JP7104868B1 - Aerosol generator - Google Patents

Abstract

A technique is provided that is advantageous for managing the state of a power supply with high accuracy. A power supply unit for an aerosol generator having a plurality of substrates including a first substrate includes a control unit that controls power supply to a heater for heating an aerosol source using power supplied from the power supply. , a resistor arranged in a path through which a current output from the power supply flows; and a measurement circuit that measures the state of the power supply using the resistor, wherein the resistor and the measurement circuit are connected to the first power supply. placed on the board. [Selection drawing] Fig. 4

Description

The present invention relates to an aerosol generator.

In an aerosol generator that produces an aerosol, it is important to control the state of the heater that heats the aerosol source and the power source that supplies power to various electronic components. Patent Document 1 discloses a system including a fuel gauge circuit. The fuel gauge circuit may be configured to receive various inputs and monitor and / or measure various battery characteristics such as voltage, current, battery capacity, battery operating mode, degree of deterioration (SOH). The fuel gauge circuit can also generate various types of control signals depending on the input signals received and / or the battery characteristics, such as control signals for controlling charging and discharging.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2020-61361

One aspect of the present invention relates to an aerosol generator, which comprises an insertion hole into which a power source, an aerosol source in which a susceptor is arranged can be inserted, and a coil for generating heat in the susceptor. A circuit for controlling the supply of electric power to the coil, an MCU that controls the circuit, a non-volatile memory connected to the MCU, and a first conductivity electrically connected to the positive electrode of the power supply. A resistor arranged on the path, a measuring circuit for measuring the state of the power supply using the resistor, and an electric connection to the first conductive path are supplied from the power source via the resistor. The first transformer circuit that receives a voltage and generates a first voltage to be supplied to the circuit, and the voltage that is electrically connected to the first conductive path and is supplied from the power source via the resistor are received. It includes a second transformer circuit that generates a second voltage to be supplied to the MCU and the non-volatile memory.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to an aerosol generator, which comprises an insertion hole into which a power source, an aerosol source in which a susceptor is arranged can be inserted, and a coil for generating heat in the susceptor. A circuit for controlling the supply of electric power to the coil, an MCU for controlling the circuit, a resistor arranged in a first conductive path electrically connected to the positive electrode of the power supply, and the resistor. A measurement circuit that measures the state of the power supply using a device, and a first unit that is electrically connected to the first conductive path and receives a voltage supplied from the power supply via the resistor and supplies the circuit to the circuit. A first transformer circuit that generates a voltage and a second voltage that is electrically connected to the first conductive path and receives a voltage supplied from the power source via the resistor to be supplied to the MCU. It includes two transformer circuits, a first substrate on which the first transformer circuit is arranged, and a second substrate which is separate from the first substrate and on which the second transformer circuit is arranged.
The first to third aspects of the invention described in the specification and drawings provide an advantageous technique for controlling the state of the power source with high accuracy.

The first aspect relates to a power supply unit of an aerosol generator having a plurality of substrates including the first substrate, wherein the power supply unit uses electric power supplied from the electric power source to supply electric power to a heater for heating an aerosol source. The resistor is provided with a control unit for controlling the supply of the power supply, a resistor arranged in a path through which a current output from the power supply flows, and a measurement circuit for measuring the state of the power supply using the resistor. And the measurement circuit is arranged on the first substrate.

In the first aspect, the resistor and the measurement circuit may be arranged on the same surface of the first substrate.

In the first aspect, the power supply unit may further include a first power supply connector connected to the positive electrode of the power supply and a second power supply connector connected to the negative electrode of the power supply. The second power supply connector includes a first conductive path connected to the first power supply connector and a second conductive path connected to the second power supply connector, and the second power supply connector is arranged on the first substrate and the resistor is provided. The vessel may be arranged in the second conductive path.

On the first side surface, the power supply unit may further include a first heater connector to which the positive terminal of the heater is connected and a second heater connector to which the negative terminal of the heater is connected. The second heater connector may be arranged on the first substrate.

On the first side surface, the first heater connector may be arranged on the first substrate, and the first heater connector and the second heater connector are arranged on the same surface of the first substrate. May be good.

On the first side surface, the resistor and the second heater connector may be arranged on opposite surfaces of the first substrate, respectively.

On the first aspect, at least a portion of the resistor may overlap with at least a portion of the second heater connector in an orthographic projection onto one of the two surfaces of the first substrate.

On the first aspect, the power supply unit may further include a switch located between the resistor and the second heater connector in the second conductive path.

On the first side surface, the switch and the second heater connector may be arranged on the same surface of the first substrate.

In the first aspect, the switch may be the element closest to the second heater connector among the electronic components arranged on the same surface.

In the first aspect, the electronic component may be an active element.

On the first aspect, the power supply unit may further include a switch portion arranged in the second conductive path so as to be connected in series with the resistor.

In the first aspect, the resistor and the switch section are arranged on the same surface of the first substrate, and in the orthographic projection, at least a part of the switch section is a part of a part of the second heater connector. May overlap with.

In the first aspect, the power supply unit further includes a protection circuit that controls the switch unit to protect the power supply according to at least one of a current flowing through the second conductive path and an output voltage of the power supply. You may.

On the first side surface, the switch portion may be arranged between the resistor in the second conductive path and the negative electrode of the power supply.

In the first aspect, the power supply unit may further include a second resistor arranged in the second conductive path so as to be connected in series with the resistor, and the protection circuit may include the second conductive path. The current flowing through the second resistor may be detected by using the second resistor, and the resistor and the second resistor may be arranged on the same surface of the first substrate.

In the first aspect, the shortest distance between the resistor and the second resistor may be less than at least one of the maximum dimension of the resistor and the maximum dimension of the second resistor.

In the first aspect, the plurality of substrates may include a second substrate, and the control unit may be arranged on the second substrate.

In the first aspect, the power supply unit may further include a first transformer circuit that transforms the voltage supplied from the power supply and supplies it to the power supply terminal of the measurement circuit, and the first transformer circuit is the first transformer circuit. It may be arranged on two substrates.

In the first aspect, the power supply unit may further include a second transformer circuit that transforms the voltage supplied from the power supply to generate a voltage supplied to the heater, and the second transformer circuit is the first. It may be arranged on one substrate.

In the first aspect, the power supply unit may further include a second switch that is arranged in a path connecting the output of the second transformer circuit and the heater and is controlled by the control unit. The switch may be arranged on the first substrate.

In the first aspect, the power supply unit may further include a detection circuit for detecting the temperature of the heater, and the detection circuit may be arranged on the first substrate.

Alternatively, the first aspect relates to a power supply unit of an aerosol generator having a plurality of element placement surfaces including the first element placement surface, the power supply unit heating the aerosol source using electric power supplied from the power source. A control unit that controls the supply of electric power to the heater for the purpose, a resistor arranged in a path through which a current output from the power supply flows, and a measurement circuit that measures the state of the power supply using the resistor. The resistor and the measurement circuit are arranged on the first element arrangement surface.

The second side is related to the power supply unit of the aerosol generator, and the power supply unit is supplied from the first conductive path connected to the positive electrode of the power source, the second conductive path connected to the negative electrode of the power source, and the power source. A control unit that controls the heat generation of a heater for heating an aerosol source using electric current, a measurement circuit that measures the state of the power supply using a resistor arranged in the second conductive path, and the second The switch portion arranged between the resistor and the negative electrode in the second conductive path so as to be able to cut off the current flowing through the conductive path, and the power source are protected according to the current flowing through the second conductive path. Is provided with a protection circuit for controlling the switch unit.

In the second aspect, the supply of voltage to the control unit and the measurement circuit may be stopped by the protection circuit turning off the switch unit.

In the second aspect, the power supply unit may further include a voltage supply unit that supplies a voltage to the control unit and the measurement circuit based on the voltage supplied from the power supply, and the protection circuit provides the switch unit. By turning it off, the supply of voltage from the power supply to the voltage supply unit may be stopped, whereby the supply of voltage from the voltage supply unit to the control unit and the measurement circuit may be stopped.

In the second aspect, the voltage supply unit may be supplied with a voltage from the power supply via the first conductive path and the second conductive path.

In the second aspect, the voltage supply unit may restart the supply of the voltage from the voltage supply unit to the control unit and the measurement circuit by supplying the voltage from the external device to the voltage supply unit.

In the second aspect, the power supply unit further includes a charging circuit that receives a voltage supply from the external device to charge the power supply, and charging of the power supply by the charging circuit may be controlled by the control unit. good.

In the second aspect, the control unit controls the charging circuit so that the charging circuit receives a voltage supply from the external device and starts charging the power source in a state where the switch unit is off. May be good.

In the second aspect, the control unit may control the charging circuit so as to start charging the power supply when it is determined that the power supply can be charged based on the output voltage of the power supply.

In the second aspect, the protection circuit may turn on the switch unit when the remaining capacity of the power supply exceeds a predetermined value due to charging by the charging circuit.

In the second aspect, the power supply unit further comprises a second resistor arranged between the resistor and the negative electrode in the second conductive path, and the protection circuit flows through the second resistor. The switch unit may be controlled so as to protect the power supply according to the current.

On the second side surface, the second resistor may be arranged between the switch portion and the negative electrode in the second conductive path.

In the second aspect, the switch unit includes a transistor arranged so as to be able to cut off a current flowing through the second conductive path, and a rectifying element connected in parallel to the transistor, and the transistor is provided by the protection circuit. It may be controlled.

In the second aspect, the rectifying element may be a body diode attached to the transistor.

In the second aspect, the forward direction of the rectifying element is the direction in which the current for charging the power source flows, and even when the switch unit is off, the current flows through the rectifying element, so that the power source flows. May be rechargeable.

In the second aspect, the power supply unit may further include a cutoff switch arranged in the second conductive path so as to be able to cut off the heater and the current flowing through the second conductive path, and the control unit may further include the cutoff switch. The cutoff switch may be controlled so that the current flowing through the heater and the second conductive path is cut off based on the measurement result by the measurement circuit.

On the second side surface, the switch portion may be arranged between the cutoff switch and the negative electrode in the second conductive path.

The third aspect relates to the power supply unit of the aerosol generator, wherein the power supply unit is a control unit that controls the supply of electric power to a heater for heating the aerosol source by using the electric power supplied from the power source, and the above-mentioned. The state of the power supply is measured using the first resistor and the second resistor arranged in series with the path through which the current output from the power source flows, the switch unit arranged in the path, and the first resistor. The first resistor is provided with a measurement circuit for controlling the switch unit and a protection circuit for controlling the switch unit so that the path is cut off based on the current flowing through the path detected by using the second resistor. The shortest distance between the device and the measurement circuit is smaller than the shortest distance between the second resistor and the protection circuit.

In the third aspect, the first resistor and the measurement circuit may be arranged on the same plane of the same substrate, and the second resistor and the protection circuit may be arranged on the same plane of the same substrate. It may be arranged.

In the third aspect, the first resistor, the second resistor, the measurement circuit, and the protection circuit may be arranged on the same plane on the same substrate.

On the third side, the first resistor, the second resistor, the measurement circuit, and the protection circuit may be arranged on the same substrate, and the substrate is an end portion on the side where the heater is arranged. The shortest distance between the first resistor and the end portion may be smaller than the shortest distance between the measurement circuit and the end portion.

On the third aspect, the shortest distance between the second resistor and the end may be less than the shortest distance between the protection circuit and the end.

In the third aspect, the shortest distance between the measuring circuit and the end may be smaller than the shortest distance between the protection circuit and the end.

On the third side surface, the substrate may be provided with a first heater connector to which the positive terminal of the heater is connected and a second heater connector to which the negative terminal of the heater is connected. The shortest distance between the first heater connector and the end and the shortest distance between the second heater connector and the end are smaller than the shortest distance between the measurement circuit and the end. You may.

In the third aspect, the first resistor and the second resistor may be arranged on the first surface of the substrate, and the first heater connector and the second heater connector may be arranged on the second surface of the substrate. It may be arranged on a surface.

In the third aspect, in the orthographic projection on the first surface, even if at least a part of the second heater connector overlaps at least a part of at least one of the first resistor and the second resistor. good.

On the third side surface, the switch portion may be arranged on the first surface.

On the third aspect, the power supply unit may further include a break switch arranged in a path connecting the second heater connector and the first resistor.

In the third aspect, the shortest distance between the cutoff switch and the end may be smaller than the shortest distance between the measurement circuit and the end.

In the third aspect, the cutoff switch may be arranged on the second surface.

In the third aspect, the power supply unit connects a transformer circuit that transforms a voltage supplied from the power supply to generate a voltage supplied to the heater, an output of the transformer circuit, and the first heater connector. A heater switch arranged in the path may be further provided, and the shortest distance between the heater switch and the end portion may be smaller than the shortest distance between the measurement circuit and the end portion.

On the third side, the heater switch may be located on the first side.

In the third aspect, at least a part of the heater switch may overlap with at least a part of the first heater connector in the orthographic projection on the first surface.

In the third aspect, the shortest distance between the first resistor and the second resistor may be smaller than at least one of the maximum dimension of the first resistor and the maximum dimension of the second resistor. ..

The fourth aspect relates to the power supply unit of the aerosol generator, wherein the power supply unit is a control unit that controls the supply of power to a heater for heating the aerosol source by using the power supplied from the power supply, and the above-mentioned control unit. A resistor arranged in the path through which the current output from the power supply flows, a thermistor for measuring the temperature of the power supply, two thermistor connectors to which the thermistor is connected, and the resistor of the power supply are used. 2 The shortest distance between the thermistor connector and the measuring circuit is smaller than the shortest distance between the resistor and the measuring circuit.

In the fourth aspect, the measurement circuit may include a first function of providing information indicating the temperature of the power supply to the control unit, and a second function of notifying the control unit of an abnormality in the temperature of the power supply. good.

In the fourth aspect, the control unit may stop at least one of the discharge of the power supply and the charge of the power supply in response to the notification from the measurement circuit by the second function.

In the fourth aspect, the measuring circuit may calculate the remaining amount of the power supply based on the information obtained by using the resistor and the information obtained by using the thermistor.

In the fourth aspect, the two terminals of the thermistor may be directly connected to the two thermistor connectors, respectively.

In the fourth aspect, the thermistor may be arranged so as to at least partially surround the power supply.

In the fourth aspect, the power supply may have a cylindrical shape, and the thermistor may include an arc-shaped portion along the cylindrical shape of the power supply.

In the fourth aspect, the measuring circuit and the resistor may be arranged on the same surface of the substrate.

In the fourth aspect, the distance between the geometric center of the figure formed by the outer edge of the substrate and the geometric center of the measuring circuit may be smaller than the shortest distance between the geometric center of the figure and the resistor. good.

In the fourth aspect, the distance between the geometric center of the figure formed by the outer edge of the substrate and the geometric center of the measurement circuit is smaller than the shortest distance between the geometric center of the figure and the two thermista connectors. You may.

In the fourth aspect, the distance between the geometric center of the figure formed by the outer edge of the substrate and the geometric center of the measuring circuit is smaller than the shortest distance between the geometric center of the figure and the resistor. It may be smaller than the shortest distance between the geometric center of the figure and the two thermista connectors.

In a fourth aspect, the power supply unit further comprises two power connectors to which the power supply is connected, and the two power connectors may be arranged on the substrate, of a figure composed of an outer edge of the substrate. The shortest distance between the geometric center and the geometric center of the measurement circuit may be smaller than the shortest distance between the geometric center of the figure and the two power connectors.

In the fourth aspect, the control unit may be arranged on a substrate different from the substrate on which the resistor, the two thermistor connectors, and the measurement circuit are arranged.

Fifth to seventh aspects of the invention described in the specification and drawings provide techniques that are advantageous in protecting the power supply.

A fifth aspect relates to the power supply unit of the aerosol generator, which controls the supply of power to the heater for heating the aerosol source and the charging of the power supply using the power supplied from the power supply. A control unit and a measurement circuit for measuring the state of the power supply are provided.
The measurement circuit includes a detection circuit that detects that the state of the power supply has become an abnormal state, and an output unit that outputs an abnormality notification in response to detection by the detection circuit.

In a fifth aspect, the measurement circuit may further include an interface for providing state information regarding the state of the power supply to the control unit in response to a request from the control unit.

In the fifth aspect, the control unit may execute a protection operation for protecting the power supply in response to the abnormality notification and the state information.

In a fifth aspect, the protective operation may include prohibiting charging of the power source and prohibiting discharge from the power source to the heater.

In the fifth aspect, the power supply unit may further include a notification unit for notifying that the power supply is abnormal.

In the fifth aspect, the power supply unit may further include a reset unit that resets the control unit, and the protection operation may be released by resetting the control unit by the reset unit.

In the fifth aspect, the output unit responds to at least one of the charge current of the power source exceeding the first reference value and the discharge current from the power source exceeding the second reference value. The abnormality notification may be output.

In the fifth aspect, the control unit may acquire the state information from the measurement circuit via the interface in response to the output of the abnormality notification from the output unit, and may acquire the state information from the measurement circuit. The state information may include at least one of information for determining whether or not the power supply has permanently failed and information indicating that the power supply has permanently failed.

In the fifth aspect, the abnormal state may include a state in which the temperature of the power source exceeds the reference temperature.

In the fifth aspect, the power supply unit may further include a protection unit that protects the power supply in response to the abnormality notification, regardless of the control by the control unit.

In the fifth aspect, after the protection unit protects the power supply in response to the abnormality notification, the control unit receives the state information acquired via the interface that the power supply is not in the abnormal state. When is indicated, it may be possible to supply electric power to the heater.

In the fifth aspect, the protection of the power supply by the protection unit may be releasable.

In a fifth aspect, the control unit acquires first information regarding the state of the power supply from the measurement circuit via the interface by periodic polling, and responds to the abnormality notification and uses the interface to obtain the first information. Second information regarding the state of the power supply may be acquired from the measurement circuit, and the control unit protects the power supply when the first information indicates that the power supply is in the first state. May be executed, and the measurement circuit may output the abnormality notification in response to the power supply becoming a second state worse than the first state.

In the fifth aspect, the first information and the second information may be information indicating the temperature of the power source.

In a fifth aspect, the control unit acquires first information regarding the state of the power supply from the measurement circuit via the interface by periodic polling, and in response to the abnormality notification, the control unit obtains the first information regarding the state of the power supply via the interface. The second information regarding the state of the power source may be acquired from the measurement circuit, and the control unit may obtain the first information from any condition in which the state of the power source is included in the first condition group when the power source is charged. When the operation for protecting the power supply is executed, and the first information satisfies any of the conditions in which the state of the power supply is included in the second condition group when the power supply is discharged. , The operation of protecting the power supply may be executed, and the number of conditions included in the first condition group may be larger than the number of conditions included in the second condition group.

In a fifth aspect, the control unit acquires first information regarding the state of the power supply from the measurement circuit via the interface by periodic polling, and in response to the abnormality notification, the control unit obtains the first information regarding the state of the power supply via the interface. The second information regarding the state of the power source may be acquired from the measurement circuit, and the control unit may obtain the second information from any condition in which the state of the power source is included in the third condition group when the power source is charged. When the operation for protecting the power supply is executed, and the second information satisfies any of the conditions in which the state of the power supply is included in the fourth condition group when the power supply is discharged. , The operation of protecting the power supply may be executed, and the number of conditions included in the third condition group may be less than the number of conditions included in the fourth condition group.

In the fifth aspect, the abnormality notification may include notification by a first abnormality signal and notification by a second abnormality signal, and the first abnormality signal is provided to the control unit and the second abnormality signal is provided. May be provided to the control unit, the first abnormal signal is output from the output unit when the state of the power supply is the first abnormal state, and the second abnormal signal is the state of the power supply. May be output from the output unit when is in a second abnormal state different from the first abnormal state.

In the fifth aspect, the first abnormal signal may be provided to the control unit through an information holding circuit that holds the first abnormal signal.

The sixth aspect relates to the power supply unit of the aerosol generator, which is connected to a connector to which a heater for heating the aerosol source by using the electric power supplied from the power source is connected and the potential of the positive electrode of the power source. It has a terminal to which the potential corresponding to the electric potential is supplied, and can cut off the discharge of the power supply in the control unit that controls the supply of electric power to the heater and the charging of the power supply, and the path through which the current output from the power supply flows. The control unit includes a switch arranged in the above and a protection circuit that opens the switch so that the discharge of the power supply is cut off when the potential of the positive electrode falls below the first level. The charging current of the power supply is increased as the potential of the positive electrode detected based on the potential supplied to the terminal exceeds the second level, which is larger than the first level, due to the charging of the power supply.

On the sixth aspect, the power supply unit may further include a rectifying element connected in parallel to the switch so that the power supply can be supplied with a charging current.

In the sixth aspect, the rectifying element may be a body diode attached to the switch.

In the sixth aspect, the protection circuit may be supplied with the output voltage of the power supply regardless of the state of the switch.

In the sixth aspect, the supply of electric power to the control unit may be cut off by opening the switch.

In the sixth aspect, the difference between the first level and the second level may be greater than the forward voltage of the rectifying element.

In the sixth aspect, the terminal may be supplied with a potential obtained by dividing the potential of the positive electrode of the power source.

In the sixth aspect, the path includes a first conductive path connected to the positive electrode of the power source and a second conductive path connected to the negative electrode of the power source, and the switch is the second conductive path. May be placed in.

In the sixth aspect, the power supply unit uses a voltage supplied from an external device to supply a first voltage for charging the power supply between the first conductive path and the second conductive path. At the same time, a voltage supply circuit that generates a second voltage for operating the control unit may be further provided, and the control unit may control charging of the power supply by controlling the voltage supply circuit.

In the sixth aspect, the voltage supply circuit includes a charging circuit that generates a third voltage in addition to the first voltage using a voltage supplied from the external device, and the third charging circuit that is output from the charging circuit. It may include a transformer circuit that converts a voltage into the second voltage.

In the sixth aspect, the control unit handles an error when the voltage supply circuit finishes charging before the potential of the positive electrode detected based on the potential supplied to the terminal exceeds the second level. May be executed.

In the sixth aspect, when the time required for the voltage supply circuit to charge the power supply is shorter than the reference time, the control unit charges the power supply and supplies power to the heater as the error processing. It may be prohibited.

In the sixth aspect, the state in which the charging of the power source and the supply of electric power to the heater are prohibited as the error processing may not be released.

In the sixth aspect, when the time required for the voltage supply circuit to charge the power supply is not shorter than the reference time, the control unit charges the power supply and charges the heater as the error processing. The state in which the supply is prohibited may be released by restarting the control unit.

In a sixth aspect, the protection circuit may close the switch in response to the potential of the positive electrode exceeding a third level greater than the first level.

In the sixth aspect, the power supply unit may further include a measuring circuit for measuring the voltage of the power supply, and the control unit is measured by the measuring circuit after the protection circuit closes the switch. The charging current of the power supply may be increased according to the potential of the positive electrode exceeding the fourth level smaller than the second level.

A seventh aspect relates to a power supply unit of an aerosol generator, wherein the power supply unit is connected to a connector to which a heater for heating an aerosol source is connected using electric power supplied from the electric power source, and electric power to the heater. The control unit includes a control unit that controls the supply and charging operation of the power supply, and a measurement circuit that measures the state of the power supply, and the control unit has a first terminal that receives information correlating with the state of the power supply. , The first index corresponding to the information supplied to the first terminal is acquired, and the measurement circuit has a second terminal that receives information having a correlation with the state of the power supply and is supplied to the second terminal. A second index corresponding to the information is generated and provided to the control unit, and the control unit controls the charging operation of the power supply according to the first index and the second index.

In the seventh aspect, it is possible to operate in a first mode in which the power supply is charged with a first current value smaller than a predetermined current value, and a second mode in which the power supply is charged with a second current value larger than the predetermined current value. A charging circuit can be further provided, and the control unit indicates that the power supply is in an over-discharged state when at least one of the first index and the second index indicates that the power supply is in the over-discharged state. The charging operation may be controlled so that the battery is charged in the mode.

In the seventh aspect, it is possible to operate in a first mode in which the power supply is charged with a first current value smaller than a predetermined current value, and a second mode in which the power supply is charged with a second current value larger than the predetermined current value. The charger circuit may be further provided, and the control unit may provide the power supply when at least one of the first index and the second index indicates that the over-discharged state of the power supply has been eliminated. The charging operation may be controlled so that the battery is charged in the second mode.

