EP4108109A1 - Inhalationsvorrichtung, steuerverfahren und programm - Google Patents

Inhalationsvorrichtung, steuerverfahren und programm Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4108109A1
EP4108109A1 EP20941629.6A EP20941629A EP4108109A1 EP 4108109 A1 EP4108109 A1 EP 4108109A1 EP 20941629 A EP20941629 A EP 20941629A EP 4108109 A1 EP4108109 A1 EP 4108109A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
substrate
heater
inhaler device
controller
aerosol
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP20941629.6A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Hiroshi Tezuka
Kazutoshi SERITA
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Japan Tobacco Inc
Original Assignee
Japan Tobacco Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Japan Tobacco Inc filed Critical Japan Tobacco Inc
Publication of EP4108109A1 publication Critical patent/EP4108109A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/30—Devices using two or more structurally separated inhalable precursors, e.g. using two liquid precursors in two cartridges
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
    • A24F40/57—Temperature control
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/20—Devices using solid inhalable precursors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/46—Shape or structure of electric heating means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an inhaler device, a control method, and a program.
  • Inhaler devices such as electronic cigarettes and nebulizers that generate a material to be inhaled by a user have become widely popular.
  • an inhaler device generates an aerosol to which a flavor component has been imparted by using a substrate including an aerosol source for generating an aerosol and a flavor source for imparting a flavor component to the generated aerosol.
  • a user can taste flavor by inhaling (hereinafter also referred to as a puff) the aerosol to which the flavor component has been imparted thus generated by the inhaler device.
  • Methods for generating an aerosol by an inhaler device are largely classified into a liquid atomization method and a stick heating method.
  • a liquid aerosol source is atomized to generate an aerosol.
  • a stick heating method a stick including an aerosol source is heated to generate an aerosol.
  • Patent Literature 1 discloses a hybrid inhaler device combining the liquid atomization method and the stick heating method.
  • Patent Literature 1 International Publication No. 2020/039589
  • a hybrid inhaler device generates an aerosol by using two substrates, that is, a substrate including a liquid aerosol source and a stick-shaped substrate. Accordingly, flavor of the generated aerosol depends on a combination of the two substrates.
  • the present invention was accomplished in view of the above problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that can make operation of a hybrid inhaler device more appropriate.
  • an aspect of the present invention provides an inhaler device that generates an aerosol by using a first substrate and a second substrate including a controller that controls operation of a power supply that supplies electric power for operation of the inhaler device on a basis of a combination of the first substrate and the second substrate.
  • the controller may control operation of a first heater that heats an aerosol source contained in the first substrate and operation of a second heater that heats an aerosol source contained in the second substrate by controlling supply of electric power to the first heater and the second heater by the power supply on a basis of the combination of the first substrate and the second substrate.
  • the controller may permit the first heater and the second heater to perform heating in a case where the controller determines that the combination of the first substrate and the second substrate is appropriate.
  • the controller may cause the first heater to perform heating in a case where a first predetermined condition is satisfied and cause the second heater to perform heating in a case where a second predetermined condition is satisfied.
  • the second predetermined condition may include a condition that the first heater has started heating.
  • the controller may determine whether or not the combination of the first substrate and the second substrate is appropriate before the first heater starts heating.
  • the first predetermined condition may include a condition that a period for which a predetermined user's input is continuously detected has reached a first period.
  • the controller may determine whether or not the combination of the first substrate and the second substrate is appropriate in a case where the period for which the predetermined user's input is continuously detected has reached a second period shorter than the first period.
  • a difference between the first period and the second period may be equal to or more than a period it takes to determine whether or not the combination of the first substrate and the second substrate is appropriate.
  • the controller may determine whether or not the combination of the first substrate and the second substrate is appropriate after the first heater starts heating.
  • the controller may stop heating by the first heater in a case where the combination of the first substrate and the second substrate is not appropriate.
  • the second substrate may include the second heater; and the controller may identify the second substrate on the basis of an electric resistance value of the second heater.
  • the controller may control at least one of an amount of electric power supplied to the first heater in a case where the first heater performs heating and/or an amount of electric power supplied to the second heater in a case where the second heater performs heating on a basis of the combination of the first substrate and the second substrate.
  • the controller may set a combination of the first substrate and the second substrate regarded as being appropriate on a basis of a user's input.
  • the controller may identify the first substrate on a basis of a result of reading of at least one of an information code, a storage medium, and/or a color given to the first substrate.
  • the controller may identify the second substrate on a basis of a result of reading of at least one of an information code, a storage medium, and/or a color given to the second substrate.
  • the first substrate may contain a flavor source.
  • the second substrate may contain a liquid aerosol source.
  • another aspect of the present invention provides a control method for controlling an inhaler device that generates an aerosol by using a first substrate and a second substrate, the control method including controlling operation of a power supply that supplies electric power for operation of the inhaler device on a basis of a combination of the first substrate and the second substrate.
  • another aspect of the present invention provides a program for causing a computer for controlling an inhaler device that generates an aerosol by using a first substrate and a second substrate to control operation of a power supply that supplies electric power for operation of the inhaler device on a basis of a combination of the first substrate and the second substrate.
  • a mechanism that can make operation of a hybrid inhaler device more appropriate is provided.
  • An inhaler device generates material to be inhaled by a user.
  • the material generated by the inhaler device is an aerosol.
  • the material generated by the inhaler device may be gas.
