CONTROL UNIT OF AEROSOL GENERATION DEVICE

Abstract

A control unit of an aerosol generation device includes a processing device configured to acquire a remaining amount of an aerosol source. When the remaining amount of the aerosol source is smaller than a threshold value, the processing device suppresses discharge from a power supply to an atomizer configured to atomize the aerosol source, and when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the processing device controls the discharge from the power supply to the atomizer so as to make an amount of the aerosol source to be atomized different, based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese patent application No. 2020-118102, filed on Jul. 8, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a control unit of an aerosol generation device.

BACKGROUND ART

Patent Literatures 1, 4 and 5 disclose a device configured to cause aerosol generated by heating a liquid to pass through a flavor source, thereby adding flavor to aerosol and allowing a user to inhale aerosol having the flavor added thereto.

Patent Literatures 2 and 3 disclose an electrically operated aerosol generation system including a liquid storage for storing a liquid aerosol forming matrix and an electric heater including at least one heating element for heating the liquid aerosol forming matrix.

[Patent Literature 1] WO2020/039589

[Patent Literature 2] Japanese Patent No. 5,999,716

[Patent Literature 3] Japanese Patent No. 5,959,532

[Patent Literature 4] JP-A-2017-511703

[Patent Literature 5] WO2019/017654

In order to increase a commercial value of the aerosol generation device configured to generate aerosol and to allow a user to inhale the same, it is important to provide the user with aerosol of an appropriate quality.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to increase a commercial value of the aerosol generation device.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control unit of an aerosol generation device including a processing device configured to acquire a remaining amount of an aerosol source, wherein when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is smaller than a threshold value, the processing device further suppresses discharge from a power supply to an atomizer configured to atomize the aerosol source than when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is equal to or greater than the threshold value, and wherein when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the processing device controls the discharge from the power supply to the atomizer so as to make an amount of the aerosol source to be atomized different, based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control unit of an aerosol generation device including a processing device configured to acquire a remaining amount of an aerosol source, wherein when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is a first remaining amount, the processing device electrically discharges first electric power from a power supply to an atomizer to atomize the aerosol source, and wherein when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is a second remaining amount different from the first remaining amount, the processing device electrically discharges second electric power different from the first electric power from the power supply to the atomizer.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control unit of an aerosol generation device including a processing device configured to acquire a remaining amount of an aerosol source, wherein the processing device is configured to control electric power that is electrically discharged from a power supply to an adjustor capable of adjusting an amount of flavor to be added from a flavor source to aerosol generated from the aerosol source, based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source.

According to the present invention, it is possible to increase a commercial value of the aerosol generation device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of an aerosol generation device.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the aerosol generation device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the aerosol generation device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a power supply unit of the aerosol generation device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a hardware configuration of the aerosol generation device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a modified embodiment of the hardware configuration of the aerosol generation device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for showing operations of the aerosol generation device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for showing operations of the aerosol generation device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing an example of an electric power threshold value P_max and an amount of increase ΔP.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing an example of the electric power threshold value P_max and the amount of increase ΔP.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing atomizing electric power that is supplied to a first load 21 in step S17 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing atomizing electric power that is supplied to the first load 21 in step S19 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an example of a table showing a relationship between a remaining amount of a flavor component and a remaining amount of a reservoir.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing another example of the electric power threshold value P_max and the amount of increase ΔP.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for showing operations of the aerosol generation device 1 of a second modified embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for showing operations of the aerosol generation device 1 of the second modified embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for showing operations of the aerosol generation device 1 of a third modified embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart for showing operations of the aerosol generation device 1 of the third modified embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

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.

(Aerosol Generation Device)

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.

(Power Supply Unit)

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the power supply unit 10 is configured to accommodate, in a cylindrical power supply unit case 11, a power supply 12, a charging IC 55A, an MCU (Micro Controller Unit) 50, a DC/DC converter 51, an inlet air sensor 15, a temperature detection device Ti including a voltage sensor 52 and a current sensor 53, a temperature detection device T2 including a voltage sensor 54 and a current sensor 55, a first notification unit 45 and a second notification unit 46.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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_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.

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.

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.

(First Cartridge)

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.

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.

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.

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_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_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_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_reservoir in the reservoir is simply described as the remaining amount in the reservoir, in some cases.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

(Second Cartridge)

The second cartridge 30 is configured to store the flavor source 33. The second cartridge 30 is heated by the second load 31, so that the flavor source 33 is heated. The second cartridge 30 is detachably accommodated in the cartridge accommodating part 26a provided to the end cap 26 of the first cartridge 20. An end portion of the second cartridge 30 on an opposite side to the first cartridge 20-side is configured as the inhalation port 32 for a user. Note that, the inhalation port 32 is not limited to the configuration where it is integrated with the second cartridge 30, and may be detachably attached to the second cartridge 30. In this way, the inhalation port 32 is configured separately from the power supply unit 10 and the first cartridge 20, so that the inhalation port 32 can be hygienically kept.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

(Details of Power Supply Unit)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

(MCU)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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_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_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_flavor of the flavor component, and the target amount, a weight may be used.

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_{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.

(Diverse Parameters That Are Used For Generation of Aerosol)

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.

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_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_liquid. Assuming that the aerosol source 22 is sufficiently present, the aerosol weight W_aerosol is proportional to the atomizing electric power P_liquid, and a supply time t_sense of the atomizing electric power P_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_aerosol can be modeled by a following equation (1). In the equation (1), α is a coefficient that is experimentally obtained. Note that, the upper limit value of the supply time t_sense is the above-described upper limit time t_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_liquid is used for temperature rising of the aerosol source 22 that occurs before atomization of the aerosol source 22. The intercept b can also be experimentally obtained.

[formula 1]

W_aerosol≡α×P_liquid×t_sense   (1)

W_aerosol ≡αP_liquid×t_sense−b   (1A)

A weight[mg] of the flavor component included in the flavor source 33 in a state where inhalation is performed n_puff times (n_puff: natural number greater than 0) is denoted as the remaining amount W_capsule(n_puff) of the flavor component. Note that, the remaining amount (W_capsule(n_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_initial. The information about the temperature of the flavor source 33 is denoted as the capsule temperature parameter T_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_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_capsule(n_puff) of the flavor component may be simply denoted as the remaining amount of the flavor component, in some cases.

It is experimentally known that the amount W_flavor of the flavor component depends on the remaining amount W_capsule(n_puff) of the flavor component, the capsule temperature parameter T_capsule and the aerosol weight W_aerosol. Therefore, the amount W_flavor of the flavor component can be modeled by a following equation (2).

