Inhalation device, control method, and program

Abstract

An MCU (1) of an inhalation device (100): operates a heating unit (121C) when a stick-type base material (150) is housed in a housing unit (140C); and operates the heating unit (121C) in response to removal of the stick-type base material (150) from the housing unit (140C) after operation of heating the stick-type base material (150) is finished.

Description

Suction device, control method, and program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aspiration device, a control method, and a program for generating an aerosol from a substrate having an aerosol source.

[0002] Conventionally, inhalation devices have been known that generate aerosols containing, for example, flavor components and allow users to inhale the generated aerosols. Typically, such inhalation devices deliver the generated aerosol to a user by heating a substrate containing an aerosol source with a heating section (also referred to as a “heating element”) that is an electric resistance heater or an induction heater.

[0003] The storage compartment into which the substrate is inserted may become dirty as the suction device is used. For example, part of the aerosol source may spill from the substrate into the storage compartment and adhere to the storage compartment due to liquid (e.g., water) present in the storage compartment. Also, part of the aerosol generated by heating the substrate may become liquid and adhere to the storage compartment. Regarding cleaning of the storage compartment, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses cleaning the cavity by inserting a cleaning article (e.g., a brush) into the cavity or adding a cleaning component.

[0004] Japan Special Table No. 2012-513750

[0005] However, there is room for improvement in terms of improving the convenience of cleaning the suction device.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a suction device, a control method, and a program that improve convenience in cleaning the suction device.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is an suction device that generates an aerosol from a substrate having an aerosol source, comprising: a storage section in which the substrate is stored; a heating section that heats the storage section; and a control section that controls the heating section, wherein the control section operates the heating section when the substrate is stored in the storage section, and operates the heating section in response to the substrate being removed from the storage section after the operation of heating the substrate has been completed.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a control method executed by a computer that controls the operation of a suction device that generates an aerosol from a substrate having an aerosol source, wherein the suction device has a storage section in which the substrate is stored and a heating section that heats the storage section, and the computer operates the heating section when the substrate is stored in the storage section, and operates the heating section in response to the substrate being removed from the storage section after the operation of heating the substrate has been completed.

[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a program that causes a computer that controls the operation of a suction device that generates an aerosol from a substrate having an aerosol source to execute a predetermined process, wherein the suction device has a storage section in which the substrate is stored and a heating section that heats the storage section, and causes the computer to execute the following process: operate the heating section when the substrate is stored in the storage section, and operate the heating section in response to the substrate being removed from the storage section after the operation of heating the substrate has been completed.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the convenience of cleaning the suction device.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a first configuration example of a suction device (suction device 100A). FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a second configuration example of a suction device (suction device 100B). FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the entire suction device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the internal unit 10 as seen from the front right side. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the internal unit 10 as seen from the front left side. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the internal unit 10. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the heater assembly 30. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 5, showing the structure of the sensor FPC 73, the stick detection sensor 12, and the surrounding structure of the stick guide 31 (storage section 140C). FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the progression of light emitted from the stick detection sensor 12 when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is housed and unhoused. FIG. 10 is a graph showing the detection or non-detection of the stick-shaped substrate 150 based on brightness. FIG. 11 is a graph showing a stick heating profile and a cleaning heating profile. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the MCU 1. Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating the MCU 1 determining whether to operate the heating unit 121C based on the cleaning heating profile based on the remaining capacity (SOC) of the power supply unit 111C. Fig. 14 is a graph illustrating the brightness ranges (first to third ranges) of reflected light detected by the stick detection sensor 12. Fig. 15 is a graph showing the stick heating profile (for high temperature and low temperature) and the cleaning heating profile.

[0012] A suction device, a control method, and a program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, two configuration examples (a first configuration example and a second configuration example) to which the configuration of the suction device of the present disclosure can be applied will be described. Note that, in the following, identical or similar elements will be denoted by identical or similar reference numerals, and their description may be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0013] <<1. Configuration Example of Inhalation Device>> The inhalation device is a device that generates a substance to be inhaled by a user. In the following description, the substance generated by the inhalation device is described as an aerosol. Alternatively, the substance generated by the inhalation device may be a gas.

[0014] (1) First Configuration Example Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first configuration example of an inhalation device. As shown in Fig. 1, an inhalation device 100A according to this configuration example includes a power supply unit 110, a cartridge 120, and a flavor imparting cartridge 130. The power supply unit 110 includes a power supply unit 111A, a sensor unit 112A, a notification unit 113A, a memory unit 114A, a communication unit 115A, and a control unit 116A. The cartridge 120 includes a heating unit 121A, a liquid guide unit 122, and a liquid storage unit 123. The flavor imparting cartridge 130 includes a flavor source 131 and a mouthpiece 124. An air flow path 180 is formed in the cartridge 120 and the flavor imparting cartridge 130.

[0015] The power supply unit 111A stores electric power. The power supply unit 111A supplies electric power to each component of the suction device 100A under the control of the control unit 116A. The power supply unit 111A may be configured by, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery.

[0016] The sensor unit 112A acquires various types of information related to the suction device 100A. As one example, the sensor unit 112A is configured with a pressure sensor such as a condenser microphone, a flow rate sensor, a temperature sensor, or the like, and acquires values ​​associated with suction by the user. As another example, the sensor unit 112A is configured with an input device such as a button or a switch that accepts information input from the user.

[0017] The notification unit 113A notifies the user of information. The information notified to the user by the notification unit 113A includes, for example, various information such as the SOC (State Of Charge) indicating the charge state of the power supply unit 111A, the preheating time for suction, the period during which suction is possible, etc. The notification unit 113A is configured, for example, by a light-emitting device that emits light, a display device that displays images, a sound output device that outputs sound, or a vibration device that vibrates.

[0018] The storage unit 114A stores various types of information for the operation of the suction device 100 A. The storage unit 114A is configured by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory, for example.

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

[0020] The control unit 116A functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls the overall operation of the suction device 100A in accordance with various programs. The control unit 116A is realized by an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor.

[0021] The liquid reservoir 123 stores an aerosol source. The aerosol source is atomized to generate an aerosol. The aerosol source is a liquid, such as a polyhydric alcohol, such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water. The aerosol source may contain a tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component. When the inhalation device 100A is a medical inhaler, such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may contain a drug.

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

[0023] The heating unit 121A generates aerosol by heating the aerosol source and atomizing the aerosol source. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the heating unit 121A is configured as a coil and wound around the liquid guide unit 122. When the heating unit 121A generates heat, the aerosol source held in the liquid guide unit 122 is heated and atomized, generating aerosol. The heating unit 121A generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 111A. For example, power may be supplied to the heating unit 121A when the sensor unit 112A detects that the user has started inhaling and / or that predetermined information has been input. Then, power supply to the heating unit 121A may be stopped when the sensor unit 112A detects that the user has stopped inhaling and / or that predetermined information has been input. Note that the user's inhalation operation on the inhalation device 100A can be detected, for example, based on the pressure (internal pressure) within the inhalation device 100A detected by a puff sensor exceeding a predetermined threshold.

[0024] The flavor source 131 is a component for imparting flavor components to the aerosol. The flavor source 131 may include tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor components.

[0025] The air flow path 180 is a path for air inhaled by the user. The air flow path 180 has a tubular structure with an air inlet 181, which is an entrance for air into the air flow path 180, and an air outlet 182, which is an exit for air from the air flow path 180, at both ends. A liquid guide section 122 is disposed on the upstream side (closer to the air inlet 181) of the air flow path 180, and a flavor source 131 is disposed on the downstream side (closer to the air outlet 182). Air flowing in through the air inlet 181 as the user inhales is mixed with the aerosol generated by the heating section 121A and, as shown by arrow 190, is transported through the flavor source 131 to the air outlet 182. When the mixed fluid of the aerosol and air passes through the flavor source 131, flavor components contained in the flavor source 131 are imparted to the aerosol.

[0026] Mouthpiece 124 is a member that is held in the mouth by the user when inhaling. Air outlet holes 182 are arranged in mouthpiece 124. By holding mouthpiece 124 in the mouth and inhaling, the user can take in the mixed fluid of the aerosol and air into the oral cavity.

[0027] The above describes an example of the configuration of the suction device 100A. Of course, the configuration of the suction device 100A is not limited to the above, and various configurations such as those exemplified below may be used.

[0028] As an example, the inhalation device 100A may not include the flavoring cartridge 130. In that case, the cartridge 120 is provided with the mouthpiece 124.

[0029] As another example, the inhalation device 100A may include multiple types of aerosol sources. Multiple types of aerosols generated from the multiple types of aerosol sources may be mixed in the air flow path 180 and undergo a chemical reaction to generate additional types of aerosols.

[0030] Furthermore, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 121 A. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be vibration atomization or induction heating.

