EA040068B1 - AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

Field of invention

The invention relates to an aerosol generating device.

State of the art invention

At present, aerosol-generating devices (electronic vaporizers), for example, so-called electronic cigarettes and nebulizers (inhalers), are known, which spray (turn into an aerosol) a liquid or solid that is a source of aerosol, using a load, which operates when power is applied to it from a power source, such as a heater or transducer, to enable the user to inhale the nebulized liquid or solid.

For example, a system for generating respirable vapor using an electronic vaporizer has been proposed (eg, Patent Document 1). In this technology, whether or not evaporation occurs is determined by controlling the power supplied to the coil, which corresponds to the heater for spraying the aerosol source. The description states that a decrease in the power required to maintain the desired coil temperature indicates that there is not enough liquid in the fluid wick to effect normal evaporation.

Also proposed is an aerosol-generating device (for example, Patent Document 2) that detects the presence of an aerosol-forming base, which includes or corresponds to an aerosol source, in the vicinity of a heating element configured to heat the aerosol-forming base, by comparing with a threshold value, power or energy , which is required to be supplied to the heating element in order to maintain the temperature of the heating element at the set temperature.

References Patent Literature

Patent Document 1. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2017-501805.

Patent Document 2 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-507476.

Patent Document 3 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-525131.

Patent Document 4 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-515093.

Patent Document 5. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2013-509160.

Patent Document 6. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-531600.

Patent Document 7. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-501105.

Patent Document 8. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-501106.

Patent Document 9. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-501107.

Patent Document 10. International Publication No. 2017/021550.

Patent Document 11 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-041654.

Patent Document 12 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-232481.

Patent Document 13. International Publication No. 2012/027350.

Patent Document 14. International Publication No. 1996/039879.

Patent Document 15. International Publication No. 2017/021550.

The essence of the invention

Technical problem.

When an aerosol is generated using a conventional aerosol generating device, control of power supply from the power supply to the heater is performed such that the temperature of the heater is near the boiling point of the aerosol source. If a sufficient amount of the aerosol source remains and the amount of aerosol generated is controlled, then the power supplied from the power supply to the heater has a constant value or exhibits a continuous change. In other words, if a sufficient amount of aerosol source remains and feedback control is performed to maintain the temperature of the heater at the set temperature or within the set temperature range, then the power supplied from the power supply to the heater has a constant value or exhibits a continuous change.

The residual amount of the aerosol source is an important variable that is used in various types of control performed by the aerosol generating device. If the remaining amount of the aerosol source is not determined or cannot be determined with a sufficiently high accuracy, then, for example, there is a risk that the supply of power from the power source to the heater will continue even if the aerosol source has already been used up, and the amount of charge of the power source will be wasted.

Therefore, the aerosol generating device proposed in Patent Document 2 determines whether there is a sufficient aerosol source by the power required to maintain the temperature of the heater. However, the power is usually measured using a plurality of sensors and, in such a case, it is difficult to accurately determine the residual amount of the aerosol source or its consumption from the measured power if the errors of said sensors are not accurately calibrated, or the control is performed without taking into account the errors.

As other methods for determining the residual amount of an aerosol source,

- 1 040068 methods that use the temperature of the heater or the electrical resistance value of the heater, as described in Patent Document 3 and Patent Document 4. It is known that the temperature and electrical resistance value of the heater in the case where a sufficient amount of the aerosol source remains, take values different from when the aerosol source is used up. However, these methods require specialized sensors or a plurality of sensors, and therefore it is also difficult for these methods to accurately estimate the residual amount of the aerosol source or its consumption.

In the case where the sensor did not have a suitable resolution, it was difficult to accurately determine, for example, a decrease in the residual amount. There was also a problem that aerosol was generated when the residual amount of the aerosol source was measured, etc. using a sensor.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to block the formation in the aerosol generating device during measurement or to improve the accuracy of the estimation of the residual amount of the aerosol source performed by the aerosol generating device.

Solution to the problem.

The aerosol generating apparatus of the present invention includes a power supply, a load configured to have a resistance value that changes with temperature, and generate an aerosol by spraying the aerosol source or heating the fragrance source when power is supplied to it from the power source, a sensor made with a resistor connected in series with the load and capable of outputting a measured value, which is the value of the current flowing through the resistor or the value of the voltage applied to the resistor, and a control unit configured to control the supply of power from the power source to the load and receiving an output signal from the sensor, wherein the resistor has a resistance value that is set such that the response of the measured value change to the temperature change of the resistance value is within the set range.

The resistor has a resistance value that is set such that the response of a change in the measured value to a change in temperature of the resistance value is within the set range. If the response is high, then, for example, the detection performance of the sensor is improved, but there is a risk that aerosol will be generated during the measurement. Conversely, if the response is low, then the generation of aerosol during measurement may be blocked, but the detection performance of the sensor is also reduced. In the above configuration, a balanced resistance value can be set.

A configuration is also possible in which the resistor has a resistance value that satisfies at least one of the first condition that the amount of aerosol generated by the load during the recharge period during which power is supplied from the power source to the resistor does not exceed a threshold value, and the second the conditions that the control unit can determine the residual amount of the aerosol source or flavor source from the measured value. According to the first condition, the generation of aerosol during measurement can be blocked, and according to the second condition, the estimation accuracy of the residual amount of the aerosol source performed by the aerosol generating device can be improved.

The resistance value can be set to satisfy the first condition. Namely, a configuration is also possible in which the aerosol-generating device further comprises a mouth end that is provided at the end portion of the aerosol-generating device to emit aerosol, wherein the threshold value is set such that no aerosol is emitted from the mouth end during the feeding period. . In other words, it is also possible to have a configuration in which the threshold value is set such that the heat generated by the load is not used for the heat of vaporization of the aerosol source or flavor source. It is also possible to have a configuration in which the resistance value is set such that no aerosol is generated as a result of heat generated by the load.

The resistance value may also be set to satisfy the second condition. Namely, a configuration is also possible in which the resistance value is set such that the measured value obtained when power is supplied to the load and the measured value obtained when the residual amount of the aerosol source or flavor source does not exceed the set amount differ from each other. to be distinguishable to the control unit. In other words, it is also possible to have a configuration in which the resistance value is set such that the absolute value of the difference between the measured value obtained when power is supplied to the load starts and the measured value obtained when the residual amount of the aerosol source or fragrance source does not exceed the set amount, exceeds the resolution of the control unit. It is also possible to have a configuration in which the resistance value is set such that the measured value obtained when an aerosol is generated and the measured value obtained when the residual amount of the aerosol source or flavor source does not exceed the set amount differ from each other so as to be distinguishable for the unit. management. A configuration is also possible in which the resistance value is set such that

- 2 040068 The absolute value of the difference between the measured value obtained when an aerosol is formed and the measured value obtained when the residual amount of the aerosol source or fragrance source does not exceed the set amount exceeds the resolution of the control unit. It is also possible to have a configuration in which the resistance value is set such that the measured value obtained when power is supplied to the load and the measured value obtained when aerosol is generated differ from each other so as to be distinguishable by the control unit. It is also possible to have a configuration in which the resistance value is set such that the absolute value of the difference between the measured value obtained when power is supplied to the load and the measured value obtained when aerosol is formed exceeds the resolution of the control unit.

Alternatively, the resistance value satisfies the first condition and the second condition. In this case, the generation of aerosol during measurement can be blocked, and the accuracy of the residual amount of the aerosol source estimated by the aerosol generating device can be improved. Namely, two conflicting problems can be solved simultaneously.

A configuration is also possible in which the resistance value is closer to the largest value of the values with which the second condition is satisfied than to the smallest value of the values with which the first condition is satisfied. With this configuration, it is possible to increase, as far as possible, the resolution related to the determination of the residual amount, while blocking the formation of aerosol during the measurement. Namely, it is possible to improve as much as possible the resolution at the time when two conflicting problems are solved simultaneously, and accordingly, the accuracy of the residual amount of the aerosol source estimated by the aerosol generating apparatus can be maximized.

A configuration is also possible in which the aerosol-generating device further includes a power supply circuit configured to electrically connect the power source to the load and contain a first power supply circuit for supplying power to the load not through the sensor and a second power supply circuit for supplying power to the load. through the sensor. In particular, such a configuration can be used.

A configuration is also possible in which the power circuit includes a first node that is connected to a power source and from which the power circuit branches into a first power supply circuit and a second power supply circuit, a second node that is provided after the first node, and in which the first the power supply circuit and the second power supply circuit converge to each other, and a linear regulator which is provided between the first node and the sensor in the second power supply circuit. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of conversion loss in the linear regulator in the first power supply circuit, and it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of the residual amount in the second power supply circuit.

An aerosol-generating apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes a power source, a load configured to have a resistance value that varies with temperature, and generate an aerosol by spraying an aerosol source or heating a fragrance source when power is supplied to it. from a power source, a sensor configured with a resistor connected in series with the load and capable of outputting a measured value, which is the value of the current flowing through the resistor or the value of the voltage applied to the resistor, and a control unit configured to control the power supply from power source to the load and receiving an output signal from the sensor, wherein the resistor has a resistance value that satisfies at least one of the first condition that the amount of aerosol generated by the load during the recharge period during which power is supplied from and the power supply into the resistor does not exceed the threshold value, and the second condition is that the change in the residual amount of the aerosol source or flavor source can be determined by the control unit from the measured value.

According to the first condition, the generation of aerosol during measurement can be blocked, and according to the second condition, the estimation accuracy of the residual amount of the aerosol source performed by the aerosol generating device can be improved.

