JP7159410B2 - aerosol generator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device.

Patent Literature 1 discloses an aerosol delivery system 100 (aerosol generator) that generates an aerosol by vaporizing and/or atomizing an aerosol source by heating. In the aerosol delivery system of Patent Document 1, the generated aerosol flows through the second aerosol generating device 400 (accommodating chamber) in which the aerosol generating element 425 (flavor source) is accommodated, thereby releasing the flavor component contained in the flavor source. is added to the aerosol and the user can inhale the aerosol containing the flavoring component.

The aerosol delivery system described in Patent Document 1 includes a reservoir substrate 214, a space (heating chamber) containing a liquid transport element 238 and a heating element 240, and a second aerosol generating device 400 containing an aerosol generating element 425. (Containment room) and The reservoir substrate 214 stores an aerosol precursor composition. Liquid transport element 238 transports and holds the aerosol precursor composition from reservoir substrate 214 to the heating chamber. The aerosol precursor composition retained in the liquid transport element 238 is heated by the heating element 240 to be aerosolized and passed through the aerosol-generating element 425 of the second aerosol-generating device 400 to add a flavoring component before being delivered to the user. supplied to

Patent Document 1 also discloses that both the aerosol precursor composition of the reservoir substrate 214 and the aerosol-generating elements of the second aerosol-generating device 400 may contain menthol.

JP 2019-150031 A

As with cigarettes and the like, users of aerosol generating devices include those who prefer menthol flavor and those who prefer flavor without menthol (so-called regular flavor). An aerosol generator capable of generating menthol-containing aerosol and menthol-free aerosol is desired in order to accommodate users with different tastes. In such an aerosol generator, it is necessary to appropriately control the discharge to the heater that heats the aerosol source or the flavor source from the viewpoint of flavor and taste. .

The present invention appropriately controls discharge to the first heater that heats the aerosol source and/or the second heater that heats the flavor source, depending on which of the aerosol source and flavor source contains menthol. make it possible to

The first invention is
a first heater that heats the aerosol source;
a second heater that heats the flavor source;
a power supply;
a control unit;
An aerosol generator comprising
The control unit
controlling the temperature of the first heater by controlling discharge from the power supply to the first heater;
controlling the temperature of the second heater by controlling discharge from the power source to the second heater;
determining if the aerosol source contains menthol;
Controlling the temperature of the first heater differently depending on whether it is determined that the aerosol source contains menthol or not;
An aerosol generator characterized by:
The second invention is
a first heater that heats the aerosol source;
a second heater that heats the flavor source;
a power supply;
a control unit;
An aerosol generator comprising
The control unit
controlling the temperature of the first heater by controlling discharge from the power supply to the first heater;
controlling the temperature of the second heater by controlling discharge from the power supply to the second heater;
Determining whether the flavor source contains menthol,
Controlling the temperature of the second heater differently depending on whether it is determined that the flavor source contains menthol or not,
An aerosol generator characterized by:

According to the present invention, discharge to the first heater that heats the aerosol source and/or the second heater that heats the flavor source is appropriately performed depending on which of the aerosol source and the flavor source contains menthol. It is possible to provide an aerosol generating device that allows to control the

1 is a perspective view schematically showing the schematic configuration of an aerosol inhaler; FIG. Figure 2 is another perspective view of the aerosol inhaler of Figure 1; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol inhaler of Figure 1; 2 is a perspective view of a power supply unit in the aerosol inhaler of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the aerosol inhaler of FIG. 1 in which a capsule is accommodated in a capsule holder; FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the hardware configuration of the aerosol inhaler of FIG. 1; 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of the power supply unit shown in FIG. 6; FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart (part 1) showing the operation of the aerosol inhaler of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a flowchart (part 2) showing the operation of the aerosol inhaler of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a flowchart (part 3) showing the operation of the aerosol inhaler of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a flowchart (part 4) showing the operation of the aerosol inhaler of FIG. 1; 4 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of flavor identification processing; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) showing a specific example of control in menthol mode; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) showing a specific example of control in the menthol mode; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram (part 3) showing a specific example of control in the menthol mode;

Hereinafter, an aerosol inhaler 1, which is an embodiment of the aerosol generating device of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15. FIG. It should be noted that the drawings are viewed in the direction of the reference numerals.

(Overview of aerosol inhaler)
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the aerosol inhaler 1 generates an aerosol without combustion, adds a flavoring component to the generated aerosol, and enables a user to inhale the aerosol containing the flavoring component. It is a tool for As an example, the aerosol inhaler 1 has a bar shape.

The aerosol inhaler 1 includes a power supply unit 10, a cartridge cover 20 housing a cartridge 40 storing an aerosol source 71, and a capsule holder 30 housing a capsule 50 having a storage chamber 53 housing a flavor source 52. , provided. The power supply unit 10, the cartridge cover 20, and the capsule holder 30 are provided in this order from one longitudinal end of the aerosol inhaler 1 to the other longitudinal end.

The power supply unit 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape centered on the center line L extending in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol inhaler 1 . The cartridge cover 20 and the capsule holder 30 have a substantially annular shape centered on the center line L extending in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol inhaler 1 . The outer peripheral surface of the power supply unit 10 and the outer peripheral surface of the cartridge cover 20 have a substantially circular ring shape with substantially the same diameter, and the capsule holder 30 has a substantially circular ring shape with a slightly smaller diameter than the power supply unit 10 and the cartridge cover 20. ing.

Hereinafter, in this specification and the like, the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped aerosol inhaler 1 is defined as the first direction X in order to simplify and clarify the description. In the first direction X, the side on which the power supply unit 10 of the aerosol inhaler 1 is arranged is defined as the bottom side, and the side on which the capsule holder 30 of the aerosol inhaler 1 is arranged is defined as the top side for convenience. In the drawing, the bottom side of the aerosol inhaler 1 in the first direction X is indicated by D and the top side of the aerosol inhaler 1 in the first direction by U.

The cartridge cover 20 has a hollow, substantially annular shape with both end faces on the bottom side and the top side opened. The cartridge cover 20 is made of metal such as stainless steel. The bottom end of the cartridge cover 20 is connected to the top end of the power supply unit 10 . The cartridge cover 20 is detachable from the power supply unit 10 . The capsule holder 30 has a hollow, substantially annular shape with both end faces on the bottom side and the top side opened. The capsule holder 30 is connected at its bottom end to the top end of the cartridge cover 20 . The capsule holder 30 is made of metal such as aluminum, for example. The capsule holder 30 is detachable from the cartridge cover 20 .

The cartridge 40 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is housed inside the cartridge cover 20 . With the capsule holder 30 removed from the cartridge cover 20 , the cartridge 40 can be accommodated inside the cartridge cover 20 or taken out from the inside of the cartridge cover 20 . Therefore, the aerosol inhaler 1 can be used by replacing the cartridge 40 .

The capsule 50 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and has a hollow, substantially annular shape such that the top-side end in the first direction X is exposed in the first direction X from the top-side end of the capsule holder 30 . It is housed in the hollow portion of the capsule holder 30 . The capsule 50 is detachable from the capsule holder 30 . Therefore, the aerosol inhaler 1 can be used by replacing the capsule 50 .

(Power supply unit)
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the power supply unit 10 includes a power supply unit case 11 having a hollow, substantially annular shape centered on a center line L extending in the first direction X. As shown in FIGS. The power supply unit case 11 is made of, for example, metal such as stainless steel. The power supply unit case 11 has a top surface 11a that is an end surface on the top side of the power supply unit case 11 in the first direction X, a bottom surface 11b that is an end surface on the bottom side of the power supply unit case 11 in the first direction X, and a top surface 11a. and a side surface 11c extending in the first direction X in a substantially annular shape centered on the center line L from the bottom surface 11b.

A discharge terminal 12 is provided on the top surface 11 a of the power supply unit case 11 . The discharge terminal 12 is provided so as to protrude from the top surface 11 a of the power supply unit case 11 toward the top side in the first direction X. As shown in FIG.

An air supply unit 13 for supplying air to a heating chamber 43 of a cartridge 40, which will be described later, is provided on the top surface 11a near the discharge terminal 12. As shown in FIG. The air supply portion 13 is provided so as to protrude from the top surface 11 a of the power supply unit case 11 toward the top portion side in the first direction X. As shown in FIG.

A charging terminal 14 electrically connectable to an external power supply (not shown) is provided on the side surface 11c of the power supply unit case 11 . In this embodiment, the charging terminal 14 is, for example, a receptacle to which a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal, a microUSB terminal, or the like can be connected, and is provided on the side surface 11c near the bottom surface 11b.

Note that the charging terminal 14 may be a power receiving unit capable of contactlessly receiving power transmitted from an external power source. In such a case, charging terminal 14 (power receiving unit) may be composed of a power receiving coil. The wireless power transfer (WPT) method may be an electromagnetic induction type, a magnetic resonance type, or a combination of the electromagnetic induction type and the magnetic resonance type. Also, the charging terminal 14 may be a power receiving unit capable of contactlessly receiving power transmitted from an external power supply. As another example, the charging terminal 14 may have both a receptacle to which a USB terminal, a microUSB terminal, or the like can be connected, and the power receiving section described above.

A side surface 11c of the power supply unit case 11 is provided with an operation section 15 that can be operated by a user. The operating portion 15 is provided on the side surface 11c near the top surface 11a. In the present embodiment, the operating portion 15 is provided at a position about 180 degrees away from the charging terminal 14 with the center line L as the center when viewed from the first direction X. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the operation unit 15 is a circular push-button switch when the side surface 11c of the power supply unit case 11 is viewed from the outside. Note that the operation unit 15 may have a shape other than a circular shape, and may be composed of a switch other than a push button type, a touch panel, or the like.

The power supply unit case 11 is provided with a notification section 16 that notifies various information. The notification unit 16 is composed of a light emitting element 161 and a vibration element 162 (see FIG. 6). In this embodiment, the light emitting element 161 is provided inside the power supply unit case 11 of the operation section 15 . The periphery of the circular operating portion 15 is translucent when viewed from the outside of the side surface 11 c of the power supply unit case 11 and is configured to be illuminated by the light emitting element 161 . In this embodiment, the light emitting element 161 can emit red, green, blue, white, and purple light.

The power supply unit case 11 is provided with an air intake port (not shown) for taking outside air into the inside of the power supply unit case 11 . The air intake port may be provided around the charging terminal 14 or may be provided around the operation unit 15, and may be provided in the power supply unit case 11 at a position away from the charging terminal 14 and the operation unit 15. may have been The air intake port may be provided in the cartridge cover 20 . The air intake port may be provided at two or more of the locations described above.

A power supply 61, an intake sensor 62, an MCU 63 (MCU: Micro Controller Unit), and a charging IC 64 (IC: Integrated Circuit) are accommodated in the hollow portion of the hollow substantially annular power supply unit case 11. there is The power supply unit case 11 further includes an LDO regulator 65 (LDO: Low Drop Out), a DC/DC converter 66, a first temperature detection element 67 including a voltage sensor 671 and a current sensor 672, a voltage sensor 681 and a second temperature sensing element 68 including a current sensor 682 (see also FIGS. 6 and 7).

The power supply 61 is a chargeable/dischargeable power storage device such as a secondary battery or an electric double layer capacitor, preferably a lithium ion secondary battery. The electrolyte of the power supply 61 can be composed of one or a combination of a gel electrolyte, an electrolytic solution, a solid electrolyte, and an ionic liquid.

The intake sensor 62 is a pressure sensor that detects a puff (sucking) operation, and is provided near the operation unit 15, for example. The intake sensor 62 is configured to output a change in the internal pressure (internal pressure) of the power supply unit 10 caused by the user's suction through the mouthpiece 58 of the capsule 50, which will be described later. For example, the intake sensor 62 outputs an output value (for example, a voltage value or current value). The intake sensor 62 may output an analog value, or may output a digital value converted from an analog value.

The intake sensor 62 may incorporate a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the environment in which the power supply unit 10 is placed (outside air temperature) in order to compensate for the detected pressure. Also, the intake sensor 62 may be composed of a condenser microphone, a flow rate sensor, or the like instead of a pressure sensor.

The MCU 63 is an electronic component (controller) that performs various controls of the aerosol inhaler 1 . Specifically, the MCU 63 is mainly composed of a processor, and a memory composed of a storage medium such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) necessary for the operation of the processor and a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing various information. 63a (see FIG. 6). Note that the processor in this specification is, specifically, an electric circuit in which circuit elements such as semiconductor elements are combined.

For example, the MCU 63 determines that an aerosol generation request has been made when the output value of the intake sensor 62 exceeds a threshold value due to the user performing an inhalation operation. After that, the MCU 63 determines that the aerosol generation request has ended, for example, when the user's inhalation operation ends and the output value of the intake sensor 62 falls below the above threshold. Thus, the output value of the intake sensor 62 is used as a signal indicating the aerosol generation request. Therefore, the intake sensor 62 constitutes a sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request. Instead of the MCU 63 , the intake sensor 62 may determine whether an aerosol generation request has been made, and the MCU 63 may receive a digital value corresponding to the determination result from the intake sensor 62 . As a specific example, the intake sensor 62 outputs a high-level signal when it determines that there is an aerosol generation request, and determines that the aerosol generation request has disappeared (that is, the aerosol generation request has ended). In some cases, a low level signal may be output. Further, the threshold at which the MCU 63 or the intake sensor 62 determines that an aerosol generation request has been made may differ from the threshold at which the MCU 63 or the intake sensor 62 determines that the aerosol generation request has ended.

Note that the MCU 63 may detect the aerosol generation request based on the operation of the operation unit 15 instead of the intake sensor 62 . For example, when the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 15 to start inhaling aerosol, the operation unit 15 may output a signal indicating an aerosol generation request to the MCU 63 . In this case, the operation unit 15 constitutes a sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request.

The charging IC 64 is provided near the charging terminal 14 . The charging IC 64 controls charging of the power source 61 by controlling the power input from the charging terminal 14 and charged to the power source 61 . In addition, charge IC64 may be arrange|positioned in the vicinity of MCU63.

(cartridge)
As shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge 40 includes a substantially cylindrical cartridge case 41 whose longitudinal direction is the axial direction. The cartridge case 41 is made of resin such as polycarbonate. A storage chamber 42 for storing the aerosol source 71 and a heating chamber 43 for heating the aerosol source 71 are formed inside the cartridge case 41 . The heating chamber 43 includes a wick 44 that transports the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 to the heating chamber 43 and holds it in the heating chamber 43, and heats the aerosol source 71 held in the wick 44 to vaporize and/or Or a first load 45 for atomization is accommodated. The cartridge 40 further includes a first aerosol flow path 46 that aerosolizes and transports the vaporized and/or atomized aerosol source 71 from the heating chamber 43 toward the capsule 50 by being heated by the first load 45 .

The storage chamber 42 and the heating chamber 43 are formed adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40 . The heating chamber 43 is formed at one longitudinal end of the cartridge 40 , and the storage chamber 42 is adjacent to the heating chamber 43 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40 and extends to the other longitudinal end of the cartridge 40 . is formed in A connection terminal 47 is provided on the end surface of the cartridge case 41 at one end in the longitudinal direction, that is, the end surface of the cartridge case 41 on the side where the heating chamber 43 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40 .

The storage chamber 42 has a hollow, substantially annular shape whose axial direction is the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40, and stores the aerosol source 71 in the annular portion. The storage chamber 42 may contain a porous body such as a resin web or cotton, and the porous body may be impregnated with the aerosol source 71 . The storage chamber 42 may store only the aerosol source 71 without storing the resin web or the cotton-like porous body. Aerosol source 71 includes liquids such as glycerin and/or propylene glycol.

Further, in the present embodiment, the regular type cartridge 40 storing the aerosol source 71 not containing the menthol 80 and the menthol type cartridge 40 storing the aerosol source 71 containing the menthol 80 are manufactured by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1. etc. to the user. FIG. 3 shows an example in which a menthol type cartridge 40 is attached to the aerosol inhaler 1 . In FIG. 3, the menthol 80 is shown in the form of particles for the sake of clarity of explanation, but in reality, the menthol 80 is dissolved in a liquid such as glycerin and/or propylene glycol that constitutes the aerosol source 71. is doing. It should be noted that the menthol 80 shown in FIG. 3 and the like is merely a simulation, and the position and quantity of the menthol 80 in the storage chamber 42, the position and quantity of the menthol 80 in the capsule 50, and the positional relationship between the menthol 80 and the flavor source 52. Note that does not necessarily match the real thing.

