U.S. patent application number 17/369957 was filed with the patent office on 2022-01-13 for control unit of aerosol generation device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Japan Tobacco Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Japan Tobacco Inc.. Invention is credited to Ikuo FUJINAGA, Hajime FUJITA, Yutaka KAIHATSU, Keiji MARUBASHI, Takuma NAKANO.
Application Number | 20220007738 17/369957 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-01-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220007738 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NAKANO; Takuma ; et
al. |
January 13, 2022 |
CONTROL UNIT OF AEROSOL GENERATION DEVICE
Abstract
A control unit of an aerosol generation device includes a
processing device configured to acquire a remaining amount of an
aerosol source. When the remaining amount of the aerosol source is
smaller than a threshold value, the processing device suppresses
discharge from a power supply to an atomizer configured to atomize
the aerosol source, and when the remaining amount of the aerosol
source is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the
processing device controls the discharge from the power supply to
the atomizer so as to make an amount of the aerosol source to be
atomized different, based on the remaining amount of the aerosol
source.
Inventors: |
NAKANO; Takuma; (Tokyo,
JP) ; KAIHATSU; Yutaka; (Tokyo, JP) ;
MARUBASHI; Keiji; (Tokyo, JP) ; FUJINAGA; Ikuo;
(Tokyo, JP) ; FUJITA; Hajime; (Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Japan Tobacco Inc. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Japan Tobacco Inc.
Tokyo
JP
|
Appl. No.: |
17/369957 |
Filed: |
July 8, 2021 |
International
Class: |
A24F 40/53 20060101
A24F040/53; A24F 40/57 20060101 A24F040/57; A24F 40/30 20060101
A24F040/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 8, 2020 |
JP |
2020-118102 |
Claims
1. A control unit of an aerosol generation device comprising: a
processing device configured to acquire a remaining amount of an
aerosol source, wherein when the remaining amount of the aerosol
source is smaller than a threshold value, the processing device
suppresses discharge from a power supply to an atomizer configured
to atomize the aerosol source, and wherein when the remaining
amount of the aerosol source is equal to or greater than the
threshold value, the processing device controls the discharge from
the power supply to the atomizer so as to make an amount of the
aerosol source to be atomized different, based on the remaining
amount of the aerosol source.
2. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to
claim 1, wherein when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is
equal to or greater than the threshold value, the processing device
controls the discharge from the power supply to the atomizer so
that the amount of the aerosol source to be atomized increases as
the remaining amount of the aerosol source increases.
3. A control unit of an aerosol generation device comprising: a
processing device configured to acquire a remaining amount of an
aerosol source, wherein when the remaining amount of the aerosol
source is a first remaining amount, the processing device
electrically discharges first electric power from a power supply to
an atomizer configured to atomize the aerosol source, and wherein
when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is a second
remaining amount different from the first remaining amount, the
processing device electrically discharges second electric power
different from the first electric power from the power supply to
the atomizer.
4. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to
claim 3, wherein the first remaining amount is larger than the
second remaining amount, and wherein the first electric power is
more than the second electric power.
5. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to
claim 1, further comprising a storage part configured to store the
aerosol source, wherein the processing device is configured to
acquire the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage
part, as the remaining amount of the aerosol source.
6. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to
claim 5, wherein the processing device is configured to acquire the
remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage part, based
on a length of the discharge from the power supply to the
atomizer.
7. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to
claim 1, wherein the processing device is configured to acquire the
remaining amount of the aerosol source in a retaining part
configured to retain the aerosol source supplied from a storage
part configured to store the aerosol source, in a position in which
the atomizer can atomize the aerosol source, as the remaining
amount of the aerosol source.
8. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to
claim 7, wherein the processing device is configured to acquire the
remaining amount of the aerosol source in the retaining part, based
on the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage
part.
9. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to
claim 7, wherein the processing device is configured to acquire the
remaining amount of the aerosol source in the retaining part
immediately before the discharge from the power supply to the
atomizer, as the remaining amount of the aerosol source.
10. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to
claim 7, wherein the processing device is configured to acquire an
activation command of the aerosol generation device and an
atomization command of the aerosol source by the atomizer, and
wherein the processing device is configured to acquire the
remaining amount of the aerosol source in the retaining part, as
the remaining amount of the aerosol source, when the atomization
command is acquired.
11. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to
one of claim 1, wherein the processing device is configured to
control, based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source,
electric power that is electrically discharged from the power
supply to an adjustor capable of adjusting an amount of flavor that
is added from a flavor source to aerosol generated from the aerosol
source.
12. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to
claim 11, wherein the processing device is configured to acquire an
atomization command of the aerosol source by the atomizer, and
wherein the processing device is configured to control, based on
the remaining amount of the aerosol source, electric power that is
electrically discharged from the power supply to the adjustor so
that an amount of flavor added to aerosol generated in response to
the atomization command acquired at a first timing is the same as
an amount of flavor added to aerosol generated in response to the
atomization command acquired at a second timing after the first
timing.
13. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to
claim 12, wherein the processing device is configured to control
the discharge from the power supply to the atomizer so that a
length of discharge from the power supply to the atomizer by each
atomization command does not exceed an upper limit time, and
wherein the processing device is configured to determine electric
power that is electrically discharged from the power supply to the
atomizer according to the atomization command acquired at the
second timing, based on the upper limit time.
14. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to
claim 1, further comprising a temperature detection device capable
of outputting a temperature of a heat generating element that can
heat a flavor source configured to add flavor to aerosol generated
from the aerosol source, wherein the processing device can acquire
an atomization command of the aerosol source by the atomizer,
wherein the processing device is configured to control discharge
from the power supply to the heat generating element so that a
temperature of the heat generating element is to converge to a
target temperature, wherein when a temperature of the heat
generating element acquired in response to the atomization command
is lower than the target temperature, the processing device
electrically discharges third electric power from the power supply
to the atomizer, wherein when a temperature of the heat generating
element acquired in response to the atomization command is equal to
or higher than the target temperature, the processing device
electrically discharges fourth electric power from the power supply
to the atomizer, and wherein the third electric power is set based
on the remaining amount of the aerosol source and is greater than
the fourth electric power.
15. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to
claim 14, wherein the processing device is configured so that the
more the remaining amount of the aerosol source is, the greater the
third electric power is.
16. A control unit of an aerosol generation device comprising: a
processing device configured to acquire a remaining amount of an
aerosol source, wherein the processing device is configured to
control, based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source,
electric power that is electrically discharged from a power supply
to an adjustor capable of adjusting an amount of flavor that is
added from a flavor source to aerosol generated from the aerosol
source.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from prior Japanese patent application No. 2020-118102,
filed on Jul. 8, 2020, the entire contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a control unit of an
aerosol generation device.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Patent Literatures 1, 4 and 5 disclose a device configured
to cause aerosol generated by heating a liquid to pass through a
flavor source, thereby adding flavor to aerosol and allowing a user
to inhale aerosol having the flavor added thereto.
[0004] Patent Literatures 2 and 3 disclose an electrically operated
aerosol generation system including a liquid storage for storing a
liquid aerosol forming matrix and an electric heater including at
least one heating element for heating the liquid aerosol forming
matrix.
[0005] [Patent Literature 1] WO2020/039589
[0006] [Patent Literature 2] Japanese Patent No. 5,999,716
[0007] [Patent Literature 3] Japanese Patent No. 5,959,532
[0008] [Patent Literature 4] JP-A-2017-511703
[0009] [Patent Literature 5] WO2019/017654
[0010] In order to increase a commercial value of the aerosol
generation device configured to generate aerosol and to allow a
user to inhale the same, it is important to provide the user with
aerosol of an appropriate quality.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0011] An object of the present invention is to increase a
commercial value of the aerosol generation device.
[0012] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a control unit of an aerosol generation device including a
processing device configured to acquire a remaining amount of an
aerosol source, wherein when the remaining amount of the aerosol
source is smaller than a threshold value, the processing device
further suppresses discharge from a power supply to an atomizer
configured to atomize the aerosol source than when the remaining
amount of the aerosol source is equal to or greater than the
threshold value, and wherein when the remaining amount of the
aerosol source is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the
processing device controls the discharge from the power supply to
the atomizer so as to make an amount of the aerosol source to be
atomized different, based on the remaining amount of the aerosol
source.
[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a control unit of an aerosol generation device
including a processing device configured to acquire a remaining
amount of an aerosol source, wherein when the remaining amount of
the aerosol source is a first remaining amount, the processing
device electrically discharges first electric power from a power
supply to an atomizer to atomize the aerosol source, and wherein
when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is a second
remaining amount different from the first remaining amount, the
processing device electrically discharges second electric power
different from the first electric power from the power supply to
the atomizer.
[0014] According to still another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a control unit of an aerosol generation device
including a processing device configured to acquire a remaining
amount of an aerosol source, wherein the processing device is
configured to control electric power that is electrically
discharged from a power supply to an adjustor capable of adjusting
an amount of flavor to be added from a flavor source to aerosol
generated from the aerosol source, based on the remaining amount of
the aerosol source.
[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to
increase a commercial value of the aerosol generation device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a
configuration of an aerosol generation device.
[0017] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the aerosol generation
device shown in FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the aerosol generation device
shown in FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a power supply unit of the
aerosol generation device shown in FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a hardware configuration
of the aerosol generation device shown in FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a modified embodiment of
the hardware configuration of the aerosol generation device shown
in FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for showing operations of the aerosol
generation device shown in FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for showing operations of the aerosol
generation device shown in FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing an example of an electric
power threshold value P.sub.max and an amount of increase
.DELTA.P.
[0025] FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing an example of the
electric power threshold value P.sub.max and the amount of increase
.DELTA.P.
[0026] FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing atomizing electric power
that is supplied to a first load 21 in step S17 of FIG. 8.
[0027] FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing atomizing electric power
that is supplied to the first load 21 in step S19 of FIG. 8.
[0028] FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an example of a table
showing a relationship between a remaining amount of a flavor
component and a remaining amount of a reservoir.
[0029] FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing another example of the
electric power threshold value P.sub.max and the amount of increase
.DELTA.P.
[0030] FIG. 15 is a flowchart for showing operations of the aerosol
generation device 1 of a second modified embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 16 is a flowchart for showing operations of the aerosol
generation device 1 of the second modified embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 17 is a flowchart for showing operations of the aerosol
generation device 1 of a third modified embodiment.
[0033] FIG. 18 is a flowchart for showing operations of the aerosol
generation device 1 of the third modified embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0034] Hereinafter, an aerosol generation device 1 that is one
embodiment of the aerosol generation device of the present
invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.
[0035] (Aerosol Generation Device)
[0036] The aerosol generation device 1 is a device configured to
generate aerosol having a flavor component added thereto without
burning, and to cause the aerosol to be inhaled, and has a rod
shape extending in a predetermined direction (hereinafter, referred
to as the longitudinal direction X), as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The
aerosol generation device 1 includes a power supply unit 10, a
first cartridge 20, and a second cartridge 30 provided in
corresponding order in the longitudinal direction X. The first
cartridge 20 can be attached and detached (in other words,
replaced) with respect to the power supply unit 10. The second
cartridge 30 can be attached and detached (in other words,
replaced) with respect to the first cartridge 20. As shown in FIG.
3, the first cartridge 20 is provided with a first load 21 and a
second load 31. An overall shape of the aerosol generation device 1
is not limited to such a shape that the power supply unit 10, the
first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 are aligned in line,
as shown in FIG. 1. For example, the aerosol generation device 1
may have any shape such as a substantial box shape as long as the
first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 can be replaced with
respect to the power supply unit 10. Note that, the second
cartridge 30 may also be attached and detached (in other words,
replaced) with respect to the power supply unit 10.
[0037] (Power Supply Unit)
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the power supply unit 10 is
configured to accommodate, in a cylindrical power supply unit case
11, a power supply 12, a charging IC 55A, an MCU (Micro Controller
Unit) 50, a DC/DC converter 51, an inlet air sensor 15, a
temperature detection device Ti including a voltage sensor 52 and a
current sensor 53, a temperature detection device T2 including a
voltage sensor 54 and a current sensor 55, a first notification
unit 45 and a second notification unit 46.
[0039] The power supply 12 is a chargeable secondary battery, an
electric double layer capacitor or the like, and is preferably a
lithium ion secondary battery. An electrolyte of the power supply
12 may be one or a combination of a gel-like electrolyte, an
electrolytic solution, a solid electrolyte and an ionic liquid.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 5, the MCU 50 is connected to the diverse
sensor devices such as the inlet air sensor 15, the voltage sensor
52, the current sensor 53, the voltage sensor 54 and the current
sensor 55, the DC/DC converter 51, the operation unit 14, the first
notification unit 45, and the second notification unit 46, and is
configured to perform a variety of controls of the aerosol
generation device 1.
