JP2020068688A - Power supply unit of aerosol generation device, control method of power supply unit of aerosol generation device, and program for power supply unit of aerosol generation device - Google Patents

Abstract

To detect the occurrence of malfunction in a sensor.SOLUTION: A power supply unit 300 comprises: a microphone capacitor 331 which detects an aerosol generation request; a PTC thermistor 332 which detects an electric change in an own sensor based on an electric change in the microphone capacitor 331, and outputs a value based on the change; and a control unit 340 which, on the basis of the value outputted by the PTC thermistor 332, detects whether the microphone capacitor 331 is in a normal state or in an abnormal state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply unit for an aerosol generation device, a method for controlling a power supply unit for an aerosol generation device, and a program for a power supply unit for an aerosol generation device.

  BACKGROUND ART There is known an aerosol generation device that can taste an aerosol generated by atomizing an aerosol source with an electric load such as a heater.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of supplying electric power to a heater when a suction operation by a user is detected based on the output of a sensor that measures the amount of air flowing in the device.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a technique of adjusting the electric power value supplied to the heater based on the output of a sensor that measures the velocity of the air flowing in the device.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-535265 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-512480

  If the aerosol generation device is continuously used, a defect due to aged deterioration or the like may occur in the sensor that detects the suction operation of the user. When the sensor malfunctions, when the user does not intend, for example, when the user does not perform the suction operation, the aerosol source may be atomized by the aerosol generation device and the aerosol source may be wasted. .. Therefore, when a sensor malfunctions, it is desired to detect the occurrence of the malfunction.

  However, the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are techniques for controlling the supply of electric power to the heater according to the output value of the sensor, and do not consider detecting a malfunction of the sensor.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is a power supply unit of an aerosol generation device capable of detecting the occurrence of a defect in a sensor, a control method of the power supply unit of the aerosol generation device, and a power supply unit of the aerosol generation device. The purpose is to provide a program for use.

  The power supply unit of the aerosol generation device of the present invention detects an electrical change of the first sensor that detects an aerosol generation request and an own sensor based on an electrical change of the first sensor, and based on the change A second sensor that outputs a value and a control unit that detects whether the state of the first sensor is a normal state or an abnormal state based on the value are provided.

  The value by which the control unit detects the normal state and the value by which the control unit detects the abnormal state may be different values.

  Further, the abnormal state is a state detected by the control unit when the aerosol source is not atomized by the atomization unit that receives the power supply from the power supply unit due to a malfunction that has occurred in the first sensor. Good.

  The normal state may be a state detected by the control unit when the aerosol source can be atomized by the atomization unit that is supplied with electric power from the power supply unit.

  Furthermore, the value output from the second sensor is the value of the voltage applied to the second sensor that changes according to the change in the voltage applied to the first sensor, and the control unit is It is also possible to detect whether the state of the first sensor is the normal state or the abnormal state based on the value of the voltage.

  The second sensor may be a PTC thermistor.

  Further, the value output from the second sensor is the value of the current flowing through the second sensor that changes according to the change in the current flowing through the first sensor, and the control unit Based on the value, it may be detected whether the state of the first sensor is the normal state or the abnormal state.

  The power supply unit may further include a notification unit, and when the control unit detects the abnormal state, the control unit may notify the notification unit to that effect.

  The control unit may transition the power supply unit from the active state to the hibernate state when the abnormal state is detected.

  The power supply unit may further include a storage unit, and the storage unit may store information indicating the number of times the control unit has detected the abnormal state.

  The storage unit may further store information indicating the content of the abnormal state detected by the control unit.

  When the controller detects the instruction to transition the power supply unit to the active state, the control unit does not transition the power supply unit to the active state when the number of times is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold, and the number of times is the predetermined threshold. If less, the power supply unit may be transitioned to the active state.

  The control unit may detect whether the state of the first sensor is the normal state or the abnormal state when the power supply unit is in the active state.

  A method of controlling a power supply unit of an aerosol generating apparatus according to the present invention includes a step of detecting an aerosol generation request, and an electric change of a second sensor based on an electric change of a first sensor that executes the step. Then, a step of outputting a value based on the change and a step of detecting whether the state of the first sensor is a normal state or an abnormal state based on the value are included.