[formula 2]

W_flavor=β×{W_capsule(n_puff)×T_capsule}×γ×W_aerosol   (2)

The remaining amount W_capsule(n_puff) of the flavor component is reduced by the amount W_flavor of the flavor component each time inhalation is performed. For this reason, the remaining amount W_capsule(n_puff) of the flavor component when n_puff is set to 1 or greater, specifically, the remaining amount of the flavor component after inhalation is performed one or more times can be modeled by a following equation (3).

[formula 3]

W_capsule(n_puff)=W_initial−δ·Σ_i=1^npuff W_flavor(i)  (3)

In the equation (2), β 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. γ in the equation (2) and δ 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_capsule and the remaining amount W_capsule(n_puff) of the flavor component may each vary. However, in this model, γ and δ are introduced so as to treat the corresponding parameters as constant values.

(Operations of Aerosol Generation Device)

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).

For example, the MCU 50 has a built-in puff-number counter configured to count up n_puff from an initial value (for example, 0) each time inhalation (request for aerosol generation) is performed. A count value of the puff-number counter is stored in the memory 50a. The MCU 50 refers to the count value to determine whether it is a state after inhalation has been performed even once. Note that, when extremely short (for example, shorter than 0.1 second) inhalation or extremely weak (for example, 10 mL/second) inhalation is detected, the puff-number counter may not count up n_puff. In other words, the puff-number counter is not counted up until sufficient inhalation is performed, and a count value at the time when the last sufficient inhalation is performed is continuously kept.

When it is first inhalation after the power supply ON or when it is a timing before first inhalation after the second cartridge 30 is replaced (step S1: NO), the heating of the flavor source 33 is not performed yet or is not performed for a while, so that the temperature of the flavor source 33 is highly likely to depend on external environments. Therefore, in this case, the MCU 50 acquires, as the capsule temperature parameter T_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_{cap_target} of the flavor source 33, and stores the same in the memory 50a (step S2).

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_capsule, and may be set as the target temperature T_{cap_target}.

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.

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_{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_{cap_target}. Therefore, in this case (step S1: YES), the MCU 50 acquires the target temperature T_{cap_target} used for previous generation of aerosol and stored in the memory 50a, as the capsule temperature parameter T_capsule, and sets the same as the target temperature T_{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.

Note that, in step S3, the MCU 50 may acquire, as the capsule temperature parameter T_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_{cap_target} of the flavor source 33. In this way, the capsule temperature parameter T_capsule can be acquired more accurately.

After step S2 or step S3, the MCU 50 determines the aerosol weight W_aerosol necessary to achieve the target amount W_flavor of the flavor component by an equation (4), based on the set target temperature T_{cap_target}, and the remaining amount W_capsule(n_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_capsule is changed to T_{cap_target}.

$\begin{array}{cc}\left[\mathrm{formula}4\right]& \\ W_{aerosol}=\frac{W_{\mathrm{flavor}}}{\beta \times W_{capsule}\left(n_{\mathrm{puff}}\right)\times T_{\mathrm{cap}\_\mathrm{target}}\times \gamma }& \left(4\right)\end{array}$

Then, the MCU 50 determines the atomizing electric power Num necessary to realize the aerosol weight W_aerosol determined in step S4 by the equation (1) where t_sense is set as the upper limit time t_upper (step S5).

Note that, a table where a combination of the target temperature T_{cap_target} and the remaining amount W_capsule(n_puff) of the flavor component and the atomizing electric power P_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_liquid by using the table. Thereby, the atomizing electric power P_liquid can be determined at high speed and low power consumption.

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_flavor of the flavor component is supplemented by an increase in the aerosol weight W_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_upper of electric power that can be supplied to the first load 21 determined by the hardware configuration.

Specifically, after step S5, the MCU 50 sets an electric power threshold value P_max lower than the upper limit value P_upper (step S6a). When the atomizing electric power P_liquid determined in step S5 exceeds the electric power threshold value P_max (step S6: NO), the MCU 50 increases the target temperature T_{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_aerosol necessary to achieve the target amount W_flavor of the flavor component can be reduced by increasing the target temperature T_{cap_target}. As a result, the atomizing electric power P_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.

The electric power threshold value P_max is not a single fixed value, and any one of multiple values is set. As described above, the atomizing electric power that is determined in step S5 is determined on the premise that the aerosol source 22 (remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir) is sufficiently large. However, in a case where the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is large and in a case where the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is small, even if the atomizing electric power is the same, when the remaining amount W_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_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.

From such standpoint, in step S6a, the MCU 50 acquires the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir, and sets the electric power threshold value P_max, based on the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir. Specifically, the MCU 50 sets the electric power threshold value P_max to a large value so that the larger the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is, the greater the aerosol weight is. In other words, when the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is a first remaining amount, the MCU 50 sets the electric power threshold value P_max to a smaller value than when the remaining amount W_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_reservoir in the reservoir. Therefore, it is possible to realize the target amount of the flavor component, irrespective of the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir.

The upper limit value P_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_LIB, an upper limit value of a boost rate of the DC/DC converter 51 is denoted as η_upper, an upper limit value of an output voltage of the DC/DC converter 51 is denoted as P_{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_HTR (T_HTR=T_B.P.). Hence, the upper limit value P_upper can be expressed by a following equation (5).

$\begin{array}{cc}\left[\mathrm{formula}5\right]& \\ P_{\mathrm{upper}}=I·V_{\mathrm{LIB}}=\mathrm{MIN}\left(\frac{{\left({\eta }_{\mathrm{upper}}·V_{\mathrm{LIB}}\right)}^2}{R_{HTR}\left(T_{HTR}=T_{B.P.}\right)}{P}_{\mathrm{DC}/\mathrm{DC}\_\mathrm{upper}}\right)-\Delta & \left(5\right)\end{array}$

In the equation (5), when Δ is set to 0, an ideal value of the upper limit value P_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, Δ that is an adjustment value is introduced in the equation (5) so as to provide a certain margin.

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_upper can be expressed by a following equation (6).

$\begin{array}{cc}\left[\mathrm{formula}6\right]& \\ P_{upper}=I·V_{\mathrm{LIB}}=\frac{V_{\mathrm{LIB}}^2}{R_{HTR}\left(T_{HTR}=T_{B.P.}\right)}-\Delta & \left(6\right)\end{array}$

When the atomizing electric power P_liquid determined in step S5 is equal to or less than the electric power threshold value P_max (step S6: YES), the MCU 50 acquires the temperature T_{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).

Then, the MCU 50 controls the discharge to the second load 31 for heating of the second load 31, based on the temperature T_{cap_sense} and the target temperature T_{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_{cap_sense} is to converge to the target temperature T_{cap_target}.

