoring electrical load 124R attempts to flow, a protective integrated circuit 200 or the electrical fuse 210 itself, which interrupts the circuit, may be used as a means to reduce the current.

[0117] Furthermore, instead of the protective integrated circuit 200 or electrical fuse described above, a thermal fuse may be used (Figure 13). A thermal fuse will blow if a current greater than the rated current value flows for a predetermined time corresponding to the current value. Therefore, it is preferable that the thermal fuse has a rated current value of half or less of the current value that flows when power is supplied to the atomizing electrical load 122R and the atomizing electrical load 124R simultaneously, so that the electrical circuit can be protected more reliably. Such a thermal fuse can also be used as a reduction measure.

[0118] (Fifth example) Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit of a flavor generating device including an atomizing unit and a power supply unit in the fifth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, the circuit constituting the flavor generating device includes a regulator 300 that adjusts the current output to at least one of the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R.

[0119] In the example shown in Figure 14, the regulator 300 is located at a position through which both the current supplied to the atomizing electrical load 122R and the current supplied to the flavoring electrical load 124R flow. In other words, the regulator 300 is located between the high-potential node where the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R are connected in parallel, and the positive terminal side of the power supply 10. In this case, the regulator 300 adjusts the current output to both the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R.

[0120] Alternatively, the regulator 300 may be installed in a position where current flows to the atomizing electrical load 122R but not to the flavoring electrical load 124R, or in a position where current flows to the flavoring electrical load 124R but not to the atomizing electrical load 122R. In other words, the regulator 300 may be installed between the aforementioned high-potential node and the first switch 142, or between the aforementioned high-potential node and the second switch 144. In this case, the regulator 300 can adjust the current output to the atomizing electrical load 122R or the flavoring electrical load 124R.

[0121] The control unit 50 may be configured to reduce the current or power output of the regulator 300 when it receives a request to supply power to the atomizing electrical load 122R and a request to supply power to the flavoring electrical load 124R at the same time, or when it controls the circuit to supply power to the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R at the same time. In other words, the regulator 300 functions as at least part of a reduction means for reducing the current value. As a specific example of the regulator 300, a linear regulator or a switching regulator may be used. If a switching regulator is used and the control unit 50 turns on only one of the first switch 142 and the second switch 144, the switching of the switching regulator may be stopped and only conduction may occur.

[0122] Thus, when a regulator 300 that reduces the current value is used, the complex control of power pulses as described in the above embodiment can be omitted. However, the regulator 300 described in the fifth embodiment and the power pulse control described in the above embodiment may be used in combination.

[0123] (Sixth embodiment) Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit of the flavor generating device, including the atomizing unit and power supply unit, in the sixth embodiment. In the sixth embodiment, instead of the regulator 300 in the fifth embodiment, a first circuit 410 and a second circuit 420 are provided, connected in parallel with each other.

[0124] A third switch 412 is provided on the first circuit 410. A fourth switch 422 is provided on the second circuit 420. The electrical resistance of the second circuit 420 is higher than that of the first circuit 410. Here, a resistor 424 is provided on the second circuit 420.

[0125] The control unit 50 can control the opening and closing of the third switch 412 and the fourth switch 422, respectively. When the third switch 412 is ON and the fourth switch 422 is OFF, the discharge current from the power supply 10 passes through the first circuit 410 without passing through the second circuit 420. When the third switch 412 is OFF and the fourth switch 422 is ON, the discharge current from the power supply 10 passes through the second circuit 420 without passing through the first circuit 410. Here, since the electrical resistance value of the second circuit 420 is higher than that of the first circuit 410, if the second circuit 420 is activated without the first circuit 410 being activated, the current value passing through the second circuit 420 is reduced. In other words, the current value discharged by the power supply 10 can be reduced.