[0041] Specifically, the MCU 50 is mainly constituted by a
processor, and further includes a memory 50a constituted by a
storage medium such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) necessary for
operations of the processor and a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which a
variety of information is stored. As used herein, the processor is
specifically an electric circuit including circuit devices such as
semiconductor devices.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, a top portion 11a on one end side (first
cartridge 20-side) of the power supply unit case 11 in the
longitudinal direction X is provided with discharge terminals 41.
The discharge terminals 41 are provided to protrude from an upper
surface of the top portion 11a toward the first cartridge 20, and
are each configured to be electrically connectable to each of the
first load 21 and the second load 31 of the first cartridge 20.
[0043] The upper surface of the top portion 11a is also provided
with an air supply part 42 configured to supply air to the first
load 21 of the first cartridge 20, in the vicinity of the discharge
terminals 41.
[0044] A bottom portion 11b on the other end-side (an opposite side
to the first cartridge 20) of the power supply unit case 11 in the
longitudinal direction X is provided with a charging terminal 43
that can be electrically connected to an external power supply(not
shown). The charging terminal 43 is provided on a side surface of
the bottom portion 11b, and is, for example, connected to a USB
(Universal Serial Bus) terminal, a micro USB terminal or the
like.
[0045] Note that, the charging terminal 43 may also be a power
receiving unit that can receive electric power transmitted from the
external power supply in a wireless manner. In this case, the
charging terminal 43 (power receiving unit) may be constituted by a
power receiving coil. The method of wireless power transfer may be
an electromagnetic induction method, a magnetic resonance method or
a combination of the electromagnetic induction method and the
magnetic resonance method. The charging terminal 43 may also be a
power receiving unit that can receive electric power transmitted
from the external power supply in a contactless manner. As another
example, the charging terminal 43 can be connected to a USB
terminal or a micro USB terminal and may also have the power
receiving unit.
[0046] The power supply unit case 11 is provided with an operation
unit 14 that can be operated by a user and is provided on a side
surface of the top portion 11a so as to face toward an opposite
side to the charging terminal 43. More specifically, the operation
unit 14 and the charging terminal 43 are point-symmetrical with
respect to an intersection of a straight line connecting the
operation unit 14 and the charging terminal 43 and a center line of
the power supply unit 10 in the longitudinal direction X. The
operation unit 14 is constituted by a button-type switch, a touch
panel or the like. When a predetermined activation operation is
performed by the operation unit 14 in a state where the power
supply unit 10 is off, the operation unit 14 outputs an activation
command of the power supply unit 10 to the MCU 50. When the MCU 50
acquires the activation command, the MCU starts the power supply
unit 10.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 3, the inlet air sensor 15 configured to
detect a puff (inhalation) operation is provided in the vicinity of
the operation unit 14. The power supply unit case 11 is provided
with an air intake port(not shown) to take external air into an
inside. The air intake port may be provided near the operation unit
14 or the charging terminal 43.
[0048] The inlet air sensor 15 is configured to output a value in
change of pressure (internal pressure) in the power supply unit 10
generated as a result of user's inhalation through an inhalation
port 32 (which will be described later). The inlet air sensor 15
is, for example, a pressure sensor configured to output an output
value (for example, a voltage value or a current value)
corresponding to the internal pressure that changes according to a
flow rate (i.e., a user's puff operation) of air inhaled from the
air intake port toward the inhalation port 32. The inlet air sensor
15 may be configured to output an analog value or a digital value
converted from the analog value.
[0049] The inlet air sensor 15 may also have a built-in temperature
sensor configured to detect a temperature (external air
temperature) of an environment in which the power supply unit 10 is
put, so as to compensate for the detected pressure. The inlet air
sensor 15 may also be constituted by a capacitor microphone or the
like, other than the pressure sensor.
[0050] When the puff operation is performed and the output value of
the inlet air sensor 15 is thus equal to or greater than an output
threshold value, the MCU 50 determines that a request for aerosol
generation (an atomization command of the aerosol source 22, which
will be described later) is made, and thereafter, when the output
value of the inlet air sensor 15 falls below the output threshold
value, the MCU 50 determines that the request for aerosol
generation is over. Note that, in the aerosol generation device 1,
in order to suppress overheating of the first load 21, for example,
when a time period for which the request for aerosol generation is
made reaches an upper limit time t.sub.upper (for example, 2.4
seconds), it is determined that the request for aerosol generation
is over, irrespective of the output value of the inlet air sensor
15.
[0051] Note that, the request for aerosol generation may also be
detected based on the operation on the operation unit 14, instead
of the inlet air sensor 15. For example, when the user performs a
predetermined operation on the operation unit 14 so as to start
inhalation of aerosol, the operation unit 14 may output a signal
indicative of the request for aerosol generation to the MCU 50.
[0052] The charging IC 55A is disposed near the charging terminal
43, and is configured to control charging of electric power input
from the charging terminal 43 to the power supply 12. Note that,
the charging IC 55A may also be disposed near the MCU 50.
[0053] (First Cartridge)
[0054] As shown in FIG. 3, the first cartridge 20 has, in a
cylindrical cartridge case 27, a reservoir 23 that constitutes a
storage part in which the aerosol source 22 is stored, a first load
21 that constitutes an atomizer configured to generate aerosol by
atomizing the aerosol source 22, a wick 24 configured to suck the
aerosol source 22 from the reservoir 23 to a position of the first
load 21, an aerosol flow path 25 that constitutes a cooling passage
for making particle sizes of aerosol generated by atomizing the
aerosol source 22 to sizes suitable for inhalation, an end cap 26
configured to accommodate a part of the second cartridge 30, and a
second load 31 provided to the end cap 26 and configured to heat
the second cartridge 30.
[0055] The reservoir 23 is partitioned to surround the aerosol flow
path 25, and is configured to store the aerosol source 22. In the
reservoir 23, a porous body such as resin web, cotton or the like
may be accommodated, and the aerosol source 22 may be impregnated
in the porous body. In the reservoir 23, the porous body such as
resin web, cotton or the like may not be accommodated, and only the
aerosol source 22 may be stored. The aerosol source 22 includes a
liquid such as glycerin, propylene glycol, water or the like.
[0056] The wick 24 is a liquid retaining member for sucking the
aerosol source 22 from the reservoir 23 to a position of the first
load 21 by using a capillary phenomenon. The wick 24 constitutes a
retaining part configured to retain the aerosol source 22 supplied
from the reservoir 23 in a position in which the first load 21 can
atomize the aerosol source. The wick 24 is constituted, for
example, by glass fiber, porous ceramic or the like.
[0057] The aerosol source 22 included in the first cartridge 20 is
retained by each in the reservoir 23 and the wick 24. However, in
the below, a remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir,
which is a remaining amount of the aerosol source 22 stored in the
reservoir 23, is treated as a remaining amount of the aerosol
source 22 included in the first cartridge 20. It is assumed that
the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir is 100% when
the first cartridge 20 is in a brand-new state and gradually
decreases as aerosol is generated (aerosol source 22 is atomized).
The remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir is calculated
by the MCU 50 and is stored in the memory 50a of the MCU 50. In the
below, the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir is
simply described as the remaining amount in the reservoir, in some
cases.
[0058] The first load 21 is configured to heat the aerosol source
22 without burning by electric power supplied from the power supply
12 via the discharge terminals 41, thereby atomizing the aerosol
source 22. In principle, the more the electric power supplied from
the first load 21 to the power supply 12 is, the larger the amount
of the aerosol source to be atomized is. The first load 21 is
constituted by a heating wire (coil) wound at a predetermined
pitch.
[0059] Note that, the first load 21 may be an element that can
generate aerosol by heating and atomizing the aerosol source 22.
The first load 21 is, for example, a heat generating element.
Examples of the heat generating element may include a heat
generating resistor, a ceramic heater, an induction heating type
heater, and the like.
[0060] As the first load 21, a load whose temperature and electric
resistance value have a correlation is used. As the first load 21,
for example, a load having a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient)
characteristic in which the electric resistance value increases as
the temperature rises is used.
[0061] The aerosol flow path 25 is provided on a center line L of
the power supply unit 10, on a downstream side of the first load
21. The end cap 26 has a cartridge accommodating part 26a
configured to accommodate a part of the second cartridge 30 and a
communication path 26b configured to communicate the aerosol flow
path 25 and the cartridge accommodating part 26a each other.
[0062] The second load 31 is embedded in the cartridge
accommodating part 26a. The second load 31 is configured to heat
the second cartridge 30 (more specifically, the flavor source 33
included in the second cartridge 30) accommodated in the cartridge
accommodating part 26a by electric power supplied from the power
supply 12 via the discharge terminals 41. The second load 31 is
constituted by a heating wire (coil) wound at a predetermined
pitch, for example.
[0063] Note that, the second load 31 may be an element that can
heat the second cartridge 30. The second load 31 is, for example, a
heat generating element. Examples of the heat generating element
may include a heat generating resistor, a ceramic heater, an
induction heating type heater, and the like.
[0064] As the second load 31, a load whose temperature and electric
resistance value have a correlation is used. As the second load 31,
for example, a load having a PTC characteristic is used.
[0065] (Second Cartridge)
[0066] The second cartridge 30 is configured to store the flavor
source 33. The second cartridge 30 is heated by the second load 31,
so that the flavor source 33 is heated. The second cartridge 30 is
detachably accommodated in the cartridge accommodating part 26a
provided to the end cap 26 of the first cartridge 20. An end
portion of the second cartridge 30 on an opposite side to the first
cartridge 20-side is configured as the inhalation port 32 for a
user. Note that, the inhalation port 32 is not limited to the
configuration where it is integrated with the second cartridge 30,
and may be detachably attached to the second cartridge 30. In this
way, the inhalation port 32 is configured separately from the power
supply unit 10 and the first cartridge 20, so that the inhalation
port 32 can be hygienically kept.
[0067] The second cartridge 30 is configured to cause aerosol,
which are generated as the aerosol source 22 is atomized by the
first load 21, to pass through the flavor source 33, thereby adding
a flavor component to the aerosol. As a raw material piece that
forms the flavor source 33, chopped tobacco or a molded product
obtained by molding a tobacco raw material into granules can be
used. The flavor source 33 may also be formed by plants (for
example, mint, Chinese herbs, herbs and the like) other than
tobacco. A fragrance such as menthol may be added to the flavor
source 33.
[0068] In the aerosol generation device 1, it is possible to
generate aerosol having a flavor component added thereto by the
aerosol source 22 and the flavor source 33. Specifically, the
aerosol source 22 and the flavor source 33 constitute an aerosol
generating source that generates aerosol.
[0069] The aerosol generating source of the aerosol generation
device 1 is a part that is replaced and used by a user. This part
is provided to the user, as a set of one first cartridge 20 and one
or more (for example, five) second cartridges 30, for example. Note
that, the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 may be
integrated to constitute one cartridge.
[0070] In the aerosol generation device 1 configured as described
above, as shown with an arrow B in FIG. 3, the air introduced from
an intake port(not shown) provided to the power supply unit case 11
passes from the air supply part 42 to the vicinity of the first
load 21 of the first cartridge 20. The first load 21 is configured
to atomize the aerosol source 22 introduced from the reservoir 23
by the wick 24. Aerosol generated as a result of the atomization
flows in the aerosol flow path 25 together with the air introduced
from the intake port, and are supplied to the second cartridge 30
via the communication path 26b. The aerosol supplied to the second
cartridge 30 is added with the flavor component as the aerosol pass
through the flavor source 33, and are then supplied to the
inhalation port 32.
[0071] The aerosol generation device 1 is also provided with the
first notification unit 45 and the second notification unit 46 for
notifying a variety of information to the user (refer to FIG. 5).
The first notification unit 45 is to give a notification that acts
on a user's tactile sense, and is constituted by a vibration
element such as a vibrator. The second notification unit 46 is to
give a notification that acts on a user's visual sense, and is
constituted by a light emitting element such as an LED (Light
Emitting Diode). As the notification unit for notifying a variety
of information, a sound output element may be further provided so
as to give a notification that acts on a user's auditory sense. The
first notification unit 45 and the second notification unit 46 may
be provided to any of the power supply unit 10, the first cartridge
20 and the second cartridge 30 but is preferably provided to the
power supply unit 10. For example, the periphery of the operation
unit 14 is transparent, and is configured to emit light by a light
emitting element such as an LED.
