RU2749257C1 - Aerosol generating apparatus, method for activation of apparatus and computer-readable data storage medium containing program for implementation thereof (variants) - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: engineering.

SUBSTANCE: proposed are variants of an aerosol generating apparatus and methods of activation of such apparatus, as well as a computer-readable data storage medium containing a program allowing a processor to implement the described methods. The aerosol generating device is comprised of a power supply, a load generating heat while receiving electricity from the power supply and spraying the source of the aerosol, an element used to retrieve a value related to the load temperature. The apparatus also comprises a circuit electrically connecting the power source and the load, a storage medium wherein the aerosol source is stored, a holding unit holding the aerosol source coming from the storage medium to allow the aerosol source to be held in a possible heating state by the load. The control unit is configured to control to increase the held amount of the aerosol source held by the holding unit, or to control to raise the possibility to increase the held amount in at least one of the starting moment of power supply from the power source to the load and the ending moment of power supply from the power source to the load, to control to make the time interval from the end of aerosol generation to the start of the next aerosol generation greater than the previous interval, to invoke operation of the notification tool and to control to make the next time interval greater than the previous interval with further detecting a dry condition or an indication of a dry condition after the operation of the notification tool has been invoked once or more.

EFFECT: precise control of an aerosol generating apparatus is provided in case when the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity.

22 cl, 18 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol to be inhaled by a user, and to a method and program for operating it.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In an aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol to be inhaled by a user, such as a conventional electronic cigarette, a heated cigarette, or a nebulizer, if the user inhales when the source of the aerosol to be nebulized to generate the aerosol is insufficient, the user cannot a sufficient amount of aerosol must be supplied. In addition, with an electronic cigarette and / or a hot cigarette, there is a problem in that an aerosol having an unintentional smoke aroma may be emitted.

[0003] As a solution to this problem, Patent Literature (PTL) 1 discloses a technique for detecting depletion of an aerosol source based on a change in heater temperature while energizing the heater to heat an aerosol source. In addition to PTL 1, PTL 2 through PTL 11 also disclose various techniques for solving the above problem, or possibly contributing to the solution of the above problem.

[0004] However, such conventional techniques cannot specifically determine in which part of the aerosol generating device the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity. Accordingly, there is still room for improvement in the configuration, method of operation, and the like of an aerosol generating device for performing appropriate control when the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity.

LINK LIST

PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] PTL 1: European Patent Application Publication No. 2654469

PTL 2: Publication no. 1412829 European patent application

PTL 3: Publication no. 2471392 European patent application

PTL 4: Publication no. 2257195 European patent application

PTL 5: Publication no. 2493342 European patent application

PTL 6: Publication no. 2895930 European patent application

PTL 7: Publication no. 2797446 European patent application

PTL 8: Publication no. 2,654,471 European patent applications

PTL 9: Publication no. 2870888 European patent application

PTL 10: Publication no. 2654470 European patent application

PTL 11: Publication WO2015 / 100361 International Application

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0006] The present invention was developed in view of the above.

[0007] The first problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide an aerosol generating device for performing appropriate control when an aerosol source is insufficient, and a method and program for activating it.

[0008] A second problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide an aerosol generating device for suppressing temporary insufficiency of an aerosol source in a retention unit configured to contain an aerosol source from an aerosol source storage means, and a method and a program for the same actuation.

SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

[0009] To solve the first problem described above, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating device, which includes: a power supply; a load configured to generate heat when receiving electricity from a power source and atomizing the aerosol source; an element that is used to obtain a value related to the load temperature; a circuit configured to electrically connect a power source and a load; storage means configured to store the aerosol source; a holding unit configured to hold a source of aerosol coming from the storage means to ensure that the held source of aerosol is in a possible state of heating by the load; and a control unit configured to distinguish between a first state of the aerosol generating device in which the aerosol source stored in the storage means is insufficient in quantity, and a second state of the aerosol generating device in which the storage means is capable of supplying the aerosol source while the aerosol source held by the holding unit is insufficient in quantity based on the change in the value related to the load temperature after the operation of the circuit.

[0010] In an embodiment, due to the first state in which the aerosol source stored in the storage means is insufficient in quantity, or the second state in which the storage means is capable of supplying the aerosol source while the aerosol source held by the holding unit is insufficient in quantity, the load temperature exceeds the boiling point of the aerosol source or the temperature at which the aerosol is generated due to the evaporation of the aerosol source.

[0011] In an embodiment, the circuit includes a first path and a second path that are connected in parallel with the power supply and the load, the first path being used to spray the aerosol source and the second path being used to obtain a value related to the load temperature. The control unit is configured to make the first track and the second track alternately operate.

[0012] In an embodiment, each of the first path and the second path includes a switch and operates by switching the switch from an off state to an on state. The control unit is configured to provide a predetermined interval from the moment when the switch of the first path is switched from the on state to the off state until the moment when the switch of the second path is switched from the off state to the on state.

[0013] In an embodiment, the first path has a resistance value less than the resistance value of the second path, and the control unit is configured to discriminate between the first state and the second state based on a change in the value related to the load temperature after the operation of the first path or during operation second way.

[0014] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to discriminate between the first state and the second state based on the time period elapsed from when the first or second path operates until the value related to the load temperature reaches a threshold value.

[0015] In an embodiment, the time period when the first state is determined is shorter than the time period when the second state is determined.

[0016] In an embodiment, the circuit includes a first path and a second path that are connected in parallel with the power supply and the load, the first path being used to spray the aerosol source and the second path being used to obtain a value related to the load temperature. The control unit is configured to force the second path to work after the completion of the first path.

[0017] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to force the second path to operate after the first path has been completed a plurality of times.

[0018] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to reduce the number of times the first path is actuated before the second path is actuated as the number of jobs or load operations increases after replacing the storage means with new storage means or after of how the aerosol source in the storage facility has been replenished.

[0019] In an embodiment, the first path has a resistance value less than the resistance value of the second path, and the control unit is configured to discriminate between the first state and the second state based on a change in the value related to the load temperature after the operation of the first path or during the operation of the second paths.

[0020] In an embodiment, the first path has a resistance value less than the resistance value of the second path, and the control unit is configured to discriminate between the first state and the second state based on a change in the value related to the load temperature after the first path is completed or during work of the second way.

[0021] In an embodiment, the first path has a resistance value less than the resistance value of the second path, and the control unit is configured to discriminate between the first state and the second state based on a time derivative value relative to the operating load temperature of the second path.

[0022] In an embodiment, the time derivative when the second state is determined is less than the time derivative when the first state is determined.

[0023] In an embodiment, the circuit includes: a single path that is connected in series with the load and is used to spray the aerosol source and to obtain a value related to the load temperature; and a device adapted to smooth the electrical power supplied to the load.

[0024] In an embodiment, the circuit includes a single path that is connected in series with the load and is used to atomize the aerosol source and obtain the temperature of the load, and the aerosol generating device further includes a low pass filter. The load temperature value obtained by the element passes through a low-pass filter, and the control unit is configured to obtain a temperature-related value that has passed through the low pass filter.

[0025] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to discriminate between the first state and the second state based on the time period elapsed from when the single path operates until the value related to the load temperature reaches a threshold value.

[0026] In an embodiment, the period of time when it is determined that the first state is present is shorter than the period of time when it is determined that the second state is.

[0027] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to correct a condition for distinguishing between the first state and the second state based on one or more thermal load histories obtained by operating the circuit.

[0028] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to receive a change in the aerosol generation request time intervals based on the request and correct the condition based on the heat load history obtained from the change in the request time intervals.

[0029] In an embodiment, the control node is configured to correct the condition to reduce the likelihood that it is determined that the first state occurs when the time interval from when the request was completed to when the next request starts is short.

[0030] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to make the effect of the old heat history included in one or more heat load histories on the condition correction less than the effect of the new heat history included in one or more heat load histories on the condition correction ...

[0031] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to correct the condition based on one or more thermal load histories obtained from the load temperature when the circuit was operating.

[0032] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to correct the condition to reduce the likelihood that it is determined that the first condition occurs because the temperature of the load when the circuit was operating is high.

[0033] In accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for operating an aerosol generating device, which includes the steps of: heating a load to spray an aerosol source; and distinguish between the first state of the aerosol generating device in which the stored aerosol source is insufficient in quantity, and the second state of the aerosol generating device in which the stored aerosol source is not insufficient in quantity, while the aerosol source held in a possible state of heating by the load is insufficient in quantity based on the change in value related to the load temperature.

[0034] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating device, which includes: a power supply; a load configured to generate heat when receiving electricity from a power source and atomizing the aerosol source; an element that is used to obtain a value related to the load temperature; a circuit configured to electrically connect a power source and a load; storage means configured to store the aerosol source; a holding unit configured to hold a source of aerosol coming from the storage means to ensure that the held source of aerosol is in a possible state of heating by the load; and a control unit configured to determine whether the aerosol generating device is in a state in which the storage means is capable of supplying an aerosol source while the aerosol source held by the holding unit is insufficient in quantity based on a change in the value related to load temperature after circuit operation.

[0035] In an embodiment, due to a state in which the storage means is capable of supplying an aerosol source while the aerosol source held by the holding unit is insufficient in quantity, the load temperature exceeds the boiling point of the aerosol source.

[0036] In accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for operating an aerosol generating device, which includes the steps of: heating a load to spray an aerosol source; and determining whether the aerosol generating device is in a state in which the stored aerosol source is not insufficient in quantity, while the aerosol source held in a possible heating state by the load is insufficient in quantity, based on the change in the value related to the load temperature ...

[0037] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating device, which includes: a power supply; a load configured to generate heat when receiving electricity from a power source and atomizing the aerosol source; an element that is used to obtain a value related to the load temperature; a circuit configured to electrically connect a power source and a load; storage means configured to store the aerosol source; a holding unit configured to hold a source of aerosol coming from the storage means to ensure that the held source of aerosol is in a possible state of heating by the load; and a control unit configured to distinguish between a first state of the aerosol generating device in which the aerosol source stored in the storage means is insufficient in quantity, and a second state of the aerosol generating device in which the storage means is capable of supplying the aerosol source while the aerosol source held by the holding unit is insufficient in quantity, based on the change in the value related to the load temperature after the operation of the circuit, and due to the first state in which the aerosol source stored in the storage means is insufficient in quantity, or the second state in which the storage means is capable of delivering an aerosol source while the aerosol source held by the retention unit is insufficient in quantity, the load temperature reaches a predetermined temperature that is below the boiling point of the aerosol source or the temperature at which the aerosol is generated occurs by evaporation of the aerosol source, earlier than in a state other than the first state and the second state.

[0038] According to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for operating an aerosol generating device, which includes the steps of: heating a load to spray an aerosol source; and distinguish between the first state of the aerosol generating device in which the stored aerosol source is insufficient in quantity, and the second state in which the aerosol source held in its possible state of being heated by the load is not insufficient in quantity, while the aerosol source held in the possible state of its heating by the load is insufficient in quantity, based on a change in the value related to the temperature of the load, and due to the first state in which the stored aerosol source is insufficient in quantity, or the second state in which the stored aerosol source is not insufficient in quantity , while the aerosol source held in its possible state of heating by the load is insufficient in quantity, the load temperature reaches a predetermined temperature that is below the boiling point of the aerosol source or the temperature at which the aerosol is generated by and pairing of the aerosol source, earlier than in a state other than the first state and the second state.

[0039] According to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, a program is provided for causing a processor to execute any of the above methods when executed by the processor.

[0040] To solve the second problem described above, according to a second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating device, which includes: a power supply; a load configured to generate heat when receiving electricity from a power source and atomizing the aerosol source; an element that is used to obtain a value related to the load temperature; a circuit configured to electrically connect a power source and a load; storage means configured to store the aerosol source; a holding unit configured to hold a source of aerosol coming from the storage means to ensure that the held source of aerosol is in a possible state of being heated by a load; and the control unit configured, upon detecting a dry state in which the load temperature exceeds the boiling point of the aerosol source due to a condition under which the storage means is capable of supplying an aerosol source while the aerosol source held by the holding unit is insufficient in quantity, or, upon detecting an indication of a dry state, perform control to increase the retention amount of the aerosol source held by the retention unit, or control to improve the ability to increase the retention amount at at least one of the starting time of power supply from the power source to the load and the time termination of the supply of electricity from the power source to the load.

[0041] In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device includes a notification means configured to provide a notification to a user, and the control unit is configured to cause the notification means to function upon detecting a dry condition or an indication of a dry condition.

[0042] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to perform control for setting an interval from the end of aerosol generation to the start of the next aerosol generation longer than the previous interval when a dry condition or dry condition is detected.

[0043] In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device includes a notification means configured to provide a notification to a user, and the control unit is configured to cause the notification means to function upon detecting a dry condition or an indication of a dry condition, and perform control to make the next interval longer the previous interval upon further detection of a dry condition or sign of a dry condition after the notification facility has been run one or more times.

[0044] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to adjust the interval length based on at least one of the viscosity of the aerosol source, the residual amount of the aerosol source, the magnitude of the electrical load resistance, and the temperature of the power source.