  • user's inhalation of the material generated by the inhaler device is also referred to simply as "inhalation” or "puff'.
  • inhalation or "puff'.
  • An inhaler device generates an aerosol by heating a liquid aerosol source and heating a substrate including an aerosol source.
  • the present configuration example will be described below with reference to Fig. 1 .
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a configuration example of the inhaler device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • an inhaler device 100 according to the present configuration example includes a power supply 111, a sensor 112, a notifier 113, a memory 114, a communicator 115, a controller 116, a liquid guide 122, a liquid storage 123, a heater 121-1, a heater 121-2, a holder 140, and a heat insulator 144.
  • the inhaler device 100 has an airflow path 180.
  • the heater 121-1, the liquid guide 122, and the liquid storage 123 are included in a cartridge 120.
  • the cartridge 120 is detachable from the inhaler device 100. A user inhales in a state where the cartridge 120 is attached to the inhaler device 100 and a stick substrate 150 is held by the holder 140.
  • the structural elements will be described below in order.
  • the power supply 111 stores electric power.
  • the power supply 111 supplies electric power to the structural elements of the inhaler device 100.
  • the power supply 111 may be, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery.
  • the power supply 111 may be charged by being connected to an external power supply by a universal serial bus (USB) or the like.
  • USB universal serial bus
  • the power supply 111 may be charged without connection with a power transmission side device by a wireless power transmission technology.
  • only the power supply 111 may be detachable from the inhaler device 100 and may be replaced with a new power supply 111.
  • the sensor 112 detects various items of information regarding the inhaler device 100.
  • the sensor 112 outputs the detected information to the controller 116.
  • the sensor 112 is a pressure sensor such as a condenser microphone, a flow sensor, or a temperature sensor.
  • the sensor 112 detects a value generated in accordance with user's inhalation
  • the sensor 112 outputs information indicative of the user's inhalation to the controller 116.
  • the sensor 112 is an input device that receives information input by the user, such as a button or a switch.
  • the sensor 112 can include a button for starting/stopping generation of an aerosol.
  • the sensor 112 outputs the information input by the user to the controller 116.
  • the senor 112 is a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the heater 121-2.
  • the temperature sensor detects the temperature of the heater 121-2, for example, on the basis of an electric resistance value of a conductive track of the heater 121-2.
  • the sensor 112 may detect a temperature of the stick substrate 150 held by the holder 140 on the basis of the temperature of the heater 121-2.
  • the notifier 113 provides information to the user.
  • the notifier 113 is a light-emitting device such as a light emitting diode (LED).
  • the notifier 113 emits light in different patterns of light, for example, in a case where the power supply 111 needs to be charged, a case where the power supply 111 is being charged, and a case where an abnormality has occurred in the inhaler device 100.
  • the pattern of light is a concept including a color, a timing of ON/OFF, and the like.
  • the notifier 113 may be a display device that displays an image, a sound output device that outputs sound, or a vibration device that vibrates together with or instead of the light-emitting device.
  • the notifier 113 may provide information indicating that the user has become able to inhale.
  • the information indicating that the user has become able to inhale is provided in a case where the temperature of the stick substrate 150 heated by the heater 121-2 has reached a predetermined temperature.
  • the memory 114 stores various items of information for operation of the inhaler device 100.
  • the memory 114 is, for example, a non-volatile storage medium such as flash memory.
  • An example of the information stored in the memory 114 is information concerning an Operating System (OS) of the inhaler device 100 such as contents of control of the structural elements by the controller 116.
  • Another example of the information stored in the memory 114 is information regarding user's inhalation such as the number of times of inhalation, an inhalation time, and an accumulated inhalation time period.
  • OS Operating System
  • user's inhalation such as the number of times of inhalation, an inhalation time, and an accumulated inhalation time period.
  • the communicator 115 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving information between the inhaler device 100 and another device.
  • the communicator 115 performs communication in conformity with any wired or wireless communication standard.
  • a communication standard may be, for example, a wireless local area network (LAN), a wired LAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark).
  • the communicator 115 transmits information regarding user's inhalation to a smartphone to display the information regarding user's inhalation on the smartphone.
  • the communicator 115 receives information regarding a new OS from a server to update information of the OS stored in the memory 114.
  • the controller 116 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control circuit, and controls the overall operations of the inhaler device 100 in accordance with various programs.
  • the controller 116 includes an electronic circuit such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, for example.
  • the controller 116 may include a read only memory (ROM) that stores programs and operation parameters to be used and a random access memory (RAM) that temporarily stores parameters that change as appropriate.
  • ROM read only memory
  • RAM random access memory
  • Supply of electric power from the power supply 111 to the other structural elements, charging of the power supply 111, detection of information by the sensor 112, notification of information by the notifier 113, storing and reading out of information by the memory 114, and transmission and reception of information by the communicator 115 are examples of processing controlled by the controller 116.
  • Other processing performed by the inhaler device 100 such as input of information to the structural elements and processing based on information output from the structural elements is also controlled by the controller 116.
  • the liquid storage 123 stores an aerosol source.
  • the aerosol source is atomized to generate an aerosol when heated.
  • the aerosol source is, for example, a liquid such as polyhydric alcohol or water. Examples of the polyhydric alcohol include glycerine and propylene glycol.
  • the aerosol source may further include a tobacco raw material or an extract derived from a tobacco raw material that emits a flavor component when heated.
  • the aerosol source may further include nicotine.