[0072] (Details of Power Supply Unit)
[0073] As shown in FIG. 5, the DC/DC converter 51 is connected
between the first load 21 and the power supply 12 in a state where
the first cartridge 20 is mounted to the power supply unit 10. The
MCU 50 is connected between the DC/DC converter 51 and the power
supply 12. The second load 31 is connected between the MCU 50 and
the DC/DC converter 51 in the state where the first cartridge 20 is
mounted to the power supply unit 10. In this way, in the power
supply unit 10, in the state where the first cartridge 20 is
mounted, a series circuit of the DC/DC converter 51 and the first
load 21 and the second load 31 are connected in parallel to the
power supply 12.
[0074] The DC/DC converter 51 is a booster circuit capable of
boosting an input voltage, and is configured to be able to supply a
voltage obtained by boosting an input voltage or the input voltage
to the first load 21. According to the DC/DC converter 51, since it
is possible to adjust electric power that is supplied to the first
load 21, it is possible to control an amount of the aerosol source
22 that is atomized by the first load 21. As the DC/DC converter
51, for example, a switching regulator configured to convert an
input voltage into a desired output voltage by controlling on/off
time of a switching element while monitoring an output voltage may
be used. In a case where the switching regulator is used as the
DC/DC converter 51, it is possible to output an input voltage, as
it is, without boosting the input voltage by controlling the
switching element.
[0075] The processor of the MCU 50 is configured to be able to
acquire temperatures of the flavor source 33 and the second load 31
so as to control the discharge to the second load 31. Further, the
processor of the MCU 50 is preferably configured to be able to
acquire a temperature of the first load 21. The temperature of the
first load 21 can be used to suppress overheating of the first load
21 or the aerosol source 22 and to highly control an amount of the
aerosol source 22 that is atomized by the first load 21.
[0076] The voltage sensor 52 is configured to measure and output a
voltage value that is applied to the second load 31. The current
sensor 53 is configured to measure and output a current value that
flows through the second load 31. The output of the voltage sensor
52 and the output of the current sensor 53 are each input to the
MCU 50. The processor of the MCU 50 is configured to acquire a
resistance value of the second load 31, based on the output of the
voltage sensor 52 and the output of the current sensor 53, and to
acquire a temperature of the second load 31 corresponding to the
resistance value. The temperature of the second load 31 is not
strictly matched with the temperature of the flavor source 33 that
is heated by the second load 31 but can be regarded as being
substantially the same as the temperature of the flavor source
33.
[0077] Note that, in a configuration where constant current is
caused to flow through the second load 31 when acquiring the
resistance value of the second load 31, the current sensor 53 is
not required in the temperature detection device T1. Likewise, in a
configuration where a constant voltage is applied to the second
load 31 when acquiring the resistance value of the second load 31,
the voltage sensor 52 is not required in the temperature detection
device T1.
[0078] Further, as shown in FIG. 6, instead of the temperature
detection device T1, the first cartridge 20 may be provided with a
temperature detection device T3 for detecting a temperature of the
second cartridge 30 or the second load 31. The temperature
detection device T3 is constituted, for example, by a thermistor
disposed near the second cartridge 30 or the second load 31. In the
configuration of FIG. 6, the processor of the MCU 50 is configured
to acquire the temperature of the second load 31 or the temperature
of the second cartridge 30, in other words, the temperature of the
flavor source 33, based on an output of the temperature detection
device T3.
[0079] As shown in FIG. 6, the temperature of the flavor source 33
is acquired using the temperature detection device T3, so that it
is possible to acquire the temperature of the flavor source 33 more
precisely, as compared to the configuration where the temperature
of the flavor source 33 is acquired using the temperature detection
device T1 of FIG. 5. Note that, the temperature detection device T3
may also be mounted to the second cartridge 30. According to the
configuration of FIG. 6 where the temperature detection device T3
is mounted to the first cartridge 20, it is possible to reduce the
manufacturing cost of the second cartridge 30 that is most
frequently replaced in the aerosol generation device 1.
[0080] Note that, as shown in FIG. 5, when acquiring the
temperature of the flavor source 33 by using the temperature
detection device T1, the temperature detection device T1 may be
provided to the power supply unit 10 that is least frequently
replaced in the aerosol generation device 1. Therefore, it is
possible to reduce the manufacturing costs of the first cartridge
20 and the second cartridge 30.
[0081] The voltage sensor 54 is configured to measure and output a
voltage value that is applied to the first load 21. The current
sensor 55 is configured to measure and output a current value that
flows through the first load 21. The output of the voltage sensor
54 and the output of the current sensor 55 are each input to the
MCU 50. The processor of the MCU 50 is configured to acquire a
resistance value of the first load 21, based on the output of the
voltage sensor 54 and the output of the current sensor 55, and to
acquire a temperature of the first load 21 corresponding to the
resistance value. Note that, in a configuration where constant
current is caused to flow through the first load 21 when acquiring
the resistance value of the first load 21, the current sensor 55 is
not required in the temperature detection device T2. Likewise, in a
configuration where a constant voltage is applied to the first load
21 when acquiring the resistance value of the first load 21, the
voltage sensor 54 is not required in the temperature detection
device T2.
[0082] (MCU)
[0083] Subsequently, functions of the MCU 50 are described. The MCU
50 has a temperature detection unit, an electric power control unit
and a notification control unit, as functional blocks that are
implemented as the processor executes programs stored in the
ROM.
[0084] The temperature detection unit is configured to acquire a
temperature of the flavor source 33, based on an output of the
temperature detection device T1 (or the temperature detection
device T3). The temperature detection unit is also configured to
acquire a temperature of the first load 21, based on an output of
the temperature detection device T2.
[0085] The notification control unit is configured to control the
first notification unit 45 and the second notification unit 46 to
notify a variety of information. For example, the notification
control unit is configured to control at least one of the first
notification unit 45 and the second notification unit 46 to issue a
notification for urging replacement of the second cartridge 30,
according to detection of a replacement timing of the second
cartridge 30. The notification control unit may also be configured
to issue a notification for urging replacement of the first
cartridge 20, a notification for urging replacement of the power
supply 12, a notification for urging charging of the power supply
12, and the like, without being limited to the notification for
urging replacement of the second cartridge 30.
[0086] The electric power control unit is configured to control
discharge (discharge necessary for heating of a load) from the
power supply 12 to at least the first load 21 of the first load 21
and the second load 31, according to a signal indicative of a
request for aerosol generation output from the inlet air sensor 15.
Specifically, the electric power control unit is configured to
perform at least first discharge of first discharge from the power
supply 12 to the first load 21 for atomizing the aerosol source 22
and second discharge from the power supply 12 to the second load 31
for heating the flavor source 33.
[0087] In this way, in the aerosol generation device 1, the flavor
source 33 can be heated by the discharge to the second load 31. It
is experimentally known that it is effective to increase an amount
of aerosol generated from the aerosol source 22 and to raise a
temperature of the flavor source 33 so as to increase an amount of
the flavor component to be added to aerosol.
[0088] Therefore, the electric power control unit is configured to
control the discharge for heating from the power supply 12 to the
first load 21 and the second load 31 so that a unit amount of
flavor (an amount W.sub.flavor of the flavor component, which will
be described later), which is an amount of the flavor component to
be added to aerosol generated in response to each request for
aerosol generation, is to converge to a target amount, based on
information about the temperature of the flavor source 33. The
target amount is a value that is determined as appropriate.
However, for example, a target range of the unit amount of flavor
may be determined as appropriate, and an intermediate value of the
target range may be determined as the target amount. In this way,
the unit amount of flavor (amount W.sub.flavor of the flavor
component) can be converged to the target amount, so that the unit
amount of flavor can also be converged to the target range having a
width to some extent. Note that, as units of the unit amount of
flavor and the amount W.sub.flavor of the flavor component, and the
target amount, a weight may be used.
[0089] Further, the electric power control unit is configured to
control the discharge for heating from the power supply 12 to the
second load 31 so that the temperature of the flavor source 33 is
to converge to a target temperature (a target temperature
T.sub.cap_target, which will be described later), based on an
output of the temperature detection device T1 (or the temperature
detection device T3) configured to output information about the
temperature of the flavor source 33.
[0090] (Diverse Parameters That Are Used For Generation of
Aerosol)
[0091] Subsequently, a variety of parameters and the like that are
used for discharge control for generation of aerosol are described
before describing specific operations of the MCU 50.
[0092] A weight[mg] of aerosol that are generated in the first
cartridge 20 by one inhalation operation by a user is denoted as
the aerosol weight W.sub.aerosol. The electric power that should be
supplied to the first load 21 so as to generate the aerosol is
denoted as the atomizing electric power P.sub.liquid. Assuming that
the aerosol source 22 is sufficiently present, the aerosol weight
W.sub.aerosol is proportional to the atomizing electric power
P.sub.liquid, and a supply time t.sub.sense of the atomizing
electric power P.sub.liquid to the first load 21 (in other words,
an energization time to the first load 21 or a time for which puff
is performed). For this reason, the aerosol weight W.sub.aerosol
can be modeled by a following equation (1). In the equation (1),
.alpha. is a coefficient that is experimentally obtained. Note
that, the upper limit value of the supply time t.sub.sense is the
above-described upper limit time t.sub.upper. The equation (1) may
be replaced with an equation (1A). In the equation (1A), an
intercept b having a positive value is introduced into the equation
(1). The intercept is a term that can be arbitrarily introduced,
considering a fact that a part of the atomizing electric power
P.sub.liquid is used for temperature rising of the aerosol source
22 that occurs before atomization of the aerosol source 22. The
intercept b can also be experimentally obtained.
[formula 1]
W.sub.aerosol.ident..alpha..times.P.sub.liquid.times.t.sub.sense
(1)
W.sub.aerosol .ident..alpha.P.sub.liquid.times.t.sub.sense-b
(1A)
[0093] A weight[mg] of the flavor component included in the flavor
source 33 in a state where inhalation is performed n.sub.puff times
(n.sub.puff: natural number greater than 0) is denoted as the
remaining amount W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of the flavor component.
Note that, the remaining amount (W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff=0)) of
the flavor component included in the flavor source 33 of the second
cartridge 30 in a brand-new state is denoted as W.sub.initial. The
information about the temperature of the flavor source 33 is
denoted as the capsule temperature parameter T.sub.capsule. A
weight[mg] of the flavor component that is added to aerosol passing
through the flavor source 33 by one inhalation operation by a user
is denoted as the amount W.sub.flavor of the flavor component. The
information about the temperature of the flavor source 33
indicates, for example, a temperature of the flavor source 33 or
the second load 31 that is acquired based on the output of the
temperature detection device T1 (or the temperature detection
device T3). In the below, the remaining amount
W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of the flavor component may be simply
denoted as the remaining amount of the flavor component, in some
cases.
[0094] It is experimentally known that the amount W.sub.flavor of
the flavor component depends on the remaining amount
W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of the flavor component, the capsule
temperature parameter T.sub.capsule and the aerosol weight
W.sub.aerosol. Therefore, the amount W.sub.flavor of the flavor
component can be modeled by a following equation (2).
[formula 2]
W.sub.flavor=.beta..times.{W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff).times.T.sub.capsule-
}.times..gamma..times.W.sub.aerosol (2)
[0095] The remaining amount W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of the flavor
component is reduced by the amount W.sub.flavor of the flavor
component each time inhalation is performed. For this reason, the
remaining amount W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of the flavor component
when n.sub.puff is set to 1 or greater, specifically, the remaining
amount of the flavor component after inhalation is performed one or
more times can be modeled by a following equation (3).
[formula 3]
W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff)=W.sub.initial-.delta..SIGMA..sub.i=1.sup.n.sup-
.puff W.sub.flavor(i) (3)
[0096] In the equation (2), .beta. is a coefficient indicating a
ratio of how much of the flavor component included in the flavor
source 33 is added to aerosol in one inhalation, and is
experimentally obtained. .gamma. in the equation (2) and .delta. in
the equation (3) are coefficients that are each experimentally
obtained. During a time period for which one inhalation is
performed, the capsule temperature parameter T.sub.capsule and the
remaining amount W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of the flavor component
may each vary. However, in this model, .gamma. and .delta. are
introduced so as to treat the corresponding parameters as constant
values.