In the seventh aspect, it is possible to operate in a first mode in which the power supply is charged with a first current value smaller than a predetermined current value, and a second mode in which the power supply is charged with a second current value larger than the predetermined current value. A charging circuit may be further provided, and the control unit indicates that the power supply is in an over-discharged state when at least one of the first index and the second index indicates that the power supply is in the over-discharged state. The power supply controls the charging operation so that it is charged in the mode, and when at least one of the first index and the second index indicates that the over-discharged state has been eliminated, the power supply is said to be said. The charging operation may be controlled so that the battery is charged in the second mode.

In the seventh aspect, the first index and the second index may be comparable indexes on the same scale.

In the seventh aspect, the first index and the second index may be the output voltage of the power supply.

In a seventh aspect, the power supply unit may further include a notification unit that notifies information about the remaining amount of the power supply, and the control unit indicates the remaining amount of the power supply as the state of the power supply. The index may be acquired from the measurement circuit, and the information according to the third index may be notified to the notification unit.

In the seventh aspect, the third index may be SOC.

In the seventh aspect, the power supply unit has a switch arranged so as to be able to cut off the discharge of the power supply in the path through which the current output from the power supply flows, and the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply has fallen below the first level. A protection circuit that opens the switch so that the discharge of the power supply is cut off and closes the switch when the potential of the positive electrode exceeds the second level larger than the first level, and the power supply. A rectifying element connected in parallel to the switch so as to be able to supply a charging current to the switch may be further provided.

In the seventh aspect, the control unit controls the charging operation based on the first index when the switch is open, and the charging operation is based on the second index when the switch is closed. The operation may be controlled.

In a seventh aspect, the power supply unit may further include a rectifying element connected in parallel to the switch so that the power supply can be supplied with a charging current.

In the seventh aspect, the rectifying element may be a body diode attached to the switch.

In the seventh aspect, the protection circuit may be supplied with the output voltage of the power supply regardless of the state of the switch.

On the seventh side surface, the first terminal may be supplied with a potential obtained by dividing the potential of the positive electrode of the power source.

In a seventh aspect, the path may include a first conductive path connected to the positive electrode of the power source and a second conductive path connected to the negative electrode of the power source, the switch being the second. It may be arranged in a conductive path.

In a seventh aspect, the power supply unit uses a voltage supplied from an external device to supply a first voltage for charging the power supply between the first conductive path and the second conductive path. At the same time, a voltage supply circuit that generates a second voltage for operating the control unit may be further provided, and the control unit may control charging of the power supply by controlling the voltage supply circuit.

In the seventh aspect, the voltage supply circuit includes a charging circuit that generates a third voltage in addition to the first voltage using a voltage supplied from the external device, and the third charging circuit that is output from the charging circuit. It may include a transformer circuit that converts a voltage into the second voltage.

Eighth aspect of the invention described in the specification and drawings provides techniques that favor simplification of operations.

An eighth aspect relates to a power supply unit of an aerosol generator, wherein the power supply unit has a switch, an insertion hole capable of accommodating an aerosol source, a closed state that closes the insertion hole, and the aerosol source in the insertion hole. A slider that can be operated to provide an insertable open state, a first detection unit that detects the state of the slider, and a detection result by the first detection unit according to the operation of the switch. It is provided with a circuit block that operates in a similar manner.

In the eighth aspect, the power supply unit may further include an outer case including a removable panel and a second detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of the panel, and the circuit block may further include the second detection. In response to the operation of the switch in the state where the unit detects that the panel is not present, the operation according to the detection result by the second detection unit is performed regardless of the detection result by the first detection unit. do.

In an eighth aspect, the circuit block may include a restartable control unit, which is in a state where the second detection unit has detected that the panel is present and by the first detection unit. When the switch is operated while the slider is detected to be in the open state, the first process related to aerosol generation may be executed, and the panel may be provided by the second detection unit. When the switch is operated in the detected state and in the state where the slider is detected to be in the closed state by the first detection unit, a second process not related to aerosol generation may be executed. When the switch is operated in a state where the second detection unit detects that the panel is not present, the control unit may be restarted regardless of the detection result by the first detection unit. ..

In the eighth aspect, the second process may include a process relating to communication with an external device.

The figure which illustrates the appearance of the aerosol generator. The figure which illustrates the structure of the aerosol generator. The figure which illustrates the structure of the aerosol generator. The figure which illustrates the circuit structure of the power supply unit. The figure explaining the operation of a power supply unit. The figure explaining the operation of a power supply unit. The figure explaining the operation of a power supply unit. The figure explaining the operation of a power supply unit. The figure explaining the operation of a power supply unit. The figure explaining the operation of a power supply unit. The figure explaining the operation of a power supply unit. The figure explaining the operation of a power supply unit. The figure explaining the operation of a power supply unit. State transition diagram of the aerosol generator or power supply unit. The figure which illustrates the structure of the aerosol generator. The figure which illustrates the structure of the aerosol generator. The figure which illustrates the structure of the aerosol generator. The figure which illustrates the structure of the aerosol generator. The figure which illustrates the structure of the aerosol generator. The figure which shows typically the discharge state from a power source. The figure which shows typically the charge state of a power source. The figure which illustrates the structure of the aerosol generator. The figure which illustrates the protection circuit and the measurement circuit and the electronic component arranged around them. The figure which illustrates the operation of protection circuit and measurement circuit and the electronic component arranged around them. The figure which illustrates the operation of protection circuit and measurement circuit and the electronic component arranged around them. The figure which illustrates the operation of protection circuit and measurement circuit and the electronic component arranged around them. The figure which illustrates the operation of protection circuit and measurement circuit and the electronic component arranged around them. The figure which illustrates the operation of protection circuit and measurement circuit and the electronic component arranged around them. The figure which illustrates the arrangement of the electronic component on the 1st substrate. The figure which illustrates the arrangement of the electronic component on the 1st substrate. The figure illustrating the function related to the protection of a power source exemplarily. The configuration example of the measurement circuit for realizing the function of the measurement circuit shown in FIG. 22 is schematically shown. The figure which shows the connection example of a measurement circuit, a control part, a transformer circuit, a charging circuit, an information holding circuit, an OP amplifier and the like. The figure explaining the operation of the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 24. The figure explaining the operation of the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 24. The figure explaining the operation of the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 24. The figure which shows typically the example of the change of the state about the discharge and charge of a power source. The figure which showed the protection circuit, the switch part, the measurement circuit, the control part and the switch circuit together with the 1st conductive path and the 2nd conductive path. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 29. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 29. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 29. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 29. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 29. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 29. The figure which shows the operation example of a protection circuit, a control part, a charge circuit and a measurement circuit in chronological order. The figure which shows the operation example of a protection circuit, a control part, a charge circuit and a measurement circuit in chronological order. The figure which shows the operation example of the control part at the time of being interrupted by the completion of charging.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the invention. Two or more of the plurality of features described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. In addition, the same or similar configuration will be given the same reference number, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the aerosol generator AGD of one embodiment. Here, FIGS. 1 (a), 1 (b), (c), and (e) are a rear view, a front view, a top view, and a bottom view of the aerosol generator AGD, respectively. FIG. 1D is a top view of the aerosol generator AGD with the component (slider C102) removed.

The aerosol generator AGD is an aerosol having a flavor or an aerosol in response to an operation requiring the generation of an aerosol (hereinafter, also referred to as "atomization request") such as a suction operation by a user (aspirator). Gases containing aerosols and flavoring materials, or aerosols, or aerosols containing flavoring materials may be configured to provide the user with an aerosol. The aerosol source may be solid, liquid, or a mixture of solid and liquid. The liquid aerosol source may include, for example, a liquid such as a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin or propylene glycol. As a specific example, the aerosol source may include a mixed solution of glycerin and propylene glycol. The aerosol source may include a drug. A vapor source such as water may be used in place of or in combination with the aerosol source. The flavoring substance can be, for example, a molded product obtained by molding a tobacco material. Alternatively, the flavoring substance may be composed of plants other than tobacco (eg, mint, herbs, Chinese herbs, coffee beans, etc.). Perfume such as menthol may be added to the flavor substance. Flavoring substances may be added to the aerosol source.

The aerosol generator AGD may include, for example, an outer case C101 and a slider C102 attached to the outer case C101. The outer case C101 can have an insertion hole C104 into which an insert containing at least one of an aerosol source and a flavoring substance can be inserted or accommodated. The slider C102 may provide a closed state in which the insertion hole C104 is closed or covered, and an open state in which the insertion hole C104 is exposed to an external space and an insert can be inserted into the insertion hole C104. The slider C102 may be, for example, a slide mechanism along a straight line or a curved line, or a rotating mechanism. The insert of the slider C102, which may be replaced by a shutter, may be, for example, a stick or a capsule. A heater for heating the insert may be arranged in the insertion hole C104. The heater can be, for example, a resistance element. A heater composed of a resistance element or the like may be arranged in the insert. In this case, the insert is provided with an electric connector for energizing the heater, and the insertion hole C104 is provided in the insert. An electrical connector that is electrically connected to the provided electrical connector may be provided. The heater may be, for example, an induction heating type heater. The induction heating type heater may include a coil and a susceptor that generates heat by induction heating by electromagnetic waves from the coil. The susceptor can be placed within the insert.

All or part of the outer case C101 may be composed of easily removable parts such as a panel. In other words, all or part of the outer case C101 may be composed of parts such as panels that are not prohibited from being removed by the user. In one example, the outer case C101 has an easily removable outer panel C103. The outer panel C103 may be coupled to the remaining portion (main body portion) of the outer case C101 by a magnet, a latch mechanism, or the like. The outer case C101 can be understood as the first part of the exterior part of the aerosol generator AGD, and the outer panel C103 can be understood as the second part of the exterior part.

The aerosol generator AGD may have a notification unit NU. The notification unit NU can provide the information to the user in a format that the user can perceive. The notification unit NU may include, for example, at least one of a display device, a speaker, a vibration device, and a scent generation device. The display device may include, for example, at least one of a light emitting device such as an LED and a two-dimensional display device such as a liquid crystal display device.

FIG. 2A illustrates an aerosol generator AGD with the outer panel C103 removed. The aerosol generator AGD may have one or more magnets (holding portions) C112 for magnetically holding the outer panel C103. The aerosol generator AGD may have a switch SW that can be operated by the user. The outer panel C103 is configured to be easily deformed by a user operation, and the switch SW may be operated by a user pressing force on the outer panel C103. Alternatively, the switch SW may be arranged so as to be exposed to the outside of the aerosol generator AGD. The aerosol generator AGD may have an inner panel C113 inside the outer panel C103. The inner panel C113 may have a plurality of openings for exposing the magnet C112, the notification unit NU, and the switch SW. The inner panel C113 may be fastened to the internal structure of the aerosol generator AGD by, for example, a fastening component such as a screw.

FIG. 2B illustrates an aerosol generator AGD in which the inner panel C113 is removed from the internal structure. The aerosol generator AGD includes a power supply unit PSU. The power supply unit PSU may include a power supply BT. As the power supply BT, for example, a lithium ion secondary battery may be used, a lithium ion capacitor may be used, a combination of these may be used, or another type of power supply element may be used. May be done.

FIG. 3A illustrates an aerosol generator AGD in a state in which all of the outer case C101 is further removed. FIG. 3B illustrates an aerosol generator AGD with the chassis CHS and the power supply BT removed. The aerosol generator AGD may include a heater HT that heats the insert inserted into the insertion hole C104. The heater HT can be placed in the insulation tube INS illustrated in FIG. 2 (b). The power supply unit PSU may have a plurality of substrates (for example, printed wiring boards (PCBs)) PCB1, PCB2, PCB3, and PCB4.

The power supply BT can have a columnar shape such as a columnar shape whose axial direction is parallel to the insertion / removal direction DIR of the insert with respect to the insertion hole C104. In other words, the insertion / removal direction DIR of the insert with respect to the insertion hole C104 and the axial direction of the power supply BT can be parallel to each other. A portion of the side surface of the power supply BT may be arranged so as to face the heater HT or the insertion hole C104 via at least the heat insulating cylinder INS. The other portion of the side surface of the power supply BT may be arranged so as to face the first substrate PCB1 directly or via other components. The second substrate PCB2 may be arranged in parallel with the first substrate PCB1. The third substrate PCB3 may be arranged at right angles to the first substrate PCB1 and the second substrate PCB2. The third substrate PCB3 may be arranged between the first substrate PCB1 and the power supply BT in the width direction of the power supply unit PSU (the direction in which the dimension of the aerosol generator AGD is the largest among the directions orthogonal to the insertion / removal direction DIR). .. The third substrate PCB3 may be arranged to have a portion facing a portion of the side surface of the power supply BT and a portion of the adiabatic communication INS. The third substrate PCB3 may have an elongated shape in a direction parallel to the insertion / removal direction DIR. As shown in FIG. 2B, the third substrate PCB3 may be placed between the two magnets C112.

FIG. 4 illustrates the circuit configuration of the power supply unit PSU. The power supply unit PSU includes a power supply BT, a protection circuit 90, a measurement circuit 100, an overvoltage protection circuit 110, a transformation circuit 120, an OP amplifier (amplifier circuit) A1, a switch SH, SM, SR, SS, and a thermistor (for example, an NTC thermistor or PTC). Thermistor) TB may be included. The power supply BT, protection circuit 90, measurement circuit 100, overvoltage protection circuit 110, transformer circuit 120, OP amplifier A1, switch SH, SM, SR, SS may be arranged on the first substrate PSB1, for example.

The power supply unit PSU may also include a load switch 10, a charging circuit 20, a transformer circuit 30, a load switch 40, a power switch driver 50, a load switch 60, a non-volatile memory (eg ROM) 70, and a switch circuit 80. The load switch 10, the charging circuit 20, the transformation circuit 30, the load switch 40, the power switch driver 50, the load switch 60, the non-volatile memory 70, and the switch circuit 80 may be arranged on the second board PCB2, for example. The power supply unit PSU also includes a control unit (MCU) 130, a thermistor TP (eg, NTC thermistor or PTC thermistor), a thermistor (eg, NTC thermistor or PTC thermistor) TH, OP amplifier (amplifier circuit) A2, thermistor (eg, NTC). Thermistor or PTC thermistor) TC, OP amplifier (amplifier circuit) A3, information holding circuits FF1 and FF2 may be included. The control unit 130, the OP amplifier A2, the OP amplifier A3, and the information holding circuits FF1 and FF2 may be arranged on the second substrate PCB2.

The power supply unit PSU may also include a detection unit 140, a Schmitt trigger circuit 150, a communication device 160, a detection unit 170, a switch SW, and a notification unit NU. The detection unit 140, the Schmitt trigger circuit 150, the communication device 160, the switch SW, and the notification unit NU may be arranged on the third substrate PCB3. The power supply unit PSU can also include a detection unit 170, which can be located on the fourth substrate PCB4.

Hereinafter, the operation of each component constituting the power supply unit PSU will be described. The positive electrode of the power supply BT is electrically connected to the first power supply connector BC +, and the negative electrode of the power supply BT is electrically connected to the second power supply connector BC−. The potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT can be supplied to the VBAT terminal of the protection circuit 90, the VBAT terminal of the measurement circuit 100, the VIN terminal of the transformer circuit 120, the BAT terminal of the charging circuit 20, and the potential input terminal of the switch circuit 80.

The protection circuit 90 uses a path through which the current output from the power supply BT flows, more specifically, a resistor R2 arranged in the second conductive path PT2 electrically connected to the second power supply connector BC-. The switch unit arranged in the second conductive path PT2 can be controlled so as to measure the current flowing through the second conductive path PT2 and protect the power supply BT according to the current. The switch unit may include a first transistor (first switch) SD and a second transistor (first switch) SC connected in series. Here, the first transistor SD functions as a switch for shutting off the second conductive path PT2 so as to stop the discharge of the power supply BT when it is opened (when it is turned off), and the second transistor SC functions as a switch. When opened (off), it can function as a switch for shutting off the second conductive path PT2 so as to stop charging the power supply BT. The first transistor SD may be arranged in the first conductive path PT1 electrically connected to the first power connector BC +, and the second transistor SC may also be arranged in the first conductive path PT1. The resistor R2 may also be arranged in the first conductive path PT1. As a specific example, when the current flowing through the second conductive path PT2 measured during charging of the power supply BT is excessive, the protection circuit 90 opens (turns off) the second transistor SC. Further, when the current flowing through the second conductive path PT2 measured while the power supply BT is not charged is excessive, the protection circuit 90 opens (turns off) the first transistor SD. The protection circuit 90 may be composed of, for example, an integrated circuit (IC (Integrated Circuit)).

The protection circuit 90 is arranged in the second conductive path PT2 so as to measure the output voltage of the power supply BT based on the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT supplied to the VBAT terminal and protect the power supply BT according to the output voltage. It is possible to control the switch section. As a specific example, when the voltage of the power supply BT indicates an overcharged state of the power supply BT, the protection circuit 90 opens (turns off) the second transistor SC. Further, when the output voltage of the power supply BT indicates an over-discharged state of the power supply BT, the protection circuit 90 opens (turns off) the first transistor SD. The overcharged state of the power supply BT can be understood as referring to a state in which the output voltage of the power supply BT exceeds a predetermined full charge voltage. The over-discharged state of the power supply BT can be understood as referring to a state in which the output voltage of the power supply BT is lower than the predetermined discharge end voltage. Further, the deep discharge state of the power supply BT can be understood as referring to a state in which the discharge of the power supply BT in the over-discharged state further progresses and an irreversible change occurs in the internal structure of the power supply BT.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a first rectifying element connected in parallel to the first transistor SD may be provided, and the first rectifying element is configured as a body diode of the first transistor SD. May be good. The forward direction of the first rectifying element is the direction in which the current for charging the power supply BT flows. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a second rectifying element connected in parallel to the second transistor SC may be provided, and the second rectifying element is configured as a body diode of the second transistor SC. May be done. The forward direction of the second rectifying element is the direction in which the current discharged from the power supply BT flows.

The measurement circuit 100 uses a path through which the current output from the power supply BT flows, more specifically, resistors R1 and VBAT terminals arranged in the second conductive path PT2 electrically connected to the second power supply connector BC-. Therefore, the state of the power supply BT can be measured. The resistor R1 may be arranged in the first conductive path PT1. The measuring circuit 100 may be arranged to measure the temperature of the power supply BT by measuring the resistance value of the thermistor (for example, NTC thermistor or PTC thermistor) TB arranged to measure the temperature of the power supply BT. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the power supply BT can have a cylindrical shape, in which case the thermistor TB may include an arcuate portion along the cylindrical shape of the power supply BT. The thermistor TB can surround the power supply BT at a central angle of 180 degrees or more, 200 degrees or more, 220 degrees or more, 240 degrees, 260 degrees or more by a band shape, for example, along the cylindrical shape of the power supply BT. The measurement circuit 100 may be composed of, for example, an integrated circuit.

The overvoltage protection circuit 110 receives the voltage V _BUS supplied from the USB connector USB C as the power supply connector and outputs the voltage V _USB to the V _USB line. Voltage V The voltage value of _USB is, for example, 5.0V. The V _USB line is connected to the VOUT terminal and the ON terminal of the load switch 10 described later and the PA9 terminal of the control unit 130. The overvoltage protection circuit 110 serves as a protection circuit that drops the voltage V _BUS supplied from the USB connector USBC to a specified voltage value and supplies it to the output side of the overvoltage protection circuit 110 even if the voltage exceeds the specified voltage value. Can work. This specified voltage value may be set based on the voltage value input to the OVLo terminal. The overvoltage protection circuit 110 may be composed of, for example, an integrated circuit.

The transformer circuit 120 transforms the power supply voltage V _BAT supplied from the power supply BT to generate a heater voltage V _BOOST for driving the heater HT. The transformer circuit 120 may be a step-up circuit, a step-up / down circuit, or a step-down circuit. The heater HT is arranged to heat the aerosol source. The positive terminal of the heater HT may be electrically connected to the first heater connector HC +, and the negative terminal of the heater HT may be electrically connected to the second heater connector HC-. The heater HT may be attached to the power supply unit PSU or the aerosol generator AGD in a form that cannot be removed without breaking (for example, soldering), or can be removed without breaking. It may be attached with. In the present specification, the electrical connection by the "connector" is divided into a form in which the electrical connection by the "connector" cannot be separated from each other unless otherwise specified, and a form in which the electrical connection by the "connector" can be separated from each other without the destruction. It is explained as any of them may be used. The transformer circuit 120 may be composed of, for example, an integrated circuit.

When the heater HT is heated, the switch SM is turned off by the control unit 130, the switch SH and the switch SS are turned on, and the heater voltage _VBOOST can be supplied to the heater HT through the switch SH. When measuring the temperature or resistance of the heater HT, the switch SH is turned off by the control unit 130, the switch SM and the switch SS are turned on, and the heater voltage _VBOOST can be supplied to the heater HT through the switch SM. When measuring the temperature or resistance value of the heater HT, the OP amplifier A1 uses the voltage between the positive and negative terminals of the heater HT, in other words, the first heater connector HC + and the second heater connector HC-. The output corresponding to the voltage between them is supplied to the PA7 terminal of the control unit 130. The OP amplifier A1 may be understood as a temperature measuring circuit for measuring the resistance value or temperature of the heater HT. A shunt resistor RS may be arranged in the path for electrically connecting the switch SM and the first heater connector HC +. The resistance value of the shunt resistor RS can be determined so that the switch SR is turned on during the period of heating the heater HT and the switch SR is turned off during the period of measuring the temperature or resistance value of the heater HT.

When the switch SR is composed of an N-channel MOSFET, the drain terminal of the switch SR is connected to the output terminal of the operational amplifier A1, and the gate terminal of the switch SR is connected between the shunt resistor RS and the first heater connector HC +. The source terminal of the switch SR is connected to the ground line. A value obtained by dividing the heater voltage VBOOST mainly by the shunt resistor RS and the heater HT is input to the gate terminal of the switch SR. The resistance value of the shunt resistor RS can be determined so that the divided value becomes equal to or higher than the threshold voltage of the switch SR. Further, due to the shunt resistance RS, the current flowing through the heater HT when the switch SH is turned off and the switch SM and the switch SS are turned on is the current flowing through the heater HT when the switch SH and the switch SS are turned on and the switch SM is turned off. Smaller than As a result, when measuring the temperature or resistance of the heater HT, the temperature of the heater HT is less likely to change due to the current flowing through the heater HT.

The load switch 10 electrically disconnects the VIN terminal and the VOUT terminal when the low level is input to the ON terminal, and connects the VIN terminal and the VOUT terminal when the high level is input to the ON terminal. _{Is electrically connected, and the voltage V CC5 is} output from the V OUT terminal to the V CC 5 line. The voltage value of the voltage V _CC5 is, for example, 5.0 V. The ON terminal of the load switch 10 is electrically connected to the ground line via the switch SI. The switch SI is composed of transistors and turns on when a high level is supplied to its base or gate and turns off when a low level is supplied. USB connector When the voltage V _BUS is supplied via the USB C and V _USB lines, the control unit 130 detects it based on the voltage input to the PA9 terminal and sends it to the base or gate of the transistors that make up the switch SI. Supply low level. When the switch SI is turned off, the divided value of the voltage V _USB is supplied to the ON terminal of the load switch 10. As a result, a high level is supplied to the ON terminal of the load switch 10. In other words, the two resistors connected to the ON terminal of the load switch 10 have an electrical resistance value such that the value obtained by dividing the voltage V _USB becomes a high level for the ON terminal of the load switch 10. On the other hand, during the period when the voltage V _BUS is not supplied via the USB connector USB C, the control unit 130 supplies a high level to the base or gate of the transistors constituting the switch SI based on the voltage input to the PA9 terminal. do. The ON terminal of the load switch 10 is connected to the ground line when the switch SI is turned on. As a result, a low level is supplied to the ON terminal of the load switch 10. The V _CC5 line is electrically connected to the VAC terminal and V _BUS terminal of the charging circuit 20 and the notification unit NU. The switch SI may consist of transistors that turn on when a low level is supplied to its base or gate and turn off when a high level is supplied. In this case, the control unit 130 supplies a high level to the base or gate of the transistors constituting the switch SI when the voltage V _BUS is supplied via the USB connector USB C and the V _USB line, and the voltage is supplied via the USB connector USB C. During the period when V _BUS is not supplied, a low level may be supplied to the base or gate of the transistors constituting the switch SI. The load switch 10 may be composed of, for example, an integrated circuit.

