WO2022224318A1

WO2022224318A1 - Control device, base material, system, control method, and program

Info

Publication number: WO2022224318A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/015906
Authority: WO
Inventors: 泰弘小野; 和俊芹田; 玲二朗川崎; 寛手塚
Original assignee: 日本たばこ産業株式会社
Priority date: 2021-04-19
Filing date: 2021-04-19
Publication date: 2022-10-27

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a mechanism enabling further improvement of the quality of a puff experience of a user. [Solution] A control device provided with an operation control unit that controls the operation of a heating control unit, which controls, on the basis of a heating profile, power supply to an electromagnetic induction source in an inhalation device in which a susceptor is inductively heated by the electromagnetic induction source, on the basis of a status value. The status value is a value corresponding to a status of the susceptor detected when power was supplied to the electromagnetic induction source prior to execution of the power supply based on the heating profile.

Description

Control device, base material, system, control method and program

The present invention relates to a control device, substrate, system, control method and program.

Inhalation devices, such as electronic cigarettes and nebulizers, that produce substances that are inhaled by the user are widespread. For example, the suction device uses a base material including an aerosol source for generating an aerosol and a flavor source for imparting a flavor component to the generated aerosol to generate an aerosol imparted with a flavor component. A user can enjoy the flavor by inhaling the flavor component-applied aerosol generated by the suction device. The action of the user inhaling the aerosol is hereinafter also referred to as puffing or puffing action.

Until now, suction devices that use external heat sources such as heating blades have been the mainstream. However, in recent years, attention has been focused on an induction heating suction device that generates an aerosol by induction heating a susceptor using an electromagnetic induction source configured as a coil. For example, Patent Document 1 below describes a technique for identifying a substrate by observing a change in the magnetism of the susceptor before and after the Curie point when the substrate containing two types of susceptors with different Curie points is induction-heated. disclosed.

Japanese Patent No. 6653260

However, with the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to identify the substrate unless the susceptor is heated to around the Curie point. Therefore, there is a risk that the base material that should not be heated may be heated, and the user may inhale inappropriate aerosol.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism capable of improving the quality of the user's puff experience.

In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control device for controlling a suction device, wherein the suction device includes a power supply unit that stores and supplies power, and a an inverter circuit that converts DC power into AC power; a housing part that can house a substrate containing an aerosol source and a susceptor that is thermally adjacent to the aerosol source; and the AC power supplied from the inverter circuit. an electromagnetic induction source that uses electric power to generate a fluctuating magnetic field in the internal space; and the electromagnetic induction source from the inverter circuit based on a heating profile that defines a time-series transition of a target temperature, which is a target temperature of the susceptor. and a heating control unit that controls power supply to the electromagnetic induction source, wherein the control device detects when power is supplied from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source before power supply based on the heating profile is performed. A control device is provided, comprising an operation control section that controls the operation of the heating control section based on a state value that is a value corresponding to the state of the susceptor.

The operation control unit may control whether or not to perform power supply based on the heating profile, based on a comparison result between the state value and the reference value.

The state value may be the impedance of an RLC circuit including the electromagnetic induction source.

The state value may be a current value when the RLC circuit including the electromagnetic induction source is operated at a predetermined frequency.

The state value may be a Q value that indicates the sharpness of the resonance peak of the RLC circuit including the electromagnetic induction source.

The operation control unit may control whether or not to perform power supply based on the heating profile, based on the plurality of state values.

The amount of power supplied to the electromagnetic induction source for detecting the state value may be smaller than the amount of power supplied to the electromagnetic induction source during power supply based on the heating profile.

The state value may be detected as a trigger that a predetermined user operation has been performed.

The state value may be detected by triggering that the base material has been stored in the storage unit.

The storage portion has an opening that communicates the internal space with the outside, and stores the base material inserted into the internal space through the opening. It may be detected based on information of a partial space that is a part of the internal space on the opening side.

The operation control unit may select the heating profile based on the state value.

The operation control unit may control whether or not to execute power supply based on the heating profile based on the state value and the remaining power of the power supply unit.

The control device may be the suction device.

The control device and the suction device are configured separately, the suction device transmits the state value to the control device, and the control device controls the operation of the heating control unit based on the received state value. Control information for controlling may be transmitted to the suction device.

The heating control unit may perform power supply based on the heating profile triggered by a predetermined user operation in a state where power supply based on the heating profile is permitted by the operation control unit. good.

The heating control unit may execute power supply based on the heating profile, triggered by the operation control unit permitting execution of power supply based on the heating profile.

In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a substrate for use in a suction device controlled by a control device, the suction device comprising a power source for storing and supplying power. an inverter circuit that converts DC power supplied from the power supply unit into AC power; and a housing that can house a substrate containing an aerosol source and a susceptor thermally adjacent to the aerosol source in an internal space. an electromagnetic induction source that uses the AC power supplied from the inverter circuit to generate a varying magnetic field in the internal space; a heating control unit configured to control power supply from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source based on the heating profile, wherein the control device controls power supply from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source before power supply based on the heating profile is performed. an operation control unit that controls the operation of the heating control unit based on a state value corresponding to the state of the susceptor that is detected when power is supplied to the source; A substrate is provided comprising a source and the susceptor in thermal proximity to the aerosol source.

Further, in order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, a power supply unit that stores and supplies electric power, an inverter circuit that converts the DC power supplied from the power supply unit into AC power, and an aerosol source. An accommodating portion capable of accommodating a base material and a susceptor thermally adjacent to the aerosol source in an internal space, and electromagnetic induction generating a varying magnetic field in the internal space using the AC power supplied from the inverter circuit. a heating control unit that controls power supply from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source based on a heating profile that defines a time-series transition of a target temperature, which is a target value of the temperature of the susceptor; Based on a state value corresponding to the state of the susceptor detected when power is supplied from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source before the power supply based on the heating profile is executed, the heating control unit and a substrate housed in the housing and having the aerosol source and the susceptor in thermal proximity to the aerosol source. be.

In order to solve the above-described problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for controlling a suction device, wherein the suction device includes a power supply unit that stores and supplies power; an inverter circuit for converting DC power supplied from a unit into AC power; a housing unit capable of housing a substrate containing an aerosol source and a susceptor thermally adjacent to the aerosol source in an internal space; an electromagnetic induction source that uses the supplied AC power to generate a varying magnetic field in the internal space; and a heating control unit that controls power supply from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source, and the control method is configured to control power supply from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source before power supply based on the heating profile is performed. controlling the operation of the heating control unit based on the detected state value corresponding to the state of the susceptor.

In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for being executed by a computer that controls a suction device, wherein the suction device stores and supplies power, and an inverter circuit for converting DC power supplied from the power supply unit into AC power; a housing unit capable of housing a substrate containing an aerosol source and a susceptor thermally adjacent to the aerosol source in an internal space; Based on an electromagnetic induction source that generates a fluctuating magnetic field in the internal space using the AC power supplied from the inverter circuit, and a heating profile that defines the time series transition of the target temperature, which is the target temperature of the susceptor. a heating control unit for controlling power supply from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source, wherein the program controls power supply from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source before power supply based on the heating profile is executed. A program is provided for controlling the operation of the heating control unit based on a state value, which is a value corresponding to the state of the susceptor, detected when the heating is performed.