An aerosol-generating apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes a power source, a load configured to have a resistance value that varies with temperature, and generate an aerosol by spraying an aerosol source or heating a fragrance source when power is supplied to it. from a power source, a sensor configured with a resistor connected in series with the load and capable of outputting a measured value, which is the value of the current flowing through the resistor, or the value of the voltage applied to the resistor, at least one adjusting resistor for adjusting the amount of current supplied to the load, and a control unit configured to control the power supply from the power source to the load and receive the output signal from the sensor, while the resistance values of the resistor and the adjusting resistor satisfy the first condition that the amount of aerosol forming 3 040068 load, during which the power supplied from the power supply to the load does not exceed the threshold value, and the resistor has a resistance value that is set such that the response of a change in the measured value to a change in temperature of the resistance value is within the set range.

In this configuration, the generation of aerosol during measurement can be blocked, or the accuracy of the residual amount of the aerosol source estimated by the aerosol generating device can be improved by using the resistance value of the control resistor in addition to the resistance value of the sensor.

A configuration is also possible in which the resistor value is greater than the load resistance value. In this way, for example, the formation of an aerosol during the measurement can be blocked.

It should be noted that everything stated in relation to the solution of the problem can be combined within the scope of the present invention without deviating from the problem solved by the present invention and the technical idea of the present invention. In addition, everything stated in relation to solving the problem can be represented as a system that includes one or more devices, which include a computer, a processor, an electrical circuit, etc., a method to be performed by a device, or program to be executed by the device. The program can also run on the network. It is also possible to provide a storage medium that stores the program.

Useful effects of the invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to block the formation of an aerosol in an aerosol generating device during measurement, or to improve the accuracy of the estimate of the residual amount of an aerosol source performed by an aerosol generating device.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing one example of the appearance of the aerosol generating device;

fig. 2 is an exploded view showing one example of an aerosol generating device;

fig. 3 is a block diagram showing one example of the internal structure of the aerosol generating device;

fig. 4 is a circuit diagram showing one example of a circuit configuration of an aerosol generating device;

fig. 5 is a flowchart showing processing for estimating the amount of an aerosol source contained within a storage area;

fig. 6 is a processing flowchart showing one example of processing for evaluating the residual amount;

fig. 7 is a timing chart showing one example of a state in which a user is using the aerosol generating device;

fig. 8 is a diagram showing one example of a method for determining the duration of a determination period;

fig. 9 is a diagram showing another example of changes in the value of current flowing through the load;

fig. 10 is a processing flowchart showing one example of processing for setting a determination period;

fig. 11 is a diagram schematically representing the energy consumption of a storage section, a supply section, and a load;

fig. 12 is a graph schematically representing the relationship between the energy consumed at the load and the amount of aerosol generated;

fig. 13 is one example of a graph showing the relationship between the residual amount of the aerosol source and the load resistance value;

fig. 14 is a schematic diagram representing a variant of the circuit included in the aerosol generating device;

fig. 15 is a circuit diagram showing another version of the circuit included in the aerosol generating device.

Description of Embodiments

Next, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment of the aerosol generating apparatus of the present invention will be described. Dimensions, materials, shapes, relative position, etc. the constituent elements described in the present embodiment are exemplary. The order of operations is also one example, and the order may be changed or the procedures may be performed in parallel within the scope without deviating from the problem solved by the present invention and the technical idea of the present invention. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the following examples, unless otherwise indicated.

Embodiment.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing one example of the appearance of an aerosol generating device. Fig. 2 is an exploded view showing one example of an aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device 1 is an electronic cigarette, a nebulizer, and so on. and generates an aerosol in response to a breath taken by the user and provides the aerosol to the user. It should be noted that one action of continuous inspiration performed by the user will be referred to as a puff. In the present embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1 also adds an aromatic component, etc. into the generated aerosol and releases the aerosol into the user's mouth.

As shown in FIG. 1 and 2, the aerosol generating device 1 includes a main body 2, an aerosol source portion 3, and an additional component portion 4. The main body 2 supplies power and controls the operations of the device as a whole. The aerosol source portion 3 houses the aerosol source to be sprayed to form an aerosol. The additional component portion 4 accommodates components such as flavor component, nicotine, and so on. The user can inhale the aerosol with the addition of fragrance, etc., while holding the mouthpiece, which is the end portion on the side of the portion 4 of the additional component, in the mouth.

The aerosol-generating device 1 is formed as a result of assembling, for example, by the user, the main body 2, the aerosol source portion 3, and the additional component portion 4. In the present embodiment, the main body 2, the aerosol source portion 3, and the accessory component portion 4 are cylindrical, frustoconical, etc., with a predetermined diameter, and can be connected in the order of the main body 2, the aerosol source portion 3, and section 4 of the additional component. The main body 2 and the aerosol source portion 3 are connected to each other by screwing together a male threaded portion and a female threaded portion, which are respectively provided, for example, at the end portions of the main body 2 and the aerosol source portion 3. The aerosol source section 3 and the additional component section 4 are connected to each other, for example, by inserting the additional component section 4 including a side surface having conical elements into a tubular section provided at one end of the aerosol source section 3. The aerosol source portion 3 and the accessory component portion 4 may be disposable replacement parts.

internal configuration.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing one example of the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1. The main body 2 includes a power supply 21, a control unit 22, and an inhalation sensor 23. The control unit 22 is electrically connected to the power supply 21 and the inspiration sensor 23 . The power supply 21 is a battery, for example, and supplies power to an electric circuit contained in the aerosol generating device 1. The control unit 22 is a processor, such as a microcontroller (MCU: micro control unit), and controls the operations of the electric circuit contained in the aerosol generating device 1. device 1. The inspiratory sensor 23 is an air pressure sensor, a flow rate sensor, and so on. When the user inhales from the mouthpiece of the aerosol generating device 1, the inhalation sensor 23 outputs a value in accordance with the negative pressure or flow rate of the gas flow generated inside the aerosol generating device 1. Namely, the control unit 22 can detect inhalation from the output value of the inspiratory sensor 23.

The aerosol source section 3 of the aerosol-generating device 1 includes a storage section 31, an inlet section 32, a load 33 and a residual amount sensor 34. The storage portion 31 is a container for storing a liquid aerosol source to be sprayed by heating. It should be noted that the aerosol source is a material based on high molecular weight alcohols, such as glycerol or propylene glycol. The aerosol source may also be a liquid mixture (also referred to as a flavor source) that further contains liquid nicotine, water, flavor, etc. It is assumed that such an aerosol source is prefilled within the storage area 31 . It should be noted that the source of the aerosol can also be a solid substance, which does not necessarily have a storage area 31 .

The lead-in portion 32 includes a wick that is formed by twisting a fibrous material such as fiberglass. The supply section 32 is connected to the storage section 31 . The inlet section 32 is also connected to the load 33, or at least a section of the inlet section 32 is located near the load 33. The aerosol source spreads through the wick by capillarity and moves to the area where the aerosol source can be sprayed as a result of heating by the load 33. Otherwise in other words, the inlet section 32 absorbs the aerosol source from the storage area 31 and carries the aerosol source to the load 33 or in the vicinity of the load 33. It should be noted that ceramic instead of glass fiber can also be used for the wick.

Load 33 is, for example, a coil-shaped heater and generates heat as a result of current flowing through load 33. For example, load 33 has a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) and the resistance value of load 33 is essentially in direct proportion to temperature, caused by the release of heat. It should be noted that the load 33 need not be PTC, and

- 5 040068 only requires that there is a correlation between the value of the load resistance 33 and the temperature due to heat generation. For example, a configuration is also possible in which the load 33 has a negative temperature coefficient (NTC). It should be noted that the load 33 may be wrapped around the wick or vice versa, the circumferential surface of the load 33 may be covered with the wick. The control unit 22 controls the power supply to the load 33. When the aerosol source is supplied from the storage area 31 to the load 33 by the inlet section 32, the aerosol source is vaporized by the heat generated by the load 33 and an aerosol is formed. If the inhalation action of the user is detected from the output value of the inhalation sensor 23, the control unit 22 supplies power to the load 33 to generate an aerosol. If the residual amount of the aerosol source contained within the storage area 31 is large enough, then a sufficient amount of the aerosol source is supplied to the load 33, and the heat generated by the load 33 is transferred to the aerosol source, in other words, the heat generated by the load 33 serves to heat and evaporation of the aerosol source, and therefore the temperature of the load 33 almost never rises above the preset, preset temperature. On the other hand, if the aerosol source contained within the storage portion 31 is consumed, the amount of the aerosol source supplied to the load 33 per unit time is reduced. As a result, the heat generated by the load 33 is not transferred to the aerosol source, in other words, the heat generated by the load 33 is not used to heat and vaporize the aerosol source, and therefore the load 33 heats up unnecessarily and the resistance value of the load 33 increases accordingly.

The residual amount sensor 34 outputs measurement data for estimating the residual amount of the aerosol source contained within the storage area 31 based on the temperature of the load 33. The residual amount sensor 34 includes, for example, a resistor (shunt resistor) that is connected in series with the load 33 to to measure current, and a meter that is connected in parallel with the resistor to measure the voltage value across the resistor. It should be noted that the resistance value of the resistor is a constant value that is predetermined and does not substantially change with temperature. Therefore, the value of the current flowing through the resistor can be determined from the known value of the resistance and the measured value of the voltage.

It should be noted that instead of the above-described meter using a shunt resistor, a meter using a Hall effect element can be used. The Hall effect element is located in the on position in series with the load 33. Namely, the gap core that includes the Hall effect element is located around the wire that is connected in series with the load 33. The Hall effect element determines the magnetic field generated by the current flowing through it. In the case where a Hall effect element is used, the expression current flowing through this element means the current that flows through the wire, which is located in the center of the core with a gap and does not contact the Hall effect element, and the value of the current for this current is equal to the value of the current flowing through the load 33. In the present embodiment, the residual amount sensor 34 outputs the value of the current flowing through the resistor. Alternatively, you can also use the voltage value applied between opposite ends of the resistor, or the value obtained by performing a predetermined operation on the current value or voltage value, instead of the current value or voltage value itself. These measured values, which can be used instead of the value of the current flowing through the resistor, are values that vary according to the value of the current flowing through the resistor. Namely, the residual amount sensor 34 is only required to output a measured value corresponding to the value of the current flowing through the resistor. It goes without saying that the technical idea of the present invention covers cases where said measured values are used instead of the value of the current flowing through the resistor.