[0097] (Operations of Aerosol Generation Device)
[0098] FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts for describing operations of
the aerosol generation device 1 shown in FIG. 1. When the aerosol
generation device 1 is activated (power supply ON) by an operation
on the operation unit 14 or the like (step S0: YES), the MCU 50
determines whether aerosol have been generated (whether inhalation
by the user has been performed even once) after the power supply ON
or replacement of the second cartridge 30 (step S1).
[0099] For example, the MCU 50 has a built-in puff-number counter
configured to count up n.sub.puff from an initial value (for
example, 0) each time inhalation (request for aerosol generation)
is performed. A count value of the puff-number counter is stored in
the memory 50a. The MCU 50 refers to the count value to determine
whether it is a state after inhalation has been performed even
once. Note that, when extremely short (for example, shorter than
0.1 second) inhalation or extremely weak (for example, 10
mL/second) inhalation is detected, the puff-number counter may not
count up n.sub.puff. In other words, the puff-number counter is not
counted up until sufficient inhalation is performed, and a count
value at the time when the last sufficient inhalation is performed
is continuously kept.
[0100] When it is first inhalation after the power supply ON or
when it is a timing before first inhalation after the second
cartridge 30 is replaced (step S1: NO), the heating of the flavor
source 33 is not performed yet or is not performed for a while, so
that the temperature of the flavor source 33 is highly likely to
depend on external environments. Therefore, in this case, the MCU
50 acquires, as the capsule temperature parameter T.sub.capsule,
the temperature of the flavor source 33 acquired based on the
output of the temperature detection device T1 (or the temperature
detection device T3), sets the acquired temperature of the flavor
source 33 as the target temperature T.sub.cap_target of the flavor
source 33, and stores the same in the memory 50a (step S2).
[0101] Note that, in the state where the determination in step S1
is NO, there is a high possibility that the temperature of the
flavor source 33 is close to the outside air temperature or the
temperature of the power supply unit 10. For this reason, in step
S2, as a modified embodiment, the outside air temperature or the
temperature of the power supply unit 10 may be acquired as the
capsule temperature parameter T.sub.capsule, and may be set as the
target temperature T.sub.cap_target.
[0102] The outside air temperature is preferably acquired from a
temperature sensor embedded in the inlet air sensor 15, for
example. The temperature of the power supply unit 10 is preferably
acquired from a temperature sensor embedded in the MCU 50 so as to
manage an inside temperature of the MCU 50, for example. In this
case, both the temperature sensor embedded in the inlet air sensor
15 and the temperature sensor embedded in the MCU 50 function as
elements configured to output the information about the temperature
of the flavor source 33.
[0103] As described above, in the aerosol generation device 1, the
discharge from the power supply 12 to the second load 31 is
controlled so that the temperature of the flavor source 33 is to
converge to the target temperature T.sub.cap_target. Therefore,
after inhalation is performed even once after the power supply ON
or the replacement of the second cartridge 30, there is a high
possibility that the temperature of the flavor source 33 is close
to the target temperature T.sub.cap_target. Therefore, in this case
(step S1: YES), the MCU 50 acquires the target temperature
T.sub.cap_target used for previous generation of aerosol and stored
in the memory 50a, as the capsule temperature parameter
T.sub.capsule, and sets the same as the target temperature
T.sub.cap_target, as it is (step S3). In this case, the memory 50a
functions as a device configured to output the information about
the temperature of the flavor source 33.
[0104] Note that, in step S3, the MCU 50 may acquire, as the
capsule temperature parameter T.sub.capsule, the temperature of the
flavor source 33 acquired based on the output of the temperature
detection device T1 (or the temperature detection device T3), and
set the acquired temperature of the flavor source 33 as the target
temperature T.sub.cap_target of the flavor source 33. In this way,
the capsule temperature parameter T.sub.capsule can be acquired
more accurately.
[0105] After step S2 or step S3, the MCU 50 determines the aerosol
weight W.sub.aerosol necessary to achieve the target amount
W.sub.flavor of the flavor component by an equation (4), based on
the set target temperature T.sub.cap_target, and the remaining
amount W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of the flavor component of the
flavor source 33 at the present moment (step S4). The equation (4)
is a modification of the equation (2), in which T.sub.capsule is
changed to T.sub.cap_target.
[ formula .times. .times. 4 ] W a .times. e .times. r .times. o
.times. s .times. o .times. l = W flavor .beta. .times. W c .times.
a .times. p .times. s .times. u .times. l .times. e .function. ( n
puff ) .times. T cap .times. .times. _ .times. .times. target
.times. .gamma. ( 4 ) ##EQU00001##
[0106] Then, the MCU 50 determines the atomizing electric power Num
necessary to realize the aerosol weight W.sub.aerosol determined in
step S4 by the equation (1) where t.sub.sense is set as the upper
limit time t.sub.upper (step S5).
[0107] Note that, a table where a combination of the target
temperature T.sub.cap_target and the remaining amount
W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of the flavor component and the atomizing
electric power P.sub.liquid are associated with each other may be
stored in the memory 50a of the MCU 50, and the MCU 50 may
determine the atomizing electric power P.sub.liquid by using the
table. Thereby, the atomizing electric power P.sub.liquid can be
determined at high speed and low power consumption.
[0108] In the aerosol generation device 1, as described later, when
the temperature of the flavor source 33 does not reach the target
temperature at the time of detection of the request for aerosol
generation, the deficiency in the amount W.sub.flavor of the flavor
component is supplemented by an increase in the aerosol weight
W.sub.aerosol (an increase in the atomizing electric power). In
order to secure the increase in the atomizing electric power, it is
necessary to make the atomizing electric power determined in step
S5 lower than an upper limit value P.sub.upper of electric power
that can be supplied to the first load 21 determined by the
hardware configuration.
[0109] Specifically, after step S5, the MCU 50 sets an electric
power threshold value P.sub.max lower than the upper limit value
P.sub.upper (step S6a). When the atomizing electric power
P.sub.liquid determined in step S5 exceeds the electric power
threshold value P.sub.max (step S6: NO), the MCU 50 increases the
target temperature T.sub.cap_target of the flavor source 33 (step
S7), and returns the processing to step S4. As can be seen from the
equation (4), the aerosol weight W.sub.aerosol necessary to achieve
the target amount W.sub.flavor of the flavor component can be
reduced by increasing the target temperature T.sub.cap_target. As a
result, the atomizing electric power P.sub.liquid that is
determined in step S5 can be reduced. The MCU 50 can set the
determination in step S6, which was originally determined NO, to
YES and shift the processing to step S8 by repeating steps S4 to
S7.
[0110] The electric power threshold value P.sub.max is not a single
fixed value, and any one of multiple values is set. As described
above, the atomizing electric power that is determined in step S5
is determined on the premise that the aerosol source 22 (remaining
amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir) is sufficiently large.
However, in a case where the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in
the reservoir is large and in a case where the remaining amount
W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir is small, even if the atomizing
electric power is the same, when the remaining amount
W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir is small, an amount of the aerosol
source 22 that is supplied to the wick 24 is smaller and it takes
more time for the wick 24 to retain a sufficient amount of the
aerosol source 22, so that the desired aerosol weight may not be
realized. Specifically, when the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir
in the reservoir is small, the necessary aerosol weight may not be
realized. Therefore, it is preferably to reduce the necessary
aerosol weight by increasing the target temperature of the flavor
source 33 as much as that.
[0111] From such standpoint, in step S6a, the MCU 50 acquires the
remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir, and sets the
electric power threshold value P.sub.max, based on the remaining
amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir. Specifically, the MCU 50
sets the electric power threshold value P.sub.max to a large value
so that the larger the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the
reservoir is, the greater the aerosol weight is. In other words,
when the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir is a
first remaining amount, the MCU 50 sets the electric power
threshold value P.sub.max to a smaller value than when the
remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir is a second
remaining amount different from the first remaining amount (for
example, a remaining amount larger than the first remaining
amount). In this way, the atomizing electric power that is supplied
to the first load 21 can be adjusted based on the remaining amount
W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir. Therefore, it is possible to
realize the target amount of the flavor component, irrespective of
the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir.
[0112] The upper limit value P.sub.upper is described. During the
discharge from the power supply 12 to the first load 21, the
current flowing through the first load 21 and the voltage of the
power supply 12 are each denoted as I and V.sub.LIB, an upper limit
value of a boost rate of the DC/DC converter 51 is denoted as
.eta..sub.upper, an upper limit value of an output voltage of the
DC/DC converter 51 is denoted as P.sub.DC/DC_upper, and an electric
resistance value of the first load 21 in a state where the
temperature of the first load 21 reaches a boiling point
temperature of the aerosol source 22 is denoted as R.sub.HTR
(T.sub.HTR=T.sub.B.P.). Hence, the upper limit value P.sub.upper
can be expressed by a following equation (5).
[ formula .times. .times. 5 ] P upper = I V LIB = MIN .function. (
( .eta. upper V LIB ) 2 R H .times. T .times. R .function. ( T H
.times. T .times. R = T B . P . ) .times. .times. P DC / DC .times.
_ .times. .times. upper ) - .DELTA. ( 5 ) ##EQU00002##
[0113] In the equation (5), when .DELTA. is set to 0, an ideal
value of the upper limit value P.sub.upper is obtained. However, in
a real circuit, it is necessary to take into consideration a
resistance component of a wire connected to the first load 21, a
resistance component other than the resistance component connected
to the first load 21, and the like. For this reason, .DELTA. that
is an adjustment value is introduced in the equation (5) so as to
provide a certain margin.
[0114] Note that, in the aerosol generation device 1, the DC/DC
converter 51 is not necessarily required, and may be omitted. When
the DC/DC converter 51 is omitted, the upper limit value
P.sub.upper can be expressed by a following equation (6).
[ formula .times. .times. 6 ] P u .times. p .times. p .times. e
.times. r = I V LIB = V LIB 2 R H .times. T .times. R .function. (
T H .times. T .times. R = T B . P . ) - .DELTA. ( 6 )
##EQU00003##
[0115] When the atomizing electric power P.sub.liquid determined in
step S5 is equal to or less than the electric power threshold value
P.sub.max (step S6: YES), the MCU 50 acquires the temperature
T.sub.cap_sense of the flavor source 33 at the present moment,
based on the output of the temperature detection device T1 (or the
temperature detection device T3) (step S8).
[0116] Then, the MCU 50 controls the discharge to the second load
31 for heating of the second load 31, based on the temperature
T.sub.cap_sense and the target temperature T.sub.cap_target (step
S9). Specifically, the MCU 50 supplies electric power to the second
load 31 by PID (Proportional-Integral-Differential) control or
ON/OFF control so that the temperature T.sub.cap_sense is to
converge to the target temperature T.sub.cap_target.
[0117] In the PID control, a difference between the temperature
T.sub.cap_sense and the target temperature T.sub.cap_target is fed
back and electric power control is performed based on a result of
the feedback so that the temperature T.sub.cap_sense is to converge
to the target temperature T.sub.cap_target. According to the PID
control, the temperature T.sub.cap_sense can be converged to the
target temperature T.sub.cap_target with high accuracy. Note that,
the MCU 50 may also use P (Proportional) control or PI
(Proportional-Integral) control, instead of the PID control.
[0118] In the ON/OFF control, in a state where the temperature
T.sub.cap_sense is lower than the target temperature
T.sub.cap_target, electric power is supplied to the second load 31,
and in a state where the temperature T.sub.cap_sense is equal to or
higher than the target temperature T.sub.cap_target, the supply of
electric power to the second load 31 is stopped until the
temperature T.sub.cap_sense falls below the target temperature
T.sub.cap_target. According to the ON/OFF control, the temperature
of the flavor source 33 can be raised more rapidly than the PID
control. For this reason, it is possible to increase a possibility
that the temperature T.sub.cap_sense will reach the target
temperature T.sub.cap_target, before the request for aerosol
generation is detected. Note that, the target temperature
T.sub.cap_target may have a hysteresis.
[0119] After step S9, the MCU 50 determines whether there is a
request for aerosol generation (step S10). When a request for
aerosol generation is not detected (step S10: NO), the MCU 50
determines a length of a time (hereinafter, referred to as the
non-operation time) during which the request for aerosol generation
is not performed, in step S11. When the non-operation time has
reached a predetermined time (step S11: YES), the MCU 50 ends the
discharge to the second load 31 (step S12), and shifts to a sleep
mode in which the power consumption is reduced (step S13). When the
non-operation time is less than the predetermined time (step S11:
NO), the MCU 50 shifts the processing to step S8.