As described above, according to the present invention, a mechanism is provided that can improve the quality of the user's puff experience.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of a suction device typically. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration related to induction heating by the suction device 100 according to the embodiment; It is a figure which shows the equivalent circuit of the circuit involved in the induction heating by the suction device 100 which concerns on this embodiment. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the suction device 100 according to the present embodiment; FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining processing for determining whether or not the susceptor 161 is corroded based on the value of current flowing through the RLC circuit 164;

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and drawings, constituent elements having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, thereby omitting redundant description.

<1. Configuration example of suction device>
The suction device according to this configuration example generates an aerosol by heating a substrate including an aerosol source by induction heating (IH (Induction Heating)). This configuration example will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a suction device. As shown in FIG. 1, the suction device 100 according to this configuration example includes a power supply unit 111, a sensor unit 112, a notification unit 113, a storage unit 114, a communication unit 115, a control unit 116, a susceptor 161, an electromagnetic induction source 162, and A retainer 140 is included. The user performs suction while the stick-shaped substrate 150 is held by the holding portion 140 . Each component will be described in order below.

The power supply unit 111 accumulates power. The power supply unit 111 supplies electric power to each component of the suction device 100 . The power supply unit 111 may be composed of, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery. The power supply unit 111 may be charged by being connected to an external power supply via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or the like. Also, the power supply unit 111 may be charged in a state of being disconnected from the device on the power transmission side by wireless power transmission technology. Alternatively, only the power supply unit 111 may be detached from the suction device 100 or may be replaced with a new power supply unit 111 .

The sensor unit 112 detects various information regarding the suction device 100 . The sensor unit 112 then outputs the detected information to the control unit 116 . As an example, the sensor unit 112 is configured by a pressure sensor such as a condenser microphone, a flow rate sensor, or a temperature sensor. When the sensor unit 112 detects a numerical value associated with the user's suction, the sensor unit 112 outputs information indicating that the user has performed suction to the control unit 116 . As another example, the sensor unit 112 is configured by an input device, such as a button or switch, that receives information input from the user. Among other things, sensor unit 112 may include a button for instructing start/stop of aerosol generation. The sensor unit 112 then outputs the information input by the user to the control unit 116 . As another example, the sensor section 112 is configured by a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the susceptor 161 . Such a temperature sensor detects the temperature of the susceptor 161 based on the electrical resistance value of the electromagnetic induction source 162, for example. The sensor section 112 may detect the temperature of the stick-shaped substrate 150 held by the holding section 140 based on the temperature of the susceptor 161 .

The notification unit 113 notifies the user of information. As an example, the notification unit 113 is configured by a light-emitting device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). In this case, the notification unit 113 emits light in different light emission patterns when the power supply unit 111 is in a charging required state, when the power supply unit 111 is being charged, when an abnormality occurs in the suction device 100, and the like. . The light emission pattern here is a concept including color, timing of lighting/lighting out, and the like. The notification unit 113 may be configured by a display device that displays an image, a sound output device that outputs sound, a vibration device that vibrates, or the like, together with or instead of the light emitting device. In addition, the notification unit 113 may notify information indicating that suction by the user has become possible. Information indicating that suction by the user is enabled is notified when the temperature of the stick-shaped base material 150 heated by electromagnetic induction reaches a predetermined temperature.

The storage unit 114 stores various information for the operation of the suction device 100 . The storage unit 114 is configured by, for example, a non-volatile storage medium such as flash memory. An example of the information stored in the storage unit 114 is information regarding the OS (Operating System) of the suction device 100, such as control details of various components by the control unit 116. FIG. Another example of the information stored in the storage unit 114 is information related to suction by the user, such as the number of times of suction, suction time, total suction time, and the like.

The communication unit 115 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving information between the suction device 100 and other devices. The communication unit 115 performs communication conforming to any wired or wireless communication standard. As such a communication standard, for example, wireless LAN (Local Area Network), wired LAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like can be adopted. As an example, the communication unit 115 transmits information about suction by the user to the smartphone so that the smartphone displays information about suction by the user. As another example, the communication unit 115 receives new OS information from the server in order to update the OS information stored in the storage unit 114 .

The control unit 116 functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, and controls the general operations within the suction device 100 according to various programs. The control unit 116 is realized by an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a microprocessor. In addition, the control unit 116 may include a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing programs to be used, calculation parameters, etc., and a RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing parameters, etc. that change as appropriate. The suction device 100 executes various processes under the control of the controller 116 . Power supply from power supply unit 111 to other components, charging of power supply unit 111, detection of information by sensor unit 112, notification of information by notification unit 113, storage and reading of information by storage unit 114, and communication unit 115 Transmission and reception of information is an example of processing controlled by the control unit 116 . Other processes executed by the suction device 100, such as information input to each component and processing based on information output from each component, are also controlled by the control unit 116. FIG.

The holding part 140 has an internal space 141 and holds the stick-shaped base material 150 while accommodating a part of the stick-shaped base material 150 in the internal space 141 . The holding part 140 has an opening 142 that communicates the internal space 141 with the outside, and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141 through the opening 142 . For example, the holding portion 140 is a tubular body having an opening 142 and a bottom portion 143 as a bottom surface, and defines a columnar internal space 141 . The holding part 140 is configured such that the inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the stick-shaped base material 150 at least in part in the height direction of the cylindrical body, and holds the stick-shaped base material 150 inserted into the internal space 141. The stick-shaped substrate 150 can be held by pressing from the outer periphery. The retainer 140 also functions to define air flow paths through the stick-shaped substrate 150 . An air inlet hole, which is an inlet for air into the flow path, is arranged, for example, in the bottom portion 143 . On the other hand, the air outflow hole, which is the exit of air from such a channel, is the opening 142 .

The stick-shaped base material 150 is a stick-shaped member. The stick-type substrate 150 includes a substrate portion 151 and a mouthpiece portion 152 .

The base material portion 151 includes an aerosol source. The aerosol source is atomized by heating to produce an aerosol. The aerosol source may be tobacco-derived, such as, for example, a processed product of cut tobacco or tobacco material formed into granules, sheets, or powder. Aerosol sources may also include non-tobacco sources made from plants other than tobacco, such as mints and herbs. By way of example, the aerosol source may contain perfume ingredients such as menthol. If the inhalation device 100 is a medical inhaler, the aerosol source may contain a medicament for inhalation by the patient. The aerosol source is not limited to solids, and may be, for example, polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin and propylene glycol, and liquids such as water. At least part of the base material part 151 is accommodated in the internal space 141 of the holding part 140 in a state in which the stick-shaped base material 150 is held by the holding part 140.

The mouthpiece 152 is a member held by the user when inhaling. At least part of the mouthpiece 152 protrudes from the opening 142 when the stick-shaped base material 150 is held by the holding part 140 . Then, when the user holds the mouthpiece 152 protruding from the opening 142 and sucks, air flows into the inside of the holding part 140 from an air inlet hole (not shown). The air that has flowed in passes through the internal space 141 of the holding part 140 , that is, passes through the base material part 151 and reaches the inside of the user's mouth together with the aerosol generated from the base material part 151 .

Furthermore, the stick-type base material 150 includes a susceptor 161 . The susceptor 161 generates heat by electromagnetic induction. The susceptor 161 is made of a conductive material such as metal. As an example, the susceptor 161 is configured in a plate shape. The susceptor 161 is arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the susceptor 161 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the stick-shaped substrate 150 .

Here, the susceptor 161 is placed in thermal proximity to the aerosol source. The susceptor 161 being thermally close to the aerosol source means that the susceptor 161 is arranged at a position where heat generated in the susceptor 161 is transferred to the aerosol source. For example, the susceptor 161 is contained in the substrate portion 151 along with the aerosol source and is surrounded by the aerosol source. With such a configuration, the heat generated from the susceptor 161 can be efficiently used to heat the aerosol source.