  • the aerosol source may include a medicine to be inhaled by a patient.
  • the liquid guide 122 guides, from the liquid storage 123, the aerosol source that is the liquid stored in the liquid storage 123, and holds the aerosol source.
  • the liquid guide 122 is, for example, a wick formed by twining fiber material such as glass fiber or porous material such as porous ceramic.
  • the liquid guide 122 is liquid-communicated with the liquid storage 123. Accordingly, capillary action spreads the aerosol source stored in the liquid storage 123 to the whole liquid guide 122.
  • the heater 121-1 heats the aerosol source to atomize the aerosol source and thus generate the aerosol.
  • the heater 121-1 has any shape such as a coil shape, a film shape, or a blade shape and is made of any material such as a metal or a polyimide.
  • the heater 121-1 is disposed close to the liquid guide 122. In the example illustrated in Fig. 1 , the heater 121-1 includes a coil wound around the liquid guide 122. When the heater 121-1 produces heat, the aerosol source held by the liquid guide 122 is heated and atomized to generate the aerosol.
  • the heater 121-1 produces heat when receiving electric power from the power supply 111.
  • the electric power may be supplied and the aerosol may be generated while user's inhalation is being detected by the sensor 112.
  • the electric power may be supplied and the aerosol may be generated in response to the sensor 112 detecting a predetermined user's input (e.g., pressing of the button for starting/stopping generation of the aerosol). Subsequently, the supply of the electric power may be stopped in response to the sensor 112 detecting a predetermined user's input (e.g., next pressing of the button for starting/stopping generation of the aerosol).
  • the holder 140 has an internal space 141 and holds the stick substrate 150 in a manner partially accommodated in the internal space 141.
  • the holder 140 has an opening 142 that allows the internal space 141 to communicate with outside.
  • the holder 140 holds the stick substrate 150 that is inserted into the internal space 141 through the opening 142.
  • the holder 140 is a tubular body having the opening 142 and a bottom 143 as a bottom surface, and defines the pillar-shaped internal space 141.
  • the holder 140 is configured such that an inside diameter thereof is smaller than an outside diameter of the stick substrate 150 at least at a part in a height direction of the tubular body, and can hold the stick substrate 150 in a manner such that the stick substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141 is pressed from an outer circumference.
  • the holder 140 also defines a flow path of air passing through the stick substrate 150.
  • the bottom 143 has an air inlet hole that is an inlet of air into the flow path.
  • the opening 142 serves as an air outlet hole that is an outlet of the air from the flow path.
  • the stick substrate 150 is a stick-shaped member.
  • the stick substrate 150 includes a substrate 151 and an inhalation port 152.
  • the substrate 151 includes an aerosol source.
  • the aerosol source is atomized by heating, and thus the aerosol is generated.
  • the aerosol source may be, for example, one derived from tobacco such as shredded tobacco or a tobacco raw material processed in a granular shape, a sheet shape, or a powder shape.
  • the aerosol source may include one not derived from tobacco created from a plant (e.g., mint or a herb) other than tobacco.
  • the aerosol source may include a flavor component such as menthol.
  • the aerosol source may include a medicine to be inhaled by a patient.
  • the aerosol source is not limited to a solid and may be, for example, a liquid such as polyhydric alcohol or water.
  • the polyhydric alcohol include glycerine and propylene glycol.
  • At least a part of the substrate 151 is accommodated in the internal space 141 of the holder 140 in a state where the stick substrate 150 is held by the holder 140.
  • the inhalation port 152 is a member held in a user's mouth during inhalation. At least a part of the inhalation port 152 protrudes from the opening 142 in a state where the stick substrate 150 is held by the holder 140.
  • the heater 121-2 heats the aerosol source to atomize the aerosol source and thus generate the aerosol.
  • the heater 121-2 is made of any material such as a metal or polyimide.
  • the heater 121-2 has a film-like shape and surrounds the outer circumference of the holder 140. Heat produced from the heater 121-2 heats and atomizes the aerosol source included in the stick substrate 150 from the outer circumference of the stick substrate 150, generating the aerosol.
  • the heater 121-2 produces heat when receiving electric power from the power supply 111. In an example, the electric power may be supplied and the aerosol may be generated in response to the sensor 112 detecting a predetermined user's input.
  • the user becomes able to inhale in a case where the temperature of the stick substrate 150 heated by the heater 121-2 has reached a predetermined temperature. Subsequently, the supply of the electric power may be stopped in response to the sensor 112 detecting a predetermined user's input. In another example, the electric power may be supplied and the aerosol may be generated while the sensor 112 is detecting user's inhalation.
  • the holder 140 has, on the bottom 143, an air outlet hole 182 of the airflow path 180.
  • the internal space 141 of the holder 140 and the airflow path 180 are communicated through the air outlet hole 182.
  • the airflow path 180 is a flow path of air to be inhaled by the user.
  • the airflow path 180 has a tubular structure having an air inlet hole 181 and the air outlet hole 182 at both ends.
  • the air inlet hole 181 is an inlet of air into the airflow path 180
  • the air outlet hole 182 is an outlet of the air from the airflow path 180.
  • the air inlet hole 181 is disposed at any position in the inhaler device 100.
  • the air outlet hole 182 is disposed in the bottom 143 of the holder 140.
  • the liquid guide 122 is disposed in the airflow path 180.
