WO2020039589A1

WO2020039589A1 - Suction component generator, method for controlling suction component generator, and program therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2020039589A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/031413
Authority: WO
Inventors: 拓磨中野; 啓司丸橋
Original assignee: 日本たばこ産業株式会社
Priority date: 2018-08-24
Filing date: 2018-08-24
Publication date: 2020-02-27
Also published as: TW202008900A; EP3841897A4; JPWO2020039589A1; US20210169148A1; JP6924904B2; CN112638187A; EP3841897A1

Abstract

Provided is a suction component generator comprising: a first suction component source for generating a first suction component; a second suction component source for generating a second suction component; a second electrical load that adjusts the amount of the second suction components that are generated from the second suction component source; and a control unit. The control unit is configured so as to control electric power that is supplied to the second electrical load on the basis of the value related to the number of first suction components that are generated from the first suction component source.

Description

Suction component generation device, method and program for controlling suction component generation device

The present invention relates to a suction component generation device that generates a suction component sucked by a user, and a method and a program for controlling the suction component generation device.

代わり Instead of cigarettes, there is known an electronic smoking device such as an electronic cigarette which tastes aerosol generated by atomizing an aerosol source with an electric load such as a heater (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

The smoking devices described in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 include an aerosol source (for example, glycerin or propylene glycol) for generating an aerosol, and a flavor base such as a tobacco base for generating a flavor. .

The smoking device described in Patent Document 1 includes an upstream segment composed of a tobacco filler or a processed tobacco filler material containing an aerosol-forming material, and a substrate such as a fiber of polyethylene terephthalate carrying a fragrance and / or an aerosol-forming material. And a downstream segment composed of In Patent Literature 1, an aerosol having a tobacco flavor or the like is generated by passing heated air through an upstream segment and a downstream segment.

喫煙 The smoking device described in Patent Document 2 is configured to be able to simultaneously ingest nicotine from tobacco leaves (tobacco base material) and smoke from electronic cigarettes from an atomizer. The smoking device has a heater for heating the leaves of the cigarette and a heater provided in the atomizer. Patent Literature 2 describes that these heaters are separately controlled.

Japanese Patent No. 5247711 JP-A-2017-127300

A first feature is a suction component generation device, wherein a first suction component source for generating a first suction component, a second suction component source for generating a second suction component, and the second suction component. A second electrical load for adjusting an amount of the second suction component generated from the component source; and a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to control the first suction component generated from the first suction component source. The point is that the power to be supplied to the second electric load is controlled based on a value related to the amount of the second electric load.

Here, the first inhalation component source may include both an aerosol source and a flavor source. The second inhalation component source can include both an aerosol source and a flavor source. However, when the first suction component source is one of an aerosol source and a flavor source, the second suction component source is preferably the other of the aerosol source and the flavor source. Further, the second electric load may include any of an atomizing electric load and a flavoring electric load described below, as far as possible.

A second feature is the suction component generation device according to the first feature, further comprising a first electric load capable of adjusting an amount of the first suction component generated from the first suction component source, The value associated with the amount of the first suction component generated from the first suction component source is a measured or estimated value of the amount of the first suction component, the power supplied to the first electric load, the power of the first electric load. The gist is that it is a temperature or a time for supplying power to the first electric load.

A third feature is the suction component generation device according to the second feature, wherein the first electric load is a temperature controller.

A fourth feature is the suction component generation device according to the first feature, further including a temperature sensor that monitors a temperature of an area where the first suction component is generated, and is generated from the first suction component source. The point is that the value related to the amount of the first suction component is a value acquired by the temperature sensor.

５A fifth feature is the suction component generation device according to any of the first to fourth features, wherein the second electric load is a temperature controller.

A sixth feature is the suction component generation device according to any one of the first feature to the fifth feature, wherein the control unit is configured to change the second suction component according to a change in a value related to the amount of the first suction component. The gist is to control the second electric load so as to suppress a change in the amount of the suction component.

A seventh feature is the suction component generation device according to any one of the first feature to the sixth feature, wherein the control unit is configured to control the second component associated with a variation in a value related to the amount of the first suction component. The gist of the present invention is to control the second electric load so as to suppress the variation in the amount of the suction component.

An eighth feature is the suction component generation device according to the seventh feature, wherein a set value of a value related to the amount of the first suction component is configured to be variable, and the control unit sets the set value to The gist of the present invention is to control the second electric load so as to suppress a change in the amount of the second suction component when changed.

A ninth feature is the suction component generation device according to any one of the first to eighth features, wherein at least a part of the first suction component generated from the first suction component source is converted to the second suction component. The gist of the present invention is to have a flow path that reaches the outlet through the suction component source.

A tenth feature is the suction component generation device according to the ninth feature, wherein the amount of the second suction component generated from the second suction component source is equal to the first suction component generated from the first suction component source. The gist is that at least a part of the suction component is the amount of the second suction component generated from the second suction component source when passing through the second suction component source.

An eleventh feature is the suction component generation device according to the ninth feature or the tenth feature, wherein the first suction component source is an aerosol source, and the second suction component source is configured to add a flavor component to the aerosol. The gist of the flavor source is to be provided.

A twelfth feature is the suction component generation device according to any one of the ninth feature to the eleventh feature, wherein the first flow path guides the first suction component to the suction port through the second suction component source; A second flow path that guides the first suction component to the suction port without passing through the second suction component source, and a flow rate adjustment unit that adjusts a ratio between a flow rate of the first flow path and a flow rate of the second flow path. It should be included.

A thirteenth feature is the suction component generation device according to the twelfth feature, wherein the control unit is configured to control the second electric component based on a target value of the amount of the second suction component generated from the second suction component source. It is configured to control the power supplied to the load and the flow rate adjusting means, and the control unit controls the flow rate adjusting means to control the second suction component generated from the second suction component source. When it is determined that the amount can achieve the target value, the gist is to control the flow rate adjusting unit without controlling the second electric load.

A fourteenth feature is the suction component generation device according to any one of the first feature to the eighth feature, wherein at least a part of the second suction component generated from the second suction component source is the first component. The gist of the present invention is to have a flow path that reaches the outlet through the suction component source.

A fifteenth feature is the suction component generation device according to the thirteenth feature or the fourteenth feature, wherein the second suction component source is an aerosol source, and the first suction component source adds a flavor component to the aerosol. The gist of the flavor source is to be provided.

A sixteenth feature is the suction component generation device according to the eleventh feature or the fifteenth feature, wherein a set value of a value related to the amount of the first suction component is variably configured, and The gist is that the variable range is defined by a value capable of giving a predetermined amount of the flavor component to the aerosol.

A seventeenth feature is the suction component generation device according to the eleventh feature, wherein the second electric load is a temperature controller, and a set value of a value related to the amount of the aerosol is variably configured. The control unit controls the temperature controller to increase the temperature of the flavor source as the amount of aerosol generated from the aerosol source is smaller, and the lower limit of the set value is such that the flavor source is not burned. It is the gist that it is specified in the range.

An eighteenth feature is the suction component generation device according to the seventeenth feature, wherein the lower limit is variable in accordance with a value related to an amount of a flavor component generated from the flavor source.

A nineteenth feature is the suction component generation device according to the eleventh feature or the fifteenth feature, wherein a set value of a value related to the amount of the aerosol is configured to be variable, and an upper limit of the set value is The point is that the consumption rate of the aerosol source accompanying the generation of the aerosol is specified so as not to exceed the supply rate of the aerosol source to the place where the aerosol source is atomized.