  A program for a power supply unit of an aerosol generating apparatus of the present invention causes a computer to perform a process of detecting an aerosol generation request and an electrical change of a second sensor based on an electrical change of a first sensor that executes the process. Is detected and a value based on the change is output, and based on the value, a process of detecting whether the state of the first sensor is a normal state or an abnormal state is executed.

  According to the power supply unit of the aerosol generation apparatus, the method of controlling the power supply unit of the aerosol generation apparatus, and the program for the power supply unit of the aerosol generation apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to detect the occurrence of a defect in the sensor.

The block diagram which shows an example of a schematic structure of the aerosol production | generation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of a sensor unit according to the same embodiment. The figure which shows an example of a structure of the microphone capacitor which concerns on the same embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of resistance-temperature characteristics of the PTC thermistor according to the same embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of voltage-current characteristics of the PTC thermistor according to the same embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing an example illustrating a state detection process according to the same embodiment. The flowchart which shows another example explaining the state detection process which concerns on the same embodiment. The block diagram which shows an example of a schematic structure of the aerosol production | generation apparatus which concerns on the modification of the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, substantially the same or substantially the same functions and components are designated by the same reference numerals, and description will be given only when necessary.

  The aerosol generation device 1 according to the present embodiment is assumed to be a heating type cigarette or an electronic cigarette, for example. However, the aerosol generation device 1 according to the present embodiment may be an aerosol generation device of another type or application such as a nebulizer.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an aerosol generation apparatus 1 according to this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol generation device 1 includes a cartridge unit 100, a capsule unit 200, and a power supply unit 300. The aerosol generation device 1 is configured, for example, in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a user can easily hold the aerosol generation device 1. The cartridge unit 100, the capsule unit 200, and the power supply unit 300 may be configured to be non-detachable or removable.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the cartridge unit 100 includes a storage section 110, a supply section 120, and an atomization section 140 including a load 130.

  The storage unit 110 is a container that stores a liquid aerosol source that is atomized by heating. The aerosol source is, for example, a polyol-based material such as glycerin or propylene glycol. Further, the aerosol source may be a mixed liquid containing nicotine liquid, water, a fragrance and the like. And, the aerosol source may be a solid that does not require the reservoir 110.

  The supply unit 120 is, for example, a wick formed by twisting a fiber material such as glass fiber. One end of the supply unit 120 is connected to the storage unit 110. Further, the other end of the supply unit 120 is connected to the load 130 or arranged near the load 130. With such a configuration, the supply unit 120 can guide the aerosol source sucked from the storage unit 110 to the load 130 or the vicinity thereof. A wick made of porous ceramic may be used for the supply unit 120.

  The load 130 provided in the atomizing unit 140 is, for example, a coil-shaped heater and generates heat when electric power is supplied. The load 130 may be wound around the supply unit 120 or may be covered by the supply unit 120. Electric power is supplied to the load 130 from a power supply unit 320 described below, under the control of a control unit 340 included in the power supply unit 300 described below. When electric power is supplied to the load 130, the aerosol source guided by the supply unit 120 is heated by the load 130 to generate an aerosol.

  The capsule unit 200 includes a flavor source 210, as shown in FIG.

  The flavor source 210 is composed of a raw material piece of a plant material that imparts a flavor component to the aerosol. As the raw material piece constituting the flavor source, for example, a molded body obtained by molding a material such as chopped tobacco or a tobacco raw material into a granular or sheet shape is used. In addition, plants other than tobacco (for example, mint, herbs, etc.) may be used as the raw material pieces constituting the flavor source 210. Then, the flavor source 210 may be provided with a flavor such as menthol.

  The arrows in FIG. 1 indicate the flow of air in the cartridge unit 100 and the capsule unit 200. The air taken in from the outside through an air intake (not shown) is mixed with the aerosol in the process of passing through the aerosol generating apparatus 1 (the cartridge unit 100 and the capsule unit 200) to which a flavor component is added, The user is sucked. Specifically, the air taken in from the outside passes through the atomizing unit 140 in the cartridge unit 100. When the air passes through the atomizing unit 140, the air is mixed with the aerosol generated by the load 130 included in the atomizing unit 140. Then, when the air mixed with the aerosol passes through the capsule unit 200, the flavor component derived from the flavor source 210 contained in the capsule unit 200 is added to the air mixed with the aerosol. Then, the air mixed with the aerosol and added with the flavor component is sucked by the user from the end portion of the capsule unit 200. That is, the aerosol to which the flavor component is added is inhaled by the user.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the power supply unit 300 includes a power button 310, a power supply unit 320, a sensor unit 330, a control unit 340, a storage unit 350, and a notification unit 360.