[0031] (2) Second Configuration Example Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second configuration example of a suction device. As shown in Fig. 2, a suction device 100B according to this configuration example includes a power supply unit 111B, a sensor unit 112B, a notification unit 113B, a memory unit 114B, a communication unit 115B, a control unit 116B, a heating unit 121B, a housing unit 140, and an insulating unit 144. In the suction device 100A according to the first configuration example, the power supply unit 110 housing the power supply unit 111A and the heating unit 121A are separate entities. However, in the suction device 100B according to the second configuration example, the power supply unit 111B and the heating unit 121B are integrated. In other words, the suction device 100B according to the second configuration example can also be said to be a power supply unit with a built-in heating unit.

[0032] Each of the power supply unit 111B, sensor unit 112B, notification unit 113B, memory unit 114B, communication unit 115B, and control unit 116B is substantially identical to the corresponding components included in the suction device 100A according to the first configuration example.

[0033] The storage unit 140 has an internal space 141 and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150 while accommodating a portion of the stick-shaped substrate 150 in the internal space 141. The storage unit 140 has an opening 142 that connects the internal space 141 to the outside and accommodates the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141 through the opening 142. For example, the storage unit 140 is a cylindrical body with the opening 142 and a bottom 143 as its bottom surface, and defines a columnar internal space 141. An air flow path that supplies air to the internal space 141 is connected to the storage unit 140. An air inlet, which is an air inlet to the air flow path, is arranged, for example, on a side surface of the suction device 100. An air outlet, which is an air outlet from the air flow path to the internal space 141, is arranged, for example, on the bottom 143.

[0034] The stick-shaped substrate 150 includes a substrate portion 151 and a mouthpiece portion 152. The substrate portion 151 includes an aerosol source. The aerosol source includes a tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component. When the inhalation device 100B is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may include a medicament. The aerosol source may be, for example, a liquid such as a polyhydric alcohol, such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water, containing a tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component, or a solid containing a tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component. When the stick-shaped substrate 150 is held in the storage portion 140, at least a portion of the substrate portion 151 is housed in the internal space 141, and at least a portion of the mouthpiece portion 152 protrudes from the opening 142. When a user holds the mouthpiece portion 152 protruding from the opening 142 in their mouth and inhales, air flows into the internal space 141 via an air flow path (not shown) and reaches the user's mouth along with the aerosol generated from the substrate portion 151.

[0035] 2, the heating unit 121B is configured in a film shape and is arranged to cover the outer periphery of the storage unit 140. When the heating unit 121B generates heat, the substrate unit 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 is heated from the outer periphery, and an aerosol is generated.

[0036] The heat insulating section 144 prevents heat transfer from the heating section 121B to other components. For example, the heat insulating section 144 is made of a vacuum heat insulating material, an aerogel heat insulating material, or the like.

[0037] The above is a description of an example of the configuration of the suction device 100B. Of course, the configuration of the suction device 100B is not limited to the above, and various configurations such as those exemplified below may be used.

[0038] As one example, the heating unit 121B may be configured in a blade shape and disposed so as to protrude from the bottom 143 of the storage unit 140 into the internal space 141. In this case, the blade-shaped heating unit 121B is inserted into the substrate 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 and heats the substrate 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 from the inside. As another example, the heating unit 121B may be disposed so as to cover the bottom 143 of the storage unit 140. Furthermore, the heating unit 121B may be configured as a combination of two or more of a first heating unit covering the outer periphery of the storage unit 140, a blade-shaped second heating unit, and a third heating unit covering the bottom 143 of the storage unit 140.

[0039] As another example, the accommodation unit 140 may include an opening / closing mechanism such as a hinge that opens and closes a portion of the outer shell that forms the internal space 141. The accommodation unit 140 may then open and close the outer shell to accommodate the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141 while clamping it. In this case, the heating unit 121B may be provided at the clamping location in the accommodation unit 140 and heat the stick-shaped substrate 150 while pressing it.

[0040] Furthermore, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 121B. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be induction heating. In that case, the suction device 100B has at least an electromagnetic induction source such as a coil that generates a magnetic field, instead of the heating unit 121B. A susceptor that generates heat by induction heating may be provided in the suction device 100B, or may be included in the stick-shaped substrate 150.

[0041] Furthermore, the suction device 100B may further include the heating unit 121A, the liquid guide unit 122, the liquid storage unit 123, and the air flow path 180 according to the first configuration example, and the air flow path 180 may supply air to the internal space 141. In this case, the mixed fluid of the aerosol and air generated by the heating unit 121A flows into the internal space 141 and is further mixed with the aerosol generated by the heating unit 121B, and reaches the oral cavity of the user.

[0042] <<2. Configuration Example of Suction Device According to the Present Disclosure>> Next, an embodiment of a suction device (hereinafter referred to as suction device 100) in which the configuration of the suction device according to the present disclosure is applied to the suction device 100B of the second configuration example described above will be described. Note that, although a specific description will be omitted, part of the configuration of the suction device 100 described in detail below can also be applied to the suction device 100A of the first configuration example.

[0043] [Overall Configuration of Suction Device] Figure 3 is an overall perspective view of the suction device 100. In the following description, the direction in which the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into or removed from the suction device 100 is defined as the up-down direction, the sliding movement direction of the shutter 23 (described later) as the front-rear direction, and the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-rear direction as the left-right direction. As shown in the figure, the front is defined as Fr, the rear as Rr, the left side as L, the right side as R, the top as U, and the bottom as D.

[0044] The suction device 100 is preferably sized to fit in the hand, and has, for example, a rod shape. For example, a user holds the suction device 100 in one hand while touching the surface of the suction device 100 with the fingertip. The shape of the suction device 100 is not limited to a rod shape, and it may have any shape (for example, a rounded, approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape or an egg shape).

[0045] The suction device 100 includes an internal unit 10 (see FIGS. 4 to 6 ) and a case 20 that forms the exterior of the suction device 100. The case 20 has a lower case 21 and an upper case 22. A portion of the internal unit 10 is housed in the lower case 21, and the entire internal unit 10 is housed in the case 20 by placing the upper case 22 over the lower case 21 from above.

[0046] The top surface of the suction device 100 is provided with an opening 27 (see FIGS. 4 to 6) through which the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted and removed, and a shutter 23 that can slide back and forth. The opening 27 is located on the rear side of the top surface of the suction device 100. The shutter 23 selectively takes an open state (front position) that opens the opening 27 to allow the stick-shaped substrate 150 to be inserted and removed, and a closed state (rear position) that positions the shutter 23 above the opening 27 to close the opening 27. When inserting the stick-shaped substrate 150 into the opening 27, the user opens the shutter 23.

[0047] A shutter detection sensor 11 (see FIG. 4) is provided near the shutter 23. The shutter detection sensor 11 detects whether the shutter 23 is open or not. The shutter detection sensor 11 is an example of the sensor unit 112B of the suction device 100B in FIG. 2.

[0048] Furthermore, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port 26 (see FIG. 4) is provided on the top surface of the suction device 100 adjacent to the opening 27. In the open state described above, the shutter 23 blocks the USB port 26. On the other hand, in the closed state described above, the shutter 23 does not block the USB port 26, and the USB port 26 is open. The USB port 26 is configured to be electrically connectable to an external power source (not shown) capable of supplying power to charge the power supply unit 111C (see FIG. 4). The USB port 26 is, for example, a receptacle into which a mating plug can be inserted. As an example, in this embodiment, the USB port 26 is a USB Type-C receptacle.

[0049] An operation unit 24 and a light-emitting unit 25 are provided on the front surface of the suction device 100. The operation unit 24 is disposed below the light-emitting unit 25. More specifically, the operation unit 24 and the light-emitting unit 25 are components of the internal unit 10 housed in the case 20, and are configured so that parts of the operation unit 24 and the light-emitting unit 25 are exposed from openings formed on the front surface of the case 20. The light-emitting unit 25 is an example of the notification unit 113B of the suction device 100B in FIG. 2 .

[0050] The operation unit 24 is a button-type switch that can be operated by the user and is an input device that accepts information input from the user. The operation unit 24 is connected to the main board 50 (see FIGS. 4 to 6), which will be described later. When the user presses the operation unit 24, for example, the MCU (Micro Controller Unit) 1 (see FIGS. 4 to 6) or the heating unit 121C (see FIG. 7) is activated. The MCU 1 functions as the control unit 116B in the suction device 100B. The MCU 1 may also have the function of the communication unit 115B in addition to the function of the control unit 116B in the suction device 100B. Furthermore, the MCU 1 may be composed of a single IC or two or more ICs. For example, the discharge control for the heating unit 121C and the charge control for the power supply unit 111C may be performed by a single IC or by separate ICs.

