U.S. patent application number 17/369962 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 | 20220007739 17/369962 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005755831 |
Filed Date | 2022-01-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220007739 |
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 at
least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source configured to
add flavor to aerosol generated from the aerosol source. When the
remaining amount is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the
processing device permits first discharge that is discharge from a
power supply to an atomizer configured to atomize the aerosol
source and second discharge that is discharge from the power supply
to an adjustor capable of adjusting an amount of flavor that is
added to the aerosol by the flavor source, and when the remaining
amount is smaller than the threshold value, the processing device
suppresses any one of the first discharge and the second
discharge.
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
|
Family ID: |
1000005755831 |
Appl. No.: |
17/369962 |
Filed: |
July 8, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 40/60 20200101;
A24F 40/53 20200101; A24F 40/30 20200101 |
International
Class: |
A24F 40/53 20060101
A24F040/53; A24F 40/30 20060101 A24F040/30; A24F 40/60 20060101
A24F040/60 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 8, 2020 |
JP |
2020-118103 |
Claims
1. A control unit of an aerosol generation device comprising: a
processing device configured to acquire a remaining amount of at
least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source configured to
add flavor to aerosol generated from the aerosol source, wherein
when the remaining amount is equal to or greater than a threshold
value, the processing device permits first discharge that is
discharge from a power supply to an atomizer configured to atomize
the aerosol source and second discharge that is discharge from the
power supply to an adjustor capable of adjusting an amount of
flavor that is added to the aerosol by the flavor source, and when
the remaining amount is smaller than the threshold value, the
processing device suppresses any one of the first discharge and the
second discharge.
2. 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 flavor source, and wherein when the
remaining amount of the flavor source is smaller than the threshold
value, the processing device suppresses the second discharge.
3. 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, and wherein when the
remaining amount of the aerosol source is smaller than the
threshold value, the processing device suppresses the first
discharge.
4. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to
claim 1, further comprising a notification unit, wherein the
threshold value includes a first threshold value and a second
threshold value, wherein the processing device is configured to
acquire the remaining amount of the flavor source and the remaining
amount of the aerosol source, and wherein when the remaining amount
of the flavor source is smaller than the first threshold value and
the remaining amount of the aerosol source is smaller than the
second threshold value, the processing device suppresses only the
first discharge of the first discharge and the second discharge and
controls the notification unit to notify deficiency in the flavor
source and the aerosol source to a user.
5. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to
claim 1, wherein when the remaining amount is smaller than the
threshold value, the processing device suppresses any one of the
first discharge and the second discharge, and then suppresses the
first discharge and the second discharge.
6. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to
claim 1, wherein the processing device is configured to acquire the
remaining amount of at least one of the flavor source and the
aerosol source while aerosol is generated, and wherein when the
remaining amount is smaller than the threshold value, the
processing device continues one of the first discharge and the
second discharge and suppresses the other of the first discharge
and the second discharge.
7. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to
claim 1, wherein the processing device is configured to acquire an
atomization command of the aerosol source by the atomizer, wherein
the processing device is configured to acquire the remaining amount
of at least one of the flavor source and the aerosol source after
generating aerosol according to the atomization command, and
wherein when the remaining amount is smaller than the threshold
value and a next atomization command is acquired, the processing
device executes one of the first discharge and the second
discharge, and suppresses the other of the first discharge and the
second discharge.
8. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to
claim 1, further comprising a first notification unit, wherein the
processing device is configured to cause the first notification
unit to function at a timing before any one of the first discharge
and the second discharge is suppressed.
9. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to
claim 8, wherein the processing device is configured to cause the
first notification unit to function at a timing before any one of
the first discharge and the second discharge is suppressed.
10. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to
claim 8, wherein the first notification unit is configured to issue
a notification that acts on a user's sense of touch.
11. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to
claim 1, further comprising a second notification unit, wherein
when the remaining amount is smaller than the threshold value, the
processing device suppresses one of the first discharge and the
second discharge, and then suppresses the first discharge and the
second discharge, and wherein the processing device is configured
to cause the second notification unit to function at a timing
before the first discharge and the second discharge are
suppressed.
12. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to
claim 11, wherein the processing device is configured to cause the
second notification unit to function at a timing before the first
discharge and the second discharge are suppressed.
13. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to
claim 11, wherein the second notification unit is configured to
issue a notification that acts on a user's sense of vision.
14. A control unit of an aerosol generation device comprising: a
notification unit; and a processing device configured to control
discharge from a power supply to a first heater configured to heat
one of an aerosol source and a flavor source configured to add
flavor to aerosol generated from the aerosol source and discharge
from the power supply to a second heater configured to heat the
other of the aerosol source and the flavor source and provided
separately from the first heater, wherein before causing the
notification unit to function, the processing device permits the
discharge from the power supply to the first heater and the
discharge from the power supply to the second heater, and when
causing the notification unit to function, the processing device
suppresses any one of the discharge from the power supply to the
first heater and the discharge from the power supply to the second
heater.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from prior Japanese patent application No. 2020-118103,
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, 3 and 4 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 Literature 2 discloses an inhalation device including
an element configured to contribute to generation of aerosol or
aerosol having flavor added thereto by consuming an accumulated
capacity, a sensor configured to detect a predetermined variable, a
notification unit configured to issue a notification to an inhaler
of the aerosol, and a control unit configured to cause the
notification unit to function in a first mode when the detected or
estimated capacity is smaller than a threshold value and the
variable satisfies a predetermined condition for requesting
generation of the aerosol.
[0005] [Patent Literature 1] WO2020/039589
[0006] [Patent Literature 2] Japanese Patent No. 6,462,965
[0007] [Patent Literature 3] JP-A-2017-511703
[0008] [Patent Literature 4] WO2019/017654
[0009] Patent Literatures 1 to 4 do not disclose a notification
method to a user when remaining amounts of an aerosol source and a
flavor source are small.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide an aerosol
generation device capable of informing a user that it is necessary
to replace at least one of the aerosol source and the flavor
source.
[0011] 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 at
least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source configured to
add flavor to aerosol generated from the aerosol source, wherein
when the remaining amount is equal to or greater than a threshold
value, the processing device permits first discharge that is
discharge from a power supply to an atomizer configured to atomize
the aerosol source and second discharge that is discharge from the
power supply to an adjustor capable of adjusting an amount of
flavor that is added to the aerosol by the flavor source, and when
the remaining amount is smaller than the threshold value, the
processing device suppresses any one of the first discharge and the
second discharge.