The section 4 of the additional component of the aerosol generating device accommodates cut tobacco leaves and an aromatic component 41, such as menthol. The accessory section 4 has air holes on the side of the mouthpiece and on the section to be connected to the aerosol source section 3, and when the user inhales from the mouthpiece, a negative pressure is created inside the accessory section 4, the aerosol generated in the aerosol source section 3 is sucked in, nicotine, aromatic component, etc. are added to the aerosol at the additional component site 4, and the aerosol is released into the user's mouth.

Note that the internal configuration shown in FIG. 3 represents one example. A configuration is also possible in which the aerosol source portion 3 is provided along the side surface of the cylinder and has a toric shape that includes a cavity extending along the center of the circular cross section. In this case, the supply section 32 and the load 33 may be located in the central cavity. In addition, an output element, such as a light emitting diode (LED) or a vibrator, may be further provided to output the status of the device to the user.

- 6 040068

Schema configuration.

Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram showing one example of a portion of a circuit configuration in an aerosol generating device related to determining the residual amount of an aerosol source and controlling the power supply to a load. The aerosol generating device 1 includes a power source 21, a control unit 22, a voltage conversion unit 211, switches (switching elements) Q1 and Q2, a load 33, and a residual quantity sensor 34. The section that connects the power supply 21 to the load 33 and includes the switches Q1 and Q2 and the voltage conversion unit 211 will also be referred to as the power circuit of the present invention. The power source 21 and the control unit 22 are provided in the main body 2 shown in FIG. 1-3, and a voltage conversion unit 211, switches Q1 and Q2, a load 33, and a residual amount sensor 34 are provided in the aerosol source portion 3, such as shown in FIG. 1-3. As a result of connecting the main body 2 and the aerosol source portion 3, their constituent elements are electrically connected to each other, and the circuit shown in FIG. 4. Note that a configuration is also possible in which at least some of the voltage conversion unit 211, the switches Q1 and Q2, and the residual amount sensor 34 are provided in the main body 2, for example. the aerosol source and the additional component portion 4 are configured as disposable replacement parts, the cost of the replacement parts can be reduced by reducing the number of components contained in the replacement parts.

The power supply 21 has a direct or indirect electrical connection with each constituent element and supplies power to the circuit. The control unit 22 is connected to the keys Q1 and Q2 and the sensor 34 of the residual amount. The control unit 22 receives the output value of the residual amount sensor 34 to calculate a calculated value regarding the aerosol source remaining inside the storage portion 31, and controls the opening and closing of switches Q1 and Q2 based on the calculated calculated value, the output value of the inspiratory sensor 23, etc. d.

Switches Q1 and Q2 are semiconductor switches, such as unipolar MOSFETs (metal oxide field effect transistors). One end of switch Q1 is connected to power supply 21, and the other end of switch Q1 is connected to load 33. When switch Q1 is closed, power can be supplied to load 33 to generate aerosol. The control unit 22 closes the switch Q1, for example, upon detecting a user's inhaling action. It should be noted that the circuit that passes through the switch Q1 and the load 33 will also be referred to as the aerosol generating circuit and the first power supply circuit.

One end of the switch Q2 is connected to the power supply 21 via the voltage conversion unit 211, and the other end of the switch Q2 is connected to the load 33 via the residual quantity sensor 34. By closing the key Q2, the output value of the residual quantity sensor 34 can be obtained. It should be noted that the circuit that passes through the switch Q2, the residual amount sensor 34 and the load 33, and from which the residual amount sensor 34 outputs the set measured value, will also be referred to as the residual amount detection circuit and the second power supply circuit of the present invention. It should be noted that if a Hall effect element is used in the residual quantity sensor 34, then the residual quantity sensor 34 does not have to be connected to the switch Q2 and the load 33 and only needs to be able to output the set measured value in the position between the switch Q2 and the load 33. In other words, it is only required that the wire that connects switch Q2 to load 33 pass through the Hall element.

The above circuit shown in Fig. 4 includes a first node 51 from which a circuit extending from the power supply 21 branches into an aerosol generation circuit and a residual amount detection circuit, and a second node 52 which is connected to a load 33 and in which an aerosol generation circuit and a residual detection circuit residual amount are combined with each other.

The voltage conversion unit 211 is configured to convert the output voltage of the power supply 21 and output the converted voltage to the load 33. Specifically, the voltage conversion unit 211 is a voltage regulator, the LDO (Low Dropout) regulator shown in FIG. 4 and outputs a constant voltage. One end of the voltage conversion unit 211 is connected to the power supply 21, and the other end of the voltage conversion unit 211 is connected to the switch Q2. The voltage conversion unit 211 includes a switch Q3, resistors R1 and R2, capacitors C1 and C2, a comparator Comp, and a constant voltage source that outputs a reference voltage V _Ref . It should be noted that if the LDO stabilizer shown in FIG. 4, the output voltage V _{out of} the LDO regulator can be determined using the following expression (1)

V _O ut=R ₂ /(Ri+R2)xV _REF ... (1)

Key Q3 is, for example, a semiconductor switch and opens and closes depending on the output signal of the comparator Comp. One end of the switch Q3 is connected to the power supply 21, and the output voltage varies according to the open-close duty cycle of the switch Q3. The output voltage of the switch Q3 is divided by resistors R1 and R2, which are connected in series, and

- 7 040068 is applied to one input of the comparator Comp. The reference voltage VREF is applied to the other input of the comparator Comp. In such a case, a signal is output that shows the result of comparing the reference voltage VREF with the output voltage of the switch Q3. Even if the voltage value supplied to switch Q3 changes, as long as the voltage value is at least a predetermined value, the output voltage of switch Q3 can be made constant based on the feedback signal obtained from the comparator Comp as described above. Comparator Comp and switch Q3 will also be referred to as the voltage conversion unit of the present invention.

It should be noted that one end of the capacitor C1 is connected to the end portion of the voltage conversion unit 211 on the side of the power supply 21, and the other end of the capacitor C1 is grounded. Capacitor C1 stores energy and protects the circuit from voltage surges. One end of the capacitor C2 is connected to the terminal of the switch Q3, and the capacitor C2 smoothes the output voltage.

If a power source such as a battery is used, the voltage of the power source decreases as the state of charge decreases. By using the voltage conversion unit 211 according to the present embodiment, a constant voltage can be supplied even if the power supply voltage changes to some extent.

The residual amount sensor 34 includes a shunt resistor 341 and a voltmeter 342. One end of the shunt resistor 341 is connected to the voltage conversion unit 211 via a switch Q2. The other end of the shunt resistor 341 is connected to the load 33. Namely, the shunt resistor 341 is connected in series with the load 33. The voltmeter 342 is connected in parallel with the shunt resistor 341 and can measure the amount of voltage drop across the shunt resistor 341. The voltmeter 342 is also connected to the control unit 22 and outputs the measured value of the voltage drop across the shunt resistor 341 to the control unit 22 .

Residual Quantity Estimation Processing.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing processing for estimating the amount of the aerosol source contained within the storage portion 31. It is assumed that the voltage V _out that is output by the voltage conversion unit 211 is constant. It is known that the shunt value R _shunt of the shunt resistor 341 is also constant. Therefore, the value of the current I _shunt for the current flowing through the shunt resistor 341 can be determined from the voltage V _shunt between opposite ends of the shunt resistor 341 using the following expression (2):

Ishunt ^- Vshunt/Rshunt' · · · (2)

It should be noted that the value of the current IHTR for the current flowing through the load 33 connected in series with the shunt resistor 341 is I _shunt . Shunt resistor 341 is connected in series with load 33 and a value corresponding to the value of current flowing through the load is measured across shunt resistor 341.

Meanwhile, the output voltage V _{out of} the voltage conversion unit 211 can be determined from the expression (3) below using the resistance value R _htr of the load 33

Vout ⁼ Ishunt ^x (Rshunt+Rhtr) ' · · · (3)

By converting expression (3), the resistance value R _htR of the load 33 can be determined using the following expression (4)

RhTR=Vout/IshunrRshunt' (4)

The load 33 is characterized by the positive temperature coefficient (PTC) described above, and the resistance value R _htR of the load 33 is substantially in direct proportion to the temperature T _htR of the load 33, as shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, the temperature T _htR of the load 33 can be calculated from the resistance value R _htR of the load 33. In the present embodiment, information that shows the relationship between the resistance value R _htR and the temperature T _htR of the load 33 is stored, for example, as a table in advance. Therefore, the temperature T _htR load 33 can be estimated without the use of a special temperature sensor. It should be noted that, in the case where the load 33 is characterized by a negative temperature coefficient (NTC), the temperature T _htR of the load 33 can also be estimated based on information showing the relationship between the resistance value R _htR and the temperature T _htR .

In the present embodiment, even if the aerosol source around the load 33 is vaporized by the load 33, the aerosol source is continuously supplied through the supply section 32 to the load 33 as long as a sufficient amount of the aerosol source is contained inside the storage section 31. Therefore, if the amount of the aerosol source remaining inside the storage portion 31 is at least a predetermined amount, then typically the temperature of the load 33 does not rise significantly above the boiling point of the aerosol source. However, when the amount of the aerosol source remaining inside the storage section 31 decreases, the amount of the aerosol source supplied through the supply section 32 to the load 33 also decreases, and the temperature of the load 33 rises and exceeds the boiling point of the aerosol source. It is assumed that information that shows such a relationship between the residual amount of the aerosol source and the temperature of the load

- 8 040068

33 is obtained in advance by experimentation, etc. Based on this information and the calculated load temperature THTR 33, the residual amount of the aerosol source contained by the storage area 31 can be estimated. It should be noted that the residual amount can also be determined in the form of a ratio of the residual amount to the capacity of the storage area 31 .

