WO2020208869A1

WO2020208869A1 - Control device for aerosol inhaler, control method for aerosol inhaler, program, and aerosol inhaler

Info

Publication number: WO2020208869A1
Application number: PCT/JP2019/049351
Authority: WO
Inventors: 剛志赤尾; 一真水口; 山田　学; 典幸大石; 太一佐々木
Original assignee: 日本たばこ産業株式会社; 株式会社村田製作所
Priority date: 2019-04-12
Filing date: 2019-12-17
Publication date: 2020-10-15
Also published as: JP6695470B1; JP2020171253A

Abstract

Provided are a control device, etc., for an aerosol inhaler that make it possible to perform calibrations at various timings in order to more accurately estimate the temperature of a heater and detect the amount of an aerosol source remaining.　In this operating method for the control device of an aerosol inhaler: the control device comprises a first sensor that outputs an electric resistance value, or a value pertaining to the electric resistance value, of a load which heats an aerosol source and of which the electric resistance value is correlated with the temperature, and a control circuit that is configured to assess the depletion of the aerosol source or the temperature of the load on the basis of the correlation and the value output from the first sensor; and the control circuit includes a step (443) in which the value output from the first sensor is acquired at a plurality of timings, and steps (445; 448) in which the correlation is calibrated on the basis of one of the output values.

Description

Control device for aerosol aspirator, control method for aerosol aspirator, program and aerosol aspirator

The present disclosure relates to a control device for an aerosol aspirator that produces an aerosol to be aspirated by a user, a control of the aerosol aspirator, a program, and an aerosol aspirator. The aerosol aspirator may also be referred to as an aerosol generator.

In an aerosol aspirator for generating an aerosol to be sucked by a user, such as general electronic cigarettes, heat-not-burn tobacco, and nebulizer, an aerosol source that becomes an aerosol by atomization (hereinafter referred to as an aerosol-forming substrate). If the user performs suction when there is a shortage of (there is also), sufficient aerosol cannot be supplied to the user. In addition, in the case of electronic cigarettes and heat-not-burn tobacco, there may be a problem that an aerosol having an intended flavor cannot be produced.

As a solution to this problem, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for determining a decrease in the liquid aerosol-forming substrate heated by the heater based on the relationship between the temperature of the heating element and the electric power applied to the heating element. (See summary etc.). Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for monitoring the operation of an electric heater and estimating the amount of liquid aerosol-forming substrate remaining in the liquid storage portion based on the monitored operation (see abstract and the like). .. Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for determining the liquid level of the liquid storage portion based on the temperature measurement value of the heater (see summary and the like).

However, the physical properties of the heater may fluctuate, and Patent Documents 1 to 3 do not disclose or suggest calibration for deriving the heater temperature in order to deal with such a point.

Further, the aerosol-forming substrate may be temporarily emptied depending on the supply rate of the aerosol source, and Patent Documents 1 to 3 also suggest that a plurality of different determination conditions for dealing with such a point are disclosed. Not even.

International Publication No. 2012/085203 International Publication No. 2012/085207 International Publication No. 2017/144191

This disclosure has been made in view of the above points.

The first problem to be solved by the present disclosure is an aerosol capable of accurately estimating the heater temperature and accurately detecting the remaining amount of the aerosol source even when the physical properties of the heater fluctuate, for example, deterioration occurs. It is to provide a control device for an aspirator and the like.

The second problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide a control device for an aerosol aspirator that can perform calibration at various timings to improve the estimation accuracy of the heater temperature and the detection accuracy of the remaining amount of the aerosol source. It is to be.

The third problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide a control device for an aerosol aspirator and the like with improved detection accuracy of the remaining amount of the aerosol source.

In order to solve the first problem described above, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the aerosol source is heated and the value related to the electric resistance value or the electric resistance value of the load in which the temperature and the electric resistance value are correlated is output. A first value, which is an output value of one sensor, a second sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request, and the first sensor after detecting the generation request and before supplying an amount of power capable of generating an aerosol to the load. And a control circuit configured to determine the depletion of the aerosol source or the temperature of the load based on the second value, which is the output value of the first sensor when the load is capable of producing an aerosol. A control device for an aerosol aspirator is provided.

In one embodiment, the control circuit is configured to calibrate the correlation based on the first value and determine the depletion of the aerosol source or the temperature of the load based on the calibrated correlation and the second value. can do.
According to this configuration, since the heater temperature is estimated based on the heater resistance value acquired immediately after the puff detection and during the aerosol generation, the heater temperature can be accurately estimated even if the heater deteriorates.

In one embodiment, the control circuit can be configured to calibrate the correlation based on the first value when the first value is obtained when the temperature of the load can be considered to be at the reference temperature. ..
According to such a configuration, since the reference resistance value is acquired only when the heater temperature can be regarded as the reference temperature, for example, room temperature, the accuracy of temperature estimation is lowered due to the deviation between the heater temperature and the reference temperature at the time of acquiring the reference resistance value. Can be suppressed.

In one embodiment, the reference temperature is based on the temperature of the environment in which the aerosol aspirator is expected to be used, and the control device for the aerosol aspirator according to the embodiment includes a third sensor that outputs the temperature of the power supply. The control circuit can be configured to determine whether or not the load can be considered to be at the reference temperature based on the output value of the third sensor.
According to such a configuration, a more accurate reference resistance value can be obtained in order to determine whether or not the heater temperature has reached a reference temperature, for example, a temperature that can be regarded as being at room temperature, using the temperature of the battery.

In one embodiment, the reference temperature is based on the temperature of the environment in which the aerosol aspirator is expected to be used, and is the elapsed time until the control circuit detects the generation request, which is the elapsed time until the generation request is detected. It is configured to determine whether to calibrate the correlation based on the elapsed time since the end of the detection of or the end of the previous supply of electric energy for the load to be able to generate an aerosol. can do.
According to this configuration, the heater temperature is used as a reference in a simpler method for determining whether or not the heater temperature has reached a reference temperature, for example, a temperature that can be regarded as being at room temperature, based on the elapsed time from the previous aerosol generation. It is possible to judge whether or not it can be regarded as being at temperature.

In one embodiment, the control circuit calibrates the correlation only if the elapsed time is greater than or equal to the time required to cool the load from a temperature at which the aerosol can be produced to a temperature that can be considered to be at the reference temperature. Can be configured as
According to such a configuration, whether or not the heater can be regarded as being at the reference temperature in order to compare the elapsed time and the cooling time and determine whether or not the heater temperature has reached a reference temperature, for example, a temperature that can be considered to be at room temperature. The accuracy of the judgment can be improved.

In one embodiment, the elapsed time is a predetermined time greater than or equal to the time required to cool the load from a temperature at which the aerosol can be produced to a temperature that can be considered to be at the reference temperature, and when the aerosol source is depleted. The control circuit may be configured to calibrate the correlation only if it is greater than or equal to the predetermined time, which is shorter than the time required to cool the load from a temperature that can only be reached to a temperature that can be considered to be at the reference temperature. it can.
According to such a configuration, a sufficient calibration opportunity can be ensured because the threshold value to be compared with the elapsed time does not become an extremely long value.

In one embodiment, the temperature that can be considered to be at the reference temperature can be equal to or higher than the reference temperature and lower than the reference temperature + 15 ° C.

In one embodiment, the control circuit can be configured to calibrate the correlation only if the elapsed time is 10 seconds or longer.
According to such a configuration, since the reference resistance value is acquired only when the heater temperature can be regarded as the reference temperature, for example, room temperature, the accuracy of temperature estimation is lowered due to the deviation between the heater temperature and the reference temperature at the time of acquiring the reference resistance value. Can be suppressed.

The control device for the aerosol aspirator according to one embodiment is connected in series between the load and the power supply, is connected in parallel to the first circuit including the first switch and the first circuit, and has a known resistance and a second switch. A second circuit including a device and having a higher electric resistance value than the first circuit, and the control circuit can control the first switch and the second switch, and the first switch And the second switch can be configured to acquire the first value and the second value while only the second switch is in the ON state.
According to this configuration, since the dedicated circuit for measuring the resistance value is provided, the resistance value measurement system is improved by the known resistance, and the known resistance does not interfere with the generation of the aerosol, and the storage capacity of the lithium ion battery is increased. Utilization efficiency is improved.

In order to solve the first problem described above, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, there is a method of operating a control device for an aerosol suction device, wherein the control device heats an aerosol source and has a temperature and an electric resistance value. The control circuit includes a first sensor that outputs a value related to an electric resistance value of a load having a correlation or an electric resistance value, a second sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request, and a control circuit, and the control circuit detects the generation request. A step of acquiring a first value which is an output value of the first sensor after and before supplying an amount of electric power capable of generating an aerosol to the load, and a step of the first sensor when the load can generate an aerosol. A method is provided that includes a step of acquiring a second value, which is an output value, and a step of determining the depletion of the aerosol source or the temperature of the load based on the first value and the second value.

In order to solve the first problem described above, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a value related to the electric resistance value or an electric resistance value of a load in which the temperature and the electric resistance value are correlated with each other is output. It includes one sensor, a second sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request, and a control circuit configured to calibrate the correlation based on the output value of the first sensor acquired when the generation request is detected. A control device for the aerosol aspirator is provided.

In order to solve the first problem described above, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, there is a method of operating a control device for an aerosol suction device, wherein the control device heats an aerosol source and has a temperature and an electric resistance value. The control circuit includes a first sensor that outputs a value related to an electric resistance value of a load having a correlation or an electric resistance value, a second sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request, and a control circuit, and the control circuit detects the generation request. A method including a step of acquiring the output value of the first sensor and a step of calibrating the correlation based on the output value of the first sensor is provided.

In order to solve the first problem described above, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a program for causing a processor to execute the above method is provided.
According to this configuration, since the heater temperature is estimated based on the heater resistance value acquired immediately after the puff detection and during the aerosol generation, the heater temperature can be accurately estimated even if the heater deteriorates.

In order to solve the second problem described above, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the aerosol source is heated and a value related to the electric resistance value or the electric resistance value of the load in which the temperature and the electric resistance value are correlated is output. The control circuit includes one sensor and a control circuit configured to determine the exhaustion of the aerosol source or the temperature of the load based on the correlation and the output value of the sensor, and the control circuit is the first at a plurality of timings. Provided is a control device for an aerosol aspirator that can acquire the output value of the sensor and can calibrate the correlation based on the output value of the first sensor acquired at any of the plurality of timings. ..
According to such a configuration, since the plurality of calibration timings are provided, the accuracy of the remaining amount estimation and the temperature estimation using the PTC characteristics is improved.

In one embodiment, the control circuit is configured to detect the replacement of the load, and the plurality of timings may include at or immediately after the replacement.
According to such a configuration, since the timing of acquiring the value for calibration includes the time of cartridge replacement, the influence of the product tolerance of PTC characteristics on the liquid remaining amount estimation and the temperature estimation can be reduced.

The control device for an aerosol aspirator according to one embodiment includes a second sensor that outputs a voltage or resistance value between terminals to which the load is electrically connected, and the control circuit includes an output value of the second sensor. It can be configured to detect the replacement of the load based on.
According to such a configuration, in order to detect the replacement of the cartridge based on the voltage of the connector or the like, the replacement of the cartridge can be detected by a simpler method.

The control device for an aerosol aspirator according to one embodiment includes a third sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request, and the plurality of timings are applied to the load of the amount of electric energy that can generate the aerosol after the detection of the generation request. Pre-supply timing can be included.
According to this configuration, since the acquisition timing of the value for calibration includes the time when the aerosol generation is requested, the accuracy of the liquid remaining amount estimation and the temperature estimation can be ensured even if the heater deteriorates.

In one embodiment, the control circuit can be configured to calibrate the correlation based on the output value of the first sensor acquired at any one of the plurality of timings.
According to such a configuration, in order to obtain a value for calibration at any timing, it is possible to obtain a value for calibration at an appropriate timing according to the situation of the aerosol aspirator.

The control device for an aerosol aspirator according to one embodiment includes a third sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request, the control circuit is configured to be able to detect the exchange of the load, and the plurality of timings are the exchange. The first timing, which is at or immediately after the time of, and the second timing after the detection of the generation request and before the supply of the amount of power capable of generating the aerosol to the load can be included.
According to this configuration, since the timing of acquiring the value for calibration includes the time of cartridge replacement and the time of aerosol generation request, the influence of the product tolerance of PTC characteristics on the liquid remaining amount estimation and the temperature estimation can be reduced. Even if the heater deteriorates, the accuracy of liquid remaining amount estimation and temperature estimation can be guaranteed.