[0051] The light-emitting unit 25 is composed of light-emitting elements such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). More specifically, the light-emitting unit 25 includes a plurality of LEDs 251 (see FIG. 6 ) provided on the main board 50, and a transparent cover 250 that covers the plurality of LEDs 251 and transmits light from the LEDs 251. A portion of the transparent cover 250 is exposed through an opening formed in the front surface of the case 20. In this embodiment, for example, the plurality of LEDs 251 are configured to be able to emit light in a plurality of colors including blue, yellow, and red. The number of light-emitting elements can be set arbitrarily, and the light-emitting unit 25 may have only one light-emitting element, for example.

[0052] The light-emitting unit 25 emits light in a predetermined light-emitting manner in response to a command from the MCU 1 to notify the user of predetermined information. Here, the light-emitting manner may be, for example, a light color, but is not limited to this and may be, for example, a lighting intensity (in other words, brightness) or a lighting pattern (for example, blinking at a predetermined time interval). Furthermore, the predetermined information may be, for example, operational information indicating whether the power of the suction device 100 is on or not.

[0053] Next, the internal unit 10 of the suction device 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 6. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the internal unit 10 as seen from the front right side, Figure 5 is a perspective view of the internal unit 10 as seen from the front left side, and Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the internal unit 10. The internal unit 10 is the suction device 100 with the case 20 and shutter 23 removed.

[0054] The internal unit 10 includes a chassis 40, a main board 50, a vibration device 60, a heater assembly 30, a power supply unit 111C, a power supply board 71, a peripheral FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits) 72, a sensor FPC 73, and various sensors. The power supply board 71 may be a flexible circuit board, a rigid board (described later), or a combination of a flexible board and a rigid board. However, a flexible circuit board will be described here as an example.

[0055] 6 , the chassis 40 has a power supply holding portion 41 that holds the power supply unit 111C, a board holding portion 42 that holds the main board 50, and a heater holding portion 43 that holds the heater assembly 30. The power supply holding portion 41 is located in the lower part of the chassis 40, and the board holding portion 42 and the heater holding portion 43 are located in the upper part of the chassis 40.

[0056] The power supply holding unit 41 has a cylindrical shape with a portion of the side cut out, in other words, a substantially semi-cylindrical shape. The power supply holding unit 41 has a bottom wall 401, an arc-shaped side wall 402 standing upward from the bottom wall 401, and an upper wall 403 provided at the upper end of the side wall 402. The power supply unit 111C is disposed in a space surrounded by the bottom wall 401, the side wall 402, and the upper wall 403.

[0057] The board holding portion 42 is provided on a standing wall portion 404 that stands upward from the upper wall portion 403 of the power supply holding portion 41. The board holding portion 42 is provided on one side (here, the front side) of the standing wall portion 404 in the front-rear direction, and holds the main board 50.

[0058] The heater holding portion 43 is provided on the opposite side (here, rear side) of the standing wall portion 404 from the substrate holding portion 42 in the front-rear direction. The heater holding portion 43 has a space surrounded by the standing wall portion 404, a pair of left and right wall portions 405 extending in the front-rear direction from the standing wall portion 404, and the upper surface of the upper wall portion 403 of the power supply holding portion 41, and the heater assembly 30 is disposed in this space.

[0059] (Main Board) The main board 50 is a rigid board with multiple electronic components (elements) mounted on both sides. The main board 50 is equipped with an MCU 1, an LED 251, a charging IC (Integrated Circuit), a step-up DC / DC converter, and the like. The main board 50 is held by the board holder 42 of the chassis 40 so that the element mounting surface faces the front-to-rear direction. Only the front surface 501 (here, the front surface) of the main board 50 is shown in FIG. 6 . Therefore, the charging IC and step-up DC / DC converter mounted on the back surface 502 (here, the rear surface) are not shown.

[0060] A power supply connector 51 electrically connected to the power supply unit 111C is provided in a lower region of the surface 501 of the main substrate 50. The power supply connector 51 is electrically connected to the power supply unit 111C via the power supply substrate 71. The power supply unit 111C is a cylindrical lithium ion secondary battery, and is an example of the power supply unit 111B of the suction device 100B in FIG. 2.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 6 , the power supply unit 111C is provided with a positive electrode tab 111a and a negative electrode tab 111b. The power supply unit 111C is disposed in the power supply holding portion 41 of the chassis 40 with the positive electrode tab 111a and the negative electrode tab 111b disposed forward. The power supply board 71 is disposed in front of the power supply unit 111C and the main board 50 and extends vertically. The power supply board 71 is connected to the positive electrode tab 111a and the negative electrode tab 111b of the power supply unit 111C and also to the power supply connection portion 51 of the main board 50. Power from the power supply unit 111C is transmitted to the main board 50 through conductive tracks formed on the power supply board 71 and supplied to each electronic component. The power supply board 71 also includes a power supply temperature sensor 16. The power supply temperature sensor 16 detects the temperature of the power supply unit 111C. The power supply temperature sensor 16 is, for example, a thermistor. The power supply temperature sensor 16 is an example of the sensor unit 112B of the suction device 100B in FIG.

[0062] A USB port 26 is provided in an upper region of the rear surface 502 of the main board 50. The USB port 26 is electrically connected to a charging IC (not shown) by wiring formed on the main board 50.

[0063] A heater connection section is provided on the rear surface 502 of the main board 50 in addition to a charging IC and a step-up DC / DC converter (not shown). The charging IC performs charging control to supply (charge) power input from the USB port 26 to the power supply section 111C. The step-up DC / DC converter boosts the power supplied from the power supply section 111C to generate power to be supplied to the heating section 121C (see FIG. 7).

[0064] The heater connection portion is connected to a board connection portion 121a extending from below the heater assembly 30, and supplies power to the heating portion 121C of the heater assembly 30. As a result, power is supplied to the heating portion 121C of the heater assembly 30 from the power supply portion 111C via the main board 50.

[0065] (Vibration Device) The vibration device 60 is composed of a vibration element such as a vibration motor. As shown in FIG. 6 , the vibration device 60 is disposed in the power supply holding portion 41 of the chassis 40, between the upper surface of the power supply unit 111C and the upper wall portion 403. The lead wires 61 of the vibration device 60 are connected to the peripheral FPC 72. The vibration device 60 vibrates in a predetermined vibration mode in response to a command from the MCU 1 to notify the user of predetermined information. For example, when heating of the stick-shaped substrate 150 starts or ends, the vibration device 60 vibrates in a predetermined vibration mode to notify the user of the start or end of heating. The vibration device 60 is an example of the notification unit 113B of the suction device 100B in FIG. 2 .

[0066] (Heater Assembly) Figure 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the heater assembly 30. The heater assembly 30 includes a heating section 121C, a housing section 140C, and a heat insulating section 144C. The heating section 121C is, for example, a film heater, and is wound around the outer periphery of the housing section 140C. The heating section 121C and the board connection section 121a may be formed by a single heater FPC.

[0067] The heater assembly 30 is also provided with a stick guide 31. The stick guide 31 is provided on the upper part of the heater assembly 30 and guides the insertion and removal of the stick-shaped substrate 150 into the housing portion 140C. The stick guide 31 is a cylindrical member that has an opening 27 and constitutes a part of the housing portion 140C.

[0068] The heater assembly 30 is also provided with a heater temperature sensor 15 capable of detecting the temperature of the heating portion 121C. More specifically, the heater temperature sensor 15 is provided between the heating portion 121C and the heat insulating portion 144C, in contact with or in close proximity to the heating portion 121C. The heater temperature sensor 15 is, for example, a thermistor.

[0069] 6, the sensor FPC 73 is disposed between the standing wall portion 404 of the heater holding portion 43 and the heater assembly 30. The sensor FPC 73 is equipped with the stick detection sensor 12, the suction sensor 13, and the case temperature sensor 14. The stick detection sensor 12, the suction sensor 13, and the case temperature sensor 14 are an example of the sensor unit 112B of the suction device 100B in FIG.

[0070] The stick detection sensor 12 is a sensor capable of detecting the stick-shaped substrate 150 housed in the housing section 140C. In this embodiment, the stick detection sensor 12 is an optical sensor capable of detecting the stick-shaped substrate 150 based on the amount of reflected light of light irradiated onto the housing section 140C. Here, the term "amount of light" is a concept that includes luminous flux, illuminance, luminous emittance, luminous intensity, brightness, etc. The optical sensor is, for example, an IR (Infrared Rays) sensor.

[0071] The suction sensor 13 is a sensor that detects a puffing action (inhalation action) by the user. The suction sensor 13 is configured by, for example, a condenser microphone, a pressure sensor, etc. The suction sensor 13 is provided in the sensor FPC 73 near the stick guide 31.