[0045] In an embodiment, an aerosol generating device includes a delivery device capable of adjusting at least one of an amount and a velocity of an aerosol source to be supplied from the storage means to the holding unit. The control unit is configured, upon detecting a dry condition or a sign of a dry condition, to control the feeding device to increase at least one of the amount and speed of the aerosol source to be supplied from the storage means to the holding unit.

[0046] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to control a circuit to reduce the amount of generated aerosol upon detecting a dry condition or a dry sign.

[0047] In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device includes a temperature controller capable of adjusting the temperature of the aerosol source. The control unit is configured to control the temperature controller for heating the aerosol source upon detecting a dry state or a sign of a dry state.

[0048] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to control the temperature controller for heating the aerosol source when no aerosol is generated by the load.

[0049] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to use the load as a temperature controller.

[0050] In one embodiment, an aerosol generating device includes a modifier unit capable of changing the resistance to air flow in the aerosol generating device. The control unit is configured to control the change unit to increase the resistance to air flow upon detecting a dry condition or a sign of a dry condition.

[0051] In an embodiment, an aerosol generating device includes a requesting node that issues a request to generate an aerosol. The control unit is configured to control the circuit in accordance with the correlation, in which, as the request becomes larger, the amount of generated aerosol increases, and, upon detecting a dry state or a sign of a dry state, correcting the correlation to decrease the amount of generated aerosol in accordance with the value request.

[0052] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to execute a first control execution mode to make the interval from the completion of aerosol generation to the start of the next aerosol generation longer than the previous interval, and a second control execution mode to increase the holding amount of the aerosol source, or control for improving the ability to increase the holding amount without performing the interval control at at least one of the time when the power supply to the load starts and the time when the power supply from the power source to the load ends. The control unit is configured to perform the second mode, rather than the first mode, upon detecting a dry condition or a dry condition sign.

[0053] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to execute the first mode upon further detection of a dry condition or dry sign after executing the second mode.

[0054] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to detect a dry condition based on a change in load temperature after initiation of circuit operation.

[0055] In an embodiment, an aerosol generating device includes a requesting node configured to output a request to generate an aerosol. The control unit is configured to detect a dry condition based on a change in the time series of the request.

[0056] In accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for operating an aerosol generating device, which includes the steps of: heating a load to spray an aerosol source; and, upon detecting a dry state in which the load temperature exceeds the boiling point of the aerosol source due to a condition in which the stored aerosol source is not insufficient in quantity, while the aerosol source held in a possible state of heating by the load is insufficient in quantity, or upon detecting the dry state, performing control to increase the retained amount of the remaining aerosol source or control to increase the ability to increase the retained amount at at least one of the start time of the power supply to the load and the time of the end of power supply to the load.

[0057] According to a second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating device, which includes: a power supply; a load configured to generate heat when receiving electricity from a power source and atomizing the aerosol source; an element that is used to obtain a value related to the load temperature; a circuit configured to electrically connect a power source and a load; storage means configured to store the aerosol source; a holding unit configured to hold a source of aerosol coming from the storage means to ensure that the held source of aerosol is in a possible state of heating by the load; and a control unit configured to perform aerosol generation suppression control or control to improve aerosol suppression capability, in an interval corresponding to a period of time, as long as an aerosol source with an amount greater than or equal to the amount used for aerosol generation is supplied from the storage means to the holding unit upon completion of the aerosol generation.

[0058] In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device includes a notification means configured to provide a notification to a user. The control unit is configured to control the notification means in the first mode during aerosol generation and to control the notification means in the second mode other than the first mode during the interval.

[0059] In an embodiment, an aerosol generating device includes a requesting node configured to output a request to generate an aerosol. The control node is configured to control the notification means in a third mode other than the second mode when the control node receives a request during an interval.

[0060] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to control the circuit to prevent aerosol formation during the interval.

[0061] In an embodiment, an aerosol generating device includes a requesting node configured to issue a request to generate an aerosol. The control unit is configured to correct the interval length based on at least one of the magnitude and change of the request.

[0062] In accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for operating an aerosol generating device, which includes the steps of: heating a load to spray an aerosol source and generating an aerosol; and performing aerosol generation suppression control or aerosol generation suppression control, in an interval corresponding to a period of time, as long as the aerosol source stored with an amount greater than or equal to the amount used for aerosol generation is kept in its possible state heating by load, after the completion of aerosol generation.

[0063] According to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating device that includes: a power supply; a load configured to generate heat when receiving electricity from a power source and atomizing the aerosol source; an element that is used to obtain a value related to the load temperature; a circuit configured to electrically connect a power source and a load; storage means configured to store the aerosol source; a holding unit configured to hold a source of aerosol coming from the storage means to ensure that the held source of aerosol is in a possible state of heating by the load; and a control unit configured, when the storage means is capable of supplying an aerosol source while the aerosol source held by the holding unit is insufficient in quantity, control to increase the holding amount of the aerosol source held by the holding unit, or control to increase the ability increasing the holding amount at at least one of the time when the power supply starts from the power supply to the load and the time when the power supply ends from the power source to the load.

[0064] According to a second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for operating an aerosol generating device, which includes the steps of: heating a load to spray an aerosol source; and when the amount of the stored aerosol source is not insufficient in quantity, while the aerosol source held in the possible warming state by the load is insufficient in quantity, control is performed to increase the holding amount of the held aerosol source or control to increase the ability to increase the holding amount in at least one of the start time of the power supply to the load and the time of the end of power supply to the load.

[0065] According to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, a program is provided that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform any of the methods described above.

[0066] To solve the first problem described above, according to a third embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating apparatus, which includes: a power supply; a load configured to generate heat when receiving electricity from a power source and atomizing the aerosol source; an element that is used to obtain a value related to the load temperature; a circuit configured to electrically connect a power source and a load; storage means configured to store the aerosol source; a holding unit configured to hold a source of aerosol coming from the storage means to ensure that the held source of aerosol is in a possible state of heating by the load; and a control unit configured to: distinguish between a first state of the aerosol generating device in which the aerosol source stored in the storage means is insufficient in quantity and a second state in which the storage means is capable of supplying the aerosol source while the aerosol source, held by the holding unit is insufficient in quantity based on a change in the value related to the load temperature after the operation of the circuit or during the operation of the circuit; perform the first control upon detecting the first state; and perform a second control different from the first control when the second state is detected.

[0067] In an embodiment, due to the first state in which the aerosol source stored in the storage means is insufficient in quantity, or the second state in which the storage means is capable of supplying the aerosol source while the aerosol source held by the holding unit is insufficient in quantity, the load temperature exceeds the boiling point of the aerosol source.

[0068] In the embodiment, in the second control, the amount of the aerosol source stored in the storage means decreases more than in the first control.

[0069] In an embodiment, the control to be performed by the control node in the second control changes more variables and / or more algorithms than the control to be performed by the control node in the first control.

[0070] In an embodiment, the number of operations required for the user to generate the aerosol in the second control is less than the number of operations required for the user to generate the aerosol in the first control.

[0071] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to inhibit aerosol generation for at least a predetermined period of time in the first control and the second control.

[0072] In an embodiment, the time period during which aerosol generation is suppressed in the second control is shorter than the time period during which aerosol generation is suppressed in the first control.

[0073] In an embodiment, each of the first control and the second control have, respectively, return conditions for transition from a state in which generation of aerosol is suppressed to a state in which generation of aerosol is enabled. The return condition in the first control is more stringent than the return condition in the second control.

[0074] In an embodiment, the number of component replacement operations in the aerosol generating device that is included in the return condition in the first control is greater than the number of component replacement operations in the aerosol generation device that is included in the return condition in the second control.

[0075] In an embodiment, an aerosol generating device includes one or more notification means configured to provide a notification to a user. The number of notification means operating in the first control is greater than the number of notification means operating in the second control.

[0076] In an embodiment, an aerosol generating device includes one or more notification means configured to provide a notification to a user. The time period during which one or more notification means operate under the first control is longer than the time period during which one or more notification means operate under the second control.

[0077] In an embodiment, an aerosol generating device includes one or more notification means configured to provide a notification to a user. The amount of electricity to be supplied from the power source to one or more notification means in the first control is greater than the amount of electricity to be supplied from the power source to one or more notification means in the second control.

[0078] In accordance with a third embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for operating an aerosol generating device, which includes the steps of: heating a load to spray an aerosol source; distinguish between the first state of the aerosol generating device in which the stored aerosol source is insufficient in quantity, and the second state of the aerosol generating device in which the stored aerosol source is not insufficient in quantity, while the aerosol source held in a possible state of heating by the load, is insufficient in quantity based on a change in the value related to the load temperature after spraying the aerosol source or during spraying of the aerosol source; performing the first control in determining the first state; and performing a second control different from the first control when determining the second state.

[0079] In one embodiment, due to the first state in which the aerosol source stored in the storage means is insufficient in quantity, or the second state in which the storage means is capable of delivering the aerosol source while the aerosol source held by the holding unit, is insufficient in quantity, the load temperature exceeds the boiling point of the aerosol source.

[0080] According to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, a program is provided that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to execute any of the above methods.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0081] According to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an aerosol generating device that performs appropriate control when the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity, and to provide a method and program for operating it.

[0082] According to a second embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide an aerosol generating device that suppresses temporary insufficiency of an aerosol source in a holding unit configured to contain an aerosol source coming from an aerosol source storage means, and provide a method and a program for activating it ...

[0083] According to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an aerosol generating device that performs appropriate control when the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity, and to provide a method and program for operating it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0084] FIG. 1A is a schematic block diagram of the configuration of an aerosol generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 1B is a block diagram of a configuration of an aerosol generating apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary circuit configuration of a portion of an aerosol generating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

3 is a diagram illustrating another exemplary circuit configuration of a portion of an aerosol generating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

4 is a flowchart of an example of a process for detecting insufficient aerosol source in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

5A and 5B are timing charts showing examples of switching times of switches Q1 and Q2 in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a process for detecting a deficiency of an aerosol source in an aerosol generating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a process for detecting a deficiency of an aerosol source in an aerosol generating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary circuit configuration of a portion of an aerosol generating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a timing diagram illustrating the timing of spraying an aerosol source and estimating the residual amount of the aerosol source using switch Q1 in the aerosol generating apparatus, including the circuit of FIG. 8. FIG.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process for detecting a deficiency of an aerosol source in an aerosol generating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a graph schematically showing a time series change of load resistance value when a user takes a normal inhalation using an aerosol generating device.

Fig. 12A is a graph schematically showing the time series change of the load resistance value when the interval from the moment when the user's inhalation is completed to the beginning of the next inhalation is shorter than the normal interval.

12B is a flowchart illustrating condition correction processing for discriminating between a first state and a second state in a case where the user's inhalation is performed at a short interval according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 13A is a graph schematically showing a change in a time series of a load resistance value when the period of time required to cool the load becomes longer than usual due to a decrease in load and the like.

Fig. 13B is a flowchart illustrating a process for correcting a condition to distinguish between a first state and a second state in a case where the time period required for cooling the load is longer than the normal case according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

14 is a flowchart illustrating a process for suppressing temporary insufficiency of an aerosol source in a holding unit in an aerosol generating apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the inhalation interval calibration that is performed in the process of FIG. 14. FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTATION OPTIONS

[0085] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that although the embodiments of the present disclosure include an electronic cigarette, a heated cigarette, and a nebulizer, no limitation is intended thereto. Embodiments of the present invention may include various aerosol generating devices for generating an aerosol to be inhaled by a user.

[0086] FIG. 1A is a schematic block diagram of the configuration of an aerosol generating apparatus 100A according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be noted that FIG. 1A shows the components included in the aerosol generating device 100A schematically and conceptually, and does not show strict arrangement, shapes, dimensions, positional relationships, or the like. components and aerosol generating device 100A.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 1A, the aerosol generating device 100A includes a first element 102 and a second element 104. As shown in the drawing, by way of example, the first element 102 may include a control unit 106, a notification means 108, a source Power 110, an element 112 such as a sensor, and a memory 114. The first element 102 may also include circuitry 134 described below. By way of example, second element 104 may include storage 116, nebulizer 118, air inlet 120, aerosol flow duct 121, mouthpiece 122, containment assembly 130, and load 132. Some of the components included in first element 102 may be included into the second element 104. Some of the components included in the second element 104 may be included in the first element 102. The second element 104 may be detachable to the first element 102. Alternatively, all of the components included in the first element 102 and the second element 104 may be housed in the same housing instead of the first element 102 and the second element 104.

[0088] The storage means 116 may be in the form of a reservoir in which liquid is stored. The aerosol source is a liquid, for example a polyalcohol such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water. When the aerosol generating device 100A is an electronic cigarette, the aerosol source in storage unit 116 may include tobacco material that, when heated, releases smoke flavoring ingredients, or an extract derived from the tobacco material. The retention assembly 130 holds the aerosol source. For example, the retention assembly 130 is made of a fibrous or porous material and retains the aerosol source in the form of a liquid in the gaps between the fibers or fine holes of the porous material. For example, cotton, glass fiber, tobacco material, or the like can be used as the aforementioned fibrous or porous material. When the aerosol generating device 100A is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may also include medication that is inhaled by the patient. As another example, storage means 116 may be configured in which a source of consumable aerosol can be replenished. Alternatively, the storage unit 116 itself may be replaceable when the aerosol source is consumed. The aerosol source is not limited to liquid and can be solid. When the aerosol source is solid, storage 116 may be, for example, a hollow container.