[0126] When the control unit 50 receives a request to supply power to the atomizing electrical load 122R and a request to supply power to the flavoring electrical load 124R at the same time, or when it controls the circuit to supply power to the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R at the same time, it may activate the second circuit 420 without activating the first circuit 410. More specifically, when the control unit 50 turns on both the first switch 142 and the second switch 144 at the same time, it may activate the second circuit 420 without activating the first circuit 410. On the other hand, when the control unit 50 turns on only one of the first switch 142 or the second switch 144, it may activate the first circuit 410 without activating the second circuit 420. As a result, the control unit 50 can reduce the amount of power or energy discharged from the power supply 10 when both the first switch 142 and the second switch 144 are turned on at the same time. In other words, the first circuit 410 and the second circuit 420 can be used as reduction means.

[0127] (Seventh Example) Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit of the flavor generating apparatus, including the atomizing unit and power supply unit, in the seventh embodiment. The configuration of the power supply 10, control unit 50, atomizing electrical load 122R, flavoring electrical load 124R, first switch 142, and second switch 144 is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0128] In the seventh embodiment, the flavor generating device includes an auxiliary power supply 500 capable of discharging to an atomizing electrical load 122R and a flavoring electrical load 124R. As shown in Figure 16, the auxiliary power supply 500, the atomizing electrical load 122R, and the flavoring electrical load 124R may be electrically connected in parallel with respect to the power supply 10. This allows the discharge current from the auxiliary power supply 500 to flow to the atomizing electrical load 122R and / or the flavoring electrical load 124R.

[0129] The auxiliary power supply 500 may preferably be a rechargeable power supply. In this case, the auxiliary power supply 500 is charged by power from the power supply 10 when the charge level is low. Conversely, when the charge level of the auxiliary power supply 500 is high, the discharge current from the auxiliary power supply 500 flows to the atomizing electrical load 122R and / or the flavoring electrical load 124R. The auxiliary power supply 500 preferably has a higher power density (W / kg) than the power supply 10. As such an auxiliary power supply 500, for example, an electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC) can be used.

[0130] In the seventh embodiment, the larger the output voltage (charge amount) of the auxiliary power supply 500, the smaller the discharge current from the power supply 10. Therefore, by using the auxiliary power supply 500, the amount of power or energy discharged from the power supply 10 can be reduced. Thus, the auxiliary power supply 500 functions as a reduction means for reducing the amount of power or energy discharged from the power supply 10.

[0131] The control unit 50 may be able to acquire a value related to the remaining capacity of the auxiliary power supply 500. The value related to the remaining capacity of the auxiliary power supply 500 may be, for example, the voltage of the auxiliary power supply 500. The voltage of the auxiliary power supply 500 can be acquired or estimated by, for example, a voltage sensor 510. In this case, it is preferable that the control unit 50 is configured to control the circuit so that the larger the value related to the remaining capacity of the auxiliary power supply 500, for example the voltage, the less power or energy discharged by the power supply 10 is. The power or energy discharged by the power supply 10 can be controlled by a converter consisting of, for example, a switch 520, a reverse current prevention diode 540, and an inductor 560. However, the converter does not need to be limited to this, as long as it is provided between the power supply 10 and the auxiliary power supply 500 and is capable of converting and outputting the magnitude of at least one of the input current, voltage, and power. The power or energy discharged by the power supply 10 can also be controlled by adjusting the duty cycle of the power pulse by the switch 520 instead of the converter described above. As mentioned above, the auxiliary power supply 500 can be effectively utilized by adjusting the power or energy discharged by the power supply 10 based on the remaining charge value of the auxiliary power supply 500.

[0132] (Eighth example) Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit of the flavor generating apparatus, including the atomizing unit and power supply unit, in the eighth embodiment. The configuration of the power supply 10, control unit 50, atomizing electrical load 122R, flavoring electrical load 124R, first switch 142, and second switch 144 is substantially the same as in the seventh embodiment. However, the position of the auxiliary power supply 500 is different from that of the seventh embodiment.

