JP6928194B1 - Non-combustion type flavor aspirator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control circuit of a novel non-combustion type flavor aspirator. A control circuit of a non-combustion type flavor aspirator includes a control unit that controls a power output to an atomizing unit that atomizes an aerosol source without combustion, and the control unit has a supply amount of aerosol. It is characterized in that the power output to the atomizing unit is repeatedly stopped and restarted so as to fall within a desired amount range, and the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit is stopped during the puffing operation of the user. [Selection diagram] FIG. 7

Description

The present invention relates to a non-combustion type flavor inhaler.

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

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-089551

The first aspect of the present invention relates to a non-combustible flavor aspirator, wherein the non-combustible flavor aspirator lowers the temperature of the atomized portion in the first temperature rising section in which the temperature of the atomized portion is raised. A control unit for performing temperature control including a temperature lowering section and a second temperature rising section for raising the temperature of the atomizing unit in this order, and a notification unit are provided, and the temperature lowering section starts from the end of the first temperature rising section. It is a section up to the start of the second temperature rise section and a section having a predetermined length, and the control unit temporarily sends the notification unit at the first timing in the first temperature rise section. It is operated, and the notification unit is temporarily operated again at the second timing in the second temperature rising section.
A second aspect of the present invention relates to a non-combustible flavor aspirator, wherein the non-combustible flavor aspirator raises the temperature of the atomized portion in response to a trigger of an energization process on the atomized portion. A control unit that performs predetermined temperature control including a temperature rise section, a temperature decrease section that lowers the temperature of the atomized section, and a second temperature rise section that raises the temperature of the atomized section, a notification unit, and the like. The control unit temporarily operates the notification unit at the first timing in the first temperature rise section, and temporarily operates the notification unit again at the second timing in the second temperature rise section. ..
In the following, some features of the invention described in the present specification will be described separately from the above invention, but these 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.
The first feature is a non-combustion type flavor aspirator, which includes an atomizing unit that atomizes an aerosol source without combustion and a control unit that controls a power output to the atomizing unit. The gist of the unit is to start supplying the power output to the atomizing unit before the start of the puffing operation of the user, and to stop the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit during the puffing operation of the user.

The second feature is that, in the first feature, the non-combustion type flavor aspirator has an atomization switch that switches to a state of stopping the supply of power output to the atomization unit when the user's puff operation is performed. The gist is to prepare.

The third feature is that, in the second feature, the atomization switch is switched to a state in which the supply of power output to the atomization unit is started when the user's puff operation is stopped.

The fourth feature is that in the second feature or the third feature, the atomization switch is interlocked with a suction sensor that detects the puff operation, and the control unit detects the puff operation by the suction sensor. At that time, the gist is to stop the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit.

The fifth feature is that in any of the second to fourth features, the atomization switch is
It is interlocked with the suction sensor that detects the puff operation, and the gist is that the control unit starts supplying the power output to the atomizing unit when the puff operation is no longer detected by the suction sensor.

The sixth feature is that in the second feature or the third feature, the atomization switch is interlocked with the user operation on the operation interface, and the control unit no longer performs the user operation on the operation interface. Occasionally, the gist is to stop the supply of power output to the atomizing unit.

The seventh feature is that in any of the second feature, the third feature and the sixth feature, the atomization switch is interlocked with a user operation on the operation interface, and the control unit is the operation interface. The gist is to start supplying the power output to the atomizing unit when the user operation is performed on the interface.

The eighth feature is that, in the first feature, the non-combustion type flavor aspirator is switched on when the user operation for the operation interface is performed, and the user operation for the operation interface is not performed. The control unit includes a first switch that switches to the off state and a second switch that switches to the on state when the user's puff operation starts and switches to the off state when the user's puff operation ends. The gist is that when the switch to the ON state, the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit is started, and when the second switch is switched to the ON state, the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit is stopped. And.

The ninth feature is that in any of the first to eighth features, when the first time elapses after the control unit starts supplying the power output to the atomizing unit, the fog The gist is to stop the supply of power output to the chemical unit.

The tenth feature is that in the ninth feature, when the second time elapses after the control unit stops supplying the power output to the atomizing unit due to the elapse of the first time, the atomization The gist is to restart the supply of power output to the unit.

The eleventh feature is that in any of the first to tenth features, the non-combustion type flavor aspirator can supply a desired amount of aerosol during a period in which a desired amount of aerosol can be supplied. The gist is to provide a notification unit for notification.

The twelfth feature is provided with a notification unit for notifying that the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied during the period when the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied in any of the first feature to the eleventh feature. Is the gist.

The thirteenth feature is that in the first to twelfth features, an absorbing member for absorbing the condensed aerosol is provided on the wall surface exposed to the flow path of the aerosol generated by the atomizing portion. do.

