JP6550519B1 - POWER SUPPLY UNIT FOR AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING POWER SUPPLY UNIT FOR AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE, AND PROGRAM FOR POWER SUPPLY UNIT FOR AEROROSOL GENERATING DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to detect the occurrence of a malfunction in a sensor. A power supply unit includes: a sensor unit that detects an aerosol generation request; and a sensor unit that is in a normal state and an abnormal state based on an output value from the sensor unit that detects the aerosol generation request. And a control unit 340 for determining which state it is in. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

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

  BACKGROUND ART An aerosol generating device is known that can taste an aerosol generated by atomizing an aerosol source with an electrical load such as a heater.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for supplying 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 apparatus.

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

JP-A-2017-535265 JP-A-2017-512480

  When the aerosol generation device is continuously used, a defect caused by aging or the like may occur in the sensor that detects the suction operation of the user. In the event of a sensor failure, the aerosol source may be atomized in the aerosol generating device and the aerosol source may be wasted when the user does not intend, for example, when the user is not performing suction operation. obtain. Therefore, when a failure occurs in the sensor, it is desirable that the occurrence of the failure be detected.

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

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a power supply unit of an aerosol generating device capable of detecting occurrence of a defect in a sensor, a control method of a power supply unit of an aerosol generating device, and a power supply unit of an aerosol generating device Program for the purpose of providing

The power supply unit of the aerosol generating apparatus according to the present invention, when the power supply unit is in an active state, a sensor that detects an aerosol generation request, and an output value from a sensor that detects the aerosol generation request. And a control unit that determines which state is the non-normal state, and the control unit causes the power supply unit to transition to the inactive state that can transition to the active state again when the abnormal state is detected. .
Also, the control unit may cause the power supply unit to transition from the hibernate state to the active state again when the non-normal state to which the sensor has transitioned is a state caused by the leakage of the aerosol source.

  The output value from the sensor that the control unit determines that is the normal state may be different from the output value from the sensor that the control unit determines that the abnormal state.

  The output value from the sensor determined to be in the non-normal state may be a value not attributable to an aerosol generation request by the user of the aerosol generation device.

  The output value from the sensor that the control unit determines to be in the non-normal state may be a value resulting from an aerosol generation request generated by the sensor and detected by itself.

  In the non-normal state, when the aerosol source is not atomized by the atomization unit which receives the power supply from the power supply unit, or the aerosol source held by the supply unit which supplies the aerosol source to the atomization unit is exhausted When the atomization unit atomizes the aerosol source, the control unit may make a determination.

  In the normal state, the atomization unit receiving power supply from the power supply unit atomizes the aerosol source so that the aerosol source held by the supply unit that supplies the aerosol source to the atomization unit is not depleted. Alternatively, the control unit may make a determination.

  When the time interval from when the sensor detects a certain aerosol generation request to when the next aerosol generation request is detected is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the control unit determines that the state of the sensor is an abnormal state It may be determined.

  The control unit may determine that the state of the sensor is an abnormal state when the duration of the aerosol generation request detected by the sensor is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold.

  The control unit may determine that the state of the sensor is the non-normal state when the total time in which the sensor detects the aerosol generation request within the predetermined time is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold.

  The control unit may determine that the state of the sensor is the non-normal state when the number of aerosol generation requests detected by the sensor within a predetermined time is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold.

  The power supply unit further includes a notification unit, and when the control unit determines that the state of the sensor is an abnormal state, the control unit causes the notification unit to notify that the state of the sensor is an abnormal state. You may do so.

  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 non-normal state detected by the control unit.

  When the control unit detects an 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 if the number is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold, and the number of times is a predetermined threshold If it is less than, the power supply unit may be made to transition to the active state.

The control unit, the power supply unit is at active state, the state before xenon capacitors may perform processing for detecting whether said is in a normal state and any state of the non-normal state.

A control method of a power supply unit of an aerosol generating apparatus according to the present invention comprises the steps of: detecting an aerosol generation request when the power supply unit is in an active state; and based on an output value from a sensor detecting the aerosol generation request. The steps of determining whether the state is a normal state or a non-normal state, and transitioning the power supply unit to a sleep state where transition to the active state is possible when the non-normal state is detected Including.