It should be noted that the susceptor 161 may not be accessible from the outside of the stick-shaped substrate 150 . For example, the susceptors 161 may be distributed in the central portion of the stick-shaped substrate 150 and not distributed near the periphery.

The electromagnetic induction source 162 causes the susceptor 161 to generate heat by electromagnetic induction. The electromagnetic induction source 162 is composed of, for example, a coiled conductor wire, and is arranged so as to wrap around the outer periphery of the holding portion 140 . The electromagnetic induction source 162 generates a magnetic field when alternating current is supplied from the power supply section 111 . The electromagnetic induction source 162 is arranged at a position where the internal space 141 of the holding section 140 overlaps the generated magnetic field. Therefore, when a magnetic field is generated while the stick-shaped substrate 150 is held by the holding portion 140, an eddy current is generated in the susceptor 161 and Joule heat is generated. Then, the Joule heat heats the aerosol source contained in the stick-shaped substrate 150 and atomizes it to generate an aerosol. As an example, power may be supplied and an aerosol may be generated when the sensor unit 112 detects that a predetermined user input has been performed. When the temperature of the stick-shaped substrate 150 induction-heated by the susceptor 161 and the electromagnetic induction source 162 reaches a predetermined temperature, the suction by the user becomes possible. After that, when the sensor unit 112 detects that a predetermined user input has been performed, the power supply may be stopped. As another example, power may be supplied and aerosol may be generated during a period in which the sensor unit 112 detects that the user has inhaled.

Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which the susceptor 161 is included in the base material portion 151 of the stick-shaped base material 150, this configuration example is not limited to such an example. For example, the holding part 140 may serve the function of the susceptor 161 . In this case, the magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic induction source 162 generates an eddy current in the holding portion 140 and generates Joule heat. Then, the Joule heat heats the aerosol source contained in the stick-shaped substrate 150 and atomizes it to generate an aerosol.

Note that the combination of the suction device 100 and the stick-shaped substrate 150 may be regarded as one system in that aerosol can be generated by combining the suction device 100 and the stick-shaped substrate 150 .

<2. Induction heating>
Induction heating is described in detail below.

Induction heating is the process of heating a conductive object by penetrating a varying magnetic field into the object. Induction heating involves a magnetic field generator that generates a fluctuating magnetic field, and a conductive heated object that is heated by being exposed to the fluctuating magnetic field. An example of a varying magnetic field is an alternating magnetic field. The electromagnetic induction source 162 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of a magnetic field generator. The susceptor 161 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of the object to be heated.

When the magnetic field generator and the object to be heated are arranged in relative positions such that the fluctuating magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator penetrates into the object to be heated, when the fluctuating magnetic field is generated from the magnetic field generator, the object to be heated Eddy currents are induced. When the eddy current flows through the object to be heated, Joule heat corresponding to the electrical resistance of the object to be heated is generated and the object to be heated is heated. Such heating is also referred to as joule heating, ohmic heating, or resistance heating.

The object to be heated may have magnetism. In that case, the object to be heated is further heated by magnetic hysteresis heating. Magnetic hysteresis heating is the process of heating a magnetic object by impinging it with a varying magnetic field. When a magnetic field penetrates a magnetic body, the magnetic dipoles contained in the magnetic body align along the magnetic field. Therefore, when a fluctuating magnetic field penetrates a magnetic material, the orientation of the magnetic dipole changes according to the applied fluctuating magnetic field. Due to such reorientation of the magnetic dipoles, heat is generated in the magnetic material, and the object to be heated is heated.

Magnetic hysteresis heating typically occurs at temperatures below the Curie point and does not occur at temperatures above the Curie point. The Curie point is the temperature at which a magnetic material loses its magnetic properties. For example, when the temperature of an object to be heated which has ferromagnetism at a temperature below the Curie point exceeds the Curie point, the magnetism of the object to be heated undergoes a reversible phase transition from ferromagnetism to paramagnetism. When the temperature of the object to be heated exceeds the Curie point, magnetic hysteresis heating does not occur, so the rate of temperature increase slows down.

It is desirable that the object to be heated is made of a conductive material. Furthermore, it is desirable that the object to be heated is made of a ferromagnetic material. In the latter case, it is possible to increase the heating efficiency by combining resistance heating and magnetic hysteresis heating. For example, the object to be heated is made of one or more materials selected from a group of materials including aluminum, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, copper, stainless steel, and the like.

In both resistance heating and magnetic hysteresis heating, heat is generated inside the object to be heated, not by heat conduction from an external heat source. Therefore, rapid temperature rise of the object to be heated and uniform heat distribution can be realized. This can be realized by appropriately designing the material and shape of the object to be heated and the magnitude and direction of the varying magnetic field. That is, by appropriately designing the distribution of the susceptors 161 included in the stick-shaped substrate 150, a rapid temperature rise and uniform heat distribution of the stick-shaped substrate 150 can be achieved. Therefore, the time required for preheating can be shortened, and the quality of flavor that the user can enjoy can be improved.

Since induction heating directly heats the susceptor 161 included in the stick-shaped base material 150, the base material can be heated more efficiently than when the stick-shaped base material 150 is heated from the outer periphery or the like by an external heat source. It is possible. Moreover, when heating is performed by an external heat source, the temperature of the external heat source is inevitably higher than that of the stick-shaped substrate 150 . On the other hand, when performing induction heating, the electromagnetic induction source 162 does not become hotter than the stick-shaped substrate 150 . Therefore, the temperature of the suction device 100 can be kept lower than when an external heat source is used, which is a great advantage in terms of user safety.

The electromagnetic induction source 162 uses power supplied from the power supply unit 111 to generate a varying magnetic field. As an example, the power supply unit 111 may be a DC (Direct Current) power supply. In that case, the power supply unit 111 supplies AC power to the electromagnetic induction source 162 via a DC/AC (Alternate Current) inverter. In that case, the electromagnetic induction source 162 can generate an alternating magnetic field.

The electromagnetic induction source 162 causes the fluctuating magnetic field generated from the electromagnetic induction source 162 to enter the susceptor 161 which is arranged in thermal proximity to the aerosol source contained in the stick-shaped base material 150 held by the holding part 140 . placed in position. The susceptor 161 generates heat when a fluctuating magnetic field enters. The electromagnetic induction source 162 shown in FIG. 1 is a solenoid coil. The solenoid-type coil is arranged so that the conductive wire is wound around the outer periphery of the holding portion 140 . When a current is applied to the solenoid type coil, a magnetic field is generated in the central space surrounded by the coil, that is, the internal space 141 of the holding part 140 . As shown in FIG. 1, when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is held by the holding portion 140, the susceptor 161 is surrounded by the coil. Therefore, the fluctuating magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic induction source 162 enters the susceptor 161 and heats the susceptor 161 by induction.

<3. Technical features>
(1) Detailed Internal Configuration A configuration related to induction heating according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration related to induction heating by the suction device 100 according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the suction device 100 includes a drive circuit 169 including an inverter circuit 163 and an RLC circuit 164. The drive circuit 169 is a circuit for generating a varying magnetic field using power supplied from the power supply section 111 .

The power supply unit 111 is a DC (Direct Current) power supply. The power supply unit 111 supplies DC power.