The fourteenth feature is that in any of the first to thirteenth features, the non-combustible flavor aspirator includes a suction sensor that detects a puff operation, and the control unit puffs the action by the suction sensor. When the non-suction state in which is not detected is switched to the suction state in which the puff operation is detected by the suction sensor and the suction state is switched to the non-suction state, the atomized portion is energized. The gist is to trigger the process.

The fifteenth feature is the aerosol delivery method, in which step A in which an aerosol is generated in the suction path in a state where no fluid flow is generated in the suction path continuous from the inlet to the outlet, and step A of the step A. It is a gist to include a step B in which the aerosol is later moved into the user's oral cavity by a fluid flow in the suction path in a state where the generation of the aerosol is stopped.

The sixteenth feature is that in the thirteenth feature, the step A is a step of starting the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit when the user operation is performed on the operation interface, and the step B is the step. The gist is that it is a step of stopping the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit when the user operation on the operation interface is stopped.

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

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a flavor aspirator 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an atomization unit 111 according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a block configuration of the flavor aspirator 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a control example of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an aerosol delivery method according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an aerosol delivery method according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an aerosol delivery method according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a block configuration of the flavor aspirator 100 according to the first modification. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a control example of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R according to the modification example 1. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a block configuration of the flavor aspirator 100 according to the second modification. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an aerosol delivery method according to Modification 2.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described. In the description of the drawings below, the same or similar parts are designated by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and the ratio of each dimension may differ from the actual one.

Therefore, the specific dimensions should be determined in consideration of the following explanation. In addition, it goes without saying that the drawings include parts having different dimensional relationships and ratios from each other.

[Outline of Embodiment]
The non-combustion type flavor aspirator described in the background technique 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 atomized portion changes while the aerosol is being generated by the atomized portion, 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.

The non-combustion type flavor aspirator according to the embodiment includes an atomizing unit that atomizes the aerosol source without combustion, and a control unit that controls the power output to the atomizing unit. The control unit is a user. The supply of the power output to the atomizing unit is started before the start of the puffing operation, and the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit is stopped during the puffing operation of the user.

In the embodiment, the control unit stops the supply of power output to the atomizing unit during the user's puff operation. The temperature of the atomized part does not change due to the puffing operation of the user while the aerosol is being generated by the atomized part. 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-combustion type flavor aspirator)
Hereinafter, the non-combustion type flavor aspirator according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a non-combustion type flavor aspirator 100 according to an embodiment. The non-combustion type flavor aspirator 100 is an instrument for sucking a flavor component without burning, and has a shape extending along a predetermined direction A which is a direction from the non-mouth end to the mouth end. FIG. 2 shows the atomization unit 11 according to the embodiment.
It is a figure which shows 1. In the following, it should be noted that the non-combustion type flavor aspirator 100 is simply referred to as the flavor aspirator 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, the flavor aspirator 100 has a aspirator 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 is the suction device housing 110X.
The cartridge 130 is connected to the suction end of the suction device housing 110X. The aspirator main body 110 includes an atomization unit 111 configured to atomize the aerosol source without combustion, and an electrical unit 112.

In the embodiment, the atomizing unit 111 has a first tubular body 111X that forms a part of the suction device housing 110X. As shown in FIG. 2, the atomization 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 tubular body 111X. The first tubular body 111X has a tubular shape (for example, a cylindrical shape) extending along a predetermined direction A. 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 atomizing unit 111R atomizes the aerosol source held by the wick 111Q. The atomizing unit 111R is composed of, for example, a heating resistor (for example, a heating wire) wound around the wick 111Q at a predetermined pitch.

Aerosol sources are liquids such as glycerin or propylene glycol. The aerosol source is held, for example, by a pore body composed of a material such as a resin web, as described above. The porous body may be composed of a non-tobacco material or may be composed of a tobacco material. The aerosol source may contain a flavoring component (for example, a nicotine component). Alternatively, the aerosol source may be free of flavor components.

In the embodiment, an absorbing member 111S for absorbing the condensed aerosol is provided on the 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 cylinder 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 absorbent member 111S
When is not in contact with the reservoir 111P, it is preferable that the aerosol (condensed aerosol) absorbed by the absorbing member 111S is guided from the absorbing member 111S to the atomizing portion 111R by utilizing the capillary phenomenon. On the other hand, when the absorbing member 111S is in contact with the reservoir 111P, it is preferable that the aerosol absorbed by the absorbing member 111S (condensed aerosol) is guided from the absorbing member 111S to the reservoir 111P. The absorbing member 111S may be any member as long as it has a function of absorbing the condensed aerosol, and may be made of the same material (resin web) as the reservoir 111P.
It may be composed of the same material (glass fiber) as in 11Q.