The program for the power supply unit of the aerosol generating apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the computer executes the processing for detecting the aerosol generation request when the power supply unit is active, and the output value from the sensor detecting the aerosol generation request. A process of determining whether the sensor state is a normal state or a non-normal state, and a process of causing the power supply unit to transition to the inactive state where transition to the active state is possible when the abnormal state is detected. And run.

  According to the power supply unit of the aerosol generation device, the control method of the power supply unit of the aerosol generation device, and the power supply unit program of the aerosol generation device of the present invention, the occurrence of a defect in the sensor can be detected.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an aerosol generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the 1st example detected as the non-normal condition which concerns on the embodiment. The figure which shows the 2nd example detected as the abnormal state which concerns on the embodiment. The figure which shows the 3rd example detected as the non-normal condition which concerns on the embodiment. The figure which shows the example of measurement of predetermined time Ta which concerns on the same embodiment. The figure which shows the other example of measurement of predetermined time Ta which concerns on the same embodiment. The figure which shows the 4th example detected as the non-normal condition which concerns on the embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of state detection processing according to the embodiment; The flowchart which shows another example explaining the state detection processing concerning the embodiment.

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

  The aerosol generation device 1 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a heating cigarette or an electronic cigarette. 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 device 1 according to the present embodiment.

  The aerosol generating device 1 includes a cartridge unit 100, a capsule unit 200, and a power supply unit 300, as shown in FIG. The aerosol generation device 1 is configured, for example, in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the 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 so as not to be removable or may be configured to be removable.

  The cartridge unit 100 includes a reservoir 110, a supply unit 120, and an atomizing unit 140 provided with a load 130, as shown in FIG.

  The storage unit 110 is a container for storing 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. Also, the aerosol source may be a mixed solution containing nicotine solution, 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. Also, the other end of the supply unit 120 is connected to the load 130 or disposed near the load 130. With such a configuration, the supply unit 120 can lead the aerosol source sucked from the storage unit 110 to the load 130 or in the vicinity thereof. In addition, a wick formed 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 power is supplied. The load 130 may be wound around the supply unit 120 or may be covered by the supply unit 120. Power is supplied to the load 130 from a power supply unit 320 described later, based on control by a control unit 340 described later included in the power supply unit 300. When the load 130 is powered, the aerosol source introduced by the supply 120 is heated by the load 130 to produce an aerosol.

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

  The flavor source 210 is constituted by a raw material piece of plant material that imparts a flavor component to an aerosol. As a raw material piece which comprises a flavor source, the molded object which shape | molded materials, such as a cut tobacco and a tobacco raw material, in the granular form or the sheet form, for example is used. Moreover, plants (for example, mint, herbs, etc.) other than tobacco may be used for the raw material piece which comprises the flavor source 210. As shown in FIG. The flavor source 210 may be provided with a flavor such as menthol.

  Arrows in FIG. 1 indicate the flow of air in the cartridge unit 100 and the capsule unit 200. Air taken in from the outside via an air intake port (not shown) is mixed with the aerosol and added with a flavor component in the process of passing through the inside of the aerosol generating device 1 (cartridge unit 100 and capsule unit 200), It is sucked by the user. 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 provided to the atomizing unit 140. Then, when the air mixed with the aerosol passes the capsule unit 200, a 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 to which the flavor component is added is aspirated by the user from the end of the capsule unit 200. That is, the aerosol to which the flavor component is added is aspirated by the user.

  Power supply unit 300 includes a power supply button 310, a power supply unit 320, a sensor unit 330, a control unit 340 including a time measuring unit 341, a storage unit 350, and a notification unit 360, as shown in FIG. .

  The power button 310 is a button for transitioning the operation state of the aerosol generation device 1. When the power button 310 is pressed and the power is turned on, the state of the aerosol generation device 1 becomes an active state described later. In addition, when the power generation button 1 is pressed and the power is turned off when the state of the aerosol generation device 1 is in the active state, the state of the aerosol generation device 1 transitions from the active state to a pause state described later.