A twentieth feature is the suction component generation device according to any of the first to nineteenth features, wherein a plurality of target values of the first suction component generation amount and the second suction component generation amount are provided. The gist is to have a plurality of modes which are determined according to a combination with a plurality of target values and which can be selected by a user.

A twenty-first feature is the suction component generation device according to any one of the first to fifth features, wherein the control unit controls the amount of the first suction component generated from the first suction component source. The gist is configured to control the second electric load based on a relationship between a related value and a value related to the amount of the second suction component generated from the second suction component source. .

A twenty-second feature is the suction component generation device according to the twenty-first feature, further comprising an adjusting unit that adjusts an amount of the first suction component generated from the first suction component source, wherein the control unit includes: The gist is that it is configured to control both the second electric load and the adjusting means.

A twenty-third feature is the suction component generation device according to the twenty-second feature, wherein at least a portion of the first suction component generated from the first suction component source reaches an outlet through the second suction component source. A flow source, the first suction component source is an aerosol source, the second suction component source is a flavor source that imparts a flavor component to the aerosol, and the control unit is configured to control a predetermined aerosol amount and a predetermined In order to achieve the amount of flavor, the gist is that the adjusting means is preferentially controlled before controlling the second electric load.

A twenty-fourth feature is the suction component generation device according to any one of the twenty-first feature to the twenty-third feature, wherein the relationship is based on a value related to the amount of the first suction component and the second suction component source. The gist is that it is determined by a predetermined function or a predetermined lookup table that associates a value related to the amount of the second suction component to be generated.

A twenty-fifth feature is the suction component generation device according to any one of the twenty-first feature to the twenty-fourth feature, wherein the relationship is based on the type of the first suction component source and the type of the second suction component source. The gist is that they differ depending on at least one of them.

A twenty-sixth feature is that a first suction component source for generating a first suction component, a second suction component source for generating a second suction component, and the second suction component source generated from the second suction component source. A second electrical load for adjusting the amount of the suction component, the method comprising controlling a suction component generator having a second electrical load that adjusts the amount of the suction component. And controlling the electric power to be supplied to the second electric load.

２７The twenty-seventh feature is a gist of a program for causing a suction component generation device to execute the method according to the twenty-sixth feature.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a suction component generation device according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an atomizing unit according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the suction sensor according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a flow rate adjusting unit according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the suction component generation device. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating control in the suction component generation device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a combination of the target value of the flavor component and the target value of the aerosol amount. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating another example of control in the suction component generation device according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a graph showing an example of the relationship between the target value of the flavor component and the target value of the aerosol amount. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating another example of control in the suction component generation device according to the embodiment.

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

Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined in consideration of the following description. In addition, it goes without saying that the drawings may include portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios.

[Overview of disclosure]
The smoking device described in Patent Literature 1 generates an aerosol having a tobacco flavor and the like. However, the amount of tobacco flavor relative to the amount of aerosol depends on the design of the device, and it is difficult to change the amount of aerosol and the amount of tobacco flavor independently of each other.

Patent Document 2 discloses that a heater for heating the leaf of a cigarette and a heater provided in an atomizer are separately controlled. However, Patent Document 2 has almost no specific description on how to control these heaters.

According to one aspect, a suction component generation device includes a first suction component source for generating a first suction component, a second suction component source for generating a second suction component, and the second suction component source. And an electric load for generating the second suction component from the control unit. The control unit is configured to control electric power supplied to the electric load based on a value related to an amount of the first suction component generated from the first suction component source.

According to one aspect, a method of controlling a suction component generation device comprises: a first suction component source for generating a first suction component; a second suction component source for generating a second suction component; A second electrical load for generating the second suction component from the second suction component source, wherein the amount of the first suction component generated from the first suction component source is controlled. Controlling the power supplied to the second electric load based on the value related to the second electric load.

プログラム The program according to one aspect causes the suction component generation device to execute the above method.

According to the above aspect, the power supplied to the second electric load is controlled based on the value related to the amount of the first suction component generated from the first suction component source, and the second power generated from the second suction component source is controlled. 2. The amount of the suction component is adjusted. Thus, the amount of the second suction component included in the first suction component is appropriately variably configured according to the amount of the first suction component. In particular, when the amount of the first suction component affects the amount of the second suction component generated from the second suction component source, the amount of the first suction component is related to the amount of the first suction component generated from the first suction component source. The amount of the second suction component can be appropriately adjusted by controlling the power supplied to the second electric load based on the value to be performed.

Therefore, for example, the amount of the flavor component (second suction component) in the aerosol can be appropriately adjusted based on the value related to the amount of the aerosol (first suction component). As a specific example, the amount of the aerosol can be increased or decreased while the amount of the flavor component is kept constant. In this case, for example, the user can enjoy a desired flavor by keeping the amount of the flavor component in the aerosol constant while suppressing the amount of the aerosol in order to consider surrounding people. .

In the smoking device described in Patent Literature 2, nicotine is generated from tobacco leaves (tobacco base material), and smoke of electronic cigarettes generated by an atomizer is added to air containing nicotine. That is, e-cigarette smoke is produced downstream of the production of nicotine. In this case, the amount of smoke (aerosol) of the electronic cigarette depends only on the output of the heater in the atomization unit, and the amount of the tobacco flavor component only depends on the output of the cigarette heater. Therefore, Patent Document 2 does not disclose the technical idea of adjusting the output of the cigarette heater based on the amount of smoke of the electronic cigarette or adjusting the output of the heater in the atomizing unit based on the amount of the tobacco flavor component. Please note.

(Suction component generator)
Hereinafter, a suction component generation device according to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing a suction component generation device according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an atomizing unit according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the suction sensor according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a flow rate adjusting unit according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the suction component generation device.

The suction component generation device 100 may be a non-combustion type flavor suction device for sucking flavor without burning. Preferably, the suction component generation device 100 may be a portable flavor inhaler. The suction component generation device 100 may have a shape extending along a predetermined direction A that is a direction from the non-mouth end E2 to the mouth end E1. In this case, the suction component generation device 100 may include one end E1 having the mouth 141 for sucking the flavor, and the other end E2 opposite to the mouth 141.

The suction component generation device 100 may include a power supply unit 110 and an atomization unit 120. The atomization unit 120 may be configured to be detachable from the power supply unit 110 via

mechanical connection portions

111 and 121. When the atomizing unit 120 and the power supply unit 110 are mechanically connected to each other, the later-described atomizing electric load 122R and flavor electric load 124R in the atomizing unit 120 are connected to a power supply provided in the power supply unit 110. 10 is electrically connected.

The atomizing unit 120 includes an aerosol source (aspirating component source) sucked by a user, and an atomizing electric load 122R that atomizes the aerosol source with power from the power supply 10.

電気 The atomizing electric load 122R may be an element that can adjust the amount of aerosol (the amount of the suction component) generated from the aerosol source according to the supplied electric power. For example, the atomizing electric load 122R may be the atomizing temperature controller 122. As an example, the atomizing electric load 122R constituting the atomizing temperature controller 122 may be a resistance heating element.

Hereinafter, a more detailed example of the atomization unit 120 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The atomizing unit 120 may include a reservoir 122P, a wick 122Q, and an atomizing electric load 122R. The reservoir 122P may be configured to store a liquid aerosol source. The reservoir 122P may be, for example, a porous body made of a material such as a resin web. The wick 122Q may be a liquid holding member that transports the aerosol source from the reservoir 122P to the vicinity of the atomizing electric load 122R by using a capillary phenomenon. The wick 122Q can be made of, for example, glass fiber or porous ceramic.

電気 The atomizing electric load 122R heats the aerosol source held by the wick 122Q. The atomizing electric load 122R is configured by, for example, a resistance heating element (for example, a heating wire) wound around the wick 122Q.