Since there is a correlation between the residual amount of the aerosol source and the temperature of the load 33, it can be determined that the aerosol source within the storage area 31 is used up if the temperature of the load 33 exceeds a temperature threshold that corresponds to a predetermined residual amount threshold. In addition, since there is a one-to-one correspondence between the resistance value and the temperature of the load 33, it can be determined that the aerosol source within the storage area 31 is used up if the resistance value of the load 33 exceeds a resistance value threshold that corresponds to the above-described temperature threshold. In addition, the only variable in the above expression (4) is the current value Ish _unt of the current flowing through the shunt resistor 341, and therefore the threshold value of the current value that corresponds to the threshold value of the resistance value described above is uniquely determined. Here, the value of the current I _shunt of the current flowing through the shunt resistor 341 is equal to the value of the current IHTR of the current flowing through the load 33. Therefore, it can also be determined that the aerosol source inside the storage section 31 is used up if the value of the current IHTR of the current flowing through the load 33 , falls below the pre-set threshold value for the current value. Namely, with respect to the measured value, such as the value of the current sent through the load 33, it is possible to determine the set value or the set range in a state in which, for example, a sufficient amount of the aerosol source remains, and determine whether the residual amount of the aerosol source is large enough, depending on whether or not the measured value is within the set range, which includes the set value or the set range. The set range can be determined, for example, using the threshold value described above.

As described above, according to an embodiment, the resistance value R _shunt of the load 33 can be calculated using a single measured value, i. e. value I _shunt of the current flowing through the shunt resistor 341. It should be noted that the current value I _shunt of the current flowing through the shunt resistor 341 can be determined by measuring the voltage V _shunt between opposite ends of the shunt resistor 341 as indicated by expression (2). Meanwhile, the measured value output by the sensor usually includes various errors such as offset error, gain error, hysteresis error, and linear error. In the present embodiment, a voltage conversion unit 211 is applied that outputs a constant voltage, and accordingly, when judging the residual amount of the aerosol source accommodated by the storage area 31, or determining whether or not the aerosol source inside the storage area 31 is used up, the number of variables, instead of which the measured values should be substituted, equal to one. Therefore, the accuracy of the calculated load resistance value RHTR 33 is improved as compared to the case where the load resistance value, etc. is calculated, for example, by substituting the output values of different sensors in place of a set of variable parameters. As a result, the accuracy of the residual amount of the aerosol source, which is estimated from the RHTR value of the load 33, is also improved.

Fig. 6 is a processing flowchart showing one example of processing for evaluating the residual amount. Fig. 7 is a timing chart showing one example of a state in which a user is using an aerosol generating device. In FIG. 7, the direction of the arrow indicates the passage of time t (s), and the graphs respectively show the opening and closing of switches Q1 and Q2, the value IHTR of the current flowing through the load 33, the calculated temperature THTR of the load 33, and the change in the residual amount of the aerosol source. It should be noted that the threshold values Thre1 and Thre2 are predetermined threshold values for determining the consumption of the aerosol source. The aerosol generating device 1 evaluates the residual amount when used by the user, and if a decrease in the aerosol source is determined, performs a predetermined processing.

The control unit 22 of the aerosol-generating apparatus 1 detects whether the user has performed an inhaling action from the output signal of the inhalation sensor 23 (FIG. 6: step S1). At this stage, if the control unit 22 determines the creation of a negative voltage, a change in the flow rate, or the like. from the output of the inhalation sensor 23, the control unit 22 determines that the inhaling action of the user has been detected. If inhalation is not detected (step S1: No), then the procedure performed in step S1 is repeated. It should be noted that the breath taken by the user can also be detected by comparing the negative pressure or change in flow rate with a threshold value other than 0.

Otherwise, if inhalation is detected (step S1: Yes), the control unit 22 executes a pulse-width modulation (PWM) control of the switch Q1 (FIG. 6: step S2). It is assumed that inspiration is detected, for example, at time t1 in FIG. 7. After a moment in time

- 9 040068 t1 the control unit 22 opens and closes the switch Q1 in a predetermined cyclic mode. When the switch Q1 is opened and closed, current flows through the load 33 and the temperature THTR of the load 33 rises to approximately the boiling point of the aerosol source. The aerosol source is heated by the load temperature 33 and evaporates, and the residual amount of the aerosol source is reduced. It should be noted that when controlling the switch Q1 in step S2, it is also possible to apply pulse frequency modulation (PFM) control instead of PWM control.

The control unit 22 determines whether the inhaling action of the user has ended from the output of the inhalation sensor 23 (FIG. 6: step S3). At this point, the control unit 22 determines that the user has stopped inhaling if the output of the inspiratory sensor 23 no longer detects negative pressure generation, flow rate change, or the like. If inhalation is not completed (step S3: No), the control unit 22 repeats the procedure in step S2. It should be noted that the end of the user's inhaling action can also be detected by comparing the negative pressure or flow rate change with a threshold value other than 0. Alternatively, when a predetermined period has elapsed since the user's inhaling action is detected in step S1, the processing can be shifted to step S4, regardless of the determination made in step S3.

Otherwise, if the inhalation is finished (step S3: Yes), the control unit 22 stops the PWM control of the key Q1 (FIG. 6: step S4). It is assumed that the determination of the end of inhalation is performed, for example, at time t2 in FIG. 7. After the time t2, the switch Q1 comes into the open state (OFF), and the power supply to the load 33 is stopped. The aerosol source is supplied from the storage area 31 through the inlet section 32 to the load 33, and the temperature THTR of the load 33 is gradually reduced due to energy dissipation. As a result of lowering the temperature THTR of the load 33, evaporation of the aerosol source is stopped and the reduction of the residual amount is also stopped.

As described above, as a result of switching on the switch Q1, current flows in the aerosol generating circuit shown in FIG. 4, in steps S2-S4 surrounded by the rounded rectangle shown by the dotted line in FIG. 6.

Thereafter, the control unit 22 continuously closes the switch Q2 for a predetermined period (FIG. 6: step S5). As a result of switching on switch Q2, current flows in the residual amount detection circuit shown in FIG. 4, in steps S5-S9 surrounded by the rounded rectangle shown in dotted line in FIG. 6. At time t3 in FIG. 7, the Q2 switch is in the closed state (on). In the residual amount detection circuit, the shunt resistor 341 is connected in series with the load 33. The residual amount detection circuit has a higher resistance value than the aerosol generating circuit as a result of the addition of the shunt resistor 341, and the current value I _HTR of the current flowing through the load 33 through the detection circuit residual amount, less than the value of the current I _HTR of the current flowing through the load 33 through the aerosol generation circuit.

In the state in which the switch Q2 is closed, the control unit 22 receives the measured value from the residual amount sensor 34 and determines the value of the current flowing through the shunt resistor 341 (FIG. 6: step S6). At this stage, the value of the current I _shunt through the shunt resistor 341 is calculated using the above expression (2), for example, from the voltage between opposite ends of the shunt resistor 341 measured by the voltmeter 342. It should be noted that the value of the current I _shunt through the shunt resistor 341 is equal to the current value I _HTR for the current flowing through the load 33.

In the state in which the switch Q2 is closed, the control unit 22 determines whether or not the value of the current flowing through the load 33 is lower than the predetermined current threshold value (FIG. 6: step S7). Namely, the control unit 22 determines whether the measured value is within a set range, which includes a set value or a set range. In this case, the threshold value (FIG. 7: Thre1) of the current corresponds to a predetermined threshold value (FIG. 7: Thre2) of the remaining amount of the aerosol source, by which it is to be determined that the aerosol source within the storage section 31 has been used up. Namely, if the value of the current I _HTR of the current flowing through the load 33 is below the threshold value Thre1, then it can be determined that the residual amount of the aerosol source is less than the threshold value Thre2.

If the value of the current I _HTR becomes lower than the threshold value Thre1 (step S7: Yes) for a predetermined period during which the switch Q2 is closed, the control unit 22 determines the consumption of the aerosol source and performs the predetermined processing (Fig. 6: step S8 ). If the voltage value measured at step S6 and the current value found from the voltage value are lower than the predetermined threshold values, then the residual amount of the aerosol source is small, and accordingly, the control at this step is executed to further reduce the voltage value measured at step S6, and the current value found from the voltage value. For example, the control unit 22 may stop the operation of the aerosol generating device 1 by, for example, stopping the switching of the switch Q1 or Q2 or turning off the power supply to the load 33 with a fuse (not shown).

- 10 040068

It should be noted that, similar to the period from time t3 to time t4 in FIG. 7, if the residual amount of the aerosol source is large enough, then the value of the current I _HTR exceeds the threshold value Thre1.

After step S8, or if the value of the current I _HTR is at least equal to the threshold value Thre1 (step S7: No) for a predetermined period during which the switch Q2 is closed, the control unit 22 opens the switch Q2 (FIG. 6: step S9). At time t4 in FIG. 7, the predetermined period has elapsed and the value of the current I _HTR was at least equal to the threshold value Thre1, and therefore the switch Q2 is turned off. It should be noted that the predetermined period (corresponding to the period from time t3 to time t4 in Fig. 7) during which the key Q2 is closed is shorter than the period (corresponding to the period from time t1 to time t2 in Fig. 7) , during which the key Q1 is closed at steps S2-S4. If it is determined in step S7 that the measured value is within the set range, then when inhalation is detected thereafter (step S1: Yes), control is performed so that the current value (measured value) to be calculated in step S6 reaches the set value, or the specified range, by opening and closing the key Q1 (step S2), for example, while adjusting the switching duty cycle. Here, the control is performed so that the change amount of the measured value is larger in the case where the power circuit control is performed to reduce the value of the current flowing into the load 33 (also referred to as the second control mode of the present invention) when the measured value is not in the set value. range than when the power circuit control is performed to cause the measured value to approach the set value or set range (also referred to as the first control mode of the present invention) when the measured value is within the set range.