  • the aerosol generated by the heater 121-1 is mixed with air flowing in through the air inlet hole 181. Subsequently, as indicated by an arrow 190, the mixture fluid of the aerosol and the air passes through the air outlet hole 182 and is conveyed to the air outlet hole 182 when the user inhales. Then, the mixture fluid of the aerosol and the air conveyed to the internal space 141 of the holder 140 reaches the inside of the mouth of the user together with the aerosol generated by the heater 121-2.
  • the aerosol may be generated by vibration or induction heating instead of heating by the heater 121-1.
  • the inhaler device 100 includes a vibrator instead of the heater 121-1.
  • the vibrator is, for example, a plate-shaped member including a piezoceramic functioning as an ultrasonic vibrator.
  • the aerosol source guidedto a surface of the vibrator by the liquid guide 122 is atomized by an ultrasonic wave generated by the vibration of the vibrator, and thus the aerosol is generated.
  • the inhaler device 100 includes a susceptor and an electromagnetic induction source instead of the heater 121-1.
  • the susceptor produces heat by electromagnetic induction.
  • the susceptor is made of a conductive material such as a metal.
  • the susceptor is disposed close to the liquid guide 122.
  • the susceptor is a conductive wire made of a metal and is wound around the liquid guide 122.
  • the electromagnetic induction source causes the susceptor to produce heat by electromagnetic induction.
  • the electromagnetic induction source is, for example, a coil-shaped conductive wire.
  • the electromagnetic induction source generates a magnetic field upon supply of an alternating current from the power supply 111.
  • the electromagnetic induction source is disposed so that the susceptor overlaps the generated magnetic field. Accordingly, when a magnetic field is generated, an eddy current is generated in the susceptor, and Joule heat is produced. The Joule heat heats and atomizes the aerosol source held by the liquid guide 122 and thus generates the aerosol.
  • the aerosol may be generated by induction heating instead of heating by the heater 121-2.
  • the stick substrate 150 further includes a susceptor.
  • the susceptor produces heat by electromagnetic induction.
  • the susceptor is made of a conductive material such as a metal.
  • the susceptor is a piece of metal.
  • the susceptor is disposed close to the aerosol source.
  • the susceptor is included in the substrate 151 of the stick substrate 150.
  • the inhaler device 100 includes an electromagnetic induction source instead of the heater 121-2.
  • the electromagnetic induction source is, for example, a coil-shaped conductive wire and wound around the outer circumference of the holder 140.
  • the electromagnetic induction source generates a magnetic field upon supply of an alternating current from the power supply 111.
  • the electromagnetic induction source is disposed so that the internal space 141 of the holder 140 overlaps the generated magnetic field. Accordingly, when a magnetic field is generated in a state where the stick substrate 150 is held by the holder 140, an eddy current is generated in the susceptor, and Joule heat is produced. The Joule heat heat heats and atomizes the aerosol source included in the stick substrate 150 and thus generates the aerosol.
  • the configuration example of the inhaler device 100 has been described above.
  • the inhaler device 100 is not limited to the above configuration and can have various configurations illustrated below.
  • the heater 121-2 may have a blade shape and be disposed so as to protrude from the bottom 143 of the holder 140 into the internal space 141.
  • the blade-shaped heater 121-2 is inserted into the substrate 151 of the stick substrate 150 and heats the substrate 151 of the stick substrate 150 from an inside.
  • the heater 121-2 may be disposed so as to cover the bottom 143 of the holder 140.
  • the heater 121-2 may be a combination of two or more of a heater that covers the outer circumference of the holder 140, a blade-shaped heater, and a heater that covers the bottom 143 of the holder 140.
  • the holder 140 may include an opening/closing mechanism, such as a hinge, that opens and closes a part of an outer shell forming the internal space 141.
  • the holder 140 may hold the stick substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141 by opening and closing the outer shell.
  • the heater 121-2 may be provided at a holding position of the holder 140 and heat the stick substrate 150 while pressing the stick substrate 150.
  • means for generating the aerosol is not limited to heating.
  • the means for generating the aerosol may be vibration atomization or induction heating.
  • the inhaler device 100 generates the aerosol to be inhaled by the user.
  • the inhaler device 100 generates the aerosol by using two substrates, that is, a first substrate and a second substrate.
  • a user's action of inhaling the aerosol generated by the inhaler device 100 by using the inhaler device 100 is also referred to simply as inhalation (puff) or an inhaling action.
  • An example of the puff is inhaling with the inhalation port 152 of the stick substrate 150 inserted into the inhaler device 100 in his or her mouth. The user can inhale the aerosol generated by the inhaler device 100 by puffing.
  • the heater 121-2 is an example of a first heater that heats the aerosol source contained in the first substrate. When the aerosol source contained in the first substrate is heated by the heater 121-2, the aerosol is generated.
  • the stick substrate 150 is an example of the first substrate.
  • the stick substrate 150 contains a flavor source that emits a flavor component when heated.
  • An example of the flavor component is an extract of tobacco leaves.
  • the heater 121-2 is also referred to as a stick heater 121-2.
  • the heater 121-1 is an example of a second heater that heats the aerosol source contained in the second substrate. When the aerosol source contained in the second substrate is heated by the heater 121-1, the aerosol is generated.
  • the cartridge 120 is an example of the second substrate containing the liquid aerosol source.
  • the cartridge 120 can contain a flavor source that emits a flavor component when heated.
  • An example of the flavor component is menthol.
  • the heater 121-1 is also referred to as a cartridge heater 121-1.