The charging circuit 20 has a charging mode. In the charging mode, the charging circuit 20 supplies the voltage V _{CC from the SW terminal to the V CC line using the voltage V CC 5 supplied} via the V _CC 5 line, and electrically connects the SYS terminal and the BAT terminal. Then, the charging voltage can be supplied from the BAT terminal to the power supply BT via the first conductive path PT1. The _VCS line is connected to the VIN terminal and the EN terminal of the transformer circuit 30 described later. The charging mode can be enabled or activated by supplying a low level to the / CE terminal. The charging circuit 20 may be composed of, for example, an integrated circuit.

The charging circuit 20 may have a first power path mode. In the first power path mode, the charging circuit 20 electrically connects the VBUS terminal and the SW terminal, and supplies the voltage V _{CC to the V CC line using the voltage V CC 5 supplied} via the V _CC 5 line. However, the SYS terminal and the BAT terminal are electrically separated. The first power path mode is mainly used when the power supply BT is in an over-discharged or deep-discharged state. Further, the charging circuit 20 may have a second power path mode. In the second power path mode, the charging circuit 20 electrically connects the SYS terminal and the BAT terminal, controls the pulse width of the switching element that electrically connects the VBUS terminal and the SW terminal, and supplies the voltage from the power supply BT. The power supply voltage V _BAT to be _generated and the voltage V CC 5 supplied via the V _{CC 5} line are combined to supply the voltage V _CC to the V _CC line. The second power path mode is used when the voltage V _BUS is supplied via the USB connector USB C and the V _USB line and the power supply BT is fully charged. Further, the charging circuit 20 may have a third power path mode. In the third power path mode, the charging circuit 20 electrically separates the VBUS terminal and the SW terminal, electrically connects the SYS terminal and the BAT terminal, and supplies the power supply voltage supplied from the power supply BT to the voltage _VCC . Supply to the _VCS line as. The third power path mode is used when the voltage V _BUS is not supplied via the USB connector USB C.

The charging circuit 20 may have an OTG mode. In the OTG mode, the charging circuit 20 receives the power supply voltage V _BAT supplied from the power supply BT to the BAT terminal via the first conductive path PT1 and supplies the voltage V CC from the SYS terminal to the V _CC line, and also supplies the voltage V _CC to the V BUS terminal. Supply the voltage V _CC5 to the V _CC 5 line. In this case, the charging circuit 20 receives the power supply voltage V _BAT , generates a voltage higher than the power supply voltage V _BAT as the voltage V _CC5 , and can supply it to the V _CC5 line from the VBUS terminal. When a high level is supplied to the / CE terminal, the charging circuit 20 is set by the operation mode set by default among the first, second, third power path modes and the OTG mode, or by the control unit 130. Can operate in different operating modes. The control unit 130 can set the charging circuit 20 to any of the first, ^second , third power path modes, and the OTG mode by I2C communication. In this specification, I ^2C communication is mentioned as an example of the communication standard, but this is not intended to limit the communication standard or the communication method, and the I 2C communication and the I ^2C communication described below are described. The I ^2C interface can be replaced by other methods of communication and interface.

The transformer circuit 30 is enabled by supplying the voltage V _CC to the V _CC line connected to the EN terminal which is the enable terminal, and supplies the voltage V CC _{33_0} from the V OUT terminal to the V _{CC 33_0} line. Voltage V The voltage value of _{CC33_0} is, for example, 3.3V. The V _{CC33_0} line is connected to the VIN terminal of the load switch 40 described later, the VIN terminal and RSTB terminal of the power switch driver 50 described later, and the VCS terminal and the D terminal of the information holding circuit FF2 described later. The transformer circuit 30 may be a booster circuit, a buck-boost circuit, or a step-down circuit. The transformer circuit 30 may be composed of, for example, an integrated circuit. The load switch 40 electrically disconnects the VIN terminal and the VOUT terminal when the low level is input to the ON terminal, and connects the VIN terminal and the VOUT terminal when the high level is input to the ON terminal. Is electrically connected, and the voltage V _CC33 is output from the VOUT terminal to the V _CC33 line. Voltage V The voltage value of _CC33 is, for example, 3.3V. The V _CC33 line includes the VIN terminal of the load switch 60, the VCS terminal of the non-volatile memory 70, the VDD terminal and CE terminal of the measurement circuit 100, the VDD terminal of the control unit 130, the VDD terminal of the detection unit 140, and the VCS of the Schmitt trigger circuit 150. It is connected to the terminal, the VCS_NRF terminal of the communication device 160, the VDD terminal of the detection unit 170, the VCS terminal and the D terminal of the information holding circuit FF1, the power supply terminal of the OP amplifier A1, and the power supply terminal of the OP amplifier A2. The VIN terminal of the load switch 40 is electrically connected to the VOUT terminal of the transformer circuit 30, and the voltage V _{CC33_0} is supplied from the transformer circuit 30. The ON terminal of the load switch 40 is also electrically connected to the VOUT terminal of the transformer circuit 30 via a resistor, and the voltage V _{CC33_0} is supplied from the transformer circuit 30. That is, when the voltage V _{CC33_0} is supplied from the transformer circuit 40, the load switch 40 can output the voltage V _CC33 from the VOUT terminal to the V _CC33 line. The load switch 50 may be composed of, for example, an integrated circuit.

The power switch driver 50 outputs a low level from the RSTB terminal in response to the low level being supplied to the SW1 terminal and the SW2 terminal for a predetermined time. The RSTB terminal is electrically connected to the ON terminal of the load switch 40. Therefore, the load switch 40 stops the output of the voltage V _{CC 33} from the V OUT terminal in response to the low level being supplied to the SW1 terminal and the SW2 terminal of the power switch driver 50 for a predetermined time. When the output of the voltage V _CC33 from the VOUT terminal of the load switch 40 is stopped, the supply of the voltage V _CC33 to the VDD terminal (power supply terminal) of the control unit 130 is cut off, so that the control unit 130 stops the operation. The power switch driver 50 may be composed of, for example, an integrated circuit.

Here, when the outer panel C103 is removed from the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU, a low level is supplied from the detection unit 140 to the SW2 terminal of the power switch driver 50 via the Schmitt trigger circuit 150. Further, when the switch SW is pressed, a low level is supplied to the SW1 terminal of the power switch driver 50. Therefore, when the switch SW is pressed with the outer panel C103 removed from the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU (the state shown in FIG. 2A), the power switch driver 50 is connected to the SW1 terminal and the SW2 terminal. Levels are supplied. The power switch driver 50 receives a reset or restart command to the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU when the low level is continuously supplied to the SW1 terminal and the SW2 terminal for a predetermined time (for example, several seconds). Recognize that. The power switch driver 50 may be configured to stop the low level output from the RSTB terminal after outputting the low level from the RSTB terminal. With such a configuration, the voltage V _{CC33_0} is supplied again to the ON terminal of the load switch 40 after the low level is supplied, so that the load switch 40 sends the voltage V _CC33 from the V OUT terminal to the V _CC33 line. It can be output again. Since this voltage V _{CC 33} is input to the VDD terminal of the control unit 130, the control unit 130 can be restarted. In other words, after the power switch driver 50 outputs the low level from the RSTB terminal, the low level output from the RSTB terminal is stopped, so that the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU is reset or restarted.

The load switch 60 electrically disconnects the VIN terminal and the VOUT terminal when the low level is input to the ON terminal, and connects the VIN terminal and the VOUT terminal when the high level is input to the ON terminal. Is electrically connected, and the voltage V _{CC33_SLP} is output from the VOUT terminal to the V _{CC33_SLP} line. Voltage V The voltage value of _{CC33_SLP} is, for example, 3.3V. The V _{CC33_SLP} line can be connected to a thermistor TP described later, a thermistor TH described later, and a thermistor TC described later. The ON terminal of the load switch 60 is electrically connected to the PC11 terminal of the control unit 130, and the control unit 130 shifts the logic level of the PC11 terminal from a high level to a low level when shifting to the sleep mode. When shifting from the sleep mode to the active mode, the logic level of the PC11 terminal is changed from the low level to the high level. That is, the voltage V _{CC33_SLP} cannot be used in the sleep mode, and the voltage V _{CC33_SLP} can be used when the sleep mode is changed to the active mode. The load switch 60 may be composed of, for example, an integrated circuit.

The switch circuit 80 is a switch controlled by the control unit 130, and in the on state, the potential of the first conductive path PT1, that is, the potential corresponding to the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT is set by the control unit 130 via the switch circuit 80. It is supplied to the PC2 terminal. The potential corresponding to the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT is, for example, the potential obtained by dividing the potential of the positive electrode. The control unit 130 includes an AD converter or a voltage detector electrically connected to the PC2 terminal, and the control unit 130 turns on the switch circuit 80 to turn on the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT, that is, the output voltage of the power supply BT. Can be detected.

The power supply unit PSU may include a thermistor (eg, NTC thermistor or PTC thermistor) TP that constitutes a puff sensor for detecting puff operation. The thermistor TP can be arranged, for example, to detect a temperature change in the air flow path associated with the puff. The power supply unit PSU may include a vibrator M. The vibrator M can be activated, for example, by turning on the switch SN. The switch SN may be composed of a transistor, and a control signal may be supplied to the base or gate of the transistor from the PH0 terminal of the control unit 130. A driver for the vibrator M may be used instead of the switch SN.

The power supply unit PSU may include a thermistor (eg, NTC thermistor or PTC thermistor) TH for detecting the temperature of the heater HT. The temperature of the heater HT may be indirectly detected by detecting the temperature in the vicinity of the heater HT. The OP amplifier A2 can output a voltage corresponding to the resistance value of the thermistor TH, in other words, a voltage corresponding to the temperature of the heater HT.

The power supply unit PSU may include a thermistor (eg, NTC thermistor or PTC thermistor) TC for detecting the temperature of the outer case C101. The temperature of the outer case C101 may be indirectly detected by detecting the temperature in the vicinity of the outer case C101. The OP amplifier A3 outputs a voltage corresponding to the resistance value of the thermistor TC, in other words, a voltage corresponding to the temperature of the outer case C101.

The information holding circuit FF1 is used when the voltage corresponding to the output of the OP amplifier A2 deviates from the specified range, and typically when the temperature indicated by the output of the OP amplifier A2 exceeds the allowable limit temperature of the heater HT. It may be configured to hold information indicating that. The information holding circuit FF1 can operate by receiving the supply of the voltage V _CC33 output from the load switch 40 to the V _CC33 line. In other words, the VCS terminal (power supply terminal) of the information holding circuit FF1 is connected to the _VCS33 line. When the output of the voltage V _{CC 33} from the load switch 40 is stopped, the control unit 130 stops operating and the information held in the information holding circuit FF1 may be lost. The information holding circuit FF1 may be composed of, for example, an integrated circuit.

The information holding circuit FF1 also performs when the voltage corresponding to the output of the OP amplifier A3 deviates from the specified range, typically when the temperature indicated by the output of the OP amplifier A3 exceeds the allowable limit temperature of the outer case C101. , May be configured to retain information indicating that. As is clear from the above description, in the information holding circuit FF1, when the temperature indicated by the output of the OP amplifier A2 exceeds the allowable limit temperature of the heater HT, and when the temperature indicated by the output of the OP amplifier A3 exceeds the allowable limit temperature of the heater HT, the temperature indicated by the output of the OP amplifier A3 is the outer case C101. If any of the above acceptable temperatures are met, it may be configured to retain information indicating that.

The information holding circuit FF2 is used when the voltage corresponding to the output of the OP amplifier A2 deviates from the specified range, and typically when the temperature indicated by the output of the OP amplifier A2 exceeds the allowable limit temperature of the heater HT. It may be configured to hold information indicating that. The information holding circuit FF2 can operate by receiving the supply of the voltage V _{CC33_0} output from the transformer circuit 30 to the V _{CC33_0} line. In other words, the VCS terminal (power supply terminal) of the information holding circuit FF2 is connected to the _{VCC33_0} line. When the output of the voltage V _{CC33_0} from the transformer circuit 30 is stopped, the information held in the information holding circuit FF2 may be lost. However, even when the low level is input to the SW1 terminal and the SW2 terminal, the low level is output from the RSTB terminal of the power switch driver 50, and the output of the voltage V _CC33 from the load switch 40 is stopped. The output of the voltage V _{CC33_0} from the transformer circuit 30 is not stopped, and the information held in the information holding circuit FF2 can be maintained. The information holding circuit FF2 may be composed of EEPROM, and in this case, one EEPROM may provide the functions of the information holding circuit FF2 and the non-volatile memory 70. The information holding circuit FF2 may be composed of, for example, an integrated circuit.

The control unit 130 is composed of a processor such as an MCU and operates based on a program stored in the non-volatile memory 70 or the built-in memory, and can control or specify the operation of the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU. The control unit 130 controls the supply of electric power to the heater HT for heating the aerosol source by using the electric power supplied from the power supply BT. In another aspect, the control unit 130 controls the heat generation of the heater HT for heating the aerosol source by using the electric power supplied from the power supply BT. From yet another aspect, the control unit 130 controls the supply of electric power to the heater HT and the charging operation of the power supply BT.

The detection unit 140 may be configured to detect that the outer panel C103 has been removed from the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU. The detection unit 140 may be composed of, for example, an integrated circuit. The output of the detection unit 140 can be supplied to the SW2 terminal of the power switch driver 50 and the PD2 terminal of the control unit 130 via the Schmitt trigger circuit 150. The Schmitt trigger circuit 150 may be composed of, for example, an integrated circuit. One end of the switch SW can be connected to the SW1 terminal of the power switch driver 50 and the PC10 terminal of the control unit 130. One end of the switch SW is also connected to the _VCC33 line, and the other end of the switch SW is connected to the ground line. As a result, when the switch SW is pressed, a low level is supplied to the SW1 terminal of the power switch driver 50 and the PC10 terminal of the control unit 130, and when the switch SW is not pressed, the SW1 terminal of the power switch driver 50 and the PC10 of the control unit 130 are supplied. High levels can be supplied to the terminals. The detection unit 170 may be configured to detect the opening and closing of the slider C102. The output of the detection unit 170 can be supplied to the PC13 terminal of the control unit 130. The detection unit 170 may be composed of, for example, an integrated circuit. The detection units 140 and 170 may be composed of, for example, Hall elements. The communication device 160 provides the control unit 130 with a function of communicating with an electronic device such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, or a personal computer. The communication device 160 is, for example, a communication device compliant with a short-range communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The communication device 160 may be composed of, for example, an integrated circuit.

FIG. 5 shows a state transition diagram of the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU. In the sleep mode, the voltage V _CC33 is supplied from the VOUT terminal of the load switch 40 to the VDD terminal (power supply terminal) of the control unit 130 via the _VCC33 line. In the sleep mode, when the slider C102 is opened and detected by the detection unit 170, the aerosol generator AGD, the power supply unit PSU or the control unit 130 can shift to the active mode. In the active mode, the voltage V _{CC33_SLP} can be supplied from the VOUT terminal of the load switch 60 to the thermistors TP, TH, and TC. In the sleep mode, the control unit 130 may stop the acquisition of information from the measurement circuit 100 via the ^I2C interface described later.

When the switch SW (button switch in one example) is pressed in the active mode, the aerosol generator AGD, the power supply unit PSU, or the control unit 130 can shift to the heating preparation mode. In the heating preparation mode, the control unit 130 can output a high level from the PC12 terminal to activate the transformer circuit 120, and the transformer circuit 120 can output the voltage _VBOOST from the VOUT terminal. Since the switch SS is also connected to the PC12 terminal of the control unit 130, when a high level is output from the PC12 terminal, the switch SS is turned on and the heater connector HC- and the ground line can be connected.

After activating the transformer circuit 120, the aerosol generator AGD, the power supply unit PSU or the control unit 130 can shift from the heating preparation mode to the heating mode. In the heating mode, the heating operation of heating the aerosol source by the heater HT and the measurement operation of measuring the resistance value of the heater HT, that is, the temperature of the heater HT can be repeated.

In the heating mode, for example, a predetermined time elapses from the timing start timing, a predetermined number of puffs are generated from the count start timing, a slider C102 is closed, a USB cable is connected to the USB connector USBC, and other predetermined end events occur. The aerosol generator AGD, the power supply unit PSU, or the control unit 130 shifts to the heating end mode. The timing start timing may be, for example, the detection of pressing the switch SW in the active mode, the transition to the heating preparation mode, or the timing of the transition to the heating mode. The count start timing may be, for example, the timing of transition from the heating preparation mode to the heating mode. In the heating end mode, the heating of the aerosol source by the heater HT is completed, and then the aerosol generator AGD, the power supply unit PSU or the control unit 130 can shift to the active mode. When the heating of the aerosol source is completed by connecting the USB cable to the USB connector USBC, the aerosol generator AGD, the power supply unit PSU or the control unit 130 can directly shift from the heating end mode to the charging mode.

In the active mode, when the slider C102 is closed or the slider C102 and the switch SW are not operated for a predetermined time, the aerosol generator AGD, the power supply unit PSU or the control unit 130 may shift to the sleep mode. In the sleep mode, when the switch SW is pressed while the slider C102 is closed, the aerosol generator AGD, the power supply unit PSU, or the control unit 130 can shift to the pairing mode. In the pairing mode, the communication device 160 performs pairing (key exchange) with an electronic device, and if pairing is successful, bonding (key storage) is performed, and the aerosol generator AGD, power supply unit PSU or control The unit 130 can shift to the sleep mode. Information about bonding may be stored in the non-volatile memory 70. Further, even if the pairing fails, the aerosol generator AGD, the power supply unit PSU, or the control unit 130 can shift to the sleep mode.

In the sleep mode, when the USB cable is connected to the USB connector USBC, the aerosol generator AGD, the power supply unit PSU, or the control unit 130 can shift to the charging mode. The control unit 130 can detect the connection of the USB cable to the USB connector USBC according to the voltage or potential supplied to the PA9 terminal, output a low level from the PC9 terminal accordingly, and turn off the switch SI. As a result, a high level is supplied to the ON terminal of the load switch 10, and the load switch 10 can supply the voltage V _USB supplied to the V _USB line via the USB cable to the charging circuit 20 via the V OUT terminal. .. Further, the control unit 130 outputs a low level from the PB3 terminal. As a result, a low level (enable level) is supplied to the / CE terminal of the charging circuit 20, and the charging circuit 20 can supply a charging voltage to the power supply BT from the BAT terminal.

When a critical error occurs in the charging mode, the aerosol generator AGD, the power supply unit PSU or the control unit 130 may shift to the permanent failure mode. The aerosol generator AGD, the power supply unit PSU, or the control unit 130 may shift from a mode other than the charging mode to a permanent failure mode. Permanent failure mode may prohibit transitions to all other modes. When an error occurs in the charging mode, the active mode, the heating preparation mode, or the heating mode, the aerosol generator AGD, the power supply unit PSU, or the control unit 130 can shift to the error processing mode.

In the error processing mode, the aerosol generator AGD, the power supply unit PSU, or the control unit 130 can use, for example, the notification unit NU to notify the occurrence of an error, the type of error, the operation request for canceling the error, and the like. After that, the aerosol generator AGD, the power supply unit PSU, or the control unit 130 may shift to the sleep mode after a predetermined time elapses when the type of error generated is an error of the first category. On the other hand, the aerosol generator AGD, the power supply unit PSU, or the control unit 130 can continue error processing when the type of error generated is an error of the second category. In this case, in order to return to the sleep mode, it is necessary to reset or restart the control unit 130.

FIG. 4A illustrates the operation of the power supply unit PSU in the sleep mode. The thick line emphasizes the voltage supply path. The power supply BT protects the power supply voltage VBAT via the first conductive path PT1 from the VBAT terminal of the protection circuit 90, the VBAT terminal of the measurement circuit 100, the _BAT terminal of the charging circuit 20, the VIN terminal of the transformer circuit 120, and the switch circuit 80. Can be supplied to. The charging circuit 20 is set to the third power path mode by the control unit 130, and the charging circuit 20 can supply the power supply voltage V _BAT supplied from the power supply BT to the _VCS line as the voltage VC _C.

The transformer circuit 30 is enabled by supplying the voltage V _CC to the V _CC line, and can supply the voltage V CC _{33_0} from the V OUT terminal to the V _{CC 33_0} line. The voltage V _{CC33_0} can be supplied to the load switch 40, the power switch driver 50, the information holding circuits FF1 and FF2 via the V _{CC33_0} line.

Since the voltage V _{CC33_0} is supplied from the V _{CC33_0} line to the ON terminal of the load switch 40, the load switch 40 electrically connects the VIN terminal and the VOUT terminal and outputs the voltage V _CC33 from the VOUT terminal to the V _CC33 line. Can be done. The voltage V _CC33 includes a VDD terminal (power supply terminal) of the control unit 130, a VDD terminal (power supply terminal) of the detection units 140 and 170, a VCS terminal (power supply terminal) of the Schmitt trigger circuit 150, and a communication device 160 via the V _CC33 line. VCS_NRF terminal (power supply terminal), VCS terminal (power supply terminal) of non-volatile memory 70, VDD terminal (power supply terminal) and CE terminal of measurement circuit 100, power supply terminal of OP amplifiers A2 and A3, information holding circuits FF1 and FF2 It can be supplied to the VCS terminal (power supply terminal).

When the low level is input to the SW1 terminal and the SW2 terminal of the power switch driver 50 for a predetermined time, the power switch driver 50 supplies the low level from the RSTB terminal to the ON terminal of the load switch 40. In response to this, the load switch 40 stops the output of the voltage V _CC33 from the VOUT terminal, and the control unit 130 stops the operation. After that, the power switch driver 50 stops the low level supply from the RSTB terminal to the ON terminal of the load switch 40. In response to this, the supply of the voltage V _{CC33_0} from the V _{CC33_0} line to the ON terminal of the load switch 40 is restarted, so that the load switch 40 restarts the output of the voltage V _CC33 from the VOUT terminal and the control unit 130 is reset. Or it can be restarted.

FIG. 4B shows the transition from sleep mode to pairing mode. Thick lines highlight the voltage and signal supply paths. When the outer panel C103 is attached to the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU, a high level is supplied from the detection unit 140 to the PD2 terminal of the control unit 130 and the SW2 terminal of the power switch driver 50 via the Schmitt trigger circuit 150. To. Further, when the slider C102 is in the closed state, a high level is supplied from the detection unit 170 to the PC13 terminal of the control unit 130. When the switch SW is pressed in this state, a low level is supplied to the PC10 terminal of the control unit 130. When the low level is supplied to the PC10 terminal for a predetermined time while the high level is supplied to the PC13 terminal, the control unit 130 recognizes this as a transition command to the pairing mode and pairs from the sleep mode. You can switch to mode.

FIG. 4C shows the transition from sleep mode to active mode. Thick lines highlight the voltage and signal supply paths. When the outer panel C103 is attached to the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU, a high level is supplied from the detection unit 140 to the PD2 terminal of the control unit 130 and the SW2 terminal of the power switch driver 50 via the Schmitt trigger circuit 150. To. Further, when the slider C102 is opened, a low level is supplied from the detection unit 170 to the PC13 terminal of the control unit 130. The control unit 130 can recognize this as a transition command to the active mode and shift from the sleep mode to the active mode. Specifically, the control unit 130 supplies a high level from the PC11 terminal to the ON terminal of the load switch 60, and the load switch 60 electrically connects the VIN terminal and the VOUT terminal accordingly to obtain a voltage. V _{CC33_SLP} can be supplied to thermistors TP, TH, TC.

FIGS. 4D and 4E show the transition from the active mode to the heating preparation mode. Thick lines highlight the voltage and signal supply paths. When the outer panel C103 is attached to the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU, a high level is supplied from the detection unit 140 to the PD2 terminal of the control unit 130 and the SW2 terminal of the power switch driver 50 via the Schmitt trigger circuit 150. To. Further, when the slider C102 is in the open state, a low level is supplied from the detection unit 170 to the PC13 terminal of the control unit 130. Further, when the switch SW is pressed, a low level is supplied to the PC10 terminal of the control unit 130. When the high level is supplied to the PD2 terminal and the low level is supplied to the PC13 terminal and the low level is supplied to the PC10 terminal for a predetermined time, the control unit 130 uses this as a command to shift to the heating preparation mode. Recognize and shift from active mode to heating preparation mode. Specifically, the control unit 130 supplies a high level from the PC 12 terminal to the EN terminal of the transformer circuit 120, and the transformer circuit 120 outputs the V _boost from the V OUT terminal to the V _boost line accordingly.