The inverter circuit 163 is a DC/AC (Alternate Current) inverter that converts the DC power supplied from the power supply unit 111 into AC power. As an example, inverter circuit 163 is configured as a half-bridge inverter or a full-bridge inverter having one or more switching elements. Examples of switching elements include MOSFETs (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors) and IGBTs (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors).

The RLC circuit 164 is a circuit that uses the AC power supplied from the inverter circuit 163 to generate a varying magnetic field. RLC circuit 164 includes at least electromagnetic induction source 162 . RLC circuit 164 may further comprise other circuits such as capacitors, resistors, matching circuits, and the like.

The holding part 140 is an example of an accommodating part capable of accommodating a stick-shaped base material 150, which is a base material containing an aerosol source, and a susceptor 161 thermally adjacent to the aerosol source. The holding part 140 accommodates and holds the stick-shaped base material 150 inserted into the internal space 141 through the opening 142 . Of the holding portion 140 and the internal space 141, the side closer to the bottom 143 is also called upstream, and the side closer to the opening 142 is also called downstream. This is because an air flow is generated from upstream to downstream when puffing is performed.

The electromagnetic induction source 162 uses the AC power supplied from the inverter circuit 163 to generate a varying magnetic field in the internal space 141 of the holding section 140 . Thereby, the susceptor 161 is induction-heated and an aerosol is generated.

The sensor section 112 has a detection section 180 . The detector 180 has a function of detecting a state value, which is a value corresponding to the state of the susceptor 161 . State values are described in detail later.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 116 includes a heating control unit 171 and an operation control unit 172.

The heating control unit 171 controls induction heating by the electromagnetic induction source 162 . Specifically, the heating control unit 171 controls power supply from the inverter circuit 163 to the electromagnetic induction source 162 . For example, the heating control unit 171 estimates the temperature of the susceptor 161 based on information on DC power supplied from the power supply unit 111 to the drive circuit 169 . Then, the heating control unit 171 controls power supply to the electromagnetic induction source 162 based on the estimated temperature of the susceptor 161 .

A method for estimating the temperature of the susceptor 161 will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit of a circuit involved in induction heating by the suction device 100 according to this embodiment. _Apparent electrical resistance value _RA _shown in FIG. resistance value. As shown in FIG. 3, the apparent electrical resistance value R _A corresponds to the series connection formed by the electrical resistance value R _C of the drive circuit 169 and the electrical resistance value R _S of the susceptor 161 . There is a very monotonic relationship between the apparent electrical resistance value _RA and the temperature of the susceptor 161 . For example, within a range (for example, 0° C. to 400° C.) in which the temperature of the susceptor 161 can change due to induction heating by the suction device 100, the apparent electrical resistance value _RA and the temperature of the susceptor 161 are substantially can be linearly related. Therefore, the control unit 116 can calculate the apparent electrical resistance value _RA based on the current value _{IDC and the voltage value VDC} _, and estimate the temperature of the susceptor 161 based on the apparent electrical resistance value _RA . is.

The heating control unit 171 controls power supply to the electromagnetic induction source 162 so that the temperature of the susceptor 161 changes according to the heating profile. The heating profile is information that defines the time series transition of the target temperature, which is the target value of the temperature of the susceptor 161 . The suction device 100 controls power supply to the electromagnetic induction source 162 so that the actual temperature of the susceptor 161 (hereinafter also referred to as the actual temperature) changes in the same manner as the target temperature specified in the heating profile changes over time. do. This produces an aerosol as planned by the heating profile. The heating profile is typically designed to optimize the flavor experienced by the user when the user inhales the aerosol produced from the stick-shaped substrate 150 . Therefore, by controlling the operation of the electromagnetic induction source 162 based on the heating profile, the flavor experienced by the user can be optimized.

A heating profile includes one or more combinations of the elapsed time from the start of heating and the target temperature to be reached in that elapsed time. Then, the heating control unit 171 controls the temperature of the susceptor 161 based on the difference between the target temperature in the heating profile corresponding to the elapsed time from the start of the current heating and the current actual temperature. Temperature control of the susceptor 161 can be realized, for example, by known feedback control. In feedback control, the heating control section 171 may control the power supplied to the electromagnetic induction source 162 based on the difference between the actual temperature and the target temperature. Feedback control may be, for example, PID control (Proportional-Integral-Differential Controller). Alternatively, the heating control section 171 may perform simple ON-OFF control. For example, the heating control unit 171 may supply power to the electromagnetic induction source 162 until the actual temperature reaches the target temperature, and interrupt power supply to the electromagnetic induction source 162 when the actual temperature reaches the target temperature. .

The time interval from the start to the end of the process of generating an aerosol using the stick-shaped substrate 150, more specifically, the time interval during which the electromagnetic induction source 162 operates based on the heating profile, is also referred to as a heating session below. called. The beginning of the heating session is the timing at which heating based on the heating profile is started. The end of the heating session is when a sufficient amount of aerosol is no longer produced. A heating session consists of a first half preheating period and a second half puffable period. The puffable period is the period during which a sufficient amount of aerosol is assumed to be generated. The preheating period is the period from the start of heating to the start of the puffable period. Heating performed in the preheating period is also referred to as preheating.

The operation control unit 172 controls the operation of the heating control unit 171. Specifically, the operation control unit 172 controls whether or not the heating control unit 171 can supply power to the electromagnetic induction source 162 (that is, induction heating) based on the state value detected by the detection unit 180 . The suction device 100 is an example of a control device having an operation control section 172 .

(2) Determining Whether Heating is Possible The operation control unit 172 determines the heating control unit based on the state value detected when power is supplied from the inverter circuit 163 to the electromagnetic induction source 162 before the power supply based on the heating profile is executed. 171 operation. Specifically, the operation control unit 172 supplies AC power for detecting the state value from the inverter circuit 163 to the RLC circuit 164 prior to power supply based on the heating profile (that is, induction heating based on the heating profile). Let At that time, the detection unit 180 detects the state value. Then, based on the state value detected by the detection unit 180, the operation control unit 172 controls whether power supply can be performed based on the heating profile.

A state value is a value corresponding to the state of the susceptor 161 . For example, the operation control unit 172 determines whether the state of the susceptor 161 is normal based on the state value. Then, when the operation control unit 172 determines that the state of the susceptor 161 is normal, the operation control unit 172 permits execution of power supply based on the heating profile. On the other hand, when the operation control unit 172 determines that the state of the susceptor 161 is abnormal, it prohibits the power supply based on the heating profile.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to heat the stick-shaped substrate 150 and generate an aerosol only when the state of the susceptor 161 is normal. That is, when the state of the susceptor 161 is abnormal, the stick-shaped substrate 150 is heated to prevent the user from inhaling inappropriate aerosol. Therefore, it is possible to improve the quality of the user's puff experience.

An example of the state of the susceptor 161 is whether or not the susceptor 161 is corroded. A normal state of the susceptor 161 means that the susceptor 161 is not corroded (more precisely, the degree of corrosion is less than a predetermined threshold). The state of the susceptor 161 being abnormal means that the susceptor 161 is corroded (more precisely, the degree of corrosion exceeds a predetermined threshold). If the package in which the stick-shaped substrate 150 is sealed is left unsealed for a long period of time, the susceptor 161 may oxidize and corrode. For example, rust may occur on the surface of the susceptor 161, the thickness of the susceptor 161 may be reduced, or holes formed in the surface of the susceptor 161 may open. The degree of corrosion of the susceptor 161 may also be proportional to the degree of deterioration of the aerosol source and flavor source. Therefore, when the stick-type substrate 150 containing the corroded susceptor 161 is heated, problems such as an insufficient amount of aerosol being generated and a deteriorated flavor being imparted to the aerosol can occur. In this respect, according to this configuration, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience associated with corrosion of the susceptor 161 .