  • the aerosol generated by the stick heater 121-2 is also referred to as a stick-side aerosol.
  • the aerosol generated by the cartridge heater 121-1 is also referred to as a cartridge-side aerosol.
  • the stick-side aerosol and the cartridge-side aerosol need not be distinguished from each other, the stick-side aerosol and the cartridge-side aerosol are collectively referred to simply as an aerosol.
  • the cartridge-side aerosol passes through the stick substrate 150 and reaches the inside of the mouth of the user.
  • the cartridge-side aerosol takes in the flavor component from the flavor source contained in the stick substrate 150 when passing through the stick substrate 150.
  • the cartridge-side aerosol is mixed with the stick-side aerosol when passing through the stick substrate 150. Accordingly, the user can inhale the aerosol to which the flavor component derived from the stick substrate 150 has been imparted.
  • the old stick substrate 150 is detached and is replaced with a new stick substrate 150.
  • the old cartridge 120 is detached and is replaced with a new cartridge 120.
  • the controller 116 controls the stick heater 121-2 to perform heating in accordance with a heating profile.
  • the heating profile is information that defines a relationship between an elapsed period from start of heating by the stick heater 121-2 and a temperature of the stick heater 121-2.
  • the controller 116 controls the heater 121 so that a temperature change similar to a temperature change in the heating profile is realized in the stick heater 121-2.
  • the stick heater 121-2 may include a conductive track including a resistor, and the sensor 112 may detect the temperature of the stick heater 121-2 on the basis of electric resistance of the conductive track.
  • the control of the stick heater 121-2 can be realized, for example, by controlling supply of electric power from the power supply 1 1 1 to the stick heater 121-2.
  • the control of the supply of electric power may be performed, for example, by pulse width modulation (PWM) control.
  • PWM pulse width modulation
  • Heating performed by the stick heater 121-2 can be classified into preliminary heating and main heating.
  • the preliminary heating is heating performed until a predetermined period elapses from start of heating according to the heating profile or until the temperature of the stick heater 121-2 reaches a predetermined temperature.
  • the main heating is heating performed after the preliminary heating. Note that the preliminary heating and the main heating may be the same or may be different in terms of contents of PWM control. For example, the preliminary heating and the main heating may be the same or may be different in terms of a duty ratio.
  • the aerosol is sufficiently generated from the stick substrate 150 at a timing of end of the preliminary heating. Accordingly, the user can inhale a sufficient amount of aerosol by inhaling with the stick substrate 150 in his or her mouth after the preliminary heating (that is, during the main heating). Note that the aerosol can be generated from the stick substrate 150 even during the preliminary heating.
  • the controller 116 starts heating of the stick heater 121-2 in a case where a predetermined condition (hereinafter also referred to as a first predetermined condition) is satisfied.
  • a predetermined condition hereinafter also referred to as a first predetermined condition
  • An example of the first predetermined condition is a condition that the sensor 112 has detected a predetermined user's operation.
  • An example of the predetermined user's operation is an operation of pressing a button provided on the inhaler device 100.
  • this button is also referred to as a power button.
  • the controller 116 controls the cartridge heater 121-1 to perform heating in accordance with a predetermined atomization setting.
  • the atomization setting is information that defines an amount of atomization per puff.
  • the amount of atomization is an amount of generated cartridge-side aerosol.
  • the amount of atomization depends on an amount of heating (that is, an amount of supplied electric power). Therefore, the control of the cartridge heater 121-1 can be realized, for example, by controlling supply of electric power from the power supply 111 to the cartridge heater 121-1.
  • the control of the supply of electric power is performed, for example, by controlling an amount of supplied electric power per puff.
  • the amount of supplied electric power per puff is calculated as a product of an electric power supply period and an amount of supplied electric power per unit time. Therefore, the atomization setting may be defined by the electric power supply period and the amount of supplied electric power per unit time.
  • the controller 116 controls the cartridge heater 121-1 to perform heating in a case where a predetermined condition (hereinafter also referred to as a second predetermined condition) is satisfied.
  • a predetermined condition hereinafter also referred to as a second predetermined condition
  • the controller 116 supplies electric power to the cartridge heater 121-1 in a case where the second predetermined condition is satisfied.
  • An example of the second predetermined condition is a condition that the user has puffed. According to this configuration, the aerosol can be efficiently generated only when the user puffs.
  • the puff can be detected by the sensor 112 on the basis of a value generated in accordance with user's inhalation acquired by a pressure sensor such as a condenser microphone, a flow sensor, or a temperature sensor.
  • a pressure sensor such as a condenser microphone, a flow sensor, or a temperature sensor.
  • the second predetermined condition may include a condition that the stick heater 121-2 has started heating.
  • the second predetermined condition includes a condition that the main heating is being performed. According to this configuration, the cartridge-side aerosol is not generated until the temperature of the stick substrate 150 rises. It is therefore possible to prevent a situation where the cartridge-side aerosol is cooled and condensed while passing through the stick substrate 150 and the stick substrate 150 is wetted and deteriorates. Furthermore, it is possible to keep electric power consumption small.
  • the second predetermined condition may be a combination of the plurality of conditions described above.
  • the second predetermined condition may be a condition that the main heating is being performed and the user has puffed.
  • the cartridge heater 121-1 performs heating at a timing of a puff during a period after start of the main heating and before the end of the main heating.