The electrical unit 112 is a second tubular body 112X that forms a part of the suction device housing 110X.
Have. In an embodiment, the electrical unit 112 has an inlet 112A. The air flowing in from the inlet 112A is guided to the atomization unit 111 (atomization unit 111R) as shown in FIG. Specifically, the electrical unit 112 includes a power supply 10 and a suction sensor 20.
It has 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 tubular body 112X has a tubular shape (for example, a cylindrical shape) extending along a predetermined direction A.

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

The suction sensor 20 detects the fluid flow in the continuous suction path from the inlet 112A to the outlet 130A. The suction sensor 20 is from the inlet 112A to the outlet 1.
When the fluid flow to the 30A side is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value, 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 value.

The push button 30 is configured to push the flavor aspirator 100 from the outside to the inside. In the embodiment, the push button 30 is provided at the non-suction end of the flavor aspirator 100.
It is configured to push in the direction from the non-mouthpiece end to the mouthpiece end (that is, the predetermined direction A). For example, when the push button 30 is continuously pressed a predetermined number of times in a state where the power of the flavor aspirator 100 is not turned on, the power of the flavor aspirator 100 may be turned on. On the other hand, when the push button 30 is continuously pressed for a predetermined number of times while the power of the flavor aspirator 100 is turned on, the power of the flavor aspirator 100 may be turned off. Alternatively, the power of the flavor aspirator 100 may be turned off when a predetermined time elapses after the puff operation is performed without the puff operation being performed.

The light emitting element 40 is, for example, a light source such as an LED or an electric lamp. 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 the side wall near the non-mouthpiece end. As a result, 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 surface of the non-mouthpiece end on the axis of the predetermined direction A. The light emitting pattern of the light emitting element 40 is the flavor aspirator 10.
This is a pattern for notifying the user of the 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 during which the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied. Alternatively, the light emitting element 40 may constitute a notification unit that notifies 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 during which the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied.

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

The cartridge 130 is configured to be connectable to the aspirator main body 110 that constitutes the flavor aspirator 100. The cartridge 130 is provided downstream of the atomization unit 111 on the flow path of the gas (hereinafter, air) sucked from the suction port. In other words, cartridge 130
Is not necessarily physically and spatially provided on the mouthpiece side of the atomization unit 111, but is provided downstream of the atomization unit 111 on the aerosol flow path that guides the aerosol generated from the atomization unit 111 to the mouthpiece side. It suffices if it is done.

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

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

The flavor source 132 is provided on the outlet 130A (mouthpiece) side of the atomization unit 111 on a suction path continuous from the inlet 112A to the outlet 130A. The flavor source 132 imparts 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 is the outlet 130.
It is carried to A (mouthpiece).

In the embodiment, the flavor source 132 is composed of 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 preferably 2 mm or less. Furthermore, the size of the raw material piece is 0.2 mm or more and 0.7.
It is preferably mm or less. The smaller the size of the raw material pieces that make up the flavor source 132, the
Since the specific surface area is increased, the flavor component is likely to be released from the raw material pieces constituting the flavor source 132. Therefore, the amount of the raw material piece can be suppressed when the desired amount of the flavor component is added to the aerosol. As the raw material piece constituting the flavor source 132, chopped tobacco or a molded product obtained by granulating the tobacco raw material can be used. However, the flavor source 132 may be a molded product obtained by molding a tobacco raw material into a sheet. Further, the raw material piece constituting the flavor source 132 may be composed of a plant other than tobacco (for example, mint, herbs, etc.). A flavor such as menthol may be added to the flavor source 132.

Here, the raw material piece constituting the flavor source 132 is obtained by sieving according to JIS Z 8815, for example, using a stainless steel sieve compliant with JIS Z 8801. For example, using a stainless steel sieve having a mesh size of 0.71 mm, the raw material pieces are sieved for 20 minutes by a dry and mechanical shaking method, and then passed through a stainless steel sieve having a mesh size of 0.71 mm. Obtain a piece of raw material. Subsequently, using a stainless steel sieve having a mesh size of 0.212 mm, the raw material pieces are sieved for 20 minutes by a dry and mechanical shaking method, and passed through a stainless steel sieve having a mesh size of 0.212 mm. Remove the raw material pieces. That is, the raw material piece constituting the flavor source 132 is a stainless steel sieve (opening = 0.71 m) that defines the upper limit.
A raw material piece that passes through m) and does not pass through a stainless steel sieve (opening = 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 steel sieve that defines the lower limit. The upper limit of the size of the raw material pieces constituting the flavor source 132 is defined by the opening of the stainless steel sieve that defines the upper limit.