Thus, the residual amount estimation processing ends. Thereafter, the processing returns to the procedure in step S1, and if the inhaling action of the user is detected, the processing shown in FIG. 6 is executed again.

At time t5 in FIG. 7, the inhaling action of the user is detected (FIG. 6: step S1: Yes), and the PWM control of the key Q1 is started. At time t6 in FIG. 7, it is determined that the user's inhaling action has ended (FIG. 6: step S3: Yes), and the PWM control of the key Q1 is terminated. At time t7 in FIG. 7, the switch Q2 is turned on (FIG. 6: step S5), and the value of the current through the shunt resistor is calculated (FIG. 6: step S6). Thereafter, as shown in the period after time t7 in FIG. 7, the residual amount of the aerosol source becomes less than the threshold value Thre2, and the temperature T _HTR of the load 33 rises. The value of the current I _HTR of the current flowing through the load 33 decreases, and at the time t8, the control unit 22 determines that the value of the current I _HTR becomes lower than the threshold value Thre1 (FIG. 6: step S7: Yes). In this case, it is found that the aerosol cannot be generated due to the consumption of the aerosol source, and accordingly, the control unit 22 does not open and close the switch Q1 even if the inhaling action of the user is detected, for example, at time t8 or later. In the example shown in FIG. 7, a predetermined period thereafter elapses at time t9, and the switch Q2 is turned off (FIG. 6: step S9). It should be noted that the control unit 22 may also turn off the switch Q2 at the time t8 when the value of the current I _HTR falls below the threshold value Thre1.

As described above, in the present embodiment, a voltage conversion unit 211 is provided that converts the voltage, and therefore it is possible to reduce the errors that may be contained in the variables used for control in estimating the residual amount of the aerosol source or its consumption, and, for example, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the control performed depending on the residual amount of the aerosol source.

Definition period.

In the residual amount estimation processing performed in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 22 acquires the measured value of the residual amount sensor 34 while maintaining the switch Q2 on for a predetermined period. It should be noted that the period during which the switch Q2 is closed will be referred to as a energizing cycle to energize the residual amount sensor 34 and the load 33. In this case, to determine the residual amount, you can also use the determination period to determine the residual amount of the aerosol source. The determination period is contained, for example, in a feeding cycle on the time axis, and the duration of the determination period is variable.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing one example of the method for determining the length of the determination period. On the graph shown in Fig. 8, the horizontal axis represents the passage of time t and the vertical axis represents the value of the current IHTR for the current flowing through the load 33. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the current value IHTR of the current that flows when switch Q1 opens or closes is not shown for convenience, and only the value of current I _HTR for the current that flows through load 33 during the power-up cycles during which switch Q2 is

- 11 040068 closed.

The periods p1 shown in FIG. 8 are normal feed cycles, and the value of current I _HTR shown on the left represents a schematic profile in the case where a sufficient amount of aerosol source remains. It is assumed that the determination period is initially equal to the recharge cycle (p1). In the example shown on the left, the temperature T _HTR of the load 33 rises when power is applied, and the value of the current I _HTR gradually decreases as a result of the increase in the resistance value R _htr of the load 33 along with the increase in the temperature T _HTR of the load 33, but the value of the current I _HTR does not become lower. threshold value Thre1. In such a case, the determination period is not changed.

The value of the current I _HTR shown in the center represents the case where the value of the current I _HTR becomes lower than the threshold value Thre1 during the determination period (p1). Here, the period p2 from the start of the energizing cycle to the point in time when the value of the current IHTR becomes lower than the threshold value Thre1 is set as the determination period to be included in the subsequent energizing cycle. Namely, the determination period in the subsequent refueling cycle is adjusted based on the period it takes for the value of the current I _HTR to fall below the threshold value Thre1 in the previous refueling cycle. In other words, the higher the probability of consuming the aerosol source, the shorter the determination period is set. A configuration is also possible in which the duration of the recharge cycle is used as a reference value, and if the value of the current I _HTR falls below the threshold value Thre1 during the recharge cycle (determination period), then it is determined that the probability of consuming the aerosol source is at least equal to the threshold value (also called the second threshold value according to the present invention). In other words, the determination period is set to be shorter than the recharge cycle only when the probability of consuming the aerosol source is at least equal to the threshold value.

The value of the current IHTR shown on the right represents the case where the value of the current IHTR becomes lower than the threshold value Thre1 during the determination period (p2). The amount of the aerosol source accommodating the storage section 31 continuously decreases while the aerosol generating device 1 is in use. Therefore, as the aerosol source is consumed, the period from the start of power supply to the point in time when the value of the current I _HTR becomes lower than the threshold value Thre1 generally becomes shorter and shorter. In the example shown in FIG. 8, it is determined that the aerosol source is used up (i.e., abnormal) if more than a set number of cases consecutively occurred when the value of the current I _HTR fell below the threshold value Thre1 during the determination period, when the determination period was repeated with the above-described change. It should be noted that if the aerosol source is exhausted, then the power supply to the residual amount determination circuit may also be stopped, as shown in FIG. 8.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing another example of changes in the value of the current flowing through the load. Changes in the value of the current I _HTR , shown at the left and in the center of FIG. 9 are the same as the changes shown in FIG. 8. The current value I _HTR shown on the right in FIG. 9 has the same profile as when a sufficient amount of aerosol source remains and does not fall below the threshold value Thre1 during the determination period (p2). Meanwhile, the aerosol generating device 1 shown in FIG. 3 is configured to supply the aerosol source from the storage portion 31 to the inlet portion 32 by capillarity, and therefore, depending on the inhalation nature of the user, it is difficult to control the supply of the aerosol source using the control unit 22 or the like. If the user inhales for a period longer than the stipulated period for one puff, or inhales after a time period shorter than the prescribed normal time period, then the amount of aerosol source around the load 33 may temporarily become less than the normal amount. In such a case, the value of the current IHTR may fall below the threshold value Thre1 during the determination period, as shown at the center in FIG. 9. If the user then inhales otherwise, then the value of the current IHTR does not fall below the threshold value Thre1 during the determination period, as shown on the right in FIG. 9. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 9, the number of successive cases where the value of the current I _HTR falls below the threshold value Thre1 during the determination period does not exceed the set number when the recharge period is repeated, and accordingly it is determined that the aerosol source contained within the storage portion 31 is not consumed.

If the above-described determination period is used, the accuracy of determining whether or not the aerosol source is used up can be further improved. Namely, the reference value used in the determination operation can be adjusted by changing the determination period, and the determination accuracy can be improved.

Processing option to determine.

Fig. 10 is a processing flowchart showing one example of processing for setting the determination period. In this embodiment, the control unit 22 performs the determination processing shown in FIG. 10 instead of the procedures performed in steps S5 to S9 during the residual amount estimation processing shown in FIG. 6.

Firstly, the control unit 22 of the aerosol-generating device 1 turns on the key Q2 (Fig. 10:

- 12 040068 step S5). This step is the same as step S5 in FIG. 6.

In addition, the control unit 22 turns on the timer and starts counting the elapsed time t (Fig. 10:

step S11).

Then, the control unit 22 determines whether the elapsed time t is at least the determination period (FIG. 10: step S12). If the elapsed time t is shorter than the determination period (step S12: No), the control unit 22 counts the elapsed time (FIG. 10: step S21). At this step, the increment At of the elapsed time since the timer was turned on or when the procedure in step S21 was previously executed is added to t.

In addition, the control unit 22 determines the value of the current I _HTR for the current flowing through the load 33 (FIG. 10: step S6). The procedure performed at this step is the same as the procedure performed at step S6 in FIG. 6.

Then, the control unit 22 determines whether the calculated current value I _HTR is lower than the predetermined threshold value Thre1 (FIG. 10: step S7). This step is similar to step S7 in FIG. 6. If the value of the current I _HTR is not less than the threshold value Thre1 (step S7: No), the processing returns to the procedure in step S12.

On the contrary, if the value of the current I _HTR is less than the threshold value Thre1 (step S7: Yes), the control unit 22 adds 1 to the counter to count the number of determination periods during which the consumption is determined (FIG. 10: step S22).

Then, the control unit 22 determines whether the counter indicates a value that exceeds the set value (threshold value) (step S23). If it is determined that the counter shows a value greater than the set value (Step S23: Yes), the control unit 22 determines that consumption of the aerosol source has been detected and performs predetermined processing (FIG. 10: Step S8). This step is identical to step S8 in FIG. 6.

On the contrary, if it is determined that the counter shows a value that does not exceed the set value (step S23: No), the control unit 22 determines whether the recharge cycle has ended (FIG. 10: step S31). If the recharge cycle has not passed (step S31: No), the control unit 22 updates the elapsed time t and returns to the procedure performed in step S31.

On the contrary, if it is determined that the recharge cycle has ended (step S31: Yes), the control unit 22 updates the determination period (FIG. 10: step S32). At this step, the elapsed time t at the time when it is determined in step S7 that the value of the current I _HTR is less than the threshold value Thre1 is set as the new determination period. Namely, the determination period in the subsequent recharge cycle is adjusted based on the period it takes for the measured value to become less than the threshold value in the previous recharge cycle. In other words, the duration of the determination period in the subsequent recharge cycle is adjusted based on the measured value obtained in the previous recharge cycle. This can be defined as adjusting the duration of the determination period in a future recharge cycle based on the measured value obtained in the current recharge cycle.