  In addition, it is synonymous with the state of the aerosol production | generation apparatus 1 being an active state, and the state of the battery unit 300 being an active state. Moreover, it is synonymous with the state of the aerosol production | generation apparatus 1 being a rest state, and the state of the battery unit 300 being a rest state.

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

  The sensor unit 330 is a sensor that outputs a predetermined output value (for example, a voltage value or a current value) to the control unit 340 according to, for example, the flow rate and / or flow rate of the gas passing therethrough. Such a sensor unit 330 is used to detect a suction operation by the user (an operation that requires the aerosol generation device 1 to generate an aerosol). Although various sensors can be used as the sensor unit 330, for example, a microphone capacitor or the like is used.

Here, the microphone capacitor is a sensor that includes a diaphragm that is a metal plate that vibrates due to a change in sound or pressure caused by the user's suction operation, and a back plate that is a fixed metal plate. Then, based on the change in capacitance defined by the diaphragm and the back plate, the controller 340 detects a suction operation by the user.
Specifically, when there is no change in sound or pressure due to the suction operation of the user, the diaphragm does not vibrate, so the capacitance defined by the diaphragm and the back plate does not change. On the other hand, when a change in sound or pressure caused by the user's suction operation occurs, the diaphragm vibrates based on the change in sound or pressure, and the capacitance defined by the diaphragm and the back plate changes. . Then, the suction operation by the user is detected based on the change in the capacitance.

  When the power button 310 is pressed, the control unit 340 causes the aerosol generation device 1 to transition to one of two operation states. In the two operation states, an active state in which power is supplied from the power supply unit 320 to each part of the aerosol generation device 1 and no power or only minimal power is supplied from the power supply unit 320 to each part of the aerosol generation device 1 It is a state of rest that can not be obtained. When the state of the aerosol generation device 1 is an active state, when the sensor unit 330 detects a suction operation by the user, the control unit 340 supplies power to the power supply unit 320 to the load 130 to atomize the aerosol source. . Further, when the state of the power supply unit 300 is in the inactive 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. Thus, the aerosol source is not atomized. The supply of power from the power supply unit 320 to the load 130 under the control of the control unit 340 is continuously performed when the sensor unit 330 detects a suction operation by the user.

  Further, based on the output from the sensor unit 330 and the output from the time measuring unit 341 that measures various times such as the start time of the suction operation by the user, the control unit 340 determines that the state of the sensor unit 330 is normal and It detects which of the non-normal states it is. In addition, the time measurement part 341 is an instrument which can measure time, such as a timepiece and a stopwatch, for example, and the type is not limited.

  Here, the normal state refers to a state in which no malfunction occurs in the sensor unit 330 and the sensor unit 330 can normally detect the suction operation of the user. In other words, the normal state refers to a state in which the sensor unit 330 detects the suction operation when the user performs the suction operation, and power is supplied to the load 130 to generate an aerosol.

  The non-normal state is a state in which the sensor unit 330 has a defect and the sensor unit 330 can not normally detect the suction operation of the user. Here, the following four examples are examples in which the control unit 340 detects that the state of the sensor unit 330 is the non-normal state.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a first example in which the control unit 340 detects that the state of the sensor unit 330 is in the non-normal state. In the first example, the control unit 340 detects that the state of the sensor unit 330 is in the non-normal state based on the interval of the suction operation.

  The control unit 340 acquires an output for detecting the suction operation from the sensor unit 330, and acquires information on the time associated with the output from the time measurement unit 341. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the sensor unit 330 calculates an interval t1 between the previous suction operation and the current suction operation based on the output and the time information. Specifically, the interval t1 is calculated by taking the difference between the end time of the previous suction operation and the start time of the current suction operation.

