JP6678807B2 - Non-burning type flavor inhaler and aerosol delivery method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a non-burning type flavor inhaler having an atomizing unit for atomizing an aerosol source without burning and an aerosol delivery method.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a non-burning type flavor inhaler for sucking a flavor without burning has been known. The non-burning type flavor inhaler has an atomizing unit that atomizes an aerosol source without burning without burning and a sensor that detects a user's puff operation. The non-burning type flavor inhaler starts supplying power to the atomizing unit in response to detection of the puff operation (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-11-089551

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a non-burning type flavor inhaler, wherein the non-burning type flavor inhaler atomizes an aerosol source without burning, and includes an atomizing unit including a heating resistor. A control unit for controlling the atomization unit, and a push button, wherein the control unit is turned on by operating the push button, and after the operation of generating heat in the heating resistor is started, the control unit performs the operation. The operation is stopped after a lapse of a predetermined time from the start of the operation, and thereafter, the operation is restarted, and the operation includes pulse control for intermittently generating heat in the heating resistor.
In the following, some features of the invention described in this specification are described separately from the above invention, but those features are related to the invention described in the claims at the time of filing the application of the present application. Yes, it is not the invention described in the claims of the present application.
A first feature is a non-burning type flavor inhaler, comprising: an atomizing unit for atomizing an aerosol source without burning; and a control unit for controlling a power output to the atomizing unit. The gist is to start supplying power to the atomizing unit before the user's puff operation starts, and to stop supplying power to the atomizing unit during the user's puff operation.

The second feature is the non-burning type flavor inhaler according to the first feature, wherein the non-burning type flavor inhaler includes an atomizing switch that switches to a state of stopping supply of power output to the atomizing unit when a user's puff operation is performed. The point is to prepare.

A third feature is the gist of the second feature, wherein the atomization switch switches to a state in which supply of power output to the atomization unit is started when the puff operation of the user is stopped.

A fourth feature is the second feature or the third feature, wherein the atomization switch is interlocked with a suction sensor that detects a puff operation, and the control unit detects that the puff operation is detected by the suction sensor. In this case, the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit is stopped.

A fifth feature is the atomizing switch according to any of the second to fourth features,
The gist is linked to a suction sensor for detecting a puff operation, and the control unit starts supplying power to the atomizing unit when the puff operation is no longer detected by the suction sensor.

A sixth feature is the second feature or the third feature, wherein the atomization switch is interlocked with a user operation on an operation interface, and the control unit stops performing a user operation on the operation interface. In some cases, the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit is stopped.

A seventh feature is any one of the second feature, the third feature, and the sixth feature, wherein the atomization switch is interlocked with a user operation on an operation interface, and the control unit includes the operation interface. The point is that when a user operation is performed on, supply of a power output to the atomization unit is started.

An eighth aspect is the first aspect, wherein the non-burning type flavor inhaler is turned on when a user operation on the operation interface is performed, and when the user operation on the operation interface is not performed. A first switch that switches to an off state, and a second switch that switches to an on state when the user's puff operation starts and switches to an off state when the user's puff operation ends. A summary of starting supply of a power output to the atomization unit when switched to an on state, and stopping supply of power output to the atomization unit when the second switch is switched to an on state. And

A ninth feature is the control according to any one of the first to eighth features, wherein the control unit starts the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit, and when the first time has elapsed, the control unit performs the atomization. The gist of the present invention is to stop the supply of the power output to the conversion unit.

A tenth feature is the ninth feature, wherein the control unit is configured to perform the atomization when a second time elapses after the supply of the power output to the atomization unit is stopped after the elapse of the first time. The point is to restart the supply of the power output to the unit.

An eleventh feature is the non-burning type flavor inhaler according to any of the first to tenth features, wherein the non-burning type flavor inhaler can supply a desired amount of aerosol during a period in which the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied. The gist of the present invention is to provide a notifying unit for notifying.

According to a twelfth feature, in any one of the first to eleventh features, a notifying unit is provided for notifying that a desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied during a period in which a desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied. Is the gist.

A thirteenth feature is that in the first to twelfth features, an absorbing member that absorbs the condensed aerosol is provided on a wall surface exposed to a flow path of the aerosol generated by the atomizing unit. I do.

According to a fourteenth feature, in any one of the first to thirteenth features, the non-burning type flavor inhaler includes a suction sensor for detecting a puff operation, and the control unit controls the puff operation by the suction sensor. When switching from a non-suction state where no suction is detected to a suction state where a puff operation is detected by the suction sensor and switching from the suction state to the non-suction state is performed, power is supplied to the atomizing unit. The point is to trigger processing.

A fifteenth feature is an aerosol delivery method, wherein a step A of generating aerosol in the suction path in a state where no fluid flow is generated in a continuous suction path from the inlet to the outlet, And a step B of moving the aerosol into the oral cavity of the user by the fluid flow in the suction path while the generation of the aerosol is stopped.

A sixteenth feature is the thirteenth feature, wherein the step A is a step of starting supply of a power output to an atomizing unit when a user operation is performed on an operation interface, and the step B is performed at the step B. The gist of the present invention is to stop supplying the power output to the atomizing unit when the user operation on the operation interface is not performed.

In the above features, it should be noted that the user operation on the operation interface does not include the user's puff operation. The operation interface is not particularly limited, but is an interface directly operated by a user's hand or the like, and the user operation on the operation interface is, for example, a button operation, a lever operation, a switch operation, or the like.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a flavor inhaler 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the atomization unit 111 according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a block configuration of the flavor inhaler 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing an example of controlling the power output to the atomizing unit 111R according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the aerosol delivery method according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the aerosol delivery method according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the aerosol delivery method according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a block configuration of the flavor inhaler 100 according to the first modification. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a control example of power supply output to the atomizing unit 111R according to the first modification. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a block configuration of the flavor inhaler 100 according to the second modification. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an aerosol delivery method according to the second modification.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and ratios of dimensions may be different from actual ones.

Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined in consideration of the following description. In addition, it is needless to say that dimensional relationships and ratios are different between drawings.

[Overview of Embodiment]
The non-burning type flavor inhaler described in the background art described above starts supplying the power output to the atomizing unit in response to the detection of the puff operation. However, since the temperature of the atomization unit changes during the generation of the aerosol by the atomization unit, the particle size distribution of the particles constituting the aerosol is widened. In other words, the particle size of the particles constituting the aerosol varies within one puff operation or between a plurality of puff operations.