[0133] The auxiliary power supply 500 is positioned so that it can supply discharge current to the atomizing electrical load 122R but cannot supply discharge current to the flavoring electrical load 124R. In other words, the auxiliary power supply 500 functions as a dedicated auxiliary power supply for the atomizing electrical load 122R. It is preferable that the auxiliary power supply 500 is rechargeable and dischargeable, as described in the seventh embodiment.

[0134] Furthermore, the flavor generator 100 has a fifth switch 146 that allows or prohibits the flow of discharge current from the power supply 10 to the auxiliary power supply 500 and / or the atomizing electrical load 122R. The fifth switch 146 is configured to be switchable by the control unit 50. Therefore, when the fifth switch 146 is ON, the auxiliary power supply 500 can be charged by power from the power supply 10.

[0135] Furthermore, the first switch 142 can allow or prohibit the flow of discharge current from the power supply 10 or auxiliary power supply 500 to the atomizing electrical load 122R. The second switch 144 can allow or prohibit the flow of discharge current from the power supply 10 to the flavoring electrical load 124R.

[0136] In the eighth embodiment, various modes can be realized by combining the on / off states of the first switch 142, the second switch 144, and the fifth switch 146.

[0137] When the first switch 142, the second switch 144, and the fifth switch 146 are all off, no power is supplied to the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R. If the power supply 10 is a rechargeable secondary battery and the power supply 10 is charged from an external power source, then the first switch 142, the second switch 144, and the fifth switch 146 should all be turned off.

[0138] When only the first switch 142 is on and the second switch 144 and the fifth switch 146 are off, the discharge current from the auxiliary power supply 500 flows to the atomizing electrical load 122R, allowing the atomizing electrical load 122R to function. In this case, no power is supplied to the flavoring electrical load 124R.

[0139] When only the second switch 144 is on and the first switch 142 and the fifth switch 146 are off, the discharge current from the power supply 10 flows to the flavoring electrical load 124R, allowing the flavoring electrical load 124R to function. In this case, no power is supplied to the atomizing electrical load 122R.

[0140] When only the fifth switch 146 is on and the first switch 142 and the second switch 144 are off, no power is supplied to the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R. However, power from the power supply 10 flows into the auxiliary power supply 500, so the auxiliary power supply 500 can be charged.

[0141] When only the first switch 142 is off and the second switch 144 and the fifth switch 146 are on, the discharge current from the power supply 10 flows to the flavoring electrical load 124R, allowing the flavoring electrical load 124R to function. In this case, no power is supplied to the atomizing electrical load 122R. Furthermore, power from the power supply 10 flows into the auxiliary power supply 500, allowing the auxiliary power supply 500 to be charged.

[0142] When only the second switch 144 is off and the first switch 142 and the fifth switch 146 are on, discharge current flows from both the power supply 10 and the auxiliary power supply 500 to the atomizing electrical load 122R, allowing the atomizing electrical load 122R to function. In this case, no power is supplied to the flavoring electrical load 124R. In this case, the discharge current from the power supply 10 can be reduced compared to the case where power is supplied to the atomizing electrical load 122R by power supply 10 alone without using the auxiliary power supply 500.

[0143] When only the fifth switch 146 is off and the first switch 142 and the second switch 144 are on, the discharge current from the auxiliary power supply 500 flows to the atomizing electrical load 122R, and the discharge current from the power supply 10 flows to the flavoring electrical load 124R. Therefore, the power supply 10 and the auxiliary power supply 500 supply power to the flavoring electrical load 124R and the atomizing electrical load 122R independently, respectively.

[0144] When the first switch 142, the second switch 144, and the fifth switch 146 are all on, the discharge current from the power supply 10 flows to the flavoring electrical load 124R. Furthermore, discharge current flows from both the power supply 10 and the auxiliary power supply 500 to the atomizing electrical load 122R. In this case, compared to the case where the power supply 10 alone supplies power to both the atomizing electrical load 122R and the flavoring electrical load 124R simultaneously without using the auxiliary power supply 500, the discharge current from the power supply 10 can be reduced. Therefore, similar to the seventh embodiment, the auxiliary power supply 500 functions as a reduction means for reducing the power or amount of energy discharged from the power supply 10.