The wick 44 is a liquid holding member that draws the aerosol source 71 stored in the storage chamber 42 from the storage chamber 42 into the heating chamber 43 using capillary action and holds the aerosol source 71 in the heating chamber 43 . The wick 44 is made of glass fiber, porous ceramic, or the like, for example. Note that the wick 44 may extend inside the storage chamber 42 .

The first load 45 is electrically connected to the connection terminal 47 . In this embodiment, the first load 45 is composed of a heating wire (coil) wound around the wick 44 at a predetermined pitch. Note that the first load 45 may be any element that can heat the aerosol source 71 held by the wick 44 to vaporize and/or atomize it. The first load 45 may be, for example, a heating element such as a heating resistor, a ceramic heater, or an induction heater. As the first load 45, a load having a correlation between temperature and electrical resistance is used. For example, as the first load 45, a load having a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) characteristic is used in which the electric resistance value increases as the temperature increases. Alternatively, for example, the first load 45 may have NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) characteristics in which the electrical resistance value decreases as the temperature increases. Also, part of the first load 45 may be provided outside the heating chamber 43 .

The first aerosol flow path 46 is formed in the hollow portion of the storage chamber 42 having a hollow, substantially annular shape and extends in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40 . The first aerosol flow path 46 is formed by a wall portion 46 a extending in a substantially annular shape in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40 . A wall portion 46a of the first aerosol flow path 46 also serves as an inner peripheral side wall portion of the storage chamber 42 having a substantially annular shape. The first aerosol channel 46 is connected to the heating chamber 43 at a first end 461 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40 , and is connected to the heating chamber 43 at a second end 462 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40 at the other end of the cartridge case 41 . is open to

The first aerosol flow path 46 is formed such that its cross-sectional area remains unchanged or increases from the first end portion 461 toward the second end portion 462 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40 . The cross-sectional area of the first aerosol channel 46 may increase discontinuously from the first end 461 toward the second end 462, or may increase continuously as shown in FIG. may

The cartridge 40 is housed in the hollow portion of the hollow, substantially annular cartridge cover 20 such that the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40 is aligned with the first direction X, which is the longitudinal direction of the aerosol inhaler 1 . Further, in the first direction X, the cartridge 40 has the heating chamber 43 on the bottom side of the aerosol inhaler 1 (that is, the power supply unit 10 side), and the storage chamber 42 on the top side of the aerosol inhaler 1 (that is, the capsule 50 side). , is accommodated in the hollow portion of the cartridge cover 20. As shown in FIG.

The first aerosol flow path 46 of the cartridge 40 is formed to extend in the first direction X along the center line L of the aerosol inhaler 1 when the cartridge 40 is housed inside the cartridge cover 20 .

The cartridge 40 is inserted into the hollow portion of the cartridge cover 20 so that the connection terminal 47 is kept in contact with the discharge terminal 12 provided on the top surface 11a of the power supply unit case 11 when the aerosol inhaler 1 is used. be accommodated. The contact between the discharge terminal 12 of the power supply unit 10 and the connection terminal 47 of the cartridge 40 causes the first load 45 of the cartridge 40 to be electrically connected to the power supply 61 of the power supply unit 10 via the discharge terminal 12 and the connection terminal 47 . connected to

Furthermore, when the aerosol inhaler 1 is used, the cartridge 40 allows the air flowing in from an air intake port (not shown) provided in the power supply unit case 11 to flow into the power supply unit case as indicated by an arrow B in FIG. The air is housed in the hollow portion of the cartridge cover 20 so as to be taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply portion 13 provided on the top surface 11 a of the cartridge cover 20 . Although the arrow B is inclined with respect to the center line L in FIG. 3, it may be in the same direction as the center line L. In other words, the arrow B may be parallel to the centerline L.

When the aerosol inhaler 1 is used, the first load 45 is supplied with power from the power supply 61 via the discharge terminal 12 provided on the power supply unit case 11 and the connection terminal 47 provided on the cartridge 40. heats the aerosol source 71 held in the wick 44 without combustion. Then, in the heating chamber 43, the aerosol source 71 heated by the first load 45 is vaporized and/or atomized. If the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type, then the vaporized and/or atomized aerosol source 71 contains vaporized and/or atomized menthol 80 together with vaporized and/or atomized glycerin and/or propylene glycol or the like. is also included.

Then, the aerosol source 71 vaporized and/or atomized in the heating chamber 43 aerosolizes the air taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply section 13 of the power supply unit case 11 as a dispersion medium. Further, the aerosol source 71 vaporized and/or atomized in the heating chamber 43 and the air taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply section 13 of the power supply unit case 11 are connected to the heating chamber 43 through a first aerosol flow path. It flows through the first aerosol channel 46 from the first end 461 of 46 to the second end 462 of the first aerosol channel 46 while being further aerosolized. The temperature of the aerosol source 71 vaporized and/or atomized in the heating chamber 43 decreases while flowing through the first aerosol flow path 46, promoting aerosolization. Thus, the heating chamber 43 and the first aerosol are generated by the aerosol source 71 vaporized and/or atomized in the heating chamber 43 and the air taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply section 13 of the power supply unit case 11. Aerosol 72 is generated in channel 46 . If cartridge 40 is of the menthol type, aerosol 72 in heating chamber 43 and first aerosol channel 46 also contains aerosolized menthol 80 from aerosol source 71 .

(capsule holder)
The capsule holder 30 has a substantially annular side wall 31 extending in the first direction X, and has a hollow substantially annular shape with both end faces on the bottom side and the top side opened. The side walls 31 are made of metal such as aluminum, for example. The bottom side end of the capsule holder 30 is connected to the top side end of the cartridge cover 20 by screwing, engagement, or the like, so that the capsule holder 30 can be attached to and detached from the cartridge cover 20 . The inner peripheral surface 31a of the substantially annular side wall 31 has an annular shape centered on the center line L of the aerosol inhaler 1, has a larger diameter than the first aerosol flow path 46 of the cartridge 40, and is located near the cartridge cover. It has a smaller diameter than 20.

The capsule-holder 30 has a bottom wall 32 provided at the bottom-side end of the side wall 31 . The bottom wall 32 is made of resin, for example. The bottom wall 32 is fixed to the bottom side end of the side wall 31 and closes the hollow portion surrounded by the inner peripheral surface of the side wall 31 at the bottom side end of the side wall 31 except for a communication hole 33 which will be described later.

A communication hole 33 penetrating in the first direction X is provided in the bottom wall 32 . The communication hole 33 is formed at a position overlapping the center line L when viewed from the first direction. When the cartridge 40 is housed inside the cartridge cover 20 and the capsule holder 30 is attached to the cartridge cover 20, the communication hole 33 is the first aerosol of the cartridge 40 when viewed from the top side in the first direction X. A flow path 46 is formed so as to be positioned inside the communication hole 33 .

A second load 34 is provided on the side wall 31 of the capsule-holder 30 . As shown in FIG. 5, the second load 34 is provided on the bottom side of the side wall 31, has an annular shape along the substantially annular side wall 31, and extends in the first direction X. As shown in FIG. The second load 34 heats the containing chamber 53 of the capsule 50 to heat the flavor source 52 contained in the containing chamber 53 . The second load 34 may be any element that can heat the flavor source 52 by heating the containing chamber 53 of the capsule 50 . The second load 34 may be, for example, a heating element such as a heating resistor, a ceramic heater, or an induction heater. As the second load 34, a load having a correlation between temperature and electrical resistance is used. For example, as the second load 34, a load having a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) characteristic is used in which the electrical resistance value increases as the temperature increases. Alternatively, for example, the second load 34 may have NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) characteristics in which the electrical resistance value decreases as the temperature increases.

With the cartridge cover 20 attached to the power supply unit 10 and the capsule holder 30 attached to the cartridge cover 20, the second load 34 is electrically connected to the power supply 61 of the power supply unit 10 (FIGS. 6 and 6). See Figure 7). Specifically, when the cartridge cover 20 is attached to the power supply unit 10 and the capsule holder 30 is attached to the cartridge cover 20, the discharge terminal 17 (see FIG. 6) of the power supply unit 10 and the capsule holder 30 , the second load 34 of the capsule holder 30 is electrically connected to the power supply 61 of the power supply unit 10 via the discharge terminal 17 and the connection terminals of the capsule holder 30. be.

(capsule)
Returning to FIG. 3, the capsule 50 has a substantially cylindrical shape and includes a side wall 51 extending substantially toroidally with both end faces open. The side walls 51 are made of, for example, resin such as plastic. The side wall 51 has a substantially annular shape with a slightly smaller diameter than the inner peripheral surface 31 a of the side wall 31 of the capsule holder 30 .

Capsule 50 comprises a containment chamber 53 in which flavor source 52 is contained. The accommodation chamber 53 may be formed in the inner space of the capsule 50 surrounded by the side wall 51, as shown in FIG. Alternatively, the entire internal space of the capsule 50 excluding an outlet portion 55 to be described later may be the storage chamber 53 .

The storage chamber 53 includes an inlet portion 54 provided at one end side of the capsule 50 extending in a substantially cylindrical shape in the cylindrical axial direction, and an outlet portion 55 provided at the other end side of the capsule 50 in the cylindrical axial direction.

Flavor source 52 includes tobacco granules 521 formed by granulating tobacco raw material. Further, in the present embodiment, the regular type capsule 50 containing the flavor source 52 not containing the menthol 80 and the menthol type capsule 50 containing the flavor source 52 containing the menthol 80 are manufactured by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1. etc. to the user. In the menthol-type capsule 50, for example, the menthol 80 is adsorbed to the tobacco granules 521 forming the flavor source 52. As shown in FIG.

Note that the flavor source 52 may contain shredded tobacco instead of the tobacco granules 521 . Also, the flavor source 52 may contain plants other than tobacco (for example, mint, Chinese medicine, herbs, etc.) instead of the tobacco granules 521 . Also, the flavor source 52 may be added with other flavoring agents in addition to the menthol 80 .

As shown in FIG. 3 , when the storage chamber 53 is formed in the internal space of the capsule 50 , the inlet portion 54 is located inside the capsule 50 at a position spaced apart from the bottom portion of the capsule 50 in the cylindrical axial direction of the capsule 50 . It may be a partition that divides the space in the cylindrical axis direction of the capsule 50 . The inlet portion 54 may be a mesh-like partition through which the flavor source 52 cannot pass but the aerosol 72 can pass.

If the entire internal space of the capsule 50 excluding the outlet 55 is the storage chamber 53 , the bottom of the capsule 50 also serves as the inlet 54 .

The outlet part 55 is a filter member filled in the inner space of the capsule 50 surrounded by the side wall 51 at the top side end of the side wall 51 in the cylindrical axis direction of the capsule 50 . Outlet portion 55 is a filter member through which flavor source 52 is impermeable and aerosol 72 is permeable. Although the outlet 55 is provided near the top of the capsule 50 in this embodiment, the outlet 55 may be provided at a position spaced apart from the top of the capsule 50 .

The storage chamber 53 includes a first space 531 in which the flavor source 52 exists, and a second space 532 located between the first space 531 and the outlet portion 55 and adjacent to the outlet portion 55 and in which the flavor source 52 does not exist. , has In this embodiment, in the storage chamber 53 , the first space 531 and the second space 532 are formed adjacent to each other in the cylindrical axis direction of the capsule 50 . The first space 531 is adjacent to the inlet portion 54 at one end side of the capsule 50 in the axial direction of the cylinder, and is adjacent to the second space 532 at the other end side of the capsule 50 in the axial direction of the cylinder. The second space 532 is adjacent to the first space 531 at one end side of the capsule 50 in the axial direction of the cylinder, and is adjacent to the outlet portion 55 at the other end side of the capsule 50 in the axial direction of the cylinder. The first space 531 and the second space 532 may be separated by a mesh partition 56 through which the flavor source 52 cannot pass but the aerosol 72 can pass. The first space 531 and the second space 532 may be formed without using such a partition wall 56 . As a specific example, the first space 531 and the second space 532 are arranged by housing the flavor source 52 in a pressed state in a part of the housing chamber 53 and making it difficult to move the flavor source 52 within the housing chamber 53 . and may be formed. As another specific example, while allowing the flavor source 52 to move freely within the storage chamber 53, the flavor source 52 moves to the bottom side of the storage chamber 53 due to gravity when the user sucks from the mouthpiece 58. , the first space 531 and the second space 532 may be formed.

As shown in FIG. 3 , when the storage chamber 53 is formed in the internal space of the capsule 50 , the capsule 50 has a second opening between the bottom portion of the capsule 50 and the inlet portion 54 in the cylindrical axis direction of the capsule 50 . An aerosol channel 57 may be formed.

The second aerosol flow path 57 is defined by the inner space of the capsule 50 surrounded by the side wall 51 between the bottom of the capsule 50 and the inlet 54 in the direction of the cylindrical axis of the capsule 50 . Therefore, the second aerosol flow path 57 opens at the bottom of the capsule 50 at a first end 571 in the cylindrical axis direction of the capsule 50 , and opens at the bottom of the capsule 50 at a second end 572 in the cylindrical axis direction of the capsule 50 . It is connected to the housing chamber 53 at the entrance portion 54 .

The opening area of the communication hole 33 provided in the bottom wall 32 of the capsule holder 30 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the first aerosol channel 46 of the cartridge 40, and the cross-sectional area of the second aerosol channel 57 is equal to that of the cartridge. It is larger than the cross-sectional area of the first aerosol channel 46 of 40 and the opening area of the communicating hole 33 provided in the bottom wall 32 of the capsule holder 30 . Therefore, the cross-sectional area at the first end 461 of the first aerosol channel 46 connected to the heating chamber 43 of the cartridge 40 is larger than that of the second end 572 of the second aerosol channel 57 connected to the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50 . The cross-sectional area at is larger. The aerosol channel 90 in this embodiment is configured by the first aerosol channel 46 , the communication hole 33 and the second aerosol channel 57 . The cross-sectional area at the first end 461 of the first aerosol channel 46 connected to the heating chamber 43 is smaller than the cross-sectional area at the second end 462 of the first aerosol channel 46 connected to the communication hole 33 . The cross-sectional area at the first end 461 of the first aerosol channel 46 connected to the heating chamber 43 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the communication hole 33 . The cross-sectional area of the communication hole 33 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the second aerosol channel 57 . That is, the aerosol channel 90 has a second end connected to the storage chamber 53 rather than a cross-sectional area at the first end 461 of the first aerosol channel 46 constituting the first end connected to the heating chamber 43 . The cross-sectional area at the second end 572 of the second aerosol flow path 57 is larger. Also, the aerosol channel 90 is formed so that the cross-sectional area increases from the first end toward the second end.

When the entire internal space of the capsule 50 excluding the outlet portion 55 is the storage chamber 53, the bottom portion of the capsule 50 also serves as the inlet portion 54, so the above-described second aerosol flow path 57 is not formed. That is, the aerosol channel 90 in this embodiment is configured by the first aerosol channel 46 and the communication hole 33 . The cross-sectional area at the first end 461 of the first aerosol channel 46 connected to the heating chamber 43 is smaller than the cross-sectional area at the second end 462 of the first aerosol channel 46 connected to the communication hole 33 . The cross-sectional area at the first end 461 of the first aerosol channel 46 connected to the heating chamber 43 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the communication hole 33 . Also in the present embodiment, the aerosol flow path 90 has a cross-sectional area at the first end 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46 that forms the first end connected to the heating chamber 43 . The cross-sectional area of the communicating hole 33 forming the two ends is larger. Also, the aerosol channel 90 is formed so that the cross-sectional area increases from the first end toward the second end.