The operation control unit 172 may control whether or not power supply can be performed based on the heating profile based on the comparison result between the state value and the reference value. The reference value corresponds to a state value assumed to be detected when the susceptor 161 is in a normal state. As an example, the operation control unit 172 determines that the state of the susceptor 161 is normal when the difference between the state value and the reference value is within a predetermined threshold value, and otherwise determines that the state of the susceptor 161 is abnormal. I judge. As another example, the reference value may be a value having a certain width. In this case, the operation control unit 172 determines that the state of the susceptor 161 is normal when the state value is within the range of the reference value, and determines that the state of the susceptor 161 is abnormal otherwise.

The state value may be a value detected with respect to the AC power flowing through the electromagnetic induction source 162 . For example, the state value may be the impedance of RLC circuit 164 . The detection unit 180 measures the voltage value applied to the RLC circuit 164 and the current value flowing through the RLC circuit 164, and calculates the impedance of the RLC circuit 164 based on the measured voltage value and current value. The impedance of RLC circuit 164 changes according to the state of susceptor 161 . Therefore, it is possible to determine the state of the susceptor 161 according to the impedance of the RLC circuit 164 .

The amount of power supplied to the electromagnetic induction source 162 for detecting the state value is smaller than the amount of power supplied to the electromagnetic induction source 162 during power supply based on the heating profile. More simply, the operation control unit 172 supplies weak power from the inverter circuit 163 to the RLC circuit 164 compared to the case of performing power supply based on the heating profile so that the detection unit 180 can detect the state value. Let An example of the amount of electric power here is a current value. According to such a configuration, it is possible to reduce power consumption when detecting the state value. Furthermore, since the temperature of the susceptor 161 does not rise or can be suppressed to a slight temperature rise, the life of the stick-shaped substrate 150 can be prevented from being shortened. The life of the stick-shaped substrate 150 is the length of time until the aerosol source contained in the stick-shaped substrate 150 is exhausted.

The detection unit 180 may detect the state value triggered by a predetermined user operation. An example of the predetermined user operation is pressing a button provided on the suction device 100 . According to such a configuration, the state value is not detected until there is an explicit instruction from the user. Since the state value is not detected when the user does not intend to puff, power consumption can be suppressed.

The detection unit 180 may detect the state value triggered by the holding of the stick-shaped base material 150 in the holding unit 140 . According to this configuration, when the stick-shaped base material 150 is inserted into the suction device 100, the state of the susceptor 161 is determined, and it is determined whether or not power supply can be performed based on the heating profile. Since the user's operation for detecting the detection value is not required, usability can be improved.

The fact that the stick-shaped base material 150 is housed in the holding part 140 may be detected based on the information of the partial space, which is a part of the internal space 141 on the opening 142 side. For example, a capacitive proximity sensor provided near the opening 142 detects that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is accommodated in the holding portion 140 . A capacitive proximity sensor is a sensor that generates an electric field and detects an object based on a change in capacitance or dielectric constant when the object enters the electric field. A proximity sensor provided near the opening 142 detects the capacitance, dielectric constant, or the like of a partial space near the opening 142 in the internal space 141 . As the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted/removed, various portions of the stick-shaped substrate 150 (a portion including the susceptor 161 and a portion not including the susceptor 161) pass through the partial spaces. Accordingly, the capacitance and dielectric constant of the partial space change. Therefore, the operation control section 172 can determine whether or not the stick-shaped substrate 150 is held by the holding section 140 according to the time-series change in the capacitance or dielectric constant of the partial space.

The heating control unit 171 may execute power supply based on the heating profile, triggered by a predetermined user operation performed in a state where power supply based on the heating profile is permitted by the operation control unit 172 . An example of the predetermined user operation is pressing a button provided on the suction device 100 . According to such a configuration, the suction device 100 waits without performing induction heating until there is an explicit instruction from the user. Since it is not heated when the user does not intend to puff, power consumption can be suppressed.

The heating control unit 171 may perform power supply based on the heating profile, triggered by the permission of the operation control unit 172 to perform power supply based on the heating profile. According to such a configuration, induction heating is automatically started when execution of power supply based on the heating profile is permitted. Since no user operation is required to execute power supply based on the heating profile, usability can be improved.

(3) Flow of Processing FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the suction device 100 according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the operation control unit 172 first determines whether or not a suction request has been detected (step S102). A puff request is a user action requesting to generate an aerosol. An example of the suction request is an operation on the suction device 100 such as operating a switch or the like provided on the suction device 100 . Another example of a suction request is inserting a stick substrate 150 into the suction device 100 .

When it is determined that a suction request has not been detected (step S102: NO), the operation control unit 172 waits until a suction request is detected.

When it is determined that a suction request has been detected (step S102: YES), the operation control unit 172 controls to supply AC power for detecting the state value to the RLC circuit 164 (step S104). For example, the operation control unit 172 causes the inverter circuit 163 to supply the RLC circuit 164 with weak power compared to the power supplied when performing induction heating based on the heating profile.

Next, the detection unit 180 detects the state value (step S106). For example, detection unit 180 detects the impedance of RLC circuit 164 .

Next, the operation control unit 172 determines whether the state of the susceptor 161 is normal (step S108). As an example, the operation control unit 172 determines that the state of the susceptor 161 is normal when the difference between the state value and the reference value is within a predetermined threshold value, and otherwise determines that the state of the susceptor 161 is abnormal. I judge. Note that the notification unit 113 may notify the user of the determination result. Alternatively, the determination result may be transmitted by the communication unit 115 and notified to the user via a smartphone or the like.

When it is determined that the state of the susceptor 161 is normal (step S108: YES), the operation control unit 172 permits power supply based on the heating profile (step S110).

Then, the heating control unit 171 performs power supply based on the heating profile (step S112). This heats the susceptor 161 and generates an aerosol. The power supply based on the heating profile may be triggered by determination that the state of the susceptor 161 is normal, or may be triggered by a predetermined user operation. . After that, the process ends.

On the other hand, if the state of the susceptor 161 is determined to be abnormal (step S108: NO), the operation control unit 172 prohibits power supply based on the heating profile (step S114). That is, the susceptor 161 is not heated and no aerosol is generated. After that, the process ends.

<4. Variation>
<4.1. First modification>
Although the above describes an example in which the state value is the impedance of the RLC circuit 164, the present invention is not limited to such an example.

-Current value The state value may be a current value when the RLC circuit 164 is operated at a predetermined frequency. An example of the predetermined frequency is the resonance frequency _f0 of the RLC circuit 164 when the stick-shaped substrate 150 with the susceptor 161 not corroded is held by the holding portion 140 . The resonance frequency _f0 is measured in advance at a factory or the like where the suction device 100 is manufactured. A determination method based on the current value will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the process of determining whether or not the susceptor 161 is corroded based on the current value flowing through the RLC circuit 164. FIG. Graph 30 shows the relationship between the operating frequency of RLC circuit 164 and the value of current flowing through RLC circuit 164 . The operating frequency of RLC circuit 164 is the frequency of AC power supplied from inverter circuit 163 to RLC circuit 164 . Line 31 shows the relationship when the susceptor 161 is not corroded. Line 32 shows the relationship when the susceptor 161 is corroded. The horizontal axis of graph 30 is the operating frequency of RLC circuit 164 . The vertical axis of graph 30 is the effective value of the current flowing through RLC circuit 164 .