If it is determined in step S12 that the elapsed time t is at least the determination period (step S12: Yes), the control unit 22 determines whether the recharge cycle has ended (FIG. 10: step S13). If the recharge cycle has not ended (step S13: No), the control unit 22 continues to supply power until the recharge cycle ends. The state in which the determination period has passed and the re-energization cycle has not passed is the state after the period p2 has passed and before the period p1 passes during the period shown on the right in FIG. 9.

If it is determined that the recharge cycle has ended (step S13: Yes), the control unit 22 sets the duration of the determination period to the duration of the recharge cycle (FIG. 10: step S14).

In addition, the control unit 22 resets the counter (FIG. 10: step S15). Namely, the counter for counting the number of consecutive determination periods during which the consumption is determined is reset because the value of the current IHTR has not fallen below the threshold value Thre1 during the determination period set together with the recharge period. It should be noted that a configuration is also possible in which the counter is not reset and it is determined that there is an abnormality if the number of determination periods during which consumption is determined exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

After step S15, S8 or S32, the control unit 22 turns off the key Q2 (FIG. 10: step S9). This step is the same as step S9 in FIG. 6.

Through the above-described processing, it is possible to realize the variable determination period shown in FIG. 8 and 9.

shunt resistor.

The control unit 22 estimates the residual amount of the aerosol source by causing the residual amount determination circuit to operate for a period during which the user does not inhale through the aerosol generating device 1.

- 13 040068 takes a breath. Namely, it is desirable that the amount of the aerosol source evaporated by the load 33 at the time when the switch Q2 is closed is as small as possible.

On the other hand, it is preferable that the control unit 22 can accurately determine the change in the residual amount of the aerosol source when the residual amount is small. That is, in the preferred embodiment, the resolution is improved when the measured value of the residual amount sensor 34 changes significantly depending on the residual amount of the aerosol source. In the following, the resistance value of the shunt resistor is characterized based on this position.

Fig. 11 is a diagram schematically representing the power consumption of a storage section, a supply section, and a load. Q1 means the amount of heat generated by the wick of the inlet section 32, Q2 means the amount of heat generated by the load coil 33, Q3 means the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of the aerosol source in the liquid state, Q4 means the amount of heat required to convert the aerosol source from liquid state to gaseous state, and Q5 means the release of heat in the air by radiation, etc. The consumed energy Q is equal to the sum of the components Q1-Q5.

The heat capacity C (J/K) of an object is equal to the product of the mass m (g) of the object and the specific heat capacity c (J/g-K) of the object. The amount of heat Q (J/K) required to change the temperature of an object by T (K) can be expressed as mxCxT. Accordingly, if the temperature THTR of the load 33 is below the boiling point Tb of the aerosol source, then the consumed energy Q can be schematically represented by the expression (6) below. It should be noted that m1 is the mass of the wick of the inlet section 32, C1 is the specific heat of the wick of the inlet section 32, m ₂ is the mass of the load coil 33, C ₂ is the specific heat of the load coil 33, m ₃ is the mass of the aerosol source in the liquid state, C ₃ means the specific heat of the aerosol source in the liquid state, and T0 means the initial value of the load temperature 33.

0 \u003d (t1C1 + t ₂ C ₂ + tcSz) (Tntk-To) ... (6)

If the temperature T _HTR of the load 33 is not lower than the boiling point Tb of the aerosol source, then the consumed energy Q can be determined from the expression (7) below. It should be noted that m ₄ means the mass of the evaporated part of the liquid aerosol source, and H ₄ means the heat of vaporization of the liquid aerosol source

Q=(m ₁ Ci+m ₂ C ₂ )(T _HTR -To)+m3C3(Tb-TO)+m ₄ H ₄ ... (7)

Therefore, in order to prevent the formation of aerosol by evaporation, the threshold value Ethre must satisfy the condition represented by the following expression (8)

Eth _re <(miC 1+m ₂ C ₂ + wzCz)(Th-To) ... (8)

Fig. 12 is a graph schematically representing the relationship between the energy (electrical energy) consumed by the load 33 and the amount of aerosol generated. In FIG. 12, the horizontal axis represents energy, and the vertical axis represents TPM (aerosol particle total mass: amount of aerosol-forming substances). As shown in FIG. 12, aerosol generation begins when the energy consumed by the load 33 exceeds a predetermined threshold value Ethre, and the amount of aerosol generated increases significantly in direct proportion to the energy consumed. It should be noted that the vertical axis in Fig. 12 does not necessarily have to show the amount of aerosol generated by the load 33. For example, the vertical axis can also show the amount of aerosol generated by evaporation of the aerosol source. Alternatively, the vertical axis may also indicate the amount of aerosol emitted from the mouthpiece.

In this case, the energy E _HTR , the consumed load 33 can be determined from the following expression (9). It should be noted that W _HTR means the power at the load 33, and 1q ₂ _ _on means the period (s) during which the switch Q2 is on. It should be noted that the Q2 switch must be turned on for a certain period in order to measure the current value on the shunt resistor.

E _H TR=WHTR ^X tQ2 ON' · · · (9)

The following expression (10) is obtained by converting expression (9), using the current value Iq ₂ for the current flowing in the residual amount detection circuit, the resistance value R _htr (T _htr ) of the load 33, which varies depending on the temperature T _HTR of the load 33 , and the measured voltage V _meas of the shunt resistor

EhTR = X tQ2 ON - VHTR ^x /ρ2 ^x tQ2_ON = Iq2 x RhTr(ThTr) X tQ2_ON = ^{x R} HTr(T _H Tr) X tQ2ON ... _(W)

Therefore, if the energy EHTR consumed by the load 33 is less than the threshold value Ethre shown in FIG. 12 and represented by the expression (11) below, no aerosol is formed

- 14 040068

Rshunt

Ethre > (-R _shun ) ^X RrTr(ThTr) ^X ^Q2_ON

This expression can be converted to the following expression (12). Namely, if the resistance value Rshunt of the shunt resistor satisfies the ^expression (12), then no aerosol ^is generated during the processing for evaluating the residual amount, which is preferable

In general, it is preferable that the shunt resistor has a small resistance value, for example, about a few tens of mΩ, in order to reduce the effect on the circuit into which the shunt resistor is inserted. However, in the present embodiment, the lower limit value of the resistance of the shunt resistor is determined as described above from the standpoint of blocking the generation of aerosol. The lower limit value is about a few ohms, for example, which is greater than the load resistance value of 33. As described above, the resistance value of the shunt resistor is preferably set to satisfy the first condition that the amount of aerosol generated by the load in the energizing cycle during which power is supplied from the power supply into the resistor, no more than a pre-set threshold value.

It should be noted that a configuration is also possible in which the resistance value of the shunt resistor is not increased, and a trim resistor is additionally provided in series with the shunt resistor to increase the total resistance value. In this case, a configuration is also possible in which the voltage between opposite ends of the additional control resistor is not measured.

Fig. 13 is one example of a graph showing the relationship between the residual amount of the aerosol source and the load resistance value 33. In the graph shown in FIG. 13, the horizontal axis represents the residual amount of the aerosol source, and the vertical axis represents the resistance value of the load 33 as a function of the temperature of the load 33. R _HTR (T _Deplet io _n ) means the resistance value at the point in time when the aerosol source is exhausted. R _htr (T _r . _t .) means the resistance value at room temperature. At the same time, the accuracy of estimating the residual amount of the aerosol source can be improved by appropriately setting not only the voltage and current, but also the measurement range of the resistance value or temperature of the load 33 relative to the resolution of the control unit 22, which has a capacity. On the other hand, when the difference between the resistance values R _HTR (T _DepletIon ) and R _htr (T _r . _t .) of the load 33 increases, the breadth of change depending on the residual amount of the aerosol source increases. In other words, the accuracy of the calculated value of the residual amount calculated by the control unit 22 can be improved by increasing the breadth of change of the value of the load resistance 33, which varies depending on the temperature of the load 33, in addition to setting the resolution of the control unit 22 and the measurement range.

The value of the current Iq _{2 ON} (T _DepietIon ), which is determined from the output value of the residual amount sensor 34 at the time when the aerosol source is used up, can be determined from the following expression (13) using the resistance value R _HTR (T _DepietIon ) of the load 33 at this time. moment = R _{shu]it +} R _HTR (T _Depleti ^ ...