[0120] When a request for aerosol generation is detected (step S10:
YES), the MCU 50 ends the discharge to the second load 31, and
acquires a temperature T.sub.cap_sense of the flavor source 33 at
that time, based on the output of the temperature detection device
T1 (or the temperature detection device T3) (step S14). Then, the
MCU 50 determines whether the temperature T.sub.cap_sense acquired
in step S14 is equal to or higher than the target temperature
T.sub.cap_target (step S15).
[0121] When the temperature T.sub.cap_sense is lower than the
target temperature T.sub.cap_target (step S15: NO), the MCU 50
increases the atomizing electric power P.sub.liquid determined in
step S5 so as to supplement a decrease in the amount of the flavor
component due to the insufficient temperature of the flavor source
33. Specifically, the MCU 50 first determines an amount of increase
.DELTA.P of the atomizing electric power, based on the remaining
amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir (step S19a), and supplies,
to the first load 21, atomizing electric power P.sub.liquid'
obtained by adding the amount of increase .DELTA.P to the atomizing
electric power P.sub.liquid determined in step S5, thereby starting
heating of the first load 21 (step S19).
[0122] The amount of increase .DELTA.P is a variable value
corresponding to the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the
reservoir but may also be a single fixed value. FIGS. 9 and 10 are
schematic views showing examples of a combination of the electric
power threshold value P.sub.max and the amount of increase
.DELTA.P.
[0123] In the example of FIG. 9, the amount of increase .DELTA.P is
a constant value P1, irrespective of the remaining amount
W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir. In addition, in the example of
FIG. 9, the electric power threshold value P.sub.max is a constant
value P2 when the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir
is equal to or greater than a threshold value TH1, and is a value
smaller than the value P2 when the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir
in the reservoir is equal to or greater than a threshold value TH2
and smaller than the threshold value TH1. Specifically, in a range
where the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir is
equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2 and smaller than
the threshold value TH1, the smaller the remaining amount
W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir is, the smaller the electric power
threshold value P.sub.max is. A sum of the electric power threshold
value P.sub.max and the amount of increase .DELTA.P corresponding
to each remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir is equal
to or smaller than the upper limit value P.sub.upper. In addition,
a summed value of the value P1 and the value P2 is the same as the
upper limit value P.sub.upper. Note that, when the remaining amount
W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir is equal to or greater than the
threshold value TH2 and smaller than the threshold value TH1, the
change in the electric power threshold value P.sub.max may be
curved other than linear. Note that, the summed value of the value
P1 and the value P2 may be smaller than the upper limit value
P.sub.upper.
[0124] In the example of FIG. 10, when the remaining amount
W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir is equal to or greater than the
threshold value TH1, the amount of increase .DELTA.P is a constant
value P1, and when the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the
reservoir is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2 and
smaller than the threshold value TH1, the amount of increase
.DELTA.P is a value smaller than the value P1. Specifically, in the
range where the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir
is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2 and smaller
than the threshold value TH1, the smaller the remaining amount
W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir is, the smaller the amount of
increase .DELTA.P is. In the example of FIG. 10, when the remaining
amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir is equal to or greater than
the threshold value TH1, the electric power threshold value
P.sub.max is a constant value P2, and when the remaining amount
W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir is equal to or greater than the
threshold value TH2 and smaller than the threshold value TH1, the
electric power threshold value P.sub.max is a value smaller than
the value P2. Specifically, in the range where the remaining amount
W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir is equal to or greater than the
threshold value TH2 and smaller than the threshold value TH1, the
smaller the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir is,
the smaller the electric power threshold value P.sub.max is. The
sum of the electric power threshold value P.sub.max and the amount
of increase .DELTA.P corresponding to each remaining amount
W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir is equal to or smaller than the
upper limit value P.sub.upper. In addition, the summed value of the
value P1 and the value P2 is the same as the upper limit value
P.sub.upper.
[0125] The threshold value TH2 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is a value
smaller than the threshold value TH1, and is used to perform a
determination to suppress the discharge for heating to the first
load 21. The description "suppress the discharge for heating to the
first load 21" means prohibiting the discharge to the first load 21
or setting electric power that can be electrically discharged to
the first load 21 to be lower than a minimum value of electric
power that is supplied to the first load 21 for heating of the
first load 21 according to a request for aerosol generation.
[0126] When the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir
acquired in step S6a is smaller than the threshold value TH2, for
example, the MCU 50 performs control of prohibiting the discharge
from the power supply 12 to the first load 21, in other words,
control of further suppressing the discharge from the power supply
12 to the first load 21 than when the remaining amount
W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir is equal to or greater than the
threshold value TH2, and further performs control of issuing a
replacement notification of the first cartridge 20.
[0127] Alternatively, when the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in
the reservoir updated in step S24a is smaller than the threshold
value TH2, for example, the MCU 50 may perform control of
prohibiting the discharge from the power supply 12 to the first
load 21, and further perform control of issuing a replacement
notification of the first cartridge 20. When a replacement
notification of the first cartridge 20 is issued, the MCU 50 resets
the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir stored in the
memory 50a to 100%.
[0128] In step S15, when the temperature T.sub.cap_sense is equal
to or higher than the target temperature T.sub.cap_target (step
S15: YES), the MCU 50 supplies the atomizing electric power
P.sub.liquid determined in step S5 to the first load 21 to start
heating of the first load 21, thereby generating aerosol (step
S17).
[0129] After starting heating of the first load 21 in step S19 or
step S17, when the request for aerosol generation is not over (step
S18: NO) and the duration of the request for aerosol generation is
less than the upper limit time t.sub.upper (step S18a: YES), the
MCU 50 continues to heat the first load 21. When the duration of
the request for aerosol generation reaches the upper limit time
t.sub.upper (step S18a: NO) or when the request for aerosol
generation is over (step S18: YES), the MCU 50 stops the supply of
electric power to the first load 21 (step S21).
[0130] The MCU 50 may control the heating of the first load 21 in
step S17 or step S19, based on the output of the temperature
detection device T2. For example, when the MCU 50 executes the PID
control or the ON/OFF control, in which the boiling point of the
aerosol source 22 is set as the target temperature, based on the
output of the temperature detection device T2, it is possible to
suppress overheating of the first load 21 and the aerosol source
22, and to accurately control the amount of the aerosol source 22
that is atomized by the first load 21.
[0131] FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing the atomizing electric
power that is supplied to the first load 21 in step S17 of FIG. 8.
FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing the atomizing electric power
that is supplied to the first load 21 in step S19 of FIG. 8. As
shown in FIG. 12, when the temperature T.sub.cap_sense does not
reach the target temperature T.sub.cap_target at the time of
detection of the request for aerosol generation, the atomizing
electric power P.sub.liquid is increased, which is then supplied to
the first load 21.
[0132] In this way, even though the temperature of the flavor
source 33 does not reach the target temperature at the time when
the request for aerosol generation is performed, the processing of
step S19 is performed, so that the amount of aerosol to be
generated can be increased. As a result, the decrease in the amount
of the flavor component to be added to aerosol, which is caused due
to the temperature of the flavor source 33 being lower than the
target temperature, can be supplemented by the increase in the
amount of aerosol. Therefore, the amount of the flavor component to
be added to aerosol can be converged to the target amount. In
addition, the amount of increase .DELTA.P of the atomizing electric
power to be increased in step S19 is a value based on the remaining
amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir. Even when the atomizing
electric power is increased in step S19, the smaller the remaining
amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir is, the amount of increase
.DELTA.P is set to be smaller, so that an appropriate amount of
aerosol corresponding to the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in
the reservoir can be generated. As a result, it is possible to
suppress aerosol having unintended flavor and taste from being
generated, which is caused when electric power more than necessity
is supplied to the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the
reservoir.
[0133] On the other hand, when the temperature of the flavor source
33 has reached the target temperature at the time when the request
for aerosol generation is made, a desired amount of aerosol
necessary to achieve the target amount of the flavor component is
generated by the atomizing electric power determined in step S5.
For this reason, the amount of the flavor component to be added to
aerosol can be converged to the target amount.
[0134] After step S21, the MCU 50 acquires a supply time
t.sub.sense of the atomizing electric power supplied to the first
load 21 in step S17 or step S19 to the first load 21 (step S22).
Note that, it should be noted that when the MCU 50 detects the
request for aerosol generation beyond the upper limit time
t.sub.upper, the supply time t.sub.sense is the same as the upper
limit time t.sub.upper. Further, the MCU 50 increases the
puff-number counter by "1" (step S23).
[0135] The MCU 50 updates the remaining amount
W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of the flavor component of the flavor
source 33, based on the supply time t.sub.sense acquired in step
S22, the atomizing electric power supplied to the first load 21
according to the received request for aerosol generation, and the
target temperature T.sub.cap_target at the time of detection of the
request for aerosol generation (step S24).
[0136] When the control shown in FIG. 11 is performed, the amount
W.sub.flavor of the flavor component that is added to aerosol
generated from start to end of the request for aerosol generation
can be obtained by a following equation (7).
(t.sub.end-t.sub.start) in the equation (7) indicates the supply
time t.sub.sense. The remaining amount W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of
the flavor component in the equation (7) is a value at a point of
time immediately before the request for aerosol generation is
performed.
[formula 7]
W.sub.flavor=.beta..times.{W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff).times.T.sub.cap_tar-
get}.times..gamma..times..alpha..times.P.sub.liquid.times.(t.sub.end-t.sub-
.start) (7)
[0137] When the control shown in FIG. 12 is performed, the amount
W.sub.flavor of the flavor component that is added to aerosol
generated from start to end of the request for aerosol generation
can be obtained by a following equation (7A).
(t.sub.end-t.sub.start) in the equation (7A) indicates the supply
time t.sub.sense. The remaining amount W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of
the flavor component in the equation (7A) is a value at a point of
time immediately before the request for aerosol generation is
performed.
[formula 8]
W.sub.flavor=.beta..times.{W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff).times.T.sub.cap_tar-
get}.times..gamma..times..alpha..times.P.sub.liquid'.times.(t.sub.end-t.su-
b.start) (7A)
[0138] W.sub.flavor for each request for aerosol generation
obtained in this way is stored in the memory 50a, and values of the
past amounts W.sub.flavor of the flavor component including the
amount W.sub.flavor of the flavor component at the time of current
aerosol generation and the amount W.sub.flavor of the flavor
component at the time of aerosol generation before the previous
time are substituted into the equation (3) (specifically, a value
obtained by multiplying the coefficient .delta. by an integral
value of the values of the past amounts W.sub.flavor of the flavor
component is subtracted from W.sub.initial), so that the remaining
amount W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of the flavor component after
generation of aerosol can be derived with high accuracy and
updated.
[0139] After step S24, the MCU 50 updates the remaining amount
W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir stored in the memory 50a (step
S24a). The remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir can be
derived based on a cumulative value of the supply time t.sub.sense
of the atomizing electric power to the first load 21 after the
first cartridge 20 is replaced with a brand-new cartridge. A
relationship between the cumulative value and the remaining amount
W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir may be experimentally obtained.
Alternatively, the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the
reservoir may be derived based on a cumulative value of products of
the supply time t.sub.sense of the atomizing electric power to the
first load 21 after the first cartridge 20 is replaced with a
brand-new cartridge and the electric power (the atomizing electric
power P.sub.liquid, the atomizing electric power P.sub.liquid')
electrically discharged to the first load 21. A relationship
between the cumulative value and the remaining amount
W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir may also be experimentally
obtained.
[0140] Further, in step S24a, the MCU 50 may derive the remaining
amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir, based on the remaining
amount W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of the flavor component of the
second cartridge 30 updated in step S24. In the present embodiment,
the five second cartridges 30 can be used for one first cartridge
20. For example, data indicating a relationship between the change
in the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir at the
time when one second cartridge 30 is used and the change in the
remaining amount W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of the flavor component
of the second cartridge 30 is experimentally obtained. In addition,
the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir of the
brand-new first cartridge 20 is equally divided for the five second
cartridges 30, and a table shown in FIG. 13 in which the data is
associated with each of the equally divided remaining amounts is
prepared and stored in the memory 50a. In step S24a, the MCU 50
reads out, from the table, the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in
the reservoir corresponding to the current number of the used
second cartridges 30 and remaining amount W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff)
of the flavor component, based on the cumulative number of the used
second cartridges 30 after the first cartridge 20 is replaced with
a brand-new cartridge, the remaining amount
W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of the flavor component acquired in step
S24, and the table shown in FIG. 13, and stores the read remaining
amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir in the memory 50a, as the
latest information.