[0089] The nebulizer 118 is configured to nebulize an aerosol source and generate an aerosol. When the element 112 detects an inhalation action, the nebulizer 118 generates an aerosol. For example, a retention unit 130 is provided to connect the storage unit 116 and the nebulizer 118. In this case, a portion of the retention unit 130 communicates with the interior of the storage unit 116 and is in contact with the aerosol source. Another portion of the retention assembly 130 extends to the nebulizer 118. It should be noted that another portion of the retention assembly 130 extending to the nebulizer 118 may be housed in the nebulizer 118, or may again communicate with the interior of the storage means 116 through the nebulizer 118. The aerosol source is carried out storage 116 into nebulizer 118 due to the capillary effect of retention assembly 130. By way of example, nebulizer 118 includes a heater including a load 132 that is electrically connected to a power supply 110. The heater is located in contact with or in close contact with the retention assembly 130. When an inhalation action is detected, the control unit 106 controls the heater of the nebulizer 118 to heat the aerosol source carried through the holding unit 130 to thereby nebulize the aerosol source. Another example of nebulizer 118 may be an ultrasonic nebulizer that nebulizes an aerosol source using ultrasonic vibration. The air inlet 120 is connected to the nebulizer 118 and communicates the outside with the aerosol generating device 100A. The aerosol generated in the nebulizer 118 is mixed with the air sucked in through the air inlet 120. The mixed aerosol liquid and air enter the aerosol flow path 121 as indicated by arrow 124. The aerosol flow path 121 is tubular for transporting to the mouthpiece 122 the mixed liquid from the air and aerosol generated in the nebulizer 118.

[0090] The mouthpiece 122 is located at the outlet end of the aerosol flow passage 121 and is configured to open the aerosol flow passage 121 to the outside for the aerosol generating device 100A. The user holds the mouthpiece 122 in the mouth and inhales to thereby draw the aerosol-containing air into the user's mouth.

[0091] Notifier 108 may include a light emitting element such as an LED, display, speaker, vibrator, or the like. The notification means 108 is configured to provide a user with a notification by emitting light, displaying, generating sound, vibration, and the like. according to the need.

[0092] The power supply 110 supplies power to each of the components, such as the notification means 108, the element 112, the memory 114, the load 132, and the aerosol generating device 100A circuitry 134. The power supply 110 can also be charged by connecting to an external power source through a predetermined port (not shown) of the aerosol generating device 100A. Only the power supply 110 can be disconnected from the first element 102 or aerosol generating device 100A and can be replaced with a new power supply 110. The power supply 110 can be replaced with a new power supply 110 by replacing the entire first cell 102 with a new first cell 102.

[0093] Element 112 is a component used to obtain a value related to the temperature of load 132. Element 112 may be configured to be used to obtain a value required to obtain a value of current flowing through load 132, resistance value of load 132, and the like. ...

[0094] Element 112 may also include a pressure sensor that detects pressure fluctuations in the air inlet 120 and / or in the aerosol flow channel 121, or a flow sensor that detects the flow rate in the air inlet 120 and / or the aerosol flow channel 121 ... Element 112 may also include a weight sensor that senses the weight of a component, such as storage device 116. Element 112 may also be configured to count the number of times a user puffs using aerosol generating device 100A. Element 112 may also be configured to integrate the timing of energization of nebulizer 118. Element 112 may also be configured to detect the height of a liquid surface in storage means 116. Element 112 may also be configured to receive or detect SOC (State of Charge). integrated value of current, voltage, etc. power supply 110. SOC can be obtained by a current integration method (coulomb counting method), SOC-OCV (open circuit voltage) method, or the like. Element 112 may also be a control button or the like that is operated by a user.

[0095] The control unit 106 may be an electronic circuit module made in the form of a microprocessor or a microcomputer. The control unit 106 may be configured to control the operation of the aerosol generating device 100A in accordance with computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 114. The memory 114 is a storage medium such as ROM, RAM, or flash memory. The memory 114, in addition to the aforementioned computer-executable instructions, may store setting data necessary for controlling the aerosol generating apparatus 100A or the like. For example, memory 114 may store various pieces of data, such as data indicating how the notification means 108 is controlled (e.g., a mode such as emitting light, generating sound, or vibrating), a value obtained and / or determined by element 112, and a heating history of the nebulizer. 118. The control unit 106 reads data from the memory 114 as required to control the aerosol generating device 100A, and stores the read data in the memory 114 as required.

[0096] FIG. 1B is a schematic block diagram of the configuration of an aerosol generating apparatus 100B in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0097] As shown in the drawing, the aerosol generating device 100B includes a third member 126 in addition to the configuration of the aerosol generating device 100A of FIG. 1A. The third element 126 may include a flavor source 128. For example, when the aerosol generating device 100B is an electronic cigarette or a heated cigarette, the flavor source 128 may contain smoke flavoring ingredients contained in the tobacco. As shown in the drawing, the aerosol flow path 121 extends from the second element 104 to the third element 126. The mouthpiece 122 fits into the third element 126.

[0098] The flavor source 128 is a component for imparting flavor to an aerosol. A flavor source 128 is located in a portion of the aerosol flow passage 121. The mixed fluid of air and aerosol generated by the nebulizer 118 (hereinafter, it should be noted that the mixed fluid may be simply referred to as "aerosol") flows through the aerosol flow channel 121 to the mouthpiece 122. Thus, the source 128 of flavor is located downstream of the nebulizer 118 in relation to the aerosol flow. In other words, the flavor source 128 is located closer to the mouthpiece 122 in the aerosol flow channel 121 than the nebulizer 118. Accordingly, the aerosol generated by the nebulizer 118 passes through the flavor source 128 and then reaches the mouthpiece 122. When the aerosol passes through the flavor source 128, the aerosol is communicated with smoke flavoring ingredients contained in flavor source 128. As an example, when the aerosol generating device 100B is an electronic cigarette or a heated cigarette, the flavor source 128 may be obtained from tobacco such as shredded tobacco or from a processed product obtained by molding the tobacco material into a particle, sheet, or powder. The flavor source 128 can also be derived from a material other than tobacco derived from plants (eg, mint, herbs, etc.) other than tobacco. As an example, flavor source 128 contains a nicotine ingredient. The flavor source 128 may contain perfume ingredients such as menthol. In addition to the flavor source 128, the storage unit 116 may also contain substances containing smoke flavoring ingredients. For example, the aerosol generating device 100B may be configured to retain tobacco-derived flavors in the flavor source 128 and contain non-tobacco flavors in the storage 116.

[0099] The user can breathe in air containing an aerosol that imparts flavor to the user's mouth by holding the mouthpiece 122 in the user's mouth and inhaling.

[0100] The control unit 106 is configured to control, in various ways, aerosol generating devices 100A and 100B (hereinafter also collectively referred to as "aerosol generating device 100") in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0101] In the aerosol generating device, if the user inhales when the aerosol source is insufficient, the user cannot be provided with a sufficient amount of aerosol. In addition, in the case of an electronic cigarette or a heated cigarette, an aerosol having an unintentional smoke aroma (hereinafter also referred to as "unintentional behavior") may be emitted. The inventors of the present application have recognized as an important problem to be solved, the fact that unintended behavior occurs not only when the aerosol source in storage means 116 is insufficient in quantity, but also when a sufficient amount of aerosol source remains in storage means 116. while the source of aerosol in the retention unit 130 is temporarily insufficient in quantity. To solve this problem, the inventors of the present application have invented an aerosol generating device capable of identifying which of the aerosol source in the storage means 116 and the aerosol source in the holding unit 130 is insufficient, and invented a method and program for operating the aerosol generating device. The present inventors have also invented an aerosol generating device for suppressing temporary insufficiency of an aerosol source in a holding unit configured to contain an aerosol source coming from an aerosol source storage means, and have invented a method and program for operating the aerosol generating device. The inventors of the present application have also invented an aerosol generating device capable of performing appropriate control when distinguishing between a state of the aerosol generating device in which the aerosol source stored in the storage means 116 is insufficient in quantity and another state in which the storage means 116 is capable of supplying the aerosol source while the aerosol source held by the holding unit 130 is insufficient in quantity, and a method and program have been invented for operating the aerosol generating device. Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail, mainly on the assumption that the aerosol generating device has the configuration shown in FIG. 1A. However, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that an embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to cases where the aerosol generating device has each of various configurations, such as the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1B.

[0102] First embodiment

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a portion of an aerosol generating apparatus 100A according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0103] The circuit 200 shown in FIG. 2 includes a power supply 110, a control unit 106, an element 112, a load 132 (also called a "heater resistance"), a first channel 202, a second channel 204, a switch Q1 including itself a first field-effect transistor (FET) 206, a DC voltage output circuit 208, a switch Q2 including a second field-effect transistor (FET) 210, and a resistor 212 (also called a "shunt resistor"). It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that not only a field effect transistor, but also various elements such as an iGBT and a contactor can be used as switches Q1 and Q2.

[0104] Circuit 134 shown in FIG. 1A may be electrically connected to power supply 110 and load 132 and may include first path 202 and second path 204. First path 202 and second path 204 are connected in parallel to power supply 110 ( and load 132). The first path 202 may include a switch Q1. The second path 204 may include a switch Q2, a constant voltage output circuit 208, a resistor 212, and an element 112. The first path 202 may have a resistance value less than the second path 204. In this example, element 112 is a voltage sensor and is configured determining the voltage value across the resistor 212. However, the configuration of the element 112 is not limited to this. For example, element 112 can be a current sensor and can be configured to sense a value of current flowing through resistor 212.

[0105] As indicated by the dotted arrows in FIG. 2, the control unit 106 may control the Q1 switch, the Q2 switch, and the like, and may obtain a value determined by the element 112. The control unit 106 may be configured to switch the Q1 switch from off states to an on state to cause the first path 202 to function, and may be configured to switch the switch Q2 from an off state to an on state to cause the second path 204 to function. The control unit 106 may be configured to alternately switch the switches Q1 and Q2 to cause the first path 202 and the second path 204 to operate alternately. With this configuration, as described below, even after generating the aerosol (after inhalation of the user) or even during the generation aerosol (while the user is inhaling), the control unit 106 can distinguish between the first state of the aerosol generating device 100 (a state in which the aerosol source stored in the storage means 116 is insufficient in quantity) and a second state of the aerosol generating device 100 (a state in which the means storage 116 is capable of delivering an aerosol source while the aerosol source held by the containment assembly 130 is insufficient in quantity) to determine that the aerosol source is insufficient.

[0106] The control unit 106 may be configured to provide a predetermined interval from the time when the switch Q1 of the first path 202 is switched from an on state to an off state until the moment when the switch Q2 of the second path 204 is switched from an off state to an on state ...

[0107] The first path 202 is used to nebulize an aerosol source. When the switch Q1 is turned on to cause the first path 202 to operate, power is supplied to the heater (or load 132 in the heater) and the load 132 is heated. The aerosol source held by the holding unit 130 in the nebulizer 118 is sprayed by heating with the load 132, and thus the aerosol is generated.

[0108] The second path 204 is used to obtain a value related to the temperature of the load 132. As an example, it is assumed that the element 112 included in the second path 204 is a voltage sensor as shown in FIG. When switch Q2 is on and the second path 204 is operating, current flows through the constant voltage output circuit 208, switch Q2, resistor 212, and load 132. The value of the current flowing through load 132 can be obtained using the voltage value applied to the resistor 212, the value voltage received by element 112 and the known value R _{shunt of the} resistance of the resistor 212. Since the sum of the resistance values of the resistor 212 and the load 132 can be obtained from the output voltage V _{out of the} DC voltage output circuit 208 and the obtained current value, the value R _HTR of the load resistance 132 can be obtained by subtracting the known value of the resistance R _shunt from the total value. When the load 132 has a positive or negative temperature coefficient characteristic in which the resistance value changes with temperature, the temperature of the load 132 can be calculated based on the R _HTR value of the load 132 obtained as described above and the relationship between the previously measured value of the load resistance. 132 and load temperature 132. The value related to load temperature 132 in this example is the voltage applied across resistor 212. However, one skilled in the art would appreciate that load temperature 132 can be calculated using the value of current flowing through resistor 212. Therefore, a specific example of element 112 is not limited to a voltage sensor and may include another element such as a current sensor (eg, a Hall element).

[0109] In FIG. 2, the constant voltage output circuit 208 is shown as a linear off regulator (LDO), and may include a capacitor 214, a field effect transistor 216, an error amplifier 218, a voltage reference 220, resistors 222 and 224, and a capacitor 226. When the voltage of the reference voltage source 220 is represented as V _REF , and the resistance value of the resistors 222 and 224 is represented as R1 and R2, respectively, the output voltage V _OUT of the constant voltage output circuit 208 is represented as V _OUT = (R2 / (R1 + R2) ) × V _REF . A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the configuration of the constant voltage output circuit 208 shown in FIG. 2 is just one example, and various configurations are possible.