[0072] The case temperature sensor 14 is a sensor that detects the temperature of the case 20. The case temperature sensor 14 is, for example, a thermistor. The case temperature sensor 14 is disposed adjacent to the inner surface of the case 20 on the sensor FPC 73.

[0073] The sensor FPC 73 is also provided with a heater temperature sensor connection 731 that connects to the heater temperature sensor 15 of the heater assembly 30. The heater temperature sensor connection 731 is provided on the lower part of the sensor FPC 73. More specifically, a lead wire 15a is connected to the heater temperature sensor 15, and the heater temperature sensor connection 731 is connected to the lead wire 15a that extends from below the heater assembly 30.

[0074] The stick detection sensor 12, suction sensor 13, case temperature sensor 14, and heater temperature sensor connection part 731 are connected to the board connection part 730 via conductive tracks formed on the sensor FPC 73. The board connection part 730 is connected to the sensor FPC connection part 55 provided in the central region of the surface 501 of the main board 50. As a result, the detection results of each sensor are output to the MCU 1 mounted on the main board 50, etc.

[0075] In the suction device 100 configured in this manner, when the shutter detection sensor 11 detects the open state of the shutter 23 and the stick detection sensor 12 detects the stick-shaped substrate 150, the MCU 1 begins heating the heating unit 121C. When a user holds the suction mouthpiece 152 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 in their mouth and inhales, aerosol is supplied into the user's mouth from the aerosol source of the stick-shaped substrate 150 heated by the heating unit 121C. The suction sensor 13 detects the number of suctions, and the MCU 1 stops heating after a predetermined number of suctions or after a predetermined time has elapsed. While the suction device 100 is heating, the case temperature sensor 14, heater temperature sensor 15, and power supply temperature sensor 16 detect their respective temperatures. If abnormal heating is determined, the MCU 1 stops or suppresses heating of the heating unit 121C. The user can also operate the operation unit 24 to, for example, check the SOC of the power supply unit 111C. The light-emitting unit 25 (LED 251) and the vibration device 60 notify the user of various information such as the SOC of the power supply unit 111C, error indications, etc. If the SOC of the power supply unit 111C decreases, the user can connect an external power source to the USB port 26 to charge the power supply unit 111C.

[0076] [Stick Detection Sensor] Next, details of the stick detection sensor 12 will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. The stick detection sensor 12 is an optical sensor that irradiates light onto the storage section 140C and detects the amount of light reflected from the storage section 140C. The MCU 1 is configured to be able to detect whether the stick-shaped substrate 150 is stored in the storage section 140C based on the amount of reflected light detected by the stick detection sensor 12. Here, the light that is irradiated and received by the stick detection sensor 12 is, for example, near-infrared light, and in this case, the stick detection sensor 12 is an IR sensor. In the following, the stick detection sensor 12 is assumed to detect "brightness" as an example of light amount.

[0077] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 5, showing the structure around the sensor FPC 73, the stick detection sensor 12, and the stick guide 31 (housing portion 140C). The sensor FPC 73 is a flexible member and is arranged around the housing portion 140C. The stick detection sensor 12 is provided on the sensor FPC 73. This makes it easier to arrange the stick detection sensor 12 around the housing portion 140C than when the stick detection sensor 12 is provided on the rigid main board 50. This increases the degree of freedom in terms of arrangement, allowing the suction device 100 to be made more compact.

[0078] The stick detection sensor 12 is disposed at a predetermined distance from the stick guide 31 to reduce the effect of heat from the stick guide 31 (housing section 140C). A light-transmitting transmission filter 311 is provided on a portion of the wall of the stick guide 31 that defines the housing section 140C, and the sensor FPC 73 is disposed around the housing section 140C so that the stick detection sensor 12 faces the transmission filter 311 at a predetermined distance. The portions of the stick guide 31 where the transmission filter 311 is not provided are configured to block light.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 9 , the stick detection sensor 12 irradiates light onto the storage section 140C through the transmission filter 311 and receives the reflected light. When the stick-shaped substrate 150 is stored in the storage section 140C (hereinafter also referred to as the stored state), the light irradiated from the stick detection sensor 12 is reflected by the surface of the stick-shaped substrate 150 immediately after passing through the transmission filter 311. The stick detection sensor 12 receives the reflected light reflected by the surface of the stick-shaped substrate 150. On the other hand, when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not stored in the storage section 140C (hereinafter also referred to as the non-stored state), the light irradiated from the stick detection sensor 12 passes through the transmission filter 311, travels inside the storage section 140C, and is reflected by the inner wall of the storage section 140C. The stick detection sensor 12 receives the reflected light reflected by the inner wall of the storage section 140C.

[0080] As such, the distance light travels from irradiation to reception in the housed state is shorter than in the unhoused state. Therefore, the brightness of the reflected light received by the stick detection sensor 12 in the housed state is higher than in the unhoused state. The MCU 1 detects the stick-shaped substrate 150 based on this difference in brightness between the housed state and the unhoused state. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10 , the MCU 1 detects the stick-shaped substrate 150 when the brightness of the reflected light detected by the stick detection sensor 12 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value L1. On the other hand, the MCU 1 does not detect the stick-shaped substrate 150 when the brightness of the reflected light detected by the stick detection sensor 12 is less than the predetermined value L1.

[0081] In this embodiment, there are provided two stick detection sensors 12 and two transmission filters 311. For example, the MCU 1 can be configured not to detect the stick-shaped substrate 150 unless the detection results of both stick detection sensors 12 indicate the storage state of the stick-shaped substrate 150.

[0082] [Example of Operation of Suction Device] Next, an example of operation of the suction device 100 will be described. The suction device 100 is activated, for example, when the shutter 23 is opened. Specifically, the MCU 1 is activated when the shutter detection sensor 11 detects that the shutter 23 is opened. After the MCU 1 is activated, the heating unit 121C and other operations become possible. Here, the shutter detection sensor 11 is composed of, for example, a magnet provided on the shutter 23 and a Hall IC (Integrated Circuit) provided on the upper end of the main board 50. The MCU 1 may also be activated when the operation unit 24 is pressed.

[0083] Next, the automatic heating mode and the manual heating mode will be described as modes in which the operation of the heating unit 121C is started.

[0084] The automatic heating mode is a mode in which the operation of the heating unit 121C is automatically started in response to the stick-shaped substrate 150 being accommodated in the accommodation unit 140C. In the automatic heating mode, for example, in response to the shutter 23 being opened, the stick detection sensor 12 starts emitting and receiving light and detects the amount of reflected light. When the automatic heating mode is selected, the MCU 1 detects the stick-shaped substrate 150 based on the detection result of the stick detection sensor 12, and then starts heating the stick-shaped substrate 150.

[0085] The manual heating mode is a mode in which the operation of the heating unit 121C is started in response to a heating request from the user. When the manual heating mode is selected, the MCU 1 does not automatically start heating the stick-shaped substrate 150 even when it detects the stick-shaped substrate 150. The MCU 1 starts heating the stick-shaped substrate 150 in response to a heating request from the user. Here, a heating request from the user is, for example, pressing the operation unit 24 or performing a suction operation on the suction device 100.

[0086] The user selects either the automatic heating mode or the manual heating mode. The mode selection is performed, for example, on a user terminal (such as a smartphone), and the MCU 1 receives instruction information from the user terminal via the communication unit 115B and sets the mode selected by the user.

[0087] Next, the heating of the stick-shaped substrate 150 will be described. When the stick-shaped substrate 150 is housed in the housing unit 140C, the MCU 1 operates the heating unit 121C based on a stick heating profile for heating the stick-shaped substrate 150. The stick heating profile is information that defines the time series progression of a target temperature, which is a target value for the temperature of the heating unit 121C, and is information for heating the stick-shaped substrate 150. The stick heating profile is stored in advance in, for example, a ROM. The MCU 1 generates an aerosol from the stick-shaped substrate 150 by controlling the temperature of the heating unit 121C based on the stick heating profile.

[0088] The solid line in Figure 11 shows an example of a stick heating profile. According to this stick heating profile, the temperature of the heating element 121C is raised to a maximum temperature T1 upon the start of heating control, then temporarily lowered to T2, and then raised again to T3. When the elapsed time from the start of heating control reaches t1, the heating control is terminated. In Figure 11, when the temperature of the heating element 121C reaches T1 and the heating element 121C is assumed to be sufficiently high, a sufficient amount of aerosol is assumed to be generated, allowing the user to inhale. The heating period before inhalation is also referred to as a pre-heating period.