Similarly, the value of the current Iq _{2 on} (T _r . _t .), which is determined from the output value of the residual amount sensor 34 at the time when the load 33 is at room temperature, can be determined from the following expression (14) using the resistance value R _HTR (T _RT ) load 33 at a given time. . ^V out ^Q2_On(Tr.t0 - R _shunt + R _H t _R (T _rt ) ... (14)

In addition, the difference ΔIQ _{2 ON} obtained by subtracting the value of the current Iq _{2 ON} (T _DepietIon ) from the value of the current Iq2 ON(T _r . _t .) can be determined from the expression (15) below

G out

G out

Rshunt + RhTr(Tr.t) Rshunt + Rhtr(T Depletl on)

U HTR^T Depletion) ^- ^NTkUya-tu} ^X out instant + GH'U} X {Ashk! + Depletion)} ... (15)

From expression (15), it can be found that if R _shunt increases, the difference ΔIQ _{2 ON} between the current value Iq2 _on (T _r . _t .) and the current value Iq _{2 ON} (T _Depietion ) decreases, and it is impossible to accurately estimate the residual amount aerosol source. Therefore, the resistance value R _shunt of the shunt resistor is determined so that the difference ΔIQ _{2 ON} is greater than the desired threshold value ΔI _thre , as before

- 15 040068 is given by the following expression (16) ion) ^HTR^Kt)} ^X R<?ut ^thre < {R^ _wnt + RhTr(.Tr,t)} ^x {Rshunt + KntYDepletion)} ... (16 )

By solving the expression (16) with respect to the resistance value R _shunt , the condition that the resistance value R _shunt must satisfy in order to sufficiently improve the resolution of the calculated residual amount can be determined from the expression (17) below, using the desired threshold value ΔI _thre . Therefore, the resistance value R _shunt is set to satisfy the expression (17) % ² - 4s - b

Rshunt < 2 (17)

b = RHTRCTpepletion) + RhTr(Tr.t.) ^c - Rhtr(^Depletion) ^X RhTr(Tr.t.) +

[RhTr(Tr.T.) - Knga(Toer1eyon)} ^x V _out

Alfhre

In the present embodiment, the resistance value R _shunt is set so that the difference ΔIQ ₂ _ _ON between the current value Iq ₂ _ _O n(T _R . _T .) for the current flowing through the load 33 at room temperature and the current value Iq _{2 ON} (T _Depietion ) for the current flowing through the load 33 when the aerosol source is exhausted was large enough to be determined by the control unit 22. Alternatively, a configuration is also possible in which, for example, the resistance value Rshunt is set such that the difference between the value of the current flowing through the load 33 at approximately the boiling point of the aerosol source and the value of the current flowing through the load 33 when the aerosol source has been used up was large enough for the control unit 22 to determine. In general, the estimation accuracy of the residual amount of the aerosol source is improved when the temperature difference corresponding to the current difference that can be determined by the control unit 22 becomes smaller.

The specific impact that the resolution of the control unit 22 and the settings of the residual amount determination circuit, including the value of the load resistance 33, has on the accuracy of the estimate of the residual amount of the aerosol source is described in more detail below. If an n-bit microcontroller is used for the control unit 22, and VREF is applied as a reference voltage, then the resolution of the control unit 22 can be determined from the following expression (18):

Vref

Resolution (V/bit) = s ... (16)

The difference AVq _{2 on} between the value which is determined by the voltmeter 342 when the load 33 is at room temperature and the value which is determined by the voltmeter 342 when the aerosol source is exhausted can be determined from the following expression (19) based on the expression (15)

Rshunt Rshunt ^{Q2 W} R _s hunt + RhTr(Tr. _T .) ° ^Ut Rshunt + RHTRITDepletion) ° ^Ut

Rshunt XV _out X -μ Rhtr(Tr.T.) Rshunt + RHTR(TDepletion)} ... (19)

Therefore, in accordance with the expression (18) and (19), the control unit 22 can determine the value represented by the expression (20) below and integer multiples of this value as voltage differences in the range from 0 to ΔVQ _{2 ON}

AVq2_on Vout 1 1

Resolution ^x V _REF ^x shunt + RhTr(Tr.t.) Rshunt + RHTRCTDepletlon)j ... (20)

In addition, according to the expression (20), the control unit 22 can determine the value represented by the expression (21) below and integer multiples of this value as heater temperatures, in the range from room temperature to the load temperature 33 at the time when the source aerosol consumed ( ^, r _De pi _e ti _O n T _RT ) X Resolution ^Vq ₂ _qN (^Depletion ^— Tr.t.) XV^REF

X Vout I Rghunt _χ r______ ¹ _______ _______ ¹ _______f ¹ ^Rshunt + RhTrCTrt) Rshunt + RhTR(T _DepleHon )J ... (21)

The table below shows one example of the resolution of the control unit 22 with respect to the temperature of the load 33 in cases where the variables in expression (21) are changed.

- 16 040068

Variable parameter [units] Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option 4 Option 5 Tr. _t . [°C] 25 25 25 25 25 Toepletion [C] 400 400 400 400 400 Vref [V] 2 2 2 2 2 n [bit] 10 10 16 10 8 Vout [V] 2.5 2.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Rshunt [Ohm] 3 10 3 3 3 Rhtr(Tr t) [Ohm] 1 1 1 1 1 RHTR(TDepletion) [Ohm] 2 2 1.5 1.5 1.5 Resolution [°C] 2.0 3.9 oh, s 17.6 70.3

It is evident from the table that the resolution of the control unit 22 with respect to the temperature of the load 33 changes significantly when the parameter values are adjusted. In order to determine whether or not the aerosol source has been used up, the control unit 22 must be able to distinguish between at least the room temperature, which is the temperature at the time when the control of the control unit 22 is not performed or starts, and the temperature at the time when the aerosol source has been used up. Namely, the difference between the measured value of the residual amount sensor 34 obtained at room temperature and the measured value of the residual amount sensor 34 obtained at the temperature at the point in time when the aerosol source is used up must be significant in order to be distinguishable by the control unit 22. In other words, the resolution of the control unit 22 with respect to the temperature of the load 33 must be no greater than the difference between the temperature at the time when the aerosol source is used up and the room temperature.

As described above, if the residual amount of the aerosol source is large enough, then the temperature of the load 33 is maintained around the boiling point of the aerosol source. To more accurately determine whether the aerosol source has been used up, it is preferable that the control unit 22 be able to distinguish between the boiling point of the aerosol source and the temperature at the point in time when the aerosol source is used up. Namely, it is preferable that the difference between the measured value of the residual amount sensor 34 obtained at the boiling temperature of the aerosol source and the measured value of the residual amount sensor 34 obtained at the temperature at the point in time when the aerosol source is used up is large enough to be distinguishable by the unit. 22 controls. In other words, it is preferable that the resolution of the control unit 22 with respect to the temperature of the load 33 is no greater than the difference between the temperature at the point in time when the aerosol source is used up and the boiling point of the aerosol source.

In addition, if the residual amount sensor 34 serves not only to obtain a measured value to be used to determine whether the aerosol source has been used up or not, but also as a sensor to determine the temperature of the load 33, then it is preferable that the control unit 22 be able to distinguish between the room a temperature which is the temperature at the time when the control of the control unit 22 is not executed or starts, and the boiling point of the aerosol source. Namely, it is preferable that the difference between the measured value of the residual amount sensor 34 obtained at room temperature and the measured value of the residual amount sensor 34 obtained at the boiling point of the aerosol source is large enough to be distinguishable by the control unit 22. In other words, it is preferable that the resolution of the control unit 22 with respect to the temperature of the load 33 is no greater than the difference between the boiling point of the aerosol source and the room temperature.

In order to use the residual amount sensor 34 to more accurately determine the temperature of the load 33, it is preferable that the resolution of the control unit 22 with respect to the temperature of the load 33 is no more than 10°C. More preferably, the resolution is not greater than 5°C. Even more preferably, the resolution is not greater than 1°C. To accurately distinguish between the case where the aerosol source is close to being used up and the case where the aerosol source is actually used up, it is preferable that the resolution of the control unit 22 with respect to the temperature of the load 33 is a divisor of the difference between the temperature at the time the aerosol source is used up and the room temperature.

It should be noted that, as can be seen from the table, the resolution of the control unit 22 with respect to the temperature of the load 33 can be easily increased by increasing the bit depth of the control unit 22, in other words, by increasing the performance of the control unit 22. However, increasing the performance of the control unit 22 leads to an increase in its cost, weight, size, and the like.

As described above, the resistance value of the shunt resistor can be determined to suit

- 17 040068 allowing at least the first condition that the amount of aerosol generated by the load 33 does not exceed a predetermined threshold value, or the second condition that the decrease in the residual amount of the aerosol source can be determined by the control unit 22 from the output value of the residual amount sensor 34, and, more preferably, the value of the shunt resistor is determined to satisfy both the first condition and the second condition. A configuration is also possible in which the resistance of the shunt resistor has a value closer to the largest value of the values with which the second condition is satisfied than to the smallest value of the values with which the first condition is satisfied. With this configuration, it is possible to increase, as far as possible, the resolution related to the determination of the residual amount, while blocking the formation of aerosol during the measurement. As a result, the residual amount of the aerosol source can be estimated not only accurately, but also in a short period of time, and accordingly, the generation of aerosol during measurement can be blocked even more effectively.

It can be stated that both the first condition and the second condition refer to the response of the change in the value of the current flowing through the load 33, which is the measured value of the residual amount sensor 34, to the change in temperature of the load 33. through the load 33, to the temperature change of the load 33, is the case where the total resistance composed by the shunt resistor 341 and the load 33 connected in series is dominated by the load 33. Namely, the resistance value Rsh _unt of the shunt resistor is small, and therefore the second condition can be satisfied easy, but the first condition is difficult to satisfy.

On the other hand, the case where there is a weak response of the change in the value of the current flowing through the load 33 to the change in temperature of the load 33 is the case where the total resistance composed by the shunt resistor 341 and the load 33 connected in series is dominated by the shunt resistor 341. And namely, the resistance value Rshunt of the shunt resistor is large, and therefore the first condition can be easily satisfied, but the second condition is difficult to satisfy.

That is, to satisfy the first condition, the response of a change in the value of the current flowing through the load 33 to a change in the temperature of the load 33 must be no higher than the set upper limit. On the other hand, to satisfy the second condition, the response of a change in the value of the current flowing through the load 33 to a change in the temperature of the load 33 must be at least equal to the set lower limit. To satisfy both the first condition and the second condition, the response of a change in the value of the current flowing through the load 33 to a change in the temperature of the load 33 must be in the range that is given by the set upper limit and the set lower limit.

Option 1 of the scheme.

Fig. 14 is a circuit diagram showing an embodiment of the circuit included in the aerosol generating apparatus 1. In the example shown in FIG. 14, the residue determination circuit also serves as an aerosol generation circuit. Namely, the voltage conversion unit 211, the switch Q2, the residual amount sensor 34, and the load 33 are connected in series. Aerosol generation and residue estimation are performed using a single circuit. The residual amount can also be estimated in this configuration.

Option 2 scheme.

