Aerosol generation device

Abstract

A suction device (100), which is an example of an aerosol generation device of the present invention, comprises: a power supply unit (111) that accumulates and supplies power; an accommodation unit (140) that accommodates a stick-type base material (150); a heating unit (121) that uses the power supplied from the power supply unit (111) to heat the stick-type base material (150) accommodated in the accommodation unit (140); and a control unit (116) that is configured to be able to control the supply of power to the heating unit (121) and acquire a parameter pertaining to the temperature of the heating unit (121). The control unit (116) determines, on the basis of the parameter obtained by applying a detection pulse, which is a prescribed power pulse, to the heating unit (121), whether a residue different from the stick-type base material (150) is present in the accommodation unit (140).

Description

Aerosol Generator

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

[0002] Conventionally, inhalers that generate aerosols containing flavor components and allow users to inhale the generated aerosols have been known. Typically, such inhalers generate the aerosol by supplying power from a power source such as a rechargeable battery to a heating unit that is an electric resistance or induction heater, thereby heating an aerosol source with the heating unit.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a technology in which a control unit of an aerosol generating device switches from a general mode to a cleaning mode when it detects that the aerosol generating device is connected to a cleaning device used to clean the inside and / or outside of the aerosol generating device.

[0004] Japan Special Table No. 2022-518121

[0005] However, the history of research and development of aerosol devices such as the aforementioned inhalers is still short, and there is room for improvement in terms of providing users with a high-quality experience.

[0006] The present disclosure provides an aerosol generating device that can provide a high-quality experience to users.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is an aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol by heating a substrate containing an aerosol source, comprising: a power supply unit that accumulates and supplies electric power; a storage unit that stores the substrate; a heating unit that uses electric power supplied from the power supply unit to heat the substrate stored in the storage unit; and a control unit that is configured to be able to control the supply of electric power to the heating unit and to be able to acquire parameters related to the temperature of the heating unit, wherein the control unit determines whether or not a retained object is present in the storage unit based on the parameters obtained by applying a detection pulse, which is a predetermined electric power pulse, to the heating unit.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, an aerosol generating device can be provided that can provide a high-quality experience to the user.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an inhalation device 100 of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a smoking heating profile Pr1 possessed by the inhalation device 100. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a time series progression of the voltage applied to the heating unit 121 during a detection operation. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a time series progression of the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 during a detection operation. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a time series progression of the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 during a detection operation. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of a condition for determining the presence of accumulated matter. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of a time series progression of the voltage applied to the heating unit 121 during a detection operation. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the control unit 116. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cleaning heating profile Pr2 possessed by the inhalation device 100.

[0010] An embodiment of the aerosol generating device of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is an example in which the aerosol generating device of the present disclosure is applied to an inhalation device. The drawings should be viewed in the direction indicated by the reference numerals. In the following description, identical or similar elements will be denoted by identical or similar reference numerals, and their description may be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0011] [1. Configuration Example of Suction Device] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a suction device 100 of the present embodiment. The suction device 100 of the present embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is a device that generates a substance to be inhaled by a user and allows the user to inhale the generated substance. In the following description, the substance generated by the suction device 100 is described as an aerosol. Alternatively, the substance generated by the suction device 100 may be a gas.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the suction device 100 includes a power supply unit 111, a sensor unit 112, a notification unit 113, a memory unit 114, a communication unit 115, a control unit 116, a heating unit 121, a storage unit 140, and a heat insulating unit 144.

[0013] The power supply unit 111 stores electric power. The power supply unit 111 supplies electric power to each component of the suction device 100 under the control of the control unit 116. The power supply unit 111 may be configured to be rechargeable with electric power received from an external power source (not shown). The power supply unit 111 may be configured, for example, by a rechargeable battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery.

[0014] The sensor unit 112 acquires various information related to the suction device 100. The sensor unit 112 is configured to include, for example, a pressure sensor such as a condenser microphone, a flow rate sensor, or a temperature sensor (e.g., a thermistor), and acquires values ​​associated with the user's inhalation. As an example, the sensor unit 112 may include a pressure sensor (also referred to as a "puff sensor") that can acquire changes in pressure within the suction device 100 caused by the user's inhalation. As another example, the sensor unit 112 may include a flow rate sensor that can acquire the flow rate of air or the like caused by the user's inhalation. The sensor unit 112 may also include a temperature sensor that can acquire the temperature of a predetermined location within the suction device 100 (e.g., the power supply unit 111 or the heating unit 121). Furthermore, the sensor unit 112 may be configured to include an input device that accepts information input (in other words, operation) from the user, such as an operation button or an operation switch.

[0015] The notification unit 113 notifies the user of information. The notification unit 113 may be configured, for example, by a light-emitting device that emits light, a display device that displays an image, a sound output device that outputs sound, or a vibration device that vibrates.

[0016] The storage unit 114 stores various types of information (for example, programs and data) required for the operation of the suction device 100. The storage unit 114 may be configured, for example, by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory.

[0017] The communication unit 115 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).

[0018] The control unit 116 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control device, and controls the overall operation of the suction device 100 in accordance with various programs stored in the memory unit 114, etc. For example, the control unit 116 controls the power supply from the power supply unit 111 to each component, including the heating unit 121 described below. The control unit 116 is realized by an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor. As an example, the control unit 116 can be realized by an MCU (Micro Controller Unit).

[0019] 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.

[0020] The stick-shaped substrate 150 is an example of a substrate containing an aerosol source, and includes a substrate portion 151 and a mouthpiece portion 152. The substrate portion 151 includes the aerosol source. The aerosol source includes a tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component. When the inhalation device 100 is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may include a medicament. The aerosol source may be a liquid, such as a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin or propylene glycol, and water, containing a tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component, or a solid containing a tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component.

[0021] When stick-shaped substrate 150 is held (in other words, stored) in storage portion 140, at least a portion of substrate portion 151 is stored in internal space 141, and at least a portion of suction mouth portion 152 protrudes from opening 142. When a user holds suction mouth portion 152 protruding from opening 142 in their mouth and inhales, air flows into internal space 141 via an air flow path (not shown) and reaches the user's mouth together with the aerosol generated from substrate portion 151.

[0022] The heating unit 121 generates aerosol by heating the aerosol source and atomizing the aerosol source. In the example shown in Fig. 1 , the heating unit 121 is configured as a film heater having conductive tracks formed by a heating resistor whose electrical resistance value correlates with temperature, and is arranged to cover the outer periphery of the storage unit 140. The heating unit 121 generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 111. When the heating unit 121 generates heat while the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the storage unit 140 (in other words, the internal space 141), the substrate unit 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 is heated from the outer periphery, and an aerosol is generated.

[0023] The heating resistor of the heating unit 121 may be made of a material such as nichrome or stainless steel that has a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) characteristic, in which the electrical resistance increases in proportion to the temperature rise.

[0024] The heat insulating section 144 prevents heat transfer from the heating section 121 to other components. For example, the heat insulating section 144 may be made of a vacuum heat insulating material, an aerogel heat insulating material, or the like.

[0025] The above describes one example of the configuration of the suction device 100. Of course, the configuration of the suction device 100 is not limited to the above, and various configurations such as those exemplified below may be used.

[0026] As one example, the heating unit 121 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 121 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 121 may be disposed so as to cover the bottom 143 of the storage unit 140. Furthermore, the heating unit 121 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.

[0027] As another example, the storage 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 storage unit 140 may then open and close the outer shell to hold and store the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141. In this case, the heating unit 121 may be provided at the holding location in the storage unit 140, and may heat the stick-shaped substrate 150 while pressing it.