In one embodiment, if the temperature of the load can be considered to be at the reference temperature at the second timing, the control circuit acquires the output value of the first sensor and calibrates the correlation based on the output value. Can be configured as
According to this configuration, in order to acquire the reference resistance value when the heater temperature can be regarded as the reference temperature, for example, room temperature when the aerosol generation is requested, the temperature is estimated by the deviation between the heater temperature and the reference temperature at the time of acquiring the reference resistance value. It is possible to suppress the decrease in accuracy.

In one embodiment, if the temperature of the load cannot be considered to be at the reference temperature at the second timing, the control circuit calibrates the correlation based on the output value of the first sensor acquired at the first timing. Can be configured to.
According to this configuration, if the heater temperature cannot be considered to be at the reference temperature, for example, room temperature when the aerosol generation is requested, the heater temperature and the reference temperature at the time of the aerosol generation request are used in order to use the reference resistance value obtained at the time of cartridge replacement. It is possible to reduce the influence of product tolerance without being affected by the deviation.

In one embodiment, the control circuit is the elapsed time until the generation request is detected, and is the power for the previous detection of the generation request to be completed or the load to be able to generate an aerosol. Based on the elapsed time since the end of the previous supply of the quantity, it can be configured to determine whether the load can be considered to be at the reference temperature at the second timing.
According to this configuration, the heater temperature can be determined in a simpler way to determine whether the heater temperature has reached a reference temperature, eg, a temperature that can be considered to be at room temperature, based on the elapsed time since the last aerosol formation. It is possible to judge whether or not it can be regarded as being at the reference temperature.

In one embodiment, the control circuit is said at the second timing only if the elapsed time is greater than or equal to the time required to cool the load from a temperature at which the aerosol can be generated to a temperature that can be considered to be at the reference temperature. It can be configured to determine that the load is at reference temperature.
According to such a configuration, can the heater temperature be considered to be at the reference temperature in order to compare the elapsed time and the cooling time and determine whether the heater temperature has reached a reference temperature, for example, a temperature that can be considered to be at room temperature? The accuracy of judging whether or not it can be improved.

In one embodiment, the elapsed time is a predetermined time greater than or equal to the time required to cool the load from a temperature at which the aerosol can be produced to a temperature at which the aerosol can be considered to be at a reference temperature, which is greater than or equal to the time required to cool the load. Only when the predetermined time or more, which is shorter than the time required to cool the load from the temperature that can be reached only when the aerosol source is depleted to the temperature that can be regarded as being at the reference temperature, is the second timing. It can be configured to determine that the load is at the reference temperature.
According to such a configuration, since the threshold value to be compared with the elapsed time does not become an extremely large value, a sufficient calibration opportunity can be secured.

In one embodiment, the control circuit can be configured to determine that the load is at the reference temperature at the second timing only when the elapsed time is 10 seconds or longer.
According to this configuration, in order to acquire the reference resistance value when the heater temperature can be regarded as the reference temperature, for example, room temperature when the aerosol generation is requested, the temperature is estimated by the deviation between the heater temperature and the reference temperature at the time of acquiring the reference resistance value. It is possible to suppress the decrease in accuracy.

In one embodiment, if the load cannot be considered to be at the reference temperature at the second timing, the control circuit either does not calibrate the correlation or outputs the first sensor used during the previous calibration of the correlation. It can be configured to calibrate the correlation based on the value.

In one embodiment, if the load cannot be considered to be at the reference temperature at the second timing, the control circuit will calibrate the correlation based on the output value of the first sensor at the second timing prior to the previous time. Can be configured.
According to this configuration, if the heater temperature cannot be considered to be at the reference temperature, for example, room temperature when the aerosol generation is requested, the value used last time is used, so that the heater deteriorates even if the latest reference resistance value cannot be obtained. It is possible to obtain a correlation with reduced influence.

The control device for the aerosol aspirator according to one embodiment is connected in series between the load and the power supply, is connected in parallel to the first circuit including the first switch and the first circuit, and has a known resistance and a second switch. A second circuit including a device and having a higher electric resistance value than the first circuit, and the control circuit can control the first switch and the second switch, and the first switch And, among the second switches, the correlation can be calibrated based on the output value of the first sensor acquired while only the second switch is in the ON state.
According to this configuration, since the dedicated circuit for measuring the resistance value is provided, the resistance value measurement system is improved by the known resistance, and the known resistance does not interfere with the generation of the aerosol, and the storage capacity of the lithium ion battery is increased. Utilization efficiency is improved.

In order to solve the second problem described above, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, there is a method of operating a control device for an aerosol aspirator, wherein the control device heats an aerosol source and has a temperature and an electric resistance value. It is configured to determine the depletion of the aerosol source or the temperature of the load based on the first sensor that outputs the value related to the electric resistance value of the load having a correlation or the electric resistance value, and the correlation and the output value of the sensor. A method including a control circuit, wherein the control circuit includes a step of acquiring an output value of the first sensor at a plurality of timings and a step of calibrating the correlation based on one of the output values. Provided.

In order to solve the second problem described above, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the aerosol source is heated and the value related to the electric resistance value or the electric resistance value of the load in which the temperature and the electric resistance value are correlated is output. The control circuit includes one sensor and a control circuit configured to determine the depletion or shortage of the aerosol source or the temperature of the load based on the correlation and the output value of the first sensor, and the control circuit has the correlation. A control device for an aerosol aspirator is provided that is configured to be capable of performing calibration that can reduce errors due to product tolerances and calibration that can reduce errors due to changes in the correlation over time.
According to such a configuration, since the plurality of calibration timings are provided, the accuracy of the remaining amount estimation and the temperature estimation using the PTC characteristics is improved.

In one embodiment, the control circuit is configured to detect the replacement of the load, and the calibration capable of reducing the error due to the product tolerance of the correlation is the calibration of the first sensor acquired at the time of or immediately after the replacement. It can be executed based on the output value.
According to such a configuration, since the timing of acquiring the value for calibration includes the time of cartridge replacement, the influence of the product tolerance of PTC characteristics on the liquid remaining amount estimation and the temperature estimation can be reduced.

The control device for an aerosol aspirator according to one embodiment includes a third sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request, and calibration capable of reducing an error due to a change in the correlation over time generates an aerosol after the detection of the generation request. It can be executed based on the output value of the first sensor acquired before supplying the possible amount of electric energy to the load.
According to this configuration, since the acquisition timing of the value for calibration includes the time when the aerosol generation is requested, the accuracy of the liquid remaining amount estimation and the temperature estimation can be ensured even if the heater deteriorates.

In order to solve the second problem described above, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, there is a method of operating a control device for an aerosol suction device, wherein the control device heats an aerosol source and has a temperature and an electric resistance value. Based on the first sensor that outputs the value related to the electric resistance value of the load having a correlation or the electric resistance value, and the correlation and the output value of the first sensor, the depletion or shortage of the aerosol source or the temperature of the load is determined. Provided is a method comprising a control circuit configured such as that the control circuit performs a calibration capable of reducing at least one of the error due to the product tolerance of the correlation and the error due to the aging of the correlation. Tolerant.

In order to solve the second problem described above, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a program for causing a processor to execute the above method is provided.
According to such a configuration, since the plurality of calibration timings are provided, the accuracy of the remaining amount estimation and the temperature estimation using the PTC characteristics is improved.

In order to solve the third problem described above, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a sensor that outputs a value or temperature related to the temperature of a load that heats the aerosol source, and a sensor that outputs the temperature, and the aerosol source based on the output value of the sensor. The control circuit includes a control circuit configured to determine depletion, the control circuit performs a first process of comparing the output value of the sensor with a first threshold value to determine depletion of the aerosol source, and the sensor. The second process of comparing the output value with the second threshold value different from the first threshold value is executably configured, and the frequency of executing the first process and the frequency of executing the second process are different. A control device for an aerosol aspirator is provided, characterized in that one or both of the phases in which the first process is executed and the phase in which the second process is executed are different.
According to this configuration, in order to detect liquid depletion with two temperature thresholds, the detection accuracy is improved as compared with the case where one temperature threshold is used.

In one embodiment, the frequency of executing the first process and the frequency of executing the second process are different, and the phase of executing the first process and the phase of executing the second process can be different.
According to this configuration, the detection accuracy is further improved because the situations where the two temperature threshold values are used are different.

In one embodiment, the first threshold is higher than the second threshold, and the control circuit can be configured to perform the first process more frequently than the second process.
According to such a configuration, the determination using the higher temperature threshold value is executed more frequently, so that a state in which liquid depletion is strongly suspected can be quickly detected.

In one embodiment, the first threshold is higher than the second threshold, and the control circuit can be configured to perform the first process in a phase earlier than the second process.
According to such a configuration, the determination using the higher temperature threshold value is executed earlier, so that a state in which liquid depletion is strongly suspected can be quickly detected.

In one embodiment, the first threshold is higher than the second threshold so that the control circuit performs only the first of the first and second processes in the heating phase of the aerosol source. Can be configured.
According to such a configuration, since the determination using the high temperature threshold value is executed during the aerosol generation, the state in which the liquid depletion is strongly suspected can be quickly detected.

In one embodiment, the first threshold is higher than the second threshold, and the control circuit performs only the second of the first and second processes after the heating phase of the aerosol source. Can be configured as
According to such a configuration, since the determination using the low temperature threshold value is performed after the aerosol generation, the aerosol production does not stop in a state where it cannot be determined whether the liquid is depleted or the wick is temporarily dried, and the user does not stop. Convenience is improved.

In one embodiment, the control circuit determines in the first process whether the output value of the sensor is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, and in the second process, the output value of the sensor is the second threshold value. When it is judged whether or not it is the above, and when the positive judgment in the first treatment is made N times (N is a natural number of 1 or more), the exhaustion of the aerosol source is judged, and the affirmation in the second treatment is made. It can be configured to determine the depletion of the aerosol source when the determination is made M (M is a natural number of 1 or more) different from N.
According to this configuration, in order to detect liquid depletion with two temperature thresholds, the detection accuracy is improved as compared with the case where one temperature threshold is used.

In one embodiment, N can be less than M.
According to such a configuration, it is necessary to judge that more liquid depletion is suspected for a low temperature threshold value in order to judge liquid depletion, so that false detection of liquid depletion can be reduced.

In one embodiment, N can be 1.
According to this configuration, if it is determined that liquid depletion is suspected even once for a high temperature threshold value, it can be determined that liquid depletion is suspected. Therefore, a state in which liquid depletion is strongly suspected can be quickly detected. ..

In one embodiment, when the first threshold value is higher than the second threshold value and the output value of the sensor is determined to be equal to or higher than the first threshold value in the first process during the heating phase of the aerosol source, the control circuit Can be configured to immediately stop the power supply and prohibit the power supply to the load until the first condition, which is not satisfied with the passage of time, is satisfied.
According to such a configuration, the power supply can be immediately stopped and prohibited by the determination using the high temperature threshold value, so that the heater can be prevented from overheating.

In one embodiment, when the first threshold value is higher than the second threshold value and the output value of the sensor is determined to be less than the first threshold value and greater than or equal to the second threshold value during the heating phase of the aerosol source, the control is performed. The circuit can be configured to continue the feeding.
According to this configuration, even if it is determined that liquid depletion is suspected for a low temperature threshold, power supply is not stopped immediately, so it is not possible to determine whether the liquid is depleted or the wick is temporarily dry. In the state, aerosol generation does not stop, improving user convenience.

In one embodiment, when the first threshold value is higher than the second threshold value and the output value of the sensor is determined to be equal to or higher than the second threshold value in the second process, the control circuit supplies power to the load. Can be configured to be banned until the second condition, which is met over time, is met.
According to this configuration, if it is determined that liquid depletion is suspected for a low temperature threshold, energization is temporarily prohibited, so it is possible to deal with the case where the wick is temporarily dry. it can.

In order to solve the third problem described above, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, there is a method of operating a control device for an aerosol aspirator, wherein the control device is a value or temperature related to the temperature of a load for heating an aerosol source. The method includes a sensor that outputs a sensor and a control circuit configured to determine the exhaustion of the aerosol source based on the output value of the sensor, in the method for the control circuit to determine the exhaustion of the aerosol source. In addition, a step of executing a first process of comparing the output value of the sensor with the first threshold value and a step of executing a second process of comparing the output value of the sensor with a second threshold value different from the first threshold value. The frequency of executing the first process and the frequency of executing the second process are different, and one or both of the phases in which the first process is executed and the phase in which the second process is executed are different. A method characterized by is provided.
According to this configuration, in order to detect liquid depletion with two temperature thresholds, the detection accuracy is improved as compared with the case where one temperature threshold is used.