[0141] Subsequently, the MCU 50 determines whether the updated
remaining amount W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of the flavor component
is smaller than the threshold value of the remaining amount (step
S25). When the updated remaining amount W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff)
of the flavor component is equal to or greater than the threshold
value of the remaining amount (step S25: NO), the MCU 50 shifts the
processing to step S28. When the updated remaining amount
W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of the flavor component is smaller than
the threshold value of the remaining amount (step S25: YES), the
MCU 50 causes at least one of the first notification unit 45 and
the second notification unit 46 to issue a notification for urging
replacement of the second cartridge 30 (step S26). Then, the MCU 50
resets the puff-number counter to an initial value (=0), deletes
the value of the past W.sub.flavor, and further initializes the
target temperature T.sub.cap_target (step S27).
[0142] The initialization of the target temperature
T.sub.cap_target means excluding, from the setting values, the
target temperature T.sub.cap_target at that time stored in the
memory 50a. Note that, as another example, when step S3 is always
executed with step S1 and step S2 being omitted, the initialization
of the target temperature T.sub.cap_target means setting the target
temperature T.sub.cap_target at that time stored in the memory 50a
to a room temperature.
[0143] After step S27, when the power supply is not turned off
(step S28: NO), the MCU 50 returns the processing to step S1, and
when the power supply is turned off (step S28: YES), the MCU 50
ends the processing.
Effects of Embodiment
[0144] As described above, according to the aerosol generation
device 1, the discharge from the power supply 12 to the first load
21 and the second load 31 is controlled so that the amount of the
flavor component included in aerosol each time the user inhales the
aerosol is to converge to the target amount. For this reason, the
amount of the flavor component that is provided for the user can be
stabilized every inhalation, so that the commercial value of the
aerosol generation device 1 can be increased. In addition, as
compared to a configuration where the discharge is performed only
for the first load 21, the amount of the flavor component that is
provided for the user can be stabilized every inhalation, so that
the commercial value of the aerosol generation device 1 can be
further increased.
[0145] Further, according to the aerosol generation device 1, when
the atomizing electric power determined in step S5 exceeds the
electric power threshold value P.sub.max, and hence, generation of
aerosol necessary to achieve the target amount of the flavor
component cannot be performed, the control of electric discharging
from the power supply 12 to the second load 31 is performed. In
this way, since the discharge to the second load 31 is performed as
necessary, the amount of the flavor component that is provided for
the user can be stabilized every inhalation, and the amount of
electric power for achieving the same can be reduced.
[0146] Further, according to the aerosol generation device 1, the
remaining amount of the flavor component is updated in step S24,
based on the discharge time (t.sub.sense) to the first load 21
corresponding to the request for aerosol generation,
T.sub.cap_target at the time of receiving the request for aerosol
generation, and the electric power (the atomizing electric power
P.sub.liquid, the atomizing electric power P.sub.liquid')
electrically discharged to the first load according to the request
for aerosol generation or an amount of the electric power (electric
power.times.t.sub.sense), and the electric power that is
electrically discharged to the first load 21 is determined based on
the remaining amount of the flavor component, in step S4 and step
S5. For this reason, after appropriately considering the electric
power or amount of electric power electrically discharged to the
first load 21 that highly influences the amount of the flavor
component that can be added to aerosol and also appropriately
considering the temperature of the flavor source 33 at the time of
the discharge to the first load 21 that highly influences the
amount of the flavor component that can be added to aerosol, the
discharge to the first load 21 can be controlled. In this way, the
discharge to the first load 21 is controlled after appropriately
considering the state of the aerosol generation device 1, so that
the amount of the flavor component can be stabilized with high
accuracy every inhalation and the commercial value of the aerosol
generation device 1 can be thus increased.
[0147] Further, according to the aerosol generation device 1, the
flavor source 33 is heated before the request for aerosol
generation is detected. For this reason, the flavor source 33 can
be warmed before the generation of aerosol, so that it is possible
to shorten a necessary time after the request for aerosol
generation is received until aerosol to which a desired amount of
the flavor component is added are generated.
[0148] Further, according to the aerosol generation device 1, after
the request for aerosol generation is received, the discharge to
the second load 31 is stopped. For this reason, it is not necessary
to perform the discharge to the first load 21 and the second load
31 at the same time, so that it is possible to suppress deficiency
in electric power that is electrically discharged to the second
load 31. In addition to this, the large current is suppressed from
being electrically discharged from the power supply 12. Therefore,
the deterioration in the power supply 12 can be suppressed.
[0149] Further, according to the aerosol generation device 1, after
aerosol is generated, the discharge to the second load 31 is
resumed, so that even when aerosol is continuously generated, the
flavor source 33 can be kept warmed. For this reason, it is
possible to provide the user with the stable amount of the flavor
component over a plurality of continuous inhalations.
[0150] Further, according to the aerosol generation device 1, since
the electric power threshold value P.sub.max is changed based on
the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir, the
atomizing electric power is controlled based on the remaining
amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir.
[0151] For this reason, it is possible to supply the appropriate
electric power based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source
22 to the first load 21. Therefore, it is possible to provide the
user with aerosol having appropriate flavor and taste, which can
improve the commercial value.
[0152] Further, according to the aerosol generation device 1, when
the temperature of the flavor source 33 is lower than the target
temperature, the electric power that is supplied to the first load
21 is controlled according to the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir
in the reservoir. For this reason, it is possible to provide the
user with aerosol having appropriate flavor and taste, which can
improve the commercial value.
[0153] Further, according to the aerosol generation device 1, since
the electric power threshold value P.sub.max is determined based on
the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir, the electric
power that is electrically discharged from the power supply 12 to
the second load 31 is controlled based on the remaining amount
W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir. For this reason, it is possible
to supply the appropriate electric power based on the remaining
amount of the aerosol source 22 to the second load 31. Therefore,
it is possible to provide the user with aerosol having appropriate
flavor and taste, which can improve the commercial value.
[0154] Further, according to the aerosol generation device 1, in
step S24, the remaining amount of the flavor component is updated
based on the discharge time (t.sub.sense) to the first load 21
according to the request for aerosol generation, and the remaining
amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir can be derived based on the
remaining amount of the flavor component. As a result, it is not
necessary to provide a dedicated sensor so as to measure the
remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir. For this reason,
it is possible to suppress the increase in cost of the aerosol
generation device 1.
First Modified Embodiment of Aerosol Generation Device
[0155] The MCU 50 may set the electric power threshold value
P.sub.max, which is used for determination in step S6a, to a single
fixed value, and set the amount of increase .DELTA.P, which is used
in step S19a, to a variable value based on the remaining amount
W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir. FIG. 14 is a schematic view
showing another example of the electric power threshold value
P.sub.max and the amount of increase .DELTA.P.
[0156] In the example of FIG. 14, when the remaining amount
W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir is equal to or greater than the
threshold value TH1 the amount of increase .DELTA.P is a constant
value P1, and when the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the
reservoir is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2 and
smaller than the threshold value TH1, the amount of increase
.DELTA.P is a value smaller than the value P1. Specifically, in a
range where the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir
is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2 and smaller
than the threshold value TH1, the smaller the remaining amount
W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir is, the smaller the amount of
increase .DELTA.P is. In the example of FIG. 14, the electric power
threshold value P.sub.max is a constant value P2. The sum of the
electric power threshold value P.sub.max and the amount of increase
.DELTA.P corresponding to each remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in
the reservoir is equal to or smaller than the upper limit value
P.sub.upper. In addition, the summed value of the value P1 and the
value P2 is the same as the upper limit value P.sub.upper. Note
that, the summed value of the value P1 and the value P2 may be
smaller than the upper limit value P.sub.upper.
[0157] According to the first modified embodiment, when the
temperature of the flavor source 33 is lower than the target
temperature, the electric power that is supplied to the first load
21 is controlled according to the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir
in the reservoir. For this reason, it is possible to provide the
user with aerosol having appropriate flavor and taste, which can
improve the commercial value.
Second Modified Embodiment of Aerosol Generation Device
[0158] In the above, the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the
reservoir is used as the parameter that is used to determine each
of the electric power threshold value P.sub.max and the amount of
increase .DELTA.P. In a modified embodiment, as the parameter, a
remaining amount W.sub.wick in the wick, which is an amount of the
aerosol source retained in the wick 24, may be used. Aerosol that
are generated by the aerosol generation device 1 are generated as
the aerosol source 22 retained in the wick 24 is atomized. For this
reason, it is possible to control the electric power that is
supplied to the first load 21 with higher accuracy when the
remaining amount W.sub.wick in the wick is used than when the
remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir is used, as the
parameter.
[0159] The remaining amount W.sub.wick in the wick can be derived
based on the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir.
Specifically, the remaining amount W.sub.wick in the wick can be
expressed by a function whose variables are the remaining amount
W.sub.wick in the wick at the end of aerosol inhalation performed
immediately before deriving the remaining amount W.sub.wick in the
wick, elapsed time from the end to the derivation, and the
remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir at the end of
aerosol inhalation.
[0160] The remaining amount W.sub.wick in the wick before i.sup.th
inhalation is performed is described as the remaining amount
W.sub.wick(i) in the wick. The time at which the supply of electric
power to the first load 21 at the time of i.sup.th inhalation is
stopped is described as t.sub.end(i). The time at which the supply
of electric power to the first load 21 at the time of i.sup.th
inhalation is started is described as t.sub.start(i). The time at
which the remaining amount W.sub.wick(i) in the wick is derived is
described as t. The electric power supplied to the first load 21 at
the time of i.sup.th inhalation is described as P(i).
[0161] According to the above definitions, the remaining amount
W.sub.wick(n.sub.puff) in the wick at time t before
n.sub.puff.sup.th inhalation is performed can be expressed by a
function f.sub.2 expressed by a following equation (10). The
function f.sub.2 is a function whose variables are a function
f.sub.1 indicating a remaining amount in the wick at the end
of(n.sub.puff-1).sup.th inhalation, elapsed time
(t-t.sub.end(n.sub.puff-1)) from the end of(n.sub.puff-1).sup.th
inhalation to time t, and a remaining amount
W.sub.reservoir(n.sub.puff) in the reservoir at time
t.sub.end(n.sub.puff-1). The function f.sub.1 is a function whose
variables are w.sub.wick(n.sub.puff-1), time from
t.sub.start(n.sub.puff-1) to t.sub.end(n.sub.puff-1), and
P(n.sub.puff-1). The function f.sub.1 and the function f.sub.2 can
be obtained by multiple tests, deep learning, or the like.
.times. [ formula .times. .times. 9 ] W w .times. i .times. c
.times. k .function. ( n puff ) = f 2 ( .times. f 1 .times. ( W
wick .function. ( n puff - 1 ) t e .times. n .times. d .function. (
n puff - 1 ) - ( n puff - 1 ) P .function. ( n puff - 1 ) ) .times.
t - t e .times. n .times. d .function. ( n puff - 1 ) .times.
.times. W reservoir .function. ( n puff ) ) ( 10 ) ##EQU00004##
[0162] FIGS. 15 and 16 are flowcharts for describing operations of
the aerosol generation device 1 according to a second modified
embodiment. The flowcharts shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 are the same as
the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, except that step S6a is
changed to step S6b and step S6c and step 519a is changed to step
S19b and step 19c.
[0163] After step S5 of FIG. 15, the MCU 50 acquires the remaining
amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir, and derives the remaining
amount W.sub.wick in the wick based on the remaining amount
W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir (step S6b). Then, the MCU 50 sets
the electric power threshold value P.sub.max, based on the derived
the remaining amount W.sub.wick in the wick (step S6c). As the
electric power threshold value P.sub.max, for example, one in a
graph where the remaining amount in the reservoir in the graph
shown in FIG. 9 or 10 is replaced with the remaining amount in the
wick can be used. After step S6c, processing of step S6 is
performed.
[0164] When a determination of step S15 in FIG. 15 is NO, the MCU
50 again acquires the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the
reservoir, and again derives the remaining amount W.sub.wick in the
wick based on the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir
(step S19b). Then, the MCU 50 sets the amount of increase .DELTA.P,
based on the derived the remaining amount W.sub.wick in the wick
(step S19c). As the amount of increase .DELTA.P, one in a graph
where the remaining amount in the reservoir in the graph shown in
FIG. 10 or 14 is replaced with the remaining amount in the wick can
be used. After step S19b, processing of step S19 is performed.