  Then, the control unit 340 determines whether the state of the sensor 330 is the normal state or the non-normal state based on whether the interval t1 is equal to or less than the threshold time T1 (for example, 0.1 seconds). judge. The control unit 340 determines that the state of the sensor unit 330 is the normal state when the interval t1 exceeds the threshold time T1, and the state of the sensor unit 330 is the interval when the interval t1 is equal to or less than the threshold time T1. It determines that it is an abnormal state.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a second example in which the control unit 340 detects that the state of the sensor unit 330 is in the non-normal state. In the second example, the control unit 340 detects that the state of the sensor unit 330 is in the non-normal state based on the duration of one suction operation.

  The control unit 340 acquires an output for detecting the suction operation from the sensor unit 330, and acquires information on the time associated with the output from the time measurement unit 341. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the sensor unit 330 calculates the duration t2 of one suction operation defined from the difference between the start time and the end time of the suction operation based on the output and the information of the time. Do.

  Then, the control unit 340 determines whether the state of the sensor 330 is the normal state or the non-normal state based on whether the duration t2 of the suction operation is equal to or less than the threshold time T2 (for example, 0.1 seconds). Determine if there is. The control unit 340 determines that the state of the sensor 330 is the normal state when the duration t2 exceeds the threshold time T2, and the state of the sensor 330 is non-normal when the duration t2 is less than or equal to the threshold time T2. It determines that it is a state.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a third example in which the control unit 340 detects that the state of the sensor unit 330 is in the non-normal state. In the third example, the control unit 340 detects that the state of the sensor unit 330 is in the non-normal state, based on the integrated heating time of the aerosol source by the load 130 within a predetermined time.

  The control unit 340 acquires an output for detecting the suction operation from the sensor unit 330, and acquires information on the time associated with the output from the time measurement unit 341. Then, based on the output and information of the time, the control unit 340 calculates the total time that the sensor unit 330 detects the suction operation within a predetermined time Ta (for example, 30 seconds), that is, the integrated heating of the aerosol source by the load 130 Calculate time t3.

  Then, the control unit 340 determines whether the sensor unit 330 is in the normal state or in the non-normal state based on whether the integrated heating time t3 within the predetermined time Ta is equal to or longer than the threshold time T3 (for example, 20 seconds). It is determined whether or not. When integrated heating time t3 within predetermined time Ta is less than threshold time T3, control unit 340 determines that the state of sensor 330 is the normal state, and integrated heating time t3 within predetermined time Ta is threshold time T3. When it is above, it is determined that the state of the sensor 330 is an abnormal state. Specifically, for example, when the integrated heating time within 30 seconds exceeds 20 seconds, the control unit 340 determines that the state of the sensor 330 is the non-normal state.

  In addition, predetermined time Ta mentioned above may be repeatedly measured, for example as the starting point when the aerosol production | generation apparatus 1 transfers to a normal state from rest condition by pressing of the power button 310, as FIG. 5 shows. With such a configuration, since the state of the sensor unit 330 can always be detected in the normal state where the user's suction operation can be detected, the control unit 340 determines that the state of the sensor unit 330 is in the abnormal state. It is possible to detect things without leaks.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, the sensor unit 330 detects the suction operation for the first time after the aerosol generation device 1 transitions from the rest state to the normal state by pressing the power button 310, as shown in FIG. It may be repeatedly measured with time as a starting point. With such a configuration, the control unit 340 can detect that the state of the sensor unit 330 has become an abnormal state without leak. In addition to that, since the start-up time of the time measurement unit 341 can be minimized, energy saving can be realized.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a fourth example in which the control unit 340 detects that the state of the sensor unit 330 is in the non-normal state. In the fourth example, the control unit 340 detects that the state of the sensor unit 330 is in the non-normal state based on the number of times of the suction operation detected by the sensor unit 330 within a predetermined time.

  The control unit 340 acquires an output for detecting the suction operation from the sensor unit 330, and acquires information on the time associated with the output from the time measurement unit 341. Then, the control unit 340 calculates the number of times the sensor unit 330 has detected the suction operation within a predetermined time Tb (for example, 50 seconds) based on the output and the information of time.