  The power button 310 is a button for changing the operating state of the aerosol generation apparatus 1. When the power button 310 is pressed and the power is turned on, the state of the aerosol generating apparatus 1 becomes the active state described later. Further, when the power button 310 is pressed and the power is turned off while the state of the aerosol generating apparatus 1 is in the active state, the state of the aerosol generating apparatus 1 transits from the active state to a rest state described later.

  It should be noted that the state of the aerosol generation apparatus 1 being active is synonymous with the state of the battery unit 300 being active. Moreover, the state of the aerosol generation apparatus 1 being in a rest state is synonymous with the state of the battery unit 300 being in a rest state.

  The power supply unit 320 is, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery, and its type is not limited. The power supply unit 320 supplies electric power to each unit of the aerosol generation apparatus 1 under the control of the control unit 340.

The sensor unit 330 has at least a function of detecting a suction operation by a user (an operation of requesting the aerosol generation apparatus 1 to generate aerosol), and a function of detecting a defect in the function or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor unit 330 includes a microphone capacitor 331 that is a first sensor and a PTC thermistor 332 that is a second sensor.
The microphone condenser 331 detects the suction operation by the user.

  The PTC thermistor 332 has a function (hereinafter, referred to as “overcurrent protection function”) of preventing an excessive current from flowing to each element or the like that configures the sensor unit 330 when the excessive current flows. ..

  The details of the sensor unit 330 will be described later.

  The control unit 340 causes the aerosol generation apparatus 1 to transition to one of two operation states when the power button 310 is pressed. The two operating states are an active state in which power is supplied from the power supply unit 320 to each part of the aerosol generation apparatus 1 and no power or only a minimum amount of power is supplied from the power supply unit 320 to each part of the aerosol generation apparatus 1. It is a dormant state that I do not get. When the state of the aerosol generation apparatus 1 is active, when the sensor unit 330 detects the suction operation by the user, the control unit 340 causes the power supply unit 320 to supply power to the load 130 and atomize the aerosol source. .. Further, when the power supply unit 300 is in the resting state, the control unit 340 does not cause the power supply unit 320 to supply power to the load 130 even if the user performs the suction operation. Therefore, the aerosol source is not atomized. The power supply from the power supply unit 320 to the load 130 under the control of the control unit 340 is performed when the sensor unit 330 detects the suction operation by the user.

  Further, control unit 340 detects whether the state of microphone capacitor 331 is a normal state or an abnormal state, based on the voltage value applied to PTC thermistor 332.

  Here, the normal state is a state in which the microphone condenser 331 has no defect and the microphone condenser 331 can normally detect the suction operation of the user. In other words, the normal state is a state in which when the user performs the suction operation, the microphone capacitor 331 detects the suction operation, the power is supplied to the load 130, and the aerosol is generated.

  The abnormal state is a state in which a problem occurs in the microphone capacitor 331 and the microphone capacitor 331 cannot normally detect the suction operation of the user. In other words, the abnormal state is a state in which the microphone capacitor 331 does not detect the suction operation even when the user performs the suction operation, and the aerosol is not generated. In addition, the microphone capacitor 331 detects the user's suction operation even though the user does not perform the suction operation, and power is supplied to the load 130 to generate an aerosol.

  It should be noted that the control unit 340 always determines whether the state of the microphone condenser 331 is the normal state or the non-normal state after the power button 310 is pressed and the aerosol generation apparatus 1 transits from the idle state to the active state. A process for detecting (hereinafter, referred to as "state detection process") is executed. In addition, the control unit 340 does not perform the state detection process when the power button 310 is pressed and the power supply unit 300 transitions from the active state to the hibernate state. Details of the state detection process will be described later.

  The storage unit 350 is, for example, a non-volatile memory. The storage unit 350 stores various data and programs for operating the aerosol generation apparatus 1. The storage unit 350 stores, for example, a program (or firmware) for executing the state detection process.

  Further, when the control unit 340 detects that the state of the sensor unit 330 is an abnormal state, the storage unit 350 stores information regarding the abnormal state. Specifically, the storage unit 350 stores the details of the malfunction that has occurred in the sensor unit 330.