A non-burning type flavor inhaler according to an embodiment includes an atomizing unit that atomizes an aerosol source without burning, and a control unit that controls a power output to the atomizing unit, wherein the control unit includes a user. Before starting the puff operation, the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit is started, and the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit is stopped during the puff operation of the user.

In the embodiment, the control unit stops the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit during the puff operation of the user. While the aerosol is being generated by the atomizing unit, the temperature of the atomizing unit does not change due to the user's puff operation. Therefore, the situation where the particle size of the particles constituting the aerosol varies within one puff operation or between a plurality of puff operations is suppressed.

[Embodiment]
(Non-burning type flavor inhaler)
Hereinafter, the non-burning type flavor inhaler according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a view showing a non-burning type flavor inhaler 100 according to the embodiment. The non-burning type flavor suction device 100 is a device for sucking a flavor component without burning, and has a shape extending along a predetermined direction A which is a direction from a non-mouth end to a mouth end. FIG. 2 shows an atomizing unit 11 according to the embodiment.
FIG. In the following, it should be noted that the non-burning type flavor inhaler 100 is simply referred to as the flavor inhaler 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, the flavor inhaler 100 has an inhaler main body 110 and a cartridge 130.

The suction device main body 110 constitutes the main body of the flavor suction device 100, and has a shape to which the cartridge 130 can be connected. Specifically, the suction device main body 110 includes a suction device housing 110X.
The cartridge 130 is connected to the suction end of the suction device housing 110X. The inhaler main body 110 has an atomizing unit 111 configured to atomize the aerosol source without burning, and an electrical unit 112.

In the embodiment, the atomizing unit 111 has a first cylindrical body 111X that forms a part of the suction device housing 110X. As shown in FIG. 2, the atomizing unit 111 has a reservoir 111P.
And a wick 111Q and an atomizing unit 111R. Reservoir 111P, wick 11
The 1Q and the atomizing unit 111R are housed in the first cylindrical body 111X. The first cylindrical body 111X has a cylindrical shape (for example, a cylindrical shape) extending along the predetermined direction A. The reservoir 111P holds an aerosol source. For example, the reservoir 111P is a porous body made of a material such as a resin web. The wick 111Q is an example of a liquid holding member that holds an aerosol source supplied from the reservoir 111P. For example, the wick 111Q is made of glass fiber. The atomization unit 111R atomizes the aerosol source held by the wick 111Q. The atomizing unit 111R is configured by, for example, a heating resistor (for example, a heating wire) wound around the wick 111Q at a predetermined pitch.

The aerosol source is a liquid such as glycerin or propylene glycol. The aerosol source is held by a porous body made of a material such as a resin web, for example, as described above. The porous body may be made of a non-tobacco material, or may be made of a tobacco material. In addition, the aerosol source may include a flavor component (for example, a nicotine component). Alternatively, the aerosol source may not include flavor components.

In the embodiment, an absorbing member 111S that absorbs the condensed aerosol is provided on a wall surface exposed to the flow path of the aerosol generated by the atomizing unit 111R. The wall surface exposed to the aerosol flow path is, for example, the inner surface of the first cylindrical body 111X exposed to the aerosol flow path, the outer surface of the reservoir 111P exposed to the aerosol flow path, and the like. Here, the absorbing member 111S
Is not in contact with the reservoir 111P, it is preferable that the aerosol (condensed aerosol) absorbed by the absorbing member 111S be guided from the absorbing member 111S to the atomizing section 111R by utilizing a capillary phenomenon. On the other hand, when the absorbing member 111S is in contact with the reservoir 111P, it is preferable that the aerosol (condensed aerosol) absorbed by the absorbing member 111S be guided from the absorbing member 111S to the reservoir 111P. The absorbing member 111S may be a member having a function of absorbing condensed aerosol, and may be made of, for example, the same material (resin web) as the reservoir 111P.
It may be made of the same material (glass fiber) as 11Q.

The electrical unit 112 includes a second cylindrical body 112X that constitutes a part of the suction device housing 110X.
Having. In the embodiment, the electrical component unit 112 has an inlet 112A. As shown in FIG. 2, the air flowing from the inlet 112A is guided to the atomizing unit 111 (atomizing section 111R). Specifically, the electrical unit 112 includes the power supply 10 and the suction sensor 20.
, A push button 30, a light emitting element 40, and a control circuit 50. The power supply 10, the suction sensor 20, the push button 30, and the control circuit 50 are housed in the second cylinder 112X. The second cylindrical body 112X has a cylindrical shape (for example, a cylindrical shape) extending along the predetermined direction A.

The power supply 10 is, for example, a lithium ion battery. The power supply 10 stores electric power required for the operation of the flavor inhaler 100. For example, the power supply 10 stores power to be supplied to the suction sensor 20 and the control circuit 50. Further, the power supply 10 accumulates electric power to be supplied to the atomizing unit 111 (the atomizing unit 111R).

The suction sensor 20 detects a fluid flow in a continuous suction path from the inlet 112A to the outlet 130A. The suction sensor 20 is connected between the inlet 112A and the outlet 1
When the fluid flow to the 30A side is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold, suction (suction state) is detected. The suction sensor 20 detects non-suction (non-suction state) when the fluid flow from the inlet 112A to the outlet 130A side is less than a predetermined threshold.

The push button 30 is configured to be pushed from the outside to the inside of the flavor inhaler 100. In the embodiment, the push button 30 is provided at the non-mouth end of the flavor inhaler 100,
It is configured to be pushed in the direction from the non-mouth end to the mouth end (that is, the predetermined direction A). For example, when the power of the flavor inhaler 100 is not turned on and the push button 30 is continuously pressed in a predetermined number of times, the power of the flavor inhaler 100 may be turned on. On the other hand, when the power of the flavor inhaler 100 is turned on and the push button 30 is continuously pressed in a predetermined number of times, the power of the flavor inhaler 100 may be turned off. Alternatively, the power of the flavor inhaler 100 may be cut off when a predetermined time has elapsed without performing the puff operation after the puff operation is performed.

The light emitting element 40 is, for example, a light source such as an LED or an electric light. The light emitting element 40 is provided on a side wall extending along a predetermined direction. The light emitting element 40 is preferably provided on a side wall near the non-suction end. Thus, the user can easily visually recognize the light emitting pattern of the light emitting element 40 during the puff operation, as compared with the case where the light emitting element is provided only on the end face of the non-suction end on the axis in the predetermined direction A. The light emitting pattern of the light emitting element 40 is determined by the flavor inhaler 10
This is a pattern for notifying the user of a state of 0.