In order to solve the third problem described above, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a sensor that outputs a value or temperature related to the temperature of the load that heats the aerosol source and a sensor that outputs the power supply to the load are configured to be controlled. The control circuit includes a control circuit, and when the output value of the sensor in the heating phase of the aerosol source is equal to or higher than the first threshold value, the control circuit prohibits the power supply until the first condition, which is not satisfied with the passage of time, is satisfied. When the output value of the sensor in the heating phase of the aerosol source is less than the first threshold value and greater than or equal to the second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value, the second condition that the power supply is satisfied with the passage of time is satisfied. A control device for an aerosol aspirator is provided that is configured to prohibit up to.

In order to solve the third problem described above, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, there is a method of operating a control device for an aerosol aspirator, wherein the control device is a value or temperature related to the temperature of a load for heating an aerosol source. When the output value of the sensor in the heating phase of the aerosol source is equal to or higher than the first threshold value, the control circuit includes a sensor for outputting the above and a control circuit configured to control the power supply to the load. A step of prohibiting power supply until the first condition, which is not satisfied with the passage of time, is satisfied, and a second threshold value in which the output value of the sensor in the heating phase of the aerosol source is less than the first threshold value and smaller than the first threshold value. In the above case, a method including a step of prohibiting the power supply until the second condition satisfied with the passage of time is satisfied is provided.
According to such a configuration, it is possible to more appropriately prevent the heater from overheating because the power supply is prohibited under different conditions by using the two temperature threshold values.

In order to solve the third problem described above, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a program for causing a processor to execute the above method is provided.
According to this configuration, in order to detect liquid depletion with two temperature thresholds, the detection accuracy is improved as compared with the case where one temperature threshold is used. Further, according to such a configuration, it is possible to more appropriately prevent the heater from overheating because the power supply is prohibited under different conditions by using the two temperature threshold values.

It is a schematic block diagram of the structure of the aerosol aspirator according to one Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a schematic block diagram of the structure of the aerosol aspirator according to one Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a figure which shows an exemplary circuit structure with respect to a part of an aerosol aspirator according to one Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a graph which shows the temperature profile of the load of an aerosol aspirator schematically, and the figure which shows the temperature change of the load per predetermined time or a predetermined electric energy. It is a flowchart of an exemplary main process for measuring the temperature of a load and determining the exhaustion or shortage of an aerosol source. It is a flowchart of an exemplary main process for measuring the temperature of a load and determining the exhaustion or shortage of an aerosol source. It is part of another exemplary main processing flowchart for measuring the temperature of a load and determining the exhaustion or deficiency of an aerosol source. It is a flowchart of an exemplary process that assists the main process. It is a graph which shows the time change of the temperature of a load after stopping heating with respect to a load.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, electronic cigarettes, heat-not-burn tobacco and nebulizers. Embodiments of the present disclosure may include various aerosol aspirators for producing aerosols to be aspirated by the user.

1 Outline of Aerosol Aspirator FIG. 1A is a schematic block diagram of a configuration of an aerosol aspirator 100A according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1A shows roughly and conceptually each component included in the aerosol aspirator 100A, and does not show the exact arrangement, shape, dimensions, positional relationship, etc. of each component and the aerosol aspirator 100A. Please note.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the aerosol aspirator 100A includes a first member 102 (hereinafter referred to as "main body 102") and a second member 104A (hereinafter referred to as "cartridge 104A"). As shown, as an example, the main body 102 may include a control unit 106, a notification unit 108, a power supply 110, a sensor 112, and a memory 114. The aerosol aspirator 100A may include sensors such as a flow velocity sensor, a flow rate sensor, a pressure sensor, a voltage sensor, a current sensor, and a temperature sensor, and these are collectively referred to as "sensor 112" in the present disclosure. The main body 102 may also include a circuit 134 described later. As an example, the cartridge 104A may include a storage section 116A, an atomizing section 118A, an air intake flow path 120, an aerosol flow path 121, a mouthpiece 122, a holding section 130 and a load 132. A part of the components contained in the main body 102 may be contained in the cartridge 104A. A part of the components contained in the cartridge 104A may be contained in the main body 102. The cartridge 104A may be configured to be removable from the main body 102. Alternatively, all the components contained in the main body 102 and the cartridge 104A may be contained in the same housing instead of the main body 102 and the cartridge 104A.

The storage unit 116A may be configured as a tank for accommodating the aerosol source. In this case, the aerosol source is, for example, a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin or propylene glycol, a liquid such as water, or a mixed liquid thereof. When the aerosol aspirator 100A is an electronic cigarette, the aerosol source in the reservoir 116A may contain a component that releases a flavoring component upon heating. The holding unit 130 holds the aerosol source supplied by the storage unit 116A at a position where the load 132 can be heated. For example, the holding portion 130 is made of a fibrous or porous material, and holds an aerosol source as a liquid in the gaps between the fibers and the pores of the porous material. For the fibrous or porous material described above, for example, cotton, glass fiber, ceramic, or a tobacco raw material can be used. If the aerosol aspirator 100A is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may also contain a drug for the patient to inhale. As another example, the reservoir 116A may have a configuration capable of replenishing the consumed aerosol source. Alternatively, the reservoir 116A may be configured so that the reservoir 116A itself can be replaced when the aerosol source is consumed. Further, the aerosol source is not limited to a liquid, and may be a solid. When the aerosol source is a solid, the reservoir 116A may be a hollow container.

The atomizing unit 118A is configured to atomize the aerosol source to generate an aerosol. When the sensor 112 detects a suction operation or another operation by the user, the atomizing unit 118A generates an aerosol. For example, the holding unit 130 is provided so as to connect the storage unit 116A and the atomizing unit 118A. In this case, a part of the holding portion 130 communicates with the inside of the storage portion 116A and comes into contact with the aerosol source. The other part of the holding portion 130 extends to the atomizing portion 118A. The other part of the holding portion 130 extending to the atomizing portion 118A may be housed in the atomizing portion 118A, or may be passed through the atomizing portion 118A and passed through the storage portion 116A again. .. The aerosol source is carried from the reservoir 116A to the atomizing section 118A by the capillary effect of the holding section 130. As an example, the atomizing unit 118A includes a heater including a load 132 electrically connected to the power supply 110. The heater is arranged so as to be in contact with or close to the holding portion 130. When a suction operation or another operation by the user is detected, the control unit 106 controls the power supply to the heater of the atomizing unit 118A and heats the aerosol source carried through the holding unit 130 to heat the aerosol source. To atomize. An air intake flow path 120 is connected to the atomizing portion 118A, and the air intake flow path 120 leads to the outside of the aerosol aspirator 100A. The aerosol produced in the atomizing section 118A is mixed with the air taken in through the air intake flow path 120. The mixed fluid of aerosol and air is pumped into the aerosol flow path 121, as indicated by arrow 124. The aerosol flow path 121 has a tubular structure for transporting a mixed fluid of aerosol and air generated in the atomizing portion 118A to the mouthpiece 122.

The mouthpiece 122 is located at the end of the aerosol flow path 121, and is configured to open the aerosol flow path 121 to the outside of the aerosol aspirator 100A. The user takes in air containing an aerosol into the oral cavity by sucking the mouthpiece 122 by holding it.

The notification unit 108 may include a light emitting element such as an LED, a display, a speaker, a vibrator, and the like. The notification unit 108 is configured to give some notification to the user by light emission, display, vocalization, vibration, or the like, if necessary.

The cartridge 104A can be configured as an outer pipe, and one or both of the air intake flow path 120 and the aerosol flow path 121 can be configured as an inner pipe arranged in the outer pipe. Further, the load 132 can be arranged in the air intake flow path 120 or the aerosol flow path 121, which is an inner pipe. The storage portion 116A can be arranged or formed between the cartridge 104A which is an outer pipe and the air intake flow path 120 or the aerosol flow path 121 which is an inner pipe.

The power supply 110 supplies electric power to each component of the aerosol aspirator 100A such as the notification unit 108, the sensor 112, the memory 114, the load 132, and the circuit 134. The power supply 110 may be a primary battery or a secondary battery that can be charged by connecting to an external power source via a predetermined port (not shown) of the aerosol aspirator 100A. Only the power supply 110 may be removed from the body 102 or the aerosol aspirator 100A or may be replaced with a new power supply 110. Further, the power supply 110 may be replaced with a new power supply 110 by replacing the entire main body 102 with a new main body 102. As an example, the power supply 110 may be composed of a lithium ion secondary battery, a nickel hydrogen secondary battery, a lithium ion capacitor, or the like. The power supply 110, which is a secondary battery, may include a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the battery.

The sensor 112 has a voltage value applied to the whole circuit 134 or a specific part, a current value flowing through the whole circuit 134 or a specific part, a value related to the resistance value of the load 132, a value related to the temperature, and the like. May include one or more sensors used to obtain the. The sensor 112 may be incorporated in the circuit 134. The function of the sensor 112 may be incorporated in the control unit 106. The sensor 112 also includes one or more of a pressure sensor that detects pressure fluctuations in one or both of the air intake flow path 120 and the aerosol flow path 121, a flow velocity sensor that detects the flow velocity, and a flow rate sensor that detects the flow rate. It may be included. The sensor 112 may also include a weight sensor that detects the weight of a component such as the reservoir 116A. The sensor 112 may also be configured to count the number of puffs by the user using the aerosol aspirator 100A. The sensor 112 may also be configured to integrate the energization time on the atomizing section 118A. The sensor 112 may also be configured to detect the height of the liquid level in the reservoir 116A. The sensor 112 may also be configured to obtain or detect the SOC (System of Charge, charging state), current integrated value, voltage, etc. of the power supply 110. The SOC may be obtained by a current integration method (Coulomb counting method), an SOC-OCV (Open Circuit Voltage, open circuit voltage) method, or the like. The sensor 112 may also include the temperature sensor in the power supply 110 described above. The sensor 112 may also be capable of detecting an operation on a user-operable operation button or the like.

The control unit 106 may be an electronic circuit module configured as a microprocessor or a microcomputer. The control unit 106 may be configured to control the operation of the aerosol aspirator 100A according to a computer executable instruction stored in the memory 114. The memory 114 is a storage medium such as a ROM, RAM, or flash memory. In addition to the computer-executable instructions as described above, the memory 114 may store setting data and the like necessary for controlling the aerosol aspirator 100A. For example, the memory 114 has various control methods of the notification unit 108 (modes such as light emission, vocalization, vibration, etc.), values obtained and / or detected by the sensor 112, heating history of the atomizing unit 118A, and the like. Data may be stored. The control unit 106 reads data from the memory 114 as needed and uses it for controlling the aerosol aspirator 100A, and stores the data in the memory 114 as needed.

FIG. 1B is a schematic block diagram of the configuration of the aerosol aspirator 100B according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown, the aerosol aspirator 100B has a configuration similar to that of the aerosol aspirator 100A of FIG. 1A. However, the configuration of the second member 104B (hereinafter referred to as "aerosol generating article 104B" or "stick 104B") is different from the configuration of the second member 104A. As an example, the aerosol generating article 104B may include an aerosol base material 116B, an atomizing portion 118B, an air intake flow path 120, an aerosol flow path 121, and a mouthpiece portion 122. A part of the components contained in the main body 102 may be contained in the aerosol generating article 104B. A part of the components contained in the aerosol-generating article 104B may be contained in the main body 102. The aerosol-generating article 104B may be configured to be removable with respect to the main body 102. Alternatively, all the components contained in the main body 102 and the aerosol-generating article 104B may be contained in the same housing instead of the main body 102 and the aerosol-generating article 104B.

The aerosol base material 116B may be configured as a solid supporting an aerosol source. As in the case of the reservoir 116A of FIG. 1A, the aerosol source may be, for example, a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin or propylene glycol, a liquid such as water, or a mixed liquid thereof. The aerosol source in the aerosol base material 116B may contain a tobacco raw material or an extract derived from the tobacco raw material that releases a flavor component by heating. The aerosol base material 116B itself may be composed of a tobacco raw material. If the aerosol aspirator 100B is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may also contain a drug for the patient to inhale. The aerosol substrate 116B may be configured such that the aerosol substrate 116B itself can be replaced when the aerosol source is consumed. The aerosol source is not limited to liquids, but may be solids.