In an embodiment, the 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 higher. pH
By making the value greater than 7, the flavor components generated from the tobacco source can be efficiently extracted by the aerosol. As a result, the amount of the tobacco source can be suppressed when the 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, etc.) to the flavor aspirator 100 (for example, the cartridge 130 or the aspirator main body 110) can be more effectively suppressed.

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

The mesh 133A is provided so as to close the opening of the cartridge housing 131 upstream of the flavor source 132, and the filter 133B is provided so as to close the opening of the cartridge housing 131 downstream of the flavor source 132. The mesh 133A is a flavor source 13
It has a roughness to the extent that the raw material pieces constituting 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 composed of a breathable substance. The filter 133B is preferably, for example, an acetate filter. The filter 133B has a roughness such that the raw material pieces constituting the flavor source 132 do not pass through.

(Block configuration)
Hereinafter, the block configuration of the non-combustion type flavor aspirator according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a block configuration of the flavor aspirator 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 switches to the on state when the power of the flavor aspirator 100 is turned on, and switches to the off state when the power of the flavor aspirator 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 pushed for a predetermined number of times in a state where the power of the flavor aspirator 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 aspirator 100 is turned on. Alternatively, the power switch 51 has a timer that starts when the puff operation ends, and may be switched to the off state when the timer expires (the elapse of a predetermined time).

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

Here, the state in which the puff operation is not detected by the suction sensor 20 is referred to as a non-suction state, and the 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 is switched to the off state by switching from the non-suction state to the suction state, and is switched to the on state by switching from the suction state to the non-suction state.

The control unit 53 receives the flavor aspirator 100 while the power of the flavor aspirator 100 is turned on.
To control.

First, the control unit 53 controls the power output to the atomization unit 111R. In the embodiment, the control unit 53 starts supplying the power output to the atomizing unit 111R before the start of the puffing operation of the user, and stops the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R during the puffing operation of the user. In the embodiment, the control unit 53 stops the supply of the power output to the atomization unit 111R when the atomization switch 52 is turned off. On the other hand, the control unit 53 starts supplying the power output to the atomization unit 111R when the atomization switch 52 is turned on. In other words, the control unit 53 stops the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R when the puff operation is detected by the suction sensor 20. On the other hand, the control unit 53 is the suction sensor 20.
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, the magnitude of the power supply output is the value of the voltage applied to the atomizing unit 111R, the pulse width and the pulse width in the case where the voltage is intermittently applied to the atomizing unit 111R (pulse control). 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 from 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 within a desired amount without depending on the time length of the non-suction state. In other words, the first time is a time defined so that the amount of aerosol supplied does not exceed the upper limit of the desired amount range.

For example, the upper limit of the first time is preferably 5 seconds. More preferably, the upper limit of the first hour is 4 seconds, and even more preferably, the upper limit of the first hour 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 hour is 0.
It is preferably 5 seconds or more and 5 seconds or less. More preferably, the first time is 1 second or more and 4 seconds or less. Even more preferably, the first time is 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 atomizing unit 111R when the second time elapses after the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R is stopped due to the passage of the first time. You may. Here, the second time is a time determined so that the supply amount of the aerosol does not fall below the lower limit of the range of the desired amount due to the condensation of the aerosol on the wall surface exposed to the flow path of the aerosol. The condensed aerosol absorbed by the absorbing member 111S may be re-atomized by resuming the supply of the power output.

As described above, when the absorbing member 111S is not in contact with the reservoir 111P, the aerosol absorbed by the absorbing member 111S (condensed aerosol) is transferred from the absorbing member 111S to the atomizing portion 111R by utilizing the capillary phenomenon. It is preferable to be guided. On the other hand, when the absorbing member 111S is in contact with the reservoir 111P, the aerosol absorbed by the absorbing member 111S (condensed aerosol) is transferred from the absorbing member 111S to the reservoir 111P.
It is preferable to be guided by.

Second, the control unit 53 controls the light emitting element 40. In the embodiment, the control unit 53
The light emitting element 40 may be controlled so as to notify that a desired amount of aerosol can be supplied. Even if the control unit 53 controls the light emitting element 40 so as to continuously notify that the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied from the start to the end of the period during which the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied. good. For example, the start timing of the period during which the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied is set to the atomizing unit 111R.
This is the timing when a certain period of time, which is shorter than the first time, elapses after the supply of the power output to the device is started. The fixed time is, for example, the time from when the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R is started until 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 so as to notify that a desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied. Even if the control unit 53 controls the light emitting element 40 so as to continuously notify that the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied from the start to the end of the period during 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 during which the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied is the same as the start timing of the period during 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 non-suction state is switched to the suction state and the suction state is switched to the non-suction state. In other words, the first puff operation is performed to trigger the energization process on the atomizing unit 111R without generating an aerosol. The energization process for the atomizing unit 111R is a process for 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 accompanying the first puff operation satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, a condition in which the slope of the flow velocity is equal to or higher than the predetermined value), the user is authenticated as a legitimate user. The first puff operation may be the first puff operation after the power supply of the flavor aspirator 100 is introduced, or the first puff operation after a predetermined time has elapsed without the puff operation being performed. May be good. Here, the control unit 53 energizes the atomizing unit 111R 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 for the first puff operation. Does not have to be triggered. For such an authentication operation, the entire contents of the international application number PCT / JP2015 / 63036 (filed on April 30, 2015) are incorporated by reference.