When the RLC circuit 164 operates at the resonant frequency, the impedance of the RLC circuit 164 can be regarded as 0, so the current value flowing through the RLC circuit 164 is the largest. Therefore, as indicated by line 31, if the susceptor 161 is not corroded and the RLC circuit 164 is operated at the frequency _f0 , the maximum current value _IA will be detected.

On the other hand, if the susceptor 161 is corroded, the resonant frequency f ₀ ′ of the RLC circuit 164 will change from the previously measured resonant frequency f ₀ . Therefore, if the RLC circuit 164 is operated at the frequency _f0 while the susceptor 161 is corroded, as indicated by the line 32, the impedance cannot be regarded as 0, so the current value I is smaller than the current value _IA . _B will be detected.

Therefore, the operation control unit 172 determines whether or not the susceptor 161 is corroded based on the current value detected when the RLC circuit 164 is operated at the frequency _f0 . Specifically, the operation control unit 172 determines that the current value I _A detected when the RLC circuit 164 is operated at the resonance frequency f ₀ as indicated by the line 31 is included in the range of the reference values I _C to I _D . If so, it is determined that the susceptor 161 is not corroded. On the other hand, the operation control unit 172 controls the current value I B detected when the RLC circuit 164 is operated at the frequency f ₀ as indicated by the line 32 when the current value I _B is not included in the range of the reference values I _C to I _D . , the susceptor 161 is determined to be corroded. Note that the reference values I _C and I _D are the upper and lower limits of the current value assumed to be detected when the RLC circuit 164 is operated at the frequency _f0 while the susceptor 161 is not corroded. is.

- Resonant frequency The state value may be the resonant frequency of the RLC circuit 164 . As described above with reference to FIG. 5, if the susceptor 161 is corroded, the resonant frequency f ₀ ′ of the RLC circuit 164 will change from the previously measured resonant frequency f ₀ . Therefore, the operation control unit 172 compares the detected resonance frequency f ₀ ′ of the RLC circuit 164 with the previously measured resonance frequency f ₀ to determine whether the susceptor 161 is corroded. becomes possible.

-Q factor The state value may be a Q factor (Quality factor) that indicates the sharpness of the resonance peak of the RLC circuit 164 . If the RLC circuit 164 is a series resonant circuit, the Q value is calculated by the following equation.

Here, Q is the Q value. R is the series resistance of the RLC circuit 164; L is the inductance of the RLC circuit 164; C is the capacitance of the RLC circuit 164;

The inductance L changes as the susceptor 161 corrodes. Therefore, the Q value changes as the susceptor 161 corrodes. Therefore, by using the Q value as a state value, it is possible to determine whether or not the susceptor 161 is corroded.

- Corrosion sensor value The status value may be the value of a corrosion sensor that detects the corrosion rate of the environment. Such sensors include an ACM (Atmospheric Corrosion Monitor) sensor.

An ACM sensor is a sensor in which two metals are embedded in an insulator while insulated from each other, and both ends are exposed to the environment. If the environment is moist, a film of water will connect between the ends and current will flow. The magnitude of this current corresponds to the corrosion rate. It is believed that the longer the period of high corrosion rate, the more the stick-shaped substrate 150 corrodes. Therefore, the operation control unit 172 controls the susceptor 161 to corrode when the period during which the ACM sensor detects a high current value (that is, a high corrosion rate) while the stick-shaped base material 150 is being held exceeds a predetermined period. determined to be

-Combination As explained above, multiple state values can be used to determine corrosion of the susceptor 161 . Therefore, the operation control unit 172 may control whether or not to perform power supply based on the heating profile, based on a plurality of state values. For example, the operation control unit 172 compares each of the plurality of state values with a reference value to determine whether the susceptor 161 is corroded. Then, the operation control unit 172 may determine that corrosion occurs when the number of state values determined to be corroded is greater than the number of state values determined to not be corroded. On the other hand, the operation control unit 172 may determine that there is no corrosion when the number of state values determined to be corroded is smaller than the number of state values determined to be not corroded.

According to this configuration, it is possible to more accurately determine whether the susceptor 161 is corroded by using a plurality of state values.

<4.2. Second modification>
In the above embodiment, the state of the susceptor 161 is the presence or absence of corrosion of the susceptor 161, but the present invention is not limited to this example.

As an example, the state of the susceptor 161 may be whether or not the susceptor 161 is genuine, that is, whether or not the stick-shaped substrate 150 is genuine. That the susceptor 161 is in a normal state means that the stick-shaped substrate 150 held by the holding portion 140 is a genuine product. The state of the susceptor 161 being abnormal means that the stick-shaped base material 150 held by the holding part 140 is not a genuine product (for example, a counterfeit product). The reference value corresponds to a state value assumed to be detected when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is a genuine product. If the stick-shaped base material 150 is not a genuine product, problems such as failure to generate suitable aerosol or failure of the suction device 100 may occur. In this respect, according to such a configuration, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience associated with the non-genuine stick-type base material 150 .

As another example, different types of stick-shaped substrates 150 may contain different types of susceptors 161 . In that case, the state of the susceptor 161 may be the type of the susceptor 161 , that is, the type of the stick-type substrate 150 . That the susceptor 161 is in a normal state means that one stick-shaped substrate 150 out of a plurality of types of stick-shaped substrates 150 sold as regular products is held by the holding portion 140 . The state of the susceptor 161 being abnormal means that the holding portion 140 holds the stick-shaped substrate 150 that does not match any of the plurality of types of stick-shaped substrates 150 sold as regular products.

The operation control section 172 may determine the type of the stick-shaped base material 150 based on the state value. A reference value is set for each of the plurality of types of stick-shaped substrates 150 .

The operation control unit 172 may select a heating profile based on the state value. Specifically, the operation control unit 172 selects a heating profile according to the type of the stick-shaped substrate 150 determined based on the state value. A suitable heating profile may differ for each type of stick-type substrate 150 . In this respect, according to this configuration, it is possible to provide the user with a suitable puff experience according to the type of stick-type base material 150 .

The operation control unit 172 may determine whether power supply can be performed based on the heating profile based on the state value and the remaining power of the power supply unit 111 . Specifically, the operation control unit 172 selects a heating profile according to the type of the stick-shaped substrate 150 determined based on the state value. Then, when the amount of power required for power supply based on the selected heating profile is equal to or greater than the remaining power level of the power supply unit 111, the operation control unit 172 permits power supply based on the heating profile. On the other hand, the operation control unit 172 prohibits the execution of power supply based on the heating profile when the amount of power required for power supply based on the selected heating profile is less than the remaining power of the power supply unit 111 . Different heating profiles may require different amounts of power. In this respect, according to this configuration, heating can be started only when it is possible to continue heating until the end of the heating session. Therefore, it is possible to prevent inconvenience such as stopping heating due to a decrease in remaining power during a heating session.

The above points will be specifically described below with reference to Table 1.

As shown in Table 1 above, the reference value, the suitable heating profile, and the amount of electric power required for heating based on the suitable heating profile differ for each type of stick-shaped base material 150 . Note that the amount of power required for heating is shown as a ratio to the fully charged amount of the power supply unit 111 .

For example, when the current value detected when the RLC circuit 164 is operated at the resonance frequency f ₀ is within the range of the reference values I _C1 to I _D1 , the operation control unit 172 causes the holding unit 140 to set the first It is determined that the type of stick-type substrate 150 is held. In that case, the operation control unit 172 selects the heating profile “A”, permits heating if the remaining power of the power supply unit 111 is 3% or more, and prohibits heating if it is less than 3%.