[0028] Alternatively, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be induction heating. In this case, the suction device 100 has at least an electromagnetic induction source such as a coil that generates a magnetic field, instead of the heating unit 121. A susceptor that generates heat by induction heating may be provided in the suction device 100 or may be included in the stick-shaped substrate 150.

[0029] 2. Example of Operation of Suction Device Next, an example of operation of the suction device 100 will be described.

[0030] (2-1. Generation of aerosol) In the inhalation device 100, for example, in response to a request from a user to generate an aerosol, the control unit 116 causes the heating unit 121 to heat the stick-shaped substrate 150 contained in the container unit 140, thereby generating an aerosol.

[0031] The request for aerosol generation can be, for example, an operation of inserting the stick-shaped substrate 150 into the storage section 140. As another example, the request for aerosol generation can be an operation of pressing an operation button provided on the suction device 100. Furthermore, the request for aerosol generation is not limited to a direct operation on the suction device 100, and can also be, for example, reception of predetermined information (e.g., information instructing the generation of aerosol) from another device that can communicate with the suction device 100 (e.g., a smartphone of the user of the suction device 100; the same applies below).

[0032] When generating the aerosol, the control unit 116 generates the aerosol by controlling the temperature of the heating unit 121 based on, for example, a predetermined heating profile. The heating profile is, for example, information that defines the time series transition of a target temperature, which is a target value for the temperature of the heating unit 121, and is stored in advance in the storage unit 114 or the like.

[0033] Among the heating profiles of the inhalation device 100, the heating profile used to generate aerosol is also referred to as the “smoking heating profile Pr1” below. Also, the temperature control of the heating unit 121 based on the smoking heating profile Pr1 is also referred to as “heating control” below.

[0034] The smoking heating profile Pr1 is designed, for example, to optimize the flavor that the user experiences when inhaling the aerosol generated from the stick-shaped substrate 150. By controlling the temperature of the heating unit 121 based on this smoking heating profile Pr1 to generate aerosol, it is possible to provide the user with a high-quality smoking experience (inhalation experience).

[0035] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a smoking heating profile Pr1 of the inhalation device 100. In Fig. 2, the vertical axis represents the temperature [°C] of the heating unit 121. Also, in Fig. 2, the horizontal axis represents time [s], more specifically, the elapsed time from the start of heating control.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, the smoking heating profile Pr1 defines, for example, the target temperature corresponding to the elapsed time from 0 [s] to t1 [s] (where t1 > 0) as T1 [°C], the target temperature corresponding to the elapsed time from t1 [s] to t2 [s] (where t2 > t1) as T2 [°C] (where T2 < T1), and the target temperature corresponding to the elapsed time from t2 [s] to t3 [s] (where t3 > t2) as T3 [°C] (where T3 > T2).

[0037] Therefore, when the control unit 116 performs heating control based on the smoking heating profile Pr1 shown in Figure 2, it first raises the temperature of the heating unit 121 to T1 [°C], then lowers the temperature to T2 [°C], and then raises the temperature again to T3 [°C]. The control unit 116 also terminates the heating control when t3 [s] has elapsed since the start of the heating control. The control unit 116 may also terminate the heating control when a predetermined number of puffs (e.g., 15 puffs) have been taken since the start of the heating control.

[0038] In the inhalation device 100, the period during which a sufficient amount of aerosol is expected to be generated is also referred to as the "inhalation period." The period from the start of heating control to the start of the inhalation period is also referred to as the "pre-heating period." Typically, the start of the inhalation period is the time when the temperature of the heating unit 121 is expected to reach the initial target temperature and become sufficiently high.

[0039] 2, the period from 0 [s] to t11 [s] after the start of heating control is the pre-heating period, and the period from t11 [s] to t3 [s] is the suction-enabled period. Here, t11 [s] is greater than t10 [s], which is the elapsed time assumed to be required for the temperature of the heating unit 121 to reach the first target temperature T1 [°C], and is less than t1 [s], which is the elapsed time required for the temperature to start decreasing from T1 [°C] to the next target temperature T2 [°C].

[0040] To describe in more detail the temperature control of the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile, the control unit 116 controls the temperature of the heating unit 121 based on the deviation between a target temperature corresponding to the elapsed time from the start of the temperature control and the actual temperature (hereinafter also referred to as the "actual temperature") of the heating unit 121. Specifically, at this time, the control unit 116 controls the temperature of the heating unit 121 so that the time series transition of the actual temperature of the heating unit 121 becomes the same as the time series transition of the target temperature defined in the heating profile.

[0041] The temperature control of the heating unit 121 can be achieved by, for example, known feedback control. For example, the control unit 116 supplies power from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121 in the form of pulses obtained by pulse width modulation (PWM) or pulse frequency modulation (PFM). In this case, the control unit 116 can control the temperature of the heating unit 121 by adjusting the duty ratio of the power pulses.

[0042] In feedback control, the control unit 116 may control the power supplied to the heating unit 121, for example, the duty ratio, based on the difference between the actual temperature and the target temperature. Furthermore, the feedback control may be, for example, a proportional-integral-differential controller (PID) control. Alternatively, the control unit 116 may perform simple ON-OFF control. For example, the control unit 116 may perform heating by the heating unit 121 until the actual temperature reaches the target temperature, stop heating by the heating unit 121 when the actual temperature reaches the target temperature, and resume heating by the heating unit 121 when the actual temperature falls below the target temperature.

[0043] The temperature of the heating unit 121 can be obtained (i.e., quantified) by, for example, measuring or estimating the electrical resistance value of the heating resistor that constitutes the heating unit 121. This is because the electrical resistance value of the heating resistor changes depending on the temperature. The electrical resistance value of the heating resistor can be estimated (i.e., obtained) by, for example, measuring the amount of voltage drop across the heating resistor. The amount of voltage drop across the heating resistor can be measured (i.e., obtained) by a voltage sensor that measures the potential difference applied to the heating resistor.

[0044] (2-2. Determining the State of the Storage Section 140) However, as the inhalation device 100 is used, objects (so-called "butts") such as parts of worn-out stick-shaped substrates 150 or tobacco leaves that have fallen from the stick-shaped substrates 150 may become retained in the storage section 140. Hereinafter, objects retained in the storage section 140 in this way will also be referred to as "retained matter."

[0045] In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the retained matter does not include the stick-shaped substrate 150 stored in the storage unit 140. More specifically, the retained matter in this specification is primarily assumed to be an object having a smaller volume or heat capacity than a new stick-shaped substrate 150, and unless otherwise specified, the stick-shaped substrate 150 stored in the storage unit 140 and the retained matter are treated separately.

[0046] If the temperature of the heating unit 121 is increased to generate an aerosol when retained matter is present, the retained matter may produce poor quality aerosol or smoke, or the retained matter may adhere to the storage unit 140 and become difficult to remove. If such a situation occurs, it may cause discomfort to the user and reduce the quality of the experience provided to the user by the suction device 100. Therefore, from the perspective of improving the marketability of the suction device 100, it is desirable to operate the suction device 100 appropriately depending on the state of the storage unit 140, including the presence or absence of retained matter.

[0047] Therefore, in the suction device 100, the control unit 116 determines the state of the storage unit 140 based on parameters related to the temperature of the heating unit 121, and controls the operation of the suction device 100 based on the determination result. This makes it possible to operate the suction device 100 appropriately depending on the state of the storage unit 140. Furthermore, by determining the state of the storage unit 140 based on parameters related to the temperature of the heating unit 121, it is possible to determine the state of the storage unit 140 with a simpler configuration than when the state of the storage unit 140 is determined using an optical sensor or the like.

[0048] An example of a parameter related to the temperature of the heating unit 121 is the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 (more specifically, the heating resistor that constitutes the heating unit 121). In the following description, the parameter related to the temperature of the heating unit 121 is described as the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121. In addition, in this embodiment, the heating unit 121 has a PTC characteristic, and its electrical resistance value increases in proportion to the temperature rise of the heating unit 121. That is, in the following description, the "temperature of the heating unit 121" and the "electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121" may be read interchangeably.