[0089] To describe in detail the temperature control of the heating unit 121C based on the heating profile for the stick, the MCU 1 controls the temperature of the heating unit 121C based on the deviation between a target temperature corresponding to the elapsed time since the start of heating control and the actual temperature of the heating unit 121C (hereinafter also referred to as the "actual temperature"). More specifically, the MCU 1 controls the temperature of the heating unit 121C so that the time series of the actual temperature of the heating unit 121C is the same as the time series of the target temperature specified in the heating profile for the stick. Note that the heating control of the storage unit 140C based on the heating profile for cleaning, which will be described later, is also performed in a similar manner.

[0090] The stick heating profile is typically designed to optimize the flavor that the user experiences when inhaling the aerosol generated from the stick-shaped substrate 150. Therefore, by controlling the temperature of the heating section 121C based on the stick heating profile, the flavor that the user experiences can be optimized, and a high-quality smoking experience can be provided to the user.

[0091] However, dirt may adhere to the storage unit 140C as the inhalation device 100 is used. For example, part of the aerosol source of the stick-type substrate 150 (e.g., tobacco leaves) may spill into the storage unit 140C and adhere to the storage unit 140C due to liquid (e.g., water) present in the storage unit 140C. Also, part of the aerosol generated by heating the stick-type substrate 150 may become liquid and adhere to the storage unit 140C. Generally, if dirt adheres to the storage unit 140C, the quality of the flavor experienced by the user will be reduced, so it is recommended that the user regularly clean the storage unit 140C.

[0092] Cleaning of the storage section 140C is performed, for example, by inserting a cleaning tool (e.g., a cotton swab) coated with a cleaning agent (e.g., a liquid substance such as alcohol or water) into the storage section 140C. This allows dirt adhering to the storage section 140C to be removed. However, if cleaning using a cleaning tool or cleaning agent is performed infrequently, dirt may accumulate in the storage section 140C, making it difficult to remove. On the other hand, frequent cleaning using a cleaning tool or cleaning agent is cumbersome for the user.

[0093] Therefore, in this embodiment, in response to the stick-shaped substrate 150 being removed from the storage unit 140C after the operation of the heating unit 121C based on the stick heating profile has ended, the MCU 1 operates the heating unit 121C based on a cleaning heating profile for heating the storage unit 140C in which the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not stored. Specifically, if the brightness of the reflected light becomes less than a predetermined value L1 after the operation of the heating unit 121C based on the stick heating profile has ended, the MCU 1 determines that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been removed from the storage unit 140C. In response to this determination result, the MCU 1 operates the heating unit 121C based on the cleaning heating profile. The cleaning heating profile is information that specifies the time series progression of the target temperature, which is the target temperature value of the heating unit 121C, and is information for cleaning the inside of the storage unit 140C. The cleaning heating profile is pre-stored in, for example, ROM. The heating profile for cleaning is a heating profile that is different from the heating profile for stick use, and has different information such as target temperature and operating time, as will be described later.

[0094] In this way, since the storage unit 140C is heated after the stick-shaped substrate 150 is removed from the storage unit 140C, the liquid (e.g., water) present in the storage unit 140C evaporates. As a result, a portion of the aerosol source that was attached to the storage unit 140C due to the liquid present in the storage unit 140C no longer adheres to the storage unit 140C. Therefore, the user can easily remove a portion of the aerosol source from the storage unit 140C, for example, by pointing the opening 27 downward. Furthermore, a portion of the aerosol that has become liquid and attached to the storage unit 140C also evaporates due to heating and is removed from the storage unit 140C. Since the heating control for removing such dirt is performed immediately after the stick-shaped substrate 150 is removed (i.e., immediately after smoking), dirt is less likely to accumulate in the storage unit 140C, and the frequency of cleaning using cleaning tools or detergents can be reduced. This improves the convenience of cleaning the inhalation device 100.

[0095] The timing for operating the heating unit 121C in response to the stick-shaped substrate 150 being removed from the storage unit 140C includes the time when the MCU 1 detects the stick-shaped substrate 150 based on the detection result of the stick detection sensor 12, and the time when a predetermined time (however, a relatively short time) has elapsed since the stick-shaped substrate 150 was detected.

[0096] 11, the cleaning heating profile (dashed line in FIG. 11) will be described in comparison with the stick heating profile. According to the cleaning heating profile, the temperature of the heating element 121C is raised to a maximum temperature T4 when heating control starts, and then maintained at that temperature T4. Then, when the elapsed time from the start of heating control reaches t2, the heating control is terminated.

[0097] The stick heating profile and the cleaning heating profile include information about the operating time for operating the heating unit 121C, and the operating time t2 of the cleaning heating profile is set shorter than the operating time t1 of the stick heating profile. The operating time t2 of the cleaning heating profile may be long enough to evaporate the moisture in the storage unit 140C. Because the operating time t2 of the cleaning heating profile is short, excessive heating of the storage unit 140C in which no stick-shaped substrate 150 is stored is suppressed. Furthermore, power consumption can be reduced. Note that the MCU 1 may terminate heating control based on the cleaning heating profile when the shutter 23 is closed before the operating time t2 has elapsed, or may continue heating control until the operating time t2 has elapsed even if the shutter 23 is closed before the operating time t2 has elapsed.

[0098] Furthermore, the target temperature of heating element 121C in the heating profile for cleaning is set higher than the target temperature of heating element 121C in the heating profile for sticks. Specifically, the maximum target temperature T1 in the heating profile for sticks is set to approximately 300°C, and the maximum target temperature T4 in the heating profile for cleaning is set higher than 300°C. Setting the target temperature in the heating profile for cleaning higher allows moisture in storage portion 140C to evaporate in a shorter time.

[0099] In this embodiment, after a predetermined period has elapsed since the previous operation of the heating unit 121C, which was performed in response to the stick-shaped substrate 150 being removed from the storage unit 140C, the MCU 1 operates the heating unit 121C in response to the stick-shaped substrate 150 being removed from the storage unit 140C after the operation of heating the stick-shaped substrate 150 has ended. Here, the predetermined period may be, for example, a period until the operation of heating the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 20 times), or may be a period of time (for example, 3 days) that is preset in the MCU 1 by the manufacturer of the suction device 100, for example. The predetermined period is, for example, counted or timed by the MCU 1.

[0100] To explain one example, after heating, for example, 20 stick-shaped substrates 150 since the end of the previous operation of the heating unit 121C based on the cleaning heating profile, the MCU 1 operates the heating unit 121C based on the cleaning heating profile in response to the removal of the 20th stick-shaped substrate 150 from the storage unit 140C. To explain another example, after, for example, three days have passed since the end of the previous operation of the heating unit 121C based on the cleaning heating profile, the MCU 1 operates the heating unit 121C based on the cleaning heating profile in response to the removal of the stick-shaped substrate 150 from the storage unit 140C after the end of the operation of heating the stick-shaped substrate 150. In this way, since heating control is not performed continuously, power consumption can be reduced compared to when heating control based on the cleaning heating profile is performed each time a stick-shaped substrate 150 is used.

[0101] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the MCU1 can selectively switch between a first mode in which the heating unit 121C is operated in response to the stick-type substrate 150 being removed from the storage unit 140C, and a second mode in which the heating unit 121C is not operated. In detail, as described above, the first mode is a mode in which the heating unit 121C is operated based on the cleaning heating profile in response to the stick-type substrate 150 being removed from the storage unit 140C after the operation of the heating unit 121C based on the stick heating profile has ended. The second mode is a mode in which the heating unit 121C is not operated even if the stick-type substrate 150 is removed from the storage unit 140C after the operation of the heating unit 121C based on the stick heating profile has ended.

[0102] For example, the first mode corresponds to the automatic heating mode, and the second mode corresponds to the manual heating mode. However, this correspondence is not limiting, and even when the automatic heating mode is selected, a separate mode may be provided in which the heating unit 121C does not operate even when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is removed from the storage unit 140C. Furthermore, even when the manual heating mode is selected, a separate mode may be provided in which the heating unit 121C automatically operates based on a cleaning heating profile in response to the stick-shaped substrate 150 being removed from the storage unit 140C.

[0103] Since the MCU 1 selectively operates in the first mode or the second mode, it is possible to reflect the user's intention of not wanting to perform heating control for cleaning after removing the stick-shaped substrate 150.

[0104] [Example of Notification by Notification Unit] Next, an example of notification to the user during heating will be described. Here, light emission by the light emitting unit 25 (LED 251), which is an example of the notification unit 113B in FIG. 2, will be described.

[0105] The light-emitting unit 25 notifies the user that the heating unit 121C is operating. Specifically, when the heating unit 121C is operating based on the stick heating profile while the stick-shaped substrate 150 is housed in the housing unit 140C, and when the heating unit 121C is operating based on the cleaning heating profile after the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been removed from the housing unit 140C, the light-emitting unit 25 emits light in a predetermined light-emitting manner. This notification allows the user to easily visually understand that the heating unit 121C is operating. In particular, when the heating unit 121C is operating without the stick-shaped substrate 150 housed therein, the user can check the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 25 and take care, for example, not to bring their fingers close to the opening 27.