Fig. 15 is a circuit diagram showing another version of the circuit included in the aerosol generating apparatus 1. The example shown in FIG. 15 includes a voltage conversion unit 212, which is a switching regulator instead of a linear regulator. In one example, voltage conversion unit 212 is a boost converter and includes an inductor L1, a diode D1, a switch Q4, and capacitors C1 and C2 that function as smoothing capacitors. The voltage conversion unit 212 is located up to a point where a circuit extending from the power supply 21 branches into an aerosol generation circuit and a residual amount detection circuit. Accordingly, voltages different from each other can be output to the aerosol generation circuit and the residual amount detection circuit, respectively, by opening and closing the switch Q4 of the voltage conversion unit 212 controlled by the control unit 22. It should be noted that, in the case where a switching regulator is used instead of a linear regulator, the switching regulator can also be provided in the same position as the linear regulator shown in FIG. 14.

It is also possible that the voltage conversion unit 212 is controlled such that when the aerosol generating circuit is ordered to operate, which is subject to fewer restrictions on the voltage supplied to it, compared to the residual amount detection circuit, which generally needs to be supplied with constant voltage to determine the residual amount of the aerosol source, the power loss is less than that which occurs when the residual amount detection circuit is ordered to operate. In dan

- 18 040068 of the new configuration, the useless waste of the amount of charge of the power supply 21 can be suspended. In addition, the control unit 22 performs control so that the current that flows through the load 33 through the residual amount detection circuit is less than the current that flows through the load 33 through the aerosol generation circuit. Thus, by causing the residual amount detection circuit to operate, aerosol generation at the load 33 can be blocked while the residual amount of the aerosol source is being estimated.

A configuration is also possible in which, at the time when the aerosol generating circuit is ordered to operate, the switching regulator is put into operation in the feed-forward mode (also referred to as the feed-forward state) in which the switching of the low-side switch Q4 is stopped and the switch Q4 is kept on. condition. Namely, the duty cycle of the Q4 key can also be set to 100%. The losses that occur when a switching regulator switches include transient losses and switching losses that accompany switching, in addition to conduction dielectric losses. However, if the switching regulator is put into operation in the feed-forward mode, only conduction dielectric loss occurs in the switching regulator, and the utilization efficiency of the charge amount of the power supply 21 is correspondingly improved. A configuration is also possible in which the switching regulator is put into operation in feed-forward mode for a portion of the period during which the aerosol generation circuit is intended to operate. In one example, if the amount of charge of the power supply 21 is large enough and the output voltage of the power supply 21 is high, then the switching regulator is put into operation in feed-forward mode. On the other hand, if the charge amount of the power supply 21 is small and the output voltage of the power supply 21 is low, then the switching regulator may switch. In this configuration, the residual amount can also be estimated, and losses can be reduced compared to the case where a linear regulator is used. It should be noted that a buck converter or a boost/buck converter can also be used instead of a boost converter.

Other examples.

The desired object to be heated by the aerosol-generating device may be a liquid flavor source that contains nicotine and other additional materials. In this case, the generated aerosol is inhaled by the user without passing through the area containing the additional component. In the case where such a flavor source is used, the residual amount can also be accurately estimated using the above-described aerosol generating device.

The control unit 22 performs control so that the switches Q1 and Q2 are not turned on at the same time. Namely, the control unit 22 executes control such that the aerosol generation circuit and the residual amount detection circuit do not operate simultaneously. It is also possible to have a configuration that provides a dead time during which both switches Q1 and Q2 are off when switching opens and closes switches Q1 and Q2. Thus, it is possible to exclude the situation in which the current flows through two circuits. On the other hand, the dead time is preferably shortened as much as possible so as not to allow the temperature of the load 33 to decrease during the dead time.

The processing shown in FIG. 6 is described on the assumption that the residual amount estimation processing is performed once for one puff performed by the user. However, a configuration is also possible in which the residual amount estimation processing is performed once for a plurality of puffs, instead of being performed for each puff. A configuration is also possible in which, after changing the aerosol source portion 3, the residual amount evaluation processing starts after a predetermined number of puffs because enough aerosol source remains after the change. Namely, a configuration is also possible in which the frequency of power supply to the residual amount detection circuit is lower than the frequency of power supply to the aerosol generating circuit. With this configuration, the processing for estimating the residual amount is blocked from being excessively executed and only executed at appropriate times, and accordingly, the efficiency of using the amount of charge of the power supply 21 is improved.

List of positions

- Aerosol-generating device;

- main body;

- power supply;

211 - power circuit;

212 - power circuit;

- Control block;

- inhalation sensor;

- aerosol source area;

- storage area;

- supply area;

- 19 040068

- load;

- residual quantity sensor;

341 - shunt resistor;

342 - voltmeter;

- section of the additional component;

- aromatic component;

- the first node;

- the second node.

Claims (15)

CLAIM 1. An aerosol-generating device containing a power source; a heater configured to have a resistance value that changes with temperature and generate an aerosol by spraying the aerosol source or heating the fragrance source when power is supplied to it from the power source; a sensor configured with a resistor connected in series with the heater and capable of outputting a measured value which is a value of current flowing through the resistor or a value of voltage applied to the resistor; and a control unit configured to control the supply of power from the power source to the heater and receive an output signal from the sensor, wherein the resistor has a resistance value that satisfies the first condition that the amount of aerosol generated by the heater during the recharge period during which the source power is supplied to the resistor does not exceed the threshold value, and the threshold value is set such that the aerosol is not released from the mouthpiece end of the aerosol generating device during the feeding period. 2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the resistor has a resistance value that further satisfies the second condition that the control unit can determine the residual amount of the aerosol source or flavor source from the measured value. 3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein the resistance value is set such that the measured value obtained when power is supplied to the heater is started and the measured value obtained when the residual amount of the aerosol source or fragrance source does not exceed the set amount, differ from each other in order to be distinguishable for the control unit. 4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein the resistance value is set such that the absolute value of the difference between the measured value obtained when power is supplied to the heater is started and the measured value obtained when the residual amount of the aerosol source or flavor source is not exceeds the set amount, exceeds the resolution of the control unit. 5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein the resistance value is set such that the measured value obtained when the aerosol is generated and the measured value obtained when the residual amount of the aerosol source or flavor source does not exceed the set amount differ from each other. friend to be distinguishable to the control unit. 6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein the resistance value is set such that the absolute value of the difference between the measured value obtained when the aerosol is generated and the measured value obtained when the residual amount of the aerosol source or flavor source does not exceed the set amount , exceeds the resolution of the control unit. 7. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 3, wherein the resistance value is set such that the measured value obtained when power is supplied to the heater and the measured value obtained when the aerosol is generated differ from each other so as to be distinguishable for control unit. 8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 3, wherein the resistance value is set such that the absolute value of the difference between the measured value obtained when power is supplied to the heater and the measured value obtained when the aerosol is generated exceeds the resolution of the control unit. 9. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 2, wherein the resistance value is closer to the highest value of the values with which the second condition is satisfied than to the lowest value of the values with which the first condition is satisfied. 10. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply circuit configured to electrically connect the power source to the heater and containing a first power supply circuit for supplying power to the heater not through a sensor and a second supply circuit - - 20 040068 power chi for supplying power to the heater through the sensor. 11. Aerosol-generating device according to claim 10, in which the power circuit contains the first node, which is connected to the power source and from which the power circuit branches into the first power supply circuit and the second power supply circuit; a second node, which is made downstream of the first node and in which the first power supply circuit and the second power supply circuit converge with each other; and a linear regulator which is provided between the first node and the sensor in the second power supply circuit. 12. Aerosol-generating device containing a power source; a heater configured to have a resistance value that changes with temperature and generate an aerosol by spraying the aerosol source or heating the fragrance source when power is supplied to it from the power source; a sensor configured with a resistor connected in series with the heater and capable of outputting a measured value which is a value of current flowing through the resistor or a value of voltage applied to the resistor; and at least one control resistor for adjusting the amount of current supplied to the heater, and at least one control resistor connected in series with the resistor; and a control unit configured to control the supply of power from the power source to the heater and receive an output signal from the sensor, wherein the total resistance values of the resistor and the control resistor satisfy the first condition that the amount of aerosol generated by the heater during the recharge period, during which from a power supply supplying power to the heater does not exceed a threshold value, and the threshold value is set such that the aerosol is not released from the mouth end of the aerosol-generating device during the feeding period. 13. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the resistance value of the resistor is greater than the resistance value of the heater. 14. Aerosol-generating device containing a power source; a heater configured to have a resistance value that changes with temperature and generate an aerosol by spraying the aerosol source or heating the fragrance source when power is supplied to it from the power source; a sensor configured with a resistor connected in series with the heater and capable of outputting a measured value which is a value of current flowing through the resistor or a value of voltage applied to the resistor; and a control unit configured to control the supply of power from the power source to the heater and receive an output signal from the sensor, wherein the resistor has a resistance value that satisfies the first condition that the amount of aerosol generated by the heater during the recharge period during which the source power supplied to the resistor does not exceed a threshold value, and the threshold value is set such that the energy supplied to the heater is not used for the heat of vaporization of the aerosol source or flavor source. 15. Aerosol-generating device containing a power source; a heater configured to have a resistance value that changes with temperature and generate an aerosol by spraying the aerosol source or heating the fragrance source when power is supplied to it from the power source; a sensor configured with a resistor connected in series with the heater and capable of outputting a measured value which is a value of current flowing through the resistor or a value of voltage applied to the resistor; and a control unit configured to control the supply of power from the power source to the heater and receive an output signal from the sensor, wherein the resistor has a resistance value that satisfies the first condition that the amount of aerosol generated by the heater during the recharge period during which the source power is supplied to the resistor does not exceed the threshold value, and the threshold value is set such that the aerosol is not formed under the action of heat generated by the heater.