[0049] The control unit 116 determines the state of the storage unit 140 based on the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 obtained by applying a detection pulse, which is a predetermined power pulse, to the heating unit 121. This makes it possible to determine the state of the storage unit 140 with a simple configuration and control. More specifically, the control unit 116 determines, as the state of the storage unit 140, whether or not a retained object other than the stick-shaped substrate 150 is present in the storage unit 140. In other words, the control unit 116 detects the presence or absence of a retained object in the storage unit 140.

[0050] For example, if retained matter is present in the storage unit 140, the temperature rise of the heating unit 121 when a detection pulse is applied to the heating unit 121 is suppressed compared to when no retained matter is present. This is because the retained matter absorbs some of the heat generated when a detection pulse is applied to the heating unit 121. Therefore, the control unit 116 can determine whether retained matter is present in the storage unit 140 based on the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 (i.e., the temperature of the heating unit 121) obtained by applying a predetermined detection pulse to the heating unit 121.

[0051] For example, when the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 obtained by applying a detection pulse to the heating unit 121 is equal to or less than a threshold value, the control unit 116 determines that retained matter is present in the storage unit 140. In this case, a predetermined value determined by the manufacturer of the suction device 100 through experiments or the like can be set in advance as the threshold value. This makes it possible to accurately detect the presence or absence of retained matter in the storage unit 140 from the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121. In other words, it becomes possible to accurately detect the presence or absence of retained matter in the storage unit 140 by utilizing the characteristics of the electrical resistance value, which is a parameter that increases in proportion to the temperature rise of the heating unit 121.

[0052] Furthermore, the control unit 116 may determine whether or not retained matter is present in the storage unit 140 based on an electrical resistance value obtained by repeatedly applying a detection pulse to the heating unit 121 multiple times.

[0053] For example, when retained matter is present in the storage unit 140, the temperature rise of the heating unit 121 per detection pulse is suppressed compared to when retained matter is not present. Therefore, it is considered that the temperature difference of the heating unit 121 between when retained matter is present in the storage unit 140 and when retained matter is not present increases the more repeatedly detection pulses are applied to the heating unit 121. For this reason, the control unit 116 determines whether retained matter is present in the storage unit 140 based on the electrical resistance value obtained by repeatedly applying detection pulses to the heating unit 121 multiple times, thereby making it possible to more accurately detect the presence or absence of retained matter in the storage unit 140. Note that a specific example of determining whether retained matter is present in the storage unit 140 based on the electrical resistance value obtained by repeatedly applying detection pulses to the heating unit 121 multiple times will be described later, and therefore will not be described here.

[0054] (2-3. Control According to the State of the Storage Unit 140) When the control unit 116 determines that retained matter is present in the storage unit 140, it stops the supply of power to the heating unit 121 at that time, for example. This makes it possible to prevent the temperature of the heating unit 121 from rising in the presence of retained matter, and to prevent the retained matter from generating poor quality aerosols or smoke, or from adhering to the storage unit 140.

[0055] Furthermore, when the control unit 116 determines that retained matter is present in the storage unit 140, the control unit 116 may transition the suction device 100 to a locked state in which execution of heating control is prohibited. When the suction device 100 is in the locked state, the control unit 116 does not execute heating control even if there is a request to generate aerosol. By transitioning to such a locked state when it is determined that retained matter is present in the storage unit 140, it is possible to prevent the heating unit 121 from increasing in temperature when retained matter is present in the storage unit 140, and to prevent poor quality aerosol or smoke from being generated from the retained matter or the retained matter from adhering to the storage unit 140.

[0056] Furthermore, by transitioning to such a locked state when it is determined that accumulated matter is present in the storage unit 140, it is possible to indicate to the user that accumulated matter is present in the storage unit 140 by not executing heating control. Furthermore, it is also possible to prompt the user to remove accumulated matter from the storage unit 140.

[0057] Furthermore, for example, when the control unit 116 receives a reset request from a user while the suction device 100 is in a locked state, the control unit 116 releases the locked state. The reset request may be, for example, a predetermined reset operation using an operation button provided on the suction device 100. The reset request is not limited to a direct operation on the suction device 100, but may also be, for example, receipt of predetermined information (e.g., information instructing the suction device 100 to be reset) from another device that can communicate with the suction device 100. As a result, even if the suction device 100 transitions to a locked state, the user can execute heating control by issuing a reset request after removing any accumulated matter from the storage unit 140, thereby enabling the aerosol generated by the heating unit 121 to be inhaled.

[0058] Furthermore, the control unit 116 may transition the suction device 100 to a special locked state in which execution of heating control is prohibited when it is determined again that retained matter is present in the storage unit 140 immediately after releasing the locked state of the suction device 100. As an example, the control unit 116 may transition the suction device 100 to the special locked state when it is determined that retained matter is present in the storage unit 140 in the first detection operation (described later) after releasing the locked state.

[0059] When the control unit 116 receives a special reset request from the user while the suction device 100 is in the special lock state, the control unit 116 may release the special lock state. In this case, if the reset request is a first operation, the special reset request may be a second operation that requires more operations than the first operation. In other words, the special reset request may be a reset request plus an additional operation.

[0060] By making the special reset request a reset request plus an α operation, if the suction device 100 is transitioned to the special locked state, more operations are required to execute heating control compared to the locked state. That is, for example, if a user attempts to execute heating control by simply issuing a reset request without taking appropriate measures, such as reliably removing any accumulated material from the storage unit 140, when the suction device 100 transitions to the locked state, transitioning the suction device 100 to the special locked state makes it possible to impose many operations on the user to execute heating control. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the user to reliably remove any accumulated material from the storage unit 140 when the suction device 100 transitions to the locked state (i.e., not to transition to the special locked state).

[0061] Furthermore, when it is determined that retained matter is present in the storage unit 140, the control unit 116 may notify the user of the determination that retained matter is present via the notification unit 113, which can notify the user of the suction device 100 of this information. This can prompt the user to check the inside of the storage unit 140, and if retained matter is actually present, can prompt the user to clean the inside of the storage unit 140 to remove the retained matter.

[0062] As an example, if the notification unit 113 includes a light-emitting device, the control unit 116 may notify the user that it has determined that a retained object is present by causing the light-emitting device to emit light in a predetermined light-emitting mode. Here, the predetermined light-emitting mode may be, for example, a light-emitting mode that is used only when notifying the user that it has determined that a retained object is present; in other words, a light-emitting mode that is different from light-emitting modes that indicate other errors or states of the suction device 100. Here, the light-emitting mode may refer to the light color, the number of lights emitted (e.g., the number of light-emitting elements that emit light), or the light-emitting pattern (e.g., the manner in which the light flashes). In this way, it is possible to notify the user that it has determined that a retained object is present in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner.

[0063] As another example, if the notification unit 113 includes a vibration device, the control unit 116 may notify the user that it has determined that retained matter is present by vibrating the vibration device in a predetermined vibration mode. Here, the predetermined vibration mode may be, for example, a vibration mode used only when notifying the user that it has determined that retained matter is present; in other words, a vibration mode different from vibration modes that indicate other errors or states of the suction device 100. Here, the vibration mode refers to a vibration pattern (e.g., the manner in which the vibration occurs), the intensity of the vibration, the frequency of the vibration, or the duration of the vibration. In this manner, it is possible to notify the user that it has determined that retained matter is present in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner.

