CN115697104A

CN115697104A - Power supply unit for an aerosol-generating device

Info

Publication number: CN115697104A
Application number: CN202180039399.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 改发豊; 藤仓大史; 中野拓磨
Original assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Current assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Priority date: 2020-11-20
Filing date: 2021-05-20
Publication date: 2023-02-03
Also published as: JP6915142B1; KR20230088308A; US20230089306A1; EP4248773A1; JP2022082384A; WO2022107358A1

Abstract

The MCU (63) of the aerosol aspirator (1) is capable of determining whether the aerosol source (71) and the fragrance source (52) contain menthol, and if the aerosol source (71) is determined to contain menthol, controlling the discharge in a menthol mode to a first load (45) heating the aerosol source (71) and a second load (34) heating the fragrance source (52). On the other hand, if it is determined that the aerosol source (71) and the fragrance source (52) do not contain menthol, the discharge to the first load (45) and the second load (34) is controlled in a normal mode. The first load (45) and the second load (34) are discharged in a different manner in the menthol mode than in the normal mode.

Description

Power supply unit for an aerosol-generating device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a power supply unit for an aerosol-generating device.

Background

In patent document 1, an aerosol delivery system 100 (aerosol generating device) is disclosed that vaporizes and/or atomizes by heating an aerosol source to generate an aerosol. In the aerosol delivery system of patent document 1, the generated aerosol flows through the second aerosol-generating device 400 (the housing chamber) housing the aerosol-generating element 425 (the flavor source), whereby the flavor component contained in the flavor source is added to the aerosol, and the user can inhale the aerosol containing the flavor component.

The aerosol delivery system described in patent document 1 includes a storage substrate 214, a space (heating chamber) in which the liquid transport element 238 and the heating element 240 are housed, and a second aerosol-generating device 400 (housing chamber) in which the aerosol-generating element 425 is housed. In the storage substrate 214, the aerosol precursor composition is stored. The liquid delivery element 238 delivers and retains the aerosol precursor composition from the storage substrate 214 in the heating chamber. The aerosol precursor composition held in the liquid transport member 238 is heated by the heating element 240 to be aerosolized, and after the fragrance component is added by the aerosol-generating element 425 of the second aerosol-generating device 400, the aerosol precursor composition is supplied to the user.

Patent document 1 discloses that menthol may be contained in both the aerosol precursor composition of the storage substrate 214 and the aerosol-generating element of the second aerosol-generating device 400.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent application laid-open No. 2019-150031

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

As with cigarettes and the like, users of aerosol-generating devices also have people who like the flavor of menthol and people who like the flavor without menthol (so-called regular flavor). In order to cope with such users with different preferences, an aerosol-generating device capable of generating an aerosol containing menthol and an aerosol containing no menthol is desired. In such an aerosol-generating device, it is necessary to appropriately control the discharge to a heater that heats the aerosol source or the fragrance source from the viewpoint of fragrance.

The present invention can appropriately control the discharge to the first heater heating the aerosol source and/or the second heater heating the fragrance source according to whether or not menthol is contained in the aerosol source.

Means for solving the problems

The present invention is a power supply unit for an aerosol-generating device, comprising:

a first connector for connection to a first heater which heats an aerosol source;

a second connector to which a second heater that heats a fragrance source that can impart a fragrance to the aerosol source vaporized and/or atomized by heating by the first heater is connected;

a power source electrically connected to the first connector and the second connector;

a controller capable of controlling discharge of the first heater from the power supply and discharge of the second heater from the power supply;

the controller

A determination can be made whether menthol is present in each of the aerosol source and the fragrance source,

controlling the discharge to the first heater and the discharge to the second heater in a menthol mode when it is determined that menthol is contained in the aerosol source,

controlling the discharging of the first heater and the discharging of the second heater through a normal mode in case that it is judged that the menthol is not contained in the aerosol source and the fragrance source,

the first heater is discharged in a different manner in the menthol mode from the conventional mode,

and/or the second heater is discharged in the menthol mode in a different manner than the conventional mode.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a power supply unit of an aerosol-generating device capable of appropriately controlling discharge to a first heater that heats an aerosol source and/or a second heater that heats a fragrance source, depending on whether or not menthol is contained in the aerosol source.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a schematic structure of an aerosol sucker.

Fig. 2 is another perspective view of the aerosol inhaler of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol inhaler of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a power supply unit in the aerosol aspirator of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the aerosol suction device of fig. 1 in a state where a capsule is accommodated in the capsule holder.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the hardware configuration of the aerosol extractor of fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of the power supply unit shown in fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is (a) a flow chart showing the operation of the aerosol aspirator of fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart (second) showing the operation of the aerosol inhaler of fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart (third) showing the operation of the aerosol inhaler of fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a flow chart (fourth) showing the operation of the aerosol inhaler of fig. 1.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the flavor recognition processing.

Fig. 13 is (a) an explanatory diagram showing a specific control example based on the menthol pattern.

Fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram (second) showing a specific control example based on the menthol mode.

Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram (third) showing a specific control example based on the menthol mode.

Detailed Description

An aerosol sucker 1 as an embodiment of the aerosol-generating device of the present invention will be described below with reference to fig. 1 to 15. It is to be noted that the drawings are assumed to be viewed in the direction of the reference numerals.

(general overview of Aerosol inhaler)

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, the aerosol inhaler 1 is an appliance for generating an aerosol without combustion, adding a flavor component to the generated aerosol, and allowing a user to inhale the aerosol containing the flavor component. As an example, the aerosol inhaler 1 has a rod shape.

The aerosol inhaler 1 comprises a power supply unit 10, a cartridge case 20 for housing a cartridge 40 storing an aerosol source 71, and a capsule holder 30 for housing a capsule 50, wherein the capsule 50 has a housing chamber 53 for housing a flavor source 52. The power supply unit 10, the cartridge case 20, and the capsule holder 30 are provided in this order from one end side to the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol inhaler 1.

The power supply unit 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape centered on a center line L extending in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol inhaler 1. The cartridge case 20 and the capsule holder 30 have a substantially circular ring shape centered on a center line L extending in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol inhaler 1. The outer peripheral surface of the power supply unit 10 and the outer peripheral surface of the cartridge cover 20 are substantially annular shapes having substantially the same diameter, and the capsule holder 30 is substantially annular shapes having a slightly smaller diameter than the power supply unit 10 and the cartridge cover 20.

Hereinafter, in the present specification and the like, for the sake of simplicity and clarity of description, the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped aerosol sucker 1 is defined as a first direction X. For convenience, in the first direction X, the side of the power supply unit 10 on which the aerosol inhaler 1 is disposed is defined as the bottom side, and the side of the capsule holder 30 on which the aerosol inhaler 1 is disposed is defined as the top side. In the figures, the bottom side in the first direction X of the aerosol inhaler 1 is denoted as D and the top side in the first direction of the aerosol inhaler 1 is denoted as U.

The cartridge cover 20 is a hollow substantially circular ring shape having both end surfaces on the bottom side and the top side opened. The cartridge cover 20 is formed of metal such as stainless steel. The cartridge cover 20 is connected to the top end of the power supply unit 10 at the bottom end. The cartridge cover 20 is detachable from the power supply unit 10. The capsule holder 30 is formed in a hollow substantially annular shape having both end surfaces on the bottom side and the top side opened. The capsule holder 30 is coupled to the top end of the cartridge cover 20 at the bottom end. The capsule holder 30 is formed of metal such as aluminum, for example. The capsule holder 30 is detachable with respect to the cartridge cover 20.

The cartridge 40 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is housed inside the cartridge cover 20. In a state where the capsule holder 30 is detached from the cartridge cover 20, the cartridge 40 can be housed inside the cartridge cover 20, and can also be taken out from the cartridge cover 20. Thus, the aerosol inhaler 1 can be exchanged for use with the cartridge 40.

The capsule 50 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and is accommodated in the hollow portion of the hollow substantially annular capsule holder 30 so that the end portion on the top side in the first direction X is exposed in the first direction X from the end portion on the top side of the capsule holder 30. The capsule 50 is detachable with respect to the capsule holder 30. Thus, the aerosol inhaler 1 can be exchanged for use with the capsule 50.

(Power supply Unit)

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the power supply unit 10 includes a hollow substantially annular power supply unit case 11 centered on a center line L extending in the first direction X. The power supply unit case 11 is formed of metal such as stainless steel. The power supply unit case 11 has: a top surface 11a which is an end surface on the top side in the first direction X of the power unit case 11, a bottom surface 11b which is an end surface on the bottom side in the first direction X of the power unit case 11, and a side surface 11c extending in the first direction X in a substantially annular shape with a center line L from the top surface 11a to the bottom surface 11 b.

On the top surface 11a of the power supply unit case 11, a discharge terminal 12 is provided. The discharge terminals 12 are provided so as to protrude from the top surface 11a of the power unit case 11 toward the top side in the first direction X.

Further, an air supply portion 13 for supplying air to a heating chamber 43 of a cartridge 40 described later is provided in the vicinity of the discharge terminal 12 on the top surface 11 a. The air supply unit 13 is provided so as to protrude from the top surface 11a of the power unit case 11 toward the top side in the first direction X.

A charging terminal 14 electrically connectable to an external power supply (not shown) is provided on a side surface 11c of the power unit case 11. In the present embodiment, the charging terminal 14 is a socket to which a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal, a micro-USB terminal, or the like can be connected, and is provided on the side surface 11c near the bottom surface 11 b.

The charging terminal 14 may be a power receiving unit capable of receiving electric power transmitted from an external power supply in a non-contact manner. In this case, the charging terminal 14 (power receiving unit) may be formed of a power receiving coil. The mode of the non-contact Power Transfer (WPT) may be an electromagnetic induction type, a magnetic resonance type, or a combination of an electromagnetic induction type and a magnetic resonance type. The charging terminal 14 may be a power receiving unit capable of receiving electric power transmitted from an external power supply in a contactless manner. As another example, the charging terminal 14 may have both a receptacle to which a USB terminal, a micro-USB terminal, or the like can be connected and the power receiving unit described above.

A user-operable operation portion 15 is provided on the side surface 11c of the power supply unit case 11. The operation portion 15 is provided on the side surface 11c near the top surface 11 a. In the present embodiment, the operation portion 15 is provided at a position about 180 degrees from the charging terminal 14 with the center line L as the center, as viewed from the first direction X. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 15 is a push button switch having a circular shape when the side surface 11c of the power unit case 11 is viewed from the outside. The operation unit 15 may have a shape other than a circular shape, or may be constituted by a switch other than a push button type, a touch panel, or the like.

The power unit case 11 is provided with a notification unit 16 that notifies various information. The notification unit 16 includes a light emitting element 161 and a vibration element 162 (see fig. 6). In the present embodiment, the light emitting element 161 is provided inside the power supply unit case 11 of the operation portion 15. The side surface 11c of the power unit case 11 is configured to be transparent when viewed from the outside around the circular operation portion 15, and to be lit by the light emitting element 161. In this embodiment, the light-emitting element 161 can emit red, green, blue, white, or purple light.

The power unit case 11 is provided with an air intake port, not shown, for taking in outside air into the power unit case 11. The air intake port may be provided around the charging terminal 14, around the operation unit 15, or in the power unit case 11 at a position distant from the charging terminal 14 and the operation unit 15. An air intake may be provided in the cartridge housing 20. The air intake port may be provided in 2 or more of the above-described locations.

A power supply 61, an intake sensor 62, an MCU63 (MCU: micro Controller Unit) and a charging IC64 (IC: integrated Circuit) are housed in a hollow portion of a hollow power supply Unit case 11 having a substantially circular ring shape. Inside the power supply unit case 11, an LDO regulator 65 (LDO: low Drop Out: low dropout), a DC/DC converter 66, a first temperature detection element 67 including a voltage sensor 671 and a current sensor 672, and a second temperature detection element 68 including a voltage sensor 681 and a current sensor 682 (see also fig. 6 and 7) are housed.

Power source 61 is a chargeable and dischargeable power storage device such as a secondary battery or an electric double layer capacitor, and is preferably a lithium ion secondary battery. The electrolyte of the power source 61 may be composed of one of a gel-like electrolyte, an electrolytic solution, a solid electrolyte, an ionic liquid, or a combination thereof.

The suction sensor 62 is a pressure sensor for detecting a suction (sucking) operation, and is provided, for example, in the vicinity of the operation unit 15. The inhalation sensor 62 is configured to output a value of a change in pressure (internal pressure) inside the power supply unit 10, which is generated by a user inhaling through a mouthpiece 58 of the capsule 50, which will be described later. For example, the suction sensor 62 outputs an output value (e.g., a voltage value or a current value) corresponding to an internal pressure that changes in accordance with the flow rate of air sucked from the air intake port toward the suction port 58 of the capsule 50 (i.e., a sucking action of the user). The intake sensor 62 may output an analog value or a digital value converted from an analog value.

The intake air sensor 62 may be configured to include a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the environment (outside air temperature) in which the power supply unit 10 is located, in order to compensate for the detected pressure. The intake air sensor 62 may be configured not by a pressure sensor but by a condenser microphone, a flow sensor, or the like.

The MCU63 is an electronic component (controller) that performs various controls of the aerosol inhaler 1. Specifically, the MCU63 is mainly configured with a processor, and further includes a Memory 63a (see fig. 6), and the Memory 63a is configured with a storage medium such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing various information, which are necessary for the operation of the processor. The processor in the present specification is, specifically, an electric circuit in which circuit elements such as semiconductor elements are combined.

The MCU63 determines that there is a request for aerosol generation when, for example, the output value of the inhalation sensor 62 exceeds a threshold value due to a user's inhalation operation. After that, the MCU63 determines that the aerosol generation request is completed, for example, when the inhalation operation by the user is completed and the output value of the inhalation sensor 62 is lower than the threshold value. In this way, the output value of the inhalation sensor 62 is used as a signal indicating a request for generation of aerosol. Thus, the inhalation sensor 62 constitutes a sensor that outputs a request for generation of aerosol. Note that, the intake sensor 62 may determine whether there is a request for aerosol generation instead of the MCU63, and the MCU63 may receive a digital value corresponding to the determination result from the intake sensor 62. As a specific example, the inhalation sensor 62 may output a high-level signal when it is determined that there is a request for aerosol generation, and may output a low-level signal when it is determined that there is no request for aerosol generation (that is, the request for aerosol generation is completed). The threshold value for determining that the request for generating aerosol is made by the MCU63 or the inhalation sensor 62 may be different from the threshold value for determining that the request for generating aerosol is completed by the MCU63 or the inhalation sensor 62.

The MCU63 may detect a request for aerosol generation based on the operation of the operation unit 15, instead of the intake sensor 62. For example, when the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 15 to start the inhalation of the aerosol, the operation unit 15 may be configured to output a signal indicating a request for the generation of the aerosol to the MCU63. In this case, the operation unit 15 constitutes a sensor that outputs a request for aerosol generation.

The charging IC64 is disposed in the vicinity of the charging terminal 14. The charging IC64 controls the electric power input from the charging terminal 14 and charged to the power supply 61, and controls the charging of the power supply 61. The charging IC64 may be disposed near the MCU63.

(cigarette cartridge)

As shown in fig. 3, the cartridge 40 includes a cartridge case 41 having a substantially cylindrical shape with the longitudinal direction in the axial direction. The cartridge case 41 is formed of a resin such as polycarbonate. Inside the cartridge case 41, a storage chamber 42 for storing an aerosol source 71 and a heating chamber 43 for heating the aerosol source 71 are formed. In the heating chamber 43, a wick 44 which is held in the heating chamber 43 by transferring the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 to the heating chamber 43, and a first load 45 which heats and vaporizes and/or atomizes the aerosol source 71 held in the wick 44 are housed. The cartridge 40 further includes a first aerosol flow path 46, and the first aerosol flow path 46 aerosolizes an aerosol source 71 heated and vaporized and/or atomized by the first load 45 and conveys the aerosol source from the heating chamber 43 toward the capsule 50.

The storage chamber 42 and the heating chamber 43 are formed adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40. The heating chamber 43 is formed at one end side in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40, and the storage chamber 42 is formed adjacent to the heating chamber 43 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40 and extends to the end on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40. A connection terminal 47 is provided on an end surface of the cartridge case 41 on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge case 41, that is, on the end surface of the cartridge 40 on the side where the heating chamber 43 is arranged.