  Then, the control unit 340 determines that the state of the sensor unit 330 is normal based on whether the number of times the sensor unit 330 detects the suction operation within the predetermined time Tb is N times (for example, 40 times) or more. It is determined whether there is a certain or non-normal state. The control unit 340 determines that the state of the sensor 330 is the normal state when the number of times the sensor unit 330 detects the suction operation within the predetermined time Tb is less than N, and the sensor unit 330 within the predetermined time Tb. When the number of times the suction operation is detected is N times or more, it is determined that the state of the sensor 330 is an abnormal state. In addition, predetermined time Tb is repeatedly measured by the same method as Ta mentioned above, for example. With such a configuration, the control unit 340 can detect that the state of the sensor unit 330 has become an abnormal state without leak. In addition to that, since the start-up time of the time measurement unit 341 can be minimized, energy saving can be realized.

  Here, in the first example, since the interval of the suction operation is short and the load 130 continues to be maintained at a high temperature, the aerosol source suctioned and held by the supply unit 120 from the storage unit 110 to be supplied to the load 130 Is expected to continue to be heated. Therefore, it is assumed that the aerosol source is depleted, ie, the aerosol is not generated gradually.

  In the second example, it is assumed that the aerosol is not generated by the load 130 since the duration of the aspiration operation is short and the load 130 does not warm sufficiently.

  In the third and fourth examples, since the aerosol source is excessively heated by the load 130, the aerosol source sucked and held from the reservoir 110 for the supply unit 120 to supply the load 130 is depleted. It is assumed that Therefore, it is assumed that the aerosol is not generated gradually. When the sensor unit 330 is in the normal state, the aerosol source held by the supply unit 120 is assumed not to be depleted because the aerosol source is not excessively heated by the load 130.

  The behavior of the sensor unit 330 shown in the first to fourth examples is a behavior that is less likely to occur during normal use of the aerosol generation device 1 by the user. That is, the suction operation detected by the sensor unit 330 in the first to fourth examples is not a suction operation by the user but a suction operation caused by a defect in the sensor unit 330. In other words, the suction operation detected by the sensor unit 330 in the first to fourth examples is a suction operation detected and generated by the sensor unit 330 which has caused a problem. Therefore, it is determined that the sensor unit 330 showing the behavior shown in the first to fourth examples described above has a defect.

  From the above, the output value from the sensor unit 330 in which the control unit 340 determines that the state of the sensor unit 330 is in the normal state, and the sensor unit 330 determines that the state of the sensor unit 330 is in the non-normal state. It can be said that the value is different from the output value.

  In addition, after the power supply button 310 is pressed and the aerosol generation device 1 transitions from the inactive state to the active state, the control unit 340 constantly determines whether the above-described sensor unit 330 is in the normal state or the non-normal state. A process of detecting the condition (hereinafter referred to as "state detection process") is executed. On the other hand, when the power supply button 310 is pressed and the power supply unit 300 transitions from the active state to the hibernate state, the control unit 340 does not perform the state detection process. The 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 device 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 in the non-normal state, the storage unit 350 stores information on the non-normal state. Specifically, the storage unit 350 stores the contents of the defect that has occurred in the sensor unit 330.

  Furthermore, in the storage unit 350, the number of times the control unit 340 detects that the state of the sensor unit 330 is in the non-normal state (hereinafter referred to as “the number of detections”) And a limit threshold, which is a value limiting the transition of Details of the number of times of detection 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 based on the control of the control unit 340. For example, when the control unit 340 detects that the state of the sensor unit 330 is an abnormal state, the notification unit 360 emits light based on the control of the control unit 340. The luminescent color of the notification unit 360 is not particularly limited, as it may be a cold (blue) color or a warm (red) color.

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

  Next, the state detection process will be described in more detail. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the state detection process performed by the control unit 340.

  When the state of the aerosol generation device 1 is in the pause state, the control unit 340 determines whether the power button 310 is pressed (ST101). When it is determined that the power button 310 is not pressed (ST101: NO), the process of step ST101 is performed again. That is, the state of the aerosol suction device 1 is in the pause state until the power button 310 is pressed.