[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a control unit of an aerosol generation device
including a notification unit; and a processing device configured
to control discharge from a power supply to a first heater
configured to heat one of an aerosol source and a flavor source
configured to add flavor to aerosol generated from the aerosol
source and discharge from the power supply to a second heater
configured to heat the other of the aerosol source and the flavor
source and provided separately from the first heater, wherein
before causing the notification unit to function, the processing
device permits the discharge from the power supply to the first
heater and the discharge from the power supply to the second
heater, and when causing the notification unit to function, the
processing device suppresses any one of the discharge from the
power supply to the first heater and the discharge from the power
supply to the second heater.
[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to
provide the aerosol generation device capable of informing a user
that it is necessary to replace at least one of the aerosol source
and the flavor source.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a
configuration of an aerosol generation device.
[0015] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the aerosol generation
device shown in FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the aerosol generation device
shown in FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a power supply unit of the
aerosol generation device shown in FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a hardware configuration
of the aerosol generation device shown in FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a modified embodiment of
the hardware configuration of the aerosol generation device shown
in FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for showing operations of the aerosol
generation device shown in FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for showing operations of the aerosol
generation device shown in FIG. 1.
[0022] 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.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing atomizing electric power
that is supplied to a first load 21 in step S17 of FIG. 8.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing atomizing electric power
that is supplied to the first load 21 in step S19 of FIG. 8.
[0025] FIG. 12 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 in a reservoir.
[0026] FIG. 13 is a timing chart for illustrating operations of the
aerosol generation device shown in FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 14 is a flowchart for showing operations of the aerosol
generation device 1 of a first modified embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 15 is a flowchart for showing operations of the aerosol
generation device 1 of the first modified embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 16 is a flowchart for showing operations of the aerosol
generation device 1 of a second modified embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 17 is a flowchart for showing operations of the aerosol
generation device 1 of the second modified embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 18 is a timing chart for illustrating operations of the
aerosol generation device of the second modified embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 19 is a timing chart for illustrating another example
of operations of the aerosol generation device of the second
modified embodiment.
[0033] FIG. 20 is a timing chart for illustrating still another
example of operations of the aerosol generation device of the
second 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 T1 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.
[0067] 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.
[0068] 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.
[0069] 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.
[0070] 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.
[0071] 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.
[0072] 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.
[0073] (Details of Power Supply Unit)
[0074] 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.
[0075] 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.
[0076] 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.
[0077] 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.
[0078] 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.
[0079] 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.
[0080] 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.
[0081] 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.
[0082] 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.
[0083] (MCU)
[0084] 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.
[0085] 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.
[0086] 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. A replacement Flag
for determining whether it is necessary to replace the second
cartridge 30 (flavor source 33) is stored in the memory 50a of the
MCU 50. The replacement Flag takes either FALSE or TRUE. FALSE
means that replacement is not required. TRUE means that replacement
is required. The replacement Flag is set to FALSE when an amount of
a flavor component included in the flavor source 33 (a remaining
amount of the flavor component, which will be described later) is
equal to or greater than the threshold value TH1 and is set to TRUE
when the amount is smaller than the threshold value TH1.
[0087] 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.
[0088] 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.
[0089] 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.
[0090] 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.
[0091] (Diverse Parameters that are Used for Generation of
Aerosol)
[0092] 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.
[0093] 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.
[0094] [Formula 1]
W.sub.aerosol .ident. .alpha..times.P.sub.liquid.times.t.sub.sense
(1)
W.sub.aerosol .ident.
.alpha..times.P.sub.liquid.times.t.sub.sense-b (1A)
[0095] 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.
[0096] 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).
[0097] [Formula 2]
W.sub.flavor=.beta..times.{W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff).times.T.sub.capsule-
}.times..gamma..times.W.sub.aerosol (2)
[0098] 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).
[0099] [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)
[0100] 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.
[0101] (Operations of Aerosol Generation Device)
[0102] 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).
[0103] 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.
[0104] 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 (stepS1: 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).
[0105] 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.
[0106] 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.
[0107] 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.
[0108] 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.
[0109] 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 capsul
.times. e .function. ( n puff ) .times. T cap .times. .times. _
.times. .times. target .times. .gamma. ( 4 ) ##EQU00001##
[0110] Then, the MCU 50 determines the atomizing electric power
P.sub.liquid 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).
[0111] 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.
[0112] 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.
[0113] 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.
[0114] The electric power threshold value P.sub.max may be a single
fixed value, but is preferably a variable value. Specifically, any
one of multiple values is set for the electric power threshold
value P.sub.max. 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.
[0115] 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.
[0116] 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 u .times. p .times. p .times. e
.times. r = 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. .times.
upper ) - .DELTA. ( 5 ) ##EQU00002##
[0117] 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.
[0118] 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 upper = 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##
[0119] 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).
[0120] Subsequently, the MCU 50 refers to the replacement Flag in
the memory 50a. When the replacement Flag is FALSE (step S9a: YES),
the MCU 50 controls 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.
[0121] 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.
[0122] 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.
[0123] When the replacement Flag is TRUE (step S9a: NO), the MCU 50
shifts the processing to step S10, without executing the processing
of step S9. Specifically, when the replacement Flag is TRUE, the
MCU 50 further suppresses the discharge to the second load 31 for
heating of the second load 31, as compared to when the replacement
Flag is FALSE. Specifically, when the replacement Flag is FALSE,
the discharge to the second load 31 is permitted, and when the
replacement Flag is TRUE, the discharge to the second load 31 is
not permitted. Note that, since the remaining amount
W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of the flavor component is sufficiently
large at a timing immediately after replacement of the second
cartridge 30, for example, the processing of step S9 is basically
executed.
[0124] The description "suppress discharge to the second load 31
for heating of the second load 31" means that electric power equal
to or greater than the minimum value of electric power, which is
supplied to the second load 31 for generation of aerosol, is not
supplied to the second load 31, and ideally, means that no electric
power is supplied to the second load 31. The description "discharge
to the second load 31 for heating of the second load 31 is
permitted" means that the electric power equal to or greater than
the minimum value is supplied to the second load 31.
[0125] In step S10 after step S9, the MCU 50 determines whether
there is a request for aerosol generation. 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 shifts to
a sleep mode in which the power consumption is reduced (step S12).
Note that, in a case where discharge to the second load 31 has
started in step S9, the discharge is stopped in step S12. When the
non-operation time is less than the predetermined time (step S11:
NO), the MCU 50 shifts the processing to step S8.
[0126] When a request for aerosol generation is detected (step S10:
YES), the MCU 50 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).
[0127] 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 W.sub.flavor
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). 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. FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing an
example of a combination of the electric power threshold value
P.sub.max and the amount of increase .DELTA.P.