[0064] As another example, if the notification unit 113 includes a display device, the control unit 116 may notify the user that it has been determined that a retained object is present by displaying a predetermined image or message on the display device. Here, the predetermined image may be, for example, an icon indicating the presence of a retained object. Furthermore, the predetermined message may be, for example, a message such as, "Retained object may be present in the storage unit. Please clean the storage unit." In this manner, it is possible to notify the user that it has been determined that a retained object is present and that cleaning of the storage unit is necessary in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner.

[0065] Furthermore, the control unit 116 may transmit predetermined information (information indicating the presence of retained matter) to another device that can communicate with the suction device 100 via the communication unit 115, thereby causing the other device to notify the user that it has been determined that retained matter is present. In this case, the control unit 116 may notify the user that it has been determined that retained matter is present, for example, by displaying a predetermined image or message such as that described above on a display device provided in the other device that can communicate with the suction device 100. In this way, it is possible to notify the user that it has been determined that retained matter is present, even without providing the notification unit 113 in the suction device 100.

[0066] (2-4. Detection of Insertion of Stick-Type Substrate 150) As described above, a request to the inhalation device 100 to generate an aerosol can be, for example, an operation to insert the stick-type substrate 150 into the storage unit 140. Therefore, the control unit 116 may further determine, as the state of the storage unit 140, whether or not the stick-type substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140. That is, the control unit 116 may further determine whether or not the stick-type substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 based on the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 obtained by applying a detection pulse to the heating unit 121.

[0067] When the control unit 116 determines that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140, it may determine that an aerosol generation request has been made to the inhalation device 100, and may start heating control (i.e., aerosol generation). In this way, the user can generate aerosol simply by inserting the stick-shaped substrate 150 into the storage unit 140, without the need for any other operations. Therefore, compared to when aerosol generation requires not only insertion of the stick-shaped substrate 150 into the storage unit 140 but also other operations, the user's effort can be reduced, improving user convenience.

[0068] Hereinafter, the control unit 116 will be assumed to determine, as the state of the storage unit 140, whether or not retained matter is present, as well as whether or not the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140. The series of operations of the control unit 116 for determining the state of the storage unit 140 will also be referred to as the "detection operation."

[0069] The trigger that serves as a condition for starting the detection operation is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, the detection of a predetermined operation on the suction device 100. Here, the predetermined operation can be, for example, an operation that is assumed to result in the stick-shaped substrate 150 being inserted into the storage section 140 immediately after the operation is performed, and more specifically, can be the operation of opening the lid that opens and closes the opening 142. In this way, it is possible to perform the detection operation at the timing when the user attempts to use the suction device 100, that is, at the timing when the user can operate or clean the suction device 100. Note that the operation of opening the lid that opens and closes the opening 142 can be detected, for example, by a sensor provided on the lid, a motion sensor, or the like.

[0070] 3. Specific Examples of Sensing Operations The sensing operations will be described in more detail below.

[0071] (3-1. Example of voltage applied to heating unit 121 during detection operation) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the time series transition of the voltage applied to heating unit 121 during detection operation. In FIG. 3, the vertical axis represents voltage [V]. Also, in FIG. 3, the horizontal axis represents time [s], more specifically, the time elapsed since the start of the detection operation.

[0072] 3, the control unit 116 can apply the detection pulse group 10 to the heating unit 121 during the detection operation. Here, the detection pulse group 10 includes at least one first detection pulse 11, and more specifically, for example, can include a plurality of first detection pulses 11 at a predetermined pulse period (in other words, a predetermined pulse interval). As an example, in the detection pulse group 10 shown in FIG. 3, the pulse period of the first detection pulse 11 is set to 0.5 [s].

[0073] The first detection pulse 11 is a power pulse that increases the temperature of the heating unit 121 and that the control unit 116 uses to obtain the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121, and has a predetermined voltage and pulse width. As an example, in the detection pulse group 10 shown in FIG. 3 , the voltage of the first detection pulse 11 is V1 [V] (where V1 > 0) and the pulse width is 0.1 [s]. The pulse width of the first detection pulse 11 is set to be smaller than the pulse period of the first detection pulse 11 in the detection pulse group 10.

[0074] Hereinafter, one period of the first detection pulse 11 in the detection pulse group 10 will also be referred to as a "detection cycle." The detection cycles included in one detection operation will also be referred to as the "first cycle," the "second cycle," and so on, in chronological order from the earliest to the latest (see also FIG. 4 ). In each detection cycle, the period during which the first detection pulse 11 is applied to the heating unit 121 will also be referred to as a "temperature rise period." On the other hand, in each detection cycle, the period during which the first detection pulse 11 is not applied to the heating unit 121 will also be referred to as a "temperature fall period." Note that, as an example, in this embodiment, up to 18 detection cycles are repeated in one detection operation.

[0075] 3, detection pulse group 10 may further include third detection pulse 13 as the first power pulse. That is, detection pulse group 10 may apply one third detection pulse 13 to heating unit 121, and then apply first detection pulse 11 to heating unit 121 at a predetermined pulse period.

[0076] Here, the third detection pulse 13 is a power pulse that increases the temperature of the heating unit 121 and that the control unit 116 uses to acquire the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121, and has a predetermined voltage and pulse width. More specifically, the third detection pulse 13 is a power pulse that can increase the temperature of the heating unit 121 more than the first detection pulse 11, and can be a power pulse with a pulse width greater than that of the first detection pulse 11, for example. In the detection pulse group 10 shown in FIG. 3 , the voltage of the third detection pulse 13 is V1 [V] and the pulse width is 0.5 [s]. Note that the third detection pulse 13 may be a power pulse with a voltage greater than that of the first detection pulse 11, instead of or in addition to the pulse width.

[0077] Unless the temperature of the heating unit 121 has risen to a certain level, there is a possibility that the electrical resistance value (i.e., temperature) of the heating unit 121 will not decrease appropriately during the temperature drop period of each detection cycle. Therefore, when the detection operation starts, the control unit 116 first applies the third detection pulse 13 to the heating unit 121, thereby making it possible to increase the temperature of the heating unit 121 to a certain level, and thereby make it possible to appropriately increase and decrease the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 in each subsequent detection cycle.

[0078] The control unit 116 acquires the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121, for example, at the start of application of each detection pulse included in the detection pulse group 10 and at the end of application of each detection pulse.

[0079] (3-2. First Example of Time Series Change in Electrical Resistance Value of Heating Unit During Detection Operation) FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first example of time series change in the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 during detection operation. In FIG. 4, the vertical axis represents the electrical resistance value [Ω] of the heating unit 121. Also, in FIG. 4, the horizontal axis represents time [s], more specifically, the time elapsed since the start of the detection operation.

[0080] 4 shows an example of the time series transition of the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the accommodation unit 140 4 seconds after the start of the detection operation. That is, when the detection pulse group 10 is applied to the heating unit 121 by the detection operation, the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 can transition as shown by the line 20.

[0081] When each detection pulse included in detection pulse group 10 is applied to heating unit 121, the temperature of heating unit 121 increases, and accordingly, the electrical resistance value of heating unit 121 also increases. On the other hand, when each detection pulse is not applied to heating unit 121, the temperature of heating unit 121 decreases, and accordingly, the electrical resistance value of heating unit 121 also decreases.

[0082] 4, the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 fluctuates up and down during the detection operation. Then, as the first detection pulse 11 is repeatedly applied, the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 repeatedly fluctuates up and down and gradually increases. In other words, the voltage and pulse width of the first detection pulse 11 are determined so that the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 gradually increases as the first detection pulse 11 is repeatedly applied.

[0083] When the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the storage part 140 during the detection operation, the temperature of the heating part 121 (i.e., the electrical resistance value of the heating part 121) may decrease compared to before the insertion. This is because the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the storage part 140 absorbs heat from the heating part 121.