In the embodiment, the light emitting element 40 may constitute a notification unit that notifies that a desired amount of aerosol can be supplied. Here, the light emitting element 40 may continuously notify that the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied from the start to the end of the period in which the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied. Alternatively, the light emitting element 40 may constitute a notifying unit for notifying that a desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied. Here, the light emitting element 40 may continuously notify that the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied from the start to the end of the period in which the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied.

The control circuit 50 controls the operation of the flavor inhaler 100. Specifically, the control circuit 50
The power supply output to the atomizing unit 111 (the atomizing unit 111R) is controlled. The control circuit 5
0 controls the light emitting element 40.

The cartridge 130 is configured to be connectable to the suction device main body 110 that configures the flavor suction device 100. The cartridge 130 is provided downstream of the atomizing unit 111 on the flow path of gas (hereinafter, air) sucked from the suction port. In other words, the cartridge 130
Is not necessarily provided in the physical space on the suction side of the atomizing unit 111, and is provided downstream of the atomizing unit 111 on the aerosol flow path for guiding the aerosol generated from the atomizing unit 111 to the suction side. It should just be done.

Specifically, the cartridge 130 includes a cartridge housing 131 and a flavor source 132
And a mesh 133A and a filter 133B. Further, the cartridge 130 has an outlet 130A provided at the suction port.

The cartridge housing 131 has a cylindrical shape (for example, a cylindrical shape) extending along the predetermined direction A. The cartridge housing 131 houses the flavor source 132. Here, the cartridge housing 131 is configured to be inserted into the suction device housing 110X along the predetermined direction A.

The flavor source 132 is provided on the outlet 130A (suction) side of the atomizing unit 111 on a continuous suction path from the inlet 112A to the outlet 130A. The flavor source 132 provides a flavor component to the aerosol generated from the aerosol source. In other words, the flavor component imparted to the aerosol by the flavor source 132
It is carried to A (suction).

In the embodiment, the flavor source 132 is constituted by a raw material piece that imparts a flavor component to the aerosol generated from the atomization unit 111. The size of the raw material piece is 0.2 mm or more.
It is preferable that it is 2 mm or less. Furthermore, the size of the raw material piece is 0.2 mm or more and 0.7
mm or less. As the size of the raw material pieces constituting the flavor source 132 is smaller,
Since the specific surface area increases, the flavor component is easily released from the raw material pieces constituting the flavor source 132. Therefore, the amount of the raw material pieces can be suppressed when a desired amount of the flavor component is applied to the aerosol. As a raw material piece constituting the flavor source 132, a cut tobacco or a molded product obtained by forming a tobacco raw material into granules can be used. However, the flavor source 132 may be a molded body obtained by molding the tobacco raw material into a sheet. In addition, the raw material pieces constituting the flavor source 132 may be made of a plant other than tobacco (eg, mint, herb, etc.). The flavor source 132 may be provided with a flavor such as menthol.

Here, the raw material pieces constituting the flavor source 132 are obtained by, for example, sieving according to JIS Z 8815 using a stainless sieve according to JIS Z 8801. For example, a raw material piece is sieved for 20 minutes by a dry and mechanical shaking method using a stainless sieve having a mesh of 0.71 mm, and is passed through a stainless sieve having a mesh of 0.71 mm. Obtain raw material pieces. Subsequently, the raw material pieces were sieved for 20 minutes by a dry and mechanical shaking method using a stainless sieve having a mesh of 0.212 mm, and passed through a stainless steel sieve having a mesh of 0.212 mm. Remove the raw material pieces. That is, the raw material pieces constituting the flavor source 132 are made of a stainless sieve (mesh = 0.71 m) defining the upper limit.
m), and does not pass through a stainless steel sieve (aperture = 0.212 mm) that defines the lower limit. Therefore, in the embodiment, the lower limit of the size of the raw material pieces constituting the flavor source 132 is:
It is defined by the opening of the stainless sieve that defines the lower limit. In addition, the upper limit of the size of the raw material pieces constituting the flavor source 132 is defined by the aperture of the stainless sieve that defines the upper limit.

In embodiments, flavor source 132 is a tobacco source having an alkaline pH. The pH of the tobacco source is preferably greater than 7, more preferably 8 or more. pH
Is larger than 7, the flavor component generated from the tobacco source can be efficiently extracted by the aerosol. Thereby, the amount of the tobacco source can be suppressed when a desired amount of the flavor component is applied to the aerosol. On the other hand, the pH of the tobacco source is preferably 12 or less, more preferably 10 or less. By setting the pH to 12 or less, damage (corrosion or the like) to the flavor inhaler 100 (for example, the cartridge 130 or the aspirator body 110) can be more effectively suppressed.

It should be noted that the flavor component generated from the flavor source 132 is carried by aerosol, and it is not necessary to heat the flavor source 132 itself.

The mesh 133A is provided to close the opening of the cartridge housing 131 upstream of the flavor source 132, and the filter 133B is provided to close the opening of the cartridge housing 131 downstream of the flavor source 132. The mesh 133A is the flavor source 13
It has such a roughness that the raw material pieces constituting No. 2 do not pass through. The roughness of the mesh 133A is, for example,
It has an opening of 0.077 mm or more and 0.198 mm or less. The filter 133B is made of a substance having air permeability. The filter 133B is preferably, for example, an acetate filter. The filter 133B has such a roughness that the raw material pieces constituting the flavor source 132 do not pass through.

(Block configuration)
Hereinafter, a block configuration of the non-burning type flavor inhaler according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a block configuration of the flavor inhaler 100 according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control circuit 50 includes a power switch 51, an atomization switch 52, and a control unit 53.

The power switch 51 is switched on when the power of the flavor suction device 100 is turned on, and is switched off when the power of the flavor suction device 100 is turned off. For example, the power switch 51 is connected to the push button 30, and is turned on when the push button 30 is continuously pressed a predetermined number of times in a state where the power of the flavor inhaler 100 is not turned on. You may switch. On the other hand, the power switch 51 may be switched to the off state when the push button 30 is continuously pressed for a predetermined number of times while the power of the flavor inhaler 100 is turned on. Alternatively, the power switch 51 may have a timer that starts when the puff operation ends, and may be switched to the off state when the timer expires (elapse of a predetermined time).

The atomizing switch 52 is switched to a state in which the supply of power output to the atomizing unit 111R is stopped (off state) when the user performs the puff operation, and the atomizing unit is stopped when the user does not perform the puff operation. The state is switched to a state in which the supply of the power output to 111R is started (ON state). In the embodiment, the atomization switch 52 is linked with a suction sensor that detects a puff operation. The atomization switch 52 switches to the off state when the puff operation is detected by the suction sensor 20. On the other hand, when the puffing operation is no longer detected by the suction sensor 20, the atomizing switch 52 is switched to the ON state.