[0128] In the example of FIG. 9, the amount of increase .DELTA.P is
a constant value P1 when the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in
the reservoir is equal to or greater than a threshold value TH3,
and is a value smaller than the value P1 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 TH3.
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 TH3, 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. 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 the threshold value TH3, 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 the threshold value TH2 and
smaller than the threshold value TH3. 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 TH3, 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. The threshold value TH2 shown in
FIG. 9 is a value smaller than the threshold value TH3 and is used
to determine whether it is necessary to replace the first cartridge
20. Note that, the summed value of the value P1 and the value P2
may also be smaller than the upper limit value P.sub.upper. In
addition, the threshold value TH2 may be set so that it is
determined whether it is necessary to replace the first cartridge
20, before the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir
becomes zero.
[0129] 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 (step S17). Note that, in step S15,
the MCU 50 may determine whether the replacement Flag is FALSE,
before it is determined whether the temperature T.sub.cap_sense is
equal to or higher than the target temperature T.sub.cap_target.
When the replacement Flag is FALSE, the MCU 50 may determine
whether the temperature T.sub.cap_sense is equal to or higher than
the target temperature T.sub.cap_target, and may execute the
processing of step S17 or step S19a, depending on a result of the
determination. When the replacement Flag is TRUE, the MCU 50 may
execute the processing of step S19a, without determining whether
the temperature T.sub.cap_sense is equal to or higher than the
target temperature T.sub.cap_target. In a state where the remaining
amount W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of the flavor component is small,
even when the temperature of the flavor source 33 is close to the
target temperature, the amount W.sub.flavor of the flavor component
that is added to aerosol may be smaller than the target amount. For
this reason, it is possible to converge the amount W.sub.flavor of
the flavor component to the target amount by increasing the aerosol
weight by the processing of step S19.
[0130] 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 the heating of the first load 21, and the heating
of the second load 31 if the processing of step S9 is being
executed. 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 second load 31 (step
S21).
[0131] 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.
[0132] FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the atomizing electric
power that is supplied to the first load 21 in step S17 of FIG. 8.
FIG. 11 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. 11, 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.
[0133] 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.
[0134] 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.
[0135] After step 521, 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).
[0136] The MCU 50 calculates the remaining amount
W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of the flavor component of the flavor
source 33 at the end of current inhalation, 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, the target temperature T.sub.cap_target at the
time of detection of the request for aerosol generation, and the
remaining amount W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of the flavor component
immediately before this point of time (step S24).
[0137] When the control shown in FIG. 10 is performed, the amount
of the flavor W.sub.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.
[0138] [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)
[0139] 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 (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.
[0140] [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)
[0141] 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.
[0142] 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.
[0143] 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. 12 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. 12, and stores the read remaining
amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir in the memory 50a, as the
latest information.
[0144] 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 TH1 (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 TH1 (step
S25: NO), the MCU 50 shifts the processing to step S29. When the
updated remaining amount W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of the flavor
component is smaller than the threshold value TH1 (step S25: YES),
the MCU 50 refers to the replacement Flag (step S25a). When the
replacement Flag is FALSE (step S25a: NO), the MCU 50 sets the
replacement Flag to TRUE (step S25b), and shifts the processing to
step S29. Note that, in step S25, YES (affirmative) may not be
determined only when the remaining amount W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff)
of the flavor component is zero. In other words, the threshold
value TH1 may be set so that a result of the determination in step
S25 is YES (affirmative) before the remaining amount
W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of the flavor component becomes zero.
[0145] When the replacement Flag is TRUE (step S25a: 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 at least one of the first cartridge 20 and 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). Further, the MCU 50 sets
the replacement Flag to FALSE (step S28), and executes processing
of step S29.
[0146] 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.
[0147] In step S29, when the power supply is not turned off (step
S29: NO), the MCU 50 returns the processing to step S1, and when
the power supply is turned off (step S29: YES), the MCU 50 ends the
processing.
[0148] FIG. 13 is a timing chart for illustrating operations of the
aerosol generation device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 13 shows operations
that are performed in a case where the power supply of the aerosol
generation device 1 is turned on at time t1, first inhalation
starts at time t2 thereafter, the remaining amount
W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of the flavor component at time t4 after
the inhalation is over becomes smaller than the threshold value
TH1, and then second inhalation starts at time t5.
[0149] After the power supply is turned on at time t1, the
processing of step S1 to step S9a shown in FIG. 7 is executed. At a
point of time before the first inhalation is performed, the
remaining amount W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of the flavor component
is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH1. For this
reason, the result of the determination in step S9a is YES, so that
discharge to the second load 31 is started after time t1 at which
the power supply is turned on, as shown in FIG. 13.
[0150] Then, when the request for aerosol generation (atomization
command of the aerosol source by the first load 21) is acquired at
time t2 by the MCU 50, discharge to the first load 21 is started.
Thereafter, when the request for aerosol generation is over at time
t3, the discharge to each of the first load 21 and the second load
31 is stopped.
[0151] After time t3, the remaining amount
W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of the flavor component is calculated
based on the target temperature at time t2, the remaining amount of
the flavor component at that time, a time (supply time t.sub.sense)
between time t2 and time t3, and the atomizing electric power that
is started to be supplied to the first load 21 at time t2. At time
t4, when it is checked that the calculated remaining amount
W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of the flavor component becomes smaller
than the threshold value TH1, the replacement Flag is set to TRUE,
as shown in step S25b of FIG. 8. Thereafter, the processing of step
S1 to step S9a shown in FIG. 7 is again executed. At this time, a
result of the determination in step S9a is NO. For this reason, the
discharge to the second load 31 after time t4 is suppressed. Then,
when second inhalation is performed at time t5, the discharge to
the first load 21 is started.
[0152] When the second inhalation is over at time t6, the discharge
to the first load 21 is stopped. Thereafter, the determination in
step S25a of FIG. 8 becomes YES, so that the first notification
unit 45 is first activated to issue a notification for urging
replacement of the second cartridge 30, as shown in FIG. 13. Then,
the second notification unit 46 is activated to issue a
notification for urging replacement of the second cartridge 30. The
activation start timings of the first notification unit 45 and the
second notification unit 46 may be the same or may be reverse to
those shown in FIG. 13. The activation start timing of at least one
of the first notification unit 45 and the second notification unit
46 may be the same as the timing at which the request for aerosol
generation is over.
[0153] (Effects of Embodiment)
[0154] 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.
[0155] Further, according to the aerosol generation device 1, when
the atomizing electric power determined in step S5 of FIG. 7
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 on the discharge
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.
[0156] 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.
[0157] 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.
[0158] 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. 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.
[0159] 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.
[0160] 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.
[0161] 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.