In the PID control, a difference between the temperature T_{cap_sense} and the target temperature T_{cap_target} is fed back and electric power control is performed based on a result of the feedback so that the temperature T_{cap_sense} is to converge to the target temperature T_{cap_target}. According to the PID control, the temperature T_{cap_sense} can be converged to the target temperature T_{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.

In the ON/OFF control, in a state where the temperature T_{cap_sense} is lower than the target temperature T_{cap_target}, electric power is supplied to the second load 31, and in a state where the temperature T_{cap_sense} is equal to or higher than the target temperature T_{cap_target}, the supply of electric power to the second load 31 is stopped until the temperature T_{cap_sense} falls below the target temperature T_{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_{cap_sense} will reach the target temperature T_{cap_target}, before the request for aerosol generation is detected. Note that, the target temperature T_{cap_target} may have a hysteresis.

After step S9, the MCU 50 determines whether there is a request for aerosol generation (step S10). When a request for aerosol generation is not detected (step S10: NO), the MCU 50 determines a length of a time (hereinafter, referred to as the non-operation time) during which the request for aerosol generation is not performed, in step S11. When the non-operation time has reached a predetermined time (step S11: YES), the MCU 50 ends the discharge to the second load 31 (step S12), and shifts to a sleep mode in which the power consumption is reduced (step S13). When the non-operation time is less than the predetermined time (step S11: NO), the MCU 50 shifts the processing to step S8.

When a request for aerosol generation is detected (step S10: YES), the MCU 50 ends the discharge to the second load 31, and acquires a temperature T_{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_{cap_sense} acquired in step S14 is equal to or higher than the target temperature T_{cap_target} (step S15).

When the temperature T_{cap_sense} is lower than the target temperature T_{cap_target} (step S15: NO), the MCU 50 increases the atomizing electric power P_liquid determined in step S5 so as to supplement a decrease in the amount of the flavor component due to the insufficient temperature of the flavor source 33. Specifically, the MCU 50 first determines an amount of increase ΔP of the atomizing electric power, based on the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir (step S19a), and supplies, to the first load 21, atomizing electric power P_liquid′ obtained by adding the amount of increase ΔP to the atomizing electric power P_liquid determined in step S5, thereby starting heating of the first load 21 (step S19).

The amount of increase ΔP is a variable value corresponding to the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir but may also be a single fixed value. FIGS. 9 and 10 are schematic views showing examples of a combination of the electric power threshold value P_max and the amount of increase ΔP.

In the example of FIG. 9, the amount of increase ΔP is a constant value P1, irrespective of the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir. In addition, in the example of FIG. 9, the electric power threshold value P_max is a constant value P2 when the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is equal to or greater than a threshold value TH1, and is a value smaller than the value P2 when the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is equal to or greater than a threshold value TH2 and smaller than the threshold value TH1. Specifically, in a range where the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2 and smaller than the threshold value TH1, the smaller the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is, the smaller the electric power threshold value P_max is. A sum of the electric power threshold value P_max and the amount of increase ΔP corresponding to each remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is equal to or smaller than the upper limit value P_upper. In addition, a summed value of the value P1 and the value P2 is the same as the upper limit value P_upper. Note that, when the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2 and smaller than the threshold value TH1, the change in the electric power threshold value P_max may be curved other than linear. Note that, the summed value of the value P1 and the value P2 may be smaller than the upper limit value P_upper.

In the example of FIG. 10, when the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH1, the amount of increase ΔP is a constant value P1, and when the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2 and smaller than the threshold value TH1, the amount of increase ΔP is a value smaller than the value P1. Specifically, in the range where the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2 and smaller than the threshold value TH1, the smaller the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is, the smaller the amount of increase ΔP is. In the example of FIG. 10, when the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH1, the electric power threshold value P_max is a constant value P2, and when the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2 and smaller than the threshold value TH1, the electric power threshold value P_max is a value smaller than the value P2. Specifically, in the range where the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2 and smaller than the threshold value TH1, the smaller the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is, the smaller the electric power threshold value P_max is. The sum of the electric power threshold value P_max and the amount of increase ΔP corresponding to each remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is equal to or smaller than the upper limit value P_upper. In addition, the summed value of the value P1 and the value P2 is the same as the upper limit value P_upper.

The threshold value TH2 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is a value smaller than the threshold value TH1, and is used to perform a determination to suppress the discharge for heating to the first load 21. The description “suppress the discharge for heating to the first load 21” means prohibiting the discharge to the first load 21 or setting electric power that can be electrically discharged to the first load 21 to be lower than a minimum value of electric power that is supplied to the first load 21 for heating of the first load 21 according to a request for aerosol generation.

When the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir acquired in step S6a is smaller than the threshold value TH2, for example, the MCU 50 performs control of prohibiting the discharge from the power supply 12 to the first load 21, in other words, control of further suppressing the discharge from the power supply 12 to the first load 21 than when the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2, and further performs control of issuing a replacement notification of the first cartridge 20.

Alternatively, when the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir updated in step S24a is smaller than the threshold value TH2, for example, the MCU 50 may perform control of prohibiting the discharge from the power supply 12 to the first load 21, and further perform control of issuing a replacement notification of the first cartridge 20. When a replacement notification of the first cartridge 20 is issued, the MCU 50 resets the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir stored in the memory 50a to 100%.

In step S15, when the temperature T_{cap_sense} is equal to or higher than the target temperature T_{cap_target} (step S15: YES), the MCU 50 supplies the atomizing electric power P_liquid determined in step S5 to the first load 21 to start heating of the first load 21, thereby generating aerosol (step S17).

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_upper (step S18a: YES), the MCU 50 continues to heat the first load 21. When the duration of the request for aerosol generation reaches the upper limit time t_upper (step S18a: NO) or when the request for aerosol generation is over (step S18: YES), the MCU 50 stops the supply of electric power to the first load 21 (step S21).

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.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing the atomizing electric power that is supplied to the first load 21 in step S17 of FIG. 8. FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing the atomizing electric power that is supplied to the first load 21 in step S19 of FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 12, when the temperature T_{cap_sense} does not reach the target temperature T_{cap_target} at the time of detection of the request for aerosol generation, the atomizing electric power P_liquid is increased, which is then supplied to the first load 21.

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 ΔP of the atomizing electric power to be increased in step S19 is a value based on the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir. Even when the atomizing electric power is increased in step S19, the smaller the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is, the amount of increase ΔP is set to be smaller, so that an appropriate amount of aerosol corresponding to the remaining amount W_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_reservoir in the reservoir.

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.

After step S21, the MCU 50 acquires a supply time t_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_upper, the supply time t_sense is the same as the upper limit time t_upper. Further, the MCU 50 increases the puff-number counter by “1” (step S23).