[0145] (Programs and storage media) The flow chart relating to the above-described embodiment can be executed by the control unit 50. That is, the control unit 50 may have a program that causes the flavor generating device 100 to execute the above-described method. Such a program is also included in the scope of the present invention. It should also be noted that the storage medium on which the program is stored is also included in the scope of the present invention. Such a storage medium may be, for example, a non-volatile storage medium that can be read by a computer.

[0146] [Other embodiments] Although the present invention has been described by the embodiments described above, the descriptions and drawings that constitute part of this disclosure should not be understood as limiting the invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operational techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

[0147] For example, the above embodiment specifically describes a case in which the first load defined in the claim is an atomizing electrical load (first load) 122R, and the second load defined in the claim is a flavoring electrical load (second load) 124R. However, the first load is not limited to this, and can be any electrical load that atomizes an aerosol source or heats a flavoring source. Therefore, it should be noted that there may also be embodiments in which the first load corresponds to the flavoring electrical load 124R.

[0148] Furthermore, the second load is not particularly limited as long as it is a different electrical load from the first load. The second load may be a light-emitting element such as an LED.

[0149] Furthermore, it should be noted that the configurations and controls described in the aforementioned embodiments are, to the extent possible, interchangeable and / or interchangeable.

Claims

1. A power supply, a first load, and a circuit that electrically connects a second load different from the first load, A control unit is configured to generate an aerosol with flavor components by controlling the circuit to control the supply of power from the power source to the first load and the second load, respectively. A reducing means is connected at one end to the power supply and at the other end to the first load and the second load, and reduces the current supplied from the power supply to the first load and the second load. It includes a detection unit that detects a suction request action by the user, The circuit includes a first switch for opening and closing the electrical connection between the first load and the power supply, and a second switch for opening and closing the electrical connection between the second load and the power supply. The control unit, When the detection unit detects the suction request operation, it controls the first switch and the second switch to supply power to the first load and the second load, The first load and the second load are arranged at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the flavor generating device that do not overlap with each other. The control of the power supply to the first load and the second load by the control unit includes supplying power to the first load and the second load simultaneously, and supplying power to only one of the first load or the second load. The reduction means reduces the current supplied from the power supply to the first load and the second load based on the current flowing from the power supply to the first load or the second load. When the control unit controls the first switch and the second switch to be turned on simultaneously, the reducing means reduces the current. A flavor generating device in which, when the control unit controls the first switch and the second switch to be turned on only one of them, the reduction means does not reduce the current.

2. The flavor generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reduction means is any one of a protective integrated circuit, a fuse, a regulator, or a circuit including a resistor.

3. The flavor generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reduction means is a thermal fuse.

4. The flavor generating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the thermal fuse has a rated current value of less than or equal to half the current value that flows in when power is supplied to the first load and the second load simultaneously.

5. The reduction means is a circuit including a regulator or a resistor. The flavor generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reducing means is connected to only one of the first load and the second load at its other end.

6. The reduction means is a switching regulator, The flavor generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when only one of the first switch and the second switch is turned on, the switching of the switching regulator is stopped and conduction is performed.

7. The circuit includes a first circuit and a second circuit connected in parallel with the first circuit and having a higher resistance than the first circuit. The flavor generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reduction means is configured to reduce the current by enabling the second circuit to function without enabling the first circuit to function.

8. When only one of the first switch and the second switch is turned on, The flavor generating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit enables the first circuit to function without enabling the second circuit to function.

9. The flavor generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first load is an induction heating element.

10. The flavor generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the detection unit is a suction sensor that detects a suction action by the user, and the suction request action is detected by the detection of the user's suction action by the suction sensor.

11. The flavor generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the detection unit is a push button, and the suction request operation is detected in response to the user pressing the push button.

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