[0110] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another example of a circuit configuration of a portion of an aerosol generating apparatus 100A according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0111] As in FIG. 2, the circuit 300 shown in FIG. 3 includes a power supply 110, a control unit 106, an element 112, a load 132, a first path 302, a second path 304, a switch Q1 including a first field effect transistor 306, a switch Q2, including a second field-effect transistor 310, a constant voltage output circuit 308, and a resistor 312. Unlike FIG. 2, a constant voltage output circuit 308 is located on the power supply side of the first path 302. In this example, the constant voltage output circuit 308 is a switching regulator, and includes a capacitor 314, a field effect transistor 316, an inductor 318, a diode 320, and a capacitor 322. As in the case of FIG. 2, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the circuit shown in FIG. 3 operates to atomize an aerosol source, when the first path 302 is operating, and to obtain a temperature-related value, the load 132 when the second path 304 is operating. It should be noted that in the circuit shown in FIG. The DC voltage output ma 308 is a step-up switching regulator (called a boost converter) that boosts and outputs an input voltage, and alternatively can be a buck-type switching regulator (aka buck converter) that reduces and outputs an input voltage instead of a boost-type switching regulator, or it can be a boost / buck-type switching regulator (called a boost / buck converter) that can increase and decrease the input voltage.

[0112] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example of a process for determining insufficient aerosol source in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, all steps will be described as being performed by the control node 106. However, it should be noted that some of the steps may be performed by another component in the aerosol generating device 100. It should be noted that although the present embodiment has been described using circuitry 200 shown in FIG. 2, by way of example, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the description can be made using the circuit 300 shown in FIG. 3 or another circuit.

[0113] The process begins at step 402. At step 402, the control unit 106 determines whether a user's inhalation has been detected based on information received from a pressure sensor, a flow sensor, and / or the like. For example, when the output values of these sensors change sequentially, the control unit 106 may determine that a user's inhalation has been detected. Alternatively, the control unit 106 may determine that a user's inhalation has been detected based on the fact that a button has been pressed to start generating an aerosol, etc.

[0114] When it is determined that inhalation is detected (Yes at 402), the process proceeds to 404. At 404, the control unit 106 switches the Q1 switch ON to cause the first path 202 to operate.

[0115] The process proceeds to block 406, the control unit 106 determines whether inhalation has been completed. When it is determined that inhalation has been completed (Yes at 406), the process proceeds to 408.

[0116] In step 408, the control unit 106 switches the switch Q1 off. In step 410, the control unit 106 switches the Q2 switch on to cause the second path 204 to operate.

[0117] The process proceeds to block 412, and the control node 106 determines the current value of the second path 204, for example, as described above. In steps 414 and 416, the control unit 106 calculates each of the resistance and temperature values of the load 132 in accordance with a method, for example, as described above.

[0118] The process proceeds to block 418, and the control unit 106 determines whether the temperature of the load 132 exceeds a predetermined threshold value. When it is determined that the load temperature exceeds the threshold value (“Yes” at 418), the process proceeds to 420 and the control unit 106 determines that the aerosol source in the aerosol generating device 100A is insufficient in quantity. On the other hand, when it is determined that the load temperature does not exceed the threshold value (NO at 418), it is not determined that the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity.

[0119] It should be noted that the process shown in FIG. 4 simply illustrates an exemplary flow for determining whether the aerosol source in the aerosol generating device 100A is insufficient in quantity, and that the process for discriminating between insufficient quantity of the aerosol source in the storage medium 116. and the insufficient amount of aerosol source in the holding device 130 is not shown in FIG. 4, where the process is specific to the present embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0120] As used herein, insufficient aerosol source in storage means 116 means not only that the aerosol source is completely depleted in storage means 116, but also that a sufficient amount of aerosol source cannot be supplied to storage unit 130. As used herein, insufficient aerosol source at containment unit 130 means not only that the aerosol source is completely depleted throughout the entire containment unit 130, but also that the aerosol source has been depleted at a portion of containment unit 130.

[0121] Figs. 5A and 5B are timing charts illustrating examples of switching timing of switches Q1 and Q2 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5A, the control unit 106 can toggle switch Q1 and switch Q2 while spraying the aerosol source (while inhaling by the user). As shown in FIG. 5B, the control unit 106 may turn switch Q1 off and switch Q2 on after nebulization of the aerosol source is completed (the user's inhalation has been completed).

[0122] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process for detecting insufficient aerosol source in aerosol generating apparatus 100A according to the present embodiment. In this example, as shown in FIG. 5A, it is assumed that switching of the Q1 switch and the Q2 switch is performed while the user is inhaling. In addition, all steps will be described as being performed by the control node 106. However, it should be noted that some of the steps may be performed by another component in the aerosol generating device 100.

[0123] The process at block 602 is the same as the process at block 402 in FIG. 4. When the predetermined condition is met, the control unit 106 determines that the user's inhalation has begun.

[0124] The process proceeds to block 604, and the control unit 106 switches the switch Q1 on to cause the first path 202 to operate. Therefore, electricity is supplied to the heater (or load 132 in the heater) and the aerosol source in the holding unit 130 is heated. to generate aerosol. In addition, at block 605, the control node 106 activates a timer (not shown). As another example, the timer may be activated not only when switch Q1 is switched on, but also when switch Q2 is switched on in step 606 described later.

[0125] The process proceeds to block 606 and the control unit 106 switches the Q1 switch off and the Q2 switch on. It should be noted that in the example of FIG. 6, this process is performed while the user is inhaling. When the process in step 606 is executed, the second path 204 operates and element 112 obtains a value relative to the temperature of the load 132 (e.g., the value of the voltage applied to the resistor 212, the value of the current flowing through the resistor 212 and the load 132, and / or the like) ... Load temperature 132 is calculated based on the obtained value as described above.

[0126] When the remaining amount of the aerosol source is sufficient, the heat added to the load 132 in step 604 is used to generate an aerosol by spraying the aerosol source. Accordingly, the temperature of the load 132 does not substantially exceed the boiling point of the aerosol source or the temperature (eg, 200 ° C) at which aerosol formation occurs as a result of vaporization of the aerosol source. On the other hand, when the aerosol source in the storage unit 116 and / or the aerosol source in the containment unit 130 is insufficient in quantity, heating the load 132 causes the entire or partial depletion of the aerosol source at the containment unit 130, resulting in an increase in the temperature of the load 132.

[0127] The process proceeds to block 608, and the control unit 106 determines whether the temperature (T _HTR ) of the load 132 exceeds a predetermined temperature (eg, 350 ° C). In this example, the temperature of the load 132 is compared to a temperature threshold. In another embodiment, the resistance value or load current value 132 may be compared to a resistance threshold or current threshold. In this case, the resistance threshold, the current threshold, and the like. is set to an appropriate value so that it can be sufficiently determined that the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity.

[0128] When the temperature of the load 132 does not exceed a predetermined temperature (NO at 608), the process proceeds to 610. At 610, the control unit 106 determines whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed based on the time indicated by the timer. When the predetermined period of time has elapsed (Yes at 610), the process proceeds to 612. At 612, the control unit 106 determines that the residual amount of the aerosol source in the storage means 116 and the holding unit 130 is sufficient and the process ends. When the predetermined time period has not elapsed (NO at 610), the process returns to 608.

[0129] When the temperature of the load 132 exceeds the predetermined temperature (“Yes” in step 608), the process proceeds to step 614. In step 614, the control unit 106 determines whether the time period from timer activation until now is less than a predetermined threshold value Δt _thre (e.g. 0.5 seconds).

[0130] In the case where the timer is activated when switch Q1 is toggled on in step 605, the predetermined threshold Δt _thre may be the sum of the first predetermined fixed value (for example, a predetermined period of time during which the switch Q1 is in on state) and a second predetermined fixed value (for example, a period of time that is less than or equal to a predetermined period of time during which the switch Q2 is in the on state). Alternatively, the predetermined threshold value may be the sum of the actually measured period of time during which the switch Q1 is in the on state and the above-described second predetermined fixed value.

[0131] In the case in which the timer is activated when the switch Q2 is turned on, the predetermined threshold value Δt _thre may be the above-described second predetermined fixed value.

[0132] When the case in which the aerosol source of the storage means 116 is insufficient in quantity is compared with the case in which the storage means 116 is capable of supplying the aerosol source while the aerosol source held by the holding unit 130 is insufficient in quantity, the period the time until the temperature of the load 132 reaches an unacceptably high temperature will be shorter in the first case than in the second case. This is because in the first case, since the aerosol source is not supplied to the containment unit 130, the electrical power supplied to the load 132 is used to increase the temperature of the load 132, while in the second case, since the aerosol source can be supplied from the storage means 116 to the containment assembly 130, the electrical power supplied to the load 132 can also be used to atomize the aerosol source.

[0133] When the time period from timer activation to present is less than a predetermined threshold (Yes at 614), the process proceeds to 616. At 616, the control unit 106 determines that the aerosol generating device 100 is in the first state. Since, in the first state, the aerosol source stored in the storage means 116 is insufficient in quantity, the load temperature 132 exceeds the boiling point of the aerosol source or the temperature at which the aerosol source is generated by the vaporization of the aerosol source. On the other hand, when the time period from timer activation to present is less than a predetermined threshold (NO at 614), the process proceeds to 624. At 624, the control unit 106 determines that the aerosol generating device 100 is in the second state ... Since, in the second state, the storage means 116 is capable of delivering an aerosol source, while the aerosol source held by the containment assembly 130 is insufficient in quantity, the load temperature 132 exceeds the boiling point of the aerosol source or the temperature at which the aerosol source is generated by vaporizing the aerosol source ... Thus, the control unit 106 may be configured to discriminate between the first state and the second state based on the period of time elapsed from when the first path 202 or the second path 204 operates until the value related to the load temperature 132 reaches the threshold value. ...

[0134] As used herein, insufficient aerosol source in the first state means a state in which the aerosol source in the storage means 116 is completely depleted, or a state in which a sufficient amount of the aerosol source cannot be supplied to the holding unit 130 because the amount of the aerosol source in storage medium 116 is small. In addition, as used herein, insufficient aerosol source in the second state means a state in which storage means 116 is capable of delivering an aerosol source while the aerosol source is completely depleted throughout the entire holding unit 130, or a state in which the aerosol source is depleted in a portion of the unit 130 retention. In both the first and second states, a sufficient amount of aerosol cannot be generated.

[0135] After block 616, the process proceeds to block 618, and the control module 106 uses notification means 108 or the like to allow the user to recognize that the aerosol generating device 100 is in the first state and the storage means 116 needs to be replaced (or the aerosol source in storage 116 needs to be replenished). The process proceeds to block 620 and the control node 106 enters the disconnect test mode. The process proceeds to block 622 and the control unit 106 determines whether a detachment of the storage medium 116 (or replenishment of the aerosol source) has been determined. When the detachment of the storage medium 116 is determined (Yes at 622), the process ends. Otherwise (NO at 622), the process returns to 618.

[0136] After block 624, the process proceeds to block 626, and the control unit 106 outputs a notification using a notification means 108 or the like to allow the user to recognize that the aerosol generating device 100 is in a second state. Then the process ends.

[0137] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to distinguish between a first state of the aerosol generating device 100A in which the aerosol source stored in the storage means 116 is insufficient in quantity, and a second state in which the storage means 116 is capable of supplying the aerosol source, while the aerosol source held by the retention unit 130 is insufficient in quantity based on the change in the value related to the load temperature 132 after the circuit 134 is operating. Accordingly, it is possible to determine with high accuracy whether the aerosol source is completely depleted.

[0138] In addition, as described above, the timer may be activated when switch Q1 is turned off, or may be activated when switch Q2 is turned on. The control unit 106 can discriminate between the first state and the second state based on a change in the value related to the load temperature 132 after the operation of the first path 202 or during the operation of the second path 204. Accordingly, in a configuration in which the first path 202 for generating aerosol and the second path 204 are alternately switched to the on state to detect insufficient aerosol source, a distinction can be made between the first state and the second state.

[0139] In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the first state may be defined as a state in which the aerosol source stored in the storage means 116 is insufficient in quantity, and therefore the temperature of the charge 132 reaches a predetermined temperature that is below the boiling point the aerosol source or temperature at which the aerosol is generated by evaporation of the aerosol source earlier than in a state other than the first state and the second state. In addition, the second state can be defined as a state in which the storage means 116 is capable of supplying an aerosol source while the aerosol source held by the holding unit 130 is insufficient in quantity, and therefore the temperature of the load 132 reaches a predetermined temperature. which is lower than the boiling point of the aerosol source, or the temperature at which the aerosol is formed by evaporation of the aerosol source, earlier than in a state other than the first state and the second state. In these cases, in comparison with the above-described embodiment of FIG. 6, the accuracy of determining the insufficiency of the aerosol source is reduced, but an earlier determination is possible.