FIG. 4F shows the heating operation in the heating mode. Thick lines highlight the voltage and signal supply paths. The control unit 130 supplies a high level from the PA2 terminal to the gate or base of the transistor constituting the switch SH, and turns on the switch SH. As a result, the voltage V _volt output from the VOUT terminal of the transformer circuit 120 is supplied to the heater HT, and the heater HT heats the aerosol source. At this time, a voltage for turning on the switch SR is supplied to the gate or base of the transistors constituting the switch SR. A voltage V _volt is supplied to the power supply terminal of the OP amplifier A2 via the shunt resistor RS.

FIG. 4G shows the measurement operation in the heating mode. Thick lines highlight the voltage and signal supply paths. The control unit 130 supplies a high level from the PB5 terminal to the gate or base of the transistor constituting the switch SM, and turns on the switch SM. As a result, the voltage V _volt output from the VOUT terminal of the transformer circuit 120 is supplied to the heater HT via the shunt resistor RS. At this time, at this time, a voltage obtained by dividing the voltage V _boost is supplied to the gate or base of the transistors constituting the switch SR. This is the voltage that turns off the switch SR. The OP amplifier A1 may be configured to supply a voltage correlated with the resistance value of the heater HT to the PA7 terminal of the control unit 130. The control unit 130 can detect the temperature of the heater HT based on the voltage supplied from the OP amplifier A1. The control unit 130 can take in a voltage corresponding to the voltage V _volt from the PA1 terminal and use this as a reference voltage for calculating the temperature of the heater HT.

During the period when the heater HT is not energized, the control unit 130 may detect the temperature of the heater HT using the thermistor TH, that is, based on the output of the OP amplifier A2.

FIG. 4H shows the operation of the power supply unit PSU in the charging mode. Thick lines highlight the voltage and signal supply paths. The overvoltage protection circuit 110 receives the voltage V _BUS supplied from the USB connector USB C and outputs the voltage V _USB to the V _USB line. The voltage V _USB can be divided and supplied to the PA9 terminal of the control unit 130. As a result, the control unit 130 recognizes that the voltage V _USB is supplied via the USB cable connected to the USB connector USBC, and can shift the level of the PC9 terminal from the high level to the low level. As a result, the switch SI is turned off, and a high level is supplied to the ON terminal of the load switch 10. In response to this, the load switch 10 can electrically connect the VIN terminal and the VOUT terminal, and output the voltage _VCC5 from the VOUT terminal to the _VCC5 line.

The control unit 130 also supplies a low level from the PB3 terminal to the / CE terminal of the charging circuit 20 to allow the charging circuit 20 to charge the power supply BT. The charging circuit 20 is set to the charging mode and supplies the voltage V CC from the SW terminal to the V _CC line using the voltage V _CC 5 supplied via the V _CC 5 line, and electrically _connects the SYS terminal and the BAT terminal. The charging voltage can be supplied to the power supply BT from the BAT terminal via the first conductive path PT1. As a result, the power supply BT is charged.

FIG. 4I shows the reset operation of the power supply unit PSU and the control unit 130. Thick lines highlight the voltage and signal supply paths. When the outer panel C103 is removed from the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU, a low level is supplied from the detection unit 140 to the SW2 terminal of the power switch driver 50 via the Schmitt trigger circuit 150. When the switch SW is pressed in this state, a low level is supplied to SW1 of the power switch driver 50.

In this way, when the low level is supplied to the SW1 terminal and the SW2 terminal of the power switch driver 50 for a predetermined time, the power switch driver 50 can supply the low level from the RSTB terminal to the ON terminal of the load switch 40. In response to this, the load switch 40 stops the output of the voltage V _CC33 from the VOUT terminal, and the control unit 130 in which the supply of the voltage V _CC33 is cut off has stopped the operation. After that, the power switch driver 50 can stop the low level supply from the RSTB terminal to the ON terminal of the load switch 40. In response to this, the supply of the voltage V _{CC33_0} from the V _{CC33_0} line to the ON terminal of the load switch 40 is restarted, so that the load switch 40 restarts the output of the voltage V _CC33 from the VOUT terminal, and the control unit 130 restarts. Can be activated.

Here, the control unit 130, the power switch driver 50, and the load switch 40 are circuits that execute operations according to the detection result by the detection unit 140 that detects the presence / absence of the outer panel C103 in response to the operation of the switch SW. It can be understood as constituting a block. Alternatively, the control unit 130, the power switch driver 50, and the load switch 40 detect the state of the slider C102 in response to the operation of the switch SW in the state where the detection unit 140 detects that the outer panel C103 is not present. It can be understood as constituting a circuit block that executes an operation according to the detection result by the detection unit 140 regardless of the detection result by the detection unit 170. Further, the control unit 130, the power switch driver 50, and the load switch 40 have a circuit block that executes an operation according to the detection result by the detection unit 170 that detects the state of the slider C102 in response to the operation of the switch SW. It can be understood as a constituent.

When the switch SW is operated in the state where the detection unit 140 detects that the outer panel C103 is present and the detection unit 170 detects that the slider C102 is in the open state, the circuit block is of the aerosol. The first process related to generation can be executed. Further, in the circuit block, when the switch SW is operated in a state where the detection unit 140 detects that the outer panel C103 is present and the detection unit 170 detects that the slider C102 is in the closed state. A second process that is not related to aerosol formation, such as a process related to communication with an external device, can be performed. This corresponds to the pairing mode described above. When the switch SW is operated in a state where the detection unit 140 detects that the outer panel C103 is not present, the circuit block causes the control unit 130 to operate regardless of the detection result by the detection unit 170, that is, the state of the slider C102. Can be restarted.

6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9 show examples of arrangement of the various electronic components described above. In these figures, the thermistor connectors TC +, TC-, thermistor connectors TP +, TP-, and the electrical connections (wiring) of the thermistor TC, TP, TH to the thermistor connectors THC +, THC-are described accurately. Not. Further, in these figures, the electrical connection (wiring) of the heater HT to the first heater connector HC + and the second heater connector HC- is omitted. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the communication device 160, the switch SW, the detection unit 140, the Schmitt trigger circuit 150, and the notification unit NU can be arranged on the same surface (the same surface of the same substrate) of the third substrate PCB3, for example. .. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the communication device 160 and the switch SW can be arranged along the insertion / removal direction DIR of the insert with respect to the insertion hole C104. In addition to FIG. 6, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, the communication device 160 and the switch SW are arranged at the center of the power supply unit PSU or the aerosol generator AGD with respect to the direction orthogonal to the insertion / removal direction DIR. Can be done. For example, in addition to FIG. 6, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, the communication device 160 and the switch SW are arranged between the first substrate PCB1 and the power supply BT in a direction orthogonal to the insertion / removal direction DIR. sell. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the switch SW may be arranged between the communication device 160 and the notification unit NU. The switch SW may be arranged between the detection unit 140 and the communication device 160.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, at least one of the protection circuit 90 and the measurement circuit 100 is arranged on the first surface S11 facing the power supply BT among the two surfaces of the first substrate PCB1. Can be done. Alternatively, both the protection circuit 90 and the measurement circuit 100 may be arranged on the first surface S11 of the first substrate PCB1. The transformer circuit 120 may be arranged on the first surface S11 of the first substrate PCB1. As illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the transistors SD and SC may be arranged on the first surface S11 of the first substrate PCB1. As illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the switch SH may be arranged on the first surface S11 of the first substrate PCB1. The first and second resistors R1 and R2 may be arranged on the first surface S11 of the first substrate PCB1. As illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the OP amplifier A1 may be arranged on the first surface S11 of the first substrate PCB1. Placing the protection circuit 90, the measurement circuit 100, the first resistor R1, the second resistor R2, the transistor SD, and the SC on the first surface S11 of the first substrate PCB1 reduces the parasitic resistance value of the second conductive path PT2. It is advantageous to reduce.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the transformer circuit 120 can include an inductor 120', and the transformer circuit 120 and the inductor 120'can be arranged on opposite surfaces of the first substrate PCB1. Preferably, the transformer circuit 120 can be arranged on the first surface S11 of the first substrate PCB1, and the inductor 120'can be arranged on the second surface S12 on the opposite side. The USB connector USBC and the inductor 120'can be arranged on the second surface S12 of the first substrate PCB1. Since the USB connector USBC and the inductor 120'are electronic components having considerably large dimensions or thickness, arranging them on the same surface of the first substrate PCB1 reduces the size of the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU. Can contribute.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the heater connectors HC +, HC-, switches SM, SS, and shunt resistor RS can be arranged on the second surface S12 (that is, the same surface of the same substrate) of the first substrate PCB1. Such an arrangement is advantageous for reducing the resistance value of the heater HT or the parasitic resistance value of the conductive path of the circuit for detecting the temperature. The shortest distance between the second surface S12 of the first substrate PCB1 and the heater HT is preferably smaller than the shortest distance between the first surface S11 of the first substrate PCB1 and the heater HT. Such a configuration is advantageous for shortening the lead wire connecting the heater connectors HC + and HC- and the heater HT.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the second substrate PCB2 has a first surface S21 facing the second surface S12 of the first substrate PCB1 and a second surface S22 on the opposite side thereof. Have. The thermistor TH connectors THC + and THC- for detecting the temperature of the heater HT may be arranged on the second surface S22 of the second substrate PCB2. The charging circuit 20 and the inductor 20'accompanying the charging circuit 20 may be arranged on the same surface of the second substrate PCB2, for example, the second surface S22. The transformer circuit 30 and the inductor 30'accompanying the transformer circuit 30 may be arranged on the same surface of the second substrate PCB2, for example, the second surface S22. The load switch 10 may be arranged on the second surface S22 of the second substrate PCB2. The control unit 130 may be arranged on the second surface S22 of the second substrate PCB2. The information holding circuit F11 may be arranged on the second surface S22 of the second substrate PCB2. The non-volatile memory 70 and the information holding circuit FF2 may be arranged on the first surface S21 of the second substrate PCB2. The thermistor connectors TC + and TC- for the thermistor TC and the thermistor connectors TP + and TP- for the thermistor TP can be arranged on the first surface S21 of the second substrate PCB2.

FIG. 10 shows the protection circuit 90, the measurement circuit 100, and the electronic components arranged around them. The protection circuit 90 measures the current flowing through the path using the second resistor R2 arranged in the path through which the current output from the power supply BT flows, and controls so as to protect the power supply BT according to the current. The switch unit SWP to be operated can be controlled. Alternatively or additionally, the protection circuit 90 measures the voltage of the power supply BT based on the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT supplied to the VBAT terminal, and protects the power supply BT according to the voltage. The switch unit SWP can be controlled. The second resistor R2 and the switch section SWP may be arranged in the first conductive path PT1 electrically connected to the first power connector BC +, but may be arranged in the first conductive path PT1 electrically connected to the second power connector BC−. 2 It is preferable to arrange it in the conductive path PT2. Such a configuration is advantageous in that the common mode input voltage of the OP amplifier built in the protection circuit 90 can be reduced, so that the protection circuit 90 can operate stably and an inexpensive protection circuit 90 can be used. The switch unit SWP may include a first transistor SD and a second transistor SC connected in series. The first transistor SD can function as a switch for blocking the second conductive path PT2 (in other words, the path through which the current output from the power supply BT flows) so as to stop the discharge of the power supply BT. The second transistor SC can function as a switch for blocking the second conductive path PT2 (in other words, the path through which the current output from the power supply BT flows) so as to stop the charging of the power supply BT.

A first rectifying element connected in parallel to the first transistor SD may be provided, and the first rectifying element may be configured as a body diode BDD of the first transistor SD. The forward direction of the first rectifying element is the direction in which the current for charging the power supply BT flows. Further, a second rectifying element connected in parallel to the second transistor SC may be provided, and the second rectifying element may be configured as a body diode BDC of the second transistor SC. The forward direction of the second rectifying element is the direction in which the current discharged from the power supply BT flows.

The resistance value of the second resistor R2 is known, and the protection circuit 90 can detect the current (current value) flowing through the second conductive path PT2 by detecting the voltage drop due to the second resistance value R2. .. When the current discharged from the power supply BT, that is, the current flowing from the second heater connector HC- to the second power supply connector BC-exceeds the first threshold value for determining the overcurrent at the time of discharge, the protection circuit 90 first It can be configured to turn off the transistor SD. Further, in the protection circuit 90, when the current for charging the power supply BT, that is, the current flowing from the second power supply connector BC- to the second heater connector HC- exceeds the second threshold value for determining the overcurrent during charging, the protection circuit 90 becomes the second. It can be configured to turn off the two-transistor SC. Further, the protection circuit 90 may be configured to turn off the second transistor SC when the output voltage of the power supply BT indicates an overcharged state of the power supply BT. Further, when the output voltage of the power supply BT indicates an over-discharged state of the power supply BT, the protection circuit 90 may be configured to turn off the first transistor SD.

The measurement circuit 100 can measure the state of the power supply BT by using the first resistor R1 arranged in the path through which the current output from the power supply BT flows. The resistor R1 may be arranged in the first conductive path PT1 electrically connected to the first power connector BC +, but is arranged in the second conductive path PT2 electrically connected to the second power connector BC-. It is preferable to be done. Such a configuration is advantageous in that the common mode input voltage of the OP amplifier built in the measurement circuit 100 can be reduced, so that the measurement circuit 100 can operate stably and an inexpensive measurement circuit 100 can be used. The measurement circuit 100 integrates the current (current value) flowing through the first resistor R1, that is, obtains the amount of electric charge (power consumption) flowing through the first resistor R1, and thereby the remaining capacity (Ah) of the power supply BT. ) And SOC (State Of Charge) can be calculated. SOC (%) can be defined as "remaining capacity (Ah) / fully charged capacity (Ah) x 100". The measurement circuit 100 may provide the remaining capacity and SOC to the control unit 130. The measurement circuit 100 acquires the temperature of the power supply BT using the TREG terminal, the THM terminal, and the thermistor TB (not shown in FIG. 10), and calculates the remaining capacity and SOC based on the acquired temperature of the power supply BT. May be good. Since the remaining capacity of the power supply BT, SOC, etc. are strongly affected by the temperature of the power supply BT, such a configuration is advantageous for accurately acquiring the remaining capacity, SOC, etc. of the power supply BT.

A switch SS, a first resistor R1, a switch unit SWP, and a second resistor R2 may exist between the second heater connector HC- and the second power supply connector BC-. A parasitic resistor r1 may exist between the switch SS and the first resistor R1, and a parasitic resistor r6 may exist between the second resistor R2 and the second power supply connector BC-. A parasitic resistor r2 may exist between the first resistor R1 and the VRSP terminal of the measurement circuit 100, and a parasitic resistor r3 may exist between the first resistor R1 and the VRSM terminal of the measurement circuit 100. ..

Although not shown, the connection node between the parasitic resistor r2 and the first resistor R1 and the first resistor R1 and the connection node between the parasitic resistor r3 and the first resistor R1 and the first resistor are not shown. Parasitic resistance may also exist between the vessel R1 and the vessel R1. These can be factors that cause an error in the measurement result by the measurement circuit 100.

FIG. 11 schematically shows the discharge state from the power supply BT. In FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 described later, rSS indicates the on-resistance of the switch SS, rSC indicates the on-resistance of the second transistor SC, and rSD indicates the on-resistance of the first transistor SD. At the time of discharge, the potential of the second heater connector HC- is higher than the potential of the second power supply connector BC-. The parasitic resistances r1 and r6 are factors that increase the potential difference ΔV between the second heater connector HC- and the second power supply connector BC-. An increase in ΔV can increase the short-circuit current that flows when the second heater connector HC- and the second power supply connector BC- are short-circuited due to, for example, dew condensation or intrusion of moisture from the aerosol source.

FIG. 12 schematically shows the charge state of the power supply BT. At the time of charging, the potential of the second power supply connector BC- is higher than the potential of the second heater connector HC-. The parasitic resistances r1 and r6 are factors that increase the potential difference ΔV between the second power supply connector BC- and the second heater connector HC-. As described above, the increase in ΔV can increase the short-circuit current that flows when the second power supply connector BC- and the second heater connector HC- are short-circuited due to dew condensation, intrusion of moisture from the aerosol source, or the like.

FIG. 13 illustrates the physical path between the second heater connector HC- and the second power supply connector BC-. The power supply unit PSU or aerosol generator AGD may have a plurality of substrates PCB1, PCB2, PCB3, and PCB4. FIG. 13 illustrates the configuration of the first substrate PCB1. The first heater connector HC + and the second heater connector HC- can be arranged on the first substrate PCB1. By arranging the measurement circuit 100 and the first resistor R1 on the first substrate PCB1 together with the second heater connector HC-, the conductive pattern connecting them is shortened, so that the parasitic resistance r1 can be reduced. As a result, the short-circuit current that flows when the second power supply connector BC- and the second heater connector HC- are short-circuited can be made weak.

The first heater connector HC + and the second heater connector HC- may be arranged on different surfaces of the first substrate PCB1 or may be arranged on the same surface. In the example of FIG. 13, the first heater connector HC + and the second heater connector HC- may be arranged on the second surface S12 of the first substrate PCB1. According to the configuration in which the first heater connector HC + and the second heater connector HC- are arranged on the same surface of the same substrate, the lead wire of the heater HT is connected to the first heater connector HC + and the second heater connector HC- at the time of manufacturing. It will be easier to do. As a result, the cost of the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU can be reduced.

The first power supply connector BC + electrically connected to the positive electrode of the power supply BT and the second power supply connector BC- connected to the negative electrode of the power supply BT can be arranged on the first substrate PCB1. The path through which the current output from the power supply BT flows includes the first conductive path PT1 connected to the first power supply connector BC + and the second conductive path PT2 connected to the second power supply connector BC−. The first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 may be arranged in the second conductive path PT2. According to this configuration, the common mode input voltage for the VRSP terminal and the VRSM terminal of the measurement circuit 100 and the common mode input voltage for the CS terminal and the VSS terminal of the protection circuit 90 can be set to small values. This eliminates the need for the measurement circuit 100 and the protection circuit 90, which are expensive and / or have a large size, so that the cost and size of the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU can be reduced.

In the measurement circuit 100 that measures the state of the power supply BT (for example, remaining capacity, SOC, etc.) using the first resistor R1, the first resistor R1 is arranged among the plurality of boards PCB1, PCB2, PCB3, and PCB4. It can be arranged on the same substrate as the substrate, that is, the first substrate PCB1. From another viewpoint, the measurement circuit 100 has the same element arrangement surface as the element arrangement surface on which the first resistor R1 is arranged among the plurality of element arrangement surfaces (S11, S12, S21, S22, etc.), for example, the first. It can be arranged on the surface S11. According to these configurations, the first resistor R1 and the VRSP terminal and VRSM terminal of the measurement circuit 100 can be arranged physically close to each other. As a result, the parasitic resistance r2 existing between the first resistor R1 and the VRSP terminal of the measurement circuit 100 and the parasitic resistance r3 existing between the first resistor R1 and the VRSM terminal of the measurement circuit 100 can be reduced. .. Such reduction of parasitic resistance enables highly accurate measurement of the state of the power supply BT by the measurement circuit 100. Further, the conductive pattern connecting the first resistor R1 and the VRSP terminal and the VRSM terminal of the measurement circuit 100 can be shortened. Further, the length of the conductive pattern connecting the first resistor R1 and the VRSP terminal of the measurement circuit 100 is easily about the same as the length of the conductive pattern connecting the first resistor R1 and the VRSM terminal of the measurement circuit 100. Can be done. These also enable highly accurate measurement of the state of the power supply BT by the measurement circuit 100.

The first resistor R1 and the second heater connector HC-can be arranged on opposite surfaces of the first substrate PCB1. In the example of FIG. 13, the first resistor R1 is arranged on the first surface S11 of the first substrate PCB1, and the second heater connector HC-is arranged on the second surface S12 of the first substrate PCB1. In an orthogonal projection onto one of the two surfaces S11, S12 of the first substrate PCB1, at least a portion of the first resistor R1 may overlap with at least a portion of the second heater connector HC-. In another aspect, the first resistor R1 may be located within the region of the second heater connector HC- in an orthographic projection onto one of the two surfaces S11, S12 of the first substrate PCB1. Such an arrangement is advantageous for reducing an unfavorable parasitic resistance value (resistance value of the above-mentioned parasitic resistance r1) between the second power supply connector BC- and the second heater connector HC-, which is advantageous. For example, it is advantageous for reducing the short-circuit current between the second power supply connector BC- and the second heater connector HC-.

The second conductive path PT2 may include a switch SS arranged between the first resistor R1 and the second heater connector HC-. The switch SS and the second heater connector HC-can be arranged on the same surface of the first substrate PCB1. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the switch SS and the second heater connector HC- are arranged on the second surface S12 of the first substrate PCB1. The switch SS may be the element closest to the second heater connector HC-am among the electronic components arranged on the same surface, that is, on the second surface S12. From another point of view, the switch SS may be the element closest to the second heater connector HC-am among the active elements arranged on the same surface, that is, the second surface S12. According to such a configuration, by turning off the switch SS when the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU is not in use, the heater HT, the first heater connector HC + and the second heater connector HC- invade. It becomes difficult for static electricity and noise to enter the first resistor R1 and the second conductive path PT2.

The second conductive path PT2 may further include a switch portion SWP arranged so as to be connected in series with the first resistor R1. According to such a configuration, when an abnormality such as overcurrent, overdischarge, or overcharge occurs in the power supply BT, the power supply BT can be protected by opening the switch unit SWP.

The first resistor R1 and the switch unit SWP are arranged on the same surface of the first substrate PCB1, in the example shown in FIG. 13, on the first surface S11. In addition to the first resistor R1 and the switch section SWP, the second resistor R2 may also be arranged on the same surface of the first substrate PCB1, for example, the first surface S11. In an orthographic projection onto one of the two surfaces S11, S12 of the first substrate PCB1, at least a portion of the switch SWP may overlap with at least a portion of the second heater connector HC-. According to such a configuration, the second conductive path PT2 can be shortened, so that the parasitic resistance of the second conductive path PT2 can be reduced. As a result, the short-circuit current that flows when the second power supply connector BC- and the second heater connector HC- are short-circuited can be made weak.

The protection circuit 90 controls the switch unit SWP so as to protect the power supply BT according to the current flowing through the second conductive path PT2 or the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT input to the VBAT terminal (output voltage of the power supply BT). sell. According to such a configuration, when an abnormality such as overcurrent, overdischarge, or overcharge occurs in the power supply BT, the power supply BT can be protected.

The switch unit SWP may be arranged between the first resistor R1 in the second conductive path PT2 and the negative electrode (or the second power supply connector BC−) of the power supply BT. According to such a configuration, as will be described later, even when the first transistor SD is turned off, the measurement circuit 100 and the control unit 130 can communicate with each other via their respective I ^2C interfaces. At the same time, the protection of the power supply BT by the protection circuit 90 can be made to function for as long as possible, and further discharge of the power supply BT can be suppressed to the utmost limit.

The protection circuit 90 can detect the current flowing through the second conductive path PT2 by using the second resistor R2 arranged in the second conductive path PT2 so as to be connected in series with the first resistor R1. The first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 may be arranged on the same surface of the first substrate PCB1, for example, the first surface S11. The second resistor R2 may be arranged between the switch portion SWP in the second conductive path PT2 and the negative electrode (or the second power supply connector BC−) of the power supply BT. In the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2, the shortest distance between the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 is at least the maximum dimension of the first resistor R1 and the maximum dimension of the second resistor R2. On the other hand, it can be arranged to be smaller. These configurations are advantageous for reducing the parasitic resistance between the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2.

In one example, the measurement circuit 100 may be located on the first substrate PCB1 and the control unit 130 may be located on the second substrate PCB2. The measurement circuit 100 and the control unit 130 may have a function of communicating with each other. Since the measurement circuit 100 and the control unit 130 each perform many calculations internally, they may become noise sources. By arranging these on different substrates, the noise generated on one side is less likely to affect the other side.