The atomizing unit 118B is configured to atomize the aerosol source to generate an aerosol. When the sensor 112 detects a suction operation or another operation by the user, the atomizing unit 118B generates an aerosol. The atomizing unit 118B includes a heater (not shown) including a load electrically connected to the power supply 110. When a suction operation or another operation by the user is detected, the control unit 106 controls the power supply to the heater of the atomizing unit 118B and heats the aerosol source supported in the aerosol base material 116B. Atomize the aerosol source. An air intake flow path 120 is connected to the atomizing portion 118B, and the air intake flow path 120 leads to the outside of the aerosol aspirator 100B. The aerosol produced in the atomizing section 118B is mixed with the air taken in through the air intake flow path 120. The mixed fluid of aerosol and air is pumped into the aerosol flow path 121, as indicated by arrow 124. The aerosol flow path 121 has a tubular structure for transporting a mixed fluid of aerosol and air generated in the atomizing portion 118B to the mouthpiece 122.

The control unit 106 is configured to control the

aerosol aspirators

100A and 100B (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “aerosol aspirator 100”) according to the embodiment of the present disclosure by various methods.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an exemplary circuit configuration for a part of the aerosol aspirator 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

The circuit 200 shown in FIG. 2 includes a power supply 110, a control unit 106, sensors 112A to 112D (hereinafter collectively referred to as “sensor 112”), a load 132 (hereinafter also referred to as “heater resistance”), and a first circuit 202. It includes a second circuit 204, a switch Q1 including a first field effect transistor (FET) 206, a conversion unit 208, a switch Q2 including a second FET 210, and a resistor 212 (hereinafter, also referred to as “shunt resistor”). The electrical resistance value of the load 132 changes with temperature. In other words, the load 132 may include a PTC heater. The shunt resistor 212 is connected in series with the load 132 and has a known electrical resistance value. The electrical resistance value of the shunt resistor 212 may be almost or completely invariant with respect to temperature. The shunt resistor 212 has an electrical resistance value greater than that of the load 132. Depending on the embodiment, the

sensors

112C and 112D may be omitted. The first FET 206 included in the switch Q1 and the second FET 210 included in the switch Q2 each serve as a switch for opening and closing an electric circuit. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that not only FETs but also various elements such as IGBTs and contactors can be used as switches Q1 and Q2 as switches. Further, the switches Q1 and Q2 preferably have the same characteristics, but may not be so. Therefore, the FETs, IGBTs, contactors, etc. used as the switches Q1 and Q2 preferably have the same characteristics, but they do not have to.

The conversion unit 208 is, for example, a switching converter and may include an FET 214, a diode 216, an inductor 218 and a capacitor 220. The control unit 106 may control the conversion unit 208 so that the conversion unit 208 converts the output voltage of the power supply 110 and the converted output voltage is applied to the entire circuit. Here, the conversion unit 208 is preferably configured to output a constant voltage under the control of the control unit 106, at least while the switch Q2 is in the ON state. Further, the conversion unit 208 may be configured to output a constant voltage even while the switch Q1 is in the ON state under the control of the control unit 106. The constant voltage output by the conversion unit 208 under the control of the control unit 106 while the switch Q1 is on, and the constant voltage output by the conversion unit 208 under the control of the control unit 106 while the switch Q2 is on. The voltages of may be the same or different. When these are different, the constant voltage output by the conversion unit 208 under the control of the control unit 106 while the switch Q1 is on is controlled by the conversion unit 208 under the control of the control unit 106 while the switch Q2 is on. It may be higher or lower than the constant output voltage. According to such a configuration, the voltage and other parameters are stabilized, so that the accuracy of estimating the remaining amount of the aerosol is improved. Further, the conversion unit 208 may be configured so that the output voltage of the power supply 110 is directly applied to the first circuit while only the switch Q1 is in the ON state under the control of the control unit 106. Such an embodiment may be realized by the control unit 106 controlling the switching converter in a direct connection mode in which the switching operation is stopped. The conversion unit 208 is not an essential component and can be omitted.

The circuit 134 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B may include the first circuit 202 and the second circuit 204 by electrically connecting the power supply 110 and the load 132. The first circuit 202 and the second circuit 204 are connected in parallel to the power supply 110 and the load 132. The first circuit 202 may include the switch Q1. The second circuit 204 may include a switch Q2 and a resistor 212 (and optionally a sensor 112D). The first circuit 202 may have a resistance value smaller than that of the second circuit 204. In this example, the

sensors

112B and 112D are voltage sensors, respectively, configured to detect a potential difference (hereinafter, also referred to as “voltage” or “voltage value”) between both ends of the load 132 and the resistor 212, respectively. .. However, the configuration of the sensor 112 is not limited to this. For example, the sensor 112 may be a current sensor and may detect the value of the current flowing through one or both of the load 132 and the resistor 212.

As shown by the dotted arrow in FIG. 2, the control unit 106 can control the switch Q1, the switch Q2, and the like, and can acquire the value detected by the sensor 112. Even if the control unit 106 is configured to function the first circuit 202 by switching the switch Q1 from the off state to the on state, and to function the second circuit 204 by switching the switch Q2 from the off state to the on state. Good. The control unit 106 may be configured so that the first circuit 202 and the second circuit 204 function alternately by alternately switching the switches Q1 and Q2.

The first circuit 202 is mainly used for atomizing the aerosol source. When the switch Q1 is switched to the ON state and the first circuit 202 functions, power is supplied to the heater (that is, the load 132 in the heater), and the load 132 is heated. By heating the load 132, the aerosol source held in the holding portion 130 in the atomizing portion 118A (in the case of the aerosol aspirator 100B in FIG. 1B, the aerosol source supported on the aerosol base material 116B) is atomized and the aerosol Is generated.

The second circuit 204 is used to acquire the value of the voltage applied to the load 132, the value of the current flowing through the load 132, the value of the voltage applied to the resistor 212, the value of the current flowing through the resistor 212, and the like.

2 Basic Principle 2-1 Acquisition of Resistance Value of Load 132 The acquired voltage or current value can be used to acquire the resistance value of the load 132. Hereinafter, consider a case where the switch Q1 is in the off state and the first circuit 202 is not functioning, and the switch Q2 is in the on state and the second circuit 204 is functioning. In this case, since the current flows through the switch Q2, the shunt resistor 212, and the load 132, the resistance value R _HTR of the load 132 can be obtained by calculation using, for example, the following equation.

Here, V _out is a voltage that can be detected by the sensor 112C or a predetermined target voltage output by the conversion unit 208, and represents a voltage applied to the entire first circuit 202 and the second circuit 204. .. When the conversion unit 208 is not used, the voltage V _out may be a voltage V _Batt that can be detected by the sensor 112A. The V _HTR represents the voltage applied to the load 132 that can be detected by the sensor 112B, and the V _shunt represents the voltage applied to the shunt resistor 212 that can be detected by the sensor 112D. I _HTR represents a current flowing through a load 132 (in this case, the same as a current flowing through a shunt resistor 212) that can be detected by a sensor (for example, a Hall element) (not shown). R _shunt represents a known resistance value of a predeterminable shunt resistor 212.

The resistance value of the load 132 can be obtained by using at least the equation (1) even when the switch Q1 is in the ON state, regardless of whether the switch Q2 is functioning or not. This means that in the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to use the output value of the sensor 112 acquired when the switch Q1 is in the ON state, or to use a circuit in which the second circuit 204 does not exist. are doing. Further, it should be noted that the above-mentioned method is merely an example, and the resistance value of the load 132 may be obtained by any method.

2-2 Acquisition of the temperature of the load 132 The acquired resistance value of the load 132 can be used to acquire the temperature of the load 132. Specifically, if the load 132 has a positive or negative temperature coefficient characteristic (the positive temperature coefficient characteristic may be referred to as "PTC characteristic") whose resistance value changes depending on the temperature, it is known in advance. The temperature _{THTR of the} load 132 can be estimated based on the relationship between the resistance value and the temperature of the load 132, that is, the correlation, and the resistance value R _HTR of the load 132 obtained by the equation (1). it can. More specifically, there is the following relationship between the resistance value R _HTR of the load 132 and the temperature _THTR .

Therefore,

Here, T _ref is a predetermined reference temperature, R _ref is a reference resistance value, and α _TCR is a known constant that depends on the material of the load 132. Here, in order to accurately obtain the temperature _THTR of the load 132, the reference resistance value R _ref must be equal to the resistance value of the load 132 when the reference temperature T _ref is used. That is, if the load 132 is set to a desired reference temperature _Tref in advance and the resistance value of the load 132 at that time is acquired as the reference resistance value R _ref , the unknown temperature of the load 132 at an arbitrary time point is obtained. The _THTR can be obtained by calculation using the equation (3) by giving the resistance value R _HTR of the load 132 obtained by the equation (1) at that time.

2-3 Determining the depletion or deficiency of the aerosol source The aerosol aspirator 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure determines the occurrence of the depletion or deficiency of the aerosol source.

In the present disclosure, "depleted" of the remaining amount of the aerosol source means a state in which the remaining amount of the aerosol source is zero or almost zero.

Further, in the present disclosure, "insufficient" remaining amount of the aerosol source may mean a state in which the remaining amount of the aerosol source is not sufficient but is not exhausted. Alternatively, it may mean that the remaining amount of the aerosol source is sufficient for instantaneous aerosol production but insufficient for continuous aerosol production. Alternatively, the remaining amount of the aerosol source may mean an insufficient state in which an aerosol having a sufficient flavor and taste cannot be produced.

Further, when the aerosol source is saturated in the aerosol base material 116B or the holding portion 130, the temperature of the load 132 is the temperature at which the aerosol is generated by the boiling point of the aerosol source or the evaporation of the aerosol source (hereinafter, referred to as “boiling point or the like”). .) Is the steady state. This event can be understood from the fact that the heat generated at the load 132 by the electric power supplied from the power supply 110 is used for evaporation of the aerosol source and generation of the aerosol instead of raising the temperature of the aerosol source at these temperatures. Here, although the aerosol source is not saturated in the aerosol base material 116B or the holding portion 130, the temperature of the load 132 becomes a steady state at the boiling point or the like even when the remaining amount thereof is a certain amount or more. In the present disclosure, "sufficient" means that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the aerosol base material 116B or the holding portion 130 is "sufficient" means that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the aerosol base material 116B or the holding part 130 is equal to or more than the certain amount. , The remaining amount of the aerosol source in the aerosol base material 116B or the holding portion 130 means a state (including a saturated state) in which the temperature of the load 132 becomes a steady state at the boiling point or the like. It should be noted that in the latter case, it is not necessary to specify the specific remaining amount of the aerosol source in the aerosol base material 116B or the holding portion 130. Also, the boiling point of the aerosol source and the temperature at which the aerosol is formed coincide with each other when the aerosol source is a liquid of a single composition. On the other hand, when the aerosol source is a mixed liquid, the boiling point of the theoretical mixed liquid obtained by Raoult's law may be regarded as the temperature at which the aerosol is produced, or the boiling of the aerosol source produces the aerosol. The temperature may be determined experimentally.

Furthermore, when the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage unit 116A is less than a certain amount, in principle, the aerosol source is not supplied from the storage unit 116A to the holding unit 130 (a very small amount of aerosol source is used). Some supply may be made by being supplied or by tilting or shaking the aerosol aspirator 100). In the present disclosure, "sufficient" means that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage unit 116A is "sufficient" means that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage unit 116A is equal to or more than the certain amount, or the aerosol source in the holding unit 130 is saturated. Alternatively, it means a state in which it is possible to supply the remaining amount of the aerosol source to the above-mentioned certain amount or more. In the latter case, since it can be estimated or determined that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage unit 116A is sufficient because the temperature of the load 132 is in a steady state at the boiling point or the like, the aerosol source in the storage unit 116A can be estimated or determined. It should be noted that it is not necessary to specify the specific remaining amount of. Further, in this case, when the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding unit 130 is insufficient (that is, insufficient or depleted), the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage unit 116A is insufficient (that is, insufficient or depleted). ) Can be presumed or judged.

FIG. 3 schematically shows a time-series change (hereinafter, also referred to as “temperature profile”) of the temperature of the load 132 (hereinafter, also referred to as “heater temperature”) after the start of power supply to the load 132. The graph 300 represented and the temperature change 350 of the load 132 per predetermined time or per predetermined power supplied are illustrated.