[0140] As described above, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, there is a difference between the control (steps 618-622) to be performed in the first state in which the aerosol source stored in the storage means 116 is insufficient in quantity and the control (step 626) to be performed in a second state in which the storage means 116 is able to supply the aerosol source while the aerosol source held by the containment unit 130 is insufficient in quantity.

[0141] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating another process for determining insufficient aerosol source in aerosol generating apparatus 100A according to the present embodiment. In this example, as shown in FIG. 5B, it is assumed that after the user's inhalation is completed, switch Q1 is turned off and switch Q2 is turned on.

[0142] The process at block 702 is the same as the process at block 602 in FIG. 6.

[0143] The process proceeds to step 704, and the control unit 106 switches the Q1 switch ON to cause the first path 202 to operate. Accordingly, electrical power is supplied to the heater (load 132) and the aerosol source in the retention unit 130 is heated to generate spray can.

[0144] The process proceeds to block 706, the control unit 106 switches the Q1 switch off and the Q2 switch on. It should be noted that in the example of FIG. 7, this process is performed after the user's inhalation has been completed. When the process in step 706 is executed, the second path 204 operates, the element 112 receives a value related to the temperature of the load 132, and then the temperature of the load 132 is calculated based on the obtained value.

[0145] The process proceeds to block 708 and the control unit 106 activates a timer.

[0146] The process continues at block 710. The process at block 710 is the same as the process at block 608.

[0147] When the temperature of the load 132 does not exceed a predetermined temperature (NO at 710), the process continues to 712. The processes in steps 712 and 714 are the same as those in steps 610 and 612.

[0148] When the temperature of the load 132 exceeds a predetermined temperature (Yes at 710), the process proceeds to 716. At 716, the control unit 106 determines whether the time derivative of the temperature of the load 132 is greater than a predetermined threshold (for example , values less than zero).

[0149] In the case where the aerosol source in the holding unit 130 becomes insufficient in quantity during inhalation by the user, when the case in which the aerosol source of the storage means 116 is insufficient in quantity is compared with the case where the storage means 116 is capable of supplying the aerosol source while the aerosol source held by the containment assembly 130 is insufficient in quantity, the time derivative of the load 132 temperature after the user completes inhalation is greater in the first case than in the second case. This is due to the fact that in the first case, since the aerosol source does not enter the holding unit 130 after the user completes inhalation, the temperature of the load 132 increases and remains or continues to gradually decrease, while in the second case, since the aerosol source can be supplied from the storage means 116 into the holding unit 130 after the user completes inhalation, the temperature of the load 132 may decrease.

[0150] When the time derivative of the load temperature 132 exceeds the threshold (Yes at 716), the process proceeds to 718. At 718, the control unit 106 determines that the aerosol generating device 100A is in the first state in which the source aerosol stored in storage means 116 is insufficient in quantity. On the other hand, when the time derivative of the load temperature 132 is equal to or less than the threshold value (NO at 716), the process proceeds to 726. At 726, the control unit 106 determines that the aerosol generating device 100A is in the second state, wherein the storage means 116 is capable of delivering an aerosol source while the aerosol source held by the retention unit 130 is insufficient in quantity.

[0151] The processes in blocks 720-724 are the same as the processes in blocks 618-622. The process at block 728 is the same as the process at block 626.

[0152] In the example of FIG. 7, the control node 106 causes the second path 204 to operate after the first path 202 has been completed. Accordingly, in a static state in which no aerosol is generated, the first state and the second state of the aerosol generating apparatus 100 can be distinguished with high accuracy.

[0153] According to the example of FIG. 7, the control unit 106 may discriminate between the first state and the second state based on a change in the value related to the temperature of the load 132 after the operation of the first path 202 is completed or during the operation of the second path 204. Accordingly, in the configuration, in wherein the first aerosol generating duct 202 and the second aerosol source path 204 are in turn switched to an on state, the first state and the second state can be distinguished.

[0154] It should be noted that in the example of FIG. 7, the control unit 106 may cause the second path 204 to operate after the plurality of operations of the first path 202 are completed. For example, after five on / off operations of the Q1 switch have been completed (after completing five breaths user), switch Q2 can be toggled on. In this case, when the number of operations or the volume of the integrated load operation 132 increases after the storage means 116 has been replaced with new storage means 116, or after the aerosol source has been replenished in the storage means 116, the control unit 106 can reduce the number of drives of the first path 202 into action before making the second path 204 function.

[0155] Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 6, in the embodiment of FIG. 7, there is a difference between control (steps 720-724) to be performed in the first state and control (step 728) to be performed in the second state.

[0156] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration of a portion of an aerosol generating apparatus 100A according to the first embodiment of the present description.

[0157] The circuit 800 shown in FIG. 8 includes a power supply 110, a control unit 106, an element 112, a load 132, a single path 802, a switch Q1 including an FET 806, a constant voltage output circuit 808, and a resistor 812.

[0158] The circuitry 134 may be configured to include a single path 802 as shown in FIG. 8. Path 802 is in series with load 132. Path 802 may include a switch Q1 and a resistor 812. In this example, circuit 134 may further include a device (not shown) configured to smooth power supplied to load 132. This can reduce the influence of noise during transition (switch on and off), noise caused by impulse current, or the like, which makes it possible to distinguish between the first state and the second state with high precision.

[0159] As shown by the dashed arrows in FIG. 8, the control unit 106 can control the switch Q1 and can obtain the value determined by the element 112.

[0160] The control unit 106 switches the Q1 switch from an off state to an on state to cause the path 802 to function.

[0161] Path 802 is used to nebulize an aerosol source. When the switch Q1 is turned on to make the path 802 operate, power is supplied to the load 132 and the load 132 is heated. The aerosol source, held by the retention assembly 130 in the nebulizer 118, is nebulized by heating with a load 132 to generate an aerosol.

[0162] Path 802 is also used to obtain a value related to load temperature 132. When switch Q1 is on and path 802 is operating, current flows through DC output circuit 808, switch Q1, resistor 812, and load 132. As described above 2, when element 112 is a voltage sensor, the temperature of the load 132 can be calculated using the voltage value applied to the resistor 812 as a value relative to the temperature of the load 132. Similarly to the example in FIG. 2, a specific example of the element 112 is not limited to a voltage sensor and may include another element such as a current sensor (eg, a Hall element).

[0163] The aerosol generating device 100A with the configuration shown in FIG. 8 may further include a low pass filter (not shown). The value (current value, voltage value, or the like) related to the temperature of the load 132 obtained using element 112 may pass through a low pass filter. In this case, the control unit 106 can obtain a value related to the temperature that has passed through the low pass filter and calculate the temperature of the load 132 using the obtained value.

[0164] As in FIG. 2, the constant voltage output circuit 808 is shown as being an LDO regulator, and may include a capacitor 814, a field effect transistor 816, an error amplifier 818, a voltage reference 820, resistors 822 and 824, and a capacitor 826. The configuration of the DC voltage output circuit 808 is just one example, and various configurations are possible.

[0165] FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing the times of spraying an aerosol source and estimating the residual amount of the aerosol source using switch Q1 in aerosol generating apparatus 100A including circuit 800 in FIG. 8. Since the diagram in FIG. 8 has only one path 802, the control unit 106 also determines if the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity during spraying of the aerosol source (while inhaled by the user).

[0166] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process for detecting insufficient aerosol source in aerosol generating apparatus 100A according to an embodiment. In this example, it is assumed that the aerosol generating device 100A includes the circuit 800 shown in FIG. 8.

[0167] The process in step 1002 is the same as the process in step 602 in FIG. 6. When the predetermined condition is met, the control unit 106 determines that the user's inhalation has begun.

[0168] The process proceeds to step 1004, and the control unit 106 switches the Q1 switch on to cause the path 802 to operate. Accordingly, electrical power is supplied to the heater (load 132) and the aerosol source in the holding unit 130 is heated to generate an aerosol ... The control unit 106 also obtains a value related to the temperature of the load 132 (for example, the voltage value to be applied to the resistor 812, the value of the current flowing through the load 132, or the like) using element 112. As described above, the temperature of the load 132 calculated based on the received value.

[0169] In step 1005, the control node 106 activates a timer (not shown).

[0170] The processes in blocks 1006-1024 are similar to the processes in blocks 608-626.

[0171] Similar to the embodiments of Figs. 6 and 7, also in the embodiment of Fig. 10, there is a difference between control (steps 1016-1020) to be performed in the first state and control (step 1024) to be performed in second state.

[0172] FIG. 11 is a graph schematically showing a time series change in the value of load resistance 132 when a user inhales normally using aerosol generating device 100A.

[0173] When the user's inhalation is detected, power is supplied to the load 132 and the load 132 is heated. The temperature of the charge 132 increases from room temperature (eg, 25 ° C) to the boiling point of the aerosol source, or the temperature at which the aerosol is generated by vaporization of the aerosol source (eg, 200 ° C). When a sufficient amount of the aerosol source is present in the containment assembly 130, the heat added to the load 132 is used to atomize the aerosol source, thereby stabilizing the temperature of the load 132 near the above-described temperature, as shown in FIG. 11. When the user's inhalation is completed, the supply of electrical power to the load 132 is stopped, and thus the temperature of the load 132 decreases towards room temperature.

[0174] When the interval from when the user's inhalation is completed to the beginning of the next inhalation is long enough, the load 132 is cooled and the temperature of the load 132 returns to room temperature, as shown in FIG. 11. Assuming that a sufficient amount of the aerosol source is stored in the storage means 116, a sufficient amount of the aerosol source is supplied from the storage means 116 to the containment assembly 130 before the next inhalation begins. Here, this inhalation and such interval are referred to as the "normal" inhalation and the "normal" interval, respectively.

[0175] The value of the load resistance 132 changes depending on the temperature of the load 132. In the example of FIG. 11, the value of the load resistance 132 increases from R (T _RT = 25 ° C) to R (T _BP = 200 ° C), while as the load temperature 132 increases from room temperature (25 ° C) to the boiling point (200 ° C) of the aerosol source. When the temperature of the load 132 reaches the boiling point of the aerosol source and atomization of the aerosol source begins, the temperature of the load 132 stabilizes, and therefore the value of the load resistance 132 also stabilizes. During the period after the nebulization of the aerosol source is completed, until the temperature of the load 132 has dropped to room temperature, the value of the load resistance 132 will also decrease. As described above, in the example of FIG. 11, a normal breath is performed, and therefore, the load resistance value 132 returns to R (T _RT = 25 ° C) when the next breath starts.

[0176] In the present description, the effect of the change in the load resistance value 132 due to the heating of the load 132 during the previous inhalation on the load resistance value 132 during the next inhalation is referred to as the "heat history" of the load. In the example of FIG. 11, since no such influence occurs, the thermal history related to the value of the load resistance 132 is not stored.

[0177] Fig. 12A is a graph schematically showing a time series change of load resistance value 132 when the interval from when the user's inhalation is completed to when the next inhalation starts is shorter than the normal interval.

[0178] When the interval is short, the next breath begins before the temperature of the load 132 returns to room temperature and the load 132 heats up again. 12A (a) is a graph representing such a case. In FIG. 12A (a), the situation from the beginning to the end of the first breath is similar to that of a normal breath in FIG. 11. When the first breath is completed, the temperature of the load 132 decreases and the value of the load resistance 132 also decreases accordingly. However, since the interval from the end of the first breath to the beginning of the second breath is short, the temperature of the load 132 is higher than room temperature at the beginning of the second breath, and therefore the value of the load resistance 132 is also greater than the value of the resistance R (T _RT = 25 ° C) at room temperature. That is, unlike the example in FIG. 11, in the example in FIG. 12A, the heat history is stored in the load 132 at the start of the second breath. Therefore, when the load 132 heats up due to the second inhalation, the aerosol source in the storage means 116 and the holding unit 130 is insufficient in quantity, and thus the value of the load resistance 132 may increase beyond R (T _BP = 200 ° C).

[0179] FIG. 12A (b) is a graph showing a time series variation of the load resistance value 132 when inhalation in the situation shown in FIG. 12A (a) is repeated. Since the interval from the end of the first breath to the beginning of the second breath is short, the load resistance value 132 at the beginning of the second breath is greater than the resistance value R (T _RT = 25 ° C) at room temperature. In addition, since this interval is short, a sufficient amount of the aerosol source cannot be supplied from the storage means 116 to the holding unit 130. Accordingly, at the beginning of the second inhalation, the amount of aerosol source in the holding assembly 130 may be less than when the interval is of sufficient length. Since the heat history of the load 132 is thus retained and the amount of the aerosol source in the containment unit 130 is small, after the load 132 is heated during the second inhalation to reach a state in which the aerosol is generated stably, the aerosol source at the containment unit 130 becomes insufficient in quantity, and thus the temperature of the load 132 may exceed the boiling point of the aerosol source, as shown in the figure. Accordingly, the value of the load resistance 132 can also reach a value in excess of R (T _BP = 200 ° C). When this behavior is repeated, the temperature of the load 132 may reach the threshold value (eg, 350 ° C) shown in the embodiments described in connection with FIGS. 6, 7 and 10.