The voltage V _CC33 may be supplied to the VDD terminal (power supply terminal) of the measurement circuit 100 via the V _CC 33 line by the transformer circuit 30. The transformer circuit 30 transforms the voltage V _CC supplied from the power supply BT via the charging circuit 20 to generate the voltage V _{CC33_0} , and serves as the voltage V CC ₃₃ via the load switch 40 as the VDD terminal (power supply terminal) of the measurement circuit 100. ) Can be supplied. According to such a configuration, the voltage V _{CC 33} supplied to the VDD terminal (power supply terminal) of the measurement circuit 100 is stable. As a result, the operation of the measurement circuit 100 is stabilized.

In one example, the measurement circuit 100 may be located on the first substrate PCB1 and the transformer circuit 30 may be located on the second substrate PCB2. The transformer circuit 30 may generate noise when performing transformation. According to such a configuration, the measurement circuit 100 can be physically separated from the transformer circuit 30 which may become a noise source, so that the operation of the measurement circuit 100 is stable.

The transformer circuit 120 that transforms the voltage supplied from the power supply BT and generates the voltage V _BOOST to be supplied to the heater HT may be arranged on the first substrate PCB1. According to such a configuration, the heater HT can be supplied with an appropriate voltage _VBOOST for heating the aerosol source. This makes it possible to provide the user of the aerosol generator AGD with an aerosol whose amount and flavor are highly controlled.

A switch SH may be arranged in a path that electrically connects the output of the transformer circuit 120 and the heater HT. The switch SH may be arranged on the first substrate PCB1. The switch SH may be arranged, for example, on the first surface S11 of the first substrate PCB1. Since a large amount of electric power for heating the heater HT is supplied to the switch SH from the transformer circuit 120, it is preferable that the conductive pattern connecting the switch SH and the transformer circuit 120 is thick and short. According to such a configuration, since the switch SH and the transformer circuit 120 are arranged on the first substrate PCB1, it becomes easy to form a thick and short conductive pattern. As a result, heat and noise are less likely to be generated in the conductive pattern even when the above-mentioned large current flows.

The OP amplifier A1 constituting the detection circuit for detecting the resistance value or the temperature of the heater HT may be arranged on the first substrate PCB1. The OP amplifier A1 may be arranged, for example, on the first surface S11 of the first substrate PCB1.

FIG. 14 shows the protection circuit 90, the measurement circuit 100, and the electronic components arranged around them. The control unit 130 is also shown in FIG. The aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the power supply BT, the first conductive path PT1 electrically connected to the first power supply connector BC +, the negative electrode of the power supply BT, or the second power supply connector BC-. A second conductive path PT2 connected to the above may be provided. The control unit 130 can control the heat generation of the heater HT for heating the aerosol source by using the voltage or electric power supplied from the power supply BT. The measuring circuit 100 can measure the state of the power supply BT using the first resistor R1 which can be arranged in the second conductive path PT2. The switch unit SWP can cut off the current flowing through the second conductive path PT2 (and the first conductive path PT1). The first resistor R1 in the second conductive path PT2 and the negative electrode of the power supply BT (or the second power supply connector BC-). Can be placed between and. The protection circuit 90 can control the switch unit SWP so as to protect the power supply BT according to the current flowing through the second conductive path PT2 and the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT supplied to the VBAT terminal. The protection circuit 90 uses the second resistor R2 arranged between the switch portion SWP in the second conductive path PT2 and the negative electrode (or the second power supply connector BC-) of the power supply BT to connect the second conductive path PT2. The flowing current can be detected.

The aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU is arranged in the second conductive path PT2 so as to be able to cut off the current flowing through the heater HT and the second conductive path PT2 separately from the switch unit SWP, and the switch SS that can be used as a cutoff switch is provided. Can be prepared. The control unit 130 can communicate with the measurement circuit 100 according to a communication standard such as I ^2C communication. The control unit 130 can control the switch SS as a cutoff switch so that the current flowing through the second conductive path PT2 is cut off based on the measurement result by the measurement circuit 100.

FIG. 15 illustrates a state in which the protection circuit 90 detects an overcurrent at the time of discharge or an overdischarged state of the power supply BT, turns off the first transistor SD, and cuts off the second conductive path PT2 (discharge path of the power supply BT). Is shown. The transformer circuit 30 can function as a voltage supply unit that supplies a voltage to the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100. A voltage or electric power can be supplied from the power supply BT to the transformer circuit 30 that can function as the voltage supply unit via the first conductive path PT1 and the second conductive path PT2. When the current flowing through the second conductive path PT2 is cut off, the transformer circuit 30 that functions as a voltage supply unit that supplies voltage to the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100 has a voltage between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the power supply BT. That is, the power supply voltage is not supplied. Therefore, the transformer circuit 30 cannot output the voltage V _{CC33_0} from its VOUT terminal. Therefore, the supply of the _{VCS 33} to the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100 by the load switch 40 is also stopped. Therefore, the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100 stop operating. At this time, the current consumed by the power supply unit PSU is the current flowing between the VBAT terminal and the VSS terminal for the protection circuit 90 to acquire the output voltage of the power supply BT, and the VDD terminal (power supply terminal) for the protection circuit 90 to operate. Only the current supplied to. This is a small electric current.

On the other hand, in the configuration in which the position of the protection circuit 90 and the position of the measurement circuit 100 are exchanged, the current flowing between the VBAT terminal and the VSS terminal of the measurement circuit 100 is additionally consumed, and this current is used in the power supply BT. It can cause further progress of over-discharge and deep discharge of the power supply BT. Therefore, the protection of the power supply BT is that the switch unit SWP controlled by the protection circuit 90 is between the first resistor R1 in the second conduction path PT2 and the negative electrode of the power supply BT (second power supply connector BC-). It is advantageous from the viewpoint of.

The protection circuit 90 is as shown in FIG. 16 when the potential supplied from the power supply BT to the VBAT terminal of the protection circuit 90 indicates that the power supply BT may have reached an unrecoverable deep discharge state. , The COUN terminal may be fixed at a low level, and the second switch SC may be permanently fixed in an off state. As a result, the power supply BT that may have reached a deep discharge state becomes unchargeable, so that the safety of the power supply unit PSU or the aerosol generator AGD can be improved. Alternatively, after the protection circuit 90 detects the overcurrent during discharge and turns off the first transistor SD, the protection circuit 90 also turns off the second transistor SC as shown in FIG. 16 for a predetermined time. You may.

When the protection circuit 90 detects an overcurrent during charging or an overcharged state of the battery BT, the protection circuit 90 can turn off the second transistor SC for a predetermined time. At this time, the protection circuit 90 may also turn off the first transistor SD.

FIG. 17 schematically shows a state in which the first transistor SD is turned off and the USB cable is connected to the USB connector USBC. Here, connecting a USB cable to the USB connector USBC may be understood as connecting an external device to the USB connector USBC via the USB cable. At this time, the charging circuit 20 can operate in the first power path mode set by default. Specifically, in the charging circuit 20, the VBUS terminal and the SYS terminal are electrically connected in a state where the SYS terminal and the BAT terminal are electrically separated, and the charging circuit 20 is supplied from the USB connector USBC via the _VCS5 line. The voltage V _{CC 5} can be used to supply the voltage V _CC to the V _CC line. In response to this, the transformer circuit 30 that functions as a voltage supply unit that supplies voltage to the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100 supplies the voltage V _{CC33_0} to the V _{CC33_0} line, and the load switch 40 supplies the voltage V _CC33 to the V _CC33 line. Can be supplied. As a result, the voltage _VCC33 is supplied to the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100, and the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100 can start or restart the operation. That is, when an external device is connected to the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU, the transformer circuit 30 supplies the voltage _VCC33 to the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100 via the load switch 40, and the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100 may start or resume operation. At this time, the control unit 130 can operate in the sleep mode.

The control unit 130, which has started operation again, acquires the output voltage (potential of the positive electrode) of the power supply BT from the measurement circuit 100, and / or turns on the switch circuit 80, and powers the power supply based on the potential supplied to the PC2 terminal. It can operate to acquire the potential of BT. Then, when the control unit 130 determines that the power supply BT has not reached deep discharge based on the acquired potential, or when it determines that the power supply BT can be charged, the PB3 terminal to the / CE terminal of the charging circuit 20 Is supplied with a low level, and the charging circuit 20 is shifted to the charging mode. As a result, as schematically shown in FIG. 18, the charging circuit 20 outputs a voltage for charging the power supply BT between the BAT terminal and the GND terminal, and the power supply BT is charged. When it is determined that the power supply BT has not reached the deep discharge state but is in the over-discharged state, the charging circuit 20 preferably charges the power supply BT with a smaller current than when the power supply BT is not in the deep discharge state and the over-discharged state. ..

When the remaining capacity of the power supply BT exceeds a predetermined value, or when the remaining capacity of the power supply BT exceeds a predetermined value due to charging, the protection circuit 90 is schematically shown in FIG. , A high level can be output from the DOUT terminal to turn on the first transistor SD. This is because it was determined that the remaining capacity of the power supply BT was sufficiently recovered and the over-discharged state was not immediately reached even if the discharge was restarted.

In the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 19, the switch unit SWP has a first resistor R1 used by the measurement circuit 100 to measure the state of the power supply BT and a second power supply connector connected to the negative electrode of the power supply BT. It can be placed between BC-. According to such a configuration, the measurement circuit 100 and the control unit 130 operate at the voltage V _CC33 generated from the voltage V _USB by the first power path mode as shown in FIG. 17, and the first transistor SD is turned off. Even in this state, the VSS terminal of the measurement circuit 100 and the VSS terminal of the control unit 130 have the same potential. That is, the measurement circuit 100 and the control unit 130 can communicate with each other via their respective I ^2C interfaces. Further, in the state where the first transistor SD is turned off, the first power supply connector BC + and the second power supply connector BC- constitute a closed circuit only with the protection circuit 90. As a result, the protection of the power supply BT by the protection circuit 90 can function for as long as possible, and further discharge of the power supply BT can be suppressed to the utmost limit.

On the other hand, from the configurations illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 19, a configuration in which the measurement circuit 100 and the first resistor R1 are replaced with the protection circuit 90, the second resistor R2, and the switch unit SWP will be examined. In such a configuration, a switch unit SWP is provided between the VSS terminal of the measurement circuit 100 and the VSS terminal of the control unit 100. Therefore, when the first transistor SD is turned off, the VSS terminal of the measurement circuit 100 and the VSS terminal of the control unit 130 are separated, and these have different potentials. Communication between circuits in which different potentials are input to the VSS terminal to which the reference potential should be input becomes difficult via the ^I2C interface. Further, in the state where the first transistor SD is turned off, the first power supply connector BC + and the second power supply connector BC- form a closed circuit not only with the protection circuit 90 but also with the measurement circuit 100. That is, further discharge of the power supply BT cannot be suppressed to the utmost limit.

Therefore, the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 19 is compared with a configuration in which the measurement circuit 100 and the first resistor R1 are replaced with the protection circuit 90, the second resistor R2, and the switch section SWP from the configuration. It is advantageous in that communication via the ^I2C interface can be performed well and that the discharge of the power supply BT can be suppressed to the utmost limit.

FIG. 20 shows an example of arrangement of electronic components on the first substrate PCB1. The shortest distance D11 between the first resistor R1 and the measurement circuit 100 is preferably smaller than the shortest distance D12 between the second resistor R2 and the protection circuit 90. Here, in order to calculate the state of the power supply BT, for example, the remaining capacity of the power supply BT and the SOC with high accuracy, the measurement circuit 100 needs to detect and integrate the current flowing through the first resistor R1 with high accuracy. .. Therefore, it is advantageous to make the shortest distance D11 between the first resistor R1 and the measurement circuit 100 as small as possible in order to eliminate the influence of the parasitic resistance as much as possible. On the other hand, it is sufficient for the protection circuit 90 to shut off the switch unit SWP when, for example, the current flowing through the second resistor R2 exceeds the threshold value. Therefore, the protection circuit 90 is more tolerant of noise than the measurement circuit 100. Therefore, D11 <D12 can be one design guideline for how to arrange electronic components in a limited substrate area. Of course, D11 <D12 is a condition from one viewpoint, for example, D11 <0.9 × D12, D11 <0.8 × D12, D11 <0.7 × D12, D11 <0.6 × D12, D11. The required accuracy and aerosol generator AGD such as <0.5 × D12, D11 <0.4 × D12, D11 <0.3 × D12, D11 <0.2 × D12, D11 <0.1 × D12. Conditions can be set according to the specifications.

The first resistor R1 and the measurement circuit 100 may be arranged on the same plane of the same substrate, for example, on the first surface S11 of the first substrate PCB1. The configuration in which the first resistor R1 and the measurement circuit 100 are arranged in the same plane enables both to be connected by a conductive path in the same plane without passing through a via or a through hole. As a result, the parasitic resistance r2 existing between the first resistor R1 and the VRSP terminal of the measurement circuit 100 and the parasitic resistance r3 existing between the first resistor R1 and the VRSM terminal of the measurement circuit 100 can be reduced. .. Such reduction of parasitic resistance enables highly accurate measurement of the state of the power supply BT by the measurement circuit 100. Further, the conductive pattern connecting the first resistor R1 and the VRSP terminal and the VRSM terminal of the measurement circuit 100 can be shortened. Further, the length of the conductive pattern connecting the first resistor R1 and the VRSP terminal of the measurement circuit 100 is easily about the same as the length of the conductive pattern connecting the first resistor R1 and the VRSM terminal of the measurement circuit 100. Can be done. These also enable highly accurate measurement of the state of the power supply BT by the measurement circuit 100.

The second resistor R2 and the protection circuit 90 may also be arranged on the same plane of the same substrate, for example, on the first surface S11 of the first substrate PCB1. According to such a configuration, between the resistance value of the parasitic resistance r4 existing between the second resistor R2 and the CS terminal of the measurement circuit 90 and the VSS terminal of the second resistor R2 and the protection circuit 90. The resistance value of the existing parasitic resistor r5 can also be reduced. Such reduction of the resistance value of the parasitic resistance enables highly accurate protection of the power supply BT by the protection circuit 90.

In one example, the first resistor R1, the second resistor R2, the measurement circuit 100, and the protection circuit 90 may be arranged on the same plane of the same substrate, for example, on the first surface S11 of the first substrate PCB1. According to such a configuration, the resistance values of the parasitic resistors r2, r3, r4 and r5 can be reduced. As a result, the measurement circuit 100 can measure the state of the power supply BT with high accuracy, and the protection circuit 90 can protect the power supply BT with high accuracy at the same time.

In another aspect, the first resistor R1, the second resistor R2, the measurement circuit 100 and the protection circuit 90 may be arranged on the same substrate, for example, the first substrate PCB1. The first substrate PCB1 has an end EE on the side where the heater HT is arranged, and the shortest distance between the first resistor R1 and the end EE is the shortest distance between the measurement circuit 100 and the end EE. It is preferably smaller than the distance. It is foreseen that the edges of the substrate will receive more external noise such as static electricity than the central portion of the substrate. This is because external noise generally enters the substrate from the edge of the substrate. In particular, since the end portion EE is the end portion on the side where the heater HT is arranged, there is a possibility that static electricity generated when inserting or removing an insert into the insertion hole C104 or when opening and closing the slider C102 may enter. Further, since the central portion of the substrate is surrounded by other electronic components all around, these other electronic components serve as a physical barrier to external noise. That is, according to such a configuration, the measurement circuit 100 is separated from the end EE, so that the measurement circuit 100 is less susceptible to external noise.

Further, the shortest distance between the second resistor R2 and the end EE is preferably smaller than the shortest distance between the protection circuit 90 and the end EE. According to such a configuration, the protection circuit 90 is separated from the end EE, so that the protection circuit 90 is less susceptible to external noise.

These provide an example embodying the idea of arranging the first resistor R1 and / the second resistor R2 near the end EE of the first substrate PCB1.

The shortest distance between the measurement circuit 100 and the end EE is preferably smaller than the shortest distance between the protection circuit 90 and the end EE. The protection circuit 90 plays a role of protecting the power supply BT and the aerosol generator AGD by prohibiting charging and / or discharging of the power supply BT when an abnormality occurs. In other words, the protection circuit 90 is more important than the measurement circuit 100. According to such a configuration, the protection circuit 90 is further separated from the end EE, and is less susceptible to the influence of external noise. This improves the safety of the aerosol generator AGD.

On the first substrate PCB1, a first heater connector HC + to which the positive terminal of the heater HT is electrically connected and a second heater connector HC- to which the negative terminal of the heater HT is electrically connected are arranged. sell. The shortest distance between the first heater connector HC + and the end EE and the shortest distance between the second heater connector HC- and the end EE are from the shortest distance between the measurement circuit 100 and the end EE. Is also preferably small. Such a configuration is advantageous from the viewpoint of protecting the measurement circuit 100 from external noise.

The first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 are arranged on the first surface S11 of the first substrate PCB1, and the first heater connector HC + and the second heater connector HC- are arranged on the second surface S12 of the first substrate PCB1. Can be placed. Such a configuration is advantageous from the viewpoint of efficiently arranging electronic components on the first surface S11 and the second surface S12 of the first substrate PCB1. In other words, if these relatively large electronic components are arranged together on one of the first surface S11 and the second surface S12, the substrate area of the first substrate PCB1 becomes large, or the conductive pattern There is a risk that it will be a big constraint on the formation of and the arrangement of other electronic components.

In an orthographic projection on the first surface S11, at least a portion of the second heater connector HC- may be arranged to overlap at least a portion of at least one of the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2. Alternatively, although different from the illustrated example, in the orthographic projection, at least a portion of the first heater connector HC + overlaps at least a portion of at least one of the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2. It may be arranged. Such a configuration is also advantageous from the viewpoint of efficiently arranging electronic components on the first surface S11 and the second surface S12 of the first substrate PCB1.

The switch unit SWP may be arranged on the first surface S11 of the first substrate PCB1. Such a configuration is also advantageous from the viewpoint of efficiently arranging electronic components on the first surface S11 and the second surface S12 of the first substrate PCB1.

The switch SS, which is controlled by the control unit 130 and can be used as a cutoff switch for cutting off the current flowing through the heater HT, may be arranged in a path for electrically connecting the second heater connector HC- and the first resistance R1. As described above, the switch SS makes it difficult for static electricity and noise that can enter from the heater HT, the first heater connector HC +, and the second heater connector HC- to enter the first resistor R1 and the second conductive path PT2.

The switch SS may be arranged on the second surface 12 of the first substrate PCB1. Such a configuration is also advantageous from the viewpoint of efficiently arranging electronic components on the first surface S11 and the second surface S12 of the first substrate PCB1.

The shortest distance between the switch SS and the end EE is preferably smaller than the shortest distance between the measurement circuit 100 and the end EE. According to such a configuration, the measurement circuit 100 is separated from the end EE and the switch SS becomes a physical barrier to external noise, so that the measurement circuit 100 is less susceptible to external noise.

The switch SH, which is arranged in the path for electrically connecting the output of the transformer circuit 120 and the first heater connector HC + and functions as a heater switch, may be arranged on the first substrate PCB1. The shortest distance between the switch SH and the end EE is preferably smaller than the shortest distance between the measurement circuit 100 and the end EE. According to such a configuration, the measurement circuit 100 is separated from the end EE and the switch SH becomes a physical barrier to external noise, so that the measurement circuit 100 is less susceptible to external noise.

The switch SH can be switched at high speed by a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) method or a PFM (Pulse Frequency Modulation) method so that the temperature of the heater HT is maintained at the target temperature. A large amount of electric power for heating the heater HT is supplied to the switch SH, and the switch SH can be switched at high speed.

The switch SH may be arranged on the first surface S11 of the first substrate PCB1. In the orthographic projection of the first substrate PCB1 onto the first surface S11, at least a part of the switch SH may be arranged so as to overlap the first heater connector HC + at least a part. Such a configuration is advantageous for reducing the parasitic resistance between the switch SH and the first heater connector HC +. Alternatively, although different from the illustrated example, in the orthographic projection, at least a portion of the switch SH may be arranged to overlap the second heater connector HC-at least a portion.

In such a configuration, the shortest distance between the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 may be smaller than at least one of the maximum dimension of the first resistor R1 and the maximum dimension of the second resistor R2. .. Such a configuration is also advantageous from the viewpoint of efficiently arranging electronic components on the first surface S11 and the second surface S12 of the first substrate PCB1.

FIG. 21 shows an example of arrangement of electronic components on the first substrate PCB1. The thermistor TB for measuring the temperature of the power supply BT has two terminals, which can be electrically connected to the two thermistor connectors TBC1 and TBC2, respectively. The measuring circuit 100 may be configured to use the first resistor R1 to measure the state of the power supply BT (eg, remaining capacity, SOC, etc.) and to use the thermistor TB to measure the temperature of the power supply BT.

The first resistor R1, the two thermistor connectors TBC1, TBC2 and the measurement circuit 100 may be arranged on the first substrate PCB1. On one side, the shortest distance D13 between the two thermistor connectors TBC1, TBC2 and the measuring circuit 100 is preferably smaller than the shortest distance D11 between the first resistor R1 and the measuring circuit 100. The first resistor R1 and the thermistor TB connected to the two thermistor connectors TBC1 and TBC2 are both important parameters used for measuring the state of the power supply BT by the measurement circuit 100. Unlike the first resistor R1, the temperature of the power supply BT indirectly obtained from the resistance value of the thermistor TB tends to have an error. According to such a configuration, at least when the measurement circuit 100 acquires the temperature of the power supply BT, an error due to parasitic resistance can be reduced. As a result, the measurement circuit 100 can acquire the parameters necessary for measuring the state of the power supply BT from the first resistor R1 and the thermistor TB with little error.

The power supply BT can be, for example, the largest volume component among all the components constituting the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU. The power supply BT can occupy, for example, 20% or more, 25% or more, or 30% or more of the volume of the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU. The thermistor TB may be placed along at least a portion of the side surface of the power supply BT. Further, the thermistor TB may be arranged between the outer case C101 and the power supply BT, or near the inner side surface of the outer case C101. Considering these points, the thermistor connectors TBC1 and TBC2 to which the thermistor TB is electrically connected are arranged near the outer edge of the entire area (effective area) of the first substrate PCB1 for efficient use of space. It is advantageous for. In other words, if the thermistor connectors TBC1 and TBC2 are arranged in or near the center of the first substrate PCB1, from the viewpoints of arranging other electronic components, forming a conductive pattern on the substrate surface, and forming a ground layer inside the substrate. It is disadvantageous.

The measurement circuit 100 measures or detects the temperature of the power supply TB by measuring the resistance value of the thermistor TB, and calculates the remaining amount (for example, the remaining capacity and SOC) of the power supply BT using the temperature as one parameter value. Can be done. Therefore, it is important to accurately measure the temperature of the power supply TB in order to accurately measure the remaining amount of the power supply BT. Further, an increase in the distance between the thermistor connectors TBC1 and TB2 and the measurement circuit 100 causes an increase in the parasitic resistance value of the conductive path that electrically connects the thermistor connectors TBC1 and TB2 and the measurement circuit 100, which is the temperature of the power supply BT. It is possible to reduce the measurement accuracy of.

Therefore, setting an arrangement constraint so as to make the shortest distance D13 between the thermistor connectors TBC1 and TBC2 and the measurement circuit 100 as small as possible is how to arrange electronic components in a limited substrate area. It is an advantageous design concept about. D13 <D11 is a condition in one viewpoint. For example, D13 <0.9 × D11, D13 <0.8 × D11, D13 <0.7 × D11, D13 <0.6 × D11, D13 <0.5 × D11, D13 <0.4 × D11, Conditions can be provided according to the required accuracy and the specifications of the aerosol generator AGD, such as D13 <0.3 × D11, D13 <0.2 × D11, and D13 <0.1 × D11.

The measurement circuit 100 may include a first function of providing information indicating the temperature of the power supply BT to the control unit 130, and a second function of notifying the control unit 130 of an abnormality in the temperature of the power supply BT. The control unit 130 may be configured to stop at least one of the discharge of the power supply BT and the charge of the power supply BT in response to the notification from the measurement circuit 100 by the second function. According to these configurations, the measurement circuit 100 can not only provide information indicating the temperature of the power supply BT to the control unit 130 in response to polling from the control unit 130, but also control without waiting for polling from the control unit 130. It is possible to notify the unit 130 of an abnormality in the temperature of the power supply BT. As a result, the power consumption BT and the aerosol generator AGD can be protected when the temperature of the power supply BT becomes abnormal while suppressing the power consumption of the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100 when the temperature of the power supply BT is not abnormal.