  Further, in the storage unit 350, the number of times the control unit 340 detects that the state of the microphone condenser 331 is an abnormal state (hereinafter, referred to as “detection number”) and the number of times the aerosol generation apparatus 1 is in the idle state to the active state are stored. A limit threshold value that is a value that limits the transition is stored. Details of the number of detections and the limit threshold will be described later.

  The notification unit 360 is, for example, a light emitting diode. The notification unit 360 emits light under the control of the control unit 340. For example, when the control unit 340 detects that the microphone capacitor 331 is in an abnormal state, the notification unit 360 emits light under the control of the control unit 340. The color of light emitted from the notification unit 360 may be a cold (blue) system color, a warm (red) system color, or the like, and is not particularly limited.

  Note that the notification unit 360 may be provided, for example, along the circumferential direction of the upstream end of the power supply unit 300 and installed so that the entire end emits light. Further, for example, the notification unit 360 may be provided along the circumferential direction of the power button 310 and installed so that the periphery of the power button 310 emits light.

  Next, the sensor section 330 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of the sensor unit 330. As shown in FIG. 2, the circuit includes a microphone capacitor 331, a PTC thermistor 332, and a P-type MOSFET 333. When the power button 310 is pressed and the aerosol generation apparatus 1 transits from the idle state to the active state, the base voltage is applied and the drain current flows in the P-type MOSFET 333. Then, a current flows through the PTC thermistor 332 and the microphone capacitor 331, and the PTC thermistor 332 and the microphone capacitor 331 are brought into a state in which they can perform the functions respectively provided.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the microphone capacitor 331.

  The microphone capacitor 331 includes a diaphragm 331A that is a metal plate that vibrates due to a change in sound or pressure caused by a user's suction operation, and a back plate 331B that is a fixed metal plate. When there is no change in sound or pressure due to the user's suction operation, the capacitance defined by the diaphragm 331A and the back plate 331B does not change. On the other hand, when a change in sound or pressure due to the user's suction operation occurs, the diaphragm 331A vibrates based on the change in sound or pressure, and the capacitance defined by the diaphragm 331A and the back plate 331B. Changes. The suction operation by the user is detected based on the change in the capacitance.

  4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining the characteristics of the PTC thermistor 332.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the resistance-temperature characteristic of the PTC thermistor 332, in which the vertical axis represents the resistance value and the horizontal axis represents the temperature. As shown in FIG. 4, the resistance value of the PTC thermistor 332 is a substantially constant value when the temperature of the PTC thermistor 332 is low (for example, about room temperature), but a certain constant temperature (hereinafter, referred to as “A Value), the value rises sharply. Therefore, when the temperature becomes higher than the temperature at the point A, the PTC thermistor 332 functions so that an excessive current does not flow. That is, the PTC thermistor 332 operates the overcurrent protection function.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the voltage-current characteristics of the PTC thermistor 332, in which the vertical axis shows the current value and the horizontal axis shows the voltage value. As shown in FIG. 5, in the PTC thermistor 332, the current value also increases according to Ohm's law up to a certain voltage value, but when it exceeds a certain voltage value (hereinafter referred to as “B point”), the resistance value suddenly increases. , The current value drops. In other words, when the voltage value applied to the PTC thermistor 332 exceeds the point B, the PTC thermistor 332 functions so that an excessive current does not flow. That is, the PTC thermistor 332 operates the overcurrent protection function.

  As shown in FIG. 3, since the PTC thermistor 332 is electrically connected to the microphone capacitor 331, the voltage value applied to the PTC thermistor 332 is affected by the electrical change in the microphone capacitor 331. Therefore, when the voltage value of the PTC thermistor 332 exceeds the value of the point B, it means that the microphone capacitor 331 has a problem of trying to pass an excessive current. The defect is, for example, a short circuit in the microphone capacitor 331. The influence of electrical changes in the microphone capacitor 331 includes changes in the voltage value applied to the microphone capacitor 331 and changes in the current value flowing in the microphone capacitor 331.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 340 acquires the voltage value applied to the PTC thermistor 332, for example, by the output from the PTC thermistor 332. Then, control unit 340 detects whether the state of microphone capacitor 331 is a normal state or an abnormal state by comparing the voltage value with a preset voltage threshold value of point B or higher. Specifically, when the voltage value applied to PTC thermistor 332 is equal to or higher than the voltage threshold value described above, control unit 340 detects that microphone capacitor 331 is in an abnormal state. That is, the control unit 340 detects that a problem (short circuit) has occurred in the microphone capacitor 332.