[0162] Further, according to the aerosol generation device 1, when
the remaining amount of the flavor component is smaller than the
threshold value TH1, the discharge to the second load 31 is
suppressed, so that the flavor and taste of aerosol are changed, as
compared to a case where the remaining amount of the flavor
component is large. For this reason, it is possible to inform the
user by a sense of taste or a sense of smell that it is necessary
to replace at least one of the first cartridge 20 and the second
cartridge 30. As a result, as compared to a case where a
notification is performed by a sense of vision, a sense of touch or
a sense of hearing (as compared to a case where a notification is
informed through a user's eye, hand or ear), the user can
intuitively know the necessity for replacement. In addition, only
the discharge to the second load 31 is suppressed, so that it is
possible to inform the user that it is necessary to replace the
second cartridge 30 including the flavor source 33 closely relating
to flavor.
[0163] Further, according to the aerosol generation device 1, the
remaining amount of the flavor component is calculated after the
inhalation is over, and when the remaining amount of the flavor
component is smaller than the threshold value TH1, the discharge to
the second load 31 is suppressed (stopped) at the start of next
inhalation. For this reason, the decrease in flavor and taste of
aerosol at the time of current inhalation can be made remarkable,
as compared to the flavor and taste at the time of previous
inhalation. As a result, the user can easily notice that it is
necessary to replace at least one of the first cartridge 20 and the
second cartridge 30.
[0164] So far, the discharge control that is performed when the
remaining amount of the flavor component becomes small has been
described. However, a similar discharge can also be performed when
the remaining amount in the reservoir becomes small. For example,
it is assumed that the remaining amount of the flavor component is
equal to or greater than the threshold value TH1 and the remaining
amount in the reservoir is smaller than the threshold value TH2 at
time t4 of FIG. 13. In this case, the MCU 50 executes the discharge
to the second load 31 after time t4 (executes the processing of
step S9 in FIG. 7), and suppresses (stops) the discharge to the
first load 21 for heating of the first load 21, which should be
executed according to the start of inhalation at time t5 (does not
execute the processing of step S17 or step S19 in FIG. 8). Then,
the MCU 50 activates at least one of the first notification unit 45
and the second notification unit 46 to issue a notification for
urging replacement of the first cartridge 20. The description
"suppress discharge to the first load 21 for heating of the first
load 21" means that electric power equal to or greater than the
minimum value of electric power, which is supplied to the first
load 21 for generation of aerosol, is not supplied to the first
load 21, and ideally, means that no electric power is supplied to
the first load 21. The description "discharge to the first load 21
is permitted" means that the electric power equal to or greater
than the minimum value is supplied to the first load 21.
[0165] In this way, when the remaining amount in the reservoir is
small, the discharge to the first load 21 is suppressed, so that
the amount of aerosol to be generated is considerably reduced. For
this reason, it is possible to inform the user by a sense of smell
that it is necessary to replace the first cartridge 20 including
the aerosol source 22 closely relating to aerosol.
[0166] It is also considered that the remaining amount of the
flavor component is smaller than the threshold value TH1 and the
remaining amount in the reservoir is smaller than the threshold
value TH2 at time t4 of FIG. 13. In this case, preferably, the MCU
50 suppresses (stops) only the discharge to the first load 21 of
the discharges for heating, which are to be performed according to
a next request for aerosol generation, and permits (executes) the
discharge to the second load 31.
[0167] In this way, when both the remaining amount of the flavor
component and the remaining amount in the reservoir are small, the
amount of aerosol, which the user can more sensitively detect, of
the amount of flavor and the amount of aerosol is reduced and the
deficiency in the remaining amount of the flavor component and the
remaining amount in the reservoir is notified to the user. For this
reason, the user can more easily notice that it is necessary to
replace both the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30. In
addition, even when both the remaining amount of the flavor
component and the remaining amount in the reservoir are small, any
one discharge is continuously performed, so that it is possible to
prevent a situation where there is almost no taste even when
inhalation is made, which can improve the commercial value. Note
that, it should be noted that even when only the discharge to the
first load 21 is suppressed (stopped) and the discharge to the
second load 31 is permitted (executed), the flavor and taste are
delivered to the user by inhalation. In this case, however, the
flavor and taste are different from the flavor and taste that are
delivered when the discharges both to the first load 21 and the
second load 31 are permitted (executed).
[0168] Further, in any case of a case where the remaining amount of
the flavor component is smaller than the threshold value TH1 and
the remaining amount in the reservoir is equal to or greater than
the threshold value TH2, a case where the remaining amount of the
flavor component is equal to or greater than the threshold value
TH1 and the remaining amount in the reservoir is smaller than the
threshold value TH2, and a case where the remaining amount of the
flavor component is smaller than the threshold value TH1 and the
remaining amount in the reservoir is smaller than the threshold
value TH2, after next inhalation starts, the MCU 50 executes
control of first suppressing (stopping) the discharge to one of the
first load 21 and the second load 31, and permitting (executing)
the discharge to the other of the first load 21 and the second load
31. In this way, it is possible to make the user who performs
inhalation feel the change in flavor and taste stepwise. Therefore,
the user can easily notice that it is necessary to replace both or
one of the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30.
First Modified Embodiment of Aerosol Generation Device
[0169] 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.
[0170] Also in the aerosol generation device 1 of the first
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.
[0171] In the first 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.
[0172] 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.
[0173] 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 W.sub.flavor of the 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.
[0174] FIGS. 14 and 15 are flowcharts for describing operations of
the aerosol generation device 1 according to the first 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).
[0175] Subsequently, the MCU 50 acquires the temperature of the
flavor source 33 T.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).
[0176] Then, the MCU 50 refers to the replacement Flag in the
memory 50a, and when the replacement Flag is FALSE (step S32a:
YES), 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.
[0177] When the replacement Flag is TRUE (step S32a: NO), the MCU
50 shifts the processing to step S34 without executing the
processing of step S33. Note that, since the remaining amount of
the flavor component is sufficiently large at a timing immediately
after replacement of the second cartridge 30, or the like, the
processing of step S33 is basically performed.
[0178] 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 shifts to the sleep mode in which the power
consumption is reduced (step S36). Note that, when the discharge to
the second load 31 has started in step S33, the discharge is
stopped in step S36. When the non-operation time has not reached
the predetermined time (step S35: NO), the MCU 50 shifts the
processing to step S32.
[0179] When a request for aerosol generation is detected (step S34:
YES), the MCU 50 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 S37). Then, the MCU 50 determines whether the
temperature T.sub.cap_sense acquired in step S37 is equal to or
higher than the target temperature T.sub.cap_target (step S42).
[0180] 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).
[0181] 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, 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 (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. 9 is used.