<4.3. Third modification>
Although the example in which the suction device 100 has the operation control unit 172 has been described in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this example. A control device having the operation control unit 172 and the suction device 100 may be configured separately. The control device may be, for example, a terminal device such as a smartphone that communicates with the suction device 100, or may be a server on the cloud.

The control device controls the operation of the suction device 100 while transmitting and receiving information to and from the suction device 100 . The suction device 100 operates under the control of the control device. Specifically, the suction device 100 transmits the state values detected by the detection unit 180 to the control device. The control device transmits control information for controlling the operation of the heating control section 171 to the suction device 100 based on the received state value. The control information includes, for example, information indicating whether or not power supply can be performed based on the heating profile. Then, the heating control section 171 operates based on the received control information.

Note that the combination of the suction device 100, the control device, and the stick-shaped substrate 150 can be regarded as one system in that aerosol can be generated by combining the suction device 100, the control device, and the stick-shaped substrate 150. may

<5. Supplement>
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs can conceive of various modifications or modifications within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. It is understood that these also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, an example in which the susceptor 161 is configured in a plate shape has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the susceptor 161 may be configured in a bar shape, or may be configured as a piece of metal and widely distributed on the base member 151 .

For example, in the above embodiment, an example in which the stick-shaped base material 150 contains the susceptor 161 was described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. That is, the susceptor 161 can be placed at any location where the susceptor 161 is in thermal proximity to the aerosol source. As an example, the susceptor 161 may be configured in a blade shape and arranged to protrude from the bottom portion 143 of the holding portion 140 into the internal space 141 . Then, when the stick-shaped base material 150 is inserted into the holding part 140, the blade-shaped susceptor 161 may be inserted so as to pierce the base part 151 from the end of the stick-shaped base material 150 in the insertion direction. .

A series of processes by each device described in this specification may be implemented using software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. Programs that make up the software are stored in advance in, for example, recording media (non-transitory media) provided inside or outside each device. Each program, for example, is read into a RAM when executed by a computer that controls each device described in this specification, and is executed by a processor such as a CPU. The recording medium is, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a flash memory, or the like. Also, the above computer program may be distributed, for example, via a network without using a recording medium.

Also, the processes described using the flowcharts and sequence diagrams in this specification do not necessarily have to be executed in the illustrated order. Some processing steps may be performed in parallel. Also, additional processing steps may be employed, and some processing steps may be omitted.

The following configuration also belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.
(1)
A control device for controlling a suction device,
The suction device is
a power supply that stores and supplies power;
an inverter circuit that converts the DC power supplied from the power supply unit into AC power;
a housing portion capable of housing a substrate containing an aerosol source and a susceptor thermally adjacent to the aerosol source in an internal space;
an electromagnetic induction source that generates a varying magnetic field in the internal space using the AC power supplied from the inverter circuit;
a heating control unit that controls power supply from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source based on a heating profile that defines a time-series transition of a target temperature, which is a target value of the temperature of the susceptor;
has
The control device is
Based on a state value corresponding to the state of the susceptor detected when power is supplied from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source before the power supply based on the heating profile is executed, the heating control unit an operation control unit that controls the operation of
A controller.
(2)
The operation control unit controls whether power supply can be executed based on the heating profile based on a comparison result between the state value and the reference value.
The control device according to (1) above.
(3)
wherein the state value is the impedance of an RLC circuit containing the electromagnetic induction source;
The control device according to (1) or (2) above.
(4)
The state value is a current value when the RLC circuit including the electromagnetic induction source is operated at a predetermined frequency,
The control device according to (1) or (2) above.
(5)
The state value is a Q value that indicates the sharpness of the resonance peak of an RLC circuit that includes the electromagnetic induction source.
The control device according to (1) or (2) above.
(6)
The operation control unit controls whether or not to execute power supply based on the heating profile, based on the plurality of state values.
The control device according to any one of (1) to (5) above.
(7)
the amount of power supplied to the electromagnetic induction source for detecting the state value is less than the amount of power supplied to the electromagnetic induction source during power supply based on the heating profile;
The control device according to any one of (1) to (6) above.
(8)
The state value is detected as a trigger that a predetermined user operation has been performed.
The control device according to any one of (1) to (7) above.
(9)
The state value is detected by triggering that the base material has been stored in the storage unit.
The control device according to any one of (1) to (7) above.
(10)
The accommodating part has an opening that communicates the internal space with the outside, and accommodates the base material inserted into the internal space through the opening,
The fact that the base material is accommodated in the accommodating portion is detected based on information of a partial space that is a part of the internal space on the opening side,
The control device according to (9) above.
(11)
The operation control unit selects the heating profile based on the state value.
The control device according to any one of (1) to (10) above.
(12)
The operation control unit controls whether power supply can be executed based on the heating profile based on the state value and the remaining power of the power supply unit.
The control device according to any one of (1) to (11) above.
(13)
wherein the control device is the suction device;
The control device according to any one of (1) to (12) above.
(14)
configured separately from the control device and the suction device,
the suction device sending the state value to the controller;
The control device transmits control information for controlling the operation of the heating control unit to the suction device based on the received state value.
The control device according to any one of (1) to (12) above.
(15)
The heating control unit executes power supply based on the heating profile, triggered by detection of a predetermined user operation in a state where power supply based on the heating profile is permitted by the operation control unit.
The control device according to any one of (1) to (14) above.
(16)
The heating control unit executes power supply based on the heating profile, triggered by permission by the operation control unit to perform power supply based on the heating profile.
The control device according to any one of (1) to (14) above.
(17)
A substrate for use with a suction device controlled by a controller, comprising:
The suction device is
a power supply that stores and supplies power;
an inverter circuit that converts the DC power supplied from the power supply unit into AC power;
a housing portion capable of housing a substrate containing an aerosol source and a susceptor thermally adjacent to the aerosol source in an internal space;
an electromagnetic induction source that generates a varying magnetic field in the internal space using the AC power supplied from the inverter circuit;
a heating control unit that controls power supply from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source based on a heating profile that defines a time-series transition of a target temperature, which is a target value of the temperature of the susceptor;
has
The control device is
Based on a state value corresponding to the state of the susceptor detected when power is supplied from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source before the power supply based on the heating profile is executed, the heating control unit an operation control unit that controls the operation of
has
The base material is
the aerosol source;
the susceptor in thermal proximity to the aerosol source;
A substrate.
(18)
A power source that stores and supplies electric power, an inverter circuit that converts DC power supplied from the power source into AC power, a substrate containing an aerosol source, and a susceptor thermally adjacent to the aerosol source are housed in the internal space. A storage unit, an electromagnetic induction source that generates a varying magnetic field in the internal space using the AC power supplied from the inverter circuit, and a time-series transition of a target temperature, which is a target value of the temperature of the susceptor. a heating control unit that controls power supply from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source based on the obtained heating profile;
Based on a state value corresponding to the state of the susceptor detected when power is supplied from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source before the power supply based on the heating profile is executed, the heating control unit A control device having an operation control unit that controls the operation of
a substrate housed in the housing portion and having the aerosol source and the susceptor in thermal proximity to the aerosol source;
A system with
(19)
A control method for controlling a suction device, comprising:
The suction device is
a power supply that stores and supplies power;
an inverter circuit that converts the DC power supplied from the power supply unit into AC power;
a housing portion capable of housing a substrate containing an aerosol source and a susceptor thermally adjacent to the aerosol source in an internal space;
an electromagnetic induction source that generates a varying magnetic field in the internal space using the AC power supplied from the inverter circuit;
a heating control unit that controls power supply from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source based on a heating profile that defines a time-series transition of a target temperature, which is a target value of the temperature of the susceptor;
has
The control method is
Based on a state value corresponding to the state of the susceptor detected when power is supplied from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source before the power supply based on the heating profile is executed, the heating control unit to control the behavior of
control methods, including;
(20)
A program to be executed by a computer that controls a suction device,
The suction device is
a power supply that stores and supplies power;
an inverter circuit that converts the DC power supplied from the power supply unit into AC power;
a housing portion capable of housing a substrate containing an aerosol source and a susceptor thermally adjacent to the aerosol source in an internal space;
an electromagnetic induction source that generates a varying magnetic field in the internal space using the AC power supplied from the inverter circuit;
a heating control unit that controls power supply from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source based on a heating profile that defines a time-series transition of a target temperature, which is a target value of the temperature of the susceptor;
has
Said program
Based on a state value corresponding to the state of the susceptor detected when power is supplied from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source before the power supply based on the heating profile is executed, the heating control unit to control the behavior of
The program that causes the to run.