[0084] 4 , for example, when the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 11 in one detection cycle is lower than the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 11 in the immediately preceding detection cycle, the control unit 116 determines that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140. This makes it possible to accurately detect that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 from the time-series transition (i.e., change) in the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121.

[0085] 4 , the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 if the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 at the completion of application of the first detection pulse 11 in one detection cycle is lower than the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 at the completion of application of the first detection pulse 11 in the immediately preceding detection cycle. In this way, too, it is possible to accurately detect that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 from the time-series transition of the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121.

[0086] As another example, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 if the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 11 in one detection cycle is lower than the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 11 in the immediately preceding detection cycle, and if the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 at the completion of application of the first detection pulse 11 in the one detection cycle is lower than the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 at the completion of application of the first detection pulse 11 in the immediately preceding detection cycle. In this way, even if the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 fluctuates to some extent due to some factor (for example, signal noise or the influence of outside air), it is possible to accurately detect that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 from the time-series transition of the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121.

[0087] (3-3. Second example of time series change in electrical resistance value of heating unit during detection operation) Figure 5 is a diagram showing a second example of time series change in electrical resistance value of heating unit 121 during detection operation. Here, the explanation will focus on parts that differ from the explanation in Figure 4, and explanations of parts that are common to the explanation in Figure 4 will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0088] 5 represents an example of the time series transition of the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 when a detection operation is performed in a state where retained matter is present in the storage unit 140 and the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not inserted into the storage unit 140. Furthermore, line 31 shown in Fig. 5 represents an example of the time series transition of the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 when a detection operation is performed in a state where retained matter is not present in the storage unit 140 and the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not inserted into the storage unit 140.

[0089] As described above, when retained matter is present in the storage unit 140, the temperature rise of the heating unit 121 when each detection pulse is applied to the heating unit 121 is suppressed compared to when retained matter is not present. Therefore, as shown by lines 30 and 31 in Fig. 5, the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 acquired in each detection cycle is lower when retained matter is present (see line 30) than when retained matter is not present (see line 31).

[0090] 5, the control unit 116 may determine that retained matter is present when the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 11 is equal to or less than the first threshold value Rth1 for a predetermined time (e.g., 3 seconds) from the start of the detection operation. This makes it possible to accurately detect the presence or absence of retained matter in the storage unit 140 by utilizing the characteristics of the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121. In this case, the predetermined time and the first threshold value Rth1 may be set in advance by the manufacturer of the suction device 100, for example, taking into consideration the predicted results of the time series transition of the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 when the detection operation is performed in a state where no retained matter is present in the storage unit 140.

[0091] 5 , the control unit 116 may determine that retained matter is present when the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 at the completion of application of the first detection pulse 11 is equal to or less than the second threshold value Rth2 for a predetermined time (e.g., 3 seconds) from the start of the detection operation. This also makes it possible to accurately detect the presence or absence of retained matter in the storage unit 140 by utilizing the characteristics of the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121. Note that even in this case, the predetermined time and the second threshold value Rth2 may be set in advance by the manufacturer of the suction device 100, taking into account, for example, the predicted results of the time series transition of the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 when the detection operation is performed in a state where no retained matter is present in the storage unit 140.

[0092] As another example, the control unit 116 may determine that retained matter is present when the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 11 is equal to or less than the first threshold value Rth1 or when the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first detection pulse 11 is equal to or less than the second threshold value Rth2 for a predetermined consecutive time (e.g., 3 seconds) from the start of the detection operation. Even in this case, the presence or absence of retained matter in the storage unit 140 can be accurately detected by utilizing the characteristics of the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121.

[0093] As another example, the control unit 116 may determine that retained matter is present in the storage unit 140 when the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value (e.g., first threshold value Rth1) a predetermined time (e.g., 3 seconds) after the start of application of the first detecting pulse 11 (in other words, the detecting pulse group 10). In this manner, it is possible to accurately detect the presence or absence of retained matter in the storage unit 140 by utilizing the characteristics of the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121. Note that even in this case, the predetermined time and the threshold value may be set in advance by the manufacturer of the suction device 100, taking into consideration, for example, a predicted result of the time series transition of the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 when the detection operation is performed in a state in which retained matter is not present in the storage unit 140.

[0094] (3-4. Other Examples of Conditions for Determining the Presence of Retaining Matter) The conditions for determining the presence of retained matter are not limited to the above examples, and may be, for example, as exemplified below. Even when the conditions for determining the presence of retained matter are as exemplified below, the control unit 116 can accurately detect the presence or absence of retained matter in the storage unit 140 by utilizing the characteristics of the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121.

[0095] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the conditions for determining the presence of a retained object. Here, the explanation will focus on the parts that are different from the explanations of Fig. 4 or 5, and the explanation of the parts that are common to the explanations of Fig. 4 or 5 will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0096] 6 , the control unit 116 may determine that retained matter is present when the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 remains within a predetermined range 40 for a predetermined time (e.g., 3 seconds) after the application of the first detection pulse 11 is initiated. In this case, the predetermined time and the predetermined range 40 (e.g., the upper and lower limits of the predetermined range 40) may be set in advance by the manufacturer of the suction device 100, taking into account, for example, a predicted result of the time series transition of the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 when the detection operation is performed in a state where no retained matter is present in the storage unit 140. Furthermore, the upper and lower limits of the predetermined range 40 may be constant, or may gradually increase according to the elapsed time from the start of the detection operation, as shown in FIG.

[0097] As another example, the control unit 116 may determine that retained matter is present based on the amount of change in the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 over a predetermined period during the detection operation. More specifically, for example, the control unit 116 may determine that retained matter is present when the amount of change, which is the difference between the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 at the start (or completion) of application of the first detection pulse 11 in one detection cycle and the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 at the start (or completion) of application of the first detection pulse 11 in the immediately preceding detection cycle, is equal to or less than a threshold value.

[0098] As another example, the control unit 116 may determine that a retained object is present when the rate of change obtained by dividing the difference between the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 at the start (or completion) of application of the first detection pulse 11 in one detection cycle and the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 at the start (or completion) of application of the first detection pulse 11 in the immediately preceding detection cycle by the pulse period of the first detection pulse 11 is below a threshold value.

[0099] Furthermore, for example, the control unit 116 may determine that a retained object is present if the slope of the regression line calculated from the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 at the start (or completion) of application of the first detection pulse 11 in multiple detection cycles is below a threshold value.

[0100] (3-5. Another example of voltage applied to heating unit 121 in detection operation) Incidentally, when detecting the presence or absence of retained matter, the detection accuracy of the presence or absence of retained matter can be improved by increasing the voltage of the detection pulse applied to the heating unit 121 to a certain extent. This is because, when the voltage of the detection pulse applied to the heating unit 121 is increased to a certain extent, the difference in the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 becomes more pronounced between the cases where retained matter is present and not present in the storage unit 140, or between the case where the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the storage unit 140 and the case where it is not.

[0101] In order to accurately detect the presence or absence of retained matter that has a smaller volume or heat capacity than the stick-shaped substrate 150, it is preferable to increase the voltage of the detection pulse applied to the heating unit 121 to a certain extent. On the other hand, even if the voltage of the detection pulse applied to the heating unit 121 is decreased to a certain extent, it is believed that insertion of the stick-shaped substrate 150 into the storage unit 140 can be detected with high accuracy.

[0102] Therefore, the control unit 116 may, for example, apply the first detection pulse 11 to the heating unit 121 until a predetermined time (e.g., 3 seconds) has elapsed since the application of the first detection pulse (or the start of the detection operation) was started, and after the predetermined time has elapsed, apply a detection pulse having a voltage smaller than the first detection pulse 11 to the heating unit 121.