A space may be formed between the bottom wall 32 of the capsule holder 30 and the bottom of the capsule 50 when the capsule 50 is accommodated in the capsule holder 30 . That is, the aerosol channel 90 in this embodiment is composed of the first aerosol channel 46, the communication hole 33, and the space formed between the bottom wall 32 of the capsule holder 30 and the bottom of the capsule 50. . The cross-sectional area at the first end 461 of the first aerosol channel 46 connected to the heating chamber 43 is smaller than the cross-sectional area at the second end 462 of the first aerosol channel 46 connected to the communication hole 33 . The cross-sectional area at the first end 461 of the first aerosol channel 46 connected to the heating chamber 43 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the communication hole 33 . The cross-sectional area of the communication hole 33 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the space formed between the bottom wall 32 of the capsule holder 30 and the bottom of the capsule 50 . In this case also, the aerosol flow path 90 has a cross-sectional area at the first end 461 of the first aerosol flow path 46 forming the first end connected to the heating chamber 43, and the second end connected to the storage chamber 53 The cross-sectional area in the space formed between the bottom wall 32 of the capsule-holder 30 and the bottom of the capsule 50, which constitutes the portion, is larger. Also, the aerosol channel 90 is formed so that the cross-sectional area increases from the first end toward the second end.

The capsule 50 is housed in the hollow portion of the hollow, substantially annular capsule holder 30 so that the cylindrical axis direction of the substantially cylindrical shape is aligned with the first direction X, which is the longitudinal direction of the aerosol inhaler 1 . Further, the capsule 50 is arranged in the capsule holder 30 such that the inlet 54 is on the bottom side of the aerosol inhaler 1 (that is, the cartridge 40 side) and the outlet 55 is on the top side of the aerosol inhaler 1 in the first direction X. It is housed in the hollow part. When the capsule 50 is accommodated in the hollow portion of the capsule holder 30 , the side wall 51 is arranged such that the other end of the side wall 51 is exposed in the first direction X from the top end of the capsule holder 30 . 30 is housed in the hollow portion. The end portion of the side wall 51 on the other end side serves as a suction port 58 through which the user performs a suction operation when using the aerosol inhaler 1 . The end of the side wall 51 on the other end side may have a step so as to be easily exposed in the first direction X from the end on the top side of the capsule holder 30 .

As shown in FIG. 5, when the capsule 50 is housed in the hollow portion of the cartridge cover 20, the capsule 50 is inserted into the hollow portion of the annular second load 34 provided in the capsule holder 30. , a part of the accommodation chamber 53 is accommodated.

Returning to FIG. 3, the storage chamber 53 includes a heating region 53A in which the second load 34 of the capsule holder 30 is arranged and a heating region 53A that is housed in the hollow portion of the cartridge cover 20 in the cylindrical axis direction of the capsule 50. and a non-heating region 53B located between the region 53A and the outlet portion 55 and adjacent to the outlet portion 55 and in which the second load 34 of the capsule-holder 30 is not arranged.

In this embodiment, the heating region 53A overlaps at least part of the first space 531, and the non-heating region 53B overlaps at least part of the second space 532 in the cylindrical axis direction of the capsule 50. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, in the cylindrical axis direction of the capsule 50, the first space 531 substantially coincides with the heating region 53A, and the second space 532 substantially coincides with the non-heating region 53B.

(Configuration when using an aerosol inhaler)
The aerosol inhaler 1 configured as described above is used with the cartridge cover 20, the capsule holder 30, the cartridge 40, and the capsule 50 attached to the power supply unit 10. FIG. In this state, the aerosol inhaler 1 has an aerosol channel 90 formed by at least the first aerosol channel 46 provided in the cartridge 40 and the communication hole 33 provided in the bottom wall 32 of the capsule holder 30. It is formed. When the storage chamber 53 is formed in the internal space of the capsule 50 as shown in FIG. 3 , the second aerosol channel 57 provided in the capsule 50 also forms part of the aerosol channel 90 . When the capsule 50 is accommodated in the capsule holder 30, if a space is formed between the bottom wall of the capsule holder 30 and the bottom of the capsule 50, it is formed between the bottom wall of the capsule holder 30 and the bottom of the capsule 50. The space that is filled also forms part of the aerosol channel 90 . The aerosol channel 90 connects the heating chamber 43 of the cartridge 40 and the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50 and transports the aerosol 72 generated in the heating chamber 43 from the heating chamber 43 to the storage chamber 53 .

Then, when the aerosol inhaler 1 is in use, when the user performs a suction operation from the suction port 58, the air that has flowed in from the air intake port (not shown) provided in the power supply unit case 11 will flow into the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. , the air is taken into the heating chamber 43 of the cartridge 40 from the air supply portion 13 provided on the top surface 11a of the power supply unit case 11. As shown in FIG. Further, the first load 45 generates heat, the aerosol source 71 held by the wick 44 is heated, and the aerosol source 71 heated by the first load 45 is vaporized and/or atomized in the heating chamber 43 . Then, the aerosol source 71 vaporized and/or atomized by the first load 45 aerosolizes the air taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply section 13 of the power supply unit case 11 as a dispersion medium. The aerosol source 71 vaporized and/or atomized in the heating chamber 43 and the air taken into the heating chamber 43 from the air supply section 13 of the power supply unit case 11 pass through the first aerosol flow path 46 communicating with the heating chamber 43 . It flows through the first aerosol channel 46 from the first end 461 to the second end 462 of the first aerosol channel 46 while being further aerosolized. The aerosol 72 generated in this manner passes from the second end 462 of the first aerosol channel 46 through the communication hole 33 provided in the bottom wall 32 of the capsule holder 30 and is received from the inlet 54 of the capsule 50 . introduced into chamber 53; Note that depending on the embodiment, the aerosol 72 flows through the second aerosol flow path 57 provided in the capsule 50 before being introduced into the storage chamber 53, or flows between the bottom wall of the capsule holder 30 and the bottom of the capsule 50. It flows through the space formed between them.

The aerosol 72 introduced into the storage chamber 53 from the entrance portion 54 is stored in the first space 531 when flowing through the storage chamber 53 from the entrance portion 54 to the outlet portion 55 in the first direction X of the aerosol inhaler 1. Flavor components are added from the flavor source 52 by passing through the flavor source 52 .

In this way, the aerosol 72 flows in the first direction X of the aerosol inhaler 1 from the inlet portion 54 to the outlet portion 55 in the storage chamber 53 . Therefore, in the present embodiment, the flow direction of the aerosol 72 flowing from the inlet portion 54 to the outlet portion 55 in the storage chamber 53 is the cylindrical axis direction of the capsule 50 and the first direction X of the aerosol inhaler 1. It has become.

Furthermore, when the aerosol inhaler 1 is used, the second load 34 provided in the capsule holder 30 generates heat to heat the heating region 53A of the storage chamber 53 . Thereby, the flavor source 52 accommodated in the first space 531 of the accommodation chamber 53 and the aerosol 72 flowing through the heating region 53A of the accommodation chamber 53 are heated.

Experiments have shown that increasing the amount of aerosol generated from the aerosol source 71 and raising the temperature of the flavor source 52 are effective in increasing the amount of flavor component added to the aerosol in the aerosol inhaler 1. I know exactly. The phenomenon that the amount of the flavor component added to the aerosol increases as the amount of the aerosol generated from the aerosol source 71 increases is that the flavor component accompanied by the aerosol when passing through the flavor source 52 increases as the amount of the aerosol increases. I can explain. The phenomenon that the amount of flavor component added to the aerosol increases as the temperature of the flavor source 52 increases is that the higher the temperature of the flavor source 52, the more easily the flavor source 52 and the flavor added to the flavor source 52 are entrained in the aerosol. can be explained from

Here, adsorption of menthol 80 to flavor source 52 inside capsule 50 will be described in detail. The tobacco granules 521 constituting the flavor source 52 are sufficiently larger than the menthol 80 molecule and function as an adsorbent for the menthol 80, which is an adsorbate. The menthol 80 is adsorbed to the tobacco granules 521 by chemical adsorption, and also adsorbed to the tobacco granules 521 by physical adsorption. Chemisorption can occur through covalent bonding between the outermost electrons in the molecules that make up the tobacco granules 521 and the outermost electrons in the molecules that make up the menthol 80 . Physical adsorption can be caused by van der Waals forces acting between the surface of tobacco granules 521 and the surface of menthol 80 . As the amount of menthol 80 adsorbed on tobacco granules 521 increases, tobacco granules 521 and menthol 80 enter a state called adsorption equilibrium. In the adsorption equilibrium state, the amount of menthol 80 newly adsorbed to tobacco granules 521 and the amount of menthol 80 detached from tobacco granules 521 are equal. That is, even if menthol 80 is newly supplied to the tobacco granules 521, the apparent adsorption amount does not change. Not limited to tobacco granules 521 and menthol 80, the adsorption amount in the adsorption equilibrium state decreases as the temperature of the adsorbent and adsorbate increases. Both chemisorption and physical adsorption proceed in such a manner that the adsorption sites at the interfaces of the tobacco granules 521 are occupied by the menthol 80, and the adsorption amount of the menthol 80 when these adsorption sites are filled is called the saturated adsorption amount. It will be easily understood that the adsorption amount in the adsorption equilibrium state described above is less than the saturated adsorption amount.

As described above, generally, the higher the temperature of the flavor source 52 , the lower the amount of menthol 80 adsorbed to the tobacco granules 521 in the state of adsorption equilibrium between the tobacco granules 521 and the menthol 80 . Therefore, when the flavor source 52 is heated by the second load 34 and the temperature rises, the adsorption amount of the menthol 80 adsorbed to the tobacco granules 521 decreases, and part of the menthol 80 adsorbed to the tobacco granules 521 is desorbed. release.

Then, the aerosol 72 containing the aerosolized menthol 80 derived from the aerosol source 71 and the aerosolized menthol 80 derived from the flavor source 52 flows through the second space 532 and is discharged from the outlet 55 to the outside of the storage chamber 53. and supplied from the mouthpiece 58 into the user's mouth.

(details of power supply unit)
Next, details of the power supply unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6 , in the power supply unit 10 , a DC/DC converter 66 , which is an example of a voltage converter capable of converting the output voltage of the power supply 61 and applying it to the first load 45 , is installed in the power supply unit 10 when the cartridge 40 is installed. It is connected between the first load 45 and the power source 61 in the attached state. MCU 63 is connected between DC/DC converter 66 and power supply 61 . The second load 34 is connected between the MCU 63 and the DC/DC converter 66 when the cartridge 40 is attached to the power supply unit 10 . Thus, in the power supply unit 10 , the series circuit of the DC/DC converter 66 and the first load 45 and the second load 34 are connected in parallel to the power supply 61 when the cartridge 40 is attached.

The DC/DC converter 66 is a booster circuit controlled by the MCU 63 and capable of boosting an input voltage (for example, the output voltage of the power supply 61) and outputting the input voltage or a voltage obtained by boosting the input voltage to the first load 45. configured as possible. Since the power supplied to the first load 45 can be adjusted by changing the voltage applied to the first load 45 by the DC/DC converter 66, the amount of the aerosol source 71 vaporized or atomized by the first load 45 can be controlled. As the DC/DC converter 66, for example, a switching regulator can be used that converts an input voltage into a desired output voltage by controlling the on/off time of a switching element while monitoring the output voltage. When a switching regulator is used as the DC/DC converter 66, by controlling the switching element, the input voltage can be directly output without being boosted. Note that the DC/DC converter 66 is not limited to the step-up type (boost converter) described above, and may be a step-down type (buck converter) or a step-up/step-down type. The DC/DC converter 66 may be used, for example, to set the voltage applied to the first load 45 to V1 to V5 [V], which will be described later.

Since the MCU 63 uses a switch (not shown) to control discharge to the second load 34, the temperature of the second load 34, the temperature of the flavor source 52, or the temperature of the storage chamber 53 (that is, a second temperature T2 ). Also, the MCU 63 is preferably configured to acquire the temperature of the first load 45 . The temperature of first load 45 can be used to reduce overheating of first load 45 and aerosol source 71 and to highly control the amount of aerosol source 71 that first load 45 vaporizes or atomizes.

The voltage sensor 671 measures and outputs the voltage value applied to the first load 45 . The current sensor 672 measures and outputs the current value flowing through the first load 45 . The output of the voltage sensor 671 and the output of the current sensor 672 are input to the MCU 63 respectively. The MCU 63 acquires the resistance value of the first load 45 based on the output of the voltage sensor 671 and the output of the current sensor 672, and acquires the temperature of the first load 45 based on the acquired resistance value of the first load 45. . Specifically, for example, the voltage sensor 671 and the current sensor 672 may be configured by operational amplifiers and analog-to-digital converters. At least part of the voltage sensor 671 and/or at least part of the current sensor 672 may be provided inside the MCU 63 .

Note that if a constant current is passed through the first load 45 when acquiring the resistance value of the first load 45 , the current sensor 672 is not required in the first temperature detection element 67 . Similarly, if a constant voltage is applied to the first load 45 when acquiring the resistance value of the first load 45 , the voltage sensor 671 is unnecessary in the first temperature detection element 67 .

The voltage sensor 681 measures and outputs the voltage value applied to the second load 34 . The current sensor 682 measures and outputs the current value flowing through the second load 34 . The output of the voltage sensor 681 and the output of the current sensor 682 are input to the MCU 63 respectively. The MCU 63 acquires the resistance value of the second load 34 based on the output of the voltage sensor 681 and the output of the current sensor 682, and acquires the temperature of the second load 34 based on the acquired resistance value of the second load 34. .

Here, the temperature of the second load 34 does not exactly match the temperature of the flavor source 52 heated by the second load 34, but can be considered to be substantially the same as the temperature of the flavor source 52. Also, although the temperature of the second load 34 does not strictly match the temperature of the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50 heated by the second load 34, it can be assumed to be substantially the same as the temperature of the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50. can be done. Therefore, the second temperature detection element 68 can also be used as a temperature detection element for detecting the temperature of the flavor source 52 or the temperature of the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50 . Specifically, for example, the voltage sensor 681 and the current sensor 682 may be configured by operational amplifiers and analog-to-digital converters. At least part of the voltage sensor 681 and/or at least part of the current sensor 682 may be provided inside the MCU 63 .

If a constant current is passed through the second load 34 when acquiring the resistance value of the second load 34 , the current sensor 682 is not required in the second temperature detection element 68 . Similarly, if a constant voltage is applied to the second load 34 when acquiring the resistance value of the second load 34 , the voltage sensor 681 is unnecessary in the second temperature detection element 68 .

Even if the second temperature detection element 68 is provided in the capsule holder 30 or the cartridge 40, the temperature of the second load 34, the temperature of the flavor source 52, or the storage chamber 53 of the capsule 50 is determined based on the output of the second temperature detection element 68. However, it is preferable that the second temperature detection element 68 be provided in the power supply unit 10 that is replaced most frequently in the aerosol inhaler 1 . By doing so, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the capsule holder 30 and the cartridge 40 and provide the user with the capsule holder 30 and the cartridge 40, which are replaced more frequently than the power supply unit 10, at a low cost.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of the power supply unit 10 shown in FIG. FIG. 7 shows a specific example of a configuration that does not have the current sensor 682 as the second temperature detection element 68 and does not have the current sensor 672 as the first temperature detection element 67 .

As shown in FIG. 7, the power supply unit 10 includes a power supply 61, an MCU 63, an LDO regulator 65, a switch SW1, and a series circuit of a resistance element R1 connected in parallel to the switch SW1 and a switch SW2. A parallel circuit C2 consisting of a parallel circuit C1, a switch SW3, a resistor element R2 connected in parallel to the switch SW3, and a series circuit of the switch SW4, an operational amplifier OP1 and an analog-to-digital converter ADC1 that constitute the voltage sensor 671. , and an operational amplifier OP2 and an analog-to-digital converter ADC2 that constitute the voltage sensor 681 . At least one of the operational amplifier OP1 and the operational amplifier OP2 may be provided inside the MCU 63 .

The resistive element described in this specification may be any element that has a fixed electrical resistance value, such as a resistor, a diode, or a transistor. In the example of FIG. 7, the resistive element R1 and the resistive element R2 are resistors.

The switch described in this specification is a switching element such as a transistor that switches between interruption and conduction of a wiring path. It may be a field effect transistor such as a film semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET: Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor). Also, the switches described in this specification may be configured by relays. In the example of FIG. 7, each of the switches SW1 to SW4 is a transistor.