[0182] 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 t.sub.upper (step
S44a: YES), the MCU 50 continues the heating of the first load 21,
and the heating of the second load 31 if the processing of step S33
is being executed. 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,
and the supply of electric power to the second load 31 if the
processing of step S33 is being executed (step S48). Note that,
when increasing the atomizing electric power P.sub.liquid in step
S46, the MCU 50 may shorten the upper limit time t.sub.upper.
Specifically, the value of the upper limit time t.sub.upper may be
determined so that a product of the atomizing electric power
P.sub.liquid before the increase and the upper limit time
t.sub.upper before the shortening is the same as a product of a sum
of the atomizing electric power P.sub.liquid and the amount of
increase .DELTA.Pa and the shortened upper limit time
t.sub.upper.
[0183] 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. Note that, when the shortening of the upper limit
time t.sub.upper is also performed, it is possible to suppress more
effectively aerosol having unintended flavor and taste from being
generated.
[0184] 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). Note that, when the atomizing electric power
P.sub.liquid is increased in step S46, the MCU 50 may correct the
acquired supply time t.sub.sense to be long. Specifically, the MCU
50 may set, as the corrected supply time t.sub.sense, a value
obtained by dividing a sum of the atomizing electric power
P.sub.liquid and the amount of increase .DELTA.Pa by the atomizing
electric power P.sub.liquid and then multiplying the supply time
t.sub.sense, and then perform the processing thereafter.
[0185] The cumulative discharge time or the number of inhalation
times updated in step S50 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.
[0186] Then, the MCU 50 determines whether the remaining amount of
the flavor source 33 calculated based on the number of inhalation
times or the cumulative discharge time after the update in step S50
is smaller than the threshold value TH1 (step S52). When the
remaining amount of the flavor source 33 is equal to or greater
than the threshold value TH1 (step S52: NO), the MCU 50 shifts the
processing to step S58. When the remaining amount of the flavor
source 33 is smaller than the threshold value TH1 (step S52: YES),
the MCU 50 refers to the replacement Flag (step S53). When the
replacement Flag is FALSE (step S53: NO), the MCU 50 sets the
replacement Flag to TRUE (step S54), and shifts the processing to
step S58.
[0187] When the replacement Flag is TRUE (step S53: 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 S55). The notification
method is similar to the above method. Then, the MCU 50 resets the
number of inhalation times or the cumulative discharge time to the
initial value (=0) (step S56). In addition, the MCU 50 sets the
replacement Flag to FALSE (step S57), and executes the processing
of step S58.
[0188] In step S58, when the power supply is not turned off (step
S58: NO), the MCU 50 returns the processing to step S31, and when
the power supply is turned off (step S58: YES), the MCU 50 ends the
processing. In this way, according to the first modified
embodiment, it is possible to stabilize flavor and taste every
inhalation while simplifying the operations.
Second Modified Embodiment of Aerosol Generation Device
[0189] In the aerosol generation device 1 shown in FIG. 1, the
remaining amount of the flavor component and the remaining amount
in the reservoir may be calculated during a time period for which
generation of aerosol is performed according to the request for
aerosol generation, and when at least one of the remaining amount
of the flavor component and the remaining amount in the reservoir
is smaller than the threshold value, the control of stopping the
discharge to any one of the first load 21 and the second load 31
may be performed during the time period.
[0190] FIGS. 16 and 17 are flowcharts for describing operations of
the aerosol generation device 1 of a second modified embodiment.
The flowchart shown in FIG. 16 is the same as the flowchart shown
in FIG. 7, except that step S9a is omitted and step S9 is performed
after step S8. Step S15, step S17, step S19a, and step S19 in the
flowchart shown in FIG. 17 are the same as the processing shown in
FIG. 8. Therefore, in the below, only the operations after step S17
and step S19 in FIG. 17 are described. Note that, the operations
after step S17 and step S19 in FIG. 17 indicate operations in a
state where (n.sub.puff+1).sup.th inhalation is being performed
after inhalation is performed n.sub.puff times since the second
cartridge 30 is replaced.
[0191] After step S17 or step S19, the MCU 50 acquires elapsed time
from the start of processing of step S17 or step S19 to the present
moment (supply time t.sub.sense(now) of the atomizing electric
power to the first load 21) (step S51).
[0192] Then, the MCU 50 calculates the remaining amount
W.sub.capsule(Now) of the flavor component of the flavor source 33
at the present moment, based on the supply time t.sub.sense(now)
acquired in step S51, the atomizing electric power supplied to the
first load 21 in step S17 or step S19, the target temperature
T.sub.cap_target at the time of detection of the request for
aerosol generation, and the remaining amount
W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of the flavor component at the end of
n.sub.puff.sup.th inhalation (step S52).
[0193] The amount W.sub.flavor(Now) of the flavor component that is
added to aerosol generated during a time period from the start of
step S17 or step S19 to the present moment can be calculated by
substituting the supply time t.sub.sense(now) into
(t.sub.end-t.sub.start) in the equation (7), substituting the
atomizing electric power supplied to the first load 21 in step S17
or step S19 into P.sub.liquid in the equation (7), and substituting
the target temperature at the present moment into
T.sub.cap_t.sub.arget in the equation (7).
[0194] By subtracting a value, which is obtained by multiplying an
integrated value of the past amounts W.sub.flavor of the flavor
component including the amount W.sub.flavor(Now) of the flavor
component calculated in this way and the amount W.sub.flavor of the
flavor component added to aerosol during previous
(n.sub.puff.sup.th) inhalation by the coefficient .delta. in the
equation (3), from W.sub.initial, the MCU 50 calculates the
remaining amount W.sub.capsule(Now) of the flavor component at the
present moment. Alternatively, the MCU 50 may also calculate the
remaining amount of the flavor component W.sub.capsule(Now) at the
present moment by subtracting a value, which is obtained by
multiplying the amount W.sub.flavor of the flavor component(Now) by
the coefficient .delta., from the remaining amount
W.sub.capsule(n.sub.puff) of the flavor component.
[0195] After step S52, the MCU 50 calculates the remaining amount
W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir at the present moment (step S53).
The remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir at the
present moment can be derived based on a cumulative value of the
supply time of the atomizing electric power to the first load 21
after the first cartridge 20 is replaced with a brand-new cartridge
to the present moment. A relationship between the cumulative value
and the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir may be
experimentally obtained. As described above, the MCU 50 may also
calculate the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir at
the present moment, based on the remaining amount of the flavor
component W.sub.capsule(Now) calculated in step S52.