[0103] 7 is a diagram showing another example of the time series transition of the voltage applied to the heating unit 121 during the detection operation. Here, the explanation will focus on the parts that are different from the explanation in FIG. 3, and the explanation of the parts that are common to the explanation in FIG. 3 will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 7 , the detection pulse group 10 may, for example, repeatedly apply a first detection pulse 11 to a heating section 121 a predetermined number of times, or more, and then repeatedly apply a second detection pulse 12 to the heating section 121 at a predetermined pulse period.

[0105] Here, second detection pulse 12 is a power pulse that increases the temperature of heating unit 121 and that is used by control unit 116 to obtain the electrical resistance value of heating unit 121, and has a predetermined voltage and pulse width. More specifically, second detection pulse 12 can be a power pulse whose voltage is lower than that of first detection pulse 11. In detection pulse group 10 shown in FIG. 7 , the voltage of second detection pulse 12 is V2 [V]. Also, as shown in FIG. 7 , in this case, the pulse width and pulse period of second detection pulse 12 can be the same as those of first detection pulse 11, for example.

[0106] In this way, in the early stage of the detection operation, the high-voltage first detection pulse 11 can be used to accurately detect the presence or absence of retained matter and whether or not the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage section 140. Then, from the middle of the detection operation onwards, by changing the detection pulse applied to the heating section 121 to the low-voltage second detection pulse 12, it is possible to detect whether or not the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage section 140 while also reducing the power consumption due to the detection operation.

[0107] [4. Example of Processing Executed by Control Unit] Next, an example of processing executed by the control unit 116 will be described. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the control unit 116. The control unit 116 executes the series of processing shown in Fig. 8 when, for example, neither the detection operation nor the heating control is being performed.

[0108] 8, the control unit 116 determines whether or not a predetermined operation that triggers the detection operation has been performed (step S1). If it is determined that the predetermined operation has not been performed (step S1: NO), the control unit 116 repeats the process of step S1 until it determines that the predetermined operation has been performed.

[0109] When it is determined that a predetermined operation has been performed (step S1: YES), the control unit 116 starts the detection operation and starts applying the detection pulse group 10 to the heating unit 121 (step S2). During the detection operation, the control unit 116 also acquires the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 at the start and end of application of each detection pulse included in the detection pulse group 10.

[0110] Next, the control unit 116 determines whether the application of the detection pulse group 10 has been completed (step S3). In this embodiment, the control unit 116 determines that the application of the detection pulse group 10 has been completed when the 18th detection cycle has ended. If the control unit 116 determines that the application of the detection pulse group 10 has been completed (step S3: YES), the control unit 116 simply ends the series of processes shown in FIG. 8. On the other hand, the control unit 116 determines that the application of the detection pulse group 10 has not been completed until the 18th detection cycle has ended. If the control unit 116 determines that the application of the detection pulse group 10 has not been completed (step S3: NO), the control unit 116 proceeds to the process of step S4.

[0111] Next, the control unit 116 determines whether or not the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 based on the acquired electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 (step S4). If it determines that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has not been inserted into the storage unit 140 (step S4: NO), the control unit 116 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the detection operation, that is, whether or not it is time to determine whether or not retained matter is present in the storage unit 140 (step S5).

[0112] If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the start of the detection operation (step S5: NO), the control unit 116 returns to the process of step S3. On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the detection operation (step S5: YES), the control unit 116 determines whether or not retained matter is present in the storage unit 140 based on the acquired electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 (step S6). Furthermore, after the predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the detection operation (i.e., after determining whether or not retained matter is present in the storage unit 140), the control unit 116 may change the detection pulse applied to the heating unit 121 to the second detection pulse 12.

[0113] If it is determined in the process of step S6 that no retained matter is present (step S6: NO), the control unit 116 returns to the process of step S3. On the other hand, if it is determined that retained matter is present (step S6: YES), the control unit 116 stops applying the detection pulse group 10 (step S7). Then, the control unit 116 notifies the user that it has determined that retained matter is present (step S8), and transitions the suction device 100 to a locked state in which execution of heating control is prohibited (step S9), thereby completing the series of processes shown in FIG. 8 .

[0114] Furthermore, if it is determined in the processing of step S4 that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 (step S4: YES), the control unit 116 determines whether the suction device 100 is in a locked state (step S10). If it is determined that the suction device 100 is not in a locked state (step S10: NO), the control unit 116 starts heating control to generate an aerosol (step S11) and ends the series of processes shown in Fig. 8. On the other hand, if it is determined that the suction device 100 is in a locked state (step S10: YES), the control unit 116 does not start heating control and ends the series of processes shown in Fig. 8.

[0115] As described above, the control unit 116 determines whether or not retained matter is present in the storage unit 140 based on the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 obtained by applying the first detection pulse 11 to the heating unit 121. This makes it possible to detect the presence or absence of retained matter in the storage unit 140 with a simple configuration and to operate the suction device 100 appropriately depending on the presence or absence of retained matter. This enables the suction device 100 to provide a high-quality experience to the user.

[0116] Furthermore, when the control unit 116 determines that retained matter is present in the storage unit 140, it stops the supply of power to the heating unit 121 at that time (see step S7), for example. This makes it possible to prevent the temperature of the heating unit 121 from rising in the presence of retained matter, and to prevent the retained matter from generating poor quality aerosols or smoke, or from adhering to the storage unit 140.

[0117] Furthermore, when the control unit 116 determines that accumulated matter is present in the storage unit 140, it notifies the user that accumulated matter is present (see step S8), for example. This can prompt the user to check the inside of the storage unit 140, and if accumulated matter is present, can prompt the user to clean the inside of the storage unit 140 to remove the accumulated matter.

[0118] Furthermore, when the control unit 116 determines that retained matter is present in the storage unit 140, it transitions the suction device 100 to, for example, a locked state in which execution of heating control is prohibited (see step S9). This makes it possible to prevent the temperature of the heating unit 121 from rising in a state in which retained matter is present, and to prevent the retained matter from generating poor quality aerosols or smoke, or from adhering to the storage unit 140.

[0119] 5. Modifications Next, modifications of the suction device 100 will be described.

[0120] For example, in addition to the smoking heating profile Pr1 described above, the inhalation device 100 may have a cleaning heating profile Pr2, which is a heating profile that assists in cleaning the inside of the storage unit 140. The cleaning heating profile Pr2 may be a heating profile that heats the heating unit 121 so as to vaporize moisture such as accumulated matter present in the storage unit 140, for example.

[0121] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a cleaning heating profile Pr2 of the inhalation device 100. In FIG. 9, the vertical axis represents the temperature [°C] of the heating unit 121. In addition, in FIG. 9, the horizontal axis represents time [s], more specifically, the elapsed time from the start of temperature control of the heating unit 121 based on the cleaning heating profile Pr2. Note that in FIG. 9, the smoking heating profile Pr1 shown in FIG. 2 is indicated by a dashed dotted line for comparison with the cleaning heating profile Pr2. In addition, the following description will focus on parts that differ from the description of FIG. 2, and descriptions of parts that are common to the description of FIG. 2 will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0122] As shown in Figure 9, the cleaning heating profile Pr2 specifies, for example, the target temperature corresponding to the elapsed time from 0 [s] to t20 [s] (where 0 < t20 < t3) as T10 [°C] (where T10 > T1 and T10 > T3).

[0123] That is, compared to the smoking heating profile Pr1, which is the normal heating profile used to generate aerosols, the cleaning heating profile Pr2 has the characteristic that the maximum temperature of the heating unit 121 is higher and that the temperature does not change after reaching this maximum temperature. By controlling the temperature of the heating unit 121 based on the cleaning heating profile Pr2 by the control unit 116, the retained matter present in the storage unit 140 can be heated to a high temperature and the moisture contained therein can be vaporized. Therefore, the retained matter can be easily peeled off from the storage unit 140, making it easier to remove than if the retained matter were stuck.