[0106] The light-emitting unit 25 may emit light in different light emission modes when the heating unit 121C is operating based on the stick heating profile while the stick-shaped substrate 150 is housed in the housing unit 140C, and when the heating unit 121C is operating based on the cleaning heating profile after the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been removed from the housing unit 140C. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 , the light-emitting color of the LED 251 is changed depending on whether the heating control is based on the stick heating profile or the cleaning heating profile. Furthermore, the light-emitting modes may be differentiated by changing the number of LEDs 251 that emit light among the multiple LEDs 251. By setting the light-emitting modes to be different between the housed state and the unhoused state, the user can easily visually understand that heating control is being performed in the unhoused state, which is different from when the heating unit 121C is operating in the housed state.

[0107] The notification by notification unit 113B is not limited to light emission by light-emitting unit 25, and may be, for example, vibration by vibration device 60. Specifically, vibration device 60 may vibrate while heating unit 121C is operating to notify the user that heating unit 121C is operating. Furthermore, vibration device 60 may vibrate in different ways when heating unit 121C is operating in the housed state and when heating unit 121C is operating in the unhoused state.

[0108] [Example of Processing Executed by Control Unit] Next, an example of processing executed by the MCU 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0109] First, the MCU 1 determines whether the shutter 23 is open (step S101). If the shutter 23 is not open (step S101: NO), the MCU 1 repeatedly monitors step S101 until the shutter 23 is opened.

[0110] If the shutter 23 is open (step S101: YES), the MCU 1 determines whether or not the stick-shaped substrate 150 is housed in the housing unit 140C (step S102). Specifically, when the shutter 23 is open, the stick detection sensor 12 starts operating, and the MCU 1 acquires the detection result from the stick detection sensor 12 and determines whether or not the stick-shaped substrate 150 is housed in the housing unit 140C. If the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not housed in the housing unit 140C (step S102: NO), the MCU 1 repeatedly monitors step S102 until the stick-shaped substrate 150 is housed in the housing unit 140C.

[0111] When the stick-shaped substrate 150 is contained in the container 140C (step S102: YES), the MCU 1 operates the heater 121C based on the stick heating profile (step S103). This starts heating the stick-shaped substrate 150 and generates an aerosol. Heating of the stick-shaped substrate 150 ends when the operating time included in the stick heating profile has elapsed or when a predetermined number of puffs has been taken since the start of heating of the stick-shaped substrate 150 (step S104).

[0112] Next, the MCU 1 determines whether or not the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been removed from the storage unit 140C after the operation of the heating unit 121C based on the stick heating profile has ended (step S105). If the stick-shaped substrate 150 has not been removed from the storage unit 140C (step S105: NO), the MCU 1 repeatedly monitors step S105 until the stick-shaped substrate 150 is removed from the storage unit 140C.

[0113] If the stick-shaped substrate 150 is removed from the storage section 140C (step S105: YES), the MCU 1 determines whether a predetermined period has elapsed since the previous operation of the heating section 121C based on the cleaning heating profile (step S106).

[0114] If a predetermined period of time has passed since the previous operation of the heating unit 121C based on the cleaning heating profile (YES in step S106), the MCU 1 operates the heating unit 121C based on the cleaning heating profile in response to the removal of the stick-shaped substrate 150 (step S107). On the other hand, if a predetermined period of time has not passed since the previous operation of the heating unit 121C based on the cleaning heating profile (NO in step S106), the MCU 1 does not operate the heating unit 121C and ends this flow.

[0115] <<Variation 1>> The MCU 1 may determine whether to operate the heating unit 121C based on the cleaning heating profile based on the SOC of the power supply unit 111C. Specifically, the MCU 1 determines whether the SOC of the power supply unit 111C is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and operates the heating unit 121C based on the cleaning heating profile in response to determining that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been removed from the housing unit 140C after the operation of the heating unit 121C based on the stick heating profile has ended and that the SOC is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. Here, the predetermined SOC value is, for example, the sum of the power required to execute the current operation of the heating unit 121C based on the cleaning heating profile and the power required to execute the next operation of the heating unit 121C based on the stick heating profile. Setting the predetermined SOC value in this way eliminates the risk that the SOC of the power supply unit 111C will decrease due to the current heating control based on the cleaning heating profile, making it impossible to execute the next heating control based on the stick heating profile.

[0116] Variation 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 13 . As shown in the upper part of FIG. 13 , when the SOC (also referred to as the current SOC) at the end of heating control based on the stick heating profile is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, even if the operation of the heating unit 121C based on the cleaning heating profile is executed, the next stick-shaped substrate 150 to be housed can be heated without charging. Therefore, the MCU 1 operates the heating unit 121C based on the cleaning heating profile in response to determining that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been removed from the housing 140C and that the SOC is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. On the other hand, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 13 , when the SOC (also referred to as the current SOC) at the end of heating control based on the stick heating profile is less than the predetermined value, executing the operation of the heating unit 121C based on the cleaning heating profile will prevent the next stick-shaped substrate 150 from being housed due to insufficient power. Therefore, when the MCU 1 determines that the SOC is less than the predetermined value, it does not operate the heating unit 121C based on the cleaning heating profile.

[0117] In the embodiment described above, if the luminance of the reflected light falls below the predetermined value L1 after the operation of the heating unit 121C based on the stick heating profile has ended, the MCU 1 operates the heating unit 121C based on the cleaning heating profile without detecting the stick-shaped substrate 150. Variation 2 differs from the embodiment described above in that the MCU 1 may not operate the heating unit 121C even if the luminance of the reflected light is below the predetermined value L1.

[0118] When there is a large amount of detergent or dirt generated by use of suction device 100 in storage unit 140C, the brightness of the reflected light may be lower than when there is little detergent or dirt. This is thought to be because when light emitted from stick detection sensor 12 reflects off the inner wall of storage unit 140C, it is scattered by the detergent or dirt, reducing the amount of light returning to stick detection sensor 12. In variant 2, when it is determined that there is little detergent or dirt in storage unit 140C based on the brightness of the reflected light, MCU 1 does not operate heating unit 121C.

[0119] Modification 2 will be described in detail. First, the region of the brightness of the reflected light detected by the stick detection sensor 12 will be described. As shown in FIG. 14 , when the brightness of the reflected light falls within the first region (the region where the brightness is L1 or more), the MCU 1 detects the stick-shaped substrate 150. Furthermore, when the brightness of the reflected light falls within the second region (the region where the brightness is L2 or more and less than L1) or the third region (the region where the brightness is less than L2), the MCU 1 does not detect the stick-shaped substrate 150. Here, L2 is a value smaller than L1. These regions are mutually different. In the second region, there is little detergent or dirt in the storage section 140C, and the brightness of the reflected light is high, whereas in the third region, there is a lot of detergent or dirt in the storage section 140C, and the brightness of the reflected light is low.

[0120] When the brightness detected by the stick detection sensor 12 is included in the first region, the MCU 1 detects the stick-shaped substrate 150 and operates the heating section 121C based on the stick heating profile, as in the above-described embodiment.

[0121] Furthermore, when the brightness is included in the second region, the MCU 1 does not detect the stick-shaped substrate 150 and does not operate the heating unit 121C in response to the stick-shaped substrate 150 being removed from the storage unit 140C. As a result, when it is determined that there is little detergent or dirt in the storage unit 140C, the MCU 1 does not operate the heating unit 121C, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0122] Furthermore, when the brightness is included in the third region, the MCU 1 does not detect the stick-shaped substrate 150 and operates the heating unit 121C in response to the stick-shaped substrate 150 being removed from the storage unit 140C. As a result, when it is determined that there is a large amount of cleaning agent or dirt in the storage unit 140C, the MCU 1 operates the heating unit 121C based on the cleaning heating profile, thereby evaporating and removing the liquid substance in the storage unit 140C.

[0123] The control methods for the suction device 100 described in the above-described embodiment and Modifications 1 and 2 can be realized by executing a pre-prepared program on a computer (processor). The program is stored in a computer-readable storage medium and executed by being read from the storage medium. The program may be provided in a form stored in a non-transitory storage medium such as a flash memory, or may be provided via a network such as the Internet. The computer that executes the program may be, for example, a computer included in the suction device 100 (e.g., MCU 1), but is not limited thereto and may also be a computer included in another device that can communicate with the suction device 100 (e.g., a smartphone or a server device).

[0124] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the components of the above-described embodiments may be combined in any manner as long as they do not deviate from the spirit of the invention.