The storage chamber 42 has a hollow substantially annular shape with the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40 as the axial direction, and stores the aerosol source 71 in an annular portion. The storage chamber 42 may contain a porous body such as a resin net or cotton, and the aerosol source 71 may be impregnated in the porous body. The storage chamber 42 may store only the aerosol source 71 without storing a porous body on a resin net or cotton. The aerosol source 71 comprises a liquid such as glycerol and/or propylene glycol.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1 or the like provides the user with a conventional type cartridge 40 storing the aerosol source 71 containing no menthol 80 and a menthol type cartridge 40 storing the aerosol source 71 containing menthol 80. In fig. 3, an example of a case where a menthol type cartridge 40 is mounted in the aerosol inhaler 1 is shown. In fig. 3, the menthol 80 is shown as particles for convenience of explanation, but actually, the menthol 80 is dissolved in a liquid such as glycerin and/or propylene glycol constituting the aerosol source 71. Note that the menthol 80 shown in fig. 3 and the like is not only analog, but the position and the number of the menthol 80 in the storage chamber 42, the position and the number of the menthol 80 in the capsule 50, and the positional relationship between the menthol 80 and the flavor source 52 are not necessarily coincident with each other.

The wick 44 is a liquid holding member that draws the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 from the storage chamber 42 into the heating chamber 43 by capillary action and holds in the heating chamber 43. The core string 44 is made of, for example, glass fiber, porous ceramic, or the like. The wick 44 may extend into the storage chamber 42.

The first load 45 is electrically connected to the connection terminal 47. In the present embodiment, the first load 45 is constituted by an electric heating wire (coil) wound around the core string 44 at a predetermined pitch. The first load 45 may be any element that can heat and vaporize and/or atomize the aerosol source 71 held by the wick. The first load 45 may be a heating element such as a heating resistor, a ceramic heater, or an induction heating heater. As the first load 45, a load having a correlation between temperature and resistance value is used. For example, as the first load 45, a load having a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) characteristic in which a resistance value increases with an increase in Temperature is used. Alternatively, for example, a load having NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) characteristics in which the resistance value decreases with an increase in Temperature may be used as the first load 45. Further, a part of the first load 45 may be provided outside the heating chamber 43.

The first aerosol flow path 46 is formed in a hollow portion of the storage chamber 42 having a hollow substantially annular shape, and extends in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40. The first aerosol flow path 46 is formed by a wall portion 46a extending in a substantially annular shape in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40. The wall portion 46a of the first aerosol flow path 46 also serves as an inner peripheral wall portion of the storage chamber 42 having a substantially annular shape. A first end 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40 is connected to the heating chamber 43, and a second end 462 of the cartridge 40 in the longitudinal direction is open to an end surface on the other end side of the cartridge case 41.

The first aerosol flow path 46 is formed such that the cross-sectional area thereof is constant or increases from the first end 461 toward the second end 462 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40. The cross-sectional area of the first aerosol flow path 46 may increase discontinuously from the first end 461 toward the second end 462, or continuously as shown in fig. 3.

The cartridge 40 is housed in the hollow portion of the hollow substantially circular-ring-shaped cartridge cover 20 such that the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40 is the first direction X which is the longitudinal direction of the aerosol inhaler 1. Further, the cartridge 40 is housed in the hollow portion of the cartridge cover 20 such that the heating chamber 43 is the bottom side of the aerosol sucker 1 (i.e., the power supply unit 10 side) and the storage chamber 42 is the top side of the aerosol sucker 1 (i.e., the capsule 50 side) in the first direction X.

The first aerosol flow path 46 of the cartridge 40 is formed to extend in the first direction X on the center line L of the aerosol sucker 1 in a state where the cartridge 40 is housed inside the cartridge cover 20.

The cartridge 40 is housed in the hollow portion of the cartridge cover 20 so as to maintain the connection terminal 47 in contact with the discharge terminal 12 provided on the top surface 11a of the power unit case 11 when the aerosol inhaler 1 is used. The first load 45 of the cartridge 40 is electrically connected to the power source 61 of the power supply unit 10 via the discharge terminal 12 and the connection terminal 47 by the discharge terminal 12 of the power supply unit 10 being in contact with the connection terminal 47 of the cartridge 40.

Further, the cartridge is housed in the hollow portion of the cartridge cover 20 as follows: when the aerosol suction device 1 is used, air flowing in from an air intake port, not shown, provided in the power unit case 11 is taken in from the air supply portion 13 provided in the top surface 11a of the power unit case 11 to the heating chamber 43 as shown by an arrow B in fig. 3. Note that, although arrow B is inclined with respect to center line L in fig. 3, it may be in the same direction as center line L. In other words, the arrow B may be parallel to the center line L.

In use of the aerosol sucker 1, the first load 45 heats the aerosol source 71 held in the wick 44 without combustion by power supplied from the power supply 61 via the discharge terminal 12 provided in the power supply unit housing 11 and the connection terminal 47 provided in the cartridge 40. Then, in the heating chamber 43, the aerosol source 71 heated by the first load 45 is vaporized and/or atomized. In the case where the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type, the vaporized and/or atomized aerosol source 71 also contains vaporized and/or atomized menthol 80 and vaporized and/or atomized glycerin and/or propylene glycol, etc.

Then, the aerosol source 71 vaporized and/or atomized in the heating chamber 43 aerosolizes the air taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply section 13 of the power supply unit casing 11 as a dispersion medium. Further, the aerosol source 71 vaporized and/or atomized in the heating chamber 43 and the air taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply section 13 of the power supply unit case 11 flow from the first end 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46 communicating with the heating chamber 43 to the second end 462 of the first aerosol flow path 46, and flow through the first aerosol flow path 46 while being aerosolized. The temperature of the aerosol source 71 vaporized and/or atomized in the heating chamber 43 is lowered during the flow through the first aerosol flow path 46, thereby promoting aerosolization. In this way, the aerosol 72 is generated in the heating chamber 43 and the first aerosol flow path 46 by the aerosol source 71 vaporized and/or atomized in the heating chamber 43 and the air taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply section 13 of the power supply unit housing 11. In the case where the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type, the aerosol 72 also contains aerosolized menthol 80 from an aerosol source 71 in the heating chamber 43 and the first aerosol flow path 46.

(Capsule holder)

The capsule holder 30 includes a substantially annular side wall 31 extending in the first direction X, and is hollow and substantially annular in shape having both end surfaces on the bottom side and the top side open. The side wall 31 is formed of metal such as aluminum. The capsule holder 30 is coupled to the top end of the cartridge cover 20 by screwing, locking, or the like at the bottom end, and is detachable from the cartridge cover 20. The inner circumferential surface 31a of the substantially annular sidewall 31 is annular around the center line L of the aerosol inhaler 1, and has a diameter larger than the first aerosol flow path 46 of the cartridge 40 and smaller than the cartridge cover 20.

The capsule holder 30 includes a bottom wall 32 provided at an end portion on the bottom side of the side wall 31. The bottom wall 32 is formed of, for example, resin. The bottom wall 32 is fixed to the bottom end of the side wall 31, and closes a hollow portion surrounded by the inner circumferential surface of the side wall 31 at the bottom end of the side wall 31, except for a communication hole 33 described later.

The bottom wall 32 is provided with a communication hole 33 penetrating in the first direction X. The communication hole 33 is formed at a position overlapping the center line L as viewed in the first direction. When the communication hole 33 is formed as viewed from the top side in the first direction X in a state where the cartridge 40 is housed in the cartridge case 20 and the capsule holder 30 is attached to the cartridge case 20, the first aerosol flow path 46 of the cartridge 40 is positioned inside the communication hole 33.

The second load 34 is arranged on the side wall 31 of the capsule holder 30. As shown in fig. 5, the second load 34 is provided on the bottom side of the side wall 31, has a circular ring shape along the substantially circular ring-shaped side wall 31, and extends in the first direction X. The second load 34 heats the housing chamber 53 of the capsule 50, thereby heating the fragrance source 52 housed in the housing chamber 53. The second load 34 may be any element that can heat the flavor source 52 by heating the housing chamber 53 of the capsule 50. The second load 34 may be a heating element such as a heating resistor, a ceramic heater, or an induction heating type heater. As the second load 34, a load having a correlation between temperature and resistance value is used. For example, as the second load 34, a load having a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) characteristic in which a resistance value increases with an increase in Temperature is used. Alternatively, for example, a load having NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) characteristics in which the resistance value decreases with an increase in Temperature may be used as the second load 34.

In a state where the cartridge cover 20 is attached to the power supply unit 10 and the capsule holder 30 is attached to the cartridge cover 20, the second load 34 is electrically connected to the power supply 61 of the power supply unit 10 (see fig. 6 and 7). Specifically, in a state where the cartridge cover 20 is attached to the power supply unit 10 and the capsule holder 30 is attached to the cartridge cover 20, the discharge terminal 17 (see fig. 6) of the power supply unit 10 comes into contact with a connection terminal (not shown) of the capsule holder 30, whereby the second load 34 of the capsule holder 30 is electrically connected to the power supply 61 of the power supply unit 10 via the discharge terminal 17 and the connection terminal of the capsule holder 30.

(capsules)

Returning to fig. 3, the capsule 50 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is provided with a side wall 51 having both end surfaces opened and extending in a substantially annular shape. The side wall 51 is formed of a resin such as plastic. The side wall 51 has a substantially circular ring shape with a diameter slightly smaller than the inner peripheral surface 31a of the side wall 31 of the capsule holder 30.

The capsule 50 includes a housing chamber 53 housing a flavor source 52. As shown in fig. 3, the housing chamber 53 may be formed in an inner space of the capsule 50 surrounded by the sidewall 51. Alternatively, the entire internal space of the capsule 50 other than the outlet portion 55 described later may be the housing chamber 53.

The housing chamber 53 includes: an inlet portion 54 provided at one end side in the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50 extending in a substantially cylindrical shape; and an outlet portion 55 provided on the other end side in the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50.

The flavor source 52 includes forming tobacco raw material into particulate tobacco particles 521. In addition, in the present embodiment, the manufacturer or the like of the aerosol inhaler 1 provides the user with a conventional type of capsule 50 housing the flavor source 52 without menthol 80 and a menthol type of capsule 50 housing the flavor source 52 containing menthol 80. In the menthol type capsule 50, for example, menthol 80 is adsorbed on tobacco particles 521 constituting the flavor source 52.

Note that the flavor source 52 may contain cut tobacco instead of the tobacco particles 521. Alternatively, the flavor source 52 may contain plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint, chinese herbs, vanilla, etc.) instead of the tobacco particles 521. In addition, the flavor source 52 may be added with other flavors in addition to the menthol 80.

As shown in fig. 3, when the housing chamber 53 is formed in the internal space of the capsule 50, the inlet 54 may be a partition wall that partitions the internal space of the capsule 50 in the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50 at a position spaced apart from the bottom of the capsule 50 in the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50. The inlet 54 may be a mesh-like partition wall through which the flavor source 52 cannot pass and through which the aerosol 72 can pass.

When the entire internal space of the capsule 50 excluding the outlet portion 55 is the housing chamber 53, the bottom portion of the capsule 50 also serves as the inlet portion 54.

The outlet portion 55 is a filter member that fills the internal space of the capsule 50 surrounded by the side wall 51 at the top side end portion of the side wall 51 in the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50. Outlet portion 55 is a filter element through which scent source 52 cannot pass and through which aerosol 72 can pass. In the present embodiment, the outlet 55 is provided near the top of the capsule 50, but the outlet 55 may be provided at a position away from the top of the capsule 50.

The housing chamber 53 has a first space 531 in which the fragrance source 52 is present, and a second space 532 which is located between the first space 531 and the outlet 55 and is adjacent to the outlet 55 and in which the fragrance source 52 is not present. In the present embodiment, in the housing chamber 53, the first space 531 and the second space 532 are adjacently formed in the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50. One end side of the capsule 50 in the cylindrical axial direction of the first space 531 is adjacent to the inlet portion 54, and the other end side of the capsule 50 in the cylindrical axial direction is adjacent to the second space 532. One end side of the capsule 50 in the cylindrical axial direction of the second space 532 is adjacent to the first space 531, and the other end side of the capsule 50 in the cylindrical axial direction is adjacent to the outlet 55. The first space 531 and the second space 532 may be partitioned by a mesh-like partition wall 56 through which the aerosol 72 can pass but the flavor source 52 cannot pass. The first space 531 and the second space 532 may be formed without using such a partition wall 56. As a specific example, the fragrance source 52 may be housed in a part of the housing chamber 53 in a pressed state, and the first space 531 and the second space 532 may be formed by making the fragrance source 52 difficult to move in the housing chamber 53. As another specific example, the fragrance source 52 can freely move in the housing chamber 53, and when the user performs a suction operation from the mouthpiece 58, the fragrance source 52 moves toward the bottom side of the housing chamber 53 by gravity, thereby forming the first space 531 and the second space 532.

As shown in fig. 3, when the housing chamber 53 is formed in the internal space of the capsule 50, the capsule 50 may have a second aerosol flow path 57 formed between the bottom of the capsule 50 and the inlet 54 in the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50.

The second aerosol flow path 57 is formed by an internal space of the capsule 50 surrounded by the side wall 51 between the bottom of the capsule 50 and the inlet portion 54 in the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50. Therefore, the first end 571 of the capsule 50 in the cylindrical axial direction of the second aerosol flow path 57 opens at the bottom of the capsule 50, and the second end 572 of the capsule 50 in the cylindrical axial direction is connected to the housing chamber 53 at the inlet 54 of the housing chamber 53.

The opening area of the communication hole 33 provided in the bottom wall 32 of the capsule holder 30 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the first aerosol flow path 46 of the cartridge 40, and the cross-sectional area of the second aerosol flow path 57 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the first aerosol flow path 46 of the cartridge 40 and the opening area of the communication hole 33 provided in the bottom wall 32 of the capsule holder 30. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of the second end 572 of the second aerosol flow path 57 connected to the housing chamber 53 of the capsule 50 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the first end 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46 connected to the heating chamber 43 of the cartridge 40. The aerosol flow field 90 in the present embodiment is constituted by the first aerosol flow field 46, the communication hole 33, and the second aerosol flow field 57. The first end 461 of the first aerosol flow field 46 connected to the heating chamber 43 has a smaller cross-sectional area than the second end 462 of the first aerosol flow field 46 connected to the communication hole 33. The first end 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46 connected to the heating chamber 43 has a smaller cross-sectional area than the communication hole 33. The cross-sectional area of the communication hole 33 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the second aerosol flow field 57. That is, the cross-sectional area of the second end 572 of the second aerosol flow path 57 constituting the second end of the aerosol flow path 90 connected to the housing chamber 53 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the first end 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46 constituting the first end connected to the heating chamber 43. In addition, the aerosol flow path 90 is formed such that the cross-sectional area increases from the first end portion toward the second end portion.

When the entire internal space of the capsule 50 excluding the outlet portion 55 is the housing chamber 53, the bottom portion of the capsule 50 also serves as the inlet portion 54, and thus the second aerosol flow path 57 described above is not formed. That is, the aerosol flow path 90 in the present embodiment is composed of the first aerosol flow path 46 and the communication hole 33. The first end 461 of the first aerosol flow field 46 connected to the heating chamber 43 has a smaller cross-sectional area than the second end 462 of the first aerosol flow field 46 connected to the communication hole 33. The first end 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46 connected to the heating chamber 43 has a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the communication hole 33. In the present embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the communication hole 33 constituting the second end of the aerosol flow path 90 connected to the storage chamber 53 is also larger than the cross-sectional area of the first end 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46 constituting the first end connected to the heating chamber 43. In addition, the aerosol flow path 90 is formed such that the cross-sectional area increases from the first end portion toward the second end portion.

In a state where the capsule 50 is accommodated in the capsule holder 30, a space may be formed between the bottom wall 32 of the capsule holder 30 and the bottom of the capsule 50. That is, the aerosol flow path 90 in the present embodiment is constituted by a space formed between the first aerosol flow path 46, the communication hole 33, the bottom wall 32 of the capsule holder 30, and the bottom of the capsule 50. The first end 461 of the first aerosol flow field 46 connected to the heating chamber 43 has a smaller cross-sectional area than the second end 462 of the first aerosol flow field 46 connected to the communication hole 33. The first end 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46 connected to the heating chamber 43 has a smaller cross-sectional area than the communication hole 33. The communication hole 33 has a smaller cross-sectional area than a space formed between the bottom wall 32 of the capsule holder 30 and the bottom of the capsule 50. In this case, the aerosol flow path 90, which constitutes the second end connected to the storage chamber 53, has a larger cross-sectional area than the first end 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46, which constitutes the first end connected to the heating chamber 43, in the space formed between the bottom wall 32 of the capsule holder 30 and the bottom of the capsule 50. In addition, the aerosol flow path 90 is formed such that the cross-sectional area increases from the first end portion toward the second end portion.