The measurement circuit 100 determines the remaining amount of the power supply BT (for example, the remaining capacity and the SOC) based on the information obtained by using the first resistor R1 (for example, the integrated current amount) and the information obtained by using the thermistor TB. Can be calculated. The remaining amount of the power supply BT depends not only on the information obtained by using the first resistor R1 (for example, the integrated current amount) but also on the temperature of the power supply BT. According to such a configuration, the measurement circuit 100 can calculate the remaining amount of the power supply BT (for example, the remaining capacity and the SOC) with high accuracy.

The two terminals of the thermistor TB can be directly connected to the two thermistor connectors TBC1 and TBC2, respectively. In other words, the two terminals of the thermistor TB can be connected to each of the two thermistor connectors TBC1 and TBC2 without the intervention of a conductive line, an active element and a passive element. This is consistent with the idea of reducing the parasitic resistance between the thermistor connectors TBC1, TBC2 and the two terminals of the thermistor TB.

The thermistor TB is arranged so as to surround the power supply BT at least partially, which is advantageous for measuring the averaged temperature of the surface of the power supply BT when the power supply BT has a reasonable temperature distribution. be. In one example, the power supply BT may have a cylindrical shape and the thermistor TB may include an arc-shaped portion along the cylindrical shape of the power supply BT. In another example, the power supply BT may have a square shape and the thermistor TB may have a structure or shape that follows the square shape of the power supply BT.

The measurement circuit 100 and the first resistor R1 may be arranged on the same surface of the first substrate PCB1, for example, the first surface S11 or the second surface S12. According to this configuration, as described above, the state of the power supply BT can be measured with high accuracy by the measurement circuit 100. Instead, the measurement circuit 100 and the first resistor R1 may be arranged on different surfaces of the first substrate PCB1.

The distance between the geometric center of the figure (closed figure) formed by the outer edge of the first substrate PCB1 and the geometric center of the measurement circuit 100 is smaller than the distance between the geometric center of the figure and the first resistor R1. Is preferable. Alternatively, the distance between the geometric center of the figure (closed figure) composed of the outer edge of the first substrate PCB1 and the geometric center (or area centroid) of the measurement circuit 100 is the geometric center of the figure and the two thermista connectors TB1. It is preferably smaller than the shortest distance to TB2. Alternatively, the distance between the geometric center of the figure (closed figure) formed by the outer edge of the first substrate PCB1 and the geometric center of the measurement circuit 100 is the shortest distance between the geometric center of the figure and the first resistor R1. It is preferably smaller and smaller than the shortest distance between the geometric center of the figure and the two thermista connectors TBC1 and TBC2. The outer edge of the board is more susceptible to the effects of external noise such as static electricity than the geometric center of the board. Therefore, such a configuration is advantageous because the precision continuation circuit 100 is less susceptible to noise.

The two power connectors to which the power supply BC is connected, that is, the first power supply connector BC + and the second power supply connector BC-, may be arranged on the first board PCB1. The distance between the geometric center of the figure (closed figure) formed by the outer edge of the first substrate PCB1 and the geometric center of the measurement circuit 100 is the shortest distance between the geometric center of the figure and the two power supply connectors BC + and BC-. It is preferably smaller than the distance. According to such a configuration, the bus bar connected to the two power connectors BC + and BC- becomes a physical barrier against external noise invading from the outer edge of the substrate. Since this bus bar is thick because a large current flows through it, it is suitable as a physical barrier. Therefore, the measurement circuit 100 is less susceptible to noise.

The control unit 130 may be arranged on a substrate different from the first substrate PCB1 in which the first resistor R1, the two thermistor connectors TB1 and TB2, and the measurement circuit 100 are arranged, for example, the second substrate PCB2. Since the measurement circuit 100 and the control unit 130 each perform many calculations internally, they may become noise sources. By arranging these on different substrates, the noise generated on one side is less likely to affect the other.

FIG. 22 illustrates a function related to protection of the power supply BT. The columns of "measurement circuit", "charging circuit", and "protection circuit" in the figure indicate the functions that can be provided by the measurement circuit 100, the charging circuit 20, and the protection circuit 90, respectively. The "I ² C" column in the "measurement circuit" exemplifies the conditions under which the control unit 130 executes error processing based on the information provided from the measurement circuit 100 to the control unit 130 via the I ² C interface. is doing. The column of "nGAUGE_INT1" exemplifies the nGAUGE_INT1 signal output from the ALERT terminal of the measurement circuit 100. The column of "nGAUGE_INT2" shows the nGAUGE_INT2 signal output from the IO5 terminal of the measurement circuit 100. The column of the "charging circuit"("I ² C") sets conditions for the control unit 130 to execute error processing based on the information provided from the charging circuit 20 to the control unit 130 via the I ² C interface. Illustrate. The column of the "protection circuit" exemplifies the conditions under which the protection circuit 90 shuts off the switch unit SWP.

^The control unit 130 performs the charging current during charging of the power supply BT, the discharging current during discharging of the power supply BT, the voltage of the power supply BT, and the discharging of the power supply BT from the measurement circuit 100 by polling via the IC interface. Information indicating the temperature of the power supply BT at the time of charging can be acquired. The control unit 130 can execute error processing when, for example, the charging current acquired by the measurement circuit 100 becomes 1.1 times or more of the set value. The set value may be the charging current value in the constant current (CC) charging among the CCCV (constant current-constant voltage) charging executed by the charging circuit 20. Further, the control unit 130 can execute the error processing when the temperature of the power supply BT at the time of discharging the power supply BT becomes 55 ° C. or higher. Further, the control unit 130 can execute the error processing when the temperature of the power supply BT at the time of charging the power supply BT becomes 51 ° C. or higher. Further, the control unit 130 can execute error processing when, for example, the temperature of the power supply BT at the time of charging becomes 0 ° C. or lower. Further, the control unit 130 periodically monitors the discharge current from the power supply BT and the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT via the I ^2C interface, and based on these, determines whether the power supply BT is in a deep discharge state. I can judge. In the table shown in FIG. 22, the condition for determining whether or not this is a deep discharge state is described as an "internal algorithm". The details of this "internal algorithm" will be described later.

Further, in the measurement circuit 100, for example, the discharge current from the power supply BT is 10 A or more, the charge current of the power supply BT is 3.0 A or more, and the temperature at the time of discharge from the power supply BT is over 2 seconds. When either 60 ° C. or higher is detected, the nGAUGE_INT1 signal can be transitioned to the active level. The active level of the nGAUGE_INT1 signal is, for example, a low level.

Further, in the measurement circuit 100, the discharge current from the power supply BT is 9.75 A or more, the charge current of the power supply BT is 2.75 A or more, and the temperature at the time of discharge from the power supply BT is 85 ° C. for 2 minutes. The above, the temperature when charging the power supply BT is 85 ° C or higher for 2 minutes, the temperature when discharging from the power supply BT is -5 ° C or less for 5 seconds, and the power supply when charging the power supply BT. When it is detected that the positive electrode potential of the BT is 4.235 V or more or the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT at the time of discharging from the power supply BT is 2.8 V or less, the nGAUGE_INT2 signal is shifted to the active level. sell. The active level of the nGAUGE_INT2 signal is, for example, a low level. The positive electrode potential of the power supply BT acquired by the measurement circuit 100 corresponds to the difference between the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT and the potential of the VSS terminal. Since both the VSS terminal of the measurement circuit 100 and the second power supply connector BC- are connected to the ground line, the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT acquired by the measurement circuit 100 corresponds to the output voltage of the power supply BT.

Further, the control unit 130 can acquire information indicating the potential of the BAT terminal (positive electrode potential of the power supply BT) at the time of charging the power supply BT from the charging circuit 20 by polling via the I ^2C interface. The potential of the BAT terminal (positive electrode potential of the power supply BT) acquired by the charging circuit 20 corresponds to the difference between the potential of the BAT terminal (positive electrode potential of the power supply BT) and the potential of the GND terminal. Since both the GND terminal of the charging circuit 20 and the second power connector BC- are connected to the ground line, the potential of the BAT terminal (positive electrode potential of the power supply BT) acquired by the charging circuit 20 corresponds to the output voltage of the power supply BT. .. The control unit 130 can execute error processing when, for example, the potential of the BAT terminal (positive electrode potential of the power supply BT) at the time of charging becomes 4.343V or more.

The protection circuit 90 can change the first transistor SD to the cutoff state when the discharge current from the power supply BT becomes 12.67 A or more, for example. The protection circuit 90 can acquire the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT based on the input to the VBAT terminal. The positive electrode potential of the power supply BT acquired by the protection circuit 90 corresponds to the difference between the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT and the potential of the V-terminal. Since both the V-terminal of the protection circuit 90 and the second power supply connector BC- are connected to the ground line, the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT acquired by the protection circuit 90 corresponds to the output voltage of the power supply BT. The protection circuit 90 can change the second transistor SC to the cutoff state when, for example, the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT at the time of charging the power supply BT becomes 4.28 V or more. Further, the protection circuit 90 can change the first transistor SD to the cutoff state when, for example, the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT at the time of discharging from the power supply BT becomes 2.5 V or less. The state in which the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT at the time of charging the power supply BT is 4.28 V or more corresponds to the above-mentioned overcharged state of the power supply BT. The state in which the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT at the time of charging the power supply BT is 2.5 V or less corresponds to the above-mentioned over-discharged state of the power supply BT.

FIG. 23 schematically shows a configuration example of the measurement circuit 100 for realizing the function of the measurement circuit 100 shown in FIG. 22. The measurement circuit 100 may include, for example, a detection circuit ABD that detects that the state of the power supply BT has become an abnormal state, and an output unit ABN that outputs an abnormality notification in response to detection by the detection circuit ABD. The detection circuit ABD has a discharge current of 10 A or more from the power supply BT, a charge current of 3.0 A or more of the power supply BT, and a temperature of 60 ° C. or more at the time of discharge from the power supply BT for 2 seconds. Can include a first detection logic circuit that individually detects. The output unit ABN may include a first output logic circuit that transitions the nGAUGE_INT1 signal to the active level as an operation of outputting an abnormality notification when the first detection logic circuit detects at least one of them.

Further, in the measurement circuit 100, the discharge current from the power supply BT is 9.75 A or more, the charge current of the power supply BT is 2.75 A or more, and the temperature at the time of discharge from the power supply BT is 85 ° C. for 2 minutes. The above, the temperature when charging the power supply BT is 85 ° C or higher for 2 minutes, the temperature when discharging from the power supply BT is -5 ° C or less for 5 seconds, and the power supply when charging the power supply BT. It may include a second detection logic circuit that individually detects whether the positive electrode potential of the BT is 4.235 V or more or the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT at the time of discharging from the power supply BT is 2.8 V or less. The output unit ABN may include a second output logic circuit that transitions the nGAUGE_INT2 signal to the active level as an operation of outputting an abnormality notification when the second detection logic circuit detects at least one of them.

FIG. 24 shows connection examples of the measurement circuit 100, the control unit 130, the transformation circuit 120, the charging circuit 20, the information holding circuits FF1, FF2, the OP amplifiers A2, A3, and the like. The control unit 130 may be configured to use the power supplied from the power supply BT to control the supply of power to the heater HT for heating the aerosol source and the charging of the power supply BT.

The measuring circuit 100 may be configured to measure the state of the power supply BT (eg, remaining capacity, SOC, temperature, etc.). As illustrated in FIG. 23, the measurement circuit 100 includes a detection circuit ABD that detects that the power supply BT has become abnormal, and an output unit ABN that outputs an abnormality notification in response to detection by the detection circuit ABD. Can include. The output unit ABN outputs the first abnormal signal by transitioning the nGAUGE_INT1 signal output from the ALERT terminal to the active level (here, low level), and outputs the nGAUGE_INT2 signal output from the IO5 terminal to the active level (here, low level). Here, it can be configured to output a second abnormal signal by transitioning to low level). The measurement circuit 100 may include an interface for providing the control unit 130 with state information regarding the state of the power supply BT in response to a request from the control unit 130, for example, an I ^2C interface. The I ^2C interface may be composed of an SCL terminal and an SDA terminal different from the ALERT terminal and the IO5 terminal.

The control unit 130 may be configured to perform a protective operation that protects the power supply BT in response to the abnormality notification and the status information. The protection operation may include, for example, prohibiting charging of the power supply BT and / or prohibiting discharging from the power supply BT to the heater HT.

The output circuit ABN of the measurement circuit 100 notifies an abnormality according to at least one of the charge current of the power supply BT exceeding the first reference value and the discharge current from the power supply BT exceeding the second reference value. Can be output. In the example shown in FIG. 22, the output circuit ABN of the measurement circuit 100 uses the nGAUGE_INT1 signal as the output of the abnormality notification at the active level (here, in this case,) in response to the charging current of the power supply BT being 3.0 A or more. Transition to low level). Further, the output circuit ABN of the measurement circuit 100 shifts the nGAUGE_INT1 signal to the active level (here, the low level) as the output of the abnormality notification according to the discharge current from the power supply BT being 10 A or more. Further, the output circuit ABN of the measurement circuit 100 shifts the nGAUGE_INT2 signal to the active level (here, the low level) as the output of the abnormality notification according to the discharge current from the power supply BT being 9.75 A or more. .. Further, the output circuit ABN of the measurement circuit 100 shifts the nGAUGE_INT2 signal to the active level (here, the low level) as the output of the abnormality notification according to the charging current of the power supply BT being 2.75 A or more.

The control unit 130 can acquire state information from the measurement circuit 100 via the I2C interface in response to the transition of the ^nGAUGE_INT2 signal to the active level (here, the low level). The state information may include at least one of information for the control unit 130 to determine whether or not to shift to the permanent failure mode described above, and information indicating the transition to the permanent failure mode. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 22, the state information acquired from the measurement circuit 100 via the I2C interface of the control unit 130 is that the temperature at the time of discharging from the power supply BT is 85 ° C. or higher for ² minutes. It can be determined that the transition to the permanent failure mode is performed when it indicates that the temperature at the time of charging the power supply BT is 85 ° C. or higher for 2 minutes. Alternatively, the measurement circuit 100 has a control unit 130 when the temperature at the time of discharging from the power supply BT is 85 ° C. or higher for 2 minutes and when the temperature at the time of charging the power supply BT is 85 ° C. or higher for 2 minutes. In response to the polling from, information indicating the transition to the permanent failure mode may be provided to the control unit 130 as state information.

The control unit 130 can determine whether or not an abnormality in the power supply BT has occurred based on the information acquired from the measurement circuit 100, for example, the information acquired from the measurement circuit 100 via the ^I2C interface. In addition to or instead of this, the control unit 130 may determine whether or not an abnormality in the power supply BT has occurred based on the output from the output unit ABN of the measurement circuit 100. Further, the control unit 130 may control the notification unit NU so as to notify when it is determined that an abnormality of the power supply BT has occurred. Such notification may prompt the user to perform a predetermined operation for resetting. Such notification may be any, such as generation of light of a predetermined color, blinking display, generation of predetermined sound, generation of predetermined vibration, or a combination of two or more thereof.

Upon determining the transition to the permanent failure mode, the control unit 130 may transition the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU to an unusable state. The control unit 130 sends a command to the charging circuit 20 via the I ^2C interface to prohibit operation in all power path modes, for example, from the SYS terminal and the SW terminal of the charging circuit 20. The voltage output can be stopped. As a result, the outputs of the voltage V _CC , the voltage V _{CC33_0} , and the voltage V CC ₃₃ are stopped, so that the power supply to the control unit 130 is cut off and the control unit 130 becomes inoperable. Since the charging circuit 20 continues to hold the command to prohibit the operation in all the power path modes sent from the control unit 130, even if the voltage V _BUS is supplied from the USB connector USBC, the SYS terminal of the charging circuit 20 and the charging circuit 20 No voltage is output from the SW terminal. This prohibits the transition from the permanent failure mode to all other modes. Such an operation is useful for prohibiting charging and discharging of the power supply BT which is determined to have failed and enhancing safety.

The aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU may include a protection unit PPP having a function of protecting the power supply BT in response to an abnormality notification from the measurement circuit 100, without being controlled by the control unit 130. The protection unit PPP may further include a function of protecting the power supply BT by control by the control unit 130. The protection unit PPP may include, for example, the information holding circuit FF1. As will be described in detail later, the information holding circuit FF1 responds to the nGAUGE_INT1 signal output from the ALERT terminal of the measurement circuit 100 being driven to the active level (here, the low level) (that is, the first abnormal signal). The nALARM_Latched signal can be transitioned to the active level (here low level), which can turn off the switch SS located in the current path driving the heater HT. The information that the nGAUGE_INT1 signal has been driven to the active level (that is, the first abnormal signal) can also be provided to the PA10 terminal of the control unit 130 via the information holding circuit FF1. Specifically, the information holding circuit FF1 may be composed of a D-type flip-flop having a / CLR terminal. As is well known, the D-type flip-flop can hold 1-bit information that can take high level and low level, and can be used as an information holding circuit. The nGAUGE_INT1 signal can be supplied to the / CLR terminal of the information holding circuit FF1 (D type flip-flop). The nALARM_Latched signal can be output from the Q terminal of the information holding circuit FF1 (D type flip-flop). When the nGAUGE_INT1 signal supplied to the / CLR terminal, which is negative logic, transitions to a low level, the information holding circuit FF1 (D-type flip-flop) fixes the level of the information to be held to the low level. The same level as the level of information to be held is output from the Q terminal of the information holding circuit FF1 (D-type flip-flop). According to such a configuration, the nALARM_Latched signal can be transitioned to the active level (here, low level) in response to the transition of the nGAUGE_INT1 signal to the active level (here, low level). As will be described later, the nALARM_Latched signal can also be provided to the EN terminal of the transformer circuit 120 and the base or gate of the transistor constituting the switch SL.

In other words, the measurement circuit 100 outputs the nGAUGE_INT1 signal output from the ALERT terminal of the measurement circuit 100 when it is determined that the standard (condition) for prohibiting the energization (heat generation) of the heater HT or the charging of the power supply BT is satisfied. Driven to the active level, in response, the protection unit PPP turns off the switch SS without control by the control unit 130. As a result, heat generation of the heater HT (supply of electric power to the heater HT) is prohibited.

In the example of FIG. 22, the current is 10 A or more, the charging current of the power supply BT is 3.0 A or more, and the temperature at the time of discharging from the power supply BT is 60 ° C. or more for 2 seconds. When the above criteria are met, the nGAUGE_INT1 signal is transitioned to the active level. Other criteria may be set as such criteria. For example, the measurement circuit 100 has a discharge current value, a charge current value, a power supply BT temperature when the power supply BT is discharged, a power supply BT temperature when the power supply BT is charged, and a positive potential of the power supply BT when the power supply BT is discharged. (Output voltage), nGAUGE_INT1 signal depending on at least one of the positive voltage (output voltage) of the power supply BT when charging the power supply BT meets the criteria for prohibiting the supply of power to the heater HT or the charging of the power supply BT. Can be driven to the active level.

After the protection unit PPP protects the power supply BT in response to the abnormality notification, the control unit 130 indicates that the state information acquired from the measurement circuit 100 via the ^I2C interface indicates that the power supply BT is not in an abnormal state. If so, it may be possible to supply electric power to the heater HT and charge the power supply BT. For example, after the protection unit PPP protects the power supply BT in response to the abnormality notification, the control unit 130 may use the notification unit NU to prompt the user to perform an operation for resetting or restarting. When the control unit 130 is reset or restarted by this, the control unit 130 acquires the state information from the measurement circuit 100 via the I2C interface, or confirms the level of the ^nGAUGE_INT1 signal, and the power supply BT is abnormal. When it is not in the state, it is possible to supply electric power to the heater HT and charge the power supply BT. On the contrary, when the control unit 130 is reset or restarted, the control unit 130 may be in a state where electric power can be supplied to the heater HT. In this case, the control unit 130 can acquire the state information from the measurement circuit 100 via the ^I2C interface, and can prohibit the supply of electric power to the heater HT, if necessary, according to the state information.

As described above, the protection of the power supply BT by the protection unit PPP in response to the nGAUGE_INT1 signal can be treated as releasable protection. This is because the protection of the power supply BT by the protection unit PPP does not go through the control by the control unit 130, and the protection may be caused by the malfunction of any of the electronic components constituting the protection unit PPP. Further, when the protection is caused by a failure of the control unit 130 such as a freeze, the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU may be returned to a normal state by resetting or restarting the control unit 130. The condition shown in the column of "nGAUGE_INT2" in FIG. 22 is set to be satisfied before the condition shown in the column of "nGAUGE_INT1" because a failure such as a freeze occurs in the control unit 130. It is also to judge whether or not.

On the other hand, in principle, the state of being inoperable due to the judgment of transition to the permanent failure mode cannot be canceled. When the temperature of the power supply BT is 85 ° C. or higher for 2 minutes during discharging or charging, the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU is shifted to the permanent failure mode by the control unit 130. In other words, as is clear from the fact that the control unit 130 can acquire the temperature of the power supply BT, the control unit 130 does not have a failure such as a freeze. Nevertheless, when the temperature of the power supply BT becomes high, an irrecoverable error has occurred other than the control unit 130, and the error cannot be expected to be resolved by resetting or restarting the control unit 130. .. Therefore, it is necessary to shift the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU to the permanent failure mode.

The control unit 130 acquires the first information regarding the state of the power supply BT from the measurement circuit 100 via the I ^{2C interface by periodic polling, and also responds to the abnormality notification by the measurement circuit via the I 2 C} interface. Second information about the state of the power supply BT can be obtained from 100. The control unit 130 executes an operation of protecting the power supply BT when the first information indicates that the power supply BT is in the first state, and the measurement circuit 100 determines that the power supply BT is in the first state. An abnormality notification can be output according to the important second state. To give an example with reference to FIG. 22, when the first information indicates that the control unit 130 is in the first state (the temperature of the power supply BT at the time of discharging to the heater HT is 55 ° C. or higher). In addition, an operation of protecting the power supply BT (for example, a request for reset) is executed, and the measurement circuit 100 performs a power supply when the power supply BT is in a second state (during discharging or charging to the heater HT), which is more important than the first state. An abnormality notification can be output (the nGAUGE_INT1 signal is driven to the active level) in response to the BT temperature reaching 60 ° C. or higher for 2 seconds. In this example, the first information and the second information are information indicating the temperature of the power supply BT, but the first information and the second information are information indicating other states (for example, discharge current, charge current). You may.

In one configuration example, the control unit 130 protects the power supply BT when the first information satisfies any of the conditions included in the first condition group when the power supply BT is charged. Is executed, and when the first information satisfies any of the conditions included in the second condition group when the power supply BT is discharged, the operation of protecting the power supply BT is executed, and here, The number of conditions included in the one condition group is larger than the number of conditions included in the second condition group. In other words, the protection of the power supply BT based on the first information functions more strongly at the time of charging than at the time of discharging. This is because the energy stored in the power supply BT continues to increase during charging, unlike during discharging, so that protection of the power supply BT becomes more important during charging. Further, unlike the case of discharging, charging at a low temperature may cause an irreversible change in the internal structure of the power source BT such as electrodeposition at the negative electrode, so that the protection of the power source BT becomes more important during charging.

In another configuration example, the control unit 130 protects the power supply BT when the second information satisfies any of the conditions included in the third condition group when the power supply BT is charged. Is executed, and when the second information satisfies any of the conditions included in the fourth condition group when the power supply BT is discharged, the operation of protecting the power supply BT is executed, and here, The number of conditions included in the third condition group is smaller than the number of conditions included in the fourth condition group. In other words, the protection of the power supply BT based on the second information functions more strongly at the time of discharging than at the time of charging. This is because, as described above, the energy stored in the power supply BT may continue to increase during charging, or the internal structure of the power supply BT may be irreversibly changed.