[0196] Subsequently, the MCU 50 determines whether the remaining
amount W.sub.capsule(Now) of the flavor component is smaller than
the threshold value TH1 (step S54). When the remaining amount
W.sub.capsule(Now) of the flavor component is equal to or greater
than the threshold value TH1 (step S54: NO), the MCU 50 shifts the
processing to step S55. In step S55, when the request for aerosol
generation is not over yet (step S55: NO) and the duration of the
request for aerosol generation is shorter than the upper limit time
t.sub.upper (step S55a: YES), the MCU 50 returns the processing to
step S51. When the duration of the request for aerosol generation
reaches the upper limit time t.sub.upper (step S55a: NO) or when
the request for aerosol generation is over (step S55: YES), the MCU
50 stops (suppresses) the electric power for heating to the first
load 21 and the second load 31 (step S56).
[0197] After step S56, the MCU 50 increases the puff-number counter
by "1" (step S57). In addition, the MCU 50 stores the remaining
amount W.sub.capsule(Now) of the flavor component at the present
moment in the memory 50a, as the latest remaining amount
W.sub.capsule(npuff) of the flavor component (step S58). After step
S58, the processing of step S63 is executed.
[0198] When the remaining amount W.sub.capsule(Now) of the flavor
component is smaller than the threshold value TH1 (step S54: YES),
the MCU 50 suppresses (stops) the discharge to the second load 31
(heating of the second load 31 for generation of aerosol) (step
S59). Further, 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 S60). Then, the MCU 50 suppresses (stops) the discharge to
the first load 21 (heating of the first load 21 for generation of
aerosol) (step S61). Note that, the MCU 50 may execute step S55
after step S59, and when a result of determination in step S55 is
affirmative (step S55: YES), the MCU may shifts the processing to
step S61, and when a result of determination in step S55 is
negative (step S55a: YES), the MCU may shift the processing to step
S55a. In addition, when a result of determination in step S55a is
affirmative (step S55a: YES), the MCU 50 may return the processing
to step S51, and when a result of determination in step S55a is
negative (step S55a: NO), the MCU 50 may shift the processing to
step S61. In this way, the discharge for heating to the first load
21 is continuously performed until it is satisfied that the
duration of the request for aerosol generation reaches the upper
limit time t.sub.upper (step S55a: NO) or that the request for
aerosol generation is over (step S55: YES). In addition, the MCU 50
resets the puff-number counter to the initial value (=0), deletes
the value of the past amount W.sub.flavor(Now) of the flavor
component, and further initializes the target temperature
T.sub.cap_target (step S62). After step S62, when the power supply
is not turned off (step S63: NO), the MCU 50 returns the processing
to step S1, and when the power supply is turned off (step S63:
YES), the MCU 50 ends the processing.
[0199] FIG. 18 is a timing chart for illustrating operations of the
aerosol generation device of the second modified embodiment. FIG.
18 shows operations that are performed in a case where the power
supply of the aerosol generation device 1 is turned on at time t1,
inhalation starts at time t2 thereafter, and the remaining amount
W.sub.capsule(Now) of the flavor component becomes smaller than the
threshold value TH1 at time t3 of the time period of the
inhalation.
[0200] After the power supply is turned on at time t1, the
processing of step S1 to step S9 shown in FIG. 16 is performed.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 18, after time t1 at which the power
supply is turned on, the discharge to the second load 31 is
started.
[0201] After inhalation is started at time t2, the MCU 50 updates
the remaining amount W.sub.capsule(Now) of the flavor component and
the remaining amount W.sub.reservoir in the reservoir every
predetermined time. When it is checked that the remaining amount
W.sub.capsule(Now) of the flavor component becomes smaller than the
threshold value TH1 at time t3 while the request for aerosol
generation is performed, the discharge to the second load 31 is
stopped and the first notification unit 45 is activated to issue a
notification for urging replacement of the second cartridge 30.
Thereafter, the discharge to the first load 21 is stopped at time
t4, and then the second notification unit 46 is activated to issue
a notification for urging replacement of the second cartridge 30.
The timing (time t4) at which the discharge to the first load 21 is
stopped may be before the request for aerosol generation is over or
after the request for aerosol generation is over.
[0202] Note that, the first notification unit 45 and the second
notification unit 46 may be activated at the same time at time t3,
the first notification unit 45 and the second notification unit 46
may be activated at the same time at time t4, the second
notification unit 46 may be activated at time t3 and the first
notification unit 45 may be activated at time t4, or the first
notification unit 45 may be activated at time t3 and the second
notification unit 46 may be activated at time t4.
[0203] According to the aerosol generation device 1 of the second
modified embodiment, when the remaining amount of the flavor
component of the flavor source 33 acquired during the generation of
aerosol is small, the discharge to the second load 31 is suppressed
during the generation of aerosol. For this reason, it is possible
to inform the user that the remaining amount of the flavor source
33 is small, at as early timing as possible.
[0204] In the aerosol generation device 1 of the second modified
embodiment, the similar discharge control can also be performed
when the remaining amount in the reservoir becomes small. For
example, as shown in FIG. 19, it is assumed that the remaining
amount in the reservoir becomes smaller than the threshold value
TH2 at time t3. In this case, the MCU 50 executes the discharge to
the second load 31 after time t3, and suppresses (stops) the
discharge to the first load 21 after time t3. In this way, when the
remaining amount in the reservoir is small, the discharge to the
first load 21 is suppressed, so that the amount of aerosol to be
generated is considerably reduced. For this reason, it is possible
to inform the user by the sense of taste that it is necessary to
replace the first cartridge 20 including the aerosol source 22
closely relating to aerosol. Note that, it should be noted that
even when only the discharge to the first load 21 is suppressed
(stopped) and the discharge to the second load 31 is permitted
(executed), the flavor and taste are delivered to the user by
inhalation. In this case, however, the flavor and taste are
different from the flavor and taste that are delivered when the
discharges both to the first load 21 and the second load 31 are
permitted (executed).
[0205] A case is also considered in which the remaining amount
W.sub.capsule(Now) of the flavor component is smaller than the
threshold value TH1 and the remaining amount in the reservoir is
smaller than the threshold value TH2 at time t3 of FIG. 19. In this
case, preferably, the MCU 50 suppresses (stops) only the discharge
to the first load 21 after time t3, and executes the discharge to
the second load 31. In this way, when both the remaining amount of
the flavor component and the remaining amount in the reservoir are
small, the amount of aerosol, which the user can more sensitively
detect, of the amount of flavor and the amount of aerosol is
reduced and the deficiency in the remaining amount of the flavor
component and the remaining amount in the reservoir is notified to
the user. For this reason, the user can more easily notice that it
is necessary to replace both the first cartridge 20 and the second
cartridge 30. In addition, even when both the remaining amount of
the flavor component and the remaining amount in the reservoir are
small, any one discharge is continuously performed, so that it is
possible to prevent a situation where there is almost no taste even
when inhalation is made, which can improve the commercial
value.