The capsule 50 is housed in the hollow portion of the hollow substantially annular capsule holder 30 such that the cylindrical axis direction of the substantially cylindrical shape is the first direction X which is the longitudinal direction of the aerosol suction device 1. Further, the capsule 50 is housed in the hollow portion of the capsule holder 30 such that the inlet portion 54 is located on the bottom side (i.e., the cartridge 40 side) of the aerosol sucker 1 and the outlet portion 55 is located on the top side of the aerosol sucker 1 in the first direction X. The capsule 50 is accommodated in the hollow portion of the capsule holder 30 in a state of being accommodated in the hollow portion of the capsule holder 30 such that the end portion on the other end side of the side wall 51 is exposed in the first direction X from the end portion on the top side of the capsule holder 30. The other end of the side wall 51 serves as a mouthpiece 58 through which a user performs a suction operation when using the aerosol suction device 1. The end of the side wall 51 on the other end side may have a step so as to be easily exposed in the first direction X from the end of the capsule holder 30 on the top side.

As shown in fig. 5, the capsule 50 is accommodated in the hollow portion of the hollow substantially annular smoke cartridge cover 20, and a part of the accommodation chamber 53 is accommodated in the hollow portion of the annular second load 34 provided in the capsule holder 30.

Returning to fig. 3, the housing chamber 53 includes: a heating region 53A in which the second load 34 of the capsule holder 30 is disposed in the hollow portion of the cartridge cover 20 in the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50; and a non-heating area 53B located between the heating area 53A and the outlet portion 55 and adjacent to the outlet portion 55, and not provided with the second load 34 of the capsule holder 30.

In the present embodiment, the heating region 53A overlaps at least a part of the first space 531, and the non-heating region 53B overlaps at least a part of the second space 532 in the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50. In the present embodiment, the first space 531 and the heating region 53A are substantially aligned, and the second space 532 and the non-heating region 53B are substantially aligned, in the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50.

(construction of Aerosol aspirator in use)

The aerosol inhaler 1 configured as described above is used in a state where the cartridge cover 20, the capsule holder 30, the cartridge 40, and the capsule 50 are attached to the power supply unit 10. In this state, in the aerosol suction device 1, the aerosol flow path 90 is formed at least by the first aerosol flow path 46 provided in the cartridge 40 and the communication hole 33 provided in the bottom wall 32 of the capsule holder 30. As shown in fig. 3, when the housing chamber 53 is formed in the internal space of the capsule 50, the second aerosol flow path 57 provided in the capsule 50 also forms a part of the aerosol flow path 90. When the capsule 50 is housed in the capsule holder 30, if a space is formed between the bottom wall of the capsule holder 30 and the bottom of the capsule 50, the space formed between the bottom wall of the capsule holder 30 and the bottom of the capsule 50 also forms a part of the aerosol flow path 90. The aerosol flow path 90 connects the heating chamber 43 of the cartridge 40 and the housing chamber 53 of the capsule 50, and conveys the aerosol 72 generated in the heating chamber 43 from the heating chamber 43 to the housing chamber 53.

When the aerosol suction device 1 is used, if a user performs a suction operation from the mouthpiece 58, air flowing in from an air intake port, not shown, provided in the power supply unit case 11 is taken in from the air supply unit 13 provided in the top surface 11a of the power supply unit case 11 to the heating chamber 43 of the cartridge 40 as indicated by an arrow B in fig. 3. Further, the first load 45 generates heat, the aerosol source 71 held in the wick 44 is heated, and the aerosol source 71 heated by the first load 45 is vaporized and/or atomized in the heating chamber 43. The aerosol source 71 vaporized and/or atomized by the first load 45 aerosolizes the air taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply section 13 of the power unit casing 11 as a dispersion medium. The aerosol source 71 vaporized and/or atomized in the heating chamber 43 and the air taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply section 13 of the power supply unit case 11 flow from the first end 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46 communicating with the heating chamber 43 to the second end 462 of the first aerosol flow path 46, and flow through the first aerosol flow path 46 while being aerosolized. The aerosol 72 thus generated is introduced from the inlet 54 of the capsule 50 into the accommodation chamber 53 through the communication hole 33 provided in the bottom wall 32 of the capsule holder 30 from the second end 462 of the first aerosol flow path 46. Note that, according to the embodiment, the aerosol 72 flows through the second aerosol flow path 57 provided in the capsule 50 or through a space formed between the bottom wall of the capsule holder 30 and the bottom of the capsule 50 before being introduced into the accommodation chamber 53.

When the aerosol 72 introduced from the inlet 54 into the accommodation chamber 53 flows in the first direction X of the aerosol inhaler 1 from the inlet 54 to the outlet 55 in the accommodation chamber 53, the fragrance source 52 accommodated in the first space 531 is passed through, and a fragrance component is added from the fragrance source 52.

In this way, the aerosol 72 flows in the first direction X of the aerosol suction device 1 from the inlet portion 54 to the outlet portion 55 in the housing chamber 53. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the housing chamber 53, the flow direction of the aerosol 72 flowing from the inlet portion 54 to the outlet portion 55 is the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50, and is the first direction X of the aerosol suction device 1.

Further, when the aerosol suction device 1 is used, the second load 34 provided in the capsule holder 30 generates heat to heat the heating region 53A of the housing chamber 53. Thereby, the flavor source 52 accommodated in the first space 531 of the accommodating chamber 53 and the aerosol 72 flowing through the heating region 53A of the accommodating chamber 53 are heated.

In the aerosol sucker 1, in order to increase the amount of flavor components added to the aerosol, it has been found through experiments that it is effective to increase the amount of aerosol generated from the aerosol source 71 and increase the temperature of the flavor source 52. The phenomenon that the amount of flavor components added to the aerosol increases when the amount of aerosol generated from the aerosol source 71 increases can be described as the flavor component accompanying the aerosol increases when the amount of aerosol increases with the flavor source 52. The phenomenon that the amount of the flavor component added to the aerosol increases when the temperature of the flavor source 52 is increased can be described from the point that the higher the temperature of the flavor source 52 is, the more easily the flavor source 52 or the flavor added to the flavor source 52 accompanies the aerosol.

Here, the adsorption of menthol 80 to the flavor source 52 in the capsule 50 will be described in detail. The tobacco particles 521 constituting the flavor source 52 are sufficiently larger than the molecules of menthol 80, and function as an adsorbent for the menthol 80 as an adsorbate. The menthol 80 is also adsorbed on the tobacco particles 521 by chemical adsorption, and is also adsorbed on the tobacco particles 521 by physical adsorption. Chemisorption may occur through covalent bonds of the outermost electrons in the molecules making up the tobacco particles 521 with the outermost electrons in the molecules making up the menthol 80. Physical adsorption may be generated by van der waals forces acting between the surface of the tobacco particles 521 and the surface of the menthol 80. When the amount of adsorption of the menthol 80 to the tobacco particles 521 increases, the tobacco particles 521 and the menthol 80 are in a state called an adsorption equilibrium state. At the adsorption equilibrium state, the amount of menthol 80 newly adsorbed on the tobacco particles 521 is equal to the amount of menthol 80 detached from the tobacco particles 521. That is, even if the menthol 80 is newly supplied to the tobacco particles 521, the apparent adsorption amount does not change. Not limited to the tobacco particles 521 and menthol 80, the adsorption amount in the adsorption equilibrium state decreases as the temperatures of the adsorbent and adsorbate increase. Both the chemical adsorption and the physical adsorption are performed in the form in which the menthol 80 occupies the adsorption sites on the interface of the tobacco particles 521, and the adsorption amount of the menthol 80 when the adsorption sites are completely filled is referred to as a saturation adsorption amount. It is easily understood that the adsorption amount in the adsorption equilibrium state described above is smaller than the saturated adsorption amount.

As described above, the higher the temperature of the flavor source 52 is, the lower the adsorption amount of menthol 80 to the tobacco particles 521 in the adsorption equilibrium state of the tobacco particles 521 and the menthol 80 is. Therefore, when the flavor source 52 is heated by the second load 34 and the temperature becomes high, the amount of menthol 80 adsorbed on the tobacco particles 521 decreases, and a part of the menthol 80 adsorbed on the tobacco particles 521 is desorbed.

The aerosol 72 containing the aerosolized menthol 80 from the aerosol source 71 and the aerosolized menthol 80 from the flavor source 52 flows through the second space 532, is discharged from the outlet portion 55 to the outside of the accommodation chamber 53, and is supplied from the mouthpiece 58 to the mouth of the user.

(details of the Power supply Unit)

Next, details of the power supply unit 10 will be described with reference to fig. 6. As shown in fig. 6, in the power supply unit 10, a DC/DC converter 66, which is an example of a voltage converter capable of converting the output voltage of the power supply 61 and applying the converted voltage to the first load 45, is connected between the first load 45 and the power supply 61 in a state where the cartridge 40 is mounted on the power supply unit 10. The MCU63 is connected between the DC/DC converter 66 and the power supply 61. The second load 34 is connected between the MCU63 and the DC/DC converter 66 in a state where the power supply unit 10 is mounted with the cartridge 40. In this way, in the power supply unit 10, in a state where the cartridge 40 is mounted, the series circuit of the DC/DC converter 66 and the first load 45 and the second load 34 are connected in parallel with respect to the power supply 61.

The DC/DC converter 66 is a booster circuit that is controlled by the MCU63 and can boost and output an input voltage (for example, an output voltage of the power supply 61), and is configured to apply the input voltage or a voltage obtained by boosting the input voltage to the first load 45. Since the power supplied to the first load 45 can be adjusted by changing the voltage applied to the first load 45 by the DC/DC converter 66, the amount of the aerosol source 71 vaporized or atomized by the first load 45 can be controlled. As the DC/DC converter 66, for example, a switching regulator that converts an input voltage into a desired output voltage by controlling the on/off time of a switching element while monitoring the output voltage can be used. When a switching regulator is used as the DC/DC converter 66, the switching element is controlled to directly output the input voltage without boosting the input voltage. The DC/DC converter 66 is not limited to the step-up converter, and may be a step-down converter or a step-up/down converter. The DC/DC converter 66 can be used to set the voltage applied to the first load 45 to V1 to V5V, for example, as described below.

The MCU63 is configured to obtain the temperature of the second load 34, the temperature of the fragrance source 52, or the temperature of the housing chamber 53 (i.e., a second temperature T2 described later) in order to control the discharge to the second load 34 using a shutter (not shown). Further, the MCU63 is preferably configured to be able to acquire the temperature of the first load 45. The temperature of the first load 45 can be used to suppress overheating of the first load 45 and the aerosol source 71, highly controlling the amount of the aerosol source 71 that the first load 45 vaporizes or atomizes.

The voltage sensor 671 measures and outputs a voltage value applied to the first load 45. The current sensor 672 measures and outputs a value of the current flowing through the first load 45. The output of the voltage sensor 671 and the output of the current sensor 672 are input to the MCU63, respectively. The MCU63 obtains the resistance value of the first load 45 based on the output of the voltage sensor 671 and the output of the current sensor 672, and obtains the temperature of the first load 45 based on the obtained resistance value of the first load 45. Specifically, for example, the voltage sensor 671 and the current sensor 672 may be configured by an operational amplifier and an analog-to-digital converter. It should be noted that at least a portion of the voltage sensor 671 and/or at least a portion of the current sensor 672 may also be disposed inside the MCU63.

Note that, if a configuration is adopted in which a constant current is caused to flow through the first load 45 when the resistance value of the first load 45 is obtained, the current sensor 672 is not required in the first temperature detection element 67. Similarly, if a configuration is adopted in which a constant voltage is applied to the first load 45 when the resistance value of the first load 45 is obtained, the voltage sensor 671 is not required in the first temperature detection element 67.

The voltage sensor 681 measures and outputs a voltage value applied to the second load 34. Current sensor 682 measures and outputs a value of the current flowing through second load 34. The output of the voltage sensor 681 and the output of the current sensor 682 are input to the MCU63, respectively. The MCU63 obtains the resistance value of the second load 34 based on the output of the voltage sensor 681 and the output of the current sensor 682, and obtains the temperature of the second load 34 based on the obtained resistance value of the second load 34.

Here, the temperature of the second load 34 does not strictly coincide with the temperature of the fragrance source 52 heated by the second load 34, but may be regarded as being substantially the same as the temperature of the fragrance source 52. The temperature of the second load 34 does not strictly match the temperature of the housing chamber 53 of the capsule 50 heated by the second load 34, but may be considered to be substantially the same as the temperature of the housing chamber 53 of the capsule 50. Therefore, the second temperature detection element 68 may be used as a temperature detection element for detecting the temperature of the flavor source 52 or the temperature of the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50. Specifically, for example, the voltage sensor 681 and the current sensor 682 may be configured by an operational amplifier and an analog-to-digital converter. At least a part of the voltage sensor 681 and/or at least a part of the current sensor 682 may be provided inside the MCU63.

In addition, if a configuration is adopted in which a constant current is caused to flow through the second load 34 when the resistance value of the second load 34 is obtained, the second temperature detection element 68 does not need the current sensor 682. Similarly, if a configuration is adopted in which a constant voltage is applied to the second load 34 when the resistance value of the second load 34 is obtained, the voltage sensor 681 is not required in the second temperature detection element 68.

Even if the second temperature detection element 68 is provided in the capsule holder 30 or the cartridge 40, the temperature of the second load 34, the temperature of the flavor source 52, or the temperature of the housing chamber 53 of the capsule 50 can be obtained based on the output of the second temperature detection element 68, but it is preferable to provide the second temperature detection element 68 in the power supply unit 10 having the lowest replacement frequency in the aerosol inhaler 1. In this way, the manufacturing costs of the capsule holder 30 and the cartridge 40 can be reduced, and the capsule holder 30 and the cartridge 40, which are replaced more frequently than the power supply unit 10, can be provided to the user at a low cost.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of the power supply unit 10 shown in fig. 6. Fig. 7 shows a specific example of the configuration in which the current sensor 682 is not provided as the second temperature detection element 68, and the current sensor 672 is not provided as the first temperature detection element 67.

As shown in fig. 7, the power supply unit 10 includes: the power supply 61, the MCU63, the LDO regulator 65, the switch SW1, the parallel circuit C1 composed of a series circuit of the resistor element R1 and the switch SW2 connected in parallel to the switch SW1, the switch SW3, the parallel circuit C2 composed of a series circuit of the resistor element R2 and the switch SW4 connected in parallel to the switch SW3, the operational amplifier OP1 and the analog-digital converter ADC1 constituting the voltage sensor 671, the operational amplifier OP2 and the digital converter ADC constituting the voltage sensor 681. At least one of the operational amplifiers OP1 and OP2 may be provided inside the MCU63.

The resistance element described in this specification may be any element having a fixed resistance value, and may be, for example, a resistor, a diode, a transistor, or the like. In the example of fig. 7, the resistance element R1 and the resistance element R2 are resistors, respectively.

The switching element described in this specification is a switching element such as a Transistor for switching between on and off of a wiring, and may be a Bipolar Transistor such as an Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) or a Field Effect Transistor such as a Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor (MOSFET). The shutter described in this specification may be a relay (relay). In the example of fig. 7, the switches SW1 to SW4 are transistors, respectively.

The LDO regulator 65 is connected to a main positive bus LU that is connected to the positive pole of the power source 61. The MCU63 is connected to a main negative bus LD connected to the LDO regulator 65 and to the negative pole of the power supply 61. The MCU63 is also connected to the respective switches SW1 to SW4, and controls the opening and closing of the switches. The LDO regulator 65 steps down and outputs the voltage from the power supply 61. The output voltage V0 of the LDO regulator 65 also serves as the respective operating voltages of the MCU63, the DC/DC converter 66, the operational amplifiers OP1 and OP2, and the notification portion 16. Alternatively, at least one of the MCU63, the DC/DC converter 66, the operational amplifier OP1, the operational amplifier OP2, and the notification unit 16 may use the output voltage of the power source 61 itself as the operating voltage. Alternatively, at least one of the MCU63, the DC/DC converter 66, the operational amplifier OP1, the operational amplifier OP2, and the notification unit 16 may use a voltage output from a regulator (not shown) other than the LDO regulator 65 as the operating voltage. The output voltage of the regulator may be different from or the same as V0.

The DC/DC converter 66 is connected to the main positive bus LU. The first load 45 is connected to the main negative bus LD. The parallel circuit C1 is connected to the DC/DC converter 66 and the first load 45.