The MCU 50 updates the remaining amount W_capsule(n_puff) of the flavor component of the flavor source 33, based on the supply time t_sense acquired in step S22, the atomizing electric power supplied to the first load 21 according to the received request for aerosol generation, and the target temperature T_{cap_target} at the time of detection of the request for aerosol generation (step S24).

When the control shown in FIG. 11 is performed, the amount W_flavor of the flavor component that is added to aerosol generated from start to end of the request for aerosol generation can be obtained by a following equation (7). (t_end-t_start) in the equation (7) indicates the supply time t_sense. The remaining amount W_capsule(n_puff) of the flavor component in the equation (7) is a value at a point of time immediately before the request for aerosol generation is performed.

[formula 7]

W_flavor=β×{W_capsule(n_puff)×T_{cap_target}}×γ×α×P_liquid×(t_end−t_start)   (7)

When the control shown in FIG. 12 is performed, the amount W_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_end−t_start) in the equation (7A) indicates the supply time t_sense. The remaining amount W_capsule(n_puff) of the flavor component in the equation (7A) is a value at a point of time immediately before the request for aerosol generation is performed.

[formula 8]

W_flavor=β×{W_capsule(n_puff)×T_{cap_target}}×γ×α×P_liquid′×(t_end−t_start)   (7A)

W_flavor for each request for aerosol generation obtained in this way is stored in the memory 50a, and values of the past amounts W_flavor of the flavor component including the amount W_flavor of the flavor component at the time of current aerosol generation and the amount W_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 δ by an integral value of the values of the past amounts W_flavor of the flavor component is subtracted from W_initial), so that the remaining amount W_capsule(n_puff) of the flavor component after generation of aerosol can be derived with high accuracy and updated.

After step S24, the MCU 50 updates the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir stored in the memory 50a (step S24a). The remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir can be derived based on a cumulative value of the supply time t_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_reservoir in the reservoir may be experimentally obtained. Alternatively, the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir may be derived based on a cumulative value of products of the supply time t_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_liquid, the atomizing electric power P_liquid′) electrically discharged to the first load 21. A relationship between the cumulative value and the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir may also be experimentally obtained.

Further, in step S24a, the MCU 50 may derive the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir, based on the remaining amount W_capsule(n_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_reservoir in the reservoir at the time when one second cartridge 30 is used and the change in the remaining amount W_capsule(n_puff) of the flavor component of the second cartridge 30 is experimentally obtained. In addition, the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir of the brand-new first cartridge 20 is equally divided for the five second cartridges 30, and a table shown in FIG. 13 in which the data is associated with each of the equally divided remaining amounts is prepared and stored in the memory 50a. In step S24a, the MCU 50 reads out, from the table, the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir corresponding to the current number of the used second cartridges 30 and remaining amount W_capsule(n_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_capsule(n_puff) of the flavor component acquired in step S24, and the table shown in FIG. 13, and stores the read remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir in the memory 50a, as the latest information.

Subsequently, the MCU 50 determines whether the updated remaining amount W_capsule(n_puff) of the flavor component is smaller than the threshold value of the remaining amount (step S25). When the updated remaining amount W_capsule(n_puff) of the flavor component is equal to or greater than the threshold value of the remaining amount (step S25: NO), the MCU 50 shifts the processing to step S28. When the updated remaining amount W_capsule(n_puff) of the flavor component is smaller than the threshold value of the remaining amount (step S25: YES), the MCU 50 causes at least one of the first notification unit 45 and the second notification unit 46 to issue a notification for urging replacement of the second cartridge 30 (step S26). Then, the MCU 50 resets the puff-number counter to an initial value (=0), deletes the value of the past W_flavor, and further initializes the target temperature T_{cap_target} (step S27).

The initialization of the target temperature T_{cap_target} means excluding, from the setting values, the target temperature T_{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_{cap_target} means setting the target temperature T_{cap_target} at that time stored in the memory 50a to a room temperature.

After step S27, when the power supply is not turned off (step S28: NO), the MCU 50 returns the processing to step S1, and when the power supply is turned off (step S28: YES), the MCU 50 ends the processing.

Effects of Embodiment

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.

Further, according to the aerosol generation device 1, when the atomizing electric power determined in step S5 exceeds the electric power threshold value P_max, and hence, generation of aerosol necessary to achieve the target amount of the flavor component cannot be performed, the control of electric discharging from the power supply 12 to the second load 31 is performed. In this way, since the discharge to the second load 31 is performed as necessary, the amount of the flavor component that is provided for the user can be stabilized every inhalation, and the amount of electric power for achieving the same can be reduced.

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_sense) to the first load 21 corresponding to the request for aerosol generation, T_{cap_target} at the time of receiving the request for aerosol generation, and the electric power (the atomizing electric power P_liquid, the atomizing electric power P_liquid′) electrically discharged to the first load according to the request for aerosol generation or an amount of the electric power (electric power×t_sense), and the electric power that is electrically discharged to the first load 21 is determined based on the remaining amount of the flavor component, in step S4 and step S5. For this reason, after appropriately considering the electric power or amount of electric power electrically discharged to the first load 21 that highly influences the amount of the flavor component that can be added to aerosol and also appropriately considering the temperature of the flavor source 33 at the time of the discharge to the first load 21 that highly influences the amount of the flavor component that can be added to aerosol, the discharge to the first load 21 can be controlled. In this way, the discharge to the first load 21 is controlled after appropriately considering the state of the aerosol generation device 1, so that the amount of the flavor component can be stabilized with high accuracy every inhalation and the commercial value of the aerosol generation device 1 can be thus increased.

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.

Further, according to the aerosol generation device 1, after the request for aerosol generation is received, the discharge to the second load 31 is stopped. For this reason, it is not necessary to perform the discharge to the first load 21 and the second load 31 at the same time, so that it is possible to suppress deficiency in electric power that is electrically discharged to the second load 31. In addition to this, the large current is suppressed from being electrically discharged from the power supply 12. Therefore, the deterioration in the power supply 12 can be suppressed.

Further, according to the aerosol generation device 1, after aerosol is generated, the discharge to the second load 31 is resumed, so that even when aerosol is continuously generated, the flavor source 33 can be kept warmed. For this reason, it is possible to provide the user with the stable amount of the flavor component over a plurality of continuous inhalations.

Further, according to the aerosol generation device 1, since the electric power threshold value P_max is changed based on the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir, the atomizing electric power is controlled based on the remaining amount W_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.

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_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.

Further, according to the aerosol generation device 1, since the electric power threshold value P_max is determined based on the remaining amount W_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_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.

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_sense) to the first load 21 according to the request for aerosol generation, and the remaining amount W_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_reservoir in the reservoir. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the increase in cost of the aerosol generation device 1.