The electric load 122R for atomization may be, for example, a temperature controller 122 such as an electric heater. Instead, the atomizing electric load 122R may be a temperature controller having a function of heating and cooling the aerosol source held by the wick 122Q.

The air that has flowed in from the inlet 125 through the flow path 127 passes near the atomizing electric load 122R in the atomizing unit 120. The aerosol generated at the atomizing electric load 122R flows to the suction port 141 together with the air.

The aerosol source may be liquid at room temperature. For example, a polyhydric alcohol can be used as the aerosol source. The aerosol source may include a tobacco raw material or an extract derived from a tobacco raw material that releases a flavor component upon heating.

In the above embodiment, the example of the aerosol source that is liquid at room temperature has been described in detail, but instead, an aerosol source that is solid at room temperature may be used. In this case, the atomizing electric load 122R may be in contact with or in proximity to the solid aerosol source to generate aerosol from the solid aerosol source.

The atomizing unit 120 may include a flavor unit 130 that is configured to be replaceable. The flavor unit 130 may have a cylinder 131 that stores a flavor source (a suction component source). The cylinder 131 may include a membrane member 133 and a filter 132 through which air, aerosol, and the like can pass. A flavor source may be provided in a space defined by the membrane member 133 and the filter 132.

The suction component generation device 100 has

channels

127 and 128 that allow at least a part of the aerosol generated from the aerosol source to reach the outlet through the flavor source. Thus, the flavor source in the flavor unit 130 imparts a flavor component to the aerosol generated by the atomizing electric load 122R of the atomization unit 120. The flavor component imparted to the aerosol by the flavor source is carried to the suction port 141 of the suction component generation device 100.

The flavor source in the flavor unit 130 may be solid at room temperature. As an example, the flavor source is constituted by a raw material piece of a plant material that imparts a flavor-tasting component to the aerosol. As a raw material piece constituting the flavor source, a molded article obtained by molding a tobacco material such as chopped tobacco or tobacco raw material into granules can be used. Alternatively, the flavor source may be a molded article formed by molding the tobacco material into a sheet. Moreover, the raw material piece which comprises a flavor source may be comprised by plants (for example, mint, herb, etc.) other than tobacco. Flavors such as menthol may be provided to the flavor source.

The flavor source may be movably accommodated in a space defined by the membrane member 133 and the filter 132. In this case, the flavor source flows in the flavor unit 130 during use, and the bias of the flavor source in contact with the flavor electric load 124R is reduced, so that the flavor component can be stably released.

に Alternatively, the flavor source may be substantially fixed in the space defined by the membrane member 133 and the filter 132. In this case, heat can be efficiently transmitted from the flavor electric load 124R to the flavor source.

The flavor electric load 124R provided in the atomization unit 120 may be located around the cylindrical body 131 of the flavor unit 130 attached to the atomization unit 120. The flavor electric load 124R may be configured to be able to adjust the amount of flavor (inhalation component) generated from the flavor source. The flavor electric load 124R may be an element that can adjust the amount of flavor generated from the flavor source according to the supplied power. For example, the flavor electric load 124R may be a temperature controller 124 that can adjust the temperature of the flavor source. The temperature controller 124 may be constituted by a resistance heating element. Alternatively, the temperature controller 124 may be a cooling element such as a Peltier element. Further, the temperature controller 124 may be an element capable of performing both heating and cooling.

断熱 A heat insulating material 126 may be provided outside the flavor electric load 124R. Thus, it is possible to suppress the temperature difference between the outer edge temperature of the suction component generation device 100 and the outside air temperature from becoming too large. That is, it is possible to suppress the outer edge of the suction component generation device 100 from becoming too cold or too hot. In addition, the heat insulating material 126 can reduce the heat transfer loss from the flavor electric load 124R, and can perform temperature control with energy saving.

The suction component generation device 100 may include a mouthpiece having a suction port for a user to suction the suction component. The mouthpiece may be configured to be detachable from the atomizing unit 120 or the flavoring unit 130, or may be configured as an integral unit.

In addition, the suction component generation device 100, specifically, the atomization unit 120, includes a first flow path 128 that guides the aerosol to the mouth 141 through the flavor source, and a second flow path 129 that guides the aerosol to the mouth 141 without passing the flavor source. And may be provided. The aerosol passing through the second channel 129 reaches the mouth 141 without being imparted with a flavor from a flavor source. In this case, the atomizing unit 120 may include a flow rate adjusting unit 730 that adjusts the ratio between the flow rate of the first flow path 128 and the flow rate of the second flow path 129. The flow rate adjusting means 730 is provided between the atomizing unit 120 and the flavor unit 130, that is, near the boundary. Thereby, since the amount of aerosol that passes through the flavor source can be adjusted irrespective of the amount of aerosol generated by the atomizing unit 120, the entire amount of the aerosol generated by the atomizing unit 120 is ventilated to the flavor source. Is maximized, the ratio between the aerosol and the flavor component contained in the gas reaching the mouth 141 can be controlled.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the flow rate adjusting means 730 according to one embodiment. The flow rate adjusting means 730 may include two

cylindrical members

731A and 731B coaxially arranged. The first cylindrical member 731A and the second cylindrical member 731B may be configured to be rotatable around the rotation axis C, respectively. The first columnar member 731A and the second columnar member 731B may have a through hole 760A and a through hole 760B at the rotation axis, respectively. Thereby, at least a part of the aerosol generated by the atomizing unit 120 flows into the first flow path 128 in the flavor unit 130 through the through

holes

760A and 760B of the flow rate adjusting means 730.

The first columnar member 731A and the second columnar member 731B may have other through

holes

760A, 760B penetrating along the predetermined direction A around the rotation axis. These 760A and 760B have different overlapping areas according to the relative positional relationship between the first cylindrical member 731A and the second cylindrical member 731B in the rotation direction. That is, the aerosol generated by the atomizing unit 120 flows into the second flow path 129 outside the flavoring unit 130 according to the relative positional relationship between the first cylindrical member 731A and the second cylindrical member 731B in the rotation direction. Thus, the flow rate adjusting means 730 can adjust the ratio between the flow rate of the first flow path 128 and the flow rate of the second flow path 129.

The power supply unit 110 may include the power supply 10 and the control unit 50. The control unit 50 may include a memory 52 that stores information necessary for performing various controls necessary for the operation of the suction component generation device 100. Further, the control unit 50 may include a notification unit that issues a notification for notifying the user of various types of information as needed. The notification unit may be a light-emitting element that emits light, such as an LED, an element that emits sound, or a vibrator that emits vibration. Further, the notification unit may be configured by a combination of elements that emit light, sound, or vibration.

The power supply 10 stores electric power necessary for the operation of the suction component generation device 100. The power supply 10 may be detachable from the power supply unit 110. The power supply 10 may be a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery.

The control unit 50 may perform various controls necessary for the operation of the suction component generation device 100. For example, the control unit 50 may control power from the power supply 10 to the atomizing electric load 122R and the flavoring electric load 124R. Further, the control unit 50 may electrically and automatically operate the flow rate adjusting unit 730 described above. For example, if the flow rate adjusting unit 730 is in the mode shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 50 rotates at least one of the first cylindrical member 731A and the second cylindrical member 731B around the rotation axis C.

The control unit 50 may include a suction detection unit that detects a suction request operation by the user. The suction detection unit may be, for example, a suction sensor 20 that detects a user's suction operation. Alternatively, the suction detection unit may be, for example, a push button pressed by a user.