The parallel circuit C2 is connected to the main positive bus LU. The second load 34 is connected to the parallel circuit C2 and the main negative bus LD.

The non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 is connected to the connection node of the parallel circuit C1 and the first load 45. The inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 is connected to the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 and the main negative bus LD via a resistance element.

The non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 is connected to a connection node of the parallel circuit C2 and the second load 34. The inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 is connected to the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 and the main negative bus LD via a resistance element.

The analog-to-digital converter ADC1 is connected to an output terminal of the operational amplifier OP 1. The analog-to-digital converter ADC2 is connected to an output terminal of the operational amplifier OP 2. The analog-to-digital converter ADC1 and the analog-to-digital converter ADC2 may also be provided outside the MCU63.

(MCU)

Next, the function of the MCU63 will be explained. The MCU63 includes a temperature detection unit, a power control unit, and a notification control unit, and is a functional block realized by a processor executing a program stored in a ROM.

The temperature detector obtains a first temperature T1, which is the temperature of the first load 45, based on the output of the first temperature detection element 67. The temperature detector obtains the temperature of the second load 34, the temperature of the fragrance source 52, or a second temperature T2, which is the temperature of the housing chamber 53, based on the output of the second temperature detection element 68.

In the case of the circuit example shown in fig. 7, the temperature detection unit controls the switches SW1, SW3, and SW4 to the off state, and controls the DC/DC converter 66 to output a predetermined constant voltage. Further, the temperature detection unit obtains the output value of the analog-to-digital converter ADC1 (the voltage value applied to the first load 45) in a state where the switch SW2 is controlled to be in the on state, and obtains the first temperature T1 based on the output value.

Note that the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 may be connected to the terminal of the resistance element R1 on the DC/DC converter 66 side, and the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 may be connected to the terminal of the resistance element R1 on the shutter SW2 side. In this case, the temperature detection unit controls the switch SW1, the switch SW3, and the switch SW4 to be in the off state, and controls the DC/DC converter 66 to output a predetermined constant voltage. Further, the temperature detection unit can acquire the output value of the analog-to-digital converter ADC1 (the voltage value applied to the resistance element R1) in a state where the switch SW2 is controlled to be in the on state, and can acquire the first temperature T1 based on the output value.

In the case of the circuit example shown in fig. 7, the temperature detection unit controls the switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 to be in the off state, and controls elements such as a DC/DC converter, not shown, to output a predetermined constant voltage. Further, the temperature detection unit obtains the output value of the analog-to-digital converter ADC2 (the voltage value applied to the second load 34) in a state where the switch SW4 is controlled to be in the on state, and obtains the second temperature T2 based on the output value.

Note that the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 may be connected to the terminal on the main positive bus LU side of the resistance element R2, and the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 may be connected to the terminal on the shutter SW4 side of the resistance element R2. In this case, the temperature detection unit controls the switch SW1, the switch SW2, and the switch SW3 to be in the off state, and controls elements such as a DC/DC converter not shown to output a predetermined constant voltage. Further, the temperature detection unit can acquire the output value of the analog-to-digital converter ADC2 (the voltage value applied to the resistance element R2) in a state where the switch SW4 is controlled to be in the on state, and can acquire the second temperature T2 based on the output value.

The notification control section controls the notification section 16 to notify the user of various information. For example, the notification control unit controls the notification unit 16 to perform a capsule replacement notification that urges replacement of the capsule 50 when the replacement timing of the capsule 50 is detected. Further, the notification control section controls the notification section 16 so as to perform a cartridge replacement notification that urges replacement of the cartridge 40 when the replacement timing of the cartridge 40 is detected. Further, when detecting that the remaining amount of the power supply 61 is decreased, the notification control unit may control the notification unit 16 to notify that the power supply 61 is replaced or charged, or may control the notification unit 16 to notify a control state (for example, a discharge mode described later) by the MCU63 at a predetermined timing.

The power control unit controls discharge from the power source 61 to the first load 45 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as discharge to the first load 45) and discharge from the power source 61 to the second load 34 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as discharge to the second load 34). For example, when the power supply unit 10 has the circuit configuration shown in fig. 7, the power control unit can discharge the first load 45 by turning off (i.e., turning off) the switch SW2, the switch SW3, and the switch SW4 and turning on (i.e., turning on) the switch SW 1. In the case where the power supply unit 10 has the circuit configuration shown in fig. 7, the power control unit can discharge the second load 34 by turning off the switch SW1, the switch SW2, and the switch SW4 and turning on the switch SW 3.

When a request for generating aerosol from a user is detected based on the output of the inhalation sensor 62 (that is, when a suction operation by the user is performed), the power control unit discharges the first load 45 and the second load 34. Thereby, in response to a request for aerosol generation, heating of the aerosol source 71 based on the first load 45 (i.e. aerosol generation) and heating of the fragrance source 52 based on the second load 34 are performed. At this time, the power control unit controls the discharge to the first load 45 and the second load 34 so that the amount of the flavor component (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the flavor component amount) added from the flavor source 52 is controlled (for example, the flavor component amount W described later) _flavor ) The aerosol (vaporized and/or atomized aerosol source 71) generated in response to the aerosol generation request is converged toward a predetermined target amount. The target amount is an appropriately determined value, but may be, for example, the target amountA target range of the amount of the fragrance component is determined as appropriate, and the central value in the target range is determined as the target amount. Thus, by converging the amount of the flavor component to the target amount, the amount of the flavor component can also be converged to a target range having a certain range. The unit of the amount of the flavor component or the target amount may be a weight (for example, [ mg ]])。

However, as described above, among the cartridges 40 mounted to the aerosol inhaler 1, there are a menthol type cartridge in which the aerosol source 71 contains menthol, and a conventional type cartridge in which the aerosol source 71 does not contain menthol. Likewise, in the capsule 50 mounted to the aerosol inhaler 1, there are capsules of the menthol type in which the flavor source 52 contains menthol, and capsules of the conventional type in which the flavor source 52 does not contain menthol.

Therefore, the aerosol inhaler 1 can be in a state in which the menthol type cartridge 40 is attached and the menthol type capsule 50 is attached, in other words, in a state in which menthol is contained in both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52.

In addition, the aerosol aspirator 1 may be in a state where a menthol type cartridge 40 is installed and a conventional type capsule 50 is installed, in other words, may be in a state where menthol is contained only in the aerosol source 71.

Moreover, the aerosol inhaler 1 may be in a state in which a conventional type cartridge 40 is mounted and a menthol type capsule 50 is mounted, in other words, may be in a state in which menthol is contained only in the flavor source 52.

Furthermore, the aerosol inhaler 1 may be in a state in which a conventional type cartridge 40 is mounted and a conventional type capsule 50 is mounted, in other words, in a state in which menthol is not contained in both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52.

In such an aerosol inhaler 1, it is preferable to appropriately control the discharge to the first load 45 and the second load 34 according to the aerosol source 71 and the object containing (or not containing) menthol in the flavor source 52. Therefore, the MCU63 is configured to be able to determine (recognize) whether or not the types of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 mounted on the aerosol inhaler 1, that is, whether or not each of the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contains menthol. The determination of whether or not each of the aerosol source 71 and the fragrance source 52 contains menthol can be made using any method. For example, as described later, the MCU63 may determine whether or not each of the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contains menthol based on an operation performed on the operation unit 15.

Then, the power control section controls the discharge to the first load 45 and the second load 34 based on the determination result (recognition result) of whether or not the aerosol source 71 and the fragrance source 52 each contain menthol. In this way, by controlling the discharge to the first load 45 and the second load 34 according to the object containing (or not containing) menthol in the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52, the discharge pattern to the first load 45 and the second load 34 can be made different according to the object containing (or not containing) menthol. Accordingly, the discharge to the first load 45 and the second load 34 can be appropriately controlled according to the target containing (or not containing) menthol.

For example, the aerosol inhaler 1 is assumed to be in a state in which menthol is contained in both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 (i.e., both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type). In this case, the power control unit controls the discharge to the first load 45 and the discharge to the second load 34 in the menthol mode. The manner of discharging the first load 45 in the menthol mode in this case is different from the manner of discharging the first load 45 in the normal mode described later. For example, the manner of discharging the first load 45 in the menthol mode in this case is such that the voltage applied to the first load 45 is increased (i.e., changed) stepwise or continuously as described later using fig. 13 (b). This can change the amount of aerosol generated by heating by the first load 45. Thus, the amount of menthol from the aerosol source 71 and the amount of menthol from the flavour source 52 can be highly controlled.

Further, the discharge pattern to the second load 34 in the menthol mode in the case where menthol is contained in both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 is also different from the discharge pattern to the second load 34 in the normal mode described later. For example, the discharge pattern to the second load 34 in the menthol mode in this case is, as described later using fig. 13 (a), such that the target temperature of the second load 34 is reduced (i.e., changed) stepwise or continuously. Thus, as will be described later, for example, at a time before the flavor source 52 (specifically, tobacco particles 521) and menthol in the capsule 50 reach the adsorption equilibrium state, or at a time after the flavor source 52 and menthol reach the adsorption equilibrium state, an appropriate amount of menthol can be supplied to the user, and the menthol supplied to the user can be stabilized at an appropriate amount.

Further, for example, assume that the aerosol inhaler 1 is in a state of containing menthol only in the aerosol source 71 (i.e. the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type and the capsule 50 is of the conventional type). In this case, the power control unit also controls the discharge to the first load 45 and the discharge to the second load 34 in the menthol mode. However, the discharge pattern to the first load 45 in the menthol mode in this case is different from the discharge pattern to the first load 45 in the menthol mode in the case where menthol is contained in both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52, and the discharge pattern to the first load 45 in the normal mode. For example, the discharge pattern to the first load 45 in the menthol mode in this case is such that the voltage applied to the first load 45 is reduced (i.e., changed) stepwise or continuously as described later with reference to fig. 14 (b). This can change the amount of aerosol generated by heating by the first load 45. Thus, the amount of menthol from the aerosol source 71 and the amount of menthol from the flavour source 52 can be highly controlled.

The manner of discharging the second load 34 in the menthol mode only when menthol is contained in the aerosol source 71 is the same as the manner of discharging the second load 34 in the menthol mode when menthol is contained in both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52, for example. That is, the discharge pattern to the second load 34 in the menthol mode in this case decreases (i.e., changes) the target temperature of the second load 34 in a stepwise or continuous manner (see fig. 13 a and 14 a). In other words, the manner of discharging the second load 34 in the menthol mode in this case is also different from the manner of discharging the second load 34 in the normal mode. In this case as well, an appropriate amount of menthol can be supplied to the user and the menthol supplied to the user can be stabilized at an appropriate amount, regardless of the time before the flavor source 52 (specifically, tobacco particles 521) and menthol in the capsule 50 reach the adsorption equilibrium state or the time after the flavor source 52 and menthol reach the adsorption equilibrium state.

Further, for example, it is assumed that the aerosol inhaler 1 is in a state in which menthol is not contained in both the aerosol source 71 and the fragrance source 52 (i.e., both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of a conventional type). In this case, the power control section is set to control the discharge to the first load 45 and the discharge to the second load 34 by the normal mode. The manner of discharging the first load 45 in the normal mode is, for example, as described later using fig. 13 (b), to maintain the applied voltage to the first load 45 constant. Thereby, in the case of the normal mode, the control of the applied voltage to the first load 45 (i.e., the power supplied to the first load 45) can be simplified.

In addition, the manner of discharging the second load 34 in the normal mode is, for example, as described later using fig. 13 (a), such that the target temperature of the second load 34 is increased (i.e., changed) stepwise or continuously. Thus, in the normal mode, the fragrance component (i.e., the fragrance from the fragrance source 52) that decreases due to the user's inhalation can be filled by increasing the temperature of the second load 34 (i.e., the fragrance source 52).

In addition, for example, assume that the aerosol inhaler 1 is in a state containing menthol only in the flavour source 52 (i.e. the cartridge 40 is of conventional type and the capsule 50 is of menthol type). In this case, the power control unit also controls the discharge to the first load 45 and the discharge to the second load 34 in the menthol mode. The discharge pattern to the first load 45 in the menthol mode in this case is different from the discharge pattern to the first load 45 in any of the case where menthol is contained in both the aerosol source 71 and the fragrance source 52 and the case where menthol is contained only in the aerosol source 71 as described above. For example, the first load 45 is discharged in the menthol mode in this case in the same manner as the first load 45 in the normal mode. That is, in the menthol mode in this case, the first load 45 is discharged in such a manner that the voltage applied to the first load 45 is maintained constant. This makes it possible to keep the amount of aerosol generated by heating by the first load 45 constant, and to easily control the amount of menthol from the flavor source 52 generated by heating by the second load 34.

The discharge pattern to the second load 34 in the menthol mode only when the fragrance source 71 contains menthol is also different from the discharge pattern to the second load 34 in either the case where the aerosol source 71 and the fragrance source 52 contain menthol or the case where the aerosol source 71 contains menthol. For example, the second load 34 is discharged in the menthol mode in this case in the same manner as the second load 34 in the normal mode. That is, the manner of discharging the second load 34 in the menthol mode in this case increases (i.e., changes) the target temperature of the second load 34 in a stepwise or continuous manner. This makes it possible to gradually remove menthol adsorbed on the flavor source 52 (specifically, the tobacco particles 521) from the flavor source 52, and to stabilize the amount of menthol supplied to the user (i.e., the flavor derived from menthol).

In the case where only the flavor source 52 contains menthol, the power control unit may control the discharge to the first load 45 and the discharge to the second load 34 in the normal mode.

(various parameters for aerosol generation)

Before explaining the specific discharge control of the first load 45 and the like by the MCU63, various parameters for the discharge control of the first load 45 and the like by the MCU63 will be explained here.

The weight of the aerosol [ mg ] generated by the heating of the first load 45 and passing through the flavor source 52 (i.e., within the capsule 50) for one puff by the user]Reported as aerosol weight W _aerosol . Will be in order to generate an aerosol weight W _aerosol The electric power required to be supplied to the first load 45 for the aerosol of (2) is referred to as atomization power P _liquid . In addition, the atomization power P _liquid The supply time to the first load 45 is described as a supply time t _sense . In addition, from the viewpoint of suppressing overheating of the first load 45 and the like, the supply time t is set to be shorter _sense In (1), a predetermined upper limit value t is set _upper (e.g., 2.4[ s ]]) The MCU63 supplies time t _sense Has reached the upper limit value t _upper In the case of (1), the supply of electric power to the first load 45 is stopped regardless of the output value of the intake sensor 62 (see steps S19 and S20 described later).

In addition, user-based n will be performed after the capsule 50 is mounted on the aerosol inhaler 1 _puff Next (wherein n is _puff A natural number of 0 or more) of the fragrance components contained in the fragrance source 52 [ mg ] during the suction operation]Is described as the remaining amount of flavor component W _capsule (n _puff ). The weight of the flavor component contained in the flavor source 52 of the new capsule 50 (capsule 50 which has not been subjected to suction operation once after attachment) [ mg]I.e. the balance of the fragrance component W _capsule (n _puff = 0) is also described as Winitial.

In addition, one inhalation action for the user is added to the weight of the flavor component in the aerosol passing through the flavor source 52 (i.e., within the capsule 50) [ mg]Is described as the amount of flavor component W _flavor . Furthermore, a parameter relating to the temperature of the fragrance source 52 is described as a temperature parameter T _capsule . Temperature parameter T _capsule Is a parameter indicating the aforementioned second temperature T2, for example, a parameter indicating the temperature of the second load 34.

As can be seen from the experiment, the amount of flavor component W _flavor Depending on the balance W of the fragrance component _capsule Temperature parameter T _capsule And aerosol weight W _aerosol . Therefore, the amount W of the flavor component _flavor The modeling can be performed by the following formula (1).

W _flavor ＝β×(W _capsule ×T _capsule )×γ×W _aerosol ···(1)

β in the above formula (1) is a coefficient indicating a ratio of a flavor component to be added to the aerosol generated by one inhalation operation performed by the user when the aerosol passes through the flavor source 52, and is obtained by an experiment. In addition, γ in the above formula (1) is a coefficient obtained by an experiment. During one suction operation, the temperature parameter T _capsule And the balance of flavor component W _capsule These γ values may be varied individually, but are introduced here in order to treat them as constant values.