First Modified Embodiment of Aerosol Generation Device

The MCU 50 may set the electric power threshold value P_max, which is used for determination in step S6a, to a single fixed value, and set the amount of increase ΔP, which is used in step S19a, to a variable value based on the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir. FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing another example of the electric power threshold value P_max and the amount of increase ΔP.

In the example of FIG. 14, when the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH1 the amount of increase ΔP is a constant value P1, and when the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2 and smaller than the threshold value TH1, the amount of increase ΔP is a value smaller than the value P1. Specifically, in a range where the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2 and smaller than the threshold value TH1, the smaller the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is, the smaller the amount of increase ΔP is. In the example of FIG. 14, the electric power threshold value P_max is a constant value P2. The sum of the electric power threshold value P_max and the amount of increase ΔP corresponding to each remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is equal to or smaller than the upper limit value P_upper. In addition, the summed value of the value P1 and the value P2 is the same as the upper limit value P_upper. Note that, the summed value of the value P1 and the value P2 may be smaller than the upper limit value P_upper.

According to the first modified embodiment, when the temperature of the flavor source 33 is lower than the target temperature, the electric power that is supplied to the first load 21 is controlled according to the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir. For this reason, it is possible to provide the user with aerosol having appropriate flavor and taste, which can improve the commercial value.

Second Modified Embodiment of Aerosol Generation Device

In the above, the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is used as the parameter that is used to determine each of the electric power threshold value P_max and the amount of increase ΔP. In a modified embodiment, as the parameter, a remaining amount W_wick in the wick, which is an amount of the aerosol source retained in the wick 24, may be used. Aerosol that are generated by the aerosol generation device 1 are generated as the aerosol source 22 retained in the wick 24 is atomized. For this reason, it is possible to control the electric power that is supplied to the first load 21 with higher accuracy when the remaining amount W_wick in the wick is used than when the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is used, as the parameter.

The remaining amount W_wick in the wick can be derived based on the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir. Specifically, the remaining amount W_wick in the wick can be expressed by a function whose variables are the remaining amount W_wick in the wick at the end of aerosol inhalation performed immediately before deriving the remaining amount W_wick in the wick, elapsed time from the end to the derivation, and the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir at the end of aerosol inhalation.

The remaining amount W_wick in the wick before i^th inhalation is performed is described as the remaining amount W_wick(i) in the wick. The time at which the supply of electric power to the first load 21 at the time of i^th inhalation is stopped is described as t_end(i). The time at which the supply of electric power to the first load 21 at the time of i^th inhalation is started is described as t_start(i). The time at which the remaining amount W_wick(i) in the wick is derived is described as t. The electric power supplied to the first load 21 at the time of i^th inhalation is described as P(i).

According to the above definitions, the remaining amount W_wick(n_puff) in the wick at time t before n_puff^th inhalation is performed can be expressed by a function f₂ expressed by a following equation (10). The function f₂ is a function whose variables are a function f₁ indicating a remaining amount in the wick at the end of(n_puff−1)^th inhalation, elapsed time (t−t_end(n_puff−1)) from the end of(n_puff−1)^th inhalation to time t, and a remaining amount W_reservoir(n_puff) in the reservoir at time t_end(n_puff−1). The function f₁ is a function whose variables are w_wick(n_puff−1), time from t_start(n_puff−1) to t_end(n_puff−1), and P(n_puff−1). The function f₁ and the function f₂ can be obtained by multiple tests, deep learning, or the like.

$\begin{array}{cc}\left[\mathrm{formula}9\right]& \\ W_{wick}\left(n_{\mathrm{puff}}\right)=f_2(f_1\left(\begin{array}{c}{W}_{\mathrm{wick}}\left(n_{\mathrm{puff}}-1\right)\\ t_{end}\left(n_{\mathrm{puff}}-1\right)-\left(n_{\mathrm{puff}}-1\right)\\ P\left(n_{\mathrm{puff}}-1\right)\end{array}\right)t-t_{end}\left(n_{\mathrm{puff}}-1\right)W_{\mathrm{reservoir}}\left(n_{\mathrm{puff}}\right))& \left(10\right)\end{array}$

FIGS. 15 and 16 are flowcharts for describing operations of the aerosol generation device 1 according to a second modified embodiment. The flowcharts shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 are the same as the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, except that step S6a is changed to step S6b and step S6c and step 519a is changed to step S19b and step 19c.

After step S5 of FIG. 15, the MCU 50 acquires the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir, and derives the remaining amount W_wick in the wick based on the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir (step S6b). Then, the MCU 50 sets the electric power threshold value P_max, based on the derived the remaining amount W_wick in the wick (step S6c). As the electric power threshold value P_max, for example, one in a graph where the remaining amount in the reservoir in the graph shown in FIG. 9 or 10 is replaced with the remaining amount in the wick can be used. After step S6c, processing of step S6 is performed.

When a determination of step S15 in FIG. 15 is NO, the MCU 50 again acquires the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir, and again derives the remaining amount W_wick in the wick based on the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir (step S19b). Then, the MCU 50 sets the amount of increase ΔP, based on the derived the remaining amount W_wick in the wick (step S19c). As the amount of increase ΔP, one in a graph where the remaining amount in the reservoir in the graph shown in FIG. 10 or 14 is replaced with the remaining amount in the wick can be used. After step S19b, processing of step S19 is performed.

In this way, the electric power that is supplied to the first load 21 is controlled based on the remaining amount W_wick in the wick, so that it is possible to supply the more appropriate electric power to the first load 21, as compared to the configuration where the electric power that is supplied to the first load 21 is controlled based on the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir.

As shown by the equation (10), the remaining amount W_wick in the wick can change by the deriving timing (time t). For example, the remaining amount W_wick in the wick derived in step S6b may be increased over time by the aerosol source 22 supplied from the reservoir 23. Therefore, when the request for aerosol generation is performed, it is effective to again derive the remaining amount W_wick in the wick in step S19b immediately before performing the discharge from the power supply 12 to the first load 21. Thereby, it is possible to supply the more appropriate electric power to the first load 21.

Third Modified Embodiment of Aerosol Generation Device

In the above, the remaining amount of the flavor component is derived, and the atomizing electric power P_liquid and the target temperature T_{cap_target} necessary to achieve the target amount W_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_liquid that is determined before the request for aerosol generation is performed is set to a constant value, and the target temperature T_{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_flavor of the flavor component.

Also in the aerosol generation device 1 of the third modified embodiment, when the temperature of the flavor source 33 is lower than the target temperature at the time of detection of the request for aerosol generation, the deficiency in the amount W_flavor of the flavor component is supplemented by the increase in the aerosol weight W_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_liquid that is determined before detecting the request for aerosol generation is set lower than the upper limit value P_upper.