FIG. 25 schematically shows protection of the power supply BT based on the state of the power supply BT acquired by periodic polling of the measurement circuit 100 by the control unit 130. The control unit 130 can acquire state information regarding the state of the power supply BT from the measurement circuit 100 by periodically polling the measurement circuit 100. Then, the control unit 130 can perform a protective operation for protecting the power supply BT when the state information satisfies the standard for protecting the power supply BT. In the protection operation, for example, the Heater_Enable signal output from the PC12 terminal is transitioned to an inactive level (here, a low level), the operation of the transformer circuit 120 is stopped, and a switch arranged in the current path of the heater HT is performed. It may include an operation of turning off the SS. The protection operation may also include, for example, an operation of shifting the nCharger_Enable signal output from the PB3 terminal to an inactive level (here, a high level) and stopping the charging of the power supply BT by the charging circuit 20. As a specific example, if the EN terminal of the transformer circuit 120 is positive logic and the switch SS is composed of an N-channel MOSFET, the Heater_Enable signal transitioned to the low level is sent to the EN terminal of the transformer circuit 120 and the gate of the switch SS. By supplying to the terminal, the operation of the transformer circuit 120 can be stopped and the switch SS can be turned off. Further, if the / CE terminal of the charging circuit 20 is set to negative logic, the charging of the power supply BT by the charging circuit 20 can be stopped by supplying the nCharger_Enable signal transitioned to the high level to the / CE terminal of the charging circuit 20. ..

The protection operation may include an operation of continuing the error processing mode until a predetermined condition is satisfied, and then transitioning to a sleep mode after the predetermined condition is satisfied. For example, according to the example of FIG. 22, the control unit 130 shifts to the error processing mode when the temperature of the power supply BT becomes 51 ° C. or higher when discharging from the power supply BT, and then the temperature of the power supply BT changes. When the temperature drops below 45 ° C, the sleep mode can be entered.

FIG. 26 schematically shows the protection of the power supply BT in response to the measurement circuit 100 outputting the second abnormal signal by transitioning the nGAUGE_INT2 signal to the active level (here, the low level). The control unit 130 can poll the measurement circuit 100 in response to the transition of the nGAUGE_INT2 signal to the active level (second abnormal signal) and acquire the state information regarding the state of the power supply BT from the measurement circuit 100. Then, the control unit 130 can perform a protective operation for protecting the power supply BT when the state information satisfies the standard for protecting the power supply BT. The protection operation may be the same as or different from the protection operation described with reference to FIG. When the control unit 130 stops periodic polling of the measurement circuit 100 because the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU is in the sleep mode, the control unit 130 controls based on the nGAUGE_INT2 signal that has transitioned to the active level. The unit 130 can resume periodic polling of the measurement circuit 100. In other words, the nGAUGE_INT2 signal can also be understood as an interrupt signal to the control unit 130.

The protection operation may include an operation of continuing the error processing mode until a predetermined condition is satisfied, and then transitioning to a sleep mode after the predetermined condition is satisfied. For example, according to the example of FIG. 22, when the temperature of the power supply BT becomes −5 ° or less for 5 seconds or more when discharging from the power supply BT, the control unit 130 goes through an error processing mode and goes into a sleep mode. Can move to. Alternatively, the control unit 130 may shift to the sleep mode via the error processing mode when the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT becomes 2.8 V or less when discharging from the power supply BT.

On the other hand, when the state information indicates that the temperature at the time of discharging from the power supply BT is 85 ° C. or higher for 2 minutes, or the temperature at the time of charging the power supply BT is 85 ° C. or higher for 2 minutes. Can determine that the control unit 130 shifts the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU to the permanent failure mode. In this case, the control unit 130 may transition the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU to a permanently unusable state.

FIG. 27 schematically shows the protection of the power supply BT performed by the protection unit PPP in response to the measurement circuit 100 transitioning the nGAUGE_INT1 signal to the active level. The information holding circuit FF1 activates the nALARM_Latched signal in response to the nGAUGE_INT1 signal output from the ALERT terminal of the measurement circuit 100 being driven to the active level (here, the low level) (that is, the first abnormal signal). (Here, low level) can be transitioned. In response to this, the switch SS arranged in the current path for driving the heater HT may be turned off, the transformer circuit 120 for generating the voltage V _volt may stop operating, and the charging circuit 20 may stop operating. As a specific example, if the EN terminal of the transformer circuit 120 is positive logic and the switch SS is composed of an N-channel MOSFET, the nALARM_Latched signal transitioned to the low level is sent to the EN terminal of the transformer circuit 120 and the gate of the switch SS. By supplying to the terminal, the operation of the transformer circuit 120 can be stopped and the switch SS can be turned off. Further, if the / CE terminal of the charging circuit 20 is negative logic and the switch SL is composed of a pnp type bipolar transistor, the switch SL is turned on by supplying the nALARM_Latched signal transitioned to the low level to the base terminal of the switch SL. do. When the switch SL is turned on, the partial pressure of the voltage V _CC33 by the two resistors connected in parallel to the / CE terminal of the charging circuit 20 is stopped. As a result, a high level voltage V _{CC 33} is supplied to the / CE terminal of the charging circuit 20 via the switch SL. Since the / CE terminal of the charging circuit 20 has negative logic, the operation of the charging circuit 20 may stop.

The information retention circuit FF1 also activates the nALARM_Latched signal (here) when it indicates that the temperature of the heater HT measured using the thermistor TH for detecting the temperature of the heater HT has exceeded its upper limit. Then, the transition may be made to low level). Specifically, the electrical resistance of the resistor connected to the non-inverting input terminal and the inverting input terminal of the OP amplifier A2 so that the output of the OP amplifier A2 becomes low level when the temperature of the heater HT exceeds the condition value. The value and the physical properties of the thermistor TH may be selected. Since the low level output by the OP amplifier A2 is supplied to the / CLR terminal of the information holding circuit FF1 in the same manner as the nGAUGE_INT1 signal that has transitioned to the active level, the nALARM_Latched signal can transition to the active level (here, the low level). ..

The information holding circuit FF1 further activates the nALARM_Latched signal even when it indicates that the temperature of the outer case C101 measured by using the thermistor TC for detecting the temperature of the outer case C101 exceeds the upper limit value. It may be transitioned to. Specifically, the electrical resistance of the resistor connected to the non-inverting input terminal and the inverting input terminal of the OP amplifier A3 so that the output of the OP amplifier A3 becomes low level when the temperature of the heater HT exceeds the condition value. The value and the physical properties of the thermistor TC may be selected. Since the low level output by the OP amplifier A3 is supplied to the / CLR terminal of the information holding circuit FF1 in the same manner as the nGAUGE_INT1 signal that has transitioned to the active level, the nALARM_Latched signal can transition to the active level (here, the low level). ..

The protection unit PPP may further include an information holding circuit FF2. In one example, since the information holding circuit FF2 is driven by the voltage V _{CC33_0} , if the power supply BT is normal, the information holding circuit FF2 keeps holding information unless it is in the permanent failure mode. When the temperature of the heater HT measured by using the thermistor TH for detecting the temperature of the heater HT exceeds the upper limit value, the information holding circuit FF2 keeps holding the information indicating that, and the Heater_Latched signal. Can be transitioned to the active level (here, the high level). Specifically, the information holding circuit FF2 may be composed of a D-type flip-flop having a / CLR terminal. The output signal of the OP amplifier A2 can be supplied to the / CLR terminal of the information holding circuit FF2 (D type flip-flop). The Heater_Latched signal can be output from the / Q terminal of the information holding circuit FF2 (D-type flip-flop). When the output signal of the OP amplifier A2 supplied to the / CLR terminal, which is negative logic, transitions to a low level, the information holding circuit FF2 (D-type flip-flop) fixes the level of the held information to the low level. The level opposite to the level of information to be held is output from the / Q terminal of the information holding circuit FF2 (D-type flip-flop). According to such a configuration, the Heater_Latched signal can be changed to the active level (here, the high level) according to the temperature of the heater HT exceeding the upper limit value. The Heater_Latched signal may be output from the Q terminal of the information holding circuit FF2 (D-type flip-flop). In this case, it should be noted that the active level of the Heater_Latched signal is low level unless the inverter is connected to the Q terminal. Further, in this case, the information holding circuit FF2 (D-type flip-flop) does not have to have a / Q terminal.

When the Heater_Latched signal transitions to the active level, the control unit 130 determines that overheating of the heater HT has occurred, and can control the notification unit NU so as to notify that the overheating has occurred. Such notification may prompt the user to perform a predetermined operation for resetting. Such notification may be any, such as generation of light of a predetermined color, blinking display, generation of predetermined sound, generation of predetermined vibration, or a combination of two or more thereof.

When the control unit 130 is reset or restarted, the information held in the information holding circuit FF2 is confirmed by the state (logical level) of the Heater_Latched signal, and further, it is confirmed whether or not the heater HT has overheated. sell. Upon recognizing that the heater HT has overheated, the control unit 130 may shift the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU to the permanent failure mode. As described above, in the transition of the aerosol generator ^AGD or the power supply unit PSU to the permanent failure mode, the control unit 130 operates the charging circuit 20 in all power path modes via the IC interface. This can be done by sending a banned command. However, in a situation where the heater HT is overheated, there is a possibility that a failure such as a freeze may occur in the control unit 130 at the same time. Therefore, in order to surely shift the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU to the permanent failure mode, the control unit 130 is reset or restarted. Even if a failure such as a freeze of the control unit 130 occurs, if the temperature of the heater HT exceeds the upper limit value, the information holding circuit FF1 causes the nALARM_Latched signal to transition to the active level (here, the low level). , The overheating of the heater HT does not progress further.

When the information holding circuit FF2 is composed of a D-type flip-flop, the information holding circuit FF2 (D-type flip-flop) may include a CLK (clock) terminal (not shown) and connected to the control unit 130. By inputting the CLK signal to the CLK terminal, the level of the information held by the information holding circuit FF2 (D-type flip-flop) can be made the same as the level input to the D terminal. However, the control unit 130 CLK of the information holding circuit FF2 (D-type flip-flop) at least immediately after the reset or restart so that the control unit 130 that has reset or restarted the occurrence of overheating of the heater HT can recognize it. It is preferable not to input the CLK signal to the terminal.

FIG. 28 schematically shows changes in the state of the power supply BT with respect to discharging and charging. S1 to S8 indicate the timing. In the upper part of FIG. 28, the potential detected as the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT by the protection circuit 90 (dotted line), the potential detected as the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT by the measurement circuit 100 (solid gray line), and the control unit 130. The potential (black solid line) detected as the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT is illustrated by. The potential detected as the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT by the protection circuit 90 corresponds to the voltage detected as the output voltage of the power supply BT by the protection circuit 90. The potential detected as the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT by the measurement circuit 100 corresponds to the voltage detected as the output voltage of the power supply BT by the measurement circuit 100. The potential detected as the positive electrode potential of the power supply BT by the control unit 130 corresponds to the voltage detected as the output voltage of the power supply BT by the control unit 130. In the middle of FIG. 28, a charging current for charging the power supply BT is illustrated. The lower part of FIG. 28 illustrates the level of the DOUT terminal of the protection circuit 90.

At the timing S1, the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (the output voltage output between the positive electrode and the negative electrode) is normal. Here, "normal" can be understood as a state in which the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (the output voltage output between the positive electrode and the negative electrode) is equal to or lower than the full charge voltage of the power supply BT and higher than the discharge end voltage. .. By the timing S2, the discharge from the power supply BT proceeds, and at the timing S2, the state of the power supply BT enters the over-discharged region. FIG. 28 exemplifies 2.5 V as the discharge end voltage of the power supply BT, and the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (the output voltage output between the positive electrode and the negative electrode) falls below this discharge end voltage. , The state of the power supply BT enters the over-discharge area. At timings S2 to S6, the potential detected by the protection circuit 90 (dotted line), the potential detected by the measurement circuit 100 (solid gray line), and the potential detected by the control unit 130 (solid black line) are mutually exclusive. It can be very different. In the example described here, as will be described in detail later, since the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT decreases during the period from timing S2 to S5, the switch circuit 80 causes the first conductive path PT1 and the PC2 of the control unit 130 to decrease. It becomes impossible to electrically connect to the terminal. Therefore, during the period from timing S2 to S5, the potential (black solid line) detected by the control unit 130 is zero. Further, in the example described here, in the over-discharged region of the power supply BT, the measurement circuit 100 cannot accurately detect the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT. This is because the measurement circuit 100 allocates 0 mAh, which is the minimum value of the remaining capacity, and 0%, which is the minimum value of SOC, in a state where the output voltage of the power supply BT is equal to the discharge end voltage. This is because it is not designed to accurately measure the state below.

At the timing S3 when the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT further drops due to the discharge and falls below the first level, the protection circuit 90 opens the first transistor (switch) SD of the switch unit SWP to protect the power supply BT, and the power supply The discharge from the BT to other than the protection circuit 90 is stopped. Here, as described above, the first transistor SD is arranged in the path through which the current output from the power supply BT flows, more specifically, in the second conductive path PT2 electrically connected to the second power supply connector BC-. It is a switch. Even if the first transistor (switch) SD is opened, a closed circuit is formed between the first power connector BC +, the VDD terminal of the protection circuit 90, the VSS terminal of the protection circuit 90, and the second power connector BC-. Therefore, it should be noted that the protection circuit 90 can maintain the state in which the first transistor (switch) SD is open. When the first transistor (switch) SD is opened, the voltage V _{CC 33} is not supplied to the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100, so that they stop operating.

At the timing S4, a USB cable to which an external device (for example, a charger or an electronic device) is connected is connected to the USB connector USBC by the user for charging the power supply BT. In this state, since the voltage V _CC33 is not supplied to the VDD terminal (power supply terminal) of the control unit 130, a low level is supplied to the base or gate of the transistors constituting the switch SI, and the switch SI is turned off. ing. Therefore, a high level obtained by dividing the power supply V _USB can be supplied to the ON terminal of the load switch 10. Therefore, the load switch 10 can supply the voltage V _USB supplied to the VIN terminal to the VBUS terminal of the charging circuit 20 via the V _CC5 line as the voltage V _CC5 . The charging circuit 20 operates in the first power path mode, electrically connects the VBUS terminal and the SW terminal, and supplies a voltage V _CC to the V _CC line using the voltage V _{CC 5} supplied via the V _CC 5 line. Can be supplied. The transformer circuit 30 supplied with the voltage V _CC can generate the voltage V _{CC33_0} , and the load switch 40 can receive the voltage V _{CC 33_0 and} output the voltage V CC 33. As a result, the voltage V _{CC 33} is supplied to the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100, and these can resume the operation.

After the timing S4, the measurement circuit 100 can detect the potential of the power supply BT supplied to the VBAT terminal. The control unit 130 can determine whether the power supply BT has a failure to shift the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU to the permanent failure mode. When the control unit 130 determines that the failure has occurred in the power supply BT, the control unit 130 may shift the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU to the permanent failure mode. On the other hand, if the control unit 130 determines that the failure has not occurred in the power supply BT, the control unit 130 can perform the operation described below.

At the timing S5, the control unit 130 can output a low level from the PB3 terminal and supply the low level (enable level) to the / CE terminal of the charging circuit 20. As a result, the charging circuit 20 can start the operation of supplying the charging voltage (first voltage) from the BAT terminal to the power supply BT. The charging current of the power supply BT at this time may be a first current value (540 mA in FIG. 28) smaller than the predetermined current value. The potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT begins to rise due to charging. Further, the charging circuit 20 may supply the voltage V _{CC to the VCS terminal from the SYS terminal, and the transformer circuit 30 may supply the voltage V CC 33_0 to} the V CC _{33_0} line. The load switch 40 can receive the voltage V _{CC33_0} and supply it as the V _{CC 33} (second voltage) to the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100 through the V _{CC 33} line. Here, the charging circuit 20, the transformer circuit 30, and the load switch 40 can be understood as constituting one voltage supply circuit. The voltage supply circuit supplies a first voltage for charging the power supply BT between the first conductive path PT1 and the second conductive path PT2 by using the voltage supplied from the external device through the USB cable. At the same time, a second voltage for operating the control unit 130 can be generated. According to such a configuration, the voltage supply circuit uses the voltage supplied from the external device through the USB cable to restart the control unit 130 that has stopped operating and to recover the power supply BT that has reached the over-discharged state. Can be done. In other words, the voltage supply circuit can return the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU to a normal state.

At the timing S6, the switch circuit 80 is turned on by the increase in the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT, and the potential ADC_B + obtained by dividing the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT by a predetermined partial pressure ratio can be supplied to the PC2 terminal of the control unit 130. .. The control unit 130 can convert the potential of the PC2 terminal into the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT based on the voltage division ratio.

In this example, after the timing S5, when the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT exceeds a certain level, the potential detected by the measurement circuit 100 can rise sharply. The timing coincides with the timing S6 in the example of FIG. 28, but this is only an example.

The value detected as the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) by the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100 at this stage is as described later because the first transistor SD of the switch unit SWP is in the off state. , The forward voltage _VF of the body diode BDD, which is the first rectifying element connected in parallel to the first transistor SD, may be added to the output voltage of the power supply BT.

The control unit 130 determines whether the output voltage of the power supply BT acquired from the measurement circuit 100 exceeds the second level, which is larger than the first level, and if the output voltage exceeds the second level, the control unit 130 determines. The charging current of the power supply BT by the charging circuit 20 can be increased to a second current value (2640 mA in FIG. 28) larger than the predetermined current value.

Further, the control unit 130 determines whether or not the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT converted or detected based on the potential supplied to the PC2 terminal exceeds the second level, and the potential of the positive electrode exceeds the second level. If it exceeds, the charging current of the power supply BT by the charging circuit 20 can be increased to the second current value (2640 mA as an example). Here, the difference between the second level and the first level is set to a value larger than the forward voltage _VF of the body diode BDD. According to these configurations, whether or not the over-discharged state of the power supply BT is resolved in consideration of the forward voltage _VF of the body diode BDD included in the apparent potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT detected by the control unit 130. Can be judged with high accuracy. As a result, not only the charging speed of the power supply BT whose over-discharged state has been resolved can be improved, but also high-rate charging of the power supply BT whose over-discharged state has not been resolved can be suppressed.

The above determination by the control unit 130 can be positive between the timing S6 and the timing S7 in FIG. 28. That is, when the above judgment becomes affirmative, the timing S8 can come without waiting for the timing S7, unlike the example of FIG. 28.

At the timing S7 in which the potential of the power supply BT further rises and the potential detected as the potential of the power supply BT detected by the protection circuit 90 exceeds the third level higher than the first level, the protection circuit 90 uses the first transistor. Close SD. As a result, the potential detected as the potential of the power supply BT by the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100 matches the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT. That is, when the first transistor SD is closed, the potential detected by the protection circuit 90 is lowered by the forward voltage VF of the body diode BDD which is the first rectifying element.

After that, the control unit 130 determines whether the output voltage of the power supply BT acquired from the measurement circuit 100 exceeds the fourth level, which is smaller than the second level, and when the potential of the positive electrode exceeds the fourth level. The charging current of the power supply BT by the charging circuit 20 can be increased to the second current value (2640 mA in FIG. 28). Further, the control unit 130 determines whether or not the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT converted or detected based on the potential supplied to the PC2 terminal exceeds the third level, which is larger than the first level, and determines whether or not the potential of the positive electrode of the positive electrode exceeds the third level. When the potential exceeds the third level, the charging current of the power supply BT by the charging circuit 20 can be increased to the second current value (2640 mA in FIG. 28).

That is, the protection circuit 90 sets the first transistor (switch) SD so that the discharge of the power supply BT is cut off when the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) falls below the first level. Can act to open. Further, the control unit 130 responds that the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT detected based on the potential supplied to the PC2 terminal exceeds the second level larger than the first level by charging the power supply BT. It can operate to increase the charging current of the power supply BT.

In FIG. 29, the protection circuit 90, the switch unit SWP, the measurement circuit 100, the control unit 130, and the switch circuit 80 are shown together with the first conductive path PT1 and the second conductive path PT2. The switch circuit 80 may include, for example, a epitaxial transistor SBVC, an npn-type bipolar transistor SBEN, and two resistors (10 kΩ, 470 Ω), but is not limited to this configuration. The switch circuit 80 may be composed of, for example, a single transistor that is turned on when the ADCB + _EN signal output from the PB4 terminal of the control unit 130 is at the active level.

In the example shown in FIG. 29, when the power supply BT is in the normal state, the epitaxial transistor SBVC is turned on when the ADCB + _EN signal is brought to the active level (here, the high level). More specifically, when the ADCB + _EN signal transitioned to the active level (here, the high level) is supplied to the base terminal of the npn-type bipolar transistor SBEN, the npn-type bipolar transistor SBEN is turned on. Since the gate terminal of the epitaxial transistor SBVC is connected to the second conductive path PT2 which is the ground line via the npn-type bipolar transistor SBEN, the potential of the gate terminal of the epitaxial transistor SBVC is approximately 0V. Since the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT is supplied to the source terminal of the epitaxial transistor SBVC via the first conductive path PT1, the source-gate voltage (absolute value) of the epitaxial transistor SBVC is the threshold value (absolute value) of the epitaxial transistor SBVC. Value) becomes larger, and the epitaxial transistor SBVC is turned on. When the epitaxial transistor SBVC is turned on, the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT divided by the voltage dividing resistors R11 and R12 is input to the PC2 terminal of the control unit 130. Since the magnitude of the signal input to the PC2 terminal of the control unit 130 depends on the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT, the control unit 130 acquires the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT based on the signal input to the PC2 terminal. can. The VSS terminal of the control unit 130 and the second power supply connector BC-are both connected to the second conductive path PT2. That is, the VSS terminal of the control unit 130 and the second power supply connector BC- have substantially the same potential. Therefore, the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT acquired by the control unit 130 is substantially equal to the output voltage of the power supply BT.

On the other hand, when the power supply BT is in an over-discharged state or a deep-discharged state, the epitaxial transistor SBVC does not turn on even if the ADCB + _EN signal is set to the active level. Here, the lower limit of the potential value of the positive electrode of the power supply BT when the PRIVATE Transis A SBVC is turned on is determined by the voltage division ratio by the two resistors of the switch circuit 80. In order for the epitaxial transistor SBVC to turn on, the potential of the gate must be lower than the potential of the source by the threshold value of the epitaxial transistor SBVC, and for that purpose, the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT is a value determined by the voltage division ratio. Must be above. In the example shown in FIG. 29, when the power supply BT is in an over-discharged state or a deep-discharged state, current is prevented from flowing from the power supply BT through the switch circuit 80 (Pomycin transistor SBVC) and the voltage dividing resistors R11 and R12. .. This prevents the power supply BT from being further discharged when the power supply BT is in an over-discharged state or a deep-discharged state.

29A, 28B, 29C, 29D, 29E, and 29F show the same configuration as that of FIG. 29. 29A, 28B, 29C, 29D, 29E, and 29F schematically show the states at the timings S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, and S7 shown in FIG. 28, respectively.

At the timing S2 shown in FIG. 29A, the power supply BT enters the over-discharged state, and the potential of its positive electrode (potential of the first power supply connector BC +) drops to the potential of the over-discharged state (here, 2.5 V). ing. As a result, the source-gate voltage (absolute value) of the epitaxial transistor SBVC becomes smaller than the threshold value (absolute value) of the epitaxial transistor SBVC, and the epitaxial transistor SBVC is turned off. When the epitaxial transistor SBVC is turned off, current is prevented from flowing from the power supply BT through the switch circuit 80 (Pomycin transistor SBVC) and the resistors R11 and R12 for voltage division. Therefore, the resistor R12 is passed through the PC2 terminal of the control unit 130. The potential of the second conductive path PT2 is input. As a result, the control unit 130 acquires 0V as the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT. Each VBAT terminal of the protection circuit 90 and the measurement circuit 100 is directly connected to the first conductive path PT1. Therefore, the protection circuit 90 and the measurement circuit 100 can acquire a value larger than 0V as the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) at the timing S2.

At the timing S3 shown in FIG. 29B, the discharge of the power supply BT further progresses, and the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT falls below the first threshold value, so that the protection circuit 90 protects the power supply BT by the first transistor ( Switch) Turn off SD. As a result, the path from the positive electrode of the power supply BT to the negative electrode of the power supply BT through the first power supply connector BC +, the first conductive path PT1, the second conductive path PT2, and the second power supply connector BC- is cut off. Therefore, the charging circuit 20 in which power or voltage is supplied from the power supply BT via the first conductive path PT1 and the second conductive path PT2, the transformer circuit 30 in which power or voltage is supplied via the charging circuit 20, and the load switch. The supply of power or voltage to 40 is cut off. Therefore, the supply of the voltage V _{CC 33} to the measurement circuit 100 and the control unit 130 is stopped, and the operation of the measurement circuit 100 and the control unit 130 is stopped. That is, the measurement circuit 100 and the control unit 130 cannot acquire the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT). On the other hand, the protection circuit 90 receives power or voltage directly from the power supply BT by the above-mentioned closed circuit regardless of the state of the first transistor (switch) SD, so that the operation can be continued. At this time, since the operations of the measurement circuit 100 and the control unit 130 are stopped, the progress of discharge of the power supply BT can be suppressed.