The LDO regulator 65 is connected to the main positive bus LU connected to the positive terminal of the power supply 61 . The MCU 63 is connected to the LDO regulator 65 and the main negative bus LD connected to the negative pole of the power supply 61 . The MCU 63 is also connected to each of the switches SW1 to SW4 and performs opening/closing control thereof. The LDO regulator 65 steps down the voltage from the power supply 61 and outputs it. The output voltage V0 of the LDO regulator 65 is also used as the operating voltage of each of the MCU 63, the DC/DC converter 66, the operational amplifier OP1, the operational amplifier OP2, and the notification unit 16. Alternatively, at least one of the MCU 63, the DC/DC converter 66, the operational amplifier OP1, the operational amplifier OP2, and the notification unit 16 may use the output voltage itself of the power supply 61 as the operating voltage. Alternatively, at least one of the MCU 63, the DC/DC converter 66, the operational amplifier OP1, the operational amplifier OP2, and the notification unit 16 uses the voltage output by a regulator (not shown) different from the LDO regulator 65 as the operating voltage. good too. The output voltage of this regulator may be different from V0 or may be the same.

The DC/DC converter 66 is connected to the main positive bus LU. The first load 45 is connected to the main negative bus LD. A parallel circuit C1 is connected to the DC/DC converter 66 and the first load 45 .

Parallel circuit C2 is connected to main positive bus LU. A second load 34 is connected to the parallel circuit C2 and the main negative bus LD.

A non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 is connected to a connection node between the parallel circuit C1 and the first load 45 . The inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 is connected to the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 and the main negative bus LD through a resistance element.

A non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 is connected to a connection node between the parallel circuit C2 and the second load . The inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 is connected to the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 and the main negative bus LD through a resistance element.

The analog-to-digital converter ADC1 is connected to the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP1. The analog-to-digital converter ADC2 is connected to the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP2. The analog-to-digital converter ADC1 and the analog-to-digital converter ADC2 may be provided outside the MCU 63 .

(MCU)
Next, functions of the MCU 63 will be described. The MCU 63 includes a temperature detection section, a power control section, and a notification control section as functional blocks implemented by the processor executing a program stored in the ROM.

The temperature detector obtains a first temperature T1, which is the temperature of the first load 45, based on the output of the first temperature detection element 67. FIG. Also, the temperature detection unit acquires the second temperature T2, which is the temperature of the second load 34, the temperature of the flavor source 52, or the temperature of the storage chamber 53, based on the output of the second temperature detection element 68.

In the case of the circuit example shown in FIG. 7, the temperature detection unit controls the switches SW1, SW3, and SW4 to be in a cut-off state, and controls the DC/DC converter 66 to output a predetermined constant voltage. . Furthermore, the temperature detection unit acquires the output value (voltage value applied to the first load 45) of the analog-to-digital converter ADC1 in a state in which the switch SW2 is controlled to be in a conductive state, and based on this output value, 1 Obtain a temperature T1.

The non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 may be connected to the terminal of the resistance element R1 on the DC/DC converter 66 side, and the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 may be connected to the terminal of the resistance element R1 on the switch SW2 side. . In this case, the temperature detection unit controls the switches SW1, SW3, and SW4 to be in the cutoff state, and controls the DC/DC converter 66 to output a predetermined constant voltage. Furthermore, the temperature detection unit acquires the output value (the voltage value applied to the resistance element R1) of the analog-to-digital converter ADC1 in a state in which the switch SW2 is controlled to be in a conductive state, and based on this output value, the first A temperature T1 can be obtained.

Further, in the case of the circuit example shown in FIG. 7, the temperature detection unit controls the switch SW1, the switch SW2, and the switch SW3 to be in a cut-off state, and outputs a predetermined constant voltage by DC/DC (not shown). It controls devices such as converters. Further, the temperature detection unit acquires the output value (voltage value applied to the second load 34) of the analog-to-digital converter ADC2 in a state in which the switch SW4 is controlled to be in a conductive state, and based on this output value, the 2 Obtain temperature T2.

The non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 may be connected to the terminal of the resistive element R2 on the main positive bus LU side, and the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 may be connected to the terminal of the resistive element R2 on the switch SW4 side. In this case, the temperature detection unit controls the switch SW1, the switch SW2, and the switch SW3 to be in an interrupted state, and controls an element such as a DC/DC converter (not shown) so as to output a predetermined constant voltage. do. Further, the temperature detection unit acquires the output value (the voltage value applied to the resistance element R2) of the analog-to-digital converter ADC2 in a state in which the switch SW4 is controlled to be in a conductive state, and based on this output value, the second A temperature T2 can be obtained.

The notification control unit controls the notification unit 16 to notify the user of various types of information. For example, when the notification control unit detects that it is time to replace the capsule 50 , the notification control unit controls the notification unit 16 to issue a capsule replacement notification that prompts replacement of the capsule 50 . When the notification control unit detects that it is time to replace the cartridge 40 , the notification control unit controls the notification unit 16 to issue a cartridge replacement notification that prompts replacement of the cartridge 40 . Further, when the notification control unit detects that the power supply 61 has become low, the notification control unit controls the notification unit 16 so as to issue a notification prompting replacement or charging of the power supply 61, or changes the control state by the MCU 63 at a predetermined timing. (For example, a discharge mode to be described later) may be controlled to notify the notification unit 16 .

The power control unit discharges from the power supply 61 to the first load 45 (hereinafter also referred to simply as discharging to the first load 45) and discharges from the power supply 61 to the second load 34 (hereinafter simply referred to as second load 34). For example, when the power supply unit 10 has the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 7, the power control section puts the switch SW2, the switch SW3, and the switch SW4 in the cutoff state (that is, off), and the switch SW1 in the conductive state ( That is, by turning it on, discharge to the first load 45 can be achieved. Further, when the power supply unit 10 has the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 7, the power control section puts the switches SW1, SW2, and SW4 in the cut-off state, and puts the switch SW3 in the conductive state. Discharge to the second load 34 can be realized.

When the power control unit detects an aerosol generation request from the user based on the output of the intake sensor 62 (that is, when the user performs an inhalation operation), the power control unit causes the first load 45 and the second load 34 to discharge. . As a result, heating of the aerosol source 71 by the first load 45 (that is, generation of aerosol) and heating of the flavor source 52 by the second load 34 are performed in response to the aerosol generation request. At this time, the power control unit controls the amount of flavor component added from the flavor source 52 (hereinafter simply referred to as flavor For example, the discharge to the first load 45 and the second load 34 is controlled so that the flavor component amount W _flavor described later converges to a predetermined target amount. This target amount is a value determined as appropriate. For example, a target range for the amount of flavor component may be determined as appropriate, and the median value within this target range may be determined as the target amount. As a result, by converging the flavor component amount to the target amount, the flavor component amount can be converged to a target range with a certain width. Weight (for example, [mg]) may be used as the unit of the amount of flavor component and the target amount.

By the way, as described above, the cartridge 40 attached to the aerosol inhaler 1 includes a menthol type aerosol source 71 containing menthol and a regular type aerosol source 71 not containing menthol. Similarly, the capsule 50 attached to the aerosol inhaler 1 includes a menthol type flavor source 52 containing menthol and a regular type flavor source 52 not containing menthol.

Therefore, the aerosol inhaler 1 is equipped with the menthol type cartridge 40 and the menthol type capsule 50, in other words, both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol. can take a state.

In addition, the aerosol inhaler 1 can take a state in which the menthol type cartridge 40 is attached and the regular type capsule 50 is attached, in other words, only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol.

Then, the aerosol inhaler 1 can take a state in which the regular type cartridge 40 is attached and the menthol type capsule 50 is attached, in other words, only the flavor source 52 contains menthol.

Furthermore, the aerosol inhaler 1 is in a state where the regular type cartridge 40 is attached and the regular type capsule 50 is attached, in other words, neither the aerosol source 71 nor the flavor source 52 contains menthol. can take a state.

In such an aerosol inhaler 1, discharge to the first load 45 or the second load 34 is performed depending on whether the aerosol source 71 or the flavor source 52 contains (or does not contain) menthol. Appropriate control is preferred. Therefore, the MCU 63 can determine (identify) the type of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 attached to the aerosol inhaler 1, that is, whether or not the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 each contain menthol. It is configured. Any method may be used to determine whether each of the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contains menthol. For example, as will be described later, the MCU 63 may determine whether the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 each contain menthol based on the operation performed on the operation unit 15 .

Then, the power control unit controls discharge to the first load 45 and the second load 34 based on the determination result (identification result) as to whether or not the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 each contain menthol. Control. In this way, by controlling the discharge to the first load 45 or the second load 34 depending on whether the aerosol source 71 or the flavor source 52 contains (or does not contain) menthol, The manner of discharging to the first load 45 and the second load 34 can be varied according to the object containing (or not containing) menthol. Thereby, the discharge to the first load 45 and the second load 34 can be appropriately controlled according to the object containing (or not containing) menthol.

For example, assume that the aerosol inhaler 1 is in a state in which both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol (that is, both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type). In this case, the power control unit controls discharge to the first load 45 and discharge to the second load 34 in menthol mode. The manner of discharging to the first load 45 in the menthol mode in this case is different from the manner of discharging to the first load 45 in the regular mode, which will be described later. For example, the discharge mode to the first load 45 in the menthol mode in this case is to increase the voltage applied to the first load 45 stepwise or continuously (that is, change). Thereby, the amount of aerosol generated by heating by the first load 45 can be changed. Therefore, the amount of menthol derived from the aerosol source 71 and the amount of menthol derived from the flavor source 52 can be highly controlled.

In addition, the manner of discharging to the second load 34 in the menthol mode when both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol is different from the manner of discharging to the second load 34 in the regular mode, which will be described later. It is a thing. For example, the discharge mode to the second load 34 in the menthol mode in this case is to reduce (i.e. change) the target temperature of the second load 34 stepwise or continuously, as will be described later with reference to (a) of FIG. ). As will be described later, for example, even before the flavor source 52 (specifically, the tobacco granules 521) and menthol in the capsule 50 reach an adsorption equilibrium state, the flavor source 52 and menthol are in an adsorption equilibrium state. It is possible to supply an appropriate amount of menthol to the user and stabilize the amount of menthol provided to the user even in the period after reaching .

Also, for example, assume that the aerosol inhaler 1 is in a state where only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol (that is, the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type and the capsule 50 is of the regular type). Also in this case, the power control unit controls the discharge to the first load 45 and the discharge to the second load 34 in the menthol mode. However, the discharge mode to the first load 45 in the menthol mode in this case is the discharge mode to the first load 45 in the menthol mode when both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol. , and the discharge mode to the first load 45 in the regular mode. For example, the discharge mode to the first load 45 in the menthol mode in this case is to reduce the voltage applied to the first load 45 stepwise or continuously (that is, change). Thereby, the amount of aerosol generated by heating by the first load 45 can be changed. Therefore, the amount of menthol derived from the aerosol source 71 and the amount of menthol derived from the flavor source 52 can be highly controlled.

Further, the discharge mode to the second load 34 in the menthol mode when only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol is, for example, when both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol. It is the same as the discharge mode to the second load 34 in the mode. That is, the discharge mode to the second load 34 in the menthol mode in this case is such that the target temperature of the second load 34 is decreased (that is, changed) stepwise or continuously ((a) in FIG. 13). and FIG. 14(a)). In other words, the manner of discharging to the second load 34 in the menthol mode in this case is also different from the manner of discharging to the second load 34 in the regular mode. As a result, even in this case, the flavor source 52 (specifically, the tobacco granules 521) in the capsule 50 and the menthol reach an adsorption equilibrium state before the adsorption equilibrium state is reached. It is possible to supply an appropriate amount of menthol to the user even in the subsequent period, and to stabilize the amount of menthol provided to the user at an appropriate amount.

Also, for example, assume that the aerosol inhaler 1 is in a state where both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 do not contain menthol (that is, both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are regular type). In this case, the power control unit controls discharge to the first load 45 and discharge to the second load 34 in regular mode. The discharge mode to the first load 45 in the regular mode is such that the voltage applied to the first load 45 is kept constant, as will be described later with reference to (b) of FIG. 13, for example. This simplifies control of the voltage applied to the first load 45 (that is, the power supplied to the first load 45) in the regular mode.

In addition, the discharge mode to the second load 34 in the regular mode, for example, as described later with reference to FIG. It is intended to make Thus, in the regular mode, the flavor component (that is, the flavor derived from the flavor source 52) that decreases due to the user's inhalation can be compensated for by increasing the temperature of the second load 34 (that is, the flavor source 52). .

Also, for example, assume that the aerosol inhaler 1 is in a state in which only the flavor source 52 contains menthol (that is, the cartridge 40 is of the regular type and the capsule 50 is of the menthol type). Also in this case, the power control unit controls the discharge to the first load 45 and the discharge to the second load 34 in the menthol mode. However, the discharge mode to the first load 45 in the menthol mode in this case is as follows. The discharge mode to the first load 45 in the menthol mode is different in either case. For example, the manner of discharging to the first load 45 in the menthol mode in this case is the same as the manner of discharging to the first load 45 in the regular mode. That is, the discharge mode to the first load 45 in the menthol mode in this case is to keep the voltage applied to the first load 45 constant. Thereby, the amount of aerosol generated by heating by the first load 45 can be made constant, and the amount of menthol derived from the flavor source 52 generated by heating by the second load 34 can be easily controlled.

In addition, the discharge mode to the second load 34 in the menthol mode when only the flavor source 52 contains menthol is the same as when both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol. It differs from the discharge mode to the second load 34 in the menthol mode when only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol. For example, the manner of discharging to the second load 34 in the menthol mode in this case is the same as the manner of discharging to the second load 34 in the regular mode. That is, the discharge mode to the second load 34 in the menthol mode in this case is to increase (that is, change) the target temperature of the second load 34 stepwise or continuously. As a result, the menthol adsorbed to the flavor source 52 (specifically, the tobacco granules 521) can be gradually desorbed from the flavor source 52, and the amount of menthol provided to the user (that is, the menthol-derived flavor). can be stabilized.

Note that, when only the flavor source 52 contains menthol, the power control unit may control discharge to the first load 45 and discharge to the second load 34 in the regular mode.

(Various parameters used for aerosol generation)
Before describing specific discharge control to the first load 45 and the like by the MCU 63, here, various parameters used for discharge control to the first load 45 and the like by the MCU 63 will be described.

The weight [mg] of the aerosol generated by heating by the first load 45 and passing through the flavor source 52 (that is, inside the capsule 50) for one inhalation action by the user is described as the aerosol weight W _aerosol . The power required to be supplied to the first load 45 to generate the aerosol for the weight of the aerosol W _aerosol is described as atomization power P _liquid . Also, the supply time of the atomization power P _liquid to the first load 45 is described as supply time t _sense . From the viewpoint of suppressing overheating of the first load 45, etc., the supply time t _sense is provided with a predetermined upper limit value t _upper (for example, 2.4 [s]), and the MCU 63 sets the supply time t _sense to When the upper limit value t- _upper is reached, power supply to the first load 45 is stopped regardless of the output value of the intake sensor 62 (see steps S19 and S20 described later).

Also, the weight of the flavor component contained in the flavor source 52 when the user performs the inhalation operation n _puff times (where n _puff is a natural number equal to or greater than 0) after the capsule 50 is attached to the aerosol inhaler 1 [mg] is described as the remaining flavor component W _capsule (n _puff ). Note that the weight [mg] of the flavor component contained in the flavor source 52 of the new capsule 50 (capsule 50 that has not been sucked even once since being attached), that is, the remaining amount of flavor component W _capsule (n _puff = 0) is also described as W _initial .

Also, the weight [mg] of the flavor component added to the aerosol passing through the flavor source 52 (that is, inside the capsule 50) for one inhalation action by the user is described as the flavor component amount W _flavor . A parameter related to the temperature of the flavor source 52 is described as a temperature parameter T _capsule . The temperature parameter T _capsule is a parameter that indicates the second temperature T2 described above, and is a parameter that indicates the temperature of the second load 34, for example.

It has been experimentally found that the flavor component amount W _flavor depends on the residual flavor component W _capsule , the temperature parameter T _capsule and the aerosol weight W _aerosol . Therefore, the flavor component amount W _flavor can be modeled by the following equation (1).