[0206] Further, in any case of a case where the remaining amount
W.sub.capsule(Now) of the flavor component is smaller than the
threshold value TH1 and the remaining amount in the reservoir is
equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2, a case where the
remaining amount W.sub.capsule(Now) of the flavor component is
equal to or greater than the threshold value TH1 and the remaining
amount in the reservoir is smaller than the threshold value TH2,
and a case where the remaining amount W.sub.capsule(Now) of the
flavor component is smaller than the threshold value TH1 and the
remaining amount in the reservoir is smaller than the threshold
value TH2, after time t3 of FIGS. 18 and 19, the MCU 50 executes
control of stopping the discharge to one of the first load 21 and
the second load 31, and continuously performing the discharge to
the other of the first load 21 and the second load 31. Thereafter,
the MCU 50 executes control of stopping the discharges to both the
first load 21 and the second load 31. In this way, it is possible
to make the user who performs inhalation feel the change in flavor
and taste stepwise. Therefore, the user can easily notice that it
is necessary to replace both or one of the first cartridge 20 and
the second cartridge 30.
[0207] In the example of FIG. 18, the stop of the discharge to the
second load 31 and the activation start of the first notification
unit 45 are made at the same timing. However, the present invention
is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the first
notification unit 45 may be activated after the discharge is
stopped.
[0208] Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 20, the discharge to
the second load 31 may be stopped at a timing slightly after time
t3 at which the remaining amount W.sub.capsule(Now) of the flavor
component becomes smaller than the threshold value TH1, the first
notification unit 45 may be activated at a timing (time t3 in the
example of FIG. 20) before the discharge is stopped, and the second
notification unit 46 may be activated after the discharge to the
second load 31 is stopped.
[0209] In this way, since the first notification unit 45 functions
at a timing before the discharge to the first load 21 or the second
load 31 is suppressed and the flavor and taste are thus changed,
the user can more easily notice that the remaining amount of the
flavor source 33 or the aerosol source 22 becomes small. In
addition, it is possible to replace the first cartridge 20 or the
second cartridge 30 before aerosol having the changed flavor and
taste are generated. As a result, the merchantability of the
aerosol generation device 1 is improved. Further, since the
notification is performed by the different notification units
before and after the flavor and taste change, the user can more
easily notice that it is necessary to replace the first cartridge
20 or the second cartridge 30.
[0210] Further, in the example of FIG. 20, when the discharge to
the second load 31 is stopped, the second notification unit 46 is
activated. Thereby, the second notification unit 46 can be
activated at a timing before the request for aerosol generation is
over. For this reason, the user can easily notice the change in
flavor and taste.
[0211] In the aerosol generation device 1 of the second modified
embodiment, the method of setting the target temperature based on
the cumulative discharge time, which has been described in the
first modified embodiment, can be applied. Specifically, the MCU 50
may set the target temperature based on the cumulative discharge
time, start the discharge to the second load 31 according to the
target temperature, calculate the cumulative discharge time at a
predetermined interval during the generation of aerosol, and
execute the processing of step S59 and thereafter shown in FIG. 17
when the calculated cumulative discharge time exceeds a threshold
value TH4 and continue the discharge to each of the first load 21
and the second load 31 when the calculated cumulative discharge
time is equal to or smaller than the threshold value TH4.
[0212] 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.
[0213] 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.
[0214] 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.
[0215] 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.
[0216] 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.
[0217] 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.
[0218] (1) A control unit of an aerosol generation device including
a processing device (MCU 50) configured to acquire a remaining
amount of at least one of an aerosol source (aerosol source 22) and
a flavor source (flavor source 33) configured to add flavor to
aerosol generated from the aerosol source,
[0219] wherein when the remaining amount is equal to or greater
than a threshold value, the processing device permits first
discharge that is discharge from a power supply (power supply 12)
to an atomizer (first load 21) configured to atomize the aerosol
source and second discharge that is discharge from the power supply
to an adjustor (second load 31) capable of adjusting an amount of
flavor that is added to the aerosol by the flavor source, and when
the remaining amount is smaller than the threshold value, the
processing device suppresses any one of the first discharge and the
second discharge.
[0220] According to the above (1), when the remaining amount of at
least one of the flavor source and the aerosol source is small, the
discharge to any one of the atomizer and the adjustor is
suppressed, so that flavor and taste of aerosol change, as compared
to a case where the remaining amount is large. For this reason, it
is possible to inform the user by the sense of taste that the
remaining amount of at least one of the flavor source and the
aerosol source is small. As a result, as compared to a
configuration where a notification is performed by a sense of
vision, a sense of touch or a sense of hearing, the user can
intuitively know the decrease in the remaining amount.
[0221] (2) The control unit of an aerosol generation device
according to the above (1), wherein the processing device is
configured to acquire the remaining amount of the flavor source
(remaining amount of a flavor component), and
[0222] wherein when the remaining amount of the flavor source is
smaller than the threshold value (threshold value TH1), the
processing device suppresses the second discharge.
[0223] According to the above (2), when the remaining amount of the
flavor source is small, the discharge to the adjustor is
suppressed, so that the amount of flavor to be added to aerosol is
reduced. For this reason, it is possible to inform the user that it
is necessary to replace the flavor source closely relating to
flavor and taste.
[0224] (3) The control unit of an aerosol generation device
according to the above (1) or (2), wherein the processing device is
configured to acquire the remaining amount of the aerosol source
(remaining amount in a reservoir), and
[0225] wherein when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is
smaller than the threshold value (threshold value TH2), the
processing device suppresses the first discharge.
[0226] According to the above (3), when the remaining amount of the
aerosol source is small, the discharge to the atomizer is
suppressed, so that the amount of aerosol is reduced. For this
reason, it is possible to inform the user that it is necessary to
replace the aerosol source closely relating to aerosol.
[0227] (4) The control unit of an aerosol generation device
according to the above (1), further including a notification unit
(the first notification unit 45 and the second notification unit
46),
[0228] wherein the threshold value includes a first threshold value
(threshold value TH1) and a second threshold value (threshold value
TH2),
[0229] wherein the processing device is configured to acquire the
remaining amount of the flavor source (remaining amount of a flavor
component) and the remaining amount of the aerosol source
(remaining amount in a reservoir), and
[0230] wherein when the remaining amount of the flavor source is
smaller than the first threshold value and the remaining amount of
the aerosol source is smaller than the second threshold value, the
processing device suppresses only the first discharge of the first
discharge and the second discharge and controls the notification
unit to notify deficiency in the flavor source and the aerosol
source to a user.