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

As described above, the control unit 53 starts supplying the power output to the atomization unit 111R when the atomization switch 52 is turned on (that is, the non-suction state). The control unit 53
When the atomization switch 52 is in the off state (that is, 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 atomization unit 111R, and then the atomization switch 52 remains on (that is, non-suction state). When one hour has passed, the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R is stopped. The first time is a time defined so that the amount of aerosol supplied does not exceed the upper limit of the desired amount range. The first time is variable depending on the amount of aerosol staying in the aerosol flow path.

Further, after the control unit 53 stops supplying the power output to the atomizing unit 111R after the lapse of the first time, the second time has elapsed with the atomizing switch 52 in the on state (that is, 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 defined so that the amount of aerosol supplied does not fall below the lower limit of the desired amount range. In the control example according to the embodiment, the supply amount of the aerosol is increased or decreased within a desired amount by repeatedly stopping and restarting the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R. here,
The range of the desired amount may be determined by the upper limit and the lower limit, and the lower limit is preferably 0.1 mg or more, more preferably 1.0 mg or more. On the other hand, the upper limit of the desired amount is 1.
It is preferably 0.0 mg or less, and more preferably 5.0 mg or less. 0
.. It may be 1 mg or more and 10.0 mg or less, or 1.0 mg or more and 5.0 mg or less. Further, the range of the desired amount may be determined based on the target value of the desired amount, for example, the 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). If this is the case, the range of the desired amount is preferably 1.0 mg or more and 3.0 mg or less), preferably ± 2.
It is more preferably in the range of 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 so as 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 supplying the power output to the atomizing unit 111R until the amount of aerosol supplied reaches the lower limit of the desired amount range.
You will be notified that the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied. When the supply amount of aerosol exceeds the lower limit of the range of the desired amount after starting the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R, it is notified that the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied. The start timing of the period during which the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied is the timing at which a certain time shorter than the first time elapses after the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R is started. The fixed time is, for example, the time from when the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R is started until 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 show
It is a flow figure which shows the aerosol delivery method which concerns on embodiment. 5 to 7 mainly describe the operation of the flavor aspirator 100 (control unit 53).

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

In step S20, the control unit 53 controls the power output accompanying 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 aspirator 100 is turned off. For example, when the push button 30 is continuously pressed for a predetermined number of times, the power of the flavor aspirator 100 is turned off. Alternatively, the power of the flavor aspirator 100 may be turned off when a predetermined time elapses after the puff operation is performed without the puff operation being performed.

Subsequently, the details of step S20 described above will be described. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an aerosol delivery method in the first puff operation. As shown in FIG. 6, step S201
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 or not the non-suction state has been switched to the suction state. In other words, the control unit 53 determines whether the atomization switch 52 has been switched from the on state to the off state. The control unit 53 determines if the determination result is YES.
The process proceeds to step S203. If 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 the 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. The control unit 53 determines if the determination result is YES.
The process proceeds to step S204. If the determination result is NO, the control unit 53 stands by as it is.

In step S204, the control unit 53 determines whether the switching from the non-suction state to the suction state and the switch 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 at which the suction state is switched to the timing at which the non-suction state is switched is within the trigger time. Control unit 53
If the determination result is YES, the process proceeds to step S205. The control unit 53
If the determination result is NO, the process returns to step S201. However, step S20
The process of 4 may be omitted.

In step S205, the control unit 53 triggers the energization process for the atomizing unit 111R. That is, the control unit 53 starts supplying the power output to the atomizing unit 111R after the first puff operation detected in steps S202 and S203 is performed. Further, the first puff operation may be used to authenticate whether or not the user is a legitimate user. The first puff operation may be the first puff operation after the power of the flavor aspirator 100 is turned on, or the first puff operation after a predetermined time has elapsed without the puff operation being performed. May be good. The predetermined time is at least longer than the first and second hours.