  Next, the state detection process executed by the control unit 340 will be described in detail. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a state detection process executed by the control unit 340.

  The control unit 340 determines whether or not the power button 310 has been pressed when the aerosol generation apparatus 1 is in the rest state (ST101). When it is determined that the power button 310 is not pressed (ST101: NO), the process of step ST101 is executed again. That is, the state of the aerosol suction device 1 is in the rest state until the power button 310 is pressed.

  When it is determined that the power button 310 has been pressed (ST101: YES), the control unit 340 changes the state of the aerosol generation apparatus 1 from the rest state to the active state (ST102).

  Then, control section 340 detects whether the state of microphone condenser 331 is in an abnormal state (ST103). As described above, the control unit 340 detects whether the state of the microphone capacitor 331 is the normal state or the abnormal state, based on the comparison between the voltage value applied to the PTC thermistor 332 and the voltage threshold value. To do. Therefore, the voltage value applied to the PTC thermistor 332 detected as being in the normal state by the control unit 340 and the voltage value applied to the PTC thermistor 332 detected as being in the normal state by the control unit 340 are different values.

  When the control unit 340 detects that the microphone capacitor 331 is in the normal state (ST103: NO), the process of step ST103 is executed again. That is, when the state of the aerosol inhaler 1 is active, the process of detecting the abnormal state of the microphone condenser 331 is always executed. With such a configuration, it is possible to detect defects that have occurred in the microphone capacitor 331 without omission.

  When detecting that the state of microphone capacitor 331 is the abnormal state (ST103: YES), control section 340 causes storage section 350 to store information regarding the abnormal state (ST104). Specifically, control unit 340 causes storage unit 350 to store the details of the malfunction that occurred in microphone capacitor 331 (occurrence of a short circuit). In this way, by storing the content of the failure in the storage unit 350, it is possible to easily grasp the content of the failure without performing a special inspection when the aerosol generating apparatus 1 is repaired later. The man-hours required for repair can be significantly reduced.

  The control unit 340 operates the notification unit 360 (ST105). Specifically, the control unit 340 causes the notification unit 360 to emit light. As a result, the user who is using the aerosol generation apparatus 1 can be notified that the microphone condenser 331 is defective.

  Then, control unit 340 causes aerosol generation device 1 to transition from the active state to the dormant state (ST106). As described above, when a problem occurs in the microphone sensor 331, the state of the aerosol suction device 1 is transited to the rest state in which the aerosol is not generated, so that the aerosol generation is possible even though the aerosol cannot be normally generated. It is possible to prevent power from being supplied to each unit of the device 1. That is, waste of power can be prevented.

  As described above, in the aerosol generation device 1 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 340 compares the voltage value applied to the microphone capacitor 331 with the preset voltage threshold value at the point B or higher, and the microphone capacitor 331. It detects whether the state of is a normal state or an abnormal state. Specifically, the control unit 340 detects that the microphone capacitor 331 is in an abnormal state when the voltage value applied to the PTC thermistor 332 is equal to or higher than the voltage threshold value. Therefore, in the aerosol generation apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to detect the occurrence of a malfunction in the sensor that detects the suction operation of the user.

  Further, in the aerosol generation apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the PTC thermistor 332 having an overcurrent protection function is adopted as the configuration for detecting the malfunction of the microphone capacitor 331. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent a secondary damage in which an overcurrent resulting from a malfunction of the microphone capacitor 331 flows into the aerosol generation device 1 and a malfunction occurs in a structure other than the sensor unit 330 of the aerosol generation device 1. .. That is, with such a configuration, it is possible to solve the problem of detecting a defect in the sensor and preventing the occurrence of a defect in another configuration due to the defect in the sensor.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when a malfunction occurs in the sensor, the malfunction can be detected. Therefore, for example, when the user is not performing the suction operation, the aerosol source is atomized by the aerosol generation device. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the situation where the aerosol source is wasted. That is, the aerosol generation device according to the present embodiment has the effects of resource saving and energy saving.

  In the above embodiment, the state detection process executed by the control unit 340 has been described with reference to the example shown in FIG. 6, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the state detection process executed by the control unit 340 may be the example shown in FIG. 7.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is different from the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 in that ST201 to ST203 are added and that the process of ST101 is executed again after the process of ST106. Note that ST203 is a process in which the control unit 340 stores, in the storage unit 350, the number of times (the number of times of detection) that the state of the microphone capacitor 331 is detected to be the abnormal state.