In the third modified embodiment, the MCU 50 does not derive the remaining amount of the flavor component, and variably controls the target temperature T_{cap_target} by using another parameter equivalent to the remaining amount of the flavor component.

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.

As can be seen from the model of the equation (2), assuming that the aerosol weight W_aerosol every inhalation is controlled to be substantially constant (the atomizing electric power P_liquid is controlled to be constant), in order to stabilize the amount of the flavor W_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.

FIGS. 17 and 18 are flowcharts for describing operations of the aerosol generation device 1 according to the third modified embodiment. When the power supply of the aerosol generation device 1 is turned on as a result of the operation on the operation unit 14, or the like (step S30: YES), the MCU 50 determines (sets) the target temperature T_{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).

Subsequently, the MCU 50 acquires the temperature of the flavor source 33T_{cap_sense} at the present moment, based on the output of the temperature detection device T1 (or the temperature detection device T3) (step S32).

Then, the MCU 50 controls the discharge for heating of the flavor source 33 to the second load 31, based on the temperature T_{cap_sense} and the target temperature T_{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_{cap_sense} is to converge to the target temperature T_{cap_target}.

After step S33, the MCU 50 determines whether there is a request for aerosol generation (step S34). When a request for aerosol generation is not detected (step S34: NO), the MCU 50 determines a length of the non-operation time during which the request for aerosol generation is not performed, in step S35. When the non-operation time has reached a predetermined time (step S35: YES), the MCU 50 ends the discharge to the second load 31 (step S36), and shifts to the sleep mode in which the power consumption is reduced (step S37). When the non-operation time has not reached the predetermined time (step S35: NO), the MCU 50 shifts the processing to step S32.

When a request for aerosol generation is detected (step S34: YES), the MCU 50 ends the discharge for heating of the flavor source 33 to the second load 31, and acquires the temperature T_{cap_sense} of the flavor source 33 at that time, based on the output of the temperature detection device T1 (or the temperature detection device T3) (step S41). Then, the MCU 50 determines whether the temperature T_{cap_sense} acquired in step S41 is equal to or higher than the target temperature T_{cap_target} (step S42).

When the temperature T_{cap_sense} is equal to or higher than the target temperature T_{cap_target} (step S42: YES), the MCU 50 supplies the predetermined atomizing electric power P_liquid to the first load 21, thereby starting heating of the first load 21 (heating for atomizing the aerosol source 22) (step S43).

When the temperature T_{cap_sense} is lower than the target temperature T_{cap_target} (step S42: NO), the MCU 50 increases the predetermined atomizing electric power P_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_reservoir in the reservoir (or the remaining amount W_wick in the wick), and determines an amount of increase ΔPa of the atomizing electric power P_liquid, based on the acquired remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir (or the remaining amount W_wick in the wick) (step S45). Then, the MCU 50 supplies, to the first load 21, the atomizing electric power P_liquid′ obtained by adding the amount of increase ΔPa to the atomizing electric power P_liquid, thereby starting heating of the first load 21 (step S46). As the amount of increase ΔPa, for example, a variable value that is the same as the amount of increase ΔP shown in FIG. 10 is used.

The remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir can be derived based on a cumulative value of the supply time t_sense of the atomizing electric power to the first load 21 after the first cartridge 20 is replaced with a brand-new cartridge. The remaining amount W_wick in the wick can be derived based on the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir derived in this way.

After starting the heating of the first load 21 in step S43 or step S46, when the request for aerosol generation is not over yet (step S44: NO) and the duration of the request for aerosol generation is shorter than the upper limit time topper (step S44a: YES), the MCU 50 continues to heat the first load 21. When the duration of the request for aerosol generation reaches the upper limit time t_upper (step S44a: NO) or when the request for aerosol generation is over (step S44: YES), the MCU 50 stops the supply of electric power to the first load 21 (step S48).

In this way, even when the atomizing electric power is increased in step S46, the smaller the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir is, the amount of increase ΔPa is set to be smaller, so that the appropriate electric power corresponding to the remaining amount W_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_reservoir in the reservoir.

After step S48, the MCU 50 acquires the supply time t_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_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_reservoir in the reservoir (step S51). The cumulative discharge time or the number of inhalation times is a parameter indicating a consumed amount of the flavor source 33 after the second cartridge 30 is replaced with a brand-new cartridge. Therefore, it is possible to acquire the remaining amount of the flavor source 33 by comparing the cumulative discharge time or the number of inhalation times and the upper limit value of the cumulative discharge time or the number of inhalation times per one second cartridge 30. For example, the remaining amount[%] of the flavor source 33 can be acquired by dividing a value, which is obtained by subtracting the cumulative discharge time or the number of inhalation times from the upper limit value, by the upper limit value and multiplying 100.

Then, the MCU 50 determines whether the number of inhalation times or the cumulative discharge time after the update in step S50 exceeds a threshold value (step S52). When the number of inhalation times or the cumulative discharge time after the update is equal to or smaller than the threshold value (step S52: NO), the MCU 50 shifts the processing to step S55. When the number of inhalation times or cumulative discharge time after the update exceeds the threshold value (step S52: YES), the MCU 50 causes at least one of the first notification unit 45 and the second notification unit 46 to issue a notification for urging replacement of the second cartridge 30 (step S53). Then, the MCU 50 resets the number of inhalation times or the cumulative discharge time to the initial value (=0), and initializes the target temperature T_{cap_target} (step S54). The initialization of the target temperature T_{cap_target} means excluding, from the setting values, the target temperature T_{cap_target} at that time stored in the memory 50a.

After step S54, when the power supply is not turned off (step S55: NO), the MCU 50 returns the processing to step S31, and when the power supply is turned off (step S55: YES), the MCU 50 ends the processing. In this way, according to the third modified embodiment, it is possible to stabilize flavor and taste every inhalation while simplifying the operations.

The aerosol generation device 1 described above is configured to be able to heat the flavor source 33. However, this configuration is not necessarily required. Even when the heating of the flavor source 33 is not performed, the MCU 50 controls the electric power that is supplied to the first load 21 for generation of aerosol, based on the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir (or the remaining amount W_wick in the wick), thereby making amounts of generated aerosol to be different according to the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir (or the remaining amount W_wick in the wick). By such control, it is possible to generate an appropriate amount of aerosol corresponding to the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir (or the remaining amount W_wick in the wick), so that it is possible to provide the user with aerosol having appropriate flavor and taste.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

(1) A control unit (power supply unit 10) of an aerosol generation device (aerosol generation device 1) including a processing device (MCU 50) configured to acquire a remaining amount (the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir or the remaining amount W_wick in the wick) of an aerosol source (aerosol source 22),

wherein when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is smaller than a threshold value (threshold value TH2), the processing device suppresses discharge from a power supply (power supply 12) to an atomizer (first load 21) configured to atomize the aerosol source, and

wherein when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the processing device controls the discharge from the power supply to the atomizer so as to make an amount of the aerosol source to be atomized different, based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source.