W _flavor = β x (W _capsule x T _capsule ) x γ x W _aerosol (1)

β in the above formula (1) is a coefficient that indicates the ratio of how much flavor component is added to the aerosol when the aerosol generated for one inhalation action by the user passes through the flavor source 52. , which is determined experimentally. Also, γ in the above equation (1) is a coefficient obtained experimentally. Although the temperature parameter T _capsule and the remaining flavor component W _capsule may fluctuate during the period during which one suction operation is performed, γ is introduced here in order to treat them as constant values. there is

The flavor component remaining amount W _capsule decreases each time the user performs an inhalation operation. For this reason, the flavor component remaining amount W _capsule is inversely proportional to the number of times the suction operation has been performed (hereinafter, also referred to as the number of times of suction). Further, in the aerosol _inhaler 1, discharge to the first load 45 is performed each time an inhalation operation is performed. It can be said that it is inversely proportional to the number of times the first load 45 is discharged or the cumulative value of the period during which the first load 45 is discharged.

As can be seen from the above formula (1), assuming that the aerosol weight W _aerosol generated for one inhalation action by the user is controlled to be substantially constant, in order to stabilize the flavor component amount W _flavor , it is necessary to increase the temperature parameter T _capsule (ie, the temperature of the flavor source 52) as the remaining amount of flavor component W _capsule decreases (ie, the number of draws increases).

Therefore, when the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 attached to the aerosol inhaler 1 are of the regular type (that is, neither the aerosol source 71 nor the flavor source 52 contains menthol), the MCU 63 (power control unit) case), the discharge mode for controlling the discharge to the first load 45 and the second load 34 is set to the regular mode. When the discharge mode is the regular mode, the MCU 63 controls the discharge to the second load 34 in order to increase the temperature of the flavor source 52 as the flavor component remaining amount W _capsule decreases (that is, the number of suctions increases). (See FIGS. 13 and 14).

On the other hand, the MCU 63 (power control unit) controls when the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50 attached to the aerosol inhaler 1 is of the menthol type (that is, when the aerosol source 71 or the flavor source 52 contains menthol). sets the discharge mode to a menthol mode different from the regular mode. When the discharge mode is the _menthol mode, the MCU 63 adjusts the temperature of the flavor source 52 to In order to lower it, the discharge to the second load 34 is controlled (see FIGS. 13 and 14). This makes it possible to supply the user with an appropriate amount of menthol, as will be described later.

By the way, if the temperature of the flavor source 52 is also lowered as the flavor component remaining amount W _capsule decreases, the flavor component amount W _flavor will decrease. Therefore, when the temperature of the flavor source 52 is lowered as the residual flavor component W _capsule decreases, the MCU 63 increases the voltage applied to the first load 45 to increase the electric power supplied to the first load 45. The aerosol weight W _aerosol may be increased by increasing the weight of the aerosol (see Figure 13). This reduces the amount of flavor component W _flavor caused by lowering the temperature of the flavor source 52 in order to supply the user with an appropriate amount of menthol, instead of the weight of the aerosol W _aerosol produced by heating by the first load 45. Since it is possible to compensate for the increase, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the amount W _flavor of the flavor component supplied to the user's mouth and to stably supply the menthol and the flavor component to the user.

(Action of aerosol inhaler)
Next, an example of the operation of the aerosol inhaler 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8-12. The operation of the aerosol inhaler 1 described below is realized, for example, by the processor of the MCU 63 executing a program pre-stored in the memory 63a or the like.

As shown in FIG. 8, the MCU 63 waits until the power of the aerosol inhaler 1 is turned on by operating the operation unit 15 (step S0: NO loop). When the power of the aerosol inhaler 1 is turned on (step S0: YES), the MCU 63 shifts the operation mode of the aerosol inhaler 1 to the activation mode in which aerosol can be generated, and the type of the cartridge 40 and capsule 50 is changed. is executed (step S1).

Note that the MCU 63 controls the second load 34 so that the target temperature of the second load 34 (hereinafter, also referred to as target temperature T _{cap_target} ), which will be described later, converges to a predetermined temperature (predetermined temperature). A discharge to 34 may be initiated. As a result, the second load 34 can be preheated with the transition to the activation mode as a trigger, and the temperatures of the second load 34 and the flavor source 52 can be raised early. For example, from the viewpoint of securing the amount of menthol that can be supplied to the user, in the menthol mode, the initial target temperature T _{cap_target} is set to a relatively high 80[° C.], as will be described later. It takes a certain amount of time for the second load 34 to reach such a high temperature. encourage early arrival. Therefore, when the aerosol source 71 or the like contains menthol, the amount of menthol provided to the user (that is, the menthol-derived flavor) is stabilized at an early stage, and immediately after the transition to the startup mode (for example, so-called inhalation). From the beginning), it is possible to stably supply an appropriate amount of menthol to the user.

In addition, before executing the flavor identification process, that is, before executing the judgment as to whether or not each of the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contains menthol, the MCU 63 causes discharge to the second load 34. You may make it start. As a result, the timing of starting preheating of the second load 34 can be advanced, and the temperatures of the second load 34 and the flavor source 52 can be raised early. Further, when the discharge to the second load 34 is started before executing the flavor identification process in this way, the MCU 63 performs the flavor identification process (that is, the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 each contain menthol). is executed), the preheating of the second load 34 is terminated. After that, the MCU 63 may start discharging to the second load 34 depending on which of the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contains (or does not contain) menthol. As a result, after determining whether or not the aerosol source 71 or the flavor source 52 contains menthol, it is possible to appropriately control the discharge to the second load 34 according to the target.

Further, when preheating the second load 34 triggered by the transition to the startup mode, the MCU 63 sets the target temperature (predetermined temperature) of the second load 34 during preheating to the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52, for example. contains menthol, and when only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol, the target temperature of the second load 34 in the menthol mode (60 [° C.] in this embodiment) is less than Let temperature be This prevents the second load 34 and the flavor source 52 from becoming too hot due to preheating of the second load 34, preheats the second load 34 to an appropriate temperature, stabilizes the flavor and taste, and stabilizes the second load. 34 can be preheated to reduce power consumption. Specifically, even if both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52, or only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol, the preheating of the second load 34 will cause the flavor source 52 to become too hot, and the flavor will not be enjoyed. supply of a large amount of menthol to the user, which may lead to a decrease in

Further, when preheating the second load 34 triggered by the transition to the startup mode, the MCU 63 sets the target temperature of the second load 34 during this preheating to, for example, the lowest target temperature of the second load 34 in the regular mode. value (30 [° C.] in this embodiment). Also, when only the flavor source 52 contains menthol, the discharge to the second load 34 is controlled in the same manner as in the regular mode. The temperature is less than the minimum target temperature of the second load 34 when the flavor source 52 alone contains menthol. As a result, even if neither the aerosol source 71 nor the flavor source 52 contains menthol, or if only the flavor source 52 contains menthol, preheating the second load 34 will cause the second load 34 and the flavor to be mixed. By suppressing the source 52 from becoming too hot, the second load 34 can be preheated to an appropriate temperature, and the power consumption can be reduced by preheating the second load 34 and stabilizing the flavor and taste. Specifically, even if neither the aerosol source 71 nor the flavor source 52 contains menthol, or only the flavor source 52 contains menthol, the preheating of the second load 34 causes the flavor source 52 to It is possible to suppress the supply of a large amount of flavor components and menthol to the user, which may lead to deterioration of flavor and taste due to excessive high temperature.

By the way, in this embodiment, as will be described later, the minimum value of the target temperature of the second load 34 in the regular mode is set when both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol, and when the aerosol source 71 The temperature is less than the minimum value of the target temperature of the second load 34 in the menthol mode when only menthol is contained in the second load 34 . Therefore, by setting the target temperature of the second load 34 during preheating to a temperature lower than the lowest value of the target temperature of the second load 34 in the regular mode, menthol is naturally generated in both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52. The temperature is less than the minimum value of the target temperature of the second load 34 in the menthol mode when it is included and when only the aerosol source 71 includes menthol. Therefore, by setting the target temperature of the second load 34 during preheating to a temperature lower than the lowest target temperature of the second load 34 in the regular mode, the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol. Preheating the second load 34 can prevent the second load 34 and the flavor source 52 from becoming too hot regardless of the object that is included (or not included), thereby stabilizing the flavor and taste. And the power consumption can be reduced by preheating the second load 34 .

Next, the MCU 63 determines whether the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50 is of the menthol type based on the processing result of the flavor identification processing (step S2). For example, if it is set that the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50 is of the menthol type as a processing result of the flavor identification processing, the MCU 63 makes an affirmative determination in step S2 (step S2: YES), In order to control discharge to 45 and second load 34 by menthol mode, menthol mode processing is performed.

In the menthol mode process, the MCU 63 first notifies the user of the menthol mode through the notification unit 16 (step S3). At this time, the MCU 63 notifies the menthol mode by causing the light emitting element 161 to emit green light and vibrating the vibrating element 162, for example.

Next, the MCU _{63 determines the target temperature T cap_target and} the atomization power supplied to the first load 45 (hereinafter referred to as atomization power P _liquid ) is set (step S4), and the process proceeds to step S5. Here, the flavor component remaining amount W _capsule (n _puff -1) is W initial if the suction operation has not been performed even once after the new capsule 50 has been attached, and is W _initial if the suction operation has been performed one or more times. The flavor component remaining amount W _capsule (n _puff ) calculated by the immediately preceding remaining amount updating process (described later) is obtained. A specific setting example of the target temperature T _{cap_target} and the like in the menthol mode will be described later with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 and the like.

Next, the MCU 63 obtains the current temperature of the second load 34 (hereinafter also referred to as temperature T _{cap_sense} ) based on the output of the second temperature detection element 68 (step S5). The temperature T _{cap_sense} , which is the temperature of the second load 34, is an example of the aforementioned temperature parameter T _capsule . Here, an example in which the temperature of the second load 34 is used as the temperature parameter T _capsule will be described. good.

Next, the MCU 63 controls discharge from the power supply 61 to the second load 34 based on the set target temperature T _{cap_target} and the acquired temperature T _{cap_sense} so that the temperature T _{cap_sense} converges to the target temperature T _{cap_target} . (step S6). At this time, the MCU 63 performs PID (Proportional-Integral-Differential) control, for example, so that the temperature T _{cap_sense} converges to the target temperature T _{cap_target} .

As the control for converging the temperature T _{cap_sense} to the target temperature T _{cap_target} , instead of PID control, ON/OFF control for turning on/off the power supply to the second load 34, P (proportional) control, or PI (proportional control) -Integral) control or the like may be used. Also, the target temperature T _{cap_target} may have hysteresis.

Next, the MCU 63 determines whether or not there is an aerosol generation request (step S7). If there is no aerosol generation request (step S7: NO), the MCU 63 determines whether a predetermined period of time has passed without an aerosol generation request (step S8). If the predetermined period has not elapsed without the aerosol generation request (step S8: NO), the MCU 63 returns to step S6.

When a predetermined period of time elapses without an aerosol generation request (step S8: YES), the MCU 63 stops discharging to the second load 34 (step S9), and changes the operation mode of the aerosol inhaler 1 to the sleep mode. The transition is made (step S10), and the process proceeds to step S29, which will be described later. Here, the sleep mode is an operation mode in which the power consumption of the aerosol inhaler 1 is less than that in the activation mode, and in which transition to the activation mode is possible. Therefore, by transitioning the aerosol inhaler 1 to the sleep mode, the MCU 63 can reduce the power consumption of the aerosol inhaler 1 while maintaining a state in which it is possible to return to the activation mode as necessary.

On the other hand, if there is an aerosol generation request (step S7: YES), the MCU 63 temporarily stops the heating of the flavor source 52 by the second load 34 (that is, discharging to the second load 34), and Based on the output of 68, the temperature T _{cap_sense} is obtained (step S11). Note that the MCU 63 does not have to stop the heating of the flavor source 52 by the second load 34 (that is, discharging to the second load 34) when executing step S11.

Then, the MCU 63 determines whether or not the acquired temperature T _{cap_sense} is higher than the set target temperature T _{cap_target} −δ (where δ≧0) (step S12). This δ can be arbitrarily determined by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1 . If the temperature T _{cap_sense} is higher than the target temperature T _{cap_target} −δ (step S12: YES), the MCU 63 sets the current atomization power P _liquid −Δ (where Δ>0) as the new atomization power P _liquid . (Step S13), and proceeds to step S16.

_{Details will} be described later with reference to FIG. Change to [°C]. Immediately after the target temperature T _{cap_target} is changed, the temperature T _{cap_sense} (eg, 80 [° C.]), which is the temperature of the second load 34 at that time, is changed to the target temperature T _{cap_target} (ie, 60 [° C.]) after the change. ) may have been exceeded. In such a case, the MCU 63 makes an affirmative determination in step S12 and performs the process of step S13 to reduce the atomization power P _liquid . As a result, even if the actual temperature of the flavor source 52, the second load 34, etc. is higher than 60 [°C], such as immediately after the target temperature T _{cap_target} is changed from 80 [°C] to 60 [°C]. However, the atomization power P _liquid can be reduced to reduce the amount of aerosol source 71 produced by heating by first load 45 and supplied to flavor source 52 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent a large amount of menthol from being supplied into the user's mouth, and to stably supply an appropriate amount of menthol to the user.

On the other hand, if the temperature T _{cap_sense} is not higher than the target temperature T _{cap_target} −δ (step S12: NO), the MCU 63 determines whether the temperature T _{cap_sense} is lower than the target temperature T _{cap_target} −δ (step S14). . If the temperature T _{cap_sense} is lower than the target temperature T _{cap_target} −δ (step S14: YES), the MCU 63 sets the current atomization power P _liquid +Δ as a new atomization power P _liquid (step S15), and step S16. proceed to

On the other hand, if the temperature T _{cap_sense} is not lower than the target temperature T _{cap_target} - δ (step S14: NO), the MCU 63 maintains the current atomization power P _liquid because the temperature T _{cap_sense} = target temperature T _{cap_target} - δ. Then, the process proceeds to step S16.

Next, the MCU 63 notifies the user of the current discharge mode (step S16). For example, in the case of the menthol mode (that is, when the menthol mode process is executed), the MCU 63 notifies the user of the menthol mode by, for example, causing the light emitting element 161 to emit green light in step S16. On the other hand, in the case of the regular mode (that is, when the regular mode processing is executed), the MCU 63 notifies the user of the regular mode by, for example, causing the light emitting element 161 to emit white light in step S16.

Next, the MCU 63 controls the DC/DC converter 66 so that the atomization power P _liquid set in step S13 or step S15 is supplied to the first load 45 (step S17). Specifically, the MCU 63 controls the voltage applied to the first load 45 by the DC/DC converter 66 so that the atomization power P _liquid is supplied to the first load 45 . Thereby, the atomization power P _liquid is supplied to the first load 45, and the aerosol source 71 is heated by the first load 45 to generate the aerosol source 71 that is vaporized and/or atomized.

Next, the MCU 63 determines whether or not the aerosol generation request has ended (step S18). If the aerosol generation request has not ended (step S18: NO), the MCU 63 determines whether the elapsed time from the start of the supply of the atomization power P _liquid , that is, the supply time t _sense has reached the upper limit value t _upper . is determined (step S19). If the supply time t _sense has not reached the upper limit value t _upper (step S19: NO), the MCU 63 returns to step S16. In this case, the supply of atomization power P _liquid to the first load 45, ie the generation of the vaporized and/or atomized aerosol source 71, continues.

On the other hand, when the aerosol generation request has ended (step S18: YES) and when the supply time t _sense reaches the upper limit value t _upper (step S19: YES), the MCU 63 supplies atomization power to the first load 45. The supply of P _liquid (that is, the discharge to the first load 45) is stopped (step S20), and remaining amount update processing for calculating the remaining amount of flavor component contained in the flavor source 52 is executed.

In the remaining amount update process, the MCU 63 first acquires the supply time t _sense during which the atomization power P _liquid is supplied (step S21). Next, the MCU 63 adds "1" to n _puff , which is the count value of the puff number counter (step S22).

Then, the MCU 63 stores the acquired supply time t _sense , the atomization power P _liquid supplied to the first load 45 in response to the aerosol generation request, and the target temperature T _{cap_target} set when the aerosol generation request was detected. , the remaining amount of flavor component W _capsule (n _puff ) contained in the flavor source 52 is updated (step S23). For example, the MCU 63 calculates the residual flavor component W _capsule (n _puff ) from the following equation (2), and stores the calculated residual flavor component W _capsule (n _puff ) in the memory 63a. Update the quantity W _capsule (n _puff ).