[0165] In this way, the electric power that is supplied to the
first load 21 is controlled based on the remaining amount
W.sub.wick in the wick, so that it is possible to supply the more
appropriate electric power to the first load 21, as compared to the
configuration where the electric power that is supplied to the
first load 21 is controlled based on the remaining amount
W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir.
[0166] As shown by the equation (10), the remaining amount
W.sub.wick in the wick can change by the deriving timing (time t).
For example, the remaining amount W.sub.wick in the wick derived in
step S6b may be increased over time by the aerosol source 22
supplied from the reservoir 23. Therefore, when the request for
aerosol generation is performed, it is effective to again derive
the remaining amount W.sub.wick in the wick in step S19b
immediately before performing the discharge from the power supply
12 to the first load 21. Thereby, it is possible to supply the more
appropriate electric power to the first load 21.
Third Modified Embodiment of Aerosol Generation Device
[0167] In the above, the remaining amount of the flavor component
is derived, and the atomizing electric power P.sub.liquid and the
target temperature T.sub.cap_target necessary to achieve the target
amount W.sub.flavor of the flavor component are determined based on
the remaining amount of the flavor component before the request for
aerosol generation is performed. In this modified embodiment, the
atomizing electric power P.sub.liquid that is determined before the
request for aerosol generation is performed is set to a constant
value, and the target temperature T.sub.cap_target is variably
controlled based on the remaining amount of the flavor source 33
(specifically, the smaller the remaining amount is, the target
temperature is raised), thereby achieving the target amount
W.sub.flavor of the flavor component.
[0168] Also in the aerosol generation device 1 of the third
modified embodiment, when the temperature of the flavor source 33
is lower than the target temperature at the time of detection of
the request for aerosol generation, the deficiency in the amount
W.sub.flavor of the flavor component is supplemented by the
increase in the aerosol weight W.sub.aerosol (increase in the
atomizing electric power). In order to secure the amount of
increase in the atomizing electric power, the atomizing electric
power P.sub.liquid that is determined before detecting the request
for aerosol generation is set lower than the upper limit value
P.sub.upper.
[0169] In the third modified embodiment, the MCU 50 does not derive
the remaining amount of the flavor component, and variably controls
the target temperature T.sub.cap_target by using another parameter
equivalent to the remaining amount of the flavor component.
[0170] The remaining amount of the flavor component is reduced each
time inhalation is performed. For this reason, the remaining amount
of the flavor component is inversely proportional to the number of
inhalation times, which is the number of times that inhalation is
performed (in other words, the number of cumulative times of the
discharge operation to the first load 21 for aerosol generation
according to the request for aerosol generation). Further, the
remaining amount of the flavor component is more reduced as the
time during which the discharge to the first load 21 for aerosol
generation is performed according to inhalation is longer. For this
reason, the remaining amount of the flavor component is also
inversely proportional to a cumulative value of time (hereinbelow,
referred to as the cumulative discharge time) during which the
discharge to the first load 21 for aerosol generation is performed
according to inhalation. Therefore, the remaining amount of the
flavor component of the second cartridge 30 can be calculated based
on the number of inhalation times or the cumulative discharge time
while one second cartridge 30 is used, without deriving the
remaining amount of the flavor component by the complex calculation
as described above.
[0171] As can be seen from the model of the equation (2), assuming
that the aerosol weight W.sub.aerosol every inhalation is
controlled to be substantially constant (the atomizing electric
power P.sub.liquid is controlled to be constant), in order to
stabilize the amount of the flavor W.sub.flavor component, it is
necessary to raise the temperature of the flavor source 33
according to the decrease in the remaining amount of the flavor
component (specifically, the increase in the number of inhalation
times or the cumulative discharge time). In the first modified
embodiment, the electric power control unit of the MCU 50 manages
the target temperature according to a table stored in advance in
the memory 50a, in which the number of inhalation times or the
cumulative discharge time (or the remaining amount of the flavor
source 33 calculated based on the same) and the target temperature
of the flavor source 33 are stored in association with each
other.
[0172] FIGS. 17 and 18 are flowcharts for describing operations of
the aerosol generation device 1 according to the third modified
embodiment. When the power supply of the aerosol generation device
1 is turned on as a result of the operation on the operation unit
14, or the like (step S30: YES), the MCU 50 determines (sets) the
target temperature T.sub.cap_target of the flavor source 33, based
on the number of inhalation times or the cumulative discharge time
(or the remaining amount of the flavor source 33) stored in the
memory 50a (step S31).
[0173] Subsequently, the MCU 50 acquires the temperature of the
flavor source 33T.sub.cap_sense at the present moment, based on the
output of the temperature detection device T1 (or the temperature
detection device T3) (step S32).
[0174] Then, the MCU 50 controls the discharge for heating of the
flavor source 33 to the second load 31, based on the temperature
T.sub.cap_sense and the target temperature T.sub.cap_target (step
S33). Specifically, the MCU 50 supplies the electric power to the
second load 31 by the PID control or the ON/OFF control so that the
temperature T.sub.cap_sense is to converge to the target
temperature T.sub.cap_target.
[0175] After step S33, the MCU 50 determines whether there is a
request for aerosol generation (step S34). When a request for
aerosol generation is not detected (step S34: NO), the MCU 50
determines a length of the non-operation time during which the
request for aerosol generation is not performed, in step S35. When
the non-operation time has reached a predetermined time (step S35:
YES), the MCU 50 ends the discharge to the second load 31 (step
S36), and shifts to the sleep mode in which the power consumption
is reduced (step S37). When the non-operation time has not reached
the predetermined time (step S35: NO), the MCU 50 shifts the
processing to step S32.
[0176] When a request for aerosol generation is detected (step S34:
YES), the MCU 50 ends the discharge for heating of the flavor
source 33 to the second load 31, and acquires the temperature
T.sub.cap_sense of the flavor source 33 at that time, based on the
output of the temperature detection device T1 (or the temperature
detection device T3) (step S41). Then, the MCU 50 determines
whether the temperature T.sub.cap_sense acquired in step S41 is
equal to or higher than the target temperature T.sub.cap_target
(step S42).
[0177] When the temperature T.sub.cap_sense is equal to or higher
than the target temperature T.sub.cap_target (step S42: YES), the
MCU 50 supplies the predetermined atomizing electric power
P.sub.liquid to the first load 21, thereby starting heating of the
first load 21 (heating for atomizing the aerosol source 22) (step
S43).
[0178] When the temperature T.sub.cap_sense is lower than the
target temperature T.sub.cap_target (step S42: NO), the MCU 50
increases the predetermined atomizing electric power P.sub.liquid
so as to supplement the decrease in the amount of the flavor
component due to the insufficient temperature of the flavor source
33. Specifically, the MCU 50 first acquires the remaining amount
W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir (or the remaining amount
W.sub.wick in the wick), and determines an amount of increase
.DELTA.Pa of the atomizing electric power P.sub.liquid, based on
the acquired remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir (or
the remaining amount W.sub.wick in the wick) (step S45). Then, the
MCU 50 supplies, to the first load 21, the atomizing electric power
P.sub.liquid' obtained by adding the amount of increase .DELTA.Pa
to the atomizing electric power P.sub.liquid, thereby starting
heating of the first load 21 (step S46). As the amount of increase
.DELTA.Pa, for example, a variable value that is the same as the
amount of increase .DELTA.P shown in FIG. 10 is used.
[0179] The remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir can be
derived based on a cumulative value of the supply time t.sub.sense
of the atomizing electric power to the first load 21 after the
first cartridge 20 is replaced with a brand-new cartridge. The
remaining amount W.sub.wick in the wick can be derived based on the
remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir derived in this
way.
[0180] After starting the heating of the first load 21 in step S43
or step S46, when the request for aerosol generation is not over
yet (step S44: NO) and the duration of the request for aerosol
generation is shorter than the upper limit time topper (step S44a:
YES), the MCU 50 continues to heat the first load 21. When the
duration of the request for aerosol generation reaches the upper
limit time t.sub.upper (step S44a: NO) or when the request for
aerosol generation is over (step S44: YES), the MCU 50 stops the
supply of electric power to the first load 21 (step S48).
[0181] In this way, even when the atomizing electric power is
increased in step S46, the smaller the remaining amount
W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir is, the amount of increase
.DELTA.Pa is set to be smaller, so that the appropriate electric
power corresponding to the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the
reservoir can be supplied to the first load 21. As a result, it is
possible to suppress aerosol having unintended flavor and taste
from being generated, which is caused when electric power more than
necessity is supplied to the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in
the reservoir.
[0182] After step S48, the MCU 50 acquires the supply time
t.sub.sense to the first load 21 of the atomizing electric power
supplied to the first load 21 in step S43 or step S46 (step S49).
Then, the MCU 50 updates the cumulative discharge time stored in
the memory 50a, based on the supply time t.sub.sense (step S50). If
the number of inhalation times is used when determining the target
temperature in step S31, the MCU 50 updates the number of
inhalation times stored in the memory 50a in step S50. In addition,
the MCU 50 updates the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the
reservoir (step S51). The cumulative discharge time or the number
of inhalation times is a parameter indicating a consumed amount of
the flavor source 33 after the second cartridge 30 is replaced with
a brand-new cartridge. Therefore, it is possible to acquire the
remaining amount of the flavor source 33 by comparing the
cumulative discharge time or the number of inhalation times and the
upper limit value of the cumulative discharge time or the number of
inhalation times per one second cartridge 30. For example, the
remaining amount[%] of the flavor source 33 can be acquired by
dividing a value, which is obtained by subtracting the cumulative
discharge time or the number of inhalation times from the upper
limit value, by the upper limit value and multiplying 100.
[0183] Then, the MCU 50 determines whether the number of inhalation
times or the cumulative discharge time after the update in step S50
exceeds a threshold value (step S52). When the number of inhalation
times or the cumulative discharge time after the update is equal to
or smaller than the threshold value (step S52: NO), the MCU 50
shifts the processing to step S55. When the number of inhalation
times or cumulative discharge time after the update exceeds the
threshold value (step S52: YES), the MCU 50 causes at least one of
the first notification unit 45 and the second notification unit 46
to issue a notification for urging replacement of the second
cartridge 30 (step S53). Then, the MCU 50 resets the number of
inhalation times or the cumulative discharge time to the initial
value (=0), and initializes the target temperature T.sub.cap_target
(step S54). The initialization of the target temperature
T.sub.cap_target means excluding, from the setting values, the
target temperature T.sub.cap_target at that time stored in the
memory 50a.
[0184] After step S54, when the power supply is not turned off
(step S55: NO), the MCU 50 returns the processing to step S31, and
when the power supply is turned off (step S55: YES), the MCU 50
ends the processing. In this way, according to the third modified
embodiment, it is possible to stabilize flavor and taste every
inhalation while simplifying the operations.
[0185] The aerosol generation device 1 described above is
configured to be able to heat the flavor source 33. However, this
configuration is not necessarily required. Even when the heating of
the flavor source 33 is not performed, the MCU 50 controls the
electric power that is supplied to the first load 21 for generation
of aerosol, based on the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the
reservoir (or the remaining amount W.sub.wick in the wick), thereby
making amounts of generated aerosol to be different according to
the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir (or the
remaining amount W.sub.wick in the wick). By such control, it is
possible to generate an appropriate amount of aerosol corresponding
to the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir (or the
remaining amount W.sub.wick in the wick), so that it is possible to
provide the user with aerosol having appropriate flavor and
taste.
[0186] In the aerosol generation device 1 described above, the
first cartridge 20 is detachably mounted to the power supply unit
10. However, the first cartridge 20 may also be integrated with the
power supply unit 10.
[0187] In the aerosol generation device 1 described above, the
first load 21 and the second load 31 are each configured as a
heater that generates heat by electric power electrically
discharged from the power supply 12. However, the first load 21 and
the second load 31 may also be each configured as a Peltier device
that can generate heat and cool by electric power electrically
discharged from the power supply 12. When the first load 21 and the
second load 31 are each configured in this way, the degrees of
control freedom on the temperature of the aerosol source 22 and the
temperature of the flavor source 33 are increased, so that it is
possible to control the unit amount of flavor more highly.
[0188] In addition, the first load 21 may also be configured by a
device that can atomize the aerosol source 22 without heating the
aerosol source 22 by ultrasonic waves or the like. Further, the
second load 31 may also be configured by a device that can change
the amount of the flavor component to be added to aerosol by the
flavor source 33 without heating the flavor source 33 by ultrasonic
waves or the like.