Here, the control unit 53 notifies that the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied from the start of supplying the power output to the atomizing unit 111R until the amount of aerosol supplied reaches the lower limit of the range of the desired amount. In addition, the light emitting element 40 may be controlled. On the other hand, the control unit 53 is the atomization unit 1.
When the supply amount of the aerosol produced in 11R exceeds the lower limit of the desired amount range, the light emitting element 40 may be controlled so as to notify that the 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 during which the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied.

The control unit 53 moves to the process of step S211 shown in FIG. 7 after the process of step S205. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an aerosol delivery method in the 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 or not the non-suction state has been switched to the suction state. In other words, the control unit 53 is the atomization switch 5.
Determine if 2 has switched from the on state to the off state. The determination result of the control unit 53 is YE.
If it is S, the process proceeds to step S212. If the determination result is NO, the control unit 53 moves to the process of step S216.

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

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

In step S214, it is determined whether or not the suction state has been switched to the non-suction state. 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 has step S21.
Move on to the process of 5. If 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 uses 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 atomizing unit 111R exceeds the lower limit of the desired amount range. You may control it. The control unit 53 controls the light emitting element 40 so as to notify that the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied when the supply amount of the aerosol generated by the atomizing unit 111R exceeds the lower limit of the desired amount range. You may. The control unit 53 is in step S2.
After 15, the process returns to the process of step S211.

In step S216, the control unit 53 determines whether the first time has elapsed since the supply of the power output to the atomization unit 111R was started. 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. If the determination result is YES, the control unit 53 moves to the process of step S217.
If the determination result is NO, the control unit 53 returns to the process of step S211.

In step S217, the control unit 53 stops the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R. Here, the control unit 53 notifies the light emitting element 40 that the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied 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. 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 during which the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied.

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

In step S218, the control unit 53 determines whether the second time has elapsed since the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R was stopped due to the passage of the first time. As described above, the second time is a time determined so that the supply amount of the aerosol does not fall below the lower limit of the range of the desired amount. If the determination result is YES, the control unit 53 moves to the process of step S219. If the determination result is NO, the control unit 53 takes step S2.
Move on to the process of 20.

In step S219, the control unit 53 determines whether the end condition is satisfied.
If the determination result is YES, the control unit 53 ends a series of processes. If the determination result is NO, the control unit 53 returns to the process of step S221. The end condition may be that a predetermined time elapses without the puffing operation being performed, or that the puffing operation is performed a predetermined number of times.

In step S220, the control unit 53 determines whether or not the non-suction state has been switched to the suction state. In other words, the control unit 53 determines whether the atomization switch 52 has been switched from the on state to the off state. The control unit 53 determines if the determination result is YES.
The process proceeds to step S212. If 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, the control unit 53 notifies that the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied 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 light emitting element 40 may be controlled so as to do so. 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 during which the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied.

However, as in the control example shown in FIG. 4, when the aerosol supply amount increases or decreases within the desired range after the aerosol supply amount exceeds the lower limit of the desired amount range, the aerosol supply amount is the desired amount. It should be noted that the condition above the lower limit of the range of 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 atomizing unit 111R exceeds the lower limit of the desired amount range, step S21
It is not necessary to notify that the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied in 5. The control unit 53 returns to the process of step S211 after step S221.

As mentioned above, the aerosol delivery method comprises various steps, but the embodiments are not limited thereto. The aerosol delivery method includes step A (that is, step S205, step S215, step S221) in which the aerosol is generated in the suction path, and a fluid flow in the suction path in which the aerosol is stopped after step A. It may include at least step B (that is, step S213) of moving the fluid into the user's oral cavity.

(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 puffing operation of the user. 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 atomizing unit 111R when the first time elapses after starting the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R. Therefore, the amount of aerosol supplied can be kept within the desired amount regardless of the interval of puff operation.

In the embodiment, the control unit 53 restarts the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R when the second time elapses after the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R is stopped due to the passage of the first time. .. As a result, 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 flow path of the aerosol.

In the embodiment, the light emitting element 40 notifies that the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied during the period during which the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied. This allows the user to accelerate the start of the puff operation at the appropriate time.

In the embodiment, the light emitting element 40 notifies that the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied during the period when the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied. As a result, it is possible to suppress the start of the puff operation at an inappropriate timing.

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

In the embodiment, the control unit 53 triggers the energization process on the atomizing unit 111R when the non-suction state is switched to the suction state and the suction state is switched to the non-suction state. Thereby, the energization process for the atomizing unit 111R can be appropriately triggered.
Further, the first puff operation can be diverted to user authentication.

[Change example 1]
Hereinafter, modification 1 of the embodiment will be described. In the following, the differences from the embodiments will be mainly described.