Here, a state in which the puff operation is not detected by the suction sensor 20 may be referred to as a non-suction state, and a state in which the puff operation is detected by the suction sensor 20 may be referred to as a suction state. Therefore, the atomization switch 52 switches to the off state by switching from the non-suction state to the suction state, and switches to the on state by switching from the suction state to the non-suction state.

The control unit 53 operates the flavor inhaler 100 when the power of the flavor inhaler 100 is turned on.
Control.

First, the control unit 53 controls the power output to the atomizing unit 111R. In the embodiment, the control unit 53 starts supplying the power output to the atomizing unit 111R before the user's puff operation starts, and stops supplying the power output to the atomizing unit 111R during the user's puff operation. In the embodiment, when the atomization switch 52 is turned off, the control unit 53 stops supplying the power output to the atomization unit 111R. On the other hand, when the atomization switch 52 is turned on, the control unit 53 starts supplying the power output to the atomization unit 111R. In other words, the control unit 53 stops the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R when the puffing operation is detected by the suction sensor 20. On the other hand, the control unit 53
When the puff operation is no longer detected, the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R is started.

Here, the magnitude of the power supply output is defined by the value of the voltage applied to the atomizing unit 111R in the case where the voltage is continuously applied to the atomizing unit 111R. On the other hand, in the case where the voltage is intermittently applied to the atomization unit 111R (pulse control), the magnitude of the power supply output, the value of the voltage applied to the atomization unit 111R, the pulse width, It is defined by at least one parameter of the pulse interval.

In the embodiment, the control unit 53 may stop the supply of the power output to the atomization unit 111R when the first time has elapsed since the start of the supply of the power output to the atomization unit 111R. Here, the first time is a time for keeping the supply amount of the aerosol at a desired amount without depending on the time length of the non-suction state. In other words, the first time is a time set so that the supply amount of the aerosol does not exceed the upper limit of the range of the desired amount.

For example, the upper limit of the first time is preferably 5 seconds. More preferably, the upper limit of the first time is 4 seconds, and even more preferably, the upper limit of the first time is 3 seconds. For example, the lower limit of the first time is preferably 0.5 seconds. More preferably, the lower limit of the first time is 1 second, and even more preferably, the lower limit of the first time is 1.5 seconds. For example, the first time is 0.
It is preferable that the time is 5 seconds or more and 5 seconds or less. More preferably, the first time is 1 second or more and 4 seconds or less. Still more preferably, the first time is preferably 1.5 seconds or more and 3 seconds or less.

In the embodiment, the control unit 53 restarts the supply of the power output to the atomization unit 111R when the second time elapses after the supply of the power output to the atomization unit 111R is stopped after the elapse of the first time. You may. Here, the second time is a time determined to prevent the supply amount of the aerosol from falling below the lower limit of the desired amount range due to condensation of the aerosol on the wall surface exposed to the aerosol flow path. The condensed aerosol absorbed by the absorbing member 111S may be re-atomized by restarting the supply of the power output.

As described above, when the absorbing member 111S is not in contact with the reservoir 111P, the aerosol (condensed aerosol) absorbed by the absorbing member 111S is transferred from the absorbing member 111S to the atomization unit 111R by using the capillary phenomenon. It is preferred to be guided. On the other hand, when the absorbing member 111S is in contact with the reservoir 111P, the aerosol (condensed aerosol) absorbed by the absorbing member 111S is removed from the absorbing member 111S by the reservoir 111P.
Is preferably led to

Second, the control unit 53 controls the light emitting element 40. In the embodiment, the control unit 53 includes:
The light emitting element 40 may be controlled so as to notify that a desired amount of aerosol can be supplied. The control unit 53 may control the light emitting element 40 to continuously notify that the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied from the start to the end of the period in which the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied. Good. For example, the start timing of the period in which a desired amount of aerosol can be supplied is determined by the nebulizing unit 111R.
This is a timing at which a fixed time shorter than the first time elapses after the supply of the power supply output to is started. The certain time period is, for example, a time period from when the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R is started to when the supply amount of the aerosol reaches the lower limit of the desired amount range.

Further, the control unit 53 may control the light emitting element 40 to notify that a desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied. The control unit 53 may control the light emitting element 40 to continuously notify that the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied from the start to the end of the period in which the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied. Good. The start timing of the period during which the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied is, for example, the timing at which the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R is started. The end timing of the period in which the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied is the same as the start timing of the period in which the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied.

Third, the control unit 53 may trigger the energization process for the atomizing unit 111R when the switching from the non-suction state to the suction state and the switching from the suction state to the non-suction state are performed. In other words, the first puff operation is performed to trigger the energization process for the atomizing unit 111R without generating aerosol. The energization process for the atomizing unit 111R is a process of generating an aerosol by supplying a power output to the atomizing unit 111R.

For example, the first puff operation may be used to authenticate whether the user is a legitimate user. For example, when the response value of the suction sensor 20 associated with the first puff operation satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, a condition in which the gradient of the flow velocity is equal to or more than a predetermined value), the user is authenticated as an authorized user. The first puff operation may be the first puff operation after the power supply of the flavor inhaler 100 is introduced, or the first puff operation after a predetermined time has elapsed without performing the puff operation. Is also good. Here, for the first puff operation, if the switching from the non-suction state to the suction state and the switching from the suction state to the non-suction state are not performed within the trigger time, the energizing process for the atomizing unit 111R is performed. Need not be triggered. With respect to such an authentication operation, the entire contents of International Application No. PCT / JP2015 / 63036 (filed on April 30, 2015) are incorporated by reference.

(Control example)
Hereinafter, a control example of power supply output to the atomizing unit 111R according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing an example of controlling the power output to the atomizing unit 111R according to the embodiment.

As described above, when the atomization switch 52 is turned on (that is, in the non-suction state), the control unit 53 starts supplying the power output to the atomization unit 111R. The control unit 53
When the atomization switch 52 is turned off (that is, in the suction state), the supply of the power output to the atomization unit 111R is stopped.

In such a case, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 53 starts supplying the power output to the atomizing unit 111R, and then keeps the atomizing switch 52 in the ON state (ie, the non-suction state). When one hour has elapsed, the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R is stopped. The first time is a time set so that the supply amount of the aerosol does not exceed the upper limit of the range of the desired amount. Note that the first time is variable depending on the amount of aerosol staying in the aerosol flow path.