The controller 50 generates a command for operating the atomizing electric load 122R and / or the flavoring electric load 124R when the suction detection unit detects the suction request operation. The control unit 50 may be configured to variably supply electric power to be supplied to the atomizing electric load 122R and the flavoring electric load 124R according to a mode designated by a user, an environment, or the like.

It is preferable that the control unit 50 supplies power to the atomizing electric load 122R and / or the flavoring electric load 124R in the form of a power pulse. Thereby, the control unit 50 can control the power supplied to the atomizing electric load 122R and / or the flavor electric load 124R by adjusting the duty ratio of the pulse width modulation (PWM) or the pulse frequency modulation (PFM). Out.

(4) When electric power is supplied to the atomizing electric load 122R, the temperature of the atomizing temperature controller 122 rises, and the aerosol is vaporized or atomized to generate aerosol. When electric power is supplied to the flavor electric load 124R, the temperature of the flavor temperature controller 124 changes, and the amount of the flavor component released from the flavor source changes according to the temperature.

The inhalation component generation device 100 estimates the temperature of the aerosol source or the temperature controller 122 for nebulization or the temperature sensor 150 capable of estimating or acquiring the temperature of the flavor source or the temperature controller 124 for flavor as needed. And a possible temperature sensor 160.

The suction sensor 20 may be configured to output an output value that fluctuates according to suction from the suction port. Specifically, the suction sensor 20 outputs a value (for example, a voltage value or a current value) that changes according to the flow rate of the air sucked from the non-mouth side to the mouth side (that is, the user's puff operation). Sensor. Examples of such a sensor include a condenser microphone sensor and a known flow sensor.

FIG. 3 shows a specific example of the suction sensor 20. The suction sensor 20 illustrated in FIG. 3 has a sensor main body 21, a cover 22, and a substrate 23. The sensor main body 21 is composed of, for example, a capacitor. The electric capacity of the sensor main body 21 is changed by vibration (pressure) generated by air sucked from the inlet 125 (that is, air sucked from the non-mouth side to the mouth side). The cover 22 is provided on the suction side with respect to the sensor main body 21 and has an opening 40. By providing the cover 22 having the opening 40, the electric capacity of the sensor main body 21 is easily changed, and the response characteristics of the sensor main body 21 are improved. The substrate 23 outputs a value (here, a voltage value) indicating the electric capacity of the sensor body 21 (capacitor).

The suction component generation device 100 may include an input unit 200 and a display unit 210. The input unit 200 may be configured to be able to input various commands from a user. The input unit 200 may be, for example, a touch panel type screen or an operation push button. The display unit 210 may be a screen for displaying various information to a user.

The input unit 200 may be used, for example, for selecting a mode described later. The input unit 200 may be used to set a target value of the generated aerosol and / or a target value of the flavor component. The control unit 50 may adjust the amount of power supplied to the atomizing electric load 122R and / or the flavoring electric load 124R according to these target values.

(Control of electric load 1)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control in the suction component generation device according to the embodiment. In the present embodiment, the user sets a target value of the aerosol amount before starting the suction operation (Step S301). The target value A of the aerosol amount may be selected from a plurality of options (modes), or may be set by specific numerical values. The control unit 50 determines the power or the amount of power to be supplied to the atomizing temperature controller 122 according to the target value A of the aerosol amount (Step S302).

In step S301, the target value of the aerosol amount is set. Instead, a value related to the aerosol amount may be set. The value related to the amount of aerosol may be, for example, the temperature of the temperature controller for atomization 122, the power supplied to the temperature controller 122 for atomization, the time for supplying power to the temperature controller 122 for atomization, or the like. .

The user sets the target value Y of the flavor component (step S303). Then, the control unit 50 determines a target temperature of the flavor temperature controller 124 (Step S304). More specifically, the control unit 50 controls the electric power supplied to the flavor temperature controller 124 according to the target value A of the aerosol amount and the target value Y of the flavor component, that is, the target of the flavor temperature controller 124. The temperature may be determined.

In step S303, a target value of the amount of the flavor component is set. Instead, a value related to the amount of the flavor component may be set. The value related to the amount of the flavor component is, for example, the temperature of the flavor temperature controller 124, the power supplied to the flavor temperature controller 124, the time for supplying the power to the flavor temperature controller 124, and the flow rate adjusting unit 730. It may be the amount of aerosol vented to the flavor source, specifically, the degree of opening of the second channel 129 by the flow rate adjusting means 730, and the like.

量 The amount of flavor components generated in the aerosol can vary depending on the amount of aerosol passing through the flavor source and the temperature. For example, the greater the amount of aerosol passing through the flavor source, the greater the amount of flavor components generated in the aerosol. Also, the higher the temperature of the flavor source, the greater the amount of flavor components generated in the aerosol. Therefore, the control unit 50 determines the electric power to be supplied to the flavor temperature controller 124 (second electric load) according to the target value of the aerosol amount (the amount of the first suction component). Thereby, the amount of the flavor component contained in the aerosol amount can be controlled independently of the aerosol amount.

After the power to be supplied to the atomizing temperature controller 122 and the power to be supplied to the flavor temperature controller 124 are determined, when the control unit 50 detects the start of the suction cycle, the control unit 50 detects the start of the suction cycle or the flavor source or the temperature controller for flavor. The temperature of 124 is estimated or measured (step S305 and step S306). The suction cycle can be detected, for example, by the user pressing a push button. The suction cycle is a state in which the operation of the temperature controller for atomization 122 and / or the temperature controller for flavor 124 is possible by the user's suction operation, and may include one or more user's suction operations. It is a cycle. In addition, the suction operation means an operation such as pressing of a push button by a user or suction from a suction port.

The temperature of the flavor source or flavor temperature controller 124 can be estimated or measured by the temperature sensor 160. Instead, when the temperature controller 124 for flavor is a heater including a resistance heating element, the control unit 50 estimates the temperature of the resistance heating element by estimating the electric resistance value from the voltage drop amount at the resistance heating element. Can be estimated. The amount of voltage drop in the resistance heating element can be measured by a known voltage sensor.

The control unit 50 determines whether the temperature of the flavor source or the flavor temperature controller 124 is more than a predetermined value Δ from the target temperature T _target (step S307). When the temperature of the flavor source or the temperature controller for flavor 124 is more than a predetermined value Δ from the target temperature T _target , the control unit 50 supplies electric power to the temperature controller for flavor 124, and Control is performed so that the temperature controller 124 maintains the temperature around the target temperature (step S308). The predetermined value Δ is an allowable value of a temperature error, and is set, for example, in a range of several degrees Celsius to less than 10 degrees Celsius.

When the difference between the temperature of the flavor source or the temperature controller for flavor 124 and the target temperature T _target is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value Δ, it is not necessary to supply power to the temperature controller for flavor 124. Thereby, power saving of the suction component generation device is possible.

After the power to be supplied to the atomizing temperature controller 122 and the power to be supplied to the flavor temperature controller 124 are determined, the control unit 50 monitors whether or not the user performs a suction operation (step S309). The user's suction operation can be detected by, for example, the suction sensor 20 described above.

When the user's suction operation is detected, the control unit 50 supplies electric power to the atomizing electric load 122R (adjusting unit) to heat the atomizing temperature controller 122 (Step S310). Thereby, an aerosol is generated from the atomization unit. The aerosol generated in the atomizing unit is imparted with a flavor by passing through a flavor source. The user will inhale the flavored aerosol.

When the control unit 50 detects the end of the suction operation (step S311), it stops supplying power to the atomizing electric load 122R (step S312). Here, the end of the suction operation can be detected by the suction sensor 20. In addition, even if the suction operation by the user is completed, the control unit 50 continues to supply power to the flavor temperature controller 124 so as to maintain the temperature of the flavor source at the target temperature until the suction cycle is completed. Good.