Specifically, in the embodiment, the atomization switch 52 is interlocked with the suction sensor 20. On the other hand, in the change example 1, as shown in FIG. 8, the atomization switch 52 is connected to the operation interface 80 and is interlocked with the user operation on the operation interface 80.
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 during which the puff operation is not performed, and does not operate the operation interface 80 during the period during which the puff operation is performed. Therefore, the atomization switch 52 is switched to the off state when the user operation on the operation interface 80 is no longer performed. On the other hand, the atomization switch 52 has an operation interface 8
It switches to the on state when a user operation for 0 is performed. That is, the state in which the user operation on the operation interface 80 is performed is the non-suction state, and the state in which the user operation on the operation interface 80 is not performed is the 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 fogs when the user operation on the operation interface 80 is no longer performed. The supply of the power output to the interface 111R is stopped.

Here, in the case where the control of the embodiment is applied to the change example 1, "when the puff operation is detected by the suction sensor 20" is read as "when the user operation on the operation interface 80 is no longer performed", and at the same time, "When the puff operation is no longer detected by the suction sensor 20" is "when a user operation is performed on the operation interface 80".
Should be read as.

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

(Control example)
Hereinafter, an example of controlling the power output to the atomizing unit 111R according to the modified example 1 will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a control example of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R according to the modification example 1.

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

In such a case, as shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 53 starts supplying the power output to the atomization unit 111R, and then the atomization switch 52 remains on (that is, non-suction state). When one hour has passed, the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R is stopped. That is, even if the user operation on the operation interface 80 continues, the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R is stopped. The first time is a time defined so that the amount of aerosol supplied does not exceed the upper limit of the desired amount range. 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 by using the above-mentioned second time is not performed.

Here, the control unit 53 controls the light emitting element 40 so as 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 desired amount range, it is notified that the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied. When the amount of aerosol supplied exceeds the lower limit of the desired amount range, it is notified that the desired amount of aerosol can be supplied.

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

[Change example 2]
Hereinafter, modification 2 of the embodiment will be described. In the following, the differences from the embodiments will be mainly described.

In the embodiment, an atomization switch 52 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 interlocked with the operation interface 80 and a second switch 58 interlocked with 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.
The interface may be provided separately from 0.

In the second modification, the first switch 57 switches to the on state when the user operation on the operation interface 80 is performed, and switches to the off state when the user operation on the operation interface 80 is no longer performed. On the other hand, the second switch 58 switches to the on state when the suction sensor 20 detects the puff operation, and switches to the off state when the suction sensor 20 no longer detects the puff operation. That is, the second switch 58 switches to the on state when the user's puff operation starts, and switches to the off state when the user's puff operation ends.

In the second modification, when the first switch 57 is switched to the ON state, the control unit 53 starts supplying the power output to the atomizing unit 111R, and when the second switch 58 is switched to the ON state, the control unit 53 starts to supply the power output. 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 puff 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 for the operation interface 80 is performed (the first switch 57 is switched to the ON state), and suction is performed. It should be noted that this does not mean that the puff operation is not 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 the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R. Therefore, the control unit 53 will perform the atomization unit 111 when the user operation on the operation interface 80 is no longer performed.
It is not necessary to stop the supply of the power output to R. However, the modification 2 is not limited to this. Specifically, the control unit 53 may stop the supply of the power output to the atomization unit 111R when the user operation on the operation interface 80 is stopped. Specifically, a user operation on the operation interface 80 is performed (that is, the first operation is performed.
On the premise that the switch 57 is in the ON state), it may be considered that the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R is permitted.

It should be noted that in the second modification, as in the first modification, the control shown 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 is not performed using the above-mentioned second time so as to exceed the lower limit of the desired amount range.

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

(Aerosol delivery method)
Hereinafter, the aerosol delivery method according to the second modification will be described. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an aerosol delivery method according to Modification 2. In FIG. 11, the flavor aspirator 100 (
The operation of the control unit 53) will be mainly described. In FIG. 11, step S20 shown in FIG.
The details of.

As shown in FIG. 11, in step S311 the first switch 57 is in the off state. That is, no user operation has been performed on the operation interface 80.

In step S312, the control unit 53 determines whether the end condition is satisfied.
If the determination result is YES, the control unit 53 ends a series of processes. If the determination result is NO, the control unit 53 returns to the process of step S313. The end condition may be that a predetermined time elapses without the puffing operation being performed, or that the puffing operation is performed a predetermined number of times.

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 or not a user operation on the operation interface 80 has been performed. If the determination result is YES, the control unit 53 moves to the process of step S314. When the determination result is NO, the control unit 53 determines.
The process returns to the process of step S311.

In step S314, the control unit 53 starts supplying the power output to the atomizing unit 111R. Here, the control unit 53 notifies that when the supply amount of the aerosol generated by the atomization unit 111R exceeds the lower limit of the range of the desired amount, the light emitting element 40 can supply the desired amount of aerosol. 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 puff operation is detected by the suction sensor 20. If the determination result is YES, the control unit 53 moves to the process of step S316. If the determination result is NO, the control unit 53 returns to the process of step S318.