  When it is determined that the power button 310 is pressed (ST101: YES), the control unit 340 causes the state of the aerosol generation device 1 to transition from the pause state to the active state (ST102).

  Then, as described above, the control unit 340 determines whether the state of the sensor 330 is the normal state based on whether the interval t1 between the previous suction operation and the current suction operation is equal to or less than the threshold time T1. It is determined whether it is an abnormal state (ST103).

  When the interval t1 exceeds the threshold time T1 (ST103: NO), as described above, the control unit 340 detects the sensor 330 based on whether the duration t2 of one suction operation is equal to or less than the threshold time T2. It is determined whether the state of is a normal state or a non-normal state (ST104).

  When the duration t2 of one suction operation exceeds the threshold time T2 (ST104: NO), as described above, the control unit 340 determines whether the integrated heating time t3 within the predetermined time Ta is the threshold time T3 or more. Whether the state of the sensor unit 330 is the normal state or the non-normal state is determined based on the parameter (ST105).

  If the integrated heating time t3 within the predetermined time Ta is less than the threshold time T3 (ST105: NO), as described above, the control unit 340 determines the number of times the sensor unit 330 detects the suction operation within the predetermined time Tb. Whether or not the state of the sensor unit 330 is the normal state or the non-normal state is determined based on whether or not N times or more (ST106).

  If the number of times the sensor unit 330 has detected the suction operation within the predetermined time Tb is less than N (ST106: NO), the processing after ST103 is executed again. Therefore, when the state of the aerosol generation device 1 is the active state, the process of determining whether the state of the sensor unit 330 is the non-normal state is always performed.

  Here, when the interval t1 is less than or equal to the threshold time T1 (ST103: YES), when the duration t2 of one suction operation is less than or equal to the threshold time T2 (ST104: YES), the integrated heating time t3 within the predetermined time Ta is a threshold If the time is longer than T3 (ST105: YES), or if the number of times the sensor unit 330 detects the suction operation within the predetermined time Tb is N or more (ST106: YES), that is, the state of the sensor unit 330 is not If it is determined that the state is the normal state, control unit 340 causes storage portion 350 to store in which process of ST103 to ST106 it is detected that the state of sensor 330 is the non-normal state (ST107 ). In other words, the control unit 340 causes the storage unit 350 to store the content of the failure (the content in the non-normal state) generated in the sensor unit 330. As described above, by storing the content of the defect in the storage unit 350, the content of the defect can be easily grasped without performing a special inspection when the aerosol generating device 1 is repaired later. The man-hours required for can be significantly reduced.

  Then, control unit 340 causes notification unit 360 to operate (ST 108). Specifically, the control unit 340 causes the notification unit 360 to emit light. Accordingly, it is possible to notify the user using the aerosol generation device 1 that the sensor unit 330 has a problem.

  Also, the control unit 340 causes the aerosol generation device 1 to transition from the active state to the inactive state (ST109). As described above, in the case where the sensor unit 330 has a problem, the aerosol generation can be normally performed although the aerosol can not be generated normally by transitioning the state of the aerosol suction device 1 to the resting state in which the aerosol is not generated. Power can be prevented from being supplied to each part 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 outputs an output for detecting the suction operation from the sensor unit 330 and information on the time associated with the output from the time measurement unit 341. And detects whether the state of the sensor unit 330 is the normal state or the non-normal state. Specifically, the controller 340 calculates an interval of suction operation calculated based on the output and information of the time, a duration of one suction operation, an integrated heating time of the load 130 in a predetermined time, and a suction operation in the predetermined time. When at least one of the number of times satisfies the predetermined condition, it is detected that the state of the sensor unit 330 is an abnormal state. Therefore, in the aerosol production | generation apparatus 1 in this embodiment, generation | occurrence | production of the malfunction in a sensor can be detected.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when a defect occurs in the sensor, the defect can be detected. For example, when the user is not performing the suction operation, the aerosol generating device atomizes the allosol source. Can prevent the waste of the aerosol source. That is, the aerosol generation device in the present embodiment has resource saving and energy saving effects.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the state detection process performed by the control unit 340 has been described using the example illustrated in FIG. 8, but is not limited thereto. For example, the state detection process performed by the control unit 340 may be an example illustrated in FIG.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is different from the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 in that ST201 to ST203 are added and that the process of ST101 is executed again after ST109. In ST203, the control unit 340 causes the storage unit 350 to store the number of times (the number of times of detection) that the state of the sensor unit 330 is detected to be in the non-normal state.