The balance of flavor component W _capsule Decreasing each time a user-based sucking action is performed. Therefore, the remaining amount of flavor component W _capsule And is inversely proportional to the number of times of suction operation (hereinafter also referred to as the number of times of suction). In the aerosol sucker 1, the discharge to the first load 45 is performed every time the sucking operation is performed, and therefore the remaining amount W of the flavor component can be said to be _capsule The number of times the first load 45 is discharged to generate aerosol is inversely proportional to the cumulative value of the period during which the first load 45 is discharged.

As can be seen from the above equation (1), the aerosol weight W generated for one inhalation operation performed by the user is assumed _aerosol Controlled to be substantially constant so as to control the amount W of the flavor component _flavor Stabilization with remaining amount of flavor component W _capsule Reduction (i.e., increase in the number of aspirations) of (f), requires an increase in the temperature parameter T _capsule (i.e., the temperature of the scent source 52).

Therefore, the MCU63 (power control section) sets the discharge mode for controlling the discharge to the first load 45 and the second load 34 to the normal mode in the case where the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 mounted to the aerosol inhaler 1 are of the normal type (i.e., in the case where neither the aerosol source 71 nor the flavor source 52 contains menthol). When the discharge mode is set to the normal mode, the MCU63 accompanies the remaining amount of the flavor component W _capsule The decrease (i.e., the increase in the number of times of suction) of the second load 34 is controlled to increase the temperature of the fragrance source 52 (see fig. 13 and 14).

On the other hand, the MCU63 (power control unit) is mounted on the aerosol inhalation deviceIn the case where the cartridge 40 or capsule 50 of the dispenser 1 is of the menthol type (i.e. in the case where menthol is contained in the aerosol source 71 or flavour source 52), the discharge mode is set to a menthol mode different from the conventional mode. When the discharge mode is set to the menthol mode, the MCU63 accompanies the remaining amount W of the flavor component from the viewpoint of supplying an appropriate amount of menthol to the user _capsule In order to decrease the temperature of the fragrance source 52 (i.e., increase the number of times of suction), the discharge to the second load 34 is controlled (see fig. 13 and 14). Thereby, as described later, an appropriate amount of menthol can be supplied to the user.

However, if the residue W is accompanied by a flavor component _capsule When the temperature of the flavor source 52 is also lowered, the amount W of flavor component is decreased _flavor And (4) reducing. Therefore, the MCU63 may also be used to determine the remaining amount W of the accompanying flavor component _capsule When the temperature of the fragrance source 52 is decreased, the voltage applied to the first load 45 is increased to increase the power supplied to the first load 45, thereby increasing the aerosol weight W _aerosol (refer to fig. 13). Thereby, the aerosol weight W generated by the heating by the first load 45 can be increased _aerosol To compensate for the amount of flavor component W caused by the temperature of the flavor source 52 being lowered in order to supply an appropriate amount of menthol to the user _flavor Can suppress the amount W of the flavor component supplied into the mouth of the user _flavor To stably supply menthol and flavor components to a user.

(operation of Aerosol aspirator)

Next, an example of the operation of the aerosol suction device 1 will be described with reference to fig. 8 to 12. The operation of the aerosol inhaler 1 described below is realized by a processor of the MCU63 executing a program stored in the memory 63a or the like in advance.

As shown in fig. 8, the MCU63 stands by until the power of the aerosol inhaler 1 is turned on by operating the operation unit 15 or the like (step S0: no cycle). When the power supply of the aerosol inhaler 1 is turned on (yes in step S0), the MCU63 shifts the operation mode of the aerosol inhaler 1 to a start mode in which aerosol can be generated, and executes a flavor recognition process (described later) for recognizing the types of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 (step S1).

The MCU63 may start discharging the second load 34 so that a target temperature (hereinafter, also referred to as a target temperature T) of the second load 34, which will be described later, is reached when the mode is shifted to the start mode _{cap_target} ) Converging to a predetermined temperature (predetermined temperature). This makes it possible to warm up the second load 34 when the mode is shifted to the start mode, and to raise the temperature of the second load 34 and the fragrance source 52 as quickly as possible. For example, from the viewpoint of ensuring the amount of menthol that can be supplied to the user, in the menthol mode, as described later, the initial target temperature T _{cap_target} Is set to high 80 DEG C]. Although it takes a certain amount of time until the second load 34 reaches such a high temperature, the second load 34 is accelerated to reach such a high temperature by warming up the second load 34 when the shift to the start mode is initiated. Therefore, when menthol is contained in the aerosol source 71 or the like, the amount of menthol supplied to the user (i.e., the flavor derived from menthol) can be stabilized at an early stage, and an appropriate amount of menthol can be stably supplied to the user from immediately after the shift to the start mode (e.g., so-called start of inhalation).

In addition, the MCU63 may also start discharging the second load 34 before performing the flavor recognition process, i.e., before performing the judgment of whether or not menthol is contained in each of the aerosol source 71 and the fragrance source 52. This makes it possible to increase the temperature of the second load 34 and the fragrance source 52 as quickly as possible by advancing the timing of starting the warm-up of the second load 34. In addition, in this way, in the case where the discharge to the second load 34 is started before the flavor recognition processing is performed, the MCU63 ends the warm-up of the second load 34 when the flavor recognition processing is performed (i.e., when the judgment of whether or not menthol is contained in each of the aerosol source 71 and the fragrance source 52 is performed). Thereafter, the MCU63 can start discharging the second load 34 according to the aerosol source 71 and the object containing (or not containing) menthol in the fragrance source 52. Thus, after it is determined whether or not the aerosol source 71 and the fragrance source 52 contain menthol, the discharge to the second load 34 can be appropriately controlled according to the object.

In the case where the second load 34 is preheated when the transition to the start mode is triggered, the MCU63 sets the target temperature (predetermined temperature) of the second load 34 at the time of the preheating to, for example, the lowest value (less than 60℃ in the present embodiment) of the target temperatures of the second load 34 in the menthol mode when menthol is contained in both the aerosol source 71 and the fragrance source 52 and when menthol is contained only in the aerosol source 71. This suppresses excessive temperature rise of the second load 34 and the fragrance source 52 due to the preheating of the second load 34, and the second load 34 can be preheated to an appropriate temperature, thereby stabilizing the fragrance and reducing the power consumption by the preheating of the second load 34. Specifically, even if menthol is contained in both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 or only the aerosol source 71, it is possible to suppress the flavor source 52 from becoming excessively high temperature due to the warm-up of the second load 34, and to supply a large amount of menthol, which may cause a reduction in flavor, to the user.

When warming up the second load 34 in response to the transition to the start-up mode, the MCU63 sets the target temperature of the second load 34 at the time of the warming-up to a temperature lower than the lowest value (30℃ in the present embodiment) of the target temperature of the second load 34 in the normal mode, for example. In addition, in the case where menthol is contained only in the fragrance source 52, the discharge to the second load 34 is also controlled in the same discharge manner as in the conventional mode, and therefore, in other words, the MCU63 sets the target temperature of the second load 34 at the time of warm-up to a temperature that is less than the lowest value of the target temperature of the second load 34 in the case where menthol is contained only in the fragrance source 52. Accordingly, even if menthol is not contained in both the aerosol source 71 and the fragrance source 52, or menthol is contained only in the fragrance source 52, it is possible to suppress the second load 34 and the fragrance source 52 from becoming excessively high temperatures due to the preheating of the second load 34, to preheat the second load 34 to an appropriate temperature, and to achieve stabilization of the fragrance and reduction of power consumption by the preheating of the second load 34. Specifically, even if menthol is not contained in both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52, or menthol is contained only in the flavor source 71, it is possible to suppress excessive temperature rise of the flavor source 52 due to the warm-up of the second load 34, and to supply a large amount of flavor components or menthol, which may cause a reduction in flavor, to the user.

However, in the present embodiment, as described later, the lowest value of the target temperature of the second load 34 in the normal mode is a temperature that is lower than the lowest value of the target temperature of the second load 34 in the menthol mode in the case where menthol is contained in both the aerosol source 71 and the fragrance source 52, and in the case where menthol is contained only in the aerosol source 71. Therefore, by setting the target temperature of the second load 34 at the time of warm-up to a temperature lower than the lowest value of the target temperature of the second load 34 in the normal mode, the temperature is naturally lower than the lowest value of the target temperature of the second load 34 in the case where menthol is contained in both the aerosol source 71 and the fragrance source 52, and in the case where menthol is contained only in the aerosol source 71. Therefore, by setting the target temperature of the second load 34 at the time of preheating to a temperature lower than the minimum value of the target temperature of the second load 34 in the normal mode, it is possible to avoid excessive temperatures of the second load 34 and the fragrance source 52 due to preheating of the second load 34, and to stabilize the fragrance and reduce power consumption due to preheating of the second load 34, regardless of the target of the aerosol source 71 and the fragrance source 52 containing (or not containing) menthol.

Next, the MCU63 determines whether the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50 is of the menthol type based on the processing result of the flavor recognition processing (step S2). For example, when the result of the flavor recognition processing is that the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50 is of the menthol type, the MCU63 determines yes in step S2 (yes in step S2), and executes the menthol mode processing to control the discharge from the power supply 61 to the first load 45 and the second load 34 in the menthol mode.

In the menthol mode processing, the MCU63 first notifies the user of the content of the menthol mode through the notification section 16 (step S3). At this time, the MCU63 notifies that it is the menthol mode by, for example, causing the light emitting element 161 to emit green light and causing the vibration element 162 to vibrate.

Subsequently, the MCU63 calculates the remaining amount W of the flavor component contained in the flavor source 52 _capsule (n _puff -1), a target temperature Tcap _ target, and an atomization power (hereinafter, also referred to as an atomization power P) supplied to the first load 45 _liquid ) (step S4), the process proceeds to step S5. Here, the remaining amount of flavor component W _capsule (n _puff -1) Wiitial if a sucking action has not been performed once after the new capsule 50 is mounted, and Wiitial if more than one sucking action has been performed, for the fragrance component residual amount W calculated by the previous residual amount updating process (described later) _capsule (n _puff ). Note that, the target temperature T in the menthol mode is referred to _{cap_target} Specific setting examples of the above will be described later with reference to fig. 13 and 14.

Next, the MCU63 acquires the current temperature of the second load 34 (hereinafter also referred to as the temperature T) based on the output of the second temperature detection element 68 _{cap_sense} ) (step S5). Temperature T as the temperature of second load 34 _{cap_sense} Is the above temperature parameter T _capsule An example of the method. Here, the temperature of the second load 34 is used as the temperature parameter T in the description _capsule However, the temperature of the fragrance source 52 or the temperature of the storage chamber 53 may be used instead of the temperature of the second load 34.

Subsequently, the MCU63 sets the target temperature T based on the set temperature _{cap_target} And the obtained temperature T _{cap_sense} The discharge of the second load 34 from the power source 61 is controlled so that the temperature T becomes higher _{cap_sense} Converge on the target temperature T _{cap_target} (step S6). At this time, the MCU63 performs PID (Proportional-Integral-Differential) control, for example, so that the temperature T is controlled _{cap_sense} Convergence to the target temperature T _{cap_target} 。

In addition, as the temperature T _{cap_sense} Convergence to the target temperature T _{cap_target} Instead of the PID control, ON/OFF control for turning ON/OFF the power supply to the second load 34, P (Proportional) control, PI (Proportional-Integral) control, or the like may be used. In addition, the target temperature T _{cap_target} Can also haveHysteresis.

Next, the MCU63 determines whether there is a request for aerosol generation (step S7). If there is no request for generating aerosol (no in step S7), MCU63 determines whether or not a predetermined period of time has elapsed without a request for generating aerosol (step S8). If the predetermined period does not elapse in the state where there is no aerosol generation request (step S8: no), the MCU63 returns to step S6.

If the predetermined period of time has elapsed without a request for aerosol generation (yes in step S8), the MCU63 stops discharging the second load 34 (step S9), shifts the operation mode of the aerosol inhaler 1 to the sleep mode (step S10), and proceeds to step S29 described below. Here, the sleep mode is an operation mode in which the aerosol suction device 1 consumes less power than the start mode and can shift to the start mode. Therefore, the MCU63 can return the aerosol inhaler 1 to the sleep mode, and can reduce the power consumption of the aerosol inhaler 1 while maintaining the state in which the aerosol inhaler can return to the start mode as needed.

On the other hand, if there is a request for aerosol generation (step S7: YES), the MCU63 temporarily stops the heating of the flavor source 52 by the second load 34 (that is, the discharging to the second load 34), and acquires the temperature T based on the output of the second temperature detection element 68 _{cap_sense} (step S11). Note that the MCU63 may not stop the heating of the fragrance source 52 by the second load 34 (i.e., the discharging of the second load 34) when executing step S11.

The MCU63 determines the acquired temperature T _{cap_sense} Whether or not to exceed the set target temperature T _{cap_target} - δ (where δ ≧ 0) is high (step S12). This δ can be arbitrarily determined by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1. If the temperature T is _{cap_sense} Specific target temperature T _{cap_target} Delta high (step S12: YES), the MCU63 will present the nebulization power P _liquid - Δ (where Δ > 0) is set to the new atomization power P _liquid (step S13), the process proceeds to step S16.

In the present embodiment, the target temperature T is controlled in the menthol mode as will be described later with reference to fig. 13 and the like _{cap_target} The MCU63 sets the target temperature T at a predetermined time _{cap_target} From 80 deg.C]Change to 60 DEG C]. At such target temperature T _{cap_target} Immediately after the change, the temperature T at this time is the temperature of the second load 34 _{cap_sense} (e.g., 80 [. Degree.C.)]) May exceed the target temperature T after the change _{cap_target} (i.e., 60 deg.C]). In this case, the MCU63 makes an affirmative determination in step S12, and performs the process of step S13, thereby reducing the atomization power P _liquid . Thereby, even when the target temperature T is set _{cap_target} From 80 deg.C]Just changed to 60[ DEGC]Thereafter, and so on, the actual temperature of the fragrance source 52 and second load 34, and so on, is greater than 60[ ° c]Even in such a case, the atomization power P can be reduced _liquid The amount of aerosol source 71 generated by heating by the first load 45 and supplied to the fragrance source 52 is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a large amount of menthol from being supplied into the mouth of the user, and to stably supply an appropriate amount of menthol to the user.

On the other hand, if the temperature T is _{cap_sense} Not higher than target temperature T _{cap_target} Delta high (step S12: no), the MCU63 decides the temperature T _{cap_sense} Whether or not to be lower than the target temperature T _{cap_target} δ low (step S14). If the temperature T is _{cap_sense} Specific target temperature T _{cap_target} Delta low (step S14: YES), the MCU63 will present the nebulization power P _liquid + Delta is set to a new atomization power P _liquid (step S15), the process proceeds to step S16.

On the other hand, if the temperature T is _{cap_sense} Not higher than target temperature T _{cap_target} Delta low (step S14: no), temperature T _{cap_sense} = target temperature T _{cap_target} δ, so that the MCU63 maintains the current nebulization power P _liquid The process proceeds directly to step S16.

Next, the MCU63 notifies the user of the current discharging mode (step S16). For example, in the case of the menthol mode (i.e., in the case where the menthol mode process is executed), in step S16, the MCU63 notifies the user that it is the menthol mode by, for example, causing the light emitting element 161 to emit green light. On the other hand, in the case of the normal mode (i.e., in the case where the normal mode process is performed), in step S16, the MCU63 causes, for example, the light emitting element 161 to emit white light, thereby notifying the user that it is the content of the normal mode.

Subsequently, the MCU63 controls the DC/DC converter 66 to set the atomizing power P set in step S13 or step S15 _liquid To the first load 45 (step S17). Specifically, the MCU63 controls the voltage applied to the first load 45 by the DC/DC converter 66, thereby applying the atomizing power P _liquid To the first load 45. Thereby, the atomization power P _liquid Is supplied to the first load 45, and heats the aerosol source 71 by the first load 45 to generate a vaporized and/or atomized aerosol source 71.

Subsequently, the MCU63 determines whether the aerosol generation request has ended (step S18). When the aerosol generation request is not completed (step S18: NO), the MCU63 determines the slave atomization power P _liquid The supply time t which is the elapsed time from the start of supply of (1) _sense Whether or not the upper limit value t has been reached _upper (step S19). If the supply time t is _sense Does not reach the upper limit value t _upper (step S19: NO), the MCU63 returns to step S16. In this case, the atomizing power P continues to be supplied to the first load 45 _liquid I.e. to generate a vaporized and/or atomized aerosol source 71.

On the other hand, when the request for aerosol generation has ended (step S18: YES), and the supply time t _sense Has reached the upper limit t _upper In the case of (YES in step S19), the MCU63 stops supplying the atomizing power P to the first load 45 _liquid (i.e., the discharge to the first load 45) (step S20), and the remaining amount updating process of calculating the remaining amount of the fragrance component contained in the fragrance source 52 is executed.