Reference numeral 310 in the graph 300 shows a schematic temperature profile of the load 132 when the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion or the like is sufficient _{. P.} Indicates the boiling point of the aerosol source and the like. In the temperature profile 310, when the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion or the like is sufficient, after the temperature of the load 132 starts to rise, the boiling point of the aerosol source and the like TB _{. P.} Ni or boiling point, etc. TB _{. P.} It is shown that the steady state is reached in the vicinity of. It is considered that this is because, in the end, almost all of the electric power supplied to the load 132 is spent for atomizing the aerosol source in the holding portion and the like, so that the temperature of the load 132 does not rise due to the supplied electric power. ..

It should be noted that the temperature profile 310 is merely a schematic representation, and in reality, the temperature of the load 132 includes local vertical movement, and some transient change (not shown) may occur. Please note that there is. These transient changes may occur due to a temperature bias that may temporarily occur in the load 132, chattering that occurs in a sensor that detects the temperature of the load 132 itself or an electrical parameter corresponding to the temperature of the load 132, and the like. ..

Reference numeral 320 in the graph 300 shows a schematic temperature profile of the load 132 when the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion or the like is not sufficient. In the temperature profile 320, when the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion or the like is not sufficient, the temperature of the load 132 starts to rise, and then the boiling point of the aerosol source and the like TB _{. P.} Equilibrium temperature higher than _Tequi. It shows that it may be in a steady state. This is finally due to the temperature rise due to the electric power applied to the load 132 and the heat transfer to the substance near the load 132 (including the gas around the load 132 and a part of the structure of the aerosol aspirator 100). It is considered that this is because the temperature drop due to the above is balanced with the temperature drop due to the heat of vaporization of a small amount of the aerosol source in the aerosol base material 116B or the holding portion 130 in some cases. When the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding part or the like is not sufficient, the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the aerosol base material 116B or the holding part 130 or the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage part 116A (supply of the aerosol source to the holding part 130). It has been confirmed that the load 132 may be in a steady state at different temperatures depending on the distribution of the aerosol source in the aerosol base material 116B or the holding portion 130, etc., which may affect the speed.) Equilibrium temperature T _equi. Is one of such temperatures, preferably one of such temperatures, and the highest temperature (the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the aerosol substrate 116B or the retainer 130 is completely zero. It is a temperature that is not (the temperature when it is). It has also been confirmed that the temperature of the load 132 may not reach a steady state when the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion or the like is insufficient, but even at this time, the temperature of the load 132 is the aerosol source. Boiling point, etc. TB _{. P.} It will still reach higher temperatures.

Based on schematic temperature profile of the load 132 when and not sufficient when the aerosol source is sufficient in holder, etc. as mentioned above, basically, the temperature of the load 132, the aerosol source boiling like T _{B .. P.} Above equilibrium temperature T _equi. By determining whether or not the following predetermined temperature threshold _Tthre has been _exceeded , it is determined whether the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion or the like is sufficient or insufficient (that is, insufficient or depleted). It is possible.

The temperature change 350 of the load 132 per predetermined time indicates the temperature change of the load 132 per predetermined time Δt between the time point t1 and the time point t2 in the graph 300. Each of 360 and 370 corresponds to a temperature change when the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion or the like is sufficient and when it is not sufficient, respectively. The temperature change 360 indicates that the temperature of the load 132 rises by ΔT _sat per predetermined time Δt when the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion or the like is sufficient. Further, the temperature change 370 indicates that when the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion or the like is not sufficient, the temperature of the load 132 rises by ΔT _dep larger than ΔT _sat per predetermined time Δt. It should be noted that ΔT _sat and ΔT _dep change depending on the length of Δt for a predetermined time, and even if the length is fixed, it changes when t1 (and t2) is changed. Hereinafter, ΔT _sat and ΔT _dep are assumed to be the maximum temperature changes that can be taken when t1 (and t2) are changed in a predetermined time Δt of a certain length.

Based on the temperature change of the load 132 per predetermined time when the aerosol source in the holding portion and the like described above is sufficient and not sufficient, basically, the temperature change per predetermined time Δt is ΔT _sat or more. The remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion or the like is sufficient or insufficient (that is, insufficient or depleted) by determining whether or not the predetermined temperature change threshold ΔT _thre equal to or less than ΔT _{dep is} _exceeded . It is possible to judge.

It should be noted that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion or the like is sufficient or not sufficient by using the temperature change of the load 132 per the predetermined power ΔW supplied to the load 132 instead of the temperature change per the predetermined time Δt. It will be understood that it can be judged.

3 If the correlation of the resistance value of the basic principle according problems 3-1 load 132 and temperature to obtain a temperature _{T HTR} load 132 by Equation (3), as described above, in advance, a predetermined reference temperature _{T ref} The resistance value of the load 132 at the time of is acquired as the reference resistance value R _{ref and} must be stored.

However, due to individual differences in the heater, the resistance value of the load 132 at the same temperature may differ from individual to individual. Thus, when a reference temperature T _ref, between the advance resistance of the obtained load 132 at a heater, the resistance value of another heater definitive load 132, there may be an error epsilon _product by product tolerance ..

Further, even if the heaters are the same, due to deterioration and other various reasons, for example, the resistance value of the load 132 when the reference temperature is _Tr, which is acquired in advance at the time of shipment from the factory, and the reference temperature after being used. There may be an error ε _{deterioration} due to aging with the resistance value of the load 132 when it is T _ref .

Furthermore, when the resistance value is acquired as the reference resistance value in advance, if the temperature of the load 132 actually deviates from the reference temperature _Tref , the resistance value acquired in advance and the reference temperature T are accurate. There may be an error ε _temperature due to the temperature shift between the resistance value of the load 132 when it is _ref .

Given the above, the reference resistance value R _ref obtained in advance, in the heater is not a pre-acquired heater reference resistance R _ref, is later than a time point (the time of the pre-acquired the reference resistance value R _ref. ), There may be the following error ε with the resistance value when the reference temperature is exactly _Tref .

In equation (4), | ε _product | and | ε _temperature | and | ε _deletion | can take the maximum value that can be taken by the error due to the product tolerance, the maximum value that can take the error due to the temperature deviation, and the error due to the change over time, respectively. Shows the maximum value. Since each of ｜ ε _product ｜ and ｜ ε _temperature ｜ and ｜ ε _destruction ｜ can take both positive and negative values, the absolute value of the error ε is ｜ ε _product ｜ and ｜ ε _emperature ｜ and ｜ ε _destruction ｜ Is less than or equal to the sum of. Rewriting Eq. (3) in consideration of the error ε, it can be expressed as follows.

It should be noted that the error ε can be either a positive value or a negative value. Here, R ^* _ref is the resistance value at the time when the resistance value R _HTR is acquired in the heater for which the temperature of the load 132 is to be acquired by the equation (3), when the reference temperature is exactly T _ref (hereinafter, the resistance value). , "True reference resistance value"). The relationship between the reference resistance value R _ref acquired in advance and the true reference resistance value R ^* _ref is as follows.

According to the equation (5), when the error ε has a large positive value, the temperature _{THTR of the} load 132 calculated by the equation becomes lower than the true value. On the contrary, when the error ε has a large negative value, the temperature _{THTR of the} load 132 calculated by the equation becomes higher than the true value.
Therefore, in principle, it is preferable to make the absolute values of the above-mentioned errors ε _product , ε _temperature, and ε _{deterioration} as small as possible in the pre-acquired reference resistance value R _ref used in the equation (3).

3-2 Judgment of exhaustion or deficiency of aerosol source When the speed of aerosol suction by the user is high, the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage unit 116A is sufficient, but the supply is not in time, so the holding unit 130 A situation occurs in which the remaining amount of the aerosol source is insufficient. The above-mentioned basic principles alone cannot deal with such a situation.

4 Process for measuring the temperature of the load 132 and determining the depletion or deficiency of the aerosol source Hereinafter, for measuring the temperature of the load 132 and determining the occurrence of the exhaustion or deficiency of the aerosol source according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The processing will be described. For the processing described below, it is assumed that the control unit 106 executes all steps. However, it should be noted that some steps may be performed by another component of the aerosol aspirator 100.

4-1 Outline of main treatment FIGS. 4A and 4B are flowcharts of an exemplary main treatment 400 for measuring the temperature of the load 132 and determining the depletion or shortage of the aerosol source. The main treatment 400 is repeated while the aerosol aspirator 100 is operating.

410 indicates a step of determining whether the first condition and the second condition are satisfied. If it is determined that the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, the process proceeds to step 420, and if not, step 410 is repeated. The first condition and the second condition will be described later.

In the subsequent step 450 described later, a signal for turning on the switch Q1 in order to atomize the aerosol source is transmitted. If at least one of the first condition and the second condition is not satisfied by step 410, the process does not proceed to step 450, and therefore it is prohibited to turn on the switch Q1.

420 indicates a step of determining whether or not an aerosol generation request has been detected. If it is determined that the aerosol production request has been detected, the process proceeds to step 430, otherwise it repeats step 420.

The control unit 106 may determine that the aerosol generation request has been detected when the user detects the start of suction based on the information obtained from the pressure sensor, the flow velocity sensor, the flow rate sensor, or the like. More specifically, for example, the control unit 106 can determine that the start of suction by the user has been detected when the output value of the pressure sensor, that is, the pressure falls below a predetermined threshold value. Further, for example, the control unit 106 can determine that the start of suction by the user is detected when the output value of the flow velocity sensor or the flow rate sensor, that is, the flow velocity or the flow rate exceeds a predetermined threshold value. In such a determination method, a flow velocity sensor or a flow rate sensor is particularly suitable because it is possible to generate an aerosol that suits the user's feeling. Alternatively, the control unit 106 may determine that the start of suction by the user has been detected when the output values of these sensors start to change continuously. Alternatively, the control unit 106 may determine that the start of suction by the user has been detected based on the fact that a button for starting the generation of the aerosol is pressed or the like. Alternatively, the control unit 106 may determine that the start of suction by the user has been detected based on both the information obtained from the pressure sensor, the flow velocity sensor, or the flow rate sensor and the pressing of the button.

430 indicates a step of determining whether the counter is equal to or less than a predetermined counter threshold value. If the counter is less than or equal to a predetermined counter threshold, the process proceeds to step 440, otherwise the process proceeds to step 464 of FIG. 4B, which will be described later.

The predetermined counter threshold value may be a predetermined value of 1 or more. The significance of step 430 will be described later.

440 indicates a step of determining whether the temperature of the load 132 can be regarded as being at the reference temperature _Tref . If it is determined that the temperature of the load 132 can be considered to be at the reference temperature _Tref , the process proceeds to step 442, otherwise the process proceeds to step 448. Details of step 440 will be described later.

442 indicates a step of transmitting a signal for turning on the switch Q2 in order to acquire the resistance value of the load 132.

443 shows the step of storing the resistance value of the load 132 according to the principle described above using equation (1) was obtained as R _2, at least temporarily memory 114. As will be described later, this resistance value R ₂ is used to calibrate the correlation between the temperature of the load 132 and the resistance value.

444 indicates a step of transmitting a signal for turning off the switch Q2.

In order to acquire the temperature of the load 132 in step 455 described later, 445 is a variable representing the reference resistance value R _ref in order to calibrate the correlation between the temperature of the load 132 and the resistance value, and the resistance acquired in the immediately preceding step 443. The step of substituting the value R ₂ is shown.

448, the variable representing the reference resistance value _{R ref,} either of the resistance value _{R 2} obtained in the previous the previous step 443, or the value of the resistance value _{R 1} of the load 132 obtained when replacing the cartridge 104A to be described later Shows the steps to substitute.

If the value of the variable representing the reference resistance value R _ref is held during the operation of the aerosol aspirator 100, step 448 corresponds to the case where the value of the variable representing the reference resistance value R _ref is not set. It assigns the value of resistance R ₁ to the variable, or may be a step that does nothing otherwise.

The substitutions in

steps

445 and 448 improve the accuracy of the temperature _THTR of the load 132 calculated by the equation used in step 455 described later, which represents the correlation between the temperature of the load 132 and the electrical resistance value. This is an example of the process of calibrating the correlation.

450 indicates a step of transmitting a signal for turning on the switch Q1 in order to atomize the aerosol source.

Reference numeral 451 indicates a step of transmitting a signal for turning on the switch Q2 in order to acquire the resistance value of the

load

132, and 452 indicates a switch for accurately acquiring the resistance value of the load 132. The step of transmitting the signal for turning off Q1 is shown. The order of

steps

451 and 452 may be either earlier or simultaneous, but step 451 precedes step 452, considering the delay from sending the signal to the switch to the actual change of state. Is preferable.