  • the controller 116 controls operation of the stick heater 121-2 and operation of the cartridge heater 121-1 on the basis of a combination (hereinafter also referred to as a substrate pair) of the stick substrate 150 and the cartridge 120. Specifically, the controller 116 controls supply of electric power to the stick heater 121-2 and the cartridge heater 121-1 by the power supply 111 on the basis of the substrate pair. In particular, the controller 116 controls operation of the stick heater 121-2 and operation of the cartridge heater 121-1 on the basis of the substrate pair attached to the inhaler device 100 (that is, used for generation of the aerosol). Compatibility between the flavor component contained in the stick-side aerosol and the flavor component contained in the stick-side aerosol may be good or may be poor. According to the above configuration, flavor of the aerosol which the user tastes can be made appropriate since control can be performed according to whether the compatibility is good or poor.
  • Some substrate pairs may be appropriate, while others may be inappropriate. It is assumed that in a case where the substrate pair is appropriate, flavor of the aerosol is appropriate. Note that the appropriate flavor is flavor pleasant to the user such as flavor palatable to the taste of the user. On the other hand, it is assumed that in a case where the substrate pair is inappropriate, the flavor of the aerosol is inappropriate. Note that the inappropriate flavor is flavor unpleasant to the user such as unbalanced miscellaneous flavor.
  • the controller 116 determines whether or not the substrate pair attached to the inhaler device 100 is appropriate. For example, the controller 116 compares the substrate pair attached to the inhaler device 100 with a substrate pair regarded as being appropriate stored in advance. This determination can be made by referring to a look-up table including information indicative of the substrate pair regarded as being appropriate. In a case where the substrate pair attached to the inhaler device 100 matches the substrate pair regarded as being appropriate stored in advance, the controller 116 determines that the substrate pair attached to the inhaler device 100 is appropriate.
  • the controller 116 determines that the substrate pair attached to the inhaler device 100 is inappropriate. In a case where the stick substrate 150 or the cartridge 120 is not attached, it is determined that the substrate pair attached to the inhaler device 100 is inappropriate.
  • this determination is also referred to as authentication processing. Determining that the substrate pair attached to the inhaler device 100 is appropriate is referred to as success of the authentication processing or authentication. Determining that the substrate pair attached to the inhaler device 100 is inappropriate is referred to as failure of the authentication processing or authentication.
  • the controller 116 permits the stick heater 121-2 and the cartridge heater 121-1 to perform heating.
  • a state where the stick heater 121-2 and the cartridge heater 121-1 are permitted to perform heating is referred to as a heating permitted state.
  • the controller 116 causes the stick heater 121-2 to perform heating in a case where the first predetermined condition is satisfied in the heating permitted state. On the other hand, the controller 116 does not cause the stick heater 121-2 to perform heating in a case where the first predetermined condition is not satisfied in the heating permitted state. Similarly, the controller 116 causes the cartridge heater 121-1 to perform heating in a case where the second predetermined condition is satisfied in the heating permitted state. On the other hand, the controller 116 does not cause the cartridge heater 121-1 to perform heating in a case where the second predetermined condition is not satisfied in the heating permitted state.
  • the aerosol is generated only in a case where the substrate pair attached to the inhaler device 100 is appropriate, that is, in a case where the flavor of the aerosol is appropriate. Therefore, the user can taste the appropriate flavor.
  • the controller 116 prohibits the stick heater 121-2 and the cartridge heater 121-1 from performing heating.
  • a state where the stick heater 121-2 and the cartridge heater 121-1 are prohibited from performing heating is also referred to as a heating prohibited state.
  • the controller 116 does not cause the stick heater 121-2 to perform heating in the heating prohibited state irrespective of whether or not the first predetermined condition is satisfied. Similarly, the controller 116 does not cause the stick heater 121-2 to perform heating in the heating prohibited state irrespective of whether or not the second predetermined condition is satisfied.
  • the aerosol is not generated in a case where the substrate pair attached to the inhaler device 100 is not appropriate, that is, in a case where the flavor of the aerosol is inappropriate. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from tasting the inappropriate flavor and to keep electric power consumption small.
  • the controller 116 may set the substrate pair regarded as being appropriate (that is, may store the substrate pair regarded as being appropriate in the memory 114) on the basis of a user's input.
  • the user's input may be made on an input device such as a button provided on the inhaler device 100 or may be made through wireless communication from another device such as a smartphone. According to the configuration, user's favorite flavor can be created, and therefore a feeling of satisfaction obtained by a puff can be improved.
  • USB universal serial bus
  • the substrate pair regarded as being appropriate may be set by firmware (FW) update using a USB.
  • the controller 116 may perform the authentication processing before start of heating by the stick heater 121-2. In a case where the authentication processing fails, the aerosol is not generated at all since even the preliminary heating is not started. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from tasting the inappropriate flavor and to keep electric power consumption small. Furthermore, since even the preliminary heating is not performed, unnecessary consumption of the stick substrate 150 can be prevented.
  • the first predetermined condition may include a condition that a period for which the predetermined user's input is continuously detected has reached a first period.
  • a function is provided for a purpose such as child resistance. That is, safety can be increased by preventing the preliminary heating from being started in a case where the power button is accidentally pressed.
  • the controller 116 may perform the authentication processing in a case where the period for which the predetermined user's input is continuously detected has reached a second period shorter than the first period. Such a configuration will be described specifically with reference to Fig. 2 .
  • Fig. 2 is a view for explaining an example of a timing of execution of the authentication processing by the inhaler device 100 according to the present embodiment.