  Hereinafter, it is assumed that the process of ST203 has already been performed a plurality of times, that is, the control unit 340 has detected the state of the sensor unit 330 a plurality of times if it is an abnormal state. The flowchart shown in FIG. 9 will be mainly described.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, when the control unit 340 detects that the state of the sensor unit 330 is in the non-normal state (YES in any of ST103, ST104, ST105, and ST106), ST107, ST203, and ST105. After the processing of ̃106, the processing of ST101 is executed again. Therefore, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, the process of ST203 may be performed multiple times. Therefore, it is assumed that the number of times of detection stored in the storage unit 340 can be updated.

  When the power supply button 310 is pressed again in ST101 (ST101: YES), the control unit 340 reads the information stored in the storage unit 350 (ST201). Specifically, the control unit 340 reads the number of times of detection and a limit threshold which is a threshold for limiting the transition from the dormant state of the aerosol generation device 1 to the active state.

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

  On the other hand, if the number of times of detection is equal to or more than the limit threshold (ST202: NO), the process ends. For example, when the number of detections is 3 and the limit threshold is 3, the process ends. That is, the state of the aerosol generation device 1 does not transition from the dormant state to the active state thereafter. The reason for controlling the transition of the state of the aerosol generation device 1 based on the comparison between the number of detections and the limit threshold is as follows.

  By getting wet with the aerosol source leaked from the storage unit 110, the sensor unit 330 may temporarily malfunction. Specifically, when the diaphragm in the sensor unit 330 gets wet with the aerosol source, the diaphragm does not vibrate normally, which may cause the sensor unit 330 to malfunction. Then, based on the malfunction, the control unit 340 may detect that the state of the sensor unit 330 is an abnormal state. The diaphragm often returns to a normal vibrating state when the wetting by the aerosol source is eliminated by drying or the like. That is, a malfunction due to wetting with an aerosol source is often eliminated when the wetting is dry.

  Under such circumstances, if the number of times of detection is less than the limit threshold, the abnormal state of the sensor unit 330 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 the threshold or more, the abnormal state of the sensor unit 330 is considered to be due to a permanent failure, and the aerosol generation device 1 transitions from the inactive state to the active state again. There is nothing to do.

  Therefore, in the flowchart of the detection process shown in FIG. 9, as to the abnormal state of the sensor unit 330, whether the abnormal state is temporary due to leakage of the aerosol source or permanent such as a short circuit. The state transition of the aerosol generation device 1 is controlled. Therefore, the aerosol generation device 1 can not be put into a state where it can not be used even though the permanent problem has not occurred in the aerosol generation device 1, so that the convenience regarding the use of the aerosol generation device 1 can be improved. it can.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, although the case where the aerosol production | generation apparatus 1 produced | generated aerosol according to a user's suction operation was demonstrated, it 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 the above embodiment can be obtained.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the notification unit 360 has been described in the case of emitting light under the control of the control unit 340, but is not limited thereto. For example, the notification unit 360 may be configured to vibrate with a predetermined vibration pattern when the control unit 340 detects an abnormal state of the sensor unit 330, or may be configured to output a predetermined sound. Good. Also, the notification unit 360 may make a notification combining them. Specifically, for example, the notification unit 360 may make a notification combining light and vibration, or may make a notification combining light, vibration and sound.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and at the implementation stage, the constituent elements can be modified and embodied without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriate combinations of a plurality of components disclosed in the above-described embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the above-described embodiment. Furthermore, the configurations of different embodiments may be combined.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... aerosol generation apparatus, 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 unit, 330: sensor unit, 340: control unit, 341: time measurement unit, 350: storage unit, 360: notification unit, AR: air flow path