Reference numeral 453 indicates a step of acquiring the resistance value of the load 132 as R ₃ by the above-mentioned principle using the equation (1).

454 indicates a step of transmitting a signal for turning off the switch Q2.

455 shows a step of acquiring the temperature _THTR of the load 132 by the above-mentioned principle using the equation (3).

Reference

_numeral 460 indicates a step of adding the temperature _THTR of the load 132 acquired in the immediately preceding step 455 to the list of data structures for later reference. The list is merely an example, and in step 460, an arbitrary data structure capable of holding a plurality of data such as an array may be used. Unless it is determined in step 470 to be described later that the process proceeds to step 480, the process of step 460 is executed a plurality of times. If step 460 is executed multiple times, the temperature _THTR of the load 132 in the data structure is not overwritten and is added as many times as the process of step 460 is executed.

Reference numeral 462 indicates a step of determining whether the temperature _{THTR of the} load 132 acquired in the immediately preceding step 455 is less than a predetermined first threshold value. If the temperature _THTR of the load 132 is less than the first threshold, the process proceeds to step 470, otherwise the process proceeds to step 464.
The first threshold is preferably a temperature at which depletion of the aerosol source is strongly suspected when the temperature of the load 132 is exceeded, for example, 300 ° C.

Reference numeral 464 indicates a step for prohibiting the switch Q1 from being turned on.
This step may be a step of setting a flag according to the first condition in the memory 114, and this flag may be released when the cartridge 104A is replaced. That is, in this example, the first condition is that the cartridge 104A is replaced, and the first condition is not satisfied until the flag is cleared, that is, until the cartridge 104A is replaced, and the determination in step 410 is Be false.

Reference numeral 466 indicates a step of performing a predetermined notification in the UI (user interface) on the notification unit 108.
This notification may be a notification indicating that the cartridge 104A should be replaced.

Reference numeral 470 indicates a step of determining whether the aerosol generation request has been completed. If it is determined that the aerosol generation request is complete, the process proceeds to step 480, otherwise the process returns to step 450.

The control unit 106 may determine that the aerosol generation request has been completed when the control unit 106 detects the end of suction by the user, for example, based on the information obtained from the pressure sensor, the flow velocity sensor, the flow rate sensor, or the like. Here, for example, the control unit 106 determines that the end of suction by the user is detected when the output value of the pressure sensor, that is, the pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold value, in other words, the generation of aerosol is not required. be able to. Further, for example, the control unit 106 is required to generate an aerosol, that is, the end of suction by the user is detected when the output value of the flow velocity sensor or the flow rate sensor, that is, the flow velocity or the flow rate falls below a predetermined threshold value. It can be determined that there is no such thing. The threshold value may be larger than the threshold value in step 420, equal to the threshold value, or smaller than the threshold value. Alternatively, the control unit 106 determines that the end of suction by the user is detected based on the release of the button for starting the aerosol generation, in other words, the aerosol generation is not required. May be. Alternatively, the control unit 106 detects the end of suction by the user when a predetermined condition such as a predetermined time elapses after the button for starting the aerosol generation is pressed, in other words, the aerosol. May be determined that the generation of is not required.

Reference numeral 480 indicates a step of determining whether the maximum value in the list in which one or more temperature _THTRs of the load 132 are held is less than a predetermined second threshold value. If the maximum value is less than the second threshold, the process proceeds to step 488, otherwise the process proceeds to step 482.
The second threshold is a temperature at which the aerosol source is suspected to be depleted when the temperature of the load 132 is exceeded, but there is a possibility of a temporary shortage of the aerosol source in the holding portion 130 due to insufficient supply or the like. Is preferable. Therefore, the second threshold value may be smaller than the first threshold value, for example, 250 ° C.

Reference numeral 482 indicates a step of temporarily prohibiting the switch Q1 from being turned on.
This step may be a step of setting a flag according to the second condition in the memory 114, and this flag may be released when a predetermined time has elapsed from the setting of the flag. That is, in this example, the second condition is that a predetermined time elapses after the flag is set, and the second condition is not satisfied until the flag is released, that is, until the predetermined time elapses from the setting of the flag. Therefore, the determination in step 410 is temporarily false. The predetermined time may be 10 seconds or more, for example, 11 seconds.

Reference numeral 484 indicates a step of performing a predetermined notification in the UI on the notification unit 108.
This notification may be a notification prompting you to wait for a while to inhale the aerosol.

486 indicates a step of incrementing the counter, for example, adding 1 to the counter.

488 shows the steps to initialize the counter and the list. By this step, the counter may be 0 and the list may be empty.

In this embodiment, the temperature _THTR of the load 132 and the second threshold are compared in step 480 after the aerosol generation request is completed. Instead of this embodiment, the temperature _THTR of the load 132 and the second threshold may be compared before the aerosol production request is completed. In this case, if the temperature T _HTR load 132 is determined to a second threshold value or more, until aerosol generation request is completed, the comparison of the temperature T _HTR and the second threshold load 132 may not be performed any more.

4-2 Outline of Auxiliary Processing FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary process 500 that assists the main process 400. The auxiliary process 500 can be executed simultaneously with or in parallel with the main process 400.

Reference numeral 510 indicates a step of determining whether or not the replacement of the cartridge 104A has been detected. If it detects a cartridge replacement, the process proceeds to step 520, otherwise it repeats step 510.

Reference numeral 520 indicates a step of transmitting a signal for turning on the switch Q2 in order to acquire the resistance value of the load 132.

530 shows the step of storing the resistance value of the principles by the load 132 as described above using equation (1) was obtained as R _1, at least temporarily memory 114.

540 indicates a step of transmitting a signal for turning off the switch Q2.

Reference numeral 550 indicates a step of initializing the above-mentioned counter and list used in the process 400.

4-3 load the resistance value _{R 1} of the load 132 132 are intended to be included in the heater included in each cartridge. Resistance R ₁ in step 530 has been obtained for a load 132 connected cartridge contains the temperature T _HTR in step 455 are those obtained for the load 132 connected the cartridge contains. Therefore, by using the resistance value R ₁ as the reference resistance value R _ref , the error ε _product due to the product tolerance in the reference resistance value R _ref becomes zero.

4-4 Regarding the resistance value R ₂ of the load 132 The acquisition of the resistance value R ₂ of the load 132 in step 443 is executed after the acquisition of the resistance value R ₁ in step 530. In addition, step 443 is a step immediately prior to producing the aerosol. Therefore, when the resistance value _{R 2} as the reference resistance value _{R ref,} rather than using the resistance value _{R 1,} the error epsilon _{Deterioration} decreases due to aging of the reference resistance _{R ref.}

Further, using the resistance value R ₂ as the reference resistance value R _ref also makes the error ε _product due to the product tolerance in the reference resistance value R _ref zero.

Since the acquisition of the resistance value R ₂ of the load 132 in step 443 is performed during the detection of the aerosol generation request, this is an example of the case where the detection of the aerosol generation request is triggered.

4-5 error epsilon _Temperature due to the deviation of temperature for one of determining the temperature of the load 132 can be regarded to be in the reference temperature _{T ref} may be obtained a reference resistance value when the temperature of the load 132 is in the vicinity of the reference temperature _{T ref} Is reduced by. That is, a resistance value acquired _{R 2} of the load 132 at step 443 when the temperature of the load 132 is determined to be regarded as being a reference temperature _{T ref} at step 440, the resistance value _{R 2} as the reference resistance value _{R ref} The purpose of use is also to reduce the error ε _temperature due to the temperature shift in the reference resistance value R _ref .

Hereinafter, an example of determining whether the temperature of the load 132 can be regarded as being at the reference temperature _Tref will be described.

FIG. 6 is a graph 600 showing the time change of the temperature of the load 132 after the heating of the load 132, that is, the power supply is stopped. The horizontal axis of the graph 600 shows the time after the power supply to the load 132 is stopped, and the vertical axis shows the temperature of the load 132. 610 is a plot showing an exemplary temperature change of the load 132 when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is sufficient, and 620 shows an exemplary temperature change of the load 132 when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is insufficient 3 Two plots are shown.

In the graph 600, if a sufficient time elapses after the power supply to the load 132 is stopped, the temperature of the load 132 becomes room temperature TR _{. T.} Indicates to return to. Therefore, the reference temperature _{Tref is set} to room temperature TR _{. T.} Then, by using the resistance value of the load 132 acquired after a longer time has passed since the energization of the load 132 was stopped as the reference resistance value R _ref , the error ε _temperature due to the temperature shift becomes smaller. Tend.

Therefore, the reference temperature _Tref is set to a temperature based on the environment in which the aerosol aspirator 100 is expected to be used, for example, room temperature TR _{. T.} In the case of, the determination as to whether the temperature of the load 132 in step 440 can be regarded as being in the reference temperature _Tref is the elapsed time until the aerosol generation request is detected in step 420, and the aerosol in step 470 executed last time. It may be based on the elapsed time since the detection of the generation request of the above is completed or the power supply of the electric energy to the load 132 is completed by the previously executed step 452.

The environment in which the aerosol aspirator 100 is expected to be used may include a user having the aerosol aspirator 100. Therefore, the temperature based on the environment in which the aerosol aspirator 100 is assumed to be used may be a temperature considering the temperature of the body temperature or the exhaled breath transmitted from the user to the aerosol aspirator 100.

Here, according to the applicant's experiments, the resistance of the load 132 at the time the power supply has passed 10000ms That 10s from the stop to the load 132 as the reference resistance value _{R ref,} room temperature reference temperature _{T ref} _{T R .. T.} It was found that the temperature _THTR of the load 132 obtained by the equation (3) set to is sufficiently accurate for the purpose of determining the shortage or depletion of the aerosol source by the principle explained above. What is important is that the temperature of the load 132 at the time when 10 seconds have passed since the power supply to the load 132 was stopped is strictly room temperature TR _{. T.} Not in _{T'R. T.} It means that it was there. That is, the temperature of the load 132 when acquiring the reference resistance value R _ref does not need to be strictly at the reference temperature T _ref for the purpose of determining the shortage or depletion of the aerosol source according to the principle described above. That is, the temperature _{THTR of the} load 132 is _T'R _{. T.} Or the temperature _{THTR of the} load 132 is _T'R _{. T.} Drives out it is now near, the temperature _{T HTR} load 132 may be considered to be in a reference temperature _{T ref.}

Therefore, in step 440, the temperature of the load 132 is greater than or equal to the time required to cool the load 132 from a temperature at which the aerosol can be generated to a temperature that can be considered to be at the reference temperature _Tref. May be determined to be at the reference temperature _Tref .

The temperature that can be regarded as being at the reference temperature _Tref is the purpose of determining the shortage or depletion of the aerosol source by the principle explained above when the resistance value of the load 132 at that temperature is used as the reference resistance value R _ref. The temperature of the load 132, which is unknown with sufficient accuracy, may be a temperature at which _THTR can be obtained. For example, according to the applicant's experiment, when the reference temperature T _ref is set to 25 ° C., the resistance value of the load 132 when the temperature of the load 132 is about 35 ° C. may be used as the reference resistance value R _ref. It was possible to obtain the temperature _THTR of the load 132, which is unknown with sufficient accuracy for the purpose of determining the shortage or depletion of the aerosol source by the principle explained above. In addition, 25 ° C. is the room temperature TR at the time of the above experiment _{. T.} Is. That is, the temperature which can be regarded to be in the reference temperature _{T ref} is a reference temperature _{T ref} or a reference temperature _T ref + 15 ° C. may be less.

Further, in step 440, the elapsed time is a predetermined time equal to or longer than the time required to cool the load 132 from the temperature at which the aerosol can be generated to the temperature that can be regarded as being at the reference temperature _Tref , and the load 132. The temperature of the load 132 reaches the reference temperature _{Tref when} it is greater than or equal to the predetermined time, which is shorter than the time required to cool from a temperature that can only be reached when the aerosol source is depleted to a temperature that can be considered to be at the reference temperature _Tref . It may be determined that there is.