  • the horizontal axis in Fig. 2 represents a time.
  • the predetermined user's input is holding down of the power button
  • the first period is 3 seconds
  • the second period is 2 seconds.
  • the controller 116 performs the authentication processing in a case where a period for which the power button is held down has reached 2 seconds.
  • the controller 116 performs the authentication processing after elapse of 2 seconds and before elapse of 3 seconds from start of the holding down of the power button, and starts the preliminary heating in a case where the authentication has succeeded.
  • the authentication processing is not performed in a case where the power button is pressed accidentally, for example, in a case where the power button is pressed momentarily. It is therefore possible to keep electric power consumption small.
  • a period it takes to perform the authentication processing is also referred to as an authentication time. It is desirable that a difference (1 second in the example illustrated in Fig. 2 ) between the first period and the second period is equal to or more than the authentication time. According to this configuration, the authentication time can be included in the period of the holding down of the power button originally required for start of the preliminary heating. As a result, the authentication time elapses while the user is holding down the power button to start the preliminary heating, and therefore a user's waiting period can be shortened since the authentication processing has been already performed.
  • a result of the authentication processing is made invalid even in a case where the authentication processing has been completed.
  • the success of the authentication is made invalid. Accordingly, to start the preliminary heating, it is necessary to hold down the power button for 3 seconds again, and the authentication processing is also performed again.
  • the controller 116 may perform the authentication processing after start of heating by the stick heater 121-2. For example, the controller 116 regularly performs the authentication processing after start of the preliminary heating. According to this configuration, in a case where the stick substrate 150 or the cartridge 120 is replaced after start of the preliminary heating, it can be determined whether or not the substrate pair after the replacement is appropriate.
  • the controller 116 may stop heating by the stick heater 121-2 in a case where the authentication processing has failed. According to this configuration, in a case where the substrate pair becomes inappropriate as a result of replacement of the stick substrate 150 or the cartridge 120 after start of the preliminary heating, generation of the aerosol is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from tasting the inappropriate flavor and to keep electric power consumption small. Furthermore, it is also possible to prevent the stick heater 121-2 from performing heating although the stick substrate 150 is not inserted, that is, prevent heating in an empty state.
  • the stick substrate 150 may be given identification information for identifying the stick substrate 150.
  • the identification information is, for example, information indicative of a kind of the stick substrate 150.
  • the controller 116 identifies the stick substrate 150 on the basis of a result of reading of the identification information given to the stick substrate 150. According to this configuration, the stick substrate 150 attached to the inhaler device 100 can be automatically identified.
  • Fig. 3 is a view for explaining an example of the identification information given to the stick substrate 150 according to the present embodiment.
  • a stick substrate 150A illustrated in Fig. 3 is given an information code 161 as identification information.
  • the information code 161 may be a barcode as illustrated in Fig. 3 or may be a two-dimensional code.
  • the sensor 112 may include an image sensor for reading the information code 161, and the controller 116 may identify the stick substrate 150 by applying image recognition to an image including the information code 161.
  • a stick substrate 150B illustrated in Fig. 3 is given a storage medium 162 in which identification information is stored.
  • the storage medium 162 is, for example, an RF tag in a radio frequency identifier (RFID) technology, and information can be read therefrom and written thereinto by using close-rage wireless communication such as near field communication (NFC).
  • RFID radio frequency identifier
  • NFC near field communication
  • the communicator 115 may receive the identification information from the storage medium 162, and the controller 116 may identify the stick substrate 150 on the basis of the received identification information.
  • a stick substrate 150C illustrated in Fig. 3 is given a color line 163, which is a line given a color, as identification information.
  • the sensor 112 may include an image sensor for reading the color line 163, and the controller 116 may identify the stick substrate 150 by recognizing the color of the color line 163.
  • the stick substrate 150 may be given any one of an information code, a storage medium, and a color or may be given two or more of these.
  • the information code, the storage medium, and the color may be given at any place that can be read by the inhaler device 100.
  • these elements may be provided, for example, at an end of the substrate 151.
  • the cartridge 120 may be given identification information for identifying the cartridge 120.
  • the identification information is, for example, information indicative of a kind of the cartridge 120.
  • the controller 116 identifies the cartridge 120 on the basis of a result of reading of the identification information given to the cartridge 120.
  • the cartridge 120 may be given at least any one of an information code, a storage medium, and/or a color.
  • the controller 116 may identify the cartridge 120 on the basis of a result of reading of the at least any one of the information code, the storage medium, and/or the color given to the cartridge 120. According to this configuration, the cartridge 120 attached to the inhaler device 100 can be automatically identified.
  • the cartridge 120 includes the cartridge heater 121-1.
  • An electric resistance value of the cartridge heater 121-1 may vary depending on the kind of the cartridge 120.
  • the controller 116 identifies the cartridge 120 on the basis of the electric resistance value of the cartridge heater 121-1. According to this configuration, the cartridge 120 can be identified by a simple method without additionally providing an image sensor or the like.
  • Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the inhaler device 100 according to the present embodiment.
  • the controller 116 determines whether or not the sensor 112 has detected pressing of the power button (step S102). In a case where it is determined that pressing of the power button has not been detected (step S102: NO), the controller 116 waits until pressing of the power button is detected.
  • step S104 determines whether or not a period for which the power button is held down has reached 2 seconds. In a case where it is determined that the period for which the power button is held down has not reached 2 seconds (step S104: NO), the controller 116 waits until the period for which the power button is held down reaches 2 seconds.