In step S316, the control unit 53 stops the supply of 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 or not 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 continues. On the other hand, the determination result of the control unit 53 is NO.
If is, wait as it is. In other words, when the second switch 58 is turned on by the detection of the user's puff operation, the next step is not processed, so that even if the first switch 57 is turned on by the user operation on the operation interface 80, It should be noted that the power output to the atomizing section 111R does not start.

In step S318, it is determined whether or not the first switch 57 has been switched from the on state to the off state. In other words, the control unit 53 determines whether or not the user operation on the operation interface 80 is no longer performed. The control unit 53 determines if the determination result is YES.
The process proceeds to 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 the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R. Here, the control unit 53 notifies the light emitting element 40 that the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied 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. May be controlled. 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 supply of the power output to the atomization unit 111R was started. 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. If the determination result is YES, the control unit 53 moves to the process of step S321.
If the determination result is NO, the control unit 53 returns to the process of step S315.

In step S321, the control unit 53 stops the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R. Here, the control unit 53 notifies the light emitting element 40 that the desired amount of aerosol cannot be supplied 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. May be controlled. 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 continues, 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 are replaced with the atomization switch 52.
Even if 8 is used, 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 by using the second time described above is omitted, the power consumption amount and the processing load are reduced as compared with the embodiment. ..

[Other Embodiments]
Although the present invention has been described by embodiments described above, the statements and drawings that form part of this disclosure should not be understood to limit the invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

In the embodiment, the cartridge 130 does not include the atomization unit 111, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the cartridge 130 may form one unit together with the atomization unit 111.

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

In the embodiment, the flavor aspirator 100 has a power switch 51, but the embodiment is not limited to this. In other words, the suction sensor 20 may be energized at all times.

The push button 30 is provided at the non-suction end of the flavor suction cup 100, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the push button 30 may be provided on the outer periphery of the suction device housing 110X.

In the first and second modifications, as shown in FIG. 9, the control using the second time, that is, the control of maintaining the supply amount of the aerosol so as to exceed the lower limit of the desired amount range is not performed, but it is carried out. The form is not limited to this. Also in the modification 1 and the modification 2, as shown in FIG. 4, the control using the second time may be performed. Specifically, the control unit 53 according to the change example 1.
After stopping the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R after the lapse of the first time, the atomizing switch 52 remains on (that is, the user operation on the operation interface 80 is performed), and the second When the time has passed, the supply of the power output to the atomizing unit 111R may be restarted. The control unit 53 according to the second modification is atomized by the passage of the first time.
After stopping the supply of the power output to the 1R, the first switch 57 is in the on state and the second switch 58 is in the off state (that is, the user operation on the operation interface 80 is continuing, and the user operation is continued. (Within the suction sensor 20 not detecting the puff movement),
When the second time elapses, 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 is provided as a separate body 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-combustion type flavor aspirator and an aerosol delivery method capable of suppressing variations in the particle size of particles constituting the aerosol.

Claims (4)

A control unit that performs temperature control including a first temperature rise section that raises the temperature of the atomized section, a temperature lowering section that lowers the temperature of the atomized section, and a second temperature rising section that raises the temperature of the atomized section. When,
Equipped with a notification unit
The temperature decrease section is a section from the end of the first temperature rise section to the start of the second temperature rise section, and is a section having a predetermined length.
The control unit temporarily operates the notification unit at the first timing in the first temperature rise section, and temporarily operates the notification unit again at the second timing in the second temperature rise section.
A non-combustion type flavor aspirator characterized by this. The first temperature rise section that raises the temperature of the atomized part, the temperature lowering section that lowers the temperature of the atomized part, and the second that raises the temperature of the atomized part in response to the trigger of the energization process on the atomized part. A control unit that performs predetermined temperature control including the temperature rise section in this order,
Equipped with a notification unit
The control unit temporarily operates the notification unit at the first timing in the first temperature rise section, and temporarily operates the notification unit again at the second timing in the second temperature rise section.
A non-combustion type flavor aspirator characterized by this. The control unit temporarily operates the notification unit at the first timing of the first temperature rise section until the notification unit is temporarily operated at the second timing of the second temperature rise section. During that time, the operation of the notification unit is continuously stopped.
The non-combustion type flavor aspirator according to claim 1 or 2. The notification unit includes an element for performing a predetermined notification, and the control unit temporarily operates the element so as to perform the predetermined notification at the first timing and the second timing.
The non-combustion type flavor aspirator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the non-combustion type flavor aspirator.

Images