Further, the control unit 53 stops supplying the power output to the atomizing unit 111R after the elapse of the first time, and then the second time has elapsed while the atomizing switch 52 is in the on state (ie, the non-suction state). In this case, the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R is restarted. The second time is a time set so that the supply amount of the aerosol does not fall below the lower limit of the range of the desired amount. In the control example according to the embodiment, by repeatedly stopping and restarting the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R, the supply amount of the aerosol increases and decreases within a desired amount range. here,
The range of the desired amount may be determined by an upper limit and a lower limit, and the lower limit is preferably 0.1 mg or more, and more preferably 1.0 mg or more. On the other hand, the upper limit of the desired amount is 1
It is preferably at most 0.0 mg, more preferably at most 5.0 mg. 0
. It may be 1 mg or more and 10.0 mg or less, or may be 1.0 mg or more and 5.0 mg or less. The range of the desired amount may be determined based on the target value of the desired amount. For example, a range of ± 50% or less based on the target value of the desired amount (for example, the target value of the desired amount is 2.0 mg and In this case, the range of the desired amount is preferably 1.0 mg or more and 3.0 mg or less), and ± 2
More preferably, the range is 5% or less (for example, when the target value of the desired amount is 2.0 mg, the range of the desired amount is 1.5 mg or more and 2.5 mg or less).

Here, the control unit 53 controls the light emitting element 40 to notify that a desired amount of aerosol can be supplied. Further, the control unit 53 controls the light emitting element 40 so as to notify that a desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied. In the control example according to the embodiment, from the start of the supply of the power supply output to the atomization unit 111R, until the supply amount of the aerosol reaches the lower limit of the range of the desired amount.
It is notified that the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied. If the supply amount of the aerosol exceeds the lower limit of the range of the desired amount after the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R is started, it is notified that the desired amount of the aerosol can be supplied. The start timing of the period in which the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied is a timing at which a fixed time shorter than the first time elapses after the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R is started. The certain time period is, for example, a time period from when the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R is started to when the supply amount of the aerosol reaches the lower limit of the desired amount range.

(Aerosol delivery method)
Hereinafter, the aerosol delivery method according to the embodiment will be described. 5 to 7
It is a flow figure showing the aerosol delivery method concerning an embodiment. 5 to 7, the operation of the flavor inhaler 100 (control unit 53) will be mainly described.

As shown in FIG. 5, in step S10, the power of the flavor inhaler 100 is turned on.
For example, when the push button 30 is continuously pressed for a predetermined number of times, the flavor inhaler 1
00 is turned on.

In step S20, the control unit 53 controls the power output associated with the puff operation. The details of step S20 will be described later (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

In step S30, the power of the flavor inhaler 100 is turned off. For example, when the push button 30 is continuously pressed in a predetermined number of times, the power of the flavor inhaler 100 is cut off. Alternatively, the power of the flavor inhaler 100 may be cut off when a predetermined time has elapsed without performing the puff operation after the puff operation is performed.

Next, the details of step S20 described above will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an aerosol delivery method in the first puff operation. As shown in FIG. 6, step S201
In, the flavor suction device 100 is in a non-suction state in which the puff operation is not detected by the suction sensor 20.

In step S202, the control unit 53 determines whether switching from the non-suction state to the suction state has been performed. In other words, the control unit 53 determines whether the atomization switch 52 has been switched from the on state to the off state. When the determination result is YES, the control unit 53
The process moves to step S203. When the determination result is NO, the control unit 53 returns to the process of step S201.

In step S203, the control unit 53 determines whether switching from the suction state to the non-suction state has been performed. In other words, the control unit 53 determines whether the atomization switch 52 has been switched from the off state to the on state. When the determination result is YES, the control unit 53
The process moves to step S204. When the determination result is NO, the control unit 53 stands by as it is.

In step S204, the control unit 53 determines whether switching from the non-suction state to the suction state and switching from the suction state to the non-suction state have been performed within the trigger time. That is, the control unit 53 determines whether the time from the timing when the switching to the suction state is performed to the timing when the switching to the non-suction state is performed is within the trigger time. Control unit 53
Moves to the process in step S205 if the determination result is YES. The control unit 53
If the determination is NO, the process returns to step S201. However, step S20
Step 4 may be omitted.

In step S205, the control unit 53 triggers the energization process for the atomizing unit 111R. That is, after the first puff operation detected in steps S202 and S203 is performed, the control unit 53 starts supplying the power output to the atomizing unit 111R. Further, the first puff operation may be used to authenticate whether the user is a legitimate user. The first puff operation may be the first puff operation after the power of the flavor inhaler 100 is turned on, or the first puff operation after a predetermined time has elapsed without performing the puff operation. Is also good. The predetermined time is longer than at least the first time and the second time.

Here, the control unit 53 notifies that the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied until the supply amount of the aerosol reaches the lower limit of the range of the desired amount after the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R is started. Alternatively, the light emitting element 40 may be controlled. On the other hand, the control unit 53 controls the atomization unit 1
When the supply amount of the aerosol generated in 11R exceeds the lower limit of the desired amount range, the light emitting element 40 may be controlled so as to notify that a desired amount of aerosol can be supplied. The light emitting element 40 may continuously notify that the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied from the start to the end of the period in which the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied.

Note that the control unit 53 proceeds to the process of step S211 shown in FIG. 7 after the process of step S205. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an aerosol delivery method in a puff operation after authentication (for example, the second and subsequent puff operations).

As shown in FIG. 7, in step S211, the control unit 53 determines whether switching from the non-suction state to the suction state has been performed. In other words, the control unit 53 controls the atomization switch 5
It is determined whether 2 has been switched from the on state to the off state. The control unit 53 determines that the determination result is YE
If it is S, the process moves to step S212. When the determination result is NO, the control unit 53 proceeds to the process of Step S216.

In step S212, the flavor inhaler 100 is in the suction state in which the puff operation is detected by the suction sensor 20.

In step S213, the control unit 53 stops supplying the power output to the atomizing unit 111R.

In step S214, it is determined whether switching from the suction state to the non-suction state has been performed. In other words, the control unit 53 determines whether the atomization switch 52 has been switched from the off state to the on state. If the determination result is YES, the control unit 53 proceeds to step S21.
Move to the processing of 5. When the determination result is NO, the control unit 53 waits until the suction state ends.