β and γ in the above formula (2) are the same as β and γ in the above formula (1) and are determined experimentally. δ in the above equation (2) is the same as δ used in step S13 and is set in advance by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1. In addition, α in the above equation (2) is a coefficient obtained experimentally like β and γ.

Next, the MCU 63 determines whether or not the updated flavor component remaining amount _Wcapsule ( _npuff ) is less than a predetermined remaining amount threshold, which is a condition for notifying capsule replacement (step S24). If the updated flavor component remaining amount W _capsule (n _puff ) is equal to or greater than the remaining amount threshold (step S24: NO), the flavor ingredient contained in the flavor source 52 (that is, in the capsule 50) still remains sufficiently. Therefore, the MCU 63 directly proceeds to step S29.

On the other hand, if the updated flavor component remaining amount W _capsule (n _puff ) is less than the remaining amount threshold value (step S24: YES), it is considered that the flavor ingredient contained in the flavor source 52 is almost gone. After the capsule 40 has been replaced, it is determined whether or not the capsule 50 has been replaced a predetermined number of times (step S25). For example, in this embodiment, one cartridge 40 is provided to the user in a form in which five capsules 50 are combined. In this case, in step S25, the MCU 63 determines whether the capsule 50 has been replaced five times after the cartridge 40 has been replaced.

If the capsule 50 has not been replaced a predetermined number of times after the replacement of the cartridge 40 (step S25: NO), it is considered that the cartridge 40 is still usable, so the MCU 63 notifies the capsule replacement (step S26 ). For example, the MCU 63 performs capsule exchange notification by operating the notification unit 16 in an operation mode for capsule exchange notification.

On the other hand, if the capsule 50 has been replaced a predetermined number of times after the replacement of the cartridge 40 (step S25: YES), it is considered that the life of the cartridge 40 has expired, so the MCU 63 issues a cartridge replacement notification (step S27). . For example, the MCU 63 performs cartridge replacement notification by operating the notification unit 16 in an operation mode for cartridge replacement notification.

Next, the MCU 63 resets the count value of the puff number counter to 1 and initializes the setting of the target temperature T _{cap_target} (step S28). In initializing the setting of the target temperature T _{cap_target} , the MCU 63 sets the target temperature T _{cap_target} to −273 [° C.], which is absolute zero, for example. Thereby, substantially, regardless of the temperature of the second load 34 at that time, the discharge to the second load 34 can be stopped, and the heating of the flavor source 52 by the second load 34 can be stopped.

Next, the MCU 63 determines whether or not the power of the aerosol inhaler 1 has been turned off by operating the operation unit 15 or the like (step S29). When the power of the aerosol inhaler 1 is turned off (step S29: YES), the MCU 63 terminates the series of processes. On the other hand, if the aerosol inhaler 1 is not turned off (step S29: NO), the MCU 63 returns to step S1.

Further, when the fact that the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the regular type is set as the processing result of the flavor identification processing in step S1, the MCU 63 makes a negative determination in step S2 (step S2: NO). Regular mode processing is executed to control the discharge to the first load 45 and the second load 34 in the regular mode.

In the regular mode process, the MCU 63 first notifies the user of the regular mode through the notification unit 16 (step S30). At this time, the MCU 63 notifies the regular mode by, for example, causing the light emitting element 161 to emit white light and vibrating the vibrating element 162 .

Next, the MCU 63 determines the aerosol weight W _aerosol required to achieve the target flavor component amount W _flavor based on the remaining amount of flavor component W _capsule (n _puff −1) contained in the flavor source 52 ( step S31). In step S31, the MCU 63 calculates the aerosol weight W _aerosol from, for example, the following formula (3) obtained by modifying the above formula (1), and determines the calculated aerosol weight W _aerosol .

β and γ in the above formula (3) are the same as β and γ in the above formula (1) and are determined experimentally. In addition, in the above formula (3), the target flavor component amount W _flavor is set in advance by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1 . The remaining amount of flavor component W _capsule (n _puff -1) in the above equation (3) is W _initial if no suction operation has been performed after the new capsule 50 has been attached, and the suction operation has been performed once. If the above processes have been performed, the flavor component remaining amount W _capsule (n _puff ) calculated by the last remaining amount updating process is obtained.

Next, the MCU 63 sets the atomization power P _liquid to be supplied to the first load 45 based on the aerosol weight W _aerosol determined in step S31 (step S32). In step S32, the MCU 63 calculates the atomization power P _liquid from, for example, the following equation (4), and sets the calculated atomization power P _liquid .

α in the above equation (4) is the same as α in the above equation (2) and is obtained experimentally. Also, the aerosol weight W _aerosol in the above formula (4) is the aerosol weight W _aerosol determined in step S31. Further, t in the above equation (4) is the supply time t _sense for which the atomization power P _liquid is expected to be supplied, and can be set to the upper limit value t _upper , for example.

Next, the MCU 63 determines whether or not the atomization power P _liquid determined in step S32 is equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit power that can be discharged from the power supply 61 to the first load 45 at that time (step S33). If the atomization power P _liquid is equal to or less than the upper limit power (step S33: Yes), the MCU 63 returns to step S6 described above. On the other hand, if the atomization power P _liquid exceeds the upper limit power (step S33: NO), the MCU 63 increases the target temperature T _{cap_target} by a predetermined amount (step S34), and returns to step S30.

That is, as can be seen from the above equation (1), by increasing the target temperature T _{cap_target} (that is, T _capsule ), the aerosol weight W _aerosol required to achieve the target flavor component amount W _flavor is correspondingly reduced. As a result, the atomization power P _liquid determined in step S32 can be reduced. By repeating steps S31 to S34, the MCU 63 can change the determination of step S33, which was initially determined as NO, to YES in due course, and can shift to step S5 shown in FIG.

(Flavor identification processing)
Next, the flavor identification processing shown in step S1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 12, in the flavor identification process, the MCU 63 first determines whether or not the power of the aerosol inhaler 1 has just been turned on (step S41). For example, the MCU 63 determines YES in step S41 only when it is the first flavor identification process after the power of the aerosol inhaler 1 is turned on.

The MCU 63 then attempts to acquire the types of the cartridge 40 and capsule 50 (step S42). The MCU 63 can acquire the types of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 based on the operation performed on the operation unit 15, for example. Further, the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are provided with a storage medium (for example, an IC chip) storing information indicating these types. 50 types may be obtained. Further, the electrical resistance values of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are made different according to their types, and the MCU 63 can obtain the types of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 based on these electrical resistance values. good. Alternatively, the types of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 may be obtained by using other detectable physical quantities such as the light transmittance and reflectance of the capsule 50 and the cartridge 40 instead of the electrical resistance value.

Next, the MCU 63 determines whether or not the types of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 have been acquired in step S42 (step S43). If the types of the cartridge 40 and capsule 50 can be acquired (step S43: YES), the MCU 63 stores information indicating the types of the cartridge 40 and capsule 50 acquired in step S42 in the memory 63a (step S44). The MCU 63 then sets the types of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 acquired in step S42 as the processing result of the flavor identification processing this time, and ends the flavor identification processing.

On the other hand, if the types of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 cannot be acquired (step S43: NO), the MCU 63 performs predetermined error processing (step S45) and terminates the flavor identification processing. A situation in which the types of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 cannot be obtained is, for example, insufficient attachment (connection) of the cartridge 40 to the power supply unit 10, or insufficient accommodation of the capsule 50 in the capsule holder 30. can occur in some cases. In addition, the operating unit 15 may not be operated, the information stored in the storage medium of the cartridge 40 or capsule 50 may not be read by the MCU 63, or the electric resistance value, light transmittance, or reflectance of the cartridge 40 or capsule 50 may occur. The MCU 63 also cannot obtain the types of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 if the ratio shows an abnormal value.

If it is determined that the aerosol inhaler 1 is not immediately powered on (step S41: NO), the MCU 63 determines whether the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50 has been attached or detached (step S46). If the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50 has been attached or detached (step S46: YES), there is a possibility that these types have been changed. Attempt to get the type.

On the other hand, if the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 have not been attached or detached (step S46: NO), there is no change in these types. read out. The MCU 63 then sets the types of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 indicated by the information read out in step S47 as the processing result of the flavor identification processing this time, and terminates the flavor identification processing.

Note that the MCU 63 may detect attachment/detachment of the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 by any method.

For example, the MCU 63 can detect the electrical resistance value between the pair of discharge terminals 12 obtained using the voltage sensor 671 and current sensor 672, and the resistance value between the pair of discharge terminals 17 obtained using the voltage sensor 681 and current sensor 682. Attachment/detachment of the cartridge 40 may be detected based on the electrical resistance value. The first load 45 is connected between the pair of discharge terminals 12 so that the pair of discharge terminals 12 are electrically connected. It will be clear that the electric resistance value between the discharge terminals 12 that the MCU 63 can acquire differs between the state of being insulated by the . Therefore, the MCU 63 can detect attachment/detachment of the cartridge 40 based on the electrical resistance value between the discharge terminals 12 .

Similarly, a state in which the pair of discharge terminals 17 are electrically connected by connecting the second load 34 between the pair of discharge terminals 17 and a state in which the second load 34 is not connected between the pair of discharge terminals 17 and a pair of discharge terminals It will be clear that the electric resistance value between the discharge terminals 17 that the MCU 63 can obtain differs from the state in which the terminals 17 are insulated by air. Therefore, the MCU 63 can detect attachment/detachment of the cartridge 40 based on the electrical resistance value between the discharge terminals 17 .

The MCU 63 also detects the fluctuation (fluctuation) of the electrical resistance value between the pair of discharge terminals 12 obtained using the voltage sensor 671 and the current sensor 672, and the pair of Attachment/detachment of the capsule 50 may be detected based on fluctuations in the electrical resistance value between the discharge terminals 17 . For example, when attaching and detaching the capsule 50, stress is applied to the discharge terminal 12 and the discharge terminal 17 due to the attachment and detachment. This stress causes the electrical resistance value between the pair of discharge terminals 12 and the electrical resistance value between the pair of discharge terminals 17 to fluctuate. Therefore, the MCU 63 can detect attachment/detachment of the capsule 50 based on fluctuations in the electrical resistance value between the discharge terminals 12 and fluctuations in the electrical resistance value between the discharge terminals 17 .

Also, the MCU 63 may detect attachment/detachment of the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50 based on information stored in a storage medium provided in the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50 . For example, the MCU 63 detects removal of the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50 when information stored in these storage media changes from a state in which it can be obtained (read) to a state in which it cannot be obtained. Also, when information stored in these storage media changes from a state in which acquisition is impossible to a state in which acquisition is possible, the MCU 63 detects attachment of the cartridge 40 or capsule 50 .

Further, identification information (ID) for identifying each cartridge 40 or capsule 50 is stored in a storage medium provided in the cartridge 40 or capsule 50, and the MCU 63 reads the cartridge 40 or capsule 50 based on this identification information. Attachment/detachment may be detected. In this case, the MCU 63 detects attachment/detachment (in this case, replacement) of the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50 when the identification information of the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50 changes.

Also, the MCU 63 may detect attachment/detachment of the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50 based on the light transmittance or reflectance of the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50 . For example, the MCU 63 detects the detachment of the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50 when the light transmittance or reflectance of the cartridge 40 or the capsule 50 changes from a value indicating attachment to a value indicating detachment. The MCU 63 detects that the cartridge 40 or capsule 50 is attached when the light transmittance or reflectance of the cartridge 40 or capsule 50 changes from a value indicating removal to a value indicating attachment.

(Specific Control Example When Cartridge 40 and Capsule 50 Are Menthol Type) Next, when both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type (that is, both the aerosol source 71 and the flavor source 52 contain menthol). A specific example of control by the MCU 63 in the case where the Here, after the new capsule 50 is attached to the aerosol inhaler 1, until the residual amount of the flavor component in the capsule 50 becomes less than the residual amount threshold (that is, the residual amount of the flavor component in the capsule 50 is almost It is assumed that the suction operation is performed a predetermined number of times (until it is exhausted). Also, it is assumed that a sufficient amount of the aerosol source 71 is stored in the cartridge 40 while the predetermined number of suction operations are being performed.

In each of (a), (b), and (c) of FIG. 13 , the horizontal axis indicates the remaining amount of flavoring ingredient [mg] (that is, the remaining amount of flavoring ingredient W _capsule ) contained in the flavor source 52 in the capsule 50. ing. The vertical axis in (a) of FIG. 13 indicates the target temperature (that is, the target temperature T _{cap_target} ) [°C] of the second load 34, which is the heater that heats the capsule 50 (that is, the flavor source 52). The vertical axis in (b) of FIG. 13 indicates the applied voltage [V] to the first load 45 which is a heater for heating the aerosol source 71 stored in the cartridge 40 .

In addition, the vertical axis on the left side in (c) of FIG. 13 indicates the amount of menthol [mg/puff] supplied into the user's mouth by one suction operation. The vertical axis on the right side of FIG. 13(c) indicates the amount of flavor component [mg/puff] supplied into the user's mouth by one suction operation. The amount of menthol supplied into the user's mouth by one suction operation is hereinafter also referred to as a unit supply amount of menthol. Further, the amount of flavor component supplied into the user's mouth by one sucking operation is hereinafter also referred to as a unit supply amount of flavor component.

In FIG. 13, the first period Tm1 is a fixed period immediately after the capsule 50 is replaced. Specifically, the first period Tm1 is the period from when the remaining amount of flavoring component in the capsule 50 is W _initial to when it reaches W _th1 preset by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1 . Here, W _th1 is set to a value smaller than W _initial and larger than W _th2 , which is the above-described residual capacity threshold, which is a condition for notifying capsule replacement. For example, W _th1 can be the remaining amount of the flavor component when about 10 suction operations have been performed since the new capsule 50 was attached. In FIG. 13, the second period _Tm2 is the period after the first period _Tm1 . be.

When both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, the MCU 63 controls discharge to the first load 45 and the second load 34 in menthol mode, as described above. Specifically, in the menthol mode in this case, as indicated by the thick solid line in (a) of FIG. .

In this case, the target temperature (80 [° C.]) of the second load 34 in the first period Tm1 is, for example, higher than the melting point of menthol (eg, 42-45 [° C.]) and the boiling point of menthol (eg, 212-216 [°C]). Moreover, the target temperature of the second load 34 in the first period Tm1 in this case may be a temperature of 90[° C.] or less. Thereby, in the present embodiment, the temperature of the second load 34 (that is, the flavor source 52) is controlled to converge to 80[° C.] during the first period Tm1. Therefore, in the first period Tm1, the menthol adsorbed by the flavor source 52 is heated to an appropriate temperature by the second load 34, so that rapid detachment of menthol from the flavor source 52 can be suppressed. An appropriate amount of menthol can be stably supplied to users.

Then, in the menthol mode in which both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, in the subsequent second period Tm2, the MCU 63 sets the target temperature of the second load 34 to the target temperature in the immediately preceding first period Tm1. 60 [° C.], which is lower than the temperature. The target temperature (60 [° C.]) of the second load 34 in the second period Tm2 in this case is also, for example, a temperature higher than the melting point of menthol and lower than the boiling point of menthol. Further, the target temperature of the second load 34 in the second period Tm2 in this case may also be a temperature of 90[° C.] or less. Thereby, in the present embodiment, the temperature of the second load 34 (that is, the flavor source 52) is controlled to converge to 60[° C.] during the second period Tm2. Therefore, even during the second period Tm2, the menthol adsorbed by the flavor source 52 is heated to an appropriate temperature by the second load 34, so that rapid detachment of menthol from the flavor source 52 can be suppressed. , can stably supply an appropriate amount of menthol to the user.

Thus, in the menthol mode in which both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, the target temperature of the second load 34 is decreased from 80[°C] to 60[°C] in two stages. ing. That is, in the menthol mode in which both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, discharge to the second load 34 with a target temperature of 80[° C.] is performed during the first period Tm1. The temperature of the load 34 (that is, the flavor source 52) is controlled so as to converge to around 80 [°C], which is relatively high. Then, during the subsequent second period Tm2, discharge to the second load 34 with a target temperature of 60[°C] is performed, and the temperature of the second load 34 (that is, the flavor source 52) is lowered to 60[°C]. Controlled to converge to the neighborhood.