[0124] Furthermore, the cleaning heating profile Pr2 maintains the heating of the heating unit 121 for a shorter period of time than the smoking heating profile Pr1. That is, the cleaning heating profile Pr2 raises the temperature of the heating unit 121 to a high temperature state such as T10 [°C], which is not used in the smoking heating profile Pr1. Maintaining such a high temperature state for a long period of time is undesirable from the perspective of protecting the inhalation device 100, including the heating unit 121.

[0125] Therefore, in the cleaning heating profile Pr2, the duration of heating of the heating unit 121 (t20 [s] in the example shown in FIG. 9 ) is set shorter than that of the smoking heating profile Pr1 (t3 [s] in the example shown in FIG. 9 ), thereby protecting the inhalation device 100. This prevents the heating unit 121 from remaining in a high temperature state for a long period of time, even if the temperature of the heating unit 121 is controlled based on the cleaning heating profile Pr2, and makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of breakdowns in the inhalation device 100.

[0126] For example, when the control unit 116 receives a cleaning request from a user, the control unit 116 performs temperature control based on the cleaning heating profile Pr2. Here, the cleaning request may be, for example, an operation of pressing an operation button provided on the suction device 100 in a predetermined pattern (e.g., multiple times). Furthermore, the cleaning request is not limited to a direct operation on the suction device 100, but may also be, for example, reception of predetermined information (e.g., information indicating that temperature control based on the cleaning heating profile Pr2 will be performed) from another device that can communicate with the suction device 100. This allows the user to perform temperature control based on the cleaning heating profile Pr2 at a desired timing, such as when the user determines that cleaning the inside of the storage unit 140 is a tedious task.

[0127] From the perspective of ensuring the safety of the inhalation device 100 and the quality of the smoking experience provided to the user, the control unit 116 may prohibit the execution of temperature control of the heating unit 121 based on the cleaning heating profile Pr2 when it determines that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140. In other words, when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is stored in the storage unit 140, the control unit 116 may not control the temperature of the heating unit 121 based on the cleaning heating profile Pr2 even if a cleaning request is received from the user.

[0128] Although one embodiment of the aerosol generating device of the present disclosure has been described above, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to such an embodiment. 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 disclosure. Furthermore, the components of the above-described embodiment may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0129] The control method described in the above-described embodiment can be realized by executing a pre-prepared program on a computer. For example, 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-volatile (non-transient) storage medium such as a flash memory, or may be provided via a network such as the Internet. In the present embodiment, the computer that executes the program is the control unit 116, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the computer that executes the program does not have to be included in the suction device 100, but may be included in another device that can communicate with the suction device 100.

[0130] This specification and the like describes at least the following: In parentheses, components corresponding to those in the above-described embodiments are shown as examples, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0131] (1) An aerosol generating device (inhalation device 100) that generates an aerosol by heating a substrate (stick-shaped substrate 150) containing an aerosol source, comprising: a power supply unit (power supply unit 111) that accumulates and supplies electric power; a storage unit (storage unit 140) that stores the substrate; a heating unit (heating unit 121) that heats the substrate stored in the storage unit using electric power supplied from the power supply unit; and a control unit (control unit 116) that is configured to be able to control the supply of electric power to the heating unit and to be able to acquire parameters related to the temperature of the heating unit, wherein the control unit determines whether or not a retained object other than the substrate is present in the storage unit based on the parameters obtained by applying a detection pulse that is a predetermined electric power pulse to the heating unit.

[0132] According to (1), it is possible to detect the presence or absence of accumulated matter in the storage unit with a simple configuration and to operate the aerosol generating device appropriately depending on the presence or absence of the accumulated matter, thereby providing a high-quality experience to the user.

[0133] (2) The aerosol generating device according to (1), wherein the parameter increases in proportion to the temperature rise of the heating unit, and the control unit determines that the retained matter is present in the storage unit when the parameter obtained by applying the detection pulse to the heating unit is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value.

[0134] According to (2), by utilizing the characteristic of the parameter that increases in proportion to the temperature rise of the heating section, it is possible to accurately detect the presence or absence of accumulated matter in the storage section.

[0135] (3) The aerosol generating device according to (1), wherein the control unit determines whether or not the retained matter is present in the storage unit based on a time series transition of the parameter obtained by repeatedly applying the detection pulse to the heating unit multiple times.

[0136] According to (3), it is possible to accurately detect whether or not there is any accumulated matter in the storage section.

[0137] (4) The aerosol generating device according to (3), wherein the parameter increases in proportion to the temperature rise of the heating unit, and the control unit determines that the retained matter is present in the storage unit when the parameter is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value after a predetermined time has elapsed since the application of the detection pulse began.

[0138] According to (4), by utilizing the characteristic of the parameter that increases in proportion to the temperature rise of the heating section, it is possible to accurately detect the presence or absence of accumulated matter in the storage section.

[0139] (5) The aerosol generating device according to (3), wherein the control unit determines that the retained matter is present in the storage unit when the parameter remains within a predetermined range for a predetermined time period after the application of the detection pulse is started.

[0140] According to (5), by utilizing the characteristic of the parameter that increases in proportion to the temperature rise of the heating section, it is possible to accurately detect the presence or absence of accumulated matter in the storage section.

[0141] (6) The aerosol generating device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the control unit stops the supply of power to the heating unit when it is determined that the retained matter is present in the storage unit.

[0142] According to (6), it is possible to prevent the heating section from being heated when there is retained matter in the storage section, and to prevent the retained matter from generating poor quality aerosols or smoke, or from adhering to the storage section.

[0143] (7) An aerosol generating device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein, when the control unit determines that the retained matter is present in the storage unit, the control unit notifies the user that the retained matter is present via a notification unit capable of notifying the user of information.

[0144] According to (7), if it is determined that there is an accumulated object in the storage unit, the user can be prompted to check the inside of the storage unit, and if there is actually an accumulated object, the user can be prompted to clean the inside of the storage unit to remove the accumulated object.

[0145] (8) The aerosol generating device according to (7), wherein the notification unit includes a light-emitting device, and when the control unit determines that the retained matter is present in the storage unit, the control unit notifies the user that the retained matter is present by causing the light-emitting device to emit light in a predetermined light-emitting mode.

[0146] According to (8), it is possible to notify the user in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner that it has been determined that a retained object is present.

[0147] (9) The aerosol generating device according to (7) or (8), wherein the notification unit includes a vibration device, and when the control unit determines that the retained matter is present in the storage unit, the control unit vibrates the vibration device in a predetermined vibration mode to notify the user that the retained matter is present.

[0148] According to (9), it is possible to notify the user that it has been determined that a retained object is present in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner.

[0149] (10) An aerosol generating device according to any one of (7) to (9), wherein the notification unit includes a display device, and when the control unit determines that the retained matter is present in the storage unit, the control unit notifies the user that the retained matter is present by displaying a predetermined image or message on the display device.

[0150] According to (10), it is possible to notify the user that it has been determined that a retained object is present in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner.

[0151] (11) An aerosol generating device according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein the control unit is configured to be able to execute heating control to control the temperature of the heating unit based on a heating profile that specifies the time series progression of a target temperature, which is a target value for the temperature of the heating unit, in response to an aerosol generation request from a user, and when it is determined that the retained matter is present in the storage unit, transitions the aerosol generating device to a locked state that prohibits the execution of the heating control.

[0152] According to (11), it is possible to prevent the heating section from being heated when there is retained matter in the storage section, and to prevent the retained matter from generating poor quality aerosols or smoke, or from adhering to the storage section.

[0153] (12) The aerosol generating device according to (11), wherein, when the control unit receives a reset request from the user while the aerosol generating device is in the locked state, the control unit releases the locked state.