  • step S104 determines that the period for which the power button is held down has reached 2 seconds (step S104: YES).
  • the controller 116 determines whether or not the period for which the power button is held down has reached 3 seconds (step S108). In a case where it is determined that the period for which the power button is held down has not reached 3 seconds (step S108: NO), the controller 116 waits until the period for which the power button is held down reaches 3 seconds. The controller 116 may continue execution of the authentication processing during a waiting period.
  • step S108 determines whether or not the period for which the power button is held down has reached 3 seconds.
  • step S110 determines whether or not the authentication has succeeded. In a case where it is determined that the authentication has failed (step S110: NO), the processing is finished.
  • step S110 YES
  • the controller 116 starts the preliminary heating by starting supply of electric power to the stick heater 121-2 (step S112).
  • the controller 116 determines whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed from the start of the preliminary heating (step S114). In a case where it is determined that the predetermined period has not elapsed from the start of the preliminary heating (step S114: NO), the controller 116 waits until the predetermined period elapses from the start of the preliminary heating.
  • the controller 116 starts the main heating (step S116).
  • step S118 the controller 116 determines whether or not the sensor 112 has detected a puff.
  • step S118 NO
  • the processing proceeds to step S122.
  • step S118 the controller 116 causes the cartridge heater 121-1 to perform heating by supplying electric power to the cartridge heater 121-1 (step S120).
  • step S120 the cartridge-side aerosol is generated, and the generated cartridge-side aerosol is mixed with the stick-side aerosol and reaches the inside of the mouth of the user. Then, the processing proceeds to step S122.
  • step S122 the controller 116 determines whether or not an end condition has been satisfied.
  • An example of the end condition is a condition that a predetermined period has elapsed from the start of the main heating.
  • Another example of the end condition is a condition that a puff has been detected a predetermined number of times.
  • step S122: NO the processing returns to step S118.
  • step S122: YES the processing ends.
  • the authentication processing may be performed after the start of the preliminary heating, as described above. In any case, in a case where the authentication has failed, the processing ends.
  • the controller 116 may control at least one of an amount of electric power supplied to the stick heater 121-2 when heating by the stick heater 121-2 is performed and/or an amount of electric power supplied to the cartridge heater 121-1 in a case where heating by the cartridge heater 121-1 is performed on the basis of the substrate pair attached to the inhaler device 100. That is, the controller 116 may control at least one of the heating profile and/or the atomization setting on the basis of the substrate pair attached to the inhaler device 100.
  • An appropriate mixture ratio of the cartridge-side aerosol and the stick-side aerosol may vary depending on the substrate pair.
  • the present invention is not limited to this example.
  • the inhaler device 100 may have the cartridge heater 121-1 and may be configured not to have the stick heater 121-2.
  • the inhaler device 100 may control operation of the cartridge heater 121-1 on the basis of the substrate pair.
  • the cartridge-side aerosol can take in the flavor component derived from the stick substrate 150 while passing through the stick substrate 150.
  • the flavor of the aerosol which the user tastes can be made appropriate, as in the above embodiment.
  • the controller 116 need just control operation of the power supply 111 that supplies electric power for operation of the inhaler device 100 on the basis of the substrate pair, and a control target is not limited to the one described in the above embodiment. That is, the target of control based on the substrate pair is not limited to supply of electric power to the stick heater 121-2 and the cartridge heater 121-1.
  • activation of the inhaler device 100 may be permitted or prohibited on the basis of the substrate pair.
  • supply of electric power to structural elements such as the sensor 112 and the communicator 115 may be permitted or prohibited on the basis of the substrate pair.
  • each device described herein may be realized by using software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.
  • Programs that constitute the software are, for example, stored in advance in a recording medium (non-transitory medium) provided inside or outside the device.
  • the programs are, for example, loaded into a RAM when executed by a computer and is executed by a processor such as a CPU.
  • Examples of the recording medium include a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto optical disk, and a flash memory.
  • the computer programs may be, for example, distributed over a network without using a recording medium.

Landscapes

  • Medicinal Preparation (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Disinfection, Sterilisation Or Deodorisation Of Air (AREA)
  • Devices For Medical Bathing And Washing (AREA)
EP20941629.6A 2020-06-25 2020-06-25 Inhalationsvorrichtung, steuerverfahren und programm Withdrawn EP4108109A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

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PCT/JP2020/025072 WO2021260897A1 (ja) 2020-06-25 2020-06-25 吸引装置、制御方法、及びプログラム

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AU2012388597B2 (en) * 2012-08-31 2016-12-15 Huizhou Kimree Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Branch Electronic cigarette and electronic cigarette device
CA3013420C (en) * 2016-02-16 2020-07-14 Japan Tobacco Inc. Flavor inhaler
US10357060B2 (en) * 2016-03-11 2019-07-23 Altria Client Services Llc E-vaping device cartridge holder
GB201702207D0 (en) * 2017-02-10 2017-03-29 British American Tobacco Investments Ltd Vapour provision system
WO2019246048A1 (en) * 2018-06-18 2019-12-26 Hassan Charles Methods and systems for managing vapor distribution
WO2020039589A1 (ja) 2018-08-24 2020-02-27 日本たばこ産業株式会社 吸引成分生成装置、吸引成分生成装置を制御する方法及びプログラム

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TW202200035A (zh) 2022-01-01

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