Further, the determination as to whether the temperature of the load 132 in step 440 can be regarded as being at the reference temperature _Tref may be based on the output of the temperature sensor included in the power supply 110. For example, the temperature of the power supply 110 rises when the power supply to the load 132 is stopped, decreases when the power supply is stopped, and converges near the temperature of the ambient environment. In other words, when the change of the power supply 110 has settled down after the temperature has dropped, it can be estimated that a sufficient time has passed since the end of the power supply. Therefore, in step 440, the determination as to whether the temperature of the load 132 can be regarded as being at the reference temperature _Tref is determined based on the output of the temperature sensor included in the power supply 110, and the temperature change rate is within a predetermined range after the temperature of the power supply 110 is lowered. It can be a judgment as to whether or not it is inside.

The reference temperature _Tref may be set based on the output of the temperature sensor included in the power supply 110 or the temperature of the power supply 110 when the temperature change rate falls within a predetermined range after the temperature of the power supply 110 drops. ..

4-6 At least for the temporary prohibition of the switch Q1 being turned on The switch Q1 being turned on is when the temperature of the load 132 is not determined to be below the first threshold in step 462. It is prohibited until the first condition is met through step 464. Further, the fact that the switch Q1 is turned on means that even if it is determined in step 480 that the maximum value of the past one or more temperatures of the load 132 is not less than the second threshold value, the second condition is set via step 482. Banned until satisfied.

Here, the determination process in step 462 is repeated one or more times, usually a plurality of times, during the detection of the aerosol generation request, that is, in the heating phase of the aerosol source, while the determination process in step 480 ends the detection of the aerosol generation request. It is performed only once later, i.e. in the phase after the heating phase of the aerosol source. The subsequent phase is the phase in which the heating of the aerosol source is completed. That is, the frequency of execution differs between the former process and the latter process. Further, the former process and the latter process have different execution phases.

In the present embodiment, the determination process in step 480 is executed only once after the detection of the aerosol generation request is completed, that is, in the phase after the heating phase of the aerosol source. In another embodiment alternative to this embodiment, the determination process in step 480 may be performed during the detection of the aerosol production request, i.e. in the heating phase of the aerosol source.

In the other embodiment, if the determination process in step 480 is negatively determined, the determination process in step 480 may not be executed thereafter. Further, in the other embodiment, even if the determination process in step 480 is negatively determined, the processes after step 482 may be executed after the detection of the aerosol generation request is completed (step 470). It should be noted that also in the other embodiment, the determination process in step 462 and the determination process in step 480 are executed at different frequencies.
Further, in the other embodiment, step 480 may be executed after step 462 and before step 470.

As described above, when the speed of aerosol suction by the user is high, the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage unit 116A is sufficient, but the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding unit 130 is insufficient because the supply is not in time. There will be a shortage situation. In such a case, since the shortage of the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding unit 130 is resolved with the passage of time, it is sufficient to temporarily prohibit the ON state of the switch Q1. Further, in such a case, the temperature of the load 132 becomes higher than the boiling point of the aerosol source or the like, but it may exhibit unstable behavior without being in a steady state. Step 480 is for identifying such a case, and for that purpose, it is determined whether the maximum value of the past one or more temperatures of the load 132 is less than the second threshold value. Further, for that purpose, it is preferable that the second condition imposed via step 482 to enable the switch Q1 to be turned on again is a condition that is satisfied with the passage of time.

On the other hand, if the load 132 is heated when the aerosol source is really depleted, the load 132 will overheat. Therefore, when the exhaustion of the aerosol source is strongly suspected, it is preferable to immediately stop the heating of the load 132. Step 462 is for identifying such a case, and for that purpose, it is determined whether the temperature of the load 132 is greater than the second threshold and less than the first threshold. Also, for that reason, the first condition imposed via step 464 to allow the switch Q1 to be turned on again is not met over time, essentially the exhaustion of the aerosol source. It is preferable that the condition is satisfied by being eliminated, for example, the condition satisfied by replacing the cartridge 104A itself including the reservoir 116A of the aerosol source.

When the load 132 does not show the temperature above the first threshold value but shows the temperature above the second threshold value many times, the aerosol source is exhausted rather than a temporary shortage of the aerosol source due to insufficient supply. There is a high possibility that it is. Step 430 is for identifying such a case, and therefore, in step 486, the number of times that the switch Q1 is temporarily prohibited from being turned on is counted.

In the main process 400, if it is not determined even once that the temperature of the load 132 is not less than the first threshold value in step 462, it is prohibited that the switch Q1 is immediately turned on, but the temperature of the load 132. It may be prohibited that the switch Q1 is turned on when it is determined a plurality of times that is not less than the first threshold value.

FIG. 4C is a partial flowchart of another exemplary main process 400'that prohibits the switch Q1 from being turned on when it is determined multiple times that the temperature of the load 132 is not less than the first threshold. .. The steps indicated by the same reference numerals are the same in the main process 400 and the main process 400'.

463 shows the same step as step 462, except that the process proceeds to step 468 when the temperature _THTR of the load 132 is not less than the first threshold.

468 indicates a step of determining whether the second counter is equal to or less than a predetermined second counter threshold value. If the second counter is less than or equal to a predetermined second counter threshold, the process proceeds to step 469, otherwise the process proceeds to step 464.

469 indicates a step of incrementing the second counter, for example, adding 1 to the second counter.

The number of times it is determined that the temperature of the load 132 is not less than the second threshold value, which is necessary to prohibit the switch Q1 from being turned on (the number of times that the switch Q1 is temporarily prohibited from being turned on). In order to reduce false positives, it is preferable that the temperature of the load 132 is larger than the number of determinations that the temperature is not less than the first threshold value. Making the number of times of the former larger than the number of times of the latter can be realized by making the counter threshold value in step 430 larger than the second counter threshold value in step 468.

In the auxiliary process corresponding to the main process 400', the step corresponding to step 550 of the auxiliary process 500 may include a step of initializing the second counter.

4-7 Detection of cartridge replacement When the cartridge 104A is attached to the main body 102, the electronic circuit included in the cartridge 104A is electrically connected to the electronic circuit of the main body 102 via at least two terminals included in the main body 102. Will be.

The resistance value between the terminals when the cartridge 104A is attached to the main body 102 is a value according to the resistance value of the load 132 included in the cartridge 104A, while the resistance value when the cartridge 104A is removed from the main body 102. The resistance value between the terminals will be infinite or extremely large. This is because when the cartridge 104A is removed from the main body 102, the terminals are insulated from each other by air.

Therefore, for example, the cartridge 104A was replaced by detecting that the resistance value between the terminals exceeded a predetermined value larger than the value according to the resistance value of the load 132 and then fell below the predetermined value again. It is possible to detect that.

Further, in the electronic circuit of the main body 102, when a predetermined voltage is applied, the potential difference (voltage) between the terminals when the cartridge 104A is attached to the main body 102 becomes the resistance value of the load 132 included in the cartridge 104A. On the other hand, the potential difference (voltage) between the terminals when the cartridge 104A is removed from the main body 102 can be configured to be larger than the above value according to the resistance value of the load 132.

Therefore, for example, a predetermined voltage is applied to the electronic circuit of the main body 102, and the potential difference (voltage) between the terminals is a predetermined value larger than the value according to the resistance value of the load 132 (generally, the electrons of the main body 102). It is possible to detect that the cartridge 104A has been replaced by detecting that the voltage has exceeded the voltage applied to the circuit) and then has fallen below the predetermined value again.

5 Conclusion In the above description, the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described as a control device for an aerosol aspirator and a method of operating the control device. However, it will be appreciated that the present disclosure may be implemented as a program that causes the processor to perform the method when executed by the processor, or as a computer-readable storage medium containing the program.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that modifications, additions, improvements, etc. of embodiments can be made as appropriate without departing from the gist and scope of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the embodiments described above, but should be defined only by the claims and their equivalents.

100A, 100B ... Aerosol generator 102 ... Main body 104A ... Cartridge 104B ... Aerosol generating article 106 ... Control unit 108 ... Notification unit 110 ... Power supply 112A to 112D ... Sensor 114 ... Memory 116A ... Storage unit 116B ...

Aerosol base material

118A, 118B ... Atomization unit 120 ... Air intake flow path 121 ... Aerosol flow path 122 ... Mouthpiece 130 ... Holding unit 132 ... Load 134 ... Circuit 202 ... First circuit 204 ...

Second circuit

206, 210, 214 ... FET
208 ... Converter 212 ... Resistor 216 ... Diode 218 ... Inductor 220 ... Capacitor