  Hereinafter, assuming that the process of ST203 has already been performed multiple times, that is, assuming that the state of the microphone capacitor 331 is an abnormal state is detected by the control unit 340 multiple times, the above-mentioned difference is described. The flowchart shown in FIG. 7 will be mainly described.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, when the control unit 340 detects that the state of the microphone condenser 331 is an abnormal state (ST103: YES), the processing of ST104, ST203, and ST105 to 106 is performed again. The process of ST101 is executed. Therefore, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the process of ST203 can be executed multiple times. Therefore, the number of times of detection that the state of the microphone capacitor 331 stored in the storage unit 340 is detected to be the abnormal state can be updated.

  When power button 310 is pressed again in ST101 (ST101: YES), control section 340 reads the information stored in storage section 350 (ST201). Specifically, the control unit 340 reads the number of detections and a limit threshold value that is a threshold value that limits the transition of the aerosol generation apparatus 1 from the idle state to the active state.

  Then, control section 340 determines whether or not the number of times of detection is less than the limit threshold value (ST202). If the number of detections is less than the limit threshold value (ST202: YES), the process after ST102 is executed. For example, when the number of times of detection is 2 and the limit threshold value is 3, the processing of ST102 and thereafter is executed.

  On the other hand, if the number of detection times is equal to or greater than the limit threshold (ST202: NO), the process ends. For example, if the number of detections is 3 and the limit threshold is 3, the process ends. That is, the state of the aerosol generation apparatus 1 will not transit from the rest state to the active state even if the power button 310 is pressed in the future. The reason for controlling the state transition of the aerosol generation apparatus 1 based on the comparison between the number of detections and the limit threshold value is as follows.

  The microphone condenser 331 may temporarily malfunction due to the aerosol source leaking from the reservoir 110 getting wet. Specifically, the diaphragm 331A of the microphone condenser 331 may not normally vibrate due to being wet with the aerosol source, and the microphone condenser 331 may malfunction. Then, control unit 340 may detect that the state of microphone capacitor 331 is an abnormal state, based on the malfunction. The diaphragm 331A often returns to a normal vibrating state when the wetting by the aerosol source is eliminated by drying or the like. That is, malfunctions due to wetting of the aerosol source are often eliminated when the wetting is dry.

  Based on such a fact, when the number of detection times is less than the limit threshold value, the abnormal state of the microphone capacitor 331 is considered to be due to a temporary malfunction due to the wetting of the aerosol source, and the power button 310 is pressed. Then, it is configured to transition to the active state again.

  On the other hand, when the number of times of detection reaches or exceeds the limit threshold value, the abnormal state of the microphone capacitor 331 is considered to be due to a permanent malfunction such as a short circuit, and the aerosol generation device 1 is activated from the rest state again. There is no transition to the state.

  Therefore, in the flow chart of the detection process shown in FIG. 7, regarding the abnormal state of the microphone capacitor 331, whether the abnormal state is temporary due to the leakage of the aerosol source or a permanent one such as a short circuit. The state transition of the aerosol generation apparatus 1 is controlled by discriminating whether or not it exists. Therefore, even though the aerosol generating apparatus 1 does not have a permanent defect, the aerosol generating apparatus 1 is not brought into a state in which it cannot be used, so that the convenience of using the aerosol generating apparatus 1 can be improved. it can.

  In addition, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where PTC thermistor 332 was used as a 2nd sensor, a 2nd sensor is not limited to PTC thermistor 332. For example, a current measuring sensor 334 that measures a current may be used as the second sensor. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the aerosol generation apparatus 1 when the current measurement sensor 334 is adopted instead of the PTC thermistor 332. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.