[0180] The inventors of the present application have invented a technique in which the control of the aerosol generating device 100A can be more suitably performed when the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity by correcting based on the heat history 132, the condition includes a threshold value (for example, Δt _thre at block 614), which is used to distinguish between the first state and the second state in the embodiments described in connection with FIGS. 6, 7 and 10. The methodology will be described below.

[0181] FIG. 12B is a flowchart showing a process for correcting a condition for distinguishing between a first state and a second state in a case where the user's inhalation is performed at a short interval, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0182] The process begins at block 1202, and the control node 106 sets the counter n to zero.

[0183] The process proceeds to step 1204, and the control unit 106 measures the interval meas (interval _meas ) from the time at which the previous inhalation ended to the time when the present inhalation began.

[0184] The process proceeds to block 1206 and the control unit 106 increments the value of the counter n.

[0185] The process proceeds to step 1208, and the control unit 106 calculates a value (Δinterval (n)) obtained by subtracting the interval _meas measured in step 1204 from the value of the preset interval (interval _preset ). Value preset _preset interval interval may be a period of time (e.g., one second), during which the load temperature 132 returns from the power boiling point of the aerosol to room temperature in the case of normal breathing, and may be a period of time during which a sufficient number of aerosol source is from storage means 116 to containment assembly 130 after the previous breath has been completed.

[0186] The process proceeds to block 1210, and the control node 106 determines whether the interval (n) calculated in block 1208 is greater than zero.

[0187] In FIG. 12B, when “interval (n)” is equal to or less than zero (“interval _meas ” is equal to or greater than “interval _preset ”) (“No” in step 1208), the process proceeds to step 1216. However, the process may return to the step prior to step 1204 and the process from step 1204 to step 1210 may be repeated a predetermined number of times.

[0188] When "Δinterval (n)" is greater than zero ("interval _meas " is less than "interval _preset ") (Yes in step 1210), the process proceeds to step 1212. In step 1212, the control node 106 obtains the value by integrating earlier calculated Δinterval (n). The calculation formula shown at block 1210 is just one example. The process at 1212 may be performed to make the effect of the old heat history included in the heat history of the load 132 on the above condition (condition for distinguishing between the first state and the second state) less than the effect of the new heat history included in the heat history. load 132, per condition. Thus, even when a plurality of heat histories accumulate, it is possible to distinguish between the first state and the second state with high precision. One skilled in the art will appreciate that at block 1212, various calculations may be performed.

[0189] The process proceeds to block 1214, and the control node 106 obtains the above condition (eg, "Δt _thre ") based on the integration value Ʃ obtained in block 1212 and a predetermined function. 12B shows an example of a predefined function F () on the side of step 1214. Thus, in step 1214, since the integration value Ʃ is large (since the inspiratory interval is small), Δt _thre may be preset smaller. Accordingly, the above-described condition is corrected to reduce the likelihood of determining that the first state has occurred when the time interval from the moment when the aerosol generation request is completed (user inhalation, pressing a predetermined button, or the like) to the moment when the next the request starts is short.

[0190] On the other hand, when Δinterval (n) is equal to or less than zero (interval _meas is equal to or greater than interval _preset ) (No in step 1208), the process proceeds to step 1216. In step 1216, control unit 106 resets counter n. In addition, the process proceeds to block 1218 and is set to a predetermined value. That is, when the inspiratory interval is large enough, the condition used to distinguish between the first state and the second state is not corrected.

[0191] As described above, in accordance with the present embodiment, the control unit 106 operates to correct a condition for distinguishing between the first state and the second state based on the heat history of the load 132 when the circuit 134 was operating. Accordingly, even when the thermal load history 132 is stored, it is possible to distinguish between the first state and the second state with high accuracy.

[0192] According to the present embodiment, the control unit 106 receives a time series change of the aerosol generation request based on the request and acts to adjust the condition to distinguish between the first state and the second state based on the heat load history 132 obtained from the request change time series. Accordingly, even when abnormal inhalation is performed, the first state and the second state can be distinguished with high precision.

[0193] Although problems similar to those in the examples in FIGS. 12A and 12B may occur even in the case where the inhalation time period of the user is long, and even in the case where the inhalation time period is long, and even in the case where the inhalation time period is the inspiratory period is long and the interval is of normal length, such problems can be solved with the present embodiment. That is, even when the change in the time series of the aerosol generation request occurs while inhaling for a period of time longer than the normal period, it is possible to correct the condition for discriminating between the first state and the second state based on the thermal load history 132 resulting from the change ...

[0194] Fig. 13A is a graph schematically showing the time series variation of the resistance value of the load 132 when the period of time required to cool the load 132 becomes longer than usual due to the deterioration of the load 132 and the like.

[0195] When the period of time required to cool the load 132 becomes longer, the next inhalation may begin before the temperature of the load 132 returns to room temperature, even when inhalation is performed at the normal interval. The graph in FIG. 13A shows such a situation. In Fig. 13A, the situation from the beginning to the end of the first breath is similar to that of the normal breath in Fig. 11. When the first breath is completed, the temperature of the load 132 decreases and the value of the load resistance 132 also decreases accordingly. However, since the rate at which the temperature of the load 132 decreases is low, the temperature of the load 132 is higher than the room temperature at the start of the second breath. Therefore, the value of the load resistance 132 is also greater than the value of the resistance R (T _RT = 25 ° C) at room temperature. That is, unlike the example in FIG. 11, in the example in FIG. 13A, the heat history is stored in the load 132 at the start of the second breath. Thus, when the load 132 heats up due to the second breath, the value of the load resistance 132 quickly reaches the value R (T _BP = 200 ° C). Therefore, more of the aerosol source is heated, and thus more aerosol can be generated. Accordingly, the source of aerosol in the retention unit 130 tends to be insufficient in quantity. When this behavior is repeated, the temperature of the load 132 may reach the threshold value (eg, 350 ° C) shown in the embodiments described in connection with FIGS. 6, 7 and 10.

[0196] The inventors of the present application have proposed a method in which the control of the aerosol generating device can be more suitably performed when the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity by adjusting based on the heat load history 132, a condition including a threshold value (for example, Δt _thre in step 614), which is used to distinguish between the first state and the second state in the embodiments described in connection with FIG. 6, 7 and 10, even so. The technique will be described below.

[0197] FIG. 13B is a flowchart illustrating a process for correcting a condition to distinguish between a first state and a second state in a case where the period of time required to cool the load 132 is longer than the period in the normal case, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0198] The process begins at step 1302, and the control unit 106 obtains the initial _{load temperature T ini} 132 when the user starts inhaling and the aerosol generating device 100A circuit 134 was operated.

[0199] The process proceeds to block 1304, and the control node 106 obtains the above condition (eg, Δt _thre ) based on the initial temperature T _ini and a predetermined function. 13B shows an example of a predetermined function F (T _ini ) on the side of step 1304. Thus, in step 1304, a process may be performed to decrease Δt _thre when the temperature of the load 132, when the circuit 134 of the aerosol generating device 100 was operated, is high. Accordingly, according to the present embodiment, the control unit 106 operates to correct the above-described condition to reduce the likelihood that it is determined that the first condition has occurred because the temperature of the load 132 when the circuit 134 was operated is high.

[0200] In the above description, the first embodiment of the present invention has been described as an aerosol generating device, and a method for driving the aerosol generating device. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure, when executed by a processor, may be implemented as a program that causes the processor to execute a method, or as a computer-readable medium storing a program.

[0201] Second embodiment

An aerosol generating device 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention may experience a temporary shortage of an aerosol source in the containment assembly 130 when inhalation is performed at an interval less than a normal inhalation (e.g., an interval less than a period of time required to deliver a sufficient amount aerosol from storage means 116 to retention unit 130), even if storage means 116 stores a sufficient amount of aerosol source. A similar problem can occur even if the capacity of one breath is greater than that of a conventional inhalation. A similar problem can occur even if the inhalation time period of one breath is longer than the normal inhalation period. These are just examples of inhalation that can cause the problem described above. One skilled in the art will understand that a similar problem can arise from unexpected inspiratory patterns having different characteristics. The second embodiment of the present invention is intended to solve the above-described problem.

[0202] The basic configuration of the aerosol generating apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is similar to the configuration of the aerosol generating apparatus 100 shown in each of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

[0203] An aerosol generating device 100 according to the present embodiment may include a delivery device capable of adjusting at least one of an amount and a delivery rate of an aerosol source from the storage means 116 to the holding unit 130. The feeder can be controlled by the control unit 106. The delivery device can be configured in various configurations including a pump positioned between the storage means 116 and the holding assembly 130, and a mechanism configured to control an opening to the sprayer 118 of the storage means 116.

[0204] The aerosol generating device 100 according to the present embodiment may include a temperature controller capable of adjusting the temperature of the aerosol source. The temperature controller can be controlled by the control unit 106. The temperature controller can be made using a variety of configurations and devices.

[0205] The aerosol generating device 100 according to the present embodiment may include a change unit capable of changing the air flow resistance in the aerosol generating device 100. The change unit can be controlled by the control unit 106. The change node can be performed using a variety of configurations and devices.

[0206] The aerosol generating device 100 according to the present embodiment may also include a requesting node that issues a request to generate an aerosol. The requesting node can be controlled by the control node 106. The requesting node can be executed using a variety of configurations and devices.

[0207] Fig. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a process for suppressing temporary insufficiency of an aerosol source in a holding unit 130 in an aerosol generating apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

[0208] The process begins at block 1402. When the process begins, the control node 106 sets the counter to zero. The counter value can indicate how many times an unexpected breath was detected.

[0209] The process proceeds to step 1404, and the control unit 106 measures the inspiratory interval, inspiratory capacity, length of inspiratory time period, and the like. These are just examples of parameters that can be measured at step 1404. One of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the present embodiment can be implemented at step 1404 by measuring various parameters to help detect unexpected inhalation.

[0210] The process proceeds to step 1406, and the control unit 106 determines whether the current inhalation is an inhalation having an unexpected characteristic when the parameter measured at step 1404 is compared with the corresponding parameter during normal inhalation. For example, when the measured inspiration interval is shorter than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 106 may determine that the current inspiration is an unexpected inspiration. In another example, when the measured inspiratory capacity exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control unit 106 may determine that the current breath is an unexpected breath. In another example, when the length of the measured inhalation time period exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control unit 106 may determine that the current inhalation is an unexpected inhalation. Alternatively, the control unit 106 may determine whether an existing inhalation may cause a state in which the storage means 116 is capable of delivering an aerosol source while the aerosol source held by the containment unit 130 is insufficient in quantity (e.g., the second state in the first embodiment implementation) using the technique described in connection with FIG. 6, 7, 10, 12B and 13B with respect to the first embodiment. For example, as described with respect to the first embodiment, the control unit 106 at step 1406 may make a determination based on a change in temperature of the load 132 after causing the circuit 134 to operate. Alternatively, as described with respect to the first embodiment, the control node 106 at step 1406 may make a determination based on a change in the time series of the request issued by the requesting node.

[0211] When the current breath is not unexpected (NO at 1406), the process returns to 1404. Alternatively, the process may end.

[0212] The case where the current inhalation is an unexpected inhalation (“Yes” in step 1406) indicates the detection of a state in which the storage means 116 is capable of delivering an aerosol source while the aerosol source held by the holding unit 130 may be insufficient in quantity (more specifically, a dry state in which the load temperature 132 exceeds the boiling point of the aerosol source due to such an insufficiency of the aerosol source in the retention unit 130, or a sign of such a dry state). The process continues to block 1408 and the control unit 106 increments the counter n _err .

[0213] The process proceeds to block 1410, and the control unit 106 determines whether the value of the counter n _err exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

[0214] When the value of the counter n _err exceeds a predetermined threshold (Yes at 1410), the process proceeds to 1414. At 1414, the control unit 106 performs control to suppress the temporary insufficiency of the aerosol source in the containment unit 130.

[0215] At step 1414, the control unit 106 may perform control to increase the retention amount of the aerosol source in the retention unit 130 or control to increase the retention amount increase capability at at least one of the starting times of power supply from the power supply 110 to the load 132 and the time of completion of the power supply from the power supply 110 to the load 132. This can suppress the occurrence or reoccurrence of temporary drying in the holding unit 130.

[0216] As an example, at step 1414, the control unit 106 may perform control to make the interval from the completion of aerosol generation to the start of the next aerosol generation longer than the previous interval. This can inhibit aerosol formation over an extended interval and can provide a period of time for the aerosol source to be supplied from the storage means 116 to the containment assembly 130. Accordingly, it can suppress the occurrence or re-occurrence of temporary drying in the holding unit 130. In this example, the control unit 106 may adjust the interval length based on at least one of the viscosity of the aerosol source, the residual amount of the aerosol source, the electrical resistance value of the load 132, and the temperature of the power source 110. This can prevent the interval from being excessively extended and can suppress the deterioration of the feel. from use.

[0217] By way of example, at step 1414, the control unit 106 may control the above-described delivery device to increase at least one of the amount and speed of the aerosol source to be supplied from the storage means 116 to the holding unit 130. This can suppress the occurrence or reoccurrence of temporary drying in the retention unit 130 without causing inconvenience to the user.