In addition, in the menthol mode in which both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, as indicated by the thick solid line in (b) of FIG. Assume that the applied voltage is V1 [V]. This V1 [V] is a voltage preset by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1 . As a result, in the first period Tm1 in this case, power corresponding to the applied voltage V1 [V] is supplied from the power supply 61 to the first load 45, and the amount of vaporized and/or atomized aerosol source corresponding to the power is supplied. 71 is produced by the first load 45 .

In the menthol mode in which both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, the MCU 63 sets the voltage applied to the first load 45 to V2 [V] during the subsequent second period Tm2. This V2 [V] is a voltage higher than V1 [V] as shown in FIG. 13(b). V2 [V] is preset by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1 . Note that the MCU 63 can apply voltages such as V1 [V] and V2 [V] to the first load 45 by controlling the DC/DC converter 66, for example.

Thus, in the menthol mode where both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, the voltage applied to the first load 45 is increased in two steps from V1 [V] to V2 [V]. It's becoming That is, in the menthol mode in which both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, discharge to the first load 45 is performed with the applied voltage V1 [V] being relatively low during the first period Tm1. Then, in the subsequent second period Tm2, discharge to the first load 45 is performed with a higher applied voltage V2 [V], and electric power larger than that in the immediately preceding first period Tm1 is supplied to the first load 45. be. As a result, the amount of the vaporized and/or atomized aerosol source 71 generated by the first load 45 also increases from the previous first period Tm1.

An example of the unit supply amount of menthol when both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type and the MCU 63 controls the target temperature of the second load 34 and the voltage applied to the first load 45 in the above menthol mode is shown in FIG. (c) in the unit supplied menthol amount 131a.

Further, when both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, and the MCU 63 controls the target temperature of the second load 34 and the voltage applied to the first load 45 in the menthol mode, an example of the unit supply amount of flavor component is , as shown in the unit supplied flavor component amount 131b in FIG. 13(c).

In order to compare the unit supply menthol amount 131a and the unit supply flavor component amount 131b, even though both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, the MCU 63 discharges to the first load 45 and the second load 34 ( That is, an example in which the target temperature of the second load 34 and the voltage applied to the first load 45) is controlled in the regular mode will be described.

In the regular mode, the MCU 63 sets the target temperature of the second load 34 in the first period Tm1 and the second period Tm2 to, for example, 30[° C.], The temperature is increased stepwise, such as 60 [° C.], 70 [° C.], and 85 [° C.], in more steps than in the menthol mode when at least the aerosol source 71 contains menthol. In other words, the number of steps for changing (decreasing) the target temperature of the second load 34 in the menthol mode at least when the aerosol source 71 contains menthol is the same as changing (increasing) the target temperature of the second load 34 in the regular mode. ).

That is, in a system such as the regular mode, in which the target temperature of the second load 34 (that is, the flavor source 52) is increased stepwise, the target temperature can be switched in detail because it is easy for the actual temperature to follow the target temperature. Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with a stable flavor component (that is, the flavor derived from the flavor source 52). On the other hand, in a system such as the menthol mode in which the target temperature of the second load 34 (that is, the flavor source 52) is gradually decreased, it is difficult for these actual temperatures to follow the target temperature. Therefore, by reducing the number of times the target temperature is switched, it is possible to prevent the actual temperature from deviating from the target temperature. Note that each target temperature of the second load 34 and the timing of changing the target temperature in the regular mode are set in advance by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1 . As another example, the timing of changing the target temperature of the second load 34 in the regular mode is determined from the remaining flavor component [mg] (that is, the remaining flavor component W _capsule ) contained in the flavor source 52 in the capsule 50. may be determined.

For example, here, the maximum value of the target temperature of the second load 34 in the first period Tm1 of the regular mode (70 [° C.] here) is the target temperature of the second load 34 in the first period Tm1 of the menthol mode (here is lower than 80[°C]). In addition, the lowest value of the target temperature of the second load 34 in the second period Tm2 of the regular mode (here, 70 [° C.]) is the target temperature of the second load 34 in the second period Tm2 of the menthol mode (here, 60 [° C.]). °C]).

In the regular mode, the MCU 63 sets the voltage applied to the first load 45 during the first period Tm1 and the second period Tm2 to a constant V3 [V ]. This V3 [V] is higher than V1 [V] and lower than V2 [V], and is preset by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1 . Note that the MCU 63 can apply a voltage such as V3 [V] to the first load 45 by controlling the DC/DC converter 66, for example.

An example of the unit supply amount of menthol when both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type and the MCU 63 controls the target temperature of the second load 34 and the voltage applied to the first load 45 by the regular mode is shown in FIG. (c) in the unit supplied menthol amount 132a.

In addition, when both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, and the MCU 63 controls the target temperature of the second load 34 and the voltage applied to the first load 45 by the above regular mode, an example of the unit supply amount of flavor component is , as shown in the unit supplied flavor component amount 132b in FIG. 13(c).

That is, even when both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, the discharge to the first load 45 and the second load 34 (that is, the target temperature of the second load 34 and the voltage applied to the first load 45 are reduced by the regular mode). ) is controlled. In this case, the target temperature of the second load 34 during the first period Tm1 is lower than when these are controlled in the menthol mode, so the temperature of the flavor source 52 during the first period Tm1 becomes lower.

Therefore, when both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, when the discharge to the first load 45 and the like is controlled in the regular mode, the flavor source 52 (specifically, , the time required for tobacco granules 521) and menthol to reach an adsorption equilibrium state becomes longer. During this time, most of the menthol derived from the aerosol source 71 is adsorbed on the flavor source 52, and the amount of menthol that can pass through the flavor source 52 decreases.

From the above, when both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, when the discharge to the first load 45 and the like is controlled in the regular mode, the unit supply of menthol is higher than in the case of controlling in the menthol mode as described above. As shown by the amount 131a and the unit supply menthol amount 132a, the unit supply menthol amount that can be supplied to the user during the first period Tm1 decreases. Therefore, if this is done, there is a possibility that a sufficient amount of menthol cannot be supplied to the user during the first period Tm1.

On the other hand, in the menthol mode in which both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, the MCU 63 controls the timing before the flavor source 52 (specifically, the tobacco granules 521) and menthol reach an adsorption equilibrium state. , the temperature of the second load 34 (that is, the flavor source 52) is increased to around 80[°C]. As a result, the MCU 63 can prompt the adsorption equilibrium state between the flavor source 52 (more specifically, the tobacco granules 521) and menthol in the capsule 50 in the first period Tm1. Adsorption of menthol to the flavor source 52 is suppressed, and the amount of menthol supplied to the user's mouth without being adsorbed to the flavor source 52 among the menthol derived from the aerosol source 71 can be ensured. Furthermore, in the first period Tm1, the MCU 63 detaches from the flavor source 52 (specifically, the tobacco granules 521) and is supplied into the user's mouth by heating the second load 34 (that is, the flavor source 52) to a high temperature. Menthol from flavor source 52 can also be increased. Therefore, as shown in the unit supply amount of menthol 131a, a sufficient amount of menthol can be supplied to the user from the time when the flavor component contained in the flavor source 52 is sufficient (when the product is new).

In addition, in FIG. 13(c), the unit supply amount of menthol 133a is the unit supply when both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type and the heating of the flavor source 52 by the second load 34 is not performed. An example of the amount of menthol is shown. In this case, the temperature of the second load 34 (that is, the flavor source 52) during the first period Tm1 becomes room temperature (see RT in (c) of FIG. 13). Therefore, even in this case, as shown in the unit supplied menthol amount 133a, the temperature of the flavor source 52 during the first period Tm1 is higher than in the case of controlling the discharge to the first load 45 or the like in the menthol mode. Due to the low level, a sufficient amount of menthol cannot be supplied to the user during the first period Tm1.

By the way, in order to supply a sufficient amount of menthol to the user during the first period Tm1, in the menthol mode in which both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, the target of the second load 34 during the first period Tm1 is I'm trying to set the temperature higher. However, if the flavor source 52, which has reached a high temperature after the first period Tm1, continues to be heated at a higher temperature even during the second period Tm2, a large amount of menthol is supplied to the user, which may lead to deterioration of the flavor and taste.

Therefore, as described above, in the menthol mode in which both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, the target temperature of the second load 34 in the second period Tm2 is set to the second load 34 in the first period Tm1. By setting the temperature lower than the target temperature of , it is possible to prevent the flavor source 52, which has reached a high temperature after the first period Tm1, from being heated at a high temperature even during the second period Tm2. As a result, as shown in the unit supplied menthol amount 131a, during the second period Tm2, which is assumed to be the period after the flavor source 52 (more specifically, the tobacco granules 521) and menthol have reached an adsorption equilibrium state, the flavor source By lowering the temperature of 52, the amount of menthol that can be adsorbed by the flavor source 52 (more specifically, the tobacco granules 521) can be increased, and an increase in the amount of menthol supplied per unit can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to supply an appropriate amount of menthol to the user during the second period Tm2.

Further, in order to suppress the supply of a large amount of menthol to the user during the second period Tm2, in the menthol mode in which both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, the second load during the second period Tm2 34 target temperature is set low. However, when the target temperature of the second load 34 is set low in this way, although an increase in the unit amount of menthol supplied during the second period Tm2 can be suppressed, the unit amount of flavor component supplied during the second period Tm2 also decreases, which is sufficient for the user. It is conceivable that it will not be possible to provide a good sucking response.

Therefore, when both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type, that is, in the menthol mode when the flavor source 52 also contains menthol in addition to the aerosol source 71, the MCU 63 controls the first load 45 in the first period Tm1. is V1 [V], and the voltage applied to the first load 45 in the subsequent second period Tm2 is V2 [V], which is higher than V1 [V]. As a result, the voltage applied to the first load 45 can be changed to a higher V2 [V] in accordance with the second period Tm2, in which the target temperature of the second load 34 is changed to a lower 60 [° C.]. Therefore, in the second period Tm2, the amount of the aerosol source 71 generated by heating by the first load 45 and supplied to the flavor source 52 can be increased, and as shown in the unit supply flavor component amount 131b, the second It is possible to suppress the decrease in the unit amount of flavor component supplied in the second period Tm2.

(Specific example of control when only cartridge 40 is menthol type)
Next, a specific example of control by the MCU 63 when only the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type (that is, when only the aerosol source 71 contains menthol) will be described with reference to FIG. In the menthol mode when only the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type, only the voltage applied to the first load 45 during the first period Tm1 and the second period Tm2 is the same as when both the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 are of the menthol type. different from the menthol mode of 13 will be mainly described below, and the description of the same portions as those of FIG. 13 will be omitted as appropriate.

In the menthol mode in which only the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type, the MCU 63 reduces the voltage applied to the first load 45 during the first period Tm1 to V4[ V]. This V4 [V] is a voltage higher than V3 [V] as shown in FIG. 14(b) and is a voltage preset by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1. As a result, in the first period Tm1 in this case, power corresponding to the applied voltage V3 [V] is supplied from the power supply 61 to the first load 45, and an amount of vaporized and/or atomized aerosol source corresponding to this power is supplied. 71 is produced by the first load 45 .

In the menthol mode in which only the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type, the MCU 63 sets the voltage applied to the first load 45 to V5 [V] during the subsequent second period Tm2. This V5 [V] is a voltage higher than V3 [V] and lower than V4 [V], as shown in FIG. 14(b). V5 [V] is preset by the manufacturer of the aerosol inhaler 1 . Note that the MCU 63 can apply a voltage such as V4 [V] or V5 [V] to the first load 45 by controlling the DC/DC converter 66, for example.

Thus, in the menthol mode when only the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type, the voltage applied to the first load 45 is reduced in two steps from V4 [V] to V5 [V]. . That is, in the menthol mode in which only the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type, discharge to the first load 45 is performed with a higher applied voltage of V4 [V] during the first period Tm1. Then, in the subsequent second period Tm2, discharge to the first load 45 is performed with the applied voltage set to V5 [V], which is lower, and the first load 45 is supplied with less power than in the previous first period Tm1. be. As a result, the amount of the aerosol source 71 (vaporized and/or atomized aerosol source 71) generated by heating by the first load 45 and supplied to the flavor source 52 also decreases from the previous first period Tm1.

An example of the unit supply amount of menthol when only the cartridge 40 is a menthol type and the MCU 63 controls the target temperature of the second load 34 and the voltage applied to the first load 45 in the menthol mode is shown in FIG. ) is shown in the unit supplied menthol amount 141a.

An example of the unit supply flavor component amount when only the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type and the MCU 63 controls the target temperature of the second load 34 and the applied voltage to the first load 45 in the menthol mode is shown in FIG. It is shown in the unit supply flavor component amount 141b in c).

Also, an example of the unit supply amount of menthol when only the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type and the MCU 63 controls the target temperature of the second load 34 and the applied voltage to the first load 45 in the regular mode is shown in FIG. The amount of menthol supplied per unit 142a in (c) is shown.

An example of the unit supply flavor component amount when only the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type and the MCU 63 controls the target temperature of the second load 34 and the applied voltage to the first load 45 in the regular mode is shown in FIG. It is shown in the unit supply flavor component amount 142b in c).

An example of the unit supply amount of menthol when only the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type and the heating of the flavor source 52 by the second load 34 is not performed is shown in the unit supply amount of menthol 143a in (c) of FIG. will be shown.

An example of the unit supply flavor component amount when only the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type and the heating of the flavor source 52 by the second load 34 is not performed is shown in the unit supply flavor component amount 143b in (c) of FIG. will be shown.

That is, when only the cartridge 40 is of the menthol type, that is, in the menthol mode when the flavor source 52 does not contain menthol, the MCU 63 sets the voltage applied to the first load 45 during the first period Tm1 to V4[ V], and the voltage applied to the first load 45 in the subsequent second period Tm2 is set to V5 [V], which is lower than V4 [V]. As a result, during the first period Tm1, which is assumed to be the time before the flavor source 52 (more specifically, the tobacco granules 521) and menthol in the capsule 50 reach an adsorption equilibrium state, the first load 45 has a high V4 [V ] (ie, more power to first load 45 ) to increase the amount of aerosol source 71 produced by heating by first load 45 and delivered to flavor source 52 .

Therefore, before the flavor source 52 and menthol reach an adsorption equilibrium state, the amount of menthol supplied to the user's mouth without being adsorbed to the flavor source 52 among the menthol derived from the aerosol source 71 can be increased. , the flavor source 52 and menthol in the capsule 50 can be promoted to quickly reach an adsorption equilibrium state. Therefore, as shown in the unit supplied menthol amount 141a, an appropriate and sufficient amount of menthol is stably supplied to the user from the time when the flavor component contained in the flavor source 52 is sufficient (for example, the start of smoking). can be supplied

(Specific control example when only capsule 50 is menthol type)
Next, a specific example of control by the MCU 63 when only the capsule 50 is of the menthol type (that is, when only the flavor source 52 contains menthol) will be described with reference to FIG. 13 will be mainly described, and the description of the same portions as those of FIG. 13 will be omitted as appropriate.

As described above, in the menthol mode when only the capsule 50 is of the menthol type, the MCU 63 controls discharge to the first load 45 and the second load 34 in the same manner as in the regular mode. Specifically, in the menthol mode in this case, the MCU 63 sets the target temperature of the second load 34 in the first period Tm1 and the second period Tm2 to For example, the temperature is increased stepwise in multiple steps (here, four steps) such as 30 [° C.], 60 [° C.], 70 [° C.], and 85 [° C.]. Further, in the menthol mode in this case, as indicated by the thick solid line in FIG. Maintain at V3 [V].

An example of the unit supply amount of menthol when only the capsule 50 is a menthol type and the MCU 63 controls the target temperature of the second load 34 and the voltage applied to the first load 45 in the menthol mode is shown in FIG. ) in the unit supplied menthol amount 151a.

An example of the unit supply flavor component amount when only the capsule 50 is of the menthol type and the MCU 63 controls the target temperature of the second load 34 and the applied voltage to the first load 45 in the menthol mode is shown in FIG. It is shown in the unit supply flavor component amount 151b in c).

An example of the unit supply amount of menthol when only the capsule 50 is of the menthol type and the heating of the flavor source 52 by the second load 34 is not performed is shown in the unit supply amount of menthol 153a in FIG. 15(c). will be shown.

An example of the unit supply flavor component amount when only the capsule 50 is of the menthol type and the heating of the flavor source 52 by the second load 34 is not performed is shown in the unit supply flavor component amount 153b in (c) of FIG. will be shown.