  When the power supply unit 300 of the aerosol generation apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 8 is configured, the value output from the current measurement sensor 334 to the control unit 340 is supplied to the current measurement sensor 334 that changes according to the electrical change in the microphone capacitor 331. It becomes the value of the flowing current. Then, control unit 340 detects whether the state of microphone capacitor 331 is a normal state or an abnormal state, based on the value of the current. Specifically, the control unit 340 compares the value of the current with a predetermined current threshold value, and when the value of the current is equal to or more than the current threshold value, the microphone capacitor 331 has a defect (short circuit) such as a short circuit. Detect.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the aerosol generation device 1 generates the aerosol according to the suction operation of the user has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the aerosol generation device 1 may be configured to generate invisible vapor according to the suction operation of the user. Even with this configuration, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the notification unit 360 emits light under the control of the control unit 340 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the notification unit 360 may vibrate in a predetermined vibration pattern or may output a predetermined sound when the control unit 340 detects an abnormal state of the microphone capacitor 331. Good. In addition, the notification unit 360 may make a notification by combining them. Specifically, for example, the notification unit 360 may make a notification that combines light and vibration, or may make a notification that combines light, vibration, and sound.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements within a range not departing from the gist of the invention in an implementation stage. Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, some constituent elements may be deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the above-described embodiment. Furthermore, the configurations of different embodiments may be combined.

1 ... Aerosol generation device, 100 ... Cartridge unit, 110 ... Storage part, 120 ... Supply part, 130 ... Load, 140 ... Atomization part, 200 ... Capsule unit, 210 ... Flavor source, 300 ... Power supply unit, 310 ... Power button , 320 ... Power supply section, 330 ... Sensor section, 331 ... Microphone capacitor, 331A ... Diaphragm, 331B ... Back plate, 332 ... PTC thermistor, 333 ... P-type MOSFET, 334 ... Current measurement sensor, 340 ... Control section, 350 ... Memory Section, 360 ... Notification section, AR ... Air flow path

Claims (15)

A first sensor for detecting an aerosol generation request,
A second sensor that detects an electrical change of its own sensor based on the electrical change of the first sensor and outputs a value based on the change;
A control unit that detects whether the state of the first sensor is a normal state or an abnormal state based on the value;
A power supply unit for an aerosol generating device, comprising: The power supply unit of the aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the value at which the control unit detects the normal state is different from the value at which the control unit detects the abnormal state. The abnormal state is a state that is detected by the control unit when the aerosol source is not atomized by the atomization unit that is supplied with power from the power supply unit due to a defect that has occurred in the first sensor. A power supply unit of the aerosol generating apparatus according to Item 1 or 2. The said normal state is a state detected by the said control part, when an aerosol source can be atomized by the atomization part which receives the electric power supply from the said power supply unit, It is a state as described in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 3. Power unit of the aerosol generator. The value output from the second sensor is the value of the voltage applied to the second sensor that changes according to the change in the voltage applied to the first sensor,
The control unit detects whether the state of the first sensor is the normal state or the non-normal state based on the value of the voltage. Power unit of the aerosol generator. The power supply unit of the aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second sensor is a PTC thermistor. The value output from the second sensor is the value of the current flowing through the second sensor that changes according to the change in the current flowing through the first sensor,
The said control part detects whether the state of the said 1st sensor is the said normal state or the said abnormal state based on the value of the said electric current, The any one of Claim 1 thru | or 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. Power unit of the aerosol generator. Further equipped with a notification unit,
The power supply unit of the aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, when detecting the abnormal state, causes the notification unit to notify that effect. The power supply unit for an aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the power supply unit to transition from an active state to a dormant state when the abnormal state is detected. Further equipped with a storage unit,
The power supply unit of the aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores information indicating the number of times the control unit has detected the abnormal state. The power supply unit of the aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the storage unit further stores information indicating the content of the abnormal state detected by the control unit. When the controller detects the instruction to transition the power supply unit to the active state, the control unit does not transition the power supply unit to the active state when the number of times is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold, and the number of times is the predetermined threshold. The power supply unit of the aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, which transitions the power supply unit to an active state when the power supply unit is less than the above. 14. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the power supply unit is in an active state, the control unit detects whether the state of the first sensor is the normal state or the abnormal state. The power supply unit of the aerosol generating apparatus described in the paragraph. Detecting an aerosol generation request,
Detecting an electrical change of the second sensor based on the electrical change of the first sensor and performing a step of outputting a value based on the change;
Detecting, based on the value, whether the state of the first sensor is a normal state or an abnormal state,
A method for controlling a power supply unit of an aerosol generating apparatus, comprising: On the computer,
A process for detecting an aerosol generation request,
A process of detecting an electrical change of the second sensor based on the electrical change of the first sensor that executes the process, and outputting a value based on the change;
A program for a power supply unit of an aerosol generation device, which executes a process of detecting whether the state of the first sensor is a normal state or an abnormal state based on the value.

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