The control unit 50 may stop supplying power to the atomizing electric load 122R even at a timing other than the detection of the end of the suction operation. For example, when the user continues the suction operation for a very long time, or when the abnormality of the electric load 122R for atomization or the power supply 10 is detected, the supply of power to the electric load 122R for atomization may be stopped.

When the control unit 50 detects the end of the suction cycle (step S313), the control unit 50 may stop supplying power to the flavor electric load 124R (step S314). The control unit 50 may determine that the suction cycle has ended, for example, when a predetermined push button is pressed by the user or when a predetermined period has elapsed from the end of the previous suction operation. Alternatively, the control unit 50 may determine that the suction cycle has ended when the suction operation has been detected a predetermined number of times during one suction cycle, or when a predetermined period has elapsed since the start of the suction cycle. Good.

では In the control flow described above, the timings of starting and ending power supply to the atomizing electric load 122R and the flavoring electric load 124R are different. Instead, the timing of starting and / or ending the supply of power to the atomizing electric load 122R and the flavoring electric load 124R may be the same.

In step S304, the control unit 50 determines the power to be supplied to the flavor temperature controller 124 (second electric load) according to the target value of the aerosol amount (the amount of the first suction component). Not limited to this, the control unit 50 may be configured to control the electric power supplied to the flavor electric load 124R based on a value related to the amount of the aerosol generated from the aerosol source.

The value associated with the amount of aerosol generated from the aerosol source is the measured or estimated value of the amount of aerosol, the power supplied to the electrical load for atomization 122R, the temperature of the electrical load for atomization 122R, the electrical load for atomization. The time for supplying power to the 122R, the amount of power supplied to the atomizing electric load 122R, and the like may be used. Further, the value related to the amount of aerosol generated from the aerosol source may be a value acquired by a temperature sensor that monitors the temperature of the area where the aerosol is generated. Further, the value associated with the amount of the aerosol may be the amount of the aerosol itself. Even in these cases, the amount of the flavor component contained in the aerosol amount can be controlled independently of the aerosol amount.

According to the control flow illustrated in FIG. 6, the control unit 50 controls the value based on the relationship between the value related to the amount of the aerosol generated from the aerosol source and the value related to the amount of the flavor component generated from the flavor source. The flavor temperature controller 124 is configured to be controlled.

This relationship may be defined by a look-up table that associates a value related to the amount of the aerosol with a value related to the amount of the flavor component generated from the flavor source. That is, when the user sets a value related to the amount of the aerosol generated from the aerosol source and a value related to the amount of the flavor component generated from the flavor source, the control unit 50 stores the value in the memory 52. The power to be supplied to the atomizing electric load 122R and the flavoring electric load 124R may be determined with reference to the reference table that has been set. That is, when the user sets a value related to the amount of the aerosol generated from the aerosol source and a value related to the amount of the flavor component generated from the flavor source, the control unit 50 stores the value in the memory 52. The power to be supplied to the atomizing electric load 122R and the flavoring electric load 124R may be determined based on the reference table.

{Alternatively, this relationship may be defined by a predetermined function that relates a value related to the amount of the aerosol to a value related to the amount of the flavor component generated from the flavor source. That is, when the user sets a value related to the amount of the aerosol generated from the aerosol source and a value related to the amount of the flavor component generated from the flavor source, the control unit 50 stores the value in the memory 52. The power to be supplied to the atomizing electric load 122R and the flavoring electric load 124R may be calculated based on the predetermined function. The predetermined function can be determined, for example, by a previously performed experiment. Further, if a predetermined function is used, the atomization is performed according to an arbitrary combination of a value related to the amount of the aerosol generated from the aerosol source and a value related to the amount of the flavor component generated from the flavor source. The power supplied to the electric load 122R and the flavor electric load 124R can be determined continuously.

The relationship described above may be different depending on at least one of the type of the aerosol source and the type of the flavor source. Here, the types of the aerosol source and the flavor source may be determined by the difference in the composition of the aerosol source and the flavor source, respectively. Because the relationship between the value related to the amount of the aerosol generated from the aerosol source and the value related to the amount of the flavor component generated from the flavor source may differ depending on the difference in the composition of the aerosol source and the flavor source. .

According to the above aspect, the user sets both the target value of the aerosol amount and the target value of the flavor component. In this case, the set value of the aerosol amount and / or the set value of the flavor component preferably has a desired upper limit and / or lower limit.

For example, it is preferable that the variable range of the set value of the amount of the aerosol and / or the amount of the flavor component is defined by a value capable of providing a predetermined amount of the flavor component to the aerosol. Thereby, a flavor component in a predetermined range can be imparted to the aerosol regardless of the aerosol amount. Therefore, the user can inhale a desired flavor regardless of the aerosol amount.

上限 The upper limit of the set value of the value related to the amount of the flavor component is preferably lower than the combustion temperature of the flavor source. This can prevent the flavor source from being heated above the combustion temperature of the flavor source. Specifically, the upper limit of the set value of the value related to the amount of the flavor component, when using tobacco raw material as a flavor source, the temperature of the flavor temperature regulator 124 is 200 ° C, preferably by a value corresponding to 150 ° C May be specified.

(4) The upper limit of the set value of the value related to the amount of the flavor component is preferably a value corresponding to the boiling point of the aerosol source or lower. Thereby, the temperature of the flavor source is maintained at or below the boiling point of the aerosol source. In this case, a reduction in the amount of aerosol due to re-evaporation or diffusion of the aerosol passing through the flavor source can be suppressed. The upper limit of the set value of the value related to the amount of the flavor component may be variable according to the set value of the value related to the aerosol amount as shown in FIG.

場合 When the aerosol source contains a plurality of aerosol precursors, such as glycerin and propylene glycol, the “boiling point of the aerosol source” may be defined by the boiling point of the component with the largest weight percentage contained in the aerosol source. Alternatively, the “boiling point of the aerosol source” may be defined by the boiling point of the component having the lowest boiling point in a single component among the plurality of aerosol precursors. For example, if the aerosol source includes glycerin and propylene glycol, it may be specified at about 190 ° C., the boiling point of propylene glycol. In addition, when the content of glycerin is higher than that of propylene glycol, the boiling point of the aerosol source may be specified at about 250 ° C., which is the boiling point of glycerin.

In addition, from the viewpoint of suppressing the reduction of the aerosol amount due to the re-evaporation or diffusion of the aerosol described above, the temperature of the flavor source is maintained at about 250 ° C. or lower, about 190 ° C. or lower, or about 100 ° C. or lower (boiling point of water) or lower. Is preferably performed. Therefore, when it is determined that the temperature of the flavor source determined according to the set value of the aerosol amount and / or the amount of the flavor component does not maintain the upper limit temperature, the control unit 50 displays an error on the display unit 210. The user may be prompted to change these set values.

(4) The lower limit of the set value of the value related to the amount of the flavor component may be, for example, a value corresponding to −10 ° C. or more, preferably 0 ° C. or more, more preferably 10 ° C. or more. Thereby, the aerosol passing through the flavor source can be suppressed from condensing in the air flow path, and the decrease in the amount of aerosol reaching the mouth can be suppressed. The lower limit of the set value of the value related to the amount of the flavor component may be variable according to the set value of the value related to the aerosol amount as shown in FIG.