100 suction device 111 power supply unit 112 sensor unit 113 notification unit 114 storage unit 115 communication unit 116 control unit 140 holding unit (accommodating unit)
141 Internal space 142 Opening 143 Bottom 150 Stick-type base material 151 Base material part 152 Mouthpiece part 161 Susceptor 162 Electromagnetic induction source 163 Inverter circuit 164 RLC circuit 169 Drive circuit 171 Heating control part 172 Operation control part 180 Detection part

Claims

A control device for controlling a suction device,
The suction device is
a power supply that stores and supplies power;
an inverter circuit that converts the DC power supplied from the power supply unit into AC power;
a housing portion capable of housing a substrate containing an aerosol source and a susceptor thermally adjacent to the aerosol source in an internal space;
an electromagnetic induction source that generates a varying magnetic field in the internal space using the AC power supplied from the inverter circuit;
a heating control unit that controls power supply from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source based on a heating profile that defines a time-series transition of a target temperature, which is a target value of the temperature of the susceptor;
has
The control device is
Based on a state value corresponding to the state of the susceptor detected when power is supplied from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source before the power supply based on the heating profile is executed, the heating control unit an operation control unit that controls the operation of
A controller.
The operation control unit controls whether power supply can be executed based on the heating profile based on a comparison result between the state value and the reference value.
A control device according to claim 1 .
wherein the state value is the impedance of an RLC circuit containing the electromagnetic induction source;
3. A control device according to claim 1 or 2.
The state value is a current value when the RLC circuit including the electromagnetic induction source is operated at a predetermined frequency,
3. A control device according to claim 1 or 2.
The state value is a Q value that indicates the sharpness of the resonance peak of an RLC circuit that includes the electromagnetic induction source.
3. A control device according to claim 1 or 2.
The operation control unit controls whether or not to execute power supply based on the heating profile, based on the plurality of state values.
A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
the amount of power supplied to the electromagnetic induction source for detecting the state value is less than the amount of power supplied to the electromagnetic induction source during power supply based on the heating profile;
A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
The state value is detected as a trigger that a predetermined user operation has been performed.
A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
The state value is detected by triggering that the base material has been stored in the storage unit.
A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
The accommodating part has an opening that communicates the internal space with the outside, and accommodates the base material inserted into the internal space through the opening,
The fact that the base material is accommodated in the accommodating portion is detected based on information of a partial space that is a part of the internal space on the opening side,
A control device according to claim 9 .
The operation control unit selects the heating profile based on the state value.
A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
The operation control unit controls whether power supply can be executed based on the heating profile based on the state value and the remaining power of the power supply unit.
A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
wherein the control device is the suction device;
Control device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
configured separately from the control device and the suction device,
the suction device sending the state value to the controller;
The control device transmits control information for controlling the operation of the heating control unit to the suction device based on the received state value.
Control device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
The heating control unit executes power supply based on the heating profile, triggered by a predetermined user operation performed in a state where power supply based on the heating profile is permitted by the operation control unit.
A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 14.
The heating control unit executes power supply based on the heating profile, triggered by permission by the operation control unit to perform power supply based on the heating profile.
A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 14.
A substrate for use with a suction device controlled by a controller, comprising:
The suction device is
a power supply that stores and supplies power;
an inverter circuit that converts the DC power supplied from the power supply unit into AC power;
a housing portion capable of housing a substrate containing an aerosol source and a susceptor thermally adjacent to the aerosol source in an internal space;
an electromagnetic induction source that generates a varying magnetic field in the internal space using the AC power supplied from the inverter circuit;
a heating control unit that controls power supply from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source based on a heating profile that defines a time-series transition of a target temperature, which is a target value of the temperature of the susceptor;
has
The control device is
Based on a state value corresponding to the state of the susceptor detected when power is supplied from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source before the power supply based on the heating profile is executed, the heating control unit an operation control unit that controls the operation of
has
The base material is
the aerosol source;
the susceptor in thermal proximity to the aerosol source;
A substrate.
A power source that stores and supplies electric power, an inverter circuit that converts DC power supplied from the power source into AC power, a substrate containing an aerosol source, and a susceptor thermally adjacent to the aerosol source are housed in the internal space. A storage unit, an electromagnetic induction source that generates a varying magnetic field in the internal space using the AC power supplied from the inverter circuit, and a time-series transition of a target temperature, which is a target value of the temperature of the susceptor. a heating control unit that controls power supply from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source based on the obtained heating profile;
Based on a state value corresponding to the state of the susceptor detected when power is supplied from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source before the power supply based on the heating profile is executed, the heating control unit A control device having an operation control unit that controls the operation of
a substrate housed in the housing portion and having the aerosol source and the susceptor in thermal proximity to the aerosol source;
A system with
A control method for controlling a suction device, comprising:
The suction device is
a power supply that stores and supplies power;
an inverter circuit that converts the DC power supplied from the power supply unit into AC power;
a housing portion capable of housing a substrate containing an aerosol source and a susceptor thermally adjacent to the aerosol source in an internal space;
an electromagnetic induction source that generates a varying magnetic field in the internal space using the AC power supplied from the inverter circuit;
a heating control unit that controls power supply from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source based on a heating profile that defines a time-series transition of a target temperature, which is a target value of the temperature of the susceptor;
has
The control method is
Based on a state value corresponding to the state of the susceptor detected when power is supplied from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source before the power supply based on the heating profile is executed, the heating control unit to control the behavior of
control methods, including;
A program to be executed by a computer that controls a suction device,
The suction device is
a power supply that stores and supplies power;
an inverter circuit that converts the DC power supplied from the power supply unit into AC power;
a housing portion capable of housing a substrate containing an aerosol source and a susceptor thermally adjacent to the aerosol source in an internal space;
an electromagnetic induction source that generates a varying magnetic field in the internal space using the AC power supplied from the inverter circuit;
a heating control unit that controls power supply from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source based on a heating profile that defines a time-series transition of a target temperature, which is a target value of the temperature of the susceptor;
has
Said program
Based on a state value corresponding to the state of the susceptor detected when power is supplied from the inverter circuit to the electromagnetic induction source before the power supply based on the heating profile is executed, the heating control unit to control the behavior of
The program that causes the to run.