When only the capsule 50 is of the menthol type, that is, in the menthol mode when only the flavor source 52 contains menthol, the MCU 63 sets the target temperature of the second load 34 in the first period Tm1 and the second period Tm2. By increasing the temperature in stages, the temperature of the second load 34 (that is, the flavor source 52) can be gradually increased. As a result, the menthol adsorbed to the flavor source 52 (specifically, the tobacco granules 521 ) within the capsule 50 can gradually be desorbed from the flavor source 52 . In other words, a sufficient amount of menthol can be stably supplied to the user from the time when the remaining flavor component W _capsule is sufficient (for example, the start of smoking). In other words, the amount of menthol provided to the user (that is, the flavor derived from menthol) can be stabilized.

As described above, according to the power supply unit 10, the discharge to the first load 45 and the second load 34 can be appropriately controlled according to the object containing (or not containing) menthol.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. It is obvious that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or modifications within the scope described in the claims, and these also belong to the technical scope of the present invention. Understood. Moreover, each component in the above embodiments may be combined arbitrarily without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For example, in the present embodiment, at least in the menthol mode when the aerosol source 71 contains menthol, the voltage applied to the first load 45 is changed stepwise in two steps, but the present invention is not limited to this. , may be changed stepwise in more than two steps, or may be changed continuously.

Further, for example, in the present embodiment, at least in the menthol mode when the aerosol source 71 contains menthol, the target temperature of the second load 34 is changed stepwise in two steps, but this is not the only option. Instead, it may be changed stepwise or continuously in more steps than two steps (however, the steps are fewer than in the case of the regular mode). Similarly, even in the regular mode, the target temperature of the second load 34 may be changed stepwise in more than four steps, or may be changed continuously.

Further, for example, in the present embodiment, the target temperature of the second load 34 during preheating of the second load 34 triggered by the transition to the activation mode is set to the lowest target temperature of the second load 34 in the menthol mode and the regular mode. Although it is less than the value, it is not limited to this. For example, the target temperature of the second load 34 during preheating of the second load 34 triggered by the transition to the startup mode may be set to a temperature equal to or higher than the lowest target temperature of the second load 34 in the regular mode. In other words, the target temperature of the second load 34 during preheating may be a temperature equal to or higher than the lowest target temperature of the second load 34 in the menthol mode when only the flavor source 52 contains menthol. In this way, when only the flavor source 52 contains menthol, the temperature of the second load 34 can be lowered to an appropriate target temperature by stopping the preheating of the second load 34. . Further, at least when the aerosol source 71 contains menthol, by supplying a larger amount of power to the second load 34, the temperature of the second load 34 can be easily reached to an appropriate target temperature. can. Therefore, regardless of the target containing (or not containing) menthol, it is possible to make the second load 34 easily reach an appropriate target temperature according to the target. .

Further, for example, in the present embodiment, the heating chamber 43 of the cartridge 40 and the housing chamber 53 of the capsule 50 are physically separated and communicated with each other by the aerosol flow path 90. , the heating chamber 43 and the storage chamber 53 may not necessarily be physically separated from each other. The heating chamber 43 and the storage chamber 53 may be insulated from each other and communicated with each other. In this case as well, since the heating chamber 43 and the storage chamber 53 are insulated from each other, the storage chamber 53 is less likely to be affected by the heat of the first load 45 of the heating chamber 43 . As a result, rapid desorption of menthol by the flavor source 52 is suppressed, so that menthol can be stably supplied to the user. Also, the heating chamber 43 and the storage chamber 53 may be physically separated from each other, insulated from each other, and communicated with each other.

Further, for example, the overall shape of the aerosol inhaler 1 is not limited to the shape in which the power supply unit 10, the cartridge 40, and the capsules 50 are arranged in a line as shown in FIG. The aerosol inhaler 1 only needs to be configured such that the cartridge 40 and the capsule 50 can be replaced with respect to the power supply unit 10, and any shape such as a substantially box-like shape can be adopted.

Further, for example, the cartridge 40 may be integrated with the power supply unit 10 .

Also, for example, the capsule 50 may be configured to be replaceable with respect to the power supply unit 10 and may be detachable from the power supply unit 10 .

Further, for example, in the present embodiment, the first load 45 and the second load 34 are heaters that generate heat by electric power discharged from the power supply 61. A Peltier device capable of both heat generation and cooling by discharged power may be used. By configuring the first load 45 and the second load 34 in this manner, the degree of freedom in controlling the temperature of the aerosol source 71 and the temperature of the flavor source 52 is increased, so that the unit flavor amount can be controlled more highly.

Further, for example, in the present embodiment, the MCU 63 controls discharge from the power source 61 to the first load 45 and the second load 34 so that the flavor component amount converges to the target amount. is not limited to one specific value, but may be a range with a certain width.

Further, for example, in the present embodiment, the MCU 63 controls discharge from the power supply 61 to the second load 34 so that the temperature of the flavor source 52 converges to the target temperature. is not limited to one value, but may be a range with a certain width.

This specification describes at least the following matters. In addition, although the parenthesis shows the components corresponding to the above-described embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this.

(1) a first connector (discharge terminal 12) to which a first heater (first load 45) for heating an aerosol source (aerosol source 71) is connected;
A second connector (a second connector ( a discharge terminal 17);
a power source (power source 61) electrically connected to the first connector and the second connector;
a controller (MCU 63) capable of controlling discharge from the power source to the first heater and discharge from the power source to the second heater;
A power supply unit (power supply unit 10) of an aerosol generator (aerosol inhaler 1) comprising
The controller is
capable of determining whether each of the aerosol source and the flavor source contains menthol;
In the first state in which only the flavor source of the aerosol source and the flavor source is determined to contain menthol, both the aerosol source and the flavor source contain menthol. Discharge mode to the first heater in a second state determined to contain menthol, and the first heater in a third state determined to contain menthol only in the aerosol source out of the aerosol source and the flavor source Unlike the discharge mode to the heater,
and/or, the discharge mode to the second heater in the first state is different from the discharge mode to the second heater in the second state and the discharge mode to the second heater in the third state,
Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

According to (1), the discharge mode to the first heater that heats the aerosol source and/or the second heater that heats the flavor source depending on whether the aerosol source or the flavor source contains menthol. can be different. This makes it possible to appropriately control the discharge to the first heater and/or the second heater according to the menthol-containing object of the aerosol source and the flavor source. In other words, it is possible to highly control the flavor imparted to the aerosol by considering the types of the aerosol source and the flavor source.

(2) A power supply unit of the aerosol generator according to (1),
The discharge mode to the second heater in the first state is different from the discharge mode to the second heater in the second state and the discharge mode to the second heater in the third state,
The discharge mode to the second heater in the first state is to increase stepwise or continuously a target temperature for converging the temperature of the second heater or the flavor source.
Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

According to (2), when only the flavor source contains menthol, the target temperature of the second heater or the flavor source is increased stepwise or continuously. As a result, the menthol adsorbed to the flavor source can be gradually desorbed from the flavor source, and the amount of menthol provided to the user (that is, the menthol-derived flavor) can be stabilized.

(3) A power supply unit of the aerosol generator according to (2),
The discharge mode to the second heater in the second state and the discharge mode to the second heater in the third state decrease the target temperature step by step or continuously.
Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

According to (3), when both the aerosol source and the flavor source or only the aerosol source contains menthol, the target temperature of the second heater or the flavor source is decreased stepwise or continuously. As a result, in these cases, before the flavor source and menthol reach an adsorption equilibrium state (for example, at the beginning of smoking), the target temperature is set higher to reduce the amount of menthol that can be adsorbed by the flavor source. , the adsorption of menthol derived from the aerosol source to the flavor source can be suppressed. Therefore, in this period, the amount of menthol supplied to the user without being adsorbed by the flavor source can be ensured among the menthol derived from the aerosol source. In these cases, after that (for example, after the flavor source and menthol have reached an adsorption equilibrium state), the target temperature is set to a lower temperature to increase the amount of menthol that can be adsorbed to the flavor source, thereby It is possible to suppress the supply of a large amount of menthol to the user, which may lead to deterioration of the smoking taste. As described above, the menthol provided to the user can be stabilized at an appropriate amount.

(4) A power supply unit for the aerosol generator according to any one of (1) to (3),
The discharge mode to the first heater in the first state is to maintain a constant voltage applied to the first heater,
The discharge mode to the first heater in the second state is to change the applied voltage stepwise or continuously.
Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

According to (4), when the aerosol source does not contain menthol, the voltage applied to the first heater is kept constant. Thereby, the amount of aerosol generated by heating by the first heater can be made constant, and the amount of menthol derived from the flavor source generated by heating by the second heater can be easily controlled. Further, according to (4), when both the aerosol source and the flavor source contain menthol, the voltage applied to the first heater is changed stepwise or continuously. Thereby, the amount of aerosol generated by heating by the first heater can be changed, and the amount of menthol derived from the aerosol source and the amount of menthol derived from the flavor source can be highly controlled. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately control the discharge to the first heater depending on whether the aerosol source or the flavor source contains menthol.

(5) A power supply unit for the aerosol generator according to any one of (1) to (4),
The discharge mode to the first heater in the first state is to maintain a constant voltage applied to the first heater,
The discharge mode to the first heater in the third state is to change the applied voltage stepwise or continuously.
Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

According to (5), when the aerosol source does not contain menthol, the voltage applied to the first heater is kept constant. Thereby, the amount of aerosol generated by heating by the first heater can be made constant, and the amount of menthol derived from the flavor source generated by heating by the second heater can be easily controlled. Further, according to (5), when only the aerosol source contains menthol, the voltage applied to the first heater is changed stepwise or continuously. Thereby, the amount of aerosol generated by heating by the first heater can be changed, and the amount of menthol derived from the aerosol source and the amount of menthol derived from the flavor source can be highly controlled. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately control the discharge to the first heater depending on whether the aerosol source or the flavor source contains menthol.

(6) A power supply unit for the aerosol generator according to any one of (1) to (5),
The discharge mode to the first heater in the first state is to maintain a constant voltage applied to the first heater,
The discharge mode to the first heater in the second state is to increase the applied voltage stepwise or continuously,
The discharge mode to the first heater in the third state is to reduce the applied voltage stepwise or continuously.
Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

According to (6), when the aerosol source does not contain menthol, the voltage applied to the first heater is kept constant. Thereby, the amount of aerosol generated by heating by the first heater can be made constant, and the amount of menthol derived from the flavor source generated by heating by the second heater can be easily controlled. Further, according to (6), when both the aerosol source and the flavor source contain menthol, the voltage applied to the first heater is increased stepwise or continuously, and only the aerosol source contains menthol. is included, the voltage applied to the first heater is reduced stepwise or continuously. Thereby, the amount of aerosol generated by heating by the first heater can be changed, and the amount of menthol derived from the aerosol source and the amount of menthol derived from the flavor source can be highly controlled. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately control the discharge to the first heater depending on whether the aerosol source or the flavor source contains menthol.

(7) A power supply unit for the aerosol generator according to any one of (1) to (6),
The controller is
It is possible to operate the aerosol generating device in a startup mode and a sleep mode that consumes less power than the startup mode and can transition to the startup mode,
Triggered by the transition to the activation mode, discharge to the second heater is started so that the temperature of the second heater or the flavor source converges to a predetermined temperature;
Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

According to (7), when the aerosol generator is switched to the activation mode, discharge to the second heater is started in order to converge the target temperature of the second heater or the flavor source to the predetermined temperature. As a result, the second heater can be preheated with the transition to the activation mode as a trigger, the temperature of the second heater and the flavor source is increased early, and the amount of menthol provided to the user (that is, the flavor derived from menthol). can be stabilized at an early stage.

(8) A power supply unit of the aerosol generator according to (7),
The discharge mode to the second heater in the second state and the discharge mode to the second heater in the third state are set stepwise or continuously to a target temperature for converging the temperature of the second heater or the flavor source. and
wherein the predetermined temperature is less than the minimum value of the target temperature in the second state and the third state;
Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

According to (8), the target temperature at the time of preheating of the second heater, which is triggered by the transition to the activation mode, is the target temperature when both the aerosol source and the flavor source, or only the aerosol source contains menthol. The temperature should be less than the minimum value of the target temperature of 2 heaters, etc. This prevents the second heater and the flavor source from becoming too hot due to the preheating of the second heater, preheats to an appropriate temperature, stabilizes the flavor and taste, and reduces power consumption due to preheating of the second heater. be able to.

(9) A power supply unit of the aerosol generator according to (8),
The discharge mode to the second heater in the first state is to increase the target temperature stepwise or continuously,
The predetermined temperature is equal to or higher than the lowest value of the target temperature in the first state,
Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

According to (9), the second heater can be made easier to reach an appropriate target temperature for any object that contains (or does not contain) menthol. becomes possible.

(10) The power supply unit of the aerosol generator according to (8),
The discharge mode to the second heater in the first state is to increase the target temperature stepwise or continuously,
wherein the predetermined temperature is less than the lowest value of the target temperature in the first state;
Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

According to (10), when the target temperature for preheating of the second heater, which is triggered by the transition to the activation mode, is contained in menthol only in the flavor source, both the aerosol source and the flavor source contain menthol. The temperature is below the minimum target temperature in both cases, and when the aerosol source only contains menthol. As a result, in any of the above cases, it is possible to prevent the second heater and the flavor source from becoming too hot due to the preheating of the second heater, so that the temperature can be set to an appropriate temperature, and the flavor and taste can be stabilized. And the power consumption can be reduced by the above preheating.

(11) The power supply unit of the aerosol generator according to (7),
The controller initiates discharge to the second heater before executing the determination so that the temperature converges to the predetermined temperature with the transition to the startup mode as a trigger.
Power supply unit for the aerosol generator.

According to (11), the preheating of the second heater triggered by the transition to the activation mode is performed before detecting whether or not the flavor source or the aerosol source contains menthol. In other words, the preheating of the second heater can be terminated by detecting whether or not the flavor source or the aerosol source contains menthol. As a result, after it is determined whether or not the aerosol source and the flavor source contain menthol, the discharge to the second heater is appropriately performed according to the menthol-containing target among the aerosol source and the flavor source. allow you to control.

1 Aerosol inhaler (aerosol generator)
12 discharge terminal (first connector)
17 discharge terminal (second connector)
34 second load 45 first load 52 flavor source 61 power source 71 aerosol source 63 MCU (controller)

Claims (7)

a first heater that heats the aerosol source;
a second heater that heats the flavor source;
a power supply;
a control unit;
An aerosol generator comprising
The control unit
controlling the temperature of the first heater by controlling discharge from the power supply to the first heater;
controlling the temperature of the second heater by controlling discharge from the power source to the second heater;
determining if the aerosol source contains menthol;
Controlling the temperature of the first heater differently depending on whether it is determined that the aerosol source contains menthol or not;
An aerosol generator characterized by: The aerosol generating device of claim 1, comprising:
The control unit further
Determining whether the flavor source contains menthol,
Controlling the temperature of the second heater differently depending on whether it is determined that the flavor source contains menthol or not,
An aerosol generator characterized by: The aerosol generator according to claim 1 or 2,
In addition, it has a notification unit,
The control unit further
when determining that the aerosol source contains menthol, shifting the aerosol generator to menthol mode;
The notification unit notifies that it is the menthol mode,
An aerosol generator characterized by: The aerosol generator according to claim 3,
The notification unit is a light emitting element,
Notification of the menthol mode is performed by causing the light emitting element to emit green light,
An aerosol generator characterized by: a first heater that heats the aerosol source;
a second heater that heats the flavor source;
a power supply;
a control unit;
An aerosol generator comprising
The control unit
controlling the temperature of the first heater by controlling discharge from the power source to the first heater;
controlling the temperature of the second heater by controlling discharge from the power source to the second heater;
Determining whether the flavor source contains menthol,
Controlling the temperature of the second heater differently depending on whether it is determined that the flavor source contains menthol or not,
An aerosol generator characterized by: 6. The aerosol generator of claim 5,
In addition, it has a notification unit,
The control unit further
when determining that the flavor source contains menthol, shifting the aerosol generator to menthol mode;
The notification unit notifies that it is the menthol mode,
An aerosol generator characterized by: The aerosol generator of claim 6,
The notification unit is a light emitting element,
Notification of the menthol mode is performed by causing the light emitting element to emit green light,
An aerosol generator characterized by:

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