The upper limit of the set value of the value related to the amount of the aerosol is preferably defined so that the consumption rate of the aerosol source accompanying the generation of the aerosol does not exceed the supply rate of the aerosol source to where the aerosol source is atomized. . Further, in a mode of controlling the flavor temperature controller 124 so as to increase the temperature of the flavor source as the amount of the aerosol generated from the aerosol source is smaller, the lower limit of the set value of the value related to the amount of the aerosol is: It is preferable that the flavor source is defined in a range where it is not burned. The upper and / or lower limit of the set value of the value related to the amount of the aerosol may be variable according to the value related to the amount of the flavor component generated from the flavor source (see also FIG. 7).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a combination of the target value of the flavor component and the target value of the aerosol amount. The boundary line between the region R2 and the region R3 indicates the amount Y of the flavor component and the amount of the aerosol when the output of the atomizing temperature controller 122 is changed without operating the flavor temperature controller 124 at a certain atmospheric temperature. A is a line indicating a possible value. Therefore, when the amount of the flavor component Y and the amount of the aerosol A indicated by the point P2 are set by the user, the control unit 50 operates the atomizing temperature controller 124 without operating the flavor temperature controller 124. 122 may be operated.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the case where the amount Y of the flavor component and the amount A of the aerosol corresponding to the points on the boundary line between the region R2 and the region R3 shown in FIG. Even when the amount Y of the flavor component and the amount A of the aerosol in the line are set, the control unit 50 operates the temperature controller 122 for atomization without operating the temperature controller 124 for flavor. It should be done. Here, the width of the strip-shaped line (the width in the vertical axis direction in FIG. 7) that does not require the operation of the flavor temperature controller 124 is twice the predetermined value Δ in step S307 of the control flow shown in FIG. Note that this is related to 2Δ).

領域 The region R2 is a region in which the amount of flavor components contained in the aerosol is larger than when the flavor temperature controller 124 is not operated. Therefore, when the amount Y of the flavor component and the amount A of the aerosol indicated by the point P3 are set, the control unit 50 may operate both the atomization temperature controller 122 and the flavor temperature controller 124. Good.

The boundary between the region R2 and the region R1 indicates the upper limit of the amount of the aerosol and the upper limit of the amount of the flavor component. The upper limit of the amount of the flavor component may be set as described above. In this case, when the amount Y of the flavor component and the amount A of the aerosol represented by the point P4 are set, the control unit 50 can prompt the user to change the setting by displaying an error on the display unit 210. .

The region R3 is a region where the amount of the flavor component contained in the aerosol is smaller than when the flavor temperature controller 124 is not operated. In this case, the desired amount Y of the flavor component and the amount A of the aerosol included in the region R3 can be achieved by operating the flow rate adjusting unit 730 described above. For example, when a part of the aerosol generated by the atomizing unit 120 is passed through the second channel 129, the amount of the flavor component in the aerosol can be reduced. As described above, the control unit 50 not only controls the power supplied to the flavor temperature controller 124 based on the target value of the amount of the flavor component generated from the flavor source, but also controls the flow rate adjusting unit 730 based on the target value. May also be controlled. More specifically, the control unit 50 may control both the power supplied to the flavor temperature controller 124 and the flow rate adjusting unit 730 in order to generate a desired flavor component amount and a desired aerosol amount. Good.

In addition, when the control unit 50 determines that the amount of the flavor component generated from the flavor source can achieve the target value under the control of the flow rate adjusting unit 730, the control unit 50 controls the flow rate without controlling the flavor temperature controller 124. Means 730 may be controlled. The control of the flow rate adjusting means 730 consumes less power than the control of the flavor temperature controller 124. Therefore, it is preferable to preferentially adjust the amount of the flavor component by the flow rate adjusting unit 730 before driving the flavor temperature controller 124.

When the amount Y of the flavor component and the amount A of the aerosol indicated by the point P1 in FIG. 7 are set, the control unit 50 reduces the amount of the aerosol to be passed through the first flow path 128 by the flow rate adjusting unit 730, What is necessary is just to operate the temperature controller 122 for atomization. Instead, when the amount Y of the flavor component is reduced, the flavor source may be cooled by the flavor temperature controller 124 having a cooling function.

In the example described above, the predetermined target value in the region R3, for example, the point P1, has been realized by using the flow rate adjusting unit 730. Alternatively, the predetermined target value in the region R3 can be realized by the flavor temperature controller 124 having a cooling function. That is, the amount of the flavor component in the aerosol can be reduced by lowering the temperature of the flavor source by the flavor temperature controller 124. Thereby, a predetermined target value in the region R3 where the ratio of the flavor component to the aerosol amount is low can be realized.

The boundary between the region R3 and the region R4 indicates the lower limit of the amount of the flavor component or the lower limit of the amount of the aerosol when the flow rate adjusting unit 730 is not used. The lower limit of the amount of the flavor component or the lower limit of the amount of the aerosol may be set as described above. Therefore, when the amount Y of the flavor component and the amount A of the aerosol included in the region R4 are set, the control unit 50 can prompt the user to change the setting by displaying an error on the display unit 210.

Alternatively, the target values of the amount of the aerosol and the amount of the flavor component in the region R4 can be realized by using the flow rate adjusting means 730 or by using the flow rate adjusting means 730 and the cooling by the flavor temperature controller 124 in combination. .

For example, the control unit 50 allows a large amount of the aerosol generated by the atomization unit 120 to pass through the second flow path 129, and significantly reduces the amount of the aerosol to be passed through the first flow path. Can be greatly reduced. Thereby, the target values of the amount of the aerosol and the amount of the flavor component in the region R4 can be realized.

Instead of this, the temperature of the flavor source is lowered by the flavor temperature controller 124 and the amount of aerosol to be passed through the first flow path by the flow rate adjusting means 730 is also reduced, so that the amount and flavor of the aerosol in the region R4 are also reduced. A target value for the amount of the component can be achieved.

組み合わせ Regarding the combination of the target value of the flavor component and the target value of the aerosol amount in FIG. 7, in a region where the target value of the aerosol amount is small, the aerosol (smoke) discharged from the suction component generation device cannot be visually recognized or is difficult to be visually recognized. The operation mode of the suction component generation device relating to such a target value can be said to be a “smokeless mode”. The smokeless mode can be realized by, for example, not operating the atomizing temperature controller 122 or maintaining the amount of heating by the atomizing temperature controller 122 at a low value.

When substantially no power is supplied to both the atomizing temperature controller 122 and the flavor temperature controller 124, a mode in which the aerosol amount A is 0 on the boundary between the regions R2 and R3 in FIG. 7 is realized. You. That is, even when substantially no power is supplied to both the atomizing temperature controller 122 and the flavor temperature controller 124, as shown in FIG. Can be. In other words, depending on the set value of the flavor component amount Y, a mode in which substantially no power is supplied to both the atomizing temperature controller 122 and the flavor temperature controller 124 is also conceivable.

(Control of electric load 2)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control in the suction component generation device according to the embodiment. In the present embodiment, the control unit 50 controls the amount of the flavor component contained in the aerosol to be constant. The amount of the flavor component may be set in advance, or may be set by the user before the suction operation.

First, the user sets a target value of the aerosol amount before starting the suction operation (step S301). The target value A of the aerosol amount may be selected from a plurality of options (modes), or may be set by specific numerical values. The control unit 50 determines the power or the amount of power to be supplied to the atomizing temperature controller 122 according to the target value A of the aerosol amount (Step S302).

Next, the control unit 50 determines the target temperature of the flavor temperature controller 124 according to the target value A of the aerosol amount (the amount of the first suction component) (step S304). More specifically, the control unit 50 determines the power to be supplied to the flavor temperature controller 124 based on the target value A of the aerosol amount so that the amount of the flavor component generated in the aerosol becomes constant.