In step S215, the control unit 53 restarts the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R. Here, the control unit 53 controls the light emitting element 40 to notify that the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied until the supply amount of the aerosol generated by the atomization unit 111R exceeds the lower limit of the range of the desired amount. It may be controlled. The control unit 53 controls the light emitting element 40 to notify that the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied when the supply amount of the aerosol generated by the atomization unit 111R exceeds the lower limit of the desired amount range. You may. Note that the control unit 53 determines in step S2
After 15, the process returns to step S211.

In step S216, the control unit 53 determines whether the first time has elapsed since the start of the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R. Note that, as described above, the first time is a time determined so that the supply amount of the aerosol does not exceed the upper limit of the range of the desired amount. When the result of the determination is YES, the control unit 53 proceeds to the process in step S217.
When the determination result is NO, the control unit 53 returns to the process of step S211.

In step S217, the control unit 53 stops supplying the power output to the atomizing unit 111R. Here, when the supply amount of the aerosol generated by the atomizing unit 111R falls below the lower limit of the range of the desired amount, the control unit 53 notifies the light emitting element 40 so as to notify that the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied. May be controlled. The light-emitting element 40 may continuously notify that the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied from the start to the end of the period in which the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied.

However, as in the control example shown in FIG. 4, when the supply amount of the aerosol increases or decreases within the desired range after the supply amount of the aerosol exceeds the lower limit of the desired amount range, the supply amount of the aerosol becomes the desired amount. It should be noted that the state above the lower limit of the range is maintained. Therefore, it is not necessary to notify that a desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied in step S217.

In step S218, the control unit 53 determines whether or not the second time has elapsed since the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R was stopped after the elapse of the first time. As described above, the second time is a time set to prevent the supply amount of the aerosol from falling below the lower limit of the desired amount range. If the determination result is YES, the control unit 53 proceeds to the process in step S219. If the determination result is NO, the control unit 53 proceeds to step S2
Move on to the process of 20.

In step S219, the control unit 53 determines whether the termination condition is satisfied.
When the determination result is YES, the control unit 53 ends the series of processing. When the determination result is NO, the control unit 53 returns to the process of step S221. The termination condition may be that a predetermined time has elapsed without performing a puff operation, or that a predetermined number of puff operations have been performed.

In step S220, the control unit 53 determines whether switching from the non-suction state to the suction state has been performed. In other words, the control unit 53 determines whether the atomization switch 52 has been switched from the on state to the off state. When the determination result is YES, the control unit 53
The process moves to step S212. When the determination result is NO, the control unit 53 returns to the process of step S218.

In step S221, the control unit 53 restarts the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R. Here, similarly to step S205, when the supply amount of the aerosol generated by the atomizing unit 111R exceeds the lower limit of the desired amount range, the control unit 53 notifies that the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied. The light emitting element 40 may be controlled to perform the operation. The light emitting element 40 may continuously notify that the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied from the start to the end of the period in which the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied.

However, as in the control example shown in FIG. 4, when the supply amount of the aerosol increases or decreases within the desired range after the supply amount of the aerosol exceeds the lower limit of the desired amount range, the supply amount of the aerosol becomes the desired amount. It should be noted that the state above the lower limit of the range is maintained. Therefore, when it is notified only once that the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied at the timing when the supply amount of the aerosol generated by the atomization unit 111R exceeds the lower limit of the range of the desired amount, step S21 is performed.
It is not necessary to notify that the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied in 5. Note that the control unit 53 returns to the process of step S211 after step S221.

As described above, the aerosol delivery method includes various steps, but embodiments are not limited thereto. The aerosol delivery method includes a step A for generating an aerosol in the suction path (that is, steps S205, S215, and S221), and a step in which the generation of the aerosol is stopped after the step A, and the aerosol is flowed in the suction path Step B213 (that is, step S213) of moving into the oral cavity of the user.

(Action and effect)
In the embodiment, the control unit 53 stops the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R during the puff operation of the user. While the aerosol is being generated by the atomizing unit 111R, the temperature of the atomizing unit 111R does not change due to the user's puff operation. Therefore, the situation where the particle size of the particles constituting the aerosol varies within one puff operation or between a plurality of puff operations is suppressed.

In the embodiment, the control unit 53 stops the supply of the power output to the atomization unit 111R when the first time has elapsed since the start of the supply of the power output to the atomization unit 111R. Therefore, the supply amount of the aerosol can be kept at a desired amount without depending on the interval of the puff operation.

In the embodiment, the control unit 53 restarts the supply of the power output to the atomization unit 111R when the second time elapses after the supply of the power output to the atomization unit 111R is stopped after the elapse of the first time. . Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the supply amount of the aerosol from falling below the lower limit of the desired amount range due to the condensation of the aerosol on the wall surface exposed to the aerosol flow path.

In the embodiment, the light emitting element 40 notifies that a desired amount of aerosol can be supplied during a period in which a desired amount of aerosol can be supplied. Thereby, the user can promote the start of the puff operation at an appropriate timing.

In the embodiment, the light emitting element 40 notifies that the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied during a period in which the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied. Thus, the start of the puff operation at inappropriate timing can be suppressed.

In the embodiment, an absorbing member 111S that absorbs the condensed aerosol is provided on a wall surface exposed to the flow path of the aerosol generated by the atomizing unit 111R. Thereby, waste of the aerosol source can be suppressed by re-atomizing the aerosol absorbed by the absorbing member 111S.

In the embodiment, when switching from the non-suction state to the suction state and switching from the suction state to the non-suction state are performed, the control unit 53 triggers the energization process for the atomizing unit 111R. As a result, the energization process for the atomizing unit 111R can be appropriately triggered.
Further, the first puff operation can be used for user authentication.

[Modification 1]
Hereinafter, a first modification of the embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, differences from the embodiment will be mainly described.

Specifically, in the embodiment, the atomization switch 52 is linked to the suction sensor 20. On the other hand, in the first modification, the atomization switch 52 is connected to the operation interface 80 as shown in FIG.
The operation interface 80 may be the push button 30 described above, or may be an interface provided separately from the push button 30 described above.

The operation interface 80 is an interface configured to be operated before the start of the puff operation. That is, the user operates the operation interface 80 during the period in which the puff operation is not performed, and does not operate the operation interface 80 during the period in which the puff operation is performed. Therefore, the atomization switch 52 switches to the off state when the user operation on the operation interface 80 is stopped. On the other hand, the atomization switch 52 is connected to the operation interface 8.
The state is switched to the ON state when a user operation on 0 is performed. That is, a state in which a user operation is performed on the operation interface 80 is a non-suction state, and a state in which a user operation is not performed on the operation interface 80 is a suction state.