[0125] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the MCU 1 operates the heating unit 121C based on the stick heating profile and the cleaning heating profile, but this is not limiting. The MCU 1 may operate the heating unit 121C based on information that does not represent a time series transition (for example, information that does not include time information and specifies only the target temperature of the heating unit 121C) rather than a heating profile that specifies a time series transition of the target temperature.

[0126] 15, the target temperature of the heating element 121C in the reference cleaning heating profile may be set lower than the target temperature of the heating element 121C in the stick heating profile. In this case, the maximum temperature T5 of the cleaning heating profile is set to, for example, approximately 100°C to 200°C, which is above the boiling point of water, so as to evaporate the moisture in the storage unit 140C. In this case, the operation time t3 included in the cleaning heating profile is longer than the operation time t2 in the above-described embodiment, but can be set shorter than the operation time t1 of the stick heating profile, as long as it is long enough to evaporate the moisture in the storage unit 140C.

[0127] Furthermore, the MCU 1 may operate the heating unit 121C based on the cleaning heating profile during the period from when the shutter 23 is opened until the stick detection sensor 12 detects the stick-shaped substrate 150. This allows the moisture in the storage unit 140C to evaporate before the stick-shaped substrate 150 is heated.

[0128] Furthermore, the MCU 1 does not have to automatically operate the heating unit 121C based on the cleaning heating profile in response to the stick-shaped substrate 150 being removed from the storage unit 140C after the operation of the heating unit 121C based on the stick heating profile has ended. Specifically, the MCU 1 may operate the heating unit 121C based on the cleaning heating profile in response to a heating request from the user (for example, pressing the operation unit 24) after the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been removed from the storage unit 140C.

[0129] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an optical sensor was shown as an example of the stick detection sensor 12, but this is not limiting. For example, the stick detection sensor 12 may be a pressure sensor that detects pressure fluctuations within the housing portion 140C associated with the insertion and removal of the stick-shaped substrate 150. In this case, the MCU 1 detects the stick-shaped substrate 150 based on the pressure fluctuations detected by the pressure sensor. Furthermore, if identification information is attached to the stick-shaped substrate 150, the stick detection sensor 12 may be an identification information reader that can read the identification information of the stick-shaped substrate 150. In this case, the MCU 1 detects the stick-shaped substrate 150 based on the results read by the identification information reader. Furthermore, the stick detection sensor 12 may be a mechanical switch that is provided near the housing portion 140C (e.g., on the bottom surface of the housing portion 140C) and is pressed by the stick-shaped substrate 150. In this case, the MCU 1 detects the stick-shaped substrate 150 when the switch is pressed. Furthermore, if the stick-shaped substrate 150 includes a susceptor, the MCU 1 may detect the stick-shaped substrate 150 based on a change in the characteristics of the circuit of the suction device 100 (for example, a change in inductance) caused by the insertion of the stick-shaped substrate 150.

[0130] This specification etc. describes at least the following items. In parentheses, components etc. corresponding to the above-mentioned embodiment are shown as examples, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0131] (1) A suction device (suction device 100, 100A, 100B) that generates an aerosol from a substrate (stick-type substrate 150) having an aerosol source, the suction device comprising: a storage unit (storage unit 140, 140C) that stores the substrate; a heating unit (heating units 121A to 121C) that heats the storage unit; and a control unit (control unit 116A, 116B, MCU1) that controls the heating unit, wherein the control unit operates the heating unit when the substrate is stored in the storage unit, and operates the heating unit in response to the substrate being removed from the storage unit after the operation of heating the substrate is completed.

[0132] Contamination that occurs during use of the suction device can include parts of the aerosol source that have fallen off the substrate and adhered to the storage unit together with the liquid, or parts of the aerosol generated by heating the substrate that have become liquid and adhere to the storage unit. According to (1), the control unit operates the heating unit in response to the substrate being removed from the storage unit after the operation of heating the substrate is completed. This causes the liquid present in the storage unit to evaporate and be removed, thereby removing or facilitating the removal of contamination within the storage unit. This improves the convenience of cleaning the suction device.

[0133] (2) The suction device according to (1), wherein the control unit controls the heating unit based on heating information that defines a time series progression of a target temperature, which is a target value for the temperature of the heating unit; the heating information includes at least first heating information (a stick heating profile) for heating the substrate and second heating information (a cleaning heating profile) that is different from the first heating information; and the control unit operates the heating unit based on the first heating information when the substrate is stored in the storage unit, and operates the heating unit based on the second heating information in response to the substrate being removed from the storage unit after the operation of the heating unit based on the first heating information has ended.

[0134] According to (2), the heating unit is operated based on appropriate heating information depending on the situation, so that more appropriate heating control can be performed.

[0135] (3) The suction device according to (2), wherein the first heating information and the second heating information each include an operation time for operating the heating unit, and the operation time of the second heating information (operation time t2) is shorter than the operation time of the first heating information (operation time t1).

[0136] According to (3), when the heating unit is operated based on the second heating information, excessive heating of the accommodation unit from which the substrate has been removed is suppressed.

[0137] (4) The suction device according to (3), wherein the target temperature of the second heating information is higher than the target temperature of the first heating information.

[0138] According to (4), the target temperature of the second heating information is higher than the target temperature of the first heating information, so that the operation time of the second heating information can be shortened.

[0139] (5) The suction device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the previous operation of the heating unit, which was performed in response to the substrate being removed from the storage unit, the control unit operates the heating unit in response to the substrate being removed from the storage unit after the operation of heating the substrate has ended.

[0140] According to (5), compared to the case where heating control is performed each time a substrate is removed, heating control is not performed continuously, so power consumption can be reduced.

[0141] (6) The suction device according to any one of (1) to (5), further comprising a power supply unit (power supply units 111A to 111C) capable of supplying power to the heating unit, wherein the control unit determines whether the remaining capacity of the power supply unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and operates the heating unit in response to the determination that the substrate has been removed from the storage unit after the operation of heating the substrate has been completed and that the remaining capacity is equal to or greater than the predetermined value.

[0142] According to (6), it is possible to determine whether to operate the heating unit in response to the removal of the substrate from the storage unit, taking into account the remaining capacity of the power supply unit.

[0143] (7) The suction device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the control unit is capable of selectively switching between a first mode in which the heating unit is operated in response to the substrate being removed from the storage unit after the operation of heating the substrate is completed, and a second mode in which the heating unit is not operated even when the substrate is removed from the storage unit after the operation of heating the substrate is completed.

[0144] According to (7), the control unit selectively selects the first mode and the second mode, so that it is possible to reflect the intention of the user who does not want the heating control to be performed after removing the substrate.

[0145] (8) The suction device according to any one of (1) to (7), further comprising an optical sensor (stick detection sensor 12) that irradiates the storage section with light and detects the amount of light reflected from the storage section, and the control unit is configured to be able to detect the substrate stored in the storage section based on the amount of light reflected from the storage section.

[0146] According to (8), the substrate contained in the container can be detected based on the amount of reflected light detected by the optical sensor.

[0147] (9) The suction device according to (8), wherein the control unit: detects the substrate and operates the heating unit when the amount of light falls within a first range; does not detect the substrate and does not operate the heating unit in response to the substrate being removed from the storage unit when the amount of light falls within a second range different from the first range; does not detect the substrate and operates the heating unit in response to the substrate being removed from the storage unit when the amount of light falls within a third range different from the first range and the second range.

[0148] According to (9), when the substrate is removed from the storage section, the heating section is not operated if heating is not required, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0149] (10) The suction device according to (8) or (9), further comprising a flexible member (sensor FPC 73) disposed around the accommodating section and electrically connected to the control section, wherein the optical sensor is provided on the flexible member.

[0150] According to (10), by providing the optical sensor on a flexible member, the degree of freedom in arranging the optical sensor around the accommodating section is increased compared to when the optical sensor is provided on a rigid substrate, for example.

[0151] (11) The suction device according to (10), wherein a light-transmitting member (transmission filter 311) that can transmit light is provided on a part of a wall that partitions the storage section, and the flexible member is arranged around the storage section so that the optical sensor faces the light-transmitting member at a predetermined distance.

[0152] According to (11), the optical sensor faces the transparent member at a predetermined distance, so that the influence of heat from the housing on the optical sensor can be reduced.

[0153] (12) The suction device according to any one of (1) to (11), further comprising a notification unit (light-emitting unit 25, vibration device 60) that notifies a user that the heating unit is operating, and when the heating unit is operating after the substrate is removed from the storage unit, the notification unit notifies the user that the heating unit is operating.

[0154] According to (12), when the heating unit is operating after the substrate is removed from the storage unit, the user can easily understand that heating control is being performed and can be careful not to bring, for example, fingers near the storage unit.

[0155] (13) The suction device according to (12), wherein the notification unit notifies the user in a first notification manner that the heating unit is operating when the heating unit is operating while the substrate is stored in the storage unit, and notifies the user in a second notification manner different from the first notification manner that the heating unit is operating when the heating unit is operating based on the second heating information after the substrate has been removed from the storage unit.