[0189] In a case where an ultrasonic device is used for the second
load 31, for example, the MCU 50 may control the discharge to the
first load 21 and the second load 31, based on a wavelength of
ultrasonic waves applied to the flavor source 33, for example, not
the temperature of the flavor source 33, as the parameter that
influences the amount of the flavor component to be added to
aerosol passing through the flavor source 33.
[0190] The device that can be used for the first load 21 is not
limited to a heater, a Peltier device and an ultrasonic device
described above, and a variety of devices or a combination thereof
can be used as long as it can atomize the aerosol source 22 by
consuming the electric power supplied from the power supply 12.
Likewise, the device that can be used for the second load 31 is not
limited to a heater, a Peltier device and an ultrasonic device as
described above, and a variety of devices or a combination thereof
can be used as long as it can change the amount of the flavor
component to be added to aerosol by consuming the electric power
supplied from the power supply 12.
[0191] The present specification discloses at least following
matters. Note that, the constitutional elements corresponding to
the embodiments are shown in parentheses. However, the present
invention is not limited thereto.
[0192] (1) A control unit (power supply unit 10) of an aerosol
generation device (aerosol generation device 1) including a
processing device (MCU 50) configured to acquire a remaining amount
(the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir or the
remaining amount W.sub.wick in the wick) of an aerosol source
(aerosol source 22),
[0193] wherein when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is
smaller than a threshold value (threshold value TH2), the
processing device suppresses discharge from a power supply (power
supply 12) to an atomizer (first load 21) configured to atomize the
aerosol source, and
[0194] wherein when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is
equal to or greater than the threshold value, the processing device
controls the discharge from the power supply to the atomizer so as
to make an amount of the aerosol source to be atomized different,
based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source.
[0195] According to the above (1), the electric power that is
supplied to the atomizer is controlled based on the remaining
amount of the aerosol source. For this reason, it is possible to
supply the appropriate electric power based on the remaining amount
of the aerosol source to the atomizer. Therefore, it is possible to
provide the user with aerosol having appropriate flavor and taste,
which can improve the commercial value.
[0196] (2) The control unit of an aerosol generation device
according to the above (1), wherein when the remaining amount of
the aerosol source is equal to or greater than the threshold value,
the processing device controls the discharge from the power supply
to the atomizer so that the amount of the aerosol source to be
atomized increases as the remaining amount of the aerosol source
increases.
[0197] According to the above (2), when the remaining amount of the
aerosol source is equal to or greater than the threshold value and
the remaining amount is small, the electric power that is supplied
to the atomizer is reduced. For this reason, it is possible to
generate aerosol while suppressing aerosol having unintended flavor
and taste from being generated, which is caused when electric power
more than necessity is supplied to the remaining amount of the
aerosol source.
[0198] (3) A control unit (power supply unit 10) of an aerosol
generation device (aerosol generation device 1) including a
processing device (MCU 50) configured to acquire a remaining amount
(the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir or the
remaining amount W.sub.wick in the wick) of an aerosol source
(aerosol source 22),
[0199] wherein when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is a
first remaining amount, the processing device electrically
discharges first electric power from a power supply (power supply
12) to an atomizer (first load 21) configured to atomize the
aerosol source, and
[0200] wherein when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is a
second remaining amount different from the first remaining amount,
the processing device electrically discharges second electric power
different from the first electric power from the power supply to
the atomizer.
[0201] According to the above (3), the electric power that is
supplied to the atomizer is controlled based on the remaining
amount of the aerosol source. For this reason, it is possible to
supply the appropriate electric power based on the remaining amount
of the aerosol source to the atomizer. Therefore, it is possible to
provide the user with aerosol having appropriate flavor and taste,
which can improve the commercial value.
[0202] (4) The control unit of an aerosol generation device
according to the above (3), wherein the first remaining amount is
larger than the second remaining amount, and
[0203] wherein the first electric power is more than the second
electric power.
[0204] According to the above (4), when the remaining amount of the
aerosol source is small, the electric power that is supplied to the
atomizer is reduced. For this reason, it is possible to generate
aerosol while suppressing aerosol having unintended flavor and
taste from being generated, which is caused when electric power
more than necessity is supplied to the remaining amount of the
aerosol source.
[0205] (5) The control unit of an aerosol generation device
according to one of the above (1) to (4), further including a
storage part (reservoir 23) configured to store the aerosol
source,
[0206] wherein the processing device is configured to acquire the
remaining amount of the aerosol source (remaining amount
W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir) in the storage part, as the
remaining amount of the aerosol source.
[0207] According to the above (5), it is possible to acquire the
remaining amount of the aerosol source simply and accurately. For
this reason, it is possible to supply the appropriate electric
power to the atomizer while suppressing the increase in cost of the
aerosol generation device.
[0208] (6) The control unit of an aerosol generation device
according to the above (5), wherein the processing device is
configured to acquire the remaining amount of the aerosol source in
the storage part, based on a length of the discharge from the power
supply to the atomizer (the supply time t.sub.sense or the
cumulative discharge time).
[0209] According to the above (6), it is not necessary to provide a
dedicated sensor so as to acquire the remaining amount of the
aerosol source. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the
increase in cost of the aerosol generation device.
[0210] (7) The control unit of an aerosol generation device
according to one of the above (1) to (4), wherein the processing
device is configured to acquire the remaining amount of the aerosol
source (the remaining amount W.sub.wick in the wick) in a retaining
part (wick 24) configured to retain the aerosol source supplied
from a storage part (reservoir 23) configured to store the aerosol
source, in a position in which the atomizer can atomize the aerosol
source, as the remaining amount of the aerosol source.
[0211] According to the above (7), it is possible to acquire the
remaining amount of the aerosol source that is retained in the
retaining part located in the position in which the aerosol source
is atomized. For this reason, as compared to the configuration
where the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage
part is acquired, it is possible to supply the more appropriate
electric power to the atomizer.
[0212] (8) The control unit of an aerosol generation device
according to the above (7), wherein the processing device is
configured to acquire the remaining amount of the aerosol source in
the retaining part, based on the remaining amount of the aerosol
source in the storage part.
[0213] According to the above (8), it is possible to acquire the
remaining amount in the retaining part, based on the remaining
amount of the aerosol source in the storage part that highly
influences the aerosol source retained in the retaining part. For
this reason, it is possible to accurately acquire the remaining
amount of the aerosol source in the retaining part.
[0214] (9) The control unit of an aerosol generation device
according to the above (7) or (8), wherein the processing device is
configured to acquire the remaining amount of the aerosol source in
the retaining part immediately before (the timing at which the
determination in step S10 of FIG. 10 is YES) the discharge from the
power supply to the atomizer, as the remaining amount of the
aerosol source.
[0215] According to the above (9), as compared to the remaining
amount of the aerosol source in the storage part, which is
difficult to recover even after a while, the remaining amount of
the aerosol source in the retaining part, which is easy to recover
after a while, is acquired immediately before the discharge to the
atomizer. For this reason, it is possible to improve the accuracy
of the discharge control based on the remaining amount of the
aerosol source.
[0216] (10) The control unit of an aerosol generation device
according to the above (7) or (8), wherein the processing device is
configured to acquire an activation command of the aerosol
generation device and an atomization command of the aerosol source
by the atomizer, and wherein the processing device is configured to
acquire the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the retaining
part, as the remaining amount of the aerosol source, when the
atomization command is acquired (the timing at which the
determination in step S10 of FIG. 10 is YES).
[0217] According to the above (10), as compared to the remaining
amount of the aerosol source in the storage part, which is
difficult to recover even after a while, the remaining amount of
the aerosol source in the retaining part, which is easy to recover
after a while, is acquired immediately before the discharge to the
atomizer. For this reason, it is possible to improve the accuracy
of the discharge control based on the remaining amount of the
aerosol source.
[0218] (11) The control unit of an aerosol generation device
according to one of the above (1) to (10), wherein the processing
device is configured to control, based on the remaining amount of
the aerosol source, electric power that is electrically discharged
from the power supply to an adjustor (second load 31) capable of
adjusting an amount of flavor that is added from a flavor source
(flavor source 33) to aerosol generated from the aerosol
source.
[0219] According to the above (11), the electric power that is
supplied to the adjustor is controlled based on the remaining
amount of the aerosol source. For example, like the operations
shown in FIG. 7, the electric power to the second load 31 is
controlled according to the electric power threshold value
P.sub.max determined in step S6a based on the remaining amount in
the reservoir derived based on the remaining amount of the flavor
component. For this reason, an amount of the flavor that is added
to aerosol can be set as appropriate in consideration of the
remaining amount of the aerosol source.
[0220] (12) The control unit of an aerosol generation device
according to the above (11), wherein the processing device is
configured to acquire an atomization command of the aerosol source
by the atomizer, and
[0221] wherein the processing device is configured to control,
based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source, electric power
that is electrically discharged from the power supply to the
adjustor so that an amount of flavor added to aerosol generated in
response to the atomization command acquired at a first timing is
the same as an amount of flavor added to aerosol generated in
response to the atomization command acquired at a second timing
after the first timing.
[0222] According to the above (12), the amounts of flavors that are
added to aerosol generated by each atomization command can be made
to be the same. For this reason, flavor and taste upon inhalation
of aerosol are stabilized, so that the merchantability of the
aerosol generation device is improved.
[0223] (13) The control unit of an aerosol generation device
according to the above (12), wherein the processing device is
configured to control the discharge from the power supply to the
atomizer so that a length of discharge from the power supply to the
atomizer by each atomization command does not exceed an upper limit
time (upper limit time t.sub.upper), and
[0224] wherein the processing device is configured to determine
electric power that is electrically discharged from the power
supply to the atomizer according to the atomization command
acquired at the second timing, based on the upper limit time.
[0225] According to the above (13), since the electric power that
is electrically discharged from the power supply to the atomizer
according to the atomization command at the second timing is
determined based on the upper limit of the discharge time to the
atomizer performed in response to one atomization command, flavor
and taste can be further stabilized.
[0226] (14) The control unit of an aerosol generation device
according to one of the above (1) to (4), further including a
temperature detection device (temperature detection device T1 or
T3) capable of outputting a temperature of a heat generating
element (second load 31) that can heat a flavor source (flavor
source 33) configured to add flavor to aerosol generated from the
aerosol source,
[0227] wherein the processing device can acquire an atomization
command of the aerosol source by the atomizer,
[0228] wherein the processing device is configured to control
discharge from the power supply to the heat generating element so
that a temperature of the heat generating element is to converge to
a target temperature (target temperature T.sub.cap_target),
[0229] wherein when a temperature of the heat generating element
acquired in response to the atomization command is lower than the
target temperature (step S15: NO), the processing device
electrically discharges third electric power (atomizing electric
power P.sub.liquid') from the power supply to the atomizer,
[0230] wherein when a temperature of the heat generating element
acquired in response to the atomization command is equal to or
higher than the target temperature (step S15: YES), the processing
device electrically discharges fourth electric power (atomizing
electric power P.sub.liquid) from the power supply to the atomizer,
and
[0231] wherein the third electric power is set based on the
remaining amount of the aerosol source and is greater than the
fourth electric power.
[0232] According to the above (14), when the temperature of the
heat generating element configured to heat the flavor source is
lower than the target temperature, the electric power that is
supplied to the atomizer is controlled according to the remaining
amount of the aerosol source. For this reason, it is possible to
stabilize flavor and taste while considering the remaining amount
of the aerosol source.
[0233] (15) The control unit of an aerosol generation device
according to the above (14), wherein the processing device is
configured so that the more the remaining amount of the aerosol
source is, the greater the third electric power is.
[0234] According to the above (15), when the temperature of the
heat generating element configured to heat the flavor source is
lower than the target temperature, the electric power that is
supplied to the atomizer is controlled according to the remaining
amount of the aerosol source. For this reason, it is possible to
stabilize flavor and taste while considering the remaining amount
of the aerosol source.
[0235] (16) A control unit (power supply unit 10) of an aerosol
generation device (aerosol generation device 1) including a
processing device (MCU 50) configured to acquire a remaining amount
(remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir or the remaining
amount W.sub.wick in the wick) of an aerosol source (aerosol source
22),
[0236] wherein the processing device is configured to control,
based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source, electric power
that is electrically discharged from a power supply (power supply
12) to an adjustor (second load 31) capable of adjusting an amount
of flavor that is added from a flavor source (flavor source 33) to
aerosol generated from the aerosol source.
[0237] According to the above (16), since the electric power that
is supplied to the adjustor is controlled based on the remaining
amount of the aerosol source, an amount of the flavor that is added
to aerosol can be set as appropriate in consideration of the
remaining amount of the aerosol source.
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