[0154] According to (12), even if the aerosol generating device transitions to a locked state, the user can execute heating control by removing any accumulated matter in the storage unit and then requesting a reset, thereby making it possible to inhale the aerosol generated by the heating unit.

[0155] (13) The aerosol generating device described in (12), wherein the control unit, when it determines again that the retained matter is present in the storage unit immediately after releasing the locked state of the aerosol generating device, transitions the aerosol generating device to a special locked state that prohibits the execution of the heating control, and when the aerosol generating device is in the special locked state and a special reset request is received from the user, releases the special locked state, the reset request being a first operation, and the special reset request being a second operation that requires more operations than the first operation.

[0156] According to (13), when the aerosol generating device transitions to a locked state, the user can be prompted to take appropriate measures, such as reliably removing any remaining matter in the storage section.

[0157] (14) An aerosol generating device according to any one of (1) to (13), wherein the control unit is configured to be able to execute heating control to control the temperature of the heating unit based on a heating profile that specifies the time series progression of a target temperature, which is a target value for the temperature of the heating unit, in response to an aerosol generation request from a user, wherein the aerosol generation request is an operation to insert the substrate into the storage unit, and wherein the aerosol generating device determines whether the retained matter is present in the storage unit and whether the substrate has been inserted into the storage unit based on the time series progression of the parameter obtained by repeatedly applying the detection pulse to the heating unit multiple times.

[0158] According to (14), in addition to determining whether or not a retained object is present in the storage section, it is also possible to determine whether or not a substrate has been inserted into the storage section, and heating control can be performed in response to determining that a substrate has been inserted into the storage section, thereby improving user convenience.

[0159] (15) The aerosol generating device according to (14), wherein the control unit is configured to be able to apply, to the heating unit, as the detection pulses, a first detection pulse having a predetermined voltage and a second detection pulse having a voltage smaller than that of the first detection pulse, and applies the first detection pulse to the heating unit until a predetermined time has elapsed since application of the detection pulses began, and applies the second detection pulse to the heating unit after the predetermined time has elapsed.

[0160] According to (15), it is possible to determine whether or not a retained object is present in the storage section and whether or not a substrate has been inserted into the storage section, while reducing power consumption by applying a detection pulse to the heating section.

[0161] (16) An aerosol generating device according to any one of (1) to (15), wherein the control unit is configured to be able to control the temperature of the heating unit based on a heating profile that defines the time series progression of a target temperature, which is a target value for the temperature of the heating unit; when a user requests to generate aerosol, the control unit controls the temperature of the heating unit based on a first heating profile among the heating profiles; and when a user requests to clean, the control unit controls the temperature of the heating unit based on a second heating profile among the heating profiles, and the second heating profile is a heating profile that has a higher maximum temperature of the heating unit than the first heating profile.

[0162] According to (16), the retained matter present in the storage section can be heated to a high temperature to vaporize the moisture contained therein, which makes it possible to easily peel off the retained matter from the storage section and to make its removal easier than when it is stuck.

[0163] (17) The aerosol generating device according to (16), wherein the second heating profile is a heating profile in which the duration for which heating of the heating unit is continued is shorter than the first heating profile.

[0164] According to (17), even if the temperature of the heating section is controlled based on the second heating profile, it is possible to prevent the high temperature state of the heating section from being maintained for a long period of time, thereby suppressing the occurrence of malfunctions in the aerosol generating device.

[0165] 100 Suction device (aerosol generating device) 111 Power supply unit 116 Control unit 121 Heating unit 140 Storage unit 150 Stick-shaped substrate (substrate)

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol by heating a substrate containing an aerosol source, a power supply unit that stores and supplies power; a storage section that stores the substrate; a heating unit that heats the substrate accommodated in the accommodation unit using the power supplied from the power supply unit; a control unit configured to be able to control the supply of power to the heating unit and to be able to acquire parameters related to the temperature of the heating unit; Equipped with The control unit determining whether or not a retained object other than the substrate is present in the storage section based on the parameter obtained by applying a detection pulse, which is a predetermined power pulse, to the heating section; Aerosol generator.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, The parameter increases in proportion to the temperature rise of the heating unit, the control unit determines that the retained matter is present in the storage unit when the parameter obtained by applying the detection pulse to the heating unit is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. Aerosol generator.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, the control unit determines whether the retained matter is present in the storage unit based on a time series transition of the parameter obtained by repeatedly applying the detection pulse to the heating unit multiple times. Aerosol generator.

4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 3, The parameter increases in proportion to the temperature rise of the heating unit, the control unit determines that the retained matter is present in the storage unit when the parameter is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value after a predetermined time has elapsed since the application of the detection pulses started. Aerosol generator.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 3, the control unit determines that the retained matter is present in the storage unit when the parameter has been fluctuating within a predetermined range for a predetermined time period since the application of the detection pulse started. Aerosol generator.

6. 6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, When the control unit determines that the accumulated matter is present in the storage unit, the control unit stops supplying power to the heating unit. Aerosol generator.

7. An aerosol generating device according to claim 1, When the control unit determines that the retained matter is present in the storage unit, the control unit notifies the user that the retained matter is present via a notification unit that can notify the user of information. Aerosol generator.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 7, the notification unit includes a light-emitting device, When the control unit determines that the retained matter is present in the storage unit, the control unit notifies the user that the retained matter is present by causing the light emitting device to emit light in a predetermined light emitting mode. Aerosol generator.

9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 7 or 8, the notification unit includes a vibration device; When the control unit determines that the retained matter is present in the storage unit, the control unit notifies the user that the retained matter is present by vibrating the vibration device in a predetermined vibration mode. Aerosol generator.

10. The aerosol generating device according to claim 7, the notification unit includes a display device, When the control unit determines that the retained matter is present in the storage unit, the control unit notifies the user that the retained matter is present by displaying a predetermined image or message on the display device. Aerosol generator.

11. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, The control unit The heating control device is configured to be able to execute heating control for controlling the temperature of the heating unit based on a heating profile that defines a time series transition of a target temperature, which is a target value of the temperature of the heating unit, in response to a request for generating an aerosol from a user, When it is determined that the retained matter exists in the storage unit, the aerosol generation device is transitioned to a locked state in which execution of the heating control is prohibited. Aerosol generator.

12. The aerosol generating device according to claim 11, When the control unit receives a reset request from the user while the aerosol generation device is in the locked state, the control unit releases the locked state. Aerosol generator.

13. The aerosol generating device according to claim 12, The control unit When it is determined again that the retained matter is present in the storage unit immediately after the locked state of the aerosol generation device is released, the aerosol generation device is transitioned to a special locked state in which execution of the heating control is prohibited, When the aerosol generating device is in the special locked state, upon receiving a special reset request from the user, the special locked state is released; the reset request is a first operation, the special reset request is a second operation that requires more operations than the first operation; Aerosol generator.

14. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, The control unit The heating control device is configured to be able to execute heating control for controlling the temperature of the heating unit based on a heating profile that defines a time series transition of a target temperature, which is a target value of the temperature of the heating unit, in response to a request for generating an aerosol from a user, the aerosol generation request is an operation of inserting the substrate into the storage portion, determining whether the retained matter is present in the storage section and whether the substrate has been inserted into the storage section based on a time series transition of the parameter obtained by repeatedly applying the detection pulse to the heating section multiple times; Aerosol generator.

15. 15. The aerosol generating device according to claim 14, The control unit a first detection pulse having a predetermined voltage and a second detection pulse having a voltage smaller than that of the first detection pulse can be applied to the heating unit as the detection pulse; the first detection pulse is applied to the heating unit until a predetermined time has elapsed since application of the detection pulse started, and the second detection pulse is applied to the heating unit after the predetermined time has elapsed. Aerosol generator.