According to the above (1), the electric power that is supplied to the atomizer is controlled based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source. For this reason, it is possible to supply the appropriate electric power based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source to the atomizer. Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with aerosol having appropriate flavor and taste, which can improve the commercial value.

(2) The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to the above (1), wherein when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the processing device controls the discharge from the power supply to the atomizer so that the amount of the aerosol source to be atomized increases as the remaining amount of the aerosol source increases.

According to the above (2), when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is equal to or greater than the threshold value and the remaining amount is small, the electric power that is supplied to the atomizer is reduced. For this reason, it is possible to generate aerosol while suppressing aerosol having unintended flavor and taste from being generated, which is caused when electric power more than necessity is supplied to the remaining amount of the aerosol source.

(3) A control unit (power supply unit 10) of an aerosol generation device (aerosol generation device 1) including a processing device (MCU 50) configured to acquire a remaining amount (the remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir or the remaining amount W_wick in the wick) of an aerosol source (aerosol source 22),

wherein when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is a first remaining amount, the processing device electrically discharges first electric power from a power supply (power supply 12) to an atomizer (first load 21) configured to atomize the aerosol source, and

wherein when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is a second remaining amount different from the first remaining amount, the processing device electrically discharges second electric power different from the first electric power from the power supply to the atomizer.

According to the above (3), the electric power that is supplied to the atomizer is controlled based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source. For this reason, it is possible to supply the appropriate electric power based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source to the atomizer. Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with aerosol having appropriate flavor and taste, which can improve the commercial value.

(4) The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to the above (3), wherein the first remaining amount is larger than the second remaining amount, and

wherein the first electric power is more than the second electric power.

According to the above (4), when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is small, the electric power that is supplied to the atomizer is reduced. For this reason, it is possible to generate aerosol while suppressing aerosol having unintended flavor and taste from being generated, which is caused when electric power more than necessity is supplied to the remaining amount of the aerosol source.

(5) The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to one of the above (1) to (4), further including a storage part (reservoir 23) configured to store the aerosol source,

wherein the processing device is configured to acquire the remaining amount of the aerosol source (remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir) in the storage part, as the remaining amount of the aerosol source.

According to the above (5), it is possible to acquire the remaining amount of the aerosol source simply and accurately. For this reason, it is possible to supply the appropriate electric power to the atomizer while suppressing the increase in cost of the aerosol generation device.

(6) The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to the above (5), wherein the processing device is configured to acquire the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage part, based on a length of the discharge from the power supply to the atomizer (the supply time t_sense or the cumulative discharge time).

According to the above (6), it is not necessary to provide a dedicated sensor so as to acquire the remaining amount of the aerosol source. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the increase in cost of the aerosol generation device.

(7) The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to one of the above (1) to (4), wherein the processing device is configured to acquire the remaining amount of the aerosol source (the remaining amount W_wick in the wick) in a retaining part (wick 24) configured to retain the aerosol source supplied from a storage part (reservoir 23) configured to store the aerosol source, in a position in which the atomizer can atomize the aerosol source, as the remaining amount of the aerosol source.

According to the above (7), it is possible to acquire the remaining amount of the aerosol source that is retained in the retaining part located in the position in which the aerosol source is atomized. For this reason, as compared to the configuration where the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage part is acquired, it is possible to supply the more appropriate electric power to the atomizer.

(8) The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to the above (7), wherein the processing device is configured to acquire the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the retaining part, based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage part.

According to the above (8), it is possible to acquire the remaining amount in the retaining part, based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage part that highly influences the aerosol source retained in the retaining part. For this reason, it is possible to accurately acquire the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the retaining part.

(9) The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to the above (7) or (8), wherein the processing device is configured to acquire the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the retaining part immediately before (the timing at which the determination in step S10 of FIG. 10 is YES) the discharge from the power supply to the atomizer, as the remaining amount of the aerosol source.

According to the above (9), as compared to the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage part, which is difficult to recover even after a while, the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the retaining part, which is easy to recover after a while, is acquired immediately before the discharge to the atomizer. For this reason, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the discharge control based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source.

(10) The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to the above (7) or (8), wherein the processing device is configured to acquire an activation command of the aerosol generation device and an atomization command of the aerosol source by the atomizer, and wherein the processing device is configured to acquire the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the retaining part, as the remaining amount of the aerosol source, when the atomization command is acquired (the timing at which the determination in step S10 of FIG. 10 is YES).

According to the above (10), as compared to the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage part, which is difficult to recover even after a while, the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the retaining part, which is easy to recover after a while, is acquired immediately before the discharge to the atomizer. For this reason, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the discharge control based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source.

(11) The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to one of the above (1) to (10), wherein the processing device is configured to control, based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source, electric power that is electrically discharged from the power supply to an adjustor (second load 31) capable of adjusting an amount of flavor that is added from a flavor source (flavor source 33) to aerosol generated from the aerosol source.

According to the above (11), the electric power that is supplied to the adjustor is controlled based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source. For example, like the operations shown in FIG. 7, the electric power to the second load 31 is controlled according to the electric power threshold value P_max determined in step S6a based on the remaining amount in the reservoir derived based on the remaining amount of the flavor component. For this reason, an amount of the flavor that is added to aerosol can be set as appropriate in consideration of the remaining amount of the aerosol source.

(12) The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to the above (11), wherein the processing device is configured to acquire an atomization command of the aerosol source by the atomizer, and

wherein the processing device is configured to control, based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source, electric power that is electrically discharged from the power supply to the adjustor so that an amount of flavor added to aerosol generated in response to the atomization command acquired at a first timing is the same as an amount of flavor added to aerosol generated in response to the atomization command acquired at a second timing after the first timing.

According to the above (12), the amounts of flavors that are added to aerosol generated by each atomization command can be made to be the same. For this reason, flavor and taste upon inhalation of aerosol are stabilized, so that the merchantability of the aerosol generation device is improved.

(13) The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to the above (12), wherein the processing device is configured to control the discharge from the power supply to the atomizer so that a length of discharge from the power supply to the atomizer by each atomization command does not exceed an upper limit time (upper limit time t_upper), and

wherein the processing device is configured to determine electric power that is electrically discharged from the power supply to the atomizer according to the atomization command acquired at the second timing, based on the upper limit time.

According to the above (13), since the electric power that is electrically discharged from the power supply to the atomizer according to the atomization command at the second timing is determined based on the upper limit of the discharge time to the atomizer performed in response to one atomization command, flavor and taste can be further stabilized.