In the margin update processing, the MCU63 first acquires the supplied atomizing power P _liquid Supply time t of _sense (step S21). Next, the MCU63 adds "1" to n as the count value of the sucked number counter _puff (step S22).

The MCU63 then acquires the supply time t based on the acquired supply time t _sense According to the gas solutionThe generation of glue requires an atomization power P to be supplied to the first load 45 _liquid A target temperature T set when a request for aerosol generation is detected _{cap_target} The remaining amount W of the flavor component contained in the flavor source 52 is updated _capsule (n _puff ) (step S23). The MCU63 calculates the remaining amount W of the flavor component, for example, according to the following equation (2) _capsule (n _puff ) Calculating the remaining amount of the flavor component W _capsule (n _puff ) Storing in the memory 63a, thereby making the fragrance component residual amount W _capsule (n _puff ) And (4) updating.

[ number 1]

β and γ in the above formula (2) are the same as β and γ in the above formula (1), and are obtained by an experiment. δ in the above formula (2) is set in advance by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1, similarly to δ used in step S13. In the formula (2), α is a coefficient obtained by an experiment in the same manner as β and γ.

Subsequently, the MCU63 judges the updated remaining amount W of the flavor component _capsule (n _puff ) Whether or not the remaining amount is smaller than a predetermined remaining amount threshold value that is a condition for notifying the capsule replacement (step S24). If the updated fragrance component residual amount W _capsule (n _puff ) Is equal to or higher than the margin threshold (step S24: no), the MCU63 directly proceeds to step S29 because it is considered that the flavor component contained in the flavor source 52 (i.e., in the capsule 50) is still sufficiently remained.

On the other hand, if the remaining amount of the flavor component W is updated _capsule (n _puff ) Smaller than the margin threshold (step S24: yes), since it is considered that the flavor component contained in the flavor source 52 is substantially disappeared, the MCU63 determines whether or not the capsule 50 is replaced a predetermined number of times after the cartridge 40 is replaced (step S25). For example, in the present embodiment, the user is provided with five capsules 50 combined in one cartridge 40. In this case, in step S25, the MCU63 determines whether the capsule 50 has been replaced five times after the cartridge 40 replacementAnd (4) replacing.

If the capsule 50 is not replaced a predetermined number of times after the cartridge 40 is replaced (step S25: NO), the MCU63 notifies the capsule replacement (step S26) because it is assumed that the cartridge 40 is still usable. For example, the MCU63 operates the notification unit 16 in an operation mode for capsule replacement notification to notify capsule replacement.

On the other hand, if the capsule 50 is replaced a predetermined number of times after the cartridge 40 is replaced (step S25: YES), the MCU63 notifies the cartridge replacement (step S27) because it is considered that the life of the cartridge 40 has been reached. For example, the MCU63 operates the notification unit 16 in an operation mode for the cartridge replacement notification to notify the cartridge replacement.

Next, the MCU63 resets the count value of the suction count counter to 1, and initializes the target temperature T _{cap_target} Is set (step S28). At a target temperature T _{cap_target} When the setting of (3) is initialized, the MCU63 sets the target temperature T, for example _{cap_target} Set to an absolute zero degree of-273 [ °C]. Accordingly, it is possible to substantially stop the discharge to the second load 34 and stop the heating of the fragrance source 52 by the second load 34, regardless of the temperature of the second load 34 at this time.

Subsequently, the MCU63 determines whether or not the power of the aerosol inhaler 1 is turned off by operating the operation unit 15 (step S29). Further, when the power supply to the aerosol inhaler 1 is turned off (step S29: YES), the MCU63 ends a series of processes. On the other hand, if the power of the aerosol inhaler 1 is not turned off (step S29: NO), the MCU63 returns to step S1.

When the result of the flavor recognition processing in step S1 is that the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the normal type, the MCU63 determines in step S2 as negative (step S2: no), and executes normal mode processing to control the discharge from the power supply 61 to the first load 45 and the second load 34 in the normal mode.

In the normal mode processing, the MCU63 first notifies the user of the content that is the normal mode through the notification section 16 (step S30). At this time, the MCU63 notifies that it is the normal mode, for example, by causing the light emitting element 161 to emit white light and causing the vibration element 162 to vibrate.

Subsequently, the MCU63 calculates the remaining amount W of the flavor component contained in the flavor source 52 _capsule (n _puff -1) determining the amount of fragrance ingredient W to achieve the target _flavor Desired aerosol weight W _aerosol (step S31). In step S31, the MCU63 calculates the aerosol weight W based on the following formula (3) obtained by modifying the above formula (1) _aerosol And determined as the calculated aerosol weight W _aerosol 。

[ number 2]

β and γ in the above formula (3) are the same as β and γ in the above formula (1), and are obtained by an experiment. In addition, in the above formula (3), the amount W of the objective flavor component _flavor Predetermined by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1. The remaining amount W of the flavor component in the above formula (3) _capsule (n _puff -1) Winitial if a sucking action has not been performed once after the new capsule 50 is mounted, and Winitial if more than one sucking action has been performed, for the fragrance component residual amount W calculated by the previous residual amount updating process _capsule (n _puff )。

Subsequently, the MCU63 determines the aerosol weight W based on the determined weight in step S31 _aerosol The atomization power P to be supplied to the first load 45 is set _liquid (step S32). In step S32, the MCU63 calculates the atomization power P, for example, according to the following equation (4) _liquid And setting the calculated atomization power P _liquid 。

[ number 3]

α in the above formula (4) is the same as α in the above formula (2), and is obtained by an experiment. Further, the aerosol weight W in the above formula (4) _aerosol Is at step S3Aerosol weight W as determined in 1 _aerosol . In the above formula (4), t is the supplied atomizing power P _liquid Predicted supply time t _sense For example, the upper limit value t may be set _upper 。

Subsequently, the MCU63 determines the atomizing power P determined in step S32 _liquid Whether or not the power is equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit power at which the first load 45 can be discharged from the power source 61 at that time (step S33). If the atomization power P _liquid If the maximum power is lower than the upper limit power (step S33: YES), the MCU63 returns to the above-described step S6. On the other hand, if the atomizing power P is _liquid If the upper limit power is exceeded (step S33: NO), the MCU63 makes the target temperature T _{cap_target} The predetermined amount is increased (step S34), and the process returns to step S30.

That is, as can be seen from the above equation (1), the target temperature T is increased _{cap_target} (i.e. T) _capsule ) The amount of the flavor component W to be aimed at can be reduced accordingly _flavor Desired aerosol weight W _aerosol Therefore, the atomization power P determined in step S32 can be reduced _liquid . By repeating steps S31 to S34, the MCU63 can determine that the determination of step S33, which was determined to be no first, is yes, and can shift to step S5 shown in fig. 8.

(flavor recognition processing)

Next, the flavor recognition processing shown in step S1 will be described. As shown in fig. 12, in the flavor recognition process, the MCU63 first determines whether or not the power of the aerosol inhaler 1 is turned on (step S41). The MCU63 determines that the process is affirmative in step S41, for example, only when the flavor recognition process is performed for the first time after the power of the aerosol inhaler 1 is turned on.

Subsequently, the MCU63 tries to acquire the types of the cartridges 40 and the capsules 50 (step S42). The MCU63 can acquire the types of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50, for example, based on an operation performed on the operation unit 15. Further, a storage medium (for example, an IC chip) storing information indicating the type of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 may be provided in advance, and the MCU63 may acquire the type of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 by reading the information stored in the storage medium. Further, the resistance values of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 may be different depending on the types of the cartridge and the capsule 50, and the MCU63 may acquire the types of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 based on the resistance values. Instead of the resistance value, the types of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 may be obtained by using other detectable physical quantities such as transmittance and reflectance of light in the capsule 50 and the cartridge 40.

Next, the MCU63 determines whether the types of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 can be acquired in step S42 (step S43). If the types of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 can be acquired (step S43: YES), the MCU63 stores information indicating the types of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 that can be acquired in step S42 in the memory 63a (step S44). Then, the MCU63 sets the types of the shells 40 and capsules 50 that can be acquired in step S42 as the processing result of the current flavor recognition processing, and ends the flavor recognition processing.

On the other hand, if the types of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 cannot be acquired (no in step S43), the MCU63 performs a predetermined error process (step S45) and ends the flavor recognition process. For example, if the attachment (connection) of the cartridge 40 to the power supply unit 10 is insufficient or the accommodation of the capsule 50 in the capsule holder 30 is insufficient, the types of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 may not be obtained. In addition, the MCU63 cannot acquire the types of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 even when the operation unit 15 is not operated, or the MCU63 cannot read information stored in a storage medium of the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50, or the resistance value, the light transmittance, or the reflectance of the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50 shows an abnormal value.

When it is determined that the power of the aerosol inhaler 1 is not immediately after the power is turned on (no in step S41), the MCU63 determines whether or not the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50 is attached and detached (step S46). If the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50 is attached and detached (yes in step S46), since there is a possibility that the type thereof is changed, the MCU63 proceeds to step S42 to try to acquire the types of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50.

On the other hand, if the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are not attached and detached (no in step S46), since the types of them are not changed, the MCU63 reads out information indicating the types of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 stored in the memory 63 a. Then, the MCU63 sets the types of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 indicated by the read information in step S42 as the processing result of the current flavor recognition processing, and ends the flavor recognition processing.

The MCU63 may detect the attachment and detachment of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 by any method.

For example, the MCU63 may detect attachment and detachment of the cartridge 40 based on a resistance value between the pair of discharge terminals 12 obtained by using the voltage sensor 671 and the current sensor 672 and a resistance value between the pair of discharge terminals 17 obtained by using the voltage sensor 681 and the current sensor 682. It is obvious that the resistance value between the discharge terminals 12 that can be obtained by the MCU63 is different between a state in which the pair of discharge terminals 12 is conducted by connecting the first load 45 between the pair of discharge terminals 12 and a state in which the pair of discharge terminals 12 is insulated by air without connecting the first load 45 between the pair of discharge terminals 12. Therefore, the MCU63 can detect attachment and detachment of the cartridge 40 based on the resistance value between the discharge terminals 12.

Similarly, it is obvious that the resistance value between the discharge terminals 17 that can be obtained by the MCU63 is different between a state in which the pair of discharge terminals 17 is conductive by connecting the second load 34 between the pair of discharge terminals 17 and a state in which the pair of discharge terminals 17 is insulated by air without connecting the second load 34 between the pair of discharge terminals 17. Therefore, the MCU63 can detect attachment and detachment of the cartridge 40 based on the resistance value between the discharge terminals 17.

The MCU63 may detect attachment/detachment of the capsule 50 based on fluctuation (variation) in the resistance value between the pair of discharge terminals 12 obtained by using the voltage sensor 671 and the current sensor 672 and fluctuation in the resistance value between the pair of discharge terminals 17 obtained by using the voltage sensor 681 and the current sensor 682. For example, when the capsule 50 is attached and detached, stress is applied to the discharge terminal 12 or the discharge terminal 17 due to the attachment or detachment. The stress causes fluctuations in the resistance value between the pair of discharge terminals 12 and the resistance value between the pair of discharge terminals 17. Therefore, the MCU63 can detect attachment and detachment of the capsule 50 based on the fluctuation in the resistance value between the discharge terminals 12 and the fluctuation in the resistance value between the discharge terminals 17.

The MCU63 may detect attachment and detachment of the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50 based on information stored in a storage medium provided in the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50. For example, when the information stored in these storage media is shifted from an acquirable (readable) state to an unacquirable state, the MCU63 detects the detachment of the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50. In addition, when the information stored in these storage media is transferred from the state in which it cannot be acquired to the state in which it can be acquired, the MCU63 detects the attachment of the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50.

Further, identification Information (ID) for identifying each cartridge 40 or capsule 50 may be stored in advance in a storage medium provided in the cartridge 40 or capsule 50, and the MCU63 may detect attachment/detachment of the cartridge 40 or capsule 50 based on the identification information. In this case, the MCU63 detects the attachment/detachment (replacement in this case) of the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50 when the identification information of the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50 changes.

The MCU63 may detect attachment and detachment of the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50 based on the transmittance or reflectance of light in the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50. For example, in the event that the transmittance or reflectance of light of the cartridge 40 or capsule 50 shifts from a value indicating their installation to a value indicating removal, the MCU63 detects removal of the cartridge 40 or capsule 50. In addition, the MCU63 detects the attachment of the cartridge 40 or capsule 50 when the transmittance or reflectance of light of the cartridge 40 or capsule 50 shifts from a value indicating their detachment to a value indicating attachment.

(concrete control example in the case where the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type)

Next, a specific control example performed by the MCU63 in the case where both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type (that is, in the case where menthol is contained in both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52) will be described with reference to fig. 13. Here, the description is made assuming that the suction operation is performed a predetermined number of times from when a new capsule 50 is attached to the aerosol suction device 1 until the remaining amount of the flavor component in the capsule 50 becomes smaller than the remaining amount threshold (that is, until the remaining amount of the flavor component in the capsule 50 substantially disappears). It is assumed that a sufficient amount of the aerosol source 71 is stored in the cartridge 40 during the predetermined number of suction operations.

In each of (a), (b), and (c) of fig. 13, the horizontal axis represents the remaining amount of flavor components [ mg ] contained in the flavor source 52 in the capsule 50](i.e., the remaining amount of flavor component W) _capsule ). The vertical axis in fig. 13 (a) represents the target temperature (i.e., target temperature T) of the heater, i.e., second load 34, that heats capsule 50 (i.e., flavor source 52) _{cap_target} )[℃]. The vertical axis in fig. 13 (b) shows the applied voltage [ V ] to the first load 45 serving as a heater for heating the aerosol source 71 stored in the cartridge 40]。

In addition, the left vertical axis in fig. 13 (c) represents the amount of menthol [ mg/puff ] supplied into the mouth of the user by one suction operation. The right vertical axis in fig. 13 (c) represents the amount of fragrance component [ mg/puff ] supplied into the mouth of the user by one suction action. Hereinafter, the amount of menthol supplied to the mouth of the user by one suction operation is also referred to as a unit supply menthol amount. Hereinafter, the amount of the fragrance component supplied to the mouth of the user by one suction operation is also referred to as a unit supply fragrance component amount.

In fig. 13, a first period Tm1 is a fixed period immediately after the replacement of the capsule 50. Specifically, the first period Tm1 is W which is the remaining amount of flavor components in the capsule 50 _initial The time is set to W preset by the manufacturer of the aerosol suction device 1 _th1 The period until then. Here, W _th1 Is set as a ratio W _initial Is smaller than W which is the margin threshold value as a condition for notifying capsule replacement _th2 A large value. For example, W _th1 The remaining amount of the flavor component can be set to about ten times of the suction operation after the new capsule 50 is attached. In fig. 13, the second period Tm2 is a period after the first period Tm1, specifically, the remaining amount of flavor components in the capsule 50 is W _th1 To become W _th2 The period of time (c).

In the case where the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are both of the menthol type, as described above, the MCU63 controls the discharge of the first load 45 and the second load 34 through the menthol mode. Specifically, in the menthol mode in this case, as shown by a thick solid line in fig. 13 (a), the MCU63 sets the target temperature of the second load 34 in the first period Tm1 to 80[ ° c ].

The target temperature (80 [ ° c ]) of the second load 34 in the first period Tm1 in this case is, for example, a temperature higher than the melting point of menthol (e.g., 42 to 45[ ° c ]) and lower than the boiling point of menthol (e.g., 212 to 216[ ° c ]). In this case, the target temperature of the second load 34 in the first period Tm1 may be 90[ ° c ] or lower. Thus, in the present embodiment, the temperature of the second load 34 (i.e., the fragrance source 52) is controlled to converge to 80[ ° c ] during the first period Tm 1. Therefore, in the first period Tm1, the menthol adsorbed by the flavor source 52 is heated to an appropriate temperature by the second load 34, and therefore, the menthol can be prevented from rapidly separating from the flavor source 52, and an appropriate amount of menthol can be stably supplied to the user.