At the timing S4 shown in FIG. 29C, the user connects the USB cable to the USB connector USBC for charging the power supply BT. Correspondingly, the voltage supplied through the USB cable is supplied to the charging circuit 20 via the overvoltage protection circuit 110, the V _USB line, the load switch 10 and the _VCS5 line, and the charging circuit 20 is set by default. It operates in the first power path mode to supply the voltage _VCC to the _VCC line. In response to this, the supply of the voltage _VCC33 to the measurement circuit 100 and the control unit 130 is restarted or started. Therefore, the measurement circuit 100 and the control unit 130 restart or start the operation.

At the timing S5 shown in FIG. 29D, the control unit 130 outputs a low level from the PB3 terminal and supplies the low level (enable level) to the / CE terminal of the charging circuit 20. As a result, the charging circuit 20 starts the operation of supplying the charging voltage from the BAT terminal to the power supply BT, and the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT starts to rise. The charging current of the power supply BT at this time may be a first current value (540 mA in FIG. 28) smaller than the predetermined current value. This is because if the power supply BT is charged with a current value as in normal charging while the power supply BT has reached an over-discharged state or a deep-discharged state, the power supply BT may be in an unrecoverable state.

In the period of timings S5 to S7, the first transistor SD is off, but the forward direction of the body diode BDD connected in parallel to the first transistor SD coincides with the direction in which the charging current for charging the power supply BT flows. Therefore, the power supply BT can be charged. However, based on the ground node GN (the same node as the ground terminal of the USB connector USBC), the potential of the second power supply connector BC- to which the negative electrode of the power supply BT is connected is higher by the voltage drop in the path between them. In the example of FIG. 29D, the potential of the second power supply connector BC- to which the negative electrode of the power supply BT is connected is larger than the potential of the ground node GN by the forward voltage VF of the body diode _BDD and the voltage drop due to the resistors R1 and R2. high. Since the electric resistance values of the resistor R2 connected to the protection circuit 90 and the resistor R1 connected to the measurement circuit 100 are extremely small, the voltage drop due to the resistors R1 and R2 is negligible. Therefore, when the power supply BT is in the normal state, the potential of the second power supply connector BC- is substantially equal to the potential of the ground node GN. However, since the forward voltage VF of the body diode _BDD is generally about several hundred mV, it is not negligible.

At the timing S6 when the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT rises to the potential before entering the over-discharge region, the switch circuit 80 is turned on, and the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT is set to a predetermined voltage division ratio at the PC2 terminal of the control unit 130. The potential ADC_B + divided by is supplied. The control unit 130 can convert the potential of the PC2 terminal into the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT based on the voltage division ratio. This voltage division ratio is determined by the resistance values of the resistors R11 and R12.

After that, at the timing S7 shown in FIG. 29F, the protection circuit 90 closes the first transistor SD. As a result, a path passing through the first transistor SD is formed, and the on-resistance of the first transistor SD is negligible. Therefore, the potential detected as the potential of the power supply BT by the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100 is the power supply BT. It will match the potential of the positive electrode of. That is, when the first transistor SD is closed, the potential detected by the protection circuit 90 is lowered by the forward voltage _VF of the body diode BDD. The protection circuit 90 acquires the potential difference between the VBAT terminal and the VSS terminal as the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT). That is, the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) acquired by the protection circuit 90 is not affected by the forward voltage _VF of the body diode BDD. From this, the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) acquired by the protection circuit 90 is substantially equal to the true value. The first transistor (switch) SD is turned off at the timing S3 shown in FIG. 29B, and the first transistor (switch) SD is turned on at the timing S7 shown in FIG. 29F. As is clear from FIG. 28 and the like, the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) when the first transistor (switch) SD is turned off is the power supply when the first transistor (switch) SD is turned on. It can be different from the potential of the positive electrode of the BT (the output voltage of the power supply BT). More specifically, the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT when the first transistor (switch) SD is turned off (the output voltage of the power supply BT) is the positive electrode of the power supply BT when the first transistor (switch) SD is turned on. It is lower than the potential (output voltage of the power supply BT). This can function as a hysteresis for suppressing a situation in which the first transistor (switch) SD is turned off immediately after the first transistor (switch) SD is turned on.

30 and 31 show operation examples of the protection circuit 90, the control unit 130, the charging circuit 20 and the measurement circuit 100 in chronological order. Further, FIG. 32 shows an operation example of the control unit 130 when receiving an interrupt due to the completion of charging. First, the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT continues to decrease due to the discharge from the power supply BT, and in step P11, the protection circuit 90 detects that the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT has fallen below the first level. In response, in step P12, the protection circuit 90 turns off the first transistor (switch) SD (timing S3 and FIG. 29B in FIG. 28). As a result, the supply of the voltage V _{CC 33} to the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100 is cut off. Therefore, the control unit 130 stops the operation in the step M11, and the measurement circuit 100 stops the operation in the step K11. Step P12, step M11 and step K11 can occur at about the same time.

After that, the USB cable connected to the external device is connected to the USB connector USBC (timing S4 and FIG. 29C in FIG. 28). As a result, electric power can be supplied to the VBUS terminal of the charging circuit 20 from an external device. The charging circuit 20 operates in the first power path mode, electrically connects the VBUS terminal and the SW terminal, and supplies a voltage V _CC to the V _CC line using the voltage V _{CC 5} supplied via the V _CC 5 line. Supply (step C11). The transformer circuit 30 supplied with the voltage V _CC generates the voltage V _{CC33_0} , and the load switch 40 receives the voltage V CC _{33_0} and outputs the voltage V _{CC 33} . As a result, the voltage V _{CC 33} is supplied to the control unit 130 and the measurement circuit 100.

In step M12, the control unit 130 is started (restarted), and in parallel, in step K12, the measurement circuit 100 is also started (restarted). In step M13, the control unit 130 requests the measurement circuit 100 to provide information on the output voltage of the power supply BT ( _VBAT information) via the ^I2C interface. In step K13, the measurement circuit 100 provides the control unit 130 with information on the output voltage of the power supply BT ( _VBAT information) via the ^I2C interface. In step M14, the control unit 130 receives the output voltage information ( _VBAT information) of the power supply BT from the measurement circuit 100 via the ^I2C interface.

In step M15, the control unit 130 transitions the ADCB + _EN signal to the active level, and in step M16, the control unit 130 changes the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT based on the potential (also referred to as the ADCB + signal) supplied to the PC2 terminal. (Output voltage of power supply BT) is acquired.

In step M17, the control unit 130 acquired the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) acquired in step M16 from the measurement circuit 100 or less than the first predetermined threshold value (for example, 0.1 V) or in step M14. It is determined whether or not the output voltage information (V _BAT information) of the power supply BT is equal to or less than the second predetermined threshold value (for example, 1.5 V).

Then, when the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) acquired in step M16 is equal to or less than the first predetermined threshold value, or the information of the output voltage of the power supply BT acquired from the measurement circuit 100 in step M14 ( When the V _BAT information) is equal to or less than the ^second predetermined threshold value, the charging circuit 20 is charged with the first current value smaller than the predetermined current value via the IC interface in step M21. (Timing S5 and FIG. 29D in FIG. 28). On the other hand, the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT acquired in step M16 (output voltage of the power supply BT) is not equal to or less than the first predetermined threshold value, and the information (V) of the output voltage of the power supply BT acquired from the measurement circuit 100 in step M14. If the _BAT information) is not equal to or less than the second predetermined threshold value, the charging circuit is set so that the power supply BT is charged with a ^second current value (normal charging sequence) larger than the predetermined current value via the IC interface in step M18. Send a command to 20.

Since the normal charging sequence is general CCCV charging, the description thereof will be omitted. When the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) drops to the extent that the transistor (switch) SD is turned off by the protection circuit 90, the PC2 terminal is connected to the second conductive path PT2 through the resistor R12. The potential (ie ground potential) is input. That is, the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT acquired in step M16 (output voltage of the power supply BT) should be 0.1 V or less. In other words, when the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) acquired in step M16 exceeds 0.1V, the power supply BT is in an over-discharged state or is placed in an extremely low temperature environment due to noise or an extremely low temperature environment. It can be considered that it was erroneously determined to be in a deep discharge state.

To give another example, in step M17, the control unit 130 determines whether or not the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) acquired in step M16 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value (for example, 0.1 V). to decide. If the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) acquired in step M16 is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value ⁽ for example, 0.1 V), the control unit 130 performs the control unit 130 via the IC interface in step M21. , A command is sent to the charging circuit 20 to charge the power supply BT with a first current value smaller than a predetermined current value (timing S5 and FIG. 29D in FIG. 28). On the other hand, if the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT acquired in step M16 (output voltage of the power supply BT) is not equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value ⁽ for example, 0.1 V), in step M18, the predetermined current is passed through the IC interface. A command is sent to the charging circuit 20 to charge the power supply BT with a second current value (normal charging sequence) larger than the value.

To give yet another example, in step M17, the control unit 130 has the output voltage information (V _BAT information) of the power supply BT acquired from the measurement circuit 100 in step M14 at a predetermined threshold value (for example, 1.5 V) or less. Determine if there is. Then, if the information (V _BAT information) of the output voltage of the power supply BT acquired in step M14 is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value ⁽ for example, 1.5 V), the control unit 130 performs the control unit 130 via the IC interface in step M21. Then, a command is sent to the charging circuit 20 to charge the power supply BT with a first current value smaller than a predetermined current value (timing S5 and FIG. 29D in FIG. 28). On the other hand, if the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT acquired in step M14 (output voltage of the power supply BT) is not equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value ⁽ for example, 1.5V), in step M18, the predetermined current is passed through the IC interface. A command is sent to the charging circuit 20 to charge the power supply BT with a second current value (normal charging sequence) larger than the value.

In step M22, the control unit 130 waits for a predetermined time. During this predetermined time, charging of the power supply BT proceeds in step C12 described later. In step M23, the control unit 130 transitions the ADCB + _EN signal to the active level, and in step M24, the control unit 130 changes the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (power supply BT) based on the potential (ADCB + signal) supplied to the PC2 terminal. Output voltage). In step M25, the control unit 130 determines whether or not the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) acquired in step M24 is equal to or higher than the second level (for example, 3.35V). Then, if the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) acquired in step M24 is equal to or higher than the second level (for example, 3.35V), the control unit 130 provides the I ^2C interface in step M26. A command is sent to the charging circuit 20 to charge the power supply BT with a second current value (normal charging sequence) larger than the predetermined current value.

On the other hand, if the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT acquired in step M24 (output voltage of the power supply BT) is not equal to or higher than the second level (for example, 3.35V), the control unit 130 acquired in step M27 in step M24. The potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) drops by the forward voltage VF of the body diode _SDD described above from the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) acquired in the previous step M24. It is determined whether or not the first transistor (switch) SD is turned on. This judgment is made by subtracting the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) acquired in this step M24 from the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT acquired in the previous step M24 (output voltage of the power supply BT). , It can be executed depending on whether or not the forward voltage VF of the body diode _SDD or more. Then, when it is determined that the first transistor (switch) SD is turned on, the control unit 130 proceeds to step M28. On the other hand, when it is determined that the first transistor (switch) SD is not turned on, the control unit 130 returns the process to step M23. In the time series illustrated in FIG. 31, the protection circuit 90 closes the first transistor SD in step P21 (timing S7 and FIG. 29F in FIG. 28).

In step M28, the control unit 130 requests the measurement circuit 100 to provide information on the output voltage of the power supply BT ( _VBAT information) via the ^I2C interface. In step K21, the measurement circuit 100 provides the control unit 130 with information on the output voltage of the power supply BT ( _VBAT information) via the ^I2C interface. In step M29, the control unit 130 receives the output voltage information (V _BAT information) of the power supply BT from the measurement circuit 100 via the I ^2C interface.

In step M30, the control unit 130 determines whether or not the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) acquired in step M29 is at or above the fourth level (for example, 2.35V). Then, if the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT (output voltage of the power supply BT) acquired in step M29 is the fourth level or higher, the control unit 130 performs the predetermined current value in step M31 via the I ^2C interface. A command is sent to the charging circuit 20 to charge the power supply BT with a larger second current value (normal charging sequence) (timing S8 in FIG. 28). On the other hand, if the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT acquired in step M29 (output voltage of the power supply BT) is not equal to or higher than the fourth level, the control unit 130 returns the process to step S28. The fourth level can be a value smaller than the second level because it is a reference used with the first transistor (switch) SD turned on. The fourth level is a value larger than the first level.

The charging circuit 20 may start charging the power supply BT in step C12, wait for the completion of charging of the power supply BT in step C13, and when charging is completed, send an interrupt request to the control unit 130 in step C14. On the other hand, when the control unit 130 receives the interrupt request from the charging circuit 20, the control unit 130 may execute the process shown in FIG. 32 separately from the process shown in FIGS. 30 and 31.

In step M41, the control unit 130 acquires the total charging time required for charging the power supply BT from the charging circuit ²⁰ via the I2C interface. In step M42, the control unit 130 determines whether or not the power supply BT is being charged with the first current value in the state immediately before receiving the interrupt request from the charging circuit 20, and the state immediately before receiving the interrupt request is the first current value. If the power supply BT is not being charged, the process of FIG. 32 ends. On the other hand, if the state immediately before receiving the interrupt request is charging the power supply BT with the first current value, the control unit 130 executes error processing. This error handling may include two types of processing, as described below. In other words, the control unit 130 determines whether the state immediately before receiving the interrupt request is before changing the charging current from the first current value to the second current value, and the state immediately before receiving the interrupt request is the charging current. If it is in the state before changing from the first current value to the current value, the permanent failure process is executed. On the other hand, when the state immediately before receiving the interrupt request is the state after the charging current is changed from the first current value to the second current value, the control unit 130 executes the charging error processing.

Specifically, in step M43, the control unit 130 determines whether or not the total charging time acquired from the charging circuit 20 in step M41 is shorter than the reference time, and if the total charging time is shorter than the reference time, In step SM44, the control unit 130 executes a permanent failure process as one error process. The control unit 130 can execute, for example, a process of transitioning the aerosol generator AGD or the power supply unit PSU to an unusable state as a permanent failure process. This may be the same as shifting the aerosol generator AGD or power supply unit PSU described above to permanent failure mode. The control unit 130 sends a command to the charging circuit 20 via the I ^2C interface to prohibit operation in all power path modes, for example, from the SYS terminal and the SW terminal of the charging circuit 20. The voltage output can be stopped. As a result, the supply of electric power to the control unit 130 is cut off, and the control unit 130 becomes inoperable. Such an operation prohibits charging and discharging of the power supply BT which is determined to have reached the deep discharge state, and contributes to enhance the safety.

On the other hand, if the total charging time acquired from the charging circuit 20 in step M41 is not shorter than the reference time, the control unit 130 executes charging error processing as another error processing in step M45. The charge error process may include a process of prohibiting the charging of the power supply BT and the supply of electric power to the heater HT. The charge error process may include a process of prompting the user to perform an operation for resetting or restarting by using the notification unit NU. The control unit 130 may go into sleep mode when the control unit 130 is reset or restarted. In this case, the user can recharge the power supply BT by reconnecting the USB cable to the USB connector. Further, if the power supply BT is in a normal state, it is possible to supply electric power to the heater HT.

As described above, in the control unit 130, the charging circuit 20 (voltage supply circuit) has completed charging before the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT detected based on the potential supplied to the PC2 terminal exceeds the second threshold value. In some cases, it can be configured to perform error handling. When the time required for the charging circuit 20 to charge the power supply BT is shorter than the reference time, the control unit 130 can prohibit the charging of the power supply BT and the supply of electric power to the heater HT as error processing. In this case, the state in which the charging of the power supply BT and the supply of electric power to the heater HT are prohibited may be irrevocable. When the time required for the charging circuit 20 to charge the power supply BT is not shorter than the reference time, the control unit 130 can prohibit the charging of the power supply BT and the supply of electric power to the heater HT as error processing. In this case, the state in which the charging of the power supply BT and the supply of electric power to the heater HT are prohibited can be canceled by restarting or resetting the control unit 130.

The embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 28, 29, 29A to 29F, and 30 to 32 also have the following aspects.

The control unit 130 has a PC2 terminal as a first terminal for receiving information having a correlation with the state of the power supply BT, and can acquire a first index according to the information supplied to the PC2 terminal. The first information is an index indicating the state of the power supply BT.

The measurement circuit 100 has a VBAT terminal as a second terminal for receiving information having a correlation with the state of the power supply BT, and can generate a second index according to the information supplied to the VBAT terminal and provide it to the control unit 130. .. The provision of the second index to the control unit 130 can be performed using the I ^2C interface.

The control unit 130 can control the charging operation of the power supply BT according to the first index and the second index. For example, steps M23, M24, M25, and M26 in FIG. 31 are an example of a sequence for controlling the charging operation of the power supply BT based on the first index according to the information supplied to the PC2 terminal of the control unit 130. Further, M28, M29, M30, and M31 in FIG. 31 are examples of sequences for controlling the charging operation of the power supply BT based on the second index generated by the measurement circuit 100 and provided to the control unit 130. It is extremely difficult to judge the state of the power supply BT, which is not in the normal state, with only one index. According to such a configuration, since the control unit 130 acquires the state of the power supply BT from the first index and the second index, it is possible to appropriately charge the power supply BT that is not in the normal state.

The charging circuit 20 can operate in a first mode in which the power supply BT is charged with a first current value smaller than a predetermined current value and a second mode in which the power supply BT is charged with a second current value larger than the predetermined current value. It may be understood as a circuit.

The control unit 130 uses the charging circuit 20 to charge the power supply BT in the first mode when at least one of the first index and the second index indicates that the power supply BT is in an over-discharged state. The charging operation of the BT can be controlled (step C12). It is not easy to accurately distinguish whether or not the power supply BT is in an over-discharged state. According to such a configuration, even if one of the first index and the second index cannot detect the over-discharged state of the power supply BT, if the other can detect the over-discharged state, the power supply BT is charged in the first charge mode. Will be done. That is, since the power supply BT that may be in the over-discharged state is not charged at a high rate, the power supply BT that is in the over-discharged state does not fail due to the high rate charging.

Alternatively, the control unit 130 charges the power supply BT so that it is charged in the second mode when at least one of the first index and the second index indicates that the over-discharged state of the power supply BT has been resolved. The charging operation of the power supply BT by the circuit 20 can be controlled (steps M26 and M31). During charging of the power supply BT, the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT detected by the control unit 130 and the output voltage information (V _BAT information) of the power supply BT provided by the measurement circuit 100 to the control unit 130 are added to the body diode BDD. The influence of the forward voltage _VF may be included. Since the forward voltage _VF also fluctuates depending on the temperature and the charging current value, it is not easy to judge whether or not the over-discharged state of the power supply BT is eliminated by using only one index. According to such a configuration, even if one of the first index and the second index cannot detect the elimination of the over-discharged state of the power supply BT, if the other can detect the elimination, the power supply BT is in the second charge mode. It will be charged. That is, since it is difficult to overlook the elimination of the over-discharged state of the power supply BT, the remaining capacity of the power supply BT that has become a normal state can be recovered at an early stage.

Alternatively, the control unit 130 may charge the charging circuit 20 so that the power supply BT is charged in the first mode when at least one of the first index and the second index indicates that the power supply BT is in an over-discharged state. When the charging operation of the power supply BT is controlled (step C21) and at least one of the first index and the second index indicates that the over-discharged state of the power supply BT has been resolved, the power supply BT is the first. The charging operation of the power supply BT by the charging circuit 20 can be controlled so as to be charged in two modes (steps M26 and M31).

In the above example, the first index and the second index are the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT or the output voltage of the power supply BT, which are indexes that can be compared on the same scale. Further, as described above, in the above example, the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT is substantially equal to the output voltage of the power supply BT.

As illustrated in M23 to M31 of FIG. 31, the control unit 130 controls the charging operation based on the first index when the first transistor (first switch) SD is open, and the first transistor (first switch) 1st switch) When the SD is closed, it can be configured to control the charging operation based on the second index. Here, the VBAT terminal of the measurement circuit 100 can be directly connected to the first path PT1 (positive electrode of the power supply BT). On the other hand, the PC2 terminal of the control unit 130 is connected to the first path PT1 (positive electrode of the power supply BT) via a transistor such as the epitaxial transistor SBVC and / or a voltage dividing circuit composed of resistors R11 and R12. Can be done. Alternatively, from another viewpoint, the PC2 terminal of the control unit 130 may be connected to the first path PT1 (positive electrode of the power supply BT) via an analog circuit. Therefore, the accuracy of detecting or measuring the potential of the positive electrode of the power supply BT or the output voltage of the power supply BT is higher in the measurement circuit 100 than in the control unit 130. Therefore, when the first transistor (first switch) SD is closed and the influence of the forward voltage _VF of the body diode BDD disappears (the error factor due to the forward voltage _VF disappears), the control unit 130 It is advantageous to control the charging operation based on the second index provided by the measurement circuit 100.

The notification unit NU can notify the information regarding the remaining amount of the power supply BT, and the control unit 130 sets a third index indicating the remaining amount of the power supply BT (for example, remaining capacity, SOC, etc.) as the state of the power supply BT. It may be configured to acquire from the measurement circuit and notify the notification unit NU of information according to the third index.

The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the invention.

Claims (8)

Aerosol generator
Power supply and
An insertion hole into which an aerosol source with a susceptor is placed can be inserted, and
A coil for generating heat in the susceptor and
A circuit for controlling the supply of electric power to the coil and
The MCU that controls the circuit and
The non-volatile memory connected to the MCU and
A resistor arranged in the first conductive path electrically connected to the positive electrode of the power supply, and
A measurement circuit that measures the state of the power supply using the resistor, and
A first transformer circuit that is electrically connected to the first conductive path, receives a voltage supplied from the power supply via the resistor, and generates a first voltage to be supplied to the circuit.
A second transformer circuit that is electrically connected to the first conductive path, receives a voltage supplied from the power source via the resistor, and generates a second voltage to be supplied to the MCU and the non-volatile memory.
An aerosol generator. Aerosol generator
Power supply and
An insertion hole into which an aerosol source with a susceptor is placed can be inserted, and
A coil for generating heat in the susceptor and
A circuit for controlling the supply of electric power to the coil and
The MCU that controls the circuit and
A resistor arranged in the first conductive path electrically connected to the positive electrode of the power supply, and
A measurement circuit that measures the state of the power supply using the resistor, and
A first transformer circuit that is electrically connected to the first conductive path, receives a voltage supplied from the power supply via the resistor, and generates a first voltage to be supplied to the circuit.
A second transformer circuit that is electrically connected to the first conductive path, receives a voltage supplied from the power source via the resistor, and generates a second voltage to be supplied to the MCU.
The first substrate on which the first transformer circuit is arranged and
A second board that is separate from the first board and on which the second transformer circuit is arranged,
An aerosol generator. The measuring circuit measures the state of the power supply based on the current flowing through the resistor.
The aerosol generator according to claim 1 or 2 . With a power supply connector that can be connected to an external power supply
A charging circuit for charging the power supply using the voltage supplied from the power supply connector is further provided.
The charging circuit is connected to the second transformer circuit, and the charging circuit is connected to the second transformer circuit.
The positive electrode of the power supply and the first transformer circuit are connected in parallel to the BAT terminal of the charging circuit.
The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The first transformer circuit is configured to be operable by the voltage supplied from the power supply.
The second transformer circuit is configured to be operable by the voltage supplied from the power supply connector and to be operable by the voltage supplied from the power supply.
The aerosol generator according to claim 4 . When the second transformer circuit is operated by the voltage supplied from the power supply connector, the operation of the first transformer circuit is prohibited.
The aerosol generator according to claim 5 . The first substrate on which the first transformer circuit is arranged and
A second board that is separate from the first board and in which the second transformer circuit is arranged is further provided.
The aerosol generator according to claim 1. The first transformer circuit is a step-down circuit and
The second transformer circuit is a step-down circuit.
The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 7 .

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