[0156] According to (13), the user can easily understand that the heating unit is operating when the substrate is not contained in the container, and can be careful not to bring, for example, fingers near the container.

[0157] (14) A control method executed by a computer (control units 116A, 116B, MCU1) that controls the operation of a suction device (suction device 100, 100A, 100B) that generates an aerosol from a substrate (stick-type substrate 150) having an aerosol source, wherein the suction device has a storage unit (storage unit 140, 140C) that stores the substrate, and a heating unit (heating units 121A to 121C) that heats the storage unit, and the computer operates the heating unit when the substrate is stored in the storage unit, and operates the heating unit in response to the substrate being removed from the storage unit after the operation of heating the substrate is completed.

[0158] Contamination that occurs in the storage unit during use of the suction device includes parts of the aerosol source that have spilled from the substrate and adhered to the storage unit together with the liquid, and parts of the aerosol generated by heating the substrate that have become liquid and adhere to the storage unit. According to (14), the computer operates the heating unit in response to the substrate being removed from the storage unit after the operation of the heating unit to heat the substrate has ended. This causes the liquid present in the storage unit to evaporate and be removed, thereby removing or facilitating the removal of contamination within the storage unit. This improves the convenience of cleaning the suction device.

[0159] (15) A program that causes a computer (control units 116A, 116B, MCU1) that controls the operation of a suction device (suction device 100, 100A, 100B) that generates an aerosol from a substrate (stick-type substrate 150) having an aerosol source to execute a predetermined process, wherein the suction device has a storage unit (storage unit 140, 140C) that stores the substrate and a heating unit (heating units 121A to 121C) that heats the storage unit, and causes the computer to operate the heating unit when the substrate is stored in the storage unit, and to operate the heating unit in response to the substrate being removed from the storage unit after the operation of heating the substrate is completed.

[0160] Contamination of the storage unit due to use of the suction device can occur when a portion of the aerosol source spills from the substrate and adheres to the storage unit together with the liquid, or when a portion of the aerosol generated by heating the substrate adheres to the storage unit as a liquid. According to (15), the computer operates the heating unit in response to the substrate being removed from the storage unit after the operation of the heating unit to heat the substrate has ended. This causes the liquid present in the storage unit to evaporate and be removed, thereby removing or facilitating the removal of contamination within the storage unit. This improves the convenience of cleaning the suction device.

[0161] (16) A suction system comprising: a substrate (stick-shaped substrate 150) having an aerosol source; and the suction device (suction device 100, 100A, 100B) according to any one of (1) to (13).

[0162] Contamination that occurs during use of the suction device can include parts of the aerosol source that have spilled from the substrate and adhered to the storage unit together with the liquid, or parts of the aerosol generated by heating the substrate that have become liquid and adhere to the storage unit. According to (16), the control unit operates the heating unit in response to the substrate being removed from the storage unit after the operation of the heating unit to heat the substrate has ended. This causes the liquid present in the storage unit to evaporate and be removed, thereby removing or facilitating the removal of contamination within the storage unit. This improves the convenience of cleaning the suction device.

[0163] (17) The suction device according to (13), wherein the notification unit includes a light-emitting unit (light-emitting unit 25) that notifies the user by emitting light, and the first notification mode and the second notification mode have different light-emitting modes.

[0164] According to (17), the user can easily visually understand whether heating control is being performed to heat the substrate or whether heating control is being performed after the substrate is removed from the storage section.

[0165] (18) The suction device according to (17), wherein the first notification mode and the second notification mode are different in light emission color of the light-emitting unit.

[0166] According to (18), the user can easily understand by checking the light color whether heating control is being performed to heat the substrate or whether heating control is being performed after the substrate is removed from the storage section.

[0167] (19) The suction device according to (17), wherein the light-emitting unit has a plurality of light-emitting elements (LEDs 251), and the first notification mode and the second notification mode differ in the number of light-emitting elements that emit light.

[0168] According to (19), the user can easily determine whether heating control is being performed to heat the substrate or whether heating control is being performed after the substrate is removed from the storage section by checking the number of light-emitting elements that are emitting light.

[0169] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 MCU (control unit, computer) 12 Stick detection sensor (optical sensor) 25 Light emitting unit (notification unit) 60 Vibration device (notification unit) 73 Sensor FPC (flexible member) 100, 100A, 100B Suction device 116A, 116B Control unit 121A to 121C Heating unit 140, 140C Storage unit 150 Stick-shaped substrate (substrate) 311 Transmission filter (transmission member)

Claims

1. A suction device for generating an aerosol from a substrate having an aerosol source, comprising: a housing part for housing the substrate; a heating part for heating the housing part; a control part for controlling the heating part, wherein the control part: operates the heating part when the substrate is housed in the housing part; operates the heating part in response to the substrate being removed from the housing part after the operation of heating the substrate is completed. Suction device.

2. The suction device according to claim 1, wherein the control part controls the heating part based on heating information defining a time-series change of a target temperature which is a target value of the temperature of the heating part, the heating information at least includes first heating information for generating the aerosol from the substrate and second heating information different from the first heating information, and the control part: operates the heating part based on the first heating information when the substrate is housed in the housing part; operates the heating part based on the second heating information in response to the substrate being removed from the housing part after the operation of the heating part based on the first heating information is completed. Suction device.

3. The suction device according to claim 2, wherein the first heating information and the second heating information each include an operation time for operating the heating part, and the operation time of the second heating information is shorter than the operation time of the first heating information. Suction device.

4. The suction device according to claim 3, wherein the target temperature of the second heating information is higher than the target temperature of the first heating information. Suction device.

5. The suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein after a predetermined period has elapsed since the previous operation of the heating part executed in response to the substrate being removed from the housing part, the control part operates the heating part in response to the substrate being removed from the housing part after the operation of heating the substrate is completed. Suction device.

6. The suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a power supply part capable of supplying power to the heating part, wherein the control part: determines whether the remaining capacity of the power supply part is equal to or greater than a predetermined value; operates the heating part in response to the substrate being removed from the housing part after the operation of heating the substrate is completed and the determination that the remaining capacity is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. Suction device.

7. The suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The control unit can selectively switch between a first mode in which the heating unit is operated in response to the base material being removed from the storage unit after the operation of heating the base material, and a second mode in which the heating unit is not operated even if the base material is removed from the storage unit after the operation of heating the base material. Suction device.

8. The suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an optical sensor that irradiates light to the storage unit and detects the amount of reflected light from the storage unit, wherein the control unit is configured to be able to detect the base material stored in the storage unit based on the amount of the reflected light. Suction device.

9. The suction device according to claim 8, wherein the control unit when the amount of light is included in a first region, detects the base material and operates the heating unit, when the amount of light is included in a second region different from the first region, does not detect the base material and does not operate the heating unit in response to the base material being removed from the storage unit, when the amount of light is included in a third region different from the first region and the second region, does not detect the base material and operates the heating unit in response to the base material being removed from the storage unit. Suction device.

10. The suction device according to claim 8, further comprising a flexible member disposed around the storage unit and electrically connected to the control unit, wherein the optical sensor is provided on the flexible member. Suction device.

11. The suction device according to claim 10, wherein a part of a wall portion partitioning the storage unit is provided with a transmissive member capable of transmitting light, and the flexible member is disposed around the storage unit such that the optical sensor faces the transmissive member with a predetermined distance therebetween. Suction device.

12. The suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the user that the heating unit is operating, wherein the notification unit notifies the user that the heating unit is operating when the heating unit is operating after the base material is removed from the storage unit. Suction device.

13. The suction device according to claim 12, wherein the notification unit when the heating unit is operating with the base material stored in the storage unit, notifies the user that the heating unit is operating in a first notification mode, When the heating unit is operating after the base material has been removed from the housing unit, the user is notified in a second notification mode different from the first notification mode that the heating unit is operating. Suction device. **Claim 14** A control method executed by a computer for controlling the operation of a suction device that generates an aerosol from a base material having an aerosol source, The suction device includes: A housing unit for housing the base material; A heating unit for heating the housing unit, The computer: Operates the heating unit when the base material is housed in the housing unit; Operates the heating unit in response to the base material being removed from the housing unit after the operation of heating the base material has ended. Control method. **Claim 15** A program for causing a computer that controls the operation of a suction device that generates an aerosol from a base material having an aerosol source to execute a predetermined process, The suction device includes: A housing unit for housing the base material; A heating unit for heating the housing unit, The program causes the computer to: Operate the heating unit when the base material is housed in the housing unit; Operate the heating unit in response to the base material being removed from the housing unit after the operation of heating the base material has ended. Program for executing the process.