In the menthol mode in the case where both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, the MCU63 sets the target temperature of the second load 34 to 60[ ° c, which is lower than the target temperature in the previous first period Tm1, when the second period Tm2 is later. The target temperature (60 [ ° c ]) of the second load 34 in the second period Tm2 in this case is also, for example, a temperature higher than the melting point of menthol and lower than the boiling point of menthol. In this case, the target temperature of the second load 34 in the second period Tm2 may be 90[ ° c ] or lower. Thus, in the present embodiment, the temperature of the second load 34 (i.e., the fragrance source 52) is controlled to converge to 60[ ° c ] during the second period Tm 2. Therefore, in the second period Tm2 as well, the menthol adsorbed by the flavor source 52 is heated to an appropriate temperature by the second load 34, so that rapid progress of the menthol desorption from the flavor source 52 can be suppressed, and an appropriate amount of menthol can be stably supplied to the user.

Thus, in the menthol mode in the case where both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, the target temperature of the second load 34 is reduced in two stages from 80 ℃ to 60 ℃. That is, in the menthol mode in the case where both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, the discharge to the second load 34 is performed with the target temperature set to 80[ ° c ] during the first period Tm1, and the temperature of the second load 34 (i.e., the flavor source 52) is controlled so as to converge to the higher vicinity of 80[ ° c ]. Then, in the second period Tm2 thereafter, the discharge to the second load 34 is performed with the target temperature set to 60[ ° c ], and the temperature of the second load 34 (i.e., the fragrance source 52) is controlled so as to converge to the lower vicinity of 60[ ° c).

In addition, in the menthol mode in the case where both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, as shown by a thick solid line in fig. 13 (b), the MCU63 sets the voltage applied to the first load 45 in the first period Tm1 to V1[ V ]. The voltage V1V is a voltage preset by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1. Thus, in the first period Tm1 in this case, electric power corresponding to the applied voltage V1[ V ] is supplied from the power source 61 to the first load 45, and the vaporized and/or atomized aerosol source 71 corresponding to the electric power is generated by the first load 45.

In the menthol mode in which the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are both of the menthol type, the MCU63 sets the voltage applied to the first load 45 to V2[ V ] when the second period Tm2 is reached. As shown in FIG. 13 (b), V2[ V ] is a voltage higher than V1[ V ]. V2V is preset by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 2. The MCU63 can apply voltages such as V1[ V ] and V2[ V ] to the first load 45 by controlling the DC/DC converter 66, for example.

Thus, in the menthol mode in the case where both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, the applied voltage to the first load 45 is increased in two stages from V1[ V ] to V2[ V ]. That is, in the menthol mode in which the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are both of the menthol type, the first period Tm1 is set to a low applied voltage V1[ V ] to perform discharge to the first load 45. Then, in the second period Tm2 thereafter, the applied voltage is set to V2[ V ] which is high, the discharge to the first load 45 is performed, and the first load 45 is supplied with electric power larger than the first period Tm1 before. Thereby, the amount of the vaporized and/or atomized aerosol source 71 generated by the first load 45 also increases from the previous first period Tm 1.

The unit menthol supply amount in the case where the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are both of the menthol type, and the MCU63 controls the target temperature of the second load 34 and the applied voltage to the first load 45 in the menthol mode described above is an example of the unit menthol supply amount, as shown by a unit menthol supply amount 131a in fig. 13 (c).

Note that, in the case where the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are both of the menthol type, and the MCU63 controls the target temperature of the second load 34 and the voltage applied to the first load 45 in the menthol mode, as an example of the amount of the fragrance component supplied per unit, the amount of the fragrance component supplied per unit is shown as 131b in fig. 13 (c).

For comparison with the unit supply menthol amount 131a and the unit supply flavor component amount 131b, an example will be described assuming that the MCU63 controls the electric discharge to the first load 45 and the second load 34 (i.e., the target temperature of the second load 34 and the applied voltage to the first load 45) by the normal mode even though the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type.

In the normal mode, as shown by a thick dotted line in fig. 13 (a), the MCU63 increases the target temperature of the second load 34 in the first period Tm1 and the second period Tm2, such as 30[ ° c ], 60[ ° c ], 70[ ° c ], 85[ ° c ], in at least more stages than in the menthol mode in the case where menthol is contained in the aerosol source 71. In other words, the number of stages of changing (decreasing) the target temperature of the second load 34 in the menthol mode at least in the case where menthol is contained in the aerosol source 71 is smaller than the number of stages of changing (increasing) the target temperature of the second load 34 in the conventional mode.

That is, in a system in which the target temperature of the second load 34 (i.e., the fragrance source 52) is increased stepwise as in the normal mode, since it is easy to follow the actual temperatures to the target temperature, it is possible to provide a stable fragrance component (i.e., fragrance from the fragrance source 52) to the user by switching the target temperature to a segment. On the other hand, in the menthol mode, the second load 34 (i.e., the first load) is set to be the same as the first loadThe fragrance source 52) is gradually decreased toward the target temperature, it is difficult to follow the actual temperature toward the target temperature. Therefore, by reducing the switching of the target temperature, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the deviation of the actual temperature from the target temperature. The target temperatures or the timings of changing the target temperatures of the second load 34 in the normal mode are set in advance by the manufacturer of the aerosol suction device 1. As another example, the remaining amount of the flavor component [ mg ] contained in the flavor source 52 in the capsule 50 may be](i.e., the remaining amount of flavor component W) _capsule ) The timing of changing the target temperature of the second load 34 in the normal mode is determined.

For example, here, the maximum value of the target temperature of the second load 34 in the first period Tm1 of the normal mode (here, 70[ ° c ]) is a temperature lower than the target temperature of the second load 34 in the first period Tm1 of the menthol mode (here, 80[ ° c ]). In addition, the lowest value (here, 70[ ° c ]) of the target temperature of the second load 34 in the second period Tm2 of the normal mode is a higher temperature than the target temperature (here, 60[ ° c ]) of the second load 34 in the second period Tm2 of the menthol mode.

In addition, in the normal mode, as shown by a thick solid line in fig. 13 (b), the MCU63 maintains the voltage applied to the first load 45 in the first period Tm1 and the second period Tm2 at V3[ V ] which is constant. V3V is a voltage higher than V1V and lower than V2V and is a voltage preset by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1. The MCU63 can apply a voltage of V3[ V ] to the first load 45 by controlling the DC/DC converter 66, for example.

An example of the unit menthol supply amount in the case where the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, the MCU63 controls the target temperature of the second load 34 and the applied voltage to the first load 45 in the above-described normal mode is shown as a unit menthol supply amount 132a in fig. 13 (c).

Note that, in the case where the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are both of the menthol type, and the MCU63 controls the target temperature of the second load 34 and the applied voltage to the first load 45 in the above-described normal mode, the amount of the fragrance component supplied per unit is exemplified as the amount of fragrance component supplied per unit 132b in fig. 13 (c).

That is, it is assumed that even in the case where the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, the discharge to the first load 45 and the second load 34 (i.e., the target temperature of the second load 34 and the applied voltage to the first load 45) is controlled by the normal mode. In this case, since the target temperature of the second load 34 in the first period Tm1 is low, the temperature of the fragrance source 52 in the first period Tm1 becomes low, compared to the case where they are controlled by the menthol mode.

Therefore, when the discharge to the first load 45 and the like is controlled by the normal mode in the case where both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, the time until the flavor source 52 (specifically, the tobacco particles 521) and the menthol reach the adsorption equilibrium state in the capsule 50 becomes longer than in the case of the control by the menthol mode. During this time, a majority of the menthol from the aerosol source 71 adsorbs onto the flavor source 52, and can be reduced by the flavor source 52.

According to the above, when the discharge to the first load 45 and the like is controlled by the normal mode in the case where both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, the amount of unit supply menthol that can be supplied to the user is reduced in the first period Tm1 as shown by the unit supply menthol amount 131a and the unit supply menthol amount 132a, as compared with the case where the control is performed by the menthol mode as described above. Therefore, if this is done, a sufficient amount of menthol may not be supplied to the user during the first period Tm 1.

In contrast, in the menthol mode in which the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are both of the menthol type, the MCU63 sets the second load 34 (i.e., the flavor source 52) to a high temperature in the vicinity of 80[ ° c ] in the first period Tm1, which is assumed to be a period before the flavor source 52 (specifically, the tobacco particles 521) and the menthol reach the adsorption equilibrium state. Thus, the MCU63 can promote the flavor source 52 (specifically, the tobacco particles 521) and menthol in the capsule 50 to reach an adsorption equilibrium state as early as possible in the first period Tm1, suppress the adsorption of menthol from the aerosol source 71 onto the flavor source 52, and ensure the amount of menthol supplied into the mouth of the user without being adsorbed onto the flavor source 52 among the menthol from the aerosol source 71. Further, the MCU63 can also increase menthol from the flavor source 52 by bringing the second load 34 (i.e., the flavor source 52) to a high temperature during the first period Tm1, and the menthol is released from the flavor source 52 (in detail, the tobacco particles 521) and supplied into the mouth of the user. Therefore, as shown by the unit menthol supply amount 131a, a sufficient amount of menthol can be supplied to the user from a time when the flavor component contained in the flavor source 52 is sufficient (when the product is new).

In fig. 13 (c), the unit menthol supply amount 133a shows an example of the unit menthol supply amount in the case where both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type and the flavor source 52 is not heated by the second load 34. In this case, the temperature of the second load 34 (i.e., the fragrance source 52) in the first period Tm1 is room temperature (see r.t. in fig. 13 (c)). Therefore, in this case as well, as shown by the unit menthol supply amount 133a, the temperature of the fragrance source 52 in the first period Tm1 is lower than that in the case where the discharge to the first load 45 and the like is controlled in the menthol mode, and therefore a sufficient amount of menthol cannot be supplied to the user in the first period Tm 1.

However, in order to supply a sufficient amount of menthol to the user in the first period Tm1, in the menthol mode in which both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, the target temperature of the second load 34 in the first period Tm1 is set to be high. However, if the fragrance source 52 is further heated at a high temperature in the second period Tm2 after the first period Tm1, a large amount of menthol is supplied to the user, which may cause a decrease in fragrance.

Therefore, as described above, in the menthol mode in the case where both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, by making the target temperature of the second load 34 in the second period Tm2 lower than the target temperature of the second load 34 in the first period Tm1, the flavor source 52 that continues to be heated at a high temperature in the second period Tm2 and becomes a high temperature after the first period Tm1 is passed is suppressed. Thus, as shown by the unit menthol-supply amount 131a, in the second period Tm2 assumed to be a period after the flavor source 52 (specifically, the tobacco particles 521) and menthol reach the adsorption equilibrium state, the temperature of the flavor source 52 is lowered to increase the amount of menthol that can be adsorbed by the flavor source 52 (specifically, the tobacco particles 521), thereby suppressing an increase in the unit menthol-supply amount. Therefore, in the second period Tm2, an appropriate amount of menthol can be supplied to the user.

In order to suppress a large amount of menthol from being supplied to the user during the second period Tm2, the target temperature of the second load 34 during the second period Tm1 is set low in the menthol mode in the case where both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type. However, when the target temperature of the second load 34 is set low in this way, although the increase in the amount of menthol supplied per unit in the second period Tm2 can be suppressed, the amount of fragrance component supplied per unit in the second period Tm2 also decreases, and it is considered that a sufficient sucking sensation cannot be provided to the user.

Therefore, in the menthol mode in which both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, that is, in the case where the flavor source 52 contains menthol in addition to the aerosol source 71, the MCU63 sets the voltage applied to the first load 45 in the first period Tm1 to V1[ V ], and sets the voltage applied to the first load 45 in the second period Tm2 thereafter to V2[ V ] higher than V1[ V ]. This makes it possible to change the voltage applied to the first load 45 to a higher V2V in accordance with the second period Tm2 and the target temperature of the second load 34 being changed to a lower 60 c. Therefore, in the second period Tm2, the amount of the aerosol source 71 generated by heating by the first load 45 and supplied to the fragrance source 52 can be increased, and as shown by the unit fragrance component supply amount 131b, a decrease in the unit fragrance component supply amount in the second period Tm2 can be suppressed.

(specific control example in the case where only the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type)

Next, a specific control example performed by the MCU63 in the case where only the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type (that is, in the case where only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol) will be described with reference to fig. 14. In the menthol mode in the case where only the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type, the voltage applied to the first load 45 in only the first period Tm1 and the second period Tm2 is different from the menthol mode in the case where both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type. Therefore, the following description will be focused on the portions different from the description of fig. 13, and the description of the portions similar to the description of fig. 13 will be omitted as appropriate.

In the menthol mode in the case where only the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type, as shown by the thick solid line in fig. 14 (b), the MCU63 sets the applied voltage to the first load 45 in the first period Tm1 to V4[ V ]. As shown in fig. 14 (b), V4V is a voltage higher than V3V and is a voltage preset by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1. Thus, in the first period Tm1 in this case, electric power corresponding to the applied voltage V3[ V ] is supplied from the power source 61 to the first load 45, and the vaporized and/or atomized aerosol source 71 corresponding to the electric power is generated by the first load 45.

In the menthol mode in the case where only the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type, the MCU63 sets the voltage applied to the first load 45 to V5[ V ] when the second period Tm2 is reached. As shown in FIG. 14 (b), V5[ V ] is a voltage higher than V3[ V ] and lower than V4[ V ]. V5V is preset by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1. The MCU63 can apply voltages such as V4V and V5V to the first load 45 by controlling the DC/DC converter 66, for example.

In this way, in the menthol mode in the case where only the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type, the applied voltage to the first load 45 is reduced in two steps from V4[ V ] to V5[ V ]. That is, in the menthol mode in the case where only the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type, the first period Tm1 is set to a high applied voltage V4[ V ] to perform discharge to the first load 45. Then, in the second period Tm2 thereafter, the applied voltage is set to V5[ V ] which is low, and the discharge to the first load 45 is performed, so that the first load 45 is supplied with less electric power than in the first period Tm1 before. Thereby, the amount of the aerosol source 71 (vaporized and/or atomized aerosol source 71) generated by the heating by the first load 45 and supplied to the fragrance source 52 is also reduced from the previous first period Tm 1.

An example of the unit menthol supply amount in the case where only the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type and the MCU63 controls the target temperature of the second load 34 and the applied voltage to the first load 45 in the menthol mode described above is shown as the unit menthol supply amount 141a in fig. 14 (c).

An example of the amount of fragrance component supplied per unit in the case where only the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type, and the MCU63 controls the target temperature of the second load 34 and the applied voltage to the first load 45 in the menthol mode described above is shown as the amount of fragrance component supplied per unit 141b in fig. 14 (c).

In addition, an example of the unit supply menthol amount in the case where only the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type, the MCU63 controls the target temperature of the second load 34 and the applied voltage to the first load 45 in the above-described normal mode is shown as the unit supply menthol amount 142a in fig. 14 (c).

An example of the amount of fragrance component supplied per unit in the case where only the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type, the MCU63 controls the target temperature of the second load 34 and the applied voltage to the first load 45 through the above-described normal mode is shown as the amount of fragrance component supplied per unit 142b in fig. 14 (c).

In addition, an example of the unit supply menthol amount in the case where only the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type and heating of the flavor source 52 by the second load 34 is not performed is shown as the unit supply menthol amount 143a in fig. 14 (c).

An example of the unit supply amount of flavor component in the case where only the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type and heating of the flavor source 52 by the second load 34 is not performed is shown as a unit supply amount of flavor component 143b in fig. 14 (c).

That is, in the menthol mode in the case where only the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type, that is, in the case where the flavor source 52 does not contain menthol, the MCU63 sets the applied voltage to the first load 45 in the first period Tm1 to V4[ V ], and sets the applied voltage to the first load 45 in the second period Tm2 thereafter to V5[ V ] lower than V4[ V ]. Thus, in the first period Tm1 assumed to be a period before the flavor source 52 (specifically, tobacco particles 521) and menthol reach adsorption equilibrium in the capsule 50, a high V4[ V ] can be applied to the first load 45 (i.e., a high power can be applied to the first load 45), and the amount of the aerosol source 71 generated by heating the first load 45 and supplied to the flavor source 52 can be increased.

Therefore, at a time before the flavor source 52 and menthol reach the adsorption equilibrium state, the amount of menthol supplied into the mouth of the user without being adsorbed to the flavor source 52 from the aerosol source 71 can be increased, and the flavor source 52 and menthol can be promoted to reach the adsorption equilibrium state in the capsule 50 as soon as possible. Therefore, as shown by the unit menthol supply amount 141a, it is possible to stably supply an appropriate and sufficient amount of menthol to the user from a time when the flavor component contained in the flavor source 52 is sufficient (for example, so-called start of imbibing).

(specific control example in the case where only the capsule 50 is of the menthol type)

Next, a specific control example performed by the MCU63 in the case where only the capsule 50 is of the menthol type (that is, in the case where only the flavor source 52 contains menthol) will be described with reference to fig. 15. In the following, a description will be given mainly on a part different from the description of fig. 13, and the description of the same part as the description of fig. 13 will be omitted as appropriate.