[0218] As an example, at step 1414, the control unit 106 may control the circuitry to reduce the amount of generated aerosol.

[0219] By way of example, at step 1414, the control unit 106 may control the above-described temperature controller to heat the aerosol source. A typical liquid aerosol source has the property that the viscosity of the aerosol source decreases as the temperature of the aerosol source itself increases. That is, when the aerosol source is heated at a temperature that does not cause generation of the aerosol source, the capillary effect tends to increase at least one of the amount and rate of supply of the aerosol source from the storage means 116 to the holding unit 130. The control unit 106 can also control the temperature controller to heat the aerosol source when the aerosol is not generated by the load 132. This causes the aerosol source from the storage unit 116 to the holding unit 130 to be supplied, mainly when no inhalation is in progress, and therefore the effect can be easily obtained. heating. The control unit 106 can also use the load 132 as a temperature controller. This allows for simpler design and cost savings without installing another heater for heating.

[0220] As an example, at step 1414, the control unit 106 may control the above-described change unit to increase the air flow resistance in the aerosol generating device 100.

[0221] As an example, the control unit 106 may control the circuit 134 in accordance with a correlation in which as the request issued by the above-described requesting unit becomes larger (for example, the change in air pressure determined in terms of inhalation becomes larger ), the amount of generated aerosol increases. In step 1414, the control unit 106 may adjust the correlation to reduce the amount of generated aerosol in accordance with the magnitude of the request.

[0222] As an example, the control unit 106 may be configured to perform a first control execution mode to make the interval from the completion of aerosol generation to the start of the next aerosol generation longer than the previous interval, and perform a second control execution mode to increase the holding amount aerosol source in the retention or control unit 130 to increase the ability to increase the retention amount without performing interval control at at least one of the start time of power supply from power supply 110 to load 132 and end time of power supply from power supply 110 to load 132 At block 1414, the control node 106 may execute the second mode rather than the first mode. This can cause temporary drying to occur or reappear in the retention assembly 130 without causing inconvenience to the user.

[0223] The control unit 106 may also execute the first mode upon detecting a dry condition or indication of a dry condition of the retention unit 130 after the second mode has been executed. Thus, it can both provide convenience to the user and suppress the occurrence or re-occurrence of temporary drying in the holding unit 130, since the interval control is performed the first time when the temporary drying in the holding unit 130 cannot be suppressed by other means other than control. which could impair the user experience.

[0224] When the process 1400 shown in FIG. 14 is executed a plurality of times, the control unit 106 may each time select the process to be performed in step 1414 from the various processes described above. For example, among the processes that may be performed at block 1414, a process that is less burdensome to the user may preferably be performed. When the occurrence or re-occurrence of temporary drying in the holding unit 130 cannot be suppressed even when such a process is performed, a more burdensome process for the user can be performed.

[0225] When the value of the counter n _err does not exceed a predetermined threshold (No at 1410), the process proceeds to 1412. At 1412, the control node 106 issues a notification to the user. Desirably, the notification allows the user to easily understand that a sufficient amount of aerosol can no longer be generated due to the effect of actual inhalation. For example, the control unit 106 may trigger the operation of the notification means 108 based on the fact that the above-described dry condition or indication of a dry condition has been determined. When the notification means 108 is a light emitting element such as an LED, display, speaker, vibrator, or the like, the control unit 106 may cause the notification means 108 to perform an operation such as emitting light, displaying, generating sound, or vibrating. Thus, the user can refrain from inhaling, whereby a period of time can be provided for supplying the aerosol source from the storage means 116 to the holding unit 130. Accordingly, the reoccurrence of temporary drying or drying in the holding unit 130 can be suppressed.

[0226] By way of example, at step 1412, the control node 106 may perform control to make the next interval longer than the previous interval after detecting a dry condition or a dry indication after the notifier 108 has fired one or more times. This can suppress the occurrence or reoccurrence of temporary drying in the retention unit 130 without causing inconvenience to the user from the outset. In this example, the control unit 106 may adjust the interval length based on at least one of the viscosity of the aerosol source, the residual amount of the aerosol source, the electrical resistance value of the load 132, and the temperature of the feed unit 110.

[0227] In an embodiment, the control unit 106 may perform aerosol suppression control or aerosol suppression control or control to improve the aerosol suppression capability in an interval corresponding to a time period until an aerosol source in an amount greater than or equal to the amount used to generate aerosol is supplied from storage means 116 to holding unit 130 after aerosol generation is complete. Thus, the occurrence of temporary drying in the holding unit 130 can be effectively suppressed. In this example, the control unit 106 can control the notification means 108 in the first mode during aerosol generation and can control the notification means 108 in a second mode other than the first mode during the above-described interval. Thus, the user can refrain from inhaling, whereby a period of time can be provided for supplying the aerosol source from the storage means 116 to the holding unit 130. Accordingly, the occurrence of temporary drying or drying out in the holding unit 130 can be suppressed. The control node 106 may also control the notifier 108 in a third mode other than the second mode when the control node 106 receives a request from the requesting node during the above-described interval. Control unit 106 may also control circuitry 134 to inhibit aerosol generation during the above-described interval. Accordingly, the amount of the aerosol source held by the retention unit 130 hardly decreases during the above-described interval. As a result, reoccurrence of temporary drying in the holding unit 130 can be suppressed. The control unit 106 may also adjust the length of the above-described interval based on at least one of the magnitude and variation of the request from the requesting node. Thus, since the length of the interval is adjusted in accordance with the inhalation pattern, the occurrence or re-occurrence of temporary drying in the holding unit 130 can be suppressed by the corresponding inhalation interval.

[0228] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the inspiratory interval calibration that is performed in the process 1400 of FIG. 14. The control unit 106 can calibrate the current inspiratory interval “A” using a correction factor obtained in various ways.

[0229] The control unit 106 may include an inspiratory capacity calculator 1510, an inspiratory interval calculator 1512, a fluid viscosity calculator 1514, and a retention unit contact amount calculator 1518, and may be configured to operate as these components. Aerosol generating device 100 may include at least one of a flow or flow sensor 1502, a temperature sensor 1506, a current sensor 1508, and a voltage sensor 1510. Aerosol generating device 100 may also include an assembly for determining the physical properties of the liquid 1504 of the aerosol source.

[0230] As shown in FIG. 15, the inspiratory capacity calculator 1510 calculates the inspiratory capacity based on the flow or flow value detected by the flow or flow sensor 1502. The control unit 106 obtains the correction factor α1 from the calculated inspiratory capacity based on a predetermined ratio 1522 between the inspiratory capacity and the correction factor α1.

[0231] Inspiratory interval calculator 1512 calculates an inspiratory interval based on the flow or flow value determined by the flow or flow sensor 1502. The control unit 106 obtains a correction factor α2 from the calculated inspiratory capacity based on a predetermined relationship 1524 between the inspiratory interval and the correction factor α2.

[0232] The fluid viscosity calculator 1514 calculates the fluid viscosity based on the physical properties of the aerosol source fluid and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 1506. The control unit 106 derives a correction factor α3 from the calculated fluid viscosity based on a predetermined relationship 1526 between the fluid viscosity and the α3 correction factor.

[0233] The control unit 106 obtains the correction factor α4 from the determined outdoor air temperature based on a predetermined relationship 1528 between the correction factor α4 and the outdoor temperature 1516 detected by the temperature sensor 1506.

[0234] The retention unit contact amount calculator 1518 calculates the retention unit contact amount based on the current value detected by the current sensor 1508 and the voltage value detected by the voltage sensor 1510. It should be noted that the amount in contact with the retention unit means an amount reflecting how much the retention unit 130 contacts the aerosol source stored in the storage means 116. Accordingly, the amount in contact with the retention unit changes the amount of the aerosol source to be subject to capillary action. feeding from the storage means 116 to the holding unit 130. When the amount of the aerosol source to be supplied to the holding unit 130 has changed, the temperature of the load 132 also changes. Therefore, the amount in contact with the holding unit can be calculated from the value of the load resistance 132, which is calculated using the current sensor 1508 and the voltage sensor 1510. The control unit 106 obtains a correction factor α5 from the calculated amount in contact with the retention unit based on a predetermined ratio 1530 between the amount in contact with the retention unit and the correction factor α5.

[0235] The control unit 106 obtains the correction factor α6 based on a predetermined relationship 1532 between the correction factor α6 and the heater resistance value 1520 calculated from the detected current value and the voltage value.

[0236] The control unit 106 may apply the correction factors α1 to α6 obtained as described above to the present inspiratory interval A in various ways. For example, the control unit 106 may obtain the inspiratory interval A 'configured using, as the overall correction factor, the value obtained by multiplying by A, the value obtained by adding the correction factors α1 to α6.

[0237] These are just examples of methods for calculating the correction factor, and various methods may be applied. A person skilled in the art will understand that the aerosol generating device 100 may be configured differently to specifically implement the process shown schematically in FIG. 15.

[0238] In the above description, the second embodiment of the present invention has been described as an aerosol generating device, and a method for driving the aerosol generating device. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure, when executed by a processor, may be implemented as a program that causes the processor to perform a method, or as a computer-readable medium storing the program.

[0239] Third embodiment

As described with respect to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, an aerosol generating device can be provided capable of distinguishing between a first state in which the aerosol source stored in the storage means is insufficient in quantity and a second state in which the storage means is capable of supplying the aerosol source, while the aerosol source retained by the retention unit is insufficient in quantity. The third embodiment of the present description, which will be described later, allows the aerosol generating device having such features to be properly controlled.

[0240] A configuration (e.g., the configuration described in connection with each of FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 3, and 8) and a method of operation (e.g., the process described in connection with each of FIGS. 6, 7, 10, 12B and 13B) an aerosol generating apparatus described in connection with the first embodiment of the present disclosure and a method of operation (e.g., the process described in connection with each of FIGS. 14 and 15) of an aerosol generating apparatus described in relation to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, can be used as examples of the present embodiment.

[0241] In one example, an aerosol generating device 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a power supply 110; a load 132 configured to generate heat when receiving power from the power supply 110 and atomizing the aerosol source; element 112, which is used to obtain a value related to the temperature of the load 132; a circuit 134 configured to electrically connect power supply 110 and load 132; storage means 116 configured to store the aerosol source; a retention unit 130 configured to retain an aerosol source supplied from storage means 116 to ensure that the retained aerosol source is in a possible warming state by the load 132; and a control unit 106. The control unit 106 may be configured to distinguish between the first state of the aerosol generating device 100 in which the aerosol source stored in the storage means 116 is insufficient in quantity, and the second state of the aerosol generating device in which the storage means 116 is capable of supplying the aerosol source to while the aerosol source held by the containment assembly 130 is insufficient in quantity based on a change in the value related to the temperature of the load 132 after the operation of the circuit 134 or during the operation of the circuit 134, and is configured to perform the first control upon detecting the first state and execute a second control different from the first control when the second state is detected. As a result, since the control to be performed when insufficient aerosol source is detected in storage means 116 and control to be performed when insufficient aerosol source is detected in holding unit 130 are different from each other, corresponding control can be performed in accordance with with an event that occurs in the aerosol generating device 100.

[0242] In one example, in the first state, the aerosol source stored in the storage means 116 is insufficient in quantity, and therefore the load temperature 132 exceeds the boiling point of the aerosol source or the temperature at which the generation of the aerosol source occurs when the aerosol source evaporates ... In the second state, the storage means 116 is capable of delivering an aerosol source while the aerosol source held by the containment assembly 130 is insufficient in quantity, and therefore the load temperature 132 exceeds the boiling point of the aerosol source or the temperature at which the aerosol source is generated by evaporation. aerosol source.

[0243] In an example, in the above-described second control, the amount of the aerosol source stored in the storage means 116 is decreased more than in the above-described first control. Thus, the residual amount of aerosol in the storage means 116 and the residual amount of aerosol in the holding unit 130 can be kept at respective values in accordance with the event.

[0244] In one example, the control to be performed by the control unit 106 in the second control changes more variables and / or more algorithms than those in the control to be performed by the control unit 106 in the first control. The first control is performed when the first state is determined (the state in which the aerosol source stored in the storage means 116 is insufficient in quantity). Accordingly, the first control may only include instructing the user to replace storage 116 or replenish aerosol. On the other hand, the second control is performed when the second state is determined (the state in which the storage means 116 is able to supply the aerosol source although the aerosol source held by the holding unit 130 is insufficient in quantity). Accordingly, the second control may include various controls that the process at block 1414 of FIG. 14 may include, such as described with respect to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the second control may include control to increase the retention amount of the aerosol source in the retention unit 130, or control to improve the ability to increase the retention amount in at least one of: a start time of supplying power from the power supply 110 to the load 132 and an end time supplying power from power supply 110 to load 132. The second control may also include control executed to make the interval from the completion of aerosol generation to the start of the next aerosol generation greater than the previous interval. The interval length may be adjusted based on at least one of the viscosity of the aerosol source, the residual amount of the aerosol source, the electrical resistance value of the load 132, and the temperature of the power source 110. The second control may also include controls for increasing at least one of the amount and speed of the aerosol source to be supplied from the storage means 116 to the holding unit 130. The second control may also include controlling the circuit 134 to reduce the amount of generated aerosol. The second control may also include control of the temperature controller for heating the aerosol source. The second control may also include controlling the temperature controller for heating the aerosol source when no aerosol is generated by the load 132. The second control may also include controlling the above-described variable assembly to increase resistance to air flow in the aerosol generating device 100. The second control may also include itself is controlled by the circuit 134 in accordance with a correlation in which as the request issued by the requestor becomes larger, the amount of aerosol generated is increased. The second control may also include correcting the correlation to reduce the amount of generated aerosol in accordance with the magnitude of the request. In the present embodiment, it will be understood that, compared to the first control, more variables and / or more algorithms need to be changed in order to perform the second control.