[0231] According to the above (4), when the remaining amounts of
both the flavor source and the aerosol source are small, the amount
of aerosol, which the user can more sensitively detect, of the
amount of flavor and the amount of aerosol is reduced and the
deficiency in the flavor component and the aerosol source is
notified to the user. For this reason, the user can more easily
notice that it is necessary to replace both the flavor source and
the aerosol source.
[0232] (5) The control unit of an aerosol generation device
according to one of the above (1) to (4), wherein when the
remaining amount is smaller than the threshold value, the
processing device suppresses any one of the first discharge and the
second discharge, and then suppresses the first discharge and the
second discharge.
[0233] According to the above (5), after the discharge to one of
the atomizer and the adjustor is suppressed, the discharges to both
the atomizer and the adjustor are suppressed. Thereby, since the
flavor and taste change stepwise, the user can more easily notice
that the remaining amount is small.
[0234] (6) The control unit of an aerosol generation device
according to the above (1), wherein the processing device is
configured to acquire the remaining amount of at least one of the
flavor source and the aerosol source while aerosol is generated,
and
[0235] wherein when the remaining amount is smaller than the
threshold value, the processing device continues one of the first
discharge and the second discharge and suppresses the other of the
first discharge and the second discharge.
[0236] According to the above (6), when the remaining amount
acquired during the generation of aerosol is small, one of the
first discharge and the second discharge is suppressed during the
generation of aerosol. For this reason, it is possible to inform
the user that the remaining amount is small, at as early timing as
possible.
[0237] (7) The control unit of an aerosol generation device
according to the above (1), wherein the processing device is
configured to acquire an atomization command of the aerosol source
by the atomizer,
[0238] wherein the processing device is configured to acquire the
remaining amount of at least one of the flavor source and the
aerosol source after generating aerosol according to the
atomization command, and
[0239] wherein when the remaining amount is smaller than the
threshold value and a next atomization command is acquired, the
processing device executes one of the first discharge and the
second discharge, and suppresses the other of the first discharge
and the second discharge.
[0240] According to the above (7), as compared to a configuration
where one of the first discharge and the second discharge is
suppressed during the generation of aerosol, the flavor and taste
of aerosol that are generated when the remaining amount is smaller
than the threshold value more change. For this reason, the user can
more easily notice that the remaining amount is small.
[0241] (8) The control unit of an aerosol generation device
according to one of the above (1) to (6), further including a first
notification unit (first notification unit 45),
[0242] wherein the processing device is configured to cause the
first notification unit to function at a timing (time t3 in FIG.
18, time t3 in FIG. 20) before any one of the first discharge and
the second discharge is suppressed.
[0243] According to the above (8), the first notification unit
functions at or before a timing at which any one of the first
discharge and the second discharge is suppressed and hence the
flavor and taste change. For this reason, in addition to a sense of
taste, the user can more easily notice through another sense that
the remaining amount is small.
[0244] (9) The control unit of an aerosol generation device
according to the above (8), wherein the processing device is
configured to cause the first notification unit to function at a
timing (time t3 in FIG. 20) before any one of the first discharge
and the second discharge is suppressed.
[0245] According to the above (9), it is possible to make the user
notice that the remaining amount is small, through a sense
different from a sense of taste, before the flavor and taste
change. For this reason, the user can easily notice the change in
flavor and taste. In addition, it is possible to replace the flavor
source or the aerosol source before aerosol of changed flavor and
taste are generated. As a result, the merchantability of the
aerosol generation device is improved.
[0246] (10) The control unit of an aerosol generation device
according to the above (8) or (9), wherein the first notification
unit is configured to issue a notification that acts on a user's
sense of touch.
[0247] According to the above (10), the notification is performed
using the notification unit that acts on a user's sense of touch,
so that it is difficult for people around the user to notice the
necessity for replacement. For this reason, the sophistication of
the aerosol generation device is improved, so that the
merchantability is improved.
[0248] (11) The control unit of an aerosol generation device
according to one of the above (1) to (6) and (8) to (10), further
including a second notification unit (second notification unit
46),
[0249] wherein when the remaining amount is smaller than the
threshold value, the processing device suppresses one of the first
discharge and the second discharge, and then suppresses the first
discharge and the second discharge, and
[0250] wherein the processing device is configured to cause the
second notification unit to function at a timing before the first
discharge and the second discharge are suppressed (before time t4
in FIGS. 18 to 20).
[0251] According to the above (11), the second notification unit
functions at or before a timing at which the first discharge and
the second discharge are suppressed and hence the flavor and taste
change. For this reason, in addition to a sense of taste, the user
can more easily notice through another sense that the remaining
amount is small.
[0252] (12) The control unit of an aerosol generation device
according to the above (11), wherein the processing device is
configured to cause the second notification unit to function at a
timing (a timing before time t4 in FIG. 20) before the first
discharge and the second discharge are suppressed.
[0253] According to the above (12), it is possible to make the user
notice that the remaining amount is small, through a sense
different from a sense of taste, before the flavor and taste
change. For this reason, the user can easily notice the change in
flavor and taste. In addition, it is possible to prevent a
situation where aerosol is not generated even though inhalation is
performed, so that the merchantability of the aerosol generation
device is improved.
[0254] (13) The control unit of an aerosol generation device
according to the above (11) or (12), wherein the second
notification unit is configured to issue a notification that acts
on a user's sense of vision.
[0255] According to the above (13), the notification is performed
using the notification unit that acts on a user's sense of vision,
so that the user can more easily notice that the remaining amount
is small.
[0256] (14) A control unit of an aerosol generation device
including a notification unit (the first notification unit 45 and
the second notification unit 46); and a processing device (MCU 50)
configured to control discharge from a power supply to a first
heater (first load 21) configured to heat one of an aerosol source
(aerosol source 22) and a flavor source (flavor source 33)
configured to add flavor to aerosol generated from the aerosol
source and discharge from the power supply to a second heater
(second load 31) configured to heat the other of the aerosol source
and the flavor source and provided separately from the first
heater, wherein before causing the notification unit to function,
the processing device permits the discharge from the power supply
to the first heater and the discharge from the power supply to the
second heater, and when causing the notification unit to function,
the processing device suppresses any one of the discharge from the
power supply to the first heater and the discharge from the power
supply to the second heater.
[0257] According to the above (14), when the notification unit
functions, the discharge to any one of the first heater and the
second heater is suppressed. By the suppression, the flavor and
taste of aerosol change, so that the user can easily notice that
the notification unit functions. As a result, for example, the
notification unit notifies that the remaining amount of the flavor
source or the aerosol source is small, so that it is possible to
urge the user to replace the flavor source or the aerosol
source.
* * * * *