As described above, in the menthol mode in the case where only the capsule 50 is of the menthol type, the MCU63 controls the discharge to the first and

second loads

45 and 34 in the same discharge manner as the conventional mode. Specifically, in the menthol mode in this case, as shown by the thick dashed line in fig. 15 (a), the MCU63 increases the target temperature of the second load 34 in the first period Tm1 and the second period Tm2 in stages in multiple stages (four stages in this case), such as 30[ ° c ], 60[ ° c ], 70[ ° c ], and 85[ ° c ], for example. In the menthol mode in this case, as shown by the thick solid line in fig. 15 (b), the MCU63 maintains the voltage applied to the first load 45 in the first period Tm1 and the second period Tm2 at V3[ V ] which is constant.

An example of the unit supply menthol amount in the case where only the capsule 50 is of the menthol type and the MCU63 controls the target temperature of the second load 34 and the applied voltage to the first load 45 in the menthol mode described above is shown as a unit supply menthol amount 151a in fig. 15 (c).

An example of the amount of fragrance component supplied per unit in the case where only the capsule 50 is of the menthol type and the MCU63 controls the target temperature of the second load 34 and the applied voltage to the first load 45 in the menthol mode described above is shown as the amount of fragrance component supplied per unit 151b in fig. 15 (c).

In addition, an example of the unit supply menthol amount in the case where only the capsule 50 is of the menthol type and heating of the flavor source 52 by the second load 34 is not performed is shown as a unit supply menthol amount 153a in fig. 15 (c).

An example of the amount of fragrance component supplied per unit in the case where only the capsule 50 is of the menthol type and heating of the fragrance source 52 by the second load 34 is not performed is shown as the amount of fragrance component supplied per unit 153b in fig. 15 (c).

In the menthol mode in the case where only the capsule 50 is of the menthol type, that is, in the case where only the flavor source 52 contains menthol, the MCU63 can gradually increase the temperature of the second load 34 (that is, the flavor source 52) by increasing the target temperature of the second load 34 in the first period Tm1 and the second period Tm2 in stages. Thereby, the menthol adsorbed on the flavor source 52 (specifically, the tobacco particles 521) in the capsule 50 can be gradually desorbed from the flavor source 52. Namely, the balance W from the flavor component _capsule A sufficient period (e.g., so-called start of suction) starts, enabling a sufficient amount of menthol to be stably supplied to the user. In other words, stabilization of the amount of menthol (i.e., the flavor derived from menthol) provided to the user can be achieved.

As described above, according to the power supply unit 10, the discharge to the first load 45 and the second load 34 can be appropriately controlled according to the object containing (or not containing) menthol.

While one embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings, it is apparent that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made within the scope of the claims and these are also understood to fall within the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, the respective components in the above embodiments may be arbitrarily combined without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, in the menthol mode in which at least menthol is contained in the aerosol source 71, the voltage applied to the first load 45 is changed in two steps, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and may be changed in steps more than two steps or continuously.

In the menthol mode in which menthol is contained in at least the aerosol source 71, the target temperature of the second load 34 is changed in two stages, for example, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and the target temperature may be changed in more stages than two stages (but in fewer stages than in the case of the normal mode) or continuously. Likewise, in the normal mode, the target temperature of the second load 34 may also be changed stepwise or continuously in more stages than four stages.

For example, in the present embodiment, the target temperature of the second load 34 at the time of warming up the second load 34 when the shift to the start mode is made is set to be smaller than the lowest value of the target temperatures of the second load 34 in the menthol mode and the normal mode, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the target temperature of the second load 34 when warming up the second load 34 when the transition to the startup mode is triggered may be set to a temperature equal to or higher than the lowest value of the target temperatures of the second load 34 in the normal mode. In other words, the target temperature of second load 34 during warm-up may be set to a temperature equal to or higher than the lowest value of the target temperature of second load 34 in the menthol mode only when menthol is contained in fragrance source 52. In this way, when only the fragrance source 52 contains menthol, the temperature of the second load 34 can be lowered to an appropriate target temperature by stopping the warm-up of the second load 34. In addition, at least when menthol is contained in the aerosol source 71, the temperature of the second load 34 can be easily brought to an appropriate target temperature by supplying more electric power to the second load 34. Therefore, in any case of the subject containing (or not containing) menthol, the second load 34 can be easily brought to an appropriate target temperature corresponding to the subject.

For example, in the present embodiment, the heating chamber 43 of the cartridge 40 and the housing chamber 53 of the capsule 50 are disposed physically separately and communicate with each other through the aerosol flow path 90, but the heating chamber 43 and the housing chamber 53 may not necessarily be disposed physically separately. The heating chamber 43 and the storage chamber 53 may be insulated from each other and communicate with each other. In this case, since the heating chamber 43 and the storage chamber 53 are thermally insulated from each other, the storage chamber 53 can be less susceptible to the heat generated by the first load 45 of the heating chamber 43. This suppresses rapid desorption of menthol in the flavor source 52, and therefore menthol can be stably supplied to the user. The heating chamber 43 and the storage chamber 53 may be disposed physically separately from each other, and may be insulated from each other and communicate with each other.

For example, the overall shape of the aerosol inhaler 1 is not limited to the shape in which the power supply unit 10, the cartridge 40, and the capsule 50 are aligned as shown in fig. 1. The aerosol inhaler 1 may be configured such that the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are replaceable with respect to the power supply unit 10, and may have any shape such as a substantially box shape.

For example, the cartridge 40 may be integrated with the power supply unit 10.

For example, the capsule 50 may be configured to be replaceable with respect to the power supply unit 10, or may be detachable from the power supply unit 10.

For example, in the present embodiment, the first load 45 and the second load 34 are heaters that generate heat by electric power discharged from the power supply 61, but the first load 45 and the second load 34 may be peltier elements that can generate heat and cool by electric power discharged from the power supply 61. If the first and

second loads

45 and 34 are configured in this way, the degree of freedom of control regarding the temperature of the aerosol source 71 and the temperature of the fragrance source 52 is expanded, and therefore the unit amount of fragrance can be controlled more highly.

For example, in the present embodiment, the MCU63 controls the discharge from the power source 61 to the first load 45 and the second load 34 so that the amount of the flavor component converges to the target amount, but the target amount is not limited to a specific value and may be a range having a certain width.

For example, in the present embodiment, the MCU63 controls the discharge from the power supply 61 to the second load 34 so that the temperature of the fragrance source 52 converges to the target temperature, but the target temperature is not limited to a specific value and may be set to a range having a certain width.

In the present specification, at least the following matters are described. In the above embodiments, the corresponding components and the like are shown in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to these.

(1) A power supply unit (10) of an aerosol-generating device (aerosol suction device (1)) is provided with: a first connector (discharge terminal 12) to which a first heater (first load 45) that heats an aerosol source (aerosol source 71) is connected;

a second connector (discharge terminal 17) to which a second heater (second load 34) is connected, the second heater (second load 34) heating a fragrance source (fragrance source 52), the fragrance source (fragrance source 52) being capable of imparting fragrance to the aerosol source vaporized and/or atomized by the heating of the first heater;

a power source (power source 61) electrically connected to the first connector and the second connector;

a controller (MCU 63) capable of controlling discharge of the first heater from the power supply and discharge of the second heater from the power supply;

the controller

A determination can be made whether each of the aerosol source and the fragrance source contains menthol,

controlling the discharging of the first heater and the discharging of the second heater through a normal mode in case it is judged that the aerosol source and the fragrance source do not contain menthol,

and/or the second heater is discharged in the menthol mode in a different manner than the second heater is discharged in the normal mode.

According to (1), the mode for controlling the electric discharge to the first heater and the second heater can be made different between the case where the aerosol source contains menthol and the case where the aerosol source and the flavor source do not contain menthol. Specifically, when menthol is contained in the aerosol source, the discharge to the first heater and the second heater can be controlled in the menthol mode, and when menthol is not contained in the aerosol source and the flavor source, the discharge to the first heater and the second heater can be controlled in the normal mode. Thus, the discharge to the first heater and/or the second heater can be appropriately controlled depending on whether or not menthol is contained in the aerosol source.

(2) The power supply unit for an aerosol-generating device according to (1),

the discharging manner of the second heater in the menthol mode is different from the discharging manner of the second heater in the normal mode.

According to (2), in the case of the menthol mode, the discharge to the second heater is controlled in a different discharge manner from that in the case of the normal mode. Thus, the discharge to the second heater can be appropriately controlled depending on whether or not menthol is contained in the aerosol source.

(3) The power supply unit for an aerosol-generating device according to (2),

the discharging mode of the second heater in the menthol mode is to reduce a target temperature, which converges the temperature of the second heater or the flavor source, stepwise or continuously,

the second heater is discharged in the normal mode in such a manner that a target temperature, which converges the temperature of the second heater or the fragrance source, is increased stepwise or continuously.

According to (3), in the case of the menthol mode, the target temperature of the second heater or the fragrance source is decreased stepwise or continuously. In this way, in the menthol mode, the target temperature is set to a high temperature at a time (for example, at the start of inhalation) before the flavor source and menthol reach the adsorption equilibrium state, and the amount of menthol that can be adsorbed on the flavor source can be reduced, thereby suppressing the adsorption of menthol from the aerosol source on the flavor source. Therefore, in this period, the amount of menthol supplied to the user from the aerosol source without adsorbing on the flavor source can be ensured. In addition, in the case of the menthol mode, the target temperature is set to a low temperature at a later time (for example, after the flavor source and menthol reach the adsorption equilibrium state), and the amount of menthol that can be adsorbed on the flavor source can be increased, and a large amount of menthol can be suppressed from being supplied to the user. According to the above, menthol supplied to the user can be stabilized at an appropriate amount. Further, according to (3), in the case of the normal mode, the target temperature of the second heater or the fragrance source is increased stepwise or continuously. Thus, in the normal mode, it is possible to compensate for the reduction in the fragrance component from the fragrance source due to the user's inhalation by raising the temperature of the second heater (i.e., the fragrance source). According to the above, according to (3), it is possible to provide a stable fragrance from menthol to a user in the menthol mode and a stable fragrance from a fragrance source to a user in the normal mode.

(4) The power supply unit for an aerosol-generating device according to (3),

the second heater is discharged in the menthol mode in such a manner that a target temperature at which the temperature of the second heater or the flavor source converges is decreased in n stages,

the second heater is discharged in the normal mode in such a manner that a target temperature is increased in steps of m, the target temperature converging the temperature of the second heater or the fragrance source,

n is smaller than m.

According to (4), in the case of the menthol mode, the target temperature degree n phase of the temperature of the second heater or the fragrance source is decreased, and in the case of the conventional mode, the target temperature degree m (where n < m) phase is increased. That is, in a system in which the target temperature is increased stepwise as in the normal mode, since it is easy to follow the actual temperature to the target temperature, stable fragrance from the fragrance source can be provided to the user by switching the target temperature to a segment. On the other hand, in a system in which the target temperature is reduced stepwise, such as the menthol mode, since it is difficult to follow the actual temperature to the target temperature, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a deviation between the actual temperature and the target temperature by reducing the switching of the target temperature.

(5) The power supply unit for an aerosol-generating device according to any one of (1) to (4),

the first heater is discharged in a different manner in the menthol mode than in the normal mode.

According to (5), in the case of the menthol mode, the discharge to the first heater is controlled in a discharge manner different from that in the case of the normal mode. This makes it possible to appropriately control the discharge to the first heater depending on whether or not menthol is contained in the aerosol source.

(6) The power supply unit for an aerosol-generating device according to (5), wherein,

the mode of discharging to the first heater in the menthol mode is to change a voltage applied to the first heater in a stepwise or continuous manner,

the first heater is discharged in the normal mode in such a manner that the voltage applied to the first heater is maintained constant.

According to (6), in the menthol mode, the voltage applied to the first heater is changed stepwise or continuously. Thus, when menthol is contained in the aerosol source, the amount of aerosol generated by heating by the first heater can be changed, and menthol or a flavor component of the flavor source from the aerosol source can be stably supplied to the user. In addition, according to (6), in the case of the normal mode, by maintaining the applied voltage to the first heater constant, the control of the applied voltage to the first heater (i.e., the power supplied to the first heater) can be simplified. Therefore, the discharge to the first heater can be appropriately controlled depending on whether or not menthol is contained in the aerosol source.

(7) The power supply unit for an aerosol-generating device according to any one of (1) to (6),

the controller

The aerosol-generating device being operable in an active mode and a sleep mode, the sleep mode being less power consuming than the active mode and being transitionable to the active mode,

upon transition to the activation mode, discharge to the second heater is started so that the temperature of the second heater or the fragrance source converges to a predetermined temperature.

According to (7), when the mode is shifted to the start-up mode of the aerosol-generating device, the discharge to the second heater is started in order to converge the target temperature of the second heater or the flavor source to the predetermined temperature. As a result, the second heater can be warmed up when the mode is shifted to the start mode, and the temperatures of the second heater and the flavor source can be raised as early as possible, thereby achieving early stabilization of the amount of menthol (i.e., the flavor derived from menthol) supplied to the user.

(8) The power supply unit for an aerosol-generating device according to (7),

the second heater is discharged in the normal mode in such a manner that a target temperature, which converges the temperature of the second heater or the fragrance source, is increased stepwise or continuously,

the given temperature is above a lowest value of the target temperature in the normal mode.

According to (8), in any case of the object containing (or not containing) menthol, the second heater can be easily brought to an appropriate target temperature corresponding to the object.

(9) The power supply unit for an aerosol-generating device according to (7),

the given temperature is less than the lowest value of the target temperature in the normal mode.

According to (9), the target temperature at the time of warming up the second heater performed when the mode is shifted to the start mode is set to a temperature lower than the lowest value of the target temperatures of the second heater and the like in the case of the normal mode. Thus, the second heater and the fragrance source are prevented from becoming excessively high temperatures due to the preheating of the second heater, the second heater can be preheated to an appropriate temperature, and stabilization of fragrance and reduction of power consumption due to the preheating of the second heater can be achieved.

(10) The power supply unit for an aerosol-generating device according to (7),

the controller starts discharging the second heater so that the temperature converges to the predetermined temperature before determining whether or not at least the aerosol source of the aerosol source and the flavor source contains menthol, when the start mode is shifted.

According to (10), the second heater is preheated when the start mode is started before the judgment as to whether or not the fragrance source or the aerosol source contains menthol is performed. In other words, when the judgment of whether or not menthol is contained in the fragrance source or the aerosol source is performed, the warm-up of the second heater can be ended. Thus, after it is found whether or not the fragrance source or the aerosol source contains menthol, the discharge to the first heater and/or the second heater can be appropriately controlled according to the aerosol source and the target containing menthol in the fragrance source.

The present application is based on japanese patent application (japanese patent application No. 2020-193900) filed on 11/20/2020, and the contents thereof are incorporated by reference in the present application.

Description of the reference numerals

1. Aerosol sucker (Aerosol generating device)

12. Discharging terminal (first connector)

17. Discharging terminal (second connector)

34. A second load

45. A first load

52. Fragrance source

61. Power supply

71. Aerosol source

63 MCU (controller)

Claims

1. A power supply unit for an aerosol-generating device, comprising:

a second connector to which a second heater is connected, the second heater heating a fragrance source capable of imparting fragrance to the aerosol source vaporized and/or atomized by heating by the first heater;

the controller

the discharging pattern of the first heater in the menthol mode is different from the discharging pattern of the first heater in the normal mode,

2. A power supply unit for an aerosol-generating device according to claim 1,

3. A power supply unit for an aerosol-generating device according to claim 2,

4. A power supply unit for an aerosol-generating device according to claim 3,

the second heater is discharged in the normal mode in such a manner that a target temperature at which the temperature of the second heater or the fragrance source converges is increased in m stages,

n is smaller than m.

5. A power supply unit for an aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

6. A power supply unit for an aerosol-generating device according to claim 5,

7. A power supply unit for an aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

the controller

The aerosol-generating device is operable in an active mode and a sleep mode, the sleep mode consuming less power than the active mode and being transitionable to the active mode,

when the operation mode is shifted to the start mode, the discharge of the second heater is started so that the temperature of the second heater or the fragrance source converges to a predetermined temperature.

8. A power supply unit for an aerosol-generating device according to claim 7,

9. A power supply unit for an aerosol-generating device according to claim 7,

10. A power supply unit for an aerosol-generating device according to claim 7,