In the first modification, the control unit 53 starts supplying the power output to the atomizing unit 111R when the user operation on the operation interface 80 is performed, and when the user operation on the operation interface 80 is not performed any more. The supply of the power output to the conversion unit 111R is stopped.

Here, in the case where the control of the embodiment is applied to the first modification, “when the puff operation is detected by the suction sensor 20” is replaced with “when the user operation on the operation interface 80 is not performed”. "When the puff operation is no longer detected by the suction sensor 20" is changed to "when a user operation on the operation interface 80 is performed".
Should be read as

On the premise of such replacement, in the first modification, step A (steps S205, 213, and 219 described above) of generating an aerosol in the suction path is performed.
) Is a step of starting the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R when a user operation is performed on the operation interface 80. After the generation of the aerosol is stopped after the step A, the aerosol is supplied into the suction path. Step B of moving the user into the oral cavity by the fluid flow is a step of stopping supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R when the user operation on the operation interface 80 is stopped.

(Control example)
Hereinafter, a control example of the power supply output to the atomizing unit 111R according to the first modification will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a control example of power supply output to the atomizing unit 111R according to the first modification.

As described above, when a user operation is performed on the operation interface 80, the control unit 53 starts supplying power output to the atomizing unit 111R. The control unit 53 stops the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R when the user operation on the operation interface 80 is not performed.

In such a case, the control unit 53 starts the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R, and then continues the atomizing switch 52 in the ON state (that is, the non-suction state), as shown in FIG. When one hour has elapsed, the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R is stopped. That is, the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R is stopped even when the state in which the user operation on the operation interface 80 is being performed continues. The first time is a time set so that the supply amount of the aerosol does not exceed the upper limit of the range of the desired amount. However,
In the control example according to the first modification, the control for maintaining the supply amount of the aerosol so as to exceed the lower limit of the desired amount range using the second time is not performed.

Here, the control unit 53 controls the light emitting element 40 to notify that a desired amount of aerosol can be supplied. Further, the control unit 53 controls the light emitting element 40 so as to notify that a desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied. In the control example according to the first modification, when the supply amount of the aerosol is below the lower limit of the range of the desired amount, it is notified that the desired amount of the aerosol cannot be supplied. When the supply amount of the aerosol is above the lower limit of the range of the desired amount, it is notified that the desired amount of the aerosol can be supplied.

(Action and effect)
In the first modification, even if the operation interface 80 is used instead of the suction sensor 20, the same effect as that of the embodiment can be obtained. Further, since the control for maintaining the supply amount of the aerosol so as to exceed the lower limit of the desired amount range using the second time described above is omitted, the power consumption and the processing load are reduced as compared with the embodiment. .

[Modification 2]
Hereinafter, a second modification of the embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, differences from the embodiment will be mainly described.

In the embodiment, an atomization switch 52 that is linked to the suction sensor 20 is provided. On the other hand, in the second modification, as shown in FIG. 10, a first switch 57 linked to the operation interface 80 and a second switch 58 linked to the suction sensor 20 are provided. The operation interface 80 may be the push button 30 described above, or the push button 3 described above.
An interface provided separately from 0 may be used.

In the second modification, the first switch 57 is switched on when a user operation on the operation interface 80 is performed, and is switched off when the user operation on the operation interface 80 is stopped. On the other hand, the second switch 58 switches to the ON state when the puff operation is detected by the suction sensor 20, and switches to the OFF state when the puff operation is no longer detected by the suction sensor 20. That is, the second switch 58 switches to the ON state when the user starts the puff operation, and switches to the OFF state when the user ends the puff operation.

In the second modification, the control unit 53 starts supplying the power output to the atomizing unit 111R when the first switch 57 is switched to the ON state, and when the second switch 58 is switched to the ON state, The supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R is stopped. In other words, the control unit 53 starts supplying the power output to the atomizing unit 111R when the user operation on the operation interface 80 is performed, and even when the user operation on the operation interface 80 is performed. When the puffing operation is detected by the suction sensor 20, the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R is stopped.

As described above, in the second modification, the trigger for starting the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R is that the user operation is performed on the operation interface 80 (the first switch 57 is switched to the ON state), and the suction is performed. It should be noted that this does not mean that the puff operation is no longer detected by the sensor 20 (the second switch 58 is switched to the OFF state).

In the second modification, the operation interface 80 is used as an interface for starting supply of a power output to the atomizing unit 111R. Therefore, when the user operation on the operation interface 80 is stopped, the control unit 53 performs the atomization unit 111.
The supply of the power output to R need not be stopped. However, Modification 2 is not limited to this. Specifically, the control unit 53 may stop supplying the power output to the atomizing unit 111R when the user operation on the operation interface 80 is stopped. Specifically, a user operation is performed on the operation interface 80 (that is, the first operation is performed).
Under the premise that the switch 57 is on, the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R may be considered to be permitted.

It should be noted that, in the second modification, similarly to the first modification, the control illustrated in FIG. 9 is performed as the control of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R. That is, the control for maintaining the supply amount of the aerosol so as to exceed the lower limit of the range of the desired amount using the second time described above is not performed.

In the second modification, from the viewpoint of stopping the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R, the second switch 58 linked to the suction sensor 20 may be considered as an atomizing switch. From the viewpoint of starting supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R, the first switch 57 linked to the operation interface 80 may be considered as an atomizing switch.

(Aerosol delivery method)
Hereinafter, an aerosol delivery method according to Modification Example 2 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an aerosol delivery method according to the second modification. In FIG. 11, the flavor inhaler 100 (
The operation of the control unit 53) will be mainly described. In FIG. 11, step S20 shown in FIG.
Will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 11, in step S311, the first switch 57 is off. That is, the user operation on the operation interface 80 is not performed.

In step S312, the control unit 53 determines whether the termination condition is satisfied.
When the determination result is YES, the control unit 53 ends the series of processing. When the determination result is NO, the control unit 53 returns to the process of step S313. The termination condition may be that a predetermined time has elapsed without performing a puff operation, or that a predetermined number of puff operations have been performed.

In step S313, the control unit 53 determines whether the first switch 57 has been switched from the off state to the on state. In other words, the control unit 53 determines whether a user operation on the operation interface 80 has been performed. When the result of the determination is YES, the control unit 53 proceeds to the process in step S314. When the determination result is NO, the control unit 53
The process returns to step S311.