{Steps S305 to S314 thereafter are the same as those in the control flow shown in FIG. 6, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Here, it is preferable that the control unit 50 restarts the control from step S301 when the target value of the aerosol amount is changed even during the suction cycle. At this time, the control unit 50 may keep the target value of the flavor component contained in the aerosol constant.

Fig. 9 shows an example of the relationship between the target value of the flavor component and the target value of the aerosol amount. The solid line in FIG. 9 indicates the target value of the flavor component. The dotted line in FIG. 9 indicates the target value of the aerosol amount. As shown in FIG. 9, when the target value of the aerosol amount is changed while the target value of the flavor component is kept constant, the temperature of the flavor source, that is, the power supplied to the flavor temperature controller 124 is changed. What is necessary is just to change according to the target value of the obtained aerosol amount.

In step S304, the control unit 50 determines the power to be supplied to the flavor temperature controller 124 according to the target value of the aerosol amount (the amount of the first suction component). Not limited to this, the control unit 50 may be configured to control the electric power supplied to the flavor electric load 124R based on a value related to the amount of the aerosol generated from the aerosol source. The values associated with the amount of aerosol generated from the aerosol source are as described above.

In this control flow, even if the amount of aerosol changes, the amount of flavor components contained in the aerosol can be kept constant. Therefore, even if the amount of aerosol due to inhalation is reduced or eliminated, a certain amount of the flavor component is maintained, so that the user can enjoy the flavor without impairing the flavor. Accordingly, the amount of aerosol can be reduced without impairing the flavor by reducing the amount of aerosol when a person approaches the user during flavor inhalation.

では In the control flow shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 50 controlled the amount of the flavor component contained in the aerosol to be constant. Not limited to this, when the set value of the amount of the aerosol is changed, the control unit 50 controls the flavor to suppress the change in the amount of the flavor component accompanying the change in the value related to the amount of the aerosol. The electric load 124 (second electric load) may be controlled. That is, the amount of the flavor component in the aerosol does not necessarily need to be kept constant, and may be controlled so as to reduce the amount of change in the flavor component. For example, the flavor component may be maintained within a range of preferably ± 20%, more preferably ± 10% of the target value.

In addition to the case where the set value of the amount of the aerosol is changed, the control unit 50 may control the electric load for flavor 124 (the first electric load 124) to suppress the variation in the amount of the flavor source due to the variation in the value related to the amount of the aerosol. 2 electrical load).

When control is performed to reduce the amount of change in the flavor component as in the control flow illustrated in FIG. 8, the control unit 50 sets the flavor such that the smaller the amount of the aerosol generated from the aerosol source, the higher the temperature of the flavor source. The temperature controller 124 may be controlled. In this case, it is preferable that the lower limit of the set value of the value related to the amount of the aerosol is set, for example, in a range in which the flavor source is not burned. Further, the upper limit of the set value of the value related to the amount of the aerosol can be determined in the same manner as described above.

(Control of electric load 3)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control in the suction component generation device according to the embodiment. In the present embodiment, the control unit 50 sets a timer value (t) to 0 before detecting a user's suction operation (step S100). The timing at which the value (t) of the timer is set to 0 may be, for example, the timing at which the flavor unit 130 has been replaced.

Next, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the user's suction operation has been detected (step S309). As described above, the control unit 50 can determine the user's suction operation based on the output signal from the suction sensor 20. Alternatively, the control unit 50 may determine the user's suction operation by pressing the push button by the user.

When detecting the user's suction operation, the control unit 50 estimates or acquires a value related to the amount of the flavor component generated from the flavor source (step S104). The value associated with the amount of flavor component produced from the flavor source is a measured or estimated value of the amount of flavor component, the temperature of the flavor source or flavor temperature controller 124, the power supplied to the atomizing electrical load, the fog, It may be the temperature of the electrical load for atomization, the time for supplying power to the electrical load for atomization, or the like.

In a specific example, the control unit 50 calculates the temperature of the flavor source or the electric load for flavor 124R and the cumulative amount of power supplied to the electric load for atomization 122R as the value related to the amount of the flavor component generated from the flavor source. Time and get up. The temperature of the flavor source or the electrical load for flavor 124R can be acquired by the temperature sensor 160, for example. Alternatively, the temperature of the flavor electric load 124R can be estimated from the voltage drop of the flavor electric load 124R as described above. The cumulative time during which power is supplied to the atomizing electric load 122R can be measured by measuring a period during which power is supplied to the atomizing electric load 122R with a timer. The cumulative time during which power is supplied to the atomizing electric load 122R is one of specific examples for estimating a value related to the cumulative amount of aerosol that has passed through the flavor source.

量 The amount of the flavor component generated from the flavor source mainly depends on the amount of the aerosol that has passed through the flavor source and the temperature of the flavor source. Even if the aerosol amount and the temperature of the flavor source are the same, the amount of the flavor component released from the flavor source gradually decreases by increasing the number of times of suction. Therefore, the control unit 50 can estimate the amount of the flavor component generated from the flavor source based on the temperature of the flavor source or the flavor electric load 124R and the cumulative time of supplying the electric power to the atomizing electric load 122R.

Next, the control unit 50 determines the power or the amount of power to be supplied to the atomizing temperature controller 122 based on the value related to the amount of the flavor component generated from the flavor source (step S106). For example, the control unit 50 determines the power or the amount of power to be supplied to the atomizing temperature controller 122 (second electric load) such that the estimated value of the amount of the flavor component generated from the flavor source is constant. I just need.

That is, the control unit 50 may control the amount of the flavor component generated in the aerosol to be constant by adjusting the amount of the aerosol generated by the atomizing unit 120. Not limited to this, the control unit 50 may control the atomizing electric load 122R so as to suppress a change or variation in the amount of the flavor component. That is, the amount of the flavor component in the aerosol does not necessarily need to be kept constant, and may be controlled so as to reduce the amount of change in the flavor component.

Then, the controller 50 turns on the timer (step S108), and starts supplying power to the atomizing temperature controller 122 based on the power or the amount of power determined in step S106 (step S110). The timer can measure the accumulated time for supplying power to the atomizing temperature controller 122.

When the control unit 50 detects the end of the suction operation (step S311), it stops supplying power to the atomizing temperature controller 122 (step S312). Then, the control unit 50 stops the timer (Step S116).

When the value of the timer is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold, the control unit 50 monitors the user's suction operation, and when detecting the user's suction operation, repeats the steps from step S104 again.

If the value of the timer exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control unit 50 may notify the user by a notification unit to replace the flavor unit with a new one.

(Program and storage medium)
The above-described flow described using FIGS. 6, 8, and 10 can be executed by the control unit 50. That is, the present invention may also include a program that causes the suction component generation device 100 to execute the above-described method, and a storage medium that stores the program. Such a storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium.

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

According to the embodiment described above, it can be understood that the control unit 50 only needs to be configured to control the electric power supplied to the flavor electric load 124R based on the value related to the amount of the aerosol generated from the aerosol source. . Instead, the control unit 50 may be configured to control the electric power supplied to the atomizing electric load 122R based on a value related to the amount of flavor generated from the flavor source.

{Circle around (2)} In the above-described control 2 of the electric load, the control unit 50 controls the amount of the flavor component contained in the aerosol to be substantially constant. Instead, the control unit 50 may control the atomizing temperature controller and / or the flavor temperature controller so as to make the amount of the flavor component in the aerosol variable while keeping the amount of the aerosol constant. . In this case, the control unit 50 may use the control of the flow rate adjusting unit as needed. The control unit 50 controls, for example, the amount of the aerosol so as to maintain the target value within a range of preferably ± 20%, more preferably ± 10%. This allows the user to enjoy a change in flavor without substantially changing the amount of aerosol. Since the amount of the aerosol and the amount of the flavor component depend on the control of the atomizing temperature controller, the flavor temperature controller, and / or the flow rate adjusting means as described above, the control unit 50 appropriately controls these. Thereby, it is possible to achieve the target amount of the aerosol and the amount of the flavor component.