(14) The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to one of the above (1) to (4), further including a temperature detection device (temperature detection device T1 or T3) capable of outputting a temperature of a heat generating element (second load 31) that can heat a flavor source (flavor source 33) configured to add flavor to aerosol generated from the aerosol source,

wherein the processing device can acquire an atomization command of the aerosol source by the atomizer,

wherein the processing device is configured to control discharge from the power supply to the heat generating element so that a temperature of the heat generating element is to converge to a target temperature (target temperature T_{cap_target}),

wherein when a temperature of the heat generating element acquired in response to the atomization command is lower than the target temperature (step S15: NO), the processing device electrically discharges third electric power (atomizing electric power P_liquid′) from the power supply to the atomizer,

wherein when a temperature of the heat generating element acquired in response to the atomization command is equal to or higher than the target temperature (step S15: YES), the processing device electrically discharges fourth electric power (atomizing electric power P_liquid) from the power supply to the atomizer, and

wherein the third electric power is set based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source and is greater than the fourth electric power.

According to the above (14), when the temperature of the heat generating element configured to heat the flavor source is lower than the target temperature, the electric power that is supplied to the atomizer is controlled according to the remaining amount of the aerosol source. For this reason, it is possible to stabilize flavor and taste while considering the remaining amount of the aerosol source.

(15) The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to the above (14), wherein the processing device is configured so that the more the remaining amount of the aerosol source is, the greater the third electric power is.

According to the above (15), when the temperature of the heat generating element configured to heat the flavor source is lower than the target temperature, the electric power that is supplied to the atomizer is controlled according to the remaining amount of the aerosol source. For this reason, it is possible to stabilize flavor and taste while considering the remaining amount of the aerosol source.

(16) A control unit (power supply unit 10) of an aerosol generation device (aerosol generation device 1) including a processing device (MCU 50) configured to acquire a remaining amount (remaining amount W_reservoir in the reservoir or the remaining amount W_wick in the wick) of an aerosol source (aerosol source 22),

wherein the processing device is configured to control, based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source, electric power that is electrically discharged from a power supply (power supply 12) to an adjustor (second load 31) capable of adjusting an amount of flavor that is added from a flavor source (flavor source 33) to aerosol generated from the aerosol source.

According to the above (16), since the electric power that is supplied to the adjustor is controlled based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source, an amount of the flavor that is added to aerosol can be set as appropriate in consideration of the remaining amount of the aerosol source.

Claims

1. A control unit of an aerosol generation device comprising:

a processing device configured to acquire a remaining amount of an aerosol source,

wherein when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is smaller than a threshold value, the processing device suppresses discharge from a power supply to an atomizer configured to atomize the aerosol source, and

wherein when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the processing device controls the discharge from the power supply to the atomizer so as to make an amount of the aerosol source to be atomized different, based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source.

2. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to claim 1, wherein when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the processing device controls the discharge from the power supply to the atomizer so that the amount of the aerosol source to be atomized increases as the remaining amount of the aerosol source increases.

3. A control unit of an aerosol generation device comprising:

a processing device configured to acquire a remaining amount of an aerosol source,

wherein when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is a first remaining amount, the processing device electrically discharges first electric power from a power supply to an atomizer configured to atomize the aerosol source, and

wherein when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is a second remaining amount different from the first remaining amount, the processing device electrically discharges second electric power different from the first electric power from the power supply to the atomizer.

4. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to claim 3, wherein the first remaining amount is larger than the second remaining amount, and

wherein the first electric power is more than the second electric power.

5. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to claim 1, further comprising a storage part configured to store the aerosol source,

wherein the processing device is configured to acquire the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage part, as the remaining amount of the aerosol source.

6. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to claim 5, wherein the processing device is configured to acquire the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage part, based on a length of the discharge from the power supply to the atomizer.

7. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to claim 1, wherein the processing device is configured to acquire the remaining amount of the aerosol source in a retaining part configured to retain the aerosol source supplied from a storage part configured to store the aerosol source, in a position in which the atomizer can atomize the aerosol source, as the remaining amount of the aerosol source.

8. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to claim 7, wherein the processing device is configured to acquire the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the retaining part, based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage part.

9. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to claim 7, wherein the processing device is configured to acquire the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the retaining part immediately before the discharge from the power supply to the atomizer, as the remaining amount of the aerosol source.

10. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to claim 7, wherein the processing device is configured to acquire an activation command of the aerosol generation device and an atomization command of the aerosol source by the atomizer, and

wherein the processing device is configured to acquire the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the retaining part, as the remaining amount of the aerosol source, when the atomization command is acquired.

11. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to one of claim 1, wherein the processing device is configured to control, based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source, electric power that is electrically discharged from the power supply to an adjustor capable of adjusting an amount of flavor that is added from a flavor source to aerosol generated from the aerosol source.

12. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to claim 11, wherein the processing device is configured to acquire an atomization command of the aerosol source by the atomizer, and

wherein the processing device is configured to control, based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source, electric power that is electrically discharged from the power supply to the adjustor so that an amount of flavor added to aerosol generated in response to the atomization command acquired at a first timing is the same as an amount of flavor added to aerosol generated in response to the atomization command acquired at a second timing after the first timing.

13. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to claim 12, wherein the processing device is configured to control the discharge from the power supply to the atomizer so that a length of discharge from the power supply to the atomizer by each atomization command does not exceed an upper limit time, and

wherein the processing device is configured to determine electric power that is electrically discharged from the power supply to the atomizer according to the atomization command acquired at the second timing, based on the upper limit time.

14. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature detection device capable of outputting a temperature of a heat generating element that can heat a flavor source configured to add flavor to aerosol generated from the aerosol source,

wherein the processing device can acquire an atomization command of the aerosol source by the atomizer,

wherein the processing device is configured to control discharge from the power supply to the heat generating element so that a temperature of the heat generating element is to converge to a target temperature,

wherein when a temperature of the heat generating element acquired in response to the atomization command is lower than the target temperature, the processing device electrically discharges third electric power from the power supply to the atomizer,

wherein when a temperature of the heat generating element acquired in response to the atomization command is equal to or higher than the target temperature, the processing device electrically discharges fourth electric power from the power supply to the atomizer, and

wherein the third electric power is set based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source and is greater than the fourth electric power.

15. The control unit of an aerosol generation device according to claim 14, wherein the processing device is configured so that the more the remaining amount of the aerosol source is, the greater the third electric power is.

16. A control unit of an aerosol generation device comprising:

a processing device configured to acquire a remaining amount of an aerosol source,

wherein the processing device is configured to control, based on the remaining amount of the aerosol source, electric power that is electrically discharged from a power supply to an adjustor capable of adjusting an amount of flavor that is added from a flavor source to aerosol generated from the aerosol source.