[0245] In one example, the number of operations required by the user to generate the aerosol in the second control is less than the number of operations required by the user to generate the aerosol in the first control. For example, in the case of the first control, the user needs to perform the operation of replacing the storage means 116, the operation of replenishing the aerosol source in the storage means 116 and the like. On the other hand, the second control may include various controls described above, but these controls can be automatically performed by components such as the control unit 106 in the aerosol generating apparatus 100 without the need for operations by the user. From at least what is discussed, it will be understood that in the present embodiment, the number of operations required by the user to generate the aerosol in the second control may be less than the number of operations required by the user to generate the aerosol in the first control.

[0246] In one example, the control unit 106 may inhibit aerosol generation for at least a predetermined period of time in the first control and the second control. Thus, in both the first state and the second state, the aerosol generating device 100 can be shut down so that the temperature of the load 132 can be prevented from further increasing. The shutdown means that no power is supplied to the load 132 even when the user operates the aerosol generating device 100.

[0247] The period of time during which the generation of aerosol is prevented in the second control may be shorter than the period of time during which the generation of aerosol is prevented in the first control. In order to return from the first state to a state capable of performing normal control, an operation of replacing the storage medium 116 or the like is necessary. To return from the second state to a state capable of performing normal control, such an operation is not required. Accordingly, unnecessary execution of shutdown control for a long period of time can be prevented.

[0248] In one example, the first control and the second control have respectively return conditions for each transition from a state in which aerosol generation is prohibited to a state in which aerosol generation is enabled. Return means that the user operates the aerosol generating device 100 to return to a state in which electric power can be supplied to the load 132. The return condition in the first control can be set more stringent than the return condition in the second control. For example, the return condition in the first control includes more conditions to be met than the return condition in the second control. In another example, the return condition in the first control is more man-hours of operations required by the user to perform as compared to the return condition in the second control. In another example, the return condition in the first control takes longer than the return condition in the second control. In another example, the return condition in the first control is not satisfied only by the control of the control unit 106, and manual operations of the user are also required to satisfy the return condition in the first control, while the return condition in the second control is satisfied only by the control of the control unit 106. In another example, even when the return condition in the second control is satisfied, the return condition in the first control is not satisfied. The number of component replacement operations in the aerosol generating device 100 that is included in the return condition in the first control may be greater than the number of component replacement operations in the aerosol generating device 100 that is included in the return condition in the second control.

[0249] By way of example, aerosol generating device 100 may include one or more notification means 108. The number of notification means 108 operating in the first control may be greater than the number of notification means 108 operating in the second control. This allows the user to easily recognize the lack of the aerosol source when user action is required to restore normal. As a result, early return becomes possible. In another example, the period of time during which the notifier 108 is operating under the first control may be longer than the period of time during which the notifier 108 is operating under the second control. As another example, the amount of electrical power to be supplied from the power supply 110 to the notification means in the first control may be greater than the amount of electrical power to be supplied from the power supply 110 to the notification means in the second control.

[0250] In the above description, the third embodiment of the present invention has been described as an aerosol generating device and a method for driving the aerosol generating device. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure, when executed by a processor, may be implemented as a program that causes the processor to perform a method, or as a computer-readable medium storing the program.

[0251] Embodiments of the present disclosure have been described so far, and it should be understood that these embodiments are examples only and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that modification, addition, change, etc. embodiments can be suitably performed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the aforementioned embodiments, but should be defined only by the claims and their equivalents.

LIST OF SYMBOLS

100A, 100B aerosol generating device; 102 first element; 104 second element; 106 control unit; 108 notification facility; 110 power supply; Element 112; 114 memory; 116 storage means; 118 sprayer; 120 air intake channel; 121 aerosol flow channels; 122 mouthpiece; 126 third element; 128 source of flavor; 130 retention node; 132 load; 134 diagram; 202, 302 first path; 204, 304 second way; 206, 210 switch; 208, 308, 808 — DC voltage output circuit; 212, 222, 312, 812, 822 resistance; 214, 226, 314, 322, 814, 826 capacitor; 218, 818 error amplifier; 220, 820 voltage reference source; 318 inductor; 320 diode; 802 single path; 1502 voltage sensor; 1504 physical properties of liquid; 1506 temperature sensor; 1508 current sensor; 1510 inspiratory capacity calculator; 1512 inspiratory interval calculator; 1514 fluid viscosity calculator; 1516 outside temperature; 1518 calculator of the amount in contact with the retention unit; and 1520 the heater resistance value.

Claims (87)

1. An aerosol generating device comprising: power supply; a load configured to generate heat when receiving electricity from a power source and atomizing the aerosol source; an element that is used to obtain a value related to the load temperature; a circuit configured to electrically connect a power source and a load; storage means configured to store the aerosol source; notification means configured to provide a user with a notification; a holding unit configured to hold a source of aerosol coming from the storage means to ensure that the held source of aerosol is in a possible state of being heated by a load; and control unit configured when determining the dry state in which the load temperature exceeds the boiling point of the aerosol source, due to a condition under which the storage medium is capable of delivering the aerosol source while the aerosol source held in the holding unit is insufficient in quantity, or when determining the indication of dry state , - perform control to increase the retention amount of the aerosol source held by the holding unit, or control to increase the possibility of increasing the retention amount in at least one of the moment when the power supply from the power source to the load starts and the moment when the power supply from the power source to the load ends; control to make the interval from the end of aerosol generation to the start of the next aerosol generation larger than the previous interval; - invoke the operation of the notification facility; and - to exercise control to make the next interval larger than the previous interval when further detecting dry condition or dry condition indication after the operation of the notification means has been called one or more times. 2. An aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to adjust the interval length based on at least one of the viscosity of the aerosol source, the residual amount of the aerosol source, the electrical load resistance value, and the temperature of the power source. 3. An aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or 2, which comprises a delivery device configured to control at least one of the amount and speed of the aerosol source to be supplied from the storage means to the holding unit, moreover, the control unit is configured to control the feeding device in order to increase at least one of the amount and speed of the aerosol source to be supplied from the storage means to the holding unit when detecting a dry condition or a sign of a dry condition. 4. An aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit is configured to control a circuit to reduce the amount of generated aerosol when detecting a dry condition or a dry condition indication. 5. An aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which comprises a temperature controller configured to regulate the temperature of the aerosol source, moreover, the control unit is configured to control the temperature controller to heat the aerosol source when detecting a dry condition or a sign of a dry condition. 6. An aerosol generating device according to claim 5, wherein the control unit is configured to control the temperature controller to heat the aerosol source when the aerosol is not generated by the load. 7. An aerosol generating device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the control unit is configured to use the load as a temperature controller. 8. An aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which comprises a change unit configured to change the resistance to air flow in the aerosol generating device, moreover, the control unit is configured to control the change unit in order to increase the resistance to air flow when detecting a dry condition or an indication of a dry condition. 9. An aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which comprises a requesting unit configured to issue a request for generating an aerosol, moreover, the control unit is configured to control the circuit in accordance with the correlation, in which, when the request becomes longer, the amount of generated aerosol is increased, and, when determining the dry state or the indicator of the dry state, adjust the correlation to decrease the amount of generated aerosol according to the amount of the demand. 10. An aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to be able to carry out: a first control mode to make the interval from the end of aerosol generation to the start of the next aerosol generation larger than the previous interval, and a second mode of exercising control to increase the retention amount of the aerosol source, or control to increase the ability to increase the retention amount without performing an interval control at least at one of the moment when the power supply from the power supply to the load starts and the moment when the power supply from the power source ends to the load, and the control unit is configured to implement the second mode, and not the first mode, when determining the dry state or a sign of the dry state. 11. An aerosol generating device according to claim 10, wherein the control unit is configured to perform the first mode upon further determination of the dry condition or dry condition indication after the second mode. 12. An aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the control unit is configured to determine a dry state based on a change in load temperature after the circuit is triggered. 13. An aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1-12, which comprises a requesting unit configured to issue a request for generating an aerosol, moreover, the control unit is configured to determine the sign of the dry state based on the change in the time series of the request. 14. A method for activating an aerosol generating device, comprising the following steps: heat the load to spray the aerosol source; when determining the dry state in which the load temperature exceeds the boiling point of the aerosol source due to a condition in which the stored aerosol source is not insufficient in quantity, while the aerosol source held in a possible state of heating by the load is insufficient in quantity, or when detecting the dry state, control is performed to increase the retained amount of the aerosol source retained, or control to increase the ability to increase the retained amount at least at one of the moment when the power is supplied to the load and the moment when the power is supplied to the load; when determining a dry state or a sign of a dry state, - control is performed to make the interval from the end of aerosol generation to the start of the next aerosol generation larger than the previous interval; - provide the user with a notification; and - control is made to make the next interval larger than the previous interval when further determining the dry condition or dry condition indication after providing the user with the notification one or more times. 15. An aerosol generating device comprising: power supply; a load configured to generate heat when receiving electricity from a power source and atomizing the aerosol source; an element that is used to obtain a value related to the load temperature; a circuit configured to electrically connect a power source and a load; storage means configured to store the aerosol source; a holding unit configured to hold a source of aerosol coming from the storage means to ensure that the held source of aerosol is in a possible state of being heated by a load; a requesting node configured to issue a request to generate an aerosol; and control unit configured - exercising control to suppress aerosol generation or control to increase the ability to suppress aerosol generation in an interval corresponding to the time period until an aerosol source with an amount greater than or equal to the amount used to generate aerosol is supplied from the storage means to the holding unit after the generation is completed aerosol; and - adjusting the interval duration based on at least one of the magnitude and the change in the request. 16. An aerosol generating device according to claim 15, which comprises a notification means configured to provide a notification to a user, moreover, the control unit is configured operate the notifier in the first mode during aerosol generation, and operate the notifier in a second mode other than the first mode during the specified interval. 17. An aerosol generating device according to claim 16, which comprises a requesting node configured to issue a request for generating an aerosol, wherein the control unit is configured to control the notification means in a third control mode other than the second mode when the control unit receives a request during the specified interval. 18. An aerosol generating device according to claim 15, wherein the control unit is configured to control the circuit to inhibit aerosol generation during said interval. 19. A method for activating an aerosol generating device, comprising the following steps: heat the load to spray the aerosol source and generate the aerosol; control to suppress the generation of aerosol, or control to increase the ability to suppress the generation of aerosol, in the interval corresponding to the time period until the moment when the aerosol source stored in an amount greater than or equal to the amount used to generate the aerosol is held in a possible heating state loading after completion of aerosol generation; and adjusting the interval duration based on at least one of the magnitude and the change in the request. 20. An aerosol generating device comprising: power supply; a load configured to generate heat when receiving electricity from a power source and atomizing the aerosol source; an element that is used to obtain a value related to the load temperature; a circuit configured to electrically connect a power source and a load; storage means configured to store the aerosol source; notification means configured to provide a user with a notification; a holding unit configured to hold a source of aerosol coming from the storage means to ensure that the held source of aerosol is in a possible state of being heated by a load; and control unit configured to when the storage means is capable of delivering an aerosol source while the aerosol source held by the retention unit is insufficient in quantity, control to increase the holding amount of the aerosol source held by the retention unit or control to increase the ability to increase the holding amount at least at one of the moment when power is supplied from the power source to the load and when the power is supplied from the power source to the load ; control to make the interval from the end of aerosol generation to the start of the next aerosol generation larger than the previous interval; - invoke the operation of the notification facility; and - to exercise control to make the next interval larger than the previous interval when further detecting dry condition or dry condition indication after the operation of the notification means has been called one or more times. 21. A method for activating an aerosol generating device, comprising the following steps, in which: heat the load to spray the aerosol source; when the stored aerosol source is not inadequate in quantity, while the aerosol source held in its possible state of heating by the load is insufficient in quantity, - performing control to increase the retention amount of the retained aerosol source, or control to increase the ability to increase the retention amount, at least one of the moment when the power supply starts from the power supply to the load and the moment when the power supply from the power supply to the load ends; - control is performed to make the interval from the end of aerosol generation to the start of the next aerosol generation larger than the previous interval; - provide the user with a notification and - control is made to make the next interval larger than the previous interval when further determining the dry condition or dry condition indication after providing the user with the notification one or more times. 22. Computer-readable storage medium containing a program that allows a processor to perform a method according to any one of claims 14, 19 and 21 when executed by the processor.

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