Claims (18)

A power supply unit of the aerosol generating device,
A sensor that detects an aerosol generation request when the power supply unit is active ;
And a control unit that determines whether the sensor is in the normal state or the non-normal state based on an output value from the sensor that has detected the aerosol generation request.
The power supply unit of an aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the power supply unit to transition to a hibernate state that can transition to the active state again when the non-normal state is detected . The control unit may cause the power supply unit to transition from the hibernate state to the active state again when the non-normal state to which the sensor has transitioned is a state due to the leakage of the aerosol source.
A power supply unit of the aerosol generation device according to claim 1. The output value from the sensor determined by the control unit to be in the normal state is different from the output value from the sensor determined by the control unit to be in the non-normal state
The power supply unit of the aerosol production | generation apparatus described in Claim 1 or 2. The output value from the sensor that the control unit determines to be in the non-normal state is a value that is not attributable to an aerosol generation request by the user of the aerosol generation device.
A power supply unit of the aerosol generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The output value from the sensor that the control unit determines to be in the non-normal state is a value due to an aerosol generation request generated by the sensor and detected by itself.
The power supply unit of the aerosol production | generation apparatus described in Claim 4. In the non-normal state, when the aerosol source is not atomized by the atomization unit which receives the power supply from the power supply unit, or the aerosol source held by the supply unit which supplies the aerosol source to the atomization unit is exhausted When the atomization unit atomizes the aerosol source, the control unit
A power supply unit of the aerosol generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. In the normal state, the atomization unit receiving power supply from the power supply unit atomizes the aerosol source so that the aerosol source held by the supply unit that supplies the aerosol source to the atomization unit is not depleted. Is determined by the control unit.
A power supply unit of the aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. When the time interval from when the sensor detects a certain aerosol generation request to when the next aerosol generation request is detected is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the control unit determines that the state of the sensor is an abnormal state judge
The power supply unit of the aerosol generation apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 7. The control unit determines that the state of the sensor is an abnormal state when the duration of the aerosol generation request detected by the sensor is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold.
A power supply unit of the aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The control unit determines that the state of the sensor is the non-normal state when the total time in which the sensor detects the aerosol generation request within the predetermined time is equal to or more than the predetermined threshold.
The power supply unit of the aerosol production | generation apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-9. The control unit determines that the state of the sensor is an abnormal state when the number of aerosol generation requests detected by the sensor within a predetermined time is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold.
The power supply unit of the aerosol generation apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-10. Further equipped with a notification unit
The control unit, when determining that the state of the sensor is an abnormal state, causes the notification unit to notify that the state of the sensor is an abnormal state.
A power supply unit of the aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 11. Further comprising a storage unit,
The power supply unit of an aerosol generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, 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 generation device according to claim 13, wherein the storage unit further stores information indicating the content of the abnormal state detected by the control unit. When the control unit detects an 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 if the number is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold, and the number of times is a predetermined threshold The power supply unit of the aerosol generation apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the power supply unit is transitioned to the active state when it is less than. The control unit, the power supply unit is at active, before xenon capacitors state the normal state and said any one of claims 1 to 15 performs a process of detecting which one of the states of the non-normal state The power supply unit of the aerosol production | generation apparatus described in the term . A control method of a power supply unit of an aerosol generating device, comprising:
When the power supply unit is in the active state , whether the state of the sensor is the normal state or the non-normal state based on the step of detecting the aerosol generation request and the output value from the sensor detecting the aerosol generation request Determining steps ;
Transitioning the power supply unit to a hibernate state that can transition to the active state again when the non-normal state is detected . A computer that executes a program for a power supply unit of the aerosol generation device ;
A process of detecting an aerosol generation request when the power supply unit is in an active state ;
Determining whether the state of the sensor is the normal state or the non-normal state based on an output value from a sensor that has detected the aerosol generation request ;
A program for a power supply unit of an aerosol generation device for executing a process of transitioning the power supply unit to a hibernate state that can transition to the active state again when the non-normal state is detected .

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