In step S314, the control unit 53 starts supplying power to the atomizing unit 111R. Here, when the supply amount of the aerosol generated by the atomizing unit 111R exceeds the lower limit of the range of the desired amount, the control unit 53 notifies the light emitting element 40 to notify that the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied. May be controlled.

In step S315, the control unit 53 determines whether the second switch 58 has been switched from the off state to the on state. In other words, the control unit 53 detects whether the suction sensor 20 has detected a puff operation. When the result of the determination is YES, the control unit 53 proceeds to the process in step S316. When the determination result is NO, the control unit 53 returns to the process of step S318.

In step S316, the control unit 53 stops supplying the power output to the atomizing unit 111R.

In step S317, the control unit 53 determines whether the second switch 58 has been switched from the on state to the off state. In other words, the control unit 53 detects whether the puff operation is no longer detected by the suction sensor 20. If the determination result is YES, the control unit 53 returns to the process of step S311. In the flow shown in FIG. 11, when returning to the process of step S311, the first switch 57 is switched from the on state to the off state even if the user operation on the operation interface 80 is continued. On the other hand, the control unit 53 determines that the determination result is NO.
If it is, wait as it is. In other words, if the second switch 58 is on due to the detection of the user's puff operation, the next step is not processed. It should be noted that power output to the atomizing unit 111R does not start.

In step S318, it is determined whether the first switch 57 has been switched from the on state to the off state. In other words, the control unit 53 determines whether the user operation on the operation interface 80 has been stopped. When the determination result is YES, the control unit 53
It moves to the process of step S319. If the determination result is NO, the control unit 53 returns to the process of step S320.

In step S319, the control unit 53 stops supplying the power output to the atomizing unit 111R. Here, when the supply amount of the aerosol generated by the atomizing unit 111R falls below the lower limit of the range of the desired amount, the control unit 53 notifies the light emitting element 40 so as to notify that the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied. May be controlled. Note that the control unit 53 returns to the process of step S311 after step S319.

In step S320, the control unit 53 determines whether the first time has elapsed since the start of the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R. Note that, as described above, the first time is a time determined so that the supply amount of the aerosol does not exceed the upper limit of the range of the desired amount. When the result of the determination is YES, the control unit 53 proceeds to the process in step S321.
When the determination result is NO, the control unit 53 returns to the process of step S315.

In step S321, the control unit 53 stops supplying the power output to the atomizing unit 111R. Here, when the supply amount of the aerosol generated by the atomizing unit 111R falls below the lower limit of the range of the desired amount, the control unit 53 notifies the light emitting element 40 so as to notify that the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied. May be controlled. Note that the control unit 53 returns to the process of step S311 after step S321. In the flow shown in FIG. 11, when returning to the process of step S311, even if the user operation on the operation interface 80 is continued, the first switch 57
Switches from the on state to the off state.

(Action and effect)
In the second modification, the first switch 57 and the second switch 5
8, the same effect as that of the embodiment can be obtained. Further, since the control for maintaining the supply amount of the aerosol so as to exceed the lower limit of the desired amount range using the second time described above is omitted, the power consumption and the processing load are reduced as compared with the embodiment. .

[Other Embodiments]
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above-described embodiments, it should not be understood that the description and drawings forming part of this disclosure limit the present invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples, and operation techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In the embodiment, the cartridge 130 does not include the atomization unit 111, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the cartridge 130 may constitute one unit together with the atomizing unit 111.

In the embodiment, the flavor inhaler 100 has the cartridge 130, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The flavor inhaler 100 may not have the cartridge 130. In such cases, the aerosol source preferably includes a flavor component.

In the embodiment, the flavor inhaler 100 has the power switch 51, but the embodiment is not limited to this. In other words, the power supply to the suction sensor 20 may be constantly performed.

The push button 30 is provided at the non-mouth end of the flavor inhaler 100, but embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the push button 30 may be provided on the outer periphery of the suction device housing 110X.

In the first modification and the second modification, as shown in FIG. 9, control using the second time, that is, control for maintaining the supply amount of the aerosol so as to exceed the lower limit of the range of the desired amount is not performed. The form is not limited to this. In the first and second modifications as well, control using the second time may be performed as shown in FIG. Specifically, the control unit 53 according to the first modification example
After the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R is stopped after the elapse of the first time, the atomizing switch 52 is kept on (that is, the user operation on the operation interface 80 is performed). When the time has elapsed, the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R may be restarted. The control unit 53 according to the second modification changes the atomization unit 11 after the elapse of the first time.
After the supply of the power output to the 1R is stopped, the first switch 57 is on and the second switch 58 is off (that is, the user operation on the operation interface 80 is continued, and The puff operation is not detected by the suction sensor 20),
When the second time has elapsed, the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R may be restarted.

Although not particularly mentioned in the embodiment, the atomization unit 111 may be provided separately from the electrical unit 112 and may be configured to be connectable to the electrical unit 112.

According to the embodiment, it is possible to provide a non-burning type flavor inhaler and an aerosol delivery method which can suppress the variation in the particle diameter of the particles constituting the aerosol.

Claims (5)

  An atomizing unit including a heating resistor for atomizing an aerosol source without burning;
  A control unit that controls the atomization unit;
  With push buttons,
  The control unit is configured to stop the operation after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the operation after the power is turned on by the operation of the push button and the operation of generating heat in the heating resistor is started. And then resume the operation,
  The operation includes a pulse control for generating heat intermittently in the heating resistor,
A non-burning type flavor inhaler characterized in that: The operation of restarting the operation after the stop of the operation is performed after a predetermined time has elapsed after the stop of the operation,
The non-burning type flavor inhaler according to claim 1, wherein: The operation of restarting the operation after the stop of the operation is performed so that the supply amount of the aerosol does not fall below a desired range,
The non-burning type flavor inhaler according to claim 1, wherein: The operation of resuming the operation after the stop of the operation is performed so as to suppress the aerosol from condensing on the wall surface exposed to the aerosol flow path,
The non-burning type flavor inhaler according to claim 1, wherein:   An atomizing unit including a heating resistor for atomizing an aerosol source without burning;
  A control unit that controls supply of electric power to the atomization unit,
  With push buttons,
  The control unit is turned on by the operation of the push button, after the operation of generating heat in the heating resistor is started, after the predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the operation, the control unit performs the operation Stop, and then resume the operation after a predetermined time has elapsed, and then stop the operation again,
  The operation includes a pulse control for generating heat intermittently in the heating resistor,
A non-burning type flavor inhaler characterized in that:

Images