Claims

The first sensor that heats the aerosol source and outputs the value related to the electric resistance value or the electric resistance value of the load in which the temperature and the electric resistance value are correlated,
A third sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request,
It includes a control circuit configured to determine the exhaustion of the aerosol source or the temperature of the load based on the correlation and the output value of the first sensor.
The control circuit
It is possible to acquire the output value of the first sensor at a plurality of timings including the second timing after the detection of the generation request and before the supply of the electric energy capable of generating the aerosol to the load.
The correlation can be calibrated based on the output value of the first sensor acquired at any of the plurality of timings.
When the load can be regarded as being at the reference temperature at the second timing, the output value of the first sensor is acquired, and the correlation is calibrated based on the output value.
Control device for aerosol aspirators.
The first sensor that heats the aerosol source and outputs the value related to the electric resistance value or the electric resistance value of the load in which the temperature and the electric resistance value are correlated,
A third sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request,
It includes a control circuit configured to determine the exhaustion of the aerosol source or the temperature of the load based on the correlation and the output value of the first sensor.
The control circuit
The load replacement can be detected and
The first sensor at a plurality of timings including the first timing at the time of the replacement or immediately after the replacement, and the second timing after the detection of the generation request and before the supply of the electric energy capable of generating the aerosol to the load. Output value of can be obtained,
The correlation can be calibrated based on the output value of the first sensor acquired at any of the plurality of timings.
If the load cannot be considered to be at the reference temperature at the second timing, the correlation is calibrated based on the output value of the first sensor acquired at the first timing.
Control device for aerosol aspirators.
The first sensor that heats the aerosol source and outputs the value related to the electric resistance value or the electric resistance value of the load in which the temperature and the electric resistance value are correlated,
A third sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request,
It includes a control circuit configured to determine the exhaustion of the aerosol source or the temperature of the load based on the correlation and the output value of the first sensor.
The control circuit
It is possible to acquire the output value of the first sensor at a plurality of timings including the second timing after the detection of the generation request and before the supply of the electric energy capable of generating the aerosol to the load.
The correlation can be calibrated based on the output value of the first sensor acquired at any of the plurality of timings.
If the load cannot be considered to be at the reference temperature at the second timing, either do not calibrate the correlation or calibrate the correlation based on the output value of the first sensor used during the previous calibration of the correlation. Composed,
Control device for aerosol aspirators.
The first sensor that heats the aerosol source and outputs the value related to the electric resistance value or the electric resistance value of the load in which the temperature and the electric resistance value are correlated,
A third sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request,
It includes a control circuit configured to determine the exhaustion of the aerosol source or the temperature of the load based on the correlation and the output value of the first sensor.
The control circuit
It is possible to acquire the output value of the first sensor at a plurality of timings including the second timing after the detection of the generation request and before the supply of the electric energy capable of generating the aerosol to the load.
The correlation can be calibrated based on the output value of the first sensor acquired at any of the plurality of timings.
If the load cannot be considered to be at the reference temperature at the second timing, the correlation is calibrated based on the output value of the first sensor at the second timing before the previous time.
Control device for aerosol aspirators.
The first sensor that heats the aerosol source and outputs the value related to the electric resistance value or the electric resistance value of the load in which the temperature and the electric resistance value are correlated,
A first circuit, which is connected in series between the load and the power supply and includes a first switch,
A second circuit, which is connected in parallel to the first circuit, includes a known resistor and a second switch, and has a higher electrical resistance value than the first circuit.
It includes a control circuit configured to determine the exhaustion of the aerosol source or the temperature of the load based on the correlation and the output value of the first sensor.
The control circuit
The first switch and the second switch can be controlled.
The output value of the first sensor can be acquired at a plurality of timings.
Based on the output value of the first sensor acquired while only the second switch among the first switch and the second switch is in the ON state at any of the plurality of timings, the correlation is obtained. Further configured to calibrate,
Control device for aerosol aspirators.
Includes a second sensor that outputs a voltage or resistance value between the terminals to which the load is electrically connected.
The control circuit is configured to detect the load exchange based on the output value of the second sensor.
The control device for an aerosol aspirator according to claim 2.
The control circuit is an elapsed time until the generation request is detected, and the detection of the previous generation request is completed, or the previous supply of an electric energy for the load to be able to generate an aerosol. Is configured to determine whether the load can be considered to be at the reference temperature at the second timing based on the elapsed time since the end of.
The control device for an aerosol aspirator according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
Only when the elapsed time is greater than or equal to the time required to cool the load from a temperature at which the aerosol can be generated to a temperature that can be considered to be at the reference temperature, the control circuit causes the load to reach the reference temperature at the second timing. Constructed to be considered to be,
The control device for an aerosol aspirator according to claim 7.
The elapsed time is a predetermined time equal to or longer than the time required to cool the load from a temperature at which the aerosol can be generated to a temperature that can be regarded as being at a reference temperature, and is a storage unit for storing the aerosol source or the aerosol source. Only when the predetermined time or more, which is shorter than the time required to cool the load from a temperature that can be reached only when the aerosol source is depleted to a temperature that can be regarded as being at a reference temperature, is used. , It is configured to determine that the load can be considered to be at the reference temperature at the second timing.
The control device for an aerosol aspirator according to claim 7.
Only when the elapsed time is 10 seconds or more, the control circuit is configured to determine that the load can be considered to be at the reference temperature at the second timing.
The control device for an aerosol aspirator according to claim 7.
A control method for an aerosol aspirator, wherein the control device mounted on the aerosol aspirator is
The first sensor that heats the aerosol source and outputs the value related to the electric resistance value or the electric resistance value of the load in which the temperature and the electric resistance value are correlated,
A third sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request,
The control circuit includes a control circuit configured to determine the exhaustion of the aerosol source or the temperature of the load based on the correlation and the output value of the first sensor.
A step of acquiring the output value of the first sensor at a plurality of timings including the second timing after the detection of the generation request and before the supply of the electric energy capable of generating the aerosol to the load, and
In the step of calibrating the correlation based on one of the output values, when the load can be regarded as being at the reference temperature at the second timing, the output value of the first sensor is acquired and the output is obtained. A control method comprising a step including calibrating the correlation based on a value.
A control method for an aerosol aspirator, wherein the control device mounted on the aerosol aspirator is
The first sensor that heats the aerosol source and outputs the value related to the electric resistance value or the electric resistance value of the load in which the temperature and the electric resistance value are correlated,
A third sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request,
The control circuit includes a control circuit configured to determine the exhaustion of the aerosol source or the temperature of the load based on the correlation and the output value of the first sensor and detect the replacement of the load. ,
The first sensor at a plurality of timings including the first timing at the time of the replacement or immediately after the replacement, and the second timing after the detection of the generation request and before the supply of the electric energy capable of generating the aerosol to the load. And the step to get the output value of
In the step of calibrating the correlation based on one of the output values, when the load cannot be regarded as being at the reference temperature at the second timing, the first sensor acquired at the first timing A control method including a step including a step of calibrating the correlation based on an output value.
A control method for an aerosol aspirator, wherein the control device mounted on the aerosol aspirator is
The first sensor that heats the aerosol source and outputs the value related to the electric resistance value or the electric resistance value of the load in which the temperature and the electric resistance value are correlated,
A third sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request,
The control circuit includes a control circuit configured to determine the exhaustion of the aerosol source or the temperature of the load based on the correlation and the output value of the first sensor.
A step of acquiring the output value of the first sensor at a plurality of timings including the second timing after the detection of the generation request and before the supply of the electric energy capable of generating the aerosol to the load, and
In the step of trying to calibrate the correlation based on one of the output values, if the load cannot be considered to be at the reference temperature at the second timing, the correlation is not calibrated or the correlation is not calibrated. A control method including a step of calibrating the correlation based on the output value of the first sensor used at the time of the previous calibration.
A control method for an aerosol aspirator, wherein the control device mounted on the aerosol aspirator is
The first sensor that heats the aerosol source and outputs the value related to the electric resistance value or the electric resistance value of the load in which the temperature and the electric resistance value are correlated,
A third sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request,
The control circuit includes a control circuit configured to determine the exhaustion of the aerosol source or the temperature of the load based on the correlation and the output value of the first sensor.
A step of acquiring the output value of the first sensor at a plurality of timings including the second timing after the detection of the generation request and before the supply of the electric energy capable of generating the aerosol to the load, and
In the step of calibrating the correlation based on one of the output values, if the load cannot be considered to be at the reference temperature at the second timing, the first sensor at the second timing before the previous time. A control method including a step including a step of calibrating the correlation based on the output value of.
A control method for an aerosol aspirator, wherein the control device mounted on the aerosol aspirator is
The first sensor that heats the aerosol source and outputs the value related to the electric resistance value or the electric resistance value of the load in which the temperature and the electric resistance value are correlated,
A first circuit, which is connected in series between the load and the power supply and includes a first switch,
A second circuit, which is connected in parallel to the first circuit, includes a known resistor and a second switch, and has a higher electrical resistance value than the first circuit.
A control circuit configured to be able to control the first switch and the second switch by determining the exhaustion of the aerosol source or the temperature of the load based on the correlation and the output value of the first sensor. The control circuit includes
A step of acquiring the output value of the first sensor at a plurality of timings, and
The step of calibrating the correlation based on one of the output values, which was acquired while only the second switch of the first switch and the second switch was on. A control method including a step including a step of calibrating the correlation based on an output value of the first sensor.
The first sensor that heats the aerosol source and outputs the value related to the electric resistance value or the electric resistance value of the load in which the temperature and the electric resistance value are correlated,
A third sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request,
A control circuit configured to determine the exhaustion or deficiency of the aerosol source or the temperature of the load based on the correlation and the output value of the first sensor.
The control circuit
It is possible to perform calibration that can reduce the error due to the product tolerance of the correlation and calibration that can reduce the error due to the aging of the correlation.
At least the correlation is based on the output value of the first sensor acquired when the load can be regarded as being at the reference temperature after the detection of the generation request and before the supply of the electric energy capable of generating the aerosol to the load. Configured to perform calibration that can reduce errors over time,
Control device for aerosol aspirators.
The first sensor that heats the aerosol source and outputs the value related to the electric resistance value or the electric resistance value of the load in which the temperature and the electric resistance value are correlated,
A third sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request,
A control circuit configured to determine the exhaustion or deficiency of the aerosol source or the temperature of the load based on the correlation and the output value of the first sensor.
The control circuit
It is possible to perform calibration that can reduce the error due to the product tolerance of the correlation and calibration that can reduce the error due to the aging of the correlation.
The load replacement can be detected and
When the load cannot be considered to be at the reference temperature after the detection of the generation request and before the supply of the electric energy capable of generating the aerosol to the load, the first sensor acquired at the time of the replacement or immediately after the replacement. Based on the output value, it is configured to perform calibration that can reduce at least the error due to the product tolerance of the correlation.
Control device for aerosol aspirators.
The first sensor that heats the aerosol source and outputs the value related to the electric resistance value or the electric resistance value of the load in which the temperature and the electric resistance value are correlated,
A third sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request,
A control circuit configured to determine the exhaustion or deficiency of the aerosol source or the temperature of the load based on the correlation and the output value of the first sensor.
The control circuit
It is possible to perform calibration that can reduce the error due to the product tolerance of the correlation and calibration that can reduce the error due to the aging of the correlation.
If the load cannot be considered to be at the reference temperature after the detection of the generation request and before the supply of the amount of power capable of producing the aerosol to the load, the calibration is not performed or is used at the time of the previous calibration of the correlation. Based on the output value of the first sensor, at least the calibration that can reduce the error due to the change of the correlation with time is performed.
Control device for aerosol aspirators.
The first sensor that heats the aerosol source and outputs the value related to the electric resistance value or the electric resistance value of the load in which the temperature and the electric resistance value are correlated,
A third sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request,
A control circuit configured to determine the exhaustion or deficiency of the aerosol source or the temperature of the load based on the correlation and the output value of the first sensor.
The control circuit
It is possible to perform calibration that can reduce the error due to the product tolerance of the correlation and calibration that can reduce the error due to the aging of the correlation.
If the load cannot be considered to be at the reference temperature at the timing after the detection of the generation request and before the supply of the electric energy capable of generating the aerosol to the load, the output value of the first sensor at the timing before the previous time. Based on, at least configured to perform calibration capable of reducing errors due to aging of the correlation.
Control device for aerosol aspirators.
The first sensor that heats the aerosol source and outputs the value related to the electric resistance value or the electric resistance value of the load in which the temperature and the electric resistance value are correlated,
A first circuit, which is connected in series between the load and the power supply and includes a first switch,
A second circuit, which is connected in parallel to the first circuit, includes a known resistor and a second switch, and has a higher electrical resistance value than the first circuit.
A control circuit configured to determine the exhaustion or deficiency of the aerosol source or the temperature of the load based on the correlation and the output value of the first sensor.
The control circuit
It is possible to perform calibration that can reduce the error due to the product tolerance of the correlation and calibration that can reduce the error due to the aging of the correlation.
The first switch and the second switch can be controlled.
It is configured to perform the calibration of the correlation based on the output value of the first sensor acquired while only the second switch among the first switch and the second switch is in the ON state. ,
Control device for aerosol aspirators.
A control method for an aerosol aspirator, wherein the control device mounted on the aerosol aspirator is
The first sensor that heats the aerosol source and outputs the value related to the electric resistance value or the electric resistance value of the load in which the temperature and the electric resistance value are correlated,
A third sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request,
The control circuit includes a control circuit configured to determine the exhaustion or deficiency of the aerosol source or the temperature of the load based on the correlation and the output value of the first sensor.
A step of performing calibration that can reduce at least one of the error due to the product tolerance of the correlation and the error due to the change over time of the correlation, and the load of the electric energy capable of generating the aerosol after the detection of the generation request is detected. A step including a step of performing at least a calibration capable of reducing an error due to a change in the correlation over time based on the output value of the first sensor acquired when the load can be regarded as being at a reference temperature before being supplied to the device. Control method including.
A control method for an aerosol aspirator, wherein the control device mounted on the aerosol aspirator is
The first sensor that heats the aerosol source and outputs the value related to the electric resistance value or the electric resistance value of the load in which the temperature and the electric resistance value are correlated,
A third sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request,
The control includes a control circuit configured to determine the exhaustion or shortage of the aerosol source or the temperature of the load based on the correlation and the output value of the first sensor and detect the replacement of the load. The circuit is
A step of performing calibration that can reduce at least one of the error due to the product tolerance of the correlation and the error due to the aging of the correlation, and the load of the amount of electric energy capable of generating the aerosol after the detection of the generation request is detected. If the load cannot be considered to be at the reference temperature before being supplied to, at least an error due to the product tolerance of the correlation can be reduced based on the output value of the first sensor acquired at the time of the replacement or immediately after the replacement. A control method that includes steps that include performing calibration.
A control method for an aerosol aspirator, wherein the control device mounted on the aerosol aspirator is
The first sensor that heats the aerosol source and outputs the value related to the electric resistance value or the electric resistance value of the load in which the temperature and the electric resistance value are correlated,
A third sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request,
The control circuit includes a control circuit configured to determine the exhaustion or deficiency of the aerosol source or the temperature of the load based on the correlation and the output value of the first sensor.
The step of attempting to perform calibration capable of reducing at least one of the error due to the product tolerance of the correlation and the error due to the aging of the correlation, and the amount of power capable of generating the aerosol after the detection of the generation request is detected. If the load cannot be considered to be at the reference temperature before being fed to the load, then no calibration is performed or at least the time of the correlation is based on the output value of the first sensor used during the previous calibration of the correlation. A control method that includes steps that include performing calibrations that can reduce errors due to change.
A control method for an aerosol aspirator, wherein the control device mounted on the aerosol aspirator is
The first sensor that heats the aerosol source and outputs the value related to the electric resistance value or the electric resistance value of the load in which the temperature and the electric resistance value are correlated,
A third sensor that outputs an aerosol generation request,
The control circuit includes a control circuit configured to determine the exhaustion or deficiency of the aerosol source or the temperature of the load based on the correlation and the output value of the first sensor.
A step of performing calibration that can reduce at least one of the error due to the product tolerance of the correlation and the error due to the change over time of the correlation, and the load of the electric energy capable of generating the aerosol after the detection of the generation request is detected. If the load cannot be considered to be at the reference temperature at the timing before supply to, at least calibration that can reduce the error due to the temporal change of the correlation is performed based on the output value of the first sensor at the timing before the previous time. A control method that includes steps, including steps to perform.
A program that causes a processor to execute the control method according to any one of claims 11 to 15 and 21 to 24.
An aerosol aspirator comprising the control device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and 16 to 20.