Further, in the above-described control 1 to 3 of the electric load, the generation of an aerosol from a flavor source is not mentioned, but the control unit 50 controls the flavor temperature controller 124R to generate an aerosol from the flavor source. The output may be controlled. In order to generate an aerosol from a flavor source, the output of the flavor temperature controller 124R may be increased. In this case, the control unit 50 controls the atomizing electric load 122R and the flavor based on the relationship between the value related to the amount of the aerosol generated from the aerosol source and the value related to the amount of the aerosol generated from the flavor source. It may be configured to control at least one of the electrical loads for use 124R. Further, in accordance with the relationship between the value related to the amount of the aerosol generated from the aerosol source and the value related to the amount of the aerosol generated from the flavor source, the control unit 50 controls the atomizing electric load 122R and the flavor. Both of the electric loads 124R may be controlled. In this case, in order to achieve a predetermined amount of aerosol and a predetermined amount of flavor, the controller 50 controls the atomization temperature controller 122 (adjustment) before controlling the flavor temperature controller 124 (second electric load). (Means) is preferably configured to be preferentially controlled. The amount of the aerosol atomized by the atomizing unit 120 greatly affects the amount of flavor components generated by the flavor source. Therefore, the power supplied to the atomizing temperature controller 122 is preferentially controlled according to the target value of the aerosol amount, and then controlled by the flavor temperature controller 124 according to the target value of the flavor component amount. Is preferred.

Claims

A first suction component source for producing a first suction component;
A second suction component source for producing a second suction component;
A second electrical load for adjusting an amount of the second suction component generated from the second suction component source;
And a control unit,
The suction component generation device, wherein the control unit is configured to control power supplied to the second electric load based on a value related to an amount of the first suction component generated from the first suction component source. .
A first electric load capable of adjusting an amount of the first suction component generated from the first suction component source;
The value associated with the amount of the first suction component generated from the first suction component source is a measured or estimated value of the amount of the first suction component, the power supplied to the first electrical load, the first electricity The suction component generation device according to claim 1, wherein the suction component generation device is a temperature of the load or a time for supplying power to the first electric load.
The suction component generation device according to claim 2, wherein the first electric load is a temperature controller.
A temperature sensor that monitors a temperature of a region where the first suction component is generated,
The suction component generation device according to claim 1, wherein the value related to the amount of the first suction component generated from the first suction component source is a value acquired by the temperature sensor.
The suction component generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second electric load is a temperature controller.
The said control part controls the said 2nd electric load so that the change of the quantity of the said 2nd suction component accompanying the change of the value relevant to the quantity of the said 1st suction component may be suppressed. Item 2. The suction component generation device according to item 1.
7. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the second electric load so as to suppress a variation in the amount of the second suction component due to a variation in a value related to the amount of the first suction component. 8. Item 2. The suction component generation device according to item 1.
The set value of the value related to the amount of the first suction component is configured to be variable,
The suction component generation device according to claim 7, wherein the control unit controls the second electric load so as to suppress a change in the amount of the second suction component when the set value is changed.
The suction according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a flow path that causes at least a part of the first suction component generated from the first suction component source to reach an outlet through the second suction component source. Component generator.
The amount of the second suction component generated from the second suction component source is determined by the second suction component when at least a portion of the first suction component generated from the first suction component source passes through the second suction component source. 10. The suction component generation device according to claim 9, wherein the amount of the second suction component generated from the two suction component sources.
The first inhalation component source is an aerosol source;
The suction component generation device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the second suction component source is a flavor source that imparts a flavor component to the aerosol.
A first flow path for guiding the first suction component to the suction port through the second suction component source;
A second flow path that guides the first suction component to a suction port without passing through the second suction component source;
The suction component generation device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, further comprising a flow rate adjusting unit configured to adjust a ratio between a flow rate of the first flow path and a flow rate of the second flow path.
The control unit is configured to control the power supplied to the second electric load and the flow rate adjusting unit based on a target value of the amount of the second suction component generated from the second suction component source. And
The control unit may control the second electric load when the control unit determines that the amount of the second suction component generated from the second suction component source can achieve the target value under the control of the flow rate adjustment unit. The suction component generation device according to claim 12, wherein the suction component generation device controls the flow rate adjusting unit.
The suction according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a flow path that causes at least a part of the second suction component generated from the second suction component source to reach an outlet through the first suction component source. Component generator.
The second inhalation component source is an aerosol source;
The suction component generation device according to claim 13, wherein the first suction component source is a flavor source that imparts a flavor component to an aerosol.
The set value of the value related to the amount of the first suction component is configured to be variable,
The inhalation component generation device according to claim 11, wherein the variable range of the set value is defined by a value capable of giving a predetermined amount of the flavor component to the aerosol.
The second electric load is a temperature controller,
The set value of the value related to the amount of the aerosol is configured to be variable,
The control unit controls the temperature controller to increase the temperature of the flavor source as the amount of aerosol generated from the aerosol source is smaller,
The suction component generation device according to claim 11, wherein the lower limit of the set value is defined in a range in which the flavor source is not burned.
18. The suction component generation device according to claim 17, wherein the lower limit is variable according to a value relating to an amount of a flavor component generated from the flavor source.
The set value of the value related to the amount of the aerosol is configured to be variable,
The upper limit of the set value is defined so that a consumption rate of the aerosol source accompanying generation of the aerosol does not exceed a supply rate of the aerosol source to a place where the aerosol source is atomized. A suction component generation device as described in the above.
2. A plurality of modes which are determined according to a combination of a plurality of target values of the generation amount of the first suction component and a plurality of target values of the generation amount of the second suction component, and have a plurality of modes selectable by a user. 20. The suction component generation device according to any one of items 1 to 19.
The control unit may include a value related to the amount of the first suction component generated from the first suction component source, and a value related to the amount of the second suction component generated from the second suction component source. The suction component generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the suction component generation device is configured to control the second electric load based on the relationship:
Adjusting means for adjusting the amount of the first suction component generated from the first suction component source;
22. The suction component generation device according to claim 21, wherein the control unit is configured to control both the second electric load and the adjustment unit.
A flow path that causes at least a part of the first suction component generated from the first suction component source to reach an outlet through the second suction component source;
The first inhalation component source is an aerosol source;
The second suction component source is a flavor source that imparts a flavor component to the aerosol,
23. The control unit according to claim 22, wherein the control unit is configured to preferentially control the adjustment unit before controlling the second electric load to achieve a predetermined aerosol amount and a predetermined flavor amount. Suction component generator.
The relationship is defined by a predetermined function or a predetermined lookup table that associates a value related to the amount of the first suction component with a value related to the amount of the second suction component generated from the second suction component source. The suction component generation device according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the suction component generation device is provided.
吸引 The suction component generation device according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein the relationship is different depending on at least one of the type of the first suction component source and the type of the second suction component source.
A first suction component source for generating a first suction component, a second suction component source for generating a second suction component, and an amount of the second suction component generated from the second suction component source. A second electrical load to be adjusted, the method comprising:
A method for controlling a suction component generation device, comprising controlling power supplied to the second electric load based on a value related to an amount of the first suction component generated from the first suction component source.
A program for causing a suction component generation device to execute the method according to claim 26.